First Love First Mate

Chapter 4: Search

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Tsume formed a three-man team of herself, Hana, and Might Guy. She learned to respect Guy, the ridiculous jonin. She thought it might be good for Neji to see a familiar face. The boy could be an emotional wreck.

"Can someone explain why one of my fantastic students needs to be rescued?" asked Guy.

"It's difficult to explain", said Tsume.

"Try your best", said Guy.

"Kiba is going through a very powerful and dangerous change in his life, which he has no control over. That's all I can say", said Tsume.

Tsume didn't want to give away much information on her clan's secrets. Some would try in use the power the Inuzuka gained during heat to their own advantage. But she trusted Guy with that small piece of information.

"Do you think he'll be okay mom?" asked Hana.

"He'll be fine Hana", said Tsume.

Hana knew it was a comforting lie from her mother. When alpha males go into heat it far different from when omegas do. Alpha males like Kiba would lose control after their first heat. They become senseless beasts with unbelievable power. Tsume and Hana covered their noses as the strong stench of blood and death hit them. Even Guy smelled the blood. They followed the scent. Their eyes widened as they stepped onto the gruesome scene. Ten mangled bodies lay in pieces in the grass. Claw and bite marks decorated the corpses' skin.

"What kind of beast could have done this?" asked Guy.

"It was no beast, Guy", said Tsume.

"Are you saying Kiba did this?" he asked.

She nodded her head. Tsume searched the body parts and finally found an unmarred face. She wasn't sure if she could count decapitated as unmarred, though.

"Who is he mom?" asked Hana.

"Jay, a bounty ninja who capture and sells ninjas with special traits. At least we know your son didn't harm anyone innocent", said Guy.

Tsume gave a weak smile. She worried about Neji's condition. Mating is an extremely taxing on the submissive's body, which can lead to unintended injuries. The most common of them being a broken hip. They needed to find the two boys quickly.

Kiba woke before his mate. The smell of blood clung to his skin and claws. Did he kill those men with only his claws and teeth? The taste of iron lingered in his mouth. It really did happen. He smiled when he saw his mate using his lap as a pillow. Akamaru came trotting over to him.

"Watch over him", said Kiba.

Akamaru lay down behind his owner. Kiba carefully moved Neji from his lap and let Akamaru be Neji's pillow instead. He needed to wash off the blood. Going into the village looking like this wasn't an option. He heard a stream not far from the campsite. Kiba gave one look back at his mate before leaving. He flinched as he started walking. The jonin almost forgot about the injury inflicted on him during battle. Neji could have refused to care for his injuries, but he didn't even after what Kiba did to him.

He took off his shirt. Kiba ran the cool water through his hair. Even when the stains were washed away the scent clung to him. He sighed. At least he wouldn't look like that much of a monster to Neji now. He walked back to campsite and smiled, when he saw Neji sleeping peacefully. His face was cuddled into Akamaru's fur.

"I envy your position, Akamaru", said Kiba.

Neji slowly woke. His head was resting on a soft fuzzy pillow. A wet tongue lapped at his cheek.

"Kiba?"

There was a warm laugh.

"Still can't tell the difference between me and my dog, Neji?" said Kiba.

He slowly sat up and was met by a warm grin from Kiba. His chakra was finally replenished.

"Your chakra has returned that's great", said Kiba.

Why was he so happy? Now that his chakra has returned he could defend himself from Kiba's attacks. A little voice in his head reminded him of the promise Kiba made not to harm him. Was it true? There's no way it could be true. His abuser can't possibly be telling the truth. But he's also his savior. He didn't even want to think about what Jay could have done to him.

"I bet you're hungry", said Kiba.

Neji backed himself into further against Akamaru. Kiba didn't stop in his approach.

"Easy, I'm only giving you a rice ball", said Kiba.

"Not hungry", said Neji.

At that time his stomach decided to growl. Kiba smirked.

"Come on you need to eat to keep your strength up", said Kiba.

He took the rice ball from Kiba. What caused the change in him? Kiba seemed to be back to his normal happy self. Neji couldn't help staring.

"I meant my promise, Neji", he said.

They were quiet as they ate.

"Thank you, Kiba", said Neji.

"It's only a rice ball, Neji. You don't need to thank me", said Kiba.

Neji's eye twitched. Did the dog ninja really think he was thanking him for that? He sighed.

