Our Story: Alliance

A dark figure walked the streets of the recently constructed village, dark brooding eyes taking in the civilians catering to their business, and stepped out of the way when two young children playing with each other raced down the street.

"That crazy woman actually did it."

Madara's lip curled into a smirk, arms folded across his chest as his mind flashed back to that fateful day.

—

"What on earth are you doing with Izana's body?!"

Madara felt his anger almost boil out of control as he watched Hashi summon a giant plant monster that swallowed his brother's injured body like a delicious meal.

"Relax, Madara. Despite their appearance, the saliva they extract helps heal wounds. His body will be safe there until I can get him somewhere safe and perform surgery," Hashi calmly told him.

The sincerity in her brown eyes managed to put a lid on his rage, but his anger was still there even though he wanted to trust Hashi completely. The fact of the matter rested on the time they had spent apart. Madara was afraid of the Hashi in the past, and the one standing before him was no longer the same.

But as he kept his eyes on her, watching as she argued with her brother about her actions, Madara felt foolish for having doubted her.

"Don't think I don't see your point, Tobi-chan, but regardless, I will still save Madara's younger brother," she stubbornly told Tobirama, who could only sigh at his sister.

"Alright, everyone, listen up!" Hashi called to attention as everyone, Senju and Uchiha, who were in the middle of battle, some too tired to continue, graced her with their attention. "From this day forth, the war between the Uchiha and Senju clans is over!"

Hashi stood proudly before her fellow clan members and the Uchihas as neither side looked happy about her new declaration.

"And why should we follow the words of a Senju? Who died and made you leader?!" voiced an angry Uchiha. He raised his brow in confusion when he saw Tobirama and Madara take a cautious step back.

"Oi~!"

Hashi smiled and with her fist clenched so tightly her veins started to show, she punched the ground, sending out shockwaves that created an earthquake that had the ground caving in, creating a mountain-sized crater.

"Don't question my authority," Hashi bit out in a chilly tone, the smile gone from her face. Like meek children who had learned their lessons, both sides shakily nodded. "So happy we could reach an agreement!" Hashi reverted to her jolly self, leaving Madara and Tobi to sweatdrop at her actions.

'So her plan was to do things forcefully if they didn't listen,' Madara and Tobi thought along similar lines.

—

"Madara!"

Madara stopped in his tracks, hearing a familiar womanly voice call out to him. Upon instincts, his body recognized that person's identity, and his heart picked up speed—something that Madara could not understand. Nor the random bout of nervousness he would sometimes get.

"Madara, what are you doing out? I'm surprised not to see you sticking beside Izana!"

Turning to face the woman, Madara paused at the sight before him.

"Where did you steal that Uchiha child?!" Madara pointed to the innocent baby Hashi was holding.

"Steal?! You mean cute Kai-kun? Oh, Yuki-san let me care for him while she gets some much-needed rest."

Hashi answered him with a blinding smile. Madara felt his body heat up as he took in the scene of Hashi tickling the round tummy of the chubby baby she bounced on her hip. The younglin was definitely an Uchiha with his raven hair and dark eyes. A round of innocent giggles spilled from those pink lips.

"Isn't Kai-kun just adorable! I hope he is as cute as you when I have a baby!" Hashi gushed and dapped the baby's nose, making him cross-eyed briefly before reaching for her finger.

"You…? With a baby…?" Madara muttered more to himself than to Hashi, who didn't even hear him as her mind was occupied with entertaining the cute Uchiha baby.

But Madara couldn't stop his mind from conjuring images that by all rights should be forbidden, yet his mind still created a sincere image. It consisted of him and Hashi sitting on a back porch watching two raven children play tag with Hashi cradling a young babe in her arms.

By all rights, he knew he had no business thinking of such scenarios without the other's consent. But why did his heart yearn to make that image come true? He never once entertained the thought of seeing Hashi as a woman!

He would admit she was powerful, probably one of the most powerful women in the world. He respected her decisions and dreams. Madara wouldn't lie to himself when it came to her looks because Hashi was stunning.

Even now, as they strolled down the streets together, men, both civilians and shinobi, couldn't stop admiring her. Despite how much he hated seeing their eyes roam every inch of her body, he ignored the burn of possessiveness that rumbled in his chest. Madara told himself Hashi was nothing more than an equal and a childhood friend. Nothing more!

