A/N: I just want to thank each and every one of you still reading this fic, it means a lot to me. The storyline is going to be tying up in a few more chapters, though I'm not sure exactly how many I'll fit it into yet!

Disclaimer: As always, I do not own Naruto or any of the characters.

The Father and the Son

As the events of the previous night unfolded in his mind, Kiba let out a sigh, watching as his breath clouded the window before him. Sitting with one knee bent upwards, and the other leg swinging over the side of the window ledge seat, he had been trying to make sense of their current situation for the past half an hour.

When he had awoken, practically nose-to-nose with a certain wolf-eared girl, his first reaction was to freeze, terrified he'd wake her up before he had a chance to analyse everything. It wasn't that he regret his actions with her, he just wasn't sure how to proceed with them. And, in truth, it kind of scared him.

As heir to his clan, he'd always just assumed his future would be out of his control anyway, as with Shino and his family. The bug-user had already begun arrangements for meeting with suitable matches, that both he and his parents approved of. The Aburame clan rules were strict, stricter than the Inuzuka's. Shino would only have until his 21st birthday to decide on a mate, and the girl in question had to be both a strong shinobi, and an Aburame. Kiba hadn't like the idea of an arranged marriage himself, but Shino, being the laid-back and traditional kind of guy, had expressed no such detest. It was simply something he had accepted and was resigned to do.

For Hinata, she had dodged the bullet completely when her younger sister, Hanabi, had assumed the title of future Hyuga heiress. Although at first his teammate had felt shunted from her role, it hadn't taken her long to realise she would now be free to marry whomever she chose.

And then there was Kiba. His family were almost as strict as the other two clan names, but with two important differences. Their stubbornness, and their pride. Stubborn because no matter the laws on their future alpha's mate, said heir was more than likely to disobey them anyway and choose whoever they wanted, provided their partner could prove their worthiness to the rest of the pack. And proud because if their heir appeared to being pressured into a certain marital contract, or swayed in the direction of an approved female, he would appear weak, and that was not something the Inuzuka's were.

Kiba had never really stopped to spare a thought to the idea of romance, only ever been focused on becoming a stronger shinobi, and finally being able to make his mother proud. But he would never admit the last part out loud.

He wasn't sure when these feelings had first stirred in him, or if there was a defining moment when the dog-trainer began to see Luna differently, but with the added fuel of liquid confidence last night, it had become blatantly clear. However, no matter how deep these feelings ran, he definitely didn't need the rest of the pack, or his mother, finding out anytime soon.

A soft shuffling from his bed alerted him that he'd run out of musing time, the noise followed by a gentle voice. "How are you feeling?"

Eyebrows furrowing, he turned his face slightly to view her with one eye. Her hair was ruffled on the side she'd been sleeping, her ears flexing as she rubbed her eyes.

"I'm not hungover, if that's what you're getting at…" He hoped the confidence in his voice was enough to convince her that what happened last night was intentional.

"Well I guess that answers my next question too."

Rising from his window seat, Kiba crossed the room. Her breathing hitched as he kneeled beside her, eyes widening as he lifted her wrist to his mouth in a similar fashion to previously. It was a single, chaste kiss that could easily have been mistaken for a polite greeting, had the situation been any different.

"How are you feeling?" He repeated her question, releasing her arm and leaning back a little.

Luna seemed to ponder the question momentarily, as if debating some hidden meaning. "I'm fine."

Kiba rolled his eyes with a smirk at the vague answer, making her smile and re-evaluate her reply.

"I'm much better, thanks." Lifting both arms into a stretch, she winced as her muscles ached and groaned. "Actually, I take that back. I've been better…"

The Inu nin chuckled and offered her the half empty glass of water on the bedside table, which she accepted and glugged eagerly. As she drank, Kiba had a few seconds more to panic. He hadn't even considered her side of things yet. Although he didn't, what if she did regret what happened between them? What if she had simply felt sorry for him, or was just feeling particularly vulnerable after the events of the night? It was understandable, after everything she'd gone through…

The panic running through his mind must have been blatant on his face, because no sooner than the worry began to engulf him, Luna reached out a hand to tentatively touch one of his cheeks. Her thumb brushed over one of his red tattoos, the sensation making him shiver as his eyes snapped to hers.

