Author's Rant: Not completely satisfied with this chapter, but enjoy guys!
Onward
"You're sure there's nothing you can tell me? Not even a little hint?"
"No."
"What about—"
"You're risking time on the couch, Dobe."
"OK, OK." Naruto raised up his hands and sighed in resignation. He scratched behind his head and offered an apologetic grin at his boyfriend's scowl. "I'm just saying, it's weird. Incredibly weird. Itachi wanting to go on a date with Kiba's kind of . . . strange. Itachi doesn't date. He fucks and leaves. I'd feel better knowing that was all he wants, but this, just ew." He returned to his place next to Sasuke's side and took the bowl of freshly washed vegetables as Sasuke slide the cutting board covered in roast beef in front him.
"I've never been able to make sense of my brother's ploys since we were children." Sasuke rolled up his jet-black V-neck long sleeves, opened the top drawer and fished out a butcher knife. "What makes you think now is any different from then?" He started slicing finger thick slices in the hunk of meat.
Naruto rolled up the sleeves to his orange cashmere turtleneck and found a knife to start cubing the vegetables. "I dunno. You're an Uchiha. I thought all you ever did was cause trouble. It'd make sense if you knew how to identify the meaning behind another Uchiha's motives."
"Besides knowing that Itachi obviously has an ulterior motive, I can't say much more than that."
"Ah-ha!" Naruto held the tip of his knife towards Sasuke's face. "So you do know something."
"No, idiot, I don't and put that down before you put an eye out!"
Naruto pouted, narrowing his eyes in disbelief and keeping the blade erect. "Itachi's not trying to hurt Kiba is he?"
Sasuke carefully pressed his index finger on the side of Naruto's knife, steering it safely downward. "If Itachi wanted to hurt Inuzuka, he would've done it when they first met. Something must've happened to make him steer in that direction—do you mind?" He tapped the knife.
Naruto cautiously lowered it and kept his eyes sharply on the pair of black eyes glaring him just as heatedly. "Something like what?" He asked a few seconds into their staring.
"Again, asking the wrong person. If Itachi and Inuzuka going to dinner worries you so much, why don't you tell Itachi that you're not comfortable with the idea?"
"Because I'm not Kiba's keeper, but I know your brother. He's always up to something . . . why don't you ask him for me?"
"No," Sasuke deadpanned and, lowering his knife up and down, up and down, perfectly separating two more thick slices from the beef. "Itachi's business isn't mine to meddle in."
Naruto stubbornly snapped his head down to the bowl of vegetables and began chopping through a carrot with extra vigor. He didn't say anything else for a long time as he and Sasuke got to work finishing dinner. It was frustrating, very frustrating, being unable to read into Itachi's plans, but having this nagging feeling in the back of your head scream that he was planning something devious. His involvement with Naruto and Sasuke's relationship still buzzed in Naruto's head like a trashcan full of flies.
No one was physically hurt, but Naruto did suffer public exposure of his and Sasuke's relationship being placed on national news. Sasuke had it worst when his and Neji's affair was revealed. Not to mention that they lost their jobs at the Uchiha Corporation. Had it not been for Sasuke's inheritance and Neji's saved stocks that were automatically owed to him, the two could have easily went into poverty.
Humiliation, exposed secrets, desires to take over Sasuke's portion of the corporation and perhaps even wanting to see his brother's happiness, were probably Itachi's intentions from the beginning. Since leaving the Uchiha Corp, Sasuke hasn't had to work as much as he used too. He could stay home and help raise the children and . . . he smiled more. In Itachi's own twisted scheme of things, he'd managed to guarantee a safer, easier means of living for his brother, knowing he was resourceful enough to find a way to maintain his multimillion-dollar intelligence.
But like Naruto, there wasn't much to Kiba. He goes to school, works at Ichiraku's, has a small apartment and just Akamaru to care for. There was nothing to benefit Itachi in dating Kiba. Though, Naruto would be the first to admit that he'd been into men before meeting Sasuke, he would confess that Kiba's crooked smile, brass nature and overall thick loyalty would be extremely attractive.
. . . Wait . . . Itachi couldn't actually be attracted to Kiba for real could he?
No. God no. Hell no. Naruto rapidly shook his head to void out the hideous images in his head.
That couldn't be the case. So, nothing extreme could happen to Kiba, right? He really didn't need to go through any more drama in his life. Coming from a rough background like his, no way did he need any more added trauma.
Naruto was startled out of his thoughts when a sudden thump crashed into the side of his leg. Gazing down, blinking, he saw two intense green eyes staring at him, and a tiny finger pointing into a mouth. Turning back to the bowl of neatly cubed vegetables, Naruto fished around the mass for a couple of tomato pieces.