"No, Kiba I didn't mean for the rice ball. I meant for last night. If you hadn't stepped in when you-

"Neji, you don't have to thank me for that. I will protect you for the rest of my life. Having that honor is thanks enough", said Kiba.

The Hyuga flinched. An honor protecting him? The irony of it left Neji with a bitter feeling. He tensed when Kiba approached him again. The dog ninja kneeled down beside him. There was a bandage in his hand.

"Here, I thought you might want to cover my mark", said Kiba.

"You should use it on yourself", said Neji.

"It's too small beside you already patched me up", said Kiba.

Neji nodded his head and took the bandage from Kiba. He carefully placed it over the painful bite mark. They sat in silence. Neji saw Kiba sniffing the air. A low growl left Kiba's throat.

"Kiba?"

He'd caught the scent of three chakras speeding in their direction. Two of them were familiar. They belonged to his mother and sister. Those two weren't a threat to his mate. The smell of the male coming in his direction agitated him. He went to all fours. Kiba stalked closer to his mate. He was in a position that would allow him to attack or defend from any rival.

Kiba's agitation was clear. A powerful chakra emitted from his teammate. It was unnatural and put Neji on edge. Byakugan. His eyes traveled to Kiba. A new surge of chakra went through his body. That chakra formed a sort of cloak around Kiba's body's resembled a wolf. It was unlike anything Neji had seen. Deep in the pit of his stomach, Neji found the possessiveness and aggression emitting from Kiba attractive.

Kiba smirked. He sensed his mate's attraction. Howls broke the air. Two women who resembled Kiba appeared with their dogs. They both had his messy brown hair. Kiba calmed some when he saw them. But it was only a temporary change. When Guy Sensei made an appearance. Kiba moved closer to him. The air around him was charged with the aggressive yet protective chakra emitting from Kiba. Neji felt oddly safe in the tense situation.

"Guy leave", commanded Tsume.

"I'm not leaving without my student. Neji are you alright?" asked Guy.

Did Guy know? No, he couldn't have known. Guy's reaction would be completely different if he did. Neji took a breath refusing to allow his nerves to seep into his expression. He didn't want his moment of vulnerability to be known. Especially not by someone as loud mouthed as Guy Sensei.

"I'm fine. Why do you ask", said Neji?

"For some reason, Lady Tsunade thought you were injured", said Guy.

Kiba's blood boiled. How dare this man even suggest he couldn't protect his mate?! Kiba crouched readying himself to attack. As soon as Guy took a step toward Neji, Kiba gave a loud warning growl. Guy ignored the warning.

"Sensei",

"Fang over fang!"

Guy just dodged the attack. Kiba's attack only managed to badly cut Guy's arm. The smell of blood seemed to make him more aggressive and ready for a fight. This is a potential disaster. Kiba readied to attack again.

"KIBA!" shouted Neji.

He stilled at his mate's voice and rushed over to Neji's side. His tense muscles unwound when he felt Neji's hand squeeze his shoulder.

"It's alright. I'm here with you", said Neji.

He hated having to say that, but he wanted to put an end to this situation. Kiba was edgy but didn't attack. Neji twitched when Kiba nuzzled his neck. His face went hot when he felt Kiba tongue against his skin.

"I had no idea the two of you were so intimate", said Guy Sensei.

Neji's face went a shade darker. Guy never knew Neji and Kiba were in a relationship. He didn't even know Neji was gay. Guy wasn't surprised that Neji kept something like this a secret. His student was a private person.

"Let's get back", said Tsume.

She wanted to leave before things got out of hand again. Tsume was relieved, when saw her son regained some of his sense. He helped Neji get up. As they walked toward the village he stayed extremely close to Neji and kept a wary eye on Guy. As long as Guy doesn't get too close to Neji the trip back to the village should be fine. After a few hours, they reached the front gates. Guy rushed off to his next mission.

Kiba was happy to be back home. Neji looked happy to be back too. When Neji took a few steps away from him, he grabbed his hand. He couldn't help the action. The instinct to protect and want him near was powerful. This earned him a horrible glare from Neji, but even with that clear warning, he couldn't let go.

"Let go", said Neji.

His voice was icy and sent a chill down Kiba's spine. He allowed Neji to leave. He wanted to follow after his mate, but his mother grabbed his arm.

"Let him be Kiba. He needs time", said Tsume.

