Sometimes, Madara thinks the benefits of being the head of a noble clan aren't worth the obligations. The thought is practically treasonous, and he would never voice it aloud, because proving loyalty -- as he has done again, and again, and again -- is paramount for any shinobi clan. And so here Madara is, skulking into the capitol because his lord wants to celebrate his son's birthday.
It should be Izuna here -- his rank is perfectly acceptable for Madara to send him in his stead, and he does it so often for things like this that no one would bat an eye. Instead, Izuna got himself stuck in Rain Country for an extra month by a fussy client, and Madara had been forced to come himself. When he returns home, he's certain it will be to a thorough questioning by his brother on just how badly he's managed to mangle the political nets he's been weaving for years. Too intense, too unyielding, aniki, you've got to be willing to sweet talk people sometimes, you know?
It seems like he always manages to misstep somehow when politics are involved. Madara can just never bring himself to care all too much.
But -- its important, so he's got to try. For Izuna's sake if nothing else.
He arrives early in the evening and heads not for the palace or for an inn, but to one of the most notorious tea shops in Fire Country, because the first step to not putting your foot in your mouth is to know what you're talking about. Madara isn't and never has been caught up on all the current court drama. Truth be told, he doesn't really want to be, but if anyone can get him up to speed, it will be the oiran who regularly serve the fools he's going to have to try and talk his way around.
The tea shop is on the very edge of it's district, but the entrance itself is down a long alleyway that never fails to set Madara's instincts on edge. It's all very discreet, of course, and only a cat lounging on the eave of the building across the road sees him duck under the noren to head inside.
(Of course it's going to report back to someone, Madara's not stupid, but if someone tries to blackmail him over something like this, he'll laugh in their face.)
To his surprise, it's the Madame herself who greets him inside.Her hair -- greying at the temples since the last time Madara has seen her -- is pinned up with no less than four kanzashi.
"Uchiha-sama." She drawls, bowing deep, "This one is ashamed to admit that we have an unusual number of visitors this evening. Would it please you to be entertained by one of our apprentice girls for the time being?"
Madara can't help but wonder how many of the other clients are here to attend the same party he is. He'll have to make do, hopefully he'll end up seated with an observant gossip.
"That's fine." He bows back, and spares the pleasantry.
The Madame straightens up and looks him over with a critical eye. She spares him right back.
"Come with me, then. And dust off your clothes."
Madara muffles a snort but does as she asks. Hell, it'll probably be worth asking if his outfit is acceptable to wear to court while he's here. He'd figured he couldn't go wrong with the hakama and haori but sometimes civilians get attached to the stupidest fashion trends. At the very least he should assume that an appearance not tasteful enough for the tea house will get him mocked in court.
He's led to a side room that has suggestive flowers painted all over the fusuma; there's a table already setup there, and a few cushions. It's fancy, definitely meant for entertaining, but not quite formal enough to make Madara want to sit up straight.
"Take a seat." The matron gestures to a cushion, "The girls will be here in a moment."
She's not exaggerating. Madara's knees have barely hit the ground when four women file in. Their apprentice status is obvious in their dress-- there are more patterns on their clothes than the Madame's, even if there are fewer ornaments in their hair -- but more than that, it's obvious in their body language. The first one bats her eyelashes at him, smiles with a touch too much tension to be believable. The next two make an attempt at the same, but as soon as he gives them any attention they grow bashful, one even folding out a fan to hide her face. The demure act could, and probably will fool many others but Madara can see right through it --they're afraid of him. With his reputation most people are. And that's what makes the last woman's reaction all the more interesting.
Just from looks alone, she's the most eye-catching -- her hair is white, and too short to be put up into the complicated styles of her sisters. Her outer kimono, too, a blue that looks almost faded compared to the flashier colors next to her. Most interesting of all is the difference in the way she holds herself. She keeps her eyes averted from him entirely and hands folded in her sleeves, but there's a slight angle to her shoulders that make him think that if driven to action, her first reaction to him would not be to run.
