Maki's POV

I wake up all dazed and confused. What happened last night? I try to think really hard. All I can remember is that some idiot grabbed me and knocked me out. I came to when Neji rescued me. Or was it Kiba? I can't remember right. I was in and out of it. One minute, I'm being held by Neji, then Kiba, then Neji, and back to Kiba again. I felt like I was being passed back and forth like a hot potato.

I don't remember much of what was said. Only my bit about being scared of not being saved. I vaguely remember food and water consumption. I think I even tried walking on my own. It must have not went well. I know I'm not super heavy, but it's a good thing he's really strong. People are heavier when they're weak and helpless to themselves. Then, at some point, Kiba covered me up, and I was out like a light again. Now I'm all rested up and feel much better again.

I walk outside and like how it feels. A gentle breeze nips at my skin while the sun warms my body. I wonder if Kiba wants to go on a walk while it's like this. Spring's here, but winter still lingers. I'd rather be hot than cold. It's easier to find things for cooling off than to warm up with.

I go back inside and find Kiba in the kitchen making a sandwich. "Kiba!" I giggle. He jumps a little, and I laugh. He hangs his head and sighs. "Didn't think I could spook the best nose in the village." I put my hands on my hips. "My stomach is more powerful than my nose right now." He turns to me and smiles. "Did you skip breakfast or something?" I poke his stomach. His cheeks flush. "Not exactly. I burned it off from morning chores." "Oh. I must have been dead to the world when you got up then." I look to the side, feeling slightly embarrassed. For what, I don't know why.

He chuckles softly. "You really were. I tried to wake you up, but you weren't having it." He nervously scratches the back of his head. My stomach sinks. "I didn't do anything stupid, did I?" I can't help but ask. Kiba reaches his hand out and ruffles my hair. "No. But I think you were having a bad dream. You didn't seem to want me to go. I petted your hair while you tightly held my arm. You relaxed a few minutes later." He recounts the memory I have no recollection of. My cheeks feel hot. I bite the inside of my cheek. "Hey, you had a rough night. We made sure you were safe. Neji checked you over with his byakugan this morning." He tries to reassure me. Kiba fills the gap between us and hugs me. I'm too confused to hug back.

I press my cheek against his chest. I'm not crying, but I feel like I am. I don't like that I don't know much. "It's okay. The idiots who kidnapped you didn't do anything other than drug you with sleeping gas. Turns out from what Neji told me this morning that they just wanted a hostage to get Lady Tsunade's attention." He slowly fills me in. "W-Why?" I question. "She owed their leader some money. They were commissioned to get it back. Well, she paid it back to him personally about six months ago. But they were never told." He seems to finish the story. I feel like a weight has been taken off my shoulders.

I wrap my arms around him. "Feeling better about it now?" He gingerly rubs my back. "Yeah. Thank you both for looking out for me." I thank him, starting to relax. "Always." He snickers. I huff out a breath of air. I pull back some to look at him. "So, what did you call my name for all excitedly?" He smirks, grabbing his sandwich and taking a bite. "Oh, that." I laugh nervously. "Wanna go on a walk with me?" I stretch it out, unsure if he wants to. He swallows and licks his lips clean. "Sure. I even know a trail that ends with an awesome waterfall." "Oooh." I can feel my mood improving. I know after last night's incident, he nor Neji's gonna let me out of their sight now. At least for a while, anyway.

I look at his sandwich. Ham and cheese. I feel my stomach rumble a little. I must have been staring too long cause he started laughing. "Want me to make you one?" I nod and give him a little squeeze. "Alright. You'll have to let go, though, cause I can't hold you and make your food." Kiba playfully winks. I let go and step back. "I, I know.." He snickers some more. I watch him make my sandwich.

Kiba grabs a plate and hands it to me with my food. "Thanks." "You're welcome. I'm gonna clean this up and get ready." He starts cleaning up his mess. I walk over to the kitchen table and eat my lunch. By the time I get done, he's finishing up.

I stand up and take my plate to the sink. Kiba comes over and holds out his hand for the dirty dish. "It's fine. I'll wash it. There's only crumbs." I softly giggle. "Alright. You feeling okay today?" He asks, watching me wash my plate. "Yeah, why? You don't have to baby me anymore." I rinse the suds off the plate. He sighs. "Just let me know if you need anything." I set the plate on the drying rack. I turn and smile at him. "I will. I think I've been up long enough to tell if something's not right." I reassure him. "I'm just making sure. I don't know what I'd do if something happened to you on my watch." I can tell he's having trouble relaxing. "I think I'm gonna go get dressed now." I motion to my pajamas. "Shout if you need me. I'm gonna get everything ready." I nod and head upstairs.

I climb the stairs just fine. I walk inside Kiba's room and grab my bag. I change out of my pajamas into my regular clothes. I hear footsteps on the stairs as I put on my shirt. "You decent yet?" Kiba calls from down the hall. "Yeah I'm done." Kiba walks in the room. "Alright, I've got some water, snacks, and Akamaru's things." He pats his backpack. "Sounds like we're good." I smile. "Yup." Kiba and I walk downstairs and put on our shoes. We then head to the waterfall trail he told me about.

The walk was quiet but not entirely silent. I learned more about Kiba's walks and his training when he was younger. Our conversations would pick up off and on. Sometimes it would be quiet for almost ten minutes. Half way there we broke into our snacks. Kiba somehow managed to pack us some rice balls.

