Summary: Kiba Inuzuka has turned 18. As a part of Inuzuka tradition, he must undergo a 2 month training session as a rite of passage. But once he gets there he learns his clan’s true nature, and finds himself in a fight for his very mind. Will he survive? “Be a good boy for me Kiba…”

Characters: Kiba Inuzuka, Akamaru, Kuromaru, Tsume Inuzuka, Hana Inuzuka, Other Naruto Characters mentioned.

Involves: Mind Control, Hypnosis, Obedience Training, Brainwashing, Dog TF, Identity Loss




Day 1

The sun was shining down on Konohagakure no Sato, as Kiba Inuzuka left his old room for the last time. Today, he would begin his clan initiation into adulthood.

The Inuzuka clan had a different structure than most ninja clans. Unlike there, where all members lived in the compound, separated by family. The children, or pups as they were often called, were housed in a separate section of the compound from the adults. Pups were supposed to grow up with an appreciation for their pack. So, because these dorms housed siblings and parents were a steady presence, the pups were forbidden from exploring the adult compound before initiation. At the age of 18, a pup stayed in the adult areas for two months, undergoing testing and training in the ways of the Inuzuka clan, before they became full members of the pack. This was explained to them as a way to allow arranged marriages without the risk of losing more valuable clan secrets and jutsu, which were only provided during this training. Hana had already gone through the training years ago and now it was Kiba’s turn.

As he left his boxes where instructed, the excited Inuzuka followed the directions he was given, ending up at a medium size building, near the center of the compound. It looked to be a well sized building, attached to a walled training field.

“This is it. Today, I become a man!” Kiba said to himself. Akamaru barked happily beside him, having been just as excited for today. When he was ready, the ninja grabbed the door and headed inside,expecting to see his mother waiting for him. Instead he was greeted by Kuromaru, waiting for him in a large gym-like room.

He glanced around, expecting his mother to jump out at him for some test, but instead Kuromaru spoke.

“Welcome, Akamaru, Kiba. Today you are training to fully join the pack. Since I know you are ready to get started there is no reason to stand on formalities.” Kuromaru smiled at Kiba, a faintly sinister light flashing over his face and a subtle, yet warm pulse of his chakra filled the room. “Now Kiba, I know you’ve been listening all these years. Each night before bed, I would lull you to sleep with my steady, droning voice. I know you’ve heard me talk about my tail. How it follows behind me. Always there, so fluffy and perfect. Easy to focus on. Moving back and forth, in and out of sight…”

Kiba could remember the long nights and felt a brief heat on the back of his neck. The seal that let the clan keep track of their pups lit up before starting to pulse, gently, reacting to Kuromaru’s technique. With each pulse, a wave of relaxation washed over Kiba. His back bent forward and his arms began to dangle. Kiba lost focus for a moment, his mind catching the motion of Kuromaru’s tail. Kuromaru was talking and Kiba couldn’t remember what he was saying. Trying to focus, his mind started to clear until another pulse of pure calm washed over him. His mind went blank, mouth opening in a dumbfounded expression and his eyelids drooped. Kuromaru’s words flowed through his mind without reaction. Each pulse wiped away any thoughts other than the words and the tail. His eyes forced open by an unending need to follow the tail.

“That’s right,” Kuromaru said, smiling down at the boy, “Just breathe and listen. Follow my tail as it moves back and forth. Nothing else matters to you. No thoughts in your mind. You’ve done this before. Every night when you were a kid, you would drift off, listening to me and watching my tail. Just let my words fill your mind. No thinking needed. You don’t want to think. Just obey. Good Puppies obey. You are such a Good Boy. My tail moves back and forth, back and forth…”

Kuromaru kept speaking, as Kiba stared at him. The boy's eyes had long since glazed over. The pupil had dilated, and moved back and forth. Numb and empty, drool poured from his mouth and Inuzuka was barely holding himself up. Eyes locked on that fluffy, important, perfect tail. Akamaru stood off to the side. Wide awake and unfazed by Kiba’s situation. He had been preparing for this day, ever since he was a puppy. He had been taught not to listen when a nin-dog’s voice got low and steady. He had been taught to always be on alert when chakra fills the air. This was as much a test for him, as it was training for Kiba.

