Don't You Feel It Too?

Title: Don’t You Feel It Too
Part 9
Rating: uh pg-13 I guess
Pairings; Kankuro/Kiba/Shino..... eventually
Warnings: Still slight angst I guess that’s about it
A/N: All I have to say is sorry for the delay but it seems my muse is back so next part I’m thinking will be up shortly (don’t quote me on that though)


The stream bubbled and churned slowly as the warm summer breeze blew through the trees. Shino took a deep breath of the clean air as a leaf fell into his lap. He was once again at his favorite spot and this time, he didn’t feel so miserable. His thoughts were interrupted when a long-nailed hand took the leaf from his lap. Shino turned to the other boy, the leaf now twirling between two fingers. Kiba was laying on his stomach as he stared at the leaf.

“You know I think I have become more intellectual in the last few weeks since spending so much time with you.” Shino looked over at Kiba and couldn’t help but chuckle softly. Kiba looked over and grinned. “Hey I resent that ” Shino shook his head and couldn’t help but smile behind his collar. He never thought that he would enjoy spending so much time with the Inuzuka. It was true that they had been best friends for a long time but they had never really spent ‘quality time’ together.

It had been three weeks now since the ~incident~ and Kiba seemed to make it his duty to be with Shino at least once a day. The Aburame appreciated it more then he could ever say. The dog-nin actually made him feel wanted and maybe even a little loved. It felt good.

“So did Tsunade say anything about you starting missions again? I mean with Kankuro back in Suna for a another two weeks it’s going to suck if I have to go on a mission and leave you here.” Shino nodded slightly and sighed. Kankuro had left a few days after he had apologized for a mission in Suna so it had been rather boring for both Konoha nins. They had trained everyday but it wasn’t the same as the exhilaration of a real mission. To get out of Konoha just for a while and travel to a new village was something Shino ached for. “Hey man, why don’t we go do something fun? We can go to the onsen if you want.” Shino looked over at Kiba then slowly looked to the other side of the stream.

“I don’t think that would be a good idea.” The older boy looked down in his lap at his folded hands as he heard the other boy shift into a sitting position. He felt nails rake over his scalp gently and couldn’t help but close his eyes.

“Hey.” Shino opened his eyes to slits as Kiba whispered to him. “Stop doing that to yourself Shino. Your kikai are a part of you, as are your scars. You can’t hide in this tent you call a jacket forever, it’s just not right to hide something as pretty as you.” Shino looked over at Kiba who smiled softly and took his own hand away from the dark locks. “Please come with me? We’ll go to one that is quiet I promise.” Shino tried to say no again, he really did not feel like going to a public bath just to be tortured into leaving. Unfortunately Kiba knew exactly how to pull off the puppy dog eyes. Shino felt an irrational pull in his chest as Kiba smiled hopefully. “I can beg too if you want?” Shino swallowed slightly and stood up turning in the direction of his house when a hand around his wrist stopped him.

“Kiba...” There was a slight pull and Shino turned around. Kiba’s lips quirked up into a half smile as he pulled again at Shino’s wrist.

“Tell you what, come with me to the onsen, if we don’t find one that’s empty we will come back. Whadda ya say?” Shino wanted to say no, he really did but Kiba’s eyes were warm and comforting and his grip was gentle and persistent. Shino sighed and nodded ever so slightly. Kiba smiled widely and let go of Shino’s wrist only to whistle for Akamaru. The kikai wielder rubbed his wrist suddenly, trying to get rid of the tingle that began to race up his arm. Shino couldn’t figure out when Kiba’s touch seemed to turn electric and he decided he was not going to expand on the thought either, it would only complicate an already sticky situation. “Come on ” Shino nodded once and they began walking towards town.

“I haven’t been to town in a while...” Kiba turned to look at the slightly taller boy and smiled slightly.

