Pairing: Kiba x Sakura

Standard Disclaimers Apply

Hey there, beautiful... looking for an Alpha dog?

Gym class after lunch – not cool.
Merging classes with the girls – cool.

And what's more, they're all seniors! That means I get to hit on older chicks while showing off my amazing muscles. "What a great opportunity, huh Akamaru?"

No bark came.

"Akamaru?"

He wasn't perched on my head like he usually was. I did find it strange that my head was lighter than usual, or maybe I just got dumber. Either way, Akamaru was missing.

"Akamaru?!" I spun my head around and saw a teacher taking my poor puppy away. "Sensei! What are you doing with Akamaru?!" I yelled, chasing after him.

"Is this your dog, Inuzuka? Did your homeroom teacher not tell you that animals are prohibited in the school?" the teacher lectured, pushing his glasses up.

"There's a pet hamster in our classroom though."

"That's the class pet. Your pet must stay home," he continued, "And where's this little guy's leash? It's dangerous to leave him like this. He could run all over the school grounds and damage the school property!"

"But Akamaru won't do that! Give him back!" I grabbed the teacher by the shoulder and tried to pry his dirty fingers off of my puppy.

He refused to and started yelling to the nearby teachers for support.

"Tch." Everyone's attention was on us now. This stupid teacher, let me show him a lesson he'll never forg-

"Sensei, I would appreciate it if you didn't disrupt our class like that," a female voice said monotonously.

I turned around to see who it was. A girl about the same age as me. Nothing special. Green eyes. Pink hair…pink hair?

"What the-"

"I believe that puppy belongs to the boy over here."

"Y-yes, but animals are forbidden on school grounds you see, Haruno-san," the teacher stuttered. Stuttered? She made his teacher stutter?

"There is no rule in the student handbook stating that. I read it five times a month, and I found nothing in relation to animals. Before accusing students of breaking rules, you should check the rules yourself." Her voice was firm, but she didn't seem scary at all. That was my first impression as I watched her defend me. Wait, why should I have a girl defend me? And it's my dog she's rescuing here!

"Hey, Haruno or whatever your name is, I appreciate you helping me and all that, but this is my business. Stay out of it. I've got the situation under control."

She eyed me from where she stood. Considering how she was a little shorter than me, her stare didn't have as much of an impact, but the effect was still there. She was mocking me. "I don't see how you have the situation under control."

That did it. It was only the first day, but she irked me to no end. I can only hope that I don't have any classes with her. "Listen, I would have done fine without you here Haruno."

"Right." Then, she ignored me and returned her attention to the confused teacher. "Sensei, I can tell that the puppy is very important to this boy. Please understand these feelings and return the puppy to him."

She spoke with such strength that even I was swayed by her speech. Without another word, the teacher sighed and returned the puppy to me. Then, as he prepared to leave, he spat, "You better be grateful."

Some teacher that guy is.

"I guess I should thank you, uh…Haruno."

"No need. I was only going against something that defied my logic."

Then, Akamaru started pawing at my arm, a sign he wanted to be let free. I let him down onto the ground and he immediately made his way to the rosette. "Akamaru?"

She looked down too. Wait…she better not hurt Akamaru! If she does, I swear-

"Hey there, cutie," she giggled and knelt down before petting Akamaru gently.

As if seeing this emotionless robot blush and giggle wasn't shocking enough, Akamaru was obedient. It was almost as though he wanted her to pet him! "No one other than me has ever gotten so close to Akamaru before," I found myself mumbling, stupefied.

She looked up with her round, emerald eyes and smiled. "Then I guess I'm his second friend."

That wasn't bad. That wasn't bad at all. She could be our friend, our partner. She could be the Queen or something, I could be the King, and little Akamaru can be the Prince! Yes, I've got this under control.

"Hey Haruno, looking for an Alpha dog?" I smirked with newfound confidence.

She's strong. I'm strong. It'll be a tough match, but Mom had always told me to find a strong partner. That's what makes the relationship interesting. That's what makes the other partner worth protecting. And that's what makes a strong bond.

The girl blinked. Then, her sweet, rosy lips parted to speak. "Sakura."

"Huh?" I was dumbfounded again.

"It's Haruno Sakura."

So that's her name. It suits her. Sakura, like the gentle blossoms blowing in the spring wind. Of course, at first she seemed anything but gentle. Watching her pet Akamaru like this, I can see that I was very wrong.

"Suits you. I'm Kiba. Inuzuka Kiba."

"Suits you," she threw the same line back, smiling a little. I found myself smiling back. "It was nice meeting you, Kiba, Akamaru, but I'm going to have to say sorry. I'm human. It's impossible for you to be my Alpha dog."

I was about to protest and bark out a very fierce "why" when I realized she was talking to Akamaru –my dog.

"No no no no no no, I was talking about me. Do you want me to be your Alpha dog?" I was exasperated. How could anyone be so…so…dense?

She tilted her head before looking back down. Patting Akamaru on the head, she lifted him up and offered him to me. Soundlessly, I accepted him. Then, she patted me on the head too, as if I was a dog.

"No thanks."

She left me standing in the middle of the pavement, with my puppy barking longingly after her –as if he was the heartbroken one here.

A/N: Sorry for the long wait! Happy Holidays!