Stare…

Blink.

Stare…

...Blink

Staaarrreeee-

"You lose something over here?" Naruto finally broke.

After making it to the car, Naruto proceeded drive Malia to the police station to not draw any more attention than necessary, as well as get the story together with Malia. You can't just walk into a police station with a half naked, missing girl….

Wow, now that he thought about it, everything about this situation was just suspect. Finally they decided on Naruto going on a jog and running across her, and she was suffering from amnesia, living in the woods.

...ok, so it was a little off, but it was better than nothing, and he did say he'd get her to her dad.

"So… you're a ninja." She asked finally, still not sold on the idea it seemed.

"Yep! Born and raised." the clone grinned while making a turn onto the main street.

"...cool." Came her simple reply, however she kept staring at him.

"...Is there anything else?" The clone asked after a beat.

"Nope." Malia said simply without a blink.

"Right…" The clone sighed while pulling into the police station and glancing at his passenger's focused eyes.

After leading her into the police station and introducing her to the first officer they found, Naruto found himself on the receiving end of various side glances, courtesy of the numerous officers passing by. Eventually he was called into the Sheriff's office. Putting on a smile, Naruto tried to fight a slight growing pit-like feeling in his stomach. He had nothing to hide, right? No need to panic.

"Yeah, I woke up naked and he was over me."

...ok, scratch that, now he had a reason to panic. Hurriedly stepping inside Naruto was greeted to the sight of Malia, still in her robe talking to Sheriff Stilinski while he impassively listened to her before noticing the spikey blond.

"Ah, thanks for dropping by, you must be Mr. Uzumaki?" The sheriff eyed him as Naruto nodded, "Great, so maybe you can tell me how you came across a missing girl and you're what, three days new to this town?"

"Yeah, this is weird, huh?" Naruto scratched the back of his head sheepishly after shaking the Sheriff's hand, "But, I was jogging after the whole school fiasco and she was just there! It was crazy, yaknow!"

"Who knew you could act so well, kit?" Kurama commented while the clone felt the smile turn slightly smug.

'Heh' it scoffed, 'You know me, full of surprises!' Came the smug tone before befuddlement took its place, 'wait- Kurama! what are you doing here? Shouldn't you be with the boss?'

"I am, you aren't the only one that can make clones, kit. That and I wanted to see this." The clone thought he was smug? No, he could practically taste the self satisfaction in his partners words.

'What- why...?" The clone asked.

"To watch you crash and burn of course!" The fox roared with laughter, "Their gonna think you're a kidnapping psycho… no offence."

'You know, just because you say 'No offence', it doesn't make it any less offensive,' The clone pointed out with a tick mark pulsing on its forehead, 'Still offended here!

"Yeah? too bad!" Kurama snickered before the blond heard the sheriff begin speaking again.

"So I guess we owe you a big thanks." Sheriff Stilinski said patting Naruto on the shoulder.

"O-oh, not at all, sir, just happy I was able to help." Naruto sheepishly while rubbing his head.

"That said, it's a little weird coincidence that you found her how you did…" The Sheriff trailed off with a stare that seemed a little too intense in the clone's opinion.

"Yeah, it really was, totally scared me." Naruto agreed with a nervous laugh.

Malia silently stared between the two of them before standing and blurting out;

"Thank you for the clothes after you were done!"

"..."

"..."

Silence rang out in the office as the words hung in the air.

"Heh heh heh heh heh… Ah ha ha ha ha… AH HA HA HA HA HA HA!" Kurama's laughter reverberating off the walls of his mind while he tried to find a word to defuse the suspect situation.

"No, she was unconscious and I had to wake her up!" The clone blurted out making the Sheriff's eyebrows shoot into his hairline.

"Yeah, he only touched me a little!" Malia cut in.

"Stop helping me." Naruto threw his arms up in exasperation at her after shaking his horrified expression, "No,no, no, I didn't, we didn't- I just found her in the woods while I was running and brought her here after waking her up and giving her a robe, that's it!"

"...Ok," the Sheriff said after a long pause, "So… why did you have a robe handy?"

"Didn't think about that one, huh kit?" the nine tails managed to squeak out between gasps of breath through his hysterical laughter.

"Oh, for the love of- screw this!" The clone said before inducing a small genjutsu on the lawman to understand what he was saying.

"What did you do?" Malia asked as she noticed the Sheriff's slumped posture before turning her gaze to the blond shinobi in question.

With a sigh, Naruto explained in slight irritation, "fixing this mess. How about that?"

At the exact moment a police car with her father in it, practically jumping out the moving vehicle to get to the station pulled in.

Stumbling out of the police car Malia's dad wore an unbuttoned plaid shirt over a t-shirt with ripped jeans and boots ran/stumbled out of the car into the precinct following the deputy to the sheriff's office. His hair was thinning and his frantic eyes darting for any trace of the daughter he lost.

Releasing the older man from the genjutsu, Sheriff Stilinski shook his head before noticing the irate parent rolling in.

Stepping inside the man immediately looked towards the wild girl, who at this point had silent tears streaming down her face.

"Dad..?" Malia asked, taking uneasy steps towards the disheveled man.

"Malia?" The man gasped reaching forward tentatively, as if she were a ghost that would disappear at a moment.

Malia found herself pulled into a crushing hug from her father that she eagerly returned while Naruto and the sheriff watched on with small smiles.

"Well, I better make It back home." Naruto said quietly to the sheriff who nodded and saw him out before with a final thank you, allowing the clone to drive back to his home and dispel.

~Woods~

Kali could say over her life she had done a lot. She'd murdered, she'd schemed, she'd flirted, sure. But she never, NEVER giggles.

