Kiba wrapped his arm around Shino's chest, his hand coming up to grip the cloth of his jacket just over his collar bones, before leaning his head on the taller man's shoulder. He grinned lazily at the lord's son. "Sorry, but I've got a boyfriend," he said. He kissed the side of Shino's neck through the high collar of his jacket and felt his partner's arm settle around his waist possessively. Isamu glared, his face taking on angry red splotches against his normally ivory complexion. Kiba pretended not to notice, slipping his hand into the back pocket of Shino's pants and laying more kisses on the side of his neck.

"You heard him, Little Brother," Hiroto said, pushing away from the pillar he'd been leaning against. "He's not interested." The man's thinly disguised disgust for the situation tempted Kiba to pull down Shino's collar and give the man a show he wouldn't soon forget. "It's unnatural anyway." Kiba tensed. Oh that was it. He shifted his weight slightly, ready to pull Shino down into a nose bleed inducing kiss. The kikaichu hummed loudly and he glanced up at Shino. He shook his head almost imperceptibly and Kiba fought the urge to pout. Shino almost always seemed to know what he was thinking. It wasn't fair. Kiba kicked one eyebrow up.

Why not? He asked silently.

Because it's stupid and will only cause problems, Shino replied. Kiba rolled his eyes fractionally.

This prick deserves it and you know it. He's got a major stick up his ass.

All the more reason not to agitate him further. This mission isn't over, Kiba, and I won't have you complicating it just because you feel the need to instigate our host's son. You've already broken one boy's heart, let's not push our luck. The look Kiba gave Shino was incredulous.

Oh come on! It's not my fault he likes me!

Be that as it may, I'd rather not deal with scorned lovers and homophobic older brothers. Kiba was mad enough to spit. Hiroto had been making derogatory statements since they'd met and he didn't think he could stomach one more comment. He turned his eyes back to Shino, giving him puppy dog eyes, ready to plead.

The doors to the meeting room opened and Shino shifted to a more respectable distance automatically. Lord Takahiro stepped out with Hinata and his youngest son in tow. He laughed, the sound seeming to echo off the marble floor of the hallway. "Rennin, Hyuga-san has been talking all afternoon. I'm sure she will gladly hear what you have to say during dinner but now just leave her be." Hinata blushed slightly and murmured something polite. She was beautiful in her lavender winter kimono. She turned to summon her "guards" only to find them gone. Rennin turned to her, puzzled.

"You're guards are to be with you always, are they not?" Hinata smiled.

"They are." He frowned.

"But-" He jumped in surprise when he turned to find Kiba and Shino behind them, both flanking Hinata's sides no more than a step and a half behind her. Hinata ducked her chin, stifling giggles.

He'd never been so bored in his life. How was he supposed to play body guard when he knew his charge could take care of herself? Sure, Shino could find ways to occupy his time, he was Shino after all, but Kiba was reduced to beating his head against a wall somewhere just to have something to do. Luckily it seemed Hinata would finish negotiations with Lord Takahiro soon and she'd be finished posing as a delegate. He couldn't wait to go home. Kiba yawned widely, feeling his jaw pop. He looked down to see Akamaru mimicking his actions and smiled. Chakra tickled his senses and he slumped, his back pressing against Shino's. "What ya got?" Kiba asked softly, hoping for something- anything!- to break up the monotony. Shino shook his head. Kiba sighed. "Shit, man. Sometimes I wish-" Shino's elbow dug into his kidney.

"Don't." Kiba grinned.

"I didn't know you were so superstitious." Shino's breath left him in a near snort.

"You have a track record." Kiba chuckled.

"Like I really had anything to do with the exploding tags, the traps, trip wires, ambushes, shuriken, storms, floods, rock slides-"

"Of course not, and the fact that it always happened after you said you were bored is purely coincidental." Kiba leaned his head back on his partner's shoulder.

"Superstitious," he sing-songed.

"Cautious."

"Paranoid!"

