"I see." Sun Priest Bavas, told Naruto. The blond having told the man of his situation with his mother knew it was a long shot to ask a random man on her whereabouts, but seeing Bavas as a Sun Priest meant he had power. "So I was hoping if you could help me find her." the blond added.

"Find her?" he seemed confused as the blond nodded "I'm sorry but that would be a bit impossible. My tribe spans throughout our home region, and not only that even if she was in Meridian. The place is filled with many people."

"Couldn't you ask around?"

"I'm afraid that'll also be a problem. It would take a very long time for me to find word on this 'Kushina'. With my duties taking up most of my time. I'd only postpone your mother's search." Naruto just slumped hearing this. "Damn...so I'd only just send you on a wild goose chase, then."

"Sadly, yes."

Aloy in the meantime had approached Olin and asked him about Helis. "Who is he, Olin?" she questioned as Olin looked shocked by what she said. "I...how do you know my name?" he asked as he concluded to Erend telling her "Stop trying to change the question. Who is Helis?" she asked once more as she felt the man being untrustworthy.

"I do not know whom you speak off."

"You're lying. A friend of mine saw you talking to someone with your focus called Helis. Now who is he." Aloy went up to him menacingly. "Whoa girl. Cool your fire, I've got nothing to hide."

"Oh so then this time you know Helis?"

"No that's not what I meant."

"Then what did you mean, Olin? Did you mean you have plans for us Nora and that's why you're acting so tense?"

"No! Do all of you Nora act like this? Treat your visitors with distaste."

"I'm not sure about the others but I do this to those I don't trust, and you Olin have something you don't want to share."

"And now you accuse me, with no evidence. You Nora women really fit well to the stereotype." Olin spat out.

"Just answer the question, Olin. Who's Helis?"

"I do not know who that is. Whoever your friend is must've imagined that name." Aloy could see through the man's eyes. He was definitely lying, however, the only problem was they didn't have any evidence.

Leaving him alone, Aloy returned to Naruto and informed him of his stubbornness.

"What should we do?" Aloy asked "I'll keep an eye on him." Naruto replied, as he looked at Olin with their eyes locking for a moment. Olin seeing this quickly broke contact and went away from the ceremonial place.

"Naruto and Aloy, please come." Teersa called for the pair, who approached her. "So, how was the ceremony?"

"Amazing." Naruto smiled "That's wonderful. It's good that you enjoyed it. Now off you go to the Hunters' Lodge. Tomorrow is a big day for you both, so a good sleep is in order." she smiled as she gave the pair directions.

Cutting through the village with the celebrations, reaching its aftermath, the pair watched as remnants of people hogged on the fire and drank down some alcohol that remained.

When they arrived at the lodge, they walked up the porch to head into the room. "Motherless chuff." the guard at the door, spat at Aloy in spite much to her surprise. "Excuse me?!" she stopped infront of the man. "Find your bed outcast, and dream of winning the Proving. It's the closest you're going to get." the man added as Aloy huffed.

"Oh is this the bed-house? With you on guard? I could've sworn it was the latrine." she replied back as she closed the door behind her, before the man could reply. "Your meer presence makes fun of-" the man was left speechless as the door almost collided with his face.

"Wow, look at you. Resh, bullying children. Such an upstanding Vice Chief." the man turned around to see Karst who was holding two plates over a tray. "What do you want, Karst?" the man asked as Karst walked up the porch. "Brought food for my two kids." he replied as Resh huffed. "No foods' allowed in the bed house."

"Really? I could've sworn we were allowed when it was our turn."

"Well times have changed, since then Karst."

"Can I call my kids then?"

"Please do so. Before those two ruffians cause nothing but trouble." Karst just ignored the man and opened the door, much to his surprise he came in time to see Naruto holding another blond boy by the collar.

"If you so much look at her in the wrong way, Bast! I won't hesitate!" the blond shouted as he bashed Bast by his bed. "And as always you keep on protecting her. I guess outcasts and motherless chuff would be lovers. Your offsprings would definitely bring All-Mother to her knees." Bast chuckled only to receive a punch to his stomach sending his to the wooden floor.

"Shut up!" Naruto hissed.

"Woah, woah, woah." Karst was the one to rush in the cabin. "Naruto what are you doing?!" Karst asked

"He started it, Unc. As always, this moron starts stuff that he knows I'll always finish!" he beratted as Bast slowly got up holding his stomach in pain. 'He's strong.' the blond Nora thought as he looked up only to see daggers from Naruto. "Stay the hell away from me, my family and especially Aloy if you don't have anything good to say!" he pointed at him as the tension made the entire cabin quiet. "Am I clear!" Naruto warned as his blood shot eyes and persona made everyone feel chills under their spine as if he wanted, Naruto could've easily killed Bast right there and now.

