So I'm back after a long hiatus
I've been too caught up with life lately and I want to apologize to the people who
were looking forward to super updates like that whole month when I couldn't stop
Yeah. Not gonna happen again for a very long while.

I don't know. All I get now is reviews from the people who hate this story
So that kinda sets in to fuck me over in the head with this
So I decided to take a break. Life became stressful real fast for me these last few months
work, family issues, more family issues ugh
Shit gets me heated real bad

Well onto a better note:

Those who guess Sun Tzu as the strategist for last chapter's wonderful tactic
You just earned internet cookies. And potatoes. Steamy potatoes.

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

Chapter 23: The War of the Five Kings

Bran awoke feeling energized beyond belief for some strange reason. With a quick motion, the bed furs were thrown from his body and onto the floor below. Summer replied with a low groan, giving his master a small look of discomfort. The Stark shrugged and threw his cloak over his shoulders wrapping his belt around his waist with his sword strapped to his side.

His brown eyes traced left and right, finding the lions and stags a bit of an eyesore. For a long while, he was a wolf stuck amongst lions and stags. His hand wrapped tightly around the handle of his sword as he trudged through the halls of the keep, nodding his head at the various men and women he passed.

There were well-armored knights and men-at-arms that belong to the Lords of the Crownlands and the Westerlands, but then there were those dressed in leather cuirass' with leather lapels dropping over their thighs bearing no protective ability. The gap between the men and women of the 'Royal Army' was so obvious that it hurt the young Stark's head.

Thoughts of Winterfell came to mind. Every levy and man-at-arms was dressed the same, given the same armament and even received the same training. With this Royal Army, these men and women were picked up, conscripted and given a bastardized version of the training regimen used by the whole of Westeros, save for Dorne of course.

The one thing he felt he can thank Naruto for, his banner didn't have the blasted golden lion of House Lannister. Oh how Bran hated that lion, oh how he hated his former hero, Jaime Lannister, oh how he hated all of the blond-haired shits. He gritted his teeth with Summer following suit when the two quickly became the targets of innate stares from some of the Lannister loyalists.

"Brandon." A deep voice echoed from down the hall. "How would you like to join me in breaking fast?"

Almost immediately, all heads turned away with the men and women going back to what they were doing. Bran quickly turned his head to lock his brown eyes with the powerful black eyes of none other than Jalabhar Xho, the Exiled Summer Islander that Naruto recruited before leaving King's Landing. The prince walked with his quiver already strapped to his back with his bow wrapped around his chest.

"I don't see why not…" Bran turned and walked alongside the tall Summer Islander.

Many rumors and tales were told to the young Stark of the Summer Islanders. None of them spoke any good about the dark-skinned neighbors of Westeros. Jalabhar seemed completely different from the stories though. Save for his exceptional skill with a bow. Bran felt that the man was so good, he might even give Theon a good challenge.

"Brandon, is this your first battle?" Jalabhar asked as they were served wooden plates of bacon, eggs and bread. "I want to make sure you have the skills to survive."

"I've been in a fight with the Lannisters a few times…" Bran looked down at his food.

"Have you killed yet?" Jalabhar asked, putting the steaming bacon in between his thick lips.

"I have…" A vivid flash shot through his mind, reliving the moment he took the lives of those men. He took a deep breath, signifying his discomfort.

"It is nothing to worry about, Brandon." Jalabhar nodded his head and reached over, placing his large hand on Bran's shoulder. "I'll be watching over you. We all will."

"You seem so sure of yourself…" Bran took a fork, digging into the eggs. "Have you fought in battles before?"

"Of course I have!" Jalabhar laughed heartily. "I've fought in more battles than any of you Westerosi have in the last ten years." Jalabhar sighed. "The rush! The power one feels in battle is exhilarating! For almost eight years, I've fought for my seat of the Red Flower Vale, and for almost eight years, I've shed blood."

"Why'd you end up here?" Bran asked, completely taken by his story.

"I lost the war." Jalabhar replied dejectedly. "I was hopelessly outnumbered and I came here, hoping King Robert would sympathize with my cause, but I was constantly denied by the Queen. Now, here I am, promised by Prince Naruto that I'd receive my throne once more."

Bran stayed silent, his brown eyes locking with his food once more. Naruto made a promise before. A promise that was painfully broken; shattered. The Stark quickly pushed those thoughts down to the recesses of his mind, making sure that he never thought like that again. Naruto was doing all he can for them and this was how he was going to repay his goodwill?

The two ate in silence, with Summer's slow growls and grumbles. Jalabhar looked at Bran to see his thinking expression spread across his face, wrought with anger and fear at the same time. The Summer Islander rose from his seat and stretched his back, the feathers and ornate colors dancing with his shivering body.

"Brandon." Jalabhar got the Stark's attention, breaking his glare. "How would you like me to teach you how to shoot like a Summer Islander?"