"Kiba-kun!" Kiba tensed. Isamu's voice seemed to echo throughout the corridors. He turned his head towards his partner.

"You haven't seen me!" Shino shrugged.

"I haven't…" Kiba snickered.

"You're a true friend." He patted his thigh. "Let's get outta here 'fore the leech catches us," he said to Akamaru. The dog woofed softly and they were gone, using speed befitting ninja.

Kiba grimaced as he climbed through the window, shoes in hand. He was wet and cold and sticky and was pretty sure he smelled like shit warmed over. Who knew that the woods behind their host's home turned into a bog about a hundred yards in? Sure he'd smelled the water but had assumed a pond was close by. Imagine his surprise when he sunk into what had previously been ground up to his shoulders. His jacket had been discarded hours ago, despite the winter chill, and he was glad it wasn't ruined like his pants. He looked up to find Isamu's beaming face and considered dropping back out the window. Hinata looked at him in surprise, eyes wide. Shino, not bothering to turn towards him, held out a towel and his own bucket of bath things.

Kiba grinned and kissed Shino's cheek as he passed, taking the bucket and towel with him. Rennin blushed and looked away at Kiba's open affection with the other man. "Don't mind me folks…just passin' through." He ignored Isamu's glare while walking to the baths. Shino grabbed his arm, pulling him up short. "What-?" The question was cut off when he saw the glitter of steal appear in his partner's hand. He heard Isamu and Rennin gasp as the kunai was brought to his skin but he never flinched. He felt slight pressure on his bicep and heard a squishing sound. He finally looked away from Shino's face to see a leech in its death throes, having just been removed and cut in half. It squirmed for a second before lying still on the blade.

He smiled up at his friend. "Thanks." Shino nodded.

"Get ready for your bath and I'll come take care of the others." Kiba grimaced before twisting to see three leaches sucking on his shoulder, and lower back. There was another near his belly button.

"Thanks," he muttered and continued on his way. Sure, he didn't really need Shino's help removing the parasites but he had never perfected the art of removing the damn things without cutting himself. Shino on the other hand could remove and dice up to six in under two seconds without the victim even noticing. Ten minutes later found Kiba neck deep in Lord Takahiro's family hot spring, parasite free. He sighed as the heat soothed his muscles, remembering the feel of Shino's warm breath blowing low across his abdomen as he knelt to remove the rest of the nasty blood suckers. He grinned as he felt his body stir to life and submerged his head before he could get too worked up, removing the gunk from his hair. When he resurfaced he was faced with a fresh pile of clothes sitting on the bench in front of him, his own sopping garments having been removed. His grin widened. He never thought to bring fresh clothes to a bath. He'd have to remember to thank Shino later.

Kiba reached for the bucket Shino had handed him earlier and pulled out a bottle of shampoo. He tipped the bottle over his head and squeezed, feeling the cool gel pile onto his scalp. Shino's scent filled the room as he rubbed the gel into a fine lather. He closed his eyes and breathed deep. He frowned. Something was missing. It was Shino but…it wasn't. Must be the bugs, he thought and dunked. "You're supposed to wash and then soak you know…" Kiba didn't turn but continued washing with Shino's soap, smiling slightly when he realized the scrubby Shino had packed was the butterfly shaped one he had given him for Christmas last year, wings and head protruding from the rippling plastic. He blinked, remembering he was being spoken to.

"Yeah but I find it easier to just do everything in the same place. Cuts down on commute time." He gave Isamu a smile over his shoulder and went back to washing. The boy chuckled and sat on the bench next to his clothes.

"I'll wash your back for you Kiba-kun," his voice was a seductive murmur. Kiba gave him another smile.

"Thanks but no thanks." He pulled a stick out of the bucket and held it up. "Shino let me use his back scrubber," he beamed, pointing to the scrubby connected to the stick. Isamu's face darkened and he scoffed.

"It's a bumble bee." Kiba's grin widened.

"Yeah. I got it for him on his birthday." An angry blush steadily claimed the boy's face.

