~Few weeks later~

I was walking down one of many streets here. I noticed a house that was out of the norm. I got closer and sniffed it some. I smelled two different smells at once fur and...iron laced blood. I shifted to my full demon and slipped in to the house. I saw the door open a crack. Growling softly, I slinked through the halls getting closer to the disturbance. I notice two girls, well really a mom holding her daughter close trying to make sure she doesn't see anything, in the corner. She noticed me and her head gestured to something in the room. I turned the corner seeing a man being choke by an orange fox. An Uzumaki fox. I growled. I ran forward and grabbed the fox in my jaws and ripped it off of him and threw to the wall. I got in front of the man to protect him if that thing wanted more. I could hear him gasping a little trying to get normal breathing rate. I looked down at him and nudged his hand a little. Getting a response, I licked his hand in thanks. He looked over and smiled weakly at me. Wagging my tail slightly I went behind him and helped him sit up.

"Thanks," the black hair man muttered.

"Welcome."

He leaned forward on to his knees and I thought he was about to fall forward but he got on his hands and crawled to his mate and daughter. I was still between them if that stupid fox wanted round two. When the man got there he wrapped his arms around them and sounded like he was crying.

I decided to give them some space and turned my attention to that fox. It was regaining consciousness. I put my paw on its chest and held it down.

"Why the hell are ya 'ere for?" I growled through my teeth.

The fox smirked. SMIRKED. "I'll never say."

"Ya should take 'em outta 'ere." I told the family behind me. The man nodded and helped them up. His daughter was clinging to him scared that she won't see him again. I hope this fox dies and burns in hell. Seeing them walk out the room I resumed my attention to the fox. "Why are ya 'ere?" putting more pressure on it.

"Never...will...tell..." it gasped.

"Then burn in hell, ya bastard." I growled in it's ear putting the final pressure on it to kill it.

I walked out of the room seeing the girl crying and holding on tight to her father. The girl was desperate, she didn't want to lose him or come close to it.

I trotted over to them and nudged the girl with my muzzle some. She looked up and reluctantly let go of him. I lied down and started to lick her hand getting her to giggle. I stood up licked her cheek. Sitting down, I looked up at them. I nodded to them confirming their suspicions of me killing the fox.

"Thank you-," the lady with four ponytails said before I cut her off.

"Aiko, ma'am. Aiko Inuzuka." I smiled. "I should take you to the hospital, Mr.-"

"Shikamaru." I nodded.

"Don't go in the room. I'll ask my dad to send someone to clean up for ya." I told Shikamaru's mate. She nodded. "I can take you to a family member that you can stay with for a bit. If ya want to ma'am." I told her.

"Please call me Temari. Thank you again." I nodded. I slipped by them. I paused by the door to look over my shoulder waiting for him to follow. I saw him talking to his mate. I lumbard out the door sitting out there. Deciding to be a half a demon again and sat on the steps of the door. I Sighed in relief that I'd help them. The girl didnt grow up with out a dad.

"You've been in many battles to get here. With all those scars." he said behind me. He noticed the ones on my arms.

"Ta hell and back five times over. The day I'm not in them anymore is the day hell freezes over and makes ice cream." not even bothering to look behind me.

"Good day that'll be." he murmured.

"Ya. It will. Will be the day I'll be able ta see Ma again." I said getting up. Not wanting to talk more the subject.

"Why help me?" he asked getting out of his home.

"Because, ya have more battles to be in. This was a petty battle to me. Ones with your daughter or mate." I told him. I looked back at him. My new scar under my right eye, from one of the ring fights I'm in, visible with the sun on it. "My battles will be more powerful and intense as I get older. I'm prepared to take 'em on. Are ya willing to have 'em? Fight, tooth and nail, fang and claw, antlers and hooves, beak and talons?" I asked starting to walk. "I'm not even done yet or near middle yet." I smirked. "Not done yet." I mumbled to myself as I stopped walking and looked up at the sky. "Ma, prepare yourself for the day my battles are over hell will freeze over and makes ice cream."

