12 12. Indecisive

Strange. When Guren wasn't facing Madara, he was sure he had a lot to tell. From the moment he opened his eyes every morning to training after sunset, he had a lot of stories. Very much that he had kept to himself. But for some reasons, when he had to spit the words, he couldn't. Madara had his attention glued on the boy in front of him, contemplating his features, his gestures. Not one bit similar to Shirai. Although he partially doubt Guren's words, somehow his chakra was the only thing familiar to Madara so he stayed. Tobi however had gotten bored from waiting. His eyes droopy and he let out a yawn as he leaned his head on his palm, clearly showing his boredom.

Guren let out a small sigh, "I'm sorry older brother. I don't know where to start."

"Then let me ask you." Madara spoke, his voice raspy and low. " What kind of future do you know?"

Of course, that was significant in this conversation. The future he knows revolved around the main character, which currently doesn't exist yet. And that future was probably one of a good one. Maybe at some point, that future that he learned from the manga is the only good ending. But for sure, it isn't the best one. Many life was lost. Uncountable. Unnecessarily. It may have been good for Naruto but not to Madara. Not to he, who strongly wished for peace. To get rid of the tainted world. Unlike Naruto who is an epitome of a hero, a main character, Madara seemed more like an antagonist, the bad evil guy. Funny. Guren found it ironic.

"Bad one." Frank, very. "The one where you don't achieve what you want."

Madara frowned, apparently displeased. "But that leads to something you can call 'peace' and a Konoha shinobi will do all that." He continued, "What kind of peace do you wish to achieve, older brother? Will it lead to destruction.. or otherwise.." Guren stole a glance at Zetsu, who has been quiet next to Madara eversince he arrived earlier.

"I don't need to answer that, seemingly you've known some part of the future." Madara spoke as he seat himself in a more comfortable posture. Madara eyelids slowly closed, "Who is that Konoha shinobi you spoke of?"

"He is the son of Konoha's Yellow Flash. To be exact, his future son."

"I see.." Madara hummed, his eyes are now completely closed. "Fill me in more."

Guren nodded, "A few years from now on, an Uzumaki woman will give birth to that shinobi. Although from the future i know, Uchiha Obito will be the one to kill her and her husband. However, he failed to bring back the nine-tailed fox." He paused, waiting for Madara's reaction. Madara could've guessed what Guren was hinting.

"Under my command?"

Again, he nodded in agreement, "Uchiha Obito created his 'own' Akatsuki after the leader was dead. He took full advantage of them. And he proceeds with your plan but as you've heard earlier, it didn't end well."

"Eeeehh? Then wouldn't it be useless to take in that Uchiha brat? Wait wait! It means that what we've done is pointless!" Tobi whined, scratching his head.

"Apparently, he's not completely useless. His Mangekyo Sharingan is undoubtly fearful. At least in my opinion it does."

Indeed, Zetsu has been watching Obito for a long time. All according to his plan. Originally, they plan to train Obito and make full use of whatever Mangekyo he would develop. Madara too, knew that Obito would be an exceptionally convenient pawn. And another fact that Obito does not have a strong will, makes it easier to manipulate the boy. Everyone here knows how good it is to have Uchiha Obito on their side.

It took a moment for Madara to spoke, "Tell me Shirai, have you not yet gained your Mangekyo Sharingan?"

Guren flinched. He was taken aback by those words, unsure what to respond. Because he knew, he was aware of the procedures to gain those powerful eyes and he shuddered. Somehow, the face of Uchiha Hamada crossed his mind. He intentionally put his arms behind his back, trying to shake off his quivering hands. He wasn't fully able to comprehend the meaning of his own behaviour, nevertheless he replied, "Not yet."

"Do you have a family in Konoha?"

He didn't like where this is going. But he also knew he can't lie in front of Madara. He took a deep breath, "I do."

The next words that came out off Madara's mouth ensure the feelings he had trouble to decipher earlier.

"Kill them."

He felt fear.

"When i left Konoha, the village was preparing for war. My father might not be there at the moment." Madara gave him a deep stare, "I might not be able to track him down right now."

Excuse.

"I'll find him." Finally, that loathful raspy voice. Black Zetsu interrupted, "I'll lend you a hand."

"Uchiha Hamada is in a good term with the third hokage. If i kill him, that person wouldn't let this go unnoticed." Another excuse. "And i'm currently unskilled to do so." Guren gritted his teeth, coming up with more excuses which, is very unlike him.

Deep in his heart, Guren had expected it. That someday, he will be hearing those words. Perhaps that was the reason he had to find ways to deny the attachments he had while being raised in Konoha. He distance himself but didn't completely succeed. He feared those words and it had to be done someday. But he begged in the back of his mind, like a small prayer, he wished for a little more time. Until his heart was ready to take it.

A sigh escaped the older man's mouth, "I'm going to rest now. While i do so, make your decision. That will be your first priority. Don't come here until you've shown me your new Sharingan." He finished, leaning further back and finally fell into a slumber. It seems like he had no more questions and he was clearly disinterested to listen to Guren's explanation of their past regarding the fact that he knew, Izuna would die. Then again, perhaps it was a matter in the past. And it wasn't compulsory for the future plan.

