Pic of Inu Zoku Temple  --->

Ashley’s POV

“But I don’t wanna!” I complain, digging my heels in as Kiba drags me along behind him, sweat dropping at my childishness.

“Too bad” he sighs, tightening his grip on my wrist and pulling against me, trying to get me to follow him.

“For you maybe” I retort, pouting and turning my head away. Kiba glances back at me over his shoulder, raising an eyebrow.

“Come on” he pleads wearily, shoulders slumping comically as I firmly shake my head.

“No” I state, ripping my hand free from Kiba’s grip and folding my arms over my chest. I wasn’t going, and he couldn’t make me.

“Angel” Kiba sighs again, running a hand through his messy brown hair.

“Nope!” I say decisively, abruptly turning around and facing the other direction.

“You know you’re being really immature about this, right?” he asks dryly, staring at the back of my head.

“Yep” I confirm with a smirk, making the Inuzuka blanch. “I’m doing it purposely Mutt.”

Kiba remains silent for a few moments, before heaving a loud, dramatic sigh.

“Fine” he mutters, making me believe he’s finally given up on dragging me back to his house to sleep.

Before I can celebrate however, I am suddenly swept up into his arms, before being heaved over his shoulder.

I blink in surprise, as his hand rests firmly on my back, holding me securely over his shoulder in case I try to make a run for it.

“Hey!” I cry indignant, smacking the annoying brunette’s back. “Put me down!”

“Nope” comes the mocking reply.  “My turn to be immature now. You just stay put and look pretty.”

“This is kidnapping!” I shout, throwing a determined fist in the air.

“You love it” Kiba smirks as he glances back at me, the look on his face making me grow an anime vein.

“I swear Kiba!” I exclaim, waving my arms. “If you don’t let me go, I’ll kick your ass!”

“Go ahead” he replies coolly, not sounding intimidated at all as he strolls through the Village.

I cross my arms and scowl, little puffs of steam shooting up from my head. I try to ignore the strange looks we’re getting from the people we walk past, questioning looks all over their faces.

“Shikamaru, Ino” Kiba greets breezily, sending them a two fingered salute as he strolls past them. My head snaps up, catching the bewildered looks on their faces.

I see Ino staring at me with wide eyes, as Shikamaru sweat drops, hands shoved into his pockets.

“Ino!” I cry desperately. “Shika-kun! Help!”

Kiba laughs, turning his head and flashing the two Leaf Ninja a charming smile, his teeth sparkling.

“Ignore her” he chuckles. “She’s just being difficult.”

Ino’s face suddenly breaks into a sly grin, as she raises her eyebrows suggestively at me, making my face heat up in embarrassment. Who knows what she’s thinking now…

“Women…” Shikamaru sighs, running a hand down his face. “So troublesome…”

“You two are gonna pay for not helping me out!” I shout after them, making Kiba chuckle again. “I hate you Kiba…”

“I don’t know why you’re so opposed to going to sleep for awhile” he muses, raising an eyebrow. “You probably need some sleep.”

“You know, it’s really hard to have a conversation with you when I’m facing this way” I mutter, making Kiba laugh.

“I’m sure you can manage Jonin” he teases, a wry smile tugging at my lips.

“Just put me down now Mutt.”

“Promise you won’t run away?” he questions seriously. “Coz I’ll carry you the whole way if I have to.”

“Ugh, fine” I sigh in defeat, blanching. I smile however, when Kiba sets me down on the ground, allowing me to actually walk.

“Ahh!” I breathe, stretching my arms up in the air. “Much better!”

I laugh as Kiba rolls his eyes and continues walking, leaving me behind. Smiling to myself, I jog after him and grab onto his hand, catching him by surprise.

He hides it well though, his little smile dropping into a casual look, as he entwines his fingers with mine, gazing ahead.

As we walk in comfortable silence, the smile slowly drops from my face, that weird feeling hitting me again. I can still sense that strange chakra in the air, and it’s really bothering me. It’s putting me on edge, but I have no idea why. Hakuba seems to think it’s from the Nine Tails inside of Naruto, but I’ve never sensed his chakra when he’s left the Village before, so why would I suddenly be sensing it now?

“Aw dammit” Kiba mutters, snapping me out of my thoughts. I glance up, seeing that we’re now standing just outside of his house.

