The flowers were beautiful. They were finely trimmed, their stocks straight, leaves unblemished, there was no browning around the petals. The scent remained. So delicate, in a perfected condition, it was only natural to wonder why they had been a gift to him. What caught his eye was the nationality of the Jasmine. The Sambac Jasmine only grew in more heated places full sun, and little shade. It certainly didn't belong in the land of Fire, so where had Madara gotten it from? The only time he had seen it grow naturally had been with Jiraiya, while passing through Sunagakure. Fraxinella was more abundant in Konohagakure, and naturally occurring, however, it was near impossible to find. So why go through such trouble?

"Naruto-kun, have you seen my blade? It mustn't be dulled when-" Naori stopped, staring down directly at the blooms he held, paused in mid motion, not even the fabric on her shirt held motion. She wore pant underneath her large robe, and long sandals that ended below her knees. He hadn't seen her in pants before. He himself was reluctant to change, but had gotten by on simply hiding in his room for a day while he cleaned his jumpsuit. Kou, had suggested they go for a trip to the marketplace on the second sundown. He had yet to agree.

Naori finally moved, in a swift motion, she was leaning over him, flaunting her extra height, but unfocused, holding eyes only for the blooms in his hand.

"Whom?" Jutting her chin forward, clear towards the flowers. He glances up at her with a cautious eye, finding in her a look of apprehension. She is undeterred, but her arm outreaches and she hold his hand so that the flowers can be best displayed in light. Pensive, she inspects with an eye of understanding.

"The flower of the trees and burns the oil, a representation of your pyromaniac will. A Jasmine of the Desert, speaks of promise and intent, the desire for attachment, a courting blossom. To be certain. They are of courting." There was no simple trick to Naori he had found, her thoughts were never displayed for anyone to see without analyzing, but her emotions could be well desphered. Reading someone's thought or inclination was for different from knowing their emotional state. Hardly a correlation in the instance of Uchiha, he knew well enough, for Sasuke it had been a task of finding an opening in both. Itachi though he had not known the man nor did he care too, displayed more emotion than his brother when they had met, but his thoughts had been well hidden. Perhaps it was merely the marking of a good shinobi, or even more so maybe it was clan related. Regardless most of the uchiha he had interaction with, were uncomfortable in displaying themselves.

If this was a sign of courtship then... Madara intended to romanticize him? Did courtship not propose a future marriage? Or the possibility of one at least? A panic settled within his chest, constricting, but easeful in its conduct, an understanding that he had been unobservant too in past.

So, he concluded, Madara held intent to marry, or at least had hope for such an outcome should the courting prove successful. He could decline, but he found himself in interest to the man, drawn not by primal inclination but of curiosity. Of genuine interest in the man, attraction of his features surely aided, soothed the eyes and provided a lovely visual for his own olfactory pleasure. No denying he held a vintage -or in such circumstance- a modern handsomeness.

Personality lacked nonplusible inconsistencies such as a gross egotism -perhaps in slight, but nothing overwhelming.- a vile sadism, -not above necessity for a shinobi.- Instead the man near exuded confidence, an attractive narcissism, calm demeanor, and a elevating rather soft conduct of kindness. It was unusual, but certainly not an unimaginable situation, he was flattered by the mere thought, a type of man of his brood did not simply ask an orphan for a romance, yet here he stood, perplexed by understanding.

His companion, finding amusement in his own self reflection, snorted through her nose, making busy herself on one of the many weapons hidden from view. Still, her attentions were engaged on him, not a mockery -he doubted her capable of such a thing- as her steel peeked from under its shethe.

"You remain in silence, must I quandure again?" Impatience in the deepening of her pitch, he sat down at the table. Kou was much less forward in his presence, Naori though kind he had found was stifling by nature, mostly he had been desensitized by such conduct as he had been in her presence enough to understand. Yet, occasion spoke in its own manner, and qualms it had none, she was an intimidating woman. Even still, rarity gave its own meaning, and she held reason to ask besides self-indulgence, not a plain inquiry, a necessity.

