Too Sexy for a Shirt – 4
By: Clever Audrey
Disclaimer: If you recognize it, I don't own it.
Warnings: Fluff
AN: I know that a lot of people would have preferred NaruHina for this one. I have no problems with that pairing as such, but it is not one that I write. I do hope you'll enjoy this one anyway, though. :)
"Rarf!" Akamaru's impatient bark outside let Hinata know that Kiba was here. Pulling on shorts and a light shirt over her bathing suit, she hurried to the door.
"Ready?" Kiba grinned at her, absently petting Akamaru's head (the dog now reached Kiba's hips when standing) and bowed jokingly. "Shall we?" Hinata nodded, blushing at the bow and smiling shyly at him. They were going to a beach today, at a large lake not too far from the village. It was a particularly hot summer, even for Fire Country, and everyone was spending all of their off-duty time trying to keep cool. Kiba had called her yesterday evening and suggested an outing to the beach, and she had readily agreed.
Hinata eyed her teammate and friend surreptitiously as they walked along. Kiba had also discarded his usual jacket for a light t-shirt in the heat, and his brown hair was darker and spikier than usual, sweat-damp and hanging around his face.
They weren't dating yet, not in a proper sense of the word, but they had been inching closer to it for some months now. Although she had become much more assertive in many areas of her life, personal relationships remained a largely unknown territory. She was still too shy to tell Kiba out-right that she would like to make their relationship more official, and he was too polite (despite his often brash manner) to push when he wasn't sure how she felt.
Hinata sighed, making sure that Kiba didn't catch the small noise. She listened with half an ear as he chatted on about various happenings in the village, and thought about what Naruto might do in her situation.
That isn't hard to figure out, she thought, almost smiling at the thought. Her admiration for the loud, blond shinobi was undiminished, though her crush for him had faded as she had gotten to know her own teammate better. He would probably just turn to whoever he likes and hug them or kiss them and tell them straight out.
A sideways glance at Kiba told her that she didn't quite have the courage to do that yet.
Hinata sighed again, and paid more attention to what Kiba was actually saying, petting Akamaru's head automatically when he began to trot between them. Though Konoha's Number One Ninja at Surprising People was still a frequent and powerful inspiration for her to overcome her lingering shyness, it appeared that this was one area where that inspiration was going to take time.
Kiba has been good about that, too, though, Hinata thought, smiling at him again. Not so much as Naruto, but he always has and continues to encourage me, in his own way. Both of her teammates had always cared for and looked after her, pretty much since they'd been assigned together, but Kiba in particular had cheered her on.
Kiba returned her smile with a toothy grin, and then brightened as he looked forward. "Ah, look, Hinata! We're almost there!"
Indeed, up ahead beyond a thin screen of trees the beach could be seen. It was fairly crowded, and Hinata firmly pushed aside any slight fear at being seen in just her bathing suit. In some things, at least, she could overcome her shyness.
They chose a patch of sand nearer to the trees, where they could spread their beach towels out in at least a little bit of shade. Hinata paused then to remove her shirt and shorts, fighting a blush against Kiba's badly-concealed appreciative look for her swimsuit. He was about to take off his own shirt, when Akamaru decided to be mischievous and stole one of his master's sandals, dashing off for the water with it.
"Oi! Akamaru! Get back here!" Kiba took off after his dog, leaving a softly giggling Hinata behind. She followed more slowly, threading her way carefully through the many beachgoers.
Kiba met her at the water line, having recovered his shoe and given his grinning dog a thorough dunking. His own shirt was soaked, and he peeled it off with a sigh and an annoyed look for his dog. "I wanted the shirt to stay dry…stupid mutt…."
Akamaru just barked in his version of laughter.
Hinata felt her face heat up. H-He's very well-built…was the only coherent thought she could seem to get out without stuttering even in her head.
"Do your best, Hinata!" Naruto's voice came back to her abruptly, and she swallowed hard, unable to take her eyes off of Kiba's damp chest. The other teen did not seem to have noticed her gaze, as he was too busy razzing Akamaru.
Oh, why not? Hinata finally thought, exasperated. It's now or never! "K-Kiba?"
"Yeah?" He turned back to her, a smile immediately lighting his face.
"W-Will you go out with me?" Hinata was sure her face was as red as a tomato, but her voice remained mostly steady.
The look on Kiba's face, an odd mixture of shock and elation, was enough to make her giggle. Feeling even more confident, she stepped forward and slid her arms around his neck. Still shocked, Kiba raised his own arms to hold her as well, and Hinata let out the breath she had been holding in a happy sigh.
"Heh. Guess I was supposed to ask you that, but it's all good." Kiba drew back and grinned at her not-quite-so-shy smile and blush. "Of course!"
"Thank you," Hinata murmured, hugging him again.
And thank you, Naruto-kun, for letting me borrow your title for a moment, the pale-eyed girl thought. I can see why you like being the Number One Ninja at Surprising People.
She hadn't realized that Kiba had drawn away until he caught her hand and tugged her gently towards the water, grinning. She smiled back, and followed her boyfriend happily out into the lake to play.
AN: Well, there you have it. More cute than sexy, I suppose, but that's all right. I'm not sure who's next...maybe Ino and Chouji. We'll see. :)
Thanks for all the lovely reviews!