Title: Test (77)
Rating: 12 +
Pairing(s):Shikamaru/Kiba
Summary: Shikamaru could decide learning some animal first aid would be useful as a team leader and goes to Kiba and his mom and sister to learn it? Could even be that he wants to spend more time with Kiba and it's a good excuse/rationalization for it. Kiba's mom and sister could even see what's going on and encourage him...
Contains [warnings]: BL light
Author's Notes: For the lovely Kiterie/SumiHatake sequel to Promise.
He stared at the gate resignedly, eyes taking in every detail of the solid oak, pitted with age and if he wasn't mistaken no few kunai cut's. His gaze flickered to the sign at the side, calligraphy scrolling the family name that belonged to this particular compound on a thick white board.
Shikamaru rubbed at the nape of his neck, other hand relaxed on his hip as he sighed, head tilted down as he thought for a moment. He'd been over and over it and there was no other way – but he sure as hell wasn't looking forward to seeing her again. He had a pretty good idea that the woman he was here to see wouldn't have a good reception for him. He'd, however unintentionally, hurt her son after all.
The Nara could hear a lot of ruckus coming from the other side of the gate and he let his hand drop once more, taking a deep fortifying breath as he shoved his hands into his pockets, shoulders slouching comfortably.
"Troublesome."
He didn't want to run into Kiba. He had some things to organise first, so rather than knock at the main gate as he had been planning Shikamaru launched himself up onto the top of the gate and then across a few tiled rooftops to the main house, figuring here or in the kennel's would be the best place to find Inuzuka Tsume.
A few hours and a lot of ribbing and weighty punches later found Shikamaru ankle deep in dog shit. He mumbled quietly as he worked, back aching, feet and ass coated in unmentionables from where he'd walked and slipped a few times before letting chakra flow to his feet to keep him upright.
"Troublesome woman."
The Nara had learnt quickly that the Inuzuka matriarch had an impressive sense of hearing so kept his protests almost silent or in his head. He could understand the woman's actions, hell he was a genius, he'd more than deduced what she'd do to test his will and he was willing to prove to her that what he wanted he would work for, lazy Nara or otherwise.
So she'd directed him to cleaning out the kennels.
He'd felt his stomach revolt at the thought, but figured that she was trying to prove a point. He couldn't really begrudge her that, though it was his point that he was concerned about impressing.
And he would.
He sighed again as he worked the stiff bristle brush across the floor, feeling sorry for any and all who had the luxury of doing this task every day. Thinking on it, this mucking out was something he would have had to do if the deer the Nara watched over were captive animals. He was pretty glad that they were wild, all told. There were currently twelve dogs and two litters in residence and he could safely say he'd never seen so much animal faeces in his life.
He counted down the moment's to his escape from this place, the heat, festering smell and endless ache of newly discovered muscles was making him mourn his time lazing on his favourite hill. He stood up and leant his hands on the end of the long handled brush and surveyed his surroundings, taking in pristine floors that he'd worked over vigorously so Tsume-san wouldn't have reason to make him repeat the task again.
Though the hard work went against his relaxed nature, he felt oddly accomplished by the work. It may be menial and repetitive but he had found after a while he could get lost in the rhythm of it. It was, he thought, a different way of switching off. Though a far less pleasant one than cloud watching.
He leant back and felt his vertebrae pop as he braced one hand in the small of his back, the sound echoing in the quiet corridor. He sighed quietly, going to rub the nape of his neck to ease the tension there when he remembered he was wearing gloves for good reason.
He looked down at his leather bound hands and shook his head, murmuring quietly, "Better get some other clothes if she's gonna keep this up."
"She will you know."
The Nara didn't even twitch at the presence that had appeared in the doorway behind him.
Shikamaru addressed the woman that stood in the doorway without turning around, clearly having been sent to check up on him at Tsume-san's order.
"I didn't think she would."
