After three and a half weeks, Kurenai's team had been training all day and were taking a break. Kiba walked over to Shino and left Kimiko talking to Hinata.
"So how's Hikari adapting to your place?" Kiba asked quietly.
"She's doing fine. She actually surprised my father, mother and I by making breakfast this morning. He finds things are better for her now there. She questions me about him; but I can't really answer them."
"Oh. Well, at least she's better huh? My mom and Hana are out on a mission this week. You guys want to stay over tonight?" Kiba asked him, getting back up.
"I don't have a problem with it if Hikari doesn't. Which I doubt she will."
"Great! We'll go ask her when we're done here then!" Kiba said.
"Hinata says she'll come," Kimiko told them walking over. Kiba nodded with a smile. Kurenai walked over.
"Alright; I think you guys are good for today. Hinata is still a little weak from her injuries. You guys are free for the rest of the day," she told them.
"Thank you Kurenai-sensei," Kimiko said. She nodded and left them.
"Well, what are we waiting for? Let's go find Hikari!" Kiba shouted. They all started walking to other training grounds and heard Neji shout. They found Gai's team and Neji was fighting against Hikari for the second time this week.
"Aw, you're not tired again so soon are you?" Hikari asked teasingly.
"Why don't you just stop playing tricks and fight me!" Neji shouted. The four walked up to TenTen who was tired.
"She hasn't still used a jutsu out of all the times they've fought. Why doesn't she?" TenTen asked Kimiko.
"Dunno. Hikari! Use a jutsu! We want to see it!" Kimiko shouted. Hikari looked over and ducked under another attack from Neji.
"Why?" she asked. Neji hit her arm, and Hikari spun and kicked him.
"That's a good idea. Do it Hikari! I have faith in you!" Gai shouted. Neji ran and used his sixty-four palms attack. It hit Hikari and she flew into a tree. She got up quickly and waited for him to slow down. Once he started, she built up chakra in her hand. She held it up and pointed a finger at him. Her visible chakra turned into lightning bolts; shooting at Neji. Once he was shocked and against a tree, she ran at him and attacked the tree next to his face with Chidori. His eyes went wide and she backed up.
"You'll have to watch out for that from Sasuke. He can't control the bolts, and neither can Kakashi; but the second part is mainly the thing to worry about. Now; you don't have much chakra left; you need to take a break," Hikari said as Neji nearly passed out. She caught him.
"I see. How come you let me think I'm beating you then come back?" he asked.
"To teach you not to get your hopes up. You've been underestimating me this entire time,' she told him. He stood up and looked at her puzzled. She just smiled.
"How can someone so… Careless be so… So talented?" he asked.
"Seven years of defending yourself you tend to learn new tricks," she said, helping him walk to a tree to sit down in the shade.
"I wish I could see you go against Lee like that, but he's still in the hospital… Poor guy just wants to get out," Gai said.
"You guys may have given up on him; but I haven't yet. I can tell he won't give in so easily," Hikari said.
"You don't know… I just hope he'll be fine," Gai told her. She nodded.
"TenTen! Would you like to battle Hikari now?" Gai asked with a smile. TenTen's eyes went wide as she shook her head no.
"No, no. I'm good for today, thank you," she said. Hikari giggled.
"It's fine. What are you guys doing here?" Hikari asked, turning to Kimiko and the others.
"Oh we wanted to tell you that we're all staying at Kiba's tonight. His mom and sister are on a mission this week, and we figured you'd want to," Kimiko said with a smile. Hikari nodded.
"Sounds fun to me. Gai, am I free to go now?" Hikari asked, looking at him.
"Not quite yet. We still need to work on your strength control for the day," he told her, "Neji and TenTen are free to go. Now; over to the tree." Gai pointed at the tree she struck earlier when fighting Neji. She sighed and walked over.
"Be more enthusiastic like Lee Hikari! Be glad to be on my team!" Gai said with a smile. Hikari stabbed Kunai into the tree. Five in a row. TenTen helped Neji up and the other four just watched Hikari.
"Now, do what we did before training began," Gai told her. She hit the first one with an open hand, only the end of the circle stuck out. She hit the second, the handle stayed out. She hit the middle and it only went in a little bit. The next one did the same as the one before, and the last did the same as the first. She pulled them all out and turned around.
"Aim and throw, concentrate on the area, not the force," Gai said. Hikari took a breath and did as he said. They landed in a straight row. They looked to be in the tree as much as the middle one from earlier did; but when Gai walked over to check them; he pulled out the first and the fourth.
"These two were in a little more than the rest Hikari. That's better than this morning."
"Thanks sensei… Can I put the weights on now?" she asked. He nodded, and Hikari picked up arm weights.
"Two pounds for now. You pulled a muscle last week when you tried the five," Gai said. Kimiko raised a brow.
"She did?" Kimiko asked. Shino nodded.
