Chapter 13: Tomato

Upon returning from their trip to Nagaya to gather more evidence, Izuna and Madara debrief and return to the study. It had been another fruitless attempt at gaining leads on the rogue-nin.

"I should have stationed jonin at Nagaya, if not anything else we could have sent reinforcements and saved some life."

"There isn't more you could have done, ni-san." Izuna shakes his head,

"I've been trying to figure out what kind of a leader I want to be. Before Kazue, I never stopped to think what kind of leader my people need. I've never questioned my morals."

"Wow."

"It's not like you haven't changed since then, Izuna." Madara scowls

"What's that supposed to mean, ni-san?"

"You never had the guts to question me as forcefully as you do now, and since we were children you've never tried to pick a fight with me." He folds his arms, "Then again, if you can't question a leader, it's more of a dictatorship isn't it?"

"Turning old and wise, aren't you, ni-san? You sound like Hashirama-sama."

"Still young enough to put you on your backside, don't you forget it." He smirks

"You seem more at ease. Makes it easier to be around you, you know?"

"I know." he admits

"Maybe it's not such a bad idea for us to move to Konoha? It would strengthen our forces and increase our security."

"I didn't expect you of all people to bring that up." Madara quirks his brow in surprise

"Maybe it'll be good for us to integrate into the village… I'll admit that I don't care for Tobirama or several others but while Hashirama is there, I can't imagine anything going wrong."

"That's a big move you're hinting at, Izuna. There are more Senju there than us, don't you think they'll behave differently around us? Could you stand the tension on a daily basis?"

"Perhaps it can dissipate with time. Some Uchiha have already moved there."

"Some Uchiha have had their family murdered by this clan. As we have theirs. This is not a decision to be made on the hope that things will proceed well. The Uchiha need stability and mutual respect."

"Exactly, Konoha should get used to seeing the Uchiha and knowing what they have contributed to it. How can we do that from here?"

"Izuna, enough of that." Madara waves his hand, Izuna purses his lips aware his brother wouldn't hear any more of it.

"And what about Kazue? Are you going to try for a child soon? The council has been hounding me about it non-stop." Izuna shakes his head

"She's just lost her father, I will do no such thing. This isn't a time to lose her trust and be selfish."

"I support you and ne-san. I'll just keep telling them to back off." He shrugs, "By the way ni-san… it's been three months."

"What?"

"Three-months since the wedding… and almost three months with no sex, how are you still functioning?" Izuna quirks a brow in genuine interest, Madara flings a pen at his younger brother who barely dodges and hastily retreats from the office.

The truth is, Madara didn't understand how he was functioning either. The only thought that could keep his desire for Kazue at bay was the hope that he could gain her trust completely. For that he is willing to wait for her. Though he would be lying if he said it did not frustrate him to no end. Now that there would be a decreased frequency of missions, Madara would have to remain at the residence, which would mean spending each night with his wife. The worry of losing control in the heat of the moment with Kazue niggles at the Uchiha leader. What if she looked at him with those tears her eyes like that night in Uzushiogakure? Or the night he had almost forced himself on her? He never wanted to see those expressions on her small face again. Though he could tell his frustration was affecting his temper, Izuna had an irritatingly accurate knack for picking up such things about him. Perhaps it would be better to distance himself slightly, Kazue would have time to herself to regain peace of mind and he would wait it out until she was ready.

Kazue's hands glide over the soft fabric, the thin, sheer ivory material filters the lamp-light through it onto the wall. Kanako had been rearranging their room when she noticed Kazue's wedding kimono sitting neatly in its box from months ago. The sight of it returned vivid memories to Kazue. Memories of a tall Uchiha with obsidian hair, onyx eyes and a cold yet alluring demeanour she had once detested. Memories of a time when her father was alive, a time when she believed her life would become a prison. Now all she wanted was to have him close, someone who would remain by her side until the end, someone who she would protect wholeheartedly this time. Her hands shift from her mother's veil to the fabric of the dress, a realisation makes her jolt before he sets the box onto the foot of their bed and settles at her desk to write to her sister. She decides to omit her interaction with Tobirama, the thought of his sad eyes on her only hours ago, stirred sadness in her.

