Learning Their Customs

I had spent the entire day playing with the pups and Guremaru. He, as much as I would love to deny it, was still a little pup. It was like comparing pre-timeskip Gamakichi with Gamabunta -there was simply no comparison. Guremaru was, now that he could speak, playful and most adventurous. He liked running around and seeing new things or discovering new places. It was because of this nature of his that he was allowed to mix with the Ninken of my clan.

Shinyakanzei... was quiet. He didn't talk much and he spent most of his time lying on the floor while overlooking everyone. He truly did feel like a responsible older brother who just didn't want to be bothered -and there was Guremaru, trying to bite his ears. What I could say was most noticeable about Shizei -the nickname I had given him- was that the times he did speak, he said enough to give a clear and borderline enlightening message. He was certainly wisest after his father.

Saishoasaitami, who I named Saisa for convenience, was the most playful and annoying one. He would tease anyone and talk about how he hunted the biggest prey that day. He was a showoff and could be described as a brat. He was also the one who played the most with Guremaru. His most remarkable characteristic though, was a scar that ran from his right eye to his left ear, all across his forehead. The story about the scar was, supposedly, one of a great battle against the most difficult prey to hunt. I could only believe him, since nobody denied it.

Hakiba's personality was a mix of those of her brothers. She remained calm for the most part, but was way more active and conversational than Shizei. And she was also a tease and loved playing with the pups, but not to the same degree that Saisa did. The one thing I felt most conflicted about was that she gave both the feeling of a mother and an experienced killer.

Overall, it didn't take me a long time to get accustomed to their personalities. I had been in the Senkiba Forest for the entire day already, and everyone treated me like a part of the pack. That became a problem though, as the night came closer.

"Ok, time to eat everyone"

As Hakiba called the pups and younger adults to eat, Saisa came with the night's prey. That was when I wondered, what was I eating? And indeed, they expected me to eat the same raw meat they did.

"Umm... It's not like I am totally against it but... is it like... safe for me?"

All I received for my worries was the laughter I expected the least. Shizei looked at me as if I was a rare creature and laughed without restraint.

'I guess food sets the mood for him?'

"Just take a bite. We've seen your transformation, perhaps like that it would be easier for you to consume it. Believe me, you won't regret it"

I was reluctant to eat raw meat, not because of the fact itself, but beause I had been raised with BBQ as rewards. I could only convince myself by repeating a famous saying. When in Rome, do as the Romans do.

"True Beast: Okami"

Transforming myself I got closer to the meat and, without thinking about it -I didn't want to back down at the last second-, took a bite out of it. I guess my face of surprise when I realized it tasted pretty much like sushi was entertaining for them, since the three of them once again laughed. It was Hakiba who explained the reason for the meat's taste.

"You see, the animal we hunt isn't just any weird creature. It is a type of game unique to this forest, and it has the particularity of tasting like one's favourite thing. To most of us, though, it tastes like raw deer meat"

It was uncommon of a human to say it, but raw meat -at least that from the creature they hunted- tasted like a fine dish. It was then that Shirohada came closer to us and sat in front of the creature, taking a big bite out of it. I didn't have the chance to look at what the creature looked like, but it's overall bodyshape was that of a hare or a rabbit. Once the Sage swallowed, he looked at me and spoke.

"The reason you are here now, is because you are part of the pack. And the pack eats together, because the pack is family"

I didn't know exactly what it was about those words, but it struck a chord in me. I had never had a close relationship to people before coming to this world. I had good relationships, yes, but not this close and deep. It was like a barrier had existed back there that didn't exist here. It was as if here, I could connect with people through the soul, rather than through words.

"I am honored to be a part of this family. Shall it come down to it, I will put my life on the line for yours. For that is what I would do for family"

The night kept going leisurely, paced by the sound of our munching and swallowing, with the occasional word from Shizei and Shirohada. It was, being honest, one of the best nights I had had in the past twelve years.

*

The next morning came quite quickly, with me waking up surprisingly early, even for myself. Around 4 AM, was my guess. I had to say my goodbyes to everyone and go back to Konoha, lest I worry everyone -which I was sure I already had.

Much to my benefit, everyone was awake already. Bidding farewell would always be a tiresome thing for the mind, but it was so much so that time. Besides Hakiba, who wanted us to stay a bit longer, everyone overwatched our parting.

"See you soon everyone! I'm sure I'll need your help sooner than you think"

*Hiruzen's POV*

I had been pressured for the entire day to bring back Ryota, but I had no idea where he was myself. According to Genma, he couldn't be teleported to. I was about to lose my wits, when a puff of smoke suddenly appeared in the middle of my office and, with it, Ryota and his Ninken, Guremaru. I was about to berate him for worrying everyone and putting me in such a tight spot, but his next words left me tong-tied.

"Old man, you won't believe what happened"