-Fourth Installment

Chapter Summary: Somewhat assured and less apprehensive about her surroundings, much thanks to Kiba's brave and idyllic words; Sakura is able to continue on with life better; now feeling more secure, especially with Winter around the corner.

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~ Chapter 4 - Snow World ~

She awoke to the annoyance known as her alarm clock. 6:15 as usual, the blurriness fogged her vision as she attempted to clear her optics with rapid blinking before it became clear that she was staring into the semi-darkness of the early morning. Snug-as-a-bug-in-a-rug she was, and the mere thought of rising from her slumber and the warmth and coziness of her own bed ran her body cold. But, there wasn't much she could do at the moment and silenced her alarm.

Allowing herself a moment to awaken; she stumbled out of bed and quickly cranked up the heat. Indeed, Old Man Winter never wasted a moment during the October season. Nabbing herself a quick shower before dressing herself and grabbing a bite to eat, the time being only 6:45.

'W-Why is it so cold?' thought the pinkette to herself as she strolled over to the window and peered behind the curtains. Much to her surprise, she discovered a world veiled in snow. It was so enigmatic, the way the village presented itself in the snow. The moment reminded her of the time she'd taken that trip and visited the Land of Snow one year with her parents. Fond memories those were, and now nothing else was left… nothing but the bitter cold nipping voraciously at her heart.

Closing the curtains, the gray sky faded from her mind and the snow crystals obscuring her thoughts melted away, allowing her to flick the lights on and watch a bit of T.V. before leaving for the school. Though, much to her dismay, the complex she stayed in had appalling reception. Sighing to herself and flicking off the box, Sakura took a moment to return to her room and beautify herself. Sorting through her weapons; perfume, gloss, lipstick and a few bits of jewelry. Deciding, that since it was snowing outside, she'd go with the weather and ticked a pair of snowflake earrings in her ears. Applying a bit of light peach blossom eyeshade and rose to her cheeks after a quick powder, finally finishing off with her favourite shade of light scarlet rose and then placing the pink butterfly brain in her hair.

Puffing out the two green bows on her hair band, straightening her tie and checking to make sure she looked appropriate for school. Hopefully it wasn't too much. Glancing at the clock, noting she only had a few minutes left to spare before leaving. Grabbing her coat, scarf, earmuffs, mittens and burlap sack - placing them on the couch after fixing herself a glass of orange juice - she took a deep breath.

Though, before she could grab her things and head out into the snow, there was a loud and obnoxious rapping at her door - which startled her! "Who on earth could that be?" perplexed by the random knocking, she snuck a peek through the peep-hole in the door.

"Ayyyy gurl! Open up awready, Imma be freezing' meh dingles off out 'ere!" Kiba hunching over and peering into the hole, his pea-sized black eye startling her!

Whipping the door open, Sakura nearly froze as the 'snow-husky' and his furry companion trekked through the door, "Kiba! What are you doing out here so early?" the inquiry floated there for a moment as the Inu shed his large coat and shut the portal behind him. Sakura felt a red tint float into her cheeks. The brunet looked… marvelous in that tight, tight black muscle shirt…

"Aw nuttin', we jus' hamperin' 'roun' in 'da snow. Cold, but Akamaru loves 'da stuff an'-" blinking at her, noticing the blush she tried ever-so hard to obscure behind her glass of orange juice. Said Inu cocked his eyebrow, "ayyy, I didn' knaw you had a t'ing fer boyz from 'da hood," screwing up his hair and taking a few poses for her.

"Hush you! It's the heat in this place, it's making me hot!"

"Pfft, yeah yeah… whateva… you knaw you like it," flexing his back and front, teasing her.

"I swear, I will kick you out and keep the dog if you keep it up!" the threat sunk in before Kiba backed off a bit, knowing very well her foot at the strength to kick his ass half-way around the world, though during the moment, he found he could have a bit more fun.

"But… but… Imma freeze meh tail off..." playing on the "whimpering puppy" role. Akamaru pawed his snout and snorted. His master was such a n00b… it was embarrassing to watch as the brunet got - hands and knees - on the floor and began to whimper to the pink-haired girl. Placing his hands in front of him and nudging her thigh with his nose.

Sakura placed her hand at her hips, "I swear you're pathetic… you'll do anything for a laugh won't you?" the question seemed to give her a response, as the Inu lowered his sunglasses and some of the cutest eyes met her gaze. He must've been practicing that routine for hours every day - just for this occasion it was almost too convincing! That… or she just had a soft spot for animals - and in this case Kiba was an idiot; which to her was a type of animal. She was about to succumb to his whim - until an idea struck her innocently devious mind - and her eyes softened. "Poor, poor baby…" stroking the hairs on his chin and grabbing something out of the kitchen, Kiba somewhat perplexed when she came back with something behind her back. Even Akamaru was curious, and in an instant, she shoved a doggy treat in his mouth and pat his head before returning to getting ready.

Least to say, if Akamaru had the ability to laugh his ass off, this would definitely be the moment! The treat purging half-way out of the young man's mouth even gave Sakura a well-needed giggle.

Finally construing the moment, the young man nodded and raised his shades before chewing on the treat, leaving Sakura… somewhat surprised and disgusted, "Ayyy, 'dese treatz are staler than petrified dogshit, but ay, I won' bitch'." munching on the dog-treat for a bit before just deciding to let it stick out of his mouth like a tooth-pick, "Sa' where 'da hell'd ya git 'dese t'ings an' how long've ya had 'em?"

