A/N: Welcome back, friends. There is no explicit content, but the content is definitely 'M' rated. It will more than likely make many of you uncomfortable and probably a little upset. I apologize in advance for it.


Chapter 4: Reckless


Kiba found Yukari by the creek like she had said.

She sat, on a small blanket, with her legs folded under a brightly patterned summer dress and a small backpack of yarn beside her. His ears picked up the quiet clickclickclick as her dainty hands worked the knitting needles expertly.

Kiba watched her, feeling like he'd ruin the perfectly serene picture she created if he jumped down in front of her. For some reason, he had to work up the courage to drop to the ground and walk over to her.

He stopped a few feet away, not wanting to startle her. "Yukari."

Her dark eyes snapped up- -alarm- -then sheer happiness. "Kiba! You came!"

"Yeah." Kiba self-consciously smoothed his hair. "Almost didn't make it."

Needles clinked to the ground. Yukari stood, all five-foot-three of her, and closed the distance between them. She dove into him and hugged. Ribs squeezed painfully together. It was enough to distract him from having certain thoughts.

She spoke into his chest. "I'm so glad you're here!"

Feeling a little off-balance from her affectionate display, Kiba rested his hand on her back. "So am I."

Yukari broke away, fingers curling in his shirt. "Sit down and talk with me. I feel like I haven't seen you in ages!"

He floated along after her, head among the clouds, and not at all guilty that he'd snuck away from home to be with her. When he sat, she situated herself closer to him, so that her shoulder and arm touched his shoulder and arm.

Pleasant tingling spread through the light contact, and Kiba once again found his heart fluttering. It took them a few moments of awkwardness to fall into a comfortable pattern of dialogue.

"You said you almost didn't make it tonight…why's that?"

Yukari's eyes peered up into his, and he felt compelled to twine their fingers together between them. Her hand and arm stiffened some, but relaxed.

"I did something stupid…so I'm on punishment."

Her head tilted; the free hand stroked the side of his face soothingly- -his heart thudded. "Are you…still on punishment?"

"Heh. Yeah. But what my mom doesn't know, won't hurt her."

"Why would you…won't you get into more trouble? I would hate for me to be the cause of…oh."

When he kissed her fingers, Yukari simply looked at him. Kiba leaned in close, enjoying how her eyes widened. "I didn't want you to think I wasn't interested anymore."

Then he nuzzled her, face burying in the silk strands of hair. Her scent was…delicious, tantalizing. There was that soap and lilac, and he could tell she'd been sitting in the sun- -she smelled like a hot afternoon. His hand found the nape of her neck, and as his fingers spread into her hair, he felt her hesitate.

Immediately he withdrew, feeling like an ass. You should know better, he berated himself, she doesn't know you. It didn't help that Kiba thought that Ino wouldn't have hesitated. He rested his hands on the nearest neutral zone: her unsatisfying shoulders. "Sorry. I don't…mean to push you."

The light had failed considerably since they'd sat together. Kiba could tell she was having trouble seeing, but he was sure she could see the shape of him in the darkening shadows; perhaps she intuited his worry. She reached up and carded her fingers in his hair.

"You're not pushing me. I want to do this," but she sounded unsure. Quietly, to herself, he heard her repeat it with more assertion. "I want to do this."

Before he could say, 'No…you don't,' she shifted to sit in his lap and rendered him speechless. Surprise froze him. His pulse beat in his ears, thundered behind his ribs.

Her hands, cool and narrow, caressed his face and neck, trailing through his hair and over his ears, thumbs tracing his cheeks where she thought his tribal marks were. Kiba definitely seemed to have trouble breathing. She guided his head; he relinquished control to her.

Sense filtered away as Kiba finally got that kiss.

Her lips were honey-sweet and gentle as they met his. Kiba's hand found its way to her neck again to keep her mouth from wandering off.

Kissing Yukari pleased him, gave him a serenity that he didn't think existed. None of that possessive animal heat exploded like he'd expected. Partly it was because he knew he couldn't mishandle Yukari…he would never forgive himself if he scared her. No one would forgive him if he hurt a civilian- -strict laws prohibited any shinobi from assaulting the non-shinobi community.

