Blinded

The day was warm and the blue sky was present. Everyone in the village were busy preparing for tonight's celebration. It was not of much grandeur, there were few colorful flag-lets , no fireworks ,but some loud music. Outsiders might think it was just an ordinary day in the village. Konoha was still young, doesn't have much fund for big celebrations, plus, the Hokage wanted it to be simple. Simple,yet everyone will participate, including the new clans as an addition to its villagers.

But they have a generous amount of foods and alcoholic drinks were coming on its way.

"A Senju-styled celebrations, great." she rolled her eyes, her voice with a thick sarcasm, Izuna was observing while on her side. The child found some kids about his age from a different clan,a group of male and female younglings and he shyly asked for his sister's permission to play with them (unfortunately for the kid he doesn't have peers on their Uchiha clan because he's the youngest at the time being) Madara observed the children a few meters from them , they were from the Inuzuka clan (or the dog clan as she commented to Hashirama when they talked about their settlement) Being the head of the meticulous (and lonesome) Uchiha clan ,Madara find it hard to let her kid brother befriends other children from a different clan. But seeing his twinkling pleading eyes ,she cannot help but to say yes.

"Hmm. she nodded.

Izuna happily hugged her and ran to the group of Inuzuka children.

"MARRAAAA!"

They were on the center of the village ,people gathered everywhere putting tables and chairs around ,food carts and barrels of drinks (mostly alcoholic drinks much to Madara's dismay cause she hates it even warned the Uchihas about the dangers of too much alcohol in their bodies). That loud call irked her too, not because of the loud voice,but because of one idiot who practically screamed the very feminine form of her name in front of their people. As far as they all know, Uchiha Madara was a name of a fearsome woman.

"That idiot."

The Senju was running, wearing that long Hokage robe. The villagers bowed at their Hokage while he responded with a quick bow (he's running FAST,ninja style)

"Ma-"

Before he again dropped her pet name, Madara glared at him hinting an irritation to his actions.

"Madara!.. I thought she's already okay with it." Hashirama forced a smile nervously after receiving 'the look' .Madara turned her back and continue watching Izuna having his new acquaintances, Hashirama interrupted.

"There's no need to worry, Inuzuka children were taught from an early age the self discipline and good manners of a shinobi." Hashirama grinned; he clearly knows what's on her mind. Madara was always cautious, her trust can be compared to a diamond, Uchihas in general were just like her. In a way, Hashirama can relate, they were bestfriends and also Senju were like that before (the best example was his father Butsuma who would rather get killed than befriending their enemy clan)

Madara shrugged ignoring Hashirama's presence and walked somewhere. He noticed her irritation.

"Eh..Madara?" He followed her, not having any idea why the girl was on a very foul mood today. The Hokage followed her every steps (with some bowing there and there from the villagers for the two, occasionally Madara responded with a slight bow and nothing more)

A child tripped on the ground holding a pink flower, Madara stopped to help that young girl

"Be careful."

"Thank you, Madara-sama." She has the slightly surprised look and responded with a smile. The little girl wanted to give the pink flower as her gratitude.

"It's pink so she's going to-" that was Hashirama making assumptions.

"It's beautiful, but it's yours." she politely refused and patted the kid's head. The child gazed through her onyx eyes innocently and this made Madara confused. Did she disappoint her ? The little girl made a quick grin and changed the direction of her gaze to Hashirama who was just standing behind Madara the whole time. The little girl giggled and grinned even more before running towards the Hokage.

"Hokage-sama,here!" His eyes wondered as he stuttered.

"Eh?"

The young girl pulled his robes slightly, signaling him to lean. The girl whispered something to him and a flush of red can be seen on Hashirama's tan cheeks.

She jumped on her way after thanking Madara once again.

The Uchiha's face cannot be read, probably waiting for an explanation on whatever the girl whispered to him. Hashirama was now holding the pink flower and cannot look straight at Madara's eyes; moreover he remained to be quiet.

