Alrighty, here we go!

Chapter 21! It's the longest one yet :)

Thanks to my sister who's been pressuring me to finish it.

Well, I hope you all enjoy it!

(Although I'm not sure why it's Winter in my story, although it's Summer in real life. Oh well.)

Have fun!!~

[HINATA'S POV!]

I knocked three quick times, then leaned back, bouncing on my toes. A moment passed, before a deep "Come In!" sounded through the wood of the door. With a smile, I turned the knob and pushed my way into the house. "Kurenai Sensei?" I called, catching a glimpse of her on the sofa, a bundle cradled in her arms. She glanced up, her eyes shimmering.

"Hinata! I've been wondering when you'd show up!" She smiled, and shifted the bundle to her other arm. With her free hand she patted the cushion next to her on couch. "Come sit down." I nodded, falling in beside her. A small, high pitched whine rose from the blanket in her arms. "Ssssh," she said gently, rubbing her thumb gently over the baby's cheek. "It's alright, dear. It's just Hinata." I couldn't help but smile. I always thought it would be weird seeing Kurenai as a mother, but it actually suits her really well. My hand subconsciously fell to my own bulging stomach. Will I be able to adjust that quickly to having a child? "You want to hold him?" I felt a knot rise in my stomach.

"U-um... Well, I don't know... I probably won't be able to do it right..."

"Oh, come on!" She said, placing him carefully in my arms, "You'll need the practice!" My heartbeat sped up. Here we go. I gazed down into his face, and was immediately struck by the resemble to his father. Although he had his mothers eyes, the rest of his face looked exactly like Asuma, tan skin and all. Not to mention he carried on his name. I've never seen such a resemblance before! For the first time I let myself begin to wonder what my baby might look like. I'm betting it will have my eyes... but will it be pale like me, too? Or tan like Kiba? Oh, shit... Kiba. I suddenly remembered the events of the night before, which was why I came to see Kurenai in the first place. I turned to Kurenai. She was smiling still. "See? You're doing great!" Nodding, I carefully placed him back in her arms.

"S-sensei, um, the reason I called you..." I mumbled, trying to think of the right thing to say. "I'm worried about Kiba." The look on her face immediately changed.

"What now?"

"Well... h-he showed up drunk at my house last night." I stuttered, tapping my fingers nervously.

"I thought he was going sober?" She asked, eyes soft. "Poor kid..."

"I was so worried!" I exclaimed. Kurenai put her hand over mine in sympathy. "I-I let him and Akamaru in, but he passed out on my couch almost right after he got there. But before that, h-he was mumbling something about... his d-dad..."

Kurenai's eyes grew wide. "His father?" I nodded.

"So I called Kankuro, because I figured since Kiba has been staying with him he'd probably know what was g-going on." Kurenai nodded, and shifted the baby a litter higher in her arms. "He said Hana, his sister, got a letter from their dad, and apparently... he's coming back to Konoha."

Kurenai gasped. "Souku Inuzuka? It's been almost eighteen years since he..." She shook her head in disbelief. "Why now?"

I sighed, and wrapped my hand around myself and the baby. "He says he wants to see his grandchild."

"Wait," Kurenai mumbled, while placing the sleeping baby Asuma in his cradle near the couch. "How does he know your pregnant?"

"H-he says an old friend told him..."

Kurenai sighed. "God damn it. It's Inoichi."

"I-Ino's dad?" I asked in confusion. She nodded.

"Before Souku left, he and Inoichi were the closest of friends. I suppose they're still in touch, then. I don't know why he'd stay friends with someone like that. But... oh... I think I understand now..." Her strong red eyes stared off at a wall, thinking hard.

"Understand what?"

She sighed again, then readjusted herself in the seat. "Well, the other day I was visiting Tsunade. I was getting all the birth papers and everything returned to her, but as I left I ran into something completely unexpected. In the hallway, I bumped right into Tsume Inuzuka."

"K-kiba's mom?" I asked, shocked. From what Kiba says, she almost never leaves her bed! "I thought she quit as a shinobi!"

Kurenai shook her head. "No, she never quit. She just stopped showing up. Believe me, I was just as surprised as you are! The even stranger thing was that she recognized me. 'Kurenai!' she shouted, 'Long time no see!'. She was acting like she had just been on vacation or something, not drug ridden for years in her bedroom. But trying to be nice, I answered her. 'Tsume? What a surprise! What brings you here?'. 'Business!' she said. I guess she was taking up a mission. First one in 6 years, Tsunade told me. 'Good for you!' I answered, smiling, still in shock of course. Then I couldn't believe what she said next. She--" Kurenai stopped, her voice suddenly cracking. Her eyes watered up for a moment, before she gracefully wiped them on her sleeve. She's even beautiful when she's crying.

