I'd like to take this moment to thank all my readers from all over (I love looking at my story stats to see where people are reading from!)! And to thank Master390 for reviewing! whatisee, That Crazy Person, suntan140, Because I can do it better, and Calilea thank you for alearting this story! TransMetal Naruto, naruto789987, and CyberRutoPrime for favoriting it! And a BIG thank you to my close friend and major supporter for AFH as I worked on it, so TheFantabulousPandemonium (such a kick-ass name by the way darling!) THANK YOU!

Also if you love it, review it! Though I'm not going to say so-and-so reviews or no chapter. I'm not like that, and I have strong negative views on fanfic writers that do that. If you're on this site you should be on it for the fun and joy of writing, not a number next to your story! Anyway pointless rant and thank-yous are over, ENJOY!

Naruto sat on a crate next to the table Torn was leaning over. His sapphire eyes darted from map to map. Daxter was on his shoulder, his worried eyes trained on the door. Jak never returned last night and all three of them seemed to be on edge. Torn seemed more tense than the other two it seemed.

All pairs of eyes were on the door as it opened and Jak walked in, looking refreshed and better than when Daxter and Naruto saw him last. The green-blond walked over, his lips twitching upwards giving the smallest reassuring smile to Daxter, who immediately climbed onto the table once he was closer, and Naruto. When the blond opened his mouth to talk to Jak Torn cut in.

"You're back, just in time to. One of my old guard comrades was sent to the Pumping Station." Daxter, who saw that Naruto wanted to talk but was cut off started making faces at Torn as he looked down at the maps. The fox teen pursed his lips, trying to stop himself from laughing at the faces. Jak, seeing Naruto's contained laughter looked at Daxter, chuckling quietly. "There's been no word from the patrol, and after what ran into out at the Strip Mine, I'm afraid she may need some help." Both Jak and Naruto perked up at the word 'she' but both did so for opposite reasons.

"Did you say she?" Jak asked, remembering Keira and how delicate she was when it came to their adventure.

"Don't even think about it!" Torn growled, glaring at Jak. Naruto's eyes widen at seeing protectiveness flash in those coal blue eyes before flinching as the ex-Krimzon Guard slammed his hand onto the light and shined it harshly on Daxter, who had still been making faces at him.

"STOP THAT! THIS IS SERIOUS, YOU MORON!" Torn yelled, rage clearly visible in his normally guarded expression. Daxter turned to Naruto, who shook his head, noting that now really wasn't the time to be goofing off with how Torn was acting. When the ottsel turned to Jak, who was ready to smack him he jumped in a fighting positions.

"WHAA! That's right! Don't mess with the sugar!" Jak rolled his eyes at Daxter before Naruto stood, grabbing Daxter and placing a hand over his mouth. The pointed look in his sapphire eyes was enough for the ottsel to calm down.

"This friend of mine has helped the Underground many times before." Torn said, having watched the whole scene. "Go back to the Pumping Station and take a look around." Daxter wiggled out of Naruto's hold and jumped on the table, saluting. "Render assistance if needed. Now get your squirrelly ass out of here." Torn growled at Daxter, slamming his hand on the table. Daxter blew a raspberry at Torn. Naruto, horrified that the ottsel would misbehave when Torn was so serious and looked ready to kill grabbed Daxter by his scruff and left, Jak following.

"What the hell Daxter?" Naruto yelled once they were out of the Underground. Jak was a little shocked, even in the short amount of time with Naruto the blond never cursed, no matter what. Daxter was equally shocked as he stared into the angry sapphire eyes. "Can't you tell that Torn was obviously angry and tense? He looked ready to strangle you! This is serious! Someone could be hurt and dieing right now and that person is clearly not only important to the Underground but also a friend to Torn!" Naruto yelled. Daxter opened his mouth but he actually found himself speechless. The blond turned away from the ottsel and climbed into the newer two person Zoomer parked nearby, waiting for Jak to hot wire it.

The ride to the Pumping Station was tense and silent. Naruto was dead silent, keeping his gaze locked ahead and Daxter would look over at the blond guiltily every few seconds. Jak didn't like the silence one bit. He was used to the two being happy and giving off an aura of positive energy. This behavior was making him uneasy.

