A/N: Oh, I'm SO sorry, you guys. Time got away from me. Thank you for waiting patiently while I was absent from the scene. Thanks also to PSI who continues to support me in times of panic. Please, enjoy! =)


XXI: More Complications

Shit. There was no way in hell that Kiba could fight Shi and accomplish his mission objectives: schmooze Yukari (didn't wanna, but had to); recon the area; pinpoint the location of the drug that had Lady Hokage's panties in a bunch.

Earlier, Tsunade had summoned Team 8 once more and had provided a sample of the drug. It had looked like a small piece of torn, wrinkled paper, black in color and had smelled like fermented mint- -almost alcoholic. Under cover of night, his team would further infiltrate the manor, uncovering Nakamura's operations and convicting her of treason. That would be seriously righteous.

Kiba had wanted to work Yukari a little for information, but Shi's imminent arrival meant he'd have to wait to avoid any conflict that might delay his mission objectives. He needed an excuse to get outta there before Shi messed things up.

"Hey, where's the bathroom?" he asked Yukari.

Yukari smiled and told him directions to the nearest bathroom and thankfully, Shi was out of range. After entering the house, Kiba passed a few of the staff, who ignored him, and found an unlocked, unmonitored door that led into a quiet, empty room where he could concentrate on the scents of the house.

He set to work immediately, filtering through each scent, scanning for that unique fermented mint, but Shi's scent distracted him as it wound through the house. Kiba's ears pricked as he heard doors opening-closing, repeatedly. Dammit. Was Shi checking the house for him? If so, the kid was dangerously close to his location and a locked door wasn't gonna stop him.

Okay, time to move operations. Behind him were a couple windows. The one window he chose needed jimmying, but he got it and, after closing it behind him, used the rooftops for a quick escape. The house should occupy Shi long enough for him complete his reconnaissance.

Avoidance had consumed precious minutes, and he didn't have much time left until Yukari became suspicious or until someone else took an interest in his whereabouts; Shi had taken care of that by going ape-shit around the house. Kiba settled again to concentrate. The servants. Perfume. Food. Potpourri. To pierce through those scents, he increased the chakra in his nose. Still, he couldn't find a match. Kiba stepped across the roof, keeping Shi monitored while at the same time concentrating on finding the drug should it be there.

A change in the murmur of the household staff caught his attention. They had gone quiet.

"…is he? I have to know, now!" That voice belonged to Shi.

Someone female responded, "I don't know. He passed through several minutes ago."

The breeze cooled sweat on Kiba's face, but he caught a faint, faint mint.

Shi said, "He's either not in the house…or he's avoiding me!"

"I'm sorry, Mr. Shi. I don't know."

By a miracle, Kiba had stepped downwind of the drug; he followed his nose to the far edge of the manor's roof. On the other side of the house was what looked like an old-fashioned storm cellar nestled among neatly clipped hedges, and from what Kiba could remember of the basement, there had been no doors like that leading to the outside. From the basement (and consequently the cells) had been one entrance and exit: the door to the rest of the house.

"He's here somewhere. If he's not in the house, where else could he be?"

Then Kiba heard Yukari's lover, Kai, speak up. "Maybe he took some air outside."

"The roof!"

Kiba could afford a few seconds, since he noticed some silver on the doors that gleamed in the sun. Shino would kill him. Murder him for being stupid.

But he couldn't help being curious. He hopped down to examine the doors and the security system. An electronic number pad locked the door, something that couldn't easily be broken.

Some definite traces of Mrs. Nakamura's scent and some hints of others, but none that Kiba recognized. Fermented mint was almost overwhelming and even with the ground separating the scent, he could tell that there was a large supply a few dozen feet from these doors. A secret laboratory, he thought, is just under my feet.

Then a black cockroach scuttled across the door. Kiba froze, his heart beating hard. Another roach followed by another and another and another. He leapt back to cover in a copse of trees, unsure what the insects meant. Had he been discovered? Or was this another security measure?

Not wanting to press his luck- -and besides, Shi clumped on the roof ever closer- -Kiba returned to the porch via a route through the house, and found Yukari idly rattling the ice in her glass. She glanced up when he slid open the door. Lunch had been served.

"I was getting worried," she said. "Shi came but got restless and went looking for you."

"Oh. Sorry." Kiba had already thought of an excuse for his absence. "Some of the art looked interesting, so I was sorta checking it out."