"Crystal." Bast replied with a nervous gulp. "I saw that, outcast!" everyone turned to the door as they saw Resh looking happy. "For breaking the peace of this here cabin, I banish you and the girl out of here." he declared.

"WHAT?! But he started it!" Naruto shouted back "What I said is final, both of you must go, this instant." Resh added.

"Come on, let's get outta here." Karst spoke up as he held the blond's arm and guided him out of the cabin. "But Unc-" Karst put his hand on the blond's shoulder and whispered. "Resh has had a stick up his ass, ever since his wife left him for an outcast. Let's follow his orders and you'll sleep in my tent." hesitant Naruto agreed with the idea. "I think you forgot someone." Resh spoke up as the two were about to step off the porch.

"Aloy stays, she's innocent."

"Innocent?" Resh laughed hysterically at the claim. "I find that hard to believe." he turned to Aloy. "Girl you better get out of here before I do it myself."
he threatened. "I said she's innocent, old man. Leave her alone!" Naruto shouted out, getting Trel's attention. "And what makes you say she's innocent? DO you have proof?"

"Of course I do, everyone in there saw how Bast was all up in her face, they can vouch for it since obviously you don't believe me." Resh just turned to the hunters and huntresses in the cabin that were all listening in, the conversation. "Well if it is true, then those that saw Bast treat the outcast badly, raise your hand." Resh then began to scan the room looking for any witneses. Going up onto the bunk bed's and those standing, he didn't see everyone move a muscle, much to his delight.

"Well." he said raspidly with a evil grin. "It seems no one can back you on your claim, boy." Naruto seeing this just scoffed. 'Of course they'd be biased on outcasts...how stupid of me.' the blond thought as at that time Karst looked in and analyzed the situation.

'Ah! So they're all scared of betraying, Bast.' he concluded as many of them couldn't face the adults in the eye. As he looked around, his eyes soon landed on Vala and as if his eyes begged for her to speak the truth, the daughter of the Nora War Chief opened up. "I saw it." Vala spoke up with her hand raised as everyone's eyes landed on her. "I saw Bast treat the girl bad." Bast turned to Vala with anger as he whispered "What the hell are you doing!?" he said still holding his stomach.

"Vala are you sure?" Resh asked as she nodded. "Because you could've just seen, Bast welcoming her into the cabin." both Naruto and Karst laughed at that. "Resh, stop trying to save that boy's face. It's embarrasing." Karst commented as in the end Aloy was allowed to stay, while Vala had lost respect from her peers. Not that she really cared. With she and Aloy sleeping beside each other she waited for Aloy to finish eating Karst's food, eventually she was done and Vala took the opportunity to open up to Aloy.

"You must be so lucky, to have a boy protect you like that." Vala said commenting on Naruto. "Like to take on Bast like that, of all people. You must have a special place in his heart." Vala added as Aloy looked at her a bit flustered. "He's been doing that for a long time right now." she replied "Since we first met, he's been...that one person I could rely if Rost wasn't around."

"So are you two..." Vala gestured by taking both of her index fingers and crashed them together, implying if they were a couple. Aloy just blushed at that. "You could say that." she stated as Vala giggled. "Look at you. He's even making you turn red. He must be a great guy."

"He is."

"So what are his traits? Other than protecting you?" Aloy began to think as she remembered all the nice things Naruto did for her. "On most times when we meet, he usually offers to cook."

"Ooh." Vala ooed as she sounded impressed. "Is he good?"

"He's amazing. Sometimes I think he might be better than me."

"Wow...he sure sounds like husband material. Protective and helpful. You are sure lucky." Vala smiled as Aloy chuckles.

"Thanks."

"I wish All Mother could give me a guy just like him."

"Really? But your very beautiful, Vala. When I first saw you, I thought you were most likely with someone."

"Nope," she put more sound into her answer. "Mr. Right, for somereason doesn't have the courage to come up and speak to me. But enough about my dating issues, what other things makes your boyfriend different."

As Aloy continued to chat on how wonderful Naruto was, the two soon changed topic and eventually spoke into the night as soon the spark of a new friendship between them formed.

Meanwhile

"Man." Naruto proclaimed as he held his stomach with a big smile. "I'm stuffed."

