Chapter 19: Airas

Kiba glanced over at Shino, then Airi. "Hey, is everything alright between you and Shino, Airi?"

Airi jumped. "Wh-What! Huh? Wh-What did you say?"

He smiled. "Are you alright?"

She blushed and looked away. "I'm fine." She focused her attention back to the sky. …Why can't I stay? I…I don't want to go…

Hinata yawned. "It's such a beautiful day today! It's really nice just to relax and take a break."

"Damn straight," Kiba said with a playful grin. Akamaru barked cheerfully as Kiba lay down. "But I wonder, why is Airi so quiet? She's usually such a damn chatter box!"

"Jerk face," Airi giggled.

"Jerk face? What the hell is a jerk face?"

"That's what you are."

"I'm a jerk face? So the definition of a jerk face is Inuzuka Kiba?"

"Yep!"

"Well," Kiba began with a light laugh, "at least I got her to talk." He looked at Shino. "Now Shino, on the other hand, is a different story. He hardly ever talks, much less carries on an engaging conversation."

"Not true," Airi said. "Shino can carry on an engaging conversation, right Shino?" She blushed.

Shino looked at her. Uh…? His face turned red.

"Come on Shino," Hinata said, "prove Kiba wrong!"

"…You guys really are something else you know." He smiled. "But…I guess that's why we're all…friends."

Airi smiled again. "Right Shino."

Huh? Kiba tilted his head. Something about that smile seems different. Airi only gets that smile around…Shino… He looked down. …I think I know why…I see… "Airi…Can I talk to you?"

"Yeah, sure! What's up Kiba?"

"Um, not here though. Can we go somewhere else?"

"Oh, okay then." They got up. "We'll be right back-"

"You're not going anywhere!" A woman dropped from a tree. "Sit down!"

"What!" Airi hit the ground when the woman fell on her. "AGH!"

"Airi!" Shino, Kiba, and Hinata got into defensive positions. "Who are you?"

The woman stood up. "What do you brats want?"

Kiba froze. "H-Hey. Sh-She looks like…"

Airi shook her head. "D-Dammit, why'd you do that so hard?" She shoved the woman off. "Get off!"

"Well pardon me Airi. I was just trying to get your attention you dork."

"Shut up!"

"Hey!" She jumped around behind Airi and grabbed her arm. "Is that any way to talk to me?"

"Let her go!" Shino demanded. "Let her go or I'll kill you!"

"My, my. Such rude words from a little boy." She held up a dagger to Airi's neck. "If you value her life, then you'll back off, sit down, and shut the hell up! I can't stand little kids!"

"Lemme go!" Airi shouted as she squirmed about. "Leggo, leggo, leggo!"

The woman started to laugh. "Ahaha, I'm sorry Airi." She let her go.

"You would use me as a hostage! You're as mean as ever! You're horrible!"

"Blah blah blah. Where's the baby's bottle? Stop complaining!"

"Airi, do you know her?" Hinata asked.

"Yeah," Shino added, "who is she?"

Airi sighed. "Unfortunately, this is-"

"I don't need you to introduce me!" The woman shouted. "Ahem, my name's Airas. Nozomi Airas."

"This is my older sister," Airi sighed.

"You say that as if it's a bad thing!" Airas laughed. "I thought we were all about love!" She threw her arms over her sister. "I wuv you Airi!"

"Get off of me!" Airi snapped.

"Is that anyway to greet me, baby sister? After nine years of being separated?"

She looked down. "You…You were the one that told me to…"

Airas put her hand on Airi's shoulder. "Not here." She looked back at squad eight. "So, who are these brats?"

"They're not brats, they're my friends!"

"Friends? Ha, whatever you say."

"She's Hinata, he's Kiba, and he's Shino."

Shino? Where have I heard that name before? Airas grinned. "So, that guy is Kiba? Hmm, he's pretty cute…for a brat."

"Quit callin' us brats!" Kiba yelled.

"Okay, fine then little boy. Are you single?"

"Quit it! I'm not single! I'm going out with your sister!"

Airi blushed. "K-Kiba…"

"What? You're dating my lil' sis?" She looked down at her sister. "…Airi…" She grabbed Kiba. "You better treat her right or I'll castrate you!"

"Airas, stop it!" Airi sighed. "What are you doing here anyways?"

"Listen, Airi, let's talk about the details at your place."

"Details? What do you mean by details?"

"…The details in regards to you."

She froze and looked down. "O-Oh…" She turned to her friends. "Um, I'll see you guys later. Right now, I have to talk with my sister. Bye!"

"Come on Airi." The two headed back. "Now that you've got a boyfriend, you better watch out and make sure that he doesn't get under your clothes."

"AIRAS?"

Kiba frowned. "Airi's big sister is annoying."

"You think she's annoying?" Shino asked.

Hinata blinked. "Something…Something doesn't seem right…"