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

Enjoy!

The hours slowly slipped by and the moon had risen high in the clear evening sky. Akamaru let out a long yawn.

"He's right; it's late. I should be getting home now." The kunoichi tried to hide a yawn of her own.

"Let me walk you home," Kiba offered.

"No, I'll be fine," she responded as she rose from the couch. Kiba walked her to the door.

"Thanks for stopping by. It was fun," the man shoved his hands into his pockets. "And you're welcome here anytime."

"I'll keep that in mind," she smiled sweetly. "Good night." With a few swift hand motions, Sakura disappeared in a whirlwind of pink petals.

"Good night," he whispered into the cool night. The shinobi sauntered to his room and plopped down on his bed. As he stared up at the ceiling, he thought of the pink haired kunoichi. "Maybe she'll be ok," he spoke aloud. Akamaru came in the room and hopped up on the bed next to his master. "We did ok tonight, boy. We did ok."

Sakura arrived at the front door of her apartment. The place was dark and quiet. Usually she loved coming home to the stillness, but tonight it made her feel alone and vulnerable. She tried to brush it off as she went through the usual motions before going to bed.

By the time she snuggled into bed, the silence of the apartment had taken its toll. She pulled the blankets closer around her. Moments ago, she was smiling and having a nice time, but now it felt as if a different person enjoyed those moments, not her. Sakura did not understand how one heart could fall so suddenly back into sadness. The happiness she had did not last – a temporary fix to a dark, lingering cancer.

Sakura slipped into bed and pulled up the covers. Pink strands flowed across her pillow. She tried to sleep but sleep would not come. She tossed and turned restlessly.

"Naruto," Sakura called out quietly into the dark. "I… I miss you." Part of her felt silly talking to herself this way, but for some reason it also provided a hint of comfort. "I never thought you would ever leave me. It's hard – being alone. I should have gone with you; maybe then you would still be here." Guilt slipped into her soft voice. She should have pressed the issue farther; she should have gone anyway. She should have done something. Sakura sat up and rubbed her temples. Guilt always gave her a headache.

The pink-haired kunoichi got up and paced around her room. The pad of her bare feet interrupted the silence of her room. Her delicate nightdress swayed as she moved. At that moment, the young woman would have given anything to be in the arms of her lost love. She needed him; she needed to pretend that he wasn't gone forever.

Hastily and without full comprehension of her own actions, Sakura grabbed a coat and opened her window. She took a quick glance at the sleeping village. No one was around. She leapt from the windowsill and into the night. The air was cool and crisp. The night sky was clear, and the stars twinkled brightly. The kunoichi bounded from rooftop to rooftop silently. Sakura stopped a few yards away from her destination.

A little ways in front of Sakura sat a familiar building – the building where Naruto lived. Green eyes riveted onto one window – his window. Sakura took a deep breath before continuing. With one final leap, Sakura found herself outside of Naruto's window. Her hand softly touched the glass. She lifted the window with little difficulty; Naruto never locked his window. Sakura slipped into the rather messy room; even now, his disorganized style of living vexed her. She looked around and took it all in. His scent still lingered in the silent room. The pink haired woman wandered around listlessly; she really hadn't visited his apartment all that much. She came across one of Naruto's signature orange and black jackets. A smile came to the woman's face. She picked it up and pulled it into her arms. Sakura buried her face in the fabric and breathed in the remaining scent of the man she loved.

The pink haired woman made her way to Naruto's unmade bed. She snuggled down into the covers and held the orange and black jacket close to her chest. The comfort she found surrounded by his things lifted the poor girl's spirit. "Thanks Naruto," she smiled "you always could comfort me." A few silent tears slipped down Sakura's cheeks as she drifted into dreamless sleep.

The duo breathed heavily. Beads of sweat formed on his brow. His strong heart pounded in rhythm. The morning sun beat down upon them. Kiba and Akamaru neared the end of their routine morning run. Akamaru looked up happily at his running partner; they started the tradition of morning runs since he was a pup. The white hound sped up and took the lead. Kiba tilted his head in confusion; they usually only ran side by side. Suddenly, Akamaru took an unusual turn.

"Where are we going boy? We never go this way," Kiba called out to his companion with labored breaths. The hound simply let out a playful bark and darted forward. "Alright, where do you want to go?" Kiba patiently followed the white figure.

