"no-one in Konoha does a celebration like we do!"
"But", caught slightly on the hop by this Naruto was left floundering for information, "but how did you organise it from the meeting; you were there and you only told Kuro-san to go straight back with the puppies?"
"Listen to what I'm saying".
"Huh? I was and I didn't hear anything".
"Try again, and listen harder"; Naruto did as he was bid and was about to shake his head and declare the Inuzuka was pulling his leg when he actually realised he did hear it – behind the words was a faint, very faint, background of other sounds that seemed to be a cross between a low-pitched whining and outright growls; but how does that help, I can't – no, of course I can't because I've got two legs instead of four;
"So it's true then, you really can talk to your nin-ken", he exclaimed before wagging his eyebrows suggestively, "bet that comes in handy; all through those clan head meetings you can be verbally beating Hiashi and Inoichi with a stick while all the while Kuro-kun's whispering sweet nothings into your ear". Rin did her best to hide a sudden smirk as Tsume's demeanour cooled as rapidly as a katon jutsu spat into a lake, her voice now suddenly thick with warning threat,