Chapter Four
Naruko
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.
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She. She!
That's what everyone's seeing. With their eyes, with their posture, even vocalizing it. Living in the city meant trudging through folk; walking and driving down these roads, man it's intense game. Not bumping into anyone, that is. Can't forget the millions of gazes you meet, each telling a story. Some overall phrase transmitted through the eyes like beams of light. But now, Naruto feels fried to the core—to the bone.
To hell with it. Hell to anyone catcalling. He hates it because two days ago, he didn't feel the sting of anyone's attention.
So when Naruto waits for the crosswalk to signal green, some man decides to strike a conversation.
"Miss. Do you need help?"
Naruto glances at him because yeah, truthfully, he needs help. But this guy can't do anything about it, so Naruto scoffs. "No."
As if the 'no' shoots a bullet through the man, he stumbles slightly back. "Are you sure?" the man insisted.
Simply nodding, that's all Naruto's committing to.
"Listen lady – if you're lost, I'll help you."
And the man touches him. Grabs his arm and all. Naruto whips so fast, even his own vision's spinning. The term lady is a sharp knife reopening wounds. Not to mention, he told the guy no, and the fact this guy's now transgressing his personal space pissed him off to no end.
"Awh, shit, woman! What the—" cries the man, as Naruto's dragging him forward by the lapels.
"I'm not a lady. Not a woman."
Suddenly the guy gets sarcastic. "Sure you ain't."
"I'm telling not asking. Do you understand the meaning of no? I told you no." Naruto burns in the face.
"Calm down, ma'am. Wasn't trying to get your number," the man wheedles, assumes that Naruto's fending off all the beaux with the 'I'm not a woman' excuse. "Just thought you looked helpless."
Helpless. Lady. Almost sounded like the Neji from his dream—taunting. He's not…he's not—oh he'll show helpless lady, if that's what he wants. With a fist of wrath, Naruto clocks the man across the jaw with a free hand. It didn't do anything.
The man just shoves himself off and rubs the affected area.
As if Naruto poked him harshly. "Bitch," he breathes. "You're right, you're no lady." Shakes his head, and crosses the street.
So dumbfounded. So aghast. Naruto feels his eyes go wide, staring at his hands.
The hands he spent years—blood-stained, sweat-stained—years training. They're supposed to be iron mittens, knuckles made of mammoth bones, black-belt nerves and chi, phalanges and tendons attuned to meditated perfection. And now, the best he's pulling off is a…bitch slap? The nightmare's creeping into reality. Everyone flitting by, thinks he's glaring into his palms like they've got gangrene, or something fatal.
Cars zooming all around, sky's overcast, and he's cold. Crossing the street in late August, and he's cold. Kind of like Naruto's some ghost possessing a girl's body because everyone's so damned blind. And walking up to his apartment, with the most dread he's ever had in his whole life because he's not sure. He's hearing Neji's sly voice say that he should have at least picked an American name such as Cassandra, Jessica, Katie, or Mary. Some name that didn't sound like his own, some name that didn't pretend or mimic the Naruto that everyone once knew.
Kiba's jumping corner to corner. He's lighting candles, some are scented and some are just for show. Nervous didn't begin to cover the stretch of foreign emotions overtaking him. He's got to make it up to the girl. House should be spotless, at least, right? Plus women are damned sensitive with their noses, he wanted to make sure everything went swell.
"Shit. This is way too much time I've spent in front of a mirror," Kiba growls to himself.
But every second he's seeing Naruko's perfect rack flash through his imagination—and Kiba fights down the tempting image, because that's Naruto's cousin. Naruto's family. Right now he needs to focus on making things right. Although he's lying to himself if he could just pass up a beautiful woman like her. To at least try…
As if on cue, the keys are turning. The lock is twisting. She's here, really here.
So quickly, one last time, he fixes the collar of his plaid shirt, and goes to meet her. She looks pissed, but Kiba can't really see under her long splayed bangs. He notices right away she's carrying a duffel bag over her shoulder.
Quick to distract himself by her foul mood, Kiba's by her side, asking, "Let me help you with your stuff."
That's when she lifts her awestriking blue orbs. They're like laser beams of a wrathful Goddess. So he chokes out nervously, "Ah…had a rough night? I've got plenty remedies for those nasty hang overs. If ya need."
"You don't even know," she says.
