So, herro and welcome to another chapter!

This is build up chapter!

YAY!

Next chapter, the Battle of Tumbleton
and the continuation after Battle of Tumbleton,
The Battle of Darry Fields xD

So guys, how many of you thought the Chouji getting Karui a complete asspull?
And what girl had the stamina to sleep with someone like Rock Lee?
:O

Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto or Game of Thrones

Chapter 22: The Play of Wolves and Foxes

The covers slid from his body. Warmth and a strange contradicting cool swept over his bare chest. A heat built within his stomach and began to spread throughout his body, going to his toes and out to his fingers. He groaned and clenched his teeth trying to understand what this feeling was. He clasped his fingers around the linens of his bed, his legs clasping around a fur pillow. He bit down, trying his best to keep away the pain. Nothing was working. Suddenly, all around the barracks, men and women began to fall from their bunks and collapse onto the wooden floor.

Their bodies writhed and screams shot from their mouths. They were all in fear, terrified of what was happening to their bodies. Others were far more calm, but everyone else, they weren't as lucky. Some bit down as hard as they could onto the thick furs they used as blankets. They fought against the pain and the building energy within their bodies. There were some that seemed to be able to fight back well enough, while others were holding their abdomens as if their guts were about to explode in all directions. From the other side of the bunk room, a jōnin plowed into the room, one hand holding the door open, the other resting tightly against his stomach.

Kai rubbed his eyes in pain, trying his best to cope with the burning sensation taking over his muscles and his body. This energy had a mind of its own. His legs clenched, cramping his thigh muscles, bringing him over onto his torso. His arms bent back, clenching. Everyone was feeling this too?! But suddenly, the heat and the pain disappeared from his body, replaced with a wondrous euphoria. His vision had also somehow taken to the dark of the room with near perfection. He could see every single person with high detail down to the pores on their faces. Something was wrong, something was completely wrong. He shot up, seeing flames build around the silhouettes of the various shinobi and kunoichi.

He pushed past the jōnin at the door and fled towards the bathhouse of the barracks. Everywhere, men and women's cries could be heard echoing throughout the wooden halls. Some went into soul-ripping shrieks. There were these triplets that Kai knew since childhood, all three had lavender eyes, but now the three burst through the wooden wall of their bunk-room, holding their faces, roaring out in pain. This was more than a horror story. He charged ahead to see a woman fall to the floor, her flame sputtering out. Kai backed away, backing into another shinobi, whom of which, swung his arms wildly in all directions. His left forearm covering his eyes.

Kai didn't need much to build on, but he could easily see the large cascading trails of blood, falling down the shinobi's face. Kai needed to get out soon, this wasn't supposed to be happening. He dashed forward, energy building in his legs, speeding him ahead. He froze in his steps once the open windows came along his path. Despite the smoke coming from the volcano nearby, Kai's eyes were locked with the massive, blood-red moon, staring at him. His heart raced as images began to rush through his mind. Images of things he'd never seen in his life. The shinobi reined his emotions in, thanks to his ninja training. He took off once more.

"Kai!" He heard a soft cry. "Kai!"

"Saya!" Kai roared back, trying his best to stop his eyes from drying out. "Are you alright?!"

"No!" She looked at him, the light of the moon illuminating her face.

Veins protruded from her temples and the pupils of her until now, pupil-less, lavender eyes. Red tears streamed down her face. She shook and trembled beneath the weight of all of this. Her lips quivered as she stared at and through Kai's body, examining his chakra coils, that had suddenly been unlocked. Massive amounts of chakra was flowing through his body with a great amount heading to his eyes. Kai's eyes weren't normal eyes, after all. He wasn't even a normal shinobi; he is an Uchiha…and an Uzumaki. She could see him, staring at his body, his chakra, his eyes.

Never had she been so afraid.

"Don't do that shit!" Naruto shouted, over the booming thunder.

"Bahaha!" Sasuke rolled on the floor. "You should have seen your fucking face!"

"You're a piece of shit!" Naruto growled. "I liked you better when you only showed up when I needed you!"

"Well, you're gonna have to deal with me for the rest of your life…" Sasuke smirked. "Good luck with that, buddy."

"Why do you speak like that?" Naruto asked, wiping the sweat from his brow. "You speak so strangely! Speak normally, damn you!"

"Normal, you say?" Sasuke glared. "Urusai usuratonkachi! Nanda yo omae-wa?!"

"Usuratonkachi?!" Naruto's eyes flared up. Sasuke felt a small smirk spread across his face. "Kutabare Teme!"

Sasuke's smile never left his face. Naruto's jaw dropped and for a moment, Sasuke thought that the Uzumaki reborn was going to jump around, screaming about becoming hokage again. But again, Sasuke had to remind himself, this kid isn't the Naruto he knew. This is someone else entirely. Naruto, placed his hand on his mouth, staring at Sasuke with wide eyes and a fearful lump stuck in his throat. He was confused; he understood every word that Sasuke said and he even replied in the same language. Naruto's body began to shiver in his clothes, clearly horrified with what had just transpired.

"It's time for you to begin your next stage of training." Sasuke smiled. "Shut your eyes and lay back."

