4.

Yuna's lips curled into a bitter smile when she began to stir from her light sleep. The memories of last night came back in a flash, along with repulsion. When she saw Madara there on the bed, so exposed to the world with a woman she felt truly nauseated.

For a supposedly honourable man, he was quite shameless. In theory anyone could've seen them, but no one would simply walk into Uchiha Madara's room in the middle of the night.

The thought of going back, or ever sleeping in that bed seemed like a terrible idea, but it was only sunrise and Yuna was tired.

She got up from the wooden floorboards that had provided her with a pleasantly solitary place to sleep for the night with some longing.

Yesterday when she ran away her legs carried her to the bathing section of the house. This area of the compound generated enough heat to keep her warm and she had no problems sleeping there. Yuna couldn't understand her bitterness about this situation.

Was this going to repeat every night, even after they marry? Surely even Madara can't step over the bounds of loyalty.

She had no idea if she was going to ignore Madara from now on or simply punch him in the face at the sight of him.

She could imagine his arrogant face staring back at her, eyes bored while his fingers would strum against the table. Amidst her ponderings she didn't notice the junior sneaking up on her.

"I take it that you slipped my dear brother's mind?"

Yuna snapped out of her thinking at the sound of a voice only a bit more annoying than Madara's. She came face to face with Uchiha Izuna; he resembled his brother so much that it made Yuna clench her fists.

"Just why do you sound so happy about it so early in the morning?" Yuna asked the two questions, surprised how hoarse her voice was. Perhaps sleeping outside in a pair of shorts wasn't such a great idea after all. Something to drink wouldn't hurt.

Izuna's smile disappeared and it was replaced by an unreadable neutral expression.

The younger brother walked along with her in a slow pace as they left the warmest section of the building.

"I wish I were there to see your face yesterday...He usually brings home a woman or two every week if he isn't too busy."

Izuna smoothly dodged Yuna's second question. The girl felt a twitch of annoyance inside of her.

"Oh, are you jealous of your brother?" Yuna noted.

Izuna's face looked mocking, "It's amusing, seeing what transpires between you and Madara," he said with a small chuckle.

Yuna looked up to him with a confused expression. When she met him, it felt like Izuna would be better, someone who could provide good advice, but now Yuna was quite convinced that listening to Uchiha Izuna would be a very horrible mistake because no one can predict what his true intentions are.

"Amusing…You have a twisted sense of humour."

"I've been told. Not many can publicly enjoy seeing Madara in situations he despises."

"The front row seat still belongs to me."

"Wouldn't want it anyway, hurts the neck. Can't imagine what you must feel, considering your height."

Yuna rolled her eyes, holding back an annoyed groan, "Could you lead me to the kitchens?"

A simple request that Izuna couldn't decline since no one else wasn't up at that hour, except for the cooks and maids who had more than enough duties to do.

Yuna had made up her mind about Madara. She would not see him or talk to him or associate with him in any way.

The mere idea made her wish to bang her head against the wall, because purposely ignoring Madara was impossible. Not talking to him will most likely anger him, talking to him will just amuse him. Only someone like Sayu would know how to turn the situation around.

God she missed her morbid friend.

Izuna wasn't happy with her reaction. He was hoping to draw out some tears. Perhaps even offer her a comforting shoulder just to pull it away.

Nevertheless he guided her through the corridors to the servants' section of the compound. Izuna stopped a bit away from the correct place, the clanking of pots was audible along with yelling.

"Your servant should be in the kitchen," Izuna said curtly before leaving. She was beginning to bore him at that moment and he left her alone for the time being.

Yuna's eyes followed him until he took a turn on the right and was out of her sight. She looked ahead of herself and started following the delicious smells that lingered in the air.

Her hand lingered on the door for a moment before she slid it open. The kitchen was just as big as she expected it to be.

The women working there were far too busy to notice a small woman like her slip in. She was almost invisible there. Yuna noticed a younger boy sit in the corner on a stool with a stern expression of boredom. Yuna walked up to him and leaned down to his level. The boy's eyes looked into her blue eyes with surprise.

"Do you know a woman called Saia? Could you ask her to come here for a second?" Yuna asked softly not to disturb anyone in the kitchen. It seemed like the news about her status had gotten out because to boy jumped up and bowed deeply before running off to another direction. Letting everyone know that she was there would only disrupt their work. Well, her hair stood out amidst the black like a sore thumb.

