I know that this update took a while, but I kept writing and deleting this chapter. I'm still not fully satisfied with it, but didn't want to keep you guys waiting. Besides, I'm too excited for the chapter after this to keep this one on the shelf any longer lol!

So, thanks for reading as always, and enjoy!

Chapter 17

It was something so comforting about predictability right now. It felt like Sakura's life was spiraling out of control and something as simple as finding Ino in her family's flower shop, was ebbing the anxiety and emotional distress that she was experiencing. She needed a little bit of norm in her reality and she would take it in any form it wanted to present itself in all honestly.

Ino was always helping at the shop and it had been the same since they were kids. Whether Sakura was running to her with good new or her world was crumbling around her, she always knew where to run to and that still held true for today. This shop had been the base of some of their most secret, in depth, and serious conversations over the years.

Somehow, Sakura could tell, that this one was about to take the cake.

The small bell announced her entrance as she stepped into the establishment, just as Ino was coming from the back with a large vase of flowers. They were red and white roses and a large red bow tied to the front. Thy flowers were beautifully arranged, and Sakura couldn't help but to smile. Her friend had always had a way with flower design and knowing how to make an amazing bouquet.

Ino set the arrangement on a near by table when she noticed who had come to visit. "Well look what the cat dragged in," she smiled. She wiped a bead of sweat from her head and took a good look at her friend.

"Hey are you ok?" Her blue eyes scrutinized the girl before her. She looked exhausted, but not like she had been missing sleep. It was more like stressed and mentally tired.

Sakura managed a half smile. "I actually am pretty pooped," she chuckled. "And I could really use your advice here."

Ino was a bit taken aback. It wasn't often that Sakura came to her for actual advice. Sure, they would vent to each other, but Sakura tended to have things pretty under control in her life. It was usually Ino who was in one mess after the other.

The blonde quickly recovered and invited Sakura into the back. "I'll put on some tea," she said as she took a seat at the round table in the Yamanaka's kitchen. "So, what should I be preparing myself for," Ino joked as she put the water on to boil.

She could almost feel the wheels turning in Sakura's head and, honestly, she was getting a bit anxious herself. She didn't want to bombard the girl with questions, but being the gossip hound that she was, she would be lying to say that Sakura didn't have her full and undivided attention. She hadn't seen the girl look this lost since the whole Sasuke episode.

Sakura casually glanced around the room, mentally taking inventory of any changes from the last time she was here, keeping her mind busy while she calmed her nerves. The tea kettle that Ino was using was new!

"It's a lot," she murmured. "I'm not really sure where to start." Her eyes turned back to Ino when she sat at the table, placing two fresh cups of tea between them.

"How about, we start at the beginning?"

Sakura nodded. Yes, that did seem like the most logical starting point. She just wasn't sure where the beginning was anymore. Everything had gotten out of control and so fast! She wasn't sure if their mission was the starting point for the chaos or was it Kiba's heat thing? Was it the moment they shared in the hospital?

She sighed, gathering her thoughts. May as well start with the current issue at hand. Taking a deep breath, she decided to just drop the bomb and go from there. "Me and Kiba are kind of married…well mated…together?"

There were very few moments where Ino was caught off guard and rendered speechless, but this was one of them. Part of her was processing what she heard, and the other part was trying to make sense of it. First of all, could you really say 'kind of' with 'we're married….mated,,,,what the fuck ever she said!'

She had never even seen her and Kiba say more than a few words to each other! In fact, Ino had JUST went out with Kiba and his team a few weeks ago and he took some random village girl home from the bar? Were they married then? Together? Did she just witness her best friend's man cheating on her and NOT kick his ass!?

"I'm…I'm going to need A LOT of elaboration on this! You can't just drop that on someone Sakura," Ino yelled.

That was a pretty big bomb, huh? "It's complicated….So, me and Kiba are basically mated to each other, by his pack standards, because of some mark that we both share."

Sakura told Ino a bit more of the story, leaving out the whole part where Kiba had sex with her and she couldn't remember. It was easier to dress it up as a night of lust going too far and this being the consequences. She told her about the mission and how, since being back, things had only gotten more complicated.

She, shyly, filled her in on how he cornered her at the hospital (a more pg version of it of course), and how he'd been acting super possessive. How they were going to try dating to see if it would work out or not and how Sakura just couldn't believe this was all happening to her!

"Wow," Ino whistled. This was, definitely, the 'lot' that she had asked for and more.

"So, let's recap here." She needed to make sure that she was getting all of this correct.

"You and Kiba hung out and things got heated and you had sex?" Sakura nodded.

"During which, he bit you and…marked you…and now you're the equivalent of his wife?" Sakura nodded.

"You're hooked up with one of the hottest and sought-after guys from our class and you…don't want to be?"

Sakura sighed. "It's more like, I don't know how to feel altogether." She wouldn't deny it, that there was an attraction there. But was she really attracted? Was it the mark? Was he, really, even attracted to her?