He stood quiet for a moment, assessing, calculating, the cog's of his mind whirring as he puzzled out the various reasons the other woman would follow her Mother's request.
Shikamaru turned, bracing a hand on his hip, the other remaining on the end of the broom, "Why are you here, Hana-san?"
He watched as that same feral smile curled Kiba's sister's lips, and he filed away the knowledge that that smile seemed to be something inherent in the Inuzuka clan. He waited patiently for her to reply, arms crossed casually across her slender waist. He could see sharp eyes trailing around the kennel and then over him, assessing him and his work, gauging him and he couldn't help but approve.
She was a lot like her Mother.
"You're here because of that mission a few weeks ago, but you're also here because of something else, am I right?"
Shikamaru watched Hana for a moment more, before he nodded his assent.
That smile grew softer, and warmer. "Good."
Shikamaru eyed the woman curiously, eyebrow arching in question, it wasn't quite what he had been expecting, more of a best case scenario really.
"Why?"
"You telling me you can't figure out why we'd be happy you were here for that?" She chuckled darkly and Shikamaru didn't miss the we in her sentence.
He sighed audibly, mind shifting and puzzling and finding that, for once, he wasn't really certain who or what she meant, though he didn't give it away. There were far too many reasons and in some it would mean he'd have to dare to hope and he wasn't ready for that.
He started when a hand landed on his shoulder and squeezed.
"You'll figure it out. It's not like he could hide it."
Hana's voice was almost conspiratorial as she whispered, winking at him as he turned to look at her as she moved back and headed for the door with a roll of her hips.
Shikamaru huffed quietly, turning back to his work as the brunette slipped out the door she'd entered through.
"Troublesome woman."
He could hear her chuckling as she moved off to wherever she was headed.
Shikamaru rolled his eyes and set about finishing his task, he still had his normal work to do once he was finished. Though for a few minutes a small smile curled the corner of his lips, perhaps he wasn't alone in enemy territory after all.
Now to figure out whom this we was.
88888
Two weeks later…
Shikamaru was tired; he'd stopped for a moment, hand still resting on the bristle brush handle as he settled on his haunches, not wanting to actually sit on the kennel floor. He'd spent a lot of time in the Inuzuka compound over the last two weeks. He knew Tsume-san was testing him, but though he was a patient person, he was getting to the point of exhaustion.
Even Tsunade-sama had commented on the dark circles that he'd forgotten to hide before going on duty. She'd drilled him for answers and though he had avoided some he couldn't avoid them all. The troublesome woman now knew he was training with the Inuzuka's, hopefully she wouldn't interfere, but he wouldn't bet on it.
She was damn nosy for a Hokage.
He sighed quietly, going to rise to his feet when he heard something scuttling across the floor behind him. He pivoted on the balls of his feet, dark eyes looking round and locating the source of the noise, finding a little furry creature that was wobbling towards him as quickly as it could manage.
Shikamaru chuckled as he darted his hand out to stabilise the puppy that was wobbling precariously towards him on unsteady feet. It was still small, little bigger than his palm, though its eyes were open and its tongue lolled from its partially open mouth. He let go and let the puppy trundle forwards, the tiny creature coming to rest its head against him, butting at his thigh like a cat – not a dog.
He reached out and gently pet the tiny mutt, rubbing his long fingers over ears and gently scratching the floppy appendages.
He felt her presence in the doorway; he would know that chakra anywhere, wild and fierce and distinctly Inuzuka.
Shikamaru looked up into the sharp gaze of Inuzuka Tsume, nodding his acknowledgement of her presence.
She smiled, canine's showing as her gaze flitted around the almost clean kennel, "Good job, Nara."
"Hmm."
That piercing gaze came back to rest on him and then down to watch the puppy. He was surprised to hear a tiny whimper from the little beast as it attempted to wiggle forward and duck under his bent knee.
"Che, stupid runt."