“What’s wrong?” I ask curiously, taking note of how pretty the sky is at sunset. It’s all different colours, like an elaborate water colour painting.

“My Mom’s home” Kiba informs me blandly, pushing his door open and dragging me inside. “Let’s just try to get by her without-”

“Hi Tsume!” I call, smiling brightly at Kiba when he gives me a withering look. What can I say? I may love him, but it’s still fun as anything to tick him off every now and then.

A head with messy brown hair pokes around the corner, purple lips pulling up into a sharp toothed smirk.

“Ashley” the tall Inuzuka woman greets, stepping into the room and placing a hand on her hip. “Nice to see ya. You Kiba, not so much.”

“I’m not so thrilled about you being here either old lady” Kiba grumbles, pulling a face and stalking towards his room, tugging me along behind.

Tsume crosses her arms, leaning her back against the wall and smirking at us, following us with her eyes.

“If you’re going to bed” Tsume says pointedly, sounding amused, “Try to keep it down okay? Some people will actually be trying to sleep tonight.”

I stare at the floor in embarrassment, as Kiba grows an anime vein and whirls around, waving a fist at his Mother.

“Shut up you crazy old hag!” he exclaims crazily. “We’re not- We aren’t……Just shut up!”

With that, he turns and sprints to his room, pulling me along behind him. He swings me over to the bed, making me collapse face first onto the mattress, as he slams his door shut and heaves a heavy sigh.

“Your Mom’s funny” I say dryly, lifting my face out of the doona and pulling myself up into a more comfortable position.

“Funny in the head maybe” Kiba growls, turning around to look at me. He tilts his head, asking a silent question.

“What?” I ask blankly, mirroring his head tilt.

“You haven’t slept these past few days have you?” he asks, sounding like he already knows the answer anyway. I shake my head, not bothering to argue with him about it.

“So, you’ve probably been taking those pills again huh?” he suggests wryly, looking unimpressed when I pause.

“Maybe” I mutter, flopping back onto his bed and looking up at the ceiling. I sigh when Kiba leans over me, arms crossed.

“You said you wouldn’t take them anymore” he says carefully, probably expecting me to explode at him or something.

“Did I?” I reply vaguely, making Kiba blanch. “Okay, okay, you’re right. I’ve taken them a few times even though I said I wouldn’t….”

“Why?” Kiba asks gently, looking troubled. “I said you could stay with me whenever you wanted.”

I sit up, pulling my knees towards me and crossing my arms over them, shrugging my shoulders.

“I don’t want to always stay here and bug you with-”

“Whoa, whoa, whoa” Kiba interrupts, taking a step backwards and holding out a hand to stop me from talking. “Ashley, I already said you could stay whenever you wanted. I offered.”

I shrug again. “I know, but I mean, I’ve got my own house and I’d feel like you were just doing it to be nice-”

Kiba sighs and steps towards me, grabbing my chin and tilting it back to make me look him in the eyes.

“Ashley” he says seriously. “Having you stay over here won’t bug me at all. At least I’ll know that you’re sleeping, and not doing something stupid. I’d feel better if you stayed here, in fact, I’d love for you to always stay here. I sort of like spending time with you…..Sometimes.”

I can’t help smiling at that, which makes Kiba’s face break out into a goofy grin as well.

“Fine” I sigh dramatically. “Since you’re twisting my arm, I’ll stay.”

“Good” Kiba replies, leaning down and giving me a quick kiss. I smile down at the floor when he leans back, before he turns and heads over to his closet, searching through its contents.

As I watch him curiously, he suddenly turns around and flings something grey at me.

“Here” he says, chuckling when the grey thing lands on my head. “You can wear a shirt of mine to bed if you want.”

“Gee, thanks for throwing that in my face” I say sarcastically, tugging the shirt down from my head. “Really appreciate it. Ass.”

“No worries” he smirks, leaning against the wall and staring at me intently. I glare back at him, before shrugging.

“What?” I ask pointedly, as Kiba motions to the shirt in my hands.

“I gave that to you so you’d put it on” he replies, just as pointedly. My face falls, seeing his intentions.

“You mean, you gave it to me so you could have a good old perve, right?” I ask dryly, raising an eyebrow.

