A/N: This story is a KibaSaku centric prequel to Words, Hands, and Hearts which I had a lot of fun planning and writing.
And since I always wanted to delve into detail about Kiba and Sakura's relationship, this word vomit was a result of that.
This was supposed to be left as a fluffy one-shot. But, like always, I love launching myself into a rabbit hole and detailing flashbacks or past events into either a passing sentence or a proper format. So, it's going to be a slow burn now. All the words here and the story Words, Hands, & Hearts which inspired this prequel is a testament to that. And I still feel like I'm going too fast. Sad, isn't it?
I mostly write these for myself to keep polishing my writing skills as I'm well aware ff dot net is dead, but feel free to say hi and share your opinions!
Chapter 1
Lights and Sounds
In the heart of Konoha, concealed behind the neon-lit façade of a bustling club, a celebration unfolded, marking the third anniversary of the end of the Fourth Great Ninja War, this one organized by the youngsters to party to their fullest extent while the older ones organized a much sober memorial. The atmosphere within was electric, pulsating with a vibrant energy that transcended the shadows of their shared history. It was also their village hero's twentieth birthday.
"Yeah! I can finally start drinking till I pass out-dattebayo! I made it, ka-chan!" said hero yelled as he walked in with his friends and they all laughed in agreement.
"Naruto, you've had alcohol before," Shikamaru remarked in amusement.
"Just a glass here and there," he huffed. "Never enough to pass out after a party and wake up regretting my life's decisions!"
Stepping through the club's entrance, they were greeted by the rhythmic beats of music that echoed through the dimly lit space. The walls, adorned with subtle nods to the ancient art of ninjutsu, created an ambiance that seamlessly blended tradition with the contemporary.
A spectrum of vibrant colors from intricate ninja costumes and modern evening wear illuminated the dance floor, as some of them had sneaked out of the traditional party into this one. Ninjas of neighboring villages and countries, once masked in secrecy, now reveled openly in the victory. Shōji screens adorned with symbols of unity and peace framed the stage where a DJ, masked in a ninja-inspired ensemble, skillfully mixed beats that resonated with the heartbeats of all celebrating.
In a corner, a makeshift tokonoma displayed artifacts from the war—weapons, scrolls, and symbols of clans that had once been sworn enemies. Now, they stood together as a testament to the unity forged in the crucible of conflict.
A sense of relief and gratitude permeated the air. The celebration was not just a revelry in victory but a collective sigh of relief - a recognition of the sacrifices made and the bonds forged in the crucible of conflict. Ninjas and civilians alike celebrated not only the end of a war but the dawn of a new era where peace reigned, and unity triumphed over shadows.
The air buzzed with laughter and camaraderie as ninjas, once fierce rivals, shared stories of battles won and lost. The clinking of glasses and the aroma of traditional sake blended seamlessly with the modern cocktails being served, symbolizing a harmonious fusion of past and present.
On the dance floor, ninjas showcased their agility in a dance that mirrored the fluidity of their movements on the battlefield. Strobe lights and swirling fog added an otherworldly dimension, creating an immersive experience. Naruto, Lee, and Kiba immediately made their way there, two out of the three grabbing a cocktail from the passing waiter, determined to show the others how it's done.
"INO!" Sakura yelled happily across the room as she saw her come in, glad her friend had finally joined the party. "Took you long enough! Why do you always obsess over your makeup so much, you ugly Pig?"
The air around them seemed to tense as Ino hesitated for a moment before deciding to share the news that would cast a shadow over Sakura's night.
"Sakura..." Ino hesitated, her voice shaky like she would burst out crying at any moment. "Sasuke was here," she informed her.
Sakura's vibrant mood immediately darkened. Ino took her hand and dragged her into a dimly lit corner.
"What are you talking about?" Sakura asked. "Where is he? If he was here, he'd have visited me. He would've come to this party. It's Naruto's twentieth."
"He only visited the Rokudaime and Naruto before leaving again," Ino explained. "He… He registered Karin as his companion on his next journey."
Sakura's heart sank like a ton of bricks. "No," her lips mouthed, her voice lost amidst the loud music.
