Scarlet, a heinous shade marring all corners he cast fragile cobalt irises towards. Staining weapons, clothing, armour, and people- surrounding him, seemingly forever inescapable. The bile aroused itself within his esophagus when his vision was drowned with the sight- corrupted by its commonality. None paid heed as he did, a natural sight unto them- indeed a welcomed one, warming and familiar, a sign of protection and kinship; therein the succour of home. Well-nigh, worth the observation merely to witness how such a tainted colour could become- could register, as a serenity unto the mind; alas, it was an abstruse concept upon him, yet not one that fogged over his attention. Already he had been blemished by disgust, hands blemished by the substance of blood; still wet upon the armour he was polishing for next battle. Not his own, as commanded he had no place for fight; yet, though even he knew the time fast approached, an instinct within his gut proclaimed so, the whispers of his relatives confirmed his apprehensions. A knowledge he had come to view with dread, a tribulation that had become a stone pressing down ever further upon him.
Though it was meant to be surreptitious, whispered, but never truly spoken of in loud wonderings; word did escape when he had the ears to listen, a moment of mishappened gossip; it had become obvious that he was not intended to be a soldier, not a defence, nor a medic, no- Naruto knew he was to be used a weapon ensuring success; it was lost unto him why they viewed him with such ire, yet believed so fervently that he could become a great tool for their use. Indeed, he did not know, by explanation; though the intuition had crawled into his mind that it was because of his expeditious healing ability. In the brief margin of his blithe childhood- indeed marking the ending of his jocund innocence; he had been involved in an accident. Wondering a slight away from his clan's encampment in hope of minor adventure, he had been confronted by a blade puncturing his hand, he had screamed violent- and as his family -at the time- had been near the enemy had been swiftly and uncaringly killed. However, as the wound was to be seen to, cleaned and healed, his thigh had already lost its previous pain, and when examined nothing dictating injury remained. Thus, by natural progression, he had been thoroughly scrutinized, an experience he had not had before, though it hadn't been a reason to run -he wonders now that if he had, if his life would no longer strain him in despair.- It had marked his downfall, he knew not what, he had no information to the reasoning; the reason his Matriarch's face had churned while speaking to the healer and a random healer amongst them- he knew not why the man's face had turned, twisted, from horror to confusion, and then into a vicious smirk he had yet to dislodge from the plaguing memory.
Naruto was not entirely illogical, though some of his previous actions would dictate such an opinion. No, he speculated, quite highly, that his quick healing was due to whatever they had found that day; and that his healing was only a part of the reason they desired him as a type of weapon. An understanding, though one he spent no time considering, contemplation would only bring him swift to danger, panic or a coalesence of both- the latter most probable within his continuing string of life.
Sunlight pierced his eyes, from the flap as another entered, he forced himself not to head the newcomer as he cleaned, even though his eyes narrowed with the sudden intrusion and he was now staring at glinting metal. The sound of crunching dirt stopped just afore him, and out the side of this iris he could see sandals. Though his vision did not stray from his work. Red though the armour was, looking up would make his mind flinch and retch forward, his sight becoming ever more sensitive to the vulgar primary. However, he was given little choice as his chin was forced upwards from a combatitive grip, fingers indenting his skin pressing hard into his jaw. Had he not known the reprimand, he would have closed his eyes immediately, but he did- and while he healed without pause, pain was still tedious. Therein he was faced once more with the profane scarlet he despised. It fell around his Matriarch's face in graceful waves, a blooded waterfall to his chest, his eyes the much the same and both contrasting against pale skin. The man was beautiful, a gorgeous Omega, yet Naruto could deny that fact- his hair, his eyes, were forever repulsive unto him and Naruto was certain his opinion would remain until he was killed, beeth that in war or by hand of his own kin.
"Naruto, I have a task for you." The voice was soft, as it ever was, the man's entire demeanour was gentle around his clan, save Naruto. Not certain on if he were permitted to speak, he said nothing to the statement and awaited a type of order from his leader. "You will go to the riverside nearby, there will be a scouting group from the Haruno with supplies we need to pick-up." Naruto licked at his lips, it was a rather simplistic task- any from the clan could surely manage it, indeed, he himself held only a minor amount of proper war training for defense, yet Takeshi was sending him? "We have heard recently however, that there are several clans within the area who might be interested in such a drop. Thus, sending you will be the least detrimental option; if there, the opposing groups would likely kill the Haruno traders and should you be there they will attempt to kill you, should they, then you will be able to quickly heal and return. We will have lost our supplies of course, but at least no one from our clan will die in result." The pit within his stomach dropped into a unfathomable abesis, his throat was clogged with a pit from a forgin fruit, explaining his resulting lightheadedness and lack of oxygen. A stabbing of candour he already knew underneath denial; he was nothing further then a weapon for his clan's design.
