Edited 14/04/2015

Naruto's POV

I stand perfectly still in the cool river water, eyeing off the little fish swimming around me unknowingly. A small number of my Shadow Clones remain poised on the river bank, ready to leap in at my command.

"Mmmm....." I murmur hungrily, squinting down at the water as some of the fish swim close, raising my hand.

"Breakfast time!" my clones shout, leaping into the water. "Bombs away!"

I begin laughing as we all splash around loudly, with Sasuke rolling his eyes on the river bank. He remains ready though, a few kunai in hand.

As I swim after two fish, I notice Ashley watching on boredly from a boulder protruding up out of the river bank. She leans her chin in her hand, looking like she wished she could be somewhere else.

She's been awfully quiet since our run in with those Sound Ninja, and I'm beginning to wonder if she's alright. Maybe she's just tired from all the fighting she did?

I'm pretty disappointed that I didn't get to see her fight at all, because Sakura said she turned out to be really good! Sasuke didn't say too much about it, but I'd hardly expect him to acknowledge when someone is good......Why did I have to be unconscious dammit?!

I was pretty surprised when Sakura hugged Ashley and thanked her for saving us though, because I always thought Ashley hated us......Maybe she's not as bad she seems to be?

Tailing right behind three fish now, I reach out and nab them by the tails, before jumping up out of the water. I fling the three fish towards Sasuke, falling back into the river and sucking in a deep breath as I crane my neck to keep my face out of the water.

Sasuke flings his kunai knives at the fish, pinning them to a nearby tree, when he lets out a sigh and glares at me.

"Come on Naruto" he complains, "We only got three. Go and catch some more!"

"What?!" I exclaim incredulously. Does King Sasuke think he could do a better job? These little fish are quick and hard to catch!

"Pfffttt" Sasuke scoffs. "I could eat three of these all by myself. Hurry up, it's not that difficult."

"If you think it's so easy" I shout back pointedly, waving my arms around and splashing the water, "Then why don't you jump in the water and I'll just stand around on the shore!"

"Hey!" Ashley suddenly barks, making me freeze and slowly turn my head. I see her rubbing at her eye, mouth pulled down into a frown. "You got water in my eye Naruto...."

A chill runs up my spine. The last thing I want to do is annoy Ashley. She's even scarier than Sakura-chan......

"Uhhh, I'm really sorry Ashley!" I apologise hastily, hoping I won't get punched or have anything thrown at me. "I wasn't watching what I was doing! I was just mad at Sasuke coz he's being a lazy jerk, so really this is all his fault and if you're gonna be mad at anyone here, it should be hi-"

"I'm not mad Naruto" Ashley interrupts me with a sigh. "Forget it."

I close my eyes and let out a sigh as well, though mine is full of relief. At least I'm not going to have to run for my life this time....

"Hey Sasuke!" I hear Sakura call from our camping spot. "I've set up a fireplace, so could you please come and light it?"

"We still have to catch more fish though...." Sasuke mutters in annoyance, shaking his head and grabbing onto the bridge of his nose as he turns around. "I've gotta do everything around here...."

I blink in surprise, before raising a fist at the arrogant Uchiha.

"And just what do you think I've been doing?!" I shout angrily, causing Sasuke to glare at me over his shoulder.

I look over at Ashley as she sighs again, the girl raising her arm into the air and smirking when Sakura lets out a scream of fright.

"Sakura!" I cry, leaping out of the water and rushing towards her. If she's hurt, I'm gonna kill someone!

I skid to a halt beside the fireplace, finding Sakura sitting on the ground and leaning back on her hands, her pretty, green eyes wide. She blushes in embarrassment as Sasuke walks up behind me, pointing towards the flickering fire.

"What's wrong Sakura?" I ask urgently, still unsure why she screamed like that.

"The....The fire" is her short reply, to which I tilt my head in confusion. What's so scary about a small fire in a fireplace?......Isn't that what she wanted?

"Yeah......" I say slowly, "What about it?"

"I didn't make that fire" Sakura explains, sending me and Sasuke a confused look.

"Uhhhhhhh......."

"Ugh, Naruto" Sasuke sighs irritably, shaking his head. "Sakura asked me to make the fire."

"Yes" I reply, nodding my head wisely in an attempt to pretend I know what he's getting at. "She did."

"Naruto, the fire just appeared okay?!" Sakura snaps, face palming. "It just.....Started itself before you guys came running over!"

"Huh?!" I cry, bewildered. "How did that happen? That's so weird!"

Arms folded over her chest, Ashley finally decides to join us and walks over, regarding us all blankly. I run over to her and jab my hand at the flames dramatically, causing my teammate to raise an eyebrow.

"Ashley, Ashley!" I bark, wanting to see her reaction to the weird fire. "Sakura said the fire started all by its-"

"Yeah, I heard you guys from all the way over there" Ashley replies dryly, tilting her head towards the river.

"But....Don't you think it's weird?" I ask, confused by the now amused look on Ashley's face.

