A/N: Welcome back, dear readers!
Chapter XX: Saying the Words
Aching. Burning.
Ino's skin gleamed with sweat, dripping along the contours of her neck and alongside her breasts. She bit her lip as Kiba pressed his fingers into the flesh of her hips, bringing her down, tight and hot, on him. The sharp pleasure knifed through his stomach, up his chest. A grunt. He breathed in, buried his face into her hair and rolled her hips up again; she groaned as she leaned forward. Nails dragged up his spine. Her hips rocked without his guidance…and didn't stop. Before his brain could recover, it was focusing on the mercurial heat rising, up, up, up until…
…the image distorted and Ino slipped through light to darkness.
The hell?
Kiba opened his eyes. Morning sunlight. And based on the hurtful stiffy in his boxers, he without a doubt knew he was in need of self-maintenance. Worse, this wasn't the first sex-dream he'd had and, worst, was that he seemed to always wake up before the grand finale. To be perfectly honest, he'd rather have a little more laundry to do than to have to fix his own stupid problem.
You were making enough noise to wake the dead, Akamaru commented. More Ino-dreams?
"Yeah…"
Aww…don't be embarrassed. It's perfectly natural.
"Yeah, yeah. Lemme alone, you damn dog."
Well, if you'd have noticed Ino's interest earlier, you'd be in bed with her now.
Kiba shot Akamaru a glare. This was not something he wanted to get into this early in the damn morning.
"So you keep reminding me."
Happy to help. Now scratch behind my ears, please.
Chagrinned, Kiba reached out and used his nails to scratch Akamaru's itchy ears. At that moment, Naruto chose to burst in, banging the front door against the wall.
"Kiba! Akamaru! The Hokage needs to see you a-sap!"
"Awright, we're gettin' around!" Kiba swam through his pile of blankets. He'd lost the morning wood anyway, but a vague tension headache bumped at the base of his skull. He felt irritable. "What time?"
"Fifteen minutes ago!"
Wait… "What?"
"Yeah, she said to get you there immediately, but I was hungry," Naruto came closer and stopped with his toes touching Kiba's nest, "so I stopped for a quick bowl of ramen. Sorry, man."
Cursing, Kiba flicked off the covers and reached for his pants. Already this day was turning into a hell of a mess.
The sun burned down on Kiba's head and shoulders as he rode Akamaru toward the Hokage's Office. The emptiness yawned in his stomach since he hadn't even had time for breakfast, and he knew he probably looked harried. He felt harried.
What do you suppose the Hokage wants? Akamaru grunted over his shoulder. It's gotta be something important for her to call you in.
This meeting, the morning following the night he discovered that Yukari had a brother who was a genin, and most surprising, that he was under Inoichi's tutelage, seemed pretty convenient.
"Hm. She probably wants to hear all the information first-hand."
You think Ino's working?
Hearing her name conjured a ripe image that caused his heart to wobble. "I…don't know."
Heh. You want her to be working, Akamaru amended, leaping from the roof of a low building to the front doors of the Hokage's Office. Just like you want to be sleeping with her.
"You have me all figured out, don'tcha, stupid mutt."
Akamaru wheezed in laughter, as Kiba hopped off to walk into the crisp building on his own two feet. Security was generally minimal; rather, the security that could be seen. His nose found layers and layers of fresh scent, and hotspots of calm, deadly intent that lifted the hairs on the back of his neck. One scent quickened his pulse before it even registered.
Ino was there.
Guess all your hopes are coming true.
Oh, God. The ache, the animal lust, struck a fire inside him and muscles tightened. All evidence (the daydream at the restaurant, heading toward the flower shop, his visions of her) pointed toward it, and he couldn't deny it- -he needed to see Ino. A shiver worked its way up his spine just with the anticipation of seeing her.
He and Akamaru strode up the staircase that led to the level of the Hokage's actual workspace. The silence was respectful, since they both followed Ino's movements based on her scent among all the others cluttering the air in this building. To his surprise, nearest in proximity to Lady Tsunade were Hinata and Shino.
Seems like this'll be more than just informational, Kiba.
"A mission?" He hesitated outside the entrance to the level, wiping a sweaty hand on his pants. Even his breathing turned ragged. Why was he so nervous? "Do you think…do you think Ino'll be involved?"
