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Bonfire Nights
Chapter Eight

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Konohamaru
*Ready Player One*

Tuesday, May 12th 11:15 AM KST
Konoha, Big Mart

The last few weeks of April and first week of May were a whirlwind of last classes and finals.

Konohamaru hadn't seen Hanabi much, but they texted back and forth on occasion. Genma kept him updated, but her protection and surveillance was largely off campus, and not in his area.

"Your detail will pick up soon," Genma assured him. "June will be busy, but July should be fairly quiet. August is when you will be more involved, and it will be steady through the next academic year. Enjoy your free time while you can."

Konohamaru and Inari had been on their way to having a lazy Tuesday, when they realized they were out of nearly everything from food to ketchup to toothpaste to sriracha.

"Guess it's been a while since we went shopping," Konohamaru sighed as they wound their way around the megastore.

"Been busy," Inari shrugged, reaching for a second pack of toilet paper. "For Moegi," he added, chucking it into the cart. "Since she lent us that pack."

"How did we get so busy we didn't even put in our supply request last month?" Konohamaru groaned. "It isn't like it is that hard."

"Can you imagine what we'd have to spend if the House didn't supply most of this stuff?" Inari asked rhetorically. "No wonder most university students are broke. We're lucky we just have to get through a week or two."

That was a definite perk of living in Konoha House – especially as an ANBU agent in Konoha House. The dorm got some kind of crazy deal or tax break or something that allowed the organization to supply the students and agents with all of the essentials – and even some inessentials.

"But in almost four years, have we ever gotten this low?" Konohamaru puzzled.

"No," Inari shook his head. "Usually one of us is on top of it. Or Moegi reminds us."

Konohamaru reached for toothpaste. "That's true," he tossed the box in the cart. "What's her excuse for slacking off?"

"Genma's been keeping her busy lately," Inari studied the list, then looked up to scan the shelves. "I don't think I've had to buy floss since I left home," he muttered.

"That's because your mom sent you to school with that gigantic box with, like, fifty things of floss," Konohamaru snorted. "I didn't think it was humanly possible to go through all of that."

"Not if you don't take dental hygiene seriously," Inari drawled checking floss off the list.

Konohamaru rolled his eyes. "Yeah, yeah, it's more important than brushing, blah, blah, blah."

"Yuck it up," his roommate said calmly. "I'll be the one laughing when you have to glue your teeth in."

Konohamaru was about to retort when his phone buzzed in his pocket.

Text message from Hanabi:
He's right. You should floss.

Konohamaru looked around in surprise, while Inari leaned over his shoulder to read the text.

"See," he smirked triumphantly. "I told you so."

Konohamaru rolled his eyes as he texted back.

'Thanks for that. It isn't like he's already hard enough to live with.'

"I'm an awesome roommate," Inari rolled up the list and swatted Konohamaru on the head.

The sound of a smothered laugh came from the other side of the aisle, and they looked at each other before smirking. Inari jerked his head left, and Konohamaru nodded right. Leaving a clone with the cart, each scurried down opposite ends of the aisle to peer around the corner. Inari leaned back and motioned Konohamaru ahead. He nodded and crept on the other side of the aisle while Inari continued to banter with the clone.

With the stealth one might expect of a fully trained shinobi, Konohamaru stole along the aisle, undetected. She hadn't registered his presence, and had her hand pressed over her mouth as she giggled and listened to the two of them on the other side.

Konohamaru was within inches of her, when she turned around lazily. Her eyebrow was arched, and her Byakugan was active.

"Oh. Yeah," Konohamaru rubbed the back of his head. "Forgot about that."

"She spotted you with her Byakugan, didn't she," Inari called over the aisle.

"Yup," Konohamaru replied wryly.

Hanabi's smile was somewhere between amused and smug as she released the Byakugan and he dispelled his clone.

"Nice to see you," Inari waved, rounding the aisle with the cart and closing the distance between them. "What brings you here of all places?"

"This," she handed Inari a list. "Shōgi gave me specs for what I needed to buy to continue my training, but I wasn't sure where to go. This seemed like a good place to start."

Inari's eyes went wide as he scanned the list. He showed it to Konohamaru, they shared a knowing look, and Inari pulled out his phone. "I'll round up the gang. We can finish up and then hit Quirks."

He strode off, and the last thing Hanabi heard was "Udon? We've got a situation."

"A situation?" she looked to Konohamaru, puzzled. "I'm just buying a gaming system like Shōgi said."

He shook his head and tsked at her. "And that is where you are wrong, grasshopper. It's a good thing we found you when we did. C'mon. Help me finish up what's on our list, and we'll get on to your problem."

"But it isn't a problem," Hanabi insisted reaching into her bag, extracting a folder. "I looked everything up, and matched his specs to the different systems so that I would know what to look for."

"Udon will call Moegi," Inari announced, striding back down the aisle as he put his phone away. "I told them to give us twenty to finish up shopping and another fifteen to get there."