But there was something else that Kiba felt was missing.

He tried to ignore the nagging thought…but it persisted, and he broke the kiss.

"Kiba…" Yukari whispered, and she wrapped her arms around his neck. He stroked her back absently; she worried his jaw with light kisses. Something with her scent-

"I want…to take you somewhere." Her voice sounded like her heart beat in her throat. "Will you come with me?"

Honestly…his first thought…he was gonna get laid.

Kiba cursed under his breath, embarrassed. Yukari was not a girl he would…you know- -he struggled with words- -do that with. At least, not right away. She was conservative and quiet, and she would not jump into the sack with a guy she'd just met. Right?

He tried ignoring how nerves made his hands clammy, clearing his throat before he spoke. "Sure. That sounds fun."

Yukari had already stood, and she tugged at his arm. "Can you help me? My bag spilled…I can't see."

"Sure."

He looked around, and since his eyes accommodated darkness, he could see sepia trees and buildings. Yukari's eyes had a shine to them as they reflected minute light sources. Kiba helped Yukari replace the yarn into her bag.

"Is that all of it?" she asked, stepping over to him.

As she did, her foot hooked under a root, causing her to stumble. Kiba caught her awkwardly by the arm before she could sprawl on the ground.

"Careful." He tugged her upright. "Where is this place? I can get us there faster, if you want."

She managed to stuff the blanket in the bag. "Oh? I…" She slung the bag over her shoulders. "How do you mean?"

Kiba felt his wicked grin, thanked his lucky stars that it was easy to be romantic and cool around her. "I'll carry you."

"Carry me?"

Through his dark vision, she looked dubious, and he laughed at her, running his finger along the angle of her jaw.

"Yeah. Here, climb on." He guided her and knelt down when she was at his back. "Lemme have yer knees."

Yukari seemed to move carefully under his guidance. "Are you sure about this?" But she let Kiba grab her under her knees and hoist her up.

She gasped, nearly choking him with her grip, and Kiba laughed. "Hang on!"

He charged into the trees, delighted with Yukari's sharp squeal. She clung to him desperately, but after a minute, she laughed. He reveled in that wonderful sound.

"Faster!" Yukari cried, giggling. "Faster!"

Kiba obliged. This nighttime flight liberated him, especially when Yukari's scent glowed in his nose and brain like some slowly burning fire- -her excitement enthralled him. Older scents spiked in different colors- -a highway of sensation and molten light.

His heart could explode, and the cooling air felt incredible on his flush cheeks. They broke the tree line, and Kiba paused on a rooftop. He still had unfinished business with the Yamanaka princess.

"We're gonna make a quick stop."

"A quick stop? Where?" Her voice next to his ear sounded feather-light and full of possibility.

Kiba grinned. "You'll see."

He sped off across the roofs, leapt a few streets, and landed smack in front of the Yamanaka Flower Shoppe. Feeling giddy with anticipation, not only for his stolen time with Yukari, but with the revenge blow he was about to deal Ino, Kiba opened the door for Yukari.

The bells jangled, and over Yukari's head, his eyes went to the checkout counter. From across the store, Ino's blonde ponytail bobbed.

Their gazes locked. Ino's surprise registered first. She glanced to Yukari, then back to him. Confusion.

Yukari, oblivious, greeted Ino. "Hello, Miss Ino!"

"Welcome…Miss Nakamura, wasn't it?" Kiba watched, a corner of his mouth curling, as Ino rounded the counter, somewhat stiffly. "Kiba."

"Ino." He rested a hand on the small of Yukari's back. "How are you?"

"Fine, yourself?"

Kiba couldn't wait any longer. "I'm here for my fee."

Her fine brow lifted. "Fee?"

"Hn." He hadn't expected Ino to just roll over. "Yukari…I gotta talk to Ino about something. Can you look around for a few minutes…try and find something you like."

Yukari tilted her head, her eyes warm and shining. "Really?"

