Hashirama hummed softly under his breath as he strolled through the streets of Sora-ku.

So, why was Hashirama here?

Well, word has it that there have been sightings of the Uchiha clan in this seemingly abandoned city, and while usually, Tobes would be the one who takes on these types of missions, Takeshi-san, his father's right-hand, had gotten word that Uchiha Madara had been spotted at this exact location not a day ago.

And as Hashirama was the only one who could openly fight against the Uchiha heir without losing his life, he and Kawarama had been selected for this intel gathering mission. As for why Kawa was paired with him, it was due to his little brother's proficiency in disguises.

While Kawa hid at the outskirts of the city, ready to provide back-up if required, Hashirama strode confidently around with his hair dyed black and facial structure reconstructed with makeup and clay to look more like an Uchiha. After a few days of spying on and chatting with the residents here, Hashirama figured out that Sora-ku was basically a den filled with black marketeers.

They sold their wares to anybody without caring about affiliation, clan, and status. It was no wonder the Uchiha would buy and store their munitions here.

Although he knew that the Uchiha heir was spotted here yesterday, it was still somewhat of a surprise when he stumbled across Uchiha Madara paying for one of them illegal rare goods. The Uchiha heir looked unfazed at being caught by a 'clan member', only gazing at Hashirama's disguised form for a split second before returning to his transaction.

Before Hashirama could bolt, however, the Uchiha gestured for him to stay put. As much of a loud mouth Hashirama was, he was first and foremost a shinobi, and as a shinobi, he knew how covert missions went. So not wanting to clue Uchiha Madara that he was an infiltrator, he obediently accepted the order.

As he waited for the Uchiha to complete his transaction, he decided to scrutinize the other shinobi. Whenever they met in combat, Hashirama didn't have the leisure time required to study the Uchiha despite their close proximity. That was how challenging (dangerous) Uchiha Madara was in a fight.

Uchiha, as per usual, was wearing an indigo mantle with sleeves that flow past his fingertips, standard shinobi pants and sandals, and if Hashirama could see the man's hands, probably a pair of leather gloves as well. If Hashirama did not know any better, he would think the Uchiha skin-shy.

But, of course, he knew better.

He had seen the man run around the battlefield with holes and cuts in his clothes as they fought, looking pretty much like a war god with flames and explosion whipping his long hair in the wind. Hashirama has never, however, once seen the right side of the Uchiha's face thanks to the sheer volume of his hair, but he knew that Uchiha was quite handsome just from what he could see.

Although, in Hashirama's humble opinion, he still looked much like a porcupine with his hair spiking everywhere like that.

"Name?" Uchiha Madara asked with disinterest after the seller had left them, turning fully to face Hashirama. Sweating at the unexpected inquiry, he blurted out the first name he could think of.

"Hashi," And oh, how he could picture Tobes's pinched expression right now, followed by the tirade about the benefits of pre-planning, "My name is Hashi, Madara-sama."

The Uchiha heir only hn-ed, obsidian eyes narrowed - and for a second there, Hashirama was concern that he had been exposed, but Uchiha only turned on his heels, throwing a curt, "Walk with me," over his shoulder. Hashirama scrambled to follow.

Quite unexpectedly, Uchiha led them to an eatery. The Uchiha then chose a table that allowed them to have a full view of the restaurant, where they could see the comings and goings of the customers, as well as to have easy access to one of the exits if called for it.

This was a seat he knew Tobes would appreciate.

When a waitress came bounding over, Hashirama panicked for a moment, not knowing if the Uchiha clan came here frequently or if this was the first time. He prays that it would be the latter, since if it was the former, he would be expected to know the menu.

When the waitress bowed low to them, however, a respectful 'Uchiha-sama' leaving her lips, Hashirama knew that he was screwed. Before he could make a fool of himself, the Uchiha heir thankfully ordered for them. Hashirama didn't exactly pay much attention to what they were getting, more concern with keeping his cover.

How do the Uchiha clan members act when they were with their clan's heir in a private setting, anyway? Would they joke around like the Senjus? Or would they remain stiff and formal?

Oh, darn. Takeshi-san should've picked Tobes for this mission. Hashirama was not the best choice for missions that require him to act like someone else.

"What is it?"

Hashirama couldn't withhold a flinch when the other shinobi questioned him in complete monotone. Having just noticed that he had been blatantly staring at Uchiha for far too long, he threw a nervous glance at the porcupine- ahem, Uchiha before looking away.

Taking a deep, calming breath to try and relax as much as possible, he responded with as much stoicism as he could muster (which was not a lot).

"Aa, nothing. I was just wondering why Madara-sama is here in Sora-ku," Better to try and get as much information as possible before he got found out, right? Pulling the wool over Uchiha's eyes seemed virtually impossible, but he would do his best.

"Madara," The Uchiha suddenly stated, "Just Madara. You do not need to add -sama behind my name, Hashi."

Blinking at the remark, Hashirama abruptly beamed. The Uchiha heir must have a good relationship with his clanmates; to allow them to call him by just his name. If any of the Senju were to do that (not that Hashirama minded, actually), his father would have their head.

"Okay, Madara!"

He didn't know if it was just his eyes playing tricks on him, but he swore that the Uchiha had softened considerably at being called informally. Before he could think more on that, their food arrived. Hashirama was instantly distracted, his drool accumulating in his mouth at the sight of a bowl of mushroom mixed soup.

