It was a dreary dawn, the rainy opening of otherwise sunny and chilly days. Dawn was always the ugliest part of the day, the sun rising behind stroppy grey clouds which couldn't decide what weather they wanted, the sky perpetually overcast until mid morning when the clouds cleared to instead gather around the edges of the horizon and people outside winced as they tried to get used to the sudden summer sun that would continue for most of the day.
Naruto was one of the few awake during the dark early hours, rushing around doing the daily chores so afternoon-Naruto wouldn't have to deal with them while the sun was out. Dark time was chore time, one of the few scheduled events he had in his disorganised life.
As distracted as he was so early in the morning, he almost didn't react when someone came knocking at his door.
Dropping his broom in delayed surprise, he scrambled to the front door so fast he forgot he was wearing socks.
Outside, Madara was curious to the painful thump he heard, a small smile nearly nearly reaching his face when Naruto opened the door clutching his head.
Seeing Madara's amusement, Naruto grumbled grumpily, "Just come in or whatever."
Left with the door ajar as Naruto walked back inside, Madara glanced around and reached out his chakra to double check that no one was around before entering.
Madara paused as he was taking off his shoes.
Was that blood?
The shelf near the door had a reddish stain on one corner that had Madara rushing after Naruto.
"HEY-"
Madara cut off Naruto's indignant shout as he grabbed his head to rake through his hair. An uncomfortably large, bloody gash was slowly staining the blonde.
Naruto complained loudly as he stumbled after Madara into the kitchen, dragged after him by the arm.
Madara paid no heed to Naruto's complaints as he dampened a washcloth to pat through his hair to clean off the blood. Digging around through Naruto's hair, he found the origin of the blood and snarled.
Having none of the crude behaviour, Naruto lightly whacked his arm, forcing the upsetting face off to be replaced with a regular concerned frown.
Naruto babbled on as Madara cleaned up the profusely bleeding flesh wound, hands behind him back and balancing on the balls of his feet as he tugged down his sleeves, hiding the bruises and half-scabbed grazes.
"You clumsy idiot," Madara said exasperatedly, lightly shoving Naruto's shoulder.
"My knight in bloody armour," Naruto quipped back, making Madara cringe as Naruto reached up to wipe off a smear of blood that had found its way onto Madara's jaw.