The next morning found them back on the rocky hill. They reached the end of the difficult terrain by the time the sun peaked over the trees. The rest of the walk was extremely easy compared to the rocky hills.
"We've passed most of the difficult terrain, but we'll be going into the dangerous stuff now," Kali said as they walked, "The trees thin out and we will be more available for attack." She stopped at the tree line and looked out at what they would go through.
The scenery seemed so beautiful. The golden grasses flowed fluently in the wind like the waves of a golden sea. The wind was warm and inviting to most, but the history of this beautiful field was enough for Kali to almost completely ignore the glory of it. Sakura looked out at the field and gasped.
"Look how beautiful!" she said while observing the view. Kali looked down and smiled.
"Yes, it was," Kali said. Sakura blinked and looked at her.
"Was? What do you mean?" Kali stepped to the side so Naruto and Sasuke, who stood behind her, could see.
"Look closely. What do you truly see?" They looked for a while before Sasuke spoke.
"This is a graveyard…" he said with disgust hinting his voice. Kali nodded silently. Under the pure golden grass lay thousands of bones, cloths, and some fresh bodies. Weapons also lay scattered in the field. Sakura gasped as she noticed the multitude of corpses. Naruto looked with eyes wide.
"Who killed all of these people?" he asked. Kali looked at the field.
"That question is one no one can fully answer," she replied. "Sometimes gangs come here to battle for territory or members, other times people are just dragged here after their death, but most of the time…" her voice trailed off and she shook her head.
"What?" Naruto pushed curiously.
"We'd better get moving," Kali said briskly, "We're very vulnerable here." She walked straight into the field with the others following. There was a clear path through the plain that seemed to be cleared. The wind was soft and the clouds flew by. They gradually shrank from the rain of before. Close to the center of the large field the grasses got up to the shoulders then over the head. Suddenly, Kali heard the rustle of moving grass. Her ears twisted and turned to find the source of the noise. It was coming from all around them! The ninja now caught the noise and looked around. With the grass so high there was nothing to see. Kali stopped and turned quickly to the others.
"Any volunteers?" she asked.
"…For what?" Naruto asked after a pause of thought. Kali reached back to him and grabbed his arm to pull him to her.
"I'm glad you're so eager to help," Kali said with a slight smile. She spun Naruto around so that she was behind him. "I need a boost." With that she jumped onto Naruto's shoulder. Naruto lunged forward with the dramatic weight increase.
"Hey!"
"Sshh!" Kali bent down to whisper, and then sat up again. Her head peeked over the grass barrier and she saw to the edge of the plain. The valley may look flat but it was a huge valley- the grass just grew even. They had just reached the center; the worst spot to be attacked and to attack. It was sort of a double edge sword. As Kali scanned the edge she saw a small grey figure on the horizon. She quickly leaned back and pulled Naruto to the ground. They hit with a thud and Kali released Naruto's neck from her legs. He sat up angrily.
"If I would have known what you wanted I wouldn't have said anything!" he shot. Kali barely heard him. She sat cross-legged on the ground with her head in her hands mumbling.
"Dang it…Why now……stupid idiotic…" Her voice trailed off and came back until she looked up at the expectant ninja. She stood and sighed. "You'll have to excuse me for a minute," she said then turned around and waited. Soon, a long clear howl flowed over the field. It was the sound of a calling wolf. Kali was silent then continued walking. "We need to get out of here," she said. As they continued the noises did as well, but Kali no longer treated the situation like it was dangerous.
"What's going on?" Sasuke finally asked. Kali stopped.
"This place is just not fit for you guys," was her short answer. They got close to the other side and the sounds moved close fast. Kali jumped back to behind Naruto and pushed him forward. "Don't lag." She whispered. The sounds stayed in the closer position. Now Sasuke was very nervous.
He was about to turn around when a large black wolf emerged in front of him. The wolves deep golden eyes stared with little emotion as Sasuke drew his kunai defensively. Sakura gasped, and Kali heard her. When she saw the wolf, Kali spoke swiftly.
