After much deliberation, which mostly included Madara and Itachi exchanging banter amongst each other while the other present patrons sat on their hands, twiddled their thumbs, or took in the scenery around the den area, they'd finally reached a decision.
"Given the nature of this situation, I can allow Sakura to stay here provided she pay her share of the rent and contribute to the upkeep of the house like everyone else." Madara was first to speak up, addressing the group as a whole with the overall decision. Sakura gauged the looks on the faces of Naruto and Sasuke. Needless to say, they seemed kind of conflicted.
Which made sense but at the same it didn't.
"It's really a temporary fix. I won't be here for long." But she was fine with the arrangement. It's not like she wasn't used to paying rent and buying groceries and cleaning up every once in a while. Besides, it might be kind of cool to have roommates! Even if they are all…guys. Okay, so maybe it won't be that cool. But it's fine! She just needs a place to sleep, really!
"So Uncs, what are you even doing here?" Now that the obvious tension had died down, Shisui felt comfortable enough to speak. And pretty much everyone was wondering what prompted this impromptu visit, Sakura included. As far as she knew, he hardly ever comes around.
"…that's none of your business." Came his rather hushed response. Hushed and somewhat pouty. Was he pouting? Sakura honestly had to do a double take because it didn't seem like something he would do. Could her eyes be deceiving her?
"Grandfather is at the main house. Isn't that right?" Ah, maybe not. Itachi spoke next, wearing a rather knowing grin. His tone denoted a certain amount of satisfaction that wasn't easy to ignore and Sakura suddenly felt caught between what could very possibly be her first Uchiha family squabble.
"Is this really happening?" She whispered to an unresponsive Naruto who'd checked out of the whole chat probably about 15 minutes ago, focusing on his phone where his fingers tapped methodically against the screen.
"Huh? Uhhh…is what happening?" He paused just long enough to reply but his answer didn't really make Sakura want to keep prodding him for answers. It didn't seem like he knew what was going on either.
"Hmm…"
"Ahh, did Izuna give you a heads up or something? Seriously, you and gramps are still mad at each other?" A chuckle fell from the lips of Shisui. There were degrees of various expressions ranging through the room that gave Sakura little hints to the nature of the situation at hand. Evidently, Madara, who travels a lot, rarely visits this house. And when he does, it's usually when his father is in town. Because there's some old bad blood between them.
"Tch. I said it was none of your business."
"I don't see how that's the case when you disrupt our way of living by showing up whenever he's in town." Sasuke was next to respond, crossing his arms with this ever-present frown on his features. It's no secret that he's never been particularly fond of his uncle, but this is the first time Sakura's ever seen him show it to his face.
"Why you little…this is my house. I can show up whenever I damn well please."
"Hn. Whatever."
"Cheeky little…" Madara released a huff of a growl and soon stood to his feet, as if to cross the length of the room, with every intention of walk away from the group. The conversation was over as far as he was concerned. There was no need to stick around. And Sasuke's eyes followed him as he moved, a hidden smirk building on his features before he turned to an unsuspecting Sakura.
"Watch this," he muttered smugly before he too stood, following his older relative while Sakura looked on with mild curiosity mixed with a twinge of dread.
"Before you go, I have a question." He started, stuffing his hands deep into his pockets while awaiting a response from the man. Madara turned with a quizzical gleam in his eyes, beckoning the boy to speak.
"What's the point in making Sakura pay rent?" Oh. God. She was mortified. How could he ask such a question? Her paying her share was fine! She was okay with it!
GOD SASUKE.
"It's the principle of the matter. Nothing in life is free. It's a common expectation to pay your way." Was his response. Which made very much sense to her and she really wished Sasuke would leave it at that but in her heart of hearts she knew he wouldn't and that curiosity was faded off into complete utter dread as the seconds ticked on.
"Hn. Just seems like you're greedy for money. Don't tell me you're broke." The room grew still and even Itachi looked up from what he'd been focused on just to crack something of a smile. It was like he could hear the stiffness in Madara's joints as they locked up.
"What…did you just say…?"
"He's gonna do it…" Shishui whispered, mildly shaking his head which prompted a look of confusion from the pinkette.
"Do what…?" Because she's definitely confused by this turn of events. He's gonna kick Sasuke out and throw her in as an accessory to his shenanigans or what?
"He's gonna flex on us all."
"Huh…?"
"Honestly, if that's the case then whate—." He was quick. Quicker than Sakura could've guessed for before Sasuke could finish, he had grabbed the younger male by the scruff of his shirt and yanked him forward, exuding this aura that had to be a mixture of anger and pride smoldering together.
"I'll show you who's broke. Sakura!" He bellowed.
"Y-Yeah?" Came her meek and somewhat terrified response.
"You're coming with me."
"What?!" Echoes of exclamations filled the room while she continued to sit on that same couch with this bewildered gleam in her eyes.
"Where…where are we going?" He really is kicking her out. Fucking Sasuke. That lousy big mouthed piece of sh—.
"I'm taking you out to buy furniture for your room. Which you may stay in as long as you like for free."
"…huh?"
"Told you he was gonna flex."
"Wait a minute! You're not taking Sakura-chan anywhere!" Naruto was next to chime in, pointing a stiff finger at Madara who gazed upon him with great disinterest, still holding Sasuke by his shirt collar.
"H'oh? And who's going to stop me?" Meanwhile Madara was indifferent toward the Uzuamki boy. Indifferent, annoyed, and a little intrigued by him for there was an amusing resemblance he bears to someone he knows quite well.
"Uh…" With his previous fire snuffed out, Naruto glanced about the room for some assistance. Shishui was pretty useless, given how he'd snuck next to Sakura and was showing her all the expensive things she should buy since it's on Madara's dime. That left Itachi who seemed ready to intervene as he imagined Sasuke might be feeling pretty awkward right about now.
