When the world was meant to be perhaps at its loudest, Saruyama found herself just surrounded by silence. A ringing was happening in her ears, her thoughts still buzzing about her head and her eyes languidly blinked. The ceiling hadn't changed above her, in fact the room she shared with her brothers hadn't changed either. But something just felt different inside. Maybe it was the easy acceptance Hashirama had towards this whole thing.

She sat up slowly, Hashirama could speak out passionately at times, he had done before even if their father shot him down. Maybe she was expecting him to kick up more of a fuss over this? He was going to lose Madara, Saruyama was certain it was a thought that Hashirama had had often. But this was it, this was literally it. After today, there would be no more meet ups, no more wistful innocent meetings full of inspirational thoughts and shared feelings.

Saruyama didn't know, she was sure inside Hashirama felt dreadful. But what could either of them do? They were all being directed down a path none of them could control. It was easier to go with the tide than fight against it. She stood up from her bedroll, she made it nice and tidy and left the room. Scratching her head, Saruyama wasn't even sure if things had gone to plan. Not that she remotely knew what the plan was.

Tobirama follow Hashirama and then report back to their father, then from there...Saruyama sucked in breath, she slipped her sandals on and left the house. Being inside wasn't helping her, looking up at the sky, she couldn't help but feel just a little betrayed; it was yet another sunny day, white fluffy clouds drifted by without a care and the sky was such a beautiful colour of blue. Frowning though, she tilted her head, she couldn't hear any birdsong. That was unusual considering the forestry around them was always so full of life.

Hearing her name, she turned and smiled softly. Satoko was waving her way, if this was the first time Saruyama had seen the girl, she'd think she was completely fine and hadn't previously been laid up healing. Honestly, she had made such a fast recovery, of course healers had helped here and there, but even still, Satoko looked fine. That wasn't to say there were no mental injuries, those would take time to heal, if they ever did.

Saruyama wasn't sure where her brother was, much like any big brother, Satoshi had stuck relatively close. Saruyama couldn't help but feel slightly more on edge, was Satoshi in the meeting her father was in? Satoshi was a little older than Hashirama, only by a year and a half or so, so he could've classed as being old enough to need to know whatever was happening there.

"What's with that face?" Satoko winced, her expression looking worriedly over Saruyama. Honestly, she had just spotted the girl standing staring up at the sky doing nothing, Satoko was bored and Saruyama didn't look like she was doing anything so she could help kill some boredom.

Saruyama opened her mouth, shut it and then just gestured a hand to the side. Satoko followed beside her as they just wandered through the compound. She didn't pressure the girl to talk, Satoko if anything looked worried something was actually wrong. Saruyama was suffering from a guilty conscience, nothing was going to heal that. "I just feel out of sorts. Earlier on I didn't feel well and can't say I feel much better now."

"Why aren't you resting?" Satoko asked the obvious question, if Saruyama was ill, there was no point her wandering about, she'd make herself worse.

"It isn't like that; my head and heart are conflicted."

"Boy troubles?" Satoko joked but seemed to perk up at that, like the prospect of a little gossip and girl talk was what would definitely get rid of her boredom. From the look on Saruyama's face, Satoko could tell she was off the mark, but only just. "It's got to be hard being surrounded by brothers," Satoko went on, she only had the one sibling, but Saruyama had been the only girl in amongst boys, she could get it if she had girl issues that it would be hard to find commonplace with them.

Saruyama laughed, she shouldn't have, but she did find the question amusing. "Tobirama is difficult, but Hashirama is easy to handle. It's just...I feel like they're at odds or will be."

"Have they argued?" Satoko could sympathise there if the girl beside her was now a buffer, that was hard, how to be impartial when she loved her brothers both so much.

"Something like that," Saruyama said, no, they hadn't. But Saruyama couldn't get out of her head how accepting Hashirama was of knowing Tobirama was out there on patrol, more so patrolling specifically for him and whatever it was he was doing. There was no malice in Hashirama of catching Saruyama's subtle hints and disguised words, he didn't blame Tobirama, or her for spilling the beans slightly when she did. He just accepted it all, so willingly. But her issue was Tobirama maybe making it more of an issue, him being his usual self that would make Hashirama snap.

