A/N: Sorry it took a while. It's kind of tough to be writing 8 stories at once. (Not including my other fics.) I'll do my best to keep it going.

Sumire sobbed into her hands, watching the scenes on the screen fade away into the credits. Kisame was grinning at the small woman beside him.

"I told you."

"But… but… nooooooooo…"

He took the opportunity to slide a large arm around her shoulders.

"I win the bet." He said lowly.

She slapped at his chest, glaring up at him through her tears.

"Can you wait for one second!" she wiped the back of her hand across her cheeks. "Geeze, let the wounds close before you gloat, big jerk."

"Alright little puffer, let me know when you're done." He placed his hand on her shoulder.

"…little puffer?"

"When you get upset you puff up your cheeks, it's cute."

The flush on her face increased. These guys always have a habit of giving me weird nicknames…

"Fine, whatever. Big ol'jerk." She let her head lean against his chest. "Always making fun of me. Watched some really sad shit, but here you are making me feel bad for feeling sad, jerk." She continued to whisper.

Her head nuzzled against the muscle it rested against, grumbling. She felt his hand smooth down her arm to her waist, his fingers pressed into the softness around her midriff. The sensation caused her to squirm.

"Stop it!" she hissed.

"What?" he squeezed her again and she yelped. "You ticklish?"

"…no… I… yah!" she screeched as his fingers teased her waist.

Her body jerked away reflexively, but his hands went to her stomach, slipping just beneath her blouse to touch her skin directly. A serious of hiccupping giggles left her lips and she helpless slapped her small hands against his arms.

"Stop it!" she gasped.

He continued running his fingers along her body, until she had fallen back and he was hovering over her. His hands came to halt atop her waist and simply held her down. Their faces were inches apart, his lips curled into a smirk, her mouth open, panting from a mix of exhaustion and amusement. Their gazes met and Sumire suddenly felt very nervous. The feel of his hands holding her waist made her bite her lip. Heat began to pool in her center. I… I can't do this. I literally just moved into his home. I can't… She turned away before he had a chance to descend.

"So… what's the new wager you came up with?" she managed to say.

He sat up, lifting his hands away from her.

"You have to go on a trip with me."

"A trip?"

"Yup, when your internship is over. We're going to the beach."

"The beach!" she gasped and a small grin appeared on her face. "That's the best bet I've ever lost."

He patted the top of her head.

"You're still making dinner."

"Fine! Let me see what ingredients you have." She hopped off the couch and darted to kitchen.

He watched her bottom as she disappeared into the other room. He let his tongue brush over his lips as he stood and followed her.

X

"You haven't seen the large bathroom yet have you?"

"What does a large bathroom entail?"

"A large bath. In a large room."

"That sounds very…" she paused for dramatic effect, biting her lip to keep from laughing, "large."

Some women would be put off by a sharp-toothed grin, but something about his smile made her excited. She giggled and started to collect the empty dishware on the table.

"I had it specially built a couple years back. The bath the house originally came with didn't really give me room to stretch out and when I'm in water I've got to stretch out."

"So you have a bath that's… big enough for you to be spread eagle?"

"Yup."

"Really? I've to got to see this… after I wash dishes."

"I'll help."

He was beside her in a few moments. As she scrubbed and handed the dishes to him to dry she realized just how different they were in height. Kisame-sama is a whole foot taller than me. She glanced sideways at him. I barely can make it to the middle of his chest. He's also super wide. I bet if I laid on top of him I would fit perfectly against him. Her cheeks reddened. That's a weird thing to think about. I know I'm attracted to him and everything… but what would I do if he made a move again?

Give in. You'd jump into bed with him.

No I wouldn't. I'd…

Yes you would. When was the last time you had sex?

That doesn't mean anything! I don't know if I could have casual sex…

You messed around with Hidan.

I know but…

Yeah, uh huh. You can mess with Hidan, but this huge sexy muscular guy who makes you laugh all the time makes a move and you get cold feet? Please.

