I stretch and yawn, blinking in the early morning sunlight. I flip out of bed, and my feet hit the cool floor. I glance out of my bedroom window to see that Kiba fell asleep with his window open again. I smile as I watch his sleeping form. I whistle to Akamaru who immediately bounds out of Kiba's window and through my doggy door. He pads up the stairs and noses my door open before padding over to sit by me. I scratch his ears absentmindedly as I wait for Kiba to awaken. I lean against the windowsill, enjoying the soft breeze of the 7 a.m. air. I climb out of the window and ease onto the balcony instead of taking the time to walk through the sliding door. Pulling open the sliding door, I whistle lowly for Akamaru and see him trot to join me.

"Will you get my blanket, please?"

Akamaru sneezes in acknowledgement and disappears through the door. He reappears quickly with my blanket, and I drape it over my shoulders as I lean against the railing, crossing my left leg behind my right. I stroke Akamaru and watch Kiba through his open window. Roughly around eight, Kiba stretches and sits up in his bed in a t-shirt and boxers. He shakes his head and peers around, noticing the lack of Akamaru's presence. He gets up and pads around to the window, looking out and calling softly for Akamaru. I drop the blanket in the deck chair and lean backwards against the railing. I nod to Akamaru, who barks and catches Kiba's attention. I continue to pet Akamaru, who is watching Kiba. He tells me when Kiba enters my house, and I turn back around, adjusting the blanket on my shoulders again so that the text on my rump is visible. I hear Kiba coming up the stairs, and I stare up into the sky at the clouds drifting by. Soon I sense his presence behind me, but since he says nothing, I say nothing. Continuing in my scratching of Akamaru's head, I refuse to speak first since he came into my house. Having gathered his courage, Kiba approaches me and comments on my choice of sleepwear.

"Nice pajamas, Aria." I grin at the obvious comment.

"You only like them because reading the text gives you a reason to stare at my ass."

"You're right," he grins as he removes the blanket from my shoulders, wraps it around his, and leans against my back, wrapping his arms around my waist. "So, you weren't kidding when you said you loved them?"

"Of course I wasn't. I don't say things unless I mean them, and you know that, Kiba," I say, snuggling in the warmth he radiates from having just woken up. "Hey, Kiba?"

"Yeah?"

"Make sure to bring pajamas with you Saturday night."

"Why's that?"

"You're sleeping over, of course." That's right, I STILL haven't told him that it's not going to be just him and me that night. I add with a grin, "But get your mind out of the gutter, mutt."

He chuckles as he tightens his grip and lays his head to rest on my left shoulder blade. He breathes in deeply as he makes himself comfortable, his body pressing against mine. I take in his scent as he breathes in mine. Goosebumps make an appearance on the skin of my back and arms as the wind picks up, and I know that he notices them. I close my eyes and lean further into his arms.

"Comfortable?" I ask him.

"Very," he replies. It must be something about the morning. He always seems so fearless early in the mornings when he hasn't been awake for too long. Later in the day, however, he has time to think about his actions, and that makes for some awkward meetings on his part. I just think they're extremely funny. As comfortable as I am wrapped in his arms, I know I have to get dressed so I can get everything I need for the party on Saturday night.

"Kiba?"

"Yeah, Aria?" He asks, his voice still husky from sleep.

"As comfortable as you are, I need to get dressed. Can you let go of me, please?" I gently run my fingers down one of his arms. Goosebumps rise on his flesh where I've touched, and I chuckle lightly. Suddenly he seems to wake up entirely and comes to his senses. In other words, he realizes his location and position and feels extremely embarrassed and awkward.

