First Mate First Love
Chapter 9: Confrontation
I would love to hear what you think of my story. Thanks for reading.
Weeks went by and life for the new couple was going well. They attended their friends' weddings together and actually enjoyed themselves. With each passing week Neji would give in a little. Kiba was happy and impressed by the slow progress his husband was making. He was over joyed when his mate had actually agreed to dance with him during Hinata's wedding to Naruto.
Hanabi was grew more and more disgusted with her cousin's growing affection toward the dog boy. Her grandfather entrusted her with task of breaking to couple a part, so there be no chance of the Inuzuka Clan obtaining the Byakugan. At the rate the two were going it would only be a matter of time before Neji was knocked up with the mutt's baby.
Now the couple was on walk and unaware they were being watched. Kiba enjoyed the small delight of holding his mate's hand. Shine started growling and Akamaru soon followed her lead.
"What's gotten into you two?" asked Kiba.
He sniffed the air and caught the scent that was agitating the dogs. It was Hanabi's scent. He hardly kept himself from growling. Kiba hated the girl. Calling her bitch would be an insult to female dogs. Her words had a powerful affect on his mate.
"Let's take another path", said Kiba.
Neji didn't know what caused this change, but he made no argument. They came to a clearing. Neji and Shine sat down and watched Kiba and Akamaru chase after each other. Normally he enjoyed watching the large dog and Kiba play, but something was bothering him. What caused the sudden change in their walk? Every time they've gone out they've taken the same route. Byakugan. He searched back to the path they were originally on. There he saw Hanabi. He was grateful to avoid his grandfather's pet. Kiba played with Akamaru for an hour, before they joined him and Shine. The two dogs huddled closely together. The two of them got along well. It wouldn't surprise him if Shine had puppies soon enough.
"Thank you",
"No problem", said Kiba.
Neji rested his head on Kiba's shoulder. He was pulled into Kiba's lap. A slight flurry of fear hit him, but it subsided. He allowed Kiba to hold him. Neji rested his head against his husband's strong chest. He gave content sigh as Kiba ran his fingers through his hair. This is nice. He would admit this, but he enjoyed being held like this it made him feel safe.
Kiba was over joyed with the physical contact. Neji hadn't allowed him to hold him like this, since he got Shine. This time his mate was doing it out of his own free will. He wasn't high on feel good hormones. Kiba continued running his fingers through his mate's hair. Both he and Neji enjoyed it. He was reward with Neji snuggling closer to him. Kiba breathed in his mate's scent.
"Kiba?"
"Hmm",
"Why didn't you tell me about your feelings me before all this?" asked Neji.
Kiba's face went red.
"Hinata told you", he said.
Neji nodded his head and awaited an answer.
"I was terrified of you rejecting me", said Kiba.
"If you asked I would have been open to it", said Neji.
Kiba was shocked. To make sure he hadn't misheard he lifted Neji's chin, so he could look into his mate's eyes. There was no deception. He gently kissed his mate's nose.
Neji found himself unsatisfied. He leaned forward and placed a brief kiss on Kiba's lips. He couldn't help laughing, when he saw Kiba's surprised expression. Their lips approached for another kiss.
"KIBA!"
Naruto was hanging upside down from a tree.
"Naruto what the fuck? Can't you see we are in the middle of something!" snarled Kiba.
"Were you two about to kiss?" asked Naruto with raised eyebrow.
Neji gracefully got up from Kiba's lap.
"Naruto, it seems like your sensei's pervert ways rubbed off on you. Kiba, I'm going to the library if you need me", said Neji.
Shine followed her master. Naruto jumped down from the tree. Kiba grabbed him by the collar and forced him against a tree.
"WHY THE FUCK DID YOU INTERRUPT US!" yelled Kiba.
"There's no reason to get so angry. You can kiss him all you want when you get home", said Naruto.
If only that were true thought Kiba. It would be weeks before Neji would allow him to get that close again. For him to feel those soft wonderful lips on his again it might be months or even longer. Probably much longer.
"Shouldn't you be with Hinata", said Kiba.
"She's on a mission with Shino", said Naruto.
"Why did you interrupt me?" asked Kiba.
"I thought you would want to train", said Naruto.
"Couldn't you have trained with anyone else?" asked Kiba.
"All of them are on missions and Sakura would kill me if I interrupted her and Sasuke", said Naruto.
"So you chose to interrupt Neji and me instead. Since I have nothing better to do now I'll train with you. If you ever interrupt me and my husband again you'll regret it", said Kiba.