That said, she'd be lying if she said this wasn't worth laughing at. Never in her life had she ever thought she would find an Alpha in such a compromising position, much less two twin Alphas.

If anything she expected to find only one of the twins in suspect clothing, but both? She took a picture before she even realized it and turned towards the smirking blond.

"You can't help yourself from messing with us, can you?" The dark haired beauty questioned with less bite to her voice than she would have liked.

As she asked her question, Aiden began to stir, and from his jumping, reacted to the rope bindings biting into his and his brother's wrists.

"Argh! What the hell!?" He roared jolting Ethan awake as well.

"Ow~" Ethan groaned out before recognition of where he was dawned on him.

"Hey there sleeping Beauties." the jinchuuriki's smile was earsplitting, "Have a nice nap?"

"Ok…" Ethan said first, knowing his brother's pride wouldn't help him, "We had a deal, but did you have to tie us up?" He questioned getting raised hands from the blond in question.

"Oh, no, that wasn't me." Naruto admitted, enjoying the surprised looked they sported.

"It was me." Derek grunted, stepping out of the shadows with crimson eyes piercing the female Alpha before settling on the bound twins with amusement.

"Your makeover however," Derek started with a gesture, "is all him."

Finally the twins looked down to notice their attire before looking at each other.

A long pause ate away at the forest before.

"You motherfucker!" Aiden roared sending some avaiant species running away, " when I get my hands on you I'll…"

While Aiden ranted in colorful expletives about how he would get back at the blond who dared slight him, Derek and the now arriving Scott looked on with varying expressions,Derek openly chuckling with Scott shocked and almost mortified expression.

Kali, silent throughout the who exchange felt her lips tug in amusement at the situation before she violently stomped the impulse, remembered why she was there.

"Aiden!" She hissed, getting the now red eyed boy to look at her, "Quiet."

The boy looked to her before bowing his head, knowing an order from her when Deucalion wasn't around was essentially an order from Deucalion himself. Turning her gaze back to the shinobi, Kali stepped forward slowly.

"I'm gonna need those two back." Kali stated with her small smile.

"Not gonna happen." Derek refuted but Kali's eyes never left the blond.

"You beat them, didn't you?" Kali asked despite knowing the answer, seemingly ignoring Derek.

"That's right. And they just have to keep their end of the bargain." Naruto admitted then turned his gaze to the glaring Aiden and Sullen Ethan.

"What do you want to know?" Ethan asked slowly.

"What deal?" Kali asked.

"A fight, and if I won, I got my question answered." the whiskered blond disclosed while Derek and Scott stayed far off.

"Hmm," Kali hummed to herself before letting it continue.

"I got a question." Scott said getting everyone to look towards him.

"Why are you here? And what do you want?" He asked while Kali returned to stare down the blond, Aiden responded.

"I don't have to answer to you." He said, red eyes glaring at the teen who glared back.

"Actually…" Naruto said with a grin, "What he said! Nice question, Scott."

Aiden growled before he was headbutted in the back of the head by his brother.

"You won, and we made a deal…" Ethan said simply, ignoring his brother's growling.

"We're here to recruit." Ethan said simply with a frown, Kali silently watched on.

She was secretly proud of how he handled to question giving away almost nothing.

"Recruit? Recruit who?" Scott asked only to get silence in return.

"Me." Derek concluded getting the two Alpha's to look at him before returning to the blond.

"Oh, so there is a brain in there…" Kali muttered getting the desired growl from Derek before turning back to the blond who had yet to move.

"So, we told you, now let us go!" Aiden yelled, anger rolling off him in waves.

"No… if we kill you now, we don't have to worry about you later." Derek simply replied, taking menacing steps forward before Scott got in his way.

"No! We are not killing them!" the Beta refuted outraged.

"Scott if we don't imagine how many people their going to kill!" Scott stared unflinchingly at Derek's declaration.

Unbenounced to them, while they were arguing, Naruto had already began walking to the bound twins with a kunai already drawn.

"Wait!" Scott called as Naruto knelt down, thinking he was about to decapitate them while Kali was closing the distance and was surprised when he cut them loose.

"A deals, a deal!" the blond cheerfully stated, standing before Kali who alternated her gaze between the recently freed twins and the blond.

"What did you do?!" Derek yelled while shifting for a fight.

"Relax," Naruto called back to him before turning to Kali, "You thought about it?"

Kali stared at him for a moment while the two embarrassed teens stood a ways behind her. She held his gaze with an unreadable expression before a sigh escaped her mouth.

"Peace was lost to our kind a long time ago. Sorry." she informed him, though her tone could be heard as cynical and hard, the look in her eyes conveyed a small form of internal struggle.

"So you want a fight." Derek growled while staying behind Naruto with Scott.

He definitely didn't trust the blond now, and for all he knew if he got too close, he'd turn on them as well.

"Not yet." Kali chided as if speaking to a child but refusing to look at Derek, like he was beneath her.

Which he was, as was his little Beta friend,were, but no need in antagonizing them anymore than necessary, besides, the twins sluggish movements let her know they still were less than 100%, and that, given their opponents, was not a good sign. She wouldn't hesitate to kill Talia's son, but she'd prefer not to.

"There only stops being a way when you stop looking for one." Naruto's sagely advice even made Derek's battle ready stare break just to look at him.

"Go, I won't chase I still think peace can happen." Naruto said and after a minute, the female Alpha nodded at him before taking steps back with the cross dressed twins following suit.

"Why did you let them go?!" Derek rounded on the shinobi with a red eyed glare.

