"I don't think I've ever ventured this way before." Saruyama sounded thoughtful, despite trying to get persuaded to return home for someone to look at her arm, she refused and insisted they just acted like normal. It didn't hurt, the wound did twinge earlier, but now it just felt like it always did. Anyway, the way she saw it was that her legs still worked, so wasn't like she couldn't just stroll about and enjoy the rest of this day.

However, strolling was one thing she currently wasn't doing. Hashirama, having recovered from their awful teamwork had sort of gone into protective brother mode. Madara may have whispered something along the lines of the brunette being no better than a mother hen. Needless to say, Hashirama shot him a look for that. Regardless of his sister saying she was fine, Hashirama was going into protective mode anyway. She was currently on his back looking around thoughtfully. She wasn't lying, she truthfully didn't venture further from the river than she absolutely needed to, which was basically never. Anywhere she went, it was always with her brothers, or with her father, never alone.

As curious as she was about the world around her, she was small and everything was so large, the unknown wasn't scary really, but it did take courage to take a step towards that unknown and discover what was out there. Hashirama seemingly had no issue walking around this area, so Saruyama guessed it was somewhere he and Madara had been before. The darker haired boy was walking beside them with his hands clasped behind his head, dark eyes looking up at the blue sky above them, he evidently knew this route well, because he didn't look to where his feet were stepping.

"I'd rather you didn't either, unless with me." Hashirama readjusted her on his back and frowned softly. He didn't need to think of his sister exploring on her own, the thought literally made him feel so many negative things.

"You're not missing out on much," was Madara's response as his eyes lazily slid sidelong away from the sky to her. He watched Saruyama move her head so she could lean against the shoulder closest to Madara. He could see she was expecting more of an explanation, Madara sighed and tilted his head slightly with his eyes shut before waving a hand casually around. "What you see is pretty much all of this area. It doesn't vary. Cliffs that way, forestry that way and the stream cutting through the middle, give or take."

"Remind me never to want a tour from you, that was awful." Saruyama found her lips pouting slightly as she looked a bit despondent. Madara sucked at explaining things, clearly.

He flinched as if a jolt had gone through him and he continued walking with a rather unhappy expression now on his face. "You asked."

"I didn't ask, I just stated I hadn't been this way."

Madara inhaled deeply, really deeply as if hoping the oxygen would give him strength here. Why did she have to be quick with responses like the brother that was carrying her? While Madara despaired, he missed the small chuckle from Hashirama, the noise didn't last long before the boy trotted off quickly and looked upwards at the towering cliff beside them. Give or take any other time, Hashirama would be up for a race to the top, but momentum would pull him back with Saruyama on his back.

From the top of the cliff though was a brilliant view of the surroundings around them, the place where they clearly all called home could be seen from above and truly, it was beautiful. It truly was a beautiful place, it wasn't until looking from a different perspective that one could really forget the fights and battles which were no doubt taking place elsewhere, or the odd scrap which would be happening somewhere in the sprawling forest before them.

It had so much potential for something more than what it currently was, and it was easy to dream, and to think of any scenario when looking from the perspective of up high, like birds. It was a quiet place to sit, out of sight of anyone who could be around and opportunistically see them, or try to attack them; luckily that hadn't ever happened, the odd corpse here and there, sure, but they hadn't been attacked...that man who followed Madara and Saruyama was also a rarity.

Madara placed his hands on his hips and raised an eyebrow at the thoughtful look on Hashirama's face, he glanced up too before looking back at the boy. "Want to go up?" It seemed like Hashirama was in two minds, hence why Madara asked. As far as he could see, there wasn't anything particularly interesting at staring at the tanned and sandy cliff face. Even Saruyama was looking a bit miffed from her brother's back.

There was a hum from Hashirama, he even faintly frowned and shook his head. "Maybe not today."

"My legs work, big brother." Saruyama seemed ready to wiggle off of his back but stopped when Hashirama's hands tightened around her legs. She ceased moving then and just sighed and looked at Madara for help.

