***** I do not own Naruto or any associated characters *****

Sakura was unsure as to just how long she sat there motionlessly. The sorrowful woman probably could have sat there all night, staring out blankly, but her stomach had different plans. The kunoichi unwillingly got up and sauntered into her kitchen.

After staring into her refrigerator for a good five minutes, she finally decided to make what was left of her tub of ice cream into dinner. She sat down, tub in hand and flicked on the television. She really wasn't watching but it was nice to have some noise in her otherwise quiet apartment. She tucked her legs neatly under her and sunk into her overstuffed chair. It was her favorite spot in the whole apartment, right next to the window. Her eyes wandered to the world outside. Konoha sprawled out before her eyes. She observed the few people braving the rain to get their errands done. Time existed outside of her window; for them it was just another rainy day. But within the confines of her small apartment, time was in a suspended state. Would time return to her? Or would she be swallowed in this moment of agony forever?

Sakura dug deeper into her ice cream. She usually did not "eat her emotions" but she decided to make an exception for tonight. The vanilla ice cream with chocolate and caramel swirls was a comfort tonight.

Her eyes wandered to the coffee table. Upon it was a note. She looked at it curiously. She picked up the letter and attempted to read the scribbled handwriting. Kiba must not have earned high marks in penmanship she thought to herself.

Sakura,

If you need anything don't hesitate to ask. Whatever you need.

-Kiba and Akamaru

Sakura let herself smile at his thoughtfulness. She had not expected to find a friend in the hound-nin. But perhaps a friend was just what she needed. The pink haired woman finished the tub of ice cream faster than she expected. She glared at it; perhaps she could will it to produce more edible goodness. She sighed in defeat. From her stomach came a low rumble.

"I just fed you," she reprimanded her stomach. Her shoulders drooped; she really did not feel like cooking tonight. Her eyes found their way back to Kiba's note. Perhaps she would just call him out on his offer.

--

"Kiba," Kiba's sister, Hana, called out to her younger sibling.

"Yeah," Kiba replied lazily from his comfortable spot on the couch. He was sprawled out, shirt off, Akamaru by his side.

"A Miss Haruno is here for you," she reported to him. She eyed him curiously.

"What?!" Kiba jumped up in surprise. Kiba's sister giggled as she left the room and Sakura took her place. She had changed into her usual attire, but was again rather wet.

"Uh, Sa…Sakura," the hound-nin was not expecting to see her at his home. "Do you have something against umbrellas, you're soaked again." Kiba regained his composure. Sakura simply shrugged in response. "Hold on, let me grab you a towel." Again Kiba left to grab the soaked woman a towel. He took a quick sniff of his towel before passing his approval to give to the kunoichi.

She took his towel and briskly rubbed off the excess water. He motioned for her to have a seat on the couch. Akamaru greeted her with a soft nuzzle of his massive head.

"Hey there," she cooed out to the canine. "So… do you always lounge about without a shirt?" She cast a shy glance in the brunette's direction.

Kiba blushed furiously. How had he forgotten he was topless? He laughed nervously.

"Just one sec." The brunette darted to his room and grabbed the nearest shirt that could pass for clean.

"So, what brings you here," the now dressed shinobi asked. He was not upset to see her, but confused. She had never been to his place before, as far as he knew she hadn't even known where exactly he lived.

"I'm just taking you up on your offer." Sakura responded lightly. Kiba instantly remembered the note he left.

"Yeah sure," he ran a clumsy hand through his messy chocolate hair.

"I, uh, just didn't want to be alone," Sakura admitted sheepishly. Kiba looked at the woman next to him; he would do anything to help her survive the sorrow. An awkward moment of silence fell upon the room. The pink haired woman shifted her weight uncomfortably. Kiba's mind was racing trying to figure out what to do. It wasn't like he was unaccustomed to dealing with girls, but this was completely new. He'd been known to make mistakes at crucial moments before. He hoped he wouldn't blow it this time too; she could not afford that kind of a mistake.

Akamaru was the first to disrupt the silence. The hound let out a small whine and nudged his master's knee.

"What do you want boy?" Kiba asked. Akamaru let out another small whine. "Of course, sorry I forgot." Kiba picked up the remote. "Sorry about this, but his favorite TV drama is on…" Kiba looked away sheepishly. The other let out a soft giggle.

