Say what, Naruto is officially over? I am so behind, honestly I'm probably never gonna finish it. Seriously you guys, like the last chapter I read was over two years ago. .

Anyways...here's the new chapter, I'll stop blabbering and let you guys enjoy.

Like always, remember this is not cannon, it does not follow the storyline too much.

Painfully aware of the shouting match happening just a few inches behind him, Naruto sat silently on the stone bench bored out of his mind. This happens way too much. He thought with irritation. Rubbing a sore wrist, he looked around the sad room he was in. The only decoration that made up the room, a room which Madara's father had grimly appointed him to, was the bench itself. OH, and the dust, lots of it, no one spared a second thought to make this place look more presentable.

Frowning, Naruto pulled on a stray lock as he thought back to the clearing…he had sensed him. He should have known. But his thoughts had dribbled into the gutter and his body had ignored the warnings, Naruto shook himself with disgust. He had felt a subtle surge of chakra, but he had taken it to being Madara's. He amassed it to his sobriety, concerning sex obviously. He hadn't, well, embarrassingly enough, he hadn't been touched in a while. His mind had been muddled with delicious dark things, it didn't help that any sort of intimate caress was amplified twofold in his new body

"I'm a idiot for letting carnal pleasure best my senses." Naruto thought aloud, repressing the urge to punch the stone walls surrounding him. Or vomit, he didn't know which one yet. Though he could not deny the desire that had rang throughout his body while in contact with Madara, he could not forgive himself for being so blind. Readjusting his scuffed up robe, Naruto crossed his legs. He wasn't sickened by the fact he had a small intimate interaction with the Uchiha, I mean this wasn't the first time he'd interacted in that way with the same sex, or even with a transformed body. But it was the first time he wasn't in complete control and aware of his surroundings, it irked him. It made him feel like he was the same uncontrollable horny 15-year old boy from his younger years. Jirayia would both applaud and chastise him.

Sighing deeply, he leaned against the cold walls, looking up into a dark ceiling they had unceremoniously dumped him in. It was little more than a glorified broom closet. No bigger in length or width than a conservative bathroom. It was odd that such a room existed, seeing as how nothing but the stone bunch in which he sat decorated the space. Save for the small bones of a long dead rodent, it clearly showed how frequently the room was cleaned. He guessed it was some type of intimidation waiting room, but honestly, whoever designed it was probably running low on sleep or motivation, because it sucked. "I bet it was some overstressed intern," He said to no one in particular, then laughed. It always cracked him up. Ninjas. With interns. The juxtaposition of it all made him grin, every system needs a system. Shaking his head he tucked a few strand of hair behind his ear and licked his chapped lips.

If he had to judge how bad of a situation he was in, he could not really tell, and honestly didn't care. I mean so what, he did some hanky panky with the son of a very power family. But it's not like he broke anything on him. "The only bone in his body that might have been a bit injured would be his dick." Naruto thought vulgarly. Thinking of how they ended up here, Naruto once again analyzed the situation.

All had been calm enough, as Madara had guiltily made his way over to his father. A few words were exchanged which Naruto couldnt quite catch, but the way they had been said clearly rang throughout the ruined clearing. Terse. Controlled. Stoic. Madara had sullenly motioned for her to follow the retreating figure of his father, to which he had sighed and nodded. Once doing so, a smaller man had made his appearance next to the clan head, seemingly fusing out of thin air. Surprised that he did not notice him earlier, Naruto berated himself further during the long walk back to the compound. 'How the fuck did I not sense that little man?' Later Madara would tell her of the importance of the man, but Naruto could only shake his head in self-loathing. No matter how weak or strong a character, Naruto was always good at sensing people, Kyuubi almost made it impossible not to be aware of the different people around him.

Clenching his teeth, Naruto resisted the urge to grind them to a fine dust. For he could not clearly hear the men speaking, he only felt their signature spike. Naruto grudgingly admired the reserves and power that emitted from the clan head. He wondered why Madara's father was so upset. Looking down at himself, he blushed at his appearance. Maybe it's got to do with the fact I look like a cheap tramp. The thin material of his underclothes barley hid the female figure.

Standing up he began pacing, rubbing gently at his numb cheeks. It's been almost an hour! He though with agitation, what could they be arguing so loudly over? Restricted by the small space, Naruto rounded a corner for the umpteenth time, frowning at the dirt covered ground.

I thought his parents had liked me, or at least tolerated my possible relationship with him. Naruto thought with agitation, considering other options as to why he was basically locked up in this stone closet. I mean, sure, no matter what status or position you were in, seeing your child in a compromising position was never favorable, but it's not like they'd torn apart a treaty or something.

Groaning again, he resumed his pacing. Swithching his direction Naruto did a few more rounds and decided to sit down, but was happily disrupted when the knob-less door cracked open, a small figure motioning for her to follow him. Yes! It was the little man from earlier.

Once outside the door, Naruto blinked slightly, adjusting to the better lit hallway. But not much time was given to him as the small man opened a door without knocking and merely looked at him, suggesting he was to go in alone. Speeding up his pace, he stopped right before the opened door and composed himself as best he could, then walked in.

Tajima sat on a lone table, big enough to seat about six, but only two chairs were visible, one already obviously occupied by the man himself. Confused by the small conference-like room, Naruto walked forward and sat down.

Without waiting a beat, Tajima spoke.

"It has come to my attention that you have skills on par with my son."

Bewildered, Naruto didn't have time to hide his confused expression. This, he was not expecting. Isn't he supposed to call me a harlot or something and ban me from his compound? As if sensing his innermost thoughts, Tajima 'hmm'ed softly and continued speaking in a soft, but clear voice.

"What I saw at the end of your battle is of little importance to me as of this moment. I am far more interested in the skill set that you demonstrated as you were sparring with Madara." Tajima replied, ignoring Naruto's deepening confusion.