"Yeah, we have a magic fire that starts all on its own" she states sarcastically, making Sakura, Sasuke and I deadpan. "That must be the only explanation for it."

I pout a little, wondering why Ashley has to be so sarcastic all the time. I mean, it's funny when it's directed at Kiba or any other jerk, but not when it's directed at me....

"Hmm........" I murmur softly, now tapping my chin. Now that I think about it, that fire appeared right after Ashley lifted her arm. Did she do something?.......Nahh, that wouldn't make any sense. She was probably just stretching or something!

Shrugging off my thoughts, I turn my head and notice that Sasuke is glaring at Ashley suspiciously, with the girl expertly ignoring him.

"I have some questions I wanna ask you" Sasuke informs the blonde sternly, to which she shrugs and bares her sharp teeth in an unfriendly smirk.

"You can ask" she advises carelessly, "But don't expect any answers."

"What are you hiding from us?" Sasuke demands to know, a look of concern on Sakura's face. "You're keeping secrets, aren't you?!"

"That's none of your business Sasuke" Ashley retorts, now glowering at him darkly. "Keep your nose out of my business, or you're gonna get hurt. Consider that your warning."

".....Don't threaten me" Sasuke growls, narrowing his eyes and clenching his jaw angrily. Ashley rolls her eyes, dismissing Sasuke with a wave of her hand.

"Then don't make me laugh" she scoffs, angering Sasuke further. Sakura sends me a pleading look, to which I feel my heart flutter a little. I don't like to see her so worried like that, so I'll fix this!

Walking up to Sasuke, I slap him on the back playfully and send him a cheerful grin when he whirls around.

"Naruto...." Sasuke warns, as I throw my hands behind my head and interlace my fingers.

"Heh, c'mon Sasuke!" I urge, already heading back towards the river. "We've got more fish to catch!"

Pausing when I don't feel the stupid Uchiha following, I run back over and grab his shirt. Ashley smirks as I drag the unhappy Sasuke back over to the water, with Sakura releasing a sigh of relief.

Well, I managed to fix that situation at least.

"It's already been four days since this exam began......" Sasuke mutters thoughtfully, staring into the fire. Minutes earlier, we'd all skewered the fish with sticks and now they're roasting over the fire. I'm almost drooling, they smell so good!

"You're right" Sakura agrees, smiling to herself as Ashley absentmindedly fiddles with a small, blue flower in her lap. Where did she even find that thing?

"We certainly aren't gonna break any records" Ashley states, not really sounding like she even cares that much. Why is she always like that? Her personality is so reserved, as if she doesn't want anyone to see what she's really like.

"We've only got another twenty four hours to find a Heaven scroll and get to the finish" Sasuke continues, his eyebrows knitting together, probably trying to figure out a plan of attack.

"I wonder how many of the teams have already finished....." Sakura mumbles to herself, prodding the fish in the fire with another stick.

'I just wonder when this fish is gonna be done' I think hungrily, staring at the biggest one. 'I'm so hungry, I could eat a whole whale right about now! I bet if I'm quick, I can grab the big one before anyone else!'

I almost jump as Ashley suddenly looks up, turning her head to the left. She stares off into the distance for a few moments, her face slowly dropping further and further, until she begins to look pretty annoyed.

I sweat drop when she drops her eyes to my face, seemingly asking me what I'm staring at her for. I internally panic and shake my head, before focusing my attention back on the big fish in front of me.

I wonder what made her react like that.......Can she hear something that we can't?...

"They're ready!" Sakura announces, dispersing my worry as a huge grin spreads across my face.

Finally! I lean forwards and swipe the stick with the largest fish on it, chomping into the charred skin and sighing with satisfaction.

"It's delicious!" I cheer, holding my fish up in the air.

"Mm hmm!" Sakura agrees, pausing when she sees Ashley pulling a face at the small creature on the end of her skewer. "What's wrong Ashley?"

".........I hate fish" is the short reply, to which we all exchange looks and silently return to eating. Ashley merely sighs and lowers her skewer, obviously not game enough to try and eat the fish. I can't believe she'd rather go hungry than eat yummy fish!

"...We have to face it you guys" Sakura speaks up after a few more minutes of relatively silent eating, "There may not be any Heaven scrolls left...."

"Well there's an encouraging thought" Sasuke drawls sarcastically, to which I blink in astonishment.

I didn't think King No Emotions had it in him to be sarcastic, especially since that seems to be Ashley's thing.......Although, she doesn't seem like she's in the mood for talking. As much as she scares me sometimes, I hope she's alright.

I tune out as Sakura goes into a long explanation of our odds of finding another Heaven scroll after so long, content to keep eating. It's not like I'd understand Sakura anyway, she's too smart for her own good.

"Huh, maybe we gave ourselves too much time to recover after that last fight we had" Sasuke muses, reminding me that I'd missed out on basically the whole thing. "I'm not sure, but we need to get serious now. We have to make up for any lost time. The next enemy we face will probably be our last chance at getting a scroll."

Here Sasuke stands up and stretches his arms.

