It was an unnaturally cold day in Konoha and for fire country in general, the first time in over a century it snowed in mid-August. The majestic trees lost their leaves and the small creatures taking shelter from the elements. But a small family of wolves that were being hunted, luckily they lost their hunters but at a cost the mortal injury for the wolf mother, her pups who were trying their best to lick her wounds and surround her to protect her in hope that she would survive the ordeal. Little did they know that a similar event was happening inside the great village of the hidden leaf?
5 year old Naruto Uzumaki is once again running not for his life but just from the stares and hostile glares he receives from all the villages bar the few precious people he has, they can all be counted on his hand Old man Hokage, old man Teuchi, Ayame-chan, the inuzuka clan (granted a whole clan but most are neutral but will help if attacked) and the owner of the dragons den shinobi clothing and weapons store. Anyway Naruto is heading for the east gate which he has figured out is the least guarded. Upon the gate coming into view he notices that there are no guards, so deciding to go for another one of his little strolls through the forest to clear his mind of things that happen to him, all the while still not being able to figure out what he has done to receive so much hate that he is ostracised from everyone except his precious people, while thinking about his treatment Naruto picks up an oh so familiar smell of blood.
(A.N. His senses have been enhanced thanks to the fox but he doesn't know that shhh!)
Picking up his pace and following the smell, he starts to hear whining and growling from the other side of some bushes. Figuring it could be one of the inuzuka dogs that got out and hurt itself he kept going to see if he could help it out. (Naruto even though young next Tsunade sort of)
Stumbling through a bush that hadn't died because of the harsh winter cold, the sight that greeted Naruto was enough to chill his blood, a set of yellow golden piercing eyes staring right at him, the eyes of a trained hunter and killer. Looking closer he can see great pain, sorrow and regret. The wolf felt all these things because she won't be there for her pups to help nurture them to become great animals of the hunt, to hone their abilities and watch them grow and have a family of their own. 'I wonder if this boy could raise my pups for me', sniffing the boys scent 'interesting he smells of both dog and fox'.
While she was wondering if this boy could help her pups, Naruto looks into the piercing gaze of all the pups, seeing innocence, anger and sadness. Anger at the bastards who attacked them, innocence never making a kill on a hunt before and sadness that they could potentially lose their mother. After taking it all in he pulls out some bandages and a first aid kit. He starts to walk slowly forward without fear whilst trying not to make any jerky movements. His actions elicited a growl from the pups but were quickly quieted by their mother.
Upon getting close enough he notices the wound is very deep and that he isn't able to do anything for her thinking 'the wound, it is too deep I can't do anything', he looks at the wolf mother with apologetic eyes about to voice his thoughts, when a soft motherly tone chimes across the small clearing as she starts to talk to him "Child I have come to the same conclusion as you have", not being fazed at all by the fact that she just spoke cause he is used to listening to Kuromaru Tsume's wolf hound talk. Notes the sadness again but this time in her speech "I can still help I can quickly go get one of the inuzuka vets to stitch you up so you and your pups can return to your pack". Now surer than ever she can trust him to look after her pups cause of his current display she can tell he has a kind unwavering spirit, undying loyalty and a heart of gold "child my name is Munfurawa (moonflower Google translate) what is yours" "Naruto… Naruto Uzumaki" "Maelstrom heh strong name, may I ask of you a favour young Uzumaki, before you answer please listen to my offer" nodding his head saying he understands and for her to continue "I am Munfurawa beta female wolf of the northern wolf clan beg you to … look after my pups and train them, so they can help you in battle. I would also bestow upon you the ability to talk to both wolves and dogs" assimilating all that she has said looks at her with a fiery determination "I Naruto Uzumaki understand and agree to look after your puppies but how would you give me the gift of speaking to them and the dogs of the Inuzuka clan" nodding in understanding at his sceptically, answers his question "thank you Naruto and I agree with being sceptical about my gift to you to put it simply I would um ah bite your fore arm and transfer part of my chakra to you and you would then gain the ability to talk to my pups and by proxy any canine you come across, you may gain sharpened fang like canines and claws, maybe enhanced physically to be more agile yet a stronger than normal muscular build, your senses will also increase to that of a wolf, before I forget these abilities you will be able to pass this to your children when you get to that stage in life also I know in human laws that sometimes you can be forced to have multiple wives, I tell you this now you will not take more than one and in the act *ahem* you will mark them for life. Now do you understand what is involved, do I have your consent to do this?" Telling him all he needs to know and asking if he still agrees.
Understanding this but to make sure he does he runs it by her quickly "so I will gain wolf like features and abilities and will only take one mate in my life but if she dies I can take another Correct"
"Simply speaking yes, do you agree to this" she says as she winces in pain
Looking at the pups then at Munfurawa nods his head and holds out his arm for her to bite. Seeing this she bites down, quickly injecting her chakra into him. Once she releases him from her bite she saw his teeth start to turn in to fangs, his eyes stay blue, but become slightly more wolf like, his whisker marks become more defined and his nails turn into wicked looking claws. While this is happening his senses are enhancing, increasing his sense of hearing, smell, eyesight and taste to that of a wolf, his hair becomes shaggy and thicker almost like fur but still spiky.
