| Sometimes you must Hurt in order to Know, Fall in order to Grow, Lose in order to Gain, Because life's greatest lesson is learned through Pain.|

A/N: So thanks to the reviews I have gotten on my last chapter. It means so much to me! I'm hopefully getting a beta to help me out. I don't plan on leaving this story and ideas are coming a lot more than before. I'm liking the way It's turning out and to keep my flow going, I need reviews to help me out as a better writer and to keep my inspiration! Dattebayo.~

Chapter Three: Game plan?


High tides, explosions

Your touch is an ocean in my head

It's coming on, it's running thin

I feel the fire in your hands

It's a high tide at the end of the world

Your high cry and your presence is heard

It's a high tide at the end of the world

Your high cry and your presence is heard

Real love, real, real love coming

~ Oceans ; Crywolf & Ianborg


He didn't remember how he got in this situation. How do you go from being the monster of the village to a beast in the forest? Don't look for logic, there isn't any. Never read just any scroll, kids; the big bad wolf-curse will blow your humanity down. Three little Shinobi can't hide anymore now can they? Enough of that.

Now how did he get here, Oh yeah, bear cubs, howling, excruciating pain, oh my.

It was silent for the most part, eerie almost; if it wasn't for the enhanced hearing he now had. The small foxish blonde took a deep, and a oh-so-good breath at that. That was until pain settled around his chest did he release that breath.

In under ten hours, maybe less, he was caught up in some wolf pack and where there was a powerless Naruto, there was trouble. To be more accurate, trouble with the wolves that seems to roam a few miles off by the village. Oh the irony.

'Where the hell was Kakashi when you needed him? Were had I been taken to?' Last time Naruto checked, he was nearly killed by those heathens. He questioned his sanity for all it was worth on whether or not being in purgatory meant the possibility of you still feeling pain. Those were all the questions the blonde asked himself in a few confused moments as he came back to reality.

"Are you up?" He heard the calm and collected and oh-so familiar voice of his teammate. 'Sweet, sweet teammates...'

The golden wolf fluttered open bright azure, hazy eyes and cringed, "Hhhn.." He groaned when his rejected back limbs failed to recoil up to the warmth of his body. 'Damn it… It hurts.' He didn't exactly know what did, but all of it did. His chest, neck, spin, leg, everything. He still felt dried blood hug his skin and wounds were fresh and able to open whenever they pleased. His eyes stayed closed in fear it would hurt more if he moved anymore.

Naruto felt a wet nose touch his cheek. The nose made a light sniffing noise and scanned his body and Naruto couldn't help but let out a small giggle. "Hehh~" The nose stopped and Naruto grew the curiosity to open his blue eyes in embarrassment. What he ended up looking at was into a pair of dark reds. They stared back with such indifference and Naruto shot himself for the show of weakness...

"Ticklish, dobe?"

"Shut it." Naruto grumbled before wincing once more and closing his eyes again; shifting in the grass-like pillow beneath him for a better comfortable position. He lifted his head up and cracked the aching muscles in his back and tender kinks in his neck as he rolled onto his stomach. His wounds felt terribly painful and he had to suck it up. Slowly but surely. "What's going on?" He muttered.

Sasuke towered over the golden body and sat himself down onto his haunches near his recovering body, "We have been captured a few hours ago. Thanks to you." he smacked Naruto's head with his paw, (which in result caused a snarl) and continued, "I had to carry you back to their camp for interrogation. Apparently another pack of wolves has been moving on their territory and outsiders are to be immediately prosecuted."

Naruto yawned slightly and turned his attention to Sasuke, "And that has to do with us how...?"

Sasuke rolled his eyes at his impatience, "In our case, we smell of human and humans are not to be trusted either. It doesn't help that I injured two of his betas. Sakura attacked the wolf that had you wrapped around his finger. Sakura damaged him beyond prepare to be more specific. "

Naruto's curiously perked by then. "The brown one?"

"Daviel. She took him down. Apparently he was one of the strongest wolves. Was."

Naruto felt a heavy weight settle on his heart. Was he the only helpless one? Was he really only strong because of his chakra? Was he really completely helpless? Naruto took strong offense in that thought and he couldn't help but hate how destiny wasn't on his side. It never was, and never would be. HE would get there on his own and shape destiny on it's own. He promised.

Besides the point, Sakura had decent strength (Naruto knew since she'd punch him into the next week) and as the scroll worked on her, it just enhanced it. She gained the most with a bonus it felt like. Her sense were sharpened and Naruto envied her just a little. As for Sasuke, he was naturally swift and powerful with his eyes and motions. If they were enhanced, Naruto had to wonder if he was near untouchable. That is, until his stamina ran loose. Then he'd be rendered useless without anymore Uchiha juice.