"Perfect," Konohamaru gave a nod. He made a few shadow clones, tore the shopping list, and handed them each part of it. "Meet up at the register ASAP," he instructed, and they shot off into the store.

"Nice," Inari approved. He looked over to Hanabi. "You need to tell anyone that you're coming with us?"

"I don't need to go with you," she frowned. "Here," she offered him the folder. "See? According to the list he gave me, any of those systems should cover me. The list you have is just the model numbers I new were in stock."

Inari blinked at her but took the folder. "Not even close," he murmured eyes darting between the list and the printouts. "We can do way better than this," he flicked her printed out information, "Udon will contact Shōgi after he gets a hold of Moegi."

"Udon. Calling Shōgi," Hanabi said flatly. "Does he regularly contact an eight-year-old?"

"Sure," Inari shrugged. "Between the two of them, we'll make sure your system is up to speed with the rest of ours."

"Why does that matter?" she threw up her hands. "It's not like I'm competing with you for coolest gaming system."

"Wait, aren't you going to play us?" Inari wagged his finger between he and Konohamaru. "Online gaming and all of that? You weren't really just planning on playing by yourself all of the time, were you?"

Hanabi looked at him blankly.

"Didn't think about that, did ya?" Konohamaru nudged her arm.

"Look," Inari shuffled the papers back into order, placing her list on top. "It isn't that this stuff isn't serviceable – it is. And I get that you are probably doing this more for Shōgi than for your own interest, so you're not looking for some crazy powerful set up or investing a bunch of money. But what we're really talking about is a system that gives you more options for about the same cost. This stuff," he handed back her folder, "won't keep up with our stuff – or, really, Shōgi's stuff – after a while. Might as well only buy once, right?"

Hanabi held his gaze for a moment before sighing.

"Well at least one of you can explain things properly," she mumbled, returning the folder to her bag. "I suppose I should make sure I am purchasing only what I need."

"Atta girl!" Inari grinned, shoving the cart forward. "Come to the Dark Side!"

"The what side?"

Inari and Konohamaru both stopped short and looked at each other before looking at her.

"Shōgi hasn't gotten that far yet," Konohamaru offered.

"Long way to go?"

"Oh, yeah."

"Still right here," Hanabi muttered.

"Well," Inari straightened up. "We'd better get on it! C'mon, Hanabi," he motioned for her to follow. "It's faster if we split up, and keeping up with KonoClones is a nightmare."

"Now that I can believe," her lips twisted into an amused smirk. "I'm surprised they even let him use that technique in here."

"Well," Konohamaru rubbed the back of his neck, "It isn't exactly encouraged."

"In that case," Hanabi's grin glinted. "Inari and I will go check out with what is here, and you can meet us outside."

"Great idea!" Inari agreed. "See you outside, Kono!"

"Traitors," he called after them, ignoring the tug in his gut at Hanabi's laugh. He felt one of his clones dispel, followed by another, and hurried to the register. He'd settle up with Inari later - right now, he had to get out of the store before someone complained to the manager. Again.

Kiba and Tenten
*Calculated Risks*

Friday, May 15th 8:45 PM KST
Konoha, sports bar

The night Kiba had won at pool, he and Tenten had no sooner gotten through their appetizers when she got called in to work.

"Genma's timing is the worst," she sighed, stuffing her phone into her pocket. "Normally I don't mind," she gave him a small smile, "But I admit – tonight was fun."

"Agreed. And while I hate to cut it short, I can't really complain - seeing how you are racing off to keep an eye on my teammate and all."

"True," she gave a small smile to the waiter as she signed the receipt and took her card. "This doesn't count as the dinner I owe you," she said, gathering her things. "Raincheck?"

"Raincheck," he grinned.

That had been three weeks ago.

They'd been trading texts more often, and sometimes they'd catch up at the ANBU base, or have a cup of coffee, but neither of them had much time. Tonight was their last mutual night free before Kiba's upcoming mission, so they'd decided to meet up for dinner.

They had a pleasant dinner and conversation, skipping dessert in lieu of a final round of beverages. As the game playing on one of the big televisions overhead wrapped up, Kiba found himself halfheartedly hoping for overtime.

Unfortunately, the buzzer sounded, and the game was over.

"Guess we'd better wrap up," Tenten said, tracing a bead of condensation down the neck of her beer bottle with the tip of her finger. "I have early training."

"Lucky you," Kiba put his own glass down. Akamaru began to nudge at Kiba's leg. "I'd better take him out. See you outside?"

"Soon as I get the check."

Kiba nodded and took Akamaru out of the restaurant while she waved the waiter down. He was leaning against the restaurant, one leg propped against the wall, arms crossed when she stormed out.

"What's your deal, Inuzuka?" she demanded, marching over and poking her finger into his chest. "I thought we had a bet."

"We did."

"So, what's with picking up the tab?"

He shrugged. "Tsume didn't raise her son to let a girl pay for a date. Especially one that is heavily armed."

"Well that is the most ridiculous thing I – wait, what?"

Kiba's grin was slow and easy, his sharp canines glinting in the low light. "You heard me."

