Chapter 7: First Night, New Bonds
The evening air carried the familiar scents of the Inuzuka compound as Kōzaru made his way toward the main house, both puppies secure in his arms. Yuki had settled into a contented doze against his chest, her breathing soft and rhythmic, while Riku remained alert, his sharp eyes taking in every detail of their surroundings with the intensity of a seasoned scout.
"Alright, you two," Kōzaru murmured as he approached the front door, "let's see what home looks like."
The moment he stepped inside, both puppies' heads snapped up, their enhanced senses immediately cataloguing every scent, sound, and visual detail of their new environment. Kōzaru's own heightened awareness picked up their emotional responses—Yuki's cautious curiosity mixing with Riku's barely contained excitement.
His mother's voice drifted from the kitchen, where the sounds of dinner preparation had been ongoing. "Kōzaru? That you, runt?"
"Yeah, it's me," he called back, setting both puppies down carefully. They immediately began exploring, but stayed close to his legs, their pack instincts keeping them within protective distance.
"Good. Dinner's almost ready, and we need to talk about training schedules." Mika appeared in the doorway, wiping her hands on a dish towel. Her eyes immediately went to the puppies, who had stopped their exploration to study her with polite attention. "And we need to discuss feeding schedules, sleeping arrangements, and basic obedience training for those two."
As if understanding they were the topic of conversation, both puppies sat in perfect synchronization, their posture respectful but alert. Kōzaru felt a surge of pride at their natural discipline.
"They're already well-behaved," he observed, kneeling down to run his hands through their soft fur. The connection he felt with them had only grown stronger since leaving the kennels—a constant awareness of their emotional states and physical condition that felt as natural as breathing.
"That's breeding and early socialization," Mika explained, moving into the living room where she could observe the interactions more closely. "But real training starts now. Working with ninja hounds isn't just about teaching them to follow commands—it's about developing a bond so deep that you can communicate without words, coordinate attacks without planning, and trust each other with your lives."
She settled into her favorite chair, her expression growing serious. "With two partners, that bond becomes exponentially more complex. You're not just connecting with each of them individually—you're creating a three-way link that has to function perfectly under combat stress."
Kōzaru nodded, understanding the weight of what she was saying. "Where do we start?"
"First things first—basic pack establishment." Mika gestured toward the puppies, who were now investigating a collection of training equipment in the corner of the room. "They need to understand that you're the alpha of this pack, but not in a dominating way. You're the leader they choose to follow because they trust your judgment."
As if to demonstrate the point, Riku wandered too close to a stack of kunai, his natural curiosity overriding his caution. Before Mika could intervene, Kōzaru simply said, "Riku, back," in a calm but firm tone.
The black and tan puppy immediately stopped, looked back at Kōzaru, and returned to his side without hesitation. Yuki, who had been watching the entire interaction, pressed against Kōzaru's other leg in a show of solidarity.
"Good," Mika said, approval evident in her voice. "The bond is already facilitating communication. That's weeks ahead of normal development."
A quest notification flickered in Kōzaru's peripheral vision, and he quickly accessed his interface.
NEW QUEST: Pack Formation
Objective: Establish proper pack hierarchy and basic communication with Yuki and Riku
Reward: 50 EXP, Skill Unlock: Basic Pack Coordination
Status: In Progress
Twenty-five experience points would put him at 100 total—exactly enough for his next level up. The prospect of gaining new abilities was exciting, but he forced himself to focus on the immediate task.
"What's the next step?" he asked, watching as both puppies settled into comfortable positions near his feet.
"Feeding time," Mika announced, standing up and heading toward the kitchen. "But this isn't just about nutrition—it's about establishing trust and routine. They need to understand that you're the provider, the one they can depend on."
In the kitchen, she retrieved two small bowls and a bag of high-quality puppy food designed specifically for ninja hounds. "Mix this with a little warm water," she instructed, handing him the supplies. "The scent needs to carry your essence as well as the food's. They'll associate your smell with nourishment and safety."