"Trust me, I've seen some terrible—" Kiba wants to say 'shit', but he's got a charming audience. "Things," he finishes, weakly. Because Naruko's already turning away from him. She masterfully locks the doors, all three of them without any questions asked.
The sounds of the locks and the fact it's all Naruko's initiative, Kiba feels all heat rushing. In fact, he'd fantasized how she'd enter the crib, all shy and unsure. So for Naruko to do the complete opposite as she charges in, alpha female with no questions asked, Kiba releases nothing but a whuff of anxiety.
"Listen I uh…I want to apologize," Kiba starts out with a sheepish smile. "For uh, yesterday. We got off the wrong foot. Really didn't mean to make—" again 'shit' bubbled into his throat, "things more awkward."
"I don't care," was her response.
Damn it! Everyone knows what 'I don't care' means from a girl. Kiba's feeling his guts flip over. "So you don't want to forget about it and just start fresh?"
She's looking at him like he grew another head. "I said I didn't care, right? We're good."
"Oh. I just thought. Thought you didn't care about me or, or—never mind." He sees she's unraveling the straps of her duffel bag, and quickly he snatches it into his hands. "I'll help. Just tell me where to put it."
"Kiba…"
Was it her soft, musical voice saying his name, which sent shivers down his spine? Or that growl, warning him of her feisty fires? Kiba's own hoarse voice spills the air, "It's fine. So where do you want it?"
"Just chuck it out of the window, I'm ruined anyway," Naruko retorts.
Dumbfounded, it took several seconds for instinct to kick in. "No way. Tell me what's wrong."
"Tell you? How about I show you?"
The question paralyzed Kiba. "S-show me? Show me what?"
Lots of images flickered in his head. Was she's going to flash her rack at him again? Just the other day she had no problem bouncing around this room topless. Kiba swallowed thickly. Enraptured by her beauty like a blinding light, it's hard to look at her straight on, he's got to tilt his vision slightly off to the side.
Naruko closes the distance. She raises her right fist. "This."
Her dainty, rather tiny fist is blue and purple. Bruises. Kiba drops the bag in favor of holding the damaged hand.
"Who the—who did this?" he grates out, turning her hands gently to check for any more abuse. "Give me a name and I'll pay the asshole a visit."
She coughs. It's a cute bumble. Seemingly fine by his touch, Naruko responds flatly, "It was me. Thought I could handle it. Didn't think clocking someone's jaw would feel like a brick wall."
"You? You punched a girl?"
"What, are you crazy? I'd never hit a girl. Just some guy. Kept brown nosing, and I…I guess it was wrong time, wrong place, you know?"
"Oh I know," agrees Kiba, very content that she fended off potential predators. "I can teach you the proper way of how to throw a punch. So next time, you don't get so badly bruised."
Naruko yanks her hand away, as if burned. "I know how to fight," she growls, and it's getting hot in here. "I know how to kick some guy's ass. Obviously, I'm out of my game. Didn't sleep so well. Had a—had a long flight…I'm just stressed, is all."
She's pissed again because she swoops her duffel and storms into Naruto's bedroom. But Kiba's determined, and he chases after her without even aware how fast his feet pedal to keep up.
"I was going to do that," he calls out at her, stubbornly occupying the doorway. Afraid to step over the border. What if she wanted her space? The last thing he's going to do, is disrespect her personal space. She'll want a safe-haven, and Naruto's room…he's going to acknowledge it.
But then Naruko's slinging more demands. "The hell did you do with my room? It smells like the damned botanical gardens."
"You like?"
Kiba earns a beautifully blank stare, blue eyes blinking. Then she's lightly smiling, and trying to hide it too. "Dude it's kind of gay, don't you think?" she scoffs, unzipping her bag, "You back on pot or something? Because if you're tryin'ta hide the smell there's cheaper and better ways to do it."
"I…no I'm not," Kiba answers firmly, feeling his heart flutter. "Why, are you against it. Pot, I mean?"
"Come on man, we…I mean, come on. Of course not."
About to launch another question, Kiba stops short.
Naruko's bending over. She's dropped some clothes, and now scoops them up, reaching down low. In a pavlovian response he could not suppress, he fixates onto her bottom. How the denim jeans stretched taut, hugging perfect legs and rounded flesh mounds. Kiba sighs, feeling tightness in his chest. This was Naruto's cousin. His friend trusted him.
In the next second, Naruko casts a sharp glance his way. "Dude what the hell?"
