Blinded

The complexity of the air between them intensified in each and every passing seconds. It was strange that neither one of them avoided the other's gaze.

Not until Madara broke it off.

"Tch."

Silence engulfed the place. They were near the outskirt of the village in a narrow path away from the populous central.

"Madara-sama," the Uchiha's intimidating presence made her tense. As Madara was passing by, she stopped midway upon being called by Mito.

The redhead was clasping her silk dress anxiously. What was she supposed to say? Why did she ever call the other girl in the first place? Oh crap.

"What are you doing here?" The ravenhead asked in a deep voice. "Aren't you supposed to be with Hashirama?" Madara muttered without trying to conceal the bitterness she felt while saying those words. And then she kept on evoking herself that it will be the last day she could see the Uzumaki and the rest of the village. Good for her.

Several footsteps was heard following her question. Madara turn her h9ead at the exit gates of Konoha only to see the bunch of Uzumaki shinobi together with the village's leader.

"What's the meaning of this?" The Uchiha hissed and seized Mito's arm to face her.

Mito did not flinch much to Madara's surprise. Anyone that was far weaker9 who had been grasped by her would definitely scream in terror with the exception of this particular redhead.

"We are leaving." Mito said in a frighteningly calm demeanor.

But wasn't she supposed to get married to the stupid Hokage - the reason why she wanted to leave everything behind, no, absolutely not! Of course it was just one of the many reasons why she wanted to abandon this place. To let him go and make him forget her and ultimately save herself from feeling less than she already was. She had to bring her honor back, somewhere,someday, but away from Konoha, away from all the painful memories when she lost Izuna, away from him.

Before Madara could mutter another word, her confusion rose another notch when Mito placed a hand over hers and also took the other one.

"Please take care of him."

Mito stayed beside the Hokage throughout his recovery period in the hospital. As a friend and as someone who was available enough to be Hashirama's companion for the time being.

"Mito,"

Hashirama started with uneasiness and slowly told her about his troubles. Mito must be one of the most understanding person he had ever met eagerly listened to him up to the very end.

"I understand." the Uzumaki answered with a nod.

"..Thank you, Mito..." Hashirama held her hand. "You will find someone better than me, trust me." he said with a wink.

Mito appreciates his kindness. Truly he was gentle even in things that should break someone's heart. From that, she learned that love equates in sacrifice. There was no point of them getting married even if it meant to save the village because she can tell from Hashirama's eyes that with Madara, they would overcome everything, despite the hardship. He was willing to go in hell with the Uchiha if that would made them together.

And it was a proven fact.

Madara was bemused as she stared at the Uzumaki's eyes. All she saw was a sincere plea to take care of the man they both love.

As Mito and the rest of the Uzumaki passed by and continue to traverse on their journey going back to Uzushio, the Uchiha spun her heels.

"Uzumaki!" she called and Mito who was facing her back at her stopped in her tracks.

"You don't have to tell me what to do…." Madara said and bit the side of her cheek.

"I'm glad." Mito responded beaming at her.

She watched at the group's departing figure along the sunset in the horizon.

-xxx-

It was already dark when she reached her home. Mito's words re-winded in her mind over and over. She was lost in thoughts when she noticed that her clansmen were particularly looking at her. But she was not up to beat someone into pulp so Madara chose to ignore them, knowing that they were probably asking why she was still the clan head after everything. She had made up her mind to leave the damned village, if they only know, but fate must have wanted her to suffer more now that she's having second thoughts.

Madara paused sensing a familiar presence nearby.

And oh, of all the people she had to deal at the end of a confusing day.

Hashirama stood, obviously waiting for her arrival with hands on his back. He smiled at her gingerly upon meeting her gaze. There was an awkward tranquility and honestly, she doesn't know what to say or do after seeing him.

The Senju waltzed going to her as she promptly avoided his eyes and annoying smug.

"You've never visited me."

"Oh?" there goes her argumentative tone. "Why would I do that when someone's already looking over you?"

"Madara,"

The Uchiha wagged a finger on his face. "Don't mention it."

He had a hunch that she already knows about what he was going to say.

"What's gotten into you? How are you going to capture the bijuus without the Uzumaki's help?! You should've think about it thoroughly before making a decision!" she reproached. Hashirama remained still with a visible happiness all over his face.

"...and who do you think you are, forbidding ME to lead the front line?!"

Hashirama snorted at this. He as the Hokage gave an order to make her stay near the village - the last line, during the war. Madara of course was hesitant to follow him but left her no other choice since she was the only one who can watch over the village as the others were on their way to the battlefield.