Yukari eyes went cold. "My mother would be pleased to hear. She picked all the art for the house, didn't you know?"

"Uh, really? She's got good taste."

"I'm sure."

Yikes. The bitterness steeled her voice. Time to move on. Kiba cleared his throat. "So. What's for lunch?"

Some sorta curry, heavy on the spices, something that he was unfamiliar with. As he ate, Kiba felt a persistent scratch at the back of his throat, but he chalked it up to the spiciness and sipped more iced tea to soothe it.

"What did Shi say he wanted?" Kiba asked, more to break their mealtime silence than to know. "If it's important, I can catch him before I go."

Yukari wrung her hands. "He said something about a shinobi's duel and revenge? I don't know…he was pretty worked up. I tried to get him to stay, but he thought you were wandering around and went looking for you."

"I see." Maybe now was a good time to leave. Shi might bring up uncomfortable questions. "Thanks for lunch, Yukari. I gotta get going, so I'll see you later."

"Kiba? Remember we were talking about that festival? Do you think you could still come with us?"

Ah, shit. He vaguely recalled her saying something about it…today was Saturday, so, uh, it would've been…Tuesday night? when they'd gone on the double date with Shino and Masako. Yukari had mentioned some festival, and Kiba guessed that this would be what she'd been asking about.

"I'll have to clear it with the Hokage. I'm not sure if she's got me on the roster for any other missions, but I'll check and let you know. If we're going outside the village, though, Akamaru's coming with us."

Yukari nodded gravely. "Of course. Do you think your team would be required to come too?"

"I, ah, have no idea. Listen, I've got some errands to run before heading home. I'll check in with you tomorrow if I can get a straight answer from the Hokage, okay?"

"Yes. That sounds good."

He turned to leave. "Well, bye then."

"Wait! Kiba!"

He felt her hand grab the crook of his elbow, and he stopped, half-shifting to face her; a moment skipped, and then her soft lips were against his and reflexively, he kissed her back. As she lingered on his mouth, he had the time to think about the heat snaking through his veins, a reaction that felt so entirely familiar that he put a hand to Yukari's nape before he even realized he'd done it.

And panic set in when his mind registered the default response reserved for Ino, and Ino alone.

Ice and weird sickness spiked through him, but he surprised himself. He waited until Yukari pulled away first, before shooting her a half-cocked grin, and leaping to the rooftops. He sprinted, feet hammering on tile, loose gravel, stone. Had to get distance from her as fast as he could. And from the kiss.

Damn, damn, damn. Her lids had dropped half over her dark eyes, the soft sigh she'd breathed as he'd caressed her neck- -too similar to Ino. Want and achy desperation wound through his guts. That…was no fair.

He flew over the rooftops, drawing the air through his nose and finding the thread of scent that was Ino's. Seeing her, without a doubt, would resolve the frightening…just admit it…attraction. Attraction to Yukari. God, he didn't even wanna think about it.

Akamaru's words, forgotten until now, resurfaced to taunt him: You can be attracted to someone but be in love with someone else.

Ino would straighten him out. She had to. A glimpse of her, however brief, that would suffice, right? And then he could take care of business in the bathroom, which would solve his horniness. Yeah, good plan. He just had to get to her.

Deceptively long minutes ticked off as he scrambled to pin Ino's exact location. Angled toward ten o'clock- -and the team training grounds. Based off the ozone in her scent, she must've been working at some new jutsu. Knowing her, she'd head for home and a shower.

Kiba could intercept her en-route, no problem; however, the nearer he got to her, the more crazed he became, the more he understood what he was really going to do once he did get her. All the rush of anticipation blinded him.

Oh, God, what was his defect? He was compromising the mission. Disobeying a direct order from the Hokage. But…sex was a necessary risk for his sanity. He was a teenaged boy, not some celibate monk. Any excuse would suffice to dampen the guilt.

Abruptly, he skidded to a stop, was literally over her. In fact, the flick of her blonde hair below had him dropping off the rooftops to street level. He'd huddled against a wall between two buildings, so when Ino passed, he could easily reach out and pull her into cover. His mind leapt ahead to pressing her into him, grinding against her, hearing her gasp, then biting her neck as his hand slithered between her legs to…

Shino's voice from behind froze him. "Kiba. I have finally stopped you."

"O-oh?" His libido screamed in agony. "Uh, what do you mean by 'stopped'?"

"I have been tailing you since you left Nakamura's manor. You did not notice me?"

