Itama, much like his sister sitting beside him, couldn't do anything but watch as the rest of their family were gearing up to leave their house. For the most part the minor injuries which Hashirama and Tobirama had sustained, had healed and mostly gone; now most of the heavily injured had been dealt with, any minor injuries were easily sought out and healed by those with medical abilities. Saruyama's arm, and the rather nasty gash which run up and around it had been looked at again, it ran deeper than first thought, so she still had bandages around the wound. Itama's injuries were more or less gone, his injured ankle was not giving him so much trouble anymore but because of their relatives going out, someone had to stay home with Saruyama, apparently. She had nagged and nagged to go too, but much like Itama, he hadn't actually the faintest idea where they were even going.

He had heard snippets of a meeting, between their clan and another to forge some alliance or to try and sway some that were impartial, or otherwise nearly all wiped out to join their clan; self-preservation at its best really. But who this meeting was with, Itama still hadn't a clue. He had less of an inkling whether the meeting would even be successful.

Hashirama looked at his two youngest siblings with this longing expression, he didn't like leaving them behind, and he felt much better when all of them were together. But what could he do? Butsama had made it clear he was taking his two oldest boys, and that was final. The farewell given was basic at best, no time was given when they were expected to return so it meant Itama and Saruyama were fending for themselves for the day.

Once the door slid to a close, Saruyama leaned her head against her brother's shoulder and sighed. The light green over robe he wore was soft under her cheek, there was the homely comforting scent that lingered about the clothes and her brother; the woodland that was their home, something that was so distinctly him. Saruyama inhaled slowly and shut her eyes, it was quiet in the kitchen space, but not an awkward silence. It was clear both of them felt a bit left out, but they were also trying to think of something to do with the day.

"Shall we go out?" Itama voiced, breaking the silence and tilting his head to look down at his sister. Saruyama tilted her head back to look up at him in return. Itama smiled softly, "We can't stay inside all day, Saru! We'll get bored, for one. Plus, it's a nice day so..." Itama trailed off with a quiet laugh when he just watched Saruyama roll her eyes and groan quietly.

She slouched away from him and patted the low table in front of her before standing and giving a slow nod. He was ultimately right, there wouldn't be enough things to do in the house to kill any boredom that appeared. At least going outside, they could venture around their home, maybe find something to do, though Saruyama wasn't sure what. She had got a little bit of a lecture, not just from those which had another look at her arm, but also Tobirama that straining her arm would probably cause the remaining sore parts of the wound to open; if that happened, the healing process would take even longer.

So training was out of the options for her, and she thought she'd get bored watching Itama train on his own. Itama sprung up and smiled at her, "Don't have that face," he got the sense his sister was pouting about something.

"I don't have a face going on," Saruyama followed after him, sliding her sandals on alongside him before they left the house, Itama shutting the door behind him as they went.

Itama looked at her uncertainly, "I'm not forcing you out, Saruyama." Itama returned to using her full name for emphasis here, he just didn't want to let his sister stay inside dwelling on all sorts. Her thoughts weren't the best, and Itama had caught her more than once just sitting, arms wrapped around her knees as they were pulled to her chest and just staring into space.

Saruyama put her hands on her hips and looked up at the sky, her eyes narrowed at the sight of grey clouds lurking in amongst the white, perhaps it would rain today at some point. That really wouldn't help matters, for them at least it would mean this trip out would be cut short. "I know you're not, Itama. I just...I'm not sure what you're wanting to do."

Itama shrugged, though Saruyama narrowed her eyes at him, his dark eyes were scanning the small streets, it was almost like he was looking for someone. There was also this strange excitement radiating around him that had Saruyama suspecting they were out for a specific reason. She narrowed her eyes and prodded her brother on the arm, Itama laughed quietly and waved her hand away before Saruyama noticed how his eyes lit up and an arm shot up to wave at someone. Saruyama turned to look at where Itama was waving, was Saruyama surprised to see her brother waving towards a small group of children about their age? Maybe, but not in a rude way. Itama could be a little shy at times, though once he opened up to people, he was how he was with her, and their brothers.

It wasn't a totally ridiculous notion that those who were still their age and alive would band together. Teenagers were hard to get to know, a stoic hardness surrounded them, they were harsh and spoke tersely and had no time to seemingly entertain younger children. Adults were even less interested, seeing any and all as just a weapon to use, soldiers to throw into any battle. Itama and Saruyama were two of few children still around, children were the easiest targets, after all.

