The Ice Prince

Chapter 2

Kiba's POV

Honey Bun Bakery was in my sights and the aroma of sweet goods was wafting down the street. With a growl in my stomach, I slowed my pace to a leisurely stroll. I didn't want to look like I was being too keen, even though I may have been a little bit excited to see Hinata. …It's not like I popped into the bakery almost every morning to get breakfast or a snack for the day, just to have a reason to talk to her.

Honey Bun Bakery was a quaint, lilac building with pale golden motifs and embellishments. The handle to the door was pale gold and hanging in baskets above the windows were purple wisterias, creating a faint sweet aroma. Taking a deep breath, I push open the door to the bakery. Immediately I was hit by the smell of pastries and golden cookies. I slowly swallowed, my mouth watering from the different aromas, as my eyes roamed around the room. By the big bay windows, there were two tables with seats around them. At the back of the bakery were the counters, showcasing fine delicacies and a fine girl too. My lips instantly pull into a grin as I spot her. Her hair's tied in a low bun and an apron is adorned round her waist, showcasing Honey Bun Bakery across her-. Heat threatened to swarm his cheeks as he stared. Of all the names for a bakery…of all the places to put the name of said bakery. They were definitely some fine honey buns, if he did say so himself.

He needed a bottle of water, stat, because this bakery was getting hot.

Clearing his throat, whilst ruffling his brunette hair, he steps towards the counter, in the far left corner of the room. Hinata smiles in greeting, a light pink dusting her cheeks.

"H-Hi K-Kiba,"

Bringing my hand down, I smile as I reply. "Hey."

This up close I can see the tiny freckles dotted along her nose and cheeks, like tiny constellations of a starry night sky. One day I'd count them all and name my favourite. That is, if I ever got the balls to truly say how I feel. Even now, my mouth has dried up and I'm at a loss for words.

"What are you doing here?"

Grimacing, I slowly turn around. In front of the bay windows are two tables and chairs. To the right, I spot Naruto and Sakura. Sakura's wearing her blue scrubs. She must've been on the way to the hospital for her internship. Her short pink bubblegum hair was pulled back into a short pony. She was nursing a takeaway cup, her brows slightly drawn together in concern. Naruto was sitting as far back in her seat as possible in the corner, looking like she wanted the floor to swallow her whole. Her back was to the wall and her left leg was crossed over her right.

"Being a good friend and checking in on you. You left pretty quickly."

Jutting out her bottom lip, Naruto crosses her arms as she looks out the window, muttering "I'm fine. I just remembered I was meant to meet Sakura here for breakfast…"

She looked at Sakura like she was her get out of jail free card. Sakura's eyes widened a fraction in response as her mouth opened slightly. That was clearly a quick call.

"So, this has nothing to do with the news we just received?"

Sitting up, Sakura sips her cup as she asks "News? What news?"

Narrowing her cerulean eyes, Naruto focuses on me, as if to say "you dare breathe a word."

Shrugging my shoulders I explain, "It hasn't come out on major media platforms yet but Uchiha's left the NFL."

This time, Sakura's emerald eyes widen to the point they might fall out of her sockets.

"Left the NFL? Are you joking with me?!"

Naruto's gaze turns towards the window, trying to occupy herself with anything but the conversation at hand.

"It's been a shock to everyone. We don't know why. The media coverage wasn't able to get him to comment on it… I'm hoping he'll come to the training and we can get an answer from him then."

I ignored the scoff and muttered "unlikely" under her breath from the blondie in the corner.

Something had really crawled up her arse and died.

Pulling a chair from the other table, I swivelled it so I was sitting on it backwards. Leaning on the backrest, focusing on the girls ahead, I bite the bullet.

"Uchiha's back. Sure, he's left the NHL. We're only going to get answers when we find him and talk to him. So why are you acting so shitty?"

Sometimes stating the facts and biting the bullet was needed.

It turns out, today it was most definitely not needed.

Especially when he turned to Sakura, raising his hand to block Naruto's eyeline as he mouths "Is it her monthly's or what?"

Sakura's mouth opened in shock before scoffing, "You did not just say that.".

Pushing forward, Naruto was now resting her elbows on the table as she demanded "What? What did he just say?"

She looked between both of us, as if trying to see who would crumble first.

