Chapter 4

Hours passed by. Dante lay beside me, still, his chest slowly rising and dipping every time he breathed. I smiled warmly as I lay also, on my back, watching the sky darken. Stars began to appear and soon enough the moon shone brighter then ever had I seen it do so.

I decided that it was now time to get up and find my new home. I didn't want to awaken the wolf beside me, never have I seen him sleep so peacefully, without a care in the world. Sadly, I couldn't carry him myself. If I passed people in the streets, holding a wolf bridal style, they would think i'm some loony.

Sitting up, I shook him. "Dante, wake up" He stired slightly, but didn't awaken from his peaceful slumber. Sighing, I did the only think I could think of. "Dante, help. I'm being attacked. They've come back for us" He jumped up with a start and bared his teeth "Where are they!? Alexis! Did they hurt you?" I bit my bottom lip, trying to hold back my fits of laughter.

But, I couldn't help myself anymore. "Hahaha!" Dante calmed and glanced around. Realisation crossed over his face and he snapped his neck towards the direction of my laughter. "Alexis.." His voice was deep and I knew he was angry.

My laughter stopped straight away and I took a few steps backwards. I put my arms up in a 'I surrender' Position. "He..he.." Stalking towards me he bared his teeth. "Alexis..." My eyes almost bulged out of their sockets as Dante punced on me. "I'm sorry. I'm sorry. You wouldn't wake up and we had to leave so, I did the only think I knew would instantly wake you"

I struggled under his furry stomach. "God Alexis! I thought you were hurt!" I stopped struggling and just lay there, ashamed of myself. "I'm sorry Dante" He sighed and nuzzled my cheek. "Promise to never do something like that again" Nodding I petted his head and scratched him behind the ear.

"Come on. It's late. We still have to check out our new home" He got off of me and I stood up. Hopping onto his back, we walked (well, Dante walked) through the, mostly, silent village streets.

It was mostly silent, until we came across a bar. Many drunk, old and suprisingly young, men were swaying from side to side as the walked our way. I hoped we didn't catch their attention, but my hopes went by unnocticed as they stopped and stared. 'Of course they would see us. I'm riding a huge wolf for gods sake'

"~Hey darling~Aren't you a cutie~" He slurred and wobbled up to me. Sighing, I hopped down from Dante's back. "Alexis" Dante warned me. I nodded "It's ok. I can take care of myself. You should know that first-hand" He rolled his eyes with a chuckled.

"~Hey are you listening!?~" An old guy asked, shoving his bottle in my face. His cheeks were tinted red from to much to drink and his eyes drooped every second from tiredness. "Actually, I'm not. Now if you'd move out of my way.." I trailed off, figuring he could take a hint. Seems I was wrong about the hint part.

He brought his hand up and slung it across my face. My cheek felt hot and my eyes widened as memory of 'him' flashed through my mind. "Alexis!" Dante shouted with concern. "~How dare you.. refuse us~" The guy stated angrilly, hiccuping in the middle.

I was in a dazed state and the guy brought up his hand again, reading to strike. All of a sudden, as the man hand flew towards me, he got knocked away. I snapped out of it and glanced down to Dante. He had a confused look. "Dante? Are you ok?" He nodded "I'm the one who should be asking you that. Alexis... the look in your eyes whe he hit you" I didn't answer, just looked to the side as someone spoke "You shouldn't go hitting girls. Teme" I recognised the voice instantly.

The old guy stood up and spat out some spit. He and his friends then just walked away, as if this incident hadn't even occured.  I sighed and walked towards my 'saviour'.

"Thanks for the help" I said, very enthusiastically (Note the sarcasm). "Not like we need it though" Dante muttered with a growl. I rose an eyebrow at him. "Now, now Dante. You should thank him as well" A smirk made it's way onto my face. Dante bared his teeth, but bowed his head nonetheless.

Glancing back up to Sasuke.. yup, Sasuke 'saved' me. I bet he just wanted another Fan girl. I noticed the glare he was giving my favourite wolf. "Don't look at Dante like that! He thanked you, so be grateful"  He just glared at me now. Sighing, I turned on my heal and walked away. Dante, however, didn't and just snarled at Sasuke. "Dante! Hurry up, or do you want me to get attacked by even more drunk men?" In a matter of seconds was he by my side again.

I felt someone staring. Rolling my eyes I glanced over my shoulder. "You should go to, that is, If you don't want to be attacked by drunk guys as well ~Sasuke~" I smirked as I basically just called him gay. Sasuke sent me anothe glare before walking away.