As if she shot an arrow his way, Kiba stumbles back. He thinks he got caught staring, and flushes deeply crimson. In fact his whole face burns, and it's so unpleasant he's about to turn around and leave and—
"Earth to Kiba. Where are my—I mean…Naruto's clothes? Drawers are empty," she finally straightens up, and gives him a full glare.
"Oh…that."
"Yeah. What the hell else?"
And he thought all his chances were gone. Kiba smiles in triumph much to Naruko's confusion. "Packed all of Naruto's clothes into a garbage bag. Don't worry about it."
"Why the hell did you do that? Did you even ask me—I mean Naruto?"
"Standing orders was to get you settled and make you comfortable. Having a closet and dresser to yourself sounded like a good plan."
"Okay. Where's the garbage bag?"
Now, Kiba's confused. Why would she even be bothered with Naruto's clothes. "In a storage space downtown."
"You…you sent all of it in…"
"I rent a storage room every month. Naruto knows about it, so he'll be cool. When he gets back, I'll withdraw—"
She's shaking her pretty head furiously, before angrily stuffing the drawers with dresses, skirts, and tops. She's muttering curses, puffing out familiar phrases. She's pouting, with the upper trembling in unabashed vexation. She's so similar to Naruto, Kiba almost goes crazy with bewilderment. They must be genetically close, to share these predispositions. He holds back a laugh but not before being pinned with a stunning comment.
"I think Naruto didn't expect you to go out of your way," she remarks stiffly before taking off into the kitchen.
Of course Naruto didn't expect it because if Naruto expected anything, he'd know how much Kiba wants to bang her. But Naruto's too trusting, and naïve.
"I'm not going out of my way," he denies but no one's nearby to hear it.
When he enters the kitchen, he finds Naruko rummaging through the pantries like she owns the place. He has to admit, it's a little unsettling, but then seeing her brows slightly scrunch up, and the intensity behind her eyes—Kiba finds himself entranced, something about Naruko. She felt all too familiar. She's bursting with confidence, but not the arrogant kind, the kind that says, 'I own this meat-suit so deal with it'.
Naruko plucks out an instant noodles box. Naruto's favorite flavor, too. She's not really going to follow Naruto's footsteps, is she? But then, suddenly an idea strikes Kiba who unconsciously tightens his fists, restraining his enthusiasm. An epiphany. This. Is. Perfect. She's hungry. If she's anything like Naruto, which he'd been constantly reminded of, then he's already got a map to her heart. If she's like Naruto, then this will be an easy lay for him, because he knew everything Naruto liked, and the formula's quite simple!
"Wait, Naruko."
Fluidly, she comes to a pause. "Yeah?"
"It's practically your first day here, and I feel like we should go out to eat," Kiba explains smoothly.
A weird lop-sided grin overtakes her features. "Go out to eat, huh? Does sound special."
"I know some good places. Good, good places."
"Heh," Naruko's rolling her gaze around in thought. "Why not?"
Kiba steps closer, but keeps a safe distance. "It'll be on me, of course."
Her eyes go wide like she's seeing a ghost. "Let's do it," she whips out eagerly. Her arms waving imaginary pompoms, and he bets she'd make the hottest cheerleader ever. "Holy hell, Kiba sounds really good."
When Naruko sends him a smile, all kinds of bodily confusions sweep over him. A real genuine one. All the school girls he's ever dated mastered the fake, formal smiles. And Naruko's just raw light, beautiful and open.
But then Naruko cuts in with a, "But I gotta catch the new episode of Supernatural Hunters. We should go after. Only be a half an hour."
That's Naruto's favorite series. About two brothers fighting evil and monsters, and well it's pretty cool show, he's watched it with Naruto several times.
"You coming?"
"Actually, I need to use the bathroom."
Might as well clear his bowels so he can stuff himself over dinner.
"Oh cool, have a good one."
Kiba stops breathing. "What?" And then he remembers, it's what Naruto always says right before he goes to take a shit. Naruko must have picked up on that too. "Yeah. Yeah I will," he mutters.
This is crazy. As soon as he plops down the toilet, he breathes.
A phone goes off in the living room. Naruko's voice reaches his ear. "Hello? Yo Sasuke. Finally you call me back, bastard."
