Once a Wizard, Always a Shinobi Ch 21-24
Rating:: M (to be safe)
Warnings:: Slash/shounen ai (maybe YAOI), Het, blood and stuff, non-con (though I'll warn you so you can skip), mentions of underage (I guess) HarryOC (OC dies so don’t get in a twist) ShuraHaku (yes, he WILL be a HE)
Diclaimer:: Well I challenged a chap from Japan to a break dancing contest and got broke. I then challenge a chick to a drinking contest and ended up under the table while she laughed at me. So now I’m broke, vomiting, and have nothing but last nights dinner to show for it!!
Note:: SORRY THIS IS LATE, though I don’t really set an update deadline for myself. I’m seriously spazzing out right now though guys, Siriusly. This is the last completed chapter, ignore the blatant rape of cannon in it please, and you all have Lyn908 to thank for it and the stuff that’s coming up after it as she viciously spat me out of my funk.
I’m kind of nervous about this chapter, so let me know how bad it was. Also, for those of you on LJ, this is last weeks update attached to this weeks update. I put it up on fanfiction.net and forgot to put it up here. SORRY!!
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Shurachi slowly walked toward his home as the low burn of alcohol in his stomach warmed him. After catching sight of a wet Haku he’d needed a few drinks. It wasn’t enough to make him stumble around, but it was enough that he felt better about ogling the boy. He had come to terms with the fact that Haku wasn’t a pup anymore, was turning into a rather fine young male, but he still wasn’t ready to even think about bedding the guy.
Long braid smacked against his back as he came to a sudden stop. He could have sworn he’d heard…Ah! There it was again! The sound of something hitting the ground, a whimper, some cursing. Those were all things he’d heard before and he knew, without even having to think about it, that they were things he shouldn’t be hearing on his way home.
Another small cry reached him and he pushed his glasses further up his nose. “Well, I guess I have to investigate it now. I can’t say I didn’t hear anything as I’m an Inuzuka and I can’t say it wasn’t my problem as I’m a shinobi of Konohagakure.”
He didn’t bother to keep his voice down, hoping that whoever it was would be scared off by the thought of being caught. No such luck though, the man was still standing over a huddled form with a large piece of wood. Shurachi wrinkled his nose at the smell floating around the alley and pulled his cloth over the lower half of his face.
“What a horrible stink! I don’t remember this alley smelling this bad, it must be the occupant!” He complained. The man holding the board tensed up further before swinging it down on the curled up person on the ground.
Green eyes flickered down and hardened as they settled on golden hair. The quiet whimper that tore itself from the form also brought up his instincts. This was one of his pups, and some outsider had dared to harm him? Well, he’d have to make sure it never happened again, wouldn’t he?
Long claws pushed from his fingers, canines pointed and grew, and Shurachi crouched in a threatening manner. “You would dare attack one of my pups?” His voice was low, the words growled. The board moved as if to swing down again and Shura wasted no time in darting forward.
The man never had a chance. Shurachi’s claws ripped into him with a gleeful abandon that he hadn’t experienced in quite some time. There was nothing like defending a pup to bring out his sadistic side. Intestines burst in his grip, a stomach spilled acid and partially digested food over the ground, and finally his claws caught on ribs.
He pulled his bloody hand back to punch the mans chest, relishing the feel of bone giving way, and grinned viciously at the blood that bubbled from the man’s mouth. “Really, attacking a defenseless child. You should be ashamed of yourself.” His grin widened at the disbelieving look in the man’s eyes before they rolled into the back of his head and the man’s body slipped off his bloody fist.
Kikai swarmed out of his arms and converged on the blood covering his torso. Once they moved away to clear another spot he was left clean, if not a little damp. When he was sure he didn’t have to much blood on him, Shurachi crouched next to Naruto and carefully scooped him up. The child curled tighter and made small noises of distress, but he didn’t try to get away so Shurachi easily carried him out of the alley and toward his clans personal doctor.
The Inuzuka Alpha settled himself in the waiting room with a small sigh and closed his eyes to nap lightly. It would be a little while before any news came of the blonds condition, so he might as well get some rest.
Morning came with a wet tongue and deathly strong grip. Sometime during the night Doku had appeared at his side with Kiba in his lap and Akamaru on Kiba’s head. The pup was licking his cheek while Kiba was hugging him in his sleep. Shurachi didn’t mind though, waking up with the most important part of his pack near him was always welcome.
The air stirred and wafted a sterile scent into Shurachi’s nose. The medic entered the room a second later and smiled at the sight of her Alpha and his pup. “Shurachi-sama, Uzumaki-san will be fine. His…condition enables him to heal ten times faster than a normal shinobi and most of the injuries are gone already. The internal bleeding has also stopped and he’s breathing much easier.”
Green eyes closed in relief before opening again. “When will he be able to leave? Iruka is his sensei in the academy this year and I’d rather not have him chewing me out for keeping one of his students away from him longer than necessary.”
Doku snorted in agreement of his human. The pack mate that smelled like ocean and warmth could be very scary when he though a pup was in trouble.
“As soon as he wakes up he’ll be able to go. There isn’t anything I can do now that he isn’t already doing himself, so all I recommend is that he not do any big jutsu for a little while. Since he’s an academy student we probably don’t have to worry about that.”
Shurachi nodded and settled to, once again, wait. He’d personally escort Kiba and Naruto to class in order to explain their tardiness to Iruka. As a bonus he’d get to see his old teammate. It had been a long time since any of them had been together for any amount of time. He’d have to get Iruka and Mitsuo to come out to dinner with him sometime.
Naruto woke a few hours later and Shurachi gave him some clean clothes he’d had one of the Inuzuka genin retrieve from Naruto’s apartment. It didn’t take very long for the three of them and both dogs to get out on the street.
A smile tugged at his lips as Kiba and Naruto chased each other around him and the dogs, Akamaru and Doku barking happily along with the boys laughter. No one bothered them all the way to the academy.
When they came in the classroom door Shurachi watched Iruka turn a glinting eye on the boys and take a breath to get ready for a major chewing out. Noting the way both boys cringed, he took a step into the room and cleared his throat loudly. “Iruka-kun, I’m so sorry the boys are late. I’m afraid I kept them home longer than I thought and only just realized the academy had already started. Please accept my apology.”
Iruka deflated and turned a surprised, but still happy, look on his old teammate. “Buchou? What are you doing here? I thought you had a mission today?”
Pale lips curved in a small smile. “I’m not your captain anymore Iruka-kun, you don’t have to call me Buchou! And I do have a mission, but it isn’t a very hard mission so I thought I’d come explain their absence in person. This way they wouldn’t get in as much trouble when it was my fault.”
Laughter erupted from Iruka, startling several students that had been sleeping. “I’ll call you Buchou if I want, Buchou. You don’t stop being one just because we aren’t in a team anymore. I have mission room duty after school, so we can talk when you hand in your report.” There was a slight warning toward the end as Shurachi had been late, two weeks late, in getting his last report in.
The Inuzuka smiled a little wider and nodded his agreement. “Make sure you do your work today boys, I’ll be asking Iruka if you slacked off again after school.” Kiba and Shino sunk a little in their chairs while Naruto smiled shyly at the idea that someone would be asking after his progress in school.
Green eyes swept the room one last time, lingering on the frowning Uchiha, before Shurachi waved good bye and left. He’d have to be quick about retrieving the summoning scroll from the neighboring village. It wouldn’t due for Iruka to be stood up after all.
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Summer crisped into fall and Shurachi found himself spending more time around his old teammate. It wasn’t something he was unhappy with though. Shura found that the time he spent around Iruka was usually enough to chase away the lingering thoughts of Haku that liked to float out of his mind and startle him.
The dull ache of Koishi’s death was slowly being soothed by Iruka’s soft blushes and shy smiles as well. Something he never thought could happen, but he was glad for it. He could feel this soothing balm the best when he was with the chûnin, so he’d sent Kiba over to Hajime’s and given Doku strict orders to keep the Aburame out of the kitchen.
Once he was sure his pups were safe from Hajime’s lack of cooking skills, Shurachi cleaned himself up and pulled on some slacks with a civilian button up shirt. His many braids had been replaced with one long ponytail that was left to hang down his back. Silky black bangs framed his face and hid the scar on his forehead from view with the blazing red Inuzuka triangles helping to draw attention away from it.
He wasn’t sure why, but the scar had always given him an uneasy feeling. As a genin he’d had horrible dreams of slaughtered civilians and weird jutsu that had always come when his scar ached. He hadn’t had anything like that since he’d made chûnin, but he was getting a feeling of unease every time he glimpsed the scar in a mirror.
Satisfied with his own appearance, Shurachi slipped a couple senbon into his clothing and left to pick up Iruka. The academy teacher had agreed, amongst much blushing and stuttering, to go out with him to dinner and a movie. Koishi and he had always had dates that revolved more around watching other shinobi in the training grounds while eating a picnic Shurachi had made, but the Inuzuka doubted Iruka would want to do something related to violence on a date.
It was a relaxing, totally chaste night spent talking about things they’d done as a team and people they both knew. They stuck to purely civilian establishments and saw a comedy about a singer that fell in love with a novelist and all the weird things that happened to them. Shurachi walked Iruka to the door of his apartment, gave him a kiss on the cheek because Iruka was already blushing brighter than Naruto’s jacket, and walked towards his house.
The sun was going down and he had to go by the river, but that didn’t really worry him. Enemy nin would have a hard time getting through all the traps set up to keep them out. He was a little surprised to find Uchiha Sasuke sitting on one of the fishing docks though. He hadn’t really given the last surviving Uchiha much thought beyond what would happen with Itachi whenever he was caught.
Shurachi turned, as if to continue on his way, when he made the mistake of scenting the air. The salty tang of tears was faint, but it was still there and his maternal instincts wouldn’t let him leave a pup in distress. So, mentally cursing his father and sister for bringing out the mothering side of him, Shura made his way down the small hill and onto the dock.