Tenten blinked at him

"This… this was a date?"

"Sure," Kiba pushed away from the wall and stretched. "We had a great time, I paid for dinner, and now I'm going to walk you home." He shrugged. "Pretty sure that constitutes a date. Unless," he studied her face, "you don't want it to be. Then it's just an excuse to have you take me out for a meal when I get back from a mission."

Akamaru put his head under her hand, and she scratched his ears. "Is he always this difficult?"

"It's ok, Tenten," Kiba said gently. "It can just be a meal between friends."

She kept her eyes on Akamaru, her lips twisting wryly.

"I'm… I'm not an easy person to date," she admitted. "That's why I generally don't bother."

"It's hard to find people outside of work who get it," he agreed. "But I do get it. I know how insane your schedule is, and I know June you will basically be MIA. Still," he shrugged one shoulder. "I like spending time with you. I'd like to give it a shot."

Tenten met his eyes then, peering at him as if looking for the fine print in a contract.

He laughed lightly and held his arms out.

"I'm not that complicated, Tenten. What you see is what you get."

"And… we're friends no matter what, right?"

"Absolutely."

"Well," she rubbed the back of her neck. "I do like hanging out with you. And I wouldn't mind spending more time together…"

He lifted his eyebrows.

"Alright," she smiled slowly. "We can call tonight a date."

Kiba held out his hand to her. She took it tentatively and he looped her arm around his. "Now," he nudged her. "Was that so hard?"

"Oh, the beginning is always easy," she rolled her eyes. "Give it a week."

"That's the best part! I'll be gone for more than a week! Easiest start to dating ever!"

Tenten rested her hand on Akamaru's head as they walked. "I do have a long weekend coming up," she offered. "I could…I could request for the time off to match up with when you get back."

"You don't have to give up your time for me," Kiba watched her carefully. "Especially since you don't get much of it to yourself."

"I know, but… but maybe it would be nice to have the option to spend time together. You know. Without Genma or Hyūgas."

Kiba gave an inelegant snort.

"Anything without Hyūgas – Hinata being the exception – is fine by me."

The Inuzuka compound was in one of the less crowded areas of Konoha, which made it ideal for the training and raising of ninken. One of the roads that lead to the compound diverted to the training grounds right near Tenten (and Lee's) apartment building so Kiba knew where to go. Also, all of Lee's friends knew where he lived, just in case someone had to get him home. Just last month, he'd had one sip of alcohol from the glass next to his and fell asleep at the table.

"This is me," Tenten finally said as they arrived at the main entrance.

"So it is."

"Thanks for a really fun night," she smiled at him. "Even if I didn't know it was a date."

"That's ok," he winked. "I wasn't sure it was a date until you let me walk you home."

"Oh?" she raised an eyebrow. "And what about that cemented this as a date?"

"Well, you didn't skewer me, for one," he nodded to her general person, as they both knew she was armed. "And for two, you agreed to getting together when I get back."

"You make it all sound so simple," she chuckled.

"It is that simple, Ten," he met her eyes. "I'm interested in you, but I am your friend first. That won't change, ok?"

"No one can promise that things won't change, Kiba," her eyes darkened for a moment. "But that doesn't mean I'm not willing to try."

"It's all we can do," he shrugged. "Well," mischief sparked in his eyes. "Not quite all we can do."

"First date, Inuzuka," she narrowed her eyes. "Don't push your luck."

"You've been hanging around Kakashi too much," he scoffed.

"But you are the one who said –"

"I meant a good night kiss, pervert."

"I am not a -!"

Kiba was grateful her initial stiffening at his kiss did not translate into him getting slapped or stabbed. She kissed him back, tentatively at first, but it became something more sure, and teasing, and warm, and absolutely worth getting beat at pool for.

They stood for a moment, foreheads pressed together.

"You ok?"

"Yeah," she breathed. "I just…It's been a while."

"Could've fooled me."

She gave a breathy laugh as she met his eyes. "Thanks," she smiled crookedly. "See you when you get back?"

"Absolutely."

Akamaru bumped her leg, and she scratched his ears. "You, too, big guy. Make sure you stay safe, ok?"

"We will," Kiba assured her. He leaned over and kissed her cheek. "Have a good night, Tenten."

"You, too, Kiba – and Akamaru," she smiled. He waited until she was inside and the lobby door clicked shut behind her before heading toward home.

"Not a bad first date, eh Akamaru?" The big dog gave an enthusiastic bark. "Yeah, I agree," he chuckled. "She's way better than not bad."

Akamaru sniffed the air, and looked up at Kiba, questioningly.

"Ah," he nodded. "I know." He sauntered down the path for a short while before passing a large tree.

"Have a good night, Lee," he called over his shoulder.

"You, too!" the enthusiastic reply came back before he could stop it.

Kiba smirked. It looked like Tenten was going to be an even bigger challenge than he initially thought. His smirk turned wolfish.

"Bring it on."

Note:

*If you are reading YMBiS - this is the mission Kiba is coming back from at the beginning of Ch 9.