God, the heat is unbearable. It comes off of Shisui in waves, burning [Name] up, causing sweat to pop on her forehead. Even in this stormy, cold weather, his heat is overwhelming. It's like being trapped in a sauna from Hell.

"Shisui," she whines, her throat dried from the heat blasting through the vents.

She squirms in his arms. It doesn't help that he's the strongest man in the world right about now.

She calls his name again. It also doesn't help that he's the heaviest sleeper out of the four. She whines his name still, thinking if she sweats long enough, maybe she'll be able to slip from his arms.

His face, among other things, presses into her body, locking her in place.

Aren't you hot at all?! She wails in her head.

[Name] force her eyes open, examining the position she's in. This man, and all of his heaviness and his heat, has the audacity to lay on top of her.

"Shisui!!" She cries out loud. She struggles, but it's to no avail since her arms press to her sides. "Would you get off?!"

Miserable and sweaty, [Name] squirms one last time before calling for help. Her arms tingle from the lack of circulation. Her clothes stick to her body, and so does get hair.

"Help! Somebody!" She calls desperately.

Heavy footsteps resound through the top floor, heading towards Shisui's room. The door swings open, Madara strides in, a deadly glare immediately set upon [Name's] position.

"What the hell is this?" Madara huffs. His face set in its neutral state: anger.

[Name] brushes off Madara's upset tone and sighs in relief. "Oh, thank goodness! Help me, please?"

Madara stands am arm's length away from them. His nose wrinkles, and he sneers at the woman.

He stares longer, a metaphorical fire running through his veins. Why is he so angry? Was he because she awoke him from his slumber? Or the fact that she's under another man?

"And why should I help you?" Madara scoffs, his tone in a low rumble. "You left me to sleep in this boy's bed, and you must deal with the consequences."

The words astound [Name], and she cannot hold back the look of shock and bewilderment.

"What in the- WHAT?!" She doesn't mean to be loud, but her voice rattles in Shisui's ears, making him groan and bury his face deeper into her neck. "Are you throwing a fucking tantrum right now, Madara? Are you fucking serious?!"

Madara lifts his nose to the air, knitting his eyebrows together.

"Any man would be upset if a woman leaves him for another, even in a platonic relationship," Madara says, too much of a pissbaby to look her in the eyes.

With a huff, Madara turns on his heels and heads for the door.

"No, you come back here right now, Madara!"

Although she threatens him, he knows she can't do anything, not until Shisui wakes.

...

By the time Shisui opens his eyes, it's noon. He rolls off [Name], apologizing for sleeping on top of her. He blames it all on his need for cuddling. He also makes a dirt comment about how her body felt good against his, but she's too dazed to snap at him.

No one checked on [Name] or Shisui because Madara, being the pettiest bitch of all time, told everyone else that the two were still sleeping, and not to bother them.

Disheveled, and sticky from sweat, [Name] rises from the bed, heading straight for the bathroom. She disrobes, letting her clothes fall to the floor.

Oh, if only she planned ahead, for when she steps out the shower, there's nothing for her to dress in, nor is there anything to dry off.

She curses under her breath. Droplets fall from her skin and hair, creating small puddles of water around her feet.

[Name] conjures up two options for herself. She could walk out of the bathroom confidently and risk being spotted by the boys, or she can call for help. Considering this morning, the second choice leaves a bitter taste in her mouth.

With a breath, [Name] takes hold of the doorknob, and like ripping off a bandaid, she swings the door open.

Before her, with his hand raised to knock, is Madara. Without an ounce of shame in his soul, his eyes scan her naked, wet body. A smirk forms on his face, and she just knows he's going to say something irritating.

"I didn't have the opportunity to appreciate your form the first time we met."

Her jaw clenches, and her grip on the door tightens.

"Fuck you, Madara!"

"Gladly."

...

All-day, Madara annoys [Name]. So much so that she refuses to speak to any Uchiha, only allowing Mackenzie to accompany her.

Wrapped in a blanket with warm tea in her hands, [Name] pouts. Mackenzie walks in the family room, trying to suppress a grin.

"They're upset," she says, referring to the boys. "Especially Itachi."

As much as it hurts [Name], she stays stubborn. "I don't care."

"He made a cake as a thank you for accepting them."

[Name] pouts further, her lower lip trembling. "Tell him I'm sorry, I'm just not in a very good mood."

"A hug will make you better!" Shisui yells from another room.

[Name] gives Mackenzie a 'don't let him in look,' knowing full well that she has a soft spot for him. Shisui learned this earlier today and tricked Mackenzie into getting him things [Name] said he doesn't need, like alcohol.

