"STINKY HAT!"

Ed

She wasn't pleased to say the least. The feast went smoothly as did their discussion to deal with the problem at hand, not like the damiyo was going to offer his input anyways. She was well mannered enough not to snap at the damiyo when he said that she and Madara would be sharing a room, she should have erupted with outrage. She didn't miss that smirk on his face. This made her uncomfortable on many levels besides the obvious. Would they be sharing a bed too?

How was she going to be able to meditate and reflect while he was near her, like a cloak. From her observations thus far, Madara didn't seem to mind them sharing a room. It didn't bother him or make him squirm-the complete opposite effect it had on her. Izuna didn't do them any favors pointing out that she was blushing and decided to poke fun at her for it. He was quite the troublemaker first aggravating Madara on their trek to the village, and then moving onto her flustering and annoying her until steam rose from her head and ears-from embarrassment or flustering she wasn't sure. a combination of both was likely.

She was silent when they entered the room, Madara gestured her in first before he entered, sliding the door shut. At least he had some manners despite being an arrogant pig head. She couldn't overlook that little detail. A silence filled their room as both observed it carefully. It wasn't so uncommon to see it in such a lavish fashion, violet curtains hung down the windows obscuring some sunlight, their beds were rather large with several blankets and pillows all varying in size, color, and shape, but they all looked so cozy. Having two beds was like a blessing for Mikito at least, she did not want to be that close to Madara. Nothing personal against him but she did enjoy her own space to stretch out and lounge.

"This is my bed." Madara stated, pointing to the bed closest to the door just a few feet away from a rather large dresser and closet that was off to the side appearing to be part of the wall itself. He focused back on her, eye narrowing slightly as he waited for a response or a reaction from the tall woman. Usually she had a million things to say, a witty retort that would rile him up, or she'd flat out disagree with him on the matter and do what she wanted, which he would blatantly disagree with. He had half a mind to tell her to shove it where the sun don't shine, but there was something about her questioning and challenging him that stirred the pit of his stomach. "Domou woman, did you hear what I said or are you still daydreaming about some nonsense?" He asked mockingly.

Mikito rolled her eyes lightly, so he was still going to call her Domou and not by her name unless he was annoyed or wanted something. She sat on 'her' bed casting a lazy glance in his direction, staying silent, watching him fold his arms over his chest fixing her with a stern gaze. "Oh, what was that?" She asked, chuckling silently seeing his one eye narrow even more, he had mocking jokes, so did she and she had a million of them. "I did hear what you said clearly, but I don't think I was listening do you care to say it over again?" She crossed her arms under her breasts, fixing him with her own stern gaze.

"Woman..."

"It's Mikito Domou."

"Mikito..." Madara sighed, rubbing his forehead. "Are you patronizing me yet again?"

"I don't know." Mikito sighed loudly, putting a hand on her cheek as she tilted her head to the side staring into Madara's one eye. That'll show him to call her 'Domou woman' and 'woman' again. She had a name and much preferred being addressed by it than 'woman'. She wasn't a damsel in distress or a princess raised behind walls, she was kunoichi! The strongest in her clan, and the leader of one of the most feared clans on the entire planet. "Madara-kun, does it seem that way?" She questioned, eyes dancing with curiosity. "If I was that would just be so rude."

"Do not use kun." Madara said, almost as if it was an order. It was an order actually. "Just call me Madara."

"Only if you call me Mikito."

"Whatever..." Madara gathered his black ninja garb in one arm, snatching a towel with his other hand. "I'm going to the bath house. Remember this is my bed and that is your bed." Madara indicated towards the two beds just several inches away from each other-there wasn't much of a gap between them, and the beds looked practically the same aside from one having more pillows than the other. "I better not find you on my bed when I return."

"Sure, sure." She waved her hand nonchalantly. There was no sense in arguing over who got to sleep where, even though she wanted to retort. Wanted to talk back just to rile him up, but she'd behave, let him sleep on his own bed. "Don't worry I won't steal your bed or lay on it." She stood up, sauntering towards him with a relaxed expression on her face, tracing a finger on one of his blankets. "Before you go though, I have a question."

"What is it?" Madara asked.

"Would you like me to wash your back?"

"No I would not like you to wash my back. I am more than capable of doing it on my own thank you.." He responded matter of factly, pacing towards the door. As much as he would love to answer another twenty questions from Mikito he had better things to do. And, he swore he seen mirth and amusement dash around in her round and bright eyes.

