Hey all :) Just letting you know that I'm going on holiday in a couple of days, and won't be back for about 2 or 3 weeks, so this will probably be my last update for awhile.

Just as an fyi sort of thing, I have been getting a fair bit of fanart, which I LOVE, but most of it is just of Ashley. If you feel like drawing or whatever over the Christmas break, it would be SUPER awesome to see some fanart of Ashley and some Canon characters, or her Wolves :3

You don't HAVE to draw me something, it's just an idea ^-^

Pic of Kiba and Ashley  --->

Third Person’s POV

Everyone watches on with wide eyes as the Three Tails rises up from the lake, like an ominous apparition appearing through the darkness. Wolves and Ninja alike freeze in place at the sight of the hulking creature, all of their heated battles coming to an abrupt halt.

The Sanbi’s open eye gleams brightly through the water running down its face, its three tails bursting up out of the water and swinging through the air in an agitated manner.

The beast eyes the many Ninja dotted across the lake around it, before throwing its head back and letting out a thundering roar that causes everyone to wince. Though not a particularly intelligent being, the Three Tails recognised the Leaf Ninja as the people who had earlier been trying to capture it, and now that he was back in this dimension, he wasn’t about to let them leave unscathed.

“Whoa!” Tiez cries, ears pricked up and violet eyes shining. “That guy’s huge!”

“….He doesn’t particularly look like a happy fellow, does he?” Aki questions wryly, a hesitant look on his face. “Don’t go any closer Tiez darling, I don’t want him to hurt you.”

“Pshh….” the small Wolf scoffs, rolling her eyes and turning to smirk at Aki confidently, “As if he could!”

Aki sighs good naturedly at Tiez’s arrogant attitude, before glancing down at the water beneath his paws as it begins to ripple quite strongly. Aki immediately flattens his ears back and pulls a look of distaste, when the Three Tails lets another deafening roar rip through the air.

“Whoa, whoa, whoa!” Tiez suddenly barks, sounding slightly panicked. “Move your butt Aki, now!”

The black and white Wolf raises his head to look at Tiez, only to see that she has spun around and is racing across the lake’s surface towards him. Furrowing his brows in confusion, Aki looks past Tiez and settles his gaze on the Three Tails.

His sapphire eyes widen in alarm, seeing that the huge beast is raising one of its pillar like arms into the air, ready to slam it back down into the water.

“We really need to start sealing that thing again Shizune!” Yamato calls to the charcoal haired woman, only to grab her by the wrist and run for the embankment.

“I can’t do that if you pull me away from it Yamato!” Shizune is quick to inform the ANBU, as Aki bounces up from his sitting position.

“Hurry Tiez!” the Wolf barks, waiting until she zips past him before swiftly following behind. “The inevitable tidal wave will wreck my fur even more than it already has been ruined today!”

“Come on guys” Kakashi addresses Shino and Lee seriously, also taking off across the water. “We’ve got to gather and protect the Sealing Team, so we can get this guy sealed up and keep him out of the enemy’s hands.”

“Roger that!” Lee exclaims, saluting Kakashi enthusiastically, before throwing his arms out behind him as he and Shino follow after their silver haired superior.

Kakashi watches the Three Tails from the corner of his eye and grimaces below his mask, knowing that once the creature brings its arm down, they’ll all be swept up into a powerful tidal wave. Hopefully the others would be able to protect themselves from getting hurt, or worse…

Kai snarls right in Sakura’s face, with the pinkette struggling to hold the massive creature back. Her thin arms tremble as Kai tries to push forwards, Sakura’s chakra covered hands holding him by the top and lower jaw. Drops of blood fall from the girl’s fingers, with Kai’s razor sharp teeth easily slicing through her soft flesh.

“S-Sakura-chan…..” an injured Hinata says slowly, raising her hand and pointing towards the lake.

“Huh?” Sakura asks through clenched teeth, momentarily switching her hard glare from Kai’s face to the recently arisen Three Tails behind him. Her green eyes immediately widen, all of the blood draining from her face. “Uh oh……”

Hearing the dread in Sakura’s voice and the sound of multiple sets of footsteps splashing in all directions behind him, Kai pulls his head from Sakura’s grip and turns around, only for his ruby eyes to widen as well.

“This is why you should have just let us take the Three Tails!” Kai suddenly snaps at Sakura and Hinata, causing the Hyuga to flinch and the other girl to scowl. “At least then no one would be running for their lives!”

That said, Kai whirls around and gallops across the lake, running in the opposite direction to Aki and Tiez, who are heading right for him.

“Where’s Lady Ashley?!” Kai growls out, skidding to a halt as the two other wolves grow nearer to him.

“She’ll be able to handle herself Boss!” Tiez barks urgently, streaking right past the muscular Wolf. “She’s got her Kekkei Genkai, remember? Now move your asses!”

“She’s right” Aki says apologetically, shrugging one shoulder as he slinks past an unimpressed Kai. “You don’t need to baby her Kai, she’s a big girl.”

“Unlike you” Kai snarls angrily, “I know what my duty is, and I was never even appointed as a Guardian when I was young. You make me sick!”

Aki feels a pang of guilt as Kai continues running towards the Three Tails, while he continues to chase after Tiez.

It wasn’t that he didn’t care for Ashley, he just knew that she was strong enough to be able to protect herself from the inevitable wave that the Sanbi was about to create. Tiez on the other hand, wouldn’t have any way to avoid such a thing, and Aki had to make sure that she would survive.

“Kai!” a loud voice suddenly calls, causing the brown Wolf’s ears to prick up as he runs. Spotting Ace and a slightly bloodied Rei racing towards him side by side, Kai skids to a halt once again and narrows his eyes slightly.

Before Ace can say anything however, the Three Tails lets loose with an enraged roar and brings down its arm with a chakra amplified force. A resounding crack echoes through the air as the Sanbi’s arm collides with the lake’s surface, before a large wave forms due to the immense pressure of the hit, spreading out in all directions at speed.