Probably not. Don't worry, Akamaru said beside him. I'm with you.
Kiba swallowed and pushed open the door. His eyes took in the wide-open space where the Hokage's seconds-in-command worked diligently. Over the shuffle of paper, over the bobbing heads of working shinobi, all the way at the far side of the office, he saw her.
The white-blonde bangs covering half her face, blue eyes, the usual purple outfit showing off the stripe of firm, slim belly, and the ridiculously shorter skirt peeking between the purple. Like a ghost of experience, his hands burned from running up her thighs to her lush hips…
Get a grip, loverboy, Akamaru snorted, and let's see what the Hokage wants.
"Shut up, I know." His throat had filled with his skittering heart. "We're going."
Akamaru snorted and made the first move towards Ino. Each step felt like stepping on air. When he stopped in front of her, he realized he didn't have anything to say, but he had plenty he wanted to do. The imagery of her shiny skin burned reckless lust through him; his hands clenched before he did something stupid. Like touch her.
"Hi," she said, and offered him a smile.
She was so beautiful. "Hey."
"The Hokage said to show you in as soon as you arrived."
"Oh. Okay." Kiba looked at her, close to trembling he wanted her so bad. "I'm ready."
"Good. Follow me, please."
Ino shifted, putting a hand on the heavy-looking door. No, no, no; he should toss her over his shoulder and run away; he should lead her to the nearest broom closet; he should kiss her now, possessively. Ideas that were stupid, but he wanted to do all of them.
Then she pushed, her muscles straining, and held the door for him. As he passed through, he felt her hand flick out and press something into his palm. Instinctively his fingers closed around the object, and he shoved his hands into his pockets.
It had felt like folded paper, but he dared not take it out to inspect it, choosing, instead, to acknowledge Hinata, Shino, and Lady Tsunade, who sat behind her desk, looking annoyed. At least whatever conversation they had within these walls was strictly confidential; Roach didn't have a snowball's chance in hell of overhearing anything in this office. As best he could, Kiba shut off the internal tracking-system that persisted to monitor Ino's movements. The ache in his muscles that begged for release.
"Kiba, good of you to show up," Lady Tsunade said, and he couldn't tell whether her tone was welcoming or sarcastic. "Fall in."
Silently, he and Akamaru moved to the center of the office in front of her desk and took their places on other side of Shino. Hinata's eyes had followed him meekly; Shino stood like a living statue.
"Let me begin by stating the situation." Lady Tsunade shuffled a few papers and glanced at one. "Kiba, you've been picked out by one Nakamura Yukari as husband-material. She at first tried to catch you through the use of 'A Right to Claim' but was unsuccessful. Is this correct?"
"Yes'm."
"Yukari has a younger brother, Shi. As I planned, Shi is a genin under the mastery of Yamanaka Inoichi. Our problem lies in Shi's and Yukari's household, but not with them.
"Roach, who's in the Bingo Book, works with Yukari's mother, Nakamura Jun. Nakamura Jun has threatened to release Roach on Konoha shinobi should you choose not to comply with her demands regarding her daughter. Is this correct?"
"Yes'm."
"Good. This presents a very unique opportunity," Lady Tsunade said, resting her head on her fingertips. "Do you know what that opportunity is?"
Kiba exchanged a glance with Akamaru before answering. "I suppose it's because I have access to the Nakamura manor."
"You would be correct. A cursory background check on Nakamura shows that she is receiving shipments of a benign ingredient from an outside source. This ingredient is as harmless as aspirin, but necessary to concoct a certain type of drug.
"That drug has the capacity to debilitate the strongest shinobi, and as much as I've studied it," her scent, having been even, spiked with irritability, "I've yet to produce a suitable, fast-acting cure. There has been a slew of 'A Right to Claim' marriages in all five hidden villages and more disturbing, evidence of this drug being used. We feel that Nakamura works with the drug, but we've yet to discover the necessary evidence for a reasonable conclusion. Everything's circumstantial."
She paused to gaze in turn at him, Shino, and Hinata. "Since the Akatsuki has been excessively active, much of Nakamura's activities have been unmonitored. That leaves you three to conduct an investigation of Nakamura. Roach believes he has entered Konoha without raising any suspicions, but he is not your concern.
