Wew things have been busy for me, graduated, learning to drive, sorted out my love-life. But now enough time has passed and I believe you've waited long enough for the next chapter. Truth be told I had hit the cursed writer block but I had rewritten sections so its now to my liking once more.

Queendeadpool: hopefully this chapter will keep a hold of you.

RavenShadow: Welcome to my writing. Yeah I wanted to see if I can improve my writing skills via fan-fiction. The connection to fallout was not part of my original thought to be honest. I was chopping wood in a forest when I came up with the story premise. But I like that description because it does suit the story well.

Please keep on reviewing, feedback and questions are always welcome.

Neither side moved. They stood to either side of the clearing and sized each other up. Whoever made the first mistake would give advantage to the other team. The six girls were terrified. Looking up to the three much larger figures. One looked female but the other two looked just as they were described in the stories. Hulking brutes that acted more like savage animals rather than human beings.

The three hunters eyed up the six with extreme caution. For all they knew each was a monster of metal and wire in disguise. Yet they lacked one thing indeed. The black cloak with red clouds. Such a detail suggested that they found six lesser demons. In addition, they had their arms full of old-god relics. Broken by their malicious intent to destroy the world further.

The penny finally dropped, and Sakura lost her nerve. Throwing the wood up into the air and turning to run away as fast as her feet could carry. First to move, first to be attacked. With well trained reflexes two of the hunters pulled their bows back and loosed the merciless arrows towards the pink haired demon. First arrow veered off wide. Striking a nearby tree with a dull thud due to being so quickly drawn. However, the second bit into Sakura's right flank, just above her hip. A blood curdling scream echoed throughout the forest and she fell to the floor. Briefly tried to pull on the arrow but the mere tough caused fresh flashes of pain. She could only scream louder.

Everyone dived for cover hiding from each other and waited for their next move. The two hunters kept up a shower of arrows until the third made a charge. He had found a decent enough club to wield and was confident enough he could strike down lesser demons. Since the arrowed kept the demons suppressed he was able to cover the distance. Leaping over the ledge that dropped down to where the demons were hiding. His first target. A large fat demon with rich brown hair and very colourful clothes which would never blend into the background. Likely the dangerous one because she clearly had no need for camouflage.

Ino, who was next to Cho but looking the wrong way because of Sakura had screamed when she noticed one man had replaced Cho next to her. A heavy blow across the head had knocked out the larger girl instantly. The blond jumped back and fell to the floor. Grabbing wildly at something to swing back at the man.

Fortunately, Kurama and Sasuki were fast on the mark. Shigeko did her part by deliberately distracting the other two hunters. Ultimately her strategy would have saved Ino's life as she dived back into cover as two arrows sailed past harmlessly.

Sasuki, her red eyes blazing noticed how the man was about to swing in a wide arc. She jumped right and dodged it but Kurama was not so luckily as the club hit with such force the branch snapped in half upon her side. Sasuki lunged with the dagger and the cold steel slid smoothly into the kidney of the man in front. He gurgled in pain before painfully doubling over and coughed up blood.

The second man who saw what had gone down dropped his bow and quiver by his wife and drew his own blade to attack. The knife was made of steel but had been polished and sharpened so often and for so long that it looked like a crude shiv at first glance but still long enough to skewer a body.

For Sasuki, time seemed to slow for her. Looking over at the hunters she could see the arrow come for her. It was child's play to simply set back and have the projectile miss completely. A surreal feeling to watch something that ought to be invisible to the eye to move so slowly she could see all the little imperfections in the wood of the shaft; the chiselled flint of the tip and the colour of the fletch.

"Enjoying your awakened eyes?" A cold voice spoke behind Sasuki's ear. She looked impassive having now become used to the strange woman appearing at different times.

"My Uchiha, there is more. Think of it as a gift for setting things in motion. I bet you can feel exactly what I mean. After all. It is in your blood." The voice ended and Sasuki could feel her presence blow away on the wind. Much to her surprise the world still moved as slowly as before. The whole conversation and the second man had only just reached the top of the ridge to leap down and join the fight. Kurama had not yet fallen to the floor although her face was scrunched up with intense pain. Sasuki's left hand reached up to her mouth. Making a ring out of her thumb and forefinger she took a deep breath and blew through her hand. A small jet of fire burst forth and caused the man to second guess his assault and slip up at the last minute to avoid the fire. He would still fall down the ridge but at least he would be in a heap instead of dangerous.