The winds were cool and crisp, itching with the feeling of winter. The bed furs shuffled slightly in the room. Birds chirped and sang, bringing life to the fortress. Hammers were banging away in the smithy with commands roared back and forth. It was daybreak and the one person who shouldn't be oversleeping, did anyway.

"Naruto. Wake up, you're missing the war." Sasuke shouted.

"I'm awake!" Naruto shot from his bed, hair spikey, shooting in all directions with his bangs flowing down to cover his eyes from view.

He shivered softly, but his chakra quickly flared, filling his body with a warmth that can only be described as perfection. A hand rose tentatively, rubbing his face. His fingers traced the scars marring his face, but nevertheless, Naruto rose from his bed and went through his morning stretches, making sure he didn't cramp up today. He was going to make sure his men were ready for the battle ahead.

While he himself has never really been in a real battle before, he was confident that Ser Delran and Lady Taerina could handle readying the men and women for combat. But he froze for a moment. How Joffrey was intending to make an army serve both men and women, Naruto didn't know. The prince just wanted to make sure nothing bad happened.

Given what he'd seen from Arya and what even Sansa managed to force out, he was fairly certain that these men and women can fight together as equals, despite their gender differences. Naruto threw his yellow and black light-plate armor over his chest and shut the clasps, locking the breastplate in place. With a quick, swift motion, Naruto wrapped his belt around his waist along with his bastard sword.

"Sasuke, our tag-team needs work." Naruto sighed and looked to the Uchiha with a blank look on his face. "I don't know why, but my reaction time just isn't as fast as yours. How can I change that?"

"It'll take work, but we can do it." Sasuke adopted a thoughtful expression. "How would you like to get pelted with training arrows?"

"Gods no." Naruto quickly declined. "The blunted swords was enough pain from Ser Jared and Ser Dougras! Something…not as painful…"

"I can't think of anything that can help." Sasuke sighed. "Usually we just channel our chakra, but you don't have good enough chakra coils to maintain the flow. If anything, using chakra to increase your skills will only reveal your powers too soon and inadvertently turn all of Westeros into your enemy. From what I've seen, these Westerosi don't like what they don't understand."

"So…you're basically saying I'm fucked?" Naruto took a deep breath, releasing a wistful sigh. "How am I going to get the Starks home and win this war?"

"Just keep practicing Naruto." Sasuke laughed. "Come on, the men are probably waiting for you in the courtyard."

Naruto left his room, silent as a fox. He wasn't greeted by his lieutenants or anyone for that matter. The prince though, felt at peace and trudged along, ignoring the interior silence of Fort Highguard. Sasuke had disappeared, slightly hurting Naruto since he was finally starting to disappear more. It had been almost a week that they'd been in Fort Highguard.

Information and orders flowed in every single day. The Tyrells were held back. Renly Baratheon was held back. Stay put. Don't engage. Consolidate. Attack. Advance. Push through their lines. Forget the previous orders. Renly Baratheon is on the move. Lord Randyll Tarly is on his way. Lord Randyll Tarly is on the retreat.

Naruto shook his head in despair. The information network that the Iron Throne had was rather atrocious. With information coming from the spider and information coming from the scouts of at least ten different lords and commanders. This was a new Royal Army and Naruto knew that this was all one big miscommunication mess. From the latest report, Lord Randyll Tarly was on his way to Tumbleton and would arrive within three weeks with a host of eight thousand, which was from the Spider. Of course, another report, one from scouts of Lord Thorne's forces, said he was heading to the Dornish Marches and Starpike.

Naruto froze in his step when his eyes landed on a familiar figure. Her hair was brown and her waist was covered in shimmering knives. It was none other than that knife expert from a few days prior. He was looking all over for her since he arrived, but no one apparently knew where she went. He rushed ahead and quickly reached forward and pulled her shoulder, forcing her to face him. All he saw were her chocolate brown eyes while the rest of her face was covered in a mask. Her shimmering eyes quickly looked away from the prince.

"Hey…" Naruto smiled. "I was impressed by your skill with knives and I wanted to congratulate you. What's your name?"

"Karlein Smyth." The woman replied and bowed softly. "I am grateful of your praise, m'lord. I hope to impress you more within the coming months."

"I have to ask though…" Naruto paused. "Why do you wear a mask?"

"I…when I was young, I twirled my knife wrong." Karlein replied quietly. "My face is ruined by my own mistake and carelessness."

"Really?" Naruto asked with wide eyes.

"I lost my grip m'lord." Karlein sighed. "I am sure you know what it's like to lose your grip."

"Hold on." Naruto pressed his hands on his waist. "How is a Smithy's daughter knowledgeable of knife-play?"

"You'd be surprised of what many of us in Flea Bottom know." Karlein laughed and walked off, her hands resting softly on her hips. "M'lord, will you stand there, or will you come out and train the troops?"

"Wait! I have more questions!"

