Author: Hey guys! So, I have read all your comments and I truly do appreciate the love and support! Now, I have read some of your suggestions and there is a chance that I may consider the ideas. But for now, I would love to keep the way I planned out ^.^ In the mean time, enjoy the new chapter my lovely readers! 3

Chapter Two – A Promised Dream

For days the three children meets up at the lake every two days, just like they promised. Every time they meet, they train and sometimes just play around for a while. Their friendships grow and grow and they are slowly starting to show each other's guts.

On the day of the next meeting, Ayame rushes over to meet Madara and Hashirama excitedly. She secretly trains by herself whenever she has the chance at home. Ever since she started training with the two shinobi boys, she has been motivated to train to get stronger. A big reason is that she wants to, not only watch over the children, but she also wants to protect them when it comes to dangerous situations. It is true that Sota knows how to use weapons and is very skilled combat, but she can't let Sota be the only one to do the fighting. What good of a caring person is if she can't defend them? Even though Ayame wishes to protect the children, she also secretly wants to impress Madara and for him to approve her as equal.

So far, Ayame has come a long way in improving her fighting skills. She has gotten stronger, especially with maintaining her chakra as she fights. Regardless, she is still not as close to be equally strong as Madara and Hashirama, but she is determined to go that far someday. That is her promise.

Ayame finally reaches to the lake seeing just Madara standing next to the river bank. 'Just him?' She thought. Part of her is disappointed to see that Hashirama is not there yet, but another part of her is actually excited that it is just them alone for the time being.

Ayame's smile widens and rushes over to him with glee. "Hey Madara!"

Madara glance over to her and returns the smile. "Hey. You seem excited."

"Ah, you know! You guys got me pumped about training, so I am excited!" Ayame lied.

Madara looks at Ayame in disbelief. True, there are some women in his clan that does fight in battles, but girls around her age usually tries to find boys to be their future husbands. The only fighting those little girls do is fighting over the boys they have a crush on, which it deeply disgusts him. Ayame continues to surprise him every single time they talk. Perhaps she may be an exception to him…just maybe.

"I've been practicing some jutsus as well!" Ayame said, hoping that it will impress him.

To her dismay, Madara keeps her monotone face. "Have you now?" His lip slowly curls into a smirk. "Are you sure were just home cooking and cleaning instead of training?"

Ayame's smile turns into a deep frown. "What the hell does that mean?!"

Madara snickers at her reactions. He absolutely loves to see Ayame throw a fit when he teases her. "Oh you know, you should be doing girl stuff and watch me and Hashirama instead. You could get hurt you know."

She huffs as her anger keeps building up. "I could get hurt?! If you're not careful, then it might be you who will get hurt!"

His snicker turns into a roaring laughter. "By who?! You?! Don't make me laugh, Ayame! A fly has a better chance than you!"

That was the last straw. Ayame takes a powerful swing across his face, but Madara easily catches her wrist. His face is now in a deep frown. Her heart beats a little faster as they stare into each other's eyes, only this time…it is intense.

"You're still too slow. You really need to control that temper of yours. I was just kidding." Madara said in a stern, but calming tone.

Those words made Ayame look down at her feet. Maybe guilt is not the right feeling, it is more of embarrassment. Here she is, trying to impress Madara and gets scolded by him because of her temper. This isn't the first time she had lost her temper. There were many times that Ayame finds herself in constant conflict with others.

"That's your weakness, Ayame. You have to strengthen that weakness so that your enemy won't take that advantage to kill you." Madara said as he relaxed his expression.

She nods in understanding. "I'm sorry, Madara…"

Madara sighs and place his hand on her shoulder. "Don't worry about it. You really shouldn't take me so seriously."

"I'll keep that in mind."

"Good."

"Hey! Ayame! Madara!" Hashirama calls out as runs over to them. "Sorry I'm late, but I had to do some chores real quick before I come over."

Madara huffs. "Nevermind that. Today we are going to test each other's strengths. We are going to show each other what we have learned."

"I think that's a great idea. I can't wait to show you guys what I've learned!" Ayame said as excitement flows through her pumping veins.

Hashirama catches his breath and grins excitedly. "Sure, I'm in!"

"Alright then, we'll start now!" Madara said as he positioned himself to fight.

The others positioned themselves to fight as well, and as soon as they feel that it is the right moment, they dash at each other to test their strengths.

Hours have passed and the three children lay on the ground, panting from the exhaustion of training. Each of them have showed their own jutsus and taught them. Ayame is not sure what to call her jutsu since she is not good at creative names. However, what it does is it makes other jutsus less effective when they attack. Madara used his usual jutsus and proves that he is equally as strong as Hashirama. Ayame still feels that she is one step behind, which she curses herself for not trying hard enough.

