Life As A Fox

Chapter 59

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

Thank you so much for the reviews and hugs by the way! They really are inspiring. I'm working to get as many chapters done as I can!

ATTENTION, LOOKING FOR QUESTIONS FOR THE Q AND A SOON, NEED QUESTIONS TO ANSWER TO, PLEASE SPAM ME, I DON'T CARE I NEED SOMETHING TO DO, PLEASE AND THANKS...WRITING IN CAPS LOCK IS FUN...WEEEEEEEEEEE!

Naruto opened his eyes up slowly. It seemed like a dream, how surreal everything was. He had went through so much and now here he was sleeping on his pillow. Curled up next to the most beautiful creature in the world. Life seemed perfect. He got up and yawned. Yume woke at his movement. She yawned as well. "morning" she said sleepily.

He smiled and licked her "morning" he said back, "what's for breakfast?" she asked. Naruto shrugged "you want to go hunting?" Yume sat up at that. She nodded and padded towards the door. Then yelped Naruto ran to her "what is it?" he asked she was staring at Akamaru "what is that?" she asked "I have never seen a creature like that..." Akamaru awoke.

He stared at Yume for a bit, then growled. Yume backed away. Naruto growled with full authority forward. 'Harm my mate, you will not' he told the dog. Akamaru seemed to get the message he whined and turned his head away. Yume stared at Akamaru. Naruto turned to her "it's an Akamaru, he is a dog." Yume stared at him "he looks like a weird...wolf" Naruto nodded "he is, sorta...you see thousands of years ago man domesticated a few wolves...and they became dogs, and now there are ton's of different breeds...and all of them originate from us." he told her.

Yume nodded "I see, well let us hunt!" she exclaimed. Naruto stopped her "hold on let me tell Kiba and Hinata" He said. He then turned and padded down to their room. Kiba and Hinata had slept with little Hime between both of them. She seemed secure and safe all nestled up in the bed between the parents. Naruto nudged Hinata slightly.

Hinata mumbled in her sleep. Naruto nudged her harder. She awoke groggily. "Wha...Naru-...what's wrong?" she asked. Naruto calmed her "it's nothing, I just wanted to let you know me and Yume are going for a hunt." Hinata nodded "fine...wait why? there is food" Naruto shrugged "it's what we do, what are you planning for supper, I can bring you back something."

Hinata smiled "no, that's fine, if I want meat I can go to the butcher shop." Naruto pretended to be hurt by the comment. Hinata sighed "fine bring back some venison flank" Naruto nodded "sounds delicious, be back soon." He said to her then raced down the hall to Yume. They exited and ran to the forest. They followed a trail for some time then finally began to stalk the deer.

The hunt was short, these deer were not used to wolves hunting them, they had lived a placid and safe life. Not even humans would hunt them, so they grew fat and unaccustomed to running for their lives. Naruto and Yume ate plentiful then Naruto ripped some flank off and carried it home to Hinata.

Hinata had got up and started breakfast. She heard a knock on the door she answered it. It was Mammoth, he stood in his full gear and stood a commanding figure. "Oh, hello" she said. He nodded "is Wolfheart here?" he asked. Hinata shook her head "no, he and Yume went hunting a while ago, but I am sure they will be back soon, you can come in and sit."

Mammoth was taken aback, he was not used to be invited in. He awkwardly came in. He sat down "breakfast?" she asked he shook his head "no, I ate already." Hinata nodded "tea or coffee?" she asked as well. He shrugged "coffee would be lovely if it is not to much trouble." Hinata nodded "of course it isn't, I am guessing you are here to talk to Fluffy about his punishment."

Mammoth nodded as Hinata reached into the cupboards and grabbed a mug. She turned and poured the freshly brewed black drink into it. "Sugar or milk?" she asked. He shook his head "just black" he said and thanked her. He placed the cup down. He reached for his mask. Then hesitated "don't worry, your face is safe with me" she said without looking to him.

'how the hell did she guess what I was thinking?' he said in his head. He pulled the mask off "thank-you again, and yes I am here to talk to him about possible options." Hinata went about making food. "I don't know what to say, I mean he did do a few bad things, but I don't think it warrants him being beat or anything." Hinata said.

Mammoth shook his head "no, no, I would never do that, and you are right, I am not sure what I might do. I think I will just limit his missions and give him office duty for a few weeks. " Mammoth said sipping his coffee. He sighed satisfactory. "I won't have him from the field to long, he is one of our best field agents, he also know the most about the Chen clan."

Hinata dropped a fork on the floor at the mention of the name. "Oh, I am sorry I did not mean to-" "no, no it's all right, really that..name...just surprises me still." He nodded "I trust your daughter is well?" Hinata nodded "oh yes, she was a little worse for wear, but then again she had lived with two wolves for a few days."