Robb could see them in broad daylight. His men shuffled nervously behind him. For six days straight, he and the Howling Wolves have harassed the Lannister outer defenses, going from Darry and around to old Harren-town. All around the God's Eye, Robb had destroyed, sacked and slaughtered any and all Lannister footholds, all the while, with Lord Tywin's personal host right at his heels.

The Lannisters were closing in and Robb was getting worried that he might be getting too ahead of himself. But this was the place known as Fort Harston. Housing eight hundred men and knights loyal to House Lannister. Robb needed to tear it down, or at least put it to the torch. From his vantage point over the battlefield, Lord Karstark was making great progress defeating the Lannister's sallied troops.

From his last report of Lord Tywin's force, the Lannister Patriarch was pulling more troops from the Harrenhall Garrison to join in on his personal host. That could only mean that Robb needed to be as careful as he could with this strategy. He couldn't risk getting wounded or worse, dying. With most of the Crownlands slowly going up in flames, Robb's plans and the lords and pieces were finally falling into place.

Thankfully, they weren't in the middle of the fight right now. Robb felt that he and the companions needed a break. So far, the contingency he'd sent backing Lord Karstark was succeeding in keeping the Lannister forces busy. Karstark banners along with those of their bannermen waved in the winds of battle, washing away the disappearing banners of House Lannister. It was a slow process, but Robb could already taste victory. Fort Harston was already beginning to collapse beneath the weight of his forces. The stone walls and wooden watchtowers were lit ablaze or torn down in the heat of battle.

Strength in skill can always topple strength in numbers. Robb has proven that fact over and over, throughout the course of this war. It was a fact he was intending to prove as much as he needed to. But now, his numbers were growing with each passing day, making their forces near matched. Through the help and wise council of his marshal and generals; while he had proven his own battle prowess, he needed to prove the strength and skill of his army. It wasn't a form of morale boost, it was propaganda.

He wanted the Lannisters to fear the Direwolf sigil of House Stark. He wanted the southron lords to run at the very sight, no the very mention of House Stark. Through fire and blood was the only way, for Winter is Coming and there was no place for The Lions of the South. Dacey sat in her saddle, blank faced with her heart racing through her chest. The rest of the battle companions sat uncomfortably. Robb was clearly restless.

"Runner." Robb suddenly said.

The leaves and bushes rustled as men shouted for a runner. Robb didn't look back, keeping his eyes glued to the battle in front of him. The leaves rustled once more, revealing none other than a skinny woman, wearing rags and a pair of breeches. She bowed before her king and straightened up when she met his dark, icy-blue gaze. Her king took a deep breath and gave her a stern expression.

"Get down there and tell Lord Karstark that he's to exact his revenge on the Lannisters." Robb spoke with a dark tone.

"Y-Your Grace?" The woman asked.

"Tell him to kill them all!"

"Right!"

He strafed, dodging the incoming blade by mere millimeters.

"Duck!"

He shot to the ground, kicking up dirt in his wake.

"Get back up! Two are coming through the cloud!"

Almost immediately, he rose to his feet, grabbed his wooden sword and stood in defense. The first closed the distance with a near perfect precision. The second followed up, clearing what the first missed.

"Back around, get them to strike each other!"

Naruto gave Sasuke a look of confusion, but the Uchiha simply gave the same order. Naruto dodged a quick lunge and rammed his fist into Ser Warne's jaw. Ser Hellman charged ahead, sword drawn and ready, swinging, almost wildly without a single pattern in mind. Sasuke followed each attack and swing with his sharingan. Suddenly, his eyes picked up on what they were planning.

"Naruto, Jalabhar and Bran are drawing their bows." Sasuke quickly stated. "Take down Ser Warne and take his shield. I'll tell you what to do, so listen closely and move as fast as you can, understand?!"

You got it! Naruto responded with a resounding mental roar.

Warne swung down onto Naruto with his sword leaving his torso open. Naruto grabbed him by the waist and pulled him to the ground. Hellman tried to protect Warne, but Naruto was too fast, channeling his chakra through his arms. Naruto pulled the shield from the knight's arm and strapped it to his own in less than two seconds, nearly surprising Hellman to a halt.

Whistle.

Naruto raised the shield at the perfect moment. He could feel the arrows punching into the shield's surface, but thankfully, the shield was made from heavy Aspen wood. He took a deep breath, jumping back to create a pocket of distance between him and his two melee opponents. Hellman reached down, pulling Warne to his feet. Both were equally surprised, if not dumbstruck by their liege's performance. Jalabhar had an eyebrow permanently raised, having never seen something like that.

"I can do better than that." A woman's voice echoed from the other side of their sparring circle.

It was none other than Karlein. She walked up into the sparring circle with an air of superiority about her. Her hands were slowly twitching as she approached the men. Lady Taerina was cleaning her broadsword with an arakh sitting at her side. The veteran warrior looked up with an eyebrow raised at the newcomer. Even her tiger companion, Lady Soresha, looked interested at what was to come. Taerina sheathed her broadsword, leaning into her seat next to the blacksmith; smirking at what was to come.