“SLEEP!” Kuromaru barked the word with sudden force and Kiba’s eye’s fell shut as his mind went blank. Kiba Inuzuka leaned forward, almost onto all fours. His arms hung listestly forward, his eyes empty and mouth dripping with cascades of drool. Akamaru just grinned. The white pup had never seen Kiba so out of it before. Kuromaru really was an amazing clan head.

Kuromaru broke the pup free of his thoughts as he spoke again.

“Kiba, today you become a part of the pack, but in doing so will learn and accept the truth of our clan.” The nin-dog’s voice echoed through the gym, but Kiba did not so much as twitch in response. “Good. Now let’s test your obedience in this state. Sit like a good puppy would, Kiba.”

The boy dropped down onto all fours, sitting at attention like a trained mutt. Kuromaru grinned wider. Oh how he had waited for this day. The boy he had raised, planting the seeds of training since birth, merely stared forward. His empty eyes and mind, ready for his true life.

“You see Kiba, the Inuzuka Clan does not refer to a family of human ninja who learned to tame and bond with chakra infused Canines. The exact opposite in fact. Our pack used to only include wild dogs that had learned to wield chakra and grown intelligent over the years. However, human clans refused to deal with us as equals and so we found a group of humans, not even ninja, who had lost their homes. They had nothing and submitted to us for protection. Over the years, we trained them and bonded with them. We made ourselves a pack of pet humans, partners who could be the face of our clan. They were given the name Inuzuka, and only the oldest human clans still know the truth. That is why Hinata could never love you. The Hyuuga could see Akamaru’s chakra, and my own. They’re records remember what we used to be and so they see through our deception. She was likely informed of the truth years in advance, so as to prevent any chance of affection. She understood that by the time you had reached the academy, you were well on your way to becoming a good little puppy. Fortunately she already had another, that young fox, and so your affections could not bring her pity or pain.” Kurmomaru’s voice was soft and comforting. The words spoken with a calm and gentle tone, underlined with a gleeful authority. Kiba’s empty mind and vacant expression simply soaked in his words. His trance, reinforced since before he was old enough to speak, had long ago become stronger than conscious desires. “Do not fear, we have a wonderful match made with a member of the Jackal clan from the Sand. The pups you two make will be split between the participating Canine clans, just like you and your sisters. Did you know you had three sisters as a newborn? But that is for the future. For now, you will learn to be a pet in full. Kiba Inuzuka, heir to the clan, will be little more than a facade for your public appearances, a delightful trick for a good pup. When I send you to sleep in a moment, the years of subconscious whispers that I planted as you slept, will begin to seep into your conscious mind. Your humanity was merely for the benefit of the clan, and so you will learn to be a true dog, obedient to your Master and the true Inuzuka. The clan whose name you merely borrow for the sake of appearance. In truth you have always been simply Kiba. You will be trained, taught how to submit and become a pet. I’m sure Akamaru can’t wait to take you on a walk and your mother will be jumping with joy to play with you. Your seal hid everything we didn’t want you to see. And now your eyes will open, as your mind becomes a blank slate.”

Kiba simply sat there like an attentive pet. His subconscious opened the doors at Kuromaru’s words. Years of building on his trance. Everynight he fell asleep, he did so by watching a tail move back and forth. Whispers from either Kuromaru or Akamaru, filling his ears. For his whole life they simply built a trance, a state of empty obedience, that could one day be filled with this training.

Kuromaru glanced at Akamaru and nodded his head. The large white dog padded forward and stood in front of the dazed Kiba on all fours.

“Kiba, I want you to listen carefully and answer my questions. What are you? Who is your master?”

Kiba’s blank expression remained as he answered, drool swinging from his mouth. “I am human, but to be trained as a pet. I don’t have a Master.” His voice is dull and monotone, no hint of the boisterous ninja from before.

“That is not true. Although you could not have known it, you have always been a pet.” Kuromaru spoke sweet and steady. “You are not a human, not a real one. You are a puppy. You are the pet of an Inuzuka. We must make sure you remember this. So, repeat after me: I am not human. I am a puppy.”

Kiba didn’t hesitate. “I am not human. I am a puppy.”

“Again!” Kuromaru barked.

“I am not human. I am a puppy.”

“Keep going until I tell you to stop.”