"And what kind of drama does a ninja hound fancy?" Sakura smiled softly at the pair. The trio settled into the worn couch as the drama began. Akamaru was completely enthralled with the show. Sakura watched in amusement as the hound wagged his tail at happy moments, hid his face at scary ones, and whined when the protagonist did not succeed in getting the girl.

The drama ended in full suspense. Kiba clicked the TV off which led to another whine from the giant hound.

"You know they only show one a week; we'll just have to be patient." Kiba consoled his furry friend. Sakura stifled a laugh; she had never guessed the hound to be so enthralled with a TV drama.

The giant white beast moped around for but a moment before trotting off toward the kitchen. He returned with his large red food bowl in his mouth, his giant tail wagging expectantly.

"Is it that time already?" The hound simply continued to wag his fluffy white tail. Kiba turned to face Sakura. "Would you like to stay for dinner?" His eyes were warm and welcoming. Sakura looked into his eyes for a moment before responding.

"If it's not too much of an inconvenience," she responded respectfully. She tried to remain polite and without expectation, despite her growing hunger.

"We would love to have you join us. It was just going to be pretty lonely with just the two of us; isn't that right boy?" the hound pranced playfully.

"But what about your family?"

"My mom is out on a mission and my sister is going out for the night with friends. Please say you'll stay," his brown eyes softened.

"Just don't make anything spicy ok?" She responded lightheartedly.

"Mild flavors, got it," Kiba commented to himself with a smile.

The trio made their way into the kitchen. The space was warm and welcoming. Sakura had noted that the entire Inuzuka compound was nothing like what she expected. She expected to find a more chaotic and … well… wild living space. She had not expected the house to be practically spotless or have a feeling of calm and safety. It was one of those few places that anyone could find refuge at.

She casually leaned against the kitchen countertop. Kiba busied himself gathering ingredients. He was swift and efficient. He was by no means a novice in the kitchen. For a moment she just watched.

"What do you feel like having tonight, Akamaru?" without missing a beat Kiba asked his best friend for ideas on the evening's menu. "But we had that two nights ago." The kunoichi admired the connection between the two. "Do you think she will like that?" Sakura tilted her head; there he was being thoughtful of her presence and needs. "That sounds like a plan." It would appear that the duo decided on what to prepare for dinner.

"Can I help?" the woman asked gingerly.

"Tonight you are our guests; your orders are to relax and enjoy yourself," Kiba smiled playfully.

"Are you sure?" She stretched out her words tauntingly. "I make some excellent daifuku."

The man paused in his preparations; the offer was blatantly tempting. "Alright, but only because you seem so adamant about it."

Sakura smirked in triumph. The two set out to prepare silently. Sakura occasionally broke the silence to ask where things where. Moments slipped by as the tempting aroma of their cooking filled the air.

"I think I'm beating you," Kiba commented as he added the last few ingredients to his dish.

"Are you making this a competition?" Sakura replied without taking her eyes off her preparations.

"Everything's a competition! And I'm still beating you," he smirked.

In a few minutes dinner was ready as Sakura's daifuku cooled. The trio, Akamaru included of course, sat down to a delicious looking dinner. Kiba prepared a special dish for his best friend and fed him first before focusing his attention on his pink haired guest.

"So what do you think?"

"I honestly didn't know you could cook like this," Sakura admitted as she admired the dinner spread.

"I've been cooking for Akamaru since he was a pup. Cooking for myself just came naturally after that." Kiba explained.

"And it's delicious," the woman eagerly ate more.

"I'm glad you like it."

"I know absolutely nothing about you, Kiba." Her green eyes looked right into his dark brown.

"What is there to know," the brunette shifted his weight awkwardly.

"You tell me," she teased. "Let me see, I know your birthday is in July…"

"July 7; yours is March 28 right?"

"Yep, and you like steak…"

"Come on that one's too obvious," he smiled lightheartedly.

"You have perhaps the best sense of smell of anyone in Konoha; you're competitive, and … um…" she searched her memory for facts about the hound-nin. "Oh… you've never dated a kunoichi from our group," she smiled in satisfaction.

Kiba tried to stifle his laugh. "With the exception of the last one, the others are practically common knowledge."