"I forgot to mention it; we've all been busy training. She seems to have gotten over it though," Shino said. Kimiko nodded. Hikari did the same thing above the other three kunai. Gai looked at them.
"Very good! All five are perfect! You do better with restraints I see, maybe I should give you weights like I do Lee?" he wondered out loud.
"Sure; but isn't that more of Lee's thing?" Hikari asked.
"Oh that's for speed, yours would be for strength! You'd have the weights on your arms, not on your legs," Gai explained.
"No, I don't need that!' Hikari told him. He looked at her curiously. She sighed, looking at Kimiko and took the necklace off. She handed it to Kimiko with a smile.
"Hold that," she said. She walked back over and did the same thing; but all five kunai went through the tree. Gai looked shocked.
"That necklace. It holds back most of your potential. Why wear it then?" he asked her.
"That's why," Kimiko said, pointing seven trees down, where the kunai finally stopped and stabbed into the tree.
"Ah, I see. The Hokage was right, you will be a promising student next to Lee. He'll be so glad to have you on his team!" Gai cried, hugging Hikari. He let go of her and she put the necklace back on.
"Speaking of Lee, how is he?" Kiba asked.
"He's talking and walking a little now. You can visit him if you'd like; just don't upset him about training," Gai said. They all nodded.
"Hikari you can have the rest of the day off now," Gai said.
"Thank you Gai," Hikari said. She walked with the others to the hospital; Hikari wanted to visit Lee. They walked to his room; but no one else really wanted to go in.
"I'll just go in by myself then," Hikari said with a smile. She walked in and closed the door behind her. Lee was sitting up looking out the window.
"Hey Lee. I see you're up, how are you feeling?" Hikari asked, walking over. He didn't look.
"I can see the training field you guys were at earlier from here. How I wish I could have joined. You really showed Neji didn't you? How can you be the same age as us; but be so much more talented," Lee asked, looking at her. She sat next to him.
"You haven't had to defend you and someone you care about for a long time. I'm sure that when you get out and get back on your feet you'll be just as good as you used to be," Hikari said with a smile.
"I want to be better. I can't lose to Neji, Sasuke, or Naruto!" he shouted. Hikari put her hand on his.
"It doesn't matter about being stronger to beat someone. What matters is that you're strong for yourself, and if you can beat them then good for you; if not, don't beat yourself up about it okay?" Lee nodded and smiled a little with tears in his eyes.
"Is it true?" he asked, his smiled fading away.
"Is what true?"
"Is it true that… My days as a ninja… Are over?" he asked, his eyes full of sadness. Hikari felt depressed just as much as she did. She hardly knew the kid, and yet, she felt like he could be someone she could trust.
"They say that; but…" Hikari trailed off.
"But what? Hikari what is it?"
"I don't believe them. I won't believe it. You… You actually took on Gaara and you weren't scared! You where able to actually put a scratch on him. No one else has been able to do it while in an actual battle with him," she told him.
"I heard Naruto said you've done it before?"
"Yeah well, he didn't have his gourd and he wasn't expecting me to punch him. He shouldn't have opened his mouth anyways."
"You were mad at him… Did he upset you like I had?"
"No. It was something about his brother. You didn't upset me. You just caught me off guard. That's all."
"Oh, well okay. Hikari?"
"Yes?"
"Will you promise me that after I get out of here, and after I get better; that we will train together?" Lee asked, looking at her with eyes full of hope. She smiled and gave him a peck on the cheek again.
"I promise, just like you promised to fight me after the exams were over." He nodded.
"Anything else you want Lee?"
"Yeah, why have you been training with my team? Did they choose you to fill my spot or something?" he asked, the mood completely changing. Hikari laughed and shook her head.
"I could never replace your spot. You're one of a kind. I was placed on your team specially, by the Hokage. It was his choice, I just decided to go along with it because I knew you could keep up. Oh, and you still hold a record."
"Record?"
"I was able to get from the training grounds to the academy in twenty-five seconds. Ten seconds more than you," she said with a smile.
"I'm still the fastest Shinobi in Konoha?"
"As far as I know yeah."
"Yes!" Lee shouted with joy.
"You should probably get back to getting some rest," Hikari said with a slight giggle. Lee nodded.
"Thank you for visiting me Hikari. I feel emotionally better now that you have cheered me up."
"Oh, you're welcome," Hikari said, caught a little off guard. She got up and walked to the door. She walked out and everyone else was staring at her.
"What?" she asked.
"Well, how is he?" Kimiko asked.
"He's a lot better than he was before," Hikari said. She nodded.
"That's good. Lets' get going then, Kiba's stomach keep growling and his complaining is getting annoying," Kimiko said. Hikari laughed. They were walking by the Ichiraku ramen shop on their way to the barbeque place when Hikari noticed Naruto eating with some guy. She ran over and opened the curtains.
"Naruto? You're supposed to be training! Not eating with some- Jiraiya? You perverted old man! What are you doing here? I thought you left on important business of 'research' so you could go look at girls?" Hikari shouted.
