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The Protective Pups
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Hinata was lost in her own mind as she looked at the different flowers in front of her, trying to decide which would look better in her father's office at this time of year. Though her father never asked for his office to be decorated with flowers, Hinata had found that whenever she left a filled vase in the room, for him to discover the next time he entered, his lips would curve and he would turn his attention to the image of her mother on the wall.
Smiles had often been rare in her upbringing, so for her, even the barest hint of a smile was like the sun peeking through the greyest of clouds.
"Excuse me," a man's voice broke through her thoughts and made her look up, "Hey" he said.
"Oh, h-hello" Hinata answered politely, "can I help you?"
"I just noticed you were standing here all alone and I just wanted to talk to you," the man smiled, moving close to her.
"O-oh, well, there's really no need," Hinata answered with a polite smile, though the man's words made her slightly uncomfortable and his smile made her want to put a little more distance between them.
"A pretty girl like you shouldn't be all alone, so won't you join me for coffee?" the man asked.
Hinata's eyes widened slightly, "n-no thank you," she said. The man was clearly very friendly but still she did not feel the need to make any new friends today.
"No? Why not?" the man asked, still standing a little too close for comfort.
Hinata fidgeted with her fingers nervously, "I-I well.. I'm not r-really.. I mean, thank you for your offer but I-I don't really-"
"She's got a boyfriend," a rough voice spoke up as she was hugged from behind, the smell of dog surrounding her, well known and comforting after so many years "right babe?"
"Kiba-kun" Hinata turned her head to look at him over her shoulder, feeling a touch of relief.
When the man only stared at the pair in front of him, Kiba sent a glare his way, "Back off dude and I won't set my dog on you"
Akamaru appeared in front of Hinata, growling at the stranger who paled fast at the sight of the dog and apologized before rushing off down the street.
"Thank you Kiba-kun" Hinata said, gently touching her hand to one of his arms still around her waist. Her other hand reached out to scratch the great white dog's head, "and thank you Akamaru-kun,"
"No prob. Hina," Kiba said, as he and Akamaru stayed in their positions protectively until the man could no longer be seen, "Getting flowers?"
"Hai," Hinata smiled as she finally found the right flowers and payed for them.
Kiba took the flowers for her in one hand and hooked his other arm in hers, "Hinata you know, you really need to pay more attention"
"What do you mean?" she asked him as they walked towards the Hyuuga compound.
"These guys don't want to be friends with you, they want to get to know you" Kiba tried to explain.
"That is how you make friends Kiba-kun"
"No, I mean they want to get to know know you" he stressed.
Hinata only blinked at him, "?"
"For the love of- they want to get to know what's in your pants!" Kiba erupted, face tinting slightly.
Hinata looked at him, appalled and wide eyed, "Kiba-kun! That's an awfully rude accusation to make, especially of people you don't know!"
"But Hinataaaa, it's not an accusation, it's the truth!" Kiba whined and Akamaru barked in agreement.
"You don't know that, Kiba-kun" Hinata said, frowning slightly at them.
Kiba and Akamaru shared a look, the facts were clear to them but it was also clear that they, once again, would be fighting a losing battle by trying to convince her today.
"Fiiiinee" Kiba relented, "Just be careful and don't take your pants off for anyone"
"KIBA-KUN" Hinata exclaimed, face heating up, as Kiba laughed.
Well, sometimes Hinata's innocence was a good thing, at least it made her easy to tease, Kiba thought happily.
...
