The rating is only for the language. I haven't done any romance scenes before, so it will probably be a long while before one shows up. As of now, this is without a question AU. It will probably not follow cannon…but other characters will not be messed with too much…maybe...Uh, Japanese words may or may not appear, if they do, they will be rather generic or mean something very specific.

This is for Tsuyu-the-Hanyou! My first non-family fan!! YEAH! You gave me the will to continue!

"Hotaru thought/voice"

Dulcinea/Hotaru: Why am I sleeping all the time?!

Spiderlilly: Because I don't have anything for you to do yet…and having your body tweaked and reformed is stressful.

Female entity: You got that right…you shouldn't even be awake at all. So sleep!

Dulcinea/Hotaru: But, but, but….Zzzzzzzz

Spiderlilly: DANG IT! I need her! Where's my shotgun?!

Female entity: uhhhhh….I think I'm needed else where…BYE!

Neji's room

My eyes popped open. "Where the heck am I?" Was my first thought as I looked around the room. It was clean and bare. The window was open and under it was a desk that was also very neat and tidy. I then suddenly remembered that last few days and realized that I was in Neji's room.

"Yosh!" Now all I gotta do is get off the bed, several feet above the ground and walk out the door…no problem what so ever!

"Okay, untangle right foreleg, push up and put down left foreleg and now take step with right foreleg." I was doing pretty good…then I forgot about the hind legs and promptly fell off the bed as I was unbalanced.

"Ouch, that hurt." Ugh this was not going to be easy. Okay shake yourself off and try again. This time get ALL legs up and then step.

5 minutes later, I was standing on all four legs. Yeah! Now to take a step…how does that dog down the street do it? I was trying to think of an old neighbor's of mines dog…if it could do it, why couldn't I? Oh! That's right! Back legs and corresponding front move at the same time!

Sadly again my logic failed me and I was nose deep in woven mats. "Dang it! What the heck am I doing wrong?" At that moment one of my tails decided to hit my head as I flopped around trying to stand up again. Inspiration filled my frustrated mind. I had tails too! Of course I had to use those to move around!

20 minutes later saw me moving slowly across the room. "Left, Right, Left, Right, remember to twitch the tails, Left, Right, Left, back legs correspond to front…Haha! I'm doing it!" Splat! I fell again…grumbling I got to my multiple feet again and slowly made my way around the room. When I was sure that I had gotten a decent understanding of walking, I slowly made my way out of the room.

I didn't really have a goal in mind. I also didn't know if Neji-sama had told anyone about me yet. Oh well. He violated me yesterday! He deserves to get into trouble! Hehe, wait a minute, since when am I this maniacal? Whatever, I just hope that that trouble isn't going to land on me.

The house looked very old fashioned with sliding doors, mats and everything. They didn't even have electricity. Oil lamps took those places along the walls. As I moved along, I came to a door at the end of the hall, it was cracked open and I pushed my nose into it to make it bigger. It opened into a court yard that had Neji-sama and Hinata sparing.

"Don't they ever stop? More importantly when did they start today?" The sun was barely up but it was obvious that they had been going at it for a while.

I slowly made my way to the edge of the walk way and tumbled over the side onto the ground. Picking myself up, I made my way over to them and found a spot where I could watch and not get trampled.

They were moving so quickly I could barely keep up. Neji-sama was using the traditional family style but Hinata was doing something different. It was similar but again, different. The only reasoning I could some up with was that she had come up with a way to fight that suited her and still followed the original style. But it was easy to see that it was still in its beginning stages. She looked almost rough using those graceful moves, while Neji-sama was anything but rough. Precise, economical, calm and utterly cold, he wasted no movement but looked like he was flying. Slightly entranced in the fight, I didn't notice a very large hand some down and pick me up by the scruff of the neck until it was too late.

"Huh? What the heck?! Who picked me up? Can't they see I'm busy?" Oh duh, of course they can't, you're a fox remember.

"Neji-san, what is this?" a quiet voice rang out. It was a very calm voice, but it was also dripping with power and authority, this had to be the one and only Hyuga Hiashi, head of the Hyuga clan.

The voice permeated the area and Neji-sama and Hinata immediately sprang apart, each slightly winded from their exertion.

"What is what? Hyuga-sama?" Neji-sama respectfully replied as he walked over to his uncle. Then he saw what his uncle was holding and felt a slight sensation of dread.

Animals, especially pets were not allowed in the main house if they were not destined for the kitchens, despite his daughters' pleadings. Although Neji, himself, didn't exactly like the little fox, he didn't want it kicked out either. He wasn't by nature cruel and it would be cruel to abandon the seemingly baby fox kit.