The pinkette furrowing her eyebrows and then shrugged, "Honestly... I just… found them one day. I've been meaning to give them to Akamaru, but I'd kept forgetting."

"Bah, don' even botha, 'dese ain't even the ones he leikz, but hell, makes a helluva toothpick, 'specially since I ain't got no more smokes, been meanin' to, jus' keep forgettin' an' - AY, DON' GIT READY! NAW, STAWP!" halting her progress in putting on her coat.

"Kiba! We have to GO! NOW! We'll be late if we don't!" gearing to smack the shit out of him if he so much as endeavoured to halt her journey towards education.

"Ay ay, e-z 'dere!" hands held up in defense as the prediction fell into his mind, "School's d'layed t'day!"

Sakura blinked a few times before her brain managed to absorb the statement, "Really? Are you certain?"

The brunet nodded and puffed out his upper lip, "Yeauh, Akamaru and I got out an' went ova to 'da school early jus' oughta curiosity an'… well, some damn foo' teacher slipped down the steps and broke his neck."

A gasp swooped out of her throat, "Oh my god, is he okay? He's not gravely injured is he!"

"Pfft, YOU KIDDIN'? 'Dat nig-erm I mean… dude's busted, 'n' now we gotta wait fo' school to re-open. But ay, at least it wun' too bad, HAH." placing his hands in his pocket.

Sakura sent him a second look before sighing. "So, we have a delay? How long?"

"Two 'ours, so yeah... class's been, offic'ally, cut like a string-bean in a knife factory," plopping down on the couch and stroking his dog's snout, "but, meh, so I guess'd 'dat we'd keep ya company and crash 'ere till then. You chill wit' 'dat?"

"I suppose so, although I'm not sure what we're going to do to occupy ourselves…" giving Akamaru a pat before grabbing her things and returning them to her room, allowing the Inu time to think. Upon her return - The aforementioned young man stroking his chin-strap beard, still in thought - the pinkette plopped down next to him, "So, what do you propose we do until then?" folding her hands neatly within her lap.

"I 'unno," sniffing as he snatched the remote off the table, his arm sneaking around the back of the couch and flicking the remote buttons. A white noise image appeared before clicking to the other channels. Most of the channels were blank, except the music channel and a few others, "Chu like rap?"

"No…"

"Kin I leave it?"

"I would prefer you not to…" grabbing the remote and flicking the channel, having become nauseated from the word "fuck" repeating over and over, "do you ever listen to anything else? Maybe; …classical… traditional, folk… rock?"

"Ayyyy, I like Rock, 'n' stuff…ffffff." blowing through his teeth, continuing to pet the hound, "Wachu like?"

"Classical music, maybe a few solo violinists and a few cellists. You know?" the question flung out there, the hound-man knowing whether or not he should absorb and reply or not.

Alas, just to be polite, "Oh… uh, coo'. I… 'I'mma regret 'dis shit' like som'a 'dat… stuff too."

"Really… like, whom?"

"Uhhhh… 'GOD-FUCKING DAMMIT. Okay, relax Kibz… okay; who, who, WHO? DAMMIT WIGGA' WACHU LEARN IN FUCKIN' MUSIC APPRECIATION CLASS? Oh yeah… I was smoking' a dubey… umm… YEAH' uh, Plutov' Ogl'ev Avs'kanavkyavich…?"

She stared at him for a second, and he thought he was up dog-shit creek before Sakura giggled and placed her hands together, "You must mean the infamous 15th century Rusklavic composer, right? He's such an inspiration, I love his works, I have almost all of his albums!"

Kiba sighed before grinning at her, "Ayy, coo-" halting mid-sentence when he noticed Sakura had gotten up and pulled out a CD collection out from the night stand underneath the T.V. "I have his seventeenth (17th) symphony here, this is his best work!" popping in the CD before tuning it to the seventh 7th song of the album. The Inu hadn't an inkling what she was doing until the sumptuously tuned violins began to play, raiding his mind.

"One of Plutov's greatest hits, "Waves of Satin", was performed in Konoha's infamous grand-theatre! It was a grandiose performance!" as the music rounded from the old stereo, Sakura couldn't help herself in flouncing around a bit at every step, spinning before leaping off her toe and landing, although not as gracefully as one would expect. It wasn't until she leapt over to Kiba and took his hand before pulling him up, with much protest following them into the middle of the room, "Okay, place your hand on my waist please," commanding him gently as her right hand strode up and grabbed his, by far, larger hand and raising it lightly. "I'm very sure you're acquainted with how to dance, right?"

"Umm… grinding?"

A sweat drop ran down her cheek and she gave him a death look, "No stupid…" the words slapping him before huffing a sigh, "Just... just follow me… one, two, three-" slowly, but surely - and after tripping over a few things - Kiba managed to get the hang of things after 10 songs… Sakura had almost given up on him before he said he'd quit goofing around and be serious about it... Or when she had nearly kicked him the groin; one or the other. Somewhat delighted, his performance with her was worthy of, at the least, a bronze medal.

"So?" huffing a bit and nursing a few of his bruises, "How'd I do?"

"Yeah… I don't think we'll be doing that again…" pivoting her head slightly before strolling into the kitchen.

"Ayy, I wasn't… THAT bad… wuz I?"

"Well, I'm sure it'd be better if you just stuck to grinding." sending him an innocent smile before pouring herself a glass of water and returning to the living room and taking a seat. "I was sort of expecting you to do a bit better though. Although, I shouldn't assume so much of you, I guess." sipping from the glass.

