Ok, didn't give much of an intro on the first two chapters so I suppose I'll do it now. I don't own Naruto. I really have no titles for these chapters since I wrote the entire story before deciding to post it. I don't plan to title them any time soon so all the complainers can get over it. I will get more creative with the chapters though so be warned. Hope you like my story and please comment!

By the time the sun peaked through the trees they were on the move. Kali had awakened them early, to the disappointment of Naruto. As they walked, Kali answered questions like "When did you find us?", "Are those ears real?", and her favorite "Why?" Most of them were from Naruto and Sakura. Sasuke seemed to be the silent one.

When they reached a clearing, Kali stopped in the middle. Her ears cocked back and her eyes became hard. Sasuke stopped beside her and looked at her. Naruto didn't seem to know Kali had stopped and ran into Kali's back. Kali's anger soared and she spun around ready to maul him. Instead, she pulled her bow off of her shoulder and whacked him over the head. Naruto gripped his head and yelled.

"Ow!!" he said loudly, "What was that for!?"

"Watch where you're going!" Kali said strongly. "I don't need you messing me up." She stood straight up, but continued looking at Naruto. "Sasuke…" she whispered lightly. "We're being watched." Sasuke began to arm himself, but Kali turned around and stared at him, shaking her head only slightly. He stopped. Kali looked around with her eyes, counting the breaths and scents in her mind. There were a lot of people and if Kali was to protect the group, they needed to fight. "I need you close when I shoot. Act fast," was all she said before slowly reaching for and arrow. When she gripped it she shouted, "Now!" Sasuke leaned on her back and she fired and struck her mark. Many men leaped from the trees and some ran from the ground. Sakura and Naruto were shocked and fought to defend themselves. Sasuke deflected hundreds of shurukin as Kali continued her rapid-fire.

After only an instant, all the attackers lay dead on the ground. Kali walked around and removed the arrows she had fired and stole some of the men's weapons.

"Who were they?" Sasuke asked as he looked at the men, trying to count them. Kali shrugged to herself.

"Didn't really matter, did it?" She replied, "Probably just a group of pirates that came for the challenge or something." When she was finished, Kali returned to the group, but stopped midway. Sasuke thought there were more people and got on alert. Kali wavered and fell unconscious. Sasuke ran and caught her.

"Sasuke, she's hit!" Naruto said in shock. Sasuke saw it now; Kali had been hit in the side by a stray shurukin. It didn't take long for Kali to return to consciousness and sit up.

"Are you ok?" Sasuke asked. Kali nodded, but didn't speak for a minute. She stood with Sasuke's help and continued on the path. The group followed with worry on their faces. She reached a river and stopped again. Her ears perked and her eyes widened. In front of them crouched a large muscular panther; its fur was smooth and black and his eyes were and icy blue. His paws were large and heavy and his tail was long and swaying from side to side. It lapped the water from the river lazily before looking up at Kali.

"What is that?" Naruto asked as he walked up. Kali jumped at his words and slapped her hand over his mouth.

"One thing you don't need to do much- talk." Kali said before turning back the panther. It had stood by now and rumbled what seemed like a purr. It stepped away with heavy silence. Kali's eyes narrowed as she turned from the river.

"We'll set up camp here," she said flatly. Sasuke and Sakura blinked.

"Right after we saw that?" Sakura asked. Kali didn't respond. She just mumbled to herself. After the tent was erected, Kali sat by the small fire and sharpened one of the stolen arrows. She was fully absorbed in her thoughts, and when Sasuke spoke she jumped.

"Are you ok?" he asked. Kali stared at him for a second.

"Yeah." She said. Sasuke could tell she was lying through her fangs.

"Yeah, right." He said as he sat, "What was with that panther?" Kali looked back to her work.

"It's something small. Don't worry about it," she replied. And that was the end of the conversation. During the night the ninja slept soundly. Sasuke suddenly woke and looked around. Kali was gone from her spot. He stood and stepped outside looking for her. At first all he heard were the crickets chirping, but he soon heard the faint voice of Kali. She was talking quietly, but forcefully. Sasuke caught the words that were being said as he stood silently in the dark with a few beams of moonlight striking him.

"What are you doing here?" Kali was whispering.

"Let's see…lone wolf Kali, who hates other people ESCPECIALLY ninjas, joins three ninja and begins to protect them. Did I miss Hell freezing over or something?" Kali was silent. "What's going on Kal?" he asked with worry.

