Nabu Middle School
February
8am

Madara could only glare at the black board in front of the class. Her fists clenched, eager to take out her anger on something or someone.

Fellow students were up and about, talking to acquaintances or even with friends. It's the first day of school, but the teacher was late and that left the children to socialize. She knew she was giving off a negative aura, that's why the others steer clear from her. Not that she cared, they were all idiots anyway.

“Wow Shinsou, your quirk is brainwashing?”

A guy walked up to the purple guy in front of her.

“That's amazing, I've never heard of anything like that before!”

Another student joined the conversation between the two boys.

“I'm so jealous...

A girl then joined them.

“I can't believe you can control anyone,”

“you can do as much bad stuff as you want,”

“ no one would know it's you!”

“don't control us, okay?”

The girl said as the boy, Shinsou brought his hand up to the back of his neck, and looked up at the three around his desk.

“Everyone says that, but...”

Madara raised a brow. ‘everyone says that’? Now that she thought about it, she noticed how most would avoid contact with the boy. They'd almost never start a conversation and often steer clear of him, kind of like how they do to her. Cautious eyes always watch him...

Shinsou opens his mouth to continue with a silent, rough tone,

“I won't...”

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Judge.

Everyone who knows or knew about him and his quirk, often judge him. It wasn't surprising when three students came up to him on the first day, talking to him about his quirk.

Everyone would talk about how he could get away with countless villainy actions, but he knew what he wanted to do with this power. He wanted to be a hero.

When class started, the students began moving back to their seats. The teacher, with her long, pink hair tied into a messy bun, introduced themselves happily.

“Good morning everyone, I'm your teacher for this year! My name is Satsuri Sakama-sensei, but you can just call me Satsu-sensei if you want! Let's have an enjoyable year, alright!?”

And the class cheered. Than, Saturi-sensei asked for the new transfer student to stand up and introduce themselves. Shinsou heard the chair behind him scrape against the floor as the new student made their way to the front. Her long, dark hair went down to her thighs and her bangs covered one of her eyes. Her eyes matched her hair and she had an intimidating aura around her, scaring off any unwanted attention. Once at the front, she remained silent.

“uh um-- hi! Welcome to the class and please introduce yourself! I'm sure all your classmates are curious about you,” Satsuri-sensei encouraged the girl, also prompting a few head nods from students. The girl scoffed with a stoic-- almost bored expression "Uchiha Madara..." was her only response.

But Satsu-sensei insisted for more, "Oh come on! A little more info please, Uchiha-San! All your classmates have been here for more than a year already and I'm sure they'd love to get to know the new face around,"

"Hn." when Uchiha refused to respond. It's clear she didn't want to be up there.

"... please?...."

Uchiha found her pleas to be pathetic but she relented anyway.

"My name is Uchiha Madara. I liked my little brother. I dislike a lot of things and I get into plenty of fights. I have no-- realistic dreams for the future." Uchiha spoke in a monotone.

Understanding that was the best she was going to get out of the intimidating new student, Sastu-sensei sighed.

"Thank you, Uchiha-chan-" Uchiha cringes "- you can go back to your seat now."

With that, Uchiha makes her way back to the seat behind Shinsou. His eyes followed her as she moved towards him, she could feel his eyes but decided to ignore it as she sat down. Shinsou turned his dull eyes away from her after she passed him and turned back to the front. Sasturi-sensei talking animatedly in the front.

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Two days later...

She was utterly bored during class. This was only middle school so her knowledge of a 50+ year old shinobi was absolutely wasted.

Even with her knowledge, she just couldn't be bothered to put too much effort into the pointless classes these people had for their youth. In the elemental nations, 13years is the age a child leaves their studies in order to learn through experience. Prolonging the studying stages were less effective and more boring. Madara would never understand what these people were thinking.

She also had no friends. What's the point? Madara was the type of woman to do things on her own anyway, the people here would call that being 'independent' but she just thought friendship wasn't a necessity. She could only rely on herself.

However, someone thought otherwise...

The bell rang signaling the end of class and also the end of Madara's inner brooding.

Standing quickly, she flings her bag over her shoulder and makes her way to the door, but, Satsuri-sensei stopped her.

