Inuzuka Kiba; 5 Years Later

Age 17

-New Comrades-

A couple of days earlier, I had gotten a letter from the Hokage about Consolidation. I was excited to find out that I knew both people on my team, Chouji and Naruto!

"However, I would also have Akamaru on my team so it's not like I'd be by myself anyway." I said to Akamaru as the two of us walked to where we would be meeting Chouji and Naruto to go and receive our new teacher.

"What…?" Akamaru said.

"You know…" I said slowly. I must have said the first part in my mind or something. "You're going to be on my team so I'll always have someone to talk to and fight with!"

"Yeah, about that…" Akamaru started. I didn't like the sound of that. "As you know, I'm getting old and I can't be fighting with you as much anymore."

"Don't even BOTHER saying that Akamaru!" I said with a laugh. I wasn't going to get ANOTHER ninja dog! That's Akamaru's job.

"I've already talked to your mom about getting another dog and she agreed."

I didn't know what he was saying!

"But Akamaru! What about you?!" I asked him.

I wasn't just going to send him out on a boat! It was me and him to the end!

"I'll still be with you." Said Akamaru. "I just won't fight."

I paused for a second. So I get to hang out with Akamaru…AND get another dog?! I can't lose!

"It's a win/win situation!" I told Akamaru. He nodded at me.

Suddenly, I heard voices and I smelled smells. Naruto and Chouji were approaching.

They must have met up earlier. I turned around to be faced with them as they came towards me.

"Hi guys!" I said.

I guess I was now in a good mood because I was extra cheerful when I greeted them. They both greeted me back and the four of us made our way to the Hokage's office.

Well, I carried Akamaru.

But only because he was whining so much.

When we reached the Hokage's office, I was overcome by an extremely strong smell that burned my nose. I looked around and saw Sakura standing there.

She must have been wearing perfume or something because there is no excuse as to why she smelled like that.

"Hi Sakura!" Naruto said to her.

I didn't listen to their conversation. I was too distracted by the smell.

I could feel my eyes watering.

I hope no one thought I was crying or anything.

Because I wasn't.

It was just because of the perfume.

I noticed that Sakura was looking at me so I pretended not to notice.

I was having kind of a hard time breathing because of the smell and I began coughing a bit.

Just as I thought I was going to pass out, Naruto and Chouji both went inside. I followed after them and I instantly felt better.

"That was harsh." Said Akamaru.

"You can say that again Akamaru!" I told him with a laugh. We climbed up a set a stairs where, at the top, was the door we would go through to meet our new teacher.

I suddenly became really excited.

All I could think about was training in the mountains and running around and getting really strong. I couldn't see Naruto's face but Chouji didn't look toohappy .

"Why so glum, Chouji?" I asked him.

"I guess I'm just nervous." Said Chouji.

"Nervous?" I asked him as we opened the door. Could he be talking about Consolidation? What's there to be nervous about? "Seriously though… training in the mountains is going to be great."

"Imagine the three of us getting on the same team!" said Naruto. He was right! I was really excited too!

"I wonder who our teacher will be." Chouji wondered to himself.

"What are you three doing here?" I heard a voice. I looked up to see Ino and Sasuke standing there. Were they on our team too?

No.

They're CHUUNINS! They don't NEED to do Consolidation!

"We were put on a team and told to come here to meet our teacher." Chouji said as if I didn't already know.

"Ohh…" Ino said. "So it's you three on a team now?"

Chouji and Ino began talking, Naruto and Sasuke began talking so that left me to stand there all by myself. Well, I always had Akamaru of course but it's not like he was saying anything, the jerk.

Suddenly, another door opened up.

"Welcome students of mine!" said that freaky teacher with big eyebrows. "I am your new consolidation teacher. MAITO GAI!"

I can't believe he's my new teacher! He looks so lame! I don't know what to think! Aw man, this wasn't going to be as fun as I had thought it would be. I hope he doesn't disappoint me.

"Five students?" he asked. "I was told that I was to be assigned THREE but if that is the number then so be it!"

Haha…I had made the same mistake. I guess he isn't all THAT bad.