"I'm gonna go get some more water" he says, before turning and heading towards the river, scooping up a small water canteen on his way.

I chomp on my fish thoughtfully, eyes drifting over to our Earth scroll, when a great idea pops into my head and makes me grin. It's genius!

"Pssst, hey Ashley, Sakura-chan" I whisper loudly, hoping Sasuke's retreating figure won't hear me.

Sakura looks at me warily, while Ashley merely closes her eyes and folds her hands behind her head, lying back on the grass.

"What?" the blonde asks blandly, clearly not interested in what I have to say. Oh well, it's her loss, coz my plan is great!

"I know how we can finish this exam without any fighting at all!" I announce excitedly, making Sakura blink her green eyes a few times.

"Huh?" she asks, her interest piqued. "How?"

"Well, I've got a bunch of scrolls right here" I explain, reaching into my weapons pouch and producing a few rolls of parchment. "They're all Ninjutsu manuals and stuff. I was thinking, we could change them to look like a Heaven scroll and-"

"Stop right there!" Sakura commands, holding up one hand and shoving it in my face. "Don't even bother finishing that explanation. Even if you could somehow make the outside look the same, how could you fake what's inside? You'd have to have a look in the scroll, and that's against the rules you idiot!"

"Ughh......" Ashley groans, running one hand down her face and glaring up at the sky. "Go away......"

I send Ashley a weird look, not sure if she's talking to me and Sakura or not, before shrugging and grinning at my pink haired teammate.

"I've already got it figured out Sakura-chan!" I state proudly. "See, I reckon that the scrolls have some sort of secret code written in them, and it'll only make sense when you put them together. They probably make up some password that you need to get into the tower when you finish the Exam! Get it?!"

"All I got from that, is that you're a complete bonehead!" Sakura snaps in frustration. "We don't even have a Heaven scroll, so how do you expect to know what the code is? Didn't think of that, did you?"

I sigh heavily and hang my head, wondering why Sakura always has to bring me down like that. So I forgot one minor detail, she doesn't have to be so mean about it....

"Keep your next great idea to yourself" Sakura orders, one eyebrow twitching. "We've got enough problems as it is!"

"But.....If we just read the Earth scroll" I argue, "We might be able to figure out what a Heaven scroll would say."

"You....You wouldn't..." Sakura trails off, eyes widening. "Naruto, you shouldn't!"

"Why not?" I demand to know. "What's in it that's so secret?"

"Come on Sakura" Ashley encourages, sitting up and making me grin, "Let him read it."

"Yeah!" I agree, watching as Sakura sends Ashley a bewildered look.

"But...But Ashley" she stutters. "Why are you taking Naruto's side? I-It's against the rules to open the scrolls."

"Who cares?" Ashley shrugs. "If he opens it and the scroll blows up, then I don't have to listen to him anymore."

My joy at Ashley siding with me immediately fades, a deadpan expression replacing my grin. Why are Sakura-chan and Ashley so mean to me? I just wanna help!

I stubbornly begin unrolling our Earth scroll, to which Sakura dives for me and punches me upside the head. I fall backwards from the force, anime tears pouring from my eyes as I clutch at my new injury.

"When are you gonna get it through your thick skull Naruto?!" Sakura screeches madly. "We are explicitly forbidden to read the scrolls before we get tot the tower!"

"I know!" I wail, sitting back up. "But if we don't do something, we're never gonna make it!"

Sakura sighs when she realizes that I'm right, and we both look down at my scrolls, deep in thought.

"I really hope it blows up" Ashley chuckles meanly, watching us both with interest. Sakura and I ignore her quip, exchanging unsure looks. With a nod of approval from a nervous Sakura, I gulp and continue unraveling our Earth scroll, hoping it won't blow up....

I yell in fright when a gloved hand suddenly slaps itself down onto our scroll, prohibiting me from opening it any further. Tilting my head back, I find myself looking into a pair of familiar glasses.

"I wouldn't do that if I were you" Kabuto advises, before Ashley abruptly leaps at him, slamming her foot into his face.

My jaw drops at her reaction time. He'd only been standing next to me for a second, and she'd already sent him sprawling across the ground!

The girl crouches on all fours in front of me, growling at Kabuto and glaring hatefully as he sits up. He coughs a few times, eyeing Ashley warily and climbing to his feet.

I'm really not sure why Ashley has such a big problem with Kabuto, especially since he was so nice to us back before the written exam!

Probably having heard the commotion, Sasuke runs over and skids to a halt beside us, glaring at Kabuto suspiciously.

"What's going on here?" he demands to know. Oh dear.....

Ashley's POV

"I can't believe you two!" Sasuke scolds Naruto and Sakura angrily. "You guys know we're not supposed to open our scroll!"

Sakura hangs her head in embarrassment, while Naruto merely crosses his arms like a child and turns his head away, not interested in having Sasuke yell at him.

"If I hadn't made it when I did......" Kabuto trails off, giving my team a friendly smile. Arms folded over my chest, I can help digging my nails into my skin and gritting my teeth together.

