Tell Her

Chapter I : Suggestions

Kiba scratched his head, and frowned at her response. Of course, he should have been expecting that kind of answer from Kurenai-sensei. She was a woman, and a very sensible one, too. Not that Kiba had anything against woman or girls, because he had a very strong interest in a certain Byakugan-eyed girl. "But Kurenai-sensei, I can't just tell her," He tried his hardest not to sound too panicky and stubborn. Akamaru barked.

Foolish Kiba, your sensei is right. Akamaru words only annoyed Kiba further. Wasn't he supposed to agree with Kiba?

Kiba ignored his companion's opinion. Kurenai brushed back her black tresses that fell gently around her shoulders. She closed her red eyes, rimmed with thick, black lashes, and shook her head from left to right, letting a small laugh. "Well what do you expect she'd say, Kiba-kun? She's not the type to just turn you away, and plus, Hinata-chan adores those who speak the truth. She's that sort of person, and because she's shy you have to go up to her," Her eyes opened again, and her red lips were in a form of a smile.

He still was unsure, and disappointed at his teacher's reply. It was not what he had wanted, and although Kiba had grown out of the habit of thinking he should get whatever he wanted, he still grumbled miserably. He had been searching for a less harder, less riskier suggestion. In most aspects however, Kiba wanted to know what he was to Hinata.

Yes, he was interested in Hyuuga Hinata. No. Wait. He was extremely interested in Hyuuga Hinata, the petite, little girl on his team. Perhaps if he had not known her, if he had never spoken a word to her nor ever sat next to her, Kiba would have never noticed her. Of course, her white orb-like eyes would have caught his attention, but she seldom spoke back at the Ninja Academy.

But they were teammates now, two people bound to become lasting friends. And the more time they trained together, and the more missions they were assigned together along with Kurenai and Shino, the more he learned about her. He found out just how good-hearted she was, and even though she did not look like much, Kiba could see the beautiful and strong person within her. And he became very fond of her.

"But I just can't," Kiba protested. He couldn't find the words in why he could not tell the one he adored so dearly of his feelings or more that he didn't want to explain them, but he knew he just couldn't spit out the words to her. "Isn't there any simpler way?" Kurenai rolled her eyes, and let out a sigh.

"Do you want me to say she likes Naruto, and tell you to just give up? Because in all honesty, Kiba-kun, that's the simplest way," Kiba looked hurt, and he felt hurt, too. Kurenai eyed him expectantly, she knew that would get to him. Even just the mentioning of Naruto's name with Hinata's in the same sentence irked him. That was the reason why he couldn't just tell Hinata how he felt about her.

Kurenai placed her hands on her hips, and leaned forward waiting for his answer. Kiba, remained quiet, and looked away.

Do you now see what she means? It may be a case of 'now or never', Kiba.

Kiba jammed his hands into the pockets of his gray parka. "Can I get a man's opinion on this kind of situation?" His eyes were focused completely on the ground. Kurenai lifted a perfectly arched brow.

"I suppose, Kiba-kun, but I suggest that you listen to my advice. Who knows what those perverted Jounin men might tell you to do?" She threw her hands helplessly over her head and laughed loudly. "Do whatever you wish, Kiba-kun, but be careful with Hinata-chan. She's too precious to break. I'm going to meet with some other female shinobi at this large counsel about a meeting discussing more young girls enrolling at the Ninja Academy," She lightly patted his disheveled brown hair, and walked away.

Kiba sighed. He continued to walk and called for Akamaru to follow. He had some money left in his pocket, and was hungry for a hot bowl of ramen at the local Ichiraku. He pondered silently to himself, as he walked through the fairly crowded street. This was very unusual for Kiba to be so silent and quiet. An old, round man with a short white mustache from a fruit stand even noticed this, and called to Kiba. "What's the matter, kid?" Kiba looked up at him, and shrugged his shoulders. The man laughed.

