As Kiba led the way from the rooms to the sauna, he never once looked over at Yuka. She was quiet, almost too quiet and this annoyed him. He wasn't always loud and boisterous but right now he felt like saying anything to get this girl to talk.

"So, have you never been to a hot spring?" he asked, glancing over at her. She shook her head, looking down at the ground. She then looked over at him with a kind smile behind her eyes, even though her lips were downturned into a pout. What I wouldn't give to have those lips under mine. Kiba quickly shook this from his mind and turned down a hall to an entrance way in the wall covered by hanging curtains. He wasn't sure, since he had never been to this hot spring, if it was a coed. Sure enough, to Kiba's luck and Tsume's secret pleasure, it was. He sighed shaking his head.

Yuka noticed, looking up at him. He looked like he wasn't enjoying himself and this was something she didn't want to be responsible for. "You know, we don't have to go to the springs. I'm sure there is a bunch near Konoha. I can go to one some other time, maybe when I make some friends!" she said, somewhat too happily.

"You…don't have any friends?" he asked, tilting his head to the side to look at her. She just shrugged, looking at the curtain.

"Eh, it's hard to make friends when you're just trying to survive, you know?"

He just nodded, watching her closely. Then he grinned. Forget what his mom wanted… he saw what she was trying to do this whole time and Kiba was stronger than that. Sure, this girl was stunning but he wouldn't fall for her like that. He had to know her before he could just decide on his alpha. His mother was a cunning she-wolf. Cunning but not cunning enough to outwit the alpha Kiba knew he was.

"C'mon, we can go back," Yuka said, turning around back toward the rooms. Just then Kiba grabbed her wrist, turning her back.

"No, let's go," he said, looking down at her. "You've never been to a hot spring and since I'm your first friend, it is my obligation to see to it that you at least relax and enjoy yourself for a little while."

At this her eyes lit up and then a blush spread across her face. She bit her lip and looked up at him. "Uhm, there is just one problem. Tsume-san said it was a ladies hot spring and that I…" she paused, looking down at the ground. "She kind of tricked me into wearing just this towel, you know?"

Kiba swallowed hard again, this time feeling certain dryness in his throat. "O-oh…" he said, looking down at her and then at the entrance to the hot spring. "Uhm, well… you could always get in with your towel on. I mean, if not we can go back and I can find you a t-shirt or something to wear from my room."

"Actually," she said, straightening herself, a slight grin crossing her face. He saw that confidence in her again, the confidence he'd saw the second he met her. "I'll go in, clothes or not. Tsume-san said I needed to loosen up and what better way than to go soak in a unisex sauna naked?"

She then pulled the hair tie from her head, her full head of hair falling to her shoulders. It looked somewhat messy and frizzed but she didn't care, running her hand through the crimson locks before walking straight through the curtains to the spring.

Kiba couldn't help but grin and follow after her, a wolf-like howl escaping his throat. When he followed her in he paused, biting his lip. There were two other guys in the spring, their eyes immediately drawn to the crimson haired vixen in front of them. Kiba could easily tell, from their change in demeanor and attitude that they were planning on hitting on her, or more. Kiba couldn't keep the beast within his chest from lashing out, wanting to tear them for even thinking what they were thinking. This, of course, caught Kiba by surprise. He barely knew this girl and already he was protective. Damn Alpha bullshit… I can't be this protective over someone I haven't even had the pleasure of spending alone time with.

"Hey sweetheart," one of the men said, standing in the water. The water covered him from his navel down. "Come on in, the water is amazing."

She just smiled at them and Kiba could feel himself tensing. She didn't smile like that at him yet and she'd barely known them ten seconds. Not like she's known me for very long either.

"C'mon hunny, join in. We've got sake," the second guy said, holding up a bottle.

"Yeah! Sake… plus were really good conversationalists," the first added, grinning at his slurs. "Oral is my specialty."

Kiba couldn't hold it in any more and he stepped in front of her. "Sorry boys," he growled, glaring at them with hooded eyes. "The lady isn't interested. Now, are you going to get out or am I going to have to come in and get you?"

Both men eyed the shinobi and then groaned, getting out of the hot spring and leaving quickly once Kiba noticed they didn't have anything on. He growled at their behavior and then sighed, looking back at Yuka. Her face was red and her eyes wouldn't meet his. Kiba put a hand behind his head, looking down at her intently. "Uh, sorry I-."

"I could have handled them, Kiba-kun," she whispered, still not looking at him. "I'm not weak."

"I didn't say you were," he urged, unsure what to say. "I just… they were perverts. It wasn't right for them to say things like that and to want you to drink with them was worse."

