Chapter 12: Confessions, Interrupted

"Oh! Oh, wow. That's hot!"

Neji's eyes flew open as Kiba broke off the kiss, both turning to the voice to see that Ino and Lee had returned.

Neji and Kiba just stared at Ino and Lee as Ino and Lee stared right back at them. Ino seemed rather smug as a small smirk fell over her face while Lee just looked... in shock. That brought Neji to react more than anything else. Cheeks stained a dark red Neji quickly got to his feet and took off for the tent, not wanting to deal with Ino or Lee. Especially Lee. That look... he had no idea what his friend might do to him and if there was a chance that the man would be disapproving... well he couldn't face that at the moment.

"I-I'm going to rest!" He stuttered out lamely, trying to make an excuse not to be visited by his friend or the blonde that seemed reasonable.

Ino arched a brow at that and Lee just stayed frozen where he was. Once in the safety of his tent Neji allowed himself a quick silent melt down. That shouldn't have happened! He should not have let Kiba kiss him! He should have fought back more! And Lee and Ino were definitely not suppose to have seen that!

Laying down on his little bed he pulled his little bird from his obi and held it up to look at it. Hinata-sama... I have screwed up completely. I wonder what you would say if you were here now.

It took a long while to fall asleep. Shino and Shikamaru had made it back to camp before he managed the task but when he finally did he slept until the noon meal when Ino came in to wake him up to eat. Luckily for him Ino was more focused on getting details so she didn't mind bringing lunch to him so he didn't have to face Lee or Kiba. Of course this meant that he had to put up with Ino but it wasn't all that bad. At least that was what he continued to tell himself.

The insistent blonde woman only gave in when he begged for more sleep after they had finished their lunch. It took a while but she did finally give in, allowing him to rest after giving him some medicine to help.

When he was woken up for dinner later on he wasn't allowed the choice to stay in the tent. Lee came in and carried him out to the fire before he could even protest.

"You shouldn't be in that stuffy tent all night Hinata-sama." Lee beamed at him as he scowled with embarrassment, not looking at his friend or Kiba.

Thankfully he was set next to Shikamaru who was sitting next to Shino. Lee and Ino sat on his other side. While this left him right across Kiba it wasn't like he was right next to him and that, at the moment, mattered the most to him.

"Are you feeling better Hinata-sama?" Ino asked happily from her spot as she ate.

Neji coughed lightly before nodding quietly, attention on his own food.

"That's good." Ino snickered which caused Neji to blush. Damnit, he couldn't take this!

"Yes. Hopefully we can make it back tomorrow by nightfall then if we keep a good pace." Shikamaru added as he stretched out lazily, his food balanced precariously on his lap.

"I can't wait!" Ino said with excitement. "Oh, to be able to have a proper hot bath again! And an actual meal!"

Neji blinked before tensing with sudden realization at those words. And then he felt guilt. This was all his fault. Their being out here when they could have stayed at the Inuzuka compound until the path was clear. That they had been out here so long either way because first he and Kiba had fallen and gotten hurt because he had needed his charm. Then they had been held up by him needing to rest.

Not only that but he was suppose to be trying to make Kiba not want to marry Hinata. And instead he was completely messing that up to. He was just a failure. Never had he messed up so badly before. Especially on something so important and when others depended on him.

"Hinata-sama?"

Neji jumped as warm breath hit his cheek.

"Are... you okay?" Lee's soft voice asked with concern.

Opening his mouth to reply he drew a blank on what to actually say. In reality, no. No he was not okay. But how could he express those feelings? He couldn't. Maybe if they were alone but they weren't. He also really didn't have time to worry about that. He needed to—

"Something is bothering you... tell me." Lee's voice came again, closer this time.

He opened his mouth once more only to pause when he felt eyes on him. Glancing around he saw that everyone seemed to be watching Lee and himself with interest. Turning back to his friend he tried to draw a blank expression. "I'm fine."

Bringing his attention back to his meal he was about to eat a little more until Lee surprised him with his response.

"Are not." His friend argued boldly, voice still low but it had lost its softness.

Silver eyes widened before glaring in warning at his friend. He didn't want to talk about it now with everyone around. Surely Lee understood that! "Am too."

"Are not." The annoying man continued to challenge.

"I don't want to talk about it now." He hissed back lowly, trying to be as discrete as possible since he could still feel the others looking at them.

