thank you guys sooooo much for everything. i literally could not write this story without you! i wanted to let you know that i've been plotting out some more of Willing Sacrifices (the next story) so that's coming along nicely and will probably have a rewritten prologue and first chapter uploaded within the next few weeks.

i want to ask you guys if there is an event or something you'd like to see happen? please let me know and i'll see if i can work it into the story. :)

about the reviews, thanks for the comments about the story, it's easy to get a little insecure when there's not as big a response.

i'm going to answer some reviews now, not individually because there's too many but yeah haha..

thank you so much to everyone who said that they love my story, writing, and me. i love you all too! i honestly cannot even believe the response that i've been getting, it'm so happy and it's insane and amazing and makes me really want to cry with joy! i'm really glad you are enjoying this story, my previous story and everything!

being around Sakura, taking cues from her, and learning from her has helped Hikari mature quickly. she's a fun little character to write, since she is only almost fifteen, she can also be quite childish at times as well. however, don't forget she's still a shinobi and grew up in the Warring States Era, lost her father and a lot of her clan. she's had it rough, so yeah, she's a good mix of mature wisdom and young teenager reaction.

to everyone who likes my OC's - THANK YOU. omg, it is really hard to write a story like this without OCs and i also find that there are some stories with really bad and annoying ones. it makes me so relieved that you like them! i also like them a lot too :)

mm about Sakura and the Nara - there's more in this chapter.

danzo is really hard for me to write because i really dont like him at all in canon. so i am also anxious to see how little danzo turns out. the shimura are blegh also. a bit more backwards in their views, but it's changing slow. although Sakura may have put that progress back a little ahaha.

sakura is going to face the elders at some point.

um. well. i think that's all? there's so many beautiful reviews.

i love you guys.

i hope this chapter is also something you like!

alex xo

Chapter 18: Misunderstanding

Hashirama gathered the Konoha Council in his office to discuss the meeting with Kumo before they met with the clan heads. Tobirama stood beside him while Sakura and Madara stood on the other side of the desk.

"As I said in the letter, we have reached a tentative truce with Kumo," Hashirama said. "Anytime our shinobi cross into each other's lands without notification and approval, it will be considered an act of aggression."

Sakura could see the disappointment in his eyes. She knew that if she'd been able to see Naruto become the Hokage, he'd be a lot like Hashirama. Any kind of conflict between nations would make him upset. Tobirama went on to explain how they had met for three days, talking around the issue of the Gold and Silver Brothers and their party, until it came to the point they couldn't avoid it any longer.

"We told them we found the three shinobi and that they were survivors from the Nine-Tails attack," Tobirama said. "We also gave them back the tools, except the fan."

"They seemed satisfied," Hashirama told them with a sigh. "But I doubt it'll last long."

"I don't believe they'll keep their word," Madara said with a scoff.

"Neither do I," Tobirama agreed. "We need to ensure that our borders are patrolled and protected, and our training is intensified."

There was a murmur of agreement from Madara and Hashirama.

"That reminds me of something," Sakura said with a frown.

They turned to her.

"Are you implementing ANBU?"

She looked at each of them.

"Why?" Hashirama asked after a moment, leaning back in his chair.

She took a breath. They were.

"You didn't think to inform me?" She asked annoyed. "You realise that ANBU training is intensive and any injuries are usually extreme?"

Tobirama sighed.

"We haven't yet officially formed it. We're merely observing the capabilities of the prospective shinobi."

Sakura narrowed her eyes.

"Well. One of them ended up in surgery, so I would suggest that you treat me like an equal on the council and inform me of decisions like this in the future so I can prepare my medics accordingly."

A short silence and then Hashirama nodded.

"Of course. Our apologies."

Sakura deflated a little and stepped back.

"I heard you had an interesting evening with the Shimura," Hashirama said to her with a raised eyebrow.

Sakura rolled her eyes.

"You've been back one day and you already heard?"

"Shikaru keeps me informed."

"I was disrespected and reacted accordingly. It's not my fault the guy underestimated me, and anyway, Hikari was more than capable of healing him."

She shrugged. Madara was the only one who looked more amused than tired and concerns. She'd already told him what happened and his own dislike of the Shimura placed him firmly on her side of the disagreement.

"Just be careful," Tobirama said to her. "Politics is not your strong suit."

Sakura gave him a look and Hashirama gave a low chuckle.

"If you don't need me, I have patients to tend to. If something happens with the clan leaders, just tell me later," Sakura said to the Hokage.

Hashirama nodded, dismissing her. Sakura smiled at him.

"It's nice to have you back," she said. She looked at Tobirama. "Both of you."

Tobirama managed a small smirk.

"You missed me."

She laughed.

"Not as much as you missed me."

Hashirama laughed as well.

"He was despondent without you," he joked.

"Aww, Tobi. You really love me, huh?" Sakura teased.

Tobirama rolled his eyes.

"Yeah, like a festering wound."

"You're so mean! I'm leaving."

Sakura turned and went to leave, she stopped when Madara called her name.

"Sakura. Lunch?"

She nodded and grinned at him.

"It's a date," she winked, glancing at the other two.

