Part 1

Innocence

Chapter 11

More than Best Friends

The boy's game is in their last quarter and are still down by three points.

"Choji! What's the matter with you! You could have caught that ball!" Ibiki Sensei yells across the field. "And Lee! Where's that defense! Choji can't stop all the balls himself!" Veins pop out of Ibiki's temples and jugular. "What the hell is wrong with this team!"

"That's what happens when you repeat your mistakes. The outcomes stay the same."

Ibiki whips around and sees Shikamaru lying on the grass. Shikamaru's eyes are closed and he lets out a big yawn. "What was that, Shikamaru!"

"Are you going deaf in your rage? You haven't made any changes since our first loss. It's no wonder we're still losing."

Ibiki's teeth grind and his nostrils flare. How can there be so much disrespect balled into one person? "And how, Shikamaru, would I make these changes?"

"Well, since you asked." Shikamaru sits up crisscrossed on the grass and gave his suggestions. Despite his disrespect, the twerp's suggestions sound smart, and Ibiki is desperate. They need at least one guaranteed win in order to advance to regionals.

Ibiki pinches the bridge of his nose. "Okay, Shikamaru. You win."

"That's nice."

"Ref! Time out!"

The ref blows the whistle and the two teams go to their respective coaches.

"Okay, boys. We are in a tough spot. We're down by four, and we need this win to even be considered for regionals. So, we're going to make some last-minute changes."

"You're going to put me in the line up!" Naruto flashes a smile at Ibiki.

"That's one of them."

"Seriously?! You are?! Ye-e-e-eeeeeeeeeeeessssssssssss!"

"I'm putting you in as our forward."

"Oh, thank god." The forward collapses to the ground.

"Sasuke, can you take this guy to the nurse."

"Sure."

Sasuke shimmies the fallen forward onto his back and carries him to the nurse's office.

God, Sasuke's jealous. Even though he's off his crutches, he's still not allowed to play. We went from Konoha's promising first year starting striker to carrying an out-of-breath forward to the school nurse. And now his best friend gets to play. God, he wishes he were Naruto right now. That's really low. He wishes he were Naruto? Has he lost his mind?!

Sasuke aggressively slides the nurse's door open.

"Sasuke? What are you doing here?" Kabuto circles his chair around to face Sasuke.

"Dropping off someone." Sasuke drops the forward on the bed.

"Hey, be gentle! What's wrong with you?"

"Nothing." Sasuke walks towards the door.

"This wouldn't have anything to do with Ms. Haruno, would it?"

Sasuke turns back to Kabuto. Why would he bring up Sakura? "No." Sasuke closes the door behind him.

At least things with Sakura are going well. They've been a lot closer since their night at the carnival. Maybe Sakura even likes him? Should he ask her out or would that be too sudden?

Sasuke makes it back to the field and sees Naruto zigzag around the Team Sound players. To the average person, he looks like a fox set loose in a hen house. A Sound player pushes him to the side of the field, but Naruto nutmegs him and sprints to the opposite edge. Two players creep in on both of Naruto's sides. When it looks like the ball would get stolen, Naruto kicks it straight up and head butts the ball behind him where he quickly snatches it up and loops back around. He passes the ball to Sai, who scores a goal.

The score is now 2-3 in favor of Team Sound. Wait. Wasn't Team Leaf down by four? Did they make a point while Sasuke was away?

The ball kicks off and dribbles down Leaf's side of the field. A sound player shoots for the goal, but Naruto blocks the shot with his chest and sprints towards the other half of the field. Naruto passes the ball to Neji, who scores a point. The game is tied three all.

The aura around the Sound players becomes more serious. They glare at Naruto and continue glaring until they make the kick-off line. A Sound player kicks the ball to a teammate, and Naruto tries to intercept it. A Sound player gets too close to Naruto and knocks him to the ground.

"What the hell?!" Naruto yells. Naruto gets up and sees the Sound player knocked to the ground.

The ref blows the whistle. "Foul! Ball goes to Team Sound."

"What?! But he fouled me!" Naruto yells.

"That's a bunch of crap! You obviously slammed into me while going after the ball!" With the Sound Player's back to the ref, only Naruto can see the mischievous smile.

