Author's Note: So we're leaving the GaaraXOrochimaru scene for a chapter or so. This chapter and the next one help set up things for the sequel. This chapter also sets up things that will happen later in the story. Sorry it took so long to update, but I was really busy this weekend and didn't have the time. Hope you guys enjoy reading this chapter. I don't know about you, but I adore this couple! Yay!

"Next time you do that dog-breath, I'll pound your face in!"

"Shut up! That was so not my fault!"

"Alright, sure. You just happened upon-"

"If it's anyone's fault, it's yours! You were the one that-"

"I didn't do anything you dumb-ass!"

"Bastard!"

"Asshole!"

"Whiny bitch!"

"Oh no. You did not just call me a girl!"

"Ha ha!"

"I'm going to beat you to a bloody pulp!"

"If you can catch me!"

"Alright! That is enough you two!" Shino's voice came out as an irritated whisper. Both boys instantly stopped and looked over at him. "I'm tired of listening to the two of you bicker like a couple of children."

Kankuro looked away in a huff and Kiba dropped his head. Kiba mumbled, "Well he started it."

"I so did not!" Kankuro said indignity.

"Kiba! Kankuro!" Shino turned around and gave the two a hard look. "If I hear another word I'll wrap both of your mouths shut." They both closed their mouths tightly and looked at the trees. They had been out in the wild for over three weeks already. Kiba and Kankuro had made the trip difficult of course by constantly arguing and fighting. Shino was fed up and Hinata was worried. The two had yet to stop their tirade and the shy girl was worried that they might end up hurting one another.

The group traveled in complete silence for the next couple hours. The sun began to set and Shino decided to have them set up camp. By the dying light, camp was quickly put up. The group sat down around a campfire and pulled out their food. Dinner was eaten in comfortable silence. When he finished, Kiba stood up. "I'm going out to train. Be back in an hour or two."

Shino nodded his head and Hinata called out, "Be careful!" He raised a hand in acknowledgement and continued walking. After a while, Akamaru started barking and Kiba gave a curt nod. They went to the left and walked into a clearing. Akamaru jumped out of his jacket and began wagging his tail. Training began.

Akamaru and Kiba worked hard; until the sweat was dripping and their bodies were sore. A good hour and a half passed so Kiba decided to head back. Just as he took a step, a strange scent clouded his nose and Kiba whipped around. There was nothing there. 'Maybe it was just an animal.' He turned back for only a second when he was tackled to the ground. The person was tall and strong, effectively pinning Kiba's legs with his and holding his hands above his head, Kiba's face digging into the ground.

He was thoroughly restrained. He didn't have time to react or to move or to even defend himself. Akamaru was barking wildly, running to Kiba's side. Kiba however, was worried for his puppy. The guy had snuck up on both of them and disabled Kiba without a sweat. This guy was dangerous. "No! Akamaru! Run! Go find Shino!" The dog gave him an angry look but followed his master's orders.

The man leaned down and breathed in Kiba's scent. "Mm, we're alone now. Good."

"Who the hell are you and what do you want?!"

"You walked in on my territory and now I'm going to play with you."

"What?!"

"First I'll drive you crazy." He let go with one hand and ran it down Kiba's side, making the boy shiver with revulsion. "Next, I'll slowly cut you up, drinking your life's essence."

"Get the fuck off me you freak!" Kiba was starting to panic. When put in situations like this, where things were out of his control, Kiba would frequently get panic attacks; a little secret he would never reveal to anyone (although he had suspicions Shino knew). As was his luck lately, he just so happened to be having one of his attacks. He began thrashing around, trying to escape his captor. His body started shaking and he began growling low in his throat. The man gave a smile and ground his hips against Kiba's, earning himself a little scream. "Stop that! Get off! Get off!"

Break-

Kankuro was making his way towards where Kiba was. Shino has sent him to go get the dog-boy much to his chagrin. The forest around him was quiet…for a moment. The peace shattered and Akamaru's bark could be heard. Kankuro squinted down in the dark as he watched a white blur race out and jump on him. Something was wrong.

Akamaru ran off with Kankuro right behind. Viscous snarling filled his ears as he got closer. He stopped in the tree line next to the clearing. In the middle was Kiba, stomach down, with a large man pinning him. Kiba was struggling beneath him, thrashing around in a panic. Kankuro saw red…

Instantly, Kankuro whipped out Karasu, without a single thought in his head except for his fury at the man who had the brunette pinned. With a snap of his wrist, Kankuro sent out Karasu, daggers emerging from its limbs. The man however, must have noticed his arrival, for he instantly rolled out of the puppet's range, holding a now unconscious Kiba to his chest. Kankuro let out a feral hiss and stepped out into the clearing. The man gave a smile and dropped Kiba's limp body to the ground. The 'thud' resounded in Kankuro's ears, sending him into a heated frenzy.

Kankuro threw out smoke screens, letting out Kuroari and separating Karasu into his separate knifes. He sent the puppets into the smoke. A branch cracked behind him. The man had now tackled him. Kankuro let go of his puppets and roared in anger while the man let out a cruel chuckle. What he wasn't expecting however, was for Kankuro to fight back using a more clever then physical approach. Kankuro, using his string, flipped the two of them, so that he was now straddling the captor. The other had no time to react as Kankuro quickly dug his hands into the flesh at his neck; squeezing out all his rage, wanting only for the man to die. He squeezed tighter and tighter, until the man's head lolled in his grasp.

With a surprised yell, Kankuro was pulled away from the unconscious body. He heard a calm voice behind him as sturdy hands continued to hold him back. "Hinata, bind the man and make sure the bonds are tight."

Kankuro fought against Shino's surprisingly strong grip. "I'm not letting go until you calm down." Kankuro slowly felt his fury ebb at the words, until eventually he stood still, glad now for Shino's support. He felt his strength drain away with his anger until he felt himself shaking. He had almost strangled a man to death with his bare hands. What the hell was wrong with him? "You can tell us about it when we get back to camp." Shino let go of his arms and went over to pick up Kiba. Kankuro turned and took a dizzying step towards camp. All he could see in his head was the remnants of his anger; how he'd wanted to spill the man's blood all over his hands and onto the ground. It frightened him to no end.