After a year in prison, Sasuke had ventured on his journey. She had thrown herself at him and he had rejected her company, saying he had needed to walk his path of redemption alone. Another year had passed since then, and Sakura had been waiting for him to come back for her. But, this time, he hadn't deemed it fit to even meet her. What's more, he had taken... Karin with him.
Sasuke had hurt her time and time again. He had always rejected her, yet, she always had the lingering hope that perhaps, in time, things might change. Despite the years she had spent training to become better, the fact that she was ready to leave all she had known to be by his side, even after he had attempted to kill her multiple times and the heinous acts of treason and terrorism he had committed, her limerence had remained.
The news only deepened her sense of loneliness, grief, and disappointment, an emotion mirrored in Ino's eyes and she was surprised no one could hear her heart shattering so loudly. Sasuke Uchiha had hurt her for the last time, she clenched her teeth. And yet, she always told herself this. It broke her, as it did each time. Angry tears freely spilled her face, as did Ino's immediately as soon as Sakura let her emotions take free reign.
The clinking of glasses around them and the hum of animated conversations merged with the pulsating beats, creating a cacophony that echoed the chaos within her.
"Let's drink," Ino suggested. "Forget about that asshole."
They took refuge in the swirling depths of alcohol, grabbing an entire bottle from the bar each.
In the heart of the pulsating club, the energetic trio of Naruto, Kiba, and Rock Lee commanded the attention of the crowd with their exuberant celebration. Rock Lee, in his signature green jumpsuit, Kiba and Naruto, each with their distinct flair, unleashed an unstoppable wave of enthusiasm on the dance floor. The music seemed to synchronize with their dynamic energy.
Amidst the animated trio, Hinata lingered on the periphery, her adoration for Naruto evident in the way she watched him from a distance. Hinata clutched a box tied with a ribbon, intending to give Naruto his present. Since Shino had left with Chōji for the Hidden Cloud on a year-long mission, she was often left alone when Kiba decided to join Naruto and Lee in one of their mini-adventures.
Neji, with his long bangs shielding his right eye, observed his cousin as she stood there, a bashful, curious figure. As Naruto, Kiba, and Rock Lee continued their boisterous celebration, Neji's protective instincts kicked in. He maneuvered through the crowd, keeping a watchful eye on Hinata. Even here, in the midst of this wild party, he played the role of a stoic guardian, subtly ensuring that Hinata remained shielded from potential unwanted attention. In her shy infatuation, she became completely unaware of her surroundings. And he would be damned if she got hurt while he was around.
His actions were driven not just by familial concern but the unspoken longing that he has always harbored for her. Hinata, blissfully unaware of the unspoken drama which would give modern soap operas a run for their money, continued her dance around Naruto, who remained blissfully unaware of Hinata's own affections.
Kiba's limbs seemed to have a mind of their own, executing spins, jumps, and kicks that defied any conventional dance routine. It was a spectacle that drew the attention of the entire crowd, who couldn't help but be captivated by Kiba's unrestrained and seemingly unpredictable movements.
Kiba's dance moves were a reflection of his personality - wild, free-spirited, and unbounded by any societal norms. His laughter mixed with the music, creating an infectious vibe that invited others to join in on the madness.
Not one to be outdone, Naruto took a moment to assess Kiba's wild dance moves. A mischievous grin spread across his face as he decided to jump into the dance-off fray, determined to one-up Kiba's wild antics. Naruto unleashed a whirlwind of moves that blended acrobatics with a touch of ninja flair. He spun, twirled, and leaped, incorporating hand signs into his routine as if casting a jutsu on the dance floor.
Just when the dance floor thought it had witnessed the pinnacle of energetic moves with Naruto and Kiba's showdown, Rock Lee, with his trademark enthusiasm, burst into the spotlight. With the intensity only Lee could bring, he kicked off a dance performance that left everyone in awe.
Lee's dance moves were like a fusion of taijutsu and breakdancing, a spectacle of precision and flair. He executed spins, flips, and high kicks with a level of skill that rivaled his prowess on the battlefield. The crowd, already hyped up from Naruto and Kiba's antics, now found themselves completely enamored by Lee's dynamic performance.
Naruto and Kiba, caught off guard by Lee's unexpected dance prowess, couldn't help but join in the excitement as they relented and accepted Lee as the clear winner. What started as a friendly competition evolved into an impromptu dance, each of them trying to keep up with Lee's unmatched energy.
