Life as A Fox

Chapter 43

NSW-The Forsaken Author of the Lost Story (see my bio for explanation)

They moved in on the camp. About ten figures sat huddled around a single fire. They did not make much noise or move. There was however one sentry. He stared out into the forest, peering directly at Naruto. But he of course didn't see him. Naruto had learned long ago about the art of moving un-seen in plain sight.

If a person doesn't think you are there, he wont see you there unless you give him pausible chance to see you. So Naruto moved slowly, ever so slowly, moving at the time when the wind made snow or the trees moved. He moved in a natural flowing way, as if the storm itself was moving him. Which allowed him to sneak closer and closer to camp.

His students waited patiantly in their normal positions, hidden, waiting for his call. When he was within bounding distance of the sentry did he move. The sentry didn't know what hit him. He was staring out into the woods when suddenly, as if by magic a wolf-no not a wolf the wolf appeared right in front of him.

He didn't even get a chance to release a warning. He died instantly his voice cut away with him along with his ripped throat. He landed in a bloody mass upon the snow. Dying it red, he would be the first to fall upon this snow, but he most certinly would not be the last.

Naruto bounded forward a growl on his lips. He came to a sliding halt "NO ONE MOVE A MUSCLE!" He yelled. They all snapped their heads towards him, surprised at where he came from. "Where the hell did he come from?" Naruto grinned "From the village you so stupidly robbed, now give back the scroll and I will let you keep your lives!"

Then the men parted as another walked in their midst. He was the leader, the one with the long silver hair. "Come now wolf, do you really thing we would come unprepared for you?" he said grinning and waving his hands. All of a sudden three other fires lit up, there was not ten men, but thirty men standing before him.

Naruto stepped back, he should have accessed the situation closer, how could he be so stupid to not look for their back-up? He growled, "The offer still stands! Keep the scroll you die, give the scroll back I will let you walk away." The men laughed, their voices extending into the night. The leader spoke "You dare challenege us? you are but one lowly wolf, granted a demon, but even you are not strong or fast enough to defeat us all."

Naruto nodded "that may be, you may have judged my abilities accuretly, but there is somethign you misjudged completely...I am a wolf, and a funny thing about wolves is...we always run in packs" Then he grinned as Gin's clones in wolf forms came out from the trees, intimidation factors in greatly to a fight. That oen samll second of hesitation of the enemy could change the out come of the battle to your favor.

The men shuffled their feet, it was eerie the way they came from out of the snow and trees, moving like phantoms. The wolf spoke once more "give it up, or die." He said balnkly.

The leader grinned "come now? do you think we would fall for your tricks? at ease men, these are but clones, appirations, one hit and they will go down." Naruto growled as the men began to attack strength renewed into them by their leaders words.

Naruto swore as they came at him. He backed away as ten chains came hurtling at him. He jumped and ducked and dodged. Barely escaping from them. Luckily Baru and Chikao came in and distracted them. Naruto grinned as they easily together held the men off.

Three men died consecitively from Baru's punches. Naruto grinned and turned to another group he attacked. Leaping and weaving in and out of the enemies. He struck two. The others backed away, Naruto chased after them, how dare they run away?

He followed them until only five or so were left. It was then he realized that he was now cut off from his students, he cursed himself for being so stupid. Then he tried to get back, luckily Baru and Chikao were still holding up against them. They were outnumbered and stood back to back but they still were fighting strong, keeping the men at bay.

Naruto lept at the nearest man trying to break the ling keeping him trapped here. Out of the corner of his eye he saw a man prepare hiself for launching a chain. Naruto turned to intercept, but the man who he had been attacking suddenly grabbed him and caught him, holding him still.

Naruto swore and shook trying to break free. The chain launched, at the last second, Naruto managed to not free himself, but at least turn so that it was the man who held him who received the chain. Naruto felt the man loosen his hold. Naruto grabbed him with his fangs then pulled the man, so that the chain could work it's deadly magic on one the ones who weild it.