When they arrived at the Pumping Station Jak was surprised to see the same Metal Heads that Sig had taken out. He cast a worried look at Naruto, who fought in close combat. With a deep breath the two started the task of finding Torn's friend. The three Metal Heads and two toad creatures were quickly dispatched. The beach below was filled with Metal Heads and toads, and even in the fighting Jak could hear the pained hisses from Naruto and the Red Eco shocking him from the Metal Head's staffs.

The blond panted as he checked over the stinging patches of flesh once the beach was cleared. He blinked at seeing Jak offer him a box of Green Eco aid. Naruto smiled and nodded his head in thanks. Before long they were fighting their way through two more Metal Heads with staffs. On their way to the large steel disk leading up Jak grunted in pain as the larger Metal Heads on the other beach were able to get a clean shot.

The once hero fell to his knee, clutching his bleeding side. Daxter looked around in a panic as more shots were fired off from the three massive Metal Heads. The ottsel watched, in a mix of horror and awe as Naruto advanced on the beach, drawing the attention of all three Metal Heads. His once sapphire eyes were edged with a dull ruby red color as his claws sliced into their thick armor.

He was panting as he returned, crushing a Green Eco aid over Jak's bleeding wound. They sat in silence for a moment to recover before continuing onward. More Metal Heads waited for them at the top of cliff, surrounding a fallen Hellcat. Once the area was clear the trio approached the Hellcat, collecting their breath as they did. Daxter leaped off Jak's shoulder looking like he wanted to say something but kept it to himself.

"Where is she?" Naruto asked as he got closer to the Hellcat. He gasped as he was pulled into a headlock and a pistol was shoved into his temple.

"Who the hell are you three?" The redhead female growled. Naruto's blue eyes went wide and held up his hands as Jak's hand twitched to his Scatter gun. Daxter smirked and walked up to the woman and Naruto.

"Mmm, I do love a woman in uniform! Wanna bark some orders at me… woof…woof!" Daxter barked before jumping on the arm that had Naruto in a headlock. Naruto could tell that the ottsel was being serious about his flirting but there was also something in his eyes that was weary at seeing someone with a gun to his friend's head. "I'm your solider on the front lines of looooove!" The green eyed woman looked disgusted as Daxter jumped down and called for some imaginary waiter. "Waiter…foxhole for two…"

Before Jak could move in to get Naruto away from the woman she shoved the blond into Jak's chest, whose hands grabbed him to steady him. The once hero's eyes narrowed at seeing the panic glaze in Naruto's eyes. The fox teen turned to the woman whose face was covered in Krimzon Guard tattoos. Jak let his hands fall from Naruto's arms as she started to talk.

"Keep talking, and I'll raise your voice a couple of octaves." She stated, pointing her gun at Daxter. She blinked at the pure animalistic growl that came from Naruto as he stepped in front of Daxter. Jak sensed the tension and stepped in before the woman and Naruto were at each others throat.

"Easy…Torn asked us to help you." Jak said. The woman backed off, looking calmer at the mention of Torn's name.

"I don't need help…but you might. We've got company." She said nodding towards the forested cliff edge were Metal Heads were pouring out off. The four charged the Metal Heads and soon the Pumping Station was filled with cries, grunts, and gun shots. Jak had gone Dark once and cleared out a massive amount of Metal Heads with a blast of Dark Eco. Naruto's vision became tainted with red, his sapphire eyes now colored in a dull ruby red. His claws and teeth tore into any Metal Head that got to close.

Once the Metal Heads stopped pouring out of the forest they collected their breath. Daxter walked over to Naruto, who was panting violently. "Naruto?" The ottsel asked. The blond looked down at his friend and smiled.

"I'm fine, and I'm sorry for snapping at you earlier." Daxter waved it off with a grin, which grew at seeing the woman. Jak walked over to the two, a few chucks of Dark Eco chasing after him before being absorbed.

"Are you alright?" Both Naruto and Jak asked at the same time. They blinked as Daxter slid away, grinning at them.

"Yeah. I'm still not used to fighting so much." Naruto said as Daxter walked over to the woman who was inspecting her Hellcat. Jak nodded.