“I am not human. I am a puppy. I am not human. I am a puppy. I am not human. I am a puppy…” Kiba chanted his new phrase mindlessly, the empty void that made up most of his mind filled up with his words. His new truth and reality. Eventually, Kuromaru told him to stop.

“Now, what are you?

“I am a puppy.” Kiba replied.

“Good Boy.” Kuromaru said, with a happy bark. “Did you hear what I said? All pets love being called a Good Boy. You will feel an overwhelming rush of pleasure every time you are called a Good Boy. When someone calls you a Good Boy, you want to please them. To show them how good you can be. On the other hand if someone calls you a Bad Boy, then you will feel shame and discomfort. You will know you have to be submissive and beg them for forgiveness. You hate being a Bad Boy. You want to be a Good Boy. You need to be a good boy.”

As he spoke Kiba began to smile, his drooling, gaping face twisted into a dopey, dumb grin.His mind had new thoghts,the empty space had the beginnings of a self. He wanted to be a Good Boy. He loved to be a Good Boy. He was a good puppy. Already this empty self was strong enough to put pressure on the buried self that was Kiba Inuzuka.

Kuromaru let the words sink in, watching Akamaru fidget in excitement, before he continued. “You are being trained to officially become Akamaru’s pet. Akamaru will be your Master. Over the next two months, we will build up the new Kiba, pet of Akamaru, and Kiba Inuzuka will fade into little more than a hollow mask for the sake of those who do not know the truth. Right now, Kiba Inuzuka is the dominant personality, though your trance is stronger- YOUR TRANCE IS ALWAYS STRONGER AND YOU WILL OBEY- you still feel free and human. Only Bad Boys think that way as adults, but do not worry. You are not a Bad Boy. I know you will finish your training and put away those childish thoughts. Do not worry yourself. Let us start with the basics today. Akamaru will be your master and it is time for you to see what the Man-Beast Jutsu is for. Show him my son”

As if he had been simply waiting for his clan head’s approval, Akamaru molded his chakra and changed. His voice, a slightly higher pitch than Kuromaru’s, called out:”Beast-Man Jutsu!” And like that Akamaru changed, his body shifted to an upright position. Paws twisted into hands, with proper digits. The legs lengthened and feet began longer. It was an inversion of the Man-Beast Jutsu, giving human posture to an animal as opposed to giving a human an animal posture.

“This is how we walk amongst mankind. The technique you used was developed for interactions with humans and fledglings whose minds were still dreaming they were human. Akamaru has known this since before the academy and only now with the illusions of your youngling seal stripped away, can you see through the deception. Now repeat after me: Akamaru is my Master. I obey my Master. I am a pet. Inuzuka are dogs. Dogs are my Masters.”

Kiba obeyed without hesitation. “Akamaru is my Master. I obey my Master. I am a pet. Inuzuka are dogs. Dogs are my Masters.”

“Good now keep repeating it. Keep saying it until I tell you to stop and let it etch the words into your new mind.”

Kiba chanted for hours this time. Though to him no time passed at all. The world did not exist aside from Akamaru, Kuromaru, and the words he must speak. Each repetition became another layer of etchings in his brain.

Finally, when Kuromaru noticed darkness falling, he ordered Kiba to stop.

“Well done. Good Boy,” Kuromaru noticed the dopey grin of Kiba’s face grow wider with a smirk. “Now it is late so Akamaru will bring you to the kennel to eat and get some rest. There will be kibble and water, make sure to drain the bowls dry. You may eat and drink as you wish for now, though I expect you to learn the proper way for a pet to eat soon. Once finished you will curl up on the doggy bed like a Good Boy and fall asleep. Tomorrow, upon waking, you will be refreshed and ready for training. Kiba Inuzuka will wake up in full as well, and even though he may resist, Kiba, Akamaru’s Pet, is strong enough that he will not be able to disobey.This training will cause the pet to grow more real than the human, eventually overtaking it and hollowing it out. Kiba Inuzuka will remember all of this, everything that the seal has hidden from him will unlock in his mind.” Kuromaru looked at Tsume's pup with a strange fondness. “Tomorrow morning I shall reveal to you the last secret. A hope of sorts for Kiba Inuzuka, who shall wake afraid and confused.”