"What's wrong Dante. Don't you like him?" He shook his head. "I hate him. Did you see the way he looked at you" "He glared, just like he glared at you. Your really protective over me, arent you?" Looking me in the eyes, he nodded "It's become a habbit. You understand that as well" I smiled sadly.

Silence took over us as we continued walking towards our new home.

I put in the key lord hokage gave me and turned it to the right. Something clicked and the door pushed open. I let Dante walk in first and let him smell the place to make sure it was safe. "Alexi, it's fine" Nodding, I walked inside, closing the door behind me.

First thing I did was inspect the place. It was small, but comfy. There was a living room with one sofa and a glass table. The kitchen was attached to the living room and the small space between them was taken up by a wooden table. There was enough food to last a few weeks, which I was glad about because I had no money for shopping. A door leading into the bedroom was next to the door to the house and there was a bathroom inside the room. "Well, this is nice" Dante nodded "I hope you don't mind, were sharing a room"

Rolling my eyes, I sat on the bed and placed my bag on the floor. "We've shared a room/floor/tree every since we met. I don't think i'd start minding now" "That's right" He said with a chuckled and jumped up next to me.

I got into the blackets, not bothering to take off my clothes and change. It was quiet and Dante fell back asleep almost instantly. I chuckled and brought the cover over him. Once again, I noticed his tail wrapping around my leg. "You want to keep me safe.. even when your sleeping" I said to his sleeping form.

Hugging him once, a sad smile formed on my face as I, also fell asleep.

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*Chirp Chirp*

My eyes fluttered open as the light shone through the cracks in the curtains. You could hear the baby bird chirping outside from in their nests. I glanced over to Dante. He was still heavily resting. This time, I decided not to wake him up straight away and to just get ready first.

Searching through my bag, I found an etra pair of below the knee black pants and elbow sleeved black top. I stripped and put the top over my current knetting, followed by my trousers. I wrapped new bandages around my left arm, but before doing the same with my right, I looked over it.

The metal was clean, not a scratch in sight, and the nerves were still attached. I moved my fingers to see if it they were still working fine, which they were. With a smile, I wrapped the bandages before working on my hair.

With everything done, I packed my bag filled with everything I might possibly need. Going back over to Dante, I shook him "Dante! wake up you lazy wolf" Still not waking up' I sighed. Taking out a kunai knife, I flicked it next to his ear.

His eyes shot open and he glanced around before his eyes met mine. "Morning. Have a nice sleep?" I asked. He nodded "One of the best" I chuckled "Ok, well get up now. We have to go meet the team and there's only 25 minutes left until 10. Chop-chop"

After, I brushed through his thick fur, which might I add was very knotty, we walked out of the house. Handing Dante a piece of jerky for breakfast, he swalled it whole, before stopping and letting me jump on his back.

I chuckled "You wanna run, don't you?" "You bet" He nodded and jumped off onto one of nearby roofs as soon as I got on him.

Not even a minute later did I see a red brigde before us.. well, under us, considering we were high up. "Dante, just down there ok?" He nodded and leaped down from the building we were currently on. As soon as we hit the floor, Sakura screamed and fell back. I chuckled "Oops, we may have landed to close" Dante laughed his normal wolfy laugh "It doesn't matter. If they didn't see us coming then.. it's their own fault" "Your right with that one" He grinned, perly white teeth showing "I'm always right"

I stopped our conversation there as I could feel someone.. or some people, staring at me. Hopping down from Dante's back, I sighed and glanced around at my new 'team'. Not that I wanted to call them my team. 'Stupid Hokage, why couldn't he just let me take the exams alone?' I thought about the pro's and con's. A smirk found it's way onto my face, Oro-chan.. It'll be a good way to get to talk to him.

"Who are you!?" Sakura shouted with an irk mark. "S-Sakura-chan.." I glanced at Naruto, who coward unto my stare. Raising an eyebrow, I turned to the last member of my new 'team'. I walked up to him and glared darkly. I was around Sakura's height, so I had to look up, but that didn't mean I was in any way or form intimidated. "Sasuke Uchiha"

He blinked once.. twice.. a third time, before sending me a death glare "How do you know my name?" This time it was my turn to blink the same way. "I met you yesterday.. twice" I deadpanned. Dante bared his teeth from beside me. I turned to him "You really don't like this duck, do you?" "Isn't it obvious. I wanna rip his heart out and feed it to an actual duck" My eyes widened. "Dante! That was... such a good idea. Why didn't I think of it?" He chuckled evilly.