"Wait, I remember you! Weren't you the guy who tripped and fell from trying to steal a ball from Sasuke? You broke both of your arms."

"Karma caught up to that pretty boy. I heard he broke his leg during the first game of the season."

"What was your name again? Kuku? Zaza?"

"It's Zaku, you blond demon!"

"What did you call me?" Naruto grabs Zaku's collar.

The ref blows his whistle again. "No fighting! Play the game or I'll give you both a card!"

"Go die." Zaku sneers.

"You first."

They make their way to their respective places. Zaku kicks the ball, and it lands in front of Naruto. Naruto thought this was strange, but he should take what he gets. Another Sound player runs up to Naruto, but before he tries to take the ball, the Sound player falls to the ground.

The ref blows the whistle. "Foul! The ball goes to Team Sound."

"What!" Ibiki Sensei screams. The veins in his throat flare. "He clearly didn't touch the guy!"

The ref gives the signal for Team Sound to kick the ball, and the two teams line up in position.

Ibiki Sensei turns to Shikamaru. "You're plan's backfiring."

"This is an inconvenience, but we might still have a chance. As soon as possible, call for a time out."

A Team Sound player kicks the ball and it lands a few feet in front of Naruto. Naruto sprints to the ball, but before he dribbles, Ibiki Sensei calls for a time out. The teams leave the field.

"Coach! I had the ball. What the hell?!" Naruto complains.

"If I hadn't got you out, they would have fouled you again!"

"Naruto, you need to stop going after the ball." Shikamaru says.

"Excuse me? Then what am I supposed to do? Look for a draft?"

Ibiki Sensei redirects Naruto's attention. "Stay out of the players way. If the ball is free, get it, but pass it immediately. We don't want you to get fouled out."

"Do you think you can do that?" Shikamaru asks.

"Shouldn't be hard."

"Just don't get close to any Sound players. Everyone else, lure the Sound players away from Naruto." Ebiki Sensei warns.

"Got it coach."

The teams return to the field, and the ball kicks off. Every time the ball gets close to Naruto, he immediately passes it to another team member. He doesn't let any sound player get close to him. The game drags out until there is only one-minute left.

The ball is in Team Leaf's field. Naruto gets the ball and immediately passes it to Lee before a Sound player can get close. Lee kicks the ball, and it flies to Team Sound's field. Naruto sprints to the other side and passes the ball to Neji. Neji dribbles the ball while looking for an opening to score a point. He can't find one. Neji passes it to Sai, who also struggles finding an opening.

Thirty seconds left. Only one player from Team Leaf is open, and that's Naruto. Desperate, Sai passes the ball to Naruto, who stops it with his feet shocked. An open Sound player sprints towards Naruto. None of Naruto's team mates are open. He dribbles the ball away from the Sound player.

Ten seconds left. There is still no one open from Team Leaf. They need to score a point if they don't want a tie and advance to Regionals. Naruto shoots. It hits the side of the rail and lands inside the net.

The ref blows the whistle. "Game over! Tie!"

Naruto whips his head around. "What?"

"The ball was kicked after I blew the whistle. The game ends in a tie."

The crowd from Team Leaf boos.

"You cost us the regionals!"

"Who let this kid play?"

The crowd continues to boo until the boys enter their locker room. Sasuke lingers while everyone takes a shower. He's still there when Naruto gets out.

"Hey," Sasuke playfully punches Naruto on the shoulder. "Don't be an idiot and let those people get to you. Okay?"

Naruto smirks. "Thanks, bro." Naruto packs away his things and exits the locker room with Sasuke. "God, this sucks! We were soooooooooo close to winning!"

Naruto opens the door and sees Sakura on the other side. He worries that she'll react the same to how the crowd reacted earlier.

"Naruto! You were amazing!" Sakura exclaims.

"I was?"

"Totally! If it wasn't for you, we couldn't have tied so quickly!" Sakura wraps her arms around Naruto's neck into a hug. "I'm so proud of you!"

Naruto blushes, but it dissipates when Sakura releases the hug. "We-well, I mean, I am a pretty amazing person. Yeah! I was definitely in charge of that field."

"Don't get too cocky. I just wanted to say congratulations. Even if you didn't make it to regionals, you played amazingly."