He raised an eyebrow before leaning his shoulder against the cliff, "Say...Saruyama said she hadn't ever been this way, and as she clearly stated my explanation wasn't the most brilliant. She'd be able to see what I was trying to tell her from up there." Madara nodded and jerked a thumb upwards before looking at the pair, the grin on Saruyama's face was a little off-putting but she removed her good arm from around Hashirama's shoulders and out of his line of sight, gave Madara a thumbs up. She had to admit that was quick thinking. "Plus, there isn't anything wrong with her legs so..." Madara got a frown then from both of them, "What? What did I say?" He sounded and looked confused as Hashirama leaned down and let his sister off of his back.

There may not be anything wrong with her legs, but the thought of harm in general to his sister had Hashirama just growing further silent, and into his own thoughts. Saruyama patted him on the shoulder and smiled, "I'll take it easy." She didn't care about casually strolling up the cliff if they wanted to rush to the top. "I bet the view from up there is amazing though..." Saruyama stepped back and craned her neck, pressing her lips into a thin line she had to admit that was a very tall cliff. Scratching her temple with that look still on her face, she wondered if she had a problem with heights and if this was an opportune moment to find out. Being up in a tree wouldn't compare to this, the cliff crested way above the tops of the trees around them, even she could see that from down here.

"In that case, shall we?" Madara pushed away from the rock behind him and turned effortlessly on his heels and stood beside the smaller girl between them.

Saruyama looked at Madara curiously, "Do...you two ever race, to the top I mean?" Madara slowly turned his head to look her way with a smirk appearing on his face. Saruyama regretted asking, clearly, they did.

"No races!" Hashirama exclaimed so suddenly the other two jumped. Saruyama actually whined and clasped a hand to her ear as her brother practically shouted in it. Glaring at him, she lifted a leg and gave his own leg a lazy kick. She couldn't hit him with her other hand, her injured arm was stiff now after being around Hashirama's neck all this time.

"It wasn't me!" Madara pointed a finger at Saruyama, she whined again and pushed her shoulder slowly up to her other ear and glared at him. Much like her brother, he too got a lazy kick to the leg. "What was that for?!"

"Why are you so loud?!" Saruyama shouted, her volume control was only wonky because of her ears being as shut off as possible.

"Coming from you, that doesn't mean a lot." Madara crossed his arms and shot a look to the side.

"Are you saying I'm always noisy?" Saruyama slowly removed her hand and shoulder from her poor ears. Madara tensed and looked her way as she narrowed her eyes, behind her Hashirama had slapped a hand to cover his eyes, a sigh was audibly coming from him. Saruyama snapped her attention to her brother, "Not you too!"

"I'd say you are the loudest out of the family...ow!" Hashirama admitted and then regretted it as now her good hand was free, she clenched it and punched him in the shoulder.

"If I am, then you are a close second," Saruyama huffed and looked away sharply to the top of the cliff, or roughly where it should be. "As for your information, I have zero interest in racing either of you so," Saruyama just shrugged and put her foot against the stoney surface in front of her and commenced walking up slowly. There was a shared look between Hashirama and Madara before both had similar expressions flit onto their faces. She may have no interest in racing, but it didn't mean they shared that, poor Saruyama let out a yelp when both practically shuttled past her. She did shout out and call them both idiots before just returning to her casual walk. Evidently, they spent most of their time in competition with each other.

It may have been a ridiculous notion, but it also was quite sweet, in a strange way to her. It was nice to see her brother have someone who equalled him. Unfortunately, Hashirama was stronger than most in their family, let alone clan. Training with him was hard, especially when he had to dumb himself down, he never seemed to mind, especially when it came to training with her or their other siblings, but Saruyama couldn't help but feel like it pained him a little. Madara seemed more than up for the friendly competition, and something told her he could give as good as he got.

Of course, they reached the top way before her and as she crested over the top, she wasn't too surprised to see them both flaked on their backs, arms and legs stretched out and chests heaving. Saruyama rolled her eyes and sighed before stopping a little in front of both of their feet, nudging one than the other, she tilted her head, "Who won?" Madara let out a disgruntled noise that said it all, but he still jabbed a finger in Hashirama's direction, he just grinned and sat himself up chuckling. "Not the most modest winner, are you?" Saruyama went on to say while rolling her eyes and turning on her heels. She let out a breathless noise as her eyes widened at the sight before her.