Interesting.
They're introduced to him one by one, but Madara only half pays attention, already knowing that he's made his pick.
"This one. Hanakawa-san" He gestures at the last woman in line, curiosity already too piqued to let her go, "You can play the koto, yes?"
The question is entirely rhetorical, she would not be here if she couldn't, especially not looking as nontraditional as she does. It does what it's meant to, prompting a wave of hand from the Madame that sends the other girls off with deep bows, no doubt to go retrieve whatever is it is his pick will need to entertain him.
"Of course. It would be my honor, Uchiha-sama." Hanakawa bows too, and when she straightens up Madara finally gets a good look at her face.
He hadn't been prepared.
Hanakawa either looks exactly like Tobirama Senju, or is Tobirama Senju, and the way those red eyes narrow a fraction at his reaction, small as it was, makes him believe the latter. There are no markings on his face, and he's grown his hair out nearly to the chin, but it must be him.
He fits unfairly well into the extravagant robes of a courtesan. Madara almost can't wrap his head around it -- without the bulky armor or the pelt, with his body language demure and submissive instead of aggressive, as it normally is, he's practically another person entirely. And yet, he isn't, is he?
In the span of a single moment, Madara is forced to reckon with the fact that Tobirama Senju might just be the single most attractive person he's ever seen in his life. Maybe he wouldn't think it, if Hanakawa was just some exotic looking courtesan, but knowing what he could be…
The apprentice courtesans all scatter, Tobirama included. Madara kneads a net of sensory chakra to follow his movement -- and yes, that freezing-cold storm of chakra, though suppressed, is familiar -- but doesn't let himself worry about it just yet. It won't be for long; this is a nice place, and Tobirama will have to leave the room to start the tea ceremony properly, after all.
What in hell is he doing here? It almost certainly isn't a targeted attack on him -- if it was, there's no way that this is the way Tobirama would go about it. He's already lost the element of surprise, letting his face be seen like he has, and that's about the only way Tobirama would stand a chance against him in a fight.
And, well, there is the matter that is the ceasefire all clans are supposed to be under at the capital.
The fusuma slides open. Tobirama is on his knees outside with a tray by his knees, and he bows to Madara, hands forming a diamond on the ground.
The tea ceremony is a simple one, but executed flawlessly. So, too are the traditional songs Tobirama teases out from the koto, once they've finished drinking, and the poetry he recites from memory is without mistake or hesitation.
He's done something to his voice, its just pitched just a touch higher and so much more soft spoken than Madara thought was possible from the man. The conclusion, then, is that Tobirama is well and truly integrated here, so deeply and painstakingly that he's trained to actually do the job, and is willing to risk even Madara's eyes on him if it means keeping his cover. But why? True, there are no shortage of potential targets here, with it's clientele being what it is, but is it for assassination? Blackmail? Or something else entirely?
Well, Madara did come here to get answers, and if he can't get the ones he wants, he can at least find out just how far he can push Tobirama Senju before he's forced to break this little act of his.
"Truly, I find it hard to believe you're only an apprentice Hankawa-san. That was excellent." Madara says when he's finished-- he's not even lying, really. Many shinobi skills transfer well, and he can admit that Tobirama is a formidable one. "I see no fault in your skills, and it's been said I have quite the discerning eye."
If Tobirama is lacking in one department, it's that he's made no move to seduce Madara at all. Even a true apprentice would recognize that he was trying to make a joke and laugh at it. But Tobirama only bows his head and says, "I do well in the skills that I know, but this one is not yet trained in everything needed."
Madara leans back on his arms -- improper, but he's the client and is allowed to be -- and drags his eyes over the tasteful sliver of skin left exposed at the back of Tobirama's neck.
"Some things can only be learned through experience." He says, slowly reaching out and grabbing at Tobirama's wrist. Not tight, not threatening, not enough to spook him, just yet. "Let's not kid ourselves about the profession you're going into, hm? The people who come here do so for physical closeness, there's no need to sit so far away."
