Tuesday, February 18th, 2014.

Should have updated: Sunday, February 16th, 2014.

Sorry it's late!

Remember how I said I was going to try and pump out the chapters I owed you for the late updates? (did I?)

Well, if I did, and even if you don't remember, I decided against trying to do that. I barely know what I'm doing next, and pumping out the current chapter was hard enough. It was hard to come up with what to make this chapter about, and after the SaIno part, I was tempted to end it right there, but I owed you guys more than that and better than that I so I remembered about Kiba and Mitsuki so there we go.

I'm just going to stick to this new schedule: update this week, then the week after next, and every other week from there.

My usual every-other-week schedule, starting this week.

Forget about having to try and make up for lost chapters.

Fun Fact: In a few hours, I'm leaving town to go to this college tour trip in southern California that my school put together. I'll be back Friday.

Rec.: Like I said, I'm leaving in a few hours. There's still a lot of shit I need to do. Sorry. I know I'm horrible. XP

Disclaimer: Naruto (and Dragon Ball Z) is hereby disclaimed. But I do own the plot, Mitsuki, and her brother, Kazuo.

Dedication: You all because I love you and I'm sorry. XP

AotW: (from the past two chapters)

Ch. 28: I don't really have one... I have series that I love, but I can't really choose one. Some of them are the Heroes of Olympus/Percy Jackson Series, The Maximum Ride Series, the Shiver Series, and the Ascension Series (?).
Ch. 29: My plans were to stay home and procrastinate on work via Internet. I don't have a love life. (pretty obvious with the way I write romance; terrible) And I don't feel bad about it either.

GRR:

Chloe: Thanks. :) I was too. DX That's a really cute idea! Thank you! X3

Chapter:

Warnings: Very slight language. One "f-bomb."
Content: Ino visiting Sai in the hospital, Mitsuki visiting Kiba and Akamaru in the hospital.
Romance: SaIno, KibaTsuki.

Length:

No AN: ~4.8k+.
AN: ~5.4k+.


Chapter 30: Love, Love, Everywhere


Ino POV

"Hey, Sai-kun," I greeted, taking a seat near his bed.

"Are you doing better?"

Sai responded with a thumbs up.

"I brought the DVD you wanted," I said, taking it out from my bag and handing it to him. "Are you sure you want to watch 'Free!'?"

He nodded, putting the DVD on the table beside him so his hands were write down on the notebook he had.

"I know men don't really like this sort of thing, but I want to watch it regardless. You said it is about the bond between friends who had fallen apart get back together again through what they love. I want to see that happen and better understand real-life friendships. Surely, I can deal with shirtless, muscular men and a few suggestive yaoi undertones."

I shrugged, sighing. "Alright, if you say so."

"Thank you, Beautiful." He switched to Sign Language for this.

I smiled. "You're welcome."

During the secret mission that Sai was on, his curse seal activated. It was on for so long and so intensely that as a result, his tongue was nearly destroyed and partially melted, and not much else goes for the rest of his mouth.

His vocal chords were mostly fine, though a bit strained from the screaming.

His lungs are also being watched carefully, as he was having trouble breathing with the curse seal activated and most of the melted parts of his tongue were, of course, swallowed.
Not like he could spit them out.

His tongue is now in a normal-looking, whole state, but it would take a while before it and the rest of his mouth healed enough to speak.

Therefore, Sai's restricted from talking.

He knew sign language, but kept a notebook and pen on him often (he already had a sketchbook, so he sometimes just used that, in addition to his brush if he didn't have a pen and notebook) for those who didn't, if he was writing something longer and complicated, or if he felt like it.

Sakura and I, luckily, were taught sign language early on in our apprenticeship with Tsunade by her and Shizune.

Tsunade made sure we knew sign language like the back of our hands – "Medical technicians should have several modes of communication for our patients," she would say, "So everyone can be understood."

My eyes lowered, thinking about what was to come for Sai...

Now that Danzo is fully aware of his betrayal, it was only a matter of time before he goes after Sai.

In a few days, Sai would go into hiding with Jiraiya, who would return the next day to whisk Naruto away for training.

