Asami brushed her delicate fingers across his sharp jawline, her eyes lingering on the places she had touched in a gentle manner. The enjoyable feeling of his smooth skin beneath her soft fingertips was something she could never get enough of.

She bit her lip, keeping her eyes on his beautiful face as she brought her hand to his cheek. While most people wouldn't understand it, she genuinely thought of herself as a lucky woman. 

Fortunate to have him. 

He had a lot of flaws; his attitude could be quite problematic at times and the limited amount of emotions visible on his face made it difficult to see what he was thinking or feeling, but that didn't matter. It was all changeable, but he didn't have to change.

Perfection is unreachable after all.

And those 'imperfections' made him only more appealing. Who would Madara be if those flaws were taken from him? Obviously not the guy she fell in love with. The impressive story he carried with him, the compassion hidden behind that mask with a stoic expression, which had slowly merged with his face, and the way he could be just like an unsolvable puzzle sometimes made him all the more interesting.

A small smile graced her features as she let her thumb run over his bottom lip. She repeated the action multiple times before she leaned down, giving him a soft kiss on the corner of his lips.

Her smile widened when she felt his hand run up her clothed back. ''We should probably get up.'' Asami murmured quietly, letting her fingers run through his wild locks. ''It's already almost noon.''

Madara simply hummed in response and lazily opened his eyes, looking around the room. The bright sunlight splayed itself through the small openings between the blinds. Sleeping in was one of the few things he'd gotten used to. While the faintest light or sound would wake him a few years ago, he'd sleep even if the most dazzling rays of the sun were shining down on him now. Okay, that was an exaggeration, but it was true that a bit of sunlight didn't rouse him like it would in the past.

Asami raised her eyebrows at him when Madara looked at her through half-lidded eyes. ''What?'' She asked, but Madara simply shook his head. Asami sighed and gave him a gentle and playful push. ''I'm going to take a shower now. You better not be asleep by the time I'm done.'' She spoke while trying to look stern, but both Asami and Madara knew that strictness didn't suit her at all.

