Naruto and Kakashi were sitting at Ichiraku Ramen, discussing Naruto's next mission.

"You'll have to be disguised as an animal, but you will have a month or two to practice. I will use a special jutsu to rid you of your humanity, but you'll be able to remember everything that's happened afterwards. This mission will give us important information on Orochimaru so you can't slip up," Kakashi explained.

Naruto nodded his head, brows furrowed, "How will I train?"

Kakashi put his hand to his chin, thinking of an easy way to get him as much experience as possible, "Ah… I know… You'll transform into a dog."

"Then what?" Naruto impatiently shifted in his seat.

"You will be dropped off in front of the Inuzuka house. If you can fool a member of their family into thinking you're a dog, you pass."

"Easy!"

"The problem is, I don't think your smell will get past Kiba's nose, he does know you well."

"It'll be fine! Wait, I know, why don't you hand me to him yourself!"

"What good would that do?"

"You just have to say I was taking care of an injured puppy and had to leave for training; then I asked you to take it to Kiba, 'cause I knew he would do well in taking care of it!"

"That's actually pretty clever, you really did mature while you were training with Jiraiya…"

"So do we have a deal?"

"Yes… But how do we injure you without actually hurting you? I don't want this to end badly," Kakashi worriedly thought, 'If Naruto says that I can go ahead and break his leg, I'll hurt him… Oh wait…'

"I'll just break my arm!" Naruto ran off in some random direction, Kakashi following closely behind.

OOOoooOOO

'I don't know how he broke his arm so easily… At least it'll heal quickly enough though,' Kakashi sighed and rubbed his head, "Okay Naruto, now transform into a dog."

"Ow, ow, ow!" Naruto held his arm tightly, "Alright… Transform!"

In Naruto's place was a young Yellow Labrador, he held his paw up, whimpering slightly, 'This better work…' he thought.

"Okay, now I'll just temporarily remove your humanity… Canine Mind Trick Jutsu!"

Naruto wobbled, but eventually steadied… 'Ah, a person!' Naruto happily barked at Kakashi. He tried to pounce the taller ninja, but failed because of his injury.

"I truly wish you the best of luck, Naruto…" Kakashi sighed and picked Naruto up as he began walking towards the Inuzuka house, "It'll be hard to fool someone like Kiba."

'Naruto? I get a name?' Naruto barked happily again, licking Kakashi's chin in the process.

'He'll hate himself for acting so defenseless, but I guess it's alright,' Kakashi thought with a low chuckle.

The Inuzuka house soon came into view, Kiba was closing the gate behind him as Kakashi approached, "Ah, Kakashi-sensei, what are you doing here?" Kiba's gaze passed over Naruto.

"I, uh, was just wondering if you were able to take care of this dog," Kakashi smiled and held Naruto up by the scruff of his neck.

"Are you sure that's even a dog, it smells exactly like Naruto…" Kiba hesitantly poked Naruto's head. Surprisingly, the dog's fur was beyond soft, he had obviously been groomed regularly.

"That's because Naruto had been taking care of him for a few weeks, but he just left for some important training… He told me to bring this dog to you; he even said that you are the only one he could possibly entrust with such an adorable puppy."

"Oh…" Kiba scratched the back of his neck, fighting the slight blush that was appearing, "I guess… if he really wants me to…"

"Oh yes, the dog does answer to Naruto's name though… He found it barking excitedly when Sakura was calling for him; it seems to be badly injured though."

"Ah," Kiba's gaze fell on the front left leg of the dog, "I'll ask my sister to take a look at him then."

Kakashi handed Naruto to Kiba and began his walk home, "Good luck!" but he wasn't referring to Kiba as he said this.