It was a slightly warm summer in Konohagakure, hotter than usual. You were in your third trimester with your sixth child, carrying low and heavy in the humid air. Your husband, Madara, had been by your side through it all. The two of you had been married for nearly eighteen years, and now it all seemed like such a blur. The days slipped by like leaves on the wind.
You first met him during a mission, unexpectedly, just as many life-changing moments tend to happen. At the time, Madara was fierce, sharp-tongued, and unyielding. He was the proud leader of the Uchiha clan. Although you were not born into the Uchiha, your own clan was respected within the village. That had been enough for him. Somehow, through battles and stubborn hearts, the two of you had fallen in love.
Now, your oldest child, only ten years old stands proudly before you, ready to graduate from the ninja academy. He looked just like his father, from dark, wild hair to sharp eyes that held more determination than most adults. Sometimes the resemblance startled you. Other times, it simply made you smile.
"You're just like your father. It's adorable," you said, ruffling his hair gently as a warm pride filled your chest.
He scoffed, clearly annoyed. "Mom… stop it. I'm not a kid anymore."
You giggled, brushing a few strands of hair from his face. "Well, if you say so."
From down the hallway, footsteps echoed—measured, deliberate. Madara emerged, dressed in a deep-toned, expensive Montsuki. His presence was commanding as always, the fabric swaying slightly with each step. He stopped a few feet away, eyes narrowing as he looked down at your son.
"Enough of that," he said, voice low but firm.
Then his gaze sharpened.
"Where are your brothers?" he asked, tone leaving no room for excuses.
Your oldest rolled his eyes, arms folded across his chest. "How should I know? They were already done dressing."
Madara's eyes flared as he glared at his son. "You're graduating the academy, yet you still lack any sense of responsibility."
You smiled at yourself before turning your head to look at Madara. "I was hoping you wouldn't be grumpy today. It's his graduation, after all."
He glanced at you, and like always, his eyes softened. "I'm not grumpy. It's the truth. He's like this because you baby him too much."
You laughed, reaching up to fix the collar of his Kimono. "Oh, hush. I baby you too, and you haven't changed either."
Madara scoffed, turning his head away, but his gaze returned to you. He placed his right hand on your belly, his touch surprisingly gentle as he asked, "How do you feel today? Better than last night?"
You nodded, your own hand coming to rest over his. Though your touch brought comfort, there was something especially calming when it was his. His hands were always so warm.
"I feel better. This kimono is thinner, so I don't feel as hot."
He slowly retracted his hand, only to rest it on the back of your head, fingers gliding through your hair in a slow caress.
"I would hope so. I had it ordered specifically for this day," he said. "I'd prefer my woman not overheat."
You smiled softly. "Thank you for being so considerate."
Madara's hand lingered a moment longer in your hair before he lowered it, his attention shifting back to your son. His tone turned sharp again, the warmth he showed you now gone from his voice.
"Go find your brothers," he ordered. "If they're not ready in five minutes, we're leaving without them."
Your son frowned. "But—"
"No excuses," Madara cut in, eyes narrowing. "I don't like being late. Especially not for something this important."
With a huff, your oldest turned and walked off, muttering under his breath as he went to find his siblings.
Madara sighed quietly through his nose, gaze following the boy. "He's too much like me sometimes. It's aggravating."
You chuckled, brushing a stray hair behind your ear. "That's what makes it so fun to watch."
Madara placed his hand gently on your lower back, his voice lowering to a softer tone. "Honey, I think it's best if you have a seat while we wait."
"You know I don't like you standing too long."
You shook your head with a small smile. "It's fine. I need to stand for a bit. Doctor's orders."
He didn't look convinced, but you continued, "Besides, you only gave them five minutes. They won't dare disobey that."
Madara sighed, eyes narrowing toward the hallway. "Those little brats have no sense of urgency. I'll give them a proper lecture later for making you wait."
Minutes passed, and right on the mark—five minutes later—your oldest returned, somehow managing to get all four of his younger brothers ready.
The smallest one, only five years old, came running ahead of the group with tiny, quick steps. He wrapped his arms around your leg with a bright grin.
"Mama!"
You ruffled his hair affectionately, smiling down at him. "You all play too much."
Madara's eyes narrowed the moment he saw the group of boys shuffle into view, slightly disheveled but clearly trying to look presentable. His arms crossed over his chest as he took a slow breath through his nose.