"Derek, I'm not your enemy. But if you keep coming at me like this, those twins won't be the only ones picking their teeth up off the ground." Naruto warned the growling Alpha before Scott stepped up.

"Hey, uh, just wanted to say 'thanks' for helping us, again." The young Beta tried peace maker, making the whiskered blond's lips tug lightly.

"No problem, Scott, right?" He inquired .

"Uh, yeah." He nodded, "you told everyone to meet here right?"

Before the conversation could kick back off, a voice cut in.

"Sorry to interrupt…" the three turned to see Kali, standing there with an unreadable expression.

"What are you still doing here?" Derek asked.

Seriously, was his place just listed on yellow pages? People just showed up and came and went as they pleased, and it was beginning to piss him off to a higher degree than it did already.

"Just to give you some information." Red eyes flickered to the Beacon Hills Alpha before staring at the blond who reminded her so much of her past.

A past she desperately tried to escape.

"We have someone… someone you know, Derek." She said before turning briskly and stalking into the woods.

"We need to go after her!" Allison said while the rest of the gang minus Stiles and Erica walked out of their hiding places.

"We can't." Scott muttered, before turning to Derek.

"None of you could keep up. I don't even know if I can." Derek bitterly admitted with an afterthought.

Folding the collapsible bow she was given, the archer offered it back to the blond with a small smile.

"Thanks for the bow." her eyes widened when Naruto shook his head.

"No problem. And keep it, you'll need it more than I do." There was no venom in the words, it was just him trying to help, "Also, it'd probably be better for you to completely collapse it."

"Huh?" Came her intelligent reply.

The hunter watched on in amazement while Naruto pressed a button on the side of the bow and it collapsed even further until it was roughly the size of a Bracelet and even more shocking still, It felt lick an average black bracelet she could keep on her.

Spending time with Koyuki in the Land of Snow came in handy in hindsight. Their innovations and technology were always a pleasant surprise to see come to fruition. Of course, with his shadow clones, the whiskered shinobi was able to memorize some of their works, but when combined with his seals and creation of all, he found the possibilities limitless.

Hence, he was able to re-create a collapsible bow that turned into a bracelet, an Idea he came up with while defending civilians who couldn't mold chakra from bandits. He'd be lying if he said it didn't remind him of Inari when creating the concealable weapon for the grateful villagers.

After trial and error, innumerable splinters and two hundred or so arrows to the ass- much to Kurama's endless enjoyment- he finally perfected it, even made a few minor adjustments to it could become anything he needed.

"Oh, thanks." Allison thanked him with an uneasy tone.

"Don't mention it." Naruto dismissed before addressing everyone including a slightly disheveled, blushing Stiles and smiling Erica emerged from the tree line.

"Now, I know you have questions-" Naruto started before Lydia made her presence known.

"Yeah, like, a million!" The strawberry blonde beginning her rant, "Who or what are you? How can you beat up werewolves? Is your hair naturally that spikey? And why are you here?"

Scott opened his mouth only to promptly close it at one fact. She pretty much covered it all with those string of questions.

"Heh, fair enough" Naruto acquiesced, before grinning before regaling the present group with his occupation and promise he made to get the world straight as it were, without revealing too much about his home or past.

None interrupted while he expressed his desire to find peace and promise he made to the sage, shocked even by his earnest desire to understand and help however he could. In turn for his honesty, a guarded Derek and slightly nervous Allison explained the history they knew of from the perspective of hunters and wolves.

'Hmm, modern Senju and Uchiha,here.' Naruto thought absently with his partner snorting in agreement.

Naruto understood the balance the two groups had, one to keep people from growing too rampant and the protection of nature, while the other was to protect humanity from supernatural and keeping them in the dark, unseen protectors. A lot like Sai's old job, they operated for the service of civilians and people who would never know about it. He couldn't help but think old man sage had more and more reasons to send him here than what was said before.

After Naruto was caught up on the history, he noticed how the sun had set and how late it was so he decided to end things there.

"Well, thank you all for the answers, but considering how late it is, I think we should call it quits here." He stated before turning to leave with Boyd and Erica following in step.

Derek silently watching the exchange before calling out;

"Wait!" His declaration paused the shinobi and his students, "What about her?" He gestured to Braeden.

"I got my own place. But I need to speak to McCall." She said before turning her attention to a shocked Scott.

"Me? What about?" Scott questioned before gesturing to the increasingly irate Alpha, "He's the Alpha, so shouldn't you tell him?"

"I would if he was their only target." the mercenary deferred causing Scott's crew to pause.

"Only target? Who else are they coming for?" Scott asked while Stiles, who was adjusting his clothes, finally found his voice, his face morphed to shock and horror.

"You… Scott, they're coming for you… aren't they?" Stiles realized before turning to Breaden who at this point silently looked between the two best friends.

"Me?" Scott repeated in disbelief, "I'm not an Alpha, I'm just a high school kid. Why would they want me?"

"Because of your potential." She cut off his tirade, "You have the potential to become an Alpha. 'A True Alpha'."

At this declaration even Naruto's group stopped and raised an eyebrow having never heard the phrase before.

"What's a 'True Alpha'?" Stiles finally asked after an uncomfortable silence sat into the woods.

Derek opened his mouth to speak before a cold, familiar yet sharp voice shattered the silence with echoing footsteps

"It's a Beta, that becomes an Alpha." glowing cold blue eyes were seen as a man walked out into the clearing, "not through stealing the Alpha power, but by sheer will, and inner character."

Coming to a stop in front of the group, Peter Hale stood with crossed arms and a familiarly cruel smirk gracing his features.