"Don't!" she said from Naruto's side. Sasuke looked back just in time to see six more wolves surround Naruto, Sakura and Kali. Kali's face showed serious concentration. Three of the wolves were a dark grey with light stomach fur, one was solid white, and the other two were brown mixes. Only two wolves growled- a grey and a brown. Naruto also drew his weapon and Sakura held back a scream. Kali jumped into a defensive stance.
"Wait!" Kali said again. I need to speak to Moliko!" Kali said strongly. The wolves fell silent and the large black wolf perked his ears. It approached Sasuke and snarled. Sasuke was frozen. "Sasuke…come here." Kali said softly. Sasuke slowly moved over to her and the two wolves in his way moved to let him and Moliko through. As Sasuke stood by Naruto and Sakura, Kali bent to her knees and bowed her head. "I'm sorry I had to." The wolf growled and Kali closed her eyes. She understood him like he was speaking human tongue.
"You know what we said," he said in his growl voice.
"I know," she looked at him. "I am bringing these people to the shore." The wolves looked at the ninja with curious eyes, but none approached. Moliko looked at the ninja in his usual silent way. Naruto appeared extremely nervous and Moliko caught his fear instantly and walked to him. Naruto didn't take well to this at all and took a step back. Kali looked worried. She knew Moliko could jump on Naruto any minute now and that would cause Sasuke and Sakura to jump and then they would surely die. She stared fully at Sasuke as he glanced at her. He saw her signal him to get down. Being tall signaled to Moliko he wasn't the leader. Sasuke grabbed Sakura's arm and relayed the message. They bent down to their knees and Sakura grabbed Naruto's pant leg. He didn't notice until she pulled hard and he fell to the ground. Moliko's chest rumbled deeply with a growl as he turned back to Kali.
"Why should you help them," he rumbled in wolf tongue.
"I wish to make myself stronger," Kali replied as she looked at Sasuke. Moliko sniffed Kali gently and pushed her head up with his muzzle to make her look him in the eyes.
"You are still a human pup, Kali. You may escort these humans to the shore, but remember; you will not become strong until you have the heart to do what is best." Kali looked straight into his eyes as she stood.
"Thank you, Moliko," she said as she bowed. Kali turned back to the ninja. They sat clueless to what the wolf was saying, but they heard Kali just fine. She helped them up and walked out of the circle. As the ninja followed, a grey wolf stepped out to follow behind them. Naruto looked at it nervously.
"Um, Kali, one is following us," he said as he sped up. Kali smiled but didn't even look back.
"Wind Song is going to make sure we leave the territory safely," she said.
"'Wind Song'?" Sasuke said in a curious tone. Kali slowed her step to walk beside him.
"That's her name," Kali replied, "It means her voice is beautiful."
"How do you know the wolf's name?"
"Because I named her when she was born," Sasuke blinked before she continued, "If you hadn't noticed yet, I can understand the wolf language." She looked at Sasuke. "It's a gift of mine." Wind Song trotted silently behind the group not a foot from Naruto's heels. When the group reached the edge of the field, Wind Song stopped and whined lightly. Kali understood the goodbye. When Sakura looked back the edge of the path was empty. The wolves were nowhere to be seen. Kali stopped when the field was out of sight and looked up. Oji laughed lightly from his perch. Kali turned around.
"This is my brother and friend Oji," she introduced then turned to Oji, "Sakura, Naruto, and Sasuke." She said as she pointed to each in succession. Oji stared at Sasuke with a smirk.
"We've met before…" he said silently. Akkan trotted out of the bushes below.
"How long were you waiting?" Kali asked Oji as he jumped to the ground.
"Oh, not long. Just long enough for a cat nap." Kali smiled. Sasuke stared at the large panther that walked up to him. It stared for a while until Kali patted his head.