"What are you talking bout?" he asked lazily catching up with me. I scowled when I noticed he heard. "Well?"

"Ma." I said simply starting to walk again.

"Ma?"

"Ya, Ma. She died when I was few months old. Last time she saw me I was defenseless baby. Being takin care of by my dad. Next time she sees me, hell will freeze over and make ice cream for us. That's the day my battles here end. Then my new battles will come when I'm gone."

"When hell freezes over and makes ice cream, let join me in the celebration. I might be active and not lazy." he smirked.

"Deal. Just save the cookies 'n cream ice cream for me." I laughed loudly.

"I will." he chuckled. I noticed a convince store as we walked by.

"Stay here." I told him as I ran into the store. I grabbed two cold IBC root beers. Payed for them and opened them. "Can't buy beer. I got the closest thing. Root beer." I explained handing him one.

"To the day hell freezes over and makes ice cream." he toasted.

"Cheers." I said as we clinked. We took a swig of it and resumed walking.

"Hells own ice cream. Will be new to me." he mumbled.

"Will be new to everyone." I said before taking a sip of my drink. "What demon form do ya have?"

"Hm?" he choked on his drink.

"What demon form are ya?" I repeated.

"Deer."

"Nice." I said as we got closer to the hospital. "I'll save a spot for ya in the party when hell freezes and I come." I smirked as he finished off his drink.

"Make sure you do." he said going into there. I kinda forbid myself to go in hospitals unless I have to. In dire need. The steps of the hospital was my limit.

"Ma, you'll have your own ice cream flavor when I come." I raised my root beer some to the sky and nodded. Took a sip and made my way back to Shikamaru's house.

"I heard bout your little adventure to that village." a voice said next to me.

"God, Masato warn somebody next time ya sneak up."

"I can't use my panther skills." he whined.

"Pff, I got skills. Ya barely engage in any battles. Hey there was this blonde girl, Cho was her name I think, any way she patched me up. Ya might like her."

"I'll never step foot into that village anyways, I might not meet her."

"Oh don't get so excited and get your hopes up." I joked.

"Hilarious."

"I know I am. Anyway can you help me with this family. An Uzumaki fox attacked them in their home. I came here with the man the fox attacked and dropped him off. I said I'd help them over to one of her family member's home. Help any?"

"Fine."

"Thanks." I said finishing my drink and throwing it away. I started walking he caught up easily. After a while he started to purr. "Stop purring you sound like a god damn house cat."

"They aren't bad."

"Coming from the boy who is a cat-"

"Panther."

"-demon. Also drinks milk on a daily basis." I smirked.

"I like milk."

"Cat-"

"Panther."

"-demon." I ignored his interjection again. "Ah here we are." I said coming to the house.

"Mrs. Temari?" I asked cautiously as I stepped in.

"Mrs. Temari?"

"She asked me ta call her that." I shrugged. "Ya ready ta go yet? I brought a friend of mine he's a cat-"

"Panther!" he hissed.

"-demon." I waited for an answer. "Stay here." I told as I shifted to full demon. I started smelling around for anything.

"You could have done it without turning in a wolf," he called out. I ignored him. "Scared of adding another scar to your arsenal."

"You'll lose a precious member of your arsenal, if not careful." I retorted knowing it would shut him up. I followed a smell up the stairs to a close door. "Ahh, here it is." I nudged the door open to find. The girl crying and Temari trying calm her down. "Um," I cleared my throat getting their attentions, "are ya ready? I brought a friend ta help with luggage. He's an cat-"

"Panther!" he yelled.

"-demon. He's touchy bout bein' called a cat."

"I'm a panther demon, dammit!" he yelled.

"Between ya an' me, I think it's kinda funny ta get him mad bout this." I whispered. She giggled.

"Are ya ready?"

"Yes," Mrs. Temari said. Her daughter shook her head.

"No? Well I'll make a deal with you. If ya can get Mr. Grumpy butt mad one more time, I'll let ya see me a half a demon. Then we'll go. Sounds like a deal?" she nodded.

"Mr. Cat demon?" she called.

