Winter's Wolf

by Retcon343

Naruto never believed in destiny, being a low born in the Northlands of Westeros left few openings for fate to ply its fickle trade. No, Naruto never believed in destiny but he never needed it. He'll carve a path to the top with the edge of his blade and the strength of his wit. Join him on his journey from lowborn orphan to ... well let's not ruin the surprise.

4. Wolf and Crow

Without further ado, I present Naruto Uzumaki in Winter's Wolf.

Chapter Four;

"Wolf and Crow"

-0-

Naruto

It had been an eventful few days. The weight of those events had only just dawned on him as he saddled his Ember. All around him dozens of Northern lords prepared their hosts for their journeys home. Some had already left. There wasn't much time for goodbyes. He had spent the hours before first light making final checks before their ride home.

No one said much to him after Lord Stark granted him his commission. Not even Lord Flint. The men-at-arms were seemingly more unsure of him now. He was not a Lord nor was he one of them anymore and he was barely ever that. He now occupied that hollow space in between. A place where there was curtesy but not respect. Well, there was but not in the way one would expect. His martial abilities were duly recognised but how much does a man respect a sword. Only ever as much as he needs it. Right now, many did not believe they needed him.

They were cordial of course; he was beset with murmurs of fine work and good job and the occasional snickering great grumpkin. The name had stuck, damn that Roose Ryswell to the others, it had stuck.

No matter, he would not be hearing much of it. His own men wouldn't dare, he hoped and, in a moment hence they would be through those great gates and on their way home.

The sky promised some reprieve this morning and he was glad of it. It has snowed heavy overnight. He could scarcely see through the great whisps of snow hurling wind as it churned the air outside his window and rattled the frames of his wooden bunk at night. Now there was a white mess as far as the eye could see. It covered everything from the great domed towers to the muddy courtyards of the castle and had been beaten into cold, wet, brown porridge that shimmied down his boots and chilled his toes to the bone.

Will and Gar and the rest of the Men-at-Arms of The Finger were already mounted and awaiting lord Flint to confirm their departure.

Naruto waited eagerly. Not for his lord but for those who had promised words before they parted ways. Domeric Bolton and Roose Ryswell had both made their intent for some last conversation clear. It was obvious that whatever fire he had lit with his commissioning of The Winter Wolves presented an opportunity for them and the blond couldn't really blame for wanting to take full advantage of it. He had done the same. In his own way. What he wouldn't allow however was for them to overstep. This was his venture, his command. An enterprising mind would seek to undermine him and bring him to heel and use his position to bolster their station. That's what maester Karl would say. Maester Karl was also a drunkard with no friends. Naruto needed a happy medium. The two young men would make demands of him, Naruto knew. But mayhap he could use them to his own advantage.

He could still feel the crisp paper of the charter Lord Eddard's maester Luwin had produced for him. It declared his charge; it gave life to his wolves and their mission. Its inked words breathed life into his dreams. Gave his thoughts substance. Brought hope to fill the emptiness of his hidden disappear. It was quite thorough; it spoke of rights for him and those under his banner. It demanded he not break any laws of the land or the Gods. It made sure he understood that it was by Eddard Stark's grace that they existed and by his grace they would cease to exist.

As if summoned by the thought Domeric Bolton and Roose Ryswell burst from a tower adjacent from the blond in a quick stride. One would think they marched for war with the pace the kept. They looked heated. There was some disagreement between them, the blond thought.

"Ah, I remember you" Domeric said to Ember. The beast kicked up a spray of fresh snow and snored at the Bolton.

"I think he remembers you also, my Lord." Naruto quipped.

Domeric shook his head "What a hateful creature".

"That's for the best" Naruto said "Better he hate every ass that tries to sit him. But he remembers well the ass that broke him and that is all that matters."

"I didn't come here to speak about your ass, boy" Roose said. His eyes were bloodshot and he reeked of stale ale.

"You'll forgive my uncle" Domeric interjected with a laugh "He means well but the drink that flows so well into him at night, sours and turns him into a prickly beast by morning."

Roose grunted a response and took a long swig of what Naruto assumed was water from a skin that was attached to his belt.

"We've sought you out to discuss what comes next" Domeric said

"And that is?" Naruto asked. He eyed lord Flint in his periphery.

"I promised you horses" Domeric said.

"And I owe you many and more" Roose added.

"That is besides the point though. You will have your horses of course, but importantly you and this new order of yours, The Winter Wolves, will need a guiding hand in your infancy." Domeric said

"And it's only fitting that hand be mine" Roose interrupted.

"Ours" Domeric added.

"Yes, ours" Roose corrected.

"Any help would be more than welcome" Was Naruto's response. He needed to be diplomatic "But I'd hate to pull you away from more important applications of your time."

"Bah" Roose scuffed. "Let me be straight with you. This is the most exciting to happen in the North since the war and others be damned if I'm not going to be in the thick of it."

"I can appreciate your honesty" Naruto replied.

"And if pissant Bolton has to lurk about then so be it." Roose spat.

"You spoil me with your kind words, uncle." Domeric was unphased. "My dear uncles pleasant disposition aside, Naruto. We are here to help. Or will be there to help. I'll delver the horses personally then we can discuss what the next steps are. I can already see the wheels in your head turning."

"Sounds like a plan. I really feel we can achieve something great gentlemen and the North is in sore need of greatness." The blond said.

"You really do talk out of your ass." Roose said before turning and beginning to walk away. "I'll send a raven hence." He threw over his shoulder before he was out of ear shot.

"You might get used to him" Domeric said through a sigh. "Or you could kill him. I wouldn't blame you either way. His brothers might beat you to it though."

Naruto half expected a laugh at that statement, something to soften what sounded like murderous intent. But none came so he pressed on.

"I've been told I have a way with animals" Naruto patted Ember as he spoke.

Domeric did laugh at that. "None so wild as Roose exists, I fear." he japed. "But come what may, I am glad to be counted among your number. Let me be off, friend but I will be in the Finger within the fortnight." He extended a gloved hand to the blond.

"It has been an honour" Naruto said while shaking the young man's hand.

With that Domeric was gone. He hurried away to join his aunt's party in their preparations to leave. He had yet to see the Lady Dustin since their conversation, but he was grateful for that. He'd had enough of politics and word games for a lifetime. Karl made it all seem exciting, but his small taste had made it clear that it was a poisoned chalice. There were no winners here. Just more eyes cast on his every movement.

Four such eyes watched him closely from the shadow of one of Winterfell's great circular towers. Naruto looked over to lord Flint, the man waited patiently for him. He could wait a moment longer. So, he walked under the tower and waited.

"I thought you would never come over" Robb Stark said.

"It's customary for a lord to come see off his guests, not the other way around." Nartuo replied in humour.

"We would have but Measter Luwin told father we snuck out to meet you. We've been confined to our rooms" Jon added.

"So you sneak out to see me again?" He outright laughed as he spoke.

"I had to" Robb said "Don't laugh at us" He demanded.

"I meant no offence, my Lord. It's just, I was much the same not too long ago, in a past life." Naruto replied. He almost grew sombre at the mention of the past but moved beyond that and kept up his mood for the sake of the little lords in front of him. "Try as she might my old nan could never keep us from sneaking out."

"You have an old nan as well?" Robb asked

"Doesn't everyone?" Jon responded.

Robb seemed to nod in understanding "Does she tell you stories? That's all our Old Nan does. She speaks of grumpins and snarks and giants and the little green people beyond the wall."

"Aye, mine did just the same. But the time for stories is over. Unfortunately, I must take my leave."

"Can we come visit?" Robb asked. "Please say yes. If you say yes, I will plead to father that we tour your castle. Then you can teach us to fight."

"I'll tell you what, if your lord father agrees to honour us with a visit, I'll teach you both everything I know." Naruto offered.

Their little eyes lit up.

"But I must bid you farewell, my lords." Naruto bowed then turned to leave.

"Wait" a small voice stopped him. "I've decided to…um" It was Jon Snow. He stared at the ground uneasily. Robb looked at him with furrowed brow. "When I'm older. If you'll have me. I would like to join your Winter Wolves. I would do anything you would need of me. I... I can be good with a sword or even as castellan."

Robb interjected quickly "Jon what are you saying, you can't leave."

"Why can't I?" Jon countered "I'm bastard born Robb. Your Lady mother reminds me every chance she gets. There's no future for me here."

"You know what mothers like. You must ignore her, Jon. Just wait, when I'm lord of Winterfell we'll rule together like we always planned. Why can't you wait?" The little lord was pleading now.

It made sense really. They were not even a year apart. Brothers in the truest meaning. He empathised, what if Will decided to leave one day. How would he react.

"Its fine Robb, I wouldn't be too far away." Jon placated.

"You can't decide things on your own, father won't have it." Robb was adamant.

"It won't be up to father when I'm a man grown. I had hoped you be happy for me, Robb. Besides nothing is done yet, and nothing will happen for years to come. I just wanted to ask."

"Alright" Robb said. He had begun to glow a shade red with anger. He looked over to the ever cool grey eyes of Jon and there was a moment. Naruto knew what that was. Two people so connected they could speak without words. "Alright. If that's what makes you happy."

"I cannot speak to your future intentions, Jon" Began Naruto. "But I would be most honoured to count you among my number in any fashion. I can tell you both from personal experience, seeing the banner of your house, House Stark, can be a light in the bitter darkness."

Jon grew tense "Bastards don't carry banners" he said.

"They can" Robb said and placed a hand on his brothers' shoulder "They just have to invert it."

"So, a green standard with …" Jon began.

"A white Wolf" Naruto finished. "But I must be off my Lords, it is a long journey back to the Finger." He bowed. He turned again in the direction of his horse.