Sasuki's fire lasted for as long as it took for a pair of large hands to clasp around her throat and push her to the floor. The Uchiha chocked for air as the two thumbs pressed into her windpipe. All she saw was the wild and murderous eyes of a madman baring down on her own red eyes. His lips poured blood as his neck ruptured but his grip was iron. Sasuki wanted to scream. She wanted to push him off. She wanted to breathe. None of her wishes where granted.

Meanwhile Kurama had recovered. Just. Her body barely responded to her command, but she pushed past the pain barrier and forced to go on the assault with the second man before he could recover from the fall. She lunged with her own dagger but was deflected by his own parry. Her instincts told her to jump back but all she achieved was allowing him to start up.

The red head tried for a second attack but this time he grabbed her by the wrist and twisted. Her left arm punching at the chest. Usually to anyone who faced Kurama's punches they would be on the floor in a matter of seconds. But this time her opponent apparently shrugged her attack off. One after another, he refused to budge.

"Kurama duck!" Shigko called out. Being the only one not in direct combat she was able to spot a new figure run straight towards them. It was another large human wearing white and grey fur. Her first guess would have been 'Hinata' because of the fur she spotted during the glance before ducking below another arrow. The quiver on the new arrival also had arrows which were similar in colour to Hinata. Only Hinata did not have blond hair. Nor were her arms bare with that much metal gleaming in the morning light. She realised her mistake after the new person dived down with an axe and imbedded it deep into the chest of the man assaulting Kurama. Blood splattering the red head and the newcomer when he wrenched the weapon free from his flesh.

With ease the blond picked up the other man by the scruff of the neck and threw him across the dip they were fighting in. The man barely had enough time to stand when the axe divided the head from the shoulders in one clean swipe. Blood raining down and dying the snow a dark crimson.

"Naruto!" A distant voice warned. The blond seemed to respond to the name as he tried to dodge the arrow. Although he was fast he could not cheat the blow and it struck the right side of his chest. With a grunt he fell onto one knee.

Just as Naruto hit, a second arrow sailed through the air and impaled the woman in between her eyes. With a look of shock forever etched on her features she fell over backwards. The owner of the attack was much more recognisable as the raven-haired woman still held her bow firmly in a crouched position for a more accurate shot. Her face was bright scarlet and sweat made her hair stick to her forehead. Her chest would rise and fall heavily as if she had ran with all her might.

Naruto was perfectly aware of the situation and had already recovered to get out of the middle of the group of girls. They were injured yes, but so was he and Naruto had no desire to use lethal force. Unlike the women around him.

Sasuki was the first to break out of the stunned silence.

"It-It's you." She made a lunge for the blond who instinctively flinched back. Naruto knew it was time to leave as he glanced at Hinata who had the face of worry as her eyes twitched to the arrow imbedded in his chest. Crimson blood already dripping down and staining the snow underneath him. He could only return a shake of his head to tell her he was coping.

The last Uzumaki managed to crawl back from Sasuki and with a leap he was able to get back on his feet and run into the forest. It did not take him long to vanish completely from sight. Sasuki was quick on the chase.

"I'm not letting you go! You're mine!" leaving her party-members alone with the white-eyed beauty. She looked torn between chasing after Naruto and helping the people of her colony. But sure, enough her feet provided the answer as she got up and started to run back into the tree-line.

"Wait! Hinata!"

She stopped just before she was out of view. Her back visibly tensed up as he slowly turned to face Shigeko who had finally caught up what had just transpired. She stood with the morning sun behind her back which darkened her slightly behind her spiked pony-tail. One notable feature was the face of worry she held when looking at Hinata.

"No. You aren't going to just run off. You called his name. You know about that creature. And you are going to sit down and tell me exactly what the fuck has been going on."

"B-b-ut S-Sasuki…"

"Sasuki can take care of herself." Shigeko misinterpreted Hinata's concern.