"I'm fine." He said, answering the same question they both asked. They turned and joined the other half of the group, shaking their heads at Daxter flirting, again.

"Watching me take care of those Metal Heads was, ahh…pretty...exciting…wasn't it sugar?" Daxter asked as she climbed in and turned on the Hellcat, the exhaust shooting Daxter away. He fought against the stream of air, still hitting on the redhead. "Hey, sweet strips, gimme' them digits so I can look you up sometime. We'll party hard, big city style!" She shook her head and addressed Jak and Naruto.

"Tell Torn Baron Praxis is planning something big. I think it has to do with that symbol." She said pointing to the seal on a stone near the Hellcat. Naruto gave it a puzzled look before asking.

"What is it?"

"It's the Seal of the House of Mar. The founder ofHavenCity. We're being sent on suicide missions to locate artifacts from the time of his rule. If curiosity is worth dieing for you can ask the blind, old soothsayer in the bazaar named Onin. She might know something about all this. Here's my bazaar access security pass." She said through a pass at them. Naruto caught it and opened it. Jak, who had looked over Naruto's shoulder, looked up at the woman as the Hellcat started to hover higher.

"Your name's Ashelin, huh?"

"We're even now." Ashelin said before flying off. Once she was gone Daxter started to talk, again.

"Wow! What a woman!" He said with a growl. Naruto chuckled causing the ottsel to climb up to his shoulder. Jak shook his head and watched as his two friends started to walk towards the entrance to the Pumping Station. His cold eyes blinked as the wind blew, moving Naruto's hair. The once Eco Hero could have sworn he just saw…something under the blond hair.

"Wait here." Jak said to Naruto outside the Hip Hog Haven. Krew had com-linked him demanding that he come here right away. Naruto nodded as Jak and Daxter left him on the single person Zoomer. Being back near this place gave him the chills, but he understood that Jak worked for Krew, and that having a man inside of Krew's circle also helped with the Underground.

Naruto jumped when Jak came out, an angry scowl on his face. He growled something about Errol then slid in front of Naruto. Before the blond could ask what was going on the either Jak or Daxter the Zoomer shot off violently. Naruto wrapped his arms around Jak's waist tightly. He buried his face into the older teen's back as the sped throughHavenCitylike a bat out of hell.

Soon the Zoomer jerked to a halt and Jak went to slide off, only to realize Naruto was still holding onto him. "Naruto?"

"Wh-what was the big rush for?" The fox teen asked as he slowly removed his arms. He glanced around, now calming down from the fast driving. Jak's facial features softened slightly as he slid off the Zoomer, Naruto following shortly after.

"Sorry, we had to get here in three minutes. Now let's talk to the mechanic." Jak said. Naruto nodded, both of them missing the sly smile Daxter had on his face. Once inside the garage Jak spoke up, Naruto looking in awe at the trophies lining the wall.

"Ah…hello? Krew said someone was looking for a race driver?" The barren garage seemed empty, until a female voice from behind the drawn green curtain spoke.

"I'm busy right now. You must be Krew's new errand boys. Look, I don't mean to be rude, you did get here fast, but I'm not interested in any new drivers right now, and I've got a lot of work to do…" Naruto joined Jak and Daxter by the curtain.

"Can we help you then?" Naruto asked, surprising both Jak and Daxter.

"No!" The woman barked quickly from behind the curtain. "I'm…ah…working on a secret ah, ah…vehicle project."

"No need to be snappy. He was only asking to help." Jak said with venom at seeing Naruto slightly hurt look at being snapped at.

"Listen," The woman said, sounding guilty. "If you think you've got the guts to race in this town, try taking my prototype JET-Board," At this Jak and Daxter shared a smirk, liking the sound of a new vehicle. "Out on the Stadium Course. Beat the challenge, and maybe I'll consider you for my team."

"Naruto," Jak said turning to the blond. "Wait here for me, 'kay?" The fox teen grinned and nodded.

"Sure thing!" Naruto said and watched as Jak and Daxter left. The blond jumped up onto a nearby work bench and started to swing his legs back and forth, patently waiting for their return. His sapphire eyes watched as the shadow of the woman behind the curtain worked on her 'vehicle project'.