Tobirama knew Hashirama was up to something at the river, he didn't trust him down there nor did he wholly trust the lies he'd say if asked. But Tobirama could have this habit, like a dog with a bone, to just keep goading until he got the answers he wanted. He would be fantastic at interrogations, and that was slightly horrifying to Saruyama. It just made it worse knowing that Tobirama would spy Hashirama with Madara and off he'd go straight to their father.

"They're brothers, brothers argue all the time, right? Times are hard right now, but things have to get worse before they get better." Satoko said, sounding rather wise despite of her young age. Saruyama stopped glaring at the ground and looked slowly up at her. Satoko and her lopsided smile just made her own lips slowly pull into a smile too.

As true as her words maybe, Saruyama couldn't help but think that regardless, Hashirama was very unlikely to be trusted as he once was. Like their father would most likely wind up treating him differently. She sniffed slowly and stuck her hands in her pockets, much like most times, she was wandering around in clothes which either came from Itama or Tobirama, the grey vest she wore was incredibly baggy on her and the dark hakama trousers had been tied around her waist a couple of times to just keep them on her waist.

Satoko looked around at people they passed before looking back at the mix-match haired girl beside her. "Can I ask you something?" Saruyama's eyebrows raised, Satoko didn't sound too certain with her words. But Saruyama nodded slowly, Satoko straightened out her kimono, a stunning deep purple with white accented flowers, it was simple but beautiful. Seems she also wasn't taking part in fighting at the moment, it seemed she was able to revert to being a child who loved to wear pretty clothes and feel just that; like a normal child.

Seeing as how all Saruyama did was nod, Satoko inhaled slowly and tilted her head ever so slightly to gauge and watched her from the corner of her eyes. "When Itama tried to bring you into our group, why did you leave?" It was something Satoko had always wondered, they weren't a bad bunch, and truth be told they were all a similar age to become a good tightly knit friend group. She never understood why Saruyama opted out.

Saruyama smiled sadly, "Because you were all my brother's friends. We have always shared things, ever since we were babies; we always shared a bedroll, obviously before his passing we had grown out of that. But clothes, training regime, how both of us were even treated within our own family. We have always shared. You were Itama's friends, and for once I wanted him to have something that we didn't have to share." Saruyama explained, it was how she felt, she missed out feeling a little awkward within the group. She never knew Itama had made such good friends, how she overlooked that detail, she didn't know but she would always feel bad about missing out on noticing little details about her brother. Let alone clearly having an innocently sweet thing with Satoko.

Satoko nodded at that, "Honestly, I thought it was something we did."

"Amaya is..."

"A lot," Satoko laughed, glad to see Saruyama was joking about this. Saruyama nodded though, she had thought Amaya indifferent, but she could definitely give the sense of ricocheting emotions and dispositions. "She means well."

Saruyama looked up at the sky and smiled slowly, "I remember her trying to talk to Tobirama."

"And failing," Satoko pointed out, Saruyama laughed. Her brother was a hard nut to crack, but he was a good person, he was just quite shut off emotionally. That wasn't to say he couldn't feel or show emotions, just he did so in his own way. "I think she likes him." Satoko said with a wry grin, the scar on her lip making the smile look more mischievous.

"No..." Saruyama's red eyes widened, and she looked at Satoko with a grimace. Satoko just gave a sure nod, she even looked sympathising. Saruyama looked sad too, she didn't want to say that poor Amaya was wasting her time, but Tobirama had never shown any inclination towards anyone, romantically, even with their young age even Hashirama had had fleeting little crushes here and there.

Saruyama remembers her oldest brother particularly gushing over a girl a few years back. As awful as it was, Saruyama couldn't remember her name. A particularly bad scuffle with some Hagoromo had given her a nasty and fatal wound, she died not long after returning her back to the compound. But Saruyama remembered how much Hashirama had gushed over the girl, how pretty she was, but he wasn't interested in her just because of that, he liked to make that clear, because he had trained with her a few times and come to enjoy her company, find her funny but also she was a tactical fighter and they learned a lot from each other.

Tobirama though, Saruyama sucked in a breath, stoic, silent, closed off Tobirama. Dedicated to his training, training her, looking out for his siblings when and where he can. Lover of fishing and trying to figure out new jutsu. He had always regarded people coolly, indifferently even, that as bad as it was to say, if she wasn't related to him, she doubted she'd manage to make friends with him. Tobirama, she loved him dearly, but he was hard work even for her, and she was his sister. Anyone else needed all the luck they could get to crack through those walls.