Naruto kneeled to the boy's height. "Say ahhh," he held out the tempting snack.
Gaara opened his mouth wider, albeit silent and welcomed the snack bit, chubby cheeks rolling and munching. When finished he opened his mouth again to show he'd eaten every bit, he held out his hand and beckoned for another.
"No," Sasuke sternly said. Gaara looked around Naruto's shoulder to see his father's firm expression daring him to have a temper tantrum. Gaara's bottom lip trembled. "Go back in the living room and wait for dinner," said Sasuke.
"Gimme a hug first," Naruto pulled Gaara's back to his chest and nuzzled the back of his head. "Dinner's almost done kiddo. Hang in there."
Though he pouted, Gaara nodded, folding his chunky arms. He suddenly blinked when he felt Naruto's large hands discreetly peeling his lips apart and stuck a tomato chunk in his mouth. "Mmm," he couldn't help humming and waddled out, rubbing his tummy.
Naruto stood. He went back to cutting his vegetables, despite the lukewarm glare burning the side of his face.
Sasuke sucked his teeth, cutting the beef with more force than necessary. "You spoil him."
"You spoil me," Naruto softly countered. After tossing a couple of innocent smiles, Naruto knew he was forgiven, even when he dodged the balled up napkin Sasuke threw at his head. Naruto made kissing smacks with his lips and winked.
Then he felt a second tug, this one more demanding and strong, pulling at his linen pants. "Bro, Bro, I want eat, eat please," said Kyuubi.
Naruto sighed. "Dinner'll be done in a jiff, kiddo."
"No, I want eat, eat now." The red head then proceeded to point at the bowl of veggies.
"No," Naruto said, turning his head up. "You and Minato already had your apple snacks."
"But I still hungry, Bro Bro," he whimpered.
"What did I say? Aren't you supposed to be watching Hinata? What if she starts crying again?"
"But—"
"You want a belt to your—wow, seriously. Right in front of me huh?" Naruto rolled his eyes when Sasuke came up behind him. In his palm were four cherry tomatoes, he didn't try to hide as he handed them over to Kyuubi.
Kyuubi beamed as he cupped the little red fruit, white teeth all on display. "Thank you, S'suke," he politely bowed and scurried out of there, calling Minato's name at the top of his lungs about his new bounty.
Naruto cut his eyes at the back of Sasuke's head as he dumped the beef cubs in the pot. "Now who's spoiling someone?"
"You spoil me," Sasuke returned with a wink.
If possible, those dark eyes grew darker. Naruto's cheeks exploded in a rich pink blush. He rolled his eyes and finished the rest of his task. He picked up the bowl and lightly tipped it over the edge.
The kitchen is bigger a professional restaurant's. Yet somehow, when the food is settling into being cooked, it never fails to amaze Naruto how close Sasuke seems to rub against him and purr like a mischievous feline in his ear. Angling his head back as long arms encircled his waist, Naruto felt the smooth brush of Sasuke's lips brush his cheek. Long fingers stroked his stomach in comforting, rhythmic circles that had brought stirring volts of warmth through Naruto's body.
"Hm, somebody loves me," Naruto sung teasingly.
"Mmm," a lazy kiss touched under his ear. "I might."
"Yeah, right." With the bowl empty of its contents, Naruto put it to the side and turned in the circle of strong arms to wrap his around Sasuke's shoulders. He suddenly rose to the tip of his toes when Sasuke's hands squeezed his waist and hips on the way down to grappling ass cheeks. Naruto smirked. "Pervert."
"Only for you. And," his thumb rose and gently rubbed over Naruto's bottom lip, "I feel like you haven't spoiled me lately."
"I spoil you enough."
"Spoil me a little more." Sasuke dipped his head in to bob his lips against Naruto's, a slow and steady motion that left Naruto purring and bucking his mouth up to meet the sensual connection. . . For the moment, he gave into the interesting sway of Sasuke's tongue and forgot about Itachi's secretive plans for Kiba.
Another late shift at Ichiraku's. Eleven o'clock seemed to swim through ice water getting here. Kiba stretched across a tabletop to wipe the last crumbs and trash off in the dining area and leaned away, swiping sweat from his brow. He'd volunteered for the extra hours, but the pain protesting in the center of his back, made him regret ever asking.
Kiba scanned over the booth tables lined against the wall, walked through the open table areas and surveyed the bar stool section to be sure he hadn't overlooked anything. The tile floors were swept, and mopped, and the table clothes were flapped and straightened and the curtains and blinds were drawn over the windows.