Swallowing, profound vexation, indignance, and a most profound fear, he kept himself from saying something incriminating, knowing it would only raise the man's ire. Naruto was frightful, through all his wanting for innocence he could not deny plain stated truth. Were he to remain within the confines of the red-stained clan he had been borne into, he would forever be disregarded as a person and rather a aidful tool of war. "Hai Takeshi-sama…" It was quiet, for he found the object stuck in his throat and lacking breath strongly effected his ability to speak. The Matriarch without a further word left the tent, and unable to look at the red plate in his hold, he instead threw it away and stared at his damning arm. Under the sleeve of his small yutaka was a seal, no bigger then a hand and wrapping around his upper forearm in swirls of ink. He had scratched at it numerous times- even though it did not truly itch, the knowledge of it being permanent inside his skin provoked his instinct to remove it, regardless of lacking logic.
He snarled at the innocent seal, it was black, but he almost wished it were crimison so he might hate it more. The seal was designed as a chakra marker, should he wonder to far from his family the mark would flare up with chakra giving the designer a radius of where he was. Thus, fleeing with the sigal upon him was impossible, it frightened him so extensively; because he was already at thirteen cycles, and of appropriate war, it was mere days until his kin began to use him as their weapon. Risk or not, forest or demeaning clan, he would take the option of freedom, even if was short lived- living only to become a tool was nauseating and Naruto refused to accept such a fate. Thus, he was choosing to escape.
.o0o.
By rationality, the drop was to be made underneath midnight sky with profound silence, and quick glances to shrubbery with any implicating noise. There were no birds about, and only a slight breeze brushing the leafs, the only true sound was that of trickling water just ahead of him. Already, Naruto felt bumps cascading over his skin in a great itch he could not scratch. There was no clanking of rocks nearby, though if the scouts were ahead then he would have expected some shuffling sound, yet nothing reached his ears. The night was chilled, but sweat was condensing on his brow as if he was bending towards a bellowing blaze, he was not familiar with how to behave as a shinobi, uncertain with how an ambush truly worked, and ignorant on how to properly use a blade. Yet, he walked alone, down an unmarked grass trail to meet persons he had never been acquainted with- and although the Haruno clan were avid traders who only possessed few true shinobi for defense, he was at illease going to them alone.
The stars above were a comfort, as they had always been.
However, their luminance dulled as the moon guiding them shone down on collapsed bodies, lain plain on the riverside. He had seen death, naturally, he had been trained in medical jutsu, as he had a surplus of chakra and was therein perfect for healing wounds. Seeing it sprawled down on the ground as discarded objects did jar at his consciousness slightly, even if the concept of lives lost was no forgein thought. Vaguely, in an unfiltered plan, he had been considering an attempt to plead the merchants to take him away, so fast that none of his kin would know what had occurred, and he could live contently as a trader. Yet, as he stood without a plan it seemed apparent that his luck had been continuously damned. He shook slightly, he had no desire to return to the camp, yet otherwise he had no true place to go, he bit down on a trembling lip, near purposefully making the tender flesh bleed- but then he knew that he would once more be tainted by the wretched colour, so he stopped his fierce biting.
Then, only by a small scuffling sound he knew danger was fast coming, there was no direction, there was no chance for a run, before he was threaded through the shoulder with a blade. It was marginal in comparison to the sound he wanted to make, but a pathetic scream exited his mouth at the sudden piercing, the feeling of his flesh being torn open and wound met with air, as the sharp sword was torn out. Upon instinct, he slapped his hand hard down on the afflicted area, knowing it would do little, but the crimson running over his hand made bile crawl forwards with the least appropriate timing plausible. Vision clouded, teeth grit together, he already began to feel light from bloodloss, even though he knew it wouldn't last long, the sharp sensation was persisting. His breath became laboured in result, though he was able to move back, away from his attacker, even if it would do little against a swift shinobi.