A sheepish smile settled on her face as she got off the bed. ''I'm serious, though.'' She murmured as she walked toward the bathroom. She didn't enter it yet, but stopped in the doorway. Looking over her shoulder, she sent Madara one more smile, but this time it was a warm and sincere one. ''We promised Kou, remember?''

~~~~

''Get ready when you finish that, okay?'' Asami asked as she handed Kouta the sandwich she had made for him.

Kouta nodded enthusiastically and took the bread from her before stuffing it in his mouth. Asami sighed, but couldn't suppress a small grin. He was just too adorable, but she was still going to scold him. ''It's not healthy if you eat too quickly.''

Kouta obviously didn't like it, which Asami easily noticed when she saw the dissatisfied look on his face, but he did as she told him and started to chew slower. His cheeks felt incredibly soft when she stroked then with the back of her fingers. Letting her hand run through his short locks, she leaned forward and pressed a kiss against his forehead. ''If you listen to to me and don't run off like you did last time, I'll ask Keiji if he'll take you to the village again.''

At those words, Kouta's face brightened up and the widest smile Asami had ever seen played on his lips. She was glad that there was something that could make him this happy, especially since he never really had anything he'd enjoy ever since he was born, aside from taking walks. But while she was pleased, she also felt downhearted. Neither she nor Madara were able to bring him such happiness, while a simple village made his eyes shine so bright that it almost equaled the sun. ''Really?" He asked, almost as if he didn't believe her.

''Really,'' Asami grinned, ruffling his hair. ''Now go upstairs. We'll be waiting here.''

Kouta nodded excitedly and rapidly left the room. ''Be careful on the stairs!'' Asami called after him, and a relieved sigh left her lips once she heard him slow down.

Asami pursed her lips and started to stack up the dirty plates and put the cutlery on top before she brought the pile to the kitchen. Just when she placed it on the counter, Madara came standing next to her and set the glasses they had used down next to the plates. ''Ah, thank you.''

''Don't thank me for small things like this.'' Madara grumbled, scratching the back of his head. ''You do it all the time, but it's unnecessary.''

Asami raised an eyebrow at him and let out a chuckle. With softened eyes, she patted his shoulder, letting her hand run up and down his arm before giving it a gentle squeeze. ''I'm just voicing my gratitude.''

''For bringing a few glasses to the kitchen?''

Asami chortled and moved her hand further down his arm, taking his hand in hers. ''It's only since a few days ago that you started to help out like this.'' She explained, bringing his hand closer to her, playing with his fingers. ''I'm glad.''

It wasn't only that, but she'd rather not say it. Things have been going extremely well lately, and Asami didn't want to make him feel unnecessarily uncomfortable or guilty, even though she didn't know if he'd really feel that. What he said in the past, his words, she remembered them vividly. She also still knew that she had gotten angry. 

At that time, Madara was very clear about his opinion of the division of tasks between men and women. Now, it didn't bother her anything that he'd ever said that. Instead, Asami was happy that he had realized that he was in the wrong.

A gasp left her lips when a cold hand made contact with the side of her neck, and her green eyes locked with Madara's dark orbs. ''I don't understand how such little, trivial things can make you glad.'' He murmured, pushing a few locks of her soft, red hair behind her shoulder. ''It's odd.''

A soft laugh bubbled up inside her and she let go of Madara's hands, loosely wrapping her arms around his neck instead. With a tiny smile, she pulled him a little closer. ''You should learn to enjoy little things as well.'' She mumbled smoothly, feeling the corners of her mouth tug up more. ''Try to see the good in everyone and everything, that'd make you a happier person.''

Madara grunted and placed one of his hands on the small of her back. ''How am I supposed to see something positive in foolish people and dull things?''

While Asami was able to swallow back most of her laughter earlier, she couldn't help it now. She didn't want to make Madara feel as if she was laughing at him, but he was just too predictable. ''I knew you'd say that.'' she giggled quietly, before grinning widely. ''But that's the art.''

''An art that I don't need.''

Asami rolled her eyes. ''You're hopeless.'' She sighed, and her eyes glistened mischievously as she started to run her fingers up the back of his neck. She was convinced that she heard his breathing hitch. It was faint, but strangely satisfying. ''I'm not giving up, though.'' She breathed, and she pressed a quick kiss to his lips.

''Annoying.'' Madara grabbed her waist firmly when she tried to turn away and gave it a light squeeze, making Asami squeak in surprise. Her eyes widened in even greater bewilderment when he pressed her against the counter and captured her lips with his own.

Asami tilted her head and placed her hands on his chiseled chest, responding heartily.

The moment of endearment was only short-lived. Kouta was too enthusiastic to give them some more time and rushed down the stairs, making a lot of noise on the way. It was almost as if he was warning them, which made Asami chuckle as she carefully pushed Madara away.

Even though Madara didn't show it on his face, Asami detected slight amusement in his captivating black eyes. She glid her hands across his arm as she walked past him, sharing the feeling of merriment with him, before she left the kitchen. ''Ready to go?'' She asked, watching Kouta as he was struggling to zip up his jacket.

He made a sound of frustration and ran toward his mother. Asami crouched down and zipped up his jacket for him. ''You're too impatient.'' She said, nuzzling his cheek. ''You'd have gotten it otherwise.''

After Kouta had put on his shoes and Asami and Madara had grabbed their coats, they left the house and locked the door. Asami didn't feel comfortable with leaving the house behind unguarded. Normally Madara or she would stay behind, but Kouta had basically begged them. It was his wish to take a walk with both his parents, and Asami just couldn't say no.

Just one time wouldn't hurt, that was what Asami and Madara had decided, although it was very likely that more joint strolls would follow.

Kouta walked between the Uzumaki and the Uchiha with one of the biggest smiles on his face. He held out his hand to Asami, who took it almost instantly, holding it firmly. Kouta repeated the movement, but then on his left side, where Madara was. Madara sighed and took his hand in his much bigger one and securely wrapped his fingers around those of Kouta, who once again started to jabber about his visit to the village.

Madara wondered when he had gotten so talkative, since he clearly remembered him being pretty silent when he first got here. Now, he couldn't stop talking about his little adventure with Keiji. Madara had heard it numerous times, and he was getting pretty tired of it. It sounded rude, but it was simply the undeniable truth. He never complained to Kouta, though.

After walking along the river, something Kouta always wanted to go when going for a walk, the three of them started to head back. Kouta whined and protested, but there was nothing he could do to make Asami change her mind. They had enough time before dawn to walk another few of Kouta's improvised routes, but Asami didn't want to stay away from the house too long and she had made that very clear.

When she warned him, saying that she wouldn't let him go with Keiji to the village anymore if he kept on repining. Kouta immediately stopped complaining, and started to talk about something else.

This life, which seemed very unsuitable for Madara at first, he was getting used to it more and more, but completely? That never.

It was simply too different, too calm. Even though his status and all the responsibilities that came along with it were a huge burden to him sometimes, he missed it. People always depended on him, looked up to him, which gave him the feeling of superiority and might, but now he was the one depending on people. He didn't hate it, but it also didn't really feel right.

Madara sighed and looked up to the clear sky. The sun was shining painfully bright. He pursed his lips. 'Try to see the good in everyone and everything', hm?

Madara started to ponder. He thought more often about the things he now lacked instead of what he received. His failure didn't result in loss only, but he had also gotten a few good things out of it. He lost his clan but gained a family, one he could trust without a doubt. His life was definitely more tranquil now. Less pressure, no paperwork, and a lot of free time.

Kouta stopped babbling once they reached a familiar pair of trees, indicating that they were nearing their destination.

He also had Keiji and his wife left. He wasn't sure if he could call them friends, like Asami did, but they were definitely reliable acquaintances.

Asami let Kouta run in front of them, but kept a close eye on him as he neared the house. Even though he absolutely loved going on walks, they did tire him out, which was very noticeable. He wasn't running as fast and he was dragging his feet until a few minutes ago.

Asami quickened her pace slightly and reached into one of her pockets to grab the key. Madara stopped and watched as Asami opened the door to let Kouta in, telling him to take off his shoes before going into the house any further. Then, she turned back to him, worry painted over her normally joyous face. ''Madara? Are you coming?''

One of the most important, most precious things he'd gained was Asami and Kouta, but there was another valuable reward for the battle he had lost. A thing he'd never really had the last few years. It was here the whole time, but it only became was it currently was when Asami and Kouta moved in here. He had failed to realize it before, but he saw it clearly now.

It was a place to call home.

A place where someone like him belonged.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

And that's it for this sequel!

Now some may have already guessed it but there will be one last book! More information about that in the next part :)

Now, what did you guys think of this book?What was good, what could be better? What part did you like and what scene did you dislike? 

Please leave your opinion and I hope to see you at the next book :)