"Uh, umm, that's okay, Aria. Uh, I'll see you later!" He hurriedly spins around to rush off and promptly falls flat on his face, taking me with him since he's still wrapped in my blanket. I fall on top of him, and he immediately turns bright red. I hug his middle and rest my head on his back as I laugh. I soon release him, and he flips over while I continue to lie on top of him. I fold my arms across his chest, resting my chin on my forearms, and stare into his eyes. I tilt my head to the left and smile bemusedly at his expression, stuck somewhere between embarrassment, enjoyment, and I-wish-I-could-die-right-now-ment. Finally, I push myself off his chest and stand, offering my hand to help him up. He takes my hand and blushes darker as he gets up and hands me my blanket.

"Sorry about that, Aria."

"No need to apologize, Kiba-kun," I say jokingly. He eyes me uncertainly, definitely noticing my use of suffix.

"Okay then. I'll see you… later, Aria."

"Yeah," I say as I watch him disappear. I watch him as he crosses my yard and enters his house, forgetting about Akamaru entirely. I whisper, "Definitely."

I turn and walk into my house abruptly, Akamaru following closely behind. I shut the curtains and pull the blinds on the sliding door as I pull things out of my closet and dresser and begin to dress. I talk to Akamaru as he waits.

"Where did you leave my picture?"

*Directly under his pouch. Nice choice, by the way.*

"Thanks, buddy. Are you just watching me so that you can tease him about how you've seen me nude but he still hasn't?"

*But of course. You know me so well.*

"You're going to brag about how good I look, right?"

*Of course I will. I WANT him to want you. You're the BEST!*

"Thank you, thank you." I bow. "Get my shirt please?"

*So, you're not telling him it's not actually a date?*

"Nope!" I say, pleased with myself. "But I'll make it worth his time. I promise. Just don't let him wear anything too nice, okay?"

*Yeah, yeah.*

"Did he tell you you're invited, too?"

*I am?!*

"Of course! What am I, a torturer of all things adorable, intimidating, handsome dogs?!"

Akamaru licks my hand in thanks as I pet his head.

"But considering that's Kiba's definition of himself," I smirk, "I guess I am, eh, Kama?"

Akamaru woofs in agreement as we head downstairs. I feed him a couple of cookies as I grab and slice a handful of strawberries, a banana, an apple, and add some grapes and fresh blackberries to the bowl. I grab a pair of chopsticks and a few more cookies and head back upstairs to the balcony to eat. I sit in the chair and prop my feet on the railing with Akamaru happily laying next to me and munching on cookies. It's like having a bowl of popcorn at a suspenseful movie with your best friend next to you, knowing that the girl on the screen should have stayed under the bed where she was safe and shouldn't go into the next room since the slasher music is obviously playing, signaling to everyone sane that the slasher is IN the room she's about to enter! Thus, Akamaru and I are hunkered down and watching through the window as Kiba's about to pick up his kunai pouch. Quickly, I sprint to my room and shut the sliding door after Akamaru enters. I peek through the blinds at Akamaru's level so he can watch, too. Kiba picks up his pouch and sees the picture. With a puzzled look on his face, he picks it up and….

BRIIIIIIIING!!! The phones rings and Akamaru and I both anime fall to the ground. I grab the phone and answer as I hurriedly peek through the blinds again, hoping to catch Kiba's reaction to the best photo yet.

"WHAT?!" I whisper exasperatedly. "What the HELL could be so important that you had to call me RIGHT this SECOND to make me miss the look on Kiba's face at the new photo I had Akamaru plant?!"

"… It's YOU driving him insane with all these pictures? And Akamaru's in on it, too?"

"Sorry. I didn't say that out loud, Hana-chan," I say, sweat-dropping. "Kuso! I missed it! Mendosekai!"

Sighing, I let the blinds close. I return my attention to the phone, "What did you need, Hana-chan?"

"I was wondering where Akamaru is. Have you seen him?"

*Right here, Hana-chan.*

"Sorry guys," she chuckles. "Guess you'll have to try again!"

"But that one was the BEST one I have, Hana-chan!" I whine. Akamaru whines with me in agreement.

"Which one this time?"

"The action shot of Anika, Kankuro, Kiba, and me at the beach last summer."

