Chapter 22: To the Dogs!: Dinner with the Inuzukas

Nightshroud: Sorry for taking two weeks with this one. I just wasn't motivated for it. But it does introduce the next chapter, which is the turning point for the story. Well, here it is. Hope you get a few laughs out of this. Or at least smile...

It had been a week since the Spring Festival. Kiba and Asuka were walking home from a date when they stopped under a tree.

"You know, this has been the happiest week of my life," said Kiba with a grin.

"It better be," she said teasingly. He pulled her in and wrapped his arms around her as he grinned and nosed her ("Those doglike instincts are coming in handy!" he thought). She lightly kissed him on the lips until he was whining like a little puppy for more. As she began to deepen the kiss the branches above them rustled.

"Did you hear that?" she asked trying to look around.

"Nope," he said, not wanting to lose the opportunity to nature's inopportune moments.

"Well, well, what's this?" said Hanah, her head popping out of the tree.

Kiba and Asuka abruptly pulled apart and shuffled their feet and looked around awkwardly.

"Uh, nothing…"

"What are you doing here anyway, Hanah?" asked Kiba annoyed.

"Mom sent me to look for you. Dinner is ready and waiting and she'll feed yours to Akamaru if you don't hurry."

"All right, all right." he grumbled "Sorry I have to go, Asuka. I'll see you tomorrow."

"Hey why don't you have dinner with us? I'm sure my mom wouldn't mind," said Hanah.

"Well, sure I'd love to."

"Oh crap….darn you, Hanah."

The gang decided to hang out by the Academy grounds. Shikamaru was lying on the grass watching clouds, Naruto and Seta and Kankuro and Temari were playing catch, Neji was sitting with Teten, Sasuke was being emo under the shade of a tree, and Sakura and Ino were gossiping on the bench. Hinata couldn't make it and Lee was running fifty laps around Konoha.

"So I hear Asuka is having dinner at Kiba's. How romantic!" said Ino.

"Heh, Kiba's almost as good with ladies as I am," said Seta.

"Almost," said Temari with a wink.

"Yeah, well, you can't beat the best."

"Hmm?" Naruto looked over and saw Sasuke clench his fist and look away.

"Wonder what that was all about," he thought.

Asuka followed Hanah and a rather grumpy Kiba back to the Inuzuka's.

"Hey, mom, I hope you don't mind I invited Kiba's girlfriend."

Tsume walked in, which made Asuka inwardly grimace (she scares the crap outa me….eeks). "Kiba got a girlfriend? I thought he'd never find one."

"Thanks for the vote of confidence, mom," he said sarcastically.

They all sat down with Tsume at the head, Hanah on her left, Kiba and Asuka on her right (with Kiba closer to her), and Akamaru sitting comfortably on Kiba's lap.

"So when can we expect pups?"

Kiba choked on his drink and spurt it all over the table in front of him.

"Mom!" Hanah said in shock.

"It's a little early to be thinking about that!" Kiba said with a deep blush.

"Yeah, I just started eating!" said Akamaru.

"Hey, whose side are you on?" he interrogated the dog.

"Arf?"

"Yeah nice try..."

"So Hanah," said Asuka, trying to change the conversation, "I hear that you're a really well-know veterinarian."

"Yes, she's made a respectable living for herself," said Tsume proudly.

"Hn..Hanah's only occupation is being a bitc-"

"Why you little whelp!" Hanah said, jumping over the table and tackling him to the ground.

"Stop it! You're making a spectacle!" Tsume shouted while whacking Kiba on the head.

Asuka covered her face with her hands. "This can't be happening…"

Naruto dropped the ball they were playing with and sighed.

"What's wrong?" asked Seta.

"I'm bored. And I have all this extra chakra- I mean I haven't even been on a mission since the Star Hanabi mission."

"You need to burn off some chakra, huh? Then why not try me?" asked Seta with a smile.

"Huh? You? Well, okay…"

They stood at opposite ends of the path and got ready.

"Here I come!" shouted Naruto. He put his fingers together and shouted, "Shadow Clone Jutsu!"

Naruto with his nine clones charged at Seta, each coming in from a different direction.

"Take this!" they shouted thrusting their fists at him. Seta raised his arm and snapped his fingers, causing sparks to fly and his whip to appear. In one spin he sent them all flying. After the shadow clones dispersed, Naruto stood up dazed.

"W-wow, Seta, that was awesome!"

"Yeah, Seta, you're really incredible," said Tenten.

"A total prodigy!" said Sakura.

"Hn!"

Everyone looked over to see Sasuke move from his place under the tree.

"All right, Seta. I challenge you to a match tomorrow night at Lone Pine Hill. Let's see if you're as good as everyone says you are."

"You got it. I never back down from a challenge. Besides, I could use a light workout," he said with a smirk.

Everyone looked wide-eyed from Seta to Sasuke, waiting for Sasuke's response.

"Hn, I'll put you in your place. Lone Pine Hill, tomorrow night. I'll be waiting."

He walked away angrily, while everyone sat quietly.

"Oh, Sasuke," thought Sakura sadly.

"Wonder what that was all about…." thought Naruto.

"Well, it was a pleasure having you over," said Tsume to Asuka, "We must do it again sometime."

"Y-yeah, I'll make sure of it," said Asuka with a broad and rather forced smile.

Hanah and Tsume waved as Kiba took her home. "Sorry about tonight, Asuka," said Kiba sheepishly.

"It's all right, Kiba. Still, in-laws are something we'll have to work on," she said teasingly.

When Asuka got back, she found Seta talking with a concerned Sakura. When she left, Asuka asked him, "What was that all about?"

"Eh, nothing much. That stuck-up Uchiha challenged me to a duel tomorrow night."

"Seta! What did you do now?"

"Nothing, he was just being a jealous prick."

"Oh, great. This can't end up well."

Seta yawned and started walking to bed. "Make sure you come watch me wipe the floor with him tomorrow!" he said with a smug smile."

When he had closed the door to his room, Asuka shook her head. "Great, now what…?"

Nightshroud: Yeah pretty short chapter. Sorry bout that. I am so excited for the next chapter. Yay!!!! That jealous bastard Sasuke can't take my man Seta! Yeah! Hehe sorry got carried away. Anyway, the next chapter is critical as it is the turning point of the story to the main plot. And I promise to pop this one out in a week. Well please R&R. Thankies!

Next chapter: Seta vs. Sasuke: Duel at Lone Pine Hill