"Hey! Can you talk to him?" Naruto shouted in my ear. I glared at him. Even if he was lonely, he has friends and people were always around him. He is nothing like me.. he is luckier. "Yes. I can" "What did he just say?" He asked with a grin. I glanced at Sasuke and smirked. "He said he wants to ripp Sasuke's heart out and feed it to an actual duck" Sasuke glared at Dante before looking at me the same way.

"Hey you! Step away from my Sasuke-kun" Sakura shouted and reached out for my right arm. I accidentally noticed this too late and she took a firm hold. I swear her eyes widened and her mouth turned into a O shape. "Y-your arm.. it feels.." I snatched my arm away and glared "Dont you dare say anything!" I don't like being pitied, plus they would wonder how I get it like this.

I sighed "It doesn't matter anyway. I don't get close to anyone, so you don't have to worry" I looked Sasuke over. He has a nice body if you think about it, plus he is one of my favourite characters, but I wouldn't ever like him like Sakura does "Plus.. he's a bit.. What's the word.." I thought for a good word "Argh! I can't think of the right word. Dante! Can you think of one?" He chuckled "Underdeveloped?" "Underdeveloped.. really? Hmm.. that's not it either, but yeh. It could work for now"

Sasuke's glare deepened, if it could. I rolled my eyes and glanced up as soon as Kakashi appeared. 'Time to mess with his mind' "Hey guys, good morning-" "Don't tell me. You got lost on the path of life? Don't worry about it, we've all been there" He jumped down right in front of me and.. assessed me?

"Nice to see you again Kakashi" I smirked at him. He looked me over once again, as though trying to figure out who I am. "You don't remember me huh? Well.. I can't blame you. I'll introduce myself again. My name is Alexis and this is my best friend Dante" I spoke slowly, as though I was talking to a child, to make sure he got everything I said.

I swear I saw a lightbulb go off from above his head. "Aha! Your the girl who crashed through the wall to the Hokage's building yesterday!" "She what?" Naruto asked like the Naruto he is. Kakashi turned to them with a chuckle. "Nevermind. Anyway guys, I want to intoduce the new members of our team. Alexis and Dante" "WHAT!" Both Naruto and Sakura shouted in sync. Sasuke just glared at me, eyes filled with.. hate? I scoffed, he barely knows me and he already doesn't like me.

"Yeh, so before we talk, I want you guys to sit and get to know each other" I raised an eyebrow "What if I don't want people to get to know me?" "You have to get to know other people than Dante, Alexis" I frowned before shaking my head "Dante's all I need" He shrugged "Well, we're going to get to know each other anyway"

"But Kakashi, we're already a three man squad. We don't need another member" "It's hokage's orders Sakura, you'll have to deal with it" They all sighed, excluding Sasuke, who still won't stop glaring at me. "Now, introduction. Naruto you start"

Naruto shot me one of his infamous grins "I'm Naruto Uzumaki, I like Ramen and one day will become the 5th Hokage. Believe it!" I chuckled inwardly. Tsunade's going to become the 5th, so that goal's gonna die.. and pretty soon now that I think about it. "Good. Now you Sakura" She sighed in annoyance. "My name's Sakura Haruno. I like-" *Glances at Sasuke" "..And my dream is.." *Once again Glances at Sasuke*

I hung my head. She's still the same even after that mission *Inserts Sigh*

"Ok, Sasuke" He glared at me.. again! "..Sasuke Uchiha.. I don't like much. I don't feel like telling you my dream" I smirked "Don't tell me.. you want to kill a man right?" They all stared at me like I grew an extra head. "What!? Did I get it right?" I faked being shocked. Kakashi chuckled "Your.. weird. Anyway, how about you now?"

I shrugged "Let me go first Alexis" "Kakashi, Dante wants to go first" He rose an eyebrow before looking down at my furry friend "..Well.. ok then"

"The names Dante. I like meet and Alexis. My dream is to make sure 'they' never hurt Alexis again" Dante said and glanced at me with the last part. I sighed "I'm not going to tell them what you said in the end. They'll try to ask questions" He grinned "I know. But at least you know what my dream is"

Rolling my eyes, I turned to 'team' "His name is Dante. He like meat and Me. His dream?.. not telling" Kakashi hung his head. "...My name is Alexis. I have no desire to tell you anything else really. Except that I like Dante" Sakura laughed "How can you like him. He's a wolf" I glared at her and if looks could kill, then she's be dead over and over again by now.

