Chapter Four

"Kiba! Kiba!" shouted Lee. Kiba turned, he'd been sitting outside, taking a break from his training.

"Hey, Lee, Ten Ten. What's up? You want something to drink? It's damn hot today."

"That is very kind of you, but we have urgent news! Actually, we weren't supposed to tell you this."

"Oh, spit it out, Lee! You know what? Never mind, I'll do it." Ten Ten strode over, put her hand on Kiba's shoulder and said. "Shino's alive. We just saw him. He's alive."

They filled Kiba in on the story, as they knew it.

"But, promise me you'll keep it under wraps until his father knows. Promise!" said Ten-Ten.

"Yeah, yeah. I promise. Thanks for doing this for me. I owe you one, but I need to be alone for a minute. You said Neji'll tell Hinata?"

"Yes, and we understand. We'll see you." Lee looked hesitant to leave, but Ten Ten grabbed his arm and they started walking away. Kiba sat on the grass for he didn't know how long, until his mother came home.

"Kid, what is wrong with you?"

"He's alive, Ma. Shino's alive."

"Yeah, I heard too. You still didn't answer my question. You look like you're about to kill someone." So much for everyone keeping the lid on about this.

"He was out there, all this time. Someone had him."

"Yeah. Get up."

"What?"

"I said 'Get up.' You're gonna spar with me."

"I don't feel like sparrin' with ya right now."

"Maybe not, but you need to. I can tell you've been brooding for hours."

"I said 'I don't feel like it!-'" He was cut off by his ma charging at him, then feigning away at the last minute.

"That was your only warning. Now get up."

"God dammit!" he yelled, as he got to his feet. Akarmaru looked at him questioningly.

"Stay over there, Akamaru." said Tsume. "Kuromaru, you stay out too. Just you and me, kid!"

"Fine! Bring it on, then!"

He knew his fighting was poor – their family didn't focus on precise forms, in fact they'd often been accused of fighting like feral animals – but he was sloppy, half hearted. He knew his ma wasn't fighting full on, but she was accomplishing her goal, getting him to move, getting him to get it out, and he laid down afterwards exhausted, but feeling better.

"Thanks, Ma. I needed that."

"I know. Besides, I couldn't let you walk over to the Hyuuga compound with that storm cloud over you head- though I'd love to see Hiashi's face at a messy display of emotion, but I can't let you walk over to the Aburame compound like that either. Gen's got his own shit to deal with, he doesn't need to deal with your shit too.

"And, we don't know what happened, but it was probably fucked up. Shino's gonna need you to be strong, not tear down the place in a rage. Now, let's head in, have some chow. We'll spar tomorrow."

"Sounds good, Ma."

Hinata stopped by late in the evening. "Hey."

"Neji just told me. I was in talks with my father for most of the day."

Hinata, against all odds had restored her birthright, and Hiashi was taking her under his wing – or repaying his massive karma – Kiba still didn't like the guy.

"This is crazy. It's great, but it's crazy."

"Can I tell you something?"

"Course! That's why we're sitting her, isn't it?" Kiba asked, trying to lighten the mood.

"I'm… s-s-s-"

Huh. Hinata rarely stuttered in front of him anymore, but he found it was best to let her take her time.

"I'm s-s-s-scared to see him."

"Why, you think he's mad at you?"

He knew Hinata carried that guilt around. Heck, so did he.

"N-n-no. It's… I talk to Shino a lot, in my head and I'm s-s-scared that... What if it's not the same, when we see him again?"

Kiba got what she was trying to say. He was nervous too. Could they go back to the way things were before? As a team? He'd seen Sakura wish for that for years, for her team to be reunited, but the truth was she and Naruto spent years apart. Yeah, Naruto was at heart the same doofus he always was, but it wasn't the same as having spent that time together, day in and day out. He got to see Naruto and Sakura long for the good ol' days before Sasuke lost his shit – but Kiba could admit he would probably have lost his shit too, if he'd seen Hana murder their whole clan. But anyway, they weren't the only ones in this village longing, and he too wondered.

"Well, let's just take it one step at a time, but honestly, it's hard to imagine Shino not being Shino. What would he do, talk less?"

Kiba was happy to see Hinata smile at that. "Maybe he changed hair!" Hinata improvised.

"Totally. I bet he shaved it off, just gone. 'The reason is, it was not practical to have that much hair.'" he continued, imitating Shino's tone, and they had a quick laugh.

"This is a crazy ride Hinata, but I'm glad to be on it with you."

"Me too."

"Go get some rest, you look exhausted. I'll see you tomorrow. We'll badger Kurenai-sensai, get her to tell us what she knows."