Shikamaru looked up at the woman loitering in the doorway and saw something of the Mother in her then, her eyes had softened, mouth dropping into a much gentler smile, though it didn't last under his scrutiny.
He watched as she donned her armour again and that gaze fixed and locked with his own. "Come on, time for some real work."
He knew that she wouldn't acknowledge his work here but he was glad that he could finally escape the constant smell of dog shit that had permeated his clothes and nasal passages for the last two weeks. He pitied anyone this task, but was happy to finally have proven to Tsume-san that he was here for the long haul.
He rose to his feet, knees creaking and popping as he reached his full height, the silly fur ball forgetting its previous fear gambolled a little unsteadily around his feet. He carefully manuevered around the mutt and walked over to put the broom back were he'd found it every day he'd been here.
"Hurry up!"
He sighed and murmured to the puppy running around his feet, "Troublesome, ne?"
Though he got no reply from the happily yipping pup he could clearly here Tsume's reply, "Watch it, Nara. We have a lot to get done. Now shift your ass."
"Hai, Tsume-san."
He rolled his eyes and strode out into the crisp morning air, swallowing down a few deep pulls of sweet, clean air before he was swamped by a pack of wild beasts.
He heard a gruff laugh and recognised it clearly.
"Apparently they like you."
Shikamaru looked up from where he lay amongst numerous snuffling heads, one eye shut as a sandpapery tongue licked his cheek and he winced when one of the canine's barked right next to his ear.
He let out a growl of his own, "Kiba."
He could hear Kiba laughing some more and disentangled himself from where he lay sprawled on the floor of the open courtyard just off the kennels. When he reached his feet he brushed himself down with quick sure strokes, grumbling quietly. When he deduced he wouldn't be getting any cleaner or making any kind of decent impression he looked up to catch the youngest Inuzuka blushing, as his Mother whispered in his ear, an arm slung across broad shoulders bringing Kiba closer in a conspiratorial huddle.
Shikamaru watched fascinated as Kiba's face took on a steadily reddening hue and he gave his Mother a sharp shove, staring at her with horrified embarrassment. The brunet didn't even stop long enough to say goodbye to him.
Shikamaru watched as that flushed visage turned from him and strode off down one of the walkways leading further into the compound. And he felt an ache bloom in his chest as Kiba vanished from sight.
He hadn't spent any time with Kiba since he'd started here and every time they'd almost managed a conversation, Tsume or Hana popped up. He wasn't really sure what Hana was thinking. She had apparently been trying to help things along but in his mind she was causing even more of a rift between them.
Tsume, well, that went without question.
His gaze followed the other man until he disappeared from sight and he turned a furrowed brow on Tsume-san, curious and a little frustrated.
"What did you say to him?"
"None of your business."
He scowled and approached the woman slowly but purposefully, the animals that had swarmed around him backing up quickly as he loomed over the smaller woman, not liking how she had clearly embarrassed her son in public, in front of a friend.
"Do you have something to say, Nara?"
He arched a brow at her, his hands fisting in his pockets as he stared down at Kiba's mother, calculating. He could see the strength and willingness to fight in her ridged, unbending posture, but there was calculation in her gaze.
He leant back, relaxing into a familiar slouch and, as he watched, he saw disappointment darken her gaze.
Shikamaru spoke softly, but firmly as he watched the woman with lazy attentiveness. "Stop testing me to your son's disadvantage. "
He waited for a moment and watched as a fierce smile curled Tsume's lips, before she gestured for him to get closer. He moved forward, mind whirring with thoughts and theories, when she whispered in his ear and completely floored him, "You'll do Nara. You'll need some fight in you to deal with my son."
He felt his cheeks heat, as he pulled back from her and muttered quietly, "Troublesome, woman."
"Precisely."
He looked at Tsume-san with wide eyes and noticed her sharp smile and he couldn't help but chuckle in response. So she was the we Hana spoke off, that made perfect sense and gave him some degree of hope.