Silently, Naruto contemplated his next choice of words, but couldn't help but blurt out his thoughts anyway. '"You saw that? I mean, you saw all of it?" Naruto managed to say, hands fidgeting at the ragged clothing. "How…" Naruto trailed off, he didn't want to say anything that'd screw him over. It wasn't like him to be so nervous, he was an awesome shinobi goddamnit! But this was such a strange situation and conversation he didn't know quite how to react.

"Please, Naruto-san, one does not need to see a battle in order to feel or hear it happening."

Oh, hahah, yeah. Naruto nodded dumbly.

"As I was saying, my closest council and I witnessed the magnitude and ability that you hold Naruto-san. In few words, I am impressed. We both are. I will admit that the earlier notion for you two to spar must be redacted, or at least adjusted. I see now I must apologize. It would have only meant to be as a small form of entertainment, nothing more. I did not think you would have been much of a challenge to my son. But now I see I am wrong. Though it might be against the silly chivalric notions my son holds, I would like to make a serious request of you."

If Naruto was confused before, then he had no idea how to describe the way he was feeling now. So he's not upset I was all over his son? He's more interested in…my fighting skills?

After a few terse seconds Naruto began to dig his palms into his thighs, hands invisible under the table. Tajima's words sinking into him, realizing the situation he had just put himself into. Shit.

"Yes. We cannot believe the reason you gave us earlier as to how you learned those skills. There is merely no way a diplomats daughter can be so well-versed and agile in such fighting techniques when as you say, you started as a young teen, even with a shinobi tutor. We have conducted a small inquiry around the few informants we have, and no such shinobi exist that would be allowed by their village to leave, such an asset would not have gone unnoticed for so long." Pausing, the clan head gave her a straight forward look, a look that promised pain, but also contained an undertone of curiosity.

Naruto noticed Tajima could have been more accusatory, but for some reason was giving her some slack. 'Must have to do with whatever request he's gonna ask me.' Naruto thought solemnly, he knew this was a very probably situation, he had even prepared for it. But the extended time he had been here had made him too comfortable, his status as a special citizen had softened the real threat that he had put himself into. 'He's going to use me somehow, but what position would he give me? To trust a stranger, even one with skills is a dangerous move.

Tajima cocked his head slowly, and continued his flow of words. "In other situations, we would have apprehended you as a spy and would have justly either executed or incarcerated you by this time. But seeing as how Madara seems to vouch for you, as well as several of the people you have befriended here, we will give you a chance to explain yourself. I am also quite curious why you have waited this long to make a move, spies rarely do."

Swallowing thickly, Naruto tried not to hyperventilate. How had they known? He hadn't even used any jutsus, or chakra for that matter. They know though, what the fuck and I supposed to do. He thought a million scenarios a minute. Either he told the crazy truth and he was branded a lunatic, and executed. Or he could lie, but for some reason he felt that Tajima would sense it and imprison him til they found an answer they wanted. Or more radically, he could attempt to escape. A jab here, a swift quick and leap there, and he'd be in the clear. Then again, this was the clan head of the Uchiha foundation, he'd doubted he could incapacitate such a man so easily.

Sighing Naruto cleared his thoughts and simply meditate for a few milliseconds and remembered a few of the wise words Iruka had taught him.

"Sometimes it is easier to lie when you don't have to." Opening the eyes he didn't realize he had closed, Naruto leaned forward, and gave a grave stare to the man before him. Kami give me strength.

"You're right. I'm not a regular diplomats daughter."

With quickly gleam of his eyes that was gone within the second, Tajima stiffened, eyes narrowing down at him. To the common eye it would have been a tick, but Naruto knew Tajima had already set upon a plan to seize him, the slowly increase of chakra within the room was an indication of a developing jutsu.

"But you are wrong as well."

Tajima continued his steely gaze, not wavering from his sitting position, deceivingly unperturbed.

"I am not an insidious spy." Naruto said clearly, head lifted high, a small amount of chakra leaking out, his mind also creating an exit plan if things went south.

"Continue." Tajima demanded. Naruto exhaled softly and blinked slowly, readying himself for the half truth he was about to spin.

"I come from a village not yet discovered or mapped. You could say there are very few of our kind." Naruto whispered ironically, remembering the dwindling numbers from the war.

"That's impossible. Most clans, and villages are known throughout this land, even if unmapped." Tajima retorted, eyes cold and calculating, waiting his justification.

"Are they? Our numbers are not large enough to disturb the landscape, or give an obvious sign of civilization. Your clan alone is a large and renowned one, so your compound is built differently, more obtrusive, more spottable. Ours is not, it is camouflaged quite well if I might say. So who's to say your men haven't brushed past us? Perhaps during a speedy exit or lazy scan, your men laid eyes on our disguised and dismissed it? We are a very careful sort, it is the main reason only a handful of people know that we exist." Naruto bluffed.

He vaguely remembered a passage from an old scroll describing the ambitious Uchiha of old times, always conflicting with neighboring clans and villages. Fully developed ninja villages were rare in this land and time, especially in the Land of Fire. But somewhere out there stood the Yamanakas, the Aburames, the Naras, the Hyuuga, the Inuzuka, and so many more clans, Naruto wondered how many Tajima had killed, worked with, deceived. Who knew how strong they were in these times, which clan was the most formidable. Well, obviously the Hashirama clan, one of the main contenders. Shocked that he had barely come to the conclusion, Naruto spared a split second on the fact the ancestors of Konohagaukure were fighting over with each other. I should really have paid more attention in history. Snapped away from his inner assessments, Naruto focused on the stoic face of the Uchiha clan leader. After some time, the elder man shifted and acknowledged his statement.

"There a great many of us, that is true, Uchiha have eyes and ears in all parts of the country. Though very unlikely, a 'small unassuming village' as you say might go unnoticed, but not for long. Not much is overlooked in these dire times, perhaps we are but a few moons from stumbling upon your village." Tajma replied coldly, insetting darker, deadlier threats.