The man who had launched the chain was in disbelief as he watched his long time companion and friend fall to the ground, dead by his hands. Naruto felt a small bit of remorse for the man, watching a friend die was a terrible thing. But he shoved it from mind and ran forward "don't worry, you can join your friend in the AFTERLIFE!" he yelled and attacked the man, shredding his throat.

Blood welled up between his lips. His tastebuds exploded in a fury of salvitation and fevor, the tang of blood, so sweet at the moment he was over come by bloodlust. He tore forward and lept to the next man, wanting more and more.

But then something struck him on his side, he grunted as a part of his flank was tore away. Then he heard two screams. He wheeled around, his students were clutching their heads. They were feeling his pain! The link! He had forgotten about the link!

He raced forward, bloodlust forgotten as he desperatly scrabbled in the snow trying to get to his students before they were hurt or worse. Chikao recovered first and protected the still dazed Baru. Naruto was about to leap in and grab an enemy when a chain blocked his path, he quickly bent his body to it's limit to escape being touched by it.

He landed in the snow he yelped from the pain of his flank. He quickly pushed himself up, he had to fight! He had to protect- Baru screamed in agony as a chain wrapped around his theigh Baru pulled away before Naruto could say anything.

There was a sickening sound of flesh being ripped from bone. Naruto screamed "NOOOOOOOO" He leaped forward and attacked the enemies he saw red, not from bloodlust but just from protective instincts, he would tear himself to peices to get to his pup.

Baru laid in the snow screaming in agony as blood gurgled and wept from the wound. Chikao was in pain as well, he knelt beside his brother, ignoring the enemies. Naruto broke through them and made dozens of clones, they made a protective line between the enemy and them.

A hush desended the field of battle as Naruto knelt by his pup. He looked at the wound, his training told him, that Baru would not make it. But he shook it from his mind no! this was his pup! his Baru! Baru was strong and young, he could survive he could fight it!

But then memories of his own death flashed before his eyes, was he not young? Was he not strong? Did he not have a dream he wanted to see a reality? Did he not have precious people to protect? He had all those things and yet when the time came, he could not will himself to breathe or his heart to beat?

He spoke to Baru, hoping his voice soothed him, helped him. "It's okay, your going to make it, you'll be allright" Baru spoke his body shaking his lips blue, he was pale, oh so pale. The blood dyed the snow beneath him a slushy pink. "I...I'm...sorry sensei, I didn't...didn't move in time...I failed you..." Naruto shook his head "no" he said begging.

"No, you did not fail me...'it was I who failed you' he thought to himself. "You did good, you'll pull through just be stong Baru, be strong" Baru looked to him "It's okay sensei, you can let me go, I..I will be fine, remember? We are a pack, we will be together always...thank-you sesei, for everything, but I'm afraid...I'm afraid I won't be running with you anymore."

Then a violent tremor seized him, his body trembled and shook as his heart spasmed trying to gather blood that was not there. Then he made a choking sound, and he was gone, his eyes staring up into the cruel night sky. Pain tore through Naruto, in his heart and mind, as if he had been stabbed deeply.

Chikao must have felt it as well, for he clutched at his chest. Naruto turned. He saw the scroll, just behind the enemies, forgotten, right next to the fire, unguarded and unprotected. He would not have another one of his students taken from him.

He turned to Chikao, "follow me, we are getting out of here!" he whispered harshly, then he, Chikao and his clones charged the enemy, his clones providing ample cover while they slipped inbetween the enemies and grabbed the scroll and ran.

Gin joined him and Chikao. Naruto wanted to turn around, to go back and fight, to get Baru's body, but he couldn't risk it, he could not risk losing another pup. Gin and Chikao ran silently next to him. The storm was picking up ever so slowly around them, snow and wind blowing in stronger and stronger circles. One could say the storm was trying to devour them, consume the three little wolves whom were filled with so much pain, being devoured would actually be welcome at this moment.

They sat in a huddled circle, beneath the pines. They risked a small fire, who would follow through a blizzard? It gave some warmth and even a little security. Gin shivered and sobbed in her corner, Chikao was silently staring into the flames, his face blank, arms limp. Naruto sat, staring widely at his feet. The scroll strapped securely across his back. He kept going over what happaned.