As Kōzaru prepared the food, both puppies watched with intense focus. Their attention wasn't just on the bowls—they were studying his movements, learning his patterns, beginning to understand the rhythms that would define their shared life.
"Yuki, Riku," he called softly, setting the bowls down in the designated feeding area. Both puppies approached immediately, but instead of diving into their food, they looked up at him expectantly.
"They're waiting for permission," Mika observed with satisfaction. "Good instincts from both sides."
"Go ahead," Kōzaru said, and both puppies began eating with dignified efficiency. No competition, no aggression—just two pack members sharing a meal in perfect harmony.
As they ate, Kōzaru felt something shift in his awareness. The connection with his partners deepened, expanding beyond simple emotional recognition into something more complex. He could sense their satisfaction with the food, their growing comfort with their surroundings, and beneath it all, their absolute trust in him.
QUEST UPDATE: Pack Formation
Progress: 40% complete
New Objective: Establish sleeping arrangements and overnight bonding
"The real test comes tonight," Mika said, as if reading his thoughts. "Puppies separated from their pack for the first time can become anxious, destructive, or withdrawn. With two of them, they might rely too heavily on each other and not properly bond with you."
She led him upstairs to his bedroom, where she'd already placed a large, comfortable pet bed in the corner. "They'll want to sleep close to you, but they need their own space too. This is where you'll discover whether your bond is strong enough to overcome their natural instincts."
As night fell and the household settled into its evening routine, Kōzaru found himself sitting on his bed with both puppies curled up nearby. Yuki had claimed the spot closest to the wall, her natural caution making her prefer the protected position, while Riku had positioned himself where he could keep watch on the door.
Even in sleep, they're tactical, he realized with amusement. This is going to be interesting.
He settled into a comfortable position, closing his eyes and extending his awareness toward the two sleeping forms nearby. Almost immediately, he could feel their presence—not just physically, but mentally. Yuki's dreams were filled with images of running through forests, while Riku's contained scenarios of protecting his pack from various threats.
SKILL UNLOCKED: Empathic Link (Basic)
Effect: Can sense emotional states and basic intentions of bonded partners
Range: 50 meters
Duration: Constant while in proximity
The new ability settled into his consciousness like a missing piece clicking into place. Suddenly, he could feel the puppies' contentment, their sense of safety, their growing attachment to him. It was overwhelming and wonderful at the same time.
A soft knock on his door interrupted his concentration. "Kōzaru?" his mother's voice called quietly. "How are they settling in?"
"Better than expected," he replied, opening the door to find Mika holding a cup of tea and wearing an expression of maternal concern mixed with professional curiosity.
"Any problems? Whining, pacing, attempts to escape?"
He shook his head, gesturing toward the peacefully sleeping puppies. "They seem completely comfortable. If anything, they're helping me feel more settled too."
Mika's eyebrows rose slightly. "That's... unusual. Most ninja hounds take several days to adjust to a new environment, even with their chosen partner." She studied the scene more carefully. "The bond you've formed with them is remarkable, Kōzaru. I've never seen anything quite like it."
"Is that good or bad?"
"I'm not sure yet," she admitted. "Strong bonds are essential for effective partnership, but bonds that develop this quickly can sometimes be unstable. We'll need to monitor the situation carefully." She paused, her expression growing more serious. "And we'll need to be cautious about how much we reveal to outsiders. The kind of connection you're displaying could attract unwanted attention."
The implication was clear—in a world where ninja abilities could determine life and death, standing out too much could be dangerous.
"I'll be careful," he promised.
"Good." She moved to leave, then paused at the doorway. "Oh, and Kōzaru? Tomorrow's advanced training starts at six AM sharp. I suggest you get some rest. From what I've heard about Group A intensive training, you're going to need it."
As his mother's footsteps faded down the hallway, Kōzaru settled back into his bed, the warmth of his two new partners filling him with a sense of completeness he hadn't expected. Tomorrow would bring new challenges, but tonight, he was exactly where he belonged.
"I hope the others are doing alright too..." Kōzaru then said as he thought about his friends before he finally settled in for the night.