[Cheers for Chapter 3! I'm planning on wrapping this up soon, so please read and review. This story is about a boy/boy relationship, and I do not own Naruto.]
Kiba didn't seem to be in a hurry. He and Kankuro just walked slowly, side by side, through the village and up the mountain path to the summit. Akamaru seemed to know the path well and would run on ahead then stop and wait for his master to catch up. Kiba of course, wasn't quiet for a second.
"And then his huge sword came flying at us and Akamaru dodged it by like this much…" Kiba held his fingers a little bit apart. "But we still had him cornered, and without his weapon…"
Kankuro was amazed at how long-winded Kiba could be. Not that he minded. With Kiba, Kankuro wasn't bored or anxious. Time didn't seem to flow the same while listening to the dog ninja's voice. But then Kiba stopped.
Crap, I wasn't paying attention. What if he is waiting for a response? "Uh… so?" Kankuro tried.
"This part is a little steep. I'll take the rear. Just follow Akamaru." Kiba gestured to the path.
"Arf!" Akamaru agreed, starting the climb.
They were already high on the west side of the mountain. Kankuro couldn't see the Hokage monument anymore. The path split, one leading further on easily sloping upwards, the other one a seemingly lesser traveled trail that was much steeper.
"So where does that one go?" Kankuro wondered.
"Some caves; a safe place for non-combat ninja and villagers. It's pretty boring, really. And this late, you wouldn't be able to see anything anyway." Kiba prattled on.
Kankuro wasn't sure Kiba was supposed to be so carefree with such information, even if Suna was considered an ally of the Leaf. Kankuro had helped man an assault on the village during the Chunin Exams years before after all.
"And this trail?" Kankuro found it harder to talk as they hiked upwards. Kiba took his time answering.
"You'll see soon enough." Kiba replied simply. They trudged on for a few more minutes, the path becoming rockier.
"Oh!" Was all Kankuro could say. The trees thinned out and below them was a sea of glittering lights. They had made it to the top. The path leveled out and kept going on alongside the cliff edge towards some unknown place, but they had obviously made it to their destination. Kiba and Akamaru sat down on a large rock and just looked down.
"Its beautiful, isn't it?" Kiba said after a moment. The lights from the village were small glowing orbs amid a black blanket of forest.
"It's so quiet." Kankuro noted, as he joined Kiba on the ledge. It was true. No sound from the village could reach so high up, even though there were still people out on the streets that looked like slow moving ants.
"There are some buildings, watchtowers, higher up, but I like it here the best. Akamaru and I found it last year when we got this horribly boring mission to assist the guard with…" but again Kankuro lost focus.
We have mountains around Suna, but nothing like this.
"…so we told the guys to send them down. But of course they misunderstood and mixed them all together and then the scents got all jumbled and we couldn't figure out…" Kiba stopped again. "Oh. Sorry. Am I bothering you? I just tend to talk a lot… when I'm with… some people…"
"I don't mind." Kankuro said. Never tearing his gaze from the warm glow of lights far below them. "You sound nice."
Kiba didn't reply, and Kankuro realized how his comment might sound.
"Uh… I mean. You aren't bothering me…" Kankuro hurriedly corrected. He looked up to try and read Kiba's face.
"Thanks." Kiba smiled one of his big smiles, his cheeks a little pink.
They sat in silence for a little while.
^v^v^v^v^v^v^v^v^v^v^v^v^
"Arf! Arf!" Akamaru was fixated on the moon and barked softly up at it.
The village had grown a little darker and it was obviously very late. Kiba had been pointing out what each group of lights was, where the Inazuka compound could be found, and Kankuro's apartment building.
"So how about Hinata's?" Kankuro asked trying to sound off-hand.
"Over there." Kiba pointed after a second of searching.
There were still many lights on around a large house, but Kankuro couldn't make out any people. It had grown too dark.
"Her party might be over already. I hope it was okay that you weren't there."
Kiba shrugged it off. "Nah, its no big deal."
Kankuro wasn't convinced. He had enjoyed a great evening with Kiba, but he felt a little guilty for taking his friend's night. "If you say so."
Kiba didn't meet his eyes.
"What?" Kiba's cheeks flushed again. "Its really nothing."
"Okay." Kankuro gave Kiba a heartfelt smile. He didn't know how else to say thanks. Kiba just gave an undignified "humph" and pretended not to notice.
They shared another moment of comfortable silence.
"Arf?" The moon had disappeared behind a cloud. Akamaru sat by his master and put his head in Kiba's lap.
"Okay boy, I'll take you home." Kiba sighed, pushed Akamaru out of his lap and stood up. Kankuro followed.
^v^v^v^v^v^v^v^v^v^v^v^v^
Kankuro was getting cold. He hadn't noticed until they started back down the mountain, Akamaru leading the way, of course.
"You okay?" Kiba asked.
Kankuro just nodded, trying to ignore the small shivers that kept creeping up on him. I'm a ninja dang-it! Its colder here than in Suna, but its not even winter! What's wrong with me? The climb down should warm me up again in no time.
But it didn't. They had reached the village, but still had a short ways to go when Kankuro started chattering. He rubbed his hands together, trying to bring some warmth to his fingers. Why didn't I wear my hat, or think to bring a jacket?
"Here." Kiba pulled off his coat and handed it over.
"No, it's fine. We're nearly back anyway." Kankuro tried to refuse. Damn it Kiba.
Kiba didn't take it back, but kept it held out.
Kankuro took it and with numb fingers and tried to pull it on. "Brrr…."
Kiba helped Kankuro get his arms in, neither of them looking the other in the eye.
"Thanks man." Kankuro got out. He immediately felt much better, all chattering and shivers forgotten. The coat was still warm, and smelled nice.
They slowly walked up to Kankuro's apartment, still not looking at each other.
Why does this feel so awkward? Kankuro mused.
"Hey, I had a good time tonight." Kiba said swiftly. Kankuro had put the key in the lock and was about ready to go inside.
"Yeah. Me too." Kankuro replied, and all of the sudden Kiba hugged him. Kankuro was sort of frozen, not sure how to respond. He didn't hug back, but he wasn't exactly ready to be hugged, hands still on the doorknob and lock. Kiba held on briefly and then stepped back.
"I… uh… better get Akamaru back home. G'nite!" Kiba said and with that he turned and slowly started up the road.
"Uh… 'Nite!" Kankuro replied, a little late. What was that?
Kankuro went into his apartment. It was still bare, dark, and a little chilly but not nearly as cold as it was outside. He flipped on the lights and flopped onto the single bed tucked into the corner. He suddenly didn't dislike the apartment as much as he had earlier that day, remembering the glow of lights Kiba had said was where Kankuro was temporarily staying.
I had a good night. Kankuro rolled over, noticing again how nice Kiba's coat smelled. Kankuro abruptly sat up. Crap! I'm still wearing his coat! He looked down at the fur-lined coat sleeves for a second, and then bolted to the door. Kiba was already far out of sight. Damn it, Kiba!
[And that's it for this chapter. Kiba's such a gentleman. I'll try and finish the next part soon! Please review!]