Without delay, Naruto complied, still in a daze of what he'd just managed to accomplish. He shut his eyes, feeling his exhausted muscles loosen and his aching bones ease. He took slow, deep breaths, allowing his beating brain to come to a slow calming thump. Naruto suddenly heard Sasuke's voice echoing around him. They must be back in that strange metallic dream world. He shot up, feeling the water flow from his hair and clothes, leaving his completely dry. Sasuke stood in the shadows, a hand covered in flame and the other covered in lightning. Naruto was about to charge at him, but Sasuke beat Naruto to the punch.

Firing off the two elements lighting the entire cavernous tunnel. Naruto's eyes widened with surprise at just how large this place really was. The ceiling was easily a hundred feet high, maybe even more and the walls were at least just as far away from each other. But that wasn't all; there was another figure standing next to Sasuke.

He was tall and had a head of gravity-defying, silver hair. He had one eye visible and the rest of his face completely covered in a mask. The man walked forward, feet splashing against the still surface of the water. And here, Naruto thought he'd seen it all. If this were any other situation, he would have passed out, but for some reason, the boy wanted to stay and see where this would go. But instead of watching the man's movements, Naruto was more interested in how he was walking on water while he himself sunk to the floor beneath. The water rippled in a strange patter, spreading out in all directions from each step that Kakashi took.

"Naruto!"

Arms wrapped tightly around his neck. The prince was about to roar out in surprise, but decided to let the man continue whatever it was that he was doing. Naruto assumed that they were close in this past life of his. Kakashi wept softly, tightening his grip on the blond haired boy. It was almost like an older brother's grip.

"Ok…" Naruto said, as Kakashi pulled away. "Who are you and what are you doing here?"

"I'm here to teach you." Kakashi smiled. "After all, I was once your sensei."

Robb sat upon the back of his horse as the rains pelted down onto his forces. At his side, Grey Wind, almost getting to the height of a small horse, barred his teeth. Around Robb were the various personal battle companions made up of various noble lords and ladies. Namely, Smalljon Umber, Ser Wendel Manderly, Dacey Mormont, Patrek Mallister and so on and so forth. They were strong and ready, their hands shaking and twitching against the handles and pommels of their swords and small-axes. Dacey, the only female of the group, rested her palm against the mace strapped to her side.

Robb's icy blue eyes watched the Lannister camp below. His spies told him it was a camp underneath the command of some Lannister of the Lannisport Branch. There were about three Lannister knights and countless sworn knights underneath the Lannister banners. Robb wasn't scared, far from it. He'd already won three battles with powerful strikes against the Lannisters. Not only that, but the Lords of the Vale were finally starting to pull their weight. He was promised a force of an extra ten thousand Valemen under the command of Lord Yohn Royce, the Bronze Yohn.

Hopefully, the Valemen will keep their promise, Robb thought. He'd need all the help he can get to keep the Lannisters completely on their toes and away from Riverrun or at the farthest north, Seagard and to the east, Joffrey's Royal Army marched up North to Crackclaw Point and towards Saltpans. Robb was fighting on too many fronts, heading too far towards the Westerlands, leaving his eastern flank free and open. Robb desperately needed the full force of the Vale lords. He needed the full force of the Tully's and the Riverlands at his back. He needed allies, fast.

His horse neighed softly, snorting beneath the booming thunder of this stormy night. His men were slightly worried. Their spies hadn't returned yet. Robb kept his worries hidden beneath the stern expression wrought across his face. Even then, no one could see him thanks to the darkness of the night. Grey Wind was restless, constantly barring his teeth and digging his paws into the muddy dirt beneath them. He growled with a low menacing glowering stare. The Lannisters below were completely unaware of the army waiting at the hills behind them.

Robb clenched his teeth as the storm increased in size. Thunder roared, bursting through the night, scaring a few unsuspecting levies behind him. Knights of Winterfell shuddered in their plate armor. Knights of White Harbor, steadied their bodies on their saddles. Men below walked about, laughing with one another, drinking their mead and ale with little care. Robb could see some Lannister men-at-arms shimmering in the lightning flashes. Their ornate helmets made them stand out like a sore thumb. Robb could see them right there, ready and ripe for the taking.

He clenched his fist around the reins, struggling to keep his urge hidden within. He needed the spies to return, or else this seemingly easy battle will turn into a bloodbath. Lannisters weren't stupid, just cocky and full of themselves, Robb had managed to surmise. So far, of the four battles fought, Robb had personally won three of them, riding into the vanguard where the combat was harshest. He was on a mission; he was going to litter the southron lands with as many Lannister dead until his sisters and brother were released back to him.

Agitation grew within him and Lord Rickard Karstark. The two eyed each other, gripping their sword handles. Robb was sure that if these spies didn't appear any time soon, he'd lead the charge anyway. Rickard was definitely feeling the same. Of all the times that he'd send Lord Greatjon Umber to aid the defense of Pinkmaiden and Acorn Hall. But just before Robb raised his sword to signal the charge, the trees rustled revealing eight young Northmen dressed as Lannister soldiers. They panted and sped over to the King in the North sitting completely unnerved.

"Your Grace!" The man shot forward, before bending the knee. "There are at least double our forces in the camp! We overheard one of the Lannister commanders talking about another thousand men coming from the western coast within the next few hours! What are we to do?"

