Chapter 8: Trust

After the events of a tumultuous month, sitting at the breakfast table without bandages or awkward grimaces come as a welcome relief to Kazue. Izuna and Haruo snarf down their food, Madara sips his tea while reading. Her husband glances over at her, catching her off guard, Kazue averts her eyes and focuses on her food.

"For your birthday, I imagined you would like to visit Konohagakure?" Madara raises his voice slightly over his papers, Kazue's head jerks away from her plate, she had almost forgotten herself that her birthday is next week. The thought of seeing Mito and Hashirama sends a jolt of enthuse through the kunoichi.

"Really?!" Kazue fails to contain her excitement, Madara's usually stern eyes soften at her smile

"If you wanted we could go for a few days."

"That would make me more than happy, Madara-san! Please!"

"Consider it done, we'll leave tomorrow morning at the soonest."

"Thank you so much! This means a great deal to me..." Her brows knit together in sincerity. Madara consciously pulls his gaze away from her and back to his papers.

"I understand." He nods, the ghost of a smile on his stern lips.

Izuna quirks an intrigued brow at the calm exchange between his brother and sister-in-law. He had suggested to his elder brother that they both visit Konoha for Kazue's birthday, usually Madara spent his days off sorting through paperwork and training, so it didn't seem plausible to Izuna he would actually do it… How uncharacteristic. He feels overjoyed nonetheless at the couple's attempts to better their marital relations. Recently their amicable relationship had been the centre of attention for the Uchiha residents. Even if they were just visiting Konoha, they were going together. Perhaps he should have placed more on his wager, the thought makes him chuckle.

Kanako and several shinobi who are accompany Madara and Kazue on the journey, struggle to contain Haruo, who had made the executive decision, with Izuna's blessing, to join them. Kazue grabs the boy and offers to play with him when they make a pit stop to freshen up. Madara disappeared early, presumably to train before they leave again. Despite Kazue's pleas for the two of them to leave and finish playing before he returns doesn't waver the young Uchiha, who sits and waits for his elder cousin.

"Madara-ni-sama! You should come too! Please!" Haruo all but jumps on Madara as he returns from training. Madara sits the boy on his lap to enquire what he is asking while wiping the sweat from his brow on the bandages covering the back of his hand. Kazue wills her stare away from the shirtless shinobi and focuses on the earth beneath her. Though she had still caught sight of a sheen of sweat glistening on his porcelain skin. The waistband of his slacks lazily hug his muscular hips, the muscle of his abdomen continuing to taper behind the pants accompanied by a thin trail of dark hair starting from his navel.

"Haruo wants to play in the waterfalls for a bit before we leave." Kazue says mechanically

"Alright. Only for a short while and we can't go far." Madara ruffles his hair and glances up at Kazue who averts her eyes in an instant and blushes ever so slightly. She hadn't imagined the Uchiha leader would allow them to go without any resistance.

"You must be busy, we won't be long." She shakes her head

"There's not much to do before we leave, I'll come." Madara's shrugs on his yukata without tying it and raises his brows at his anxious wife.

How does this child always end up in these situations?! Kazue sighs in exasperation, it hadn't even been ten minutes and here they are. Haruo dangles from the roof of the cave over the edge of the waterfall, Kazue bounds over to him and reaches out before he falls. To her astonishment, the boy flips and lands behind her.

"Madara-ni-san you're it!" Haruo runs around Kazue and taps Madara's shoulder before disappearing in a fit of giggles. Still relieved the boy hadn't fallen Kazue turns around to see the Uchiha leader. Great, clearly the two are working in cahoots.

"I suppose you should run?" The Uchiha smirks as he paces forward, Kazue feels nerves flutter in her stomach.

"Don't go easy on me just because you think I need it." Kazue scowls, surely he could tell she was bluffing?

"You don't need it." He states waiting for her to make a move. They stand alone in the cave and the waterfall happens to be the only way out.