Hashirama notice her disappointment and pats her shoulder for comfort. "Hey, don't beat yourself up. You fought your hardest."

"Yeah, but it's still not good enough. How am I suppose to protect the orphans if I am too weak?" Ayame said shamefully.

Madara thought long and hard before answering her question. "It's not about strength, you know. You need to be quick witted to think of a strategy, but you also need to think ahead as you fight. You think we're tough? Just wait until you fight somebody who actually wants to kill you and your loved ones."

"Madara! Don't scare her like that!" Hashirama scolded.

Madara's eyes narrow slightly. "If it scares her that badly, then she should just quite while she's ahead and go home. There are some people who are merciless."

Hashirama narrow his eyes back at him. "Would it kill you to show a little empathy?"

"War does not show empathy to the weak." Madara said as he folded his arms.

"But we're not at war. You can be a little nicer." Hashirama said.

"She needs to learn the reality of war or violence. She has not experienced the reality of how life really is. Ayame can't live in a fantasy world where everything is fine and dandy. She has never experienced great loss. She needs to grow up instead of staying home and babysitting some little bra-" his sentence has been cut short by a harsh whip like slap across the face from Ayame.

Madara is about to yell at her for losing her temper again, but he froze when he sees Ayame's hurtful stare. Her eyes are fighting the stinging tears that are struggling to be released. Her throat burns to spill hateful words towards Madara, but she decides to control her anger.

"You're absolutely right, Madara… there are a lot of things that I need to learn. I'm not bright, I'm very clumsy and can be of an airhead. Hell, I intend to fantasize many things, including peace…but I do that to escape the harsh reality of life, even if it's just for a little while. I do know reality, Madara… I know what happens in war… I know that innocent people die in war by the hands of a cold blooded shinobi… I even know that children lose everything and end up having nobody. Those brats, that you were about to call them, I take care of them because they lost their parents to war… some of them actually have seen their family die right in front of their eyes…" Ayame's lip curls into a weak smile as her tears finally rolls down on her cheek. "I should know… I saw my mom and dad get killed by a shinobi. I can still hear them screaming for me to run… every night before I go to sleep. Blood is all I can envision when I run away from trouble… but then I learned to stop running and just face them already. Instead of desiring death to my enemy… I just want to end this war just as much as you guys do. So… don't assume so little of me just because I'm a girl. War has made me grow up a lot faster than you think. I had no family to take care of me for the last two years… I had to grow up, because I have orphans who are younger than me to take care of. So I swallow my tears and smile for them… because they need someone to look up to for symbolism of hope. I guess you can say… I have experienced quite a bit of things."

Madara is left speechless after hearing Ayame's heart-felt speech. There are only a few words that escaped from his mouth. "Ayame…I-" But once again, Ayame cuts him off by standing and dusting herself off.

"Sorry… but I have to go back home. I have to cook dinner for the kids. I'll see you guys soon…" Ayame said as she wipes her tears and gives the boys one last smile before she left.

"I have to go too, Madara. I don't feel so well all of a sudden." Hashirama said as he stand and leaves for home, leaving Madara all alone at the lake.

Madara curse himself repeatedly as he storms home as well. He didn't mean to hurt Ayame's feelings, let alone make her cry. He has made girls cry and he never cared, but this time he feels tremendous guilt lingering in his heart. Madara thought that she is just simple girl who only knows playing housewife, but now that he knows, he sees Ayame completely different. He continues to think of Ayame's hurtful eyes, which he didn't realize that he made it home.

A little boy that is younger than Madara runs over to him and hugs him tightly. "Welcome home big brother!" The little boy grinned happily.

Madara smiles weakly at his younger brother as gently tussle his hair. "Hey Izuna…"

Izuna stares at his older brother with a concerned frown. "What's the matter, big brother?"

His older brother shakes his head and continues to smile at him. "Nothing. I'm just tired, that's all. I had a lot of things to do today. Now, let's get some sleep. Tomorrow we have to train for an upcoming mission." After that, he and Izuna goes inside their residence to rest, but Madara could only think about Ayame and her tears. It nearly breaks his heart just thinking about it. Maybe tomorrow's training will get his mind off of it.

Another two days pass by and for the first time, Ayame is not excited as she used to be. Especially after the confrontation with Madara. She feels bad that she slapped him across his face, but how else was she going to his attention through his big ego? A part of her felt that she needed to do that to make him stop.

Ayame reluctantly picks up her basket and head to meet the boys, while she picks berries to eat.

As soon as she sees Madara standing there, her heart beats loudly as usual. But it is not out of excitement, it is out of fear of the outcome that might occur. What did he think for the past two days? Is he mad at her? Is he going to scold her for slapping him and losing her temper? So many question spins around her head as she slowly approach him.