“Yeah pretty much” he replies honestly, not looking ashamed at all. “So, don’t disappoint me Angel.”

“I should hurt you” I say darkly, sliding down from the bed. Kiba shrugs and winks at me.

“Go for it” he smirks, chuckling softly to himself. “I’d like that.”

Shrugging carelessly, I place my hands together in a hand sign, making Kiba’s guard immediately go up.

“Earth Clone Jutsu” I say, watching as a rock version of me forms up out of the floor, before it gains some colour and begins moving.

“Sup?” the Clone greets, sending me a tooth filled grin. I nod to her, and before Kiba can react, the Clone charges at him and shoves him into the closet, slamming the door closed after him and holding it there.

“Thanks” I chuckle, listening to Kiba’s shouts of protest as I quickly strip out of my clothes and slip his shirt on. It fits more like a dress, but it’s really comfortable……Not to mention it smells just like him…

“Done?” my Clone asks, smirking as Kiba begins banging on the door. I nod, waving my hand at her.

“Yeah, good job” I reply, the Clone saluting me playfully before she disappears in a puff of smoke. Kiba rips the door open and trips out of the closet, landing in a frantic heap on the floor.

“Smooth” I tease, crossing my arms and smirking down at him.

“Keep it down in there dammit!” we hear Tsume thunder from the kitchen. “Damn hormonal teenagers!”

Kiba rolls his eyes, quickly leaping to his feet and adjusting himself, clearing his throat.

“Uhh…..You look good in my shirt” he says, eyes brightening as he has a good look at me. “Really good!”

I raise an eyebrow. “Thanks?”

Kiba nods, sweeping me up into a tight hug, making me laugh.

“And I like that you smell like me too” he mumbles into my hair, before depositing me on his bed. “Maybe you should just always wear my clothes?”

I giggle as I climb under the covers, snuggling down underneath them as Kiba turns off his light and closes the curtain over his window.

I hear him unzip his leather jacket and dump it on the ground, his current shirt soon following, before he jumps into bed beside me.

I automatically scoot closer to him, enjoying his warmth as he hugs me to his muscular chest.

“Kiba?” I ask softly.

“Yeah?”

“Um…..Thanks” I murmur into his skin, my breath tickling him, if his light chuckle is anything to go by. “You know, for what you said before…..”

“No worries Angel” he replies, kissing the top of my head. “I meant it.”

“I know…” I yawn, closing my eyes. Kiba was right. I really am tired.

I slowly open my eyes, blinking a few times to get used to the light coming in from behind the curtain. Wow, the night goes so quickly when you actually sleep.

I sigh softly, snuggling further down into the warm blanket, glancing over at Kiba, who is lying very close to me.

My eyes widen in surprise, seeing that he’s already awake and is in fact, staring at me.

“Uhh…..G-Good morning?” I say, making it sound more like a question, to which Kiba laughs.

“Good morning” he replies with a tired smile.

“Um, no offense” I begin, brushing my long fringe back from my face, unveiling my usually covered eye, “But waking up to find you just staring at me is kind of unnerving…..And creepy.”

Kiba laughs again, making me smile to myself. He has such a nice laugh…..

“Sorry” he apologises. “You just look…..different when you sleep.”

“Different?” I ask, sitting up and stretching my arms above my head. “Different how?”

Kiba sits up as well, rubbing one of his eyes.

“Well, you just look……peaceful I guess” he shrugs, throwing back his thick blanket and standing up, stretching as well. “Like, when you’re awake, you always look like you’ve got stuff on your mind or something. But you don’t look like that when you’re asleep. I dunno, it’s weird….”

I smile to myself, sliding down from the bed and locating all of my clothing from the floor.

“Well” I say brightly. “When I’m sleeping, there really isn’t much on my mind.”

Kiba chuckles at that, pulling on his shirt and winking at me playfully.

“I’m pretty sure that’s normal Angel” he informs me, before pausing, looking at the clothes in my hand and the troubled look on my face.

“I can leave if you want?” he asks unsurely, making me shake my head.

“That’s not what I’m thinking” I sigh. “I had a fight with Ace yesterday, and now that you mentioned me having stuff on my mind, I really need to apologise to him….”

