In a darkened room, a man of great power and even greater hair sat alone. The raised platform, the only seating in the space, gave him an unimpeded view of the circular room's interior. The few burning lamps provided enough light for what only his eyes were meant to see. Though he did like the ambiance the candles created, the implication that something nefarious and of great import was soon to take place, he had really selected them for their soothing scent.

This evening, it was the tantalizing aroma of sandalwood.

The flames flickered, creating patterns on the cloth draped walls that bore his clan's insignia. The colourful array of weapons situated around the spacious room, many resting on elaborately hand-carved stands passed down through the generations, was both for form and function. A small smile slipped onto his face. And how he loved to see them function. Fond memories of only a few nights previous returned to him, the battle and the bloodshed that followed. One of the many perks that came with the job, his acolyte Obito had quipped at the time. He had to agree.

He rested his hand on the dais, running his fingers over the elaborate images covering the surface of the scroll laid out before him. Stylized images of warriors in battle, fighting against a force they could neither comprehend nor defeat. Tracing the outline of the victor depicted on the parchment, he felt vindication.

It would all go according to plan. How could it not? One does not invest a lifetime into such an elaborate plan to not have it come to fruition.

His way was the right way – it always had been. And now, everyone would know. When they succumbed in the final moment, they would finally know what true happiness was through this promised, everlasting sense of peace. HE would be the deliverer of these tidings under a blood red moon. After all, it was what a god would do, taking care of those who were meant to grovel beneath him. It was almost altruistic in nature, a foreign concept to him at the best of times as a warm feeling filled his heart. Or at least roughly in the general vicinity of his heart as there was a great possibility that this warm feeling was really a swelling of pride combined with smug satisfaction. Or it could be indigestion. But still…in an altruistic sort of way.

While he continued to bask in the never-ending glow of his own greatness and impending exaltation to godhood, his rumination was interrupted by a blinding light from above. Narrowing his eyes against the sudden brightness, he noticed his aforementioned acolyte near the entrance with a hand still resting on the light switch. Sensing the tension in the room raise significantly from such a small movement, the younger man quickly turned off the offending light source before he could further annoy his superior.

"I apologize for disrupting your pensive brooding, Madara, but I bring good news."

The raised figure scoffed. "I'm not 'brooding'. I'm being contemplative."

Plotting, scheming, and manipulating were the words that came to mind in place of 'contemplative', but Obito kept his mouth shut in deference to self-preservation.

The former clan head shifted his position slightly, causing the front of his robe to part, exposing his inner thigh and higher, confirming that today was in fact 'Undergarments Optional Thursday'. Obito casually shifted his view to the dais. After spending several of his formative years with his leader, he was mostly accustomed to such eccentricities. Madara was never bothered by the minor detail that he was the only one who practiced the Thursday tradition. Though, when Hidan had been around, nearly every day had been pants optional.

"And what is this 'good news'?"

The command to reply pulled the younger man from his wistful musings. "That all is going according to plan, and that your special project is nearing completion sooner than we had previously anticipated."

Even in the dim light, Obito could make out the eerie smile from across the room. No matter how many years he spent in this man's presence, the elder's attempts at human expressions still managed to send cold shivers down his spine. Not to mention how it would scare small children.

"Good news, indeed. Is there anything else?"

"At this time, no."

"Very well. You may leave."

With the curt dismissal, Obito gave a quick nod and turned to leave, only to halt in mid-step at the sound of his name. Turning, he reluctantly made eye contact with his leader.

"Just one last thing. If you ever barge into my quarters unannounced again, I'll see to it that you're cleaning the paddocks for the next month, by hand, with no chakra. Is that understood?"

The younger man's eyes widened in horror. Dear kami, not again!

"Yes. Again, my apologies for interrupting your contemplation." The deep bow tacked onto the end seemed to placate his superior, and he hastily retreated to the relative safety of the outdoors.

Alone once again, spinning red eyes scanned over the scroll, this time to engrain the images to his memory. It would only be a few more months at most, and then it would all be over. He pushed away from the dais and the now sealed scroll, placing his arms behind his head and gave a contented sigh as he reclined into the luxurious cushions that surrounded him.

His main goal in life was soon to be achieved, each hardship he endured making this success all the sweeter. His victory pre-ordained, he allowed himself this slight reprieve. Letting the images from the scroll replay in his mind, he knew that fate would eventually smile upon him. With eyes drifting closed and the light scent in the air dulling his senses, he felt a true sense of calm for the first time in many years.