Waki glared at Kuromaru. The dog found the wall verrrrrrry interesting. "Is this true? You threw your back out by limping?"

"It was a very big thorn," Kuromaru informed the wall.

"When I was in ANBU, we would have left you hurt for being so stupid."

Kuromaru whipped around, incensed. "You were never in ANBU!"

"Ah-ha! But did I call you on your idiotic lie? No! And you!" He turned and faced Raidou. "You expect a dog to know what's good for him? Next time he limps, kick him in the belly."

"HEY!"

"But for the rest, I'll yell at--at--" he began to flip through Kuromaru's file, then just waved it around and finished, "his owner."

"FAMILIAR!"

The waving file bopped the non-man in the face. "Bad dog. No yelling. This is a hospital."

"I hate you." Kuromaru glowered and began to sulk.

"That's all right. I'll bring you steak. You'll love me again." He fished around in one lab pocket, and finally pulled out a lint-covered dog treat. He looked at Kuromaru, eyebrows raised.

Kuromaru looked away. Looked back. Pulled his gaze away. Looked back. Finally held out one hand and closed his fingers around the treat when Waki-sensei put it in his palm. He examined the wall some more and kept the treat hidden from view. Waki knew it would get eaten later: they were Kuromaru's favorites.

"Now, you." He motioned to Raidou. "Come over here. We need to turn him so I can get to his back. Watch the teeth." He bent over Kuromaru and nearly yelled, "If you bite again, I will go find a rolled up newspaper. Do we understand each other?"

"Yes!" Kuromaru nearly yelled back.

Waki-sensei smiled at Raidou. His eyes were almost lost in the folds of his skin. "Humiliation. And the noise of the paper. Scares them. You just have to know how to treat dogs."