Naruto raised his eyebrows slightly, though the warning was a bit pointless, seeing how there was no actual village, yet, the fact that he spoke so plainly of it reminded the calculating and merciless way of the Uchiha. Reigning in slight shock, Naruto closed his eyes and composed himself, looking Tajima straight in the eyes. No sense of nervousness in sight, Naruto continued calmly, hands crossed demurely in front of him.

"That may be, but during the time being we are still safely tucked away. If we wanted to be found, we would have definitely been done so by now. Either way, my father did send me out here to learn about the clans and to explore the land, that was not a lie. I have been steadily mapping out and registering the bits of land and people I meet along the way. Yours was simply a longer incursion than expected. I am not here to threaten or hurt your people, simply to catalog it. But if your clan were to clash with ours, it would not be a one done deal. We will fight. As for the victor, it's a toss up at this moment. But we'd hate to destroy such a wonderfully constructed compound." He finished, eyes open in mock friendliness.

You're not the only man with power here. Naruto thought, it felt kinda good to threaten the man, though he knew it was an empty one, I mean he was technically the only Konoha citizen right now, but hey, sometimes you gotta bluff. Staring at him for his reaction, Tajima simple sat there, trying to gauge whether his words held any substance. Feeling like he should add a bit more, Naruto continued.

"I am not telling you we are not a probable hazard, but we have no interest in wars or power, we simply gather information. Strength and deadly skill we possess, but we would hate to use it when we would not gain much in our books. Like I said, the data I am collecting is more valuable. It is the basis of our society. I am not here to cause chaos, simply to observe your people. However you take that is up to you. If nothing else, I do appreciate your unknowing hospitality." Naruto replied, finishing with a fake smile, eyes empty but mouth shinning with a cheesy smile.

Leaning back upon his chair, Naruto observed as the older man took this all in. Hands coming together to form a bridge, head nodded softly, brows furrowed. Naruto hoped this show of blasé power would affect the head of the Uchiha clan enough to not consider him an enemy. Though it seemed counter productive at times, ninja always responded better to subtle threats and careful words than to all out proclamations of war or decimation. Well, at least that's what he had gathered during his time as a ninja, who knew if it still worked the same so many years earlier. I mean, at least he knows that my imaginary clan has the power to attack if necessary; if my earlier 'demonstration' was anything to go off of. He really didn't want to have to hurt any of these damned Uchiha's, technically they hadn't done nothing directly wrong at this point. Naruto was vindictive, but not on such a level.

As if coming to a decision, Naruto tensed as Tajima waved his hand in a random pattern. Seconds later the smaller man from earlier came shuffling in and leaned in, attentive to the whispered words that the clan head was uttering to him. Nodding obediently along, the man bowed politely and shuffled out.

Focusing back on him, Tajima leaned forward slightly and asked him simply, "Why have you not left. You could have disappeared with the intel you have gathered and been onto your next target. Yet you are still here." He stated more than asked.

Naruto remained quiet, unsure as to what to say, he hadn't exactly planned this far ahead. He honestly thought he'd be throwing shuriken and Rasengans by now.

"What can I say, your village is charming, the people are interesting." He didn't mention his self-assigned mission regarding Madara, but let it open for Tajima to misconstrue it as some petty intimacy affair.

"And my son has been taken with you, would he be part of the reason you have not made your leave?" Tajima said, an eyebrow cocked at him, daring him to protest. Pegging him to have fallen weak to his emotions. Even now, people can be so predictable.

Grinning, Naruto played along and made a shy tilt of his head and fuddled with his hair lightly. It's what he noticed many women did when they were infatuated with someone. He understood though, cuz it was charming as hell. Naruto had pulled it out several times on previous missions, it had yet to fail him.

"Perhaps." He answered simply, with a soft shrug. Peering not exactly shyly, but with a more reserved look in his eye at Tajima. The clan head clasped his hands together once again and hid a very quick and subtle paternal look behind his eyes. Naruto did a small victory dance in his head, if he would have not been so intent on focusing on the mans body language, he would have missed it, but now he definitely recognized that look. That was it. He was in. He could tell by the eloquent look in Tajima's eyes and the fact the chakra from earlier was no longer building heavily in the room.

"Interesting, the daughter of a seemingly strong clan is interested in my son, a goal which was not primarily her intention. If these were…different circumstances, other discussions would be taking place between us. Or at least with your own father." Tajima stated.

Naruto choked, hands slamming into his chest as he tried not to die on the wad of spit now stuck in his throat. Finally dislodging the phlegm, his coughing turned into laughter as the meaning of Tajimas statement kept ringing around in his head. How can this man go from threatening my imaginary clan to possibly arranging some sort of marriage between Madara and I.

"Ridiculous…" Naruto thought. Or so he imagined until Tajima responded, now in a lighter mood.

"Not so much so, he is a much sought after boy. He is after all, a possible heir with much power and men ready to fight with him." Tajima stated, not with pride or fatherly love, but in a matter of fact tone. Obviously this was to be expected from a wealthy and influential person.

"Yes, well, he is charming. In an unorthodox way, but I'm guessing you didn't decided not to execute me for a reason. That was fairly potent jutsu you were were constructing, it's a shame you had to dispel it."

Tajima's eyes widened a fraction of an inch, surprised he had sensed it at all. Continuing, Naruto finished his questioning.

"Whats your ultimatum, I believe you mentioned a request?" He said, trying to hold back on his sarcasm, I mean obviously Tajima had made up his mind and had already set some rules up that Naruto was sure he was about to discover. All foreign or non-local shinobi had rules and guidelines that they had to follow in alien lands. At least if they wanted to be in good standing with the village leaders and officials. Naruto guessed he'd be issued similar regulations, he just hoped it wasn't anything too jeopardizing or demeaning.

With a small smile, Tajima nodded and stood, motioning her to do the same. With a quirk of his brow, Naruto followed suit and waited for the man to make his way towards him, a small parcel in his hand.