Tobirama's eyes snap up, wary, but when Madara tugs on his arm he, ever so carefully, allows himself to be pulled closer. Still seiza, but thigh to thigh, and when Madara releases his grip, he leaves his hands where they rest on the Senju's pale skin..
"That's better." Madara smiles in the face of Tobirama's continued reticence. He knows the fact that it's him is contributing to Tobirama's stiffness, but he also just can't imagine the man fluttering his eyelashes and draping himself over anyone. "The other thing most people come looking for is companionship, and yet I haven't heard anything but poetry from you so far."
Now that they're this close, Madara can see -- and feel -- the suppressed twitch of irritation.
"And what would Uchiha-sama wish to discuss." Tobirama says, clearly making a try at sounding sweet and ending up falling awkwardly flat.
Madara fights back the laugh that wants to burst out of him. For all his words about it, perhaps some things just can't be taught.
"Well there is the young lord's birthday, though I suspect that's old news here, by now." If Tobirama is smart -- and he is -- he will only feed Madara information that will embarrass him down the line. "It's the safest bet to lean into what you already know about a client. In my case, I'm the head of a prominent shinobi clan --" Tobirama does not even pretend to feign surprise, "-- that has recently won a few noteworthy battles against an old enemy."
It's not so much a dig at information as it is the start of an attempt to see if he can get Tobirama to badmouth his own clan. But the man's painted lips twist, and responds immediately.
"To an outsider, it would seem as though the war only continues because it is all the clans know how to do. Anyone without a personal stake in the matter likely sees it as a loss of resources and life all in for the sake of posturing, when neither side has destroyed the other in generations and the original cause of the fighting is unknown." He hesitates, red eyes darting away. "…Respectfully."
Madara is struck dumb for a moment, only able to stare. Tobirama answered so quickly that it was either a pre-prepared answer, or a reflection of his true feelings. Madara has no way to ascertain the truth of it, because the Senju certainly does have a personal stake in the war between them. This time Madara doesn't stop himself from throwing back his head and laughing.
"Tact--" He wheezes, "Is also important in these things. If I had a mind to, I could ruin your life for speaking about my clan that way."
Madara spots a flash of defiance in Tobirama's face before he bows his head again, "Apologizes, Uchiha-sama."
No explanation, no assurances that he spoke thoughtlessly or in ignorance. Maybe Madara should threaten to cause a scene over it, but Tobirama's earlier performance has already given him a better idea.
"As long as you've learned a lesson from it, I'm satisfied. As a matter of fact…" He drops his voice low, trails his hands up up Tobirama's arms, "I would be happy to continue to teach you. Go fetch your boss for me, would you? I have something I'd like to discuss with her."
Tobirama extracts himself from Madara's grip and bows at the waist, low and overly formal.
"As you wish, Uchiha-sama. I will see to it at once."
He pushes himself to his feet and hurries away as fast as his fancy kimono will let him. Madara watches the door long after he leaves, weaving another sensory net to follow him. No doubt, he's worried that Madara will change his mind and demand he be punished. But, ah, well, he'll still have the chance to do that afterwards.
He's only kept waiting a few minutes before the Madame returns, Tobirama trailing behind her with a bowed head.
"You wish to speak to me about Hanakawa-kun?" She asks, one brow raised and expression severe, like she, too, expects Madara to be unsatisfied. "If another girl would be more to your liking, one of our more experienced ones is free for you, now."
"Oh, quite the contrary." Madara practically purrs, "Hanakawa-san was excellent. I was wondering if it would be possible to purchase her mizuage."
A second eyebrow joins the first. Tobirama visibly tenses, but the Madame answers for him, "It would. Come to my office, then."