[Name] sips her tea, trying to ease her mind. She relaxes her shoulders and unclenches her jaw. Mackenzie plops down right next to her, stealing a bit of her blanket to cover her legs.

"Come on [Name]. Don't punish all of them because Madara pissed you off." Mackenzie tries to reason with her best friend. She puts a hand on [Name's] shoulder, rubbing the area. "They miss you. Well, at least Itachi and Shisui do."

"Shisui nearly crushed me this morning, so I don't care for him right now," [Name] mumbles, taking another gulp of tea. She realizes how irrational she is and sighs.

"Okay, fine, I'll go console them all," Mackenzie says, pretending to be upset at the idea of taking care of four gorgeous men.

[Name] scoffs, a smile breaking her stony demeanor. "Don't act like you don't enjoy this."

"I don't! I want them to be happy! And if giving them all my love is what it takes, then that's what I'll do!" Mackenzie huffs, standing to her feet. A new fiery determination burns in Mackenzie's eyes.

[Name] smiles, pulling the blanket higher up her shoulders. She ponders for a moment; the guilt of leaving all four of them to their own devices weighs on her shoulders. She relents.

Just one. [Name] thinks, and she looks to Mackenzie.

"You can't have all of them," she declares, a sly grin replacing her previous smile. "Send in Itachi."

Mackenzie's face changes from bold and brave to horror. "No! You can't have my sweet baby boy!"

[Name] cackles like the evil witch she's become.

"Send him in 'Kenzie, or I'll take Shisui as well."

Mackenzie groans, her face scrunching up into faux anger. "You're awful, and I don't even know why we're friends!"

Mackenzie storms out of the room, calling for Itachi.

"Bring the cake too, we can eat it together Ita!"

[Name] hears the three boys who won't be joining her complain while Itachi bounds into the room, a pep in his step, and cake slices in hand. He beams a bright, beautiful smile at her.

"It's not fair! I wanna see [Name] too!" Shisui cries from the other room. "[Name]!"

Itachi's smile drops once he hears Shisui whine. "Is it... Is it really okay?"

"Yes," [Name] says, patting the space next to her. "Come sit with me."

"I feel like I'm betting betraying them," Itachi says, settling next to her. He hands over the cake, taking a bite of his own.

"And betrayal tastes sweet!" [Name] chimes in, biting the strawberry atop the cake.

Itachi chuckles.

They enjoy the cake together in silence. [Name] shares her blanket with him, even though, like Shisui, he's a natural radiator. The warmth, just like Itachi, is comforting, not overbearing like Shisui.

"I haven't really talked to you lately," [Name] starts. She moves her body closer to him, and their thighs touch. "How have you been doing lately?"

Itachi presses his lips into a thin line. He contemplates for a moment and shrugs. "Better, I suppose. But I don't truly know. I don't have much of a context to go off of, so I don't know what my normal state should be."

[Name] finds his hand and squeezes it. "You should feel happy, content with the things around you. Are you content? Peaceful even?"

Itachi nods. "Yes, but I'd feel better if I could go outside." He swallows, knowing that the outside world is far different from what he's used to; fewer trees and ninja, and more buildings and ordinary people.

From what he views from the windows, everything is spacious. Homes have more extensive lawns, full of dark green grass. The roads are wider, allowing large machinery to travel at high speeds. Also, the sky is full of birds, bugs, and big flying things [Name] dubbed as 'airplanes.'

"I think we're all getting a bit restless from staying inside for so long. We are—I mean, we remember being ninjas. We're used to the outside," Itachi explains further. He looks to the woman next to him and sees her bright smile. "Could we possibly come along with you next time you journey out there?"

"Of course!" [Name] says, knocking her shoulder against his. "But only two at a time, I don't think I can handle all of you at once."

Itachi's eyes soften as another laugh bubbles in his throat. [Name] makes him feel at peace, and as if he's viewing a woman for the first time, something forms in his chest. It swells every time he looks at her.

"Thank you. You're truly kind."

Sitting here with Itachi becomes enjoyable for [Name]. She loves his warmth, his soothing voice, his hand placed in hers, she loves everything about him.

"You're so sweet, Itachi."

If she hadn't closed her eyes, she'd see the blush form on his cheeks.

At this moment, Itachi positions his arm around her. He feels brave. Braver than he's ever felt in his short life here.

He swallows and licks his bottom lip before leaning in.

...

A/N: I'm so tired. Merry Christmas.
Cliff hanger 🤪🤙🏽