Training could only harden so much, the muscles it strengthened, the limbs made more flexible, the mind more patient. However, there was a durability that came with one's upbringing, one that Naruto did find himself sorely lacking as he spotted the fallen forms of his comrades who had not made the fall -and even those of their enemy, who in the great gusts of bellowing snow overcompensated and fell to their deaths- it was not a simple matter of weak mindedness, nor was it a fear of death, more of the respect of life.

Both of his parents were believers of sacred life, his father only coming to his own conclusion of 'no life wasted for no bloodshed earned' after his duration in the war. Still it had been past onto him, almost as his hair or his eyes had, an embodied regard that he dared not loosen his hold of. Enemy or not, they possessed a soul, though charred their souls may have been.

Behind, Sakura was breathing heavily, small grunts of pain escaped her the moment more blood began to seep from her already blackened flesh. Selfishly he could not bare to face her, her injury was frightening and to grosome, he had seen much today already, should he be forced to bare more he may not be able to retain his earlier meal.

They were moving forward towards the cleft of the mountain, purposefully losing the high ground as to throw off the Huns with a ruse, no one knew if it would work. Yet the faith they had in their Captain was unwavering, and though their destination stood clear some form of shelter would need to be found. Rest was something everyone needed, no one could tread much further. Naruto had his mare on his side, carting the injured and providing a steady company for himself in the form of familiar comfort. Kakashi and Iruka were safe within the confines of one of this satchels.

His legs were sore from walking, his eyes weeping from lack of rest, skin peeling from sunburn and the cold of the mountains. Blood caked and dry on his back from his own blisters. His chest felt bare, uncomfortably so, his only form of protection against recognition was his underclothes and that was discomforting at best. So it came as a special type of solstice when Madara announced they would make camp for the night and rise early in order to beat the huns to the empiral city.

Overall it was a pleasant area, many trees to hide them from prying eyes, plentiful wildlife to hunt, a lake not yet frozen -still unbearably cold. Which is exactly why he found his entire body abruptly set itself aflame, the hot flush serving to rid him of any concept of cold. He had thought he was alone by the lakeside, but not to far from him was Madara.

Long darkened hair wet and cascading down his back, sticking to his form, curving around muscles that Naruto knew he would never obtain. Dipping and protruding along all manners of scars stagnated across his torso and back. He was mostly above water, his legs were predominantly covered, his genitalia was not.

Considering the temperature Naruto wasn't surprised, but his mind was intrigued and his eyes kept tempting him to cast his gaze downwards and simply look, 'just a peek.' He obscured his thoughts as the man bent back. Taking his hair into his calloused hands and draining it with such gentleness that almost seemed Omega-like.

Despite his certain humiliation in confronting the captain in such a state of nudity, he held himself firm, and in ture match to an alpha of his standing did not allow the expected blush to win over in a battle of honour.

Meeting with his superior while bathing had not been his intent, however, it would not change his objective. There was every possibility he would die tomorrow, that Madara could die equally. Courage was not needed to declare himself.

"Captain!" It was a slight shock to see the man jump as he turned towards his voice, nevertheless more then minutely musing in the principle of it. Even so, what was more gratifying was the small upturn of the man's lips when their eyes rested on each other "I've been meaning to ask, not in necessity, but my own curiosity, how is it you are not married yet?" Perhaps to one not well acquainted with the more subtle darkness within the man it would be a rude, disrespectful, or even unkind question. Yet with them, it was something more simplistic, an unspoken, unbridled trust.

In good return the man hardly tensed at the inquiry, when so many others would be insulted. Marriage was always sensitive with soldiers Naruto had found. In opposition to his fellow gender, Madara re-emerged from the lake. He responded as he rubbed off the residing gold with an old rag of sorts.