He knew his mother was right, but he hated being apart from the one he cared for so dearly. Kiba forced himself to follow his sister and mother home. Hana led him to her office and made him sit on the cool metal examination table as she stitched his wounds together.

"How did you even get these?" asked Hana as she worked.

"The fight was a blur. The only think really remember from it was the urge to protect Neji at all costs", said Kiba.

"Did Neji care for your injury?" asked Hana.

"Yeah", said Kiba.

"That a good sign", said Hana.

"How?" asked Kiba.

"Shows that he cares", said Tsume.

Kiba sighed.

"I don't think it was anything like that. He needed my injury cared for, so we could complete our mission. I wish it were that way", he said.

He couldn't help noticing his mom pacing around the office. He'd never seen such a stressed expression on her face before.

"Mom, what is it? You're are making me nervous", said Kiba.

"We have a lot to talk about", said Tsume.

Kiba went tense.

"Easy brother you can't get angry. Or you might lose control", said Hana.

"I'm angry!" yelled Kiba.

They both gave him identical looks of disbelief.

"Sorry, mom. I'm stressed. And I'm not used to feeling like this", said Kiba.

"I know honey. You need to tell us exactly what happened. Every detail", said Tsume.

"Every detail?" asked Kiba.

"Trust me brother we don't want to hear about, but we need to know so we can figure out how to help you", said Hana.

"Okay", said Kiba.

He told them everything. Both his mother and sister were looking at him with empathy. His mother embraced her tightly. He flinched at the uncomfortable pressure on his wound, but still enjoyed the hug.

"Will I be okay mom?" asked Kiba.

"Nobody will take my pup away from", said Tsume as he pulled her closer.

"Can't breath", gasped Kiba.

Tsume released her death grip on her son.

"I hurt him, mom. The man I love most hates me and it's my fault", said Kiba.

"It isn't your fault. It's mine. I should have made sure you were here, while you were like that. I never thought you would be paired with him", said Tsume.

"I don't blame you, mom. I blame this condition. Now I'm bound to a mate who hates me", said Kiba.

"We have other problems", said Hana.

"Hana!" growled Tsume.

"He's going to find out anyway", she said.

Tsume knew her daughter was right, but she wanted to shield her youngest pup.

"What are the other problems?" asked Kiba.

"The elder of the Hyuga Clan has taken your actions as a personal insult and wants to take you to court", said Tsume.

Her son went rigid.

"We'll get you through this. We have a meeting between our family and the Hyuga at the Hokage's residence", said Tsume.

Kiba didn't feel like going home, so he went up to his old room. He locked the door behind. Akamaru scratched at the door, but Kiba didn't let him in. He wanted to be alone for a few hours. His heart screamed for his mate. There was no way he would sleep tonight.

Neji took the long way home. He wanted to put this off as long as possible. But eventually, he reached the destination he dreaded. He stopped at the entrance of the Hyuga compound. Did he really want to go in? What hellish barrage of questions would he face? He sighed. Avoiding it would only make it worse. He walked onto the Hyuga compound. His uncle Hiashi tried stopping as he walked in.

"Let him go", said the Elder Hyuga.

"Why father?" asked Hiashi.

"Leave the argument for tomorrow", said the Elder Hyuga.

Neji gave a sigh of relief when he heard his uncle's conversation. He went to the small guesthouse he lived in. Before he could relax there was a soft knock on his door. He went to answer it. It was Hinata. She gasped when she saw Neji wearing Kiba's blood-stained coat.

"I heard there was trouble on your mission. I wanted to make sure you were okay", said Hinata.

"I'm fine", lied Neji.

"What about the bandage on your neck?" asked Hinata.

"A flesh wound nothing more", said Neji.

"What about Kiba and Akamaru?" she asked.

Neji tensed at the mention of that name.

"Only a gash on his side nothing major", said Neji.

He shrugged off Kiba's jacket off his shoulder.

"Hinata, can you return this to your teammate?" asked Neji.

She nodded her head.

"Sleep well, Neji", said Hinata.

Hinata folded the jacket in her hands. From the looks of him, he wouldn't be getting any sleep. Neji was hiding something from her. Maybe she could get some answers out of Kiba. He'd alway been easier to get talking than her cousin. She picked at one of the blood stains. There's no way these stains would come out. She knocked on the door to the Inuzuka main house. Tsume opened the door.

