Chapter 7: Nightmare

Over the last couple of days, Madara's injuries had near completely healed. He and Kazue had spoken more frequently since then. Kazue had started to dread their encounters less and less and her sleep hadn't been interrupted by inappropriate sounds each night. She wonders what Izuna had said to Madara to make him seem so different. Before the sun sets, Kazue heads to the library.

Madara finishes his tea and retires to his bedroom. On his way back, he notices the light of the library on. A pair of small black shoes rest outside the doors, setting his own shoes down beside the others, he pushes open the door and walks in. The fireplace surges with a healthy flame, stacks of books are neatly piled on the large desk near the seats. A peal of laughter comes from behind them, though he recognises the voice he wanders around to the other side of the desk quietly. Kazue sits engrossed, her legs crossed on the chair and her elbows on the table with a book in her hands, a smile on her small face and her scarlet hair falling in waves around her. She wore a thick grey shawl that bunched at her waist, and not one, but two pairs of socks cling to her little feet. The frown on Madara's face disappears as he stares at her.

"Madara-san?"

Slowly, Madara realises Kazue is on her feet and clutching a book to her chest. He sighs. As much as he hated to admit it, he wanted to see her laugh again.

"I apologize if I interrupted you." She mumbles

"You didn't, my meeting this evening finished a while back." He replies, "You're awake rather late."

"I-I read when I can't sleep. Even as a child. I'll be leaving soon." Kazue shuffles to pick up her books

"Don't let me interrupt." He replies without looking back at her, "I used to spend many nights in this library myself."

"I can imagine you've read most of these titles." Kazue keeps a wary eye on the Uchiha as he browses the shelves.

"Most?" Madara can't help but chuckle at her assessment, Kazue jumps slightly at the sound of his laughter, "I haven't even read half, in the years I've lived here."

"I see. I don't suppose I have a good chance at finishing this collection myself now." She gives a small smile.

"I can't disagree." Madara glances back at her, pursing his lips in acknowledgement, though not quite enough for it to be a smile. Kazue finds herself supressing a chuckle.

"Is something funny?" he quirks his brow, though there isn't any anger behind his words

"I once thought your mannerisms were chalked up to arrogance, but now that I look closer, I dare say you're also just a little bit shy."

"I'm not shy." Madara scowls at the Uzumaki and shoots a glare at her, which makes her laugh aloud. The Uchiha looks stunned at her smile.

"I can't agree with you there." Kazue laughs while he glowers at her, his expression is almost goofy and stubborn. Never had she imagined he could seem so…human. Madara himself, feels a sense of comfort in the moment as the red haired kunoichi beams with laughter. The two sit for quite some time until Kazue excuses herself to retire for the night. A feeling of warmth in Kazue's chest stops her from relaxing the smile on her lips.

On her way back, Kazue notices something. Haruo hadn't returned from training this afternoon… it isn't uncommon for the boy to practise for hours on end, but the evening wears on into darkness and the cold of the air makes a pang of worry ring through Kazue. She wraps a shawl around her and slips on her shoes.

"Kazue-san, you seem tense. Are you going somewhere?" Kanako bows when she enters Kazue's room,

"I'll be back in a while. I'm going to go get Haruo." Kazue nods at the woman and sets out to the gates.

Kazue jumps from tree to tree, her eyes scanning every inch of the forest below her. Where could he be? The boy was curious and adventurous no doubt, although it is unlike him to disappear so late in the evening.

"Nee-san!" the boys shout issues from below and Kazue flips down to touch onto the earth, Haruo stands in the shadow of a tree with one of his hands grazing the bark.

"Haruo-kun! What on earth do you think you're doing out here so late?! And alone?!" she huffs in exasperation, she continues to complain until she notices his silence. Looking closer, she can see his dark eyes filled with tears, bloody scratch marks on his cheeks. "What happened to you, Haruo-kun? You're hurt." She starts to walk forward and pauses when she sees it.

Large black talons envelope the boy's neck, spreading like an extension of the darkness.

"I knew you'd care enough to come, Uzumaki-sama." An unfamiliar voice echoes from the black shadows untouched by the moonlight behind Haruo. Unease twists in Kazue's stomach as she sees something shift in the darkness.

"Who the hell are you?" She measures her words, conscious of Haruo trembling under his captor's hand

"That isn't quite important. But you are." The deep voice sends icy chills through Kazue

"Let him go." She warns

"Of course, he isn't the one I want. But first I need you to surrender without resistance and take his place."