"Ah, the volleyball game one you look so hot in?"

"That's the one."

"Damn. I'm sorry all four of us missed that one!"

"For real!" I sigh. "Well, I'll see you in a few to bring Kama home."

"See you then."

We hang up, and Akamaru and I fall against each other, sighing. I've NEVER caught the expression on his face. That one would have been motion-picture-worthy! I strap on my kunai pouch and fan and slide on my ninja shoes. I put my wallet and keys in my kunai pouch and turns off the light after locking the doors and windows. As I head out the door with Akamaru, I lock the doggy door and main lock and jog across the yard with Akamaru keeping pace beside me. I open the front door of the Inuzuka's house and hold my finger to my lips to shush everyone. I wave at Hana-chan who gives me a thumbs-up when I point at Akamaru. Grinning, I point down the hallway, she grins back while nodding and mouthing, "Do it!" Smirking, Akamaru and I creep up the stairs and down the hall and fling Kiba's door open unceremoniously.

"Honey, I'm HOOOOOOME!" I yell by way of greeting as Akamaru and I burst in and he scrambles around to hide from me, hurriedly doing something that sounds suspiciously like zipping his fly. He then turns back around, and I pretend to spot the picture he's holding and hop behind him on the bed. I lean against his back with my body pressed against his and drape my arms around his . I can see the slight bulge in his pants but pretend not to notice. Pointing, I exclaim, "Hey, I remember that day! That was one of the greatest days of my life!"

"Mine too," he said, probably in reference to the end of the day when we walked down the beach and watched the sunset while holding each other's hand.

"Yeah, Kankuro and I KILLED you and Anika in beach volleyball!" I state, obviously in reference to the killer games we played. "Man, I look GOOD in that picture! Where did you get it, Kiba?"

"I, uh, just found it, actually," he says, still gazing at the photo.

"What do you mean? Where was it?" He looks a little uncomfortable as I ask this, but I press on, genuinely curious as to what he will say.

"It was… under my kunai pouch this morning."

"Aww! So sweet! Going to sleep looking at a picture of me! I'm flattered!" I say teasingly.

"Yeah, almost as sweet as you wearing those pajamas every night while you go to bed, praying that the message will come true!"

I gasp, pretending to be shocked by his words. I fling myself backwards and hop off the bed, pretending to be mad. I state icily, "That's not funny, Kiba. I am NOT a whore."

Meanwhile, Akamaru sees my eyes sparkling with mischief. I grin at him quickly before composing my face enough to glare stonily at a bewildered Kiba. I spin on heel and stalk out of the room, bursting into fits of silent laughter as I speed down the hallway and downstairs into the kitchen. Hana raises her brow at my entrance, and I mouth "Later" to her. Smirking and shaking her head, she turns back to her animal medicine book. I hug her and plop unceremoniously down on the floor to play with Akamaru and three of the yearling pups who have wandered into the kitchen. I watch the kitchen door, waiting to see Kiba frantically burst in. Hana, Akamaru, and I are surprised, however, when he doesn't stop at the kitchen. While calling my name, he races through the living room and flings open the door. Hana clears her throat and barks at Kiba.

"Kiba, kitchen."

I pretend to be completely absorbed in playing with the young pups. I grin when they tackle and lick me while Akamaru pants his laughter while lying on the floor behind me. As I lean back against his soft form, I glance up at Kiba to see his expression, mingled surprise, guilt, and relief. He plops down on the floor next to me as gracefully as I did, and I turn away from him slightly. Akamaru's still laughing, and Hana's hiding a smile behind her medical journal. Kiba stares down at the ground.

"Aria, I'm really sorry. I didn't mean that how it sounded. I was just poking fun because you brought up whooping me-"

"Whipped, Kiba."

"Huh?"

"Whipped, Kiba. I whipped you." I say, hiding a smile.