Sakura woke to the bright morning sun; she probably should have shut the binds. She yawned and stretched her sleepy limbs. Slightly startled, Sakura remembered that she had not gone back to her apartment. She had never spent the night at Naruto's place before; part of her wondered what it would have been like… to fall asleep in his arms and wake up next to him. But such ideas could never come true. Small, bare feet hit the cold floor as the woman rose from the bed.

"I should probably get home before anyone sees me like this," Sakura thought aloud as she brushed a hand over her rather skimpy nightgown. She still had a hard time believing she left the house in such a state. Hurriedly, Sakura grabbed her coat as well as Naruto's. With one last glance over the disorganized room, the kunoichi gave her farewell. "I'll be back soon." The window slid open as easily as it had the night before, and quickly Sakura was on her way home.

The hound stopped a little ways ahead of his master. His giant tail wagged happily.

"This is Sakura's neighborhood," Kiba remarked to his four-legged friend. To this, Akamaru barked in agreement. "You like her don't you," by now, the shinobi had reached his hound. "You know we smell bad and are really sweaty right?" Kiba eyed Akamaru curiously, but the hound was as stubborn as his master. "Well alright." The duo continued on to Sakura's apartment.

Kiba tried to mop up as much sweat as he could. He was certain Sakura would not be too pleased—especially if she was not yet awake. The pair bounded up the stairs. Kiba looked down at Akamaru, "No turning back you know. You sure about this?" Akamaru nodded his massive head. Kiba gulped and knocked on the door. No answer. Half-relieved Kiba made to leave. Akamaru had other plans. He sat down defiantly and pawed at the door.

"She might not be home, boy." Kiba tried to reason with the stubborn hound.

Only a little bit farther then I'm in the clear, Sakura thought to herself. As of yet, no one had seen her. She could have just disappeared from Naruto's place in a puff of smoke and petals, but she had not yet had her morning cup of coffee and was sure to mess up the transportation. With her luck, she would reappear in the middle of the shopping center. She really didn't want to have to explain her appearance or her evening activities.

Just up the stairs and… Sakura stopped dead in her tracks. Kiba.

He heard someone approaching and it smelled like spring.

Green eyes met brown; brown eyes met skimpy, silky nightgown.

"Kiba!" Sakura fumbled over her words. "Uh… what are you doing here?" She tried to sound casual as if nothing was amiss.

"Sa…Sakura?" Kiba could hardly pull his eyes away from the light fabric. He could not deny the fact that she looked rather tempting; he was male after all. But where had she been all night that she was just now coming home and dressed the way she was? Confusion, concern, and a twinge of jealousy swept over the shinobi.

"Sakura, I know you're upset right now and this is a rough time in your life, but this… this isn't the way to go. I'm really concerned about this Sakura." Kiba crossed his arms over his chest and tried to look the girl dead in the eyes.

Deep red flushed Sakura's cheeks; she did not know how to respond. "Can we talk about this inside?"

A bit taken aback, Kiba and Akamaru allowed Sakura to lead them into her home. The shinobi's mind was racing. He had quite the active imagination and the various stories he was weaving in his mind were far from appropriate.

Sakura locked the door after the trio had entered. She leaned her head against the hard wood; she had to explain this. Sure, she could tell him the truth, but the truth was awkward, and revealed a vulnerability that she was not sure she was willing to risk. But any other options she had of explaining this seemed even more absurd. Behind her, she could hear the hound-nin pacing. At this point, would he even accept the truth? Would he understand?

Kiba tried to shake the thoughts from his head; he shouldn't assume anything. Sure she could have a perfect explanation for not coming home till dawn and being clad only in a silky, incredibly short nightgown… that nightgown…I didn't even know she owned something like that!

"Please don't tell anyone," a small voice broke Kiba's train of thought. His eyes darted to the source. Her eyes were fixed on the floor; her hands were intertwined in nervousness; she bit her lip in embarrassment.

"Come on," Kiba stopped pacing and plopped down on her sofa. "Have a seat and um… tell me about your night." He tried his best to bring humor to the situation—for both their sakes. He offered her a welcoming grin. The medic-nin stared at him; this was not the reaction she was expecting. Timidly, she sat down on her sofa next to him. One deep breath and then another…

"It's not what you think, I promise."

Kiba internally celebrated.

"I couldn't sleep," the young woman fidgeted with the hem of her gown. "I um… Please don't think this is weird… I went to Naruto's place last night." Green eyes peered out of their corners to catch any reaction from the man next to her.

