The Senju reaped the benefits of the treaty as well. People were generally happier, they moved freely, even feeling so brave to roam outside their camp in groups of two-three civilians. Hashirama, especially, was on cloud nine. He kept going over the plans he had written down, but rather in that impatient stage of happiness, than in anxiety. He had their younger sister rewrite them all on better paper, skillfully, so that they were more presentable. He seemed as if he would give his soul away for this deal.

Tobirama, himself, was… glad. Yes, he didn't want to fight anymore, he too loved peace over war. He just didn't have as much faith in the other clan.

They were sitting on their porch, sipping sweet alcohol that kept them warm in the cold weather. Behind them, the thin walls displayed shadows on them from the candlelit room they were framing. The silhouette of their sister danced on them, while she sat at her desk, writing, as she had for hours every day now.

"I believe we should strengthen the treaty further, brother." Hashirama began, taking a shot of his drink. Tobirama waited for him to continue in silence. "If we were to arrange a ma—"

"You're not giving Yuna to those people, Hashirama."

He didn't even need to listen to the rest of it. Hashirama was so invested into this whole deal with the Uchiha, if he was female, he'd go marry that wretched friend of his, himself. Sending Yuna to that clan was the logical next step for him. But she wouldn't simply be a bride, she'd serve as a hostage – a guarantee that the Senju wouldn't break the treaty.

"Madara would make a fine husband to her!" Hashirama continued to press. "He might be… a little rough around the edges, but he has a lot of love for me, I know it. For my sake and the peace, he would be good to her."

A snort came from the other, long before response.

"At least offer him another woman. We have other noble families."

"That's not good enough! They know we have an eligible sister. We can't hold back here."

"I will not side with you on this, brother. I still think it's stupid to trust them so blindly."

"Look, Tobirama," Hashirama's tone had started to change as his patience was abandoning their conversation, "If Yuna accepts, and father agrees, I will do it. With you by my side or not."

….

A single candle burned on the nightstand, illuminating the wooden surface, and casting shadows on the rest of the room. Madara felt slightly cold since he was sharing his blanket with the woman next to him, but was too comfortable to move and get another one. Besides, it was only his feet. The rest of him was kept warm by her body, as they lied embraced.

He could tell by the rhythm of her breathing that she was very close to falling asleep, but every now and then she would sigh and remind him that she can't let herself doze off and stay away from home the whole night.

Madara understood that, and he tried to respect it, waking her with kisses when she would stay still for longer than a few minutes, but he had to admit he wasn't happy about it. Their affair had been going on for a little over six months, yet they hadn't spent one peaceful night in each others' company.

True, they weren't in a relationship, at least not in one that warranted any commitment, but he wished they could spend the night in peace, and wake up together. He hated how barely half an hour after they made love, Hisa had to get up, start dressing and leave him behind. He felt… used, as ridiculous as it may sound.

"I'm sorry," She whispered, grazing his cheek with her fingers. "I'd love to stay."

"I know." He kissed them lightly as they brushed past his lips. She's a kunoichi with work to complete, as well as a housewife with three children. He knew she wouldn't be able to continue the affair if it became too inconvenient, same as he.

He walked her out to the garden, and watched her back for a few moments before turning around to go back to bed. He stopped abruptly, upon hearing feet tapping against the floor. His initial thought was that it's Tajima, praying that the man didn't realize just who his visitor was, but after he listened closely, he concluded the steps were too short and carelessly loud to be Tajima.

"Brother in law?" Came a muffled call further down from the hallway.

"Yes?"

She was making her way over, a cup, of water, he assumed, in her hand.

Madara looked at her with question in his expression. Mego stood on the tip of her toes for a short while to look over his shoulder and at the main door. She gave a devilish, albeit sleepy, smile when they made eye contact.

"Who was that, brother in law?"

"What?... I was just…" Madara attempted a lie then gave up halfway through it. "Just someone." He sighed.

Mego's gaze softened.

"I'm happy for you."

"Thank you." He somehow managed to reply with the same enthusiasm, since she was the last person he'd tell about the sort of affair he was having. "Go back to sleep now, it's cold."

"Mhm, you too, brother in law." She yawned, walking away.

….

"It seems to me like you won't get away with being a bachelor, after all." Tajima commented, his smile audible in his voice, standing behind Madara who was rereading the letter third time around.

"Since when would you be so happy to have a Senju daughter in law?" His son retorted, in weak attempt to ruin his victory.

"Well, better than sending an Uchiha woman to them. I am fine with that arrangement."

Yeah, well, I'm not. Madara thought. The idea of marrying Hashirama's sister hadn't even occurred to him. He based all of his plans on mutual ideas and the old friendship the two of them shared once, but… That might not be enough, after all. Arranged marriage would definitely bring the clans closer together, and strengthen the peace.

He tossed the note on the table. She was barely of age. If he remembered well, she had turned seventeen a few months ago. He was turning twenty six in less than two weeks, and as he was meant to, preferred proper women, not girls.

But do refuse, he reminded himself, and watch everything fall apart.

"Respond to them quickly, we have to start preparing for it soon."

"Someone's eager to become family with the Senju." Madara snorted, grabbing a piece of paper and preparing the ink for his response.

"It's only now that this whole plan is starting to have some hope." Tajima pointed out, walking away.

It didn't take him long to finish his response – the common nonsense that was expected of him: he pointed out what an honor it would be and suggested the date for their family to visit his clan, to complete the negotiations.

With a long sigh, he sat back while the ink dried and stared at the ceiling. So… he would get married, after all. Well… the main reason he rejected the idea of starting his own family was because of the war and chaos surrounding them. Since they were now working on change, perhaps he might—

He sat up abruptly, as a wave of restlessness overcame him. He didn't see himself like that! He, Uchiha Madara, living in a cozy home with a wife and children. No. That wasn't him. Especially considering he'd marry that girl. Grown, complete woman, like Hisa, would maybe be acceptable. What the hell was he to do with someone who had just stopped being a child a year or two ago?

"Brother in law?"

He looked over his shoulder to face Mego.

"I heard." She said, unhappy, and made her way over to him. "I'm so sorry."

Madara looked at her blankly for a few moments. What?

"What?" He voiced his thoughts, confused.

Mego squeezed his shoulder reassuringly, "I know you are seeing someone. Now this arrangement… It's too bad."

"Oh, that." He cleared his throat. "It is what it is."

"I really wished for you to be happy."

That brought a gentle smile to his face, and he got up.

"I know." He gave her shiny hair a small pat. His hand went down to her stomach, that grew to be a proper bump in the last months. "Never mind that. How are you doing?"

"Good." Mego placed her hand over his, smiling. "I will go see the healer soon, for a check up—"

"Lord Madara?" A servant boy interrupted, looking somewhat reluctant when he saw them.

"Yes?" Madara stepped away from his sister in law and faced him.

"I am ready to deliver your letter to the Senju, sir."

"Yes, alright." He took another minute to fold and seal it, then it went away. He suppressed a sigh, not wanting any additional questions about the matter.