Title: Finding
Author: tarotgal
Rating: G
Pairing: Kiba/Hige if you really want a pairing
Disclaimer: They're not mine! This is for fun!
Summary: Short short short practice ficlet with a sneezey Kiba and a snuggley little Hige
Finding
"So hungry," Hige complained, leaning back against a rock, arms bent above his head. "I should have been the one to go out for food."
Kiba lifted his head wearily to peer over at him. He managed a weak smile. "They knew if you'd gone, you would have eaten more than you'd bring back." He dropped his head back down against the ground with a thump. His eyes grew hot and tired, begging him to sleep. But he could not close them. They looked forward, up at the top of the hill where Cheza stood, twirling.
Suddenly
his eyes snapped shut and his head jerked down. "hshhhhh! hehshhhhh!"
He sniffed wetly and pawed at his runny nose.
"Get some sleep," Hige said with a sigh. "We've got a long way to go tomorrow and you're no good to us sick."
Kiba snarled. "I'm fine. And I don't need you to tell me what to do." He felt the waxing moon's light shine down on him and he soaked it in, the way Cheza did the sun. He'd feel better soon, he had to. They had to find her, save her. She was the only one who could lead them to paradise.
Hige rolled his eyes. What a surprise. "Come on," he said, patting his lap. "I'll help you sleep." Kiba did not move, but Hige stayed firm in his request, continuing to pat his lap as though calling to him.
Kiba's dark, brooding eyes twinkled a moment as he thought. Then with a deep breath he pulled himself up off the cold ground. His four legs were thin and unsteady beneath him as he stumbled over, collapsing onto Hige who was warm. Hige was one of those who was always warm to the touch. Kiba lifted his head and gently nuzzled the young man's chin, his nose bumping against the leather collar around his neck.
"There now," Hige said, burying his hand in the man's mess of black hair, though he felt fur against his paw as he did so. He stroked gently, soothingly, and Kiba's eyes slowly closed despite themselves. Kiba had the impression that it was Cheza petting him again. She always knew just how to touch him to make him happy, how long to make each stroke, when to scratch behind his ears, when to rub his belly. Hige was no Cheza, but his touch was similar tonight. "Your nose is so warm and dry," he remarked. "I'm surprised you made it as far as you did today."
Kiba snuffled and grunted in affirmation. He hadn't been able to scent Cheza all day, but yet something seemed to direct him onwards. The others had followed without question, even Hige whose nose was the best out of the pack. His body tensed up and he sneezed again, weakly, his whole body shaking at the effort. "hushhhhh! hitshhhhhhh! hehshhhhh! hshhhhh!"
Hige whimpered in sympathy, bending down and nuzzling Kiba back, his contrastingly wet nose snuffling against Kiba's face. "You'll feel much better after some sleep," he
whispered. Kiba's head bobbed up and down in a weak
nod. Then his soft mouth turned up into a smile. It felt terribly odd, but he
actually believed Hige. "Sweet dreams, Kiba," Hige whispered into his
ear as he fell asleep, then continued to rub the other's head soothingly.
Perhaps Cheza wasn't the only one who could show Kiba to his paradise after all.