Sonavabitch. Kiba felt Ino's presence, smelt her seconds away. Sweat stung his eyes. "I was…um…trying to get a safe distance from the house before we talked."

"I see." Shino tone was flat. "Did you locate the product?"

"Um"- -Kiba cleared his throat; damned annoying scratch, and his heart galloped in his chest- -"yeah, I did."

Then he watched as Ino sailed by without even a glance over her shoulder to the shadows hiding two of her comrades. It had been just seconds. And now, moment gone forever. The disappointment pitted him, but he kept his face neutral. Maybe he could disengage from Shino and get to Ino anyway.

"Let us go. We must prepare for tonight's mission."

Aggravation spurted when Shino coolly turned. The whole thing stunk; like Shino had intervened to prevent a quickie rather than corralling him up for a mission briefing. Kiba seriously thought about telling Shino to get lost, that he had an important matter to discuss with the Hokage, which was along the lines of truth.

But he hesitated as they dodged up to the roofs toward a designated meeting point. Another entirely possible matter was that the Hokage assigned Shino the side mission of keeping Kiba from being impulsive. If that was the case, Kiba could be sure that Shino would wreck any attempt at impulsivity, including a screw with Ino.

The growl rattled in his throat at being foiled at every turn. He winced when the growl agitated the scratch. Better not be getting sick, he thought. That would suck.

- -N- -

By the end of the tactical briefing with his team, Kiba's throat felt punctured by nails, like they had pierced under his jaw.

So you stink like the dredges of a hormone sewage pipe, Akamaru stated as they traveled home. You oughta take care of yourself when you have the privacy.

"Shut up." Saying two words was so painful. Stung his eyes a little.

You sound hoarse. Is your throat bothering you?

"Yeah. Get us home."

Akamaru nodded and said nothing more, thankfully, and when they got through Naruto's front door, Kiba stumbled to his pile of blankets and wrapped himself up. He fell asleep when his head hit the pillow.

Akamaru woke him up late the next morning. The pulse in his throat felt like painful burning. Couldn't swallow without wincing, like swallowing glass. Getting up to go to the bathroom turned into a swirling circus of furniture, ceiling, and floor. He had only the energy to set out some food and water for Akamaru before collapsing. Sleep again.

A wet nose nuzzled his neck. Something in the apartment. He sat upright, alarmed.

's only Shino. Akamaru's rough 'voice'.

He peered around- -shadows and inky darkness- -but then a light turned on and he cringed back. The light curled behind his eyeballs to stab his brain. His throat burned worse than before.

"Where were you? You missed our rendezvous."

He blinked away spots. Shino took shape, voice sounding strange.

"Is everything all right?" Shino stepped over to crouch beside him. "You look ill."

"I am," is what he meant to say, but the only sound that came out of him was a gasp. He pantomimed that his throat was screwed up.

"Ah. You cannot speak."

Kiba nodded.

"Have you had anything to eat recently?"

The last thing Kiba ate was at lunch yesterday, or so he guessed. When had he needed to meet up with Shino and Hinata? Couldn't remember. He shook his head.

"Do you think you could eat ramen?"

Kiba nodded.

"Rest here."

He slumped back on his pillows, watching Shino cross the room to the kitchen. His eyes closed; he didn't even realize he'd fallen asleep again until Akamaru prodded him with his cold nose.

Wake up. Shino's got your ramen.

His extricated himself from the tangle of blanket and weakly used the wall to prop up. Shino handed him the bowl and some chopsticks, and then sat a few feet away. Kiba considered how best to attack the food and ended up sipping the hot broth, though his nose was plugged and the ramen was tasteless. His throat protested, but not much, and he was able to finish the meal.

Shino took the bowl from him. "I will let Lady Tsunade know of your condition. Perhaps you should come with me? At least then you would have someone to care for you."

Kiba shook his head. He didn't think he wanted to try moving anywhere new. Sitting up had made him sick to his stomach and dizzy. Besides, his mother might worry about him and he didn't want that. He didn't want her caring for him after he'd been a cold-hearted jerk to her.

"Very well. Hinata and I will be in to check on you regularly, as Naruto has taken another sabbatical. Is there anything you need?"

Kiba gestured at Akamaru. Go with Shino.

What about you? I'm staying with you.

Go with Shino. I'll be fine.

Kiba…

"Kiba?" Shino had waited through the whole nonverbal interaction. "Are you all right?"

