The Game *Kiba x OC* (COMPLETE)

Calling It

Kiba Inuzuka

I arrive at the training ground the next morning, my thoughts running back to Kitara. I had no idea her family just left her here. She had only ever told me that they were out but never gave a specific time frame for their return. Why wouldn't she tell me and what exactly happened last night? I probably shouldn't have suddenly kissed her like that but I couldn't help it. I needed an excuse to cover afterward and my explanation seemed somewhat logical when I said it. I'm going to give her space for the day and focus on training, then I'll bring her some ramen or something this evening and check on her. How am I supposed to apologize to her without really knowing what I did wrong? Being her fake boyfriend is more confusing than I thought it'd be. Hinata approaches me and asks if something is wrong. I shake my head and tell her that I'm fine. Kurenai-sensei shows up before she can press further and tells us that we're testing our chakra control again, then we're going to spar.

As we approach our trees, I notice a flicker of blonde at the far end and find Kitara getting ready to walk up a tree. What is she doing here? She's sick. I leave my position behind and make my way over to her. She's paler than normal and her eyes are slightly red. Just by looking at her face, I know she hasn't slept either. I catch her arm before she can walk up and she sighs as she turns to me but she won't look up.

"What are you doing here? I told you to stay home for the day and rest. You're sick and last night you-"

She jerks her arm out of my grip and strides up onto the trunk of the tree.

"You're going to push yourself too hard and make it worse." I protest but she doesn't listen to me.

I sigh and decide to tell Kurenai-sensei once we're done testing. She's going to make herself sicker at the least. She could even hurt herself.

I find myself standing between Hinata and Kitara a short while later as our sensei gives us feedback on our performances. From the corner of my eye I can see Kitara slightly trembling. It's almost unnoticeable but her hair gives it away. Kurenai-sensei starts to pair us off for sparring and I open my mouth to stop her, but a hand shoots out and grabs my wrist.

"Don't you dare." Kitara hisses under her breath.

"You can barely stand." I shoot back.

"It's not your problem."

I sigh and shake my head. She's technically right. It's not my problem. She's not my actual girlfriend. I have no business trying to interfere with her life. She releases my hand and we split off into our pairs. I'm with Kitara, Hinata is with Shino. If she doesn't want me to care, then I guess I'll show her that I don't.

As Kitara and I get into defensive positions I notice her hands trembling as she clutches a kunai. Her gaze is directed at the ground. I don't want to hurt her but there's nothing I can really do. Maybe she'll tire herself out before anything really happens. Kitara launches herself at me and I dodge the attack, choosing to stay on the defensive until I wear her out. We practically dance around the clearing, her movements sloppy and less than half-strength.

"You're going to kill yourself if you keep going." I chide, hoping to finally get it through to her.

"I don't care."

"Why are you mad at me? What did I do?"

She stops suddenly and doubles over, resting her hands on her knees as her whole body sways.

"I-I'm calling off the bet. I don't care about it anymore. I'm done, so feel free to call victory." She gasps out before looking up.

Her eyes are full of unshed tears and there's a pain in there but I don't know what it stems from.

"What?"

She opens her mouth to respond but she collapses before she can speak. I catch her and call out for our sensei.

"What happened?"

"She's sick, she has been since yesterday. I told her to stay home but she wouldn't listen. She's overworked herself."

"Why didn't you tell me before we started?"

"She wouldn't let me." I sigh as I adjust her in my arms.

"Why don't you take her home and get her settled in? You can come back if you want but you're excused for the rest of the day."

I sigh as I stare down at Kitara from my spot in a chair near her bed. She's going to be pissed when she wakes up and I'm here but I'm not just going to leave her alone. If I'd known all along that she'd been alone for months, I could have done something but she won't open up. I barely know anything about her. I know she's had surgery, since I saw the scar, but for what? She likes art, judging by her sketchbooks and paint canvasses, she likes Akamaru, she says she can bake but doesn't know how to cook, and she has a lacking family life. That's really not much. I also know that she hates me because I kissed her and I don't know how to fix it. Does she really want to call off the bet? I should be ecstatic. I didn't want to do this bet in the first place, but when I think about not having to come over and deal with her anymore, I get this weird feeling inside. I get to my feet and decide to do at least one good thing for her, just in case this all really is over. I leave Akamaru to watch over her as I hurry to the market to gather ingredients. I'm not sure how long she will be alone, but I can at least make her a few meals that she can reheat to last her for a while. I don't want her to starve.