"Jiraiya as I am aware has not married. Though he reaches elder years respectively. Do you know why?" He did not, his father had never mentioned it, though he had always gotten a luster in his eyes when it was brought forth. He shook his head silently. "Love as he so put. Was why he could not, would not marry another." Difficult was it to imagine Jiraiya a man of loss, although he most certainly was he was near the time of death in favour of old age rather then wounds or ailments. It was feasible that those whom he had loved or desired were forgone.

"Did they pass?" He asked instead of whom it might have been, there was no point for someone who had been long dead. To his surprise his captain denied it re-clothing himself and speaking almost wistfully.

"Indeed not. They were a young woman -young at his time I should add. A woman of war, in a time when war was not so fitful with regulation. When she was decommissioned in sync with the laws Jiraiya had been furious. She had been a Beta, and her papers were forsaken as a warrior, she was to be placed in another residence to await new appointment, 'more fitting to her station,' as those who had taken her said." Something rang in his mind. A servous not forgotten. "The law forbade Jiraiya from marriage to her, despite his reputation and honoured title. In rebellion he refused to continue his line -not that he could have with a Beta woman, but he did always speak of adopting, as I remember." It seems his father's mentor was more courageous than had been met in tales in the garden could recall. Oddly, the woman whom Madara described sounded familiar.

In a leap of faith he asked: "This woman… What was her name?" He gained a speculative glance, it wasn't as if it was the captain's information to divvy. Yet he sighed and relented none the less.

"Tsunade...he whispers in his dreams on occasion." Naruto found himself with a pleasant thrill up his spine, it wasn't much, but all information was valued. She was one of the few who had understood his placement as a free soul, if anyone deserved to meet their true love once more for happiness, even if matrimony was not allowed.. It was the one woman who had seen fit to give him what he needed -as opposed to what the capital regarded as a natural state. Still, even with the knowledge behind him, warming his chest even with it near bare to the snow winds, he cast a coy glance at his better.

"That did not answer my question." Madara tied his fastenings of under armour, and gave a great heave of breath. Though he did not seem all to irritated by the inquiry.

"Mine is a reason more complex than the Sannin."

"Your attempt at diversion did not work in favour."

"Yes, yes, your persistence is noted." In jest he spoke, but his eye was ticking underneath the socket in a strange parody of reflexes. "Breaking of the rules is highly feared in the capital." Finally he began, all to slowly as if fearful of guards reigning him in at that very moment which made Naruto dart his eyes in precaution.

"There was a boy of my linage who… was foolish. The emperor is a kind men, well rounded and non assuming, forgiving to a degree many consider to be a fools disposition. However, he kidnapped, or rather stole the heart of one of the princesses of the castle. Now, this was not of issue to the emperor, being who he was, he would have kindly allowed a union.

However, one of his daughters became mad with jealous disposition and had attempted to kill the young man. In defence his lover killed her sister and he was blamed for the murder. A charge lain on his head. Even so the Emperor not seeing it as plain declined the assumption and listened to his elder daughter. He decided to let the man live for having not commited the crime.

Unfortunately her mother was unconvinced. So overturned by the grief of her youngest, she accused the Alpha of murder, and told him to be gone for he had changed her eldest calm, innocent nature into that of violence and sin. In fear that the woman acting upon sorrow and rage would turn upon her own child, they both ran away from the castle and eloped in a place far from our territories."

He was struck by that, a disposition he had never before been unfortunate enough to bare, yet understanding was is empathy that the similarities to himself overlapped upon the tale. Madara and he stood near each other, and the looming presence of the man did nothing to settle the flaring uncertainty spring around his body, in his chest, legs and abdomen.

"The law states that an Omega shelt never wield a blade. That an Omega should never engage in battle or strike another of its own. That an Omega hold their innocence decent and they do not seek to harm another, so that they may pass without trial." She had done all of that, as he was now. Though he was not some high standing figure, his disrespect of the law would have him executed and he knew that in fact, engraved into his mind. "She and her husband are now embittered by injustice, they seek the death of the empress consort." To long for the death of one's own mother he could not fathom, a grudge perhaps, but not a longing to see her fall. Perhaps in her self-imposed exile the woman had become insane.

