Devil's Advocate

Chapter 3, (Un)Familiar Belief

I do not own a thing pertaining to the Naruto franchise.

For those complaining about his arm, just chill. I've got my reasons.

[DA]

Madara couldn't help the smirk that came to her face upon seeing the trail of blood leak from her guests nose. It wasn't quite the reaction she was expecting, but it was certainly one that was promising.

She could clearly see the anger in his eyes, as well as vast depths of pain, but he obviously still held some form of spark within him as he rose his legs slightly to hide more rebellious body functions from her prying eyes. Madara decided not to comment and instead allowed the enigmatic man a few more moments of silence to gather himself after he got the answer he was looking for.

It was strange that her guest referred to her simply as 'Madara' and not 'Madara Uchiha, most feared shinobi in the Land of Fire'. It implied some form of familiarity, as he very obviously knew who she was. Another point to be made was the obvious lack of fear she felt from her guest.

He was not scared of her, seemingly at all as he pushed himself to a sitting position with his only remaining upper limb.

"You obviously know who I am, but I'm still curious as to whom I've been tending to the past week." Madara eventually spoke as it became clear that the blond wouldn't be the first to break the silence.

His brows furrowed further and his eyes lit up in confusion, as if he didn't understand how she didn't know his name, or perhaps he was questioning why she would have healed him instead of killing him in his wounded state.

"I... you seriously don't know who I am, do you." Her blond guest eventually spoke, a statement posed as a question. It was an odd way to respond to being asked for his identity for sure, and spoke to Madara of another fact.

He felt like she should have known his name, which was yet another telling sign that she may have made an oversight by bringing him into her home.

"Obviously not. Enlighten me." Madara snarked in response, unable to keep the slight heat from her tone as her stance shifted slightly to a more aggressive one.

Once more, her guest had to suppress a trickle of blood attempting to escape his nose, shifting just as she had before attempting to rise from his seated position. He seemed to change his mind with a mild noise of discomfort when he became aware of his lack of clothing.

"What the hell?! Why am I naked?!" The blond yelped in embarrassment as he quickly grabbed the blanket that threatened to spill away and reveal his naked form to the world, causing Madara to roll her eyes and relax slightly at the sight of his childish behavior.

A hardened killer hardly cared about his decency, and considering his only hand was currently occupied with keeping his blanket held up around his waist, she doubted he was going to outright attack her.

"You were dying and covered in blood when I found you, couldn't really clean your wounds if you kept your clothes on now could I?" Madara quirked her left brow at his line of questioning, as if trying to wrap her mind around the naivety of his actions.

Snapping his mouth shut at once, her guest seemed to accept her answer and relaxed slightly under her gaze, but not enough to show comfort in his presence. Something about his posture kept her on edge, just waiting for the moment he proved to be a threat.

"I'm going to ask one more time, who are you?" The ebony haired matriarch questioned, "I hope I didn't just waste a week of my life caring for an enemy."

The look of confusion did not fall from the blonds face, becoming even more pronounced as it shifted towards incredulity.

"What the hell..." The blond murmured to himself while shifting uncomfortably beneath her gaze, his eyes looking almost anywhere but in her direction, "I'm Naruto Uzumaki, it's... er, nice to meet you?"

"You're an Uzumaki?" Madara questioned hotly while shifting into a combat position at once, either of her legs spreading a bit wider to compensate her lowered center of gravity, "You certainly don't look like one!"

"Hey, whoa, what's wrong with being an Uzumaki, huh? You don't see me trying to fight you 'cuz you're an Uchiha!" The blond tried to take a step back and motioned as if to raise his hands to show he meant no harm, clearly forgetting about the blanket at his waist covering his modesty, "I know I don't have my moms pretty hair, but that don't mean nothin'!"

Was... was he pouting?

Madara tilted her head slightly as she once more got an eye full, a slightly lewd smirk appearing on her face despite the situation. She pondered his words for a moment before nodding, as if agreeing with him.

"You subscribe to the Senju's line of thinking, then?" Madara questioned in a mocking tone, despite feeling a bit more at ease due to his defense of his clans name, "What, you think there can be peace between us after we've spent the last hundred years killing each other?"

It was a loaded question, one meant to ascertain whether he was affiliated with the Senju or not. The chances of a rouge Uzumaki wandering around in the Land of Fire were pretty low. From what she knew, the Uzumaki were loving towards their own and pretty well off in their own little paradise island they selfishly guarded with their lives.

Why would an Uzumaki not want to be with other Uzumaki? He obviously knew what he was, and he seemed almost as childish and soft as the other Uzumaki she had heard of in the past, if his naive modesty was to be believed.

