"So, I still wanted to apologize." Mito murmured after explaining what happened. ''It was wrong of me.''

Asami blinked her eyes in unbelief. If what Mito said was really true, Madara would have stood up for her. Asami found it hard to believe that the Uchiha stood up for someone he barely knew. I it went according to how Mito had described it to her, it was more realistic to assume that he did it to taunt Tobirama.

''Asami?''

The younger Uzumaki snapped out of her thoughts and looked at Mito, seeing sincere guilt in her dark eyes, while she usually tended to hide most of her emotions.

Asami actually wanted to tell her how much it bothered her to be treated as if her opinion didn't matter. She wasn't even given a chance to speak but she didn't feel like making a big deal out of it. She didn't want others to think she was overexaggerating. "It doesn't matter anymore.'' She spoke, the corners of her mouth forcibly curling up into smile, one that was supposed to look reassuring. If it really did look like that, Asami didn't know. ''I forgive you.'' Asami glanced at her sister once more before looking past her. ''I still have a few things to tend to. I'll see you tonight at dinner.''

And with that, she left the room. Asami felt bad, while she wasn't the one who was supposed to feel anything like guilt in this situation. Not even giving her sister a chance to reply was pretty mean, but Asami felt like she might say some nasty things if she didn't leave the room. Mito invited her here, but Asami got the feeling that she was unwanted. Both of the sisters were working to improve their relationship, but that didn't go without difficulties. Sometimes they both doubted if the other was even trying, and sometimes both of them were trying too hard.

Sighing, Asami walked through the hallway, headed to the front door. Once again, she felt like leaving the Senju residence.

While it was a big house with spacious rooms, it felt suffocating to Asami.

All because of the people who lived in it.

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

Asami rolled the message she had written before on thin light paper into a small tube attached to her falcon's leg. She stroke her summoning's feathers gently before letting it fly into the sky. Asami pursed her lips and stood up, not tearing her gaze away from the bird until it was out of sight.

''Sending a message?"

Asami jumped, giving a gasp of surprise as she turned around the face the owner of the voice. Her eyes connected with the black ones of the leader of the Uchiha clan. ''Uchiha-san, you startled me.'' She breathed, trying to slow down her fast heart rate.

Madara took a few steps closer. ''As a shinobi, you should have noticed me.''

Asami heaved a sigh, smiling softly as she glanced at the sky. ''I was deeply in thought.'' She murmured. ''I was indeed sending a message. To a friend in Uzushiogakure.'' She looked back to Madara. ''And what brings you here, Uchiha-san?''

Madara watches her pick up the scroll she used for the summoning. ''I just sent Keiji to Iwagakure.''

Asami turned her head to the side. They were indeed close to the gate. ''What for, if I may ask?''

Asami did not want to pry, but she considered Keiji her friend and was curious for the reason he was sent to Iwa.

Madara answered. ''To see if they're willing to negotiate.''

Asami felt reassured knowing the meaning behind Keiji's trip to the Land of Earth and hoped he'd return safely. He was the only in Konoha Asami felt comfortable talking to.

''I'll be heading back to my compound.'' Madara suddenly announced, and he turned around and started walking away.

Asami watched his back, his behaviour reminding her of her own when she abruptly left after Mito had apologized to her. Asami eyes widened in realization as she thought back of her conversation with her sister, and she called out to the black-haired male before he got out of sight. ''Wait, Uchiha-san!'' And she quickly caught up to him.

Madara stopped in his tracks, looking over his shoulder as the Uzumaki neared him. ''What is it?" He spoke curtly.

His tone made Asami hesitate, but she quickly pushed her doubts aside. She wanted to say it, even if he didn't want to hear it.

''I want to thank you.'' Asami spoke softly. She was genuinely grateful for what he said at the meeting after she left, no matter what reason he had for those words.

Madara frowned and turned around, his eyes narrowed as he tried to recall what he did to earn her gratitude. He couldn't think of anything. ''For what?'' He questioned.

A small smile formed on Asami's lips. ''For standing up for me after the meeting.'' She replied, and chuckled when she saw Madara's eyebrows furrow even more in puzzlement. ''Mito told me about it, and she apologized to me.''

Madara opened his mouth, intending to tell her the reasons behind his actions. He didn't want her to misunderstand and be grateful for something he used in order to provoke Tobirama. But before the Uchiha could speak, Asami continued. She also didn't want him to misunderstand, for she knew what the purpose was behind his words when he talked to the silver-haired Senju. ''I know you didn't do it for me.'' Asami murmured, her smile fading slowly. ''Yet I'm still thankful for making Mito realize she was in the wrong.''

Madara pressed his lips together. He still thought it was misplaced gratitude, but decided not to tell her that. ''What about Tobirama?'' He asked instead. Madara's aim was to taunt Tobirama, not Mito.

Asami shrugged. ''I haven't seen him since then.''

''You shouldn't expect an apology from him.''

Asami sighed, not knowing that her next words actually gratified the Uchiha. ''I'm not expecting anything from him.''