The hot spring was feeling quite perfect that day. Kiba was relaxing and enjoying some well earned r&r with Keitaro. The two were catching up on what all had been happening in
each others life. Keitaro was preparing to take the final exams for Tokyo U for the fourth time. A new girl named Mutsumi had been staying at the Hinata house lately as well.
"So," said Keitaro, "How's the training been going with you and Motoko lately?"
"It's been going good," he replied, "Motoko has been making great progress. Maybe before to long she could become a real rival for me, ha ha."
"Keitaro," Naru called from inside, "It's the girls' time to use the bath."
"Alright," Keitaro replied as he got up and walked toward the doorway.
"Keitaro, I really don't think you should go in there just yet," said Kiba concernedly.
"Aww, it's alright," replied Keitaro, "It's not like there already getting ready to come in or anything……." WHAM!
Naru caught Keitaro with a right hook that sent him flying over the fence. Kiba simply sat there with his eyes closed and nodded his head back and forth.
"Oh," said Naru, "I didn't know you were in here, Kiba. Hey Motoko, he's in the bath right now! Motoko was sort of looking for you earlier."
"Oh ok, thanks," replied Kiba with his eyes still closed.
"He he," Naru laughed, "You can open your eyes you know. I have on a towel right now."
Kiba opened his eyes and was relieved not to get the same beating Keitaro had just received.
"Well I guess I had better head on out then," said Kiba as he got up and began to head toward the doorway. As he walked past Naru, she saw the large tribal tattoo imprinted on
his back.
"What is that?" she asked Kiba, but he never replied as he disappeared into the house.
Kiba quickly changed back into his jeans and t-shirt and began walking down the hallway. Suddenly, he began to feel weak and a sharp pain could be felt stabbing him in his back.
As he stumbled down the hallway, Motoko came around the corner.
"Hey," she called out, "I've been looking all over for you. Are we still on for tomorrow?"
Kiba couldn't take much more and fell over onto Motoko with his head on her shoulder. Motoko began to blush and became concerned.
"Wha-What's wrong, Kiba?" she asked, her heart racing against his.
Kiba managed to stand back up straight and began to stumble back to his room again.
"I'm….fine," said Kiba while panting for breath.
He began to fall over again, and Motoko quickly came over to his side and threw his right arm around her neck to hold him up. The two walked over into Kiba's room where
Motoko sat him down on his futon.
"No, you're not," she said to him as she layed him back onto the futon, "Tell me what's wrong with you! I can help you!"
Kiba looked up at her and smiled, "Are you always this concerned about me?"
Motoko looked away and blushed, "No, I just don't want you going off hurting yourself when I need you to spar against," she said with some degree of annoyance in her voice.
Kiba laughed and replied, "I'm alright. I'm just a little faint from staying in the hot spring for too long, that's all. You don't have to worry. Now, go on to bed and get some sleep.
We'll begin sparring first thing in the morning."
Motoko took his word for it and left Kiba in the darkness of his room. Kiba rolled over onto his side and looked out the window at the full moon. Suddenly, his eyes began to
change………
To be continued…….in pt.7