As far as she knew, this, Karlein Smyth, if that was even her real name, was an experienced knife-fighter and was far more skilled than any she'd ever laid eyes upon. She was certain her prince was going to get one hell of a fight his way. From a first glance, Karlein looks and walks like a Westerosi, but upon closer inspection to her fighting style, be it weapons or hand-to-hand, she fights like an Essosi. How someone as young as her learned to fight like a near master was beyond Taerina.

Ser Warne and Hellman stifled their laughter. Sure they saw how good with throwing knives the woman was, but they doubted that someone so frail-looking could defeat the Prince, a proven fighter, despite the lack of actual battle experience. The woman walked with a brisk pace, inching at the knives strapped to her hips. Her eyes were trailing left and right, trying her best to prove her skill. She stopped and rested her hands on her hips.

"Ser Hellman, Ser Warne, I want to fight you two as well." She smirked. "I'll show you that the swift movements of a woman can defeat the strength men seem to always covet."

"Oh, I like her." Taerina shouted out with a powerful guffaw.

Naruto glared at the Essosi woman and turned back to his cocky opponent. Yes she's great with knives, but there was no way that she could defeat the three of them. He had two Hedge knights that were practiced and tempered by battle with Sasuke and his all-seeing sharingan to top it off. He glared at the woman, who'd managed to get the attention of almost everyone awake, including a large group of female archers making their practice shots. All around, from the battlements and the training circles, men and women turned to face the duel.

"When do you want to begin?" Karlein asked with an innocent tone.

"Now!"

Hellman and Warne rushed from the flanks, trying to close the distance as soon as possible. Karlein wasn't going to have any of that though. With a quick motion and flick of her wrists, two knives shot from her waist and whizzed through the air, taking their helmets from their heads with near skin-grazing distance. Warne ducked, spinning on the ball of his heel while Hellman continued his charge forward. Karlein ducked, sliding her left foot through the dirt, kicking up a small cloud into Warne's face.

Naruto took this as his cue to join the fight. She dodged Hellman's lunge with graceful ease and palmed his wrist, breaking his grip on the hedge knight's sword. Taerina rose from her seat narrowing her eyes at the fighting style was seeing. Karlein jumped back pulling the black scarf wrapped around Ser Hellman's neck. The knight roared out, cursing his heavy armor.

Karlein thought she was safe for the moment, but just as she stepped her foot against the back of his head, Ser Warne appeared with a glare on his face and lunged with a power-strike, nearly sticking Karlein like a pork sausage. She smirked at his movements. Classic Westerosi garbage, she surmised. The Westerosi prized size and strength above all things, given their use of heavy armor and heavy weaponry. She shook her head, eyeing the many sweat-drops already beginning to trickle down Ser Warne's cheeks.

"Now's the time, Naruto!" Sasuke's voice echoed within his head.

Got it! Naruto dashed from behind, making as little noise as possible. He jumped for Karlein's back and tackled the woman to the ground just as Ser Hellman began to push himself off the ground. Naruto made the mistake of moving his eyes from his target.

"Don't underestimate me!" Karlein shot her elbow up into the unsuspecting Baratheon's jaw, forcing him off of her torso.

She shot up as fast as she could, rolling away like an assassin. Ser Warne lifted his shield and slowly walked up to the elusive woman, eyeing her like a piece of meat. Green eyes locked with chocolate brown, trying to examine her stance. As far as he could tell, she had none. That only complicated things. Naruto stood, holding his busted lip, smearing the blood against his chin. His blue eyes were ablaze with a fury Karlein had never seen. She kept that fear pressed down, so as to not show weakness.

Hellman roared for his squires. Naruto's eyebrow quirked when three teenagers appeared and began to remove Hellman's heavy armor. He wore a simple leaver jerkin with steel guarded breeches. Another squire arrived with his heavy great sword. Warne gave Hellman a smirk and called his own squires. It didn't take long, but Warne now held his broadsword and shield, free of his heavy armor weighing him down. Naruto sighed and shifted his weight uncomfortably. These two were probably going to try and kill her.

"Well she did throw knives at them." Sasuke piped.

Should I use live steel? Naruto asked.

"Do what you think you should do." Sasuke replied with his usual ambiguous tone. "Besides, I'm just the guy trying to keep you alive in battle."

"Bran!" Naruto called.

"Right ahead of you Naruto." Bran tossed the Baratheon his bastard sword.

Karlein's eyes trailed the glinting blade as it flew through the air and into the prince's hands. A small smirk began to prey upon her masked face. They were going to get serious. Naruto swung his blade around, cutting the wind in his wake. His blue eyes locked with her chocolate brown orbs. She was certain he was going to go for the kill. Karlein chuckled softly and slowly brought her hands to her hips, sliding her fingertips against the handles of her throwing knives.

