The walk to the Senju compound was a silent one. Only a few words were spoken. Unlike usual, this silence wasn't an uncomfortable one or an unbearable one. Asami didn't feel the urge to say something, nor did she feel the need to run away to escape the soundlessness which was sometimes unendurable to her in certain situations.

Walking between two people she barely knew never felt this enjoyable before, or maybe the lack of familiarness between them was the reason for that, though Asami didn't think that this feeling of comfort would change even if she got to know the two Uchiha better. Keiji already knew more about her now, but she'd probably never tell her story to Madara. Mito's disowned sister and a clan leader... Asami couldn't really imagine befriending the long-haired Uchiha, though he did seem like a kind person.

Madara looked at the Uzumaki from the corners of his eyes. When he went to the main house to get Keiji, he did not expect to see her there. He also needed a moment to recognize her. Madara hadn't seen Asami since that night when he first met her in front of the dango stall. She looked entirely different back then, wearing decorated clothes and a few layers of makeup. Asami also seemed uneasy at that time, while she looked far more comfortable now.

He wondered.. was her unease caused by her appearance, by who accompanied her that night, or both? He knew about her. Hashirama and Mito talked about her a few times and her disownment was also mentioned now and then. He didn't expect to see the two sisters together so quickly after Asami's arrival because of what he had heard from Mito. It was obvious that their relationship was not good. Even someone who's unaware of their past would notice the discomfort.

Keiji opened the door to the Senju main house, and held the door open for Madara, who did the same for Asami. The Uzumaki murmured a quick thank you and entered the house as well.

The three of them reached the dining room, which was apparently also used for holding meetings, and came to a halt.

''Thank you for walking me here, Uchiha-san, Keiji-san, even though you also had to be here.'' Asami spoke. ''I'll see you arou-'' She couldn't finish her sentence, as the playful Hashirama interrupted her upon seeing her. ''Ah, Asami!'' He Senju said with a smile. ''I was already wondering where you were.''

''I was away from the compound for a bit.'' Asami spoke quietly, returning his smile.

''Maybe you are already aware of it, but we're going to hold a meeting about Konoha's expansion.'' Hashirama said. ''Would you like to join as well, Asami?''

The Uzumaki frowned. ''Me?'' She asked slowly. ''I'm not a citizen of Konoha, Hashirama-san. Why would you want me to attend a meeting that's about a village I barely know anything about?''

She wondered if she was being rude, asking him that like this, but she simply wanted to know the answer to her question. She was confused after all, and also unwilling. She'd much rather retire to her chamber, but didn't show that on her face.

Hashirama grinned, giving Asami's back a gentle pat. ''That's exactly why.'' He said. ''I'd like to hear the opinion of a non-citizen of Konoha. I assume you look at this matter differently than us. Also, this is an informal meeting, don't be afraid to join.''

Asami pursed her lips. ''Isn't it only about the expansion of Konoha?'' She questioned. ''What would I have to say about that?'' This was her last attempt to gracefully escape. She couldn't say no to his face and walk away, she needed him to let her leave.

But Hashirama simply laughed. Hashirama laughed. ''Mainly the expansion, but we'll also cover different matters.'' He replied. ''You're not forced to attend, but I'd like you to come.''

This was her chance to decline, but she couldn't, not after Hashirama had said that he wanted her there. Asami was a bit nervous. She had never attended a meeting before, even though this one was just an informal one. Asami didn't think she'd add something of value to the conversation. What was she even supposed to say?  Mito always went since she was the oldest.

For some reason, she looked at Madara and Keiji for a moment, as if she was asking them for help, but the two Uchiha remained silent, also waiting for an answer. Asami turned back to her future brother-in-law.

She'd rather decline, but disappointing Hashirama was something she didn't want to do.

The Uzumaki sighed. ''Alright then.''

.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.

Asami closed her mouth once again, interrupted for the fourth time ever since the meeting started half an hour ago. She was really trying to join in the conversation, voice her opinion, just like Hashirama asked her to, but it just didn't work.

Maybe it was because she spoke too softly and no one noticed or heard her trying to say something. It was also possible that the people at this table, which were mainly clan leaders, advisors and other people with high functions, just weren't interested in listening to an outsider's thoughts.

Unlike the everyone in this room, she was the only non-citizen of Konoha.

What kind of engrossing things would she have to say? Unfamiliar with the village and its affairs, what could she possibly say that'd be valuable to this meeting?

Despite all that, Asami still tried, but to no avail.

The Uzumaki knew very well that Tobirama, who sat next to her, heard her clearly. She didn't expect him to speak up for her and let her talk, but she still secretly hoped that he would. Her dislike for him grew with every second he ignored her.

After trying several times, there wasn't much left of her confidence. Asami didn't dare to open her mouth again, afraid it would only annoy the people. She had noticed Sarutobi Hiroaki frowning at her a few times, as if he was trying to guess why she was here.

And to be honest, Asami didn't even know a legit reason for her presence.

