How Long Had I Loved Her

Kiba sat out in the rain. The rain matted his hair down. Looking up towards the cloudy night sky he let the rain drop in his eyes hoping they'd wash away the pain that was running through his eyes and his heart. The rain was hiding his tears, the tears he refused to shed while there were others present. Especially he held back his tears when it came to her. He loved her like nothing else and it was too late now. She was engaged to someone else. Even his love he had held back for eight years hadn't been much in against the dreams that had formed in her head about marrying the blonde headed demon vessel of the Leaf. There was no stopping it now even if he wanted to. He didn't want to hurt her by refusing to be happy for her. His smiles were fake and apparently only his teammate Shino had noticed it. Closing his eyes a heavy sigh escaped his throat. Akamaru whined softly beside him. Reaching out he scratched behind his companion's wet ears. Leaning back against the tree's trunk he was in he remembered.

Flashback

Kiba was running through the woods Akamaru running beside him. The wind whipping past them made the duo feel alive and free like nothing could bring them down. He stopped scenting her scent. With a huge grin he turned slightly off his strait course and headed towards where her scent was. Had he been paying attention he would have realized that she wasn't alone. His strides came in shorter lengths as he approached the area where she was. He stopped dead in his tracks when he heard her talking to someone. She was stuttering so it must be Naruto. The inu ninja cursed his luck. Pushing down his chakra he approached the clearing and leaving Akamaru some distance away. His steps were slow and sure as he made his way up into a tree that hung over the clearing.

"Naruto-kun," he heard her stutter.

"What is it Hinata-chan?" the hyper-active blonde asked.

"I…"

He watched Naruto come closer to her and lay a hand on her shoulder. The urge to go down there and tear that baka blonde to pieces was invading his senses like nothing else the primal urge rose up in him like a tidal wave. The intense need to go down there and claim what was his. Her face was turning red and it was making him edgy. Closing his eyes he tried to get his body to move away from the heartbreaking scene. For some reason his body wouldn't let him move anywhere. It was like he had become a permanent fixture on the tree, like an eternal Kiba ornament. He didn't want to be sitting here listening to her tell the blonde how much she liked him. Closing his eyes he sighed softly and stood and turned to leave.

"Naruto-kun I have to tell you something…"

He didn't want to hear it. Just as carefully as he had come he snuck away. Akamaru greeted him with a low bark. The dog whimpered softly seeing his companions' state.

"Come on boy."

The two of them took off into the woods.

End flashback

That had been three days ago. Opening his eyes he turned his face once again up towards the rain. He wondered if the rain was his friend now. With a heavy sigh he looked back over the village he protected with his life. Rubbing his forehead he stood up and leapt down to the muddy ground. He didn't count on the mud in his decent because as soon as his foot hit the ground his feet came out from underneath him. Kiba's eyes widened as he landed in a big puddle of mud. He groaned in annoyance as he lay there soaking up even more rain. Sighing he rolled over and got up. With a heavy sigh he returned to his own apartment and took a shower. He stood there letting the water run down his body as he leaned against the wall. His mind was awash with confusion and a bit of pain. In a fit of anger he slammed his fist against the wall making his familiar yelp in surprise.

"Sorry boy," Kiba breathed softly.

Turning off the water he dried himself off and got into a new set of his training gear. A knock on the door made them start but he hid it well considering. He hadn't been expecting anyone. It must have been someone familiar considering Akamaru only woofed in annoyance before laying his head down on his outstretched paw. He opened the door. An unfamiliar ninja was standing there.

"Kiba Inuzuka?"

"What do you want?"

"The Hokage would like to see you, now."

Kiba nodded. He went to get his coat.

"Come on Akamaru."

His familiar barked and wagged his tail happily. The two of them leapt from roof to another as they made their way towards the Hokage's tower. The rain had lightened up a bit. Shrugging his shoulders he feet guided him to the Hokage's tower. He hopped up the steps the steps three and four at a time. When he reached the top he wasn't even out of breath. Shizune was there and smiled at the inu ninja. She waved him in. Kiba walked in and stood before the Hokage.

"You summoned me Hokage-sama?"

"Yes, Kiba. I have a mission that just involves you."

"All right."

She handed the inu ninja a scroll with mission information. Sighing softly he read over the scroll quickly.

"I'll do it."

Tsunade nodded her head.

"You'll start tomorrow morning early if that is all right with you."

Kiba just nodded. He figured it would give him time away from Hinata and his constant turmoil of feelings about her. Rubbing the bridge of his nose he walked from the Hokage's tower. Akamaru looked up at him and woofed in concern.