"What is your motive?"

"Peace." The voice rumbles. Kazue can see tears spilling from the boy's eyes, the grip around his neck is tightening, she can tell from Haruo's irregular breaths.

"Let him go first and I'll cooperate." Her eyes flit from the shadows to Haruo

"I will but I need you to completely drain your chakra so that I am confident of your compliance, I don't want to have to fight with an Uzumaki." The tone becomes menacing now, and judging by Haruo's expression the grip on his neck is becoming tighter.

"Alright." Kazue relents and sits cross-legged on the earth.

After inhaling deeply, Kazue lets the chakra in her core spill into the air around her keeping a wary eye on Haruo. After several minutes, Kazue exhales. With the magnitude of chakra she has, simply letting it siphon out would take too long… Haruo's face is turning red, he didn't have much time. Reluctantly, she realises that only specific jutsu would work fast enough. She motions the six hand seals required and a blue flame of chakra appears on each fingertip. Pulling her shirt aside to expose her stomach she holds her hand out in front of her, palm facing her body.

"Let him go now and I'll proceed." She barks at the figure.

"Very well." The claws around Haruo's neck loosen and draw back

"Haruo, run! Get back to the compound!" she yells

"Nee-san!" he protests, his voice still shaky, Kazue shoots him a look of rage

"NOW!" she shouts back at him before he falters back and runs. Could she still make a run for it?!

"Continue, Kazue-sama, remember that I can still catch up to the runt." The voice brings her attention back to him.

With the amount of chakra she had already expelled, she wouldn't be able to catch up to Haruo before the captor did and she didn't even have enough strength or speed now to pull Tobirama's kunai from her thigh strap. It was no use to resist, it would only make Haruo suffer. Taking another deep breath, she swings her fingertips into her stomach. The wind is knocked out of her lungs as her chakra is ripped from her core and absorbed by the seals on her fingers. The pain is excruciating, her stomach lurches and her heart threatens to stop beating. The seal disappears from her hands and she drops onto the ground immediately. Beads of sweat cover Kazue's brow, her breathing irregular and shallow. It is as if the warmth in her body had been sucked out of her, leaving only a hollow vessel for the cold of the night around her. This isn't looking too good. A figure seems to move in the darkness, Kazue's sight fails her as she slips into unconsciousness.

"MADARA-NI-SAN! IZUNA-NI-SAN!" Haruo stumbles on his way past the gates, falling onto the pebble path in the courtyard several times in a frantic sprint to Madara's study. Izuna and Madara sit at the table, papers and writing implements scattered across it. Haruo leaps onto the desk.

"What on earth has gotten into you? Why did you stay out so late?!" Izuna grabs the boy and tries to settle him in his arms, he refuses and struggles in a frenzy of panic.

"We have to save her! Let's go!" Haruo is on the verge of tears, Izuna and Madara stare at the boy in confusion and concern. Madara sits speechless.

"What are you talking about? Why are you covered in cuts and bruises?!" Izuna examines his cousin in shock

"He did it, the shadow! He has Kazue-nee-san! We have to save her!" the child is practically wailing,

"Kazue?! What happened?" Madara interjects, concern marring his usual expression,

"Nee-san gave herself up to free me! He has her and he's going to hurt her!" Haruo slaps his hands against Izuna's chest. The two brothers stand in disbelief.

"Where did they go, Haruo-chan?! Kazue-san can fight back, don't worry." Izuna replies, trying to calm the boy but ending up scaring himself.

"I can show you, we have to hurry! He told her to use up all of her chakra so she can't fight back! He's going to hurt her!" he squeals.

"Madar-" Izuna begins before realising his brother is gone. The door of the study gapes open and Madara is already storming to his chamber to pick up his armour.

In the span of a few seconds Madara returns to the study, red iron panels adorning his chest and shoulders and his gunbai strapped to his back.

"Ni-san-" Izuna begins

"I'm going to bring her back. You and Haruo stay here, keep the gates shut and have the shinobi here patrol until I return. You're in charge." Madara makes eye contact with a surprised Izuna who's expression turns stern as he nods.

"Madara-ni-san, you can't go alone?!" Haruo steps toward the ninja, who manages a small smile and ruffles the boy's hair,

"Keep her bed ready, she'll be tired when I return with her."

