Dusk fast approached, and Madara found himself at a disadvantage. The tenuous clamor he was performing in order to remain diligent was failing rapidly. Soon, twilight would descend and he would be forced to advocate himself to work further into the night. Difficult, as his hands could function; his eyes remained unable to see fine ink even with the moon's light. Although many of his previous -and continued- enemies would attest that he was able to peer into the darkness it was in fact a well fabricated lie. No matter how powerful the ocular capabilities, no man nor woman he had met had mastered the art of perceiving clear in the night.

Yet even as his mind was formatting, concentrating on the provided legislation, contracts, and proposals he could not manage to center himself on his work. Duress had settled into his muscles, causing much soreness of both the body and mind. Should he attempt to apply his seal to anything it would be nothing more then impetuous action.

His attention had vacated, and he knew not how to return it. A brief recess was all he could allow. Perhaps a pot of calming tea was all he needed to reformat himself, his job was far too imperative he could not afford to rule with anything other than complete focus. Considered himself lucky in fact, that he needn't face an oncoming battle in the morn.

A rasp at his main door drew his attention. It was not late, not for the more active members of his clan but it was contrived as inappropriate to call on him so late in the evening, not that he minded terribly. Although he should not let himself lose concentration, curiosity lead his legs, and he slid the door open with all the manner of a man glad for distraction. He was greated -pleasantly- by a blaze of orange glinting over strawberry tinted golden hair. A delicate glow of bronze that was shadowed by his own stature, eyes that were unaffected reflected the candlelight from inside and displayed a deep indigo differing much from azure.

The smile was brightened and elegant; unshockingly.

"Madara-sama! Are you busy?" Being addressed enthusiastically the clan head found himself glancing at his study, wavering options for only a moment.

He made sure no hesitance broke his illusion when he answered. "Not at all-" Discourtesy be damned, "-come in." It was improper to invite an Omega inside ones home before the ceremony, but it was not as if Naruto was acutely aware of all their rules of making love, he could break the more short handed ones that all disliked. "I was in going to make some tea, would you care to join me?" He asked as Naruto gave a courtesy bow and slipped off his sandals while entering. Never once losing the bright disposition he carried with such ease. As response the Uzumaki timidly answered with a gentle nod, so far out of character that it was clear it had been due to Kou's training, he decided not to comment.

In conflict with the brightness of his aura there was a weight behind his movements, as if being compressed by some inner trial. A shadow befell around his smile, hiding the commonly displayed dimples ingrained, it was almost a sollem realization that they had disappeared. In his observations it was almost a guaranteed disposition that his smile should continually remain.

In truth Madara had found the man's demeanor to be in conflict with the rules and ideals of his own experience anywhere outside of Konoha.

Knowledge of that fact did little to ease his qualms with the current situation. In fact the visual of his courted in distress when normally so at peace was not only strange it sired a concern within him he had not felt since Izuna's final ailed moments. A time of life he would much sooner leave behind then fathom the complexity of. War and battle he could manage, sickness and emotional turmoil he was always ill prepared for.

In spite of his conflicts, of mind and duty, he merely lead the way into his kitchen area so that he may use the fresh leaves Wakima had gifted him just this morn. Plucked by her son Ichiri.

In placing the leaves in the already gathered water, he whispered a prayer into them for the good health of the boy.

Naruto he noticed, was still upright, not sitting at the table as many would have. But his eyes were uncertain and his right hand kept reaching upwards as if to scratch before he forced it down once more. Was it nerves? He pondered, that would not be unwarranted, although by this time in a more conventional courtship they would have already been at ease with each other. Position was more of a curse then a blessing when it came to personal attentions.

Thinking for a moment, he gathered his thoughts into the sole focus of soothing the man's mind so that they may speak around each other in peace. There had only been one thing they had truly done together and that was to see some young birds, Naruto had been comforted by the outdoors and the gesture of aiding a being more weak then he. The outdoors, something in need.. Not incredibly useful information. Although, he did recall Hashirama mentioning his and Tobirama's battle, so a spar?

Immediately that idea was shaken from his thoughts. Ability or no, it was venimently frowned upon to fight an Omega within their jurisdiction, especially one expected to rear ones own young, a great disrespect, as his Father had declared.