Mammoth grinned. Hinata looked at him warmly. "I always wondered, why do you name yourselves after animals?" Mammoth took a sip and thought deeply for a few moments. "It is a basic human trait, even among ancient times, people would dress up like animals and move like animals...hoping to mimic their powers...hoping that it would give them strength and protection on the hunt or in battle."

Mammoth continued "we name our kind after animals not so that we turn into them, but to release the animal that is within all of us...that true animal, we name ourselves after it, pay homage to it, when we become our true self, then we are the strongest we can become." He was silent. "Inside of me, there is a lone powerful mammoth staring out across the weathered frozen land of my home."

Hinata nodded slowly "you are right, I do see that, how do you know what to name them?" Mammoth grinned "that is why there is a three month training process, we constantly watch that person...or demon and see what creature is really inside of them, it doesn't go by just appearance, or fighting style...although that is sometimes taken into consideration, it also goes by who that person is, what motivates them...what is their reason for doing what they do?"

Hinata nodded "I see, thank-you for sharing, I think I understand." He nodded "you are welcome it is nice to talk with a young beautiful person now and again." He added grinning to her. Hinata blushed and smiled "why thank-you, with your charm though, I wonder how you don't have one yourself?" Mammoth sighed "I did, once...long ago. But...I am a Mammoth...a lead Mammoth at that, although I will always have my favorites...I must watch out and protect the herd as a whole."

Hinata nodded understanding, he loved her, but he had to let her go for his work. Because deep down he loved his work even more. She spoke "maybe someday, another can take over the herd, and you can retreat to the side of that one favorite?" she said questioning. Mammoth smirked "oh, that was many years ago, I bet she found another who could love her just as much as me."

Hinata smiled and got up she got a cookie from the jar and gave it to him. "I doubt you had a young pretty thing make you anything in a long while, you are over-do for something sweet." Mammoth smiled Kiba walked in then. "Morning" he said, he knew Mammoth was here he could hear Hinata and him talk the entire time.

Mammoth spoke to Kiba "you keep this wife of your close you hear? she is to good to let her slip away." Kiba smiled "thank-you sir but you don't need to tell me twice, I already know how good she is." Mammoth laughed. Full and hearty. He took a bite of a cookie, Hinata was right, it had been a long while since he tasted something sweet.

He began to wonder about that women of so long ago, where was she now?Where did her heart take her? He contemplated this. Then Hinata spoke "ah, the are back" she said. Mammoth turned to see his best demon wolf come through the door holding a mass of something red and bloody in his jaws. He took it to Hinata who got it and put it in the sink and began to wash it.

Mammoth spoke "morning Wolfheart." He turned "morning-" he jumped realizing who was here. Another wolf came in, she was slim and had a sandy colord fur, green eyes, and both long muzzle and legs, she looked...odd. He nodded to her. She nodded back, she nudged Wolfheart. "What is wrong my love?" she asked. He turned to her. Mammoth saw it then, the look of true love between two souls.

He smiled, because he was happy that Wolfheart was happy. He took another bite of his cookie, something was wrong with this place. He was Mammoth, the leader of the Anbu core, they were supposed to be emotionless and brutal. They were the beasts of Konaha, the elite, and here he was munching on a cookie and grinning like a fool...well...at least he had coffee.

Wolfheart cleared his throat "sir, I wanted to apologize for-" Mammoth held up his hand "I am not in mood for explanation, all I want to know is..will you do it again?" Wolfheart shook his head. "good, then you will have three months office duty" He then stood up "I thank-you for the cookie and the pleasurable company" he said to Hinata and Kiba.

Wolfheart spoke "Mammoth...this is my mate Yume." He turned to her "pleased to meet you, don't you worry I won't send him on too dangerous of missions, not when I know he has a pretty wolf like you waiting at home." Yume blushed at his comment. Naruto grinned "don't worry sir, you can tell me to go tackle a god and I would do so and come back, nothing could keep me from her."

Mammoth grinned "I will see to it." Then without another word he left. Naruto turned to Yume "well I will be home later I must go...start...baby-sitting" He then licked her once and he left. When he did Yume turned to Hinata and Kiba "I do not get it, why would someone want him to sit on your pups?" Kiba and Hinata then broke out in laughter.

The three months of office work went by quickly, along with the baby sitting. He still had three months of that left but today he was finally back to do normal missions for the Anbu. Mammoth called him in "I need you to do an escort, you will be accompanied by Tiger, Bear, and Horse" Naruto nodded "very well...where shall we pick them up?"