“What?” Kai snaps, looking down at a wide eyed Rei. “Hurry up Ace, I’ve got to find Lady Ash-”

“No” Ace interrupts seriously, turning around. “You will escort my Rei to safety, and I will find Milady. I am her Guardian after all. I trust you will do everything in your power to keep my mate safe.”

“Ohhh, be careful Ace dear!” Rei calls worriedly, feeling unsure as Ace takes off across the water as fast as he can go.

Kai grits his teeth together and growls a little as he watches Ace run off, feeling annoyed that the navy Wolf had once again, given him a command. He didn’t know who Ace thought he was sometimes.

“We’d best make a move Kai dear” Rei speaks up softly, nudging the larger Wolf gently in the leg and catching his attention. “Ace knows where Lady Ashley is because he can sense her. They’ll be fine, so we’d better run for it.”

“……You’re right” Kai sighs after a moments pause. “Are you okay to run……Or do I need to carry you?”

“I can run dear” Rei chuckles, running alongside Kai as he rolls his eyes and takes off. “But if anything is to happen, I’ll need your strength to keep us both safe!”

Ace runs as fast as he can across the violently rippling water, highly aware of the roaring tidal wave that is drawing closer to him with every passing second. He doesn’t even pay attention as Tenten and a squealing Ino dash right past him, only focused on reaching the blonde girl he can now see standing on the embankment far ahead of him.

“I am coming Milady” Ace growls under his breath, snarling with annoyance as he almost trips over the rippling water. “You may not need it, but I will protect you!”

Hearing the sound of the wall of water thundering only metres away from him, Ace turns his head, only for his aqua eye to widen at the sheer ferocity of the flow.

Stepping lightly onto the water’s surface, Ashley’s already blank eyes narrow at the frightening tidal wave about to swallow up her Wolf, trying so bravely to run and protect her. Continuing to walk forwards and tilting her head back to look up at the wave, Ashley raises her arms, activating her Katsuryoku at the same time. She wasn’t about to let the Three Tails take her beloved partner from her.

Just as the wave is about to fold over and steal Ace from Ashley’s view, it suddenly parts and rolls right past the snarling Wolf, and herself, on either side, leaving him safe and dry from the water’s wrath.

“Many thanks Milady” Ace drawls humbly, slowly strolling towards Ashley and briefly closing his eye as she runs a hand down the back of his neck, “Though I could very well have just done that myself.”

“Just like your instinct to protect me is very strong” Ashley mutters with a faint smirk, “My instinct to protect you is also very strong, whether you’re capable or not.”

 “Your Mother would be so proud of your water manipulation abilities” Ace comments fondly, before wincing slightly as the tidal wave crashes strongly through the forest surrounding the lake, downing trees and ripping them from the ground.

“Hopefully the others are okay….” Ashley sighs, pushing her wet fringe back from her face. “Apart from Chi and Jet, I can sense the other four somewhere way over the other side of the lake, so that’s good at least….”

“Where is the Inuzuka boy?” Ace asks flatly, turning his head to look into the forest where Ashley had appeared from. The blonde merely closes her eyes and shrugs a shoulder, before pushing forwards towards the still flailing Three Tails.

“Back there somewhere” is all she says, picking up her pace and breaking into a run, with a sighing Ace following suit.

“I do not understand this situation at all…..” the navy Wolf murmurs to himself. “But I will follow Milady anywhere….”

“Is everyone alright?!” Kakashi calls out, dropping down from the tall tree he’d taken shelter in. He lands in the middle of a large, muddy puddle in a crouched position, turning his head to try and spot the others.

“Urrgghhh….” Lee groans, lying awkwardly across the leafy branches of a tree above Kakashi. “I am fine, though I think I hit my head in my haste to get up here….”

“Where are Ino, Tenten and Shizune?!” Sakura cries in a panic, green eyes desperately searching through the forest and the embankment. She pauses as Shino appears beside her and points at something on the lake’s edge, a good distance to the left.

Brows furrowing as she squints her eyes, Sakura soon spots the large, wooden dome sitting on the embankment, causing a smile to spread across her face.

As she lets out a relieved sigh, the dome swiftly opens, revealing Tenten, Shizune, Ino and Yamato. The ANBU does a quick once over of the three females with him, to ensure they’re uninjured, before turning around and raising an arm in the air.

Sakura is quick to wave back, just as Aki and Tiez suddenly appear in the midst of the Leaf Ninja in a swirling of red and gold leaves.

Immediately realising the situation they’re in, Tiez leaps to her feet and bares her teeth, while Aki merely sits back on his haunches and observes the others through hooded, sapphire eyes.

“Good job Aki” the purple Wolf says sarcastically, “You made us appear right where the enemy is.”

“You’re right Tiez” Aki drawls in his silky voice, “I’m sorry for saving our lives. Next time I won’t teleport us away from an incoming tidal wave, alright?”

“….Are you making fun of me?” Tiez growls, raising her head to give the innocent faced Aki a scowl.

“I would never” Aki replies sweetly, a closed eye smile on his face. His cheerful expression soon drops though, as he hears the sound of multiple kunai being drawn. The beautiful black and white Wolf slowly raises his head and flattens his ears back, baring his teeth in an uncharacteristic way.

“Do not threaten us Leaf Ninja” Aki warns as he rises to his full height, chin at the same height as Kakashi’s shoulders. “I don’t appreciate having knives pointed at my Tiez, and will not hesitate to burn your flesh from your bones.”

Tiez blinks in surprise at this threat, not used to Aki sounding so serious or dark. He was usually so teasing and friendly, and she didn’t think the larger Wolf had it in him to sound so brave.

“Look Aki” Sakura begins carefully, “We don’t want to hurt you guys at all, but you’re fighting us at every turn here. We’re just defending ourselves.”

“Can’t you understand that we need to get the Three Tails before Orochimaru does?” Kakashi questions, one kunai in each hand. “Does Ashley want him to get it?”

“Of course she doesn’t!” a rough voice growls, just as Kai suddenly drops down from the trees, hitting the ground with a resounding boom. “She wants the Akatsuki to get it, now back off you Leaf Village scum!”