Naruto, as he revealed his name to be, seemed to consider her words before shrugging and then nodding, his one hand still raised in a disarming fashion while his stump of a limb mimicked the same position. "Well duh, peace is way better than fighting. Who wants to make enemies when you can make friends instead?"

Once more, his answer all but confirmed her suspicions.

An Uzumaki aligned with the Senju, with absolutely monstrous chakra reserves, enhanced healing and a pacifistic nature like she came to expect from Hashirama himself. This did not bode well for her, but at the same time, gave that tiny spark of hope within her, ignited by Hashirama, another boost in strength.

"That... that... is exactly what I'd expect Hashirama to say." Madara sighed heavily before shrugging her shoulders, "So what happened to you? Looks like you got chewed up and spit out by one of the Biju, did the Senju not have your back?"

Every question she posed was loaded to hell and back. It was almost as if Naruto had no idea just what kind of information he was giving up when he spoke, or perhaps he just didn't care. Considering his reserves and the scars upon his body, namely the one over his heart, Madara could tell he was no stranger with near death experiences and conflict.

He was so confident in his abilities that he didn't bother with concealing his words or intentions, much like Hashirama. The white haired asshole Tobirama, on the other hand, would have dissected her questions and twisted them until he could answer in a way that left no room for the truth.

"I...," Naruto paused his answer and Madara could easily see the grimace of his face as he recalled what put him in such a wounded state, "I don't really want to talk about that..."

It was obviously something incredibly personal, as he seemed to withdraw into himself upon thinking about whatever wounded him so. It most likely wasn't a failed mission, as shinobi hardly took such a thing so personally as to withdraw into themselves at the thought of it, unless it was absolutely vital. What kind of mission could he have undertaken that left him flying far and high enough to create a crater that size in the Land of Fire, though?

There were no civilian towns unaligned with a shinobi clan within the next fifty miles outside of the Senju, and there were no reports of an Uchiha outside of herself or her sister Izumi who could have caused such an obviously powerful shinobi to become as wounded as he was. That left very little possible shinobi who could have been potential hostiles in the immediate area.

The only thing that could have possibly upset such a lively person, if his personality was truly so bubbly in nature, would be the loss of a loved one or... perhaps a betrayal.

Her eyes narrowed slightly.

Betrayal.

Perhaps it was a bad habit to instantly reach the worst conclusion, but Madara quickly assumed the worst. If he had been betrayed and he was an Uzumaki, then perhaps it was a very good thing she kept him out of the hands of the Senju.

Why would the Uzumaki betray one of their own, though? Or was it the Senju themselves who betrayed him?

A cold feeling bloomed in her stomach while a burning sensation stung her heart, causing Madara to murmur to herself after reaching her conclusion.

"I see... to think they would turn on one of their own..."

Her guest obviously heard her and outright flinched under her gaze when she snapped her ebony eyes upwards to meet his ocean blues.

"You are safe here, in this room. There are seals on the walls that have hid your presence well for the last week." Madara seemed to misread his admissions and drew conclusions on her own, leaving him no room for argument as she pointed towards the far right of the room, "There are robes there that should fit you if you would like to dress yourself. I will be back shortly with something for you to eat, please don't go anywhere."

"Wha- but- I-" The blond couldn't really form a sentence as he tried to understand the turn in their conversation, watching in befuddlement as Madara lowered her aggressive stance and adopted a tone he couldn't quite place.

The loud protests of his stomach interrupted any further protest from him after the mention of food caught up to him.

Just how long had it been since he had eaten?

She was gone before he could say another word, leaving him to stand in silence as he tried to wrap his mind around the entire conversation and meeting he just had.

[DA]

"Damn, she's good..." Kurama murmured through the link he and Naruto shared, digesting the conversation Naruto just had with a very obviously female Madara Uchiha.

It had been a disaster from the start.

'What the hell just happened?' Naruto questioned his partner as he continued to stare at the door Madara freaking Uchiha just walked out of, leaving him alone to his thoughts. 'Was that really Madara, or just a chick who looks and acts like him?'

Kurama couldn't tell at first, but after a minute of study he had learned the disturbing truth.

"That was really Madara, who... is now apparently a teenage female, her chakra was unmistakable. I think that little shit you called brother sent us into the past!"

'But is it our past, or a different past? 'Cuz the Madara I know was a freakin' dude!' Naruto argued his point, once more feeling frustration welling up inside him as he slowly came to a realization. 'This isn't our past, and if Madara is still a teenager...'

A small bout of silence fell between the two before Kurama broke it with a light growl.

"Brat, listen to me, I think I have an idea."

'I'm listening.' Naruto responded a moment later, his voice more despondent than before at the thought of no longer having a home to return to.

"I know this goes against what I said earlier, but... I think sticking around Madara will be our best bet to stay safe, at least for now."

