There was a storm rising to the south, coming fast from the amass of ocean, it would hit hard and fast with gusting winds and leaving copious flooding. The farmers were concerned, but the shinobi could do nothing to bend the currents.

Naruto was concerned of a different brew, Kou had been engaging himself to long silences and absent minded gazes at streaming sunlight. Naori would watch him without speaking or prod, but it was clear that her attentions were focused on his dazed expression and continuously twitching fingers. Normally, this was not all that interesting, people drifted in common, wanting a space from reality.

However, what bothered his mind was the sneaked glances from Kou, a smear of green was all he saw before it was gone. Whatever had brought the man to such a state was clearly of his own creation. He could fathom nothing he had done could be of that much interest. Yet it continued, and had been for nearly a fortnight now and Naruto was finding solace from the behaviour by fetching the water every morning.

He was watched each time, many Uchiha would turn briefly in his direction before smiling so quickly he was almost fooled into thinking it a delusion.

He knew better of course, they were simply elusive people, prone to caution, every action a suspicious one until he proved otherwise. It was only the more docile Omega's that caused him true concern. They would cast their eyes to him and cover their mouths with a hand, clasping their arm around their waist, and then turning to murmur to each other. A crinkle breaking out around their eyes. Mirth? Pity? He didn't know, it was becoming more prominent that he would remain in ignorance.

The bucket clattered, placed under the pump, and the lever was chilled from the early morning. Before he could pull it, a large hand did so for him, with more force then he considered of necessity. He turned, and found Madara, a man he wasn't expecting to have aided him. Nevermind one to be up as the sun rose.

"I'm afraid the pump seizes in the in the morning. You have been fetching the water for a time now, but never so early." Naruto didn't comment, not fancying the implication that the man had been monitoring his movements. Yet, a clenching found itself like wool in his chest, equally so hot steam felt to be warming his neck and face.

"Someone has to do it... and why are you watching me anyway?!" It was strange, he reasoned, but not enough to cause him to actually have any anger towards the man.

"Don't be absurd. Such sort of mannerisms are my business." He crossed his arms, clearly disturbed, but Naruto didn't bother to apologize clear was it that the Uchiha was not upset. "Nevermind that. There is a cliff not far from the village, I go there sparingly as of late, but I used to frequent there for falconry."

As he spoke, Naruto secured the valve and closed it off, damn thing had issues closing. In wondering he listened attentively, curiosity tilting his thoughts. Madara had picked up the bucket before him using a single arm to hold it to his chest in an embrace. The man out of time pouted, and squinted his eyes looking for trickery. How could he be strong enough to do so? It was unjust! Still he walked by the man's side instead, he was being helpful, and frankly Naruto hated carrying the thing when it was filled.

Falconry? He pondered, was that not the act with birds pursuing other birds? Or something? He wasn't quite sure, it was prohibited in Konoha, but Gaara had spoken of it once being popular in Sunagakure. It sounded fun. But he didn't think he could ever find himself engaging, there was always a tight feeling in him whenever the birds caught their prey. It was a spectator sport for him.

"Daisuke's eggs hatched only a fortnight ago. There are four hatchlings still coated in their soft feathers, I wondered if you wished to see them." Baby birds! How could he resist? They must be adorable! Not even able to fly, and so small in their new feathers.

"I'd love to! Are you inviting me?" It didn't sound like a question when Madara had mentioned it, in fact it sounded more like the man was stating a fact about him then an invite.

"If you would like, yes. I was hoping for company this morning." Naruto really found himself in a struggle to not jump in excitement. Then, as if in distraction to his own energy, he found himself coiling his lips into a smirk of amusement.

"Almost sounds as if you were asking me out ya know?" There was a silence, and Naruto felt an apology on the tip of his tongue when he realized that the Uchiha was blushing and using his hair to hide it! There wasn't really a need seen as he stood at nearly six-foot-four at least, and there wasn't a need to be embarrassed. Yet, even still Naruto couldn't help but turn his own head away as he felt a smoldering redness on his own skin. He didn't have hair to cover it dattebayo!