“Please” Rei adds sweetly, also jumping down from the trees. She lands gracefully beside Kai, tail curling prettily behind her. Blood stains her lower jaw however, where Sai’s Tanto had previously cut her mouth.

“You are outnumbered here” Sai speaks up, appearing out of the forest, with Yukimaru on his back. Aki tilts his head to the side and flashes the pale skinned boy a dazzling smile, sapphire eyes gleaming with pride.

“Ahh, but you my boy” the black and white Wolf croons, “Are outclassed.”

“Heh, damn straight!” Tiez cackles sharply, giving Aki an appreciative, wolfish grin. “We’ll mess you guys up!”

“How cute” Sakura states flatly, to which Kai grows an anime vein and storms over to the girl, growling viciously right in her face. Her pink hair blows back , but Sakura glares right back at Kai, determined to not let him psych her out like he used to when she was younger.

“You’re seriously begging to have your face ripped right off girl” Kai thunders, stomping his large paw. “I’m not cute in the least! I’m the toughest guy here!”

“That’s right!” Tiez pipes up, ruffling her fur. “The Boss is the biggest badass out of everyone! He’s kill you so quick, your loser friends will blink and miss it!”

“Someone please refrain the young one from using such foul language…..” Rei sighs guiltily, not liking it when anyone, especially Chi and Tiez, use bad words.

“Hey look!” Lee suddenly shouts, interrupting the scene as he jabs his hand towards the lake. “It is Naruto! He is back!”

“What?!” Sakura cries, immediately dismissing Kai as she turns to the water, a relieved grin lighting up her face. “Oh it is Naruto! He must have escaped from the Three Tails!”

“I am not surprised he managed to escape” Lee announces brightly, teeth sparkling as he grins broadly. “He is a worthy foe for even the most ferocious of beasts!”

Kakashi, though glad to see that Naruto had somehow managed to get out of the Three Tails’ stomach, can’t help narrowing his visible eye at the blonde. It looked as though he were talking to someone, if his hand movements were anything to go by.

“We have to move you guys” the silver haired Jonin suddenly announces, rising from his crouched position. “Ashley’s back on the lake, and I don’t want to give her and Naruto a chance to fight. If she’s really not one of us anymore, that fight won’t end well.”

“I’m afraid you won’t be going anywhere at this moment” Rei informs Kakashi, stepping forwards to block him. “Though I don’t wish to fight you and damage your handsome face, I will if you persist in your efforts to stop Milady.”

“How can you tell if he’s handsome?” Tiez asks roughly. “He’s always got that freaking mask on!”

Kakashi subtly glances across the water to Yamato, only to find that the ANBU is watching the situation carefully, waiting for a cue to swoop in and help. Shizune is talking rapidly with Tenten and Ino, though she continually flicks her eyes over to Kakashi as well, clearly keeping an eye on the four Wolves in front of him.

“Sakura, Hinata…..” the silver haired Jonin mutters vaguely, to which the green eyed girl nods her head. Hinata, though in pain from her fight with Kai, rises to her feet, causing the brown Wolf to growl viciously and take a step forwards.

“Whatever you’re planning won’t work” Kai warns, red eyes focused intently on Sakura’s still scowling face.

Shino, seeming to understand that his teammates need a distraction, throws his arms out in front of him, to which two large swarms of bugs flow out of his sleeves. Buzzing loudly, the insects fly right at Kai and surround him, causing the Wolf to rear up on his hind legs and roar angrily. Having focused chakra into his throat, Kai’s roar creates a pulse of chakra in the air and blows away many of Shino’s beetles.

Taking advantage of Shino’s distraction, Sakura and Hinata dash towards the lake, hoping to meet up with Ino and Shizune.

“No way!” Tiez snaps, spinning around on her heels and leaping right for Sakura’s throat. Much to her chagrin, she is suddenly slammed in the ribs by something hard and sturdy, causing her to plummet to the ground and hit it heavily. The small Wolf lands on her side and skids across the dirt, before letting out a sharp breath and groaning softly.

“Tiez!” Aki cries, before turning his head, only to see Yamato now a few metres behind him, wooden arm retracting back towards him and morphing back into flesh.

“Oh dear…..” Rei sighs quietly, ears drooping a little when she spots the Sealing team, plus Tenten, now running towards the Three Tails. “Milady will not be happy about this….”

“Whoa…..” Naruto breathes out, placing his hands on his hips and glancing around. “What happened out here while I was stuck in the Three Tails’ stomach?....Huh?”

Looking to his left, Naruto spots Guren lying along the grass at the water’s edge. Though her eyes are open, the woman isn’t moving, too tired out from all of her chakra use. Plus, she’d been stabbed by one of her own teammates just before she’d been swallowed by the Sanbi.

Naruto had originally disliked Guren, thinking the purple haired woman was only being nice to Yukimaru because he had the power to control the Three Tails, but after spending time with her inside the Three Tails’ belly, he’d come to realise that she truly cared for the young boy.

Naruto could only hope that she’d stop working for Orochimaru after all of this, and that she and Yukimaru could then live happily with each other. He was such a nice kid after all……

Snapped back to reality by an angry roar from the Three Tails, Naruto’s brows furrow, his blue eyes looking up at the creature thoughtfully.

How was he supposed to beat it by himself? And speaking of which, where had all of his friends disappeared to? Surely he hadn’t been in there for so long that they’d figured he was dead and had left?

“Nah that can’t be it” the blonde male decides, running a hand through his spiky, blonde hair. “They’d have sealed it, not just left it here for Orochimaru to get his hands on i-”

Naruto is suddenly cut off, as he spots small, flaming creatures racing towards him, snapping their jaws and yapping shrilly. Steam rises from their feet as they hit the water, with one of the tiny creatures suddenly exploding and causing Naruto’s eyes to widen.

As one of the fiery animals launches itself towards him, Naruto throws himself backwards into a hand spring, before pushing himself up strongly from the water with his hands. He narrowly manages having the strange fireball hitting him, with it exploding as soon as it hits the water.

Landing in a crouched position, Naruto skilfully flings out a handful of shuriken, hitting the remaining four creatures dead centre. The four of them immediately burst, spraying a thin wall of water up into the air.

