Disclaimer: Naruto belongs to Masashi Kishimoto.
A/N: This is the sequel to Heart of the Wolf and is dedicated to those who wanted the story to continue. :)
Path of the Wolf
Chapter One: Early Present
It was late evening in the Hidden Leaf Village, a blanket of snow covering the ground and every structure. December meant shorter days. Darkness had long since taken over, chasing away all semblance of light. Villagers relied on dim street lamps to find their way around.
Hinata Hyuga, all bundled up (more than usual), raised her hand to knock on the wooden door she'd visited several times now. But, before she had a chance, the sound of a dog barking excitedly could be heard in the apartment complex. Then, she heard the muffled sound of a male voice and she smiled to herself.
Suddenly, the door opened and Hinata nearly got knocked over by Akamaru leaping out and jumping up to give her a dog-hug.
"Akamaru!" Kiba Inuzuka scolded him. "I told you to calm down."
Hinata giggled as the dog lovingly licked her face.
Kiba stepped forward and took the dog's big front paws off her shoulders. "Sorry about that, Hinata. You'd think I'd learn by now to lock Akamaru in my room when you were coming over."
"It's all right." Hinata patted the top of the panting dog's head. Puffs of white smoke seeped from his mouth.
"Come inside." Kiba motioned for her to enter. "It's cold out there."
Hinata followed Akamaru into the warm apartment. Kiba closed the door behind her and took her coat and scarf. Then, he buried his hands deep in his pants pockets and smiled a big toothy grin at her. Hinata smiled back.
They had been on the same team for a over a year now, Kiba even helping her become a Chunin, and dating for a little longer. They were quite comfortable with each other, but Hinata could tell something was going on with him. He was acting nervous around her for some reason.
Noticing some old clothes lying carelessly on the floor, Kiba quickly snatched them up. "Um.. let me take care of these and Akamaru. I'll be right back."
"Okay." Hinata watched as Kiba disappeared down the hall, practically dragging the big white dog along with him.
Hinata walked further into the living room, the only room in the apartment Kiba kept clean. He had moved out of the Inuzuka home when he turned eighteen, wanting to be on his own for a while. Making herself comfortable, she sat down on the big, bulky couch.
Kiba was back in an instant, taking a seat beside her. He pulled Hinata to him and she rested her head on his chest and let out a content sigh. It had become a habit of his to sit this way, but she didn't mind. Kiba's chest was more comfortable than any pillow she'd ever owned.
They sat in silence for a while, Hinata listening to the strong sound of Kiba's heartbeat under her ear.
"Hinata," he said her name and she looked up into his warm brown eyes. Kiba raised one of her hands to his lips and softly kissed the delicate place on her fingers all the way across.
For some reason she found it very hard to speak or even breathe for that matter.
"Your father won't mind you being over here this late, will he?"
"N-no." Hinata finally found her voice. When Kiba raised his eyebrow questioningly, she continued on, making sure not to stutter this time. "He's away on a diplomatic mission with Hanabi. They won't be back for a few weeks."
"Oh." Kiba squeezed her hand to his chest. He seemed sad, but Hinata didn't know why. "You'd think he'd ease up on traveling during the winter months."
"Yes," said Hinata. "but this is my father we're talking about." (Which meant that, no matter what the weather, the Hyuga clan came first and foremost.)
"True," Kiba agreed. "Guess that means he won't be here for your birthday tomorrow either."
Hinata sat straight up, feeling a tightness in her throat. "Why did you say "either"?"
A guilty look instantly appeared on Kiba's face. He had meant to tell her more delicately than this, but he flopped as usual.
He sat up in his seat. "The Hokage gave me an assignment today. Actually, me and Akamaru an assignment, to be exact. We are to retrieve a special document from the Land of Tea. She said it was important."
"Oh." Hinata looked down. "When are you two leaving?"
"Early tomorrow morning. That's why I wanted you to come over this evening."
"I see." Hinata couldn't hide a look of disappointment no matter how hard she tried.
Kiba groaned and pulled her into a tight hug. "Hinata, you're making me feel really bad about this."
"I don't mean to," Hinata said truthfully. "If the Hokage gives you an order, you must follow it. Every ninja knows that. I know that."
Kiba pulled back and gave her a hopeful look. "Because of the cold weather, I'll mainly be traveling in wolf form. That means Akamaru and I will be a lot faster. We could be back within a day or two."
Hinata shook her head. "I don't want you pushing yourself on my account, Kiba. I'd rather you be safe than anything else." She waved her hand nonchalantly, closed her eyes, and faked a smile. "It'll be all right."
Kiba grabbed her hand, causing her pale eyes to shoot open. "No, it won't," he said, looking at her solemnly.
Hinata sighed. Kiba saw right through her fake smile. She never could fool him with it. She never could fool anyone with it.
"Your father and sister won't be here, and now, neither will I. It's your eighteenth birthday, Hinata. What will you do? Shino has been spending more time with his own clan lately and Kurenai-sensei recently had her baby, so her hands are full."
Hinata thought about it for a second and smiled. "You're forgetting about Neji. If I can pry him away from Tenten for a few hours, I'll make him take me to a movie or something."
Kiba had been right about Neji and Tenten all along. He always thought they had a thing for each other and, obviously, they did. Of course it took some convincing on Neji's part. Tenten pretended to be interested in Lee and was even going to start dating him, until Neji found out about it. It was either break down and admit that he liked her or break Lee's face. Thankfully for Lee, he chose the former. Neji and Tenten were officially an item now.