I really hate Kabuto. Not as much as I despise Orochimaru, but pretty close to.

I'd sensed him heading our way quite awhile ago, but I'd hoped he would go away....

"I wonder how many of the other teams have finished already...." Sakura mumbles to herself, picking up a nearby stick and poking at the slowly cooking fish.

I pull a face at the smell, only half listening to the others talking, just depressing and discouraging each other further and further.

I close my eyes, lying down on the soft grass, tuning my team out.

I'm still not sure where my team stands with me. They really did seem genuine in their thanks earlier, but what if they're just trying to trick me and get on my good side? What if they just want to use me for my power or something, like Hakuba had said? They don't seem like the types to do that, but then, Ninja can be very deceptive......

Well, Naruto's not. I can pretty much see him thinking about wanting the biggest fish. Greedy little moron......

I suddenly feel a presence enter within my sensing range. It feels very familiar, and is approaching at a considerable speed.

I turn my head a little bit, looking into the forest past Naruto, trying to figure out who it could be. In my mind, I run through all the people that I've met, whose movement patterns match the ones of the incoming person.

Judging from the weight and the way the person moves, I quickly come to the conclusion that the intruder is Kabuto, something that displeases me greatly.

I suddenly notice Naruto staring at me curiously, to which I glare at him, wondering what his problem is.

He shakes his head and quickly averts his gaze, probably thinking I'll attack him or something.

With a sigh, I turn my eyes to the cooking fish. Ugh, I hate fish......

I tune back into my team's conversation with Kabuto, catching him telling them how each scroll is protected by a strong Hypnosis Jutsu that would have knocked them out until the end of the exam.

"Kabuto right?" Sasuke confirms, before narrowing his dark eyes a little. "What are you doing, wandering around all by yourself like this?"

I give Kabuto an icy look, knowing full well that he wasn't just randomly wandering around at all. He knew we were here and he came for us on purpose. Kabuto never does anything without a reason.

"Don't worry" the silver haired Genin assures us, "I'm not here for your Earth scroll."

"Obviously not" Sasuke scoffs, turning his dark look towards Naruto. "Otherwise you could easily have just stolen it from Naruto."

"Not that I would've let him get away with it" I growl dangerously, to which Kabuto sweat drops and steps back, feigning nervousness. I almost laugh at his stupid display, thinking he can fool me so easily.

I ignore Sasuke as he gives me a strange look, before the young Uchiha focuses his attention back on Kabuto.

"So, I'm guessing you're after a Heaven scroll as well?" the ravenette assumes. Kabuto shakes his head at this, reaching into his weapons pouch and proudly producing two scrolls.

"Nope!" he chuckles. "I've already got my Heaven and Earth scrolls."

I see Sasuke pause at the sight of the Heaven scroll, eyes studying the seemingly carefree Kabuto closely.

"I've just had a run of good luck" Kabuto continues with a shrug, putting his scrolls away again. "But I was actually heading to the tower to meet up with the rest of my team, so if you'll excuse me guys."

"And just why aren't you with your teammates in the first place?" I asks coldly, doing air quotes with my fingers. "Pretty suspicious if you ask me."

Kabuto glances back at me and for just a split second, I see that familiar look of hate and distaste for me in his eyes, before the Ninja is able to mask it with a friendly smile.

"I'll fight you for your Heaven scroll" Sasuke announces, surprising the both of us and making Kabuto tilt his head.

"Is that some sort of joke?!" Naruto cries, utterly puzzled as to why Sasuke would want to fight a guy as nice as Kabuto.

"You'll......Fight me for it?" the man repeats slowly, looking doubtful. "Are you serious?"

Placing my hand on Sasuke's chest before he can reply, I roughly shove the Uchiha back and step in front of him, glaring up at Kabuto.

"Of course not!" I snap rudely. "If you even think about fighting him, I'm going to tear your limbs from your body with my own bare hands!"

My team look taken aback by my nasty outburst, probably because they're still under the impression that Kabuto is here to help them out.

'Or because you just stuck up for one of these Leaf Ninja again' Hakuba informs me lowly, sounding highly irritated. I pause for a second, before internally face palming.

Dammit, he's right! That wasn't my intention here......

"So feisty" Kabuto comments with a smile, though I'm sure I'm the only one who knows how forced that smile really is. It doesn't reach his eyes at all. "Don't worry though, I have no intention of fighting him. Just admit it, for all that tough talk Sasuke, your heart isn't really in it. If you really wanted to get your hands on my scroll, why would you openly challenge me for it?"

Sasuke scowls at Kabuto, with me taking a step back to be by his side rather than in front of him.

I have to hand it to Kabuto, as much as I despite him, he's no dummy. He catches onto things pretty quickly, and Sasuke's lame attempt at making a challenge had been no different.

"Announcing your intentions like that will just bring my guard up" Kabuto continues coolly, shrugging one shoulder. "Why not just jump me when my back is turned? After all, that's what a real Ninja would do."

Kabuto smirks at Sasuke and pushes his glasses up his nose a little, a habit of his that I find really annoying. He used to do it all the time, as if they don't quite fit him or something.

