"I see every smile you fake
Strong emotion, strong devotion to ignore the pain
To stand strong"
-"Strong", After Forever
AN: Yet another music chapter, guys! D: Sorry for being such a music maniac!
Haruhi left the hotel in that same day, affirming she couldn't be near someone who had so recklessly betrayed her best friend. Yukari decided to stay, and help the team to coordinate.
Their mission was successful, but nor Shikamaru nor Yukari had their thoughts on the mission, but on Kiba.
Upon returning to Konoha, Yukari told Shikamaru to avoid Kiba just for now. Kiba wouldn't be able to resist seeing him so soon. Shikamaru nodded, thanking Yukari for being helping him.
Truth was that Yukari didn't really know why she was doing it… But she felt like Shikamaru wanted to redeem himself, she felt he really loved Kiba. For some unknown reason to her.
She moved to the Inuzuka residence, to meet Kiba, and check on him.
"I dunno what the hell happened on that fucking mission, but something wrong happened to my son!" Tsume said. She was very nervous and affected, and thus, irritated. "He seems so soulless!"
"I know, Tsume-sama." Yukari said. "Heart problems."
"It's that Nara boy, isn't it?" Tsume said.
'Shit.' Yukari thought. "I… can't lie, can I?" She said, innocently. "Yes, it's him."
Tsume made a half-smile, and opened way for Yukari to enter.
"Here, go cheer him up…" She said.
Yukari gone upstairs to Kiba's room, and heard the sweet piano notes.
'He's playing "Strong"…' She thought. She loved that song, Yukari just couldn't resist it, and she entered the room singing.
I see your pain, I see it grow
Kiba shot his eyes open, admired on seeing her there, but he smiled, as if he knew all along that she would be there.
Slowly inside you
You cannot control it
The hurting's ruthless, you cannot win
Kiba slowly joined to the song, putting his heart in every single world he sang with Yukari.
I see every smile you fake
Strong emotion, strong devotion to ignore the pain
To stand strong
Yukari placed her hands on Kiba's shoulders, giving him strength. She needed to tell him Shikamaru had made a mistake, but she felt it was the soon to touch that wound.
Day after day, to be there for us, always
To pretend there's nothing wrong
How you feel or how it feels
No words describe it
Your body feels like a stranger…
Kiba's heart gave another twitch when he thought of the wonderful night he had with Shikamaru, and how the one he loved took it all ways. It was so much painful inside.
We cannot stop it, we cannot win
I see every smile you fake
Yukari brushed her hand in Kiba's cheek, as a tear fell down the latter's face. Yukiko cleaned it, with affection.
Strong emotion, strong devotion to ignore the pain
To stand strong!
Yukari and Kiba kept the note for some while, as they softly let it vanish away, as Kiba's hands moved around in the piano, echoing the sweet sounds through his room. Tsume was at the door, listening, marveled.
The sound of the piano under Kiba's hands seemed to bring about the tale of the love he would never have, the loss he suffered.
Yukari's and Kiba's voices were soon to be heard over the piano.
I see every smile you fake
Strong emotion, strong devotion to ignore the pain
To stand strong…
Every painful day, I'll be there for you, always
And together we will stand strong.
Yukari embraced Kiba in the last lines, holding him tight.
"How are you?" She inquired.
"I have been better." He said, trying to sound cheerful. "It's not every day you make love to the person you love, and he leaves you, saying it was a mistake." His voice became deeper with emotion.
"Kiba…" Yukari said. "I don't really want you to talk about that now. Better times will come. You might be surprised of what is to come…" Yukari smiled.
"What do you know?" He said, raising his eyebrow.
"Many things…" Yukari said smiling. "And nothing at all."
