A/n: sorry for the delays in my updates, though only getting two reviews from my last chapter was dissapointing, but whatever, as long as one person likes this story, it will go on
Sasuke and Amaris looked from side to side frantically as the iced walls around them began to shake
Sasuke and Amaris looked from side to side frantically as the iced walls around them began to shake. Looking toward the exit they both ran towards it, each second of their dash seemed to take an eternity to pass. But their efforts were in vain as right as the Uchiha teen reached the cave's opening, a pair of fanged jaws grabbed him from behind and pulled him back, a Pile of hard snow sitting write where he had been standing milliseconds before.
They were trapped.
Taking a moment to recover the boy grabbed a hold of his companions shoulder fur, using it to pull himself off the cold and slippery stone floor. Looking around he saw that a lot of the ice crystals hanging from the ceiling had fallen and shattered. And their former enemy, the bear, had perished in those moments from bleeding out. But there was one thing that puzzled Sasuke, if the way outside, the supposive only source of light had been completely and hopelessly blocked off, how was there still light? How could he see? He was yet to obtain the clans blood trait of the sharinghan, but even then it wouldn't allow him to see in the dark. Would it?
Holding on to his wolf for support the pair walked forward into the great unknown of the cave, the snake-like tunnels winding and turning every which way. The only sounds to be heard was the patting of his light feet, the clicking of Amaris' claws on the ground, the drip of water crystals melting, their small droplets of liquid falling to the ground. But there was something else to be heard, it sounded like a deep, rushing wind. The farther into the tunnels they went to louder this low murmur became.
Finally, after what was well over an hour of blindly walking into uncharted mountain, they came to an end to their path. It was an end to their tunnel, it was a thick layer of pure ice, and on its other side was light, its light-blue glow shining through, tinting the skin of the two friends trapped behind it.
The teen rest his hand on the ice wall, it had formed naturally, the slow melting of the ice crystals during the summer months had done this, slowly building farther and farther until it was a solid blockade. They both very well knew this was their only way out, their only chance to escape unless they wished to face the many yard deep pile of frozen water droplets that awaited them at the former entrance.
Taking a step back, he decided to let Amaris deal with this one, a fireball jutsu here in such a closed space could cause certain disaster. Slowly the white beast formed a small ball of fire between her jaws, she let it slowly build up, the last thing either of them needed was a big explosion that would cause another avalanche.
Slowly she moved the ball of flames near the ice, its heat slowly creating a crater in the ice-made door. The melted water dripping down to the floor. Gradually the small fire made a hole in the wall, which soon became large enough for both of them to crawl under. Letting the dog go first, hen placing his pack on the other side, he then himself went through, when he stood on the other side, a gasp escaped his lips as his eyes widened in awe at the site around them.
A thin wall of ice, that's what made up the entire side of the mountain. It let the suns light shine through, granting them full vision, but still kept them trapped inside.
What could have done this? How could such a phenomenon happen? That's when he noticed something, closing his eyes he focused his senses on his hearing. The deep rumbling noise form before had become much louder, and to add to the mystery, he could feel the strands of his black hair moving from side to side as air was slowly being sucked in, and pushed out, in such a repetitive manner that it only reminded him of one thing.
Looking over the ledge on which he and his pet stood, he quickly backed up into a wall in fear of disturbing it.
It was a giant cat-like creature. Its paw alone was larger than the Uchiha's body's height. Its fur glistened white. He did not know what this monster exactly was, but what he did know was that they were trapped in its den, and one false move would awake it.
Looking back into the dark tunnel, he had a decision to make, either risk waking it and face most probable death or try and dig out of a snow bank. Gulping down a wad of spit to wet his throat, slowly he rest his hand against the icy wall, his foot searching for a spot to rest in order to make its way down.
X-x-x-x-x-x-X-x-x-x-x-x-X
By this time the remaining member of the team and Kegar had arrived at SkyScar, they delivered their scrolls as ordered and were gathering supplies for the trip back. Neji had a stern face on to mask his guilt, he very well knew that the Uchiha brat was innocent, but to speak against his sensei was a most dishonorable action, one that the rest of his clan would frown upon, no matter what the moral code was.
Tightening up a strap on his pack, he couldn't help but be foolishly curious enough to ask his currently tipsy teacher.
