A quick summary: Asuma had returned after three long years of being away with the Guardian Shinobi Twelve, and Kiba has loved him since before he left for his mission. Now, Asuma has come home and Kiba's feelings are stronger than they have ever been. He decides to take a chance, but will it pay off in the end?

Author's Note: I altered the Academy a bit in the sense they graduate and become chunins instead of genins, and receive their headbands when they complete their first official mission as a genin. Kiba is 18 in the story, so he's technically legal, and Asuma is 29. Also, I'm changing up the clothing a bit. They wear their usual uniforms on missions and to school, but casually dress when not doing either.

R&R please and thank you! This is my first Naruto fic, so I hope I exceed expectations; enjoy!

I don't own Naruto.

I don't love him. And he definitely doesn't love me. Still, he semi-fills a gaping black hole inside of me. That place wants love, maybe even needs love.

But love is something I'm pretty sure doesn't exist.

Most of the Academy had gathered at the village gates to see him off. There were many sad smiles as Asuma prepared himself to leave for an unknown number of years, keeping a number of riots that had broken out under control with the Guardian Shinobi Twelve.

The boy watched Asuma slide the small backpack straps over his broad shoulders and take out a pack of cigarettes from his pocket, grabbing one and placing it between his lips. Asuma raised a hand to his forehead to block the bright summer sun as he looked at the small crowd of students and teachers before him. A small smile tugged at his lips as he lit his cigarette, and began to turn away, waving to everyone that had come to see him off. But for a split second, the boy's and Asuma's eyes locked for a moment that felt like an eternity.

But as Asuma began to depart, with every step, the boy could feel his heart throb with pain the farther Asuma was; each breath began to come shorter, and tears were being fought back while Asuma kept walking, still waving backwards to the depleting crowd of students that had come to see him off.

As Asuma became a dark speck on the pathway leaving Konoha, one student was left. One student was left with an aching heart and stinging eyes, wanting to never say goodbye to the man his heart begged for.

Another day was done as the final bell rang, signaling to teenagers throughout the school it was the beginning of the weekend.

Kiba Inuzuka quickly discarded his notebooks into his locker and slammed it shut, hoisting his pack over his shoulders and making his way down the cramped hallways. He pulled his hood up over his rich brown locks, covering the red clan tattoos on his face, as he sighed, exhausted from the day that never seemed to end.

"Hey! Inuzuka! Hold it," a voice called through the crowd. Kiba turned to watch as Shikamaru Nara and Naruto Uzumaki make their way towards him, Shikamaru's brown pineapple-like ponytail and Naruto's blond head sticking out in the sea of rain jackets and hoods. The weather had taken a turn for the worst this October in Konoha, rain blessing the village every day with its gloomy atmosphere.

"Hey guys, 'sup?" Kiba said casually, touching his tanned knuckles with both of theirs. The trio had been good friends since their first year at the Konoha Ninja Academy. They worked well together during exams and tests, their skills complementing each other perfectly, despite being placed in different squads for missions. Ever since they had met on the first day of the academy, they had developed a strong bond as best friends through their years. Making their way through the obnoxious crowds, they discussed the Substitution Jutsu that Iruka sensei had been lecturing about in class; well, more like Shikamaru told them what happened in class since Kiba decided to flirt viciously with the girls, and Naruto chose to take a 'power nap' as he called them. They laughed as they remembered a particularly shy girl Kiba had been passing notes to during the lecture, named Hinata.

"I swear Kiba, you've got to quit giving her notes saying they're from me!" Naruto shouted embarrassed, remembering the stare she gave Naruto at the end of class, followed by a mess of stutters, "She's so weird!"

Kiba and Shikamaru laughed loudly as they smacked a blushing Naruto on the back, remembering how the girl has almost passed out when Naruto has said 'hi' to her. The rain was pouring heavily outside as the trio began to make their way over to Shikamaru's house, drained from the long day.

Just as they stifled their laughter about Naruto, a loud, screeching voice rang out from behind them.

"Kiba! Wait up hot stuff!" Ino Yamanaka called through the pouring rain. The boys turned around to see her figure dashing quickly towards them, arms outstretched, and lips spread wide in a full grin.