Saruyama couldn't help but wonder if their older brothers knew Itama had branched out and made friends, she found herself smiling, she was happy for Itama, she was happy that he had made friends independent of everyone else; though her eyes did dim a little, she was also sad to know these ties could be fleeting, but Itama would treasure these friendships, Saruyama knew that all too well. She would be lying if she said she didn't feel a slight pang of jealousy, it was unwarranted of course, but at the same time...but then again, it wasn't like she hadn't made a friend out of Madara, was it?

Amaya was the first to greet them, running up to meet them halfway and send a wide friendly smile their way. Satoshi and Satoko followed at a slower pace, they were siblings too, a few years separating the brother and sister, but not such a wide gap to make it awkward and without an ability to get along. When nearly everything is being lost, sometimes the only people had at the end were relatives, or those that were still standing.

Saruyama didn't know what this small group did, she couldn't imagine it was anything mischievous because that just wasn't in Itama's character. Training, maybe? Which had her glancing at her bandaged arm, regardless of if Tobirama agreed to it or not, Saruyama had nabbed one of his pale blue robes, the bandages could easily be seen from the elbow length sleeve. Amaya tilted her head and appeared in Saruyama's line of sight, the black haired girl smiled at her again, Saruyama found herself frowning a little. She didn't know how someone could be so continuously happy, but Amaya seemed friendly enough. "How are you feeling? Itama told us about the man who you fought against. It sounds like you're lucky to be alive!"

Saruyama felt herself tense up and look at Itama with a very Tobirama blank stare. Itama blanched a little and looked awkward, he scratched the back of his neck with a quiet chuckle. News travelled fast, but Itama had told his friends about his concern over his sister. Saruyama wasn't sure how to feel about this, let alone Amaya's smile still on her face despite the words she came out with. "My father helped me." Saruyama spoke tensely, why did she feel like she was being interrogated here? The three unknown children before her looked at her with looks which Saruyama couldn't pin down.

They weren't looking at her with pity, that she needed help from her father. But there was something about their gazes which made her feel a bit uncomfortable. Itama placed his hand on his sister's shoulder, he didn't think him introducing her to his friends would start like this. She was always with Tobirama, or Hashirama, Itama thought it would be nice if she spent time with people who weren't their brothers. He found it cathartic, in a way, to talk to people who understood how he felt, and shared thoughts similar to himself, but also could joke and play about even if it was something as silly as a game of chase that actually honed their chakra control and tracking.

Satoshi looked at his sister before looking at the siblings in front of him. "Shall we actually do something? Standing here is not how I wanted to spend my day." He crossed his arms over his long sleeved top, his short cropped dark brown hair shifted slightly in the breeze which appeared suddenly and then disappeared just as quick.

"I'm hungry," Satoko just blurted out as if she hadn't noticed the slightly awkward tension between them, or the fact her older brother had tried to divert the awkwardness to something else. Blinking large eyes and tightening the cord which kept her long hair up, Satoko just nodded surely. "Food sounds good. Don't you think?" She looked about those around her, a smile appearing on her face, it was a little lopsided, only due to a healed scar that tugged at the corner. The wound had healed a long time ago, the narrowness of it was probably cause by a kunai that she only just managed to sweep herself back from.

"You literally just ate breakfast," Satoshi looked down at his sister with a confused frown. Satoko just opened her mouth, shut it again, and another lopsided smile appeared on her face again as she shrugged.

Saruyama felt out of place here, is this what Itama did when he didn't spend time with her, or their brothers? Though from the shy looks he was sending Satoko's way, and likewise her equally awkward smiles and looks had Saruyama lifting her head up to the sky and shutting her eyes. Her brother had a crush, not only that he was trying to bring her into his small circle of friends. The former was adorable, the latter was kind of him, Itama must have thought she needed friends.

It was funny to think that Itama spent his time apparently eating food, drinking tea and just...Saruyama tilted her head, actually it wasn't dissimilar to what Hashirama and Madara did, or her too, just minus the food and drink. Looking back the way they had come, Saruyama's troubled expression had Itama tapping her gently on her good arm. Looking a little startled for being caught out, she looked back at him. Itama smiled, "I get it, I'm sorry I dragged you out, Saru."