Still crouched down, Naruto’s blue eyes slowly widen as the water falls back into the lake with a splash, unsure if what he’s seeing is real.

Having suddenly appeared behind the water wall, only about fifteen or so metres ahead of him, Naruto finds himself staring up into the face of Ashley, her visible eye hooded and blank looking.

“A….Ashley-chan?” Naruto asks softly, placing his hands on the water and pushing himself up. “Is that really you?”

“Yep” is the flat reply, the girl’s hands on her hips. Poised behind Ashley, Ace glares over the blonde’s head at Naruto, his ears laid back flat and his tail curling around Ashley protectively.

Hearing her voice, Naruto can’t help the way his mouth pulls up into his signature broad grin, excitement bubbling up inside his chest. The Uzumaki’s blue eyes begin to sparkle with happiness, the boy so glad and relieved to see that his good friend is safe and well.

She hadn’t been missing for too long, but seeing as he last mission had involved the Akatsuki and Ashley was a Jinchuuriki, Naruto had secretly been thinking that she’d been abducted by the evil organisation. He’d never told anyone that’s what he’d been thinking, but it was a dreadful thought that had kept him from sleeping one or two nights.

“Ashley-chan, I’m….I’m so happy to see you!” Naruto laughs delightedly as he takes a step forwards, wanting nothing more than to give his teammate a hug. “I was so worried that you’d been-”

“Stop there Kyuubi boy” Ace orders in a commanding tone, causing Naruto to pause with one foot in the air, a confused look on his face. “I am warning you, do not come any closer to Milady or I will attack you…..”

Naruto stares at Ace for a moment, seeing the way the Wolf has lowered his head and pulled his lips back, before looking to Ashley, who doesn’t look any friendlier than her Guardian.

“Ashley-chan” Naruto chuckles unsurely, rubbing the back of his head and taking another step forwards. “It’s just me, Naruto. I’m not sure if you’re just tense or something, but I’m not gonna hurt you! I’m just real happy to see you ag- Hey!”

Naruto reacts quickly as Ace suddenly snaps his jaws and shoots a spiralling sphere of chakra towards him, with the blonde leaping backwards and doing a couple of back hand springs.

Ace’s Rasengan hits the water at an impressive speed and causes a miniature explosion, while Ashley merely narrows her eyes at Naruto, who is sitting back in a crouched position.

The blonde male rests a hand on one of his knees and stares as the water from the explosion falls back into the lake, before raising his eyes to gaze at Ashley questioningly.

“What are you doing?!” he eventually exclaims, rising to his feet and wiping some water from his face. “Is your Wolf crazy Ashley?! He almost blasted me!”

“He warned you” the Minami replies icily, causing Naruto to pause. ‘Now, get out of my way before Ace blasts you again.”

“And I assure you” Ace growls pointedly, “I will not miss next time.”

Naruto doesn’t even flinch as the Three Tails roars furiously behind him, his eyes flicking between Ace and Ashley in complete confusion.

What were they talking about? Why was Ashley acting so cold, and why had Ace just tried to kill him?! What had happened while he’d been trapped inside the Three Tails’ stomach?

“Ashley-chan, I don’t like that look you’re giving me……” Naruto says softly, mind whirring. “Is something wrong?”

“Yes” Ashley says sharply, arms now crossed and mouth pulled down into a frown. “You’re in my way. If you don’t move right now, we’re going to make you move.”

“How am I in your way?!” Naruto exclaims, throwing his arms out to this sides and shrugging his shoulders. “This lake is gigantic! Can’t you just go around me if you need to get somewhere?”

“No” is Ashley’s harsh reply. “The Three Tails is behind you, and you’re standing between me and him. Move.”

“The Three Tails?” Naruto questions, glancing back over his shoulder. “Don’t tell me you’re trying to capture it all by yourself Ashley-chan……”

“That’s exactly what I’m doing” the Minami responds flatly, uncrossing her arms and tilting her head down, casting Naruto a nasty look. “But you people keep getting in my way. Not a smart place to be Naruto, so get your ass out of my way!”

“At least let me help you capture the Sanbi” Naruto asks, a faint pleading tone to his voice. “I don’t want you to fight this guy by yourself and besides, we need the Sealing Team to be able to seal him away!”

“I warned you multiple times Naruto” Ashley sighs irritably, shaking her head, “But you’re clearly too stupid to listen….”

“Huh?” Naruto asks, a cold shiver of trepidation travelling up his spine as Ashley places her hands together. “What’re you-”

“Lightning Style: Black Wolf Jutsu!” the blonde Kunoichi interrupts, electricity as dark as the night swiftly building up around her body.

Naruto subconsciously takes a step back as the black lightning separates from Ashley’s body, forming into a large Wolf like creature beside her. The sparking beast lets out a static riddled howl, before narrowing its glowing eyes at Naruto and charging towards him with its head held low.

“Shadow Clone Jutsu!” the blonde Ninja shouts, quickly performing the necessary hand signs while keeping his eyes on the incoming Wolf.

Immediately, a clone of Naruto appears beside him in a puff of smoke, with the two quickly joining forces to create a Rasengan. As the clone focuses its chakra into the palm of Naruto’s hand, a swiftly spinning ball of chakra soon materialises, shining a brilliant blue colour.

“Rasengan!” Naruto exclaims, brows furrowed as he jumps forwards with his arm outstretched, aiming his Jutsu right for the lightning creature’s chest.

With a loud explosion, the force of Naruto’s Rasengan obliterates Ashley’s Wolf easily, sending up a cloud of warm smoke. Injured from the explosion, Naruto disappears in a puff of smoke, revealing that he had in fact been a clone himself.

The other Naruto stumbles backwards out of the smoke, coughing a little. Before he can react, Ashley suddenly leaps through the cloud, narrowed eyes focused on the blue eyed male’s face.

“Fire Style” the girl begins darkly, performing swift hand signs, “Great Fireball Jutsu!”

Sucking in a deep breath and focusing a great deal of chakra in her throat, Ashley places a hand in front of her mouth and exhales, blowing out a powerful jet of fire that forms into a giant sphere at the end of the stream.

