The Angel that I Loved
Chapter I: My Duty Towards her Heart
Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto or any of its elements and affiliates, they are all the property of Masashi Kishimoto-sensei…
AN: These events take place 4 years after the 'Fourth Great Shinobi World War' and I apologize beforehand to those authors if any of the situations or events in this fic resemble the one's present in their works.
I had no intention to take credit for anyone else's work or creativity… not that I ever tried to! ;P
It was a bright... sunny...
and pretty much boring day as far as a certain 20-year-old dog-nin was concerned.
"Boy oh boy are they in for it now..." he growled in irritation.
It had been roughly '2 whole hours' since Kiba and Akamaru had arrived at their Team's training ground... finding the rest of their squad members nowhere in sight.
Also, it had been 4 loooong years since the Fourth Shinobi War had ended...
... and frankly, things had started looking up from that point forward... for all those involved.
Firstly, Madara Uchiha had been slain in cold blood by a vengeful Naruto after the former's declaration that he had merely 'used' Sasuke to meet the fulfillment of his own goals as leader of the Akatsuki.
Secondly, Sasuke (the so called 'Avenger of the Uchiha') had reluctantly returned to Konoha after Naruto had assured him that he would not be looked down upon by anyone for his past misdeeds as long as he 'proved' to all around him that he was seeking redemption.
Lastly, Sakura Haruno had finally decided to give up on her heartfelt pursuit of the aloof Uchiha.
It seemed as if 'Kami himself' had granted the girl with some practical sense after it had seemed to take a long time coming…
... amounting exactly to a few years to be precise.
Oddly enough, she didn't seem too depressed or 'shattered' upon discovering that she no longer held any sort of romantic feelings towards the man.
Especially considering the fact that he, Sasuke himself, had advised her not to waste her life on him since he had been the sole cause of her pain and anguish over the years.
How he had managed to pull 'that' one off, Kiba had absolutely no idea.
Nevertheless, life for the citizens (and shinobi) of the Five Great Nations had never been better and more prosperous since the last 4 years in general.
"Guess they can't help it Akamaru," the man told his K-9 companion who only barked back in response, his small eyes downcast.
Kiba leaned on a nearby tree with his hands tucked in his pant pockets and grinned softly, "Heh, ever since Kurenai sensei's had her kid things have changed… by quite a bit to be honest."
It was true... all of it.
Ever since 'Asuma jr.' had come along, Kurenai Yuhi had been understandably busy and unable to even check up on her teams progress levels.
She would have been delightfully surprised; Kiba smirked, to see just how much they had grown…
What's more, Kiba, who had been bestowed with the title of the most 'bloodthirsty shinobi' of the Hidden Leaf after the war had ended, had made many significant discoveries himself.
I still can't believe that I was so blind to it all, he mused, apparently thinking about the recent revelation that he, Kiba Inuzuka; future heir to his clan due to his position as the 'Alpha Male'...
... was madly in love with his beautiful, kind-hearted teammate!
Who was, currently, one of the most desirable bachelorette's in the whole village...
... at least, according to recent 'surveys' conducted by all of the single males of Konoha.
How did those guys even pull that one off? the dog-nin wondered with a small frown.
"It's not so surprising now that it's out in the open, eh Akamaru?" Kiba asked his comrade, one who he could trust with some of his deepest fears and feelings.
The large dog only gave him a gruff nod in reply.
"It's true pal, I love Hinata…and you know what? I think I always have, right from our academy days perhaps."
Akamaru merely woofed in agreement which made Kiba smile back at the understanding K-9.
"Yeah, you found out too huh?"
"Arf Arf!" Akamaru was wagging his tail at this point, presumably excited with where this was going.
If the conversation at hand had anything to do with his two most favourite people, he would be sure listen... and listen well.
(Sigh) It's about time he let some air into his head! the ninken sighed to himself in his doggy mind.
"Heh, you sure can pick up on my best secrets even when I don't tell 'em to you myself huh pal?" Kiba continued, himself unsure as to how he was going to stop at this point.
"But ya know something?"
The dog in question looked up expectantly.
"I just…" The dog-nin sighed with what he was about to convey, "… I-I just can't tell her." Not even in a million years...
Akamaru whined and rubbed his head against his master's waist.
"You... know how she feels abou-" Kiba flinched at the inevitable admittance on his part, "-about him."
He cut off the painful confession at that, simply being unable to bring himself to accept the cold truth...
... which was staring him dead in the face.
Akamaru, being the ever-attentive dog that he was, stared up at his friend and master while contemplating as to how he could possibly be of use in this predicament. Poor Kiba… he sure looks down right now.
