Madara stayed by her side throughout the night, giving her the best advice he could. She was thankful for the Uchiha man and as she drifted off to sleep, she hoped he would be there whenever morning came.

She woke the next morning to an empty bed. She felt sadness before the smell of coffee wafted across her nose. She slipped out of bed and padded quietly into the kitchen where Madara was making them a simple breakfast. Her jaw fell open at this scene as she thought, Madara Uchiha is making me... breakfast? Surely this is a dream.

Madara turned with two plates in his hand and gave her a pleasant smile. "Good morning, Sen."

"Uhh, good morning... Madara," she said in slight apprehension.

"Everything okay?"

Sen nodded as she joined him at the table. "Just an unexpected morning."

He cocked his head and gave a smirk, "You didn't think I was capable of making breakfast? Or was it that you didn't think I would stick around to?"

Her cheeks flushed red and she stumbled to speak, "No--it wasn't--I..."

Madara's soft laugh echoed through the room. "It's okay, Sen, just enjoy your breakfast," he assured her. As he watched her sheepishly sip her coffee, he thought: To think I'd leave your side... Never.

They ate in silence for a few minutes, both running through their own minds. Sen couldn't believe she had been so thoughtlessly rude to the man who not only comforted her throughout the night, but also prepared breakfast for her. She was shaming herself while Madara hadn't even taken the slightest offense.

The raven-haired man asked through small bites of his food, "What's your chakra nature? I've been curious."

"My affinity is wind, but I can use earth and lightning as well."

Madara was surprised to hear she could use three different natures. Everything he learned about Sen made him appreciate her more. She was genial, brilliant, witty, understanding, loyal, and strong. His days had become brighter since her introduction and for that, he was eternally thankful.

"What about you? Fire affinity?"

He nodded his head and informed her that his affinity was fire, but that wind was his favorite and that he could use all five natures. Sen was impressed as she whistled lowly.

"Let's go to train a little after breakfast," he suggested.

She agreed nonchalantly. However, she was a bit nervous. Training with Madara? He's so much stronger than me. He's a warrior and I barely pass for a kunoichi. Hell, I've never seen half the battles that Madara has. Well, on the bright side, at least he can teach me new justus.

Madara and Sen walked to the nearest clearing later that morning. Sen noticed that without Hashirama alongside him, some of the villagers gave disdainful glances at Madara. She instinctively slipped her arm through his and walked by his side proudly. Like I said, Madara, you won't have to know what loneliness is ever again as long as I'm here.

He momentarily tensed at her touch, caught off guard. However, the Uchiha leader relaxed and a trace of a smile settled on his face. He felt his grief and anger fall away whenever she touched him, as if her hand was the opposite end of a magnet. After knowing Sen for only a short time, he felt completely at ease around her. He couldn't believe he was going to say it, but he trusted her. She had seen the ugliest part of him--his menacing chakra--and still stuck by him anyway. He didn't understand why or how, but she had effortlessly chipped away layers of his cold, steel exterior.

Upon reaching the clearing, Madara saw two familiar shinobi practicing with fire jutsu. They stopped fighting whenever they saw their clan leader approaching. The two young men bowed and paid their respects to Madara before their eyes stuck to the Hyuga woman.

"Karasu, Yama, this is Sen Hyuga," he announced.

"The Byakugan..." the younger of the two mouthed mindlessly as he stared into Sen's white eyes.

His Sharingan activated and immediately Sen found herself preparing to fight him. She refused to fall victim to the dojutsu again.

"Karasu!" Madara growled aggressively. "Don't overstep your boundaries." He paused, a challenging smile on his face, and added, "Matter of fact, I think Sen could best you in a fight."

Sen's eyes widened at Madara and she looked at him, pleading with her eyes. No, no, no... Madara, you know I can't fight the Sharingan! What are you fucking doing?!

"Hn, as if she could defeat the Sharingan," the other one, Yama, scoffed.

Sen's fear was quickly replaced with determination. She raised an eyebrow to the young men and then shrugged, "We can find out."

Madara laughed internally. Sen was going to embarrass these two. They were good shinobi, no doubt about that, but they were young and inexperienced. Neither had great control over their Sharingan yet and weren't able to perform powerful genjutsus. They were of no real harm to the Hyuga girl, and he hoped this would help her move past any remaining fear she had of the Sharingan. Also, if anything were to happen, Madara could easily stop Yama and Karasu before they endangered Sen.

"Oh yeah?!" Yama shouted, "Then let's fight!"

His red eyes flared as Sen's Byakugan activated as well. The two squared off, exchanging jutsu at one another before Sen moved in to attack his chakra points. Yama deflected these attacks with his eyes; however, Sen's speed was becoming too much for the Uchiha. She was gaining momentum as the fight raged on, using combinations of different ninjutsu chakras, and blazing around Yama, her fingers delicately destroying his chakra flow.

The Uchiha boy's Sharingan disappeared after Sen delivered a final blow to his chakra network. He was panting heavily as he fell to his hands and knees. Sen offered her hand to him, waiting a moment before he apprehensively accepted her help. Bewildered, he admitted that he had gravely underestimated the Hyuga girl's power.

"If this was the battlefield, you would be dead for doing so, Yama," Madara chimed in.

Sen had returned to his side, smiling gently to herself. She had defeated a Sharingan user. Granted, Yama's power was of zero comparison to Madara's, but still, she was proud of herself. She felt confidence flowing through her body as Madara praised her on a job well done.

Yama told Karasu it was time to go, grabbing him by the shoulder. The younger Uchiha's big black eyes peered up to Sen and Madara in admiration. They're both so powerful... Madara-sama, Sen-sama... I want to be like you two when I get older.

The boys hurried off, Yama's ego bruised and Karasu's iron will forged.

Madara sighed pleasantly, "They're good boys... Karasu lost his father and brothers in the war and yet he still hasn't bent to the Curse of Hatred. He activated his Sharingan after the trauma, but he maintains his composure unlike any Uchiha I've ever seen. He will be a powerful shinobi one day."

"What about Yama?"

"I'm sure Yama will be as well, that is if he can keep his mouth shut. One day he's going to piss off the wrong Hyuga," Madara winked, tousling her hair.

She wrapped her arms around his torso tightly and thanked him for pushing her to better herself. He was shocked by her thanks, but accepted her words as he enveloped her in his arms. 

◇ ─ ◇ ─ ◇─ ◇ ─ ◇ ─ ◇

Longer chapter this time! Yay! Also, what do you guys think about the story so far? I know it's a slow burn, but that's just how I think romances should go. I don't like whirlwind romances where they fall madly in love within three chapters. The fun part is the anticipation!