"Better not slow down now, Kiba," Naruto snickered as they picked up the pace. Kiba began to walk quicker when Ino's arms wrapped around his neck as she leaped onto his back, sending them both toppling into the puddle before them.

Splash!

"Women," Shikamaru sighed, a slight smirk on his face as he shoved his hands into his pockets. Naruto began to laugh uncontrollably, his laughs almost turning silent as he watched Kiba push Ino off into the mud.

"Get off me Ino!" Kiba growled fiercely, his nostrils flaring as he was soaked to the bone, his sweater and school bag dripping wet. Kiba stood up quickly, shaking his hair back and forth to rid the excess water as he focused his slit pupils on the muddy blond at his feet. "Fuck, what do you want?" he grumbled, half tempted to kick mud in her face.

Ino quickly stood up, and proceeded to wring out her dripping hair as a small blush crossed over her pale cheeks.

"Well, I was going to ask you if you'd like to come to Asuma sensei's party tonight," she huffed, tying back her damp hair.

"Asuma? But I thought he was still traveling with those guardians or something," interrupted Naruto, scratching his cheek in confusion.

"Exactly, idiot, he's back finally after three years, so that's why there's a party in the first place," Ino snapped, her cobalt eyes piercing Naruto's with years of hatred. Naruto noticeably cringed at her glare, pulling his hood more over his face.

Kiba's cheeks began to burn as he heard Asuma's name. It had been so long since he'd laid eyes on the older man, so long since his heart fluttered when their eyes locked for only a second before his departure. The rain began to pound on their hoods as Kiba stood there, staring off into nothing as his mind lingered on the images it had saved of his old sensei.

"So, is it a date or not? Kiba?" Ino's voice began to filter into Kiba's head as she stuck her face into his hood, breaking his trance. His lip curled as her cloyingly sweet scent filled his nostrils, making him turn his head away quickly.

"I wouldn't be caught dead anywhere with you, Ino-pig," he spat, making his way over to Shikamaru and Naruto, indicating they should get going.

Ino bristled at his words, pressing her lips into a hard line as her face reddened with embarrassment. "You're such an asshole, dog-breath!" she yelled after Kiba as he made his way down the road.

"Not saying Ino's not a total drag or anything, but that was a little harsh man," Shikamaru commented as he and Naruto caught up to Kiba.

"I think she deserved it," Naruto muttered.

Kiba laughed at Naruto's words a bit, smirking as he turned his gaze to Shikamaru.

"What, you wanna hang out with Ino all night?" Kiba asked, grinning.

Shikamaru scoffed, "As if, she's almost as scary as my mom. But still, it might be nice to say hello to Asuma. It's been three years, and he was one of the only adults that I could stand."

"Well then let's go!" said Naruto excitedly, "might turn out to be fun, and maybe Sakura will show up!"

Kiba and Shikamaru both laughed at Naruto, knowing that even if Sakura was there she most likely would reject him again for the hundredth time.

"Give it up Naruto!" they both laughed in unison. Naruto's face turned bright red at their laughter as he smiled embarrassedly.

"Hey, I think I'm actually gonna head home for a bit before the party. I've gotta go clean out the kennels," Kiba lied.

"Oh, well alright. See you at Asuma's?" asked Shikamaru.

"Yeah, of course, see you guys later!" Kiba called as he turned right and began to jog towards his clan compound.

He's back!

Was all that rang through Kiba's head as he sprinted home, his feet pounding hard against the soaked earth, sandals drenched. His lungs burned as he sucked in the cold air, rain now slicking his tattooed cheeks as his feet quickly carried him home. It had been so long since his heart had beat with such excitement, so long since he had seen the smiling face of his sensei.

Picking up the pace, Kiba ran as fast as his feet could take him, weaving his way through the Inuzuka compound until he arrived home. Fumbling inside of his coat pockets, he pulled out his keys and jammed them into the lock, quickly turning the handle and made his way inside. The sound of rustling paper triggered Kiba's acute hearing and he looked down, only to see a letter by his feet from his mother, Tsume.

