So, so sorry about the wait. I was supremely blocked and couldn't figure this chapter out. Eventually, Naruto saved the day as always, but the tone of this chapter is different from previous ones. But then, so is the next, which is about halfway done, because, obviously, we're reaching a climax. Actually, after this chapter there are only about two or three, which is somehow a big shock to me. But it's – mostly – all planned out, and will be completed soon. Thankfully for Kiba.

Sigh. I remember why I love this story again.

Disenchanted
When in doubt,
Duke it out.

"What am I doing wrong, Hinata?"

It wasn't like Kiba to ask for help – especially not when it came to his special talent (ie. girl-chasing), but his usual tricks weren't working. Or rather, they were working: Sakura's blushes and heavy denials were proof of that. The only problem was, that was all she was doing.

He hung back with Hinata as Sakura disappeared back inside the vet's office, pausing only to wave at her friend. Hinata returned it, smiling, before turning to Kiba.

"I don't know…" She cast her eyes warily to her shoes as he led her to his car, and he knew she was lying.

"Hinata," he sighed. "Please." He leaned over the hood of his car to stare imploringly at her, and she froze, hand on the door, as he admitted something he would never tell anyone else. "I'm serious. I really like her."

It didn't take much to get Kiba's attention, but it was true that Sakura was holding it quite effectively. But regardless of everything standing in his way – Sasuke, Ino, and apparently himself – he still wanted to chase after her. Whether it was the pursuit itself or actually her was yet to be determined. But Hinata didn't need to know that.

If he was going to get anywhere, he couldn't turn Hinata off of helping him so soon.

Hinata peered up at him nervously, then sighed, sliding into the car. Kiba did the same, shutting the door and turning to her immediately. Hinata busied herself with the belt, struggling a bit with the catch and Kiba leaned over to latch it for her without one of his typical comments.

Finally, Hinata brushed a lock of hair behind her ear, and spoke.

"Sakura is in love with Sasuke, as you know." When Kiba nodded, she went on, cautiously, "That's because he's been looking after her since they were kids. Sasuke would drop anything to help his friends – and especially Sakura – and that drew her to him."

Hinata paused for a moment, and Kiba waited impatiently. He knew all this. So why—

"Above all, Sakura has always wanted stability in her life and, to her, that is what Sasuke represents. He's responsible and loyal." Hinata took in Kiba's bemused stare, and added, "He's faithful."

Kiba winced, finally comprehending. Oh. Right.

"Sakura and I aren't close enough for me to be sure of how she feels," she said hastily. "But I think she doesn't quite, um…" She at least had the grace to look embarrassed, Kiba had to give her that, "Trust you."

Ouch. Not that Kiba could blame her. He wouldn't trust himself, and it was easy to see why Sakura would choose Sasuke over him, even he could admit that, even if it was a blow to his – admittedly large – ego. However, there was one thing Kiba had that Sasuke didn't, and that was a romantic interest in Sakura. Maybe she loved Sasuke, but he seemed to have the emotional capacity of a rock, and Kiba, well, didn't.

But this new development also posed a problem: Kiba couldn't break this girl's heart, and if he chased after her like any other skirt, he probably would.

He propped his head up in one hand as he backed out of the parking lot, and considered his options.

There were really only two: get serious, or leave Sakura alone.

Kiba snorted. Neither was likely. Well, he had always been good at finding the middle ground.

-x-

There were two options: strangle Naruto, or throw Naruto out a window. Kiba, for once, couldn't begin to consider something less extreme.

They were sitting in their dorm room, Kiba was trying to finish a paper, and The Moron was still going on about Kiba's so-called date with the girl he didn't even like, and nothing Kiba said seemed to get through to him.

"Did you have fun?"

"She's okay. Not really my type."

"She's better, right? What did you guys do after you left?"

Went off in search of the girl of my friggin' dreams. "Nothing. Talked a bit. Then I drove her home."

Naruto's eyebrows flew up to disappear in his mess of blond hair. "You didn't make a move on her? Wow. You must really like her."

Kiba was seriously considering banging his own head against the wall – several times. Maybe if he lost enough brain cells, he would understand Naruto's logic.

"Here's a thought," he said sarcastically, "maybe I'm just not into her." Please, let it drop, he pleaded silently. I don't know how much more my head can take.

No such luck. Naruto frowned as if the idea had never occurred to him. As if any match he set up would be the one made in heaven. Kiba rolled his eyes at the thought. Typical.

"Not into her? Why not? What's wrong with Hinata?"

She doesn't have pink hair or green eyes and her name isn't Sakura. Oh, right, and she's crushing on the biggest idiot this side of the world. Anything else? "We just didn't connect."

"Meaning, what, she wouldn't let you grope her?"

Kiba's fist moved so fast Naruto didn't even see it coming. One moment he was laying back on his bed and crinkling his notes while Kiba sat in front of his laptop, back to him; the next, he had rolled off his bed, hand coming up to touch the tender spot on his jaw.

"What the hell was that?" he demanded, getting to his feet. "That's gonna leave a bruise!"

"You're a wimp," Kiba sneered, but he took a step back. His hands were shaking, and he half-wanted to punch him again. But then, the other half was wondering at his actions. Kiba was generally a pretty even-tempered person.

Luckily, Naruto knew that very well and, even luckier, he was the type to let things go when there were other, more pressing concerns to attend to.