The woman's pale green eyes shifted to the table. The kunoichi knew next to nothing of real substance about the man sitting across from her. Part of her wanted to find out who this shinobi was, but another part, deep within her soul, whispered words of danger of opening up her life to another human being. Her mind saw two options, live a life of solitude apart from all human bonds or create new bonds that could potentially break her already shattered heart.

Her change in demeanor did not go unnoticed. Kiba watched her intently. He wished he could understand all the minute changes in her countenance. The crease in her brow, the slump of her shoulders, the growing gray in her pale green eyes… all these tiny details had meaning and importance; he just wish he knew her enough to understand them all.

Akamaru watched the pair with interest. He could feel the change in their attitude; he did not like it. The air had been light and happy, but now it was heavy and upset. This would not do. The oversized dog got up from his place next to Kiba. Carefully the hound made his way toward the source of the uncomfortable air, the girl who smelled like spring. Slowly he reached her side; gently he nuzzled his big wet nose into her listless hands. He rested his head on her lap. For a moment, the woman did not respond. She looked down at the hound and stroked his massive head.

"Looks like you've got a new friend," the shinobi remarked with a small wolfish smile.

Sakura looked up at him and then at the giant dog at her side. She smiled softly.

"I guess I've got some competition now too; he's never taken to anyone so quickly. I'm a little jealous." Kiba tugged the pink haired woman out of her shell of sadness.

"Thank you," Sakura smiled down at Akamaru. "Both of you," green eyes met brown.

"Come on, your food is getting cold," he smiled.

--

After the food was gone and dishes put away, the trio returned to the living room.

"What would you say to a game of cards? Usually I play with Shino, but he's kinda boring. Shikamaru always beats me, and Akamaru, sorry boy, but he just stinks at it." Kiba flashed the kunoichi his famous wolfish grin.

The two set about playing cards and snacked on the fresh-made daifuku.

"So…" the pink haired woman broke the lingering silence. "How exactly did you know I like honey in my tea?" Her eyes remained on her cards as they played on.

Kiba tousled his hair with his free hand and blushed slightly. "I really like the smell of honey. It was a really long time ago. I don't know if you even remember…" Kiba looked away and took a bite of his daifuku, "This is really good by the way," he mumbled with his mouth half full. "It was after my third mission; it was a really nasty one- for the nose I mean. I walked by that old tea shop; you and Ino were there. That's when I smelt the honey. It was the best thing I had smelled in a long time. I guess it just really stuck with me. So that was the first scent association I made of you." Kiba put down another card.

"Wait… scent association? What exactly is that?" Sakura tilted her head in curiosity.

"It's an old Inuzuka trick. It's difficult trying to just remember what scent goes with whom, so we're taught to first make scent associations. The idea is, if I can remember that you associated smells are honey and cherry blossoms— that one's obvious— then there is a better chance of me remembering your true scent." Kiba placed a card down on the pile between them.

"So let me get this right. When you think of me you think of my smell?" Sakura toyed with a pink strand of hair in slight confusion.

"Something like that. It's designed so that if I ever needed to find you quickly I could remember what you smelt like without having an article of clothing." Kiba explained slowly. "But you don't smell like honey or cherry blossoms really." Kiba placed another card down on the pile between them.

"But I thought that's… I'm a little confused," she quirked an eyebrow at him.

"People's scents are complicated and individual. It's just a memory trick to associate a more basic scent with a complex one."

Sakura thought this over for a moment. "So what do I smell like?"

Kiba blushed again. "Do you really want to know?"

"I'm curious," the woman replied.

"Alright, get up." Kiba rose and placed his cards down on the table. "Get over here." Sakura timidly rose to her feet and made her way to the hound-nin. "Close your eyes. Relax." Sakura did as she was told. The world went dark as she closed her eyes.

Kiba moved closer to the pink haired woman. "Underneath the perfumes, the soaps, lotions, and shampoos, there is a true scent. The fragrance of your skin—your essence." He lowered his head toward her neck; his brown hair tickled the soft skin of her neck. He breathed slowly and deeply. A light blush came to Sakura's cheeks. She could feel the warmth of his breath on her skin. Her heart beat faster. "Wow." The brunette remarked to himself.

"What? What is it?" Sakura asked nervously.

"I've… it's just…" Kiba fumbled over his words. "It's like the first day of spring. It's the smell of the first signs of life after winter. Gentle. Warm." He stepped back. Sakura opened her eyes.

"Is that ok?"