Tobirama behind and to the side of the Matron. He remains silent for the discussion, face blank at the prospect of Madara buying his virginity. The price is already high, for such an establishment, and driven higher still by Madara's insistence that they do it tonight. Hikaku will have his head for the 'frivolous expense', if Izuna doesn't beat him there, and he won't even have the option to renege on the payment without ruining his clan's reputation here.
Tobirama's hand tightens into a fist where it rests on his lap, and relaxes just as quickly. Even just as an experiment to see how far he can push the Senju, he thinks this will be worth it.
It's only once they have the details settled that the Madame half turns to Tobirama and asks, "And do you find this acceptable?"
It's rhetorical. Tobirama looks up, and hesitates only a short moment before saying, "It would be an honor."
And it would be, if Tobirama were truly a courtesan. He would be able to secure any client he would like after spreading the story of how hard the head of a powerful noble clan like the Uchiha fought to gain his company.
The Madame nods. "I think the eastern mountain room would be good for you."
Madara can sense movement in the halls behind him -- the other apprentices and attendants scurrying off to go prepare for them, no doubt.
Tobirama bows at the waist, "I can show Uchiha-sama there, if he wishes."
To his credit, the man does not act as though anything is amiss as he steps past Madara and gives him his back, not even as the doors -- painted with a beautiful illustration of a mountain range -- are closed behind them and they are left alone. Madara considers, for a brief moment, that he might be walking into a trap, and discards it just as quickly. It's not likely, and even if there was one, he can't imagine it actually working.
The room is set up much the same as the first one, if not more extravagant. The koto Tobirama played for him before has been laid out on a low table, and next to it, a stack of thin books that are no-doubt filled with more, probably erotic, poetry. And conspicuously, on the corner of the table, a jar -- no one would dare admit out loud that Madara didn't know he was hiring a man, but there is they proof that they know, at least in part, about Tobirama.
He passes the Senju, who has paused in the middle of the room, to sit down and sprawl out on the tatami.
"Come here," He gestures to himself, smirking, "Remember what I've shown you."
Tobirama only lingers for a moment longer, before, tentatively kneeling between his legs. Madara reaches out for the hands that are hovering over him and pulls them to his shoulders, inviting danger closer.
"Have you kissed before, Hanakawa-san?"
Tobirama remains very still, even as Madara puts one of his own hands on his waist. He hardly moves his mouth when he says, "I know the theory."
Which is a no. Madara wonders if there is any truth to the answer -- he suspects he's about to find out.
"Then let's put it into practice then, shall we?
Tobirama stares at him, seemingly lost for a moment, before he steels himself and leans in for a confident, if short-lived, kiss. This close, Madara can see the powder of makeup that Tobirama has used to conceal the red lines that are ordinarily on his face.
Madara does not react, except to raise his eyebrows, which Tobirama seems to take as a challenge, because he leans in to kiss Madara again. And again, and again, varying each time the angle or the pressure, like he can find some version that will make Madara react. Despite everything, Tobirama somehow relaxes when Madara starts kissing him back.
He's rougher with it. Tobirama's kisses has been chaste little things, but Madara immediately brings in teeth, nipping at his lower lip, and when Tobirama opens his mouth -- in surprise or to admonish him, who could say -- Madara slips his tongue inside. The Senju makes a noise in the back of his throat, but in only a moment he's trying his best to match Madara's movements.
It's hot and slick, and it is no small force of will for Madara to keep himself from getting lost in it. Having his clan's worst enemy's tongue in his mouth should not be as erotic as it is, and Madara can't help his thoughts from turning to the idea that he could bite it off. Instead he breaks the kiss, smriks at the way Tobirama's red eyes lock on the string of saliva that connects them, and leans in to bite at Tobirama's neck, instead.
