Optional Happy End: Please only read if you want a Happy Ending

Six months later

"I would never have thought that we would live to see this day," Madara mused as he signed his name on the document.

Hashirama smiled at him. "I always told you it would be possible one day."

Madara snorted. "Yes, you and your never-ending optimism."

"It has been a long and harsh road," Hashirama answered, his eyes clouded with dark memories. "There were a few times I have faltered, too."

"And yet you prevailed," Tobirama cut in and put his hand on Hashirama's shoulder. "As I knew you would."

Hashirama laughed. "You have always believed in me, little brother."

"I still do," Tobirama assured him seriously.

Madara rolled his eyes. "Please spare me from your Senju sentimentality." His gaze fell on the flowerpot. "And would you please be so kind to enlighten me to the reason you are carrying around a miniature apricot tree?"

"A gift for Ryo," Hashirama answered and picked the flowerpot up. " Where is she, by the way? I have not seen here anywhere."

Madara's face fell slightly. "Ah, Ryo…she is not here."

The two Senju looked at him and Hashirama frowned. "What do you mean, she is not here?" He narrowed his eyes. "You assured me that everything had been handled and that there was no reason to fear for her life. Have you lied to me?"

Madara sighed. "She is not dead, if that is what you are worried about. But she is not exactly welcomed by the clan either. She…well, I suppose it is best if you see it yourself. Follow me."

Hashirama exchanged a look with his brother, and they followed after the man.

Madara let them to the outer parts of the compound and away from the main street to a rather rundown looking house.

He knocked on the door. "Ryo? You have visitors."

No answer.

Madara took out a rusty key and unlocked the door. "We are coming in now."

The three men entered the hut and Hashirama grimaced at the shabby interior. It was obviously intended to be a living space, but the sparse furniture and barred windows made it look more like a prison cell than an actual home.

Something moved under the table and Madara bent down. "Ryo, this is Madara. There is someone here to see you."

"To see me? Who would want to do that?" It was clearly Ryo's voice. But why was she hiding under the table?

The small figure shifted slightly and Madara stepped back to allow her some space to move.

Her head appeared first, followed by the rest of her body.

"Careful, child," Madara warned her, "There is a chair to your left."

"Thank you," the girl answered quietly and gingerly crawled past the furniture. She raised her head to look at Madara and Hashirama's jaw tightened when he saw the bandage covering her eyes. "Madara what happened?"

"Many clan members were not very pleased with her actions," Madara explained quietly. "They pushed for her death or wanted to take her eyes and exile her. In the end I reached a compromise. Ryo was allowed to live, but her eyes and chakra would be sealed, and she would be confined to this place."

Hashirama turned towards Madara. "We need to talk, now."

"Hashirama, this is an idiotic idea!"

"Is it really?" Hashirama countered, "It is certainly unorthodox, but I cannot see any reason why it could not be done."

"It might actually be a good political move to make," Tobirama mused. "It would deepen our newly-formed allegiance."

"You are agreeing with him?" Madara raised an eyebrow. "I thought you were the rational one in your family."

"I am," Tobirama replied, "This is why I am consenting to it. A show of trust is just what we need now."

"Can you guarantee that nothing will happen to her?" Madara demanded, "She has already suffered enough."

"Yes," Hashirama's voice was firm. "I can."

Madara sighed. "I cannot believe I am saying this, but you have my permission."

Ryo was nervous. She could not see the men's expressions, but the tension was almost palpable.

"Uchiha Ryo."

Her full name. Ryo turned in the direction of the voice. "Yes, Madara-sama?"

"You will be moving out of the compound," her clan head continued and there was a heavy weight behind his words.

Ryo froze. Leave? He wanted her to leave? Why? Was he getting tired of her? She bit her lip. "Madara-sama," she asked quietly, "does this mean…are you…exiling me?"

"No, I am not," Madara answered firmly, "I am sending you away. The Senju clan has agreed to foster you as a show of goodwill. You will be freer in their care as you are in mine. You will live with them but the Uchiha clan will always be your true home."

The man stepped behind her. "I believe I can take this off now."

The blindfold fell from her eyes and Ryo felt her chakra flow through her body.

Her Sharingan activated eagerly.

"The tree," she whispered reverently, "I can see it grow again."

Ryo laughed in joy.

She had never felt so free before.