"Okay, you brought up whipping me-" Hana and Akamaru break out into barking laughter at the now puzzled and suspicious expression on Kiba's face. I smile innocently as I stroke Akamaru's head while looking down at the pups playing in my lap.

"Kiba, you just admitted it!" Hana laughs.

"Admitted WHAT, Hana-chan?!"

*You just admitted that she's got you whipped, dog!* Akamaru barks as his and Hana's laughter increases at the look on Kiba's face.

"What'd he say, Kiba?" I ask sweetly, smirking slightly. Hana smiles knowingly at me as I glance back at her. She knows I can understand them, too. It's sort of an inside joke we have going on in a conspiracy against her younger brother.

"Nothing, Aria." He pouts, his ego and manhood bruised.

"Hana-onii-chan, what did Akamaru say that has Kiba pouting so violently?"

"Well, Aria-imooto-san," Hana says, grinning like a dog, "Akamaru said tha-"

"Shut UP, Hana-chan!" Kiba shouts.

"Then tell her before I DO, baka."

"Fine! Akamaru said that," he pauses and hangs his head, "that you've got me whipped."

"Excellent!" I cheer as Kiba's head snaps up and Hana and Akamaru continue in their laughter. I laugh with them, "Way to go, Kama! You totally played along! Haven't I ALWAYS told you guys that I LOVE this dog?!"

I hug each of the three pups and Akamaru. I then jump up and hug Hana and pull Kiba up to stand on his feet, still looking dumbfounded. I squeeze him tightly around the middle and let go before I run toward the front door. I spin around as I open the door, seeing everyone still laughing at Kiba's expense, and I whistle for Akamaru.

"Come on, Akamaru! You deserve a treat and a belly-rub for that one!" I chuckle as Akamaru scrambles up to follow me. "I'm stealing your dog for the day, Kibbles! Bye, Hana-chan! Bye Kibbles!" I race down the driveway with Akamaru as my parting yell and laughter echoes behind me.

"I'll be back later to whip you some more, Kiba!"

***Yes, this is a time skip. Basically, I pick up the party supplies, eat lunch, rub Akamaru's belly, drop off Akamaru, blast music, see that Kiba hasn't come to peep, turn off the music, and go to sleep around midnight. It is now Thursday morning! The sand siblings arrive soon!***

I stretch and yawn, blinking in the early morning sunlight. I flip out of bed, and my feet hit the cool floor. I glance out of my bedroom window to see that Kiba fell asleep with his window closed for the first time in a few months. I sigh and pull on my shoes as I go to open Kiba's window. I pull on a jacket as I head downstairs and open my front door. I race across the yard and open the front door to see Hana about to leave.

"Hey Hana-chan," I say quietly. She smiles.

"Window shut?" I nod at her.

"And interfering with my Akamaru-time! Joint custody, you know?" I grin as she does the same. "What happened yesterday?"

"Kiba pouted and stalked off to shut himself in his room. It was priceless when he finally realized he'd been set up! What about you two yesterday?"

I briefly explain what happened after I had thrown his door open, and she snickered. I tell her I'm going to open his window, and she tells me to be careful not to wake him. I grin and ask her, "What do you think he'd do if I woke him up – in my LOVELY pajamas," I spin and shake my rear at her, "and inform him that it is indeed HIS turn to feed our pups?"

She cracks up laughing, keeping as quiet as she can. "I'd PAY to see THAT!"

"Me too," I say as we smirk. "Later, Hana-chan! I'll let you know when I decide to do that!"

She waves and disappears out the front door as I slink upstairs, careful not to wake anyone or make any of the boards creak. I pause at Kiba's door, listening carefully for any sign of movement. I can tell no one's awake with my sensitive hearing, so I carefully ease his door open. I creep across the floor and pause at the window, surprised at seeing it locked. I freeze as I hear Kiba mutter my name, soon realizing he's dreaming. I relax, and it's then that I notice several pictures on the floor, so I bend down silently to look at them. I'm shocked when I realize they are all of the pictures of me that I've had Akamaru plant. And they all look as if they've been squeezed violently and tossed aside. Tears forming in my eyes, I tap Akamaru on the head after I let the pictures fall back on the floor. I point to the door, and he immediately gets up to follow me.