"You got him bath supplies for his birthday?" Kiba scratched the back of his head as he chuckled.

"Yeah, it's a gag gift thing. I get him bug shaped bath stuff and he gives me stuffed dogs." Kiba shook his head. "I've got quite the collection." He cleared his throat. "Anyway." He submerged himself to rinse and climbed out of the water, unconcerned with his nudity. Isamu on the other hand wadded his shirtsleeve under his nose to stem the bleeding. Kiba ran the towel over his body in a cursory drying session then attacked his hair. He was surprised at how silky it was. He grinned. Must be the shampoo. He pulled on his usual mesh shirt but paused when he saw the light colored pants. These were Shino's. He shrugged and pulled them on, laughing when he saw that they bunched around his ankles.

Isamu's scowl returned when he too realized the pants didn't belong to the dog lover but he didn't comment. Kiba smiled when he was also greeted by Shino's hoodless jacket. He pulled it on, zipping it all the way up. His smile grew when he discovered a pair of Shino's old sunglasses in a pocket and put them on, schooling his features into what he liked to call an "Aburame look". He gathered Shino's things and nodded goodbye to Isamu before walking back to the room he and his partner shared.

Hinata smiled at him as she passed him on her way to dinner but stopped short and turned to him. "Kiba-kun?" His look shattered and he laughed loudly before turning to her.

"Pretty cool, huh?" he asked, extending one arm to indicate his transformation. "If it weren't for the hair and skin I could totally pass for the bug freak!" Hinata nodded, smiling ruefully.

"Don't call him that, Kiba-kun." He shrugged.

"See you after dinner." She nodded and was on her way again, turning back to look at him every few feet, giggles erupting from her mouth. Kiba smiled as he entered their room and found Shino repacking his bag. Shino glanced up and smiled slightly.

"Can I keep the glasses?" Shino's smile widened and he shrugged. "Bad ass!" He dropped the bath things next to the heater to dry and flopped back on the single huge bed. "Hinata thought I was you for a second there in the hall." He chuckled and swung his feet against the bed frame. Shino nodded.

"We do have some similar qualities." Kiba raked at his hip and thigh with claw like nails.

"Fuck, Shino, haven't you ever heard of fabric softener?" Shino turned to him, an eyebrow raised. Kiba scratched again, rolling to get more access. "You heard me, damn it. Your pants are itchy as fuck, man." Shino's brows pulled down into a frown before shooting up.

"Kiba…" he said slowly. Kiba grunted. "You are wearing underwear…" Kiba paused to give him a blank look. "Aren't you?" Shino's voice was a bit strained. Kiba gave him a toothy grin. The bug master had obviously been hoping he'd thought to bring at least that to his bath.

"You know I don't wear underwear." He scratched again. "Can I borrow a pair of yours?" Shino looked as if he wasn't sure whether to smile or be disgusted. "Aww, come on! I'm clean. I just took a bath. Besides, I'll be rubbed raw if I don't!" He raked at his skin. Shino pulled a pair of boxers from his bag and laid them on the bed beside his friend. Kiba had rolled onto his stomach, butt in the air as he scratched his thighs. "Will you scratch my butt?" Shino paused.

"Kiba. You are my partner and best friend. We've faced more dangerous situations together than I care to remember and I trust you with my life but we will never be good enough friends for me to scratch your butt."

Kiba chuckled, throwing his covers back as he turned over. "He's at the door," he whispered. Shino nodded in the darkness, only the outline of his form visible.

"I know."

"Think we should have sex?" Shino stilled.

"What?"

"You know. We should have sex. Loud, raunchy sex. It'd be great. The headboard would bang against the wall and we could moan real loud, break some stuff. A lot of 'Kami, Shinos'!' and 'Harder, Kibas'!' He'd never be able to look us in the eyes again!" Kiba smothered his chuckles into his pillow. Shino seemed to relax, deflate even.