A soft knock issues from the door and Madara steps into the room. The sight of his dark yet soft eyes and the broad frame of his figure both calms and flusters Kazue. Finishing her letter to Mito, she stands to face him. The two stand still, face to face and a metre apart. As Madara finds himself step forward, Kazue reaches forward to let her hands press against his chest. The embrace of his arms and his chakra soothe her, something that had once scared her to no end. They had both changed. She couldn't imagine she was in the arms of the same man.

"Welcome home." Her anxiety in his absence seems to dissolve the moment she touches him. He pulls away first with a small smile on his lips. Kazue stands on her toes and pulls him back. "The day of our wedding, when you came in to ask if I had my mother's veil, Kanako told me you had my kimono made from scratch…" Kazue mumbles against his lips, "You had the kimono made to match the veil didn't you?"

"What makes you think that?" he pulls away with a puzzled frown

"The stitching and colouration was identical. And it seemed curious of you to ask me about her veil so suddenly that afternoon."

"I suppose it came to mind." His eyes flit away from hers

"You think about these things a lot more than I thought." She chuckles when Madara huffs, "I didn't say it back then, but thank you." She gently pulls his chin to her and lets her lips brush his

"You don't need to thank me, Kazue." He sighs, "Did any news come from Konoha, in our absence?"

"Nothing regarding rogue-nin…Tobirama-san did visit, although barely for the afternoon." She frowns, Madara tenses immediately and pulls back. Kazue looks up to see an irritated frown on his brow. "Madara-san?"

"Don't use the honorifics, Kazue." He reminds her, "What did he want?"

"He just wanted to know if everything was going well with me. I know that he's going through a number of issues, it was kind of him to come so far."

"Is that all he wanted?" Madara feels annoyance and anger rising in him, the nerve, to arrive unannounced and knowing he wouldn't be there so he could meet with Kazue…

"Madara, you know it's not like that. I've made that clear to him as well." Kazue snaps back at him

"I hope it's clear to him."

"You don't need to be jealous." She winks at him

"I'm not." He states incredulously, "The way he behaves is..."

"He won't do anything reckless."

"How can you surmise that?" he scoffs

"Because I showed him that I'm not in love with him." She states, Madara pauses and stares at her again, his eyes lingering on her lashes brushing her cheek. Tucking her crimson waves behind her cheek, Madara lifts Kazue into his arms and heads to the bed. "M-Madara?!"

"Shh." He hushes her as he lowers them both under the covers and pulls her small chest against his. When her breathing evens, she looks up to catch Madara's eyes on her, he doesn't look away. "Who is it that you love?" he murmurs, feeling a dangerously sweet passion rising in him. This wasn't good, so much for patience being his virtue.

"Oh he's very serious." She imitates his characteristic look of disapproval, "Rather scary and a formidable opponent on the battlefield. But you see, he gets very jealous, very easily though he's a good man at heart." She smiles as his lips meet hers.

Madara's strong hands pull Kazue under him, his shadow hovering above her. Their kisses becoming more passionate, almost desperate. Her subtle gasps and moans test Madara's self-control, he clamps his hands onto the headboard of the bed to keep them from causing trouble. The wood creaks slightly as his grip crushes the beam. A groan of both desire and annoyance issue from the Uchiha as the scarlet haired woman beneath him wraps her legs around his hips, pulling his erection hard against her. She certainly wasn't making this easy. Against every fibre of his body telling him to let himself be immersed in the woman he loves, Madara kisses her forehead and stands up.

"I think you should rest, I still have some paperwork to finish. I came to say goodnight." Madara pecks her forehead again, tucks her in and shuffles to the door, leaving her confused and speechless in their bed.

