Ayumi was growing more nervous by the second. She was at Madara's family house now, the both of them comforting his passing brother in his last moments.

"I-Izuna..." Ayumi tugged the hem of her sleeve. She tried to do what she could, and Madara would watch intently.

Madara was rather silent, but the pain on his face told everything that needed to be said. He glanced at his wife, the skin underneath her eyes had been swollen from all the crying.

"I'm surprised you didn't give my brother and I an earful, hiding this from you." Izuna breathed raspily. Ayumi's eyes fell to the floor.

"Now's not the time to be mad. Look at you, Izuna..." Ayumi placed a comforting hand on his shoulder.

Izuna's eyes slowly travelled to hers. "You're a good woman, onee-chan." He groaned in pain, looking at the hand on his shoulder. "And you need to stop offering me chakra. Nothing is working."

Ayumi's lips trembled, and she couldn't help but feel more hot tears stream down her face. Madara looked at her. It was quite overwhelming, his parents had passed that morning, and now it had been Izuna's turn, alongside his crying wife. Madara recalled his father's last words.

"Bury me, your mother, and Izuna, next to your... brothers..."

Madara heaved a heavy sigh, but it did not get rid of the pressure building atop his shoulders.

Madara would be the only remnant left of his family after this.

"... Izuna..." Madara muttered.

"Take care of the Uchiha.. Nii-san... and take my eyes... as a part...ing..." Izuna's pupils stopped dilating, and that was when Ayumi lost all control over her stifling tears.

"Izuna!" She wailed, grasping his clothing.

Madara gritted his teeth, his jaw clenching.

Izuna's arms had relaxed to his sides, his lifeless eyes now staring right into the dull ceiling. That was it, Izuna had died.

On that day, Madara lost his mother, his father, and his brother.

-

They had both went through the process of rinsing and cleaning his family members, and placing them into coffins adorned in Uchiha crests. It had been a couple of hours or so, Ayumi and Madara worked on wrapping Izuna's body into the coffin. Earlier, Madara had asked Ayumi to grant him some privacy as he took Izuna's eyes and placed them into a jar, now hidden from her.

Ayumi grew more worried about Madara though. He had been relatively quiet, and she realized that this was how he dealt with grief: in isolation. Ayumi knew Madara had to deal with the deaths of his three other brothers, and she wondered if it ever got easier to deal with for him. Needless to say, it was unfortunate that all four of his brothers had passed due to the war.

But there was a coldness and hardness to his eyes that she had never seen the likes of before. It was natural as a part of grief, but she felt guilty that it scared her. She was quiet around him too, and didn't want to prod too much into how he was feeling, as she was sure that would slight him.

As soon as the last bit of their work was done, Madara's arms fell to his sides and he looked at Ayumi over his shoulder a bit too intensely. Ayumi saw that his eyes were red, and she assumed it had been because of the deep emotions he was experiencing.

"You can return home. I will bury them." Madara spoke coldly.

But Ayumi frowned, she wanted to stay by his side, as now was a critical time.

Ayumi shook her head. "I'll stay with you and help." She bit her cheek, waiting for a scolding from him. All she saw were his crossed broad arms.

Madara had anticipated she would be stubborn. He understood her concern, but it was a time he would like to spend alone. After all, he had been a man of solitude.

"Go." Madara spoke more firmly, and Ayumi sighed, defeatedly looking at the floor. She could tell that it was not worth a bicker to try and stay.

-

Just as his parents had wished, Madara buried his family members beside his passed brothers. The rain had been hitting Madara's face heavily, drenching his long locks. He stared solemnly at the six graves ahead of him.

There had been three the last time he was here with Ayumi. Now there had been six.

Madara buckled, his knees hit the soil, his fists now clenching his clothes.

In truth, Madara didn't know what to say. He had killed so many people, his hands were drenched in blood, and that never bothered him. Yet the deaths of his loved ones... Had been a whole other story.

-

Ayumi sat outside the porch, swinging her feet. It rained, but it didn't matter to her. She waited until Madara would come back. She prepared his favourite dishes which she stored in the fridge, but she doubted Madara would even have an appetite for it. Ayumi made sure to prepare his favourite foods, alongside a set of clean clothing for him to change into. It would always be the little things that would settle Madara down, she noticed.

