I don't own Naruto


I whisper and you close your eyes. I speak and you turn away. If I scream, will you finally hear me beg you to hold me close to you,

promise you'll

never

let

go?

Why choose to walk away rather than stand your ground and fight for love?

Because real love finds you once, if you're

lucky.


The rain still hammered down upon the dying leaves that littered the pathways in the dense woods outside of Konoha as Kiba and Asuma treaded soundlessly, the gravel unstirred as they proceeded on their walk. Their breaths hung in the icy air as white puffs as the temperature continued to drop, night approaching quickly on their heels.

The two men had caught up quite a bit since they had started walking; Asuma relayed his many tales of the battles he had had with the Guardian Twelves, as well as stories of the people he had met and reconnected with. Kiba had listened in awe as Asuma passionately spoke of his accomplishments, proud of his duties. Kiba had spoken of finally coming of age, and being granted the honor of becoming the clan's new alpha to be. He spoke of his rigorous training, and how it had molded his new ambition to complete the academy as a Chunin and pursue the ranking of Jonin.

"So, you're sure you're ready to graduate this spring?" Asuma questioned skeptically, lighting up a cigarette and inhaling satisfiedly.

Kiba swallowed, caught off guard by his sensei. Of course he was ready to proceed with his life and graduate, but he wasn't sure if he was ready to leave everything behind. He wasn't sure if he was ready to leave Asuma behind. Would he see him everyday like at school? Would Asuma forget about him? After finally seeing Asuma after all these years, Kiba's heart had a firm grip on his head, and it was telling him not to let go just yet. There was a nagging protest bouncing around his skull as he pondered, wondering again if love did exist in his empty heart. Kiba grinned crookedly, and responded cockily, not wanting to come across as weak, or scared.

"Of course I'm excited, why wouldn't I be?" he laughed. Asuma laughed lightly along with Kiba, exhaling a large puff of smoke that hung in the cold October air.

"Make sure you're prepared for the worst Kiba. There are some missions you might receive in the future that may be more serious than what you'd like. The last thing you'd want to be is naive or cocky when your life may hang in the balance," Asuma replied seriously, looking sideways at Kiba.

The younger ninja blushed embarrassed, regretting his previous vain tone. He realized that he was an adult now, and that maybe he should take things more seriously, but Kiba knew he didn't want to sacrifice every scrap of happiness just for a mission. If love blessed Kiba by stumbling aimlessly into his life, should he let it keep ambling along past him, or grab it by the throat and squeeze its essence out for himself?

"I understand sensei. I just want to be able to enjoy every minute of my life, no matter how serious things may get," Kiba murmured, halting his steps and remaining in the middle of the path as Asuma wandered forward, Kiba's eyes trailing behind him. "Do you?"

Asuma stopped and turned to look at Kiba, taking a deep drag off his cigarette and exhaling through his nose, his lips pressed in a thoughtful line as the smoke curled around his handsome face. His eyes softened as he gazed at Kiba, and a small smile tugged at the corners of his lips. The older man made his way slowly towards Kiba, and placed a strong, calloused hand upon his shoulder as he stood before him, his eyes a mix of deep, powerful emotions. And for a moment, Kiba swore that he could see regret glinting in his tawny eyes. Kiba's brow furrowed as he pondered what Asuma could be thinking of, deeply curious and begging for him to open up. He wanted the part that Asuma refused to give.

"There are times in every ninja's life where he must sacrifice what he wants in order to bring peace to other's," Asuma echoed, his gaze wavering for a moment. Kiba could tell his question had stirred something deep inside Asuma as he watched the man frown slightly, obviously conflicted.

Kiba's heart thrummed in his chest like that of a hummingbird's wings, as he felt warmth spread throughout his body where Asuma's hand was placed. His cheeks flared as Asuma offered a sad smile, his scent radiating towards Kiba in a delicious cloud, enveloping the senses of the younger ninja implicitly. Kiba felt a stirring deep within, the feelings of admiration and crippling lust surfacing, making his cheeks ignite and his zipper tighten. The warmth was removed from Kiba's shoulder as Asuma withdrew his hand, and placed it in his jacket pocket before turning sideways to look at the dark sky, rain splattering his noble features. Kiba felt the breath leave his lungs as he gazed at the older man, his heart swelling with emotions he felt hard to control. Was it love? Was love standing right before him, practically rubbing his nose in it as he stared at the older man?

"I was like you when I was younger Kiba; stubborn, arrogant sometimes, a smart ass, and yet I was always excited to experience everyday and live. But when I got older, I quickly realized we must make many sacrifices despite the hurt," Asuma spoke, "and sometimes we have to let go of what we love," he added, barely above a whisper.

Kiba looked down at his feet, and then back at Asuma's face to see his sensei's knowing eyes piercing through his russet ones. He swallowed the lump in his throat, summoning as much courage as he possibly could before he stepped closer and spoke.

"I never want to let go," Kiba gently spoke, his voice quavering with emotion as he gazed at the older man, his eyes mirroring intense love and lust, almost animalistic in his gaze. His heart felt as if it was going to burst at the rate it was beating, his body radiating earnest feelings toward Asuma. Was this going to be the moment Kiba put it all on the table? Will he tell Asuma how much he had loved him, how much his heart had begged for him? Would there ever be the moment to tell him?

There was a pregnant pause as Asuma slightly parted his lips and looked down at the younger man, his eyes smoldering with an unknown emotion, cutting through Kiba's entire being. The young ninja's heart hammered against his ribs so loudly, he thought Asuma would be able to hear it, his ears filled with the sound of rushing blood as fire spread throughout his veins. Kiba's lungs were contracting with such speed and power, he thought they would burst, filled with Asuma's rich scent. The younger man swallowed dryly as he waited for Asuma to respond, hoping that he couldn't see through Kiba entirely, and that he wouldn't catch on to the crush until Kiba found the right time to say it.

Reaching into the pocket of his green Jonin jacket, Asuma pulled out another cigarette and lit it, raising his hand to touch Kiba's arm again.

"Try not to," Asuma breathed, smoke trickling out from his full lips and cascading over Kiba's face, filling his nose. Kiba's forehead and palms prickled with sweat as goosebumps erupted across his flesh, electricity coursing through Kiba's veins, igniting a fire deep in his belly. He felt as if he was in a chokehold, words impossible to form with his lips as if they were being strangled.

He felt his face flush deeply as he opened his mouth, attempting to form words. But as the grip on Kiba's throat felt as if it were lessening, a blinding flash swept across the shadowy sky, followed by a resounding boom of thunder. The thick clouds fell dark once again as the rain began to hammer down upon the yellowing leaves of the canopy above them, millions of rain droplets echoing through the woodland as the two men looked upwards and then back at each other.

"Fashionably late is acceptable, but I'm not sure how everyone would feel if I was extremely late to my own party," Asuma laughed, a smile spreading across his handsome face as he removed his hand from Kiba's shoulder again, and beckoned him to walk, "let's make our way over, shall we?"


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