So I couldn't help but write this second chapter out even if it was a little on the small side, because I was so bloody excited to get to some Izuna fluff.
... Well, as fluffy as it can be, I suppose. LOOL
Also, they put the first four seasons of Naruto Shippuden on Netflix... Excuse me while I type this out and proceed to binge-watch the first season. :'D
LONG TIME COMING | 02
Curiosity Killed the Cat
"You know," Izuna's voice startled Kirei as he popped out of nowhere, "Most women seem to spend a lot of time with their appearance but you hurried through your bath and breakfast. I suppose it doesn't make sense to me."
Kirei, who had been minding her own business, shot Izuna a glare as he slid down from his spot in between the pillars lining the high ceilings to sit beside her unfazed by her heated look.
"I grew up in a clan full of mostly men," Kirei stared at him, "Of course I wouldn't act like a normal woman when I never had the influence of one."
Izuna blinked, "So then, your mother died young?"
"Yes, she died giving birth to me," She stood up and adjusted her belt slightly, "But that's in the past and I don't tend to dwell on it or even speak for it for that matter, so if you wouldn't mind dropping the subject..."
"Consider it done," Izuna shot up, "What do you plan on doing before the big battle?"
Kirei shrugged her shoulders, "Might look around a bit since this is the first time I've been inside the famous Uchiha compound," She turned to look at him, "You plan on being my guide?"
Izuna grinned, "Of course."
"Alright then, show me around at your leisure."
Izuna lips slowly began pulling into a smirked, "Well, since you put it that way."
She gave him a droll stare, "Pervert."
"I didn't mean it that way!" Izuna glared, "I'm not dirty minded, thank you!"
"You're a guy, of course you're dirty minded," Kirei walked passed him, "It's the age you finally admit it out loud that sets you men apart."
Eventually the two began their tour of the Uchiha complex, with Izuna showing the Kaida heiress the entire outside perimeter first from the training grounds to where the elders and non-combatants held their small shops for trade goods and other services. Izuna finally led her back into the house and rounded each corner, explaining every room and their significance. Kirei noted that the Uchiha had very tasteful art but were more modest about their decorations in comparison to other mighty clans with such desirable reputation.
He took her to the main kitchens that were just off the wing the split the woman's quarters by a simple long hall, and then rounded to the other side to show her the men's side of the compound. To Kirei, it was all very similar but she understood the clans need to separate the sexes. Izuna explained that in order to avoid children out of wedlock, his father, Tajima and the current head of the Uchiha clan, Madara, made it mandatory to keep the women who were of age but not married away from the warriors.
"There have only been two instances where one of the men have slipped up and impregnated one of the women," Izuna explained, "But my father was quick to see to the man's reprimand, but before he could receive punishment he died in battle soon after fathering his child."
Kirei frowned, "Talk about ironic."
"You think that too, huh?" Izuna grinned, "Glad to see I'm not the only one."
Kirei continued to follow Izuna as he continued his tour until their very last stop, being the private dojo that only he and Madara use.
"Madara and I are usually the only ones that actually use this spot, but I come here more for meditation than to soil it with blood and sweat," Izuna admitted, leading her inside so she could get a closer look.
"It's definitely one of the most beautiful rooms in this entire place," Kirei's eyes hungrily took in all of the sights, admiring this space mostly for its simplicity and also for the amazing view of the outside rock garden, "So you and your brother are the only ones that come here?"
Izuna watched her and shrugged his shoulders, "I suppose, but there is no law that states no other Uchiha is forbidden to use this room."
"I see," She walked towards the far wall where two gunbai, one larger and more extravagant than the other, were held up by small hooks to keep them off the floor, "Who does these belong to?"
Izuna walked towards her and motioned to the larger of the two, "Madara is the one who uses the larger gunbai and I use the smaller one from time to time."
"Why does Madara get the larger one?" Kirei's brow rose.
Izuna shrugged, "I never really saw the use in fighting with them," He admitted, "I tend to favor my sword rather than a fan, so I'll usually carry it out to the battlefield for show."
Kirei nodded, reaching out to slowly run her fingers over the flat surface of Madara's fan with her mind instantly picturing the insufferable elder brother wielding the magnificent weapon. Izuna observed her with a small smile, enjoying her fascination with the weapon.
"Tell me," Kirei glanced back at Izuna, "Do you and your brother fight a lot?"
Izuna grinned, "I tend to get on his nerves sometimes, but it's mostly because he's a hot-head."
"And you're the level-headed of the two?" She grinned back at him.
Izuna winked, "Sometimes, but I have my moments."