In a moment, Kazue jumps above, managing to grab a hold in the roof of stone. Madara steps forward but she swings her feet to jump over him. Feeling her feet land firmly on the ground leaving Madara behind her, she crouches to run.

"Nice try." His deep murmur rumbles through the cave. Kazue flicks her gaze up to see him in front of her.

He walks forward, Kazue walks back. When her back makes contact with the stony wall, her eyes lock with the obsidian irises above her. Madara stares at her, his broad frame over-shadowing her against the wall. There is a wisp of crimson hair brushing her cheek and the rise and fall of her chest is subtle underneath her thin shirt. He can't help but inch forward. The heat of her body mingles with his and their lips are inches apart. He almost chuckles at the sight of her, eyes tightly shut, brows furrowed and her lips in a line. She is undoubtedly afraid, but she stands her ground and refuses to run. Moving slowly, Madara dares to let his lips brush against hers. She tenses immediately, the alien feeling of his lips over hers… it's shocking though not unpleasant. As he starts to pull away, he feels her relax if only the slightest. Trying his luck, Madara lets his mouth press onto hers with more force, his hands remain on the walls around her, she'd bolt immediately if he touched her now. Kazue recognises the same ache inside her from their wedding night, the feeling of him being so close usually made her anxious or fearful, in this instance it makes her feel an emotion she had never imagined she'd have toward Madara Uchiha of all men… Desire. Her lips move with his. An ache of yearning runs through the Uchiha who struggles to control his movements. Before his hands disobey his command to remain still, he pulls back. Kazue sighs quietly as the cooler atmosphere of the cave replaces the warmth of his lips. She looks visibly stunned. What on earth brought that out of her? She had just kissed him back.

"Kazue…" his whisper sends a shiver down her spine, she had no idea how things had ended up this way and that she had just kissed a man she had sworn to loathe for eternity,

"Um" she manages, slightly flustered.

"We have to head back soon." His lips part from hers "And Kazue?"

"Y-yes?" she murmurs, emotion stirs in his dark eyes as he looks into hers,

"You're it." he grins playfully and taps her on the chin. Before she can react or protest, he's gone. When the disbelief passes, irritation fills her until she scowls in exasperation.

"Really?!" she shouts, honestly there wasn't all that much difference between him and Haruo.

The hum of the waterfall catches her attention, she turns to see her reflection in the veil of water. The blushing red-haired woman she sees in front of her is smiling.

The last stretch of the journey is pleasant. Haruo seems to be enjoying it, he hadn't seen Konoha since he was an infant. Kazue notices that Madara is in good spirits as well, she couldn't say she wasn't either. Her fingertips subconsciously brush across her lips every few moments. Madara chats with her and carries on without any awkwardness or embarrassment about their earlier encounter, which she is grateful for. She decides she likes this side of him. When they reach, Madara carries Haruo on his shoulders so he can view the terrain. Hashirama and Mito meet them at the gates soon after, relief spilling from Kazue's eyes as tears. Though they had exchanged letters when they could, it was nothing compared to seeing one and other in person. Haruo takes to Hashirama almost instantly, the two appear to share a sense of humour which comes as a relief to Kazue. Madara and Hashirama catch up on various business matters while Mito and Kazue walk several steps behind. It had only been a month or so, yet it felt as if years had passed and a great many events had taken place.

"I-isn't Tobirama-san coming too?" Kazue asks after a while as they walk through the village.

"He's away on a mission, Kazue, but he really wanted to be here." Mito frowns at her sister's glum expression. Madara's stare shifts back momentarily to Kazue, the look of disappointment sends a jolt of irritation through him though he turns back around and doesn't react to it.

The next day, Madara takes Haruo to explore the village while Kazue meets with Mito regarding the Uzushio council. Madara watches his young cousin with appreciation. Since his parents' death in the cross fire of another battle, the boy hadn't been comfortable around crowds of people that weren't his immediate family. Yet now, the boy flits from one shop to another in excited curiosity.