As far as he could see, there wasn't much left to touch up. Kiba spared one last glance around the room before gathering the mop, broom, dishrags, and buckets of dirty bleach and water, herding the cleaning supplies to the pantry room near the back exit. He grabbed his jacket and grabbed the take-home tray from the metal.
"Thanks, Slim," he said through the opening window.
The cook inside, Namu Mane, a thin as a weed, high schooler, peeked his head under the fan hood, grinning. "No problem, sir. Hope it's enough. The old man's been on my case. Still says I need practice before I'm as good as Naruto was."
"Nah, I think you're doing fine." Just to be sure though, Kiba flipped the lid up, welcoming the misty steam to fan over his face. Inside were large helpings of today's special. Grilled chicken wings glazed in sweet and sour honey sauce, steamed broccoli and red peppers, fried rice, three coiled egg rolls, three tempura shrimp and a small tea bowl of soy sauce. "Smells good, but we'll see about taste when I get home. You need help with anything back there?" he asked, shutting the top.
"Nope, I got it. See ya next week!"
"See ya, Slim. Bye everybody!"
"Bye Kiba," the café loudly said.
Kiba walked out the door and rubbed over his eyes as the brisk autumn winds whisked across his cheeks. As soon as he made it home, his work wouldn't be finished. Akamaru needed to be taken out for his nightly run, and eat dinner. Half of the meal in the to-go tray was for him since money's gotten tighter than Kiba expected.
A tiny little nagging voice in the back of his head, sounding suspiciously like Neji, said he'd better start rethinking some of his spending decisions. He could stand to cut back on some of his premium channels and maybe he could try the generic gel brands. Between going to the hospital, work and school, there hadn't been much time for anything else. And the main victim of Kiba's tight schedule was his aging dog. Akamaru was getting up in age and it had Kiba worried.
Akamaru was getting older, slower and gaining weight fast. Exercise was out of the question because of his joints acting up, especially because of the cold weather. Pain medication did the trick sometimes, especially with his muscle cramps, but even that tiny bit of magic didn't seem to be enough. Kiba tucked his face behind the color of his jacket, shivering. He was grateful the distance from his apartment complex wasn't so far. Walking saved gas, which he was solely lacking in due to, yet again, money troubles.
Kiba climbed up the metal stairwell and turned down the inner hall leading to his apartment when his cell phone started to buzz in his back pocket. "Damn," he mumbled, struggling to wrestle his key in the door and concentrating on making sure his tray didn't spill.
He managed to get the door opened and none too soon. The cell phone gave its final buzz before Kiba dug it out and pressed the answer key without checking the ID.
"Hello?" He croaked, cleared his throat and tried again. "Yo', who is this?"
A hushed, raspy voice that had no business raising the hairs on Kiba's body on end, softly spoke in his ear. "I see you've finally arrived home."
Kiba almost dropped his tray. This was one of those moments to be very proud of his quick reflexes. "Yeah, yeah I just got in a few seconds ago." Standing wasn't a good idea. Kiba waved around in the dark until he flipped the light switch in the dining room and pulled one of the dinner chairs to sit in. "Are you supposed to be up this late? Why are you calling so late? Dude, do you know what time it is?"
"The hospital's responsible for my health, not my private life," came the tone of dry humor. "And my reason for calling is to say I'm scheduled for release at 9:00 a.m. tomorrow. Do you still want to offer your help?"
Kiba faced the wall with a small frown. "I said I'd help didn't I? Look, are you calling to pick a fight? Because as soon as the doctor gives the OK, you're eligible for an ass kicking. My foot's been spending days practicing a high step just to see how deep it can dive in your ass." Kiba knew he was being childish, maybe incredibly stubborn, but it ground his gears to no end whenever someone tried to play him like this.
"Amazing how after working two shifts, you still have enough bite to back up that bark," Neji said nothing else for a moment, breathing gently over the receiver. "No, I'm not calling to pick a fight."
"Then what are you calling for?"
Silence, then. "To make sure you aren't having second thoughts or feeling as if you were pressured into assisting me with Hinata. Itachi did spring it on you without notice."
"Pfft, no shit, like I didn't have any plans to do myself or whatever."
"Did you?"
"No, I'm just saying." Kiba sighed. "Listen Neji, Itachi suggested, but it was still my decision. He has nothing to do with me wanting to be there for you and Hinata, kapeesh? So quit fishing for excuses to get rid of me 'cause it ain't happening."
Neji went quiet for a long while to where Kiba checked his cell to see if he was still on. Then Neji spoke in that strangely raspy, smooth voice that seemed to have fun traveling up and down's spine like static.