"His presence is necessary to allow Nakamura to feel safe enough to continue her work. You will exploit that feeling of safety and the access to her daughter to uncover her operations…and shut them down, permanently."
Her words sunk in, and Kiba hardened his resolve to protect the village, those he loved and those he didn't know, the soldiers he fought shoulder-to-shoulder with, and those who faced death each day to protect him. No guilt would take root in him, no pain over being plucked from the vine by Yukari. Failure was not an option.
"Your mission is strictly off the books. Do you know what that means?"
Shino responded. "All of our investigation will be conducted from within the shadows."
"Correct. You will report your findings to me, directly, and you are not to speak of this mission to anyone unless otherwise ordered by myself. Understood?"
Team 8 gave their affirmation.
"Shino and Hinata, you are dismissed. I need to speak with Kiba privately."
Hinata glanced over at him, eyes crinkled with concern. She looked like she wanted to say something, but her gaze shifted away. Wordlessly, she trailed behind Shino and exited the office. The door swung closed, leaving Kiba and Akamaru alone with Lady Tsunade. Nerves flipped his stomach around. Why did she want to see him without his teammates?
She waited a minute or two before standing and walking around to lean, with her arms crossed, against the front edge of the desk. She stood quietly a long time, and Kiba recognized the look of appraisal. Worry. Determination.
The silence wracked his nerves. "I'm okay for this mission, Lady Hokage."
"Hm. I'm not so sure." She tapped her chin. He balked, but she cut him off. "Have you been getting enough sleep?"
"Enough, ma'am."
"Eating right?"
"Yes'm."
"Drinking water?"
"Yes'm."
"I know you're living with Naruto. What's going on at home?"
Her switch in subject startled him and before he could check it, he showed his reaction. Her eyes stayed on him, no doubt monitoring his heartbeat and respiration, which had quickened from his surprise. Lie, he told himself, lie yer teeth out. But was this a test to see how honest he was? Did she know more than she was letting on? He couldn't tell. Her scent remained neutral, save for that earlier spike of annoyance. No doubt she used chakra to control her scent. Kiba had no clue what to expect.
"Whatever you tell me, I'll keep in confidence," she said, her tone motherly. "You know that."
The guilt prompted him, so he chose truthfulness. "Me'n'Mom got into a fight. She went sorta crazy, so I left."
"What was the fight about?"
Dad. Ino. Yukari. Family codes. Clan honor. More guilt put a tangle in the middle of his chest. He really didn't want to get into it, but if he kept his mouth shut, would she dismiss him from the mission? Could he tell the Hokage to mind her own damn business? But, really, there was no choice in this if he wanted to be a part of taking down Nakamura.
He lowered his gaze to his toes, unable to keep eye contact. "Cheating, ma'am."
"Cheating? On Yukari?"
"Yes'm."
"Hm. With who?"
Tell 'er it's personal, Akamaru interjected with a low growl. She's nosin' in your business.
"Akamaru- -"
"What's wrong? You can tell me."
Kiba hesitated and looked at her. She seemed open and genuinely caring, but this information was so private. "Nothin's wrong."
He glanced at Akamaru, who gazed back; his companion, always loyal. Don't say anything, Akamaru'd said. Kiba wished he could, but he couldn't. She'd just find out from his mother and this was embarrassing enough now. In a half gesture, he lifted his hand, but then remembered he hadn't worn the leather jacket, which kept safe Ino's earrings.
"So?" she asked.
Kiba swallowed hard. "Yamanaka Ino, ma'am."
Embarrassment burned his ears and cheeks, and the folded paper (if it was that) poked his thigh through the cloth in his pocket. He stuck a finger in the corner of his pocket and toyed with its pointy ends. The need to kiss her raked him.
"Ino." A slow smile touched her lips. "I'd wondered. How advanced is the relationship?"
Akamaru growled. Personal, he repeated. Don't answer. She doesn't need to know.
The air in the office seemed too heavy, too close. Sweat dripped down his back; he felt smothered in here. "Ma'am?"- -a pitiful excuse for stalling.
She didn't even change her tone. "I mean is the relationship sexual?"