"Okay, have it your way." Mikito grabbed her own towel, sauntering after him. "I won't help you wash your back."

"I always get my way, Mikito." Madara said, glancing back at her for a long moment. "Always. Don't forget that."

Izuna sighed contently, pouring a bucket of water over his matty-spiky hair. The steamy room working wonders on his body as the soothing water enhanced with bath salts kneaded his muscles and scrubbed away dry blood, grime, and dirt from his pale but healthy skin. "This bath house is huge..." He noted, glancing up at the ceiling, but was greeted with the fine and thick steam curling about. Of course, he had his own bath house back at the compound, as well as his own home, but the bath house wasn't nearly as spacious as this one was. He could stretch his legs out completely and still have a good three or four feet of space between them and the other side.

He reclined his back against the wall, another sigh escaping his lips as he let himself drift off. Not sleeping, but not entirely awake. Aware, but also lucid, floating as if he was on a cloud. It was a liberating experience, there was nothing like a soak in a hot bath to work the tension from his tightly packed muscles and get rid of the pesky, sticky feeling of being dirty. It was known that shinobi didn't care about hygiene his brother's hair was a clear statement of that, though he'd never say that out loud. However, Izuna was keen on his hygiene and bathed whenever he could.

But, I can't help but wonder why Mikito loathes this damiyo so... He seems all right, a bit of a lecher and obnoxious, but still all right. Izuna thought to himself, humming softly as he got lost in his thoughts-he could afford to this time. Mikito was a mild mannered but passionate woman, she was resolved and completely guileless he couldn't help but like her. Her words were genuine, her actions were bold, she didn't put up with his brother's arrogance or attitude, but she still held firm that she'd never slight him, Madara, or the Uchiha as a whole. That was worthy of his respect. Perhaps for these reasons a small sliver in Madara actually enjoyed her company, even if they spent their time going back and forth. More amusement for him.

"Brother?" Izuna cracked his eyes open, removing the rag which rested on his forehead, and set his head forward taking in his visage. He smiled feeling annoyance radiating from his aura as he sauntered over to a stool and began to lather his thick and spiky mane, Izuna took his silence as annoyance. Considering he didn't chastise him for letting himself drift off. "I take it things are going good with Mikito-san?"

"That woman..." Madara heaved a sigh, dumping a bucket over himself. "Is insufferable. I'm beginning to think she enjoys pissing me off and challenging me." Why else would she second everything he had to say, support Izuna in being a pain in his ass, make them stop for an hour to eat, and lastly patronize him before he left their shared room. It was ridiculous, he thought. Nobody in the right mind would ever, ever second what he had to say, and patronize him. They'd get in order or he'd make them get in order.

Izuna whistled softly, a grin gracing his face. "Now, now brother. You can't let a little challenge get to you. I mean, how many people on this planet actually challenge you and don't back down from you besides me?" Izuna clicked his tongue. "This seems like a very liberating experience!"

Madara paused in filling up his bucket with water again, turning to Izuna. He made a good point, nobody challenge him, everyone backed down from him. That nauseating Hashirama and giant prick Tobirama excluded there weren't many who tried to stand up to him or against him just the same. "Do tell, how is this experience supposed to be liberating?" Madara scoffed, dumping the bucket briskly, letting the water drip passed his split ends casting streaks down his muscular back. "It is aggravating, Izuna. Far from liberating."

"Well..." Izuna stroked his chin thoughtfully. "She is guileless, completely. I don't believe she can lie, even if she tried..."

"I know that already, get to the point." Madara quipped, lathering his mane once again.

"The damiyo mentioned something about marriage unifying noble families and shinobi clans." Izuna started. "But, that could never be any more true for shinobi clans. Marriage is the only option for an alliance, shaking hands never did anything and won't..." Izuna sighed softly, wondering how he could put this in the right words. He seen how the men in their unit looked at the women in Mikito's unit and vice versa. They were shinobi, but first and foremost men and women, and they had their needs that needed to be satiated. "Marriage clearly wasn't an option for you and Mikito, it'd lead to a divorce or you two wringing the other's neck. But, by all logic it is the only viable choice, especially between our clans. We have to come to terms that there will be reciprocation between the Domou and the Uchiha."