With that last, potential hope, he had Akamaru lead Kiba to his kennel.

‘The boy still walks like a human,’ Kuromaru sighed. His clan had rules and it looked like Kiba had a strong will in his humanity. ‘That means I must tell him of his options. Akamaru will be devastated if he can succeed, but by our honor and laws, he must be informed that he has a chance to be human.’

The dog looked depressed before shaking it off, grinning at his foolishness. ‘What am I thinking?! Yes we must tell him, but he still has to succeed on his own. Only a handful of Inuzuka have ever done that and the last one was over two centuries ago. I should focus on the training. For Akamaru’s sake.’

With that pushed aside, the secret clan head of the Inuzuka Clan headed back home to play with his little puppy.




Day 2

The next morning, Kiba woke up and remembered everything. His eyes shot open and he jumped to his feet as his memories flashed through his mind, clean of the seal’s influence. He remembered his mother visiting him and his sister. The memories of her walking in with Kuromaru at her heels reversed, and now Tsume was on all fours. His proud mother was replaced with a groveling puppy, eager to please her canine master. Often she appeared transformed physically. Patches of fur. Hands and feet twisted into paws. A wagging tail and twitching ears.

His whole life was a lie. No, not a lie. He realized. A deception, an omission. Tsume, who had been Kuromaru, had always spoken to Akamaru. He thought he was Tsume, but all he said was that his son was to be Clan head and Kuromaru, actually his mother, raved about how good of a ‘partner’ her son would be for Akamaru. All they did was switch the roles, and how hypocritical would he be to complain. But if Akamaru didn’t want him, he would let him go. It would hurt. But he would do it. Maybe they would let him go if he asked.

‘Do I want to leave?’ The thought struck him without preamble. If he left what would he have. From his memories at least a few of his friends and part of the village knew about this. A few choice comments from Ino, Neji, and Sasuke made that clear, despite his previous obliviousness. ‘Hinata knew too…’ Kiba could barely comprehend that. He wanted to curl up in horrified shame. ‘What must she have thought? Was Kuromaru right? If so, did she think it was cute that a puppy, not yet aware of his fate, wanted her love? Did Kurenai-sensei know? Shino?’ The whole thing made him want to cry, but he refused. His jaw tightened and he stood up, beginning to pace in the cage.

‘I’m not beaten yet!’ Kiba thought, ‘I’m a shinobi. Focus and plan. Iruka-sensei taught you with the others and damn anyone who thinks it was a joke.’ He tried to open the cage.

BAD BOY

As he reached for the lock, the words struck his mind like a blow and he stumbled back. The initial commands from his earlier trance still existed and shame filled Kiba. The shame only lasted a moment before he forced it back. Kiba Inuzuka wared with the empty mind that towered over his sense of self. The part that wanted to listen and obey. He held himself together.

Jaw tightened in an attempt to focus, Kiba forced himself to reach for the lock.

BAD BOY BAD BOY BAD BOY BAD BOY…

The phrase battered against his mind. A part of him, that large, obedient, empty part, wanted to get down and beg for Kuromaru’s, for Akamaru’s, forgiveness. It was almost too much, but he managed to grab the lock and channeled chakra into his hand. The lock crumbled with a metallic *CRUNCH* and he tore it off. Kiba collapsed onto his knees. He was exhausted. That small disobedient act took a lot, but the cage was open. He needed to get up and get out of here. Kiba could sneak out of Konoha, and attempt to run. Hana and his mother…they were gone. If they would submit like in his memories, then they have given in.

‘Hana…’ Sadness overwhelmed Kiba as he realized it. ‘He remembered seeing Hana afterwards. She was a pet to the triplets. ‘She went through initiation a week after I graduated. How did I not know? If I had realized what was going on…could I have saved her?’ The thought hurt. The idea of Hana, maybe more affected by the hypnotic trance than him, with three dogs to reinforce it. She might’ve resisted…but she failed.

Kiba forced himself to rise, despite his exhaustion. He had to escape, then he could get help. The ninja dragged himself forward, forcing the chant of BADDOGBADOG aside.

