"Well it's nice to meet you Naruko." Kiba said as he pulled her up off the floor and too her feet. Once she was standing in front of him she realized how much bigger then her she was, as she stared up at him in awe. Not only was he exceptionally attractive, but he was much taller then her. Naruko's growth had sadly been stunted, thanks to malnutrition, leaving her at a pitiful 4'7, but this boy had to have at least been a foot taller then her. Not only was he attractive, but he was actually paying attention too her, and was being nice to boot. The whole experience left her at a loss for words as she stared up at the boy. She noticed his eye's drop over her for a moment before going wide and darting away from her as he cleared his throat. "Uhm, hey uh, your uhm . . ." Kiba's left hand pointed in the general vicinity of Naruko's chest as he struggled for words, " you uhm, you might want to . . . you know put on another layer."

Naruko glanced down at her chest for the briefest of moments before her face went hot. Her tank top was fairly see through, which normally was never a problem considering how she would spend gym class alone jogging, but now that she was in such close proximity to another person it was becoming a problem. Naruko was quick to draw the sweatshirt in her hand to her chest covering herself up. She wasn't the most well endowed girl in the world, but she was most definitely anything like Sakura, ready to flaunt her chest for her own advantage.

"I! You! Why'd you look? You pervert!" Was Naruko's instinctive response to her embarrassment. Kiba practically fell over himself as he took a few steps back, arms flailing wildly as he shouted back at her.

"Whoa! Wait a second! I wasn't trying to perv! I mean, yeah your cute but still! I'm not like that I swear!"

Naruko and Kiba were locked in a silent stare down for a long while, the air between them heavy with confusion before Naruko suddenly doubled over, giggling loudly and pointing at Kiba.

"Oh my god you should see your face!" She cried through her fit of giggles, "You look like you just walked in on your mom shagging!"

Kiba grimaced as the mental image she just described flashed through his head before he pointed back at her.

"Come on! Not cool I just pictured that!" He shouted only causing her to drop to the floor laughing hysterically. Kiba didn't know what was with this girl. One second she was practically devastated by Sakura's bullying, then she was accusing him of being a pervert, and now she was rolling around on the floor laughing at him. Kiba's shock, slowly turned to amusement and it wasn't long before he was chuckling aloud to himself. As Kiba laughed with the girl, he suddenly realized that she was the same girl from that morning, and he had to admit that something about this girl had him intrigued, and it wasn't just because she was super cute. Firstly she was the type of girl to wake up early and scream the top of her lounges. She was also the kind of girl who helped the school janitor for no apparent reason other then she wanted too.

When the laughing finally subsided, Naruko pulled herself to her feet again, holding her hands out in an apologetic manor.

"I, hehehe, I'm sorry for calling you a pervert. Hehehe." Naruko said softly as she smiled up at Kiba. "You just caught me off guard with that. I'm usually not around people, so my lack of owning a bra has never been an issue before." Kiba noticed how she seemed to sadden at the mention of not having a bra, which was odd. If it bothered her that much why didn't she just go out and buy one? He didn't voice his question though, instead waving a hand dismissively saying,

"It's cool, I just wasn't expecting a show is all." He instantly regretted those words as his eyes snapped to the much smaller girl, but his worry's were quickly washed away when he saw her giggling at his shitty joke. "So uh, we should probably head back to gym class shouldn't we?" Naruko was quick to agree and they started back for the gymnasium. As they walked Kiba noticed how Naruko gently ran her thumb over the tear in her sweatshirt, the garment obviously holding some form of sentiment too her, and without thinking Kiba grinned down at her saying, "Hey quit worrying about it. If I can't fix it, I guarantee you my sister can. She's like, the queen of everything. It's kinda scary really. So don't worry, no matter what we'll get it fixed up for yah, good as new." Kiba instantly regretted the dorky thumbs up he shot her, but his regret receded when Naruko hot a smile his way and gave him just as dorky of one.


Sakura was surrounded by girls, all of whom were fussing over the growing blemish left by Naruko's slap. Sakura herself was busy complaining about how upset Sasuke would be when he found out what happened. All of that stopped however when the doors to the gymnasium opened up nd one Kiba Inuzuka entered, side by side with Naruko. Both were laughing about something, but Sakura couldn't tell what from where she sat. She watched in disgust as they parted ways, Kiba heading off to practice shooting hoops, while Naruko took a seat on the nearest bleacher to him watching as him like a hawk.

Sakura nearly gagged at the thought of Kiba actually liking the pitiful girl whom Sakura had grown to hate over the years, but more so at the thought of Naruko actually liking him back. Sakura had done a good job of ensuring no one had grown close to Naruko, and she would be damned if she let some stupid mutt ruin that now. She would certainly do something about that.


