I was super happy to get my second review! Thank you so much.

"Come on, Akamaru!" Kiba called out as he rode the dog's back. "Hokage-sama wants us for a mission! I think it'll be a high rank this time. I can feel it!" Akamaru barked in agreement as he ran toward the 5th Hokage's office. "Akamaru, you wait outside. I'll be right back." Kiba called as he ran up the stairs. Akamaru once again barked in response.

"Hokage-sama, you asked for me?" Kiba walked into Tsunade's office.

"Ah, Kiba, you're here. You have a very important mission to do. Your partner should be here at any moment..."

"Partner? I don't need-" Kiba's objection was interrupted as the door behind him opened.

"Ah, well there she is. Aiko will be your new partner," Tsunade smiled as she looked down at the papers in front of her. Kiba stared at the girl that had just walked in. When was the last time Kiba had seen her in full view? Her long hair had been cut a little above her shoulders. She still had the same green eyes, but they were more sharp and experienced. Yet at the same time, they had the same warm feeling.

"Well then... your mission," The Hokage continued, "Although it has been much more peaceful these days, you can never be too careful. It's just a good thing Akatsuki hasn't striked while Naruto is has gone into training. But there has been a report of missing-nins ambushing our civilians nearby in the forest. I want the both of you to hunt them down and find out their purpose. There is a possibility its Akatsuki, so be careful and don't do anything rash. And if you do run into them, I want the both of you to escape with the best of your abilities. "

"Hokage-sama, if there is a possibility that the Akatsuki is involved, wouldn't it be best to at least have a jounin accompany us?" Aiko questioned.

"It would be best...but we are still trying to avoid war. All the jounins have been on countless missions. Even the chuunins are busy. I believe this team would be best."

While Princess Tsunade and Aiko was talking about the mission, Kiba couldn't help but glance at Aiko every so often. She had grown... in many ways and different places. Kiba blushed and looked away. It had been a while since he even got a chance to see Aiko. Ever since Kiba became a chuunin, he had been bombarded with mission after mission. Now, he had a mission with Aiko...

"Yes, Hokage-sama! We'll do our best!" Aiko replied enthusiastically and turned toward Kiba. "Let's get some supplies and get going!"

"Y-yeah..."

"Wow! I told you, right Kiba-kun? that Akamaru would be this big," Aiko grinned as she petted the now very big dog.

"You wanna ride him?" Kiba offered. Aiko's eyes lit up.

"Can I really?" Aiko looked at Akamaru. "Can I?" She asked the dog.

"Woof!"

"That's a yes." Kiba grinned. Aiko was still cute as ever.

"Well, we have our supplies. And some food. We can also find some food at the forest, so I think it'll be alright," Aiko contemplated out loud as she put the materials in her bag.

"H-hey...isn't that the bag you've had since the academy?" Kiba stared at the signature bright green bag Aiko carried.

"Yeah! It is," Aiko smiled as she swung the bag over her shoulder. "Brings memories doesn't it?"

"I remember you pulling out everything from that bag!" Kiba grinned. Kiba wasn't going to be shy like he used to be. He was a chuunin now, and much more mature. He hadn't talked to Aiko for almost two years, and much had happened since then. While exiting the village and chatting with Aiko, Kiba realized that he still loved Aiko. She still had the same warm smile and eyes. The laughter that warmed him inside and out. It made him want to grab her in a hug. But he couldn't do that... Even if she had broken up with Renjiro a year ago.

"Well let's get searching." The two ninjas walk out of the village and toward the never-ending forest.

"It really has been a while since we really had enough time to just talk," Aiko commented thoughtfully. "The last time was..." Images of Kiba's rejected confession flashed through their minds. "....Erm.."

"Hehe, it has been a while," Kiba said waving the horrible memory away. "After being chuunins it was just one mission after another being thrown at us. It was kind of fortunate for us to be in one together"

The two chuunins joked around and talked as they walked through the forest together, casually catching up with memories like old friends. Before they knew it, it was nightfall and no success on their mission. They decided to get off of the path and make camp near a river.

"Maybe we should have a different plan." Aiko suggested. "We should dress as normal civilians and wait to be ambushed."

"Let them come to us instead? Not a bad idea," Kiba stated as he set his bag down and began to unpack. "We'll do that first thing tomorrow."

"You think its safe to sleep here?" Aiko asked as she glanced around.

"It's fine!" Kiba said arrogantly. He jabbed a finger toward Akamaru and grinned, "We have Akamaru. If I can't hear someone coming, Akamaru most definitely can."

"Hehe, you're right," Aiko smiled as she pulled out some food.

"Good night, Kiba-kun, I put my safety in your hands tonight," Aiko joked as she slid into her sleeping bag.

"Heh," Kiba smirked and got into his sleeping bag. Akamaru curled around Kiba's and Aiko's heads. Kiba turned away from Aiko. Only their bags and supplies separated the two ninjas as they laid down to sleep. Kiba turned red as he tried to push forbidden thoughts out of his head and try to sleep. No matter how much he tossed and turned he couldn't sleep. Not with the girl he always loved next to him. Kiba sat up, tired of trying to sleep. He stealthily slipped out of his sleeping bag as Akamaru opened his eyes and lifted his head. Akamaru cocked his head wondering what he was doing.

"I can't sleep," Kiba whispered. He quietly walked around her to sneak a look at her sleeping face. He kneeled down to get a better look at her face. Kiba couldn't help but smile, looking at the girl who used to love him so much. Aiko's chest slowly rose up and down with her mouth slightly open. Her short hair covering a part of her face as she slept silently. Kiba instinctively raised his hand to brush the hair away from her face but he caught himself. What if she woke up? Kiba struggled with himself if he should continue what he started. Kiba stretched his fingers out as he slowly reached her beautiful face. No... I can't Kiba retracted back his hand and stood up. He looked up to find Akamaru still looking at him curiously. Kiba walked over to him and petted his head instead.

Aiko opened her eyes to stare at sunlight shining through leaves and branches. Aiko squinted at the glare and sat up. She glanced at her side to find Kiba not in his sleeping bag. Curiously, Aiko looked around and found Kiba sleeping at the foot of her sleeping bag. Aiko smiled. He's just like a dog. He was curled around at her feet, snoring slightly. Aiko raised her hand to pet him. Just as she was about to place her hand on his head, she blushed and retracted her arm back to her body. Wait...what am I doing? Aiko looked again at Kiba's sleeping face. Aiko wasn't exactly sure how to feel around Kiba. At times, he made her heart jump like he always used to. When talking to him, her chest with clench and she would have to take deep breaths to relax the tight grip. At other times, Aiko would refuse to listen to her clenched heart and think to herself that it was all over and she and Kiba were friends. Which was is it!? Aiko looked at Kiba again and couldn't take her eyes of his peaceful face. Aiko sighed. He's still so cute...Aiko once again outstretched her arm and placed her hand on Kiba's head. Aiko smiled as he slightly stirred and she brushed the hair out of his eyes. But...he hurt me so much before... Then he tells me he loves me... I wonder if he still feels that way. Aiko continued to slightly stroke Kiba's head in a loving matter....until she saw Kiba's open eyes looking at her...

Wow, cliff hanger. (: Please please please give me some reviews. They are my motivation, you guys have no idea how much they mean to me.