He grew distraught, how could he let this happen? How could he have been so naive? He shook his head. He wanted to forget everything, but he also wanted to remember everything at the same time. He was in a state ambivalently.

He glanced over to his students, his two remaning precious students. He should comfort them, give them strength, help, make them feel better. But how could he? What could he say to make things better? What could he do to turn everythign around, nothing, absolutely nothing.

Chikao spoke however "What...what are going to do now?" Naruto sighed and glanced out at the storm, "wait, wait for the storm to pass" he said heavily. Gin spoke up "he's in a better place right? No more pain? He's safe right?" Naruto nodded "yes, he is...in a much better place, away from the cold and darkness."

Gin nodded "What is heaven like sensei?" she asked quietly. Naruto gulped he was not good with lying, but at the moment he would have to. Many had always disputed over the fact of weather there was an afterlife or not, if there was a place of goodness, a place of drakness, or if there was just an inbetween place.

Naruto knew that there was an afterlife, he knew that there was something beyound our world. It didn't have to be something the gods created for passed on souls, maybe it was a place where the person was reborn anew, the thing was, nobody really knows, they can only guess, which is what Naruto did.

"Heaven, is hard to describe, I just know it is a place, where, you feel...you feel greatly welcomed and appreciated, and that, it is a place where you feel the most happiness." Gin nodded "that's good, that's good" She said starting to cry.

Chikao reached over and hugged her while she sobbed. He glanced at her "we were happy here too, Baru was appreciated and welcomed here as well, why did he have to die?" Chikao said with some venom. Naruto nodded, understanding his anger.

"That is a question a lot of people ask, there is no right or wrong answer to it." Chikao turned to him "That's not good enough! I know why! It was because of you! You got hurt...and we felt it, we felt your pain! We couldn't think or move after that!"

Naruto roared "DO YOU NOT THINK THAT I DON"T KNOW THAT!" He stood bristling. Then he slowly relaxed after seeing the fear in both their eyes. "I have been beating myself up after what happened, I shouldn't have done a lot of things, and now...now Baru's precious blood, rests on me, it was my fault, I shoudn't...I shouldn't be a sensei" He said looking away.

He looked into the fire, tears falling down his face, "Everyone I get near, everyone I end up loving...always dies or gets hurt" He closed his eyes as he remembered, Jeriyah he died for Naruto, Kakashi, he had to watch his team fall apart, and his students tear at each other.

Sakura, had to watch as the first person she ever loved walked away from her. She had to stand by and let the closest friend of hers, turn into a monster and hurt her. She had to stand and watch by as Naruto gave his life for her. Gaara, died, because he was not fast enough, not strong enough.

Naruto opened his eyes, how many people? How many people's pain was on his shoulders? How many burdens, did he have to bear? Naruto cried, oh did he cry, silently letting his tears roll down his muzzle and dripping off of his nose.

Chikao spoke "Sensei...I'm sorry, I didn't meant to-" "no, it's okay, do not apologize, it hurts, but...it is the truth, because of me Baru is dead." Chikao was silent "no Sensei, we knew what we were getting into beforehand, we still followed you, no matter what, we are a pack, and we will follow you."

Naruto shook his head "do not follow those who do not know how to lead, do not follow fools, a fool...that is what I am" He said downcast. Chikao spoke "very well, that may be, but...you are still our leader, now tell me, how long before the storm lets up? I don't want to stay here trapped forever-"

He was cut off as a chain came flying in from the opening. Naruto's heart stopped momentarily. Then it happened, it felt like it was in slow motion. The slow tearing of the neck, skin ripping in mutilating ways. Blood spraying as the jugular was ripped.

The chain dug deep, a gaping bloody quivering hole was what was left of Chikao's windpipe. He made gruttle animals sounds, as he slowly choked on his own blood. His lungs tried reaching for air, but he could no longer move his throat and jaw, the muscles had been torn away.

