"Day do of the Dog."
Konoha Mental Ward.
Ino sat across from Kazuya for their 5th session. The previous 4 were mindless riddles and half-truths. Ino left her notebook by her feet. Her manicured fingers straightened her work skirt as her need to be fashionable faded the second he commented on her body.
"Let's start from the top. Hello, Kazuya. How are you this afternoon?" Ino purrs in a soft inviting voice.
Kazuya's lips curl into a smirk ,dirt-brown eyes amused st her forced politeness.
"You didn't get the time to iron?" He hums.
Ino's eyebrow twitches for a moment. "I was in a hurry." She lies.
Kazuya nods at her answer. "Your poker face is decent, but facial muscles never lie." Kazuya teases.
"Kazuya–"
"Are you familiar with the term 'A good birth ' ?" Kazuya tilts his head to his left.
Ino blinks at him with growing interest. "No, I'm not familiar with that term. " She nods at him.
"It's a term Danzo used to describe Kekkei Genkai. He praised the clans for their ability to keep their ancestry pure and strong. " He reveals.
"Are you referring to eugenics?" Ino asked.
"I wouldn't necessarily use that word–"
"Then how else are our genes pure?" Ino presses. Her posture straight and shoulders tense.
Kazuya chuckles lightly. "Do not take it personally, Ms. Yamanaka–"
"Bull shit!" Ino snaps at him, her calm eyes replaced by building rage. "Why bring up eugenics? How does it relate to your sanity?!" Ino demands, loosing her professional act as the hours of frustration came out like a broken dam.
Kazuya breathes out slowly. "The Root wasn't meant to be a branch of the Anbu. We were our own system built on choosing the strongest, silent and obedient Shinobi. Danzo wanted to structure us like a clan. Those whom nature selects will reproduce the next generation. " Kazuya states.
Ino's breath hitched. "What are you talking about?" Ino whispers.
"Danzo is a man who thinks ten steps ahead. He doesn't like an uncertain future. Developing nin willing to risk their life in Root is below a 5% probability. Most join as a desperate measure to escape civilian life and the prodigies selected end up leaving or dying young. The average Anbu life expectancy doesn't exceed 30. You either die in the shadows or the depths of your mind."
Ino remained silent at his revelation. Kazuya let the tension settle. "He wanted to ensure an obedient generation. A generation born from his Anbu only."
"That's insane...how was he sure they'd agree to it?" Ino mutters in shock.
"Like I said before. We ninja are tools. We live to serve our nation at any means necessary. Danzo took us the Shrine on the Day of the Dog. A good birth is celebrated, a bad birth is forgotten. "
...
Inuzuka Compound.
"I swear they love you more than they love me." Hana pouts.
"Woof!" Haiiromaru chirps.
"You see!" Hana growls in frustration, her eyes fuming at her three companions' bias for Taiju.
"Don't be dramatic, Hana. These boys are your sons. I'm just the Dad that spoils them." Taiju winks at her while still scratching Kemurimaru's nape. Ginmaru is resting between his legs as his brother basks in the ninja's care.
Hana huffs with an amused smile. Fixing her ponytail. "You have changed, Taiju." Hana points out. "Your eyes are a calm scarlet instead of it's violent crimson, even your hair is neat. Did you get married?" Hana clenches her fist, taking a menacing step in front of him.
Taiju continues to interact with her dogs. "Careful, pup. I'm not the same rabid mutt as before. " Taiju flashes his canines.
"Tak, don't play–"
Woosh
Taiju flashes from the triplets.
"Aaahhhh–Taiju!" Hana screeches like a wounded pup.
Taiju formed behind her, his left arm tight around her waist, his right hand caressing her sharp jawline and his lips hover by her earlobe. Hana shutters at his low breathing kissing her skin.
"Taiju...let go of me." Hana gulps down, trying to hide her blush.
"Woof?" Kemurimaru barks in confusion at the human game. Ginmaru, not noe to be left out, strides over to Taiju and Hana. Balancing on his hind legs as he plants his paws on Taiju's hands holding Hana.
"Ginmaru!" Taiju hisses at the dog ruining his moment.
Hana utilities the distraction to step on his feet.
"Oww!" Taiju jumps back at her attack, clutching his soar right. "So rough." He bites his inner cheek, glaring at her openly.
Hana pats Ginmaru's head. "Good boy~" She purrs.
"Woof–woof!" Ginmaru barks excitedly, tail swinging left to right.
"You didn't tell me why you came in today?" Hana asks with a serious tone.
Taiju sighs at her depleted humour. "My time in the snow changed me. I've realised how horrible of a man I've been to you and the rest of the girls. " He admitted wholeheartedly.
"I can't blame you only, as I decided to pursue a man-whore." Hana jabs at him.
"Hey–I'm not that easy." Taiju pouts.
Hana rolls her eyes at his excuse. "Just finish up already. "
"I'm serious about you, Hana. Even if I move like a harem fanatic, I want you for you. If you don't want this, I won't force you to tolerate it." Taiju confesses to her.
Hana bit her lip, glaring up at him with her Inuzuka flare. "I want a proper date. No other girls, just you and I." Hana concludes.
"Of course. Are you free on Friday?"
"Only after 5pm. Don't be late, Taiju. I'll make sure my boys will bite of your balls if you screw with me." Hana shoves his chest before walking away with exaggerated hip movement to highlight her athletic behind.
"Kami, I'm a masochist." Taiju groans as his perverted eyes stay glued on her assets.
Outside, by a wall is Tsume Inuzuka. The Matriarch and Clan head of the Inuzuka clan. She grins at her daughter's partner. Only a certain type of man can handle the personality of a Inuzuka woman. Her ex-husband failed to keep her secure in her femininity, which resulted in him fleeing the Clan and leaving her as a single mother of two.
"Tsume."
"What do you want?" She playfully growls at him.
Taiju leans on the door, just a few feet away from her.
"Can I take the triplets with me tomorrow?"
"Why are you asking me? They're Hana's companions. " She narrows her canine eyes at him.
"That's the thing...I doubt she'll approve of the reason I need them." Taiju sighs, looking at her with a pitiful excuse for puppy-dog eyes.
"Whatever crap that you're trying to get me involved in, save it–"
"I can promise you, I'll find Kiba a mate." Taiju bets.
"...fine. Don't lie to me, kid. I'll feed you to the stray dogs in the Vet."
"Deal~"
To be continued.