I begin to hear water and start to get excited. "We're almost there." I can hear the happiness in his words. We walk a straight path and turn a few corners before we're there. "Whoa." Is all I can say when we reach our destination. "Awesome isn't it?" "Mmhm." "Race me the rest of the way? Whoever loses has to hold the backpack on the way back." He challenges. "Alright, you're on." I accept his challenge. "3, 2, 1, go!" Kiba counts down. We race to the waterfall. I keep up for the most part.

We get to the waterfall roughly at the same time. I skid a few centimeters in front of him. "I win!" I shout and start jumping around laughing. Kiba sighs and playfully rolls his eyes. "Alright, you got me this time." I happily giggle. My foot slips out from under me. I reach for Kiba as I start falling. "Ah!" I squeak. "Maki!" He reaches for my hand. I grab it but it's too late. I tumble into the water. I try to swim back up on my own but I've exerted too much energy already.

Kiba's POV

Maki and I raced the rest of the way to the waterfall. She started gloating about winning. Which was only by a little bit but still. While dancing around, she trips over something and falls in the water. I tried to catch her but her hand slipped out of mine before I could get a good grip.

I quickly take off the backpack and set it down on a rock. I was about to jump in the water when I realized she was gonna need dry clothes. I hastily take off my jacket and shirt and drop them on top of the backpack to stay clean. I jump in the water to rescue her. I find her and pull her up to the surface. I then get us out of the water.

I hold Maki close and pat her back. Seconds later she starts coughing and spits up a little. She takes deep breaths. I gently rub her back. "I've gotcha." She starts to relax. "T-Thanks." Maki chokes out. "You're welcome." I carefully place her back on her feet. Maki's face gets a little pink when she looks at me. I almost ask her what's wrong when I remember I'm not wearing a shirt. "Uh, here." I grab and hand her my jacket and shirt. She takes them. I open the backpack and pull out the towel I didn't think we'd need.

I quickly dry off and hand Maki the towel. I take the clothes and hold them turned around while she dries off. "Okay, I think I'm dry now. Well mostly. My um, my bra's still damp but I don't feel right without it." She speaks up. I hold out the clothes for her behind my back. "That's alright. I usually wear a mesh shirt under my jacket." I nervously laugh. Maki takes the clothes and puts them on. She taps me when she's done. I blush when I see her in my clothing. She's so cute. "I know you already got an up close look at it but here it is." I try to make light of the situation as I point to the waterfall.

Maki's POV

I turn and look at the waterfall I just fell into. It is beautiful. "It's beautiful. I just wish I hadn't fell in it." I blush. "I know. We'll have to come back another day to sit around." "Yeah." I play with my hands. I watch Kiba pick up the backpack, stuff my wet clothes in it, and put it on backwards. "Come on, I'll carry you. Leather jackets aren't easy to keep warm." He bends down and holds his arms out for me.

I hesitate for a few seconds before getting on his back. I wrap my arms somewhat loosely around his neck. Kiba stands up and carries me home. It's awkward at first, but I get over it once Kiba's body heat starts seeping in the jacket. I close my eyes and snuggle close. This is not how I wanted the day to go.

Once we get home, I hop in and take a hot shower. After I finish, Kiba gets in. The rest of the day consisted of lounging around. I did however help Hana with dinner. Tsume was out working late.

While we were eating, my spontaneous swimming adventure somehow slipped out. Kiba was scolded of course. Hana relaxed after checking me over a couple times. "The temperature's dropping again tonight. If you get cold even just a little, I want you to go straight to Kiba's room. I don't want you 'toughing it out' and getting sick." She had sternly told me. I blushed and nodded. I noticed Kiba sulking in his chair, mumbling something along the lines about doing the best he could and such.

I was worn out and decided to go to bed early. Kiba smiled and nodded and left me be. I was nice and warm when I went to sleep. Although I woke up a couple hours later shaking like a leaf. I groaned and made myself get up. I didn't wanna be on the receiving end of Hana's wrath if I ignored her.

I hugged myself tight and dashed up to Kiba's room. I knocked and hoped he would hear it. Even if it was only a minute or two, it felt like it took ten for him to answer the door. I open my mouth to tell him what I wanted but he just steps to the side to let me in. I nervously suck on my bottom lip as I walk in.

I climb in his bed and burrow under the blankets. Kiba lightly chuckles. After I get comfortable, I poke my head out of the blanket. "What, I can't help it." I pout. "I'm sorry you're cold." He slowly lifts up the blanket and gets in bed. After he gets settled, Kiba pushes my hair out of my face. "Come here and you'll warm up in a few minutes." He holds his arm out for me. I scoot closer to him and lay my head against his chest. Kiba gently drapes his arm around my shoulders. I close my eyes and take a deep breath. His body heat slowly begins to warm me.

Kiba readjusts the blanket over us. "Warming up?" He asks softly. "Starting to." I too keep my voice low. "You know, if you're gonna be in my room every other night, we might as well just share my room for the rest of the project." I could see his gentle smile even in the dark. I open my eyes and look at him the best I can. "Let me think about it. "Alright, just don't overthink about it." He reassures me. I nod. "I'll try not to." "Good. Now try to get some sleep." He gently squeezes my shoulder. I close my eyes again and snuggle close.