"Can I talk to Kiba?" asked Hinata.

Tsume didn't see any harm in letting the girl try and pry Kiba out of his room. She knew Kiba wouldn't harm Hinata. The girl was like a sister to him.

"Come in. He's in his room", said Tsume.

Hinata walked up the stairs to Kiba's room. It surprised her to see Akamaru laying outside door. The large dog licked her hand. Something was very wrong if Kiba wasn't even allowing Akamaru near him. She knocked on the door.

"Kiba, can you answer the door please", she asked.

Kiba tried to ignore his teammate, but a familiar scent caught his attention. It belonged to Neji. He got up from bed and unlocked the door. Kiba cracked it open enough to see Hinata's worried expression. He came completely out of the room. His attention focused on his jacket in Hinata's arms.

"Neji wanted me to give this to you. But I don't see why you would want it. Those stains won't come out", said Hinata.

"I'll take it", said Kiba.

"Can you first tell me what happened on the mission?" asked Hinata.

"Only a cut", said Kiba as he raised his shirt to show Hinata the injury.

"Why did Neji look tired? What happened to his neck?" she asked.

He groaned. Kiba knew Neji would want to keep this as private as possible.

"He used a lot of chakra on the mission. During the fight, he somehow hurt his neck. It's nothing serious. Now can I have that", said Kiba.

Hinata sighed she knew that would be all she got out him. She handed him the jacket.

"I don't know why you want it's ruined", said Hinata.

Then she left, but she knew Neji and Kiba were hiding something. She was so caught up in thought that she ran right into Shino.

"Sorry Shino", she said.

"What's wrong?" he asked.

"Kiba, he's acting strangely", said Hinata.

"Stranger than normal?" asked Shino.

She nodded her head.

"Kiba always acts oddly when he's near your cousin", said Shino.

"It isn't that", said Hinata.

"Than what is it?" asked Shino.

"They are both acting oddly. Both of them were hiding something", said Hinata.

"Maybe Kiba finally told Neji how he felt", said Shino.

Hinata froze that had to be it. Did Neji break Kiba's, heart?

"It's best to let the two of them figure out themselves", said Shino.

"I guess so", said Hinata.

Back at the Hyuga compound Neji still sat with his back to the front door. He finally stood up and locked it. The last thing he wanted was another visitor. Neji threw off his clothes and went into the bathroom. He turned on the shower as hot as it could go. Steam filled the small room. He sat on the floor of the shower. Neji got out when the hot water ran cold. He dressed for sleep and got into bed. He felt lonely. His body ached for something he just couldn't figure out what. In the back of his mind he knew the answer. But he didn't understand why he wanted it. In the morning he went his uncle and grandfather to the residence of the Hokage. The Inuzuka Clan was already there. As soon as Neji entered the room Kiba focused on him. He couldn't help noticing how warm Kiba's eyes were. Tsunade noticed the way the two young men looked at each other. It wasn't a look a victim would give their attacker.

"I was hoping we could settle this peacefully", said Tsunade.

One spiteful glare from the Hyuga Elder said otherwise.

"Kiba, tell us exactly what happened between you and Neji", said Tsunade.

A light blush appeared across Neji's cheeks. When the Hyuga Elder saw this, and an apparent rage appeared in the old man.

"I won't allow your mongrel of son get away with this", said Elder Hyuga.

His hands fisted. The old man was about to attack Kiba, but Tsume successfully blocked the attack.

"Keep your hands off my son!" she growled.

Tsunade rubbed her temples. Why didn't she retire when she had the chance? Then Kakashi would have to deal with this problem, not her. Right now she could be sipping sake in peace, but no she chose to stay for a few more months. She let out a breath.

"Tsume let go of him. I won't allow fighting in my office", said Tsunade.

She did as told.

"Fine, if there's no fighting in this office we will take it to court", said the Elder Hyuga.

"No, you will not", said Neji.

The coolness in his voice caught everyone in the room off guard. Kiba was most surprised at Neji's words.

"And why not?" asked the Elder Hyuga.

"I'm not pressing charges. I won't have this humiliating incident coming out. Grandfather, I've made my decision I'm twenty-one years old I can make my own choices", said Neji.

Kiba and Tsume were both relieved. Tsume gave a grateful look Neji, but he didn't respond. She sighed. The two younglings have a long way to go, but this is a start.