"Oi-" Naruto twitched, he knew his attacker was ahead of him, the dim shadow afore him evident, but the voice had come from his left. Naturally he tensed, healing or not, he had no desire to be met with two skilled fighters without a chance to defend himself. However, the shadow in front of him sharply turned towards the voice, a sound beginning from the man before it was silenced by a kunai thrown into his neck. Already, Naruto knew that his wound was healing, there was no fresh blood arising and the pain was near gone, he removed his bloodied hand from his shoulder, and flinched at the thought of the liquid staining his skin. Still, he looked to his left were there was a significantly taller form then himself, but obviously small in compared with the shadow lain on the ground with his -supposed- victims. He was expecting an atteck, yet none came, and there was a silence. Before he was abruptly spoken to. "I am not going to kill you, does your wound need attention?" The voice was deep, but it was youthful, a slight hitch of youthful tone underneath.
"No…" His own came out whispered, and the colour of uncertainty and nerves was distinct.
Then the shinobi stepped forward, though Naruto could not properly see him, his foot shuffled backwards. "Hold on- is it- healed?!" His foot bumped against a rock as he squirmed slightly away. Not comprehensive of his new situation, he had no clue what to say for his own protection, and it was beginning to scare him. "It is- thats incredible." It was said as a statement, but genuine excitement laced the man's tone and Naruto's discomfort eased marginally. Then he was smacked with something sharp coming into his mind- a thought specifically, which he had never bothered to consider. Yet was so obvious he felt completely foolish for not having grasped upon the idea far sooner- when he was ten perhaps. Brash exhilaration clouded his rationality- he swiftly and harshly pulled up the sleeve of his yutaka.
Then bit right into the soft flesh of his forearm, digging brutal with his teeth, and gripping hard enough to feel pressure on his bone. There was the sickening taste of blood in his mouth- the disgusting red swarming his tastebuds, yet he forced enduance. Biting harder, and then stealing himself, ripped away- screaming through the torn flesh in his mouth as he did so. It was without momentary pause that he spit out the muscle from his mouth hacking up already for the discoloured sight of his own skin resting on the ground. He did not bother to glance at his acquaintance was still in front of him, and instead watched with a viverant hope that his assumption had been correct. Joy filled his chest as his skin began to heal within moments, and he could see no stain of ink as his flesh returned itself to normal.
Freedom- of which he could not express proper joviality upon.
Shining though it was, the glimmer turned pale as his eyes rested upon the man before him, stood stock still, and so obviously staring. "That was…" The flow of the water remained between them for many minutes. Naruto made no move to speak, attack, or run, just waited. While his 'savour' seemingly had no coherent words, and merely stared. Many, many minutes, that in fact they continued to wait for each other to form a sentence so long they both ended up sitting down on the uneven rocks; Naruto did so rather consciously, but the taller of the two merely seemed to be copying his actions. "Why did you rip part your arm off?" It was so calmly spoken that one would think it were a simple and normalized conversation, though Naruto knew it was mere stoicism he was hearing- shinobi implanted training coming forth.
"There was a seal I needed to get away from." He hesitated, it was more information then perhaps rational, but it was hardly valuable. "To be free from my clan." That piqued attention, and sparked the man across with him eversoslightly from his composed demeanour.
"You wanted to escape your clan?"
"Yes."
"They're your family."
"Never." They were speaking at a normal pace, but each sentence was becoming quicker.
"You're an Omega right?"
"So?" It was implicational, but it hardly mattered.
"Are you from a mixed clan?" He snorted a little at that, there were so many mixed clans, ones that bore both Alpha and Omega children equally; that the idea of a Matriarchal or Patriarchal clan was more then rare amongst the vallies.
"Matriarchal." It was no concern of his if chaos slammed down upon his kin with the information he gave the stranger, he hated them regardless. The deaths would not weigh upon his concious, just as his own did not weigh on them.
"Patriarchal." It drew his attention, purely Alpha clans were far more rare then all Omega ones. Although, Naruto knew his knowledge of surrounding clans -enemies- was very limited due to his sheltering. "I know its far from what you're used to having lived in an Omega run clan, no doubt it would be confining. However, it is better then surviving in the forests and waiting to be killed or captured- you could come to my clan if you wish." Naruto stared, both insulted and intrigued by the offer. Alpha's from his own clan were treated as healers, they often defended the encampment and children, and only went into battle when their bride was pregnant. Otherwise they typically were not allowed to fight. Matriarchal clans had strong bloodlines that had a very dominant Omega gene, therein all children were born Omega. Thus, naturally, the clan was run by Omega's. Although once within several decades an Alpha birth would occur- however, the infant was typically extremely unhealthy. A Patriarchal clan was essentially the opposite, they only produced Alpha children -with an extremely rare Omega birth, though the more powerful Patriarch clans had never sired an Omega child.- And their brides were never allowed into battle unless in danger. Yet, as his companion stated, it would be safer then attempting life without clan protection.
So, he agreed.