"I need to do this, Oji," she said even quieter than before. "Anything going on with you?" she asked.

"Just watchin out for you; don't change the subject." Oji replied flatly. "Now"- he stopped. Sasuke's heart jumped as a deep rumble broke up the conversation. Sasuke knew something had either smelt him or heard him. "What is it, pal?" Oji asked.

"Look, it's probably just the ninja's scent," Kali comforted. "We'll talk more later, k?"

"Sure, I may show up tomorrow." Oji said.

"Do you have to?"

"No, but I want to," With that Oji jumped away, and Kali sighed. Sasuke snuck back to the tent and lay down. When Kali came in she knew nothing about Sasuke being awake. She sat in her place and stared at him with tired eyes.

"What now…?" She whispered, "This is going to be more of an investment than I thought." She then drifted off to peaceful sleep.

Kali woke to see Sasuke was awake and gone, but Sakura and Naruto slept hard, with Naruto snoring loudly. She stood and stretched with a yawn. She went outside and looked around. Where could Sasuke have gone? She didn't have to look long before finding him by the river. He was observing the footprints of the large panther. He must have been thinking hard, because Kali wasn't trying to sneak, but he didn't seem to see her. There was only a slight impression from the large paw of the cat, but it could still be seen.

"Who were you talking to?" Sasuke asked as he stood and looked at her. Kali looked at his eyes for the longest time before sighing.

"He's my brother," Kali said, "You'll meet him soon." She walked back to Naruto and decided to have some fun. She took her bow and touched his leg and traces an S shape up to his knee. "Naruto get that snake off of you!" Naruto's eyes shot open and he jumped up with a shout. Kali laughed lightly and watched with joyous eyes as Naruto patted himself down.

"GET IT OFF!!! GET IT OFF!!!!!!" He yelled.

"It's off now, Naruto. Don't give yourself a hernia," Kali said. Naruto calmed down and she woke Sakura. They packed up and traveled for about an hour. Naruto seemed furious Kali had scared him. He fumed for most of the morning. Kali led the group to a rugged terrain for over half an hour, before the first complaints began.

"Why couldn't we just go around all of this?" Sakura asked as she stumbled on the large stones. Kali stopped and turned around with Sasuke not far behind. Naruto was in third with Sakura last. Kali stared with little emotion.

"If you would like to feel the wrath of the gatorans be my guest," she said flatly. All three ninja looked at her nervously.

"What are Gatorans?" Naruto asked nervously. Kali plopped down into an Indian-style posture and closed her eyes.

"Gatorans- beasts of the alligator species," she said, "They resemble a dragon and alligator in appearance and character. They're viscous, man-eating creatures and don't stop until their prey is dead or eaten. They work in groups which makes them even more difficult to escape from." The group shivered at the thought of being caught in the gatorans jaws. Kali pointed down the steep side of the stones where a thick fog rolled like heavy water and the trees were dead.

"That's where the largest gatorans live-almost fifteen feet at the most."

"How do you know how long they are?" Sasuke asked. Kali stood and looked the direction they were heading; her tail swished before she answered.

"I've been everywhere in these woods, Sasuke," she said. Sakura no longer complained and Naruto seemed to be stumbling even more because of his fear that a gatoran may slither out of the pit-like area. The sky suddenly darkened and the rain began to fall. "Be careful, guys," Kali said over the rain, "The rocks are probably going to get even worse because of this rain." Now Sasuke even began to struggle over the slippery stones. Kali was still moving when Naruto let out a yell of fear. The rocks made a horrible sounding avalanche as Naruto plummeted with them down the slope.

"Naruto!!" Sakura yelled. Kali jumped down the hill swiftly.

"Grab something, Naruto!" she barked. Naruto gripped for anything, but the rocks continued to pull him down. Soon he hit the ground with a thud and crumbling of pebbles. Kali stopped high up and yelled down to him. "Don't move, Naruto!! Don't even make a sound!!" He did as he was told and laid there silent, half buried in boulders. The pain of his bruises and cuts pulsed through his body. Only slight whimpers of pain could be heard. "You two stay up here," Kali said to Sasuke and Sakura, then turned to Naruto, "I'm coming to get you, but you have to stay quiet!" Kali started her way down carefully.

Naruto was trying his best not to adjust from his terribly uncomfortable position when Kali finally made it down. Without a word, she began to pull the large stones off of Naruto's body. Sasuke and Sakura watched from above; they could barely see their friends in the thick fog. Kali stopped moving boulders and smelled the air. She bent down quickly getting extremely close to Naruto's face.

