A/N: UPDATE AF WOOO! School really took a toll on me, I had no time to write anything for a whole year. But I really liked where this story was so far, I couldn't just stop. I'm taking a year off of school so I should be done with this story in a couple months so that excites me. I genuinely do appreciate the patience. Enjoy.

"Madara Uchiha… To catch you here with my little sister. Have you no sense?"

Madara shrugs, offering a smug smile. "Well maybe sense isn't necessary for these matters of romance. However, senses are a different matter. You know, touch…taste-"

"You are testing me. Your clan is not strong enough for you to be behaving in such a taunting manner. Hashi, should I kill your little boyfriend now or later?"

She freezes at being put on the spot. "Don't, please. Just leave us alone. He's good to me, brother. He is so kind and gentle. He is not the man you think."

Tobirama stands tall in front of her, domineering and frightening. "What has gotten into you? Where is this coming from so suddenly," he demands loudly.

Hashirama's voice shrinks and softens at his fiery gaze. "It isn't sudden. I have always felt this way. Please, don't chastise me anymore. Don't make a quarrel. Just take me home, Tobirama-san. It's cold and late, and I'm tired…"

The Uchiha's smirk remains stubbornly on his face, though it hides his worry for his new lover. Tobirama sneers at the smirk that he cannot see behind, a low growl escaping. He points a shaking finger at him. "You, Uchiha, are lucky that love is stronger than hate. Stay away from Hashirama, or that is your head."

"We'll see. As you said, love is stronger," he hints, eyes hot on Hashirama.

Izuna and Jun finally catch up, the latter ready and willing to stir the pot. "Oi! What's this scumbag doing here? Madara, you want us to clean up the place, bro?"

Izuna chimes in. "I'm surprised you haven't already. Gone soft because of the girl? That is our enemy-"

"Breathe easy, brothers. She will be fine just as we will. Hashi…take care of yourself. Izuna, Jun, let's get going."

Madara doesn't look back, which disappoints Hashirama as she pleaded with her eyes for him to turn around so that she may look at him once more. Madara has not underestimated her defiance, though. He figures he will meet with her again by the light of the stars and the fire in her heart on yet another night. Once far enough from sworn enemies, Jun decides to speak his mind. "See, this is why you can't mess around with royal girls. No matter how cute they are. You saw the look on Tobirama's face? Man!"

"I noticed," Izuna cosigns. "The hell even happened? You had to have said something for him to be so ready to attack."

"Hm," the eldest Uchiha shrugs.

The boys continue to question him about what he will do with his relationship with Hashirama, to which they receive silence at every turn until they decide to give up. Jun's eyes go wide with confusion once the three reach the home of the powerful Uchiha brothers. "Wait, party's over? A Senju fucker steps up and we let it ruin our night, huh? It's still early enough to have fun!"

"Jun, be quiet for once will you? We cannot afford to run into any more trouble when the lot of us are ill-prepared. It's likely we will have eyes on us if we're outside of the village."

"Madara my man, why you gotta be all serious all the time? Geez. Whatever, laters guys," Jun waves them off coolly, other hand in his pocket.

No sooner than Madara takes off his shoes and starts for the stairs does Izuna begin to question him. "So do you really love her? I mean, I remember when we were kids and it seemed like you did and all, but…It can't be real, right?"

The elder brother takes a moment to mull over this, memories flashing in his head with every breath he takes. He remembers admiring over how her silky, dark hair would flow and glide behind her as she ran around the parks they would play and practice at. He sees her smile at him and turn red at his wide eyed surprise that she had acknowledged him. He thinks of all the nights he spent wishing and hoping quietly, just for a real conversation. "Izuna. I don't know of this love that you speak of. I'm a guy that knows what he wants," he answers in a lie as white as he could manage.

"Sure," Izuna responds slowly, mocking. "If that's all it is, you wouldn't be putting us at risk. Look bro, all I'm saying is to be honest and be careful."

"What business of yours is it anyway?"

Madara shoots a warning glare and heads up the stairs. He slams his bedroom door shut, and sits on the bed with an anxious foot tapping through the uncomfortable silence. A tiny crow taps its beak against the window, locking eyes with the Uchiha briefly. He takes chary steps to his window and opens it, only to find a small letter wedges between its feet. He takes it, and the black bird silently soars away. He reads the letter: At the place we made our teenage vows, we will be guided by the full moon's light. Walk 50 yards the direction of the moon, stand beneath the tree with our names in blood, and we will reunite by mouth. I will see you then, Madara. Think about me until this night. With love, Hashi.

To his surprise his heart beats at the pace of a runner. The next full moon is Saturday, three days from now. Will Senju eyes be off of him by then? Will they be found out? Nervous thoughts invade his brain, yearning for the time he sees her again to just go smoothly. But what is luck to an Uchiha but a farce and a fable? Madara crumples the paper, holding it to his chest with closed eyes.

"What's that?"