"Point taken", said Naruto.
Neji walked with Shine to the library. He stopped at the front door.
"Stay here I'll be back in a few minutes", said Neji.
He went in and checked out three books. Shine was waiting outside for them. She followed him back to their house. Neji sat on the couch. Shine jumped up to join him. He touched his fingertips to his lips. The warmth of Kiba's lips had long since left his. He wanted it back. Shine licked his face distracted him from his thought. He scratched behind her ear and then picked up a book. His attention left his book when he heard the front door open.
"Kiba?"
"Nope, guess again cousin", said Hanabi as she came into view.
"Why are you here?" asked Neji.
"Do I need a reason to visit?" asked Hanabi.
"Yes, now get out", said Neji.
Shine started growling.
"Call off your mutt", said Hanabi.
"I have all the right to set her on you. You're trespassing", said Neji.
"Grandfather sent me", said Hanabi.
Neji went rigid. He sighed.
"Outside",
Shine whined, but followed her master's commands. She lingered only inches away from the door waiting for any signs that her master might need her.
"Looks like you've trained one of your dogs now you just need to train the other", said Hanabi.
His hands fisted. He wanted to attack the girl, but since childhood it was engrained into him not to attack the main branch. He could do it under certain circumstances. In this situation he couldn't.
"Get to the point Hanabi", said Neji.
"You're making a mockery of our clan", said Hanabi.
"How so? I've done everything grandfather told me. Why can't you leave me alone? I'm not even part of your clan anymore", said Neji.
"As long as you have those eyes you are a part of out clan. Your slutty behavior isn't helping the way people perceive our clan", said Hanabi.
Slutty? He didn't understand what foolish cousin was saying.
"Do I have to spell it out for you?" asked Hanabi.
"I don't know what you're talking about", said Neji.
"He raped you remember. Yet, all the mutt has to do is stroke your head and you purr like a kitten. I thought you had more dignity than that, but you've proven to be a disappointment to both grandfather and I. Tell me have you spread your legs for him yet? Did you let him mount and fuck you like the bitch you are?" said Hanabi.
Neji couldn't breathing. A wave of powerful emotions hit him hard. His mind was shutting off as way to escape the emotional chaos. Through all that chaos he had one clear ache. He wanted Kiba's comfort.
"Even though it's hard to believe you are Hyuga. Try to regain some of your former dignity", said Hanabi.
She almost giggled, when she saw Neji's expression. Grandfather would be proud of her. After this there's no way Neji would ever let Kiba near him again. That means no children.
Kiba went to his knees as he was hit by a powerful wave emotions coming from his mate. It was suffocating. What happen this to mate? Then as suddenly as it happened the emotions turned off. Naruto rushed to Kiba's side.
"Kiba are you alright?" asked Naruto.
"Neji, I have to get Neji", said Kiba.
He ran full speed back to his house. Kiba ripped the door of his house off its hedges.
"NEJI!" called Kiba.
He desperately awaited a response from his mate.
"There's no need to yell. He's in your bedroom", said Hanabi.
It was obvious she was the cause of his mate's distress. He slammed her against the wall.
"What did you do to him?!" growled Kiba.
Hanabi couldn't help being a little panicked. The person with his hand around her neck was more beast than man. He teeth lengthen and sharped. His eyes held a predator like glint to them. The grip on his on her throat only tightened.
"KIBA STOP!" yelled Naruto.
"No, she hurt my mate!" snarled Kiba.
Naruto managed to pry one of Kiba's arms away from Hanabi. When did Kiba get this strong? He'd never seen Kiba this angry before. Both of them were too distracted to hear a door sliding open.
"Kiba",
His head turned in the direction of the voice that called his name. Neji stood in front of him. His exterior was unharmed, but Kiba's concerns were the invisible emotional injuries. He couldn't tell how bad they were, since Neji closed off their link.
Neji couldn't help being a little satisfied seeing his cousin pinned against the wall and terrified. If this continues it will only bring disaster. He walked toward Kiba and placed his hand on his shoulder. One simple touch from him made Kiba's muscles ease.
"Please let her go", whispered Neji.
His mate's plea got through to him. Kiba slowly moved his hand away from the girl's neck. Hanabi took this chance to escape. Kiba's body returned to his normal state.
"Naruto, I would prefer if this event stayed between the three of us", said Neji.
Naruto nodded his head and left. Neji shut the front door the best he could.