There weren’t any words, he simply sat besides Sasuke and stared straight ahead as the Uchiha sniffled and scooted to burry his face into Shurachi’s side. It wasn’t like when Kiba cried, huge sobs that shook his body, or when Shino cried, small hiccupping hitches in his breath that made small jerky motions.
Sasuke’s tears were silent and motionless, trailing down his cheeks and soaking into Shura’s button up shirt. Little arms circled his waste, holding tightly to him, and Shura wrapped one arm around the crying Uchiha.
He wasn’t sure how long they sat like that, but the sun had been down for a while before the child pulled away from him with a little sniffle. “Thank you.” The quiet murmur was a little thick, but Shurachi only nodded.
“You’re an Inuzuka right?” Again Shura nodded, though this time he had a curious look on his face. “Aniki….I was told that if I ever needed help I could ask an Inuzuka. Kaasan said that they were always nice to kids.”
Chapped lips frowned slightly and Shura reached out a hand to rest on Sasuke’s head. “Uchiha-kun, the Inuzuka will always help a pup in need. No matter where your information came from, it is true we do not turn children away. There is only so much we can do though, some things you’ll have to do alone.”
Sasuke nodded with a small frown before looking up at Shurachi, green eyes watching him behind the rectangular glasses. “I know I have to be a genin before I can officially join the Council, but I am the rightful holder of the Uchiha seat on the Clan Council. My father only taught Itachi what he needed to know about the council and never even mentioned it to me. I was hoping the head of your clan would teach me.”
Shurachi frowned slightly, disliking the thought of a pup having to give up his childhood in order to join the council, but he ruffled Sasuke’s hair with a nod and pulled his hand away from the boy’s hair. “Alright little Uchiha, I will teach you what you need to know in order to sit in the Uchiha seat at Council meetings. In return though, you must promise me that you won’t let them coerce any decision you make.”
Stern eyes froze Sasuke in place “There are many clans who wished to take you in after the massacre. They wanted the power of having the last Uchiha in Konoha under their thumb. I will not tolerate you bending to their will once I’ve taught you everything you need to know.” The stern look softened some a smirk pulling at Shurachi’s lips.
“I may not have gotten along well with your father, brother, or any other member of the Uchiha family, but they did have honorable shinobi. I expect you to uphold that honor while serving on the Council.” The smirk turned into a smile as Sasuke agreed eagerly. “I’ll come find you when it’s time for you first lesson Uchiha Sasuke. Until then, prove that you are worthy of the Uchiha seat by being a just and honorable person.”
Shurachi stood and helped pull Sasuke up as well. Before he could turn to leave Sasuke bowed. “Thank you Inuzuka-sama.” And the boy ran off, presumably to his apartment.
The jyônin chuckled and dusted off his pants before climbing the little hill and continuing on his way home. Maybe he would introduce the Uchiha to Naruto, it would certainly be interesting to watch them interact.
He’d have to get a better feel for the Uchiha before he introduced him to one of his pups though. No matter that they knew each other from the academy, it was always a different experience to meet someone outside of school and usually brought about different interactions. That reminded him, he’d have to visit Naruto’s apartment soon and stock his fridge with something other than ramen.
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The first snowfall of winter was spent making snowmen and throwing snow balls at each other at the Inuzuka compound. Hajime and Shino had been invited over by Kiba for dinner while Naruto was practically dragged to the Inuzuka part of town by a determined Shurachi. The Kyuubi holder had been ignoring the vegetables and fruits Shurachi had brought him in favor of salty noodles.
A snow war had broken out shortly after that between the three children, Doku and Akamaru and Hajime. Sometime during the fight Hana had shown up and was also bombarded with snow. Shurachi stayed inside to make dinner, listening to the screams and laughter with a smile.
He was filled with a warmth that had been sorely missed as he thought about his pack playing outside in the snow. Tomorrow he’d visit Koishi and tell him all about the things that had been going on, but now he could bask in the glow of a happy, healthy pack.
The timer for the rice went off and Shurachi finished frying the beef strips. With movements smoothed by much practice, Shurachi set all the dishes on the table. He moved to the door and leaned out of it just enough that they could see him, but not enough that they could get him with snow.
“It’s ready everyone, come in and dry off some!” There was a general cheer raised before Shura had to quickly turn and press against the wall or risk being trampled by over eager children.
Wet shoes, coats, scarves, gloves, and socks were left in the front hall and the towels he’d stacked for them were all grabbed. Hana paused long enough to kiss his cheek, making him smile at her, and the dogs made a valiant effort to get everyone even more wet by shaking all the water off their fur.
They all settled around the table, thanked Shura for making them dinner, and displayed various levels of table manners while eating everything enthusiastically. When the first frantic wave of consumption slowed Shura cleared his throat. “So, Hana-neechan, how has the clinic been? Kunimitsu-oji mentioned that someone’s been breaking in?”
She frowned and took a bite of one of the rolls he’d made. “It’s very strange. They take sedatives usually used for when we have a feral wolf brought in or a dog that’s been given to many soldier pills. It’s powerful stuff, but it only happens once a month. They also only take enough to put a larger than average canine into a daze rather than the amount needed to affect a human.”
Green eyes blinked and a frown pulled at Shurachi’s lips. “Is there a set time that it happens? Any days in particular or just randomly once a month?”
Hana tapped her chin with the end of her chop sticks in thought. “It’s usually within a week of the full moon, always before and never after. I thought at first that someone was trying to keep a cerberus from it’s blood thirst, but you’re the only one in the village with a cerberus and you wouldn’t steal the medication for it, you’d just ask.”
“Full moon? Hmmm…” The only other creature he knew of that would need to be sedated on the full moon is a werewolf, but those lived outside the gate. The only people he knew that had come in from outside the gate and were in Konoha were himself and Lupin Remus.
Green eyes widened as all the little things clicked in his mind. He was rather annoyed with himself for not getting it earlier, it was rather obvious. The scent of wolves around the man that got stronger the closer they were to a full moon, the various scars that a civilian shouldn’t have, his knowledge of the various signs used within a pack, even his knowledge about werewolves was a little more than someone who’d only studied them should have.
“I’ll see what I can do about it Hana-neechan, maybe we can convince whoever it is to stop stealing it and go through the legal process of buying it properly.” Hana nodded absently and sucked a piece of cabbage off her chopsticks.
Kiba, seeing that his mother hadn’t reprimanded her for it, attempted to do the same. Immediately green eyes were focused on him in a terrifying way. “Inuzuka Kiba, you did not just slurp cabbage at MY table.” The pup gulped and sunk a little in his chair.
“I’m sorry Okaasan, Hana-neechan did it first though!” Shurachi frowned at his sister, annoyed that she was still giggling over him being called mother by their little brother and that she’d displayed such bad table manners in front of Kiba.
Narrowing his eyes at her in a way that promised pain if she didn’t comply, Shurachi pointed his chopsticks at both of them in turn. “I don’t care if someone else did it first, I know I taught you better manners than that. As for Hana-neechan, she won’t EVER do that at my table again, will she?” The evil glare being sent her way was enough to get a squeaked agreement out of the older Inuzuka.
Almost immediately the scary atmosphere dissipated and Shura smiled brightly at everyone. “Well then, since that’s settled lets continue eating. I made a special treat for desert so make sure to eat everything on your plate please!” The were many nervous glances thrown Shurachi’s way as everyone took care to use the best table manners they could muster to finish their meal.
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“Ah! Shurachi-kun! Kiba’s being mean to me!! Hey, let go!! Ow!” Kiba hurriedly slapped a hand over Naruto’s mouth and frowned at the blond.
Shurachi didn’t look up from the cookies he was putting into a plastic bag. “Kiba, be nice to Naruto-kun. I left some bento in the fridge for you two, Shino’s was sent home with him so he could change clothes and take it to the academy. I expect you to do your work today and get good grades.”
The bag of cookies was put into a small pouch at his side and he straightened up. Slightly shaky fingers wiped themselves clean on his apron as he turned to face the door. “I’ll be home before dark and I’ll be checking your apartment Naruto, so you better have eaten something other than ramen.” A pat to both boys heads as he walked passed them and he was out the door.
Naruto frowned a little and pulled Kiba’s hand off his mouth. “We don’t have school today, it’s Sunday. What’s wrong with your brother Kiba?”
The Inuzuka glanced at Naruto before sighing quietly. “I guess you wouldn’t know about Koishi-nii, would you?” At Naruto’s puzzled look Kiba pulled him into the den and pushed him to sit down in one of the chairs.
“A couple years ago my mom was in love with someone. They were as good as married, Koishi-nii was more like my dad than my actual father was. He made it to jyônin before my mom did and helped him get in enough missions to take the jyônin tests. The final mission, the one that usually decided your jyônin partner, was to retrieve a scroll.”
Naruto frowned a little and leaned back. “He’s a jyônin now though, so why’s he all out of it if he’s going to visit someone he loves? And how come this Koishi guy has never come by? I’ve never met him!”
“Actually you have. The first time Kaasan bought you ramen Koishi-nii was there.” Kiba scowled at him. “Now shut up so I can get back to the story!” Naruto huffed and crossed his arms but remained quiet.
Kiba cleared his throat and ran his hand down Akamaru’s back. “There were enemy nin waiting for him and they chased him back to camp. Kaasan managed to get rid of them before he reached the camp, but when he got there…” Kiba trailed off with a small look of pain on his face.
“Koishi-nii was already dead, there was nothing Kaasan could have done to save him. He wouldn’t tell me who killed him, but every year he goes to talk with Koishi-nii. There’s a small shrine in the Aburame compound dedicated to him that we visit in the spring, but Kaasan is the only one who visits it today.”
Naruto swallowed a little thickly. “Why is it on the Aburame’s grounds?”
Akamaru whined quietly to show he shared Kiba’s pain as the Inuzuka spoke quietly. “Koishi-nii was Shino’s uncle and Hajime-nii’s little brother. Kaasan’s gourd used to belong to Koishi-nii.” Silence filled the den.
Shurachi kept a hand on Doku’s head as they walked silently through the village to the Aburame compound. The cloud of insects parted for them without fuss and no one called to them as they made their way to the very back. A wall of shrines had various insects crawling over it.