“Well then it’s good we’re getting you over there now, don’t worry we’ll stay clear of the main streets ok?” Shino didn’t acknowledge the other nin as they walked through the woods towards the road that led to town. Shino could feel the anxiety of seeing his peers move in on him. He stopped for a moment, not knowing if he could see even one person he knew without breaking down. He noticed Kiba stopping shortly after him only a few paces ahead. “Shino?” The older boy bit his lip, not sure if he could put one foot in front of the other at that moment. He felt his hands begin to shake and mentally tried to calm his body. He was shaken from his thoughts, literally. “Hey baby, try to calm down ok? Just try to relax. We won’t go if it gets you this upset ok? Just take deep breaths for me.” Shino looked at Kiba and nodded not noticing the endearment. The hands gripping his shoulders squeezed just slightly.

“I’m sorry.” Kiba shook his head as one hand moved to Shino’s ear, rubbing the lobe gently between to fingers.

“Don’t worry bout that, I just want you to be ok. Come on, we’ll go back to your house and hang around there ok?” Kiba went to turn back in the direction of the Aburame house but a hand to his own shoulder stopped him.

“No. I want to go, I need to get over this irrational anxiety.” Kiba didn’t look convinced and hesitated.

“Shino, this isn’t something you can really control and I really don’t think going through something stressful will help you. It’s ok, we can go back I don’t mind.” Shino shook his head and frowned angrily.

“No. I am tired of holding you back. For the last three weeks you have been right by my side whenever I needed you, I can’t keep you away from the rest of the village and I don’t want you feeling bad when you ~do~ go with others.” Kiba sighed and walked back in front of the
taller boy once again.

“Shino, you don’t hold me back, you never have. You were always there for me when I needed a friend and now that you need someone, I’m not going anywhere. Now don’t worry about me.” Kiba smirked and turned once again towards the direction of Shino’s house. Shino on the other hand, watched Kiba turn and felt another strange twist in his chest.

“Kiba wait.” The Inuzuka stopped and turned his head just slightly. “With you, I can go to the onsen. I just....I need you with me.” The last few words were whispered mostly to himself. Actually Shino wasn’t even sure if the other nin heard him. It was only when he was pulled into a strong hug did he realize it was not only a good sense of smell the other boy had.

“You’ve got me Shino, you’ve always got me with you. If your ok we’ll go. We’ll go to the village and relax a bit. Come on let’s go babe.” Kiba smirked and grabbed Shino’s hand. The kikai master shook his head but couldn’t help the small twitch of his lips.

“Don’t give me pet names, Kankuro wouldn’t like that.” Kiba laughed and squeezed the others hand.

“I’m sure he won’t mind, don’t worry bout him. Come on let’s go.” Shino was going to force Kiba to let go of his hand but as he was lead closer to the road, he realized that being held actually helped. He smiled slightly and squeezed the hand holding his. The gesture was quickly returned with a soft laugh. “You’re so cute Shino, come on let’s go.” The Aburame blushed and tried to hide it behind his collar but Kiba just ignored it and pulled him closer to the village. “This is going to be great ” Shino hoped that he would be able to share his friends enthusiasm once they got there.

0o0o0ooo0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o

The road was rather quiet as the two ninjas made there way towards the onsen. They had let go of each others hands a while back down the road but the backs of their hands would occasionally brush sending a slight shock through each boys arms.

Shino didn’t know exactly when ~it~ happened but he knew it was after spending so much time with Kiba. Every time they touched, he felt almost nervous, butterflies in his stomach type of nervous. It was close to the same feeling he got every time he saw Kankuro. It was beginning to scare him, to have such strong feelings suddenly for his best friend. He knew it had to stop, this feeling couldn’t grow anymore because if it did, he would be even more heartbroken. He couldn’t deal with another love being so out of reach. If he fell in love with Kiba and still loved Kankuro, where would that leave him? It would leave him twice as broken and just as alone. He couldn’t take another heartache, not so close to his first. He knew it would ruin him for good.

“You ok Shino? You look even more pale then usual. Are you sure you want to keep going?” Shino looked down at his feet and winced. He used to be so proud, always held his head high. Now he was reduced to a weak mass, in love with his best friends lover. Not only that, but now he was quickly falling for that beautiful smile of the man next to him. Kankuro had Kiba and Kiba had Kankuro. Two gorgeous men together, it was perfect and who was he to get in between that? “Hey Earth to Shino You ok?” Shino looked up at Kiba and nodded ever so slightly.