The Hyuuga gave the forest one last look before she sighed heavily. She looked down at the ground by Shigeko's feat and pressed her forefingers together.

"S-so what do you want t-to find out?"

"Not to get in the way of your domestic but I am in a lot of pain right now." Kurama's voice called out from down the pit. She lay still with har arms gently holding her ribcage. The two uninjured girls realised there were more important things at stake as they dived to Kurama's side.

"Heh forget me, the pink banshee is bleeding still." Her wearily pointed towards the unconscious rosette who had screamed herself exhausted. Hinata instinctively reached her one of her pouched and brought out some bandages. She quickly pulled out the arrow and set about wrapping up Sakura.

Meanwhile she heard Shigeko mutter something along the lines of 'shit' as she inspected her friend, Cho. "Hinata, any more bandages? I must admit it's good someone here is well prepared." The woman continued with a bit of distain in her voice.

"He isn't a bad person you know." Hinata mentioned as she tossed the reel of bandage.

"Person? Hinata they are not people."

"No. They are not people. He saved me twice and now he's saved you all. Would a monster do that?"

"Yeah but-"

"He's shown me more care and love than anyone at the colony."

"You see-"

"And here you are wanting to just kill someone because you were told to… no not told to, taught to." Hinata spoke with venom in her words. It sounded threatening coming from a girl who Shigeko only had heard as a very quiet and timid voice from before.

"Plus Shigeko, he was so awesome in that fight! What were we doing when he literally leaped in and in one quick sweep saved out asses." Kurama butted in. She hadn't moved and so it looked like she was talking to the sky. "Such strength… I… I want to taste it." Then the red head gave an unnerving giggle. "That sounded strange yet… I dunno how else to describe it." She finally muttered.

Hinata snapped her head and felt a huge pang of jealously like a sickly wave through her stomach. She knew he was innocent and the Hyuuga was still unaware of sex appeal, but the fact of the matter was she was talking about someone who Hinata had strong feelings of love for so she could not let that comment slide.

A thump from Hinata's basket which was roughly thrown by the side of Kurama. She silenty approached and heavily knelt by the giggling redhead. With a sharp poke the giggling girl broke into a cry of pain.

"What was that for?" She hissed.

"Broken ribs. You can't move until you're healed fully." Her voice was flat and void of emotion which made those who were listening shudder. She finally locked eyes with Shigeko who was making sure that Cho was comfortable. "You are not to tell anyone about who I know."

"Give me a reason why?" She retorted. Not appreciating the coldness in Hinata's voice.

"What do you think would happen if the elders, no, the Akatsuki found out about Naruto?"

While both were stuck glaring at each other. Shigeko decided to give that question a thought.

"They would stop at nothing until they find him and kill him. You said you loved him… no matter what that means it suggests you have some sort of investment in this male. So that means you are protecting him."

"Half right." Hinata sighed and visibly relaxed. "They would also kill all of us." That line grabbed their attention.

"What?" Kurama snapped.

"Why?" Shigeko echoed.

"I… I…" Hinata covered her mouth as the member made her feel sick. "Oh god…" She made retching noises but not substance came out. From having not eaten anything since the night before. Now her body visibly shook, and the reaction alone made the girls around her gaze in worry.

"Th-they are the real m-monsters."

"Who are? The Akatsuki?"

"U-under th-their robes… i-it's not e-even human." The white-eyed girl took a deep drag of air and tried to calm herself down. "S-sorry this happened l-last night."

Shigeko finally laid back and looked up at the morning clouds which sailed by at some speed. "In that case, we were attacked but managed to beat back our pursuers long enough for you to come to our aid. Shit what about Sasuki? She's been acting weird too and now she's just ran off after that male."

"Naruto."

"Right Naruto… But what are we going to do about her?"

"Mn I should go after her. I don't want Naruto to be put into an uncomfortable situation with her again?"

"Again? Never mind, I can't let you go just yet I need your help to carry everyone. And to snap Ino out of her daze." With a simple hand gesture, Hinata's attention rested on a blond girl who just stared out into the middle-distance. "Besides, we got a little lost."