Hiashi was waiting for an answer and Neji was thinking fast. "I am raising it until it can be trained to be a ninfox. Its inherent skills could prove to be useful as it grows." "Whew…that had been close," Neji thought, he was still staring at Hiashi, refusing to break eye contact.

I was twisting around trying to look at my captor. When I got a look at him, my insides chilled, he was very much like the character I had read about at my previous home. I would get very little mercy here. Making up my mind, I was about to bite that hand that had grabbed me when Neji-sama's words got through to my brain. Ninfox?! What the heck? That was the best he could some up with? I really needed to talk to that boy.

Deciding that I didn't like the feeling of dangling by my neck, I twisted my head and bit down on the hand. In surprise, not pain, he let go, allowing me to fall to the ground. I yipped from the jolt of landing and scrambled to get behind Neji-sama, I didn't need to go far as the both of them were rather close now. This was a blessing as I hadn't managed to figure out how to move quickly yet. The end result though was less then flattering, I had ended up tumbling behind him very much out of control.

"Is that so?" Hiashi replied calmly. "You want to train a runt of a fox, that can't walk properly or detect approaching ninja, to be a ninfox? A fox that didn't even notice that I was following it down the hall?" He stared expectantly at his nephew.

"Well when you say it that way…and and and I was concentrating on walking! So take that!" I thought to myself, feeling slightly insulted and ashamed that I didn't even know he was there.

"Yes I do. Its size will not be a hindrance for information gathering and it is still very young, it will take time to train the creature, time that will not hinder my other duties." Replied Neji-sama just as calmly. "If it is unsuited to the task, it will be disposed of."

"Disposed of?! What the heck does he think I am? Some weapon that he can just throw away? And WHO said that I would want to be trained in the first place?!"

Hiashi stared at his nephew for a moment, mulling over his answer. It was true that the boy was very gifted, a genius even. He had even managed to hold the family together so many years ago. Perhaps allowing him to create his own fighting style would be a good reward, it wasn't as if Neji didn't know how to use the family style. He learned, by himself, Main House jutsu that he shouldn't have been able to do. Besides, Hinata, his own daughter, had created her very own version of the Main house style. Perhaps this generation was all about change. The council wouldn't like it, but they didn't like a lot of things. Whether he liked it or not, the boy was right, the fox would help him gather any information, and if trained right, be the nose to Neji's eyes.

"Very well. If your duties are found lacking, the fox leaves, if it is found in other parts of the house not designated for training, the fox leaves, if its presences is marked with odor, sight or sound, the fox leaves. Understood?" Hiashi waited for a response from his nephew and after a pointed stare at the creature hiding behind Neji's feet, he turned around and walked back into the house.

"Personally I though most of those rules were specifically directed at me…not sure what gave me that idea though…" I looked up at Neji-sama. He was looking at me with an unreadable expression. I gulped and huddled down when he bent over and picked me up. Hinata had yet to make a sound.

"N-Neji-kun, w-when did you get it?" Hinata softly asked as she stared at the adorable little thing in her cousin's arms.

At her voiced question I turned and looked at her startled. Where was the little hellion that had appeared earlier? Maybe she was only that fired up around her sister? Who knows…I promised myself that I wasn't going to try and puzzle this things out…my brain hurt enough already.

Neji sighed and clearly annoyed said, "I found it coming back from my last mission. More appropriately, Lee-san found it, but it would have been cruel to leave it with him so I took it. I hadn't planned on keeping it, but now I have too."

"Ahh," was all she said still staring at me. To tell the truth it was starting to freak me out. I can sooo empathize with those poor animals at pet stores, its creepy being stared at!

I was moving again, this time Neji-sama was looking at me in the eye and very sternly said, "First lesson, stamina, or in this case, learning how to walk. We may need to take a trip to see Kiba-san."

"Wait! NO! That mutt of his can eat me in one gulp! And I can walk just fine thank you very much. Who ever said I agreed to this training?! Where are you taking me? No, wait, what is that you are putting on me?! HAHA! Take that! And that! See I can fight too! What? That actually feels pretty good…Cough. Gag. Ack! Cheater! A collar?! A leash?! Why the heck is it yellow? That sooo clashes with my coat! How dare you treat me like a dog! See if I ever do anything nice again! You just wait and see you maniacal fashion disaster! Be careful where you sleep…I can't guarantee what will be there in the morning…Muhahaha." Ugh, maniacal laughing this early in the morning is not good for the head. I was now musing to myself as I had very blatantly lost the battle of the collar. I couldn't believe I fell for the whole scratch behind the ears to tip up her head trick. Gah! It's so embarrassing. "Sigh, at least I can see where we are going this time."

