Madara shifted uncomfortably in his place. "This getup is quite the nuisance." Adjusting part of his yukata to proudly show the Uchiha clan symbol.

Izuna sighed. "Aniki, it doesn't matter. You look good." He tossed his brother his gunbai, "And try not to look so stern. You might just scare off any officials."

Madara snickered, and thought to tie his hair in attempt to feel less suffocated from the layers of clothing, and it did work, as he grabbed a handful of his mane to tie. He much more preferred his attire when in war - it was quite comfortable and allowed for broader range of movement, he reminisced, already missing the rush he felt when fighting. The fear on people's faces when against the Uchiha. They would cower in fear, he thought.

"This'll do." He attached his gunbai to a harness on his back.

"Let's go." Izuna motioned with his hand, also in similar attire as his elder brother.

-

"Nee-san," Izuna chirped, "I don't trust the Senju. I can't believe you're okay with this. Our three younger brothers died at their hands..." His eyes on the ground.

"I'm not," Madara quickly retorted, "We are to simply discuss what a treaty would entail if we were to make one. To make such grand decisions as of right now would be impulsive to say the least."

Izuna hummed in agreement. "What are your thoughts?"

Madara stayed silent, walking, his eyes narrowed yet set on the trees forward to him. What had I thought?

I would be labelled as a traitor by my own clan - my own flesh and blood, for signing an alliance with the Senju, the only clan that somewhat posed as a threat to us. But if I did not go through with it, the war and fighting would continue. Lives would continue to be lost, and thus the cycle of hatred would only grow. Madara stayed silent, he didn't know what to say in truth. He thought of the dream he had once shared with Hashirama - to build a settlement where people would be able to co-exist without the fear of war. Madara wanted to laugh - I can not believe I thought it would be possible.

"Slow tracks for now," Madara attempted to clear up his younger brother's confusion, "I have no intention of allying with the Senju if that's what you're concerned about. Know that." His voice grew menacing.

"Look," Izuna pointed to a carriage that had passed across the meadows from a distance, "Seems like there are other clans on their way too. Who do you think will be there?" Excitement lingered in his tone. Unlike Madara, Izuna was more adventurous and enjoyed socializing. Events like this seemed to suit his character more greatly. Not to mention that his social skills were more apt, and he carried a generally friendlier attitude.

Madara narrowed his eyes.

-

*AYUMI'S POV*

"Yosh!" I stretched my arms out as I leaped out of the carriage. "Oi, carriage driver dude," I scratched my head. "Here's a tip old man!"

"Hahah!" He took the money, "First carriage driver dude, now an old man! Call me Tsuko. I've been working for your family a while now."

"Ah," I scratched my head in embarrassment, "I'm so bad with names! You have a good day."

"Let's go inside." Koniko placed a hand on my shoulder, the both of us marvelling at the entrance of the Senju compound. There was a golden gate with guards to either side, bearing the Senju symbol. "Jeez, this must cost a fortune." I muttered under my breath. We shuffled towards the guards.

"You're here for the meeting?" One of them spoke, both the guards' faces partially covered by their Senju headgear.

"Yes," I looked at Koniko, as well as the four other clans present, "We are the Hyuga family." I received a nod of acknowledgement from what seemed to be the Uzumaki, Nara, Aburame, and the Hatake clans, judging by their clan emblems. Each one of them had brought along some kind of moral support, it looked like, their fellow clan members.

"It's a pleasure," We all shook hands, "I look forward to this meeting. Forgive me, it's my first time, so I may not really-"

Koniko nudged my elbow. "Don't ramble!" She kept me in check, whispering. I mumbled an apology.

"Well!" I placed my hands on my hips, "Let's get this show on the road! Where are the Senju?" I looked intently at the guards.

"That's not for you to decide." A deep voice echoed behind me. "Hyuga."

My anger riled up, my back facing the unknown man.

"Oh no..." Konoki rubbed her temples.

"Oi, it's -sama, I'd watch your attitu-" I turned around with a fist up in the air, my throat choked as I realized just how utterly frightening this man just looked, although he didn't seem much older than me. I hated the fact that I got scared. His eyes alone demanded a presence - indeed it felt suffocating, and a quick scan of his clan emblem revealed he was part of the Uchiha household.

"Matriarch of the Hyuga." A kinder face was next to the mysterious daunting man, though they resembled each other strongly. "I'm Izuna, and this is my elder brother Madara." Izuna placed a hand on his brother's shoulder. I could instantly tell that he was kinder than his counterpart. Almost too kind - the difference between the two in personality, baffled me.