The landscape and how much could be seen from up high was nothing new to the boys, but Hashirama stopped his chuckling and swatting Madara's hands away when the boy clearly didn't like Hashirama's mocking laughter and was trying to hit him, not that that would achieve anything, but try he did. Even Madara stopped trying to hit some modesty into his friend to look towards Saruyama's back.

She let out an awkward laugh and tilted her head, her hand stroking through her hair as she ruffled it softly. "I suddenly feel very small. Well, smaller than usual." The landscape was so vast, all-consuming in a way even, but it was stunning. She couldn't see their home, but she could roughly guess where it was, just purely with how far they had travelled and the fact she could see the river. "Well, I'll be...Madara your description was right." Which it sort of was, couldn't lie, as bad as his explanation was, it was right with what was what and where things were.

Leaping to a stand, Madara walked over and nudged her good shoulder with a finger. "You make it sound like I lied to you."

Saruyama snorted and shot him a look, "I didn't think that I just thought you sucked at explaining things."

"Why you..." Madara nudged her shoulder again before pointing his finger at her and earning a laugh for it, conceding he wasn't getting anywhere he just stuck his hands on his hips and nodded. He actually thought his description was bang on the mark, with or without seeing it for oneself up here.

"Have you explored most of this?" Saruyama was interested as her dark red eyes looked away from the treetops to him.

Madara looked thoughtful before shaking his head, this time honestly Saruyama wasn't sure if he was fibbing or not. After all, as friendly as they all were, there were details which couldn't be divulged. He could've explored more than he let on, but she wouldn't know, because it maybe information he couldn't share.

"I think I'd like to explore it all one day!" Saruyama said enthusiastically while grinning. "I think the idea sounds fun!" Madara looked dubious beside her, he wasn't too sure about fun, clearly. But then everyone had different interests.

"Maybe one day, little sister, but I don't think that time will come anytime soon." Hashirama had stayed seated and just watched the pair curiously. They turned and looked at him with varied expressions, Madara's was a hard one, but it was also mixed with this acceptance; he had clearly accepted a long time ago, that certain areas were off limits, so venturing to them was never likely to happen. Saruyama looked determined, Hashirama wasn't surprised she'd want to disagree with him, but she also seemed sad that he had shot her down. He would never dissuade her from doing something, but if it was potentially dangerous, then yes.

Going to places in this landscape where others roamed and lived, was dangerous. Not everyone was friendly, or friends to their clan and she knew this. One day, one day Hashirama was sure she'd get her wish, but he couldn't see it happening yet, not for a long while, not while everyone seemed content to destroy each other.

"Not sure I'd want to go alone," Saruyama admitted with an awkward laugh, tapping Madara on the arm enthusiastically got a confused look sent her way and her hand also caught onto to stop the annoying rhythm. Her attention diverted between the pair, "Please come with! Whenever that day is, please!"

Madara let her hand go and shook his head, "I'm not sure about that."

"Why not?" Saruyama seemed honestly confused.

Madara frowned and looked at her like she had actually asked that. "For two reasons I can immediately think of." Saruyama still seemed a little confused, Madara sighed and looked to Hashirama for help, he just shook his head sadly. He got where his friend was coming from, but much like Itama, Saruyama still held a small sense of childlike naivety which was endearing, but dangerously ignorant. Madara turned and looked at her fully, "Saruyama, none of us know what the future has in store for us; we may not even reach adulthood, let's be honest. Then not forgetting the obvious fact that I do not think our families are allied. Though I could be wrong, but while on the subject of honesty we may as well just plainly address that fact." Madara explained, staring at her and watching as she listened to his words and even registered what he was saying now he'd said it as plain as day.

He didn't particularly like how crestfallen she appeared by him being so honest, but Madara watched her sigh heavily and nod in agreement regardless. She eventually turned and walked back to her brother, sitting on her haunches and wrapping her arms around her legs, she rested her chin against her knees and huffed a sigh again. "You really know how to turn a mood to a miserable one, Madara." Saruyama's tone matched her moodiness as a small, dejected pout appeared on her lips as her usual bright eyes seemed darkened, making the red appear a darker shade than usual.