“Oh, okay” Kiba nods, slipping on his sexy leather jacket and zipping it up, before grabbing his Leaf headband. “Well, I better go and take Akamaru for a walk, considering I pretty much forgot about him yesterday…..”

“Poor Akamaru” I laugh, shaking me head. “Kay, well I’ll see you later I guess.”

“Definitely” he winks, sending me a playful salute as he pulls his door open. “Catch ya later Angel.”

Giving Kiba a closed eye smile, I wave good bye as he disappears, only to quickly get changed into my usual outfit and perform a set of hand signs. Best to hurry up and get it done.

“Summoning Jutsu!” I call, slamming my palm down onto the floor, before I am encased in a large cloud of white smoke.

“Hey Ace” I greet. “We really need to- Huh?!”

My eyes widen in surprise, seeing a cheeky looking Tiez sitting in front of me. She tilts her head and flicks her purple fringe back.

“Sorry, but I ain’t Ace” she informs me smartly, as I frown in confusion. “Don’t worry though, I’m way better!”

“I love you Tiez, but I wanted to summon Ace” I explain, ruffling up the adorable Wolf’s fur and making her sigh dramatically.

“And I love you, kinda” she adds hastily, before sitting back on her haunches and glancing down at the topaz lightning bolt hanging from her neck. “But I’m much cooler than Ace.”

I smile at the small purple and orange animal, before shaking my head.

“I’m sorry Tiez, but I really need to talk to Ace” I sigh. “Sorry for bugging you.”

“No worries” she grins cheekily. “You just saved Aki from an embarrassing defeat in a wrestling match anyway.”

“You convinced Aki to wrestle?” I ask incredulously, as Tiez shrugs innocently.

“He may or may not have been expecting me to pounce on him” she laughs, before winking and disappearing in a puff of smoke.

I laugh at the thought of my fabulous Aki getting dragged into a wrestling match with Tiez, before I shake my head.

“I wonder why I summoned Tiez…” I think out loud, performing the hand signs again. “Oh well, Summoning Jutsu!”

I sit back as the room fills with smoke again, only for my brows to furrow in frustration. Again?!

“Greetings Milady” a rough voice greets me, making me sigh raggedly. Kai rolls his red eyes at my reaction, sitting back and giving me an annoyed look.

“Good to know you’re happy to see me” he grumbles, making me jump up and wave my arms back and forth.

“No, I am!” I assure the pouting Wolf, wrapping my arms around his muscular neck. “I’m always happy to see my big, bad tempered Kai. It’s just……I’m trying to summon Ace.”

Kai chuckles at me, nudging me away from him, so as not to seem too friendly.

“I see, so that’s why the little purple Devil disappeared and then suddenly reappeared” he muses, before casting his red eyes on me. “Ace is in one of his moods again.”

“Moods?” I ask, tilting my head, sitting back on the bed and allowing Kai to lay his giant head in my lap.

“Yeah” he growls, pretending he’s not enjoying the fact that I’m stroking his head and playing with his ear. “He’s sulking, and that might be why you can’t summon him.”

“He’s sulking?” I ask, giving Kai an incredulous look.

“Yes Milady” the Wolf chuckles, flashing his large teeth. “Your Guardian is sulking.”

I sigh in exasperation, rolling my eyes.

“Don’t worry Milady” Kai assures me, clearly amused. “I’ll let him know that you need to speak with him.”

“Thanks Kai” I smile, waving at the grinning Wolf, before he disappears in a puff of smoke.

I sit on Kiba’s bed for a few minutes, waiting until I think Kai will have spoken to my Guardian. Honestly, Ace is sulking? I’ve never seen him sulk in my life.

Heaving myself up from the bed, I perform the same hand signs for the third time and warily place my hand on the floor.

“Summoning Jutsu” I mutter, coughing when a huge cloud of smoke billows through the room, again.

“Milady!” an excited voice barks, before someone tackles me back onto the bed and begins licking my face.

“Chi” I greet, deadpanning. As the smoke clears, I see his caramel coloured face peering down at me, aqua eyes sparkling happily at my presence.

“I’ve missed you Milady” Chi coos, cozying up next to me on the bed and lying his head on my stomach.

“And I’ve missed you Chi” I can’t help smiling and ruffling up his fur, making his tail wag excitedly. “But I’m really trying to summon Ace here. I’ve already accidentally summoned Tiez and Kai, and now you as well.”

