There are four P.O.V's in this chapter, and for anyone who only reads the manga of Naruto: The Curry of Life is something that is only found in the anime, in episode 152 of Naruto. Apart from that, enjoy!
Rock Lee's P.O.V
Kameko was too ill to attend the ball, so I went to see her in the hospital. Tsunade had given me the all clear, and Kameko had also agreed, which boosted my confidence a little. I brought with me the Curry of Life, which I had struggled to get within a short amount of time.
Tsunade had warned me that if Kameko's health deteriorated after eating the curry, I would have to send for help right away. I was confused why everyone was avoiding the curry…it tasted delicious!
I entered Kameko's room quietly, realising she was asleep, and I crept to the seat beside her and sat. It had taken a lot of persuading, but I had managed to get Tsunade to give her the more deluxe room so she had more space. I was pleased with the place, and it was very pretty. The yellow aster flowers I had brought her were on the bedside table.
What did take me by surprise was the amount of paper there was, with normal things written on them such as 'What is there to eat?' and 'Can you pass me my water?' However, some of the pieces of paper weren't bombarded with questions, but with lines and lines of words…poems.
Looking sideways at Kameko, I silently began to read the poems, despite the guilt at nosing at her personal things. I was curious though, and I wished to feed my curiousity.
Kameko didn't seem to be waking anytime soon, and her soft amaranth pink curls framed her face delicately, the tendrils blowing gently as she breathed. She didn't look as pale as she had been before too, which was a good sign.
I began to read. And then found myself in awe over what I was holding in my hands. Every word I read was a fragment of a soul placed delicately onto paper, a whisper of an emotion that triggered my own feelings. It was the kind of stuff that you read, and then found yourself overcome with elation and sorrow. She's a genius.
"What…?" my head snapped up at the sound of her voice, and for a moment we both stared at each other.
I had been caught red-handed reading her personal things, and be she ill or not, this was bad.
Kameko reached for the paper I was holding, and when she saw what it was her cheeks flushed and her soft orange eyes hardened. Folding the paper and placing it to the side, she sighed tiredly.
"You…read my…" she paused, seeming to have some difficulty, "Poems…why?"
Her voice sounded sweet and soft like a caress, but there was anger behind her words, she just wasn't showing it.
"Because they're beautiful," I admitted, reaching for the poem again, "This one in particular has the potential to be published."
Red spread on her cheeks, and she snatched the poem back and stuffed it under her pillow. It seemed she did not want me to be seeing it anymore, and I cursed myself for angering her on our first meeting. I hadn't even imagined I could anger her, since she looks like a fairy.
"Thank you," she breathed, startling me, "Best compliment ever."
I smiled, unable to help myself even though I had promised myself not to, for I had been told it was creepy…Kameko smiled back though, and reached for her pen and paper. I waited patiently until she was done.
I'm afraid I don't talk much, due to a terrible stutter I have. I cannot say more than three words without stuttering. I apologise.
I nodded in understanding. That's why there's so much paper around with questions written on them.
"It's okay," I told her, giving the thumbs up, "Do you stutter because you're shy?"
Hesitating, Kameko picked up her pen, thinking what to write, but I could see it in her face that she didn't want to say. She started writing anyway.
A number of factors. I am quite shy and sensitive, and I worry a lot. My family life was not the greatest, and I was not encouraged to speak, but to rather stay quiet.
I nodded, but didn't press the matter. I didn't want to force her to tell me anything, and I didn't want to make her feel obligated to spill all her secrets. Instead, we both set a steady pace of casual questions. I talked more about myself than anything because she had written a list of things she wanted to know, but she listened in earnest to everything I said.
When her eyes landed on the small container beside me, her eyes narrowed.
"What is that?" she asked, poking the container, "It's warm?"
Ah I had forgotten about the Curry of Life! I facepalmed, surprising her, but I raised it and smiled.
"This is the Curry of Life!" I said, grinning, "I eat it when I'm ill, or just because it tastes so good, so I brought it for you."
She blinked, taking the container from me, and when she looked inside her eyes widened. She reached for a pen and paper.
Why is it so red? How hot is it? Why is it moving?
I blinked back at her after having read her words, and I tilted my head.
"It's…just a red curry. I guess it's a little hot," I replied, remembering back to when Naruto, Neji and Tenten had tried it.
When I say a bit hot, I wonder if it's actually scorching hot…I mean, their faces did go red…
Before I could warn Kameko, she had already braved to eat a spoonful, and her face was already burning up into a deep red. Her eyes were watering, but she swallowed it and wiped the sweat off her brow.
"Whoa!" she gasped, gaping at the red substance, "I think…it tried…to kill me."
