Swift as a Coursing River (MadaNaru)

Chapter 7: March to Another Beat

The man who came from the main tent, was not what he had been expecting. Although in hindsight, he wasn't quite sure what he had been expecting. Perhaps someone with short hair, a battle scarred face and stomping footsteps. Or a woman with a fierce scowl and big body who could lift ten men with one arm. He wasn't quite sure, yet he knew with a certainty that was rather unfamiliar to him, that this man, was not it.

He was tall -perhaps the same height as the white haired Alpha he had met-, his muscles were definitely fit for a military Captain, there was no question in that, and his eyes were hard and sure, under no disillusions about what he was to do. His black sky hair was tied into a jagged ponytail at the top of his head and kept up with a crimson red swordhilt hair tie, For everything the man seemed to be the perfect man of war, yet something clamored within the blond's mind, that no, no this man was not all that he seemed.

"Listen." A deep monotone voice, somehow uncaring, equally demanding -attracted the attention of every Alpha -and himself- to the tall black haired man. Who, did not have a top on, and instead wore only a pair of black specially designed pants for war, and a stern expression which demanded obedience. Naruto was half tempted to kiss the man's feet from instinct alone, he refrained from that action. "You will assemble swiftly and silently every morning. Anyone." The man's gaze drifted almost casually towards the white haired Alpha who was undoubtedly taller then him, and stood leisurely compared to the other soldiers. They had obviously had a meeting prior to this one if such a gaze spoke the words Naruto thought they did. "Anyone, caught doing otherwise will answer to me."

Naruto, who was still as a rock, and equally as unbreathing as one held ever stiffer as the pink haired woman to his left him shifted and let out a mumble to herself that was discourteous to the Captain. "Tch, tough guy, how well of you." she said, and Naruto fought the urge to step away as the man turned, no resemblance of emotion on his face, but his body was relaxed, he was certain of his abilities it seemed. For a moment his hand ghosted over the weapons, no other indication of him having heard the woman other than his abrupt turn after she spoke. He settled on a long spear, gave it a mere slightened look, then drew, and threw it high into the air. It landed on a tall wooden training post at the very top, deeply embedded, there was no way it could be retrieved. The Captain turned, something mocking in the way his shoulders drew back, as he looked to the pink woman who had mocked him.

"Sakura, yes? You volunteered to get my spear? How gracious, please, continue." The man, who had yet to introduce himself, gestured vaguely to the poll, as he stepped back, to examine how the woman would climb such a structure.

"Cha! I'll get that spear, and with my shirt on too." By the way her muscles clenched, Naruto could only assume she had no idea how to go about getting it, but at least her words held confidence. They all peaked around to watch her attempt.

However, the Captain in turn had clicked his tongue, and grabbed something from the ground near the weapons. He strode behind her, his feet didn't make a sound on the grass and stone, and Naruto could barely fathom how that was possible, would he learned that, he hoped he would. -His father had one coming after this after all.-

The items the man held were large gold circular -weights? He assumed, tied onto a long piece of black fabric. They were dropped directly in front of Sakura's feet as she was about to make another step, landing exactly where her foot would have been. She jumped, though to her credit didn't make a noise, and kept her dignity rather intact.

"This-" He held up a golden weight, placed which was then placed on Sakura's left hand. "-Represents discipline." Her arm sagged slightly for a moment, but she held firm once more keeping balance, The Captain held up the second weight, placed into her right hand. "-and this, represents strength." The arm was carelessly dropped, and Naruto felt a twinge of sympathy when she staggered around trying both to stay upright at the abrupt change, and to conpinsace to the weight she now held. Their Captain walked around, his gaze intent on the other soldiers.