"Madara-chan, can you stay behind? You too Shinsou-kun!"

Madara stopped and turned to look at her teacher before turning her attention to the purple haired boy still purched at his desk. He looked like he was reaching for his bag before Satsuri-sensei called him. Looking at the teacher again, Madara reluctantly decides to lean against the wall.

Once all the students left for lunch, with the exception of Madara, Shinsou and a few others eating in class, Satsuri-sensei called for the two to come up to her desk.

Complying, they both walk towards her, bags in hand.

"I'm sure your wondering why I called you here," She started.

"..."

"...yes..."

Madara kept quiet so Shinsou decided to answer. Satsuri shifted awkwardly as the two introverts slightly glared (mada) or tiredly looked at her (shin).

"Um- yes! It has come to my attention that the both of you haven't been interacting with your fellow peers very often! I want to know why?" She said, she added some enthusiasm to try and bury the awkward tension. Or maybe it was just her.

"...."

"Hn..."

"Oh come on! I'm sure people would line up to be friends with such a beautiful young woman-" she stood up to pinch Madara's cheeks only to have her hands swatted away, "- a-and such a handsome-" she reached over to cup Shinsous cheeks. Feeling no resistance but a slightly uncomfortable shift, she beamed, "-and possibly tired young man! You both just have to interact with your fellow students more!"

"....."

"......" Madara merely raised a brow while Shinsou's face slightly tinted pink, 'would she please stop touching me?' He thought.

"Alright!" Satsuri-sensei dramatically sighed, letting Shinsou's cheeks go.

"That's it! For the rest of the month, both of you are to be partners for every project! You will both share lunch in here and I expect both of you to at least walk into this classroom together!" She exasperated, her hand resting on her hip while the other pointed at them.

They only looked at each other, shrugged before heading back to their seats to eat their lunch. Taking a seat behind Shinsou, they both quietly reached for their lunches to eat.

Madara was kind of ticked off but decided it was better to just comply.

Shinsou... was Shinsou. Never expressed any interest in their situation which was orchestrated by their desperate teacher. She meant well by it, but it was a waste of time

Shinsou places his paper bag on the table, preparing to eat, but he see's the girl across from him ruffle through her stuff before she gave up with an annoyed huff. She decides to just sit quietly while leaning on her right arm.

Shinsou's brow rose, "...no lunch?" He asks. Madara didn't even bother to look up at him.

"Hn." She hums, turning to look out the window.

He kind of just sat there awkwardly, glancing towards his lunch and the girl before sighing.

"Uchiha-san..." Madara turns slightly to look at him. Shinsou reaches into the paper bag, pulling out two tuna sandwiches and holds one out for her.

Madara's brow rises, "... I don't expect anything in return. Just-- eat." He says.

Finally, she just sighs and reaches for his offering, "fine, but don't think this makes us 'friends'," she warns, biting into the food in her hand readily.

Shinsou rubs the back of his neck, watching her eat before eating himself.

'What a prideful girl, or maybe just cautious?'

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Unfortunately, Satsuri-sensei was serious about her threats. Everytime they walked in without the other, instant after school detention, everytime they were seen alone during intervals, instant after school detention, everytime they worked separately on a project, instant after school detention. And it sent Tobirama into a rage, constantly yapping about being on time, taking too long and how she should manage her time properly, it was driving her mad! If she couldn't escape from neither Satsuri-sensei or Tobirama, she would swan dive off the building and hope for the best in her next life!

'I hope I'm a bird in my next life. That way, I can fly away from pests and take a shit on someone's head.'

Her lips twitched upward for a split second, amused by her own thoughts, however, she frowns when she catches sight of someone waiting at the school's gate.

Purple hair, tired amethyst eyes, pale skin. 'Shinsou Hitoshi'.

They had no beef with each other, their circumstances were just unlucky, none of their faults. His hand's nervously brought up to rub the back of his neck, his posture slouched but stiff and his eyes searching. Tired amethyst meets dull black.

Madara decides to make the first move and goes to him,"... Shinsou," she starts, "what are you doing here? Waiting for someone?"

His iris' drift off, avoiding her questioning gaze, but, he bends to bow with a simple," Good mornin', Uchiha-San." He stands up slouched once again.

