"What the fuck," Kiba shouted, knocking Karui out her reverie. She looked up to see a pile of boxes and storage scrolls on the porch they stood in front of. "This is all my shit! Ma," he went to the front door and stopped in his tracks as Tsume met him in the doorway. "What's all this," he motioned to the boxes.

"You have a kid on the way. Why should you be living under my roof?"

"But where am I suppose to go," he frantically asked. She tossed something at him which he caught with ease. He held up the object and found a set of keys. "What are these?"

"Keys to the empty house 'round back," she smirked.

A grin crept upon his lips, "Really?"

"No, really," she rolled her eyes then smiled, "Hurry up and get your stuff moved."

"Thanks Ma," he wrapped her up in a bear hug, lifting her off the ground.

"Yea, yea you're welcome boy," she smiled.

"We'll talk later," he whispered, setting her down then kissed her on the cheek. He turned to Karui and shouted, "We have a house!" She just stared out him with wide eyes. "C'mon let's get to moving this stuff and check it out!" He stacked a few boxes upon each other to haul and Akamaru carried a bag of storage scrolls. "I'll be back, Ma," he yelled and stepped down off the porch.

"So you guys just have houses laying around," Karui glanced over at him as they walked.

"Well after the Pein Invasion and the war the whole village had to be rebuilt, and we had a bit of savings to the expand the compound. Lucky for us, one thing Inuzukas believe in is making babies," he winked as they turned the corner. ",so the baby boom that was bound to happen needed to be accommodated. It's this one," he pointed with an elbow.

"Keys're in my jacket pocket," he held his elbow up so she could reach in. She sighed, thankful that they weren't in his pants pocket, then retrieved the keys. She looked back at Kiba before unlocking the door. Creaking open, the door revealed a large empty room. She held the door open as he walked in with the boxes. She slowly spun around and took in the house. "Karui," he spoke setting the stack of boxes into the corner, "Go ahead look around and get settled. I'm gonna run back by Ma's real quick to get the rest of my stuff." She nodded and he sent her a smile before walking out the house.

"Ma," Kiba shouted as he walked down the hallway. He stopped in the living room where his mother was waiting.

"Well, get on with it," she waved her hand.

He sat across from her and crossed his arms, "How much?"

"How much what?"

"For the house."

"Don't worry about. It was empty and someone needed to be put it in."

"Mom, I can't let you just give me a house. So how much?"

"Don't worry about it."

"Ma."

"Kiba."

He growled in annoyance, "How much for the house, damnit!"

"Watch your fuckin' mouth when you talk to me, boy."

Kiba brought his palm to his face and sighed, "I'm trying to grow up here. If you keep bailing me out, how will I ever?"

Tsume sighed to herself. Sometimes she forgot that her boy could actually be mature. "How much do you have?"

"Doesn't matter. How much for the house?"

"Just pay what you can."

He groaned again, "So stubborn. I'll pay you every month, so just accept it." She remained quiet as he got up and walked over to her. "I'm gonna go make sure Karui's ok. I'll be by tomorrow," he kissed her on the cheek, "Bye Ma."

"Bye," she watched him walk out of the house. A small smile crept upon her lips as she shook her head in amusement.

Kiba walked back into the house and started looking for Karui. She was here, he could smell her. She wasn't in the kitchen, either of the bedrooms or the bathroom. Just as he was about to get worried his ears perked up at the sound of laughter. He walked towards the back of the house and stopped at the sliding door that led to the backyard. Leaning against the door, he watched with a smile on his face. His eyes followed her as she ran, flipped and spun in the grass. A childlike look of bliss on her face as she landed on her feet after walking over from a back bend.

She looked up and their eyes locked. "How long have you been standing there," her eyes wide as she shouted.

"Not long," he smirked, "You like it?"

"I've never had a backyard before," she lightly laughed

"Well now you have one and it comes with a house too," he smirked, "Show me around?" She nodded then started towards him. He held her arm to help her up unto the veranda, inwardly frowning feeling her tense.

"Thanks." He followed her inside and she gestured to the room they were in "Living room." She pointed to the left, "Kitchen." She walked down the hall and pushed a door open, "Bathroom." She led him a little further to the end of the hall and gestured toward an opened door , "My room," then to the room beside it, "I was thinking this could be the baby room or nursery or whatever you wanna call it."

"Wait wait wait," he put his hand up and knit his brows, "Your room? Where the hell am I suppose to sleep."

"The couch," she shrugged.

"We don't have a couch!"

"Damn, maybe we should get one," she walked pass him and back down the hall.

"Eh," he spun around, "Don't just walk away from me like that! Why can't I sleep in the room? It is my bed that's going in there!"

"Because," she shrugged.

He frowned then looped his arm though her's and started to the door, "Then we're going shopping."

"Let me go," she snatched her arm from his, "We'll go shopping tomorrow.

"But-."

"Please, Kiba. I'm really tired."

He relented with a sigh, "Fine." He walked over to the bag of storage scroll and sifted through them until he found the one he was searching for. Walking back to the room, he undid the scroll containing his bed. "Get some rest," he pushed back the covers.