"Just nod for an answer," she whispered silently, "do you feel like you are cut?" Naruto began to sweat from the pain as he nodded. Kali clenched her teeth as she stood again. Just then, a rumbled rolled from the shadows. Kali's tail fluffed slowly and the hairs on her neck stood up. Naruto gasped and almost struggled if Kali hadn't placed her finger over his mouth. There was nothing she could do but hope for a miracle. They had been found because of the scent of Naruto's blood, and since he was injured it would be difficult to escape.

Sasuke and Sakura heard the rumble of the gatoran and tensed. Sasuke watched Kali carefully for any signs of her needing help. Sure enough Kali stared straight at him. He read her look and drew his kunai as the rain stopped.

"Sakura," he said, "get ready to go down there."

"What!?" she replied, "Kali said to stay"- Sasuke looked at her with his Sharingan and she stopped. Drawing her Kunai, she waited for Sasuke to start. Kali moved a large boulder off of Naruto then drew an arrow across her bow as a huge lizard emerged from the woods. Naruto looked up to see it drooling angrily.

"Naruto get out of here!" Naruto struggled up and ran. The gatoran's eyes dilated and it charged. Kali shot her arrow and it stuck in the gators nose. She followed Naruto placing her hand on his back. The gatoran was unaffected by the arrow and gripped Kali's leg. She screamed and Sasuke shot down the hill. Sakura followed but she was slower.

"I've got ya, Kali!" Naruto said as he grabbed her arm.

"Get out of here!" She yelled. Sasuke jabbed his kunai into the nose along side the arrow. The creature finally released, but now more gatoran had arrived and bit at the ninja. A rock flew out from under Naruto's foot and he slid under the gatoran.

"AAAAAAAHHHH!!!!" was all they heard.

"Naruto, no!" Kali screamed. She and Sasuke jumped in the drove of gatoran and tried to remove him. The lizards had already snagged the fresh prey and were biting at him as they dragged him to the river. He yelled and called in pain as the blade-like teeth tore through his pants and skin causing blood to pour. With all of his might he swung his kunai around rarely hitting any vital parts. Kali jabbed her blade into the eyes of a gatoran.

"Sakura!" she yelled, "get to the edge of the river and stop the alpha male from reaching the water! Do whatever it takes!" Sakura nodded and jumped off. Killing the leader was the only way to stop the stampede. "Sasuke, kill the leading gatoran!" Sasuke jabbed one more of the attacking lizards before jumping to the front of the herd. When Kali looked down she noticed tears flowing down Naruto's face as he stared at her helplessly.

"Please, don't let me die!" he whimpered. Kali's heart wrenched as she tried franticly to free him. Now the gatoran realized what she was doing and attacked her as well. She defended herself, but lost balance. Falling to the ground she shoved her blade into the stomach of three gatoran before heading back to the surface. Kali felt a rush of cooled air on her face; the river was close. This river was the only icy water in the whole forest, and falling in for more then two minutes was deadly. She fought her way back to Naruto.

Sasuke jumped on the back of a ten-foot gatoran and plunged his kunai into its forehead. The lizard fell down dead and his brothers flooded over him. Sasuke tried to jump, but a gatoran gripped his foot and pulled him down. With a swift jab the gatoran felt Sasuke's blade and died. It fell right on top of him and Sasuke gasped. This one was at least eight feet long and was pure muscled. It pushed the air out of Sasuke's chest. Sasuke pushed with all of his power to free himself. When he did the other gatorans rumbled over him. He covered his heads from the claws than reined down upon him as the creatures passed.

Sakura stood by the shore of the river and trembled. It was cold here and the fear was getting to her. The darkness filled the area which made it even harder to see. Soon the lead gatoran came into view. He was a deep red and had pink scars across his muzzle. His eyes glared with rage at Sakura. She threw three shurukin at him and they wedged into its nose. The male roared in pain, but continued his march.

Kali gripped Naruto's arm now and tugged him up. "Grab my shoulders!" she ordered. Naruto did and Kali cut the gatoran off of his leg. The pack was infuriated and lunged at Kali. She swept up Naruto and jumped forward, but all she landed on was angrier gatoran. They shoved her to the ground and tore Naruto from her.

"Stay strong, Naruto!" she yelled as he got pulled away from her. She also was being attacked as she killed gatoran after gatoran.

Sakura was only feet from the large gator when it charged and swung its massive head. The muzzle struck her and threw her to the side. It slowly entered the frigid water with the many others following. She sat up and watched in horror. Sasuke reached an open area and stood up.