Lee seemed to get the hint, falling silent for a few seconds before frowning lightly, reaching a hand out. "You need to lighten up a little—stop being so—"

Both were surprised when he reacted instinctively, smacking the hand away. Normally when the two would fight like so it usually led to a spar which helped one, if not both, vent their feelings and left both feeling better afterward. But they couldn't do that now—not in front of the others! It wouldn't be—

Neji gasped as Lee reached for him again, his movement a playful challenge. Once again he instinctively smacked the hand away, eyes glaring in another warning. A warning that Lee didn't seem to want to follow. Again his friend reached out. This time he jumped to his feet to escape, knocking his half eaten meal to the ground. Glancing around he saw that everyone was still watching them.

Allowing his eyes to meet with his friend's he smiled lightly, trying to reassure him. "I'm sorry. Just... tired. I think I am going to rest a little more."

A frowning Lee, wary Ino, and confused Kiba called good night to him as he walked back to the tent. He returned it lightly before turning in for the night, fighting with the horrible thoughts that came floating into his head again.

xxXXxx

Kiba's lips were delicious on his, stealing his very breath as possessive hands traveled his body and set him on fire. He had never been kissed or touched like this before so he wasn't sure if it was Kiba that was making him feel like this or if it was just the situation. Either way he didn't want it to stop. He loved the way Kiba's teeth teased his pulse and curious fingers trailed the skin of his sides, moving down toward his hips.

More. He wanted more—for Kiba to touch him more! Kiss him more! Love him more! For it to be him that Kiba wanted—not Hinata!

A sharp nip to his throat caused him to cry out in pleasure in a way that made him uncomfortably hard. The feel of Kiba's hands moving over his thighs and between his legs caused an excited shiver to run down his spine. Yes! There! That was a—

"What's this?" Kiba's husky voice asked curiously.

Turning his attention to what Kiba was talking about Neji felt dread instantly replace his previous arousal. Kiba was between his legs and staring in shock. Because...

"Y-You're a guy? You lied to me! You're not Hinata! Disgusting!" Kiba accused angrily, eyes filled with revulsion piercing him.

"No! Kiba-san, please! You don't under—" Neji tried to explain, afraid, as the Inuzuka advanced on him.

"Don't speak my name with your lying lips!" Kiba growled, reaching for his throat.

"W-Wait! Please—"

Neji gasped, jerking upright as his body trembled with the after shocks of his nightmare and sweat tickled his temple. Looking around wildly he soon calmed when he saw where he was. Taking a deep breath he released it shakily before laying back down and staring at the top of the tent. He was happy he hadn't disturbed Ino. He really didn't want to have to explain this.

Bringing a shaky hand to his forehead he wiped the sweat away before recalling his nightmare. That was the third one he had had like that so far. It was too much! Obviously his instinct was trying to tell him something! He... he needed to break it off. In the morning. No matter what. He would have to come clean and confess and hope that Kiba really didn't try to hurt him. Of course it wasn't like he wouldn't deserve it.

He was sure Lee would stop Kiba if the the stronger man tried to do anything to him. Not that that made him feel any better—in fact it made him feel a little worse. Kiba should be allowed to hurt him for lying to him. The thought made him feel sick to his stomach. He had to do this! He knew he did... but there was that small part that didn't want to.

Maybe... maybe he could just try to make Kiba think he didn't want to marry him. That way they would both hurt for a bit but could get over it. And then he wouldn't have to see that disgusted look in the dog lover's eyes. Just the memory made him shiver in fear. He'd have to think of something and it would have to be good.

Clenching his fists in his blanket in determination he sighed. Tomorrow, no matter what, was going to have to be good bye.

xxXXxx

The group awoke the next morning to a cloudy day which made everyone groan and think the same thing: no more rain! Ino, Neji, and Kiba packed up the camp while Shino, Shikamaru, and Lee got breakfast for hopefully the very last time.

Neji tried his best to remain calm the whole time but on the inside he was having an internal battle. On what to say. On when to say it. On how to say it. On how to explain. On how this had to be done now, before they left. It was stressful! He couldn't wait to just get it over with and go home. Smoothing his hair down he tried to mentally meditate while packing though it didn't seem to be working too well. All too soon they were packed and the boys were back with breakfast. As they ate Neji figured he needed to talk to Kiba before they left. So his best bet was to ask for moment before they took off. If he was lucky they would part ways here and that would be the end of it.

Once they had all finished eating and started gathering their things Neji gathered his courage and approached Kiba, looking anywhere but at the handsome man. "K-Kiba-san? Can I talk to you for a minute... privately?"

He could feel Kiba's eyes on his face and that made him blush.

