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Chapter 13

As The Days Go On

Days past by as Rei, along with the rest of the passed teams, were busy doing missions. Jin was now frequently trying to hide from Hari, whom was hanging with Ino most of her free time. Kako was going on with his daily routine, pondering the big questions like: What's my purpose in life? Or who will my true love be? Kotetsu was always busy trying to keep his pupils from killing each other, running away, or worse; planning against him. Metta and Sakka continued to be themselves. Sakka slowly progressed into a friendship with Kiba, since their personalities seem to be so alike. Rei was caught pondering on thoughts of her life; there was so much to learn about her brother. One thing was that she was surprised to see him kneeling next to his bed one night praying. The biggest thing she missed though was Kiba. She hadn't seen him since the day at the park.

So here Kiba was, after weeks of thinking and taking advice, he came to a conclusion. He could feel Akamaru less active and jumpy, whom was safely in the opening of his jacket. Today was a dreary day. The streets almost had nobody walking them. Most of the shops were closed, too. It had been dark all day. Kiba walked along the street, towards his friend's house. He had to ask him something before he made sure of his conclusion.

The sand below him made a soft rushing sound as he stepped of it. He could feel the wind gently brush his face. The smell in the air was rain, but this one seemed like it was going to bring good in it. He sure hoped something nice would happen. Lately Kiba was having bad luck. Three times in a row now, it was his fault why they failed their mission. He was getting a bit…over reactive and loud.

Kiba stepped up to the door and knocked in it. With a creek, Sakka opened the door and yawned. Obviously, Kiba just woke him up.

"Hey Kiba, what is it?" He asked, half asleep.

"Uh, well…it's kind of personal. See there's this person I met and-," Kiba started.

"Girl trouble?" Sakka just plainly asked. Kiba thought for a moment as Sakka stared at him. "…Well?" Kiba classified as 'Girl Trouble' and went in with him, nodding. They both sat in the kitchen as Sakka made his breakfast. "So what exactly is it?" Kiba hesitated.

"We're good enough friends to talk about…personal stuff, right?" Sakka nodded. "Ok, well there's this girl that doesn't let me feel normal around her. I think I…like her…" Kiba paused for a moment and saw Sakka look at him with, what looked like, no interest in it at all, "But of course, now that I think about it, I really don't like her! Thanks! I'll be going now!" Kiba rushed and stood up.

"Shut up and sit down! This is SERIOUS!" Kiba immediately sat back down, causing Akamaru to jump with surprise. "Ok, Kiba, we've known each other long enough to where I could basically tell you anything and not lie about it. This is one thing I'm not lying about…" There was a long silence as the air grew tenser around the two boys.

"You've GOT to tell me who this girl is before I can help you!" Sakka said, ruining the tense moment. Kiba groaned and whacked Sakka on the head.

"Well, It's…"Kiba said.

"Yes?"

"The girl I like, well, THINK I like is…"

"Yes?"

"I think it's…"

"GET ON WITH IT!"

"OK! I think I like REI!" Kiba yelled at him. Another long silence.

"You're out of her league!" Sakka said and carelessly started eating his bowl of cereal.

"Why do you think so? If anything, I'M out of her league!" Kiba retorted.

"One thing: Do NOT put yourself above the girl! The girl is the person that controls everything, it's ALL up to her! Oh, and, I think that because I know a few people that have their eyes set on her," Sakka said. Kiba stood up again, making his chair fall over. He thrust his hands on the table and looked at his friend seriously.

"I DEMAND to know who these people are!"

"What would you do with the information anyway? It's not like you like her or anything."

"HELL YEAH I DO!"

"Ok, are you done now? Now go! I'm still eating…" Sakka said. Kiba blinked in confusion. Slowly, he realized that Sakka helped him figure out the answer to the question he'd came to ask.