'What the hell makes you say that?! Do you NOT remember the ass kicking I had to endure at his, er... her hand?' The Jinchuuriki of Kurama was less than amused with the suggestion, attempting to cross his arms in protest only for a single arm to cross his chest, 'Not happening, Kurama!'

"Listen to me! We have no allies here, nowhere to run if things go south!" Kurama was adamant in his suggestion, and the strong tone he took was enough to pause any further protest from his container, at least any with any real heart behind them. "There is no Konoha! Think about it, if she hasn't killed you yet and she didn't kill you when you admitted you were an Uzumaki, what makes you think she'd go and get food for you unless there was something she wanted in return for helping you?"

'Who says she isn't going to just stab me in the back like Sas-' Naruto couldn't even think his name, his throat threatening to close in on itself upon trying, 'Hmm... alright, Kurama, I'll play along, just... tell me what you think we need to do.'

What else could he really do? If there was no Konoha, then that meant there was no Hokage to report to, so his loyalty was to himself and the Biju only by default.

The Biju...

"Brat, don't even think about it. We haven't recovered enough yet." Kurama grumbled within him, already knowing where his containers line of thinking would take him.

As much as Kurama would like to see his brothers and sisters again, his own position within this universe would raise far too many questions for him to answer just yet. Not to mention this universes Kurama was just as likely to try to kill him than listen, convinced as he was that all humans were born imperfect and evil.

'You.. yeah, you're right.' Naruto wanted to argue, but he knew in his gut that he was no where near ready for another cataclysmic battle should any of the nine Biju prove unwilling to cooperate. 'With how stiff I am right now, I'd only really be able to handle Shukaku, and that might be pushing it...'

"Just... play along with whatever it is she wants from us, for now. Don't let her know I exist, obviously, and get her to agree to not use the Sharingan on you, those are the only things I ask until we can figure out a better plan." Kurama eventually fell silent, his part having been said.

Neither thought it was an ideal situation to be in, but they would try to make the best of it while they were under the so called hospitality of Madara Uchiha, or rather... his female counterpart, Madara Uchiha.

Naruto felt an intense headache coming along as he continued to try and wrap his mind around the strange dimension Sasuke had sent him to.

'Sore loser couldn't accept defeat and cheated me out of my win!'

Kurama silently agreed with his host, feeling no need to comment on the obvious. His host had, indeed, been cheated out of his victory, and the two were now paying the price for it.

The tailed beast couldn't help the vicious grin that crossed his face at an illicit thought he kept to himself, not wanting Naruto to catch on to his nefarious scheme in the least. His host had an odd habit of making friends out of former enemies, so why not use the obvious opportunity to convert Madara while they still could?

Sasuke felt like he was going to screw Naruto out of his chances at being Hokage? Well, Kurama was going to screw Sasuke out of his chance at existing. Hopefully, literally.

"Get dressed, will ya? Unless you happen to like flashing that prick Madara."

Kurama chuckled at the incoherent sputtering and the quick actions of the young shinobi afterward.

[DA]

Izumi Uchiha couldn't help but watch her elder sister with narrowed eyes.

For an entire week now she had been acting suspicious, spending more and more time secluded in a room she had sealed off to only allow herself entrance. That, in and of itself, wasn't entirely suspicious as Madara had become more and more frustrated with her clans progress as her time as Clan Head continued.

It was the items she had retrieved and later brought to the room that was suspicious.

Around three days prior, Madara had gone riffling through her deceased fathers belongings, namely his clothing, only to come back with a few sets of robes that she had eyeballed for quite a few minutes before deciding upon.

What could Madara possibly need male clothing for?

Izumi certainly hoped her elder sister wasn't attempting to pose as a male, even in the comfort of her own home. It did not bode well for her femininity nor her mental fortitude. While she knew that Madara was hardly the most... endowed of women, that didn't mean she should cast aside that which identified her as a female under the pretense of strength.

After another day or so, Izumi had become confident that her elder sister had not started to pretend she was male, as she had started taking up prettying herself, dare she say it. It wasn't much, but the only remaining sibling of Madara could actually see the light shade of charcoal she had used as eye liner.

It was also around the same time that the elder Uchiha had taken to wearing robes around the house instead of her usual combo of black pants and a turtle neck mid-sleeve shirt.

Since when did Madara freaking Uchiha wear robes that stopped mid thigh?!

So the younger Uchiha sibling continued to watch Madara's actions for days afterwards, her actions remaining just as enigmatic. It was for that very reason that she found herself standing outside of the small kitchen the two were afforded as the top ranking members of their clan, both having moved from the home that once belonged to their now deceased father.

Nothing was strange about Madara preparing food for herself, as it was around dinner time, but each of the sisters usually made their own meals and here she was, preparing two.