God, she was adorable. Kiba pressed a kiss to her forehead and scooted her down an aisle. "Yeah. It'll just be a minute."

"My, you two are cozy," Ino said lowly. "Getting married yet?"

Kiba rolled his eyes, knew Ino was trying to distract him.

"Yer dad said I could have anything in the shop for free for escorting you home," he leaned in, "and to answer yer question, no."

Her eyes narrowed, and her voice lowered further. "I know why you're here."

"You do?" He rocked back on his heels, hands tucking into his pockets. "Enlighten me."

"You're getting back at me for slapping you."

"No-o…I'm here to get flowers for my girlfriend."

Enjoying himself, Kiba watched as Ino tensed, and he smelt her irritation and upset. Her hands had clenched into fists; he wondered if she would take a swing at him.

Nice to know he could get under Ino's skin like she could get under his.

"Oh! Can I have these?" Yukari called from a few aisles over. "They're beautiful!"

Ino glared at him then spun on her heel to stalk to the register. She took up her post and scowled all through the wrapping of the bouquet Yukari had picked out, and didn't even wish them farewell when they left, flowers fit snug in Yukari's little backpack.

Yukari fidgeted as the door jingled shut. "Was she mad at something?"

"Yeah," Kiba grinned, "at herself. Let's get going." He lifted her onto his back and hopped to the housetops, where he stopped and pointed. "There's the Hokage Tower. Can you find yer spot from here?"

He heard her already breathing hard, loved the knowledge that he'd caused that. "Yes…uh…let's see…go toward the village center, please."

Please, he thought, smiling. She'd said please. How adorable.

"Yer wish is my command."

She giggled, snuggled closer to him. "Ki-ba…don't say that!"

He jumped into motion again, skimming the roofs and bursting through the occasional treetop. This feeling…it was like he had just stomped some major A-class face or mastered a completely technical and forbidden jutsu- -elation, euphoria. All that and something more mixed his insides, made him grin- -fly.

When he stopped at the open, square concrete area at the village center, he let Yukari off. She swayed, and Kiba steadied her, shot through with concern.

"Are you okay?"

He didn't think their foray over the rooftops of Konoha would make her dizzy…geez, he didn't even ask if she was afraid of heights. His anxious thoughts quieted when her hand slipped into his.

She smiled at him. Breathlessly, she said, "That was…incredible."

Relief relaxed him, had him pulling Yukari closer. "Heh. Any time," he glanced up and snagged a glimpse at the five carved faces of Hokage Mountain. "Where to from here?"

Yukari squinted and glanced around, then gestured to the side. "This way."

'This way' was an alley. A dark, narrow alley without an end in sight. Kiba hesitated, his shinobi-senses tingling, but Yukari passed into the crooked space without a moment's concern. He could hear dripping water as he followed behind Yukari.

"And where exactly are we going, again?" She hadn't answered that question.

He heard, more than saw, her smirk. "You'll see."

"Oh? A surprise? I like surprises."

He dropped his gaze to her cute tush, outlined gloriously by her dress. His hand twitched involuntarily- -pinching her would probably put her off.

"That's good," she laughed, unaware of his thoughts. "I found this place by accident. I like the energy and the music…the people."

The alley wound around to some wide steps. Up the steps they went, and they made a sharp left turn into another dark alley. At the end of this alley, there was another turn, and Kiba could discern some low light. Two lanterns flanked a narrow staircase leading down.

"Is this some sort of nightclub?" he asked, somewhat surprised that Yukari would take him clubbing, particularly when they were underage.

"You'll see."

Okay, cryptic, he thought, but her mystery had him continuing to follow her down the stairs. Her confidence seemed slightly out of place- -he'd only known her to be shy, but he supposed she'd gotten used to him.

There was a door they came to, and Yukari pushed it open and held out her hand to him. Kiba took it, had a small thought return to Ino before they entered together.

It felt a little like going down a rabbit hole. His senses swarmed with the assault of discordant noise, smoke, and the writhing crowd of people. Lights flashed in the dark; he could feel the bass vibrating in his chest.