"The only thing to do." Robb replied with a dark glare. "We won't win until they fear us. We will show them that we are not a people to be pushed and belittled. We will show them that we are not a people to be enslaved beneath their southron ways! We charge, now!"

"The King in the North!"

Robb slapped the reins on the horse, shooting forward, kicking mud up in his wake. The first Lannister camp barricade came into view, despite the complete inability to see due to the raging storm. Grey Wind could be heard, howling with the booming thunder. The two lead the charge, bashing through the barricade. Thankfully, Grey Wind was strong enough to annihilate the barricade. Robb shot through the new opening, swinging his sword down, removing the head of the first Lannister he set his eyes upon.

"It's the Young Wolf!"

"The King in the North!"

Fires were lit all along the border of the camp, illuminating the entire field and the hills surrounding the camp. But that didn't help. From the shadows surrounding the camp, hundreds of mounted Northmen and Stark Levies rushed over the fires and trampled over unsuspecting Lannister men. There were others that died immediately and there were those that survived, but barely. The Northern host rushed forward, tearing through the camp, slaughtering every man wearing red of the Lannister banners. Tents were trampled and men were flattened.

The northerners didn't care for the southron lives, for their lives were for the northerners to take. Robb was suddenly unhorsed, flying forward, thanks to the halberd bill the Lannister billmen wielded. He rolled in the mud and the dirt, covering his body completely. He reached around for his sword, but he sadly, managed to lose it in his take of air. A Westerland levy rushed at him with an armsman's axe. He swung, ready to kill the King in the North, but he'd overestimated his personal skill. Robb shot his arm forward, catching the axe shaft with his forearm and his left hand.

"Die."

Robb tore the axe from the levy's hands and rammed the axe head into the man's unprotected throat. Blood shot free, spraying across his face, but thankfully, the torrential downpour washed the gore from his face. Stark Banners came into view, the calm, white linen illuminated by the bright, beautifully blinding lightning. Among the sea of white and grey, red banners bearing golden chains and golden banners bearing two crossed longaxes. The Grey Direwolf engulfed the Golden Lion. Grey Wind suddenly appeared, covered in the blood of Lannister men, carrying Robb's sword in between his teeth.

"Thank you, boy…" Robb smiled. "Let's go!"

Grey Wind shot forward, digging his massive head into the chestplate of a Lannister Footknight. Just as the man collapsed onto the ground, his three battle-squires charged the wolf with their swords, but Robb jumped in at the perfect moment, slicing the throat from one of them. The Stark growled and lunged forward, digging his blade into the second. The final squire threw down his sword and took off in the opposite direction to join the rest of the retreat. Robb glared at the fleeting form of the squire and drew his dagger.

The Stark shut his eyes and hurled the knife forward, the blade spinning like a windmill. Before long, the knife dug at least two inches into the man's back, dead before he touched the ground. Robb ran ahead, tearing the dagger from the man's back to join the rest of the fray. Grey Wind rushed alongside Robb, assembling together with his master. Suddenly, a blood covered Dacey Mormont appeared on the back of her heavily armored Northern Destrier. Robb didn't see it, but a Lannister longbow man had already drawn and aimed right at his back.

"Your Grace!" She cried and pulled the reins, turning the horse towards the Lannister. "Watch out!"

"No worries, Mormont!" A bellowing roar, almost as powerful as the thunder above was heard.

If it weren't for her own horse's hooves beating on the mud, she could have sworn a giant was rushing into the battlefield. It was none other than the Greatjon's son, Smalljon Umber. Albeit not as large as his father, he carried with him as much strength and pride that practically every Umber had. The fires illuminated the longhaired, terrifying man. He tackled the, in comparison, tiny man in the ground, probably killing him upon impact. Dacey was concentrating too much on the Umber and failed to take notice of the billman charging at her with a pike.

Before the man could reach her, he was suddenly picked up and hurled with a monstrous strength that could only belong to those as large as Smalljon. A small smirk was spread on the man's face. He was Ser Wendel Manderly, large and fat, like most Manderly's. In his defense, he hid his muscle beneath all of that blubber. Behind him, covered by the powerful explosion of thunder, a Lannister Footknight rushed the Northman Ser with a mace. Wendel raised his shield, blocking the mace before it could meet its mark. Wendel launched his fist around, punching in the ornate eye-guards of the Lannister helm. But just as the man fell back, an arrow shot forth, embedding through the helm, killing the Lannister, stealing Ser Wendel's kill.

"Move faster next time, Ser Wendel!" Owen Norrey, a mountain clansman laughed. He reached to the quiver on his back and drew the bowstring as far as he could.

The small retreating figure of a Lannister levy was seen. Loose. The arrow whistled through the wind, tearing through the air and dug into the base of the man's neck. Owen drew another arrow, spotted his target, following the retreating knight on his high horse. From the corner of his eye, Dacey could be seen chasing after the same target as he. Oh, he wasn't going to let a woman get more kills than him; again. He let the arrow loose, but the winds changed the direction of the arrow, killing the knight's horse. Owen roared in frustration, drawing another arrow, letting loose.