Kiba stared at her in disbelief. Inexplicably, the question stung. Made him feel defensive, like he had to protect Ino. He didn't want her judging Ino, or him, for that matter; or talking to his mother. Or Inoichi. No, definitely not Inoichi, even though Tsunade had told him everything was in confidence. What did that mean to the Hokage?
Akamaru was right- -he didn't have to answer. But this was the Hokage. He feared her reaction. She could easily overpower him; go around him; order him to tell her. She could order Inoichi to scan through his thoughts, his memories. The very idea crawled over his skin. Was there any way to disappear from this conversation?
She has to respect your privacy, Akamaru said. You can tell her 'no'.
"Inuzuka. Answer the question."
"I don't…want to."
"Don't make me order you as a soldier. Is the relationship sexual?"
She'd won. The embarrassment and humiliation were unbearable. "Yes'm."
"Okay. I'm going to cut to the chase. Are you in love with her?"
The question whipped the breath out of him. His mind went totally blank, but his blood throbbed. It throbbed with the need he had for her- -the want. He was attracted to her, yeah- -goddamn, he was attracted to her- -but in love?
What was it to be in love? To love?
Unless. Unless the huge expansion he always felt inside his chest when they kissed or when he saw her meant love. Unless the thinking about her all the time meant love. Having to bring her closer or smell her or else he'd lose his mind. Keeping her earrings in his pocket. The fantasies and daydreams and…oh. Oh, damn, when had it happened? When had he fallen in love with Ino?
For the first time in his life, Kiba played it safe. "I can't answer the question, Lady Hokage." He shrugged. "I don't know."
Her eyes narrowed, but she seemed to accept that lie. "Let me give you a piece of advice, Kiba. Keep your distance from Ino for now. You'll only hurt yourself if you end up, shall we say, sacrificing for the mission."
A beat passed as Kiba digested what 'sacrificing' meant in this context. "What? Like sex with Yukari?"
"Yes, like sex with Yukari." She continued through his stunned silence. "You never know from what angle you'll have to approach the target."
"Look, Lady Hokage…"
She interrupted him. "I know. You'll do what it takes to ensure the success of the mission. What I'm telling you is that success isn't success when the toll on the soldier is too great."
Her steady gaze told him she was on his side; she knew what was in store for him if he 'sacrificed' like that. His arrogant, cocky side rolled his eyes: no way was he jumping in the sack with a girl he didn't even like. And with Ino working just on the other side of the door, he was ready to wrap up this meeting so he could see her, if briefly.
"Is there anything else, Lady Hokage?"
"No, we're done here. And Kiba?" He glanced over his shoulder at her, as she set a leaf of papers on her desk. "Be careful."
"I always am."
He and Akamaru passed through the heavy door, and when it closed, Kiba slumped against it, giddy from relief. Okay, so he had a mission. Not a problem. Having other people know what was going made experiencing it all the more easier.
Akamaru licked Kiba's hand. That was pretty intense. You okay?
"Yeah. I think so."
So…then…open the damn note from Ino! Akamaru bumped Kiba with his head. I've been dying to know what she wrote.
His suspicions had been correct; she'd passed him a folded square of paper, small, so as not to arouse attention. Kiba's body went all hot upon reading the three words, in Ino's neat script, on the paper: Come find me.
"Let's go," he said to Akamaru, shoving the paper into his pocket.
You betcha.
They hurried to the stairwell, doors slam-banging behind them, following the trail of Ino's scent. It went upstairs, fairly fresh, and Kiba took the stairs three at a time. His blood hummed through him. All he could think about was Ino, her spill of blonde hair flashed in front of his eyes, her naked body arching towards him. She was all he could smell. The fierce burst of lust, like a predator snapping at prey, focused him on hunting her.
This floor, Akamaru said, nodding to the door. Left.
Already knowing, Kiba bowled through the doors into a hallway. They'd gone from an office building motif to what looked like a hotel. In a blur of white, Akamaru dashed ahead and rounded a corner. Kiba followed, hot on his heels. The hallways wound like a maze; mirrors, wooden stands with flowers, decorated doors, and paintings flew by. Without even trying, Kiba felt how close Ino was, and when Akamaru skidded to a stop and sniffed at a particular door, they both knew.