He wasn't satisfied with the results of his performance. He didn't know why, but deep down he felt he'd not danced to his full capability. One part of his mind fought over the other part. One side discouraged him from even endeavouring to dance like that again; while on the other hand, the more tenacious aspect of his nature demanded that he redeem himself. After a vicious battle between his two psyche, his tenacity claimed victory and he stood up.

"…Well then, les' do it again till I git it right…" glancing at her from the corner of his eye.

Sakura blinked a few times, richly befuddled, before Kiba took her hand and regained their position, "Kiba, you don't-"

"I said - "es' do it, till I get it righ" finding the remote to the stereo and flicking the music on, "M'k, ready, lead me."

Sakura hadn't a single inkling as to Kiba's sudden motivation, though only complied before instructing him. She found it odd, now that Kiba was dancing seriously with her, that the oddball Inu was actually endeavouring his best shot at dancing with her. It pleased her without limit to introduce this element to Kiba, even though he looked somewhat against the idea, "So… why the change-of-heart all of a sudden?"

'Twas a tad of an embarrassment for him to tell the truth, but no one seemed to be in the area to hear him out, "Eh… kinda felt like I let ya down," avoiding Sakura's toes. If he stepped on one, chances were he'd end up in the E.R. requiring advanced ball-replacement surgery.

Finding herself incapable of registering her thoughts in a coherent order, her eyes softened at him and a sigh escaped her lips, "Men…" shaking her head, "well, for whatever reason you had, I suppose it makes me happy to see you interested in something out of your own element." twisting them around, swaying around the room. In the beginning, Kiba seemed to feel like he was enjoying the small dance with said pinkette after a little while.

A few minutes passed, and in all honesty, Kiba had begun to enjoy his small tippy-toeing with the pinkette, managing to gain giggles from her when he spin her around, that infamously exotic pink hair flipping about, allowing the scent of strawberries to smear his senses, a wide grin spreading like a haystack fire as the songs altered.

"Oh wow, Kiba," that glorious, giggly voice of hers flooding the room with happiness, "it's like you're actually trying."

Cocking his eyebrow from behind his sunglasses, "Ayyy, when I wanna git serious, I git serious, y'know what'm sayin'?" allowing his snaggle tooth grin to be caught by her wandering alexandrite green eyes.

"Snaggletooth…" the comment wavered around before Kiba laughed heartily, lightening the atmosphere even more!

"SNAGGLE SNAGGLE SNAGGLE SNAGGLE SNAGGLE SNAGGLE SNAGGLE SNAGGLEEEEEEEEEEEEEE, PFFFFTTTTTTTT!" blowing through his lips, sending his eyes in two different directions, Sakura had to stop for a moment, for that face had sent a silly amount of laughter down from her stomach up and out her mouth. She stopped for a second to laugh, looking back and then letting the giggles and laughs spill out again, the face ensuing and her gut painfully contracting; before Kiba's eyes had begun to hurt and his face reverted back into it's original forme.

"You know, I would've laughed if your face had frozen that way…" regaining her breath for the time being, not giving into so much as glancing towards the idiot Inu.

"Ayy, that'z mean!" giving her a mild scolding, "Yaw ain't s'poss'da be mean'da yo' friendz leik 'dat." his usual vernacular going in one ear and out the other.

Regaining control of herself, "Oh please… it's hard not to be mean with you acting like a twit!" offering him a glass of O.J. to start his day off and a bowl of water for Akamaru, her hospitality having just surfaced.

"What kin I say?" cocking his head to the side, her eyes catching that good side of his face, "I got'n obligation ta act d'way I do!"

She sent him that 'oh really?' look, "Someone's been studying their vocabulary, yes?"

"Maaayyybbeeeeeeeeeee, PFFT, who wanna know?" crossing his arms as his bitty black orbs popped out from beneath the shades.

Sending him a gleeful smile, "Just taking notice… and by the way… are you cold?" shuddering a bit, "Is the heater on at all?"

"I'm warm… feels fine… why?"

"I don't know… I just feel a bit chilly for some reason."

That was all Kiba needed to know before Sakura found herself bound and wrapped in those muscular arms of his. The heat surging into her derma layers promoted a sigh of relaxation.

"Well, if you brick, 'den Imma warm ya back up!" hugging her nice and tight to keep her from shivering. Although, it was to Kiba's ultimate surprise that she was, indeed, quite chilly. This discovery boggled him a bit as he led them to the couch and glanced at the clock, they had a little over an hour left before trekking through the snow to school. But in the meantime, both teens cuddled on the couch while Kiba flicked through the channels, Sakura's child awakening in her the moment she spotted the cartoon channel.

"Stop here!" her heart aflutter in the presence of beautifully animated, funny drawings, the sensation of herself warming up as laughs managed to topple from her throat, "I love this show!"

"Tim and Larry? Ayyy, haha! Yaw leik 'dis show, too?"

"Well, I'm not gonna lie… do you like this show, too?"

"PFFT, Chu kiddin'! I 'member when 'dey start'd airing' 'dis stuff!"

Observing and laughing as Larry the mouse smashed Tim the cat's face in with an iron, molding the cat's head in the exact forme of the object. Both of the teens found Akamaru joining in on the show, the canine obviously enjoying the unfortunate consequences the cat suffered from.

"Ayyy boi! Ayy boi! Go give Sakky-chanz a kiss lumpy boi! Go give Sakky-chanz a kiss!" the command registering perfectly within the hound's brain as he trotted over happily, hopped up on the couch and gave Sakura's hand a lick.

"Awe, you sweet-heart." kissing the hound back before pulling her hands within the warm confines of Kiba's pecs.