"It'll be all right Akamaru. I need this time away."

Akamaru shook his shaggy mane. Kiba smiled at his familiar and leapt towards his apartment. As soon as he got there he began to take out clothes for his mission. Once that was done he lay down on his bed and stared up at the ceiling. After a few moments of restlessness he flipped on his side and stared out the window until his eyelids slid shut.

Kiba woke to Akamaru's gentle nudges against his cheek with his wet nose.

"I'm up," Kiba groused.

He got up and went to take a shower. It didn't take long for him to get ready. The woods flashed by him as he ran through his home country. Akamaru was keeping up with him easily. Sighing softly he continued on. He hadn't told anyone but his mother that he was leaving. If only for a second his steps faltered. His strides didn't lessen as he continued on. His mission was to go to a village that was in Mist Country and retrieve a special herb from the town's medic ninja. He was seriously confused as to why he was sent instead of a medic ninja like Sakura. Shrugging his shoulders he looked forward. They were traveling close to Sound and that made him partially nervous. He'd never admit it out loud though that he was even remotely afraid of who he could run into while passing so close to Sound. An odd sound made Kiba start and stop. Stopping both ninja and inu they scented the air trying to gauge what was going on. The sound of howling wolves made them start. It was a hunting party from the sounds of it.

"Come on Akamaru we need to get out of here."

Akamaru whined as he backed up. Kiba jumped down beside his familiar and rested his hand on the scruff of his companion's neck. He looked around cautiously. He wondered how many were in this pack. The baying of blood lust was getting louder. Just as he was about to leap up in the nearest tree something black plowed into him. Akamaru snarled as he turned around to face the other black figures. Kiba managed to throw the offending creature off of him. They were huge wolves. Each one bore the mark of the Sound Nation. Backing up a small bit he got into a fighting stance. An evil laugh made Kiba start. A ninja walked out into the clearing. His long black hair was tied in a loose knot at the nape of his neck. His bangs were long and draped over his Sound headband. His eyes were a molten gold color. Akamaru growled at his side.

"So you're the inu ninja from the Leaf," the ninja stated calmly.

"So what about it?"

"I heard from Sasuke-sama that you were formidable opponents with your dog."

"Akamaru and I can put up a decent fight."

"Then let's test that theory shall we?"

Kiba tensed. He wondered what on earth Sasuke was doing talking about him in the first place. They were grossly out numbered and they knew it. Looking around he tried to figure out a strategy but so far nothing came to him. The other ninja was just leaning against the biggest black wolf as if he wasn't expecting much of a challenge from the inu ninja from the Leaf. Kiba felt something within him snap. This idiot Sound ninja pushed him to far this time. Had he been someone like Naruto his eyes would have bled crimson in anger. The ninja sent in his wolves. In a blur of black and white the combatants started their battles. It only took moments before all four of the wolves were dead. Kiba only had a few bite marks and a slash across his face. Blood dripped down and he didn't even care. He turned his hard gaze towards the ninja. The ninja was still smirking as he rested against the big black wolf. Kiba was furious. If someone had just slaughtered Akamaru or his family's familiars he'd kill. Flexing his hand he grabbed a kunai from his nearly empty pouch and got ready to fight.

"You're a either brave or really stupid. I'm thinking the latter."

Kiba growled underneath his breath. The two of them leapt at each other at the same time as their familiar's went for each other. They were out for blood. By the time the battle was finished the clearing was a bloody mess. Akamaru lay on top of the dead black wolf breathing steadily. Blood spattered his white coat. Kiba was against a tree trunk breathing unsteadily. His breaths were coming in heaving pants. A kunai was sticking out of his shoulder. His enemy had a broken neck laying a few feet away. He reached up and tore the kunai out of his shoulder. A hiss of pain escaped his throat. The inu ninja knew that he didn't have much left in his chakra stores to get himself very far in hopes of finding someone that could heal his wounds. Looking towards the sky he noticed the looming rain clouds. Thunder boomed ominously in the background. With a half-hearted laugh he stared up at the skies again. The sound of running footsteps made his already droopy eyes come open slightly. A flash of pink swarmed his vision and warm hands ran over his body as he passed out.

Kiba came to in a room that was white and smelled of death and medicine. He groaned as he tried to move. Turning his head to the side he saw Akamaru sleeping peacefully not to far away. Closing his eyes he sighed. He was in the care of allies if they allowed his dog in the room with him. The door opened and he slowly opened his eyes. The doctor was Sakura much to his shock. She came in and checked over his charts.

