Ahah, I guest star in this episode! I think it'll be easy to see who I am. Read on!

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It was dark.

That was the first thing that came to the young boy's mind when he opened his eyes. Though his fox eyes were sharp, it was easy to tell that it was in the middle of the night. Groaning as a subtle pain made its way into his neck, he sat up and rubbed at the sore skin, blinking blearily, not able to comprehend why he was laying out in the woods.

What had happened..?

Perhaps the aching throb in his neck was supposed to help him remember, but it didn't. So, instead of trying to remember, he instead sat up, taking in his surroundings. Out in unfamiliar woods...late at night...a heated scent in the air, it would thunderstorm soon...

Frowning, the young fox felt a sense of deja vu as he walked deeper into the woods. Though he was sure he'd never been here before, it seemed familiar...and why was he out here anyway? Wasn't he supposed to be close to home? Home...

And then he remembered the car trip with Tsunade. The long journey they endured to get to this place. Then, with a sinking feeling, he realized. So...this was the truth.

She abandoned him.

Frowning bitterly, he shoved his hands in his pockets, unable to understand or comprehend why she did that. Then a strange texture in his pocket caught his attention. Pulling it out, he smoothed the material down and stared at the crumpled piece of paper.

Naruto,

I hope you can forgive me for this, but it's the only way I can protect you. There's no way you could of stayed with me any longer and still have the freedom you deserve. My neighbor, the one with the hounds, wants to kill you for what you did. I knew if I let you play out in our woods he would of succeeded, and I certainly couldn't keep you locked up in my house forever. You deserve better. So, I sent you to this place, where you'll be safe. Please don't try and find your way back, I doubt you'll be able to, and I don't want you getting hurt. Kakashi knows where you are, and will check up on you annually, but no more than that as it'd be too risky. I still love you, so stay alive, and one day hopefully we'll be together again.

Love,

Mom

Recognizing it as Tsunade's handwriting, he clenched his free fist, shuddering at the words. Tears rolled down his tanned cheeks, and he folded the paper neatly in half twice, tucking it away in his pocket, seeing as it's the only thing he has to remember her by.

Just then, the storm came.

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He ran through the woods, shivering as the cold wetness tore at his body.

It was now down pouring, and a war of thunder and lightning created havoc in the sky above. Naruto was fearful, because it was starting to get really cold, and if he stayed out in this weather he'd surely die...

No trees seemed to harbor any good shelter. And no dens big enough for him. And he ran through the night, feet achy underneath the bandages for his cuts. Feeling slighty dizzy, he slowed down, searching the clearing he just came to with desperate eyes.

Then, it caught his eye. A large cave, one big enough to house him comfortably. Happy at the find, he ventured near, eager to get inside and to dry off. But then a scent caught his nose. It was marked all over this place. Something...else lived here.

Feeling his hopes slowly diminish, he gulped, now standing at the mouth of the cave, away from the rain. Dare he enter and risk getting killed for intruding? Or go out in to the storm to try and find shelter that may not even exist? Well, before he had time to think, a decision was made for him, for a dark shadowy figure approached suddenly from inside the cave, growling.

"Who's there?" the dark shadow grumbled out, sounding intimidating and defensive.

Naruto gulped, suddenly weary about the whole idea. But needing shelter, and realizing it'd be hard to turn back, he decided to press on. "Um...excuse me, I...ah.."

The voice growled, irritation clearly etched in the tone. "What do you want kid?" Suddenly a light flickered, a lamp was lit, and suddenly the hardly visible figure was revealed. It was a wolf girl, about 18 or so looking.She had blonde hair with red bangs, and clear blue eyes. Her ears and tail were lined with soft white fur, inside her ears were tinted pink. Dressed in a casual looking royal blue kimono, she stared gloomily at her unannounced guest.

Trying to find his tongue again, he stammered, fearing the look she had. "Please, I'm not used to living out in the woods, and it's storming..I don't have anywhere to go..."

The silence was thick and uncomfortable, though it only lasted a few seconds. Her sharp crystal eyes seemed to bore through his skin into his very soul. Sniffing quietly to test the air, she spoke again. "You smell of human...so you're a house pet?"

"Y-..yes."

She nodded, almost to herself. Then sitting back on her knees and rubbing her face as if it'd help wake her up, the wolf sighed, muttering quietly. Then, coming to a decision, she got up and went back in to the cave. "Come on.."

He obeyed, not needing to anger her and get kicked out. Following quietly, he was led in to the main area of the den, where an old mattress lay and some other things. A few other 'rooms' could be seen in the back. They entered one of these rooms.

It was a small room, cozy and unoccupied except for a small dusty table. Setting the lamp down, the girl muttered a 'hang on' while she walked over to a crude door, opening it up and rummaging around inside, pulling out a large pile of what looked like bedding material.

Closing the door, she picked each up, shaking the dust off and then setting it down. First came a soft, squishy looking comforter, next a finely woven blanket. Last, a pillow, clean except for the smell of moth balls.

"Here," she muttered quietly. "Don't wake me up in the morning, alright?"

Naruto nodded, in fact bowing at her hospitality. "Thank you, miss..."

"My names Ashlee, and you'll be wise to use it. And what do they call you?"

"Naruto.."

She snorted a bit, either from the name or the dust floating in the air. Or both. "Well Naruto, just don't bother me and we won't have any issues."

He nodded and she left to go depart back to her sleep. Sighing quietly in relief, he pulled off his wet, soggy clothes and threw them into the corner. Then, he crawled under the blanket back and lay down, curling up in the soft warmth as it radiated into his cold, damp body. His shivers slowly ceased, and though he wished he was home right now, at least he was able to sleep contently.

----TBC----

Wuahahah! Aww, I'm Naruto's room mate! Don't worry, there's no Mary Sue. In fact I'm barely in the story. R/R!!!