Kanoha Hospital: A month later

"Whadda ya mean, I can't leave yet! I've been here for a month already!"

"S-Sorry mister Inuzuka, but you promised, if we let you out for your ceremonies -"

"But I haven't even been able to see my wife since then! C'mon!"

"Kiba. Stop harassing the nurses!"

Settling back against the pillows, Kiba let out a low growl, silenced only by the look of his mother. Ever since the fight with Hiashi, the Hyuga head had been arrested on the charge of trying to start a war between two allied villages and faced trial in both Suna and Kanoha. Hinata had been offered the position of clan head but turned it down in favour of her sister Hanabi. Until she was eighteen, Hanabi would rule with a board of advisers. The Hokage had agreed and the necessary paper work and rituals were followed.

That taken care of, Kiba had been released from the hospital long enough to attend the ceremony for Hinata to be officially welcomed into the Inuzuka clan. Her ninken was named Kage, just as she'd spoken of that dark night while in sanctuary. After the naming ceremony, Kiba was surprised with his and Hinata's bonding ceremony. When Shikamaru brought over a traditional white robe for him to wear, he helped Kiba change quickly in the hallway while Temari readied Hinata and the white ceremonial cloth was lain down. As Kiba sat on his knees on the cloth, Shikamaru beside him as his man of ceremony, Temari walked down the isle with Hinata. After all those two had been through together, they were practically like sisters.

When Hinata sat on her knees facing Kiba, Temari her maid of ceremony, the traditional words were spoken, incense burned, promises made. Kiba gathered Hinata in his arms and quickly bit her neck – marking her as his mate to the others of his clan and inserting a tiny amount of his chakra within hers – they were bound. Akamaru and Kage let out a howl, answered by the rest of the Inuzuka ninken, beautiful and uplifting in its song. As the master of the ceremony, Tsume proclaimed their clan ancestors satisfied and pleased with this match, Hana healed Hinata's neck and carefully folded the ceremonial cloth. It would remain in her care until the day Hinata and Kiba produced an heir. On the heirs sixteenth birthday, they would receive the duties of watching over their parents ceremonial cloth meant to be buried with them. The robes would be carefully cleaned and folded and in the care of Tsume until such a day where the clan once again needed them.

Soon after the area was cleaned up, Shikamaru and Temari had their own wedding ceremony. Hinata and Hana her bridesmaids, Kankuro and Kiba Shikamaru's groomsmen and Gaara preformed the ceremony. Kiba didn't remember much of the ceremony...he had eyes only for his new mate. Looking down to her left hand, a smile broke out over his lips at the sight of the kanji for his name. Likewise, he had one on his own left hand ring finger. The ink for Hinata's tattoo was Kiba's blood, the ink for Kiba's tattoo was Hinata's blood. After their two friends were wed, Kiba was forcefully but good naturedly returned to the hospital. He still had another two weeks left to recuperate.

"Still causing trouble, mm, Kiba?"

A grin broke out over his face as he tried to sit up. Discreetly, Shikamaru helped him, pretending to fluff his pillows. When Kiba shifted in the bed a little bit, Hinata climbed in beside him, careful not to lean against him. As Kiba lay his head against her shoulder, her fingers running through his hair, he couldn't help but smile. At the foot of the bed, Akamaru nuzzled Kage and the little dog snuggled closer to his big brother. Although they weren't litter mates, the two were inseparable during the time Kiba and Hinata were in sanctuary.

"Admit it...you like when I cause trouble, Hinata...you find it exciting!"

Grinning at the blush that came to her cheeks, Kiba was once again glad she chose to not get the Inuzuka markings on her face. He would miss her blushing to much, having it hidden by the markings of their clan! A secret only the two of them knew however, was Hinata did infact get the markings. A smaller version of the red fangs lay just above her heart. It was a secret just for them to know, just for them to see in the dark nights they were together...

"Okay, you two...get a room!"

"We're in a room! Besides, a little birdie told me that you and Temari didn't come out of your room for three days after your wedding!"

"Remind me to kill Kankuro later."

"Oh! Sure! Kill the man that brought real food!"

The whole room burst out into laughter as the Ichiraki ramen take out boxes were passed around. Due to his injuries, Kiba had been on soft food. They tried him on hard food last week, but he'd bitten the nurse after she pestered him in a baby voice to eat. Ever since then, Hinata and sometimes Shikamaru, Temari, Sakura, Sai and Kankuro would come and visit. Gaara had come to say goodbye after the ceremonies and wedding, wishing Kiba and Hinata well.

Each day would be a new experience, one they would share together. In time, life would become easier and move on much as it always did. Tsume had given Kiba and Hinata permission to move off of the Inuzuka compound and into an apartment within the village...close to home of course! All in all, things were turning out to be a very good beginning to a new life for Kiba and Hinata. The two loved each other, they were happy. They knew that it wouldn't always be easy. There were times they would fight, struggle and fall as low as they could go – but they also knew that as long as they had each other, their friends, family and village...they would make it.

They would survive...together.