Sakura raises her arms up, palms open as she says "Don't look at me. Dog breath said it."

Blinking, I ask "What? I just asked a question. Are you on your…y'know?"

"No, I don't know, Kiba."

Swallowing, I elaborate "Your…y'know…erm, whale week?"

"Whale week? Are you saying I'm fat?"

Slapping my forehead, I groan into my other hand.

"No! Fuck sake…what's it called?"

Peeking through my fingers, I could see Sakura's eyes glinting with mirth. Of course she'd be having the time of her life right about now.

"I can't believe you right now."

I mouth "help me" across to Sakura.

She raises her pointer finger, wiggling it back and forth.

Fucking women. Urghhhhhh. Why was I so awkward?

Seeming to take pity on the situation, Sakura promptly stands and picks up her takeaway coffee as she says "As much as I'm enjoying watching Kiba dig himself a hole, I am going to have to run Naru. I've got to get to the hospital for my shift."

"I'll walk with you…I'm heading that direction anyway.."

Before Kiba can utter a word of protest, the girls head out the door with a quick bye to Hinata.

Wow, great job Kiba. Proud of you.

Slumping forward in my chair, I let my head hang. I let my thoughts roam for a while.

It's always been an odd one. The whole Naruto - Sasuke situation that wasn't a situation but definitely was a situation but wasn't spoken about, so it couldn't really be a situation. Y'know? That kind of situation. Why did it have to be so complicated? Half the team thought they were dating, the other half thought they couldn't stand the sight of each other. We'd seen the odd glimpses throughout the years where they may have just tolerated each other for all of two minutes but more often than not, that ended with someone getting angry or making a snarky comment and then they were giving each other the silent treatment.. But no one had really got to the bottom of what they were. Friends? Enemies? Rivals? Heck, lovers? The last one had me quickly shaking my head. I couldn't see it. They were like toddlers at the best of times.

So why the big reaction from Naruto? Did she really just forget she had a meeting with Sakura until the announcement? Seemed a bit coincidental…

I was brought from my thoughts by a white takeaway cup being placed on the table and a white package emitting a mouth watering aroma. Have I eaten breakfast yet? Suddenly I couldn't remember. Looking over my left shoulder, I smile as I thank her.

Hinata backs away quickly, tucking a strand behind her ear as she says "I-It's ok-k…I t-thought y-you'd n-need it after t-th-that."

Scrunching my face up, I pause in thought before I look into her pale eyes and ask "Did I fuck up?"

The awkward smile was enough said.

Fuck sake.

Naruto's POV

"That stupid mutt…why'd he have to turn up?" I grumble under my breath, wrapping my arms around myself as I keep pace with Sakura, who's striding to the hospital whilst sipping her latte.

"You can tell he was only looking out for you, Naru. He's always been a good friend to you. God knows we need more guys like him too." Sakura reasons with a pointed look at me.

"What? Guys who can't even say the word period?" I snort, rolling my eyes as she loops arms with me. Honestly, boys and their words. It was painstaking at times.

Sakura laughs at that, tilting her head back.

"Besides, the boy has been smitten with Hina for as long as I've known him." I add.

Giggling, Sakura shares a look as she admits "and isn't that the truth? One day he'll actually pluck up the courage to ask her out."

Sighing heavily, I rest my head on Sakura's shoulder as I squeeze her arm. She leans into the embrace as she says "It'll all be fine, Naru. He won't turn up to the practices you and Shika have arranged."

Whilst that may be true and left me feeling slightly relieved, it didn't stop the multiple questions flying around. The most obvious one being, 'Why'd he leave the NHL? Why give it up?" ….especially after everything…

I shake my head, furrowing my brows as I chastise myself. There was no reason to lead myself down that road, especially not now.

"I know…I just…" I'm at a loss for words, it's all just too much.

"It's a lot, I get it." Sakura admits, turning to me as she comes to a stop. Looking up, I notice we're standing outside the hospital. I hadn't even realised we'd made it so far.

"You know I get the situation more than other people. You can talk to me whenever you need to, ok? I'll always be here for you."

I nod, although I'm still swimming in thoughts that just can't seem to settle in my swarmed brain. I chew on my lip as I mull over what to do next. There just didn't seem to be an easy route. It was like Sakura had read my mind though.

