"We should stop meeting like this."
Flushing and completely beet red, I tried to calm down my nerves and racing heart. It beat so loud I'm a little surprised he couldn't hear it pounding like crazy.
His face was only a few inches from mine; I could feel his warm breath fan across my face, see his striking canine eyes up-close, the distinct triangle marks on his cheeks, and catch the whiff of trees and the forest coming from him. A flashback of the last time we were caught up in this position caused an involuntary blush to spread across my face once more.
Embarrassed on the unexpected encounter, I snapped out of my thoughts and quickly got up, stumbling in the process.
"I am so sorry. I wasn't paying attention. It's my fault- I wasn't watching where I was going."
Kneeling on all fours, I continued rambling on and on.
He chuckled lightly. "No, no, it's fine. It's my fault really. I was too much in a hurry and I didn't see you." He sheepishly rubbed the back of his neck as he sat up from the ground.
I smiled reassuringly at him. "It's fine."
I stood up from the ground and held out my hand for him. Looking at it, then at me, he enclosed my hand in his. It's small in comparison yet it felt like it fit perfectly.
Cheesy as it is, I felt that way.
I pulled him up and helped him stand. He was a bit woozy from the collision but he seemed fine.
When he finally was able to regain his balance, his eyes met mine. I was all too aware of my surroundings and how my hand was still enclosed in his.
"Thanks", he told me for helping him. "You're welcome." After that, it seemed like a lifetime before I decided to break the silence.
I suddenly realized he was still holding my hand. "Ehem...", I coughed out awkwardly.
"Oh sorry." He immediately took his hand away from mine and or a moment, I suddenly felt cold and I missed the heat of his palm. I quickly pushed those thoughts to the back of my mind. He once again rubbed his neck.
"No, please. I'm actually the one who's supposed to be thanking you."
He looked up from the ground to me questioningly. "Why?"
"Well for one, thank you for breaking my fall.. twice." I thought I saw a light bulb turn on in his head.
"Oh that's right." He said in realization and a hint of pink tinted his tan face as he recalled our first meeting.
I shook my head and giggled behind my hand. 'He sure is forgetful.'
"So we haven't formally met. I'm Kiba." I grinned a wolfishly at me, sharp canines, glinting in the moonlight.
"I'm Utari. It's nice to officially meet you Kiba." After the introduction, he went straight to the point, not asking me any other question.
"So how are you doing?" I smiled at his concern.
"I'm fine. I'm actually doing pretty well."
"But.." He said, as if he knew what I was going to say next. "You're memory loss, am I right?" I'm pretty sure he- and along with him team- was already informed about my condition. 'Word sure spreads fast.'
"Yeah. Utari is just my temporary name until I find out when my memories return. But you needn't worry about me. I'm fine really and I made new friends who have my back and are willing to support me."
He smiled at my optimism.
Truth be told, I still feel bad about it. I don't think anyone who suffered- or will ever suffer- from amnesia will ever live life without feeling terrible about it. But despite everything, I'm trying my best to be optimistic.
"So what are you doing out here in the middle of the night?"
He chuckled in a way that made my cheeks warm. 'Thank goodness it's dark or I would've died from embarrassment.' "I think the question should be, what are you doing out here at night? You have gotten lost but you're lucky to have bumped into me. I could guide you home if you want."
I smiled sheepishly. "I couldn't sleep so I decided to have a midnight stroll to get my mind of things."
He nodded in understanding. "How about you?"
"Well my team and I just got back from a mission and my pal, Akamaru, decided to run off to god knows where. I was looking for him when I accidentally bumped into you."
"Yeah. Sorry 'bout that!" I laughed sheepishly.
"No need to worry. It was an accident."
We smiled at each other.
It felt like forever- yet in reality, a few minutes- when I decided to brake the silence.
"So you said you're looking for Akamaru?"
"Oh right, I am." He said as he snapped out of his thoughts. Realization seemed to dawn on him when I mentioned the situation he's in.
"I believe he's your gigantic dog if I seem to recall."
He grinned at me. "More like my best friend. He's been my partner ever since he was given to me when I was little. Since then, I've been training him to be the best ninken he can be. We're basically inseparable." I nodded in understanding.
"Need some help looking for him?" I smiled at him kindly. With all the times he helped me, it's my turn to return the favor. 'After all, this is the least I can do for the things he's done for me.'
"Aren't you tired? I mean it's pretty late. "
"I'm fine; I can't sleep and there's a high chance I might get lost in this huge village if I keep wandering around. So I might as well help you find him."
He nodded in agreement. "Sure, why not? I could use the company."
We walked side by side in the cold Konoha night as we looked for the lost Akamaru.
Truth be told, I had a great time.
We talked and laughed all night. Even if this was the first time I officially met him, I felt like I knew him for years- with the conversation we had. We talked about different topics and I got to learn more about the strange brunette.
After he agreed to let me accompany him, we looked everywhere we- mostly he- could think of.