"Ne, Madara-ni-san, we should bring Kazue-ne-san a present!" he exclaims after a while

"Oh? What did you have in mind?" Madara raises a brow

"Hmm, Mito-sama wears a lot of jewellery! Maybe ne-san would like something like that?"

"I suppose."

The two return to the Uchiha residence before Madara hands Haruo over to Kanako for the evening. A present? Madara strolls through the compound passing Kazue's closed door, though he can imagine her tying her hair and painting her lips in preparation for the night at the Senju estate. He did have time to spare before getting ready, perhaps it would be a good opportunity to scan the market place once more before they close.

The necklace has a plain silver chain, the pendant which adorns it curves in elegant swirls of silver. It had taken quite a while and a hefty amount of money to convince the jeweller to create the piece in such a short time, though he completed it to a commendable standard. The jewellery glimmers, lustrous and elegant in Madara's hands. The pendant comprises the fusion of the Uchiha and Uzumaki crests, an amalgamation of the Uchiha fan with the spiral of the Uzumaki symbol. Was it too personal a gift? What would Kazue make of the necklace? About him? Shaking away his doubt and sudden lack of confidence -a rare experience for the Uchiha leader- Madara retires to prepare for the evening.

For the better part of the evening, Madara is unable to keep his eyes from Kazue. She wears a brilliant blue kimono, white patterns cascade across it to represent the whirlpools of Uzushiogakure. Her scarlet hair is gracefully tied atop her head and gleams in the moonlight. The thick frame of lashes around her brown eyes and the soft crimson tint of her lips contrast with the pale milky complexion of her skin. She only seems to become more beautiful each time he lays eyes on her. Hashirama and Mito greet them at the Senju estate and invite them and Kazue is all but showered with their gifts.

Kazue allows herself to look over at Madara as they walk. His obsidian hair tumbles behind him in spiky waves, he stands a head taller than her and even in his formal shirt she can make out the outline of toned muscle. Every so often, his hair brushes aside as he walks to reveal a square jawline under porcelain skin. His eyes dark but thoughtful as if he's pondering something, and- and they are now staring back at her. Kazue snaps her gaze away and blushes furiously.

"Something wrong?" The Uchiha asks

"N-no, it's nothing." She grins sheepishly, Madara finds his own lips curving into a smile. The two continue to walk, talking here and there and feeling more and more comfortable in each other's presence.

Mito and Hashirama stare at the couple from the balcony.

"Something is developing between them." Mito nudges her husband,

"I wonder what changed? The both of them seemed to stubborn to bow to the other." Hashirama wraps an arm around her and pulls her to his chest as they stare at Madara and Kazue stroll through the courtyard. Kazue's bright smile is visible even in the dark evening, Madara seems peaceful and relaxed as well.

"Perhaps they are falling in love?" she smiles at the sight of her sister laughing.

"It's not quite love yet. But I have a feeling it's in the works." He winks

"Kazue wouldn't behave like this with someone she loathed. Madara seems a lot less uncaring too."

"They've had an effect on each other without doubt."

"I want her to be happy, Hashirama."

"I do too. I want them both to be happy. Madara needs someone to show him another way right now. Earlier I was worried he was losing his way, losing sight of our goals. Perhaps Kazue is changing something within him."

Madara finds his fingers fiddling with the necklace in his hand, still unsure of whether to present it to her or not. Until now, they had been chatting away enjoying each other's company in a way they never had before. Would giving her the present make things awkward again? His eyes scan Kazue's expression for a moment. She walks leisurely by his side, her face bereft of anxiousness and formality. Taking a deep breath, he pauses in front of her. Her happy face is tinged with slight confusion as Madara inhales to speak.

"Kazu-chan! I made it!" a deep voice yells out to reach the both of them. Kazue's frantic attention snaps up to confirm the owner of the voice. Before he can register much else, Kazue has disappeared from his side and is all but bounding to the estate to greet Tobirama.

"Madara! I've brought out some sake, come and try it!" Hashirama's enthusiastic voice calls out to him from the light of the porch.