Trailing back and forth at her opponents, she managed to pinpoint certain areas that they were weak. Naruto didn't have a shield, but for some reason beyond her, he can dodge projectiles like nothing. Ser Warne was free from his heavy armor slowing him down, leaving him easily ten times faster than before. She narrowed her eyes at Ser Hellman. He was the slowest but the most resilient. That was with his armor. She couldn't even begin to imagine what the man could do, now that his armor was removed.

"Who wants to go first?" Karlein asked with a cocky disposition.

Hellman and Warne gave each other a quick glance before charging at the knife-thrower with as much power as they could muster. Hellman swung first, but Karlein easily dodged the two of them, grinding their assault to a halt. Warne moved too far, leaving him open from behind. Karlein grabbed him by the back of the neck, pulling his tunic along. He yelped in surprise, but was far more surprised by her amazing strength. She forced him to the ground, ready to stomp his face in.

"Forward!"

Naruto lunged at the woman, lost in her combat trance, breaking her attack with near perfection.

"Left!"

Naruto smirked at Sasuke's plans. The Baratheon swung for her left, forcing her right side unprotected. Hellman took quick advantage of this and rushed forward, swinging for her seemingly bare right flank. It looked like it was over, but his sword clashed with the curved blade common to an arakh. Lady Taerina smirked at Ser Hellman and swung his sword back around.

"Are you so weak that you need three men to fight one woman?" Lady Taerina asked, her arakh poised for an attack. "Karlein, you've done well. It's time to even the odds. Lady Soresha, to me."

Naruto's eyes darkened with a deadpanned expression growing across his features. He grasped the handle of his bastard sword, awaiting the inevitable charge of the massive tiger. Ser Warne and Ser Hellman gasped in surprise. She was going to pull her trump card this soon? Nonetheless, the two Hedge Knights tightened their grip on their swords and stood as steady as they could. Be like a mountain and be as fluid as a river; something that Naruto beat into their heads. Of course it wasn't as easy as Naruto said. They were knights who bore the heaviest armor and the heavies weapons. To fight women like this though, was like suicide. Lady Taerina was a practiced and so far, one of the most terrifying women they've met, aside from Karlein.

"Lady Taerina." Naruto smiled, standing between the two Hedge Knights. "Are you certain you want to fight all of us? I've gotten better."

"Last we fought, Prince Naruto, I defeated you rather easily." The Essosi burst into laughter.

Much to Naruto's ire, Ser Delran and Bran were snickering. It was a fact that she practically handed him his arse on a silver platter; but that was the past and this is the now. He didn't have an annoying, but ridiculously useful specter at his side. The blond prince spun his sword around, twirling it with an expert tinge that had many watching in awe. In the eyes of his troops, he was a prince; but now, he was more than that. He was showing a skill that many of them wished they had. Unbeknownst to the Baratheon, he was slowly raising the morale of his troops, just through this little practice spar.

"Prepare yourself!" Naruto cried, raising his bastard sword above his head. "I won't show mercy!"

"Naruto; throw some knives at Soresha to distract her towards Ser Hellman." Sasuke said sternly, assessing the situation.

Why not draw her out and the three of us take her down together? Naruto asked.

"You three aren't coordinated enough for that just yet." Sasuke narrowed his eyes. "Just do what I said."

You got it.

Naruto rushed forward, sword poised. Karlein watched him with calculating eyes. She clearly thought he was going to do something as stupid as charge right into her, despite already feeling the effects of what happens. Her fingers were wrapped in between knives and handles, ready to take the sword from his hands. Suddenly, he brought his sword down and hurled a pair of knives at Lady Soresha, forcing the tiger to reposition closer to Lady Taerina. The flanks were broken with Ser Hellman and Ser Warne bearing down on specifically Lady Taerina.

Karlein knew this and had to make a split decision. Naruto was coming right for her and without Lady Soresha, she wasn't sure she could move fast enough to continue a close quarters fight with the Baratheon. Naruto took notice of her shimmering eyes and shot his foot forward, kicking her gut in her moment of confusion. He pushed her to the ground, bastard sword to her neck. She'd lost in a mere second due to her thinking too hard. Naruto's eyes turned to see Ser Warne tackle Lady Soresha with Ser Hellman in a stalemate with Lady Taerina.

"It seems I've won." Naruto smiled. "What happened?"

"I put her in a genjutsu." Sasuke smirked. "She was going to take that sword out of your hands if I didn't do anything."

Thank you for that, Sasuke. Naruto laughed.

"I've done my part." The Uchiha nodded. "Now do yours and find out who the hell this girl really is. I'm fairly certain you'll be in for a surprise."

"M'lord." Karlein bowed her head in respect.

"Remove your mask, My Lady." Naruto ordered. Lady Taerina showed discomfort with the order, but didn't say anything. Ser Warne and Ser Hellman shared estranged looks but went along with it.

