Blood Lust

Chapter 46

Opening his eyes to find Madara beside him seemed almost too good to be true. He wasn't concerned about anything else in that moment. This was all he needed right now---just laying beside Madara. His pain was dulled by the intense love he felt in his heart. This feeling was always there for Madara, but there was excitement mixed in his emotions. He was giddy like a child. Their time apart made him realize how important it was to be together.

It was hard to control that giddiness when he reached out his hand. Stronger. He felt stronger with Madara. His hands barely trembled and his arms didn't feel as sore. Madara was sleeping. It looked like he desperately needed to sleep. In his hazy memories, he remembered how tired and worried Madara had looked when they reunited. Hashirama had to be gentle with his touch---almost like a feather---to ensure he wouldn't wake him.

All it took was one tiny movement for Madara's eyes to pry open. At first, he seemed frightened from all of the trauma the past few nights. Panic tried to shoot through him, but it was immediately stopped when his sight settled on Hashirama.

"I didn't mean to wake you," Hashirama murmured. His hand finally made contact with Madara's jawline, his thumb tracing the bottom of his lip.

"No, no---Have you been awake long?" Madara began to question as he swiftly raised up from his pillow. His words were strained, as if he was holding back all of the worry he felt. "Are you in pain? I didn't mean to fall asleep---"

"I'm okay, darling," Hashirama interrupted, his voice soft and reassuring. "I just wanted to see you, that's all."

"I--I've just---I missed you," Madara stuttered. His tears were flowing again. "I've never been so scared."

Hashirama smiled his usual reassuring grin up at Madara. It was something he needed the past few days. A happy Hashirama made everything right in the world.

"I missed you," Hashirama hummed, pushing back the strands of hair that fell in front of Madara's face.

"I felt like a whole part of me was missing," Madara huffed with a pout. "You don't know what kind of awful things I've done the past few days while trying to find you. I was entirely a different person. I needed you by my side."

Hashirama frowned, holding back his own tears. "I was worried you wouldn't bother to find me at all."

Madara shook his head in disbelief. "Why would you ever think such a thing?"

"We were so ridiculously mad at each other before it all happened," Hashirama whined, allowing a few tears to slip out.

Madara reached out his hand and wiped the stray tears from Hashirama's cheek with the pad of his thumb.

"I would've chased after you that night but your damn brother stopped me," Madara explained with a hint of frustration in his voice. He softened, though, when he looked into Hashirama's eyes. "But I never stopped looking for you. I needed you to know how sorry I felt---how sorry I feel. You will always have my heart, Hashirama. Nothing can ever change that, not even a pathetic fight."

"I realize that now," Hashirama tearfully pleaded. Hashirama pulled Madara closer and closer until their lips finally connected. Every word they could possibly say and every emotion they felt was poured into each other. It was passionate, yet sweet and gentle.

"I love you, Madara," Hashirama whispered. "Only you."

Their lips crashed together again. It was less meticulous now. It grew sloppier from desire. They were grasping at each other so desperately. Hashirama was much more rough, tugging and pulling at Madara to be closer to him. Madara, on the other hand, restrained himself as best as he could. He was gentle and every touch was purposeful to avoid hurting Hashirama's injury.

"Marry me," Madara breathlessly spoke, his lips hovering over Hashirama's teasingly.

Hashirama froze. "Hm? Did I hear that correctly?"

"Marry me, Hashirama," Madara repeated, caressing the brunette's face in his hands. "I want to give you everything you deserve."

A small laugh erupted from Hashirama. "What priest would marry two vampires?"

"I'll find one," Madara answered in full seriousness. "This is what I want, Hashirama. I just want you, and maybe even a few rugrats running around. I want a normal life with you. A happy, normal life."

Hashirama smiled, nuzzling himself into Madara's chest. "Okay," he agreed.

Their moment of bliss was rudely interrupted by Tobirama walking into the room. They pulled apart from each other and sat up. The younger brother's eyes widened at the sight of Hashirama being awake.

"Why didn't you tell us he woke up?" Tobirama gasped, rushing to the side of the bed.

Madara huffed, "Because I knew I wouldn't get a second alone with him if I did."

"Are you in pain?" Tobirama asked Hashirama. He sat on the edge of the bed beside him with worry written all over his face. He was hesitant to touch Hashirama, fearing he'd cause more harm than good.

"I'm fine," Hashirama assured. "Just sore, really."

Tobirama nodded with a little more relief washing over him and returned his attention back to Madara. His delight faded into seriousness.

"The girl is waking up now."

"What girl?" Hashirama interjected.

"We found a girl in one of the buildings close to where we found you," Tobirama explained. "She was injured pretty badly."

Hashirama rose up without any regard for himself. His body was still sore from the overexertion he had endured when he escaped, but that didn't matter to him. If it was the girl he was thinking of, his pain is nothing compared to the sacrifice she made for him. He needed to thank her properly.

"Hashi, you need to rest," Madara scolded, rushing to his side to help him stand safely.

"This girl defied Obito for me," Hashirama argued as he limped out of the room. "She's the only reason I managed to escape."

"You should listen to Madara," Tobirama agreed with worry. "Your wound is still not properly healed, even with your new capabilities."

"I'll rest after I see her!" Hashirama snapped. He continued hobbling down the hall, determined to see her with his own eyes. He could smell the scent of familiar people coming from a room a few doors down from where he was. Izuna, Mito, and Rin. They were all leaning over the body of a young girl. It was the same angel that protected him.

She was alive, but what will they do from here?