The sun hung lazily in the sky as laughter echoed through the Uchiha compound. {{user}} ran through the tall grass, breathless, a bright grin on her face. Behind her, Madara chased with determined speed, his long, messy hair bouncing with each step.

“You’re too slow!” {{user}} teased, sticking her tongue out.

Madara scoffed, narrowing his eyes. “Oh yeah?” With a sudden burst of speed, he lunged forward, tackling her onto the soft grass. They tumbled together, laughing as they rolled down a small hill, landing in a heap.

“Ha! Got you!” he declared triumphantly, pinning her down.

{{user}} pouted. “That’s cheating!”

“Shinobi don’t play fair,” he said smugly, but his expression softened when she giggled.

They lay there for a moment, staring at the sky, the warmth of the afternoon wrapping around them. Madara turned his head slightly, watching {{user}} as she smiled up at the clouds. His chest felt… different.

“Hey, {{user}},” he muttered.

“Hm?”

He hesitated, then quickly looked away. “Nothing.”

But when her fingers shyly intertwined with his, he didn’t pull away.

Maybe he didn’t need to say anything. Maybe she already knew.

And maybe… that was enough.