"We'll send you a raven" Robb half shouted.

Naruto smirked but kept walking "I'll await it eagerly. Until next time, Lord Robb. And I'll keep a space open for you, White Wolf." He liked those boys, he really did.

-0-

The journey home had none of the excitement of the journey to Winterfell. Naruto was glad of it. He didn't sleep at all. Not when they retrieved Tommard from Cerwyn, not when they scurried over the barrow hills of the Barrowlands and certainly not when they waded through the swamps of Moat Cailin.

He was as grateful as ever to be back in the Finger. It's black walls and sea slick windows evoked a familiar emotion in him. He missed this place. He missed the smell of Howland's cooked birds, and baker Cecil's bread. He missed the smell of the kennels, the stables, the sweet salty sea air. It was home. His home.

Now he stood before the good maester as the bald man digested his words on what happened at Winterfell. Naruto had spared no detail. Karl had pressed for every piece of information the blond had to offer. Now he just sat there in his chair. It was a welcome sight to Naruto. The worn brown robes, the calculating gleam of his green eyes, the slight glisten of his head in the moonlight. Gods above, he would never admit it, but he missed the old serpent. So much had changed, but not Karl, never Karl.

"You did not seek out Lady Dustin before you left?" The maester asked after a long moment's deliberation.

"No" Naruto responded.

"What of Lords Forrester, Bole, Wood, Manderly?"

"I had my charge maester. Lord Robin..." Naruto said.

"Lord Robin could have been assigned a guard. It needn't be you. Do you not see your misstep, boy?" Karl pressed with sharp eyes.

Naruto didn't respond. The maester sighed and swilled the goblet of fine wine in his hand.

"You are too rigid. All you North men are. I dared to expect different. How predictably disappointing" he said at the blond.

"I didn't think it wise to press for an advantage without fully understanding all the tiles on the board".

"Oh' so your master of the game now are you?" Karl chuckled as he spoke.

"Better than most" Nartuo said quickly as he shifted to his preferred spot under the window in the dimly lit room.

"Better than none" Karl snapped "You crave your knighthood. You could have had that and then some. Your need to honour your every word worked against you there".

"I should have lied?" The blond grew tense.

"You should have told the lady what she wanted to hear. What she needed to hear and when your moment was… upon you and you had satisfaction" He spoke slowly at the blond "You should have stolen away in the night with your knighthood tucked ever snuggly below your belt."

"I will not lie to a noble woman to further a vein cause. No matter how coveted the prize" Naruto said sternly.

"What do you think this game is boy?" Karl didn't wait for an answer "This is an exercise in delusion. "We shake with one hand while preparing a dagger in the other. The sooner you let go of your benign notions of an honourable duel the sooner you'll be of actual use to me."

Naruto raised an eyebrow. "And what perchance could a man as humble in his duties as you possibly want from one so low as me?" He asked.

"Well, low as you are boy, you seem to have a tendency of latching on to your betters. You're like a leech that way. This Winter Wolves initiative of yours is promising I must say and loathe as I am to admit it…".

"Oh, is this it?" Naruto interrupted excitedly "Give me a moment to get ready, lest I not saviour the moment" Naruto closed his eyes and drew in an exaggerated breath. "I'm ready"

The measter was quiet for a moment. "Ever the fool" he said after beat.

"I'm waiting, Karl." The blond replied. He was enjoying his moment.

"Yes, you are, and it will be the long wait. The stranger will take me before I utter a word in congratulations for a job half done." Karl spat.

"Keep your congratulations good maester, have you not heard, I am commissioned now. I can call myself whatever I want and given the nature of your order and the oaths you've taken, you are bound to pay certain respects, aren't you?" Naruto's words dripped with superiority.

"Tread carefully, boy" The maester warned.

"Oh, whatever title will I grant myself. What do you think of Great commander Uzumaki?"

"I'm rather partial to Great Grumpin. It has a certain fitting quality, don't you think?" Karl was quick as ever and smiled lightly when Naruto visibly deflated.

Dammit Gar, he thought. Who else would let that slip to the maester. The older smiled at him but only on one side of his face. "It must have come as a surprise to you".

"What did?" Naruto asked.

"The feeling. That satisfaction that comes with it". Karl was being cryptic.

"You'll have to be more specific". Naruto's eyes squinted as he spoke. The maester was building to something.

"You know of what I speak. Maybe not on the surface, you hide it well, but I can see it lurking in the confines of your dim reality. That one thing you northerners loath above all else."

"Is it silly old men who have had too much wine?" The blond japed to lighten the mood.

"Never underestimate the power of Arbor Gold, boy. It has risen me from death more times than you can imagine. And with age comes wisdom. Wisdom enough to see what lies between the duality of honour and pragmatism. You are at your core pragmatic, for all your dreams and rantings of a better world you know well it cannot be built on honour. Not entirely. Yet you reject the realisations that dawn upon you every time you peek through that thin veneer that clouds your vision in childish idealism. If you really want the world to change, you're going to have dirty your ever so pristine hands." The measter leaned forward and swirled the drink in his hand. "The Lady Flint showed you what belies the doddering old mother. The Lady Dustin, the maiden with her smiles and compliments and alluring words made plain the weakness of men. You have seen how little common man means to a lord who has no obligation to protect them. Lords Ryswell and Bolton, acted as the warrior, look how quick they were to align themselves with a rising star." Karl maintained eye contact as he spoke. He was searching for something with that statement.

"You compare them to your southron gods." Naruto stated under furrowed brow "Either you've taken leave of your senses or you've skipped your point entirely. "

"Fool boy, must I spell everything out?" Karl retorted.

Naruto remained silent; Karl was building. He had placed his goblet on his table and paid the blond his full attention as he spoke.

"I speak of ambition." Karl said. He was serious now "It is in our nature to align ourselves with godhood. In that pursuit we are blessed with ambition. It can make monsters of the best of us. You have commissioned yourself an army. Tell me Commander Naruto Uzumaki, what kind of monster will you be?"

Before Naruto could answer he was alerted by the sounds of boots cracking against the tiled floor of the hallway outside. Four pairs of boots he guessed. A moment later there were a series of sharp raps against the wooden door.

"Enter" The maester called out.

The door swung open and Elric marched in. Behind him lord Flint, Will and Gar strode in in single file as well. Robin's face was grim. He wore a dark brown padded tunic over his leather trousers and muddy riding boots. Next to him were the modestly garbed Will and Gar. Elric was covered in the hardened amour leather befit of his station. In his hands was a large rolled up piece of paper.

Gar looked to the blond who shrugged slightly. He had no idea what was happening.

"My Lord" The blond greeted Robin with a bow.

"Measter, Naruto" Robin greeted them both.

"Ah, it is time then." Maester Karl said as he rose to his feet. His chair scraped against the floor in a loud screech before he walked over and closed the curtains behind Naruto. He then abruptly opened his room door, peaked his head out, looked from side to side and then closed it shut.

"Time for what?" Naruto asked. He eyed both men wearily. What new game was this?

"You gave a good account of yourself in Winterfell, Naruto." Lord Flint began "You are to be commended. There is none more steadfast than you and no one else I could turn to in this my most desperate hour."

"You honour me beyond measure, my Lord." Naruto said quickly "Your desperation in mine own. You need only speak a resolution and I will see it done."

Elric looked on, Naruto could see him in his periphery. His eyes squinted and his jaw clenched. He could hear the subtle rustle of the paper in his hands as his fist clenched.

"You met my mother, yes?" Robin drew the rooms attention.

"The Lady Flint." Naruto answered "We spoke some, a pleasant enough woman "

Robin's face turned into grimaced mask, his nostrils flared, and his mouth soured as if he tasted something most foul. "You saw the pleasant surface of a dark and terrible storm, Naruto" he said, "That woman has taken what is most precious to me and holds her hostage until I complete a deed too heinous to put voice to."

The maester cleared his precisely arranged table and gestured for Elric. The younger man obliged and unfurled the rolled scroll in his hands. It was a map with a series of detailed drawings of a castle from many angles accompanying it.

"What we are about to discuss never leaves this room. Swear this is to me" Robin continued. He looked severe. Teeth clenched and eyes piercing, he glared down at the three boys.

"I swear" Nartuo said with bow. His instincts screamed at him. Something life changing was afoot. Not only that but the mention of a hostage, a her, a daughter he realised. It made sense. Not so much of a whisper was permitted in the castle about Robin's family. Mayhap this was why. The lady Flint offered him a knighthood if he changed allegiances. It seemed the woman had a habit of dispossessing her son. The pain in his lord's words was enough for the blond. Whatever wrong was delivered to Robin he would return with interest.

"I swear" Will added after him.

"I also swear" Gar joined in.

Robin stared down at Gar for a moment. To his credit the boy held his gaze. It was obvious Robin had mixed thoughts about Gar, but he must be truly desperate now.

The maester scoffed. "Three wet boys" he said. But it wasn't with his usual venomous sarcasm or mocking infliction "How can we in sound mind ask them to do this?"

"Three wet boys" Robin replied "Three wet boys who routinely best even the most experienced of my men-at-arms. Three wet boys who hold steel in my name, who's loyalty to house Flint I will no longer doubt. It must be them, Karl. It must be now" He turned to Naruto "You've proven yourself to me. And if I were to ask you to pick from amongst the guard for a dangerous mission who would choose to accompany you?"

"Will and Gar" Naruto replied without hesitation "There are none better".

"It is settles then" The maester said. "There is no turning back now." he looked at Robin. The man drew in a deep breath and suddenly looked wholly uncomfortable with what he was about to say.

