I kicked a stone that was lying in the middle of the path and let out an annoyed sigh.

That Mitsuru guy.. he annoyed me. He was already talking to Asami since he arrived here, sometimes giving me short and confused looks. I didn't know why, and I didn't care. He should just return to where he came from.

Why did he even come here? Just to see Asami again?

I looked up from the path and saw the redhead and Mitsuru talking as they walked before me. Maybe I should go to Naka Shrine. Then I could continue to

decipher that stone.

Without saying anything to Asami or Mitsuru, I turned around and intended to go to Naka Shrine, but stopped when I heard Asami call out my name. ''Madara-san, where are you going?'' she asked as she caught up with me. Her kind green eyes made my expression soften, and I let out a sigh. ''Somewhere.''

Asami looked away, looking slightly disappointed. ''Oh,.. Will I see you again today?'' she asked, now looking up hopefully. Now I was the one who looked away. ''Probably not.'' I murmured, more coldly than intended.

''..Alright then..'' Asami mumbled softly. ''I'll be going then as well.'' Asami walked away, quickly going back to her friend. I may have been acting a bit cold towards her, and that might have chased her away now. Normally, she would stay and ask further, but Asami seemed a bit more hesitant lately. Seems I wasn't the only one with some problems..

Madara's words were harsher than expected. He said 'probably not' like he didn't even want to see me. Balling my fists, I looked at the ground. He was distancing himself. I didn't like it. Didn't he ever feel lonely? When I looked into his eyes a few minutes ago, I could see sadness. I've been around Madara long enough to know how he really feels, even if he doesn't express that emotion.

He knew that he could always talk to me if something was bothering him, and I knew things were bothering him, but he won't talk to me about them. He didn't want to rely on me? To trust me? Did he still think I was a weak, unreliable little girl? I may not be very strong, but he can depend on me. I would always be there for him, but he didn't realize that. Even if Madara thought he didn't need anyone else, and that he could do everything on his own, I would prove him wrong. He may like loneliness, but no one can live without each other. Unlike Madara, I didn't like being alone. It made me feel lonely, sad, and helpless.

''..sami. Asami?''

''Huh?'' I was snapped out of my thoughts, and looked at Mitsuru. ''Sorry..''

Mitsuru sighed and put an arm around my shoulders. ''Something wrong?''

I shook my head, and smiled softly, looking at the cloudless, blue sky above me. ''No.'' I answered, obviously lying. Mitsuru knew this, but he didn't ask further.

''By the way, how is Aki doing?'' I asked. ''Are you guys still together?''

Mitsuru grinned and pulled his arm back. ''We married two years ago.''

My eyes widened and I smiled widely, but that smile changed already quickly

into a pout and I gave Mitsuru a small push. ''Why didn't you tell me earlier?!'' I

exclaimed. ''I'm so happy for you!''

Mitsuru's grin turned into a warm smile. ''I didn't have the chance to tell you. We wanted to invite you for the wedding, but you were running all over the country, we didn't even knew where you were.''

I chuckled. ''That's true.. Anyway, where is Aki? Didn't she come with you?''

Mitsuru smirked mischievously and shook his head. ''She stayed at home. Someone has to take care of our newborn baby.''

''Mitsuru....'' I mumbled, astonished. ''That's great! What's his or her name?''

''Michiko. She's born just two months ago.'' he answered proudly, but then his smile disappeared. ''But I wished Mayumi could have seen Michiko though.''

I nodded sadly and looked at the ground. It had been some time since Mayumi, my best friend and Mitsuru's sister, died, but I still found it hard to accept it. I still had the feeling she would run around the corner with a big smile plastered on her face at any moment, but I knew she would never come. She's dead, and she would never come back.

''I still remember how we would fight for her attention.'' Mitsuru chuckled softly. ''You were such a brat back then.''

I gasped indignantly and slapped Mitsuru. ''You're such a jerk.''

We both laughed and I glanced at Mitsuru. It was really nice to see him again.

I smiled softly, but that smile faltered slightly when Mitsuru sent me this mischievous look again. ''What?''

Mitsuru chuckled and wrapped one of his arms around my neck again, pulling me closer to him. ''What about you, Asami? Boyfriend, married? I don't see a ring..'' he grinned.

I huffed and pushed him away. ''Of course I'm not married.'' I muttered as I played with my fingers. ''And I have no boyfriend either...''

''But..?''

I frowned at Mitsuru. ''But what?''

Mitsuru raised an eyebrow at me. ''You seemed to like that Madara guy.'' he muttered. ''Am I wrong?''

''How did you know?" I asked slowly.

Mitsuru grinned. ''So I was right. When you introduced me to him, just the look on your face told me enough.''

''The look on my face?'' I asked confused. ''You cannot tell from just that, that I like Madara-san.''

''True.'' Mitsuru admitted. ''When you talked to him before he left, he said a few words that influenced your mood more than it should. If people who are more important to us say something harsh, the words will hurt more. I can tell he means much to you, Asami.''

''These are just some petty feelings which will never be returned. '' I spoke softly, and I heard Mitsuru sigh. ''Does he know how you feel then?''

''No.'' I answered quietly. ''But I rather keep my mouth shut and keep Madara as a friend, then confess to him and lose him. I don't want to lose him, I want him to stay with me.''

''If you never try, you'll never know.'' Mitsuru quoted. ''And even if he rejects you, that doesn't mean your friendship will end.''

''It's Uchiha Madara we're talking about.'' I argued. ''He's unpredictable.''

''But a good guy.'' Mitsuru added. ''Or else you wouldn't be hanging around him. Give it a shot.''

I knew Mitsuru meant well, but I was too afraid. I've never confessed to anyone before. I would always wait until they came to me first, if they would come. I loved Madara, even though he could be cold, ruthless or heartless sometimes. I loved him and his flaws, and I accepted him for who he was, but I would never be able to tell him this.

It was already dark outside when I left Naka Shrine. I wasn't really able to concentrate on deciphering the tablet. That look on Asami's face has been flahsing though my head. I didn't know why, but I knew I hurt her. Asami is too easily hurt by words, she should harden up.

When I entered the Uchiha compound, only a few were still awake.

''Madara-sama!"

Keiji ran at me, looking slightly annoyed. ''Madara-sama, you still have paperwork to do. Where were you?"

Sometimes, Keiji reminded me of my mother. I didn't know if that was a good or a bad thing though. ''I'll do it tomorrow.''

Keiji sighed as he walked next to me on our way back to my house. ''You had me worried, Madara-sama.'' he muttered. ''And Asami-san was worried as well.''

''Asami?'' I asked surprised. She was worried about me? Why did she still care? I never thanked her for paying for my meals when we eat together. I'm not always very nice to her. I didn't even understand she still wants to be around me, unlike everybody else.

Keiji nodded. ''She came here a few hours ago, asking for you.''

''Was she with a guy?''

Keiji pursed his lips, pondering. ''No, she was alone.''

So Mitsuru wasn't with her. She came her all by herself to see how I was doing? I began to feel guilty. I, a man who killed many, many people, and didn't regret that, was feeling guilty about something this petty. I just didn't think she would care this much.

''She really likes you, you know?'' Keiji mumbled. ''You should treat her more gently.''

''If she didn't like me, she wouldn't come here.'' I muttered sarcastically.

Keiji sighed. ''You're really blind, aren't you?''

''I've been blind before, but I'm pretty sure I can see now.''

I could tell Keiji was growing annoyed. ''Enough with the sarcastic remarks!'' he grunted. ''Don't you see that Asami loves you?!"

I froze.

Asami loved me?