Izuna notices the blood red flicker of the Sharingan glimmer in the dark night as Madara turns and reaches the gate in a single bound. Kami help whoever has Kazue, Madara would have no mercy tonight.

"Kazue Uzumaki Uchiha."

He tosses a figure onto the ground in front of the squadron of rogue-nin. Her hair scatters, spreading red across the green and brown earth underneath. The group stands in disbelief and triumphant cheer as the figure of black melts into the night again, it's circular yellow eyes and white teeth gleaming in the darkness.

"You actually did it?! How did you fight her?" The leader frowns

"I didn't need to fight her, she gave herself over willingly." His voice rumbles in amusement

"What do you mean?"

"I mean her real weakness isn't battle. Her heart is too big for such a cruel world."

"What do you ask for in return?"

"A good show, is all." The figure's smile widens to reveal sharp jagged teeth before disappearing into the shadows completely.

The ninja crowd around the woman in front of them. She is conscious somehow, despite the majority of her chakra having been drained to exhaustion. This would be a victory for the clan. They had the connection between the Senju, Uzumaki and Uchiha, possibly the most important bargaining piece in the ninja world at present.

"Sit her up and tie her to the tree there." The leader gestures to two other ninja who move to drag her up. She is definitely beautiful, her striking scarlet hair and her milky complexion make a stark contrast in the moonlight. Her small chest rises and falls in ragged breaths. The leader moves to her and tilts her chin up to face him, her eyes are weary and teetering into unconsciousness. He taps mockingly at her cheek a few times before Kazue manages to spit at him. He winds back and slaps her across the face, the impact sending the other side of Kazue's head into the other side of the tree, she runs the tip of her tongue over her lip which had split from the assault. She spits a swig of blood at his chest before he snarls and lands a punch into her stomach. The pain makes Kazue gasp in agony.

"Uzumaki-san, welcome. I'm sure you know how this is going to work." He taunts causing the other ninja to laugh, they stop when Kazue stirs and catches her breath.

"Go fuck yourself, you weakling." She pants, mustering a grin

"You little bitch!" he pulls his clenched fist back, Kazue braces for the impact.

It doesn't come.

The man in front of her is gone. The screeches of the other men ring through the air around Kazue. All she can see is their bodies being tossed effortlessly into the sky, spurts of blood issuing from some as they land with bone crushing force into the earth. The yelling stops and a figure stands by the fire, she recognises his silhouette in the smoke. Relief surges through her, though she struggles to retain consciousness. In a moment, Madara stands beside the leader-nin and snags his neck in to his hand.

"Who do you answer to?" Madara's voice is emotionless as his grip tightens and lifts the man half a metre into the air.

"I won't give any answers to you." The man spits.

"Very well."

A sharp crack echoes through the trees and the ninja falls limp in Madara's grip. Tossing him aside, he moves to Kazue's side.

"I don't know why you keep coming back to save me." Kazue stammers in ragged breaths, her eyes pop slightly when she sees the fiery red of the Sharingan in Madara's eyes before he deactivates them, she had never seen his before, it is truly chilling.

"Don't speak, you're in no condition to." Madara unties her and pulls her into his arms. She lets her head rest into the crook of his shoulder and neck, his arms wrap around her thighs and shoulders as he holds her chest to his.

"Is Haruo okay?" her voice is weak

"He's safe. He alerted us. Enough talking." He hushes her

"Thank you, Madara." She murmurs barely audible. Her body relaxes in his arms as his jumps from tree to tree. Surprise wells in the shinobi as he makes it back to the compound.

Izuna, Haruo and the servants meet Madara at the gate in a flurry of worried chatter. Madara doesn't let her go or speak until they reach her room and he lays her onto the futon. Kanako and other healers crowd around her, gauze and ointments and utensils in their hands.

"Her chakra is depleted to a life-threatening level… How can she be conscious?" one of them remarks in astonishment, "She needs infusion before she goes into cardiac arrest."

"We can patch her cuts and injuries but who has that much chakra?! No one has the amount that an Uzumaki does-" another frets

"I'll give her mine." Madara states, dropping his armour to the floor and flipping off his shirt.

"M-Madara-sama?" one asks in surprise,

"Leave us for a moment." He dismisses, everyone, including Izuna and Haruo exit without further interaction. He tugs away her shirt once the doors shut, he grimaces when his eyes catch the large bruise across her stomach.