I believe that Yamato -who had been appearing and training with Team 7 on and off- will be taking care of Sai while he's gone. Few rarely ever know where Yamato is, so a disappearance like this wouldn't be suspicious in the least.
In Yamato's case, at least. Sai's? Not so much.

The only ones who know where Sai's going are Jiraiya –who's taking him there– and Yamato (who will stay with him there).

We don't know how long he'll be gone, but that he'll return sometime in mid-winter (maybe), and anything after that is unknown to me.

I was startled when I felt something warm on my face, whipping my head up to find Sai's face near mine and that it was his hand that was on my cheek.

He tilted his head in confusion, eyes narrowing slightly.

What he was thinking was obvious: "Is something wrong?"

I shook my head, blushing and laughing lamely. "No, no, nothing. Just spacing out, sorry."

In addition to Chouji and I coming out of our fight with Jirobo alive and mostly okay, –though Chouji's body wasn't so okay in the beginning, after taking all pills; he was significantly better than last time, though. No death scare here– I had gotten the courage to confess my feelings to Sai during one of my usual visits.

It was nothing special, really – just a normal visit to start with, before being really nervous and telling him: "I really, really, really like you… I mean, I have romantic feelings for you. Strong ones. And I… just want you to know that. I don't m-mind if you don't reciprocate them, I just have to let you know…"

Nothing particularly dramatic or romantic. It just kinda came out... awkwardly.

His eyes were wide with surprise, but he signed to me: "So you're in love with me?", to which I nodded.

"Good," he signed back, before signing something I never imagined he would:

"I think I return your feelings, but I don't know yet. When I know, I will tell you with my voice, Ino."

I gushed about it to Sakura afterward, of course, who was the most excited I'd seen her in years – she was literally jumping up and down, squealing, and hugged me so hard she nearly re-cracked the ribs that were healing.

After letting me go, she went to Sai's room to do the exact same thing.

Needless to say, she was very, very, very happy for us.

So now, I was worried about what Sai's leaving may mean with our potential relationship, as well, of course, worrying about Sai's well-being. What if Danzo finds him anyway? He owns an elite organization of ninja's for Pete's sake! Who says wherever they're taking Sai won't be discovered? What if Sai get's injured further? He's still recovering! What if-

"Ow!" Something pinched my cheek.

I turned to Sai, "What was that fo-"

The words caught on my throat when I saw the annoyed look in his eye. He's getting better at expressing emotion.

"Um… sorry for spacing out again," I apologized weekly.

Sai sighed, shaking his head and pulling his best eye-roll yet; –he'd been practicing– and it was perfect.

"Good job on the eye-roll. That was great," I complimented.

"Thank you," he signed, "but stop worrying about me. I am flattered, but that will not change anything."

I looked down, slightly ashamed. "I know, I'm just…"

He took my chin in his hands and lifted it back up at me.

He had a small smile on his face as he signed, "My feelings for you will not change while I'm gone, either, Beautiful. If they do at all, they will get stronger. They say 'absence makes the heart grow fonder', correct?"

I smiled back. "Yeah, that's it."

"So do not worry."

"I'll try." Suddenly, I began squirming, wanting to ask a question but weirdly shy. I forgot this is what having romantic feelings for someone feels like. Being so shy around them…

"Hey, Sai-kun?"

He rose a brow.

"What… what are we now?" He tilted his head in confusion. "Are we a couple or are we…"

He furrowed his eyebrows, signing. "I thought we already were. We had told the other how we felt, did we not? Does that not make us belong to the other now?"

My face inflamed a bit. "O-oh! I-I just… wanted to make s-sure… 'cause sometimes, you d-don't really know..."

"Oh. Well we are then. Each other's. And boyfriend and girlfriend. Right?"

I nodded, a smile on my face. "Right."

"And we can continue this relationship when I come back."

He looked down suddenly, beginning to fidget slightly. Is he shy?

His hands shook slightly as he signed, "And then, can we further explore … and understand… our… love… together, as well?"

I giggled lightly into my hand, standing up to sit at the edge of the bed. Aw, he is shy! How cute.

"Of course we can," I said, placing a kiss on his cheek.

He took a deep breath, and looked a bit braver.

"I don't really understand what I'm feeling beautiful, but I do understand that I want to be with you. So please, wait for me."