"I know, and I would have handled them the way I handle all the douche-bag pricks that come calling," she said, looking up at him. He could see the ferocity in her eyes. "I'd have ripped their dicks off and tossed them over the fence."

At this Kiba gulped, looking away from her now. Damn, this girl is intense. He then felt her hand on his arm and looked down to see kindness in her eyes. This girl changed quicker than the wind. First frightening and then kind; she was nuts. "Thank you anyway," she murmured, looking down now and noticing the look on his face. Then, in a flash her towel was thrown over his face and he heard a splash. When he pulled it away she was wading in the water, her back turned to him.

The silhouette of her bare back made a lump form in his throat. Then she sank into the water with a sigh, her eyes closing simultaneously. She swam over to the edge, sitting comfortably against it. Thank goodness the water was as high as it was. If not he'd have gotten a full face full of her well developed chest. After a moment she opened her eyes, looking at him.

"Hot springs are amazing," she said, watching him closely. "Getting in or are you really a party pooper?"

He chuckled at this, shaking his head before dropping their towels on the ground and jumping in with a howl. Water splashed everywhere and when he immerged from the water he saw she was sitting there, a wide eyed expression on her face. Then a grin broke out. Her hair was soaked, matted to her face now but she didn't care. She splashed him and then sighed, leaning her head back against the rock behind her.

Kiba found a place a good enough distance away not to freak her out and sat down. He watched her as her hands skimmed the top of the water and then splashed about lazily. "I can see now why Tsume recommended a hot spring. It is relaxing."

"Yeah, it is… we have one in Konoha but I always find it too crowded," Kiba commented, looking at her. "That's when Akumaru and I found our own spring."

"Really? Man, you must know a lot about the village," she said looking up at the sky. "Your village."

"Well, yeah. I've been there my whole life exploring and training with my family and friends. I'm sure you'll make some. In fact, I think I know of a girl that you might come quite attached to. I know I am…"

"I hope so," she whispered, looking away from him. There was a weird look on her face now. Kiba couldn't tell what it meant but he just shrugged it off, looking at the sky now.

"Plus, the stars never end in Konoha. You can look up at the sky every night and see them. It's amazing really… we of the Inuzuka are so swayed by the moon phases and it's rituals that we rarely ever miss the stars and their show."

"I've never really looked at the stars," she admitted, looking back up at the sky now. Kiba looked at her in awe. He wished he hadn't because the soft velvet skin that was her neck looked too inviting. He groaned to himself, looking back at the sky now.

"Never? Why?"

"Well, in the hidden rain you are always seeing clouds and rain. There really isn't much else to look at and since I haven't travelled much except to the boarder during the previous war, I haven't had a chance to really look at the stars."

Kiba sat there a second, just staring at the water, his thoughts overtaking him. This wasn't like him at all. He could understand anything; he never hesitated, and was so sure of himself. Now, he wasn't sure what to even say. Kiba didn't notice that Yuka was looking at him. She knew he wasn't enjoying himself, his face a mixture of annoyance and boredom. She sighed, moving to sink into the water further, her face dipping below the surface. Kiba noticed this and looked at her, a slight grin on his face.

"You… okay?" He asked, unsure what to say.

"Sort of," she said pushing herself underwater and swimming to the other side of the pool. Her hair was now matted even more to her head, slicked back over her head and back. She didn't notice Kiba behind her at all as she moved up to stand in the water, her back turned to him. Kiba wished she wouldn't do these things. She didn't even realize what she was doing but Kiba suspected different.

The streams of water running down her back and over her shoulders and hair made her seem like a silken ivory goddess. Her hair, a darker shade when wet, was sticking to her making her push her fingers through it to bring it back down around her face in loose hanging strands. She sighed again and Kiba almost lost it, turning away from her now. He couldn't even look at her. He barely knew her, or anything about her, and already he was ready to pounce on her and show her the alpha he really was.

Just then he turned to face her only to realize she was closing in on him, swimming up to him and then looking at him. "You look sick," she said, tilting her head to the side. "We can leave if you want. You've probably had a stressful day." She then smiled at him, her eyes lighting up slightly. He just nodded, watching her turn away.

"Wait," he said, reaching out to stop her. She stopped, turning around to look at him. "I mean," he said, leaning back up against the rock and looking away from her. "I'm not sick I'm just tired. This warm water is really helping my muscles."