Shush. It's more complicated than that.

How so?

I don't know. I don't know! I just…

What?

I don't know. Maybe I have a real crush on him… and I'd want to take it slow.

Bullshit.

"You coming?"

She realized she had been standing in front of the sink staring at the wall.

"Yes!" she wiped her hands off and followed him down the hall.

He opened a door towards the end that she had only seen in passing.

"Whoa."

She slid off her slippers and walked onto the bronze and gray tile.

"This is amazing!"

The space was wide and long. Closest to her were a couple of stools in front of a faucet with bottles of shampoo and body wash placed in front of it. Attached to the faucet was a hand-held showerhead. To the right of it was a wide empty bath with steps leading down and smooth white bench lining the inside of the bath.

"It has jets."

"Jets?" she peeked over the edge. "So fancy!"

Kisame eyed her as she walked around the bathroom, gazing at the setup in complete awe. He imagined her standing there bare, lathering herself in fruity body wash, then disappearing into a steamy bath. His thoughts became progressively dirty and he licked his lips. I wonder if she's the type that plays with herself. I'll have to find out. Sumire turned around and saw a dangerous look on his face. She nervously padded by him.

"This is really cool. I'm excited to use it…" she clasped her hands together as she passed him.

Wednesday

"You've been missing in action since last week. Where've you been?" Shikamaru asked, he rested his chin in his palm. "Unless you don't want to talk about it, that's cool too."

"…what do you already know?" Sumire asked meekly.

"Everything that Ino said. Which… is whatever she heard from Sakura. Which is probably everything, minus your perspective." Shikamaru glanced towards the door hoping Neji would appear. I don't want to talk to her about all this alone, but I don't want to wait forever to do it… this is such a drag…

"I have somewhere to stay. If that's what you're worried about."

"Great."

Sumire tapped her pencil against the desk.

"Don't worry about it. I'm fine. If you're waiting for my perspective on what happened, you're not going to get it… Just… if they ask about me say. I'm fine. That's it." Despite her quick words, Sumire felt her eyes starting to burn with tears.

She blinked them away and lined the open notepad in front of her with pencil strokes, doing whatever she could to will away the anger that was developing in her. They're all her friends, they're all going to hear her side first and simply trust her. I've only known Sakura for a year, how do I know she's not going to do all she can to convince them to take her side? I don't even want anyone to take my side or anything like that. I don't know what I want. I… The tears streamed down her face despite her will. A hand appeared through her blurry vision holding a packet of tissues.

"Well… I'm sorry about what happened. The whole situation is messed up. Sakura shouldn't have done that to you… that's it." he imitated her final statement.

She took the packet and looked at the young man seated next to her. He had an exhausted look on his face. He sighed and leaned back in his chair.

"Thank you."

She patted her cheeks with the small tissue.

"I knew I'd find you crying." Neji's voice caused her to look up.

He circled the front of the desk and sat on her side opposite of Shikamaru.

"Sorry for being emotional." She snapped back.

"You're always emotional, about something."

Sumire handed the rest of the tissues back to the man on her right.

"I hope you're not playing victim."

Her body froze up, a feeling she had yet to fully process began to build. Her chest felt tight.

"Neji." Shikamaru was straightening.

"You've had a hand in this as well."

"Just leave her alone. She's already had it tough enough…"

"If you coddle her she will never learn-"

The sound of the slap caused a heavy silence to fill the room. Sumire closed her stinging hand into a fist and let it drop to her side. Her glistening eyes were laden with a fury he had never seen before.

"What the hell do you know about me? Coddled? I've never been coddled in my life, ever." She took in a sharp breath. "I've been alone since I was a child and when I wasn't alone I was forced to stay with people who only wanted to take advantage of me. How fucking dare you assume because I'm upset about my situation, and that Shikamaru's kindness if me being coddled."

She was standing now looking down at him.

"Have you ever been sitting in an alley at 5 am waiting for day to break so that the sun can start to warm your frigid limbs? Have you ever felt hunger pains so strong that you can't move?" Her eyes flashed with the rage she had been withholding her entire life.