He stopped at one on the very end and knelt with a small murmured greeting. In silence he lit incense and placed them on the plate. “Happy birthday Koi-chan.” A brittle smile tugged at his lips; Doku settled beside him in a regal pose and whined his own greeting.
“Shino and Kiba have been keeping up in school as well as they always have. Iruka says they never pay attention in class, but I make sure they do their homework so they don’t fall behind. The little kit that we fed all those years ago is officially under my protection now, just as you predicted.”
He laughed a little and wiped at a stray tear. “The Uchiha has asked me to teach him how to be a member of the council now that Itachi has killed their whole clan. I told him I would find him for lessons, but I haven’t really tried since then. I suppose I should keep my word, but he looks so much like his brother that I sometimes want to yell at him for taking you away from me.”
Shurachi reached into the bag he’d brought and pulled out the sack of cookies. “I brought cookies for us. I know you always complained about your mothering making them on your birthday, but you always did enjoy them.” He pulled out two and set them on the offering plate in the shrine before nibbling on one himself.
“Do you remember the wind that always seemed to come when I was upset? I found out what that was. A man named Lupin Remus has asked to hire me for a long term mission and has been teaching how to control that wind. He calls it magic, but it feels like an altered form of chakra to me. Once Kiba and Shino graduate I’m to go back to his home land with him and a team of my choosing.”
“Hokage-sama says I may even be able to have Kiba and Shino visit me, or come back to visit them so long as my employer agrees.” Shurachi grimaced and pushed some loose hair out of his face. “I don’t like the idea of leaving them to fend for themselves, but he knew my old name and I’ve already agreed to it.”
A sigh disturbed some of the insects fluttering around his face. “Also, I may be a pedophile. Well, not really, but I might as well be.”
Another small bite of his cookie in order to fight down the small blush dusting his cheeks. “I told you about Haku right? Zabuza’s little shadow? He’s always been a pup in my mind, one with a crush but still a pup.”
“Well, he flared his chakra when he was bathing in the hot springs outside the village and I went to see what was going on. Turns out he’d been practicing with his ice and taking a bath at the same time.”
Shurachi fell silent for a little while before continuing in a quiet voice. “His body is much smaller and softer than mine, but it is very obvious he’s growing up healthy. I’m glad I couldn’t get any of his scent due to the moisture in the air because I’m sure it would carry the hormones of a mating teen.”
Some uncomfortable shifting before Shura sighed loudly, the breath misting out of his mouth. “I don’t want to do anything about it, he really is only a pup after all, but his body is that of a fully functional male coming into his mating age. I find myself attracted to him despite the fact that he’s hardly older than my little Kiba.”
“I…I also don’t want to forget you. I’m afraid that if I let myself be with someone again, you’ll leave me for good.” The cookie was finished and Shurachi stood. The small pack was settled on his hip and he dusted off his clothes.
Once he was sure he looked presentable, Shura leaned forward to press a small kiss to the kunai stabbed into the wood of Koishi’s shrine. “Please watch over our pups when I leave for my mission Shi-kun. I’ll love you always and I’ll try to take your advice, but I don’t promise anything. I can’t say I’ll ever be able to love someone as much as I did you, but I promise not to make myself miserable.”
He made his way out of the Aburame compound silently and moved instead to his sisters veterinary hospital. People were bustling around with their animals or clipboards as usual. One of his younger cousin noticed him and bowed respectfully before scurrying on her way. He smiled gently at her, feeling very melancholy right then.
Making his way to the store room, he sniffed lightly at the air. Almost immediately the stench of wolf hit his nose and he sneezed. It was old, he’d had Inuzuka guards keeping everyone who wasn’t authorized away from the sedatives, so he’d either make a desperate attempt tomorrow or transform without it.
“Shizure, make sure no one, and I mean NO ONE gets passed you until after the full moon. Hana-neechan is the only person allowed access to any form of sedative.” The woman nodded and took up a rigid guard position with her canine partner pacing back and forth in front of the stored drugs.
Shurachi smiled briefly at her and left. He headed towards Naruto’s apartment, wondering a little amusedly if the blond had actually eaten any of the healthy food he’d brought for him. He’d never listened to Shurachi’s threats about his ramen before, so he doubted it.
When he made it to the dingy little apartment he was surprised to smell something other than the salty noodle dish wafting through the air. He didn’t bother with the door, instead poking his head through the kitchen window and looking around to try and spot whatever the blond was making.
He could see some strips of meat frying and there was a cutting board full of chopped up vegetables. He could smell some rice in the rice cooker on the opposite counter while Naruto was digging around his cabinet for something.
Silently, Shurachi slipped into the kitchen and crept up behind Naruto. “Hey kid, what are you doing down there?” Naruto yelped and tried to stand up without pulling his head out of the cupboard, resulting in a loud thunk and a muffled whimper.
He managed to pull his head out before trying to straighten again and Shurachi smiled at him. “Are you okay Naruto-kun? You hit your head pretty hard from the sound of it.”
The blond nodded, rubbing the back of his head with a grimace. “I’m alright Shurachi-kun. Why did you come by though? I thought you were visiting someone?”
Canines showed as Shurachi grinned at the little jinchuriki “I told you this morning that I’d be coming by the make sure you ate something other than ramen! Did you think I was joking?”
A blush stole over Naruto’s cheeks before vanishing as he grinned even wider than Shurachi. “Of course not Shurachi-kun! I even made rice and pork and I was getting ready to make vegetables as well, but I can’t find the sauce packet.”
Shura snorted “Was it a ramen sauce packet?” At Naruto’s meek nod Shurachi sighed and moved around to the fridge. He pulled out milk, some gravy, and then moved to the cupboard for flour and a couple pork bullion cubes. A sauce pan was dug up by Naruto and Shura set to work making a more healthy sauce.
In the meantime, Naruto bustled around the kitchen checking the rice and stirring the pork strips. When Shurachi moved aside a few minutes later and began to put the vegetables in the sauce Naruto scurried over to help.
“Stir that until the sauce thickens then put the meat in. You can eat it however you like so long as you eat it.” He ruffled Naruto’s hair and moved through the small living room to the front door. “I’ll see you later kid, good night.” He walked out the door, smiling when he heard Naruto yell after him that he wasn’t a kid. Obviously he’d missed it the first time when he hit his head.
A few days later Shurachi was woken from a rather peaceful nights sleep by the insistent barking of a dog. He could usually ignore such things as one of the dogs was always making such noises, but tonight the bark was different. He recognized it as the canine equivalent of his name.
He threw the covers off himself, revealing Doku to have taken Koishi’s place beside him, and opened the door. A few whimpers, yips, barks, and whines later he was pulling on his Inuzuka coat and hurrying to his sisters clinic.
When he got to the storage room he found three of his clan members holding a man on the ground while their various dogs circled and growled. His sister was standing off to the side with her arms crossed and a scowl on her face.
When her brown eyes alighted on him she immediately moved to his side. “Took you long enough Shurachi-chan, he almost got away when we sent Rokuharu out to get you!” Green eyes rolled and Doku snorted beside him.
The scent of wolf was strong in the room, emanating from the man being held to the ground. Ignoring the protests of his pack mates, Shurachi crouched beside the man and took a deep breath. It was definitely the person he’d though it was. “Release him.”
Immediately, protests filled the air along with loud barks and some furious growling. Shurachi stood and snarled in a horribly frightening way, baring formidable fangs at each person and canine in turn until they all quieted and moved away from the man. He didn’t move, didn’t try to get away. He knew that he wouldn’t stand a chance against the Alpha of the Inuzuka Pack.
“You should have gone through the proper channels in order to get what you needed. I would have been happy to have you supervised and enclosed in a specialized portion of the forest that I use to let my adolescent cerberus exercise. It would have been safer for both you and any wandering villagers.”
The man curled further in on himself and Shurachi growled. “Well? What have you got to say for yourself Lupin-san? Have you any justification for putting my village in danger, letting a dangerous canine roam my territory, and stealing from my pack?”
A golden eye peered out at him from behind dirty blond hair. “I have no defense except to say that I wanted to sleep through the whole process in order to avoid attacking anyone.” Shurachi snorted and reached down to grab the mans arm.
“The medicine you stole was designed for Inuzuka dogs specifically. It takes a lot to knock them out and the amounts of normal drugs that would be needed could be deadly. You should have let someone know that you needed something for a larger than average wolf, you could have killed yourself by overdosing on sedatives.” Sharp fangs were again displayed and this time Remus rolled onto his back and whined.
Green eyes closed as Shura pinched the bridge of his nose, moving his glasses to stave off a headache. “The full moon is in two days. Until that time you will be confined to a secured room in the Inuzuka compound. When your time to transform comes we will move you to a sealed portion of the forest to play with the pack. After that a proper punishment will be decided.”
When the man looked ready to protest Shurachi frowned at him. “Don’t even bother to try and get help from someone else. Hokage-sama recognized you as a guest of the village when you requested me for a mission. You would be immediately expelled from the village and banned from hiring any Konoha shinobi for missions. Be happy that you’re only being dealt with by my pack.”
Remus dropped his eyes to the side and nodded. At a motion from Shurachi the pair of Inuzuka that had originally been set to guard him hauled him to his feet and escorted him out of the storage room. Hana frowned deeply at the retreating forms then turned a confused look on Shurachi.
“Oi, otouto? What the hell just happened and why are you letting him off so light? He was stealing Inuzuka specialty sedatives from my hospital!” She glared at Shurachi, ignoring the whine of her own dog beside her.
Glasses were replaced on Shura’s nose before he answered. “Hana-neechan, he had a valid reason for needing those drugs, he just went about getting them the wrong way. The punishment I laid down so far is no different than what any other member of our pack would get, though his is being done a little differently due to a creature having been sealed inside of him. Once his one night of transformation is through we’ll have until the next full moon to make him serve a suitable punishment.”
Hana still looked annoyed, but she nodded anyway and shoved Shurachi out of the store room. “You’d better get home, I’m sure that little mama’s boy Kiba is going to be worried sick about you if you aren’t there when he wakes up.” Shurachi laughed, but did as he was told and made his way home.
