Teardrop of the Wolf

Sakura let out a gasp as Mori continued growling, fur bristling. The ninja Mori had attacked got up, grunting as he fixed his metal claws. Mori snapped her jaws at him, daring him to come closer to the Genin. The need to protect was flowing through the she-wolf's veins, and Mori would protect the children with her life. The one with the metal claws came at them again, and Mori braced her limbs.

A shuriken suddenly flew through the air and snagged the edge of the chain, pinning 'Metal-Claws' as Mori dubbed him to a tree. Taking a brief glance around, Mori saw Sasuke was the one who threw the weapon.

'Good aim,' she thought to herself.

Mori curled her lip up before leaping on the pinned ninja, grasping his wrist in her jaws. Her claws raked down the ninja's back, and a choked sound came from his masked face. A growl vibrated through the white wolf as she tugged on his wrist, fully intending on ripping the limb off. Like a regular wolf pack the pups were viciously protected, and if someone-or something-injured a pup, the wolf pack would destroy them. To Mori, Team 7 was part of her pack; she needed to protect them. Another choked yelp sounded nearby, causing Mori's ears to twitch. Kakashi's scent flowed in her nostrils, and Mori raised her head. So, Kakashi had taken care of the other metal-clad ninja. Snorting, Mori delivered one more bite to the enemy's wrist, earning her a cry of pain from her prey.

She padded back to Naruto as Kakashi secured both ninja to a tree. Sitting back on her haunches, Mori gazed at them as Kakashi interrogated the ninja. The scent of blood filtered through her nose, and she looked to the orange-clad child. One of the claws from the ninja had pierced his hand, and blood was flowing freely. A whine came from the she-wolf as she rubbed her head against Naruto's side, almost knocking the Genin over. Kakashi came over to Naruto, kneeling down to his level and taking hold of his injured hand. Growling softly, Mori's tail twitched against the ground as Naruto went on a spiel about his weakness. She scratched an irritating itch behind her ear as Kakashi scared the Genin, insisting that if he didn't stop the bleeding he would die. As the Jonin wrapped the Genin's hand, Mori's red eyes bore into the bridge builder. So, he was being targeted. Finally, Kakashi had the team continue on with their mission. She padded over to the bound enemy ninja, who watched her warily. Her red eyes narrowed and she lunged towards them, snapping her jaws an inch away from their faces. The two shrank back with identical flinches.

Mori snarled again, before snorting and padding back to the team. Tazuna breathed a sigh of relief.

"Good dog," he gruffed and reached down to pat Mori roughly on the head.

She let out a deep growl, causing the bridge builder to quickly retract his hand. She didn't like the man much from the start, and just because she was furry with four paws did not mean he could pat her on the head like some lapdog.

"Mori, why don't you walk with us?" Kakashi said.

Mori gazed at the Jonin and heaved a sigh before beginning the transformation from wolf to human. She preferred being the wolf, but also liked walking on two feet. In a matter of seconds, a woman stood in front of them in the place of a wolf.

"Woah! How'd you do that!?" Tazuna shouted.

Mori opened her red eyes and gazed unblinkingly at the older man.

"I always have been able to," she answered, before turning to Naruto.

His large blue eyes had become even wider, having seen the transformation.

"You did well, Naruto," she said gently, placing a hand on his head.

The boy looked at her in awe, and she smiled slightly. He had the wide-eyed wonder of a pup just coming out of the den for the first time. She ruffled his hair before turned to the other Genin.

"Both of you did well too. Sasuke, your aim is excellent. Sakura, you were incredibly brave. It takes a vast amount of courage and bravery to protect someone with your life," Mori said, and Sakura's cheeks turned red in happiness.

Sasuke gave a small smirk as well. Kakashi sighed, and finally got his team moving again. Mori walked beside Naruto, her heart becoming lighter as the child threw many questions her way. He was just like an energetic pup: tail wagging all the time and always getting into mischief. She could sense a power deep inside the child, and in her heart she knew Naruto would become a powerful ninja in the future. Looking back at the other two Genin, Mori nodded to herself. Yes, all three would become powerful ninja.

As the team continued walking, fog stared to roll in.

Tazuna flagged down a boat driver, and the team got in. The water lapped at the boat as they slowly and silently made their way through the mist and water. Naruto cried out in amazement as the fog lifted, and part of the Village Hidden in the Mist came into view. Mori's red eyes narrowed as the boat driver scolded Naruto, telling him to be quiet. Kakashi then began asking Tazuna questions, but Mori stopped listening as her mind began to wander. She remembered a time when she had experienced fog for the first time. It was when her pack was attacked by Orochimaru and his sick fiends. Howls, cries and screams echoed through her mind.

"Mori?" a voice broke through her thoughts.

Looking down, she noticed Naruto had been calling her. She gave the young Genin a smile, apologizing.

They had finally reached the shore, and the boat driver turned on the motor before zooming away.