"To the point. That's refreshing. Take this and read it thoroughly. I expect an answer within two days, that is the deadline for your decision to either stay or leave our compound. It is one of the friendlier offers I've had to give a nonnative shinobi." With a dismissive nod, Tajima clasped his hands firmly behind him and exited the room, the shuffling footsteps of the smaller man following his longer stride as they made their way out of the building.

Just before he was out of earshot, Naruto heard Tajima say, "Whatever your decision may be, my son will not be happy with either choice, so if you are to say anything to him, I will warn you he will be in quite the sour mood."

And with that odd remark, Naruto was left hearing the receding footsteps echoing within the stone walls of the building.

Scratching the back of his head, Naruto 'harum'phed and looked at the small brown package he held. A small waxy string holding together a parcel no bigger than his hand. With an apprehensive groan, Naruto also exited the room and quickly made his way to his temporary home, hoping to divulge in the contents of the package within the false safety of his room.

Naruto clicked his tongue, annoyed at the current predicament he was in. He had been hiding in his room for the past twelve hours, peering at the opened scrolls before him, which turned out to be the contents of the small, brown package. Two scrolls, one with the guidelines Naruto had expected earlier, along with another scroll outlining the conditions that Tajima and his personal council had requested, not to mention a small, plain, golden ring. He clicked again as he felt the surge of chakra just outside the perimeter of his house, once again. Madara had been popping in and out of the area of the small house, most likely waiting for him to finally exit and talk to him. By now Naruto assumed Madara knew he was a shinobi, kunoichi, whatever. I mean it had been almost a whole day, it was now nightfall, nearing midnight if he was correct, he assumed that Tajima had relayed the information to his son. At least Naruto assumed if the increased agitation in Madara's chakra signature was any indication. He had to give him some credit though, if it were him on the other side he would have busted in by now and demanded an answer, an explanation, something. It didn't help if you thought about Naruto's earlier confession.

"Heavans, do I dig deep holes for myself." He whispered to the table he was seated at, glancing once again at the neatly written letters that made up the scroll. Sighing with one last hesitant breath, he shook himself and walked to his closet, looking for a decent outfit.

"If I'm gonna lay this on him, might ass well look decent."

His ragged thin undergarments were not something he'd like to be seen in. Sure, it was an easy access to do the ecchi things from earlier, but there were bigger things on his plate for the moment. He had been given two days, but Naruto hadn't needed that long. It was unlike himself to overthink a situation like this, it jus complicated things.

"Damn Uchihas…" he muttered to himself and picked out a light yellow kimono and laid it on his bed while he stripped for the bath that was already steaming up the mirrors. With a quick splash of water, he all but jumped into the square porcelain tub and moaned as the hot water massaged his aching body. After a few minutes of content silence, Naruto groaned and began to shampoo his hair and lather his body, he'd most likely pass out if he stayed still any longer. Can't really enjoy a hot bath when you have a anxious Uchiha over your head anyway. He thought.

Rinsing himself off and repeating with the conditioner-like liquid that the house provided, Naruto stood and grabbed the closest towel and dried himself off quickly as he walked towards his room. Wrapping another towel around his hair he grabbed the kimono and undergarments he had laid out and began to dress himself.

After almost half an hour of fixing himself up, Naruto nodded at himself in the mirror and jumped out his open window, following the faint trail of an agitated Uchiha. Huffing softly, Naruto landed on the soft earth below him, and pumped chakra into his legs as he sped towards his destination. It was kinda nice really, not having to cover it up any more. With a tensing of his muscled he jumped towards the trees and bee-lined for Madara's location.

Naruto guessed about ten minutes went by as he began to smell the sulfur of the nearby spring that was located by the heirs home. Here. He thought as he slowed down and began to follow the small trail towards Madara's dojo.

Walking in to the foyer, Naruto cocked an eyebrow as he noted the increasing mess of the place, not what he was expecting. Uprooted plants, books torn open, furniture strewn about randomly as if some clumsy burglar had stumbled over the place. Or an angry youth. Kurama whispered in the inner vestiges of his mind. Yup, he's not gonna be happy. Naruto thought back as he entered the main dojo court, following the grunts and thuds of a frustrated man.

Well here goes.

Knocking softly, he didn't wait for a reply as he opened the doors and walked in. His eyes immediately spotting the man he was looking for. Madara was in the corner throwing kunai, senbon, and small curved daggers at a helpless dummy. A sad, straw and stick character roped up to a wooden log, practically falling apart with the abuse it must have been put through these last few hours.

Madara seemed to notice his presence but continued to throw his steel with a vigor that showed just how upset he was. Sighing for what seemed the millionth time that day, Naruto made his way over and stood silently next to the steaming Uchiha, feeling the energy radiating off of hime. Madara only sparred him a quick look then began assaulting the straw dummy again, this time with white tags. Naruto rolled his eyes and huffed. Really, if you've been waiting for me to talk to you, this isn't a decent response. He thought haughtily, but he didn't mind much, and waited patiently as Madara threw a couple more tags at the dummy. Looking over at the assaulted figure, the slips resembled explosive tags, but had a different overall layout. Hmm, let's see what these bad boys are supposed to do. Widening his eye, Naruto jumped as far backwards as he could when he felt a sudden surge of chakra as the dummy suddenly went up in white-hot flames, the fire licking greedily at the dry straw. It practically disintegrated in less than a few seconds. A small tendril of smoke wafted around the room, the only indication besides the small pile of ash, that there was even a dummy to begin with.

Naruto brought his attention back to clan heir as he now was seated on the ground, hands on his knees, ragged breath causing his chest and shoulders to heave dramatically. Sensing the somewhat calmer man, Naruto joined him, seated in front of him, assuming a similar positions, but more feminine, so as not to part the kimono too much. Wondering how he was going to start this conversation, Naruto gnawed on his lip, eyebrows furrowed at the glum Uchiha, head bowed and thinking god knows what. Inhaling deeply, Naruto was cut off by his own name.