After gym class, Kiba had explained that he had to stay after school for an important basketball game. Naruko was more then happy to wait for him, considering she had no where else better to be, and had allocated her free time while waiting to helping Jiraiya with his rounds, much to his disagreement.

"A young lady such as yourself should not be wasting her free time helping an old fool like me clean up after a bunch of spoiled little shits!" Jiraiya had said rather vehemently,"You should go watch the game! I hear there's some pretty nice ass on that team!"

Naruko had walked away from the conversation at that point telling the older man that she would take care of the trash cans if he took care of the bathrooms. She hadn't even waited for a response and simply wandered off to grab a trash bin. She had done her best to avoid the gymnasium until last, grabbing trash from every trash can she could find until inevitably, all was left was the gym trash. Now she was standing outside of the gymnasium, the roar of the crowd cheering inside audible even through the walls. She didn't want to go in their. It wasn't like she hated sports, and honestly she wouldn't mind seeing if Kiba was any good. She just hated the thought of seeing Sakura and Sasuke.

Sasuke Uchiha and Sakura Haruno, the power couple of the high school. The two people in the entire school who made it there prerogative to make her life a living hell. The worst part was she didn't even know why they hated her. They just did. But still, she had told Jiraiya she would get the trash, and she wasn't about to leave the job partially finished. Naruko took a deep breath to ready herself before pushing the doors open and wheeled the trash bin in behind her.

The sight before her was insane as she entered. Kiba had the ball and was bouncing it in between his legs, and the legs of the opposing team as he effortlessly slipped passed them before executing what she believed was refereed to as, a slam dunk? The crowd went wild at the sudden score by the home team, and the air was electric as the stands erupted into a ruckus of cheering and shouting. Kiba high fived Choji, who had apparently kept a player on the opposing team from intercepting him according to the announcer, before he looked over the crowd. He flashed a toothy grin towards the crowd before his eyes settled on her.

Time seemed to stand still as they locked eyes, everything around them falling silent. He flashed her a coy smile, giving her a thumbs up, and just like that he was back in the game. The roar of the crowd rushed back to her as soon as they broke eye contact and Naruko cold feel her heart pounding in her chest. 'What in the hell was that?' Naruko thought to herself before a familiar voice rang out behind her.

"What are you doing here?"

Naruko spun around to find Sakura glaring at her, Sasuke standing right beside her and giving Naruko a look of pure disgust. Naruko hated Sakura for sure, but the way that Sasuke looked down on her like she was a second class citizen pissed her off to no end. She didn't have the energy to put up with them right now, so spinning around she grabbed the trash bin and headed off for the nearest trash can. She just needed to accomplish her goal and she could leave. No trash left behind as Jiraiya would often joke.

"Where the hell do you think your going?" Sasuke's ever disdainful voice spat out as he reached out and grabbed Naruko's arm tightly. Naruko spun around to face Sasuke, shocked by his sudden use of force. "You struck my woman, did you not?" He asked, malice dripping from his tongue, "I think you owe her an apology. Now."

Naruko stared at Sasuke, fully prepared to kick him in his most delicate of places, when a hand suddenly gripped Sasuke's wrist with enough force to cause him to let go of Naruko. Sasuke let out a strangle groan of pain before turning to see a tall red haired boy, staring at him just as disdainfully as Sasuke had been staring at Naruko.

"I don't know how things are at Konoha High, but at Sunagakure High, we don't bully others." The mystery boy spoke lowly, with little to no emotion, but Naruko could detect a hint of anger behind his stoic mask. Sasuke on the other hand was simply stunned someone from a rival high school was actually interfering in his matters.

"Listen hear carrot top. This is . . ." Sasuke began before the mystery boy released his hand interrupting him,

"Gaara."

"What? Sasuke said in confusion.

"The names Gaara, not carrot top. Call me by my actual name . . . or else." The boy known as Gaara said coldly. Naruko was stunned. She'd never seen anyone stand up to Sasuke like that before. Sasuke on the other hand was seething, rage ready to boil over. Sakura just as stunned as Naruko had finally noticed her boyfriends condition and took the chance to step in, placing a gentle hand on Sasuke's shoulder.

"Sasuke," she cooed, "Not here. Save it for later."

Sasuke continued to glare at the boy, Gaara, for a long while before eventually scoffing and heading back to his spot on his teams bench. Gaara, sure that the conflict had been avoided turned to Naruko finally and offered an awkward smile.

"Are you ok?" He asked, and Naruko was floored. This was the second hot guy who had taken an interest in her in one day, and her brain was on the verge of short circuiting.

"Uh huh." was the only response she could muster, which seemed to be enough for the boy as he bid her adieu and made his way back to his respective teams bench. Naruko was, without a doubt, shocked. Her brain was a blur of thought's as she processed the events between her and the boy Kiba, and what had just happened. All the while she continued on with her intended task of collecting trash. Once she had collected the last few bags of trash, she headed for the dumpster behind the school. Naruko was so caught up in her own thought's however that she didn't notice the pair of figures following closely behind her. . .