Mammoth waved him off "no just one person, you will be escorting them to Konoha." Naruto nodded "then where are they?" Mammoth shrugged "they are in Konoha, it is a prison transport, one of the maximum security prisoners time is done, they will be needed an escort home." Naruto nodded "very well I shall go-" "say's here his name is Uchiha Sasuke."

Naruto froze. He turned slowly to Mammoth "what?" he said. "WHAT!" he yelled. Causing Mammoth to jump, he had never heard Wolfheart yell like that. "What do you mean he is out? He was supposed to serve three-" Naruto cut himself off as he began to count...it had been...he didn't even notice...he stared at the floor in shame.

Mammoth spoke "are you all right?" Naruto nodded "I...it's just...I remember what he did...I testified against him..." Mammoth sighed "well it doesn't matter his debt is paid, now get over it and escort him home." Naruto nodded it took all his will power to bow his head and say "hai sir" he then left. He met up with his team and they went to the Konoha penitentiary. A few miles away from Konoha, buried in the back hills and mines.

It was here all the criminals had to work the mines under lock and key. Naruto entered with all papers and forms, they were slowly led through each sealed gate. Having to stop and go through codes and codes, it was a long process to get into the maximum security, the ones in there were not allowed outside. Instead they had a gym sized area where rocks were brought in for them to work on.

All of them were separated from each other of course, they all had chains and chakra suppressors and everything you could imagine to keep them controlled. Of course though no thought was given to escape, there was to many men and to many gates, they were like trapped rats. Sasuke was not among them, he was waiting in his cell, hand-cuffed and chained.

Four prison guards waited for them. Naruto and his group saluted them. The guards opened the cell door, it swung open, heavy metal that had built in rare metals that messed up chakra concentration. Naruto could feel his own chakra get affected by it. He shivered at the thought of being locked up in a box that had it in the walls.

Sasuke stood back to them, he had grown taller and his arm's looked a lot buffer. His skin was still pale and his hair still shone like it always was. Naruto couldn't believe it, it felt like going back down memory lane, except this memory lane was built upon the bones of the dead and was decorated with the blood of the innocent.

Sasuke turned around, he was expecting Sasuke's eyes to be like they always were, hardened and cold. Even crueler then before, that's what you do when you lock an animals in a box and throw away the key, they become even more cruel then before. But they were different, they were soft and seemed to be...dazed as if he came out of a pleasant day dream.

Naruto cleared his throat before Sasuke could say anything. He had seen Naruto was opened his mouth, he seemed surprised. "Listen here Uchiha, I was there for your little court room performance, you may have got the council members and everyone else fooled, but I know you and your ways, and I will not be having any of it in my village, if it were my call I would have you locked up forever." He spat.

Everyone around Naruto was stunned, even the prison guards they had never seen someone just overly hate some one outright, they knew the Uchiha crimes. But the guards had a system, a way of life you could even call it, once that person has paid his debt, he was clear of whatever he did, you were supposed to judge him any further for what he had done.

But this wolf was no guard so the pardoned him even though their system went against it. Naruto continued not caring what the others thought, he would keep the Uchiha silent. "Around these parts I am known as Wolfheart of the Anbu, you will not speak unless spoken to, you take one step out of line and I will drag you here myself and make sure you never get up to cause harm to this village ever again! Now answer me, is that clear?"

Naruto was expecting a sarcastic rebuttal or a spurring sentence, but no. Sasuke mearly nodded and answered "sir yes sir." Naruto narrowed his eyes but nodded to his men "make sure those chains are good and tight." He said then growled as he stalked away.

Naruto was in the lead as they walked the three miles to Konoha. No one was on these back roads, and the only thing that was here was a random sentry post every 50 meters that ran along the rode in case of a escape. Naruto nodded to the guards in each one before continuing. When they got to Konoha they donned an invisibility aura that hid all of them and Sasuke.

They kept this up intil they reached the quiet Uchiha sector deserted except for one house that was alive and cheery. The smell of baked apple pies coming from the windows and the sound of a child laughing and another baby crying...make that two another joined in. Naruto and the others let the henge go then he nodded to his men.

They moved in he stopped them for a second "when we remove these shackles, you will have use of your chakra coil again, it's going to hurt like hell, good luck." Naruto said. Then nodded. The men removed the shackled and sure enough three years of having your chakra coil suppressed took it's toll. The Uchiha crumpled to the ground groaning.

Naruto grinned slightly, it was good to see him in pain, he deserved it. He nodded to his men "that will be good." They took his dismissal and disappeared. Naruto growled "look at me" Sasuke did taking shuddering breaths, "what is your angle now? do I need to follow you every moment once more? It would be a lot easier on both of us if you just tell me your plans right now, I have a mate now and I would like to spend time with her."