Kiba sat expressionless for a moment. He sighed and smiled to himself. "Is that is?" He laughed as he spoke.

"Don't laugh!" Sakura retorted a pink flush of anger rushing to her cheeks.

"And here I thought you were out gallivanting around."

Sakura let out a gasp of incensed disbelief.

"Don't give me that. What was I suppose to think with you in that… that…" Kiba fumbled for words. "But you know, I completely understand."

Green eyes darted to look at the shinobi. She tilted her head in confusion but waited for him to continue.

"There's something comforting about being where a loved one was— like a room, a favorite chair. In certain places, it feels almost like they're still there. And sometimes, if you're lucky, their scent is still there; like they've never really left." His voice was low and somber. Sakura could tell there was something much deeper to what he was saying.

"I did the same thing myself," Kiba pet his hound absentmindedly. "When my pops left." He paused. "I always say mom ran him away, but it was a really hard time on us, all of us. I would sneak away to his old study and stay there for hours, just because it was all I had left of him." Sakura remained silent. "Next time, just be mindful of what you are wearing for heaven's sake." With that, Kiba flashed Sakura a wolfish grin.

"What? You don't like my nightie?" She teased lightheartedly.

If only you knew just how much I like it… "Just go change ok," Kiba retorted.

Sakura left her seat and slipped into her room. She hastily found something to wear. "So, why are you here?" She called out from her room. "Not that I mind or anything."

"Don't know actually, Akamaru's idea, not mine," the young man thought about leaning back into the comfortable sofa, but remembered he was covered in sweat. "We were on a run and he wanted to see you."

"That's a pretty good line; I bet it works well with the ladies," the pink-haired woman teased.

"I'm serious. Totally his idea."

Sakura stifled a laugh as she finished changing in her room.

"What do you want boy?" Kiba asked his hound. The massive beast responded with tail wagging. "I think he wants you to train with us this morning. That wouldn't be such a bad idea. Hey Sakura, what would you say to an invitation to spar with us today?"

Sakura paused for a moment contemplating the offer. It probably would do her some good to get out some of her pent up energy. "Well, if Akamaru insists," the kunoichi responded lightheartedly. "But after I've had my coffee."

The three walked down the busy streets of Konoha. The sun glistened in a clear blue sky. The rains of the day before were nothing but a memory in the skies above. Everywhere one could look, life existed. The street was alive with the presence of villagers and shinobi alike. A steady hum of noise exuded from the various shops and stops along the road. Kimono clad women efficiently went about their daily chores while children darted in play among the crowd. Gray-haired old men haggled over the price of various goods as they have always done. Gaggles of women could be spotted in clumps mulling over the day's freshest gossip. That gossip quickly turned to the pink-haired woman walking down the road.

"There goes that Haruno girl," a woman whispered to her friend next to her.

"What a pity; that poor thing," the friend whispered back.

Hushed voices washed by the trio as they walk on. I hope she doesn't notice, Kiba wished to himself.

"Just seeing that medic-nin makes me think of that boy, you know Uzumaki," a shopkeeper addressed his patron.

"I can't believe he's really gone, after all he's done for this village," the patron replied.

Kiba looked around at the villagers. All eyes were on the pink-haired woman.

"Is that really her? I was told she lost all her teammates, even her sensei."

"Yes, that's her. Didn't you see her at the funeral for that Uzumaki boy?"

The shinobi gave the pair a meaningful glare. But more continued to whisper as the kunoichi passed by. Sakura walked on. Perhaps she can't hear them. Kiba stole a glance at the woman beside him. Her jaw was set, her neck stiff, her steps determined. In her eyes, she betrayed no emotion. Her hands clenched into tight fists. Akamaru looked up at his master woefully. He could sense the turmoil taking place within Sakura.

What should I do? Maybe this was a bad idea… the hound-nin struggled with the situation. "So, nice day, eh?" Akamaru barked happily in agreement. Both the man and his hound feebly attempted small talk to take Sakura's mind away from the waves of whispers and stares. The woman did not respond. It was taking everything she had to not break down. They continued walking in tense silence.

They approached a fork in the road. Instinctively, the silent kunoichi turned left. Kiba and Akamaru paused. That was the way to her old training grounds with Team 7. Suddenly, Sakura stopped. She bit her bottom lip to stop it from trembling. Kiba felt utterly useless as he watched the internal storm rage inside of the woman before him. He had to do something. Anything.