"Naruto-san."

Taken slightly aback, Naruto stopped the abuse on his lip and paid close attention to Madara and responded with a slow blink.

"Yes, Madara-san?" He said as calmly and politely as possible.

"Decision." He retorted simply, eyes now blazing staring right through him, a look of guilt and something more etched into his features.

"Decision…?" He asked confused.

"My fathers 'request." He replied sternly, trying to hide his obvious anxiety. "Have you decided?"

Naruto could only nod in return. "I have already notified your father."

Exhaling sharply, Madara gripped his knees harder, and waited for him to answer. Dark, charcoal eyes boring into his clear, bright blue.

"I will not leave…" Naruto started softly, noting the joyous but apprehensive look in the young mans eyes. "…but I will be part of a squad, unit, cell, whatever the terminology, during my stay here.

"He has no right…" Madara whispered almost inaudibly. Chakra signature spiking hotly, a thick wave of power brushing over Naruto, causing his breath to come shorter and his heart to beat faster with adrenaline. Trying to be as calm as possible, he scooted over next to him and laid a hand on the death grip on his knee. Madara twitched and looked up at him quickly, the wave of power slowly ebbing away.

Clearing his throat twice before he could speak clearly, Naruto looked stoically at Madara.

"Madara-san, your father's request is not unreasonable, and he does have that right. He is the clan head and power center of all the people at this compound." Not getting much of a response, Naruto continued. Goddamnit kid, it's flattering and all, but you need to calm the fuck down. Be a fucking grown ass shinobi. He thought with irritation. If he was to become the head of all the Uchiha's, this was definitely not a way to handle situations, even if he he was closely tied to a problem.

"I'm not saying this is my cup of tea, or even something I will enjoy, it's actually a bit of a nuisance, but if I was in your father's place, I do not know if I would have given myself the benefit of the doubt. I assume you have been informed of my origins and reason for being here?"

Madara nodded and looked at her with that same strange look in his eyes. Sighing inwardly, Naruto was admittedly relieved, he hated to have to repeat himself unnecessarily.

"Well, I have made my decision and I will be donning that ring to label myself as a non-clan shinobi member. Besides, I'm awesome, I'll soon have these men eating out of the palm of my hand."

A soft chuckle exited the young man. After a few terse seconds, the Uchiha closed his eyes and sighed, shoulders sagging heavily. With a sudden movement, Madara reached forward and enclosed his arms around Naruto's frame. Unsure of what to do, even with their previous intimacy, Naruto awkwardly patted the man who was a couple years his junior on the back. It was amazing how young and vulnerable he looked at the moment.

Madara's head was spinning. Naruto's words now etching themselves into his brain. She is not a citizen. She is now kunochi. It was almost too much too bare, on one hand, she wasn't leaving. She wasn't leaving him. He thought with relief. And she wouldn't be labeled a spy or executed, not that he would have let that happen. But on the other, she would not be under public diplomacy rules any longer. She would practically be an unranked soldier. Another weapon for my father's arsenal. Though he knew her power, her skill, her prowess, it was hard to grasp. Just a few days ago he was dining with her, trying not to stare too intently at an outrageous story she was portraying. It was hard to reset his mind to how he had first met her, how her father was most likely seeing her. As a high-risk shinobi with unknown assets, and a dangerous skill set that was rarely seen. A tiger behind a paper-thin door.

"You used no chakra."

Was the smartest thing he could say without stumbling over his words. Pullling back from her intoxicating smell and looking at her intently. She seemed surprised, a hand rubbed softly at the nape of her neck, causing him to swallow thickly.

"Yes, well, I was trying to keep my identity a secret….so, yeah. I could have, but as our agreement, I withheld just as you did." She replied almost accusingly, hands crossed over her chest. She knew what he had meant with that statement. You bested me several times. Without the aid of chakra. It opened up the idea that she could do much more. So much more without those restraints. The thought of sparring with her, fully untethered, gave him a surge of adrenaline. What is her element? What jutsu's are her forte? Does she fight using large or small scale attacks? How can I fully incapacitate her? He was beginning to fully gauge her as an opponent, something he thought he had already done, but must have subconsciously been doing improperly due to her citizen status. It felt like he had been building a puzzle with all the wrong pieces and now had to start over.

Madara only stared at the woman in front of him. Softly, he released the hug and grabbed her hand, running his thumb over her knuckles. Such a small action, even initiated by him, caused his ears to roar with his pumping blood. Doubling so as he thought back to their intimacy at the clearing. Swallowing thickly, Madara grabbed her other hand, wanting to feel more of her, wanting to press his lips to her soft skin once again. Before he could go any further, he stopped himself and sighed. I must know.

Closing her eyes, Naruto nodded, already expecting his request.

"I would like to feel it."

He needed to know how her chakra felt, how it played or fought with his own. Finally, he could sense her energy fully. It would help him determine hers from thousands of others. His body rang with the idea, he wondered if it would burn, or if it would stop his heart cold, or if it would caress him. Every chakra system felt differently, he wondered how such an odd creatures would feel like.

With a soft exhale, he observed Naruto as she released the grip he had on her and tilted her head back, eyes closed.

"Are you sure?"

Madara nodded. Breathing heavily for some odd reason, Madara braced himself.

With a soft exhale from Naruto, it began.

Though he had been expecting it, he was hit with the full force of her energy, all breath knocked from his lungs. Like a dam, a searing hot, heavy, flow of chakra surrounded him, went through him, filled the room, the house, the forest surrounding them, stretching out for miles for all he knew. His muscles and body strained with the new unnatural force, his own chakra freeing itself up, readying for battle. It was so much. Too much. He couldn't breath.

