Hey thanks for all your reviews, i have a question would people like me to answer them on here as well i'm not sure what the done thing is, anyway enjoy the next part of the snow arc.

Jutsu are in bold e.g Suiton: Suiyadan no Jutsu

Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto


Chapter 7

As the enormous train skidded to a halt with a screaming of protesting brakes, to stop just down the line from the entrance of the tunnel, the small bits of ice that had been scattered everywhere by it, began to move slowly to reform on the largest piece that lay to the left hand side of the track that on its own was only the size of an A4 piece of paper at best.

Quickly the ice had slithered together gathering on this piece, until it was reformed to about half of the mirrors original size.

While it was still lying down in the snow, the dark blonde hair of the top of Naruto's head appeared in the reflective surface to then push up to emerge out of the surface of the mirror.

Followed swiftly with the rest of his body the Princess still gripping firmly to his back even in her now unconscious state, Naruto was breathing hard; traveling that fast while carrying someone who didn't have his Kekkie Genkia in the mirrors was taxing even with his improved reserves.

With his charka output like it was just then, it was so much faster than when Haku had originally used the Jutsu, he doubted anyone without Kakashi level of Sharingan would be able to keep up with his movement between them now.

But that was the least of his worries, moving a short distance away to drop to the ground, then gently bring Koyuki around from his back into his lap, he brought a hand up to her pale check.

She felt so incredibly cold, the unnatural level of cold that his mirrors had inside them had taken its toll on her, pulling off his over-cloak he quickly wrapped her in it and proceeded to rub her desperately trying to get some warmth back into her frozen body, he could feel her fading away, her breath was coming slower and slower until it disappeared altogether the misting breath that had been forming in front of her beautiful face drifting away on the light mountain breeze.

Quickly charging his right hand with medical charka, from his incompletely trained Shosen no Jutsu, he held her across him with his left; then placed his now bright green glowing hand down onto her chest, feeding the life restoring charka directly into her to try and simulate and heal her damaged lungs.

Then slowly laying her head down into his lap her lower back and legs hanging off falling onto the snow beneath them, he brought his left hand round from below her to hold her nose closed and taking in a deep breath he brought his mouth gently down pressing onto her soft lips, forcing warm air into her frozen lungs to try and help as his medical Jutsu attempted to de-freeze and simulate them back into life.

After he had repeated the process a few times he felt her cough slightly against his mouth and pulling away quickly so she wouldn't get the wrong idea, he let his hands drop down to his sides the Jutsu's light fading away.

He watched as her deep blue eyes framed with those beautiful long black lashes fluttered open and she took in several deep breaths while snuggling up into the warmth of his body as she slowly regained consciousness.

Looking down at her face as she lay in his lap, he couldn't help himself but to brush a stray strand of her long black hair to the side, causing her to blush slightly as she realized what he had done.

"You saved me." She spoke softly but it was easy to hear, it wasn't said as a question she was just stating the fact.

"I promised I would protect you."

As he said this he smiled warmly down at her, causing both to just end up gazing into the others eyes. After a few moments of just looking up at him she continued.

"You kissed me."

The tone wasn't at all angry, merely grateful but he flinched slightly anyway he hadn't wanted her to think he was a pervert but it had been the necessary procedure to save her.

"I suppose, I kind of did." A bit embarrassed he decided that there was no point lying to her about it, even though she hadn't voiced it as a question.

"I suppose, I should thank you really." She blushed even brighter as this was said, managing to bring a bit more colour back to her face.

"There's no need to thank me, really I wanted to…" Naruto paused realizing what that had sounded like, causing both him and her to blush even more.

"I mean I wanted to save you, that is…" Seeing her face fall slightly he panicked he wasn't handling this well at all.

"Not that kissing you was bad… I mean ermm sorry?!."

"Baka, I want to thank you."

And before he could react she had moved herself up away from his lap, with one of her hands going up from her side to behind his head, the other going round to cup his cheek, then pulled him gently down to her into the first real kiss, that wasn't a guy anyway, of his young life.

Warmth and passion raced through both of them as she deepened the kiss seemingly desperate to taste him, moving her hand from his cheek so both where in his hair.

He found that her lips were very soft as they were pressed gently against his, so he did the same tenderly kissing her back while bringing up his hand to run it through her long dark hair up to the back of her head were it stayed.