After a while he looked to see Jak and Daxter walk in, both looking smug. Naruto lifted an eyebrow in question. "We not only beat the challenge with shattered the silver record." Jak said. Naruto smiled and jumped down.

"That's great!" The woman let out an angry sigh from where she was working.

"Some people do get lucky. Listen, don't you someone to collect money from, or beat up, or something?" Jak, Daxter, and Naruto shared an equally irritated look.

"You don't like us do you?" Jak asked.

"You work for that slime ball Krew. What's not to like?" Naruto opened his mouth to yell at the woman, to tell her that Jak and Daxter were nothing like the normally people that worked for Krew and that there was no way in hell he would work for Krew but Jak shook his head before pointing to the trophies. Naruto looked at him in question as the green-blond smiled.

"Looks like you've won a lot of races. Is it true the city champion gets to tour the Palace?" Daxter's words from when they were in the Sewer came back to him. The Baron had done bad things to Jak, was he trying to find a way in to get revenge?

"Yeah…why?"

"Could you get me into the Palace?"

"A friendly visit I gather." Jak's next words were so cold, and so full of hate both Naruto and Daxter shivered at it.

"Yeah, I'm a real fan of the Baron." He growled. The woman sighed, defeated.

"Okay, I'll help you out, if you stop bothering me. I saw an old maintenance elevator at the base of one of the Palace support towers. That old lift might take you up to the Palace, if you can find a way to turn on the elevator's power." With those words the trio left. Once they were in a new model of the two person Zoomer and heading towards the Power Station Naruto spoke up.

"She had no right to be like that. Just because you work for Krew does not mean you're bad. You saved me and I…you saved me!" Naruto said trying to cover up the fact that Krew had owned him. Jak let out a sigh as he drove; Daxter looking at Naruto oddly, wondering what he was going to say.

"I know, Naruto. But we just have to deal with it."

"Hey, I want to thank you guys for saving my butt out there at the Strip Mine." Vin greeted as he went from screen to screen to buttons to screen.

"And we'd like to thank you for being such a bad shot." Daxter said, crossing his arms from where he stood on the floor.

"Ah, yeah, sorry about that guys. Ah, I'm a bit jumpy these days."

"That's alright Vin we-" Naruto's sentence was cut off by Daxter and his attempt to be humorous.

"Ahhhh! A Metal Head behind you!" Daxter yelled pointing at Vin.

"AHHH! Whatha? Whotha? Wha! ...Whhoo…oh…" Vin screamed looking everywhere then promptly collapsing to the floor. Naruto was next to him in an instant, helping him stand.

"Just kidding…nice reaction time though." Daxter said with a snap of his finger. Vin glared at Jak, who wasn't even trying to hide his chuckles.

"Not funny! Those Metal Heads have been attacking our mining operations, and we're running out of Eco." Vin said, turning back to his computers.

"What happens when we run out?" Naruto asked looking at the screens around Vin in a confused and curious expression.

"Eco power keeps the city shield walls up and if the shield drops…well we can all kiss our butts goodbye!" Vin said looking at Naruto. The fox teen's eyes widen in slight horror but Jak looked calm even with the new information.

"I've got a few surprises for those Metal Heads." He said, giving a wink to Daxter.

"You've got to keep the shield walls up until the Shadow figures out what to do. My readings show a drop in Eco flow at the Dill Platform." Daxter, who was staring at a screen with spinning, linked rings suddenly fell back, dizzy. "Probably some Metal Head eggs suckin' away power." Vin said, now facing both Jak and Naruto.

"So, use the Warp Gate to go to the platform and destroy every Metal Head egg you can find." Daxter got up and joined them, nearly falling over. Before the ottsel could face plant into the metal, Naruto picked him up and placed him on his shoulder.

"Thanks buddy." Daxter slurred. Jak sighed and headed to the Warp Gate. The green-blond gave a nod to Naruto before he jumped through. No longer scared of the gate, Naruto jumped in after him.

As soon as they arrived at the pilling platform spinning Metal Heads were on them. A few shots from Jak's Scatter gun and they were easily disposed of. The few up ahead were taken care of in a similar fashion since Naruto could not attack these Metal Heads without loosing a few fingers. They took the small elevator platform up to the red stationary Krimzon Guard gun.