"I'm sorry, Hinata, but that doesn't make me feel any better," Kiba admitted. "I just hope that me getting you something will make up for it in some small way."
Hinata's eyes lit up. "You got me a present?"
Kiba smiled at her. "Yeah. I was trying to find a place to hide it when you first got here. Akamaru nearly blew my cover."
Ah, Hinata thought to herself. So that's why he was acting so nervous before.
Kiba stood up and walked over to a plotted plant on the stand (a dead potted plant). It must've been a house warming gift from someone who didn't know him very well. He reached down through the wilted leaves and retrieved a small red box. He brushed the dirt off of it and turned around. "It's not much."
Hinata immediately stood up. "That's okay."
"I mean," Kiba walked over to her. "you deserve so much better than this. I'm almost embarrassed to give it to you."
"Kiba, if it's from you, I'll love it no matter what," Hinata reassured him.
This gave him the courage to hand it over. Hinata slowly took the lid off the red box. When she saw what was in it, she covered her mouth and gasped. Inside was a silver butterfly necklace with her birthstone lining the outer edges of its wings. He thought this wasn't good enough for her?
Kiba mistook her silence. "You can just tell me if you don't like it, Hinata. I'll understand."
"I don't like it." Hinata's voice was low.
Kiba closed his eyes and hung his head.
"I love it," Hinata said, then embraced Kiba in a hug.
His eyes flew open. "Uh.. are you sure?"
"Umm.. yes!"
Relief filled Kiba and he wrapped his arms around her, breathing in her sweet scent. She pulled back before he could really enjoy it.
Hinata removed the necklace from the box and looked at him expectantly. "Can you.."
Kiba already knew what she wanted. "Sure." He took the chain from her and she turned around, exposing her pale, slender neck to him. Kiba let out a shaky breath. Control yourself, he thought to himself, but his fingers wouldn't stop trembling. He was amazed that he got it around her with the clasp fastened.
Hinata turned back around, the butterfly necklace hanging between the low collar of her lavender sweater. "How does it look?"
Kiba was silent for a moment. Hinata looked up at him innocently. She really had no idea the effect she had on him, did she?
He snapped out of his daze. "You look beautiful."
Hinata smiled up at him. Then, the mood turned serious as he stepped forward, gazing intently into her eyes. Kiba cupped her chin, tilted it up, and leaned forward.
Their lips barely grazed each other and Hinata involuntarily shivered. His self control was unbelievable. She resisted the urge to press forward.. at least for a little while. Before she knew it, her arms snaked around Kiba's neck and she kissed him passionately.
Kiba's body stiffened. The reaction wasn't uncommon. Hinata knew that was her cue to stop what she was doing and took a step back.
All this time, their relationship had been at a standstill. Kiba still didn't trust himself around her. He was afraid he'd lose control and hurt her. Hinata never could understand it. She tried to convince him that he wouldn't harm her, that he wouldn't do that to someone he loved, but he never believed her. He'd only allow himself to get so close.
His head was tilted down and Hinata couldn't see his face. "I'm sorry, Kiba."
"Don't be," was his instant reply. He let out a shaky breath, then raised his head up to look at her, a forced smile on his face. "It was great."
Hinata put her hand to her mouth. "You say that, but do you mean it?"
"What?"
Hinata looked at the floor. "If you don't want me to kiss you just.. just say so."
"No, Hinata." Kiba shook his head. He lowered her hand from her mouth and her pale eyes looked up at him. "It's not that. God, it's not that at all. If you only knew what I'd like to do to you.." Kiba caught himself before he revealed too much. A slight blush appeared on his cheeks.
Hinata bit her lip, patiently waiting for him to finish.
"I mean.." Kiba continued. "It's me. Totally me. Whenever we get close, I feel something come over me and it scares me. I don't want to hurt you, Hinata. I couldn't live without you. I'm just still trying to control whatever this is, okay?"
When she remained silent, he asked her again. "Okay?"
Hinata's eyes lowered. "Okay."
Kiba could tell she was still indecisive. How could she think it was her? The thought was preposterous to him. Any guy would kill to be with her. He only wished he could convince her of that. He also wished he had more time to spend with her, but he had to rest up before his mission.
He tucked a loose strand of her hair behind her ear. "It's getting late. You should be going."
Hinata nodded her head. Kiba walked her to the door, where he helped her with her coat and scarf.
Before she opened the door, Kiba grabbed her wrist. "Oh.. there's one more thing."
She turned to look at him. Kiba pulled Hinata toward him and kissed her again. It was more forceful than before, which surprised her. The feel of his unrestrained lips made her feel lightheaded.
When he finished, Kiba put his forehead to hers and whispered, "I love you, Hinata."
"I love you too," she whispered back. Then, she turned and opened the door.
"I'll be back before you know it." Kiba's deep voice resonated behind her before Hinata stepped out into the night.
"I know," she said without turning around. Hinata closed the door behind her and headed for home. She had to leave before Kiba saw the tears welling up in her eyes. She was going to miss him more than he would ever know.
As she was walking, Hinata fingered the necklace around her neck. She was so lost in thought, she didn't notice a pair of pale eyes in the shadows watching her.
A/N: Amazing how fast a year goes by! Well, almost a year. Hope you guys stick with me through this story as well. I'll try make it even better than the first.