The knight was clearly hit by his arrow, but it also seemed that Dacey scored a hit as well. Owen could swear that he'd never seen a man in heavy armor fly so far. He sped ahead, following up with Ser Wendel and Smalljon Umber. The three of them killed any in their way, beating, crushing, shooting and dicing their way to join their King. Truth be told, Robb was but a boy, and yet, he was standing on a small pile of dead Lannister levies with Grey Wind feasting on those who dared to come near his master.

"Don't think you're going to have all the fun without us!" Ser Patrek Mallister's voice echoed over the clanging rain. Next to him, Robin Flint walked alongside him and Rickard Ryswell on the other side.

Five Lannisters rushed them, but the three burst into action. Rickard grabbed the cape of the first Lannister man-at-arms and dug his sword through the man's back. A shout of worry came from Robin Flint, bringing Rickard's attention to the Lannister Footknight charging at him with a bastard sword. Rickard, with a quick thought, brought around the skewered Lannister and the bastard sword was brought down on a comrade. The Footknight was appalled, crying out in fear. Robin Flint took advantage of his weakness and jumped forward, digging his blade into the space between the helm and the Footknight's left pauldron.

Behind them, Ser Patrek tore his blade from the final of the five, leaving them all dead. Patrek laughed and motioned for the two men to follow after him. They were after all, part of the King's personal battle companions. There were thirty of them at first, but three have been killed so far thanks to the Kingslayer, Jaime Lannister during the Battle of the Whispering Wood almost two months ago. Nevertheless, those deaths only brought them closer as a team and a family. So far, The Frey knights were joining side-by-side with Dacey, surprisingly keeping up with that Mormont. Almost all bear like her mother, that one.

The men gathered together, following close to King Robb as he walked through the camp, disposing of any and all Lannister men that dared to come anywhere close to him. He moved with an expert grace, despite this being his first war. His iron crown, modeled after the crowns of the old Kings of Winter, never moved from its spot on his head of auburn locks, now sticking to the bare nape of his neck. Robb was unstoppable. The Young Wolf was proving to be more than just a Young Wolf…more like a Blood Wolf.

He was blood thirsty, struck without remorse, not once hesitating. If he saw a threat, he'll deal with it. The six battle companions tensed when the thumping sound of two horses sounded on either side of their King. Robb stopped, but didn't seem worried. He shouted something they couldn't hear, but Grey Wind surely understood him. The wolf took off in one direction, while Robb Stark held his ground facing the other. Grey Wind jumped higher than any man and tackled a knight almost as large as the Mountain himself and mauled into the knight's throat. The Six companions flinched when the knight's horrific shrieks echoed into their ears. Before long, his howls turned into white noise before disappearing completely. Their heads turned to see the spear of the knight aimed at their King, but he didn't move once.

"Die, boy!" The knight roared.

Suddenly, Robb spun at the last second, swinging his sword with a wild arc, removing one of the legs. The horse shot forward, breaking the knight's predisposed arrogance and replacing it with what seemed to be a ragdoll rolling around in the dirt. His armor clanked and the individual pieces scratched against each other with dirt and mud getting stuck in between the individual chainmail links. He drew his sword, all the while shaking in his steel armor. He raised the visor of his helmet with green eyes zooming left and right as dawn began to break and the storm began to lift. He hadn't known it, but it had been about three hours of fighting. The battle was over and while the rest of his men had surrendered; he wasn't about to surrender to a boy!

He shot forward, swinging his sword with a skilled stance. Robb jumped back, dodging his accurate lunges. Robb was tired and he wasn't about to do something stupid like he almost did against the Kingslayer at the Whispering Wood. Stark men and the Northern host began to build around them dueling in the center of the battlefield. While this wasn't a major battle like the Whispering Wood, duels like this would increase moral and loyalty amongst the lords to each other and to him. Robb wasn't about to lose both the North and the Riverlands. He wasn't going to lose to some knight; he wasn't going to lose.

Not once did he raise his sword. The knight kept swinging though, constantly aiming for his throat and face, but never actually meeting his mark. Robb could tell the knight was trying to keep his pompous appearance up for his captured men. He was tired and Robb knew it. Over and over, the knight kept attacking, knowing for a fact that the moment he breaks his aggressive tactics, Robb would take immediate advantage. The knight raised his free hand to his helmet and tossed it away, revealing a head of flowing dirty blond hair and piercing green eyes, common of a Lannister.

"I am Ser Lorren Lannister, of House Lannister, Lannisport Cadet Branch." The Knight glared. "If you defeat me, I ask, on the honor of my family and the honor of my knighthood, treat my men with respect and dignity. I implore you, your Grace."

The Northmen crossed their arms examining the situation. Was Robb Stark going to follow through with the honor that his father had, or was he going to forge a new name for himself. After all, the Winter was coming and the crops back home needed to be harvested before Winter Snows came to fall. Robb finally raised his sword and removed his cloak. Piercing icy blue eyes locked with piercing emerald green eyes. Robb nodded his head and simply said, I promise.

"Then give me the best fight you have to offer!"

Fort Highgard. Slightly smaller than Castle Stokeworth, the Fort was recently erected and built to house Naruto's personal company. Joffrey, in all of his wise military genius, decided to cut down on the amount of men he could have. At maximum, five hundred men in total. Fifty cavalry, one hundred archers and three hundred and fifty foot, were all that was being allowed for him to command. Lord Jeryn Stokeworth, Lord Rishard Blount, Ser Herryn Rosby, Ser Harman Buckwell of Antlers, Ser Ansyn Chelsted and Ser Meryl Thorne were going to lead the rest of the Southern battle force.

