Two Leaf Fires (MadaNaru)

Chapter 15

After exchanging information, that of most import neither found comfort. The discussion as Naruto spoke calmoured with stuttering and a type of embarrassed indignance not earned -this in his explanation of genitalia. While Madara had spoken with a scornful tilt of his tone and an annoyance which caused a piercing effect upon his irises as he glared upon the concept of not possessing chakra.

Perhaps unexpected by the Uchiha's measure of man was how after his conversation with Kyuubi- Uzumaki Naruto handled such news. For he made no large outrage, nor declaration of anger; rather he glared to the ground with melancolia, his lips slotted into a perfectly formed frown which did not stretch his face with visual markings, but simply preportioned itself to fit as if made perfectly into the visage of a doll. A natural expression without any type of extreme.

They two remained in that state without word, in contemplation within as their mentalities struggled to accept their newfound reality, without option to ignore its banes. As the shadow shifted both stood, coming back to themselves with the expected composure of shinobi, mutually walking back into the public light.

"We would do well to discover the history integrated into this reality. From what I have seen it is not wholly different to that which I have known. Though I will say, this settlement is reasonably new, which grants me the knowledge that the wars did occur as they had in my time." Madara spoke plainly, the malice which had kept in his tone at circumstance now gone as they walked by many.

There was a market of sorts in the center of the street, not cleanly refined with shops and windows- but the communal design of stalls. Each individual around regarding the brought forward produce with keen eyes and civilized conversation, as the farmers market Naruto had occasionally seen come into Konoha.

Unlike that spectacle however, this was not clustered, nor rude, rather everyone spoke with natured tones and sweet voices, unhurried. Naruto observed as he listened to his companion, fractionally awed by the gracious mannerisms of all about- though he was not oblivious enough to miss how formally everyone spoke.

It did elevate his mood despite his discomfort with formality, and a smile came upon his face once more as he turned to Madara. Inappropriate for the nature of his question but he payed that no heed as the Uchiha observed others at their calm pacing. "Do you regret it? Forming the village I mean, with the way things went?" He was regarded with an evaluating gaze, though it did nothing to shift Naruto's conviction in his ask.

Through all their experience together, the intimidating intensity of the man afore him did not hold prominence as it once had. They spoke often of complexities, and in asking another the blond expected no dismissal, as he might've with any other man -save Jiraiya.-

"In itself, no. However, within the finer details and circumstances of how I and Hashirama came to our accord; there is much I would change. Perhaps in those details, should I have proved more cautious the village would not have been inflicted by further war and petty conflict." It was a simple statement holding more weight then one not acclimated to the man's mind might not witness.

Yet, with his rather reasonable exposure to the manner of the man beside him Naruto knew there were many hidden meanings- or perhaps implications, within his words. Emotions not outwardly expressed, purposefully leveled to remain inside a neutral mindset. Wether that be for Madara's own sake or Naruto's the blond did not know, though he was inclined to believe it was fractionally both.

Naruto shifted half a footstep closer to his companion, in an instinctual form of comfort which he found most alleviating when he was young. The proximity of a friendly person, it had aided him greatly in the academy, with either Shikamaru or Choji proving to be anchors for him. He swallowed at the thought of his former friends, Shikamaru smoking gaze astrayed from most anything and keeping firmly inside his own mind. And Choji, his corpse on the battlefield. With bile in his throat, Naruto looked to the stalls of fresh produce instead of his own thoughts.