"If I didn't know any better," Kirei leaned slightly forward, "I would think you were flirting with me, Izuna Uchiha."
He paused before giving her an innocent smile, "I don't know what you're talking about."
Kirei rolled her eyes before she turned and continued to observe the beauty and splendor of the room. She noted that with the simplicity of colors that were neutral and the calming decorations to put one's mind at ease, as well as the visual from outside, that this truly was a perfect spot for training the mind.
"I hope I'm not being too forward, but," Izuna's voice brought her attention back to him only to find his arm was wrapped around her shoulders loosely and his face was inches away from her ear, "Would you like to accompany me for a perimeter run?"
Kirei couldn't help the tight line her lips had pulled into, nor the way her cheeks heated up at the closeness of their proximity, "Sure, but only if you promise not to get that close to me again."
Izuna grinned and gave her a tiny fib as a reply, "Deal."
Suddenly, Kirei was pulled into a fast-paced run with her arm tightly gripped by the excited Uchiha. It would be a lie if she'd told herself that she didn't expect any better from the younger brother of the great Madara Uchiha. Kirei had been adamant that there was at least one good person in their entire clan, but having been the one he prayed on wasn't exactly what she expected.
Speaking of Madara, Kirei was practically at a loss as to how her father was willing to deal with such an obnoxious, suffering man. He had an overbearing, smothering personality that seemed to completely snuff the life out of the peers around him. You could tell he was all moral and authority and truly believe that he was right in all situations.
Pompous. Very, very pompous.
"Izuna," Kirei frowned, "You can let go of me, you know."
He looked back at her, "I know, but I'm probably faster than you so I don't want you to get left behind."
Twitch.
Those damn Uchiha's and their boastful prides.
"Listen here you cocky little man," Kirei glared, "I'm plenty fast, without your assistance."
Izuna stopped suddenly and looked at her, "Oh yeah? Well then, you really are quite a capable kunoichi, aren't you?"
Kirei watched him and frowned, "Can I ask you an honest question?"
"Of course," He grinned.
"Do you have multi personalities or something?" Kirei asked with such a serious expression and tone, Izuna had to use all of his inner restraints not to laugh at her words, "Or a disorder that makes your moods change instantly? I mean, you're giving me whiplash."
Izuna chuckled and smirked, "I suppose that's for me to know and for you to find out."
"Uh," Kirei frowned more, "I'd rather not."
"Why?" He stepped into her personal space again and caught her by the arm when she tried to step back away from him, "You and I seem to be getting along quite nicely right now?"
Kirei didn't move, "... Well–"
"IZUNA!"
Said Uchiha grimaced and flashed a grin, "Oops, I seem to have forgotten that today I promised Madara that I would spar with him."
"Should I be concerned for your health?" Kirei's brow rose.
Izuna chuckled, "Perhaps, but it would be very kind of you to wait on the sidelines in case I need some immediate medical attention."
- x -
"That boy seems to be quite attached to you," Nobuo stepped up beside her but never took his eyes off the fight between both Uchiha brothers, "May I ask if it's mutual?"
Kirei shook her head, "No. I understand that even if he and I were to develop mutual feelings, our union is impossible. An Uchiha and a Kaida cannot marry because we could never produce a superior warrior as we specialize in the healing arts."
"Well spoken. Clearly you've rehearsed for this moment," Nobuo chuckled, "It's true, but that doesn't mean times of war won't bring a couple close together."
Kirei's eyes flashed to her father, "What exactly are you insinuating?"
"You're a woman who is past the prime age for being we into a clan," He sighed and looked at her, "It's most uncommon for a woman in her twenties to be without at least one child."
Her brow rose, "So, you want me to go and get impregnated by that Uchiha brat?"
"Uchiha brat?" Nobuo gave a lofty chuckle, "I see you've already spent enough time with him that you've developed an opinion on his character."
Kirei huffed, "He's a child trapped in a grown man's body."
"As are most men his age that still cling to what little childish innocence they can during these times of war," Nobuo watched as Madara mercilessly swung his blade down on Izuna's successfully shattering both of their weapons before the two tossed their broken pieces to the side in favor of hand-to-hand combat, "I feel bad for Madara. When I look at him, I see a child who is a perfect example of the times we live in. Someone who has lost all hope and dreams in favor of war and brutality."
Kirei looked up at her father, "When did you become so sentimental?"
"I suppose being in the presence of two young men who are complete opposites has done such a thing to me," He chuckled again, "These two remind me of Hashirama and Tobirama Senju."