I deflated, just glad her body wasn't going into shock from the spice, and I was staring in amazement as she continued to eat it. She coughed a little…took another bite…and then another. I watched as she devoured all of it, much to my surprise, and when she sighed I half-expected her to breathe fire.
I've finally met a girl who can withstand the Curry of Life. I'm so lucky, Guy sensei!
She patted her tummy, full, and I had the overwhelming sense of pride in making her satisfied.
"That was scrump…tious," she told me, tapping my hand.
Glad, I told her how the Curry of Life had saved me from death before while I had trained with Guy sensei. However, we were interrupted by an unexpected visit from Tenten, who burst into the room noisily, her hair falling out of their buns.
"Don't eat the curry!" she yelled, and then paused, confused when she saw the empty container, "She alive?"
I sighed at her barging in, but Kameko waved and gave a smile.
Kameko's P.O.V
Lee was good company, and I really liked the curry, but there was darkness at the back of my mind. Ibiki had been in to see me earlier with news of my family, and they were denying all knowledge of me ever existing. Despite the house being raided and searched, they still denied they knew anything about me.
I agreed to give a blood sample so that they could match my DNA to theirs, and their blood was also being tested. Lee can't know about any of this, because I don't want him to worry. I do not want him to learn of my unfortunate life in that big house.
Lee finally went with Tenten for training with Might Guy, and I waved them off happily. However, I have a court battle to win with Ibiki's help. I have to finish this.
Haruka's P.O.V
Kiba would not dance with me, no matter how many times I asked, or how many times I tried to trick him into agreeing. In fact, he was completely focussed on ignoring me, and when people came up to him and me he would pretend he didn't know me.
I rolled my eyes, towering over him in my heels, and I gripped his hand, thoroughly annoyed with him. When I asked to dance, I was going to dance. End of.
"Get off!" Kiba growled, yanking away, "No way am I gonna dance with you when you look like the offspring of a giant."
Looking down at my heels, I knew they were ridiculously high, but I could walk in them effortlessly…I was quite proud of that fact and liked to show off. Still, Kiba didn't want to dance with someone who looked taller than him.
Pursing my lips, I placed my hands on my hips, eyeing him up.
"I may be a killing machine, Kiba, but I know a thing or two about fashion," I said flatly, ignoring his snort, "I know that when you come to a ball, dressed in an expensive gown, heels are required."
His face told me that he couldn't care less about fashion coordination, and I bared my teeth at that. I had spent a long time picking out my outfit carefully for tonight, because I like to dress up, and I like to look good. The gown I was wearing was a full length black gown that made a stark contrast against my pale skin, and it sported a tough leather belt adorned in raven feathers. The plunging neckline showed off my flawless cleavage, and I had spent ages braiding my white hair into an elegant up do. No way was I going to go to a ball dressed like that in flats.
Kiba crossed his arms when I explained all that to him, but he wasn't budging. Damn men and their pride, but Kiba seems to have a triple dose.
"So would you dance with me if I took off my heels?" I asked, glaring at him.
For a moment he looked at me as if I were crazy.
"Or do you just not want to dance with me, full stop?" I challenged, getting agitated now, "I agreed to the deal of making you fall in love with me, you can at least be more willing to make that possible to give me a fair chance."
He gritted his teeth stubbornly for a moment, but I had had enough. Yanking off my heels, I threw them to the far wall…and then realised I would regret doing that, since they were a lovely pair…
Turning to face him, we were now the same height, but I was growling at that fact. I hated the fact that it made me feel vulnerable, yet his silent grin of triumph was worth it I guess. Kiba unwillingly offered his hand, and I gladly accepted and guided his hands to the right places, his hand on my waist and the other in my hand. He rolled his eyes.
"I'm meant to be leading," he snarled, pulling me in closer so I couldn't escape his gaze, "I'm the man, so I'm meant to be the one guiding the woman."
I pulled a face, attempting to lead anyway, but his grip tightened and he pulled me in the opposite direction. When he puts his mind to it, he's pretty strong, which makes me question his behaviour yesterday at the summoning. Had it just been the shock and nerves that had made him seem like such a wimp? Or did I really scare the shit out of him.
Glaring up at Kiba as he forced me to follow him in the dance, he glared calmly back. I gave him a smile, but it wasn't particularly nice.
"So," I stated bluntly, "I see you're determined to erase your pathetic behaviour from yesterday."
He nodded but didn't comment, and I noticed that his eyes were beginning to unnerve me. No man had ever managed to lock eyes with me for so long. I was tempted to wrestle him to the ground and dominate him to give me a sense of solace, because I have never felt so vulnerable.