"Let's get started before Kiba return's."
He arched a brow at the woman before she gestured to the dog's that were just starting to come back towards them, heads low.
"Training."
Shikamaru sighed.
88888
One week and a lot of hard work later...
"Shikamaru you need a break!"
The man in question shook his head, hands comfortably nestled in his pockets, shoulders a little more heavily slumped than normal. He knew his body was suffering, but he was a man and a shinobi – though a lazy one – and he would endure. He needed to learn these things and nothing Ino or Chouji could say that would stop him.
"Mah, Ino stop fussing and go to work."
He caught the concerned frown that dipped her brow and shut the slightly guilty feeling away. Shikamaru knew that his two teammates were concerned but his determination to do this was important to him and he would succeed.
He heard a deep, put upon sigh and felt slightly more relieved. That was the Ino he knew best. He turned to face her when the weight of her hand settled on his forearm, rubbing lightly through his long sleeved uniform shirt.
Looking into aquamarine eye's he saw the concern flash again, but there was something else there too and he wasn't quite certain he wanted to know what it was. It was that same look Ino and Sakura had often shared in their youth when trying to one-up each other over Sasuke.
He rolled his eyes and turned to head off in the direction of the Inuzuka compound, lunch was over and he hadn't managed to eat anything – again.
He called back over his shoulder, waving absently, "Whatever you're thinking – don't. Damn troublesome woman."
Shikamaru didn't see Ino smile mischievously, her words a soft whisper, "See you later, Shikamaru."
Shikamaru made sure he had gotten out of Ino's sight before letting his weary body slump as he plodded onwards to his destination. He wasn't looking forward to this today.
Ino and Chouji were right but it was more than just being over worked. He was mentally exhausted to, he was running on little-to-no sleep because his mind was too busy churning over things, his days were full of mission's, work at the Inuzuka compound and then mission room duty or meetings with the Hokage.
He hadn't even managed to find time to cook himself a decent meal in the last few weeks. He felt his stomach gurgle at the thought of food and he shoved the image of a hot roast dinner with all the trimmings aside quickly, not wanting to let his traitorous body get any more bright ideas.
He sighed, a hand exiting his pocket to rub at the nape of his neck were his muscles felt stiff and tight. What he wouldn't give for a hot bath, an early night not plagued by need, frustration and dogs and a good meal.
He looked up as he reached the gates that led into the Inuzuka compound and slowly made his way forward, slipping through the smaller door in the gate and finding his shadow waiting on the other side.
The puppy had been trailing him around the compound ever since he'd moved to working with the dogs, it was still very clumsy on its feet but Shikamaru couldn't help but like the small furry bundle.
He appreciated the constant companion and found that he might understand Kiba a little bit more for the puppy's dogged tenacity.
He leant down, knees cracking as he gently brushed over a silky black furred head, scratching at the base of one long floppy black ear.
"Finally made it then."
Shikamaru looked up at the gruff voice slowly, not wanting to show surprise or his delight at seeing Kiba in what felt like forever. He took in the sight of the brunet stood before him, absorbing every nuance and detail he could.
Thick spikes shining slightly bronze in the afternoon light, sharp eyes, lips stretched in a deliciously seductive smile, toned chest and arms on display through a fishnet shirt which was tucked into tight black jeans and heavy leather boots rather than the traditional issue sandals.
God he looked damn fine and Shikamaru wasn't one to deny it, though he remained outwardly silent, expression neutral – realisation dawning that Kiba looked set to go out on a date, not complete a mission.
He couldn't stop his traitorous mouth from speaking his thoughts, not really wanting the answer, "Kiba, you going somewhere?"
Shikamaru felt a lead ball weigh in the pit of his stomach as he waited for Kiba to answer him, he felt decidedly disheartened by the facts that could be seen so clearly before him. He'd only seen Kiba dressed in that way when he was off duty and doing something with a member of the opposite sex.