Madara resisted slapping a hand to his forehead, even more so as Hashirama patted his sister consolingly on the shoulder and looking, if Madara was honest, close to becoming as depressive as his sibling. Don't get him wrong, her moment was pure Hashirama, there was no arguing that. But that didn't mean he had to join in! Madara just threw his arms up, turning away from the pair, "Whatever! Sorry to burst your bubble," he sounded rather indignant which clearly didn't help matters as another long-drawn-out sigh came from the girl. Madara's shoulders tensed, and he hung his head, he had zero reason to feel bad here, yet he did. He wasn't one for humouring, he struggled to humour most at the best of times, unless they were Izuna, Madara had all the time in the world there...but here he stood on the precipice of the cliff, staring rather blankly at the trees below feeling bad for not humouring her. Well, that was just a bit of a nuisance issue he was opting to ignore as he just decided to sit down and hang his legs over the stoney surface and lean back on his hands. His dark eyes returned to watching the lazy moving clouds with a small sigh of his own.

Hearing odd shuffling had him looking over his shoulder, and Madara could only watch with raised eyebrows and wide eyes as even in her huddled position, Saruyama seemed intent on shuffle-waddling towards him, it was a little creepy, he couldn't lie, but she was making her slow way over. Before he knew it, she had sprung her limbs free, and her legs went stretching out before her over the cliff. "Don't you have some aspirations for the future though? Regardless of all that. Like, surely, you've got things you want to do?" Saruyama asked honestly and genuinely interestedly, she seemed to wholeheartedly care for his response.

It wasn't that Madara wasn't taken on his word, but no one had ever really asked him that; maybe other than Hashirama, to a point even he didn't get too in-depth. Blinking languidly before looking back to the stretching horizon, Madara shrugged one shoulder. "I suppose so, I haven't really thought about it."

Saruyama inhaled before clasping a hand on his shoulder, Madara frowned her way, then his eyes slowly narrowed as her hand commenced patting a little too patronisingly for his liking. "Living from day to day just focussing on surviving is tiring. It is necessary, sure, but it is exhausting. Yes, you're right, none of us might make it to adulthood, and I don't want to think of that...but thinking of what can happen, what I want to do when I can, when all of this fighting eventually tires itself out...it what brings me some joy. Sure, exploring may sound boring to you, and to Hashirama, but it would make me happy to see what else is out there. We all need something to look forward to, or else why are we even bothering in trying to survive?" Saruyama's response was wiser sounding than her young years, she sighed sadly and shook her head, her hand had long since stopped patting him and just stayed stationary, loosely holding on in case he was going to suddenly slip away from her.

"And the enemies part?" Madara noticed that hadn't even been mentioned.

"I'm not a total idiot, Madara. I don't recognise you; you don't recognise us; we are clearly no allies. I don't care, I literally couldn't care less who you are, where you come from." Saruyama punched him on the shoulder then, causing him to flinch and rub the place, which was temporarily throbbing, for someone small, she could hit hard. She rolled her eyes despairing that he truly thought she was in the dark over that matter.

"Well, the opposing side thing would be hard to work around," Hashirama popped up suddenly on Madara's other side causing the dark haired boy to throw a look at him. Hashirama just grinned sheepishly, he had forgotten about Madara's hang up on people being behind him. Of course, sneaking and just appearing was going to cause him to have some issue.

"Uphill battle, more like." Saruyama muttered and threw her legs in the air before collapsing back gently, her good hand rested under her head as she sighed and shut her eyes. She couldn't deny that the feeling of the sun felt good, and the gentle breeze which bought with it the smells of the forestry below and bird song was absolute bliss to her senses.

"And you said about Madara turning a mood sour?" Hashirama leaned back and stared at his sister with a pointed look.

"I said miserable, not sour. That's all on you." Saruyama was quick to point at with a sure nod against the palm of her hand, her eyes remained shut throughout this.

"I can hear you both, you do realise this, right?" Madara hunched his shoulders and begrudgingly just sat there in between them listening to them both.

"It's nice to know your ears work," was Saruyama's response as casual as anything.