He had stopped to adjust to the jarring environment, fingers threading with Yukari's. She tugged at his arm to get him moving, but when he looked confusedly at her, she only shrugged.

"I'm sorry!" He read her lips, more than heard her. She reached up to tease his jaw with a finger. "I should have warned you!"

"I'm just…you know…"

Kiba's emotion seemed to dissipate in the sensory overload. He'd lost his sense of direction completely; without Yukari's presence, he probably would have freaked.

"C'mon!" She tugged him again. "I see an open table."

Yukari pulled him headlong into the frenetic crowd, weaving agilely between bumping bodies. Kiba kept his eyes on her back- -the small bag she wore jiggled up and down, jostling the flowers- -trying not to feel claustrophobic. His sinuses had already clogged from the heavy smoke, but he was sure he didn't want to smell the sweaty bodies he saw.

After swimming through the sea of people, Yukari parked him at a standing table in some dark corner of the night club.

"Wait here," she said, standing on her tiptoes to kiss him. "I'll be right back with drinks."

Kiba nodded and anchored his back against the nearest wall. He looked out, feeling very lost and very overwhelmed. A few minutes passed by, and Yukari had yet to return. Had she drowned in that tsunami of dancers?

Just when he made up his mind to attempt finding her, her small figure broke through the crowd with two drinks in her hand. He wondered how she could keep the glasses steady with people bumping into her constantly.

When she handed him one, he looked dubiously at it, wondering if taking sip was a good idea. One of the things Master Kurenai always told them was to be careful of inebriating drugs. He liked Yukari, but he wouldn't risk performing below his ability in case of an attack or assignment.

Yukari noticed his hesitation and stepped into him, standing on her tiptoes to shout into his ear. Her top showed some of her cleavage, and his brain turned to mush.

"Don't worry! There's nothing in it!" As if to prove it, she sipped out of her glass, and then out of his. "See?"

Seriously, he was acting like a pansy. "Bottom's up!" he said, and followed her example when she threw back half her drink.

The liquid was fizzy and refreshing, tasting of mint and sugar, and when he downed the rest of it, he felt better. Kiba had gotten used to the chaotic environment, and feeling spontaneous, he pulled Yukari into the throbbing crowd to dance.

Her smile, the movement of her hips, and her eyes were the only things he noticed, and it felt like only a few seconds had passed before she gestured at him, and he trailed after her back to the corner. Again she leaned into him and he ducked his head, understanding that she wanted to speak into his ear.

"I'm going for more drinks. Wait here."

He was glad to. All he could think about as he waited was how his heart beat too quickly, and how the sweat dripped down his face. When did he get so hot? The heat was unbearable, and as soon as Yukari returned with the drinks, he chugged his without hesitating.

Something in the drink tasted salty to him, but it was probably sweat he tasted. Again, they moved to the dance floor. Sometime after that, things started to take on a blurred, swirling quality that dizzied him. Things happened too fast, clipping along and leaving him behind. Something felt wrong…he couldn't breathe.

Had it been forever or just a few minutes? Kiba couldn't really remember. His surroundings spun more violently; his heart rate, rapid before, slowed to a low pulse. A period of suspended time occurred then cold night air smacked him across the face.

Yukari supported him- -but even with her help, Kiba managed to trip and stagger. He made an attempt at saying something…but his words were thick and slurred, as though he couldn't remember how to speak.

Yukari said something to him- -he didn't hear, or he didn't understand her- -and she propped him up against a wall. His world tilted on its axis…he found himself flat on the rough ground, grit painfully digging into his cheek.

How he got there…he didn't know. The sky swung into view, and blurry Yukari invaded his morphing vision, and he sensed someone else, but whoever it was remained anonymous in the spinning circus of Kiba's world.

"Here," Yukari said, sounding distorted, and several hands helped him to stand. "I think I gave him too much."

"Maybe just a touch over the dosage, but he'll perform fine," an older, feminine voice replied.

A couple seconds later, he staggered through a door propped between Yukari and the woman. Things went dark, and Kiba's dizziness worsened. His shoulder hit a wall, his knee banged the edge of something, but he couldn't tell if he hurt or not, only that the floor he'd fallen on steadied him.