Shikamaru's hand came away from the puppy at his feet, eliciting a soft whine from the animal which made Kiba smile.
"She seems pretty taken with you."
Shikamaru nodded absently as he stood, hands disappearing in his pockets once again.
"Yeah, she's been following me around for a while."
He watched Kiba as Kiba watched the small black puppy, a flutter of need rising when those dark eyes settled on him, running over him from top to toes like a physical caress. He wasn't used to the Inuzuka looking at him with any degree of interest, though he couldn't say he didn't hope. But he had figured and refigured out everything and his chance with Kiba was pretty damn slim. He had found himself setting his heart on being Kiba's friend, however painful it may be – being close to him was enough for the analytical Nara.
Shikamaru looked away from that direct gaze, not something he was used to doing, but the way Kiba was staring made him feel exposed somehow. His eyes lifted upwards, the clouds rolling idly across the piercing blue sky calling his name and he let it keep his attention for a few quiet minutes.
He hadn't felt Kiba move, but a hand touched the pale column of his throat and his head rolled forward and stared intently at the Inuzuka, eyebrow arched in question. He didn't mind Kiba's touch, the slightly rough pads of his finger's a pleasant contrast on his skin.
Shikamaru watched, fascinated as a soft, barely perceptible flush filtered into tattooed cheeks and Kiba spoke, his voice thick and husky, "You shouldn't do that."
Shikamaru leant in to the touch at his throat, those finger's curling slightly tighter at his movement, a thumb rubbing idly and making Shikamaru feel warm and strangely comforted by the touch.
Shikamaru took a deep, steadying breath as his heart triple timed it, inhaling the scent of straw, dog's and spices. Shikamaru watched the brunet through heavy-lidded eyes, licking his lips slowly to give them some moisture.
"Why?"
Kiba looked distracted, those sharp eyes growing slightly hazy as he murmured, "It's a sign, ya know?
"Of submission." Shikamaru murmured in response, words slipping free before he could bite his tongue to prevent their escape.
He felt something tingle low in his body and he felt a deep tug in the vicinity of his heart. Shikamaru wanted to reach out and touch Kiba, pull him in close. He could feel the heat inside himself but he didn't know, couldn't know without Kiba saying something, that it was returned. He wasn't sure Kiba even understood his actions.
Was he just drawn to the accidental display of submission?
Shikamaru pulled away, head coming up as he stepped back, he felt finger's squeeze gently around his throat and then release as Kiba too moved back.
"I..."
"Nara!"
Shikamaru looked over Kiba's shoulder to see Tsume coming down one of the walkways and heading in their direction. He nodded in acknowledgement of her call and went to step around Kiba to find a hand firmly curled around his bicep.
"Oi, Nara your late!"
Shikamaru looked down at Kiba's face, noting the complete change in expression, the soft, hazy look long gone, making Shikamaru wonder if it had all been in his head as so many things seemed to be at the moment. In its place was a rather fierce grimace.
"Kiba?"
He watched as the brunet's eyes flickered to his own briefly before he turned to face the imposing image of his Mother. Shikamaru watched, mildly astonished as Tsume came to a halt a few feet away from them, eyes riveted on her son.
"What are you doing here Kiba? I thought you were off to see Hinata?"
Shikamaru watched the scene through unblinking eyes, that weight filling his stomach again at Tsume's words.
"I was."
"Well then."
"I'm taking him with me."
Shikamaru arched a brow as Kiba slightly tilted his head in his direction.
"Is that so? Doesn't look like he had any plans on doing anything of the sort. There's work to be done."
"Not today."
With that last statement Shikamaru felt a tug on his arm and was forcibly turned around, catching what he was sure was the flash of Tsume's canines as she smiled, as he was dragged back the way he'd come.
Shikamaru tried to talk to the clearly irritated man, pulling him along, "Kiba."
"Not one word."