"It's alright, sensei." I said, placing my hand over hers. "W-what did she say?"

She smiled, thanking me for listening. "She... she said 'So how's Asuma?'. I couldn't believe it. She had no idea what happened."

I gasped. How can someone be that out of touch? "Oh, I'm so sorry!" I soothed, holding her hand. "W-what did you say to her?"

"The only thing I could say. 'Asuma's dead'. She apologized, but then said she had to talk to Tsunade and that she'd see me later. I-I think she was high on something, she just didn't seem quite right to me. But afterwords I just kept thinking to myself, why is she here? I haven't seen her in so long! Why would she suddenly come out of her slump? At first I figured it had something to do with Kiba, but once I heard about the letter... that has to be it. It makes perfect sense. She never stopped loving Souku, even after he left. She just started blaming Kiba for what happened. She must be getting herself together in an attempt to impress her husband. Before you ask, yes, they never legally got divorced. I'm guessing she must think this is her last chance to win him back."

"...do you think there is any chance of that happening?" I asked, despite the fact that I already knew the answer. She shook her head sadly.

"No. Not Souku. He's just... bad company. They both are. I feel so bad for their children. Although, I don't think Hana got it too rough. She was older when her father left, which was probably worse for her, but as she grew up Kiba absorbed most of the abuse from her mother. She was basically left alone. But I'm sure she has a lot of guilt for not reporting it, and for letting it go as far as it did. Life with only one parent can be hard." She glanced sadly at Asuma. As Kiba and I both know. But with Kurenai watching out for this kid, I have no doubt he'll be alright.

"Did you know about the abuse?" I asked. It was an itching question, and although I wasn't sure how she'd take it, I couldn't help but ask.

"God, no." She replied, putting her hand to her head. "I wish I had. I don't see how I never noticed! I feel so stupid, so blind. I could have helped..."

"Don't blame yourself." I nearly whispered, "I never noticed either. He was so secretive about it." I sighed, and looked up to the ceiling. Why didn't you ask us to help you, Kiba? We could have stopped it. You didn't deserve that, any of it! And you definitely don't deserve this...

--Later, at Kankuro's house [KANKURO'S POV!]--

"Temari?" I shut the front door, relieved to be out of the cold. "Are you home?" Something about the place was eerily quiet. "Temari?" I called again. I still got no answer, but noticed that her coat was on the rack. She have to be around here somewhere. "Hey, are you here?"

"ARF!" I turned, noticing the large dog with a grimace. Akamaru ran towards me. I moved to the left, nearly avoiding being trampled. He circled my feet, then quickly laid down, whimpering.

"Akamaru?" Does that mean Kiba's home now? Good. I was freaking the fuck out last night when he stormed out, and the call from Hinata didn't nessicarily make anything better. I can't believe he got drunk again! "Yo, Kiba?" I called, hearing my voice echo through out the house. Akamaru whimpered again, placing his muzzle on my shoe. "What's wrong, mutt?" He flattened his ears. Somethings not right here. "Where's Kiba?" Akamaru jumped up, barking. He galloped down the hallway as I tried my best to keep up with him. As I passed Temari's room she opened the door, complaining that I'd woken her up.

"What's the rush about?" She asked, cocking her head to the side.

"I think something's wrong with Kiba." Widening her eyes slightly, she followed me as I chased down Akamaru. He slowed his pace near the bathroom, pawing anxiously at the door. "Kiba?" I called, nervousness eating away at my gut. "You in there?" Akamaru barked loudly. No reply. I tried the handle, but it was locked. My heartbeat raced. "Kiba!" I shouted, fearing the worst. After more silence, I leaned back, preparing to strike the door with my shoulder.

"Kankuro! Wait!--" Before she could stop me, I rammed into the bathroom door. It flew open, parts of the wooden frame shattering from the force. Gazing in, it felt like my heart leapt right into my throat. No! He was unconscious on the floor, a puddle of blood oozing around him. A bunch of small blue pills speckled the puddle, and an empty prescription bottle was clutched in his hand. Quickly examining the room, I judged by the smear of blood on the bathroom sink and the large gash in his forehead that he had passed out and smashed his head on the sink.

"SHIT!" I fell onto my knees beside him, blood soaking into the cloth of my pants. I shook him, eyes burning with tears. "Damn it, Kiba, NO! Don't fucking do this to me again!" After no response, I slapped him on the cheek. "Wake up, damn you!" My voice broke as the tears in my eyes flooded and fell down my cheeks. Akamaru whimpered behind me, crouching in fear near Temari.

"Oh, god..." She whispered in horror. I turned, glancing helplessly at my sister.