"These are your friends, Itama. It is kind of you to try but...I feel like I'm intruding."

"No! No, don't feel like that..." Itama's eyes saddened hearing that's how she felt.

Saruyama put her hand on his shoulder, she smiled and him and looked to the other three, they were already walking to wherever they were getting food from. She had seemingly zoned out of that brief conversation. "Go and have fun."

"But what about you?"

Saruyama smiled again and shook her head, "It's fine, I might go fishing."

Itama looked uncertain, "Will you be okay on your own? It won't hurt your arm, will it?" Itama didn't mean to make it sound like his sister was incapable, but he had heard the Tobirama lecture too. He only went off on one because he was worried, he just didn't want his sister to keep opening a wound.

Saruyama waved him off, "I'll catch us something for dinner! It might just be us two," she shrugged and started to step back, Itama nodded and waved at her before both turned away and went to their separate destinations.

—

Madara had already been at the river for a little while before he decided that actually, maybe he was better off just going home. Skipping stones on his own was starting to get dull, and Hashirama was a no show. Inhaling slowly, Madara perked up hearing movement, he turned expecting to see the brunette, but what popped out from the foliage was an all too familiar spiky white and dark haired figure.

Madara just tilted his head when she seemed to perk up seeing him standing there, a smile appeared on her face and Madara felt his eyebrows pull together hearing her practically sing his name in greeting. He didn't want to hear his name being sung to him again, ever. His dark eyes narrowed though he caught sight of items in her hands which had him walking slowly away from the riverbank with piqued curiosity.

Saruyama looked up at the taller boy with a smile still on her face, Madara crossed his arms over the dark blue vest he was wearing, "Where's your brother?" Madara watched as Saruyama's smile slipped then and she looked to the side with annoyance. Madara remained blank faced, he got the sense he had put his foot in it there.

"He's out, with my brother and father. I was meant to spend the day with my twin, but his attempts at trying to get me to get to know his friends didn't end well, I don't think. I felt awkward with them, with children my own age, is that weird?"

"How am I meant to know?" Madara answered with a roll of his eyes as he turned away.

"Where are you going?" Saruyama popped up by his side as he was seemingly returning to the bank.

"Home."

Saruyama's sandals scuffed the pebbles below her as she stopped walking. "I've bought lunch."

That had Madara stopping walking, he still had his arms crossed and looked over his shoulder at her. Saruyama just smiled at the sceptical look on his face before holding up the tied cloth bundle in her hand and the cords of the bamboo flasks in the other. Madara turned and started walking back to her, he looked over the items still with an air of hesitance. "Why?" He found himself asking, he didn't mean to sound blunt, but did she do this intentionally? It was a little odd to him.

Saruyama nodded over her shoulder, Madara's eyes landed on the fishing rod attached to her back. "I actually intended to spend the day fishing, if I'm honest, this is my lunch and maybe...second lunch, or dinner, depending on if I caught anything..."

Madara raised an eyebrow, a smirk appearing as he went to reach out to peek into the cloth bundle. Saruyama let out a disagreeing noise and moved it away, "So you didn't bring lunch, not really. Saruyama, are you bribing me with food?"

Saruyama sheepishly smiled and laughed, "Well...yes."

Madara gave a short nod and looked around, he gestured to the side and the pair started to walk away from the bank. "Did you come here on a whim?"

Saruyama shook her head, Madara watched her as the pair continued to walk towards the cliff. He thought it was as good a place to eat than any, though she wouldn't get much fishing done. "I actually had hoped you were here." Saruyama admitted with an awkward smile on her face then.

Madara's eyes widened, and he just slowly looked away from her and up at the trees around them. "Why?" Madara wasn't used to people seeking him out, family members of course, but this was definitely different, right?

Saruyama sighed and swung the cloth bundle slowly at her side, "Because I don't feel awkward with you." She admitted quietly, Madara looked down at her. She sounded sad, even a little defeated as she admitted this, her red eyes just stared somewhat blankly at the path they were walking along.

Madara felt weird, something just didn't feel right, and he couldn't place it. That wasn't to say everyone felt unease in his company, but he was definitely kept at arm's length by many. To have someone admit something like this...shaking his head slowly, he didn't quite know what to say. How does someone respond to that? Glancing quickly at Saruyama and then away again when their eyes caught, Madara was almost pleased to see the cliff wall looming to the side and out from the thick trees.