All in all his slight transformation was completed in around 10-15 minutes (sped up by the fox) Naruto turning back to the wolf family asks Munfurawa what the names of her pups are "because of their age and that we have been on the run I have… not been able to name them… you are their guardian now… it is you who shall name… them" she chokes out sadly with tears at the corners of her eyes
"Well would you like to help me after all it's the least I can do since you are giving me a family, a pack and more people precious to me" said Naruto caringly.
"I thank you Naruto for this…" turning slightly and calls out "…Children come meet your new father so we can both give you your names".
With that the pups come out from behind their mother once they are properly in Naruto's presence they bow their heads in submission once feeling his Alpha Aura which doesn't go unnoticed by Naruto or Munfurawa, seeing this Naruto kneels down in front of them and gently tells them "please do not bow before me no pups of Munfurawa or my surrogate pups will bow to anyone as our family grows you and your future puppies will stand by me and my family as equals do you understand?" he ask in a gentle and calming voice befitting a 5 year old child, getting what can only be what he thought were nods from all of them, figuring they can't speak due to their age.
Noticing two males and females Naruto points to one of the male on the left seeing that his fur coat is various shades of black and grey mixed together says out-loud "how about Odorukage". (Dancing shadow) Getting a nod from the pup and Mother he moves to the next pup a female with a white coat that when it catches the sunlight looks like she is shimmering and glowing like the goddess Amaterasu "how about Senko (shimmering light) which gets a happy bark and a lick on the cheek, he then pats her between the ears. Looking at the next wolf pup can't think of a name he looks over at Munfurawa for help and she suggests MisutoAshi (mist paw) because of her black coat and white and grey paws this got a wet nose pressed against his own, looking at the last pup the other male, he has a black pelt with a jagged white stripe following his spine, Naruto looking again at Munfurawa says Shomei (lighting).
Upon naming all of their pups they gather round Munfurawa to say their goodbyes and wait for her shade to leave the plains of the living and join Amaterasu and Kami in heaven. After what seemed like a lifetime, but was really only an hour Munfurawa finally succumbed to her wounds. Her last words were "be strong and loyal to your pack, bow to no one and know that I will always love you", upon her last words Naruto and his new pack let loose a mournful howl that travelled for miles in each and every direction sending chills down every ones spines, Kuromaru and the other dogs in the village join in the mournful cry to say they are not alone as more wild wolves in the area also heed the cry of a mighty lost soul to their spirit mother Amaterasu the call was heard by the heavens as well to denote her arrival to the gods the call was May lady Amaterasu answer our call and shatter the wicked souls who caused this death; May the sun burn brightly to restore our warmth; Grant upon us the power of our mistress Amaterasu in Heaven, We are WOLVES!
The howling continued for another hour, but the lament stopped after of Munfurawa's death by the wolves and dogs in the area. Tsume and the rest of the Inuzuka clan are gathered round their dogs wondering what caused them to howl in lament. The pregnant silence continued to grow until Tsume the clan head spoke up "Kuromaru-kun what's wrong" she asked gently.
"A life of a powerful female wolf has ended her pups call out for vengeance along with all the other wolves in the area as you know we dogs compared to them are considered Betas and them Alphas we were answering their call an mourning her death with rest of them, also I feel it prudent to tell lord hokage that the wolves will be restless over the next few months until the killer or killers are found the only people they will not attack will be our clan should any attacks happen to them the four mighty wolf clans will join as one the north, south, east and west clans in other words we are screwed entirely if that should happen" says Kuromaru.
Understanding what has happened Tsume calls for Kobo and his partner to go tell the Hokage of this development, with a message any who are not of the inuzuka should not travel beyond the walls because the wolves are getting restless and will attack any who could pose a threat. With that done Tsume and Kuromaru and any other part wolf companions follow her out into the forest to find where the death happened.
Meanwhile Naruto, Odorukage, Senko, MisutoAshi and Shomei are making their way back to the village, Odoru and Shomei on his left and Senko and Misuto on his right walking through the forest after about 30 minutes, all four of the pups form a ring around Naruto growling, until Tsume and 5 wolf hounds come crashing through the forest undergrowth only to come face to face with Naruto and his 4 pups. While Tsume stands in front of him about five metres away from his group, the Wolf hounds start to circle wondering why these pups are not bowing in the presence of elders and growling at them one of the wolf hounds speak in barking "bow you runts" he growled out.
