Disclaimer - I don't own Naruto, but I do own Kat and Gin.

Chapter 3 – Boxed In

Suddenly Kat lost all facial expression as she cocked her head. "Someone's heading this way." her voice was so empty that Temari shivered. The boys stepped out of the water. Gaara made pants of sand, as Shakaku stood up, and Kyuubi dropped his genjustu so he could wrap his tails around him and Naruto. Nix jumped out of a tree to stand between Naruto, Kyuubi and whoever was coming.

A rain ninja jumped from the cover of the trees followed by his team. They sized them up and smirked. "Well, well looks like you weren't prepared." said one of the rain nin. Shakaku simply threw a kunai just before them and bombs triggered around them. One nin was vaporized as Kat lunged at one of the other two nins. She punched him in the gut and then did a back-flip, kicking the man as she went. She tossed Kyuubi a scroll she pick up off him. The last nin ran at Kyuubi, as if to get back the scroll, and Naruto ran through some quick seals, then for Kyuubi's benefit, he said aloud Okii-Matsu. Kyuubi grabbed Naruto and jumped away. And pine tree with sobon needles for pine needles appeared and the poor ninja ran straight into it.

Kat had turned to check on Naruto and left her back open. A kunai placed at her neck. Gaara, Shakaku, and Temari tense ready to strike. "Now, whose got who?" she asked in a killer tone. The nin looked down, she had a sobon needle an inch above his heart and a kunai between his legs. He pressed a little harder and was about to say something when she kick her foot straight into the air and into his face. He fell to the ground with a dud. Kat dropped her kunai and it went through the nin's chest.

"Come on. I want to be out of here before someone else comes." Kat said as she threw pants at the three still wet guys. They quickly put the pants on, then packed up their belongings and ran after her. For two hours straight they ran though the forest stopping only once for a water and bathroom break. They were the first ones there and told that the next team that comes in will be put in a house with them. Luck would have it that Sasuke's team walk in three hours later. Neji nodded to the group, Sakura wave, and Sasuke Hn'ed.

The nine walk to the house on the outskirts of the town. Sasuke unlocked the door and entered. "I think us girls should be together on a hall. And Sasuke, Neji, and Naruto should be on a another. That leaves you three to a hall." Sakura said as she looked at Gaara, Kyuubi, and Shakaku. Kat and Temari grabbed Naruto's hands and dragged him off toward the full stocked kitchen. Sakura frowned as Gaara walk after them flowed by Kyuubi and Shakaku. Sasuke shrugged, lead his team to the kitchen as well. Temari filled a pot with water and Kat was chopping veges with a butcher knife. Sakura's mouth dropped. Not only was she using a butcher knife but the speed she was doing it! It's a wonder she hasn't chopped off her fingers yet. Sakura stepped closer to see what the slices looked like, and gasped. They were perfect, evenly cut. Temari scooped up the pieces and put them in a pot. Kat started to cut up the meat Kyuubi gave her. She quickly diced it, scooped it up, and put it in the pot. Gaara, who had been going through the spices, dumped a bowl into the pot. Soon the soup was done and just as Kat set a bowl in front of Naruto, his stomach growled. Everyone, but Kat, Kyuubi, and Shakaku got a bowl. Kat left saying she was going to pick out a room.

Kat clapped her hands together, bring shadows together to form a huge bed. The boys she knew would want to sleep together. Kat walked through the wall left of the bed. She shifted forms and curled up on the bed. Kat never sleeps, but works in an out-of-body form like this. She move her spirit form toward her twin. "So what's going on, Gin?" Kat asked as her limpid form leaned against the door frame.

"Katasama. How have you been?" her voice would sound frosty to anyone who didn't know her, but to those who did would know that with emotions, Gin would fry her sister. "Fairly good. Naruto is doing good too." "That's good. A head up, Kat. Orochimaru is headed toward Konoha. He's got an army with him. Keep an eye on Naruto and Sasuke." "Sasuke?" "Yeah. Since Sasuke went with him, he's been after him." "Okay, thanks sis." Kat wavered then disappeared.

Kyuubi carried a tired blond up the stairs. He paused to sniff the air once at the top and walked in the closest room. Nix darted into room just as Kyuubi saw the small black fox curled up on the bed. Kyuubi gave a small smile and closed the door. He went to the next room over. His lips twitched at the bed before he laid down the softly snoring blond. He took off his and Naruto's clothes and shoes. Kyuubi wrapped his arms around his blond and waited for his redhead and other blond to join him.

"So..." Sakura voice dragged on, "who exactly are you and that other redhead? I mean I know Gaara and..." "Name's Sandy and that tall redhead your asking 'bout is Kuro." 'Sandy' said with a gentle smile. Temari yawned then left to go to her room. Gaara looked at Shakaku, who nodded. "Look, little missy, it's late me and me partner need be headed off to bed now." Sakura nodded.

Gaara walked into the room, took on look at the bed and a huge smile crossed his face. Before he meet Naruto that wouldn't be possible. Now that he had him, Kyuubi, and Shakaku, it's hard to keep a smile off of it. He stripped then tapped Kyuubi on the shoulder who moved over. After they were all tucked in the two blonds cuddled as well as the two redheads.

Naruto ran though the forest. The angry shouts of the villagers ringing through his head. Tiredly he slumped against a tree as he greedily gulped up air. His whole body hurt like hell. Still bleeding cuts throbbed as his legs, feet, chest, and throat burned. His hair laid limp and was sticking to his forehead. All in all he was one big mess.

A sliver hair girl walked out of the shadows. At first he thought it was Kakashi, come to take him back. Like he would ever go back there! She walk ever so slowly towards him, as if he was some scared animal, and held out a water bottle to him. He took a couple of deep drinks before she stopped him. "If you keep that up you'll get sick." Her voice horse, but soft, gave him pause. "Here." she handed him and small bowl of rice and fish before she sat down beside him, close, but not too close. After he finished, she asked if he'll let her bandage him up, and after that he asked what did she want in return. She gave a small smile and asked him if he would join her village and take some lessons with her. At first he stared at her, then surged and said "Why not?"

Author's Box

Sorry for the wait. It's not what I wanted, but it could only fit in the story this way. Hope you like it the next one coming out soon!

-Katatakay