Tiger and Wolf
Kiba blinked as he watch Gaara. He glanced down at the ticket before he realized, "Hey! I don't know how to get to the market! Gaara!" He huffed when Gaara did not reply or come back. "Great...Come on Akamaru, lets go find this market..."
Akamaru barked cheerfully as he headed out the door, into the rain. Kiba pulled his hoodie back up as he lightly stomped outside. As he wondered through town, Kiba kicked around a rock. He murmured constantly, slowly building up his anger before he finally kicked the rock with all his might.
Kiba stood in shock at what happened. The rock had hurled towards a girl at a fruit booth, but before it hit her, shadows stopped it.
Kerica hummed to herself as she danced in the rain. The bags were held tightly in her arms so not to spill them, and she had her shadows protecting any of the food from getting wet, "I wonder who I'll have," she giggled.
Kerica picked out several fruits, mostly apples and grapes and peaches, but she also got strawberries, "I wonder what he likes…oh! I'm acting all girly again. Stupid puberty," she huffed, missing her old tomboy attitude though she still had it.
Kerica blinked as she felt Safaia grunt and she turned to see what had happened. A boy was standing there, about 14 she guessed, and he had bright red claw markings on either of his cheeks. She knew immediately she had never seen him before, but she heard the ship whistle at a distance so she figured he was just another tourist. She didn't notice the headband because of his hoodie.
Shrugging she placed another box of strawberries in the bag and slung it over her shoulder, "Ooi, watch where you're kicking random rocks," she rolled her jade eyes and continued dancing and humming down the street to a sweets booth to buy chocolate and other ingredients for fudge.
Kiba frowned and opened his mouth to shoot a comment back at the strange girl, but Akamaru took off after her. "Akamaru! Wait!"
Kiba raced after the dog, but couldn't stop the lovable animal from tackling the girl. Panic raced through him. Great not even an hour in Anei and something goes wrong.
"Ah! I'm sorry, Miss, Akamaru didn't mean any harm! I swear! He's just lovable." Kiba tried to explain, making the dog get off to help her up, "Really! I'm sorry!"
Kerica laughed and protected her face from the furious licks, "Ah! Alright, alright, enough!" she giggled. She heard the boy say the dog's name and she added, "Akamaru, sit." The huge dog backed off and plopped down his butt in the mud, his face in that doggy-goofy-grin.
Kerica accepted the boy's help, and felt jolts go through her when she touched his hand, but shrugged them off. She smiled as her shadows placed the food back in her hands, "Great, now I smell like wet dog…" she grumbled, "Ah, but you're a wolf, sorry," she smiled sheepishly then spotted paper in the mud. She bent down to pick it up, "This yours?" she asked as she cleared it off.
Keri spotted her name on it and gasped. Looking at the boy she jumped back, "Oh! Oh, gomen! You're the Kazekage's assistant, I didn't realize!" she bowed repeatedly, "I heard the ship and thought you were another tourist!" she frowned.
"Huh? Oh! Oh, yeah." Kiba scratched the back of his head. "I'm Kiba Inuzuka, this is Akamaru." Akamaru barked happily, waging his tail.
Kerica smiled and bowed, "Kerica Mikadzuki. Welcome to Anei," she smiled and finished buying the ingredients before motioning to him under the shadow veil to keep him dry, "I'll show you to my home," she said happily and led the way.
Kiba nodded with a smile. He couldn't help but notice how lovely she was. "It's nice here, a bit dark, but nice. So who do you do around here?" he asked, scratching Akamaru's head.
"Me? I just became a Genin so I do lots of missions. Though, I was home-schooled so I'm a loner. My first mission is to make sure you have a good time," Kerica grinned at Kiba, "You seem more like a wolf than a dog. What's it like in Konoha?" she reached over and patted Akamaru's head.
Kiba blushed at the smiled, but straightened up quickly, "Yeah he is. Konoha...I guess for outsiders it's a pretty neat place. Most people there are friendly and there are a lot of training grounds to practice at. The food there is also really good. All in all it's a really good place to live."