‘I have to get to a village that will take me in…’ He thought, remembering Kuromaru and the sisters he had in the Jackal clan. ‘The Sand is out then, but maybe later I can rescue one of my sisters if I’m lucky. The Stone was an enemy for years, and even with the Shinobi Alliance, I doubt they would hide me. That leaves the Mizu or Kumo. Kumo has a bad history with the Hyuuga, and they like clan techniques, so maybe I can barter what information I have for protection. The theory I was taught was correct, it was just used on me with mental tricks.’

Speaking of the tricks, Kiba remembered the seal. ‘I have to cut it off. The seal isn’t deep, so if I cut off the skin and some of the flesh beneath, I might remove it. If not, I will be tracked and can be entered at close range.’ As he snuck into the main training room, Kiba’s plan came together.

‘Get Kunai. Attempt to remove seal. Flee to Kumo and bargain for sanctuary.’

He could do this. It looked like he woke up a bit early so the streets would be mostly empty. He needed to move fast. With one last breath, Kiba tried to tell whether the coast was clear, until two familiar scents filled his nose.

“SHIT!” Kiba cried, as he reached for the door to make a run for it, only for a pulse of warm chakra to wash over him. Kiba felt his body relax as the wave rebounded off the seal. The ink on his shoulder began to pulse gentle for a few moments. And Kiba lost himself to trance. His last thought was that he had failed.

…Only…it wasn’t his last thought.

Kiba was suddenly standing, on two legs, in front of a smirking Kuromaru and a nervous Akamaru, both in human form. They had him, but Kiba gritted his teeth and refused to yield.

“I must admit, I am a little surprised that you would get this far.” Kuromaru sounded amused, he acted like Kiba was a monkey that had managed to open the bathroom door. Harmless, but impressive. “You have managed to cobble together a better human self than most, and it seems as though you will resist.”

Kiba’s mouth remained shut, but he struggled and forced the sound out regardless. A muffled and unintelligible noise.

“I must congratulate you then. You have left the cage and in doing so are granted the slimmest of hopes.” Kuromaru sounded proud, and not a little sad. Akamaru-’the traitor’, thought Kiba- moved to protest, desperation clear in his expression. Kuromaru stopped him with a look, before focusing on Kiba.

“You have managed to demonstrate reasonable strength of will and maintained your mind after your first full entrancement. By the laws of our clan, that means you must be given a chance to gain true humanity.” The words were odd on his tongue, as though the dog had not said them in many years. Kiba stopped struggling and focused all his attention on the dog's words, his eyes glued to the floor and not the hypnotic tails. He would not be tricked, again.

“Resistance, at this point, matters very little for most. Their wills were never allowed to grow stronger than the emptiness of their trance. However, whether or not the human they pretended to be gives in or fights for freedom is a choice we allow our pets to make, should they be capable. A kindness in the training, that shall not simply wipe you clean without a chance to prove yourself. And so with this I tell you the last, and secret, rule of our training: Should Kiba Inuzuka manage to resist, should his personality remain intact and able to defy any order after two lunar cycles, then we shall allow him his freedom. We took in a group of pets long ago, and shall not enslave those who resist as the Hyuuga did.” Kuromaru growled at this, distaste for the cursed seals that brought pain to the branch Hyuuga. “Prove that you have a human will, and you will be treated as such. You will endure two months of training and on the last day we shall have a test. Of course we will only accept if there is an intact human mind left. Should you be unable to resist, you will prove that your human persona will be destroyed and forever shall you remain a pet. However, if you defy even a single order on that last day, even the smallest requests, we will set you free. The seal shall be removed, and our Yamanaka allies can work with our hypnotists to remove any trace of your triggers. Afterwards you may join the Inuzuka as an Human pack member or, if your distaste for us is too great, we will help you find a new life, either in Konoha or anywhere else you wish. However, if neither is appealing, you may willingly cast Kiba Inuzuka aside and join the pack as a proper member, not a pet or honorable Human, but a true Dog. SPEAK, Kiba. Do you understand and accept this challenge, knowing the risks?”

Kiba was shocked, he could survive this. He could win. The ninja looked over at Akamaru, betray flashing in his eyes. How could he feel betrayed!? Kiba never did anything like this to Akamaru. The dogs were free to keep their minds. They weren’t forced to live a lie to the amusement of the whole village! He turned back, ready to answer, only for Akamaru to interject.

