a what-if set in the same universe as 'today and fifty years ago'. yeah you won't understand the context without reading it first :'D this is set few years after kagami's flashback in the fic.

.

.

"ahh... fresh air!"

hashirama nearly screamed her gratitude to the darkness and plants growing under the balcony. sage, she liked summer parties, but tonight she was also trying to win some sponsorship. her new project needed a lot of funds, but it was a documentary. no one liked documentary. the profit sucked.

to make matters worse, some men had the audacity to offer her lucrative titles to direct, with one condition: that she had to be the main actress with many suggestive roles. her absolute rule was well known in the movie industry: no kissing scenes. still, that didn't stop men from openly voicing their desire to see her naked on-screen. especially now, when she's no longer married...

hashirama held the railings, taking a deep breath, then turned around. her eyes spotted someone in the shadows. smoke danced from his lips.

even his silhouette alone was enough for her to recognize him.

"evening, madara," she greeted, fixing her shawl to cover her bare shoulders. "fancy seeing you in a party."

"i was literally dragged here." madara emerged from the shadows. he was wearing his usual office attire, sleeves rolled to the elbows. he dropped the cigarette, and stepped on its butt. "this is only one time. i'm not picking up the habit again."

"i didn't ask."

"you wondered, though." he joined her by the railings. "i see you managed to free yourself from those wolves inside."

she leaned her back. "you saw?"

"overheard. they were loud. i could hear them from here." a pause. "how's sanselan going?"

"...huh?"

"how's that... series, going? the third season was a success, i heard."

"ah, um..." hashirama was at loss for words. he never, ever asked about her work before. "yeah, it was a blast. we're having half a year break. i'm not needed until next year, so i can do my side project." her shoulders slumped. "well, that if i could score the funds..."

"tell me about it, hashirama."

"oh, it's a nature documentary, and preservation of rare species..." she blabbered about her vision and plan. "of course we will need high tech to shoot the scenes, and train our crew to use them, it'd need some time and money."

"we just acquired a tech company." madara smirked. "they make cameras and other filming equipment."

"...really?" hashirama straightened her back.

"if you like it, we can discuss it tomorrow? i should be free during lunch-"

"lunch is fine!" hashirama hugged him. "thank you thank you so much!"

madara returned her hug after awhile. when they pulled apart, hashirama's cheeks were warm.

"see you at lunch." madara held her hand, slowly bringing it up to his lips.

after he was gone, hashirama remained alone on the balcony, her heart soaring to the heavens.