Pausing for a moment to quell his crushing discontentment, Madara lets the necklace in his hands fall with a muted thud to the muddy earth below before returning to the estate. He scoffs slightly on his way back. Giving her something so personal…He should have known better.

Kazue and Tobirama settle on the steps of the courtyard outside the residence. The cool evening breeze cues Kazue to shrug her shawl tighter around her.

"You always manage to disappoint me before surprising me, Tobirama-san." Kazue quips

"Gomen, I do, don't I?" he gives a stern smile, "I've never wanted to get away from my missions more than I have since you arrived back."

"I understand. I admire your dedication to Konoha. You'll make it great one day."

"I can only hope so. As long as there's a disciplined justice system and laws to protect our villagers I can only see this village prospering. If everyone understands their role and is loyal to the greater good then I dare say Konoha will become the leader of the shinobi world." A gleam of ambition and pride issues from his eyes,

"I agree. Konoha will be a keystone in the future, more so than it is now. And I can see you being a key figure for shinobi of the future generations." Kazue smiles, admiring Tobirama's passionate words. He seemed to want the same she did for her people. To protect and lead them forward.

Distracted by the luminescence of the moon, Kazue doesn't notice Tobirama's hand rise to caress her cheek. She gasps in surprise as he laughs. While she's scowling and before she can register anything else, his fingers draw her chin to his. Their lips inches apart and the heat of their breath mingling. The overwhelming urge to close the distance threatens to over-ride her logic. Tobirama edges closer, enticed by the scent of jasmine and sandalwood and the sight of her scarlet hair brushing her soft skin. Kazue holds her breath for a moment. She can't help but imagine obsidian eyes in front of her. Abruptly, Kazue finds herself jerk backward.

"S-sorry, I just… you know that-" she stutters as she folds her arms tightly across her chest. Tobriama smiles and pulls back to give her space. He was being too pushy with her. Afterall, their relationship hadn't had this dimension until now. He could wait.

"I know." He grins, "I guess you understand then, how I feel about you."

"We've grown closer, there's no doubt about that and I value and care about you unwaveringly…" Kazue finds herself measuring her words

"You don't need to say anything more, Kazu-chan." He tilts her chin down and presses his lips to her furrowed brows, "I'm willing to hold out."

"I-it's not that… I just think our positions and our duties are important now more than ever-" she blushes

"You look beautiful like that." His fingertips run over her red cheeks followed by his hazel-red eyes. Kazue notices the bob of his Adam's apple. "I understand. I don't want to make you uncomfortable, okay? Let's talk about something else?"

"Any news of the rogue-nin?" she clears her throat and obliges the change of topic a little too soon.

"Not a great deal, unfortunately. They seem to want negotiation of some kind, I should rather say they want profit." He shakes his head

"They tried to take me a couple of weeks back. I couldn't gather much intel on them regarding Konoha but I'm almost sure they want me to act as a bargaining chip." Kazue frowns

"They what?!" Tobirama measures his words though he feels white-hot disbelief surge through him.

"They didn't manage to keep me long, Madara-san came-" she's cut off by the sound of him whirring to his feet and through the doors behind them. "Tobirama-san! Wait!"

Hashirama and Madara sit inside chatting while Mito sips tea. The pleasant scene is upturned when Tobirama billows through the doors.

"How the hell could you let her be alone and vulnerable enough for rogue-nin to get a hold of her again?!" Tobirama's eyes flash with rage. Hashirama grimaces slightly. Madara keeps his voice low and barely turns to acknowledge the Senju.

"I should ask you why you failed to prevent her attempted kidnapping in Konoha before the wedding when I was the one who upheld your duty for you?" Madara's glare is equally frightening and Hashirama, Mito and Kazue can feel the dense pressure of riled chakra buzzing around them. The two of them are now standing opposite each other, glowering.

