Game of Shadows by Adrian King1

Chapter 11

Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto nor The Gamer. I own nothing, really.

Chapter 11

"How did you do it?" I groaned out loud as a scowl appeared in Naruto's and Chouji's faces. The rest of our little group didn't give outward reactions to one Kiba Inuzuka's question. I had hoped that me beating him without trouble would put the fear of Kami in him. Apparently, I was wrong.

"What the hell do you want, Kiba?" I said while mentally activating Bloodlust. I didn't actually want to beat the shit out of him... too much. But I hoped the skill would keep him away. I was severely disappointed as he gulped and stood his ground.

"I... I want to know how you did it." As I raised an annoyed eyebrow, he took a deep breath in and clarified. "How did you become so strong?" Suddenly, I was reminded of my little chat with Sasuke from some time ago.

"Go ahead, guys. I'll catch up to you later." I said, not moving my eyes from the annoying boy.

"You sure, Eiji?" Chouji asked somewhat protectively and I suppressed a smile.

"Yeah, we are out in the open. What can he do?" I asked with a smirk as I watched Kiba squirm under my stare, either because of Bloodlust, the situation or anything else, I didn't know.

"True. Let's go, guys." Shikamaru called and they went ahead. Damn, I wanted to go too. I took a deep breath as I deactivated Bloodlust.

It had been a week since the Attack and we were already facing a little problem. We had no idea how to actually find Kobu. Oh, we could guess he was in the Inuzuka compound. No mystery there. But we couldn't actually go around the compound and search for the guy or ask around. That would be a dead giveaway for whoever investigated once we got our revenge. So, right now we could only go around trying to get some kind of clue or, preferably, figuratively or literally bumping with the guy. We didn't have any kind of information to work with, after all.

Turning my attention back to the less annoying Inuzuka I had to deal with, I considered what to do. Advising Sasuke was one thing. For one, the Uchiha was an ass, but at least he didn't go out of his way to antagonize my friends and I like Kiba did. And for another, he had some heavy reasons for his attitude and I knew about them. Everyone did. If the boy in front of me had any reason to be the way he was I didn't know them. And so, my answer came easily enough.

"Why should I help you, Dog Breath?" My voice coming out with as much annoyance as I was feeling. I was pleased to see his eyebrow twitch.

"I... I am sorry. Ok?" He said, squirming even more under my surprised gaze. "I... For all the things I've said to you and the others..." The apology couldn't be more forced, but I was just surprised that he had even said the words.

"And you expect me to spill everything just with that lame ass apology?" His eyebrow twitched again and his expression turned to an angry one. "No. It doesn't work that way, Dog Breath. You've insulted my friends and me for the whole year so far. It'll take more than that. I want you to apologize to all of us, in front of the class and..." I activated Bloodlust once more for emphasis. "you'll do so on your knees to Naruto. He has put up with your crap for too long." This definitely didn't have anything to do with the blond calling me brother. Nothing at all.

"Are you out of your mind?" He growled and I simply smirked.

"You wanted something and I just stated a price. If you don't want the answers, just go on your merry way and stay the hell away from us. Or else I'll have to not only kick your ass but also do so embarrassingly." I said and then went after my friends. The conversation was done as far as I was aware. I heard Kiba start grumbling a 'conversation' with Akamaru as I walked away.