Rippling Tides ~ New Moon

~ Chapter 26 ~

~The Land of Fire - The Main Uchiha manor ~

The Uchiha brothers Madara and Izuna are in discussion. Their current topic of debate is marriage. Specifically the "arranged" variety and the pros and cons associated.

Though Madara already sent in a "formal request" and declaration of interest to Sakuya of Oasis's respective guardians, (Her father Kyou Uzumaki and eldest brother Shiro Uzumaki) He is unsure as to how to go about approaching Sakuya directly.

"I really don't know if I can do this Izuna." the worry in Madara's tone is palpable in its expression.

"-So you're saying, Brother. Personally, I don't see the problem. Woe is me, whatever will I do?

"Such a cruel fate, ine of us "has" to wed a "once in a generation" beauty! A generally sweet girl, with a truly kind personality and a genuine care for other people's wellbeing- the horror!" Izuna mocked mirthfully.

His semi-deadpan tone is playful and full of amusement, Izuna truly doesn't understand Madara's issue.

So far as council demands can go, this one is very tame.

"Again Brother, if you're that opposed, I may very well "selflessly volunteer" myself for such a "horrifying fate".

"Do feel free to pray for me. Amaterasu knows I'll surely need her divine grace each and every day. How else am I to survive such a "miserable" self-sacrificial existence?"

Izuna's well-intentioned sarcasm is endearing, but at this moment Madara doesn't especially appreciate it.

"Cute, real cute, Izuna. But you know why this troubles me. I am not opposed either.

"Honestly, I too take this "order" as a boon." Madara opens his mouth to elaborate further when the scent of faint smoke catches his nose.

"Great, him aga-"

"CANDY FOR ZU-ZU!" announced the energetic Ruki. An allegedly "small" moon bear cub, his glossy, well-groomed fur is mostly black but with a notable curved white crescent shape around his neck and shoulders, where a soft-pink silk harness is secured.

All but pouncing on Izuna, Ruki gives the young man enough time to remove said silken harness and the edible contents it holds before demanding; "Rub my ears Zu-zu!"

"Of course, Cutie, said Izuna with a chuckle. His pale hands eagerly massaged the naggy cub who was practically purring in delight. "Yes, right there! Thank you for the rubs Zu-zu!"

' How is that not annoying?' Madara thought. His expression is polite but inside he finds it utterly mystifying as to how his brother Izuna seems to find the cub's antics "cute" instead of highly obnoxious.

"What's today's delivery Cutie?" asked Izuna between rubs. "I don't know Zuzu, some kind of pudding- I think- Yes!" The cub said between his kitten-like purs.

Taking a peek within the box himself, Madara notes about seven or eight small jars.

Plucking one up, he notes it's cool to the touch. "Interesting, she labeled the ingredients. It's a sweet rice-flour pudding with a fruity topping made from plums and pomegranates stewed with rose water."

"How thoughtful," Izuna murmured. Digging into one, with a provided spoon, he smiles at the aroma. "She remembered? Yeah, I don't think a political marriage to Sakuya will be any sort of suffering."

"Oh that is yummy," Izuna made no effort to hide how delicious it tastes. Mm, you should have one too, you won''t regret- Yep this was made with chakra fruit! I can't get over how soothing that feels. I'll be sure to thank her in another letter tonight."

"What do you mean Little Brother?" asked Madara. He had no idea, Izuna was keeping in such close contact with Oasis's Wellspring Maiden.

"Hm? Ah, right, well a few days after your return home, I sent her a personal thank you via hawk. Sakuya responded almost immediately. He made a show of massaging Ruki's head to get his point across.

"Turns out, she is very easy to speak with. We discussed many inconsequential things via letter.

"One of them was snacks, she mentioned a preference for these local puddings and in my reply I expressed curiosity. As opposed to our dairy cows, they typically use goats milk for the cream."

"That makes sense, they were a desert culture until fairly recently," said Madara.

"I know Brother, it's called polite conversation- taking an interest."

Anyways, that was nearly ten days ago now, and I really didn't expect anything to actually come of it," said Izuna plainly.