"Leyla" he said. It was almost a whisper, but every ear perked up. "My daughter. We tried for years, Dacey and I. The seed took but she never carried to term. Each time she grew weaker. We had given up hope but that final time, the gods blessed us. She was perfect" A smile ghosted on to his hard features. "Everything about her. Her eyes, her hair, her hands, and her pudgy little feet. Perfect." He sighed and rubbed his hand over his growing beard in that way that he did.

"My mother was not so pleased. When fy father, brother and I rode off to fight in Robert's rebellion, only I rode back. Something broke in her that day. She grew cruel, twisted, and gnarled like a poisoned old oak. She had never taken to Dacey, she always had dreams of her sons taking more noble stock to wife. I was a second son, marriage for duty was never something I considered. Love was my order of march." he walked over to the table and stared down at the map sprawled out before him.

"When my brother was alive, she was content to ignore me, even when my uncle died and left me his lands, she paid me little heed beyond the odd sneer and backhanded insult. But when my brother died things changed. Suddenly my every action was hers to critique, suddenly the vows of my marriage meant less than the air they were spoken on. As soon as Leyla could walk, she offered to foster her. I declined. She asked every time the moon turned, and I denied her. She sent gifts. Expensive, shiny trinkets and dolls and dresses. The wealth of Widows Watch is not to be scoffed at. Soon Leyla was enamoured. She dreamt of a court with singers, golden tapestries, and elegant feasts with ladies in waiting to gossip and carry on with. I can offer none of that." again he sighed and the lines in his face grew deeper.

"Our love was not enough for her. One night she stole away. That was three years ago." He finished.

"Did you petition lord stark?" Naruto asked, "Surely he could not let brazen kidnapping stand."

"He could and he did." Robin snapped back "There's only so much he could do in truth. The girl left of her own free will. My mother had her write letters to convince anyone who would ask that she was happy and well taken care of. But everyone knew the deception. She then made it clear that any further attempt to seek outside assistance would end tragically for Leyla. she would not dare hurt her. Then I would have cause for war, but no war is worth the life of my little girl."

"So, what do you need us to do my lord" It was Will who spoke for the first time.

It was the maester who answered. "We tried many avenues to get messages into the castle. All were fruitless. Or so we thought. About a year ago we received a rider. Layla had sent him. Some of our words and reached her and she wanted to escape her gilded cage. The only issue was that Widows Watch is a fortress in the truest sense. We had no way of getting inside and freeing her, until you came along" He looked directly at the blond "A boy that can wield a blade like any knight and can seemingly stick to walls. Yes, I've seen you climbing about on the Moss tower. This problem was made for you it seems, Naruto."

"Do this thing for me, Naruto" Robin said, "and you will have my gratitude in this life and whatever comes after."

"I will see her back in your arms presently, my lord" Naruto.

Robin nodded in gratitude, he then looked over to Elric and motioned with his hand towards the table. Elric stepped forward and cleared his throat "Now that all that's out of the way." he leaned over the table and began to adjust the map. "While you three were in Winterfell getting your asses powdered, I was doing the grunt work." He finally aligned the map with the smaller images of the castle. "I have a contact. He was kind enough to let me know exactly what room our young charge will be waiting for us in and importantly the guard rotation."

Naruto walked over and peered down at the map. Much like The Finger, Widow's Watch sat on the face of a cliff overlooking the sea. Though this cliff sloped down in jagged steps into the ocean. The Watch had one great tower accessible by a great covered bridge that was connected to a smaller castle further inland. It was a traditional castle but due to the terrain it lacked any real courtyard. The whole thing had a very squashed look to it. An X scribbled on to the castle noted where the young Lady Flint would be positioned.

"Who's your contact?" Naruto asked Elric over his shoulder.

"Not sure, he calls himself the Nightingale." The man responded. "He's operated in good faith so far".

"So far" Naruto muttered. "What's our time frame?" he asked out loud.

"As soon as possible." Robin answered "My mother's become even more erratic. The sooner Leyla is away from her the better."

A point on one of the images caught the blonde's eye. He pointed a calloused finger to it "What's this?"

"Oh, that is a postern." Elric said before tracing a finger over faint lines denoting the water levels at high tide. "It will be fully submerged at nightfall. It's not an option".

"It is for me" Naruto said.

"That's madness" Elric responded.

"A touch of madness has won more battles than most men care to know. They'll never expect it." Naruto replied.

"Alright, that's how you get in. How do you get out?" Will asked. He was peering over Naruto's shoulder.

"That's where you two come in. These walls are what, forty feet?" Naruto asked.

Elric quickly checked some notes that had been made on the top corner of one of the drawings of the castle. "They average around forty, yes".

"You'll bring rope and a hook. Once I find the lady, I'll bring her to the wall and scale down it. You boys will be waiting with the horses. This must be clean and precise. Here" he pointed "If these schedules are correct the northern wall will be unguarded in the hour of the owl."

"Yes, but we don't know for how long or at what part of the hour" Gar added.

"We'll have to improvise." Naruto replied with a smirk filling his features.

"Are you sure now's the time for improvision?" Gar returned.

"We can't plan for everything. In measter Sun's treatise on war he writes that no plan survives contact with the enemy. It's important that we aren't too rigid" Naruto looked at maester karl who offered a small smile.

"That's all well and good but this doesn't sit right me at all" Elric said "Ideally, there will be no enemy contact. If any of us are indicated in this it will be war and the young lady will be its first casualty. I say we pose as guards and make our way into the castle that way. At least then we'll all be together."

Naruto hadn't thought that Elric was going to be accompanying them.

"Clever enough" Karl added "but that only works in books. Tell me, could a man gain access to this castle posing as one of your retinue?"

"No" Elric said sternly.

"It's safe to assume our adversaries are at the very least smarter than you, Elric" He looked at Naruto "Have you ever been to the east, seen the shivering sea?"

"No" Naruto said

"It's not as tame as Blazewater bay. It is a sea beset with storms this time of year. Are you so arrogant to think you'd survive that?"

"Yes" Naruto said quickly. "You've seen what I'm capable of maester Karl and you know full well I never over sell myself. Not when it's so important."

"Fine" Karl said. "You are a sneaky sort, I'll give you that but can you navigate an entire castle you have no bearing of without being caught?" he didn't wait for a response "I would advise that once you're in you find the nearest window and scale the outside of the castle to the girl. She should then be able offer some guidance on the best route out."

"Noted." Naruto said.

"So, you do all the work, and we mind the horses?" Gar asked.

"This time, yes, Gar. We can't afford a confrontation inside the castle and the more of us there are the more likely we are to be caught." Naruto offered.

"Still, I don't like it." Gar said "What worth is a sworn sword if you never use it".

"This calls for tack, my friend." Naruto placed a hand on Gar's shoulder. They were about the same height now. "Once we are out, I might have need to draw my sworn sword, but let us hope for a bloodless outcome, eh? I'd hate to spill any northern blood."

"A sound plan, I am glad of it." Robin said, "There is one alteration needed." he walked over. Naruto and Elric parted to allow him access to the map. "What this map does not show is that The Watch is built on a peninsular, there is no sneaking up on it from the front. You will take a boat from littleton" He pointed to an unmarked section of the map. "it's a tiny fishing village. They ask few questions there. Then you will travel to the castle by sea. Over here is the dock" again he pointed on a part of the map that was barren of markings. "They keep the Watchers Eye here, it is a small ship, little more than a long boat but it can sail you back to the neck."

There was silence for a moment. It made sense that Lord Flint would know the terrain better than most. He grew up there.

"It is settled then" Naruto said, "We ride east tonight."

"Tonight?" Elric asked "Why not on the morrow?"

"I actually have it on good authority that Lord Manderly is feasting with his banners as we speak. He made no secret of his intentions while they were at Winterfell, I've been told. If you can get to The Watch before the Lady returns with her host you may just succeed" Karl replied.

"Let us waste no more time then." Will said. He looked steely and determined.

"We'll meet at the main gate in thirty minutes" Naruto added, and they began to file out of the room leaving the maester and Lord Robin.

-0-

Robin

"So it begins" Karl said as the boys and Elric made their way out the room.

"I have faith in them, Karl. I have faith in him."

"Well, faith has always had its uses. We'll know soon enough if those uses extend to our current endeavour" Karl offered.

"I was expecting him to resist. Were I in his shoes I would feel used. His loyalty surprises me." Robin said as he leaned over the table.

"It worries me." Karl began "The boy is easily enamoured. He swoons over the those he thinks honourable. A part of him latches on to you because he believes you to be his saviour. His twisted sense of honour demands he repay you in kind."

"Would that many more had such notions" Robin responded.

"Yes, would that many more boys were so quick to die for men they scarcely now." Karl bit.

"Enough maester, your hand is just as heavy in this. You've turned the wheel of this machination at every stage." Robin eyed him with steel and a clenched jaw.

"As was my duty. You brought me here for a singular purpose. I swore you words that bind me to this castle and my every action is to its benefit. Everything I have done as been in your service, my lord."

"Let us hope then, that your service was worth its price, Karl." Robin said sternly before exciting the room in a flurry.

-0-

Naruto

"Did you say your goodbyes?" Gar asked Will.

"Yes, and yours too, Naruto" Will said to the blond. He sounded a tad disappointed.

"Hilda will be here when I get back. I don't see the point in making her worry, it will just stress her." Naruto said as he fiddled with the straps of his armour.

"When people care about you, it's not up to you to decide how much they worry." Will added while doing the same.

"Will, she'll be fine. We will be fine. Now is not the time for this, old friend. Adventure awaits." Naruto was grinning from ear to ear in excitement.

"This is not exactly an adventure, Naruto. And don't call me old friend, you sound stupid." Will shot back.