On a tracking mission with Hana. The kennels have been cleaned so keep them that way! See you in a week or so.

-Mom

Kiba snorted as he read the letter, noting the even through written words his mom still came across as a total hardass. The sound of clicking nails echoed through the house as Akamaru came bounding into view, his tongue lolling out as slobber coated his snout.

"Hey boy, miss me?" Kiba laughed as his faithful ninja dog raised his massive paws and placed them on his shoulders, coating the boys face in a mass of slobbery kisses. Kneeling down, Kiba opened up a large plastic container by the door and grabbed a treat, tossing it into the air and watched as Akamaru caught it, snapping his large jaws with glee.

"I'm heading upstairs, alright boy?" Kiba said, as he kicked off his soaked sandals and made his way upstairs to his room, a hot shower calling his name. He made his way up the flight of stairs and down the dark hallway until he reached the end of the hall and pushed open the door to his bedroom. It was sparsely furnished with a large bed, a bookcase, and a desk, large windows creating most of the light in the room. Over Kiba's desk was a collage of pictures of him and his friends, mostly boys from his year in school, and a few other girls that he could stand. Black curtains were drawn over the windows, forcing Kiba to flick on the light switch, bestowing a typical teenage boys room; clothes were strewn across the floor leaving it barely visible, as well as old junk food wrappers and ripped up papers.

Quickly closing the door, Kiba threw off his backpack and stripped out of his damp clothes and down to his boxers, tossing the articles of fabric in an already large heap on the floor. Making his way across the bedroom, Kiba hurried into his bathroom and began to run the shower. Steam began to billow from behind the glass shower door as Kiba yanked off his boxers and tossed them into the laundry hamper, catching sight of himself in the mirror.

Will Asuma even recognize me? It's been so long... Kiba pondered, lifting his hand gently to touch his headband, remembering the day when he received it after completing his first squad mission.

In three years Kiba had grown up so much; physically, mentally, and emotionally. He had lost the childish roundness on his face, and replaced it with sharply defined cheeks and a chiseled jaw. He was a fine, muscled machine now, built to excel in all physical aspects, his senses now greatly exceeding that of a normal human. His eyes were sharper, his nose keener, and his hearing perfectly honed.

And over the past years he had tried to date other girls, tried to get rid of what he thought were meaningless feelings towards Asuma, but it never worked. Every time a girl had tried to kiss him, he felt his heart ache with such ferocity, reminding him of the older ninja, and broke it off after a month or so. He knew that this 'crush' as he liked to call it, was something more than fleeting emotions, and had decided to wait despite the pain in his heart.

Untying the knot on his headband, Kiba slowly slid it off and traced his fingers down his cheeks, over his tattoos, imagining for a second Asuma doing the same thing. Kiba swallowed hard as his cheeks burned, his cock twitching as he closed his eyes and let his imagination drift for a minute, exhaling shakily as he regained control and exiled all sexual thoughts from his head. The young nin breathed hard as he looked in the mirror again, his eyes burning as his cheeks flared, muscles spasming with energy.

"God dammit, how does he do this! I haven't seen him in years!" Kiba hissed at himself as he turned towards the water flustered.

The water was scalding hot as Kiba stepped in and shut the glass door, steam caressing his frozen limbs as water began to cascade over his face, then toned arms, and down his strong back, over his muscled thighs and powerful calves. The rushing of liquid filled Kiba's ears, and proceeded to block out the fantasizing of his sensei, coaxing him into a relaxed state of bliss.

After what seemed like a half an hour of standing under the blisteringly hot water, Kiba decided to wash his hair and vigorously scrub his skin, wishing to not reek of wet dog at the party, and hoping he could scrub away the lust permeating his skin. After a thorough rinse, Kiba shut off the water and swung open the steam coated glass, a rush of cold air sweeping over his dripping tanned skin, causing goosebumps to erupt over his body. Snatching a towel, Kiba proceeded to dry off his damp body, rubbing the towel harshly over his wet locks before shaking the excess water out of his hair. Wrapping the towel around his waist, Kiba proceeded into his bedroom, trying to make up his mind about what to wear. Gnawing absentmindedly at his nails, Kiba paced the length of his room, his breathing quickening as he looked at the clock on his desk and realized he would be at the party in little over an hour. Attempting to not hyperventilate, Kiba flopped onto his cushy king sized bed and buried his face in a pillow, trying to slow down his breathing.

