Don't own Naruto nor any part of it. Incase y'all were wondering. =)

Again, this isn't the most exciting chapter. I hope that one comes soon, too.

And, again, thanks for the reviews. They keep me smiling. And thanks for reading. That makes me smile, too.

The team traveled for a day and half until they reached the spot where the rouge Uchiha's body was supposedly at.

"Wow. It looks like they really went at it," Sakura exclaimed as she stared wide-eyed at the wreckage. There were pieces and parts of what remained of the old Uchiha stronghold. The stone was spread out in chunks, sharp edges and cracks dominated the view of the ancient gathering spot.

"You really think it was Sasuke who got the best of him?" Kiba asked, bending down and sniffing the ground to find where the body could be.

"Seems that way," Shino said in his monotone voice. "Disperse." Small, black beetles began to rush out of the ninja's oversized jacket, quickly rampaging over the cracked stones. "It's over that way."

"Yeah, I can smell Uchiha sent." Kiba and Akamaru began to walk that way.

"Wait!" Hinata finally spoke up. "What if…someone's over there?" She asked in her soft-spoken way.

"Hinata, check it out." Sakura stood up from where she was crouched and walked toward the nervous girl. "You tell us if it's safe."

"Mhm. Byakugan!" After a minute came Hinata's soft whisper, "I think it's all good."

"Great! Let's go check it out, boy!" Kiba shouted, running off towards Itachi's lifeless body.

"Don't be so reckless and impatient, Kiba." Shino followed at a walking pace.

"Shino's right, Kiba. Be careful." Sakura followed the boys as Hinata followed her. "Hinata, keep an eye behind us. Something doesn't feel right about this place." I'm worried someone is hiding their chakra from me. If they are, they're good at it. That worries me. Sakura thought, perking up her senses to help watch for an ambush.

"We're good guys," Kiba called over his shoulder. He jumped a few more feet before he spotted the body. "Hey! I found it!"

"Wait up!" The three following him finally caught up. "I still feel something weird in the air. Don't touch him yet, Kiba." Everyone stopped and checked around them. No one noticed the thin, white-haired boy slowly gripping his giant, stolen sword. Why did I have to wait to take care of these kids? Sasuke's the one who is supposed to bring the body, or eyes, to that creepy mask-wearer. Ugh, I always get stuck with the shitty jobs. The rogue ninja thought as he readied himself for attack.

"Sakura, I don't smell or hear anything." Suddenly, Akamaru began to whimper and back away from the dead body in front of him and his master. "Akamaru? What are you doing?"

"Kiba, watch out!" Sakura yelled, dashing toward the dog-nin.

"Wha-?" Kiba turned just in time to a smaller, pale boy lunge at him from behind a fallen rock, wielding an oversized sword. "Shit!" He yelled, moving in an attempt to avoid the attack. However, he was a split second too late. The boy kicked him square in the chest, knocking the wind out of Kiba. "Oof!"

"I'm not going to kill you. Because I'm really short on time and it's only me. So. Let me take the body and no one will get hurt." He pointed his sword toward the other three leaf ninja. Kiba, finally catching his breath, stood up and ran toward the boy.

"Kiba, don't!" Sakura yelled, running toward the two boys.

The white-haired boy smiled, showing his extremely pointed teeth. Who the hell is this guy?

"No chance!" The boy swung his sword. That was the last thing Kiba saw before his world went black.

….

Shikamaru was out helping an elderly lady, Lady Nori shop for her groceries. She was an old friend of the Hokage's, and the Nara needed an easy mission, so he had volunteered for it. She wasn't bad. She didn't take much or expect him to talk. All she wanted him to do was carry her purchases, which he was happy to do.

She was looking at some melons when Shikamaru saw Ino running towards them. Hm, wonder what's got her so flustered today. The girl is always trying to fix something. He began to turn his attention back toward his "mission" when he heard Ino call his name.

"Hm?" He looked back at her.