But the major reason why he forbids it was because he knows that Madara's injuries from their last fight hasn't completely healed yet and knowing her and her pride, she would not let a chance slip if to clash with their enemies. Also, Kirigakure would prey on her once she's on the front line. And given that he wasn't able to join the battle, he simply could not let her do any rash decision that might harm her.

"Cut that annoying smile!" she wanted to punch the lights out of him.

Hashirama sighed and made one step forward before revealing what's behind him.

He could tell how she was surprised when he handed out a bouquet of white and pink cosmos. Madara's throat dried as her eyes darted from the flowers to his face.

"I believe we should talk about something else." Hashirama spoke and that was enough to shut her up.

Madara took the bouquet from his hands. She can't help but to smell the relaxing faint fragrance of the cosmos. Granted, the flowers were indeed beautiful.

"You liked it?" Hashirama asked as though she's a kid.

"Hmph."

Ah, so that was why her clansmen were looking at her like there was something she should look forward to?! Those idiots.

He controlled a half suppressed laugh before Madara decided to murder him in front of her home. For a moment, she looked like an innocent kid and the next she's the feared goddess of shinobi that everyone knows. Hashirama admired her face even more. The change of her expression was like an art. He can't remember the time he realized he fell for her but one thing was for sure.

He will never stop loving her.

-xxx-

Days have passed.

As they said, there was no easy way for broken hearts to heal. Going back from what they were was not without of challenge. The disagreements and childish banters were still present but before they realized, the test of time has made their bond even stronger.

With the help of Hashirama, she slowly work to gain back her clan's trust. Time and time again, he keeps on telling her how she should ignore Sadao, the man she despises the most. Madara wanted nothing but to eradicate the old geezer from her way of leading the Uchiha clan but she was lucky enough to have the Hokage behind and get a hold of herself.

Weeks and eventually, months have passed.

The freezing temperature dropped even more as they were on their way on the outskirt of Yukigakure or the land of snow. It was a peaceful and modern village compared to any other places in the continent whereas the Hokage and his second-in command did not let the chance to have a diplomatic meeting with its head. They were lucky to have been invited, Yukigakure was known to be a very exclusive village and they rarely entertain outsiders. However, after hearing the news that spreaded all over the region about, Konoha's victory over Kiri, the daimyo took a great interest to build a friendship with its powerful leaders. Yukigakure lacks support in military forces, a perfect opportunity for them to strengthen their village's pillars once they built a connection with a rising powerful nation.

"They will just use us," Madara blurted out while huddling the thick, dark colored and hooded wool coat. The snow below their feet was thick and the snow storm looks like it won't stop anytime soon. "I can't believe I let you agreed on that!"

Hashirama, who was chilling as well, squinted his eyes to see the way clearly. The weather was a total nightmare especially when he grew up in a warmer place. He can feel his jaw locking that he cannot even speak anymore.

He wonders where Madara was getting the strength to complain despite the tormenting temperature. Since they left Yukigakure, all she did was to rant about how the other village will just toy them, use them for their own benefit and the likes. Well, the Uchiha surely got an unlimited power to fulminate anyone.

Regardless, Hashirama was enjoying their time together. It didn't matter if she's in a foul mood, for him, it was way better than them trying to kill one another like in the past.

"For the love of Sage, how does those people live in such climate?!" she whimpered. "No wonder why no one wants to be allies with them. Like, imagine visiting this place on a monthly or weekly basis, such a pain!" She continued and then squinted at the Hokage. "Meanwhile, there's you."

"But Mara, it is a great opportunity for us to make more allies as possible."

Konoha just faced a war and even though they won with lesser casualties, thanks to Tobirama's Edo tensei no jutsu, they could not just be contented on what they have. For the sake of the village's continuous safety, they have to make their military force stronger. Besides, more allies means more back up once the capturing of bijuus operation resumed.

"Yeah, whatever." she replied realizing it. Hashirama could feel the guilt feeling on the Uchiha.

The horizon seems to be a never ending snow hill. Hashirama's gloved hands searched for the map in his pockets while Madara hugged herself.

"We should rest first, it would be dangerous for us to continue." Hashirama suggested and Madara agreed instantly.

-xxx-

"But Madara! It's so cold outside!" This time, it was Hashirama who was complaining.

"I said NO."

Their predicament - or rather , her predicament:

An hour had passed after sauntering the snowy hill amidst the blizzard, the duo found a lone inn outside Yugakure. To their surprise, it was a decent inn with lots of rooms and people. They even have an onsen in Hashirama's delight. However, they have one problem:

"We only have one room available, sir." The old woman who's also the caretaker of the inn said.

