Chapter 15: Unafraid

Another fist swishes through the air, narrowly missing her cheek. Kazue's hand connects with the body in front of her and pushes forward with enough force to send it keeling backward.

"Kazue-nee-san!" Haruo wheezes, recovering from the blow but eager to attack again

"Haruo-san, I'm not going easy on you just because you want to beat me! Winning with your own strength is how you grow. Come at me again." Kazue wipes the sweat from her brow and crouches, she'd struggled to get back in shape following the trip to Uzushiogakure.

"This time I'm not holding back!" the boy leaps toward her, tired but eager to improve.

"So they've been at it since dawn?" Madara appears by Izuna's side as he looks out on to the courtyard at the two sparring.

"So you came back from training early?" Izuna scans his brother's slacks, smeared with earth and water, "Yup. Haru-chan refuses to give up, he's picked up a lot of determination from nee-san." Izuna smirks

"The boy looks like he needs a break. Kazue looks like she's barely getting started. Perhaps I should even the scales?" Madara quirks his brow, Izuna stares at his brother incredulously

"You realise she's still annoyed at you after you likened her to a vegetable, right?"

"Of course, which is why I'm giving her a chance to have at me. I also desire that she refrain from applying any make up without supervision." He smiles and tosses his shawl to his shocked brother

"Sometimes I question why I don't question your decisions." Izuna grimaces, catching the shawl as Madara steps out on to the pathway and walks toward the other two,

"Good luck, brother." he whistles.

"You look a little worse for wear, Kazue-san."

Kazue's head snaps up in attention at the sound of his familiar deep voice, his tone was seductive and velvet although she hardens her expression and nods at him. His muscular torso and chest catch her off guard, clearly visible through his shirt, a sheen of sweat covers his sun-tanned skin. Madara takes a moment to savour the pink blush across her cheeks.

"I'm quite alright thank you, Madara-san." She nods bluntly and turns back to Haruo, who stares at the two of them with intrigue

"Perhaps Haruo can take a break, I'd be happy to spar with you in his place." Madara struggles to hide the smile coming to his lips. Haruo stares at Madara and then at Izuna, who gives him a nod to retreat. The boy bows and thanks Kazue before scurrying off into his younger cousin's arms. An irritated Kazue turns to face a smug Madara.

"Is there something you wish to discuss?" she frowns, the memory of last week's dinner vivid in her mind

"How about we spar and discuss?" he raises a brow

"I don't wish to spar with you."

"Afraid you'll lose?"

That did it.

Madara crouches as Kazue turns ready to attack. Their fists collide multiple times, the calm breeze around being made turbulent by the speed of their movements. Kazue can tell Madara is holding back. In a moment, she feels his hand deliberately brush past her waist. He could have landed a hit… why did he bother making contact?

"Are you mocking me?" she pants as they pause

"Not at all." He raises a brow

"That's enough." She sighs and straightens up. Starting to walk back to the veranda, she avoids eye contact with the tall Uchiha before her. To the outsider, she seems irritated, though internally all she feels is confusion. Madara had a knack for pushing all of her buttons, and yet, all she could think about was his voice, his kindness –when he decided to show it- and his touch. Unless Madara Uchiha decided to be straightforward and mature, Kazue had decided to avoid reacting to his behaviour altogether.

"Is that all you've got, Uchiha-san?" Madara's deep voice caresses her ear, his warm breath against her neck. Kazue spins around in shock, to see him an inch away from her.

"I-I said that's enough for today." She stammers

"I'm not finished with you yet." He murmurs as his chest touches hers and he hears her breath hitch, he brings his lips to her ear and tilts her chin up. "Tomato."

Kazue registers his words. Before she can retort, chakra spills from her. Not enough to burn the obnoxious Uchiha, but enough to catch him off guard. She swings back to land a kick to his side, but Madara has a smile on his lips and doesn't flinch as her chakra touches him. A strong arm catches her leg and another pulls her body forward and up.

"Kazue-nee-san?!" Haruo yells across the courtyard as Madara slings a flailing Kazue over his shoulder with one arm and marches off. "Izuna-ni-san, are they going to fight?!" he frets, Izuna stares at the boy with pursed lips before grinning

"They're fine! I'm sure they're going to have a heart to heart and sort things out." He winks and ushers Haruo to walk with him, chuckling as Madara swings his chamber's door shut behind them.