It has been a while since he had eaten his favorite meal.

Within moments, he had finished the bowl, satisfaction curling in his stomach. Before he could be disappointed that that was all, a leathered hand pushed another bowl of mushroom mixed soup in front of him. He peered at Uchi- Madara, unsure if he should eat it or return it to remain polite.

"Eat, Hashi. More will come soon."

Not one to usually hesitate when it came to food, Hashirama grinned gratefully and proceeded to eat with gusto. His appetite was gigantic, and a bowl would simply not fill him. It was only when he reached his fifth bowl did he notice that Madara has not once removed his gaze on him as he continues to sip his tea, obsidian eye crinkled in what he recognizes as fondness.

Hashirama was a master in emotions, so he wouldn't have mistaken that look. But they have just met, so why would Madara give him such a look? Why would Madara feel a fondness for 'Hashi'?

"Madara?" He blinked, tilting his head slightly to the side to try and figure the mysterious Uchiha out.

"Hm?"

His lips parted, ready to ask what was on his mind, before abruptly remembering that he was on a mission. He snapped his mouth shut, awkwardly flailing as he tried to think of something to say. When a minute passed by in silence, it was Madara who spoke.

"Have you been well?"

"Eh?"

"I'll take that as a yes," Madara chuckled. It was a nice sound. The man should laugh more often.

In his daze, he didn't realize he had spoken such words out loud. The Uchiha's pale skin flushed pink as he looked away, murmuring something about 'filters and bumbling idiots'. That snapped Hashirama out of his stupor, a sheepish smile playing on his lips as he scratched the back of his head.

"You remind me of Tob- one of my little brothers," Was not what he had intended to say, but somehow, Madara made him relax his guard enough to talk about his family.

"Do I now?" The Uchiha responded, a playful glint sparkling in his visible eye, "Well, you remind me much of my baby brothers. They're twins."

"Oh?" He leaned forward on his elbows, interested in getting to know the man's family. Not because Hashirama wanted to use his family against him, but because he wanted to know Uchiha Madara more outside of combat. The best way to know someone was to have a conversation about their loved ones.

"And they're seven years old."

That made Hashirama sputter, squawking in mock offense when he realized that he was being called a man-child. Truly, Madara was almost cut from the same cloth as Tobes!

"I'm not a kid, Madara~!" He whined.

"Are you sure? You're sounding like one."

"So cruel~! You're just like Tobes, always making fun of me," He pouted, crossing his arms over his chest, "I shouldn't ever let you both meet. It'll be the end of me then."

"I wish you the best of luck in that," Somehow, he felt that there was an inside joke there, but he just couldn't figure it out.

They continued to converse for hours, and by the end of the day, Hashirama felt that he could call Madara his friend. They've talked about their families, the activities they do when out of battle (nobody would ever believe him if he told them that Uchiha Madara knits in his free time), their likes and dislikes, and their dreams of peace.

It was a shocking and pleasant surprise to hear that Madara was simply waiting for an opportunity to achieve his dream. Hashirama wished he could just tell Madara about how he would be the Senju head soon (his father was growing weaker by the day) and that he would be thrilled to have an alliance with the Uchiha.

Unfortunately, he knew that now was not the right time. As they stood side by side at the edge of Sora-ku, saying their goodbyes, Hashirama finally couldn't help it. He gathered the flailing Uchiha into a bear-hug, fighting to keep the tears from leaking out of his eyes.

"It's not as if we won't see each other again, Hashi," Madara groaned breathlessly as he awkwardly patted the brunet's back. That only made him squeeze harder, causing the Uchiha to grunt about the lack of oxygen. After all, he couldn't actually tell Madara that he wasn't an Uchiha and that after he completes his mission, they would not see each other back at the man's compound.

"I'll see you around, Madara," Hashirama finally let go, grinning at the shorter man with tears in his eyes.

"Of course you will," The Uchiha grumbled, rolling his eyes upwards.

Again, his 'fondly exasperated' behavior reminded him sorely of Tobes. It only made his grin stretch wider. One day, he would officially introduce his little brothers to this man - Uchiha Madara was gentle and kind outside of combat, and he wishes for others to see that as well.

As he swirled on his heels, knowing that Madara would not attack 'Hashi' even if he turned his back on him, he gathered chakra into his legs and prepared to leap onto the trees. Before he could, however, Madara spoke words that made him trip over himself.

"Your physical disguise might be flawless, Senju Hashirama, but you should work more on scrambling your chakra signature. Tobirama, I reckon, could help you with that."

Just as he turned to face Madara, his mouth parted in the shape of an O, he saw the Uchiha's silhouette disappear between the houses, having retreated back into Sora-ku. He debated with himself if he should chase after the Uchiha, but after a few moments of pondering, though better of it.

From what he knew, Uchiha Madara was a sensor, not as amazing as his little brother Tobes, of course, but still skilled. So even if Hashirama gave chase, the Uchiha would not be found if he did not wish for it. With a sigh, he headed towards Kawa and his campsite, a small smile refusing to leave his lips.

Hashirama can't wait until he and Madara become heads of their respective clans. The future has never seem this promising before.

A/N: Happy New Year, guys! It's 2019 (ㆆᴗㆆ)... Is the world ending yet? No? Bummer.

Everyone seems to be curious about what Hashirama's up to as of late and how he is, so I added this bit into the fic as... requested …_φ(･ω･` ). Please tell me your thoughts~!