DISCLAIMER: I don't own Naruto. *sigh*

RATING: M, adult themes and situations, some sex at the end (of the story).

A/N: I know, I know. Finish "Catching". I can't help it. I've had this one sitting on my hard-drive, just waiting to be published. So I called its number. Hope you enjoy! =)

~ The Darker Garden ~

PART ONE

"For this assignment, you'll be teamed with Yamanaka Ino." Lady Hokage's brown eyes held the hint of a challenge, almost like she dared Kiba to complain. "She'll be the liaison. Meaning," she clarified, "she'll talk to the parents and examine the missing girl should she be found. Do you understand your assignment?"

He nodded. "Yes'm. When do we leave?"

"Immediately. Pick up Ino at the hospital. She'll be waiting."

"Yes'm. Is that everything?"

"I only remind you that the suspect is to be apprehended, not executed. He is assumed armed and dangerous, but you are to turn him over to local police officials and allow them to conduct their investigation." Lady Hokage hesitated. "For the record, you are to assist Ino and not provoke her. Understood?"

"I'll do my best."

At his comment, she smirked. "I know you always do. Dismissed."

Kiba exited the Hokage's office, holding open the door for Akamaru. Missing-persons reports were automatically assigned to the Inuzuka clan, but they'd been personally summoned by Lady Tsunade. Very rarely were they assigned a team, except for the occasional kidnapping.

Yamanaka Ino, hunh? Akamaru said. They had found the stairs that wound down to street level. Haven't had to work with her.

"Yeah, well, we don't exactly get along, do we?"

Guess you'll have to learn. And besides, Akamaru paused so Kiba could hold open another door, this mission must be a kidnapping.

"You noticed that too."

They were on the hot street, and to avoid the busy morning crowd, they hopped to the roofs for a clean path to the hospital. Already the heat was enough for a trickle of sweat to drip down his back; the scent of baked tar, so heavy, acrid, and the dry leaves and grass, filled his nostrils. Made him sorta reminiscent.

He hadn't faced Ino in a long, long time, not since they'd clobbered each other in the previous chuunin exams. She hadn't been a powerhouse like he'd been, but she had a serious genjutsu ability. The only reason he'd won was she'd mistaken Akamaru for him, used her body-switch jutsu, and too late saw Kiba's fist flying to her face.

Knocked her right outta Akamaru's body and into her own, where she went unconscious after a few minutes of some major class-A taijutsu from them both, ending the match. Since then, she'd made a point to hate his guts (vocally and acerbically) for beating her in her moment of triumph and delaying her promotion another few months.

Akamaru snorted as they launched over a gap between buildings. Just as long as you two can behave, we'll be fine. Though, I am surprised that Lady Hokage thought to pair you up with her.

"It had better be a good reason. Even if she is a chick, I won't be afraid to pop her one if she mouths off at me."

Yeah, yeah. Just remember she can pop back if she wants.

"Heh. I think that's what I like best about 'er."

The buildings separated, and the giant rectangular hospital sat square in the middle of an open area, with neatly-kept vegetation and paint. Below, standing at the entrance was a blonde wearing purple and the green canvas of a standard-issue Konoha pack. She seemed to be searching for them, hand to her brow, and Kiba could see her squinting into the horizon. Taking a giant leap, they both landed a few feet from her. She turned, her hair whipping around, and narrowed her eyes.

"Ready?" she asked, her scent agitated.

Kiba couldn't resist teasing her. "What? No kiss hello? It's been such a long time, babe."

"Just so you know," her voice like ice, "I'm under strict orders to 'not be a bitch'. So consider this," and she flipped the bird at him, "my non-bitch response."

He smirked at her. "Is that so? I could've sworn that was an invitation."

"As if you could ever figure out which parts belonged where."

Move on, Akamaru advised him, and stop instigating.

"Whatever, Yamanaka." He shrugged. "What's the plan? Lady Hokage told me you had the details and that we were assisting."

He'd said the right thing, at least. Her features neutralized, and she pulled out a small laminate booklet from her pack. She flipped a few pages and held it up to show him. It was a map of a region of Fire Country.

"This is the town we're going to." She pointed at a specific dot; then to his surprise, lowered it to Akamaru's level so he could see too. "We can get there easily enough by following the road north, and taking a road to the east."

"We'd cut time by going cross-country," he said, and couldn't help adding, "unless you wanna keep yer new heels clean."

Ino slapped shut the booklet and stepped closer so that she was about an inch away from him, glaring like a snake. A delicious zing shot up his chest, messing with his heart and his breathing. She smelled good, and he liked how her eyes were bright enough to reflect her anger.

"I am just as good a shinobi as you." She pushed at him, not hard, but enough to force him back a step. "And if you keep messing with me, you'll find out just how good I can be."