Kazue blinks several times before she registers that Madara left. Concern wells in her, he'd looked so flustered and apologetic. Perhaps the reports from his mission had been weighing on his mind. Despite that, the wetness between her legs reminds her of how much she had longed for them to return to their bed, especially so after everything that had happened. In the last three months, she'd gone from loathing the man to feeling happiest mostly only when around him. Since they had returned, he's been slightly distant. It surprises the Uzumaki that Madara Uchiha hadn't made most any attempt at physical intimacy, in fact, Kazue had kissed him first each time before he would back away and smile genuinely at her. This was the first time since then, that they had shared more than a kiss though also the first time he had pulled away so abruptly.

Madara grimaces as soon as the door shuts behind him. To let it escalate so far and then awkwardly stumble out… he'd completely lost his inhibitions the moment she kissed him. That was it. From now on he couldn't be alone with her, she must just have been going along with it to satisfy him, he couldn't expect her to want intimacy this way now. Though his resolve is adamant, the uncomfortable hardness of his desire is equally so and reminds him of his frustration. Walking briskly in the cool evening air, he tries to shake off his thoughts. To his utter dismay, Izuna is sitting in his study when he saunters in.

"Well well well…" Izuna raises his brow in amusement

"Shut up." Madara grumbles

"I'm guessing you're doing your best to avoid her at the cost of your sanity."

"I'm still sane."

"What if you're driving her insane?"

"Izuna, rather than be my advisor I suggest you apply to become a match-maker and go bombard someone else with your love advice."

"Come now, Ni-san, you see the look of disappointment on her face every time you leave. Just talk to her and ask! She's too unsure of herself to tell you she wants you." Izuna sighs in exasperation

"She's confident enough, asking her would only worry her more." Madara retorts

"I never thought I'd find myself telling you to stop being so sensitive." Izuna presses his hand to his chest and frowns in genuine surprise

"I'm being considerate."

"You're both sexually frustrated." Izuna states before dodging a heavy book on politics, "Are you going to keep throwing things at me when I'm right and you can't find a response?"

"She needs time." Madara grumbles

"She needs time with you." Izuna sets the text back onto his brother's desk before excusing himself. "Have a great night. Textbooks are definitely the biggest turnoff, so you should be just fine."

Madara massages his temples. He had managed to remain distant from her without making it too obvious although his actions earlier couldn't have made him seem more suspicious. Surely, Kazue isn't thinking about such things. She is a virgin after all and young, no doubt she'd find physical intimacy daunting at the moment. Settling with a textbook, Madara prepares himself for a bland night. Though a letter on his desk catches his eye, stamped with Hashirama's seal. It must only have arrived today.

My friend,

I hope all is well in your residence. In reply to you, no intel has been gained on my end regarding the rogue-nin. We have increased security and stationed jonin at the gates. I suggest you discuss this with your council as well, Nagaya came as a shock to Konoha as well. We must take measures to ensure this does not happen again. Mito has expressed her desire to visit Kazue and I believe it's for her peace of mind, I hope you will have time to receive us. I will accompany her, of course. My regards to Kazu-chan.

- Hashi

Inking a new pen, Madara replies on a fresh parchment, agreeing that they spend a few days. Seeing her sister would surely help… Kazue would be overjoyed to hear the news. Although it would have to wait until the morning, Madara had no intention of heading back to the room to resist his beautiful wife entangled in sheets and barely covered in her silk nightgown. He groans in frustration at the book in front of him.

The next few days see the arrival of Hashirama and Mito. Kazue had eagerly anticipated the date since Madara had informed her. Haruo leaps into Hashirama's arms, excited and comfortable in his presence, the two chatter enthusiastically of their gambling endeavours. Mito and Kazue link arms and walk around the courtyard, catching up and enjoying each other's company. Hashirama and Madara manage time to discuss political affairs in between the socialising. Hashirama and Mito had taken notice of the Uchiha couple's hesitant interactions as had the residents of the manor. Kanako had managed to gauge Kazue's stress had something to do with Madara's distance from her, although she hadn't said a word to anyone. Despite Izuna's urges, Madara remained unmoved in his resolve to avoid intimacy with Kazue. They all hoped the arrival of the Senju leaders would ease the tension.