"What's so funny, Old Ottori?" The young shinobi asked. It wasn't squeaky and scared or angry and intimidating, but sounded more like a rhetorical question. It was as if the man knew he was stressing over a girl.

"You're stressing over a girl," He answered simply, and began talking to another old, customer. Kiba's mouth nearly dropped. Was he that obvious? Or perhaps Mr. Old Ottori was just awfully observant. He hoped for it to be the second theory.

Kiba continued to walk through the busy streets of Konoha with Akamaru. Because of the dangerous mission in attempt to retrieve Sasuke months earlier, he had a duration of vacation where he was free to spend time resting for any upcoming missions or simply training. The dark-blue thick, cloth panels closing in the Ichiraku were in sight, and as he neared the wooden ramen stand, Kiba could smell several familiar scents.

And as he came closer, he could hear familiar voices chatting away from inside. Kiba smiled, maybe this would be his chance to get some man-to-man advice. He pushed away a cloth flap, and met the backs of three Jounin men very known to him. One's hair was silvery and spiky, and was slightly bunched down by the tie of his black mask, the man that sat next to him had glossy, black hair cut oddly like a mushroom, and the last had a trail of smoke above his head. "Hello Kiba, it's nice to see you walking around," Kakashi greeted, as he sipped in his warm broth. His mask had been rolled down to underneath his bottom lip.

Kiba nodded as the other two looked at him startled. Well, Asuma looked startled, whilst Gai sent him a toothy, white smile. Kiba shivered, Gai's perfect teeth had always given him the creeps. "Where are your teammates?" Gai asked as a noodle slithered its way up into his mouth. The thought of his own teammates gave Kiba a sudden rush as an image of Hinata smiling appeared in his mind. He forgot there were two other members on his Team 8 altogether, and for a minute was lost in a daze of Hinata's eyes.

"Kiba?" Asuma's low voice awoke him, and he blinked staring at the men who evidently were staring back. Kiba reddened slightly, which was very unlike him. He shook away the blush and grinned, showing off his piercing sharp fangs.

The room as silent for a moment, but was broken by the old ramen stand keeper's ladle pouring more broth over Gai's bowl. Kiba, again began to shy away, and stuttered a bit. "I…I was wondering..." He began, and scolded himself for stuttering. He scratched the red, triangular mark on his cheek and looked down. "I got this friend, who really likes Hinata-chan!" He blurted, stupidly and of course something he would regret.

The three Jounins all looked at each other, and dopily smiled at each other. Kiba saw the glances, and realized they knew who his 'friend' was. Wow, I sure am obvious. He thought to himself as a bowl of ramen was laid out for him. Kiba dug his hand into his pockets and pulled out his money and paid for his noodles.

Each man stopped eating, and turned to Kiba. "Kiba, each of us have come to a suggestion of how you can get Hinata," Gai simply stated. Waterfalls of tears deluged from his round eyes and incredibly thick eyebrows. "The Fountain of Youth has finally spurt trickles of young love!" He raised his right hand and saluted to the young ninja. "I advise that you pretend to be Uzumaki Naruto!" Kiba's brows furrowed, and Akamaru found endless laughter at Gai's advice.

Kakashi shook his head. "You should read my 'Come Come Paradise' books, Kiba"

"Maybe you should start smoking, Kiba. Smoking makes you look sexy," Asuma through his cigarette butt onto the floor and naturally stepped on it with his sandal. Kiba looked at all three men strangely, but figured they could be right. Maybe if he tried each of their ideas one at a time…

You certainly are a fool, Kiba. Akamaru laughed at his human friend. It was too pitifully.

Note: Well, I want you guys to decide which he tries first.

So vote for either:

1 – Gai and his advice that Kiba be more like Naruto, because everyone knows she absolutely admires Naruto.

2 – Asuma and his advice that Kiba smoke to look sexy.

3 – Kakashi and his advice that Kiba get some 'tips' from his 'books'.