The Kage Ball KK

Kerica hummed as she piled a take-home pack the servants had handed out, the only real time anyone ever made sweet things, and she nibbled on a peanut butter chocolate bar as she tied off the bulging bag around her waist. She had tried the punch and didn't like it so got herself water and then Kiba a cup of the punch and started heading back.

The cat-masked walked over to where Kiba was leaning against a pillar, weaving through the crowd, but then she felt herself being groped. Whirling around swallowing the last piece of bar, she immediately splashed both cups on the offender.

Her head snapped to the side as she was slapped, and her hair flew from her pin and her bad wrist was grabbed making her drop the cups, "That wasn't very nice, now was it?" a drunken man breathed in her face and she wrinkled her nose. She spat in his face and he slapped her again before dragging her out the door into the deserted hallway.

Kerica hissed and tugged out of his grip, ignoring the pain, and she felt her nail turn into claws as she brought her hand in her own slap and clawed him deeply. She blinked in surprise when her back hit the wall and her cheek stung with a third slap, and she felt blood on her tongue from her split lip. Then she felt alcohol on her tongue to go along with it as the scum forced a kiss on her.

Kiba sighed slightly as he scanned what remained of the crowd. He didn't like the fact that Kerica was taking so long. He only had a few more hours with her until he had to leave. That and the wolf-maked male never really good with patience to begin with. He finally grew too restless to stay put and went off to find Kerica.

Despite the fact that the mask slightly interfered, Kiba was able to follow Kerica's scent fairly easily to a hallway. "Why would she go this way-huh?" Kiba froze in place as he felt his heart ach. Kerica's scent was strong, mean that the female...lip-locking that guy was his Kerica. Hurt and angered, the wolf was about to turn to leave when someone, a servant perhaps, opened a door in the dark hallway, adding in some light. There was blood on Kerica's lip and scratches on the male's cheeks. And that was answer enough for Kiba as attacked the male, forcing him off Kerica and onto the ground. "KEEP YOUR HANDS OFF HER!" Kiba bellowed as sent a punch to the man's face.

Kerica watched as a few teeth fell to the ground at the force of the punch and she hurried over behind Kiba, breathing heavily and spitting out the vile taste of the creep that had been kissing her. She wiped her mouth with the back of her hand and gripped Kiba's shoulders, nuzzling his back in relief. "I'm sorry...I'm so sorry, I tried to get away..." she sniffed.

"Who the hell do you think you are?" the creep grunted through a mouthful of blood.

Kiba ignored the man as he turned and held Kerica close to him. She came first over that scum. "It's alright, my Keri-kitty. It wasn't your fault. It was that...that scum's fault. I promise he won't do such a thing again."

The thug stood up and spit out the blood before he charged Kiba and went to throw a punch. "Kiba, behind you!" Kerica gasped pointing.

Kiba snapped around and caught the fool's hand. He growled and twisted his opponent's wrist as he sent a punch hard into his stomach, efficiently knocking him out. The wolf shoved him away and turned to hold Kerica again. "Are you alright, my love?" he asked, tenderly lifting Kerica's chin with a finger. He frowned and mentally cursed the thug for having harmed her. "I'm sorry I didn't get here sooner."

Kerica nodded and touched her split lip, "Arigato," she smiled tenderly and hugged him, "Let's go home," she sighed and took his hand, leading him away, eager to leave the Kage's domain and go somewhere safe.

Kiba grinned softly, spearing a rare gentleness for Kerica only to know. "You read my mind, my dearest. This place gives me the creeps no matter how dressed up it is." The wolf brought his beloved's hand to his lips to show her a gesture of affection.

They had exited the back-way through the opening only Kerica knew about and she smiled as much as she could with her lip the way it was. She lifted her hand to his face and stroked his cheek, "Half those chills might be from me, too...This is where Sui was caught...that evil creature in the lower levels of the house."

"It's fine, I mean I understand. But enough of all this talk. It's my last night here and I just want to enjoy being with you." Kiba grinned, casting away the dampened atmosphere and replacing it with a cheery one. He grinned wickedly and scooped his tigress up in his arms bridal style and dash towards her home.

Kerica laughed as he carried her, then when he set her down she giggled, "Thank you, Kiba," she unlocked the gate and got them inside and took him to the garden where they learned to dance together. She made him wait and went inside, then came back out with her flute, "I came up with a song while at the ball, please listen to it before you have to go," she smiled.

"Alright, then let's hear it! I bet it will be the best in the world." Kiba said, returning her smile ten fold. He truly enjoyed listening to his Kerica's music, from singing to instrumental. Anything that she did, the Wolf enjoyed and craved.

Kerica blushed, "I'm not that good, but thank you," she put her flute to her lips and started playing. it was a haunting sad tune, but the way she played it made it enchanting.