Reason for the Uchiha to stiffened in an instant as if she was electrocuted. Hashirama did not fail to see the funny reaction in her face and controlled himself from laughing out loud at her comically growing onyx eyes that was so out of her character.

However, they cannot stay outside the inn either.

"But Madara! It's so cold outside!"

"I said NO."

Hashirama followed her making her way outside the inn. Soon as she slid the door open, Madara was greeted by a bone-chilling wind that could almost cut her skin. The Uchiha growled internally and turn to face Hashirama behind.

He gently place his hands on her arms. "Why are you so against this?"

"Are you fucking serious? Is this even a question?!" she yelled at him, with her face red-as-tomato.

Madara crossed her arms and huffed.

First of all, he knows why exactly why she doesn't want to share a room with him. But what he cannot understand was why she doesn't trust him enough not to do... nasty things once the two of them were alone.

Hashirama sighed and raised his hands in surrender.

"I won't do anything." he said.

"I promise."

Madara gulped and resigned after a few seconds intense thinking. Well, she have no other choice does she?

They took the last room available for the night as agreed. But before that, Hashirama had to haul Madara ( albeit carefully) in their room after the inn keeper mistook her as a man. The Uchiha wanted to show the poor lady how her eyes were malfunctioning but the Senju pleaded her to just let it go.

"You're laughing are you," there goes a warning in the form of question coming from Madara.

"Of course not!" Hashirama faked a cough with a snigger after opening the door.

The room was decorated in a simple color combination of black and white. From the bed to the furniture up to the floor and the ceiling. She find it appealing, but her eyes particularly focused on the bed.

"The bed won't eat you, Mara."

"Shut up!"

The thoughts of her sharing a bed with a man that once her mortal enemy caved in her mind. If life was a joke then definitely theirs was the worst.

Finally, they both removed the heavy and thick clothes and hang it on the rack beside the door. Hashirama worked to fire the fireplace for additional heat as Madara change her clothes in the comfort room.

She saw a fancy box sitting near the faucet. It was a small, square-shaped box that has a note on its lid. Curiously, she took the small paper with a note 'please enjoy your stay here!'

"Oh, it's just a greeting." she said to herself. Madara then opened the box revealing its contents and had the shock of her life.

Her onyx eyes grew until it reached it maximum size as she saw a set of condoms inside the box. Madara choked and gasped before taking the whole box and dumping it straight in the garbage can.

When she went outside, now wearing a new set of clothes, Hashirama glanced at her and frowned upon noticing her pale face.

"Mara, are you alright?" he asked worriedly.

"I'm..I'm.." she stuttered, did she just stutter?! oh she did stutter.

Hashirama stood up to check her temperature. He put a hand over her forehead but found that she was rather fine. Madara on the other hand jerked upon meeting his gaze. The Senju tilted his head in his side to see her face.

"I'm fine, just...cold." she gulped nervously.

He smiled and gestured to sit in front of the fireplace which she does, without a word.

Hashirama sat beside her moments later after he, too, had a change of clothes. (She silently hoped he didn't saw the abominable plastic stuff she threw in the garbage can)

"I'm cold." Hashirama complained.

"You already got the thick blanket for yourself!"

"But I'm still cold." he replied, sounding childish.

"Want me to use katon no jutsu on you?"

Hashirama chuckled.

There was only one blanket for them to share and the Hokage purposely wrapped it on himself for the Uchiha to snuggle to him. Talk about his promise of not to do anything nasty. Madara side eyed, staring as if she's going to combust knowing what he's up to. He smiled and enveloped the other half of the blanket around her arms and together they were sitting side by side with the presence of the heat from the fireplace.

"If I only knew your weakness is a cold weather, I should've throw a giant ice on you back then." Madara said.

"You really want to kill me back then?" Hashirama retorted playfully.

"Hnn."

He put his strong arm around her and she leaned.

"Who would have thought that a war could gain us an ally." she commented with regards to their diplomatic mission in Yukigakure.

"Well, I've met you because of a war." Hashirama smelled her crown.

"What do you mean by that?"

"Hmm,let's see." he paused for a few seconds before continuing while caressing the strands of her wavy hair. "That sometimes bad decisions make good results?"

"So I'm the epitome of a bad decision, is what you're saying." The Uchiha stated abruptly.

"That's not-"

"Hashirama,"

The Senju held his breath and waited for her to continue.

"When did you...know that you love me?" she asked with utmost curiosity. She dropped the last few words softly and Hashirama found it amusing of her to ask such a thing.

