Blood Lust

Chapter 28

The group of four found refuge in an inn to rest and heal from their wounds. It was a quiet time for them when they arrived. They barely uttered any words to each other and went straight to sleep. Their minds were heavy with thoughts and fears for what was to come in the following days.

By the following night, they all felt heavier than they did from the night before. The drink from the club left them feeling sick and depressed once the effects completely wore off. It was one hell of a hangover.

"How much longer do you think he's going to be in there?" Izuna asked quietly, pointing his eyes towards the bathroom door.

Tobirama frowned, "I don't know. He's already been in there for over an hour."

"Do you think he will be okay?" Izuna continued to question.

Tobirama shrugged and ran his hand through his hair. "I hope so."

On the other side of the door, Hashirama sat in the bathtub, vigorously washing his skin until it nearly bled. Madara sat beside him on the floor, watching his lover fall apart before him.

"Hashirama, you need to stop," Madara urged as he gently placed his hands on Hashirama's. "You're rubbing your skin raw. I promise all of the blood is gone."

Hashirama feverishly shook his head. "I--I don't feel clean."

"You can't keep punishing yourself over this," Madara pleaded. "You didn't know what you were doing. You were drugged, okay? It wasn't your fault."

Hashirama stared blankly at the soapy water he sat in. Tears streamed down his face in a silent sob.

"I did such horrendous things," Hashirama uttered. "I can't believe I'm capable of the things I did."

"That's not who you are, my love," Madara cooed. "You weren't in your right mind."

"B--But I still did it," Hashirama stammered. "You and Tobirama found me in the middle of some sick mess. How can you even look at me? How am I going to face my brother?"

"I see you no differently than I did before," Madara assured. "I'm sure your brother feels the same way. Tobirama understands what happened and would never blame you for something you couldn't control. Stop worrying about us, okay?"

Madara placed his hands on either side of Hashirama's cheeks and gently pulled his gaze towards him. His heart sank once he looked into Hashirama's heartbroken eyes.

"I love you so much," Madara whispered, feeling his own eyes beginning to fill up with tears. "I won't let anything else happen to you. I'd die if it meant that you'd be safe from any sort of harm."

He leaned forward and gently kissed the middle of Hashirama's forehead. His lips lingered for a moment as he gathered strength to not completely breakdown. All he wanted was to hold Hashirama close and protect him from the cruel world they lived in. Hashirama was unlike any other person he has met before. He was kind and loving, yet strong and fierce. He was the only one who could soften Madara's cold and hardened heart. Hashirama didn't deserve this kind of mental torture.

"Let's get you dressed, okay?" Madara suggested softly. "I've found you some clean clothes."

Delicately, Madara aided the fragile Hashirama in getting dressed. It was hard watching him struggle to even look at his own skin as he pulled on his clothes. Tears stayed puddled underneath his glowing amber eyes. This was going to haunt him for a long time.

When they left the bathroom, Izuna and Tobirama looked up from the table they sat at with worried eyes. They watched Hashirama stagger to the side of one of the beds and take a seat. Tobirama rose to his feet and found his way to sit beside Hashirama. He didn't have to do anything but hug his older brother to provide him all of the comfort he needed.