She nodded, "I have to admit that I agree," She looked over to see Izuna dodging attacks rather than trying to gain the upper hand, "Although, the roles are reversed."
"Indeed," Nobuo watched Madara, "I'm surprised Hashirama has not sat Madara down and discussed terms of peace with him yet."
"Maybe he has but Madara declined all offers," Kirei muttered, "He's an asshole, plain and simple."
Nobuo glared but the smirk he fought to keep off his face was clear to Kirei's eyes, "Have some manners. No matter how foul tempered or rude he is, he is still the head of the Uchiha."
"Yeah," Kirei scoffed, "With an ego substantially larger than half of this country."
"Perhaps I should marry you to him," Nobuo's tone was light and teasing, "I'm sure a woman like yourself could knock some sense into him, seeing as how you're capable of blocking all chakra pathways and incapacitating a man with a single touch to a pressure point."
Kirei looked horrified, "You wouldn't?!"
"No," He grinned, "But it was worth seeing the expression on your face."
"..." Kirei glared, "Not cool, father."
"I thought it was," He looked over to the brothers and noticed Izuna was down on the ground, making Madara the winner by default, "It seems not even his younger brother can best him."
Kirei scoffed, "It must be an Uchiha thing, because all of the men here are arrogant from what I can see."
"Izuna seems to be lacking that trait?"
"Oh, it's there," Kirei crossed her arms under her bust, "Trust me. The brat is just good at hiding it."
Nobuo chuckled and straightened himself out as both Uchiha approached, "You're quite a sight to see when you're in motion, Madara. I must admit, even I'm shocked despite having been told all of the stories."
Madara grunted and looked at Kirei, "What? Unimpressed? Or is that you wish to have a turn?"
"Anytime," Kirei glared, "No weapons and with just our bare hands."
His lips twitched in an antagonizing smirk, "Well then, shall we?"
"Unfortunately brother, she's joining me today for a tour of our home," Izuna stepped in between them, "Besides, you and Nobuo still have plenty to discuss in regards to strategy."
Madara's piercing Sharingan eyes narrowed towards his little brother, "Is that so? Perhaps I require her presence in the conference room."
Suddenly, Izuna burst out into a loud, obnoxious laughter.
Madara's brow twitched while both Kirei and Nobuo watched with wide eyes, "Izuna."
"Sorry," Izuna calmed down after a moment and smirked, "I didn't think you were capable of humor, Madara."
Kirei glared at Madara, "My apologies, Madara, but I'll be joining Izuna on his perimeter run."
"You–"
Kirei grabbed an unprepared Izuna by the sleeve and quickly dashed off, practically dragging the younger Uchiha sibling behind her until he finally caught his footing. When they made it to the boarder of the compound where the trees started, she finally released Izuna's sleeve and looked back at him.
"Sorry about that," Kirei ran her fingers through her long fringe, "Your brother just got under my skin."
Izuna straightened out his clothing and smirked, "He does have that way about him, but I suppose that's what makes him such a force on the battlefield."
"Is that what he likes others to believe?" Kirei asked, clearly amused.
Izuna shrugged, "It works. Either way, let's get started."
Kirei nodded and followed Izuna as he dashed off into the trees. The two made it to the very outside edges of the Uchiha territory and began going down the line where the water separated the boarder to the Senju territory. On their way around, Izuna explained to her the agreement the Uchiha made with their enemy clan in order to keep from constant battle.
"When Hashirama and Madara rose up to be the clan head's, they agreed to keep the original boundaries from back when the Senju's previous head and my father, Tajima, were in power," Izuna explained, "Although, it was easier for the negotiations to flow smoothly this time because Hashirama knows how to handle my brother."
Kirei looked at him, "Oh? And how is that?"
"He agreed with almost everything Madara said," Izuna chuckled, "It made his brother furious, but things have been quiet ever since they agreed."
Green eyes narrowed slightly, "That doesn't surprise me. I've only been in contact with Tobirama Senju once and all I can say is that staring at dirt was more stimulating than trying to converse with him. His brother is a doll compared to him."
"Harsh," Izuna smirked, "I like it."
Kirei glared at him slightly but didn't reply. Instead, she picked up the pace and shot forward into the trees ahead of him.
So, this wasn't a very awesome chapter but it's an update. ;)
Next chapter we start to see some fighting, as well as find out more about the Kaida blood line. Also, just to answer a question from a guest reviewer... Maybe Madara will be civil at one point, maybe not. Only the later chapters will tell~ :D
Next chapter will be longer than this, I promise! :)
~ Kayori, out!