It hasn't been more than two hours spent in the cave but somehow, Guren felt like it was such a long evening. Now that Madara had fell unconscious, it was time for him to get back to Yahiko and the others. Of course, he was preparing himself for whatever lecture he was going to listen to, but before that.. His eyes fell on a figure next to Madara as they walked closer to him.

"I heard almost everything." Black Zetsu started, "So i'm guessing that you know about us too."

Guren wondered if what Zetsu meant was Kaguya and her story. If he tell them, surely Black Zetsu will try to get rid of him. Guren knows how desperate they were to bring back Kaguya. Even so, he wanted to test Black Zetsu for a bit.

"... What of it?" He tried to get a reaction with the vague answer and what he received was a growl. Before Black Zetsu could even speak, Guren continues, ".. I told you i don't remember much. But I do know you're from Madara's will." He said as he wore an indifferent expression. He hoped with that, he was able to calm them. Trying to provoke further would lead to a disaster.

As expected, as soon as he said that, the growling stopped. "That's right."

"I should go back now. "

"I'll inform you as soon as i find Uchiha Hamada."

Guren hesitated but nonetheless nodded to them.

****

"You look like you have some troubles going on in that head." A feminine voice greeted from behind. Guren turned his head towards the source as Konan seated herself on a vacant spot, next to the boy. "It's late. Why haven't you fallen asleep yet? Are you still upset about what Yahiko said yesterday? We were worried that you'd left a clone and gone."

Who would've thought that being ambushed was the reason he got busted.

"But i'm glad that it wasn't the real you that got hurt." She continued, "So do you want to share it with me?"

Guren took a moment of silence before he could even open his mouth, "Nothing of importance really."

"You speak just like Yahiko." She giggled, "The both of you do like to hide a lot of things."

Somehow, Konan looked closer to a lady now than he'd remembered. Aside from that, she is just as beautiful as in the original. Her soft hair and her mesmerising golden orbs were the greatest features. "Guren?"

Ah, he realised he'd stared for too long. Flustered, he turned away. "It wasn't because of Yahiko-san.. it's just.."

Due to his long silence, Konan decided to break in, "Are you worried about going back home?"

Guren looked at her in the eyes, "Say Konan-san, if you were to throw away your loved ones, would you do it?" He wondered, since when did he start to have the people he cared about in this life. He thought he had done his best to become indifferent but he wondered why it failed.

Konan seemed surprised, why would a boy like him asked those questions. What did he go through? His voice was vividly filled with sadness.

"I don't think i can. I wish to stay eternally with those people. I want them to be happy. However, what we wish may not happen. Since we're living in this harsh reality."

"Does that mean you're ready for whatever comes to you?"

"Not really. But i do hope for the best." Her lips turned into a thin line, "Do you have to throw away those people you speak of?"

"I don't know. I'm not even sure if i treasure them dearly."

Konan let out a small sigh, her fingers reached for the plain dark locks as it landed on his head. At first, Guren shrinked away at the sudden touch but let her do whatever she wanted later. "If you can't sleep, having dark circles underneath your eyes and can't even eat properly, it means you do care. They must've been very important to you. But if they did something terrible to you, then i understand if you want to forget them."

Guren scoffed slightly. Terrible? Instead of his father, Guren is the most horrible one. Just thinking of killing his own family. What would that feel like? He never tried. But he knows how it feels like to lost one. He just doesn't know how it would feel if he takes away that life by himself. Sure, he had killed people before. But never a family.

Will he be able to choose Madara over a father? But Madara knows him better. He had been there during the hardest time. They were together most of the time. Then again, Hamada was the most gentle person he'd known. His head hurt just thinking about the two choices. He had already made his decision a long time ago. So why hesitate now?

The air fell silence and Konan was the one to break it first. "You should go to sleep." Her eyes travelled to the pale figure. From his tired eyes, to his worried face. If he doesn't take his sleep, he would definitely fall sick. "You wouldn't be able to move properly tomorrow."

"I don't think i'll be able to sleep tonight."

"But you didn't even take a nap since yesterday."

"I'm fine, i'll go take a stroll."

Just when Guren was about to stand, Konan pulled his arm closer and forced his head on her lap. The next thing he knew, her warm hand was already caressing his head. He was frozen still, feeling the heat rising to his ears but unable to push her away.

"Sleep." She sternly said.

It was embarrasing and he wanted to tell her to stop. But he felt like he shouldn't. He knew how bad it would be if he didn't comply. He couldn't face her, so he turned to the side hoping that she wouldn't see how flustered he was at the moment. Even so, her touch was incredibly soothing. When was the last time he felt so calm? Like he didn't have to think anything. His mind became empty. Even if he was in an uncomfortable position, he never felt so relaxed. Soon, his eyes felt heavy and the darkness quickly took over.