“Sorry, I am fine I just...I was lost in thought.” Kiba nodded as it had been a common occurrence for the other boy to zone in and out. Shino sighed very softly as they continued on the road. The buildings were finally in sight as the woods thinned out before them.

“Do you want to see anyone at all? I mean if you don’t then we’ll have to take the back alley...” Shino smiled slightly and shook his head.

“Kiba, I am fine, you don’t have to make a mission of avoiding people. I’m emotionally unstable and a social outcaste but I can handle seeing people. If they are going to say something about me they will do it whether or not I am there to hear it.” Kiba stared at him for a moment, a frown marring his features.

“Shino.” Kiba walked up to his friend and grabbed his hand. “Whatever people say about you...I know what’s true and no matter what people say, you are a beautiful person. I’m not trying to get all mushy on you here but I know you. I know you probably better then any of the people we know. I’ll tell each and every one of the to fuck themselves if they say anything about you. If you won’t fight for yourself then I’ll fight for you.” The Aburame swallowed around the lump that suddenly appeared in his throat. Why did Kiba have to say something so wonderful? Why did Shino feel that traitor called hope when he knew there shouldn’t be any? “Hey let’s get going or by the time we get there it’ll be next week.” Kiba turned and began walking and taking with Akamaru. Shino bit his lip and followed silently. What could he say after a speech like that except that he was falling for his best friend too.

0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o

The onsen was quiet to Shino and Kiba’s delight. They had made it there without running into anyone who knew them well. Shino had a feeling that Kiba had avoided the shorter routes for that reason and was rather grateful for it. Akamaru was left outside to his own devises and the two boys headed to the locker room to take off their clothes. Kiba grabbed two towels, throwing one at Shino.

“Do you want me to give you some privacy? I’ll go to spring and wait for you if you want.” Shino nodded and blushed softly.

“I’d appreciate it thank you.” Kiba grinned and stripped off his jacket and mesh shirt followed by his shoes and socks. He looked up at Shino who couldn’t help but watch behind dark glasses as more tan skin was revealed. Kiba winked as he unzipped his pants and pulled them off one leg at a time. Shino felt his mouth go dry as he looked at Kiba’s body. He was lightly muscled and surprisingly smooth considering his bloodline. The dog nins long fingers scratched at his abdomen for a moment then grabbed the towel throwing it over his shoulder. Apparently he didn’t care if anyone showed up and looked at him, which anyone who saw that body would definitely be tempted to stare. At least that’s what Shino was thinking as he watched the other boy walk towards the door.

“See ya in there babe!” Kiba pushed the door open and was gone a second later. Shino on the other hand had to remember once again how to breath. Oh yeah, he was in so much trouble. Why did he have to start feeling like this now? Wasn’t it enough that Kankuro wasn’t available, why did it seem the entire world wanted to see him suffer over and over again. It took him 16 years to fall in love, but once he did it seemed he finally realized what he had next to him for years.

Shino sighed to himself as he slowly took off his jacket. A few kikai crawling along his arms and collarbone. He pleaded with them to stay in his body for the time he was with Kiba. That’s all he needed was to gross the younger boy out with his ~bugs~. He hesitated removing his mesh shirt. He felt his heartbeat grow faster as he reached for the bottom hem. His hands started shaking just slightly as he lifted the mesh off of his body. He looked down at his chest and stomach and closed his eyes sadly. He had lost some weight since the panic attack and the scars just seemed so dark on his skin. He truly felt ugly at that moment.

“How could either of them look at me if I can’t even look at myself?” the kikai wielder looked down at his pants, hanging off his hips. He didn’t want to take them off, but he also didn’t want to leave without Kiba. He lifted his leg to take off his shoe and sock, he smiled slightly at the kikai caught on the fabric. He put a finger next to the insect and called it to him. It was quick to crawl onto his skin and burrow deep within the body it called home. The dark haired boy made quick work of the other shoe and placed both on the bench behind him. Closing his eyes, he took a deep breath and tugged at his pants. Shino felt the blush that attacked his cheeks as he quickly wrapped the towel around his hips. After the mortification died, he folded his clothes and put them in the locker.