I noticed out of the corner of my eye that Ino and Sasuke were leaving. I didn't mind. It's not like I knew either of them.

Gai then launched into a long explanation about being young and stuff like that.

I didn't listen because I was too busy trying to figure out why Shikamaru's scent was so strong when he wasn't in the room. I mean, it wasn't strong enough for him to be in the room hiding somewhere but it was TOO strong for him to have been in the room and then left.

Suddenly, I noticed Naruto, Chouji and Gai leaving. I have to start paying attention so that I know when to walk with the group.

Gai led us outside and had us all sit on a wooden bench while he stood on a rock.

"Now!" he said. "Introduce yourselves to me and tell me one thing about yourself!"

"I'm Inuzuka Kiba…" I started but then I noticed Naruto was talking at the same time as me.

I shot him a glare.

We need to get it squared away at the beginning that I'm the leader of this group. I see NO leadership potential in Chouji and as for Naruto, he wouldn't make a good leader but he's probably the type to try and steal that position away from REAL leaders like me.

Gai pointed to me.

"You go first because you're on the end." He said.

I turned to Naruto and gave him a satisfying smirk. I AM the leader. Gai already knows it.

I stood up.

"My name is Inuzuka Kiba." I told them all. I then set Akamaru on the ground. "This is Akamaru."

"I remember you." Gai interrupted. I didn't like being interrupted but considering it was his first day, I let it slide.

"As I was saying…" I said with a fake cough. "And someday, I plan to be a great ninja."

Gai nodded and pointed to Naruto. Gai was a lot calmer than I thought…

Naruto then went on to introduce himself and give some big long shpeal about how he's going to become Hokage when he is SO obviously not going to. I've already told him a hundred times.

Gai laughed at Naruto.

"I like your spirit!" he bellowed loudly.

I didn't like him being so loud.

My ears are sensitive.

Chouji was next. He said his name and not much more. I didn't really listen to what else he had to say but I think it had something to do with not being a failure.

But that could just be what I THOUGHT he said.

So Gai talked and talked and talked. We had to explain what we were good at and stupid stuff like that. I mean, it was fun talking about me but it got annoying when I had to listen to Chouji and Naruto talk.

The sun was starting to set when he finally let us go home.

I still love leaping through the trees. I don't think I'll ever get tired of it. It's like a game to me. So I quickly made my way home.

I burst in through the door.

"Mom!" I called. "My new teacher is that eyebrow freak…"

I paused. There was a new scent in the air.

My mom walked out followed by a small puppy.

"Is that my new ninja dog?!" I asked. I was very excited.

"You weren't supposed to tell him Akamaru!" my mom said, crossing her arms.

"Sorry." Akamaru said.

But you could tell he told me on purpose.

"THIS one is going to be a BIG dog!" my mother said. "No offense, Akamaru."

"None taken." Said Akamaru.

"But mom, how am I supposed to carry him around or put him in my hood if he's a big dog?" I asked.

My mom only rolled her eyes.

I don't know why. I was asking a perfectly logical question. I had always liked carrying Akamaru around and it was easy because he was always so little.

But I could remember when I was younger my mother had REALLY wanted me to get a big dog and was kind of disappointed when I had picked out Akamaru, so it was no surprise that now that it was HER turn to pick the dog, she picked one that would get big.

I wasn't going to hold that against my new ninja dog, though!

I picked up the new dog. I didn't know what to name him but I knew I was going to have to train him REALLY hard if I wanted to become a chuunin by the time I got back.

I mean, I had trained Akamaru really hard but THIS one I would have to train even HARDER!

Maybe it would be an advantage if I had a bigger dog. That way, when I performed some of my jutsus, there would be more power with all the strength and weight behind him.

Maybe I should take him training now.

I wanted to show my new dog to my new team!

I wish I had gotten him BEFORE the introductions because then I'd be cool and have TWO dogs.

I wanted to show him to someone!

Hinata likes dogs! She's always petting and holding Akamaru! I decided to go and show Hinata. Maybe she could help me name him!

Then I paused.

Or name…

…Her.