Follow-up of previous chapter

What these eyes can see

Hinata smiled to herself as Naruto enthusiastically kissed his new bride. Sakura grinned and kissed him back while the audience applauded. A year had passed since her break down by the river, and she'd come to accept that Naruto would never be hers. So she could feel genuine happiness for the happy pair before her (Sakura had even asked her to be a bridesmaid, which she'd cheerfully accepted). She glanced over at the groomsmen's side – Kiba stood amongst them, whistling loudly.

A strange feeling grew in her heart and stomach as she looked at the dog boy, one she'd never felt for Naruto. It was strange, really, to realise what love truly felt like. Though she'd only recently realised it, she once again found herself unable to confess her feelings. After the reception, Kiba insisted on walking her back to the Hyuuga compound, in spite of the fact that she was perfectly capable of protecting herself, and that Neji and Tenten followed at a slower pace – a lover's pace.

Hinata was feeling a little tipsy from the sake, graciously donated by Tsunade, and Kiba, while he had been drinking as well, was far better at holding his alcohol than the Hyuuga heir was. He kept a gentle hand on her elbow, steering her in the right direction as she swayed gently on her feet.

"Great wedding, huh?" Kiba asked, grinning.

He couldn't help be amused to see Hinata drunk. She was almost coming out of her shell.

"It was beautiful…" Hinata said, giggling. "Everything was beautiful."

"You look beautiful." Kiba blurted, then looked horrified.

Hinata giggled again and wrapped her hands around Kiba's arm. Resting her head on his shoulder, she smiled.

"So do you." She said quietly.

Kiba chuckled softly, then stopped as they reached the gates.

"You're home, Hinata." Kiba said, gently prising her hands off his arm.

Hinata looked up at him, her lavender eyes wide, her cheeks flushed from drink.

"Thank you, Kiba-kun." She moved forward and gently kissed his cheek, then pulled back and stumbled into the gates. "Ow."

Before Kiba got a chance, Neji opened the gates to allow her through, an amused smirk on his face. Nodding his thanks to Kiba, he pulled a giggling Tenten through the opening then closed the gates. Kiba suddenly felt very alone. Akamaru had been badly injured just before the wedding, and had been unable to come. Not having his constant companion by his side made his loneliness feel even deeper. Shoving his hands in his pockets, he slowly made his way home.

"KIBA!"

"What?!" Kiba yelled, waking and shooting up out of his bed, kunai in hand.

His mother raised an eyebrow from his doorway then smirked.

"Still sleep naked after a big night, huh?"

"MOM!" Kiba quickly pulled on his boxers then glared at Tsume. "Why did you yell like that?"

"To wake you up. It's nearly lunchtime, and Hinata-chan's at the door."

Kiba, reaching for his pants, halted and turned to look at his mother.

"Hinata? Why?"

"I don't know. Just hurry up and get dressed."

Kiba quickly threw on his clothes then headed to the main entrance, where Hinata stood, twisting her fingers together nervously.

"Hinata, hey!" Kiba said cheerfully, suddenly feeling the ghost of her kiss on his cheek.

Hinata looked up at him and smiled shyly.

"K-Kiba-kun, I'm sorry for arriving unannounced-"

"Hey, you're welcome here anytime. Is something up?"

Hinata flushed a deep shade of red and couldn't meet his gaze.

"C-can we go for a w-walk?" She asked quietly.

"Yeah, sure." Kiba answered, leading her outside and closing the door.

They wandered quietly for a while across the Inuzuka lands, then sat beside a small lake. Kiba leaned back onto the grass, staring up at the sky.

"H-How's Akamaru?" Hinata asked.

"Better than he was." Kiba said quietly. "His leg is healing well."

"T-that's good."

There was a brief silence, which Kiba spent staring up at the dark haired girl.

"Oi, Hinata."

"Y-yes?"

"What's wrong? Was there something you wanted to talk about?"

Hinata flushed heavily and struggled not to faint. She swallowed hard and nodded. Kiba sat up, looking at her curiously.

"Hinata?"

The young woman took a deep breath and looked up at him, a determined look on her face.

I won't let it happen again, she thought to herself.

"Kiba-kun, I love you." Hinata said.

Kiba stared at her, unable to believe what she'd just said. Then she fainted.

"Hinata!"

When Hinata came around, she was looking up into Kiba's concerned face.

"Are you alright?"

Hinata blinked.

"I fainted again."

"Yeah…actually I'm flattered." Kiba admitted, grinning.

"W-what?"

"Well, you only ever fainted for Naruto before." Kiba smiled gently as he helped her sit up.

"D-did I tell you-"

"That you love me? Yeah."

"Oh…are you angry?"

Kiba laughed, shaking his head.

"Hinata, why would I be angry? I've loved you since we were 10!"

Hinata's eyes widened at his words.

"Y-you love me?"

"I love you." Kiba gently cupped her cheek in his hand. "I'm going to kiss you now. Please don't faint."

Hinata gasped slightly as she received her first ever kiss. She closed her eyes and kissed him back, so relieved it didn't feel weird, but so very right. When Kiba pulled back, he smiled at her, stroking her cheek gently.

"I've wanted to do that for so long…" He admitted.

"I-It was very good." Hinata said, smiling back.

Kiba pulled her into his arms, kissing her temple as she relaxed against him.

"I promise, Hinata, I will make you very happy."

"You already do."

Author's note: AWWWW. hope you like :) next one will be angsty...i just need time to write it.