Oh!” Chi barks, lifting his head. “Ace-chan doesn’t wanna see you Milady! He’s upset with you about a fight you both had. Poor Ace-chan has been really, really sad Milady. Me and Jet-chan think that he cries every night, but when I tried to follow him he shot a ball of fire at me and then Jet-chan got really mad and then they had a fight and I think Jet-chan won but Ace-chan thinks that he won and-”

“Wait, hold up a sec” I say, interrupting Chi’s never ending sentence. “I can’t summon Ace because he’s mad at me? I didn’t even know that was possible!”

Chi nods vigorously, tongue lolling.

“Yep!” he confirms cheerfully. “Ace-chan is really super upset at you and he said that he refused to come and see you, so that’s why we’ve all been popping up instead-”

“What a baby!” I explode, leaping up from the bed and almost sending Chi flying across the room. “He’s refusing to be summoned?!”

I pace back and forwards a few times, before an idea comes to mind and I begin smirking to myself.

“So, he thinks that if he doesn’t come” I mutter, pulling out a scroll from my weapons pouch and biting my pointer finger, “Then he won’t have to deal with me?”

Chi watches on eagerly as I begin writing on the scroll in my own blood.

“Well, he’s so wrong” I say smugly, setting the scroll down on the floor and placing my hands together. “I’ll show him.”

“Heehee!” Chi giggles delightedly, having seen the writing on my scroll.

“Reverse Summoning!” I shout determinedly, suddenly disappearing from Kiba’s room in a puff of smoke.

Third Person’s POV

“All you gotta do is say that I’m prettier than you Aki!” Tiez laughs wickedly, standing on Aki’s back and tugging on one of his ears.

“No!” the black and white Wolf barks defiantly. “I’ll never say such a thing! Though you are beautiful Tiez, I am much more beautiful than you!”

Kai rolls his eyes, rising from his comfortable position on the white marbled floor, and stalking over to a stairway, which leads down into the beautiful, green forest of Inu Zoku Mountain.

He’d had enough of the rest of the Pack, and was keen to do a bit of hunting. Considering it was currently spring at Inu Zoku Mountain, he had no doubt that he’d be able to find a few deer in the greenery.

Not sparing a thought for the breath taking view of the mountain, Kai strolls off down the white stairs, leaving behind the noise of his friends for the tranquillity of the forest.

“Say it!” Tiez barks, stomping on Aki’s back and grinning broadly.

“Never!” Aki howls, sending Jet a pleading look with his sapphire eyes.

The enormous black Wolf merely turns his head and looks the other way, watching the faint wisps of clouds float by the open temple, the cool breeze ruffling his thick fur.

“Leave me out of this” Jet grumbles, feeling strangely empty and unmotivated. He lays his head down on his crossed paws, heaving a low sigh.

“Jet darling” Aki purrs, going for a different approach and making Jet roll his golden eyes. “If you help me, I will let you have your way with m-”

“NO!” Jet thunders, glaring at Aki and feeling slightly embarrassed. The sapphire eyed Wolf had no shame, flirting with anyone and everyone. Didn’t he realise that not everyone loved him the way he thought they did?

“He’s just in denial” Jet hears Aki whisper to Tiez, who laughs loudly in response. His golden eyes flick up, watching as Rei slowly makes her way up the stair case and steps into the airy temple.

“How I miss the snow” she sighs dreamily, leaning her head on the balcony and gazing at the beautiful view. “I believe I love Inu Zoku Mountain best when its peak is covered in snow-”

All of the Wolves jump, as a cloud of smoke suddenly appears in the middle of the temple.

“Wow that’s a weird feeling…” a familiar voice coughs, making all of their ears prick up.

“Milady?” Rei asks, tail beginning to wag as her grinning face comes into view. “Milady!”

“Hey guys” the blonde Minami greets, waving, before she is tackled to the ground by Rei. “Yes yes, hello Rei!”

“What are you doing here?!” the white Wolf asks excitedly, helping the laughing girl back up to her feet and rubbing her hip affectionately.

“I’ve been trying to-”

“Darling!” Aki calls merrily, having managed to kick Tiez off of him, sending her tumbling down the stairway. “My, you’re looking glorious as always.”

