The sun seemed to rise earlier than usual that morning. Mist blanketed the two lone figures standing in the field. After Hinata placed her bouquet of white roses by the Memorial Stone, Akamaru whimpered and did the same, dropping the slop-covered ones in his mouth. "Good morning, Kiba," Hinata smiled. "I made jounin yesterday." Her voice no longer quivered, although she was still shy. The day Kiba left her world, he had also left her his courage. "The three of us ate jerky to celebrate. You know Shino hates it, but he insisted. I think he misses you more than he cares to admit." Hinata laughed weakly, tears starting to trickle down her cheeks. "Kiba, you should have seen me. I think…I think you would have been so proud of me."
Akamaru whimpered and nuzzled her. She fell on her knees and held his head against hers. She felt drops of water hitting the back of her head. She looked up and tasted the rain. She started to sob. Akamaru was panting.
The smell of wet earth brought back memories of Kiba and Akamaru's training sessions in the forest during rainy season. Naruto had remarked once, after Kiba had walked into Ichiraku soaked in rainwater and sweat, that he smelled like a wet dog. But Hinata knew that in the rain Kiba and Akamaru felt truly alive. One time, Kiba had told Hinata, "Hold on tight." Before she realized what he meant, Akamaru had literally swept her off her feet and carried her while charging at frightening speeds though the forest. When Hinata finally dismounted from Akamaru, she felt terrified yet exhilarated. Her legs shook from excitement, and Kiba slapped her back playfully and put an arm around her shoulders while cackling obnoxiously. "Akamaru and I love rain walks." That was when she stole her first kiss from him, one that he received with shock and confusion but returned with remarkable tenderness.
While she wept, she clutched Akamaru's fur. The clapping of thunder and rain drowned her sobs. "I know, Kiba," she chocked. "I know you never left me. I know you're proud of me. You always were." She stood up, one hand still resting on the giant canine. "Akamaru and I love you so, so much." She planted a kiss on her hand and touched the Memorial Stone.
"Let's go for a walk, Akamaru!"
"Woof!"