He got defensive then; he didn't like being pushed around. Just as he opened his mouth to retort, she spun on her heel and started jogging along the sidewalk. She'd already bounced to the rooftops before he snapped into action, chasing after her, Akamaru at his side. Had she really been angry at him, or was she only retaliating for his insult?

"I need to stop by my place for my pack," he said, drawing up beside her.

She shook her head. "I dropped by your house and was able to talk to your mom. She helped pack enough supplies for all of us. The trip shouldn't take more than a half-day or day at the most to get there anyway."

Wow. He definitely hadn't expected that- -both her forethought and her informative answer. "Thanks."

Ino glanced across her shoulder at him. Looked like she wasn't sure what he'd said, but ended up replying, "Sure. You're welcome."

Much better, Akamaru barked. See? Playing nice isn't hard, is it?

Kiba laughed and concentrated on evening his strides to match Ino's. They traveled this way in stern silence. Ino must be brooding, he thought. Thinking about the fight she lost to him, or thinking about what an ass he was to her all time.

And speaking of asses, hers was nice. The fabric of her skirt not too loose, but tight enough to show a tight set of buns that curved nicely with hips and thigh. She had such a slender figure, bird-like and more delicate than he considered possible. Had she truly gone toe-to-toe with him in the arena?

He suppressed an impulse to slip his hand under the hem of her skirt and grab that soft flesh, just give it a good squeeze or smack. Bet she looked great in a thong…and shit, he needed to stop thinking like a pervert. But the flash of toned stomach and pretty shoulders drew his eyes, tempting his thoughts to stray. Not too soon, they stopped for a rest break and a quick lunch at about noon. Kiba caught Ino rubbing and rolling her shoulders.

"You okay?" he asked, eying the pack that sat by her side.

It bulged and had made an unusually loud thud when it hit the ground. His gear was heavier since he had Akamaru's stuff and his stuff to carry around; Ino's back and shoulders wouldn't be used to the extra weight. Forever competitive and tough, she wouldn't complain or risk looking weak compared to him.

"Yeah, fine. Why?"

"Just checking," he said.

"I'd let you know if something's wrong."

He snorted. "No, you won't."

"Hey! I would too, if it was important. Believe it or not," she added, "I trust you with my life."

The truth in her words matched the truth in her eyes, and he stared at her, trying to figure where the hell that moment of honesty had come from. She cocked her head, smiled, and stood to tuck away their water and trash into the pack. Her round tush beckoned him, the line of her legs, the curve of her back. He'd love to pass his hand down her spine, and when heat collected in the pit of his stomach, he turned to scratch Akamaru under his chin.

Kiba could not be attracted to a girl he'd pounded into the dirt, who treated him as her own personal life's obstacle. But he was. Inexplicably. Mom had warned him that some day, out of nowhere, he'd be hit by attraction, and that's when he'd have to be cautious. Didn't help that her scent tempted him to bury his face in her crotch and inhale. Best thing to do was try not to think about it.

"Let's go," Ino interrupted him. He watched as she hoisted the backpack and, grunting, swung it to her back. "We still have a few more hours to travel."

"What happens when we get to the town?"

"We locate and meet the family, then get to work."

"Sounds good, cupcake." Then, when conscience prickled, he grabbed her elbow before she sprung to the trees. She huffed at his contact. "Let me carry the backpack."

"What? I got it."

Of course she wouldn't just hand the damn thing over. He put pressure on the top of one of her shoulders, testing the bone that supported the strap. Ino winced, slapping away his hand, and Kiba had his answer- -he didn't say anything more, but waited for her argument. She looked like she would snap at him, but sighed and struggled out of the pack even with his help. When he finally adjusted it comfortably, he felt like he'd fall over backwards.

"Thank you for letting me be nice to you," he said finally, firmly tongue in cheek, when they had eased into traveling speed, whipping through branches and leaves.

"Shut up," she said. "I hate nice people." He detected wry humor in her answer.

Somehow that small interaction broke the ice, and their silence was comfortable until the outskirts of the town. When they arrived, the first thing Kiba noticed was how uproarious the people were even in the late evening. Not necessarily drunk, though Kiba detected plenty of booze, but dancing and loud music. Games and races had audiences wound around on the sidewalks and packing balconies and doorways. He, Ino, and Akamaru avoided the street level, opting instead to travel over the housetops.

"Guess we've been missing the party," he said, looking down on the revelry from the edge of a roof. "Wonder what they're all celebrating?"

"Hn. Looks like a town thing." Ino stepped behind him. "Hold still"- -he heard a zipper, felt Ino tug at something, and an "Ah!"

He glanced across and found her intently studying the same laminate booklet as before. Curious to see what had her so focused, he leaned over her shoulder, catching a whiff of her hair as he did so. She had written an address on one side of the page and a brief sketch of the town on the other side showed their destination.