"Thanks, Sakura." Sakura waves good bye to the two boys and leaves. A giant smirk lingers on Naruto's face as he struts down the hallway. Sasuke walks beside him. He remains calm on the outside, but inside, rage swelters.

"Stop smiling like that. It's creepy." Sasuke spats.

"Well, wouldn't you be smiling if the girl of your dreams just told you your amazing."

"She said your play was amazing, dope." The smirk on Naruto's face irritates Sasuke.

"Same thing. I think she's finally warming up to me. She's been a lot less angsty lately. Maybe I should get her something. Hinata might know what she'd like. What do you think, Sasuke?"

"You're an idiot."

"Harsh. Jeez, what brought the emo back? It's not like you like Sakura too."

"And what if I do?"

Naruto freezes. "Wait, seriously?"

Sasuke turns to Naruto and looks him in the eyes. "Yeah."

Naruto doesn't know how to react. His head feels hallow and numb. His eyes scan Sasuke searching for signs of joking but find none. Naruot grits his teeth. Questions fly through Naruto's mind. When did Sasuke feel this way? For how long? Why is he only saying it now?

"What the fuck?!" Naruto yells. "You have everything! Looks, brains, you're great at soccer. You can't have Sakura, too!"

"Calm down. I don't 'have Sakura.'"

"Well, you can't like her either!"

"Why not?"

"Because you can't!"

"You can't tell me what to do, idiot." Sasuke turns to walk away.

"I'm not done talking to you." Naruto grabs Sasuke's shoulder.

"Don't touch me." Sasuke glares at Naruto.

"You can't tell me what to do." Naruto snarks back.

"Stop acting like a toddler."

"Stop liking Sakura!"

"I don't have time for this." Sasuke turns to leave, again.

"Hey! I'm still talking to you!" Naruto reaches his hand towards Sasuke's shoulder, but Sasuke grabs Naruto's wrist. "Dude, let go. That hurts."

"I told you not to touch me." Sasuke squeezes Naruto's wrist.

"Ow! Stop!" Naruto grips Sasuke's wrist and pushes it away. "You're acting like a jerk!"

"You're acting like a baby!" Naruto and Sasuke strut up to each other. Their noses barely touch.

"Who's acting like a baby!"

"Who's acting like a jerk?" They glare at each other. Threatening the other to make the first move. Both grab handfuls of the other's collar and pulls it closer to them. Their breaths even as they make their decision.

"Stop it! Both of you!" Kakashi Sensei slits his hands in between them and parts Naruto and Sasuke. Both stumble and fall.

Naruto gapes at Kakashi Sensei, startled. "Sensei? What are you doing here?"

"It's school. I'm a teacher." Kakashi replies.

Sasuke pulls himself up. "It's Saturday."

"The teachers are required to support at least five sports game a year. I'm behind. But what do you two think you're doing? Fighting on school grounds? On a Saturday?!"

"It's Sasuke's fault!"

"Dope."

"Repeat that!" Naruto's face burns red.

"Calm down, Naruto." Kakashi Sensei's voice becomes stern. "You're both best friends. Why are you fighting?" Naruto and Sasuke refuse to answer. "Let me guess. It's about a girl?" They both blush. "Huh? I'm right aren't I? You know, you can't lie to your homeroom teacher." Naruto and Sasuke stay silent. "Okay. You're punishment – "

"Punishment! Kakashi Sensei, it's Saturday!" Naruto pleads.

"Exactly. You almost got into a fight in school on a Saturday. For your punishment, go to the storage shed, grab a shovel each, then each of you digs a hole the same height as your shovel. When you're done, fill the hole back up."

"What's the point of digging the hole if we're going to fill it back up?" Naruto asks.

"Exactly." Kakashi Sensei boops Naruto's nose. "Come one! Let's go!"

Kakashi Sensei follows Naruto and Sasuke to the shed. They go to an area of grass, and Naruto and Sasuke start digging. Kakashi Sensei find a patch of shade close enough to Naruto and Sasuke to see them, but far enough to not hear anything. Kakashi pulls out a book to read and pass the time.

"This is so stupid." Naruto says as he piles dirt to his side.

"Ah."

They continue to dig. Neither speaks to the other. Their backs turn to each other as they dig their holes. Until Naruto laughs.