"Will, we are almost literally rescuing a princess from a tower. Throw in a dragon and an evil stepmother and this would be a tale in one of Old Nan's books" Naruto laughed while he spoke.

"Does an evil grandmother count?" Gar asked.

"Well, it counts for something" Naruto said as Lord Robin entered the stable. He looked over the boys and sighed heavily. He was pensive. The boys lined up in front of their Lord and waited.

Robin walked over to Gar and began idly adjusting the loose straps that kept his leather chest plate in place. Gar, like Naruto and Will wore black dyed leather amour with a series a of pockets and pouches stitched into the waist and along the thigh. His Lord then checked the two short swords that were mounted on his back with a strange sheath that the measter had commissioned for Naruto.

Robin then moved on to Will. He patted the redhead's shoulder and nodded appraisingly. Will was meticulous by nature; his amour was clean, and he wore it perfectly. His short bow and handmade arrows strewn between his slender shoulders.

When it was Naruto's turn Robin shook his head and let out a restrained chuckle. That relieved the tension some. Naruto looked down at the state of his dress and with a brilliant smile and a shrug he rubbed the back of his head. Robin began fastening his armour and straightening his sword. There was silence while the man worked. When he was finished, he knelt before the boy and looked up into his blue eyes. For a moment he said nothing.

"I don't know the words." He said after a while.

"None are needed" Naruto said and reached out a hand. Robin took it and stood fully.

"I'll be here when you return" Robin replied as Elric strode in.

"We best get on our way then" Naruto said to those around him as he mounted one of the many horses that bayed and snorted in the stables around them. He could not risk being seen on his Ember. For this journey, he wanted to be as a thief in the night, a shadow, quick as seen, quick as forgotten.

"Ready?" Elric asked.

"Ready" They replied as one.

-0-

Ash. It was the colour of ash. All around him its roots cut canyons into the mountains that stretched on over the horizon. Pale, milk white tendrils writhed and wormed underfoot. He could feel the earth churn beneath his feet. All things were cast in its shadow. He could not see it, but he could feel it, in the back of his mind he could feel it, the entire world was beneath this tree. It had no branches, only a trunk that stretched on to the heavens. It had the texture of skin, matted, cold dead flesh that reeked of rot and decay.

He could not bear to be in its presence any longer. It emanated an energy that crept through him with ghostly hands that scratched and scraped against his very soul. Something about the tree tugged and pulled him closer. His every fibre wanted to be away from it, but he inched ever closer. Words did not come to his mouth; no air escaped his lips, yet he did not need to breath. This was a dream; he knew it to be so. It had to be. There were no stars in the sky, the wind whipped and whirred, but he could not feel it. It blew through him as if he were not there, the ground slid beneath him as he hovered over it.

Red clouded his vision, and he brought a hand up to wipe liquid from his forward. It was blood. It dripped freely from a wound in the centre of his forehead. He rubbed his bare hands over the gouge in his head over and over, but it kept bleeding. Soon it was a torrent of fresh blood that filled his mouth with the taste of iron and despair.

He began thrash, to rage against whatever power pulled him towards the giant tree. In that moment, the pale worming stems leapt out of the ground and wrapped tightly around his wrists and ankles. They bound him place and rose him up high into the sky.

They squeezed tight enough to cut down to his bones. From his wounds bled not blood but banners. Banners he recognised, the horses head of house Ryswell, the White knife of house Burley, The axe of the Cerwyns.

His skin began to peel from the deep gashes in his wrists and ankles. It came off in thin meticulous slices that slopped onto the floor so far beneath him. He was naught but muscle and tendons now, stripped bare for all to see. But there was no one else here. Just him and the tree and the moon. It lit the world around him in a dazzling light that seemed to grow the closer he was brought to it.

It hung like a fixture an arm's length away from him. Just above the bud atop the great ghost tree. He could not see it from the ground, but it straddled the heavens in front of him now. A great purple pod with giant green leaves spreading from beneath it. The world around him exploded in pale light as the moon shun in earnest. It became as bright as a day in an instant. The great bud ahead of him began to flower. Its petals of deep purple creaked open in an elaborate pattern revealing a shining orb at its core.

It was like a great pearl reflecting the blinding moonlight into the world around him. This world was massacred. Mountains toppled. Cities burnt. Great swathes off earth gouged out leaving craters the size of entire realms.

He would have closed his eyes. He wanted to see no more but he kept them open. Some higher power willed him to.

Red began to fill the great pearl. It was as if someone had thrown dye into water. It began as a drop that swirled out until the pearl hung above the world as red as blood. In its centre, staring up at the moon were strange black flame like symbols. Six of them with a large circular dot at their direct centre. It was an eye that radiated ambient evil. A blood eye. An angry red thing that was soon filling the moon with its dreadful visage.

Now the moon reflected it in its entirety. It became some great god of dread that stared down at this destroyed world. It shifted once, then twice, its iris of black flames swirling all the while. It was looking for something, someone, it was looking for him.

He had never felt fear like this. Then it found him.

He woke with a start. Sometime in his sleep he had reached for Thunder. It warmed his palm as he gripped it tightly. The red markings along its centre glowered ever so slightly in the pitch of the night around them.

"You okay?" Gar asked him as he rowed them out into the ocean and around the rocky coast that Widow's Watch sat on. Naruto could make out its outline in the distance. "That must have been some dream. You were tossing so hard I thought you'd tip the boat."

Naruto sighed. "It was nothing. Maybe just nerves." He said sheathing his sword to his back.

"It's not too late to turn back you know." Will added between strokes of the oars in his hands. They had paid a healthy sum for this rickety fishing boat at Littleton as directed by Lord Flint. So far things went along smoothly. But the real work had yet to begin.

"Yes, it is" Naruto responded "We gave our Lord our word. I do not take that so lightly."

"Aye" Elric said. He too was rowing them along. "You are a man of your word, but this is a heavy thing you're about to do. This water is freezing, and I do not like the look of those clouds."

"We've got time yet, Elric. By the time that storm is overhead we'll be on that ship Lord Flint spoke of." Naruto said. He placed a gloved hand in the water. It was indeed cold. Very cold. He would manage.

"This is as close as I think we should get" Gar said. He looked worried.

Naruto placed a hand on his shoulder.

"Thank you" he said. "The three of you. What we're about to do is the stuff of legends and I could not think of better men to carve that legacy with." He looked between Will and Gar "Be safe. I will see you on the other side."

And with that he stood, breathed as deep as he could, and slipped off the side of the small boat into the writhing ocean beneath them. The icy water struck at him like frozen fists all over his body. It rocked and bobbed around him. The current was strong, but not as strong as the blazewater. It was cold, however. Colder than he knew anything could be. It washed through him in waves of cramping chills that seized his muscles and made him jerk and squirm beneath his leathers. He focussed his mind and swam on. Another breath and he disappeared beneath the waves.

The castle was less than half a league away, but the thick blackness of night had hidden them well against the dark waters. As he came up for a breath he could see the boat rowing to the small break in the rocky shore beneath the castle.

The castle was a queer piece of architecture. It was one giant tower connected to a castle proper by a covered bridge. It was just as stout as in Elrics drawings. There was only one lit room on the sea-facing side of the tower. That was his destination.

Naruto battled against the grip of the waves when they went out and let them carry him when they went towards the castle. Soon enough he was under its stout foundations. A great pocked cliff rose from beneath the sea and high into the sky above him. The water crashed against it with a resounding thud, foaming white in the moonlight as it writhed through the sharp holes in the rock. Naruto knew he would be cut to ribbons if he allowed himself to be smashed into the cliff.

The postern was beneath him now. Again, with a breath he vanished under the water. The moonlight went only so far and the further he dived the darker his world became. It crept like black ink around the edges of his vision. He felt something brush against his leg and almost gave into panic at the unknown creature that left a prickling sensation racing up his thigh.

He pressed on and was soon feeling along the rock ahead of him. Its smooth stone eventually gave way to the slick metal of the gate. He pulled himself down to the lock and reached into one of his many pockets for his lock picking tools. He fumbled and began to ply the metal skeleton keys at the rusted lock. He was feeling lightheaded now. He had been under too long. Now the cold was sheering at his bones. He struggled to move. His fingers felt leaden as he tried to maneuver the keys, one by one, into the lock. One of them had to work. Gate locks were simple things. Any good lockpick knew there were only maybe ten different mechanisms that one had to try before gaining entry.

He had tried them all. The lock was obviously rusted and destroyed by the salty sea. The keys escaped his fingers and began to sink out of his vision. He began to swim up but found he could barely move his body. His heart sped up in his chest and his lungs burned at him. Clouds filled his vision and he found he did not have the energy to do much of anything at all. He wanted so badly to breath. Just one quick breath to clear the cobwebs from his head. One sweet inhalation.

He was about to. He could almost taste the air on his tongue. Then Thunder roared in defiance. Then it was as if the sun ignited on his back. "Live" it commanded. Its warmth spread across his body as its light filled the black around him in muted colour. He reached with little he could muster and brought the blade in front of him. On instinct he thrust the glowing sword into the lock and watched as it melted through the corroded iron. The gate swung open, and Naruto pulled himself through and kicked up until his head breached from the water.

He took a sucking, gulping breath and hacked and coughed into the cold dark air around him. His sword had ceased its glowing, leaving him in complete darkness. He swam forward until he felt stairs beneath his feet. With slow and deliberate steps, he ascended out of the water. He looked at the sword in his hands before sheathing it again. Not for the first time, his mind was filled with questions about its origins.

But those were questions for another time. Soon there was a door ahead of him. This one was not locked. He peered out into the castle around him. There was no one nearby. As sly as he could he began out into the torch light. He needed to find stairs.