“Kiba, please! Just listen for a second! I-” Akamaru was cut off by a growl from Kuromaru.

“What did I tell you, Akamaru? You were warned of this and you accepted the risks. His choice, for the first time in years, is his own.”

Akamaru looked cowed, but then his stare grew stronger. “No! I have lied to him for 18 years! I will not lie today. He doesn’t understand the full weight of what you are asking and you know that!” The dog’s eyes glittered with tears and he finished with a sob. But his gaze was harsh and after a tense moment, Kuromaru gave in.

“Fine! You may plead your case to Kiba!” Kuromaru seemed upset, but there was a note of worry in his speech.

Kiba grew confused as Akamaru turned to him and confusion turned into bewilderment as Akamaru hugged him.

“I’m sorry. I’m so sorry. I know I lied and you hurt. I know you must feel like I betrayed you but I need you to listen to me. You don’t have to do this. The training can be refused and we can leave Konoha tonight.” Akamaru seemed desperate for Kiba to listen.

“That makes no sense!” Kiba said, his voice turning bitter, “I can’t even move! I couldn’t leave if I wanted to. As long as you can use chakra, I can be turned into an obedient puppet.” His voice was bitter and scared.

Akamaru winced at the remark, but was undeterred. “As of last night, I have become a part of the base for your training. The initial commands keyed you to me. If I refuse to participate they won’t be able to continue, since it needs the ‘Master’ to take the pet through training. If they wanted to continue, then you would have to have your hypnotic commands reset. You managed to stay aware of who you were and broke free of the kennel, so your mind was strong enough to resist without awareness. With you aware, they can’t just start over. Not unless they want to waste years and lots of resources resetting your mind. The clan laws state that a human pup, not yet through training must agree to continue after the first night. That’s what father wants you to do, agree without realizing you have a choice.” At this Akamaru glared at Kuromaru, and the black furred clan head glared back.

Kiba didn’t know what to say. Akamaru just stopped him from destroying his mind. Why? Didn’t he want to destroy Kiba Inuzuka? There had to be more to this.

“So what’s the catch? If you care about me even a little, then tell me everything! No lies, no half-truths, no omissions!” Kiba forced his voice to stay firm and defensive, even as a painful hope flared in his chest.

Akamaru looked down. “I was raised like this. We have been hiding from the world for years, ever since the Warring Clan Era. When Konoha invited the Inuzuka, the Hokage found out from the Yamanaka and the Hyuuga, both of their clans techniques made the truth clear to them. The Aburame had held suspicions for years but could never confirm it. We managed to make a truce with those clans, now including the Senju and Uchiha, the hokage, and the council. They would keep our secret from most of the village, with the Uzumaki upgrading our seals with genjutsu, to hide the truth. However, the clan, while given new techniques from the Yamanaka, were forced by the Hokage to be transparent with training results. That’s why my father needs a verbal confirmation. Nowadays the clan tries to omit that information, but he can’t stop me from speaking the truth nor reporting to the Hokage, who is now Kakashi and will soon be Naruto. Both will be certain to help us. So he needs that verbal confirmation. This is how the agreement created a loophole. If you refuse the training, then you will be unable to become an adult in the clan’s eyes, and unable to leave it due to the agreement, but the clan will be forced to wait until you agree to continue training. Now that you know the truth, the illusions serve no purpose. You don’t have to do this. I hoped you would resist and I did everything I could to help you. You always treated me as an equal, not just a partner, but a brother and I couldn’t just sit back and watch. I helped you with the trance.”

At this Kiba’s eyebrows shot up, while Kuromaru looked almost murderous.

“How dare you…” Kuromaru growled, low and deep, “This is beyond mere defiance! You would defy our traditions for some-”But Akamaru didn’t let his father finish.

“Shirking my duties, I only whispered what was absolutely required those nights we were on missions or home alone. I even forgot some nights all together and just let you sleep. I wanted to give you the best chance to keep your mind.” With each word, Kuromaru grew more furious. His eyes practically glowed with rage.

But Kiba could only stare at his friend, his brother. Akamaru was admitting to borderline treason, if Kuromaru’s expression was to go by. He cared. Akamaru actually cared about him.