They were in a room, he knew, and then a lamp shed dim light on a low bed that loomed up at the far end of the room. The fact that it wasn't his bed didn't concern him, nor the fact the bed seemed about a million miles away.

Again, Yukari and the other woman hoisted him up between them. Yukari's voice came to him. "Lay him down."

"Thank God. He's heavy."

"He's perfect- -he's one I can at least stand. Help me with his clothes."

Kiba had no control to help or hinder- -Yukari and the other woman flopped him onto in the bed. The very molecules of his mind had exploded apart, and he closed his eyes to keep the room from spinning. Helpless, Kiba felt his clothes being removed and heard them discarded.

He tried to remember where he was, but couldn't come up with anything. Heat flooded through his system and his stomach soured. Kiba opened his eyes to the ceiling, praying to avoid throwing up everywhere.

"You need any more help?" the unknown woman asked. Then, "You've caught yourself a fine one."

"No- -I can take it from here. You know," a zipper slid down, "he's really so nice. I feel sort of bad."

"You've got nothing to lose. With any luck, in nine months you'll be secure for the rest of your life."

He heard the door open and shut.

Lightning bolted through him as Yukari straddled him and bowed down to kiss his throat and chest. Her form seemed smeared into the background, and her hair draped over her eyes. It took several moments to register that she was naked. A little of his sense returned with the familiar aching under his stomach.

He tried speaking again. "Yukari…" His voice came out a croak, but at least something worked.

His hands lifted to push her away or draw her near- -he didn't know, but she easily warded away his arms; he couldn't tear his eyes from her, couldn't resist what she was offering. "Yukari?'

She interrupted him. Still, he could not see her face. "I want you, Kiba. I want you all to myself. When I'm with you…I feel so…so good and wonderful! I feel like I want to do all kinds of things."

Yukari leaned down. Her tongue slipped into his mouth, and he found the smooth plane of her back. Lilacs drowned him in sickly sweet scent. Darkness started to close in on him, but a sharp spike of nerves brought him around- -a warning he could not ignore. Kiba broke from her kiss fighting for control.

"Wait- -no."

"I know this is fast, but I can't help what I feel."

"Stop, just wait a-"

She pulled away, and he heard the hurt in her voice. "Don't you like me, Kiba? Don't you want this? I've been waiting my whole life for someone special…and I really believe you're that someone."

Yukari shifted, her hands sliding up his chest; he felt a moist warmth lower down. Resistance crumbled. Out his hands reached. He explored her smooth legs up to the curve of her hip. 'Stop,' whispered a voice. 'Stop before you do something stupid.'

Darkness threatened to close down on him again. Heat pooled in the parts that brushed against Yukari's lithe body. A panicky feeling stirred in his chest, spreading like wildfire through him. Something was wrong…something was wrong and he couldn't understand what it was. He couldn't-

Yukari shifted, dragging her nails along his stomach and sides. He felt her bare back, rounded her shoulders with his hands to cup her breasts- -only he couldn't feel anything. He could barely see in his narrowed, darkened vision.

"Kiba…" she sighed.

An attack of paranoia hit him. Something was going to happen; something scary and not quite natural, but the more he struggled the less he could resist. Vaguely he heard the door open; senses- -his vision, mainly- -made a weak comeback.

Yukari froze, face turned to the door. A shriek. A purple blur crossed his vision, and with that, Yukari was no longer in his line of sight. Some thumps, more shrieking, the light crashed and went out.

"Get away! You're ruining everything! OUCH! LET GO!"

"Shut UP!"

A slap- -a thud. Silence.

"Kiba?"

Ino's voice was the last thing he heard before unconsciousness slipped him into pure nothingness.


A/N: Are we okay? If there are any of you who are asking yourselves, "Was Kiba just...did what I think happen really happen?"; the answer to your question is yes. Yukari took advantage of Kiba. The next two chapters are more explanatory, and I'm sure a lot of your questions will be answered then. Didn't I say at the beginning that there was one more scenario for you to believe? =)