"Madara Uchiha, is here in our village?!" She yelled with a screechy voice to her servant Fuyuko.

The servant did her best not to cover her ears from her mistresses voice. Loud and obnoxious! No wonder she did not have a husband yet, no man would want to hear her talk. Better yet, a man would want a silent wife. The young woman was walking around in her room trying to find something suitable to wear. Her attention was on the prospect of getting a husband that had as much wealth then her father. Her smile widened at the thought and Madara was a respectable catch in her net.

He had to love her. Well, maybe my looks could open the door and my father's village being allies with the Uchiha's can wiggle me into a very powerful clan, that are not the Senju's. She looked at herself in the mirror and swirled around making sure she was beautiful to make the heads of men turn. Not that they turned their heads towards her. Such a vain woman.

"Madara Uchiha, a very suitable husband." She whispered to herself imagining a future that may not even happen. Her servant rolled her eyes and exaggerated gagging behind her mistresses back. Every lord, nobles son, or even the occasional handsome rouge was suitable to Asumi. She is ignorant of the world around her. She cares for the title and not about the welfare of her villagers.

The servant had to keep her nasty thoughts to herself. No one could go against Asumi, the spoiled daughter. Her words was just as powerful as her father's. No servant was safe from the backlash of her silver tongue. It was best to smile and keep Asumi happy. If only she wasn't such a brat with a complex that wanted nothing but the riches in the world.

The arrival of the Uchiha leader and his brother had sparked much talk throughout the village. Not all of it was positive for the villagers. They feared that the war was getting closer to them and soon would have to retreat further into the forest or move into the mountains. Fear is what caused uproar that Asumi's father Koga had to address their fears. Asumi only wanted the Uchiha clan leader for herself. Fuyuko had heard all the rumors and when she explained to Asumi, it only went through one ear and out the other. Did she not care at all? Was her world so listed by thoughts of a potential husband? Was it for protection? Or was she as dimwitted as she makes herself out to be? Surely no one could care more about themselves then what is happening in the present.

"Your father is heading down to the healers home to check on the recovery of Lord Uchiha." Fuyuko said with a low bow. Asumi walked over to the servant girl with intentions of having her tie a ribbon around her brown hair. She was too busy living in a fantasy world that she had ignored everything Fuyuko had said. Having a strong shinobi husband, a clan leader, it was like a fairy tail only Asumi was no princess. Maybe in her mind.

"How do I look Fuyuko?"

A young woman of wealth dressed in the finest kimono's. Her skin beautiful and pale, the daughter of the head of the village. A prospect man who found wealth through the mines and farms. Fuyuko smiled her most fake smile that Asumi would not even notice. She only cared for herself. She wanted all the attention and would throw a temper tantrum like the spoiled child she is.

"Beautiful as always Lady Asumi. Lord Uchiha would not dare say no." Fuyuko said.

Asumi's green eyes were hiding something mischievous, but the servant kept quiet on the matter. Asumi was planning something and when she sets her sights on something she will get it or she will burn farms. By the Gods it better not be something that could cause the village being burned down to nothing but smoldering ash.


The smell was sweet and relaxing to his soul. He has smelled it before as it seemed that the smell was everywhere. Lavender was popular for its relaxing elements used for many purposes. Breathing in slowly, he felt the pain in his ribs. The memory of being kicked hard in the chest unnerved Madara. That shinobi was fast and lethal. He knew were to kick and how to strike. Moving his hand, he also noticed the pain in his muscles. Everything seemed to ache with every small move he made. His body was hurt, frail, and weak. Madara Uchiha was never weak! He opened his eyes noting that he was in a room unfamiliar to him. He has a memory of this room and it did not end well from what he can put together.

He heard something move. He was vunerable without his armor, without his weapons, but he was a skilled fighter. No enemy could break his defenses. This enemy was different. There was no signs of a threat. Where was he?