I froze then, touched. But I moved closer to the face that was inching toward mine and was nervous and unsure, while I was now confident and reassured in our relationship.

"Of course I will. I'll wait as long as it takes."

And I leaned in and initiated the first kiss of ours as a couple.

I've kissed and dated other guys, but the feeling of being with Sai and kissing him was completely different.

Never had my heart caught in my throat and face burn at the mere touch of a pair of (inexperienced, -so I assume- no less) lips against mine.

Never had I felt the way I did for Sai that I had for anyone else; not even for Sasuke, despite popular belief.

I wanted to be with Sai forever, no matter what, and never let him go. It was an over-powering, overwhelming feeling.

I think… I think I can finally understand a bit about why Sakura just couldn't let go of Sasuke. Why she could never truly let him escape from her, and always wanted to help and believe in him. No matter how much she tried the opposite.

Because if Sai had done the same thing… I would be right there trying to do the same thing Sakura was; loving him and trying her best to not let him (or other loved ones) suffer, all the while confused and hurt and angered by his actions.

It was irrational, and it was most definitely foolish, but it was, fortunately or unfortunately, out of love.


Mitsuki POV

"K-kiba-kun?" I poked my head into the room, making sure he was there, walking in completely and closing the door behind me.

I walked to the bed and sat on the seat beside it, a little confused at Kiba's lack of response. He should have heard me come in, at least…

Kiba sat there, eyebrows furrowed at the manga he was reading, nose a bit scrunched up, and a scowl on his face.

Akamaru, however, was in a completely different mood – he was sleeping peacefully at the foot of the bed, and it looked like there was a smile on his puppy dog face. Whatever he was dreaming about, It was probably good.

"Kiba-kun?" I repeated, just a bit louder this time.

Still no answer. What is he thinking so hard about?

I poked Kiba's shoulder. At the lack of reaction, I decided to pinch his cheek. "Kiba-kun!"

He jolted, jostling Akamaru slightly –who growled and re-adjusted his position but did not wake up– and rose a hand to his cheek.

"What?! What was that fo-" his head turned around the room before it finally faced me. His words died and his face turned a bit pink.

I almost smiled

"O-oh. Mitsuki. You came today…"

I pouted playfully. "You don't sound too happy to see me." I fake-sighed and began to stand up. "I can leave if you don't want me to st-" Why am I so forward today? I'm usually shyer… maybe it's the drugs they gave me.

"No, no!" Kiba grabbed my arm and pulled me back down. I fought the blush that was threatening to surface when he touched me. This is ridiculous. He just grabbed my arm! Why am I so red?!

"I-It's not that! I just-… didn't expect you, that's all. Didn't you have an appointment today?" His eyes were flitting around everywhere, focusing on anything but me. How cute.

I nodded. "I did. But it ended earlier than I thought it would and I came here afterward. By the way, why didn't you notice me coming in?"

"Of course I notic- wait, no I didn't." He started almost out of habit, before he caught himself. He frowned apologetically at me, looking like a sad, guilty puppy that had just made a mistake to its owner. My Inner Girly-Girl melted.

"Sorry 'bout that, Mitsu. I just have a lot on my mind…" Despite how cute he was just now, I couldn't resist teasing him.

"Yeah, I can tell," I said snarkily.

He looked confused. "Huh?"

"Like I told you, you didn't notice me at all when I walked in and poked you, your manga volume's upside-down, and you haven't turned a single page since I got here. It seriously doesn't take that long to read a couple panels of pictures and words. Upside-down or otherwise. Come on."

I smiled and laughed a bit at the end, to enforce that I'm just teasing him.

He laughed.

"I guess I wasn't very good at pretending, was I?"

"Nah, you were horrendous. At least make sure that what you're reading is right-side up next time," I giggled into my hand.

He smiled at me, calming down from that little laughing fit. "Thanks for visiting me, Mitsu. A gorgeous and colorful change of scenery like yourself is just what I needed from the boring walls of this damn hospital, Akamaru's white fur, and the black and white manly panels of Dragon Ball Z in my hands."

I blushed and looked down. "Thanks. I think."

"It's a compliment, I promise."

"If you say so."

"I do say so." He thought for a second, before scooting sideways on the bed farther away from me and patting the space he just occupied. "Why don't you sit up here with me?"