Kiba freezes. From his isolated experience in the bathroom, he could hear her through the thin walls. Not good. Hearing Sasuke's name, it's never good. It wasn't until Kiba grew to be Naruto's friend that Sasuke began some cold war with him. Ever since Kiba became Naruto's roommate for instance, Sasuke took the cold war to nuclear levels: the bastard's stole his girlfriends and humiliated him at school whenever possible. He didn't help matters though, he'd retaliate the bullshit right back and Sasuke was one vengeful asshole.
"Yeah, you left," she's biting out, "Yeah I know you got work. But I thought you'd stick around because of last night. Thought we were gonna make plans…"
As soon as Kiba rushes into the living room, Naruko glances at him appraisingly. She lifts her brows, questioning silently, 'you took a good shit'? Exactly like how his roommate would. It's too perfectly copied, and Kiba almost feels like he's with Naruto. Almost.
Especially as her high pitched, cute voice cuts in sharply, chiming into the microphone of her cellular, "Well I'm back at the crib with Kiba, so…the hell are you saying? Sasuke…no…no…I'm not coming back, no. I'm staying here."
Suddenly, Kiba feels his heart pound. Staring helplessly at Naruko's figure, as she's all sprawled on the couch—an impeccable portrait of comfortable and sweetly relaxed, with her long legs stretched out without care. Thick thighs enough to devour, lining into thin calves. A perfect curvature. And then there's her bare feet resting on the edge of the couch, twitching sporadically in obvious anxiety. Small feet, toes bare and innocent. There's nothing harsh about them, they're really dainty and soft looking. And it's fucking weird because Kiba doesn't have a foot fetish but he'll give her hour long foot massages just because every part of her is worth it.
As Naruko argues with the phone—with Sasuke—she tenses slightly. "I get that. I get you needed to get back to work, and that it's your last day before school starts. The hell do you take me for? Exactly, yes. Normal, that's what I want too. So here I am where I should be, and anyway, it's good 'cause Kiba and I are going out to eat."
That's when her jaw squares, and a dark cloud hovers over her brows. "Why wouldn't I say yes? Dude it's free food. Obviously if he offered." A long pause. "Sasuke…come on man, you got a problem with Kiba or something?"
That's it. Kiba presses forward, and stretches an arm out. "Naruko, give me the phone. Now."
She sits comfortably, lazily, looking at him with a daring expression.
So Kiba just snatches it out of her hands, and takes the phone. Words burn off his lips automatically, like God struck him with the right senses. "Yo, Sasuke."
Sasuke's voice shuts to an abrupt halt. "You."
"Yeah, me," he drawls out mockingly, and Naruko shoots him a glare. "What's up. Listen man, Naruko and I are already on the way to dinner, so it's a little late for complaints."
There's a long pause before Sasuke demands, "Where?"
"Corner of Kinokuyu and West Ninth. But you need reservations, and it's a couples only establishment."
The line clicks. Sasuke hung up. And Kiba grins, feeling his lips spread like a permanent branded mark. He's smiling at Naruko. Did Sasuke really think he was going to get away with stealing another girlfriend from him?
"Missed the best parts of the episode," she complains, almost moans.
Supernatural Hunters: the episode's done, and credits are rolling.
Kiba manages to make room to sit by Naruko's cute little feet. Wedges in between her legs, without much hassle. He wants to tell her how much he appreciates her comfortable nature, her hospitality. Then he reconsiders, and instead hands her back the cellphone. Better to look cool and sound mysterious, not reveal every thought or word he's got to say.
When he settles between her ankles, Kiba finally musters enough courage to ask, "So. Sasuke. You two…you two have something—something going on?"
"Just best friends, you know that."
Since when is any guy best friends with drop dead gorgeous blondes. "Yeah? I uh, wonder if Sasuke feels the same."
Naruko fumbles with the remote before shooting him a calculative look.
The intensity of her eyes sends Kiba almost stammering out, "So, you dressed? Because I'm ready."
"Course I'm dressed, don't you see that."
He's grateful that Naruko's not over-thinking girlish fantasies. Outfits, shoes, accessories, or make-up especially, not seeming to care for any of it. She's down to earth. Probably senses her outrageous beauty and realizes even if she's wearing rags, she'll be the most gorgeous woman around. Her skin's practically radiating with divine essence, and Kiba can't get enough of seeing it—he wants to touch her soft skin, caress her.
"Let's go," he urges, but he can't seem to get the energy to get up. He doesn't want to break free from contact, even if it's just her feet touching him.