The ferocity of that clipped tone didn't deter Shikamaru. "But..."
"Not - one."
Shikamaru sighed audibly, before speaking more firmly – he would not be dragged around like this.
"Enough. "
Shikamaru watched as Kiba stopped, that hand never letting go, but squeezing gently as the brunet looked up at him from under furrowed brows, lip being worried between sharp teeth.
"Troublesome."
It was odd to Shikamaru how that one word seemed to lighten the Inuzuka's expression and he felt something tight in his chest ease.
"No more than you."
Shikamaru's lips quirked up in response.
Kiba released Shikamaru's arm and settled in to walk beside him instead of trying to drag him along at break neck speed.
Shikamaru wasn't actually sure if he wanted the Inuzuka to let go, though it wasn't skin on skin, the feel of Kiba's hand curled tightly around his arm was a pleasant sensation. That thought alone caused a tingle across the skin of his throat, were calloused fingers had squeezed gently.
He felt his body stir with interest and pushed all those moments into one of his mental filing cabinets, he would take it out again later to analyse and enjoy, to his own detriment he was certain.
Shikamaru shoved his hands in his pockets, fists clenched lightly to stop himself from reaching out and touching Kiba in return.
He sighed, resigned as they walked in silence, knowing he wouldn't be heading any were the troublesome man beside him didn't want to go. He'd spent so much time learning and working, he hadn't had time to actually spend with Kiba and he had missed this greatly.
It wasn't like they'd spent hours together before, but at least once a week the Inuzuka had found him sprawled out on his favourite hill and taken up residence beside him. Shikamaru had noticed that it had started after that day Kiba had found him after the mission, when he had so carefully held him as he'd slept.
Talking or not talking didn't matter.
It was a comfortable silence or an open and interesting conversation. The time spent that way were some of Shikamaru's favourites. It brought back memories of quieter days spent on the hill after a day at the Academy or after a low level mission. Those kinds of days were long gone and though he knew it foolish to want them back sometimes, he understood it too.
His thoughts were interrupted by a tan hand waving in front of his face.
"Hey, away with the fairies again, Shikamaru?"
Shikamaru scowled and looked up at his long term crush… no he supposed obsession was closer to the truth and sighed.
"Thinking."
He watched as Kiba's lip twisted into what he would never admit was a pout. "You do that far too much. Ain't I interesting enough to keep your attention?"
Shikamaru frowned and stared at the brunet for a moment trying to decipher just what he meant by that, if there was any insinuation in his words. When Kiba grinned, that toothy smile, canines flashing and a mischievous glint in his eyes Shikamaru relaxed and eased back into his customary slouch, smiling.
"Troublesome. You're almost as bad as a woman."
He watched, delighted as that pulled a rise out of Kiba. The brunet stared for a minute then snarled, that fierce light glowing in his gaze as he defended his manhood.
Shikamaru already knew that Kiba was a man. He had seen those tight muscles, firm ass and heard that rough raspy bedroom voice, not to mention the sizeable package Kiba had to offer, glimpsed briefly in the communal baths that had made his cheeks burn and his mouth go dry.
They continued bantering back and forth as they walked along the streets of Konoha. Kiba had finally deciding that Shikamaru owed him lunch for some reason or another and they dipped under an awning and entered a familiar restaurant that did a delicious barbeque served on sizzling hot plates.
Shikamaru sighed quietly at Kiba.
They had been sat in the restaurant for fifteen minutes, having ordered and now waiting on their food. But, for some reason Shikamaru couldn't fathom, Kiba had said very little since entering the establishment. It was odd and mildly irritating to the normally placid Nara. That he had changed from the ever talkative and abruptly spoken Inuzuka he knew, to this quiet, almost contemplative person. It made him wonder idly if he was sat with a clone.
When Kiba glanced up at the stressed sigh, Shikamaru raised an eyebrow, words staying locked behind slightly flattened lips.