But Naruto, he couldn't understand why he felt so empty. If Sasuke's weakness was stamina, shouldn't Naruto be the stronger one here since he built up endless energy? Why was he skinnier and drained when normally he always felt in shape? What part of him was missing and where was his bonus strength. He still felt human and not quite adapt to his form at all. The thing was, he didn't even want to try to grow adapt; other than his teammates... His mind and soul were more with his body.

But for his health, that might have been the only thing that stuck along. Every second he felt his wounds healing just a small fraction quicker than his human form. Was that all? It was very disappointing.

Anyhow, if that was the case of Sakura's extreme strength, then... Where exactly was... Naruto's optics opened up a fraction and scanned the small bushed enclosure looking for the coral wolf, "Wher-"

"They took her to another place. She's fine. I can still sense her presence in the other mental door. I talked to her when they separated us."

Naruto tried to push himself up quickly, "I gotta save her!"

Sasuke hissed and put his white paw down on the blondes side and pushed him down, "Stay down, idiot. You're just going to hurt yourself more. And if you haven't noticed, there are two guards outside this damned prison. If we try to escape at this second, a whole group will come before we could take them down. Be smart." He muttered inaudible to the ears of their babysitters.

'I could take them down in a minute...' He thought even though it wasn't likely in his weak state. And Sasuke knew that.

Off to one side of the den entrance stood a very skinny and dark tan wolf with a partner of another bony but taller dark grey wolf. The dark of night covered most of their critical appearance as they sat alert and utterly silent. Almost like the Shinobi in the Iron nation. Naruto was surprised at how stealthy wolves could be and how silent they were. Shinobi and wolves would make a good team.

There was very little light that came into the one-way den and the little that did, his eyes had clear night vision. Now that was pretty cool to Naruto.

A small huff and the fox decided to complied and rested himself back down on his side without another struggle. "I see. So you're just gonna let'er stay in harms way? What kind of ninja are you." He frustrated.

A flick of irritation caused the Uchiha to growl and lower his muzzle close to his for intimidation, "Are you an imbecile? You can barely even stand up right," he demonstrated that by pulling the blonde up and letting him fall back down, attracting an angry growl from him, "and you're planning on breaking out this early to find her? I told you, She's fine. She's kept up away from us right now in another den but they won't kill her. Not with her strength. The only reason we compiled to come with was because another wolf had dragged you away from her while she was battling. We were surrounded. We had no choice."

Naruto rolled back up and pushed Sasuke's paw away as he sat on his rear with aching joints. He and stared at his paws intensely. Most likely they are planning on using Sakura as bait for Sasuke at the most. For the raven to take on two of the second in commands, the white leader must be finding ways to get him to stay. Even though Sakura is strong, not even she could take on a pack herself. This was most likely going to be a pain in the ass to escape. "She shouldn't have to be locked up away from us." He sighed.

Naruto hated the thought of Sakura being alone. What if they were planning on killing her for revenge? Are wolves not known to come back tenfold? This had to be devastating to the pack in some way.

"Hn."

"We need a game plan."

"I have one, stay there and be quiet until you get better," Sasuke snapped, "You're lucky you heal quickly. You probably would be whining the entire time. "

"Well, no need to be a jackass about it, teme! If I'm so bothersome, you should have just left me!" Sasuke didn't seem one to be messing with right now, but him being snappy was not improving any scenarios here.

"Believe me, I would have if Sakura didn't insist on us having to stay together."

"Burn in hell." Naruto raveled.

"Lead the way."

Naruto dug his claws into the dirt beneath him and took a breath. Now wasn't the time to start a fight.

Naruto shook his head and kept himself in check, they needed to get back home and this was not going to make anything better.

The blonde sighed and muttered a soft out of character apology. He took a moment to scan himself. His neck hurt at the action with its still partly opened wound. His golden pelt was cleaned of any dirt for infection was common in wolves. Scrapes and cuts here and there were still visible (and still very sore) on his thinner coat but seemed to be patched up with the supplies that were off to his side. Few cobwebs and herbs rested unused near him in a pile. At least the pack was nice enough to give him a chance to heal. Maybe they did have a chance of leaving without a problem if they acted like they were appreciative. Or maybe not.

Naruto wasn't one to keep grudges very often, but that leader has one stick up his ass for just ordering a death sentence on anyone.