He sits down on the bed beside Kazue and pulls her small frame into his lap while letting his chakra flow out of him. Her breathing evens out several minutes later as Madara's becomes more laboured. It truly is a testament to the Uzumaki, no other clan can hope to scrape the surface of the endurance and longevity they possess. Madara had twice the amount of chakra of any other Uchiha. Almost half of his chakra had been infused, and yet Kazue probably required another two to three more times that amount to revert to her full strength. He frowns at the red on her cheek, definitely the result of a blow to the face. Guilt washes through the shinobi as he recalls his own hand had caused her a similar mark not long ago. Madara feels fatigue twist through him, he was at the limit for chakra infusion, this would have to do for now. He slides Kazue back under the covers of the futon and finds his own body descending with hers. He is too tired to get up or call the others back, it made sense to lie here for a moment and rest. Feeling relief when his head touches the pillows, he stares at his sleeping wife. Her small and quiet breaths are warm and gentle across his neck, she fits perfectly into the crook of his arm and against his chest. Losing such a large amount of chakra makes the Uchiha feel cold and weak, the heat of the body next to him draws him closer like a welcoming caress. Giving into his exhaustion, Madara wraps his arms around Kazue, feeling sleep follow almost immediately.

The sunlight wakes Madara, washing over his weary eyes and making him stir under the covers. To his relief, Kazue is still sleeping, gentle snores issuing from her. His body feels tight and sore, a result of the chakra he lost last night, it would take the day to recover most of it. Kazue's arms and legs are wrapped firmly around the shinobi who realises escaping from her until she moves is futile. He huffs and settles back into the sheets, subconsciously letting his fingers run through Kazue's crimson waves before he frowns. Who were those rogue-nin? Could they have followed them from Konoha? They had targeted Kazue both times, it was obvious that her connection between the three clans was a factor… but who could be behind it all? What did they want? He knew he'd need to send for Hashirama to call a meeting, something more than they originally thought is happening and they needed to figure it out. For now, Madara lets his eyes close again.

The next time Madara wakes, he sends for Izuna to take him back to his room to rest. The younger brother smirks at the sight of Kazue's limbs entangled with his scowling elder brother. Kazue wakes not long after they leave, Haruo and Kanako tend to her wounds and help her eat. The food is a blissful energy boost for the kunoichi who scoffs it down napping intermittently through the day. She catches Izuna as he walks down the hall.

"Izuna-san, where is he?" Kazue asks

"He's resting at the moment, I'm certain his chakra will be replenished by tomorrow if not earlier." Izuna smiles.

"I-I see. I wish he hadn't-"

"No. Kazue you wouldn't have made it, he knew that and he offered willingly. It's getting late, get some more rest tonight." He pats her shoulder. A spark of anticipation ignites in Izuna, in the recent turn of events, the two seemed to be growing closer… however oblivious they may be to it.

Kazue settles back in her room and onto her bed, she closes her eyes and lets sleep fall over her.

A muffled scream wakes Madara. A series of gasps and yelps follow, as the Uchiha sits up in his bed. The full moon outside confirms that he'd slept for more than twenty-four hours since yesterday, his muscles are still sore yet nowhere near as bad as they had been. He strains to hear more clearly when a sob sounds outside followed by the sound of crying. Without bothering to pull his shirt on, Madara finds himself running to Kazue's room. It's her voice, he is sure of it, is she in danger? He reaches the door and pulls it aside to see Kazue tangled in her sheets, her skimpy night gown bunched at her waist exposing her thighs above the covers. A frown of confusion falls over the Uchiha as he watches her. The wetness of tears on her cheeks glisten in the moonlight from behind him, her scarlet hair fans across the bed and her body continues to jolt about. He steps cautiously toward her, noticing her eyes are squeezed shut. A nightmare? In a moment, she curls up on her side and her shoulders appear to tremble. She's crying.

"Don't! D-don-" Madara approaches to hear her more clearly, "Innocent… don't hu-hurt them, they- please don't-" she whimpers quietly. Madara carefully kneels beside the bed, resting his hand over her shaking shoulder.

"Kazue, wake up." He murmurs a few times to no avail.