Dirt was overturned and soon enough, Bran and Summer stood at Naruto's right with Ser Delran on his left. Jalabhar arrived rather intrigued by what was to come. The rest of the Hedge Knights arrived, sheathing their swords and strapping their shields to their backs. After an interesting day of spars and fights, they were curious to see what this woman looked like. Her brown orbs looked terrified and embarrassed, both of which, Naruto had taken note of. He was already starting to piece together who this person was, but he just couldn't put it together-

"Mayra?!" Bran's voice echoed in surprise. "Y-You're…you…how?!"

What? Naruto thought to himself, clearly having lost his voice.

"Told you, you'd be surprised." Sasuke piped.

It was indeed Mayra. Blank faced and red cheeked. Her brown eyes shimmered the longer she eyed her companions and lord. The Hedge Knights were at a loss for words. Jalabhar as well. Ser Delran and Lady Taerina felt their jaws drop. This girl had fed all of them at some point in King's Landing or during their visits to the Red Keep. Lady Taerina narrowed her eyes at the girl, hand instinctually reaching for her arakh. This girl had so many secrets and quite frankly, the woman wasn't so keen on trusting someone with an unknown past. For as far as any of them knew, Mayra was a kitchen wench, one of the most average wenches the Red Keep had to offer.

To think she'd be a skilled killer and knife user had them all keeling over, ready to question reality and their own skills. Naruto thought kept staring at her and it was beginning to unnerve her. Naruto was silent, trying to come to terms with the woman in front of him. Why was she here, how did she get so good? Naruto started backing away from the built group, clearly confused. Mayra, or Karlein, or whoever she was; everything that happened between them was a lie and fake?

"Naruto, wait-"

"Don't take another step closer!" Bran growled, drawing his blade.

The five Hedge Knights didn't know what to do, so they decided to join Bran and drew their blades as well, holding Mayra back. She gulped watching everyone she'd befriended turn against her in a split second. She looked around seeing all the people stare at her. It made her anxious. Suddenly, Lady Taerina grabbed her and led her towards the keep. The swords were sheathed behind her but instead of confinement to her room, she found herself in a different type of quarters. It was dirty and smelled atrocious. Gone was her bed and linens. Gone was her mirror and window. Gone was her door. Everything was replaced with stone walls and bars.

"I'm sorry, Mayra." Naruto said from the darkness that surrounded her. "I don't know if I can trust you. Who even are you?"

"I am…"

This night was far darker than any Naruto had ever witnessed. He could hear the bugs and insects buzzing around him and that only seemed to solidify his reasoning. Behind him in a wedge formation; Lady Taerina and Bran were crouched with Summer and Soresha at their sides. They were followed by Ser Delran and Jalabhar. In the center of their wedge, forming the strength and weight; the Hedge Knights and Mayra, who'd decided to take up the identity of Karlein, the masked knife mistress.

It was an awkward two weeks to get used to her presence, but over time and on their journey through the Reach, she had proven herself as an invaluable instrument of warfare. She had proven herself on the battlefield and with the five skirmishes they've had with Tyrell and Baratheon forces. Chaotic and bloody, Mayra, or Karlein, depending whether or not that mask was on, would show her worst. Within time, she had gained the trust of everyone. After all, if they were going to be a well-oiled machine, they were the cogs and trust was the oil.

Onward they rushed through the Reach forcing at least two Reach Lords and one Stormlord to go full retreat. With just a force of five hundred, Naruto had managed to defeat two thousand men in skirmishes up and down the Crownlands/Reach border. Now, they had made their first puncture through their defensive line. Their training was done and their preparations were done. This was going to be their proving grounds. Tumbleton was weak and ill-manned, ready and ripe for the taking. Naruto was sure that he wasn't going to mess this up.

Their only advantage was the cover of darkness. Sure Tumbleton was indeed ill-manned, they still outnumbered Fox Company easily by at least five to one. Naruto wasn't going to get his troops needlessly killed. Trudging through the wet tall grass, he and his troops were well out of sight of the Tyrell crossbowmen. If his military studies were of any merit, Tyrell crossbowmen were almost as revered as their heavy knights. Naruto was going to bust that myth and shit on Tumbleton's defenses. And once he was done with that, he was going to piss on the lord's head for good measure- wait, that's not his train of thought.

"Sorry, sorry." Naruto could hear Sasuke bursting with laughter. "It was just…it was right there! Don't give me that look!"

You're going to be the death of me. Naruto glared.

"Not possible." Sasuke retorted with a smug smirk. "I'm the one making sure death won't come for you remember?"

Naruto sighed and placed his palm against the ornate handle of his trusted bastard sword. Bran and Jalabhar knocked arrows to their bows, going ahead of the wedge, breaking formation. The Baratheon looked to his forces. While he and his companions went in, the main bulk of his troops were lying in wait. The plan was to sneak in through their grate and kill the sentries of the portcullis, all the while, opening the main gate. Karlein was going to handing the gatehouse while the rest stormed the walls and battlements, all the while doing their best to stay hidden. With torches lining every five feet, it would be near impossible, but Naruto felt that they could do it.