"Shikamaru! Come quickly! Something's happened!" She was yelling as she stopped before him.

"Sheesh, stop yelling. What's going on?" I hate it when "something" has happened. It's probably got to do with stupid Sasuke or something. Ugh.

"It's Kiba's team. They're back." Ino caught her breath. Well, that's good but I can see him after my miss- "And something happened to Kiba." What.

Shikamaru put down the bag of food he was holding. "Sorry, Lady Nori, I must leave. Can you find someone to help you with your bags?"

"Yes, of course dear. Go do what you must and thank you for your help today." Before she was finished talking, Shikamaru had grabbed Ino's wrist and began to run toward the Hokage's office building.

"Shikamaru stop! He isn't there!"

He skidded to a hault. "What? Then where is he?" Surely he isn't-

"The hospital." Shit. He is hurt.

"Shit." He let go of Ino's wrist and bolted for the hospital building.

….

"Ughh," Kiba moaned, his eyes fluttering open. "What the hell…" His eyes focused on the room around him. It was all white with off white curtains hanging on the open window. Hospital. He decided. I'm in the hospital. I don't even remember what happened. He rubbed his head with his hand and ran his finger through his hair. I hope everyone else is alright. Shit! Akamaru! He bolted upright. "Akamaru!" He yelled.

"Hey." A medical ninja walked in. "Good to see you're awake."

"Where's my dog? Where is he!" Kiba made to get out of bed.

"Okay, okay. Calm down." The medic gently pushed the Inuzuka back to the bed. "He's with your sister."

Thank God. "Oh, good." Wait, that either means he's fine or he's hurt. "Uhm," Kiba looked up at the man who was scratching something down on a clipboard. "Is he alright?"

The man sighed and put down what he was writing. Pulling over a chair he said, "He'll be alright we think." They think! "But he took some pretty heavy blows to his back. Shino said you and Akamaru were attacked by a man with a sword. That's probably how your dog got cut."

"He was cut! Oh, God, how bad! Is he alive? Shit man, tell me something!" Kiba grabbed the medic by the shoulders and shook him.

The man held onto Kiba's arm and removed his clenched hand from his jacket. "He's alive, just in critical condition. I'm sure everything will be fine since your sister got to him right away."

Oh my God, this is my fault. If I hadn't rushed in there, he'd be okay and I wouldn't be strung up here worrying about him without being able to do anything. Fuck. "What about the rest of the team?" Kiba's gazed dropped to the floor.

The medic smiled as he made his way to the door of the room. "Don't worry. Everyone's fine. Sakura ran after the guy, apparently, and you know how scary she is."

…

A nurse at the front desk was startled when the young man bolted through their front door, looking frantic.

"Nara-san?" She asked, standing up in a hurry.

"Kiba," he stated flatly, eyes full of worry.

"Room 106. I don't think you can go in yet. They're still doing a check-up and they can't be interrupted. Sorry. You'll have to wait over there." She pointed to the bland waiting room. There was only one other person there. Oh man, I really don't want to have to deal with her. Not in this situation. She's gunna think I'm weird for being here.

"Thank you." The Nara made his way over to the uncomfortable, square chairs to take a seat across from what he was assuming would be his worst nightmare.

"Shikamaru," the lady greeted him, catching his gaze.

"Tsume-san." Do I say anything else? How are you? That's a stupid question. Her son's in the hospital. Should I ask about Kiba? Or does she not know that's why I'm here? Or-

"You're here for Kiba, right?"

"Wha-?" Shikamaru met her gaze with a confused look. How did she know?

"I'm not stupid boy." She shot back. Ah, fuck. " I smell you all over his clothes when he comes home late or even the next day." Okay. Now she's gunna kill me.

Then, Tsume did something no one ever thought she was capable of unless she was fighting: she gave a small, but true, smile.

Okay. So she's gunna kill me and enjoy it. "I'm not going to hurt you or even yell so you can relax."