"Alexis, calm down. We're used to it" I nodded and patted his head. "Ok then. Now that the introductions are over and done with. I have something to tell you. I know this may seem a little sudden but, I recommended you for the chunin exams" He handed us some papers "These are the application forms. It's all voluntary so If you don't feel up to it, you can wait until next year instead" Naruto jumped up and hugged him "Alright! Kakashi-sensei. You rock!"

Kakashi pried him off and began talking again. "Whoever wants to take the exams, come to room 301 in 5 days. It's at 3pm. If you do decide to go, don't be late" With that said, he disappeared, leaving us to our thoughts. Well, mostly them since i've already decided. "Chunin exams, chunin exams" you could also tell that Naruto's already made up his mind.

"Alexis. What should we do?" I shrugged "I dunno. What do you wanna do Dante?" "Hmm.. i'm also not sure about that" We kept on walking. I felt stares on my back so I stopped and turned around to face the 'team'

"Why are you looking at me like that?" I questioned coldly. Naruto grinned but then frowned "Hey! Why are you always nice and happy around that dog of yours, but not around us!?" He practically yelled at me. I looked at Dante, then back to Naruto "Because.. he's my family. And he's not a dog. He's a wolf" Sasuke's glare softened, I noticed. Naruto just looked confused whilst Sakura.. stared "You guys on the other hand. Are 1) Annoying and 2) I don't trust you"

Sakura got an irk mark and ran at me. "Your the one who's annoying" She launched a punch at me, but It was slow. I merely leaped behind her and pinned her arm behind her back. I sighed and let her go.

I bent down next to Dante and smiled. My back was faced to the others, so they couldn't see it. "Hey Dante. You wanna go explore the village?" He howled happily "Yeh. Lets go and rest on that hill as well like we did yesterday" I nodded and hopped on his back, gripping tight onto his fur.

With one last glance to the three before me I smirked, which was mostly meant for Sasuke "See you three whenever I guess. Dante, onward" He chuckled and hopped onto a random roof before sprinting off. "Let's go exploring. Maybe we'll get to meet some of the interesting people" I yelled, fist pumping the air in exitement.

(Sasuke's POV)

Alexis had pinned Sakura in an instant, But for only a second at most. She sighed and let Sakura go again, which ended up with her falling to the ground face first.

She crouched down in front of her wolf, Dante with her back almost turned to us. I swear I noticed a smile. 'Why does she only show facial expressions to her wolf?' I pondered on that thought. "Hey Dante. You wanna go explore the village?" Dante howled in what seemed to be happyness. She then nodded, as if understanding what he was talking about, before hopping onto his back and gripping his fur.

She glanced over to us and smirked, but it seemed more directed towards me. I glared at her. Who does this girl think she is? "See you three whenever I guess. Dante! Onward" I swear I heard the wolf chuckle, but It could have just been my imagination.

As soon as she jumped off, Sakura groaned "Argh! Sasuke-kun! why didn't you do anything to help" I glared off into space and shrugged "Hn" Naruto had that same stupid look on his face that he always has on, most probably confused about the situation.

I smirked and walked off. "Sasuke-kun. Where are you going?" Ignoring Sakura, I jumped through the trees to go and train.

____________________________

Hours passed and it was getting dark already. I breathed heavily and took out the kunai which had lodged into the training dummies. Once the were put away, I walked down the familiar streets of Konoha.

As I was almost home, I noticed a crowd forming around something in the middle of the street. I was about to turn a different way and ignore them, but what someone spoke caught my attention "The poor girl is injured. Someone, take her to the hospital"

I had a feeling as though I should go and check it out, so I did so.

Pushing past the crowd, my eyes widened slightly. The girl laying on the ground, burn scars covereing her legs, was Alexis. She was fine just a few hours ago. Was she attacked?

I knelt besides her and picked her up. "Do you know this girl?" An elderly woman asked. I nodded slightly. "What happened?" "I don't really know. She came along the path in a hurry but suddenly collapsed" I looked around and rose an eyebrow "Was there a wolf with her called Dante?" She shook her head "No, but before the girl collapsed, I heard her utter that name. She seemed frantic with worry about something"

I looked down at Alexis and sighed. "I'll take her" The old lady nodded before shoo'ing everyone who had crowded around, away.

I began my walk back home, carrying an injured sleeping girl, whilst thinking 'What happened to her?' and 'Where's her wolf?'

A/N Hahaha! So what do you think happened to her and where's Dante! What if he's hurt :O
I'm worried, aren't you! (*Chuckles evilly*) You'll have to read the next chapter if you want to know! Don't worry though. I can assure you Dante's safe and sound.. for nows anyway! >:) Just kidding.

Anyways.. read and tell me what you think!

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xbecky