The caged feral dogs, once the loyal companions of my Inuzuka clan, now occupied the sterile confines of the research lab. Their restless growls and whimpering served as a haunting soundtrack to the tension that filled the air. The atmosphere crackled with an unsettling silence, broken only by the distant hum of machinery.
Orochimaru, a figure draped in shadows and enigma, was summoned to offer his expertise. As he approached, my muscles tensed in a visceral reaction to the unsettling aura that clung to him. His golden eyes, cold and calculating, met mine with an unsettling knowingness.
"Naruto," Orochimaru acknowledged with a subtle nod, his voice a velvet whisper that sent a shiver down my spine. "It seems you find yourself in quite the predicament."
Naruto's gaze held a mixture of caution and determination. "We need your help, Orochimaru."
My fists clenched, my distrust of Orochimaru bubbling to the surface. Naruto's assurances did little to ease the simmering anger within me, but reluctantly, I nodded. I allowed the enigmatic scientist to approach the caged canines, his pale fingers dancing across the steel bars with clinical precision.
As Orochimaru delved into his examination, the lab buzzed with scientific activity. I watched with unease, my eyes fixed on the caged creatures, once my kin, now reduced to pitiful shadows of their former selves.
Hours crawled by, each passing second amplifying the tension in the air. Finally, Orochimaru emerged, his expression revealing a mix of fascination and concern.
"I have discovered the cause of all this," Orochimaru stated, his eyes locking with Naruto's. "What prompted all this chaos was the work of Lyssavirus. Rabies in another word"
"Impossible" I replied, staring at the pale face of this snake like man who emitted quite an aura. "The dogs of the Inuzuka have been vaccinate for all forms of rabies. They are practically immune."
Orochimaru's golden eyes met mine, he left out a smirk "Are you questioning my analysis?' he said in a low voice. "The lyssavirus that infected these dogs has been altered genetically. Actually, the violent nature of the dogs is merely a side effect, proof that this agent is doing what it's supposed to."
"And what is it supposed to do?" questioned Shino who had just entered the door after he was finished with his mission of gathering the injured along with Sakura to heal them.
"Let me show you' replied Orochimaru as he opened the door leading to where he was conducting the research. As everyone entered, their eyes widened when they saw what stood in front of them. The dogs which were small and possessed different colors when they were subdued were now growing in size, 10% more the original size. The colors they initially had were being replaced by a whitish silver.
"What the hell is going on!" I let out my ager, startling the scientists who were aiding Orochimaru.
"You probably know more than anyone here about the ancestry of these dogs, Inuzuka Kiba. They were once silver wolves before being tamed centuries ago by the Inuzuka clan, and what's happening now is simply them reversing back to their roots" explained Orochimaru
"How is that even possible?" asked Naruto, concerned.
"The lyssavirus here has been genetically manipulated; it has the ability to reactivate the inactive genes that made the dogs Silver Wolves. Within 5 days, all these dogs will have reverted back to their original state of centuries ago, the Silver Wolf. Unless the person who caused all this gives the cure"
"Person, what do you mean?" I asked.
"Boy, you can't be that dense. What do you think caused all of this? Obviously, a man with great knowledge of science and microbiology" replied Orochimaru
"The virus was spread in a gaseous manner; I'd advise not to go back to there since we don't know if it has any effect on humans yet" he added.
"We should start the investigation asap, but you, Kiba, should go and rest for a while since you've been up the whole night, and you are intoxicated," said Naruto.
"No, I'm fine. I can't afford to rest when my clan is in shambles."
"I agree with Naruto, Kiba. You'll need full focus to deal with this problem" added Shino.
"I'll take you back to my house for you to rest," said Naruto.
"Fine, but please keep me updated as soon as anything happens."
Naruto put his hand to my shoulder, and before I could even take a breath, he swiftly moved with me to his house in what looked like teleportation. But no, it was just his speed. In a split of a second, I was now in front of Naruto's and Hinata opened for us. In her low, melodic voice she welcomed me inside. Ohh, what a beauty, she was even more beautiful than I had remembered.
Naruto explained the situation and had me sit on the table as Hinata prepared some food for me. After explaining, Naruto went back to the research lab in a flash. The time right now was 3 am, the kids were sleeping, so it was just me and Hinata. I felt bad for thinking about her in such a way when I knew she was married to Naruto. But I couldn't help it, the more she talked the more her beauty and angelic voice drew me in.
It should've been me; I should be the one kissing those lips every day. Those kids upstairs should have been mine. I should be the one waking up next to her. But I guess fate has always favored Naruto, the son of the 4th hokage, hero of the war, the 7th hokage. And what was I? a disgraceful chief of the police, living alone in a miserable house with a dog which I can't even save.
I am pathetic.