“Ashley-chan!” Naruto yells in fright, throwing his hands up in front of his face, right before he is enveloped in flames and consumed by them.

Landing on the water in a crouched position, Ashley narrows her eyes at the faint poof sound she hears, before balling her right hand into a fist and raising it up into the air.

“How dumb does he think I am?” the girl mutters in annoyance, activating her Katsuryoku as she slams her fist back down onto the lake’s surface.

With a shout, Naruto suddenly bursts up out of the water, spinning head over heels as he flies up into the air.

“We’re fighting for real this time Naruto” Ashley sneers, rising to her feet and looking up at the blonde male. “I’m not going to be making any stupid mistakes like I did when we were sparring. I’ll be sensing your every move.”

Managing to gain control over his spin, Naruto flips over the right way and looks down at Ashley, brows furrowed.

“Why are you fighting me Ashley?” he questions seriously. “We’re supposed to be friends!”

“We were never friends Naruto” the Minami sighs, performing more hand signs. “It was all just an act. I’m not on your side, and before you prove to be much more of a nuisance, I’m going to destroy you….Wood Style: Silent Strangle Jutsu.”

Throwing out her arm, Ashley’s skin morphs into chakra enhance wood as it extends towards Naruto rapidly. As her arm wraps tightly around his body, arms pinned to his sides, Naruto can’t help exhaling sharply as he is suddenly tugged down towards the water.

“Aaackk!” the blonde cries out, slammed face first into the lake’s surface, before slowly being lifted back to his feet.

As Ashley is about to lift Naruto up again, she senses movement behind her, causing the blonde to pause. Ace, also sensing the movement, turns around and lowers his head.

“Milady…..”

“Yes, I feel them coming” Ashley responds flatly, smirking to herself. “Go nuts.”

“Excellent” Ace growls, before suddenly launching himself across the water, running to meet the incoming Leaf Ninja head on.

“W-Why are you doing this Ashley-chan?” Naruto coughs. “We’re just trying to keep Orochimaru from getting the Three Tails!”

“That’s perfectly fine with me” the girl responds icily, lifting her wooden arm and raising Naruto into the air. “I don’t want that snake to get it either.”

“Then what are you fighting me for?!” Naruto cries, shaking his head. “I don’t understand what’s-”

“I don’t want you Leaf Ninja to get the Three Tails” Ashley interrupts, her smirk dropping into a scowl, “Because I’m here to claim that Sanbi in the name of the Akatsuki!”

Naruto’s eyes widen at this, but before he can say anything, he is swung back down and slammed into the water again. Ashley then pulls the blonde back up into the air and releases him, her wooden arm turning back into skin as it retracts towards her.

Naruto watches the girl through shocked eyes, momentarily unable to move as he tumbles through the air, Ashley now running across the water towards him.

“The Akatsuki?...” Naruto whispers, a sad, confused look on his face, as the still scowling Ashley leaps up, fist pulled back.

Just as the blonde girl is about to punch Naruto in the stomach, Ace suddenly leaps up with a snarl and collides with Ashley, sending the both of them rocketing down into the water at speed.

They disappear under the water with a loud splash, with Naruto coming to his senses and flipping around, landing on the water in a crouched position.

“What just……” Naruto trails off, blinking rapidly, when Yamato steps up beside the blonde, carrying something in his arms.

“I managed to trap the Wolf” Yamato explains with a faint grin, “And then Ino here took over his body. She did it just in time too.”

“Naruto!” Sakura cries, running over to her teammate and dropping down beside him, placing a hand on his shoulder. “Are you alright?!”

“Hey Sakura” Naruto greets with a quick closed eye smile, before looking back to where Ashley had disappeared. “Yeah I’m fine, but what’s going on with Ashley? Why is she attacking me?”

“She’s been attacking all of us” Tenten speaks up with a sigh, one hand on her hip. “Well, she got her Wolves to attack all of us anyway.”

“What?!” Naruto exclaims, shaking his head in disbelief. “Why? And what’s she doing here in the first place?”

“We just sort of ran into her here” Sakura replies with a shrug. “She’s apparently after the Three Tails, like us, except-”

Sakura is cut off, as Ace and Ashley suddenly burst up out of the water, dripping wet as they land back on top of it.

“What’s the big idea Ace?!” Ashley snaps up at the growling Wolf. “I had him!”

“Apologies Milady” Ace mutters, narrowing his eyes as Ino begins to stir in Yamato’s arms. “That blonde girl used a Jutsu to take over my body. I was not acting of my own accord.”

“She used her Mind Transfer Jutsu on you?” Ashley questions rhetorically, glaring over at the Leaf Ninja. “They’ll pay for that….”

“Calm down Ashley-chan….” Naruto says softly, slowly rising to his feet and giving his teammate an unsure smile. “We’re not your enemies here. After all, we’re all just trying to get the Three Tails before Orochimaru can.”

“Don’t reason with her Naruto” Shizune urges sharply, taking up a defensive position. “She’s proven whose side she’s really on, and it’s not ours.”

“Huh?”

“We may all be trying to get the Three Tails” Yamato picks up from Shizune, “But not for the same cause.”

“What’re you guys saying?” Naruto asks, feeling a little exasperated. This whole situation was confusing him, and everyone was acting so strange!

“Naruto….” Sakura begins hesitantly, raising her eyes to Ashley’s face. “Ashley’s not on our side any more. She’s……She’s working with the Akatsuki now…..”

“What?!” Naruto cries in disbelief, before breaking into nervous laughter and looking to his blonde friend. “That’s not true Sakura, Ashley’s one of the good guys remember? C’mon Ashley-chan, tell Sakura how stupid she’s being!.......Ashley-chan?.......This isn’t funny ya know…”

“It isn’t a joke” Ashley finally speaks up, hands up in a defensive position. “I’m really siding with the Akatsuki. Living with you guys was a waste of my time. Working with the Akatsuki will make me strong!”

“But…..But…” Naruto stutters, trying to comprehend the situation fully. “The Akatsuki kidnapped you and-”

“They didn’t kidnap her” a rough, dazed sounding voice speaks up from behind Ashley, causing her to turn her head and scowl. With one hand holding the side of his head, Kiba stares right back with his brows furrowed, an unhappy frown on his face.

