(Hashimada) The Adventures of a Hedgehog and Some Idiots

2: Hedgehogs are scary

"Here. . . Wood Style: Four Pillar House Jutsu." Hashirama did the best he could with his little bit of chakra. All he could manage was a small, one-room house with a single bed and a small fireplace.

As they walked in together, Hashirama smiled apologetically. "Sorry, I guess I used up too much chakra earlier, " he laughed a bit.

"It's fine, Hashirama." Madara paused for a moment and then turned to Hashirama. "Don't overwork yourself. . . I can sense your chakra - you have done far more than enough."

Madara crossed the dark room, visible only by the moonlight pouring through the doorway, and lit a fire. Afterwards, he closed the door to keep the night air out.

Hashirama blushed, watching the Uchiha. This was one of the rare occurrences that Madara was showing his caring side.

"I'm alright, Madara. But thank you, " he smiled. The fire cast shadows across the room.

Madara now turned to face Hashirama, dismissing it. "It is nothing, I only tell you this because of your recklessness, Senju. . ."

This made Hashirama chuckle. He sat on the bed and patted beside him for Madara to sit. "Come here."

Madara obliged. He turned to Hashirama, his brows furrowed a little. "What is it?"

Hashirama rested his head on Madara's shoulder again. He spoke softly. "Mada. . ." He felt Madara tense up again. "Relax, it's just me. . . We aren't enemies anymore. . . I don't think we ever really were, anyway. . ."

There was a moment of silence between them, and after some time, Madara finally had relaxed a little bit.

Hashirama gently said to Madara, "I don't want you to feel uncomfortable around me. I care about you. . . Probably more than you know. . ."

Madara blushed. "I am not uncomfortable, Hashirama. . ."

The Senju sighed and laid back, closing his eyes and rubbing his temples. His sadness was clear to Madara. "I just. . . I want you to know that I'm here and you can rely on me, no matter what. . . It isn't really fair of me, but. . . I want you to trust me, like you used to."

Madara stared ahead, processing what he was saying. He paused and then looked down at Hashirama. What was this feeling. . .?

He replied gently, "I am sorry. . . It will take time, Hashi. . ."

Hashirama tugged on Madara's sleeve, silently asking him to lay beside him. Madara lay on his back and stared up at the ceiling. Hashirama turned on his side to face the Uchiha and gently stroked his face. With this, Madara turned to face Hashirama, blushing, then quickly looked down at the space between them. He was desperately trying to avoid Hashirama's gaze. Madara breathlessly questioned, "Hashi. . . What are you-?"

The Senju held his face so that the Uchiha would look him in the eye. "Shh. . . Calm. . . I just want to be close to you right now, please."