Disclaimer: Crow? *Blinks* What crow? You people are all crazy...

Oh and I don't own Naruto. Sorry for the long wait on this one, but life you know?

*Crow flies behind Mists with her completely unaware.*

~The Alpha Wolf~

"Okay," said Kiba as he and Akamaru walked home from Ichiraku's. "Something is definitely going on with Naruto."

Now, Kiba wasn't the sharpest kunai in the drawer, he fully admitted that. But there were times when the canine shinobi had his moments. And really, it was kinda hard to miss. While they were at the ramen stand, Naruto was acting way more skittish than usual. He jumped at the smallest noise; his eyes were nervously twitching like a fox caught in a trap. Back and forth he went, checking and rechecking the seats around him; as if waiting for something catastrophic. The blond had been pretty much set to snap at any minute.

"Hey, Naruto," Kiba called out, after picking up his takeout. "You doing okay?"

The blond nearly fell right off his stood. "Oh, uh- Hi, Kiba. I'm doing alright! Everything is going fine! Ask me no questions and I'll tell you no lies!"He laughed nervously into his ramen.

Kiba and Akamaru shared a look. "Okay... anyway! Kakashi told me to send you up to his office before I went home. I think he's got some sorta mission for yah."

"Huh? What?" the blond asked with tired blink. "Oh, okay. Thanks, have a nice night Kiba."

The wolf boy gave him a wicked grin and a wave."Sure, man, you too!" And so off the went into the night, wondering just what the heck was up with his friend.

"I'm not reading too much into this... am I, Akamaru?" he asked his dear companion with a raised eyebrow.

The dog averted his eyes and gave his master a noncommittal whine.

Kiba's eyes narrowed. "Hold on a minute, I know that tone! There's something you're not telling me, aren't you?"

But instead of answering, Akamaru began curiously stiffing the air. "Huh? What's wrong?" Kiba asked, taking a quick whiff as well.

The canine touched his nose to the ground and traced the scent he back to a green bush planted near the side of the road. His quarry found, Akamaru growled threateningly at his prey.

"Hey, easy there boy! What you'd find?" he questioned, trying see what had caught the dog's attention.

The bush rustled for a moment, before a large black crow bust from the safety of it's leaves and cried, "CAW! CAW!"

The black bird made a hasty exit as Akamaru proudly wagged his tail in triumph.

"You crazy old pup," Kiba teased, giving his best friend a well deserved belly rub. "Now what was that all-"

~AAAHHH-WWOOO~ suddenly came a great howl as what appeared to be a genuine mob... made up entirely of his family members came barreling through town.

And on their backs, they seemed to be carrying something tied to a stake pole...

"NARUTO?!" Kiba exclaimed, watching his sister and mother march his helpless friend through the streets.

"KIBA! GET YOUR CRAZY FAMILY OFF OF ME!" he cried as Kiba's female cousins, dragged Naruto along like a newly caught piece of game.

"Wait a second, the women-" thought the canine shinobi, before old man Lycan interrupted his thoughts. "Kiba! There yah are my boy! T'was worried that yah were gonna to miss it," he said with an almost predatory grin.

"Gramps!" the wolf trainer yelled. "What in the heck are you all doing? You can't just go dragging around the next Hokage like a hunk of meat!"

Lycan gave Kiba a hearty slap to the back. "The hell we can't! Tiss the 'Rite of Bonding,' son! Yah know that. Now, come on! Yah don't want to be late!"

And with that, the old man took off after the crazy mob, howling all the way.

Completely dumbfounded, Kiba stood there staring at their retreating backs. "The Rite of- Oh, no. Oh Man!"

Wild-eyed, Kiba turned imploringly to Akamaru, hoping that he was wrong. "B-But that's only for-"

Poor Kiba, his friend's gruff bark and pitying whine only confirmed his fears.

"Come on," he said, for once, becoming deadly serious. "if you're right. Then we'd better fill the dumbass in about what's going on..."