I was tucked away in Neji-sama's arms as he leapt through the village toward the Inuzuka compound. My leash was wrapped around his hand and I had tried to get the blasted thing off but it and I were going no where…unless I wanted to choke to death on the leash.

A minute later we landed before the compound's main gate. There was a bell and Neji-sama rang it. A second later Inuzuka Hana, the resident vet came to the gate, the front area was the veterinary clinic and she always took care of visitors to the clan as they mostly needed her expertise.

"Hey Neji-san. What have you got there?" She asked us rather boisterously. I swear, that personality, it's genetic.

"Inuzuka-san, I require your clan's assistance. This fox kit requires training to become a ninfox, but I have not the knowledge to do so." Neji-sama replied stoically to the hyper ninja.

"Really? You don't say? Well let's take a look at it. It looks rather young." With that, I was unceremoniously plucked out of Neji-sama's arms, leash undone, and was taken into the Vet clinic.

Coming into the clinic, my noise was assaulted with the scents of dogs, antiseptic, dogs, blood, dogs, oh did I mention dogs? I was going through nasal overload. Neji-sama followed her into the side room that she led him too. It had an examining table and various other equipment.

"Where did you find…her?" The space being Hana checking my gender. What is with the checking gender thing? I mean really? I just don't see that attraction.

"The forest, she seemed more intelligent then the typical fox. She is almost human like at times. That's when I thought she could be of some use." Neji-sama replied.

The question and answer session continues as I was examined everywhere. I really do mean everywhere. This is so embarrassing. Then THAT was found, oh yeah, my abnormal tail or tails.

"Well you would be right about one thing. She is certainly smarter then a typical fox. In fact, I do believe that what you have is a Kitsune. Not a very powerful one, it's still very young, but it's a Kitsune. She's healthy too, no parasites, bugs or diseases." Was what she said, all grins I might add, as she laid out all of my tails in their numbered glory.

"Great…let the hunt begin…I can hear the horns now."

"How is this possible?" Neji-sama asked. I was doing my level best to hide on the very flat table.

"Well the only thing that I could think of is that his Royal Fuzziness, in our favorite Loud Mouth, didn't want to be alone anymore. Heck, the power radiating off of him is incredible in itself. It's probably attracting all sorts of critters. But don't worry; Kyubi's power will keep it from going crazy." Still, she says this like there's nothing wrong with it.

I guess the secret's out. I wonder if they all just knew or Baka! No trying and figuring out this weird dimension! Concentrate on the crazy lady sticking things where they don't belong.

"I see, so you say she has intelligence?" I can't believe he has no emotion in all of this…just "I see" what the heck does that mean?!

"Yes, she can be easily as smart as a human. How smart she is now depends solely on her age and that is an unknown quantity. However, as for being a ninfox, you would have to ask her. But as she hasn't left or done something nasty, they are tricksters at heart you know, than I would say that she wants to be your partner. Or she is too young to know the difference and is latching on to a replacement mother. Either way, you get her for life. You sure you don't have any problems with this? I realize that more and more creatures, such as she, have been appearing but that doesn't mean that everyone will accept her. But if you still want to go through with this, we can teach her the basics. Moving would be a top priority, then stamina, tracking, stealth and discipline. Think of it as puppy boot camp."

"Oh how little they know…" were my thoughts as I looked up into Neji-sama's face. He was mulling over the possibility and quickly came to a decision.

"Do it. Train her. How long will you need?" Again with the mask! What the heck is he thinking?

"Oh about a week will do it. We can get her back to you before your team is scheduled to help with the Chunnin exams. Our training is very intensive." I swear, if she could get away with it she would cackle.

"Acceptable." That was all he said before he turned around and made to leave the clinic.

"Wait!"

He just stopped and turned toward her.

"What do you call her? It helps in training." Hana quickly asked.

"Hotaru." Then I watched him turn and then leave the clinic.

I turned to look at Hana, she looked way too pleased.

"Oh we are going to have so much fun this week Hotaru!" I knew it…my life was over…I can hear the bells tolling now. "Neji-sama save me! I swear I didn't mean anything that I said. Honest! I didn't! I'm sorry!" were my last thoughts as I was picked up and taken into the depths of the compound. Struggling all along the way…she was cackling I just know it!

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Yeah! Finished another one! Okay, I gotta say, the walking thing was sooo hard to get right. I ended up crawling on the floor to get the idea of it. I mean seriously, since when do we actually pay attention to that sort of thing? Anyhow, next chapter will be lot more about the inner workings of Neji…he was rather stoic this chapter, and a little less about Hotaru. See you next time!