The Power of the Moon

PART 7

It wasn't until I felt her hand on my skin that my feet jolted slightly. I had never been healed before besides that night, and feeling uncalloused hands that finally weren't seeking to fight me but to heal me, felt different. I felt her chakra infuse with mine, a bit too easily it was, and that was when it dawned on me.

It was her.
My immediate reaction was to push her off of me.

"That was quick. Your Uchiha bloodline allowed for a faster healing than usual. Seriously  - what else are you good at?"

How ignorant and naive of her to praise me so quickly, was she not aware?
I looked down at her, my eyes casting a tense darkness now swirling into my red orbs that struck fear into her. I grabbed her wrist, "I recognize your chakra from somewhere."
She had seemed confused, like she could not connect the puzzle. "What do you mean?"

I sighed, my arms drooped to either side of me, and I was visibly disappointed. Annoyed even. How insulting that she not remember!
How would I even bring it up to her? I wondered.

"Perhaps this'll serve as a fond memory." I unravelled my belt, beginning to take my shirt off, when she twirled on her feet the other way. I let out yet another exasperated sigh.
"Oi oi!" She raised a fist in the air, "Just who do you think you are! Taking your shirt off in front of royalty! Have you no shame!"
I almost chuckled at the 180 flip in her personality, she was now worked up and fiesty. "Now you're being stubborn. Turn around and take a look."

And her eyes had explained everything. She did remember after all. I thought by showing her this scar it would rekindle that memory. It was indeed exhilarating and my only near death experience as a child against a Senju elder. I was left with a grotesque wound to serve as a reminder of that fight.

Ayumi was beginning to heave, her chest was raising up and down unrhythmically, I observed. It must have been traumatizing for her too. Her legs buckled and she trembled onto the ground. "N-no way, no..." She stuttered, "All this time I thought that boy was dead. It was you! You were right under my nose this entire time..." She had taken dirt and soil and crushed it with her hand.

My eyes cast down at her, "With those eyes of yours, I am surprised you didn't notice any earlier." I slipped on my clan attire, "Any shinobi that practices medical ninjutsu would know that wounds close faster after a second exposure. Not attributed to my bloodline."

"M-masaka..." She dug her hands deeper into the dirt.
The sinister side of me had been relished by the fact that she, the to-be Hyuga leader, seemed hopeless, yet part of me couldn't help but realize how much of an innocent child she had been. Who would heal an Uchiha just for the sake of it? We were a targeted and dangerous clan, yet she did not seem to let that fact waver her convictions.

It truly was ironic, she was now crumbled on the grounc instead of me this time.

"Furthermore,"I stepped closer to her, now crouching down at her level, "I have never been healed by any one ever in my life. So by exclusion, it must be you."
She began to cry, her tears soiling the dirt underneath her, an emotion that made me rather uncomfortable. Though I was a person who knew what they wanted and did not have problems making decisions, I found myself not knowing what to do now. I despised the reluctance she made me feel around her. She looked up at me, her transparent eyes were glossy now. I did not like that gaze, it felt like she was staring into my soul. An unfamiliar tightness grew in my chest, one that I did not like and frankly felt ashamed even for feeling. I couldn't help but be overtaken by her sheer eloquence, but I would not let that show. Her lips were slightly parted, as if she was trying to muster up the energy to speak.

"And so now you might understand why I support this idea of an alliance." I tried to bridge her silence, "You saved my life. So in exchange, our clans will shake hands."
She had still seemed so disturbed, like she was contemplating in deep thought. I had enough of seeing her like this, as it would bring up feelings I once had experienced seeing my brothers slain in cold blood.
I stood upright, "Enough sulking." I ordered, instinctively offering a hand for her. I wondered why I had done that. She took it nonetheless, her weight was light and I swiftly lifted her until she was able to stand. "You look like that Senju brat Hashirama with that face now." I admitted, chuckling, letting go of her.
Ayumi developed a rosy blush, and for a second I felt prideful that I had done that to her. I quickly snapped out that line of thought, shifting myself to look away in order to regain some composure. 

"Warui na, Madara. I should probably get back to my father." She looked up at me, the rose still on her cheeks. I liked seeing her like that, I decided. "You get back to your training."
"Eeya. My interest has waned thanks to your interference." I started leading the way back, "I'll tag along."

"Oh?" She quickly huddled next to me, "Or is it that you want to spend some time with me!"
Hah! How confident of her. "You sound like a child." I chuckled, attaching my gunbai to the harness on my back.

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AUTHOR'S NOTE

Please let me know what you think of so far!
This is the last chapter but from Madara's point of view. So that way you can get an insight into what he's feeling. :)