"So, how have your eyes been, same with Izana? Is his wound faring better than before?" Hashi asked, and Madara was reminded of the events that happened after the forced alliance on Hashi's behalf. Despite the agreement, Madara was still uneasy about Hashi treating Izana in the Senju's home territory and even demanded she move him to the Uchiha compound.

"While I understand you, the equipment I have to save your brother is at the main house. And before you ask, I can not move my medical office. Just trust me, Madara. I won't let your only baby brother die."

She stared at him with so much conviction in her eyes that Madara could do nothing but surrender and place his trust concerning his brother's life in her hands.

"If that is the case, I'm following you. Not that I don't trust you, but the same can't be said for your kin."

Madara's heated eyes glared at Hashi's younger brother, Tobirama, the one who put Izana in his current situation. By all rights, he should have slayed the white-haired demon, but Hashi would be sad and never forgive him if he took away her only brother. For days, Madara stood by Izana's side and was amazed at what feats Hashi had achieved since they had been apart.

She had always been gifted in the art of healing, but down the lane, she had sought out others like her and bestowed her knowledge onto them. Thus allowed her to build her own medical unit consisting of men and women who showed skills in medical knowledge and showed them how to apply their knowledge with the harness of chakra to heal their wounded.

It was an incredible feat, and Madara knew it was in the Uchiha clan's best interest that they conceded. For days, Hashi dedicated all of her attention to saving Izana. From dawn to dusk, she barely rested, concerning both Madara and Tobi.

"Nee-sama, you must rest despite our disagreement on your current actions. You are the leader of our clan and should think about your own health."

Upon hearing Hashi had gained leadership over the Senju clan, it came as a surprise to Madara, which he hid. Having believed such a role would fall upon her younger brother due to the clan's backward thinking when it came to their women.

"Let some of the other medics watch over him while you get some rest," Tobirama had explained, concern displayed in red eyes, taking in the bags under her eyes and the paleness of her tan skin. Madara, who was standing on the other side of Hashi, knew the other hadn't had proper sleep in days, and it showed in the dead look on her face.

"I hear you, but I must discuss something very important with Madara. Tobirama, do you mind leaving us for a minute?"

Tobirama didn't like the idea of leaving his sister alone with Madara. He didn't like the strange vibe the two would emit every time they got caught up in their own little world. Plus, he noticed the look the eldest and current head of the Uchiha clan had been shooting his eldest sister.

Whether the man realized it or not, his eyes were seeing his sister as a woman. A potential partner for marriage, and Tobirama despised it, vowing to protect his sister from those greedy eyes.

"Tobi, please. This concerns not only Izana but Madara's life as well," she pleaded with him, something which she hardly ever did.

"Five minutes." Tobi's hard gaze was pointed at Madara, giving the other a silent warning before leaving the room.

"What's wrong with Izana, and what does this have to do with me?" Madara asked as soon as they were alone.

"What can you tell me about the Sharingan? I only know bits. But if I am to save your life, I need the whole story," Hashi severely told him.

"What are you talking about? You know I can't disclose information concerning my clan's kekkei genkai! Besides, Izana is the one dying! Not me!" Madara yelled at her, but Hashi remained serious and didn't even flinch.

"Those eyes… are a curse. Do you know that because of those eyes your brother is going blind?!" Hashi yelled back, but Madara said nothing. His silence and nonreaction to her words gave Hashi the answer she needed.

"You can't be serious… You knew!" Hashi's eyes flashed with anger and disappointment. Madara knew he had to clear up whatever misunderstanding was forming in her head.

"Obtaining the Mangekyō Sharingan comes with a price. Izana and I are both aware of this," Madara calmly explained, but it didn't pacify Hashi's boiling rage.

"Stubborn fools! Blindness for power? Ridiculous! Tell me! What's the cure?"

"Hashi-" Madara opened his mouth to turn her down, but Hashi fisted her hand in his collar, bringing his face down to her simmering brown eyes.

"Don't tell me what to do! I'm not letting you go blind, idiot! So tell me or answer my fist! Pick one!" She threatened and yelled in his face, and Madara couldn't help the chuckle that rumbled in his throat as he stared into those fiery eyes.

"You're still the same foolish woman." Madara whispered, to which Hashi responded by saying...

"And you're still the same foolish man!"