"Oh!" she said, nodding in understanding. "Good, I'm glad it is. I didn't want to be trouble for you. I mean, I knew that one day someone would come for me. Who knew it would be two Jonin-level shinobi for the Hokage of Konoha itself!" She paused, wrapping her arms around herself to stand and move to a place to sit next to Kiba. His eyes almost flew out of their sockets when he saw the not so subtle chest she was trying to hide. "Better him than one of those mist assassins. Had to deal with a few during the war; was not fun…"

"Mist assassins?" Kiba asked, looking down at her dumbfounded. Was she really that powerful? "To be honest I can't believe your still here," he commented, a wave rolling over him. She can fight off mist assassins during a war with Zetsu and our side? She's good.

Kiba noticed the silence and looked over at her only to see a frustrated and annoyed look on her face. He bit his lip, trying to figure out what he had said to offend the kunoichi. Then she looked over at him, those entrancing green eyes catching his. "Well, I am here so I guess it's all good. Poor little ol' me and my damsel in distress tendencies. However will I make it in this tough shinobi world?" Her voice was dripping with sarcasm. Kiba knew it from the start.

"Hey, I didn't mean to offend you. I was just surprised is all!" Kiba said, forcing down his anger. She immediately snapped, looking over at him with contempt and bitterness.

"Well, excuse me. Apparently you have no strong kunoichi in your village. Looks like I'll rise through the ranks quickly dog-boy," she spat, moving to the other side of the spring. She sat there for a second, her eyes closed and her head tilted to the sky. Kiba just glared, wondering where she got the nerve. That's it; this kunoichi was going to get a piece of his mind.

"Listen here! I am on a team with a very strong and brave kunoichi," he said, an exasperated look on his face. She just glared back at him. "She's like a sister to me and there is no way I'll let you bash my teammate or any of my comrades. You may have been raised to challenge everything and everyone in your life but in Konoha, we trust and support our comrades!"

"Hmmph," she said, shaking her head at him. "Then quit belittling me," she said almost too softly. Kiba watched her now, his eyes narrowing in confusion.

"What do you mean? I was just surprised you managed to slip through assassin's fingers, enemy clones, and our guys without dying. Excuse me if I think that's pretty amazing," he spat, moving to get out. "I wasn't belittling you. You seriously have some problems." He paused, rolling his eyes at her. "I mean, seriously? I wasn't being offensive, if anything you are. Your just a troublesome woman and-."

SMACK.

She had stood up, walked over to him without bothering to cover herself or anything, and smacked him straight across the face. She didn't flinch, didn't turn her gaze from his face or anything. She looked angry, like she'd kill him then and there in the pools. "Call me troublesome or weak one more time and I'll show you how a real woman deals with pig-headed men." She then pushed him into the water with more force than necessary, making the water splash around the sides. All he could see was her foggy silhouette bend down, pick up her towel and stalk out, leaving wet prints behind her.

Worth it, he thought. Totally worth it. Just a glimpse of that rack was worth it.

Yuka wrapped the towel around herself and quickly walked to her door. She went to open it but found it locked. "Tsume-san!" she called, tapping on the door. "Please, let me in. I'm not comfortable being out here with-."

Just then the door flew open and Tsume was standing there with an angry face, looking about. "What happened? Who did it? I'll beat them into the dirt with my boots!"

"Uhm, no need. I'm just going to go to bed…" Yuka said, slipping into the room right before Tsume spotted Kiba. She narrowed her eyes at him and he just shrugged before going into his own room and shutting the door. Tsume came back into her room turning to see Yuka throwing the wet towel into the hamper before walking into the bathroom to put her old kimono on.

"No, no…" Tsume said, walking over to her bag and pulling out something. "Here, I wasn't sure what size you were so I just brought some of my daughter's clothes. Not sure what she gave me actually." She hands Yuka a pair of shorts and a simple long t-shirt that said "Real guys bite". Yuka just sighed, going into the bathroom and shutting the door behind her. Tsume-san could be quite the handful. She looked in the mirror now and sighed, running her hand through her hair.

Her reflection had changed since she last seen it. Mirrors weren't exactly a commodity she had around her old home. In fact, since she ended up there almost ten years ago she hadn't really bothered to look in a mirror. She sighed, biting her lip tears threatening to build in her eyes. She pushed them away though, like she always did.

She didn't know what made her more frustrated. The sudden move from the home she knew, the offer from the Hokage which belittled her powers and skill, or the escort she had to deal with. This Kiba guy was a handful as well. She didn't really care as much about that though. She'd dealt with brash and rude men all her life. Usually that ended up with her looting them or killing them. It happened often and though she was definitely not naive in the way of the world, she was naïve when it came to men. They blew hot, they blew cold, and as long as they got what they wanted it made no difference. She learned to avoid any type of man long ago.