We seem to melt through the scenery as we go up to my balcony. I grab my blanket on the way out and collapse on the floor. Akamaru lies down and wraps his body around mine. I drape the blanket over my front and snuggle into the warmth of the dog behind me. I break into tears and turn over on my side as Akamaru whines, not quite understanding why I'm upset. He licks the tears from my cheeks, and I pet his head as he stares at me with sad puppy-dog eyes.

*What's wrong, Ria?*

"Everything, Akamaru."

*What do you mean? I don't… understand. I'm here, right?*

"Yes, but for example, why is Kiba's window locked? It's never shut unless it's winter or storming. I LIKE waking up to come out here, sit with you, and watch him until he wakes up."

*Why?*

"I told you already, Kama, that I think I'm falling in love with him, but now I'm sure. And now that…."

*What is it, Ria?* He licks my cheeks again, and I pull the blanket around me more tightly as the wind picks up.

"The pictures," I whisper.

*What about them? I know he was looking at them when I went to sleep last night, but what's wrong?*

"I found them all this morning on the floor."

*So, he knocked them off in his sleep?* I shake my head.

"Each crumpled individually and tossed aside… like trash. Even the one from the beach." More tears slide down my cheeks. Akamaru whines as he lays his head next to mine.

*I'm sorry, Aria.*

"Me too, Akamaru."

-Move to Kiba-

Kiba stretches as he sits up in his bed. He notices Akamaru is missing again, which is nothing new. He then realizes that the window is shut and locked. It feels stuffy in the room, and that's the cause of it. He had shut the window yesterday afternoon because the pups were pestering for him to play, and he was sick of them jumping – or rather, trying to jump – through the window to annoy him. He hangs his legs over the bed and his feet slide as they make contact with something that slides on the wooden floor. After falling flat on his rump, he sees the partially crumpled photos strewn about on the floor. He remembers fisting them and tossing them aside in his self-pity, depressed that Aria doesn't like him like he likes her. He then pauses as he notices her fresh scent along with something saltier but still smelling like her. He picks up the photos and realizes the scent is strongest on the one of them at the beach. He sniffs it again and realizes the scent is tears… Aria's tears. Eyes open wide, he flings open the window and looks to the balcony, only to see her door sliding shut.

-Back to Aria and Akamaru-

*I'm sure there's an explanation for this that doesn't involve his hatred of you.*

"What do you know? You're a dog. You've said it yourself." I sigh as I pick out the outfit I'm going to meet Gaara, Temari, and Kankuro in. "'Human ways, even Kiba's, are weird to me,' you said."

*Yeah, but the way that mutt smells when he sees you wouldn't change overnight, I can promise you that. Talk to him, Aria.*

"Are you sure, Kama, love?"

Akamaru sneezes in assurance, and we both walk downstairs. As we part ways at the front door, I say, "I'll talk to him later today, Akamaru. Don't let him follow me this morning if he's figured it all out, but I'll call for you to find him and bring him to me later. Okay?"

Akamaru woofs and trots off to the Inuzuka household. I trot off to the front gates to meet my friends.

***Short skip in time to the arrival of Gaara, Kankuro, and Temari. I know Gaara's a little OOC, but he'll be back soon! *grins* He's just… severely overworked, is all!***

I'm leaning against the gate when I feel sand swirling about my ankle. Smiling, I stand up straight and run out of the gates at a dead sprint. I see my friend a couple of miles down the road and run harder, throwing myself at Gaara, who is alone and in the lead, also at a dead sprint. We clash and hug, happy to see each other.

"Gaara!"

"Aria!"

"I missed you, love!"

"I missed you, too, love!"

"Where are the other two?" I ask, releasing him.