"This is where the Takahashi family lives," she pointed to a part of the sketch. "We'll be heading there now."

Kiba plucked the booklet from her hands, "What other important information is in this thing?" and flipped through it.

"Hey!" She grabbed for it, but Kiba evaded her hand. "Give that back! Kiba!"

He enjoyed the feisty way she lunged forward, the frustration showing in her eyes and scent, how easy she was to get riled up. The game lasted a minute. Then he did not enjoy her stomping her foot on his and jamming an elbow in his stomach. She snatched the booklet back as he doubled over, grunting with pain and fighting for air.

"No…fair," he wheezed.

Beside him, Akamaru chuckled. Careful. Don't wanna piss her off too much.

When he recovered from the pain Ino had inflicted, he noticed she'd taken out a compass. She turned a little, checked the needle, turned a little more, checked again. Then she compared the compass to the map and pointed.

"This way." She glared at him. "Let's go. Daylight's burning." Off she hopped, tucking compass and booklet into her hip-pouch.

His team arrived in short order to the address in Ino's booklet. The sounds of celebration were distinctive- -but in the darkening, quiet area the Takahashi family resided- -not disruptive. The neighborhood seemed well-kept, with half-fences around gently sloping lawns, flowerbeds, and carefully manicured bushes and trees. Houses were split-level, from the looks of them, constructed of various stones. The Takahashi residence was no exception.

Ino faced him. "Let me do the talking. Quite frankly, people here are finicky of shinobi as it is. One wrong move, one wrong word, and their trust in us snaps. Got it?" She glanced at Akamaru. "And make sure he's behaved."

"Didja want us to wait at the end of the yard? Put us on a leash, maybe," he snapped, "for all the good it'll do us to step inside the house?"

"No, you have to come in. You'll need to be there anyway to sniff around, duh."

"Great. Anything else?"

"Be pleasant," she told him firmly, before moving up the walk to the front door and ringing the doorbell.

Yeah, sure. 'Be pleasant' as if he wasn't pleasant only all the time. Kiba exchanged a look with Akamaru, who licked his hand in encouragement, and as they stepped behind Ino, the door opened to an older lady, probably about early forties. She wore a plain-colored dress and shaw, and her hair had been cut short into a dark-peppered-white cap.

"Oh, hello. Can I help you?" Her eyes shifted to Kiba, and instantly he smelled her alarm. Her stress took shape in her words. "Who are you?"

"Hello. Is this the Takahashi residence?"

The woman shrank away. "Yes," she answered slowly. "I'm Mrs. Takahashi."

"My name is Yamanaka Ino." Ino's voice was polite as she gestured. "This is my partner Inuzuka Kiba and his dog, Akamaru."

Kiba nodded. "Ma'am."

"It's very nice to meet you," Ino continued, regardless of the cold stare from Mrs. Takahashi. "We are the shinobi from the Hidden Leaf village assigned to your missing-persons case. May we enter, please?"

"Dear!" Mrs. Takahashi called over her shoulder. "Those people you requested are here! I'm sorry," she said, stiffly, "but we don't allow animals in our home."

Kiba opened his mouth to tell her to go to hell, but somehow Ino knew, because she elbowed him in the stomach a second time that day. He closed his mouth, his teeth clicking together.

Ino smoothed it over. "Don't worry, ma'am. Akamaru will stay on the front porch if that will make you more comfortable."

His Inuzuka ears heard pattering footsteps over a wooden floor, and a man who matched in age Mrs. Takahashi came into the entrance hallway.

"No, no," he said, eyes crinkling with a smile, "we must include all our guests, birdie. Let the lad bring in his pet."

Pfffft. Pet? If only they knew…Akamaru said, popping his ears. I'll probably take up the entire living room floor.

Mr. Takahashi continued. "Well, birdie! Let the good folks in!"

Mrs. Takahashi did not look pleased as she stepped aside, opening the door to allow Ino, Kiba, and Akamaru through. Her distrust bred paranoia in Kiba and he glanced around the quaint hall, decorated with what could only be described as rustic paintings- -farmhouses, landscapes- -and wooden carvings of birds. The wallpaper was peeling at the seams, having probably been up since the house'd been built.

His ears and his nose did not pick up any immediate threats, but Kiba chose to remain on alert status as Mr. Takahashi led them to a tiny sitting room, if only tiny because Kiba and Akamaru immediately took up a large portion of it. He shrugged off the backpack and set it to the side for later. As predicted, Akamaru became the new living room rug.

"Mr. Takahashi, I'm Yamanaka-"

"Ino," Mr. Takahashi interrupted, "Kiba, and," he gestured, eyes twinkling, "Akamaru. Yes, I heard you in the hallway. Welcome to my home. And please, call me Taka."

