Part 11-Realisation

He woke up. He didn't open his eyes. Too much effort. He felt something on his cheek. It was wet, warm. Almost like a sponge. He figured it was a tongue.

"Akamaru. Stop it."

It didn't stop

"Akamaru, stop. Now."

It wasn't stopping.

"What the hell? Akamaru, why aren't you listening to me?"

"Kiba get the hell out of bed."

"What?" He opened his eyes and looked over at the doorway, "dad…?"

"Kiba, you've been lying there for 15 hours."

"I have?"

"Yes, and your snoring is a bitch. Komaru, come."

"Komaru?" He looked at the large wolf-like dog that had just jumped off of his bed. "Where's Akamaru?"

"Downstairs. Hurry up and get dressed, you have visitors. Four boys and three girls. Apparently you have a mission."

"Visitors?"

"Kiba, hurry up and wake up, properly." He stepped aside to reveal Hinata standing in the doorway, "the rest are downstairs." With that he left

"Hinata, don't just stand there, you can come in if you want."

"Thanks." She walked into the room timidly and sat on a chair by Kiba's bed. "Is your throat okay?"

"Yeah, it's a bit sore but nothing serious."

"Here." She walked over to his bed and handed him one of her medicines. "Don't worry, I made sure there's nothing that you're allergic to in there. It was hard though; you're allergic to some of my main ingredients in most of my medicines."

"Umm, Hinata?"

"Yeah?"

"How do I use it?"

"Kiba, I swear, you're so useless sometimes. Hand me the container." She took the container out of his hand and opened it. She pinned her hair behind her ears and leaned over to Kiba. "Look it's so simple." She put a little bit of the medical cream on the ends of her fingers and rubbed it on the side of his neck. "There. That should feel a bit better."

"Yeah, it does."

"Good."

Hinata tended to his neck and throat, oblivious to the conflict that was going on in Kiba's mind. He remembered vividly the conversation he had had with Shino before.

"What is it you like most about her that stands out?"

"Who?"

"Hinata."

"…Probably her… her smell…"

"Are you saying you like her because she stinks?"

"No! Her scent… It's like roses, only… sweeter… softer… more subtle…"

"Are you sure it's not just the bugs?"

"The bugs hate it, it's too sweet for them apparently. Go figure…"

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A/N-Ooh competition for Shino.