The honest a plain truth of the matter was this: something was occupying his mind, shadowing his dimples, making the smile lose luster. He decided it would become his goal this night need to bring distraction as well as comfort, and so he would. Of course, tenderness had never been a form of expression he could readily display. Occasions manifested regardless of his discomfort that required such precarious control.

Perhaps it was a mere matter of trivial trail, a strain of the day causing discomfort. If that was the reason, he need only open route to conversation. Though it was unnecessary for him to begin, in correlation with his conduct Naruto spoke fastly, unrestrained not timidly but with apprehension.

"The children! That is, I was with one today -many previously, we were... his parents were killed during the raid. He has their house, but I was just- this warfare, battles within the village itself how do the children handle it? How are they supposed to?" It was an odd line of questioning, children adapted to war and strife just as well as their elders did, a plain fact; children could endure all manners of hardships.

Truly it was only in adulthood did he ever find himself in tears. Naruto did not seem to be raised in the same manner. -The peculiar nature the man held was one of mystique fashion; reason enough for him to become intrigued. Although not the cause of his proposition, no indeed he had vindication for it for removed from a whim.-

One such as Naruto could not fathom the bedlam that had enclosed every age just a few years prior. That, he discovered to be a fundamental. Naruto was a man not inraptured or ensnared by the daydreams of one so exuberant; rather he was blessed with an idealism of peace through the eyes of one who had never glimpsed war. Many would mistake such a mind as ignorance or speak in shame at his dishonour to his name.

Madara could understand both impulses well enough, disillusions were rarely ever healthy it was cockamamie to believe otherwise in this world of blood and corpses. A moment of overabundant imaginings would only serve one in death; however Naruto was not one of delirium, in fact he sought reason to why such exorbitant expectations should not be reality. Dishonor to the name being one thing he could not cofide by, but in his distinction Naruto came forth as a man not raised but pulled along by his own weight, Madara doubted there was any ignominy to his name brought forth in complaint of lack of action or abandonment.

So it was in understanding of these truth in the man's character that he did fabricate his response. "None of us desire to see a child suffer. The death of his parents was difficult." More than, he knew well. "Still he will strive and achieve greater in facing this loss." Unspoken was it, but he was well aware of Naruto's own observation of his clan. There could be little doubt made of their resilience in the facing of sorrow. He poured the herbal tea into his clay cup and gave it too his guest, a moment which he used to study the response he had invoked.

The cup was taken delicately, held in a manner to warm his hands, but his gaze was shadowed as he only had eyes for the liquid. A moment of contemplation it seemed, before he rose his head and they looked each other dead on.

"Then I shall strive for the day when no child requires pain to augment strength." With hands gripping the clay tightly and eyes of obstiance; he was the personification of everything Madara had envisioned for his clan. There was no dubiety remaining in him that he had been mistaken in what he had seen. Antithetical to his puerile persona, he was indeed empathetic almost to the point of being bounteous. Adroit when needed, and in parity to this quality was in fact his ebullient conduct. Withal, his loveliness only flourished in its opulence as these qualities remained pronounced, in equilibrium with each other.

Madara at first had found it appealing, now: amorous with little better description. A strange way to perceive someone's manner, but he found himself overwhelmed by desire at the realization.

Naori had told him in the weeks leading to her own wedding that her love for Kou was atypical, and had originally been ignited by the confidence he held in his gender. Not knowing himself the encompassment of romantic longing he had only blessed open her a good marriage and beautiful wedding before he had departed for the day. This was not entirely the same, but he knew it to be interchangeable in emotion. He had never longed for anyone, never ardently, never romantically. Neither had he coveted for another to incline themselves to him zealously in the same comportment as his own.

"Madara-sama?" Came the slight rasp gentile tone of Naruto, having noticed his company was far away. He blinked at the shift in his vision as he was no longer imprisoned by his thoughts. On Naruto's face rested a demure well-nigh self-effacing simper. "You were staring at me. Is something the matter with my face?" Although he had observed the man to be one of boisterous spirit when they were together it was irrefutable that Naruto became far more neurotic of himself. He had to question why, for there was no valid reason he could see. In light of the situation he would focus instead upon quelling those perceptions seemed priority.