Gasping, he doubled over as his body began seizing up, black dots entering the corner of his vision as her power replaced the oxygen in his lungs and squeezed from the inside out. Was it killing him? Pure chakra…as a weapon? Pain, so much that the survival instinct in him wanted to lash out at her. To wrap his hands around that dainty neck and squeeze til the pain stopped. But just as quickly as it started, the searing pressure stopped, a cool, calm breeze replacing the intoxicating atmosphere from before. His ability to breath returning to him once again. A gentler chakra energy now replacing the other. Gasping loudly, he took in deep breaths to provide himself with as much air for his strained lungs, he straightened slowly and looked at her, body trembling. Was this her power? He had never felt anything it before. It was so heavy, so coarse, like hot molten lava with bits of glass cutting into him. It almost felt evil. Demonic. Wiping the sweat that he just realized had formed on his brow, he tried not to show the split fear he had felt in his eyes. If it were not for the softer, smoother chakra he felt immediately after the abrasive one, he would have questioned if she was even human at all.

A concerned hand laid itself on his shoulder, she was apologizing now. Saying that it had been so long, that her body had literally been clogged with unused chakra. She continued on saying that her coils were strange, that they attacked the user, and whoever was around whenever her system was purged. He could only nod as his body recovered from the wave he almost drowned under. He understood. He never had fully experienced it before, but had heard of clans and shinobi who had gone through the process. It was a process of intentionally stopping their chakra flow and plugging their coils. It was meant as a training routine, or something of the sort, if done properly it would strengthen the shinobi exponentially. His father had even considered integrating it into their new recruits, but had scoffed at the idea. One could die from that, chakra was not only a weapon, it was a life source, you can't simply stop breathing all together, you have to take baby steps. He wondered how much pain she had been in these past few months. Coming back to himself, he focused back on her concerned face, it was such a lovely site really.

"You..you hid all that?" The Uchiha said in a mixture of awe, surprise and worry.

"Yes, I suppose I did." Was all she said, trying to be modest but he could tell she was on cloud nine. How it must feel to finally release he would never know, but Madara himself would be proud of such a feat. He wondered if he should tell her how suffocating it was to those around her, at least temporarily. Madara decided to keep quite, since it seemed that was a one time deal and she was in such a light mood. It explained the return of her cocky demeanor. She was now smirking at him, teasing him for the few seconds he had wavered between consciousness.

"Don't tell me my little ol' chakra system almost knocked you out?" Naruto continued, hands now clasped together in mock sympathy. Yes. He thought, but didn't want to admit it out loud.

"Here, let me go get you glass of water, you seem to be choking up." She replied as she slapped her knee in glee and doubled over in laughter. Though at his expensive, he couldn't help but find it charming, offensive yes, but charming still. Without thinking he grabbed her chin and silenced her, lips melded roughly with hers, his hand landing at her waist, pulling her close to him. His heart soared as she retuned the kiss, her own hands gripping his arms, as if anchoring herself. With a pleasant surprise, she deepened the kiss, tongue coming out to meet with his, their mouths no longer restrained. He groaned into her, relishing the feel of her pressed up against him once again. With a sigh, he ended the kiss, sitting back on his haunches, face matching her flushed one as his eyes refocused. Though grudgingly, he had to discuss his father's request.

"When is your first mission?"

After composing herself, she nodded knowingly and gave a gallic shrug.

"In a couple days, I will be with two others." She replied, a no nonsense look on her face, knowing full well what she was getting into. He wondered if she was a reflection of her people. Unpredictable, silly, strong, likable. The Uchiha's were a proud clan, but they were somber, reserved, almost cold. How will she interact with her team? Will she become as cold as them? Before he could ask, she held up a hand.

"I may be a temp soldier, but I will not kill or maim to the standards I am used to, or to the ones you have here. I have reviewed some of the tasks and missions your father delivered to me. Most are pretty harmless in the grand scheme of things. Taking lives is not what I do, it seems I will be mainly an extractor. Though I have no allegiance to this clan, I will try my best to not compromise agents and shinobi alike, but I will do it on my terms, I cannot put my clan in an awkward potation if things go array." She finished, standing up and dusting her knees, arranging her kimono elegantly, Madara watched as she circled the room inspecting the mess he had caused, stopping here or there to pick up a discarded weapon or ruined tag.

Exhaling he stood up as well and somberly nodded his head. It was strange how quickly she adapted to her new situation. Can she ever not impress me? He thought with some amusement, he felt like a fool around her, especially now that she was technically on equal footing as her. A shinobi with most of the clearances she needed to come and go as she pleased. He wondered if she'd be in the briefing rooms that all ninja had to attend before executing a mission. Hmm, I will have to ask father. However she had worded her defense must have been impressive enough to let his father accept it and twist it around in order to use her. They had plenty of numbers to not need an extra pair of hands, but he knew that Tajima was always quick to pick up on the opportunities presented to him. An opportunity dressed as a bewitching woman, with tactics and skills we have not quite seen before. She must have had at least an inkling of a desire to want to do it though, it caused his heart to clench, but she could have just easily left. Which made him think of something he had had his mind every since he realized he cared for her.

How long before you decided to permanently leave?

Two days later

"This is the target area, Giro will provide you with the necessary blueprints for you all. The head guard of the area is an old enemy of ours..of the Uchiha clan, we must make sure no sign of our retrieval is evident. Tonight, meet at the east side of the complex at 1900 hours, with your packs ready. The estimated travel time before you reach the point of extraction is about 2 hours, the window of opportunity is twenty minutes. You are to go in, take Jin out within two seconds of the guard change in order for you to go undetected. He's in a small closet-like room hidden on the south side of the lobby. He will most likely be tied up and incapacitated due to the signal of his distress call. Once you cross the property line, the wards will activate and any loose chakra signatures will be registered. Make sure to keep a tight hold on them otherwise the clan will be identified. That is the nature of your mission, Naruto-san, do you have any questions?" Boomed the demanding voice of Ryota, the facilitator and briefer of this meeting.