He flicked his tongue over the front of his mouth with a weird distaste, his leg was badly bitten but had an tourniquet made of leaves wrapped around it. It felt gross and sticky to him, well most of himself felt that way. He pushed himself up and painfully bent his back limbs as he straightened himself to sit upwards. The raven wolf scowled and tried to push the stubborn blonde back down but Naruto gave a nasty look and composed himself, "I'm not helpless." Naruto spat.

"'Could have fooled me."

The golden wolf flicked his tail and glared into the darkened crimson, "You're an asshole you know that?"

Sasuke wolfishly smirked in amusement , "Fill me in."

Naruto looked down at his matted fur and groaned, "Those guys really know how to bite."

"Of course. These are animals if you've forgotten. Weak ones at that."

"Animals that caught us." Naruto challenged.

"If you didn't leave the cave in the first place and got yourself caught, we wouldn't be here. As much as I would have loved to leave you with those wolves, you are the one who is going to help us find that cure."

"How am I suppose to find the cure if I can't even speak Japanese anymore!? And I told you! You are the one who kept trying to snatch the scroll from me!"

"We can sit here pointing fingers all day or you can lay your self back down and get better quicker so we can get out of here. " The raven stood up and moved away to the other side of the small prison-like den with his back turned. "Sleep for the few hours you have left It's going to be a long day."

Naruto took another glance at the two wolves on the other side of the opening of the small dark enclosure and nodded mostly to himself, "Alright..."

The blonde lowered himself back down onto his stomach and rested his head down on his paws. "Sasuke?"

The raven wolf didn't care to answer out loud, "Yes?"

'Did you clean my wounds?'

Sasuke held his mental door open but a small part was hidden from his knowledge, "...Yes. Now go to sleep before I regret it." He locked himself back into his door and shut his thoughts off from him.

Naruto felt the small warmth of appreciation as he closed his eyes and let out a breath. Even though he didn't really need natural remedies because of the speed it healed at, it was a nice thing. Naruto was pretty sure it wasn't just to be kind. Sasuke just wants to quickly get out of here.

"Guess we'll be on this adventure a little longer than I thought.. Maybe this could be a fun opportunity" He muttered to himself. He was just a little sad the weird subconscious that usually answered didn't seem to be there anymore.

Maybe that's why he felt empty.


The morning brought on a bright illuminating ray of pink light though the dark den and dew hung off the vines hanging over the entrance. It brought little warmth as the hazy golden lifted his head from his dirty black paws and yawned with his deadly muzzle. The sound of wolves moving around the grounds above perked his attention as he blinked the sleep from his eyes and looked over to his team mate.

His back was still towards him but was rising and falling smoothly in a slumber. He was up most of the night cleaning his wounds after the encounter with the wolves. 'Good thing I heal quickly.' But not not even mentioning the fighting he had to do to keep him from getting killed. He must be exhausted. 'Poor bastard.'

He debated on whether or not he should wake him anyways but decided against it. Even the said infamous teme needed to build up strength.

He looked over to the opening and saw the two from last night that were still firmly guarding on either side of the entrance. They looked a lot brighter and stronger than they did last night but that was due to raising light. The vines covered their appearance to really see. But didn't wolves sleep? "Great." he grumbled.

"Naruto?"

'Oi! Hey Sakura. Are you okay? Where did they take you?'

"I'm fine. I've been taken to another den. My strength scared them so much, they couldn't put me with you two. Chaa~ I guess I really am strong independent women, huh? Anyways, are you doing okay? Last time I checked, you were half dead."

'I'm fine. Just a little beat up, Y'know. And don't worry Sakura, we're gonna come get you soon.'

"Make it quick. They don't seem like the kind to be making negotiations with. By the looks of it, they hate humans so telling them anything about them could cause our deaths."

Naruto pondered around for a moment. She was right. They had to make up some story to keep their asses from being handed to.

'We should try moving now. I'll try talking to these guys. '

Naruto stretched his sore bites and aching back, each limb cracking something wonderful or painful. He pushed his weight onto his paws and groaned, "Damn, they still hurt. " he grumbled.

As he shook his pelt to release stress, he moved up the small slope and muzzled past the vines to were the two guards were and grinned his trademark, "Oi, How are you two doing on this wonderful morning, Yeah, I'm just gonna.. Ugh just squeeze past and take a wiz.."

"Step back, outsider!" The dark tan growled and blocked his way with a very intimidating gesture.

"Wohh, just take it easy! I just need to take a piss!"

"Do so in there." He snarled.

"Naruto. On the count of three. You tackle him and run left and past the fern and out of their territory and to the Ninja path.(1) I'll follow your lead."

Naruto blinked, he must have been up planning after all. So they are tackling out forcefully? He supposed since he could move better, it'd be bearable.