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Shurachi listened to the crack and pop of bones echoing through the silent patch of forest. His three massive heads were resting on paws the size of serving trays and a thick tail was lazily resting on the ground.
His cerberus form was more wolf like than anything else, but he preferred to have it that way when he’d seen pictures of other animagus that had attempted it. They all ended up looking like demented lap dogs that had eaten on of the Akimichi’s growth pills.
On final, resounding snap mad his middle head look up and check on the writhing figure on the ground. Remus had still and his scent was almost completely hidden by the wolf. Behind him Kinobu stopped making fake attacks on his stationary tail to his left head against Shurachi’s side.
A quiet yip lifted his own left head to answer the inquisitive sound with a quiet growl. Kinobu didn’t get a chance to respond to the warning. A loud howl erupted where Remus had been transforming as a large wolf pushed itself shakily to its paws. Golden eyes opened when the head lowered and eyed the pair of demonic dogs on the other side of the small grassy area he found himself in.
The lethargy he remembered from his last few awakenings wasn’t there this time and the fresh scents of a forest filtered through his nose. Padfoot wasn’t there this time either, but at least he wasn’t alone.
A hesitant bark was answered by a confident huff and Moony’s tail and ears perked. “Who?” He asked excitedly and the large dog, at least twice as large as himself, stood with the pup by his side.
“I am Alpha.” Moony’s ears immediately flattened against his head and his tail tucked itself under and out of the way of sharp teeth.
This dog was alpha? Moony wasn’t sure he liked the idea of that, he’d always been alpha in his packs before. But this wasn’t his forest and this dog certainly was his pack. Perhaps he could play with this ones pack for tonight though?
Well, if nothing else, he would certainly make sure he was allowed to use the dogs territory for the night. Carefully watching both canine before him, Moony crawled forward on his belly then rolled and exposed all his vulnerable parts.
Three massive heads lowered to sniff at him and the middle one opened it’s jaws to lightly bite his stomach. His entire abdomen fit in the massive mouth. Then the dog was sitting back and an echoing, triple pitched howl filled the forest. Answering calls came closer and closer until a large group of dogs burst from various places to join them.
“Pack brother, you are well?” Doku asked over the din of playful growls and yelps. Shurachi lowered himself back to a laying position so Doku could climb onto him as well as the few pups that were old enough to be let out of their mothers sight.
It was the right head that lifted to nudge Doku reassuringly. “I am perfectly fine Doku. No wolf is strong enough to take me down when I am like this and you know it. How are my pups?”
The smaller dog sighed and flopped down to lay beside Shura. “The pup that understands us is confused as to why you won’t be there tonight since he knows you don’t have a mission, but the one that shares your Drainers is keeping him company.”
The closest thing to a smirk a dog could managed pulled at the corner of Doku’s mouth. “Young Akamaru has been trying to eat the other pup’s Drainers and has so far managed to only fall off various pieces of furniture.”
Shurachi rumbled out a deep laugh and settled his heads back down for a nap. He had no reason to worry about Remus being a threat when so many Inuzuka dogs were keeping him company.
When green eyes opened again the sun was gently peering over the horizon and pained snarls were taking on the sound of human vocals. Finally the tone of a canine voice fell away to an entirely human one and the screaming stopped. Harsh breathing filled the air and those green eyes focused on the naked body.
Kikai crawled through him and out before magic rippled over him and his form shrank back into a human. The kikai swirled around him once before settling on his upper body and carefully slipping back into their hive.
“Lupin Remus; you will be taken to the family’s personal physician for recovery then you will report to the main house for punishment. It has been decided that you will no longer be permitted inside the inner buildings of the Inuzuka compound, you will have no contact with any Inuzuka pup, and you will lose any status you may have gained through your association with us. The outer buildings are still open to your use as they are to all villagers and you are expected to report at the main building every full moon so you may change safely.”
Golden eyes lowered themselves from the Alpha’s emotionless face and his head tilted absently to expose his throat. He deserved his punishment, he should have known better than to try stealing from a clan who raised professional thieves. He closed his eyes as the soft sound of footsteps came closer to him and tensed when Shurachi crouched down beside him.
A calloused hand settled on his chest and warm breath fanned out over his throat. “You will not take from my pack without permission again Lupin Remus. What you did could have killed you, your wolf, and any Inuzuka dog that might have needed the sedatives you stole.” With every word a gush of air rushed over his throat.
Remus twitched, as if to move away, and a soft growl froze his body. Sharp teeth settled over his Adam’s apple and applied pressure. He remained tense for several seconds before his entire body went limp and the teeth released him. “Mikaro, Yagumi!” Remus opened his eyes at the bark and two thumps drew his attention.
A pair of twins, because they couldn’t be anything else, stood side by side a little ways away from them. The male had grown out his brown hair to match his sisters length and identical brown eyes watched them. The only difference he could see between really was the fact that the female had a small swelling on her chest that indicated breasts.
“Take Lupin-san to Saichi’s and make sure he doesn’t leave until he’s in full health. After that escort him to the Main building for his formal sentencing. An announcement will be made tonight so the whole clan knows what his punishment is.” The pair of them bowed before Yagumi carefully lifted the naked man and Mikaro draped a blanket over him.
The three of them darted out of the clearing in the direction of the small hospital on the Inuzuka grounds and Shurachi surveyed the clearing briefly before turning the opposite way to head home.
Kiba immediately came up to hug him, the usual reaction after Shurachi got back from a mission, and Shino quietly waited for his friend to let go before moving to hug Shura as well. Several of his kikai switched hives to make sure his surrogate Uncle was truly alright.
“It was not a dangerous thing, so no need to worry pups. I do have something to do today that you can’t come with me for so where do you want to be while I’m gone? Either the Aburame Compound, here, or somewhere with an adult to watch over you.” Shurachi ruffled both of their hair as they made faces at the thought of being watched.
Both boys looked at each other before Kiba grinned widely and turned innocent eyes on his mother. “Can we go to Naruto’s place Kaasan? Cousin Mikaro and Yagumi are always watching him for you and if they aren’t there then Ray and Shuuichi are always there.” Shurachi hummed a little in the back of his throat before slowly nodding.
“I don’t see why you can’t, but I better not hear of anything happening while you’re there. I had to sit through a lecture from Chiaru Totsuke because you three somehow managed to dye all of the hot spring water orange.” The grin widened on Kiba’s face and Shino made a soft noise that sounded suspiciously like a laugh.
Green eyes narrowed “Not to mention the fact that several chûnin and jyônin had to be taken off duty because they could no longer hide efficiently since their skin was bright orange. That prank could have cost the village several clients if I hadn’t ordered some of the clans personal shinobi to take the orange shinobi’s places.” The laughter stopped and Kiba winced.
Brown eyes lifted to meet green before lowering a little and Shino avoided eye contact all together. “We promise not to do something that could bring trouble on our clan or village Okaasan.” Shurachi nodded and headed into the kitchen to quickly make three bento lunches for the boys.
He watched the pair from his doorway as they hopped across buildings to the edge of the Inuzuka compound and then jumped down into the street. They’d just learned how to use chakra to let someone travel across rooftops or tree branches and were using the skill as often as they could.
About an hour later found Shurachi heading toward the Uchiha compound with a small bundle attached to his back and Doku faithfully at his side. They arrived in the deserted area and moved unerringly toward the apartment Sasuke had chosen to stay in.
Despite how odd the gesture felt, Shurachi knocked on the door and waited for Sasuke to open it before slipping inside. “Are you ready to learn how to serve on the Council?” Sasuke blinked at him before slowly nodding with a small frown. “Good. Here’s a book that has all the rules and rituals involved with being a member of the Council. I also borrowed the scroll that has the Uchiha Council member’s attire written down in it. This is the Hokage’s copy, so don’t lose it.”
Both things were set onto the table holding various items by the door. “This is the Uchiha formal robes, I had them made a little large so that when you make genin they’ll fit you perfectly. I want you to try these on once I leave and get used to sitting in them for a little while before you go to bed.” Blue hakama and a white haori with the Uchiha clan symbol on the back was unfolded for him to view. There was no under shit though, and he frowned in confusion.
“What do I wear under it?” His voice seemed very small compared to the confidence with which Inuzuka Shurachi spoke.
Green eyes wrinkled behind silver framed glasses as a pink mouth pulled into a smile. “Anything you like. There isn’t any protocol for the under garments so long as you have these on. I would suggest something that matches the color scheme though.” Sasuke blushed a little in embarrassment, but nodded to show he understood.
For nearly three hours the pair of them went through various rules and scenarios, stopping only briefly for lunch, before Shurachi was satisfied with Sasuke’s first lesson. He stood to leave and nudged Doku, who had fallen asleep, with his foot. “You will be graduating soon Uchiha-kun, I will be by a couple more times to help coach you through some council meetings, but you will have to read the book and scroll.”
Sasuke nodded his agreement and moved to see Shurachi to the door. “Thank you for this Inuzuka-sama.” Shurachi watched the fidgeting youth quietly. It was very obvious he wasn’t used to being indebted to someone or thanking them for anything.
Instead of dangling the gratitude over Sasuke’s head like he was half tempted to do, Shurachi tugged the smaller male into his arms. “You can thank me by becoming a good shinobi for the village Uchiha-kun.” He gently released his and moved out the door with a barking Doku. Obviously the dog was eager to get moving after staying still for so long.
A small spark of warmth pushed away the resentment that Sasuke’s appearance had caused in him as Shurachi walked slowly toward his home. Itachi’s face no longer superimposed itself over Sasuke’s in his mind and the tension he hadn’t noticed before flowed out of him.
The Uchiha heir would make a great shinobi, he just needed someone that could put aside the fact that he is an Uchiha to help him through his grief. Shurachi wasn’t sure if he could bring himself to be that person, but he could tell himself without doubt that he wouldn’t turn the boy away if he were to come to him. He wouldn’t hold Itachi’s mistakes to Sasuke.