Peter Hale was, in the time that had passed, changed from the clean shaven slicked back hair and business clothes to a more modern look, wearing white vans, blue jeans, a white t-shirt with buttons, and grown a similar beard and mustache combo. Similar to the other werewolves, the elder Hale managed to maintain a build not too dissimilar to a runner, slightly lean but with muscle.

Despite his imposing frame, his eyes couldn't hide the intellect he prided himself on, and the danger that was always present, his strength as a werewolf wasn't his strongest asset, but his mind.

"Peter." Derek said with no small amount of edge in his tone as his uncle held his hands up palicatingly.

"Oh, come on, I'm not here to fight." Peter exhaled with roll of his now brown eyes.

"Then why are you here?" Scott asked with a glare previously unseen by Naruto, thinking the kid didn't have a mean bone in his body.

He remembered Peter from the stories the others had told him, but had yet to meet the man. He was told about his involvement and victimization of the Hale fire, as well as his recovery, murdering Derek's older sister, revenge, death, and apparent revival.

Looking at him now, Naruto didn't need his empathic abilities to know this guy always had an angle, like Danzo, or worse, Orochimaru,the thought made his skin crawl.

"Well, interesting as this is, it's time for us to go. Scott, I'll see you around." Naruto said and with a hand sign, and swirl of wind and leaves, Boyd, Erica, who was blowing a kiss to Stiles, and he disappeared.

Peter let out a 'Tsk' at the missed opportunity in his book to study the newest piece on the board, as it were. This annoyance ultimately gave way to exasperation as he noted the varying negative expressions gracing everyone else's features.

"What are you doing here?" Scott questioned ready to pounce at the sicko that went after his mom.

He was still pissed about that, and wouldn't hesitate to beat the starch out of the deranged Omega.

Turning his eyes to his Beta, Peter regarded him with no small amount of amusement.

"Ah, Scott, it's good to see you." Peter extended his arms in exaggerated warmth to which Scott only glared harder.

Dropping his arms to his sides Peter sighed and shook his head before continuing with his reason for making an appearance.

"Again, I'm not here to fight." Peter threw his hands down and continued, "I'm here to help, afterall, the Alpha pack isn't known for its mercy, or peace talks."

"Yeah, but what makes you think we want you?" Stiles strutted up as if pointing out the obvious.

His answer was Peter's piercing eyes boring into him with unspoken annoyance.

At this, Stiles promptly closed his mouth and took a big step back. His expression set to "sucked on a lemon".

"As I was saying, I'm here to help. Besides, you should know Kali wasn't lying. They do have someone."

Ok, now he had their attention.

"How do you know?" The lacrosse co-captain asked with Peter rounding to him his expression becoming bored.

"Well, I happened to notice a new wolf in Beacon Hills before the Alpha pack, they obviously weren't an Alpha."

"How do you know?" Scott immediately returned.

"Scott there's still so much you don't know," the Omega chided him, "Alphas, Betas, and even Omegas impacts their surrounding environment and animals when they arrive somewhere- anywhere."

Hearing his explanation Scott couldn't fault the logic as even he noticed it, he just was still so new to the werewolf game. He noticed how animals acted around him, dogs were submissive, cats- while they already didn't like him- now hated him with a burning passion.

"Why should I care?" Derek asked bluntly getting everyone's eyes on him.

"Well that figures." Stiles sighed rolling his eyes, "you wanna just leave whoever it is there?"

He worded it like a question but everyone knew it was a statement.

"I'm saying how do we know whoever it is can or even will help?" Derek crossed his arms, not at all enjoying that his Uncle was here.

His 'help' was never JUST help, it always had a way of helping him in the end, thinking five steps ahead of others and frankly, Derek was more likely to gut his uncle before he helped him with anything.

"We can't just leave them there, Derek." Scott rounded on him firmly.

He could understand Derek hating Peter for everything he did, but it didn't mean Scott was going to sit by and let someone die.

The older Hale smiled to himself knowing he could always count on one thing, Scott's big bleeding heart. The boy wanted to save everyone, an admirable if not stupid quality the boy stubbornly refused to abbandon no matter what was thrown at him.

"Ok, even if this is true and they do have someone, how do you plan to get them, Scott? Do you even know where they are?" The resident Alpha cut him down with ugly facts.

He didn't know if Peter could be trusted, where they would even keep someone they kidnapped, or if they had anyone there to begin with. This was too much to deal with on a school night.

"Ok… good point," Scott conceded, "So, we just need to find where their hideout is."

"Good plan, Scott," Peter chimed, "But where to look? They can hide from our senses, we have to think outside the box."

"He's right." The words tasted like magma at the back of Derek's throat, "Scott, look for something on your end, we'll let you know if we find anything."

The plan made, Derek and Issac headed off to parts unknown while Scott and Stiles looked to Breaden and Peter.

"So, do you need a ride or…" Stiles trailed off, he didn't mind leaving Peter because… well, screw Peter, but this lady so far seemed intent on helping.

"No thanks. My job is done" Breaden simply said before they turned to find Peter already gone and off to do… whatever it was Peters did.

"So, why did you wind up in Beacon Hills?" Stiles tried to converse while Scott walked beside him to the jeep, Breaden walking beside them.

"A client hired me to warn McCall about the pack and his potential." With that Breaden ended the conversation by walking away leaving a slowly nodding Stiles and Scott.

"...Well she seems nice." Scott turned to look at his best friend before shaking his head at his statement and getting into the jeep.

"What? Scott, I'm just- I'm not saying…" Stiles attempts to pointlessly explain himself to Scott just ended with laughs from his friend before Scott asked him something that made him clam up for the rest of the ride home.

"Dude… is that a hickey?"