"Now, Akkan," she said. "He's a friend." Naruto was left in confusion. He just got out of a pack of wolves and now a huge panther stood in front of him. To add to that, he hated cats. Akkan changed his attitude and rubbed Sasuke's leg while purring loudly. Kali chuckled at Sasuke's confused face. The weight of Akkan almost pushed him over. Akkan then stepped to Naruto.
"I don't think so," Naruto said nervously as he stepped back.
"If you three ninja will excuse us," Oji said, "Kal and I have to speak alone." Kali saw Sasuke's face of distrust.
"Don't worry, Sasuke, if he was an enemy we'd be fighting already," Kali assured. The two siblings walked away and out of sight. Akkan did not follow, though. He just got up close to Naruto and purred. When Kali and Oji felt they were out far enough they faced each other.
"Kali, what's your plan?" Oji asked in confusion. "You're at a crossroads now."
"I know," Kali said reluctantly.
"Well?"
"I'm still thinking about it."
"You only have about an hours walk now until you reach the place," Oji motioned in a direction.
"I want them to all make it. Losing one isn't an option," Kali said, trying to explain her thinking.
"So you're going to sacrifice yourself!? Kali that's stupid!"
"Is it? You think I can't handle myself? I can recover and make it back to them in a max of three days!"
"Kali…" Oji sighed. "You've gotten attached to them haven't you?"
"...I"-
"I've never seen you befriend ninja so quickly. Are you finally improving?" Oji asked in surprise. Kali thought for a second and her mind fell on Sasuke. She smiled.
"I don't know. Maybe."
"Well, even so, I want you to be safe."
"So?"
"So I'm coming with you."
"You are?" Kali didn't know what to think. Oji was her brother and, ever since she came here, they had mostly been apart. She shrugged off the feelings and closed her eyes. "If you say so, but I'm the leader this time." Oji nodded.
"Ok." They went back to the group. Sasuke was curious about the conversation, but Kali didn't say, so he didn't ask. She took a few steps in front of the group. "We're heading into some serious territory here and Oji will join us." No one had any objections so they started off.
Kali walked with an eerie silence about her. Sasuke observed her intuitively. Her feet landed silently on the ground; she seemed to be a ghost that flew through the woods. She turned her head fluently from one side to the other. Every once in a while Sasuke could catch a glimpse of her golden eyes. He realized how he watched for her eyes and looked away to keep from turning red.
Oji walked behind Sakura who was at the back of the group. He also noticed Kali's silence and Sasuke's actions. He then looked at Naruto. Naruto's hands were on the back of his head and his elbows were high in the air. Oji was tempted to play a prank on the unsuspecting soul, but resisted due to the seriousness of the moment. Oji's eyes then fell on Sakura; she showed signs of weariness.
The group maneuvered through the forest until the underbrush became thick. Kali stood and stared thoughtfully at the thorny bushes. Oji walked up beside her.
"You know we can't walk anymore." Oji stated. Kali tightened her fist.
"I know but…" Kali mumbled.
"But nothing, Kal."
"Ok!" She spun around to face the ninja. "Keep an eye out for traps; we're going to jump the rest of the way." She led the team as they shot into the air. They jumped for a while before something happened. A needle shot out of nowhere right in front of Kali. She yelled in slight surprise, jerked backwards and lost her balance. As she fell, Oji leapt toward her and gripped her outstretched hand. He was holding the branch with his other hand. The three ninja drew kunai and looked around as Oji lifted his sister back up to the branch. Kali brushed herself down and stared into the mass of trees.
"Where did that come from!?" Naruto asked worriedly. Oji had already retrieved the needle and identified it.
"We knew this was coming…" he told Kali.
"You knew?" Sasuke asked. Before they could answer, another needle shot by Kali. She dodged and it only scraped her arm. She quickly drew and fired an arrow at the spot, but missed. Oji drew his short blade as motion was heard.
"We'd better get to the ground," Kali said before jumping to the ground. The others followed. Now two men emerged from the forest. They were muscled men and had many weapons on their bodies. They said nothing; they just attacked viciously. Kali put her arrows away and drew her blade like Oji's. She jumped angrily and met them halfway. They weren't expecting this and one was caught off guard. Oji was surprised as well.