"I mean... if you were, I wouldn't say no... but I always figured you were... Married." Trying to speak any louder felt wrong where it never had before. Like, it simply wasn't what he should do, even though that's usually how his embarrassment went down the most smoothly.

"There was... Little time for a wife or a bride. But since now isn't then, I thought it would be prudent to at least attempt pursuing a-"

"-I'd love to! Just let me put this inside and we'll go to the cliff together yeah?"

He was panicking. His heart rate had risen, and his palms were sweating too much, that he was wary of grabbing the water from the man. Maybe it would crush his foot, but it couldn't. He had a date. He had never been on one before. Granted he was very much into Alpha's, and the only Alpha he had known was Sasuke -and maybe Shikamaru- that is ignoring the fact the populace had been oblivious to his Omega status it being taboo for them to be Shinobi and all the prejudice that followed. It didn't leave room for dating. Or even the testing phase of it, the whole getting accustomed to each other.

This was very obscure. There was a nausea in his abdomen, but it was the type that was heavy set, as if he had eaten far too much too fast and it had only now caught on. Still, aware of his own dizzying nervousness, he could pinpoint the fact that he was only -only, well. Panicking. Which was fine if he hadn't promised to be right out to greet the man. He put the bucket down, indifferent to the water that spilled over the trim, and ran to the wood.

What a mess.

"What a mess." A jump and he would have flown out of his own skin. He hadn't even heard the man approach, too graceful in his movements, or to distracted in thought. It wasn't as if Kou had spoken much to him for the past several days. There had been a mounting concern within himself that the other had heard what he had whispered in that moment of revelation. But no, it was obvious he was still alive. Naori wouldn't have taken kindly to such a threat in her own home. Even still with the past tension having weighed on his shoulders, there was no strain to the brunet's voice. Only a wistful air.

"Sorry I didn't mean to spill-"

"I was referring to the mess of a man before me. Not the liquid. Honestly, there are tremors in your hands. Whatever caused such panic?" He inhaled sharply contemplating his options in a second of breath, a rash decision would not due, but was Kou not trustworthy? Could he speak of his due outing with Madara? Yes, he concluded.

"Madara- Madara-sama" He corrected himself, 'manners,' he berated, 'manners.' "Asked-" No he inclined, best attempt to speak in a more refined tongue he would have to eventually, and it would not do to procrastinate. "Invited me to spend some time with him today..." There had to have been a better phrasing for that. Muddled thoughts aside. Kou's brow rose, and his mouth slid open slightly, hands frozen in place, but he did speak.

"Madara-sama asked to court you?" A twinge in his eye gave away suspension, and Naruto did not want to fathom whether or not it was focused on his own mysterious origin or something else entirely.

"Well no... He didn't phrase it li- as such, He simply invited me to visit some of the hatchlings o- upon the cliff. But when I asked if he was asking me out or... well I mean- he was blushing..." 'smooth' oh how could he have stammered more? What an embarrassment! All the warmth of Kou's surprised giggle and flush must have melted the ice in his joints for his smile brightened and his hands unfroze.

"Oh! So not a courtship! Merely an assessment!" As if he had said something too crass or uncivilized Kou quickly covered his mouth with his hand and his moss toned eyes bore holes into the tan forehead. "Dear.. I said too much. Go on then! Don't keep Madara-sama waiting!" He giggled, like a child, and his hair bounced as he skipped away. Naruto took a moment, holding himself steady, preparing.

Then flung open the door -far to much force- and gave a grin at the almost comical look back that Madara gave in his direction. It was more out of nerves ruling his excitement, then bright disposition.