"What are you laughing about?" Sasuke asks. Naruto doesn't answer Sasuke and continues laughing. "Idiot."

"We're both idiots!" Naruto falls on his side and lies on his back. He keeps laughing, then Sasuke starts laughing. Sasuke falls on his side and clutches his stomach.

"Hey, what are you two – " Kakashi stops scolding when he sees the two have made up. He returns to his shade and dives back into his book.

The laughter subsides. Naruto and Sasuke lie on their backs and look at the sky. Naruto is the first to break the silence. "So, Sakura, huh?"

"Uhuh."

"The cold heart has finally warmed. I can't believe we almost got into a fist fight over it."

"Reminds you of the first time we got into a fight."

"Oh, god. I don't want to remember." Naruto puts his dirt stained hands on his face as he cringes over the memory.


Elementary School Grade 2

"Naruto! Hurry up!" Kiba yells. Naruto hangs from a monkey bar, too afraid to move. Kiba hangs from the monkey bar behind Naruto and is impatient to move to the next one. "Hurry up, or I'll kick you!"

"Don't kick me!" Naruto screams. He looks up at his small, pudgy hands. They sweat from his palms gather around the fats of his hand. He's too scared to move them.

"Sasuke! Let's play house!" Ino's voice yells from the distance.

"Yeah, Sasuke!" says Sakura. "You can be the daddy, and I can be the mommy!"

"But, I want to be the mommy!" Ino yells.

"Leave me alone." Says Sasuke. They moved closer to the monkey bars and see Naruto and Kiba dangling above.

"What are you two doing up there?" Ino asks.

"I want to get across, but Naruto won't move!"

Sakura smirks. She knows how to make Naruto do what she wants. "Naruto!" Her voice makes Naruto stiffen with fear. "Hurry up and move!"

"I will, I will! Don't rush me!" Naruto takes a deep breath. He knows that he can do it. He just can't give up!

"Move already!" Kiba kicks Naruto, and Naruto falls from the monkey bars. He lands face first and feels a rough scrape against his teeth. Sakura and Ino gasp, and Kiba is so surprised, he jumps down from the monkey bars.

Naruto's lips are on Sasuke's. Naruto fell on top of Sasuke and kissed him.

"Sasuke!" Ino shrieks. "Sasuke! How could you!"

Naruto rolls off Sasuke and wipes his lips. "Eeeeeeeeewwww! Eew! Eew! Eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeewwwwwwwwwwwwwwww!"

"What the fudge!" Sasuke yells. He looks back at Sakura and sees the horror in her eyes. "Why would you do that?!"

"I didn't do that on purpose!" Naruto yells.

"Liar!" Sasuke slaps Naruto's face.

"I didn't do it on purpose! That's gross!" Naruto slaps Sasuke back. They keep slapping each other until their slaps turn into punches, then kicks, then bites, then a full fight between two seven-year-olds.

"Woah, woah, woah! What's going on here?" Iruka Sensei from the middle school runs over to stop the fighting. "Calm down you two. What's going on?"

"Naruto kissed Sasuke." Says Kiba. "Then Sasuke got mad and started beating up Naruto."

"I didn't kiss him on purpose, and I wasn't getting beaten up! I was doing the beating." Naruto proudly states. He shines a proud smile for all to see without realizing that he has black eye.

"Idiot." Sasuke spats.

"I'm not an idiot! If I'm an idiot, then you're a – you're a – umm …"

"That's enough you two." Iruka Sensei scolds.

"You're a poopy face!" Naruto exclaims.

"I will talk to your teacher and make sure you get a proper punishment.

Their punishment is to clean the classroom. Naruto and Sasuke's teacher left them alone to work in the office. While Sasuke sweeps the floor, Naruto wipes the blackboard - a task proving to be difficult for a shorter than average child. Naruto jumps as high as he can while reaching his arms as far out as possible. He grunts as he jumps, but that does little effect.

"Do you need help?" Ssauke asks.

"Don't worry!" Grunt. "I'm very – " Grunt. "Resourceful." Grunt.

Naruto sets the eraser on the rack and runs to the classroom broom closet.

"What are you doing?" Sasuke asks.

"You'll see." Naruto says as he dawdles with the broom back to the blackboard. A fat grin plasters to his face. When he gets to the blackboard, he sweeps the broom up and down erasing the rest of the chalk. The chalk dust billows and dissipates along with left over dirt the broom previously picked up.