He was currently at his uncle's workstation. As with the sun having already set, Karst put back all of his weapons into his cart as the two sat eating some bread with boar meat. "Unc you are a whiz." the blond stated as Karst took both their bowls away. "I'm surprised that you only ended at four. You usually eat up until nine. What are you feeling sick?" the older man asked.

"Not really, I'm just thinking about, Aloy will that food you gave her be enough." Karst laughed at that "No offense kid, but I'm pretty sure if you wanted a whale as a girlfriend you chose the wrong woman."

"Real funny." Naruto replied "Though seriously was it enough?"

"Yes it was enough. You need to remember that she isn't like you. So can you stop worrying for one minute."

"I can't I'm just thinking what if she's starving." thinking of the fact Aloy shared a cabin with Bast, who'd most likely comment if her stomach growled, the blond thought of all the bad things his nemesis could do to her. But in truth she and Vala were having a pillow talk.

"Eeh! He even gives you cuddles?!" Vala said surprised as Aloy told her how the two would cuddle on an open fire in the night. "I am so jealous, right now!" Aloy just smiled at that.

Back with Naruto and Karst "Will you stop worrying for one damn minute, you need to get her off your mind. She's no longer a girl Naruto, she'd a full fledged woman who'll be a literal Brave tomorrow." Karst pointed out "But Unc."

"No buts! You need to trust and believe in her skill, she isn't some damsel in distress. She's a strong woman who can hold her own." hearing this Naruto began to process it. "So?" he mused "So get your crampy overprotective self outta here and give me back my nephew. Since I know that my Naruto isn't some pansy who'd be too protective."

Hearing this Naruto began to think of all the times, Aloy carried the their team when they hunted. At most times she was the brains and while at the same time Naruto was occupied with one machine, she was seriously ferocious with her spear. Especially when she was angry.

"Yeah you've seriously been through it, Unc. Dealing with ungrateful customers to my own tantrums, you have great patience."

"And believe me when I say I need a drink." hearing this Naruto smirked. "Well then let's go!" he demanded as before Karst could speak Naruto grabbed his hand. "I don't think that a goo-WHOAH!"

Arriving at the local tavern, the two went inside. With the Proving's ceremony already wrapped up, many people were asleep while remnants we're in the local drinking establishment.

"Since we're here. Just know your buying the first round." Karst smirked as Naruto nodded "No problem, just find us a table and I'll with the drinks." the two then separated as Naruto had his eyes for the bartender. Going up to him he greeted the man.

"Slow night?" Naruto asked as the man nodded "Yeah, most of my regulars are wasted from the Proving."

"Tough," the blond replied "Tell me about it. But it is what it is you know. This time I can let it slide knowing my son running in it."

"Really? Well that's great news, congrats sir." Naruto smiled as the man nodded "So how can I help you?"

"Can I get a whole keg my friend." Naruto said much to the man's surprise "The whole keg?!" the blond nodded "That's seriously a lot!"

"I know, but seeing as its a slow night. You can make some change and your night wouldn't have been a waste. So how much?" he asked as the bartender was broken out of shock by the mention of shards. Negotiating with the man, they eventually came to an agreement. Rolling the full barrel to his table, the blond put down two jugs and sat down. "Alright." Naruto smirked as he rubed his hands and opened the barrel.

"Let's dig in." Naruto took a jug and scopped up some alcohol as he poured it into the other jug. Doing the same for his, he handed one to his uncle. "To the Proving." Naruto recommended the toast. "Agreed. To the Proving." the two smashed their glasses together and drank away.

Speaking and having finished two glasses, the two didn't notice Varl walk in the tavern.

The young Nora had a very long and grueling day. As he still got gruesome reports from his scouts of the massecres occuring outside the Embrace to travelers. The fact he couldn't do nothing made him anger boil out of control. Now only wanting to drink away his pain, Varl headed to the bartender and was surprised by his answer.

"What do you mean your all out?"

"I'm sorry, Varl but those two men took the last keg." Varl turned to where he pointed and when he recognized Karst and Naruto he just sighed. "So what now?" the Nora asked. "Sorry, Varl but I'm all out. You can always come back tomorrow."

Hearing this he thought about it but before he could make a decision, two other men walked into the tavern. "Remember your promise, Erend. One drink." the one speaking was Sun Priest Bavas as he had been begged by Erend for a trip at the tavern.

"Yes, Bavas. I heard you." Erend replied feeling annoyed "Like your acting as if I'm going to clear out the bar."