Akamaru plopped down and snuggled right up against her thigh, wheezing once before folding his paws together and gently resting his jaw.

The cartoons chewed up time in what seemed like a split-second, the clock's hands having decided upon taking life into the fast lane.

This, Sakura motioned to the brunet, head nested in between his - pillow worthy - tanned pectorals as her fingers rooted themselves to his abs, "We'll be late if we don't move!" snapping the bind between them and rustling around to gather her things and make sure she still appeared presentable. With much complaining from Kiba and a vigorous yawn from stretching-out, catching her ears halfway into her room, the pinkette readied herself yet again for a late-start school day.

Upon her return, Kiba couldn't help it within his nature to admit, "Awe… ain'tchu fuckin' cute?" hands placed comfortably in his pockets while throwing, carelessly, his backpack over his right shoulder.

The moment Sakura dressed herself, the loud-mouthed Inu burst out in laughter and made fun of her for looking like a pink rolley-polley. The earned himself a good smack for it, but the laugh was worth it the moment his eyes gazed at her waddled down the steps like some toddler. He nearly slipped and fell down the stairs - much to Sakura's dismay.

But, the Inu just kept pushing her buttons all the way down to the staircase, noting how cute her pink ears muffs, cherry red mittens and fluffy rose pink scarf were. His antics halted the moment she sent him a glare fresh from Hell, though.

"Ayy ayy ayy… we coo', we coo'. Ju's complimentin' ya… eazy gurl, eazy…"

Without another word, and the Inu's chuckling close behind her, both ascending up the glorious stairs to knowledge. Though, Sakura admittedly huffed and complained a bit from having caught a sore-throat. Luckily, Kiba's ambiguity and benevolent-randomness netted her a lemon flavoured cough-drop, one she was thankful for, her raw throat feeling like brand new as they entered through the double doors.

"I'm surprised there are so many students here, even when it's snowing…"

Kiba perked up at her observation, "Eh… yeah, I guess. Ms. Bouncy-Knockers haz 'dis… I wanna say… "rule" 'bout showin' up'n crap… Woman'll hunt ya down 'n' grill yo ass on 'da bar-b if she catchez ya screwin' 'roun'."

"That doesn't surprise me…"

"It shouldn't…"

Winding their way through the hoards of students congesting the hall like a clogged artery, Iruka patiently unaware of their presence until Kiba's cheap musk managed to filter the "fresh" air out of the room. The stench sent Iruka's eyes snapping at them.

"Good-morning!" greeted the man, whose nose was accented by a trade-mark shuriken scar, "how are you two?"

"We a'ight…" slumping in her chair before propping his feet up onto the desk in front of him, earning one of the earliest disapproval's he'd ever received, and class hadn't even started yet! 'T'day gonna be a good day!'

"We're doing just fine Iruka-sensei, and you?"

"I would be much better if Kiba would get his feet off of the desk…" sending an annoyed grunt towards the fang-faced hipster, before adding, "but other than that, I'm fine. Somewhat surprised that Milady had decided to hold off the beginning of school today. Normally it isn't in her nature…" memories of Tsunade's usual responses to the whole "Delay or No Delay" ordeal leaking back into his mind, 'She must've been in a good mood.' he surmised.

"Woulda been betta if we din'av school t'day tho." folding his arms behind his head and leaning back, "aw well…"

Iruka had been only a second closer to sending Kiba down to the office before Sakura invoked a question, "Where's Akamaru, Kiba?"

"Lumpy? He'z ova' 'der." cocking his head in the direction, Sakura sitting up to peer over the rows of desks, thus locating the hound, snug in the corner.

"You know dogs aren't allowed on the school premises, Kiba! Also, get your feet off of the desk!" snapped the teacher. Kiba groaned and took his feet away from the desk.

"I know, but I don' care… Akamaru's mai dawg… legit. I ain't leavin' 'em out in 'dat cold… whut kin'a owner w'uld I be if I did?" shrugging, "'Sides, he ain't buggin' anyone, 'r' 'u' Akamaru?"

The hound responded with a drowsy wheeze, butted up against the corner where it was the warmest, near Naruto's spot was located.

"I don't care, Kiba. The dog must go, now." Iruka huffed a sigh, "I know he's a great dog, Kiba. I really do, however as your instructor and staff member of this school I must adhere to the rules as directed by the district, I'm sorry."

The brunet's expression became neutral, even Sakura could feel the tension binding her. Without another word, Kiba got up from his desk, grabbed his backpack, patting his leg, beckoning Akamaru, and walked out of the classroom.

"Kiba! Come back here!"

"Iruka-sensei!" Sakura stood up, "I'll go get him." jogging out the door and trekking after Kiba. She hoped she wouldn't be late for the brunet's random actions! The amount of students walking her way made it almost impossible for her to navigate through the mass through the tiny hall. "Kiba! Kiba!" endeavouring to reach him by ear, though she hadn't a clue as to why, being that Kiba's hearing most likely would be clogged up from the amount of noise polluting the hallway. She hadn't a single inkling as to how Kiba's size could weave his way through the maze of students, but somehow she'd lost sight of him!

Through calling his name constantly, she found herself incapable of reaching him, and eventually lost him! Slowly, but surely she was able to work her way through the halls and outside. Luckily she was petite enough to squeeze through the crowds. Eventually finding herself outside in a desolate courtyard. Luckily she'd brought her scarf along, the air was nippy! Walking around the perimeter of the school, the cringed the moment the bell rang, and prayed she wasn't late.

"Kiba! Are you out here!"