Previous:: Chapter Twenty First Chapter Next:: Chapter Twenty Five
Warnings:: Slash/shounen ai (maybe YAOI), Het, blood and stuff, non-con (though I'll warn you so you can skip), mentions of underage (I guess) HarryOC (OC dies so don’t get in a twist) ShuraHaku (yes, he WILL be a HE)
Diclaimer:: Well I challenged a chap from Japan to a break dancing contest and got broke. I then challenge a chick to a drinking contest and ended up under the table while she laughed at me. So now I’m broke, vomiting, and have nothing but last nights dinner to show for it!!
Note:: SORRY THIS IS LATE, though I don’t really set an update deadline for myself. I’m seriously spazzing out right now though guys, Siriusly. This is the last completed chapter, ignore the blatant rape of cannon in it please, and you all have Lyn908 to thank for it and the stuff that’s coming up after it as she viciously spat me out of my funk.
I’m kind of nervous about this chapter, so let me know how bad it was. Also, for those of you on LJ, this is last weeks update attached to this weeks update. I put it up on fanfiction.net and forgot to put it up here. SORRY!!
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Shurachi slowly walked toward his home as the low burn of alcohol in his stomach warmed him. After catching sight of a wet Haku he’d needed a few drinks. It wasn’t enough to make him stumble around, but it was enough that he felt better about ogling the boy. He had come to terms with the fact that Haku wasn’t a pup anymore, was turning into a rather fine young male, but he still wasn’t ready to even think about bedding the guy.
Long braid smacked against his back as he came to a sudden stop. He could have sworn he’d heard…Ah! There it was again! The sound of something hitting the ground, a whimper, some cursing. Those were all things he’d heard before and he knew, without even having to think about it, that they were things he shouldn’t be hearing on his way home.
Another small cry reached him and he pushed his glasses further up his nose. “Well, I guess I have to investigate it now. I can’t say I didn’t hear anything as I’m an Inuzuka and I can’t say it wasn’t my problem as I’m a shinobi of Konohagakure.”
He didn’t bother to keep his voice down, hoping that whoever it was would be scared off by the thought of being caught. No such luck though, the man was still standing over a huddled form with a large piece of wood. Shurachi wrinkled his nose at the smell floating around the alley and pulled his cloth over the lower half of his face.
“What a horrible stink! I don’t remember this alley smelling this bad, it must be the occupant!” He complained. The man holding the board tensed up further before swinging it down on the curled up person on the ground.
Green eyes flickered down and hardened as they settled on golden hair. The quiet whimper that tore itself from the form also brought up his instincts. This was one of his pups, and some outsider had dared to harm him? Well, he’d have to make sure it never happened again, wouldn’t he?
Long claws pushed from his fingers, canines pointed and grew, and Shurachi crouched in a threatening manner. “You would dare attack one of my pups?” His voice was low, the words growled. The board moved as if to swing down again and Shura wasted no time in darting forward.
The man never had a chance. Shurachi’s claws ripped into him with a gleeful abandon that he hadn’t experienced in quite some time. There was nothing like defending a pup to bring out his sadistic side. Intestines burst in his grip, a stomach spilled acid and partially digested food over the ground, and finally his claws caught on ribs.
He pulled his bloody hand back to punch the mans chest, relishing the feel of bone giving way, and grinned viciously at the blood that bubbled from the man’s mouth. “Really, attacking a defenseless child. You should be ashamed of yourself.” His grin widened at the disbelieving look in the man’s eyes before they rolled into the back of his head and the man’s body slipped off his bloody fist.
Kikai swarmed out of his arms and converged on the blood covering his torso. Once they moved away to clear another spot he was left clean, if not a little damp. When he was sure he didn’t have to much blood on him, Shurachi crouched next to Naruto and carefully scooped him up. The child curled tighter and made small noises of distress, but he didn’t try to get away so Shurachi easily carried him out of the alley and toward his clans personal doctor.
The Inuzuka Alpha settled himself in the waiting room with a small sigh and closed his eyes to nap lightly. It would be a little while before any news came of the blonds condition, so he might as well get some rest.
Morning came with a wet tongue and deathly strong grip. Sometime during the night Doku had appeared at his side with Kiba in his lap and Akamaru on Kiba’s head. The pup was licking his cheek while Kiba was hugging him in his sleep. Shurachi didn’t mind though, waking up with the most important part of his pack near him was always welcome.
The air stirred and wafted a sterile scent into Shurachi’s nose. The medic entered the room a second later and smiled at the sight of her Alpha and his pup. “Shurachi-sama, Uzumaki-san will be fine. His…condition enables him to heal ten times faster than a normal shinobi and most of the injuries are gone already. The internal bleeding has also stopped and he’s breathing much easier.”
Green eyes closed in relief before opening again. “When will he be able to leave? Iruka is his sensei in the academy this year and I’d rather not have him chewing me out for keeping one of his students away from him longer than necessary.”
Doku snorted in agreement of his human. The pack mate that smelled like ocean and warmth could be very scary when he though a pup was in trouble.
“As soon as he wakes up he’ll be able to go. There isn’t anything I can do now that he isn’t already doing himself, so all I recommend is that he not do any big jutsu for a little while. Since he’s an academy student we probably don’t have to worry about that.”
Shurachi nodded and settled to, once again, wait. He’d personally escort Kiba and Naruto to class in order to explain their tardiness to Iruka. As a bonus he’d get to see his old teammate. It had been a long time since any of them had been together for any amount of time. He’d have to get Iruka and Mitsuo to come out to dinner with him sometime.
Naruto woke a few hours later and Shurachi gave him some clean clothes he’d had one of the Inuzuka genin retrieve from Naruto’s apartment. It didn’t take very long for the three of them and both dogs to get out on the street.
A smile tugged at his lips as Kiba and Naruto chased each other around him and the dogs, Akamaru and Doku barking happily along with the boys laughter. No one bothered them all the way to the academy.
When they came in the classroom door Shurachi watched Iruka turn a glinting eye on the boys and take a breath to get ready for a major chewing out. Noting the way both boys cringed, he took a step into the room and cleared his throat loudly. “Iruka-kun, I’m so sorry the boys are late. I’m afraid I kept them home longer than I thought and only just realized the academy had already started. Please accept my apology.”
Iruka deflated and turned a surprised, but still happy, look on his old teammate. “Buchou? What are you doing here? I thought you had a mission today?”
Pale lips curved in a small smile. “I’m not your captain anymore Iruka-kun, you don’t have to call me Buchou! And I do have a mission, but it isn’t a very hard mission so I thought I’d come explain their absence in person. This way they wouldn’t get in as much trouble when it was my fault.”
Laughter erupted from Iruka, startling several students that had been sleeping. “I’ll call you Buchou if I want, Buchou. You don’t stop being one just because we aren’t in a team anymore. I have mission room duty after school, so we can talk when you hand in your report.” There was a slight warning toward the end as Shurachi had been late, two weeks late, in getting his last report in.
The Inuzuka smiled a little wider and nodded his agreement. “Make sure you do your work today boys, I’ll be asking Iruka if you slacked off again after school.” Kiba and Shino sunk a little in their chairs while Naruto smiled shyly at the idea that someone would be asking after his progress in school.
Green eyes swept the room one last time, lingering on the frowning Uchiha, before Shurachi waved good bye and left. He’d have to be quick about retrieving the summoning scroll from the neighboring village. It wouldn’t due for Iruka to be stood up after all.
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Summer crisped into fall and Shurachi found himself spending more time around his old teammate. It wasn’t something he was unhappy with though. Shura found that the time he spent around Iruka was usually enough to chase away the lingering thoughts of Haku that liked to float out of his mind and startle him.
The dull ache of Koishi’s death was slowly being soothed by Iruka’s soft blushes and shy smiles as well. Something he never thought could happen, but he was glad for it. He could feel this soothing balm the best when he was with the chûnin, so he’d sent Kiba over to Hajime’s and given Doku strict orders to keep the Aburame out of the kitchen.
Once he was sure his pups were safe from Hajime’s lack of cooking skills, Shurachi cleaned himself up and pulled on some slacks with a civilian button up shirt. His many braids had been replaced with one long ponytail that was left to hang down his back. Silky black bangs framed his face and hid the scar on his forehead from view with the blazing red Inuzuka triangles helping to draw attention away from it.
He wasn’t sure why, but the scar had always given him an uneasy feeling. As a genin he’d had horrible dreams of slaughtered civilians and weird jutsu that had always come when his scar ached. He hadn’t had anything like that since he’d made chûnin, but he was getting a feeling of unease every time he glimpsed the scar in a mirror.
Satisfied with his own appearance, Shurachi slipped a couple senbon into his clothing and left to pick up Iruka. The academy teacher had agreed, amongst much blushing and stuttering, to go out with him to dinner and a movie. Koishi and he had always had dates that revolved more around watching other shinobi in the training grounds while eating a picnic Shurachi had made, but the Inuzuka doubted Iruka would want to do something related to violence on a date.
It was a relaxing, totally chaste night spent talking about things they’d done as a team and people they both knew. They stuck to purely civilian establishments and saw a comedy about a singer that fell in love with a novelist and all the weird things that happened to them. Shurachi walked Iruka to the door of his apartment, gave him a kiss on the cheek because Iruka was already blushing brighter than Naruto’s jacket, and walked towards his house.
The sun was going down and he had to go by the river, but that didn’t really worry him. Enemy nin would have a hard time getting through all the traps set up to keep them out. He was a little surprised to find Uchiha Sasuke sitting on one of the fishing docks though. He hadn’t really given the last surviving Uchiha much thought beyond what would happen with Itachi whenever he was caught.
Shurachi turned, as if to continue on his way, when he made the mistake of scenting the air. The salty tang of tears was faint, but it was still there and his maternal instincts wouldn’t let him leave a pup in distress. So, mentally cursing his father and sister for bringing out the mothering side of him, Shura made his way down the small hill and onto the dock.