"Call an ambulance!" I shouted, blood and tears smearing my face. She nodded, but said nothing. Akamaru was left alone in the hallway, as I swear I could feel him crying out for me to help his master. I turned back to Kiba, pleading for him to open his eyes. I quickly ran some water into my palm, and dripped it onto his face. The wound on his forehead continued to bleed, making me wonder how long he had been lying here like this. "Come on, please. PLEASE! Just open your eyes, man. Just open your eyes!" A few seconds later I saw his eyelids twitch, then watched in pure joy as his eyes flooded open. Oh, thank god! His cloudy eyes shot around the room, looking confused.

"What...?"

I smiled, despite everything. I'm so happy he's alive! I threw my arms around him, holding him tightly. "You fucking bastard." I whispered into his ear, "You scared me to death." He groaned, and leaned up in my arms. His hands were shaking as he carefully felt his wound. His eyes narrowed as he realized what happened. He sighed.

"Shit."

The orange prescription bottle fell from his hands. I picked it up carefully, eyes widening as I read the label. "Valium?" I nearly shouted. "This is prescribed to your mom, Kiba. You've been stealing her fucking drugs?!" I don't believe him! He's supposed to stop drinking for Hinata and the baby, but not only does he not do that, but now he's off getting high?

"I... stopped home yesterday." He mumbled, his speech slow and slurred. "Hana. She said m-mom was gone somewhere. So, I came by for clothes... and whatever... and so I got a headache. I went for the fucking Tylenol, but... I saw this, and figured, what the fuck?. I'm s-screwed anyway, so why not kill the pain." He looked up at me with shame glowing in his bloodshot eyes. "I took one. And the bottle. I-I guess I've just been popping a few ever since. I just took one too many this time..." A small, sad smile spread across his lips.

"You've been popping prescription pills behind my back!?" I growled, narrowing my eyes. "You're going to end up fucking killing yourself!"

"That wasn't what I was aiming for. I just took one too many this time..." Before I could stop myself, I slapped him. Hard.

"Don't you fucking see what you're doing?! You've got that girl and that baby depending on you, stop being so god damn reckless! Your acting just like your fucking mother."

Kiba's eyes fell to the floor. "Please," He muttered, "Don't bring me to the hospital. I'm okay, I swear! It's just... s-she'll never forgive me for this! I was supposed to get clean..." I sighed. Damn it.

"I'm sorry. I-I told Temari to call an ambulance... I thought you were... I-I mean, when I saw you on that floor, I--" I stopped, a lump rising in my throat. Kibas face fell, but he remained silent. "I'm sorry..." I mumbled, rubbing my hands together anxiously. He shook his head. I noticed that the gash in his forehead had finally stopped bleeding. I spotted Temari back in the hallway, and her eyes said she needed to talk to me. I stood up, wiping my bloody hands on my shirt. Akamaru walked over to his owner, crawling right into his lap. Kiba smiled. I love his smile. I somehow managed to turn my attention back to Temari. "Yeah?"

"Kankuro," she hissed quietly, her dark green eyes sparking with anger, "I can't put up with him anymore!"

"...what?"

She lowered her voice, pulling me closer to her. "I don't give a fuck right now about your feelings for him, okay? Can't you see he's unstable? I can't have someone like that living in my house!"

"You want to kick him out!? Isn't that a little harsh? Where the fuck will he go?"

"He can go home!" She growled, gripping my upper arm.

I narrowed my eyes. "You know he can't do that."

"I don't care, Kankuro. I want him out of here. I took him in, gave him my little brothers room, and how the fuck does he repay me? By getting high and nearly killing himself in my bathroom!" I shook myself out of her grip. It's just like Temari to make the situation all about her. I wanted to snap at her, but I knew my sister to well. Yelling would not get me anywhere.

"Please, Temari. It's almost Christmas! It's fucking winter, you can't expect him to sleep out there in the cold!" She paused, giving me a look. She's thinking about it. "Please, listen. Just until the 27th, okay? That's Hinata's birthday. She'll get a little extra birthday cash, and then maybe with his savings they can start trying to live together. Although I'm not sure they can support two people on their salary."

"Well they better get their shit together." She exhaled loudly. The sound of sirens was getting closer to the house. "Alright, brother. On the 27th, he's out! Tell him he's got a fucking week." She turned, storming off, probably going to open the door for the paramedics. Sighing, I turned back to Kiba. His eyes fell into mine, and for a split second I felt just as miserable as he did. I'm sorry, Kiba. I closed my eyes and leaned against the splintered door frame. Please understand, Hinata. Forgive him. He can't do this by himself.

Okay, well this one was kind of depressing.

But it's setting the tone for the future!

Don't doubt meeeee!

Did you like it? Love it? Hate it?

Reviews would be greatly appreciated :)

I love all of my readers, old and new!!

THANKS FOR ALL YOUR SUPPORT!

AND SORRY IT TOOK SO LONG TO UPDATE!

(I have the best readers ever :D)

-- Hinata Inuzuka xx