Disclaimer: I do not own, nor do I intend to own the source of Naruto.
Comment: This piece was inspired by Sly Omi of user TheArchives in his piece Animal Instincts, Chapter 10: Denial. I felt like I had to expand upon the topic to include a little different sort of reasoning many people are locked to follow.
Kiba stared at the ceiling with the flattest state of nothing on his face, a visible expression he had lately gotten to using far too often.
"What?" he accused as I glared at him as best I can. It was enough for someone even as dense as him to get the idea. I growled to enhance my point.
"Then leave. All your barking and growling is going nowhere with me. I'll be done arguing with myself in a little bit."
I got up and jumped off the bed making sure to discomfort my partner in the process. I was so fed up with his denial I was looking for an excuse to bite off his leg. Why were humans so stubborn? There are times when they're worse than cats. Albeit this whole problem was over a fox, which is close to a cat, but it was still a long way from sane. I resolved to wrapping myself up on the floor in front of the door, watching Kiba at a distance.
I felt his pain, I really did, but you can only argue with yourself so many times over the same issue. Family meant a lot to Kiba, and being a disappointment to family was lethal in his situation. We both grew up with high standards, some of which we both seemed alienated from. If our mother or sister found out that Kiba had been spending close time with another guy, bad things would happen for all of us.
A long and heavy sigh emanated from the bed as Kiba slowly got up and rubbed his eyes. My ears perked up as he pulled himself back to this world once again. I was hopeful, I wanted my Kiba to be happy, even if it meant going against family. There is no bond more important than the one holding yourself together. I was hoping that Kiba had finally realized that.
He noticed my reaction, and, just like last time, scratched me in that sweet spot behind my ears.
"Sorry Akamaru. I know you probably hate me for it, but something is holding me back. I just wish I knew what it was."
I didn't hate him, and as much as I wanted to rip him apart into sensibility, his eyes showed enough grief and confusion to have me ally with his decision. I knew what his real bind was. It was his word, his vow. He is the last Alpha in his family, the only thing holding them all together. If he broke any part of that, he would never forgive himself for the lives he would destroy...even if it meant that path would result in his own destruction.
I admired his dedication, it was one of his better qualities. Now if I could just find a way to break it, things would turn out better. Unlike most every human, my sense of judgment has never been wrong.