The first two arrows were shot from Jalabhar and Bran's bows. The arrows whizzed through the air, catching perfectly against the walls. Bran and Jalabhar flashed a quick hand sign, giving the clear. The wedge split immediately and the companions split in all directions. Naruto was followed closely by Ser Warne as they neared the first arrow stuck in the wall. The prince smirked at his Hedge Knight friend and jumped, wrapping his hands around the rope tightly secured with the embedded arrow. The prince pulled himself with a steady grace and rested his hands against the stone surface, watching the guards walk about.

Tumbleton was a large city, but not on King's Landing's standards. There was a guard for about every ten yards of wall. The prince made an estimate of about five guards in each battlement. There were ten battlements that lined the walls. Oh, Naruto knew that this was going to be one hell of a fight without siege equipment. He wasn't going to act like his uncle or grandfather where siege equipment and starving out the people was the tactic of choice; no, he was going to use his small fighting force to his advantage. He was going to strain his enemy to breaking point. He wanted to put his enemies on a crusade for his head and weaken them through attrition.

Having waited long enough, Naruto gave a quick wave to the Hedge Knight waiting below, giving the signal for assault. Ser Warne shot around and began waving his hands; armored arms glinting in the very dim light that the moon managed to reveal through the thick cover of clouds. Naruto could distinctly see Karlein pulling herself up the wall, almost like a monkey or child. Once she was over the wall, Naruto could hear a small commotion that just so happened to be loud enough to draw the nearby guards. Naruto looked about, waiting for the signal. Suddenly, Sasuke appeared and nodded his head.

Without words shared, Naruto shot over the wall, knife in hand. He crouched, hiding beneath the wall segments protruding. There were about eight guards along this length of wall that hadn't taken notice of him as of yet. His heart raced to speeds unknown. These men could turn towards his direction any second and this mission would be over in a heartbeat. Ser Warne arrived, rolling over to Naruto's side as silent as a mouse. It surprised him how agile the Hedge Knight really was. Even with all of his armor, Ser Warne knew how to get around in silence.

Naruto watched the men lining the wall with a glare. Suddenly, almost simultaneously, all eight men collapsed to the floor, arrows in their chests. Naruto crawled along noticing him Jalabhar and Bran with the archers of Fox Company knocking their arrows. The leaves of the bushes and grass began to rustle and shimmer in the illuminating light of the moon above. They were getting into position. That could only mean that Karlein and Lady Taerina had already dispatched the guards of the gatehouse. The Baratheon shot to his feet and rushed along the wall, all the while keeping low, so as to not draw attention.

He thought he was in the clear. But that dream was quickly shut down. A Tyrell footman rushed at him, sword in hand and shield in the other. Naruto shot to the side and without a thought, dug his blade into the man's side, releasing a gut wrenching squeal. He was within the battlement and like he thought, there were about five guards stationed. A series of sliding blades and clanging swords echoed above and below the two men. Naruto shared a nervous look with Ser Warne before they too drew their won blades. He only hoped that the companions were as fast as he'd hoped.

The first soldier rushed at Naruto, ready to kill the siege by removing the head of the snake. That wasn't on Naruto's agenda though. He swung powerfully, clashing with the Tyrell's blade, sending the boy back in the weight of his own attack. Naruto swung down with no remorse, digging the edge of the blade into the boy's bare forehead. The kid didn't even have enough time to register a scream. There was a small shout from below, followed by a terrifying sounding splash. Naruto wrenched his sword from the boy's head and turned to find Ser Warne with hands covered in blood.

"Watch out!" Ser Warne reached to his back and pulled free a knife.

Naruto ducked, barely dodging the broadsword swinging for his neck. The footman took the knife to the groin, eliciting a scream. The prince could feel his ears ringing, but shot to his feet, pressing his hands on the Tyrell footman's mouth, all the while tearing the knife from his balls. The levy sunk his teeth into Naruto's palm, breaking his footing. The two tumbled down breaking into a brawl on the wooden floor. The fifth and final levy jumped over Naruto and his duel to face Ser Warne, over-filled with misplaced confidence.

Ser Warne swung for the levy, but the man dodged, clashing his own blade with the Hedge Knight's. Warne wasn't about to be outdone by some no-named levy of the Reach. He shot his knee forward, digging it into the man's rather scrawny looking chest. The guard was broken and soon enough, the levy's grip on his sword disappeared with his breath. He wasn't anticipating Ser Warne to be so strong. The levy dropped the sword, leaving him open for Ser Warne to do business. The knight rushed forward and wrapped his hands around the levy's face and twisted so fast, the man's entire body twisted with his neck.