She saw the surprise on their faces and they looked at one another. Meanwhile, Madara looked at her like he was going to perform unspeakable acts of torture on her for saying that in a room with Hashirama in it. She left humming happily to herself.

"A date?" Hashirama asked Madara when Sakura was gone.

Madara's mind went over several different ways he could make her pay for that comment later. Several included activities that he couldn't think about in company, but was eager to try when he finally got her alone. He stared at the door she'd departed from a moment longer and then turned back to Hashirama and Tobirama, both of whom were looking at him. Hashirama with an eager, interested tell-me-more-now look. Tobirama with a spark in his eye.

"As she said," Madara replied.

"Finally," Tobirama muttered.

Hashirama was about to open his mouth but Madara held up a hand.

"Don't speak. I don't want to talk about this with either of you."

"But Madara!" Hashirama exclaimed. "This is important."

Madara sighed deeply. He knew that Hashirama wouldn't drop the issue - ever.

"We haven't announced anything publicly so please refrain from speaking about this," he said. "We are courting."

"Issues within the clan?" Tobirama asked.

Madara nodded, not caring to elaborate or reveal that as much as his clan elders were an issue, they simply wanted to keep quiet for now.

"I'm happy for you both," Hashirama beamed.

As much as he didn't want to feel good from hearing that, Madara was grateful for the support. Despite all his complaints, he would never be able to deny that Hashirama was his best friend, and even Tobirama had become someone he'd consider a close friend.

"Yes. Well. Thank you," he said awkwardly.

Feeling a little flustered, he stood and was unsure what to say next. Tobirama chuckled at his obvious discomfort and Madara clenched his jaw and turned on his heel, stalking out of the room and back to the comfort of his office.

A few hours later, Madara waited for Sakura out the front of the hospital. She walked out the front doors with Shouta, looking at some papers and discussing them together. He watched them stand together, both looking serious. Madara liked the way Sakura took control and worked. She was focused and determined, her mind working fast and considering all the factors before she had decisions. In her field, he'd never come across another medic with her range of knowledge and the absolute confidence that she carried in herself. He felt that familiar sense of awe and amazement that she inspired in him and swallowed. Shouta headed back into hospital and she turned to Madara finally and gave him a radiant smile. His chest did a strange thing, feeling full and airless and filled with a strange tingling at the sight of that smile, that was just for him. She was just for him and he hardly believed it.

It was strange, the way his body reacted to her. He had no control over it. Normally, he would hate losing himself like that, but with her, he didn't. With her, knowing her feelings, feeling her love for him - he felt some strange kind of freedom in losing control. She walked up to him.

"Hello."

Just one word and he wanted to whisk her away. She was like a warm and pleasant spring day, refreshing and beautiful with an air of innocence and grace wrapped around her inner strength. He reached out a hand in a moment of instinct, his fingertips brushing her cheeks. They turned a light shade of pink and her green eyes shone with surprise. He could understand why. They were standing in the open, and this was affection he normally didn't display in public. But he needed more of her, he felt like he was going to burst.

He dropped his hand and glanced around, seeing that there wasn't anyone, he quickly pulled her into the trees that lined the path to the hospital, hiding them both behind a trunk for some privacy. She went along with him without resistance, waiting to see what he would do. He pressed her back, one hand on her hip, the other on her cheek. She tilted her head up and he looked down into her eyes. Their lips met, lingering on each other for a moment before they pulled away. A soft wind blew Sakura's hair across her face. He brushed it back, tucking it behind her ear and she gave him the smallest of smiles.

"What brought this on?" She asked him.

"You," he answered quietly.

He leaned down, pressuring her head slightly to angle her neck to him and he pressed his lips lightly against her throat under her ear.

"You're exquisite," he breathed into her ear, smirking when she shivered.

He kissed her lightly again and trailed kisses along her jaw to her mouth. She brought her hand up and wrapped it in his hair at the back of his neck.

"Don't tease me," she breathed, pulling his face back so she could look into his eyes.

As much as he wanted her in that moment, he knew it wasn't the time. His smirk softened into a smile and he kissed her forehead.

"Let's go and get lunch," he murmured.

She hugged him to her, and he laid his chin on her head.

"I love you," she whispered.

His heart soared.

"And I you."

They walked hand in hand until they came back to the path, and then they let go but stayed close. They didn't speak much, and he liked that they didn't need to fill the silence all the time. They were happy to be in each others company. Madara took her to a quiet teahouse on the edge of the market. They went into a private room together, so they could talk about the important topics that had been brought up the day earlier with Shikaru Nara.

They had been weighing on Madara's mind since he heard them. Especially Sakura's news, that she was capable of bearing children. It hadn't been something he'd consciously thought about with her. He'd been acting under the assumption it wouldn't be possible to have a family. He was more than happy just to have her. But now… now he was imagining a different kind of future than he'd ever thought he'd have. One with not just a woman he loved beside him, but with their children. However, Madara couldn't deny that he was upset and even betrayed that she hadn't told him, yet he imagined that if Shikaru Nara was aware, so was his son, her students, Matsuri, Yuri, and likely Mito Uzumaki as well. They sat across from one another and Sakura first spoke about the Nara. She had some insecurity about it.

