That tongue slopped up side his face and well into his hair, licking the black locks around in a twist of drool. Sai's eyes glared at the fluffy mop that intruded his space just moments earlier. The floppy ears, the damp nose, paws resting on Sai's shoulders when Akamaru pushed him to the grass and began his full tongued assault. Breathe now panting on his cheek as Akamaru lay down on top of Sai, pinning him successfully as a shoelace of drool dripped from the mutt's mouth, landing directly on top of Sai's nose.

Wiping it off was futile; his arms were pinned beneath the large beast that rested upon him proudly. This was a sticky situation indeed, as Sai glanced around for Kiba whom still remained nowhere in sight. His inks and paper lay scattered around him as he managed to sneak a peek at a few loose leaves of paper washing away with the shallow river close by. He exhaled loudly, feeling the dog's weight settling on him uncomfortably.

Finally, Kiba came shooting through the trees holding several flat curved rocks in both hands, laughing maniacally as he began to call Akamaru off between fits of laughter. Akamaru was obedient to almost anyone, except for Sai it seemed. The dog always worked against Sai's command; would always continue to lick at his face, drool on his lap or hump his leg even when Sai raised his voice or an open palm to the dog.

And it was always a simple, 'He likes you... A LOT.'

That may have been true, but Sai was not a dog person. Definitely not. Kiba set his rocks aside and began helping save whatever of Sai's work the Shinobi deemed saveable as Akamaru bounded around them. Kiba finally snapped at the dog, telling him to lie down. When the work was done, Sai looked down at the rocks that Kiba set near the base of the tree Sai was drawing against.

'Ever skipped stones before?' Kiba asked with a grin, holding one up before advancing towards the calm creek and whipping the stone across the water.

Eight times it skidded before it bounced off a rock near the other side and sunk. Sai looked perplexed as Kiba handed him a stone and pushed him towards the creek.

'Ummm....' was all Sai got out before he was shoved one last time towards the edge of the water.

He tried, to say the least, and there was nothing to describe Sai's first attempt aside from 'Successful Failure.' The flat stone sailed well over the water, grazing a boulder on the other side before slamming into a tree and shattering the stone upon impact.

'I see. This game lacks purpose.' Sai said, eyes narrowing as he saw the fragments fly in every angle before turning to Kiba and frowning at him.

Kiba buried his face in his hands and sighed at the man, before retreating to get another rock. This time, he'd have to instruct him.

'You threw it too hard.' Kiba grabbed Sai's hands, adjusted the other man's fingers and nodded. 'Now aim it at the water more and don't throw as forcefully.'

Sai nodded, throwing the rock up into the air and letting it splash halfway into the gentle current, frowning again at the results.

Kiba growled, retrieving another rock for himself.

'Watch closely.'

Kiba poised the rock in his hand, much like a shuriken, waving it at Sai closely, before drawing his arm back and snapping his wrist as his arm crossed his hip. The rock skipped four times and sank.

Kiba made a 'tch', visibly disappointed in his own result. 'Like that.'

Sai grabbed the rock that Kiba nonchalantly tossed to him in one hand and turned to whip the rock. He jumped a little when Kiba grabbed his wrist, adjusted it and helped him properly align his body to toss the stone. Pulling back and releasing, the stone skipped once, twice, three times before plopping soundlessly into the river, lost beneath the surface. Sai felt the breath on his neck from Kiba's laugh before he narrowed his eyes on the man behind him, the two suddenly realizing Kiba's arm around Sai's waist and the utter closeness of flesh embarrassed Kiba to a full out blush fit. Pulling back, Kiba thumped Sai on the shoulder.

'Ya did good, Sai.' He congratulated, before calling Akamaru over, patting Sai's shoulder as he neared.

Sai was back on the ground, Akamaru's tongue mussing his hair, as the disapproving look graced his features once more.