Ashley rolls her eyes good naturedly, reaching down and stroking the silky furred Wolf. Sometimes she thought he only complimented others in the hopes of receiving one back.

“Greetings Milady” Jet says with a head nod and slight smile, causing the blonde to blow him a kiss in return.

“Yo!” Tiez barks, bouncing back up the steps and skipping in place, feeling as energetic as ever. “Long time no see!”

“Milady?” Rei asks, bringing the blonde’s attention back to her. “Sorry to interrupt, but why are you here? And…..how can you be here?”

Ashley crouches down and hugs Rei lovingly, before reaching out and casually slinging her other arm around Aki’s neck.

“Well, I reverse summoned myself here” she explains. “In other words, I summoned myself to you guys, instead of summoning you guys to me.”

“Wow” Aki breathes, intrigued. “I had no idea that you could do such a thing Darling.”

Ashley shrugs and gives him a crooked grin.

“Wasn’t sure it would work to be honest” she admits with a chuckle, before a puff of smoke appears behind her, revealing Chi.

“It worked!” he barks excitedly, facing Ashley. Jet’s ears prick up as he sees the young Wolf.

He pushes himself to his feet and strides over to Chi, nudging him in the side.

“So you accidentally got summoned too then?” he questions in his deep voice, as Chi whirls around, aqua eyes growing sparkly.

“Jet-chan!” he cries happily, tackling Jet’s leg and hugging it tightly. “Yep! Lady Ashley accidentally summoned Tiez-icky-chan and then Kai-chan and then me, but she really wanted to summon Ace-chan! So it was aaaalllll just a big mistake and now Lady Ashley has summoned herself here and-”

Jet hoods his eyes and sits back on his haunches as the young Wolf continues his endless chatter. Now that Chi was back, Jet felt strangely comfortable again. How strange…

“You can’t summon my Ace?” Rei inquires, tilting her head and giving Ashley a questioning look. The Minami sighs, before crossing her arms and shaking her head.

“No” she mutters, looking annoyed. “Apparently he’s mad at me, so he’s refusing to be summoned. And because I’m using the Summoning Jutsu, if Ace isn’t coming when I want him to, one of you will randomly appear instead.”

“Oh Ace dear….” Rei sighs, before tugging on Ashley’s kimono sleeve gently. “I’ll show you where he is Milady, he’s sulking at the moment.”

“So I’ve heard” comes the dry reply, as Rei leads Ashley towards the stairway. “See you guys later!”

“Bye Lady Ashley!” Chi calls, standing on his hid legs and vigorously waving his paw. Jet inclines his head respectfully, before catching Chi as he trips over backwards.

“Good bye Darling!” Aki swoons, shaking his head and ruffling his glossy fur, before he is suddenly tackled to the floor by Tiez.

“Say it!” she barks, standing on the unsuspecting Wolf’s back, taking one of his ears hostage in her mouth. “I’m prettier than you!”

Ashley rolls her eyes, glancing around as her and Rei head further down the mountain. All different kinds of trees hang above her, their leaves an array of different greens. Lush plants grow around her feet, the crisp mountain air incredibly cool and refreshing. Ashley listens as seemingly invisible birds chirp and sing merrily, when a pair of white butterflies flit past her, her fuchsia eyes following them for a few seconds.

“It’s beautiful here Rei” Ashley speaks up, making the pretty Wolf nod in agreement, turning off from the stairway and heading into the shady forest.

“Yes, we love it here” Rei says softly, slowing down to walk beside Ashley. “It is very relaxing.”

The two walk in silence for a few minutes, before the sound of running water hits Ashley’s ears. She glances up ahead, sensing some sort of river or stream ahead of them.

Rei suddenly comes to a stop, looking up at Ashley uncomfortably.

“I’ll head back to the temple I think” she explains, taking a few steps backwards. “There is a stream just up ahead Milady, and you’ll find Ace lying on a large boulder along side it. My apologies Milady, but I’d much rather give you both some privacy…”

Ashley nods, smiling at her Wolf.

“Yeah, good idea” she murmurs as Rei turns back towards the stairway. “Kiitos Rei…”

Turning back towards the sound of water, Ashley continues on ahead, using her Katsuryoku to sense for Ace’s presence through the earth.