"I don't know what it would mean," she frowned. "What would I have to do? Do I have to live in the compound?"

She looked worried at that, and he held in a smile.

"And would there be some kind of ceremony? I just really don't have any idea of what I'd be getting into."

She looked up from her tea at him, looking really worried for a moment.

"Do you think he wants to do this for his own benefit?" She asked in a low voice. "I don't really know what he'd get out of it, but maybe there's something more underhand in this."

She gnawed at her lip and it occurred to Madara that she was afraid that that was exactly that Shikaru was doing by offering to adopt her. Madara was aware that Sakura spent a lot of time with Shikaru and his son, as much if not more than she spent with Matsuri and himself. It was clear to him that she liked them both immensely, and he knew that Shikaru was also very fond of Sakura. Although he had probably planted the idea of Shikaru benefitting from Sakura being adopted in her brain, his honest feeling was that Shikaru actually truly cared for her. He gave her a gentle smile.

"Whatever doubts you have, you should already know the answers to. You know Shikaru better than I. What do you really think?"

She grimaced.

"I don't think he'd be so cruel as to use me," she said. "I just - I guess I'm just a little nervous."

"It is a choice that will affect the rest of your life," Madara agreed.

She huffed.

"You're not being helpful," she whined a little, pouting in a way he could only describe as cute.

"I won't coddle you, Sakura," he said.

"I want to be coddled," she muttered.

He chuckled and she smiled at him.

"Very well, I'll indulge you," he said.

"Please."

"You have nothing to fear from Shikaru. He cares for you."

Sakura rolled her eyes.

"That was the best you could do?"

"It is not something I am accustomed to doing."

"You might have to get better at it. I might need to be coddled in the future," she smiled.

"I will try, but I make no promises."

They waited quietly as the door opened and their food and tea arrived.

"So you will become Lady Sakura Nara then?" He asked.

She gave a slow nod.

"I think I'd like a family," she whispered.

He was startled by her answer.

"Family?" He echoed.

She gave a weak smile.

"Does it sound strange?"

"No," he answered slowly. "But I - " he paused, unsure how to voice his thoughts. "Did not know you considered them as such," he said eventually.

It wasn't what he wanted to say. He was reeling with the thought that she didn't consider him as family. What did she think of him as?

"I love Shikata," she said with a little smile. "And Shikaru…" she paused, thinking. "Shikaru is the closest thing I can imagine to a father. He's… my father," she closed her eyes, "My father was loud and always making jokes and embarrassing me. But he was a good man and he loved me. Shikaru is not him, but he's something. I can't explain it well."

"Family doesn't have to be blood," Madara said quietly. "My blood brothers are dead, but I have brothers still living."

"Hashirama and Tobirama," Sakura said. "I didn't expect you to say that about Tobi."

Madara scoffed lightly.

"Nor did I."

She grinned.

"I won't tell him how much you care," she said with a laugh.

"Please don't," Madara replied. "I don't think I could live seeing his smug smile."

He fell quiet, thinking again about Sakura's idea of family.

"Why didn't you tell me?" He asked her suddenly.

She seemed confused and moments later, she understood.

"Many other people knew, yet I didn't," he said, his voice became quiet, betraying his hurt. "Was I not important enough to tell?"

Sakura opened her mouth a little, then closed it, clenched her jaw and looked down at the table. She had a pained expression.

"That's not - " She cut off. "I didn't - " She shook her head. "It's not that I didn't want to tell you. I just couldn't figure out what to say."

"I don't understand."

"Can you try to imagine me bringing it up in conversation? What would I even say?"

Madara could see the little frown that she had when she was annoyed forming. Her voice dropped into a comical sound.

"Hey Madara, guess what, I can make babies again since I regrew all my damaged organs. Not like it's a big deal or anything, just casually dropping it into the conversation."

Madara merely stared at her, wondering why she was the one who'd become upset.

"I don't believe that tone was necessary," he said, getting irritated himself.

Sakura looked at him in disbelief.

"I'm sorry?" She seemed confused and angry. "Are you annoyed at me?"

"Yes," he replied. "I am."

Sakura narrowed her eyes.

"Well, forgive me for not thinking about your feelings."

"Why are you angry?" He snapped, finally giving way to his anger. "I'm the one that was left out of this quite important piece of information. Apparently, you felt comfortable telling Shikaru, since you're family."

The word fell over his tongue with more bite and sarcasm than he meant it too. Sakura was looking at him in complete incredulity.

"And clearly, I am not."

Sakura's lips pursed and twisted.

"Are you jealous of Shikaru?"

"No," Madara retorted. "I just don't understand what it is that makes you think of him as a confidante and family - " again the word dripped with sarcasm and Sakura flinched at it - " - but I'm apparently not worthy of those titles."

Sakura stared at him and then looked away. Madara's heart was pounding in his chest. His voice had raised louder than he meant it too. She stood.

"What are you doing?" He asked suddenly surprised.

"Leaving," she said shortly, not looking at him.