Each one lead at least a thousand men, with some leading personal armies that were well into the thousands. Naruto knew he'd received the short end of the stick, but he didn't care. He was going to use the small amount of men to his advantage. With only five hundred men, they could be molded and brought together to follow only him and lose all respect and loyalty to their King Joffrey. Naruto needed them at his side, at his back and he needed them to trust each other and him, or else the battle plans he has set won't work properly and in fact, get all of them killed. An army is oiled, smooth, and in sync. If his men perform poorly, then the fault is with the subordinates; he fails again, the problem is with the commander.

He wasn't about to let his new battle force fail. He wasn't going to let them drop that low. Behind him, Bran sat on the back of his horse, looking at least five years older than what he should look. Eye bags had grown showing the stress he felt, despite the death of his father being almost a month prior. Bran was exhausted, Naruto knew it, but he was also filled with a horrific fire and rage that was just waiting to find a target to be unleashed upon. Maybe a war was what the young Stark needed. What unnerved Naruto though, was the pale hand constantly wrapped around the ornate handle of his arming sword. Bran's hair had grow, reaching to his shoulders and naturally curled. He was quieter, and obviously angrier.

Since his arrival to King's Landing, Bran had grown at least five inches and the stress had turned his face into a more leaner, stronger appearance, but nowhere on the level of Naruto yet. While he was only eleven, he looked seventeen, bordering onto manhood. Farther back, there was a large, muscled Summer Islander. He wore a suit of ring-mail and wore a cape made from a myriad of colorful feathers. He was none other than the exiled prince Jalabhar Xho. He stuck out like a sore thumb compared to the rest of the recruits behind him. While many had skin tones ranging from pale to tanned, Jalabhar's skin was black. Common skin tone for those of the Summer Isles.

On his back was a quiver stocked full of arrows, each bearing a fletch of different color. His longbow wrapped around his chest with his war club and blade strapped to his sides. Naruto was a bit surprised at how easily the exiled prince agreed to join him and his little battle companion force. After all, with the Small Council constantly pushing Jalabhar away because they believed him to simply be a beggar. Naruto saw potential though and wanted a man with his skills. Archers were needed and Jalabhar needed to get out of the castle and prove the potential that Naruto saw within him to get the much wanted support from the Iron Throne.

At the rear, were at least five knights riding their horses behind them; Ser Andar Tellard, Ser Jared Smyth, Ser Hellman Hoper, Ser Dougras Hewett and Ser Warne Mercer. The five of them were originally hedge knights, wandering with their squires, looking for someone to hire them. To Naruto, it was too great of a deal to pass up. He'd met them at the tavern before leaving King's Landing a day ago. The five of them were drinking, wallowing and talking about how boring their lives were. To Naruto, that was more than perfect. That to him was more than enough reasoning to join him. After giving each five thousand silvers, they immediately packed up and followed.

Naruto knew that as long as money continued flowing, they'd stay loyal. That was the fun and easy thing about sellswords and Hedge Knights; always pay them handsomely, or else you'll be the fool in the end. The troupe has never seen Fort Highgard in their lives and didn't know what to expect. All they had to build on were the reports from Ser Delran and Lady Taerina. As of now, they journeyed through the dirt path interlacing and cutting through the miles and miles of farmland surrounding Castle Stokeworth and Rosby. As far as they knew, the war hasn't reached this far North. With most of the fighting for the two Baratheon brothers being made throughout the Narrow Sea to Shipbreaker Bay and along the Seawatch, going all the way to the east at Rain House, to the south at Mistwood and to the West at Griffin's Roost.

Most of the forests and villages within the countless leagues between the four holdfasts were most likely up in flames and littered with corpses. Shipbreaker Bay was definitely filled with raging flames and sinking ships, bearing the sigils of both Stannis and Renly. Naruto was somewhat glad that they were concentrating too much on each other to send a force north to King's Landing, despite their superior numbers. He looked throughout the land, eyeing the women working the fields since the men were off fighting the war. The fields went off in all directions, filled with wondrous colors of yellow and green.

Wheat and Barley waved in the soft wisps of wind, flowing like the waters of Blackwater Bay when there isn't a bloody storm. Naruto turned and took in the sight of a silent, but contemplating form of Bran Stark. His eyes were locked with the waves of wheat. It was almost like a sea of gold, edible gold. Bran stared, lips twitching, threatening to curl, thanks to the calming scene before him. Naruto smiled softly and turned his head back around, keeping his eyes on the road. Suddenly, the sound of clomping hooves echoed in his ears.

"Yo, Naruto." Sasuke's voice sounded. "I found a horse!"

"Guh." Naruto facepalmed, struggling to keep with reality. "Why are you here and by the gods, where did you get a fucking horse?"

"I don't really know." Sasuke laughed. "I imagined one and I got one!"

"Well, we've been travelling for almost a day, Fort Highgard should be coming up soon." Naruto called out to his troupe. "Keep your eyes out for wooden walls and a wooden keep."