Naruto holds the broom proudly by his side. "See. Resourceful!" White streaks on the chalkboard mark where Naruto used the broom. Sasuke shakes his head knowing Naruto will be scolded by the teacher when she returns.

"Idiot." Sasuke mumbles.

Naruto cross his arms and pouts. "Don't call me an idiot."

"You are an idiot, idiot."

"Why does everyone call me an idiot! Just because I didn't erase the board how most people would doesn't mean I'm an idiot. Or is it because I don't have parents?!" The last comment lingers in Sasuke's mind. "Just wait! One day I'll become the prime minister of this country and no one will dare call me an idiot! And everyone will have to respect me! And, and, …" Naruto starts to cry. The tears ripple over his cheek and plop to the floor. He rubs his eyes as he wails. His palms completely cover his eyes, so he did not expect the pat on his head moments later.

"There, there." Sasuke comforts him. "Not having parents don't make you an idiot. Then I'd be an idiot too."

Naruto remembers the accident that happened two years earlier. Sasuke didn't go to school for several weeks.

"You're an idiot for other reasons."

"Hey!" Naurto pouts. That pout turns into laughter that makes Sasuke laugh. That was the moment Naruto and Sasuke became friends. Their friendship grows not with time but through competition. The two always try to one up the other in sports, video games, or in silly challenges like who can drink the fastest milkshake. Their mutual understanding solidified the foundation for their friendship. Their years of competition propelled them to become best friends.

"We agree to never speak of THAT incident again, right?" asks Sasuke.

"Absolutely!"

The next morning, Naruto crosses the school gate when he hears a soft, timid voice call his name. His heart pitter-patters when he recognizes the familiar, calm sound. He turns and sees Hinata running towards him.

"Hi, Hinata!" He toothy grin crosses his face.

"Naruto. Yo-your eye. How is it?"

"Oh, don't worry, Hinata. I put a lot of ice on it."

"Here." Hinata shuffles through her backpack until she pulls out a cylindrical tube the size of a grown man's fist. "It's a healing ointment. I-it will help heal your eye."

Naruto takes the tube. "Thank you, Hinata."

Hinata twiddles her two index fingers, and they go silent. "We-well, I have to go okay bye!" Embarrassed, Hinata runs inside the school. Naruto stands there stunned. His heart still flutters.

"Aww, puppy love is so cute!" Naruto turns and sees Iruka Sensei standing above the stoop.

"Puppy love?" Naruto hops up the stairs two at a time until he reaches Iruka Sensei.

"You know? When you're a child and in love."

"Love? Like when Jiraiya brings a woman home and – "

"No, no, not that kind of love." Iruka Sensei mutters to himself. "Let's see. How to explain this to a seven-year-old." He snaps his fingers and faces Naruto. "Love is a feeling that lets someone know they found the person they want to be with for the rest of their life."

"The rest of their life? Why would you want to stay with someone for the rest of their life?"

"Well, the two people usually become a mommy and a daddy and start a family."

"Oh, so that's how it works?"

"Yeah."

"How do you know when you're in love?"

"Well, for most people, their chest tightens, and their heart pounds really hard. And, they usually get very nervous around the person they love."

"Oh. Okay. Thanks, Iruka Sensei!"

"No problem. Now hurry up and get to class before you are late."

"Okay!"

Naruto runs into the school and down the hallway and thinks about what Iruka Sensei told him. He doesn't think he's in love yet but is excited for the day he will be.

"Naruto! Stop running in the halls!"

Naruto freezes. He knows too well that that terrifying voice belongs to Haruno Sakura. He turns. His chest tightens as soon as he sees her.

Wait. His chest tightened? That's one of the signs! Is his heart pounding? Like crazy. Another sign. Is he nervous? More like terrified. It must be a more extreme version of being nervous. That confirms it! Uzumaki Naruto is in love with Haruno Sakura!


Present

Sasuke's slack-jawed mouth hangs in disbelief. He climbs out of his finished hole and sits on the edge. "You're the biggest idiot I've ever met."

"What's that for?"

"Poor Hinata."

"What does she have to do with this?"