Shikamaru forced himself to relax, although it wasn't easy. "Okay." Good answer, stupid. God, mothers are such a drag.

"So…I mean…is he really hurt?" It had to be asked, right?

"Not as bad as he could be," she replied as she relaxed back in her seat. "Akamaru got the worst out of the team, I hear."

"The worst? How bad is he?"

Well, the Nara certainly is showing interest. Interesting. "Bad enough that my daughter wasn't sure if all she could do would be enough." Tsume sighed. "But she's good at what she does. He's wounded, but she'll save him. She always does."

"Yeah. I hear she's the one who helps all your clans' dogs." Because without Akamaru, Kiba won't last long. "So, do you know what happened to them? Are the other three alright?"

"The other three are fine, I hear. I don't know about the details, but I know they failed their mission. All those kids had to do was bring a body back, and they failed. Hmph," she scoffed, rolling her eyes.

Sheesh, obviously it was more than just obtaining a body, lady. Give them a break. "We all fail missions sometimes. At least they're alright."

"Remember how disappointed the village was when you failed your first mission? Missions aren't things to take lightly and it definitely isn't okay to fail them. The Inuzuka clan should never fail a mission. Kiba needs to learn that. Maybe this will be his wake up call." Yeah, she's definitely scarier than my mom.

"Maybe," Shikamaru just stopped talking. Kiba's mom was a tough woman and Shikamaru had not intentions of dealing with a tough woman that day.

After an uncomfortable moment of silence between the two, a lady walked out into the waiting room. "Tsume-san, Kiba's awake now if you'd like to see him."

"Thank you." The nurse bowed and left. Tsume got up and made to walk away before turning back to Shikamaru. "You coming?"

"Huh? Can I?"

"Obviously you can. Since I asked you if you were." Oops.

"Heh, yeah. I'm right behind you."

…

Kiba heard a knock on his door. It wasn't the quiet subtle knock of the nurse that had been in and out of his room, so it had to be a new comer. God, I hope it isn't-

"You should answer when someone knocks on your door, boy." Mother. Ugh. I really don't want to deal with her right now. Tsume walked in. "I picked up a lost puppy out in the waiting room." What?

Shikamaru followed into the hospital room and closed the door behind him.

"Shika!" Kiba's face instantly lit up.

"Hey," Shikamaru said, cool as always. He walked over to the bed and poked Kiba's cheek. "Where are you hurt at?"

Kiba laughed and push the Nara. "Everywhere. But not too bad. The guy hit me in the head and chest pretty bad. But I'll live." He actually came to see me in the hospital. He really is a nice guy.

"Good. Because I dunno what I'd do without you so…" Oh shit I forgot his mom's here. Stop flirting, Shikamaru, sheesh. Shikamaru's cheeks flushed red. "Anyway…" he rolled his eyes and backed away from the bed to sit on the chair across the room.

"Mom," Kiba started, his face changing from happy to sad, "do you know how….how Akamaru is?" He raised his gaze to his mother's face, eyes brimming with tears.

"He's not dead but he's not in good condition either." She shot Kiba a look that could break down boulders. "Kiba, what exactly was going through your thick skull that caused you to lose your guard like that? You could have died! And Akamaru almost did thanks to you!" She pointed her finger at him for emphasis.

Okay….do I leave when they fight? Shikamaru shifted uncomfortably in his chair.

"Mom! We were cautious but the guy that ambushed us was obviously a higher level than us! No one saw him coming!"

"Then your level isn't high enough. You don't work hard enough at this. Being a ninja isn't a game, Kiba. It's life or death. When are you going to realize that! I swear, you act just like your father!"

"Stop saying that! I tried my best out there. I didn't smell or hear anyone. Shino didn't sense anyone and Hinata didn't see anyone! We were supposed to get the body and come home and we tried! It wasn't our fault the guy attacked us out of the blue! He wasn't even an Akatsuki!" Kiba was beyond frustrated at this point. He was angry, sad, and he felt guilty for the teams failure and Akamaru's pain. He closed his eye and let a tear fall down his face. "I'm sorry."