"I'll probably forget your names any way," I crossed my arms, "Uchiha - s a m a ." I looked at that Madara mockingly. His eyes narrowed at me, displeased.

The truth is, I had heard of Madara. Many of my own clansmates were utterly afraid of him. His very name shook people to their cores, casting expressions of horror and uncertainty on their faces. I never had a personal encounter with him before, but we had been warned to keep a distance. Making him angry meant he could possibly attack our clan.

"I apologize on behalf for Ayumi-sama's bash behaviour. This is her first time attending a diplomatic meeting, she is stressed and overwhelmed with clan work and this war." Koniko attempted to salvage any type of peace.

"Then perhaps this line of work is not for you." Madara crossed his arms. "I expected more from the heiress, especially since we are distantly related."

"You don't know me." I took a step forward, swallowing my fear from this great mane. "If I were you, I'd tread carefully, Madacho!" Briefly remembering the many Uchiha I've witnessed kill so mercilessly.

"Ma-madacho..." Izuna rubbed his forehead, trying to contain a chuckle, as Madara being so blatantly tested was a rare site to see.

"Madara." Madara corrected sternly, his voice husky. He crossed his arms, visibly displeased. The action emphasized his broad build, and I noticed how much bigger he was than I, his chest slightly exposed from his yukata. Be careful. I thought to myself.

"Well, what a warm welcoming." The head of the Hatake clan spoke. "Where are those two Senju?"

"They're coming any minute." The guards spoke monotonously. I sighed. I couldn't get angry now.

Two figures had suddenly appeared.

"I see you've introduced yourselves already." One man spoke with white spiky hair who I remembered to be Tobirama. Both their eyes landed on me, since I was an unfamiliar face. They were used to seeing my father attend these meetings, and I was probably viewed as nothing but a stranger.

"The flying raijin technique," I doted, "Impressive Senju Tobirama. I'm Hyuga Ayumi, daughter of Hyuga Hayate. This is my right-hand, Hyuga Konoki. You must all be well-acquainted with each other." Konoki and I shook our hands with the both of them.

"Ah," The other spoke with long dark brown hair, Hashirama, "I was wondering who you were. Let's get going inside."

And we all walked to the hideout, as I sheepishly glanced at Madara. That guy. I almost felt too intimidated by him, which is honestly unusual for me. Something about him seems so... weird.

-

Konoki and I sat on the wooden chair, and to my side was the head of the Uzumaki clan. Her name was Mito and she seemed to be a similar age to I. She wore a headdress that, oddly enough, adorned her face, with a delicate kimono and red fiery hair. She provided me with tips on what to do as a clan leader while we waited for everybody to get settled.

"Well then," Hashirama spoke, "It's time we spoke alliances. The mortality rate is rising across the globe. It has to be put to a stop."

"I agree." I said immediately. "We've shaken hands not too long ago with the Taketori, and in doing so it has resulted in dramatically less deaths. Children in particular."

Madara glanced at me from across the table.

"Hyuga-hime has a point." The head of the Aburame clan spoke. "We are willing to put our differences aside in order to stop our children from dying."

"At this rate, our children won't survive until the next generation." The Hatake clan spoke.

"I'm glad we're all harping on the same boat." Hashirama said, "Indeed, it makes me happy to see us all together! A dream coming to fruition." He flashed a big grin. I honestly thought it was unlike someone who was touted to be the God of Shinobi.

"How impulsive," Madara retaliated, "To speak of a treaty so soon. Who's to guarantee it'll work?"

"Who's to guarantee it won't?" Mito spoke confidently.

"Uzumaki Mito." Izuna spoke matter of factly, "Aren't you the jinchuuriki of the nine tails? You have a great advantage here, and this alliance could benefit you the most by keeping you safe. But you could go on a rampage any day, let's say if..." And his charcoal orbs swirled into a deep red, one that made even my eyes widen. The infamous Sharingan. As a clan of dojutsu we were told to avoid conflict with the Uchiha as much as possible. I've always wondered what it's like to fight one. "I frankly don't trust your antics." Izuna spoke coldly. The drastic change in his personality was stark. I guess he could be just as menacing as his brother. The Uchiha are powerful in the fact that their ocular vision can summon the nine-tailed beast chakra and control them, I recalled father's words.

"Izuna." Madara spoke sharply.

"Enough! Izuna." Tobirama protested, "We are not here to fight."

