Teardrop of the Wolf

Chapter 19

The wind blew through the trees as red eyes gazed at the shuddering leaves. Mori was spending the afternoon to herself, and found a spot underneath a shady tree. The young woman could feel something was about to happen. It was like a change in the atmosphere, and Mori couldn't shake the feeling something big was coming. Sighing, Mori shifted to the wolf and shook out her fur with slight agitation. Her ears swivelled back and forth as she padded into the Konoha streets, mind intent on talking to the Hokage.

As she turned the corner, a scent made her stop dead in her tracks. She lifted her muzzle to the air, nostrils flaring. The scents of the Genin from Team 7 filled her nose, but they were also mingled with new scents. The new scents made her fur bristle and a snarl curled itself around her muzzle. One of those scents was infused with blood and darkness. Mori sprang forward with a snarl, her paws pounding into the dirt. Rounding the corner, she pounced on one of the three new scents, the sound of wood rattling in her ears. Her claws pierced his black clothing, and her ears twitched when she heard a cry of surprise from the boy underneath her paws. With a growl, Mori leaped off and placed herself in front of the Genin, fur bristling and a growl rumbling from her chest. The strong scent of fear came off in waves from the small children behind Naruto, causing Mori to give a deeper growl.

The man stood up and reached for the bandaged package on his back. Mori's red eyes narrowed when a red-headed boy stopped him with just some quiet words. He must be the leader, the one with blood and darkness oozing from his short body. Her ears twitched when Sasuke jumped down to land beside her, and the two Genin talked briefly. She stood in front of the young children until the strangers turned and left, then padded to the academy students. She nuzzled the one boy, Konohamaru, and then the other two. With a twitch of her tail, she padded off as Moegi waved goodbye. Mori continued walked through the narrow streets, confident that conflict wasn't going to happen.

Maybe the Hokage knew what was happening. Mori continued down the street, ears nervously flicking back and forth. As she rounded the corner, she bumped into a warm body. With a snarl she jumped back, teeth bared.

"Mori? What are you doing here?" a voice said in confusion.

She blinked and sat down on her haunches, ears back in shame. She had snarled at Iruka! She was so busy being worried that she had bumped into the man who always gave her butterflies since they were younger.

"I apologize, Iruka. I had some things on my mind" Mori said.

The academy instructor scratched the back of his head and let out a laugh.

"It's alright. We all have things on our minds from time to time" he said, offering the wolf a smile.

Mori huffed and before Iruka could blink, shifted back to human. She moved hair away from her red eyes in irritation. Iruka gave a nervous chuckle and scratched the back of his head.

"I will never get used to seeing you do that" he said, and Mori gave him a small smile.

"Why were there different ninja here in Konoha? It feels like something is going to happen..." she said.

"They're here from the Chunin exams" Iruka said, causing the young woman to give a small 'oh' in understanding.

So that's why there were many new scents in Konoha. She let out a sigh and felt a hand on her shoulder. Looking up, her red eyes connected with his black eyes.

"Are you worried about Naruto and the others?" Mori said, trying to ignore the warmth that his hand was radiating through her body.

The young man sighed and removed his hand, and some small part of Mori wished he didn't do that. He brought one hand up to rub it under his chin in thought.

"I know they'll do just fine, especially Naruto" he said after a couple moments, giving Mori a large smile.

Mori returned his smile with her own, and a small gust of wind blew around them. Yes, they would be just fine. All of them.

"I tested all 3, and they did just fine" Iruka said, scratching the back of his head sheepishly when Mori gave him a look.

"Tested?" Mori said in almost a growl, red eyes hard.

"Yeah. Actually, Kakashi wanted me to test them. I didn't think they could do it, but he's right. They're ready" he said.

With a sigh, Mori felt her shoulders relax and she gave the man a small smile. They would do just fine. A gust of wind blew past the two, and Mori stiffened as particular scents drifted on the gale. Her nostrils flared and her teeth clenched; she knew those scents all too well. Those scents made her stomach clench, and in her mind's eye she saw whips and cell bars. With a large growl, her animal chakra burst around her and before Iruka could blink, the white wolf stood in the girls place. With a large snarl Mori sprang forward, following the scents on the breeze. Iruka's calls echoed in her ears but Mori ignored him. Her red eyes narrowed as her heart pumped furiously, her paws pounding along the street.

'Hideo...I know you're here with him and Kabuto' she thought as she continued running through the Konoha streets.