WOW. I just checked my e-mail and I got a review! Thank you so much, I thought no one was reading this! -cry- To be honest, I've been typing this up way ahead of time, but I was so disappointed to see no one reading it, I was going to give up posting! But just seeing that one person telling me to post more, I've got this whopper thing ready!

I don't own the epic Naruto.

"Congratulations! You are all ninjas!" Finally, the day had finally come for the academy students to step up and become genins. All the students, parents, and adults gathered around the graduated ninjas, giving them a pat on the back or a hug.

"I'm so proud of you, Aiko." Aiko's sister, Asuka smiled at her younger sister's accomplishment.

"Hehe, thank you, Asuka nee-chan," Aiko looked up and smiled at her older sister, who was not a ninja.

"Now, stop hanging around me and play with your friends. I'll wait at home and give you a special dinner."

"You're the best nee-chan!" And with that, Aiko ran off to talk with her friends. The day went by, mostly with compliments as student met with student with jokes, hand shakes, and smiles. And it was eventual that Aiko would collide with Kiba that day.

"Oh...Kiba-kun..."

"Uh...Aiko... I need to tell you--"

"Kiba-kun, me first. Actually. I kind of want to say thank you." Aiko smiled.

"Huh?"

"It seemed that I was always hanging around you...and well. I actually didn't know anyone else because I always clung to you... I'm sure I was really annoying," Aiko smiled sheepishly. "A-and so, I broadened my social aspects and I've got to know the rest of the class so much better. I don't know what I was missing. And I know you didn't like me, but I continued to stick to you anyway. I am very sorry." Aiko bowed apologetically. "Please forgive my selfishness, Kiba-kun" She looked up, "Let's put the past behind us and start over!" Aiko stuck her hand out in front of her, waiting for Kiba to take it.

Kiba was completely taken aback. Shouldn't she being hating him? He was the one who was supposed to apologize! He was a complete jerk! Yet, Aiko takes all the blame and wants to become friends? What is wrong with this girl...? Not sure what to do, Kiba sheepishly glanced to the side as he scratched his cheek. Suddenly he felt his hand grasped by Aiko as she violently shook his hand in hers.

"Hehehe, we are officially friends. Congrats on becoming a genin! Maybe we can do more stuff in the future." And with that, Aiko held Kiba in a hug, smiled and ran off to hug others.

By what had just taken place, Kiba was shocked. Akamaru barked beside him. "I am not disappointed!" Kiba argued, disagreeing with the dog. But as he faced the other way, he felt his face go red.

As academy ninjas became genins, three-man groups were formed and sent to do missions. Kiba was grouped with Hinata, a very shy girl, and Shino, a quiet and creepy kind of guy. And as Kiba observed, Aiko was grouped with Chiko, a nerdy looking kid who relied on books to strengthen his techniques, and Renjiro, who was an honest and nice kid. He was always smiling and joking around. He was just as nice and caring as Aiko.

Kiba glanced around as genins were gathered outside. He found Aiko as she cheerfully got along with her new team mates. Aiko would probably take care of them. Because that's what she is...a caring person... I'd probably never get a chance to talk to her again... Suddenly, a gust of wind blew through the village, causing the ninjas to slightly shiver. The cold day once again reminded Kiba of Aiko's caring personality...

Just like this one, it had been a windy and cold day. It was an odd weather and students entered the academy shivering. Aiko sat next to Kiba as she rubbed her hands.

"Isn't cold isn't it?" She smiled as she greeted him. Kiba just glanced at the girl he had always found annoying.

"No shit." Aiko just cocked her head slightly to his rude response and then began rummaging through her bag. Curious, Kiba glanced as he tried to guess what she was going to pull out. A cookie? Dog treat for Akamaru? He leaned slightly over as she saw that she had taken out a blanket and a thermos.

"Hehe, I came prepared!" Aiko stated proudly. Aiko spread the blanket over his and her shoulders and poured a cup of hot liquid from her thermos. "Drink it, Kiba-kun. It'll warm your insides and it tastes good too. It's hot cocoa." Aiko offered the cup to Kiba with a warm smile as Kiba silently took the warm cup. As Kiba took a sip, Aiko wrapped the blanket tighter around them as she snuggled closer to the person she had always cared for. Kiba didn't push her away as Aiko's warm presence warmed his own.