There weren’t any words, he simply sat besides Sasuke and stared straight ahead as the Uchiha sniffled and scooted to burry his face into Shurachi’s side. It wasn’t like when Kiba cried, huge sobs that shook his body, or when Shino cried, small hiccupping hitches in his breath that made small jerky motions.
Sasuke’s tears were silent and motionless, trailing down his cheeks and soaking into Shura’s button up shirt. Little arms circled his waste, holding tightly to him, and Shura wrapped one arm around the crying Uchiha.
He wasn’t sure how long they sat like that, but the sun had been down for a while before the child pulled away from him with a little sniffle. “Thank you.” The quiet murmur was a little thick, but Shurachi only nodded.
“You’re an Inuzuka right?” Again Shura nodded, though this time he had a curious look on his face. “Aniki….I was told that if I ever needed help I could ask an Inuzuka. Kaasan said that they were always nice to kids.”
Chapped lips frowned slightly and Shura reached out a hand to rest on Sasuke’s head. “Uchiha-kun, the Inuzuka will always help a pup in need. No matter where your information came from, it is true we do not turn children away. There is only so much we can do though, some things you’ll have to do alone.”
Sasuke nodded with a small frown before looking up at Shurachi, green eyes watching him behind the rectangular glasses. “I know I have to be a genin before I can officially join the Council, but I am the rightful holder of the Uchiha seat on the Clan Council. My father only taught Itachi what he needed to know about the council and never even mentioned it to me. I was hoping the head of your clan would teach me.”
Shurachi frowned slightly, disliking the thought of a pup having to give up his childhood in order to join the council, but he ruffled Sasuke’s hair with a nod and pulled his hand away from the boy’s hair. “Alright little Uchiha, I will teach you what you need to know in order to sit in the Uchiha seat at Council meetings. In return though, you must promise me that you won’t let them coerce any decision you make.”
Stern eyes froze Sasuke in place “There are many clans who wished to take you in after the massacre. They wanted the power of having the last Uchiha in Konoha under their thumb. I will not tolerate you bending to their will once I’ve taught you everything you need to know.” The stern look softened some a smirk pulling at Shurachi’s lips.
“I may not have gotten along well with your father, brother, or any other member of the Uchiha family, but they did have honorable shinobi. I expect you to uphold that honor while serving on the Council.” The smirk turned into a smile as Sasuke agreed eagerly. “I’ll come find you when it’s time for you first lesson Uchiha Sasuke. Until then, prove that you are worthy of the Uchiha seat by being a just and honorable person.”
Shurachi stood and helped pull Sasuke up as well. Before he could turn to leave Sasuke bowed. “Thank you Inuzuka-sama.” And the boy ran off, presumably to his apartment.
The jyônin chuckled and dusted off his pants before climbing the little hill and continuing on his way home. Maybe he would introduce the Uchiha to Naruto, it would certainly be interesting to watch them interact.
He’d have to get a better feel for the Uchiha before he introduced him to one of his pups though. No matter that they knew each other from the academy, it was always a different experience to meet someone outside of school and usually brought about different interactions. That reminded him, he’d have to visit Naruto’s apartment soon and stock his fridge with something other than ramen.
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The first snowfall of winter was spent making snowmen and throwing snow balls at each other at the Inuzuka compound. Hajime and Shino had been invited over by Kiba for dinner while Naruto was practically dragged to the Inuzuka part of town by a determined Shurachi. The Kyuubi holder had been ignoring the vegetables and fruits Shurachi had brought him in favor of salty noodles.
A snow war had broken out shortly after that between the three children, Doku and Akamaru and Hajime. Sometime during the fight Hana had shown up and was also bombarded with snow. Shurachi stayed inside to make dinner, listening to the screams and laughter with a smile.
He was filled with a warmth that had been sorely missed as he thought about his pack playing outside in the snow. Tomorrow he’d visit Koishi and tell him all about the things that had been going on, but now he could bask in the glow of a happy, healthy pack.
The timer for the rice went off and Shurachi finished frying the beef strips. With movements smoothed by much practice, Shurachi set all the dishes on the table. He moved to the door and leaned out of it just enough that they could see him, but not enough that they could get him with snow.
“It’s ready everyone, come in and dry off some!” There was a general cheer raised before Shura had to quickly turn and press against the wall or risk being trampled by over eager children.
Wet shoes, coats, scarves, gloves, and socks were left in the front hall and the towels he’d stacked for them were all grabbed. Hana paused long enough to kiss his cheek, making him smile at her, and the dogs made a valiant effort to get everyone even more wet by shaking all the water off their fur.
They all settled around the table, thanked Shura for making them dinner, and displayed various levels of table manners while eating everything enthusiastically. When the first frantic wave of consumption slowed Shura cleared his throat. “So, Hana-neechan, how has the clinic been? Kunimitsu-oji mentioned that someone’s been breaking in?”
She frowned and took a bite of one of the rolls he’d made. “It’s very strange. They take sedatives usually used for when we have a feral wolf brought in or a dog that’s been given to many soldier pills. It’s powerful stuff, but it only happens once a month. They also only take enough to put a larger than average canine into a daze rather than the amount needed to affect a human.”
Green eyes blinked and a frown pulled at Shurachi’s lips. “Is there a set time that it happens? Any days in particular or just randomly once a month?”
Hana tapped her chin with the end of her chop sticks in thought. “It’s usually within a week of the full moon, always before and never after. I thought at first that someone was trying to keep a cerberus from it’s blood thirst, but you’re the only one in the village with a cerberus and you wouldn’t steal the medication for it, you’d just ask.”
“Full moon? Hmmm…” The only other creature he knew of that would need to be sedated on the full moon is a werewolf, but those lived outside the gate. The only people he knew that had come in from outside the gate and were in Konoha were himself and Lupin Remus.
Green eyes widened as all the little things clicked in his mind. He was rather annoyed with himself for not getting it earlier, it was rather obvious. The scent of wolves around the man that got stronger the closer they were to a full moon, the various scars that a civilian shouldn’t have, his knowledge of the various signs used within a pack, even his knowledge about werewolves was a little more than someone who’d only studied them should have.
“I’ll see what I can do about it Hana-neechan, maybe we can convince whoever it is to stop stealing it and go through the legal process of buying it properly.” Hana nodded absently and sucked a piece of cabbage off her chopsticks.
Kiba, seeing that his mother hadn’t reprimanded her for it, attempted to do the same. Immediately green eyes were focused on him in a terrifying way. “Inuzuka Kiba, you did not just slurp cabbage at MY table.” The pup gulped and sunk a little in his chair.
“I’m sorry Okaasan, Hana-neechan did it first though!” Shurachi frowned at his sister, annoyed that she was still giggling over him being called mother by their little brother and that she’d displayed such bad table manners in front of Kiba.
Narrowing his eyes at her in a way that promised pain if she didn’t comply, Shurachi pointed his chopsticks at both of them in turn. “I don’t care if someone else did it first, I know I taught you better manners than that. As for Hana-neechan, she won’t EVER do that at my table again, will she?” The evil glare being sent her way was enough to get a squeaked agreement out of the older Inuzuka.
Almost immediately the scary atmosphere dissipated and Shura smiled brightly at everyone. “Well then, since that’s settled lets continue eating. I made a special treat for desert so make sure to eat everything on your plate please!” The were many nervous glances thrown Shurachi’s way as everyone took care to use the best table manners they could muster to finish their meal.
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“Ah! Shurachi-kun! Kiba’s being mean to me!! Hey, let go!! Ow!” Kiba hurriedly slapped a hand over Naruto’s mouth and frowned at the blond.
Shurachi didn’t look up from the cookies he was putting into a plastic bag. “Kiba, be nice to Naruto-kun. I left some bento in the fridge for you two, Shino’s was sent home with him so he could change clothes and take it to the academy. I expect you to do your work today and get good grades.”
The bag of cookies was put into a small pouch at his side and he straightened up. Slightly shaky fingers wiped themselves clean on his apron as he turned to face the door. “I’ll be home before dark and I’ll be checking your apartment Naruto, so you better have eaten something other than ramen.” A pat to both boys heads as he walked passed them and he was out the door.
Naruto frowned a little and pulled Kiba’s hand off his mouth. “We don’t have school today, it’s Sunday. What’s wrong with your brother Kiba?”
The Inuzuka glanced at Naruto before sighing quietly. “I guess you wouldn’t know about Koishi-nii, would you?” At Naruto’s puzzled look Kiba pulled him into the den and pushed him to sit down in one of the chairs.
“A couple years ago my mom was in love with someone. They were as good as married, Koishi-nii was more like my dad than my actual father was. He made it to jyônin before my mom did and helped him get in enough missions to take the jyônin tests. The final mission, the one that usually decided your jyônin partner, was to retrieve a scroll.”
Naruto frowned a little and leaned back. “He’s a jyônin now though, so why’s he all out of it if he’s going to visit someone he loves? And how come this Koishi guy has never come by? I’ve never met him!”
“Actually you have. The first time Kaasan bought you ramen Koishi-nii was there.” Kiba scowled at him. “Now shut up so I can get back to the story!” Naruto huffed and crossed his arms but remained quiet.
Kiba cleared his throat and ran his hand down Akamaru’s back. “There were enemy nin waiting for him and they chased him back to camp. Kaasan managed to get rid of them before he reached the camp, but when he got there…” Kiba trailed off with a small look of pain on his face.
“Koishi-nii was already dead, there was nothing Kaasan could have done to save him. He wouldn’t tell me who killed him, but every year he goes to talk with Koishi-nii. There’s a small shrine in the Aburame compound dedicated to him that we visit in the spring, but Kaasan is the only one who visits it today.”
Naruto swallowed a little thickly. “Why is it on the Aburame’s grounds?”
Akamaru whined quietly to show he shared Kiba’s pain as the Inuzuka spoke quietly. “Koishi-nii was Shino’s uncle and Hajime-nii’s little brother. Kaasan’s gourd used to belong to Koishi-nii.” Silence filled the den.
Shurachi kept a hand on Doku’s head as they walked silently through the village to the Aburame compound. The cloud of insects parted for them without fuss and no one called to them as they made their way to the very back. A wall of shrines had various insects crawling over it.