"Stay back, you three," Oji said to the ninja before jumping high into the air and down on the second man. Naruto didn't enjoy sitting back. He started to attack but Akkan jumped in his way with a violent snarl. Naruto stopped in his tracks. The panther glared with an odd seriousness.
Kali leapt and sliced quickly at the man she had chosen as Oji did the same. Oji soon had hit his target enough; the man retreated a ways and blew a strange whistle. As Kali continued to fight, more men arrived. Oji realized they needed the ninja's help and signaled to Akkan and the ninja. Akkan ran up with an evil snarl and tackled a man. The ninja jumped as well and fought for a while. Kali seemed to fight with new anger. She hated going slow through this place, and these men only meant what she had always feared. Suddenly, A man turned from Sakura and tossed a strange Net over Kali. Kali screamed as it handicapped her and she fell to the ground. The guy she was fighting snatched the net and began to retreat.
"Kali, no!" Oji bolted to her and sliced the man. The guy was dead in a matter of seconds and Kali had removed herself from the net as soon as he hit the ground. Sasuke fought, but watched as well; he was surprised how quickly Kali and Oji moved. It was like they were ninjas as well. Kali was about to attack when a pain surged over her. Her eyes widened and she hit her knees, putting one hand on the ground. Oji stepped in front of her and looked directly at Sasuke.
"We need to protect Kali!" he said. Sasuke jumped to his side and put his back to Kali. The others freed themselves from battle and did the same. Naruto was already breathing hard and Sakura was cut on the arm. They couldn't fight like this forever, and with all the men on the other side it made it hard.
"Kali," Oji comforted, "Take deep breaths and relax." Sasuke peeked back at Kali. She was on the ground gripping her wrist. He just noticed the bandage around it. Her breaths were rapid at first but they soon calmed.
"I'm ok, Oji," she said as she looked up. She saw Akkan still fighting he was a very large cat and the men were startled by his skills. Kali stood, wavered, but remained standing.
"Why do they want Kali?" Sasuke asked. Kali gripped her bandaged wrist and clenched her teeth again.
"She has something they want," Oji answered, "Let's finish this." He charged off and sliced an unsuspecting man. He fell down dead from Oji's attack. Kali drew her arrows and picked five men off.
"This won't take long now." Kali said with an unusual grin. Naruto, Sakura and Sasuke couldn't do anything, but watch as Oji weaved between Kali's arrows as they finished off the remaining men. When all were dead, Akkan collapsed. Oji stepped over to him and put his hand on the cat's shoulder.
"He needs some bandages, but he's done well. Good boy, Akkan." Oji said. Naruto couldn't handle being out of the loop.
"What's going on!?" Naruto yelled. Kali and Oji looked at him, and Kali sighed.
"You don't have to say it, Kal," he said.
"I know, but if they have to go through this place…they need to know." Kali said. Oji sighed lightly and looked down at Akkan and began to treat him. Kali turned to the three ninja and began to unravel the bandage on her wrist. "The first time I got here, fate wasn't kind to me. I ran into all the wrong people and was used for a curse." She held up her wrist. On it was a symbol in black. There was a bracket facing her elbow with a small diamond above it; under the bracket was a straight line with a curve on each side of it. They all gasped. "It's called The Curse of the Wolf's Howl, and I got it here, in this area of the jungle. Now every time I come here they trigger or try to trigger the curse."
"So, those people were after you because of that?" Sakura asked. Kali nodded and rewrapped her wrist.
"So why did we come here if it's so bad?" Sasuke asked. Kali looked at him with gleaming eyes.
"I'd rather me get hurt than you three. The other choice could have sacrificed one of you." Naruto gulped. Kali walked away and retrieved her many bloody arrows. Without rinsing them like she favors, she placed them back in the quiver. Oji walked up with his hands in his pockets to the ninja while Kali was away.
