Another Nine-Tails?!

Bonding

~THE FOLLOWING DAY~

Kabuto watched the white canine chase after a rabbit. Even before sunrise, Maru was able to see his prey. The young medic heard the rabbit squeak as the dog pounced on it. He brought the carcass of the animal back to Kabuto and laid beside him, beginning to eat his catch.

He only ate half of it before getting up and burying the rest. He hopped back, looking up at the boy. "Are you ready to go back?" Maru nodded, his tongue hanging out of his mouth. Kabuto knelt down, taking note of the blood around Maru's mouth and covering his jaw. As well as mud covering his paws and part of his underbelly. The boy gestured for him to look up, but he got a head tilt of confusion. "Look up." He repeated the gesture and the canine followed. The lower part of his jaw was covered in blood. "Alright, time for a bath." He stood up and watched the white dog rush back into the hideout. He waited for a moment before going after him.

-:-

The pair stopped when they made it to the hot spring. Kabuto huffed, leaning against the cave mouth for support. "I will admit, I've had better ideas. But running after him is not one of them." He shook his head, attempting to return air to his lungs. "Definitely not a good idea."

Maru looked at the human. He thought he was quite dramatic. "You're not as strong as that snake gives you credit for."

The boy froze and stared at the canine. "You talk?"

He looked insulted. "Of course I can." He yawned, showing his teeth.

"Could you talk this entire time?"

"No. Only since you came back from those tests, or whatever they're called." The teen stood at the cave mouth, one hand on the wall. He kept a straight face, but his head was still processing the new information. "Do I still have to take a bath?"

Kabuto shook his head, getting back to why they were here. "Oh, you have jokes. Wonderful." He shook his head again. "You're not getting out of taking a bath just because you can talk now." He knew things would change, but he didn't think it would be such a drastic change.

Maru huffed before hopping into the hot spring. The medic took a step back to avoid getting splashed. He knelt on his legs and warmed his hands in the water. "Do I get this whole place to myself?"

"Yeah." Kabuto stood up only to sit down. "Do what you want." The canine swam around happily, his tongue sticking out. As time went on, the ash-haired boy found himself smiling as the dog had his fun. He was, truth be told, having fun. All he had been doing the past month and a half was working and spying. He was able to laugh and smile like he wasn't someone who could kill whoever got in his way without a second thought. For a moment, it was like he was a nobody who lived in a peaceful village.

Maru swam to the far end of the pool before coming back. He repeated the action for a little while. The human found it adorable.

Unknown to the young man and canine, Akiko had made her way to them. Her tired eyes scanned the cave as she continued to wake up. "Maru..?"

Kabuto's head snapped towards her. He didn't expect to see her up quiet yet. He stood up and made his way to her. "Hey, why are you awake so early?"

"It was cold. And you, are unnaturally warm." She looked exhausted. Yesterday must have taken a lot out of her.

"Maru, why don't you come on out." Crimson eyes gazed at his mother when he realized she was in the cave. He stopped for a moment before swimming over to the ledge and hopping out, making his way to Akiko. A hard tug on his tail stopped him in his tracks. "You're soaked." Red searched black for a moment before the white dog huffed. "And she's tired. Let her wake up first."

"You sound like a dad scolding his kid." Akiko chuckled, rubbing the sleep from one of her eyes.

"Is that good or bad?"

"You decide." The redhead watched her dog shake the water out of his fur. "Why are you down here?"

"It rained last night, and he decided to go for a hunt. I thought it might be better if he wasn't covered in red and brown.

"Fair enough." She covered her mouth with one hand as she yawned. "Has he spoken yet?"

"Wait, you knew?"

"Yeah, he's been able to do it since we returned from the Chunin exam." She smiled. "What was your reaction?"

"I was surprised. I didn't think he'd be able to speak, because not all animals can. He's cocky, I'll give him that.

"Maru has a way of surprising you when you least expect it." She chuckled lightly.

"Sounds familiar."

"And what does that mean!?" She snapped at the ash-haired boy.

"You have a tendency to prove Lord Orochimaru or I wrong. Or surprise us." Her eyes narrowed at him, pouting slightly. He chuckled, deciding to change the subject. "How would you feel about training with me?"

His question took her off guard. So much so that it took her a moment to collect her thoughts and answer him. "I'd feel better about it than if I'd have to train with the Sound 4."

"That's something we can agree on." He smiled at her. "Lord Orochimaru wants me to train you. To help you control Karma's powers."

"Does he doubt me and my abilities?"

"No. That's not it at all. We're his favorites. We're strong and loyal to him. And our loyalty isn't a product of fear, unlike other people. You yourself have said that you respect him." The Jinchuriki nodded to herself. "Let's head back to our room." One of the torches that lit the cave illuminated his dark eyes, even past the lens of his glasses.