"I know we haven't seen eye to eye these few years and . . . I want to make an effort in improving our relationship. If we must spend these next few days together, we may as well learn to be more tolerable of each other's company."
Kiba chewed his bottom lip as he leaned forward in his chair and began tracing invisible circles on the table's surface. "I kind of thought we were already getting along. We haven't fought—much," he quickly corrected, chuckling, "since you went into the hospital."
Kiba could almost imagine the tiny smile spreading half an inch on Neji's lips. "You don't consider that a convenient excuse? Because it did to me. I don't want my health dictating your overall opinion of me. Whether I'm well or ill, there shouldn't be an excuse to act falsely decent around one another."
"I was being serious though," Kiba's voice dropped a few octaves as he picked at the cotton strings on his tablecloth. "It wasn't because you banged your head up; I came to visit you 'cause, you know, I wanted to . . ."
"I assumed that was because of my handicap."
"Nah, no way. You don't get the pity card from me because I know even if you had a broken arm, a peg leg, an eye patch and pink hair, you'd still have some fight in you."
"That's an interesting image. How does your imagination conjure up such . . . horrendous ideas?"
"It comes with the territory. There's more to this pretty face then meets than eye."
"I'm slowly beginning to see that."
No matter how strongly he tried to shovel down that bizarre tingle in his stomach, it rose anyway, all warm and cozy and mysteriously likable. Kiba couldn't stop smiling in secret satisfaction. Leaning further and lower, he cupped his cell phone between his cheek and shoulder, and braced his chin in the crook of his folded arms.
"So, where should I see you tomorrow?" Kiba asked. "Your place or the hospital?"
"I have a ride scheduled to pick me up a soon as I sign the necessary paperwork. Would you be willing to ride along with Hinata and me? She'll be happy to see you."
Kiba's smile widened. "I'd like that. Do I need me to bring anything? Some food or hygiene stuff?"
"Just yourself, and a week's worth of clothing. You're our round-the-clock nanny after all." The underlined humor was unmistakable in Neji's tone.
"Fine, whatever, just don't go calling me Nana or make me wear anything maid's outfit. Freak." Kiba felt his elbow nuzzled from behind. Looking over his shoulder, he came face to face with Akamara's muzzle and a wet tongue skating over his nose. Kiba reached around to scratch under the old dog's chin and behind his floppy long ears.
"Inuzuka?"
"Oh, sorry," Kiba patted Akamaru's head and sent him under the table. He opened the tray and pulled out the dog's share. "Neji . . ." Kiba hesitated to ask the burning question as he stared down at his loving companion. "I can live with you this week, but I'm not . . . I'm not cool with living my bud by himself." He waited, breath baited and caught in the back of his throat. Those three seconds trickled slower than a glacier in ice water.
"Bring him along. If he's able to stand a thirty minute drive, I'm sure he'll welcome the opportunity to stretch his legs in the open fields out back."
Kiba breathed a huge sigh of relief as he sunk his chair and lowered the scoop of food in his hand in front of Akamaru's mouth. "Thanks Neji. He'll love it out there."
"Inuzuka."
"Yeah?"
"No licking."
"No licking, got'cha." Well, he didn't expect it to be one hundred percent cooperative about Akamaru, but Kiba was grateful for small favors.
"I appreciate you for this, Inuzuka. Really . . . I don't have many people outside my family willing to make personal sacrifices for me."
"You make it seem like I'm trading places with you for execution," Kiba joked. "Lay off. I told you it's cool. I'll see you tomorrow."
"Thank you all the same. Good night."
"Yeah, you too."
The phone hung up.
A gentle nip tugged at the end of his pants leg. Kiba peered under the table. Akamaru lifted his head at a certain angle, the corners of his black rubbery lips raising high. That expression was easy to recognize. Kiba ducked his head away, smirking. Akamaru groaned, nuzzling his master's ankle, wringing a small chuckle from above and a push of his foot on Akamaru's nose.
"Shut up," he said amused. "Eat your dinner."
Akamaru's tail thumped on the floor and his tongue lolled before he dipped his head down to eat the food given.
"My word . . . this was . . . unexpected."
There had been pictures of many dogs that'd fit Inuzuka's personality; German Shepards, Rottweilers, Pit Bulls and Dobermans, but this? This didn't even compare.
Neji's worrying hum hung in the air as Kiba appeared straddling Akamaru's back with a toothy grin splitting his face. The transport nurse who'd escorted Neji out of the hospital in a wheelchair stood trembling with his hands loosely gripping the handles. Hinata, who sat quiet and interest in her father's lap, tilted round face to the side, examining Kiba and his new friend with extreme curiosity.