"Madara gave them to me." Her hand stilled, for a moment brief as a blink he heard a rasp of breath before she turned, not to him, but to the hall. Her hair covered her face well, but he saw the lines of her mouth, downturned more than usual, often they were neutral neither smiling nor frowning, a smirk was rare with her. Was she expressing visual concern? He had to ponder, a worry, that perhaps it was inappropriate for Madara to show interest in him.

Soft footsteps drew his attention back to the hall, where Kou had appeared undoubtedly by his Himupowa's request, a large grin spread across his face, mirth. "Is my face painted violet?" He asked, and Naruto didn't understand his meaning, it wasn't, not in the slightest. He tilted his head at the question, Kou gave a sigh, gentle breath and no sign of irratence. A smile rested calmly on his features. His fern eyes tilted down, not to the floor, but to the flowers, a coy smirk overcoming his smile, stretching strangely on his face.

"I held my breath in anticipation for Madara-sama to present onto you. I thought I may never again catch it." He snickered into the back of his palm. Naruto felt a strange sense of understanding, as the passed glances and odd behaviour finally came into place. Quick as it arrived the man straightened his face, controlling his own amusement -although barley as many echos of laughter still escaped- "Now! I have been ill-content Naruto-kun! I have become complacent in your adaption to the village. It simply cannot stand now that you are to be engaged in courtship. Especially with Madara-sama." Complacent? Well, if he was true he had expected a lot more lessons on manners, if not carefully presented. Yet it had never happened, it was inevitable all along was it not? Even without their leader's interest in his person. One had to learn how to conform, he could only hope that with his friends they would allow him to hold pieces of his own individuality.

"No need to concern yourself, I will not seek to strain you. Lessons will not be pressured or judged harshly, but they simply must be done. You understand do you not?"

"Not entirely. Why is this necessary?" Kou nodded, as if expectant.

"You are aware that Madara-sama is the leader of the clan yes?" He nodded. He knew now, having remembered from long ago his lessons in the academy, Hiruzen speaking amongst the elders quietly about stopping another Madara from uprising. The way people scowled at his name, just as much as they scowled and moved at his presence. The man who had betrayed the village, his own clan, in a expedition of power.

He had remembered, but his thoughts were not moved by history. In his own manner, he had found a pleasant solace in the friendship he had seen between the man and the Hokage. The respect the Uchiha held for him was not false, something must have occured to cause such a change. But now, here, he had not seen the vicious man of tales, he had seen a kind man who respected his village, and cared for his clan.

Kou continued. "With Uchiha courtships, it is almost certainty that the couple will marry. As such to accept the flowers it is expectant that the couple will proceed as if they were a proposal. With fidelity, you cannot seek anyone further." Well, Naruto could not find much fault in that, other then the immense understanding. "Even more so in regard to your own. Madara-sama is our leader, therefore it is expected that you will become the Matriarch of the clan. As such you must remember that your example is one that all Omega's within the clan will follow once the hawk takes flight." That sounded exceedingly bad. His own example was something he was reluctant to follow on occasion, he could act like a fool, if the other Omega's saw that they may consider him such.

"Despite how restrictive it must sound, you will have to adapt some basic mannerisms in order to avoid-" He hesitated, clearly uncertain on how to depict his own clansmen. He needn't Naruto was fairly certain he understood what Kou had intended to say. The bride of Naori gave a week comfort of a smile before continuing.

"Do understand, I am not saying you must change who you are. Madara-sama would despise if you attempted to mask yourself, as would the rest of the clan. You speak in strange sentences, but that is not a grand concern, many think it because of your differing heritage. It happened with an Omega named Tuki, she was born of an allied clan, yet she learned our tongue by simple proximity." He laughed slightly, covering with his hand. Gracing him with a sympathetic and kind expression.

As if he had read his thoughts he addressed Naruto's own foolhardy persona, something he had been concerned of. "Your nature must remain the same. You are loud and brash, unyielding, independant. While not commonly associated with clan leaders, you mustn't attempt to hide such personality, the clan will merely see it as an attempt of deception." Naruto sighed loudly, relief in clarity clearing his lungs.

