狐と犬 キバナル

Author's Note: I've been gone for awhile, I know. I apologize.
This chapter is even shorter than the last, and I hate myself for posting it without the next part, but I don't have time to finish this before my vacation I'll be taking soon.

Disclaimer: If you think I own Naruto, you're stupid.

Warning: YAOI; LANGUAGE.

Chapter 04

"Shikamaru's earring," Kiba stated.

Naruto's eyes grew large. Another gust of wind blew through the tree. Leaves brushed up against each other, creating the only sound audible. The silence continued for awhile.

More rustling in the tree above stirred the bowels of both Kiba and Naruto, and from the tree decended Shikamaru. He landed lightly aside Hinata. The other boys—and dog—were still distanced towards the edge of shadow. All eyes were on Shikamaru as he sighed and thought about the situation at hand. He waited for someone to break the silence.

Naruto's eyes were of dread—wide and coupled with an open mouth. But then they squinted and outrage shone through. He gritted his teeth. "How long have you been up there?"

Shikamaru put a hand behind his head. "Well, let's just say I heard it all. . . ."

Kiba found rage inside his stomach, as well. He squeezed the earring in a closed fist, making his knuckles white. "Why couldn't I smell you?"

"I donno, man; it's kinda windy today. That's probably got something to do with it."

Hinata only watched the situation. Sensing the impending fight, she hurried to get away from the tree. Out of its shade, she watched the boys.

Akamaru growled, growing aggression towards the previously unseen, unheard, unknown.

Naruto turned to Kiba, and their eyes met. Under typical circumstances, many emotions would have came over the boys in that moment, but anger pushed all that aside. They stared at each other, Naruto seemingly seeking affirmation, and then nodding. Kiba put the earring in his pocket, and then they turned back to Shikamaru.

Naruto leaned into his steps as he ran towards Shikamaru. Kiba (and Akamaru) did the same. The blond formed his trademark seal and two clones appeared, while Kiba only ran. Shikamaru sighed.

Akamaru ran ahead of the group, gaining speed. They closed in on Shikamaru, who put his arms up to block the inevitable. The dog lunged at Shika, clamping down on his forearm—an action which drew blood, then Shika threw his arm down, trying to shake the dog off. While he was distracted, Kiba continued with the next assault. In an instant Kiba had turned his back to Shika, then turned again and jumped. Becoming almost horizontal, he launched the Tornado Kick at Shika's head, yet the boy ducked in time for the kick to sail over him. After a final shake, Akamaru was thrown to the side, but the boyfriends' wrath would continue. The first of three Narutos approached from the side and attempted a sweep kick on Shika—yet another kick headed straight for his head. Now that both Shika's arms were free, he could block the kick easily. He braced one arm with the other and absorbed the impact appropriately. Knowing he would be attacked again soon, Shikamaru jumped backwards. He formed the hand seal before his feet touched the ground, and he landed at the edge of the tree's shade. The Narutos, Kiba, and Akamaru were bolting towards Shika, but then they halted. Shika's jutsu was successful.

"Well, that was stupid," Shikamaru stated. "Why did you do that?" He laughed before he continued. "Especially in a big, shaded area. . . ."

"I figured you'd run and tell, so I had to beat some sense into you!" Naruto exclaimed.

Shikamaru chuckled. "You really outta think shit out more, man. Do you really think I'd be the one to go around and tell everyone something like this? That would all be—"

"Too troublesome?" Kiba asked.

"Yeah. Now, what I could do now is go around and tell everyone anyway. Attacking someone—especially without a good reason—will piss them off. And what's better than a little passive vengeance?"

Naruto growled. "Shikamaru, you better fuckin' not. I swear, if I could move right now . . ."

"But you can't. Can we just talk for a minute. . . ?"

"Fine."

"Good. I've known both you guys since a long ass time ago, and I am surprised that you're . . . together . . . now. But that doesn't mean I'm gonna go around town and tell everyone about it. I could, but would I? I don't think so. Now, if I had been almost anyone else, it would've made more sense to attack. And I would tell you to think before you act, but I know that's a lost cause. . . .

"So when I release you guys, I'm just gonna walk away. But here's the thing. If you guys decide to attack me again when I let you go, I will tell everyone what I just heard. Are we clear?"

"Fine."

Hinata noticed a figure walking towards the tree in the distance. "Hey, someone's coming."

Shikamaru sighed and released the jutsu. He looked out to the figure. "Looks like Choji."

Naruto said, "What, is it Everyone Goes to Me and Kiba's Tree Day?"

"I didn't invite him, man," Shikamaru said, and then walked back to the tree trunk and sat down.

"What's up, guys?" Choji said as he threw more chips in his mouth. Crunch crunch crunch.

Shikamaru almost studdered. "We're just hanging out, man."

"Oh yeah? I thought I saw you guys all fighting when I started walking down here. . . ."

"We were just sparring."

"And why is one of your earrings not in?"

"Because Kiba wanted to see it." He looked over to the Inuzuka. "I just got these new ones. They're studs instead of hoops. They have these fake diamonds that make 'em all shiny. They fall completely out all the time, but I still wear 'em anyway. "

Choji threw more chips in. Crunch, crunch, crunch. "Oh yeah? And why—"

Kiba interrupted him. "Why are you asking so many fucking questions?"

"Jeez, man, no need to get all defensive!"

Kiba tightened his fists, whitening his knuckles again. He tried to steady himself.

Choji looked back to the Nara. "I actually came down here because we were gonna hang out today. Maybe you forgot."

"Nah, man, I thought that was gonna be later. I guess we could go somewhere now if you wanted to."

Naruto said, "Shikamaru actually wants to go do something? That's new."

"Shut up, Uzumaki. I like to do stuff . . . sometimes. . . ."

Naruto rolled his eyes. "Oh yeah, I'm sure."

Choji glanced to Shikamaru, then Kiba, then Naruto, then over to Hinata. "Okay. . . . Wanna go, Shikamaru?"

"I guess," he said, walking over to Kiba. He asked for his earring. Kiba pulled it out and handed to him. "Thanks," the Nara said, and then he leaned into Kiba's ear, breathing lightly on his neck. "Don't worry about me saying something. You might wanna let your boyfriend over there know that, too." He turned around and started walking towards the street. "All right Choji, let's go."

"Okay," Akimichi said, throwing another handful of chips in his mouth. Crunch, crunch, crunch. He turned around to catch up with Shika, but saw Hyuga instead. "Oh, Hinata! I forgot you were there!"

Hinata looked down. When Shikamaru and Choji were out of the way and back on the street, she finally walked back to Naruto and Kiba, who were now locked onto each other.

Naruto asked Kiba, "What'd Shika say? It's kinda weird that he got so close."

"He just told me to tell you not to worry."