Kerica smiled at this information, "I'm glad to hear that. The sun seems to shine often there, too, because your skin is nicely tanned. As you can see, it rains a lot here." She then smiled sadly, "Anei is quite the opposite of Konoha, besides the food. Not many come here, and for good reason. It's always dark here, gloomy and depressing. The sun doesn't shine very often, but when it does it's a blessing, at least to me."
Kerica sighed as they kept walking. A guy came up, and she knew him from that one blasted year she went the Academy. He threw a rock at her and she flinched as his shadow power blew through her off-guard one and he cackled, "Go away, Nero."
"Aw, why? Oh, that the Kazekage's assistant? I've never seen him here before. Nice tattoos of arrows on your face," Nero sneered and circled them, ignoring the growling dog, "You're too cute to be tagging along this low-life Jinchuuriki. Come to my place instead, we'll have a much better time than you will with this girl."
Kerica frowned and looked away. As always, he made points against her. She was nothing but a low-life, and Kiba would no doubt have a better time. She patted Akamaru's ears for comfort.
"Why you petting his dog, Keri? Someone so amazing couldn't possibly want you touching their pets," Nero smirked as Keri got his point and stopped.
Kiba glared at the boy, crossing his arms. "Maybe I said that she could pet Akamaru all she wants. Listen, I maybe a guest here, but I will fight you if you don't leave Kerica alone. She's not a low-life and I'm not gay so get over yourself already."
Nero blinked his pink eyes and pouted, "Oh, don't be snobby. I was just trying to get you away from her. Anyone who hangs with the Tiger Jinchuuriki gets the worst in store for them."
Kerica bit her lip, "He's right…" she murmured, "I get everyone hurt."
"Your point? Do you honestly think that's going to stop me from hanging out with her? Listen I rather go with Kerica at the risk of being hurt than go with you." Kiba stated firmly, "Come on Kerica, let's just go."
Kerica stared at Kiba even as he continued walking. Her chest was on fire and so were her eyes. Tears flowed down her cheeks.
Kiba turned around when he noticed that she wasn't with him. "Hey Kerica, what's wrong? I did I say something bad?"
"No," Keri shook her head and smiled hugely, "It's just…no one has ever done that for me before." She started walking with him again and they soon reached a silver gate with a crescent moon on it. She unlocked it with the key from around her neck.
"You remind me of Naruto in a much less hyper and annoying way," Kiba said with a grin before he whistled as he observed the gate. "So you people like the moon. That's about the hundredth one I've seen here."
"This IS the Moon Country," Kerica chuckled and led him inside, locking the gate behind them. She took off her shoes once in the compound, "Basically the only rule you have to follow...don't go through that," she pointed to the doors down the hall to the right, which looked like the ones outside, except where it led was pitch black and a lone stair could be seen leading into it.
Kiba laughed sheepishly before looking at the door she was talking about. "Am I allowed to ask why?" Akamaru whimpered slightly and stayed near the two ninjas. 'Hmm that's strange, Akamaru normally doesn't get scared like that.' he thought with a frown.
Kerica shuddered and walked the opposite way, "As of the moment, I do not wish to tell you. Perhaps I will later, I'll get my father's permission first, 'kay?" she smiled at him, "It's a dark place. Pure Evil dwells there, that is all I will tell you right now."
Keri shook her head and patted her thigh, "Come on, Akamaru. Hey, Kiba, does either of you like apples?" she smiled.
"I love apples!" Kiba informed and Akamaru barked merrily, wagging his tail. The two wolves followed after the Tiger child with grins on their faces.
Keri giggled as she put everything on the table and got out the peeler. Sitting down in one of the chairs she handed Kiba the boxes of strawberries, "If you could wash these while I peel that'd be great. I'm quite the healthy eater, lots of fruits and veggies, I hope you don't mind. Papa is, too. Kimi and Kei, my friends, keep a couple steaks in the freezer if you'd prefer that," she offered.
"Oh, it's fine, Akamaru and I are used to eating healthy. In fact enjoy it, because well my mom firmly believes in it." Kiba shrugged as he started washing the strawberries.
Kerica smiled, "I just grew up with it. There's no such thing as junk food in Anei. There's no bakery, and not many households make sweets. I think the only ones that do are mine and Sarrina's." She finished peeling one apple and started cutting it, giving Akamaru the core. She started doing the same to the rest and when she was done, Akamaru was curled up, happy as a clam.