"If you really wanted to go home though, I'll just go to my usual fishing spot." Saruyama stopped walking and looked at him seriously, she got the sense she had made him feel awkward and Madara would be lying if he said she temporarily hadn't.

He gestured to her, "But you're here now, plus..."

"No! Hands off!" Saruyama chirped and laughed when he sidled up to her and went to try and peer in amongst the cloth. Madara gave her a wry grin when Saruyama just tried to keep him away, his dark eyes watched as she tried to cradle the food to herself, the bamboo flasks clanking together as she did. "You just want to hang out because I've bought food!"

Madara rolled a hand, the other on his hip as he looked at her casually. "You're the one that said you bought lunch. Only, it clearly was all for you, anyway."

"So, you're sticking with me, because I bribed you, hm? Well, aren't you charming, Madara?" Saruyama pouted and let out a small huff, though that got pushed aside when she smirked his way as he frowned down at her.

"You're the one that said you hoped I was at the river. Regardless of lunch." Madara countered easily, watching smugly as her eyes widened as she gaped at him. Though his smugness dwindled a little when he realised there was a slight red tinging her cheeks. He cleared his throat and turned to the cliff face, "Can't say you'll be able to do your fishing, but I know a spot nearby that you might be able to fish in." Madara said with a nod, it was a little way down the track, a large pool that had a waterfall feeding into it. In all honesty, he couldn't remember if he had ever seen fish there, but he liked to go there sometimes on his own and train. Perhaps the spot was bordering too close to the Uchiha territory, but there was still a good distance between his home and the place he had in mind that no one should actually venture nearby.

The journey up to the top was quiet and quick, Madara leaned back on his hands and watched as Saruyama placed the items between them. He watched her nimbly open the knotted material and spread the cloth so the two bento boxes could easily be seen stacked on top of each other. Madara blinked and looked at the view, the grey clouds were still looming, if only looking darker now.

Saruyama reached over and tapped him on the shoulder, Madara leaned away from his hands and looked at her, a kind smile was on her face and her eyes looked lighter than they did earlier. The white part of her hair seemed to have a mind of its own again and was sticking up at odder angles. She genuinely seemed very happy to be here, let alone holding out the food she had bought with her. The earlier sadness, which was hanging around her had seemingly dissipated, how much of that was because of his company, Madara had no clue. Was it a little egotistical of him to think that maybe it was all of his company that had perked her up? She had said it herself; she had hoped to see him...

He took the box and chopsticks from her; he said a quiet thank you and opened the lid. Rice, meat, vegetables, it all sounded so simple but the way she had displayed it all was neat, tidy and looked absolutely appetising. Madara could feel his stomach wanting to rumble just from seeing the food, he looked sidelong at her, even leaning a little to see if she had the same. The meat was swapped with fish, which had him thinking if she had decided to give him the box he had on purpose.

As she said, she intended to maybe eat both, so he supposed it wasn't like she preferred one over the other, or did she? Madara rubbed a hand to his temple, frowning slightly and shaking his head he readjusted the chopsticks in his other hand. What does it matter what food Saruyama preferred and why? Stupid thought to come to mind. Shutting his eyes and letting out a slow sigh had Saruyama looking at him with her chopsticks in her mouth with a smile. "This is good." Madara had to admit it, he had to give credit where it was due.

"I like cooking, there's just something about it that makes me happy. But also, I like seeing people happy with what I make." Saruyama said while prodding at the fish in her box with a gentle smile.

Madara, admittedly, was trying hard not to shovel the food in, it was seriously so good...he wasn't saying his father was a bad cook, or bad with mealtimes, but literally, the difference between his father's meals and this was worlds apart. Swallowing and picking up the flask, he washed down the mouthful slowly, he registered the undertone of Saruyama's words, Madara's enjoyment made her happy.

Pausing though, Hashirama's joking hesitance about eating Saruyama's food came to mind. Madara's eyes looked at the bento box before his mouth downturned and he shrugged, Hashirama was being dramatic, because this was seriously the best meal he had had in ages. "It's your hobby?" Saruyama tilted her head and looked at him as she chewed her mouthful thoughtfully. Madara looked about them, his eyes watching birds flittering about in the distance. "Falconry." Saruyama's head tilted again as she drunk from her flask, Madara shifted in his sitting position and nodded. Clearing his throat again, he picked up some of the meat and rice before eating it slowly.