Opening the glass top off one for himself, Madara takes a cautious bite, the aromatic scent of syrupy fruit and sweet cream is kind of strong, but not headache-inducing.

"It is good, I might have another." He said politely. It really was delicious but not wanting to be over-enthusiastic- it was a gift for Izuna after all, he reigned in his reaction.

"Killjoy," snarked Izuna. Opening a second his delight only increased. "This one has honey, a generous variety here, I will remember this in my thanks. And I guess that one with the strawberry can be for Kagami." He motioned to the small jar on the far left.

Having finished with their tasty snack (for now) Izuna is all too happy to spill further. "I might as well tell- she asked about you once or twice. Though she also made it clear I "wasn't to bother you" which I found "unBEARably" sweet- pun ABSOLUTELY intended, Izuna playfully gestured to Ruki, still lounging in his lap sleepily.

"I think I see," Madara said quietly. The older brother isn't jealous, more annoyed that he didn't think of it himself.

' We keep some contact, even before her aid, we exchanged occasional messages via civilian courier' he acknowledged, ' But nothing so... intimate.

Well, I didn't want to impose. ' He reminded himself with a drawn-out sigh.

"I really have my work cut out for me."

"Do you really Brother? Or are you simply WAY overthinking it? Maybe keep it on the simple side? You know, call on her for an evening alone. You two are hardly strangers." suggested Izuna.

' How is this my life now? I can't believe I'm really here giving my "invincible" big brother advice of this nature.'

Izuna's newfound awareness of his brother Madara's lack of "experience" with women would be quite amusing if it weren't visibly bothering him so deeply.

'I can't even laugh, it's just too sad, my "perfect" big brother has an actual vulnerability. ' He wisely kept such thoughts to himself. Instead, Izuna stuck to offering the most helpful, "common sense" advice he could think to provide. ' This is almost cute. ' Who knew my brother had such a side to his being? '

Ruki yawns, "I'ma go nap with Papa now, thanks Zuzu! Papa says I'm to be "respectful" to the big one, but I like you more!" The moon bear cub vanishes in a flash and its all Izuna can do to restrain a wildly inappropriate laugh.

"Ok, we better hope Ruki isn't a gossip because they will absolutely "count this" as "complicity," at Izuna's comment Madara did nothing to restrain this rising sigh.

~

~ Oasis Village- the Grand Manor ~

Just after the evening rain.

"So what do you think Father?" Shiro inquired deferentially.

"It's incredibly generous. Honestly, I think it's as good a plan as any, but I worry about Sakuya's compatibility, she seems to be a sweet girl but I've heard rumors of the Uchiha," responded Kyou. The hesitance in his voice was all too apparent. "Madara especially."

"Well if it helps, she wouldn't actually be leaving Oasis, if we accept, Madara would have to live here. I imagine he'd bring a small force with him, but it's the only way he can take charge of Sakuya's "thirty-three percent".

"Or rather, thirty-three point three, but why be so petty about a decimal point," Shiro said bluntly.

"As I'm sure you can tell, I'm primarily in favor. Not just because we've seen they get on well, but because being married will reduce her considerable workload.

She's overworked as is, the many political issues and petty concerns can be Madara's problem.

" Plus the infusion of his men and women to the Security Corps puts less pressure on our people.

"Not that I'd be stupid enough to put any stress on them. We need allies, not resentful conscripts."

Though Shiro's tone is contemplative, as though he is mulling things over, inward the eldest brother is all but celebrating. 'Ah! I think a bowl of "Sekihan" would be appropriate right about now.'

His seemingly random craving for the celebratory dish of red beans and highly glutinous rice isn't without due cause.

'This is basically perfect Reiji, we are THAT much closer to Mother's rebirth. Maybe not through Sakuya herself, but sooner or later, through this new "line" Mother's spirit will be reborn anew. '

' Her prisoner on the moon can do NOTHING to prevent Mother's soul from escaping through our special "reincarnation"!

' Yes, this world's version of our mother, the goddess of chakra, will return. With her sanity intact too, all will be as it should.'

Shiro's premature celebrations are interrupted by a gentle knock on his study door.