Kiba nodded and pointed at Akamaru, gestured that Akamaru was going with him.

Shino stood. "Very well. I will be back to check on you, and I will take care of Akamaru in the meantime."

Yes, that was what Kiba wanted. Peace and quiet. And Ino. The sudden ache in his chest stole his breath. He waved off Akamaru.

Defiantly, Akamaru arranged his footpaws. I'm staying here with you.

Fine. Kiba didn't have the energy to argue, so he shrugged his shoulders to show Shino that Akamaru was being a bad dog. Shino turned to leave.

"I understand. I will be back."

His stomach full of hot broth and noodles, Kiba dropped back on the pillows and relaxed. Akamaru licked his face. After managing a half-hearted pat, sleep came over him.

He had dreams. Most of them were crisp Ino-dreams that were memories of the time they'd spent together. The bookstore. His house. Shino's attic. And there were details he so clearly saw that he hadn't noticed at the time. A wisp of hair on her smooth neck. The depth of her eyes. Her painted toenails. The delicateness of her wrists.

The heat of the sun made him sweaty. When had it gotten so fucking hot? He was facing Ino in the park outside the hospital, in the middle of that stupid argument about Yukari, when she pressed a hand to his forehead. That wasn't what she was supposed to do.

"He is one sick puppy," she said. "See how flush he is? And look here. There's definitely some swelling."

When her fingers squeezed lightly under his jaw, the vicious pain jolted him from his dream. But…Ino…leaned over him. So he was still dreaming? He was so hot. A movement to his side drew his attention; when he turned his head, buzzing swarmed his hearing and the world blurred to a haze. Stomach churned.

He had only prayers to avoid barfing run through his mind, and after a long, long minute, the discomfort receded. A little. It hadn't been worth it to see his dog flopped, full-length on the floor, all four paws in the air, as Yukari sat over him. She had scratched Akamaru into full submission. What was she doing here? And Ino…she shouldn't be here either.

A pat on his face and gently his head shifted. "Easy. Guess you need something for the pain, hunh?" Some leftover buzzing muted Ino's voice. She looked concerned. "Open your mouth. I need to see your throat."

He complied. In her hand she held a penlight that she leveled at his mouth. She narrowed her eyes, angling her head to see better. Yukari's head bobbed into view, and Kiba felt her take his hand.

"What's wrong with him?" she asked.

"I'm not sure. Here take a look." Ino handed Yukari the penlight and leaned back. "Do you see those swollen, blister-like spots on either side of the throat?"

"Yes. What are they? Is it contagious?"

"No, not contagious, but I'm not sure what they are. I think it's what's causing his symptoms. I'll take a sample and run it to the lab. While I'm there, I can check his family history for similar occurrences."

"Should he be hospitalized?"

"Hard to say. We'll only know when the results come back from the lab."

There was a slight pause in the conversation. One of them put pressure on his chin to close his mouth. The hand Yukari clutched felt clammy and he wanted to pull away.

"What should we do now?" Yukari asked. "I mean, doesn't he need us?"

"Yeah. I can tell already that he needs a bath, and probably a meal. I should be the one to bathe him since I'm stronger and can check him over. Is that okay?"

Yukari nodded. "What should I do?"

Ino glanced at him. He gazed back, hating that he couldn't scent her, hating that even though he couldn't, he still wanted to jump her. Her bare knee was less than an inch from his hand. Carefully, he rolled his arm so that the back of his hand brushed her skin. That unassuming touch thrilled him.

"I think," she said, lifting his arm and folding it over his stomach, "that he needs clean clothes and food. Would you do that?"

"Is it okay? I mean, will Mr. Uzumaki mind?"

Ino laughed and stood, indicating that Yukari should as well. "I don't think he'll even realize it if we restock the ramen."

His mind had gone straight up Ino's skirt, and he couldn't believe that Ino was here, in this apartment, now. It was just…impossible. Kiba listened to their footsteps, feeling vacant and useless, and heard Ino show Yukari the washing and drying machines. Blood throbbed in his head. He wanted to peel the clothing off Ino to touch her and taste her and move against her.

"Okay, I'm gonna get Kiba to the bathroom. You'll be okay?" Ino asked.

"Yes."

More footsteps, and then Ino loomed over him. Could he run his hand up her leg, to the back of her knee?