"Here," Jak said switching mods to the Blaster gun and handing it to Naruto. "I don't think the Metal Heads will like me killing their eggs." The fox teen nodded, taking the gun.

"I've got your back." Jak smiled and climbed into the gun, firing at the eggs around them. Just as Jak had said the Metal Heads weren't happy. Naruto quickly learned how to perfect his aim and keep the Metal Heads off Jak while he finished destroying the eggs. Once all the Metal Heads and their eggs were destroyed they headed down to the bottom platform, Naruto returning the Blaster gun to Jak. They headed up to the now blasted open way, only to have a Metal Head with a shield and gun staff block their way.

"I got this." Naruto said before crouching on all fours and rushed around the spot they were hiding. There was a loud grunt and the sound of claws on metal before Naruto called for Jak to join him.

"Wow Naruto!" Daxter, who was still on Naruto's shoulder, said as Jak joined them. "You were like grrr and he was like rawr, and then, wow!" The green-blond chuckled before they continued on, Jak shooting all the spinning Metal Heads as Naruto took Daxter to higher ground where the Metal Heads couldn't reach.

Once the area as clear Jak joined them and crossed a burner that burned at regular intervals. They jumped across a gap then ran over another burner. Naruto hit the switch, lifting up a platform for Jak, once the ahead area was clear the green-blond called for Naruto and Daxter to join him. They repeated the step once more till they came to a narrow bridge, with flying Metal Heads shooting at it.

"Run!" Jak yelled shooting at the Metal Heads as his friends raced across the falling apart bridge. Naruto panicked seeing the spinning Metal Heads ahead. He briefly looked back to see Jak dealing with the last flying Metal Head. Swallowing his fears, the blond fox teen attacked, the blades of the Metal Heads slicing through the flesh on his palms.

"Naruto…" Jak said as he joined them. He took the bleeding palms in his hands. Naruto forced a smile on his face, seeing similar cut wounds on the once Eco Hero.

"They'll heal." The blond said taking his hands back and heading towards the next Krimzon Guard gun. Once at the top a few more spinner Metal Heads were dealt with. Jak handed the Blaster back to Naruto and slid into the gun, shooting at the Metal Head eggs. Once the area was free of Metal Heads and eggs they headed to the next platform. Naruto looked confused seeing as Jak didn't asked for his gun back, but soon found out why.

Below was what seemed to be hundreds of spinner Metal Heads. Before Naruto could pull the trigger there was a inhuman growl as Jak's body jerked and his features changed to that of Dark Jak's. He jumped into the air and slammed his fist down, sending out a powerful shockwave of Dark Eco, killing everything in the area. Unfortunately, it also sent Naruto into the metal wall with the force. The blond could only register grabbing Daxter off his shoulder and holding him to his chest so the ottsel wouldn't get hurt before pain exploded in his head.

Jak, no longer having any Dark Eco in his body thus no longer being Dark Jak, rushed towards Daxter and Naruto. The blond's eye sight was dotted with black spots and his head rang like a gong. Daxter's loud voice was echoed back like a second gong, making his head hurt worse. Suddenly, Jak was gone but quickly returned, crushing a Green Eco aid box over his head.

"I'm sorry Naruto; I should have thought that plan through more." Jak said as Daxter climbed onto his shoulder. Naruto groaned as he stood, leaning heavily on Jak.

"Are you going to be sick, cause if you throw up then I will two!" Daxter said disgustedly. Jak gave the ottsel a pointed look. They waited until Naruto could move without falling over before continuing. The shield and gun Metal Head up ahead was taken care of by Jak, seeing as Naruto's vision was still recovering.

"Great…" Jak growled seeing the weak platforms and pipes that they would have to use to continue. "Think you can make it?" He asked looking at Naruto. The blond nodded and mentioned forward.