Naruko groans, throwing her head back. "Yeah. Fine. I'll just look up the episode online later." After her whines, she snaps up, shifting into tripod position. "You driving, or me?"
"Me." It's almost offensive to suggest otherwise.
"Ya sure?"
"I'm sure. Let's go."
So they are actually, really walking together out of the apartment. They turn off all the lights behind them. Naruko isn't even double-taking, but god-to-honest casually walking with him. He's following after her enthusiastic speed however. Breaking out into the streets of the city, Kiba's right behind her. It's not her ass he's staring at, but her aura, her pull. Like they've known each other for years, and this date's a natural part of their lives. They're meant for each other.
Somehow, she recognizes his car before he can and waits beside it. Must have been the cocky, sudden know-it-all expression which set him off.
"Let's walk there," Kiba suggests, spreading his arms wide open.
As they stroll down several blocks, Kiba feels his hand gravitate to hers. Their hands swing in opposite yet parallel motions, almost touching. Grazing. Next thing he knows, he catches her hand in the moment, and holds it gently in his. The moment…it's unreal, almost can't believe it! He's holding her hand. Not the bruised one, but the good one. Chewing on cotton candy couldn't compare to the sweetness of this moment, except, except well—
Naruko whips her hand away from him. "What are you doing?" she asks. As if she's from another country and holding hands is against her religion.
"Nothing. Forget it."
It's not nothing. Naruko glows with suppressed concern. "Are you okay, man? I mean is there something you got to tell me?"
He should have kept the small talk going. Ask questions about her and Naruto, because that's safe. Safe topics, in which either party doesn't get hurt or offended. But instead Kiba's guts boil with this never ending spiral of curiosity. The smidgen of jealousy left unattended becomes a giant in the area.
"Last night, what happened?" he prods, and it feels awkward, even scary like holding a scalpel. Because he's burning to ask, what happened between you and Sasuke. But stops short.
She looks at him inquisitively, under her flaxen bangs. "Slept and ate. The usual nothing special."
They cross several blocks, quietly. But Kiba's mind shouts, flips, and cries. It's not until they get to the Café, waiting to be seated that he bursts with the dangerous questions.
"And you stayed with Sasuke the whole time." Is she going to deny or affirm?
Naruko shrugs. "Bastard locked me in his room the whole night, so…"
"What?" Lightning fury. Kiba bares his teeth, reels her close. "Where the hell was Naruto?"
Deep sorrow pierces her expression like a puncture wound; exactly what he feared. She furrows her brows and frowns. "Naruto was already gone," she says.
And now he's feeling a panic, an anger welling in his chest. Her confession and her piercing sadness—the combination implies Sasuke tried something. Sasuke fooled around, got his fill of her. The same trusted Sasuke who takes advantage of her the moment Naruto's gone. Scarcely, Kiba takes his seat across from Naruko at their table, because he almost swore he'd burn the chair, especially how he's sprouting horns and lava plumes.
The waitress hands him and her a menu, but his fists are shaking.
"Made it for the lunch special, nice," Naruko remarks. Frown's already turned upside down into a bright smile, almost enough to soothe.
Did Naruko fall for Sasuke's cold exterior, like the rest of them?
"Yo, have you tried this—looks good, but I don't know—"
She's pointing to something, and all he can really look at are her bruised knuckles. What if Sasuke's the reason? Then she gave him what's coming. "Yeah it's good," he dismisses, finally returning to the current reality.
"Alright. I'm good to order then."
He hopes Naruko didn't consent to anything. He doesn't want to share her, not with anyone. Not with Sasuke. And he's not letting Sasuke's irresistible, aloof, mysterious air contaminate Naruko's good soul. Look at the damage Sasuke's ill "bad-boy" charms has done to Sakura—he knows because Kiba's tried it with Sakura. Tried and failed because of how obsessed she is with Sasuke, even after all these years like Sasuke implanted a chip in her brain. The scary part is, there are others not just Sakura.
When the waitress comes round, she takes their menus and orders, before spinning away into the kitchen.
"Got a sour face on," Naruko teases.
Kiba forces a small smile. "Sorry."
"Just spit it out, dude. What's eating you?"
"It's…" damn it, this is not safe conversation. Getting into her pants isn't top priority anymore, but knowing the truth is. He wants to know. "Just you told me how Sasuke locked you into his room. And well, uh, I want to know if you guys…if he tried anything. You know."