"Bath time, Kibbers. Up you go." Ino leaned down, wrapped his arm over her shoulders, and hoisted, with help from an arm around his waist. She grunted; he attempted to help, but knew she'd done most of the work when she said, "You're gonna make this hard on me, aren't you?"

The world spun. He clutched Ino's shoulder, ducked his head to hers. Behind his eyelids, he still felt wobbly. Sick. Hot. Throat throbbed where his heart pulsed.

"C'mon. One step at a time."

She put pressure on his lower back to encourage him. Awkwardly they moved, Kiba sometimes reaching out to the wall for extra support, and Ino murmuring in his ear. The dizziness, heat- -the miserable sickness- -distracted him from her. He wanted to speak to her, but his voice could not pass through his throat.

Somehow, they managed to get into the bathroom. Ino set him on the toilet seat. He sat back, relieved, panting.

"Chill out for a second, okay?"

She left. Came back. Laid folded clothing on the sink counter. She then got the faucet running, and water began rising in the bathtub. The sound of pouring water filled his pounding head. He heard it and he saw it, but things looked fuzzy. He wasn't thinking clearly.

Ino started with his flak jacket, unzipping it, and helping him slide it off. He felt cooler almost instantly, and when she tugged off his shirt, he cooled down further. Skin was damp with sweat.

She giggled- -she had his one foot between her knees, and was working the laces to his boots. "You forgot to take off your shoes before going to bed."

Off came the boot, then the next one. It was like watching television, a completely passive experience, and it occurred to him that if this was really happening, he found it utterly arousing. When she leaned, her fingers on the button and zipper of his pants, Kiba found his strength to lift her head and press his mouth to hers. He told her through the kiss that he wanted her and that she should stay with him and that he loved her.

She hurt him when she broke the kiss, whispering, "Maybe later."

A few short minutes after, he stood, naked, with help from Ino. Dizzy again. She guided his feet, one by one, up over the tall edge of the bath tub and lowered him into the water. The water temperature was perfectly lukewarm.

Ino perched on the side, a washcloth and soap already in her hand. Kiba closed his eyes. Rested his head back. He wove between wakefulness and dream, relaxing as Ino scrubbed and rinsed him, splashing water over his chest and shoulders. She washed his hair for him; her nails felt good on his scalp, and when she lifted him and maneuvered him back to the toilet seat, he felt better- -cared for, loved.

She patted him down with the towel, the sheen of sweat on her forehead. In his mind, he pressed her head to his lap; he stood and pinned her against the wall; took her from behind over the counter. The curve of her bare back, her fall of hair, the burning appetite he had for her seemed too real. Tangible.

Only when she shifted him to pull a clean shirt over his head did he realize that he'd been daydreaming. She'd already gotten his boxers on. Had he kissed her yet today?

Ino leaned over and in her hand was a Q-tip. "I'm gonna swab your throat. Open up."

He shook his head.

"Open up."

Again, he shook his head. Tapped his mouth with his finger. Kiss me first, he meant.

"Don't play," she said. "Now's not the time."

Kiba gazed back at her, waiting for her will to bend. The staring contest lasted for a minute before she sighed, dramatically, and kissed him. A gentle, get-better-soon kiss. He had enough time rub his nose against hers before she pulled away and tilted his face to the light. She swabbed his throat, hustled him out of the bathroom (his elbow hit the doorframe that time) and propped him up on the couch.

"How's it going?" Ino asked over his shoulder. Kiba heard movement in the kitchen.

"Well, hm. Not as good as I hoped. I found some soup and crackers."

Ino left, and since he couldn't see her, Kiba closed his eyes and reveled in cleanliness. Too bad he couldn't smell.

"No, that'll be great. Do you mind caring for him? I have the sample to take to the lab, and I thought I'd take Akamaru out for a run."

Is that okay? Akamaru asked.

Kiba nodded, too tired to open his eyes. Akamaru would be safe with Ino and besides, he needed the opportunity to run around outside to expel any restlessness and built-up anxiety.

"That's fine!" Yukari said. "What time do you think you'll be back?"

"It's hard to say. Probably late evening. I can let Shino or Hinata know you're here, so that'll save them the trip. Unless…you think you need help?"

"No, no. I've taken care of my little brother before when he was sick. I know just what to do."

"Okay, great. Here's some aspirin and a thermometer. Give him two of the aspirin and monitor his fever. If it gets worse, use the contents of this packet. Boil some water, steep the herbs. They should do the trick until I get back with a more definitive diagnosis."

"Thanks, Ino."