It was another few minutes before he was at a window that led out to the outside of the castle. In a deft movement he was out in the night air. His hands and feet clung to the slight grooves between the sea slick stones. It took very little effort for him to begin scaling up to the lady's window.

Once there he peaked his water swept blond head over the sill and looked on into the room. There were two girls and two men sitting around a table.

"The lady Flint asked us to be here m'lady. Says there's something afoot and we need to be close" One of the men said.

"I appreciate my grandmothers' efforts" One of the girls said. "But for you two to be in my apartments." She sounded scandalised. "This is beyond the pale. You overstep in your duty and will be brought to task once she returns.". This was definitely Robin's daughter. She had everything for her mother. Jet black hair and eyes the colour of the morning sky. She had her father's sharp, strong jaw and delicate pink lips that creased into a thin line beath her soft nose.

"I'm afraid not m'lady" The guard spoke again "I'm here in the lady's orders. Not sure what's going on, but it seems beyond the pale" he mocked with the last part. The other guard laughed slightly when he got the joke. He had row upon row of crooked teeth that shone yellow in the dim candlelight of the room. The young lady folded her arms over chest and huffed in a very un-lady like manner.

"Figures you'd volunteer for this, Linel" The other girl said. Her brown hair was thin and long onto her slender shoulders. "You've always sniffed around the young girls in the castle. I can see it your eyes, the wicked things you want to do the poor lady." She directed at the man with the yellow teeth.

"Shut your mouth, girl" he shot back.

"No" she said. "Tina told me what you did to her in cellar. I'd sooner see you nailed to the rocks awaiting high tide than in the same room as my lady." The girl had a venom about her. That was until the back of a gloved hand sent her spilling from her chair to the floor below.

The young lady rose up quickly to her servant's aid and covered her with her slender frame. "You will regret that, Linel." She said.

"Yes, it seems we'll have a great many things to regret when your grandmother returns. Until then, do as the man said and shut your mouths." The first guard spoke again. "Linel help the ladies to their feet won't you."

Linel grunted and made to approach the girls. Sensing an opportunity given by the distance between the two men, Naruto vaulted into the room and rolled into action. He delivered a resounding cross against Linel's temple before flipping over the table and crashing his knee between the eyes of the guard that was still sitting.

In a moment there was silence but for the bodies hitting the ground. The door swung open with a shout and Naruto sped through it. There were two more guards. He went low with two quick jabs to one of their chests, knocking the wind from the man before he dodged a sword and reached for the outstretched arm that held it and flung the guard over his shoulder and knocked him out with a punch.

As the other guard found his breath and began to reach for his own sword a plank of wood cracked against his head leaving him sprawled on the floor. Naruto relaxed and eyed the young lady who had battered the man.

For a moment neither said anything.

"Well?" The young lady Flint asked. "Are we escaping or not?"

"We most definitely are my lady" Naruto replied with a sly smirk.

"You must be my father's man" she paused and eyed him strangely "or boy."

"I'm not much younger than you, you know "Naruto shot back.

"It doesn't matter now. What's your plan?" She asked

"We secure these men in that room firstly. Then we make our way to the north wall. I have my best men waiting to take us to the docks." He said.

"Are you sure we'll be safe?" She replied. Her pale skin was aglow under the torch light.

"I'll do everything in power to make it so, my lady" Naruto dragged the men into the room while the lady helped her friend to her feet. The girl rose up and began to kick and scratch at the guard who had assaulted her.

"Disgusting man" she screamed before reaching into the long sleeve of her dress and producing a slim carving knife. She stabbed at the man's prone form, but Naruto caught her thin arm before she could kill him.

"We won't be doing that" he said to her tersely. She tried to pull her hand away. Tears welled around her green eyes and blood leaked from her swollen lips to match the angry red of her cheek. "Calm down, please. We need to leave." He whispered.

"Shona" The lady began "We need to leave. Now"

"Yes, my lady" Shona said as Naruto released his grip on her.

"Leyla" Naruto said to the black-haired girl.

"Yes?" She replied. She had an air of authority about her "You have me at a disadvantage, ser…?"

"Naruto" Shona said. "I've heard your name. And now you know ours." Her green eyes locked on to his and she smiled evenly before fixing her brown hair over her ear.

"I thought it would just be you, my lady." Naruto pressed on while tying the guard's hands and feet with sheets and whatever else he could get his hands on in the room.

"Plans have changed" The lady said. "Shona comes with me. Were it not for her I would..." She sighed, not unlike her father was prone to do before continuing "She is my dearest friend, and this place will never be safe for her".

Shona smiled even brighter at her lady's words.

"That complicates things some" Naruto said.

"Don't worry about me, Ser. I won't be any bother and I can look after myself for most things." Shona said. She then began to remove her thick woollen dress. Naruto almost turned away, the reddening of his cheeks evidenced his attentions. He was relieved to see that her long dress was hiding more practical clothing underneath.

Both girls had opted to hide their simple riding pants and woolen shirts under their conservative dresses. Shona reached under the bed and produced two grey jackets and thin riding boots. Within seconds they were ready.

"When the guards started to get ornery, we figured it was because they knew you were coming for me." Leyla said explaining why they were already dressed for the occasion.

"Alright" Naruto responded "No turning back now anyway. You ladies will have to guide me to the north-facing wall. Come we have to move."

"Do you not have the maps we sent?" Layla asked.

"Yes, but they only detailed the outside. I have a feeling blind luck won't get me out of here without being caught."

"I drew those maps myself" Shona added "I can assure you, they were sent."

"We'll address that later. Now we move." Naruto said.

They crept out of the room and rounded a corner slowly with Shona in the lead. Naruto kept close to her, just in case. The walls here were narrow and made of sea swept stone. The corridor was sparsely lit, a lone torch tasked with lighting its long length.

Naruto made not a sound as he moved along. Corridor after corridor he trailed behind Shona. She moved confidently, her boots clicked and clacked underneath her slender frame. The empty space around them all but shouted their presence. Naruto grew nervous. They were not prepared for a fight. Not that he wanted one. These were good Northmen all. At least he hoped they were anyway.

They descended the flight of stairs that led to the covered bridge and Naruto was quick to grab onto Shona and pull her back as she attempted to open the door. He held a gloved hand over her mouth and used his other hand to shuffle Leyla behind him and against the cool wall of the tower. Not a second later the door swung open filling the dark staircase with a flood of moonlight as two men entered.

They were inches away from the children pressed tightly against the wall next to them. Naruto held his breath and stood stone still. A torch was struck and cast the men's shadows against the far wall.

"Come on, let's get this over with." One of them said.

"Shouldn't we check in on Rik?" The other replied "You know what Linel's like. I don't trust him with the lady."

"No, I'm not spending a second of my break with that ass. Besides, Rik's captain of the guard for a reason." The first guard said as they strode down the stairs with their heavy wet boots resounding through the tower.

A moment later all three breathed a sigh of relief.

Shona was about to speak but Naruto held a finger over his lips to shush her. He caught the door before it closed full and pointed outside before holding up three fingers. The girls looked baffled, Naruto held a hand up for them to wait and then crept through the door ensuring it closed behind him.

Three guards stood on the bridge. One at the far end looking lazily over the sea and two others at its center in quiet conversation. The blond tightened the strap for many pouches that were slung across his abdomen and began a silent sprint. Just as in the corridors, only one light was lit along the long bridge. It stretched on ahead of him and the cold night air swept through his blond hair as he barrelled towards the guards.

When he was close, he drove his foot into the back of the nearest guard's knee and rang a fist across his head when he buckled. The other guard was quick to react and swung a lazy fist at the blond. Naruto ducked it before taking the wind from the man with a cracking blow to his ribs, he then jumped and sent a sweeping kick to his temple.

The third guard was far enough away to not hear the commotion over the crashing waves and cawing gulls that hung overhead. It had started to rain. Great whips of stinging water tore at the bridge as they swept south across the side of the castle. Even still Naruto's steps were silent against the wet ground as he approached the man in a quick trot.

He wasn't sure how or why, but the guard turned an eye in his direction. There was a flash of lightning in that moment and the blond was light up for all to see. He cursed mentally as realisation dawned on the guard.

"You there!" He shouted and drew cold steel at Naruto approach.

Naruto reached into his upper most pouch and produced a slim throwing knife. In a deft motion he released it. It flew like a shard of light as it reflected the rays of the full moon. It buried itself in the man's sword hand up to the hilt. His sword clattered against the wet stone floor as he cradled the wound.

A solid right hand laid him flat on the floor. The ladies had peeked their heads out to see what the blond was up to. He waved them out quickly.

"They won't be out for long; we have to hurry" he said to them.

"The walls are at the end of the main building." Layla replied.

They darted through the door ahead of them and entered the castle proper. They were two stories up and above a great meeting hall. They kept moving and arrived at another door that led onto the walls outside. There were no guards. Naruto cupped his hands and whistled a strange tune through them. He did it once more then a metal hook clattered against the battlements of the wall before falling back to the ground. Naruto leaned over to see his companions smiling faces. They were soaked through from the heavy rain but seemingly in one piece.

Elric spun and threw the hook once more, this time Naruto reached out and caught it. The thin rope that was attached to its base wasn't quite long enough to reach the ground below, but it wasn't so far that one would be hurt from the drop.

"Your first, my lady" Naruto said as he fasted the hook against a parapet. He handed Leyla the rope. "Don't think too hard about it".

"I couldn't possibly" She replied, "We're so high up."

"You've lived your life in towers" Naruto said "I didn't think heights would bother you" it was meant to be a joke but the lady didn't seem too impressed. Her features went from fear to embarrassed anger in a moment.

