"I woke up wanting to kiss you."

Chapter Thirteen

Kiba could feel himself fading in and out of consciousness. Or was he already dead? This he was unsure about as he had no previous experience to go off of. As Kiba waded through empty darkness and numbing pain, he felt a pressure suddenly lift off of his chest. A warbled sound came through his ears as if he was listening from underwater. Every once in a while, he thought that he could discern a few words out of the jumbled mess.

"Kiba...hear...happened...bad...serious...now...Nanami..."

Nanami? Just the simple utterance of the silver-eyed beauty put Kiba in a serene and euphoric state. And that hair, my god. Kiba thought of her silver locks slowly coming undone from her braids as she unclipped her hair and, in the same moment, he thought about her using her sharp claws to rip through a man's chest to take his very breath away. That was the thing about Nanami. She was brutal but soft. Lips so soft, Kiba wanted to chase that very feeling of them against his every second of his life. If he still had one to live.

Does she really love me? Kiba wondered. Lilies danced in his vision and suddenly Kiba was brought back to that day – the day he'd first fallen in love with her because he'd loved her long before he had the guts to let her know. The day they'd met, he knew those silver eyes were a trap that he'd fall for hook, line, and sinker. But he knew it all truly began that day he showed up on her doorstep to make good on their bet and then ended the night by replacing the flowers in her vase with fresh lilies. For some reason that Kiba couldn't identify at the time, he kept one of the wilting flowers for himself and saved it in his photo album. A photo album that Kiba now wanted to fill with pictures of her.

She kept the flowers I gave her on her wall.

With that last thought, Kiba felt himself smile in his mind. He hoped that, if he died today, he'd die with that smile on his lips because it was all for her.

Sakura, Sai, Shino, and Hinata ran to the spot where their teammates were as fast as their legs could carry them. After they'd caught up to the Hidden Mist ninjas who were already traveling at a decent pace in the opposite direction, they quickly found out the gravity of the situation. Naruto had somehow convinced Ganryu to pursue peace instead of vengeance. The former enemy ninja had turned himself in right before giving his subordinates orders to abort the plan to attack the Leaf Village that was meant to drive a wedge into the alliance.

Sou was different. Sou could never trust shinobi other than the ones from his own village and he had too much bad blood with, well, just about everyone. Perhaps if Naruto was around, because that blonde idiot had a weird way with words and a personality that wormed its way into your very soul, he could have talked Sou out of it. But Naruto wasn't around and Sou was too dead-set on doing whatever he could to keep the Land of Water away from foreign ninja. Even if it meant he'd die in the process, Sou would be happy to at least take others down with him.

Sakura could sense something was very very wrong and sent Sai ahead on his beast scroll bird to survey the situation or provide assistance for battle. The circumstances were worse than Sakura had allowed herself to think.

"Kiba! Nanami!" Hinata yelled as soon as their teammates came into sight and they entered the forest clearing where the battle had taken place.

When Sakura reached the two, she turned Nanami over who was on top of Kiba so that she was now lying on the ground on her back. Sakura briefly noticed that the two were holding hands and pushed it from her mind to instead focus on their wounds.

"Kiba, can you hear me?" Sakura asked him, shaking him gently to see if she could get a response. She turned to Nanami and did the same. "Nanami?" Sakura used her medical ninjutsu to assess their wounds and provide healing until they could make it back to the Leaf Village.

"I wonder what happened here?" Shino pondered.

"Whatever happened," Sai said, standing near Sou and taking in his battered form, "those two didn't go down easy."

"This is bad," Sakura said anxiously. "They're wounds are serious. Nanami's lost so much blood, Kiba is covered in serious burns, and they both lost massive amounts of chakra. They may be able to make it, but only if we get them back to the Leaf Village immediately. Sai?"

"Got it," Sai said. The pale ninja took out his scroll and quickly scribbled on it before two large birds appeared.

When Nanami's eyes fluttered open, she found herself in a foreign place staring at a white ceiling and fluorescent lights.

What the hell? She thought, closing her eyes against the too harsh light. Nanami weakly attempted to organize her muddled thoughts to discern what had happened and why she was in this strange place. Kiba's face almost instantaneously popped into her mind, hovering over her body to protect her from Sou. Nanami gasped and she frantically turned her head every which way to find him.

Nanami was lying in a bed while a sleeping Kiba sat in a chair next to her with his head rested comfortably on her legs. His arm was across the bed and his fingers were intertwined with her own.

I'm... in a hospital, she realized.

Akamaru laid near the back wall of the room with Aozora's small form snuggled into him. The large dog wagged his tail and barked at her as a warm hello.

Kiba lifted his head slightly, in a daze. "What is it, boy?" He yawned and rubbed his eyelids.

"Kiba?"

Kiba immediately stopped rubbing his eyes and his head snapped up to look at her, startled.

"Nanami! You're awake," he said and reached with his other hand to clasp hers with both, clutching her hand tighter.

"Ah," Nanami said then tried to sit up and winced at the movement.

"Hey, take it easy," Kiba said and leaned forward to help her sit up and lean against her pillow.