We walked along side each other, the moonlight, the only source of light that lit up the village. The stars twinkled brightly from the heavens and the soft breeze blew on the leaves of trees, making them sway to its soundless tune. It was a full moon and the sky was cloudless, allowing us to see all the twinkling stars clearly. 'In all the days I've spent here, I've never seen the village so at peace. Even if I looked from the hospital window.'
To say the least, I found this particular night romantic- well, for couples that is.
'I can't believe I'm thinking these thoughts when he's right next to me.' I sulked in my head. 'How embarrassing.'
The shaggy-haired brunette walked calmly beside me, however I could see a hint of panic due to the fact that the gigantic white dog is still missing.
"Hey Kiba?" I broke him out o his thoughts.
"Yeah?"
"You must really care for Akamaru, don't you?"
He gently smiled at me. "Ofcourse, he's my best friend."
I smiled back at him. "Don't worry, we'll find him." I tried reassuring him, after all he looked like he needed it. 'He must care about Akamaru a loot to be this worried about him.'
"Thanks Utari."
We walked around the village in comfortable silence and enjoyed each others company, occasionally calling out Akamaru's name, hoping he would come running from the corner, and sparingly chatting from time to time. After a while, silence enveloped us once more.
"Umm.. I would like to thank you again. Ya know, for saving- finding- me." I said sheepishly. Although no matter how many times I thank him, it wouldn't even come close to the amount of gratitude I feel. 'Yup that's me. Eternally grateful.'
"Don't worry about it. I'm just happy you're okay now."
The breeze swept by us, whipping our and clothes around us. I shivered a little from the chill. The clothes I wore seemed thinner than before and barely kept me from feeling the cold. I rubbed my arms to try and bring back some warmth in me.
Didn't work.
However, with my pathetic attempt at heat, Kiba must've noticed because I suddenly felt warmth flow back through me when he draped something over my shoulders. I looked at him in surprise.
He was now only wearing his fishnet shirt. I blushed a bit in embarrassment when I noticed it was a bit translucent and I could see faint outlines of his toned chest.
I looked at my shoulder and noticed his jacket. My blush deepened. I took it off and tried to return it back to him.
"I can't take this, you'll freeze." He laughed a bit at my statement. "Don't worry, I'm a ninja. A little weather like this won't bother me. It'll have to take a lot more than this to freeze me to death. Besides, you looked like you really needed it."
"But-"
"Uh-uh no buts. Just please accept it." I nodded at him gratefully. Truthfully, I really needed it. It was too cold for my liking and I thankful for the warmth his jacket provided. I decided to do as he says and put it on. The heat of his jacket and the forest smell it held quickly enveloped me and I smiled meekly. I involuntarily snuggled in the jacket and wrapped it around my shoulders tighter.
"So Utari..", he questioned, seemingly genuinely curious.
"How do you find Konoha so far?"
"I love it here. It's nice, peaceful and everyone is really friendly and is willing to help me regain my memories."
"That's good. So what happened these last few days? Anything interesting happen?"
I then began explaining to him everything that's happened this past week. From the meeting with the hokage, to the three clan leaders, and to meeting most of Konoha 12.
He listened intently to what I was saying. Despite everything, he is a brilliant listener; laughing occasionally at the mannerisms of his friends, and saying "ooh"s and "ahh"s in the appropriate situations.
"And then I bumped into you. And so here I am now, helping you look for Akamaru."
He nodded his head. "So what happened to you in the last few days? I'm sure it was interesting with your mission and all. How did that go?" I was genuinely curious. After all, he is a ninja and the life of a ninja is always interesting and exciting- well in my point of view.
He explained his team's mission and what he did to complete it. Unfortunately, Sunagakure, the Village Hidden by Sand, had a rogue ninja that was on the run for months. The Kazekage, who I found out was the leader of the Sand Village with the name of Gaara, a close friend of theirs, asked for Konoha's help since they were close allies. Lady Tsunade dispatched Squad 8 because they were known to be experts on tacking. To say the least, I was deeply impressed on the outcome of their mission. Not only did they successfully track down the rogue, but they also were able to capture him in less than a week and keep him behind bars. He also told me that the stole away is being interrogated and questioned as we speak.
"Wow you guys are amazing." I was impressed.
He grinned at me and stretched and flexed before folding his arms behind his head. "Yeah I am pretty awesome."
I rolled my eyes and giggled behind my hand at his ego. However, I failed to see him gaze at me as I did so. "Who knew you could get so cocky."
He chuckled and I think my heart skipped a beat. Cheesy, I know. "Well I-" He stopped mid-sentence and seemed to sniff the air.
"Kiba? What's wrong? Is everything alright?" With the many conversations we had, I learned about his acute and impressive- if I do say so myself- sense of smell. He also told me that he mastered his nose and made the particular sense sharper than that of a ninja hound. I was beyond impressed and I think anyone who knows about it would be too.
I then questioned him why he didn't avoid clashing into me if his nose was so sharp. He merely rubbed the back o his neck sheepishly and told me that he was too much in a panic state about Akamaru to notice.