"That's sad. Do you know why?" Kiba asked as he brought the washed strawberries to Kerica.
Kerica smiled and put the bowl of apples in the fridge before she began cutting up the strawberries, "No, I don't know why. Care to enlighten me?" she giggled and once done with a good amount of berries she started getting the things together for fudge, "Ah, do you like home-made Mac-n-Cheese?" she asked absently.
Kiba shrugged playfully, "No clue to be honest. Just thought I'd ask you. Any way! Yeah I love it!" he watched from over his shoulder when a question popped into his head. "Hey, do you know where Gaara, the new Kazekage, is staying?"
Kerica was about to answer but Mejiro bounced in, "Papa! You're home!"
"That I am! Oh, and Gaara is at Sarrina's place, the other Jinchuuriki of the Moon Country. You must be Inuzuka Kiba, welcome to my household! I see you've met my daughter," he grinned.
Kerica was about to answer but Mejiro bounced in, "Papa! You're home!"
"That I am! Oh, and Gaara is at Sarrina's place, the other Jinchuuriki of the Moon Country. You must be Inuzuka Kiba, welcome to my household! I see you've met my daughter," Mejiro grinned.
Kiba politely bowed to the father, "Yes, and thank you for allowing me to stay here."
Mejiro laughed, "Of course! I figured we'd have more luck with you than the Kazekage. Too much formality with Kages, I like to have fun," he told the Inuzuka, "So! Tell me a bit about yourself?" he asked making them both sit down.
Kerica smiled and set to start cooking their dinner, "I'm making steak for Kiba, Otou-san, and I'll be eating some, too, so yeah.." she said as she focused in and out of what she was doing, "Oh, Kiba, do you like yams?"
Kiba nodded to Kerica, "Yeah, they're great."
"That's fantastic! I'll be making my marshmallow yams (sweet yams) then for desert," Kerica giggled.
Mejiro sat down at the table and motioned to Kiba, "Tell me a bit about you, young Inuzuka. I'm quite curious."
Kiba sat at the table with Akamaru at his feet. "Well, there's not much to tell. I'm just your average ninja with above average skills." Okay so he was exaggerating a bit, but hey! he was the one picked to go on this mission after all. That did give him some bragging room.
He's just a mangy mutt, that's all there is to it," a harsh voice grunted and a woman with cold purple eyes and jet black, short spiked hair sat down at the table.
Mejiro smiled at his eldest but it didn't reach his eyes, "How was your training, Nerieta?"
"I beat everyone there, as usual, but I got a couple scratches here and there," Nerieta shrugged.
Kerica sighed, "Kiba's the companion of the Kazekage, Nerieta. Show at least a little respect."
Nerieta snorted, "Fine, I will with you guys around," she gave Kiba a scorching look saying she'd rip him to pieces if they met alone. She never liked tourists.
Kiba and Akamaru glance at each other before returning the look fully. They didn't like the looks of this one. Kerica and Mejiro didn't seem anything like her so she couldn't possibly be related to her. "So, who are you?" Kiba asked, trying to sound polite. You can't really blame him; he was, after all, being stared down for no reason at all.
Nerieta snorted, "My name's Nerieta. I'm Kerica's half sister, Mejiro just adopted me because my mother was his sister," she shook her head, "I'd, aa, tell you more, but they said be nice," she smirked evilly.
Kerica finally put the sweet yams in the oven and then started the steak on the stove. While that went off she shopped up her fruit salad and mixed her fudge, setting the chocolate treat in the freezer for later. She motioned to Akamaru and knew the dog could talk to Kiba without anyone else knowing the words, "Nerieta is a royal pain in the ass, don't mind her, but be very careful when you're alone with her, if that would ever happen."
Akamaru relayed the message to Kiba. Kiba twitched slightly, trying to hold in a laugh. It was almost a relief that Kerica had said this; he was almost certain that she wouldn't like him if he didn't like her sister-er half sister.
Kerica smiled at Kiba, "I do hope you'll enjoy my sweet yams, Kiba," she grinned as she passed out the fruit salad for appetizer.
