Work Text:
Her steps were silent and lithe, a complete contrast to the storm in her heart. Not even three months have passed since her hand was given to Hokage Konoha, the most respected man of that time. To the man about whom she had heard all the best things. About how he managed to stop a long generational war in just one day with an act of mercy and a kunai. Who built a village with his own hands where several clans lived in harmony and all shared the love of the leader who brought them together.
Only to find out that his love also had room for the person who would perhaps turn out to become her biggest threat.
Mito walked towards the district of the Uchiha clan. Their black eyes pierced into her back with curiosity or accusation. She wasn't paying attention. She only has business with one of them.
Mito stopped in front of the door where the patriarch of the clan lived. After a brief polite exchange with the servants, Mito stepped into Madara Uchiha's quarters.
She found him in the living room, where he was carefully flipping through scripts and correcting documents. The documents that Hashirama had personally given him.
Mito stood in silence for perhaps a full minute, gathering the words she intended to say to her enemy, and holding back the ones she truly wanted to spit in his face.
Madara didn't even look up when he addressed her. "To what do I owe the presence of the Uzumaki princess unannounced in my apartment?" Mito didn't like his voice. She hadn't known him for long, and already she didn't like Madara as a person at all.
"I believe you know who I am." Mito answered him calmly. Madara dipped the quill into the ink. Mito continued.
"If not, then you know my husband." Only then did Madara put the pen down on the table. He crossed his fingers and exhaled deeply, as if he knew already what this was all about.
“Ah. So Hashirama told you?” even though his face was expressionless, Mito could hear the sneer in his voice. But she wouldn't let this man scare her, or worse, humiliate her.
"I've known about you two for a while."
Madara laughed. "Well, that will be news to Hashirama." he did not seem to be disturbed by this revelation. He stood up with a light step advanced towards the wardrobe door. “To be honest, I'm actually glad you know. That man couldn't keep something like this a secret if his life depended on it. And he still thought he was very discreet about it."
Mito didn't want to think about the fact that all the excuses Hashirama would give her for not coming home were so he could secretly see such a devil.
"I kept quiet because I hoped that Hashirama would tire of you quickly." her voice was louder now. Restraint began to slip. Madara turned just enough for his eyes to be seen.
"I wouldn't get your hopes up too high if I were you." Mito could see in his eyes that he wanted to tell her something else, but the door to the room suddenly opened. One black-eyed girl stammered “Lord Madara, the council and clan leader meeting is in an hour.” it seemed that the mere presence near the Uchiha patriarch struck fear into the bones of the clan's external members. At least to those who didn’t oppose him, and there was a considerable quantity of those as well.
Madara grunted a confirmation, and the girl stepped back. Mito continued.
"The reason I came here is to tell you that this has to stop at once." Madara began to take off his casual Uchiha clan kimono.
"That's up to Hashirama to decide." Madara answered casually, as if the question was the most trivial thing he had ever heard.
"He's… not in love with you." Mito replied, but with slight hesitation, as if she was trying to convince herself more than him.
"If he's not, he's awfully good at faking it." Madara said sardonically, and Mito knew the truth at that moment. The truth that constantly scratched the back corner of her mind. She couldn't ignore it anymore.
"If you want my advice, you better continue to ignore this." Madara took out the kimono he apparently intended to wear to the meeting and started putting it on.
“I'm afraid this can no longer be ignored. The villagers have already started to talk about you two."
“Look. Why the noise? You have everything one could wish for as a Hokage's wife. You have the status, name, position, great finances, connection with other countries."
"My husband's love means more to me than those petty things." Mito managed to regain composure in her voice. Madara laughed again “You're not a superficial woman after all. I am pleasantly surprised.”
"You are notorious for being rude, Madara." Mito furrowed her brows.
"I can be gentle when I need to be." Madara replied in a coy voice. Mito shuddered.
"Look. What did you really think your arrival would achieve? That I will fall at your feet and beg for forgiveness?" Mito scowled at him. Madara crossed his arms. He was wearing a bright red kimono with Sharingan markings. "Admit it, was that the purpose of your arrival?"
“Not after this conversation. I have nothing to ask of you, when there is nothing in you."
Madara went to the door with his head held high “I'd say you've stayed long enough, Princess Uzumaki. We shouldn't be late for the meeting.” Mito walked towards the exit. Her face still remained calm, but the fire and rage in her soul burned even stronger. Madara was right. This really did not change anything, it only confirmed what she feared the most and left her more resentful than ever. She hated this man.
Suddenly Mito stopped and turned back. Madara went back to the scripts he had left on the desk "I have a piece of advice for you too." he looked back “If you're dressing for Hashirama, not that one. He doesn't like anything so... provocative."
Madara turned around to face her again, “Thank you, very nice of you. But when Hashirama doesn't like what I wear, I take it off."
A slap echoed in the room.
Madara's hair covering his face revealed his right eye from inertia, and both eyes, now crimson under the Sharingan, looked down on her. Mito staggered. He managed to get under her skin after all. She turned and ran out of the room, into which the two guards were just entering.
"Lord Madara! are you ok, we heard-”
“Calm down. Everything is fine.” Madara turned around. His cheek burned and hurt, but he felt victorious.