First Mate First Love
Chapter 3: Worries
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The meeting between the Hyuga and Inuzuka clans went as well as expected, horribly. It was a miracle a battled didn't break out between the two groups. The Lord of the Hyuga Clan wanted to take Kiba to court for his crime. If Kiba really did mate and mark Neji against his will she would have no choice, but to punish Kiba. His sanity at the moment of the crime would dictate the severity of his punishment. Tsunade didn't want to harshly punish the boy for something he couldn't, but she might not have a choice.
Kiba heard Neji's heavy breathing. There's no doubting Neji needed rest. If they went on like this his condition would only worsen. Kiba felt his mate's negative emotions toward him. It hurt him knowing his mate held such malice toward him.
"Kiba",
"Are you alright, Neji?" he asked.
"I'm fine. There's no point in you wasting your strength supporting me. I can run on my own", said Neji.
Kiba knew better than to fight with Neji when he was this emotionally raw. They were still far from the Leaf. Neji took off. Kiba stayed close to his mate fearing something might happen. He had no difficulty in keeping up Neji.
Neji refused to show his fading strength to the man who broke his trust in such a horrific way. He knew it was pointless. Kiba had the ability to sniff out a person's chakra levels. Even with that knowledge, he refused to ask for that man's help. He didn't like being in the dark. His teeth locked in frustration. He was a genius, but his mind struggled to answer many questions rushing through it.
The most obvious one was why did Kiba do it? The most agitating part to the Hyuga was couldn't force himself to hate Kiba. It should be easy, but it proved to be a difficult task, which he was losing interest in. Why was that? Damn Kiba for making him feel such horrible confusion! He was so unfocused he missed a branch. When he channeled his chakra to his feet, but he didn't have any left. He braced himself for impact, but he never felt it. Two powerful arms caught him. When Neji opened his eyes, he saw a pair of sharp ebony eyes were focused on him. His heart was racing. Not with fear, but with something else. Why is he feeling like this? He turned away. A rush a heat went to his cheeks. What is happening to him?
"Do you have a fever?" asked Kiba.
He sighed. Why was his body reacting so oddly?
"How are you feeling?" asked Kiba.
"Why would you care?" asked Neji.
"You're my partner. I care greatly about your health", said Kiba.
He carefully put him down. Kiba stayed just in case Neji lost his balance. Neji shoved him away.
"Leave me alone", said Neji.
Neji's legs were shaking. He will see Lady Tsunade when he returns. Maybe she can figure out what's wrong with him.
"Let's slow down", said Kiba.
"Very well", said Neji.
Kiba wrapped Neji's arm around his shoulder. His mate would be too stubborn to allow them to stop completely. Those white eyes were focused on the ground. He looked almost defeated. This bothered Kiba, but he understood the reasoning behind it. Neji leaned most of his weight into him. He easily supported it. The less strain put on Neji the better. The sun was setting. Kiba felt his mate growing weaker. This has gone on long enough this travel wasn't good for Neji. He couldn't help noticing; as the night grew closer his mate edgy.
"We should set up camp here. You're in no condition to keep going", said Kiba.
"No, we should continue", said Neji.
They were so close to the safety of the village. Being here left him vulnerable to another attack by Kiba.
"Put me down!" yelled Neji.
"I will", said Kiba.
He placed him underneath a tree.
"Look at me, Neji", said Kiba.
Those white eyes met his. There was such powerful pain in them. He'd caused that.
"I promise I will never harm you like that or in any other way, Neji", said Kiba.
"Why should I believe you?" asked Neji.
The dog ninja was too close to him. He backed himself further against the tree. Kiba was only inches from him. He didn't know how to respond this proximity. Kiba put Neji's head to his chest. Neji's face grew warm. He knew he should push away the beast, but he didn't have the strength or will to do so.
"Does this sound like a heart that would lie to you?" asked Kiba.
The answer was no, but he refused to say it.
"Let go", said Neji.
Kiba did as his mate asked. Would Neji ever understand how sorry he is? Would he even care? He needed to give his mate space.
"I'll gather firewood", said Kiba.
"Take Akamaru with you. I don't need a babysitter", said Neji.
"Come on boy", said Kiba.
Neji watched as they left him. Kiba's heart did sound true. A heartbeat could easily be faked, but he didn't Kiba as the type person to have that kind of control. He sighed. All he wanted to so was go home. He frowned. If anyone in his clan found out this he would be the shame of his family. His grandfather blamed him for what Kiba did to him.
