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You reach Konoha at sunrise, and one day early too.
One of the guards waves as you step through the gates, and you wave back, hoping to get through easily. But no dice.
“We got new orders,” he tells you with a huff. “Apparently, we’re slacking off.”
“You wouldn’t,” you say, hoping to get on his good side. He sighs. No dice indeed.
-
The village is slowly waking as you make your way through. You should probably visit the Hokage tower first, but you haven’t seen your boyfriend in a while, and who is to say he hasn’t forgotten about you in your absence?
Your heart squeezes anxiously, and you stray from the path towards the village center, hoping to find him by the training grounds.
“Oh, hello!” Lee blinks back at you. “Are you here to train?”
“Not really, I was looking for-”
“No worries,” he drags you forward by your sleeve. “I was just getting started. You’ll catch up in no time.”
“But-” No dice.
-
Tenten’s arrival puts an end to your unplanned training session.
“You didn’t tell me you were coming!” She pouts, hands on her hips. “I would have prepared myself accordingly.”
“I told you,” you correct her, shaking your head and slipping out of Lee’s grasp, finally. “Remember? I’m just a day early because I-”
“Not to worry,” Lee cuts you off. “We can train together. Is Neji coming, Tenten?”
“He’s supposed to be here already.” Tenten shrugs, dropping a scroll onto the floor. “Now, training?”
“No,” you shake your head and step away before she can grab you by the sleeve as well. “I’m supposed to-”
“Aren’t you supposed to meet with the Hokage?” Neji cuts in, stepping out of the foliage. “I apologize for my delay. I had to see Hinata off.”
“A mission?” You ask, holding your breath until he nods. Damn.
“Is she on her own, or-”
Neji throws you a look that you can’t quite read. “Why do you want to know?”
Your bravery leaves you. Are you supposed to tell everyone? What if they don’t know? What if Kiba’s different with his friends than he is with you?
“Just curious,” you say instead, licking your lips. “But I should meet with the Hokage, right?” You laugh humorlessly, grabbing your stuff. “I’ll see you guys later for training, I promise.”
-
Your heart beats uncomfortably in your chest as you make your way back to the village center. You’re probably overthinking this, you tell yourself. Kiba told you that he loved you. He wouldn’t say such a thing without meaning, but then again, you’re not from Konoha, you don’t see him every day. Who are you to know him, really?
Stop it, you tell yourself. You love him, he loves you. What is there to doubt?
-
Lord Sixth eyes you, his expression bored.
“I have to excuse my appearance,” you stutter, aware of the dirt sticking to your shins and the shine of your sweaty skin. “I… uh… got ambushed by Lee.”
“Morning training?”
“Yes.”
“Very well.” Lord Sixth sighs and eyes Shikamaru in the corner. “Who’s going to be her guard for the day?”
“Oh, I don’t need-” Shikamaru yawns. “It was supposed to be Kiba, but he’s out of commission.”
“Why, what happened to him?” You ask, your words coming a little bit too fast to be natural. Or casual. Or anything other than worried. “It’s just, uh…” You’re aware of their curious glances. “We’re friends?”
“Broke his leg, the fool.” Shikamaru explains, sniffing as he thinks. “I guess we could appoint Lee, he’s got nothing to do.”
“I don’t need a guard, really.” You repeat once more. “I’m fine.”
“Ambushed,” Lord Sixth points out. “You said it yourself.”
“But-” Something like a smile dances around Shikamaru’s lips, and he shrugs. “I mean, if she insists.”
“Right,” Kakashi nods, leaning back, locking his eyes on you. “If you insist? But it wouldn’t show proper form. And it would only be for the day.”
“Fine,” you give in, crossing your fingers behind your back. You’ll run away first chance you get.
-
“Thank you for helping me out, here,” Ino sends you a grateful smile. “It will only take a second.”
“Sure,” you say, arms heavy with tulips. “Where should I move them?”
“Oh,” she blinks. “Back to the village.”
“Oh,” you blink back. “Right.” You turn. It takes about half an hour to make the trek back, and you’re quick to dust off your clothes, eager to get going. Surely no one would notice you missing for half an hour or so, checking in on Kiba.
“Come,” Ino’s grip on your shoulder is firm. “We’ve got a few more loads to carry.”
“I thought you said it would only take a second?”
Her grin is positively dangerous. “Never heard of an exaggeration?”
-
You’re exhausted, dirty, and disheveled before you know it. Dinnertime is just around the corner, and you long for a shower, a fresh set of clothes, and a bite to eat. You haven’t had any chance to see Kiba yet, your stomach sinking even lower at the possibility of a similar day tomorrow.
“We’re done!” Ino announces proudly. “Go, shower, and change. I’ll take you out to dinner.”
“I think I’d prefer eating alone,” you admit. “Not to hurt your feelings, but I’m exhausted.”
“Nonsense.” Ino squeezes your cheek and sends you inside. “I’ll pick you up in half an hour.”
And maybe you’d have listened to her if you hadn’t had the day you had.
-
The Inuzuka residence lies deserted. No one answers your knocking, and your calls go unanswered.
Devastated, you turn toward the creek that’s close by, the waterside familiar and special to you after everything that happened there already. Falling, literally and in love. Your first kiss. Kiba’s hand in yours.
The shadows grow longer as you dip your toes into the cold water, feeling sorry for yourself and promising to do better. You won’t let anyone walk over you anymore like that.
A wet snout pulls you out of your reverie. Akamaru watches you with curious eyes, digging his nose against your shoulder.
“Akamaru?!” You get up eagerly. “Is Kiba with you?”
“YEAH!” You hear him coming down the path. “I’m not the fastest on these crutches, sorry.”
You meet him halfway, surprised to find him dressed nicely, his smile wide and open. “Missed you,” he greets you even as you throw yourself into his arms. He wobbles, but keeps himself upright. “Looks like you missed me, too.”
“Today was awful!” You complain. “I wanted to surprise you, but Lee caught me, and then Lord Sixth sent me to work for Ino, and I’m supposed to have dinner with her, but all I wanted was to meet up with you, but you weren’t home.”
“Course, silly,” Kiba answers with a smile, brushing back your hair. “I was going to pick you up after your shower. Did you even shower?” He sniffs. “You smell like hard work.”
“You better believe I do,” you argue, waving your fist. “What do you mean you were supposed to pick me up? I was going to go out with Ino.”
“Oh,” Kiba blinks. “Didn’t she tell you? They’re throwing us a party.”
Somewhere down the path that brought him, you hear Ino groan. “It was supposed to be a surprise, you doofus! Don’t tell her now!”
“A surprise?” You ask, pulling back. “Why?”
“Cause everyone knows,” Kiba shrugs helplessly, grinning like a fool. “Couldn’t help myself and bragged to everyone about how cool and awesome and just overall amazing my girlfriend is, so they decided to throw us a party.” He rubs his nose, grinning. “Show how much they like you already, stuff like that. But since you came a day early, we had to improvise.”
“You’re such an idiot,” you say, exasperated. “Never do that again.”
“I’ll try,” Kiba promises, taking your hand. “Ready for your party?”
“Shouldn’t I shower first? Change, at least?” You ask, aware of the state you’re still in.
“Why?” Kiba asks back, pressing a kiss to the side of your face. “You’ve never looked better.”