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

Hashirama was a man who he would never admit he had sought advice from. One overeager and indulgent, far too fast to presume. Although there was a certain maturity finally settling amongst the man following his electoral win as Hokage. That was to be said, Madara relaxed at this realization, the man was knowledgeable in battle, and in strategy. However, with the Senju's wealth and fortune during the wars they had little need for trade or alliances with their position, so diplomacy was not one of his stronger hands. As opposed to Madara himself who had been born into the main family, and all his siblings were subjected to basic diplomatic interactions. The Senju lacked much of this experience, and as a result much of the Uchiha worried for the oncoming negotiations and insisted upon Madara to act as representative, a request frequently denied by the Senju.

Hashirama was good with people in at least one regard, so in suit he was the best person for Madara to ask without weakening his position as Patriarch of the clan. This question? Trust, simplistic at its core, but having lived life in a continuous state of its antanom it came out strangled in his mind. The truth was Madara had asked the Hokage in what way he could both gain the trust of the young Uzumaki, and evaluate his own morale without risking himself or the clan. He was gambling. He knew, but the male was surrounded by such an abundance of rich chakra that it would be complete foolishness to simply let it slip by. Especially as the wars raged beyond their bounds.

It was so very selfish. Egotistical, unrestrained, selfish, indulgence.

Daisuke was precious to him, she was indeed a fast hunter and an invaluable tool, but she was also a friend and though a bird, someone he cared deeply for. He had taken every precaution that her eggs be protected, even leaving stray pieces of straw or fabric for her to use in her nest.

Naruto was loud, brash and unyielding, fire beneath his breast and the howl and force of a great wind in his voice, he carried. Strange speech patterns irrelevant; there was a common slouch in his posture, but no ailment to his back. Normal circumstance would lead one to believe that he had simply not been taught proper mannerisms, which Madara could admit was partly the case given how he held his cups.

Yet, Naori had explained to him that the man would have moments of wisdom, times when there was a sudden shift to his form. Instead of loud speech, he would calm and sooth himself into a conversation as if he were speaking delicately to a child, a reasoned tone with a mood and air solely of experience. When he would sit with a straight back, and his gaze would not flicker from place-to-place as it so commonly did. Such moments were rare apparently, but the fact that they held at all captivated his interest.

It also gave him ideas, brief wistful plans, he did have to hold a certain caution, but not nearly as much as his father before him. The gamble was small. Especially if he could ensure an asset, calm his frigid chakra into something more tepid, and... Well he wasn't to sure about other points. Of course his idea was not to use the other, he was not a cruel man and Naruto had done nothing but treat his clan and the village in warm regard. But there was the betterment of everyone to consider.

So, he would assess the man of his loyalty -reliability-, values, and knowledge in experience with this outing. If all went well, he would pass without issue and Madara could find a Uchiha Alpha of suitable design so that they could romanticize the man, and lo, another Uchiha Omega -one befitting the new era- would be within the family. He had a certain confidence he could. Perhaps Naruto thought of it as a date of some sort, it brought no qualm to him, after all it was in a way. That, was not a lie.

Kou had been one of the few informed exclusively about this plan of his. Even still that Omega was a mystery, despite his obvious positive effect on Naori, he always did seem to know something before the Alpha's did. Such as was the case here, for when he had confided -in need of information on the Uzumaki,- he had gotten a questioning glance in a manner speaking of dulled self-understanding before it had been quickly masked into apprehension. Perhaps having known the man, Kou was already aware of a suitable match? Madara would admit he was not the most apt at reading into Kou, but then only Naori truly could. That woman was a true scribe in that regard.

"Kou mentioned that you and Naori meet frequently, what do you- what is the nature of your meetings?" Naruto broke through his haze of speculation, bringing with it a tinge of confusion, but there was nuance to everything the man did, he was not accustomed to dealing with a unified clan -as he had mentioned in previous in reference to his own lack of education.-

"I know not if they informed you, but Naori recently took place as my Right-hand. I often go to her when I cannot gather all the information on the clans various misgivings. She is trusted to see through minue problems such as housing issues or weapons damages. While I focus more on policy, threats or simply the greater needs of the clan as a whole... I'm the Patriarch of the Uchiha clan, if you were unaware." Madara almost forgave his own faltering as he watches an uninhibited expression of perplexity, and then sudden tapered fear carve lines on the darker skin. He looked close to falling over, and his hands began to shake, his eyes remained transfixed on the ground.

