"Who's the other one?"
"Uzumaki Naruto."
Shin glanced at Kiba beside him, then looked toward Naruto standing alone on the other side just in time to meet Naruto's eyes.
Kiba curled his lips into a smirk, a glint of mischief flickering in his gaze.
Naruto, caught in the stare, looked a little uneasy.
"Kiba," Shin said quietly.
"What? This is a taijutsu match don't blame me," Kiba replied, clearly displeased. "It's not like I'm picking on him."
"Don't go too hard on him," Shin said, frowning slightly. He could sense the hostility in Kiba's demeanor.
"Tch." Kiba let out an irritated grunt and turned to face Shin. "I'm just helping him realize his weaknesses. It'll be good for him in the long run as a shinobi."
With that, he plopped Akamaru into Shin's arms and stepped into the field.
Naruto walked out slowly as well, clearly lacking confidence.
"Go get him, Kiba!"
"Show him what you've got!"
Voices of encouragement rang out friends of Kiba, clearly rooting for him. Naruto's face dimmed even further.
"Kiba won't go easy on him," Shin muttered, his concern deepening.
"I think..." Shino suddenly spoke up. "Maybe Kiba just doesn't like how you treat Naruto."
"You've never doted on Kiba like that, have you?"
Shin blinked, taken aback. He hadn't considered that possibility.
No way... is he jealous?
Shin looked at the two figures now standing face-to-face in the training field, a quiet realization dawning.
"The more you tell Kiba to leave Naruto alone, the angrier he gets," Shino continued calmly.
"To him, it's like you're casting him as the bad guy."
"So much going on in that head of his..." Shin murmured, his eyes following Kiba's every move.
"All right. Begin with the seal of reconciliation," Iruka instructed.
Both boys extended their right hands, fingers pointed like a blade, and bowed respectfully to each other.
"Begin."
Iruka's voice had barely faded before Kiba launched forward like a shot arrow.
Naruto seemed momentarily dazed, only reacting at the last second to block Kiba's punch with his arm.
Thud.
Naruto staggered back two steps, unsteady. But Kiba didn't let up he spun sharply, lashing a whipping kick into Naruto's waist.
Naruto cried out and fell to the ground in a clumsy tumble.
"Tch. What's going on with you?" Kiba scowled, growing more annoyed at Naruto's passivity. "Can't even take a couple hits?"
"All you ever do is run crying to Shin. What a coward."
"And you think you can become Hokage? Don't make me laugh."
His voice was sharp and cutting, his words a blunt weapon. He looked down at Naruto with disdain.
"I am not!" Naruto shouted, flushed with anger. He pushed himself up with one hand, ignoring the dirt caked on his clothes, and dropped into a defensive stance.
Kiba scoffed and charged again.
This time, Naruto focused, arms raised, blocking the right jab with an open palm. Kiba's left fist immediately followed, aiming for Naruto's face. Naruto barely managed to block it with his other arm.
Thud.
Naruto pushed forward, using the momentum to leap back and create distance. As soon as he landed, he charged again, this time taking the initiative.
Kiba ducked, sidestepped, and countered with a kick to Naruto's back.
Smack!
Naruto hit the ground and rolled twice but quickly scrambled back to his feet. He refused to stay down.
Kiba remained unfazed. He deflected Naruto's punch with his left forearm and countered with a heavy strike to Naruto's exposed chest.
Naruto grunted, pain shooting through him, but he didn't retreat. He grabbed Kiba's arms and slammed his knee into Kiba's thigh.
Kiba stumbled, thrown off balance. Naruto shoved his arms apart and drove a solid punch into Kiba's chest, forcing him to retreat.
"Damn it," Kiba muttered, rubbing the spot where he'd been hit. He scowled at Naruto, who was doing the same.
With a growl, Kiba threw another punch into the air, then rushed forward.
He was even faster this time, his attacks sharper and more aggressive. Naruto struggled to keep up.
The two clashed, punches flying, bodies twisting. Naruto didn't know how many hits he'd taken only that he had barely landed any of his own.
Kiba noticed Naruto faltering. A smirk tugged at his lips. Spotting an opening, he struck Naruto's arm with the side of his palm, knocking it aside.
Naruto staggered. Kiba swept a kick into his lower leg, and Naruto dropped to one knee.
Spinning, Kiba grabbed Naruto's shoulders and flung him aside.
Naruto hit the ground hard. Pain pulsed through him, and the world tilted and spun.
"Winner: Kiba," Iruka's voice announced.
I lost? Naruto stared up at the sky, the result sinking in. He heard Iruka's voice. He heard the cheers for Kiba.
His chest tightened.
"Seal of reconciliation."
Iruka spoke again, just as Kiba was about to walk away. Kiba paused, visibly reluctant.
"Tch." He turned and walked over to where Naruto lay.
"Here." Kiba extended a hand above Naruto. This time, he didn't say anything mocking. After venting his frustration, his mood had softened.
Naruto stared at the offered hand, hesitating then slowly reached out.
Their fingers locked in the traditional sign. Kiba pulled Naruto up.
"Thanks for the match." They both bowed politely.
"Kiba's taijutsu is solid. He's passed," Iruka said, marking something in his book.
"Uzumaki, you'll stay after on the weekend for extra training."
"Yes, sir," Naruto replied, his voice dull and subdued.
The two boys returned to the group.
"Kiba," Shin said, watching as Kiba avoided his gaze and didn't take back Akamaru.
"What?" Kiba muttered gruffly.
"You know..." Shin's voice turned gentle as he stroked Akamaru's fur, drawing a soft whine from the little dog.
"Naruto's had it rough."
"He doesn't have any friends. But you do…"
"You're surrounded by people who care."
Shin looked toward Naruto, now standing alone in the distance.
"If you were in his place if everyone hated you how would you feel?"
"Could you still smile like he does?"
Kiba froze, silent.
"Then why was he so quiet just now?" he finally muttered, unwilling to let it go.
"He was scared," Shino answered instead.
"Scared? Of me beating him up?" Kiba blinked.
"No," Shino shook his head. "He was afraid Shin would turn his back on him too."
"You and Shin have always been close. But now there's tension between you."
"So he didn't know what to think. He didn't dare fight back at first. It was only after you taunted him that he pushed through."
Kiba was quiet for a long time. Then he turned and took Akamaru back from Shin's arms.
He mumbled under his breath, "Whatever."
"Fine. I won't mess with him anymore, okay?"
He looked away stubbornly.
Shin saw his sulky expression and couldn't help but chuckle softly.
"Next match: Aburame Shino versus Nara Shikamaru."