He stopped at one on the very end and knelt with a small murmured greeting. In silence he lit incense and placed them on the plate. “Happy birthday Koi-chan.” A brittle smile tugged at his lips; Doku settled beside him in a regal pose and whined his own greeting.
“Shino and Kiba have been keeping up in school as well as they always have. Iruka says they never pay attention in class, but I make sure they do their homework so they don’t fall behind. The little kit that we fed all those years ago is officially under my protection now, just as you predicted.”
He laughed a little and wiped at a stray tear. “The Uchiha has asked me to teach him how to be a member of the council now that Itachi has killed their whole clan. I told him I would find him for lessons, but I haven’t really tried since then. I suppose I should keep my word, but he looks so much like his brother that I sometimes want to yell at him for taking you away from me.”
Shurachi reached into the bag he’d brought and pulled out the sack of cookies. “I brought cookies for us. I know you always complained about your mothering making them on your birthday, but you always did enjoy them.” He pulled out two and set them on the offering plate in the shrine before nibbling on one himself.
“Do you remember the wind that always seemed to come when I was upset? I found out what that was. A man named Lupin Remus has asked to hire me for a long term mission and has been teaching how to control that wind. He calls it magic, but it feels like an altered form of chakra to me. Once Kiba and Shino graduate I’m to go back to his home land with him and a team of my choosing.”
“Hokage-sama says I may even be able to have Kiba and Shino visit me, or come back to visit them so long as my employer agrees.” Shurachi grimaced and pushed some loose hair out of his face. “I don’t like the idea of leaving them to fend for themselves, but he knew my old name and I’ve already agreed to it.”
A sigh disturbed some of the insects fluttering around his face. “Also, I may be a pedophile. Well, not really, but I might as well be.”
Another small bite of his cookie in order to fight down the small blush dusting his cheeks. “I told you about Haku right? Zabuza’s little shadow? He’s always been a pup in my mind, one with a crush but still a pup.”
“Well, he flared his chakra when he was bathing in the hot springs outside the village and I went to see what was going on. Turns out he’d been practicing with his ice and taking a bath at the same time.”
Shurachi fell silent for a little while before continuing in a quiet voice. “His body is much smaller and softer than mine, but it is very obvious he’s growing up healthy. I’m glad I couldn’t get any of his scent due to the moisture in the air because I’m sure it would carry the hormones of a mating teen.”
Some uncomfortable shifting before Shura sighed loudly, the breath misting out of his mouth. “I don’t want to do anything about it, he really is only a pup after all, but his body is that of a fully functional male coming into his mating age. I find myself attracted to him despite the fact that he’s hardly older than my little Kiba.”
“I…I also don’t want to forget you. I’m afraid that if I let myself be with someone again, you’ll leave me for good.” The cookie was finished and Shurachi stood. The small pack was settled on his hip and he dusted off his clothes.
Once he was sure he looked presentable, Shura leaned forward to press a small kiss to the kunai stabbed into the wood of Koishi’s shrine. “Please watch over our pups when I leave for my mission Shi-kun. I’ll love you always and I’ll try to take your advice, but I don’t promise anything. I can’t say I’ll ever be able to love someone as much as I did you, but I promise not to make myself miserable.”
He made his way out of the Aburame compound silently and moved instead to his sisters veterinary hospital. People were bustling around with their animals or clipboards as usual. One of his younger cousin noticed him and bowed respectfully before scurrying on her way. He smiled gently at her, feeling very melancholy right then.
Making his way to the store room, he sniffed lightly at the air. Almost immediately the stench of wolf hit his nose and he sneezed. It was old, he’d had Inuzuka guards keeping everyone who wasn’t authorized away from the sedatives, so he’d either make a desperate attempt tomorrow or transform without it.
“Shizure, make sure no one, and I mean NO ONE gets passed you until after the full moon. Hana-neechan is the only person allowed access to any form of sedative.” The woman nodded and took up a rigid guard position with her canine partner pacing back and forth in front of the stored drugs.
Shurachi smiled briefly at her and left. He headed towards Naruto’s apartment, wondering a little amusedly if the blond had actually eaten any of the healthy food he’d brought for him. He’d never listened to Shurachi’s threats about his ramen before, so he doubted it.
When he made it to the dingy little apartment he was surprised to smell something other than the salty noodle dish wafting through the air. He didn’t bother with the door, instead poking his head through the kitchen window and looking around to try and spot whatever the blond was making.
He could see some strips of meat frying and there was a cutting board full of chopped up vegetables. He could smell some rice in the rice cooker on the opposite counter while Naruto was digging around his cabinet for something.
Silently, Shurachi slipped into the kitchen and crept up behind Naruto. “Hey kid, what are you doing down there?” Naruto yelped and tried to stand up without pulling his head out of the cupboard, resulting in a loud thunk and a muffled whimper.
He managed to pull his head out before trying to straighten again and Shurachi smiled at him. “Are you okay Naruto-kun? You hit your head pretty hard from the sound of it.”
The blond nodded, rubbing the back of his head with a grimace. “I’m alright Shurachi-kun. Why did you come by though? I thought you were visiting someone?”
Canines showed as Shurachi grinned at the little jinchuriki “I told you this morning that I’d be coming by the make sure you ate something other than ramen! Did you think I was joking?”
A blush stole over Naruto’s cheeks before vanishing as he grinned even wider than Shurachi. “Of course not Shurachi-kun! I even made rice and pork and I was getting ready to make vegetables as well, but I can’t find the sauce packet.”
Shura snorted “Was it a ramen sauce packet?” At Naruto’s meek nod Shurachi sighed and moved around to the fridge. He pulled out milk, some gravy, and then moved to the cupboard for flour and a couple pork bullion cubes. A sauce pan was dug up by Naruto and Shura set to work making a more healthy sauce.
In the meantime, Naruto bustled around the kitchen checking the rice and stirring the pork strips. When Shurachi moved aside a few minutes later and began to put the vegetables in the sauce Naruto scurried over to help.
“Stir that until the sauce thickens then put the meat in. You can eat it however you like so long as you eat it.” He ruffled Naruto’s hair and moved through the small living room to the front door. “I’ll see you later kid, good night.” He walked out the door, smiling when he heard Naruto yell after him that he wasn’t a kid. Obviously he’d missed it the first time when he hit his head.
A few days later Shurachi was woken from a rather peaceful nights sleep by the insistent barking of a dog. He could usually ignore such things as one of the dogs was always making such noises, but tonight the bark was different. He recognized it as the canine equivalent of his name.
He threw the covers off himself, revealing Doku to have taken Koishi’s place beside him, and opened the door. A few whimpers, yips, barks, and whines later he was pulling on his Inuzuka coat and hurrying to his sisters clinic.
When he got to the storage room he found three of his clan members holding a man on the ground while their various dogs circled and growled. His sister was standing off to the side with her arms crossed and a scowl on her face.
When her brown eyes alighted on him she immediately moved to his side. “Took you long enough Shurachi-chan, he almost got away when we sent Rokuharu out to get you!” Green eyes rolled and Doku snorted beside him.
The scent of wolf was strong in the room, emanating from the man being held to the ground. Ignoring the protests of his pack mates, Shurachi crouched beside the man and took a deep breath. It was definitely the person he’d though it was. “Release him.”
Immediately, protests filled the air along with loud barks and some furious growling. Shurachi stood and snarled in a horribly frightening way, baring formidable fangs at each person and canine in turn until they all quieted and moved away from the man. He didn’t move, didn’t try to get away. He knew that he wouldn’t stand a chance against the Alpha of the Inuzuka Pack.
“You should have gone through the proper channels in order to get what you needed. I would have been happy to have you supervised and enclosed in a specialized portion of the forest that I use to let my adolescent cerberus exercise. It would have been safer for both you and any wandering villagers.”
The man curled further in on himself and Shurachi growled. “Well? What have you got to say for yourself Lupin-san? Have you any justification for putting my village in danger, letting a dangerous canine roam my territory, and stealing from my pack?”
A golden eye peered out at him from behind dirty blond hair. “I have no defense except to say that I wanted to sleep through the whole process in order to avoid attacking anyone.” Shurachi snorted and reached down to grab the mans arm.
“The medicine you stole was designed for Inuzuka dogs specifically. It takes a lot to knock them out and the amounts of normal drugs that would be needed could be deadly. You should have let someone know that you needed something for a larger than average wolf, you could have killed yourself by overdosing on sedatives.” Sharp fangs were again displayed and this time Remus rolled onto his back and whined.
Green eyes closed as Shura pinched the bridge of his nose, moving his glasses to stave off a headache. “The full moon is in two days. Until that time you will be confined to a secured room in the Inuzuka compound. When your time to transform comes we will move you to a sealed portion of the forest to play with the pack. After that a proper punishment will be decided.”
When the man looked ready to protest Shurachi frowned at him. “Don’t even bother to try and get help from someone else. Hokage-sama recognized you as a guest of the village when you requested me for a mission. You would be immediately expelled from the village and banned from hiring any Konoha shinobi for missions. Be happy that you’re only being dealt with by my pack.”
Remus dropped his eyes to the side and nodded. At a motion from Shurachi the pair of Inuzuka that had originally been set to guard him hauled him to his feet and escorted him out of the storage room. Hana frowned deeply at the retreating forms then turned a confused look on Shurachi.
“Oi, otouto? What the hell just happened and why are you letting him off so light? He was stealing Inuzuka specialty sedatives from my hospital!” She glared at Shurachi, ignoring the whine of her own dog beside her.
Glasses were replaced on Shura’s nose before he answered. “Hana-neechan, he had a valid reason for needing those drugs, he just went about getting them the wrong way. The punishment I laid down so far is no different than what any other member of our pack would get, though his is being done a little differently due to a creature having been sealed inside of him. Once his one night of transformation is through we’ll have until the next full moon to make him serve a suitable punishment.”
Hana still looked annoyed, but she nodded anyway and shoved Shurachi out of the store room. “You’d better get home, I’m sure that little mama’s boy Kiba is going to be worried sick about you if you aren’t there when he wakes up.” Shurachi laughed, but did as he was told and made his way home.