"Izuna, have you seen Kazue?" Madara billows into Izuna's room

"What? No. I haven't I believe she's with Kanako and Mito-san. Why?" he blinks

"I haven't been able to speak with her properly the last couple of days. She's always off doing something or busy." Madara frowns in concern, "Is she trying to avoid me?"

"You know you sound really hypocritical right now." Izuna laughs, "She's happy that Mito-san is here."

"But she doesn't look me in the eye and she's always disappearing and- Is she angry with me?" he ponders incredulously, "I can't see what I've done wrong. I've given her space-"

"That's the problem, ni-san." Izuna refrains from slapping his palm on his forehead,

"Maybe she's realised she isn't in love with me?" Madara can't stop himself before the words stumble out. Izuna looks at his brother in surprise. Madara Uchiha had never looked so disgruntled in his entire life. Rather than say the sarcastic quip at the tip of his tongue, Izuna's expression softens.

"With a blush like that on her cheeks when you look at her, I'd say her falling out of love, is the last thing you should worry about." Sighing at his brother's unconfident frown, he continues, "At the dinner tonight, break the ice. Tell her your thoughts. Listen to hers."

Madara finds himself nod once before he leaves, doubt in his mind.

"You wanted to see me, Kazu-chan?" Mito steps into the study to see her sister immersed in a stack of books as usual, "I'm surprised you still haven't finished the library, Kazu-" Mito's words are cut off when she sees her sisters head rise to face her.

Red.

Red circles of thick blush are stamped across Kazue's cheeks, her eyes are thick with kohl and her lips are badly lined.

"What. On. Earth." Mito struggles to release each word let alone stumble to her sister without falling.

"Good you're finally here! Should I use the red lip colour or the peach?" Kazue grins as if proud of herself and giddy with enthusiasm.

"Dear Kami, what are you doing, Kazue?" Mito does nothing to hide her grimace. Never had she imagined her sister, one of the most beautiful of the Uzumaki and Senju could look so… scary.

"I want to dress up a little. You and the other women in Konoha, even here always look so mature and elegant." Kazue folds her arms, Mito almost chokes at the words 'a little', "I want to learn too."

"You're still young, Kazue! No one expects you to wear so much make up." Mito massages her temples at the sight of her rescue flare cheeks. "Please don't tell me this is because you want to impress Madara-san."

"I want to look beautiful, and I want him to see me as a woman." Kazue frowns in subtle disappointment

"Kazue, you think he doesn't already?!" Mito settles next to her, pulling out a handkerchief to wipe away the makeup

"Well recently, he's so hesitant around me… what if he doesn't find me attractive?"

"You've got to be joking, Kazue. Sometimes you're so perceptive and mature ahead of your years and other times you're blinder than a rock."

"Ne-sama! I've been trying to distance myself from him altogether for the last couple of days so I can practise!" she groans in outrage, "He must realise how weird I'm behaving."

"Fine fine! How about you dress up for the dinner tonight? Nothing too much, just light make up and perhaps colour for your lips?"

"What colour do you think he'll like?"

"Kazue, I know my husband doesn't love me for what I wear. Madara seems to be the same. Don't try so hard to change yourself, he's falling in love with the girl I see before me now." Mito pats her sulking sister on the head.

"I want to be a woman to him, not a girl. That's probably why he keeps avoiding me."

"There must be more to it, just be yourself, you're beautiful now don't forget that."

"Okay okay. I'll give it a go, just a basic look then." She sulks

"I can't wait to see it. Remember that you don't need make up to be beautiful, you're a prime example of that, Mother was a prime example of that. You'll look gorgeous." Mito smiles. To think, a man that Kazue had condemned to hell several months ago, had made her want to wear makeup... Not just any man could bring about such unusual behaviour from her usually carefree sister.