"I have to admit, I thought it was a little rude when you didn't want to try with us. But when I heard how you fought to get to Satoshi and me...maybe there's more Tobirama to you than I first thought. I have to say, I might be wanting to be your friend for my own selfish needs; you remind me a lot of Itama, it's like a link that I don't want to break. I know you're not him, but being friends with you would make me feel more at ease." Satoko said suddenly after they had lapsed into silence. Saruyama was too busy feeling sorry for Amaya if she did like her brother, she wasn't sure what was troubling Satoko's thoughts. But hearing her, she looked her way, Satoko looked a little ashamed of her admittance, but all Saruyama did was smile softly.

"In truth, I'm not the best at making friends. So, you're probably right, I take after Tobirama more than Hashirama, because he doesn't struggle. I don't think you're being selfish, wanting to hold onto a memory. There are things you can tell me about my brother that I don't know, and likewise the same, so that way, Itama never is gone, not really."

Satoko listened and looked quite happy by the end of Saruyama's words. "Friends then."

Saruyama grinned, "You're my first friend, that's a girl." Saruyama said honestly, Satoko just laughed at that, she clearly found the notion funny. But it also didn't surprise her, whenever Satoko saw Saruyama, she was usually with one of her brothers. She didn't think they kept her under lock and key, but rather they just had a great relationship and were content to just hang out with each other.

"Well, just you wait then, because Amaya is likely to latch on too." Satoko said with a nervous laugh, she didn't like being left out of things. There was a calming aura between Satoko and Saruyama, but Amaya was slightly static and chaotic energy, always wanting to do something.

Saruyama just widened her eyes, she didn't envision the day ending in her apparently getting two new friends. Even if a small part of her felt bad, like she was encroaching, stealing even what was her brother's. But then, Itama had so wanted to include her, wouldn't he be pleased that finally, even though the loss of his life, that his hope was happening?

One friendship was ending, had ended with Madara, there was no hope with that continuing, not to say she'd axe out all fondness she held for the spiky haired boy, but that chapter was closed, they'd clearly both see each other next time on a battlefield. So, it was only fair that with one chapter ended, another would start, Saruyama just never thought it would start with forging a friendship with her brother's girlfriend. If they were that, Saruyama was never actually sure.

"Say, were you and Itama dating?" Saruyama just turned and looked at Satoko, the instant reaction of the girl's cheeks going bright red and her brown eyes widening had Saruyama looking wide eyed and apologetic. She honestly didn't mean to put the girl on the spot. "I am so sorry!"

"Definitely more Tobirama than Hashirama, Saruyama! Seriously...you can't...no, you can't just come out with questions like that! I mean...well, what can I say?" Satoko was a blushing rambling mess, she did honestly think her blunt asking was more akin to her white-haired brother, Satoko made a mental note to perhaps watch out for more Tobirama traits. Putting her hands on her hot cheeks, she looked at Saruyama who did look very apologetic.

"I know he liked you, and you clearly liked him so..." Saruyama gestured a hand about, she hummed lowly, she had just made this awkward and she felt bad. "I am sorry for asking."

"It's fine, it's only natural I suppose. I guess we were figuring it out, you know?" Satoko said, it was a very diplomatic answer, despite the fact the pair of them were barely reaching their teens. Thinking of her earlier musings, Satoko rolled her eyes and looked smugly at Saruyama, "How about you, hm?"

Saruyama raised an eyebrow, with a slow sigh she glanced at her new friend. "Yeah, I think there was someone, but he is far away from me."

"Oh, I'm sorry," Satoko looked pained, Saruyama was guessing she presumed she meant death had happened. Saruyama wasn't going to correct her, best that way, other than the fact that she did have a slight crush on Madara, the boy knew it too and seemed in a small way to return that even though it caused conflict to both.

Madara was as unattainable as the moon, Saruyama could reach and reach to grasp onto the moon, but she'd never get a hold of it; it was the same here, Madara was the moon, she could reach and reach, but he was just too far away from her now. Saruyama waved a hand dismissively, this was a topic she felt unsettled by. "We've all got used to pain and loss, but it's fine."

