She let her fingers slide along the covers of the envelopes; her mail had piled up over the last week she had been out on patrols. Something about the feel of smooth, long-dried ink, a sharp contrast to the cough texture of the paper, reminded her she was home. Inside one envelope she felt two separate pieces of paper, of different size and shape, a smile of realization crossed her face and she knew this was the letter she had been waiting for. Wasting no time, she pulled a kunai from her pouch, spun it in her hand, and sliced open the letter in one quick motion.

She did not have to read the name and address on the cover to know who this letter was from. Pulling free the papers, a ticket and a letter, she decided to read the letter first.

"Karui,

I don't have the time to write a long letter, I have a lengthy security detail starting tonight.

Here are the finished travel plans: Ozeki Port, Pier 9, 10th of Uzuki, 10 a.m.

The boat, the Soyokaze, will sail out to Shinsei Island over seven days. Once there we have arrangements at linked hotels in the three main cities and four smaller sites all over the island. We'll make plans when we get there, I didn't want to make a fancy schedule."

"You and your 'follow your nose' attitude." Karui smiled to herself and continued reading.

"Plan is for two weeks on the island. So we'll be gone for over a month, glad we saved up our vacation time."

"I had to pull double shifts for a few months to get the time," She said to the letter, "This had better be worth it."

"We'll meet up at the Port, I might have to cut it a little close, but I'll be there. I have to say that I am really excited for this trip Karui.

- Kiba

p.s. Akamaru says hi"

Turning the page over, Karui saw the paw print inked signature, which had hastily been dried with sand before put in the envelope. The sand had rubbed on the ticket, not doing any real damage.

Finally arriving home, Karui removed her shoes before kneeling in front of her family's butsudan. Lighting incense she removed her sword and laid it to her side as she prayed. When finished she went up to her room and went to her desk. Opening her drawer she pulled out a stack of letters she had received from Kiba over the past months. The way he handled himself during that business with Saito had more than earned him her respect. But even then she had felt her feelings complicated when she thought of him. At first she couldn't help but be flustered when she remembered that he had seen her naked; the knowledge that he had done so to save her from hypothermia did not lessen the shock. Over time she had come to know him more personally. His fierce countenance hid a gentle and loyal soul. Also, perhaps it was merely her musing, but his letters also seemed to hide an unspoken sadness that added an air of mystery to him.

Pinning the ticket to the cork-board on her wall, she paused and looked at the ink drawings of Kiba and Akamaru she had made. Though never fancying herself an artist, it was a hobby she enjoyed. Turning her attention to her luggage and clothing; she lifted the list on her dresser and reviewed the items she had already packed away: travel hygiene kit, a sketch pad and calligraphy set, beach towels, an inflatable ball, sunscreen, 10 of her summer head scarves, and other small necessities.

Packing her second bag was what frightened Karui. Planning what clothes to bring to a tropical island was going to be a daunting task indeed.

Kiba awoke to the sound of Akamaru grumbling something about breakfast. Sitting up from his bed, he saw that his friend was growling in his sleep. Most inns he stayed at in the Fire Country were kind enough to let Akamaru stay in the rooms with Kiba, but the closer they got to the coast, the more convincing innkeepers needed that Akamaru was more than just a dog (and that he had no fleas).

Pulling a brush from his pack, Kiba gave his friend a morning brush. The activity woke Akamaru, who kicked one of his hind legs repeatedly in approval. Kiba called down to have breakfast delivered because he doubted the other inn's patrons would take kindly to Akamaru's presence at the table. The ninken had long since gotten used to the fact that he was not like other dogs. He rather enjoyed being a breed apart.

After a breakfast of a ham omelet on a bed of rice, Kiba looked in shock at the clock on the wall.

"It's already 9:30!"

Quickly changing into his travel clothes, Kiba got his pack together and laid it on top of a sealing scroll. Making a series of hand seals, the luggage disappeared in a cloud of smoke. With a cough, the innkeeper opened the door and waved the smoke away from his face. Kiba rolled up the scroll and opened the window.

"I understand that you are in an unusual profession master Inuzuka, but could you please not start fires in your room?"

"My apologies master innkeeper. But I assure you there is no fire. Payment for the night's stay is on the dresser, you will forgive me but I will not leave by the front door."

Kiba put the scroll in his pocket and jumped out the window with Akamaru following. The rooftops would be the quickest way to travel to the docks. With his sharp hearing he made out the Innkeeper's voice faintly say "I'm actually rather glad he left that way."

Ozeki was a port town, with hills to the north and a river delta to the south. Kiba had stayed at an inn in the northern hills, and was a good ten minutes away from the docks. Still, he had to get in early for check-in and to see…

Thinking of Karui sent of rush of excitement straight to his stomach, and all at once he felt hungry again. He could not deny his fascination with her; the fierce look she had in her eyes spoke of something primal in her, something wild and untamed.

Nearing the docks, Kiba jumped down to an alley to continue on street level. There was no need to cause any sort of uproar or sensation. Most coastal towns kept their own security detail or hired shinobi from Kirigakure; not that Konoha nin were unwelcome, just that the distance to Konoha led to unfamiliarity. Besides, this was anything but a business trip.

Akamaru perked up when they reached Pier nine and ran off ahead of Kiba. Kiba smelled a faint scent of rose perfume and knew why Akamaru had sprinted off. On the other side of a stack of crates was Akamaru who had knocked Karui to the ground and licking her face. Her laughter was pleasant on the ears. She reached up and scratched behind Akamaru's ears which got the dog off her.

"Kiba." Karui smiled as she put a hand to her cheek. Kiba pulled a handkerchief from his pocket and offered it to her.

"Sometimes Akamaru gets a little friendly with people. I've learned to carry a pocket handkerchief to aid in the drying process."

Kneeling down, Karui kissed Akamaru on his head and continued to scratch behind his ear as she wiped the drool from her face. She lightly dabbed around her eyes and let loose a sigh of relief when she saw the handkerchief come away clean.

"Glad I switched to this new waterproof and smudge resistant makeup."

The light purple eye shadow did not look smeared at all, and it accentuated her gold eyes and dark skin. Kiba was about to compliment her as the ships whistle blew and the port master shouted out a boarding call. Reaching down he offered her his hand and helped her to her feet. As they walked to the boat, he felt his heart race as she did not let go of his hand.