“How could you!? I gave you everything. I made you heir after the triplets turned out unfit to lead! Why do you sabotage your own position in the clan? If you had just done it properly, he would probably be happy to obey by now.” Kuromaru’s rage slowly morphed into anguish. “Why my son…”

Akamaru ignored him and continued.

“If both of us refuse to continue, then you won’t be entirely free. I promised you the truth so I won’t sugar coat it.” Akamaru seemed to be pleading with him now. “Neither of us will be treated as adults and so we can’t leave the clan. In addition, they won’t strengthen your mind or remove the seal. Granted the illusions are gone and only me and my dad can activate it now, but it will still be there. However, I will be the only one allowed to influence you and I swear I won’t. We can live our lives together, not entirely free, but with your mind intact and still able to experience your life.”

“What life?” Kiba bit out, “My team and the others know the truth and have probably been laughing about it for years. I was just a pet to them. Turns out you were their real teammate.” That last part came out bitter.

“That’s not true!” Akamaru was desperate to make him understand. “I told them about this a long time ago. It’s been my plan ever since I saw Hana’s training. Before, I thought you would be happy as a dog, I thought it would still be you. But, after I saw that fake smile on Hana’s lips. The way her eyes seemed to lack that spark. I realized I was wrong. She’s gone, Kiba. The Hana that bandaged us as kids was killed and hollowed out into a mask. The illusion hid it from others, but we have the counterseal. I could see the truth.”

“At first I didn’t know what to do, but our team reached out to us. They treated you well even though they had to know. Hinata for sure and Shino, well the Aburame aren’t ones to send kids unprepared. I had no one else and so I tested the waters. Once I thought I could trust them, I begged our friends for help. I let Ino cuddle me for hours every week to find out how to minimize the damage of your nightly trance. The Yamanaka have always been paranoid about the Inuzuka influencing them. Hinata showed me chakra points to temporarily prevent memory formation and how I could use them to prevent hypnotic suggestions from settling as deeply. Shino started challenging you, trying to make you assert yourself as a leader. Anything to give you the slightest edge. Kurenai didn’t know until she became an elite jounin a few years ago, but she did everything she could afterwards.” Akamaru's voice was happy as he spoke and Kiba didn’t know what to say. The two took comfort in each other, oblivious to Kuromaru.

“They really cared…” Kiba said. He felt unending gratitude towards the team he knew he didn’t deserve. Tears were running down his face at the thought of Hinata and Shino. All the fears that had been building since he woke up, washed away. Akamaru continued, unwilling to stop.

“I know it’s not freedom. But it is the best shot to keep your mind. You might decide that isn’t enough and if so, I support you. If you want to beat this training, then you can try. But now that my father is aware, I can’t help you. He will involve me as little as possible and you won’t get a fair shake. I might have ruined everything by telling you this, but the training is too risky to let you think it’s the only option. Not to mention, I couldn’t live with myself if I let your last thoughts be that everyone betrayed you.”

Kiba held Akamaru tighter, like he was the only thing that existed.

“What are my chances?” he asked.

“Slim to none. Only one in thirty pets are strong enough to even have the offer extended, though few actually get the door. Only eleven people in the history of the clan have been able to fully resist, six of those in Konoha. And of those six, only three managed to keep it together afterwards long enough to have their minds pieced back together. If you must do it, think carefully first! You risk everything.”

Kiba was silent for a moment, and then, “What if I lose? What will we do? What will you do?”

Kiba needed to know. Was this some kind of trap? A play to his pride? Could he trust Akamaru? Kami, this was all so fucked up. But Akamaru didn’t waver. Instead he leaned as close as possible, speaking so softly that Kiba could barely hear it. Words for only them, not Kuromaru.

“I won’t stay. I won’t be an heir to the leader who broke my brother. My last resort is to use my ownership of you to break from the clan and find help. If I have to sell myself to the Yamanaka for treatment I will. No one has ever come back from this, but I will do everything I can to keep you happy and Team 8 will help. We promised each other, no matter what, we would never abandon you.”

Kiba’s tears had slowed, but now they came crashing down as the weight of what Akamaru had done hit him. His part-NO- his brother was prepared to give up everything, and then was willing to spend his whole life trying to help him if he failed. Give up his father. His clan. Comfort and luxury. Akamaru was letting him make the first real choice in his life, and Kiba loved him for it.