"Did you have to break the down the door?" asked Neji in a cool tone.
Kiba couldn't sense his mate's emotions. Neji had put mental walls blocking their bond.
"Are you okay?" asked Kiba.
He tried touching Neji to get a better feel of what was going on with his mate.
"Don't touch me", said Neji.
Kiba stepped closer to his mate.
"Don't make me repeat myself", said Neji.
Kiba backed away.
"Okay, can you at least tell me what happened?" begged Kiba.
He was desperate to figure out what was going on with his mate. Everything was going so well and now it's all gone to hell.
"It's nothing of your concern", said Neji.
"Yes, it is of my concern. I love you Neji if something is hurting you I want to help. Please let me do that", said Kiba.
"You'll be sleep on the couch", said Neji before walking into their bedroom.
The door only opened once more to allow Shine in. Kiba was beyond confused. He sat on the couch with his head in his hands. Akamaru licked his master's hand.
"I don't get it Akamaru. Everything was going so well and now it's ruined", said Kiba.
He needed help. Hinata should be back from her mission by now maybe she could give him some insight. He got up from the couch and knocked on the bedroom door.
"Neji, I'm going out for a bit. If you need anything tell my mom", said Kiba.
There was no answer. He ran out of house to search for Hinata. She managed to find him first by knocking into him at full speed. She was lying on top of him. Her faced turned a dark shade of red.
"Deep breath Hinata. There's no reason to be blushing like. Just get up. You're just the person I'm looking for actually", said Kiba.
He helped her from the ground.
"I was looking for you too", said Hinata.
"Why?" asked Kiba.
"I think it best if we talk about this somewhere more private", said Hinata.
Kiba nodded his head and they went off. They stopped when they were safely away from the village. The two of them sat underneath a tree.
"Why were you searching for me?" asked Kiba.
"Hanabi was in an unnaturally happy mood, so I questioned her about what happened", said Hinata.
"What did she say? Everything was going so well before she spoke with him", said Kiba.
"Part of the reason she why she said what she said was that it was going so well. He was letting himself fall for you Kiba. For the first time in a long time he was letting himself be loved. My grandfather's fear is your clan obtaining the Byakugan. If she successfully tore the two of you a part there would be no risk of that happening", said Hinata.
"She hurt her own family just to make sure a stupid bloodline trait would stay within your clan. What will happen when you get married Hinata? Will they try to damage your husband so badly he refuses to touch you?" asked Kiba.
His claws dug into the ground. This was the only safe way he could deal with his anger.
"No, Neji has it worse, since he's from the branch family. If he weren't able to have children with you than it wouldn't be as much of a problem", said Hinata.
"It isn't fair. He shouldn't have to suffer like this", said Kiba.
"I know. I wish it were different", said Hinata.
"What did she say to him" asked Kiba.
"You don't want to know", said Hinata.
"Tell me!" growled Kiba.
"She told him he was making a mockery of our clan. That he was weak for letting you near. I don't feel comfortable giving her exact wording", said Hinata.
"Please Hinata. I want to know what she said. It might help me figure out how to approach this. If I don't I might only make things worse", said Kiba.
"She reinforced the idea that you umm took Neji against his will. And that Neji allowing you to touch him was frowned upon", said Hinata.
Kiba gritted his teeth and forced down the anger he was feeling.
"How do I fix the damage she's done?" asked Kiba.
"You don't", she said.
He just stared at his teammate. How can she expect him not to try and help his mate?
"If you make the first move he'll reject or ignore you. He has to come to the idea himself. You have to be patient", said Hinata.
Kiba groaned. He only wanted his mate to be happy is that too much to ask for?
"Don't worry too much Kiba. He'll come around eventually", said Hinata.
"Thanks Hinata", said Kiba before leaving.
He went home. Neji locked himself in their bedroom. He approached the door.
"Neji, please come out I want to talk", pleaded Kiba.
No answer.
"I love you Neji"
He walked away from the bedroom door. Kiba made himself comfortable on the couch. Who knows how long he would be sleeping here? Two weeks went by excoriating slowly. He needed some time away from the house. Akamaru followed him. He felt like shit. The fact that he was failing as an alpha was eating away at him.
"Kiba",
It was Kurenai and her daughter, Mirai. He smiled and walked toward them.
"Kibamaru! Akakiba!" yelled the little girl as she came running toward him.