Ino could already tell where her friends train of thought was going. She knew that Sakura had always had the worst self-esteem problems, all stemming from the damn Uchiha!

"I can't say what I would do in your position, but I can say that this could be good for you girl!" Sakura was gorgeous and she was wasting her youth hiding behind all that medical shit, in Ino's opinion.

She wasn't an Inuzuka, but Ino knew how Kiba worked and the man was stubborn and cocky. Mark or no mark, Kiba would not do anything that he didn't want to do, and he would fight whoever tried to force him to do so. He was the definition of an alpha male and not going to bend to anyone's will. If Kiba really didn't want to deal with her, he would have found a way out by now.

"Kiba must see something in you if he's willing to stick around and try this out and you should give it your all too." Secretly, Ino was beyond happy for her. Finally, she had a chance to move on with someone.

Sakura considered her words. As insane as this all had to be for Kiba, he had been willing to work with her from the start to figure this out. He had been open and host about everything going on and hadn't shut her out once. The man had been an open book and just, seemingly, wanted to be as accommodating for her as possible…At least, as accommodating as his instincts would allow.

"I get that, just…." Sakura wasn't sure what to say.

"Does the thought of being with Kiba gross you out or something," Ino asked. She took a sip of her tea and cut her eyes at the girl, that blue piercing through her soul. "Are you still hung up on someone else?"

It was obvious who she was hinting at.

Sakura glared. "You know that's not true. I've…moved on."

"Then, are you just not attracted to him? He's hot, but maybe he's just not your type."

That wasn't it either.

Her silence was all Ino needed to understand what the issue was here. "I have to get back to work soon, but just so you know, you're not as undeserving of happiness and love as you think you are."

She stood up to clear the table of the, now empty, teacups and put them in the sink. She leaned against it and folded her arms, pinning the girl to her spot in the chair. "I know we've all been through a lot, but everyone else is finding happiness and finding a little normal in their life…..It just might be your turn."

Sakura laughed. "You call this normal?"

Ino shrugged. "Well, you wouldn't be you if it didn't happen in some weird way, but yes, it can turn normal if you're willing to let it," she smiled.

Sakura took it all in. She wasn't wrong. Could she really open up and see if this whole thing with Kiba could go somewhere? Sure, she was probably already in too deep, so was fighting it even worth it. Besides, he did say that they could just date and try to go from there; baby steps.

Kiba wasn't all that bad. He wasn't bad on the eyes. His personality was a bit much, but she had a strong personality too, so they weren't really that different. Maybe Ino was on to something. Dare she think it, maybe she was right and the issue here was all in her own head.

At the sound of the bell ringing again, signaling that someone had entered the shop, Sakura stood from her spot. She was feeling a lot better now than when she came, and she actually had some clear thoughts to work with. This was nice. It was like old times when she and Ino would talk to each other about their problems.

"I'll let you get back to work then and thanks so much." It was the most sincere thanks she had ever given the girl probably.

Ino smirked. "Yeah yeah. Just make sure I'm the first updated on if anything changes," she smiled. "You know I live for gossip this juicy."

Sakura laughed and they both headed to the front of the shop. Ino stopped at the desk to help the customer who had come in while Sakura continued to the door.

"Trust me, you'll be the first to know," she waved as she exited the building.

The sun was starting to set. She didn't think that she and Ino had been talking so long about. Sakura remembered that Kiba said he'd grab food on the way back to her apartment and headed home. She had a lot on her mind, but she knew that, this was something she could try.

It wasn't any of their faults that landed them in this situation, but who's to say that it's such a bad spot to be in. If Kiba was willing to try, then she would be too. Sure, there was a lot they needed to figure out, but she wouldn't keep holding back anymore.

Besides, there was no one rushing them, and it was no one's business but their own, so they had plenty of time to figure this out with each other.

That thought, brought her the most comfort of all!

Kiba could already hear the shower running as he entered Sakura's apartment. Once again, to his annoyance, the door was unlocked, and he walked right in. She had to be doing this to annoy him on purpose, she just had to be!

He went into her kitchen and set the bags of take out on the counter. As he laid out the containers of Chinese food, his mind was in turmoil. What was he even supposed to say to her? He wasn't even sure about how she was going to act towards him after the terms they split on earlier today. And now, he had to tell her that his clan was about to be all up in their shit in about 3 days.

Kiba sighed and went to sit on the couch, taking one lazy look around her apartment. This was her space, her home. You could tell that this was where she felt the most comfortable and at ease. Would the Elders force her to move in with him? Could they really, force her? She was the hokage's apprentice after all, but even he knew that once Tsunade was involved, that all of this would blow up!

The shower shut off and it wasn't long after that Sakura appeared in a pair of shorts and a tank top, her hair still a bit wet and hanging in damp waves. She wasn't surprised to find Kiba on her couch. She was almost used to him popping up.

"Thanks for grabbing some food," she smiled and made her way into the kitchen, trying to come off as casual as possible.