"Uh, sure." Kiba answered him slowly before taking his arm and leading him towards the trees. When asked what they were doing the Inuzuka replied with, "We need a minute so hang on."

Neji allowed himself to be pulled into the woods until he felt they were a safe enough distance and pulled his arm free. Kiba released him without struggle, something he was grateful for. They stood in silence for a few seconds before Kiba broke it, eyes taking him in curiously.

"You... wanted to talk?" The Inuzuka questioned lightly.

Taking a deep breath Neji forced himself to do as needed. "Yes. I... Kiba-san I am sorry. I cannot do this. I know I haven't given you fair chance but I—I will not marry you. I cannot. I do not want you. Please, understand that I—"

"Why? Why are you saying this? I still have until we get back!" Kiba broke in, a desperate frown on his face.

"Do you really think you could make me love you in less than a day when you haven't been able to yet?" Neji snapped back as he wrapped his arms around himself protectively.

Kiba was silent for a moment before trying to don a calm and patient tone. "Hinata-san... maybe you don't love me yet but I know you like me—at least you're sexually attracted to me. I can feel it in the kisses! Please! Just a little more—"

"No. I can't marry you. I can't be the wife you want..." Neji tried to explain subtly.

"Don't say that—you don't know that! We could be so good together—we are good together! You just can't see it because you won't open yourself up to it!" Kiba argued stubbornly. Why was she doing this to him? And why was he fighting it so hard? Should he just give in? Let her go?

"And you can't see past what you want to see! Open your eyes Inuzuka-san! I am nothing special! There are other girls! Go marry one of them. I won't be the one!" Neji huffed angrily, mad at Kiba for thinking they were good together. Mad that the man thought they were good just because he was Hinata. Mad at himself for minutely hoping that they could have been good with him as himself. It was ridiculous. His attraction to the Inuzuka was putting him far in over his head.

When he didn't receive a reply to that he figured that Kiba was finally giving in. Relieved Neji turned on his heel to head back to camp.

He couldn't believe it. Hinata wouldn't marry him—didn't want to. That knowledge hurt him more than it probably should have. Why should one stupid girl matter? Sure, he was smitten with her but he had liked a lot of other girls before her. A lot had turned him down too. But Hinata... no!

Lunging forward he quickly reached out, catching her by her wrist and tugging her back. "Wait—"

Neji gasped as he was suddenly pulled back. The quick movement caused him to trip over his own foot. Stumbling into Kiba the two ended up tripping over each other. They both fought to catch their balance but ended up falling instead. Neji gasped as Kiba grunted when they hit the ground. Luckily for Neji he landed on Kiba. Groaning lightly he pushed himself up a little, wincing as his shoulder ached when he put weight on it.

Kiba opened his eyes, moving them to look up at Hinata. He hoped she was okay and hadn't been hurt in their fall. After all he wasn't trying to hurt her. He had just wanted to keep her from escaping yet. Seeing that she was wincing caused him to tense in slight alarm. Had she been hurt then? Quickly moving his eyes lower he scanned for any obvious sign of injury before freezing when his eyes trailed to chest level and he took in how her yukata had... fallen open more than was appropriate. Unable to look away he continued to stare until something caught his attention. Hinata...

Kiba's eyes widened. She had no chest? But that was—he had seen—and then he saw the makeshift lumps. What was going on? "You..."

Neji, easing his weight off of his shoulder, turned to look at Kiba with confusion at his words and the way he tensed under him. Frowning he turned his attention to where Kiba's eyes were before paling. Oh no! His 'chest' had come undone! He should have let Ino wrap him but they were in a hurry and—damn!

Gasping and sitting upright he used his uninjured hand to pull his yukata closed. If he wasn't so horrified by Kiba's expression he was sure he would have been blushing darkly at being caught in such a state. He tried to think of something to say but the words were hard to find and it didn't help that his voice cracked nervously. "I, um..."

Kiba just continued to stare at where he had seen the exposed flesh. Hinata... she was—no. It was something else. The chest... it wasn't that it was flat. It was because it belonged to a different body type for there to be muscles there. The kind that belonged to... Hinata was a boy? Was male. A man. But that didn't make any sense. Why would—was this what Hinata had been hiding then? "You... you're a man."

Was this why she—he wanted to call off the engagement then? Because he couldn't stand lying? Kiba frowned lightly. And what about him? Knowing this surely he could give up now? No... no. He still wanted Hinata. Even if the gender was a lie. It didn't matter. He liked guys too. Moving his eyes to Hinata's face to tell him so he was surprised to see the open fear in the silver orbs. His face was paler than usual too. Why? Was he—oh!

