Seconds slowly ticked by to minutes and minutes turned to hours.  Madara did whatever he could to keep calm, ranging from tapping his foot on the floor to training with Izuna and studying different scrolls.  It was a miracle he had made it this far, but his patience had at last worn thin.  Stomping to his private infirmary with Izuna trailing behind him, anger radiated off of him as Izuna nervously rubbed the back of his head.  He arrived at his destination and was getting ready to break the door down when it opened to reveal Asuna.

A smile graced the Uchiha woman's lips.  "Lord Madara, you're just in time, Lady Hikari will awaken any minute," she enthusiastically reported.  Izuna sighed in relief when Madara rushed to Hikari's bedside, gently holding her hand in his overly large one.

Asuna left the two brothers alone, but Izuna sent a wink her way that caused a blush to surface before she left the room.  Madara caught that in the corner of his eye and smirked.  "Really, big brother, you act as if Hikari will disappear," Izuna teased.  The older of the two shrugged.

"And I'm sure you'd do the same around Asuna," he teasingly retorted, earning an embarrassed glare from his little brother.

"That's different!" he tried to argue, but was immediately shushed when Hikari stirred in her sleep.

To say he was nervous would be an understatement...he was inwardly panicking.  What if this didn't work?  What if she never was able to see again?  How would she properly be a shinobi?  He growled inaudibly.  'Shake these pessimistic thoughts away!  She will see again and continue being a fantastic shinobi!'  He took a deep breath and exhaled heavily.

Izuna noticed his brother's change in behavior quickly.  Placing a hand on Madara's shoulder, he smiled reassuringly.  This did little to help Madara, but he acted as though it did in the hopes of making Izuna feel like he was helping.

Hikari stirred once again, immediately catching Madara's attention.  He scooted closer to the bed.  The moment of truth had finally come.  She slowly lifted her eyelids, blinking furiously for a few moments.  When she finally opened her eyes and turned her head to Madara, her eyes watered.  His eyes widened before closing in anger.  No, it didn't work!

"Madara," she called.  He furrowed his brows and opened his eyes, tears pricking his eyes.  He hadn't cried in front of someone ever, even as a baby or when a brother died, so this shocked him greatly.  Hikari smiled and wiped a tear away.  "Did you honestly think it didn't work?" she questioned, tears of joy flowing freely.

Madara blinked a few times before pulling her into his strong, warm embrace.  She could see again...he almost couldn't believe it.  Hikari soaked his shirt with her happy tears as she returned his embrace.

Izuna had already left the couple to be alone and to find Asuna.  He was going to thank her profusely for his brother--maybe even finally confess.

Pulling away just slightly, Hikari looked deeply into his eyes as she memorized every one of his features.  Who knows what might happen in the future.
------------------------------------------
"You made it safely!  How's Hikari?  Are you two doing alright?  When's the ceremony!?"

"Hashirama!" Madara yelled, "one question at a time, we just got here!"  Hashirama nervously chuckled and lead his visitors to a comfortable meeting room.  Madara held Hikari by her waist as she tried to readjust to seeing once again.

The two lovers sat together on the floor cushions as Hashirama sat down one across from them.  A nice brown coffee table stood between the clan leaders with three steaming teacups gently placed before them.  It looked as if Hashirama was urging them to speak first about Hikari's condition.

"Well?  I was up for more than half the night as I worried, what happened to Hikari?" he finally inquired.  The female in the group nervously rubbed the back of her head.

"I, um, lost my sight.  But don't worry, I've regained it thanks to one of the Uchiha clan's healers," she explained, only giving vague details on what had actually happened.  Hashirama held a hand over his heart in relief, smiling kindly.

"That's reassuring to know.  Now then, Madara, Hikari, we should get down to business."

"Before we do," Madara interjected, "I wish to personally invite you and your clan to our wedding that will take place in one week."  Hashirama bounced around the room in joy before returning to his spot with a serious expression.

"I'm delighted that you wish for my clan to attend.  Now then, the peace treaty must be created and signed by the leader of all three clans.  This village will finally allow for children to be children instead of sacrificing themselves in war," he explained.

It took quite a few hours, some refills on tea, and compromises, but the peace treaty had finally been written and signed.  An alliance between the three clans was also officially formed.  It was decided that work on building the village would take place two days after the wedding in the hopes of giving the couple somewhat enough time to be alone.

When leaving the Senju compound, Hashirama gave them a little figurine of the two of them dancing as an early wedding gift, but promised more would be there at the wedding.  Madara thanked him and left with Hikari.

When they arrived at the Karoshi compound, cheers sounded in the air in celebration of the peace treaty and wedding.  Hikari chuckled and stifled a yawn.  When Madara noticed this, he quickly picked her up bridal style and took her to her room, laying her on the large bed.

He brushed a strand of hair behind her ear and gazed deeply into her eyes.  What he wouldn't give to have her all to himself right now.  He wished to hear her deep breathing as she slept by his side, to hold her in his arms every night.  The wait would be absolute torture, but well worth it.  "Good night, I will see you tomorrow," he whispered in her ear.  Hikari hummed sleepily and drifted off, a smile on her lips.  Madara gave one of his rare smiles as he looked at her, then kissed her forehead and left for his home.