"G-Good morning, Madara…" Ayame greeted nervously.

Madara glance at Ayame and nods slowly. "Hey."

It took a few breathing before Ayame begins to talk. "Look Madara… about last meeting…I…I'm sorry that I slapped you. It was not right for me to do that, and you were just lecturing me about the real life and-"

"You talk too much." Madara cuts her off.

Ayame looks down in shame. It's no surprise that he is still mad at her.

"That's another weakness of yours. You are such a chatter box."

"…I'm sorry…I guess I can be a chatter box when I'm nervous… but…what I'm trying to say is…will you accept my apology, Madara?"

Madara stares at Ayame for a bit until he closes his eyes and breathes out tiredly. Then he opens his eyes and narrows it at her. "No."

Her heart sinks deeply from his reply. It was stern, yet very cold and heartless. She swallows a chunk of her saliva and glace away from his cold onyx eyes. "Ah…well I understand…I mean it's unforgiveable for what I did."

"I won't forgive you, because there isn't anything to forgive. I'm… the one should apologize to you. It wasn't fair of me to say those things without knowing everything about you. It's just… I'm so used to seeing typical girl things that I thought you would be the same… but you're not." Madara closed his eyes as he remembers his four other brothers that died in war. "I lost my brothers in war…so I know what losing a family member feels like. So… I'm sorry Ayame… will you forgive me?" He asked in a low whisper.

After listening to Madara's plea for forgiveness, Ayame can sense a true sincerity in his words. She can't help but smile and nod. "Of course I forgive you, Madara. I don't like staying mad forever."

Madara returns the smile. "Neither."

Ayame raise her hand for a handshake as she continues to smile at him. "Friends?"

He shakes her hand firmly, but gently and nods. "Friends."

Suddenly they see Hashirama rushing over to them. "Hey guys! I see you two made up!"

"Hehehe yep!" Ayame giggled.

Hashirama's grin spreads further. "That's wonderful to hear! I'm so happy!"

Madara snorted a little. "And what are you so happy about?"

"Oh that's right! I learned a really awesome technique and we should master it together!" Hashirama replied with a soulful glee.

"Oh?" Madara sounded out as he folds his arms bemused. "What is it?" He isn't really interested in knowing what the technique is, considering that he has a challenge in mind for them to train.

Hashirama chuckles proudly. "Well! I call it the super fire style genjutsu slice giant shuriken two-step drop jutsu!"

There was a moment of pause. Ayame is trying to sink in the long name that Hashirama made up, and she is supposed to suck at creative names. Madara stares at Hashirama for a moment longer before sharing his thoughts.

"Nope…I can't even visualize it at all." Madara said. "There is no way I can master a jutsu with a name that long. Anyway, I can't tell if it's a taijutsu or genjutsu to begin with."

"Yeah, I'm gonna have to agree with Madara on that, Hashirama. It sounds complicated." Ayame said.

"Well, if you guys let me explain I'll-"

"Never mind!" Madara interrupted. "Today, I'm challenging both of you to climb up the cliff!"

Ayame looks up to see how tall the cliff is. It is so tall, she is not sure if she would make it to the top. Hashirama doesn't seem to be taking it so well either as he sulks on the ground. However, something about this sulking feels completely different from the previous times.

"Will you quit sulking?! That is your weakness there! You can't keep getting depressed every time things don't go your way!" Madara yelled.

Both Ayame and Madara hear a soft snicker coming from Hashirama.

"And your weakness… is to judge too quickly, when your opponent is trying to psych you out!" Hashirama laughed as he started darting up the cliff.

Madara is taken by surprise, but quickly shakes it off and begins to chase after. "Why you-!"

"Hahaha! I'll catch you guy later!" Hashirama calls out as he keeps running.

"You bastard! You were just pretending, huh?!" Madara keeps chasing, but looks back to see Ayame still standing and watching them from below. "Come on, Ayame! Or you'll get left behind!"

"Yeah! Come on, Ayame!" Hashirama calls after.

Ayame didn't realize that she was spacing out until Madara and Hashirama calls out for her, which made her snap out of it and shakes her head to come back to reality. "Right! I'm coming!" And with that, she starts running up to catch up with the two boys.

As soon as they reach over the top of the cliff, Hashirama is the first to go on top, following Madara and lastly Ayame. The three sits on the edge of the cliff as they try to catch their breaths. Their hearts feel like a ticking time bomb and that it can explode any minute. After they finally caught their breaths, Hashirama chuckles softly, but triumphantly.

"Heh…I got on top first." Hashirama said.

Madara snorts at his boasting. "That's to be expected…! You started first than us!"

"Hey… at least you didn't end up in third!" Ayame laughed.