"Thank you," she walked over to him and sighed before a small, fleeting smile graced her lips, "Seriously thank you. This isn't easy and I don't know, I'm kinda jealous of how well you're adjusting to it all, I guess."

He shrugged and chuckled, "Well it's not easy for me either."

"Yea," she nervously laughed.

"Go ahead and lay down." She nodded then stripped out of her clothes before climbing to bed and pulling the blankets over herself. He looked back at her before closing the door behind him. Hearing the door close, she clung to the blanket as her lip started to quiver. How did it end up like this? All alone. Far away from home. She sharply inhaled before the sob escaped her lips. The tears that clouded her vision began to run from her eyes. She dryly croaked out a wail.

Kiba rummaged through the boxes until he found his extra mission sleeping bag. After laying it out on the floor, he sprawled out on top with Akamaru behind him to rest his head on. He let out a long sigh and blankly stared up at the ceiling. His brows furrowed and a frown marred his face. A muffled cry wafted in from down the hall.

Hoping up to his feet, he started towards the door. "Stay here with Karui," he looked back at his best friend, who nodded in understanding. He left out the door and returned a while later. Heading straight to the bedroom, he carefully slid the door opened and quietly set the bag down. He closed the door back up then walked back to a curious Akamaru. "Hungry," he beamed, "Sorry I can't chef you up a meal today since we don't have anything here but this should do." He crossed his legs and sat lotus style in front of the great white beast before sorting through another bag.

ｬ

Karui stepped out of the room to take her empty container out. She stopped then leaned against the wall and spotted Kiba laying in the middle of the floor. "Thanks." He tilted his head up to look at her.

"No prob. I mean I was hungry so I went and got something; figured I might as well get you something too," he shrugged.

"Right," she nodded then chewed one side her lip, "You can sleep in the bed if you want."

"Nah, it's fine," he waved his hand, "besides I can't promise that I'd be able to keep my hands to myself."

Biting back a smirk, she nodded again, "Ok. Well I'm going to sleep."

"Night."

After hearing the bedroom door slide shut, Akamaru snickered, "Tsundere."

"What you say," Kiba snapped his head in his companion's direction.

"Nothing."

"Whatever," he lightly chuckled. Akamaru slightly shook his head.

ｬ

Karui groaned as she unwillingly slipped into consciousness. She didn't want to wake up to face her new reality. She didn't want to get up to face him. She didn't want to do anything, just lay there. She sighed to herself, "Get up. It's what Bee-sama would want you to do." Her eyes fluttered open. Bright light made her shut them again. She had slept in much later than she normally would. Understandable. She was exhausted, both physically and emotionally. Burying her head further into the pillow, she slowly inhaled. It smelled like him and he surprisingly smelled good. She wouldn't lie and say she hadn't thought he'd smell like dog all the time. He smelled like outside, but a good kind of outside, like fresh air and trees.

"That's enough," she lifted her head from the pillow. Rolling over and sitting up, she looked around the bare room, noting the large storage roll in the corner. Groaning as she thought about unpacking them, she kicked her legs over to side of the bed. Her foot brushed her abandoned clothes to a corner after picking up her blouse. She walked out of the bedroom still pulling it over her head. She stopped mid stride, hearing a voice she didn't recognize. It was gravelly and deep then came Kiba's voice.

"How are you jealous of a baby that's not even here yet? Okay, look at it this way it's not just my baby but your's too." She leaned against the wall and quirked a brow. "We can teach the baby all the important stuff like tracking and we can play with 'em. If it''s a boy we can teach him how to pee... that's really all my dad taught me how to do but we'll teach 'em way more than that."

"Guess when you put like that," the voice sighed.

"See! It's gonna be fun!"

"Kiba," Karui peaked around the corner, "Who are you talking to." She stepped out only to see Kiba and Akamaru laying in the floor.

"Oh, uh, I was just-"

"He assuring me is all," Akamaru cut Kiba off.

"You can talk," she squealed and shuffled over to Akamaru, rubbing him behind both ears.

"Yea, he's kinda shy. We're still working on it but he's getting there," Kiba beamed with pride.

"You're so precious Akie." she cooed.

"Stop babying him, he doesn't like it," Kiba huffed.

"Butt out, Kiba," Akamaru shot a quick glare and Karui giggled. Kiba gawked. No way. There was no way he was jealous. Not jealous of Karui giving Akamaru attention instead of him and not jealous of Akamaru actually wanting her attention instead of his.

"Hey, fuck you guys," he turned his back to them.

"Ooooh somebody's mad," she teased and Akamaru snickered. They both went over to him and rested their heads on his side and shoulder. "Get up. We have to go out today."

"Oh now you guys want to come over here."

"Stop being a drama queen," she laughed and pushed his arm, "I'm going to take a shower... scratch that you can go take one first. You smell like outside, bad outside."

"Whatever," he mumbled and got up. Karui did the same and went back the room to sift through her storage rolls just as she heard Kiba doing also. After his shower, Kiba walked out into the hall. "Karui," he shouted, "I'm out."