Shikamaru watched with interest as Kiba shifted nervously in his seat, rubbing at his nape, folding then unfolding his arms. He rolled his eyes at the Inuzuka's antics, before murmuring so that only Kiba would hear him, "Spit it out."
Startled brown eyes looked into his own and he waited as Kiba shifted again, seeming to settle as his eyes shifted away before returning to his gaze. Shikamaru hadn't quite figured out what was causing this reaction in the Inuzuka but he had a few ideas – none of them good. Unfortunately, until Kiba spoke, he couldn't do anything to quell the unease the brunet's jitters were causing in him either.
His stomach was knotting and unknotting itself continuously, making him feel vaguely nauseous. For once he didn't want to be the patient man; he wanted this – whatever this was – to be dealt with so he could go back to just existing day-to-day.
"You need to stop, Shikamaru."
Shikamaru looked at Kiba curiously, having grown slightly distracted by the thoughts and sensation's spinning through his body like a kaleidoscope. He thought for a moment, mind pulling away from extraneous tasks and ideas blooming and shrivelling in his mind to focus on Kiba.
His head tilted slightly, a furrow dipping his brow as he processed those words. "Stop what exactly?"
He watched Kiba's gaze grow intense, that famed ferocity spilling forth and threatening to make Shikamaru shiver.
He liked this side of Kiba – his intensity was compelling. Not to mention hot.
Kiba snorted, "You know what Nara. I may not be the smartest tack in the draw but I ain't an idiot."
Shikamaru snorted at the return of Kiba's brash way of speaking, pleased but still processing what Kiba was suggesting. "You are implying then that I stop training with your Mother. Why – it is not your concern."
Kiba growled low and it sent heat unfurling in Shikamaru's gut, though he kept that heat from colouring his cheeks or quickening his breath.
"You're running yourself into the ground idiot. Why wouldn't I care about that?"
Shikamaru arched a brow at Kiba's words, comprehension filtering past the cloud of need. "What has my lack of sleep to do with you?"
Kiba snorted again, those canines flashing between slightly parted lips. "Someone's gotta tell you to give it a rest when you look as though you're falling asleep on your feet. On toppa that you stink."
Shikamaru's eyes widened at this last comment, confusion curling his lips in distaste, irritation shoving arousal aside. "Beg pardon."
"As you should. You gotta eat – idiot. What you're eating right now isn't food, you reek and you expect an Inuzuka not to notice? Thought you were a genius, hmmm?"
Shikamaru frowned before he leant back in his seat, quickly going over Kiba's words, assessing and finding something small and warm blooming in his chest, like a frozen bud finally being touched by the sun. His gaze lifted to Kiba, seeing the intensity and care written in his features and surprised at the raw emotion showing.
"You telling me you were worried Kiba?"
Shikamaru watched as the slightest hint of red covered Kiba's cheeks as he snorted in response, voice slightly rough, "Che, nah – worried about a lazy Nara? Not likely. "
Kiba had paused and Shikamaru waited, seeing clearly that there was more he wanted to say.
"Mamma – she said you should come an' eat with us as you keep staying so damn late. Probably didn't wanna put up with your stench anymore."
Shikamaru took that for what it was as Kiba's sharp gaze landed on his face and stayed there. That concern still lingering. Shikamaru knew, and he believed Kiba did too, that he could see through the Inuzuka's words and it made him feel wanted. Welcome by the Inuzuka's.
He hadn't felt that before. Perhaps he'd passed Tsume's tests and the real work could start, but he couldn't seem to mind that at the moment, gaze locked with Kiba's.
Shikamaru gave a small smile and watched as Kiba's lips split into a grin before he leant forward over the table. "Means you gotta put up with Mamma and Hana though."
Kiba chuckled and the Nara sighed audibly, "Guess I can put up with a few more troublesome woman."
"Che, that's not nice Shikamaru!"