"Worried of that were you? Fear not, that is not what the clan will expect of you. When I said the Omega's will look to you I meant not in personality. Allow me to explain further. It's rather complex I'm afraid." Kou opened his mouth, yet, instead of speaking a thoughtful tilt unsmoothed his face, and instead he walked to the entrance of the house.

Unsure Naruto followed to find the man putting on his sandals. Now certain that he was meant to follow he put on his own as the man already moved to exit.

"Where are we going?" He noted Kou's smile, he was pleased, even more so, he was grasping his hands together in front of himself, as Naruto had only seen done with important persons. Like the Dyimoto's daughter.

"To the marketplace!" The man seemed content with the idea, but it was rather obvious that there was a reason behind it. Kou looked down at his jumpsuit, his mouth was a blank line, but he looked as if he was smiling all the same. Naruto really held contempt for how many times he had seen that. A sympathetic glance was what it was, disdain for his sensei's gift and its boldness, yet never speaking out against it in person, not wanting to say something unkind. This gave a more passive stance to it, as if the man did not wish to speak indelicately, but was forced by his own hand to do so.

"I have to get rid of it dont I?" He mumbled, the thought painful, as it clung to him with sweat and grime, did it also piece him whole and verbalize his past to himself without need for external comfort. A last piece of home, that he no longer had. Shedding it would be leaving everything he had once held dear behind. The boldness of the colour, as he annoyed the villagers with his vibrence. The gift from a dear friend and trusted mentor, a man who had sown the people in his life into one ball of wool. Even the dirt and sweat coated threads reminded him of days past, remarkable little nuances and painful memories of not being able to wash or pay rent. The stain of miso on his pants from the Old-man and Ayame's shop, ramen sitting warm in his stomach like a feeling of welcome.

It was an attachment. Yet, he knew it now; one he needed to shead. The bonds of the past could obtain little meaning here, for no one was concerned with the affairs of the far future, nor should he be. It had been a month perhaps more now, there was little hope that he would return home from here on out. Now, he must force himself to resign what was, and continue forward, forging his own past into his own future.

He wouldn't forget. There was no manner in which he could forgo the memories he had earned, still there was solace in the knowledge that he knew he could hold dear the bonds he had forged, and create new ones in a place where he was welcomed.

It was a broken sigil of a distorted and cruel past. Maybe now it could be a flag of his new beginning.

"You are a man of much quality and no lack of strong opinion. I fear you will find yourself ill-faced with our plain cloth." Downcast eyes, did not fit the man before him, he could hardly bare reason to their presence. It was not the embarrassment of such cloth the fact that his clan wore a lesser thread was not the cause of his straying gaze. But the fact that they held no intricacies they had little formality, beauty was not a feature to the design held in prominence, and as result Kou and perhaps many others felt inferior to the better dressed Senju surrounding them.

Kou was ashamed, nervous that with the cloth they bore he would not be true to himself. Now, he knew that there were many routes he could take in order to relief the mans quandures. A habit chosen from boredom and aidful in little practicality would be an expression for the entire clan! That, he swore, was a promise.

With a face downtrodden, his companion lead them both to a small stall, and a merchant who looked unperturbed by his surroundings. Even in mood of embarrassment Kou held his head straight and his posture had not changed from a rigid stance.

"Naruto-kun, this is Takana, our clan's trusted sales man for cloth and thread. He provides what he is paid to provide for all of us." Kou then addressed the subject, with a steady stare and a smiling face.

"Takana-san, Naruto-kun will be in need of at least two Haori's, and two hakama without divide (1)." The merchant lingered his eyes, a considerable second resting inappropriately. Kou didn't heed it, for to busy looking elsewhere, with a green eye, envy seemed to scare him. Naruto would have loved to aid the man, but currently he was being observed by a pervert.

"What are you looking at?!" He asked, attempting not to yell, but as result it came out sounding timid rather then forceful. Not likely the week way he was displaying himself he curled his hand into a fist and crossed his arms. Lack of bulk aside, he still had pride, he could take on a pervert any day.