"Aiko Inuzuka! You better not have made a bet with her!" Masato yelled furiously.

"I did it!" she exclaimed excitedly. I was already a half demon looking at her. "Whoa. Do you know Uncle Gaara or Uncle Kankuro? They're really powerful."

"No, sorry-"

"Koko." she supplied.

"Koko, I don't know 'em. They must be in a part of the village I don't go to a lot. Maybe ya can introduce them to me. How bout that?" I asked her. She nodded. "Ya ready ta go this time?" she nodded. "Ok let's go. I'll get your suitcase, Koko. Masato can get your bag, Mrs. Temari." I told them.

"Here's my bag." she handed me her bag.

"What's your full demon form?" I asked taking her bag.

"A ferret."

"Cool. I'll let ya ride on my head ya in your full demon form? I'll be in my form." I told her.

"I can?" I nodded. She shifted in to a ferret. A sandy color one with brown tip ears, tail, and paws. I shifted in to mine.

She jumped on to my tail and scampered up it. "Easy with the tail girly." I growled.

"Sorry." she said getting settled on my head. "Why did you help us?"

"Ya still have stuff to do. Besides being alpha, I'm suppose to help out people who need it." I told her before taking the bag handles in my mouth.

"Your an alpha?" she gasped as we headed down the stairs. I nodded. She giggled. "That must be so much fun at times!" she exclaimed. I shook my head. "No?" nodded again. "You get different things then others do." nodding. But she wasn't getting the point. I set down the bag. Motioned for Mrs. Temari to wait with Masato.

"It isn't all cracked up to be. I have so many scars I can't keep count. I know I'm wearing myself out doing this. I took over the spot of the alpha at school from this last years there. I fought him for the spot. I won. Then I am going for alpha at the ring fights. I'm pretty high up in there." I sighed. My head dropping some. "I'm pretty tired most days. I should get you back to your mom. Stop boring ya with my story." I told her picking up the bag. Showing I'm done talking about this.

"Oh. Can I help you?" she asked leaning down looking me in my right eye. Taken back for a sec. pondering her request. Why would she want to help me being alpha?

"Fine," was muffled but she heard it probably.

"Yay! Thank you! Wolfie fine with you?" she asked excitedly. A muffled "Eh?" from me. "Call you Wolfie? A nickname? One only close friends say?" I nodded. "Yay! Hey were almost to uncle Gaaras house!" she pointed to a house by a lot of sand, I mean a lot of sand. It's a shame there's more sand than grass. Grass is always fun to roll in some.

I lowered my head and she tumbled off. She glared at me. "Go and take your bag back to your Ma." I gestured ahead of me.

"Why?"

"Things to do." I said nonchalantly. I didn't want to worry her, I was really sniffing out securing the area.

"Stay around here?"

"Ya, munchkin I will." I smiled. I nudged her ahead. She changed back to half a demon and grabbed her bag and ran ahead to Masato and Mrs. Temari.

I sniffed the air before going right. Gah, its hard to keep a smell with your nose to sand. Finding nothing unusual, I went left. No smells that was unusual. Finding a tree, a nice shady one, to lay under. My back legs went down first then my front legs went down slowly.

"Oi," I grunted. I was sore, more then usual. Closing my eyes, I needed a nap badly today. Every thing was unfocusing, noises going away. Until I felt a sharp pain in my tail. Seeing a sandy blonde ferret by my tail. My anger flared, I was on my feet chasing and snapping at her.

I was following her getting more mad by the second. Seeing where she was taking me. Sneaky little ferret. She was taking me to her, mom, I'm guessing her uncle, and Masato.

"Uncle Gaara! See she is an alpha!" she said running back to the protection of Mrs. Temari. I stopped awhile back. Staying wary of Koko's uncle. Glaring at him some. Size each other up. Dominance between us.

"Koko." I said to her. She bounded over to me. "Give this to your mom." I said shifting back to a half a demon. "Tell her it's my dads number. If she needs help cleaning up your house contact him. He helps people in the village like me." I handed her a piece of paper. "C'mon cat boy!" I yelled.