"I've never been coddled. Fuck you."

Sumire nearly tripped over Shikamaru's chair as she spun to walk away. The dark-haired man caught her before she hit the ground and steadied her. She shook Shikamaru off.

Despite the pain in her ankle she continued until she was out of the classroom and well down the street, headed in the direction of Kisame's home.

X

Though she had calmed down by the time she made it to Kisame's block, the pain in her ankle had become intense. As her limp intensified she placed her hand against the wall to assist. She hopped to the black gate that opened into Kisame's front yard, and pushed it open. Immediately she lost her balance and landed hard on her elbow along the pavement. Sumire winced and rotated so she was on her side. As she sat up she noticed a man standing at the gate. He had short white hair in a bob form. His eyes were black with white pupils.

"Are you alright?" as he spoke she noticed his mouth was full of sharp teeth.

She didn't know who he was, but she could tell he was staring at her legs. Her skirt had flipped up and her underwear and bottom were partially visible.

"I'm fine." she hissed.

He stepped closer and she rose as quickly as her body would allow her.

"Leave me alone."

"Do you live here?"

She slapped her skirt down and snatched up her backpack. She limped quickly to the front door and tried the handle. When it gave she practically threw herself inside and slammed the door behind her.

Sumire braced herself by placing her hand against the wall as she slid her bag off her shoulder and onto the floor. She winced when she tried to apply pressure to her right foot. She kept it suspended over the ground for a little while before trying again. The shooting pain caused her to curse.

"Welcome home." Kisame's voice came from down the hall.

She was going to answer but the pain left her voiceless. Kisame was intrigued that he did not hear a bright voiced greeting. He entered the hallway to see her glaring down at her foot.

"You alright?"

"I sprained my ankle."

He stood in front of her.

"Looks like you did more than that."

She looked up at him.

"Your elbow is bleeding."

Her eyes widened and checked both, finding a patch of red and bleeding skin on her right arm.

"I didn't even feel it, must be adrenaline…"

His eyes drifted back down to her still raised foot.

"Can you walk?"

"Yeah." She tried to step on it again, but she groaned in pain and lifted it.

Kisame scooped her up.

"Wait I can…"

"You obviously cannot."

Her cheeks reddened in embarrassment. The side of her body pressed against his hard chest and her heartrate increased. She glanced up briefly at the large man carrying her so easily. He laid her on the couch and gently pulled off her right shoe.

"It's swollen. I'll get you an ice pack and some bandages."

Sumire patted her cheeks with both of her hands to try to calm the heat that was lingering. I'm probably more nervous because my period is coming soon. I can't stand the human body sometimes, curse you, hormones! Kisame returned. He knelt beside the couch before lifting her leg and setting it down on a throw pillow. He pressed the ice pack to her ankle. The cool plastic slowly began to sooth the uncomfortable pain.

"Am I pressing too hard?"

"No. It's fine," a moment of nervous silence passed, "Thank you."

He left the cool compress against her ankle and opened the first aid kit. He padded the wound with a disinfectant pad and wrapped it in banadages.

"Ne… Kisame-sama."

"Hmm?"

"Do you know your neighbors very well?"

"…I've spoken to them a few times. Why?"

"I met a man outside."

"Did you?"

"Yeah… he, made me nervous."

"What did her do?"

"He asked me if I was alright, but I don't know. I just had a weird feeling."

"You must be talking about Mangetsu."

"…"

"Houzuki Mangetsu. He and his little brother Suigetsu live across the street."

"I see."

She let out a soft sigh. Kisame returned to gently pressing the cool compress against her ankle.

Sumire looked over his muscular arms and broad shoulders. He's so freaking attractive. Their eyes met and the heat returned to her face.

Kisame knew that look, he'd seen it on countless women's faces. The look of a woman in need of servicing. She held her arms to her chest, the index finger of her right hand centimeters from her lips. She's very cute.