"Your chakra doesn't scare me, Kazue." Madara raises his brows as he lays Kazue on their bed

"You don't scare me, Madara." She attempts to evade him, but his arms trap her beneath his large frame. She finds a smile play at her lips. Not that she would ever admit it, but she didn't quite mind being his prisoner at the moment.

"I'm glad." His lips meet hers, silencing her protests until she's too breathless to form them. He would quell any flimsy excuse his wife produced, he knew it as well as she did that they wanted each other more than they could admit. This time however, he would be careful with her.

Three months. Three months earlier, if you had asked Kazue Uzumaki who she hated most in the world her answer would have undoubtedly been: Madara Uchiha. Three months on, here she was, about to form the most intimate bond with her husband… who happened to be none other than Madara Uchiha. The thought was almost laughable. But nothing could change the ties they had forged since then. Madara Uchiha had never considered that a young woman with locks of red and the attitude of an ox could stir something deep in his heart, even if he didn't comprehend the depth of it, he knew she was his mate. In this life and the next. She lies under him, her hair in waves around her and her body barely covered. She is small but curvy, the fullness of her breasts fit perfectly into his hands and her hips are irresistibly wide in contrast to her tiny waist. Her body is strong and toned, though soft at the same time. Testing the waters, Madara pulls gently at the corner of her shirt, she lets him tug the material away. Only the thin sheet of her undergarment lies between them, her breasts pert beneath it. In a swift movement, he nudges his thigh between hers smiling at her bashful gasp as he rocks his hardness back and forth against her, feeling the fabric between them dampen. He spreads her legs under him and pulls back to admire her chest. Kazue peeks up at Madara, noticing his onyx eyes roaming her body. Her hand instinctively moves up to muffle her voice and her other to cover her exposed breasts.

"Don't hide from me." His words aren't angry, but matter of fact

"I-I just feel- exposed." She mumbles, to which Madara stands up, "M-Madara?" she asks as he removes his shirt and tosses it aside. He doesn't answer her and continues untying his clothes. Kazue can't avert her eyes from the chiselled form of him. No matter how many times she'd set her eyes on him, he was still magnificent. Muscle and small scars cover him like decorations, he has porcelain skin and a tumble of obsidian hair brushing his back. His buttocks firm and his thighs strong, it didn't take a ninja to see that. Kazue manages to rip her gaze from him as he turns around.

"There. Instead of worrying about where my eyes are, you can keep your own occupied." He returns to the bed and wraps his arms around her, she savours the warmth of his touch, the pressure of his chest on her breasts.

His hands trail slowly, her body rising to meet his involuntarily where his fingertips tease her skin. Her soft crimson waves fan across the white sheets, beautiful and unrestrained. His large hand cups her breast, savouring the softness of it. Madara tries to hide his surprise as Kazue's arms wrap around his neck, urging him closer. He pulls away the material and brings her bare body against his. They both sigh as their chests meet, the warmth and softness of skin against skin. A feeling both of them recognise as something they missed.

Her eyes are still apprehensive and her cheeks red. They had taken their time to get to this point, even if all they achieved now was Kazue feeling comfortable naked before him, he would be content. Kazue bites her lip anxiously, trying to silence the worry telling her she wasn't as beautiful as his past lovers. She peeks up at him, mustering the courage to look him in the eyes as long as she can. His obsidian eyes stir something deep in her, although they hold a hunger for her body, they hold patience and kindness too. She finds her hands snaking through his jet black hair, wanting his strong body around hers. Madara obliges and pulls her into his lap, her legs wrap around his waist, it was as if security had shrouded her in the protection of his strong body against hers.

His head drops cautiously to her chest, his mouth closes around her breast. Kazue's head falls back in a moan as he lays her down and kisses a trail down her stomach. When his tongue traces her hip bone she tenses, Madara looks into her eyes as if to ask her permission. When her fingertips intertwine tightly with his, he dares to move lower, kissing her inner thigh and sliding the fabric from between her legs. Before she can react, he lets his tongue explore her. Her words are lost in a series of small gasps and moans, her body spasms in pleasure at his touch. Madara had never pleasured a woman this way, though he hopes Kazue allows him to try it again. He probes a finger against her, he slowly pushes in, gauging her reaction. She moans in pleasure, her hand still holding his tightly. He lets another finger slide into her, his own erection throbbing impatiently. When he's satisfied her body is ready, he returns to kiss her neck.