"Bark bark" I heard from a distance. "What is that?" I squinted my eyes and saw flash of white before something big and heavy jumped on top of me. "Oof."
A white dog came into view and started licking me like crazy. It actually tickled and I started laughing uncontrollably. Kiba's laughter could be heard beside me as well.
"Okay Akamaru, get off of Utari." Next thing I know, the weight of the hound was lifted and I was being pulled up from my place on the ground. I dusted myself and wiped my face clean off of the dog saliva.
"Are you alright?" He asked, still chuckling. "I'm sorry about him but he looks like he really likes you. You're lucky, he doesn't normally trust people so easily."
"It's alright. At least I got a little piece of information from my past; I was probably good with animals." I smiled at him and he returned it.
The wind blew gently, making our hair caress our faces and the falling leaves scatter to the ground. The moons brilliant light shown down on earth and it made our skin look paler in its glow. Clouds of random shapes floated by and, for a moment, it blocked out the luminous light and cast a shadow on earth. When the clouds floated by and the light returned, I wasn't looking at him anymore, but the ground.
He coughed to get my attention and I retuned my gaze to him, blushing in embarrassment. "It's getting pretty late. How about I guide you back to your apartment? You might get lost and I'm not taking that chance." I blushed a bit at his last statement. "Besides, who knows what would happen to me when Tsunade finds out." I giggled.
"Sure. Thankfully, this place looks familiar and if I recall, my apartment is not too far away from here." He escorted me back to my apartment building and we made small talk on our way there.
Akamaru walked on my right and Kiba on my left, flanking me on either side. From beside me, Akamaru whined out so I decided to rest my hand on his head and stroke his soft fur. On the other hand, Kiba's hand would occasionally brush against mine and I would feel tingle-like static shooting up my arm, every time causing my heart to speed up and my face to flush. 'When have I gotten so cheesy and blush-y?' I mentally shook my head at the thought.
A moment of silence broke between us and we simply enjoyed each others company. Nearing the apartment building, I momentarily glanced at the brunette ninja beside me; his shaggy brown hair fell over his face, the playful gleam in his piercing canine eyes, and the smile across his lips.
By the time we reached the tall building, I was finally able to shake my head off of those thoughts. We stopped right in front of the two entrance doors of the building.
I turned to face the boy beside me. "So this is it. Thanks again for everything, Kiba." A whine was heard beside me and I looked down at him apologetically. "You too Akamaru." He gave me a doggy grin and barked at me in approval. I laughed at him.
Kiba gave me a wolfish grin when I focused my attention back to him and I think my heart just skipped a beat. "No problem. Just remember, if you need anything, don't be afraid- or shy- to ask me."
I grinned at him again and tuned around to enter the building. But before I could open the doors, I quickly turned around and hugged him, muttering an "Arigatou." in his ear and left without another word.
I scrambled up the flights of stairs with my cheeks burning and an interesting shade of pink and I quickly entered my apartment and shut the door behind me. I pressed my back against the door and slid down to sit on the floor. I hugged my legs and buried my face in the cloth of my knees. 'I can't believe I just did that. He must think I'm a total idiot. I mean I just met the guy.' His face flashed in my mind for a moment. I sighed. 'Oh well. What's done is done and I can't undo what I just did. Even if it is embarrassing.'
Heading towards my bedroom, I passed by a window that overlooked the beautiful village of Konoha. Although despite the exhaustion I felt, something caught my eye and forced me to stop and look.
'Why's he still here?'
There, still at the entrance of the building where I left him, stood Kiba, standing in the same position. 'Why isn't he moving?' And from where I stood on the how-many-eth floor of the building I saw a grin appear on the brunette's face. He looked down at Akamaru and seemed to say a few words I couldn't make out, which made Akamaru whine and bark at him.
After the gigantic dog's response, which got a good hearty laugh from Kiba, they sauntered away from the building. I, in turn, stepped away from the window and made my way back to my room, missing the grin, blush, and final glance Kiba sent me towards my apartment before he walked away.
Changing into a new pair of sleeping clothes, I got into bed and reflected on the last few things that had happened today.. well, just happened. And with my final thoughts of the cocky, hyper, brown-haired boy, I finally drifted off into a peaceful slumber.
"Love has no boundaries; no matter how small it is, no matter the amount it is given, whether it is little or great, if it is strong enough, it will surpass anything... even worlds."
Hey Reader-chan! It's Ki-chan!
I deeply apologize that I didn't update sooner. I had a lot o things to do and I had writer's block. Sucks right? I'm slowly getting back on tack and I'm thinking of new ideas and how to make the story better. Gomennosai also because there's not much action and it doesn't seem fulfilling but I'll try to make it better in the next chapters! This is somewhat of a transition to the next chapters.. so yeah.
Anyways...
Arigatou for continuing to read this story. PLEASE COMMENT! I 3 reading them!
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Comment, 3 (if ever), and continue reading :3
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P.S. All Rights Reserved to Kishimoto-sama! ^_^