"You have no idea how lucky you three are," he said casually.
"And why's that?" Sasuke asked. He knew they were lucky to meet Kali, but he wanted to make sure that was what Oji meant. Oji patted Akkan on the head when he walked up.
"Kali hasn't trusted any ninja since, well, she was about six," Oji said.
"And why not?" Sakura asked curiously. Oji shrugged off the question.
"Her own reasons," He said. Kali turned to them.
"Let's get going. It's almost dark, and I don't want to spend a night here." Kali said. They jumped off again and traveled in silence. Soon, the sky turned the familiar sunset red. They reached a river and Kali stopped. Naruto stopped and hit the ground.
"I'm so hungry!" He groaned. Oji looked at him.
"He has a point," Sasuke added, "We haven't eaten since this morning."
"Oh, yeah," Oji said calmly, "I forgot."
"Forgot!?" Naruto said in surprise, "How can you forget to eat!?"
"Our metabolism is slower than normal;" Kali said flatly, "We only need one big meal and a small snack to go all day.
"That would be very helpful, but we still need food," Sakura said. Kali drew and arrow and placed it over the string pointing it downward.
"I don't think so, Kal," Oji said as he grabbed her bow. She looked at him in disappointment.
"But"- she started.
"You need to stay with them. Akkan will stay with you and I'll go get something." Kali felt contained. She didn't like contained.
"I'm a hunter!" she said. Oji didn't change his expression. Kali was about to speak again when she read Oji's calm eyes and sighed. Her ears went back and she gripped her wrist, submitting to his authority. "Ok…" As Oji left, Kali gathered some sticks for a fire. She didn't ask for any help; she just worked silently. Sasuke watched until she finally stopped and sat by the pile of wood. He joined her. She unwrapped her wrist and looked at the mark. It was very prominent and Sasuke could tell it was hurting her.
"Why did you want to come this way?" he finally asked.
"I guess… I guess I needed to face this sooner or later," she replied and looked up at him. "You just gave me the kick I needed." Sasuke let a small smile creep out before looking at the large panther across the pile of sticks. At first, Akkan stood uncomfortably, but he soon adjusted and seemed more relaxed as he let himself settle onto the ground with a plop. Sakura sat on her legs near to Akkan without noticing the large cat watching her.
Akkan's gleaming blue eyes scanned Sakura before rising only inches off of the ground and slinking toward her. Sakura spotted him after a moment and started to move. Akkan gave a comforting purr-like noise and cocked his ears forward to show he wasn't angry. Sakura felt uneasy, but stayed put, groaning uncomfortably. Kali saw this and smiled; Akkan had taken a liking to Sakura. He got to her side and lay back down with his soft-furred side touching her leg. He put his head near her hand and sniffed it gently. Sakura let him sniff and then rubbed his nose. He closed his eyes in pleasure as she petted rhythmically. Sakura smiled as Akkan rested his head on her lap.
Kali observed the whole situation and couldn't help but be pleased. At least Akkan was trying to befriend someone. She felt her anger lift slightly, and her mind return to normal. For a few minutes the deadly forest seemed almost comfortably calm. The sun was gleaming straight through the trees making the whole place light up softly. The breeze was slowly dying the farther the sun set. Sasuke felt the stress in the air lift as the silence stretched on.
Oji soon returned and Kali started the fire. Things began to move forward again. Oji had successfully killed three rabbits and they were cooked and eaten in an instant. Akkan devoured his own personal rabbit raw. As he licked his large paw in pleasure, Oji stroke his head.
"We'd better get some rest," Kali said while poking the flames. They settled down in their respective places to sleep Kali slept against a tree in between two large roots. Oji jumped into the tree and slept on a branch. As the three ninja lay down, Akkan approached and lay close to Sakura. He sniffed her, purred deeply, and rested his head on his paws. Sakura was taken by surprise by this sudden friendship, but didn't object. As the moon slowly rose, the forest fell deathly silent and still.