"Hikari? How do you know Pervy sage?"
"Toad Sage…"
"Whatever!"
"He's the guy that Kimi and I trained with for a week. The one I almost took out with Chidori unexpectedly."
"Hey there kiddo," Jiraiya said. Hikari glared.
"You and your perverted book! You peeked through as Kimi and I were bathing at the springs you creep!"
"I was looking at the other girls for research!" Jiraiya shouted. Hikari pulled out a make-out paradise book and opened it up and showed him.
"This isn't research, this is a story. Actually it's not half bad; but your still a huge perv," Hikari said.
"How did you get that? You're fourteen, you're supposed to be eighteen…" Jiraiya said.
"Huh? Oh, I picked it off of Kakashi earlier this morning when Gai and I were racing. He stopped to talk to Kakashi and I just picked it out of his back pocket and ran. I don't even think he knows yet either," Hikari said. Jiraiya laughed.
"Such a sneaky girl still. Go on, I have to train Naruto."
"Well fine. Good luck Naruto," Hikari said.
"Thanks, I'll need it," Naruto said back. Hikari stepped out and spotted the others a little ways ahead. She ran up and saw Kakashi walking toward them.
"What was that about?" Kimiko asked.
"That pervert is training Naruto…" Hikari sighed.
"You mean Jiraiya? The guy who trained us?"
"Yeah. His books not bad though," Hikari said.
"Oh, and how do you know that?" Kakashi asked. Hikari looked at him scared.
"Uhh… I found it laying on the floor and picked it up," she lied.
"Gai told me he was teaching you to steal from the enemy," Kakashi said. She laughed and handed him his book.
"You're a pervert to Kakashi. He said take what you think is precious to the enemy. You didn't have a scroll on you, so I took that," she said, pointing at the book.
"Don't try and take it again, or else," he told her, walking off.
"Well somebody is a little emotional about his book," Hikari joked. Kiba laughed lightly.
"Well, how about we get food now?" Kiba said as his stomach growled again. Hikari laughed.
"Alright fine," Hikari said. They kept walking, and Hikari heard someone shout her name from above. Kankuro.
"Hey Kari, shouldn't you answer him? He looks like he's about to jump down here," Kimiko told her.
"Hikari! Come on, don't be so mean! Just talk to me!" Kankuro yelled. Hikari sighed and kept walking.
"Just ignore him… It's pointless, he's an annoying jerk. Forget him. He's a pervert like Kakashi and that Pervy Sage as Naruto calls him," Hikari said. Kimiko giggled.
"I warned you," she said before Kankuro hugged Hikari from behind and lifted her up. Hikari was kicking her legs.
"Put me down! Stop it!" Hikari shouted. Kimiko and Kiba ran to the barbeque place and ran into Chouji, Asuma, and Shikamaru.
"Shouldn't you help her?" Chouji asked.
"Oh she'll be fine. Hinata, Shino! C'mon!" Kimiko shouted, waving them over. Hinata ran over.
"You guys want to eat together?" Asuma asked.
"Sure," Kiba said. They all walked inside; Shino following a minute later.
"Looks like they left you Hikari. I just want to talk to you," Kankuro told her.
"Put me down and I might listen," Hikari said through her teeth.
"He just won't leave that girl alone will he?" Asuma asked with a laugh.
"Oh lord no. He'll never leave her alone. The other day I ran into him; he still has feelings for her. Sucks for him," Kimiko said.
"Why him?" Shikamaru asked.
"She doesn't want anything to do with him anymore. Well she makes it seem that way at least. She just wants him to be friends with her; not like that," Kimiko said, pointing at them out the window.
"Oh? Does she like someone else?" Shikamaru asked.
"Why do you care?" Kiba asked him.
"I'm just making conversation. Is that a problem?"
"Kiba's just being nosy again; but yes, she does like someone else. Kind of… She's complicated," Kimiko told him.
"Troublesome," Shikamaru said. Asuma chuckled.
"Looks like he said something she didn't like," Asuma pointed out.
"What do you mean by that? Are you saying you can't even speak to me?" Hikari asked. Kankuro rubbed the back of his head and sighed.
"I'm sorry; but it's not my choice. I can't tell you why or Gaara will have my neck," Kankuro said.
"Well… Thank Gaara for me then. Now I don't have to worry about you annoying me anymore," Hikari said with a slight smile. Kankuro's face showed sadness; but Hikari was slightly relieved. She went to turn around; but he caught her arm.
"Next time I see you; I want to tell you a few secrets okay?" Kankuro said.
"Fine."
"Promise?"
"I promise. Now let go," she said, pulling her arm away. He kissed her unexpectedly. It was sweet; but Hikari thought it was rude. She kicked him down an alley way.
"Don't ever do that again! You make me so sick sometimes Kankuro!" she screamed, wiping her mouth and walking into the barbeque place. She sat down next to Shikamaru.