Naruko's brows shoot to her hairline. "What? No. Hell, no, come on man. Sasuke and I are friends—"
"Yeah you said that. I just wanted to make sure."
"—and I don't even think I swing that way. Never thought about a guy…like that. Not that I'm against people who do or anything, but personally never myself, okay I'll shut up now."
At the words, Kiba loses control. The glass he's holding suddenly slips through his hands. Cold icy water spills everywhere, and pools on the table, even dripping onto his lap. His chest tightens, while his jaw loosens, mouth hanging agape.
"You're a lesbian?" That came out so wrong.
That's when Naruko, looking as shocked as he, blinks. "I uh…like girls. I—shit, I guess that does make me a lesbian."
Lesbian. It barely registers in his mind. Just that he's not letting Sasuke in this race.
"Something's wrong with you," mutters Naruko, wiping the table down. "All spacey and shit. Like I'm talking to a fun house mirror."
"S-sorry."
She stares at him pensively, before murmuring, "Geez, you're really bad. I already lost count on the sappy apologies. It's like I'm with a different Kiba."
"Listen Naruko," Kiba responds, flattening his palms on his side of the table. "I need you to promise me something."
"And what's that?"
That's when Kiba boldly reaches for her hand, clasping it. "Watch your back. Sasuke, he's just—he's just bad news, okay?"
Naruko snorts, "Thought you two made peace." Then she sees how serious his tone is. "Okay…so how exactly is Sasuke bad news?"
After a brief pause, Kiba opens his mouth to answer. However, someone else beats him to it.
"Go on, mutt. Enlighten us."
Shit, shit, shit. It's Sasuke. Looming up from behind, Sasuke glides over to Naruko's side. Kiba meets the stone cold slabs of his narrowed eyes—and in that second, they exchange their thoughts like warring countries firing missiles at one another. Even though Sasuke masterfully stationed by her, he doesn't break the daring eye-contest. Whoever looks away first, is the beta male in this. Whoever holds the gaze longest, is the alpha dog, and Kiba's no beta male.
Crazy, how just as thought of that, Sasuke momentarily breaks their gaze, and glances down. Sees Kiba's hand wrapped over Naruko's. That's when the icy shroud sharpens into deadly arrows, as Sasuke's unhappy expression flattens into barren arrest.
"Uchiha," he grinds out the name like its bitter dirt.
Oblivious to the tension, Naruko whips her hand away from Kiba. Instead, she claws at the hems of Sasuke's fancy shirt like a beautiful but petulant kid. "Come on. Sasuke. Hurry and order before you miss the special." She doesn't like being ignored. "Hey. Sit down, would you?"
"I'm not ordering anything," Sasuke quips, before he gets yanked down, and drops beside Naruko on the booth.
"You're not going to eat?"
"No. I need to talk with you. Outside."
They're sitting side by side, Naruko's blonde fluffy head just coming up to Sasuke's shoulder. And Kiba thinks, if only he had sat there, then Sasuke could never have gained access. Of course he never imagined Uchiha'd show up like the terminator, straight down to business. The mission is clear. It's so damn clear. Just by how close Uchiha gets with her. Just by the way Sasuke sharply cross examines him—he feels penetrated deeply—as if Kiba is some poor sap sitting down for an interview, as if he's got no right to be with her here.
But tension becomes so viscous, especially when Naruko dismisses Sasuke. "I'm starving. Food's about to come out and—man, can't you just say it here?"
The stoic, icy expression instantly melts into a piercing scowl. Briefly, Sasuke glances his way, and Kiba squares his jaw at the sudden eye contact. He's not letting Sasuke dominate this date. Alpha dog status belongs to him, and he's fighting down the urge to bite the guy's head off. He narrows his own eyes as a warning signal, similar to how rattle snakes quiver their tails before an attack. And if Sasuke doesn't get the message, he's going to fire off away, all defenses. Because Sasuke might have his way acting cold with women, manipulating clients, and subjugating strangers with charm—but Kiba, like Naruto, can blunt all of that with ardor and ferocity.
"Yeah." Kiba leans forward, grinning. "Say it here."
Sasuke refuses to look at him. Opts, rather, to lean closer to her, whispering into her ear. The gesture infuriates Kiba, who's sitting on edge, feeling on edge. Ready to lash out.
"But…can you maybe…maybe, just wait? Okay? Ten minutes," she says, fixing a pout designed to win any negotiation.