But this Inuzuka was brash, loud, and a complete ass. Someone she could relate to at the very least. She was lonely, she'd admit and though she had never taken a real romantic interest in a man, she had to admit that this Kiba and the life he spoke of in Konoha was something she kind of wanted. Family, friends, and comrades… interesting. She never really sought that kind of life before but now that it was within her fingertips maybe, just maybe, she did want it. She shook her thoughts from her head now, pulling on the shirt and shorts. The shirt was tight over her chest raising up to reveal her stomach. She sighed, looking at herself in the mirror.

She didn't consider herself a beautiful woman but she did find her shapely face and bright green eyes her best feature. In fact, since she'd last really looked at them, she had noticed they had gotten more intense, greener. She pushed her frizzy thick hair out of her face and groaned, looking down at her body. No bruises were visible but she'd be damned if she forgot the treatment that Konoha had given her and her fellow refugees during the war. It wasn't the nicest due to the nature of the attacks but she helped the best she could. The only problem was during the fray the allied shinobi thought she was a spy, and so held her in confinement until it was all clear. The Shinobi were not exactly kind.

She hadn't lived a life of ease since the start, so she didn't expect it to get any better. She refused to drop that tough exterior and though she wanted more than anything to just find her place in the world, she refused that it be alongside that hot-headed dog-boy and his child-Hokage.

She emerged from the bathroom to spot Tsume laying on her bed, looking at the ceiling. It looked as if she was thinking and so Yuka didn't even bother to say anything as she crawled into her sheets, rolling over to try and sleep. That's when she heard Tsume's voice. "Hey, Yuka-chan," she said softly. "I know your conflicted and it must feel wrong to just up and leave your home for ours but… I can promise that you'll be welcomed happily into Konoha. It may not be what you're used to but we're good people. All of us," she added at the end a knowing grin on her face.

"Thank you Tsume-san," Yuka said, nodding in understanding. "I'll try my best to love it as much as you and Kiba-kun do."

The trip back the next day was pretty quiet. Tsume only commented occasionally on their position. Yuka said nothing, always running ahead of them. She didn't even want to see Kiba today. She had felt awful for what she did to him the night before but at the same time her pride just wouldn't let her do anything. Plus the way he looked at her that morning when he spotted her doing her morning stretches and light training made her stomach turn. He must really have hated her now. His face was almost pained while he looked at her that morning. She shook her head, speeding up so that even their tracks couldn't be heard.

She couldn't believe she was doing this, coming to Konoha without a fight, on the request of a Hokage. She surely thought she was going to be put behind bars the second she got there. In fact, she still expected it and couldn't help shake the feeling like she'd been set up. It was too late to turn around now, not with two tracker ninja hot on her trail. She was so screwed.

She kept thinking about her past, the fact that she was dumped as a young child at an orphanage for girls. How she was picked up by her former sensei and leader Konan, and how she became the kunoichi she was. Tough as nails, strong as any man could be, and proud, oh she was proud all right. She was proud of where her hard work and determination got her. She was a feared Kunoichi and by the end she hoped that she would be celebrated as well like the great kunoichi's Tsunade and the Mizukage from the Village Hidden in the Mist.

She was so deep in her thoughts she nearly overlooked the fact that a bug had landed on her shirt, making her stop and survey her surroundings. She quickly got rid of the bug and paused in defensive stance, looking about. Suddenly a voice came from the trees. "You are in Konohagakure territory kunoichi. You will identify yourself." Just then a man in dark glasses, a large overcoat, and spiky hair appeared, looking down at her.

"Identify yourself leaf nin," she said, pulling her kunai from her pack, holding it defensively.

"Do you wish to battle? You are terribly outnumbered kunoichi, but I will give you a chance to go quietly."

"Don't tempt me," she said, her eyes narrowing. "Identify yourself." She was ready for whatever he threw at her. She knew she noticed something different the second that chakra infused bug landed on her shirt. She could feel the slight wisps of a master. She just wasn't sure of how close he actually was.

"You are dangerously close to becoming food for my insects," he said, his voice distant and slightly intrigued. "Give up-."

"You can give up on me giving up!" she said, her eyes locking on his again. This set the ninja back a second for he just stood there, silent as if pondering something deep and yet far past.

"Identify," he said one last time, raising an arm. "Or I will be forced to end you."

At this she was gone, darting first behind him and beside him, thrusting her kunai at his side. A wall of moving buzzing creatures appeared and she jumped back, gaining a better foothold on the branch. She'd be damned if she had the lower ground. "That was fast," the ninja commented, looking her over. "But I will not show mercy."

