"Hey you."- Someone speaking.

Hey you- Normal rendition of Naruto telling the story.

'Hey you.' More specific thoughts Based on the situation.

My update schedule is all over the place, but I really like the lore of this whole story. So, I tend to binge write. I also crave feedback from you guys. And obviously, I don't own Naruto. But anyway. Enjoy- ST

xXx

I kept steadily forward with an exhausted Hinata on my back. After our interesting intro with Kiba's pack, It was clear that the injury her ribs sustained were going to take a while to heal.

"Naruto, we really need to eat something. If I don't eat something soon, I'm not sure if I'll even be able to fix this." She gave off small groans of discomfort with every large rock I stepped over or change in pace I took.

"I know... only a little farther. I promise." I looked ahead to see Kiba keeping a steady stride through the thick tree line, cutting down large branches and obscurities with a clawed hand.

'We've been hiking for hours. Where in the hell could he possibly be taking us?'

In fact it had been so long that the pull the moon had over me seemed to completely dissipate. Hinata no longer looked like fresh meat, and I didn't feel the urge to rip anyone's throat out.

'Perhaps that was Kiba's doing?'

"Hey, keep your head together kid. Where almost at the house." Kiba paused in his destructive walk to turn back to me. " You may have passed my test, but if my pack has any reason to distrust you..."He gave me one of his full toothed grins. " Well let's just hope it doesn't come to that." He again continued his path ahead of us.

I felt a gentle shift of weight on my back, as Hinata adjusted to place her mouth next to my ear.

"Do you think we can trust anything he says? I mean, we did just meet him. And not exactly under the best circumstances." I simply gave a nod yes, either because I didn't want Kiba to hear my response. Or more likely because my face was blood red at the notion of her whispering into my ear so casually.

"Are you ok? Your face is really red." I felt her cool, soft hand place itself on my forehead. "Am I to heavy maybe?" I shook my head with a definite no.

"No no you're fine! I'm just thinking is all." Truth be told I preferred her this close. I didn't plan on letting her out of my sight for a while. There's no telling who else we might run into out here. Or what...

I decided to chance some more words about Kiba. "I really don't think we have anything to worry about with him."

'There's something about him, I feel like there's too much pride there for him to lie about anything.'

'He's stronger than us, you know.'

"Huh? Hinata did you say something?" I looked around for the source of the voice I just heard. But my eyes fell on nothing unordinary.

"No. Talking hurts as it is." I thought about it, it really couldn't be beneficial to converse so much with a broken rib cage.

"Yeah... sorry." I decided to leave her be.

'So who the hell was that?'

" I should probably warn you before we get there. That the little roughing around we did back there, was just that kid." Kiba hacked away as the tree line began to thin out considerably. Eventually making our way to a long, worn street just outside the forest. Separating us from a very large gothic style mansion. "You see, this is where real killers live. Where you'll make that transition from whelp to predator. "He sprinted across the street toward the large building. "God damn I'm excited just thinking about it! Let's go meet the family!"

"Damn this guy is-"

"Crazy?" Hinata interrupted with a nervous laugh, clearly unsure about the whole thing.

"Energetic.."

'Hell he really could be my older brother in another lifetime.'

I made my way to the mansion doors at a lesser speed, Kiba having already gone inside. The entire estate was covered in waist high weeds. Clearly unkempt for some time now. The house itself looked to be in livable condition, lights shinning through several windows. I looked up at the large black building, dwarfed by the immense size of it.

'This has to be at least twenty rooms.'

"Well no turning back now. Are you ready?" I turned my head to Hinata.

"Yeah, do me a favor and put me down? I can walk in." I stiffened a little at her words.

"Are you sure?" The urge to protect was always damn near feral when it came to her.

"Yes, we need to make a strong first impression." I loosened my grip as she climbed off my back. " And besides" She made her way to my side, motioning with an index finger for me to move closer. I hesitantly bent over, moving my face closer to hers.

"Yes?"

Again she motioned me closer, my face now close enough to feel her gentle breaths push against the loose hairs that dangled down onto my forehead. Her face moving dangerously close to my own, a gentle smile on her lips. She moved in closer, making me close my eyes out of impulse.

'Is she going to-?'

But before my thoughts had a chance to process, her lips met my skin. But it wasn't her lips on mine, her lips spoke very carefully right at the edge of my earlobe. " If you keep protecting me like you do... someone might think I'm yours or something." She gave me a quick peck on the cheek and made her way to the front door.

"Um, wait wh-"

She turned to give me a big smile, and a knowing look. "Because we both know how that worked out last time."

'Ouch. Guess she's still not over that.'

"Yeahhh, you know we should really talk about that. Hinata I'm sorry-"

"No no no, you're sorry you got caught dear. There's a difference. Now let's go, we don't have time for this. We can talk later."