"My Pack mates bow to no-one since their mothers dying wish, you should be the ones to bow to me an Alpha" said Naruto in a commanding tone as much of one possible for a 5 year old, while he was speaking he started to exude his power and presence, as if on Que Kuromaru and the other 3 bow shocking Tsume and the other Wolf hound who finally feels his presence and bows too.
Naruto then commands gently "Odoru, Senko, Misuto, Shomei heel they will not hurt us anymore", still in slight shock Tsume stutters out "Na… na… Naruto is that you",
"Hiya Tsume-Chan well you see the thing is…" after 45 minutes of explaining himself to her and telling her all the details because he trusts her, she understands and says "Naruto I am making you an honorary Inuzuka, but because you have wolfs instead of dogs you can create your own branch of the clan if you like, you will be moving in to the clan compound, because you aren't a full Inuzuka you have to come up with a symbol that separates you from us, so there aren't any mix ups okay". Says smiling seeing Naruto's face light up like Christmas.
"Really yeah! I'm really happy… but can we go back to the compound it's kind of cold out here. Then we can talk about this there in front of a fire, could you please help me bring Munfurawa body so we can give her a proper send-off." Says Naruto but the last part in a whisper,
"Yes we can, by the way what wolf clan did she come from" Tsume asks while they start walking in the direction of Munfurawa, he smiles "she was the Beta female and sister of the northern clan Alpha male". Tsume thinking 'well the pups look strong for being a couple of months old, but I can't help but wonder what is going to happen in the future'.
An hour and a half later on a makeshift stretcher Munfurawa is being carried by Tsume and Naruto being flanked by the wolf pups and the Wolf hounds taking point and the rear-guard, Tsume tells Kuromaru to go ahead and tell the clan to gather for burial and to welcome five new members.
Upon arrival the sight they are met with is tragic Hikari-kiba and Kuromaru in the front with Tsume directly behind holding the stretcher with Naruto and Munfurawa on it dead, behind them is Odoru-kage and Shomei directly behind him, behind them is Senko and Misuto-Ashi followed by Kami sori and Doroashi.
An hour later after the women sort out Munfurawa body for Cremation. Hana a six year old girl the daughter of Tsume and elder sister to Kiba (age 4) walks up to Naruto as they are placing Munfurawa body on the Pyre and says "hi I'm Hana… um while we were cleaning her body we removed two of her fangs and some of her fur and I made you this necklace to remember her by" she says as she hands him a necklace with a slight blush on her face the necklace made out of a thin chakra infused thread so it won't break easily and the fangs hanging either side of a chunk of fur. "Thank you Hana I'm Naruto by the way but you probably already new that this necklace is beautiful it will remind me of who gave me a pack to live for and protect a symbol of protection and a reminder to treat my own flesh and blood with compassion and love, again thank you Hana you have no Idea what this means to me and the pups here" as he says that he gives her a hug which she happily returns.
As they finish the hug the sound of 20 war drums fill the air with a slow throbbing beat like that of a heart Da Dum… Da Dum… Da Dum, the sound fills the air then the skies as if heeding the call of their masters become cloudy and dark and begin to weep tears of sorrow for the fallen the drums continue the mournful melody of death Da Dum… Da Dum… Da Dum the whole clan begin to chant for the lost soul as one creating an ever more depressing atmosphere the children begin to cry in anguish as the adults continue their chant:
Autumn wind of eve,
blow away the clouds that mass
over the moon's pure light
and the mists that cloud our mind,
do thou sweep away as well.
Now we disappear,
well, what must we think of it?
From the sky we came.
Now we may go back again.
They continue this chant till it is barely coherent all this mixed in with the howls of the dogs and wolves for a lost comrade and mother.
Once the chanting is over the drums continue to beat Da Dum… Da Dum… Da Dum and finally nothing an eerie silence reigns over everything not one person dare break the quiet and mourning of the dead, the heavens continue to weeping for the lost.
They watch as Naruto places a torch on the wood at Munfurawa head and Tail watching as the wood goes up in flames until her body catches fire where the flames intensify in to a white inferno. Tsume finally breaks the silence "the brighter the flame the stronger and kind hearted the soul proving she is worthy of joining Kami and Amaterasu in the halls of heaven". And with that said the clan slowly disperse back to their home for the night. The only person left is Naruto watching as Munfurawa the only one to put so much faith in him goes up in flames to join her ancestors. The others are the Pups watching also as their mother leaves them but then they look at their new father, Naruto the man that will protect them from anything.
Watching from the door of her house is Hana she watches as Naruto looks on at the raging inferno with his new companions. In the background Tsume is consoling her youngest Kiba who is still crying as she looks out towards the door she see her daughter staring at Naruto with sadness and something of comfort and happiness which someday she feels in the future will turn into love 'when that day come Naruto please look after my little girl' Tsume thinks to herself. After 15 minutes he turns around followed by the pups' walks towards Tsume's house to discuss becoming part of the clan and gaining an even larger family as a result