''Something's been on my mind for a few days now.'' Keiji started, as he poured the Uzumaki a cup of cinnamon tea. ''It's a personal question, so I'm not sure if you want to answer it.''

A frown settled on Asami's face. She somehow got a bad feeling about it. ''What is it you'd like to know?''

Keiji clearly hesitated before speaking. ''Uhm, did something happen between Mito and you?'' Keiji asked slowly but curiously as he put the teapot away. ''You two seem a bit.. awkward around each other.''

Asami sighed and wrapped her hands around the warm cup as her stomach turned. ''It's fine.'' She spoke softly. ''I don't mind telling you, but I don't want you to think bad of me..''

Keiji sat down at the opposite side of the table and took his empty cup into his hands. ''It's in the past, I'm sure it won't change my opinion of the current you.'' He didn't want to pry, but he also didn't want to keep wondering. Only her story would stop him from jumping to conclusions.

It's been a week since Asami's arrival and she's been spending a lot of time with Keiji. They talked about themselves sometimes, but this time Keiji thought it might be a sensitive topic to the Uzumaki.

Asami sighed, feeling guilt bubble up inside her, but there was also a sense of relief. Sharing the story had always made her feel better. ''I'm the one who caused the uncomfortable atmosphere with my stubbornness.'' Asami started, lowering her gaze to her lap. She had always found it hard to look people in the eye when talking about this topic, though talking about it wasn't a problem for her.

Keiji blinked, confused by her reply. ''..Stubborness?'' He repeated her slowly. ''I don't think you're stubborn at all, Asami-san. You're a very polite and forbearing woman.'' He spoke, leaning back into the wooden chair. ''You can't imagine you being stubborn.''

A soft smile appeared on the Uzumaki's face and she laughed quietly, turning her gaze back to the Uchiha. ''I've grown a bit, and I'd like to stay on everyone's good side here.'' She chuckled, but her laughter soon faded. ''But I used to a huge selfish brat. I do not regret the decisions I have made though.''

Keiji raised his eyebrows. ''You? A brat?'' He asked with an unbelieving look on his face as he filled his own cup with black coffee. ''I can hardly imagine that.''

Wrapping her hands tighter around the cup, Asami let out a sigh. She shouldn't drag the story out. ''Anyway, I was really conceited when I was a child. As the youngest, I didn't have as many responsibilities as Mito, so I always did whatever I wanted.'' Asami spoke, taking a quick sip from her drink. ''Mito was often busy with her duties, so our bond never really grew strong.''

Asami had the tendency to bottle her feelings up, so telling Keiji her story relieved stress. It made her feel better, even though she didn't know him very well yet. She'd been in Konoha for a week now, and frustration had been building up every time she couldn't hold a proper conversation with her sister. That frustration was lessening now, simply because she was telling Keiji her story.

''As we grew older, Mito matured while I stayed the same. Instead of taking responsibilities, I ran from them.'' Asami spoke, grimacing slightly. ''Mito always tried to push me in the right direction. If only I realised that earlier.''

Keiji took a sip of his coffee, listening to the Uzumaki as she kept talking. He found it hard to imagine her immature and irresponsible as a child.

Asami sighed once again and placed the cup down on the table and put her hands on her lap, gripping the fabric of her kimono. "Let's just say that my parents grew ashamed of me as I brought shame to my family's name.'' She sighed, getting straight to the point. ''But it was only after I refused to fight with along with my clan any longer that they decided to disown me.''

Keiji choked on his coffee and started coughing. Asami fiddled with the fabric of her kimono, patiently waiting until Keiji had recovered. She tried her hardest to hide her amusement as she found his reaction quite funny, while there was nothing to laugh about considering the situation. Asami did not find it difficult to talk about what happened, nor did she find it embarrassing. She was able to live the life she wanted to live because of it, so there weren't any regrets either. She only regretted hurting her family.

''W-Why would you not fight with your clan?'' Keiji stuttered, still coughing to clear his throat.

''I was too cowardly.'' Asami replied. ''The thought of dying in the war kept me awake at night. I always used to hide in my home before each war, and I never learned to block out this fear during fights. Even now, that's still my biggest fear.'' She spoke softly. ''When I was older I came to understand that we all risked our lives for the interests of the highest bidder. I decided to stop fighting. Money wasn't worth it for me, I decided that my life wasn't for sale. I abandoned my clan and I was disowned because of my disloyalty.''

Keiji was speechless. As someone who has always been loyal to his clan, he couldn't imagine leaving his companions behind to get to safety himself. The war was the cause of the loss of many loved ones, uncountable sleepless nights and, injuries with daily reminders of what happened and for some people even anxiety, but he still wouldn't have run away. Maybe it was because of his position in the Uchiha clan and his incredible strong sense of duty to fulfil his responsibilities, though.

He tried not to judge Asami, since did not know much about her circumstances. Her upbringing might have caused her to not feel strongly connected to her family and thus not to her duty to fight along them and protect them despite her fear of dying.

''You're not the first one to react like that, Keiji-san.'' Asami spoke. Keiji clearly saw the hurt in her eyes, but the small smile that formed on her lips was still genuine. ''I understand what you're thinking, but please don't be afraid to voice your thoughts. If you want me to leave, I'll go.''

Keiji didn't regret saying 'It's in the past, I'm sure it won't change my opinion of the current you', he only regretted not being able to keep that promise. He was still fond of the Uzumaki and would like to stay friends, but he'd definitely look differently at her from now on.

She was still the same warmhearted person so he tried not to let that part of her past change his opinion of the current Asami too much. For Keiji, it was his clan and family that gave meaning to his life. He was now curious to know what gave meaning to Asami's life. He wanted to know more about her so he could understand her better.

''..To be honest I don't know what to say about that.'' Keiji murmured. ''I think our upbringings were too different for me to make a fair judgement, so I won't. Instead, I hope that you'll stay so we can get to know each other better.''

Asami's smile widened, and the hurt in her eyes was replaced by happiness. ''Thank you, Keiji-san.'' She said, her voice quivering. ''You have no idea how much that means to me.''

The Uchiha and the Uzumaki spoke to each other for an hour more, telling stories about themselves. As Keiji mentioned his wife and son a lot, Asami mostly spoke about her time away from the clan, about the people she had gotten to know and the places she had visited.

The conversation came to a sudden halt when the both of them heard the front door open. Keiji excused himself and stood up. Asami watched him curiously as he made his way to the hallway.

Asami bit on the inside of her cheek when she heard Madara's voice. She suddenly felt as if she was intruding, even though Keiji had invited her here. Slowly, she gathered her personal belongings before standing up as well.

''You're leaving, Asami-san?''

Keiji stood in the doorway, his superior right behind him.

''Thank you for your time and hospitality, Keiji-san, but it's getting late.'' Asami murmured. ''The tea was delicious. I hope we can talk like this again sometime soon, but I'm going to take my leave now.''

Keiji smiled. ''There is no need to thank me, Asami-san.'' He grinned happily. ''I'm glad I invited you. Next time, I'll introduce you to my family.''

Asami returned his smile and nodded. ''I'd love that.'' She spoke. Then she turned to the other Uchiha. ''Hello, Uchiha-san, please excuse the intrusion.''

''Don't mind it.'' He replied.

''Should I walk you home, Asami-san?'' Keiji asked. ''It's already dark outside.''

Asami wanted to politely decline, but Madara spoke first. ''Hashirama has gathered a few people to talk about the progress of Konoha's expansion. I believe that Asami is currently residing at the Senju compound, no?'' Madara looked at the Uzumaki, who silently nodded yes. 

"We need to go there as well.''