Kurenai watched as Kiba picked up her daughter. She happily laughed in his arm. He looked happy on the outside, but she knew something was wrong. Kiba put down Mirai. She hugged her student tightly. When she pulled away, Kiba gave her a weak smile.
"What are you doing up this early?" she asked.
"Couldn't sleep. The couch doesn't make for the best bed", said Kiba.
"Why are you sleeping on the couch?" asked Kurenai.
Kiba flinched. The last thing he wanted to talk about was his marital problems. His sensei took his hand and dragged him back to her house. She forced him into a chair.
"You are going to talk to me about this", said Kurenai.
"I rather not", said Kiba.
"I know what happened between you and Neji on that mission. Things seemed to be going well. What happened?" she asked.
"It was a who that happened. Hanabi ruined all the progress I made with him. She made him feel ashamed of his feelings for me. Now he won't let me anywhere near him. On his better days he only gives me the cold shoulder on the worst he sends such hateful emotions at me through our bond. I wouldn't mind it so much if I thought it made him feel better, but I think it might be hurting him some too", said Kiba.
"You really love him", said Kurenai.
"Of course I do if anyone says otherwise they're horribly mistaken", said Kiba.
"He'll come around", she said.
"Heh, Hinata said the same thing almost two weeks ago", said Kiba.
"She's right, but you have to remember how Neji was raised. Accepting love is extremely difficult for him. Give him time", said Kurenai.
She knew this was extremely difficult for her student and she hated seeing him like this. He'd never been the most patient person so this must be hell for him.
"He'll be worth the wait", said Kurenai.
He smiled.
"I know. I just want to wait to be over", said Kiba.
He said goodbye to his sensei and started his walk home. Who knows maybe today Neji would give a little? His breath was taken away when he was slammed against a cement wall. It was bushy brows. What the hell did he do to get on his bad side? He saw Tenten standing next to Lee.
"What did you do to our teammate?!" yelled Lee.
Kiba's ears were ringing.
"You don't have to yell!" he growled.
"Answer the question", demanded Lee.
"Would you believe me if I said nothing?" asked Kiba.
He wasn't going any further into than he had to. His mate would want him to keep things private.
"No, I would not", said Lee.
Neji came out of his bedroom and saw the couch was empty. He sighed. Neji enjoyed finding the laughable positions Kiba and Akamaru would be in when he woke up. This time was proving difficult for him. He was aching. Maybe today he would give a little. His body needed it. He needed the comfort only Kiba could bring to him for a few minutes. The lack of sleep and stress were having an effect.
"Shine", he called.
His dog appeared by his side. They walked through the town. He tensed when he heard the voices of Kiba, Tenten, and Lee. This might be bothersome. When he arrived, he saw Kiba against a wall with Lee pinning him in place.
"Lee",
All three of them turned to see Neji staring at them disapprovingly.
"Let him go", he said.
Both Kiba and Lee were equally stunned.
"But Neji", said Tenten.
"He's done nothing to me now let my husband go", said Neji.
Lee did as told. Kiba slowly approached his mate. He had no idea what to expect. Neji took his hand and walked in the direction of home. Kiba kept his pace slow, so he could hold Neji's hand longer.
"Are you okay?" asked Neji.
"I'm fine", said Kiba.
He heard his mate give a sigh of relief. Neji was worried for him. That was progress wasn't it? When they got home Kiba lost the physical touch. When he looked at Neji, it seemed like he was trying to make some kind of choice. Then it happened. Neji hugged him.
Neji nuzzled closely to his husband's neck breathing his scent. He tightened his grip around Kiba's waist, when he didn't feel his arms around him. This eased the painful ache. He only needed a little while longer like this.
"Neji?"
He didn't an answer from his mate, but he really didn't care so much about the reason why. Right now he was just going to enjoy it. Neji pulled away. He let go and his mate disappeared in a puff of smoke. For dinner he decided to go to the main house. He poked at his dinner, but didn't touch it. Kiba had no appetite.
"Will Neji be joining us?" asked Tsume.
Kiba shook his head.
"You look like shit little brother", said Hana.
He threw his fork at her. She caught it in between her fingers.
"What's wrong honey?" asked Tsume.
"Where should I start? Oh, my mate hates me, my back is killing me from sleeping on the damn couch, and top it all off I'm going into heat soon", said Kiba.
"Has he talked to yet?" asked Tsume.
"Only a few words. He's mastered the cold shoulder. This wouldn't have happened if that girl hadn't said those things. Everything was going so perfectly before her", said Kiba.