"If you go first and show me how." With that Jak easily jumped from platform to pipe, to platform to pipe and then across the last to platforms. The green-blond killed the four spinner Metal Heads nearby and waited for Naruto to join him. His dark blue eyes went wide seeing the fox teen crouch onto his feet and hands, racing across the platform, and then onto the pipe, landing like some kind on animal. The blond propelled himself to the other pipe, catching it and climbing onto the pipe instead of spinning on it like Jak. With the height the blond easily leaped and landed on his two feet next to Jak.

"How'd I do?" Naruto asked with a sheepish smile.

"Daaaaamn! That was awesome!" Daxter said as Jak nodded his approval. Together they went up to the third Krimzon Guard gun, repeating their tactic for it. When Jak shot at the highest eggs Naruto jumped violently, nearly shooting his own foot as the crane fell from its post and formed a crude bridge. Jak, unfazed by the explosion, continued to shoot at the eggs. The fox teen quickly came back to his senses and went back to killing the flying Metal Heads. When Jak killed all the eggs Vin's voice came through the com-link.

"You destroyed the last of the eggs! That means more Eco for the city! Good work!" He said happily. Jak grinned as Naruto gave him back the Blaster gun. They left to the bottom platform, killing the last two spinner Metal Heads. They climbed the crude bridge to the control room and jumped through the Warp Gate.

Naruto sighed as he sat down next to the Warp Gate in the Power Station. Jak and Daxter were talking to Vin about thePalaceSupportTower. He didn't really register any of the conversation between the three, he was so tired. But, Naruto did watch as Vin rambled about something dealing with so many different power stuff while power walking from computer to computer, getting ready to prove Jak wrong, when really it was what he wanted Vin to do and knew only Vin could do it.

Just as Naruto's eyelids were sliding over his eyes he felt Jak place a hand on his shoulder. The blond made a questioning noise in his throat, looking at Jak and Daxter with exhausted, hungry, and battle worn eyes. "Naruto, we'll be right back. Then we'll head to the Underground and call it a day." Naruto nodded mutely, falling back asleep. Jak would be back for him once he was done with his mission.

Jak gently lowered the slumbering Naruto down onto the bottom bunk of one of the four bunk beds in the Underground. He frowned seeing the blond's body covered in wounds. The once hero pulled up a crate full of Green Eco aid and started to put the Green Eco on wounds he could see.

Daxter had gone to talk to some of the Underground cooks to get food for the three of them. Knowing his friend, it would be a while before he brought the food seeing as most the cooks were girls and a really large elf named Peter. Jak scanned over Naruto's body after healing most of the wounds. There was only one left and it was on his leg, but the clothing was getting in the way of properly putting the Green Eco on.

With a sigh, the green-blond pulled the pant's leg up more to access the wound. Jak placed the Green Eco on the wound only to gasp as something fluffy and blond poked out of the bottom of the rolled up pants. Confused and curious, he grabbed it and pulled on it, a moan escaping Naruto's lips as did. Once in the light, Jak dropped the thing in shock.

It was a blond fox tail. A tail that was clearly attached to Naruto.

"Jak?" Naruto asked through a yawn. His eyes went wide in terror at seeing his friend stare at his tail in a mix of awe and shock. The blond reacted fast, backing away from Jak, pulling his knees up to his chest.

"Naruto why do you-"

"I've got food!" Daxter sang as he entered the room, somehow managing to balance three bowls of steaming soup in his arms and on his head. The ottsel placed them on a crate then joined the duo on the bed. One look at each of their faces and he immediately knew something was wrong. "What happened?"

Naruto let out a shaky breath and with trembling hands unzipped his pants. Fear froze the blood in his veins as his mind brought back memories of Krew. Unknowingly, tears had started to fall from his eyes as he pulled out his fox tail to show Jak and Daxter.

"Holy mother of the Precursors…" Daxter said as Naruto held onto the fluffy appendage.

"Did the Baron-?"

"No," Naruto said quickly at Jak's unfinished question. "I was born with this tail and…ears."

"Ears?" Jak asked looking for any fox ears on Naruto. The blond chewed on his lower lip and bowed his head, parting his hair to show the nubs.

"When a bounty hunter gave me to Krew he had Sig cut them off. He said he couldn't risk the Baron finding me." Naruto whispered. He kept his head bowed as he poured his life story out to his two friends, leaving out the part of Krew raping him and having dreams about them for the past two years.