Sakura left the room and slammed the door closed and Madara was left alone. He sat and deflated and let his passionate feelings dissipate until he was left feeling a deep sense of regret. But at the same time, he stubbornly held onto the anger he felt at being dismissed by her subconsciously. He grunted in annoyance. They loved each other - at least he knew he loved her and thought that she loved him. But was it the same? He grit his teeth. Was love going to be enough?

"Sakura?"

Sakura stopped her pacing, shocked at hearing her name called out, and turned to see Asami Senju holding a bouquet of flowers in her arms.

"Asami. You scared me," Sakura said, hand over her racing heart.

Asami gave an apologetic shrug, her eyes were concerned.

"Are you all right?" She asked.

Sakura took some deep, quick breaths through her nose and looked around.

"No. No. I'm not."

She had fought with Madara. A proper fight that she didn't really understand how it happened and had somehow ended up in front of Itachi's grave. Asami, she realised, was visiting Izuna.

"I'm so sorry," Sakura apologised. "I just realised - I'm sorry. I'll leave you here."

Asami shook her head.

"No, don't go. I just came by to leave these and say hello."

She placed the flowers at his grave. Put her fingers to her lips and then onto the stone, staying there for a moment before she turned back to Sakura, who was watching her from in front of Itachi.

"It's the anniversary of the day we met," Asami explained with a soft smile. "A year ago."

Sakura let out a shaking breath.

"It somehow feels like time has passed very fast, but also really slow at the same time."

Asami nodded in agreement, although Sakura wasn't sure she made any sense at all.

"It's only been about eight months since you woke up, hasn't it?" Asami asked her.

She nodded.

"I think so."

Sakura let out a breath.

"It feels longer. A lot has happened."

Asami walked over to her and took her hand, smiling a little.

"Yes. But we've both come out of it stronger and better, in our own ways."

They stood together, hand in hand, staring at the graves of their lost loves, Izuna and Itachi.

"So," Asami said after a moment, drawing her hand back. "What happened? It must be something serious for you to come here and pace."

Sakura's lip twitched.

"Yeah. I need to talk to someone who doesn't know everything. You're a good listener, right?"

Asami gave a smile.

"I can be."

"Good enough."

"Don't worry." Asami linked her arm in Sakuras. "You can tell me anything you want, but maybe the girl talk should happen away from the graves."

She gave Sakura a knowing look and Sakura nodded.

"Yes, probably a good idea."

They walked into the trees and found some large stones to sit or lean on.

"I'm sorry, this is weird, but I'm just really worked up right now and need to get things off my chest," Sakura rambled.

"Go ahead," Asami said.

Sakura nodded. She took a breath and closed her eyes.

"Do you think it's too soon?" She asked, voicing a worry she'd kept hidden "Eight months isn't long."

"Are you talking about Madara?"

Sakura nodded. Asami looked thoughtful.

"Well, truthfully, I don't know."

Sakura winced internally.

"I don't really know much about your relationship."

Sakura paused.

"The day before that day - " she knew Asami would understand what she was referring too. " - Madara, he - he told me he loved me. He confessed to me before, when Itachi was alive."

Asami looked shocked.

"I haven't told anyone that before," Sakura admitted.

"I feel like - "

Sakura hugged herself and couched down.

"Before, even before that, there was something there." She was whispering now. "I loved Itachi so much, but there were moments with Madara. A connection."

She scrunched her eyes shut.

"It feels like a betrayal. I feel like the worst person in the world." She barked a sarcastic laugh. "I have to be, don't I? To admit something like that."

"Sakura," Asami's voice was slow. "You can't help what you feel. Attraction is just attraction. Love is different."

"Matsuri said something similar back then," Sakura said. "Attraction doesn't equal love. But what if it was the start?"

She hugged herself tighter.

"What if I loved him back then too? What kind of person does that make me?"

"A person with a big heart," Asami said. "You can't control feelings."

Sakura shook her head.

"I don't know. I just don't know right now. So much is happening."

"Like what?"

"Madara and I had a fight. A proper fight and I hate leaving fights unresolved, but I left. I felt like I was going to explode into tears or screaming or violence and I just couldn't see him."

"Do you want to talk about it?" Asami asked quietly.

Sakura nodded.

"Did you know when I woke up from the coma that I had severely damaged reproductive organs? I couldn't have children."

Asami shook her head that she didn't know.

"Well, long story short, I healed myself and now I can. I told a couple of people, but I just, I couldn't figure out how to tell Madara."

"Because you love him, it's different."

Asami nodded in understanding.

"It would be like saying I wanted kids now, or something. I don't know how to describe it, but I just couldn't say anything, and he was upset that he didn't know and others did," Sakura sighed.

"I guess I can understand where he's coming from," Asami said.

"Me too," Sakura agreed. "But it was just the way he said it."

She frowned remembering.

"He kept going on about family and Shikaru and sounding really bitter."

"What?"

Sakura pursed her lips thoughtfully.

"He was saying something about how I considered Shikaru family and a confidante, but not him."

She glanced at Asami to see her sitting thoughtfully. Suddenly, her eyes snapped up.

"He's insecure," she announced.

"What?" Sakura asked flatly.

"You said that you don't see Madara as family?" Asami asked.

"I never said that," Sakura retorted.

"But you never said he was family?"

Sakura frowned.