Pushing back a leafy branch, Ashley’s face lights up at the sight of the beautiful clear stream running down the mountain before her.

The light reflects off of the water prettily, creating an almost disco ball effect on the surrounding greenery.

Ashley steps over to the embankment, gazing down at the crystal water, before a minor movement to her right makes her head snap up.

Facing the same way as her, Ashley spots a dejected looking Ace lying on top of a boulder overlooking the stream, his visible eye closed.

With a sigh, Ashley makes her way over to him, his nose suddenly beginning to twitch as her scent reaches him.

Ace’s aqua eye opens slowly, focusing on the calm faced blonde as she stops at the base of the boulder and tilts her head back to look at him.

“Hey Ace” she greets hesitantly, after staring at him for a few moments. Ace turns his head to face the other way, releasing a low sigh.

He couldn’t be bothered dealing with his moody partner right now.

“Ace, don’t ignore me!” he hears Ashley shout, focusing her chakra into her feet and climbing up the boulder. As she reaches the top, Ace rises to his feet and shakes himself lazily.

“I have nothing to say to you Milady” retaining his politeness, while keep his gaze trained on something ahead of him. It was true, he really had nothing to say to her.

“Ace” Ashley says, feeling unsure. “Look, let’s just talk for a minute-”

“I have already said” he suddenly snaps, sending the girl a harsh look over his shoulder, “I have nothing to say to you. Good bye.”

With that, Ace easily jumps down from the large boulder, slowly striding away from it with his head held low.

“B-But……” Ashley stutters, her eyes filling with tears at her Guardian’s rejection. “I-I’m sorry Ace….”

Ashley sits down on the boulder, her Guardian’s rejection stinging her in the heart. A Minami and their Guardian never fight, so even something as simple as her life long partner walking away from her was a slap in the face. Ashley hadn’t expected it, or the pain that came with it.

Ace sighs in annoyance, pausing beside a tree and closing his eye momentarily, his partner’s soft sobbing reaching his ears. He was too soft for his own good…..

Ashley’s head snaps up, as Ace suddenly appears before her, sitting back on his haunches and casting her an unimpressed look, his visible eye hooded.

“What did you want to talk about?” he asks stiffly, close to giving in as his beloved partner wipes her eyes with the back of her hand.

“I….I just came to apologise Ace” she begins, looking down at the ground, obviously feeling ashamed of her behaviour. “I shouldn’t have yelled at you like I did, because you were just looking out for me-”

“As I always am” Ace feels the need to add, making Ashley nod in agreement.

“Yeah, and well…..You were right about the pills too” she admits, rubbing the back of her neck awkwardly. “I had been taking them for a few nights….”

“I knew it” Ace sighs, tilting his head and giving Ashley a scrutinizing look. “Milady, I have seen how those pills affect you, and I do not like them. As your Guardian, I have pledged my life to you, and keeping you safe and well. It goes against everything in me to allow you to take them.”

“I know, I know” Ashley mumbles, her shoulders drooping. “You were trying to help and I screamed at you….I’m sorry Ace. And I’m sorry about the pills too! I won’t take them again, I swear! Just please don’t be mad at me anymore! Pleeaase forgive me?”

Ace stares at his partner, as she clasps her hands together and gazes at him through large, wounded eyes, making him roll his eyes and suppress a groan.

She made it impossible for him to stay mad at her!

“Of course I forgive you Mila-” Ace is cut off, as Ashley launches herself at him, wrapping her arms tightly around his neck and burying her face into his soft fur.

“Thank you Ace…” she murmurs into his fur, making the stony faced Wolf smile to himself. He lowers his head and rests it against Ashley’s lifting his paw and resting it on her back.

“I am sorry also Milady” he says softly, enjoying his partner’s closeness. “I may come across as….bossy perhaps, but I just want to keep you safe from harm. If anything were to happen to you….Milady, my life would not be worth living.”

Ashley leans back from Ace, taking his large head in her hands and kissing his nose softly.

“I know” she smiles. “It’s okay; I don’t want you to change a bit! You value my life, and I value yours. It works in reverse too Ace. If anything happened to you….Well, I can’t imagine living without you, let’s put it that way.”

Ace nods, pulling his head from Ashley’s grasp and narrowing his visible eye at the ground.

