Ino tried valiantly to stem the tears rushing down her cheeks. Her makeup was screwed, she knew it. She paused, trying to find the easiest and most discreet way to the hotel suite the girls were sharing.

On second thought, perhaps I should just splurge on a room for myself tonight. I really don't want to face anyone else.

"Hey Ino, I've been looking for you."

Great. Chouji. Ino brushed the telltale wetness from her face. "Hi Chouji."

The stocky guy looked at her reddened eyes. "What's wrong?"

"Everything," said Ino. Her embarrassed anger grew. "You didn't even tell me, Chouji. We've known each other for how long and you didn't even tell me!"

"Tell you wha- oh. You mean..."

"Yes, I mean." Ino's hold over her tears crumbled. "You knew, Chouji! You knew, and you didn't tell me! You were supposed to be my friend too, Chouji. I just – just... I can't believe... I-I can't do this now, I gotta..."

Chouji reached out for her arm, but Ino shook him off. She gasped a sob and ran into the dark, away from the shinobi crowd enjoying themselves.

Kiba came up to Chouji. "What happened with Ino? She looked upset."

"She is," answered Chouji. He swallowed the sourness in his throat. "Kiba, send her back for me? I wouldn't normally ask but..."

Kiba nodded. "I got it. Akamaru and I'll give her a ride back."

-------

Kiba sat next to Ino. Akamaru sprawled behind them. The suite's main room was large, and the two of them were seated before the television as Ino flipped through the channels.

"Chouji sent you, huh." She was in a black tank top and shorts, being sick and tired of the whole glam getup.

Kiba nodded. "He was worried." He dug into the tub of popcorn between them and tossed a handful to his dog who snapped them out of the air.

"They all say that," bristled Ino. "but none of them realize I'd prefer them to actually say the truth once in a while." Popcorn kernels fell out of her hand onto the sofa.

"You mean about Shikamaru and Temari?"

Ino stopped channel flipping. "Even you knew?"

Kiba paused. Me and my big mouth. "I, um, found out by accident. I didn't spread it cos, well... Shikamaru was -"

"- don't say his name. Not now, not tonight." The television blared an informercial. Ino shook her head and dropped the remote control. "Why is it always me?"

"-the amazing Shinso autoblender does everything the kitchen knife can do-"

Kiba waited. And waited some more. "Always you what?"

"First Sasuke, and when he was assigned to Team Seven I knew my chances sucked. I didn't really give up, but I knew it was difficult. Neji was just a passing fantasy. Then Sai came, and we were getting somewhere..." There was a hitch in her voice but she braved on. "And now Sh – I mean, that guy..."

"Maybe you should give up on the S-rank ninja, Ino."

Ino grabbed the popcorn tub and upended it over Kiba. "Not funny!"

"Then why are you smiling?" Kiba brushed popcorn off his shirt, to the delight of Akamaru who nosed over to the popcorn-littered floor.

"-it chops, it shreds, it grinds-"

"Oh shaddup," said Ino. She was smiling, albeit a weak smile. Then she giggled at the sight of popcorn-encrusted Kiba. "Sorry about the mess I made of your very nice suit."

"S'okay." Kiba dusted little popcorn bits out of his hair. He turned serious. "Ino, you got relationship issues is all. Who of us doesn't?"

"Oh, like you know about loneliness Kiba. You have Akamaru with you, all the time." The dog wagged his tail enthusiastically. "Down, boy."

Kiba scratched Akamaru's ears. "It's different, Ino. He's my best friend and everything, but he's a dog. People get lonely for people. In all these years, I haven't found anyone I can commit to. At least you had some potential targets." He paused and twisted a grin. "We all got relationship problems."

"I hear you," said Ino. She gazed into the distance. "I just wish that I know that there's someone waiting for me too, y'know?"

"Yeah." Kiba leaned back on the sofa. "Then again, wishes and horses, Ino."

Ino looked over. He was uncharacteristically solemn and broody, a far cry from his usual loud and brash self.

"Hey, Kiba," said Ino, sliding her hand over his and squeezed it. "We may suck at relationships, but we have good friends."

"Yeah, we do." Kiba suddenly noticed he and Ino touching hands. More than touching. His tongue felt thick and dry in his mouth. "We do."

His intense scrutiny surprised Ino. She then realized her thumb was idly rubbing the back of Kiba's hand, and jerked her hand away. "Um, yeah. I'm, uh, gonna turn off the TV, and, and turn in. Have an early night."

"Yes, y-you do that." Kiba looked away and muttered, "C'mon, Akamaru, we should go."

Akamaru, having eaten all the spilled popcorn, looked at both Ino and Kiba, then shrugged inwardly. His nose could tell what was happening, but neither Ino and Kiba seemed to be acknowledging it. Perhaps their noses were too slow. He'd have to take the situation in his own paws. Before Ino sent Kiba to the door, Akamaru loped outside first.

"So, erm, rest well, Ino."

"Yeah. Thanks, Kiba." They steadfastly refused to make eye contact. As the two stood there not making eye contact and not making any move, Akamaru sighed the canine equivalent of 'I can't stand this'. He rolled his eyes and shoved his master into Ino's arms with his head. He then hooked a claw around the door and shut it firmly, and settled himself outside to guard.