"I don't see wooden walls, but I see banners bearing a fox's head, My Lord." Ser Andar called. "You did say your force was called Fox company?"

"I supposed that's it…" Naruto's brows narrowed. "This fort isn't supposed to be so well made and complete yet! I thought it was just recently built!"

"You'd be surprised how fast castles and keeps can be built." Ser Jared laughed. "On our way to King's Landing, there were at least six different construction sites of new forts and castles. Many of them were already well on their way to being half finished."

"King Joffrey is building more castles to help raise more and house more troops." Ser Hellman sighed. "By the way things are going, most of Westeros will be in this Royal Army."

"I heard that Essosi were emigrating to King's Landing and the Crownlands thanks to Joffrey's offer." Ser Dougras added. "As far as I know, at least three hundred thousand Pentoshi, Lorathi, Myrish, Lyseni and Tyroshi arrived in the port of Duskendale and King's Landing. The women and children are filling in the farmlands and the men are filling in the openings in the Royal Army."

"Now we're inviting foreigners." Ser Warner sighed. "No offence to you, Jalabhar. I just don't…trust those Free City folk."

"It'll pass, Ser Warner." Naruto called out, wiping his face, rubbing his bare fingertips against the scars on his face. "Foreigners can't be too bad."

"Who goes there!" A rather weakly sounding voice echoed from the stone battlement.

Naruto looked unimpressed. His blue eyes trailed up and down, eyeing the arrow heads poking through the crenels lining up and down the height of the battlements. Half of the arrows didn't even seem like they were going to even go anywhere. The other half weren't even placed against the bow correctly. Naruto fought the urge to roll his eyes and rode towards the gate. The same man from before roared that he was warning him to stop. Naruto laughed and continued along. Suddenly an arrow shot from one of the crenels, but missed Naruto by at least two feet.

Bran's worried look immediately washed away and was replaced with a deadpanned disappointment, clearly reminding him of his lack in that area of expertise. The man was screaming, this time, his voice cracking, clearly having a frog stuck in his throat. The gate opened anyway, revealing Ser Delran, Lady Taerina and Lady Soresha, waiting with big smiles on their faces. Within moments, the troupe was led into the Fort and their horses were whisked away to the stables on the far side of the courtyard. Naruto looked around, dummies lined up for spear training, sword training and targets were lined up against the eastern wall for archery practice.

The men were running and doing exercises while others were working on their spear thrust and sword swing. In the center though, was the atrocious state of Fox Company's archers. Jalabhar had never been so quickly disappointed in a fighting force in his life. Moving along, Naruto came to realize both men and women made up Fox Company. He raised an eyebrow at Lady Taerina wondering if this was a part of her doing. He looked about, half the women were vicious fighters while the other half were slightly better at archery than most of the men. Maybe because they felt that they had something to prove. Naruto and Bran froze in their steps, watching one woman handle two knives as if they were toys.

She twirled them in between her fingers and spun them around her hands with near perfection. She turned with lightning fast reflexes and the two knives embedded into the bullseye of a target ten yards away. Two more targets, one twenty yards and the last thirty yards. She drew out two more knives and held them, almost as if she was giving instruction. Naruto finally took notice of the four women and the eight men holding their knives, watching her every move. She swung her right arm with lightning speed and shot her left arm around, nearly snapping the wind in her wake. Naruto and Bran watched with amazement as the two knives embedded bullseye as well.

She turned to the men and women and clapped her hands together, immediately making them have hands on experience. They hurled their knives, some outright tossing them, no knives made it even five yards. She sighed and had them retrieve their knives for another go. Having lost interest, both Naruto and Bran continued along, following after the rest of the Companion Guards. Ser Delran had just finished explaining everything that was going on, from schedules to training regimens. Both of which were quite ridiculous. Sasuke leaned against the wooden railing and smirked at Naruto's blank face when he caught wind of Ser Delran's planned training style.

"You know Naruto." Sasuke said once everyone took off in different directions. "The Naruto I knew would jump at the chance of training."

"It's not that I'm not excited…" Naruto glared and crossed his arms, leaning against the railing as well. "I'm just worried. What if I can't lead these warriors?"

"What if you can?" Sasuke asked with a smile. "Who's to know really. The Naruto I knew had a strange charisma about him, an ability have you, aside from chakra of course, that made people want to follow him. All you've gotta do is channel that inner you."

"You make less and less sense the more you talk to me." Naruto deadpanned.

"Maybe you should start listening more and paying attention more and we might not have this problem." Sasuke bellowed out with laughter. "Don't worry Naruto. I may be a spirit or whatever, but I still have my powers. If we train enough, we can work together as if we were a single person. My sharingan can predict someone's movements before they even do it, so that'll be a plus to have at your side."

"So, you mean, we work on my reaction time?" Naruto asked.

"Exactly." Sasuke smirked. "I can scream as loud as I want too since no one but you will hear me. After all, in the midst of a chaotic battle you'll need all the help you can get."

"I thought that you'd never ask." Naruto groaned. "Oh well…I guess training will have to take precedence."