"That's your hobby?" It clicked, and the tone Saruyama spoke with was full of wonder, and curiosity, even excitement. Madara wasn't surprised to see her expression matched her tone as he nodded away. "That's cool...much more interesting than mine."

Madara half-shrugged, "Everyone likes different things. If we all liked the same thing, wouldn't it be a bit boring?"

Saruyama nodded agreeing with him before returning to her food. She supposed cooking could be classed as a hobby, much like fishing. Both bought her peace of mind. "I am sorry if I have distracted you from something else though, Madara. All joking about lunch aside."

He found himself shaking his head, "I had no plans. I only came to the river thinking your brother would be there. He always seems to be there."

Saruyama laughed and played with the cord on the bamboo flask before looking at him honestly. "Home life can be hard, our father...he isn't always the kindest, and talking to him is hard. Hashirama and him clash, a lot. My second older brother is usually a buffer between the two, and my twin and I...it's cowardly to say, we try not to intervene in these moments. It scares me a little, seeing how angry my father can get over something Hashirama has said." Saruyama explained, staring off into the distance at nothing in particular. Madara had forgotten about his food and looked at her as she spoke quietly. "I think going to the river, and seeing you is respite for him. Something normal, and fun."

Madara couldn't say he had ever been classed as normal or fun before, but it wasn't like Hashirama didn't bring a similar to his life. "It seems like it's become your respite too." He couldn't help but state as he resumed eating again.

Saruyama leaned to the side and looked at him with a smile, "Is it yours as well?" Madara just shot her a look before finishing up his meal, Saruyama just laughed and decided she'd had enough and popped the lid back on. Bundling both boxes back up, Saruyama tied the cloth and Madara picked it up and simply hung it over his shoulder before she could get it herself. Saruyama smiled, she carried the flasks and held onto her fishing rod.

She followed Madara back down, she just had to trust him and that he wasn't going to lead them somewhere dangerous. She was always interested in exploring, not matter her own worrying fears of doing so. She walked behind Madara, looking at the taller boy and how casual he was by this. She did feel a bit bad, she felt iffy for possibly sharing Itama's friends, and here she was with Hashirama's. Saruyama found herself frowning, was she some sort of leech? Or was she just that unable and weirded out by meeting new people? That thought wouldn't work or else she would've tried with Itama's friends. So, what made Madara different? Saruyama's eyes widened, and she smiled when Madara looked over his shoulder at her questionably, he looked confused as to why she had suddenly gone silent. She seemed...well, she seemed to like to talk.

Saruyama skipped a step or two and appeared at his side, Madara adjusted the hold on the knot in his hand and looked down at her. With a smile, she swung the flasks in one hand and leaned her rod against her shoulder with the other. "Thank you."

A frown tugged at his eyebrows, Madara looked confused by her thanks. "I haven't done anything."

Saruyama disagreed with a quick shake of her head. "You could've still gone home, Madara. It might not mean a lot to you, that you stayed; but it does to me."

Madara remembered Hashirama saying how she struggled with people in her own clan, it didn't wholly surprise him to hear she had struggled with her twin's friends. He also easily recalled how Hashirama seemed ultimately forever concerned if Saruyama was on her own, because he clearly had seen some darkness lurking in her, that would make her grow distant, solemn even. Hashirama's depressive moods were usually bought about through jests, but Madara got the feeling that Saruyama's weren't, that there was an anxious depression in her, it would explain why there was an aura of sadness around her sometimes.

Madara couldn't cure that, he had no cure, but he could try and aid in lighting someone's mood, if he were able; even if most in his own clan would probably scoff at that idea, mainly because it was him. Saruyama had clearly come to see him as a friend, and as a friend who would he be to abandon her to her inner demons when she clearly didn't want to be alone.

"I had nothing else to do, I told you." Madara's voice didn't have its usual conviction, he was trying to be nonchalant, play it off as the norm that he was here with her, but the kind look Saruyama sent his way had him straightening up with a sigh.

"So, this spot you know...how far is it?" Saruyama decided to change the topic, she was curious, but also there was this silly awkward tension between them now.