Madara let out a sigh, and he seemed to be enjoying this stifle a bit too much, evident by his closed eyes and the smirk plastered across his face.

"Gomen ne," Izuna rose in hands in defence, his eyes swirling back to his charcoal ones. "We the Uchiha just want to make sure this is equal grounds, safety for all. We have lost too much to even consider a treaty."

"You see, my brother here," Madara cunningly placed a fist underneath his cheek, "Is expressing what the general Uchiha population is feeling. The Uchiha's suspicions are growing larger every day. What would a treaty exactly entail, Hashirama? And how would your treaty erase that uncertainty amongst my brethren?"

Hashirama gulped. I would too, being questioned by such a frightening man proved to be quite the task. It really was a big question. I watched both of them intently.

"Firstly," Hashirama started, "I want to begin a settlement that includes a shinobi ranking system. To delegate certain tasks to certain clans, best suited for their abilities. This hypothetical village needs people to come together, however. And we continue to fight and protect each other. And the Uchiha..."

Tobirama's eyes narrowed.

"I want to provide them a special place, a testament to your name and clan, Madara, and mostly, to show that we are open in arms to each other. No more sending mere children to war."

"But in order to achieve this," Hashirama stood, his palms spread out on the table, slightly bowing, "We need to come together!"

Tobirama shaking his head in exhaustion at how easily his brother would get caught up in ideals.

Madara stayed silent. He was grappling between two dichotomies - to be labelled a traitor by his own clan for allying with the Senju, or... continue this war until the Uchiha win.

"I would like to be a part of this." I stood confidently. "I know as a child, witnessing blood being splayed so easily... it... it..." My head dangled, my fists tightening, "Changes you. And not for the better. A child grows older beyond their years at the ripe age of six. No, it's not right!"

The Hatake and Aburame seemed convinced, nodding their head.

"Funding can be taken out of a portion from each clan." The Aburame added.

Madara scoffed. "And your compensation is earned from completing assassinations, killing people, only planting more seeds of discord amongst the victims, families, loved ones, so be it."

Tobirama looked at the floor, able to relate to what Madara was conveying. Hashirama brooded, it almost looked as if he was sulking.

Unexpectedly, Madara laughed. "You're still the same, things never changed, Hashirama. You see," Madara eyed the Aburame, "This is what perpetuates this cycle of war. Our problem is the foundation. Why does the system continue to allow for this to happen?" Madara got up from this seat, grasping his gunbai.

"Until you figure that out, I suggest you take the time to perhaps ponder this idea of an imaginary village."

A messenger bird flew into the hideout to rest on Izuna's shoulder. Izuna took out the piece of paper from the bird's beak and read the message, passing it on to his older brother.

"Duty calls." Izuna got up and grabbed his katana.

Madara got up, and gave me in particular a long hard stare before speaking. Admittedly, goosebumps formed on my skin.

"We have duties to tend to. I urge you to give it a thought, Hashirama."

Madara and Izuna made their way out.

I sighed, somewhat relieved that he had left the room. His presence was just demanding. I felt a scrutiny under his gaze unlike anything before.

The others soon as well made their way out as they had been dismissed. All that was left was Konoki and I, as well as Tobirama and Hashirama. I was in deep contemplation - what else was there to think about? Sign the alliance and the fighting could stop!

"The Uchiha clan has always been hesitant when it comes to alliances," Senju Tobirama spoke, eyeing me, "Even far back in history. They feel a deep love. A deep affection. That is how their prowess has evolved to be the power it is today. And they need to be reassured beyond a reasonable doubt that that love and peace will be maintained. Even decades, generations from now."

Hashirama chuckled. "In retrospect, I completely understand where he's coming from. Fundamentally, that man means good."

"Mmm." I nodded, "He's doing his job as a leader." A bit too extremely. "Wasn't he a close friend of yours when you two were young?"

Hashirama nodded. "I dream one day we could go back to those days and maybe even one day drink as brothers. And for our future civilians to not be senselessly pushed into war."

Tobirama sighed. "I thought we would have achieved more. But that Madara sure has a way of shaking someone's will."

"You never know what the future holds," I got up, motioning for Koniko to take our leave, "I think it is possible. You have the Hyuga clan's support!" I pointed at my Byakugan. "If not that sharingan, then you have these!"

Koniko laughed, "Excuse us, she's a bit too prideful of her heritage."

Both the Senju brothers shared a glance, smiling.

"Make it back safe." Hashirama said.