Her face held a shy smile, as though trying out the expression for the first time. He leaned forward unwillingly as he inhaled, her earthy scent drawing him closer subconsciously. His lips now hovered just millimetres away from Luna's, her scarlet irises staring up at him through hesitant, lidded eyes.

It was at that moment that an unwitting Tsume chose to burst in through the delicate shoji door, ranting and rambling about the Hihanta's reveal, her fury overpowering any emotion Kiba had ever experienced from his mother.

They had managed to spring apart just in time, though neither could hide their startled and slightly embarrassed expressions.

Shaking out of it first, Kiba growled a little as he attempted to calm his mother. "Ma, wait, just slow down. Have you been to see him?"

"Yes, of course, I've been to see him, you fool. I had to go and identify him, didn't I!" She growled back with unrivalled ferocity.

Luna was wise enough to stay silent throughout the tirade.

"Where are they keeping him?" Kiba ground out, his own anger rising the more he thought about the Hihanta's true identity.

But Tsume caught on to his intentions right away. "Oh, hell no. There is no chance you - either of you – are going anywhere near that bastard traitor."

"You think I'm just gonna sit back after what he–"

"Kiba!" Tsume roared, scaring Yume half to death and silencing her son in a heartbeat. The gleam in her eye was deadly serious. The Inuzuka alpha was not budging one inch on this matter. "Neither of you," She stressed again, "are to go anywhere near him. Do you understand me?"

The duo nodded mutely, until Tsume demanded again, "DO YOU UNDERSTAND?!"

"Yes, ma'am!"

"Yes, ma."

"Alright then. The Hokage and I will deal with this."

Kiba grit his teeth, balling his fists in frustration at having to submit to her over this matter. Luna's hand itched to touch his, wanting to comfort him. She knew he must have a million questions racing through his mind, as did she, but she also knew no amount of affectionate nudges or words of comforting wouldn't ease this situation.

"Oh and, by the way," Tsume called over her shoulder as she made to leave. "Don't think I haven't noticed that little scent change between you two."

"Wha– Errr…" Kiba spluttered unintelligibly, as the door slid shut without another word from his mother. He glanced at Luna's equally frozen form, and then back at the closed door.

Guess the rest of the pack might be finding out a little sooner than he'd hoped.

Of course, Kiba had no actual intention of obeying his mother's orders. His incredible tracking ability was all he needed to locate the Hihanta's holding place, ironically being in the very cell Luna had been held in, not 24 hours earlier.

And while the Anbu guard system was considerably more intense than when it'd been her in his place, the Inuzuka was positive they would allow him through, given the circumstances.

Luna had insisted on going with him, either for her own peace of mind, or to ease the trouble that he would undoubtedly be in once his mother found out.

"You ready for this?" He asked, noticing her tense up as the Kage tower came into view.

"Are you?" She countered.

Mouth pressed into a thin line, he reached or her hand in response. They were as ready as they could ever be.

"Halt, Kiba Inuzuka. We are under strict orders not to let you or the hybrid anywhere near this prisoner." A guard stated robotically as they approached. Luna bristled a little at being referred to as 'the hybrid', but there were bigger issues on the table at the moment.

Like Kiba's increasing temper. "Strict orders?! By who?"

"By me."

The pair turned, finding themselves face to face with Tsunade, fifth Hokage of the leaf.

"My ma go to you first, didn't she?" Kiba grumbled, his hand tightening around Luna's. Tsunade, thankfully, chose not to comment on that little detail.

"Actually, it was by my suggestion that she ordered you to stay away. Do you have any idea how bad this could get if he got hold of her again?" They both knew who she was talking about. Whistle or not, they really didn't know what else the Hihanta was capable of.

"And you!" The blonde address the she-wolf, who had been staring at the floor. Her head snapped up at the attention. "This is the man responsible for all that pain you're feeling right now. And maybe even the deaths of your entire family. Do you really want to face such an evil?"

The girl gulped. It was difficult hearing it all spelled out like that. However, whether it was Kiba's reassuring grip on her hand, or her pride as a wolf, Luna's head rose to look Tsunade square in the eye.

"I do." The leaf ninja blinked, surprised by her boldness. "I want to know why."

Kiba gave her hand a squeeze, turning to face Tsunade alongside the hybrid girl.

Tsunade assessed their determination quietly, pondering the consequences. She knew in her heart of hearts that this visit would only serve to bring them more pain and sorrow than either had already experienced, and she knew that they were both unprepared for it. But, they had an equal right to face this prisoner, and the Hokage realised that one way or another, they would. It might as well be with her permission.