"No. But he's… Madara's not… it's different."

Asami sighed and gave a little smile.

"It sounds like he's not sure where he stands with you."

"But that's ridiculous!" Sakura exclaimed. "I told him I loved him, that I wanted to be with him. I mean, I sleep in his bed!"

Asami blushed furiously at that.

"How can he not know?"

Asami, still red, shrugged.

"I don't know. But if you say someone else is family, and then tell them things that he doesn't know, even though you're…that close… it can still make you unsteady."

Sakura stood and put her face in her hands, going over all the conversation and disagreement.

"I think you're right," she murmured softly.

"Well. If it helps, I'll tell you that I quite like Madara. He's a good person and he's been good to my family," Asami said.

Sakura dropped her hands. Asami nodded at her inquisitive look.

"A little while after the funeral, he started coming by our cart a few times a month and when he heard that we wanted to move into a shop front, he helped my mother find a suitable place."

Sakura was shocked, she'd never heard any of this before.

"A few months ago, Taku came home and said that Madara assigned him to be a part of a squad that answers directly to him, and would train with him. He's been very generous with us. Maybe out of guilt or obligation to his brother, but, all the same, he's been very kind."

Sakura stared at her.

"I didn't know any of that," she replied.

"He's not really the kind of man to advertise those things, is he?" Asami asked.

Sakura smiled a little.

"No," she said. "He's quietly kind."

"Do you feel better now?"

Sakura laughed.

"Yes. I'm sorry. That was a lot."

"What are friends for?"

Hashirama was pruning his bonsai when the door to his office swung open with a bang and in stormed Sakura.

"Hello?" Hashirama said nervously.

Sakura slammed the door shut behind her.

"Hi."

Her voice was short and clipped. Hashirama frowned.

"What is it?"

"I'm annoyed."

"Clearly," Hashirama answered. "Why?"

"I'm not going to any more of those stupid dinners with the stupid clan heads," she told him. "So you can tell them all to stuff it."

Hashirama stared at her for a moment before he picked up his bonsai and placed it back on its shelf.

"Would you care to explain the reason?" He inquired, remaining calm in the wake of Sakura's strange mood.

"I love Madara and I'm going to marry him one day, whenever weird things get worked out with his clan and I stop freaking out at the thought of a wedding."

Hashirama couldn't help but compare Sakura's current condition as one of a petulant thirteen-year-old who wanted to get their way. He found it oddly endearing.

"The only way to continue your private relationship with Madara is to go to these dinners," Hashirama reminded her. "If you don't want to go, I'll have to give them a reason why and then everyone will know."

Sakura opened her mouth and shut it.

"Fine," she muttered. "But if I have to break more arms, I will."

"I would prefer it if you didn't," Hashirama said sternly.

Sakura sat heavily on a chair by the wall.

"Is there something else bothering you?" He asked.

"Yes. But it's okay. I already spoke to Asami about it."

"Taku's sister?"

She nodded.

"Do you ever sometimes just need reassurance that you're a good person?" She asked suddenly.

"Constantly," he replied.

She gave a half-smile.

"Me too," she said. She let out a sigh. "Do you think it's a good idea for me to join a clan?"

"I thought you weren't planning on marriage just yet?"

"Not that way," Sakura said. "Say one of the clans asked me to join them as family. What would you say."

It was a strange question, but she asked it with such a serious look in his eyes that he wondered which of the clans had asked her that. His best guess was the Uchiha or Nara.

"As your friend, I think it's a good idea," he said carefully. "As a clan leader, I'm questioning why you would do so, why you were asked and what benefits and consequences there would be. As Hokage, I can only say to do as you feel you must but be aware that there will be questions raised, and please present me with all the particulars to approve as soon as possible."

Sakura tapped her fingers on the chair arm.

"So do you think I'm a good person?" She asked.

Hashirama looked at her studiously.

"There is no doubt in my mind."

Sakura stood.

"Me too," she replied. "For you. You're a good person."

She left and Hashirama watched her go with concern. Something had happened, and he didn't know what but he was going to find out. He stood and walked down the hall to Madara's office. He knocked and entered, closing the door behind him. Madara was sitting at his desk, staring at the papers but not moving.

"What do you want?" He asked, not looking up.

Hashirama's eyes narrowed. Something had happened between the two of them. Madara was in an odd mood as well.

"What happened?" He asked.

Madara glanced at him and furrowed his brow in confusion.

"Sakura was just in my office," Hashirama said.

Madara stilled even further at her name.

"She was acting strangely, and you are also acting strangely. I can only assume you had some kind of disagreement."

"Assume what you want."

Hashirama sighed.

"Madara. Don't be difficult."

"Hashirama. Don't be irritating," Madara mocked.

Hashirama stared at Madara for a moment before he pulled up a chair and sat across from him.

"Would you like to know what she said?"

"No."

"Liar."

"Hn."

"She declared she loved you."

Madara's brows raised considerably higher at that.

"And demanded to stop the clan meetings since one day she would be married to you." Hashirama paused, waiting for some kind of effect to take hold. Nothing came. "She also asked some questions about joining a clan, and asked if she was a good person."

Madara's jaw clenched.