Satoko reached up and placed a hand on Saruyama's shoulder, the pair lapsed into silence then. "You know what you were saying earlier? If your brothers are at odds, maybe there is a way for you to soften any blows that'll be coming. That isn't to say I think they'll fight each other! Just...maybe there's something you can do?"

Saruyama looked at Satoko for a few moments before looking down at the ground, her eyes skimmed over grassy shoots protruding from between the dirt and gravel. As far as deterring Tobirama from overseeing Hashirama and Madara, Saruyama couldn't do anything. Looking at Satoko suddenly, Saruyama paused walking and held her hands up. "I need to go."

"I did wonder how long it'd take you. Go," Satoko nodded and laughed gently. She was walking beside her, almost hearing the gears turning in Saruyama's mind before it clicked that she needed to find one of her brothers, or both. Of course, Satoko had no clue what this conflict was, and Saruyama wasn't going to tell her, but she smiled apologetically and darted off.

It wasn't hard to leap and bound over rooftops within the compound before jumping over the fence which kept them all enclosed. Saruyama landed in a tree and looked to the side, narrowing her eyes, she had zero hope of really locating Tobirama, he was a master of keeping himself undetectable. But she knew where he'd be, there wasn't a chance she'd go down and say hello to the two boys, but she'd scope out just what was what, especially if conversations were said and misconstrued and Tobirama would rely wrong information back to their father.

Leaping and climbing, she stayed in the trees, by some small chance she might catch a glimpse of Tobirama, unlikely but she never knew. The sounds of the river soon reached her ears, she slid down a trunk and landed lightly in a thick bough. She was hidden within foliage, but she could easily see the two boys down by the river, they were sitting there and talking. She couldn't hear what they were saying, not without creeping closer.

Inhaling slowly, her eyes scoured around, no sense of Tobirama, but Saruyama slowly frowned. The aura of both Hashirama and Madara was familiar, one was full of warmth whereas the other was a little cooler, but there were others Saruyama was sensing that had her hands fisting against the bark below her hands. They weren't alone, there were others, perhaps doing the same as what herself and her brother were doing. The rustle of leaves in the breeze totally hid the silent approach of Tobirama until he landed in the branch above her.

He narrowed his eyes down at her, Saruyama just glanced at him before looking forwards. Tobirama was quick, he easily pieced together that if Hashirama was meeting Madara, that Saruyama had too. Tobirama was also more blatant, he could spot a Uchiha from a mile off. Hashirama and Saruyama played ignorant because they enjoyed the boy's company. But Madara to Tobirama, was an enemy, and that enemy was currently lounging about with his brother, casual as anything.

Holding up two fingers, Saruyama directed them to the other side of the river. Tobirama nodded his head, he knew, his red eyes stared across the water. He held up a hand, raising a finger he circled it before pointing downwards. Saruyama frowned at that, the two across the river hadn't come over, but they had circled the area over there, scoping out just what was happening.

She pointed at him, Tobirama nodded again, he had scoped out this side of the river and found nothing. But also, the two across the way had been here as long as he had, Saruyama looked forwards, this could turn dangerous, but it seemed like both sets of watchers weren't moving, they were here to just watch. Biting her lip, Saruyama looked back down at the boys, Hashirama was laughing over something whereas Madara looked deadpanned, even though he did glance over his shoulder and narrow his dark eyes in her direction.

Saruyama sighed softly and looked at Tobirama, he was crouching with a severe look on his face. Hashirama was ignorant to them being here, he'd always been the worst at tracking and sensing, the dark haired boy with him though, Tobirama didn't know his abilities but it seemed like he knew they were all here, nothing untoward was going to happen, and the boy would just play ignorant despite knowing they were being watched. It wasn't Tobirama which the boy had stared over at though, which caused him to shoot a look Saruyama's way, she just looked blankly back at him.

She'd hold her hands up to everything, not ashamed in the slightest despite of the danger, excuse her for wanting to get to know someone new. But she could see that Tobirama's displeasure mainly settled with Hashirama, blaming their brother for being foolish enough to endanger her in this, whatever it was, just didn't sit with Tobirama at all. Unfortunately, despite of wanting to do something, even prompted by Satoko, all Saruyama could do was sit and dwell over the meeting which was clearly going to happen later on with their father.