Sasuke shook his head "no angle...I just...I just want to be a good father...those kids...they are all I have...they are my only family now." Naruto silenced he grunted and turned away "I don't trust you Uchiha, not after what you did, I have seen what you can do." Sasuke nodded he grimaced as he stood. "Like I said Naruto, I just want to be a good father, I am done being an avenger of the clan, now I have to be a leader of it."

Naruto laughed "fine then, but like I said you do anything...and I mean ANYTHING that leads me to believe you are going back to your ways...I will tear you to pieces He growled then he turned and began to leave. Sasuke called out "wait" he said. Naruto paused and turned not sure why he did. "I know...it's not much, and it won't do anything...but I'm sorry."

Naruto stared at him, his eyes...they were...really...no! it can't be...he's just acting like always...but still...he had hope for a second...no! no! He shook his head then bared his fangs "pieces Sasuke... pieces" He then turned and left without a word.

When Naruto got home he was still angry of what happened. He paced the living room floor back and forth, back and forth. It got him so riled up, he tried laying down but that didn't work. So he just paced the floor. Yume arrived home, she had begun to take healing classes from Sakura, she was rather good, she might not ever be as Gomeg, but she was good.

She watched him for a few seconds then spoke "something troubles you?" He grunted. She went up to him and rubbed against him, soothing his anger. He let himself get swept away in her scent and her eyes. She nuzzled and licked him making all his thoughts disappear. He sighed "it's just someone...who caused me great pain from my past...has showed up again."

She nodded "I see, well do not worry, I will make sure that no pain will befall you, that is what a mate does." He smiled "you do have that ability" he said thoughtfully then sighed "I might as well go lay down, tell me about your day."

Chen Tekeshi sat in front of his fire. He absently ate the smoked bear. He thought deeply about many things, mostly just the future...and that damned wolf. It mocked him everywhere he went, every plan had been dashed by that demon. That white creature that had rose out of the snow and stolen the scroll that they had stolen themselves.

Luckily they were able to repay the demon back by taking away the children he so foolishly led against him, however Tekeshi did not escape unscathed from that affair. The bloody demon had stolen one of his eyes in return. He ripped a large piece of bear off and began to chew it in anger. He put a hand up to the bandage that covered the gruesome opening that was left of his eye.

He contemplated further into the night, until one of his men came to him. "Sir...we have a visitor" This was odd, no one had ever arrived. He nodded to the man. The man bowed to him and exited his tent flap. A satisfactory wolf skin served as his tent flap. Tekeshi looked up, his hut was simple yet elegant in his design.

Everything was made of oiled wood. (Oiled from the fat of bear) His bed was made of different animal furs. His floor was covered in weaved rugs. They depicted different scenes from their culture and religion, the history of their clan. Then a figure emerged at the entrance. It was a women by the looks of it. She had a small child with her, a boy about two or three from the looks of it.

Both were bundled in traveling cloaks. The women's face was hidden beneath the scowl of her hood. Tekeshi rose and greeted them "good evening, are you lost?" he asked. The women chuckled, her voice gave Tekeshi the picture of a white ice fox, laughing at prey caught in it's paws. She removed her hood, "my name is Usumi Suki...and no I am not lost...I have a proposition for you."

Tekeshi was confused by this "what makes you think you have something that I want." Suki smiled her teeth shining. "let's just say, if you accept it, you can finally have revenge against that demon." Tekeshi was surprised how did she know this? Suki walked over to the fire and began to warm herself up. She snapped her head "Teiku! come here" the boy followed her.

She turned back to the him "you and I both have a common enemy, that demon destroyed my work and killed my lover, and Konoha backs the demon, they back all demon's it is sickening." Tekeshi nodded and walked over "would you like meat or drink?" he asked her. She smiled "thank-you that would be lovely." He fixed up some goat milk for the boy then gave the women some mulled cider.

She smiled at him. "so what is your plan exactly?" the women was silent for a bit, she sipped the cider then spoke "destruction, I want to take down that demon and the village he serves." Tekeshi shook his head "their numbers are to strong." Suki smiled "we have numbers ourselves, and we also have another thing...science, and religion."

Tekeshi glanced at her "what does religion have to do with it?" Suki smiled "don't ask question's just say yes, and I can guarantee, that soon that wolf will bow at your feet." She said her eyes sparking. Tekeshi smiled the thought appeased him. Suki smiled "sit and I will explain, exactly our plans, you are not the only one, that wolf has wronged." Then she grinned fully, Tekeshi could not help but grin back.

Mwahahahahaha I bet you had forgotten about old Suki? What can I say in my stories even the most random of people and things can be epic plot twists in my story.

You can never predict what I am going to do. You can never assume anything, this old horse can throw off even the most experienced of riders. Now to all those who keep asking what's next...don't I will reveal it to you in the next chapter, all things good comes to those who can, wait.

NSW