"I'm a panther demon, idiot!" he hissed.

"Ey, now, your sounding more cat like hissing and all."

"I'm going to kill you one day. You know that." he grumbled.

"If ya can beat me." I grinned. "Bye, Koko, Mrs. Temari. Koko, I'll take ya up on your offer. Contact me later." I yelled over my shoulder. Waiting till we were out of earshot. "Masato," I mumbled. He came up next to me.

"Yeah?"

"I need your help on somethin." I mumbled.

"Like?"

"I'm going into the Uzumaki village. I need your help."

"Why? I thought you're never going in there again."

"I'm taking that fox; that attacked 'em. I'm goin to dump the foxes' dead body on the Uzumaki front door step. As a warning never to do it again. Or somethin worse than that." I growled.

"Fine, I'll go on with you. We go by roof. We will also wear masks."

"No, duh. Of course we wear them. Do ya think I wanna risk being beaten again?"

"Yeah, you might."

"Go get your mask. We'll meet back 'ere, at that house. Hurry though."

"I know." he told me before running off to his house. I was running in mid step, I shifted. Most demons have to stop and shift. Once you've master mid step shift. Which is very hard, by the way. I was faster as a full demon.

I jumped up on to the roof heading to my room. Jumping through my window. I grabbed my black smiling wolf mask. I also grabbed a plastic grocery bag, to carry the fox in. Jumping back through the window and back on to the roof. Hopped off of it and running back to the house.

I found him sitting on the steps of the house with his charcoal grey mask with lighter grey rosettes on his head. He noticed me coming and smirked.

"Look out and guard."

"Roger that." he said still sitting down. I went inside, heading for the room with fox is in.

Still there, good. She must've not called yet or dad hasn't rounded anyone up yet. I scooped it up in the bag and headed back out. He was still there.

"C'mon, let's go before they come." I told him. He nodded.

"How did that bloody little fox get in the village?" he grumbled.

"I don' know. But when I find they will wishin that they was on duty better."

"Finally 'ere's the gate. Ey, you goin to that party this weekend?" he asked as we got to the gates

and headed out.

"Eh, maybe. Ya know my deal with parties. Especially ones with the last years, when they turn 18. They all starting lusting after each other. Then they all want ta mate or somethin. The older boys are the worst." I told him. "Apparently one was in heat or somethin. I was laying on the ground as a wolf and all. He tries ta mount. MOUNT me. Let's just he had a limp for a week or two. He also stayed out of my way." I growled.

"Oh, I wouldn't stoop to the level of doing that to a girl. Low life bastard."

"Yeah." I grunted as we got closer to the Uzumaki's had in control.

When I was little dad always said that the Hyuugas and Uchiha's were neutral clans. But the last Uchiha sided with last Uzumaki as his right hand man. The Hyuuga heiress mated with him. Has two kids I'm for sure with him.

"We should put on the masks and head over the wall."

"Yeah." I agreed sliding my mask on. We jumped up on to the wall and jumped on to the nearest roof.

We started going to roof to roof till we smelled the strongest smell of kitsunes. Masato stayed on the roof closest to that house. He kept his eye on the windows in front. I jumped down and headed swiftly and quietly to the front door step. I dumped the body unceremoniously and threw the bag in the bushes. I looked up at Masato. His tail was flicking and he was on high alert. I pushed the doorbell and jumped back on to the roof. I pulled him down and we hid on the other side of the roof.

I was waiting to hear the tell tale- ah there is the scream. Oh payback is sweet. We laughed and started to go back. We still kept on the masks as we went back to the walls. We had so no one would recognize us. We got to the walls, Masato already jumped down. I looked back and howled. My cocky grin showing, but alas they can't see it.

"That was great!" he laughed as I caught back up. "You hear the thud after she fainted? I bet guards swarmed the place!"

"Ahaha!" I laughed. "We need ta head back before my dad notices or the kitsunes come and pay my dad a visit."

"Y-yeah."

"I won't be a snitch. If he asks." I promised him.

