MizzAKA, I don't know if you've been awaiting this, but I read your previous comments, and felt horrible for leaving this alone for almost a year! I apologize!

I do not own nor claim to own Naruto.

Kiba's Point-of-View

That was the first time I dreamed of Shino in that manner…

I woke up to a low humming sound. Darkness owned my eyes after opening them. My alarm clock read 3:18. The bright green light agitated my eyes, squinting to accommodate my fresh vision.

"Shino?" It was a low grumble. I could not quite make it audible over the purr of the mattress. It was an old air mattress. The tape meant to seal the miniscule holes did not serve their purpose, a simple task of keeping the participant comfortable, of preventing any air from breaching the mattress. My façade of being a cold asshole was doing the same thing. It ensued not in consolation. It ensued not in that of which I desired, allowing my emotions to be revealed, if only slightly, and if only those close to me, Hana, Shino..Hinata? Last night was a catastrophe. Never have I allowed myself to be seen in such a light. Hana has on multiple occasions seen me in such a state, but being my elder sister, that is inevitable. However, Shino and Hinata have never seen me act the role of jester, and for Shino, never in such a vulnerable circumstance, the events that only had just taken place a few hours ago before drifting off to that wondrous dream.

And never have I seen myself like that… horny?

I tried again clearing my throat, "Shino..?"

"Kiba? You awake? Sorry about the noise. I was practically on the floor. Needed to refill the mattress." I could see his figure getting closer crawling on the floor.

His scent was strong. My mind transitioned to my dream, and for some reason unbeknownst to me, my breath hitched.

"Kiba?" His voiced was the softest of whispers, perfectly audible, and perfectly sensual no matter how unintentional.

"Shino…" My stomach sank. Butterflies raged. It began to hurt. I sat up slowly, "If you want, you can sleep here. I'll go to the couch in the living room."

"No. You don't have to do that. I'll be fine." I gazed at him, having already adjusted to the beams of moonlight breaking into the room through the cracks of the moving window shade. The air wafted into my room. It was cool for a morning in July. It hit me. My arms. Back. Shoulder. Neck… My hairs quickly stood up. My arms tingled.

"Shino… Do you remember when we were younger… Your nightmares? Shion-sama?" I treaded on thin ice. I did not want to hurt him by bringing up painful memories.

"Yeah." Solemn.

"You used to lay down with me after Ma' would set you back to sleep. Why would you ask to sleep with me?"

There was a pause. My dream: silence. It was uncomfortable, but I could tell he felt obligated to answer, "I don't know. It was comfortable sleeping with you. I felt safe. Like.. as if he couldn't hurt me anymore…"

"I'm sorry, Shino, for asking… I just... Come here, Shino," I demanded softly, patting next to me on the bed. "Get the bag first."

He did I as I asked. I shifted my weight and began to breathe with rasp.

"Look in it." I could not meet his eyes. I glared at the moon. Hmph..! Yes, Kiba, it is all the moon's doing.

He opened it, first pulling out the papier-mâché. He stopped after grabbing it, but he did not pull it out. I think he was trying to determine what it was, but thankfully the plastic covering was preventing him from doing so. He pulled it out.

"What is it? I can't really see it."

I took it from him, and popped it open. I grabbed his hand, placing it into his calloused grasp. He squeezed it.

"Kiba? Is this one of Hana's gags?" He dropped it onto the bed after realizing what he was holding.

I continued out the cracks between the shades, knowing full well what I was about to utter might my friendship with the man I love. "Shino… I'm gay…"

He stiffened and refused to move, languid but faultless. I reached for the window shades, opening them to let more light in, to see his face, my beloved. My eyes first caught his knee and then his boxers that slipped down his thigh due to his position. His stomach was inhaling and exhaling in an unsettled approach. Pale. His collar bone was visible, the moonlight emphasizing his body with more shadow, such strong contrast. His jaw was tight and unwavering.

"Shino, you are my best friend, and I care a great deal about you… Please don't hate me, but my affection for you as a friend has gradually matured into stronger feelings. Hana made me admit it to myself only two days ago. Shino, please don't hate me... I think I love you. More than the mundane love that we have expressed for one another… more than the love of two friends. Shino.. I'm sorry that I've let it come to this." I tried to be as forward as possible, without seeming desperate, but I immediately knew it was lost. He was shaking his head slowly, staring at the bed. I could figure his thoughts by his body language. He was unconsciously telling me no. His body was moving as if he had just learned a loved one has passed away, disbelief, the refusal of the inevitable truth.