"Glad you could join us," Asuma said.
"Thanks," Hikari said quietly.
"What did he say?" Kimiko asked.
"He can't talk to me anymore. Apparently it'd be best to avoid him. Chouji you keep eating that fast you'll get hiccups," Hikari warned him.
"I don't care! It's good, try it!" Chouji shouted. Hikari was about to say no when he shoved some in her mouth. She had no choice but to chew and swallow.
"It's good thanks; but I'm not hungry," she said. Kimiko looked at her like she was crazy.
"You? Not hungry? Are you sick or something?" Kimiko asked.
"No, I'm perfectly fine. Kiba, you'll get an upset stomach calm down jeez," Hikari said.
"Oh you missed it; they're challenging each other to an eating duel," Hinata said with a giggle.
"Really now? I could eat more than both of you combined. Hands down," Hikari said.
"Oh really? Wanna bet?" Chouji asked.
"Yeah! You couldn't eat more than a kitten Hikari!" Kiba yelled.
"You both are up! When you two lose, you'll be sick!" she said.
"Tomorrow, here after training it is then. The two losers pay for it," Asuma said, joining in.
"This is going to be a drag to watch," Shikamaru sighed.
"Sounds fair. You guys are in for a shock," Kimiko said.
"She's a girl. There's no way a girl could eat more than both of us!" Chouji said.
"Looks can be deceiving," Shino said. Chouji and Kiba finished eating; and Asuma paid it as a treat. They all walked out.
"We'll see you guys tomorrow then," Kiba said to Chouji. Chouji nodded.
"You both are going down!" Chouji shouted. Hikari laughed.
"Good luck with that," Kimiko said with a smile. They went separate ways and the group of five went to Kiba's. They walked in and Kimiko sat on the couch with Hinata and Hikari.
"Wait, there's an uneven number with guys to girls. Why did you two want Hinata to come?" Kiba asked. Kimiko and Hikari hugged Hinata from both sides.
"Because we love Hinata!" they said. Hinata blushed lightly and smiled.
"Plus we wouldn't want her feeling left out. She's who will tell us your boys' secrets as you sleep," Hikari said with a smirk.
"That's not fair! Hinata you can't tell them, promise?" Kiba asked.
"Nope, she's ours tonight Kiba. Not yours," Kimiko said, sticking her tongue out. Kiba bit it and Kimiko smacked him.
"Stop that! I told you it hurts! You made it bleed again!" Kimiko shouted at him. Hikari laughed.
"Is it like this here every night Akamaru?" Hikari asked, looking down at the pup. He barked and nodded. Hikari laughed harder.
"Seems like you're having a harder time than me Kimi. At Shino's, only his dad messes with me. His mom leaves me be and Shino… Well, he doesn't really do anything really," Hikari said, looking at Shino who was sitting at the table.
"Do they even know you're both here?" Kiba asked. Shino nodded.
"Stop being so quiet! We're your friends, not the enemy Shino! What did Shibi and I tell you?" Hikari shouted. Shino sighed and put his head down, covering his ears by folding his arms over his head.
"We're being too loud… Sorry Shino," Hikari said, walking over and putting a hand on his arm.
"How do you know that?" Kiba asked.
"He… Well, this is how he acts when someone starts yelling at him. He doesn't like it…"
"Unlike you, who shouts back," Kimiko noted. Hikari nodded. Shino put one arm up and opened his hand and moved Hikari's hand away. He lifted his head up.
"Just lower your voices," Shino told them. Hikari smiled sweetly and nodded.
"Kiba, I'm stealing two other pairs of your pants," Kimiko said walking into Kiba's room.
"Why?" he asked following her.
"So Hikari and Shino have pants to sleep in. Hinata and I are the same size; but Hikari's actually a little bigger," Kimiko told him.
"Hikari, Kimiko called you fat!" Kiba called over his shoulder.
"No she didn't. What she meant by bigger was that I have wider and thicker hips moron," Hikari said.
"Really? That's weird… Most girls I know are a size four at the most. What about you?" Kiba asked. Hikari walked over and smacked him.
"It's not important for you to know," she told him.
"What if I wanted to get you some clothing for a present or something? I'd have to know!" Kiba argued.
"Then just take Kimi or Shino. They'd know," Hikari told him; looking past him into his room.
"Wow, it's actually clean. I thought it'd be filthy," Hikari muttered. Kiba growled.
"It was a compliment," Hikari smiled as she walked back down the hall. There was a knock at the door. Hinata opened it and Jiraiya was standing there.
"U-Um, c-can I help you?" she asked.
"Why yes, you can. I was told I could find Hikari here," he said. Hikari walked to the door and looked at Jiraiya with surprise and anger.
"What are you doing here you pervert! I thought I was finally done with you!" she shouted.
"Naruto kind of tired himself out. We talked about you at the ramen shop; said you reminded him of himself sometimes. You seem to be kinda close with him don't you?" Jiraiya asked. Hikari nodded.