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Shurachi listened to the crack and pop of bones echoing through the silent patch of forest. His three massive heads were resting on paws the size of serving trays and a thick tail was lazily resting on the ground.
His cerberus form was more wolf like than anything else, but he preferred to have it that way when he’d seen pictures of other animagus that had attempted it. They all ended up looking like demented lap dogs that had eaten on of the Akimichi’s growth pills.
On final, resounding snap mad his middle head look up and check on the writhing figure on the ground. Remus had still and his scent was almost completely hidden by the wolf. Behind him Kinobu stopped making fake attacks on his stationary tail to his left head against Shurachi’s side.
A quiet yip lifted his own left head to answer the inquisitive sound with a quiet growl. Kinobu didn’t get a chance to respond to the warning. A loud howl erupted where Remus had been transforming as a large wolf pushed itself shakily to its paws. Golden eyes opened when the head lowered and eyed the pair of demonic dogs on the other side of the small grassy area he found himself in.
The lethargy he remembered from his last few awakenings wasn’t there this time and the fresh scents of a forest filtered through his nose. Padfoot wasn’t there this time either, but at least he wasn’t alone.
A hesitant bark was answered by a confident huff and Moony’s tail and ears perked. “Who?” He asked excitedly and the large dog, at least twice as large as himself, stood with the pup by his side.
“I am Alpha.” Moony’s ears immediately flattened against his head and his tail tucked itself under and out of the way of sharp teeth.
This dog was alpha? Moony wasn’t sure he liked the idea of that, he’d always been alpha in his packs before. But this wasn’t his forest and this dog certainly was his pack. Perhaps he could play with this ones pack for tonight though?
Well, if nothing else, he would certainly make sure he was allowed to use the dogs territory for the night. Carefully watching both canine before him, Moony crawled forward on his belly then rolled and exposed all his vulnerable parts.
Three massive heads lowered to sniff at him and the middle one opened it’s jaws to lightly bite his stomach. His entire abdomen fit in the massive mouth. Then the dog was sitting back and an echoing, triple pitched howl filled the forest. Answering calls came closer and closer until a large group of dogs burst from various places to join them.
“Pack brother, you are well?” Doku asked over the din of playful growls and yelps. Shurachi lowered himself back to a laying position so Doku could climb onto him as well as the few pups that were old enough to be let out of their mothers sight.
It was the right head that lifted to nudge Doku reassuringly. “I am perfectly fine Doku. No wolf is strong enough to take me down when I am like this and you know it. How are my pups?”
The smaller dog sighed and flopped down to lay beside Shura. “The pup that understands us is confused as to why you won’t be there tonight since he knows you don’t have a mission, but the one that shares your Drainers is keeping him company.”
The closest thing to a smirk a dog could managed pulled at the corner of Doku’s mouth. “Young Akamaru has been trying to eat the other pup’s Drainers and has so far managed to only fall off various pieces of furniture.”
Shurachi rumbled out a deep laugh and settled his heads back down for a nap. He had no reason to worry about Remus being a threat when so many Inuzuka dogs were keeping him company.
When green eyes opened again the sun was gently peering over the horizon and pained snarls were taking on the sound of human vocals. Finally the tone of a canine voice fell away to an entirely human one and the screaming stopped. Harsh breathing filled the air and those green eyes focused on the naked body.
Kikai crawled through him and out before magic rippled over him and his form shrank back into a human. The kikai swirled around him once before settling on his upper body and carefully slipping back into their hive.
“Lupin Remus; you will be taken to the family’s personal physician for recovery then you will report to the main house for punishment. It has been decided that you will no longer be permitted inside the inner buildings of the Inuzuka compound, you will have no contact with any Inuzuka pup, and you will lose any status you may have gained through your association with us. The outer buildings are still open to your use as they are to all villagers and you are expected to report at the main building every full moon so you may change safely.”
Golden eyes lowered themselves from the Alpha’s emotionless face and his head tilted absently to expose his throat. He deserved his punishment, he should have known better than to try stealing from a clan who raised professional thieves. He closed his eyes as the soft sound of footsteps came closer to him and tensed when Shurachi crouched down beside him.
A calloused hand settled on his chest and warm breath fanned out over his throat. “You will not take from my pack without permission again Lupin Remus. What you did could have killed you, your wolf, and any Inuzuka dog that might have needed the sedatives you stole.” With every word a gush of air rushed over his throat.
Remus twitched, as if to move away, and a soft growl froze his body. Sharp teeth settled over his Adam’s apple and applied pressure. He remained tense for several seconds before his entire body went limp and the teeth released him. “Mikaro, Yagumi!” Remus opened his eyes at the bark and two thumps drew his attention.
A pair of twins, because they couldn’t be anything else, stood side by side a little ways away from them. The male had grown out his brown hair to match his sisters length and identical brown eyes watched them. The only difference he could see between really was the fact that the female had a small swelling on her chest that indicated breasts.
“Take Lupin-san to Saichi’s and make sure he doesn’t leave until he’s in full health. After that escort him to the Main building for his formal sentencing. An announcement will be made tonight so the whole clan knows what his punishment is.” The pair of them bowed before Yagumi carefully lifted the naked man and Mikaro draped a blanket over him.
The three of them darted out of the clearing in the direction of the small hospital on the Inuzuka grounds and Shurachi surveyed the clearing briefly before turning the opposite way to head home.
Kiba immediately came up to hug him, the usual reaction after Shurachi got back from a mission, and Shino quietly waited for his friend to let go before moving to hug Shura as well. Several of his kikai switched hives to make sure his surrogate Uncle was truly alright.
“It was not a dangerous thing, so no need to worry pups. I do have something to do today that you can’t come with me for so where do you want to be while I’m gone? Either the Aburame Compound, here, or somewhere with an adult to watch over you.” Shurachi ruffled both of their hair as they made faces at the thought of being watched.
Both boys looked at each other before Kiba grinned widely and turned innocent eyes on his mother. “Can we go to Naruto’s place Kaasan? Cousin Mikaro and Yagumi are always watching him for you and if they aren’t there then Ray and Shuuichi are always there.” Shurachi hummed a little in the back of his throat before slowly nodding.
“I don’t see why you can’t, but I better not hear of anything happening while you’re there. I had to sit through a lecture from Chiaru Totsuke because you three somehow managed to dye all of the hot spring water orange.” The grin widened on Kiba’s face and Shino made a soft noise that sounded suspiciously like a laugh.
Green eyes narrowed “Not to mention the fact that several chûnin and jyônin had to be taken off duty because they could no longer hide efficiently since their skin was bright orange. That prank could have cost the village several clients if I hadn’t ordered some of the clans personal shinobi to take the orange shinobi’s places.” The laughter stopped and Kiba winced.
Brown eyes lifted to meet green before lowering a little and Shino avoided eye contact all together. “We promise not to do something that could bring trouble on our clan or village Okaasan.” Shurachi nodded and headed into the kitchen to quickly make three bento lunches for the boys.
He watched the pair from his doorway as they hopped across buildings to the edge of the Inuzuka compound and then jumped down into the street. They’d just learned how to use chakra to let someone travel across rooftops or tree branches and were using the skill as often as they could.
About an hour later found Shurachi heading toward the Uchiha compound with a small bundle attached to his back and Doku faithfully at his side. They arrived in the deserted area and moved unerringly toward the apartment Sasuke had chosen to stay in.
Despite how odd the gesture felt, Shurachi knocked on the door and waited for Sasuke to open it before slipping inside. “Are you ready to learn how to serve on the Council?” Sasuke blinked at him before slowly nodding with a small frown. “Good. Here’s a book that has all the rules and rituals involved with being a member of the Council. I also borrowed the scroll that has the Uchiha Council member’s attire written down in it. This is the Hokage’s copy, so don’t lose it.”
Both things were set onto the table holding various items by the door. “This is the Uchiha formal robes, I had them made a little large so that when you make genin they’ll fit you perfectly. I want you to try these on once I leave and get used to sitting in them for a little while before you go to bed.” Blue hakama and a white haori with the Uchiha clan symbol on the back was unfolded for him to view. There was no under shit though, and he frowned in confusion.
“What do I wear under it?” His voice seemed very small compared to the confidence with which Inuzuka Shurachi spoke.
Green eyes wrinkled behind silver framed glasses as a pink mouth pulled into a smile. “Anything you like. There isn’t any protocol for the under garments so long as you have these on. I would suggest something that matches the color scheme though.” Sasuke blushed a little in embarrassment, but nodded to show he understood.
For nearly three hours the pair of them went through various rules and scenarios, stopping only briefly for lunch, before Shurachi was satisfied with Sasuke’s first lesson. He stood to leave and nudged Doku, who had fallen asleep, with his foot. “You will be graduating soon Uchiha-kun, I will be by a couple more times to help coach you through some council meetings, but you will have to read the book and scroll.”
Sasuke nodded his agreement and moved to see Shurachi to the door. “Thank you for this Inuzuka-sama.” Shurachi watched the fidgeting youth quietly. It was very obvious he wasn’t used to being indebted to someone or thanking them for anything.
Instead of dangling the gratitude over Sasuke’s head like he was half tempted to do, Shurachi tugged the smaller male into his arms. “You can thank me by becoming a good shinobi for the village Uchiha-kun.” He gently released his and moved out the door with a barking Doku. Obviously the dog was eager to get moving after staying still for so long.
A small spark of warmth pushed away the resentment that Sasuke’s appearance had caused in him as Shurachi walked slowly toward his home. Itachi’s face no longer superimposed itself over Sasuke’s in his mind and the tension he hadn’t noticed before flowed out of him.
The Uchiha heir would make a great shinobi, he just needed someone that could put aside the fact that he is an Uchiha to help him through his grief. Shurachi wasn’t sure if he could bring himself to be that person, but he could tell himself without doubt that he wouldn’t turn the boy away if he were to come to him. He wouldn’t hold Itachi’s mistakes to Sasuke.
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