BK: Hey guys. I'm barely able to update. But I promise to come back soon sometime this month. It has to do with my going to higher education and whatnot (along with those massive debts). So I've been nervous and stuff – not stressed – but worried enough that I planned all my classes. Yes. That is how serious this is to me. I hope you'll all become my little supporters too. Thanks for understanding.

I love you all.

BK

Kiba found that his beautiful teammate had changed. She felt changed. Even her smell changed. Like something had claimed her and mixed their two beings together.

They were all on a mission together, Hinata, Kakashi, Genma, and Kiba himself, and he just felt that she had inexplicably changed. Not her personality or her growth, but something else and it irked him. But change was good he told himself. He liked change.

The village had changed. It was more peaceful now. More together and caring for each other. Even countries that used to fight against each other paid more of a close ear to each others' concern before deciding a decision.

Naruto had decided to send them all to Suna to finalize some decision about creating alliances. Kiba knew that Gaara would immediately agree on the behalf of Suna and so would Naruto for Konoha. The Hokage just needed the official documents signed.

Kakashi was chosen in Naruto's stead, Genma as the bodyguard, Hinata as the medic and support, and Kiba as the scout and tank. A four man squad. He had to congratulate Naruto for choosing such an incredible team. They worked so well together that it was almost uncanny.

Especially Hinata and Genma, Kiba observed. They worked like a pair of oiled gears, as if they had been partners all their lives.

Genma was fully aware of what Hinata was capable of and Hinata complemented Genma's style of fighting. He could have swore Genma shot Hinata a smile during the mini fight with a thief, they worked so well together that the battle ended in a matter of minutes. A swing here, a toss of the kunai there, and Bam! It was already over. Kiba congratulated them on their work. They had no mistakes whatsoever, and that made Kiba mildly happy. After all, one mistake could mean someone's life and Kiba never did like mistakes.

But as they all walked through the Suna gates, being escorted by Temari, Kiba felt that he just couldn't look at Hinata the same way anymore – even if he did know her all his life. He used to be able to smile at her like an idiot and be able to feel comfortable, but now if he did the same thing... he knew he would feel like a wimpy loser. He didn't want to look like some loser in front of her, he wanted to look like someone strong and capable. What was it he was feeling... was it love? Admiration?

He didn't like to think that it would be. After all, she had loved Naruto her whole life and now that she had rejected him, Naruto had decided to take it as a challenge to win her heart. Not only to mention that, but the Uchiha also had his eyes on her as much as he tried not to show his obvious interest. Kiba just didn't want to compete in such fierce competition. And after deciding to give up, he decided that he didn't mind just watching from afar and seeing her happy.

That was the best he could do for her as her close friend and teammate.

They came into the Kazekage's room and Temari closed the door behind her, walking over to stand next to Gaara. The Sand Village was also in much repair, its people helping each other out and laughing together, sharing food and bonding. It reminded Kiba partly of Konoha and he looked at Akamaru who barked back at his owner.

Akamaru thought so too. Suna was almost just like home.

Genma stood on the other side of Kakashi, creating the line, and Hinata stood at the end of the line next to Kiba. Genma, Kakashi, Kiba, and Hinata. They all bowed slightly and Kakashi went forward to present the scroll. Gaara looked at them briefly before reading the paper, his eyes lingering a little on Kiba's beautiful teammate.

Genma shifted a little and Kiba noticed as well as Akamaru. There was something definitely going on with Genma and Hinata. Akamaru, who had been spending a little too much time with the two according to Kiba's tastes, should have known something about it.

Gaara signed it quickly and asked Temari to direct Kakashi to Kankuro who was head of the city events. He then asked Hinata to stay in the room and asked if he could talk to her separately about the contents of the scroll. That one request made Kiba openly uneasy. He was about to ask why when he spot Genma at the corner of his eyes. Genma who always had an air of easiness about him seemed... disconcerted about the statement Gaara had.

But Genma turned around and waved at Hinata, who smiled and waved at them both as they left. Kiba followed Genma out with Akamaru and he closed the door. He didn't know why Gaara would want to speak with Hinata alone. And he had an inkling that Genma wasn't comfortable with it.

Akamaru barked at Kiba and then as if the nindog told Kiba something, it all made sense. Hinata was in love! That was why she seemed so different! But who could she possibly be in love with? It wasn't Naruto, she had rebuff his advances towards her. It could be Sasuke. He had been sneaking around and trying to coincidentally be at the same places where Hinata was. Or... it could even be with Gaara.

Kiba rolled his eyes and closed his opened mouth. Why was it that all the people who liked his beautiful teammate were impossibly strong and in well endowed positions in the hierarchy? Life just wasn't fair.