Thinking of this past memory, Kiba groaned. Why was he remembering the good moments now? Was it because he was more aware of Aiko that he had suddenly thought of this past event? I am so stupid.

Now that he thought back, there were so many things Aiko had done for him. When it was raining, Aiko would stupidly chase him around with an umbrella, getting them both soaked. As they sat in class, Aiko was always prepared to deal with anything Kiba complained about: When he wanted water, she pulled it out of her special green bag. Hunger was no problem, she always sacked food for him and herself. Aiko also brought along treats for Akamaru, which the dog always looked forward to. When bored, Aiko would make up games or bring games with her. Now that he thought back... Aiko truly cared for him. I should probably kill myself for being so ignorant. What the hell was I thinking? Kiba took another glance at Aiko as she smiled her warm smile at her team mates. He wondered if she still liked him, like she did before. Probably not...after what I said to her... But Kiba still hoped that she did... even if it was almost nonexistent.

As the months went by, mission by mission was completed, and Kiba got to know more of his team mates, and less of Aiko. Now, he couldn't stop thinking of her. It was a wonderful feeling, knowing someone who cared for you. And now that she was gone, he realized that he should have appreciated her. Instead, all he did was push her away, but she always came back. Everyday Kiba thought of how foolish he was and everyday he missed Aiko more and more. He would see glances of her often and notice her features more than he ever had before. Her dark brown hair had grown down to her waist. Her flashing green eyes were always smiling with her special warm look. Her slender and long body was perfect...in Kiba's eyes anyway. Kiba knew that he needed to talk to her and confess.

A few weeks went by as Kiba failed many attempts at trying to confess to Aiko. Kiba became nervous, and commented about something unnecessary. Being the nice person that she was, Aiko would smile and add to the stupid comment. Kiba would come home and hate himself for the rest of the day. Why would he get so nervous and the words just wouldn't come out.

Kiba was giving Akamaru a walk early in the morning, like he did everyday. As Akamaru chased a butterfly, Kiba slowly followed as he thought about his failures for the past few weeks. It just happened that whenever he saw the cute and caring Aiko, he would turn red and blurt a stupid sentence. Kiba shook his head in embarrassment. "Arf, arf!" Kiba looked up to find Akamaru running toward someone. "Akamaru! Don't just run into anybody!" Kiba ran down the street to chase after his dog. There, he found Akamaru wagging his tail at Aiko.

"Hey there Akamaru! I bet you want a treat!" Aiko smiled as she patted the dog and pulled out a treat from her too familiar bag. "Hehe, he's grown much bigger, hasn't he?" Aiko looked up toward the shocked Kiba.

"I-I guess so, I never notice..." Kiba blushed as he looked away. "W-what are you doing so early in the morning?"

"Well my sister wanted me to get the vegetables while they're still super fresh. She's really picky, you see," Aiko grinned. Kiba stared at the beautiful girl. Every time he saw her she became more and more radiant.

"Actually, Aiko...there's something I wanted to tell you..."

"Hmm...What is it?" Aiko looked at Kiba curiously.

"Uh...Actually...I-I...." Kiba began to stutter violently. His behavior reminded him of the way Hinata acted around Naruto. He cleared his throat and tried again. "I want ask if...if...."

"If...?" Aiko gave a sympathetic smile, urging him to go on.

"....If Akamaru will grow any bigger..." Kiba hung his head in defeat.

"Uhm..." Aiko gave a surprised look and glanced at Akamaru playing at their feet. "I think he'll grow much much bigger!" Aiko spread out her arms to give a visual view of her thoughts.

"Yeah?" Kiba sighed and stared at the early sky. Although slightly misty it looked hopeful, for the sun would soon peek out of the mist.

"Ah, well I better get going!" Aiko said as she saw the sun starting to shine. "My sister gets angry if she doesn't have her vegetables. See you later, Kiba-kun." Aiko waved good-bye as she turned around and walked away. This scene...Kiba had seen it too many times. Starting a ridiculous conversation and then watching Aiko's back as she walked away. He wasn't going to watch her back over and over again.

"Aiko!" Kiba shouted out the name of the girl he loved. He watched as she slowly turned around, waiting for him to continue. "Actually..." Kiba took a deep breath, "I really like you! ...No, I probably love you. There's not one day where I don't stop thinking about you. I know I was a jerk before...but..." Kiba trailed off as embarrassment hit him as his face turned red...Now, he sat awaiting her answer.