Just because Hashirama wanted her to? She could have said no, but she was too much of a coward.

Clenching her jaw, her eyes accidentally met the dark ones of Keiji. The Uchiha advisor must have noticed her growing discomfort, and sent her a reassuring smile, nodding his head at the clock at the wall.

Asami knew what he meant; it wouldn't be long anymore before this gathering would be over and she could go.

Her gaze moved down and fell on the leader of the Uchiha clan. Madara simply stared at the paper in front of him as he listened to Hashirama, who was currently speaking. He had said quite a lot in this meeting, at least more than what Asami expected, which surprised her. To her, Madara seemed a man of few words, but he had shared many of his thoughts on the subject.

Asami should have known, that as a co-founder of Konoha and a clan leader, Madara had to communicate a lot.

A frown settled on her face when she noticed the people sitting next to him shifting uncomfortably, shooting quick glances at the Uchiha, almost as if they were afraid of him.

Asami also thought that Madara seemed pretty intimidating. He was a tall man, known for his great strength and incredible power. He often wore an indifferent expression, but Asami assumed that he didn't really feel that way.

After all, he treated her normally. She knew that even though he may look unfriendly, he was kind. His voice was deep, but not cold. Just like his eyes were dark, but still held warmth. From his appearance, people probably often misjudged him.

Just like people often misjudged her.

  .~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.  

''Has Asami already left?'' Hashirama asked as he looked around the room, but the Uzumaki he was looking for was nowhere to be seen. ''I still wanted to ask her something regarding the subject of the meeting.''

Mito raised her eyebrows in surprise. ''You were the one who invited her?'' She asked curiously.

Hashirama nodded, pressing his lips into a thin line. ''I wanted to know her thoughts on this, and I also intended to involve her more in Konoha's affairs since she's going to become family soon. I thought that it'd good for her to be informed about what's going to happen.''

''Asami is only here for a short period of time, Hashirama.'' Mito spoke, looking at the doorway, hoping to see her younger sister stand there, but unfortunately, she really seemed to have left already. ''I knew you meant well, but I don't think Asami is really interested in Konoha.''

Hashirama sighed, scratching the back of his head. ''Maybe you're right.'' He murmured. ''I still wanted to know her opinion on this matter though. Since she doesn't live here, she probably has a different impression of Konoha. I was curious about her views on this. I asked her to.''

''She didn't say anything throughout the whole assembly though.'' Tobirama muttered, wanting to put an end to this conversation. ''You can ask her tomorrow.''

Madara looked at the Senju brothers and Mito from the corners of his eyes. He had been listening to their conversation while going through a few documents with Keiji from the opposite side of the table. When he saw his chance to humiliate the killer of his younger brother, he took it. ''You say that now, Tobirama, but you know that Asami tried to say something a few times.'' Madara spoke up as he leaned back into his chair, not taking his eyes off the document as he knew that'd only annoy the silver-haired Senju more. ''You even interrupted her once on purpose.''

Madara had also noticed Asami's futile attempts to speak up, just like Tobirama, and decided to use this now. The Uchiha barely knew the youngest Uzumaki in this compound, but he still defended her. He wasn't doing it for her, as rude as that may sound, but Madara wanted to rile Tobirama up. To say he strongly disliked him was an understatement.

Madara loathed Tobirama.

They were 'comrades' now, allies. But instead of shaking hands with Hashirama's brother, Madara rather crossed swords with him, piercing him with his blade while doing so.

That was what he deserved for killing Izuna.

''She should just have spoken louder if she really wanted to say something.'' Tobirama retorted irritably, annoyed at Madara's comment.

''You could have helped her, Tobirama.'' Mito said softly. ''You sat next to her.''

Madara snorted. ''You're just as guilty, Mito.'' He uttered, looking back at the documents when Keiji asked him something about them. ''You noticed Asami's struggle very well, yet you didn't do anything as well.''

Madara looked up from the papers when he didn't hear a reaction, a somewhat complacent look in his dark eyes, which faded slightly once he saw the remorse clearly visible on Mito's face.

Sighing, he stood up from his chair and handed Keiji the documents. Provoking Tobirama was his intention, not making Mito nearly cry. Clicking his tongue, he walked around the table, Keiji close behind him. ''We all know what's it like to lose a family member.'' He continued. ''May that be a parent, a brother.'' Madara stopped just at the door, turning his head to gaze at Tobirama, Mito and Hashirama. The latter had been surprisingly quiet ever since Madara had started talking.

Madara narrowed his eyes. He felt annoyed. What he was going to say now was a pretext; an excuse for his rude remarks, which were originally meant to irk the youngest Senju. He didn't care what the friction between Tobirama, Mito and Asami was about, but he needed to pretend in order to avoid any unwished arguments. ''You shouldn't ignore her. You lost her once after her disownment, but you may lose her again.'' Madara grunted. ''Death isn't the only way to lose family after all.''

And with that, he left the room.