Kiba remembered the first time he met Naruto back at the academy. Man, the blond sure was a loser. The guy couldn't even perform a simple jutsu right. But he never gave up. At first, Kiba thought he was an idiot. And while the wolf trainer was loath to admit it, he and Naruto were a lot alike. They were hot tempered, loud, and rather blunt when trying to make a point.

But, in the end, the blond always succeeded where Kiba only failed. It seemed like, Naruto was perpetually one step ahead of him. Which was why, the wolf trainer now viewed him as a rival. He was the reason Kiba made Kakashi-sensei teach him the Shadow Clone Technique. Eventually, the canine shinobi discovered a way to strengthen his own clan's Transformation Jutsu with it.

Even though the blond was well on his way to becoming Hokage, Kiba wasn't really jealous of him. His friend merely presented him with yet another bar to climb. He still wanted the job for himself, but as long as Naruto was in the lead, Kiba would continue pushing after him to reach greater heights.

He never really got what Hinata saw in the blond on a romantic level though. But he supported her none the less. Over the years, the dark-haired woman had become like a second sister to him. He was protective, and supportive in whatever path she chose. If they truly were performing the "Rite of Bonding" tonight, then that could only mean one thing... Naruto was planning to propose.

Which unfortunately meant, Naruto and Hinata were in for quite a few surprises, when it came to Inuzuka clan "traditions."

When Kiba finally made it to his clan's training hall, his mother and sister were already retying Naruto to the wooden stake at the edge of the field.

"Tsume-sama!" Naruto exclaimed, tugging at his bonds. "What the heck is going on?"

The Head of the Inuzuka clan gave him a fang-filled smile. "All in due time, blondie."

"Oooo!" seductively purred Tsuki, Kiba's cousin, as she grabbed Naruto's chin with her hand. "He is a fine one. I'd just love to run my claws up and down his back, any time."

The blond audibly gulped and began sweating bullets.

"Oh my," Kurama growled wickedly in Naruto's mind, "I do believe I like this clan."

"Baka fox," he hissed under his breath as Hana, Kiba's sister, simply shook her head. "You'll have to win him first, if you want to do that."

"Win me!" the blond practically screeched as Tsuki began nuzzling her face against his chest.

Kurama let out a boisterous laugh. "Yes, I most definitely like them."

It was then that Naruto's fanatically searching eyes spotted Kiba and Akamaru entering through the door.

"Cut it out, Tsuki," the wolf trainer scolded, yanking her away from his friend. "He's going to piss himself before this thing even gets started!"

"KIBA!" the blond yelled in desperation, "THANK GOODNESS! YOUR CRAZY FAMILY KIDNAPPED ME!"

"Yeah, about that..." he growled waving his hand at the growing assembly of women. "You do know what this is, right?"

Naruto rapidly shook his head. "No! I was in Kakashi's office when they burst in with rope and and a pole! Then Ero-kage got this weirdly perverted look on his face!"

Akamaru snickered as Kiba face palmed. "Did he say anything else?"

"Yeah, that this was a clan matter. And by law, I wasn't allowed to escape," the blond shinobi explained with a pout. "Then he just waved good-bye as your insane family dragged me off into the streets!"

"Naruto... I just have one question..." said the wolf man with a laboring sigh. "Are you seriously planning to do it?"

"Do what?" he returned with a confused blink.

"Propose to Hinata!" Kiba spat back at his friend. "Because that's the only reason,why they would bring you here!"

The second he said this, Naruto full out snapped. "HOW IN THE HELL, DOES EVERYONE FREAKING KNOW?!"

"Wait... what are you saying?" the canine shinobi asked in confusion. "Who else knows?"

Shino's reaction instantly came to Naruto's mind as he desperately tried to think up an excuse. "Uh... I uh, a couple people... you know."

Kiba's look became a glare as Akamaru let out a quick bark next to him. "Yeah, well neither of you are off the hook. So how many of our friends know, Naruto. Come on, spit it out!"

The blond began sweating profusely. "I uh... all of them?" he admitted, at last, with a cringe.

In giant letters, the phrase, "THE LAST TO KNOW!" appeared over Kiba's head. Dramatically, the heavy statement then fell, flattening him to the ground. His arms could be seen twitching from underneath the enormous lettering, as stars whirled around his head.