This is when Madara understood, a panic attack, commonly well hidden within his clansmen but Senju had always been more open with emotional vexations. No matter how uncommon however, it still happened, he still could calm his people down, he was a leader, and often it was before a battle that the youths would quake.

"Kou informed me you like gardening? Or at least tending to the flowers on the grounds. Quite adapt as I hear, not many in my clan can do so, often we stood on rock faces there was no room for flowers. What with the frequency of our moves around the land there was near no comfort at all. It may surprise you, but much of my clan enjoy the bloom of flowers. So much that it was considered courtesy to open a courtship with the presentation of a flower." He was rambling, but his mind had latched onto the topic that would most calm of conversation in order to ease the other's mind. Perhaps that made him a fool of man, of firm fist and strict mind his mother always said. Chancing a glance at his counterpart he was faced by a pout. Of all things, he was pouting. Seemingly in dissatisfaction.

"Are you going to continue dattebayo? I want to know about the flowers ya know!" There was no mocking or coy curl, simply a rather laid back seriousness, Madara held himself from laughing at the strange manner of presentation Naruto brought forth.

"Flowers? Why, would I do that? There are birds to see." They were not far off from the nest, and well, he felt a mirthful joy building in him ever so slightly, indulgence for a little while would not do harm.

"Hey! You had more to say!" He did, but it was a lovely sunny afternoon that he could enjoy the warmth for as long as it lasted. Was it strange to imagine himself on an outing with a young man with romantic intentions? Yes, he knew it was, that wasn't what this was, ignoring his own curiosity of romance. "That's not fair you- Oh!" Naruto ran in front of him, distress on his face, he bent into the grass, making small noises that were wholly unintelligible.

What had caused such a drastic change he did not know, and though it was in no way proper he stood behind the couched man and peered over. Cradled in the dark hands was a small hatchling, he must have been pushed out of the nest, or fell. He crouched on the right, looking for any sign of life.

It didn't catch his attention. What did was the most gentle pressure of the thumb that was rubbing the chick's chest in the most timid of coachation of life. He expected some sort of sorrow to be on the mans face, but it was a visage of composition, of understanding that this might not be pleasant experience. Unusual as he was one to always appear so young and childish. Yet there had been some underlayer hidden from eyes that Madara had seen borne prominent in the briefest of moments, not present in its entirety but enough that someone seasoned could see it without effort. Knowledge of burden, of how the world balanced itself. For all his childlike innocence, the Uzumaki was one who had seen cruelty.

"She's not breathing." He said, there was a point where it was inevitable, though he hated the admittance even as it spilled from his lips. Above them a shadow was cast, vast and near, he didn't spare it a glance instead looked to the branch nearest the large nest, where Daisuke purchased herself. She gave an angry shriek and attempted to attack Naruto. Her talons aiming for him, yet, he didn't move, flinched but he was focused. Madara was about to reprimand when the hatchling stirred, breathing at last. Daisuke stopped, curious now, she looked to her child, and Naruto with talon scratches ripping his clothes just grinned.

Naruto was.... Not what he expected.

Madara knew himself well. Knew that his decision bathed in selfish desire, egotistical need, there was not going to be regret even if his own actions drove him to self destruction. He knew he was far to prideful.

Hence, he knew the perfect match.

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

Naruto held within himself, a type of metamorphosis occuring in continuance with his problematic past. The present weaving him in her own image, some sort of twisted to his conscious.