Letting out a sigh of resignation, Tsunade stepped aside.

"Lady Hokage?" One of the guards asked, confused by his leader's decision.

"Let them pass, Kazuwa."

"Y-yes, Milady."

Luna inclined her head towards the village Kage. She was thankful to the woman for understanding, but her nerves would not allow for her to express her gratitude verbally.

"Thank you," Kiba breathed as they passed, his voice sounding slightly shaky.

The cell was darker than Luna remembered, and much more ominous. Admittedly, the leaf ninja had been trying to make her feel as comfortable as possible, but still. It was like entering an underground alternate world. Their Anbu guard who had been guiding them to the room paused outside the door, before unlocking it and allowing them through. When they were in, he locked it again behind them. An extra precaution, he'd said.

Inside there were two other guards either side of the barred wall, who exchanged unidentified glances at their arrival.

Luna's heart pounded, her vision blurring as she panicked and wondered if they should turn back. Sensing her unease, Kiba stepped forward bravely, nose twitching as he released her hand and approached the cage.

His expression twisted at the odour, not only smelling blood, but damp and sweat and grime, too. Kiba felt his pulse quicken when his eyes finally came to rest on the one he had once called father. He was truly a disgraceful sight.

His brown hair was matted and tufted, his breathing ragged as his chest heaved with every exhale against the chains wrapped securely around his torso. His dark eyes were cold and blank, staring at the floor not having seemed to even notice his visitors. Kiba suspected the chains were blocking his chakra flow, as there were several angry red marks marring the skin around his bare upper arms where sleeves had been torn from his shoulders.

The young Inuzuka suspected some amount of torture had already ensued, and judging from the pools of dried blood littering the cell floor, it was pretty obvious he had not been very forthcoming with his answers.

The prisoner finally appeared to notice him, eyes flickering up darkly, lips morphing into a smirk.

"So, you're here."

Kiba's fists clenched at the voice he had missed so much as a child.

"I knew you'd come."

He watched as his son's mouth opened and closed, unable to speak either from fear or fury. The Hihanta suspected the latter.

"It's been a while, hasn't it, son?"

Finally something in Kiba snapped, as he lurched for the bars with a loud clank. "Don't you dare, don't you dare call me that!"

"If you're here about the Hangestu wolves, I'm happy to indulge on every little gory detail. For a price of course…" His cruel eyes flicked over to where Luna stood, quivering.

Her ears flattened as she retreated a little, her back hitting the locked prison door where a guard stood watch on the other side. She wanted the ground to swallow her, to squeeze her eyes shut and never have to open them again. The prisoner's smirk widened, the unspoken threat lingering between them until Kiba broke the silence.

"So it's true then. It was you."

She knew he was referring to the murder of her family, but neither of them wanted to say it.

The monster debated answering for a minute, licking his lips. "Technically, they did it to themselves."

"What?" Kiba snarled, in no mood for games.

"The wolves tore themselves apart. The whole, disgusting pack, ripped each other into pieces before me… All except one. The one that got away…"

"You bastard, leave her out of this!"

"You know, you aren't the first wolf to resist the control of the whistle." He stated cryptically, turning his attention to Luna and ignoring his son's warning snarl.

Her ears prickled at this, and the ex-Inuzuka noticed.

"Your mother managed to break free of its power too. Oh, she was so heroic, taking the brunt of her children's attacks while fending off your father's on them. Protecting her pups until her dying breath, when the great alpha male finally tore through her windpipe and sent her sprawling across the crimson stained floor…"

"THAT'S ENOUGH." The sound of the metal bars clanging reverberated loudly as Kiba threw himself at his father, fists clenching in the material of his cloak wrapped around his neck through the bars.

"I think that's enough for today." The Anbu guard nearest to the hybrid girl muttered dryly, stepping forward to remove Kiba from the cell bars. "Perhaps you should leave now."

Albeit reluctantly, the young dog trainer released the monster with a furious shrug, eyes glowing with a fury beyond anything he'd ever felt before. Without a second glance, he returned to Luna's side, tugging none too gently on her forearm and leading her away.

A/N: If you review, I'll update :D This is the last of my pre-written chapters so I'm back to live updates, and reviews always motivate me and I'd love it if you could share your thoughts with me on this fic so far. Thank you :) Have a nice day!