Kiba wasn’t one to stand around in the corner and look like a complete idiot. Rubbing the back of his head awkwardly, he noticed a number of people conversating. Damn. Maybe he wasn’t as good as he thought he was. Too bad for everyone else. He would just go drink. Shrugging, he searched around idly for a bottle of sake, popping to top off and taking a few swigs. His eyes traveled to Akamaru who looked at him like he was an idiot. “Don’t give me that look.” He glared, letting out a sigh. “Where’s my girlfriend? She’s better at parties than I am.” He didn’t look half bad, though. He was on the look-out for mistletoe. He didn’t want his lips touching anyone but Ino’s. For the sake of his life, and the person who would receive his kiss.
Shikamaru sighed. He saw Kiba and the feelings of unpleasantness flowed over him. He had gotten him for Secret Santa and actually got him a gift. It was a nice gift, a jeweled collar for Akamaru and a nice watch for Kiba, with a bottle of whiskey. He didn’t really know if Kiba would like it; but Ino couldn’t yell at him for not trying to be “nice”. He walked up to the Inuzuka boy and tapped his shoulder. He held out the nicely wrapped gift.
There was a very familiar smell coming from someone near him. He couldn’t put a finger on who it was. Narrowing his eyes once his shoulder was tapped, he turned to see none other than Shikamaru. His eyes widened at the gift. “…..Shikamaru?” He raised his brow in question before slowly taking the gift from him. “Wow - um. Thank you.” He was at a loss for words. His brow knitted together in confusion. “Are you drunk or somethin’? Normally you would just dump soapy water over me or something.” This was quite interesting to say the least. He shrugged, sending the pineapple head a large grin.
Shikamaru sort of avoided his eyes. “If you don’t like it you can return it, the receipt is in there,” His voice was soft and gentle, which was very unlike his usual tone. “I’m not drunk—yet” He laughed a little bit “No water today, Inuzuka,” He laughed loudly and nudged him “Eh, in there’s a bottle of whiskey…we should drink, I’m going to need a lot of alcohol to deal with tonight,” He bit his lip a bit. He didn’t know how Kiba would react to this…he hoped that the other would see it as an extension of friendship and not a means to mock him. Shikamaru waited awkwardly in his kimono and his hair was down.