Slowly after what seemed like an eternity, especially for Sakura who was having to be restrained, they pulled apart, leaving there foreheads together his dark blond hair mixing with her soft black, as they looked at each other though half lidded eyes.

Koyuki was first to speak running her hands round and down from the back of his head to hold each of his cheeks she trace a thumb over his lips and looked firmly into his eyes.

"Naruto… what I've been trying to say is that I, well, I think I love you."

It was so much easier to tell him after that kiss, she hadn't felt so complete since before her father had died, she just wanted to be held in his arms like this forever.

"Koyuki-hime I-"

But whatever Naruto was going to answer was lost, as the occupants of the train decided to make there presence known to the two of them.

"Its been awhile, Koyuki."

Looking up from each other towards the train, Naruto and Koyuki could see that now a top of it was a tall man, with straight brown hair falling not quite down to his shoulders and imposing lines under his eyes, wearing a high collared cloak in the same light grey as the armor of the Ninjas that served him, under which were formal robes.

"Kazahana Dotou."

Even though they would have had to meet him eventually to take back the country Koyuki's voice seemed to catch in her throat at his sudden appearance, the name carrying no further than Naruto, who held her closer to his chest in a attempt to give her strength.

"So, it's been 8 years?" It wasn't really a question the person who orchestrated the takeover against his own brother would remember the date.

"Now, let me see your face."

As Dotou said this Naruto pulled Koyuki behind him putting her out of her uncle's line of sight, then stood up straight to face the man looking murderous, fully intent on killing him and ending the conflict now.

This action caused Dotou to frown darkly at the boy, as there eyes met, one with an intense turquoise pair, which were slightly obscured by his long hair and the others an eviler greyer pair of Koyuki's own, they began to stare each other down.

Breaking the staring contest first Naruto went to form a seal to use Shunshin with the intention of bring himself up onto the train, but before he could a low rumbling like distant thunder altered him to the presence of a dozen or so logs caught up in the snow piling down the slope to slam with a resounding thump into the wooden side of the armored train, this causing him to pause in his assault on Dotou and look to the source of the disturbance.

Where the logs had apparently come from he could see men clad in samurai armor standing tall and proud on the rocky edge of the high ridge, they were armed to the teeth with various weapons the resistance had arrived.

"Everyone, our Princess and the Prince are watching."

The figure in the middle of the men, that Naruto had now identified as Sandayuu, who was also clad in samurai armor of the same dark grey color as the rest of the men, turned and in an inspiring voice addressed the many people that were assembled up on the ridge.

"Victory will be ours."

At his bold statement the army broke into cheers, as Sandayuu drawing the katana that was sheathed at his side turned to address Dotou.

"Kazahana Dotou, do you know how long we have waited for this day, I am Asabasan Sandayuu, a representative of the 50th Brigade." He paused to draw a breath before continuing.

"Now we will avenge the death of Kazahana Sousetsu-sama from eight years ago, and we will take this revenge out on you."

With this bold statement, more cheers erupted from the men on the ridge, as they all drew there swords, hefted there spears and prepared to charge down to take back there country.

Turning his gaze back to Dotou, Naruto watched as he turned and looked down to talk to someone who couldn't quite be seen from his position by the end of the tunnel, then straighten back up to look out onto the army that faced him, continuing to speak a small nasty looking smirk appearing on his features.

Naruto didn't like the look of this, that wasn't the look of someone facing a large force of armed men out for there blood, Dotou had something planned that was for sure.

Still watching the scene unfold he saw the large force of armed men start there descent, charging with weapons held high down the hill, at this Dotou continued to smirk, while the wooden sides of the carriages facing the army slide aside to revel hundreds of rows of metal slots, similarly on top of the carriages men in the same snow Ninja armor as before had appeared there arms holding onto the crank handles of similar smaller devices.

Hearing the metallic clink cut over the noise of the cheering men, Naruto realized something bad was about to happen and made a quick decision forming a one handed seal he Shunshined away from Koyuki in a whirl of wind and snow to appear slightly ahead of the approaching army lead by Sandayuu his back to them, facing down at the train.

As he appeared the men atop of the train began to turn the handles, causing the air in front of him became solid as waves of kunai were fired out from the side of the train in a move obviously meant to completely destroy the resistances army.

Having no time to form seals or think of an alternative, he summoned up a massive amount of charka and dropping to one knee slammed both his hands down into the ground on either side of his body.

