The frost covered grass sparkled in the moonlight that was slowly fading away. Morning would be upon them soon, but they had yet to locate the target. The target that he had created…
"I want that one." Kakashi stated bluntly, pointing at the black fuzz ball rolling at his feet. The Inuzuka clan had always been close with wolves and dogs, Kakashi felt it would be best to receive one from them.
"What, are you sure? That one's just the runt!" Tsume Inuzuka growled.
Kakashi didn't care what she had to say, he saw potential in the small puppy. He reached down quickly, gripping the scruff of the soft black fur. "Yes, I am sure. This one." He said, placing the puppy against his chest like a baby and cradling it.
Tsume sighed, and agreed with the exchange.
When Kakashi had gotten home with his new pet, the training began. Kakashi had forgotten that puppies like to play, to chew, and to rest. He had also forgotten that they don't remember to go to the bathroom outside. On top of that, asking the new dog to sit was like asking Naruto to hold still.
He slowly began to realize he'd forgotten how to care for a puppy, which threw back his schedule. He stood for a moment staring down at the confused puppy. "You don't understand a word I'm saying… do you?" He asked, watching as the bright yellow eyes widened and the small black head tilted.
Kakashi couldn't help but grin. She was a baby after all, the world was new to her – and even more so, a danger.
Kakashi reached down, placing a large hand on top of the puppy as she growled at attacked it. "I'll make a dog out of you, yet." Kakashi whispered, as the puppy chewed on his hand.
Six weeks. Within six weeks, the puppy had grown and learned quickly. The name he had chosen for her seemed to fit her just right. Akira.
The wolf was smart, and she learned quickly just as Kakashi had hoped. In his eyes, she was the partner he had always wanted. This wasn't to say he didn't love his eight other dogs, they were all amazing too. But something about Akira was different.
Kakashi was becoming increasingly busy training her, day and night in an attempt to make the perfect partner. She could read his moves before he made them; Akira would match his pace and work with him. It was now that Kakashi wanted to take her on a mission.
"I'd like to take her on a C-rank." Kakashi spoke quietly to Tsunade as Akira sat quietly behind him. That wolf had grown faster than she expected and those golden eyes sent chills down her spine.
"Alright fine, just get that animal out of here…" She whispered to Kakashi. His eyes lit up and he bid her farewell. As he left the room, Tsunade let out the held breath. "… Something just doesn't seem right." She whispered to herself as she looked out the window.
The C-rank mission would start as soon as Kakashi was ready. He took what he usually carried on him – everything and anything he could possibly need. His mission was to escort someone across the border. He had never taken Akira out of the village yet, so this would be a new experience for the pup.
As he approached the man to be taken, fear visibly gripped him. "What is that?" He screamed, pointing at Akira. Kakashi looked down at his black wolf and then back at the man.
"They call them dogs." Kakashi spoke flatly before walking past the man. Some people just baffled him.
As the group walked, the man seemed to stay further and further away from Kakashi and Akira. "Would you please stay closer to me? What if someone attacks you?" Kakashi said, annoyance gripping his tone.
The client just shook his head before quickening his pace a little. He clearly didn't wish to be anywhere near Akira. What was it that scared everyone so badly about her?
At that moment, on that very thought a small flicker caught Kakashi's eye as he dashed towards the client to pull him to the ground. Akira had responded as well, but not in a way Kakashi had expected…
"It was an accident!" Kakashi stated, slamming his hands on the desk before him, the stack of papers threatened to fall over.
"I don't care what it was! This man is dead because of…" Tsunade's firm voice echoed throughout the office. Akira laid contently on the floor behind Kakashi as the argument continued.
"It was a mistake! Anyone could have done it!" Kakashi growled again, frustration gripped his nerves.
"Kakashi… I could see if it was just a bite or a scratch but…" Tsunade's voice now dropped below shouting. "A complete mauling…"
Kakashi turned away from her and looked down at Akira. "It won't happen again." He said as he walked to the door. The large beast got up and clambered after him. Tsunade clenched her fists before giving a sigh. That animal was a danger and she knew it, but Kakashi wasn't going to listen to her.
"Yamato." Tsunade whispered as a shadowed figure drove its way out of the floor. The dark eyes of the slender man watched her carefully. Kakashi was his friend as well, this wasn't going to be easy for either of them.
"I know." Yamato spoke quietly before fading.
Tsunade went back to doing paperwork.