Heartbeat

There are some things that just have to be done by one's self, for one's self. For as long as Kiba could remember, he had been attracted to his reclusive team mate. He respected him and his skill, he trusted him with his life, and for all practical purposes he probably was head over heels in love with him.

Shino was one of those people that unless you looked past the obvious you would miss out on the charm. Kiba was never one to really look too deeply into things, but Shino was special. He wanted to know more about Shino, get closer to him and understand him better. Over the years, he was able to get closer…at least he thought he was. They had been through a lot together for missions and in the village…that counted, didn't it?

Yet, there was still something more that Kiba wanted…needed. He wasn't sure when it first started, probably when he first realized he jerked off to the thought of Shino, but he knew then that he wanted Shino in more ways than just a friend or comrade. He wanted Shino, he wanted to have sex with him and be with him in the intimate sense of the meaning.

Kiba wanted to be Shino's lover…

"Kiba?" The sudden intrusion shocked Kiba from his thoughts and tossed him face to face with the man himself.

"Ah, Shino…" Kiba stuttered a bit, flustered at the fact that he was facing the very person he had just been thinking about. "You startled me…"

"What are you spacing out for…?" Shino gently touched Kiba's forehead, "Do you have a fever or something?"

Kiba froze and his face grew redder. If he didn't already have a fever he was sure as hell going to have one now. "Eh, eh…I'm fine. I was just thinking."

"Well, we are going to be late for the mission…we should get going." Shino hid his concerned expression well behind his covered face and tinted glasses. Kiba had been acting strange lately; he was restless and always on edge when he was near him. He noticed that as of late Kiba could not look him directly in the eye and he often panicked when they were alone together.

"I forgot all about it…" Kiba admitted darkly. He had been so wrapped up in his thoughts of Shino he had completely forgotten about the mission. It was not going to be any walk in the park either, it was a high ranked mission in which he and several other pairs were to recover secret documentation that was being transported on the outskirt of their border. Their mission was simple…capture the scroll and haul ass home. Of course they had to defeat any and all enemy ninja that were bound to swarm like ants around the scroll, clean up their tracks and their mess so that they would not be tied to the theft, and keep track of each other even though they were going to be scattered like broken glass for days if not longer.

How hard could it be? Kiba sighed as he trudged after Shino's silent form. He needed to shape up…a lapse in judgment or wandering mind could be deadly in battle. But no matter how hard he tried the thoughts of Shino would just not leave him alone. It was going to be even more difficult due to the fact that they were working this mission in sets of two, and his partner was none other than a certain bug-wielding recluse. Someone, somewhere, must hate him…

It was going to be a long, long trip…

"Kiba!" Shino shouted a bit too late. He watched as his partner was slammed bone-shatteringly hard into a nearby tree. They were already well into the second day of their mission and it was already turning out to be much more than anyone could have expected.

All the teams were forced apart right from the get-go and the enemy shinobi were much better prepared and organized than anyone predicted. To make matters worse, they were heavily outnumbered. As it stood, they had been fighting and engaging with multiple enemy and ambush attacks for well over 24 hours. They did not have time to rest, eat, recover, or even have a breather.

Shino quickly covered for Kiba and disposed of the enemy, giving him enough time to grab Kiba and run for it. It didn't take him long to see that Kiba was in pretty bad shape. He had sent Akamaru as backup for another team that was suffering heavy damage hours ago…they were on their own for this one. Kiba was lacking chakra and his body was riddled with injuries, the blood pouring out of his chest was evidence enough…

'I have got to get to cover and deal with his wounds…' Shino thought rapidly as he scanned the area for shelter. He was not doing so well on chakra either; it was taking a lot of effort as it was to support Kiba in their escape. He needed to find a place and he needed to find it soon.

In a matter of moments, his bugs had found a small cave…it was perfect; secluded and out of the way, hidden by dense forest and cliff. He would easily be able to put up a make-shift barrier to protect them until they were recovered enough to move again. He needed to manage that much at least.