Kiba seemed to be in deep thought as he prepared himself for the decision that would undoubtedly change the very course of his life…
He let out the breath he did not even know he had been holding in and decided… "Akamaru…"
The devoted K-9 looked up at him at that; tail drooping and looking nearly lifeless.
"I'm going-" he cleared the lump that had formed in his throat, "I'm going to… to just let her go buddy."
If Akamaru had hands, he would have 'no doubt' wiped the stray tear that had betrayed his best friend's self control. Wow, he's never been like this. I guess he really does love her a whole lot...
"Hinata deserves to be happy… and if she's happy with Naruto then… then I won't interfere."
It took all of his mental strength to get the last few words out of his voice box because his heart was screaming at him to stop, to stop and think again about his choice.
Akamaru let out a pitiful whimper as he tried his level best to comfort his young owner and close friend.
"It's alright Akamaru, I've made up my mind. If Hinata needs my help in getting what her heart desires then…then who am I to stand in her way?"
Another droplet of grief trickled down his cheek...
... right over his clan's marking as Akamaru drooped his head, sharing in his master's melancholy.
When...
"But don't you worry about a thing pal."
Kiba's suddenly cheerful voice surprised the K-9 as he jumped slightly at the young jounin's bright declaration.
"We'll always be her two best buddies won't we?"
The large dog bounced around his friend and barked happily, somewhat 'relieved' due to the fact that the latter had come out of his sorrowful mood, "Woof Woof!"
Kiba smiled widely at that... leave it to his 'childhood chump' to join him on some of his most craziest and insane endeavors.
But this time… he sighed, looking up at the rising sun that had finally decided to show itself, … this is a test of my loyalty as a friend to the one I love the most…
Clearing his throat he said, "Alright Akamaru, if they don't show up in the next 10 minutes we're going home, Kay?"
It ultimately seemed that Kiba was muttering his words more to 'himself' than his dog friend. The day just isn't the same if we don't even see each other…
"Kiba-kun! Kiba-kun!"
A soft, feminine voice, capable of making even the birds and wind stop to listen and appreciate its divine quality, penetrated his heart and mind...
... quite effectively removing any other unnecessary thoughts from his mind.
"Hinata?" he whipped his head towards the direction of her strong scent.
The mere sight of the ethereal creature sent his heart soaring.
The way her hair danced with the gentle breeze as she ran towards him…
... the way her petite yet adorable hands (softer than the snowflakes in winter, Kiba inwardly smiled referring to the curled fists so tender, he would have given anything to just hold them and uncurl her fingers one by one taking all the time in the world to do so; whilst searching into the deepest depths of her kind eyes for the love and affection one searches for in the eyes of a beloved) were supporting her body's ascension in a 'back and forth' motion towards him.
(Sigh) If only I could just let her drown in my arms and tell her how much I didn't want to let her go…
Catching her expended breath as quickly as she could whilst halting a couple of feet in front of him, Hinata spoke up, "I-I'm sorry Kiba-kun… I was helping Kurenai sensei with the baby. I d-didn't make you wait long did I?"
The beauty sported the most 'flawless' expression of worry to ever be seen by human eyes as she stated the above.
You bet your sweet angelic smile you did!
"Nope, not at all Hinata...!" Kiba instantly replied with a wide grin, as had become his habit over the years.
He simply couldn't bear to make the object of his affections worried about even the littlest of things.
"In fact... we just got here, right Akamaru?"
Giving his familiar 'the look' was all that he had to do.
The smart dog understood his master's intentions and readily obliged with his symbolic request. That Kiba, he really comes up with the wackiest of lies.
Turning back towards her, he folded his arms across his chest and asked with a smirk, "Ya know, little Asuma is a 'toddler' now. The kid can walk and talk Hina..."
At his playful scolding the poor girl turned slightly pink, her head down as she clasped her hands in front of her.
"You shouldn't be spoiling the brat because you know how much he likes to be looked after by you."
Kiba noted then that she had formed a small smile upon the mention of the child. Hehe, I wonder if Hinata likes little kids a lot...
"By the way, where's Shino?" the Inuzuka suddenly asked, changing the topic abruptly.
"I thought he was coming with you?" he continued.
Despite preferring it to be just the two of them together for the rest of the day, Kiba considered it appropriate to at least 'inquire' about his friend's current location.
Hmph, if I don't, that'll just give him another excuse to start sulking again once he finds out.
That snapped her back to reality and she spoke out her answer in a quiet voice, just like only she could.