"What's this about?" she asked.
"Oh just asking. Naruto is at the hospital. He used up all his chakra in a summoning jutsu today. If you would please, step outside so I could talk to you?" Jiraiya asked. Hikari was hesitant; but walked out anyways and closed the door.
"He was able to unlock the nine tailed fox's' chakra today. I wish to help you with the-"
"Hey now quiet down! I don't need them knowing. I grew up being told what was in me unlike him. Not everyone knows what is in him or Gaara; and people who are my age don't know what's in me. I plan to keep it that way for a little while longer," Hikari told him.
"You have to understand what you hold is the creature that created Naruto's. What created all of them, one through ten, is inside you. The elemental beast, Tishibi. I can help you control it as well, to use all the elements to your advantage; but it'll take a while. Do you want my help or not?" Jiraiya asked her. Hikari bit her lip.
"I… I have to think about it. I'll let you know when I can; but thank you for telling me about Naruto. I'll see how he is tomorrow. Now get lost," Hikari told him. He laughed.
"Still so demanding. You have a good night now Hikari, find me when you have your answer," he said then was gone. Hikari walked back inside.
"What'd he want?" Kiba asked.
"Huh? Oh, just to tell me about Naruto's training. Asked if I wanted his help too; but Naruto forget to mention that I gave up my chances," she half lied.
"Ohh alright. Anyone want ice cream?" Kiba asked, walking to the kitchen. Hikari just realized Hinata and Kimiko had changed into pajamas, and Kiba had on pajama pants.
"Oh, I do!" Kimiko said.
"Sure," Hinata smiled.
"When did you guys change?" Hikari asked. She looked for Shino; but he wasn't in the room.
"Um, while you were outside? Here, just go put these on," Kimiko told her, throwing clothes at her. Hikari caught them and nodded.
"Mine and Hana's room is that door right there," Kimiko said, pointing at the first door on the right side of the hall. Hikari walked over, and just as she opened the door; Shino walked out of Kiba's room in pajama pants and still wearing his sunglasses. He was also shirtless. Hikari felt her face get hot and she walked in the room; closing the door quickly.
'Wh-When did Shino get so… So attractive?' Hikari thought.
'That was strange,' Shino thought walking out and sitting on the couch with Hinata and Kimiko.
"Hey Shino, want ice cream?" Kiba asked from the kitchen.
"Sure," Shino answered. Hikari walked out and pulled at her shirt.
"It's so baggy… Why am I stuck with Kiba's clothes?" Hikari whined.
"Do you want to sleep in dirty clothes? Be my guest," Kiba told her.
"I like the pants; but I'm not a fan of the baggy shirt. The neck is all stretched out I'm guessing from Akamaru being in it?" Hikari asked. Kiba nodded, walking out with two bowls in his hands and one on his head. He handed one to Shino, one to Hinata, and took the one off his head to hand to Kimiko.
"Ice cream?" Kiba asked, looking at Hikari. Her face was still a light pink after seeing Shino. She was trying to avoid looking at him now. Kiba smirked.
"You look cute when you blush Hikari," Kiba teased. Hikari choked and glared.
"Sh-Shut up Kiba!" Hikari shouted at him. Kiba laughed. Shino raised a brow, curious to what was going on.
"Kari, you never blush. You've been acting weird lately. What's wrong?" Kimiko asked.
"N-Nothing. I'll explain later," Hikari told her.
'Stuttering too? Something is definitely- Oh, that makes sense now. I think things have been changing in her mind since staying with Shino… I wonder how she feels over there,' Kimiko thought; looking at Shino. She realized Shino was looking at Hikari, then looked at her. Kimiko looked back at her ice cream as she ate it. Hinata blinked with confusion.
"Do you want ice cream or not?" Kiba asked Hikari.
"Um, yeah, sure," Hikari said.
"Then come help me, I know the kinds that those three like but I don't know about you," Kiba said, grabbing Hikari's wrist and pulling her into the kitchen. Kiba slammed Hikari against the back wall and put his hands on either side of her. His face got close to hers.
"You've been acting funny lately. Even Shino sees it. What's up with you?" Kiba asked quietly. Hikari blinked.
"I-I've been thinking…" she answered.
"About? You're face is all red. Haven't you seen him shirtless before?"
"Yeah; but I never really paid much attention to it before… And thoughts are personal, that's why they stay in your head. Why do you care?"
"Because two reasons, Kimiko cares about you and Shino cares about you. Honestly we all do; you're our friend. Now what's wrong?" Kiba pressed on. Hikari looked down at the shirt and rubbed the scar underneath it. She pulled the shirt up to show that it was scabbed over again.
"I've been able to wake myself up before I scream from my nightmares… I've told Shibi about them; but I don't want Kimi to worry. I've never seen her smiling or laughing so much before. She loves it here, I can tell. I've just been trying to get used to staying at Shino's. I'll be fine," she told him. He looked at the scabbed over scar and nodded.