"I see you are awake. I was wondering when you would come back to the world of living." He sat up quickly causing the pain to bolt through his body in a matter of seconds. A pair of hands were on his chest and back to lower him back down. Madara's mind was racing with thoughts of being captured and ready for torture. These hands... They were gentle.

"Forgive me for startling you. I was careless. I hope you were not in much pain." She said. "I guess you are not one to be startled easily in a place you do not know."

Madara kept his eyes on the young woman. Startled? She did not do such a thing. He thought as the pain grew worse throughout his body. Tsubaki noticed how his face clenched tightly and his arm stiffened. She placed her hands on his forearm.

"What do you think you are doing, woman?" Madara said. Charmer.

Tsubaki's eye twitched slightly. He is acting like a child who overreact to a sprain.

She smiled softly and forced her hands on his forearm. "I see you are in pain here. It is best if I apply some herbal paste to your cuts and press my fingers on your muscles to relax them. If you can be a little patient here, you will be up and fighting in no time."

Madara wasn't buying the nice act. He did not know this woman and did not want any help with his wounds. He noticed how tightly her fingers were getting around his skin. Is she always this forceful?

Tsubaki was feeling how tense this shinobi was. His muscles needed to be relaxed and she was finding the pin points. Beside her was a green paste of mixed medicinal herbs that were crushed and prepared a few hours ago. His cuts were closing and his stitches were doing it's job at keeping it closed. She smeared some of the green paste in his skin causing Madara's muscles to twitch. His nose also scrunched from the horrible smell.

"I am going to look at your midsection to make sure the bruising is properly healing itself. Just stay laying down while I look you over." Madara watched this woman cautiously. Her hands may have been rough on his skin and the stench was horrid, but Madara could feel no threat from her. She was lost and focused on caring for him to make sure he was recovering. He would have laughed if she was that worried. Madara did not need any help from anyone. Izuna was going to get an earful. Speaking of which…

"Where are the two men that were with me?" He spoke as she was examining a large bruise on his right side. She looked up to him and wiped her hands on her clothing.

"Tokiko is showing them around our village. They were not in worse condition as you and acted as your bodyguards. But seeing how you almost killed them plus Tokiko yesterday, I see that you are a capable shinobi with power." She stated and went back to poking and prodding him with her fingers. Tsubaki could only wonder what Tokiko was telling the two shinobi. If anything, that old crow was enjoying two young and handsome men. Tsubaki inwardly gagged.

Tokiko had a habit at trying to get young men to marry Tsubaki. To prosper and expand her knowledge as Tokiko once said. Inwardly, Tokiko just wanted to see pretty faces around the healing house. It has come to a point where that old crow could not stop talking about this wounded shinobi. Tsubaki practically quicken her pace on treating him. Tokiko had a young soul at heart, which was something Tsubaki liked about her. She was wise, but never afraid to show her strength.

Too bad Tokiko liked the pretty men.

Even after almost killing her, that old crow cannot see past his looks. She thought as she looked at his bandaged fingers. His hands were fine and they could use some fresh air. No blood stained the bandages and he was capable of moving them. Tsubaki was gentle when she began to unwrap his hands. He seemed to be observant on her movements. Most of her patients were rather talkative, which She did not mind. It keeps them from having to think about their recovery. This shinobi, however, was watching everything little thing she did to him. Her hands were soft, gentle, as to not hurt him. Madara was intrigued by her. His eyes could not help but notice how she cares for such the little things. A healers touch. She knew his arms were a bit tender when moving them. She would have to find something to relax this man so his muscles and bones could get back to functioning the way they were before.

"Our head of the village is supposed to be coming here sometime before the night falls to give you greeting. I suppose you are someone of importance by the way everyone has been itching to see you." She did not seem so impressed. It might be best not to say who he was if she did not know already.

"You must relax yourself. I am not going to hurt you. Having you recover is what matters in my nature." She said. Madara was not buying it. She may have had gentle hands that could give a man the need to relax, but he was not the one to trust. He doesn't even know where he is!

