Madatouka
"May I have this dance, my Lady?" Madara's voice rumbled behind her, causing her to glance over her shoulder as she continued her warm up stretches.
She met his grin with one of her own.
"Well, how could I refuse such a sweet offer?"
With a small laugh he joined her in warming up.
Touka smiled to herself, warmth bubbling up in her chest. Things had been going well for her recently. Hashirama had mellowed out with his marriage and Tobirama had settled into the village better than anyone had expected. It almost hurt to realize just how much he had wanted peace but never believed it to be possible. And now he was involved in everything he could possibly be to make things go smoothly for everyone. Establishing a school for the children, elite forces for missions the average ninja couldn't do, ranking systems so people weren't lost on missions they weren't ready to undertake.
She was very proud of him, no matter how worried she was about his sleep habits. A worry that Madara had slowly come to share as he got to know the younger man. Hell, even Izuna was starting to grow concerned.
All that aside, she was surprised at how well she had taken to peace, and to the man stretching beside her. In a way she had her little cousin to thank for that as well. Stressed and worried about his lack of sleep over the past several weeks she had gone to work out some stress, startling Madara from the next training ground over.
He had tentatively made his way over, concern written across his features as he asked what had crawled up her ass and died.
Once she had gotten over the shock she couldn't help but laugh. His answering smile had been warm and so genuinely delighted that she couldn't help but like him just a little. It was the first time they had sparred together. Working out their stress and bantering with each other. It was just what she needed to keep her mind off her little cousin's workaholic tendency.
When they called it quits so that Madara could go deal with a clan meeting, she was pleasantly sore and ready to relax in a hot bath. Two days later she hunted him down for another spar, just for the fun of it.
Some how that had lead them to this. Every other day one of them would hunt down the other for a spar, they would tease each other horribly between bitching about whatever was irritating them and after they would go to this one particular tea house for lunch or a light snack.
Today something in Madara's eye was different. Still playful and warm, but softer than normal. She was curious about the change, but willing to wait for him to talk.
"Tobirama finished the mission ranking system today. He's finally gone home to sleep. Izuna was walking him home to make sure he didn't get distracted by anything."
She snorted even as relief flooded her. Finally. The little brat was going to rest. She had no doubt that Izuna would sit on him until he did. It amused her so much to know that for once the rumor mill was wildly off course when it came to those two. It had taken time or course, but Izuna saw Tobirama as his little brother and was as overly protective of him as Madara was of Izuna.
"Good. That means he'll get more than a short nap."
Madara hummed softly as he fiddled with a scroll.
"I thought that, in celebration, we could try something new today?"
Touka looked at him just in time for his hand to curl gently around hers, bringing it up before his eyes and he smiled so softly.
"Look, our callouses almost match." His voice was thoughtful in a way she had learned ment whatever he was getting at was important to him.
So she nodded for him to continue.
"I know you favor the naginata, but would you perhaps like to learn to wield the gunbai?"
Her heart stopped as her eyes shot up to meet his.
They were serious and warm, patiently waiting for her response as his hand shifted just a bit to line them up. His was bigger than hers, obviously, but he was right. Their callouses were nearly identical.
She laced their fingers together and smiled at him.
"This is a new dance for me. I trust that you'll teach me well."
Madara smiled, warm as the sun, and brought her hand up for a kiss.
"I'll do my best, My Lady."