The Aburame leaned his head against the cool locker door and tried to calm his erratic heart. He was scared that the moment he walked into that spring, Kiba would realize just what Shino was and would turn his back on the older boy. Shino closed his eyes and clenched his fists tightly. If Kiba left him, found him disgusting and weak, Shino just wouldn’t be able to live with that. He already caused enough problems because of his love for Kankuro, what would happen if Kiba found out that Shino was also beginning to fall for him too. Would he think Shino was a weak slut who just wanted the attention?

Shino shook his head almost violently. No, he knew Kiba for too long know. The Inuzuka would not call him any names like that, he would not use Shino’s emotions against him. Shino steeled his nerves and turned towards the door. He walked over to the door and took a deep breath. Pushing the large wooden door slowly, he noticed noone in the hall so he moved swiftly to the shower room.

It seemed Kiba was already in the spring. Shino walked over to the shower head and placed the towel on the stool. He planed to bathe quickly, he didn’t want to be naked and in the open for very long. Turning on the warm water he realized he forgot to take his glasses off and couldn’t help but smirk slightly as they fogged. Shaking his head he made quick work of washing and rinsing. Taking the towel once again he moved to the other side of the room towards the spring. Once he entered the room with the hot spring he stopped short and blinked. Kiba sat there, his arms spread over the ledge of the spring, head back and his eyes closed. The red marks almost lost on the flushed cheeks.

Shino moved forward and quickly got into the water, trying to hide everything before Kiba realized he was there.

“Hey! Come on Shino, you got to see me naked, it’s only fair to return the favor.” Kiba was looking at him now with a large grin on his face. Shino glared slightly and refused to respond. “Oh c’mon lovey Well at least take the glasses off if your going to sit like that. I mean you can at least get your chin out of the water.” Shino sighed as he slowly sat up, his arms lifted over his chest to hide the scars on his body.

“I don’t want to take my glasses off.” Kiba sighed then shrugged laying back again.

“Alright, let’s just relax for a while then.” Shino didn’t know how he was going to relax with his very naked best friend sitting only a few feet away. His very beautiful best friend. Add the fact that he was naked also, it just made for an awkward situation. Shino wanted to leave before anything should happen. To break into another panic attack in the middle of the onsen was not exactly something he wanted to experience. Especially while naked. Shaking his head Shino went to move.

“Kiba I’m sorry I can’t....” Before he could finish, Kiba had glided over so that he was kneeling right in front of him. Shino’s whole body tingled and tensed, Kiba was just ~so~ close.

“Shino.” Shino stopped breathing as Kiba ran a hand through the older boys hair. Kiba seemed nervous in his own right as he slowly took Shino’s glasses in both hands and slid them off his nose. Shino blinked as Kiba looked at him, his eyes were warm and there was a slight smile tugging at his lips. Kiba ran his hands over Shino’s shoulders and down his arms, gently prying them from his chest. “Please don’t hide from me. I finally got you to trust me enough to talk to me. I want you to feel comfortable enough to show me too.” Shino finally forced in a breath of air. He was feeling light headed and weak. Kiba was so close and he was being so sweet, Shino couldn’t understand it at all.

Shino felt a deep blush hit his cheeks as he realized just how close Kiba was and just where their bodies met. He felt his heart race but this time it wasn’t from panic. He wanted this to mean something. Shino realized that he wanted Kiba to ~really~ mean what he was saying. He wanted Kiba and he wanted Kankuro, He wanted the two lovers to love ~him~.

“Why are you crying hon?” Shino frowned and pulled one hand from Kiba’s grasp to rub at his eyes. He didn’t know how Kiba could tell considering they were sitting in a pool of water. Seemingly reading the look on Shino’s face, Kiba smiled softly. “I can smell the salt, it smells different then sweat.” Kiba let go of Shino’s other arm and cupped Shino’s face, rubbing his thumbs over the flushed skin. “Please Shino, talk to me. I know you haven’t been taking the pills Tsunade made you but you’ve seemed ok. What has you like this now? Is it still Kankuro?”