"Shit." He cursed as his body weakened at the wrong moment and his legs felt like jelly. He had just practically fallen into a trunk of a tree. He had finally had enough of the arrow which stung sharply each time Naruto knocked the projectile. Naruto stretched up and took a deep breath in. His left hand reached for the arrow and in one quick motion he ripped the projectile out of his body. Sucking his teeth in pain as he tried to apply pressure to his injury.

Some distance away Naruto could hear that woman screaming 'Come back here. You're mine!'

Naruto frowned as he honestly had no idea what her fascination with him was aside from jealousy perhaps. She honestly scared him because unlike the others ho would simply kill him, that one had other uses for Naruto clearly. It was the unknowns about this one essentially.

The Uchiha was looking around nervously. She had been cursing the fact she had lost sight of that male for more than a second and now trees faced her in every direction. The uniform white and brown and grey of the winter forest blending all recognisable shapes into a wall which may as well be miles deep.

"Where are you?" She finally called out in defeat as she sat on a tree trunk and shivered as a gust of wind blew through all the clothes. "Why does it have to be so cold?" she glumly asked herself.

"Now my Uchiha, are you to give up so easily? You forget the gifts your blood provides." That sickly and icy voice whispered from behind.

"Are you always watching me?" Sasuki's voice wobbled slightly which betrayed her fear.

"See it as insurance. You're important and it simply won't do to have you lost in the forest forever."

"Ok so what do I do?"

"Think, you've done it before so many times."

"Oh..." With that the certain air of oppression was gone and Sasuki was able to breath once more. The girl had not even realised that she was holding her breath and her hands shook from the experience.

With a shake of her head she managed to push such thoughts away and closed her eyes. Once she opened them again the world was instantly sharper. As if it moved in slow motion, allowing her to spot every little detail. There. The small patch of crimson red that stained the snow. That male had been through here.

Thankfully Naruto had managed to stop the bleeding. His whole front had bee coated in the thick and sticky layer of his own gore. 'hm the wolves would have a field day.' He mused as he walked through the forest. Despite being taller and heavier than most creatures he still walked with a silent step. The snow hardly crunched, and he was careful to not let his axe scrape against anything on the forest floor.

Enough time had passed for Naruto to enjoy the silence and to reflect on events passed. His mind trailed to what his parents would have thought about Hinata. He was sure Jiraiya would have been right and they would have loved her. He smiled at the thought. His mum would have probably forbidden her to return to the village and to live with Naruto, Hinata probably would not be able to get a word in sideways again Kushina. Minato would predictably fold too. Perhaps he should visit their shrine. After-all so much had been going on recently that he hadn't the time. Winter had been coming thick and fast and so Naruto had to make sure he had enough food and firewood stored for the winter. Soon it would start to become too dangerous to leave the cottage.

For the height of winter brought deep snow and biting winds that would chill a person in minutes not to mention it would be dark for most of the day. Giving daylight only mere hours before the sun sets behind the mountains once more. If you were to see the sun. For dark snow clouds typically covered the sky and prevented the sun from shining through.

"You're injured, aren't you?"

"Hn? You're not going to jump me?" Naruto looked up to see a woman with long straight black hair. She wore what looked to be dark tights under her knee length grey skirt and her blue jacket with grey fur lining around the hood. She wore leather boots which looked well worn. In fact, her entire attire was dirty, and the edges were flayed which indicated heavy or long-term use.

Sasuki shifted nervously. "S-sorry I get excited." She admitted, playing with her hair.

"So why exactly are you following me?" Naruto replied with suspicion evident in his voice.

"It's because I want you by my side… I dunno why I just think because you're so strong."

"No idea where you got that idea from."

"You can't see it? How hopeless everyone is? Hell Hinata was one of the-"

"- I don't appreciate you talking down about her. Are we done here?"

"No, no we aren't. I'm coming with you."

"Go away." Naruto said firmly which made Sasuki flinch before she stood fast.

"You aren't like the ones we hear about. I know you wouldn't just leave me lost in the forest."

Naruto opened his mouth to retort that claim but then shut it. She was right after all.

"After all, no one told you to jump in and save us."

"You're right. I heard a scream and I could not just sit by knowing someone was hurt."

"See this is exactly why I need you. I need to take over the colony and put a stop to how they treat men. You could live in peace at my side."