"He was of your family?" The affected, now slightly fearful warrior asked, recalling Itachi's confession earlier, a connection already forming in his mind. The man before him nodded, hardly moving his head from where it was posed, his eyes staring within Naruto's own. Had he been less of himself he would have turned his head. A whisper striking loud in his thoughts echod. "Sasuke." He plainly stated, and Madara's eyes widened marginally. "I do not know what daughter. But as I recall, the Empress consort has bright reddened hair, like the blood of a fresh wound. I did see a woman by the cliffs where a young man appearing to be of yours and Itachi's decent sat. Her hair looked like blood, glowing around the grey rock and white snow."

Uncomfortable in knowing that his companion knew details and names, Madara crossed his arms, yet acknowledged the question hidden by tilting his head and piercing through blue eyes with what seemed to be his very soul.

"Sasuke is- was Itachi's brother, the woman beside him is indeed his wife, Karin Uzumaki, Princess of China." He almost did not want to ask, but his own nature compelled him.

"She killed her younger sister?" At this, though death not being one of humour, Madara gave a snort as if it was.

"As she was planning to. Sakura, the Second Princess, was a woman born of Mebuki Haruno- not Lady Mito -though indeed reared-, one of Hashirama's concubines. She was a woman of great unrest; as Sasuke described her. Unnerved by the idea of violence, kind in disposition, she held instilled within her a great sense of purpose for her country to succeed, and often they would converse when politics drew Karin away. An ample sister-in-law.

However, Itachi spoke to me once during a meeting with Izuna over our Father's grave: Sasuke had become disarmed by Sakura's presence. Her normally kind demeanor had shifted, and when she would once great her sister's return with a wave and a clean smile she began to simply walk away when Karin's return was announced by the observant guard. In their many meetings a love for her sister's promised had blossomed within the princess and as such she sought a means of ridding herself of an obstacle." A woman consumed by love for a man she could not hold for herself, it was pitiful that he could draw comparison. He had not heard of the princesses -not shocking in truth as he lived in a small village far removed.- only the prince who was the topic of much gossip among most Omega's within his neighborhood, and many of their mothers -including his own.-

Sakura? Haruno? As in the one presently battling with them? A comrade. He opened his mouth completely vexed by confusion when Madara have a chorkle.

"Indeed. Sakura is the Third Princess of China, heir by legality she must fight once in a war in order to prove fit. Her brother claims the mantle, but she is likely to hold it. Her and her sister were twins, she was born Alpha however." Shaking himself, he tried to regain some symboliense of posture. The information not making much sense to his commoner brain, and yet from a standpoint it did. Sakura was here to earn favour with her father, so that she may claim governance before her brother. It made sense, but it was also terrifying.

He did question why name two daughters the same though. He darent ask, considering what he had just heard it would be a dark tale. That would only bring him to further speculation, and a want for blissful ignorance.

Instead he chose to change topics fluidly.

"These love stories you tell me… Madara." He took a chance in informality, "they cannot be what you see for yourself. Any Omega of good standing would see your truth." 'Myself for example.' his mind insisted. In a move of diverance from his normal manner the captain lent down so that their eyes met at level, and their breaths could touch, it was unprecedentedly intimate for a warrior of low station and a Captain. Yet, in his eyes danced mirth and a fire that was unexplained by ration.

"Perhaps they would." The whisper ghosted over his skin and the cold mist that came from his mouth made it seem magical. "Tell me, Naruto, do you long for union?" Stumbling over responses and trying not to lose consciousness from the absurdity of the situation was a difficult task, even with well pose a stutter escaped him nonetheless.

"I-if I am deemed fit." Holding the embarrassment from making him pitch high. "I would wish for children and one to hold, but not in sacrifice to myself." To his confusion the man gave a wispy laugh in response.

"I do think, that any Alpha should be honoured to have your hand."

He froze.

His lunges had given out, and his body was cooling, that air and snow, ice and frost of the mountains had done him in.