Aiko was taken aback by what Kiba had just said. This was what Aiko had always pictured when she was at the ninja academy. Kiba, the boy she loved as a child, was now confessing his feelings to her. But...

Kiba watched nervously as Aiko slowly walked back toward Kiba, "I...I'm so sorry, Kiba-kun. My heart is... no longer with you. I like someone else now..." Aiko sadly looked at Kiba, knowing how painful a broken heart felt.

"But you liked me so much back when we were at the academy!" Kiba grasped at Aiko's shoulders desperately, "H-how..."

"Kiba-kun...I really did...I really did like you...very very much...it's just...I'm so sorry...you're just a little late," Aiko whispered. She looked slightly to the side, for she couldn't meet Kiba's eyes. Kiba stared at the beautiful girl and the painful expression she bared. Kiba sighed loudly as he let his arms slide off shoulders.

"...." Kiba was speechless. He put his hand to his face in embarrassment and looked up at the sky once again. The sun had started to peek out... it looked menacing. Kiba glared back at the sun and slowly turned around as he walked away....and then burst to a full speed run. She wouldn't still like him after what he had done to her. He hadn't done anything for her. Never did he thank her or give anything back in return for her kindness. All she did was give and give and yet... Kiba blinked back the forming tears. Aiko probably liked Renjiro. They were so alike and the way she looked at him... She looked at him with the same warm, caring eyes that used to look at him. How he longed for those eyes to look at him once more... How he wished he could take back what he had done and said. Kiba ran towards a wall and punched the wall anger and howled.

Kiba knew he had to move on...but he couldn't. He wanted Aiko and only Aiko. No one was as nice and caring. She had loved him for years and Kiba ignored her presence, every single day. He realized how much she had loved him and he hated himself for never recognizing her love. Now, Aiko had found love again with Renjiro, and it had been official for a few weeks that they were a happy couple.

"What will I do, Akamaru?" Kiba asked his dog, who was chewing on a bone. The dog just gave him a curious look before going back to chewing. "Yeah...I dunno either."

Kiba stepped outside for some fresh air and walked into the streets of Konoha. He jumped on top of a building to view the whole village in the bright night sky. The village was lighted with lanterns, all slightly flickering. It was a beautiful sight. As Kiba took in all in he spotted a boy, dressed in orange mopping on top of another building, a few streets away. Kiba closed the gap between them as he jumped from one building to another and sat next to Naruto.

"Ay, Naruto, what are you so sad about?" Kiba asked as he looked down at Naruto with a raised eyebrow.

"Eh. Nothing much...its just Sakura-chan..."

"Oh yeah?" Kiba sat down next to Naruto and saw a full view of the street below them.

"She never goes on dates with me!" Naruto pouted as he complained.

"Heh... I got a girl problem too," Kiba said as casually as possible as he watched a couple pass by below.

"Eh? You?" Naruto stared at him in disbelief. "Didn't you always have Aiko...?"

"Man are you slow," Kiba gave his companion a helpless look, "Aiko's going out with Renjiro."

"Wha? Really... I had no idea... Though they are a pretty good match..." Naruto nodded thoughtfully.

"Tch... the thing is, I like Aiko now, and she doesn't like me," Kiba said as he gazed up at the starry sky pretending that he wasn't hurt.

"But she was totally crazy about you," Naruto commented, "What the hell were you doing?"

"I know, right? I'm crazy..." Kiba glance back down at the street and spot two familiar ninjas. "Hey hey," Kiba gives Naruto a punch on the shoulder to get his attention, "There's Aiko and Renjiro now." Naruto leans forward to take a better look at the couple below. Renjiro had his arm around Aiko as they took a walk down the street, laughing and smiling. Kiba felt his insides shatter. He couldn't help but sadden as he saw them together before him. Naruto gave Kiba a worried glance before he went back to observing Aiko and her new boyfriend.

"Hey, hey, let's throw something at Renjiro!" Naruto suggested.

"That's such a childish plan," Kiba said as he leaned back to look at Naruto. "Renjiro will detect it in an instant... and Aiko would notice me..."

"But it'd still be fun..." Naruto crossed his arms in concentration...thinking of a new plan. A few moments later, his face brightened. "Wanna go out for some ramen?"

And there it is! I do have the Chuunin part, but its so long that I'll have to split it into sections...since I'm still not finished. I'm still hopeful for some reviews.