"Hn..." Madara grunted softly in response, barely nodding his head. He had an idea where Izuna was going, of course the younger brother was being blatant or blunt like normally, showing the importance of what he said. "You're saying that members of our clan will..." Madara paused, swallowing slowly. It was a bold claim to make, the Uchiha were not known for socializing quite the opposite. The elders would be breathing down his neck...

Izuna nodded, a small smile on his face. "Maybe not now, but in time, soon there will be reciprocation between the Domou and Uchiha." Izuna turned his eyes on Madara for a moment before closing them again. "I know you are not blind brother, you see the way our men look at the women in Mikito's unit. It's not bad at all, in my opinion. Could you imagine it?" Izuna opened his eyes, gazing back up. "The Domou are all powerful, their chakra is ferocious and overwhelming. We the Uchiha have the Sharingan, the Domou are extremely powerful physically, think about it."

Madara silently contemplated what Izuna was saying. He kept things basic and forward, Izuna was basically saying that members of the Domou and Uchiha will co-mingle, have intimacy and eventually give birth to children having both qualities of their clans. The powerful bodies, ferocious and overwhelming chakra of the Domou combined with the potent chakra the Uchiha possessed coupled with Sharingan and unbelievable visual prowess. Damn it, Izuna... Madara said mentally, Izuna's explanation wasn't wrong at all. "Say if it does happen, somebody from both sides will need to wed. Who would think of doing that?"

"Well..." Izuna scratched his cheek. "There is you and Mikito."

"Absolutely not." Madara replied a second later, shaking his head for emphasis. "I don't want the pain in the ass elders breathing down my neck just because I didn't marry within the clan."

"You're the leader-their leader." Izuna snapped his fingers, grinning. "You make the decisions, I'm only pointing out what should be obvious for everyone to see. I'm sure Mikito herself has seen the mutual attraction shared..."

"If it happens then it happens." Madara sighed, wrapping his towel around his waist as he walked to the bath, sitting himself down before he yanked it free. "Don't run around playing matchmaker especially with me and Mikito. It is up to me who I wish to stick my dick into, and it's Mikito's choice who she wants to penetrate her. Then and only then will I deal with the elders on the issue."

"I knew you'd see things my way." Izuna smiled in triumph, grabbing his towel and wrapping it around his waist before stepping out of the tub. "Don't worry I won't try getting you and Mikito together." Since it's already happened.

"Izuna..." Madara got the feeling he got whenever Izuna was about to play a not well thought out prank back when they were just kids. "I'm not kidding!"

"I know, I know." Izuna sang, opening the door. "I'll leave you, since you have a lot to think about,"

"Yeah, like making a muzzle for you." Madara grunted, leaning back against the wall as the door shut.

Syrus pressed his thumb to his forehead, heaving a sigh. It has been three hours... Three hours of discussion, nonstop. It was no secret he didn't like discussing things or being in long debates. He did what he wanted, how he wanted, and that was that. His word was final! It was the law! He had to ask himself why he was honestly discussing.

There was first time for everything as the saying goes, even for a shinobi there had to be a first. What he thought would be a simple talk turned into a hours long long discussion. Hajime and Koizuki were hardheaded to the point where he himself began to become infuriated. Hashirama didn't waver, the young Senju leader continued trying to reason them, even after several attempts were shut down completely. Another thing to add to his list for being pissed off, then Hajime's snide remarks about their age was almost the nail in the coffin. Next came ridiculous demands from Hajime, totally ridiculous, and he even made the point very clear he had no qualms about involving the village.

So, he did what he normally did when someone spoke so blatantly towards him. Threatened Hajime and Koizuki with their audacious claim to bring their battle to the village. Hashirama gave him a weary look, and he could hear both Tobirama and Haji sigh when the threat left his lips. As far as he was concerned Hajime and Koizuki were lucky to leave alive after insulting him. About an hour passed since the two older men left the village to bring the news back to the rest of their clan, leaving Syrus, Haji, and Hashirama alone in the now silent room. Tobirama went to notify Usagi, volunteering himself for the task.

"Stupid old bastard..." Syrus almost spat, leaning back against the base of his chair, straightening his back. "Who the hell does he think he is correlating our age with our strength and prowess?" He asked no one in particular. He was proud, yes, the Subatsu were a proud clan, but Hajime stepped over the boundary one never does, noble or shinobi. Questioning his skills-just not his, but Hashirama's as well as Tobirama's and Haji's. Even though he didn't see eye to eye with Hashirama all the time-they were still comrades.