“She apparently ran off to join forces with them” the Inuzuka adds in a melancholy voice, animal like eyes focused on his girlfriend’s face. “I don’t believe it, but she’s putting up a pretty convincing fight.”

“If I kill you” Ashley spits back, baring her teeth, “Will you believe me then?”

“It wouldn’t really matter to me then” Kiba replies lowly, trying to keep the hurt from his voice, “Because I’d be dead.”

“Smart ass…..” Ashley hisses, growing an anime vein and smirking in a nasty fashion.

Naruto stares at Ashley through very wide, wavering eyes, struggling to believe what the others had been saying. Though, the strained look in Kiba’s eyes and the dark one in Ashley’s had Naruto thinking that something bad had clearly transpired between them….

“But…..The Akatsuki” Naruto begins, dropping his eyes to the water. “You know that they’re after Jinchuuriki, right Ashley-chan?”

“I’m not an idiot Naruto” the girl snaps at him. “Of course I know they are.”

“And they’ve killed so many people” Naruto continues, his voice growing stronger and his hands curling into fists. “They’re evil Ashley-chan. You’re not.”

“Oh how little you know about me” Ashley chuckles, shaking her head.

“How could you even consider joining them?!” Naruto suddenly shouts, raising his head and glaring at Ashley through bright, wavering eyes. “After everything they’ve done to the Leaf, to the Sand, and not to mention all of the other people they’ve attacked!”

Ashley pauses at the sight of Naruto’s eyes beginning to fill with tears, his hands shaking. Whether he was just sad or incredibly angry, Ashley wasn’t sure exactly why the Uzumaki was struggling not to cry.

With a sigh, the girl closes her eyes and reaches up, flicking her Wolf mask back down over her face. She then produces a kunai from each sleeve and brandishes them, causing everyone to take up defensive positions, ready to counter any attack Ashley may launch.

“I can see that you guys aren’t going to make this easy for me” the Minami mutters, growling lowly when she spies the rest of the Leaf Ninja racing across the water towards their teammates. Right behind the Ninja, Ashley’s four remaining Wolves follow suit, with Tiez easily gaining on the humans.

“Dammit…..” Ashley murmurs, turning her head slightly to look over at the Three Tails, which by now has swung around to stare down at the Ninja on the lake. “What a pain in the ass…..”

“Face it kiddo” Yamato sighs, not really wanting to fight Ashley, “You’re kind of outnumbered here, and you know that we’re not just going to give up.”

“I’ve never been one to give up either Yamato” Ashley spits back, smirking behind her mask. “So why don’t we all just-”

Ashley cuts herself off, just as a thick, yellow coloured smog begins forming over the water, looking vaguely familiar to the young Jonin. It rapidly spreads out across the lake, rising high into the air and casting an eerie darkness upon the scene.

“Ah crap” Ashley hears Kiba complain. “Not this again!”

“I can’t see anything!” Sakura cries out, as she and Hinata accidentally bump into each other. “Oh, sorry!”

“It’s okay Sakura-chan……” the Hyuga replies softly. “I’ve been in this smoke before. I-If I activate my Byakugan, I-I’ll be able to see.”

“This isn’t good” Kiba speaks up again. “This can only mean that those bad guys are back for more!”

“Is everyone over here?!” Lee calls out, skidding to a halt and waving his arms around in front of him. “I cannot see anything!”

“Milady!” Ashley hears Rei call from somewhere off to her right. “Where are you?! I can’t smell you! Ace dear? Ace dear!”

The water begins to ripple and stir when the Three Tails lets out an aggravated screech, splashing around as it struggles to see through the smoke. It knew that surely someone was about to try and attack it.

Focusing a large amount of chakra into its throat, the Sanbi suddenly shoots out two huge, chakra imbued balls of water, similar to gigantic cannonballs.

No longer able to sense the movements of anyone around her, Ashley freezes at a strange sound, before something roars right past her at an incredible speed. Ashley feels her hair and cloak blowing around wildly as the strange object flies past, cold water flicking onto her face and arms.

“What was that?!” the girl can’t help crying out, just as she hears someone shouting in pain, before a sharp cracking sound echoes through the air.

“Lee!” Tenten yells with fright, having recognised her teammate’s voice. “Are you okay?!”

“The Three Tails is attacking us!” Kai bellows a warning, bumping Rei with his shoulder to steer her away from the now thrashing beast. “Move it, move it!”

“Well, well, well” a feminine voice chimes. “Looks like we’ve caught some little Leaf Ninja off guard!”

“Time to kill you guys once and for all” a deeper, more sinister voice adds, causing Ashley to look around, unsure of where it had come from.

“Dammit” Kiba mutters. “I knew they wouldn’t be far away. Akamaru! Akamaru, where are you?!”

Hands shaking from how hard she has them balled up, Ashley lets out an annoyed sigh and places two fingers in her mouth. Clearly she wasn’t going to get anywhere with capturing the Three Tails by herself while all of these clowns were hanging around….

Ashley lets out a shrill whistle that catches the attentions of all five of her remaining Wolves, with all of them immediately running towards the sound of her voice.

“We’re outta here guys!” Ashley calls out, turning around to make a run for the forest. “Come on!”

“As you wish Milady” Ace replies, giving chase to his partner.

“Wait Angel!” Ashley hears Kiba call, as she dashes right past the tall brunette. “Come back here!”

“Not likely” the Minami scoffs, arms out behind her as she leans forwards and picks up her pace. She was just going to have to meet up with Deidara and Tobi, and decide what to do from there.

Kiba furrows his brows and bites his lip, unsure as to whether he should stay and fight, or chase after Ashley. Seeing as there were only four or five enemies, surely his teammates could take care of them and he’d be able to follow Ashley? He didn’t want to just lose her like this, despite the strange attitude she’d picked up since she’d been missing.

“Dammit….” Kiba growls roughly, before turning around and darting after his girlfriend, hopeful that he’d run in the right direction. It was impossible to see or smell anything in this weird smoke.