Not a minute had passed before Yuna's eyes caught a familiar figure, skilfully scurrying through the kitchen staff with questions written all over her face. She slowed down before Yuna, but refrained from looking straight to the woman's eyes.

"Yuna-san, what are you doing here at this hour?" Saia asked delicately, but she still had the voice of a scolding mother. Yuna glanced around for the boy but he was out of sight. She weighed the possibilities in her head, all that under the scrutinising look of Saia.

"Well why do people search for a kitchen? To eat, naturally," Yuna's request was hidden there, not that subtly.

"You are no lowly maid, Yuna-san, it is not fit for someone of your stature to dine here!" gasped Saia, seeming utterly appalled by the request.

Yuna rolled her eyes to distract her from the homesick ache forming in her stomach. Hikari would often scold her about not acting according to the social rules.

"Well I'm not married yet, so one morning among the commoners won't melt off my scull!"

Saia bowed, "It is your call, Yuna-san, though I strongly advise you against it."

Yuna slowly sunk to a chair that had appeared behind her. Or perhaps it was there all along and she simply didn't notice it? Just a few seconds to relax can't hurt anyone…

The nap felt like a blink to her, but she was awoken by a familiar malicious aura.

Yuna jolted upright from her slouched position when her eyes met with her future husband's, cheating husband's to be exact.

He scorned at her and leaned down, just an inch, making Yuna instinctively lean further against the wall. She was cornered. There was only one man sadistic enough to relay this information to Madara.

Uchiha Izuna, the only person who knew her location along with the little boy from before.

"Is my mere presence that repulsing to you?" He asked quietly, the threat hidden behind layers of practices politeness.

What was the response the man was looking for remained a mystery for his frightened fiancé.

"Is an honest response expected, or would you prefer a wonderful lie. They tell me I'm good at that…"

Well, it didn't sound so high and mighty in her head and this was obviously not the correct answer. His fingers curled around her arm and yanked her up sharply.

Madara's eyes snapped to Saia who was just a few steps away. The older woman's eyes shot down on the ground immediately. Madara's eyes lingered on her for a moment, examining the tray in her hands with fresh breakfast and his lips curled to a smirk.

"My fiancé decided that she'll enjoy her meal with me," he snarled.

Yuna mustered up the courage to glance upwards, and soon regretted the choice for Madara was furious at her. No doubt because even a goat could understand that Yuna was escaping from a man who spared no love for her and enjoyed sleeping around.

Saia nodded hastily.

If it was Madara's word against Yuna's request then Saia chose Madara's side. It wasn't merely the differences of strength, authority and temper that made her choose Madara, but the fact that all the previously mentioned traits were utilised for the protection and well-being of the clan.

Yuna allowed the man to drag her like a rag doll through the corridors. Her failing attempts to protest against Madara's firm grip were useless. They reached his room fast, far too quickly for her.

He slid the door open and forced her inside.

Yuna staggered forward and her eyes slid over the room. The bed was still unmade and she caught sight of something pink and frilly between the covers and that was enough to quench her fear with anger.

She turned around, facing Madara head on.

He looked down to her calmly, perhaps even curious about her reaction. Yuna wouldn't put it past his ability of manipulation to simply plant the lingerie in the bed.

So Yuna reacted like any reasonable woman would in this position – she kicked him in the shin. The woman didn't utilise her full strength, afraid to break his bones, but it was sure to leave a nasty bruise.

Madara's eyes flashed but he didn't move a muscle to protect himself, choosing to stay silent and observe her little tantrum with amusement. When was the last time a woman behaved like that in front of him? When was the last time a woman struck him?

"You asshole couldn't do that whore in some other place besides my bed! Did it slip your mind to stuff those disgusting cheap panties in her ass so she wouldn't forget them?" Yuna shouted at him before she turned around to leave, but Madara grabbed her by the hair forcing her on her knees. Play time was over.

Yuna shut her mouth tight to prevent any sound escaping. Madara forced her head back so she could see him clearly.

Cruelty, there was no sign of mercy or amusement in his eyes. It was then when Yuna was reminded once more that Madara's hair was so incredibly long. Most of it was hanging down on his back, but a few shorter strands fell onto Yuna's face. She waited calmly, even though her heart was pounding against her ribcage while waiting for his next move.