"What did she tell you?" he made an inappropriate flinch causing her to be very suspicious, she narrowed her eyes, she knew Hashirama's gestures but this time her curiosity rose on another level. A little girl just made Hashirama speechless and that interests her.

"HAHA, nothing really." he knew it was the worst thing to say for he cannot fool the Uchiha so easily. But there was no other choice, that young fellow said something which made him nervous.

It was his weakness.

"Yet you cannot say, hnn." Madara mumbled after turning her back at him. It was just a kid anyways so she didn't insist to know about the small talk again. Addition to that ,she have a schedule with Jiro in planning the renovations and that was more worthy of her precious time. Hashirama sighed (in great relief) hiding the beautiful pink flower inside his robe.

He silently hoped everyone in the village could witness Madara's kindness. Majority of them only knew her as the leader of a fearsome clan, a warrior, and an unbeatable opponent. Maybe if the two of them didn't try to kill each other in the past it would be easier. Well, she rarely showed it to anyone but Madara was a very caring sister, her kindness all over is covered with pride. Still, there are two persons who knew her true self.

"Where are you going?" he asked.

"I have an important meeting today." she said as she departed

"But Madara, today is our big celebration day. I announced it as a holiday so you don't have to work and.."

She stopped still facing her back at Hashirama while he's looking for more accurate words without sounding suspicious again.

"Well pardon me, Hokage-sama, for being so disobedient that I have a critical things to do and can't follow to take a rest and have fun on the holiday you announced." she rolled her eyes ,Hashirama can imagine that even though she's facing her back at him.

"It's not that I, well…to be specific..Madara!"

The Uchiha continued anyway.

"As you know this midnight, I will start my journey to Uzushio and it's also my send-off party, you know? Maybe we can ….."

She stopped again.

"Have a time together?"

Madara slowly turned her head over her shoulders.

"Why?"

Pokerfaced, Hashirama snapped nervously.

"ImLeavingTheVillageToYourCareForACoupleOfMonthsAndIHaveManyThingsToDiscussSo-" he said, holdings his breath (fast,ninja style).

Perfect. He said to himself, sounding very business-like matters wouldn't be suspicious and peculiar isn't it?

-xXx-

"I thought you are going to discuss important matters!" she almost growled at him, looking annoyed and uncomfortable, keeping her cool and making sure that she can be heard by the man beside her. The fact that everyone around them were cheering happily watching a dance presentation made by the newest clan addition to the village.

"Sure, I will." he smiled. The two were seating on the topmost corner of the still-on-going-construction of the village's arena. It's under construction but large enough for the people to perform activities.

"After the celebration." he added.

"Hashirama!" she growled but remained seated anyway.

Meanwhile, Tobirama also busied himself wanting to enjoy the small celebration, he did, but a view from above captured his attention more than the dance presentation. He can clearly see the two, talking, his eyebrows twitched every time they're whispering on each others' ears (the place is very noisy made by the drum rolls and musical instruments played by the second presenters) he did put a note that maybe (or surely) it's just their way to hear each other's talking and nothing more, nothing more like a private matter (that would make him find a medic for a blood pressure check up)

Suddenly, he felt as if he was knocked out by an enemy when he saw Madara's glance after glance at his brother's face when the Shodai was busy focusing on his childish cheer for the presenters.

Nope, nope, nope.

Hashirama noticed this and she was caught by him then Madara points a finger to the other direction then quickly turned her face down. The Senju looked at the direction she pointed. Tobirama saw the Uchiha's face, a one of a kind reaction from Madara Uchiha.

Evening came and it was the best part of the celebrations, they went on the village center where the foods are waiting to be eaten, mostly male adult villagers are holding a bottle of sake ,wines and a lot more alcoholic drinks (most of them are Senjus)

"Izuna, you should go home now."

"Yes neechan."