In previous? He would never had inclined for a whimsical stroll through the village, danger held him inclosed in his home at near all hours for most of his life, and it had hardened into habit. This however, was all strange, asture, that people should welcome him into their homes, indeed let them eat without the inclination to cause him harm. Shame that he attempted to ignore when his thoughts brought him to his own village, the one he had grown in was not a place where he could trust without consideration of character. The other villages posed little qualms in his mind, for an unconscious and disillusioned belief that they would hold the moral high ground to his own.

It mattered not here. Which in itself he found dubious, yet, there was a current lack of prejudice here. Certainly people held their own tiffs with each other, and there was the state of affairs outside the village bounds, but it still contained a lightened air. Something he had never really experienced before, and hence found indescribable. The egotism was diminished with lack of other established settlements -it was a settlement according to Tobirama.- He knew no word for it.

On a bench not to far from him, he spotted the Hokage, an unrefined posture holding him, slouching over himself, hair cascading over his face, and his shoulders shook. Naruto felt a shiver of concern froth over his chest. Responsibility is something the Hokage was cursed to bare, but it was a testament to the strength to the individual should they bare it while grinning. Perhaps there was a greater struggle then he knew of.

Never had he ignored someone who he believed in need of support. So, in gathering his courage he breathed deep, resigned himself to whatever mood might present itself in the man, and took place sitting beside the weeping Senju.

"You're lucky your hair covers your face when you cry. Mine's so sort all can see my redness." He started, not a smooth or understanding tone, but he was faithful in his own understanding that it would be unwelcome with Hashirama. The shoulders shook faster, and a chorkle escaped the man, before a beige covered arm wiped at his face, not at all delicately. -then again, that was to be expected.-

"Ah, a good reminder to never again cut my hair short." His voice cracked, Naruto didn't mention it. Instead in ponderence if a more direct response would be prudent, or if he should divert into lighter tones. With the man's past in consideration it was difficult to envision him to be someone of diversion. Candor would be more in appropriate.

"W-" How to speak? "May I ask, what troubles you?" He cringed at himself, knowing that he was still lacking in respectful linguistic mannerisms. The man didn't react, moreover he simply smiled in an almost pained expression, strained. But not to him, his eyes looked onto the treetops. Was he thinking of something straining?

"Nevermind me Naruto-kun, how are you adapting to Konoha?" Not commenting on the diversion he let it slide, the man must've been quite upset in order to weep publicly. It was mere courtesy to let the conversation diverge.

"Honestly? It's so very different. The Uchiha seem to be more trusting of me now anyway." There was a giggle from Hashirama, and in truth it shocked Naruto in its quiet nature, the man always seemed so inclined to boisterous behaviour, a demure giggle? How uncharacteristic.

"Indeed! I have had many enquiry's from many young Uchiha suiters of from your heilings and availability in the past week! Although, I do imagine most of their intrigue is rooted from your own unique chakra then your persona. I mean no insult on you of course." Preferring to play ignorance to his own embarrassment, Naruto answered with as calm a nature as he could, still his voice cracked, and something must have shown.

"They never said anything! The only people I've really even talked to have been Naori-san, Kou-san, and Madara-sama!" What a mess! Surely his chakra couldn't be something of a great interest to Alpha's. Then again, he did recall his conversation with Naori, awkward and tense as it may have been... The Uchiha did need stability of warmth, and he could present that to them with little retracted from his own resources. It must be an attraction born out of necessity.

"Certainly it must have been expected?"

"Huh?" Came his eloquent answer, spilling from him as from a fosit. He found himself the subject of an equally confused and honest stare, long brown hair lifting so gently in the breeze, as a halo, and the sun caught on his dark skin with a radiance. Naruto could not escape the very prominent understanding that this man was one of the most beautiful Omega's he had ever met. An inspiration, they were near opposites, for though he saw and could acknowledge they had a similar brown skin tone, Hashirama's was such that when the sun shone upon it there was a glow produced that made it darken, and smoothed out the flaws. No doubt the man was more muscled for an Omega then average or considered attractive, but in truth it spoke of his presence and complimented him no less.

