He Said She Said
Disclaimer: Don't own, not even a little crumb. Don't care to hear about what jutsu should be what and I post once a week. Deal with it.
Chapter 10
They watched as the blond was swarmed by dogs, wagging their tails and barking in greeting to a long time friend.
Anko was amazed, but more so she was happy to see a genuine smile on the blonds face for the first time in the week since she moved in.
Dogs licked and barked and she could swear that Naruto was answering a question as she talked to each dog.
"The gaki does understand them."
"What?" Anko asked turning to Tsume.
"Naruto. She understands them. Rin's gift to him…damn it, Her." Tsume said.
Anko smirked. "Don't feel bad, I still do it. Hell the brat still calls herself he."
Tsume watched as the elder dogs calmed the younger one. She looked around. "Where's Kuromaru?" she asked.
XX
(Konha General Hospital)
Hinata raiser her hand, the strike about to descend.
"I wouldn't do that if I were you."
She jumped back from Kiba's bed and looked around not seeing anyone there.
"Down here girl."
Hinata looked down and under the bed she noticed for the first time a large dog with an eye patch. She recognized the dog as Kiba's mothers dog Kuromaru.
"I…I…" she tried to say.
"You were going to remove the pups manhood for what he did to Naruto." Kuromaru said, his head still down on his paws, his eye closed.
"Y-yes." She admitted lowering her head, her chin resting on her chest.
"You and every female has the same idea. The pup's mother has first crack, followed by his sister." The dog said. "Truthfully it will be Naruto that decides his fate."
Hinata closed her eyes. "So its true. Naruto-kun is female now."
"Yes. His scent changed and whatever caused it is permanent." The large dog said. "She will need her friends around her more than ever. Are you her friend Hinata?"
She wasn't surprised that the dog knew her so well. I want to be more than Naruto-kun's friend. She thought.
"Y-yes, I want to be there for hi-her."
Kuromaru gave a chuckle. "Then lets go. Leave the pup alone, he's in for a rough time ahead."
XX
(Undisclosed Location)
Sasuke Uchiha was not happy. His sensei after months of giving him all he asked for had stopped and was only working with him on his speed. I need to get stronger, why now has he stopped?
The Said Uchiha gave no thought to his teammates, they were beneath him now and he was close to getting power. the mark on his neck throbbed, but his only response was to grunt and went back to the lame exercise that Hatake had left him with while he vanished. Tch. Probably went to wank off to his porn again. He thought. I will get stronger, and I will kill you brother.
XX
(Inuzuka Compound)
"(laughter) S-S-STOP! (laughter)" Naruto was being slobbered on by several of the dogs.
Tsume clapped her hands and the dogs began to back off, well the older ones did. The younger ones took a nip in the side from the older dogs before complying.
Naruto took a moment to gather herself and wipe off the drool from the dogs. Tsume walked up and handed her a towel.
"They missed you."
The blond shrugged and wiped herself off. "They've all grown so much since the last time I'd seen them." Naruto said giving some of the more energetic ones a grin.
"Come on. Lets get you to the showroom." Tsume said steering her towards what looked like a mini-arena.
"A-are you sure…I mean…well, Kiba and…"
"I am the head of this family pup. And Kiba's on a choke chain for his behavior. As for my deceased husband he too has nothing further to add to this."
Anko followed not certain what to think of what wasn't being said.
XX
(Elsewhere)
Sakura Haruno sighed as she walked the streets. She had gone to Anko's apartment to check on Naruto, but found the pair out. I wonder where they went. Sensei said that today we had off.
Sakura looked around the village and she'd seen some of the others participants. That Suna girl was stalking Ino-pig's teammate, Shikamaru. And I saw Hinata coming from the hospital with an Inuzuka dog. She must have been seeing that bastard Kiba. She growled remembering what that boy had done during the exam. I mean yeah, she's his teammate, but I'd rather drive a kunai somewhere right now than be associated with someone like him.
She sighed as she continued to walk. Its been a weird week. Naruto's now a girl, and I'm confused about that. Sakura hugged herself as she walked. I mean, I treated her badly when she was a boy, but there's something vulnerable about Naruto now that…
Shaking her head she saw she was outside the flower shop. Might as well visit with Ino-pig. Not like either of us have anything else to do today.
She entered. "Hey, Pig."
XX
(Inuzuka Compound)
(Show arena)
"Like what you see?" Tsume asked.
For the last half hour many of the dogs put on displays of what they could do, commands they followed and basic just showing off.
Naruto was sitting surrounded by three Inuzuka house dogs. Her hands were petting one of the grey dogs. Blue eyes taking it all in.
"Yes." The blond said. Anko was just behind her shaking her head. "Pick one. A dog is a dog after all."
That got her looks from Tsume, Naruto and the gathered dogs. "What?"
"Anko-nee-chan, is that like a snake is a snake?" Naruto finally asked.
"What are you talking about? Each snake is unique and different with…" she calmed and sighed. "Sorry." She said realizing what she had said.
Naruto looked back at the gathered dogs. "Eurekamaru." He called.
A slender female dog came forward. She was the size of a fox and her golden colored fur was soft.
"She's only three." Tsume warned. "She hasn't learned to talk like the older ones."
"That's okay." Naruto said. "She's from Kylala's litter."
Tsume sighed. Kylala had been very protective of Naruto, but she was an older dog. She'd passed away one winter. Naruto had been unable to visit due to Tsume's husband banning him.
My idiot of mate always called Naruto the fox. He never listened to the pack, all the dogs loved the boy, but that baka of a husband didn't listen. She sighed as Naruto hugged the young dog and smiled. They will be a good match. Kylala's pups share her disposition and most of them know of Naruto and love him like their alpha.
"Alright you lot. She's chosen." Tsume called out. She watched as the dog and Naruto were forming the bond even now, as they stared into one another's eyes. Eurekamaru leaned in and bit Naruto on the shoulder.
Anko moved as if to intervene, but Tsume blocked her. "No. this needs to be done to form the communication bond. In time they'll share chakra and they will be empathic with one another."
Anko watched as Naruto didn't make a sound and the dog pull back and then lick the wound, even as Naruto's healing factor healed it, leaving a pale white scar.
That's never happened. Anko thought recalling the previous attacks that had been healed.
"Now, lets get you a collar and get her checked out. Hana of course will want to prescribe a diet."
Eurekamaru snorted and Naruto smirked. "Don't worry Eureka-chan, I'll make sure big bad Hana-chan don't stab you with too many needles."
The golden furred dog huffed and Naruto laughed.
"A matched set." Anko said. "They both hate shots." She explained to Tsume's curious look.
"The pups always hated doctors visits, and Eurekamaru's been the same when it came time to see the vet."
Both women laughed as Naruto dragged his companion towards the clinic across the compound, Eurekamaru's growls getting snickers from all who saw them.
XX
(Hokage's Office)
"Are you certain?"
"Yes Lord Hokage. Orochimaru's been reported spying on the Uchiha, and intel shows that he plans to strike during the third exam."
The Hokage sighed. "I'm getting to old for this." He muttered. "Get me Jiraiya."
AN: Well Naruto picked his…her (damn it) companion. Stay tuned for some training, next time on He Said, She Said Episode 11: "KAGE BUNSHIN BANZAI!"