This chapter is pretty long, so I hope it makes up for chapter 9.

Chapter 10

I had spent all day looking for something new to wear. I mean, I can't just wear my street clothes, this was a very important step in my relationship with Kiba. When Sasuke had finally come back, he was very interested in who had won. I had just smirked and asked him who he thought had won. He told me he had thought Kiba had won just to piss me off, so I shoved him into the wall and shook my head. I left him before I had the chance to do anything else to him.

I combed through each store, leaving a path of chaotic mess and disappointment in my wake. I had been out for two hours already and I knew it would take at least another hour and a half to prepare myself. This new frustration just sent my mind spinning with stress. I had to find something and fast. At this point I was just window shopping when I spotted it. It was like it called out to me and boy was I glad I answered it!

I was perfectly happy with just walking right through the doors without even bothering to open them, but I decided that would make the bill skyrocket. When you're training, expensive things are naturally avoided, so I ended up pulling the doors open. Most of the clothing looked super expensive, luckily, though, it was in the sale section. I immediately rushed to the dressing stations, almost running over a few of the other customers on my way. I almost forgot to undress first, which caused me to blush even though I was alone. Once I had properly removed my other clothes and slipped into the new kimono, I exited my station to observe myself at all angles in the three-sided mirror. It fit perfectly.

It was a deep, crimson red and utterly seductive. It had no sleeves and the neck came halfway up my neck. Fake crystals lined the top of the neck and the bottom of the front and back flaps. The sides didn't come up near as high as the kimono I just removed, so I wouldn't have to wear anything under it. There was a small, white rose above where each slit closed up. Kiba will definitely love it, I thought.

Yeah, I think he will. Hearing the wolf's deep voice in my head caused me to jump. I had been so engrossed in the dress, I had completely forgotten the creature inside me who could hear my thoughts.

After Akuze's encouraging words, I proudly went and bought the red kimono, even though it was slightly more expensive than I had hoped. I asked the clerk for the time and she told me it was half past five. I almost forgot my new apparel at the speed I left. I ran back home, the trip seemingly took longer than I thought it should have. I accidentally knocked Sasuke over when I barreled through the front door. He stopped me to ask who was after me when he saw the red kimono, shaking his head to dismiss me.

I quickly bathed and dried my hair. Once I was dressed, I slowed down, taking time to pretty my face with make-up that I didn't even remember I had, but that didn't matter to me at that moment. I decided to pull my hair back in a loose, full ponytail. I hadn't worn my hair in a full ponytail since I was ten. With five minutes left until Kiba arrived, I sucked in all the air my lungs could hold, trying in vain to calm myself down so I wouldn't look so flustered when he arrived. I heard a knock on the front door and stood slowly, afraid I might get dizzy if I tried too fast. I took another deep breath and left my room to descend the stairs.

I found Kiba and Sasuke chatting away quietly. They both looked up when I entered the room. Their eyes went wide. I bet they could have put the oceans to shame. I giggled quietly to myself when Kiba finally found the courage to speak up.

"Y-you look nice, Kito."

"Thanks," I replied, swiftly taking his arm and whisking him out the door before Sasuke could do anything. Once we were away from the house, I looked expectantly to Kiba.

"What?" he asked, I just raised my eyebrows. "Oh, yeah, well, I thought we could have a picnic in the forest." He began leading me to the forest, often glancing at me to take in my new look.

"You like?" I asked after a while. He just nodded. We stopped just outside the forest, in the full wash of the full moon. He looked at my left shoulder and moved his hand to the scarring cut, tracing it with his finger. I sighed under my breath and he pulled away.

"Sorry," he muttered, barely audible. Suddenly, I realized something wasn't right.

"Where's Akamaru," I demanded.

"I decided to leave him home, I mean, this is our time together and I thought he might just interrupt." This surprised me. The little puppy and the boy seemed inseparable and now he was telling me he left the fur ball at home? Something was definitely wrong here, but this wasn't my business to burrow into, so I decided to leave it there and we continued into the forest.

"Kiba?"

"Yeah?"

"W-where's the picnic?" I finally asked. It had been a really long time since we had entered the forest.

"Right here."

I didn't have time to react. I found it impossible to scream. I couldn't fight back. A familiar face had been thrust into my own and heavy hands held my hands above my head. I had been thrown against a tree.

"Itachi!" I hissed with surprise mixed with fear.

"That's me," he replied, a venomous smirk had settled on his lips.

"What do you want."

"I like your new outfit," he said, ignoring my demand. I struggled slightly under his iron grip as his face was brought only an inch from my own.

"What. Do. You. WANT?" I repeated angrily.

"Only a few things," he hinted. This was beyond frustrating. Why the cryptic messages that I was totally oblivious to the meaning of? He went to holding my arms with one hand and, with his free hand, he tilted my chin upwards towards his face and did the impossible.

He stole a soft kiss from my lips. When he was finished, he smirked. I gave him the harshest glare I had, my lips pursed to a thin line. He just loved giving me things to hate him for. I couldn't even struggle from shock.

"Where's Kiba," I demanded, finally breaking the long silence.

"I'll tell you when I get what I want," his voice was cold and filled with hatred again.

"I can't give it to you unless I know what it is!" I cried out, my distress obviously pleased him. I think my desperation and obedience helped a little bit, too. He just patted my cheek.

"Ask Akuze," he said simply, disappearing before I had the chance to do anything. I slumped to the ground, waiting for the tears to come, but nothing ran from my eyes.

"Where's Kiba?" I asked myself quietly. "What am I going to do? Sasuke saw us leaving. What does he want?" I felt the hot tears well up in my eyes.

Kito, he wants your heart. Akuze's voice sounded ashamed and I couldn't even begin to ponder why.