"Why don't you have a self-care day today? Take the time off. The boys may have been out on the ice, actually playing this season, but you had just as much going on as them with keeping them in line and making sure they followed their meal plans and physio appointments. Maybe take yourself to the shops, get your favourite food and binge watch a series or order in from your favourite ramen shop. I can always meet up with you after my shift finishes tonight?"

Something about how Sakura was putting herself out there for me had my eyes watering and my lips wobbling.

"Oh, Naruto…"

Without anything else needed to be said, she wraps me in a tight hug, her chin resting on my shoulder. Even as my shoulders slowly start to judder and my sniffles become louder.

"It's just hard, y'know? Especially right now…"

"I know, hun, I know…"

She softly strokes my hair as I try to take a deep breath but end up losing myself to another round of sobs. I bury my head further into her shoulder as I tug at her jacket, covering her scrubs.

I fucking hate this.

This month needed to go fuck itself.

The ironic thing was, Kiba was on the right lines too.

Shark week was in full force.

Trudging through the door, I wipe my eyes as I drop my keys into the bowl on the side table. Leaving my carrier bag by the door, which I nudge close with my foot I let out a long sigh. What a tremendously long fucking day. I don't bother turning on the lights as I kick off my shoes. I don't bother to straighten them as I pad my way through to the bathroom. Not bothering with the lights again, I turn the tap on to wash my face.

After leaving Sakura, I ended up wandering endlessly around town, flitting between the different shops and charities. I made sure to steer clear of Hinata's bakery just in case dog breath was still sniffing around. I didn't want to go home. The resounding silence would've been suffocating. No amount of background music or re-runs of series would diminish the pangs of loneliness. I did follow Sakura's suggestion of heading to the supermarket to grab some snacks, which mostly involved tubs of ice cream, the largest chocolate bar a gal could find and the finest gin and mixer.

Mistakes were made but I was honestly not in the mood to give a flying fuck.

Who cared if I'd end up stuck on the toilet thanks to my body's hatred of all things dairy?

Russian roulette was always a fun game.

Besides, who didn't love cheese?

Groaning at the thought, I turn the tap off and pat my face dry with my towel hanging on the back of the door. I daren't look in the mirror. That would be too judgemental.

With my shoulders slumped, I make my way to my room, smiling as I spot a red fur ball curled up on the end of my double bed. Wouldn't life be easy if we could all sleep for seventeen hours of the day?

Fondly scratching the back of their ear, they roll onto their back and stretch outwards, posing like superman as they let out a yawn.

"Sorry, did I disturb someone's beauty sleep?"

Yellow eyes lazily watched me as I went in for the ultimate scratching spot, right underneath their furry jaw. The rumbling purrs that followed made my lips quirk. Running my hand over their head for one last stroke, I left a parting kiss on their furry head as I padded away to my wardrobe. Tugging open the door, I mindlessly dig through the pile at the bottom, uncovering the faded, worn, black hoodie. Rubbing my thumb over the patchwork on the chest of the hoodie, I feel my eyes water. Turning back to the bed, I point my finger at my judge, jury and executioner.

"Keep your eyes to yourself, mister. I know, ok? Just let me have this moment."

Unbuckling my belt, I outwardly groan as I slip my jeans off, followed by my top. I hadn't even reached the best part yet. Bringing my arms behind my back, I fiddle as I unclasp my bra and let it fall from my shoulders. I close my eyes in bliss, taking the moment to enjoy the release of tension. There was no greater feeling than taking your bra off, especially on your period when they were already so tender. It almost rivalled sex. Heck, it was definitely better…

I glanced at myself in my freestanding full length mirror in the corner.

My eyes quickly diverted back to the hoodie, shrugging it on before striding to the bed and whisking the cat from its napping place.

"You're coming with me, Kyu."

Cuddling the usually feisty cat to my chest, I went to the kitchen and retrieved my chosen weapon and large glass before grabbing the bag by the door and heading to the living room. Sliding open the glass door, I step out onto a little terrace. I could finally breathe easily.

This was my safe haven.