"He's tame I hope," Neji asked, frowning between Kiba and the dog that stood five feet at the shoulder and was currently trotting towards them. Neji's arms protectively circled around Hinata's waist to prevent her excited self from leaping off to get a firsthand look at the dog.
Kiba slide over Akamaru's side, and patted his head affectionately. " 'Course he is. Akamaru's nothing but a big ole' teddy bear with teeth, aren't you boy?"
Akamaru woofed, trotting forward with his head bowed black nostrils sniffing the air. He crouched down in front of Neji's wheel chair and roughly shoved his nose on the side of Neji's thigh. Taking in a few whiffs of the foreign scents of the big and little strangers, Kiba patiently crossed his arms to see how his friend would take to the Hyuuga Family. It was a bargain deal they shared. Kiba allowed Akamaru to be the judge of others for himself with any interference. Respect would go as far as given, even for dogs.
The inspection ended with Akamaru climbing up to his full height and pressing his nose into Hinata's face. A large tongue swept across her face. She and Akamaru's nose were so equal in size that when she hugged his nose, he was able to pick her up and wag his face side to side.
"Yayyyyy!" She squealed at the top of her lungs, legs flagging every which a way.
Neji started standing from his chair. "Hinata—"
"Easy, he won't hurt her." Kiba came by Neji's side, taking a firm hold of his arm. "That's how he plays. 'Sides, he likes her. Which is weird, 'cause he doesn't take to people so fast."
Akamaru rolled his head back, but Hinata's grip was fastened like shoe laces around his snout. "Daddy, lookie Daddy, lookie!" Completely oblivious to the dog's discomfort, Hinata squeezed her arms tighter and put a sweet, sloppy kiss between his eyes.
Akamaru conceited defeat and lowered down to the ground, looking mournful and whining as his red eyes glared in the round, pale eyes of the littlest stranger.
"Uh-oh, boy, looks like you finally met your match," laughed Kiba.
Akamaru whimpered. He shook his head again. No luck. The girl was latched on like a baby monkey.
"Awww, I love you!" Hinata beamed happily, smooching kiss after wet kiss all over Akamaru's face. "Kiba, we can play when we get home?"
"We'll see kiddo. Gotta make sure your dad's settled in first." Kiba thanked the transport, who pinned with a peculiar look and then helped him get Neji to his feet before entering back in the hospital.
The driver arrived moments later, popping the trunk open and wearing a very freaked expression when he saw his employer and his daughter near a gigantic creature.
"Erm, sir," the driver looked between the passengers and the dog. "H-how exactly is this supposed to work?"
"Good question." Neji turned to Kiba. "You don't expect him to ride with us do you?"
Kiba wrestled with pulling Hinata off Akamaru's face. "Give 'em a break kid," he laughed. "You got him scared shitless."
"Inuzuka?"
"Oh, yeah, right—uh, no, he'll follow behind the car. Try to stick to fifty miles and he should keep up."
"You heard him," said Neji to the driver. "He'll pack our belongings in the trunk." He beckoned for Kiba and Hinata to get in the backseat with him.
Kiba held back to check on Akamaru before stepping in. "Be careful, boy. Don't chase any stray cats. No running after cars either. Stick to the sidewalks, don't bite anyone and if you get tired, go to Naruto's. Got it?" Akamaru licked his face before scampering around behind the car.
"Interesting," Kiba hears Neji mumble as he crawled in.
"What is?"
"The way you speak to him. Most dog owners stick to basic, short word commands." Neji glanced out the back window, impressed with the large dog's obedience. "He understood every word. I know he did. It's so obvious in the way he reacts to you," he said in low wonder, "as if he could speak our language."
Kiba looked behind as well. "That's because Akamaru's not like most dogs. He's different."
Hinata scrambled up to her feet, eagerly glancing behind. "I like him, Daddy."
"Yes, you do." Though he couldn't admit to the dog's feelings being mutual. "What breed is he?"
"Don't know," shrugged Kiba. "My Ma and sis found 'em as a puppy before I was born. He's kind of looked out for me since. Now it's my turn to look out for the old guy." His expression dampened a smidge.
Neji noticed it and how could he not? Kiba's emotions rose and fell in such leaps and bounds, the effects were contagiously thick enough to soak into you. "With the kind of care you give him, I'm certain he'll outlive us all."
Kiba moved back in his seat, keeping his eyes and blush out the window. "I think it works both ways." He'd better get a hold of himself. At this rate, his face was going to develop a new shade of red.
Stupid Neji.