Tsume sighed and put her hand to her face. "Don't be sorry. Just get better." She looked at her son. "Come home tonight. Akamaru will be at the house tomorrow. He won't be in any condition to move or anything, but he'll be there." She turned to walk out of the room. "Shikamaru, you can come over, too. I have no problem with that." Someone has to deal with my son and I don't really want to tonight, but he shouldn't be out. With that she closed the door and left the two boys alone.

They sat there in silence for a minute before Shikamaru heard Kiba sniffle. Is he crying? Like, really crying? What so I do in this situation? I mean, girls want to be held and stuff. Does he? Ugh. What a drag.

"Kiba?" He said softly, settling on asking the boy if he was alright. "You okay?"

"No, Shikamaru, I'm not okay!" He said wiping his eyes. "My mom hates me for failing the mission. I put the entire teams' lives in danger. I got bested by a guy I've never even heard of. And I almost got my companion killed." He buried his face in his hands as he began to cry harder.

"Well…Are you in pain right now? Like, should I get someone?"

"No." I just want a hug and for you to tell me I'm not a failure or a screw off like everyone thinks I am. I do try, hard, but it doesn't always work!

Shikamaru stood from his chair and walked over to his boyfriends bed. "Can I sit?"

Kiba nodded and the Nara took a seat next to him. Neither said anything, the only sound was Kiba's heavy breathing and quiet sobs.

Finally Shikamaru sighed, rolled his eyes, and put his arms around Kiba from the side. "Please stop crying. It's making me sad." He mumbled into Kiba's shoulder before kissing his neck.

Kiba wiped his eyes again. "Sorry," he whispered as he tried to calm down.

"Nah, it's okay. It's just hard to see someone you love in pain." Shikamaru's grip got tighter on Kiba's shoulders. "Hug me back. It'll make you feel better."

Kiba let out a small laugh before turned slightly. "Ow," he said when he turned his chest too far, the bruise from being kicked twisting.

"Okay, nevermind," Shikamaru said. "Lay down?"

Kiba did as he was told and laid on his back. Shikamaru curled up next to him, just his torso leaning over Kiba. "Okay, now hug me." Kiba put his arms around Shikamaru's neck. The other slid his arms around Kiba's back. They hugged for a minute or two before Shikamaru made to move away.

"Please don't leave." Kiba said, wanting him to keep laying with him.

"Didn't plan on it, kid." Shikamaru fell to his side and gently put his arm over Kiba's chest. "I'm just going to stay right here until they kick you out for the night."

"Okay." Kiba smiled and intertwined his fingers with Shikamaru's. "Will you stay the night at my house with me? You don't have to, but I'd like it." He looked at his boyfriend hopefully.

"Of course I will. I wouldn't want to leave you alone with that crazy lady you call 'Mom'" Shikamaru smiled.

"Hah, yeah." Shikamaru closed his eyes. "Thanks, Shika."

"Don't mention it. You should rest now. It's been a long day."

"Yeah." Kiba closed his eyes, too. "Hey Shikamaru?"

"Hm?"

"I love you."

"And I love you."

With that, the boys drifted off to sleep.

…

Tsume had stayed outside the door to listen to her son and the Nara talk. She wasn't a dumb woman and she knew there was something going on between them. She didn't, however, think he son was dating the Nara.

So that's how it is, hm? She thought, as she walked away. Good luck with the villagers accepting two male ninjas being "in love." She smiled. At least her son was doing something right, even if it was the opposite of being the stone-cold killer most ninjas were thought to be.

Tsume wasn't the kind of person to judge anyone. She was a harsh, overbearing lady, but she wasn't about to disown her son for dating another man. Love wasn't really Tsume's thing, but if her kids found it worked for them, then so be it. I hope you guys are ready to deal with a different kind of battle.