"You want to pretend to have sex to embarrass Isamu. Do you have any idea how childish you sound?" Kiba propped his head up in his hand, looking over at his friend.

"I didn't mean pretend but that'll work too." The silence dragged out for minutes. Kiba almost shifted; afraid he'd broken Shino's brain.

"That's not funny, Kiba," Shino said finally, his voice thin. As thin as he'd allow it to get anyway. Kiba gave a half shrug.

"Wasn't joking, but let's do it." Shino was silent again. He heard Shino's indrawn breath.

"Why-?" Shino bit the question back, shifting uncomfortably. "Why would you say something like that?" Kiba sat all the way up, frowning into the darkness at his friend.

"Whaddaya mean why? I said it cause I meant it." Something in the back of his head whispered for him to tread softly. He had a feeling Shino would bolt if he said the wrong thing. Then again, he'd never listened to that voice before. Why start now?

"I don't--you don't--" Shino snapped his jaw shut, realizing he was stuttering.

"What? Y're worried about the scars?" he asked, bulldozing ahead. "I don't care. Hell, I got worse than you and you don't mind." He reached out to brush his hand over Shino's arm. He felt his partner's muscles lock. His fingers brushed against smooth scar tissue and newly formed scabs from where the bugs had recently pushed through the flesh. The kikaichu rushed to where Kiba touched, raising skin, seeking his chakra.

Kiba knew Shino's every sense was heightened by the bugs, that the slightest pressure could bring pain, and kept his touch light. He was rarely given the chance to touch Shino and rivaled in the sensation of silky skin, loving the sight of his own tan skin against the milky whiteness of Shino's. Shino rolled to his side, causing Kiba's hand to slide across the mostly bare skin of his back. Kiba felt him shudder. Heard the excited hum of kikaichu. "I won't play this game with you, Kiba. Go to sleep." Kiba moved closer, settling himself against Shino's back, wrapping an arm around his partner's waist to pull him closer. He slid his fingers across Shino's mesh shirt, down to tease the soft skin above his sleep pants.

He felt Shino stiffen in shock. Felt his breath catch in his throat. Felt kikaichu tumble over themselves under Shino's skin to get closer to his touch. "I'm not playing," he whispered before he bit down softly just over Shino's shoulder blade. He almost winced when Shino's control slipped, the frenzied buzz of excited bugs attacking his sensitive ears. His hand slipped into Shino's pants, sliding down his thigh before Shino grabbed his forearm.

"Stop," he said, his voice a choked whisper. Kiba dragged his nails up Shino's sensitive skin, scraping hard enough to leave red marks. Shino whimpered softly, instinctively pushing to get away from his hand, pressing them closer together.

"Damn, Shino." Kiba ran his tongue up the back of Shino's neck. Shino pressed his face into the pillow to muffle the sounds he made. "Fuck," he whispered, pressing his hips into Shino's. "Fuck. Shino. Shit, you're so fuckin hot." He bit down hard on the side of Shino's neck, sucking. Shino's hand shot to his head with the intent of pushing him away but ended up tangled in hair. "So damn sexy." Shino rolled away from him suddenly, pushing him back. Kiba watched as his partner wobbled, having rolled to the edge of the bed. He barely kept from falling.

"Stop, Kiba." His voice wavered, dropped to a pained whisper. "Don't tell me that." Kiba shifted back.

"What? That you're sexy?" He heard Shino's teeth grind slightly as he clenched his teeth.

"Yes." He was mostly back in control, his voice back to being void of inflection of any kind.

"Why? You are. I think you are."

"I believe your exact words to describe me were 'pale', 'scrawny,' and 'freak'." Kiba blinked in confusion. When had he said that? Suddenly a scene flashed through his head of a twelve year old him talking to Shikamaru, and Choji about his newly assigned team.

"Yeah. I got Aburame Shino and that Hyuuga chick. The one who don't say much."

"Hinata," Choji supplied around a mouth full of chips.

"Yeah."

"I hear Shino's smart. He should be a good teammate," Shikamaru said. He yawned. Kiba snorted.