“I worry for you Milady” he sighs, shaking his head. “You already have so many things on your mind. Your cousin leaving, I know you miss him, the Akatsuki coming after Jinchuuriki, keeping your Kyuubi friend safe, wanting to kill Orochimaru, trying to tame the Ten Tails, not being able to sleep and now, this mission as well……I fear that it will all become too much for you Milady…..”

“Don’t worry Ace” Ashley grins darkly. “I’m not planning on doing this mission, even though I originally accepted it. And all that other stuff well……You know me Ace, I take it all in my stride.”

Ace rolls his bright, aqua eye and nods.

“Yes, I do know you Milady” he agrees dryly. “And that is why I worry.”

Ashley shrugs, before playfully punching her Guardian on the shoulder.

“I love you Ace” she says with a wink, her eyes widening when Ace’s tail begins to wag slowly, something she didn’t think was possible.

“And I” Ace says slyly, rising to his feet, “love you Milady.”

Ashley giggles in surprise, as Ace swiftly leans forwards and licks her cheek, something he hadn’t done for years.

“Ace!” Ashley cries, playfully shoving the large animal away and rubbing her cheek. “Gross!”

Ace rolls his eyes and pretends to look offended.

“My kisses are not gross Milady” he snorts indignantly.

“Maybe not” Ashley shrugs, crossing her arms and smirking. “But I think we need to go and see Lady Tsunade.”

Ace pauses, finding Ashley’s suggestion rather……random.

“Why is that?” the navy Wolf questions, as Ashley performs a hand sign.

“To tell her that I don’t want to go on her stupid mission” she grins, before her and Ace disappear in a puff of smoke.

Ashley’s POV

We both reappear inside the hallway of the Hokage’s Tower, just outside of Lady Tsunade’s door.

“Oh!” a deep voice says. “Ashley, it’s just you…..And one of your Wolves.”

Glancing to our left, Ace and I both spot Asuma, bending down to pick up the cigarette he’d dropped. We must have given him a fright.

“Hi Asuma” I greet with a wry grin, holding in a chuckle when the tall man sweat drops at Ace’s hard gaze. “It’s been awhile since we’ve spoken.”

“That it has” he drawls, placing the cigarette back between his lips. “I take it you’re here to see Lady Tsunade?”

I nod, tilting my head as I sense some people already in her office. A grin lights up my face. Some very familiar people.

“Yeah, but it seems that she’s already got some-”

I am cut off, as something suddenly explodes out of Lady Tsunade’s office, smashing through her door and colliding heavily with the wall.

I manage to dive out of the way just in time, splinters of wood raining down on myself and Ace as we gaze warily through the light cloud of smoke.

“Lady Tsunade!” I hear Shizune scream incredulously, as I look down at the thing that had exploded out of the Hokage’s office.

I see a dazed looking boy, with uneven blue-grey hair, and wearing some sort of black robe with long sleeves over white pants.

He groans in pain, placing a hand to his head, when Lady Tsunade comes flying through her broken door, aiming a knee for the boy’s stomach.

I wince as her knee crushes into him, an anime vein on her forehead and a dangerous look in her eyes.

“Call me an old lady will you?!” she thunders in a rage, pulling her fist back for a monster punch. I raise an eyebrow at the guy beneath her. I wonder if anyone told him not to piss her off…

“Bold lady!” the panicked guy exclaims hastily. “I said bold lady!”

Lady Tsunade pauses, seemingly thinking this over.

“Oh!” she finally says, a bright, closed eye smile appearing on her face as she climbs to her feet. “Well, how nice of you to say so! Such a nice boy…..”

She grabs the boy by the back of his back robe and drags him back inside the office, smiling happily.

“Welcome to the Leaf Village!” she chirps, making me and Ace sweat drop.

“Uhhh…..What just happened?” I ask rhetorically, as Ace shrugs.

“I have no idea Milady” he sighs. “But your Hokage is a very strange woman…”

Okay, so I'm hoping for things to get a bit more interesting now. I've got something planned for a bit later on, so I'll try to make it as action packed as I can, despite how much I hate writing fight scenes lol.

Probably a bad idea to write a Naruto FanFic if I hate writing fight scenes hey?.....Oh well! Please vote and comment!  :3