Hello, everyone! :)
This is the premiere of my very first Madara fic!
Please, enjoy and review with some feedback!

Chapter 1: Prologue

"Kasume," An elderly woman rasped to her as she whisked the meal for tonight, "help me with these vegetables, dear. My old bones are too frail, I'm afraid."

Smiling the young woman stopped what she was doing and gladly began to slice the assortment of vegetables into julienne pieces, "Of course,"

Being a maidservant, she found opportunities of idle chatter and time with oneself was hard to come by. It was a vicious circle: assist the other women with breakfast, tend the courtyard and tidy in various bedrooms then gather fresh flowers from the garden for the tall, opulent vases in the great hall. Repeat the next morning; rising before the men.

When finished, she took a glimpse outside from a window in the kitchen; it seemed about late afternoon. Kasume made a brief farewell to the old woman and walked in soft steps through the endless corridors inside the safehold.

The main garden and courtyard was absolutely breathtaking at this time of year. She always had a love for spring, when flowers would emerge from the soil after the winter cold and bask in the new sunlight. Trees would cultivate green leaves and a fresh fragrance would remain in the air of cedar wood and rainwater.

When finished sweeping the fallen branches and watering the flowerbeds, she submerged a wooden bucket into a well of water and began to wash the stone steps free of dirt.

In the distance, the Uchiha soldiers could be heard sparring against one another while their leader, Uchiha Madara, stood watch beside his younger brother, Uchiha Izuna. The two males were one of the main points of conversation in the halls among women, besides children and other gossip. Females of all ages admired the two. Izuna, the kind brother; and Madara, the stoic brother.

Generally, older women cherished both Madara and Izuna like sons of their own, while the younger generation adored the brothers for their appearance, strength and position in the Uchiha clan.

Though, she was not entirely of Uchiha blood and this lead to some controversy over her lineage and loyalty. Her father, Uchiha Matsuto, was a pure blood of the clan but he had fallen in love with an average citizen woman from the small neighboring village, Nakaba Ren.

Her father had promised the Uchiha that his blood would outshine his wife's in their newborn daughter, and he was found to be correct to an extent.

Yes, she had dark hair. Brown, not the solid black which came to the noble pure bloods. Kasume was blessed with the ivory, snow-white skin; a well-known trait with all Uchiha and sharp, accented eyes concealed by long, black lashes. She was not born with the Sharingan; most of the women in the clan were not, only very few had that privilege.

The Uchiha acknowledged her as one of their own after her father had pleaded his daughter's case over nineteen years ago. It was an obvious choice, after her father had brought to light that the first woman to bear Uchiha children was not an Uchiha herself.

Whisking the thought away, Kasume plucked tall flowers from the earth and collected them in the cradle of her arm. She had gathered just enough to restock the dying ones in the main hall, then made her way back inside.

Conversation was heard at the other end of the corridor, the loud clanging of armor and shuffle of many footsteps. Having been so preoccupied with keeping the flowers in balance in her arms, she paid no heed to whoever was in front of her.

Until a low rumble was heard from the depths of a masculine chest and immediately, her eyes flew up to meet the impassive face of Uchiha Madara and his legion of soldiers behind him; a literal wave of war armor.

He rose an eyebrow at the bundle in her hands before his eyes returned to her face expectantly. In realization, she bowed lowly, carefully holding the flowers against her.

"Good afternoon, Madara-sama." She murmured, abashed.

He crossed his guarded arms, leadership evident in his stance, "Your direction?"

"The main hall, Madara-sama.." Kasume avoided his scrutiny. A single look from this man, and it felt as if the flames of Hell would engulf her.

His smoldering stare held her in a vice grip until an abrupt release and continuing on his way, the vast array of soldiers following him. Kasume hastily moved out of the way for the men, pressing herself against the sidewall.

She stared after them and observed the way the Uchiha leader's cascading ebony hair swayed with each movement and the brisk pace in his step. He was a glorious sight, truly.

Though, she seemed to have more favor with Izuna. The young, navy haired man was generous and lighthearted to all those around him. He was especially polite to the elders of the clan, both men and women.

Obviously, Izuna inherited the better side of their parents, while Madara was bestowed with a harsh demeanor and distaste for those under him or those working for him. Though, it seemed he kept his younger brother and the majority of his soldiers in high regard.

And so, after replacing the old flowers with the new, Kasume disposed of the dying ones and left to the kitchens again, where she was then given the assignment of arranging the plates onto the table in the dining hall. The table was stretched from one end of the room to the other. Of course, Madara sat at the head of the table with Izuna at his right. An intricate, golden plate must be placed at Madara's seat, she knew this well.

Suddenly, someone she knew quite well stepped into the grand room, "Hello Kasume-san."

She lifted her head and recognized Izuna, standing by the large mahogany double doors, "Izuna-sama," The brunette bowed, to which he smiled.

"It isn't required of you to bow to me any longer." He sauntered to her, curiously observing her work at the table, "It looks rather lavish today." He smiled, to which she smiled back.

Izuna took his assigned seat next to Madara's and placed his arms on the rests, leaning back, "How has your work been?"

"I passed by Madara-sama in the corridor.."

"Oh?" He leaned forward, interested; that familiar smile on his lips.

Kasume folded her hands in front of her and smiled, "I was so preoccupied with holding the flowers from the garden in my arms that I hadn't seen him before me."

"Did you run into him?" Izuna asked, quite amused.

She laughed quietly, "No, thank goodness. I suppose he caught my attention before I could."

"Ah... I see." He quirked.

The two shared a brief smile before Kasume excused herself to help the women with dinner.

.

Cleaning bedrooms was not a preferred chore of hers.

Bedroom work was more suited for the women with agile hands. The task of changing bed sheets could be time consuming, and she preferred to take her time with things.

The quicker women hurried and finished the job to accomplish the next one.

Kasume released a tense sigh. Not a preferred chore of hers at all...

She finished in one chamber and entered into another at the end of the long hall. The young lady had been tidying for hours, and her muscles were beginning to ache somewhat.

… This room. This room was much more extravagant than the others.

A red and gold silk comforter was laid across the monumental ebony-oak framed bed. The plush, deluxe array of pillows were scattered across the floor carelessly.

Large bookcases lined the opposite wall, dressed with heavy leather bound books and other assortments of little useful items.

Silk drapes embedded with gold filigree and rope curtain ties hung from the stone ceiling, though the long cloth had been drawn over the windows to prevent the intrusion of warm rays of sunlight.

Just like in every other chamber, a large Uchiha insignia was painted on every wall, proudly presenting itself as a constant reminder of Uchiha linage; power and strength.

Stepping further into the tenebrous bedroom with quiet taps of her shoes, she read the title of a grand leather-bound book, which rested on the nightside table; Divide and Conquer: Trials of the Victorious

..It suddenly came to her who might reside in this chamber, and before she could retreat to safer ground, the dark maple double doors came slamming open and the daunting Uchiha Madara strode inside.

Review please and tell me how you think I've done on the first chapter!