"He's a pale, scrawny, weird smellin, bug obsessed freak. I mean c'mon! How long can one guy spend sittin in a field watchin damn fire flies?" He crossed his arms over his chest. "I bet they're his family. He was abandoned at birth and the fire flies raised him. Bet they even taught him how to make his ass glow." Choji choked and Shikamaru's lips twitched. Neither wanted to laugh but it was funny.

Kiba winced at the memory. Okay. So he'd said a few things before he'd gotten to know his partner. Before he'd started to respect him. "I 'idn't think you knew about that."

"It's not as if you tried to be discrete." Kiba waved his hand through the air dismissively.

"I was like six, Shino. I didn't know any better. Even you gotta admit you're weird."

"You were twelve, Kiba. Old enough to know how to spare someone's feelings." Kiba felt his eyebrows shoot up.

"I hurt your feelins?" He couldn't quite wrap his mind around that one. He'd never thought of Shino's feelings. The bug master barely showed emotion and, as an idiotic preteen, he'd just assumed Shino didn't have feelings to hurt. Shino shifted to lie on his back again and gave a half shrug.

"My pride was a bit bruised but I wouldn't say that you did any lasting damage. Naruto did go around trying to 'pants' me for about a week though." Kiba chuckled.

"See? No blood, no foul. We even ended up bein best friends." He gave Shino a wide, toothy grin. "Now let's have monkey sex." Shino stiffened again.

"You're serious? You really want to?" The questions were bland but Kiba could hear the millions of bugs shifting restlessly. Shino's fingers plucked the fabric of the sheet.

"Fuck you blind? Hell yeah." He laid back down but sat back up abruptly, belatedly realizing Shino really was self conscious. Kiba wondered now if the new jacket had really been to protect himself from all the little things that would set off the kikaichu or to hide himself from the world even more. To hide the scars and scabs from prying eyes. To keep from being made fun of by more ass holes like him. Kiba almost groaned out loud. That explained why Shino never fully undressed in front of him, never showed any more skin than strictly necessary.

"You're fuckin hot, Shino. The only person who doesn't like your body is you." He felt Shino's movements still. "I love your body," Kiba stopped his rant to rake his fingers through his hair. "And I'd show you how much if you'd fuckin let me." They sat there a moment in silence. Shino finally turned his eyes from the ceiling to look at his best friend.

"Are you saying you want to screw me, Kiba?" The question was bland but Kiba could feel his partner's tension, could hear the millions of bugs shifting beneath his skin. Kiba flopped back on the bed.

"No." Shit. He'd planned to ease Shino into sex, not throw it in his face. Now Shino thought he'd be another meaningless fuck.

He paused, anger surging through him unexpectedly. Shino was supposed to be the smart one. Why didn't he get it? Kiba sat up suddenly and looked down into Shino's face. "I want you, Shino…" he trailed off, staring into space. Kiba sighed after a moment. Fuck this. He got up, pulling his mesh shirt over his head. "And I'm tired of waiting." Shino's bugs erupted in a symphony of sound, the buzzing at almost deafening levels.

"You're walking away because I won't sleep with you?" The question would have sounded normal to anyone else but Kiba could detect the disbelief buried under that calm demeanor.

"No." He picked up his jacket. "I'm not walking away because you won't put out, idiot. I'm walking away because I'm tired, Shino." And suddenly he was. It was as if someone had just dumped a massive weight on his shoulders, dragging him down. "I'm tired of playing this game. I'm tired of fuckin tiptoeing around your self-conscious ass wondering if every fuckin move I make will make you go all stiff and uncomfortable." His ire melted in an instant, leaving him feeling drained. He swung his jacket over his shoulders and walked to the door.

Kiba paused in the doorway and sighed. He couldn't do this anymore. Kiba closed his eyes. "I'm tired," he whispered almost imperceptibly, "of waiting for you to love yourself as much as I do." The door clicked softly as it closed behind him.