Kiba had just intercepted the ball when he spotted Naruko leaving, Sasuke and Sakura sneaking out of the gymnasium behind her. "What the . . ." he said to himself before taking a hard shoulder sending him sprawling to the floor, the ball quickly being scooped up by the opposing team. Kiba barely had time to get to his feet before the buzzer rang out indicating they had scored. "Shit!" Kiba cursed before turning too see coach Guy giving him a worried look.

Kiba knew how important the game was for the team, but something about those two sneaking out after Naruko had left him with an uneasy feeling, and besides. He had secured a pretty big lead for the team. Kiba didn't need much convincing before he made his way over to the sidelines, gripping his stomach rather awkwardly.

"Kiba my boy! Your not looking very youthful, is something the matter?" Coach Guy practically shouted in Kiba's face making him grimace.

"Uhh, my uhm stomach is kinda bothering me. Is it ok if I run to the bathroom super quick?"

Coach Guy looked Kiba over for a brief moment before clasping a hand to Kiba's shoulder tightly and holding out a fist as he cried,

"Of course my boy! Nothing is more important then one's health! Just make sure you are back to your youthful self soon! We need you!"

Kiba thanked his coach and made his way out of the gymnasium with haste, looking around frantically for any signs of where Sasuke and Sakura had gone. He had lost sight of them completely and they could be anywhere now. That's when he remembered Naruko had been pushing a trash bin. Remembering the conversation between her and the janitor that morning Kiba was off.


Naruko heaved the last bag of trash over her head and into the dumpster before letting out a long sigh, clapping her hands together to shake the dirt off. She turned around with smile on her face at a job well done, but that smile faded when her a hand uddenly shot out, gripping her throat tightly, and pinned her to the cold steel of the dumpster. Naruko struggled momentarily before her eye's settled on the cold, black eyes of one Sasuke Uchiha.

"You know, I never liked you," Sasuke droned casually as his grip tightened ever so slightly, restricting Naruko's breathing just enough to elicit a strangled gasp from her, "But I like to think I've been fairly tame. Up until now, I haven't laid a finger on you." Sasuke's voice was so calm, it was almost scary, but his eye's were ful of disgust like always. "Now, like I said before, you owe my girl an apology."

For all of Naruko's fear in that moment, it couldn't hold a candle to the rage she felt at Sakura for tearing her mother's sweatshirt. She let that rage take over. Glaring into Sasuke's she grit her teeth.

"Not until she, *cough cough*, apologizes for tearing my mothers sweater!" Naruko choked out.

Sasuke's eyes went wide for a brief moment before he turned to look at Sakura who was just as stunned, before her shock turned to humor. Grinning mischievously Sakura held her hands up in a dismissive manor saying

"Oh dear, I'm ever so sorry for hurting your dead moms inanimate object."

Both Sasuke and Sakura chuckled before he turned to look at Naruko again.

"Well?" Sasuke said, "Satisfied?"

Naruko was overwhelmed with anger. Reaching up she gripped Sasuke's arm tightly, and with all of her strength she tried to pry his hand away from her throat. Her attempts were sadly cut short when Sasuke squeezed down on her throat much harder, and his free hand swung out slapping her hard across the face.

"Really? She apologized and your response is to fight me?" Sasuke laughed, "You know, I thought I hated you because your dad locked my family away, but now I think I just hate you for being you." His hand swashed out striking her across the face again, the sound of laughter filling Naruko's ears. "Oh come on. You haven't really lost your fight already have . . ."

"Kiba!?" Sakura's voice interrupted Sasuke's teasing and he turned around just in time to catch sight of Kiba as his fist collided with the bridge of Sasuke's nose with a sickening crunch, causing him to drop Naruko. Sasuke's head collided with the dumpster with a satisfying clang before Kiba's hands fisted into Sasuke's basketball jersey lifting him up off his feet.

Naruko was frozen as she stared at the scene in front of her

"What the fuck!" Kiba shouted angrily, "Who in the hell do you think you are!?" Naruko was both shocked and thankful at the sudden intervention, but the sight of Kiba holding Sasuke above him, now a towering mass of muscle and rage was highly intimidating, and a side of Kiba she hadn't expected to exist. Sadly before Kiba could get an answer a hand gripped the back of his collar and send him flying backwards through the alley.

"Alright you little shits! Enough is enough!" shouted the familiar voice of Jiraiya. Naruko was overwhelmed as she watched her janitor friend, and well, Kiba come to her rescue, and without warning her vision darkened and she fainted.


". . . ruko . . . Nar . . . Naru . . . ruko? . . . Naruko!"

Naruko's eye's shot open to find Kiba' face hovering above hers, a look of worry on his face.