"Kali!" he yelled. "They reached the water!" he wasn't far from the shore and heard the splashing of the gatorans. Kali emerged from the crowd and ran past Sasuke, shoving him to the side.

"Stay here!!" she yelled, "Naruto, stay out of the water!" she ran to the edge just in time to see Naruto submerge. She stepped back, dove in. Sasuke realized what she had done and rushed to the bank.

"Kali!" he called. The gatoran took turns submerging and blood stained the flowing water. There was a moment of silence as the water calmed. Some gatoran crawled from the water on the other side and disappeared. Kali suddenly broke the surface and gasped for air. "Kali!" Sasuke waded out into the water and grabbed her freezing body. When he got to land, he wrapped his arms around her and put his chin on her head. She shivered uncontrollably in his arms as she spoke.

"I-I couldn't…get him," she said shakily between shivers, "He g-got rushed away…by the current. He was still alive…though." Her tail wrapped around her and her ears folded back. "So c-cold…"

"Hang in there, Kali," Sasuke said then turned to Sakura. She stood with her hand over her heart. "Go down river and see if you can find Naruto, quickly!" Sakura nodded and ran off.

Sasuke turned back to Kali. She was still shivering, but she had stopped trying to talk. Sasuke looked around to find something dry to warm her up. The only thing dry was his shirt and she needed it more than he did. He let her go for a second and removed his shirt, slipping it over Kali and holding her again.

"Come on, Kali, hang in there," he repeated calmly. Her condition seemed to improve, but not by much.

"We don't have to w-worry about the gatoran," she forced out, "I killed Osama…" Sasuke figured Osama was the alpha male gatoran, but didn't want Kali to talk more than she needed to. Kali looked up at Sasuke and smiled. "Th-thank you…Sasuke…" her eyes closed and her head rested on his chest.

"Kali, stay with me!" Sasuke said as he rubbed her arm to warm her. She was still alive, but had passed out. Sasuke was worried. He couldn't do anything else than what he was doing now; what if it wasn't enough?

Sakura followed the rapid water for a while before spotting places Naruto could have grabbed. Suddenly she heard Naruto's tired voice.

"Sakura, help!" he said. Sakura spotted him hanging onto a branch that hung above the middle of river. His arms were bloody and it was hard for him to keep his grip. Sakura found where the branch connected to the tree and broke it. Naruto's head dunked under the water for a second before Sakura pulled him in onto his knees. He also shook uncontrollably and chattered.

"Naruto, we need to get you back to Sasuke and Kali," Sakura said as she helped him up. The cold water dripped from him and onto Sakura. She couldn't believe Kali had just jumped into it like she had. When the two got back, Sasuke had moved further from the river. He sat with Kali still held fast in his arms. She had stopped most of her shivering and shook every once and a while in her sleep. Naruto removed his wet jumpsuit and wore his swim trunks. Sakura started a small fire and hung Naruto's cloths next to it. Naruto huddled next to the flame desperately as Sakura bandaged up his terrible wounds. They had been washed by the river, but they were still bad.

"So how are we going to get out of here?" Naruto asked.

"Probably the same way we got in," Sasuke replied, "Kali said she had killed the lead gatoran, Osama."

"But we got dragged all the way to this river. Which way is back?" Sasuke was silent. Sakura had an idea.

"Naruto," she said, "could you lend Kali your cloths?" Naruto looked at her confused. "I mean, you don't need the jumpsuit, but she does." Naruto agreed for now. The suggestion sparked a question in Sasuke's head. Why was it taking Kali so much longer to recover? She wasn't as injured and she had gotten out of the water faster.

"Naruto, how did you get out of the gatoran's area?" he asked studying Naruto seriously.

"Huh?" Naruto looked at Sasuke, "When I went in the water I got pulled away by the current. They didn't chase me so I grabbed the branch and waited. Why?" Sasuke looked back at Kali as Sakura covered her with Naruto's jumpsuit and returned Sasuke's shirt to him.

"She got out of the water way before you did, and she doesn't seem to be getting better," Sasuke explained.

"That's right," Sakura agreed, "she's still unconscious." Sasuke laid Kali onto the ground and stood.

"I'm going to find someone," he said. Sakura looked at him.

"Who?"