The smirk on Dotou's face dropped away, as a imposing wall of ice appeared out of thin air between the pathetic army he faced and the wall of metallic death that was approaching it, effectively shielding them from harm, he scowled as wave after wave of kunai impacted onto the surface of the ice wall causing nothing but dents in it until the canisters that fueled the launchers were finally empty.

High up out of sight Kakashi watched this unfold and couldn't help but feel pride at his students power, muttering to himself.

"With just raw elemental manipulation and Charka, what a guy."

Shaking this off he Signaled to the other two members of his team that were still in hiding and they unleashed there trap, so being there own assault on the train.

Down behind the wall Naruto had struggled to keep pumping out charka to sustain the wall until finally he felt the barrage of weapons stop, drawing a deep ragged breath he allowed his control over the wall to waver and watched as the part in font of him collapsed down to the floor, taking the kunai that were stuck in it down onto the snow with it.

Struggling back to his feet he attempted to take a step forward still intent on fighting and defeating Dotou, only to collapse backwards onto the ground his vision swimming as he dragged in long hard breaths of the cold mountain air.

"Your Highness!" Sandayuu was instantly at his side supporting his head.

"That was to much even for you, you must rest now." The tone he spoke in was full of respect for the young man in his arms, if anyone had doubted the truth of his words about the heritage of the boy this display was sure to set them straight.

Looking down into his eyes he saw Naruto's head nod slightly as he muttered something he didn't quite catch.

"Your Highness?"

"Protect, Koyuki-hime…"

So quiet was it that Sandayuu had nearly missed what he was saying again, as Naruto finally slipped into unconsciousness.

Looking up he signaled to two of his men to help the Princess who was currently struggling to run over to them through the thick snow that lay on the ground between her and Naruto.

Meanwhile the other three members of Team 7 had started there attack, Sasuke going in close to the train dodging from snow drift to snow drift, launching kunai with explosive tags trailing behind them at the side of the train driving the men who had operated the guns back inside, while Sakura up high in the rocks set off her explosives to cause an avalanche of snow and rocks to fall onto the middle of the train forcing it to attempt to retreat further down the tracks.

This action putting it onto the rickety old wooden bridge, which had already been booby trapped by Kakashi with yet more explosives, that he then set off as the train ran across it.

Causing the last half of the train that was still on the bridge to be dragged down along with the men on it into the gorge that the bridge was used to span, the rest of the train along with Dotou escaping down the tracks after decoupling from the doomed carriages.

With the members of Team 7 returned from driving Dotou away and the rest of the resistance members starting to gather back together, Kakashi and Sandayuu started to plan what would be the final assault on Dotou's stronghold in a bid to free the kingdom.

Leaving Naruto in Koyuki's care, who wasn't going to leave him even if they had asked, both safe off to the side by the movie crew and there carriages that were backed up near to the edge of a sheer cliff keeping the army between them and any possible further attacks.

While they were concentrating on planning there assault, yelling alerted them to the appearance of a blimp floating silently up over the edge of the cliff, Mizore and Nadare hanging off the side as it rose up over the carriages and more importantly Naruto and the Princess.

Reacting quickly Kakashi shot forward across the snow followed by Saukra and Sasuke, heading towards the carriages under the blimp.

But before they could reach the area, Nadare had dropped down off the side, landing cat like on the snow and turning swiftly towards the approaching Konoha Ninjas thrown a wave of kunai with those dangerous blue balls attached following behind them.

As the ice grenades exploded causing the ice that erupted up to block him from Team 7's sight and any attempt at a rescue, he grabbed the resisting form of Koyuki, who had thrown herself protectively over Naruto and after knocking her swiftly out with a chop to the back of the neck, flung both her and the still unconscious Naruto over his shoulders then turning grabbed onto the wire of Mizore's metal grappling hand that had been shot down into the snow and ice next to him.

As Kakashi rounded the top of the ice spires he knew he had arrived too late and he could only watch as the person he had a mission to protect and his student were reeled up to the blimp in the arms of his laughing enemy.

-00000-

"You have become beautiful, Koyuki."

Now that she was awake Dotou, face hardened with a cold look addressed her as she sat in a leather sofa, with a pre-poured glass of wine on the low table infront of her.

"Do you have the Hexagonal Crystal?"