Evening comes and Mito's smile hardens into a grimace when she sees her sister, Kanako raises her shoulders and glances apologetically at her as if to say Kazue didn't let her interfere. Kami, she's overdone it. Her lips are a bright red and match her cheeks, also feverishly red, with startling accuracy. Although not as bad as the afternoon's "look", this one was still too heavy. Izuna's eyes pop a little when he sees his sister-in-law, Haruo bites his lip in awkwardness. Madara's expression remains the same and Hashirama smiles amicably at his sister-in-law. Excited smiles appear across the table as the food is served. Madara calls her name for the first time. Anticipation stirs in Kazue.

"Kazue, do you have a fever? You look like a tomato. And could you pass me the water?" he pushes his cup across the table to her.

His words don't register in her mind at first but as she replays them in her head they enrage her further. After all the progress she thought they had made. The entire day was spent getting ready, getting ready for him. The entire day. Though her face remains composed, white-hot anger and embarrassment bubbles through her. From somewhere, Izuna yells at Madara. Before anyone realises it, Kazue forms several hand signs and turns to the Uchiha. Suddenly, a thin jet of water shoots from Kazue's lips and with pinpoint accuracy hits Madara square in the chest, sending him keeling several feet back. The room is filled with dumbfounded silence as Kazue picks up the cup and scoops it through his drowned dinner and sets it at his feet.

"Your water, Madara-sama." Kazue bows and leaves the room, tears of flustered shame in her eyes.

"M-Madara-san! Are you alright?!" Mito stumbles across to the Uchiha who sat on the floor, stiller than stone. Mito curses herself for not monitoring Kazue, and curses Madara's abrupt behaviour. Hashirama sits quietly at his place on the table with an expression of disdain and Izuna is doing a terrible job at hiding his laughter. "Madara-san?!" She asks again without realising the most shocking event of the evening is yet to happen.

The Uchiha begins to laugh.

All four of them look back at Madara whose chest was heaving with deep laughter. Mito, Izuna and Haruo stare at each other in confusion, Hashirama, on the other hand, is smiling.

"Madara-san? Please wait here, I'll bring Kazue back…" Mito starts

"No need, Mito-san. I'll bring her back myself." Madara still has an amused smile on his face

"Please, I insist." Mito sounds worried

"Don't worry, I'm not angry."

"How?"

"Not just anyone can catch me off guard like that. She runs to the forest when she's upset, doesn't she?" He winks at her

"Y-Yes, she does." Mito is surprised on his observation of her sister.

"Well then, if you'll excuse me." Madara stands and leaves to retrieve his wife.

All this time, Izuna had been entirely right. As much as Madara hated to acknowledge it. Picking up speed, he heads to the forest in record speed, feeling the enticing heat of Kazue's chakra ahead.

Kazue scales tree to tree, letting her hands and feet run over the texture of the bark. Her kimono lies on the ground, she keeps her underskirt on and the bandeau around her chest while she climbs higher, wiping the make up from her face angrily. She had done everything according to Mito and Kanako's instructions, from the circular motion of the brushes to the colour matching of the lips. Where could she have gone wrong. Tomatoes were red and her blush was pink, pink dammit, Madara Uchiha had no idea what he was talking about. She reaches the top scowling, the clear wind sifts through her hair, fresh oxygen filling her lungs. Now that she had distanced herself from the house, a pang of guilt stings at her aside from her wounded ego, perhaps she shouldn't have behaved so. Just because he was choosing to be childish, she shouldn't have let him see such a reaction. Mito would surely kill her when she returned. Kazue sighs in dread.

"Do you always try to turn into a tree-climbing monkey when you're upset?" a deep voice in her ear causes her to lose balance and grapple onto the nearest branch. Hanging from the tree she swings her legs up and looks around her. Unbelievable. Madara stands facing her, his feet on the horizontal trunk of the tree.

"Did you run out of water?" Kazue jumps to the next tree and avoids him, though he appears on the tree in front of her again.