"Look, don't worry about it" Kabuto says breezily, seeing as no one responds to him. "In fact, I admire you for it. How about I show you guys the way to the Tower? We'll need to leave now though, seeing as the smell of your cooking is going to be attracting both wildlife and other Ninja to this spot."

As Kabuto turns to leave, my relieved teammates moving to follow after him, I cross my arms and stand my ground, refusing to budge.

"Ashley?" Sakura questions, causing the others to pause and look back at me. "Aren't you coming?"

I screw my face up into a narrow eyed glare, as Kabuto smirks at me over the top of everyone's head, aggravating me further. He knows damn well I'm not about to follow him, that sneaky little asshole.

"Not a chance!" I snap nastily. "You guys can risk your lives with him if you want, but there's no way I'm going anywhere with him!"

"Are you crazy?!" Naruto exclaims, running over and grabbing onto my arm, tugging it urgently. "You can't travel through the Forest of Death alone! You'll either end up lost or dead!"

I wrench my arm from Naruto's grip, almost making him fall over. I'm still not used to having people in such close proximity to me.

"I'm not you Naruto" I growl, whirling around and stalking in the opposite direction. "I can take care of myself thank you very much!"

Naruto shrinks back, watching me through wounded eyes, upset that I'm being so stubborn. I bend my knees a little and glare at my team over my shoulder.

"I'll be waiting at the Tower" I advise lowly, hooding my eyes, "Assuming he actually takes you there and this isn't just a trap."

That said, I leap up into the trees, disappearing from my team's view and leaving them behind with a smirking Kabuto.

".....Gaahhhh!" I shout in frustration, pausing on a tree branch and running a hand through my hair. "What's Orochimaru planning? Why would he send Kabuto here to the Chunin Exams?....."

I sit down on the branch and lean my back against the trunk, deciding to take a break. I've been on the move for a little over two hours now, and the Tower has just come into sight.

Sighing, I perform a set of hand signs and lean forwards, pressing my palm against the bough I'm sitting on.

"Summoning Jutsu!" I call out, before I am suddenly enveloped in a thick cloud of white smoke. I see the shadow of a large Wolf appear amongst the smoke, the thick tree branch shaking violently as the heavy animal lands on it.

"Where are they?!" a gravelly voice demands to know, as I wave my hand, trying to get rid of the smoke.

"Right here Kai" I reply, watching as two red, menacing eyes become visible, glaring at me.

The large Wolf, now visible due to the clearing smoke, lowers his head and looks around, large fangs bared.

"I know where you are" he retorts smartly, "But I want to know where the enemies are!"

"There aren't any" I say flatly. "Well, not right here anyway."

Kai pauses for a few seconds, his tail twitching with annoyance, before the Wolf sits back on his haunches and releases a disappointed sigh.

"What did you summon me for then?" he asks roughly, brows furrowed. "No offense Milady, but I'm not interested in sitting here and having a chat with you."

"As friendly as ever I see" I muse, raising one eyebrow, to which Kai rolls his ruby eyes.

"Like you can talk" he counters, to which I frown a little. While Kai may be a member of my Pack, and one of the Wolves I'm able to summon, he sure does have an issue with respect. He's better than he used to be, but his disrespect still annoys me sometimes. It took Kai almost a full year before he would call me Milady without getting into an argument with any of the others.

I watch Kai as he stands up and raises his nose to the air, admiring him. Unlike Ace and Rei, who are very lithe, Kai is a Wolf of pure muscle. Next to nothing can knock him down, while his tri-coloured fur is long and thick, protecting him even further.

I blink as Kai begins growling, that familiar, sinister look appearing on his face.

"What is it?" I ask cautiously.

"Seems you were wrong" Kai states smugly, nodding his head to the right of me. "I can smell four Ninja about a kilometre from here.....Let's go and kill them!"

Kai leaps down to the ground eagerly, landing with a heavy thud that causes it to tremble a little.

"They aren't enemies Kai" I sigh, sitting forwards and hanging my legs over the side of the branch. "Well, three of them are alright anyway. We're not gonna kill them."

"......Wait...." Kai begins to snarl, lifting his head to regard me seriously, "....One of them is Kabuto Yakushi!"

"Yeah, I know" I sigh again, rolling my eyes. "The three people with him are my teammates. They think Kabuto's helping them, but I didn't want to be anywhere near him, so I ditched them earlier."

"Teammates?" Kai questions, tilting his head to the side in thought. "Ah, Rei did say something about you making some new friends or something. What Village is this anyway?"

"This is the Hidden Leaf Village" I reply, before an anime vein appears on my forehead and I raise a fist. "And they're not my friends dammit! I just got stuck on a team with them!"

"Yeah, right" Kai chuckles roughly, clearly not believing me. "Here's a question then. Why aren't you with them right now?"

"If you had've been listening to me" I reply sweetly, my voice dripping with sarcasm that makes Kai's eyebrow twitch, "You would already know why."

