A Flower's Shadow

Chapter 4: Kiba

Our zone was a little under two days from the main gates of the village. As soon as we had arrived, Tikari was still ready to go.

"Kiba, are you good to keep going for a while?"

I gave her a grin and a nod. Akamaru wagged his tail.

"Good." She nodded, "Hinata, Shino, set up our main base here. Kiba and I will begin establishing the zone's perimeter and should be back by nightfall tomorrow."

And that had been it.

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I finally asked my dying question when we made our makeshift camp that night. "Okay, why were you jamming your hand into the ground?"

"I was setting up a detection field for any Zetsu that may wander into our zone."

My eyes widened, "Wait, you can do that?"

"Yes," she chuckled a bit. "It falls into the category of abilities that aren't public knowledge."

Well that was understandable. I still wanted to ask her more about how she was doing that, but could see her mind wandering off someplace else. I took the chance to just watch her as she started a small fire.

"I didn't get to properly thank you the other day."

I scratched the back of my head, "Oh it was nothing."

"I wasn't just talking about walking me home for Naruto. You've also been visiting and bringing him things. Thank you for that."

"It's nothing," I shrugged. "He's a friend. And we'd all be screwed right now if it weren't for him and that other one." I still didn't feel like saying his name and admitting his help in everything.

"Still," she smiled. "I've been running around and hadn't been able to check in on him until that day."

I watched her, "You worry about him a lot."

"I try not to," she sighed. "I'm just so used to it after helping my granddad watch over him since he was in diapers. He's like a little brother to me."

A small weight lifted from my chest, "Well I guess that makes sense."

"Wait," her eyes widened. "Don't tell me it looks like we are..."

I couldn't help but shrug, "It's been asked before."

"Oh god," she grumbled as she rested her face in her hands. "Please no."

I wasn't sure whether to try and comfort her or laugh, so I kind of ended up doing both as I asked if she was okay as I laughed. She turned and looked at me with her eyebrow raised, "What's so funny?"

"Sorry," I raised my hands in defense, "I've just never seen you worry like that before."

It's kind of cute.

I stopped my thoughts as I calmed my laughter. What was I thinking?

"Just please tell me that is the only thing I don't know."

"Well," I scratched at the back of my head. "There could be one more."

A groan escaped her, "Do I even want to know?"

I shrugged a little as I replied, "Shikamaru."

"What?! No!" she jumped up a little as if the word had force. "Is it not possible for a girl to have close guy friends?"

Another laughter escaped me, "Well you guys do pick at each other a lot."

"Again," she gestured with her hands. "Like a brother because of Uncle Asuma."

"Yeah," a grin still sat on my face as she sighed, shaking her head. We sat there in silence for a moment. I rubbed on Akamaru's head as he rested his head in my lap.

"Speaking of," Tikari's voice was soft. "Have you seen him or Ino?"

"Yeah."

"How are they both doing?"

I focused more on scratching Akamaru, "Okay, I guess. I heard Lady Tsunade told them to take some time off."

"Well, that's good." she let out a small sigh of relief though her gaze remained distant. There was a sorrow and an understanding in her eyes. "I should have come back for the funeral, huh?"

"Someone had to help with clean up." I tried to sound reassuring, but I could imagine how she felt. She wanted to be there for everyone, but she couldn't. "Don't beat yourself up about it."

Tikari nodded as she pushed herself to her feet. "I'm going to grab some more firewood before I settle down for watch. You should get some sleep."

She never looked back as she spoke. I wanted to argue and tell her that I would take the first watch, but I knew not to stop her right then. I could smell the salt in the air. 

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Here is the new chapter guys! Planning to have the fifth chapter up on Wednesday!