Sasuke combs his fingers through his hair. He arches his back to shine his face in the sun. "Did we seriously almost get into a fight over a girl?" Sasuke asks.

Naruto stands in his hole and pulls his elbows over the edge. "Yeah. Seems like it."

That's a bit extreme. Sasuke balances his elbows on his knees and looks down into the hole. Fighting over somethings as trivial as a girl is not like him. Getting injured during a soccer game is not like him. Letting Naruto beat him is not like him. He remembers the conversation he had with Uncle Obito. Maybe he was right.

"I'm giving up on Sakura." Sasuke announces.

"Really?" Naruto's face brightens. "Hehe! Guess you realized I love Sakura more than you."

That's definitely not true. "There's something more important right now."

"You mean with the Uchiha Corp.? You're still worrying about that?"

"Of course."

"Good. I wouldn't expect anything less of my best friend!" Naruto folds his hands over the edge of his hole and places his chin on his knuckles. "But I'm surprised I only found out about your crush now. You know you can tell me anything, Sasuke. We're friends! I'd travel across the world for you!"

Sasuke chuckles. "After all we've been through, we're more than best friends." Naruto pinches his brows in confusion. "We're brothers."

Neither say anything as they soak up the moment. Their friendship has evolved far from playful competition and boyish fun. They care for each other like family. Sasuke cares about Naruto's opinion as much as he cares about Itachi's, and Naruto cares about Sasuke's opinion as much as he cares about Jiraiya's. They are brothers, which is why Sasuke can't tell him everything. Because the brother's judgement is the cruelest.

Naruto pumps both fists in the air. "Let's hurry up and finish refilling our holes and buy some ramen!" He tries to pull himself out of his hole but struggles.

"Idiot." Sasuke lowers his hand for Naruto and yanks him up."

Click!

"Hey! Do you want to actually get into a fight?!"

"You're not afraid?"

"Ha! I don't even know the definition of fear!"

"That's obvious."

Click-click!

"What does that mean?"

Click!


In the locker room, Shino sits on a bench across from Kiba, who stands in front of his open locker in nothing but a damp towel, striking power poses instead of getting dressed.

"Damn! Did you see my play today? I was like zip, zip, pow!"

"Kiba, no one would have known you played today unless you tell them."

Droplets drip off the ends of his hair and fall onto his bear pecs and shoulders. They trickle down the grooves of his abs and the bulges of his arms until the droplets either fall to the floor or bundle onto the towel that barely covers Kiba's groin.

Shino bends his head and pretends to play with the arche of his sunglasses. In reality, he's trying to control a blush and his imagination. God damn that towel! Just one kick could make it fall to the floor, and Kiba will be completely naked. It's hard enough having a rock-hard boner. He doesn't want to worry about controlling himself in front of his best friend. Shino's kept his crush a secret for more than ten years, and every day it gets worse. Who knows when the day will come when all is revealed.

"Yeah, well. That's because the ball never came to me. But when it does, I'll be like whoosh!" Kiba pivots, and the towel falls. There is no attempt to pick it up. Kiba just stands there in all his glory, hands on his hips.

Shino keeps his eyes on the floor as he picks up the towel and shoves it to Kiba's chest. "Hurry up and change. We're the last ones here." Shino sits back down and crosses his arms. He turns his head away from Kiba and tries his best to look angry instead of turned on.

"So?" Kiba tosses the towel on Shino's lap. "It's not like we have anything planned after this. What's the rush?"

"Do you enjoy hanging out in the men's locker room?"

"Eh. When the others aren't here, it's nice and quiet. Plus, I love walking around stark naked! It's like I have so much power without the burden of clothing. Dogs run around naked. Why can't humans?!"

Shino buries his face farther into his palm. "Oh god, not the dog analogies."

"I mean, have you ever tried dancing naked?"

"What on earth – "

"You should try it! Hold on, my phone's in my bag somewhere."

How did Shino end up in this situation? It was just another game, and now he's about to witness Kiba gyrate his bare ass hips around the men's locker room. It's like bad foreplay without the fun part.

"Got it!" Kiba plays pop music and turns his phone up as loud as it can without speakers. He places the phone by Shino and places his hand on Shino's shoulder. "Are you okay? How are your eyes."