"Okay then" Kai growls, an anime vein on the side of his head, "Here's a better question. If you wanted to ditch your team, then why are they so close by? They're well within your sensing range."

I lower my eyes and push my lower jaw forwards a little, no doubt looking like a guilty child.

"I...I don't trust Kabuto" I reply softly, unable to meet Kai's knowing gaze. "I'm just k-keeping an eye on him from here...."

"Yeah, Rei did mention that you've developed feelings for these new teammates" Kai laughs teasingly, making me glower at him again. "I didn't think it was possible, but looks like I'm wrong!"

"I-I don't have any feelings for them except for annoyance!" I shout , dropping down to the ground and shoving Kai roughly, though he barely budges. "Why do you guys keep saying I care about them?!"

"Perhaps because it's true Milady?" Kai suggests pointedly, rolling his eyes at my vain attempt to push him over.

"Ughh, whatever" I eventually sigh, shaking my head. "They're moving again, so let's keep going."

"Your new friends are stupid Milady" Kai notes, to which I can't help nodding. "I can still smell them, and they're heading back the way they just came from..."

"Okay" I say, pausing on a branch and holding up a hand, signaling Kai to stop as well, "There's definitely something wrong with them."

"I agree" Kai confirms, standing on the branch below me. "They've been walking in circles for a few hours."

"Can you smell anything?" I ask, tilting my head. "My team are only just within range now, and I can't sense anyone else nearby."

Kai's sense of smell is amazing, as it is with all of my Wolves. He can catch the scents of things that are well outside of my sensing range, which is one kilometre at most.

"Yes" Kai growls after a few moments, making my brows furrow. "There are three other scents near those of your teammates."

I nod slowly, briefly closing my eyes in thought. Should we go and help them out, or should we just continue towards the Tower and let them handle themselves?.....I.....I'm not sure anymore....A few weeks ago I would have left those losers without a second thought, but now.....

My eyes pop open as I suddenly sense a large amount of people running towards my team.

"Kai!" I shout, dropping down from the trees and hitting the ground running. "I thought you said there were only three people near them! Feels more like there's fifty!"

"There was only three a moment ago" Kai replies, galloping after me, "But they must have done something. Perhaps they're clones or something?"

"Hurry up Kai!" I call over my shoulder urgently, just about able to sense the smirk that spreads across my Wolf's face.

"Don't worry, I'm right behind you...." Kai chuckles dangerously, looking forwards to the inevitable fight.

Third Person's POV

Sakura watches on with bated breath and a pounding heart as Naruto desperately races to and fro amongst the sea of Rain Ninja clones, trying his best to find the real enemy.

Kabuto charges after the blonde, trying to convince him to conserve what little chakra he has left.

"Urghhh......" Sasuke grunts, dropping to his knees beside Sakura and causing her to cry out. She bends down, checking to make sure the Uchiha is alright. She suppresses a gasp as she sees the strange marking on his neck glowing a little, something that had happened earlier when he'd been using his Sharingan as well.

"Sasuke" Sakura addresses urgently, "Stop using your Sharingan!"

The pinkette struggles to hold her tears back, feeling scared, hungry, frustrated and tired. They'd been walking for a few hours, and Sakura's shaking legs were tired. She and the others had been caught in a Genjutsu for at least two hours, causing them to walk in circles until one of them had finally noticed.

Sakura knew that none of them were up for a full scale battle like this right now, and though she knew it was wrong to think this way, the pinkette couldn't help wishing Ashley was there to help them out again.

Sakura's eyes widen as Naruto looks back to check on Sasuke, only for one of the Rain Ninja to appear before the blonde male, wielding a kunai knife.

"You should never give your opponent an opening to attack!" he smirks, plunging the knife towards Naruto's head.

"Naruto!" Sakura screams, just as a thunderous roar rips through the air, making everyone freeze. Before anyone can react to the sound, something plows straight into the Rain Ninja in front of Naruto, sending him sliding across the ground.

The Rain Ninja's eyes widen in fright when he sees the huge Wolf looming over him, before the animal opens its jaws and rips out the man's throat with ease.

All of the clones immediately scatter, just about tripping over each other in their efforts to get away from the strangely large Wolf.

Kabuto grabs onto the stunned Naruto and drags him backwards, bringing the blonde over to Sasuke and Sakura, who also watch on with wide eyes as the Wolf makes easy work of the Rain Ninja clones.

Sakura has to place a hand over her mouth to keep from screaming, seeing the vicious Wolf savagely tear into his victims and rip them to shreds, blood staining his thick fur.

"Is that.....Is that one of Ashley's Wolves?" Naruto asks in a whisper, unable to tear his eyes away from the hulking creature as it easily tackles another clone to the ground, slashing away with its enormous claws.

"I think so" Sakura gulps. "I mean, why else would a huge Wolf like that be out here in the forest like this?"

"Come on Kai" a voice calls from the trees, "You said you'd leave half for me!"

"You should have known better" Kai replies with a low, eerie chuckle, licking blood from his lips. "I always get a little carried away....."