"Oh, come on. Don't think I'll give you home field advantage just because you're a girl." Kiba's voice broke Sakura's internal battle. She spun around to face him. "We're going to my turf. And I won't take any objections." He smiled knowingly.

She nodded gratefully and changed her course. In her eyes, relief and thanks shimmered. "And I say looser does dishes tonight." Kiba added in his usual competitive manner.

"What do you mean?" Sakura finally spoke.

"You're gonna come back to my house for dinner right? We never really settled that card game." Kiba smiled generously.

Thank you, Kiba. Sakura whispered to herself.

"Here we are." Kiba stretched out his arms showing off his familiar training grounds. It was a little smaller than her old training spot, and it had more trees. Kiba scratched his head while he pondered. "One on two isn't fair…. Well boy, you'll have to sit out on this one." The hound responded with a dejected look.

"Well someone has to be the referee," Sakura added hopefully. The hound perked up at this suggestion and happily sauntered over to a nearby shade tree. He plopped himself down, crossed his paws in front of him, and focused his attention on the match that was about to begin. "Though it occurs to me he might be a little biased," Sakura whispered to Kiba.

"Yeah, in your favor. I think he likes you better," Kiba retorted with an annoyed grunt. To which Sakura couldn't help but giggle. "Nothing too fancy ok. Just taijutsu and basic ninjutsu. What do you say?"

"Deal; best out of three?" Sakura responded as she pulled her gloves on tighter.

"Sure," Kiba tightened his forehead protector.

The match started suddenly. The two performed basic maneuvers with deadly accuracy. Kunai and shuriken whizzed through the air. They fought not to harm but to test each other. Each move was a deliberate attempt to calculate the other's strengths and abilities.

"That all you got?" Kiba grinned wolfishly.

"I was about to say the same thing," Sakura flashed him a devious smirk.

The pair continued. Kiba rejoiced internally as he felt Sakura's spark and fight return to her. A vibrant emerald green had replaced the lifeless dull that had been there in her eyes for far too long.

"So it's agreed. First round goes to you, second to me…"

"I let you win that one," she grinned.

He scowled in response, "We'll see about that. One more round. What would you say to a slight shift in location? There's a little wooded area not too far from here."

"A change in scenery won't help you win," the kunoichi teased. "Well, lead the way oh esteemed dish washer."

"Hey you haven't won anything yet. I won't go easy on you this time." They bantered the entire way to the next training area.

As they approached the area, a single form could be seen training.

"Oi, it's Hinata," Kiba quickened his pace to great his teammate. "Oi, Hinata. Hinata!"

The woman turned around startled by the intrusion. Her eyes were moist with tears.

"Hinata! What's wrong?" Kiba jogged over to the pale-eyed woman. Sakura followed only steps behind the shinobi.

"Kiba-kun," Hinata's timid voice barely reached the shinobi's ears. "I… I'm sorry. I was just… just training."

"I see that," he responded "but why the tears?"

The Hyuuga stole a swift glance at Sakura. She fidgeted with her hands nervously. A few stray tears continued to slip down her cheeks.

"I… need to… to be stronger. For him."

Kiba looked at the girl quizzically. Sakura turned her head away as she understood exactly what Hinata meant.

"I hardly have the right to – not…not like you do," she stole another glance in Sakura's direction, "but I… I miss him. I miss him so much…" her sentence was muffled by sniffles. "If… if I think about getting stronger, I… feel closer to him."

Kiba's brown eyes widened with realization. Naruto. He placed a tender hand on his teammate's shoulder.

Sakura had turned her back on the scene. She had wrapped her arms tightly about her. Her shoulders had slumped forward and her head bent low. Kiba looked over to her. She was falling apart all over again. Was there nothing he could do? He looked again at Hinata. He had come to know her very well. Gauging on the level of tears, he figured she was doing ok. She was venting her emotions, her pain, and all that hurt within her. She would be ok. It would be best if she went home, or to see Ten-ten.

"Akamaru," the white hound sauntered closer. "Why don't you take Hinata over to Ten-ten's place?" He instructed his faithful companion. "What do ya say Hinata? You shouldn't go through this alone." Hinata looked over Kiba's shoulder to the medic-nin. She nodded timidly.

In low whispers, Hinata murmured to her teammate, "She really needs you now." Kiba nodded slightly startled by the pale-eyed woman's words.