The fire reflected her pale skin. Brown, chocolate eyes meeting onyx ones. Hashirama pondered for a while, he really cannot tell when or how it started. All he knew what it just happened. Love was after all, the most complicated thing in the world.

"When I still find you beautiful even when you're glaring at me." he answered confidently.

However, Madara showed discontentment.

"That's stupid."

Hashirama sulked in an instant and the next thing, she kept on telling how he should work on that weakness of being a sensitive prick.

"What would you say if I ask you the same thing?" he pouted.

Madara froze, realizing it was a bad idea to ask in the first place now that it back fired.

But the Uchiha won't let herself lose. She looked at him straight in the eyes and said;

"Hnn, when I decided to stick with you even after everything that happened."

Hashirama grinned in delight and pulled her for an embrace.

"Thank you." he whispered in her ear.

"Are you an idiot?" she said with a smirk and cupped his face.

"I should be the one thanking you for staying by my side when everyone else were leaving."

Hashirama was stunned at her statement. His emotions made him want to pull her closer but he respected her enough to control himself from doing anything more. Madara felt that he hesitated to move closer, knowing that she would not like it if he took advantage of the situation.

To his surprise, Madara pulled him closer and leaned for a kiss. His eyes fluttered open at disbelief. It wasn't their first kiss anymore, nor the second or the third. But it was the first time that she made the first move. Hashirama felt that the world was spinning, his heartbeat raced, he wanted nothing but her. It was like the flames from the fireplace entered his chest from the sensation he was feeling.

He put his other arm at the back of her waist and Madara reclined as the kiss deepens. It wasn't as sloppy as the first ones but it was sensual. Hashirama put her down gently over the thick blanket above the tatami mat. She put a hand on the back of his head and the other on his shoulder. He placed butterfly kisses on her neck which left her breathless. Madara's skin was soft, although her hands have callouses for being a shinobi, but her skin covered with garments was pristine. Hashirama realized how lucky he was for having both the most powerful and most beautiful woman in the world.

"Why are you smiling?" she asked in between laughs.

"I'm just happy." he answered, admiring the view in front of him. "Mara,"

"Hmm?"

Hashirama leaned to continue what they're doing but the door slid open wide much to their surprise.

Both of them turn their heads on the inn keeper with her eyeballs almost leaving its sockets. The woman made a squeaking duck-like sound upon seeing them on the most awkward positions.

Hashirama was on top of Madara.

The blood in her head seemed to abandon her as Madara's face became paler than she saw the condoms earlier.

"Ever heard of the word 'knock'?!" the Uchiha growled, Hashirama cleared his throat and slowly lifted up himself to sit beside his furious girlfriend who also jumped to position herself in a more decent stance.

"My, my, my a-a-apologies! I was just going to deliver your f-f-f-food, I'm really sorry!" the panic-stricken woman explained, trembling in fear from the ravenhead's glare. Hashirama interrupted and took the food from the woman. He thanked her and apologized from what she saw whereas she kept on repeating that it was her fault.

Madara groaned in exasperation and soon, the inn keeper finally excused herself.

"You know what, we should bloody tell her that I am a woman!"

Madara bellowed and Hashirama couldn't agree more.

-xxx-

As they were nearing Konoha, they talked about the other villages' kages.

"I personally like the Tsuchikage." Hashirama said.

"Ah, that small geezer huh."

Then, upon remembering something, Hashirama twitched his eyebrows.

"Mara, can I ask you something?"

"Go ahead."

"Remember when I sent you in Iwa?"

Madara had a sour expression. Of course she did. She could not forget how they mistrust her.

"I mean, when you said you are a Senju."

The Uchiha muttered something like a curse before facing him.

"I did that so they can trust me, if I told them I am an Uchiha who would believe I was there for some peace treaty." she explained with a forced deadpan look. Hashirama shoot her a meaningful look while walking.

Both of them were so thankful that they were far away from the torturous climate of the land of snow. At last, the smell of nature was present again. Madara marched forward before her boyfriend thought of something to tease her again.

"Hey Hashirama, let's return to the village quickly! I don't want to hear your brother complaining about his prolonged substitution." She sprinted while muttering words of disappointment and disapproval about Tobirama but Hashirama knows that it means no harm.

For he's aware of the fact that she did forgave his brother and that Tobirama, in return did the same long ago.

"What are you waiting for?!" she yelled.

Hashirama blinked and smiled watching her back from a far.

"Wait for me!" and then he chased after her.

They walked side by side quietly.

"Mara?"

"Hmm?"

"Let's get married."