Swift as a Coursing River (MadaNaru)

Chapter 11: Fifty Man War

They all stood in silence, and it was a mere whisper that kept them all from saying much of anything to each other. Only the occasional breathed sentenced passing between the rigid warriors, quieted by a quick glare from the surrounded. No one dared to interrupt their Captains gentile mourning, standing several feet behind, none could see his state, though it was unspoken that he was crying without sound. Even the adviser just two paces in front of them remained passive, standing tall but with a hitching to his breath at random intervals. None payed him any heed, concerned for their Captains far to straight posture as he stood looming over the helmet of the late general, balanced firmly on a blade.

However, after several respectful moments, the crowd parted, returning to looking for resources and other such things. Naruto turned himself, something heavily settled in his chest, remaining elevated only by his optimism. But as he moved to aid his fellows, he heard the carried words of the adviser, sounding so solemn and contrite, that it brought him pause.

"Of all things, why did it come to this?" He stood and gazed at the man, no visible difference in his demeanor, or any change in his tone, that it sounded almost as if it had been a delusioned mutterence. Naruto however, was not one easily dissuaded, he knew what he had overheard. Perhaps it had been nothing more than a sigh in Madara's name, or a mourning for the village and the former company.

Something made Naruto think twice on that conclusion, though he could not pinpoint anything that caused his own confusion. Just then, the adviser turned around to see to his duties, he tactfully ignored Naruto staring at him, and walked as if nothing was amiss. The Omega knew not if that sparked his ire or if it was simply his frayed nerves.

Instead he ignored the man, and looked back towards their Captain kneeling within the snow. Gathering himself, he breathed deeply, and made his path forward, the remaining now crunching loudly underfoot. His leader obviously heard his approach. For he stood once more, but did not look behind. He simply stood rigid, aware, but acknowledging. Naruto found himself wavering, it was never a good idea to approach a mourning man.

But he had similar stance on his Father, and even his Mother, so it was possible that such situations were transcendent regardless of sex? Nodding to himself he moved up beside the man. Gazing up at his face, judging as best he could what lay beneath. Surprised, when he found himself looking instead into the man's eyes, he had not expected for him to be looking to him as well. Caught unaware, he swallowed, not quite nervous but uncertain on how to say what he desired. He did not want to ask if he was alright, because that answer was clear, and he had the feeling that the sentiment would be unappreicated.

"Did you know him?" He decided, where sentimentality would get nowhere with such a man, he found bravado surely would. Madara tensed for a moment, before he turned his face away from staring at Naruto's own, looking back towards the honorary grave. Before his muscles seemed to relax, but the blond warrior saw it for what it was, not relaxation, but recognition, understanding that whomever the general was to Madara he would not be returning. The display was painful to watch, for such a proud man, with the endurance to have trained such a ragtag bunch to seem so defeated, it was as if Naruto could feel the grief he was experiencing firsthand.

"He was my younger brother." Madara sighed loudly, instead looking up into the still smokey sky. "He was a proficient warrior, though he never much cared for the Emperor, he cared about the men he lead, and the people he protected. At the time, I was unable to enter the army myself, I was the eldest Alpha in my family, and my Mother remained sick. So I had to earn our keep, Izuna wished to go into training, so I paid his fees. When our Mother passed, an old friend of mine offered sanctuary in return for my service, I had wanted to enter regardless if only to keep an eye on my brother, I suppose it came to nothing."