Kiba took the long way out of the Hokage's Tower, needing some time to think. He didn't have long though before Neji appeared beside him, matching his stride. Kiba looked over at him, curious, but Neji remained silent. They walked quietly through the empty streets of Konoha.

"Do you think it's true?" Neji's voice was soft.

Kiba glanced over at him. "That Hinata has another Bloodline Limit? I suppose it's possible."

Neji's face darkened. "I… I don't understand. She was so weak… I am the Hyuuga prodigy! And I've never been able to defeat Hiashi-sama like that! How on earth could she?"

Kiba stopped in the middle of the street. Neji's voice wasn't malicious or cold, just completely bewildered.

Kiba shrugged. "I don't know. Maybe Kurenai-sensei was right. She believed enough in herself, and that's all it took."

Neji heaved a sigh. "Why won't that work for me? It works for Naruto, and Lee, and now Hinata. I had always believed that fate controlled our destinies- that it created geniuses and losers. But now? All of those 'losers' are doing incredible things and… and I just don't know anymore."

Next to him, Kiba stood quietly. He'd never seen Neji lose his composure like this before, and he really didn't know what to say.

"I've tried to believe the way they do, that anyone can accomplish their dreams, but I am cursed. No matter how hard I try, I will always have a point beyond which I cannot cross." Neji sighed again. "If only I had been born into the Head Family..." His voice trailed off, as if he had just realized he was speaking aloud. He turned, his eyes narrowed at Kiba.

"Forget all I have just said." Neji's voice was calm and controlled again. "The events of the day have clearly interfered."

Kiba grinned reassuringly. "No problem."

"Well then." Neji turned towards the direction of the Hyuuga manor. "I will relay Tsunade's message along to Hinata once I get back to the Main House. Thank you for your assistance today."

"…uh…"

Neji stopped again, hearing the hesitation in his voice.

"She is at the Hyuuga House, is she not?" Neji turned puzzled eyes to Kiba.

Kiba reddened.

"Um, not. I took her back to Inuzuka House. My mother and sister are caring for her."

The surprise Neji felt was evident in his words. "At your house? Why did you not take her back to Hyuuga House?"

"Well…" How was he supposed to tell Neji that Hinata had renounced the Hyuuga clan in order to marry him? Oh well. Honestly was supposed to be the best policy, right?

As he explained the events of the afternoon, Neji shocked Kiba once again.

He laughed.

Not bitterly, or mockingly. A deep, real laugh (it kind of scared Kiba), that lit up Neji's stoic face with mirth.

"Truly?" He finally managed to ask. "Hinata stood up to her father and renounced? That's amazing! I wish I would have been there!" He shook his head in pleased disbelief. "If anyone deserves to defeat Hiashi, it's Hinata. She's truly taken the brunt of his wrath all these years. And if it took her getting a Bloodline Limit to do it, then that is alright with me." He smiled again, and dropped his head in a respectful bow. "And may I offer my congratulations to you both. I am honored for you to marry my cousin."

"Um, thank you!" Kiba responded, stunned. "It's nice to get at least someone's approval!"

Neji smiled again. "I must say I am relieved that you are marrying her, and not that idiot cousin Hiashi engaged her to. Or me, for that case." He frowned. "Hinata is a nice girl, but I never relished the idea of marrying her."

Kiba grinned at that. "She said the same about you."

Neji smiled good-naturedly, but concern soon made its way on to his face.

"Kiba…" Neji's voice was soft. "If it is indeed true that Hinata has awakened an additional Bloodline Limit, you need to understand that she will not be allowed to leave the Hyuugas. In fact, with the immense power that she will have gained, I would be surprised if they did not make her the leader of our clan."

What?? Kiba was sure his heart had stopped for a moment. How was this possible?? Just hours before, his tender little mate had decided to abandon her dreams of one day ruling in order to be with him, and now it was looking a lot like her sacrifice was in fact only her gain.