His head lulled sideways in a awkward way. Chikao stared out at them, his throat still gurgling. He tried to convey what he felt with his eyes, for he could not speak. Chikao did not get last word, he could only sit there and watch the two people he loved most in this world...he had to watch them, watch him die.

Chikao slowly fell to the ground. His body thudding. He landed next to the fire. The flames began to singe his chestnut brown hair. Naruto was frozen in place for a few seconds. Pain tore through him once more as he lost another pup. He howled and turned towards the opening.

He would not let all who have died, die for naught. He would get that scroll back, he would kill every last one of them if need be. Did they think they could run and hide from him? From his special eyes? He laughed at the thought, no, it was not their pathetic little fire that game them away, it was that demons chakra, so rich and powerful, his power was what gave them away.

Naruto saw the other chain, heading straight for Gin, who was screaming as she tried to wipe Chikao's blood from her face. Naruto knocked the chain from it's main course, instead it hit her side. He stepped on it so that it would not be able to be pulled back, he ignored the pain as a thorn went through his pad.

He sent a burst of lightning type chakra through the chain, it disrupted the chakra feed to it, making it shatter into a million pieces. Naruto put himself in front of Gin. "Stay here!" he yelled at her then ran forward, into the blinding storm. He leaped, there was a moment of hesitance, he he floated through a sea of white.

Then a figure emerged from the mist, he landed upon them. Biting and tearing into anything. The man grunted then he grabbed Naruto, using something Naruto had never seen before. Strange gloves, metal and cold biting into his flesh. With sharp fingers, like miniature blades on each one, or the mimicking of animal claws.

Naruto shook and flopped about, trying to free himself from the man's hold. He was hanging in mid-air, being held up by the scruff of his chest. He tried biting and clawing the man but it had no affect. Then a small figure came through the mist and shouldered the man hard.

It sent both Naruto and him sprawling in the snow. Naruto jumped to his paws. He was momentarily confused, he had no idea where he was, she snow and wind, was basically creating a prison of blinding whiteness. Then he heard a grappling in the snow, he felt Gin's fear...then...her pain.

He heard her cry only a few feet away. He came crashing forward, bounding through the snow. The man was holding Gin up, she hung limply in the air, blood running down her side. Naruto felt a frenzy rise in him. He leaped and attacked. THe man dropped Gin in the snow as Naruto flung himself at the man's face.

His fangs reached out and buried themselves in the eye socket of the man, he felt as the eye was ripped cruelly out of the man's socket. Blood and other liquids ran down Naruto's throat as he tore at the man's flesh. The man pushed Naruto off with so much strength Naruto flew through the air, hitting a tree and every branch on the way down.

Naruto thudded into the cold ground, unconscious, his last thought was 'I have to get to Gin' THe man turned and fled the loss of his eye and the pain from it, made him forget about the scroll. He turned and left the two injured Konoha nin in the snow.

Naruto awoke from his unconsciousness with a bolt, he looked about for Gin, pushing himself to his feet staggering forward. The storm had mellowed briefly, he looked forward and saw her still form in the snow.

It had taken several hours, there was much pain, and screaming, but it was done Inuzaka Hinata had brought life into this world, her first child, a young, healthy daughter, with Hinata's precious eyes and her fathers wild mass of spikes, however the color was that of a very soft light lavender.

The baby slept peacefully in Hinata's arms. Hinata looked to Kiba he smiled down and kissed Hinata and their daughter, Hime. "She is beautiful, like her mother" Hinata smiled "we did it Kiba, we did it" Kiba nodded "Wait until Naruto and his students see, oh Gin is going to be so happy, she made me promise that she would get to hold her when they returned."

Kiba nodded and looked up "well, it's too bad Naruto couldn't have made it, but it's a blizzard, besides he wouldn't have wanted to be in here anyway, you were pretty scary" That earned Kiba a glare, he grinned. "Don't worry, they will return home soon, they are the Wolf pack of Konoha, they will always be there"

Hinata nodded "I know, I know, but I think it's time to rest, we will see Naruto and his team soon I think." Kiba nodded "I know we will, here I will put her to bed." Kiba slowly reached down and cradled his daughter, putting her to bed. He turned towards the window, "you know, I think this moment is the most beautiful in the world" he said glancing to his wife and child.