Did... Madara have a guest, then?

It would certainly make sense, considering the two meals, and it further explained why she would have a need for male robes denoting status within the clan, but that also begged the question of just whom that guest could have been.

Who was important enough to warrant a set of robes announcing affiliation to the Uchiha, who didn't already own their own? If Madara had need of clothing for a clansmen, she would have approached a tailor and have had them delivered, yet she did nothing of the sort.

Instead, she had gathered the robes Tajima Uchiha had worn when engaged to their mother, Makoto Uchiha.

Engagement wear was usually worn for a few months by either the Clan Head or their chosen partner should the leader of the Uchiha prove to be female at the time, a small bit of tradition that their family had followed for generations.

It was this tidbit of information, tied in with Madara making a meal for two that led Izumi to come to a startling but not unwelcome conclusion.

Did Madara finally find someone she wanted to settle down with? Even after having sworn off romance some years prior?

Izumi was pleased with her line of thinking, but at the same time suspicious.

It was for that reason that she watched her sister with a critical eye once more enter the sealed off room, seemingly unaware that she was being watched so closely, or perhaps uncaring entirely. It wasn't exactly uncommon for Izumi to watch her elder sister like a hawk, who else was going to keep her in check?

Perhaps she had slackened too far in her duties of doing so, as Madara seemed to have decided playing house in secret was a good way to conduct herself.

[DA]

Madara was still having a hard time wrapping her mind around what she had learned from her guest, Naruto Uzumaki if he were to be believed.

Not only did the Senju have Uzumaki amongst them, but they were willing to betray their own. If they were willing to do what they did to Naruto, then what would stop them from doing the same to the Uchiha?

Was Hashirama aware of just what his clan had done? Was it the bastard little brother, Tobirama, who had wounded and betrayed Naruto? Were there even more Uzumaki in the Land of Fire that she didn't know about?

She wasn't expecting the Senju to reach out to their cousin clan for assistance, especially considering how lax the alliance between the two clans had become over the last decade. Trade between the two had almost slowed to a crawl and there was little reason for the elusive clan of redheads to bother with the clans of the Land of Fire, especially considering their proximity to the lands of Earth, Water and Lightning.

She was too distracted with her thoughts to notice the heavy gaze of Izumi peaking through the doorway, the crawling feeling overtaking her spine concealing the usual nagging feeling she would get while being watched. Madara prepared her and Naruto's meal in silence, steaming a bit of rice while preparing a simple sauce to go with it.

Despite all of her skill in combat, Madara hardly considered herself a cook and stuck with the bare basics to survive, usually relying on meals from a vending stall within the compound on nights she didn't feel like cooking.

The ability to burn water was rare, but Madara possessed it none the less.

Preparing two dishes with the rice and sauce and grabbing up two pairs of chopsticks in a hurry, Madara quickly passed her little sister Izumi in the hall with nary a word before returning to the room in which her cute little guest had been kept.

She wasn't expecting to see Naruto struggling to close the robe in the proper fashion while being able to tie the belt provided, but she had hardly taken his missing limb into consideration while going through her fathers clothes.

Madara couldn't help the small snort of amusement that escaped her before she set the two dishes of rice and sauce to the side before sliding the door shut behind her with her right foot, unaware of the peeping gaze that she had just cut off from view.

"Here, let me help before you give up and tear those robes to shreds." Madara called out, causing her guest to look up with an almost feral look in his eyes before attempting to cover himself properly.

Striding across the room in three quick steps, the long haired woman allowed her left hand to lightly trace along his shoulder and the back of his neck as she stepped behind him. She could feel Naruto stiffen under her touch, most likely in preperation for an attack but also just as likely a primal reaction.

Wrapping both arms around him from behind, Madara grabbed the folds of her fathers old engagement robes and pulled them closed around his naked body, his muscles flexed taut beneath her lingering touch.

She couldn't help the savage grin that appeared on her face as she noticed yet another part of his body stiffen further as she leaned forward just enough for her short stature to allow her head to rest near the crook of his neck, just near his left ear.

Grabbing the ends of the belt of the robes in one hand before passing one end to the hand currently holding his robes closed, Madara silently relished the feel of his body reacting as it did now that he was conscious. Another moment passed and the robes had been tied closed, allowing her guest to relax slightly at his decency having been slightly restored.

Madara allowed her hands to linger a bit longer, her breath still tracing the crook of his neck and his ear as a result. "You can relax you know, I don't bite... much."

The fountain of crimson that colored his cheeks and neck were just too perfect, her teasing once more proving successful as any composure the blond had gathered melted away as he started stammering a response.

She had a feeling she was going to enjoy getting Naruto to accept his new position in life, as she had decided then and there one thing for certain.

Madara was going to keep him.