Nanami gently touched her ribs close to where she knew her wound was, feeling the bandages underneath her hospital gown. A sudden realization dawned on her and she felt the back of her head, panicked.

"Don't worry, it's right here," Kiba said and reached into his pocket, pulling out her sapphire hair clip. "Hinata grabbed it when they rescued us. She gave it to me as soon as I woke up. I'm sorry I held on to it, but... I know it's important to you and I wanted to make sure it was safe until you were awake. I promise not to tell anyone about it."

"Arigato," she said and took the pin from him. Nanami began braiding the sides of her hair to clip it in place with the pin. "I'm guessing we didn't die. How come you're not in the hospital too?"

"I am in the hospital."

Nanami sighed and waved her hand about. "You know what I mean. Why aren't you cooped up in one of these beds?"

"I was," Kiba said and motioned to the bandages he was covered in. "You've just been out for a few days. My wounds weren't nearly as fatal as yours, it was mostly burns and chakra fatigue. I was released yesterday. They told me it was fine as long as took it easy and rest." He paused, then added, "I was worried about you."

"Oh." Nanami's brain was still slowly trying to piece together all the events that had transpired up until this point. Her head felt foggy and she was having trouble collecting herself. Nanami's immediate reaction was, of course, sarcasm. "I guess that's what happens when I have to save your ass."

Kiba released her hand and jumped out of his chair, nearly toppling it over. "BAKA!" He yelled, shaking his fist at her. "You nearly got yourself killed! And don't act like such a big-shot and pretend that you could've done it all without me!"

Nanami's eyes crinkled as she smiled softly at him. She loved how cute he was when he got all worked up. "Ah. You're right. Arigato, Kiba."

Kiba immediately calmed down and he looked at her with uncertainty as if he was waiting for the punch line. When it never came, his face flushed and he sat back down, embarrassed.

Nanami cleared her throat and changed the subject. "So, when do I get out of here?"

"I don't know, hopefully soon. There are some clothes over there for you, though." Kiba motioned to the bedside table where her clothes sat along with a vase of lilies.

"Like... underwear and everything?" She asked and then smirked at him. "Did you go through my drawers, you pervert?"

A trail of red traveled up Kiba's neck to his face. "O-of course not! Hinata brought them here!" He huffed and crossed his arms. "Can't you ever be serious?"

Nanami reached over and grabbed his arm. His arms came uncrossed and she slid her fingers down his skin and grabbed his hand in her own. Kiba felt himself get goosebumps and his arm hair stood on end.

Nanami giggled at him. "I'm just messing with you. I seriously appreciate you being here with me. Seriously." She squeezed his hand affectionately and then intertwined her fingers with his.

Kiba looked down at the motion and felt his heart pounding in his chest. What the hell was he supposed to say now? There was a slight pause, then he stammered, "Do-do you want me to go get the nurse? She can check on you and maybe tell you when you can get out of here."

"No, it's fine. I'd rather be alone with you for a while."

Kiba gulped and his stomach fluttered. What the hell was she doing to him? Why was this so different than the other times they were together? Before, when they were 'just friends' everything was easier and more natural, but now... this was new and so much hung in the air between them.

Nothing was said for a moment and silence filled the room. Kiba knew what he wanted to say or, really, what he wanted to ask about the moment they had. They had kissed. He told her that he loved her and she said it back. Did he imagine all that, because of the adrenaline and the near-death experience?

No, she said she loved me. I know it. I couldn't have been passed out yet to have dreamed that.

Kiba could practically feel the warm heat of her lips pressed against his and he longed for the sensation again. It was time to suck it up and push forward.

"Um..." Kiba cleared his throat and scratched at his cheek. "Do you... Do you remember what I said to you? Back there?" Kiba's eyes shifted. He was a little afraid to look directly at her when he asked.

Nanami blushed, remembering the moment he'd admitted his feelings to her as well as his rough hand clasped on the back her neck to bring her lips to his.

"Kiba, why? Why're you doing this? You can still make it!"
"Because I love you, baka!"

She smiled and tenderly touched her fingers to her lips. "Ah. I remember."

Kiba eyes shifted back to her and he waited, wondering if she'd say more. When she didn't, he grew even more nervous, but he pushed forward despite a fang over fang being performed inside his own stomach. "Nanami."

"Hm?" Nanami lifted her head and looked back at him. He had such a serious, albeit nervous, expression on his face and was looking fully at her now, staring intently into her eyes. It was an expression that Nanami had never quite seen on him until now.

"I meant what I said to you back there. I mean... when I said that I love you. Did you mean it?"

Nanami looked down at her covers.

"Nanami... Why did you... You could have just run. W-why didn't you run?"
"Because I... I love you, baka."

She turned her head away and Kiba immediately felt like his whole world was crashing down around him. Part of him had been worried that she only said it because she might die and he hung his head in defeat at his darkest suspicions becoming true. Kiba started to let go of her hand until he heard her speak up and she gripped his hand tighter.

"Of course, I meant it. I wouldn't say it if I didn't mean it," Nanami muttered. Kiba's head shot up and he saw that she was looking at him with a smirk on her lips. "Baka."