The boys joined in the laughter as well. This is the moment that Ayame prays that this will never end. This is the moment where she feels like there is something to hold on to. She smiles to herself just knowing that there will be a change, if not from her, then maybe from Madara and Hashirama. She sees Madara and Hashirama staring into the horizon and decides to join as well.

The view is extremely beautiful. The trees extend from miles down the road. The sky is a perfect crystal blue, without a hint of clouds. Ayame closes her eyes and feels the spring breeze passing by her milk skin. For a moment, no one said anything until Hashirama starts talking.

"What a view, eh? You can practically see the whole acres from up here." Hashirama said.

"Yeah. I'll bet I can see the whole thing further down." Madara said as his lip turns into a smirk. "Do you both want to challenge me?"

"Well, you seem to be proud of your eyes." Hashirama said.

"Well of course! I have the shariga-" Madara paused as he realize of what he is about to spill out. It was too close for his comfort. All of a sudden Madara looks down at his feet in defeat.

Ayame and Hashirama curiously stare at Madara. For the first time, Madara seems to be… reluctant about something.

"What is it?" Ayame asked.

"Nothing." Madara said. "I'm not that good after all."

Now this is the first time they heard Madara admitting that he is not good. Ayame checks the sky to see if the world is coming to an end. So far, no flames are crashing down on Earth. Hashirama is just as surprised as Ayame. This is a bit too strange for him. "What makes you say that? Just a moment ago, you were so boastful and now that's gone."

"Yeah, that is a bit unusual, Madara. I've never seen you back down from a challenge, let alone your challenge." Ayame said.

"If I was good as I say I am… I wouldn't have lost my brothers." Madara said as he frowns to himself.

Knowing that feeling all too well, Hashirama and Ayame could only empathize him and stare helplessly. "Don't you have any brother left?" Ayame asked.

"I have one left. My younger brother…and I vow to protect him with all my life." Madara answered.

"Same here." Hashirama said. "And I vow to protect him as well."

The atmosphere is consumed with lingering sadness and failures. So Hashirama comes up with an idea that might change the future for the better. "Let's build a village here!"

Now it is Hashirama's turn to receive the odd look from Hashirama and Ayame.

"We'll build a village here, where every shinobi gets along and set aside their differences. Children will learn and set them in different ranks, depending on their strengths. And we will never send children on a dangerous mission." Hashirama said dreamily as he stares into the sky with a fiery passion.

Ayame smiles from Hashirama's passion. "That sounds like a wonderful idea."

"That sounds like a childish dream." Madara said teasingly.

Hashirama pouts slightly at Madara, thinking that he is discouraging him. "Well, what do you think?"

It took a moment for Madara to think. If this dream will come true, then maybe his prayer may be answered and he won't lose people that he cares deeply. He would definitely protect Izuna… and Ayame.

"That doesn't sound like a bad idea." Madara finally replied.

Hashirama smiled gleefully. "Then it's settled!"

"Yeah… if the village is built here, then I can watch over my younger brother from up here." Madara said as his determination increase with passion…just like Hashirama's passion.

"And I'm going to watch over my younger brother too, and I intend to protect him with my life." Hashirama said. He glance over to Ayame and smiles. "What about you, Ayame?"

"Well…" Ayame started shyly. "It would be a good idea that I move the kids from the orphanage to our village, so that I can watch over them from way up here. Then the orphans will never be hungry, nor in danger. War has taken so many things away from them, and the least I can do is give them a place where they can finally call home."

The boys smile at her kind nature. Ayame has a soul that is extraordinarily beautiful to them, that they are willing to put their lives in danger just to protect her. She has become a dear friend to Madara and Hashirama, and just being around her makes them feel tranquil and happy. When the sun beams on Ayame, it is as if they are looking at an angel.

"That is a wonderful idea, Ayame." Madara said. "And I promise to help you watch over the orphan children. That is my promise to you."

Hopes and dreams have filled their hearts as they smile at each other. Never again will there be any more doubts about never showing their guts. They will show honesty, loyalty, virtue, honor and love. They feel that this is the beginning of a bright future. Not just for them, but for the whole shinobi world.

By the end of the day, Hashirama and Madara skip their rocks towards each other. They are going to hold on to it until they meet again. Ayame insisted that she doesn't get the rock, because she can't even skip a rock right. So sending her favorite flower, lily, to the lake will be her way to greet them. Then, the tree children went home, still clinging their wonderful kinships in their hearts.

Author: So there you have it! ^w^ Tell me what you guys think in the comments, and again, I will accept any criticism as long as it is professional and not rude. I love how the relationship between Madara and Ayame is developing. I know this is following the canon, but trust me... starting from the next chapter and so forth won't be such a canon ^.^ Until next time readers! See ya soon! And keep sending the love and support to my story!