Though still dizzy from the pleasure Madara had wrought on her, Kazue lets her hands roam him, feeling every contour, every scar over his shoulders and arms and chest. She trails her hand to his hips and thigh, a shudder runs through him as her hands find his growing erection.

"Kazue…" Madara brushes a strand of hair from his wife's face

"Can I?" she asks pushing him to stand beside the bed

"You don't need to ask." He smirks, though he struggles to hold himself back from taking her, "You're a little ambitious today."

Kazue lets her hands wrap around him, enjoying the sound of his uneven breaths as her hands start moving. Madara shivers at her touch, with Kazue he felt as if he was experiencing everything for the first time. He feels his legs weaken momentarily as her hands stroke the length of him. She pulls him closer and lowers her head, taking him into her mouth and sucking gently. Though completely inexperienced, her mouth sends electric sensations through him when he guides her to his tip. When her brown eyes meet his, he pulls away to kneel in front of her.

"Kazue, stop me if this is as far as you want to go. Because I want take you now and I'm afraid I won't be able to stop myself if we go any further." He shudders as she nibbles his ear

"Getting cold feet?" her irresistible whisper tips him off balance.

Furious kisses connect between them, their breath uneven and husky as they fall back onto the bed. Madara lays his wife beneath him, Kazue finds herself relax and pull him closer. Madara lets his shaft rub against the her, both of them unable to control their impatience. Madara pushes in slowly, feeling her tense around him and her small brow furrow in panic. He lets his teeth graze her neck, satisfied that her attention is distracted he continues to slide into her. Her delicate voice quivers in pain when he reaches resistance, lowering himself onto his elbows, he cradles her in his arms. His cheek against hers. Her breaths are shallow and uneven until he's completely inside her. Her small hands grip his shoulders tightly and her eyes are squeezed shut.

"Do you want me to stop, Kazue?" He kisses her forehead, worry builds at the back of his mind at the sight of her in pain

"N-no." she musters an even expression. The discomfort was nothing like anything she'd felt before, sharp and uncontrollable. That much she had anticipated. But it wasn't pain she felt now. "I-it's fine."

"Give me some time. I'll find where it feels good." He cups her face in his hand and starts to move slowly, gritting his teeth when her expression twists at the pain.

"M-Mada-" she sighs.

All of a sudden, Madara notices that the earlier frown of worry on her face has been replaced with the smallest hint of a smile. Her body relaxes around him as he presses deeper into her. Kazue's lips part slightly, her brown eyes stare into his with an expression of desire. Found it. Madara continues cautiously at first, his own lust threatening to overthrow his logic. Before long, his hips roll rhythmically into her body. Kazue's legs wrap around his waist and her moans fill his ears.

"K-Kazue." Madara's breath is uneven and laboured as he looks upon the beauty under him "I love you."

"I-I love you, M-Madara." She reaches out to him. With the last of his strength he pulls her body against his, a hand behind the nape of her neck and the other at the small of her back.

The room, the floor, everything seems to melt away as the pressure between them becomes too great to bear. Kazue falls silent and starts to shake, her arms tightly around Madara. Without being able to control it, Madara feels his own release as she pulses around his shaft. They collapse onto the bed under them, both of their climaxes needing several moments to subside. Madara finds his breath a moment before his wife, he looks over at her, fearful that he'd see tears in her eyes. Kazue lies beside him with her eyes closed in exhaustion, but the corners of her lips are turned up into a small smile.

"Kazue?" Madara measures his tone

"Mm?" she looks over at him, her face framed with scarlet and her eyes soft with elation

"You're beautiful." He smiles, relief washing through him

"A beautiful tomato." She winks at him, not that she liked his nickname for her, but the look of awe in his eyes seemed so sincere she had to lighten the mood.

"The most beautiful tomato." He laughs once, followed by Kazue. Before they register it, they're both laughing in each other's arms.

A/N: Well it appears this chapter was long overdue. I feel like there were a tonne of proof-reading errors… so I'm sorry if that stunted the 'mood' hahaha. What's going to happen next? I'm still planning, I always seem to get writer's block! Looking forward to updating hopefully soon! x