"Huh?!" I was flustered. What? B-but, the bed's small and we'd have to sit really close to each other and then- gah! Stupid hormones… I think I like him too much for the sake of my poor heart. I'm just sitting next to him on a bed, for goodness' sake! It's nothing bad.

But we're alone and his dog's sleeping and he's only wearing boxers under that stupid hospital gown and God, I love his hair so much and those bandages around his arms make him look so hot and-...! Shut up!

"Mitsu?" Kiba called. I was jolted out of my little inner fantasy world. "And you said I wasn't paying any attention."

"Sorry," I said, shaking my head and trying to suppress another blush, not missing the way his eyes followed the bouncing of my curled hair and trying to suppress his own blush. "I was spacing out. Sure, I'll sit up there with you."

It was a bit of an awkward process, trying to find a comfortable way to sit upright on the bed, but when I finally got my whole body on it in a comfortable position, my skirt kept riding up as I sat and when we tried to pull the blankets over our laps, and I really wanted to keep my super-cute black-with-blue-designs knee-socks but with part of my thighs exposed with the riding of my skirt, I decided warm legs were better than flashing Kiba my panties and frozen legs because the hospital is stupidly chilly. And there I go ranting, again... there's such things called punctuation, me. Like periods.

It was all worth it in the end, though, being right beside him. Even more so when he did the cheesy yawn-and-pull-arm-around-girl's-shoulder thing and pulling me even closer to him, leaning his head on top of mine.

I sighed, red but content, and rested my own head on his shoulder.

We laid there in silence for a while, before I remembered something. "Hey, Kiba-kun?"

"Nn?"

"What was it that you were thinking so hard about?" I didn't like seeing him so troubled… I wanted to try and do something about it.

He opened his mouth to speak, but I interrupted him. "And don't you dare say 'nothing', because we know it isn't. Something that could stop you from reading a DBZ volume is serious business." I tried to joke about it, to make the mood lighter, but it didn't really help the mood as I had hoped. The mood didn't really change at all, actually.

He sighed heavily, staying silent for a moment. "I've been having dreams."

What?

"Yeah?" I asked, curious. "What kind?"

"In most of them… I was older. My team and I would be going on missions, older and all that. I have some dreams with the other team, too, but… it's weird. I even have a few from when I was a bit younger, like I year ago, and one of the most disturbing… I was fighting Sakon and Ukon, again. But… the fight was different and Kankuro didn't even show up until way later." I could feel the frustration in his voice. "It's all so confusing."

His fist clenched at his side. "And the other girls have been behaving a bit weird, too. Hinata, Sakura, Ino… I don't really know Tenten so I can't vouch for her, but Temari has been a bit odd to me from the start."

"Go on," I prompted, putting my hand over his own and rubbing circles over the knuckles and back of the hand, until I had coaxed the hand into opening and moving on to rub the palm, the way my brother always did, that he had gotten from dad who had picked it up from-... Mom.

He sighed shakily, but continued to tell me all about when Hinata had started acting a bit strangely, suddenly braver around the time of the Team Selection Day.

He told me about how Sakura and Ino used to act, but how it changed quite quickly over time, no longer the bitchy fangirls they used to be.

He told me more about his dreams, about scenes of a war he'd seen, about a pregnant Kurenai crying by a grave, and more and more and more.

By the end, his voice was strained with frustration and he almost looked like he'd start crying.

"I mentioned this to the other guys, and they agreed, too. Things were a bit weird. Whatever's going on, the girls won't tell us!" He took a deep breath, trying to calm himself down, and subconsciously gripping me tighter and closer to him. "What is it they're hiding from us?! Why can't they just tell us? Do they not trust us at all? What the fuck is going on?!"

He sounded so hurt – but of course he did, his closest friends (namely Hinata) is hiding some big secret from it and seems to have no intentions of telling him; as if they didn't trust him.

But I didn't think that was the case.

"Oh, Kiba-kun…" I hugged him, resting my forehead on his collarbone and wrapping my arms around his waist gently, as to not disturb his wounds. "Whatever they're hiding from you, I'm sure they want to tell you and the others."

"Then why don't they?" His voice now was almost void of anger, and Akamaru, waking up after sensing his best friend's distress, nudged his head softly against his owner's hand, which rose to pet him almost subconsciously; as if simply out of habit.