"Are you unaware? That is a difficult belief to hold. Surely you are-"

"Brother!" Tobirama's voice pitched higher than normal, and it was well known that he was not pleased, given the heavy foot falls. Hashirama looked more than agitated with the intrusion, his brows furrowed and mouth wrinkled by a grimace of annoyance. Even still, his nature held true and in the moment it was there, it past. He rolled his shoulder, and lifted himself up, stretching little before giving him a smile and leaving without word.

Naruto was left on the bridge questioning all too much.

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

He had known many Uchiha in his time, as such he had been told in frequent that the flower was the most imperative. It must declare itself with subtlety, it must speak of persona without being to bold, it must represent without insult. With such instruction he had always been nervous of doing anything to quickly least he damage the important event. There was no excuse for him to seek council, certainly not from his clansmen, it was considered a very honoured event the presentation, and to ask enough was as if admitting ineptitude.

Here he had thought Grape, Lemon Geranium, the Water Lily, Jasmine, Mandrake, even Mezereon. Larkspur? In truth he had gone and flipped through each page of his mother's journal, hoping to find one of perfect representation.

Lies must have past by many lips as he found there was no sudden realization of perfection, only a slow understanding. Accompanied by the many waking hours of thought following his decision, it was not an offer that could be retracted easily after all. Would Izuna agree with his own impulsivity? Perhaps not. Izuna had been the more impulsive one of them both, and Madara had always been the one known for a more cautionary approach. Still when his thoughts brought him to his brother, he only ever came to the conclusion that his sibling would have enjoyed Naruto's presence.

As such, he had chosen a Sambac Jasmine produced in the Land of Winds. Representative of his intentions; holding the meaning of 'I Attach Myself To You.' and a stock of Fraxinella with its sole meaning of 'fire,' in honour of the fire of the fight underneath Naruto's breast. He thought them the best they could be.

The cold made his hands shake, and as he knocked on the door, it presented itself in a chill up his spine. What a bitter breeze.

The panel slid open, surprisingly Naruto had opened it, his disposition with the clan must have improved. He smiled, grinned in honesty, wide and looked so in place standing within the threshold, as if he were a being of comfort and stability, this was illusion, no one person could be something of comfort such as the light, Madara knew this. Still, he felt the downturn of his own mood, when the sun didn't shine on the golden hair, and elluminate the skin with the subtle bronze glow he had grown accustomed to.

"Madara-sama! Are you here to see Naori?" He was rather surprised to hear an honourific, he had heard from his hand that the man was rather bad with them. In truth, there was something discomforting in it, but he said nothing.

"No. I am here for you in fact." There was no blush, merely a curiosity, perhaps a coil of a sly smile as a joke formed. Before he could, Madara pulled his hand from behind his back, noting the tremor from the cold, and held the two different flowers delicate in his fingers. Naruto's face immediately shifted into something he hadn't expected, shock, more profound than that even. It was disbelief, incomprehension in the presentation.

"Y-you got m-me flowers?" A voice so soft, so unsure spoke to him, for a moment he couldn't fathom this as the energetic male he had heard of and met many times. He felt something in himself bow to inclination.

"Has no one done so before?" The way his blue eyes shifted said all, and Madara fought with himself to ask however that could hold true. Because he certainly couldn't afford to be rude, perhaps later, but not now. The poor man seemed so genuinely confused his hands quivered as he grasped the blossoms with such a fragile care that Madara was near convinced that he had never touched a bloom before.

He held them to his chest, gentle pressure. He felt a rising breath of laughter traveling through his chest, that backed up slightly, and coughed instead. He worried that the wind was making him ill.

"Thank you." Naruto spoke, something glinted in his eyes, and it was something the Uchiha knew he was not meant to see, so he tilted his head, and removed his eyes.

"I have to go, there's a meeting I must attend." He moved fast away. Letting his legs drag him though well trained ease.

Whatever was wrong with him?