"E-enough! There's no use talking about this now, each time I'm glad that nothing happened." Kazue raises both her hands, her small body separating the two well-built shinobi. Tobirama moves forward until her palm touches his chest, instantly, he turns in a huff and storms from the room. Trying to gauge Madara's emotions, Kazue examines his expression. To her surprise, she sees the once disinterested and inconvenienced look on his face she had hated so much when they met. His demeanour had changed completely from the earlier part of the evening, since Tobirama's arrival. While she knew their relationship to be strained, it seemed a wonder they hadn't clashed physically recently. A flustered Hashirama exits shortly after to catch up with his brother. Madara turns to leave and pauses for a moment to look back at Kazue.

"Ano, Madara-san…I- I was planning on staying at the Senju estate tonight?" she says cautiously. Despite the infuriation her words evoke in the Uchiha he turns on his heel to leave.

"Do as you wish. Goodnight and happy birthday, Kazue." He states in a non-committal tone over his shoulder. Kazue and Mito stand in silence, glancing over at each other in concern.

"Mm Madara-san..." she whimpers as he slides another finger into her. Their bodies tangle upon the white sheets of his large bed.

Mindless sex had become a staple for the Uchiha since he'd met Kazue Uzumaki. No matter how he tried to distance or remove his mind from the woman, it was inevitable that the thought of her would haunt his nights. This time it was different, the memory of Kazue telling him she wanted to stay the night at the Senju estate impacted him more than anything else had before. Regardless of the fact that he knew Kazue wouldn't be comfortable enough to sleep with another man…He had slept with women after his marriage but she'd certainly had no inclination to follow suit considering her lack of experience with physical intimacy… but doubt irks him, what if Tobirama convinced her otherwise? The image of her small curvy body in the Senju's hands makes fury rampage through him. The thought of her calling his name… Disgust seeps into his stomach and a growl of anger escapes his lips. He looks at the woman in his arms.

"M-Madara-san?" the woman asks softly, sighing, he brings her chin to his neck while his hands hold her breasts. The only image that seared through his thoughts was her. All he can imagine is her body against his. His attention snaps back to the present when her mouth closes around the length of him, making him take a strained breath. He hadn't had sex since he and Kazue had fought in the courtyard those weeks ago, when she had stormed off after telling him to have some consideration in more aggressive wording. It had been a while and the woman beneath him had her arms out stretched to him, waiting for him to take her.

"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, Madara himself, feels a sense of comfort in the moment as the red haired kunoichi beams with laughter.

Hell and damnation. Madara pushes himself up and away from the woman on his bed. He ignores her protests and shuts himself in his study. He focuses on his breathing until her calls fade. How ridiculous. Madara massages his temples in an attempt to recollect his thoughts. Why did he have to think of that moment now? Of her?! Too tired to let his anger get the better of him, Madara settles at his desk and immerses himself in his pending paperwork.

Sweat.

Sweat covers her body in a thick sticky sheen when she jolts awake. Her breathing is shallow but laboured and her tangled sheets threaten to all but shackle her to the bed. Anxiety and disorientation seem close to consuming her. Before logical thought materialises in her mind, Kazue finds herself running down the halls frantically, doors flying by her until she reaches the right one.

His eyes pop slightly as she walks in, wrapped in her blanket. Her hair falls haphazardly around her and her eyes are tired and anxious.

"Kazue?!" Madara frowns in disbelief and concern at the sight of her

"I-I'm sorry to intrude this late." She stammers

"I thought you were staying the night in the Senju estate?"

"I was going to but I'm more comfortable sleeping here, so I came back some time ago. I didn't want to wake you."

"So you came back." Madara seems to ponder to himself… Here he was thinking she'd spend the night with Tobirama and here she stands asking to stay with him.

"U-Um I don't know why I came here… I-I was just wondering if I could stay with y-you for a while?"

"You had a nightmare." He states rather than questions, which surprises Kazue, how did he conclude that so quickly?

"Y-yes… I did, I'm fine now."

"Tell me what happened?" He gestures her to sit beside him, she walks over and settles across from him.

"I-I don't really remember it-"

"Don't lie." He frowns

"It was just… a lot of fighting. War." She murmurs

"Did you lose someone you cared about?"