"Thank you for having us, Mr. Taka," Ino replied. Ignoring the impulse to roll his eyes at her excessive formalities, Kiba settled back on the sofa next to Ino and observed. "I understand this must be a very trying time for you and Mrs. Takahashi. We will do our best to bring your daughter back to you safe and sound."

Taka nodded. "Yes, thank you. Before we begin, let's have some tea, shall we? Birdie?" he called his wife, who came to stand at the entrance to the living room, "Make up some tea for our guests."

'Birdie' nodded curtly, disappeared. Movement caught Kiba's attention; Akamaru, too, and he tilted his head. The movement was not caused by Birdie, who was in the kitchen now, shuffling, but by someone smaller and younger and was coming from the dark stairs at the end of the hallway.

Ino noticed both of their attention. "Mr. Taka. Is there someone else in the house besides you and your wife?"

"Yes. My youngest daughter, Kana." Taka's stress increased at an alarming rate. "Why? Is there something wrong?"

Kiba shook his head at Ino, whose eyes had been on him the entire time. No, nothing was wrong. Ino assured Taka and began asking some questions that hadn't been answered in the report. Half-listening, Kiba kept watching the stairs. He saw Kana shifting in the shadows as she eavesdropped, and when Mrs. Takahashi passed with the tea, she reprimanded Kana and told her to get up to bed. Quiet footsteps, missed before in the general movement of the house, tiptoed up the stairs and into another room. A door closed.

Ino and Taka discussed some other details over tea, during which Taka also handed them a photo of the missing person, Kaia. Kaia was a cute girl, probably about eleven or twelve years old, with big brown eyes and hair that curled around her face. The cynical side in him recognized why Kaia had been abducted. Any old perverted dude would find the young girl delectable.

"Mr. Taka, thank you for your help," Ino said. Kiba tuned in as it seemed things were wrapping up, "and now it's time to continue our investigation. Kiba will need access to Kaia's room. If you would show us the way, please?"

"Oh, certainly, and thank you so much." Taka rose from his seat and moved to the stairs. "Please, follow me."

Kiba picked up the pack, swinging it on one shoulder and with Akamaru and Ino behind him, followed Taka up the stairs. The stairs leveled out into a deep hallway. If he was correct, Kana's room was on the right. Either the room straight ahead or the room on the left was Kaia's. Taka opened the door to the room on the left and flipped the switch to the lights, standing back to let Kiba through the doorway.

The room was typical for a twelve-year old girl. Frilly, pink, purple, posters of boys, stuffed animals and various memorabilia cluttered the bed, shelves and floor. Kaia's unmade bed sat flush against a window against the far wall. A pink stuffed rabbit peeked out from under the covers.

"Has anything been disturbed in the room, Mr. Taka?" Ino asked when Kiba moved out of the way.

"No. Everything is where it was when we discovered her missing."

Kiba charged his nose with chakra and immediately picked up Kaia's stale, adolescent scent. There was the heavy linger of chloroform on the bed. Some sort of faint, rank odor spread under everything. His bet was on the window; the kidnapper had probably drugged Kaia and dragged her out, using a ladder or rope to get away.

Akamaru sniffed rapidly at the bed, nostrils flaring. You thinkin' what I'm thinkin'?

Kiba nodded, unwilling to break the calm over the Takahashis.

Ino had moved to the wall where several pictures had been hung. "We may need a comfort object. A toy or a blanket?"

"That bunny in her bed. She sleeps with it every night. Do you need it?"

"Yes. It may help to calm her down when we find her." Ino stepped around Kiba to grab the toy. Then she turned to him, her eyes hard. "Kiba? What do you think?"

"Let's check out the backyard."

Taka, again, led the way. Kiba's cynicism had heard the hopeful tone and the words that Ino and Taka used to describe Kaia: when we find her; sleeps every night; this is her room. Not a past-tense verb in the lot. Once outside, Kiba felt less enclosed. The house had been too…narrow for his tastes, and Akamaru trotted immediately to the area under Kaia's window, nose low to the ground. Ino had him waiting as she tucked the rabbit into his pack.

"Like this thing's heavy enough," he said, adjusting a strap over his shoulder.

She tugged it. "Don't complain, Inuzuka. It doesn't suit you."

He felt his smirk crawl across his face. "When didja become an expert on what suits me, eh, Yamanaka?"

If she had a comeback, she was cut off by Akamaru's barking. Kiba heard his dog's change in breathing, from gentle snuffing to quick, heavy pants. Akamaru had found a trail.

A/N: Expect the next chapter soon. It's already written, but I might post it after I finish writing the chapter for "Catching". We'll see how it goes. Thanks for reading! =)