Eventually, the wolf trainer was able to extract himself from beneath the crushing words.

"Naruto!" he said threateningly, "I'm gonna-"

"Ah, ah, ah," Hana scolded while grabbing him by the ear. "Not until after the ritual, you're not! We need him conscious! Remember?"

The blond sweat-dropped at hearing this. "Uh... 'conscious' for what, exactly? You guys still haven't told me."

After escaping his sister's grasp, Kiba finally explained what the strange gathering was all about. Within the Inuzuka clan, there's a special ritual all females must take part in if they are planning to wed. It is called the "Rite of Bonding." Since Hinata is considered an honorary member, she must take part in it as well.

Naruto interrupted him here, "But Kiba! If you tell her that-"

"Mom and sis would never let that happen, so don't worry," he answered reassuringly. "They've done this tons of times with outsiders before. All of the women here know better than ruin this for Hinata."

The blond's worried blue eyes didn't seem any lighter though. "Okay... I guess so..."

"Honestly dude, you should have come to me sooner!" Kiba joked, giving him a friendly smack to the shoulder. "I could have helped you plan something really romantic! I'm not considered 'Konoha's Ladies Man,' for nothing!"

*We quick cut to a Jack Sparrow-esq montage of various women violently slapping Kiba across the face.*

The wolf man's teeth sparkled as he pointed to himself proudly.

"Uh... huh," replied Naruto, as sarcastically as possible. "Sure you are..."

"Hey! Watch-"

But Kiba was unable to finish his statement, because right at that moment, Hinata arrived on the scene.

"Oh, Naruto-kun!" she exclaimed, her delicate hands covering her mouth in surprise. "Tsame-sama! What on earth is the meaning of this?"

Kiba's mother walked over to her with wide open arms. "Welcome to the party my dear!" she greeted with a fanged smile. "As you know, when one is considered an honorary member of a clan, there are certain complex... obligations. You remember this from your initiation, correct?"

Slowly, Hinata's hands dropped back to her sides. She answered, "Hai, Tsume-sama."

"Good," she practically purred. "You see when a girl is 'with' someone for over a year, she is considered to be in a serious relationship."

Kiba's mother boldly laughed at Hinata's embarrassed blush. "Come now, there's nothing to be shy about! The clan just wants to fully acknowledge you as a woman. And by our laws, this can only be done through the art of ritualistic battle."

"Ritualistic?" asked Hinata with a confused blink, while Naruto uncontrollably squawked out "BATTLE?"

The blond then imploringly glanced at his friend. "Kiba, what does she mean by that?"

But the young man said nothing in reply. His fists tightened a bit as he kept his eyes solely trained on Hinata.

Tsume let out an amused snort. "The hierarchy of our clan is based on that of the wolf pack. In order for a lower ranked female to mate with the Alpha, she must first defeat all others in combat. And so it is that you my dear, must now do the same."

The women of the Inuzuka clan howled as one, their voices a chorus, singing of battle.

Hinata's face took on a stern look of determination. It was one that Naruto rarely saw her wear. Clearly, his girlfriend was taking this challenge very serious.

"I- Wait, what!" the blond exclaimed in shock. "You want her to-"

"Naruto, shut up!" Kiba commanded, and for the first time ever, the future Hokage actually listened.

Tsume continued on as if the boys hadn't spoken, her sharp stare never leaving Hinata's doe like eyes, "Beat us in honorable combat, Hinata-sama, and Naruto-kun is yours. If you don't, you will no longer be considered part of our clan. All contracts with the Hyuga will be rendered null and void. And any further relationship you chose to have with Naruto-kun will no longer be recognized by us."

This caused the blond to sputter in protest, "This is insane- Hinata!"

Immediately, Kiba rounded on him, looking the fiercest Naruto had ever seen him.

"Believe in her!" he declared, echoing Shino's heated words from years ago. "She's strong."

"I accept your challenge, Tsume-sama," she replied with unwavering resolve. "I will not fail."