'Oh joy.'

I accompanied her at the door, both of us taking a deep breath as Hinata readied herself to enter.

"Here goes nothing."We pushed through together greeted by nothing but a worn out welcome mat, and a dimly lit entrance room. Surprisingly well kept, the wood floors were polished and display cases were well dusted. Containing an assortment of very expensive looking books and miniature figurines of dogs and wolves. Perhaps the most noticeable thing at first sight being the large mural on the wall, a pack of wolves running wildly after a fleeting moon on a star lit night. Honestly it was kind of eerie. The painting and the old timey decorations made the whole place seem kind of creepy. The uneasy silence didn't help at all, it was quiet. Way too quiet...

'Move.'

"What?" I felt my body moving with haste to tackle Hinata to the ground. A spear flying just over us and gripping itself into the door behind us.

'A fucking spear?! I'm sure I'm do for something normal to happen to me today.'

"Man you weren't kidding Tenten, he's pretty fast!" I chanced a look to see Tenten at the top of the staircase. Accompanied by another boy around our age. He sported an atrocious bowl cut and a green jumpsuit.

'And those EYEBROWS.'

"What in the hell you caterpillar eyebrowed creep!" The words were damn near verbatim with my thoughts, but they didn't come from me. I looked to my left to see Hinata rising from under my arm, making a beeline up the staircase toward the strange boy and Tenten

"Um, lee. I'd run if I were you. Those claws say she's not very happy with you. " Tenten was almost in tears as a frantic lee heeded her warning and was now running up and down the stairs trying to escape a hungry Lioness.

'She's definitely more aggressive these days for sure. Whatever was passive about Hinata, is slipping more every day. But me...' I looked down at my hands.

' I feel like I just do enough to stay alive these days, like... like my drive is waning.'

'You've become weak.'

"Where in the hell is that coming from?" I scanned the room, Hinata was still chasing Lee, Tenten hadn't moved, and I could smell Kiba nearby. But no one who sounded like that voice. That voice sounded familiar and I was certain I'd heard something.

sigh* "Hey Uzumaki, call your girlfriend off before we lose Lee."

Kiba's words snapped me back to the situation at hand. The strange voice would just have to wait for now.

"... She's not my girlfriend." I mumbled grouchily under my breath. But all I got was a very pressured glare back in response from Kiba.

"Fine. Hinata! First impression, remember? " When I didn't get a response from her, I let out a low growl, finally resulting in her to slow her chase. Albino cat eyes gave me an irritated stare. But I finally got the result I wanted when she repressed her anger and walked back over to join me. Claws retracting back to they're short normal nailed appearance. Clutching at a now re-agitated rib cage.

" I'm... sorry Mr. Inuzaka, that was uncalled for. I'm just really hungry, and your friend angered me more than I'd like to admit." She apologized with a surprising amount of sincerity. But all Kiba could do was laugh.

"Please, just Kiba. And Mr. Inuzaka doesn't even exist. Ma owns this own place. We used to come here to hunt in the Forest of the Death when I was a kid. But now" Kiba took time to prop himself up on top of one of the many glass cases.

"She's abandoned this place. I don't think she's been here since her beloved son went missing some years ago." He gave a smile at the girl atop the staircase.

"Panda Bear be a dear and make us all some food. I'm sure our guest are starving." The girl in question blushing hard at her nickname, giving a quick nod. Descending the stairs and disappearing into another room.

"Years? Why haven't you gone back yet then?" I found myself naturally curious as to why he'd avoid contact with his own life for so long.

" Well that's simple isn't it? I don't belong in the real world until the good Doctor isn't there to ruin it." His gaze was fixated on the forest just outside the front window. " Whatever Orochimaru is using to make more monsters in Eden, is coming from this forest. I'm positive."

" You realize Eden was in the Sound Country right? Why come all the way over to the middle of nowhere just to borrow from that forest?" Tactically, this didn't make any since.

"I'm not sure, but I have every intention on finding out. And when I do, that snake is dog food."

I allowed myself to laugh for what felt like the first time in a long time.

" That's a bit cheesy don't you think?" I'd deduced after our first encounter that Kiba was infused with some kind of wolf or dog. It'd explain the whole pack mentality he was promoting. Luckily enough for me, the laugh he returned was just as full hearted.

" You know kid, I think you'll fit in around here just fine." I was able to avert Kiba's gaze from the forest and onto Lee. " So what do you think Lee? How do you feel about your new brother and sister?"

"They both seem so full of youth! I hope they decide to stay long enough for us to spare some time. My apologies Miss Hinata, the spear was simply a formality. Rock Lee" Lee extended his hand out to Hinata. Even after running for his life, this guy was all smiles. I looked to my side and Hinata was still breathing with notable effort. But this guy, he looked like he didn't even break a sweat.