"I bruise easily. Way to ruin perfection," Naruto said, rotating his jaw. "What was that about?"

Kiba ruffled his hair irritably. "I think I like a girl."

"Wow, really? 'Cause, you know, you never have before," Naruto said dryly. Then his expression changed and he looked genuinely regretful. "Not Hinata, is it?"

"What clued you in?"

"Too bad. I really thought she liked you." Naruto shrugged. "I just wanted her to get a confidence boost. So it makes no sense I set her up with you…" Kiba glared at him, and Naruto grinned. "If you punch me again, I'm hitting you back."

Kiba scoffed. "I'm shaking."

"So who's the girl?"

Kiba fell silent. There was one thing to be careful of around Naruto, and that was his friends. He was fiercely protective, especially of Sasuke and Sakura, and he knew how Kiba was. If Ino had bitched him out, then Naruto probably would make good on his threat and knock him to next week. And Kiba rather liked his face in its rugged, unmarked perfection.

"Is it Sakura?"

How the hell did everyone keep figuring that out? Kiba met Naruto's thoughtful gaze head on, tensed himself for a fight (or maybe flight), and said, "Uh."

No wonder Sakura didn't like him, he decided sourly.

Naruto yawned, sprawled back on his bed. "Yeah. Thought so. She's not gonna like you back, you know."

"Thanks for the vote of confidence." Where was the violence? The kicking and punching and screaming and declarations? It was actually a bit disappointing to see Naruto look like he was ready to nap while Kiba was in such turmoil.

Well, okay, turmoil was stretching it.

Naruto shrugged again. "I just tell it like is. She's still hung up on Sasuke." Naruto scrunched up his face, thinking. It looked painful. But then, Kiba realized, for Naruto, it probably was.

"Do you like her?"

Kiba blinked. "Are you a moron? Didn't I just say that?"

"Be nice," Naruto warned. He sat up then, grinning from ear to ear. "'Cause if you really do, I can help."

Kiba was skeptical. "With what?" Naruto wasn't exactly an expert on matters of the heart…

"I know I'm not a dirty man-slut like you," Naruto said, seeming to read Kiba's head – well, more or less. "But I know Sakura better than you could ever hope to—" He caught sight of Kiba's raised eyebrows, scowled, and threw a dirty sock at him. "Not like that! Jeez, no wonder she doesn't like you…"

"She said that?"

Naruto almost looked sad for him. "Wow. You really have it bad."

Kiba tactfully chose not to respond to that. "Naruto, if you help me with this, I will never make fun of your admittedly low IQ again," he promised, dead serious. This was more than he could have ever hoped for, and he wondered just who had brainwashed Naruto, that he would think of helping set him, the dirty man-slut, up with his precious Sakura-chan. But Kiba knew better than to push his luck, and kept his mouth shut for the time being. He would snoop around later.

Naruto stuck his tongue out at him. Then: "So, you won't want to go out with Hinata again, will you…?"

"Naruto."

"Yeah?"

"You're the biggest idiot on the planet."

-x-

"Why are we here again?" Naruto wanted to know, standing outside the café where he had first introduced Hinata to Kiba. It was also the first time Kiba had met Sakura.

He knew he should be regretful of that first meeting, the impression he gave off, but all he could think about was how Sakura had fired up when he hit on her. Those had been good times. He had really thought he could classify her: there was always a girl that tried to be stubborn, but they all fell prey to his charms. All except Sakura.

But not for long.

"Because," Kiba said shortly. He pushed Naruto through the door, then snuck a glance through the window wondering if, on an off-chance, Sakura would be hanging around again.

But no, she wasn't. Kiba didn't know whether to be bummed out or relieved. He settled for nonchalance. Like he wasn't even thinking about her.

Judging by Hinata's smile, it wasn't working.

"Hinata-chan! What are you doing here?"

Hinata seemed to be wondering the same thing. "Um…"

"I called her here," Kiba said, taking a seat across from her so Naruto had to drop into the chair beside her. "I'm holding up my end of a deal." He grinned, and Hinata burned red, dropping her gaze to her hands so she wouldn't have to look at Naruto, who was trying to meet her eyes for some clarification.

Kiba stood. "So! You guys talk. I'll go get drinks," he said, in perfect imitation of Naruto on that first 'date.' He hoped the blond remembered.

He ordered his drinks at the counter and scanned the menu as he waited. However, he couldn't help but notice, out of the corner of his eye, the girl making his drinks shooting him glances only she thought were inconspicuous.

Kiba stifled a sigh. He got it: he was hot. But he was also taken.

Well, kind of.

When his drinks were ready, he pulled out his wallet without a word. The girl behind the counter's nametag read Hi! My Name is Ami. She was looking at him carefully, twirling a lock of violet hair around one finger in a way that normally had Kiba chatting a girl up and into a date.

He counted out money.

Amilooked annoyed by the brush-off and finally said, blinking up at him through dramatically made-up eyes, "I get off my shift soon. Do you—"

"Can't." Kiba looked up, met her gaze. He smiled; finally, the chance to try out his new status. "I'm a one-woman man." He liked the sound of that. He liked it better when he imagined Sakura's expression if she had heard: furious and outraged and mortified. "And yes, I've already found her," he added when Ami looked coy.

Too bad she doesn't know it yet…

-x-
Pride is a double-edged sword.
At some point, you may need help, even if it's hard to admit.
But just remember: for her, everything is worth it.
-x-