Shikamaru turned to find Ino stood beside him a smile tilting her lips even as she tried to frown in disapproval. He felt heat fill his cheeks and turned a quick glance on Kiba who had relaxed back in his seat, arms across his chest, smirk still in place.
"You lot are far too adept at conspiracies, ne."
He was happy to hear them all laugh, Chouji's deep rumble sounding from around the corner alongside Hinata's soft feminine laughter. He budged a little begrudgingly around so he was seated next to Kiba instead of across from him, Chouji, Ino, Hinata and the ever quiet Shino slipping in at various places around the booth.
Shikamaru relaxed back into the cushions of his seat, watching as lively chatter filled the air littered with occasional laughter. He couldn't help but feel content as he watched his team and Kiba's interacting. He glanced sideways at Kiba, murmuring so only the brunet beside him would hear him, "You planned all this?"
Kiba's smile showed off sharp canines and his voice was like velvet over his skin, "Yep."
Shikamaru couldn't help but admire that confident, though monosyllabic response.
"Troublesome mutt."
Kiba looked over at him then, grin getting smaller as a more serious expression filtered over his features, a furrow appearing between his brow.
"What is it Kiba?"
Kiba's eyes almost glared at Shikamaru and the Nara could see tension lifting the Inuzuka's shoulders.
"You don't need to take care of Akamaru."
Shikamaru looked on in mild surprise then rolled his eyes, gaze steady as he watched Kiba's gaze narrow with irritation. Not wanting to go through the trouble of having Kiba blow up at him and go through the torture of not seeing him all over again Shikamaru explained quickly, "That isn't it."
Kiba's brow quirked and Shikamaru could see his immediate aggression easing away.
"Akamaru is a member of any team he's on. The fact that only you would know how to help him is a weakness. If anything happened to the Inuzuka on the team who would be able to help Akamaru then, ne?"
Shikamaru watched as Kiba's gaze slid away, brows furrowing with concentration and the Nara restrained his lips from curling into a smile when Kiba's teeth worried his lip, turning it a rosy red. When those direct eyes looked back at him again he could see that Kiba understood and that smile was burgeoning on his lips once more. "Makes sense yo. S'what Hokage-sama said to Mamma. "
It was Shikamaru's turn to look surprised, eyebrows arched before furrowing, mind running ten-to-the-dozen as he processed that news. He sighed, relaxing beside Kiba once more gaze turning quickly to see that his friends were still talking animatedly between themselves, "Troublesome women.
Rich laughter filled their both and Shikamaru watched as Kiba tilted his head back and guffawed loudly, eyes squeezed shut, canines flashing – but most importantly and likely unknown to the Inuzuka – throat exposed and open. Shikamaru's mouth went a little dry at the sight, heart thudding hard.
Shikamaru felt heat flood his cheeks when Kiba looked over at him with raw amusement and focus. "Don't I know it."
Shikamaru chuckled quietly, quickly getting his emotions under control as he settled himself in to the chair beside Kiba. He wasn't sure when it happened, but Kiba's thigh brushed again his own and Shikamaru couldn't help but slump and feel the warmth of Kiba's body filter through his thin cotton trousers.
He started when he felt hot breath tickle his ear and stir the few loose wisps of hair there. He didn't move, inhaling the familiar scent of dry straw, dogs and the wild – Kiba.
"Thanks for thinking of Akamaru."
Shikamaru shivered at the feel of hot breath, husky words and heat tingling across his skin. Not able to say anything for a few moments as he tried to get an intelligible tongue back in his head.
"Welcome."
Kiba chuckled and Shikamaru felt his brain take a vacation at the throaty sound. That voice was a gift and a curse in his book but he wouldn't give it up for the world. That Kiba had shown interest in him made him happy.
Whether the Inuzuka's intentions were for more than friendship for once Shikamaru didn't think on it, choosing instead to allow a little time to pass in good company. Thoughts of his own expectations, wants and needs left for later musing.