For a beat, they simply stared at one another, letting the words hang in the air. Kiba soaked in the meaning of it all and the fluttering in his stomach started to cease. Now that her feelings were confirmed to him, his uncertainty was replaced with a strong and primal hunger for her.

Kiba smirked back. "Well, I guess you know what that means, right?"

Nanami cocked her eyebrow and looked at him quizzically. Kiba let go of her hand and immediately clasped her wrist in the same motion. He brought his other hand behind her head so his fingers ran through her silky hair that he'd longed to touch and brought her closer until her forehead rested against his. "You're mine now," he said then lightly touched his lips to hers before whispering, "kitten."

Kiba forcefully pressed their lips together and Nanami felt a shiver go up her spine. When did Kiba get so... confident? He always acted cocky, but in the kind of way that a child might in order to show off in front of his friends. Nanami knew that this was transparently different. He was sure of himself now, he knew what he wanted, and now that he had it, he was taking it full-force. Nanami kissed him back with everything she had, feeling all her repressed desire for him rise to the surface as their lips moved together.

The door creaked open and Kiba and Nanami froze for a split second before breaking apart the kiss. They looked towards the door, Kiba still holding on to her.

A silent Sakura, Sai, Hinata, Shino, Choji, Shikamaru, and Ino surrounded the doorway, no one quite sure what to say. After a few beats, the deafening silence was broken by Sakura and Ino loudly exclaiming at the same time, "I KNEW IT!"

Sakura held her palm out to Sai, "Pay up."

Sai sighed and dug into his pocket. "I didn't think Dog-Breath would have the guts to tell the Pussy how he felt." He put a few bills into her hand.

"Boy." Shikamaru sighed. "This is really awkward."

"Are we... interrupting something?" Shino asked.

"DON'T ANY OF YOU KNOW HOW TO KNOCK?!" Kiba yelled at them and let go of Nanami. "OF COURSE YOU'RE INTERRUPTING SOMETHING, LEARN HOW TO READ THE ROOM, KUSO!

Nanami, meanwhile, tried to compose herself. She felt lightheaded and heart was beating so fast she wondered if she needed to get a nurse.

"Wait, are you guys... together?" Choji asked.

Kiba and Nanami smiled at each other and blushed. Before they could use the moment to define their relationship, Sai interjected.

"According to the books I've read, when a man kisses a woman like that it means he intends to have a romantic relationship with her and they have deep feelings for one another." They all looked at Sai. "Or that he's horny and just wants to have sex with her, making them this thing called 'friends with benefits.'"

Sakura whacked Sai over the head. "Baka! Stop reading those creepy books of yours and making stuff weird all the time!"

"Thanks, guys," Nanami said. "I appreciate the awkward commentary, really. I'm touched."

"Uh, w-we're all just glad that you two are okay! You make a really cute couple," Hinata said, smiling at them sweetly. Out of everyone, she seemed to be the only one who was genuinely happy for them.

"So, you are a couple, right?" Ino said and put a hand on her hip. "Cause it's beyond tiring that you guys are pretending you're not super into each other."

Nanami and Kiba shared a stupid grin and Kiba reached over to grab her hand once again.

"Yeah," Kiba said. "We're a couple." He squeezed her hand and turned back to the group. "And not that we don't appreciate your company, but is there anything we can help you with? Nanami just woke up and we were kind of sharing a private moment."

"I'll say!" Ino replied. "You know, those hospital beds weren't intended to have sex on, right?"

"Actually," Sakura piped up, "Lady Tsunade is looking for you, Kiba. We've reported our side of the mission to her, but she's wanting a full report of yours and Nanami's battle with Sou now that you've been released from the hospital. She's, uh, mildly upset that you didn't yesterday."

Kiba sighed. "Alright. I'll head there in a few minutes."

"Okay." Sakura nodded. "Well, I guess we'll be back in a little bit to visit with you Nanami. We'll give you guys some privacy."

"Uh-huh," Ino said and wiggled her eyebrows. "We're going to need full disclosure on how you two hooked up."

Shikamaru sighed and shoved his hands in his pockets. "Count me out on that. This is getting too weird."

Shino and Choji nodded in agreement and the entire group left the hospital room. When the door closed, Kiba sat on the hospital bed next to Nanami.

"Leave it to them to ruin the perfect moment," Kiba grumbled.

"At least you can count your blessings that Naruto wasn't here for it," Nanami replied.

They looked at each other and laughed softly.

"Well, I guess I better go report to the Hokage before she has my head on a stick. I'll come back here, okay? Maybe they'll let you go and I can walk you home." Kiba's eyes shifted to Akamaru and Aozora who were pretending not to be paying their owners any attention. "And maybe we can find a place to actually be alone?"

"I'd like that."

Kiba gently kissed her on the forehead, a stark contrast to the passionate battle their lips were having earlier.

"Come on, Akamaru."

The two left the room and Nanami rested herself back into the bed, grinning at the ceiling. In her whole life, Nanami knew that she'd never felt happier and more like herself than she did whenever he was around. As all those thoughts and sensations started to drift over her, she began to become consumed with the looming promise that soon she'd have to return to her home village and they'd be gearing up for a deadly war.