Asami couldn't stop thinking about what she saw in the bedroom earlier this day. The scar on Madara's chest was really troubling her. Before, she was afraid to ask Madara what happened, but now she felt like she could question him about everything at this very moment.

But she didn't.

Right now wasn't the right time. She'd have to wait a little longer, which only made her more scared of how it'd work out.

Due to her mind being occupied by both pessimistic and hopeful thoughts, which were complete opposites, she didn't really pay attention to the current situation.

Asami's uneasiness didn't go unnoticed by Madara. She wasn't eating her food and was constantly playing with her ring, the one they made their promise with. This was the first time he saw her wearing it again, which somehow relieved him a bit.

''Mommy?''

It took Asami a few seconds before it finally got to her that her son was taking to her. Blinking in realization was the first thing she did before she stopped playing with the ring, holding it tightly between her fingers instead. She looked at Kouta. Asami didn't say anything, but just glancing at him was already enough for Kouta to know that she had heard him.

''Are you okay, mommy?'' Kouta asked, looking slightly concerned.

Madara sighed. Even the kid noticed the mother's odd behavior at the dinner table. He was both annoyed and curious. Just what was going on in that mind of hers? What was she thinking about while looking so anxious? What made her so restless?

Was he the reason?

He wanted to know.

Asami smiled softly at Kouta and nodded her head. ''I'm fine.'' She replied reassuringly. ''Just lost in thought.''

Madara narrowed his eyes. It was already very obvious that she was thinking about something so much and so seriously that she wasn't paying attention to anything or anyone around her. ''What were you thinking about then?'' He asked before he took a sip of his water, his visible eye not leaving hers.

Madara's stare made her swallow thickly and she began to play with the ring again. She was starting to get a bit nervous. The way he looked at her, the way he said those words and the way he nonchalantly drank his drink were all signs that he knew. He knew what she was thinking about.

Asami looked away from him and picked up the cutlery that was lying on both sides of her plate. ''Nothing important.'' She answered in a soft voice.

Asami didn't know if she should be concerned about Madara knowing or not. Was it a bad thing? He was bound to find out anyway. Madara already knew that she didn't always feel comfortable around him anyway. Maybe him being aware of her thoughts would only make it easier to start a conversation later this evening.

Now with a mostly positive view for the rest of the day, Asami continued to eat the rest of her meal while the other two were already done. The food wasn't very warm anymore, but Asami didn't care. Not today.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

After doing the dishes, Asami dried her hands and put the cutlery, glasses, and plates back in the cabinets. As she looked out of the window, Asami noticed that it had gotten pretty dark outside already. But even through the darkness, she could see white flakes falling out of the sky.

It was snowing again.

Asami sighed and pulled the roller blind down. Turning around, she looked at the small fireplace and pursed her lips. She'd have to gather firewood soon. There wasn't much left in the basket that was standing next to the fireplace and there wasn't much left of the wood Madara had thrown into the stove.

Asami shifted her gaze from the fire to the two men in the room. Madara was sitting on the couch, staring out of the window. She figured that she had to grab this chance to take a good look at him, and she did. Since Asami only saw half of his face from her perspective, she couldn't really make out his expression. He looked fairly calm, yet he was clenching his jaw.

To her, Madara was still a mystery sometimes. It kinda frustrated her, but she had to accept it. Asami wanted to understand him, but having a full understanding of Madara Uchiha was simply impossible.

Madara let out a sigh, snapping Asami out of her thoughts. Her eyes widened once she saw Madara looking at her. Somehow, she didn't feel like looking away. She didn't feel uncomfortable. The look he was giving her wasn't like the ones from before.

This one didn't question her what or why. It wasn't a suspicious or confused one; one that asked something from her or doubted her. It also wasn't a glare or a cold look.

It was just a gaze, and nothing more.

Madara's eye looked away from Asami and was directed at someone else. Asami looked at Kouta and couldn't help but smile softly when she saw him fast asleep on the couch. The top of his head touched Madara's thigh and just now she noticed Madara's hand on Kouta's back, rubbing it gently.