"You sure it's ok that he takes you to Ten-ten's?"

She nodded in response. "Thank you, Kiba."

With one quick, reassuring look between teammates, Akamaru and Hinata left for Ten-Ten's place. Kiba watched until the pair had leapt into the trees and out of sight. He turned to the pink-haired woman behind him.

"Sakura?"

"We need to finish our match," the woman feigned her lighthearted tone.

"Alright," Kiba ceded.

The kunoichi and shinobi faced each other ready for their final match. Sakura came at him ferociously. This match was vastly different from their previous two rounds. Sakura had changed. Kiba winced at the realization as he dodged a chakra-laden punch. Her emotions were getting the better of her.

She lashed out without control or purpose. Her movements were erratic. Her chakra flowed freely. Kiba would be out for the count if she managed to land one on him. Her moves became thoughtless and risky. She left herself open to potentially major blows had Kiba taken them.

"Sakura, that's enough." Kiba spoke firmly. This could only end poorly if he did not end it now.

The pink-haired kunoichi smirked devilishly. "You're just afraid I'll beat you," she hissed in response. Her breathing became labored as she swung like mad at her opponent.

Kiba artfully dodged her attacks and led her further into the wooded area of the training grounds, "Sakura, listen to me. You need to stop." His strong voice fell on deaf ears. He jumped from tree to tree using the terrain to provide distance between them. The leaves seemed to quiver in their presence. The air even felt alive with the kunoichi's rage. Kiba ground his teeth together in frustration. He needed to regain control of the situation. Kiba lunged at the woman before him. He firmly grabbed her wrists to stop her devastating blows. She struggled in his grasp.

"I won't give up!" she howled. Hot tears began to pool in her fierce green eyes.

"It's not about that, Sakura. You're out of control!" Angry green eyes glared at him. Sakura wrested free of the hound-nin's grip. Her right arm found its strength once again; her fist missed the shinobi by fractions. The tall oak that unfortunately met her fist broke into hundreds of pieces. The crashing of timber echoed in the wooded area. Birds dashed from their perches desperate for escape. Kiba growled low in his throat.

"I'm fine! You're just afraid to lose to me." Her disturbed laugh echoed in the forest around them.

"You're not fine. I know you are hurt. I understand. But just because Naruto's dead doesn't mean you can lose control like this!" Kiba regretted the words he spoke as soon as they left his lips.

"How DARE you! What do you know? You know nothing about me!" The kunoichi snarled in response. Damn, Kiba scolded himself. How could I be so terrible with words?

"Sakura, STOP NOW," he roared. The woman finally responded. She halted her barrage. Her fists were still clenched by her sides and her eyes still glimmered with unshed tears. Her green eyes glowered; her jaw was set, her posture stiff and tense. Kiba dared not breathe a sigh of relief – not just yet. He stood firm against her, not wavering.

Defiant and yet broken, a single tear streaked down Sakura's flushed face. Without a word, she turned and stomped away.

"Where do you think you are going?" Kiba questioned his voice still authoritative.

In a voice deathly cold and devoid of emotion, Sakura responded. "Kiba, where I go is none of your concern. I am fully capable of taking care of myself. Your assistance is not necessary – or wanted." She continued to march onward.

"Sakura, wait," Kiba tried to make his voice more gentle. She paused for a moment. In an instant, she was surrounded by a puff of smoke and disappeared.

Kiba smirked, "You know you can't get away from me. I've got the best nose in…" The smoke wafted toward him, a spicy, bitter odor reached his sensitive snout. "Damn, Sakura!" Kiba rubbed at his nose furiously. He had to give it to her though; very few people knew that the scent of clary sage could completely immobilize an Inuzuka's sense of smell for hours at a time. The shinobi plopped down in defeat. He grumbled to himself dejectedly.

Within moments, one giant, fluffy hound came bounding toward Kiba.

"Akamaru!" The hound-nin instantly began crafting a new plan for tracking down the stubborn kunoichi.

The hound paused for a moment with a confused look on his furry face; he took one big sniff of the air around him and his master.

"Akamaru, NO!" Kiba had forgotten that the air was still laced with the smell of clary sage. The hound sneezed in annoyance and pawed at his snout. Kiba sighed in further defeat. "Looks like she wins this one, boy," Kiba stroked Akamaru distractedly. The hound plopped down beside his master, paws crossed huffily over his nose.