"I need no help." His eyes showed resentment. He was acting cold, undetermined to let this woman creep in while he was… vulnerable. A man of pride. A man of power. Tsubaki feared not of his anger. No shinobi was dumb enough to hurt someone who healed him. This man may be all bark but his bite towards her was but a nip. She has heard many men say nasty rude things to her in the past, today was no different.

"Did you not listen?" He retorted as she tried to ignore him. Like a wounded animal, he is going to fight her efforts to heal him.

"Woman?"

Tsubaki's eye twitched again. This man! After staying up all night to treat him, keeping him from death, he does not thank her?! She continued to smile even though she wanted to strangle him; Tsubaki took a step back from him. This was the last straw. If he is so high and mighty, then so be it. She has no time to deal with a man-child. No matter how handsome he is!

"If you see yourself well, you can get yourself up." She challenged. "Unless you do not have the strength."

Madara could see something within her blue eyes. She was irritated by his attitude. It seems this healer was not as gentle as she seems to make herself out to be. Looking closer at this woman, he noticed that their were circles underneath her eyes. She has not slept. Madara noticed many things about her from the way she talked and how she was waiting for him to make a move. Not one to ignore a challenge, even from a woman, he placed his hands by his sides.

Tsubaki could not ignore the pained look on his face. His arms began to shake when he sat up. He was breathing hard from the way his chest expanded and collapsed back down. He may be giving Tsubaki a tough time, but he was still her patient. She could only help him. Even though he does not want it, he needs it. Tsubaki knew the bruises on his skin went deep. His muscles were working twice as hard to support him and Gods, if he was foolish enough to walk Tsubaki would have to keep him on the floor.

'You idiot. Your body needs to rest, stop trying to prove a point.' She stood by his side in case he wanted to move his legs over the edge. Having leg movement to let his blood flow through his veins would help with walking. But in the state he was in, this stubborn shinobi would have to rely on her for help.

Then again, I was the one to provoke him.

Tsubaki huffed and placed her hands on his chest once again, "I do not think you are in any condition to move much yet. Before you retort with something, just listen to a healer. You know your body more then anyone else, but I know how to heal. As a healer, we have to prevent our patients from hurting themselves further."

It was Madara's turn to twitch his eye. What?!

"You think I am capable of hurting myself?" Madara slapped her hands away from him. In the process his arm twitched again and sent pain up through his nerves. He clenched his teeth and mentally cursed himself for having to be in this situation. Damn! Trying to ignore all the pain, he swung his legs over the table despite Tsubaki's trying to stop him. He was stronger then a measly woman. Madara pushed himself so his feet could touch the ground.

"Don't even think about it." Tsubaki warned.

"I will not be seen as weak."

Tsubaki frowned when he tried to take a step forwards but fell hard on his face. Never. Never in her life has she ever dealt with a man so stubborn and ignoring her every attempt to help! He was foolish and hopeless for recovery.

"Don't say a word." He said as he noticed her feet in front of him. Her hands on her hips looking down at the leader of the Uchiha.

"I won't. I am just deciding whether to leave you here or help you. But I cannot let a patient down, no matter how stubborn." Madara could see the that she was trying to keep calm.

Tsubaki placed her hands on his shoulders, which he tried to fight her off. She tried to pick him up to place him in her shoulders, but he was heavy. Her legs were shaking horribly from his body weight. Madara smirked not trying to help her. No one touched him, but he will give this woman credit for something. She was fearless about being this close to him where most people would not even dare place a finger on him.

"Stubborn shinobi." She said under her breath.

Madara pushed her slightly as he placed his hand on the table. He was by no means a weak man, but his body was not responding to him. His chakra was depleted, which was rare. He was the strongest shinobi in his clan and here he was being helped by a woman. Tsubaki watched him try to walk but he would go to his knees. Whatever happened to him took a toll on his body and his chakra.