~Across town~

Boyd's footsteps echoed down the street as he just visited his mom to let her know he was still ok, but he couldn't stay with her for a while. He could have called her but he wanted to lay eyes on her, and let her know he was ok. She did raise him so it was the least he could do to give her a peace of mind.

"Hey kid!" a gruff voice called out behind Boyd making him pause and look up into the sky while releasing a breath.

Turning around Boyd saw someone he'd been itching to have a rematch with.

Ennis stood on the sidewalk behind him, smirking before looking around.

"No ninja friend to help you now." Locking eyes with Boyd, crimson orbs glowed briefly before fading back to black, "Shouldn't you be running?"

Groaning, Boyd rounded on the bald wonder picking the fight.

"Run? The only thing running from you is your hairline." the Beta smirked at his opponents immediate response.

"Little brat…" The Alpha growled before spontaneously composing himself with a smirk.

Before Boyd could think to ask what he was smiling at, Ennis charged.

Boyd was ready however, when Ennis threw his initial punch, he never expected the Beta to grab the offending wrist, and with a pivot, throw the Alpha over his shoulder.

His back smacking the cement with a hard thud, Ennis almost didn't see the kick coming to his head.

Fortunately he raised his arms in time to block the kick, grabbing the boy's ankle and shooting to his feet. Still holding Boyd's foot, Ennis picked the Beta off his feet, spinning him in a circle by his foot.

"W-whoa!" Boyd shouted in surprise realizing he felt weightless.

Looking down he noted Ennis's smug expression before deciding he didn't want it there any more. Twisting his hips, Boyd launched a kick towards the Alpha's head.

Avoiding the kick forced Ennis to let go of the Beta, sending him flying.

Boyd silently thanked Naruto for his training. Even though he started it not to long ago, he could feel himself be leaps and bounds ahead of where he was before.

Correcting himself mid air, Boyd landed on his feet in a crouch before quickly standing back up to charge at the rushing killer.

Crashing into each other with respective shoulder tackles, Body and his assailant locked in, grabbing each others arms attempting to push the other back. With matching snarls stretching across their faces, the balding Alpha was genuinely surprised the kid was putting up as much of a fight as he was now. Far better than the green horn he was batting around the first time they fought.

Boyd felt himself begin go push the Alpha back, despite their different statuses before he lost his footing as Ennis shifted back. Grabbing onto his shoulder, the Alpha pack member pulled the teen into a vicious knee to the face.

Boyd felt and heard a sickening crunch in his nose as he reeled back, Ennis using this as the opportunity to land two deep claw wounds one going across his right shoulder to his left hip, and the other going horizontal across his abdomen.

Boyd grunted in pain, refusing to cry out and used his doubled over position to rocket his headbut directly into the smug Alpha's face.

Turnabout is fair play, and Boyd was not about to let this opportunity go to waste, slashing across his opponents thighs, he cut his mobility, it would heal, but the Beta had more damage to dish out before then.

A jarring uppercut from Boyd rattled the Alpha's mind before Boyd followed with a punch to his collarbone, breaking it.

The Alpha roared in pain as the damage the kid brought to him set in. Boyd was unable to avoid the right hook that sent him tumbling to the ground but he recovered jumping to his feet a second later.

Both werewolves were panting at the recent exchange, though
Boyd couldn't help feeling a small smile tug his lips as he stared at the Alpha who was obviously hurt. Feeling his nose set back into place Boyd gestured for more.

"Come on, is that all you got?" At this, his opponent growled with before smiling sinisterly.

Let's do a recount, he kept up with this monster their entire exchange(que applause), broke this guy's bones(que his bow) and as far as Boyd could tell he was the only person standing between the two of them. So he had no reason to smile as far as he was concerned. Before he could comment, a whistle glided through the air, and with it, a pain exploded from his back and out his chest. Looking down, Boyd stared in shock at the small spear-like object sticking out of his chest, it was going through his lung. As he stared, the Beta felt the searing pain turned into a cold numbness spreading across his body while his vision began to swim.

"Wha…. what?" Boyd coughed as he dropped to one knee, Blood filling his mouth as he struggled to raise his weakening body.

"Apologies dear boy," another familiar voice originated from behind him as he felt someone grab the pole like object and pull it out, electing a shocked gasp from Boyd as he fell over unto his back, "We have need of you."

Deucalion stood over a now drugged Boyd, who struggled to remain in the realm of consciousness as Ennis walked up to join his Alpha.

"Y-you...?" Boyd croaked.

He could feel the wound in his lung healing but the pole- spear… thing, he used, it obviously had been dipped in a drug. Erica explained what Kanima venom felt like before, this was close to the feeling she described, but this wasn't it. This wanted him to go to sleep, which he was currently fighting with all he had, but it was proving to be a losing battle.

Boyd watched through ever darkening vision while Deucalion wiped the blood off the stick, put a cap on the spear part, and proceeded to hold it like a cane, smiling down at the paralyzed Boyd.

"Yes, me. Your shinobi friend is a bit of a problem, you see. So you'll be in our care for a while. But don't worry, it won't be for long" Deucalion explained, though at this point, the auditory in Boyd's case was beginning to become base sounds he could barely comprehend.

Before succumbing to the darkness the toxin coursing through his veins promised, Boyd had one final thought cross his mind.

'Beaten by a blind guy…? Erica is never gonna let me live this down…'

~Antarctica~

Naruto involuntarily shivered from under his orange parka, oddly enough it wasn't from the cold, nor the howling winds. The sun was out and despite the winds, the beauty of the arctic land was still staggering.

"This is not how I wanted to spend my time." He mumbled while he stood at the front of a ship, slowly cruising itself into land he had previously bought.