"You're finally awake Kiba," she said softly without looking up.

"How did I get back?"

"Thankfully Tsunade sent me and two others out after you."

"Why?" he croaked softly.

"We got a message a few hours after you left that there was a rouge sound ninja that commanded wolves looking for you."

"He told me Sasuke mentioned me."

He saw her flinch at the mention of the Uchiha's name. He wondered why even after all he had done to them she still held onto her love for him. The inu ninja realized that maybe he was just as foolish as she was when it came to loving someone. "What about the mission?"

"We sent someone else after it so don't worry about it."

"I guess I failed at this huh?" he asked ruefully.

"No, Kiba you didn't."

Sakura put the charts back and pulled up a chair beside his bed. She looked in her eyes and they saw the sadness in the other's eyes.

"She's been here everyday checking on you," Sakura stated matter-of-factly.

Kiba looked into her intense green eyes and turned his head away knowing exactly who the pink haired medic ninja was talking about.

"At least tell her how you feel Kiba before you regret not even trying."

"She's already told Naruto she likes him…"

"You really are blind aren't you?" she stated softly.

He turned to look at the medic ninja. Now he only saw pity in her eyes. "Seeing you in the state you were in when we came back nearly made her heart stop."

"I'm just her teammate."

"If that's all you see then I feel sorry for both of you."

"You have no room to talk," he snapped angrily. "You still cling to Sasuke's memory like it was your life line."

He realized he had gone to far that time. Some part of him wanted to take it back and undo the hurt that was there that caused the pain. Sakura looked at him sadly.

"At least I told him how I felt, and he didn't feel the same."

Sakura rose and turned to take her leave. The inu ninja felt like an ass. She was just trying to help but he bit her head off about it. Her hand was on the door when she stopped. "Some causes even if their results aren't what you wanted are always worth the effort Kiba."

The medic nin walked out the door and it shut softly behind her. Akamaru woofed softly as he moved towards the bed and rested his head on the bed. Reaching out he placed his hand on his companion's head and stroked behind his ears.

"I really messed up didn't I?"

Akamaru whined softly. Stroking his head one last time Kiba turned on his side so he was facing the open window and his back facing the door. A hiss of pain escaped his lips as he laid there allowing the pain to subside a small bit. Closing his eyes he drifted back to sleep.

Sometime he heard his door open again. For a moment he thought it was Sakura again and he'd apologize for his actions earlier. When a familiar scent hit his nose he froze. His mind wouldn't process or work correctly as he heard her slow footsteps pad over to where Akamaru was and patted the dog's head. She moved around to the other side of the bed and knelt down so she was facing him. Her arms were folded on the bed and her chin rested on her forearm. She smiled softly at him.

"How are you feeling Kiba-chan," she asked softly.

"A few places still hurt."

"I'm glad your okay."

"I've gone through worse and survived," he tried to joke.

Her smile faltered. His small smile vanished as he saw the worry in her eyes. Reaching forward he ran his fingers over her face. She started for a moment but leaned into his gentle touches.

"What is it Hinata?" he asked softly.

"I was so worried about you."

"Hey," he said softly. "I'm here. I won't leave unless I have to. I love you too much to allow death to take me so easily."

He watched her stiffen at his words. The inu ninja closed his eyes waiting for the rejection that was sure to come from his declaration. Her cool finger running gently over his markings made his eyes come open with a start. She was smiling one of those rare smiles he was sure that only Naruto was supposed to get, but here she was giving him that loving look.

"Hinata…"

She rose a small bit and looked him in the eyes.

"When were you going to tell me?" she asked softly.

"I…" he started.

"When you're out of the hospital we'll discuss this all right?" she asked softly.

He could only nod dumbly as she rose and planted a light kiss on his forehead and one more gently on the lips. He jerked back his eyes wide. There was a beautiful flush dusting her cheeks. Hope rose in him for the first time in a long time.

"How long have you been holding it back?" she asked softly.

"Eight years," he whispered softly.

She nodded her head and smiled softly.

"We'll talk in the morning."

Kiba nodded and watched her walk away. The door softly clicked behind him and he fell in a peaceful sleep for once in a long time. Maybe things would work out for the best this time. Maybe one day they'd marry and have children of their very own. A stupid grin appeared on his face as he drifted off, but he knew that they would have to get past this first hurdle before he could even hope for a good future with her. Knowing that it was a start he'd give it everything he had knowing that he wanted this to work for them. Outside the clouds rolled away allowing the stars to twinkle brightly in the backdrop and the moon smiled down upon the sleeping inu ninja.