He took a moment to compose himself and to tame the amped animal clawing inside, salivating at her scent. His chest felt constricted, his heartbeat jumbled; his legs rubbery. Nerves. Anticipation. He put his hand on the doorknob, but the door swung in before he could grip the knob.
Ino stopped short, her eyes like diamond lakes.
"Akamaru, patrol the hallway," Kiba heard himself say, voice already husky, then he stepped into the bathroom and shut the door, locking it. "Ino."
"I was worried…"
She trailed off when Kiba framed her face with his hands and laid a soft kiss on her lips contrary to the fierce pressure to penetrate her in every sense.
"I know."
He understood she thought that he'd been unavoidably detained; that he wouldn't be coming to find her. She had been ready to leave, would have, had he not shown up when he did. Keen disappointment was receding from his presence, his touch.
His lips pressed harder, ravenous. More. He was in love with her and there was no stopping it from expanding into every molecule of him. Her tongue met his willingly- -she went boneless in his arms, her body curving into him. The heat crackled between them and any anxiety or embarrassment left over from Lady Tsunade's probing disintegrated.
All that existed was his desire to stay skin-close to her.
There were no more words he could say. His arousal had been at a slow burn since…well, since last time he'd seen her. Being surrounded by her liquid scent, her body already anticipating him, jarred him into high gear.
Control slipped away.
Shifting around, Kiba pushed Ino flush against the door. Her cheeks stained pink as he shoved his hands under her skirt, fingers hooking her panties and dragging them over her slender thighs and knees. He stood, Ino unfastening his pants, and he helped her with his boxers. He almost felt like a damn Jack-in-a-Box with the sudden way his boner popped out.
Not willing to wait any longer, he stepped into Ino, bumping her into the door. She gasped when he grabbed under her thighs and hoisted her up. Somehow, he pinned her to the door, and her arms clutched him around his shoulders. Those strong legs spread and wrapped around him (God help him, her arousal-smell blew his mind) but not before she reached between them and guided him into her hot recesses.
"Damn-!"
"Ah, oh!"
Feeling her without a condom was a hundred times more intense than he could have imagined. But maybe it was because he hadn't had sex in a while, and he'd been buzzing with hormones. She arched her back, impatient; he gasped. Ah, the friction…her natural, heated lubricant…he wasn't lasting long under these conditions. Already his muscles twitched, little bursts of fireworks under his skin.
"Kiba," she murmured, kissing his ear, sending him into a tail-spin, "oh, Kiba yes."
He breathed heavily in her neck. Flicked his tongue out to lick her salt and her vanilla-lemon. An urge to rip off her shirt, but he couldn't, not without letting her go. They were so close together that fucking her was only a matter of grinding his hips into hers, deeper into the heated sheath at her center.
She whimpered- -the sound twanging his heart strings- -and he set his teeth into the side of her neck, gently. Tightening in his guts. Muscles straining. Pleasure surged fire through him and burned down somewhere deep.
Her name growled into her neck. Dammit, she felt too good. Their unity told him she teetered on the edge. Kiba worked his hips; she moaned from her throat, her head and back thudding on the door.
Precious moments passed as he reveled being connected to her like this. The love emotion carried him into Ino, almost visible, like tendrils of light from him to her. He could feel them growing stronger; he could feel her emotion inside of him. And even if there wasn't that knowing there, he could taste the rise of her climax.
Ino suddenly cried out, her fingers digging into his shoulders. An abrupt twist in his gut; those cries pushed him closer to climax, but he forced himself back, but fuck, not for long, ah, dammit, and when her body clenched around his, Kiba went mindless and rutted her as hard as he could, gripping her thighs, completely consumed by the release orgasm gave him, until all that remained was their panting and sweat and caresses. He felt like himself again. Like a valve had released everything that was messing with him.
"Um," Ino finally said, "that was really good."
"That's all? A 'really good'? Are you kiddin' me?"
Ino tried to deadpan a response, but Kiba tickled her stomach and she laughed, pushing his hands away. Hm. Perfect. Her scent was an afterglow of contentment, mixed with his scent. Got him thinking she should smell like this all the time.