"No problem. Akamaru?"

Akamaru nuzzled Kiba to give him a few encouraging licks. I'll see you soon. I don't think you have anything to worry about from Yukari. She seems genuinely concerned for you.

Blindly, Kiba patted some furriness, maybe Akamaru's head, maybe not, and let his hand trail the long body as Akamaru stood and walked away. The dog's nails clacked across the floor. A door opened.

"We'll see you soon," Ino said. "Bye!"

"Bye!"

The door closed. A sigh. Silence. Then, "I wonder if I'd tidied up, if anyone would mind?"

There was shuffling around for some time and then Yukari gently shook him awake. She'd brought out a lunch tray- -a cup of soup, crackers broken up in it, two aspirin- -and helped him sit up properly. His stomach cried, but after his first sip of soup, it quieted down. His throat's rawness eased under the hot liquid, allowing Kiba to swallow the aspirin.

During his eating, Yukari talked non-stop. He wished she'd be quiet. Seemed like she wanted to fill the silence, but was content with his nods every once in a while to her questions or to indicate that he was (sort of) listening. Eating the food and moving around had tired him. When Yukari took the tray back, he flopped over to rest his head against the cushiony armrest.

Pans clattered behind him, water running, humming. He was home in the living room, his mother in the kitchen cleaning up after dinner. She'd let him gorge himself on her specialty fish and now he had a stomachache. Her hand pressed his forehead; he felt hot, sweaty.

"Yer fever's gone up," she said. "Let's put you to bed."

She helped him off the couch and laid him down into his big, comfy bed. His mother turned off the light. Time passed.

A girl mumbled beside him. His brain told him it was Ino. This was their first night together, room pitch dark, and they cuddled together under the covers. She'd rolled away from him and the separation did not agree with him. Their earlier play seemed so distant, too long ago in these wee night hours. He put his hand out, testing, and found the curve of a hip.

Need flared inside him, deep in his gut. Kiba went with it. He heard a change in Ino's breathing; she stirred.

"Kiba?"

He didn't say anything, choosing instead to scoot her closer, and then letting his hand travel up her soft body so that when he leaned to kiss her, he knew where her mouth was. She wore panties and a t-shirt, but no bra, and he slipped his hand under her shirt to squeeze her breast. Ino exhaled softly. Her arms lifted, allowing him to take off the t-shirt.

Kissing her when he felt so feverish and needy was a strange experience, but if she minded, she didn't show it. He shed his t-shirt, then gently he tugged off her panties, she helped him, and when he ducked his hand between her thighs, he found her wet. She had already pushed down his shorts as they shifted together for a comfortable position.

Kiba ended up with her underneath him, feeling with the familiarity of the position a sense of déjà vu. But if they'd never had sex before…then…? Her nails across his shoulders distracted him. He licked kisses along her neck, greedy for a taste of her, and not getting satisfied. He couldn't get enough.

Between them, a hand touched him, trailed light fingers on his erection, then her hips lifted and he penetrated her. Ino cried out, Kiba's body tensed with the sudden, hot pleasure, but he couldn't stop from pulling his hips along hers, then again and again. The incredible lust roared inside him when Ino panted and moaned, he was going too fast, too hard but it was too late to slow- -

The climax blindsided him, blew his mind apart, yanked a deep emotion straight to the surface. Kiba grappled with it until it became clear; he was absolutely in love with her- -he existed to be with her.

Slowly he relaxed. He couldn't believe how much better he felt; Ino squirmed beneath him, so he rolled off, but gathered her in his arms to kiss her for being with him. Exhaustion hit fast, and Kiba dropped into sleep without fighting.

When he realized he was awake, Kiba also realized he cradled warm, soft skin, his arm wrapped around a ribcage. Ino. The plane of her back nestled against his chest; he could feel her breathing. He hadn't been dreaming last night. Just before the elation went to his head, Kiba felt something about her was wrong and that wrongness sunk his stomach like lead. What was wrong, exactly, he wasn't sure.

Pretend everything's fine and keep yer damn eyes shut, he told himself. He wished he could listen to his own advice, but Inuzukas were not cowards.

He forced open his gummy eyes. Yellow hair didn't leap out to grab his attention. The short hair was black.

Who he held close was not Ino, but Yukari.


A/N: Ah, okay. So please don't kill me. =) I'll hopefully have the next chapter Sat., Aug. 7th. Hopefully. In the meantime, leave me some love?