“It’s really not that complicated."
madara sat, anxiously waiting, eyes flickering to the cave entrance.
a figure appeared at the entrance, "madara?" a soft whisper called out.
"mei, how i have missed you."
madara rose, his nerves calming ever so slightly. mei, as usual, didn't notice the slight uptick in his heart beat, and the need to move that developed when she was near. it wasn't always like that.
"madara, you know i cannot stay for long. what is it that you wish to speak of," mei looked at him, with a fondness that she herself could not suppress. eyes as dark as obsidian, madara smiled, with a slight swirl, he memorized that joyous look on her face.
"i promise you, that what i wish to say will not take long," madara sighed noticing her raised eyebrow, "it's really not that complicated."
"go on," mei whispered, softly, a slight tremor to her voice. she felt something was off. she couldn't place it. not yet.
madara gazed at her, his eyes softer than they had ever been with hashirama. he was entranced by her onyx yet golden eyes (the hatake had always been an interesting bunch.) "mei, i," madara paused, his hands twitching ever so slightly, "mei, i love you."
mei gasped, "madara, i, i love you too."
the hatake leapt towards her--now more than--friend. embracing him, more tightly than she ever had before. because before, before, she had been afraid. she had, always, been afraid.
madara felt a sudden chill, but alongside it contentment. his mother was proud. madara held mei tightly, "mei, as much as i long for peace. for my family. i would sacrifice that dream, just to be with you," madaras dark eyes brightened, as though drenched in blood.
mei laughed, "how long have you felt this way?"
"long enough," madara joked, "since i melted the ice within you, and once you created a path within my flames."
she chuckled, "i have felt this way, even before i took my walls down. thank you, madara, for freeing me from the ice. but, i fear, i must take my leave. the hatake await me."
"see you later, mei."