Hashirama put a hand over his mouth, purely to force the laughter to stay inside, only because of the look on Madara's face was classic; Hashirama knew his friend was easily wound up, and Saruyama seemed to do a good job at pushing buttons here that should be stayed clear of. "Back on topic, if you please?" Hashirama's voice was a little strained earning a look shot at him by Madara, who clearly knew he was trying to not laugh, and a sidelong look from Saruyama as she squinted against the sun.

"Big brother, it's going to take a lot more than three kids to change the course of this life." Saruyama sat herself up slowly, wincing a little as her injured arm was pulling a little, it was starting to ache, that much she couldn't lie.

"Well, to begin with it was just us two, so we're already progressing if you're on board too!" Hashirama seemed genuinely ecstatic as he got dry looks from the pair next to him.

Saruyama tilted her head, with the utmost genuine curiosity and interest, she looked long and hard at her brother from around Madara, "This is what you want. For the future, I mean."

Hashirama's expression dulled a little, well, his grin dropped, and he looked at her seriously before nodding and setting his sights of the landscape expanding before them. "Wouldn't it be nice though? To live a life where you don't have to be wary about who you are friends with or interact with. Somewhere where you can truly just all get along and live without having to constantly bicker and fight. No more losing siblings and watching mass burials. I don't think it's too much to ask for, but maybe it is, I don't know." Hashirama seemed to lose steam by the end of his words, scratching the back of his neck with an awkward expression as he just stared off to the side.

It wasn't like this was the first time Madara was hearing such things, so he wasn't too shocked, but Saruyama was hearing this subject for the first time, and it was clear it was food for thought, her expression looked distant as she was evidently trying to piece it together, but also to form a response. Flicking her eyes to Madara, she raised one and nodded at him, he looked confusedly back at her. "Idiot! We've said what we want, what's your future?"

"I share a similar goal to your brother's, especially if it means keeping my brother out of anymore battles, and alive." Madara was honest with his response, he couldn't hide how much of an absolute importance that was, everyone else could come and go, no offence, but not Izuna.

"Are you just copying Hashirama's idea 'cause you suck at thinking of one yourself?" Saruyama gave Madara's arm a prod before clasping her hand to her ear and pushing her shoulder into the other as he went off exclaiming her way. Hashirama just despaired and waved his hands in the air to try and dissipate this and dissolve the situation, whereas Madara seemed more than up for calling Saruyama cheeky and rude for accusing him of riding her brother's coattails, as it were, and he could so think of his own thing...if he genuinely didn't want the same thing her brother did. "Ah, Madara, why are you so loud?" Saruyama whimpered and hung her head before just whimpering again when he prodded a finger against her temple. To be honest, she eventually just sort of leant against the finger causing Madara to feel awkward about moving because she'd totally face plant into him.

"Now, now, having the same objective is what will make this happen, Saruyama." Hashirama said from the side, Madara looked over his shoulder, his expression was practically pleading with Hashirama to help him as Saruyama was just leaning more and more against his finger, to the point that the digit was starting to ache.

With a sigh, Hashirama jumped up and moved around before gently scooping her away, earning a yawn in the process. Smoothing a hand over her hair, Hashirama just encouraged her to nestle into him and lean there, not bothering the boy beside her. "I like the idea of your future; I just don't think it'll be easily won seems everyone hates each other." She even sounded tired now, where this exhaustion had come from, not a clue, but here she was leaning against her brother looking sleepily at the trees.

"I know, but hate can't last forever." Hashirama said softly, earning a shrug from her as she decided to lay down instead, she was small enough to curl up between them and his lap made for a temporary pillow as her bandaged arm remained against herself.

Sleepily still, her eyes slowly blinked shut as she managed to whisper out what she clearly wished to say before sleep eventually overtook her; "There is a thin line between love and hate, Hashirama." And that was it, Saruyama's breathing slowed down and equalled out, her good hand had managed to grasp slightly onto Hashirama's trousers as she seemed content napping away against him.

Hashirama just smiled gently, he couldn't disagree with her as he gently combed a hand through her hair and watched her sleep on his lap. She was still healing; it didn't surprise him that she found herself being awash with exhaustion so suddenly. It wasn't like Hashirama wasn't feeling the slight pull of tiredness, he wasn't as hurt as her, but the small injuries he had were enough to cause a bone-deep ache to appear.