Another series of cracks were heard indicating another neck was broken. There was a small struggle and the sound of clanging metal against wood echoed throughout the battlement. Naruto pushed the limp body of the castrated levy from off of his body and shot to his feet. Receiving a small cut to his right eyebrow, Naruto was certain he'd be covered in scars by the end of this war. He and Ser Warne cleaned their weapons for a short while before dashing from the battlement ready to do damage. Naruto could see Lady Taerina and Ser Delran speeding on the far side of the city walls, cutting down Tyrell levies just as fast as the prince could register them.

"We have to keep going until we meet them." Ser Warne quickly said through gasps and heavy breaths.

"Another battlement ahead!" Naruto hurled his knife, jabbing it through a steel sallet of a Tyrell serjeant. The man shot back in a rather comical way, blood trailing in his wake.

The prince kicked the first levy that came his way, digging his foot into the boy's guts. Before the boy could fall back, Naruto reached forward, grabbing him by his collar. The boy was struggling to not throw up in his face. The Prince knew just how to remedy this boy's problem. With a motion quicker than lightning, Naruto drew his sword and sliced into the levy's torso, spilling his guts onto the stone floor of the castle walls. Sword in hand and shield strapped to his other, Naruto could finally get into the fight. He dashed forward, bashing his shield into the face of a recuperating man-at-arms, breaking the man's stance.

Naruto lunged, digging the blade through his standard Tyrell coat of plates. With a splash to signify his death, Naruto punched the man off of his blade and rushed the remaining defenders with Ser Warne at his side. Little by little they'd managed to slaughter fifteen men and clear out three battlements by the time they met up with the others. Naruto wiped the sweat from his brow and cleared the blood and grime from his nose and cheeks. Lady Taerina rested against a pillar overlooking the city from the South Gatehouse. Her brown eyes trailed over to see the faint image of Ser Jared and Karlein waiting for the signal at the North Gatehouse.

"Do it." Naruto nodded with excitement. "Give the signal."

"You're ready Naruto." Sasuke rested his hand on the Baratheon's shoulder. "I'll be here giving you help when you need it. So far you've done well to handle yourself."

Maybe all I needed was a real battle to get my blood running, ne? Naruto asked with a smirk.

"Maybe." Sasuke trailed off. "Let's get killing."

Morning arrived. With morning came many things; sun, life and the cold breeze of winter. Winter? That can't be right. It wasn't possible. Not this soon. Lord Tywin shot from his bed and watched his encampment. The winds were dropping in temperature. Tywin growled and stared at the lands in front of him. The moist leaves of the forests surrounding his army whisked back and forth unknowing when to stop. He knew just what this ungodly cold meant; Robb Stark was close. He turned on his heels, calculating his next moves.

Robb Stark has evaded him and distracted him countless times in this war. Robb has shown himself to be a gifted commander and fighter, going so far as to show Tywin that he wasn't afraid to make hard decisions when it comes to the lives of his men. Remembering the Whispering Wood, Robb Stark sent two thousand men to their deaths just to get to his son; Jaime. That not only showed Robb Stark's willingness to win, but the unwavering loyalty that the North gave him. His men worshiped him as if he were a man out of myth. Tywin was seeking to destroy that.

But that task was getting harder and harder as the days pass. Robb Stark was tearing apart fortress and outpost after outpost, leaving snow and dead Lannister men in his wake. Robb was constantly on the move, never staying in one place for too long. How his men weren't suffering from attrition and exhaustion, Lord Tywin couldn't discern. But every army has a weakness, every leader has a weakness. While some are too proud to admit, everyone does. Lord Tywin turned back to his table and glared at the disturbing placement of the Stark's forces.

Their numbers were near equaled to his own. He took a deep breath as he began to take into account the lords of the Vale that had joined the fight on Robb Stark's side. The King in the North was gaining territory and allies faster than the Royal Army can muster a sizeable force for a counter attack. Tywin had to hand it to his rather incompetent grandson, Joffrey. That idea for a Royal Army was executed quickly and within six months, everything had fallen into place for not only their rise, but their downfall. The Vale saw this and with their misplaced hatred on his House, they rose up to fight for independence.

The horror of having a kingdom as large as the North, assimilating the Riverlands and the Vale. Tywin couldn't fathom the power vacuum that would ensue if they do win their freedom. Not only that, but what's to stop the Dornish from declaring their independence as well? No one has ever conquered Dorne since Daeron. Tywin rubbed his temples feeling a headache beginning to build. This war was going to be his last. He just knew it. But if there was one thing he felt he needed, it was a warm hearth to be around for the winds were growing colder.

"Lord Tywin…I bring horrible news!" A scout suddenly came escorted by knights sworn to House Lannister.

"Speak." Tywin said with a deep terrifying tone.

"Robb Stark is on his way here as we speak!"

I really do hope you enjoyed!
If you liked it, tell me! Please?

Well this was a very action oriented chapter and the chapters after this will be just as epic!

Ja ne!

gottahavekyuubi