His mind could not form thought.

Denial seemed futile as the Captain stared at him so plainly, with that fire he now recognized as wonderment not hidden. But his mouth was a frown as if a battle played throughout his head.

"I know how Karin became. I have seen enough of you to know your venture is in opposing directions. Even still, I cannot stop myself from thinking how much danger you place upon yourself." It was concern? This he could not believe, concern, his true nature hidden, and a fundamental law of their country broken made a man of honour such as Madara concerned?

"Why go to battle?" Sincere emotion, not judgment, and an honest openness that no alpha but his father had displayed was put before him.

"M-my f-a-a" He could hardly ring himself to think of his father now, how ailed he must be in the conflict that was his son at battle, in a war where he was not meant to be. The shame he carried it seemed almost blasphemous to speak of himself as some member of the family when he had only dishonoured their name. "Fa-t-her." It came out as a whisper in the end, not that it mattered, they were hardly separated. The huns gave him less fright then his fate by this man's whim.

"Your father?" Nodding was better than trying to speak. "Minato… Minato... Ah, he was decommissioned for severe medical reasons. Why try to draft him again?" That he decided, was irrelevant. There was several alphas not far from them, all of them cleaver individuals what if they figured him out just as Madara had? Was there a flaw he had not realized? Panic stuck him forcefully, as if his mare had reared him and stolen the air from his lungs. As result he nearly shouted his demand to know, but refined in fear of further discovery.

For his part the captain seemed unconcerned, but with his eyes so intently focused on the face of a scared man, he relented with a shrug of his shoulders. "Before I was stationed I was due to be assigned an Omega from many matchmakers in the districts. As a favour to me, Hashirama -ahem, the emperor, gave me advanced notice of all the Omega's registered to present this year. According to a mature scribe there was a young Omega with very long hair, sapphire eyes, and marks down his cheeks named Nahito presenting.

I dismissed him, as I dismissed all of them, only to meet someone of the same appearance, I had thought that you must be his brother at first as you claimed. Then you attempted to cheer me up after my fight with Itachi, and I knew. No Alpha comforts another, its a place of pride, but someone born an Omega who sees no wrong in helping another try to elevate my spirits." Flinching, he was glad he hadn't done so for anyone else in that case. "I cannot fault your conviction, nor your drive as you are a strategic fighter. I worry what shall occur should the Huns catch you or the capital exposes you." It had been on his mind.

Thinking of it in detail was not something he would ever be prepared to do.

"Then I will regard it when needed." That was the most confidence he had felt for a long time now, and even it was a weak statement. For the first time the man before him drew angry his brows drawing together, and eyes sharpened into steel.

"No." Was all, and Naruto felt irritation down his neck.

"No? What other option do I have?" Even as his voice rose, it seemed that Madara deflated, becoming unsure and casting his eyes away for the first time, rising to his full height.

"No… If, if" He had never heard an alpha stutter. Nevermind one he considered to be the strongest among the gender. "If you desire… I would gladly become your husband." Because marriage was protection, no man threatened another alpha's mate and lived without issue, it was protection, especially if they married after revealment.

Then it struck him.

Madara had just proposed to him!

Him! Married to a Captain! After being deemed unfit! Oh how his Mother would sparkle!

Death didn't even matter should he be able to regain something from watching death and violence. A fiancé was not something one expected to return home with, but nonetheless…

"I'd be delighted to be your wife!" Was that an outcry? Was he behaving as an actual Omega should for once in his life? No, he didn't think so, more like a beta whom had been met with an unexpected proposal, Omega's were meant to be more poised. In response he saw Mad- his fiancé smile in a manner he had never before, a grin of proportion to his own.

"May I kiss you?" He laughed.

"Of course, I'm not some delicate flower!" Which earned him a hard kiss for his snark, not soft nor gentle but a press of the lips meant to be a promise. He returned in a small degree, only trying to keep the mouth on his for a moment longer than conduct allowed.