"You think this is acceptable?" he said, his voice sharp and steady.
The boys froze.
"You had five minutes. Five. And you come down here looking like you just rolled out of bed," he continued, his gaze sweeping over each of them. "No urgency. No discipline. And you made your mother stand here waiting while carrying your unborn sibling."
Your second son opened his mouth to speak, but Madara cut him off with a raised hand.
"Not a word. You will stand straight, keep your uniforms neat, and remember that today reflects on this entire family. Understood?"
"Yes, sir," they mumbled in unison, standing a little taller.
Madara clicked his tongue and muttered under his breath, "Brats."
You held back a smile, leaning slightly toward him. "You weren't exactly the most well-behaved child yourself."
He glanced at you, expression softening just slightly. "That's why I know exactly what to look for."
Madara's eyes shifted, locking onto his eldest with a hard glare.
"And you," he said, voice low and firm. "You better not lose to Hashirama's son. You are to be at the top of your class. I won't tolerate anything less."
His words hung in the air, heavy and pointed.
"Do you understand?" he asked, though it sounded more like a demand than a question.
"Yes… I know," your eldest replied, eyes cast slightly to the side. His tone was flat, more to avoid a drawn-out lecture than out of defiance.
Madara stared at him a second longer before giving a small nod, satisfied—for now.
The ceremony was held in the village square, where the academy's graduates stood lined up in their neat uniforms, the air buzzing with excitement. Madara stood beside you, his posture tense, eyes scanning the crowd and the students, focused on the proceedings.
Your eldest son, despite his usual confidence, seemed a bit nervous. He stood tall, but you could see him glancing over at the other graduates. Hashirama's son stood in the line as well, exuding the quiet confidence that seemed to stir Madara's competitive nature.
You smiled at your son, offering him a soft, reassuring look. "You'll do fine," you whispered.
Madara, ever the strategist, muttered under his breath, "He better." His eyes flickered toward Hashirama's son, and you could feel the unspoken tension between the two of them.
As the ceremony continued, the academy headmaster called out each name. One by one, the graduates stepped forward, each receiving their new ninja headband. The crowd cheered, but Madara's focus never wavered, only showing a hint of approval when your son's name was finally called.
Your eldest walked confidently up to the stage, though you noticed the brief hesitation in his steps as he approached the headmaster. His gaze flickered toward Hashirama's son before he took his place in front of the headmaster, his nerves only faintly visible.
The headmaster handed him the headband, tying it around his forehead. Your son bowed, and there was a moment of silence before the crowd erupted in cheers. Madara's sharp eyes followed the exchange, his expression unreadable but giving a small, approving nod.
The ceremony finally came to an end, and as the crowd began to disperse, Hashirama, the current Hokage and Madara's long-time rival, made his way over to greet your family. His easy smile contrasted starkly with Madara's more serious demeanor.
"Madara, I'm surprised you're here," Hashirama said with a chuckle.
Madara folded his arms, glaring at him. "And why wouldn't I come to my own son's graduation? You fool."
Hashirama laughed heartily, placing a hand on Madara's shoulder. "Oh, lighten up! I was just joking. I know how much you hate these things."
Madara's gaze hardened, but his voice was calm as he replied, "I'm sure you hate it more than I do, Hashirama. After all, my son is at the top of his class."
Hashirama's grin faltered for a moment, but he quickly regained his composure, clearly proud of the little rivalry. "Of course, he is," he said, giving your son a nod from across the square.
Meanwhile, Hashirama's wife turned toward you, smiling warmly as she approached. "Oh, hello! It's been a while since we saw you out and about."
She laughed, placing a hand near her mouth, and then added, "But I see why now."
Madara shifted slightly, but she continued, "Madara always seems to hide you away when you're with child."
You laughed softly, placing your hand on your belly. "It's a bad habit of his. But I like it."
Hashirama teased with a playful grin, "You're ready to pop! You both must be excited."
Hashirama's wife chuckled softly, glancing over at her husband before returning her attention to you. "You know, we stopped after our third child," she said, smiling warmly. "It's not easy keeping up with them, but as for you—well, you're handling this so gracefully. I admire that."
You smiled, feeling a little embarrassed by the praise. "Thank you. It's definitely a challenge, but it's worth it. I wouldn't change a thing."