"I was living peacefully before." Naruto replied.

Sasuki was about to try and persuade him further but instead Naruto suddenly swivelled as if he had heard something and he immediately grunted to get down. He did so as he jumped down between the roots of the impressive oak trees. After Sasuki gave him a questioning look, Naruto simply tugged her by her ankle and pulled her into the slight dip below. Before she could make a any sound in protest he clasped his large hand around her mouth and prevented her from making any noise

Sasuki had no idea why Naruto had just pulled her down. She struggled for a moment but then realised he still allowed her to breath just not talk. By contrast the blond remained silent and still as he peaked around the tree trunk.

In the distance, noise just above the wind. Were footsteps.

"By Lady Jashin's graces we found the blood of that creature."

"How can you tell?"

"It's near where we heard that scream. It's the male demon. Claimed a poor soul to be devoured in worse ways."

"Worse ways?"

"Worse than death so I believe."

"A-and we are h-hunting that thing?"

"Of course, think of the glory."

"Think of the reward."

The conversation quietened down as one of them squeaked in excitement about another small splatter of blood in the snow. Fortunately, it would take them away from Naruto and Sasuki. It was fifty-fifty chance, and luck was on their side.

"Jashin… I've read that somewhere." He whispered to himself. As he released Sasuki from his grip. "Sorry about that. If they had seen you, they'd come up and find me. Why are there so many girls out in the forest?" 'And so close to my home.' He mentally added.

"I err… Our storage caught fire. We lost all our food and fuel."

"Fuck so that was what the fire was before."

"You saw?"

"Yeah, well the smoke." 'So that was what that snake meant by kicking the hornets nest.' He mused. Not enjoying the reality of the situation.

"And it'll make everyone more desperate very soon."

"Yeah err… I don't think I ever got your name." He gave a sheepish smile as he picked himself off Sasuki.

"Oh right, it's Sasuki."

"Hm, well aren't you gonna catch up to them before they get too far?"

She giggled. "No silly I am staying with you."

Naruto sighed heavily. "Fine, I guess you've been there before. Just no funny business alright?"

She squeaked in excitement and immediately leaped onto Naruto left arm and cuddled into it. It was awkward to say the lead as she did not understand the mechanics behind the cuddle, only that she felt like doing it. Naruto flinched instinctively because of past experience with this woman.

"Err… Sasuki could you let go? You're making me uncomfortable."

"Oh sorry." She let go. "But why? It felt good?"

"Not the point… I'll only let one person get that close and it is not you."

Sasuki gave a frown but decided not to challenge him because he had that 'don't try it' tone of voice.

While the day passed on and evening came once again there was a lone figure dressed in a black cloak with red clouds. Her head concealed with a straw had that had tassels to cover her face and the figure carried a scythe which wielded three blades. She did not care for the dark and continued her journey. She walked and walked seemingly lost until she had reached a spot which looked normal under the fresh snow. However, it did not take long to spot the wires poking out of the icy sheet.

"So, this is where you ended up? Kaku."

The figure pulled off her hat to reveal the silver hair of Heidi. She took a deep breath in, taking up all the smells of blood and metal that still hung in the air.

"So what can you tell me?"

She quickly spun her scythe in front of her and with a slight glow on her blades she willed the snow to melt and revealed more of the mass of wires which were still in the night air.

"Lady Jashin, hear my prayer for I seldom ask for much yet in return I remain your ever-loyal servant. Oh, grant me the tale of this ones' death." She called to the heavens and then fell silent with her eyes closed. Jashin was the goddess of destruction and death. Being a god allowed command over such fields of existence and so her prayers were answered silently but truthfully.

"Three males…"

She snorted a laugh. "Jiraiya was here."

Then the final truth. "And Hinata." With that, Heidi burst out in a pained laughter. It almost sounded forced as her body shook and blood ran down her nose. "Thank you Lady Jashin, I swear an oath to sacrifice someone in your name before the day is dawned." She took another deep sniff. "I can smell that other male, yet he was not here."

She was about to turn and leave her 'friend' to vanish from the world entirely. As she turned she noticed an arrow imbedded into one of Haku's ceramic masks. Brown fletching with red tips.