"Not at all." Far be it for him to speak candidly on the matter, though it was sometimes best. There was a battle ongoing whether or not to speak his mind having come to a conclusion on how he wished to proceed. There was little he could do however, without sounding forward and forceful.

"I was wondering..." Naruto spoke first, pulling him away from onerous indecision. There was a reddening to his cheeks, his eyelids forcibly closed; not in the least concerned with how obvious his nervousness was displayed. Then nearly yelled: "Why me?" Breath was stolen from him, for hadn't he just come to a full-bodied explanation of that? No, that was not the strictest truth. When he had taken the Omega to see his dear Daisuke and her younglings he had taken note of the kind and humorous nature Naruto so naturally beheld. That had depicted to him, the visage of a good Matriarch for the clan. It had been egocentric and political, not in correlation with his own desires for a bride.

Therefore, he should not withhold honesty, at least not completely. "Originally it was simply a strategic move for the sake of my continued health and the politics of my clan." A pause, Naruto did not seem insulted, instead: addled. Still he waited for Madara to continue with amicable equanimity. "Recently however, I found new.. Cause." In situations an alpha of good breeding must abandon his pride in place of complimenting his courted, it was understood and upheld, yet Madara had never been faced with the need to do so. As such his body was colder than normal, clenching in his gut as if apprehensive before a battle. His hairline felt soaked through with perspiration. He coughed into his hand as a manner to steady himself from an over exaggeration to something so simple.

"To be blatant in my opinion: You are radiant. I had been unenlightened previously as to the luminance your character other than the most brief of glimpse I had witnessed. Now, that I have cogitated on it, I find you... beauteous with the qualities of a matriarch." Setting ones pride aside for the sake of truth is difficult no matter the prompt, silently: he commend those who so readily did so.

The dread that scattered throughout him as silent tears cascaded down Naruto's cheeks was visible in the way Madara lost any remaining colour. Thinking in on himself as to what he said to cause this he was at the brink of apologizing when the man before him spoke.

Indecorously wiping away the tears with the palm of his hand leaving his flesh reddened and sore. "That is the nicest thing anyone has ever said to me." His eyes glister. A smile lighter then the brilliance of the sun brightens the entire room the time of evening irrelevant. "Everyone is so kind here." Madara reflects a moment 'Takana brought forth tears, most think in the same conduct as he, yet you see the kindness that is non-existent?' He says nothing for Naruto is weeping in joy, to speak in scepticism would only be insolent. It's not as if that man will ever speak again so there is no need to bring forth the topic of his continued existence.

"A-all my life... Hated. N-now, I feel so unburdened, so welcomed! I-I'm normal!" Strange was it to feel indignation towards individuals he had never met, yet the knowledge that one so benevolent could be a target for hatred disgusted him, a want to use all of his puissant to display to the blinded their assumption of Naruto into one of assurity that such opinion was not tolerated with his Uchiha courted.

"Who could hate you?" It wasn't meant to pass by his lips, yet; garnered a response of a sweetened grin, so could he truly regret it?

"Everyone!" He exclaimed laughing jovially. Madara decided it best to discontinue the topic least he get angered because his own lack of knowledge. In tandem with his thoughts his guest swiftly moved to another conversation and the way in which he knew to do so confused the Uchiha greatly.

"Do you have plans this evening?" Naruto asked leading the conversation astray without care for the objectionable air he had left in previous. Somehow, the stagnation that would occur should it had been anyone else was avoided, and Madara found himself enraptured by amicable well-nigh convivial conversation with a man so singular in conduct towards the doctrine that Madara could not be an alpha of refined character if he did not wish to pursue a romance with an Omega of such stance.

"Not at all." He replied, for certainly he had to make time. Purely the manner in which he was received was worth the answer's price.

"Oh great! I was hoping I could steal you Dattebayo!" There was a clasp of his hands as a jocund demeanor became him once more. The delight was near contagious, and Madara could feel himself giving to the temptation a smile in place of his stoicism.

"Oh? Do you have something in mind?"

"I thought the evening was nice... So maybe you could walk with me? The moon is full..." It would be ample opportunity to discuss more delicate topics not meant for the many ears of the expectant. Hopefully, Naruto had already been informed, but as a matter of propriety he was obliged to fulfill himself there was no surpassing the conversation regardless of negative outcome.