"That's what you did last time! Don't you remember the celebrations after Meridian was liberated from the Mad Sun King?" being hoisted onto memory lane, Erend chuckled as he remembered what happened. "Oh yeah...that day was the best." Erend chuckled as soon they arrived at the bartender's table.

"Good evening my good man. Two glasses of the Nora's finest." Erend ordered as he took out some shards frpm his satchel. "There's no point of even asking." Varl spoke up getting Erend's attention. "The place is out of beer."

'What?! How!" Erend said shocked while Bavas in the background muttered. "Thank the sun!" as he sighed in relief. "He sold the last keg to those two." Erend then turned to see Naruto and Karst who sat chatting.

"Maybe they might need some help." Erend spoke up as he went up to them. "Excuse me gentlemen." Erend said getting the two's attention. "Sorry to disturb you but me and my friends." he pointed to Bavas and Varl. "We also wanted some beer but seeing as you guys bought the last keg. We wanted to ask if you're willing to share." he smiled at the end as Naruto looked at Karst for permission as the man nodded. "I see no problem with that, besides my idiot nephew here was the dummy to buy this monstrosity." Karst stated as he pointed at the barrel. Erend hearing this chuckled "It's like he's trying to kill you old man." Karst nodded at that "I was also thinking of the same thing."

"Hey! I was only trying to make sure we have a good time." Naruto stated as he finished his third glass and dipped his jug into the keg and much to his surprise it was still almost full.

"Okay maybe I went a little too overboard." Naruto stated as the two gents nodded. "Well we can help you out. I'm Erend by the way." he greeted as he took out his hand. "Naruto." the blond introduced himself. "Karst." the older Nora did the same. Taking a seat, Erend gestured to Varl and Karst.

"Come on guys, let's save these two from a bad hangover." Erend grinned as he sat beside Naruto. Varl was about to go there when Bavas stopped him and told him to tell Erend he was going back.

Erend watched as Bavas left and when he called out to him the man just waved him goodbye.

"Why did he leave?" Erend asked as Varl sat down beside Karst "He said he didn't want to be tortured by you." Erend huffed at that "You know sometimes Bavas can be such a downer." Erend stated as Naruto hearing this looked surprised, he was going to drink with a man from Meridian? Maybe he could use this to learn more.

"I'm Varl by the way." the Nora hunter introduced himself to the group but with him and Karst already knowing each other, he was aquanted to Naruto and Erend. "So shall we begin?" Naruto asked "Let's get this party, started!" Erend said enthusiastically as the bartender brought jugs for Varl and Erend.

"I want a toast to Nora beer." Erend said raising his jug high. "I very much agree to that toast." Karst spoke up as he joined Erend. "Count me in." Naruto stated as he too joined in. Varl being the only one watched as everyone looked at him. "Come on, Varl what's the hold up? You don't like my toast?" Erend questioned.

"No it's not that." Varl replied "It's just...I've never drank with other people before." hearing this Erend nodded and smiled "Well stop looking sad you're one of the guys now. Tonight you're going to have drinking buddies." he smiled as both Naruto and Karst a little more under the influence to the alcohol hummed in agreement. Varl seeing this was moved and he soon joined in. "To Nora beer!" Varl said with gusto as it boomed through the tavern. "YEAH!" the other three agreed as they took their drinks away and Varl feeling himself shouted out a sentence that would be used to describe the events they would have from now on.

"To GUYS NIGHT!"

"Naruto YOU IDIOT! YOU FOLLOWED IN MY SHOES!" Karst shouted out in shock as currently he and Naruto we're running out of Mother's Heart. "I'm sorry," Naruto apologised as the blond's hair and upper body was drenched in water. Karst had found him passed out at the tavern all alone and the moron was left behind by the participants for the Proving.

"It's too late for that! What's done is done! You got a lot of ground to cover." the older Nora shouted as he then felt a sharp pain from his calf. "Oh crap!" he hissed as he slowed down and held his calf. "Cramp!" he deduced as Naruto slowed done as well. "What's wrong Unc, are you okay?" he asked as Karst shooed him off. "Don't worry about me it's just a cramp! You've got more to worry about than my health. By now the participants must've arrived at the base of the mountain. Naruto you've got to catch up, so run!" being informed that he was late, the blond skeddadled for All Mother mountain. "Wish me LUCK!" Naruto shouted out as he disappeared after the next descend.

Karst taking a small breath of relief, went to sit down on a rock beside the road. Streaking his beard, the man chuckled. "Yeah, this family curse will never go away." he muttered as he remembered how this exact situation occured with him and his father back in his youth.

'I guess the saying. What comes around, goes around does occur in life.' he concluded.