Hiya! How is it going? Thanks to those who are reviewing this fic. Even if there's few of you, as long as I know you guys are reading my story, it's enough to get me to continue it. )
Gaara: ...
Me: You're supposed to be doing the disclaimer, Gaara!
Gaara:... Glares at Luna
Me: Eep! Okay!... I don't own Naruto...or Gaara.

Black and White

Chapter 5

Tenten was walking to the Inuzuka family house, feeling more nervous with every step. What if Kiba's mother didn't like her? What if she would forbid Kiba to see her? No, she can't be that mean. The young girl decided she would just have to make a good impression on her and hope for the best . She wore her good outfit and ribbons in her hair.

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She breathed deeply before raising a finger to ring the bell. Before she could actually ring it, the door opened suddenly and Kiba let her in quietly.

"Hi. You look good. Come on in," he whispered.

Tenten entered the house and removed her shoes. "Why are you whispering? Were you waiting for me right behind the door?"

He had been waiting for her and had opened the door as soon as he smelled her. Kiba put a finger to his lips. "Shh! They'll hear you!"

Before Tenten could ask who he was referring to, she was startled as she noticed a huge black dog wearing an eye patch had sneaked being her.

"Hey, Tsume! She's here!" the dog called.

Tenten jumped slightly. She wasn't used to hearing talking dogs, and this one looked really scary. Kiba sighed. Obviously, Kuromaru had smelled her too when she came in.

"She's here?" came a loud voice. "Hi, there!"

Tenten stared at what appeared to be an adult female version of Kiba. She looked just as scary as her dog did, though. The young girl bowed politely.

"I'm Tenten. Pleased to meet you, Inuzuka-san."

"The pleasure is all mine!" She gave a big, friendly slap on Kiba's back, causing him to gag. "You were trying to let her in without me noticing, uh?"

"Uh..no, of course not!"

"Let me get a good look at you." Tsume bent down and raised Tenten's chin with her finger. The young girl's heart was beating fast. "Isn't she cute, Kuromaru?" she grinned.

The black dog licked his lips. " Yeah! So cute I could eat her!"

Tenten jerked, afraid. Both the dog and Kiba's mother laughed a big hearty laugh at Tenten's reaction.

Kiba blushed, embarrassed. "Kuromaru! Mom!"

But the two just laughed some more at Kiba's attitude. Tenten stared at the scene, skeptical. So that's why Kiba was so uneasy about her meeting his mom. She looked scary, but seemed like a high-spirited person, to say the least.

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The woman led her guest to the dining room. Tenten sat beside Kiba, while Tsume sat in front of them. Kuromaru sat on the floor right beside Tenten and kept staring at her, just to tease her. The young girl kept glancing at the dog every now and then, in spite of herself.

"Does my dog bother you, Tenten?" Tsume asked, pretending to be offended.

"Not at all! He's just…um…" She didn't know what to say. She was afraid Kiba's mom would feel insulted if their guest was afraid of the family dogs. Dogs were important to them. She knew better than that. Both the dog and woman laughed loudly again.

"Don't worry, girl. We're just teasing you. Feel at ease here." Tsume smiled.

"Thank you, Inuzuka-san."

"Please, call me Tsume."

Kiba sighed. Now that the ice had been broken, he could relax a little. Or so he thought, because soon after, both Tsume and Kuromaru started telling Tenten about all of Kiba's embarrassing childhood moments.

"So that's how Kiba learned there were no monsters in the bathroom."

"And he wet his bed until he was nine!"

The boy hid his face in his arms, thinking he might just die of shame.

"Oh mom, leave the poor boy alone!" said a voice.

"Nee-san!"

Kiba's sister came in, carrying plates. She had been preparing dinner.

"Hana-san, good evening." Tenten said politely.

"Good evening. I hope my mother didn't scare you too much." She gave everyone their dinner, and sat down with them.

Tenten giggled nervously. "Not at all." Then she looked at her dinner. Sure was a lot of meat. Yet, the Inuzukas being big meat eaters did not surprise her. Refusing to insult the family, she ate all of it.

"By the way," Kuromaru smiled. "That was cat meat."

Tenten almost choked. The dog laughed.

Hana sighed. "No, it's not. Don't believe anything he might say." She did not mention what kind of meat it actually was, though. Tenten assumed it was probably best that she did not find out.

"Kiba," Tsume said with a now serious face. " Where is Akamaru?"

The boy lowered his head. "He must've wandered off…" He knew his mom would be unhappy hearing this. She expected the two to be an unbreakable team, always.

"Is that so…" the mother replied.

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So the five of them talked all evening long, with Kuromaru and Tsume cracking a joke every now and then.

"So Gai is your sensei, uh? I'm sorry to hear that," Kiba's mom jested.

"Oh, he's not that bad once you know him."

"Tell me, Tenten," the mother asked. "What do you see in my stupid son?"

Hana laughed. "I'd like to know that myself!"

"Hey!" Kiba pouted.

Tenten blushed. "Well…he's friendly. And funny. I just like him, I guess."

The mother turned to her son. "And how far have you two gotten?"

"MOM!"

"Just kidding! I'm sorry!"

Eventually, it got late and Tenten decided it was time she headed home. Kiba and his mom lead her to the entrance. The girl bowed politely.

"Thank you for inviting me, Tsume-san."

"Come back anytime, girl!"

"Bye, Tenten." Kiba said quietly, too shy to kiss his girlfriend with his mother watching.

Tsume hit Kiba on the head. " Where are your manners? Walk your girlfriend home!"

"R-right…" He meant to do that, but he couldn't wait to hear what his mother had to say about his girlfriend once she left.

Tenten waved good-bye, and the two young ninjas left. Once they were far enough, Kiba took the girl's hand in his.

"Sorry about tonight," he said. He sure was ashamed of his mother sometimes.

"It's fine. It seems you were more embarrassed than I was! I had fun. Your mom isn't so bad.

"Glad to hear it. You know, they might've seemed crazy tonight, but my mom and Kuromaru are such a powerful team in battle! Nothing can stop them! I want Akamaru and I to be just the same."

That spark in Kiba's eyes as he talked about her that way showed Tenten just how much the boy truly admired his mother, despite her being embarrassing sometimes. She thought it was cute.

The young lovers walked in silence until they reached Tenten's house. The boy kissed the girl's forehead, saying good night. Tenten was somewhat unsatisfied with that.

"Don't be so bashful, silly.Your mom isn't watching anymore." And she threw her arms around his neck and kissed him for real, on his lips.

Kiba was surprised and blushed, but eagerly kissed her back. He enjoyed her sweet scent and the warmth of her chest pressed against his. It's true that he was shy to kiss in public, despite how much he openly boasted about his relationship to his pals. When they were alone, though, she really brought out a part of him that he usually kept hidden.

He broke the kiss softly. "Can I visit your home next time?" Kiba had still never seen the inside of the girl's house.

"Good night now," she said teasingly.

He smiled. "See you soon?"

"Of course." And she disappeared behind the door.

Kiba turned around and sighed. He would go search for Akamaru before returning home. It worried him.

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