"Maybe, aside from swearing to keep it a secret, they feel that they're doing this to protect you guys?" I reasoned. "I mean, despite everything, they care for you guys so much. There's no way they'd do anything to hurt you on purpose, so…"

"But what could possibly be so bad that they can't tell us?" he snapped.

I flinched slightly, and he did, too, realizing what kind of tone he had. "Sorry! I didn't mean to snap at you like that..."

"No, it's okay," I smiled. But then I frowned slightly. "I don't know what it could be… but whatever it is, they're not doing this to harm you. They love you too much…"

He sighed. "Well, if you say so, I guess... it sounds someone reasonable…"

He was silent for a moment, calming himself down, and his heart rate slowed until it was beating normally and his breathing was calm, too.

"So are you okay now?" I asked, pulling back from the extended hug to look at him directly.

He nodded. "For now, I guess that's enough. I'll try to find out more later, I guess… I still want to know just what the hell's going on."

He smiled then, ruffling my hair.

I frowned, raising my arms to stop his hands.

I froze when I felt him kiss my forehead. "Thanks for that, by the way, Mitsu. That made me feel a lot better."

My face already felt like a furnace and that cute little grin on his face was not helping at that least.

I was positive he could hear my heart beating furiously. "Y-your w-welcome."

We just gazed at each other for a while, completely not noticing Hinata peak her head in, get startled from seeing us just staring at each other, before quietly leaving with a smile on her face.

Even Akamaru tried to get our attention by nudging us, but gave up and decided to find a comfortable place on the bed and just watch us, as if we were a movie.

After a few moments of this staring, Kiba broke it by suddenly appearing nervous, looking down, and blushing

"H-hey, Mitsu?"

"Yeah?" I didn't really understand why, but my voice was soft and breathy. But I didn't care – all I cared about was whatever Kiba was going to ask me, even if it was about what the time was. My focus was completely on him.

He looked back up at me, steeling himself, though his cheeks and ears were still a fierce red, even through his tan. "I-I was w-wondering... w-would you… l-like to have some dinner together s-sometime? Y-you know… just y-you and me? Not even Akamaru would be there!"

I was completely shocked. I can't be dreaming, can I? Did Kiba just ask me out!?

I must have stayed there frozen for longer than I thought, because Kiba was starting to look worried. "I mean, we can just go as friends if you want! Not that I was implying anything else before, or anything! Just friends! Akamaru can come, too, if you want. I was just wondering... Sorry for making you uncomfortable… we don't even have to go at all, if you don't want to. I mean,-"

I placed a finger on his (slightly chapped) lips to shut him up. "Kiba-kun?"

"Yeah?" His face was nearly as red as what I assume mine was. Which was the color of the marks on his cheeks.

"I'd love to."

He lit up like a child on Christmas. "Really!?"

He coughed, realizing how excited his voice sounded. "I mean, really?" he tried to sound all cool and deepen his voice, but in the end, his excitement still shown through.

"It's a date." I leaned in, suddenly confident. "As more than 'just friends.'"

I gave him a quick kiss on the cheek. However, it ended up at the corner of his mouth, but I didn't let my embarrassment shine through. Just keep looking confident... come on, you can do it...

I smoothly slid out of the bed, picked up my violently-vibrating phone, slipped on my boots, and sashayed out the door.

I assure you, I have never "sashayed" in my life.

I can only I assume I was doing it half decently at the very least by the stare burning into my back (and ass; Kiba's only human, after all. He's got hormones, too).

My composure was cool and together until I exited the hospital and walked toward my brother who was waiting by the front entrance, phone in his hand.

"What were you doing?" he asked me. "I've been texting you and calling you for the past- what are you doing?"

I was bouncing on the soles on my feet with a silly and stupid grin on my face, giggling to myself. Then, I'd suddenly stop and squirm nervously and muttering to myself with my hands to my cheeks, my face becoming tomato red, before I was bouncing again and the cycle continued.

"What? Nothing," I said. There's no way he'd believe that.

"You visited that Kiba kid, didn't you?" And that's why he's my brother.

"Yeah…"

"What, did he ask you to marry you or something? You look so damn cheerful one second and nervous the next! Sheesh! Make up your mind!"