Robb cracked his knuckles and stared at the map in front of him. It's been a week since he'd defeated Ser Lorren Lannister in the field and the Valemen kept their promise. They indeed arrived with ten thousand men at the back of Lord Yohn Royce. Robb was surprised to see a man like Lord Yohn, he was stronger and older than what he'd imagined. He was indeed far more terrifying than what the stories told. He knew his father and was a great friend of him, so a friend of his late father's was a friend of Robb's. The main camp of the Northern Host had swollen from about seventeen-thousand men to a little more than twenty-seven-thousand men.

It was definitely an army to behold, especially against the supposed 'might' of the Westerlands. Robb looked at the war map, staring at the falcon pieces sitting behind the Bloody Gate, the only land entrance to the Vale of Arryn. His eyes trailed over to the various lion pieces standing watch on the Golden Tooth and already encircled on Pinkmaiden once again. Over the mountains of the Westerlands, various yellow lion pieces were placed to represent the growing threat of Joffrey's Royal Army, that just so happens to grow with each passing day and week. Robb was glad that Joffrey decided to take on Stannis instead of aiding his grandfather. He needed to think of something out of the ordinary, something so confusing, that Lord Tywin will never see it coming.

Umber was arguing with Glover again, over the course of action. Break the siege over Pinkmaiden to continue the foothold in the Westerlands or break the sieges of Darry and Maidenpool; both were gateways to the rest of the Kingsroad. Whomever held the two had perfect openings through the Kingsroad and to Riverrun, to the Twins and to Winterfell. Joffrey's forces though were noted to have split into thirds, while still large in size. One third heading south to fight the Tyrell/Baratheon alliance, another to fight House Baratheon of Dragonstone and the final was a small contingency force to fight the North. Robb stared at the map.

Joffrey was stupid, but the Stark was certain that the boy king was receiving help for battle plans. Most likely his grandfather giving him orders. Robb kept staring at the current borders between the North and the southron nations. An inaudible, spiteful laugh escaped his lips; what borders? There was no distinction between North and South anymore. Half the Riverlands are up in flames, the other half, crawling with soldiers or littered with dead ones. He needed to redirect the fight elsewhere because if this destruction continues, there won't be a Free North and Trident to be fighting for. Royce spoke with Umber and Manderly, trying to come up with a cohesive battle plan.

Lady Lysa Arryn, sister to Catelyn Stark and Aunt to the King in the North, had promised Robb full command of her forces, if he manages to bring her the Imp, Tyrion Lannister, or at least some Lannister pure-bred to blame the assassination of her husband on; preferably Tyrion, she was very specific on that regard. Robb mused. Twenty thousand Valemen were going to be at his command, along with the thirty thousand he currently had; Robb felt that he would faint, if the deal went to pass. Now that his army was growing too large, it was time to start giving out official ranks amongst the lordship under his employ. Robb straightened, eyes struggling to pry away from the war map.

"My Lords." Robb said with a strong tone.

"Your Grace." The Lords and Lady Maege bowed.

"We've grown large in size and one man can't control it all on his own." Robb said. "I'll need Generals and a Marshall. We need to organize our forces while Tywin Lannister licks his wounds."

"I say we charge through the Westerlands and shove our swords up their bungholes, and put an end to this war as soon as possible!" Greatjon proclaimed, getting a large resounding cry of approval from various Northman lords and a few Riverlands lords.

"As much as I'd love to do that, Lord Umber." Robb said with a sigh escaping his lips. "Besieging Casterly Rock would cost men and resources, we have the men, but not the resources. But once we take Casterly Rock, we still need to worry about Lannisport, the hub of all Lannister commerce and economy. Undoubtedly heavily guarded, more so than King's Landing probably is. It's easy to say, Lord Umber, but it's an entirely different story when it comes to actually doing it."

"Joffrey has the Kingsroad completely under his Royal Army's control." Robb said, bringing his finger to trace all along the Crownlands. "Lord Tywin marches back to consolidate his forces and regroup. Last report of it, I read he was heading to either the Ruins of Castamere, Casterly Rock or Harrenhall. If I've known enough about that man, I'd say he'd go to the latter of the three, with his full force."

"What are you planning, your Grace?" Lord Yohn Royce asked with a raised brow. "You can't mean to lay siege on Harrenhall against a force almost as large as our own?"

"That's exactly what I mean to do." Robb smirked. "Lord Tywin is the calculating type, I know for a fact that he'll be expecting another ruse like the Battle of Whispering Wood."

"You mean another bait army?" Greatjon asked, appalled by the implications. "I think we've lost enough men to suicidal plans-"

"The difference is, Lord Tywin will be expecting a bait army." Robb kept smiling, bringing his personal wolf piece and moved it along with two more wolf pieces on either flank. "But he won't expect the King in the North, waiting for him in the field of battle."

"Your Grace!" The lords were in uproar, many shot to their seats, begging Robb to reconsider. Many immediately offered themselves up to lead the bait army, but Robb simply raised his hand and the entire tent silenced. The lords took their seats and slid into place, quiet as a mouse. Their hearts were racing, the one hope of a Free North was willing to practically sacrifice himself for the sake of their freedom and their liberty and their cause.