"AHHHHH!" Naruko screamed, and Kiba screamed right back before propelling himself backwards sprawling across the ground a Jiraiya laughed hysterically at the sight. Naruto's head was swimming as she tried to igure out what was going on until the memories of Sasuke and Sakura came rushing back. She looked around frantically for a moment, panic and fear washing over her until she realized they were no longer their.

"Wha- What happened?" Naruko said quizzically, looking between Kiba and Jiraiya.

"Well . . ." Kiba began, "I sort of followed Sasuke and Sakura, and caught them uhm, well I'm not sure. I'm guessing they were trying to hurt you, but this guy here . . ." Kiba pointed a thumb in Jiraiya's direction as Kiba grinned like a child, " . . . showed up and straight up scared the shit out of them. Like no shit! I thought they were going to piss themselves when he showed up!"

"Yeah yeah, quit overplaying it. They were just shocked that an adult showed up, but forget that. Naruko, doll, are you ok?"

At Jiraiya's question Naruko ran a tender hand over her throat before flashing a forced smile at the two saying over enthusiastically "Yeah, I'm good! I've dealt with worse!" Neither of them were convinced, but they didn't push the subject. Instead, Jiraiya spoke up saying

"Well, at aany rate, we should probably call your parents and get them to come and pick you up."

Neither men went without noticing the sudden trepidation at that comment as she held her hands up defensively saying,

"Really guys, I'm fine! Besides, Kiba was going to take me to his place to fix my sweater." Naruko glanced over at Kiba quizzically as she added "We are still doing that right?"

Kiba, without even thinking, responed instantly.

"Of course! Why wouldn't I?" Kiba himself, while unsure of why he had agreed so quickly, was still not one to go back on an offer. Jiraiya offered a sly grin at the boy before turning to walk away before saying over his shoulder,

"Alright then, it's your decision, but you better make sure she get's home safely boy!"

Kiba gulped down a bit of fear at the underlining threat in the mans words, but Naruko didn't even notice, instead only grinning up at Kiba like a child . . .


Kiba had shot a text to Lee, asking him to tell the coach that he had to go go home early do to a stomach bu to which he ended up receiving over a dozen messages from the team, the Coach included, to get better soon. He led Naruko, who was oddly quiet, out too the parking lot where his bike was. When they reached it, he was more then amused as the tiny girl practically went nuts at the sight of his bike.

"It's a Triumph Rocket III Rodester. I had to sell my collection of comics, and save up for three whole years for it." Kiba said joyusly as he watched the young girl go completely silly over it. "It's max speed is 168 MPH, but I've only been able to reach 132. Just don't tell my mother." He chuckled at the snicker that slipped from her lips. Kiba was happy to let the girl ogle his bike as for a while longer before she finally turned to face him, a look of worry on her face as she spoke.

"Uhm, I don't mean to be a spoil sport, but you only have one helmet."

Kiba flashed his signature toothy grin, feeling a wave of delight wash over him as she blushed, before saying,

"I know, and your going to wear it. Your also going to wear this . . ." Kiba quickly slipped out of his leather jacket and Naruko had to do her damnedest not to ogle the way his muscles rippled beneath his tank top at the motion.

"Are . . . are you sure? Isn't that dangerouse for you to ride without your protective gear?" Kiba chuckled at the girl's worry before helping her into the jacket saying

"Yeah, but i'd hate for anything to happen to you while riding with me. Besides, I'm a safe drive. Promise."

When he flashed another of his toothy grins her way, Naruko couldn't fight him. She simply let him help her into the over sized jacket, huffing when he chuckled at the sight of her in a jacket WAY TOO BIG for her, before he gently placed his hlmet over her head. He then climbed onto the bike. Naruko was hesitant at first but eventually managed to pull herself onto the back of the bike.

Kiba noted how far back she sat from him, the inner safety nut inside of him kicking in instantly, and he quickly reached behind him and pulled her closer until she was pressed firmly against his back. He had to look ahead to hide the blush that spread across his face at the sensation of her body pressed against his back, the faint feeling of her pert breasts pressing against his back causing him to think dirty thoughts.

Uhm, just uh, jut hold on tight to me, and whatever you do don't let go." Kiba said, trying to hide the embarrassment in his voice. Naruko of course obliged, her arms slithering around his abdomen and pulling her tighter against him. Kiba swallowed dryly before starting up the engine and pulling out of the parking lot. As they rode to Kiba's home, Kiba couldn't keep his thought's off of the girl pressed tightly to him. He was not inexperienced with girls, that was a certainty, so why was he so thrown off by this girl? As his thought's ran through his mind, Naruko was busy grinning like an idiot from beneath her borrowed helmet, watching as the city flew past in a blur. The roar of the engine, the vibration of the bike, the sight's flowing past in a blur. It was all so new, and so exciting. She wanted to remember it all. . .