*Kiba's POV*

Halloween had come and gone, I was starting to believe that I've lost Irie for good. Her family had gone back to their jobs; Sasori left his number and told me to call if anything were to happen. Christmas was approaching fast and my mother had left Jake in my care until they could find someone who will take him in.

"Um, where's Irie?" Jake asked timidly.

"How do you know her?" Sakura asked.

"She's my girlfriend."

"Okay that's it," Sakura exploded "There's nothing that special about Irie. She's just a normal girl, who I'm sure has a weakness. She doesn't deserve to have three boyfriends, it's not normal, it's not fair."

"Ignore her," I sighed "Irie has lost her memory, so she may not even remember you."

"Hey guys," Sasuke entered the study session "Who is this?"

"This is Jake, the one Irie saved."

"Oh, nice to meet you."

"I heard she lost her memory," he looked to the ground "I don't want her to forget me."

"How is she doing?" I inquired.

Sasuke sighed taking a seat "I never thought I'd say this, but it's exhausting."

"Well her dad did explain that when she was younger she was hyper and boy crazy; much like Sakura. I really do miss Irie though."

"So do I, the Irie I fell in love with is not the one who is hanging around now."

"Um, did you say you love Irie?" Jake asked "Can I ask you to stay away from my girlfriend?"

"I'm sorry to sound rude," Sasuke stared at him "Irie is not your girlfriend."

"Yes she is. We kissed and held hands and I love her."

"You've known her for a total of two weeks, maybe less."

"Well if she did have a boyfriend then I'd hate to be him," he stated manner of factly "I mean to find out that she was cheating on him while she was kidnapped would be awful."

"Yeah it would be," I told him "It's a good thing I know her better then that. Irie would never cheat on me, we did have a rough patch at the beginning but she swore she'd never cheat on me. I trust Irie, even if I'm losing patience and faith in her because of this memory loss."

"You claim to be Irie's boyfriend?"

"I don't claim to be, I am. I've known her for more then a couple years now."

"Kiba, tell me something," Sasuke interrupted the boyfriend argument "Are you afraid of losing Irie?"

"Yes, but probably not in the way that you think. I'm afraid she'll never get her memory back and everything that's happened since she came to this school will be forgotten."

"I think some things are better forgotten."

"What do you mean?" Jake forgot all about his argument and leaned in to listen to the conversation "What do you think should be forgotten?"

"That she was raped by a senior her first year, then of course the kidnapping from this year. Though all those things did make Irie stronger and finalized her personality, if none of that happened she probably wouldn't be the Irie we all love."

"Sasuke," Irie came running wrapping her arms around him "We need to talk."

He looked at me and I nodded, he followed her out of the room. I held Jake's arm as he was about to go after them. It was best to let things just go no matter how much it pained my heart to see her go off with my best friend.

*Sasuke's POV*

Irie pulled me away from the study group – which got off topic quickly. She took me to her room where she just collapsed on the couch with her head in her hands. I didn't know what was going on, I closed the door and sat in the chair.

"Irie?"

"I can't do it any longer?" she looked up at me with tears running down her cheeks.

"Can't do what?"

"I can't pretend to have memory loss, its hurting Kiba too much. I heard your conversation, I just can't do it."

"What do you plan on doing?"

She took a deep breath "I have to tell him the truth. I love you Sasuke."

My heart jumped to my throat at her words. Irie moved so she sat on the ground and her head rested on my lap. At first I didn't know what to do and just froze, then after a moment I started to stroke her hair. I knew what I had to say, no matter how much it aches to do so it was going to be the right thing to do.

"I love you too Irie but I'm not the guy for you."

"What are you talking about?" she sat up eyes wide.

"We are better off as friends; you need someone who makes your heart pound. Kiba is that person; he brings out the best in you, you shine brightly when he's around."

"But my heart beats fast when I'm with you."

"That's common, when a boy and a girl are friends it's very unlikely that they won't have feelings for each other," I leaned down to kiss her gently "What did you feel?"

She blinked "Nothing."

"I'm going to go and let you think things through."

I left her on the floor of her room and left her dorm. I pushed my hair back taking a deep breath, breaking up with Irie was the toughest thing I've ever had to do. Though, I never thought that I'd ever have to break up with her – so to speak. I kept the conversation with Irie quiet, not telling Kiba anything no matter how many times he asked. I went to bed that night with so much still on my mind, I tossed and turned by the time I finally closed my eyes there was a knock on the dorm door.

"Irie?" I rubbed my eyes hoping I wasn't dreaming "What are you doing here?"

"I'm here to see Kiba."

I looked at a clock "It's midnight, he's probably asleep."

Her eyes were red and puffy, she's been crying all day. I sighed giving in to her look and went to go wake up my room mate. He walked into the living room area trying to rub the sleep from his eyes. I patted his back and went back to bed leaving the two of them alone.