"I must say, you caught me off guard. You managed to only hit me and not wreck everything in the room." He raises his brow. Kazue puts her hands on her bare hips. He walks up the tree carefully, his eyes scanning over her bare waist. She notices he isn't wearing armour. He is dressed in plain black pants and a black shirt with under-mesh extending over his forearms, to her surprise he was barefoot as well. "Aren't you cold, wearing that?" he lets his onyx eyes roam her figure

"N-No." Kazue becomes aware of his eyes on her bare midriff and shoulders, her underskirt was also practically transparent and she hated him even more for drawing her attention to it.

"You'll catch a cold if you stay out here and that would make your sister even more worried." He glances back at her,

"I'll return later." She turns her back and crouches to leap ahead

"I wasn't asking." He appears in front of her suddenly, she steps back but he steps with her

"Leave me alone." She shoves past him but he manages to catch her wrist and pull her back to him, she lands with a thud against his square chest.

"This seems familiar, doesn't it? I remember you a head shorter when you crashed into me those years ago." He chuckles

"Let me go." Kazue pushes at his chest to no avail, he is too strong.

"I've been thinking that's all you've wanted the last week. Do you want to tell me why you've been avoiding?" He asks, his hand tilting her chin to face him

"I have not." She grumbles

"I only find you more endearing when you're angry, unfortunately. Though, I didn't realise you'd try to douse me." He smirks which annoys Kazue further

"You're unbearable." she lets her hand liquefy into chakra and slips from his grip before materialising. "I don't understand you. You behave like two different men."

"Which one do you think is better in bed?" he sighs, letting his words test the waters,

"You're ridiculous." Kazue snaps and jumps from the tree to land on the ground, bending to pick up her kimono. Madara swipes it out of her hands. Before she can protest, she feels the fabric cover her body, large hands wrap around her waist and hips, pulling the robe. An involuntary blush covers Kazue's cheeks as she feels Madara's tall frame behind hers, his arms reaching around to the front of her fastening the ties across her stomach. She could feel the heat of him behind her, his warm, even breath caresses her neck and an involuntary shiver runs through her.

"You don't need an excuse to be intimate with me, you know." His lips move near her ear

"What excuse? You're the one that's been avoiding being alone with me." Kazue tries to maintain an even tone despite being flustered

"I haven't been avoiding you, but since we returned from Uzushiogakure I didn't want you to feel any pressure to sleep with me. I haven't stopped wanting you each night, I thought it would be selfish to impose my desires in your time of grief." She can feel the slight prickle of stubble as his cheek brushes hers

"I'm not so fragile, you know that. Besides, it seemed as if you found me too unattractive to be around let alone touch." She pulls away

"You think I don't find you attractive." he bursts into exasperated laughter, internally cursing himself. The irony.

"Fine then, laugh at me again! I'm leaving!" she starts to walk away before he pulls her back into his arms and stares directly into her eyes. The intensity of the sea of obsidian before her makes the blush on her cheeks deepen. Kazue feels the bark of a tree press against her back.

"You're beautiful when you bare yourself to me, like you are right now." His hands trail lazily down her hip, a gasp issues from her as his fingers find their way between her legs. "You don't need to get dressed up. I'll be taking it all off your body anyway." His breath becomes uneven as he feels her wetness on his fingers, in a swift movement his hand hitches her leg over his hip and he lets his erection press against her. Kazue's soft moan signals him to rub against her slowly, "I will admit there have been many times when breaking boulders in the training grounds before sunrise were the only way to stop myself from pulling you under me and making love to you every night." He murmurs, Kazue can't help the new blush that blooms across her cheeks, the familiar throb between her legs growing. She turns to face him, his eyes are dark with desire, much like her own. "But the tomato cheeks definitely have to go." Madara winks at her before putting her down and gesturing her back to the residence. Kazue yells several insults back while she follows the laughing Uchiha, a natural flustered blush across her cheeks. Madara glances back at her, enjoying the sight of her stubbornly stomping behind him, in all her crimson glory. She didn't realise it now, but he would have her soon. He would make love to her until she wanted him to stop her euphoria.