*Editing* Dying From The Inside Out. (A Kiba Inuzuka Love Story)

Chapter 13: Truth

Kurasei - Darkstar, Shizuka - Calm and Silent

~

Naruto sat on the jetty by the lake, his legs hanging over the side, but not taking up the swining motion. They just sat there, mirroring his expression, which was also still.

Slowly, the boy put his hand to his chest, as though that would supress the immense pain he felt in his heart. Feeling like this, was something he wished he could dicuss with his parents none-existant parents.

Slowly his eyes travelled to this ripling reflection staring back at him. Blue eyes dull, and expression faded as though he didn't want to know he was in pain.

'Why?' the blonde thought to miself, clenching both fists. 'Why did I bother telling her? It's not like it mattered anyway...'

Naruto thought back to when he left the preliminaries with Sakura. What she said struck his most secret the nerve, his feelings for Kaira.

"I always remember Kiba being mean to that poor girl!"

Mean was an understatment. Kiba had ruined that 'poor girls' life. "But the way she watched him! It's like when Ino watches Sasuke! O-Or when Hinata-"

Naruto shut her out at that point. The pinkette he thought he loved, speaking of the one he truly loves, loving someone who only loves to beat that true love.

"Bit of a funny arrangement, huh sweet-cheeks?" Startled to the point where his eyes were as wide as plates, Naruto jumped and fell forward into the water.

Resurfacing, he glared at the doubled over blue head as she cackled at his fail. "Gosh Naruto, it's only me!"

Kurasei Shizuka was the last person Naruto had expected to see. "What are you doing here senpai?" He asked cautiously, knowing that her reasons were either god or bad.

"I'm visiting. I've met the eight tails you see, not the brightest lemon on the dullest tree, but as nice guy nonetheless. Then I felt your hurt, and dragged myself all the way here to see my best buddy!"

"I hate you though," Naruto admitted blandly. Kurasei chuckled, knowing he was lying.

"So, you met the old man yet?" As the jumpsuit clad boy pulled himself back on the jetty, Kurasei sat beside him, avoiding getting wet.

"Who...you mean Pervy Sage?"

"Hah! Oh sweet-cheeks I knew you'd come up with something genius like that!" She chuckled, slapping her forhead.

"Hey...you said next time we met you'd tell me why you call me that!" The Genin jumped and pointed accusingly at the older Jounin.

Kurasei smirked, standing up and leaning over him. "It's because you're sweet and you have cheeks!"

Naruto stared for a moment, stunned, and then fell back into the water in disappointment. Kurasei fell to the floor, laughing so hard she couldn't breathe.

The blonde reached up and tried to pull her in. Before he could succeed, Kurasei reached down and pull him up by the jumpsuit. "Not nearly quick enough sweet-cheeks. Now, tell me all about Kaira."

Shocked, Naruto looked up at the girl he's known all his life, even longer than Kaira. The boy took a deep breath when they were seated safe on the jetty again, and began to tell his tale.

~

Kiba was confused when Shikamaru kept looking around, as though he and Kiba were in danger. 'Something's definitely wrong here,' he thought to himself, notcing Shikamaru was more alert than asleep like usual.