While his clones bought the lands to protect the land and animals, he still had the occasional poacher and entitled pricks coming to take whatever they wanted or set up factories or businesses that destroy the ecosystem. Naruto had a few run ins with the would-be pillagers, often transforming into his father and turning them away with words and if necessary, threat of law.

Of course there were those who decided to try and take things via force. Needless to say, those that tried were still in tracton, and none of them would like to try again.

Somehow, tonight of all nights, his shadow clone got a ping showing hunters heading to a preserve he created in the arctic for the respective ecosystem. So far the Polar bears were getting enough food, and their coats seemed to be gaining a glow perfectly helping them blend into their surroundings.

All the animals he had in his enclosure still hunted and kept their skills as hunters sharp, he just gave them a safe environment to live in, keeping water and air clean, keeping a checks and balances so one group doesn't overpower the other.

So far, Naruto considered it a success how they thrived and no one species suffered. Based on how much love the animals showed him when he walked around the lands, it was safe to say they were happy.

Which leads into the real problem…

"Hey! I know everybody on this ship, but I don't know you! So who are you? And why are you here?" A gruff irritated voice called out to the young Uzumaki over the biting winds, who simply smiled behind his face mask.

Turning Naruto saw a man bundled up in dark blue clothing, and a thick beard standing sporting a beer gut and based on his scowl, a bad attitude in front of him, gun strapped to his hip. Even with the thick clothing Naruto could tell he was

"Me? I'm just the guy who owns this area you're trespassing." He responded with bemusement not quite matching the situation.

As he was speaking all the deck hands and even some of the engineer's came up to see what the commotion was about. They were greeted with the sight of their captain yelling and glaring daggers at this orange coated dude they never saw before. Once he said he was the owner of the land they were on, the whole crew gained a bloodthirsty look in their eyes as the captain spoke.

"And uh… what exactly are ya doin here then?" The burly man stepped forward.

"Well," Naruto began, feeling their collective stares on him but wanting to give them an out, "I'm asking you what your business here is."

"Well not that it's any of your business, but recently got word that there were specific… resources here," He struggled to find the word while gesturing before settling, making his crew snicker to themselves, "our clients would pay a pretty penny for."

"Sounds like you mean poaching." Naruto corrected with a slight edge to his tone.

"Well…" The captain shrugged uncaringly, "Everyone calls it something, and we need to get paid!"

"If that i your reason, then I'm going to have to ask you to vacate the 's a docking platform thirty knots back from where you came. They should get you on your way home."

After a beat of silence, a throaty, deep laugh bellowed from the captain followed by his crew, some of them falling to their knees in sheer amusement. Naruto silently watched them as they finally began to regain their composure, and the captain wiped a tear from his eye.

""Well then, it seems we're at an impasse…" The captain announced making the crew roar with laughter before taking a step forward, "We're in international waters, meaning illegally, we can beat you senseless, and get away with it."

The blunt threat was refreshing to Naruto as it was now his turn to laugh at the now confused crew, thinking they had a crazy man on their boat, which was even worse for them as they couldn't for the life of them figure out how he got there.

"Well, in that case, I was hoping you'd say that, because you're half right." He said with a snap of his fingers.

Suddenly the speakers on the ship were on, with a screech.

("Mama said knock you out." by LL Cool J)

"You wanna fight?" The Captain said, ignoring the music while he and the shinobi circled each other.

Without another word, they charged, Naruto catching his fist as the lyrics hit.

Don't call it a comeback

I've been here for years

A palm thrust to the chin lifted the captain off his feet before two hook sent him spinning before a front kick sent him sliding back before shaking his head and putting his guard up. The insult to injury, was in the fact that Naruto's hits were on beat.

I'm rocking my peers

Puttin' suckers in fear

Makin' the tears rain down like a monsoon

Listen to the bass go boom

The captain's following blows only served to infuriate the sailor even further. Jabs, uppercuts, and hook punches only offended the air as Naruto weaved in an out of the hunter's blows. The crew cheered their captain on until they saw Naruto land a powerful punch to their leader's stomach, doubling him over before a backflip kick landed the unnamed captain on his back.

Explosions, overpowerin'

Over the competition I'm towerin'

The kick addled the captain's mind more than he cared to admit before his stubbornness paid off, standing up against his bodies protest and wiping the blood from his lip, spitting the rest out, and stepping back to the kid he had yet to hit.

Wrecking shop when I write these lyrics

That'll make you call the cops

Don't you dare stare, you better move

With a run, Naruto jumped with a front flip aiming an axe kick. The captain crossed his arms to block but the force sent him to one knee.

Don't ever compare

The follow up rising kick however, he couldn't miss, landing him on his back again taking him out of the fight.

Me to the rest that'll all get sliced and diced

"Who's next?" Naruto asked waiting for some energetic followers to attack, he didn't have to wait long.

"Raaahh!" the crew yelled and they charged to the blond.

Competition's payin' the price

When they charged, Naruto, he charged back, music pumping as he took out two or four at a time, mixing in his rasengan.

I'm gonna knock you out

A greasy face lost teeth as the blond's fist rocketed into him.

Mama said knock you out

A sweep kick took three sailor's kneecaps out of socket, sending them crashing to the ground.

I'm gonna knock you out

"Rasengan!" four bodies flew off the side of the boat, landing in the freezing water.

Mama said knock you out

"Aurg!" a crewmember cried out as his arm was broken, then was punched in the face.

I'm gonna knock you out

With a poof of smoke, five shadow clones stood next to the original while the remaining crew members paled before the beatings commence, causing them to scream in terror and pain.

