crownverse; major spoiler for mahkota daun/a crown of shadows chapter 14

set between the treaty and the start of the story

.

.

"there you are."

hashirama turned to find her partner ascending the rocky hill overlooking their new settlement. "i thought you'd be back tomorrow, madara."

"things finished faster than we expected," he replied, seating within an arm's length on her left. "the uzumaki scrolls are quite helpful."

she was glad, yet she couldn't help but noticing a shade fell on his face. "what's the matter?"

"you said their leader objected to our project." madara straightened his back, slowly turning away from the forests below. "would they come here and..." he trailed off, but she understood enough.

"they don't need to know you used their scrolls."

madara lowered his voice. "just how far are you willing to betray them?"

"it's not betrayal if I only use what's within my disposal." hashirama shrugged, leaning closer to him. "the scrolls have been in our possession for daily tasks like moving timber and wild games. it makes sense if you use them too; we're family now-"

"careful."

at his sharp tone, she bit her lip and waited until he finished sensing the rocky hill. he glared briefly at her.

"i didn't speak of it-"

"it's the same! need i to remind you we're not yet..."

"husband and wife?"

madara groaned aloud.

"...sorry."

he was taken aback by her apology. madara reached for her loose strands, slipping them behind her ear as she glanced at him.

"i know you're impatient, hashi," he whispered. "me too, but i can't make you live in a shabby hut. it'd be too much for three people."

"i just missed you."

madara stood, then moved away from the edge. "you can have one kiss-"

hashirama scrambled to her feet, excitedly running to him like a puppy.

"-on the cheek."

slowly she leaned in, only to land her kiss on the corner of his lips. it was quick, yet quite unexpected enough to make him flustered.

"on. the. cheek!"

"it's technically still your cheek... are you blushing?"

rubbing his neck, madara hissed, "i'm not-!" yet as he spoke, his skin had turned as red as the sky.

"i wonder what would you look like if i really kissed you on the lips." hashirama covered her mouth, holding back a giggle.

"don't even think-"

"well, too late now."

"my revenge will be great, senju hashirama," he vowed, his sharingan glinted in the sunset. "prepare yourself."

with mischief danced on her eyes, she replied, "i'm always prepared." then hashirama added voicelessly, "anata."

.

.

madara got his revenge at chapter 4 of mahkota daun/a crown of shadows