Madara, standing next to you with his arms still folded, gave a small grunt, though there was a hint of pride in his voice. "I prefer a big family. Nothing more."
Hashirama raised an eyebrow, a playful grin tugging at his lips. "Ah, yes. Madara, the one who never knows when to stop." He gave Madara a good-natured shove on the shoulder.
Madara didn't budge, his gaze was as firm as ever. "The more, the better. Children are the future of the clan. They strengthen it, just as it strengthens them."
"Madara's right," you chimed in, nodding in agreement. "A large family has its challenges, but there's something special about it. It keeps things lively."
Hashirama's wife gave you a warm look. "I can see that. It's clear how much love there is in this family. You two really are a great team."
Madara's expression softened for just a moment, his gaze briefly flicking to you before returning to Hashirama. "We do what we must," he said simply, though there was a certain fondness hidden beneath his usual gruff tone.
Hashirama chuckled. "Well, I can't argue with that."
Hashirama glanced at Madara, a thoughtful expression crossing his face. "But, importantly, your eldest is quite strong. He's very good with the Sharingan, I've heard from the teachers."
"He'll make a fine shinobi." Hashirama finished.
Madara's eyes gleamed with pride, though he kept his usual stoic expression. He scoffed, rolling his eyes. "Of course he will. I am his father, after all. You and your brat would do well not to underestimate him."
You sighed, shaking your head lightly. "You two are hilarious. They are still children. Don't make them rivals just yet."
Hashirama's wife laughed softly in agreement. "You two are something else."
Madara turned his head toward you, his expression almost dumbfounded by your comment. But then he gave a small shrug, as though it was no point in arguing. "Boys become stronger when they have rivals, honey. It's that simple, really."
Hashirama grinned widely, his teasing tone evident. "Honey? Wow, Madara. You really are different around your wife."
Madara shot him a glare, but there was no venom behind it. He gave a short grunt and then returned his attention to you, softening for just a moment. "You know what I mean."
Hashirama's wife turned back toward you, her eyes gleaming with excitement as she grabbed your hand. "So, do you guys know if it's a girl or a boy? Just the thought is so exciting!" she asked, almost too eagerly.
You were caught off guard by the sudden touch, your face flushing as you stared at her. "Oh, um… honestly, we have no idea. I'm not sure if I can have girls at this point."
Hashirama chuckled, his deep voice full of amusement. "I can't imagine Madara being a girl dad. Seems so unserious."
Madara scoffed, his usual gruffness apparent, but his expression softened as he placed his hand on your lower back, rubbing it in a smooth, calming motion. His touch was gentle, reassuring.
"You know nothing, Hashirama," Madara said, his voice slightly more tender than usual. "A girl would be just fine."
Hashirama raised an eyebrow, his teasing grin still in place. "Really? Madara, the hard, cold Uchiha clan leader, ready to spoil his daughter?"
Madara's eyes narrowed slightly, but there was an unmistakable warmth in his gaze as he looked at you. "I would spoil her just as much as I do my sons," he said, his tone holding a rare softness.
As the conversation continued, you could feel your energy waning, the warmth of the day taking its toll. Your hand rested gently on your belly, and you suddenly felt a wave of fatigue wash over you.
Hashirama's wife noticed immediately, her smile softening with concern. "Are you alright?" she asked, her tone gentler now.
You gave her a reassuring smile, but your exhaustion must have been more apparent than you realized. "I'm just a little tired, that's all."
Madara, who had been watching you out of the corner of his eye, suddenly shifted. His expression hardened, the gentle nature he had been showing slipping back into the commanding tone you were so familiar with.
He placed his hand on your back again, more firmly this time, and spoke in a calm yet assertive voice. "It's time to go home," he said, his gaze moving from you to Hashirama and his wife. "We've been here long enough. She's not feeling well."
Hashirama raised an eyebrow, but there was no denying the firmness in Madara's tone. He glanced at you with a sympathetic look, understanding the situation. "Ah, I see. Well, take care of her, Madara," he said with a nod, stepping aside with his wife.
Madara turned to you, his hand never leaving your back as he began guiding you toward the exit. "Let's get you home and comfortable," he murmured, his voice softer now, but still filled with that unspoken authority. "You've done enough for today."
