Swift as a Coursing River (MadaNaru)

Chapter 8: Blessing

The evening was full of firefly's, all of them gracefully dancing around, casting a soft glow on the well trodden grass. Nevertheless, though small, Naruto found the tender beauty a comfort to his ever stressed mind. If nothing else, it reminded him of what his life had been, which in turn made him think of his father and mother, his whole reason for being here now. Mindful of the elegance the bugs produced, and not wanting to disturb it he walked slow. A relief to his tired muscles and aching feet. The moon itself seemed to be joining in with the graceful dance, as its soft glow reflected off the trees and grass even the tents were elegent under his soft light. He breathed in deep, relishing in the peace and quiet, not so commonly found in the training fields of warriors.

Then his thoughts were wavered by the sound of footsteps behind him on the grass, and his illusion of peace shattered. Turning, he faced an unexpected visitor, as the Captain stood before him. Although, while the moon was glowing softly, and the light bugs were dancing near the grass the man before him was cast in shadow, and he could not see his face nor hardly his body in the darkness of the night. He could make out the skin where it was visible nearly glowing in the moon's light. He could also see the muzzle of his father's mare just behind the man.

When his leader spoke, it was not a voice of malice or anger, instead it only held with it the steal tone of absolution."You," he said, and handed something of leather into his hand. "Are unsuited for the rage of war, so pack up, go home, you are through. How can I train the likes of you?" With those final frozen words the man turned and left to his own tent. Leaving the tan man cast in the cold moonlight, his blond hair standing out and glowing in the fragile setting, his blue eyes no longer visible in the darkness presented.

Minding his steps once more, he turned the wind brushing against his face harshly, and grabbing at the wet trails there.

A glimmer of light suddenly shone in front of his eyes, brighter than its counterparts nearer to the ground. Tempted to smack it away with his mood as foul as it was, he instead stared forlornly as it rose even higher and out of his line of reach.

It cast a silhouette upon the large wooden training post, and over the spear stuck at the top. Which sparked something within him, he knew not what, but his determination had never been so fervent. Now following the insect, he walked to the post, and stared up at it, looking at his goal with new eyes now. There had to be a way to reach it besides brawn, or swiftness, there had to be something else to it he knew, something strategic.  

Seeing the weights lain on the grass, he picked them up and evaluated them, his eyes searching for anything that would be of aid, any trick, or hidden secret buried within the metal. Nothing appeared before him. Although... He looked to the fabric attached. Thinking on it, they could have tied them around their waists and climbed that way -although doubtful that would garner much results either-, however, the Captain had always insisted that they wear them around their wrists.

Suddenly it came to him, and he let out a delighted smile. Even if regardless he had to go home, at least he would have some form of satisfaction. Because while he was aware that he could be rather dense, this was a rare exception!

Now sure of himself, he took one of the ribbons, and looped it around the post, the small hole he created forming an opening for the other weight to be placed through. Taking a deep breath now, he began to leverage himself up the pillar.

It strained on his arms, his legs felt like nothing more than useless additional weight. Occasionally however, he could used them as an extra boost.

So focused was he on his task, that he saw not the light peeking the horizon, and the Alpha's leaving their tents with ragged clothing and large yawns. He did not hear their encouragement  rise steadily as he got closer to his goal, No, instead of that, it was simply he, and himself doing something astounding. Upon reaching the top, the sweat pouring from his entire body as if he were a broken well, he sat at the top and simply gazed over the valley for a moment, a lightened feeling in his head. The rolling hills, and the large cliffs in the distance the sun waking up in the East. He felt accomplished. That was when he saw the small forms of people below him, and heard their cheering, he even saw Jiraiya and Sakura down there yelling enthusiastically which made his face flush with heat. Feeling bold, he took the spear jammed into the side, and launched it down towards the Captain's tent. 'Not suit for war indeed!' That of course was when the Captain came out to investigate the noise with his hair held back, and once more, no shirt.