Mama said knock you out

Naruto was crouched as he lashed out with a back spinning sweep kick, knocking the last sailor into the air. Following through, Naruto spun to his feet raising his leg for an axe kick.

I'm gonna knock you out

Mama said knock you out-

And dropped it into the sailors abdomen, hearing the sickening crunch his ribs gave..

(End song-)

The music cut out with a record scratch as Naruto clapped his hands while nodding to himself.

"That takes care of that!" He said to himself with a triumphant smile and sent one of his clones to steer the ship to the loading dock back where they came from.

"Now, back to- urg!" Naruto began to say before a flux of information rushed into his mind, bringing him to his knees in the center of the deck.

"Sekani…" The blond mumbled to himself.

Seriously, the kid reminded him of himself a little more than he would have liked and had a few more traits in common with him than he'd have thought possible. Including being able to talk his clone's ear off with questions and the such until he finally went to sleep, several, hours, later.

Rubbing his eyes, Naruto filed his clones memories away before sorting through them, absently noting how Sekani seemed to be worried about Malia until the clone assured him she was safe, while later, the young wolf was introduced to Erica and Boyd, both of whom decided it was better to stay with him for a while, at least until this Alpha threat was taken care of.

Sekani and Boyd were becoming fast brothers, even though they just met, they spent a good amount of time with Sekani asking the older wolf questions, swapping stories, and talking about video games they enjoyed, oddly, Sekani had to be taught about them by Boyd, who seemed just as shocked that the kid didn't know about them, but was more than happy to help.

. The clone essentially left them alone to expand more on his knowledge, learning new skills for this world to add to his own repertuar.

Erica and Sekani's meeting was admittedly heartwarming for the clone seeing her approach the boy, squat to look in his eyes with Sekani not backing down, and after a minute of them staring at each other blankly, two wide smiles stretched over their respective faces before Erica held out her hand.

"Nice to meet you, I'm Erica." wearing a dazzling smile, Erica's grin only grew when Sekani's grin matched her's.

"Nice to meet you too! I'm Sekani! Sekani Rhodes." Shaking his hand Naruto could tell the kid' energy was infectious as even the more stoic Boyd was smiling.

He watched while the dread headed kid essentially bonded with them, and later on, Boyd had told the clone he had to go talk to his mom, Sekani was sad but with the promise of playing more games upon his return, he relented and hung out with Erica, who was more than happy to keep the energetic wolf busy.

When the clone asked the blonde if she had family she'd want to talk to and let know if he was ok, she just shook her head and went back to playing Tekken with Sekani, and surprisingly having a close match.

Knowing not to push too far with the subject she obviously didn't want to revisit, he nodded and went back to learning. After a couple of hours, and somehow getting roped into playing one or two games with them, before Sekani was sent to bed to get ready for school tomorrow, and Erica sat in front of the clone.

"So, are we training him to?" She asked causing the clone to look up with a shrug.

"Only if he wants to, same with you two, he might need to though, the Alphas don't seem to discriminate with who gets hurt."

Nodding to his words Erica held a small determined smile.

"Yeah, we gotta get strong to protect our home, and each other." She declared with conviction.

Erica wasn't what you would call brave, selfless, or determined before she got into this supernatural world with hunters, werewolves and mini godzillas trying to kill you. In fact, she was content with running away when problems got too dangerous, content with cutting losses and leaving others to their misfortune. Why would she care or save the world, what's it ever done for her besides tease, alienate, and bully her?

That mindset was broken thoroughly after meeting Naruto. After being saved by the young man, Erica was befuddled at his actions, and ways. Even her old Alpha, Derek had a coldness to him that was unshakable, a firmness about him that kept all his Betas at arms length, making it clear they weren't a family, but more or less, a unit.

Staring at the clone that continued to silently scroll down his laptop working on something, the Beta continued to wonder how her life continued to spiral as it did, her own biological family was tired of her consistently failing health, they'd never admit it, but all the doctor visits, surgeries, and medical bills were grating on them.

She knew they loved her, but with her dad everywhere except where ever she or her mom were, and mommy dearest drowning herself in her work, Erica was well accustomed to living in a house without having a home.

Despite this, Derek's pack had something her own has lacked, and it was that community, but here with Boyd, Naruto, and even Sekani, when they were together they told jokes, played, ate together and… accepted her. Without another word or thought, Erica got up from her spot at the table and walked around to the clone who noticed her movement but continued to type away whatever it was he was writing.

The clone felt arms snake their way around his neck, draping them over his shoulders and a pair of soft mounds pressed into the back of his head, pulling him into a gentle embrace.

"Umm Erica?" A soft hum was his acknowledgement, "what are you doing?"

"Hugging you." She answered.

"...ah…" the clone nodded slightly, still not getting the answer he wanted, before he felt a liquid fall on his face.

Looking up, Naruto's attention was immediately drawn to her tear stained face, made even more confusing by her smiling.

"Thank you…" Erica said softly, making Naruto's eyes widen in shock.

"O-oh, uh, No problem… what did I do again?" The clone blushed and sheepishly stated before a questioning look overtook its face.

Erica laughed before pulling back from the blond, wiping her eyes and smiling more light-heartedly.

"For everything!" She grinned before playfully punching the clone in the arm.

Unfortunately, her eyes had been closed, so her first sailed directly into the clone's- who was leaning at the time hopefully to hear more- eye.

"Ouch!" And a poof later, the clone was no more, sending the info to Naruto who was currently shaking his head.

Getting ready to flash back into the house Naruto paused when he heard commotion in the lower deck of the ship.

Originally Naruto was going to write it off as some crew hand lucky enough to avoid getting the tar kicked out of them and was about to leave before he heard a whine.