Shino felt more exposed at that moment then any other in his life. Without his glasses to protect him from the concerned gaze he was receiving, he felt defenseless. He felt the emotionless mask he usually wore begin to crack as Kiba held him. The younger boy tugged Shino to his chest and wrapped strong arms around him.

“It’s ok Shino, I’m here. Tell me. Let me help you.” Shino wrapped his arms around Kiba’s neck and laid his head on top of them, his nose near Kiba’s ear. Kiba murmured into the other boy’s ear softly trying to coax something from Shino besides sobs.

“Kiba...” He felt the strong arms around his waist tighten.

“Oh Shino, what are you hiding in that heart of yours.” It was whispered with a kiss which only caused Shino to shiver and cry a little harder. “Please tell me how to help you, tell me anything, just talk to me.”

Shino opened his mouth, not really sure what to say but what slipped out only horrified him. “I love you Kiba.” Kiba’s body tensed and the arms that were firmly wrapped around Shino’s waist slackened. Shino closed his eyes and pulled away from the other nin. He turned and began to move towards the edge of the spring. “I’m sorry.” Feeling about as worthless as he did a few weeks ago he grabbed the ledge ready to pull himself out when those strong arms caught him from behind in a tight hug.

“Don’t leave Shino. Don’t say something so wonderful to me then leave. I’ve been waiting years to hear you say that to me, even as a friend. If that’s what this is then that’s great but if it’s something more then friendship...that’s great too...” Shino turned his head slightly to look at the other boy.

“What? But Kankuro...” Kiba smiled slightly.

“Don’t get me wrong. I love that bastard to death, but I’ve always loved you Shino. You were always so untouchable though. To hear you say that to me...I just couldn’t let you leave without telling you that I love you too.” Shino blinked owlishly at the dog nin. Kiba smiled once again and suddenly turned Shino around and kissed him. It wasn’t a passionate kiss, it was tender, lips pressed gently against lips. Shino’s eyes widened as Kiba pressed just a little harder. Arms locking him in a warm embrace.

A soft moan broke past Shino’s lips as his eyes slid shut. How long had he wanted to feel anything even close to this. For someone to not be disgusted and hate him. The kikai hummed through his body as he wrapped his arms around Kiba’s neck. He truly did love this boy as much as Kankuro.

The thought of Kankuro snapped Shino out of his daze. He pushed Kiba back and took a moment to catch his breath. Kiba was breathing heavily as well, cheeks flushed much darker then they had been before the kiss.

“We...we can’t, Kankuro...” Kiba ran a hand through his mop of brown hair, a startled look on his face. “I’m sorry Kiba. I love you but I also love Kankuro. I can’t...~we~ can’t do this...I’m so sorry. You and Kankuro belong to one another and I can’t...I ~won’t~ come between that. I’m so sorry!” Shino turned and jumped out of the spring ignoring Kiba’s calls for him to stop.

He ran to the locker room, tears streaming down his face. He needed to get home and quickly. His glasses were still at the spring but he couldn’t go back. He had just kissed Kiba, his best friend. The lover of the man Shino loved yet Kiba was also a man Shino loved. The thin boy threw on his coat and pants and ran from the onsen not caring who saw him with tears falling from his eyes.

God, what did he do??

0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o

Kiba watched in horror as Shino ran from the room. He wanted to follow the other boy, but he knew it would only make Shino feel worse. How could he have been so dumb as to kiss Shino? He knew Shino had been in love with Kankuro for years, of course Shino would think of the older boy. Kiba closed his eyes and sighed sadly, all the progress they made together had been ruined. All because Kiba just had to taste those lips, those soft luscious lips. The dog nin sighed again and turned to the edge of the spring. He picked up the dark glasses and looked at them closely. There was no way he was going to let Shino fall back into that hell of depression. Kiba looked at his reflection and smiled slightly. He knew just how to get Shino back on track.

Now if only he could convince Kankuro....

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
TBC

Holy crap it’s been a while huh? Sorry for the delay and all I’ve been so busy and writers block has killed me. So I hope you enjoyed!