His eyes snap open to only to see his brother. "You have no manners. If I wasn't so wrapped up I'd have killed you."

"Love letter, huh? Your poor girl is a romantic at heart."

"I asked you nothing, Izuna!"

"Chill," Izuna responds, shocked at his brother's temper over the matter. "I like it. I'm not trying to give you a hard time, man. Not everyone is lucky enough to be loved. I'm happy for you. Nervous, but happy."

The brothers hold onto each others' eyes, and Izuna finally is able to see something heartfelt behind them. Madara asks warily, "Do you really mean that, brother?"

"I mean it. You deserve her. You deserve to be happy. I don't say this often mostly because you already know, but I love you… Uh, goodnight," he awkwardly rushes away, closing the door.

Madara sighs, stripping to his undergarments, and climbs into bed. He precariously tucks the letter under his pillow, yet not before getting a whiff of the perfume his lover left upon it, so he can imagine her scent more easily as he rests his head.

The next morning Madara is woken by the familiar voice of a girl downstairs. He is greeted by Izuna, Jun, and Sayuri, one of his teammates for an old merc contract some months back. She's about Izuna's age, with the clan's signature dark hair, and eyes that shine blue. She blushes at seeing such a well known and elite Uchiha so scantily clad. She looks away with red cheeks and a wide, teasing smirk. "Geez, y'know… You got company. Madara-san, we have an offer. Check this letter."

"Good morning to you too, Sayuri," he yawns and reaches for the letter. His eyes skim over it before he blinks a few times in confusion. "Che…"

"Yeah, right!? Some powerful ninja in the Land of Water has a hit on them. They're the leader of some clan, and you know it's a battle for power these days. Sounds fun, don't it?"

"Why are you three going through my paperwork? Last time I checked I was the one that gives these assignments."

"Baka!" Jun playfully smacks Sayuri behind her head. "Why would you make him mad, he's not a morning person-"

"Hey this was your idea!"

"I don't care whose idea it was," Madara interjects before any further bickering proceeds. "Sayuri you haven't been given a mercenary mission since you accompanied me several months ago. You're a dealer now."

"I know Madara-san, and it's boring. I have to make conversation with men in suits half passed out from all their little goodies I sell. It's no fun."

"Not my problem. Anyways, good to see you again."

"Oi," Jun addresses Madara carefully. "I was gonna ask…y'know…if-"

"No." Madara starts back up the stairs until he is no longer in sight.

An awkward silence surrounds the table. Izuna's eyes flicker to Jun. "Idiot!"

"Ow, what I do?"

Madara closes his bedroom door with an exasperated sigh. "Tch. How annoying." He is suddenly compelled to check for his letter, as it easily became his most prized possession the moment he received it. He reaches under his pillow to touch just an empty spot. "The hell?" His head turns sharply to the right at a hard tap on the window.

Hashirama is perched outside on the window sill, her face wearing a light but mischievous grin. She waves the letter in her hand. Madara's first instinct is to lock his door as to not be disturbed. What is she doing here already? He opens the window only to be grabbed and pulled towards her, trapping his mouth with her own. His hands go limp at his sides. His mind has turned to mush as he sinks into the softness of her lips. She breaks this kiss reluctantly, a hand trailing down his bare chest. "I just could not wait until Saturday. I had to."

"Hashirama, you can't keep risking yourself like this."

"You know good and well how little I care," Hashirama whispers. "I want you more than I fear them."

"You're a brave girl. Kiss me again."

"I'd like to but I won't. I want you to want me so bad you won't be able to take your hands off of me when you see me. I had to give you a taste to crave," she teases.

"What is this, one of your little games you learned from those silly romance novels?"

"Certainly not. Just a game of cat and mouse. Come chase the kitty."

Madara cannot help but smile at her suggestive eyes and her own impish smile. Her brown eyes seem to hold him there, full of life and love. He reaches out to touch her thigh, but she catches his hand and teasingly shakes a finger at him. He notices a little brown burn on the tip of her finger. He snatches her hand and stares at it with a hint of worry and amusement. "Smoking," he suggests.

"Perhaps," she bites her lip and flashes all 32. "A bad habit you kissed into me in a dream."

He kisses the burn on her finger. "You are quite the poet, Hashirama. As if you aren't already beautiful enough to hold my attention forever, you know the right things to say to a man."

"I'll go now, Madara. Take care of yourself. I'll miss you until we meet again." Hashirama turns to leave, allowing Madara to admire her sun kissed skin as the hot star shines upon her.

"Hashirama, wait," he calls for her. "I'd like to keep the letter."

She snickers. "I knew you'd want to keep it. Madara, I love you. I will see you Saturday."

She tosses the crumpled paper back at him, and just like that she is gone. Madara, now somber, shuts the window with a sigh. Saturday seems so far. And a letter is not enough of her memory. He licks his lips, trying to remember the feel of her kiss. Maybe that instead should suffice until the next moon.