"Not far at all." Madara was vague but honest, it wasn't far really, soon enough the sounds of rushing water could be heard. He looked down at Saruyama as her head tilted, she could hear the water cascading, and Madara flicked his dark eyes back to the clearing that was appearing. Much like with the cliff, when she first saw the sight from up there, Saruyama's reaction was one of surprise and awe as her eyes followed the wide river, it was clearly the one which travelled downwards towards the bank where they had met.

Stopping at the bank here, Madara put the small package down and placed his hands on his hips and breathed deeply. The air was crisp and fresh, there was a chill in the air too, just purely because of the churning water coming off the falls. Saruyama put the flasks down and stuck the end of her rod in amongst the rocks and pebbles here. Her wide red eyes just took in everything, it was beautiful, the large pooling water looked deep, the blue of it not too dissimilar to the blue of Madara's vest. The tree line didn't encroach too much, but everything looked so full of life from the nutrients from the water they fed off deep below the ground.

The waterfall itself had Saruyama just staring at it, it was just a myriad of blues and greens, the light from the sun whenever it came peeking from around the clouds, seemed to make the water shimmer and gleam. It almost seemed to glitter, the white foam which came from tumbling waves mesmerising in a way. Madara found himself slowly smiling, small wonders seemed to absolutely throw her through a loop, it was earnest amazement though, Saruyama was truly lost for words. He found himself feeling quite pleased he'd bought this to her life.

"I'm not sure about fishing, but I'd be quite happy to sit and watch the waterfall forever." Saruyama spoke up eventually, her voice quiet as she felt at peace here.

"Forever is a long time, Saruyama." Madara stated with a simple shrug, he watched as she slowly crouched down though, she wrapped her arms around her knees and with her chin resting on her knees, she smiled peacefully and watched the water, regardless of what he said.

"The alternative is so fleeting, and I don't want to think about that, Madara." Saruyama replied with a slow sad sounding sigh. Madara crouched onto his haunches and remembered their conversation about how slim adulthood could be for them.

"Forever it is then," Madara turned his attention to the water too, it was calming, he could understand why Saruyama seemed so at peace. He looked at her curiously when she let out a chuckle, "What is it?"

Saruyama ran a hand down her face and leaned her cheek against her palm. Her red eyes just looked at him, calmness seemed to just be flowing through her as her gaze seemed content too. "Have we suddenly got a secret place?"

Madara looked from the waterfall to her and then up at the sky. He found himself looking up a lot, it was easier to look up than be aware to her gaze and how it made him feel strange. Not bad strange, just...strange. "Sure, why not?"

"Don't sound so confused! You bought me here, Madara." Saruyama laughed and reached over to push his shoulder, he rocked in his crouched position and waved her hand away before ceasing that action, having caught sight of the bandages stopping at her wrist. Saruyama snatched her arm back as quickly as she could and looked around. "It's fine. It's getting better, should I say. I think that's half the reason my father has left me at home, with my brother. Take the stronger two...it's a front, I think."

Madara frowned, he could understand that, to a point. It was a front to put on, regardless of what the situation was truly like. "You're stronger than you think."

"You're meant to say that."

"Why am I?" Madara didn't get it.

Saruyama looked at him like he'd grown another head, "Because! When someone's sad you say something to cheer them up. That's literally what you do, anyone does it!"

"But I meant what I said. Do others? Or do they just humour? Because if so, what's the point of that? That's just...wasted effort." Madara frowned and ran a hand through his hair as he looked at her curiously.

"Don't socialise with many, do you?" Saruyama deadpanned looking and sounding as she just stared at him.

Madara found himself smirking despite of what she said, "Coming from you?"

"I have my reasons. What's yours?" Saruyama asked simply.

"I am stronger than most in my clan, even the adults." Madara said slowly, he patted his knees and stood slowly, Saruyama looked up at him as he just looked at the rushing water with his hands on his hips. "There is a wariness that comes from that, people naturally are afraid of those that are stronger, regardless of if they are your family, your friends." Madara spoke simply, honestly even as he heard the rustle of material and Saruyama's form popping up beside him. He couldn't lie, the Uchiha could be suspicious, he loved his clan, of course he did, but he had seen how they could be, as much as they covert the strong, there was also this wary hesitance, apprehension even with them. Madara was no different.

"I don't think you're so bad."

