Cats and Dogs (Naruto)

Chapter Two

The trio had arrived early enough to get a feel for the village and relax a little before the start of the exams. Since they only got to see large cities on missions, they wanted to check out all the shops and eateries. There was so much to see in the Hidden Leaf Village and all of the locals seemed pleasant enough. Mace and Layla felt a little more comfortable about their suspicions of the leader of the Arachna Clan transferring Shiro. If Shiro really were to transfer, she'd be alright here.

There was a knock at their hotel room door. Mace and Layla exchanged curious looks before turning to their younger companion who was currently snoozing on the floor in a patch of sunlight filtering through the window with Kuro stretched out at her side. Neither stirred at the sound of the knocking. Mace opened the door only to gape as he spotted a Hidden Leaf jonin sporting the traditional leaf shinobi garb of dark navy pants and long sleeve shirt with a pale hunter green vest. He had straight brown hair that stuck out of his navy bandana, with his Konoha forehead protector, and framed his face; there was a long toothpick sticking out of the corner of his mouth.

"W-What can I do for you?" Mace asked after a moment as he sized the man up. This guy was the real deal.

The leaf jonin held up an official looking document, "I'm here about the request to transfer. Is Shiro Nekota here?"

Mace cringed as he heard Layla gasp from within the room, so their suspicions were correct. "Yeah, come on in." He bowed politely and stepped aside.

Layla hopped off the bed and bowed politely in greeting to their guest before scurrying over to where Shiro was napping on the floor. She lightly shook the white-haired girl, "Shiro, wake up-."

"Mmm, Lala-chan you said I could nap all day." Shiro grumbled and rolled over.

"I know I did, but we have a visitor, I really think you should talk to him." Layla tried shaking the girl again keeping her voice soft. Shiro had very sensitive ears and loud noises tended to make her irritable especially when sleeping.

Shiro yawned and flipped to her feet before rubbing the sleep from her bright violet eyes. She turned to face their guest only to tilt her head to the side in confusion as she realized she had no idea who their visitor was.

The leaf shinobi stepped forward, "You must be Shiro."

Shiro nodded, staring blankly at the leaf shinobi as she had no idea what was going on.

"My name is Genma Shiranui. Lord Hokage asked me to talk to you about your request to transfer-."

Her violet eyes grew wide at this, "What?" She looked to her comrades, "We're transferring?"

Genma looked between the three curiously. Did they not know? Why did the girl look so surprised by this?

Mace bowed his head, "Not we."

"Just you." Layla forced herself to smile.

"What?" Shiro paled. "Why? Did I do something wrong?"

"What?!" Layla wrapped her in a tight hug, "Don't be ridiculous! Shiro, we love you! You're like a cute little sister to me, but Mace and I... we have other responsibilities and we'd only be holding you back. This place is great and you can learn so much from skilled shinobi." She turned to the stoic boy, "Mace! Help me out here!" Neither of them could stand to see Shiro upset.

"She's right, Shiro. You're precious to us and this would be for the best." Mace stepped forward and pat the cat like girl on the head, "Love you, brat."