He ran to Gin, he felt her still, there was life yet in her. He quickly dragged her to the fire. Restarting it and placing her next to it, he shoved Chikao's body aside, it was disrespectful but, at the time, Naruto's concern was for his still living student. He tore Chikao's cloak from him, wrapping it around Gin, staunching the wound.

He spoke to her and tried to get her to answer, but she was weak and cold, he could see frostbite forming already. He gritted his teeth and slowly maneuvered her onto his back, ting her tightly with the strap of the scroll. He moved forward into the storm, running as fast as his feet would take him, running towards home, running to save his child.

The wind bore down on him and tired him, the snow lay in a layer so thick it went to his chest. He leaped and dug his way through the snow, not caring about the protest form his body, what did he care if he was cold? What did he care if he was exhausted? He would die getting her home if thats what it took, he would sell his own hide if it meant saving her.

He ran and ran, his sense guiding him home. Ice formed on his nose and head, he had to constantly shake it off. His pads slowly cracked, bled, then ripped open to the point he was running on bone and skin. But he still did not give up, he still did not falter, no, he moved on faster, pushed himself harder.

Finally, he had made it, the village lay just a mile away, the trail was easier now, the snow only reaching to his ankles. He neared the gates of Konoha, then he broke through them, not caring if the sound rebounded throughout the entire village and almost gave everyone a heart attack.

He growled and snapped at anyone in his way, he pushed and shouldered through, not caring who they were or what rank they held. He finally made it to the Hospital. He burst through those doors as well.

She was going through papers when the monster appeared, it came through the doors, almost breaking them off their hinges, big in hulking, it stood, it's eyes glowing and breath ragged. Covered in ice and snow it staggered forward, blood welling from it's paws.

She gasped it was an Ice demon! Here to devour her body and soul. It turned towards her it's eyes, clear blue and emanating in fury and pain. She froze then she felt her world go black. She knew it searching for her but why? Why would an Ice demon need a nurse?

Luckily another nurse came out at that time and rushed to the demon who was screaming for a nurse. He was not going to attack them or kill them, he wanted to help the crumpled form of a girl upon his back. Anyone with a brain could see that his poor creature had ran himself ragged trying to get here.

The doctor and nurses ran from everywhere, trying to save the child, the demon would let no one touch him. Yet no matter how many doctors tried as they could. No matter how much they spoke to the girl, telling her to hold on, that she was safe, that she could make it, she did not, in her last moments she had turned to the wolf, looked him in the eyes, then smiled.

It was strange to see a face, like that, smile so peacefully as blood dribbled form her mouth. She had spoken so softly and said "Don't worry, sensei, and don't be sad, I... I told you I would die happy, I met you and got the chance to know you, now...I must go, my brothers are waiting for me."

Then she went still, her eyes closed slowly, she died, peacefully like an angel, so white and pure against the floor of the hospital, while her blood stained the hands of all who had tried to save her. Then a terrible thing happened next. Everyone in that room would only describe it as...true, loss, of a creature who had lost the only thing in his life that mattered most. THen they heard the cry of a wolf, as he realized that he would have to walk upon this frozen planet, alone and lost for life.

I do not take pride in what I have written, it gives me no pleasure, but I do know that this was something that needed to happen, and that, for those of you who do not understand...Just read the words of many authors before our time.

'Theirs not to make reply,
Theirs not to reason why,
Theirs but to do & die,
Into the valley of Death
Rode the six hundred.'

And you, my father, there on the sad height,
Curse, bless, me now with your fierce tears, I pray.
Do not go gentle into that good night.
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

Perhaps they are not stars,
but rather openings in heaven
where the love of our lost ones pours through
and shines down upon us
to let us know they are happy.
-Eskimo Proverb

That is all I have to say on this matter.

NSW