"Perhaps, it depends if I give it to you will you release Naruto or not?" Although she asked it in an almost bored tone, she wasn't fooling anyone at the underlying reason she was asking.

"You think you can make demands? You have nothing to offer me but the Crystal, and if you don't give me it I will merely ask one of my men to do the task for me in a less than pleasant manner." Dotou finished with a short laugh, finding the broken expression on his nieces face to be highly amusing.

Seeing her silence following his laugh, in which she was obviously desperately trying to think of a course of action, he decided to enlighten her on the current situation.

"Do you even understand why I want it? You think it merely a family heirloom? an expensive pretty thing to amuse you?" Getting no reply from the young woman, he continued none the less.

"It is true, that it is the only thing that ties the Kazahana family together as a whole, but there is more to it than just that, the Crystal is also the key to our family's treasure."

This final bit of information caused Koyuki to look up from staring down at the table before her, a look of confusion obvious on her features.

"What, so that was why you did all this?"

"Ahh finally you start to understand things." The smug grin on Dotou's face made Koyuki's skin crawl as the man continued on his rant.

"You see when I took over this country from your father, there was nothing left of the Kazahana family as a whole. Naturally Sousetsu must have kept the treasure elsewhere, I looked for it and finally found it, high up hidden in the Rainbow Glaciers there is a huge weapon and the key to that weapon is the Crystal."

Realization as to what he was going to do dawned on Koyuki and as she watched while the evil smirk on her uncles face grew wider, he finished telling her of his plans.

"With the Kazahana weapon our country will have the power to overthrow the other five great nations, do you see I will make our country great once more." He paused to grin manically down at the look of horror he had forced onto her features.

"Now give me the Crystal, so I may shape the world as I see fit."

Obviously seeing no other option and remembering his earlier threat, she reached under her coat to pull the Crystal from around her neck while moving to stand from the sofa, then walked over and placed it in the outstretched hand of her power crazy uncle.

He gave it a once over and as he did the cold smirk on his features was replaced by a look of raw anger and outrage.

"This is…" Turning his eyes from the Crystal and bringing his other hand up, he grabbed hold of Koyuki by the front of her coat and lifting her into the air shock her furiously.

"Don't try and play around with me, this is a fake."

She had known this, but how could he have worked it out so quickly, she herself hadn't noticed the switch until Naruto had told her, even to her the person who carried it around with them at all times it had been a convincing replica.

Outwards she looked shocked at his sudden accusation while internally she smirked though; she knew that Naruto's or perhaps it had been Kakashi's forethought to separate the Crystal and herself had brought sometime atleast, now she just needed to play her part in the deception.

After all she wasn't voted best actress in the world for nothing.

"Hatake Kakashi."

"What?" Dotou was livid that after all this time the Crystal was still not within his grasp.

"Ah I see, we will fetch him right away."

She looked behind her to see Nadare and Mizore a still unconscious Naruto, with a device of some sorts attached to his stomach, being held his arms and legs tied up by the latter of the two Ninjas.

"No" Dotou stated as he tossed Koyuki roughly to the floor.

As she watched he also turned to look at his best two Ninjas, the sick sadistic grin from before was back onto her uncles face.

"If that is the case they will come to us soon enough, them and the pathetic resistance we will crush our enemies and gain the Crystal all in one go."

-00000-

When Naruto awoke he was chained to both the floor and ceiling by his ankles and wrists, in such a way that he was held up in the air suspended in the middle of the cell, barely able to move himself the heavy chains cutting into his wrists and ankles.

Thinking to himself he swiftly went to gather charka in an attempt to strengthen his muscles and escape his bindings, as he did though a surge of electricity ran though him, causing him to cry out in pain and lose concentration and thus control of his charka, this altering him to the presence of a small metal canister with wires coming out of it, which were holding it in place on his stomach, this it seemed was what was stopping him from channeling his charka effectively.

After several more failed attempts at breaking free and wishing he had thought to outfit his clothes with some hiding places for files, lockpicks, or other things he would need in these situations, he settled down and tried to work out how to get free.

While he was still thinking his savior came in the unexpected form of Koyuki, she appeared round the corner lead by two guards, who were apparently taking her to a cell of her own, as she saw him she moved closer so she was between them then said something to cause them both to blush madly then suddenly start to argue with each other.

After a few moments of bickering ended with both fighting, until the bigger of the two over powered the other and won.