"God dammit, I am not scared of this! I'm Kiba Inuzuka for christ's sake!" Kiba shouted, and proceeded to snatch a pillow from off the bed and hurl it at the door. As it harmlessly landed on the floor, Kiba stood up and threw off his towel, marching straight to his closet stark naked. Within a matter of minutes he was dressed in black pants, a mesh undershirt and a black zip-up jacket, fully content as he looked at himself in the bathroom mirror again. Kiba gave a cocky smile to himself in the mirror as he tied the headband around his forehead, dark brown locks of hair sticking out at every angle. It was pointless to even try and manage this hair at this point, it was already deemed unmanageable by his mother and sister, and he knew it too.

As Kiba adjusted his headband a little higher on his forehead, the faint scent of cigarettes floated into his nostrils, causing him to turn his head towards the open bedroom window. The curtains billowed harmlessly with the breeze, the scent becoming stronger as Kiba began to pinpoint where it was emanating from, brow furrowed in concentration.

Just as he was about to find the exact location, someone began to bang loudly on the front door, causing Akamaru to go into a barking frenzy.

"I'm coming, dammit!" Kiba yelled, striding out of his room and down the hall, bounding down the flight of stairs with ease. They banged on the door again, this time much harder, making Akamaru bark much louder and Kiba much more aggravated.

"Be quiet!" Kiba snapped, the other dogs in the kennels now joining in with Akamaru. Wrenching open the door, Kiba saw a figure slouched in the doorway away from the rain, a cigarette in his mouth, dark eyes glimmering. He smiled and stood up straight, water trickling down his green jonin jacket as he took a deep pull of his cigarette and exhaled, smoke curling around his lips and nose.

"A-Asuma sensei! What're doing here?" Kiba blurted, taken aback that Asuma was right there in his doorway. His hands and forehead began to prickle with sweat as his heart pounded, Asuma's scent floating into his nose. Kiba inhaled deeply, the smells of smoke and rich spice lingering in his lungs as he swallowed hard and looked at the man before him. Every cell in Kiba's body was on fire as he absorbed every inch of Asuma, his body feeling as if it was being pulled by an invisible force into his sensei's atmosphere. It was as if unbreakable strings were contracting, yanking him closer to the Sarutobi. Kiba gripped the door hard to keep himself from doubling over, his lungs burning with Asuma's musk as he looked closer at the man before him. He was a few inches taller than Kiba, thought he was much more broad in the chest and shoulders. Asuma's pure black hair and beard had grown out much more since Kiba last saw him, and his tan had darkened by a shade or two, making his rich brown eyes gleam even brighter.

"Oh, hello Kiba," Asuma said, smiling, "I was in the neighborhood and figured that I'd stop by to say hello to your mother and tell her I was back."

"Her and Hana are actually out of the village on a mission right now. They might not be back for a week or so," Kiba managed to splutter. Asuma frowned slightly as he took another drag off of his cigarette and exhaled through his nose, simply shrugging his shoulders.

"Ah, well it's always nice to see a familiar face. You've really grown up though Kiba, you're getting pretty tall there," Asuma beamed, showing two rows of perfectly white teeth, making Kiba's heart pound harder against his ribs, the sound of rushing blood in his ears.

"Hah, a lot can happen in three years," Kiba laughed nervously, his cheeks burning furiously as he absentmindedly scratched his cheek, peering away. He cursed himself for saying something so stupid, and proceeded to look away like a complete dolt, his whole face now feeling hot.

"I know it may not be the best conditions for this," Asuma began, breaking the silence, "but would you like to go for a walk? You can fill me in on what's happened since I've been gone."

Kiba swallowed hard as his heart threatened to take flight, his palms sweating profusely as he grinned, and responded without hesitation.

"Sure, just let me get my keys."