I'd been sold on this apartment purely for this terrace. I'd got the keys three years ago and I'd decked the place to become my sanctuary. The living room had one wall dedicated to rows of shelves, lined with books upon books. A sofa was somewhere underneath the thousands of blankets draped across it. A coffee table held a couple candles and a book, marked with a random receipt from yet another completely necessary (unnecessary) book purchase. Another key factor for this apartment was that it had to have good lighting and space for plants. Lots of plants. Plants that could take up a whole corner, ones that could hang in woven holders and ones that would bring a smile to my face no matter the weather.

The terrace was the idyllic safe space for me. To the left, I'd laid two crates and wrapped them in padded duvets. Add a touch of big plump pillows and scatter cushions and you had the ultimate reading nook. The terrace luckily had the roof overhanging, so I could sit out here no matter the weather. Wrung round the rails were fairy lights to help create the cosy vibe I was looking for. The terrace overlooked a park, minimising the bustling noise of the city and helping me escape to the world's my books provided.

My terrace instantly had that calming effect. Placing Kyuubi onto the blankets, I hastily grabbed a blanket, dragging it over to the pile of pillows. Flopping onto the makeshift bed, I dragged over the bag, pulling the contents free and displaying them on top of the blanket. Yanking the sleeves, so they partly covered my hands, I mindlessly pried open the ice cream tub, cheering to the shits to be had. Quite literally and figuratively.

As the first spoonful hit my mouth, I closed my eyes to embrace the creaminess. Because I'd walked back to the apartment, it meant the ice cream had slightly melted. But not too much.

From the hoodie pocket I pulled out my phone, mindlessly hopping between each social media app to keep my mind occupied. None of them were providing me what I so desperately needed. A heaviness had settled on my chest and it wasn't shifting. The lids of my eyes felt heavy but my mind was whirring too much for myself to succumb to sleep. Besides, I couldn't waste perfectly good ice cream and the kitchen felt a mile away.

My brows furrowed as I pulled the live feed down to refresh. I immediately felt a ball drop into the pit of my stomach as I was greeted by screenshots, reels and articles full of the latest news. I huffed. I knew once I was on this train there was no stopping. But the articles kept coming with their captions and the whistle was blowing on this gossip train and my finger was scrolling faster than I could follow. Until eventually it landed on it.

His social media.

I shouldn't look. I wouldn't look. The arsehole didn't deserve my attention. Absolutely not. I nibbled my bottom lip. My eyes fixated on his name.

Uchiha Sasuke.

It was burning straight through to my soul. My pounding heart was drumming as my anxiety went haywire. Yet I didn't fight it as my thumb came to hover over his name.

I'd been good for so long. I'd resisted the temptation for so long. Surely one peak wouldn't be so bad? One tap, one scroll and then I'd exit. No one would be the wiser. Apart from me. But, speak no evil, hear no evil, right? If I didn't talk about it, especially not to Sakura, then I didn't have to listen to her chastise me.

Oops.

Within milliseconds his page had loaded.

My lips pursed. 12 million followers. Just a few then.

My eyes greedily drank in the pictures on his Instagram. Or rather, there had been pictures on his Instagram. Now, there was only one. So, you might ask how I know that and I can definitely tell you it's because I totally didn't have the occasional self-pity party for one, which led me down this turbulent path. I definitely didn't memorise each and every picture either, or who was in the photos or what the comments said…or where the picture was taken. I definitely didn't stare at that arsehole's face as I tried to detect how they may have been feeling or what was going through their mind, right then and there. Absolutely not.

Shovelling another spoonful of ice cream into my mouth, I tap on the now only photo on his profile. It's a picture of him in a suit, standing outside a building with a humongous red and white fan embellished on the front. Next to him, with a hand on his shoulder, stood a man a lot older than him. They wore the same impassive facial expressions.

My eyes swooped down to the caption.

Uchiha Sasuke to join-

I was distracted by my phone buzzing, altering me to an incoming notification. As I fumbled to swipe the notification away, I let out a hiss as it opened the notification. Not what I wanted.

Especially when it said. 'Inuzuka_Kiba81 has recently posted to their story'.

Against my will, the story opened. It was a picture of the team sitting round a booth with beers in their hands, cheering to the night off.

Good for fucking them.

The only consolation was that they didn't quite realise just what was in store for them in the next coming days when the practices started and teams arrived. She'd be the one cheering to them then.

Pricks.

Author's Note:

Hey!

Hope you enjoyed the chapter. :)

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See you in the next one,

Honey-Emily98