"Don't take it too personal." Hashirama said.

"That is impossible." Syrus said, taking a deep breath.

"Well, look at the bright side!" Hashirama smiled. "The faster we get this solved, the faster we get back to home."

Syrus couldn't argue with that logic even if he tried to. It wouldn't make sense to argue against it first of all. And, he had to go along with whatever Hashirama planned as to not make them look bad. Much easier said than done. "I guess you have a point."

"Of course!" Hashirama grinned.

"Where is Tobirama?" Haji asked, tired of seeing Hashirama grinning like an idiot. So, he could understand the tan skinned man was excited-immersed with the fact these two clans could in essence reach a truce. He himself preferred this method over complete genocide, maybe it was the hours he spent with Hitomi while watching over her. She was so compassionate, loving, idealistic, emotional, and had a quirky sense of humor. It must have been being around her for so long.

"He should be here in..." The door opened just as Hashirama was going to answer, and Tobirama stepped in with Usagi close at his side. It was a sight he was becoming familiar with, ever since the alliance was made between them Hashirama noticed that slowly but surely the two were getting closer. They were always at the other's side, even if they were arguing comically back and forth. I wonder... The wheels began to turn in Hashirama's mind. Did Tobirama love Usagi and vice versa? "They're here."

"Clearly." Syrus sighed, talk about stating the obvious. "We have an hour or two at the most before the Shainingu's leader and second in command arrive here for the talks." He stated, gesturing for her to sit down. Usagi nodded slightly in understanding, making her way over to a chair just a few inches away from Haji, taking a seat. Tobirama made his way over back to his seat where he originally sat, at Hashirama's side, Syrus seated directly across from his elder brother.

"Tobirama-kun told me the gist of it... So I won't ask for more details." Usagi said, the use of the honorific not going un-noticed by anyone seated at the moment. Tobirama's eyes nearly widened, almost. Kun meant there was familiarity a closeness between the individuals. Syrus grunted softly, a thought entering his mind but he banished it with vehemence. Haji leaned back in his chair, staring directly at his younger sister with a hard gaze not missing her blush ever so faintly when she uttered the white haired man's name. And, Hashirama did his best to hide his smile, more than happy to see that their clans were slowly loosening up and in time would wed, etc. "But, you wouldn't have me come all the way here if it was just for Hajime and Koizuki." She scratched her arm. "So, I must ask, why am I the only one present?"

"Because..." Tobirama composed himself, more than aware of the implications of what he was going to say. "I-we trust you... This is sensitive information, and we don't want to act in hast until we meet with Shainingu's leader and second in command..." He paused, seeing a hint of excitement shine in her round eyes, it was almost intoxicating. He never thought someone's eyes could be so bright and shimmering.

Usagi rubbed her chin, Tobirama must mean he and Hashirama trust her. She didn't miss the serious expressions on all of their faces when she entered what she would call a conference room-since it was rather plain and nondescript. Nothing like the rest of the estate. "So, what do you need me for?"

"The Shainingu have never listened to reason, even when the damiyo went out of his way to quell the dispute before it entered his territory." Haji spoke up, looking at her with a stern expression, flicking his eyes to Hashirama and then his brother who gave a small nod. "It is smart to prepare for a coming battle with the Shainingu clan if they refuse to see reason and don't agree to a truce with the Hageshii." Hashirama opened his mouth to speak, but one swift glare from Tobirama shut him up. "It is not pleasant or favorable, but we will do whatever we have to in order to keep the damiyo's land out of their conflict. It's got as far as the inner borders, civilians are going to start being caught in the middle of it..."

"I understand..." Usagi noticed Hashirama sulking slightly, and felt incredibly bad. He was such a kind man, it was a shame they lived in an era of chaos, bloodshed, and hatred. "But, what of the truce?"

"Well, I am confident we will come to one." Hashirama answered, brightening up.

"That's excellent to hear, now let's get on with this discussion. I have a battle to get back to." A gruff voice said from the entrance, the four shinobi and kunoichi turned to the door staring into a pair of hard green eyes. "I am Tunoichi Shainingu-leader of the clan. I heard that Hashirama, Tobirama, Syrus, and Haji were willing to discuss the problem at hand." He cleared his throat, keeping his head high. As if to say I am your superior and you're nothing but brats. "I am interested as is my second in command Tomoyuki to hear what you've got to offer, so let's not delay."