"O-Oh Shino-kun? Well... he has got the stomach bug and can't come for training for the rest of the month Kiba-kun."
In that heavenly voice I can just listen to till my last days… Kiba mused, apparently getting lost in his daydreams...
"Kiba-kun?"
Hinata looked on worriedly as her eyebrows furrowed together, "Kiba-kun are you alright?"
She was waving her pale hand in front of her teammate's dazed face by that point.
"Huh?! O-Oh uh... nothing! Nothing's wrong Hinata nothing at all, Hehe!" Kiba replied whilst rubbing the back of neck nervously.
Crap! I can't believe I actually spaced out because of her. (Sigh) Well, she has been at the forefront of my thoughts a lot lately anyway… he inwardly smiled.
The girl smiled back at him shyly, still not entirely convinced but deciding not to probe any further.
Besides, if there were anything wrong, Kiba-kun would be sure to tell me. A smile formed in her mind at the comforting thought.
"Sooo... Hinata, wanna train or what?" the dog-nin asked her with a glint of mischief flashing in his dark eyes.
"Sure Kiba-kun... whenever you're ready," Hinata replied, smiling back and preparing her battle stance in a flourish; beckoning her fellow jounin to make his first move towards her.
Cracking his knuckles, Kiba grinned broadly before lunging in her direction, Oh boy, I just love this thing about her… always ready to work hard and sweat it out!
"Here I come Hinata... get ready!"
"Hai! I won't hold back Kiba-kun!"
For the two powerful Konoha shinobi, it was all just a blur of intense speed and flurry of attacks and blocks after that...
Two hours later…
At the 'Third Training Ground', two silhouettes were visible. One seated on the ground, their legs sprawled out and the other hunched over and gasping for breath.
"Wow!" the latter grinned.
"Hi-Hinata... you…" the Inuzuka panted once more, "… you've gotten pretty strong huh?" Kiba let his 'all too familiar' smirk adorn his face as he spoke.
It seemed out of place rather, considering that his pants, sleeves and jounin vest were torn and shredded from any and all angles making him look as if he had just weathered a fierce storm…
... in his sleep!
"U-Um hai… thank you Kiba-kun," Hinata smiled back, apparently surprised and pleased at her vast improvement herself.
Sugoi, I... never thought that I would be able to fight with him at such a high level.
The brunette could only grin in response.
Of course she has; who am I kidding. Training all your life just to make your old man acknowledge you is no joke. I still can't believe she actually gives me a hard time in taijutsu now!
Kiba stretched his back slightly and sighed at the feel of the cool air tickling the mild bruises on his chest and stomach. I'd better pull my socks up soon or she's gonna be the death of me someday.
His silent contemplation was interrupted by Akamaru's loud bark telling them it was time to head on home.
Where'd he come from? the dog-nin wondered, having apparently forgotten about his pal for the majority of their sparring session.
"Hey Hinata would you mind if I walked you home? It's getting kinda dark anyway…" Kiba inquired, initially expecting her to feel too shy and modest to agree... as was her nature.
"Well, u-um I wouldn't mind it if you did Kiba-kun."
Hinata gave him one of her best smiles, which right then made his stomach do a full-on somersault.
If that was even possible… he grinned, but responded graciously and helped her up from her seated position while taking extra care to not squeeze her hand too hard.
Great, now I've started to become protective of her! Get a grip Kiba, she's a fully qualified jounin for Kami's sake! he inwardly berated himself.
Once on her feet, Hinata quietly thanked her friend for his gesture, which only made him rub the back of head sheepishly in reply; a huge grin on his face.
Silly Kiba-kun! the lilac-eyed kunoichi giggled secretly to herself, suddenly feeling extremely playful and carefree, as she often felt in her teammate's enjoyable presence and company.
"So... shall we?" Kiba asked her, already leading the way back to the village... his hand clasped around her smaller one in a tender hold as he spoke.
"Yes let's," she replied with a beaming smile on her round face.
Which could have put the damn sun to shame… Kiba thought fondly.
On that note, both the Konoha shinobi headed home, laughs and subsequent giggles being heard clearly if one dared to listen in on their friendly banter.
Where would I be without her... the Inuzuka thought offhandedly, his angel's quiet laughter from beside him making his chest grow warm from within.
AN: Like it? or perhaps you don't?
Whatever you're gracious thoughts may be dear readers... I earnestly request you to READ and REVIEW!
Take care folks and expect the next chappie in about 2 weeks time.
(Sigh!) Exams can be a serious pain in the 'wrong' place. ;D