Kiba watched her go and had to take a deep breath. When she turned to go grab some food, he could see that her shorts stopped just below her butt, showing just a bit of cheek as she walked. Her tank top was tight around her bust, giving him an amazing view of her figure.

Sakura didn't know it, but her body was amazing. She was toned and thick in the right spots. She wasn't overly skinny like a lot of girls and her curves just added more appeal to her exotic look. Kiba couldn't remember what being against her, being inside her was like, but he was not upset at the prospect of getting to try again eventually.

"Yo, you listening!?"

Kiba jumped at hearing her calling out to him. He had let himself get so caught up in thinking about her. This wasn't good. It's like he was a teenager again when he was around her.

"What was that?"

Sakura sighed, annoyed with having to repeat herself. "I said, did you want me to make you a plate to?"

"Sure thanks."

She dished out food onto their plates and set his down in front of him, taking a seat across from him and leaving the coffee table between them. For the first while, they just ate in silence, steaking glances at the other.

The tension between them was building and it was staring to piss Sakura off. She was going to take Ino advice and be more open to what was going on and that meant communicating more.

"I'm sorry I ran off on you today, but I'm ready talk."

Kiba, a bit shocked, watched as she put her plate down and fisted her hands on her knees, leaning a bit forward and taking a deep breath. She stared at him, determined.

"I'm sorry for before and I know that I have a lot of hang ups, but I'm still willing to try if you are…..if you haven't come to the conclusion that this is….a mistake."

Kiba sat his plate down too and took in what she was saying to him. Had this been earlier, he would have been fine with having this particular conversation. He wanted them to get to take their time and get to know each other more, but now, there were other factors to consider here.

On the walk over here, he had raked his brain with all the possible ways to make this easy for her, but there just weren't any. The mess they were in was only getting messier and it was up to them on whether it blew up or not.

Sakura could feel her confidence slipping the longer he didn't say anything. Had he really decided that this wasn't what he wanted anymore?

"You….you don't have to force yourself….to be here," she muttered, now looking down.

Kiba hadn't even acknowledged that he had left her hanging. "Shit….It's not that….I just….We….need to talk."

"Pretty sure that's what I was trying to do." How do you ignore someone talking and then follow it up with, 'we need to talk?'

Kiba groaned and ran his hands through his head. "I mean….about something else."

"Okay…"

There was another measure of silence while Kiba worked this all out in his head. His mother had basically told him to suck it up, that it was happening whether he wanted it to or not. Unfortunately, that basically meant the same for Sakura and the most he could do, is make all of this as comfortable for her as possible. If they were going to get through this, he would have to actually deal with his clan and face the responsibilities that he had been running from.

All of that started with he and Sakura coming to a brand-new understanding. This conversation, he was not looking forward to.

"Things have changed, and my clan is aware of you, fully aware."

The edge in his voice as making her nervous. "What does that mean?"

Kiba continued. "My mother got us some time, but the elders, basically the clan council, want you presented to them."

Sakura wasn't keen on anyone knowing that they were going to try dating, but she wasn't really seeing the harm in it. She had decided to give this a shot, so of course that would mean some interaction with his clan and family. She could manage that.

"It makes sense that they would want to meet me…I guess them knowing I'm going to be your girlfriend isn't that bad."

She really had to get used to the idea that she actually had a boyfriend now.

Kiba could tell that she was misunderstanding him. "They aren't interested in meeting you…like that," he trained off.

"Then what do you mean?"

He leveled her with a stare, his eyes more serious than she had ever seen them. "They're expecting to meet you as my mate."

Okay….She was technically that. The dating thing was for their own comfort, so still, where was the issue? Sure, she wasn't keen on deceiving people, but she was signing up for this, for him, and all the troubles that came with it.

"That's what I already am right?" Was she missing something?

"They want you marked when I present you to them Sakura," he stated this time. "What we are now, is not what they will accept."

Sakura just stared. What the fuck was he getting at? The already had the little mark thing from the bond shit, or whatever it was.

"Look Kiba, if there's something extra I need to know just spit it out, let's get it over with, so we can get them off your back!"

Kiba smirked. He loved that she dove right into whatever was going on between them headfirst and was willing to do whatever necessary to appease his clan. She was loyal, and even he couldn't ignore how fucking sexy that was to him right now.

He was trying to keep his instincts at bay, the urge to mark her and take her and fully make her his mate. She just didn't know what she had been doing to him lately and that night at the hospital was always in the back of his mind. The alpha in him was screaming and he was struggling.

Here was Sakura, his female, ready to take on his clan to help him. It was almost too much to bear right now! He grinned to himself. Maybe he could capitalize on this moment.

"How about, I show you what they need?"

. omg omg omg! Sorry to cut you off right here, but I have a WHOLE plan for the next chapter! I promise to update sooner and sooner! And now, ONWARD, TO THE KINKY STUFF!

R&R