"You're a pain!" she told him, poking him in the chest. Then her look softened and she ran her hand up and down his chest. "And just so you know, I love the look of this flak jacket on you."
"You like it, hunh?" he answered, fastening up his pants. He leaned over to help her into her panties so she wouldn't trip. "Am I one sexy sonavabitch?"
Ino laughed again, stepping into the underwear. "Yeah. But I've always known you were a sonavabitch."
"Heh." He watched as she adjusted her clothing and smoothed her hair. His heart shifted like earth inside him. "Ino. Ino, I have something to tell you."
She looked up, blue eyes sparkling, and smiled. "What's that, Kibbers?"
"I love you." It had come off his tongue so easily, he thought maybe he hadn't said it at all. He tried again. "I love you."
Yep, he'd definitely said it; now, a sort of euphoria lifted him up. Ino eyes brimmed with tears and unfathomable emotion, and she flung her arms around him. In the kiss, they shared everything. Nothing remained between them.
Hey, guys, are you through yet? Akamaru's muted voice through the door. I'm bored out here.
"Yeah, we're coming," Kiba said, clutching Ino closer to his heart. "I don't want to leave."
She nodded and squeezed tighter. Short moments slid by. He felt her snuffle, and then like they'd counted together silently, they released each other. Ino wiped her eyes and laughed.
"You make me so emotional."
"I know the feeling."
Guys! C'mon! Let's go already!
"Yeah, yeah! Hold yer damn horses," Kiba said to the door. To Ino, "Sorry. My stupid dog's being a whiny bitch."
I heard that.
Ino giggled. "He's right, though. I gotta get back to work, and I'm sure that you have some things to discuss with your team."
He nodded, took one last look at her, and opened the door. Akamaru shot him a seriously annoyed look before bumping into him for petting. Kiba scratched behind the floppy ears. A strange thing occurred then. He noticed Ino watching him, and he knew, felt, it was permission she waited for. When he nodded at her, only then did she stroke Akamaru's back. That submission, that respect, she showed was more complete than even her parents or her comrades had. Only he had it.
After a few minutes, Ino touched his hand. A look transpired. She was leaving. They kissed; once again; once more; before she broke away, and with what looked like discomfort and determination, strode away.
You picked a good one, partner.
"It hurts to see her leave," Kiba replied, rubbing his chest where his heart ached. "I wanna run after as fast as I can."
That's being in love, Akamaru surmised. But you and she'll both be okay. C'mon. Hinata and Shino have been hanging around the front of the building for some time.
Kiba allowed Akamaru to take the lead, winding down the stairs, and leaving the building, his mind clicked into neutral. Shino and Hinata had waited for them. Hinata waved in greeting and reached to pat Akamaru when he neared.
Shino shifted his head, sunlight reflecting off the sunglasses. "Kiba, come with us. We have much to discuss."
After a few minutes, Akamaru interrupted their silence. Hey. Did she call you Kibbers?"
"Yeah. And shut up."
I didn't say anything. A few quiet steps, then, It's kinda cute.
"Pfft. 's not 'cute'."
Akamaru laughed at him as they walked the street, drawing curious looks from Hinata and Shino.
- -N- -
Later that week, per Shino's direction, Kiba arrived at the Nakamura manor; unfortunately, Akamaru had to sit this one out. Having him there would be suspicious, and besides, Kiba could manage this with his eyes closed and his hands tied. So Akamaru was hanging out with Hinata and Shino for Kiba to finish his mission.
After buzzing, getting let in, the servant Kin answered the door. Kin guided Kiba to a sitting room, towards the back of the place, where Miss Nakamaru would be arriving shortly.
Kiba took a position near the window and considered where to start looking. His team had gotten the blueprints of the Nakamura manor, so Kiba's task was to sniff around for hints of the product. Once found, the last step of their mission would be compiling evidence against Mrs. Bitch and arresting her for conspiracy. How Shino'd planned it seemed so simple, a cakewalk.
His nose, sharp as usual, picked up Yukari's approach. Her scent snapped his attention…something was…different. No lilacs. And he found without that lilac stink, she smelled like cotton. Clean and…homey, and not what he expected at all. He supposed that was stupid, since all she ever wore were those cotton dresses. But not only that. Her heart rate was up, and she was perspiring. Hormones through the roof. Then there was something masculine, a familiar scent, close to…hm. Weird. Close to Kin.