"They should be… somewhere… behind me," Gaara says as he rubs the back of his neck and glances behind us. I laugh and shake my head as we turn to watch the road. Soon I see a flash of white. Grinning, I race off like a fool with Gaara standing and watching me greet Temari the same way. After a few girlish squeals about various subjects, we stand with Gaara, waiting for Kankuro to catch up.

"Where is he, Tem?" I ask, rather annoyed.

"He had to stop and take a leak, so I left him," Temari says while smirking.

"Nice. You two go ahead," I sigh and grin. "Here's the key, love. Temari, make sure to tell Shikamaru that it's a sleepover when you see him in a few minutes. He's on the hill. And absolutely NO ONE informs Kiba that it's a party. Got it?"

Temari grins and Gaara smirks. They nod and head off down the road, eager to get out of their traveling gear and relax in their various ways. I hop into a tree above me and sit on the branching, leaning back against the trunk as I wait for Kankuro to show up. Soon, I spot him walking toward me with his hands in his pockets, grumbling about being left behind. I grin maliciously and jump him from above after he passes me, falling on his back and causing him to almost flip me off his back and onto the road.

"ABOUT TIME YOU GOT HERE! JASHIN, CATS TAKE THEIR SWEET TIME!!" I yell in his ear, grinning maniacally. Hearing my voice, he ceases to struggle and grins. I drop off his back and smirk, "Good thing you don't have to pee anymore, eh, Kankuro-kitty?"

"Shut up, Aria," he says, still grinning widely. I jump on him from the front this time and hug him tightly, he hugging me back just as tightly.

"I missed you, baka," I whisper in his ear as he grins.

"Missed you too, Ria-baka," he whispers back as he sets me down. I jump on his back and wrap my arms and legs around him tightly.

"Let's GOOOOO! You've made me miss lunch with your slow-poking around in the bushes!"

"Fine, then I'll take you out to lunch, okay?"

"Yay! I don't have to cook!" I shout, delighted. He grins as I drop off and we begin to run back to the gates of Konoha.

***Short skip in time to after Kankuro's and Aria's lunch "date." Aria is now on her way to find Kiba.***

I let out a high-pitched whistle with my fingers, patiently waiting for Akamaru to respond. Soon I hear baying as Akamaru comes bounding faster than normal with Kiba only half on his back, hanging on for his life. I break into laughter as Akamaru skids to a halt beside me, throwing Kiba to the ground. I stick out a hand to help Kiba up and smile slightly.

"You okay, Kibbles?" He grunts as I ask, taking my hand to pull himself up. "Gaara, Kankuro, and Temari made it here unscathed. Gaara's sleeping in one of my bedrooms; Temari's with Shikamaru somewhere; and Kankuro's… being Kankuro… somewhere. How was training today?"

Kiba stretches, and I can see just how muscular he is as his shirt rides up. He smirks slightly, having noticed where my attention is, and replies, "It went pretty well. I'm keeping the body in shape. Glad to see someone appreciating it other than me."

I grin in response. "It's nice, but it's nothing compared to mine."

"I'll bite," he smirks. "How would I know? Are you going to show me sometime?"

"Nah," I reply, grinning like a lunatic. "You can just ask Akamaru his opinion on all things shapely and me."

"What?!" Kiba yells and gets angry, anime-style: wide-open mouth, buggy eyes, lack of pupils, and an angrily raised fist.

"You mean he's seen your body before I have?! That's not cool, Aria!" I laugh as he becomes overly indignant.

"Your fault for not sticking around yesterday, goober!" I laugh harder as he freezes.

"Are you serious? He saw you yesterday after I left?"

*Yep. And mutt, does she EVER have the hottest body! Almost better than Rika-chan….* Akamaru trails off as he begins to fantasize about one of the other dogs at the Inuzuka's.

"GAAAAAH!" Kiba yells, anime-falling. He sighs as he stands upright again. He looks at me seriously again and we sit next to eat other.

