Teardrop of the Wolf

Chapter 8

Padding through the forest, Mori snapped absently at a dragonfly that buzzed by. She knew she had to see the Hokage, and hoped this meeting wouldn't take long. She heaved a sigh and reached for her human chakra inside, beginning the transformation.

Wolf pads split into human fingers, muzzle turned into a human nose and canines turned dull. Opening her red eyes, Mori brushed off some spare leaves off her shirt and continued on her way. Her hair blew slightly as a warm wind blew as she passed through the village; the sounds of village life filtering through her ears.

The sounds put the young woman at ease, and a small smile filtered over her face. A young family passed her by, and Mori watched with a small smile as the mother and father swung their child in between them; the child's laughter ringing out. Finally, Mori came to the Hokage's building. As she walked through the hallway, yelling could be heard from the Hokage's office. Knocking on the door, Mori opened it when she heard an 'enter!' and walked in.

Blinking, she noticed Kakashi and Team 7 in front of the Hokage, Naruto scowling like a child. Kakashi sighed from his Genin's actions, scratching the back of his head.

Mori took a couple steps forward and bowed, murmuring a greeting to the Hokage.

"Ah, I'm glad you came" the Hokage said, smoke drifting up from his pipe.

"It is my pleasure, Lord Hokage" Mori said as she straightened, nodding to Kakashi who nodded back.

"Huh? Who're you?" Naruto said, blinking up at Mori.

Smiling slightly, Mori lowered her gaze to the orange-clad child. Of course he wouldn't know who she was, he had only seen her in wolf form.

"Naruto, you would know Mori as the wolf from before" Kakashi said, his one visible eye crinkling in a smile.

"WHAT!?" Naruto and Sakura shouted in unison, staring at Mori in disbelief.

"But..how..what..who" Naruto began, trying to match the facts together but failing.

"But Kakashi-sensei, that's impossible!" Sakura began, but Mori interrupted.

"I have two chakras within me, and both allow me to change forms whenever I wish" she said calmly, resting her gaze on the pink haired ninja.

"If I may" the Hokage said, and Mori turned her gaze towards the elderly man.

"My apologies" Mori said, and the Hokage nodded.

"You will be protecting someone and escorting them to their homeland" the Hokage stated, causing Naruto to perk up.

"Who? Who? A princess?" he asked excitedly and before long the escort was brought in.

Even without being in wolf form could Mori tell this person was a drinker. Alcohol came off in waves from the man's body, and Mori was certain he would tip over.

Grunting, the man wiped his mouth clean from the alcohol, and Mori fought back a sneer of disgust.

As soon as he opened his mouth, the man began insulting Team 7.

"I am Tazuna, master bridge builder. I need powerful ninja to protect my life, and I get put with these measly brats?" he groused.

Red eyes narrowed as the man, Tazuna, continued going on about how Team 7 would not be able protect him. Biting back a growl Mori took a step forward, intending on defending the young team.

The pups didn't even get a chance to prove themselves, and here was this alcoholic whelp of a man insulting them!

Mori opened her mouth to retort, but Naruto beat her to it.

"I'LL KILL YOU!" he shouted and lunged for the man, but was held back by Kakashi.

Mori blinked, taken back. Naruto had the courage of an alpha male, that was for sure. Smiling, Mori followed the team as they walked out of the village. Falling to the back of the group Mori glanced around, already warry.

If this man was as important as he said he was, then people would be after him.

Mori took a breath, searching for her wolf-chakra deep inside and pulled it out. Fingers fused into pads, and a bushy tail sprung out. In a blink, a white she-wolf stood. Ears twitching, Mori padded silently away into the foliage. She caught Kakashi's eye, and the Jonin gave a small nod. Mori would be going along the forest as the team took to the road.

An unknown scent floated through the foliage, and Mori lifted her muzzle to scent the breeze. A silent snarl etched itself on her muzzle as Mori stalked throughout the bushes on silent paws .

'So, they are already here' she thought gravely as she followed her nose.

The scent weaved through the trees and onto the main road. Mori's eyes narrowed as she sat on her haunches, ears twitching. As the team and Tazuna walked passed a puddle, Kakashi stole a glance at it before continuing on the way. Mori knew that Kakashi realized the puddle was not what it seemed. Muscles under white fur bunched as two men flowed out of the puddle, evil oozing from them. Chains suddenly shot from their claws and wrapped around Kakashi, surprising everyone. Before anyone could do anything, the two men pulled the chains taunt, slicing Kakashi into pieces.

Ears pinned back in disgust, Mori turned her heard slightly when Kakashi appeared behind her in the trees.

"Was that necessary?" Mori grumbled quietly in order to not give their position away.

All she got was a one-eyed smile in return. A shocked gasp caught the she-wolf's attention, and her head snapped around when the two enemy ninja appeared behind Naruto.

A snarl exploded from her muzzle as Mori jumped from the bushes, the intent to kill etched in her red eyes as the smell of blood came from Naruto, who was frozen in fear.

Her paws landed on the back of one of the ninja; his cry of surprise echoing in her ears as her claws pierced his clothes. Mori then jumped off the enemy and stood in front of the frozen Naruto, fur bristling and teeth bared with a deep growl rumbling from her chest.

No one was touching the pups, not on this she-wolf's watch!