"Don't be an idiot."
He knew Sasuke emotionally picks on girls. He couldn't count the times he found girls crying in their middle school days. All because Sasuke recklessly slung rejections, and even how he'd wear a different girl every week on his sleeve, only to throw them aside like a worn out pair of shoes.
Kiba intervenes, "Seriously Uchiha? I swear if you start that with Naruko…I won't sit and watch. You hear?"
A flicker of shock overtakes Sasuke like a wave. "I won't sit and watch either," comes the smooth reply.
And next thing he's seeing, is just fucking unbelievable. Sasuke gets up masterfully grabbing ahold of Naruko's petite shoulder and manhandles her up and out of the restaurant. They leave so fast, and with such shrouded passion—everyone dining thinks it's some lovely romantic heat. Even Kiba's struck stupefied at the burst of energy. However, after the initial shock, he's storming after the most captivating couple totally enraged at how Uchiha could pull a maneuver such as that.
On his way out and after dropping forty bucks on the table, he sees Sasuke dragging Naruko down the street—making good distance. He wants to yell out or call Naruko's name, but it's too overboard. So Kiba sprints after them. And he's about to catch up until Sasuke sharply rounds the next corner, shoving her into a tucked away, discreet alley.
At once they disappear out of sight, and Kiba's about to follow and dive into that alley. But he stops short. He hears them exchange heated verbatim, and he freezes.
"Damn it Sasuke, what the fuck!"
"Exactly. I said stay at my house. Supposed to be getting rest. You…it's always the opposite with you."
"I got enough rest."
"So you go to Kiba? After what's happened? Next time think about coming to me first."
Hearing this, Kiba feels his knuckles whiten with blazing tension. The implications are endless…but ultimately, Sasuke is one controlling asshole.
Naruko's voice is strained. "You're really mad over this?"
"Mad." A word that sounded foreign on Sasuke's tongue. "No."
"Because man, I mean, you just leave for work without a word. So what am I supposed to do? Sit in your room, wait for you, get all fucking depressed and shit? You don't even have good cable! How was I going to watch my show?"
When Sasuke's silent, Naruko laments, "Okay, so. Well thanks for ruining my dinner I guess. I mean, since you impulsively decided you wanted to talk."
That's when Sasuke's cool and level tone counters. He simply drawls, "You really don't see it."
"What? See what?"
"I'm wasting my time…"
"Sasuke! What the hell am I not seeing?"
There's shuffling noises. Sounds of clothes being flapped around. Kiba assumes the worst: that Sasuke pinned her down. Adrenaline coursing in his veins, his surroundings blur into tunnel vision. As soon as Kiba darts into the alley, he sees the complete opposite. He sees Naruko fisting a tight grip over Sasuke's collar.
Both of them turn their heads Kiba's way.
"Kiba—" Naruko stammers out, with a guilty tone promising some explanation.
"Lost your way, mutt?" humors Sasuke, expression steeling into icy dismissiveness. "Better run back to the kennel, before animal control puts you down for derangement."
"You—you seriously better watch it. Unless…unless you want to spend a night together in the slammers, because I don't give a fuck! "
"Very frightening, but I've already got my rabies shot."
His nails dig into his palms, drawing blood. "How fucking low are you. Naruto's not here…so you just—what the hell, man?"
Sasuke raises a brow. "And you're a mutt in heat. So I don't need to ask the reason for your courting behaviors."
The bomb's dropped. He'll admit the bastard wields words like a katana, implants and slashes like a brain-ninja. Kiba's mouth collapses into a feral snarl. Not just in middle-school, but every year in high-school, Sasuke managed to humiliate him. Ever since he got close with Naruto, Sasuke has been one fucking cold bastard to him. What did Naruto see in Sasuke? What did Naruko see in him?
"Naruto's not here, but I am, and I won't stand for this shit."
Sasuke's dark gaze clouds over with confusion. "What are you talking about?" he asks lowly.
"I'm talking about your games, man," Kiba snaps like a band that's been stretched too far, "She's not buying your asshole-jerk personality, so you're actually becoming physically fucking abusive. Like purposefully grabbing her injured hand, so you can scare her into place."
As if shocked by a jolt, Sasuke releases her instantly. His clouded dark eyes flicker over Naruko's mottled, purple fist. At the sight, his lips thin into an unhappy frown—and demands an explanation from Naruko.