"It always weighs how the Uchiha manage to obtain such exotic Omega. Nevermind keep them. I could do with a fine young thing like you at my disposal." A chorkle followed the sentence, and Naruto suddenly felt a wave of nausea turn at his insides, glad to have hidden his nature in the village when he had been young. Certainly this type of leer could not be commonplace?

"Watch yourself Takana." In poked a voice, smug sounding and equally demanding. Naruto looked unsure of motivation, to see a young man of perhaps his own age with blond hair almost platinum, cut into a pike bob as Sakura's was. He was smirking, but not in experience it seemed he was simply cocky, a tilt to the right eye showing this plainly. He wore an Uchiha robe however, and wielded on his back a katana, so it was likely he could handle a simple merchant. Kou made himself aware then, sending the other Uchiha a confused look, before a warm disposition lightened him once more.

"Naka! Naori informed me that Madara-sama posted you near the Eastern region on clause of malpractice. Do you return in haste?" Naka had the good instinct to look flustered by the subtle reprimand. His eyes flickered left and his ears flushed at their sides.

"He did, of course, I do realize now that I was out of line while in position." He held the posture of a scolded child, before it smoothed into the face of a well trained team member. Focused with the intent of following orders.

"In truth my punishment was set to end shortly before the equinox. However, on the threat of another Code Silver, Madara-sama requested my return to the village early." Kou shook his head, fiddling his fingers intwined hidden underneath his haori. Colour seemed to die on his cheeks at such news. The Uchiha gave the smallest of sympathetic smiles to the fretting man, before shifting his gaze to the one he was unfamiliar with, Naruto refused to tense, and offered a less full grin then normal, trying to not be false in actions.

"Whom might you be? Exotica like yours is found little around here. You are visiting Takana, so you are being courted by one of our own yes?" Before he had the chance to respond, the market man cautiously drew his attention, motioning to several differing colours of cloth, for his haori given their light tones. There was a second darker toned selection for his hakama, they were indeed plain. Their dye of common cheep colours, and no embellishments. He felt someone lean over his shoulder, but given the small stature it was Kou not the stranger.

"That yellow haori would look splendid with your hair tone, your skin greats it well I think. Oh my! Cast your eyes Naruto-kun! An blue tinted hakama!" He did, although the piece was not a lighter tone then what he had expected, possibly by the fault of the creator, it was a sky blue, not to far from it was a baby-blue haori with white seems. They caught his attention, they would look so well if fitted together. He choose them both, and without further hesitation the cherry blossom pink hakama and daffodil haori next to them. Certainly it wasn't much, but he had managed well with merely two pieces of clothing so far, this way he needn't clean fabric so often.

He saw Naka watching the merchant with a hand balanced on his katana, a tremor coursed through the man's spine, surely the pervert would not meet his end by mere comment. Kou gave coin, and his conviction wavered, he could not return the borrowed money for he had no valid coin of his own.

They returned to the district in swamped in silence, guilt of incapability resting in his abdomen. Kou seemed content to allow him his thoughts, humming a small traditional tune to himself of the blossom.

There were many people scattered about the district, having been high sky, the children were all running around, not training their skills. Couples of both of friends and romance wondered around at peace with each other, entranced in deep conversation. Heads bent or laughing together.

"Allow me to converse with Takana-san from now on." Kou broke their silence, he looked more then irked at something, though Naruto could only assume he had done something improper. He had never actually stuck the mans ire, it was beginning to form in his mind that it could not be conjured.

"I didn't do something wrong did I?" It was with reproach that he asked.

Kou swiveled. "Oh no, not you, he was speaking lewdly, it was implicating." Though he smiled, there was a tightness to his clothing, a change in his posture. Not a man at ease, Naruto could not remember a time where he had seen the normally placid man in such a state of emotional turmoil.

"What has you so irked my love?" Came up Naori, in stride with her a calm patience that Naruto had actually never seen in anyone, she was asking neither expected nor participating an honest response. Merely hoping for a confidence. Walking by her with measured step was Madara standing tall above her but not imposing in stature.