Yukari walked into the room; he'd anticipated her, so her eyes widened in surprise as she stepped into Kiba's full line of sight. Even without her rosy cheeks, the gleam on her forehead and chest, he could tell. Kiba clamped his teeth into this tongue to avoid laughing at the irony. He'd seen the same pink, smelled the same contentment in Ino after their sex. Yukari was sleeping with someone and recently, by the fresh glow.
"Miss Yukari?" Another servant, male, who looked like a handsomer, younger version of Kin, had arrived. "You and Mr. Inuzuka can dine on the patio, if it pleases you."
Kiba glanced at Yukari- -she seemed a bit shy, maybe even flustered. Kiba didn't even need his nose to tell him (but it had already) that this was Yukari's chosen partner.
"Yes. That'd be delightful, Kai."
Kai ducked his head and left. Kiba smirked and held out his hand to Yukari. She took it, and he drew her near to kiss her forehead gently, playing the prince once more to avoid rousing Yukari's suspicions and more importantly, Mrs. Bitch's suspicions if she was around. And perhaps he was no longer the suspicious one, now that Yukari seemed to have a lover in the wings.
The knowledge was leverage over Yukari, but on the other hand, she would endanger his mission if Mrs. Bitch caught Yukari and Kai en flagrante. Mrs. Bitch, Kiba knew, would not stand for her daughter to fraternize with a boy from a 'lowly' servant class. In short, the situation would get messy fast.
"Kiba," she whispered. "Kiba. I missed you."
He'd been busy to the extreme with training and planning with Shino and Hinata, and in his spare time, he had often been daydreaming about Ino, so he'd been spending precious little time with Yukari. He hadn't even thought about home. Guilt nibbled at his insides.
"Sorry about that," he murmured, scooping her into a hug.
She laughed, the sound muffled by his shoulder. "Don't worry! I know you're very busy. And you came at just the right time! Come on, let's get lunch."
He kept an arm loosely over her shoulders as they walked through the house to the back patio. A table had been set up, complete with linens and glassware. A small bouquet of flowers livened up the table- -immediately Kiba thought of Ino at the flower shop. He fought the vivid images, the most recent of her gazing at him, her eyes brimming with her love for him. His heart turned in his chest, sharply enough that he reached out to the table for support.
"Kiba! Are you okay? Kiba?"
Yukari's small hands put light pressure on his back. He nodded. "No…I'm just a little tired. Nothing's wrong."
Though he smiled, he could tell she wasn't wholly convinced, so he pulled her chair out for her and gestured her to sit. Then he regaled her with questions about what she'd been up to, how was her knitting, it looked like she got some sun, and anything else he could think to keep her mind from returning to him.
When Kai served out the drinks, Kiba couldn't help but lightly tease Yukari.
"Hey, he seems like a good guy. What's his name again?"
Yukari's color rose and she smoothed her hair nervously. "Kai. And yes, he's…very nice."
"He looks familiar…"
"Kin is his father," Yukari said. "They've been household staff for as long as I can remember. I grew up with Kai, really." She smiled softly. "Kai has always been a good friend."
"Has he?"
Her eyes were far away; her smile so tender. "Oh, yes. I remember one day I was playing and fell down. I scraped my knee badly. I cried and cried, and Kai comforted me."
Yukari's entire aura shifted- -he knew then, just as he had come to know he was in love with Ino- -that Yukari was in love with Kai. And he understood that. He understood her weakness. Her mother was formidable; to protect the one she truly loved from her own blood, Yukari had had no choice but to catch a shinobi.
It all fit together perfectly. His sense of honor renewed, fortifying and building his determination, and he promised to complete his current mission so that Yukari could be with the one she loved, and in turn, allow him to be with Ino, his own love.
The breeze freshened the warm air- -and Kiba could smell little Shi moving fast towards them, and based on the kid's scent, he was itching for a fight.
A/N: Next: More Complications. See you then!
04/23/10: Minor edits
07/24/10: Minor-ish revisions and replaced incorrect hyphens with dashes = "- -"