"Y-I did…My father, Mito and-"

"And?" he probes, wanting to take the anxious expression off her face

"And you." She says without looking at him.

Her words make something jolt deep within Madara. He finds himself moving closer to his wife, raising his palm slowly to hold her soft cheek. Kazue doesn't pull back, instead she lets her head rest in his hand and dares to let her brown eyes face his obsidian ones. Their lips meet gently at first, each gauging the others reaction before they crush into one and other. Madara effortlessly slides the large mahogany table between them several metres aside with one arm and pulls Kazue closer with the other. The blanket falls from Kazue's shoulder to reveal her delicate shoulders, her petite chest draped with the silvery fabric of her night gown. Madara kisses her collarbone and brings Kazue's mouth back to his when he feels her hands run through his hair. Kazue lets her legs wrap around the Uchiha when he pulls her into his lap and feels the ropy muscle of his shoulders under her fingertips. The chakra she had once found cold and sharp was the only relief from the heat of her own. Madara's hands explore her, her energy warm and enticing, if only he could be submerged in it. His hands slowly pry the strap of her dress away, his lips trail kisses along her chest and shoulder. Kazue can't imagine how gentle the man in front of her was being. She found it equally unbelievable the way her body responded to his touch, without a doubt she wanted him. The thought of their formality initially and the encounters they faced since their marriage… they all seem to blur away in the moment as his arms hold her tightly to him, a sensation of being protected and respected stirs in the kunoichi. Her soft gasps at his touch excite him further, though he keeps conscious control of himself. He needed to move slow with her, to let her trust him.

"Madara-san? Are you going to let me go all the way this time? Oh oops." A high-pitched voice issues from the room beside them. Both Madara and Kazue's heads snap up to see where it came from. Madara's stomach plummets when he sees the woman he'd forgotten about saunter out from his bedroom wearing nothing but his yukata. The silence in the room is thick for several moments before Kazue stands up and shrugs her blanket tightly around her.

"Goodnight, Madara-san." She manages above a whisper before turning on her heel and walking to the door. Madara stumbles up and follows, unable to grab her hand to stop her.

"Kazue! I didn't-" He calls after her. For a moment, she turns to look back. Madara feels a part of him shatter when he sees her brows furrowed in confusion and hurt, a single tear escapes her eyes as her lashes blink. And then she's gone.

A/N: Gahh getting a bit of writers block but I'm working through it :) Thank you for your support x

In reply to:

Zeynep - "Izuna is such a bae" Ahahahaha I laughed a lot at that (He totally is ;)). M-scenes to come *cough* (punintended) *cough*

Guest who took the time to write such a passionate review :) - I'm definitely an advocate for equal rights and I apologize if it seemed to reinforce gender expectations. My true inclination was to display that Madara expected better of himself as an adult and leader not to react to her childishness, he felt like he stooped to her level. Kazue behaved extremely out of line with Madara no doubt (he had to have had a decent tipping point to react in such a way). So, in that case I don't think it was a matter of whether Madara should feel guilty or not. He is mature enough to feel disappointed in himself, Kazue on the other hand is relatively young and while she thinks she knows everything, she has a ways to go when it comes to feeling empathy for Madara or letting go of her indignation toward him (she was also a little scorned). I agree, they are both ninja and this is not the 21st century, I aimed to bring to attention that in those times gender roles were enforced in the way we try to move away from now, being more educated. Madara's guilt represented that he doesn't condone physical violence on his own. In chapter 7 she hesitates before she insults him knowing she "should have stopped there" and in chapter 8, she does make the comment "I don't know why you keep coming back to save me" which was a little hint at that. Deep down she knows she was out of line. He is anything but the monster Kazue may see, should she choose to see it. I appreciate your analysis of the events in chapter 6, rather than error, I would put it down to interpretation and I'm glad to have heard yours! I'm glad this story made you feel something, evoking emotion is what I hope to do JHope the next chapters are better for you! x