Surprise, Naruto shook his head gratefully. He's making sure I don't fuck this up. He might not have ever gone on missions with these shinobi, but layouts of mission were basically the same. He had done these several times before, just with different teams. He was surprised though that instead of a four-man team, it would only be three of them, not unheard of, just rare. He assumed none of them had medical expertise, seeing as how that was something that was integrated into Konoha's system later on. Hopefully we won't need it. Naruto thought. It was simple task to go in, get the man, and run back to the compound without being tailed or tracked, but there was always room for injury.

"Then that is all, Giro, Michi, and Naruto-san, get acquainted with each other or don't, but make sure that you are able to get this done." Ryota said finally without much pre course and left with a quick head nod and exited the small meeting room, the room now seeming larger that he had left. But Naruto liked him, he was straight forward, coarse, and at times funny. It was odd to think he was even allowed to be an Uchiha. His darker skin and almost overbearing aura was almost the complete opposite compared to the stoic, calm faces of the fair-skinned Uchiha's. I should grab a drink with him. He though off-handedly, feeling that he'd be good company to be around. Oh wait, that will probably look bad. Naruto reminded himself. Sometimes it was annoying to be stuck in the past with stricter norms and a possible beau around the corner.

Really, Madara was fun, annoying but fun, but his foreboding attitude did make it difficult to even be friends with some people. He thanked the heavens that Naoki-san was an ever comforting friend he would interact with. Now that he thought about it, he'd probably should let him know he wouldn't be able to be so active now, how he would say it though would be tricky. There was a bit of non-disclosure part of the terms he agreed to, can't really go around telling people he was going to be part of their forces. Lots of older shinobi and elder would most likely not be able to cope with a foreign woman on par or even better than their comrades. He was wary as to the reaction of this new team to her, they all held their emotions in check accordingly, but he wondered who they really felt. We don't have to be best friends, just hope they don't wanna sabotage me or anything.

Not one to sit around and do nothing, Naruto turned and looked at her temporary teammates. Grinning Naruto extended his hand, "Pleased to meet you, the name's Naruto. I assumed you've been filled in as to my status. I'd like to know your take on the most efficient strategy for this predicament." he smiled, a bit anxious that the man would reject the handshake. Just take the hand. Please. I'm used to rejection but lets just make this easier on all of us. Fortunately, Giro without hesitation, smoothly extend his own and firmly griped his smaller hand and gave it a quick shake. Naruto smiled genuinely and leaned in attentively to his plans. Naruto had a few to share but he wasn't going to step on any toes so early on. The Uchiha nodded and motioned for the other Uchiha in the room, a younger man, he'd guess around fifteen or sixteen. Must be pretty skilled to hang with his seniors. Naruto pondered absently, he knew how it was to hang around peers who had more experience under their belts. Michi was his name if he recalled properly. Said shinobi also shook his hand politely after a quick once over and and settled up around the tight semi circle they had formed. Naruto almost sang with glee. Professionalism. Thank you. Not even a word on his or technically her sex, a question of her competency, or even a quip of a possible weakness. I guess this might not be so bad.

"As Ryota mentioned, there are guards forming up the outer perimeter…" Giro began with a very clear and soothing voice which surprised Naruto. Nodding, he listened closely to the intricate planning that Giro had already seemingly created in the short time he had between Ryota's words and exit. Impressed, Naruto wiped his own mind clean realizing that his plans would work but not as effectively as Giro's. He faintly reminded him of Shikamaru. Michi nodded along as well and asked confirming questions ever so often.. Naruto pitched once in as well to add small details missed. Both the men looked at her with soft, surprised looks, cautionary respect slowly making its way through their eyes. Naruto could tell, he would always see it when he was younger. He had to thank Yamato, Jiraiya, and all the high-level shinobi he had the luck to learn from. If it weren't for them, he'd just be a knuckle-head with an enormous power base that he didn't know how to properly use.

As they started to wrap up their final plan, Naruto finally took the time to inspect the two men he would be working with. He brought his attention first to the unassigned lead of the trio. Giro was a tall, tall man, about mid twenties, probably a year or two older than her. He had the signature dark hair that all Uchiha men had, but it was cropped short to the scalp, very military-like. He had the same dark eyes and fair skin that was popular among Uchiha genes, but had a faint but distinctive scar that started from the middle of his forehead and extended up and bit into his hair line. Oddly it enhanced his appearance more than took away from it. Sliding his gaze from the older Uchiha to the younger, he examined Michi. He was young, that was obvious by the way he tried to hold himself sturdier to make himself seem more important, it reminded Naruto of himself when he was that age. Granted Michi was an Uchiha, so he was more reserved about it, but all teenagers were the same. He had almost the same cookie-cutter shape and features that most men of this clan possessed, but his eyes were a light brown instead of that dark charcoal color. He also had a nicked right eyebrow that must have occurred during some young brawl or mission. Or who knows, maybes he's in a gang. Naruto thought with amusement.

"Naruto-san will then go in and retrieve Jin after we secure the area for her and we'll make a speedy exit." Giro finished, knocking once on the wooden table to indicate the end of the conversation. Piqued, Naruto didn't hide his startled look.

"You want me to do the actual extraction?" He uttered softly in surprise, mouth agape, hair falling into his face which the sudden motion of his head. Smiling softly Giro nodded and looked a Michi who nodded in confirmation.

"Well. I'm honored. Thank you. I mean this is my first mission with you two, you don't know my skills, or even how I'll react with you or even with Jin, but you're trusting me with this?" Though he knew his capability and how well he worked with teams and others, it surprised him that they'd give this to a woman they had just met a few minutes earlier.

Exhaling softly Giro shrugged his shoulders and looked at her evenly, "An unknown, foreign woman is accepted into the ranks of a very elite clan with little protest, argumentation or council. An order that comes straight from the top of the chain,Tajima-sama himself. I would be a fool and be committing an own personal crime if I were to doubt orders from a perceptive and noble leader. Who are we to question your expertise? If Tajima-sama was impressed enough to assign you to this mission, then I will not question your credibility." Giro finished, getting up and shuffling and piling up the papers laid out on the table, obviously done and ready to go. Naruto scratched the back of his head shyly, inwardly flexing. Can't argue with that logic.