Kiba sank against the wall and stared at Genma who had crossed his arms and leaned against the wall himself. Without restraint, Kiba asked Genma a question. He might as well get to know Hinata's newest partner.

"What do you think they're doing in there?" Kiba asked.

Genma looked up from the ground and mumbled something with the senbon still in his mouth, "The scroll possibly."

Kiba raised an eyebrow, "Possibly? You mean they're talking about something more?"

Genma shifted and he shrugged, "Kages seemed to do that a lot."

Kiba laughed loudly and smiled, "Yeah! They do. Especially Tsunade. Well, I'd say that they're being lovey-dovey. Hinata was a little different today."

Genma brought his full attention to Kiba at the statement, "Different?" he asked with faint concern.

Kiba nodded, "Yeah. I mean Gaara and Hinata are really compatible people don't you think? They're both quiet and soft spoken people. And when they have something to say, people really listen to them. Not to mention, they have a lot of things on their shoulders. And since Hinata is a woman in love, she looks a little different. She seems more inviting and more beautiful. Isn't that right?"

Genma raised an eyebrow and looked sideways at Akamaru, "Hinata's in love, you say?"

Kiba nodded, "I have no doubts about it."

Genma smiled and he stuck his hands inside his pockets, rolling the senbon around, his discomforted expression disappearing. Kiba noted the sudden change and decided to ask.

"Why the sudden change? Did something happen to Hinata? You were nervous before."

"I was?" Genma answered with a question, "Oh, I didn't notice."

There was something definitely going on with Genma and Hinata. And then it hit Kiba, they were lovers. Hinata smelled just like him. And if he thought about it, Kiba saw them walking to the Hokage building together! From the same DIRECTION! Hinata just... she just... she!

Kiba hated mistakes. And he was just about to rage when Akamaru bumped purposefully onto Kiba's leg. Kiba looked at his nindog and Akamaru barked.

They love each other!

Kiba glanced at the man in front of him who had a smile on and was looking outside the window at the city while waiting for Hinata.

Genma Shiranui was one of the Hokage's bodyguards. That had to mean that he was inexplicably strong, not to mention it was a high position to have – curse the darn world. But also, he was laid back, calm, and very intelligent. If they were indeed together, then they were doing a fine job of hiding it. After all, Genma wasn't their age, he was older. And there were a bazillion other men out there who were undeniably attracted to his Hyugga teammate.

Kiba gave him a hard stare and made sure that what Hinata had decided wouldn't be a mistake. He looked at his nindog and saw that Akamaru panted happily beside him. Akamaru seemed to approve of Genma. Hinata did.

"Genma Shiranui! Let me ask you a question!" Kiba proclaimed. He had to know. He had to know if this man was good enough for Hinata.

Genma turned around and then smiled as the door behind them clicked open and Hinata appeared. She bowed goodbye to the Kazekage and turned to look at them both. Kiba noted the blush on her cheeks as she looked from Kiba to Genma. Genma asked her the question first.

"What did the Kazekage ask?" Genma said with a mumble, completely forgetting about Kiba's proclamation.

Hinata giggled, "Naruto wrote a little bit at the end of the scroll concerning the peace treaty. He said that the two villages would work together under listed circumstances... including 'Gaara can't sweep Hyugga Hinata off her feet and fall in love with her.' I guess everyone thinks the Kazekage and I are compatible."

Kiba laughed and watched as Genma smiled knowingly at her, a little something transpiring between them. He watched as Genma walked towards Hinata and brush away the hair that had escaped from her ponytail. He backed away respectably and spoke to her in such a way that Kiba felt he was intruding.

"Well... I'm glad Naruto has his priorities straight."

Then it occurred to Kiba that Hinata made no mistakes whatsoever. Because the man in front of her who looked at Hinata with such obvious adoration, was totally ensnared by Hinata. He was hers forever and even if the world tried to hurt her, Kiba knew that Genma would be there to protect her. When a man had something to live for, he became even greater. Genma looked like a man who would do anything to keep Hinata safe and happy.

So the mistake this time was on Kiba's part. Genma turned to Kiba and he smiled, knowing that he was Hinata's longtime teammate.

"Let's get some lunch before we head back. Nice to meet you Kiba. Akamaru talks about you all the time."

Kiba smiled and he looked at Hinata, who had a pink blush on her face. Yeah, this was the right guy for her. Hinata chose right. Akamaru barked in agreement and walked ahead happily.

"Yeah, nice ta meetcha too... Genma Shiranui."

BK

BK: I hope to see you all soon! And I truly wish all your dreams to come true! Work hard, okay?!