While Hashirama looked quite humbly at his sleeping sister, Madara found himself feeling a little unnerved by their words; it wasn't exactly the intention behind the words, but it also wasn't like his family and clan weren't exactly people who felt things strongly. Saruyama was right, there was a thin line between love and hate, and unfortunately it was a line which the Uchiha walked very finely, if not dangerously dipping into both emotions freely and often. Peace and a lack of fighting to keep themselves, and other children like themselves alive long enough to see adulthood was charming, and a necessity or else what were they truly all fighting for? But Madara couldn't help but feel like to persuade his clan around would be...hard, hard wasn't even enough of a word to describe it.

As far as Madara knew, Hashirama hadn't put it together what clan he came from, or if he had figured it out, he didn't seem to be affected by it. Likewise, though, Madara didn't know their family or clan, they could be from any clan to him; unfortunately, there wasn't anything too distinguishing to alert him to one clan or another, also unfortunately for Madara, he did have the typical characteristics of the Uchiha, dark hair, dark eyes, no sharingan, yet.

"Well, I suppose she enjoyed some of the view." Hashirama's voice pulled Madara from his thoughts, he slowly looked at his friend only to see Hashirama already looking his way. His expression was an odd one, though there was an air of relaxation around him, he clearly was still on guard, just in case. But his usual kind eyes were staring rather intently his way, making the brown hue of them appear darker. It was like Hashirama was expecting Madara to have some retort to Saruyama's words, when all Madara had thought was that she was right, and there would definitely be a struggle getting certain clans to turn to peace.

Madara shrugged loosely, deciding to just follow suit of Hashirama's casualness. "She's hurt and has clearly pushed herself too much." Madara stated, he wasn't saying she should be on bedrest, but she had done some running about today which clearly her body wasn't ready for.

Hashirama smiled and kept a hand gently against her hair as he nodded slowly, with his other arm, he managed to nudge Madara in the side. He just shot him a look, although he found himself frowning more so from the smirk appearing on Hashirama's face. Madara got the sense he wasn't going to agree with whatever his friend was going to come out with. "She's clearly enjoying the bedside manner here, in comparison to what's at home. At least, she seems to like you, which says a lot!"

"What are you trying to say?!" Madara did his best at exclaiming in almost a whisper, he didn't want to wake the girl up.

Hashirama put a finger to his chin in thought and looked to the sky. "I'm not sure which part of what I said you replied to, it could be all of it..."

"The latter more than the former." Madara stated rather bluntly, narrowing his dark eyes and crossing his arms firmly across his chest. It was no lie that most people thought they were good in some way or another, and likewise a great person to get to know and be friends with; Madara wasn't entirely different, to a point, it wasn't like Hashirama hadn't had to listen to his bragging in skills before, but when it came to friends...Madara was a little indifferent, he couldn't deny that, most children his age were below him in skill, just a statement, because of such even with or without the sharingan, many just sort of stayed clear. Connections were more diplomatic, more businesslike than the bond he felt with Hashirama, and likewise his sister too.

Hashirama sighed softly and hung his head, "Is it that hard to just accept having another friend?" Madara just tilted his head, waiting for Hashirama to continue. "She had a best friend, well, both her and her twin had a couple...they were all of a similar age, and they were all involved in the same battle; it is hard to imagine being the only two of their age to come out of the carnage. It is also hard to even fathom how both coped with such a concept of death then, it was a couple of years ago when this happened. Unless it's going fishing with our brother, or just training or reading with her twin; or even coming here with me, Saruyama stays alone if left to her own devices. It's why she's always with one of us, because I feel like being alone is dangerous for her. So, it makes a difference, it is different that she speaks so openly with you, Madara. Because she truly doesn't with anyone else in our clan."

Madara listened to Hashirama's honestly spoken words. He wasn't surprised to hear the girl had had horrid experiences when she was younger, everyone had, that was life. But to be a special case of branching out to socialise, a little piece of smug ego definitely grew a little there. "I can't imagine there being two of her. One seems enough." Madara decided to say instead, giving a shudder. Two or her just seemed like a hazard. Sure, he already knew she had a twin, that had already been mentioned, but truly thinking of it...two of her, how had the world not imploded?