"Ok," she stepped out of the room wrapped in a pink robe. All the things she planned to leave in the bathroom nearly fell out of her hand. A white towel. That was all that covered him. The towel didn't hide his broad shoulders and taut muscle all wrapped up in still damp brown skin.

"Nice robe," Kiba snickered fingering the frilly pink material.

"Shutup," she huffed, tightening her grip on the robe before marching off to shower.

Kiba sat in front of a stack of boxes sorting through the one in between his legs. He never realized how much stuff he had until he had to figure out just where it would all go. "Can I wear this?" He looked over his shoulder to see Karui standing beside a box pulling the thick material of the black hoodie she wore. His black hoodie.

"You're already wearing it," he grumbled.

"Well then," she drawled," Ready to go? We have a long day. The bank, furniture store, grocery store and other shit errands." Kiba shook his head with a small smile on his face as she started towards the door.

ｬ

"Oh peanut butter," she picked up the jumbo jar and put it in the already crammed basket.

"Nope," he took the jar and set right back on the shelf.

"Why not," she glared at him.

"You're not bringing that shit in our house," he scowled then chuckled before walking off," Our house. Ain't that cute." She picked up the jar and threw it back in the basket. He stopped and blankly stared at her, "Didn't I just put that back?"

"Yea, and I put back it in the basket where it belongs," she turned her nose up and this time it was her turn to walk away. He picked the jar up and put it back. "Why are you so adamant about me not getting peanut butter!"

"Dogs and that stuff don't get along. Peanut Butter is evil," he muttered.

She slapped her hand over her mouth to muffle her laughter, "Did you just say peanut butter is evil! Oh shit, that's a good one." After her laughter died down she put the jar back in the basket. "Peanut butter is evil," she snickered, "Come on let's check out."

"Fine go ahead and have your nasty ass peanut butter," he huffed and started in behind her to the cashier line, "but I get jerky." Kiba walked over to the side of the checkout counter where a wall of snacks and other miscellaneous items were displayed. He picked up the entire display of two brands of jerky. With a daring glare to Karui, he set them on the conveyor belt before proceeding to place the rest of their groceries.

"Whatever." she rolled her eyes before walking to the register. Kiba came and stood beside her as they waited for the cashier to ring them up.

"And here's your total," the teen boy who manned the cash register reported. Karui dug through her purse and Kiba pulled his bone-patterned wallet out.

"I got it," he held out the amount owed.

"It's fine," Karui held her money out.

"It's cool I got it," Kiba side eyed her.

"Kiba, I already have my money out," she shot his side glare back.

"Why don't you just go half," the cashier droned.

"I don't know who asked him but it's not a bad idea," Kiba shrugged.

"Right, nobody was talking to him but I guess we could go half."

ｬ

Karui arched her back and groaned as she stretched her arms out wide. She slid out of bed and over to her dresser to pull out some clothes before heading into the bathroom to go through her morning routine.

She walked down the hall dressed in a cut off sweatshirt and a pair of black compression leggings. She combed her fingers up through her hair and held an elastic in between her teeth as she walked into the kitchen. "Where are you going," a gruff voice inquired. Her eyes drifted over to the couch where she saw Kiba sitting up and staring at her.

"For a run," she secured her hair with the ponytail holder.

"By yourself," he scratched his bare stomach as he stood to his feet.

"Well duh."

"Smartass," he walked over and flicked her on the forehead, "You don't even know where to run at."

"I'll figure it out," she shrugged.

"We'll just go with you, right Akie," he looked back at Akamaru, who perked up hearing his name.

"Whatever just hurry up," she walked over to the door. A little while later, Kiba came back dressed to run. He led them out of the compound to a trail just behind it.

"So, uh, shall we get to runnin'," he looked to her after finishing his warm up.

"Right," she smirked and turned around, "I hope you can keep up."

"Keep up? I was going to say the same to you," he smirked, taking off in front of her. Turning around to run backwards, he shouted back at her, "You ready to eat dirt?" After turning back around he took off in a sprint. Inuzukas were known for their speed and he just so happened to be one of the fastest. A little morning run was nothing to him.

His form was beautiful. Loose and relaxed. His motions all flowing and body moving like a well oiled machine. Not to mention he was fast but she couldn't let a Leaf boy show her up. She's from Kumo, where the shinobi are quick as lightening and she was no different.

"What was that about eating your dirt," she turned around to run backwards and throw his taunt right back in his face. The cheeky grin on her face fell and her eyes widened as the taste of salt filled her mouth. She slapped a hand over her mouth and looked around before she lurched forward.

"Got- Oh shit," Kiba skidded to a stop as she leaned forwarded, hands to knees. He frowned a bit as she made a show of vomiting, with her loud heaving and gasping, it was a bit exaggerated. "There, there," he rubbed her back.

She straightened up and glared at him. Wiping her mouth, "This is your fault."

"What? I didn't do anything!"

"It's morning sickness, so therefore it's your fault," she huffed and turned on her heel walking back to the compound. He looked over at Akamaru and sighed.

"And so it begins," he followed after Karui. Kiba sighed, he just knew today would be a long day.