"I'll go" Shona spoke up. "You'll see, my lady. It's not so hard." With that she took the rope and slung over the wall. Naruto almost cried out to her but was impressed as she haphazardly scaled down to the ground. Will was there to meet her and then frantically waved the blond down.

The Lady looked even more afraid now. "Right" Naruto began. "Here's what we'll do, you'll climb on my back and close your eyes. I'll do the rest." She looked back at the castle as if wanting to return to her cage instead of risking the heights of the walls.

"Alright" she said after a fashion. Naruto bent down for her to get onto his back. She was slightly taller than him, so it was a bit awkward when he first stood. She brought her legs up and wrapped them across the blonde's abdomen. It was a good thing she had her eyes closed or else she would have seen the fierce blush that burned his tan skin a feverish pink.

In a deft motion, he was off the walls. The wet roped slid easily between his fingers as he descended expertly and quickly. Leyla squeezed him ever so tightly. A strange bubbling formed in his stomach, and he was not too opposed to the pressure of her body pressed against his.

When they reached close to the ground, he told her to hold on and released the rope entirely. He landed in a crouch.

"You can let go now" he whispered to the lady on his back. She had kept her eyes closed the entire way down it seemed.

She drew up quickly and cleared her throat. Before she could observe proper courtesy and greet the men around her, Naruto pressed on.

"How did you fare?" he asked.

"Uneventful so far" Elric said "But we must move, we're too exposed under the castle."

With that they began at pace towards the old harbor that sat half a league away, Naruto could see the shape of the ship hazily through the ever-worsening rain. Just then his ears picked up on the sound of hooves in mud. Her turned quickly to see horses, five in total galloping towards them. He had heard no bells, no shouts, nothing to signal that the castle guards had found their Lady missing.

"Shit!" he cursed aloud.

The others turned to see the approaching men at arms and palpable fear escaped the lady as she quivered next Shona with a shriek.

"We'll never outrun them" Gar said. His voice was shaky and uneven, mostly due to puberty but fear made it tremble all the more.

"We won't try to" The blond said. "These are not your grandmothers' men, my Lady." He could hear them over the rain and the horses.

"How do you know that" Elric said.

"They're not speaking the common tongue. Those horses are not of the north and they have patterns carved into their garments that I've only ever seen in the maesters books". He drew his Thunder.

"How could you possibly know all that?" Shona asked.

"No time for explanations" Naruto said to her. "Ser Willam!" he continued with a smirk that belied the pounding in his chest.

"Commander" Will replied steadily.

"I'll have those horses" Naruto replied.

"I thought you'd never ask" Will said as he drew his bow taught with an arrow nocked. An instant later an arrow whistled through the air. Wills hands blurred and three more took flight. He was so quick that for a moment Naruto could see all three arrows in the air at once. Like always, Will found his target. Four bodies fell heavy into the snow. Not all dead but down enough.

"The horses, Elric, quickly" Naruto ordered. He could see more men on foot rush towards them. The lone remaining horseman paused for a second as Will nocked another arrow. He let fly but the man batted the arrow from the air. Again, Will loosed two more arrows in quick succession and again they failed to reach the man. Will had succeeded in driving him away from the two horses who had stayed by the bodies of their riders. The other two had galloped off into the night. With the fifth rider more concerned with Will's efforts Elric was able to retrieve them.

As the other men ran closer Naruto reached into his pockets and retrieved a handful of his throwing knives.

"Conserve your arrows Will" He said. Then the let lose his remaining knives at the man who was seemingly waiting for his next move. Like Wills arrows before he batted the blades away in mid-flight. His hands were a blur, but Naruto caught the tell-tale spark from the man's own blade colliding with his. What the man didn't see were the two knives Naruto sent at his horse. The blond was very fond of horses and hated the idea of putting one down like this, but it needed to be done.

Both knives made their make in the neck of the beast that reared back and threw the man from its saddle. The man simply rolled back with the horse's momentum and performed a perfect flip before landing on his feet as the horse fell on its side.

Naruto's heart raced and his extra sense, whatever it was, sounded a familiar drum of war in his mind. Thunder radiated heat and menace in hands. It was one of them.

"Elric, take the ladies to the ship. Gar, Will go with them and make sure those arrows are put to use. Naruto said with eyes trained on the man in front of him "I'll hold them off as long as I can. "

Elric responded quickly. He almost threw Leyla onto the nearest horse. Shona drew up quickly behind her.

"Well, what are you two waiting for?" Elric asked Will and Gar, throwing nervous glances at the other men who had formed up beside the shadowy figure standing across from Naruto.

"Go" Gar said to Elric. He turned to Naruto "I swore you an oath upon my mother's blood to serve you till my last day. Didn't think it would come so soon though. There's no way I'm leaving you here to die alone in the snow."

"Always trying to play the hero" Will said. His freckled face was like stone. "What would I tell Hilda eh?" He drew the sword from his side. "No, I say we live together, we die together".

"We came here for the lady." Naruto interjected as the men in front of him began to inch closer one step at a time. "The mission…"

"Others take the mission!" Gar shouted. "You two fucks are the only thing in my pitiful life with any meaning. Elric, get those two the fuck out of here now man!"

Elric looked on and shook his head before spurring the ladies' horse with a slap and following on closely in the direction of the ship, leaving them behind.

"Fine" Naruto said through a clenched jaw. "The moment we see opening you take it. Give me your word!" he shouted.

"No" Will replied. "Now shut up and fight. The men had broken into a charge.

They too were not of Westeros. The foreign words were heavy upon their tongues and the odd piercings strewn about their faces screamed of Essos. It did not occur to Naruto to ask where they had come from.

"I'm all for him shutting up, Will. but how are we going to play this?" Gar asked. He was nervous, he had never been in a real fight.

"Alright" Naruto began. "Will, fox and eagle. Gar you're hawk." He said and heard Will take a few steps back and Gar take two steps to his right to get into formation. It was called wolf and eagle in their years at the farm but after watching the foxes at the Finger over the last year Naruto decided to rename this particular position. Maybe now that he was leading The Winter Wolves' he'd rename it back.

Those were thoughts for later. Now he needed to play his role. The fox was the tip of the spear, he would get close while the eagle provided arrows from a distance on his left. The hawk was the opportunist, getting in out and out of the fight as needed. Gar would come in with sword then back away and throw his knives. There were twelve men ahead of them. Naruto drew a final breath as the fight was about to begin. The first man to him was felled by an arrow to the neck. Will only had four arrows left now.

A sword flash at him from the left but Thunder was its equal and parried it away. Another from his right but used his smaller frame to duck and step under the blade and run the man through. One of them in their shaggy mud-stained cloaks made for Gar and Naruto's heart near stopped but the crafty boy back-peddled quickly. Naruto rolled quickly away just as an arrow flew at where his head was as took the man in front of him in the eye. The blond threw his last knife into back of the man that pursued Gar. He lurched forward and reached for the blade between his shoulder blades. Gar took that opportunity rake his short sword across his neck.

Naruto could not stop and focus on the next man to approach Gar. He had worries all his own. His own blade flashed in the air parrying a flurry of blows from all sides. They were surrounding him and two more made for WIll. They fell easy enough. Will had two arrows left. The man to his right raised his sword to swing at him but stopped short with a pained gurgle. When he fell forward Gar was behind him, his blades slick with blood from his three kills.

The men finally realised the folly of focussing on the blond and split themselves to take all three boys at the same time. He could hear the clang of blades as Will was forced to stow his bow and deal in steel. Gar backpaddled furiously as one of them lashed at him over and over.

Thunder felt his worry and ordered him "Forward". Naruto complied with a flurry. He crashed upon them in a wave of steel. A great clang rang out when Thunder drove at a man's defences, sending cracks running through his blade. Naruto was quick to bury his edge in the man's side before kicking him into the next warrior.

Then he leaned back ever so slightly to avoid a blade brought down at him from the left. He responded by stepping into the man's guard and breaking his ribs with an uppercut, Thunder did the rest when it danced across his face. There was only one in front of him now with two others attacking his friends. Naruto made quick work of him, a parry and riposte that send his sword through his enemy's neck. The blond quickly aided Gar by lancing Thunder across his attackers back and allowing Gar to finish him off.

Will drove his own blade across his attacker's chest and watched him fall to the ground.

Now it was three against one. The man stared at them from his position next to his dead horse. He was dressed in a long robe with a high circular collar. He had left the front open, but he wore the exact same garb as the woman from the forest. Another wraith, Naruto thought.

"Who are you?" Naruto he asked. "What are we?" He wanted to ask his questions now in hopes of answer.

"You are a bounty" The man said. He stood a distance away, but Naruto could hear his words through his thick accent.

The man flexed his arms and two longer short blades slid down from his sleeves.

"We don't have to fight" Naruto shouted over the heavy rain. "I just want to know, please."

The man regarded him for a moment. He had log thin black hair that stuck to his shoulders in rain. His shoulders were broad and thick under his cloak. He was easily the tallest person the blond had ever seen.

"You will not live long enough for it to matter" was his stern reply.

"So be it then" Naruto said as Will and Gar pulled up next to him. "There something about him. I don't think we can win. Let's take that horse and leave. "He pointed to one of the horses that had returned after running off into the night. It stood a few meters behind them. The other was some ways away watching them wearily. Before he could turn a flash of metal cut across his cheek and continued on into and through the leg of the horse behind him.

Naruto had barely seen the blade and could scarcely make out the metal wire that was attached to the end of it. He felt the blood run down to his jaw from the sharp cut into his face. He moved away as the string grew taught and the slim, stubby short blade retracted to the man's waiting hand.

"Bounty doesn't get to leave" The man said with his thick accent obscuring his words. It seemed the common tongue was not so common.

"Don't think he's going to let us leave so easy" Gar said.