"Lord Yohn Royce." Robb looked at the man with a stern eye. "You will be the Marshall for the entire army, starting from this day and onward. Lord Greatjon Umber, Lord Rickard Karstark, Lord Roose Bolton, Lord Galbart Glover. You four will the generals that will aid the Marshall in making and approving battle plans. As of now, as your King, these orders are final. The battle companions I have with me need to be replenished to their former size of thirty. So far I've lost three."

"My son and nephews are more than ready to join you in battle, your Grace." Lord Royce quickly nodded.

"Tell them to meet at the war tent at sundown to be introduced with the rest of my battle companions." Robb said absent-mindedly. "Now here is the plan, my lords."

"My personal company, the Howling Wolves, as I'll start calling it, will be in the vanguard of this tri-fold attack." Robb said, moving the pieces into place. "Lord Steffon Frey will lead four thousand men on the right flank with the famous Frey pikemen. My Great-Uncle, Brynden Blackfish Tully will lead the left flank with a force of four thousand men as well."

"This cart that you see, is to represent an important gold and silver coin shipment to Casterly Rock." Robb said. "Sadly, thanks to a few well placed bandit-raids, the caravan is forced to head north towards Harrenhall. That is when we strike. We're not attacking to loot, we're attacking to draw Lord Tywin out of hiding behind the walls of Harrenhall."

"We agitate his borders enough, he'll have no choice but to leave the comfort of his keep and meet us out on the field." Robb smiled and moved three lion pieces from what seemed to be the map interpretation of Harrenhall. "As you can see, there's still a lion head waiting in garrison. That is the garrison that you Lord Royce will take advantage of."

Robb pushed the five lion heads to chase after the three wolf heads north towards the fields around Darry. He quickly reached around and slid the falcon piece across the field and left the falcon in wait in front of the lion piece still waiting above Harrenhall. Robb smirked and crossed his arms, nodding at each lord present, none said a word knowing that there was more to this plan than what Robb was letting on. The King fixed his crown slightly and bent over, moving four wolf pieces to swerve along the Red Fork towards Harrenhall through the forest. No matter how big the army is, no one gets seen in that forest unless you intend to be seen.

"As you can see, Lord Roose, Lord Umber, you two will have to lead a force from the western wall and smash against the western flank of the Lannister garrison." Robb smirked. "The signal will be a bright, Lannister banner a lit in flames, understand?"

"Wait, signal for what?" Lord Roose asked, clearly curious of this entire endeavor. "Another attack?"

"Nope." Robb wrapped his hands around the falcon piece and the wolf pieces and turned them around and slid them a few centimeters away from Harrenhall. "A signal for a retreat."

"Are you daft?!" Lord Yohn asked, wide eyed and ego potentially damaged. "A retreat hasn't been made since the first siege of Maidenpool!"

"I have good reason." Robb said with a glare. "Watch. The garrison in Harrenhall will be weak and ill-manned thanks to my previous ruse to pull Lord Tywin out of the breech. Now with the signal given, Lord Yohn, you and the Northman forces behind you are to come as fast as you can towards the fields around Darry and close the gap, surrounding Lord Tywin's main force. Not only will we gain Harrenhall, the greatest foothold to receive since it crosses over into the Riverlands, the Crownlands and the Westerlands, but there is that chance that we'll kill Lord Tywin in battle."

Looking at the map once again, the five lion pieces were surrounded from all sides by six wolf pieces, trapped and caged. The Harrenhall garrison, one lion piece was surrounded by four wolf pieces. The chances of defeating Tywin Lannister in the field were too great to pass up. Crusading down into the Westerlands was going to be a terrible idea that would only cause attrition amongst the men and with attrition came disease and terrible moral. Neither of which were going to bode well for Robb's plans. But a sudden contingency appeared in his head.

"But." Robb suddenly spoke, getting the attention of the Lords present. "We'll manage to get Lord Tywin's forces into the trap, there's still a chance that he'll escape the moment he feels that Harrenhall is in danger of attack. And that will be another chance to defeat him. We'll have him cornered from all ends. If I'm right, he'll escape from the battle the moment he realizes that this is just a diversion. But in truth, the attack on Harrenhall will be the diversion; understand?"

"He'll leave battle and fight to hold on to Harrenhall, the only other city that commands great respect and power other than King's Landing." Robb continued. "Lord Yohn, the garrison will be taken care of by the Bolton and Umber forces coming over the western wall. Set up faux siege equipment and projectiles to hurl at the garrison to keep them busy while the rest of the force you have sets up ambush points throughout the forest and the waters nearby. Cavalry will have to wait in the reserves within the forests until I arrive, understand?"

"You arrive?" Lord Galbart Glover asked with narrowed eyes.

"Yes my lord." Robb sighed. "When he goes on the run, I'll reallocate my forces and charge at his already exhausted rear, erm, former vanguard. They'll be suffering attrition and they'll be easier to cut down. If Lord Tywin escapes, my uncle Edmure and Lord Dustin will be waiting along the Red Fork with a force of eight thousand men, ready to intercept. This is going to be the hardest fought battle of this war to date. Some of us will die, but I pray to the old gods that we survive to continue fighting for our homes and our freedoms. No longer will the corrupted, Lannister-controlled, Iron Throne rule over us."

So, for the reviewer who can guess who I took that strategy from
(Hint: He's super famous and revered throughout all time)
You deserve a shitton of internet cookies.
And potatoes.

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