She dodged his swarm just in time, their hunger encasing the branch she had just been standing on. She was now on the lower ground. Fuck. She looked up to see the insect nin was hot on her trail, coming to stand before her on the ground. She did some quick hand signs now, blowing balls of fire at the bugs who, upon impact, roasted like peanuts. They crackled and then more came, as if there were an endless swarm. She rolled, dodged, jumped, and managed to avoid his swarm before she found she was being forced into a corner. She cursed herself and then moved, creating a shadow clone before maneuvering herself around him. This didn't buy her much time, as she thought. Those bugs could tell which was the real her.

She didn't care. It gave her enough time to build up chakra in her clone to use her special jutsu. One hit and this man would be history. As his bugs went for her real body her clone quickly countered, firing quick bursts of fire at him causing him to raise a defense. Bingo. He had let his guard down for a second long enough for her to exasperate her clone and bring the chakra rushing back to her. He was dead.

She wove a few hand signs, holding her hand up to him, the green chakra glowing from her palm. Suddenly there was an explosion followed by a few quick movements. Suddenly she was backed against a tree, a hand holding her there. She quickly noticed it was Kiba, his eyes firmly focused on the bug user. He was shielded by a man dressed in the same fashion but older and even quieter. He had shielded that nin from the justsu.

"Shibi-san," Kiba said, looking him over. "What happened?"

"Inuzuka Kiba," the man said, looking him over. "Is this kunoichi with you?"

"Yes, she is!" he said and she blushed, her eyes never leaving the weird man that spoke to them. "Ma and I were about to bring her back to Hokage-sama as requested."

"My apologies," the man said, bowing slightly. He then turned to Yuka. "I am sorry miss. My son and I were simply scouting. Please, forgive our rudeness."

"Yes, I am sorry for the attack. Had I known you were not an enemy I would have refrained from attacking you," Shino said, looking at her. "Please forgive me."

Yuka moved from behind Kiba, still not looking at him. She nodded and bowed to the two men, her face lightening up and a smile gracing her lips. Damn her Kiba thought. She'll smile at everyone like that.

"It is all forgiven. My name is Yuka and I am a new comrade here in Konoha," she said, looking at them, her soft smile seeming to draw both men in. It was Shino who spoke first.

"Nice to meet you Yuka-san," Shino said, moving to stand next to his father. "This is the head of the Aburame clan, my father, Shibi Aburame. I am Shino, future heir and current insect handler of-."

"Psh, enough Shino. Jeesh, she'll learn who you are in time. She's going to be here a while," Kiba huffed, looking around for his mom. She was always lagging behind him.

"Yes, well, it was very nice to meet you Yuka-san," Shino said, bowing again before disappearing with his father.

"Wow," she murmured and Kiba turned, looking at her.

"What? That was Shino. My teammate. He's pretty scary and weird. I wouldn't cross him," he said, looking over his shoulder to see his mom and the hounds come into view. "Man, glad I went ahead of you guys. Missed a damn good sparing session I think. It was pretty intense when I stepped in."

"What are ya talking about pup?" she asked, looking at him skeptically. "Fight? Who?"

"Yuka here took one of the Aburame head on and almost had him," Kiba said, tapping his nose. "Except whatever attacks you were about to release wouldn't have reached him even with his father out of the equation. He's smart. He knew what was coming and put up an extra barrier of insects. You'd have dealt with some serious backfire."

Yuka looked up at him in awe for a second before looking down at her feet again. They were still bare. What was worse was that she couldn't believe Tsume had convinced her to wear something so constraining for the trip back. It was supposed to peaceful for goodness sakes! It was not her loose kimono she was so used to. No, it was a shirt that was way too tight around the chest that practically showed off everything from her ribs to her hips. It was annoying. Not to mention the pants she had her wearing clung to her like skin. She groaned, pulling at the collar around her neck. It was too tight, constricting.

"Still having problems are you, Yuka-chan?" Tsume asked, coming over to her. She quickly whipped out her kunai and cut a large slit down the middle of the collar to her breasts. Thank god Tsume was standing right there in front of her or else Kiba would have gotten an eyeful. Yuka quickly adjusted herself and felt satisfied with the top now. The tightness loosened enough to where she could move and breathe properly, and it didn't look that bad either. Too bad the outfit was all white and red. Some sort of statement I guess.

"Alright! Let's get to the Hokage tower! The faster we complete this the faster I can get home and see my other pups!" Tsume said, ruffling Kiba's hair before taking off ahead of him, Yuka following close behind. Tsume pretended not to notice the look in Kiba's eyes and what they were really focused on. That's my pup. Finally taken a liking to a good bitch; someone to rival his Ma! Not yet though… she's got a long way.