You nodded without argument, grateful for Madara's concern. After a short but quiet walk home, the two of you arrived at the estate, where the boys—always full of energy—ran ahead into the house.
You carefully removed your geta sandals at the genkan, feeling the weight of the day settle into your legs and feet. Before you could finish, Madara was there beside you, without a word of hesitation, gently helping you take them off. His hands were steady, his touch always so reliable.
"Thank you," you murmured, a faint smile playing on your lips.
Madara gave a small, almost imperceptible nod. "You must be tired," he said, his voice low and gentle. "Let's get you changed and in bed so you can rest for a bit before dinner."
You didn't argue, knowing the truth in his words. As much as you loved your family and wanted to be active, the pregnancy was taking its toll. "That sounds perfect," you replied quietly.
He helped you up with a smooth, practiced motion, always mindful of your condition. "I'll have someone bring dinner up to you later," he added, guiding you toward your room. "Just rest. I'll take care of the boys."
The moments passed quietly as you both settled into the room, the noise of the boys practicing with their kunai outside faintly drifting through the windows. The familiar sounds of their training filled the air, but here, in the privacy of your shared space, it was just you and Madara.
You stood in the middle of the room, your body still feeling the weight of the day. Madara stood behind you, his movements calm and steady as he began helping you undress, his hands deftly removing the layers of your kimono. The soft rustling of fabric and the stabilize rhythm of his movements was a quiet comfort.
You broke the silence with a question, your voice gentle. "Do you think we are having another boy?"
Madara's hands were steady as he worked on loosening the obi belt around your waist, his focus entirely on you. "As long as the baby's healthy and you have a safe delivery, nothing else matters to me." His words were spoken with the same calm authority, but there was a hint of something softer in his tone.
You smiled as the obi belt fell to the tatami mats below your feet. The gesture was intimate, and it felt almost like an unspoken promise of care between the two of you.
"I guess you're right," you murmured, feeling a wave of warmth wash over you. The stress of the day seemed to fade as you stood there with him, the world outside quieting in your little haven.
Madara's hands lingered for a moment. "I just want you to be well," he said, his voice low but filled with quiet sincerity.
You smiled softly, your breathing a bit heavier now as Madara continued undressing you, each layer of your kimono gently falling to the tatami mats below. His hands were careful and deliberate, always mindful of your comfort.
Madara's voice was low, filled with quiet concern. "Your breathing is heavy. This baby is bigger than the rest. I'm sorry about that."
You giggled softly, catching your breath as you reached up to adjust the hair that had fallen around your face. "It's fine," you reassured him, the smile never leaving your lips. "It comes in waves. But I can breathe fine."
He paused for a moment, his gaze lingering on you with an unreadable expression. His hands, though still steady, were gentler now as they helped you out of the final layers. "You're stronger than you look," he murmured, his voice softer now.
The room felt quiet for a moment, the only sounds being your breathing and the soft rustle of fabric as the last of your kimono dropped to the floor. Madara stepped back for a moment, taking in the sight of you, his eyes filled with something warm and unwavering.
"You should rest now," he added, his tone shifting from concern to a more commanding softness. "I'll take care of everything else for today."
You turned around to face him, feeling the weight of the day slowly slipping away. Only in your undergarments and a light cover-up, you walked toward him, your movements a little slower than usual due to the pregnancy, but still graceful. Standing on your toes, you wrapped your arms around his neck, pressing your face onto the side of his neck, the familiar scent of him grounding you.
"Can we spend a little time together?" you muttered softly, your breath warm against his skin.
Madara stiffened for a moment, his breath hitching just slightly. He couldn't hide the faint flush on his face, his usual composed demeanor faltering for a brief second. His arms instinctively wrapped around your waist, pulling you closer as he lowered his head slightly. "Alone time?" he asked, his voice a little quieter now, almost as if he were trying to process the change in the air. "The boys are still awake," he informed you.
You smiled, pulling your head away from his neck just enough to look him in the eyes, your smile playful but soft. "They're busy training. It's okay."
There was a pause as he looked down at you, his expression still a mix of warmth and slight hesitation. He was protective, always worried about the children, but the pull between the two of you was undeniable.
"You always know how to convince me," he muttered, his voice softer now, before his hand gently cupped your cheek, his thumb brushing over your skin. "Alright, we'll take this moment."