Swift as a Coursing River (MadaNaru)

Chapter 13: Liar, Liar, Lips On Fire

Momentary was how Naruto would describe the touch of lips against his own, for no other word would fit. Only the gentlest press touched his lips, careful, tentative, a hand pressing delicately against his sunburnt cheek. The damaged skin made loud protest for the touch, while his chapped lips could hardly provide anything further then a brush. He hissed for the sudden flare of pain and flinched backwards.

Madara certainly made no move to stop his quick escape. Their captain was in nearly the same state as the omega in front of him. Worse perhaps, Naruto considered, he at least had darker skin, it took longer for him to burn, not by much, but Madara was naturally pale as a sheet. Over the course of training he had gradually tanned some, but the damage was obvious.

"Captian?" A voice rang out clearly from the turn in the trees to the lake. Naruto spotted Jiraiya coming near; his expression stern, no trace of earlier joviality. He frowned himself for the severity it displayed, true they were all in horrid condition with their escape- but of all his fellow warriors Naruto had expected Jiraiya to be the one to hold onto his happy spirit.

It was fortunate, Naruto decided, that his skin was as sensitive as it were, or the older Alpha would have many questions the hidden Omega was far from prepared to answer. Likely for his duplicity would get him executed without an excuse which could shame the most sly of thieves.

Madara moved casually around him, his movements unbothered, whereas Naruto stood quite still, for several moments. Unsure if he should remain or leave them to conversation, the atmosphere was already becoming thick with a form of tension Naruto was unaccustomed to.

After several more moments of silence and patience, Naruto decided it best he leave. His eyes flickered to his captain-fiancé- briefly. Enough to be seen, before he gave a respectfully inclined bow, and made his way towards Jiraiya. Passing him without a word, which was peculiar.

Looking back he could make no inclination as to what their conversation was about, but he decided it best he not eavesdrop and made for the makeshift camp. In his head was a typhoon, far too many thoughts for any to harbor. Thus he shut the door to his mind palace, it wouldn't stop the wind, nor the water, in fact he could already hear the elements of his thoughts pounding at the back of his head.

In distraction as much as concern, he trudged towards where Sakura was being treated, though they could do very little. All medical supplies from bandages to soothing herbal salves had been in the wagon. A wagon buried in snow up the mountain, indeed, it might've been pillaged by the Hun, if they were desperate enough for supplies to dig. Naruto had contemplated attempting a stealthy expedition to gather some of their stuff before they had left the crest, but thought better of it, the risk of being spotted too high.

Also, though it made him pout to admit the fact, he was the opposite of stealthy. The numerous times his mother had picked him up from his hair after trying to leave his lessons was far more then he could count; though he had the distinct impression his father had a count.

Ino was by the pink-haired Alpha, her blonde hair a flare of platinum almost matching the snow beneath.

Sakura was laying upon some form of forfeited clothing, her blackened hand was cracked and bleeding in places, unmoving over her stomach. Whereas the woman herself was panting, sweat on her brow Ino was attempting to wipe away. Naruto stared at the hand, marveling at the power the woman had. The ice, despite their hopes had been far from melted enough to allow for escape, until she cracked it.

Sakura Ruler of the Sturdy Hand indeed.

"Sakura's known for her strength." A war spoke near him, "I suppose that'll change now." There was a solem resignation in those words.