He then turned and went towards Koyuki leaning in eyes closed seemingly expecting some kind of special treatment and as Naruto watched she leaned in as well, all while seamlessly slamming her knee up into his groin causing him to keel over eyes blank with a small squeal of pain.

After she had swiped the cell keys off the two KO'd guards casting them both dirty looks, she sauntered over to Naruto's cell and moving an Raiton channeling seal off the lock on the door that would have no doubt blown him up if he had got that far, unlocked the cell and helped him out of his bindings and into her arms.

Holding her tight in his arms they stayed that way on the floor of his cell for a few minutes, content to hold each other while they still could, Naruto running his fingers through her hair as she kissed him over and over again.

As the sounds of explosions reached the couple, echoing around the base Naruto decided it would be best if they made for the exit, so picking up Koyuki he gently jogged his way down the corridors of the prison they occupied, following her directions to what he hoped was an exit.

Meanwhile high atop a high stone platform that was led up to by a flight of stairs, Dotou sat in the shadows as his stronghold was attacked, that same cold look on his features.

"My lord, it's an enemy raid." A nameless solider from his forces addressed him kneeling on the floor at the bottom of the flight of stairs that led up to him.

"Kakashi, so he planned for a night assault, it's all going according to plan." At this comment he allowed a small smirk to break out the corner of his mouth twisting upwards at the anticipated victory.

As Naruto and Koyuki ran down one of the gangways that criss-crossed there way through out the prison one of the soldiers of snow, they had been doing so well thus far to avoid, used a grappling wire to flip up onto the gangway with them.

Growling in annoyance at his current inability to use charka and his utter lack of other equipment, Naruto let Koyuki down off his back and sped into engage the guard in an aggressive Taijutsu bout, ending by spinning down to try to kick the legs from under his opponent and as that was also avoided with a quick jump, continuing upwards lashing out at there middle with his other leg sending them tumbling away.

"Wait, wait, Naruto its me."

As he went to start his next attack a voice he recognized spoke out and as he watched the person now reveled as Kakashi removed the Henge no Jutsu that he had used to make himself look like one of the Snow Soldiers.

"Kakashi-sensei." Relief washed though Naruto as he stopped in his attack on his teacher.

"Yeah, here I found these and thought you might want them back, you only wine when you lose any of your needles." Ignoring the slight jab at him as it wouldn't help to throw Kakashi over the railings in this situation, he caught the offered belt of weapons and turned to greet the other members of his team as they came round the corner and out onto the gangway with them.

Now they were all back together they made there way led by Koyuki, towards what they hoped was the exit to the base.

As they neared it Naruto could see the clear night sky beyond but as the members of team 7 ran ahead to fight the force of men that was between safety and the now burning stronghold behind, a scream altered them to Nadare who had dropped down along with Mizore to grab Koyuki a kunai out razor sharp tip just tickling the edge of her neck.

"Koyuki-hime!"

As Naruto turned and ran towards the two Snow Ninjas, Nadare grinned evilly digging the tip into Koyuki's neck causing a gasp of pain along with small cut from which blood began to drip slowly down the blade.

"I'll kill you, you bastard." Naruto growled out.

"Ah ah ah, don't be so hasty hand over the Crystal or the Princess gets it." Naruto spun back around and grabbed wildly at Kakashi's weapons pouch, earning a disapproving glare from the older Ninja.

"Naruto don't let your personal feelings get in the way of the mission, if we give them that Dotou will be in a position to start another Great Shinobi War, is that what you want?"

"I don't care about any of that; give them it before they hurt Koyuki-hime."

Kakashi sighed Naruto was being impossible about this, so reaching into his pouch he with drew the Crystal and held it up.

"Release her and I will hand it over." He could see Nadare smirking at how easy it had been but that didn't matter at the minute.

"Send it over, or I will kill her."

That complicated things, knowing how important this decision could be not just for the mission or his student but for the sake of the world Kakashi made his decision.


Translations:
Shosen no Jutsu Mystic palm technique, healing jutsu
Henge no Jutsu transformation technique, basic way of conceling your looks from low skilled or non ninja personal

So how was that? hopefully people enjoyed it and continue to do so next chapter will mark the end of the snow arc will Koyuki die or won't she what do people want its important to how Naruto will develop as a character so id like some advice :). Next chapter should be out by next week till then.