"Good, that's what I was hoping to hear," the Head of the Inuzuka clan replied, as five other single women, including Hana, surrounded Hinata from all sides.

And with a gleeful smile, Tsume hissed, "Begin."

Hinata activated her Byakugan. Immediately, Tsuki drew a kunai and lunged at her, thirsty for blood. Using her Eight Trigrams Vacuum Palms, Hinata was able to easily deflect the attack.

Akamaru growled at the females' canines sitting off to the side. "Don't worry," said Kiba, addressing Naruto. "They can't use their companions in this fight. And if any of them try, Akamaru will stop them."

"Yeah... Look, Kiba," the blond said uncertainly. "Hinata is strong, but I still-"

Just then, Tsuki made a reckless dive to slice at Hinata's shoulder, but the dark-haired woman's Gentle Fist Technique immediately took her down with a few quick blows.

"She always like this you know," Kiba stated, refusing to take his eyes off the battle. "Whenever you're injured or in danger."

Seizing the opportunity, Hana targeted Hinata's left with a swift kick to the ribs.

Naruto gave his friend a thoughtful look. "Yeah... I know."

"No, I don't really think you do," the canine shinobi growled fiercely. "When we were younger, I always tried to protect her. Because I knew what a kind and gentle person she was."

Hana got in a sound strike to Hinata's side, but she was still able to dodge away.

"She's changed so much these last few years... And it's all because of you."

Anticipating Hana's next attack, Hinata caught her right arm, deflected it up, and administered a Gentle Fist strike underneath; thereby rendering the limb useless.

"Every time you've faltered, Hinata's been there to protect and empower you."

Hana drew back as the other three women banded together in an attempt to take down the dark-haired Hyuga.

"Remember this Naruto!" the wolf trainer emphasized. "Forever burn this fight into your memory!"

All three women where then violently blown back from Hinata performing Neji's signature move, the Eight Trigrams Palms Revolving Heaven.

"This is the fierceness of her love for you, being put on full display!"

Tsume gave the heavily breathing Hinata a fanged grin, as she crouched down into her own fighting stance. "My turn," she growled, lashing out with her claws.

"OMG! This is SO FREAKING HOT!" Kurama lustfully purred in Naruto's mind. "Shut up, Baka Fox!" the blond hissed, hoping that Kiba wouldn't hear.

It didn't seem like he had, because the wolf trainer simply continued on with his speech, "This passion, this fire with which she's fighting-"

With barely any effort, Hinata ignited her Twin Lion Fists. And both women began trading a series of such strong blows that it left all the other spectators speechless.

"It is all for you. And only you."

As Tsume pulled her clawed hand back to strike another mighty blow, Hinata saw her opening, and uppercut the Head of the Inuzuka clan right in the jaw. Sending the woman flying up and back, before slamming in return to the unforgiving ground.

"This is how much she loves you."

The two women stared each other down, both rapidly huffing in an attempt to catch their breath. Neither broke eye contact, they were sizing one another up just as they would in the wild.

At last, Tsume tumbled to her knees and bowed in defeat. "I always knew there was a wolf hiding in that sheep's clothing."

She then issued her opponent a wicked smirk. "I yield, Hinata-sama. You are the Alpha Wolf, Naruto-kun is yours!"

~AHH-WOOOOO!~ Everyone in the hall howled except for Naruto and Hinata. The dark-haired woman then snapped out of whatever trance she was under and realized just what she had done.

"Tsume-sama!" she gasped, immediately calling forth her Mystical Palm Technique in order to heal the older woman. "Forgive me! I didn't mean to-"

"Nonsense!" Tsume exclaimed giving Hinata a supportive pat on the back. "You were supposed to give this fight everything you had! It's show your mate how tough you are, so that he never forgets it!"

This declaration made Hinata blush in embarrassment, causing Tsume to burst out in laughter. "Enough of feeling guilty now, for it's time we celebrate! Right, ladies?"

All the women in the hall then gathered round Hinata and lifted her up upon their shoulders. Enthusiastically, they all started chanting, "FOOD! FOOD! BOOZE! BOOZE!"