"Yes, I was waiting for you, actually." He admits, not meeting her eyes.

"... is that so? Why would you do that?" She asks, watching him shift. 'He's rather shy and awkward, not to mention his horrible physique. Although, he has rather broad shoulders and a good height. He has potential."

"Uh-- I was just thinking, 'if we have to hang out anyway, then why don't we at least get along'..."

"..."

"... of course, you don't have too! If you prefer to just ignore each other, that's perfectly fine too. I'm not forcing you Uchiha-San" he quickly retracts his offer with a quick dismissal but Madara held his arm, "no!"

But she rips her hand away from his,"I-I mean-- that's not necessary. No one can force me to do anything I don't want. I agree with you and accept your offer of ... alliance..." she states, folding her arms comfortably as she leans against the gate. "Now, let's head to class." Than, she saunters off.

Shinsou rubs his eyes with a sigh," I was hoping for friendship but I suppose an 'alliance' is the best I'm getting for now' and he trails behind her.

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Half a month. They'd spent half a month together and they found some common ground. Shinsou didn't talk too much so he wasn't a bother for Madara, Madara was some much needed company for Shinsou. Shinsou often helped her adjust to the Japanese society- she used the foreign exchange student excuse- and Madara usually helped Shinsou study. "If people are going to see us together, I'd prefer it if they didn't think I hung around any uneducated buffoons. I have a reputation!" was her excuse. "What 'reputation'?"

Plus, Madara admitted that she had a hard time writing Kanji, Katakana and Hiragana. It was different to her own language she said. So, Shinsou assisted somewhat, she's a fast learner and knew the basics. In return, Madara taught him how to read her language. The writing of a Shinobi, but he didn't know that.

The weather's cold and the grey clouds covered most of the sky. A pair of senior middle schoolers walked in the direction of the train station.

Suddenly, the smaller student stopped. She shifted around for a second before turning to a small sushi shop. Without a word, she quietly changed course. Shinsou almost left her, but noticed the ravenette walking towards the store with fast strides until she eventually disappears behind the red curtained glass door.

Curiously, he followed her. As he enters, he finds her at the counter, already ordering a plate of 6 Inarizushi. Once the treat rested in her hands, she couldn't wait to swallow at least one of the slightly steaming delicacies with disguised joy. Madara sat on a stool and nearly inhaled the poor, delicious food.

Shinsou was shocked. Never had he ever seen her act so... childish
Or immature. Madara Uchiha was not childish, nor was she immature.

Making his way to the counter, he orders his own plate and makes his way to the girl. Sitting down, he notices she had just finished her last piece and was trying to savor the taste. Sighing, he offers half of his Inarizushi to her.

"...what's this?"

"You seemed to be craving more. Here. You can have mine."

With a simple nod of thanks, she carefully picks a piece and brings it to her lips. Moaning happily, she looks at Shinsou.

"What?"

"Nothing. Just didn't know you were a fan of seafood..."

Madara swallows the piece and reaches for another.

"I'm not, however,*munch* Inari' is a glorious exception *munch*... my clansmen can agree with me."

She swallows before picking up a napkin and wiping her mouth. Silently, Shinsou offers her a drink from his school water bottle which she accepts.

She 'Hn's, satisfied.

"Clansmen?..."

"Hn."

She hums before standing up and dusting herself off. Her empty plate still on the table as she slowly made her way out, emitting her usual, cool aura.

Shinsou packs his leftovers and heads out as well, intent on catching up with the girl.

"Shinsou..." Madara calls. Turning to look at her, he answers.

"Yes?..."

Madara seems to hesitate before changing her mind and saying, "...Dont get ahead of yourself.... we can never be considered friends... do you understand?" She warns, eyes glaring holes at his head. But lingering within is a small dose of sadness. Maybe even desperation. Pushing the thought to the back of his head, the boy nods.

Both part ways after reaching their destinations, only to reunite at the school gate like they do every morning. Like a new routine. A sequence of continuous events..

... until they finally graduate.

"Are we still not friends, Uchiha-San?"

"..... Perhaps, just this once. I'll make an exception..."

"Than, in honor of our friendship, I ask you call me 'Hitoshi' from now on."

"You have my permission to address me by Madara as well."