Chapter 17: Escape: Act 4
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Trick pulled off, Naruto escapes from the train. He does not know where he is, but is determined to get home.
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Start date, December 21

Naruto woke up to the suns' rays in his eyes. He looked out and saw the sun beginning to rise on the horizon. He looked at the ninja who was still asleep. He knew the man would be easy to wake. He reached in the bag for a sandwich. He dropped the vile inside the bag and picked up the other under his food. He looked up when he saw the man's hand reach in.

"Looks like I may have to make a trip in a town when we come to a stop." the man said with a smile

Naruto took his sandwich and quickly hid the vile. He now had to think of giving it to the man. He came up with an idea, which could work or fail. He finished his meal and looked at the ninja.

"Where is the bathroom?"

"A few cars back." the ninja said

"Do you want something to drink?"

"You will see it on you way to the bathroom."

Naruto nodded and slipped by the man. He stopped at the bathroom. He splashed water on his face to get himself woke up.

"How much should I give to him?"

"Give him enough so he could be out for a day. It won't look good if the train is attacked and he could not help defend it, especially with the bandits around."

Naruto nodded and took off back to his seat, stopping at a water cooler. He got a cup full of water and put a few drops in the cup. He got him a cup and made his way back to the man. He handed the man the laced cup and sat down. He drank his slowly while the man drained his. Naruto waited for the man to fall asleep. More then an hour passed and the man finally settled to lay back to take a nap, which made Naruto mad. He had been faking sleep till he heard soft snores from the man. He looked around to see many people taking naps, reading, or just watching the scenery passed by. Naruto grabbed the bag. He reached in the man's pouch and pulled out four kunai and found some money. It was enough to get him some items.

He stood up and made his way to the back of the train. He found no one around and opened the door. He was a bit hesitant to jump the moving train, but he had done stupider stuff. He jumped and landed on his feet, with chakra running through his legs to soften his landing. He lost his footing and tumbled down the hill and came to a halt against a tree. He cussed after he got his breath back. The vials were all broken and he chunked the bag in anger. The letter and instructions were ruined as well. He stood up and looked around. He closed his eyes when he felt the chakra of the kyuubi move around him, giving him warmth and dulling the pain from his new abrasions and bruises.

"Kit, you will still have the infection and fever to deal with. You can easily get hypothermia again. Be careful of your burns, all I can do is dull the pain."

Naruto nodded and climbed the hill. He looked where the train went. It would not be a good idea when the ninja wakes up and find him missing. He would come looking for him. Naruto looked down the way they come on the train. He did not know if they passed any settlements. He took a breath and ran through a set of hand seals and held the last seal. His hair started to grow and he stopped when it was past his shoulders. It quickly turned a light brown. He took off, down the track, back the way he came.

-captured-

A week went by and Naruto was on the outside edge of a small village. He knew word of his escape would have spread by now. He frowned when his stomach let out a roar. He kept back his laughter when a guard at the entrance of the village went for a weapon. The wind shifted and Naruto started to drool, he smelt ramen. He shook his head to clear his mind, so he could think of a plan to get into the village and pass any guards. He had nothing to eat, even with help from the foxes for the past three days. There were no animals to be found. He held his stomach with it let out another roar. He pulled out his money and counted it. It was enough to get a room and some food, he hope. He would have to break in a shop to get more clothes and weapons and hopefully, another map. He frowned, since he had nothing to treat his wounds and the henge he had up, was covering them. He let out a tired sigh.

He looked back up and mapped a route into the village and to find a hotel. He wanted to get a hot shower first then eat. He went through the forest and climbed a low wall. He looked around and went down the back alleys. He came out, like he was part of the village and looked around. His twitch to go to the ramen stand, but made himself look for a hotel. He found one and entered. An old man looked down at him with a sneer. He just gave the man a smile.

"What do you want brat?"

"I need a room for the night sir."

"Where are your parents?"

"I am with my grandfather and he will be in later. He had things to attend to."

The man snorted and looked through a book.

"We can just have the futons sir and we don't mind if it is a small room."

"Twenty five."

Naruto nodded and pulled out the money. He frowned a bit, only having enough for a bowl or two. He got a key and went down the hall. He found his room and entered. He let go the cough he was holding back and rubbed his chest. He smiled, seeing there was a bathroom with a shower and tub. He started to take his clothes off when a knock was heard. He grumbled as he walked to the door. He opened it up slightly and saw the man.

"Brat, the water heater is out for the room. You will have to go to the bathhouse, unless you like cold baths. Tell the owner I sent you."

Naruto nodded and shut the door. He let his shoulders fall and let out a sigh. He opened the door and locked it behind him. He made his way pass the man, handing him the key.

"I will be back later. Thank you."

Naruto took off and followed the road to outside of town. He found the bathhouses and entered. A woman walked up to him and gave him a smile.

"What can I do for you?"

"The owner at the hotel sent me here since the water heater is out in my room."

"Okay, come with me."

He followed her to the back to a small room. He noticed all the lockers were full. The women went to a closet and took out towels for him, shampoo and bath shoes.

"There are showers down the hall and a door that will lead to the hot tubs."

Naruto nodded and walked down the hall. He found the showers and guessed it would have to work for now. He got the hottest shower he could handle. He dried off and dressed. He left the building, thanking the women. She stopped him and braded his hair for him. He kept from frowning as she talked to him.

"What did you do to your leg, you are limping." she asked

Naruto turned to her when she finished braiding his hair.

"I had dropped a plate and got a large shard in my foot. My mom says I am forbidden from helping in the kitchen. It was the fourth plate I broke in two weeks."

The women had a deep laugh and he thanked her for use of her facilities. He took off, easily finding the ramen stand and sat down. He ordered a bowl and started to eat. He kept himself from bolting it down. He listened to the people as they passed the stand and ones next to him. Not much information he could use. He counted his money again and decided to have it for later. He left after paying and went back to his room. He saw some shops that would provide him with supplies.

He got back to the hotel and when no one was looking, he made a clone and had it transform into a close look alike like Jiraiya. The two walked in and Naruto got the key to his room. The man looked at his supposedly grandfather and went back to work. Naruto got to his room and released the clone. He was glad the room had a bed. He climbed under the covers and went to sleep.

-captured-

Naruto was waked up by kyuubi. He looked out the window, wanting to complain. He let it go as he got out from under the covers. He let out a yawn and noticed he did not even take his jacket or shoes off. He walked to the door and made sure it was locked. He went to the window and looked out. It was a clear night with the moon up high in the sky. He furled his eyebrows trying to think what day it was, but pushed it away. He opened his window and jumped out. He quickly closed it and ran into the main area of the village. He looked around to find it quiet. He felt anxious as he dash across the streets. He found the back door to a clothes shop and pried the lock open. He got inside and found clothes he could wear. He almost yelled out when he found weapons in the store. He stuffed a bag full of clothes and some of the weapons.

He left the store and went to the small weapons shop. He got in very easy and stuffed another bag full of weapons and food ration packs he found. He left and dashed back to the hotel. He got inside and closed the window. He went through his stuff, reorganization everything. All the weapons and food on the bottom of his bag and his clothes he put on top. He folded the extra bag and stuffed it in the other. He still felt anxious as he went back to sleep. He did not know why.

End date, December 28