Honey, I Can Explain Chapter 1
I thought this would have been cute on its own. Some of these chapters may be featured in Bitten. I do not own Naruto or Shippuden.

Please no flames, I'm just kind of throwing this out there right now to see what happens. Minato finds a puppy. To him it's cute, adorable, and playful. Kushina finds the puppy intrusive, wild, and rambunctious. What will they do when the puppy blooms into something else?

edit May 11, 2012, 12:42pm

Evidently I have NOT been descriptive enough. This story is about how a WOLF is coming BETWEEN Minato and Kushina's MARRIAGE and how they need to ADAPT their lives or to get RID of the wolf.

WoofumsPup

Hearing rustling in the bushes Minato quickly armed himself, signaling his teammates to halt. Whatever it was, it sounded like it was struggling. Creeping closer Minato could smell hints of blood as the rustling quickly stopped. He signaled his teammates to be on the defensive. The rustling was too small to be an enemy Shinobi, yet you had to be prepared for anything. Looking into the bush Minato saw a small pure white pup.

"It's only a puppy," he called out signaling them closer. He felt his heart drop seeing the poor animal's paw stuck in a foothold trap. Its eyes were as large as saucers as it continued to struggle in the trap. It was so frightened he couldn't help feel bad for it. The pup looked up at him with its frightened eyes, shifting its ears to the back of its head.

"Sir, I think that's a wolf pup," one of his teammates hinted at. The snout was too long to be a normal pup. It was at least a hybrid if it wasn't a pure wolf. The two men behind him could tell that Minato cared deeply for this small frightened animal.

"Wolf pup or not, this trap is commonly used for poaching. We'll take it back to the village, treat it and release it," Minato replied. Stooping down he looked at the frightened animal. It focused its eyes on him as he reached out to the animal. He had to show it that he was trustworthy. His face was calm and smiling as its eyes shifted from person to person. It began to let out a low fearful growl.

"Sir!" his teammates gasped. Who knew what diseases and other potential problems it had. Although the color was pure white, the fur was dingy and dirty. Who knew when the animal was cleaned?

"There's nothing to be afraid of," Minato began in a gentle voice as his hand. As his hand slowly approached the wolf pup's growl slowly increased. In its panicked state it lunged out biting the Fourth Hokage's hand. He tried to resist flinching as it continued to hold on. He could feel the blood oozing out of his hand and drip on to the dirt ground. Its growl was still ferocious and loud yet it began to soften. Soon enough the wolf relaxed its ears releasing the man's hand. "See, there's nothing to be afraid of." With his bloody hand, he brushed the fur on top of the little wolf's head. It whimpered quietly feeling some remorse from its defensive bite. Slowly and cautiously he took off his coat draping it across the wolf's face and muzzle. It immediately shrank away feeling in closed into a small enclosed state. Wrapping his hand around the muzzle he gently pushed the struggling wolf on to the ground. For a few seconds it continued to struggle about before becoming calmed by the darkness. Upon their commander's signal the other two men looked over the trap.

"I've never seen a trap so intricate. There are several markings that I can't make out," one of his teammates informed. Some type of weak seal was placed upon the trap but by close observation, it didn't seem likely that the seal was to hold the animal in place. Yet if it wasn't holding the animal in place, what other purpose could it serve?

"Just try to get it off as soon as possible. Whoever set this trap will be back soon. Be careful though," Minato informed. The pup continued to squirm as if the slightest touch to the trap sent pain radiating through its leg and body. This trap was definitely made to keep the animal in place, and to cause as much suffering to the animal as possible. I wouldn't doubt that the "teeth" of this trap is covered in poison. Poor wolf, Minato thought watching the struggling puppy. With sheer force the men were able to open the trap just enough to slip the pup's paw out of it. They were shocked not even hear a whimper from the pup. So the pup wouldn't run away Minato quickly wrapped his coat around the wiggling wolf. In a matter of seconds, it tried to escape its new bindings but Minato held the animal in place.

"A quiet little thing isn't it?" one of his teammates murmured.