Of course there was no response, knowing the attitude Kiba was in he wouldn't find the moment right the answer back. Continue to wander around the area of the school, Sakura took notice of burning tobacco on the wind. She detested the smell, however found it unusual and pursued the filthy fumes until she came around to a random wall jutting out from the school, made of brick. Peering around it, with her luck she found the brunet, a cigarette sticking out of his mouth and his headphones over his ears.

"There you are…" a sigh of relief wheezing from her lips.

Akamaru's massive body butted up against his masters side. He took notice of Sakura's presence and his tail began to oscillate joyfully as she stood before the Inu and sighed.

She wasn't even sure what to say, or how to invite him into a conversation at the moment. Though, she was more hoping that he'd be the one to do so, and eventually he did. Once he opened up his eyes and took them off. It was difficult to determine anything with his sunglasses on.

"Ay…"

"Hi…"

Extracting the cigarette from his maul, he flicked the ash off, "I'scold out 'ere. Shou'da brought yo' coat…"

Giggling slightly, "Same could be said for you. Dressed in nothing but a sleeveless hoodie and a black tank top, silly snaggletooth."

"Snaggle..." cocking his head up quickly as he finished the word, "'N' jus' so ya know. I'd keep my tawp off… but 'sgainst 'da "rulez" so… pffft,"

"Are you going to come back in…? I came out here to get you." seating herself next to him.

"I dunno… lost my likin' for school… won't ev'n lemme keep Lumpy 'ere. What kin'a owner would I be if it means leavin' my dawg out 'ere when it's fuckin' brick? 'Dat shit ain't righ'…"

"Well, perhaps you should take Akamaru back home, then. There aren't any places for you to keep him here, Kiba."

"It jus' ain' fair…"

"I know it doesn't seem fair K-Kiba," shuddering a bit, "but-but... I really t-think you sh-sh-sh-" her chattering teeth, Kiba could hone-in on for miles. He immediately discarded his hoodie and wrapped her in it, zipping it up. Besides the torn holes and the smell of cheap musk and… something else she couldn't name that was quite repugnant, the warmth the clothing supplied certainly halted her shivering, "Aren't you cold?"

A simple shrug came as a response, "Yeah… but aw'well… doesn't bother me, I'm warm blooded." Pulling the pinkette closer and keeping her warm. It was almost as if he were incubating her with the amount of heat radiating off of his bod.

"You're so warm…"

"I know," huddling with her as a smile grazed his lips, "I know…" sighing and puffing out rings through his nose, "A'ight, I'mma take Lumpy 'n' drop'm off back 'ome… 'n' 'den come back. K?"

Looking towards him, "That would be lovely, be expeditious about it though, okay? I'll make sure you don't miss any wo-"

He placed a finger to her lips before that last word spillt out, "Sakks… 'member… 'dis iz 'da Kibz chu talkin' 'bout," chuckling as the sentence slipped from his lips, "I dun' do 'da d'ubleyu word, k?"

An uneven smile spread faintly before she responded with a nod. Without another word, both teens stood up, Akamaru stepping to his feet as well. Before Kiba went off to drop Akamaru off at home, as the dog was unable to get through the door, seeing as how installing a doggy-portal was somehow against regulations, Sakura gave back Kiba's hoodie, which he accepted and trekked back home, while Sakura, herself, quickly went back to class, hoping she'd not missed anything!

Pacing herself through the halls, he found herself at least 10 minutes late. Hopefully she was excused. Arriving at the door, and with a sigh, knowing this would be extremely awkward on her part, seeing as she was always first to class. Turning the handle, she walked through the door. Iruka, who had been lecturing about Historical events relating to the Great Ninja War, stopped for a moment and wrenched his neck to see her.

"Oh, Sakura! Welcome back!" he peered behind her, "Where's… Kiba?"

"He'll be back, he took Akamaru back home, but he told me he'd be back. Trust me, he will," her words ending with a convincing smile.

"Ah, good, very good. Please, take your seat, and open your book to page two-hundred fifty seven, and then I'll continue." folding his hands together, patiently awaiting her.

Least to say, she was expeditious about the command and immediately took her seat and pulled out her book. Before then, however, she took a glance across the room, meeting everyone's eyes and only to end with the black sunglasses-frames of a certain blond young man, who also patiently awaited her. Smiling she turned to the appropriate page and sat straight up, glancing over the page silently.

"The Great Ninja War…" Iruka began, "Sakura, could you please read to us paragraph two, section four?"

"Oh, yes," obeying the command, she skimmed over the writing and found her spot and allowed the words to flow from her mouth.

The section detailed the warlords and the variety of tactics having been used, but also detailed a variety of languages spoken in that time during the first great ninja war.

"Ah yes," Iruka stopped Sakura, "during these times, it wasn't uncommon that ninja spoke more than one language. In often cases, they were separated from their homes and put together with other families who spoke more than one language, on an interesting note, it's well worth mentioning that valuable information could be well hidden within a different tongue, especially an uncommon, difficult to teach or learn tongue that was not taught at birth. Please continue, Sakura."

Sakura continued the paragraph, of which began to detail the various interventions of demons, ending finally.

"Good, now, it was rumoured that during this war, the interventions of demons, who looked exactly like humans. It was difficult to distinguish between them, which of course, contributed to a plethora of problems."

Once he finished with his lecture, he clapped his hands together and rubbed them, "Okay everyone, I'm going to split you into groups of two," thinking his tactics over. "Ino and Tenten, Neji and Shino, Lee and Chouji, Sasuke and Suigetsu, Juugo and Karin," responded to with much whining on Karin's part. Before Iruka could continue, the door opened and Kiba sauntered in and sat down. "Oh, welcome back Kiba! We're just breaking into groups. You will be with Hinata."