"Please pardon my intrusion," said a radiant voice. That being his sister Sakuya, Oasis's famed Wellspring Maiden.

"It's no trouble Songbird," Shiro said cheerfully. "Father and I were discussing possible good news, but never you mind. It isn't yet set in stone."

Entering the well-furnished office respectfully, Sakuya nods in apparent understanding. "I see, well I won't trouble you long, Father, she nods in Kyou's direction kindly.

"Sweet Eita dropped off a few letters from Rei and Yuuki. He was a bit short, but I understand.

"Hopefully Mr Kitty will be back to normal soon... He's usually such a gentleman..." the nickname she gave to Eita back in childhood fell off her lips in a near whisper.

Putting the topic of Reiji's summon aside, Sakuya moves things along.

"The timing of these messages was appropriate as I finished my letter for Wagamaru, though our new friend is leaving for Uzu tomorrow.

"I have mine, of course, downstairs. They both send their love, though poor Yuuki had an encounter with the Six-Tails!

"She's alright, Rei was with her, and between her ice, and his adamantine chains and lightning, it retreated quite quickly.

Still, Yuuki says to tell you that her most unexpected moment against said slug was quite scary.

"She hopes to never see it again, but that likely goes without saying.

"It lunged right for her, she barely had time to form an ice barrier!" Sakuya suppresses a shudder, the danger her friend experienced isnt a pleasant topic for conversation.

Sighing sympathetically at the thought, Sakuya hands over a decent-sized number of letters addressed to Shiro and Kyou respectively.

"Im sure our brother and his bride appreciate your concern Songbird." Shiro said with a placating air.

And thank you for bringing these up to us. Eita can be a very finicky sand cat, I assume he was in one of his moods...

"But don't let it bother you, "Mr. Kitty" will be fine after hunting himself a nice plump rabbit. We're seeing an influx in their population lately so Eita and his fellow sand cats may eat to their fluffy hearts content. "

"Now than, Im sure you are aware that Yuukina and Reiji will be back in under a week and I'm certain our... cousin Wagamaru will make it to Uzushio without incident.

"He is reliable, and knows where to bring it. Your letter is very in good hands" Shiro replied collectedly.

"Yes that's all very thoughtful, Sakuya. You too Shiro." murmured Kyou gently.

A little over two weeks now Kyou has been living with Sakuya and Shiri at the manor.

Yet, still not quite accustomed to being around his glorious daughter, Kyou is understandably more than easily overwhelmed in her most radiant presence.

At Kyou's words Sakuya smiled lightly. "Thank you Father. And yes Shiro, Wagamaru is a good man, we're fortunate to have met him."

' Unfortunately.' Shiro, formerly White Zetsu, thought inwardly.

Though he is truthfully far less appreciative of his father's nephew figure, Shiro knows better than to allow any hint of that negativity to slip into the open.

Still, actually praising the investigator like this leaves a somewhat bitter taste.

' Ah, the things I do to ensure Father's happiness. '

' Hm, it's most curious, I could understand Saiken attacking Reiji...

We are draining the six-tails just by existing after all... But why Yuukina? The beast is intelligent enough to identify a spe- It couldn't be...

So stunned at his thought, Shiro didn't immediately notice Sakuya and their father exit together. On their way for a family dinner.

Though he'd join them momentarily it was difficult to keep focus on the conversation.

' Surely it's way TOO SOON, even if, and that's one huge IF, Yuukina is- surely it wouldn't-.

He brushed the idea aside. Reiji will be home soon. No point speculating. ' I know I could just reopen our shared mental connection, but he's a newlywed... I refuse to risk "walking in" on something I really don't care to see.

' Thankfully, it's not much of a wait, I'll have my answer in person. Who knows, maybe we'll be having that Sekihan sooner than I hoped. '

His most charming smile in place, Shiro resumes his "normal".

Their family dinner was more than pleasant, all that was missing is Reiji and Yuukina.

So nice it was, that for Shiro Uzumaki, not even his "cousin" Wagamaru's presence and a reminder of "seniority" (in terms of familial affection and happy memories together, Wagamaru has years on Shiro) at Kyou's right hand side could ruin it.