The glasses were filled and emptied in a rhythm. Each sip seemed to carry with it the weight of unspoken sorrows and unfulfilled desires. Sakura and Ino had taken a table at the corner, sharing a quiet moment of heartache, when a surprising interruption came in the form of Shikamaru. Breaking through the melancholy atmosphere which surrounded them both, he approached Ino and, with an unexpected request, invited her to dance.
"If it's not too troublesome," he was quick to add.
Ino, taken aback by the unexpected invitation from someone she had always seen as a friend and teammate, hesitated for a moment. Ever since Chōji had left for the Hidden Cloud, it had been just her and Shikamaru, and they actually had been spending a lot of time together, many times in the company of Mirai Sarutobi, whom they often babysat together. There had often been close moments, but nothing had actually happened between them.
She turned to look at Sakura, her face a conflict of emotions, and Sakura smiled encouragingly and nodded, urging her on. The loneliness that had settled within her made the decision for her, and she accepted Shikamaru's offer, leaving Sakura sitting alone in the shadows.
As Ino and Shikamaru disappeared onto the dance floor, the music and laughter of the celebration surrounded Sakura like a distant echo. The dim lights accentuated the isolation she felt, the weight of unrequited feelings and dashed hopes pressing down on her.
In that solitary moment, Sakura couldn't help but wonder if loneliness would be her eternal companion as she poured herself another glass.
Shikamaru led Ino away on to the dance floor. Their friends hooted from a distance.
"Woah! Way to go Shikamaru!" Naruto yelled excitedly.
Amidst the lively dance floor, Ino and Shikamaru found themselves caught in an unexpected and somewhat awkward dance encounter. The pulsating beats of the music seemed to mock their attempts at synchronization as they navigated the steps with varying degrees of grace.
Ino, with her natural flair for dancing, tried to lead, but Shikamaru's laid-back demeanor clashed with the rhythm. Their movements were more like a hesitant shuffle than a coordinated dance, creating a scene that elicited both laughter and sympathetic glances from onlookers.
Ino, attempting to salvage the situation, shot Shikamaru a teasing smile.
"Come on, Shikamaru, can't you put a little more effort into it? We're not on a mission, you know."
Shikamaru, his usual nonchalant expression in place, replied with a hint of sarcasm.
"Troublesome. Dancing is too troublesome. Can't we just stand here and enjoy the music?"
Ino, determined to make the best of the situation, continued to lead with exaggerated enthusiasm. Their awkward dance became a mix of reluctant steps and half-hearted spins, drawing amused glances from their friends.
Tenten, watching the spectacle, couldn't help but chuckle.
"Looks like Ino's got her work cut out for her. Shikamaru is a tough dancing partner."
Hinata, with a smile, whispered to Neji. "Well, at least they're giving it a try. It's kind of cute, don't you think?"
Neji, watching the scene unfold, nodded with a grin. "It's like watching a taijutsu spar, but with dancing."
As Ino and Shikamaru continued their awkward dance, the atmosphere around them shifted from embarrassment to amusement. The duo, despite their lack of coordination, managed to inject a dose of humor into the dance floor, creating a memorable moment.
She closed the gap between them, her movements becoming more intimate, and she gazed into Shikamaru's eyes with a playful twinkle, her face flushed with the alcohol she had consumed and the dance.
"Shikamaru, who would've thought you had such smooth moves hidden under that lazy exterior? Maybe you're not as troublesome as you claim."
Shikamaru, caught off guard but intrigued by Ino's boldness, couldn't help but muster a smirk, two bright red spots appearing on his cheeks.
"Well, maybe I've been holding back," he said lazily. "You know, keeping my best moves for the right partner."
Ino, with a teasing smile, leaned in slightly, the distance between them become further charged with anticipation.
"Is that so, Shikamaru? I'm curious to see what you've got."
Their banter created an electric atmosphere, as the music swirled around them. Shikamaru wrapped his hands around her, swallowing nervously, but relaxed as his gesture was met with a smile, resulting in Ino throwing her arms around his neck. They moved in tandem, the flirtatious dance reaching its peak. In a moment of boldness, Ino lightly brushed her lips against Shikamaru's ear.