"Kiba!" Shino voiced loudly once he had finally settled into the space. "Kiba! Come on, get a hold of yourself!" He shook him gently and cringed when he saw more blood leak out of Kiba's clothes. "Shit…"

Kiba faintly became aware that someone was calling him. It sounded like Shino's voice…but it was not his usual calm and stoic voice…it was loud and panicked. What was he saying? Kiba felt terribly uncomfortable…he was hot and he hurt all over. It took all the strength he had just to crack open his eyes.

"Kiba?" Shino questioned softly. Kiba tried to answer but failed miserably managing only a low groan and a deep wince at the pain that shot through his body. "Take it easy, you took some pretty serious damage. You have a fever too." He rested his hand lightly atop his partner's head.

Kiba suddenly realized for the first time that he was indeed resting on Shino's lap and was for all practical purposes mostly naked. He could see that his clothes had been folded on the far side of the space they were in. He blushed at the fact that he was being covered by Shino's jacket…so he was not clad in much either…

"How are you feeling?" Shino silently asked as he watched several strange expressions cross Kiba's face. He was currently blushing and looking away from him again. Shino made no effort to remove his hand from Kiba's head or to really pry much more than necessary.

"Ugh…" Kiba sighed. "I feel terrible. I hurt all over."

"I bet." Shino agreed lightly. "The enemies are turning out to be quite formidable."

"Yeah…" Kiba trailed off. "How much longer can we stay here?"

"Probably only as long as it takes you to get back on your feet, unfortunately." Shino said in a monotone though he was feeling very concerned. He knew that they could not stay there; maybe only an hour or so. The area was crawling with enemies and they had a mission to complete. They could not afford to take a break. But in Kiba's current state he might not be able to fight at full capacity even if he was able to get back up on his feet…he would be in great danger in his weakened condition.

"Heh, I get it." Kiba mused as he pushed himself painfully up off Shino's lap. "We can go now; I am fine."

"No your not!" Shino gently, but forcefully, pulled Kiba back down. "You need to rest longer, your wounds just closed. They could re-open at any time. Take a little bit more time to build your chakra back up…or else you will just be going out into a death sentence."

Kiba let a fevered smile grace his lips. It made him happy that Shino was concerned for him. He was a quiet and reserved guy, showing little emotion…but seeing Shino worry over him gave him hope for something more. Those feeling were back again. He couldn't get the thought of Shino out of his head. It didn't help that he was so close to 'that' and the feel of Shino's hand on his skin was driving him over the edge. It was so silent in the space…he could hear Shino's soft and rhythmic breathing, feel the rise and fall of his body with each breath. He couldn't take it anymore.

Kiba pounced, suddenly pinning Shino to the ground. Shino looked up shocked behind his tinted glasses. What in the heck was he doing? Kiba looked so troubled…almost like he was going to cry. "Kiba?" He questioned curiously.

"Sorry…" Kiba choked out letting his head fall to the center of Shino's chest while he still held him down with his hands. "So…sorry…"

"For what?" Shino was lost as to what was going on. Just moments before it had seemed like Kiba wanted to be as far from him as he could get…and now his body was pinned closely to his.

Kiba looked up with a look of determination; Shino perked at the look but was startled when Kiba firmly planted a kiss on his lips and refused to move. Shino inwardly laughed. It was rather cute…

'So this is what was on his mind this whole time…' Shino smiled into the kiss before he began to return it with equal fervor and passion. He felt Kiba flinch for a moment before he eased into the gesture as well. Taking advantage of Kiba's distracted state, Shino easily reversed their positions and pinned a very surprised looking Kiba to the ground. Truth be told he had wanted this for quite some time too…but he had always thought that Kiba was adverse to the idea.

Kiba was always one that was open and loud, never having much of a problem with friends or comrades. He was easily able to engage in skin-ship and clinging with just about anyone. Shino was not sure if he was special or not, especially as of late when it seemed like Kiba was trying to distance himself from him.

Shino skillfully trailed kisses down Kiba's exposed flesh all the way down to his growing excitement, which he gently took in his mouth before Kiba had the chance to protest or struggle.

