Madara knew simply by understanding rank that Naruto would live in a home of low quality. That is, one of a genin standard, that did not define as a place stationed within the poorest district of the village with a crumbling ceiling and molding walls. Yet, as he walked the stairwell and watched the railing beside them crookedly sway at his touch, rusted beneath his fingertips, his disposition as to the quality of Konoha tilted slightly. Naruto even shoved his body against his own door after having unlocked it, exposing a place obviously only designated for one person, cramping walls, with the only other room being the washroom -it was an odd comparison, but Madara could easily find several similarities to the apartement and the olden settlement huts his clans had used while moving locales.- A futon rested in the corner, small and worn Madara doubted it had ever been changed within the boy's lifespan. In general appearance, the Uchiha concluded the home would be root within one season cycle; supported by the cracking floorboard underneath his foot. His opinion was not aided by the low cast ceiling and the fact his head had to duck in order to fit within the minor space the house afforded him.

Irritation already affecting him, his glare set on the nervous, smiling, boy -supposedly- counting rations inside his cupboard. Indigo irises flickered up and met with his within a second, though the same uncertain grin remained on the tanned face, if slightly crooked. Naruto finally spoke, though Madara noticed, only after having cast his eyes away from his own. "Its... Better then it looks?" Formed as a statement, the sentence came off as a question of judgement. Madara knew little of the child before him, but he held the hope that the boy would hold enough intellect to have bought another residence.

"Yet, you have not moved." This time it was he who bore a glare. Madara felt no malice from the gaze, nor did a hesitation form within him.

"I don't earn enough to be able too alright?! I get enough for this place- and sometimes food, thats it!" It was then that the Uchiha paused. Suddenly finding an understanding to the situation, however, questioning the reasoning or logic therein, the former founder saw no reasoning for forcing a child to live in a decrepid home with minimal ryo for food or rent, especially while working under genin rank.

The anger fueling Naruto's scowl dissipated, and Madara watched as the blonde lost any will to fight or argue with him. "I just can't... If I could, then- but they won't let me." It was a mumble which he spoke, but the room was entirely quiet and Madara heard it as a yell over him. The veteran did not know who the 'they' implicated was, but he did assume it would be a form of the governmental system which the Nidaime Hokage had devised. Madara, as a previous leader; could not understand the particular interest the village seemed to hold in the Uzumaki, as his knowledge held, there appeared to be nothing worth detesting and though rather biasly based on his own morality he did assume that the child hadn't violated any Konoha law -at least not severe enough to warrant such ostracization.

His lack of understanding came forth;"Why? What did you do?" Before him, unexpectedly, Naruto went limp; his head dropped his arms swayed at his sides, his shoulders sagged. And though he hardly felt anything but vague -primal- attraction to the boy, instinct came upon the Uchiha quickly and an anxious concern developed at the display.

"I was born." Another mumble, but he could barely hear the words, though he was slightly relieved when the blonde's head moved slightly. The answer, gave nothing, and Madara just found another question elevating the pile he already harboured for his new bond. The silence around them stretched on and neither moved for several minutes of self contemplation.

Finally it was the brightest of the couple who broke the choking, depressful atmosphere. Jerking upwards from his limp positioning, and completely regaining himself into a spirited individual, smiling fully and motioning energetically to the lone futon on the wall.

"Well its a bit small for you I think, but you take the bed and I'll sleep on the chair until I can figure out how to get another futon... and where to put it." Naruto was grinning at the sentence, embarrassed as he rubbed at his neck, and when Madara saw the smile on the boy's face to be genuine; it slightly came to anger the older man, personally finding the entire circumstance to be illogical.

The bed was indeed small, Madara fathomed that his legs would hang from the edge, but horizontally two could easily force room, if properly shared it would be plausible. Though, the Uchiha did find his own contemplation to be quite uncomfortable, he knew within himself as a man properly raised within chivalry -of a sort- and tradition; in conscious he could not allow his Omega to spend his nights upon a chair while he rested on a futon. In the same manner, he himself would not sleep on the chair.

"Or we could simply share the bed, there is room enough." For a reason Madara could not define, Naruto's face flushed to an embrightened pink.

"You...uh, want to share?... with me?" He chuckled, it was a large rarity for himself, and Madara did find the feeling rather strange after such a long time. Yet, the urge arose so naturally when he understood the hesitation the boy harboured, and the entire implication was an amusement he hadn't expected to find.

"I'm not implicating anything unsavoury Naruto-kun, and even if I were, I hardly see what it would matter; I have seen your body before." A smirk rested on his face, taunting the child was quite amusing he found, especially as the boy remained oblivious to his obvious intent. Following that, Madara watched as the blonde managed to gain a red upon his face juxtaposing his bright hair.