"A'ight." scooting over to the Hyuuga mistress and sighing.

"Finally, I would like for Sakura and Naruto to work together." with that last notion - Tenten freaking out a bit. Naruto shrugged, stood up and walked over to the pinkette and sat in the seat, scooting his desk next to hers. "Excellent, now, I would like for you all to work on the Critical Thinking questions at the bottom of the page. Begin! I'll be around to assist anyone who requires it!"

Sakura glanced at the page, noticing that Naruto hadn't brought his own book. She twisted it so he could see and began to work.

"I wonder what languages were used…" the thought seemed to drift around before Naruto cleared his throat.

"…Slovanik group."

"Why?"

"…Hard to learn…"

Through the questions, Naruto gave simple answers, without requiring too much help from his pink-haired partner. But in the end Sakura ended up answering them all in one foul-swoop. Of course, the blond gave a few foreshadowing, pointing to words and paragraphs while Sakura figured out the rest.

Across the room, Ino took timed glances towards her friend to make sure she was doing okay with Naruto. Tenten obviously felt the same way, as with a few others.

"Why u gaiz starin'? Ain't nice ta stare while ya gotz work t'do…" focusing a bit on his paper as Hinata gave him hints and clue with her fingers, assuring him that he hadn't missed too much.

"Oh shut up…" Ino growled, "I'm looking out for my friend." harshly whispering at the Inu for eavesdropping on their surveillance.

The scolding went in one ear and out the ear with him as he jotted down the answers and sighed, "Someone's type uptight… period?"

The comment sent flames shooting into her nerves as her face reddened. The brunet paid her no attention, though, which only seemed to fuel her boiling rage towards him. Alas, the Inu wasn't exactly in the mood either, seeing as how the only reason he came back was because Sakura had wished him too… and if it meant being around her happy face then he, strangely, was willing to put up with whomever gave him problems.

Back on her side, Sakura periodically glanced up to see if Kiba was working, finding herself delighted that he was doing so - with Hinata's help added of course.

Naruto seemed to be busy with his own work, as was Sakura. Though, both were virtually silent from the rest of the others, Ino and Kiba bickering from across the room, though were hushed immediately by Iruka who grew aggravated, rather quickly.

"Are you done, Naruto?" Sakura inquired to the blond, giving him a moment to complete his sentence. He responded with a simple nod and took her paper.

"Lemme take it up…" the offer slipping out of his lips and to her ears after he'd gotten up to go turn in the papers. Playfully admonishing the bewhiskered teen as he sauntered back.

"You are a sly one aren't you?" crossing her arms, "I could've taken the papers up."

A mild shrug accompanying an unrepressed of '…mmm…' as the sound vibrated it's way out through his nose, glancing around periodically. The people whom he met eyes with seemed to turn away from his glance, his bewhiskered cheeks twitching slightly.

"Awwwweee…" cooing under her breath at the blond's, barely noticeable, antics. She got him to glance at her a few times as she giggled, for the blond seemed to prove to be endless entertainment with his constant twitching.

It was weird; every time he'd glance at her, she'd look out the window and pretend nothing had even happened. Was she mocking him or something? Not that it bothered him, though…

"Are they tattoos?"

The question was, much to his dismay, absorbed and he sighed.

"Kinda."

A shy, but amused smile spread faintly, "It looks like they twitch when you wriggle your nose like that…"

He remained silent for a moment before sighing, "What of it? You makin' fun of me or somethin'?" crossing his arms.

A small giggle managed to work it's way from her lips like all of the others, only this one had more finesse to it, "No, I'm just saying that it's cute how you do that. You remind me of a fox when you twitch your nose."

"…"

The bell rang as Sakura had packed her things, Naruto still staring into nowhere for whatever reason as Sakura turned to look at him, "Well? Come on, you'll be late if you don't move. Silly," another feathery giggle lopping at him, wavering over his face and spreading like soft petals from a flower. He took a moment to absorb it before shaking his head and grabbing his things with another sigh and following her.

Iruka saw them out and glanced out into the hallway as students alike made way for Naruto's insane bulk. He looked somewhat concerned for a moment or two before he grabbed his paper work and left with a cup of black coffee, heading to the teacher's lounge to grade papers as he greeted students down the hallway.

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"Okay everyone, settle down," her ruby red lips flickering in the above lights, "now, I'm not sure about the rest of you but as I've veen taking attendance there have been a miss of students whom I've not seen in a while since you've been here, Sakura," surveying her sheet before placing it down, "does anyone perhaps know where, Shizu Kazami, Kizura Mamoto, Satoshi Tibura and one Jogo Tibura," glancing around, "...has anyone seen them?"

Various shrugs and 'dunno''s rumbled the walls as Kurenai shook her head and marked them all off with a red pen before capping it and pacing around the perimeter of the classroom, "Very well then. For now we'll just move on, then," pacing around and stopping behind Kiba, who was staring into space. He gently took his head and angled his face up at the board before patting his head, whispering, "I know you're bored, kiddo. Just hang in there," and moving on. A mumble came as a response, "and because of the lack of heads in this room, I've decided that we'll pay a visit to the greenhouse, today. So please, get your coats and whatever have you back on and we'll head out! Besides, the crisp air might do you good, Kiba. You're looking a little pale today." the observation clear, as the hound seemed not to be looking too hot.

