[[revised and rewritten, the plot stays but I hope it's better delivered now, aha. My utmost thanks to Sleyman, I shall forever take into account your review. For this revised story and for my future stories. Haha. Thank you.]]
I've noticed there's only a few KibaxIno fanfics aaand so I've decide to write one for them. I have finished the first chapter a long time ago. I just failed to upload it because I have to prioritize my studies. Anyway, Have fun and enjoy the first chapter! Here you go!
Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto.
Hidden Feelings
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CHAPTER 1: Signs
10 years have passed. And yet, I still don't know how to tell her what I feel towards her. I don't want to. No, I can't. She likes someone else. Well, at least the weather's not taking part in my miserable and conflicted emotions. Damn, these hormones. The sun was out and on its way to set. It was quite a good day actually. It's kind of awkward not to have Akamaru around though. "Hey, Kiba!" As I turned, I saw her. The girl who I have been crushing on way back our academy days. Talk about love at first sight, kind of mushy indeed.
"Oh, hey, Ino." Yes, it is Yamanaka Ino, the daughter of Yamanaka Inoichi.
She flashed a smile towards my direction, the kind of smile that made the angels sing and the birds tweet in glee. That single smile which was more than enough to make my day. "Wait a minute… where's Akamaru? It's odd not seeing the two of you together."
So, she noticed. "Akamaru…got injured from our last mission," it was hard for me to admit, since I was the one to blame, "What are the flowers for?" She was carrying with her white lilies.
"Oh, I'm going to visit Asuma-sensei's grave, wanna come?" I saw the sorrow in her eyes despite the forced smile which formed in her lips. I knew how hard it was for her to move on, to accept that her teacher has passed away.
I nodded, "Yeah, sure."
"Great!"
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As soon as we got to Asuma-sensei's grave, she knelt and gently placed the flowers in front of it. There was silence, only the rustle of the leaves made sound. Until she started to speak,
"Asuma-sensei, he was a very great teacher. He was like family to us. No one expected this to happen. When I left the battle ground, he was still up and fighting. Then, I got the news that he died in the battle…" I was taken aback when tears fell from her eyes. Only then, only then did I saw her cry. Can you blame me? My whole life I've seen Ino to be the strong-willed girl who feared nothing. But there she was, sobbing like a little child. Every drop of tear tore me apart. If only I can lift the burden from her and carry it myself.
I wanted to hug her and whisper softly in her ears, 'don't worry, everything will be fine, I'm here for you. I always will be. 'But I am just a friend, I had no right to do that. I had boundaries. I awkwardly took out my handkerchief and gave it to her. "It's all right. I'm sure that he's in a better place now. So don't cry anymore, okay?" She sniffed once and then looked up to me. The tears made her eye glisten under the setting sun. Damn, she's so beautiful. But I shook the thought out of my head, relieved then to see that she has stopped crying.
After an awkward silence, I gathered up the courage to ask, "Uhm, hey, do you want to eat ramen? My treat."
"Like a date?" Ino asked. She was more cheered up now.
Wait, what did she say? A date? My face turned red all of the sudden and I replied, "Well, it's.. up… to… you…," the words gradually losing their audibility. Why, why am I always like this when I'm with her? The cocky attitude gone, the defensive insults and retorts supposedly embedded in my vocabulary flying right out of the window. Maybe she's a sorceress, and she placed a spell on me. Ugh, of course not. Damn you Ino and your cute little smiles.
"What? I barely heard you."
"Heard what?"
She furrowed her eyebrows, "Yeah, okay let's eat. Looks like you could use some food."
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At the ramen stand
"Kiba,"
"Yes?"
"I'm really glad Sakura-chan found happiness, you know, true love and all that. But I also feel sorry…"
"For who? Sakura? Why?"
"No, for me…"
"How come?"
She placed the spoon down, pausing for a moment, "because she won Sasuke over. Which means, I was left behind while they're all lovey-dovey and happy. I mean, when will I ever find the one for me?"
It was a rhetorical question, but I was such a dork to not have realized that sooner and the words came flowing from my mouth before I could even stop them, "Well, don't feel sorry. Somewhere out there, I know that the right man will come and rescue you from your pain. Someone to make you realize why things didn't work out before."
At first, she was speechless, she just stared at me. I could see it in my peripheral, but I'm much too embarrassed now to look at her so I shut my eyes and chowed down my ramen. "Thanks, Kiba. Thanks for everything."
I offered to take her home and she agreed. It was now night time, it's much safer if I came along with her. Not that she needs protecting, she was a great kunoichi. But this is my chance, and I do not tend to let it slip.
A couple of steps from her house, my heart suddenly started beating loud and fast. I tried to shhh it in my mind but to no avail. And before I make a mess of myself more, I uttered, "Well, I guess, I have to go then."
"Good night, Kiba… and thanks again."
"Good night too…" I quickly turned and walked away as fast as I could. I swear, oh god I swear, she could hear my heartbeat. Idiot, that was my chance and I failed.
Again.
How many times has it had been now? How many?
Idiot.
Idiot.
Idiot.
I'm such an idiot. Ugh.
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On my way home, I continued to curse myself inwardly. But nevertheless, I cannot stop myself from smiling.
"Oi, Kiba, what's with that ridiculous smile on your face? It's like you won some contest or something." Hana teased.
"It's nothing, stop overthinking things. Night!" And I hurriedly went up to my room.
Won some contest? Heck, whatever the prize is, it can never compare to this day.
Yieeee~
Kiba, Ino, not a very bad pairing don't you think?
Aww... I want to eat ramen too. this story made me hungry.. :'(
Well, that's for the 1st Chapter! :) Thank you for reading!