"Stay behind me" Naruto said as Thunder's markings glowed bright hot, sizzling in the rain.

The new wraith drew closer, and Naruto heard Will's arrow leave its string. He followed quickly in its wake. As the man cut it from the air, he was forced parry away a heavy swing from the blond. He had strings on his knives and could throw them at deathly speeds. Best to keep him as close as possible, Naruto thought.

He swung and swung and swung again but each blow was parried. When he brought his blade up across the man's chest he missed completely and was forced arch away from the knife that came at his head. The other came down hard against his defences and resounded with a high-pitched ping as it bounded off the edge of his Thunder. The man was much taller than Naruto so this close he couldn't use his full range of movement. That was Naruto's saving grace it seemed as the sheer power by the man's swings were enough to numb him from finger to shoulder. His enemy tried to get space, but the blond stuck close, swinging in short arcs all the while. Naruto stepped slightly to the right and one of Gars blades caught the man's attention. As he reached to parry it Naruto swung as fast as he could at his knee .

In a deft move the air born knife was dodged with an inch to spare and a heavy boot connected with Naruto's side. He rolled with the momentum of it but the man had space now. Lightening cracked through the air and his features lit up under the downpour as the wind took his mane and cast it at an angle away from him. Stitches of thick string ran up his face from the edges of his lips all the way up to his ears. They covered long raised scars that told a story all their own. He looked long and gangly in the light. Eerie, pale green eyes and dark painted lips rested in the centre of a long gaunt face.

Now that he had distance both blades shot from his hands with practiced ease. They cut through the air and clanged against his blade when he batted them away. The assault did not stop there as they were quickly retracted, and his enemy whirled them around in an intricate dance. This time they lashed at him over and over again. He struggled to keep up. They tore shreds from his arms and legs whenever he was a moment late to parry. He rolled away and dodged again when one of the blades clanged against the floor. Naruto was forced into running away from the snake like blades that slithered in deathly arcs around him.

He tried to get close but was truly pinned away from the man who looked on dispassionately at the blond. Gar made a charge at him from behind but was sent flying when a backhand met his advance.

"Gar!" Will shouted. The young man was unmoving on the floor. Blood dripped from the side of his face that scrapped across the floor when he was hit.

Naruto used the distraction to dive in at the man, WIll did the same. Both blades came streaming into the man's hands as he prepared to defend himself.

"Wolf and crow!" Naruto shouted. He went high and Will went low. He propelled himself at the man's head while Will lashed out at his feet. Thunder was dodged easily and the edge of a blade bit into Naruto's thigh as he flew past the man and slammed into the cold ground below. Thunder clattered away from his grasp. Its glow faded to nothing.

The tale man lashed out with an errant leg that Will brought his arms up to block but Naruto heard the tell-tale pop of a shoulder leaving its socket. Will let out a throaty scream into the night air.

Blood leaked onto the floor under Naruto as his thigh throbbed in agony. When the Wraith made to stomp Will into the ground Naruto drew up and lunged his shoulder into his back sending him stumbling forward. Will cradled his arm and hobbled to his feet. Naruto ducked under the giant mans hand as he swung out at him.

He used the chance to dive for his sword and was comforted by the feel of it in his hand. Gar roused to feet and spit out fragments of his teeth in a glob of blood onto the floor. He held his sword awkwardly with a dazed look in his eye.

The tall man chuckled loudly at their persistence. When he made for Naruto the blond leaped forwards into him trying to get in close again. His opponent was wise enough to dash backwards to create distance. He had fallen into a trap however as Will waited with an arrow that he retrieved from the floor. As soon as the man landed and parried Naruto feeble swing away Will latched onto his leg with his working arm and leaned all his weight onto it. With what little purchase he had he drove the arrowhead behind the man's knee and twisted.

Before he could turn his attentions to Will, Naruto made to swing again but was stopped short by a heavy blow that near took his jaw off. Gar then sliced at the man's other leg. In his dazed state, he offered little more than a shallow cut before tipping over onto the floor. He vomited before drawing up on his haunches.

Naruto tried to press their advantage again and saw the blade shoot out of the man's hand. He got lucky and tripped over his own feet as he made to dodge, his head still rang from the earlier blow, bright lights filled his vision, and his head swam. As he went down, he slashed at the metal wire that held the blade to the man's wrist and was happy to see it cut.

He rose up quickly as the man kicked Will off his leg with a shout and attempted to stomp him again. Before Naruto could get close the blond felt a thick hand wrap around his throat and raise him off the ground. He did not feel the first stab nor the second one neither. When he looked down and saw the man's remaining knife slide from his abdomen a great pain washed over him and he screamed into the heavens.

"No!" Gar cried. The boy was exhausted and could barely stand. The man paid him no mind and began to squeeze at Naruto's throat. The air left him and could not muster the energy to raise the sword in his hand. It was just as before, under the sea when all warmth left him. He remembered the feeling. The despair. He would not give in. He willed Thunder to warm him as it did then. He bid sword come to life and aid him.

In that moment, the sword burned into life and shun as bright as the dawn. It brought light that filled the tall man's eyes and forced him to turn away. Naruto plunged the blade into his shoulder and listened with some satisfaction as his blood boiled as sizzled around its point. He was dropped quickly and sucked for air as the blinding light dimmed. His enemy let out a guttural cry and retreated away from him quickly.

Next, he felt Gar's arms around him as he was helped to the lone remaining horse. It took some effort, but all three boys managed to get themselves on the grey beast. Blood dyed its fine fur a sickly red under them. Gar steered it at the reigns toward the docks. He was cursing all the while. Will let out painful moans every time the horses' shoes clanged on the cold hard ground.

There was thumping in Naruto's head as the world grew dark around him. The pain in his abdomen was unbearable. He gritted his teeth and felt blood well behind them. That sent him into a coughing fit that splattered Gar's back with tiny flecks of red.

His head bobbed and he struggled to keep it upright as they beat into view of the ship. There was a man on the floor in their path. He had been run through and dark blood pooled under him. The two horses that Elric and the ladies rode off on stood near the docks.

"I see them." One of the ladies shouted.

"Help us!" Gar replied. They pulled up next to the ship and Elric was quick catch the blond before he could fall to the floor. He could see in the distance as men formed up at the hill that lead down to the docks. The storm was close now. Heavy rain stung at them as water sloshed underfoot on the ships main deck.

"Don't know about sailing" Elric shouted "But I can get us moving".

"I know a thing or two" Shona shouted and ran off to help him while Gar and Leyla carried the blond out of the rain and into the cramped captains quarters at the stern of the ship.

"Will" Naruto said. "Help Will. "

"I'll be fine." The redhead said. He still cradled his arm. "I'll pop this back into place, and we'll be right as rain soon enough. The both of us." Will offered him a hand.

"Right as rain" the blond said and took Will's hand. He squeezed tight when Leyla wrapped some fabric, she found across his waist to stem the bleeding.

"Just hold on" she said. "If you die now, how will I ever repay you".

"Your lord fathers done more than enough. It was an honour to be in his service" Naruto wheezed out.

"No!" Gar jumped in. A thick bruise had formed across the side of his face and his eyes looked sunken and bloodshot. "Don't be given that crap about was. You're not dying, this not how it ends, so no final speeches." The ship jerked away from the dock and began out into the night.

Naruto held on tightly as a wave of pain and a lightheaded feeling gripped him. They had done it.

-0-

Each trot set his wounds alight. They become black around the edges and reeked of fierce corruption. His fever was almost impossible to live with and he bled almost black into his wrappings. His lips were cracked and his mouth dry. Cramps set in every time he breathed and even that was growing harder with time.

He could no longer speak. He could not hold anything down. Water and food came up almost as soon as it touched his lips. As he clung to Gar's back death seemed a sweet release. But then Thunder thrummed on his back, and he dismissed the thought.

Over the horizon The Half tower came into the view. They had abandoned the Watchers Eye some days ago and procured horses in Littleton.

Naruto had never been so happy to see the half-built tower in his life. Mylas who had been commissioned to levy there on his orders rode out to meet them. They were home. He smiled to himself and felt a sense of vertigo as the ground rose up to meet him. Then all things fell into darkness.

-0-

Olan

They had dragged him far. Kicking and screaming, they had dragged him. He near cleaved one of their hands off when they took their eyes off him. He earned a few broken teeth for that one. He had a sack over his head now. Blood dripped from his nose and clung to the thick fabric of it. It was hard to breath now and the air was cold and salty. It stung his nose whenever he breathed in. Definitely broken, he thought.

He still couldn't come to terms with what happened however many nights ago. They were patrolling the area around the camp when they were set upon. Him, Tom and the boy. He loathed that boy, but he was his masters newest play thing and as such he owed him a degree of deference. Deference that had not been earned. Hopefully, these slavers, for that's what they had to be, had cleaved the little shit in two. He had warned him. They were too far from camp. Too long from rescue. Now look at him. Ropes bound so tight around his wrists he could feel them rubbing down on the bone.

Olan prayed silently. His little girl, Olana, so beautiful, so lively. His heart felt heavy at the thought of missing her life. He would not see her grow into a woman. He would not see her wed. He would not hold her children. He was crying now. A lone tear streamed its way down his cheek.

The cart he was in came to a stop. He could hear seagulls. The lapping of waves against rocky shores was also prevalent. He was almost blinded by the bright morning sun when the sack was removed. Before he could speak, they grabbed him. Two of them in their long black cloaks pawed at him as he tried to get away. A fist to his stomach knocked the wind and fight out of him.

When they finally released him, he was in front of a woman. The ground was rocky and sea swept. It was grey and cold with salt stains and tiny pools of sea water that rippled every time the waves crashed up to the side of the cliff to his right. He didn't know where he was. It was similar to the Flint Cliffs, but the sea was in the wrong place. It only made sense that they had dragged him to the east of Westeros. Why, he didn't know.