"Hey... don't worry. I'm not mad. Surprised, yes, and a little confused but not mad at you. I don't know what is really going on... but I do know that I still want you." Kiba said softly, lifting a hand up to stroke a soft cheek. He couldn't believe it. Hinata really was a very beautiful man.

Neji felt his heart jump as his breath caught. What? What was Kiba saying? He wanted... him? Him? But—there was no way that was possible! "Kiba..."

"If this was the only reason you couldn't marry—well, now I know. You have no reason to refuse me now Hinata." Kiba said with slight excitement as happiness started to fill him. Really! He could marry yet! Pleased with that thought he pulled the dark haired man in for a kiss.

Neji tensed, eyes widening. Hinata? Kiba still thought he was Hinata? How stupid was he? And not only that the stupid man still wanted to marry his cousin! This was—ugh! He had to tell him the truth. He hated the thought of it but there was no other way. Whimpering softly into the kiss he allowed it for another second before pulling away.

"Kiba-san, please wait. I have to—" Neji tried to start only to be silence by a finger to his lips. He was about to push the hand away until he was suddenly pushed sideways, off of Kiba, and onto his back on the ground.

"We have plenty of time for the back story... later. Right now I just want to..." Kiba trailed off, leaning down to kiss him again.

He tried to turn his head away but Kiba's hand held him still. He tried to resist the sweet pull of Kiba's lips but it was harder than he thought it would be. He was so weak it wasn't even funny. Especially when he couldn't afford to be weak at the moment. When resistance proved to be futile he just allowed it, hoping Kiba would pull away for oxygen soon. He would tell him then.

Neji was happy that it only took less than a minute for that to happen. Though he hadn't expected Kiba to dive for his neck right after, lips and teeth teasing the skin of his throat. It felt even better than his dream—his dream! No, nightmare! Where Kiba had found out and was disgusted by him. He had to get him to listen!

"Kiba-san—wait. I have to tell you..." Neji blushed as a small moan worked it's way up his throat when hot lips found his pulse and began sucking, laying claim.

"Hinata, please. Just enjoy this for the moment. I promise we can talk about all of this when we start off for your house again. Okay?" Kiba huffed in slight annoyance. He just wanted to kiss the uncooperative man! Why wouldn't he let him?

"But—" Neji tried to refuse only to have his mouth captured again and put to a use that wasn't talking. Grumbling at always being cut off he tried to push the taller man off of him only to have his wrists captured and pinned to his sides. He struggled for another minute before giving in once more.

Fine. Let Kiba kiss him. Let Kiba be lured into a sense of security! He would make him pay for it then! Opening himself up to the Inuzuka's advances he allowed himself to kiss back with as much intensity as Kiba was giving out. It was just starting to get heated, filled with light panting and soft moans when Neji was distracted by someone calling out. He wasn't sure who it had been—oh! It was probably someone from their party!

Opening his eyes to scan Kiba's face he soon deduced that the Inuzuka hadn't heard whoever it was. He was about to reluctantly pull away when the person called out again, coupled with a few other voices, but it was the name that made him freeze.

"Neji!"

Again Kiba showed no sign of having heard someone calling out—that or he chose to just ignore it. Unfortunately Neji couldn't do that. Gasping lightly when it was his name that was called again—and not only that but he recognized the voice—he quickly brought his hands up the push Kiba off of him. Thankfully the Inuzuka moved without a fight, though gave him a questioning look.

"What's—" Kiba started to ask him until he cut him off by scrambling out all the way from under the man, fixing his clothes and hair in sloppy quickness.

"Neji!"

This time Kiba turned his attention to the call with a frown on his face as he ran a hand through his messy hair. Neji was just getting to his feet when the caller and his party came running in upon them. The Hyuuga watched with growing alarm as Uzumaki Naruto, Uchiha Sasuke, Lee, and Tenten came into view. Everyone skidded to a halt upon sight of them. Both Lee and Tenten were frowning while Sasuke donned his usual blank expression and Naruto looked a little annoyed and relieved at the same time. The blonde was the first to speak.

"There you are! Why didn't you call back asshole?" Naruto grouched as bent over his knees lightly to catch his breath.

Kiba frowned as Neji tensed and blushed at the words the stupid blonde man used toward him.

"W-What... is this?" Neji tried to ask politely to Lee, hoping the man could silently communicate with him what was going on so he could quickly prepare for it. Before Lee could even blink Naruto was answering him.