Ashley drops down from the trees, placing one hand on her hip and sending the Wolf an unimpressed look.

"Yeah, I shouldn't have sat back and let you attack first" she sighs, performing a set of hand signs. "Now I only get the last ten."

"Ashley!" Naruto cries happily, his eyes shining. Sakura clasps her hands together under her chin and smiles, with Sasuke heaving a sigh and Kabuto watching on through hooded eyes.

It was safe to say, he wasn't excited to see Ashley again.

"Earth Style: Stone Column Spear!" Ashley shouts, sending out a stream of chakra into the ground. She rolls her eyes as Kai tears off one of the real Rain Ninja's arms and leaps backwards, right as a sharp pillar of rock crashes up through the dirt where he'd just been standing.

The Leaf Ninja watch and listen as the last few clones are jabbed and run through by Ashley's Jutsu, before the girl heaves a sigh.

"Well that was ridiculously easy" she complains, before turning to her teammates with a hard expression on her face. "You know, I can't even remember how many times I've had to save your sorry asses now, but it sure is getting annoying!"

Sakura giggles sheepishly at this, while Sasuke just closes his eyes and turns away, Naruto beaming cheerfully. Ashley rolls her eyes. Her team was hopeless.....

Kai stalks over to Ashley and sits down beside her, happily gnawing on the arm he'd torn off earlier, majority of the flesh already gone.

"Mmmm......" he just about purrs, eyes flashing with contentment, "It's been so long since I've tasted human blood. It's delicious...."

"Kai, that's really gross" Ashley states flatly, raising an eyebrow and turning her head as Sakura lets out a squeal of both fright and disgust. "Don't worry, Kai isn't going to hurt you. He knows you're not the enemy, and besides, looks like he's had his fill of blood for today."

"H-How morbid...." Sakura sighs, while Naruto bounds forwards and waves his arms excitedly.

"Thanks Ashley!" he shouts appreciatively, glomping the girl and making her freeze, unsure of what to do.

"Hey!" Kai thunders, dropping the arm and baring his teeth. "Back off, or I'll kill you!"

Naruto yelps and hastily releases Ashley, scurrying backwards so fast that he just about trips over his own feet in the process. Heaving a deep sigh, Ashley pinches the bridge of her nose and casts Kai an irritated look.

"Kai, shut up."

"But-"

"No! Shut up!"

"Heheh, bad dog" Naruto teases, pointing his finger at Kai. Growling again, the angry Wolf leaps forwards, snapping his powerful jaws closed right in front of Naruto's face, his furious red eyes boring into Naruto's wide, blue ones.

"So.......Why did you come and help us Ashley?" Sakura asks softly, wringing her hands. "I thought you were going to meet us at the tower...."

"Yeah" Kabuto speaks up brightly, before Ashley can reply, her face darkening, "I thought you didn't want to be anywhere near me-"

Lips curling back, Kai suddenly throws himself at Kabuto, his massive weight shoving the surprised Shinobi into the dirt. Kabuto exhales sharply as he slams into the ground on his back, Kai's large paws pressing down on his shoulders.

The Wolf lowers his head towards Kabuto's, bared teeth only centimetres from the man's face. Kabuto breathes in shakily, eyes wide as Kai growls angrily, red eyes blazing.

Ashley crosses her arms and watches on with a stony expression, while Sakura squeals with fright and Naruto takes a step forwards, before hesitating. He blinks his wide blue eyes, with Sasuke bending his knees, unsure if he should step in or not.

"You stay away from Lady Ashley!" Kai thunders, pushing more of his weight down on Kabuto, as if trying to crush the Shinobi. "If you so much as breathe in her direction, I will personally tear you to pieces! Do you understand me Kabuto, you piece of shit?!"

"A-Ashley......" Sakura stutters, looking fearful of what the vicious Wolf before them may do to Kabuto. He really did look like he was about to eat the silver haired Genin....

Glancing back at Ashley when Kabuto nervously nods his head, Kai heaves a disappointed sigh as his blonde partner waves him over. With one last warning growl, Kai steps down and stalks over to Ashley, head held low. He circles around the girl and sits down beside her, eyes still trained on Kabuto as he catches his breath and is helped to his feet by Naruto.

Everyone eyes Kai off uncertainly, not keen to make his temper flare again. He seemed a lot easier to annoy than the other Wolves Ashley had summoned...

"In answer to your earlier question" Ashley speaks up, gaining everyone's attention, "I was on my way to the tower, but I could feel you guys walking around in circles. For ages. Like idiots."

"We got caught in a Genjutsu!" Naruto defends, brows knitting together.

"I sensed a group of Ninja attacking you guys, so I thought I'd check it out" Ashley continues carelessly, before her voice takes on a venomous tone and she narrows her eyes at Kabuto. "Plus I didn't trust this guy with any of your lives."

Sakura, Sasuke and Naruto all blink in surprise at Ashley's words. It was certainly very out of character for Ashley to change her mind and come back with the specific intention of helping them out.

A sly grin slowly begins to creep onto Naruto's face, as Sakura giggles quietly and Sasuke smirks to himself, amused.