Peradventure; it was his recent findings in himself that it had become a daunting task rather then obligation. A trepidation of renunciation, in considering of whom he was courting it was entirely feasible.

"Lovely, shall we proceed then?" A passing thought was all his many scrolls worth of obligations received:

Before he was meeting the unobstructed gloaming sky, stars above -no longer being cumbered by the suns brilliance- were scintillating for the first time since he was a boy. Perhaps that was because he had stolen it?

He gazed down momentarily -a break of conduct once more- at Naruto whom rested upon his arm in a proper escorting embracement, he was given a grin far more illumed than the mere rays of sun could produce. What was it that made this man so... invigorated? Whatever it be, he should make haste to insure his enemies never behold it, for nothing before had made Madara so enthralled. "Do you have a path in mind?" He asked, hoping the answer was no without caring either way. With the still gleaming smile in place Naruto shook his head no; and Madara proceeded to the secluded -and secretive- gardens behind the Hokage estate.

Kou was wise in many things, for upon his eyes resting on the now shaded petals of the many flowers scattered he heard a slight gasp, and there was a pressure on his elbow. They were not very visible, but fluorescent fireflies lit everything in a fantastical glow.

Naruto phrased it so sweetly: "It is like we are walking on the stars!"

The squeeze on his arm was unexpected, as the head now resting upon his chest tenderly. A man of pride he could recognize within the man before him, yet he was unashamed to hold upon him. Maybe, he wondered; pride was befitting only of circumstance to Naruto.

"Thank you... But why is there a garden here anyway?" The snort that escaped him was untoward.

"Forsooth," his amusement broke into his response. "Hashirama." That story was for another day, although the Omega with him understood well enough it seemed, as an eyebrow raised in humour. Any good grace he had was wiped clean with the knowledge that he must make clear.

"Naruto, you are a shinobi yes?" With the serious tone darkening the atmosphere Naruto said little, only agreed in a muted nod. It was an unwise rule formidable with the lives they had lived, but it had not broken yet, and for that must be recognized as law. Until there was an outcry he could do nothing, it blanketed his mind often. "Perhaps you are aware; Uchiha Omega's are not permitted to engage in battle unless endangered." A gruelling task was it of him to inform any respectable warrior that they must abandon all they work for in the name of family. The clan rejoiced in the abolishment of arranged marriages that came with his and Izuna's inheritance, it was possible that a revelation was swift in its footpath, but not yet.

"I know." There was no view of his expression as he said this, only the whisper against the air, but it felt damning. "Is that your position?" It was the most formal thing to have crossed his lips, though it was of note that it seemed to occur automatically in times of serious conversation.

"No. My ancestor decreed it. In justification of her actions: Our clan was upon the brink of collapse children were dying to easily with no one there to care for them. There was little food or shelter, and upon returning from battle there would be no food to eat, and the young often died alone. The law made Omega's become caretakers to all, healers for the injured and sick. Cooks so that we may eat, they marked maps and charted the sky so that we may rest without worrying of the rain. It was not borne of discrimination; but of necessity, I do believe that without it we would have perished as so many others." Naruto drew closer, and Madara daren't allude himself, but it felt as if he was planning; and in a manner of wellness to his clan, there was a shimmer in his now navy irises that spoke of his determination better than any decree could.

"There is a thin margin of difference between betterment of the people and formatted prejudice. Sometimes the line blurs, and people walk enough to cross over it without realizing they have done so." A rueful smile was directed at him, though not towards him speaking clear of pure experience and cognate pain.

"Madara: I intend to delineate that line. Then proceed to move the entire clan from its prospect, and into one of objective equality, perhaps not in its entirety, but close enough. However, I can only properly achieve this as your official Omega -that is; fiancé." Was it the bold delivery so far removed from who he had been not two seconds before? Was it the manner in which his smaller form pressed into his? The conduct of dominating determination he had never met in one of Naruto's gender? Something had left him weak, and he knew not what. Static at the word and their many implications.

He gazed as Naruto became rigid himself, the bravado dwindling and a high embarrassment becoming prominent in a wide eyed realization. He moved to back away from their close well-nigh embrace, however in a moment separate from thought Madara grasped at his slim waist and jerked him forward so that he could stare at the man better, see into his eyes despite the gloom.

"Marry me."