The woman in front of him was unmoving. The hood of her black cloak was down revealing her pale face to him. Her hair was a strange shade of purple that contrasted some with her blue lips. He could just about make out the bright honey brown of her eyes.

There was a long gash across her cloak. Someone almost killed this woman. The dried blood that stained her garment was proof enough. Her eyes flickered over to him briefly before she nodded at the men who stood stalwart next to him. They raised him to his feet.

Standing before the purple woman were three men. Two wore similar cloaks. Black wool in the shape of clouds was stitched into the slick leather. The wind kicked up tossing their heavy garb in the breeze. On the inside the robes were a deep dark red. Each of them had painted fingers. Black nails tipped their fingers, on which they wore a series of bold, thick rings with strange symbols on them.

"You've brought a gift, Konan." One of them said "That is unlike you". He stood off to the side. Dangerously close to the edge of the cliff. Water sprayed over him whenever the waves smashed into the rock. He had yet to turn and face them. His arms were open and his head was tilted upwards almost basking in the salty rain that fell over him. Short black hair clung to his head and was flung about widely when he shook the water from them.

There was a moment of silence. The woman, Konan, did not respond.

"Nagato" she said. Her eyes landed on the closest man. He looked at her impassively. Olan fixated on his eyes. Gods above, they were purple. Not just the pupil but the entirety of his eye. In the centre where his pupils should have been where dark circles that radiated out like a ripples in a pond. What mummery was this? Had he been taken by The Others? Was he to be some sacrifice to their dark magics? He was transfixed. Hardly any attention was paid to the man's spikey orange hair or the studded metal that was pierced along the bridge of his nose and through his bottom lip. When the woman spoke again Olan almost jumped in surprise "I have news. It is most dire."

"It must be" The man said. He spoke with two voices. One on top of the other as if his words echoed through his own mouth as he spoke to them. "I haven't see you hurt in a long time. I'm glad you're safe."

"I found them" she said quickly.

"Who?" The man asked. He too was unnaturally pale. Olan could see the blue of his veins beneath his skin.

The woman reached into her robes and produced a strange knife. It had three edges and a handle that ended in a loop. About its handle was wrapped fabric with strange symbols written on it. She threw to the orange haired man. He caught it and then stared at the blade for a long moment.

"Kushina" he said. He formed a fist around the knife. And opened his mouth but it was not he who spoke next.

"Is that where you've been?" It was the man with the black hair. He had finally turned away from the edge of the cliff. Water dripped down his form as he stepped closer. He wore an orange mask with a swirling pattern etched into it. At the centre of the swirl, its beginning and end, was its only opening. It lay above his right eye. An eye that shone an angry red in the distance. Another strange set of eyes, Olan thought. What were these people. "Your mission was to meet the grey man. Not dig up graves."

Again, she ignored the red eyed man "Nagato, I tracked them down. The reports were true, they are indeed dead. I found their graves. I also found the graves of Daibutsu, Kei, Kyusuke, Kisame and a dozen of your zetsu."

"Seems they gave as good as they got. Kushina was never going to go quietly." The red eyed man spoke once more. This time he turned to Nagato "Still, she held meaning to you, but it had to be done. We can afford no detractors, not when we are so close to godhood."

"Obito" Nagato said. "You told me they were dead"

"Yes, I did and I was right" The red eyed man replied.

"How could you have known. Everyone you sent after them died." Nagato said.

"Call it intuition." Obito said with lightness in his tone. He didn't seem as serious as the others around him.

"It's not their deaths that concern me, Nagato. It is the sword. "Konan said.

"What sword?" Nagato asked her.

"The Kurama." She almost whispered.

"The Kurama? It was destroyed. I saw it myself and you know there are no secrets before these eyes." Obito said dismissively.

"I saw it with my own eyes, koshinuke!" She addressed the masked man for the first time.

"Be careful who you insult, girl, your wings are easier plucked than you would like to think." Obito threatened.

"Enough, both of you." Nagato interjected.

"They had a son, Nagato, he wielded the blade. He wielded it like she did."

"A son. He could not be older than twelve. A wet boy killed most of your men and did that to you?" The masked man laughed. He was mocking her. "Well, he is dead now at least. Show us this blade that has you so confused then."

"He still has it. I was …. unable to defeat him. That should be proof enough that it has awakened. He is Jinchuuriki. A demon."

"Well, he has to be. How else will you preserve your reputation. Bested by a babe barely from breast." Obito chuckled "oh Konan, the ice has finally cracked and in its fractures, I see nothing but weakness."

"Obito" Nagato said. He was stern. Obito almost retreated at the man's tone. "You will not antagonise her. Konan, you were there when the old toad fell. The Kurama was destroyed, you saw the bubbling flames that poured from it when it was cracked. It was the last of the nine. There are no more relics from the old world left to stop us. Though the boy intrigues me. Where did you find him?"

"He holds court with a minor northern noble. He thinks he is one of them, but he is a dog on a leash." She answered.

"He has no understanding of what he is?" Nagato pressed.

"No, it doesn't seem so."

"Yet he was able to best you in combat" Nagato paused in thought. He was deathly still as he stared ahead unblinking at Konan.

"You bore love for Kushina, I know it well." Konan was almost pleading "But the woman you knew died that night in the rain. The night she turned her back on us and ran. They are koshinuke, Nagato, our ancestors would have driven them into the ground, their progeny also."

"The boy is an Uzumaki, Konan." Nagato began "There are not so many of us left that we can afford to kill each other. No, he needs to understand. He needs to see this world for what it is. They will fear him as he grows stronger. When their magics yield before him, they will turn on him and drive him into our waiting arms."

"What if other arms are extended first?" Obito asked.

"Konoha" Nagato paused again "What's left of Konoha has more to worry about than a lost boy in Westeros.

"I disagree, Nagato. If Konan is correct and this is indeed an Uzumaki, sage only knows the opposition he could present to our plans here. Let alone if he forms alliances with Konoha. Best deal with him now while we can. If killing him is not an option, then let us take him with us. There are ways of turning him to our cause, some of which might even leave his mind intact."

"What say you, Kraken?" Nagato asked into the wind.

The third figure, who had paid little heed to their conversation finally raised his head. He reached his hands over his head and removed his hood. A great wave crashed into the cliff as he did so. Tiny droplets of sparkling water raced across them and collided in the air, growing brighter in their fragmentation. They became like diamonds shining and glistening in the sun's rays.

Under the man's hood was a head of wet black hair. Over his left eye was a thick black patch. His other eye was a shining blue that shimmered like the summer sky.

"I believe you are correct." He said "It's best we leave him here. To grow, to learn and if he survives the games and whims of the feckless nobility, he could be an asset. We could use him to sow destruction among them. Soften them up to make what is to come that much easier."

"What makes you so sure he will gain station among them." Obito asked.

"There is this man." The Kraken began "They call him the mountain. Fucker can barely put a sentence together, but he is mighty. Their lords tremble before him and for this he stands next to the most powerful man in the seven kingdoms. If this boy is like the rest of you, he too will be mighty. I say we break him and leave just enough to be put back together as we see fit."

"Nagato, I must caution against this." Konan "I was there, fought him. I could feel it in my bones, he wields the Kurama and he will grow stronger. We were taught to kill our enemies when we can. We must be ruthless or mark my words this will come back to haunt us."

"Wise words." Nagato replied. "But the Kraken speaks wiser. We have put events in motion that will set this country ablaze, and we shall stoke those flames until he is consumed by them. And when all that he loves is but cinder and ash in his mouth, only then shall he know Pein."

A/N

*Quick update*

So I've received a lot of PMs about Chakra and the involvement of other characters from the Naruto universe.

To be clear, there will be no chakra in this story. There is a lot of magic in the books, not quite so much in the TV show but there's loads of low-level fire magic and even one guy that literally revives his friend from the dead. Multiple times. Not to mention, murder shadow babies, glass candles, ice magic, and dragons. With all that going on, I don't think I need chakra to make things interesting. So no need to worry on that front. Plus Naruto would be crazy OP and thus a boring protagonist.

In regards to other characters from the Naruto universe, I wanted to add a third antagonist. The show only focuses on two, Cersei and the night king. I just thought, what if there was something in between? Something that was directly connected to Naruto and would force him to confront conflicts internally and externally that occurred on a grander scale than most people in Westeros could imagine. Akatsuki isn't just there for window dressing, they're directly tied to a lot of the big events in the future, that being said they won't be taking over the story, I'll be using them very sparingly as things ramp up.

I wanted the story to speak for itself but I can appreciate that I haven't really made things as clear as possible. I just didn't want to write another 2-dimensional story that was completely spelled out in the first chapter.

I had planned to have this chapter a bit further down the line. Given that Layla's situation was only revealed last chapter this resolution feels a bit too quick, but I wanted to move on to the fun stuff with the Winter's Wolves and how that all plays out leading to the next arcs that will cover the Ironborn invasion. I've got big plans for that; it's going to reset the board in a big way for Naruto.

Hopefully, the Olan chapter at the end makes sense. I wanted to add an air of mystery whilst also introducing a few new players in the game. Koshinuke is Japanese for coward, that's what google translate says anyway. I'm dubious.

I wanted to get creative with the dream sequence and add some premonition to it as well. Naruto's coming into his power as he gets older and the connections to his past are going to affect him in different ways as the story progresses.

Also, this is definitely not the last we'll be seeing of Robin's mother.

Let me know what you think in the reviews.

*Shameless plug* Check out my other story "The Dreadwolf" I'm almost done with chapter two.