It wasn't too long until she saw his familiar figure from the distance. She was internally relieved that he had been safe.

Madara trudged slowly, until he stood a couple of steps away from her. He looked down at her softly.

Madara noticed that her hair was soaked, and his eyes cast down to her fingers which she kept nervously knotted on her lap. She was worried.

"Ayumi." Madara muttered, her eyes were fixed on his. "I kept you waiting. I apologize. But you'll get sick this way." He stared at her drenched clothing. But she shook her head.

"I don't care." Ayumi said. "Food is ready for you inside if you want me to heat it up for you. And a fresh set of clothing is ready. You'll get sick too." She eyed his drenched attire.

Madara almost nearly faltered, knowing that he had someone who deeply cared about him. He truly was lucky.

Ayumi wanted to bite the bullet and ask, but she hesitated, looking down and then up to him. "Are you..." She bit her lip, "Okay?"

Madara stayed motionless for a moment, until he nodded. "I am fine."

But she knew he wasn't. Like Madara, Ayumi hid her pain well. And that was why she could recognize his.

-

"Madara." Ayumi stared at her husband's broad back. He glanced over his shoulder, he was about to go into the shower. All he had was a towel tied around his waist.

"What?"

"Hmm..." She fiddled with her fingers. "Can I... join you? Wash your hair?"

Ayumi didn't know why she grew shy, but all she knew was that she wanted to be next to him.

"Oh?" Madara turned to fully meet her, a hand on his hip, and the other kept his towel bound together. She was awfully insistent, and Madara quickly scanned her from top to bottom. Her clothing had been tattered and soiled. "You look like you could use a shower too. Fine."

-

She flinched as she felt a big warm hand rest on her womb. The steam of the shower and his gentle movements were all too enticing for her.

Ayumi was surprised that Madara let her wash his hair, he had wild locks and she could tell he felt relaxed, evident by the way his shoulders grew less tense.

Madara was behind her, and he didn't miss the way she whimpered when he placed his hand there. With his other hand, Madara moved her long black tresses over her shoulder, exposing her tender neck. He would leave many hickies there when they would be intimate, it became a spot he grew fond of. Madara nibbled on her skin, and she responded by pressing herself firmly against him. She had been holding his hand that rested on her womb.

Though she could not see, Madara smirked. His hand reached out to twist the shower knob off.

"I think our shower can wait for now." Madara spoke huskily in her ear, and goosebumps raised all over her skin. Ayumi knew exactly what Madara had meant, as his hand travelled a bit further down. She eyed his wandering hand. "Don't you think?"

She bit her lip, her face had been flush already. Ayumi would give in. "Yeah."

-

Ayumi's face and her palms had been against the cold shower wall, she was panting heavily. Madara had been relentless, callous and rough with her the past hour or so. It was frightening, but every time she'd stare over her shoulder to see his big physique, Ayumi would be sent to another plane of pleasure. His lips were parted, his groans bellowed from the pit of his stomach, and the way his eyebrows furrowed in ecstasy were all enough to entice her.

"Madara..." Ayumi panted, feeling Madara's hot breath on her neck as he leaned against her, panting as well.

Both of them stayed like that for a moment, until they caught their breaths. Madara's stamina was unbelievable, and it perplexed her every single time.

She tried to move, but she winced. He had been a bit too rough.

Madara noticed this, concern grew on his face.

"Did I hurt you?" His hands travelled to her bare hips.

"No, I'm okay." Ayumi shook her head, turning around to meet his face. On the contrary, it actually felt quite good to be on the receiving end of his unresolved tension.

Madara helped her get out the shower, and he lifted her, his arms under her knees while she wrapped her arms around Madara's neck. He laid her onto the futon on her back once they both reached their room.

"I..." Ayumi wrapped her legs around his waist. She tugged Madara forward, and Madara scanned her face.

"You want more." Madara completed her thoughts, and she nodded, blushing, bringing a finger to her lips.