Michi, seemingly bored with it all bid his farewell, mentioned packing, then exited the room. Giro finished stacking the papers and after putting them in a battered folder, walked out as well, mentioning the location of their meeting. After a soft good bye Naruto sat down, awestruck by how fast all this was happening. Two days ago he was being accused of espionage and sucking face with Madara. Now he was preparing to go on a mission in…how many hours? Looking up at the clock on the wall Naruto realized they had only four hours before they had to have and have everything ready to go. This is really happening.

He was going to be a shinobi, fighting for the Uchiha clan. It was almost too much, if he had known a strange unknown scroll would have caused the events that would have landed him here, well….

"Whatever, I need to go and prepare." He said to the wooden walls of the conference room. Getting up and dusting his red kimono, he headed towards home. A tingling sense of excitement slowly building up within him. It always happened. right before a mission. The sense of unknown and endless possibilities to a solution were before him. It was always so exciting, doubly so that he was doing it with a new team. It almost felt familiar. He hadn't had the luxury to be given so much time and preparation before a mission. Ever since the war, the most time he'd gotten back in his own time was about an hours notice. Cant really predict when next wave of attacks are coming when your defense wards are shot to shit.

It was a sad reminded of the ever growing difference between his time and theirs. But he knew he could succeed in changing this world in order to better change the future. Damn all paradoxes or silly rules of things unknown, he was an Uzumaki, he'd change things with his last fighting breath.

Walking through his door he headed straight for his room and packed for the mission, making sure to add all the items he normally packed. He was ever thankful for the high quality weapons that Naoki and his company provided. After examining the grip on a kunai, he safely slipped that in as well along with some soldier pills, med packs, and water and food supplies. It was always safer to overpack than to show up with nothing. Happy with the contents, he sealed them all within a scroll and put into the regulation thigh holster. It was nice to see even that hadn't changed. Realizing he'd actually have to wear the darn thing he clucked his tongue and quickly disrobed.

"I'm not abut to go on a mission in a freakin kimono." He said, walking briskly to his closet, stark naked. As he was desperately shuffling through his clothes, he realized all the reasonable clothes were missing, most likely in the wash. Exasperated he checked the shelves above, hoping to find a hidden gem. No luck.

"Maybe's I left something in the bathroom." He whispered with some declining hope. He really didn't want to wear such elegant clothing to a mission that asked for the most efficient and unnoticeable attire. A white garment of cranes flying across his sleeves wasn't exactly the most suitable choice. Not that he could talk much since he was a big fan of bright orange. Entering the bathroom, he swiveled back and forth trying to find anything, but only found a bunch of dirty rags he had used to was his weapons earlier.

Groaning, Naruto pouted and sat at the edge of the bath hopelessly staring through the open door at his room hoping that a different vantage point could help him spot anything decent. Scanning the room, he once again came up with nothing and pouted harder. Just as he was about to kick the bar of soap that was lying on the floor Naruto stopped and tilted his head. Getting up quickly and running to his bed he flipped the covers off his bed and grinned broadly.

"Yes!" He cried happily picking up clothes he didn't even know he had which had been hidden by his messy bed. Examining them closely he was surprised by how simple and suitable they were. Slick black pants with pockets to store scrolls and weapons, and a v-neck, quarter sleeved shirt that matched the slickness of the pants. Crumpled up between them was also a common net shirt that all ninja had in order to keep any underarmor in check, it was long-sleeved and would extend to cover up any unprotected skin. Naruto nodded happily, they would fit him well, extremely well, the clothes would contour itself to his female body. They were perfect, Practical and unobtrusive. Grasping them to his bare chest in glee he looked down as he heard a soft fluttering noise. Bending over he realized a small white card had fallen along with the sheets he'd flipped. Picking it up he held it between his fingers and flipped it over.

For the success of your first mission

Take them in the hopes of soothing my nerves

-M

Naruto grinned.

"Wow. That's…really thoughtful."

Not flowers, not jewelry, not pretty things, but a practical shinobi gift, Madara was sure a lady-killer. Naruto thought sarcastically.

Trying on the clothes quickly, Naruto approved. Whistling he looked at himself in the mirror. It wasn't much at first glance but he realized that whatever material used made a simple outfit seem more posh somehow. It fit in all the right places and didn't sag here and there like most of his clothes. It was deceivingly ordinary.

"I look like your typical ninja." He said with amusement but was extremely satisfied with how it made him look. He was always taken aback by how good he could look. I make one hot woman. Turning around he looked at his backside.

"Ass like a peach!" he said to his reflection, turning this way and that in a sort of narcissistic dance. All he needed was a cover for his mouth and he'd be set, but even Naruto wasn't that traditional.

"Well, I'm all ready to go!" He exclaimed to himself as he put on a simple pair of ninja boots and tied his hair up in a quick ponytail. Calming his excited heart, he finished by strapping on his thigh holster and adding a few last minute items to his pockets. He had about an hour and a half left before he rendezvoused with his team.

"Oh, almsot forgot!"

Rummaging through his desk he found the parcel he was given and donned the simple golden ring the Tajima gave him. It was a small ring, an ordinary band of gold with an 'x' etched onto it. It was very unassuming and fit snuggle onto his pinky. He hummed, he had expected some sort of spark or bite, but it really was just an ordinary ring. He'd have to inspect it later to find out what it truly was. Naruto guessed it was some sort of tracking beacon, if he really concentrated, he could pick up a very faint hum coming from it. If he didn't have his enhanced hearing, he'd probably would never had picked up on it.

Shrugging he gave himself one quick look over and headed out the door. Though he still had about an hour before leaving, he wanted to do a few quick stretches and exercises. Besides, waiting around was never his forte. With an excited yip, he left.