By: Sly Omi
Disclaimer: As pertaining to all chapters herein: I, Omi, do solemnly swear that I do not, have not, and will not ever own any claim to copyrights of Naruto, either in manga or anime form, or any merchandise thereof. I am writing this for fun, not with the intention to make money.
Raiting: PG
Pairing(s): KibaNaru
Warning(s): You are reading this of your own free will. If yaoi or shounen-ai offends your sensibilites, turn ye back now. Failure to comply with this might result in your tender sensibilities being mortally offended, incurring mental trauma on your behalf. However, failure to comply with this also means that it's your own fault should that happen - I am morally obligated to do nothing about it other than laugh at you for not reading the warnings.
"I've chosen my mate. It's Naruto."
It was not something any one had been expecting; and certainly not at the dinner table. Certainly not during the one peaceful evening they'd had almost all year to eat together. Kiba looked guilty as the whole room fell silent – even the dogs stopped eating – and all those at the table turned to stare at him.
"Sorry. ... I ... thought you should know," the boy said quickly, grabbing his rice bowl and shoving his face into it.
"You what?"
Kiba placed the bowl down slowly, then his chopsticks, swallowing and not meeting his father's eyes. "I chose my mate," he repeated.
"Why?" his sister asked before she could stop herself.
The boy did look at her then, his eyes flashing, "Why not?"
"He's ..."
"I know," Kiba snapped, just at their mother was about to shush her daughter, "I know what's in him – I've seen it on missions and he's told me. I don't care."
"Obviously. And I suppose you won't care when that thing kills you," said their father.
Akamaru and Kiba snarled simultaneously. The rest of the family jumped slightly in their chairs. The little white dog barked angrily. By the end of his tirade, they all sat silently, stunned.
"Aren't you a little young to know language like that?" Kiba's sister asked with a weak laugh.
Kiba shrugged for the dog, "You'd be surprised where you can pick things up."
"From the Kyuubi, no doubt."
Akamaru, hackles raised, prepared to pounce and would have, had not one of the older dogs cuffed him over the head and pinned him down.
"Akamaru. Heel," Kiba said. His voice was both tired and annoyed. "It's not like we haven't heard this from the villagers." He stood, muttering, "Gochisosama" under his breath, and left the room.
The little dog wiggled his way out from under the heavy paw and followed him. Kiba's sister watched their retreat, pausing for a second before getting up and following. Both children ignored their father's words of protest – but she had to smile as their mother began murmuring furiously at him.
Kiba was just reaching the front door when his sister caught up to him.
"Where are you going?"
The boy froze, his shoulders tense. His voice was suspicious when he answered, "To see him."
"Is he nice?"
"Yeah."
"Do you treat each other well?"
"As well as boys do."
"Has he ever tried to hurt you?"
"NO!" Kiba growled, his eyes narrowing.
His sister smiled unexpectedly, "Okay then. Introduce us some time."
Well, lookit that - I'm not dead! I'm very sorry that it's taken me this long to post a new one -thanks to those of you who've stuck around and are actually reading this. And now, the excuses ... uh,story: I was in China for a month without my files, so I couldn't post. Before that I'd, uh, kinda forgotten the password/e-mail combo ... >> Anyway, I'm posting again, have no fear.