Madara found himself letting out a hollow chuckle, he looked at her with an incredulous look. She wasn't stupid, or in denial, but her words just had naivety to them. "You wouldn't say that if you knew some of the things I've done."

"I've killed people too."

Madara didn't quite like how simply she came out with it, but she was right. Hanging his head, Madara shut his eyes, only to snap them open and glare to the side when Saruyama's hand appeared on his hair; the slow patting was patronising, but it wasn't just that, there was something soothing about her fingers in his hair and Madara just continued to narrow his eyes at her, Saruyama just smiled, clearly not getting the hint to stop, even with Madara's contradicting feelings on the matter.

"You can be a bit grumpy at times, and loud; but I think there is kindness in you, Madara. There has to be, or else you wouldn't have stayed with me today. I am just your friend's sister, and yes, we are friends, or at least I think we are; but I don't think you're as bad as you may think yourself to be. We've all done bad, and had bad done to us in return, and that changes us all, it'll be stupid to think it didn't. You have to adapt to survive, but you can't completely change who you are at your core."

Madara listened to her, even lowkey curse how Hashirama like she was being before turning and looking at her fully. Saruyama turned and looked at him in return, his distant expression had her tilting her head curiously. "And you think you know who I am, at my core?"

Saruyama smiled, "No. But I'd like to spend whatever time we have, continuing to be friends. I might never know you as well as I think I do, but I don't think that wholly matters, because I quite like how you are anyway."

Madara opened his mouth to reply before looking down and shaking his head, there was that tugging feeling again, something felt off and he blinked quickly when he realised Saruyama had leaned down to appear in his line of sight. She smiled widely at him, Madara straightened up and she did the same. "You wanted to fish."

"Hm, I did. But I don't feel like it anymore..." Saruyama said, Madara sighed, she'd lugged her rod here for nothing then. With a grin, Saruyama tapped Madara on the shoulder, he looked confused by the sudden impact before noticing that she had darted off across the water. Her sandals made the slightest of slapping sounds against the surface as her loose legged grey coloured trousers moved with the motions of her legs jumping and running about. The larger top whipped about her as she turned on her heels, the white vest she wore underneath just made her seem paler than she actually was.

Madara got it, he had brothers, after all, nodding slowly and practically stalking across the surface of the water had Saruyama shifting with nervous tension before laughing and running off when Madara took off in a sprint suddenly. She was fast on her feet; she used her smaller size to her advantage to dodge and divert around him when she could. Madara caught her more often than not, but it didn't seem to deter Saruyama from turning on her heels and trying to catch up with him.

The game seemed fun enough until they felt the first patters of rain come, Saruyama shrugged off Tobirama's top and held it over her head as she ran to Madara's side and held it as high as she could without pulling her bandages to cover his head too. Madara took the material from her hands and took over shielding them as they walked back to the shore. The cloth covered bento boxes were getting wet, but the boxes would be sealed enough so no water would get in.

She managed to juggle everything while Madara kept them shielded from the rain, up until they reached the coverage of the trees and then he returned her top to her. She wrung water from it and knelt down, she inwardly apologised to Tobirama as she spread the top on the ground, popped the bento boxes on, and then tied the top around the cloth. She'd wash the top as soon as she got home, he'd still notice, but oh well! The flasks were basically empty by now and Saruyama did shove them in with the boxes too.

Hoisting the rod onto her back, she looked at Madara as droplets of water dripped off of his hair, they weren't completely safe from the sudden downpour. He nodded to the side and lead the way back, he didn't know if Hashirama was back yet or not, and because it had got dark because of the rain it was hard to tell the time. Madara couldn't remember how long they'd been childishly running about, but it was enough to have Saruyama letting out a yawn. She was still healing, so Madara wasn't surprised things still tired her out.

Madara stopping walking had Saruyama looking at him oddly, she looked at him odder still when he seemed to let out a conflicted sigh, a look of thoughtfulness flitted across his face as he turned and took the small package from Saruyama and then turned and leaned down. The look sent over his shoulder had Saruyama blanching as she realised what was going on. With an awkward laugh she walked over and jumped, Madara didn't want her brother having a possible whine if Saruyama was exhausted and laid out because of something he'd done. So, as Madara hoisted her onto his back, he realised how light she was, and felt her arms wrap around him loosely. Both of them felt slightly chilled by the rain, droplets from Madara's hair landed against Saruyama's arms as they hung around his shoulders. Droplets fell from her hair too, landing against his shoulders and neck every so often.