"Madara, what did you do?"

He looked away.

"Not much."

"Really?"

"I allowed my emotions to cloud reason and logic."

"And you made her angry?"

Madara nodded.

"What did you talk about?" Hashirama asked.

It was like pulling teeth with Madara.

"She can have children. She healed herself. She didn't tell me."

Hashirama frowned.

"That's quite a remarkable feat."

Sakura's abilities were a constant surprise to him.

"Indeed." Madara nodded.

"Do you know why she didn't tell you?"

"She said she couldn't find a way," Madara muttered. "Yet she managed to tell Shikaru Nara about it."

Hashirama understood immediately.

"You are jealous."

"I am not!" Madara exploded.

Hashirama grinned a little.

"Yes, you are. I guess you didn't think of it from her point of view either."

Madara narrowed his eyes.

"What more do I need to consider?"

"I can't claim to know much about women," Hashirama said. "But I do know that children and being a mother is usually an important thing for them. I have heard that some women are afraid to tell their husbands when they're pregnant."

"Why?"

Madara was confused.

"I don't know." Hashirama shrugged. "But, Sakura isn't ready to be married yet, so you can assume that she's not ready for children, right?"

"I suppose," Madara replied slowly.

"So, maybe she thought that if she said anything it would be like planting an idea," Hashirama suggested.

"She would think I thought that she'd want kids now?" Madara questioned.

"It's a possibility."

Hashirama really didn't know what he was talking about, but he was good at pretending he did.

"But why did she have to tell Shikaru?" Madara muttered. "What does he have that I don't."

"Madara," Hashirama was exasperated. "You have everything he doesn't have. Don't you get that?"

"No?"

He face-palmed.

"She is in love with you. She is not in love with him. Therefore, it is harder for her to tell you than it is to tell him."

Madara stared at him for a moment.

"That's just incredibly foolish thinking," he said eventually.

"You're impossible," Hashirama said standing up. "Listen carefully, you foolish Uchiha. You'd better fix this and quickly because if I hear that Sakura's gone on a rampage, I'm billing you for repair costs."

"That's enough for today," Lord Madara called.

Shouta heaved a sigh and wiped sweat from his forehead with the back of his hand. Training with Lord Madara was more difficult than he'd imagined, but Shouta was exhilarated by it, more so than his training with Lady Sakura. With her, his training (aside from the medical jutsu) was focused more on rehabilitation: building strength and endurance and range in his limbs. Everything to prepare his long-neglected body for shinobi work. Lord Madara's training was focused solely on being a shinobi, and importantly, being an Uchiha and using his Sharingan without hurting himself. It had been more than eight years since he'd had that kind of training, and he hadn't realised how much he'd been longing for it. For that feeling of acceptance within his clan.

Lord Madara walked to him and put a hand on his shoulder.

"You're improving," he said.

Shouta felt a flush of pleasure run through his veins at the acknowledgment. He did feel faster, stronger, and better. He nodded, almost like a bow, solemnly.

"Thank you, Lord Madara," he murmured.

Lord Madara passed him some water, and Shouta took it gratefully, lowering to the grass. They trained in an open field a distance from the Uchiha Compound and the village. Shouta was glad of the privacy. He glanced up at his clan leader. Both Lord Madara and Lady Sakura had been distracted the last two days, and it didn't take a genius to put two and two together. Shouta had always admired and respected Lord Madara from a distance. He was imposing, intelligent, strong, wise, loyal. The greatest shinobi Shouta had ever seen. It was Lord Madara and his brother Lord Izuna who'd recovered Shouta that day when he thought he would die from his horrible, painful wounds.

Despite the rumours and whispers about Lord Madara being cold and ruthless, Shouta knew that that wasn't the truth. Lord Madara was merciful but did what he must. Underneath it all, there was a rough kind of kindness to him. Matched with the passionate and determined Lady Sakura, Shouta could see the balance they brought each other. From what Shouta had observed, Lady Sakura brought out a more relaxed Lord Madara, and in turn, he was a pillar of support and safety for her. Shouta was envious of them. He could only hope that whatever it was that had been disrupted between them, it would be resolved. He didn't want to see or think about either of them without the other.

"How is your medical jutsu?" Lord Madara asked him. "Has Sakura assigned you a level of competency?"

Shouta noticed that Lord Madara now often dropped the honorific from Lady Sakura's name around him. He had a thought that it was because Lord Madara felt comfortable, and that was comforting.

"Chunin," Shouta replied.

Madara nodded thoughtfully.

"I want to put you in a team within the next six months."

Shouta stared at him in shock.

"You're improving quickly," Madara said, seeing his face. "Speak with Sakura about increasing your abilities and focus on field medic skills."

"But, I'm so far behind - " Shouta denied, feeling a spike of anxiety.

"I am not training you for the fun of it," Madara said, a little harshly. "You are an Uchiha, are you not?"

Shouta nodded.

"When your taijutsu, shuriken and kunai skills improve to a level I am happy with, we will begin ninjutsu," Madara said.

"No."

Shouta's voice was quick and firm and a little afraid. Lord Madara looked at him in surprise and then his eyes narrowed slightly. Shouta shook his head. He knew what ninjutsu Lord Madara was talking about, but he couldn't. He couldn't do that.