"I know you won't." he said taking off his mask.

"We should do these kinds of jobs more often."

"Yeah. Schools starting up soon. Your free period will be on your alpha chair in mess hall to

work on stuff or listening to complaints."

"Yeah, you'll be with me and I have my assistant Koko."

"Takin her offer, eh?"

"Why not? Offered service, hell yeah. I'm takin it." I chuckled. "Besides most of the time, the

yast years are bitchin' for which bitch they want. Usually they way to go is ta for 'er."

"Yeah, I gotta go no snitching. The parade is comin." he pointed to the distant sight of three people. One with nine tails that are swirling furiously. Another kitsune an almost replica of the angry one was nervous looking. The next one was a stoic, cold looking demon.

"Shit!" I started to run back to the house. I didn't want to get caught up in the matter now. I jumped on to the roof and ran to my room window. I hid my mask under my bed. I tried to act normal. Hearing the door bell, I went down stairs. I opened the door.

"Hello, there, kitsune." I growled.

"Aiko! Be nice." aunt Hana said coming up behind me.

"I wouldn't be ta them. After what that village did ta me. Stupid village." I mumbled.

"Watch your place, girl!" the Uzumaki leader growled.

"I'm alpha. So I can say what I want."

"Aiko, go tell Shino, Sai, and Yoshi to go outside." she sighed.

"Fine. Go get uncle, Sai, and Yoshi."

"Who's there, Aiko?" dad asked me as I passed by.

"Kitsune." I muttered keeping my eyes down. I could already smell his anger and the tension in

the air.

"Stay out of this. Can you help our guests? They said you helped them today and referred them to me?"

"Yeah, I did. They got attacked today."

"Good." he placed a hand on my shoulder. I looked up. He was proud of me. "That's what an alpha does. Helps those who need it. They be leaders. Also the toughest ones out there." I gave a lazy smile. "Just don' wear yourself out now." I nodded.

"Wolfie!"

"Ey, munchkin." I smiled down at her. "Do ya want ta go outside? I'll show the way there." they nodded and got up. "If ya want ta go there by yourself go down, then left, then right." I pointed down the hall. They went down the way I told them.

I noticed Koko looking at something. I followed her gaze. It stopped at the Uzumaki boy. I growled. He was equally interested in her.

"Koko, c'mon, now." I growled. She looked disappointed. Her ears and tail dropped some.

"Koko, don't get messed up with them. If ya fall for that boy. Be prepared that he might let ya down." I told her.

"Why?" she innocently asked.

"Because he is an Uzumaki." I hissed. "He's dangerous. 'Member what his village did ta me? Most of the scars I have are from them." I growled.

"That's the village fault! Not his!"

"You're already siding with him! Ya don't even know his name!"

"I bet he wouldn't do that."

"Fine. Like him if ya want. Don't whine if he hurts ya." I told her. "Go outside, down left, then turn right. I have ta get my uncle and cousins." I grumbled. I turned the other way I was hearing the yelling of that Uzumaki leader.

"Why would there be a dead fox on my doorstep?"

"Why do you think an Inuzuka did it?"

"I just do! It was a two person job! Villagers sighted two people smart enough to wear masks!

My mate fainted from seeing it!"

"Naruto," Gramma sighed, "we would rather not listen to your bitchin' right now."

"I'm not bitching right now!"

"Yes you are."

"You know how your daughter addressed me?"

"I don't care." dad growled. I almost laughed. I went further down the hall to get Uncle Shino, Yoshi, and Sai, like aunt Hana told me.

"Hey, aunt Hana said to take ya outside." I said opening the door. Yoshi and Sai were rolling around and wrestling. Sai pounced onto Yoshi. She was holding him down pretty well.

"Aiko!" Sai said as she was running to me.

"Hey, there." I ruffled her hair some.

"Can we go play?"

"Yeah sure."

"Yay! C'mon!" she said grabbing my hand and dragging me to go outside.

"Wait, kid, don' drag me! I'll trip over my feet!" I yelled. Yoshi came up and grabbed my other

hand.