"Ah!" Kiba panted out. He couldn't believe what was happening. He never imagined that Shino would return his affections or that he would even consider doing what he was doing. If Kiba was in the right mind and not completely covered in injuries he might have wondered about their positions…especially the fact that he was on the bottom, where he had never envisioned himself being…but he was not in the right mind. In fact, his mind was completely blank. He had completely forgotten about the pain throughout his body and his fever. He felt surprisingly comfortable and extremely good…

"Hmm…Shino…." Kiba moaned as Shino sucked harder. He wasn't going to be able to last much longer. "Stop…mmm…I'mmm….coming…"

Shino swallowed and propped himself upright sliding his glasses from his face. Kiba instantly blushed and attempted to smack Shino but was fairly ineffective. "I can't believe you swallowed that!"

"Why? It felt good right?" Shino smiled and started to do more.

"Of course it felt goo-Ah!" Kiba startled as he felt himself probed by a wandering finger. "Ha, ha…no! Shino!"

Shino smiled and planted a kiss on Kiba's pouting lips, slipping his tongue inside confidently. Kiba moaned, he felt like he was going insane…it felt like his heart was going to beat right out of his chest; it was beating so loud. Could Shino hear it?

"Don't worry…" Shino whispered as he pulled away from Kiba's swollen lips. "I won't go all the way."

"Uh?" Kiba voiced in a daze.

"I mean…" Shino plunged his fingers deeply into Kiba making the other boy's eye wide, "I am not going to do this till later…" Shino kissed Kiba lovingly once more before he pulled out from him and went to work at cleaning his partner. He hadn't meant to do all that, but Kiba just had to go and tempt him. He had been waiting a long time after all.

"Ah…" Kiba started as he propped himself up.

"Hrm?" Shino looked at him in question. "I am just cleaning you off…I didn't mean to dirty your bandages."

"Not that…" Kiba blushed. "What about…you?" Kiba looked on as Shino looked at him with a blank, questioning expression. "I mean…you only did it for me…so uh…um…what about you?"

Shino's eyes widened ever so slightly, "its okay. I wanted to make you feel good."

"But…"

"Well…" Shino looked down at himself. Even if he didn't want to be, he was pretty excited…how could he not? "I guess you could give me a hand then if you wanted…" He chuckled at Kiba's expression. He wondered momentarily what he had obviously been fantasizing about previously at the village but pushed the thought from his mind when Kiba took hold of him and started to move slowly.

Shino didn't think he was going to get so into it, but the heavy breathing of Kiba and his shy look was making him hot. He even started to moan and pant himself when Kiba picked up the pace. He was not going to be able to hold on for long…

"Nmmm…coming!" Kiba flinched as little warning was giving to Shino coming into his hand. Kiba looked at his hand in a daze. Maybe he was dreaming; unconscious from his wounds and he was merely dreaming all of this. Worse yet…maybe he was dead, killed in battle. That would suck…especially since it seemed he finally had gotten what he wanted, or so it seemed.

"Give me that!" Shino snatched Kiba's hand and cleaned it thoroughly before he checked over his body to make sure he had cleaned up everything. "Are you alright?" Shino helped Kiba back into his lap and covered him up with his jacket. "Rest some more, we still have some time. My bugs are keeping a look out."

"Mmm…" Kiba was starting to feel tired. The pain of his injuries was returning and he could finally feel his fever. But he could also feel Shino's warmth and could finally hear the clear sound of his heartbeat. "I…love you…probably have…for a long time."

Shino looked down at his sleeping partner, friend…lover if this was any indication. Kiba had drifted off to sleep before he could hear his response…though hopefully it was clear from his actions. "I love you too." Shino said as he ruffled Kiba's hair.

"Don't you dare think about not making it out of this alive…we have to continue what we started after all…"

"Hmm-nmm" Kiba murmured.

Shino chuckled and kissed his forehead gently. He touched his own chest and Kiba's at the same time. He wondered if Kiba's heart beat as fast as his did when they were near…he was pleased to find that they were beating in unison…

Unison…

He hoped they could be that way forever…in the silence only the sound of their beating hearts could be heard…in unison…

~End~