That elicits a gasp, the man's entire body tensing, then relaxing. The hands on his shoulders start to roam, slowly, carefully -- downwards. He must be checking for hidden weapons, and yet there's something sensual to it. To allow those hands so close to his most vulnerable spots --
Madara tugs on the obi, pulling Tobriama further into his lap, able to now feel Tobirama's arousal as it brushes up to his own it occurs to him only now that it's quite possible that Tobirama will let this go all the way to it's end. The act itself is growing more tantalizing by the minute, but the idea that Tobirama might be going this far to get one over on Madara, and not the other way around… It sours the idea a bit. Not enough to stop completely, but enough to reach up and stop the decent of Tobirama's hands and further.
Tobirama goes taut -- yes, he's certainly triggered some shinobi reflex with that move, but that's fine, Madara was about to call his bluff regardless. He twists Tobirama's arm, and in response, the man snarls and locks his legs around Madara's.
They end up wrestling, weaponless, on the floor. Tobirama is taller than him, but Madara is bulkier, and has the advantage of striking first. Though Tobirama puts up a good fight -- and writhes against him in way that does nothing to help how aroused Madara has become -- he ends up pinned to the floor, one arm twisted behind his back, the other hand held down by Madara's knee. In the struggle, the powder on his face has smudged, revealing flashes of red underneath.
Madara considers, momentarily, killing him. He wishes that they'd had this encounter some other time, in some other place -- but no. Neither of them would have let it get this far without the threat of the daimyo's wrath hanging over their heads should they harm the other.
So instead he huffs a breathless laugh and leans down to press another kiss to the Senju's cheek.
"What's so important that it would have you go to such lengths, Tobirama? Hmm… Some experiment maybe? You want to dip your toes into bloodline theft?"
It's a miss, and Madara knows it is. Tobirama shoots him a dirty, calculating look, panting every so slightly, cheeks flushed.
"Might I remind you that you asked for me. It only goes as far as you were willing Uchiha-sama."
He's dropped the vocal affectation, his voice low and slightly hoarse.
"Hmm." Madara pretends to consider, "But our presence here, at the same time? How could I not have noticed you? Perhaps you were sent here as a distraction."
Which also probably isn't the truth, though that's how it worked out, anyways. Madara will be going to court tomorrow with none of the information he was hoping to gain, tonight.
Tobirama scoffs. "You're distracting from my mission, maybe. This teahouse hired me, you fool."
Madara blinks slowly, disbelieving. Certainly not as a courtesan. As much money as they might make, shinobi inevitably make more. Even if Tobirama fell on hard times, he'd make a much better living as a nukenin than a prostitute.
Red eyes roll. "For an investigation. The past two apprentices that have graduated here went missing within the span of a week. Unless it's you who's been doing it, I suggest you let me go."
"…Human trafiking?" Madara asks. At Tobirama's nod, he frowns, but he lets up on his body weight. Tobirama squirms out from under him and back into a sitting position. He keeps his hands visible,eying him warilly, and Madara does too. Against all instinct, they do not immediately lunge for each other's throats.
Madara can't kill him here, anyways, and the mission, if it truly exists, sounds like one he wants to be completed, even by a Senju.
For a long moment, it seems like neither of them know what to say. Then, Tobirama sighs, put upon.
"The girls who disappeared did so after seeing different clients, one of whom was a trusted patron. I've exhausted all other avenues of inquiry and so I decided it would be efficient to take the roll of one myself." His lips pull to the side. Not a smile. Not a grimace, either. "I haven't discerned the method they use to target them, so. You may as well see it through."
Madara wants to point out that surely the talk of Madara buying his mizuage should be enough to get him targeted by the people he's after. That they do not actually have to do the act. He also bites down that if he does he should get a cut of the pay, to recoup some of what he's spent to be here. Any of that would probably convince Tobirama not to go through with this, though and Madara doesn't intend to lose this chance.
Tomorrow morning, he'll lounge in bed, languidly tracking Tobirama's chakra as he dismantles a civilian crime gang.
Tonight, he grins and leans forward, re-capturing Tobirama's lips and pushing him down and down and down. Tobirama accepts it, despite there being no pretenses left between them.
This, too, maybe be a satisfying way to gain victory over the Senju.