A scene like this made her feel so happy inside. Seeing the two of them together was something she thought would never happen. Madara looked so fatherly at the moment, but Asami could see the demur on his face.

He was unsure of his actions.

Of course, Asami knew that being a parent was totally new to him and it didn't always go without difficulties, but she was glad to see that he was trying. Just that was already plenty.

Slowly, she approached the two Uchiha and stopped in front of the youngest one. Brushing a few of strands out of his face, Asami gently caressed his cheek before she looked at Madara. ''I'll carry him to his room.'' She mumbled, shifting her gaze back to Kouta. ''He's not going to wake up soon anyway.''

Asami was about to put her hands under his armpits, but Madara intervened. ''I'll do it.'' He offered. Asami pulled her hands back and watched as Madara stood up. She gladly took up his offer.

Madara lifted Kouta from the couch with ease and held him against his chest. He made sure not to wake him. That'd ruin the whole purpose of carrying him to bed.

Asami followed suit as Madara left the living room and went up the stairs. From where she was standing, Asami could see a little bit of Kouta's face as his head leaned against Madara's shoulder. Asami smiled and had to restrain herself from reaching out to him. He was really adorable when he was asleep.

When they reached Kouta's room, Madara opened the door and walked into the pretty spacious room while Asami waiting at the door. She watched the both of them closely as she leaned against the door frame.

Madara slowly lay Kouta down on his bed and pulled the covers over him. The young boy shifted a bit but didn't open his eyes. Madara kept looking down and reached out his hand, but Asami frowned when she saw him pulling his hand back to his body.

''Is something wrong?'' She asked softly as she pushed herself away from the door frame.

Madara shrugged before he looked over his shoulder. ''Not really.''

'''Not really'?'' Asami repeated his words. ''So something is wrong, even if it's just something small?'' She knew very well what was bothering him, but she just wanted to hear him say it to confirm if she was really right.

She heard Madara grunt in response. He turned around and walked at her while looking slightly annoyed. Asami could hear her heart rate speed up in mild fear, afraid she might have angered him. Instead of walking at her, Madara seemed to have the intention to walk past her, but Asami didn't let him walk away so easily.

She grabbed his forearm. It wasn't a strong grip, not at all, but it was enough to stop him. ''What?'' He asked, sounding calmer than he looked.

Asami gave his arm a weak pull, and Madara turned a bit around, which was exactly what she wanted. Hesitating before speaking up, Asami let go of his arm and dug her nails into the palms of her hands. ''Correct me if I'm wrong, but are you feeling uneasy or anything like that while taking care of Kouta?''

Madara didn't answer, but seeing him look at the boy himself was already enough for Asami to know that she was right. Pressing her lips together, she began to fidget with her fingers. Madara looked at her from the corner of his eye and saw her doing the thing she'd always do when she was nervous.

Asami swallowed thickly and walked into Kouta's room. She sat down on the edge of his bed and placed her hand on top of his head. Once again, she hesitated to speak up. ''When.. When I first got Kouta, I found it really difficult to look after him. I was so unsure and afraid to do it wrong.'' She started. ''Sometimes, when I look at you and Kouta, I recognize myself in you, but you know?'' Asami murmured as she softly ran her hands through Kouta's hair. ''Being a parent isn't something you just do. It's something you learn.''

Madara merely stared at her. Was she trying to be inspirational? Trying to reassure him? Whatever she was doing, to Madara, it felt like a weight had been lifted off of his shoulders.

One of the many weights.

Asami looked at Madara with newfound confidence and stood up from the bed. ''And there are more things I want to learn about.'' She said in a soft voice, trying not to speak too loud in Kouta's presence.

''I want to learn about you.''

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Quick question: Was Madara OOC?

I find it really difficult to keep him in character but I don't really know how he'd react in these situations. So feedback is really appreciated!

Have the feeling there are a lot of grammatical errors. Grammarly said 52 advanced issues... welp