Love's Test of Time (Madara Uchiha x OC)

VII - Ceremony

Songs:
Call the Nightingale - Vian Izak, Juniper Vale
Same (Alternate Version) - Josie Dunne 
I Will Spend My Whole Life Loving You - Imaginary Future, Kina Grannis
Take You Dancing - Jason Derulo 

~~~

When I awoke, the sun was just peeking out over the horizon and grey storm clouds were building in the distance; a slight rumbling being heard.

Reluctantly, I pulled away from Madara's warmth and stood, silently pulling the covers back over him. I gazed at his sleeping face. Without his narrowed eyebrows, he had a softer expression than when he was awake but dark bags still settled beneath his puffy eyes and my heart ached for him.

I gently placed a kiss on his forehead then turned away from him and left the room quietly. Following the completion of my morning routine, I went to the kitchen to begin cooking.

After setting the table, I gazed solemnly at it. Only two plates now. Yumi and Izuna's loss pulled at my heart and tears stung my eyes but I furiously blinked them away. A rough knocking sound broke my thoughts and I made my way to the door. Who would be here so early?

I opened the door a few inches and was greeted by three angry Uchiha men. The middle one spoke first. "Where is he?"

"Who?" I questioned politely. 

"You know damn well, woman. Where is Madara?!" He practically shouted. I was about to slam the door shut but a hand from behind me slid it all the way open.

"What the hell do you want?" Madara asked, irritation lacing his husky voice.

"We want Izuna's eyes," The man to the right spoke. "And you're going to give them to us."

Madara crossed his arms, moving to stand in front of me. "And if I don't?" He taunted.

"We're going to defect," The third man said smugly.

"Do whatever you'd like," Madara shot back and went to close the door.

The first man spoke up, "You're a horrible leader, you know that! And this clan has been ruined under your command!" He swung a fist at Madara and I grimaced as it connected in a crunch, snapping his head to the side.

Madara smirked and cracked his knuckles. "I truly thank you for coming here today. You men will be my punching bags this morning." He practically tackled the first man to the bottom of the stairs and straddled him, landing punch after punch on his face.

The other two turned to me, probably devising a plan to use me as leverage so I slid the door shut with a slam and locked it, letting Madara deal with them.

After a few minutes, everything went silent outside and Madara knocked on the door. "It's just me, Lea," He spoke and I slid it open for him.

Not a scratch or bruise marred his body, as expected. "Come in and eat; breakfast is ready," I said, ushering him inside and closing the door behind us. I didn't even want to ask why those men wanted Izuna's eyes so I stayed quiet. 

We both sat and ate; the silence between us settling like a pit in my stomach. When we were finished, I went to stand but a hand stopped me. "I'm sorry about last night. I don't know what I was thinking. I spoke the truth but it was at the wrong time." Madara said, shaking his head.

I racked my brain trying to understand his words and finally realized he was talking about his unexpected proposal from last night. "It's okay, Madara, I understand." I squeezed his hand then continued picking up our dishes, setting them by the sink.

Madara left to make arrangements at the cemetery while I stayed home and cleaned up. He came back thirty minutes later, bringing along a friend to carry Izuna's casket. I watched as the two men placed him inside and unfolded a white cloth over him. Madara's jaw was clenched the entire time; the muscles strained like my heart was for him.