Madara would flinch a little from the cold water hitting his neck, he just didn't expect Saruyama's reaction to lean down and rest her head close to his. Madara tensed a little there as he continued walking, Saruyama shut her eyes, "I hope you don't catch a cold from this."

"I'm a lot stronger than that." Madara replied, looking sidelong at her as she tilted her head to see his face. Madara got a smile sent his way, and he just smirked in return.

"I'd feel bad if you did get ill because of me." Saruyama reworded what she truly meant.

"It wouldn't be because of you, unless you can control the weather and you did this on purpose. Did you, Saruyama?" Madara said casually before shooting a look her way.

She uncrossed one of her arms and waved her hand in the air to dispel that notion. "I've got zero water control, let alone the rain!" Saruyama said with a laugh, all truth, Tobirama seemed more in tune with water than her.

"See, not your fault then." Madara nodded surely and jumped up and over a log with her on his back, continuing on he looked at the cliff as it came into view and passed quickly enough. They were nearing the riverbank, the rain hardly hit them as they were under the cover of the trees. In truth by the time, they got to where they were a small while ago, it had all but fizzled out to nothing.

"Hello!" The pair looked away from each other when they heard a familiar voice, Hashirama had been here a little while, Itama had said Saruyama was at home; when he discovered she wasn't, he remembered Itama said something about fishing. Tobirama had gone to their usual spot only to not find her, Hashirama said he'd check the river where they usually went, luckily Tobirama and Itama stayed put, Butsama was meeting with the adults and was clueless Saruyama was nowhere in sight.

The last thing Hashirama was expecting though, was to see them two like this; or rather Madara carrying his sister on his back, Hashirama's first instinct was to worry, until he saw them both casually talking and quiet laughter every so often. Hashirama smiled slowly, he couldn't help it, there were many thoughts and feelings about what he was witnessing, but overall, he just couldn't help but smile.

"Had an eventful day, I take it?" Hashirama asked while watching Madara walk across the river to join him, when he got to the other bank, he leaned down and let Saruyama off. Straightening back up, Hashirama was receiving a nod from Madara, which would be as good as Hashirama got while Saruyama just gave more of an enthusiastic nod. "We've been looking for you."

"Sorry...I didn't mean to worry anyone."

Hashirama ruffled her damp hair and smiled, "All will be fine, no harm done!" He tilted his head and looked at the bundle in her hand, wincing he pointed a finger, "Better hide that."

"I was going to wash it as soon as I got in." Saruyama admitted shyly.

Hashirama inhaled and exhaled with relief, he nodded quickly and agreed that was for the best. Tobirama was tetchy, in general, and didn't exactly like people using his things without asking; regardless of the fact he was probably used to tops going missing and Saruyama being the culprit. "Good idea, why don't you head off and stop the other two from worrying." Hashirama nodded, Saruyama got the hint and smiled at him before bowing at Madara and sending him a quiet thank you as she ran off home.

Madara crossed his arms and shifted his weight, Hashirama was looking at him with a measured glance. Rolling a hand in the air, Madara went to turn around before Hashirama's hand stopped him as it landed against his shoulder. "She didn't want to be alone." Madara explained, watching Hashirama's hand move, Madara was being honest, that was clearly Saruyama's issue.

"I was actually going to thank you for looking after her, Madara. You're so quick to think the worst!" Hashirama laughed and shook his head, even his hair seemed a little damp, so he got caught in the rain somewhere.

Madara shrugged, "It wasn't all bad. But you're welcome, see you later." Madara said curtly while turning on his heels and waving over his shoulder. Home sounded good, to be surrounded by familiarity and comfort and try and ignore the knowing look Hashirama was sending his way. Madara was going to just shun the obvious that Hashirama was evidently hinting at. But Madara wasn't one for being in denial, he was more than aware that he had enjoyed her company, and he had enjoyed the day; he liked Saruyama regardless of the fact that their friendship had started by a mere fluke chance. But there was more to it, and Hashirama clearly sensed that as he looked at him knowingly, and Madara wasn't sure whether he was wholly prepared to come to terms with those feelings just yet, so maybe a little bit of denial wasn't all bad.