Sasuke had his back still turned as if he was sleeping and Naruto wondered if this was the right path but dismissed that thought, 'Alright. And what about Sakura.'

"I will get her out of here. Move it!"

Naruto looked into the deep yellow of the tan wolf's glare. Naruto sighed and turned around as if he was retreating, "Can't even... piss...In peace!" Naruto rounded and shot himself up quickly and shoved past the vines to hit straight at the unguarded wolf and pushed himself on top with the advantage.

He felt the dark grey come behind him but Sasuke moved quickly and got him out of the way. The wolf below Naruto shoved him upwards with a quick and accurate kick to his underside and pushed him back off. At the opportunity to flee with his opponent still down, Naruto dashed over and turned ... 'Right!?'

"Left you idiot! Turn around!"

Naruto caught the attention of the packs awakening members and panic escalated when he turned himself around again to go left.

'Ferns!?' Naruto noticed the barking of the alert pack members.

The grounds of the pack were rather large. Tall oak trees dipped over the area and rocks covered areas of certain dens and flower beds were holding pups. Few pack members stepped out of each of their small areas and Naruto realized he shouldn't just flea. He had to save Sakura. Naruto scanned quickly and looked for a prison-looking area with possibly vines as well over the den. There was a small cave in one corner that was a little higher ground than the rest. Right next to the den, a thorn bush enclosure stood next to it and Naruto dashed towards the bush-like den. Before he could get closer, two average sized wolves halted him in his tracks; snarling protectively.

"The outsiders are out!" He heard a female alert.

"Dobe, I told you to run!"

The dark raven caught up to him and had his back towards the other wolves that started to circle them. The pack was larger than he thought. About six wolves emerged from their doings and pushed them closer together to protect their pack.

"I'm making my move." Sakura announced.

Naruto shoved himself forward and attacked the wolf near and Sasuke followed suit to try and fend for himself.

Naruto knew already this was a bad plan, he was bleeding again from opened wounds and now adding more to that collection was a pack of wolves nipping him closer into the circle.

"Make an opening!"

The two tried to snap back a small opening for help and Sakura quickly made an appearance from the top level and by the looks of it, she just took down two guards herself. 'Damn!' Why didn't she do that in the first place? She could have ran but that might have put them all in danger for her doing. She jumped in and many other wolves hide in their dens.

Team seven was united again. Strength, strategy, and stamina was doing the six off.

Naruto grunted at a bite at his back and Sakura head butted the attacker and fought another. A perfect team it almost seemed like.

A battle escalated and before Sasuke could deliver a final blow to his fallen opponent, a deepened and sharp bark sliced through the pack in a quick second and Naruto felt his skin run cold. "ENOUGH." The voice said and instantly, silence filled the air.

Team Seven stopped and turned their attention while the pack jumped back away submissively and left the three in the larger circle.

Naruto panted and kept his guard up looking at the pure white he remembered that attacked him before. The leader.

The white stepped forward, and to Naruto's surprise, his two teammates bowed submissively as well.

"Bow, idiot!" Sakura snapped.

Naruto slowly lowered himself and stared into the eyes of the gold with a snarl. Not truly accepting this submissive business.

"Because of your impatience, let's start your trial now." The leader snarled closer to the blonde; challenging him. "Any moves and your sentence will instantly be death."

Naruto hated himself for bowing down to this animal. He removed his gaze and stared at the dirt which his claws dug deeply for his self control.

"Sit." He ordered.

The pack quickly obligated and sat, while team seven shakily followed orders. By the looks of it, Sasuke was battling himself on weather or not to tear the leader to shreds or show obedience. But attacking back at the moment was not the smart move with the crowd forming.

They were the center of attention.

Naruto didn't really know how to handle this. He usually was able to break out these situations, but how could you when your completely stripped of your chakra? Well, as far as they knew they felt like they were. What was he suppose to do. 'Damn it. He's gonna try killing us.'

Naruto saw the same expressions on his team mates faces.

"Where did you three come from?" He asked with a voice of a authority.

Naruto flinched and brought his head up,

"Naruto don't,"

"Idiot!"

Naruto grinned and one-upped, "Up your ass, you piece of shit. Let us go." The self defense of the kitsune sometimes involved being a little violent.

The white snared and shoved the golden wolf down without much effort. He placed a large paw on his head and let his muzzle come close to the boy, "Excuse me? Do you know who you're talking to? I could kill you in an instant. And your little pack."

'Is that what they saw us as?'

"Heh, J-jackass. What can you do to us? We're Shin-"

Sasuke intervened there and then to cover up for the blondes doing, "We're lone wolves. And if I may explain for this idiot, we just wandered here and happened to step on your territory. We mean no harm. We come from a far land and If you could release us, we won't cause anymore trouble. "

The white stepped back and Naruto whimpered just a small bit from the realized pain.