Not a groan like many of the beaten bodies around him, but an animalistic, whine. Remembering who these guys were, chances were pretty good there was a seriously hurt animal down there.

Using a passive form of sage mode, Naruto made his way down the ship steps sending Nature energy out in pulses, using the feedback as a echolocation.

This method was not only good for sensing bodies but it mimicked Kurama's empathic abilities, telling mental states of people, intentions and to a lesser degree, emotions. Whatever was around here was alive, scared, and wasn't alone. Feeling out for the life forces he felt in the lower deck, Naruto.

His search led him to an unlit corner of the ship, from the light in the doorway, he was able to make out numerous cages. Each one showed signs of wear and tear, rust, and even dried blood. There were a few lumpy silhouettes in the kennels and cages, so they must have caught some animals before they got too his land.

Knowing this is where they kept animals that were captured, based on the smell alone, the conditions couldn't have been good. Naruto never liked cages, or cruelty for the sake of cruelty, and if he wasn't on a mission to pinpoint whatever was hiding here, he'd more than likely go back up stairs to kick the captain a few more times.

Naruto made a few clones to free and take a few animals at a time to his reserve, while if necessary, giving medical treatment.

Out of the corner of his eye, Naruto saw something dart from between the boxes, bright and lithe, its movements remained silent despite the constant movement. Whatever it was, there was grace seemingly etched into its being. Emitting more Nature energy to become a beacon of peace and positivity, Naruto kneeled down and waited.

"What are you waiting for?" Kurama growled, "You're needed back home, right? Why wait for some possible filthy mongrel that'll bite and give you rabies!"

'Hey Kurama,' the young Uzumaki greeted the ranting bijuu,not at all fazed by his character, 'When did you wake up? And we can't just leave whoever it is down here.'

"Wha- yes you can. Look, the door is open, you can just walk out." Kurama pointed out in a deadpan tone, Naruto sweatdropped.

'Calm down, I'm not letting an innocent animal suffer, besides, they can handle it at home' Naruto waved off his insistence.

"Naruto you have a habit of letting your kindness get the better of you." Kurama reasoned, "What if this thing tries to kill you? Granted I could leave but I'd prefer you healthy."

'Oh come on,' Naruto almost groaned before a smirk tugged at his lips, 'I kept you, didn't I?"

"Yeah well I- wait! what the HELL did you just-" Whatever the fox demon was about to say, hi partner cut him off.

'Oop! Here they come' Naruto thought quickly, his patience paid off, surprisingly in his mind.

Naruto could admit he was never the most patient person, but a hard truth to learn was that, if he kept rushing into things the situation would get worse.

"Like hell! "Keep me"? I hope this mongrel bites your nose off, and takes!... t-takes.." Kurama lost whatever steam he had at what was presented before his partner.

Snow white fur covered every inch of the creature slowly making its way towards the blond who tilted his head to see it. Forest green eyes shimmered in the darkness of the room piercing the shadows in a curious gaze. A fox, a single arctic fox stood before the ninja regarding his presence with a calculating gaze. The color scheme of its fur was white and grey, with its bushy tail waving behind, it sat in front of Naruto seemingly confused by his aura.

"Hey, you need help? Lose your family?" The blond questioned before feeling himself sweatdrop.

The fox tilted its head again making Naruto hang his head.

"...Why do you keep believing they can understand you?" Kurama quietly asked as Naruto gained a tick mark.

'Well what do you expect me to do?!' Naruto raved at the fox, 'You talk to it then?!'

"I don't think it works that way…" Kurama sweat dropped before reaching out with his own chakra, "Kit! Look to the cage, third from the bottom, on the left!"

Without another word, Naruto followed his partners directions, the fox watching as his eyes landing on a cage containing an almost still figure on the floor of the kinnel. Not a word to waste, Naruto reached the cage, unlocking it and saw it was another arctic fox, this one by comparison however, had seen better days, his fur was grey, but sullied by the blood rushing from the wounds littering the body, he wouldn't make it if nothing was done.

After healing him, and making sure the fox had a pulse, Naruto was more shocked that he didn't wake up. Gently picking him up Naruto felt something rub against his leg. Looking down it was the same fox he had been talking to was looking up to him almost expectantly.

"How does this stuff happen to me?" Naruto muttered to himself while Kurama remained silent.

Kneeling down and offering his arm, Naruto watched the fox jump up and land on his shoulder like a perch before shaking his head. Naruto and his newest companions flashed away appearing in his apartment.

With a sigh, Naruto quickly sat the unconscious fox on a pillow, while the other climbed down from the perch on his shoulder.

Knowing the change in climate would hit them both, Naruto used a medical ninjutsu to ease the transition, acclimating their bodies to the much warmer climate before the front door opening got his attention.

Turning around Naruto locked eyes with an out of breath, frantic Erica.

"Boyd!" She gasped, "He's gone!"

This night was not gonna get any easier any time soon, was it?

~TBC~

So, you asked and you have received! Sorry these chapters are so sporadic but if I had my way, I'd be writing these all the time. Unfortunately the world isn't so kind, but seriously, you guy's R&R and I'll crank em out, you know how we do! Right, not fast. Just so happened to get em both this time around! Your reviews and encouragements are seriously mind blowing, I had no idea people would like this story but I can't overstate how much I appreciate the positivity, you guys rule! As for the pairings, yes Naruto will get a girl, I swear it! So as always, please R&R, thank you for joining the Onyx corps and I'll see you next time!

P.S. tried something new with the fight scene, but not sure if I'll keep it. Let me know what you think. And happy belated 4th of july peeps, for those that do not celebrate, I hope you have a great day too!