Akamaru followed his master into the forest. The large dog didn't understand what had Kiba so frustrated. Neji should be happy that his mate is a powerful alpha like Kiba. He looked as his master and whined.
"Akamaru it isn't as simple as taking him as my mate. If we were both dogs it would a simple matter. But with humans it's so much more complicated than that", said Kiba.
His mother warned him about heat, but he never thought it would be so powerful. He had to speak with her when he returned. She told him how sensitive the bonds were. He had no idea it would hurt so much feeling his mate in such pain. Neji deserves an explanation. Kiba felt the shame and depression coming off his mate in waves. It made him feel sick.
"I think we've been gone long enough", said Kiba.
Neji tensed when he heard Kiba return, but he also felt great relief to see him again.
"Where's the firewood?" asked Neji.
Kiba frowned.
"Heh, I forgot", he said.
Neji put his guard up when Kiba took a seat only a few feet away from him.
"We need to talk", said Kiba.
"I don't want to talk to you", said Neji.
"Hear me out. Let me give you an explanation", said Kiba.
"Fine", said Neji.
He needed to hear why. Maybe if he knew the reason it would bring some reason to the chaos in his mind.
"That bite on your neck isn't normal", said Kiba.
Neji touched his neck. He winced.
"I really got you", said Kiba.
Neji glared at him. This would leave an ugly scar. He sighed.
"What is it?" asked Neji.
"A claim mark", said Kiba.
Neji's flinched.
"A what?" he asked.
"It shows you're my submissive mate", said Kiba.
Neji's fists clenched. He's submissive to no one especially not Kiba. It doesn't matter what state he's in. He will refuse to accept it. Besides he's stronger and older than Kiba that makes him the superior.
"What else does the mark signify and how do I rid myself of it?" asked Neji.
"It's not something you can get rid of. Your body wouldn't have accepted my mark if you weren't my mate. It forms the bond between us. It's stronger than marriage", said Kiba.
"That doesn't explain what you did to me last night", said Neji.
"I was in heat I couldn't control myself. I never wanted to take a mate against their will", said Kiba.
"Is it over?" asked Neji.
Kiba frowned.
"Heat lasts a week. So six more days", said Kiba.
He felt a strong wave of panic come off his mate. It soon turned to fear.
"Neji",
His voice managed to get through to his mate. Those white eyes met his.
"I won't harm you. I'm in control", said Kiba.
"For how long?" asked Neji.
Kiba scratched the back of his head. Heat was a complex thing to explain. His mom only taught him the very basics of it, but he didn't know the exact science behind it. He did know the answer to that question, though.
"It's our first heat together. Part of the reason I was given this control is to be able to explain this to you", said Kiba.
Neji scowled. Kiba implied they might spend more than one together.
"Please give me a chance. I don't want my life mate hating me", whispered Kiba.
A bitter laugh escaped Neji.
"You should have pursued me differently than", spat Neji.
"I didn't plan on last night. I would never do something like that to you if I had a choice!" growled Kiba.
Neji refused to sleep he was afraid of what Kiba might do to him if he dare close his eyes.
"Sleep, I promise I won't lay a finger on you", said Kiba.
"I don't trust you", said Neji.
He made sure the spite in his voice was clear. It seemed to have no effect on Kiba. The dog ninja moved closer to him.
"Stay away", said Neji.
Kiba groaned. He really didn't want to use his alpha abilities over Neji.
"Sleep"
His omega fought against his alpha's command but eventually did as told. He waited for Neji to fall into a deep sleep. He moved closer to him. Even though he knew Neji needed his space he couldn't fight his instincts to be near. Kiba cradled the beauty in his arms. His fingers over Neji's soft skin. Kiba nuzzled his mate's feathery hair. He growled when heard the sound of someone approaching. By the scent, he knew it was male. There's no way he was going to allow a strange male near his mate.
"Akamaru",
The large dog looked up at his master.
"Watch over him", said Kiba.
When he reached the source, Kiba was surrounded by five bounty ninjas. These were high-level chunin at the lowest.
"A leaf ninja how much do they normally go for, Chen?" asked one of them to the man that seemed to be the leader.