"Neji, I want to look at the bite mark", said Tsunade.

Her voice was unnaturally soft. He sat in one of the chairs near Tsunade's desk. She gently moved the fresh bandage Neji's neck. Kiba nearly whined, when he saw the large purple and green bruise on Neji's perfect pale skin. He hadn't meant to inflict that much damage. Tsunade tried healing the bite but wound refused to heal.

"What is the meaning of this Tsume? Why won't it heal?" asked Tsunade.

"It can only be healed by the one who gave it. If Neji weren't Kiba's mate you would have able to heal it", said Tsume.

"Welcome to the family", said Hana.

The Hyuga Elder looked like he was about to have a heart attack.

"Pull yourself together old man there's nothing we can do about it so suck it up", said Tsume.

"We can keep the two them apart easily enough", said the Elder Hyuga.

"If you do that it will kill them both. The two of them are bonded together", said Tsume.

"What?!" spat the Elder Hyuga.

"That's how the mate bond works. They will both suffer horribly if they are forced to separate. Eventually, the pain would cause their deaths. Trust me you don't want to see someone you love suffer like that. If you truly care for your grandson you will listen to me", said Tsume.

"Don't question how I feel about my family", said the Elder Hyuga.

Not much has changed in the Hyuga Clan. Even though Neji is of the second branch the elder would not permit a union to what was consider a lesser clan.

"Soon they will become empathetic toward each other they'll be able to read each other perfectly", said Tsume.

"If this bond is so strong why aren't you dead, Tsume? Your husband died years ago yet you are still here", said the Elder Hyuga.

"The only reason I'm here is I have children to care for. If weren't it for them I would have died years ago from sadness", said Tsume.

The room went quiet.

"Oh, this bad a time to mention this, but we need to get Neji tested", said Tsume.

"Did your mutt of son infect my nephew with some sort of disease?" asked Hiashi.

"WHAT!" yelled Kiba.

He found it absolutely insulting. He never touched another omega. Kiba didn't even look at another male or female in the same way as Neji.

"No, I'm saying he could with child", said Tsume.

Neji flinched he must have misheard.

"That's not possible. The woman must have lost her mind", said the Hyuga Elder.

"What did you say!" growled Kiba.

"Calm yourself Kiba. It's true. I've looked into the health record of the Inuzuka Clan what she said is true. The science behind it is very interesting. Neji's body will adjust to having children", said Tsunade.

Neji went a shade paler. Could that be what's wrong with him? Is he pregnant with his rapist baby? How the hell would he get rid of it? He sighed. He would decide a fate for a child who had no choice of who their father was if he were with child. Neji prayed he wasn't carrying that beast's baby.

"Both my parents were male", said Tsume.

"That explains a lot", said Hiashi.

"What did you say?!" screamed Tsume.

"SILENCE!" screamed Tsunade.

Neji tensed when he felt Tsunade's hand on his stomach.

"You can relax Neji you're not with child", said Tsunade.

Neji gave a sigh of pure relief. Kiba couldn't help being somewhat disappointed that he had failed in fathering pup. He shook his head and pushed down that alpha urge.

"This could be troublesome, but it's better than having a couple who isn't ready for a child", said Tsume.

"What's the troublesome part?" asked Tsunade.

"Since Neji isn't with child. Kiba will go into heat every other month", said Tsume.

Neji's emotionless mask cracked. A look of terror slipped through. He didn't know if could handle another one of Kiba's heats. Kiba heart skipped a beat when he saw the fear on his mate's face. He wanted to comfort Neji, but that was the last thing his omega would want.

"Neji, Kiba",

"Yes, Lady Tsunade", they answered.

"I will give you two weeks off. At the end of this break, I expect a full mission report. And for the older shinobi here I expect this matter to be settled peacefully. If there's any sign of fighting both sides will be punished harshly. The two families will meet at the Hyuga compound", said Tsunade.

Neji decided to take the long way home he didn't want to be harassed by his family.

"Neji",

He tensed when he heard Kiba calling his name.

"What do you want?" asked Neji.

"I wanted to say I'm sorry", said Kiba.

"Please, leave me alone Kiba. I'm tired and stressed", said Neji.

"Okay, I hope you feel better soon", said Kiba.

Kiba rushed off with Akamaru chasing after him. For some reason, Neji felt a little better and continued on his way home.