"That's a very generous offer, Uncle. I do believe shopping with you may make Sakura uncomfortable, though." All eyes once again fell on the pinkette who really wished people would stop speaking for her. Though, in this instance, Itachi was right. The thought of going to a furniture store with Madara, just the two of them, really creeped her out.
"Oh? Is that true, Sakura?" And he surprised her with this genuinely concerned expression on his face.
"Ah…w-well," she stared, scratching her cheek and again wishing she could be anywhere but here. For crying out loud, she's still damp from climbing through that window and her bag is probably still outside the front door, getting soaked and she really wants to check the results of the test to see if she passed with a high enough score.
"It's not that you make me uncomfortable. I really can't accept an offer like that. It's too much. The furniture, I mean." She had to choose her words carefully. There's no way she'd pass up the chance to live rent free. She could definitely invest that money in something else.
"Nonsense. No tenant of mine will sleep on the floor. It will reflect poorly on me as a landlord. Now, I suggest you come along otherwise you'll have no right to complain about the items I pick out." Which honestly could mean a lot of different things and Sakura wasn't at all prepared to find any of that out.
"E-Eh?! But—But, Sakura-chan! You're not actually going, are you?!" Naruto piped up again, using that awful whining voice that's normally unbearable and today it's especially bad. Present feelings aside, she really didn't want to go but there wasn't much choice in the matter.
"Uhm…—."
"We'll all go." Another resolution from Itachi who Sakura noticed seemed very amused by the entire situation. A group outing to the furniture store didn't sound all that bad in theory. But the more Sakura thought about it, the more she began to dread all the possible outcomes.
"Yeah, then I'll treat us all to ramen after!"
"Ugh…"
"Ah yeah! I'm in!" Shishui's participation definitely ensured Naruto's and this set up was all Sasuke's idea so he's not getting out of going either. And of course, Madara won't send them off with his credit card. He might be arrogant, but he isn't a complete fool.
"Fine. We'll take Itachi's car. Let's go." Madara released Sasuke then had the nerve to dust off his hands before walking toward the front door to step outside.
"Whose bag is this? It's disgusting."
"….."
The trip to the store was fairly uneventful and Sakura was grateful for that. She and Naruto sat in the third row, chatting it up and trying to figure out just what the heck was up with this Uchiha bloodline while not drawing the attention of the rest of the group in the process. She could've sworn she saw Madara shooting her glances from the rearview mirror, though.
Soon they arrived, approaching the fairly sized store with every intention of finding Sakura a suitable bedroom set, courtesy of the eldest household member and landlord. She's still not sure how to feel about all this but she's definitely not complaining.
"Sakura pick out whatever you want. Don't let any of them influence your decision." Was his advice to her once they stepped inside. The place itself was spacious and held some of the finest craftsmanship she'd ever. All the woodwork was wonderfully constructed, so shiny, sturdy, contemporary.
"Wow, this place has some really nice pieces. How'd you find it?" She was honestly curious. Is this where most of the furniture in the house came from?
"An old friend of mine owns—."
"Madara! What brings you by?!"
"Speak of the devil…" The raven-haired male groaned though even Sakura could detect that smile at the corner of his lips. Soon the person arrived, clamping a hand down onto Madara's shoulder with a broad smile on his lips. He was tall, somewhat tan, with long chocolate locks falling down passed his shoulders.
"I didn't even know you were in town. Some friend you are…" The other male seemed to be obviously pouting and had no shame in showing it, a fact that Sakura found greatly contrasted his friend.
"I don't have to tell you everything. At any rate, this is Haruno Sakura, my newest tenant. We're furnishing her room." He explained while gesturing to the pinkette who'd finally gained the attention of this expressive male.
"Haruno? Ah!"
His eyes widened upon falling on Sakura before he suddenly clapping his hands upon both her shoulders, donning a smile of familiarity.
"You're one of Tsuna's students! I heard you aced her most difficult exam! Congratulations!"
He heard…what? That she…what?!
"I…I aced…? Really? H-How do you know?!" Anyone who even remotely knows Sakura knows that she takes her grades extremely seriously so grabbing this guy by the front of his shirt and basically shaking him for an answer in regard to her test is relatively normal.
"Crazed woman. This is Senju Hashirama, a relative of your instructor." Madara was quick to jump on, coaxing Sakura to release him despite the fact he didn't appear at all bothered by her quick hands. To be quite honest, he found it quite amusing, a fact that just made Madara roll his eyes.
"O-Oh! I see. It's a pleasure to meet you!" She greeted him cordially with a bow which he waved off with great nonchalance.
"Ahaha! The pleasure's all mine! She certainly is interesting." He…he's so loud. Sakura blinked back her surprise at such boisterous laughter but failed at keep that smile from creeping onto her face. Such a contagious personality. How has he not rubbed off on Madara, is what she wants to know.
"Aa. Have you put out any new pieces since I was here last?" Madara struck up another conversation while two seemed to be walking off in a direction where these pieces he mentioned might be. Hashirama granted Sakura a farewell wave while they waltzed off to the showroom, presumably.
A second or two passed before—
"YES! YESSSSSSS! YEAAAAAAH—."
"Oi! This isn't a stadium. Quiet down!" Sakura's celebration was promptly cut short by another tall, lean gentleman who had the nerve to grab her by the forearm and pin her in place with this piercing glare.
"Oh, I—."
"Let her go."
A/N: Sorry there was no chapter last week. There was so much going on! I had Exams to prepare for and it was Super Bowl Weekend! Anyway, I hope this chapter makes up for it! Can you guess who the mysterious tall, lean, gentleman is at the end?! Stick around for the next chapter!