His fingertips brush the tendrils of red from her face, he moves the last strand and unwittingly lets his hand caress her forehead and notices her sobs have all but stopped, the furrow in her brows gone. The slight pout of her full lips draws him closer, although he stops himself and stands to leave. He could imagine all too well the kind of images she was experiencing, though less frequent than when he was young, flashbacks and nightmares would often plague his sleep. Just as he's about to leave, he hears her sobs again, thick and melancholy. He returns and places his hand on her shoulders until they stop again. Finally, the fourth time he stands to leave before she starts sobbing again, he sighs in defeat and sits on the bed, letting his legs slide under the covers beside her and pulling her toward his chest. What was he doing? To his surprise, Kazue's small hand splays across his neck and shoulder, her cheek nuzzles into his firm chest and her head rests on his arm. The Uchiha resists the urge to jolt up in surprise, it would be too much of a hassle if she woke now. Her body against his bare chest is silky and soft, the warmth of her radiating through him. Her leg wraps around his, Madara struggles to supress a hiss as her cold feet make contact with his, half ready to roll her off the bed before she speaks.

"S-safe-" her gentle voice mumbles after a while before Madara relents and pulls her small waist closer to place her across his chest before settling into the covers in a yawn, she seems to relax more and lets her leg hitch around his hips and her face press into the crook of his neck. Feeling sleep beckon, he lets his hand splay across her hips. His dark eyes stare down at the peaceful rise and fall of her chest against his. Marriage really is troublesome.

Kazue wakes at the prickle of the warm sun across her cheek. She must have forgotten to close the curtains the night before, though she could have sworn she'd closed them last night. As she stretches across the sheets, memories of her dreams come back to her… she knew she'd been having a nightmare, though somehow it had to have ended else she would never have slept so well. Strange. Kazue feels colder than usual, shrugging on a shawl, socks and slippers she heads to the bathroom to wash her face and tie her hair up. Had she tried to mop the bed with her hair? She grumbles at the frizzy mane of red atop her head.

It must have been early, no one else seemed to be up yet and the chill of the morning confirms it. Kazue walks quietly to the library, the thought of lighting a fire and curling up with a book exciting her. When she reaches the door, the hue of red and yellow inside indicates someone is inside already. Who else could be here this early? She carefully pushes the door open and a gust of warmth washes over her in greeting.

"Hello?" She calls out before settling by the fire

"Kazue."

A voice. His voice.

"Madara-san! G-good morning." She stutters in surprise when she notices the Uchiha leader lounged on the couches. An involuntary blush tints her cheeks when she sees part of his bare chest under an untied juban, his slacks grip around his waist which tapers on either side accompanied by lean muscle. He looks up at her, his book dropping to his lap. Kazue tightens her robe around her and flicks her head to remove escaped strands of hair from her eyes.

"Couldn't sleep?" He raises a brow at her,

"I- Uh no. I slept alright... I think. I just happened to wake up early." She mumbles

"I see." He lifts his book back up and appears to continue reading

"What about you? Did you sleep well?" she asks, picking out a title

"I did." He replies. She grabs a text and settles near the fire with it. Madara sees the discomfort on Kazue's face, "Aren't you cold sitting on the tiles there?"

"I'm fine, really." She nods enthusiastically, hiding the grimace on her lips

"Come sit here, there's room." He nods his head to the space on the couch beside him, it doesn't take more convincing for Kazue to concede and flop onto the couch in a sigh of comfort.

"Ano-… I-I just wanted to say thank you for everything you did." She stammers

"There's no need, you kept Haruo safe." He replies

"Still…thank you."

"You're… welcome." He manages stiffly without looking into her brown eyes.

Madara watches Kazue over the top of his book. She really has no idea about what happened last night then. Perhaps it was better that way. It almost seems ironic that she sits a metre away from him and behaves so formally when several hours ago he had her half-naked body draped against his. Of course he is the only one that knows that. The difference now is that she's conscious… He resists the urge to pull her into his lap in irritation.

The next few nights, Madara found himself waking in the late hours of the evening whenever Kazue had a nightmare. The only way she'd stop crying would be if he lay with her, she didn't recollect anything of it all the next day, Madara made sure to leave before she woke. Though they began to speak more often, usually together in the library or in the courtyard. These exchanges hadn't gone unnoticed by the Uchiha residents, Izuna had already made a wager with several others concerning when they'd move into the same room.

A/N: Thank you for your support and reviews, hope you're liking it so far!

MNM: oh dw ;) I've got a lot of action planned *blushes triumphantly*