"Neji you've been gone longer than planned. Naturally people were starting to worry so Hyuuga Hiashi-san and Hinata-san asked us to come look for you and the lost fiancée." Was the Uzumaki's answer.

Neji could feel his heart drop to his stomach when Kiba's surprised eyes landed on him. He could feel the confused stare and, when he refused to look at the man, he could feel the suddenly heated and demanding gaze. He wanted to shudder but he held back. Kiba knew—he knew! This was not the way he had wanted him to find out! What was worse was that he could feel the mounting anger in the glare the was directed at him and there was nothing he could do to escape. He really, really didn't want to come clean to Kiba in front of everyone. He could do without the humiliation that it would—

He was suddenly distracted from his frantic thoughts when a sharp stinging hit his cheek, the flesh of a heated palm catching his attention soon after. His eyes widened in surprise at the same time he heard someone from the group—probably Lee—gasp. Before he could process what had just happened Tenten was speaking, voice shaking a little.

"Excuse me boys but could I maybe talk to my fiancée... alone?"

Both Lee and Neji turned to the brunette woman with surprise while Kiba tensed, gritting his teeth.

"Uh... sure..." Naruto said slowly looking to Sasuke as if seeking confirmation that this was okay. The Uchiha just shrugged before turning and leaving. Naruto followed a second later, Kiba on their heels and in a foul mood. Lee seemed more reluctant but after a pointed look from Tenten he, too, left.

Embarrassed and filled with shame Neji couldn't bear to look at his long time friend. Fiancée? Was that what she was now? Since when? Had Hiashi gone behind his back to—

"Neji! I'm so sorry! Are you okay?" Tenten asked softly, a soft and soothing hand reaching out to his still stinging cheek. He flinched at the contact but Tenten did not pull away.

Neither spoke for a minute but soon Neji couldn't take it any longer and voiced the question that now filled his thoughts with unease. "We're... to be married?"

Tenten's hand on his cheek tensed for a second before it fell away. "No... that was a lie. I was afraid that Inuzuka-san might do something to you in his anger so I... Neji. Lee told me what you were—what were you thinking?"

Wary pale eyes met concerned brown ones and Neji felt himself relax. She really was just worried about him. There was no accusations or disgust in her eyes just pure curiosity. So he told her everything. When finished she just sighed before hugging him tightly. He really appreciated it.

"Neji, honestly..." The woman sighed as she helped him fix his appearance before they headed back to the camp. "And I thought you were suppose to be smart. And Lee! Going along with it! Apparently papa doesn't know best."

Groaning at the bad joke Neji reluctantly followed Tenten as she led the way back to camp. Nervous as he entered he quickly turned his eyes to the ground until the sound of Ino laughing happily caught his attention. Looking up he felt his eyebrows raise with curiosity as he took in the blonde woman being hugged tightly and nuzzled affectionately by a rather large man with wild brown hair and weird markings on his cheeks.

He noted that Shikamaru stood off to the side watching the two with disgust as a friend who thought his friend was being too affectionate with his girlfriend might—oh! Was that, then, Ino's... betrothed? Before he could be caught staring like a buffoon by the happy couple his attention was taken by Lee as his friend came up to his side.

Blushing at Lee's concerned look he allowed himself to avoid eye contact with the man, reluctantly searching out Kiba. His heart nearly exploded when he first caught sight of Shino, the quiet man seeming to be glaring at him heatedly from behind his shades. He could safely say that the man scared the daylights out of him. More than the bear-sized dog. Not too far from Shino there was Kiba... who was ignoring him. The sight made his heart clench. He had to explain!

"Kiba—" He started until the Inuzuka cut him off.

"Lets get going. I can't stand to be out here a moment longer." Kiba bit out, picking up his pack and heading off.

Neji frowned before quickly grabbing his bag, ignoring the looks that the others were giving him, and was about to hurry after the Inuzuka to make him listen when Lee caught him by the arm, holding him back and shaking his head lightly.

For a second there he wanted to protest. Instead he gave in, hanging his head in defeat.

-Chapter 12 End-

x x x

A/N: And there you have Chapter 12!~ There are another five chapters left and then an epilogue. So I guess that means it is safe to say the story is almost over. Yeah.

Kiba knows now! Oh noes! And we get to see Naruto, Sasuke, Tenten, and Chouji! Yay?

Sorry this chapter was short. Next chapter they finally make it back to the house and we'll see what happens from there! :3 It should be released sometime next week! I should have a preview up on my LiveJournal before the end of this week, okay?

x x x

NEXT CHAPTER: To Live In Shame