Kiba and Naruto walked back to the dorms dripping with perspiration. Gamakichi was panting heavily on Naruto's shoulder and even Akamaru was hitching a ride on Kiba's head. All four of them were wiped out from the hour long training session they had just gone through. Sparing, obstacle course, running, team sparing. "Man that was intense!" Naruto exclaimed as they stumbled into the dorm shower room. They placed the two duffle bags they had with them, which contained their uniforms, on a bench before stripping down.
"Told ya so," Kiba remarked. "Morning workouts are the best!"
'Ruff,' Akamaru exclaimed.
"Sure, right after I'm done cleaning up," Kiba said setting Akamaru down.
"What does he want?" asked Naruto following Kiba towards the shower stalls.
"Breakfast," Kiba said simply, turning on the shower and stepping under the warm spray.
"What no cold shower today?" Naruto teased. Kiba glared at his newest friend. Naruto just smiled at Kiba, but then his face turned serious. "Kiba I'm not sure how to tell you this, but you should give up on Shino."
Kiba tilted his head to the side, "Why?"
Naruto bit his bottom lip and looked down at the tiled floor. "Well in all the years I've known him he has never once shown interest in anyone really. I mean the only person he really talks to Hinata, Neji's cousin." Kiba felt a stab of pain pierce his chest with Naruto's words. "I just don't want to see you get your hopes up just to have them shot down."
Kiba forced a smile onto his face. With a slightly more energetic voice than was necessary Kiba said, "Thanks man! Don't worry I just think he's hot. No real feelings involved."
Naruto watched Kiba for a moment. He could tell the brunet was lying from between his teeth. "Okay," Naruto said finally. He couldn't force Kiba to admit that he was developing deep feelings for the Aburame, he could just hope that Kiba didn't get hurt to bad when Shino rejected him.
xXx New Boy in Town xXx
Sasuke, Neji, Shino, and Gaara were sitting at one of the tables in the dormitory lounge. The room was painted a soft green, why no one knew. It was actually one of the many mysteries of the school, the color choices. There was a small breakfast bar with a selection of both human entrees and foods for familiars. About fifteen round tables with low backed cushioned chairs were situated throughout the room. There were also several sofas with coffee tables or end tables beside them. Along one wall there were also four vending machines. One that dispensed candy, one for chips and cookies, one for cold drinks, and one for hot drinks. This was the dormitory gathering place. The place the students would eat breakfast, hang out after class, and just talk.
Sasuke was sipping a cup of black coffee, and reading a book. Manda had shrunken down to the size of a garden snake and wrapped himself around Sasuke's wrist. Gaara was sitting in Neji's lap enjoying a croissant. Shukaku was sitting in Gaara's lap ignoring everyone. Neji was drinking some herbal tea and also eating a croissant. Takamaru was perched on the arm an empty chair cleaning his feathers. Shino was finishing up the homework he hadn't managed to get done yesterday; Matsui was perched on his shoulder watching him work.
Sasuke looked up from his book, his sharp onyx eyes taking in Shino's silent figure. "So what do you think of your new roommate?" Sasuke asked offhandedly.
Shino looked up, and if it wasn't for his glasses Sasuke would have seen Shino's surprise at the sudden question. "Why do you ask?" Shino responded with a question of his own.
Sasuke shrugged, took another drink from his coffee, and answered, "Naruto seems to be fond of him. They're both loud and have way too much energy. I was wondering how you are handling someone like that."