"Alright. I won't tell them, just promise me if it happens again you'll let me know?" Kiba asked. Hikari nodded and he back up, opening his freezer.
"I've got vanilla, chocolate, cookie dough, mint chocolate chip, strawberry, and some sort of peanut butter swirls in chocolate," he told her.
"Peanut butter," Hikari said with a smile. Kiba grabbed the container and opened it. He sat it down and got a bowl, putting it in the bowl for her. Once he was done he handed it to her, making some for himself.
"This one is my favorite," Hikari told him, dipping her finger in then licking it. Kiba handed her a spoon and put the ice cream back.
"Mine too. Shino prefers the mint one, Hinata like strawberry and Kimiko like plain chocolate," Kiba said. Hikari nodded. She walked out, and almost dropped her bowl when she bumped into Shino. He caught it for her and set it in his empty bowl.
"Are you alright Kari?" Shino asked. She bit her tongue and nodded. Kimiko smirked.
"What's going on?" Hinata asked, whispering in Kimiko's ear.
"I think Hikari is realizing how much she actually likes Shino tonight," Kimiko whispered back into Hinata's ear.
"Okay girls, stop gossiping. What are we going to do?" Kiba asked, sitting down with his ice cream. Hikari walked and sat on the arm of the couch next to Kimiko.
"Well, what can we do? It's starting to rain outside," Hikari said.
"It is?" Kiba asked, looking out. It was raining like Hikari said.
"You didn't even look out the window. How did you do that?" Hinata asked. She seemed to not stutter when she was with Hikari and Kimiko.
"She's kind of good at guessing those kind of things," Kimiko said.
"I just knew," Hikari said with a smile. Hinata realized her eye color had changed from the normal emerald green to an aqua blue. Just darker than Kimiko's sky blue eyes. Shino just stood next to Hikari.
'He's been getting a lot closer instead of keeping his distance from her like it all started out… Maybe this has something to do with what he explained his bugs do,' Kiba thought.
"I know! We can play truth or dare," Hikari suggested, eating another spoonful of ice cream.
"I like that idea, how about you guys?" Kiba asked. Kimiko shrugged.
"Sure, just nothing gross okay? Like you being too tired to sit up and eat breakfast so you ate Akamaru's," Kimiko said, looking at Kiba. His face fell and he looked annoyed.
"It's not that bad. It's actually healthier too," Kiba defended himself. Hikari giggled.
"Three to two?" Kiba asked.
"I-I'm in," Hinata spoke up. Shino shrugged. Kiba smiled brightly.
"Alright! Since it was Hikari's turn, you go first," Kiba said.
"Nah, I want to wait. Kiba you go first," Hikari said.
"Okay. Kimi, truth or dare?" Kiba asked.
"Dare," she said raising a mischievous brow.
"Hm… I dare you to kiss Akamaru, his way," Kiba smirked. Kimiko shrugged and picked up Akamaru, licking his cheek. Akamaru barked in happiness.
"Least he's clean," Kimiko said with a laugh, "Hinata?"
"T-Truth?"
"Do you like Naruto?" Kimiko asked, being nice. Hinata played with her fingers and nodded.
"S-Shino?"
"… Dare," he answered after a moment.
"Um… Uhh… Um…" Hinata was having a hard time thinking, then she thought of one, "Take one person from this r-room and t-tell them a s-secret in another r-room," she said.
"Alright, Kimiko," he said, walking back to Kiba's room. Kimiko was puzzled and followed him. She walked in and he closed the door.
"Let me ask, why me?" Kimiko asked.
"Because, if it comes to it; you'll be able to explain it to Hikari easier. My father told me something about how our insects react to that one person in our life. It's how he met my mother, and he said that if you ignore them; it'll just make things worse… Being in the same room with her just makes them react and buzz inside."
"That sounds kinda weird."
"I know… Just understand what I mean please?"
"So you're telling me that with how your bugs are reacting; you're starting to like Hikari?"
"Yes… and maybe more… Even though my father knows a lot more about her family than I do; I know more about her personally than he does. I know her eyes change color according to the weather. I know she hates to be left alone, even if it's just a room across the hall from someone else. I know she takes a cold rinse after he showers because there's no steam in the bathroom after she gets out. I know she's afraid to tell anyone what's really on her mind; and when she cooks it's because she feels like a burden where she's staying."
'He really does care about her as much as Kiba had said… A month here, and so far Hikari and I have found two guys we can trust, plus Hinata.' Kimiko thought, "Shino… Has she had any nightmares since she stayed at your house?"
"Yes, she just won't tell anyone." Kimiko nodded.
"Thanks for telling me; but I won't tell her anything until you do or you tell me to," Kimiko told him. He nodded. They walked back out and Kiba was wrestling with Hikari. He had her in a headlock while sitting on her back.
"Finally!" Kiba said, letting her go. Hikari rolled over, and sat on top of Kiba.