"No…" he muttered continuing to shake his head, "No.."

"No. No. No. No. No." He began to shake his head faster and clasped his hair slowly.

"Shino..?" I reached out for him.

"How? How could you turn out like this? How did I not know…? Kiba…? Please, no… How could you be one of those people?" He backed a bit away from me.

"Shino…?" My eyes began to water. "Shino, how? Really? How! Nothing's changed. I don't expect you to return my feelings. I don't. I really don't, but why would you say that? Those people? Gay? You don't get it!"

He stood up quickly after I reached for him again, "Then tell me! Tell me what I don't get!" He voice had escalated to a clearly perceptible tone filled with anger.

"Five minutes ago, you wouldn't have thought twice of me touching you? So what? I tell you I'm in love with you and now I'm disgusting…? Shino.. please.. just sit down.. and don't speak so loudly.. Hana will awaken." He rejected me, crossing his arms as if I were staring at him with eyes of lust. My eyes, I know, displayed angst. "I'm not gay, Shino… or maybe I am..? I don't know, but to me it doesn't matter. I've.. I've only ever looked at you. No one else. Ever. Never have I been attracted to a woman. Nor a man. No one.. only you… I don't know how to explain it other than that. I have always cared for you in a way I know I should never have allowed me self to feel, but you, Shino, you are my best friend. I don't know anyone else who would be more perfect to create these feelings of content and anxiety, both at the same time, in my heart. So, I ask you to accept my feelings. You don't have to return them in any way, just acknowledge them and don't let our relationship change…"

His body relaxed slightly. I in turn stiffened, bringing my knees to my chest, cowering in my own dismay.

"Kiba… I love you. I know that, and I can say it with confidence. But.. in no way, shape, or form in the way you claim to love m-"

"-that's what I mean…"

"What..?" He sat back down, placing his hand gently on my feet, fidgeting with my toes to try to give me any form of comfort he could.

"That I claim I love you… I don't claim it. Well, I do, but the way you said it…" I looked up at him, tears having broken the barrier I vowed never to allow to break.

"I'm sorry, Kiba, but I can't love you in the same way that you love me," he stated reaching for my face with the hand that was fiddling with my toes. I shifted and fell into him. He held me for the longest of seconds, giving me what I needed, if only this once.

I glanced up, lips quivering, eyes still flowing my feelings, the tape being completely torn away. "Shino, once..?"

"Once?" he asked puzzled.

"Kiss me?"

Pause.

"Once…?"

My head shook yes.

And it happened…

The most glorious event.

The most unforgettable event.

It surged through my body. I felt it. Everywhere. I could feel my hairs stand straight. The goose-bumps harden. My toes curl. My fingers clasp into his back.

Our lips met more than once. Air only acting as an arbitrator between the touch of our lips. I felt chapped lips and tasted sweet tongue, but it was still perfect, as perfect as it could get.

He flipped me over onto my back and continued his assault on my lips, touching my body, straddling my hips.

It was Heaven.

Bliss.

But as quickly as it began, it stopped, realizing what he was doing, contradicting himself.

I was flustered, left in a daze. I missed his body so close to me, his heat, but to object was something I could not do. He obliged to my request, and then sum. But still…

"Kiba.. I…" He put his face in his hands, leaning back against his heels.

"Please don't hate me… Shino.. I said once… and you don't have to again… but again I say once…"

He removed his face from his hands and fixed his eyes in my direction waiting for me to finish.

"I'm sure I'm not ready, and I know it will ruin us, but once… sleep with me… Once… Only once… and I'll never… I'll let my feelings go. If you want, I won't speak to you afterwards. I'll forget the past. Just please, satisfy my greed for you. I beg you..."

"Kiba..!" He was stone.

"I'm sorry," I said with obvious agony in my voice as I was about to hurt my best friend. I leaned forward, pushing him down gently onto the bed. His body did not reject my hand, instead falling down into my bed.

I stared into his eyes for any glint of acceptance. I found finding favor in his flustered eyes near infeasible.

I attacked anyway, knowing full well what I was doing, accepting the reality that what I was doing might devastate my friendship.

I promised once, and to keep my promise will be my heart. The alteration and extension of my promise…

That is different.

I promise.

Shino, you will welcome atonement.

I will give you what you need.

Just bestow upon me the answers to my prayers.

Just this once.

I promise

Just this once…

Shall I kiss the rugged terrain that composes the mastery of your lips.

I love you…

Please, tell me what you think, loves!