"That was an accident dattebayo! A-and you just happened to be my type!" He nearly found himself laughing once more, both at the poor defense and the burning face which had yelt it at him, accompanied -of course- with an accusing finger. Also, Naruto pouted in response, which Madara found even more amusing. Unintentional, but yet another chuckle escaped him as he moved to shift the bed from the wall, forcing an ignorance unto himself as to the familiarity he felt from the entire encounter. "Um... Are you sure both of us will fit? We'll have to be... Uh, pretty close." The room on the mattress was quite minimal; and the only method which would work was if the shorter of the two was pressed tightly against the other's chest. It came to his own surprise that such a method would be mentally acceptable, being close to anyone was something he had carefully avoided, either in physicality -in fight- or mentally -in a friendship of any form. Madara supposed the lack of mental protest he bore was simply because this was his bound and instinct came into function over any conscious protest he may hold.

"It is preferable to one of us sleeping on your worn chair." To that, Naruto gave a worn smile, one frequently in use Madara could fathom for it seemed quite instinctual.

"Um, so have you seen the rest of the village? I could show you around?" Madara supposed he hadn't as it was, he hadn't been within Konoha for several years. The last visit he had afforded himself had been under henge to examine Tobirama's structure of order. At first laughing at the idiocy, then finding desolation within the form the man had made. As it were, the village could have vastly shifted from such ideals.

"Not recently." Was his only response, knowing well that the present was hardly the time to speak of his origins.

"Oh, well! Come on then!" Very briefly, Madara did wonder at the Uzumaki's ability to remain positive.

----------------------

It did take several minutes to notice anything vastly differing from his last visit within the walls. Size, naturally, had changed as expected, though in taking notice in a comparison, the shift the Uchiha district had taken did attract his attention. Mainly as the entire clan had once incorporated nearly half the village land; now it was hardly an eighth of the size it had once been. Madara found himself doubting that it was not simply because his family had lost their numbers.

A scowl began to form upon his features in consideration of just who could have propagated such a dishonour, luckily withdrawn by Naruto springing directly into his line-of-sight with an eager skip. "Madara! Ramen! C'mon!" Eyebrows raised, he followed.

Madara found himself brought to a small food shop, selling a meal which the elder Uchiha knew he had never seen nor tried. Though it looked to be something which was easily prepared, perhaps a war food priour to being marketed; Madara concluded. Noting his bonded's friendly interactions with the two at the counter, grinning and waving in his bright excitement. The former patriarch could assume the boy was a common customer, and found himself near almost smiling at the joyful demeanor displayed, yet, all the while a growl crept up his throat in instinctive urge. Madara made certain to swallow the impulse, rather adapt after his years on the battlefield -but still unhappy for its emergence with a simple merchant.

"Teuchi-san! Ayame-chan! I want you guys to meet someone!" The woman greeted them both with a large smile herself, continuing to prepare an item behind the counter. Madara was slightly curious for their close nature to his spouse as they appeared quite well acquainted.

They too seemed gladdened to see his wife, felt a portion of irritation flee him as both merchants swept their gazes to rest on him. They were plain citizens, he concluded.

"Guys! This is Madara! He's-" Naruto paused, a blush as before decorating his cheeks, far more pink then the red from previous, Madara noticed -less embarrassed, more flustered? He wondered.- "-ah, my husband actually..." The blonde let out a playful, and slight giggle, nerves affecting him more then Madara presumed they would under such a situation. Teuchi-san's eyes widened considerably at the news, while the young girl beside him did the same before practically jumping over the counter to hug her friend, joyfully laughing all the while.

"Oh! Naruto-chan! That's amazing! You didn't even tell me you were seeing anyone you sneak!" Her entire demeanor changed and she covered her mouth best she could to mask her words. Though, unto an experienced man they weren't difficult to make out, even whispered, the girl was certainly no shinobi, he knew. "Though~ I can definitely see why~~ He sure is a catch isn't he? If he were mine I'd definitely keep him hidden for awhile, have my way with him if you know what I mean...~" Madara rolled his eyes at the crass nature of modern youth. While Naruto practically bounced back in his surprise smacking himself straight into the exasperated Uchiha's side, getting a raised brow in return while a bashful grin quickly formed as his lackluster apology; directed at both the giggling Ayame and his now-disgruntled husband.

"N-not like Ayame-chan! It was-" She didn't seem to give two kunai for his explanation and brushed him off with the skill of a professional. Madara snorted in amusement.

"Now then! I say this calls for free ramen! Much as you like! Right Tou-san?"

"Of course! Congratulations Naruto!" The man's smile pult at his face with a genuine happiness, though in watching his movements Madara took note of the fact that while receptive and quite chipper towards his daughter, the man directed himself with cautious and precise movements, there were naturally wrinkles on his hands, but Madara could see several kunai formed scars as well; a retired shinobi certainly, perhaps a man who had fought in the third or second war Madara reasoned. However, Teuchi-san's grin was genuine, and Naruto seemed to quite like him so Madara doubted there was any malice in his cautious movements, simply an ingrained careful nature born from war.