"Aria-chan, were you in my room this morning?"

"… Hai."

"And you saw the pictures on the ground? And the locked window?"

"… Hai." I look at the ground, no longer smiling. He wraps he arms around my shoulders, and I allow myself to lean into him, delighting in his scent. He sighs.

"I was afraid of that." He begins to go into a lengthy and hilarious rendition of the pups harassing him as I laugh at their antics. He then turns more serious as he comes to the topic of the pictures. "As for the pictures, I was wallowing in self-pity and tossed them aside because I was upset that…."

He pauses, and Akamaru stares at him from his restful position. I stare ahead, hoping he's not really mad at me for anything. He lets out a breath and continues, grinning, "… that you were able to trick me like that. The anger was an act, too, wasn't it?"

I grin in return and nod, facing him. I hug him, and he hugs me back. We hang out for a while before heading home together.

***Short skip in time to eight that evening.***

I walk into my house after departing from Kiba, who entered his own house a minute previously. I call out to the seemingly empty room to suddenly be bombarded by loud sound waves coming from my stereo. I grin as one of Kankuro's and my favorite songs, "Slow Motion," blasts through my speakers. He comes around the corner and motions for me to join him. I quickly jump in front of him and begin dancing, having a lot of fun. We're dancing in the room next to the living room, since the room we're in now doesn't have windows. Although I flirt shamelessly with Kankuro whenever I get the chance, he knows that I don't want to make Kiba think he doesn't have a chance with me. I relax knowing there's no way Kiba can see me dancing with Kankuro and lose myself in the music with Kankuro dancing next to me. We don't hear footsteps since the music's so loud, and it takes us a moment before we realize there's someone standing in the doorway staring with bug eyes and a gaping mouth at us. We both blush slightly as we see Gaara at the door. I grin widely and walk over to grab his hand as the song changes.

"Gaara, my love! I must have you dance with us! It's the only way to beat the stress: loosen up and have some play time!" I twirl around, still hanging on to one of his hands. Kankuro smirks as Gaara flushes. I finish spinning and grab his other hand again. I glance back at Kankuro and smirk as I turn around to face him, still hanging on to Gaara's hands. I pull his arms around my waist and begin grinding backwards into him, leaving Kankuro in fits of laughter and Gaara blushing as I grin. He dances with me awkwardly, and we're all left laughing as we notice a new form in the doorway.

"Kiba! It's about time you got here! Join me!" I pull him with me over to Kankuro, who is smirking at me. Gaara moves to the side of the floor and leans against the wall, watching and smirking slightly. I grin in return to both of them and place myself between Kiba and Kankuro, my back facing Kiba. As a new song plays, I then begin to dance again, hands thrown in the air, eyes closed, and mouthing along with the song. Kankuro glances at Kiba with his eyebrow raised and tilts his head questioningly. Kiba blushes and looks away before looking back and nodding. Smirking, Kankuro begins to dance again with me; I am entirely oblivious to their silent communication. The song changes to something I don't recognize, but I continue as I had been before, minus the mouthing of the words to the song. Kiba's dancing with us by this time, and we're having a blast.

Kankuro moves slightly closer as he reaches around my waist, carefully not touching me. He grabs Kiba's wrists, making him look suddenly weary of the puppet master. Kankuro smirks and shakes his head with a disgusted look on his face before raising both of his eyebrows at the younger boy. He pulls Kiba's wrists around my hips and places Kiba's palms lightly on the edge of my jeans. I smile slightly as this happens. I open my eyes to see Kankuro's retreating hands, and I smirk. I mouth my thanks, and he smirks as we continue dancing, all of our eyes closed again. Gaara makes his escape. We don't notice Temari on the stairs, mouth open, staring at us as if we're lunatics. They glance at each other, and Gaara shrugs as they shake their heads before silently climbing the stairs again to go to bed.

***Short skip in time to eight Friday morning. I shall continue… in part C!***