"You scared?" he asked me quietly when I looked away, "No one's ever stepped up to you before, have they?"
Whipping my eyes back to his, I saw the arrogance dancing there, so I lowered my hand to his butt and squeezed firmly. Kiba jerked in surprise, cheeks flushing, and he pushed my hand away with a growl.
"Stop that," he hissed, his eyes darting around to make sure no one had seen, "What you trying to do?"
Satisfied that I had gained the upper hand momentarily, I leaned in close to him, my mouth coming to his ear. He kept very still, and I could hear his heart pounding, which only raised my confidence.
"I think you like me touching you," I whispered to him seductively, sending a shiver through him, "You like me being this close…"
With that, I nipped his ear, causing him to gasp, and then I leaned back victoriously. When he saw my sly smile he yanked me to the side roughly, continuing the dance, but I could see that he wasn't going to argue with what I had said, so that means…he does like me touching him. That thought brought a secretive smirk to my face, and Kiba eyed the smirk suspiciously, not trusting me at all.
"What's so funny?" he demanded, his mood sour from my slight victory.
I raised my eyebrows, amused with his attitude. He's spunky, and I like spunky.
"I find it very amusing that you're not arguing with me about how you like me to touch you," I responded calmly, but a waitress overheard and stared blankly at us, "I think I'm getting closer to getting what I want."
Kiba turned his head away, scoffing.
"Yeah, right. I'm too stubborn to let you win that easily, and I don't like losing," he said, and then thought for a moment, "And another thing: I'm going to dominate you if things are looking up for this soulmate crap."
That sent me spluttering in alarm, because the very thought of someone doing that to me was frightening. It meant I wasn't in control, and I didn't like that.
Barking a laugh at my horror, Kiba managed to attract everyone's attention in the room, but he was oblivious. The music stopped, and there was an announcement for everyone to go sit down to eat, but Kiba paid no attention to that. Instead, he plucked the pins out of my hair, causing my white tendrils to tumble down to my waist. Then, his fingers combed through my hair a moment and he leaned in close, his lips at my ear.
"Could it be that you're afraid to be vulnerable?" he asked, nipping my ear like I had done to him, "Or is it that you're afraid to get wild under the man?"
I was unable to answer, consumed by the heat of the blush in my cheeks, and Kiba took the opportunity to nip my ear again. His lips trailed under my jawline a moment, lingering, but I leaned back when I realised that I liked it. I marched over to the table to eat, leaving him standing there, and I picked up my heels on the way. When I turned and looked at him, he gave me a cunning smile.
Shit…he knows that he got the upper hand on me then, the mutt. What is this feeling…like a frantic fluttering in the pit of my stomach? When the chair beside me moved, and I realised it was Kiba, the fluttering got worse.
I'm actually nervous.
"You liked that," he whispered, earning a jab in the ribs from me.
"Shut up!" I hissed, slightly louder than necessary.
He chuckled, looking sideways at me, and when I glared at him thunderously he smirked.
"Y'know, you're actually cute under all that 'I'm gonna dominate you' shit."
Again I was surprised, because no one had ever considered me cute. Not even when I was a little girl with neat plaits tied with ribbons…everyone was always scared of me, because even back then I had the talent to kill.
Leaning back in my chair, I went quiet, which Kiba noticed, and I wondered if I should tell him about my dark days. I had already said I was a killing machine, but he doesn't know how true that is.
Kiba's P.O.V
I was very pleased with myself with making Haruka blush, but I was worried now. She was deadly silent, musing into space as if there was a heavy weight on her mind. I wondered if I should ask her what was wrong, but from my knowledge with mum and Hana…that was a bad idea. If she was anything like them, then asking would earn me a punch in the face.
Yet…
"Lighten up, will ya?" I hissed to her, giving her a nudge, "You look like you've predicted the end of the world."
Her eyes hardened but she didn't say anything, and I was really wondering if I was gonna get a fist in the brain. When her hands remained under the table I gathered I wasn't going to be beaten to mush, but then I felt a hand on my thigh…shit. I'm really sensitive there, and if she does anything then everyone in the room will find out, because that is such a sensitive place.
Her hand moved, gently caressing down to my knee, and then all the way to my hip. Gritting my teeth against the need to giggle and writhe, I glared at her. My face was burning, and she was enjoying my reaction.
"Stop that," I snarled, my hand covering hers, "We're at a ball, for fuck's sake, Haruka. You can't feel me up here."
I realised too late what I had just said, and saw that she had picked up on my mistake.
"So if I felt you up elsewhere you wouldn't mind?" she teased, her hand managing to escape my grasp.