As they shuffled out of class, Sakura stayed behind to assist Kiba with his sluggishness, "Kiba, I hope you haven't gotten sick…"

"Aw naw… I'm coo'."

She sighed, "Kiba…" an annoyed nasal tone thrown at him. He stood up and spread his arms open.

"Naw, see? I'm coo'. Jus'… feelin' kin'a sluggy t'day…"

"I wonder why, you were completely fine over at the apartment and before then…"

Remaining mute, the Inuzuka stood on his own and stretched, "I don' see why I cain't brin' Akamaru in 'da school…"

"Oh," having discovered upon the reason as to his moping, "so that's what this is about, isn't it?"

"Kinda…" puffing out his lower lip and pushing his hands through his pockets.

He gained a small giggle from her as she laced her right arm around his left, "Now now, Kiba, what would a big canine like Akamaru do here in the school? He'd be so bored, don't you think?" a content smile tugging at the corners of her mouth, "Besides, Akamaru seemed to be more content with having gone home, rather than staying here."

Despite his need to disagree, slowly he began to see what she was talking about.

"Besides, it's too cold even for him, Kiba. I believe that it was the better decision of you, as an owner, to take him home to where it's warm and comfortable." her lovely face bright with happiness, "Agreed?"

"Yeah, agreed." a miniscule half-smile tugged at his left cheek as both began walking, arm-in-arm down the hallway.

"Now… if he was still a baby," giggles of joy and awe choking her, "then you'd definitely have an alibi, puppies can't really fend for themselves without a mother, right?" thoughts of Akamaru as a chubby puppy snuggled into silky satin sheets entering the landscape of her mind.

Those words somehow greased his brains gears into thinking, "Chu haz a point, dere. Hmm."

"Well I'm certainly thrilled that I've managed to get your gears spinning again! Heehee! Now hurry, we have to catch up to the others!"

The moment Kiba absorbed those words, 'twas the moment the sliest grin one ever did see, spread by the knife of mischievousness. In the instant Sakura's attention had alternated to something else, the brunet acted! Like lightning, he scooped her up in one bridal sweep before entering ninja-doggy mode and streaking outside into the snow!

"KIBA!"

He knew he'd earn himself one hell of a smack for this, but it was worth it. Every single moment was worth her screams, "WHOO HOO HOO!"howling into the gray distances, dancing over the rooftops!

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"GAWD, It's friggin' COLD out here!" shuddering, Tenten put her best effort in bundling up more, wrapping another scarf around her neck.

"Oh come on Tenten!" grinning, Lee pushed her forward, "The snow is wonderful this time of year!"

"It's n-n-NOT wonnnnnderf-f-f-ful if I h-h-have to fffffff-FREEEZ-E-E-E-E-E-E!"

"You should eat more then… if you gain a bit more weight, you might stay warmer," Chouji chuckled the moment Tenten groaned, "Hmm where are Sakura and Kiba? Aren't they behind us?" pivoting his neck to look behind. The only person, whom he saw at least, was Naruto trudging along in the snow rather sluggishly, despite how athletic he appeared.

However, almost suddenly… things became quiet, Shikamaru noting how odd it seemed to die down before all of their ears perked up to the screeching sounds of a very familiar voice. As if they were a herd of cattle, all of their heads looked behind, Naruto being the last one.

He stared at them all for a moment, "…What?" cocking his eyebrow before the sound of screaming and yelling caught his ears and he slowly turned around.

"KIBA, YOU IDIOT, PUT ME DOWN!" screeched the pinkette as the Inuzuka slid over the ice and jumped high into the air!

"BOOOYAAH BIOTCHEZ! I'M BACK!"

'With a mouth like that, it's a mystery as to how he could even disappear…' the brunette with buns scowled.

Naruto immediately stepped ut of the way as quickly as possibly, noting how Kiba was gliding across the snow.

"WATCH OUT!" Suigetsu dove down before Kiba could take his head off, "ASS-HOLE!"

The obnoxious laughter of Kiba's could shatter the sound barrier if it wanted as he skid along the sheets of powdery-white satin! Chouji and Shikamaru, at the near top of the hill fell over as soon as Kiba had passed them and began rolling down the hill.

Sasuke only watched as Karin fell over and slid on her. Said Uchiha soon tripped once Karin snatched his feet and both went sliding down the hill! Ino trailing not too far behind, cursing at the brunet in rage!

"HEY HONEY BUNS, CHU MISS MEH!" flashing a bright grin that nearly blinded poor Tenten, the brunette screeched in a voice that trilled before diving out of the way, Lee being pulled, who pulled Neji down at the same time. Shino wasn't aware that he was in the way of Kiba, having chosen not to pay attention; until he was then shoved out of Kiba's wake and went sliding down the hill, the Inu spreading his bubonic laughter in return.

'…dumbass…' thought the bug user.

Finishing and crossing the goal with Sakura in tow, Kurenai had finished unlocking the greenhouse.

"Oh, hello Kiba; Sakura," greeting with a sincere smile, "Where are the others?"

"'Dey'z right b'hin' us, right Sakkz?"

The pinkette felt herself a wee bit ill, "I think I'm going to be sick…" hiccupping with a small groan.

Kiba set her down and patted her pretty pink head, "Wuz a bumpy ride… try nautta puke nao Sakkz." was his advice as a bright grin flashed his canines, "Oh, lookie 'thar, 'ere 'dey come!"

"WAAAAHHHHHHHH!" Tenten's voice trilled! On his way down, Chouji had rolled into a giant snowball, having ran over everyone and now heading down for a collision with the green house!