"You won this time," Hikari said with a smile. She got up and helped Kiba up.
"Shino's turn," Kiba said.
"Kimiko," Shino said flatly.
"Again? Alright, truth this time," Kimiko said.
"When you first met Kiba, what did you think?"
"I thought he was a strange smelling dog boy. I still think that, but in a different way," Kimiko said giggling. Kiba sighed.
"Now, Hikari?" Kimiko asked.
"Dare!" Hikari said with a smile. Kimiko smirked and looked at Kiba.
"We dare you to sleep in the same bedroom with Shino tonight," Kimiko and Kiba said. Hikari looked at her best friend with shock. She tried to play it cool, but even Shino was slightly blushing, he just looked away to hide it.
"Alright fine. Kiba?" Hikari asked.
"Dare me," Kiba said.
"You're going to regret that…" Kimiko said.
"I dare you to kiss Kimi," Hikari smirked. Kiba raised a brow and Kimiko's face went red.
"Cheek, forehead? What?"
"A real kiss. Just do it," Hikari said.
'She's good at payback,' Shino thought. Kiba was going to argue, but Hikari shook her head. Kiba hesitated, then kissed Kimiko. Kimiko's face got a deeper red.
"I-I think we should s-stop playing now… We've all had our t-turns and it's getting late," Hinata said.
"Agreed," Hikari said. Kiba yawned and nodded.
"C'mon Hinata," Kimiko said, getting up and walking to hers and Hana's room. Hikari didn't move. She didn't want to be stuck in the same room with Shino at the moment.
"I'll sleep on the couch and you two can take my bed," Kiba said, pushing them to his room. Both tried to resist; but it failed. Once in the room, Kiba closed the door. He walked into Kimiko's and Hana's room and leaned against the frame.
"Well, I got them in my room. You two want anything before I pass out?" Kiba asked.
"No, if she needs anything I'll get it for her. Night Kiba," Kimiko said.
"N-Night Kiba," Hinata said.
"Night," Kiba said closing the door. He walked to the couch, jumped on it and fell asleep with Akamaru on his chest. Shino sighed and sat on Kiba's bed. Hikari stood there, looking around Kiba's room. The red walls, the chestnut drawers. Akamaru's bed on the floor next to Kiba's. Shino looked at her and patted the spot next to him.
"Hikari?"
"Hm? Sorry… I was um, thinking."
"You've been a little distant lately."
"It's nothing," Hikari said, looking down at her hands. Her nightmare from last night played in her head. One hand was crystalized and the other was fire. Her hand actually started to burn and she shook her head. Shino got up and walked over to her, hugging her.
"Your dream last night had you crying… It worried me," he told her. Hikari's hands started to shake. She couldn't believe he was actually being comforting. He had usually always kept his space from her until this week.
'Is he… afraid he might not make it through the exams? No, that can't be; unless he get stuck against Gaara. But he's not stupid, he'd give in against him,' Hikari thought. She didn't know what to say or how to react; but she didn't realize she had tears welling up into her eyes. She was crying and didn't even realize it. She hugged Shino back, crying into his chest. He hugged her closer, ignoring the buzzing feeling he had inside.
"Do you want to tell me what's wrong?" Shino asked.
"Wh-Why? Why did it have to happen to me? Why am I… Why are they… Why?" Hikari said, pulling away from Shino, wiping her eyes. She walked and sat on the bed, hugging her knees to her chest.
"Why what?" Shino asked, sitting in front of her.
"T-Tishibi… Th-the element demon," Hikari said. Shino felt a little worried.
"Is… is that why he killed them? Trying to get to me? Wh-why did he do it? Why am I a vessel for the demon? Why?" Hikari held her head and closed her eyes.
'That's what he meant… He helped seal it inside her, and it stays in as long as the necklaces don't touch. Why put so much of a burden on someone like her?' Shino thought. When Hikari's eyes opened, her eyes had changed color. They were a mixture of a fire red, water blue, grass green, and white. He backed up a little, giving her space.
'This isn't good…' Shino thought.
"S-Shino… H-Help," Hikari said. She was biting her finger, trying to calm down. She was shaking, about to have a panic attack. Shino kneeled in front of the bed and put his hands on her shoulder.
"Look, we need to go home. Let me just go tell them and we can go alright? My father can help you; you'll be fine," Shino told her. She nodded, biting her hand. Shino got up and walked out to the couch. He woke Kiba up.
"Hm… Shino? What do you want? I'm sleeping," Kiba said and rolled over off the couch. He sat up and rubbed his head.
"I have to go. Hikari isn't exactly… Herself right now. I need you to tell Kimi when she wakes up," Shino said. Before Kiba could answer, there was a loud thunder clap and a scream. Kimiko opened her door and looked down the hall.
"Hikari? Are you okay?" she shouted. Hinata was right behind her. Kiba and Shino ran into Kiba's room; but Hikari was gone. Kiba's window was open though.