"A friend." With that, Sasuke jumped away. He was going to find Kali's brother Oji. He was the only one Sasuke was even slightly sure he could trust. When he reached the high, rocky hill the sun emerged from the clouds. He had no idea where to find Oji, but assuming he was following them it wouldn't be too hard. He retraced the group's steps and stopped in the middle of a clearing area.

"Oji!" he called. It was silent for a minute.

"Well, well," a calm, familiar voice said, "If it isn't little Sasuke." Sasuke spun around and saw Oji lying on a high branch. He was concentrating on wrapping a pole with string as he spoke. His hair was orange and his eyes the familiar gold of Kali's eyes. His outfit was a black suit with belts and latches that seemed to serve no real purpose. On his back were three long swords and one medium-sized one on his hip. He also had two cat ears on his head and a long Cheetah-like tail.

"Kali needs your help," Sasuke said, ignoring the "little" compliment. Oji sat up and hung his legs over the side.

"Kali needs me? Are we talking about the same girl or did some other girl come into the picture?" his sarcasm began to get annoying. He jumped down and walked up. His large cat emerged from the bushes to follow him.

"I'm not here to fight. I"-

"I know, you have no idea what's going on, and you need some help from me." Oji glared at Sasuke. "I'm going to tell you straight up- I don't think Kali has made the right choices, and you have been most of the problem." Oji stepped closer. Sasuke began to feel attacked.

"Hey, I'm here to help her!" Sasuke replied. That was Oji's last straw.

"You!? Help her!? You're the one who gave Kali her death seal!" He shot forward and gripped Sasuke's shirt.

"What!?"

"Have you already forgotten your first incident? Kali saved your life and sacrificed her own!" Oji threw Sasuke to the ground. Sasuke tried to catch himself but he hit the ground anyway. "Luckily Kali is a strong girl and could survive this poison."

"But why would she be affected now? It's been almost four days."

"Yes, that is true. Her fall into the river must have had an effect on her." Sasuke stood.

"How did you know she fell into the river?" Oji smiled at his own skills.

"Your shirt," he pointed to it, "it smells like Kali and ice water. If you had fallen in, you wouldn't be here- Kali would be." Sasuke was impressed.

"So are you going to help or not?" he said roughly. Oji thought.

"I guess it wouldn't hurt. I planned to help anyway… Alright, but there is one thing I'll need you to do." He turned to his panther. "Akkan, come." The panther came and lifted his head. In his mouth was a small bottle with a deep red liquid inside. Oji took it. "This is the medicine Kali needs to take. She will probably be awake, but I'm sure she will have slight amnesia." Sasuke was surprised.

"How do you know all of this?" he asked. Oji looked at him plainly.

"It isn't the first time…" He shoved the bottle into Sasuke's hands. "Look, just be careful; cornering an injured wolf can be dangerous." Oji smiled, "Enjoy the woods and keep aware." He then jumped away swiftly and Akkan trotted away.

Kali opened her eyes slowly and sat up. Naruto and Sakura were talking by the fire. Their backs were turned so they didn't notice. Kali looked at Naruto's suit on her and pushed it off. She had completely forgotten what she was doing here and who the people were. The first thing that came to her mind was she had been captured. Instinctive fear flooded over her.

Sasuke walked to the campsite cautiously. Sakura was excited to see him return, and Naruto stood and turned to see if Kali was awake. He got his answer when an arrow flew quickly soared past his head. He fell backwards.

"What was that for!!??" Naruto yelled. Sasuke jumped in surprised and looked at Kali. Her eyes were wide and fearful. She had already drawn another arrow across the bowstring.

"Kali, wait!" Sasuke said. Her aim swung to him and he showed her his hands. "Calm down, we're your friends." He said calmly. Her ears went back and she looked desperately.

"I don't…" she whispered. Sasuke stepped closer wit his hands out so she didn't think he was attacking. She shook slightly and tensed.

"You can remember, just think." Her eyes suddenly gleamed.

"Sasuke!" she said sadly, "I'm sorry!" Her bow dropped and she jumped into his arms. He bent down and held her for a second. When everything had settled and Naruto and Sakura had fallen asleep, Sasuke handed her the bottle Oji had given him.

"Oji gave this to me for you," he said. Kali took it.

"Oji actually gave it to you?" she replied as she pulled the top off.

"He didn't want to, but he did." Kali swallowed the medicine and stared at the bottle.

"Sasuke…" Kali started, "thank you… I haven't had anyone care about me like this in a long time." Sasuke looked at her. She looked so fragile all of the sudden like she was in a new place. He smiled at her when she looked at him. She then lay down and slept.