With a heavy sigh, Madara sat up on his cushion on the floor. Just for a moment he was overcome by worry as he knew he wasn't in his own bed, as you do, but came to and remembered they were all still on the village grounds.

The shadow clone he had left back home had disappeared, letting him know the information it had gathered, and that woke him up. Hurriedly, he got up, stumbling through the dark in order to find Tajima. He felt someone's arm or leg under his foot and heard the person groan and curse. But it was very dark, they wouldn't know it's him anyway; and, in this given situation, he really couldn't care less about it.

"What is it?" Tajima spoke when he came close enough, sensing someone was approaching even before he said anything.

"Mego is in labor." He gasped. "We need to head home immediately."

"Madara, do I look like a midwife?" His eyes had gotten used to the dark, and he saw Tajima rub one of his eyes, yawning. "Shime and servants will take care of her."

"But… None of us are there to be by her. How will—"

"Her mother is home, surely she won't miss her daughter giving birth. Go back to sleep. When we get back it will be over, then you can spend time with her."

Right. He sighed, nodding slowly to himself. Amako was there, so Mego surely won't be alone. Unlike him, Amako, being a woman, would actually be allowed to stay in the room with Mego, to hold her and talk to her. She'd be of more use than him, anyway.

He made his way back to his spot, and lied back down. He couldn't pinpoint exactly what time it was, but he definitely could tell morning was still hours away. Tajima wanted to wait until everyone heads home, but that didn't even mean they were actually going to leave as soon as the morning does come. By the time everyone gets up, packs their things, makes sure nobody forgot anything, has breakfast, says farewell to the Senju…

Restless, he sat up again.

That was unacceptably long time to wait. He went telling Mego how he's there for her, then failed to stay by her in the most important occasion. How stupid would that be?!

Not to mention that Izuna's child was coming into this world! Madara knew he would forever feel guilty for missing that. He got up again and went to collect what little things he had brought with himself.

"Madara." Tajima whispered in an exhausted tone from the other side of the room. "Go to sleep, we're not leaving yet."

"I'll go alone."

"Do what you want." He heard the man mumble irritably.

Once outside, he pondered for a moment how long it would take him to get there if he ran. Well, he'll know once he's done it.

….

The wedding feast went on until very late in the night, and so after it was over, guests from both clans were separated into the few of the finished buildings. It would take them several hours of walk to reach their camps, so they organized themselves in such manner. Sumi and Tobirama were the only ones who traveled back to Senju camp by horses.

It was their first night as husband and wife, and it was only appropriate they spend it in their home.

While riding in the carriage, each of them stubbornly faced their own respectable window. See, despite being fearful and panicky, Sumi wasn't exactly shy. Rather than embarrassing, she found this situation to be very awkward. Tobirama and herself had exchanged maybe a few sentences ever, and now they were supposed to go to bed together and consummate their marriage.

If only they had had a chance to speak more often, or at least meet and look at each other more than they had, but, alas. She stole a glance at his profile. If only he was a bit different! If he was to take the initiative and make contact – verbal or physical, didn't matter, Sumi would easily adapt.

Like this… What was she supposed to do?!

After about two hours of riding, filled with thick, uncomfortable silence, the carriage came to a stop. Tobirama went out first, and went over to her side to help her come down. Aside from them and the coachman, the place was empty. Everyone was asleep, she safely assumed.

Tobirama slowly led the way, and Sumi followed, holding the hem of her dress in her hands. She tried taking in what she was able to see of the camp, concluding it really wasn't much different from the one the Uchiha lived in. It consisted of little more than a dozen wooden houses, few stalls, and many, many tents; all of that surrounded by tall, wooden, spiky fence to keep enemies away.

Soon, they arrived before a house that stood in the midst of the camp. She followed Tobirama up the small wooden stairs and inside.

Two servants, a young boy and an elderly woman, waited in the hall, and bowed once the two of them entered. They were polite, but Sumi could feel the tension she caused them, just by being there, and being an Uchiha. She didn't want to smile at them and show weakness, but couldn't exactly face them and pretend she didn't feel just as uneasy; if even servants could get her to be submissive, then she had already failed this entire thing. So, she looked before herself, at Tobirama's broad back as he walked ahead of her.

"My lord," The woman called, and they stopped walking; she briefly glanced at Sumi, "… My lady. I have drawn you a bath. We thought you might wish to relax after your trip."

"A… A single bath?" Tobirama asked, not hiding he hadn't expected that.

"Yes, in the big bathroom." The servant smiled pleasantly.

He turned to Sumi, but didn't exactly face her.

"You go ahead." Looking over at the servant, he continued, "I'm sorry, aunt Haname, would you make me another?"

The woman paused, slightly confused, but ultimately smiled at him. "Of course."