The wild female mob then carried her out into the streets of Konoha, intending to enjoy this night to it's fullest.

The second they left, all the men cheered, "The women are gone! Let's party!"

Several older gentlemen broke out large jugs of sake, and began gushing over what a spectacular battle it had been. "Really, the best in ages!"

Naruto simply hung there, still tied to his pole, feeling kinda numb. "So... uh, that's it?"

"Yup!" Kiba replied with a wide grin. "Nothing else left to do, but party!"

Akamaru joyfully barked in agreement, wagging his tail back and forth.

"Oh..." said the blond as he searched for something to say. "I... everything you said? I'll remember it Kiba, I promise."

The canine shinobi merely snorted at this. "You'd better! Because Hinata's like a sister to me. If she doesn't kick your sorry ass for doing something stupid, then I will!"

A quick growl from Akamaru also implied that he meant to do the same.

"Okay, you guys made your point," Naruto conceded. "Now... will one of you cut me down?"

"Oh, no can do, sonny," answered Lycan as he hobbled over to the young men. "Yah see, tradition dictates that the male must remain tied to the post for the entire night."

"WHAT!" Naruto screamed aghast as Kurama cackled merrily in his mind, "I adore this clan!"

Kiba took the offered sake bottle from Lycan and had a swig."It's so you can have enough time to reflect on what you saw or something stupid like that. You are pretty much just forced to watch us eat and drink until the women come back."

"And trust me kiddo, that'll be a loooong time," the old man added with wicked laughter.

All poor Naruto could do was sweatdrop, and hang his head in defeat. It was going to be one heck of a night.

"Stupid wolf clan," he muttered under his breath, but both men pretended not to hear him.

As Kiba had another swig of his drink, he reminisced about his life and where it had led. Even though he wasn't the Hokage, or even the Alpha Wolf, Kiba was still happy. He had his family and his friends. Honestly, he couldn't ask for anything more. Except, maybe a steady girlfriend. But when all was said and done, he was totally fine with just being, the Alpha Male, instead.

And so, the last of Naruto's friends has discover his secret! The time had finally arrived! Will his spectacular plans for proposing to Hinata succeed? Or will everything go up in flames?

It would seem that time is, at last, ready to tell...

To Be Continued...

Author's Notes: So yeah, since Kiba is so similar to Naruto, the thing that makes him really interesting to me is his family. I adore the Inuzuka clan so much! And we barely ever see them! That and I wanted Hinata to soundly win a fight. Because she's always batted away like a freaking insect whenever she stands her ground. Also, is it just me, or does it look like in the manga that Akamaru screwed that cat and had demonic hybrid cat/dog babies... Because that's what it looked like to me! Cats and dogs living together, mass hysteria! Anyway, it has finally arrived! The moment you have all been waiting for

THE PROPOSAL! NEXT TIME!

It will probably be around a two-three week wait though. I really need to read over everything I wrote again and outline the crap out of it so it all comes out perfect. But more will come soon!

And as always...

Please remember to read, fav, and review! Feedback helps fuel the muse! Feed the fanfic muse!

Japanese Word Key:

Dobe: Dead Last or Idiot

Teme: Bastard

Nii-chan: Brother

Nee-chan: Sister

Hai: Yes

Itadakimasu: It's a traditional Japanese phrase that means: "I thank you for the meal."

Otousan: Father (formal)

Tou-chan: Dad (informal)

Kaa-chan: Mother

Oba-chan: Granny

Ero-kage: Perverted (or Ero in japanese) Hokage

Arigato: Thank you

Kami: God or spirit

Chibi: Short, cute style of drawing

Baka: Idiot

Gomen'nasai: I'm sorry

Gomen: Sorry

Bento box: the Japanese term for a lunch box, or a boxed lunch of some kind.

Shogi: Japanese chess

Kunoichi: Female ninja

Shinobi: Ninja (not sure if it's just used for males though)

Sensei: Teacher

Dattebayo: Naruto's catchphrase in Japanese. It doesn't actually translate to "Believe it!" It's just an exclamation like: Yippee! or Huzzah!