Nerieta smirked evilly, "Oh, you called him by his name without an honorific! Does that mean you like him, little sis?" she poked Kerica in a mean teasing manner.
"That's enough, Neri, quit it," Mejiro told his eldest daughter firmly, "just sit quietly and eat your salad."
Nerieta snorted and watched a blushing Kerica go back to checking the steak. She smirked but did as she was told.
Kiba frowned at Nerieta. How could she be so mean? What did he or Kerica do to her to cause her to act like this? With a small shake of his head, Kiba turned to Kerica with a smile, "I'm sure it will be great, Kerica."
Akamaru barked in agreement before Kiba handed him some fruit to snack on.
Kerica finished with the Mac-n-Cheese just in time the stake was finished. She got out four bowls and poured the Mac in before setting it back on the burner to keep warm. She then cut up the steak and mixed it in with two bowls, leaving the other two just Mac. She grinned and set one bowl in front of Nerieta before she set the other in front of Kiba, "I hope you don't mind them mixed. Try it first, and if you don't like it I'll give you a plain bowl instead and steak on the side." As she set this she put a plain Mac-n-Cheese in front of Mejiro.
Kiba nodded his thanks to Kerica as he tried some of the food. As soon as the food was in his mouth, he melted. Kerica was the only one so far that could give his mom's cooking a run for her money.
"This is great! I love it!" Kiba grinned, forcefully slowing himself down to savor each bite.
Akamaru whined slightly as he wage his tail and gave the tiger ninja the puppy dog eyes.
Kerica blushed but then laughed and cut up some meat and got a small bowl for Akamaru, mixing some Mac with the meat for him as well, "There you go, buddy," she patted Akamaru's head and then grabbed her bowl, using a bit of salt before biting into it, "I'm glad you like it, Kiba-kun. If you like that then you'll like my sweet potatoes for sure." She couldn't help but keep blushing at how pleased Kiba was as he ate his food. She was glad there was enough for seconds if anyone wanted any.
Thankfully, Nerieta finished her dinner first and took off. Mejiro wiped his face, "Thank you so much, Keri. Save some of that sweet yam dish of your for me, I have business to attend to." With that, he waved and left.
Kerica suddenly realized they were completely anole besides Akamaru and she busied with herself with her food so not to stare at the handsome Inuzuka and admire his looks.
Kiba sighed a breath of relief when Nerieta left, but felt a little uncomfortable that Mejiro left as well. What was he going to do know? He could barely talk with some intelligence to let a lone be alone with her. Man! What was he going to do?
"Sooo…where did you learn to cook?" Kiba questioned, quickly taking another bite to avoid saying anything else until he was asked something.
"M-My care-taker, Kimi," Kerica blushed, "She's a great gook, but always told me I was better. She taught me other things, too, like to dance and use the flute. I especially love to dance around the little river that we have just barely inside the proximity of Anei," she paused, realizing she was rambling, and she blushed, "S-Sorry…Um…what about you, what are your favorite things to do?"
"It's fine, I kinda like it when you ramble." Kiba said before he realized it, "Hehe…Anyway, I really only like to train with Akamaru. I mean there's a lot of cool things in Konoha, but Akamaru and I bond best when training. Aright, Akamaru."
The wolf barked in agreement, smudges of cheese on his muzzle. Kiba sweat-dropped and took a napkin to wipe his loyal friend's mouth. "So you like to dance? When we're done eating, maybe you can teach me a couple of steps."
Kerica gulped down the rest of her Mac and got up, trying to hide her blush. She also washed Akamaru's bowl, "I-I'd love to teach you some dance steps…" she murmured. She did often dance with Kei, how hard could it be? She checked on the sweet yams and after seeing they were done she turned off the stove, leaving the dish in there to stay warm.
"Great! Er-I mean, thank you." Kiba stumbled over his word as he rubbed the back of his head. With a mental slap, he fell silent, afraid to say something wrong again. Akamaru noticed this and nuzzled his master's legs before settling down on the floor once more.
Kerica blushed but once he was done she finished washing the dishes and then she looked at him, "The best place to dance is out in the garden. It's a pretty night, too, is that okay?" she asked softly.
"Sure, whatever you think is the best, Kerica." Kiba said with a wolf-like grin on his lips.