"No." He repeated.

"It is not something to be afraid of," Lord Madara said.

Shouta snapped his eyes angrily at Lord Madara.

"You don't have any idea what you're talking about," he hissed.

He stood and pulled up his shirt, revealing the ugly scarred skin that covered him. Red and white and disgusting, twisted burned skin.

"An Uchiha did this to me."

Madara stared at his skin and then up to Shouta's eyes. Shouta lowered his shirt.

"Our clan is not as it was then," Madara said. "We are not at war. Our children will not be sent to battle."

Shouta's jaw clenched.

"Do you want to be a shinobi?"

"Yes," Shouta replied through gritted teeth.

"Then you will face fire jutsu at some point. I cannot send you into the field if you're going to be a burden in battle," Madara said in a hard voice. "You will learn to conquer your fears. Control it."

Shout swallowed, his body shook with reluctance but he managed a stiff nod. He desperately wanted to be a shinobi. To run and fight side by side with his clan, with a team, with people he might call his friends and comrades one day. He didn't want to be known as a burden, as someone not worth the time of day.

"Good." Madara nodded. "You are not just the student of Lady Sakura now, Shouta Uchiha. You are also my student. My expectations are high. Do not disappoint me."

"I won't," he replied. "I won't."

The shogi board remained untouched between them as Sakura and Shikata sat in silence, sipping some tea.

"I want to know what your real thoughts are," Sakura said. "About the… adoption."

She frowned, feeling odd saying it out loud.

"Why do women always want to talk about feelings?" Shikata muttered.

Sakura looked at him with a hint of humour, but she didn't reply. He let out a sigh after a moment.

"I don't hate it."

"How that warms my heart," Sakura scoffed.

Shikata rolled his eyes at her and drank some tea. She saw his neck become a little red and smiled to herself that he was a little embarrassed.

"I wouldn't mind calling you my sister," he said quietly. "It's like you said, after the Nine-Tails attack."

Sakura frowned.

"What did I say?" She asked, unsure what he was referring to.

"Don't make me say it," he groaned.

"I really don't know what you're trying to say," Sakura said.

Shikata put his tea on the wooden verandah and let out an exasperated sigh.

"I wouldn't mind calling you my sister because maybe I love you a bit too," he said looking away.

Sakura bit her lip and smiled. She looked down at the tea in her hands, feeling a welling of happiness in her chest. She put the tea beside her and then leaned over to Shikata, forcing him into a hug. He resisted, and then eventually relented and put a hand on her back, limply hugging her back.

"Are you going to say yes?" Shikata asked her, his voice a little nervous.

She pulled back and smiled at him.

"How could I say no when you just said you loved me?"

He flushed red.

"Well. Father will be pleased," he said, changing the subject. "He's been going on about having a daughter for days."

Sakura grinned, feeling some of her doubts and worries disappear.

"So what do I have to do?" Sakura asked Shikata. "Move in?"

Shikata coughed, almost choking.

"I don't think so," he said. "Probably just attend clan events. Ask father."

Sakura laughed.

"Okay, okay. So I get to call you little brother."

"Please don't."

"I will."

"I don't want you too."

"Little brother Shika," Sakura teased.

Shikata groaned.

"I take it back. I don't like you at all."

"Aw. Our fight sibling fight."

"You're not technically my sister yet."

"Sakura Nara," she said.

"It sounds good," Shikata said.

Sakura hit him lightly, shoulder to shoulder.

"Yeah," she agreed. "It does."

Sakura arrived home see Madara standing at her gate. In his hand was a bunch of her favourite flowers. She paused and then walked to him. They stood looking at each other for a moment before she opened the gate and they walked into her house. They stood in her living room silently. She looked down at the flowers.

"Are those for me?"

He nodded, looking somewhat embarrassed.

"I understand that flowers are something given when there has been a misunderstanding. A token of reconciliation."

"How romantic," Sakura muttered sarcastically.

He handed them over to her.

"I want to talk about what happened," he said, clearing his throat.

"So do I," Sakura said after a moment, taking the flowers. "Just - take a seat, and I'll put these away."

She smelled the flower and looked at him.

"Thank you."

He ghosted a smile at her. Sakura returned a few moments later and they sat on the couch together. She clasped her hands nervously in her hands.

"I think we have to be really honest," she said. "So we won't misunderstand each other. Even if we don't want to say what we really think."

He nodded slowly.

"I will do my best."

"Do you - " Sakura hesitated. "We're not - I think of you as something more than family, and I don't know how I would define it. So becoming a Nara and being a part of a family like that, it's not the same as you."

"But you didn't tell me," Madara said quietly. "I just want to understand what held you back."

Sakura bit her lip.

"I don't know why I couldn't tell you," she said after a moment. "I think I was scared."

"Of what?"

"That maybe it would change how we are together now," Sakura told him. "There would be some kind of pressure? I'm not sure how to explain it."

She looked away from him.

"I'm not ready for that."

Madara reached forward and took her hand.

"Sakura, look at me."

She looked back at him and saw he was looking at her with gentle eyes.