"How do you plan on telling them? The Hyuuga and the Uchiha will not react kindly to knowing that young members of their families did not return home" he questioned, and eye watching the green-vested man as he stood idly behind, leaning casually against the wall as the wooden wind chimes knocked into each other.
Ironically enough, Kegar, the trusted sensei, the 'wise' teacher, the man who was supposed to have all the answers for his students, had none.
X-x-x-x-x-x-X-x-x-x-x-x-x-X
Having to pause to catch his breath between each step, the raven-haired boy slowly climbed down the wall. Thanking God for his ninja skills more than anything at that moment. Amaris was slowly making her way behind him.
Eventually, with bloody fingers which no longer possessed nails from having to grip so harshly on the rocky wall, he made it to the bottom, the snow covering his ankles fully.
Any allergy one ever had would have acted up right then. Reaching into his pack Sasuke took out a black cloth, wrapping it around his face as the strong odor and dandruff had been far too much for his nose.
Using a snow-walking jutsu they both walked on top of the thick layer of snow at the bottom. From what the Uchiha could tell, this creature, most probably much more than an earthly beast, had made the dome of ice as a way to hide itself. Having no time nor want to sit and stare at it, he scanned the surrounding walls for anything, an opening of any sort that might just lead him to the outside world.
Still feeling a strong wind moving him back and forth as the enormous feline breathed sleepily, he did have a nagging fear in the back of his mind that this thing could easily pick up his scent, but hopefully it wouldn't disturb its slumber. Finally he and Ammy reached the other side of the enclosure, they would have to melt a hole into the wall in order to obtain sweet freedom.
As his canine friend began her work on the wall, the boy couldn't control his curiosity enough to keep himself from looking over at the beast, even daring to venture a few steps closer to get a better look at it. When he got closer he saw that the creature wasn't totally white, there were dots of a dull blue tinting its coat, but more than that, its underbelly was a deep, dark red color…..wait a minute…..that wasn't natural fur…….
Squinting he could see the reason the monster had built this excellent hiding spot, so that it could recover. It apparently had been attacked, but what great beast would be either brave or stupid enough to even attempt such a feat?
He had no time to sit and contemplate about this as his wolf had completed the hole in the wall.
Climbing through it, the cold hit him like a fist hitting a goldfish, it knocked more than the wind out of him as he had been slightly warmed by the beasts' natural body temperature radiating around the room.
Climbing out, they could see a nearby lightly-snowed green forest, making a dash for it, they soon without harm or injury made it to the protective covering of the foliage.
But any thoughts or hope of safety or security were all in vain and utterly pointless, as moment after reaching their cover, a deafening noise filled the air, turning around the Uchiha and his friend both saw a giant fire-ball streak through the sky, but it had not come from the heavens.
The bright red light reflected in the boy's eyes as he watched it make an arc through the sky, over the forest, and land directly into the wall of ice that had been protecting and hiding the great beast, smashing it into millions of jagged pieces that outnumbered the stars in the skies.
A shrill, unearthly scream filled the evening air as the beast leaped from its former lair. For some reason, Sasuke had figured it out just what had come after the cat, it was the most deadly predator of all: man.
Suddenly, scores of armored and armed men leaped out of the forest, some on foot, other riding on many beasts, from mongrel dogs to rare tigers, the pair had to drop to the ground to avoid being trampeled.
Instantly a ring of attackers surrounded the injured beast, firing arrows, sending off powerful chakra-based attacks, and trying to injure the vital tendons in the back of its legs with sharp swords and daggers.
Slowly regaining his footing, Sasuke and Amaris his behind trees as they watched.
Then, a man dressed in regal leather and wearing a horned skull on his head came out, the beast of burden beneath him was a mountain lion, bigger than a horse, its fangs longer than the palm of a mans hand.
Removing an crossbow from his side, and pulling the thick bolt out of a pack on his shoulder, he loaded the weapon, and steadily gazing at his target, correcting his aim, he fired the weapon. The giant beast reared in agony, exposing its vulnerable underbelly to their merciless spears and arrows, the fiery attacks burning its abdomen as it screamed in pain, the arrow his hit it directly in the eye, and now in slow and painful death, it was tortured as it fell to the ground, the men swarming all over it, hacking into it with their maces and axes.
Something about this cheap kill did not seem right to the Uchiha, turning he made his way to leave, only to walk straight into a large body. Looking up, the grim-faced man wearing the skull of a beast was standing right in front of him. He had been caught, but by who? Or a better question: what?