"Maybe it's time we ditch the dance floor and find a quieter spot."
Shikamaru, feeling a mix of surprise and excitement, hesitated for a moment before nodding in agreement. They discreetly made their way to a more secluded corner of the club, away from the pulsating lights and the watchful eyes of their friends.
Ino, with a mischievous smile, took the initiative. She gently cupped Shikamaru's face and whispered.
"Lazy or not, you've got my attention, Shikamaru."
He nodded. "That's exactly what I was going for, Ino," he admitted, his gaze soft.
Their lips met in a lingering kiss. The world around them seemed to fade as they embraced the connection that had evolved from a playful dance into something more, that had been always been an underlying presence. The club's lively atmosphere became a backdrop to the quiet spark of romance that had ignited between two unexpected hearts.
As the night wore on, Sakura remained in her quiet corner with the loneliness that seemed to engulf her. She cursed Ino. Why couldn't she have given her the news after this night? And even then, she was no longer here to share the punishment. She had found a dance partner, and Sakura saw from a distance Ino easily working her magic on him.
Sakura, nursing her drink, observed the blurry silhouettes of the two moving to the beat, a visual representation of how fast time had gone by, leaving her behind. She snatched another bottle from a passing waiter, and filled her glass to the brim till it almost spilled. She watched as the figures became more blurry in the midst of their celebration and took another sip, the bitterness of the drink echoing the bitter truth of the night. By now, she had gotten pleasantly buzzed.
She filled her drink yet another time, looking to see where her other friends were, but they were all blurry silhouettes. She no longer felt like partying or meeting up with them. She turned back to see Ino, but she had disappeared. Drat! Why wasn't she back yet?
After his energetic dance-off, Kiba took a break and approached the bar for a drink to take a breather and hydrate himself. His attention briefly shifted to the quieter corner of the club where he spotted Sakura sitting alone. She was a vision of beauty, in a beautiful green evening gown bringing out the color of her eyes. Why was she sitting there alone?
There was a familiar, subtle ache in his chest, the everlonging desire to bridge the gap between them, but uncertainty held him back. No one deserved to be alone tonight, he thought. He'd ask her for a dance, as friends.
He knew if he asked anyone for advice before making a move right now, they'd discourage him to approach her, as usual. His teammates would say he'd hurt himself. And Sakura had always been somewhat of a white whale amidst the energetic, hotheaded trio of himself, Naruto, and Lee, even if they had each stopped courting her for over a year now. She had always been placed on a hard-to-reach pedestal.
Well, no matter. Hinata was trying to approach Naruto tonight, so he could learn something from her and try to approach Sakura once and for all. Hell, he had been thinking about it for years, all thought and no action, and Sasuke had been out of the way long enough. She would've been over him by now, no doubt?
Determined to muster some courage, he signaled the bartender for another glass, hoping that the liquid courage would embolden him.
As he sipped on his drink, the warmth of the liquid seemed to spread through his veins, fortifying his resolve. Kiba, known for his boldness, found himself dealing with a different kind of challenge - the courage to approach Sakura once and for all. If Hinata could muster up the courage to gift a scarf she had knitted for Naruto, he told himself once more, then this should be a cakewalk. Right?
The beats of the music seemed to resonate with his internal struggle. He took a look around. Their friends would surely notice him approaching Sakura. They would surely tease him endlessly if he failed, as had their custom always been if any one of them got slapped by Sakura. Even if they had settled down their pursuits in recent times, Kiba's success or failure would mean that he became the butt of their jokes for a long time, till something new came along.
But what if Sakura actually accepted?
The dance music gave way to a slower, more melodic tune. And as giggling couples made their way to the dance floor, he knew it was now or never. He downed the last of his drink, feeling a surge of determination to break free from his hesitation.
Taking a deep breath, Kiba set his empty glass aside and made his way through the restless crowd toward Sakura. The club's vibrant atmosphere seemed to amplify the sound of his footsteps as he approached her, the lights and sounds fading into the background just as Kiba found himself standing in front of her. His heartbeat was loud in his ear, like a ticking time bomb.
"Sakura," he greeted her with a sheepish grin, attempting to sound casual despite the roar of blood rushing in his ears and the unnatural acceleration of his heartbeat.