Swift as a Coursing River (MadaNaru)

Chapter 5: Differ

Disclaimer: Nope still not mine.

Warnings: Side pairings will change, my apology's. Also, rating went up last chapter due to gore, it is possible it will go up again.

Note: I'd like to make it clear that this is not an exact replica of Mulan. Not at all, the plot is very different in places, and I'll be adding things to make it seem more authentic. It only follows the story of Mulan (Disney's version) please keep that in mind while reading. Thank you.

The night was quick to pass as he traveled the air warming with the sun's kind light, the air carrying the morning mist, and his skin tingled underneath his armor. His hair no longer brushing against his back felt so very asture, it had always been a part of him, he had been growing his hair out since he was but a small child playing with his father in the garden. His long hair had been grown out as long as it would grow, many would say he was the most fertile of the village based on his hair alone. Not even his mother had as long a hair as had.

It hardly mattered anymore he wouldn't be wanted after this, that is if he wasn't killed afterwards for dishonoring traditional values in the army.

Now brushing past those thoughts he sat to rest, exhausted from riding so long and fast waring down on both him and his mare. He saw her off to fetch some water, and he could only stare warily into the river at himself. He knew not what to make of the sight he saw, whether he should be prideful for how he appeared similar to his father with his hair cut close, uneasy for what he was to become, or regretful for disrespecting his family in such a manner. He did not know, what his parents thought of him now, or how he would continue on this path, but he knew it to be right, and that was all he could focus on.

Hope, he found, was something he had in vast quantities, still his hope was rooted in dark times, and fed corrupted sunlight. Still he, hoped the ancestors watched over him now, in protection, rather than the condemnation anyone else would expect.

"Now what's an Omega doing all the way out here?" He spun around, his hand on his sword, he had no clue how to use it, but it was a good bluff. He found that there were indeed to men, the one who had spoke was obviously the one closest to him as his posture was relaxed and he had his hands by his sides, no weapons on his person. The other man just behind him was clasping his hands together in front of him, his shoulders stiffened and his eyes shifting about. They weren't in the training camp.

'Yet if they know I'm an Omega then I must give myself away somehow. I will never fool the camp until I can actually pass as an Alpha. Oh what am I doing wrong?' The man before him smiled, or at least it looked that way from where he stood.

"Ma~ Don't fret little Omega, we won't speak your secret. We were sent to look over you not send you to an early grave." He paused for a moment, a tilting of his head. "Well an earlier grave."

"Kakashi!" The man behind, smaller with darker skin, and a panicked expression sputtered and his whole face lit up in something Naruto could not disconcern. Indeed these were some of the strangest people he had ever met, and he had met plenty in his short time. There was also something decidedly alarming with the mask the first stranger wore over his face, what could he have to hide? Look after him? Had his parents sent them?

"Y-your ancestors sent us." The man with the long jagged scar sputtered, his brown skin lightening on his cheeks as the silver haired man with the strange mask and dull eyes glanced over him.

"I am Iruka, and this is Kakashi. Kakashi-" He glared at his companion in distaste. "Kakashi is an Alpha, your ancestor's sent him to help you blend in with the other's, and I- um, uh, i think we should start with getting you into the army first before I'm actually needed." He smiled then, exchanging a glance with his partner he disappeared, and Naruto was left breathless, until a small cricket hopped upon Kakashi's shoulder, and while he hadn't exactly believed their allegations before he certainly did now.