Kuin's days seemed to melt together, each one a repetition of the last, as he trudged through the grind of his probation. The routine was like a stuck record, spinning endlessly, leaving him with little room to ponder anything other than his shinobi dreams. It felt as if every day was a copy-paste of the previous one, filled with monotonous tasks that underlined his boundaries.

One morning, in the midst of this humdrum existence, a jarring interruption came in the form of hurried footsteps outside his apartment door. Kuin, moving like a reluctant robot, approached the peephole. He was greeted by the sight of an Inuzuka clan member, their brisk steps betraying an air of discomfort. In their arms, they held a bundle of fur, wriggling and lively. Kuin opened the door.

"Hey, you there!" the Inuzuka's voice rang out, shattering Kuin's monotonous rhythm. "You're Kuin Inuzuka, right?"

Kuin nodded cautiously, his interest piqued by this sudden twist in his routine. The Inuzuka's grin widened, and they gently deposited the spirited bundle on the floor before him. It was a puppy, boasting a coat of white, black, and brown, radiating endless energy with a wildly wagging tail.

"For now, this little one's your responsibility," the Inuzuka informed him. "Think of it as a belated birthday gift from the clan. We've been swamped with missions, which is why we're delivering her now!"

Kuin blinked in surprise, his mind racing. A puppy? This unexpected turn of events momentarily left him flabbergasted, but the sight of the vibrant pup tugged at his heartstrings. As he knelt down to greet the fluffy bundle, a genuine smile lit up his face.

"It's a clan tradition for members to raise their own pups. Once you two establish a solid bond of trust, we can initiate training in clan techniques," the Inuzuka explained, revealing a small package containing books and essential puppy care items. "These should provide you with a head start in looking after her."

Kuin, recovering from his initial shock, leveled an accusing finger at the Inuzuka. "First off, how in the world did you even find out where I live? Secondly, what exactly is this Inuzuka clan? And thirdly, where were you guys when I was in dire need of assistance?"

The Inuzuka's demeanor shifted, their eyes clouded with regret. "I'll do my best to answer your questions. But first, you should know that your past holds its fair share of secrets and internal politics that made it challenging for us to raise you within our ranks."

Without waiting for an invitation, the Inuzuka made himself at home and quietly shut the front door. Seated across from Kuin, he began, "Before we dive into the explanation, let me introduce myself. I'm Midori Inuzuka, and I happen to be your cousin."

There was a pause, as if he expected a more dramatic reaction.

"Okay, and?" Kuin responded, his demeanor unimpressed.

Midori scratched his head. "I guess I expected a bit more fireworks… Anyway, to answer your first question..."

"Why? Why approach me now, after all this time when I needed you guys the most? To be frank, I don't really consider you all as family," Kuin retorted, his gaze fixed on the puppy now licking his nose. "Though this little pup is working hard to mend that bridge. Now, let's hear your explanation before I decide to show you the door."

Midori raised his hands in surrender. "Alright, fair point. Jeez your just like Aunt Maya. Now, to address your first question, Hokage-sama has granted us permission to provide you with training in clan techniques now that you're on the path to becoming a shinobi. Oh, and he also passed along your new responsibilities." Midori glanced around before nodding approvingly. "You're handling things pretty well so far, especially for a four-year-old."

Kuin's expression softened slightly, though skepticism still lingered. "So, The Clan is finally acknowledging my existence, huh? Well, that's something, I guess. But you never answered my second question, Midori. What exactly is this Inuzuka clan all about?"

Midori leaned back, casting his gaze toward the ceiling, as if searching for the right words. "The Inuzuka clan, we're known for our strong bond with our ninken, our ninja dogs. We have a long history of working alongside these loyal companions in the shinobi world. Our techniques are built around cooperation with our ninken, making us formidable trackers and scouts. The clan itself values loyalty, teamwork, and the connection between humans and their canine partners."

Kuin's curiosity was piqued. "Sounds interesting, I guess. But what's the deal with this internal politics and secrecy you mentioned earlier? Why couldn't you guys raise me within the clan?"

Midori sighed, a hint of sadness in his eyes. "The Inuzuka clan, like any other, has its share of politics and family dynamics. Unfortunately, your situation was complicated by factors beyond your control. There were disagreements and decisions made that prevented you from being raised within the clan. I won't go into all the details, but it's a tangled web of Clan politics and well-kept secrets."

Kuin frowned, his gaze shifting to the puppy that was now nibbling at his pants leg. "So, I was left to fend for myself, without even knowing about this whole Clan of family members. Well, that's just great. But let's get back to this training. What's expected of me?"

Midori leaned forward, his tone more serious. "Now that you're officially on the path to becoming a shinobi, you'll undergo training not just as a regular Konoha ninja but also to harness your Inuzuka heritage. This means bonding with and training your ninken, learning clan-specific techniques, and, most importantly, proving your loyalty and dedication to the clan."

Kuin nodded slowly, absorbing the information. "Alright, I can handle that. I've faced worse challenges on my own. But Midori, don't expect me to suddenly embrace the whole 'family' thing. You all have a lot to prove."

Midori met Kuin's gaze with a determined one of his own. "I understand, Kuin. Actions speak louder than words, and the Inuzuka clan is ready to prove our commitment to you."

As they continued to discuss the details of Kuin's training and the responsibilities that came with it, Kuin couldn't help but feel a glimmer of hope. Perhaps this unexpected turn of events, symbolized by the energetic puppy by his side, could lead to a brighter future and a sense of belonging he had secretly longed for.

After Midori left with the promise of visiting again as soon as he was able. Kuin was laying in bed with his new puppy raised above his head.

"I think I'll name you Calico." The pup yipped then liked his face. "Hey stop that you little rascal." Kuin said between burst of laughter.