In his observations; it took him a considerable few minutes to notice, but there were obvious tears on his wife's cheeks, though they were being concealed as best as the blonde could manage with his short hair. They were happily made, Madara realized, yet, it was obvious, even unto a hardened shinobi as himself, that something else had drawn them forth, a complex reason, probably born of Naruto's past; something painful.

"Y-you guys... Thank you... I-" It was with a pinpoint perception that Madara saw the grins erased from both Teuchi and Ayame, a somber expression fogging their eyes. Under his own confusion, and a minor instinct, his hand found the blonde's back in comfort.

"It's alright Naruto. We know." Something endarkened entered the shop, the atmosphere became hardened, and Madara recognized the feeling well, his body reflexively preparing for a battle.

However, Ayame decided to lighten the mood encompassing.

"You know its really unfair I didn't get to see your wedding! I really wanted to see you in a Shiromuku! Maybe even an Uchikake na Naruto?" Madara watched the boy afore him wipe away his tears, rather hiddenly, turning away his face from everyone in the shop. Yet, the flutter of a smile the Uchiha saw was enough to convince him that the Omega wasn't about to collapse of shame or weakness.

A shy, and small voice escaped the blonde though in response. "Iya, I'd look awful in a Uchikake Amaye-chan!" Once more, he grinned, and the older Alpha was near convinced by simple lack of evidence the boy had even lost the smile to begin with. A smile of some sort always seemed to be on him, and the Uchiha could not fathom how a man could be so bright.

"Lies! Pure lies little Uzumaki!" She paused, her happy demeanor vanishing, curiosity infiltrating in its stead. "Oh wait, what is it now anyway? It can't be Uzumaki..."

It was a delicate question, and Madara put himself forward under its scrutiny as his bonded sat without an idea of response."We have not yet reached a decision. It may not be changed, as it is." She jumped at his voice, the Alpha raised an eyebrow, judging her silently to be as most Omegas under his view were; weakened and unable to do much, she appeared to be no exception. He said nothing unto it though, merely sat down and waited for his now 'official wife' to do the same. Naruto did, but quite slowly, with his eyes widely staring unto his husband, and a pink blush staining his cheeks, but a gentle simper came onto his face, somehow flattering the reddening rings around his eyes. It was an odd feeling to hold, but the Uchiha felt as if the sweet, gentle smile there was far more real then any other he had seen.

In what -to Madara- seemed to be a break of persona, Naruto snapped into the same joyful grin he normally maintained. "Ramen! What's your favourite type Madara?" With a grin so large and sun bright hair illuminating his visage, Madara felt near guilty for being candid in his response.

"I have never eaten any." He spoke honestly, as was his way of manner. Yet, in watching his bonded gasp, jump, and fall onto the ground in pure unadulterated shock, the Uchiha wondered if he were too crass in some manner. "Are you-" As it were, it was his turn to flinch back, finding an accusing finger pointed directly into his face, he blinked.

"How could you?! Betrayal! Now we're not leaving until you eat all the different types here!" He spun in place, hands firmly attached to orange clad hips, head raised high. "We'll start with the best of them all! Beef!" As the situation held, Madara found himself wishing Izuna could meet his new bonded, he hadn't thought of his brother for many, many years.

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Evening came quickly Madara found, especially after the copious amount of ramen he had attempted to eat. Luck struck him however, Naruto had found reason and declared that it was too much of a burden for anyone to eat all flavours in one day, so they had left after twelve bowls -each- of the interesting meal. Currently they were in the process of walking towards a training ground, or rather, a meeting place Naruto said; stating it to be a very precious place of his childhood -wherein Madara had to stop himself from plainly stating that the boy was still a child.

However, a flicker of chakra surprised his senses, and shinobi caution took over within the instant of the twitch. Naruto spoke beside him uncaringly, but at ease, and obviously unaware. Carefully he expanded his reach ever so slightly, managing to keep an even pace and somewhat listen to the ramblings of his wife beside. From his cautious observance, he could barely deduce that the shinobi following held a strong chakra, though held little, and was highly controlled for he could barely sense the individual despite being a sensory type himself. There was little information to grasp, and Madara withheld himself from making rash action at not knowing the ability of his opponent. He also forced himself to keep an even demeanour, as it was possible the flick of chakra he had felt was merely a shinobi performing a daily task within the village or a patrol ontop the buildings. Whence they turned corners however, he could no longer convince himself of mere coincidence, a senbon imparting his fingers and sent into the ally before any action could be taken.

Madara watched, rather prepared for battle, as a young girl around his wife's age emerged. A senbon in her shoulder and a quite nervous expression, though surprised by the innocent appearance before him. Apprehension followed once he glimpsed the pale lavender eyes she possessed, an instinctive, battle ready understanding coming up from the recesses of the mind. Hyuga.