'What in the hell is he? Was that whole running for his life thing just an act?'

"I suppose I can let it go." Hinata forced a smile and took his hand.

" Perfect! Then let's break bread, you'll both need some food in you if you want to recover properly." Kiba led us to a pretty impressive dining room. The main table could hold at least ten people." I'm afraid it will just be the seven of us tonight, so please sit wherever you want."

I paused, my hand getting ready to pull out my chair. 'But I only see five... Me, Hinata, Kiba.' I looked toward the kitchen, lee was helping Tenten bring out seven large plates. 'Tenten and Lee.'

"Where are th-"

'Above you.' my eyes darted up to see a pair of dark framed circular glasses starring down at me.

"What in the hell?" There's no way he'd been there the whole time.

"Ah I see you he found Shino, he's a bit shy. Hey bro, be nice, say hey to our guest." The man in question was suspended above us from the ceiling by his feet, hands tucked casually away in black jacket pockets. It's unclear what held his feet in place, but from where I stood it looked like a moving black mass circled around his feet.

'Are those bugs?'

"Greetings." The mysterious boy said.

I merely felt myself collapsing in my seat. Staring up in aw until the strange boy descended on the other side of the wall and taking a seat at the table across me.

"I'm Shino Aburame."

" Naruto Uzumaki..." I gestured a wave across the table that was met with a slight nod.

"Well that makes six, but I'm afraid I can't find the seventh one anywhere."

Kiba seemed to give this some thought. "Hm, I just smelled that lazy bastard a minute ago. But there's to many of you in the room now."

"Um, Naruto. Do you hear that?" Hinata's asked, but before I could search the room, I felt a hand on my right shoulder.

sigh*

"Hey new guy, you're kinda in my spot." I peaked over my right shoulder slowly but what I saw made me jump out of my seat. Or rather what I didn't see.

'Nothing, there's. There's nothing there!'

"Who's there!?" I watched the chair I was in pull out slightly and adjust as if someone had sat in it.

"Haha stop playing with the kid Shikamaru. No sense in scaring him off so soon."

I heard another sigh come from the chair. "... Fine." I watched the clear space in front of me flicker and blur until empty space was occupied by a boy around Kiba's age, or perhaps older. He dawned a spiked brown ponytail, tied up above his head. Wearing a blue Kohnoa Soccer Team jersey and black basketball shorts. With no shoes in the considerably cold house.

"Huh. So I get a set of claws and you get to turn invisible? Seems a bit unfair to me." The boy in question gave a me a lazy look. Slumped comfortably in his dinning chair.

"I wouldn't say invisible. It more a matter of perspective really. And if you ever met my spouse, you'd understand why I need to hide occasionally."

'I can definitely relate.'

"Shikamaru Nara." He gave me a lazy wave.

"Can we eat now?" His question turned on Kiba.

"Well tell me what you two think first. Thoughts?"

'Kiba wasn't kidding, we really do need everyone's favor.'

"Well I personally didn't think he'd find me. So, he has my approval." Shino gave his statement and reverted his attention to Lee and Tenten placing down plates. Full of bloody chunks of meat that was of an unknown origin. I could hear both Hinata's and my own stomach growl at the site.

We both shared a nervous laugh. "Sorry, guess we're both hungrier than I thought."

"Then let's stop the troublesome introductions and eat. The girl heard me with ease, so I'm satisfied for now." Shikamaru said.

Kiba's questioning ceased as he gave Hinata and I a content smile, taking a seat at the head of the table. " Well then that's that. Dig in everyone. I suppose your first task can start tomorrow." Kiba stood back up to take his plate from Tenten and pull out a chair for her directly next to him. He gave her a peck on the cheek as she accepted the gesture gracefully, having changed into a more traditional pink Chinese formal dress with a red floral pattern. Complimented by a now cleaner and neater pair of twin buns atop her head.

'Wow'

"'Tenten here and that lazy bum over there will shadow you on whatever task Tenten sees fit. No offense to the boys, but she's my favorite and Shikamaru has a little bit on me in the smarts department." The as mentioned collective of which, simply shrugged in understanding. Kiba gave a toothy smile and finally began to eat, gesturing for us to join.

"Oh. I promise it's not anything human by the way. Bear is kinda Tenten's specialty." Kinda said through a mouth full of meet. Tenten lightly slapped him on the arm for eating with his mouth full.

But all the while I could feel the negative vibes Hinata and Tenten were shooting each other, not really taking there eyes off one another.

"Yes, it'll be much harder to gain my favor than just by simply spotting a stray monster here and there."

'This might be a problem.'

'She's a threat.'

I paused with a fork in my mouth. I was certain I'd heard something again, and there was no one at the table who fit that voice.

'Maybe if I try talking to myself instead?... who is that invading my thoughts?'