"So you were keeping tabs on us the whole time huh?" Naruto asks knowingly, feeling smug. "Making sure we were alright?"

Ashley's eyes fly wide open at this, before she scowls childishly and turns her head around, crossing her arms tightly over her chest.

"N-No" she denies stubbornly. "I wasn't doing that! K-Kai just really wanted to kill some people and I uh, well, w-we all have to get to the tower alive to f-finish so.....I just came to bail you guys out!.....I guess..."

Kai begins to grin wolfishly at his partner's unusual stuttering, as Naruto's face lights up.

"You like us!" he cheers, throwing his arms in the air victoriously. "You like us! You've saved us so many times now, so I'm sure of it! If you really hated us, you wouldn't bother!"

"I don't like you guys!" Ashley snaps in embarrassment, her face reddening a little. She sweat drops as Sasuke takes a step forwards, one eyebrow raised cheekily.

"And don't even bother saying you only came back to get us so you could pass" the Uchiha adds smartly, "Because you didn't even want to do this in the first place."

Huffing madly, Ashley balls her hands into fists and glares between Sasuke and Naruto, though she makes no move to argue. She growls lowly, not enjoying the conversation at all.

"I still don't want to do this" the girl grumbles, whirling around and stomping away, "So let's just get this over with. Kai! Get the Heaven scroll from the guys you mauled before."

Kai watches in amusement as Ashley begins to leave, before grinning meanly at her teammates, making them all freeze.

"I think you embarrassed her" the brown and cream Wolf chuckles deeply, rising to his feet to find the Heaven scroll.

"C'mon guys, let's hurry" Naruto speaks up, patting Sakura's shoulder as she turns her head to keep a wary eye on Kai, "Before we lose Ashley again."

Ashley's POV

Still fuming after being accused of liking my teammates, I march towards the tower, which is now only metres ahead. I'm glad about that. I don't think I can take one more minute of being stuck in this damn forest with these damn people......

We all pause in our walking as two men step out of some nearby bushes, raising their hands in a friendly greeting.

"There you are Kabuto" one of them says, dark glasses shielding his eyes. "We've been waiting for a long time."

"Yeah, sorry about that" Kabuto apologises, rubbing the back of his head sheepishly. "I got a little side tracked with these guys."

"Heh, we're sure glad you did too!" Naruto chuckles brightly, hands folded behind his head.

"Speak for yourself...." I scoff under my breath, unable to resist the urge to roll my eyes.

"We never would have found our Heaven scroll if you didn't stop to help us!" Naruto adds thankfully, to which Kabuto shakes his head and smiles pleasantly.

"Not really" the older Genin disagrees. "You guys did most of it on your own. Speaking of which, I was really impressed with you Naruto!"

I glower at Kabuto as Naruto basks in the man's praise, his face lit up with a sunny smile.

"Well, I guess it's goodbye you guys" Kabuto speaks up, watching as his two teammates disappear through a nearby door, "This is my team's door. Good luck with the rest of the Exam."

I narrow my eyes as Kabuto's land on me, his dark eyes shining when he smiles warmly.

"I'm sorry you got such a bad impression of me Ashley" the sly Genin apologises, "But hopefully the next time we meet, I'll be able to prove that I'm not such a bad guy.....And we will catch up soon, I'm sure!"

I lift my lip in distaste as Kabuto disappears from sight, allowing a low growl to escape from my throat. I'm willing to bet that apart from Kai, I'm the only one who caught onto that subtle threat.

I certainly hope we don't run into each other again any time soon. Not that I'm scared of Kabuto at all. No, he's a joke to me. It's Orochimaru that scares me....

Naruto grins and waves goodbye to Kabuto, before bounding over to our door and pushing it open. We all trudge into the room behind him, finding it to be empty.

"Well" Kai speaks up, making Sakura jump as he appears beside her, standing uncomfortably close to the girl, "I suppose I'd better leave too then."

"Thanks for your help Kai" I say, nodding at the large animal appreciatively.

"No worries" he replies, tilting his head down to nudge Sakura's shoulder roughly. "See you tonight Sakura."

"H-Huh?!" the pinkette exclaims, scampering away from Kai and trying to cower behind me. "Wh-What do you mean?!"

"I'll see you tonight" Kai reiterates, before breaking out into an evil grin, his sharp teeth making Sakura squeak, "In your nightmares!"

I can't help sighing and shaking my head as the laughing Kai disappears in a puff of smoke, leaving a jibbering Sakura panicking about going to sleep tonight.

"Ignore him" I advise bluntly, glancing over my shoulder. "He's an idiot. He can't actually get into your head. Genjutsu isn't his specialty."

"R-Right......" Sakura nods, clasping her hands together nervously.

Turning back around, I am just in time to see Naruto and Sasuke unroll our two scrolls and set them on the ground, hastily stepping backwards. As soon as the scrolls hit the floor, they disappear in a large cloud of thick smoke.

"Hey" a friendly voice calls through the smoke, "Long time no see guys!"