"Uh, thanks," Kiba said awkwardly, Come on Akamaru, it's about to rain." Akamaru followed Kiba outside and into the street. He was surrounded in his thoughts; until Akamaru pointed out that it was starting to rain.

He and Akamaru ran into the nearest open shop: Yamanaka's Flower Shop. The little bell tinkled above his head as he rushed in, dripping wet. The smell of flowers rushed at him. For a couple of seconds, he let it engulf him and take his worries away. Akamaru ran over to the nearest flower bed and sniffed at it. Kiba took off his soaked wet jacket and hung it on the cloak rack to dry. He wondered how long he was going to have to stay there until the rain went.

Kiba turned around and among all the scents; he smelt one that smelled even sweeter. He heard her tinkling voice at the cashier of the store. Obviously, she was buying flowers. What else could she be doing? He drew in breaths of the air around him. Before he noticed, a voice penetrated his thoughts.

"Kiba? What are you doing here?" Rei asked the boy. She was just heading out with some flowers. Kiba felt a slight blush cross over his cheeks. He thanked Kami that he had the red markings so that she couldn't see the difference.

"Uh, I'm just staying here until the rain passes," He spoke truthfully.

"Why wait?" Rei asked. Kiba studied her. She was leaning on one leg and held a bouquet of flowers that varied from colors to sizes. Her slim round shoulders hanging onto the frame of her body. He couldn't think of how any girl could have a better body than hers. The thing that caught his attention more than anything was her face. He loved how she smiled and even smirked at him. Her smile always held something deeper than just being polite, it held compassion and caring. Her eyes were so deep; he wishes he could stare into them all day. He at least hoped one day he could. He shook his head as he noticed Rei take a step towards him.

"What do you mean 'Why wait'?" Kiba asked her as she passed by him, opening the door. "Wait, do you mean…?"

"What else? You can't be afraid of the rain; life is too short for that," Rei said, and walked right into the pouring rain. She continued walking in the street. Kiba looked surprised and wondered about her. He always just rather prefers to stay out of the rain, but how she put it, there was really no reason to why not go in the rain? Let the rain do its job.

Kiba shoved his already drenched jacket on and picked up Akamaru. "Come on Akamaru…hey, Rei, wait up!" Kiba put Akamaru in his jacket and ran after Rei. Rei turned her head at him and smiled. Kiba caught up and could now see that she was holding the flowers under her jacket to keep them from getting wet.

"So why did you decide to come along?" Rei asked Kiba, turning back to the rode.

"Why? What you don't know can't hurt," Kiba said, shoving his hands in his pockets. Rei looked blankly at the ground. Did I hurt her feelings or something? I should do something…Kiba thought.

"Hey, do you want me to walk you home?" Kiba asked, surprised at how he got the guts to ask her. "Huh? I thought we were going home!" Akamaru whined. Rei laughed.

"No, it's fine. I think Akamaru would rather go home," Did she hear him?

"Don't worry, I'm sure he won't mind!" Kiba said. Rei smiled at him. A few minutes past by as they walked.

"Well, if you want to walk me home, then we're going to have to go back and turn that corner we passed about a minute ago," Rei said. Kiba laughed. He truly liked having her a company.

They finally made it up to Sasuke's shared apartment and they both stood at the front step as Rei fumbled with the keys.

"So, you're still doing small missions?" Rei asked.

"Yeah, but it's because I keep screwing up," Kiba said. Rei chuckled. The door flung open and Rei went in. Kiba was about to turn when he noticed Rei still holding the door open. What does she want to tell me?

"Here! This will be a gift for keeping me company!" Rei cheerfully said and handed Kiba a blue lily. Kiba carefully took the lily. He swore if he did anything sudden, the flower would fall apart. Kiba gave her a quick smirk and thanks, then walked off.

Rei closed the door and went into the apartment. From Sasuke's room, she heard,

"Rei, who were you talking to?" Rei sat on the couch and put the reaming flowers into the flower vase, "Oh, it was nothing, just some person I know."