"Depending on their level and clan it varies greatly. Hmm, from those red fang markings it obvious he's from the Inuzuka Clan. The most will get from is five hundred if we are luck. If we caught ourselves a Hyuga boss would be very pleased", said Chen.
Kiba went rigid. His mate could be in grave danger. He should have never left Neji's side.
"The eyes of a Hyuga would be worth million. It wouldn't matter the gender either way we would have the base for a breeding stock", said Chen.
That made him snap. This man just threatened his mate and the pup Neji might be carrying. Kiba gave completely into his alpha instincts. The bounty ninjas showed no fear in the change that had taken place in Kiba, which was a horrible mistake on their part. But even if they did run Kiba would kill him. No one threatens his mate and gets away with it.
Neji woke when he heard Akamaru growling.
"What is it?" he asked.
Akamaru growled in the direction of the woods in front of them. Byakugan. Through the trees, Neji saw five men moving toward him. Kiba where are you? His chakra level hadn't returned. He didn't have the strength to fight. A large man with blue beard and hair was the first to come into view. Akamaru took a protective stance in front of Neji. The man whistled. A weighted chained net shot out and entangled Akamaru. The chains tightened around the dog.
"It's our lucky day boys. We have a defenseless Hyuga!" shouted the blue haired man.
"Who are you?" growled Neji.
"The name is Jay", said the man.
Neji was slammed against the tree. Jay's large hand was around his throat.
"I'm not going to question my luck to why you're so weak. I'll only enjoy my great luck", said Jay.
Jay's men appeared behind their boss. Neji's hands pried helplessly against the large one around his neck.
"You are a beauty. I might have to keep you for myself", said Jay.
The smell of Jay's breath nearly made Neji gag. He shuttered as his shirt was torn to shreds.
"Hmm, well you're almost perfect. These ugly scars will take away from some of your value", said Jay.
His sore muscles tensed as Jay ran his fingers down his chest.
"Let's see how tight you are", said Jay.
Neji's face was forced into the rough surface of the tree as Jay turned him around. Before Jay could gag him Neji was able to release a desperate yelp. His pants were pulled down enough to expose himself to Jay. How can this be happening again? His eyes went wide as two large fingers were pushed into him. He felt blood dripping from between his legs. Jay was thrown off of him. Neji shrunk to the ground.
"Neji",
He knew the voice belong to Kiba. Neji couldn't force himself to meet Kiba's gaze. A gentle kiss was pressed against his cheek. He watched as Kiba killed off every member of the gang with just his claws and brute strength. After a few deep breaths, he regained a good amount of his self-control. He crawled to Akamaru and untangled him from the chain net. The large dog licked his face before running off to help his master. The air grew heavy with the scent of blood.
Kiba walked toward. Neji got a good look at his teammate. His entire body was covered in blood. The most heavily covered places were his hands and mouth. Kiba's bloodied hands were lengthened with inch long claws. His sharp black eyes held the powerful glint of a predator. For some reason, Neji knew the Kiba in front of him wouldn't hurt him.
Kiba knew his mate was terrified. His omega was shivering. He gently licked Neji's cheek. Kiba sniffed over his mate's body and was relieve to discover that unworthy man hadn't dirtied Neji. He smelled blood. That man had touched his mate!
Neji tried not to flinch when he felt Kiba's tongue against his cheek. He watched as his teammate took off his fur-lined jacket and put it over his bare shoulders. Neji noticed the large gash on Kiba's side. The Hyuga reached for his torn shirt and started ripping it into bandages. He needed Kiba in good physical condition if they were going to successfully complete the mission. The dog ninja was circling around the area of their campsite searching for any threat.
"Kiba, come here", he called.
He was by his side in a flash. Kiba wasn't going to deny any chance to be near his mate.
"Sit here", said Neji as he gestured to the ground in front of him.
Neji peered into Kiba's body. There was no sign of internal bleeding. He took out the little medical supplies he had.
"This will sting", warned.
Kiba gave a small finch as Neji started cleaning his wound. He smiled at the feeling of Neji's fingers against his skin. Kiba didn't care about his injury he was just enjoying the simple touch of his mate. He licked Neji's face as thanks for the care.
"Don't do that", said Neji as wiped his cheek.
Neji needed sleep but still was wary about sleeping with Kiba so near.
"Sleep", ordered Kiba.
Neji's body didn't fight the command. His head fell into his teammate's lap. Kiba smiled and started running his fingers through his mate's soft hair.