Soon enough, Kiba bursts through the ever expanding smog cloud and leaps onto the embankment, not slowing down his pace at all. The brunette tilts his head back a little and focuses some chakra into his nose, enhancing his sense of smell so he can track Ashley down.

“This way” Kiba mutters, skidding around a tree and turning right, keeping up his impressive speed as he ducks under branches and leaps over bushes. He was determined to catch up to Ashley, and a little foliage wasn’t about to stop him.

Not too far ahead of the stubborn Inuzuka, Ashley races through the forest as well, five Wolves sprinting around her.

“That got hectic rather quickly” Aki sighs dramatically, running alongside Tiez. “It’s going to take me forever to get these horrid tangles out of my fur!”

“Just keep running pretty boy” Kai growls warningly as he glances back over his shoulder, not even flinching as he runs straight through a bush, causing it to burst in a flurry of tiny leaves.

Not saying anything, Ashley also glances back over her shoulder, brows pulling down in the centre. She could sense Kiba following her, and the annoying brunette was quickly catching up.

In short bursts, Ashley knew that Kiba was one of the fastest Ninja in the Village, but he couldn’t keep up such a high speed for as long as she could……Until he used his All Fours Jutsu of course, but hopefully he wouldn’t be using that technique any time soon….

“Do you smell that?” Ace suddenly asks, nose in the air. “…..It is that Inuzuka boy. I believe he is tracking us Milady….”

“I’m well aware of that” Ashley replies quietly, her mind whirring. Should she stop and fight Kiba? Or would it be better to just keep running away? Her personal pride was telling her to stop running away, but at the same time, Ashley had already wasted too much time on the Leaf Ninja….

“Angel!” Kiba calls loudly, his voice making Ashley bite her lip. “Hold up a sec!......Would you just stop already?!”

“Excuse me for a moment Darling….” Aki coos lowly, bowing his head as Autumn coloured leaves swirl around him, before the black and white Wolf vanishes from sight.

Hearing something beside him, Kiba skids to a halt and glances up, only to see Aki perched on a tree branch and glaring at him through hooded eyes.

“You’re being a complete bother right now boy” the Wolf drawls, sucking in a deep breath. “Fire Style: Flame Oscillation!”

Kiba’s eyes narrow as Aki blows out a powerful, spiralling flamethrower towards him. Feeling annoyed and frustrated, Kiba slaps his hands together and does a hand sign, baring his teeth in a similar way to Ashley.

“Ninja Art of Beast Mimicry” Kiba growls, eyes narrowed, “All Fours Jutsu!”

His chakra rapidly increasing and flowing in a much more erratic manner, Kiba dodges Aki’s attack with ease, diving behind a tree and scaling it before the Wolf even has a chance to turn his head.

“I didn’t want to hurt you” Kiba announces lowly, causing Aki to jump with fright at the boy’s sudden closeness.

“Heavens” the black and white Wolf breathes, blinking his now wide eyes, “You’re much faster than I remembered. Good thing I can teleport!”

Not giving Kiba a chance to attack him, Aki suddenly disappears in a swirling of leaves, leaving the growling Inuzuka alone on the tree branch. Not wanting to lose track of Ashley, Kiba flips down from the tree and begins chasing after the girl once again, running on all fours and moving at an even greater speed than before.

“Looks like you didn’t stop him Aki” Ashley comments, sensing the Wolf reappearing behind her. “He’s moving even faster now! He must’ve used the All Fours Jutsu…..Dammit……”

“Apologies Darling” the large Wolf murmurs, sweat dropping as he runs. “The boy’s a lot faster than I expected….”

“You don’t need speed” Kai laughs evilly, baring his teeth in a dark grin. “You just need raw power!”

That said, Kai raises his hind legs and balances on his front paws, before kicking his leg back and slamming them into a thick tree trunk. Thanks to the chakra he’d focused into his hind legs, Kai’s kick snaps the tree trunk right near the ground, before it falls over backwards and hits the earth with a resounding boom.

Kiba, having caught up already, is able to dodge around the falling tree, before another tree falls towards him, creaking loudly. He narrows his eyes and performs a hand sign, before releasing a large amount of chakra and spinning around in a rapid, drill like manner.

The Inuzuka tears right through the tree trunk, splintering the bark and sending it flying in all directions. He ceases his spin in mid air and lands on a high tree branch, bounding swiftly through the trees in an effort to catch up to Ashley.

The blonde turns her head and spies Kiba following through the trees, causing her to curse under her breath. He was determined, she’d give him that.

“Angel, just wait a moment!” Kiba calls loudly, unsure as to exactly why he’s trying to catch Ashley. “I’m not gonna attack you or anything!”

“This boy is really beginning to annoy me now….” Ace growls under his breath, ears laid back against his head. “I suppose I will have to be the one to get rid of him….Unless you would like the honour Milady?”

“No thanks” is the quick reply. “I’m too busy trying to locate Deidara and Tobi right now, but thanks anyway I guess…..”

“Very well then” Ace replies flatly, briefly raising an eyebrow at his partner. “He will no longer be a disturbance to us.”

“I coulda just poisoned him for ya” Tiez barks, bounding alongside Aki with a sinister grin on her face.

“No thank you young one” Ace sighs. “If this is to be done right, I must do it myself.”

“What do you see in him?” Tiez asks Rei dryly, to which the pretty Wolf gives her a closed eye smile.

Still surging forwards, Ace opens his jaws and begins focusing a large amount of chakra into a sphere in front of his mouth, the aura swirling around violently.

“C’mon Ashley” Kiba says on a softer, more pleading tone than before, “This isn’t…..The way things are meant to be.”

Trying to ignore the Inuzuka’s voice, Ashley focuses her attention on Deidara and Tobi’s presences, having known where they’ve been hiding all along.

Skidding to a halt and whirling around, Ace snaps his jaws shut and sends the Wolf Style Rasengan shooting up at Kiba, with such accuracy and speed, he is unable to dodge the attack.

