AN: Basically a Kiba's parents' love story and attempt to take a deeper look at the Inuzuka Clan.
"Among the Inuzukas" by GreatMarta
INTRO: Not a happy occasion
If you had to pick the most crazy ninja clan in the Village of the Hidden Leaf, it would have to be the Inuzuka Clan.
The Inuzuka are generally considered to be loud, bossy and hot-tempered. As wild as the dogs they train as their partners, those people love being centre of action, as much on the battlefield as at the disco. Everything they do (including all their jutsus) seems dog-like, from their scraggly appearance, outgoing personalities, fangy teeth and piercing eyes. They happen to be so overwhelming, that the phrase "To hush an Inuzuka" started to function as an equivalent of "To achieve an impossible".
There are times, however, when the members of this clan become sad, sorrowful and loose all the enthusiasm they're usually overfilled with. One of such occasions is the anniversary of Inuzuka Toru's death.
Toru died 10 years ago. He died on February 14th.. Since then, the St. Valentine's day was never celebrated among the Inuzuka again. Instead, the members of the clan would visit the place of his death and pray in front of the memorial board.
One could wonder why would a ninja clan be so sensitive about it. Death is an inseparable part of the life of shinobi. They cannot pretend that their job, or more precisely the lifestyle, is not dangerous. They are aware of all the risks involved. Moreover, they take it as a great honor to lose an eye, an arm, mobility, even life, fulfilling their sacred duties. That's the way they are raised.
But the truth is, no matter how painfully obvious the risk is, the death, especially of the ones you love, is always a connected with shock, pain, anger and frustration. Because ninja are human beings, no matter how wild they become.
And because Toru didn't die on battlefield. Because he wasn't a ninja. He was only five years old.