Instead, Naruko just stands there. Arms dangling weakly at her sides, and her hair's sticking to her face from sweaty anxiety. "Kiba man, I told you this was from a fight I got into earlier this morning," she explains.
As if torn in some dilemma, she swallows nervously when he and Sasuke drill demanding looks.
"Look, Kiba. Not sure how you got to that weird conclusion, but Sasuke's just looking out for me. And Sasuke uh," she slowly steps away, "you should probably go. Call after work, or something…I mean if there's any news."
Bells ring. Petals of triumph flutters around. Light somehow intensifies, shining down onto this alley. Kiba's breath hitches, her voice reverberating the words like a shotgun at the start of the race. Sasuke should go. He loves—loves—Naruko now for putting her foot down and standing up to the prick. In fact, Kiba smirks especially when Sasuke closes his eyes briefly in frustration, noticinh how tense Sasuke's neck stiffened. Lean muscles twitching like chords disturbed and vibrating.
"I give you two days," says Sasuke, frustration evident in its finest, miniscule form, as his eyes darken. "Two days before you're calling me for help. Good luck, moron."
Naruko energizes into surprise, breathing quickly. "But—but what did I do? I was just saying you should get back to work…I mean, hell." She pats her forehead like the confusion is giving her a headache. Until, that is, Uchiha brushes past her and walks into the street. Naruko pads after him, calling out, "Sasuke what—wait, where—okay, fine you bastard! Don't have lunch with me—thanks for ruining my day!"
City folk bustling all around sent ill looks her way. They probably think she's yelling after her broken up lover, who abandoned her; and if they knew Sasuke's reputation with women, they'd know that was exactly the case. However, Naruko didn't seem to notice or care. Instead, she's panting and cussing under her breath. Of course, Kiba glides over to her side and inspects her profile closely. When she's riled up, he feels déjà vu slam into him.
Where did he see this passion before?
"Hey, hey. Come on," Kiba prompts gently, bending his head down slightly to catch her gaze. "This is one of Sasuke's games. He obviously wants you to chase after him."
"Doesn't make sense," she pretty much sighs.
"Don't try to make sense out of it. What's important is you don't call him back, you hear?"
At that, she snaps up. "That's just ridiculous." Sadness dawns over her like a thick veil. Deep, deep sadness that couldn't possibly relate to this trivial moment in time. "As usual Sasuke gives me no credit. You saw that right? Two days, really. You know I can go longer than that. In fact, I don't need his damned help or his damned attitude."
Kiba bites his cheek, hard. Sasuke already had this woman wrapped around his finger like the others.
"You…you and Sasuke. You two know each other for more than a night, is that it?"
"Yeah. Of course," she scoffs in a matter-of-fact tone, "Apparently he's the reason I'm like this. The reason you're seeing me right now."
Lost. Utterly lost at what she means by. He guesses with dread, "You flew out here for this prick? Naruko…are you a lesbian because of him?"
He's heard of stories where a woman's heart was so broken by a man, she turned away from the entire gender. He's always heard of those types. But this is the first time he's met one.
"Yeah, you could say that," she confirms.
Groaning, Kiba plasters his face into clammy hands. This is bad. How low did Sasuke stoop this time? To screw around with Naruto's own cousin.
"But hey, two days. That's plenty of time. Got his little diary with me, with all his confessions in it," she murmurs with glee. "That should cheer me up while I find a way to get back."
Diary? Sasuke has a diary? He asks her, but Naruko spaces out. She really spaces out, as if falling into a dream with her eyes open. They walk back to the apartment, as she's stuck in some trance. Maybe a little too quiet because he feels unnerved by her sudden placated air, since she's so damned neutral. She's also swaying slightly like the part of her brain responsible for balance is on hiatus. Then he thinks, he's probably going to have to cook because they never ended up finishing their dinner.
Tonight, he'll give her his signature massage and help her get over Sasuke. He's helped other girls recover from the heart-break, but this is probably a severe case.
"Dude, did you check the mail recently? My class schedule's supposed to come in." Naruko unhappily shuffles through the letters in their mailbox. "Damn it. It's not in here. Now I gotta actually get on the internet and all."
Naruko isn't even looking at him, but at envelopes. Then suddenly he realizes what she's said. "What? Are you talking about Naruto's class schedule? Haven't seen it, no."
He follows her up the stairs and gears back into his thoughts.