Chapter 5

A week later things hadn't gotten much better for Madara, his nightmares were getting worse causing him to have a lack of sleep in turn making him irritated and oftentimes lost in thought. He still worked towards his plan however, now more than ever before although Akari as well had been ever present in this time. She had noticed the subtle change in his behavior and in endeavor to try an help him would stay around him trying her best to draw him into conversation or get him focused on something other than his studies of which she did not know what it was about. Madara typically shooed her away a bit ignoring her mostly but this did not even deter Akari.

"Madara-san all you ever do now is look at those books, why don't we go outside and train, or walk, or get ice cream, something different?"

"I am far too busy Akari." he would reply simply writing something down on a piece of paper beside himself before going back to his reading.

"Busy reading, doesn't that get boring."

"Studying." Madara would correct her. "There is something important I am working on."

"What?" she would ask in a tone suggesting she did not believe him.

"Nothing of your concern."

"You know, Madara-san, I am just gonna keep bugging you until you do something else."

Madara would look up from his book fixing her with a glare, her resolve however seemed unshaken and so with a sigh he bookmarked his spot laying the book over his paper and getting up. Motioning for Akari to follow he left his base heading towards the forest with a casual walking pace. It wasn't difficult for Akari to keep up with him at all as she blindly followed him happy to get him moving. After a few minutes of walking they would stop Akari looking out in awe, an abundant flower field lay before her eyes truly a beautiful sight to behold. As she went to look at all the flowers Madara just watched her a slight smile appearing on his lips. They stayed like this for a couple hours until something caught Madara's eyes.

"What the…" Madara would say moving towards where he saw some movement a moment ago.

"Is something wrong?" Akari asks worried.

"I think someone is out here. Come, we need to catch them now."

"Y-yes sir."

With that they ran to the edge of the field which led into more forest, although there in was the problem. Madara didn't know which direction the intruder had taken once in the forest until again he saw a blur of motion which he and Akari chased after. Eventually during on and off sighting of the figure they wound up facing a cave where the figure would be standing.

"What on earth." Madara would say a disbelief and shock shown in his eyes.

"Do you know her?" Akari asked looking between him and the figure.

"I do but…" not finishing his sentence he would begin to move.

The reason for his moving is the woman had entered the cave and he did not want to lose track of her. Once inside the cave however he would let out a small string of curses for she would have vanished and not only that but the interior broke off into a few paths. Akari was in not too long after a worried look on her face as she looked at the divides. Taking a moment to think Madara finally grabbed her wrist telling her to stick close they would check the middle path first but they would check together. He was very much wary for traps to be set and did not want them separated as they made their way down the dark tunnel. They would eventually come up on a light which they went to reach to discover they could have taken any path and ended up there seemingly in a small pocket area.

"Madara-san, this is getting kinda spooky." Akari said moving to stick closer to him.

"Hmph. I can't deny that but there is something going on and that woman is likely the key to figuring it out." Madara stated a bitterness lacing his voice like venom.

"The lights seem to just be going further into the cave."

"Akari we need to go, normally I would send you back but...Look in this situation it is far too dangerous too and besides as long as you are with me I will keep you safe." he would reply is words seeming to calm her a bit.

Following the lights they went ever deeper into the cave coming up on a large cavern. Crystals would be lining the walls irradiating light so it was quite easy to see as a large lake was seen within. Large stones would be sticking out of the water making a rather convenient natural walkway across to the other side. On the other side of the lake would be a floating ball of light to which Madara would activate his sharingan and pick up on a surprisingly familiar chakra source.

"Amazing isn't it?" A voice rang out causing Madara to quickly pull Akari behind him his sharingan spinning as he faced the person who spoke.