"C'mon, Aiko. We wanna go outside!" Yoshi said pulling me along.

"Fine! Fine! What do ya wanna ta play?" I asked as we got outside.

"Go in your full demon form."

"Why?" skeptical me asked.

"Please?"

"Fine." I grumbled. I shifted into it. "Happy?"

"Yes! Now sit." she told me. I cocked my eyebrow. She gave me the inevitable puppy dog eyes. I gave in and sat. Next thing I knew, there was furry little puppy crawling up my back and sitting on my head.

"What are ya doing?" blowing her tail out of my face.

"You're a slide!" she said going down my back. She got it to pop. It felt great when it popped. I chuckled.

"Watch the tail!" I growled as she almost stepped on it. Koko saw what we were doing and decided to join in. She shifted and scurried up my back. She slid down my back and went and again. "When did I get ta become a slide?" I grumbled half heartedly.

"When you decided to play with us!" Sai giggled on my head.

"And when did ya get this smart?"

"From you!"

"Ahh so I do rub off on people." I chuckled.

"Where's cat boy?" Koko asked.

"He's at his house." I said looking down a little making Sai go backwards.

I noticed the Uzumaki boy coming out after a while. Sai and Yoshi and Koko were playing on the ground. I got in front of them taking at defensive posture. I was growling at him. I got the adults attention doing that. I never had a good incident with the Uzumakis.

Koko slipped by me to go and investigate him. She walked up to him.

"Koko, don't." I growled. She looked back and kept walking up.

"I'm Koko." she said holding her hand out.

Out of no where, I was pounced on by two furry fluff balls and got "knocked down". They were "holding me down" and winning.

"Ah ya got me." I surrendered. Sai was tugging on my ear and Yoshi was standing proudly on my chest. I rolled over to my side. Getting comfy and getting ready for where those two wanted to lay on me. "When did ya start tag teaming against me?" I mumbled tiredly.

"Since you've been playing with us more." Yoshi said curling up next to my neck. Sai decided to lie on top of me.

"Yeah, you know you're comfy?" Sai mumbled.

"I've noticed that." I said before drifting off to sleep.

~Hour later~

"Ey wake up." somebody kept nudging me. I growled. "No growling. We need to talk." I cracked open my eye to see dad.

"What is it?" I grumbled.

"We need to talk. Sai and Yoshi are gone. They went home. So you can get up." I dragged myself up. "We'll talk in your room." he said before leaving. I sighed.

I walked slowly up to the steps of the house. Slipping in, keeping my head down. I know my place in the house. Outside of it I'm alpha. But in here Gramma was alpha. Dad was second. The submissive look was only used in here. Going up the stairs, seeing no one. I kept going to my room. I opened my door to see dad smiling and reading the note on the back of the picture.

Turning back into half a demon. "Ya needed me?" I startled him and he fumbled to put the back of the frame back on.

"Yeah. I know that was you who did that job. I know you do those sort of things."

"Why do ya think that?"

"Because I know you don't take lightly to those sort of attacks. I also know you have a black wolf mask, that you only use for jobs. You also have a partner to help you with them. But knowing you, you won't be a snitch in tell. So tell me did you do it?" he asked more serious than he ever has.

"I may have."

"Did you drop the fox on their porch? Do not avoid the answer." I glared at him. I sighed in defeat.

My ears and tail lowering some. "Fine. I did. So what?" I sighed.

"Why would you do that?" he yelled.

"I did it because the Nara's are innocent people! They did nothing ta him and they were attacked!

It did because I don't want it ta happen again and somebody gets killed!"

"It won't happen again!"

"How do ya know that?"

"I don't know. He denied sending in a fox."

"Of course he denied it! He doesn't want a war." I growled. "Just leave." I sighed.

"Why would I leave? We are still talking."

"Because I have ta get ready for school tomorrow since it's the first day." I opened the door for him.

"You can't save everyone, Aiko." he said leaving.

"I'll die trying ta save everyone." I slammed the door before he could respond.

You don't have panther skillz Masato. Pffff

~AAG