"But…" Neji went on. "Should it prove to NOT be true, well…" He paused uneasily. "She won't be allowed to leave the clan unscathed."

"What do you mean?" Kiba all but growled.

"The Hyuugas guard the secret of the Byakugan very closely." His hand went to his forehead, slowly removing his Konoha protector. "If they do not kill her for leaving, they will give her this." He revealed the green curse mark marring his face. "It will bind much of her power, and will allow her to be controlled by the Head Branch. Listen, Kiba: until they are able to decide exactly what happened to Hiashi, I suggest that you both be on alert at all times." He retied his forehead protector. "I know only too well the effects of this curse. Despite my unfavorable opinions of the Head Branch, I… I don't want Hinata to have to suffer the same way I have."

Kiba, stunned at the information Neji was telling him, could only nod.

"Good." Neji turned back towards the mansion again. "I am depending on you, Inuzuka."

--

The sun was just rising as Kiba crested the hill looking over Inuzuka House. He sighed happily. There was just nothing like coming home, no matter how long you'd been away. As he followed the path down, the Inuzuka nin-dogs came out to meet him, their barks bringing Tsume, Kiba's mother, to the door of the main house.

"How is she?" Kiba was quick to ask. His mother smirked at his concern.

"She's just fine. She's been sleeping soundly the entire time you were gone. Hana's sitting with her right now."

"Good." He took off his shoes to enter the house.

"Kiba, wait…" Tsume reached out for him. "What exactly happened?"

Kiba shrugged. "We don't really know yet. Tsunade thinks that maybe it's new Bloodline Limit, but-"

"That's not what I meant." Tsume cut him off. "I mean why is Hyuuga Hinata in your bedroom? Kiba, what happened on your mission?"

Kiba grinned, the tips of his ears going red.

"She loves me."

Tsume gasped. She needed no other confirmation. The look on her little boy's face said it all.

For years Tsume had stood back and watched her son watch the timid Hyuuga heiress. Honestly, she probably realized that Kiba was in love before he did, although, truth be told, she thought his infatuation would fade. Hoped it would fade. If all was right in the world, every one would get the one they loved, but the world is not fair. Tsume knew that that uptight Hyuuga Hiashi would never let his first born marry her son, and she had wanted to spare him from that heartache.

But she was wrong. Kiba's infatuation never did fade. She had been increasingly worried in the last few years as she watched her baby struggle with the unrequited love that had consumed him so many years before. Every mission they went on, every training session they had… it was sick. No one deserved that kind of acute torture.

But now…? His love was returned? It must be. Kiba was very nearly radiating happiness, despite the fatigue that was slowly taking over. But how??

"Kiba…" She had no words to say, so she pulled him into a great hug. "My Kiba… you deserve this." She whispered before she let him go and pushed him towards his room. "Now, go to her. Get some rest. We'll talk later."

The tired nin nodded. He let his feet carry him towards the open door of his room, where his sister sat with Akamaru. Hana put one finger to her lips as he approached. He nodded silently as she stood, walking towards him. She pulled him into the hallway, her voice soft.

"She's fine. She's just exhausted. You can go in, just make sure you don't wake her up."

"No problem. I'm going to try to get some sleep too. Thanks for watching her for me, sis."

Hana smiled. "Kiba… Akamaru says you're engaged. Congratulations."

"Aww, spoiling my secrets, are you, boy?" Kiba bent down to pet the little dog's head. "Thank you, sis."

She nodded again and Kiba went into his room, his heart softening at the sight that greeted him. Hinata, so small in his bed, was curled up to one side, her hands pulled up to her face and her hair draped gracefully across the pillow. Kiba sighed regretfully. He would have loved to have stood there and watched her sleep, but his eyelids were almost glued shut already. He tiptoed in and slid under the covers next to her. As his eyes drifted shut, he could only sigh in contentedness.

This must be what heaven's like…