"What happened? Shino!" Kimiko shouted, pinning him against the wall.
"Her eyes, they changed."
"Oh no… G-Go find her. Go find her and warn anyone else you see along the way," Kimiko said. Shino left, looking for Hikari.
"Wh-what's going on?" Hinata asked.
"Hikari's having a little bit of a… Break down," Kimiko told her.
"Does this happen often?" Kiba asked slightly annoyed.
"No. When it does; then something happened to upset her. I've only seen it happen once; but that's when she tore apart a room at the sand village before we came here."
"O-Oh… Should be um, go look for her?" Hinata asked.
"No, it's raining and we all could get sick. Shino's bugs will keep him from getting sick," Kimiko said. Hinata nodded.
"Well what do we do? Just sit here and wait?" Kiba asked. Kimiko sighed.
"Just go back to sleep Kiba. I'll wait and see if she comes back. She might have gone back to Shino's or the park," Kimiko told him. He nodded. Hinata walked back in the room and sat on the bed she was sleeping on.
"What's the worst that can happen?" Kiba whispered.
"I have no clue. Just be glad she didn't tear your room apart," Kimiko whispered back. Kiba wanted to hug Kimiko; but he didn't want to make it awkward with Hinata there. He walked back out to the couch and just stared out the window.
Shino checked the lake and the park and decided to go to Iruka's. when he knocked on the door, he heard Iruka shouted something. When Iruka opened the door, he was surprised to see Shino standing there.
"Shino? What are you doing here? Shouldn't you be at home?" Iruka asked.
"Is Hikari here?"
"What? Why would she be- is she alright?"
"It's a long story but she took off. She might have gone home… Sorry for waking you," Shino said, before taking off. Iruka stepped out and watched him, leaning against the door.
'Their dads were right. There is definitely is going to be something that goes on between those two… Good luck Shino; she's got a hard shell to crack,' Iruka thought with a smile.
Shino jumped over his front gate and ran inside. His dad walked out of the kitchen and blinked.
"I see you made it home too. Hikari's here, don't worry. I took care of the issue. You can go back to Kiba's if you'd like," Shibi said.
"Where is she?" Shino asked, trying to not sound concerned.
"Upstairs, sleeping. Just so you know; next time this happens, use a few parasitic insects on her to drain some of her chakra till she passes out. It suppresses what tries to get out," Shibi told him.
"Why did she have to have a demon sealed in her?"
"The same reason Naruto did, to save the village he lives in. Though, Hikari's has so her clan could live; until someone came a long… Either way, it doesn't matter to you. Understand? Now either go upstairs and change or go back over to Kiba's," Shibi told him. Shino bit his tongue; trying to keep himself from wanting to yell at his own father.
"I'll be upstairs if you need me," Shino told him, walking up. Shibi nodded and walked down a hall to his room. Shino changed, but he didn't stay in his room for long. He walked across the hall to Hikari's room. She was asleep in shorts and a rib tank.
'She looks innocent. Like nothing happened,' Shino thought. Hikari started to twitch, then shake. She rolled over, her eyes closing tighter. Shino sat on the bed and shook her shoulder.
"Hikari, wake up. It's just a nightmare," he whispered. Hikari sat up biting her tongue. She rubbed her eyes and looked at Shino.
"Shino? What are you doing here? You're supposed to be at Kiba's," she whispered.
"You are too; but you took off."
"I knew your dad could help… Sorry."
"It's fine. Kimiko seemed to understand what was going on. Are you alright?"
"Yeah… I'll be fine. Why don't you go back to Kiba's?"
"I'd rather stay here."
"Why?"
Shino hesitated a minute and looked away, "Because… You're here."
Hikari felt her face get a little warm and she smiled. She leaned forward and hugged him. He looked back at her and she smiled up at him.
"I can almost tell the color of your eyes. You glasses are still in the way," she said. Shino blushed slightly and looked away again.
'What do I do?' Shino thought. Hikari leaned back, letting go of him. He looked back at her and she bit her lip.
"Something wrong?" he asked.
"We still have a dare to keep to…" she said. He froze up. He didn't know what to do, and Hikari didn't want to make things awkward.
"Well… Then… Alright," Shino said. Hikari looked at him slightly shocked. He crawled beside her and laid down; pulling her down too.
"A dare is a dare. It's not like we're going to do anything," he said. Hikari nodded as she laid down. It wasn't like the many times she'd went to sleep at Kankuro's and woke up cuddled up to him. Shino was a good friend of hers. She didn't want to ruin things for them. He took his glasses off and put them on the table next to her.
'Did he… He did. I guess he doesn't sleep in them,' Hikari thought.
"Good night," Shino said, facing away from her.
"Night," Hikari said. She fell asleep after a few minutes, and once Shino knew she was asleep; he turned around to look at her.
'This feeling annoys me in the worst way…' he thought. He pulled her close and kissed her cheek before he fell asleep.