“Aaackk!” Kiba cries out in pain, the Rasengan hitting him square in the chest and exploding upon impact. He immediately falls backwards, crashing though multiple branches, before landing heavily on the ground, smoke rising from the large wound now on his chest.

Hearing Kiba’s cry, Ashley suddenly freezes in place for a few seconds, her Wolves coming to a slow stop around her. Ignoring their confused looks, Ashley slowly turns around and looks over at Kiba, only to see the bloodied Inuzuka shakily leaning up on one elbow. He breathes heavily as he watches her through one eye, the other one closed and a trail of blood running from his head, down his cheek.

Ashley sees Kiba mouth her name, before he falls onto his back and closes his eyes, though his chest still rises up and down.

“I did not kill him” Ace states, sounding almost disappointed. “Shall I try again Mila-”

Ace cuts himself off, as Ashley spins around on her heels and silently dashes past him, her black cloak flowing out behind her. She leaves her Wolves behind and runs as fast as she can for a good hundred metres or so, before ducking behind a tree and throwing her back against it. Ashley hangs her head for a moment, before tilting it back and resting it against the tree trunk.

The girl breathes quickly, her heart beating strongly against her ribcage as she stares up at the sky through hooded eyes. As she hears the sound of her Wolves approaching, Ashley turns her head, only to see them all poke their heads around the tree, looking at her imploringly.

“Are you alright Milady?” Ace is quick to ask, nudging Ashley’s shoulder with his nose. “You seem to be……Distressed?”

“I’m fine Ace” the blonde girl mutters, shaking her head and pushing away from the tree. “I just……Wanted to get away in case Kiba got up again. We’ve wasted too much time, and we really need to catch up with Deidara and Tobi…….”

“Milady?” Rei addresses softly. “Are you sure that-”

“Let’s go” Ashley interrupts in an emotionless tone. “They’re not too far from here……Actually…..Thanks for your help today guys, but maybe it would be better if you all went back home for now.”

“But-”

“Get some rest” Ashley says quietly, reaching down to pat Tiez, to which the young Wolf blinks her violet eyes in confusion. “Off you go.”

“Well……Okay then” Tiez eventually sighs. “I think there’s gonna be more fun stuff happening later, but I guess we can go home….”

“Keep yourself safe Darling” Aki just about purrs, rubbing his soft cheek against Ashley’s, before he and Tiez disappear in a puff of smoke.

“If you need us for anything again” Rei says kindly, giving Ashley a warm smile, “You know you can just ask us. Bye bye Milady.”

Ashley raises her hand in a silent good bye as Rei disappears, only to turn to Kai and Ace, who exchange unenthusiastic looks with each other.

“I will not be leaving Milady” Ace states seriously. “I would feel more comfortable escorting you to your new….teammates.”

“I’m not going anywhere either” Kai informs Ashley roughly. “Not with all of those Leaf Ninja running around.”

Suddenly feeling to weary to argue, Ashley merely sighs and shrugs a shoulder, trudging past her two Wolves slowly.

“Whatever” the girl mutters. “Deidara and Tobi aren’t that far away, so let’s just go….”

“Well, well” Deidara smirks, arms crossed as he leans against a tree, “If it isn’t our little solo soldier hm.”

Ashley glares up at the tall blonde from behind her mask, walking out from the trees with a silent Kai and Ace in tow.

“Ohhh doggies!” Tobi cries delightedly, clapping his hands. “They’re so cute Ashley-chan! Here doggy, here doggy!”

Kai growls warningly as Tobi extends his hand toward the Wolf, not wanting to be touched by the man. Tobi squeals with fright and reels backwards as Kai takes a nasty snap at his hand, red eyes burning with irritation.

Deidara merely rolls his eyes as Ashley pauses beside him near the cliff’s edge, looking down at the battle below. Leaf Ninja clash against Orochimaru’s men, while the Sealing Team tries desperately to seal the angry Three Tails.

“Yeah” Deidara speaks up, giving Ashley a sly look, “We were watching you the whole time you were fighting them hm.”

“………..” After a moments pause, Ashley raises her head and glances at the blonde Akatsuki member. “I know. I could sense you the whole time.”

Deidara merely raises an eyebrow in response, before Tobi jumps forwards, making sure to steer clear of the still growling Kai.

“You were pretty good Ashley-chan!” the black haired male compliments, throwing a hand in the air. “Tobi was cheering for you the whole time! But it looks like you got outnumbered in the end…..”

“Why didn’t you just kill them?” Deidara questions suspiciously, to which Ashley shrugs and crosses her arms, turning away from the vicious fight going on below.

“We were trying to” Kai snarls, pulling his lips back as Deidara glances over at him boredly. “I’d like to see you take all of them on by yourself girly boy.”

“What did that Wolf just call me?” Deidara seethes, eyes turning into angry, white circles.

“….Should Wolves even be able to call you anything in the first place?” Tobi wonders out loud, tapping his chin and glancing at a stone faced Ace.

“In a world like this” the navy Wolf speaks up flatly, “I hardly think a talking Wolf should shock you.”

“What do we do now?” Ashley asks wryly, gesturing towards the cliff edge. “I doubt we’ll be able to get anywhere near the Three Tails with all those other Ninja down there.”

“We’ll just have to wait for them to destroy each other hm” Deidara sighs, shrugging a shoulder. “It isn’t what I’d originally had in mind, but at least this way we don’t have to deal with those annoying little bugs again hm.”

“Hopefully those other guys will be able to kill off a few of the Leaf Ninja” Tobi comments cheerfully. “Then we don’t have to worry about them ever again! Right Ashley-chan?!”

Ashley hesitantly glances back down at the fights happening down on the lake, watching as Shizune, Sakura, Hinata and Ino struggle to contain the Three Tails in their Sealing Jutsu, while the other Leaf Ninja try to defend and protect them from incoming attacks.

“Right…….” Ashley mutters, narrowing her eyes.

For those who don't know, The Wolf Inside is a finalist in the Naruto Category of the 2013/14 Watty Awards, so please show your support and vote for it if you believe it's worthy of winning :)

I hope you all have a wonderful Christmas, or whatever else you may celebrate at the end of the year, and please stay safe! See you all later!