"Let's take it back to the village, the trap as well." Minato began before focusing on the puppy. "Come on little one. Let's get you fixed up so we can get you back to your family." He cradled the little wolf in his arms disappearing into the night with his teammates.

"Sorry that I couldn't get you to a proper vet, but at least you've been looked at and partially treated. I don't know what will happen on the other side of this door, so wish us luck," Minato sighed. It was already late and he had promised his wife that he'd be home early. The pup was lying dormant seemingly asleep in his arms. Its small dingy ears flickered up at the sound of his voice but relaxed soon after. He let out another sigh feeling the thin area around her ribs. When was the last time you were fed? And your hair is falling out and you're extremely underweight. You need a bath too, Minato thought opening the door to his home. The lights were still on which was…always a bad sign. He covered the little wolf's head closing the door behind him. He knew that in a matter of seconds she would be upon him.

"What is that?" the hot blooded red head demanded. He placed the now wriggling bundle on the floor before dusting the white fur off his flak jacket and pants.

"Honey, I can explain," Minato said sweetly. She cocked her hips raising an eyebrow. What could have possibly made him so late?

"Start explaining," Kushina replied bitterly.

"Before you say anymore, I know you'll think she's cute," Minato replied gently. He uncovered the sleepy wolf's head exposing the bright light to its eyes. It blinked in a dazed confusion looking up at the two people. It remembered the man from before but the woman made it cock its head.

"A puppy? Minato!" Kushina snapped. He had such a good and sweet heart but he couldn't bring home a stray. He wasn't really prone to doing things like this but there was always a first for everything.

"Well, she really isn't a "puppy" puppy, she's a baby wolf. And before you go off on me, we found her in a trapper's foothold trap. I couldn't just leave her there," reasoned Minato. The pup struggled in his coat trying to find the first possible way out. He had wrapped it up well and he was glad that Kushina couldn't see the real size of it as of right now.

"So you brought it home, and what happened to your hand?" Kushina questioned peering at his right hand which was now tightly bandaged. She could just barely see his blood seeping through the top bandage.

"Out of fear, she bit me. The wound has been treated and there's nothing to fear. Tomorrow I'll take the little thing to the vet." Minato began. "Although the wolf's wound has been wrapped, she hasn't been properly treated. Do you want to pet her?" Kushina couldn't remember him calling the pup an "it" which was troubling for her.

"Don't you dare become attached to it! Remember this isn't a domesticated puppy. It's also not staying here tonight," Kushina replied. Minato knew that she was going to say that when he first saw the injured pup. Yet he was only going to keep her though the night, then take her to the vet and then release it.

"It's only a pup, and it doesn't make that much noise. I can't just release it, just yet. Its wounds need to be treated," Minato reasoned as the pup finally freed itself from its bindings. It immediately tried to stand up only to fall flat on its face. Minato stooped down to the little wolf's level going through her patchy fur. It tried standing up again still unable to find its footing with the makeshift brace on her little leg. So the pup wouldn't fall again, Minato pulled the pup into his arms before standing up.

"Minato, please I know this won't be a one day event, if it stays here. I will admit, it's an adorable little thing, but it cannot stay here," Kushina sighed, but Minato could tell she was almost convinced. Just a few more arguments of persuasion then he could let the pup stay the night. The pup looked up at her with big warm light blue eyes as Minato brought her close to his wife. It was so cute and adorable but dingy and smelly. She'd be glad to get rid of it in the morning. It tried to lick Kushina's hand only to have the woman pull away.

"She…I mean IT even likes you. Just for the night. I promise to take it to the vet first thing in the morning," convinced Minato. He knew that the pup was probably in a lot of pain and it couldn't go too long with the fracture. Also it was super thin, and needed food.

Kushina sighed finally giving in, "Where is it going to sleep?" Her sweet husband did have some valid points, it would be too cruel just to leave it there but it was a wild animal and couldn't stay with them. Within ten minutes they had made a make-shift bed out of old blankets and towels, before going to bed themselves.

UGH! So nervous! It's been a long time since I've posted something new (especially in this area of fanfiction)! I hope you liked it! Please review!

~WoofumsPup

(I miss being called CuteAiboAibo and Kurenai Yuhi-sensei)