Chapter 8: Fair Warning

"What's with those bandages?"

"Leave me alone."

"What did you do to yourself?"

"What do you want? I said leave me alone."

"Are you alright?"

"Go away! I don't wanna see anyone right now!"

"Look, I'm sorry about yesterday-"

"I don't wanna talk about it! Just please…leave me be…"

X-X-X-X

"I'm worried about her," Hinata said. She looked into Airi's shop. "She's not here…"

Kiba sighed. "I'm worried about her too. I mean, did you see her yesterday? She was crying!"

"Rowf!" Akamaru wined.

"Even Akamaru's worried about her," Hinata said as she petted the dog.

Kiba glanced over at Shino. "Yo, bug boy, didn't you see Airi yesterday?"

Shino gritted his teeth. "Yes, I did."

"Did you see her crying?" Hinata asked urgently.

"Ah, um…" Should I tell them what really happened?

Kiba raised a brow. "You know something, don't you Shino?" Akamaru started to bark. "You do, don't you!" He grabbed Shino's collar. "What did you do to her?"

"Stop it Kiba!" Hinata exclaimed.

Shino shoved Kiba off. "I didn't do anything! All I did was ask her what's really going on with her! After that, she burst into tears!"

"What!" Hinata gasped.

"I knew it! Something has been bothering her!" Kiba snapped his fingers. "We have to go see her!" Hinata nodded.

"Not a good idea," Shino said.

"Why not?"

"I went to see her earlier and she said that she didn't want to speak with anyone or see anyone right now."

"Then what do we do?" Hinata lowered her head and sighed. "I'm a terrible person. I claimed that Airi was my friend, yet I couldn't even tell that she was suffering." She looked up. "I'm going to go pray for Airi's well-being. See you guys later." She left.

"…So what were you doing with Airi yesterday?"

Shino focused his attention back on Kiba. "What?"

"Why were you with Airi?"

"I was walking with her."

"I see…" He crossed his arms. "Shino, listen up. I know Airi is your friend, but I'm going to have to ask you to keep your hands to yourself."

"What? What're you talking about?"

"Airi's special to me. I treasure her and care for her deeply. We both have so much in common. And I can't help but feel that you're to blame for Airi's sadness."

"Kiba, I told you what happened."

"I know, I know. I just want to give you a fair warning."

"Fair warning?" Shino glared. "Are you insinuating something Kiba!"

"All I'm saying is that you better not making advances on her, okay?" Kiba turned on his heel and headed in the opposite direction.

Shino sighed. "Kiba…he loves her, I know. Why is he accusing me of being interested in Airi?" He paused. "…Airi…?"