"I am also afraid of things that might change our relationship."

"You are?"

He nodded.

"There are times I feel as if I am dreaming that finally I can touch you like this, and kiss you, and share your bed."

Sakura blushed. He seemed to be struggling and reluctant to say the things he said but was still saying them.

"For you to say I am more than family, it makes me feel like I was foolish to be jealous of that Nara."

Her lips tugged at a smile.

"You were jealous."

He cleared his throat.

"A little, I suppose. You are also more than family to me," he said. She squeezed his hand. "I told you that I won't ask you to marry me because I can see you are not ready. That also stands for children." She swallowed nervously. "If it is something you want in the future, I will stand with you. Until you are sure of yourself, please, Sakura, don't be afraid to tell me anything. I do not want to hear about things that are important from anyone else except you."

Sakura closed her eyes a moment and nodded.

"Okay," she whispered.

She opened her eyes and leaned over to him, resting her forehead on his shoulder.

"I've missed you."

She felt him chuckle.

"I missed you as well," he said quietly. "I don't like not speaking to you."

His arm moved up her arm and to her shoulder. She tilted her head up and shuffled closer to him.

"I don't like not touching you," he continued in a low voice.

"What else don't you like?" She whispered.

"I don't like not kissing you." He brought his lips to hers.

Sakura gasped and her hands gripped his shirt. She deepened the kiss and felt a surge of desire rush through her. Madara moved his hands to her hips and moved her to his lap. She straddled him, both of them shifting slightly to be more comfortable. His hands wrapped around her waist, and she sat, pressing against his hips with hers, her back curved slightly. They looked into each other's eyes for a moment before their lips crashed against one another again and Madara pulled her body tightly against him. She moaned into his mouth a little as his hands slipped under the fabric of her shirt, moving up to find the tie of her chest bindings and undo it. His mouth moved from hers to her neck and she tilted her head to give him a better angle, arching her back a little more as she felt her bindings unravel and be pulled away by him. She felt a pulse between her legs and she bit her lip.

"I don't like this shirt," Madara growled.

He pulled it over her head and his mouth clamped over her breast, his tongue flicked her nipple and she shivered with delight when he bit it lightly. Her hips rocked against him and she felt how hard he was. His hand, fingers, tongue, worked her breasts and Sakura moaned and panted, feeling more and more excited each moment that passed. Her hips rocked back and forth over him until his hands gripped her hips tightly and pushed her down onto him, moving her against him. She brought her head back down and they kissed passionately and messily, panting against one another.

"Sakura," Madara groaned her name. "I want you."

Sakura pulled back from him. She stood, and he watched her with dark eyes as she moved her hands down her body and slid her pants off, standing naked before him. He pulled his shirt off as she kneeled down, beckoned him to lift his hips slightly as she tugged his pants off. He was large and hard and Sakura wanted him inside her. He gripped her hand and pulled her back on top of him. She lowered herself onto him as he guided himself inside of her, they both gasped and moaned when he entered her. He covered her mouth with his, his tongue and hers fighting for domination as she slowly began to move against him. She broke the kiss and gasped with how hard he was, how much he filled her. His hands gripped her hips again and he moved her, and she felt the rising tension inside her. Sakura's hands gripped his hair as he leaned her back a little and again kissed and bit her nipple harder now. She groaned in pleasure, feeling hotter and hotter as she rubbed against him and he hit inside her at a place that made her eyes roll back and cry out.

"Come for me," Madara grunted.

Sakura gasped.

"I'm close," he groaned.

They moved faster and faster. Madara's arms gripped her tightly and almost at the same time, they both cried out, their bodies convulsing together as they reached climax. They stay there for a while. Embracing each other tightly, sweating and panting.

"I love you, Sakura," Madara breathed.

"I love you too," she panted in reply.

"I've had a message from your father," Hashirama said to his wife.

"Oh?"

Mito looked up from Tsumo, who was playing with some building blocks on the floor.

"Is it important?"

"There are some families who wish to migrate to Konoha," Hashirama said.

Mito nodded knowingly.

"Yes, he told me about it when he was here. Some Uzumaki and affiliated clans expressed an interest."

Hashirama smiled.

"I am glad."

"So am I," Mito replied. "It will be nice to have some family here."

"So Tanaka Uzumaki will be the ambassador between our villages and live here," Hashirama told her. "I haven't seen him since the wedding."

"Father told me he's excited. Uzushio is too small for him," Mito said with fondness.

"I also received word from the Hyuga and Aburame," Hashirama said. Mito looked at him with interest. "They're finally coming to Konoha."

"That's wonderful," Mito said with some relief. "I am glad."

Hashirama nodded.

"So am I," he said. "At the very least, we can better protect the Hyuga here, since Sakura mentioned Kumo tried to steal their dojutsu several times."

"It's nice to have foresight," Mito agreed.

Hashirama nodded and lowered himself down to the ground to play with his son, who grinned and gurgled at him. Many things were happening, both good and bad, yet he felt a sense of peace and accomplishment. Dreams that had once been little more than imaginings were fast becoming reality, and although he knew the future would bring some conflict and turmoil, he couldn't help but be confident that somehow, everything was going to work out for the best.