After telling her younger brother to go home , she went back to their table and finding Tobirama before her seat. The younger Senju was calmly seated. He glimpsed at her arrival and continued on his meal. There were three seats on the table now , the albino was at the center, Madara didn't bother herself and proceed to eat. Surprisingly in her part, Tobirama didn't take much alcohols like the other Senjus and he only have a half empty glass of wine.

Her wandering eyes pinned to the Hokage. She was extremely bothered (and annoyed) on what she saw.

Hashirama was dancing like a drunk man with a bottle of sake on both of his hands together with the other Senjus

"Hashirama you.." she lost her patience and moreover Madara cannot take to watch as her friend, the Hokage, no less than the leader of his people and the whole village was starting to move like a party animal. Have he lost his brain and forgot his dignity? Is this how a Senju celebrate? Madara straightened up, ready to knock some sense (or knock him literally, which she preferred) on him.

"Hold it, Madara." Tobirama said while resting his folded arms over his chest.

"Don't you know how disgraceful your brother is right now? You didn't even bother to stop him, unbelievable."

"My brother knows his limits and he's not drunk at that state, if that disgrace is what troubling you then rest assured."

"Limits? Yes, he looks like an idiotic person, he's the hokage! He's supposed to be a person with honor, or maybe you guys aren't so familiar with it."

Tobirama made a sharp look at the Uchiha and this addend the tension between them.

"At least all of the Senju trusts my brother completely, same goes with the villagers and the Uchihas."

Tobirama knew he did push the wrong button, if looks could kill; he was now murdered by Madara. The trust issues between Madara and the village never ceased, she killed more than a hundred heroes of other clans, and some of her commands weren't followed by her own clan, thinking her judgments were inhumane and would cause prolonged hate. Debating with Tobirama was never a good idea, but challenging Madara Uchiha's temper was the worst.

"You bastard.."

"Tobirama, Madara come and join us here!" Hashirama called out (he have no idea how hostile his friend and brother's mood are right now)

"Tch." she angrily left the table abandoning the place (it was better rather than attacking Tobirama on the spot)

"Madara!"

She's walking fast avoiding him, why wass that man always follow her when she wanted to be alone? He caught her sleeve to stop her

"Did Tobirama said something again?"

She slapped away his hands from her sleeve "I don't care about you, go away do what you want!"

But Hashirama insisted and now held her arms carefully pulling her.

"What did he say?"

"I said go away and leave me alone!" she shouted , Hashirama didn't released her, he carefully tightens his grip avoiding to hurt the raging girl not after she activates the sharingan.

Now this was getting out of hand. The crimson colored eyes alone can show.

"Madara,"

The Uchiha hid her eyes, a soft cold breeze and shuffling of leaves from trees somehow covered the silence between them.

"Look, we're not going to start a fight again because of this. I know he told you something you didn't like, It's just…it's Tobirama, my brother and I want to apologize for it."

She kept quiet thinking how irksome Tobirama was, one time he's smiling and friendly at her then another time she just wanted to punch him on the throat.

"I'm talking to you as someone who's with you, but I'm also talking as Tobi's brother. Madara, I'm leaving the village to your care when I leave, you are my second-in-command ,those will never change." Hashirama made an assurance for Madara's part. She's now getting tired of their situations, really. Nevertheless she's a vital part of the village.

"I'm going home now." she faced him now without the sharingan and it's a relief for Hashirama. No matter how improbable as it may sound, Hashirama insisted to walk her home. Madara was just tired of arguing with him the whole day and she still have the meeting with Jiro. The meeting was supposed to be earlier that day but ended up on the evening because of Hashirama's constant bugging.

He left her at the door of the Uchiha gathering hall (the hall itself also needs a renovations)

"Madara-sama.." Jiro greets her and noticed Hashirama standing outside, the man bowed at him. Hashirama who was on the outside part of the hall watched Madara and Jiro inside; he sensed something unusual at Jiro's eyes.

It was like his,whenever he's talking at her.