The moment Kurenai caught a glimpse of the scene, her gaze immediately averted towards the fang-faced Inuzuka. Needless to say, his grin expanded.

"WATCH OUT KURENAI-SENSEI!" the weapon-mistress alerted as the snowball full of students bounced off of a random hump in the satin sheets, and like a bomb waiting to hit the ground sped towards the 3 observing!

A gasp she exasperated before leaping out of the way, Kiba grabbing Sakura and doing the same, heading in the opposite direction of Kurenai's.

The giant snowball collided with the greenhouse as a bomb-like explosion sent a wave of snow towards the sky, along with the many, many discomforting grunts of their classmates.

"Ohh… dayum!" sucking in air through his teeth, face contorting as soon as the collision took place!

Sakura only caught a slight glimpse of the scene before them; still nauseated. Though, she needn't much thought as she laid a smack right across Kiba's head.

"OUCH! WHAT'D I DO!?"

"That…" wobbling to her feet, "is for… urp… the snowball… and this," regaining herself before grabbing him by the jacket, "IS FOR SWEEPING ME OFF MY FEET!" initiating her strength, the snatched the poor Inu by his earlobe!

"OUCH, FUCK 'DAT HURTZ! OW OW OW OW OW!" the Inu whimpered and whined as Sakura towed him along and over to the group.

"Are you okay, Tenten?" scanning her body, Kurenai's eyes like that of a mother hawk to its baby, "you don't seem hurt…"

"I'm fine… maybe a little colder than I should be, though." her shuddering a significant sign of that, for sure.

"Everyone else is alright?"

A chorus of groans and moans she felt reluctant to hear, and of course Kiba's constant complaining as Sakura literally dragging him by ear through the snow sheet.

The genjutsu user pinched her eyebrows together, "Ahh, and here's the culprit now." swiping the snow from her students' heads, directing her attention towards the pinkette and the brunet.

There was a long, daunting silence which settled uneasily upon the Inu's shoulders, and at that moment, he gave them all a shrug and a happy-go-lucky-idiotic grin; but not enough to fool them one bit.

"I swear…" Kurenai managed to speak, her icy breath sending a chill down Kiba's spine despite their immense distance; or it was just that he was cold… "What do you have to say for yourself this time, Kiba? Let's hope you're not bored again."

Puffing out his upper lip to think, "Uh… y-yay for s-s-snow…?" as a nervous chuckle trilled slightly from his chattering lips.

Meanwhile, two gorgeous brown eyes had turned ugly, as her fingers twitched with an insatiable urge to ring the brunet's neck thwarted any chance of peaceful negotiation. "Shall we kill him now? Or later…?" her anger peaking, to the point in which the snow would melt.

"I vote now… that way we'll be able to get rid of him…" Ino's favour in the matter the brunette gained, as the platinum blond cracked her bare knuckles; having already been frozen to the bone.

A variety of opinions and agreements managed to sort the situation out itself, and not before long did Kiba find himself about to sprint away from them. 'Twas, until a faint gleeful howl caught their ears!

Shikamaru had been the first the notice, in preparation to prevent Kiba from fleeing with Shadow Possession, 'Oh… so that's where he went…'

Their eyes fixated, rather poignantly, on a blond-haired, bulky blur racing down the hill, gliding on the waves of a deep, yet fluffy, crimson aura - of an ambiguous nature - and though, that apparently wasn't the central focus as their mouths dropped into the snow, their feet ice cold and befuddled as the 'quiet kid' came down at impeccable speeds before leaping off a 'ramp' - which had been made from when Kiba had been skiing down the exact same slope. As if it were as natural as hair would grow on one's own head, the airborne-blond managed to complete a variety of tricks normally performed by professionals.

With a combination of an extravagantly executed triple-axel combined with the ever-popular back-flip as soon as he'd gone sky borne, the blond managed to keep his triple-axel in perpetual motion until he landed a solid 360 toe spin as soon as he hit the ground and slid the rest of the way down!

"…DAYUM WHOO!"clapping his hands together, exhilarated from his experience, "Now that was worth it!"

Indeed, the mysterious blond-haired guy who always sat in the back corner couldn't help himself in playing in the snow, even.

"Daaaammmmnnnnn… lookit'chu go wigga! AH HA!" in his idiosyncratic notions, Kiba managed to get a side-ways high-five followed by the ever popular bro-fist notion.

Kurenai cleared her throat, grabbing their attention immediately. The blond regained his normal composure, but before then allowed himself a cigarette before going inside the greenhouse, Kurenai not caring so long as he kept it outside. Tenten had, however, kept her notion of wanting to murder Kiba, as well as the majority of the other classmates. Without another mention of the subject, Kiba soon found himself sprinting away anyway - his antics obviously having not been forgiven - literally avoiding the wrath of his angry classmates'. This, of course, delayed Kurenai's schedule…

'I swear… these kids…' thought the woman, though managed to sneak a glance at Sakura, who seemed to be staring at Naruto for a lengthy period… as if analyzing him as he stood around a variety of roses.

A rather loud chuckle popped from her voice box, alerting both the teens, as Naruto glanced back at her and Sakura took it upon herself to make an inquiry, "Something the matter Kurenai-sensei?"

"Oh… haha, no, nothing. Nothing at all you two. Don't mind me." nodding out the window to see Kiba getting his head shoved in the snow by Suigetsu - whose snot had frozen into two icicles of which were now hanging from his nose - Tenten begging the water user to let her have her revenge against the Inu. 'Nothing at all.'

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Flames aren't permitted. Constructive criticism is, though. Thanks for reading this chapter! Would like to hear from you guys!