The servant boy led Sumi to the door of the bathroom she'd use, and left her there. Well, she didn't know if Tobirama decided not to join her for her sake, in the first place, but she was truly grateful. Bathing together on their first night was way worse than simply heading to bed and finishing whatever they had to in dark, and it hadn't even occurred to her that this would have been an option.

She lied in hot water, enjoying the smell of essential oils mixed in and incense that burned somewhere in the bathroom, and the fact she finally got to shed that dress of hers. She wished to stay in as long as possible, and postpone what comes after, but couldn't exactly afford to do that. She didn't want to offend her husband on their very first day. And truthfully, when she thought about it, she could have had things way worse than this.

Sumi knew many women who were arranged to marry much older and less attractive men than Tobirama, and those were noble, important women. She didn't think she'd ever get a husband at all, and if someone happened to ask for her despite her status, she never imagined it would be someone very well of.

After about half an hour had passed, she decided it was enough. Considering the time it took the servants to warm water for another bath, and prepare it, and for Tobirama to finish, she found it was about time to get going.

A silky, long sleeping gown was neatly folded on a small table, and Sumi observed herself in the mirror after putting it on. With her hands she tried a few different looks for her hair but ultimately decided to just let it down. She slid on a thin cloak to cover herself while passing through hallways, and finally, stepped out of the bathroom.

The boy from before stood outside, already waiting for her.

"This way, m-my lady." A slight tremble was audible in his voice. Sumi nodded, this time offering a small, encouraging smile to him. They're scared of you more than you're scared of them, was the line that suddenly popped to her head, almost causing her to chuckle at the analogy.

Just like before, he held a candle to illuminate the way and led her to the door of her new bedroom, then left. Inhaling deeply, she reminded herself not to panic, or say anything stupid… Except, suddenly, she froze.

Pressure descended on her chest, and even though she had just told herself not to panic, she had begun to do exactly that. Thanks to all the distractions during the day, she had completely forgotten about her virginity – well, lack of – possibly being an issue.

What if he asks? –He won't ask. –But what if he does? What if he notices? –How the hell would he notice? It's not even a physical thing! It's just a concept! –But what if he does ask?! –Why would he ask?! –I don't know!

Rising her hand up to comb her hair out of her face, she noticed it shook slightly. This could ruin everything. He could very well just pack her up and send her back home if he was to make a big deal out of it. And her clan would completely hate her then.

There was really no point in just standing before the door, either. He might have even heard her standing and breathing there; shinobi sense you way before you come into the view. Taking another deep breath, hoping it would calm her a bit – which it didn't – Sumi slid the door open, perhaps more forcefully than intended and stepped into the room.

It was almost completely dark, save one thick candle by a window, and it was… empty. She closed the door behind her, folded her cloak on a table, and lied in bed, deciding it would be best to just try and relax.

She bit her lip. If she does very well and seduces him, he might not even remember to think about virginity? Right, that was the plan. With newfound resolve, she managed to find a both comfortable and good looking position to lie in until he shows up.

Ten minutes later, however, that position turned uncomfortable, so she simply turned on her back, letting her body relax into the cushion.

After another ten minutes had passed, she was already struggling to stay awake. It was very late, and the entire day and night were so stressful, she wanted nothing more than to sleep and drift away from it all.

For a moment, she considered maybe going to look for him, but that definitely wasn't appropriate and she didn't want to roam a yet unfamiliar house at this hour. Had the boy led her to the wrong room?

Unlikely! Her things were left there already, and both he and the old lady waited for them to arrive. They couldn't have both made such a silly mistake.

Soon, though, the mattress became too soft and her eyelids too heavy, and she surrendered to sleep… and thus ended her first wedding night.

…

Not very far from the Uchiha camp, Madara stopped by a small stream in a forest. Kneeling down by it, he washed his face and had some water to drink. He had decided five minutes wouldn't make much difference, so he sat down on the grass to rest before continuing.

Birds chirped, and grass and bushes rustled while animals were becoming active again. He leaned his head back to look up at the sky. It was still starry, but the blue darkness had turned greenish as sun inched closer to its rising. It would be dawn before long.

He wondered if he really would make it before it's over. Sometimes childbirth took many hours, but sometimes, especially for young women, it would be over in as soon as an hour or two. Not that he was exceptionally eager to witness the procedure itself – he would wait outside anyway – he only wanted Mego to know he was there.

Why did it have to happen right when he was away, of all days? If that baby's father couldn't greet it when it comes into life, its uncle at least should. His thoughts held onto Izuna, and he wondered how long would he have to wait until he can take the baby to where Izuna was buried? Madara could almost hear his brother laugh happily if he was alive to witness all this, and a tiny smile involuntarily made its way on his face.

What the child will be like, he wondered. No matter whose traits it inherits among its parents, it will surely be a joy to be around. He sighed happily, and got up. He still had almost an hour of travel before reaching the camp.