Her hand gripped my inner thigh firmly, causing the red in my cheeks to darken. This girl doesn't give up, does she? Glaring into her red eyes I saw she wasn't going to remove her hand until I answered her stupid question. I sighed heavily.
"I'm ticklish," I admitted, frowning as her hand swept down my thigh, causing me to twitch, "Touching me there it not exciting, but rather a nuisance, okay?"
Okay, that was kinda a lie. I was ticklish, but despite that it felt good to be touched there…you just had to be firm…like Haruka was being.
Another sweep of her hand and I was left wrestling with her hands under the table, because if she continued I would be groaning and moaning like a man whore, and I did not want anyone to see that.
"Quit it!" I hissed, capturing her hands in mine roughly, "Yes, I fucking like being touched there, but not now, and not anytime soon either."
Haruka withdrew, satisfied, and I rubbed my thigh nervously, trying to get rid of her touch there but the sensations stubbornly stayed. Hell…if she did that while we were alone, I think she would have been able to go further than considered decent…and I wouldn't really mind. That annoyed me.
The rest of the night went well, apart from the fact that Haruka would drape herself across me to reach things, her breasts pressed against me. I saw Shino watching me closely, and he didn't miss her seductive behaviour. His expressionless face said it all: I'm going to have trouble with Haruka. Not that I didn't know that already, though.
When everyone else decided it was time to leave, Haruka yanked her heels off and dragged me into the middle of the dance floor again. Is she serious, it's too late to dance, and I'm tired and horny. This isn't what I need now.
Haruka grabbed my hands, and despite there being no music, and the lights were now off, she seemed determined. The moonlight fell in through the big tall windows, giving us enough light to see, and I wished it didn't. In the moonlight she was even more beautiful, and that infuriated me. It made me want to touch her, and to kiss her. Her entire being looked eerie and otherworldly in the moonlight, like a dark spirit about to claim me. It was beautiful.
I let her lead me through a dance, since that was what she wanted, but I was distracted. Focussing on the firm pressure of her hands on me, I sighed. I just wanted to kiss her, and I didn't care if we had this whole 'deal' thing going on anymore, because I want what I want, and I really want to kiss her.
Haruka was growling at me to put more effort into the dance, but I shut her up when my lips landed on hers. She was surprised, but it didn't take her long to try to dominate the kiss. I didn't let her take control, and when her hands went to roam my body I gripped them and pushed them down to her sides. This wasn't about the fight for dominance anymore, but about the need to satisfy each other, and the need to call it truce for a moment so we could both enjoy ourselves. Yes, it's fun to tease and all, but at some point you've gotta both compromise.
Gradually Haruka relaxed into the kiss, as she had been quite rigid before, and I tugged her closer. Her body was cool against mine, which proved to be quite satisfying. Her lipstick became smeared, and I realised that we had a problem. We were both yearning for more than just a kiss.
Breaking away from the kiss I rested my forehead on hers, wondering briefly if I had consumed way too much alcohol. There was no way in hell we were going further than a kiss tonight, because we've got too many problems already. To sleep together so soon would only create more problems.
"What's wrong?" she whispered, touching my cheek, "You look terrified."
I chuckled quietly, but I shook my head, pushing her hand away.
"I'm gonna take you back to the hotel, and then I'm going back to my own bed," I said carefully, knowing full well that she wouldn't be happy with that, "We should go on a date sometime."
She nodded, fingers probing her smeared lipstick sullenly. I knew all too well that she would have no regrets going for it so soon, but I wasn't ready. On top of that, it would be my first time, and we had only known each other for…less than two days. In fact, I didn't know much about her at all.
But I do know that I am undoubtedly attracted to her.
Sighing, I gave her one last kiss, and then linked my hand through hers. I took her to the hotel, and Haruka invited me in but I declined. She was really trying to break my self-control, but I smiled and left for home.
I'm not going to let anything so intimate happen for a long time, because deep down I'm a gentleman and I have values about his kinda thing. Also…I'm plain terrified for when that day finally comes…the day when she'll be all for it, and I'll be shaking like a petrified pup because I had no idea what I was doing.
Jeez, I think she'll laugh at me once she knows how inexperienced I am.
I'm actually considering making this M rated due to language and sexual references, but I'm not sure. Every time I write KibaxHaruka I'm tempted to write really naughty things but I think it's unfair because this is the sequel, and The White Line is only a T rating. To be honest though, this isn't much of a sequel at the moment, but I do have things planned that are referred to in The White Line. What do you guys think?
Please review, advise and criticise!
I won't be putting up a chapter tomorrow, because I'll be busy. Apologies, but even I have a life (surprisingly) xD