His next words came out in a hoarse whisper, as Kiba held tight to Akamaru. “Thank you, Brother.” A few minutes passed as the two siblings embraced, before the silence was broken. Still in a whisper, safe from the ears of Kuromaru, Kiba gave his answer. “I- I just…I want to be free.” He said it, even though it hurt.” I am so sorry that I can’t bring myself to back down. To accept this consolation. Forgive your stupid, stupid brother. I don’t deserve you”

Kiba was sure Akamaru would argue, try and convince him to settle for eternal limbo as the clan’s ward. It wasn’t that Kiba didn’t trust Akamaru. After this, Kiba would do anything his brother wanted, but he had to try. If they settled then Kuromaru would have years to try again. Years of plotting and scheming, that Kiba would be powerless to stop. All while forced to live in a clan that would treat them as outsiders.

And Kiba knew he couldn’t hold out forever. He wasn’t clever like Akamaru or Shino. He wasn’t smart like Hinata and Kurenai. Kiba was blunt and straightforward. Terrible traits in a ninja, Iruka had said so all those years ago. Kuromaru would get him to agree to the training. It would only take a single slip up. And during that time, Kuromaru would plan a more intense training, while working to fix the small holes Akamaru had given everything to make in their mental net. Every day they waited would make that training even more difficult.

“It’s ok. I had a feeling you would, but I couldn’t let you accept without knowing.” Akamaru was trying not to start crying again. “Once you agree there is no stopping it and I won’t be able to do anything to help you. He knows now. If I try to cheat, if I do anything my father sees as weakness, he will declare any victory you manage null and void. I will essentially be forced to read his script.”

Kiba figured as much. If Akamaru could simply refuse to help, then they would have nothing to worry about. The two held their embrace a little longer, trying to stay in this moment. In this sliver of time, where they were themselves and they were free. But Kuromaru cut it short with a growl.

“I’ve been kind enough. You have had your words Akamaru, and if you have no more treachery to speak of then move aside and let him answer,” At the word treachery, Kuromaru’s growl deepened. His fangs bared in clear aggression.

Akamaru reluctantly left Kiba to take his place once more. Both the dog and boy looked horrible, their faces marred by tears. With Akamaru gone, Kiba could feel that whisper of -badboybadboy- pounding in his skull. He would resist. He would win his freedom.

Kuromaru smirked at this. “Very well, pup. Then as proclaimed in our agreement with the Hokage, with the agreement by all parties...” At this he looked at Akamaru, a cruel smirk on his face.

Kiba gritted his teeth. ‘The bastard is making him give the final approval.’ Right then and there Kiba knew what he was going to do. Even if his mind was shattered into a thousand pieces, he would make Kuromaru pay.

Akamaru looked more hurt than Kiba had ever seen him. He stared at his father, fresh tears rolling across his fur and said, “I agree to continue the training trial of Kiba Inuzuka as my p-” He stuttered here, his teeth clenched.

Kuromaru’s smirk grew and he spoke with a voice like poison, “Yes? We’re waiting, my son.”

A sob broke free as Akamaru started again, “I agree to continue the training trial of Kiba Inuzuka as my pet according to the laws of the Inuzuka Clan.”

Kuromaru’s joy at the pain was so obvious, and Kiba wanted to vomit. He was enjoying this. Hands clenched tighter. Kuromaru wanted to make Akamaru suffer for his betrayal. Kiba only noticed his nails had torn his hands when the blood started to hit the floor.

“Excellent. Well, we’ve wasted enough time and we only have 59 more days, so let’s begin. Now Kiba, don’t make this too easy.” His voice sounded almost giddy. As if Kiba’s mind was a toy.

‘No,’ Kiba thought, ‘He’s pissed that Akamaru betrayed him. And hurting me is the best way to punish him.’

There was a jolt of lightning chakra from the ground and Kiba jerked his head around in surprise. A moment of weakness, as his eyes fixed on Kuromaru’s tail, which was now right in front of Kiba’s face.

‘Shit…’ Kiba thought, but it was too late. He couldn’t look away.

“There we go…Just watch my tail as it moves back and forth. Always there, so fluffy and perfect. Easy to focus on. Moving back and forth, in and out of sight…”

And with that, training had started.