"Did you sprain your ankle when you fell in the front yard?"

"No… I stormed out of my class and tripped on a chair."

"Stormed out of class huh?"

She nodded.

"My friend upset me."

"Upset you enough to make you storm out."

"He said that our friend was coddling me because he was trying to console me about… being evicted."

"…I got mad. I don't know what it's like to be… coddled or spoiled or anything like that. I was angry he assumed that's what I'm used to."

He chuckled and shifted the ice pack against the swollen skin.

"You're very cute Sumire."

She puffed up her cheeks.

"Whatever."

"You deserve to be spoiled, little puffer."

She let her cheeks deflate and she huffed.

"Spoiled rotten…" he mused, his voice had lowered.

She pouted at him but didn't respond. He reached out and cupped her face, curiously brushing his thumb over her warm skin. Sumire stiffened against his touch.

"Do you feel sick?"

"No."

He brushed her hair over her ear and leaned closer.

"Then why is your face so red?"

Her lips parted to answer but the feeling of his breath ghosting over her lips stopped her. They stared into one another's eyes again, the feeling from before bloomed in her chest. A deep desire silenced her thoughts. Kisame leaned forward finally pressing his mouth to hers. Their lips molded together slowly. He took his time kneading his mouth against hers and adding pressure to deepen the sensation.

Sumire felt her heart pounding hard in her chest. Kisame-sama is kissing me. Holy crap. His palm was against her torso, massaging her and sliding up her body. She moaned and his tongue invaded her parted lips, twisting and tangling with her much smaller one. His large hand cupped her breast. She ran her fingers through his dark blue hair, pulling him closer and arching her body against his grip. His hand traveled down to between her thighs and pressed to her increasing heat. Sumire leaned away from him and said:

"Wait, Kisame-sama, we can't, I mean, I…"

"Something the matter?"

"I mean, I can't I'm…"

She could see him beginning to lose his patience.

"Kisame-sama, I don't see why you would be interested in someone like me. I'm really young and inexperienced and…"

"In other words you don't want to with me because I'm old?"

"No no that's not…"

He stood up from her and said:

"Well, when you are ready to be serviced by someone with experience let me know."

Sumire felt herself flush with embarrassment. That's not what I meant.

That Evening

Sumire completed her carefully prepared meal and set the last of the utensils out on the island. She took in one deep breath after another, trying to will away her building anxiety. I can do this. She brushed off the edge of her teal blouse and walked towards his bedroom door. Her knuckles gently tapped against it.

"K-Kisame-sama…" her voice came out faintly.

The door opened and she jumped back.

"…dinner is ready…"

"Ah."

She shyly turned away, then returned to the kitchen. He followed her a few moments later and sat himself across from her at the island. They ate in silence except for the soft clinks of wooden chopsticks against ceramic. She swallowed down the last clump of rice hard and sipped at a small glass of water, she then set it gently atop the table.

"Um…" she didn't look up at him but she could feel his eyes on her. "I wanted… I wanted to say… I'm sorry."

Sumire set her utensils down and finally looked up at him.

"I know you have gone through a lot… dealing with people being rude to you… and I just… I just wanted to make sure you know, I'm sorry that I made you feel insecure…" she slowly stood and circled the table. "I… I get really nervous when I'm with you because… I'm… I'm really…

She placed a small hand atop his shoulder and leaned towards him. She gently pressed her lips to his prominent cheekbone.

"…I'm actually really attracted to Kisame-sama." She straightened, her cheeks reddening. "…I'm just… you know… shy…"

She brushed her hair over her shoulders:

"Anyway, I made dinner so it's your turn to wash the dishes…"

She started walking away but a large firm hand grasped her wrist.

"Little puffer…"

Her flush traveled down her neck, through her chest. A shiver rushed down her spine.

"My offer stands… if you ever need some loving…"

Her shoulders hunched up nervously and she avoided his eyes.

"I'm happy to service."

His hand slipped off her wrist and she padded away, her heart racing in her chest.