"It's more than ok, it's perfect." Kiba blushed and looked away. Sakura twirled a finger through her pink hair nervously. Never before had the hound-nin smelt anything quite like her. Her fragrance was intoxicating, pure, and honest. He had one of the best noses in Konoha, and he had sniffed more than a few women. But nothing like her. He had dreamt of an aroma like this; it reminded him of everything good in the world.

Sakura watched the man before her with intrigue. Something had happened between them that she could not explain.

"I'm pretty sure I'm winning," Sakura commented at random. She returned to her place on the couch and picked up her cards.

Kiba snapped back to reality. He hastily picked up his cards and rejoined Sakura on the couch.

"Don't be so sure, I still have a few tricks up my sleeves," the shinobi's competitive side started showing.

"So… what does Shino smell like?" Sakura asked randomly as she slid her fingers over her cards.

Kiba couldn't help but laugh. He smiled at the woman across from him.

"I'm serious. Does he smell like bugs?" Sakura scrunched her face at the thought of smelling like insects.

"No." Kiba chuckled. "He's more like charcoal; you know, like after a fire has burnt out. Something like that." Sakura pondered thoughtfully and played her next card.

"What about Hinata?"

"Are you going to ask for everyone's scent profile?" Kiba questioned playfully.

"But it's so intriguing. I've always been curious about it. Come on tell me." She pleaded.

"Alright. Hum… Hinata, she's more of a winter smell. Soft. Fragile. Like the first snow fall. Anyone else you care to know about?" Kiba smirked.

The two carried on discussing the scent signatures of their friends. The list grew shorter and shorter. Only a few people were left unmentioned. The atmosphere around them grew heavy as both realized the only people they both knew who had not been mentioned were Sasuke and Naruto.

Sakura's shoulders slumped and her eyes grayed as memories flooded her system. She looked down blankly at the cards in her hands. Kiba watched as the woman, who only moments ago was vibrant and alive, fade into shades of gray. He was not quite sure what to do or how to pull her out of her current state.

"I guess that just leaves Sasuke and Naruto, eh. Well, let me tell you." Kiba put his arm around Sakura and pulled her close. His voice was soft and low but with a hint of humor. He hoped he could make her laugh. "Sasuke smelled like fruit." Kiba remarked matter-of-factly. At this Sakura's drooped head perked up. "No joke. He was by far the fruitiest ninja I have ever laid nose on." Sakura let out a small forced laugh. "And don't even get me started on Naruto. I swear he smelled of ramen." Sakura smiled and nodded in agreement. "I didn't think it was possible for a person to truly smell of ramen, but Naruto was always full of surprises." The pink haired woman wiped away a few stray tears from her eyes.

"You know," she began softly. "He practically ate ramen for every meal."

"That's not hard to imagine, but that just made him the easiest person to shop for, for his birthday and stuff," Kiba tilted his head back as he remembered, "I don't think I can tell you how many times I gave him a giant box of cup ramen for his birthday."

"Tell me about it." Sakura snuggled into Kiba's shoulder. It was good to talk to him.

"Did he even know how to cook?" Kiba mused aloud.

"That's the funny part; he could cook!"

"No way!" Kiba retorted.

Sakura nodded. "He was actually pretty good at it too; he just really enjoyed ramen." The woman leaned her head against the man's sturdy shoulder. She breathed him in slowly. Sakura had not expected Kiba to be exactly what she needed at her time of need. He had entertained her and took her mind off of the pain, if even for a moment. And even now, he was letting her let go of her pain. He let her remember without falling apart. "Thank you," she mumbled.

"Hey, no problem," Kiba rubbed her shoulder lightly.

"You know what you smell like?" Sakura inquired. Kiba looked at her thoughtfully.

"Do you mean to tell me what I smell like?" the man with the best nose in Konoha found the entire situation rather humorous. The girl next to him nodded enthusiastically. "Alright then, enlighten me." Kiba silently hoped he didn't smell like something offensive to the pink haired woman.

Sakura closed her eyes and breathed in the hound-nin's smell. It was warm and comforting.

"It reminds me of my favorite blanket. It makes me feel safe." She commented to the waiting shinobi. Kiba grinned. That was just the role he wanted to fill for her. He wanted to provide her with a sense of security. He wanted to be her safe place to run to when things got hard. He would not mind being a security blanket.