"Do you wish to take back anything you just said?"

She stared back at him stubbornly, holding back the grin that was threatening to slip on her lips.

"No."

He almost let go of her.

Almost.

Determination and guts were two things Madara could appreciate, but the dominant side of him forced him to remind Yuna who was in charge. If he let go of her this once, she'd learn that disobedience remains unpunished. A well learned lesson is to be taught with pain.

"You're in no place to tell me what to do." He said slowly, but clearly for her to understand every word with his grip around her ear tightening even more.

The thought that Madara will rip out her hair and snap her spine in half did cross Yuna's mind once or twice, but it was Saia who saved the day.

As soon as the woman's steps were audible, Madara released Yuna and took a step away to give her some space.

Yuna was on her knees, panting and trying to collect herself. Tears of pain were threatening to reach her eyes, but she pushed them down.

She heard Madara open the door roughly and grabbing the tray from Saia's hands before slamming the door shut again, all that without spilling a drop from the utensils on it. This is what happens when the world's strongest shinobi meets the best maid of the house.

Madara placed the tray next to Yuna and pulled her up roughly to sit properly. This time they didn't dine at the table, but right there on the floor.

Yuna grabbed the cup of water on it and gulped it down, avoiding his gaze and massaging her scalp.

Madara sat down next to her, eyes flickering to her every now and then as they commenced in the silent breakfast.

"You know I hate men who sleep with many women," Yuna mused out loud, still refusing to look at him.

Madara's eyes moved to her slowly and the corner of his mouth turned up. Even now, after receiving a punishment like that she still had the gall to mock him?

"You know I hate women who can't satisfy their husbands," he shot back smoothly.

Like yesterday he finished his meal far too quick. Yuna took her time since it was still early, even earlier than yesterday.

"Perhaps this time the fault lies with the man?" questioned the woman and placed an almost empty bowl of soup down on the tray.

Well, this time she was asking for it.

Madara leaned closer and pulled Yuna's hair away from her neck before planting a soft kiss. The delicacy of the movement surprised both parties and a gasp left the woman's lips.

It was her first instinct to scurry away from him but Madara held her firmly with his hands.

"Then how about we both make a little effort?" he suggested. Madara's tone sounded bored, but his lips were curved into a grin.

Her squirming was annoying and amusing him to no end. It even posed as a challenge, in its own twisted way.

"Kiss me!" he commanded.

Her eyes widened for a moment but she put her mask back on hastily.

Madara's iron grip ruled out any chance of escaping her predicament. Nevertheless her rebellious nature told her to sink her nails into his skin to escape but Madara twisted his arm away before she could cause any serious harm and pinned her on the ground, using his left hand to hold Yuna's hands above her head.

She had never felt so helpless before, not to mention his violations of her personal space. Even though she was a ninja with remarkable skill, it wasn't hard to determine that fighting back was pointless and unreasonable.

This wasn't the first or the last time for her to be with a man. Many times before a mission required for her to utilise her womanly charms, but this was different. During her missions, her name wasn't Yuna, the little endeavours were never personal and for the first time she was concerned for real.

Madara leaned in to her face, but left a small gap between their lips for her to move her head just a little bit up.

"But my breath stinks you asshole!" Yuna whimpered as a weak attempt to win back her freedom.

Madara's eyes narrowed and the amused look was gone again. It was amazing really, how quickly he could alter between the two.

"Wipe that look off your face, I'm not about to rape you. Believe it or not I do have a sense of honour."

The warmth that previously lingered in the room was gone, but Yuna believed his promise. He wouldn't go as far as to actually force her to sleep with him.

Yuna shut her mouth tight for a second before she sighed. There was no other way out of this situation, so she sucked it up and leaned forward.

Madara didn't hesitate, his tongue slipped inside her mouth in a matter of seconds.

Yuna opened her eyes with a mischievous glint in them, well aware how much she's going to regret her actions later, and bit his tongue as hard as she could, but only for a second. It wasn't her intention to dismember the poor man.

Madara reacted exactly as she anticipated. He pulled away from her and slapped her across the face with much more force behind the blow than last time.

Madara hit her exactly on the same spot he did before to maximise the pain.

Yuna flinched when her head swung on the other side, but grinning nevertheless.

Madara let go of her hands and got off of her and grabbed her by the hair and pulled her up to his level and forced her to look at him.