"What?!" I spluttered, my face aflame again. "Kazuo-nii! Of course not!"

"I know that, I was just teasing you!" He groaned. "But seriously," he said, as he took my hand and led us home.

"What happened?"

"Um… he- uh… asked me out for tomorrow night?" I squeaked.

"What?!" He looked surprised, and I braced myself for the protective-older-brother-complex of his to come out. But surprisingly, it didn't.

He suddenly calmed down and said simply, "Oh, wait. I knew that."

"Huh?" Is there something I'm missing here?

"I went to talk to him the other day and he asked me for permission to date you. For someone like him, I didn't expect him to take such old-fashioned steps."

I blinked. Well. This is new.

"What'd you say?" I asked.

He looked at me incredulously. "What do you think I said? 'Yes', of course. I mean, after a bunch of ranting about how if he broke your heart I would break him into tiny little pieces and not a single force on this world could make me forgive him for hurting you and all that jazz. Despite how he looks, I've decided to trust him with you." He sighed, then, as if what was coming next was almost painful to say. "If he makes you happy, then… I guess that's good enough for me."

My eyes lit up, and I walked ahead to face my brother and hugged him tightly. "Aw, thank you, Kazuo-nii-chan! I love you sooo much! Thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you!"

He picked me up and I wrapped my legs around his waist and arms around his neck. I felt him smile against my cheek before kissing it. "Anything for my little girl, if it makes her happy. Love you too, Mitsu."

I giggled, taking my brother's hand again when he put me back on the ground.

"Maybe you can learn something from him. Kiba-kun, I mean," I commented.

He looked confused. "Huh? What are you talking about?"

"Maybe you can learn how to get the guts to ask a certain orange-haired girl out?" I teased him, referring to the tall, lithe, athletic ninja that had quickly become a regular customer at the bakery my brother worked part-time at. She came almost only on his shift, almost every day of his shift, and they were quick to become friends, constantly talking whenever they had the chance.

It was obvious that he had a huge crush on her, and that she returned it.

Her orange hair was in a short bob cut, and she had vivid, bright, lime green eyes (as opposed to Sakura's soft, peridot ones), fair-almost-pale skin with freckles, and was about a year younger than my brother and a chunin as opposed to his jounin rank.

She had given us both hand-knitted scarves when it started getting colder during this fall season, and was currently teaching me how to knit a few days a week.

I absolutely adored her – I just wish my brother would ask her out already and speed up the process of her becoming my future sister(-in-law).

My brother's face inflamed. "Wha-what?"

I laughed at him.

"Hey! Don't laugh!"

"I'll laugh when I want to!"

I hurried ahead of him, seeing our apartment in sight.

"Get back here!"

"No way!" I hurried faster; I knew if he caught me he's unleash the "Wrath of the Tickles" (I was like, 2, when he started that, alright?) on me – something I was very susceptible to.

Right when I reached the door, however, something picked me up and put me under their arm like a sack of potatoes. I squealed.

"Just stay still so I can open the freaking door, would 'ya?"

"No!" I playfully beat my brother's back as he put me over his shoulder instead and opened the door.

"You know that doesn't hurt me, right? Those puny hits of yours are nothing compared to what I get in sparring."

"Shut up!" I love my brother.

Today was a good day.


So, yeah... late chapter again.

But remember: despite what I said earlier, I decided not to try and force myself to pump out the chapters that I should've updated before. It's difficult enough to get these out, especially because I don't really have the future really planned out just yet.

So I'll just be sticking to this new schedule - update this week, the week after next, the week after that, etc. Just start a new schedule with this week. Not make up for missed weeks from before.

So how do guys like Mitsuki? I haven't shown her too much, but I decided this was a great opportunity to present her and get some KibaTsuki out of the way.

BTW, remember that ShikaTema chapter? And Shikamaru and Temari were trapped in a genjutsu?

The outfit Temari was wearing was from deviantart: "Naruto Girls" by yryahuln*.

QotW: #1: Is there any media genre that you hate/dislike? (ie. romance, action, horror, etc.)
#2:
X-Mas present ideas for DoOver.

Sorry it's late!

With love,

-Cherry.

PS: Please review!