Naruto bared not say his bit, waiting on Kou. Within a moment, his companion cast his eyes to the West where the market was as if he could stare through the buildings themselves. "Some man decide it best to dishonor himself with impicating comment." The Uchiha both changed in demeanor rather quickly, nothing particularly describable, for their faces changed little, but it was made promident that they were paying rapid attention to the subject at hand. Perhaps a shifting in tone, or rumple of cloth, Naruto could not yet tell.

"What type of implication do you refer?" Naruto sensed a difference to the woman's tone yet could not name the way it seasoned itself. Kou turned to his spouse, more serious an expression that was in such opposition to his normal sense of affectionate comfort.

"The manner of his speaking would be enough to cause discomfort, he bore down on poor Naruto-kun; a licentious inclination." Naori tilted her head a confusion muddling her thoughts it was apparent, Kou gave a great indignent huff, all the while Naruto felt himself overcome with tremors. The man had been entirely creepy, but did it warrant such a response he could not say. However, out of the four it was Madara who reacted the most plainly annoyed. It drew the jinchuriki's attentions, something he came to regret when he could not easily angle away.

The man held in him a type of gravitation, a manner of intimidation that made the most wary eye cast interest. It could attributed to his strength as a Patriarch Naruto supposed, one did need a way to grasp the attention of your rather stubborn clansmen. Still, it being directed at him was entirely different, the man was fixated in a stiff almost battle ready posture, eyes pointed and mouth drawn tight, his hands weren't flexing though, they seemed steady, almost calm.

"Whom?" Madara asked him, Naruto felt the sweat drop down his back, there was no argument to be made, the warrior wanted to know. He scratched at his neck, an itch having been born there, he couldn't play it off, or answer indirectly this much was obvious in the fact that Madara didn't seem the type to allow it.

"The merchant Takana? But I think he might have just been joking." He hated thinking mid sentence, but his instincts were running rampant, speaking of danger, and not to himself. Madara didn't seem to enjoy it either, for his brow furrowed deep, and a scowl etched onto his face, hands tensed momentarily. He took a step forward, closer to the concerned blond, whom had taken on the expression of one defyent at seeing the Uchiha's face contort. They now stood close Naruto's stare fixated into Madara's own, unwavering resolve settled into both of their shoulders, one in defence, the other in irritation. It was Madara who broke the intense silence, but not yielding his position.

"You would allow someone to demean your honour?" His voice pitching himself strangely, but the strength remained behind his words, a force. This did not discourage the other, in fact it fueled his challenge.

"Ya don't even know what he said dattebayo!" Both of their arms were crossed before them, neither was planning on budging from the staile atmosphere. A few Uchiha paused in their going abouts not used to their Leader being engaged in an argument of wits.

"Oh? Then do inform me." Responded Madara. Unfortunately even while hef felt as if he was abating something happening to the perverted merchant the thought of his ugly words rang clear in his head, a bile rising in his throat. Burning at his esophagus his eyes began to water, and wavered in their clear intent, now turned to a fog of uncertainty. Disgust rolled in his abdomen, nausea biting at him prominently.

Embarrassed he rubbed furiously at his tears bidding them goodbye even as more arose just as quickly, shame held high place in his thoughts at the understanding that he had never before faed such blanat sexism, and it was simply another mode for people to keep him at a lower standard. He had never felt so lowly, he had grown used to the taunts of demonic influence, the stares of pity and disgust. Never before had he felt the wretched as he had when he had been treated as if he were a mere whore to be passed around.

An ugly sob hiccuped through him, and he covered his mouth it was in the middle of the Uchiha district and he was sobbing. He was Uzumaki Naruto damnit, what was he doing? So it was with great surprise when he felt a large hand settle around his head and cold abs against his cheek. Thick fabric with the musk of fire swarming his nose in scent, the soothing cold frigidity calming his own calamitous chakra. The feeling of safety a comforting hold could provide encasing him, the sobs unwitting being shed from him numb to sensation and thought. He spoke in rational instead of hysterics, understanding that he would be demanding answers from his friends had the same thing happened.