"You won't reject me. Not here, not in the wedding and you won't reject me in the future. I told you that it's not in my nature to force anything upon women, but if you're not going to show some respect then give me a reason not to answer the same way!" Madara was furious, even more than before, if such thing was even possible and for the second time already Yuna felt her hands tremble in fear.

The meaning behind her words hit her harder than he ever could. No freedom, no mercy and only his will mattered. The girl felt a tear slide down the side of her face, a sign of weakness Yuna promised herself not to show in front of him.

Madara noticed it and a feeling of disgust washed over him. He despised crying women, but even Madara had to admit that pinned under him was no weakling. She was either stupid, courageous or both.

He released her, allowing the girl to collapse into a heap.

Madara walked away from her and sat on the balcony, not sparing a single glance to her, trying to wipe the picture from his memory. What annoyed him more that her crying was that he forced her to this ultimatum.

Yuna stayed on the ground, collecting herself. The thought that this was her breaking point did cross her mind, that she will now wail like a baby in her misery before writing to her friend, but no more tears came. She wiped away the single droplet from her cheek, resuming the look of utter nonchalance, save for the swelling of her cheek.

Yuna strolled to the dressing table and got the comb, from the lack of anything better to do. Madara had managed to tangle her hair well enough. She combed through it forcefully, causing some to fall out, but it was the least of her concerns.

The silence between them was excruciating. She peeked to the balcony, only seeing Madara's broad shoulders rise and fall as he breather. Oh how she wished to see them stop, as an indication of his imminent death.

On a second thought, perhaps not right away, or it would be pinned on her.

She put her hair up into a high ponytail, leaving her face fully exposed as another act of rebellion. The bruise was still on her face, but she didn't find any point in hiding it.

Yuna heard Saia come in and take the tray and leave without a word, probably picking up from the state of things that something had transpired between the couple once more.

The girl rested her hand on her palm, blue eyes numbly looking at the reflection, wondering, is this really me?

She heard Madara get up from the balcony and walk back inside. He stopped at the doorway, much to her displeasure.

"Come, there are things to do that require your presence," he said, sounding a lot calmer than before.

Yuna looked up to him for a moment, think whether to push her luck or obey, but something in his look said that it was enough conflict for one day.

The girl finally got up just to ward off the boredom and followed Madara.

"Do you always hit women?"

"No, it's never my intention."

Once they were out in the hall Yuna relaxed a bit. He wouldn't lash out in public.

"Where are we going?"

Madara didn't spare a glance towards her, his gaze fixated to some imaginary point beyond.

"The seamstress is coming today to take your measures. We need a kimono for the wedding ceremony."

Yuna held back a grimace. The wedding ceremony, something she wasn't looking forward to. The mere thought of the wedding night looming right around the corner caused her stomach to tighten.

"How are you going to explain my little bruise say…If I walked up to my mother?"

Madara's eyes moved to her, conveying this hard principle of his - useless questions were irritating, and the answer was too obvious.

"Madara what do you want from me?" Yuna asked suddenly, feeling the urge to throw her hands above her head to make it more dramatic.

The prospect of a life with that treatment was…alarming at the very least, but she simply couldn't figure out his expectations.

He merely frowned and stopped, apparently they had reached their destination.

Madara opened the door and nudged Yuna inside, surprisingly gently. She snorted in protest, mumbling that she was capable of entering a room without supervision, but quieted down.

Inside was a young woman who was seated on the floor. In front of her, on the table was a thick book, a pencil and a measuring tape.

The entire process proved to be fast, contrary to Yuna's initial beliefs. She took the bride's measurements and wrote everything down in that huge book of hers before she asked Madara to come there as well.

Judging from the seamstresses frail hands, Yuna was fairly sure that the book was never moved from that table top.

When she was finished with Madara, the woman invited both of them to that big book of secrets.

Inside were small squares of different fabric samples.

She asked them to choose the fabrics, noting everything down. Madara did most of the work, as he had a better eye and was the only one of the pair who was concerned with public appearances.

The process was swift and it wasn't long before Yuna was snapped back to reality when Madara touched her shoulder, "Come, we're done here."

Yuna was stubborn enough not to drop the question, "I still want an answer, what do you want from me?"

"Nothing for now...you're not my wife just yet."

The 2014 version of this chapter, brought to you by Lilyholics!