"I don't think so. You've caused a stir in our pack. You," his yellow glare focused on Sasuke, " Nearly killed two of our best. I don't think you're just any ordinary wolves. With you two," He looked at Sasuke and Sakura, "We could really use. As you see, our pack is struggling for food. And you cost us a lot of meals now that our beta is never going to be able to walk again, and with my two in recovery, things are going to get real heavy."

Sasuke narrowed his eyes, "That is not our problem."

"Yeah! We have places and things to be doing!" Naruto growled.

Was he suicidal?

The white hated Naruto already for his big mouth. "You need to silence yourself. "

This time, Naruto didn't allow himself to be scum under his foot, the kitsune dashed forward and attacked the White. That was it for him, he needed to get out of any deal they were trying to pull them in. Naruto wouldn't budge. He wouldn't bow down one second or even allow this jackass to control him. Not if he could help it.

Naruto aimed for his weak spot but instead of clawing at his neck, his eye was stricken clear down and before he could even lay another scratch on him, he was shoved down by two other subordinates. Where was Sakura and Sasuke? Didn't they want to get out as much as he did? So why did he feel overpowered and weak.

He couldn't move.

One of the guards from earlier grabbed him by the skin on his neck and pulled him back from the circle.

Struggling, the boy was brought down once again. The white had stumbled back with his head hanging low in a grunt of pain. Has no one ever stricken at him before? Why wasn't he more heavily aware.

So many questions loomed as Naruto felt pain engulf his mind. The white instantly refocused his gaze with one eye, anger filtered the space between their gazes. "Take him to the lake, now. " he snarled.

Naruto felt a wave of panic finally settle in. This couldn't be right. Death? He couldn't die! 'Sakura!?'

"Pack law." Sakura explained.

What? What was she talking about? Sasuke was silent. Naruto was being dragged. He couldn't move when he felt a certain bite hit his spine to stop his squirming.

This wasn't right, he couldn't be separated from them. Not now!

'What the hell! What is wrong with you two? Get me free. It's your chance!'

"...Pack law." Sasuke echoed.

Naruto continued to try and struggle but it was useless. It didn't mean he couldn't try.

This wasn't right. It wasn't. He was being pulled farther from them all already. Two of the wolves escorted him away.

Naruto watched as the white sat back down to turn his attention back to his teammates. Obedient teammates. Was this part of the plan? Or was Sasuke and Sakura losing their connection completely? Naruto couldn't hear their voices in his head anymore and the further he got away, the more silent his mind got. Naruto was dragged out of the grounds and boundaries of their camp and taken out of the territory and from the sound, he could hear a waterfall.

He felt like he was in another world; a dream. What happened to his dream! Where was the hokage now? Two different worlds couldn't collide like this. Naruto struggled. 'Come on.. Come on move!'

Naruto felt frustrated, he couldn't understand anything. It was all to foreign. Sasuke and Sakura were just pretending, right?

He wouldn't obey like a dog. That was against his code. And wasn't that Sasukes too? This wasn't right.

'Sasuke! Sakura! Damn it, damn it, DAMN IT.' His calls were ignored beyond their doors.

Naruto was being pulled over harsh grass and objects on the unforgiving ground and he couldn't do a thing but feel and fall flat for whatever physically calm move one of them did. The two muttered something to each other but Naruto couldn't get to his two teammates conscious.

It was like yesterday afternoon. When Sasuke and Sakura stood back to watch as the villagers threw tomatoes at him, how they didn't intervene once. Not once. No one ever would.

They came closer to a ledge but this was over a cliff of the river that led to a large lake. He never noticed this place. He's never been here.

"Drop him here? Not like Vain will know. "

A nod in response and Naruto was picked up again, silent and unable to move. His mind screamed but as he was draped over the cliff, three things flashed in his mind.

The village.

The pain and suffering.

The Hokage.

'Is this the end?'

"Drop."

Falling; Naruto couldn't believe it. He was free falling and once he hit the water, he didn't move. He couldn't move. He sunk down into rushing waters and water filled his lungs faster than anything has ever downed or engulfed him in.

'Where is my will?' That was all he could think about before he saw black.

Darkness.

Left behind.

Just like how the villagers wanted.

~To be continued~


A/N: Sorry for such a short chapter. But I've been a little busy. I'll post the fourth on a certain date this month. I'll update soon on time. Better this than nothing. And poor Naruto. He is being picked on so much.

(1) The Ninja path is like a road wolves stay away from. To keep away from humans, they stay away from any built structures.

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