"Your body is telling you to rest. You should listen to it." She walked to her table full of herbs. "I am going to make you some tea with a hint of horestail for your bones and muscles. Don't worry, I won't poison you." She took a kettle on her hands. "Please don't hurt yourself too much."

Her voice lowered as she took a step out of the room. Madara sat on the table to be alone with his thoughts. He looked to his arms that were wrapped with clean bandages. Not too tight and not too loose. He has never seen himself so tattered. The battle was probably one of the longest he has ever been in. His opponent was strong, but not as strong as Hashirama. That shinobi did something to him. Caught him when he believed the battle was won.

Madara had never seen a battle style as the one he faced. Two curved swords at each hand and the way he dressed looked like a desert nomad from the sand lands. What would a shinobi from the desert lands be doing out far from his home? Was he a mercenary? He would have to figure it out later.

Madara looked to the table full of herbs and plants. He never asked for her name and she never ask his. She was a healer who only saw him as a patient. He will admit to himself, she was good at being a healer. Not that he will ever tell her that. Foolish pride has kept him from giving generosity to those who have helped him. Not that Madara was ungrateful for the patching up he has received. He scratched the back of his head feeling rather…

"Foolish?" He said out loud to no one in particular. He was alone in the room anyway. Should he be giving thanks to the young healer woman? If Izuna were here now, he would be telling his older brother to give thanks and not be too stubborn to her. He rolled his eyes just thinking about it. He was a shinobi, a warrior who is fighting a war with the Senju's. He should not be here thinking about whether to thank the healer. He should be getting himself ready to fight again. He needed to find that shinobi that did this to him. Avenge his pride from having to be treated and looking weak. If the Senju's are behind what has happened, hell will come with him.

Without thinking, Madara pushed himself off the table with his feet landing on the ground. A sudden shock coursed through his body (pinching nerves and twitching his muscles). His body have put quickly and down to the floor he went with a loud shout and curses. Everything hurt!

Tsubaki had walked in a few seconds later with the kettle filled. It was of no surprise that Madara would over exert himself… again. She walked over to the wounded man to see that he was unmoving. Breathing, but unmoving. She sighed heavily looking to the roof, asking the Gods what she had done to anger them for bringing this man to her care. No answer came from the roof so she poured the water on the man to wake him and for being foolish.

"I am not dead!" He shouted.

"To think the head of the Uchiha clan would be much tolerable." Tsubaki said and chuckled lightly at his reaction. "Your acting like a baby."

"I see nothing humorous woman!" Madara stood up quickly with more bolts of pain shooting through his body. Tsubaki,could,not help but see,his face react to it and felt a little bad for having get on the bad side of the Uchiha clan leader. But his face was funny and he fell to the ground again. He and the floor might as well get acquainted. She was going to have to move him to the floor since he loves the idea of falling so much.

"Honestly, Lord Uchiha, can you listen to me." She huffed.

This man was going to be her toughest patient she has ever treated.


AN: Wonder who this mysterious shinobi is? He was brave enough to hurt Madara the way he did, and please don't hate me for doing that. We all know Madera is like super strong and such. We got a mystery on our hands readers. Also, I was afraid of putting in Asumi because she is such a spoiled brat who placed her needs above everyone else's. I thought it would bring some drama or humor because she is ridiculously in love with herself. Let me know if I should keep her in the story or kill her off somehow. I do not want to have to introduce to many characters because it can get messy in these kinds of stories.

But I plan to have a few more. Their purpose is significant to this story and what I have planned. Tsubaki has goals she wants to achieve so try not to be too bored with her.

Guest: I am happy to share what I wrote with others.

KathrynthePyro-bitch: I hope this story is to your expectations. Don't wanna let you down.

Katara Tojiro: I am glad you are enjoying the characters. I want Tsubaki to be independent, but not to a point where she is a mary-sue. We all know Madara is this powerful, prideful, and stubborn type of character. When we are introduced to him we only see the bad side. What I want to show you readers is that he is human, and humans have a sort of weakness no matter how invicible they think they are.

Happy Readings!