Shino looks at Kiba confused. "They're fine. Why do you ask?"

"Your head's been bent down for a while. I thought the lights were too bright."

Goddamn Kiba's kindness. Acting all concerned. This would be so much easier if he had ignored Shino's eye condition that forces him to wear sunglasses inside. But, it's unlikely Shino would have fallen for Kiba if he wasn't so kind.

"Don't worry, Kiba. I'm fine."

"Great! Then it's time to strip!"

"No."

"Come on, Shino!" Kiba tackles Shino trying to remove his shirt.

"Get your hands off me!"

"Never!" Shino twists his body trying to escape. One knee bends on the bench, and the other leg juts out behind as if Shino is in a runner's position. Kiba's hugs Shino's waist tightly and rests his pelvis very near Shino's butt. Shino's aware of the position they are in and gives a low, throaty groan at the thought of what can happen next.

"Growl all you want! You'll never escape me!" Kiba bites Shino's collar.

"Ouch!" The two roll to the ground leaving Shino pinned down. A naked Kiba towers over.

"Now, what's the best way to do this without you struggling."

"Kiba, this is rape."

"Does it look like I'm going to rape you?" Kiba nods his chin down to his flaccid penis. Proof that this crush is unrequited.

"I think the pants are the easiest, so how about we start there?"

"No!" Shino screams desperately.

The desperate plea confuses Kiba. He expected resistance but didn't think Shino would struggle this hard.

"Sorry. We play rough all the time, so I didn't think you'd be so against this."

"I am! So, stop!"

"Okay." Relief washes as Kiba slides down Shino's body. He was so close to being found out. If Kiba had – "Aaaah!"

Kiba hit something hard as he was sliding off Shino. He thinks he knows what that is, but how?

"Um, Shino. Are you – "

"Don't say it!" Shino's hands cover his very red face. He's never felt so humiliated, but worst of all, now Kiba knows. He's now forced to face all those ten years of an unrequited crush.

"Oh. I see. That makes more sense now." Kiba still sits there as if he hasn't fully processed the information. "Gyaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!" He crawls frantically off Shino and sits as far away from him as possible. "Why are you hard? How are you hard? Unless!" Kiba jumps up. Shino pushes himself off the floor and cautiously walks towards Kiba.

"I know it's difficult to believe, and I never imagined telling you like this, but I-"

"YOU STOLE MY DAD'S ERECTION PILLS FROM MY BAG!"

"Huh?"

"My dad's pills for his prostate. To help him get it on with, you know. Dude, you should have told me you wanted to try them! I would have understood. That's why I stole them in the first place."

"What?"

"Dude, you have to tell me how it goes. I heard guys get the best orgasm after using –"

"ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!"

"What's wrong?"

Shino can't believe Kiba's dismissing it as something stupid like that. Does Kiba really think there's no way for the two of them to ever - ?

Shino balls both hands into fists and marches towards Kiba. "You finally get a glimpse into my feelings, and you're dismissing it as a childish experiment?"

"Shino, calm down."

"Are you really that dense?!" Tears bubble at the corners.

"Why are you angry?"

"I'm gay! I'm gay, and I – "

Shino grabs Kiba's face and forces a passionate kiss.


In love: Neji with Tenten; Tenten with Neji; Hinata with Naruto; Sasuke with Sakura; Sakura with Sasuke

In a relationship: Neji and Tenten; Sai and Ino


A/N:

To all my fujoshi/fudanshi brethren! In case you missed it, the two kiss scenes were Naruto x Sasuke and Shino x Kiba. Were any of you surprised that Shino is gay? I tried my best to tease it, and I know at least one reader caught it.

I want to clarify that Shino and Kiba just kissed. Nothing more will happen. The characters are still "innocent" after all.

A warning about the next chapter, it will get meta. I know meta isn't everyone's taste, but I personally love that stuff and given the nature of this story, I can add it easily. I've gotten some reviews that this somewhat parallels the anime and that was my intention, so I'm glad you picked up on that! The next chapter will touch on elements beyond the anime. I know that sounds vague, but it's difficult to explain without spoiling every detail. You'll just have to read it! The next chapter will be out on December 6th.

Lastly, thank you for reading! Follow/favorite to know when I update and leave a review, so I know what you like in the chapter and what you don't like.