'Who am I? I'm what's going to keep you alive.'

The rest of dinner had gone well, consisting of Lee and Kiba bombarding us both with questions about our lives prior to Eden. Our transformations and whatever else they could think of. All in good nature, but I found it difficult to answer some of them.

"Where are you from? Do you have a family? Do you think your friends are worried?" Hinata had taken over when she noticed a couple questions hit close to home, taking my hand in hers under the table as I thought about our past. Something that honestly didn't look much brighter than the quickly passed hell we were currently sifting through.

'Anyone who cares about me has probably stopped looking, or already died in that pit.' I blanked out for the rest of the conversation until I found myself at the door of one of the many house rooms, key in hand.

"Naruto, are you ok?" I felt Hinata take the key from me as she opened the door and walked in.

The room was pitch black, covering the early morning sun with thick crimson drapes. Only a peak of sun coming through that I quickly covered. I could feel my eyes pulsing as they adjusted to see more clearly in the dark. I noted a single twin sized bed, an aged couch, and a lot of storage that fit in randomly around the room.

Directly behind me were narrowed albino cat eyes. Waiting rather impatiently for an answer to their question.

"Hinata... I'm fine I promise." She stared a little longer at me, my form slightly nervous under her scrutiny.

"Well fine, if you'd like to lie, you can take the couch."

'The hell I will!'

I opened my mouth in protest but it was too late. She had already opened the bathroom door and began running a shower.

"Well, shit."

I went in search of a common bathroom and with luck found one at the end of the hall, having borrowed a pair of pajama shorts and directions from Lee who lived directly across the hall.

Taking a shower after what felt like years was the equivalent to shedding a skin. I felt fresh and renewed. I looked at the man in the mirror a bit surprised, for one thy my hair was actually blonde and not the dirt encrusted mess I thought it was and two, that my body was still so innocent looking. Time and time again we were harassed and beaten, but this skin looked brand new due to the healing factor. I finally tore myself from the mirror when those thoughts came up.

But unfortunately, by the time I returned Hinata was still in the shower.

"Well I guess I didn't really work out an argument to get into that bed anyway."

'I understand why she hasn't forgiven me yet.' I felt myself sigh in defeat as I sank into a surprisingly comfy couch. I was almost fast asleep when I heard the bathroom door open. I thought about continuing to pretend sleeping... or sneaking a peak.

'Hormones are a bitch.' A gentle voice interrupted my internal struggle.

"Keep your eyes closed, I know when you're faking Naruto."

'God damnit.'

"Yeah yeah I will." I heard the graceful drop of her towel and the sound of clothes being slid on.

'Maybe just one look.' I chanced opening one eye ever so slightly to see what was going on. But I was met with the angry gaze of a fully dressed lioness inches away from my face.

"How'd I know you didn't have any self-control? What do you have to say for yourself?" I took a moment to take in her form. Her long indigo hair was tied up in a wet pony tail. Pale skin still glistening from the warm shower she just had, all covered up by a black hoodie much too big for her.

'I guess it made sense that she got clothes from one of the guys. Her and Tenten don't exactly see eye to eye.' I heard the clearing of her throat.

"I'm waiting." Beautiful lavender eyes were what stared at me this time, slightly annoyed, but still. I missed that look.

"Umm, have I told you how beautiful you are lately?" My charm however seemed to have little to no effect as she shook her head at my antics.

"Naruto, go to sleep."

"Sorry..." I closed my eyes and attempted to find sleep again. My body exhausted but my mind unwilling. The unexpected happened an hour so into my inner turmoil. I felt a familiar weight place itself on my chest. I looked down to see Hinata. Her head placed familiarly on my chest, her bare legs intertwining with mine.

"You're lucky you're warm." She squeezed tightly under my arms. "And that the nightmares are still here..."

"Hinata. I'm-"

"Shh, it's ok." I felt a cool finger place itself on my lips. She rose temporarily to place a kiss on my forehead.

"You can just suffer in silence for now."

Th closeness of her was driving me mad, and I was almost positive there was nothing on under that hoodie. Her curves melding perfectly into me as her legs adjusted themselves in between mine.

'Oh she's evil...' I could feel my body temperature peeking and my thoughts racing a hundred miles a minute. But it didn't really seem to concern her as she was soon fast asleep. Leaving me to dwell on the past day's events. How we'd escaped the Hell known as Eden. And yet… I was still as uncertain as the day I woke up in that cell. My mind was restless and hungry for answers. I watched the gentle rise of Hinata's breaths as she slept peacefully on my chest.

'Why us?'

xXx

A/N: Next update will be in a week or so unless I'm feeling froggy. So, tell me what you think. What Will Tenten's test be? Who else is in Kiba's pack? Whys Naruto in the dog house? Any spelling mistakes?

-ST