Hashirama chuckled softly, "Oh, no, her twin isn't like her. He is more relaxed, quiet. I suppose Saruyama could be classed as the naughty one out of the two. But they balance each other out."

"So, being out here with us is preferable to being at home. Regardless of your other two brothers?" Madara asked curiously, much like with Izuna, he could see they were all incredibly close, but he could also imagine how suffocating they could be over her, especially seeing as how she appeared to be the only female in the family.

Hashirama shuddered then and looked slightly traumatised which just had Madara looking at him oddly. "The second oldest...can be overbearingly intent on people doing what is expected of them, especially if he's told them to do something. If she isn't resting and he said to, literally...it wouldn't even be worth the lecture. The worst part is he wouldn't lecture! He just has this ability to look, and you'd know you'd just know you're in trouble." Hashirama rolled his head back with a groan, "He means well, but he can be too much. I love all of my siblings, and they all mean well, but Saruyama is a free spirit who can't stay still for long; apart from when she needs to sleep or eat." Hashirama gestured to her with a quiet laugh.

"And her twin?" Madara had to say that the second oldest brother sounded like an extremely uptight person, it actually sounded painful to be around that.

"He'd stay with her, through anything, he'd be by her side." Hashirama said honestly and strongly, he knew that all of his family and probably clan knew that. Itama as relaxed as he could appear was strongly protective, knowing she was with Hashirama was enough for Itama to know she wasn't going to wind herself up in mischief. Frowning slowly and with mock suspicion, Hashirama looked at Madara, "Suddenly asking a lot of questions here, Madara." He nudged his friend in the side again and got Madara waving his elbow away with a glare. Hashirama just chuckled and waved his hand in the air, "So it isn't just my sister that's acquired a new friend, huh?" Hashirama just beamed at Madara as he just sighed softly and despaired over all of this moment, excuse him for being curious.

Though, despite of Hashirama's words, Madara did look away from the greenery around them to the sleeping girl, she did seem so small curled up there, content and oblivious to everything around her, and to what they were speaking of, and something just dwelt inside him somewhere knowing that somehow, Hashirama was clearly right, the pair had clicked too. There was just something, the only other girl Madara really knew was Tomoko, and Saruyama wasn't like her at all. There was this stern seriousness to Tomoko, granted that air hung about most Uchiha, but Saruyama, there was this sense of freedom to her which was just refreshing. Like her musings on what to do when older, to want to travel, it wasn't Madara's ideal, but the way in which her eyes lit up and the excitement in which she spoke of such a thing was so refreshing.

Unfortunately like her older brother, Saruyama did seem to revel in winding him up, if she could and get away with it; and as annoying as that was, and Madara knew full well he was falling for their words, whenever she spoke to him, asked him anything, she wanted to know his thoughts, his opinions truly mattered to her in a way which, if he was honest, wouldn't benefit her in anyway other than feeling content with his answers. The answers he gave to things she asked, unlike other people who'd ask him things from a tactical point, words he replied to Saruyama with couldn't be used or twisted in anyway, Madara had been honest with her, completely.

He also hadn't reassured a girl, or someone who wasn't his family or one of his brothers, like he had with Saruyama when Osamu was trying to find them. There was a lingering anger that did try to surface in Madara knowing the old man had bad intentions in mind, regardless of if she wasn't what he was trying to find. But the growing anger did subside when he could so easily recall the absolute look of trust on Saruyama's face when he had said what he did. Saying he wouldn't let anyone hurt her evidently had the effect he wanted but also, the expression she had as she looked at him...honestly, Madara didn't think he'd been looked at like that before, by anyone; something felt weird, inside, something was raising its head and Madara didn't quite know what that feeling was.

"Well, you said it, us three will be the start that changes the world." Madara leaned back against his hands and shut his eyes. Hashirama shook his head and smiled, he could see when his friend was trying to be indignant, and Hashirama was more than happy to leave him to it; he just continued smiling, and stroked his hand through Saruyama's hair again when she muttered in her sleep and nestled more against him.