Crystal Inferno: Whoop! I'm back! Thanks to foolycoolyshippo for the wonderful review! (I only received one, but it's keeping me going!) Anyways, sorry for the confusion; I was intending this chapter to be about the affections of Kiba anyways (this is after all, titled the 'Truth Behind the Mask' If you catch my drift!) So, shall we begin?

Kiba: Oh great, why do I have to be all lovey-dovey?

CI: Because all badboys have a secret, sensitive side!

Kiba: Well I don't.

CI: Well now you do! At least your not Neji, who's a secret pervert!

Neji: I heard that…

CI: What you going to do about it, you sissy? Cut your hair and maybe I'll be afraid of you, girlyboy!

Neji: I'm not a girlyboy!

CI: Whatever…fag.

Neji: I'm not gay! Stop calling me names! (Retreats into the futile position, with thumb in mouth.)

Kiba: Maybe you went to far…

CI: Oh well! Now, on to the story!

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Kiba…was being Kiba that morning. He was off to train with his team and rushed out of bed, only stopping to wink at his reflection in the mirror. He yelled at Akamaru to wake up, put his usual black cloths off (excluding that stupid, totally horrible gray coat from a few years back) and rushed off to the training grounds. He was off to a late start, as usual, always using the nights as time to train his canine nose and ears. Before he could however, his sister stopped him abruptly.

"You need breakfast, Kiba," she said, handing him four pieces of toast (slathered in peanut butter and honey) and a half-gallon carton of milk. "You need to grow, shrimp. Haven't been drinking your milk, have you?"

"Yes I have!" Kiba snapped at her, shoving the toast into his mouth. As the honey dripped from his mouth, he proclaimed, "Just because I'm not as freakishly tall as you are doesn't mean I have to be the same way."

"Say that again, you little mongrel!" she screeched at Kiba, "You're a boy! Boys should be taller then girls."

"I don't care! I don't want to be that tall anyways! As long as I'm taller than Hina-" but Kiba quickly shut his trap, his eyes growing wide from shock. He was about to confess his love (in a way) for Hinata! Stupid, stupid! Before his sister had a chance to react to his outburst, he ran out of the house, signaling Akamaru to come along.

"Damn it all!" Kiba exclaimed, shoving the toast into his mouth and gorging on the milk in his wrath, "Why do I always speak before I think! Damn me for being impulsive! What do you think Akamaru?" He questioned his dog, in which he replied back, nonchalantly You have problems. You need to get over your crush for her. She obviously loves someone, but that isn't you.

Kiba responded angrily, "I know! She loves that stupid Naruto! Why did it have to be him! And now, he looks better then me, since he beat me at the chunin preliminary exams, three years ago, I feel like I've become second place in her love." Kiba bowed his head. He was so ashamed, why did he have such strong feelings for this girl? This girl that he had once thought weak, a total tomboy, a merely timid girl?

It was probably when she grew her hair out.

Kiba remembered that day, when he noticed that her hair had grown. She had always kept it behind her head, in a bun that he had not noticed, got longer by the day. Shino and Hinata were sparring when suddenly, one of Shino's bugs nipped her hair tie, releasing her hair. It flew down; its shine reflecting of the afternoon sun. It was rich, and was a deep purple. Everything went silent, until Kurenai stated, "Congratulations, Shino, you have succeeded in showing us that Hinata is an angel."

And truly she was. Her hair framed her face perfectly, and they complimented her lavender eyes. Hinata was blushing furiously and she quickly tried to place it back in her bun when both Shino and Kiba exclaimed: "Don't!"

Of course she had been confused, but after that day, she always wore her head down, unless they were in a heated battle in which she flopped it into a ponytail. But even then did she look like a goddess of war. Ever since then, Kiba had affections for her. No longer was he the weak, timid girl he had come to grow up with. She was now a strong, independent, and worthy young lady. He would always see her as an angel, never to be touched by the tainted and wicked feelings of lust, greed, and temptation, in which Kiba had always kept within his heart.

As they approached the training grounds, Kiba spotted his lovely angel speaking to the monstrous Shino. He had indeed grown taller. Where was he now: 6'4? Kiba growled inwardly. A ting of jealousy purged through him; did Hinata like taller guys? She was obviously smiling and showing through feelings of joy…was she…enjoying his company? Was Shino…enjoying her company…in a romantic way?

Damn bug freak! How dare he try to seduce her! What is he saying? I need to interrupt, he doesn't deserve her! She deserves…anyone but him! Kiba thought furiously with in his mind. He just couldn't take it anymore, and he and Akamaru raced up the two, and he shouted "WOO-HOO! Who's up for target practice?"

Obviously, that didn't go well Kiba sulked in his mind as he walked behind his tall, skilled, and freakish friend. Now I even look like a BIGGER loser! Guess I'm third in the race for Hinata's heart…

"Kiba-kun…are you alright?" the soft and sincere voice of Hinata tripped his thoughts as he turned around to see the angel of his fantasies. She was gorgeous today, her hair hanging behind her shoulders to her mid-back and her eyes looking at him with worry. If only she could know…

"Hey, Hinata-chan. What's up?" he asked, quietly, almost too quietly for his taste. Quiet for Kiba was normal speech, and when he whispered, virtually everyone could hear it. Why did she make him so…predictable?

"Oh…Kiba-kun…I was wondering…why did you attack Shino?" her eyes were downcast, but her voice held hints of confusion and sincere distress…for both of them, which he didn't want to hear.

"Ah…" he began to blush, why was he so nervous? He usually backed up his impulses with "I just felt like it!" or "He was ticking me off!" but instead all he could say was "I don't know…" in a strangely quiet tone.

"Well…please don't fight anymore!" Hinata suddenly outburst, catching Kiba off guard, "You two are my best friends, and if anything were to happen to you without Kurenai-sensei around…I would…" her voice was caught in chokes and she began to hold tears in her eyes.

"Hinata!" Kiba exclaimed, "Please, don't cry…I don't like it when you cry! C'mon! be a big girl, dry your eyes, and let's train! What would Kurenai-sensei think if you and those tears falling from your face! You know me and Shino never play to kill, so don't worry about it!" Great…I just babbled about the ties of our friendship…just like that girl in that magna sis reads…she must think I'm a total fag…Kiba thought in his humiliation. He would never thought that Hinata would smile.

"Thank you, Kiba" she grinned, placing her tears on Shino's handkerchief "Your like the brother I never had. I'm ready for training!" and with that she began to run to catch up to Shino before they were crucially late for practice.

I'm her big brother now…great…even Rock Lee stands a better chance then I do…"C'mon Akamaru!" and with his depressed state going even further, he hopped on Akamaru and began to race Shino as who could get to the training grounds first, slightly raising his spirits.

Just you wait, Hinata! One day, I'll steal your heart!

Crystal Inferno: Well, hoped you enjoy that chapter! A little (not a lot) more humorous then last chapter but I swear I'll make it funnier! It probably won't be next chapter, that's going to be Neji's look on things!

Kiba: What! I'm not the star!

CI: Excuse me, you half-breed! You all need attention!

Kiba: But I want Hinata…

CI: Well you can't have her! At least not yet! This is going to be tough! I don't know who's going to become Hinata's lover at the end! Maybe you should vote? I don't know, I'm so confused! I'm leaning towards Shino but Kiba and Hinata seem perfect for one another! Anyways, you all know what to do!

Kiba: Yes, review! And if you vote, VOTE FOR ME!