Before you read this I want to make a few things clear for those who are private messaging me. I already placed a disclaimer in the description and in an author's note a few chapters back. I will not put it on every chapter because I feel its redundant. Second, I would like to remind you that as I have said before just because a pairing shows up doesn't mean they will not break up. Third I am not a fan of yaoi or yuri please do not ask me to write it again because I will not. No offence is meant but it makes me feel awkward. Yes I know that there are spoilers and I have warned you several times. I know the plot is a little slow but suspense, detail and careful planning is crucial in good storytelling. Finally I am not trying to come off as mean or hostile in any way. Unfortunately that is just how my writing is construed. Thank you to all my reviewers, favorites and followers. Sorry for the long authors notes each time. Please remember that reviews are not necessary but are inspirational.
Day two of Sakura's hospital stay was decidedly better. Part of it had to do with the fact that she would be going home, and the other part was she would be visiting Kakashi. Her chest swelled as her pride began to raise it's ugly head. Kakashi was now her greatest accomplishment. She flinched a bit, now she sounded like another med-nin she knew. With a sigh she turned to her side peering out the window. Day break had yet to come, and no birds were heard. Then the self doubt set in, this was never good. Not for her and certainly not for her self esteem. She closed her eyes silently as tears began to prick her eyes and obstruct her vision. So many thoughts running through her head at once tangled with doubts. Hearing a soft tap on her room door she turned over and sat up her chakra reaching out to the one behind the door. She wanted to be sure who it was because she sure as hell didn't want to permit entrance to the elders, Daimyo, or clan heads.
His soft chakra brushed against hers tenderly as if to cradle it taking care not to offend. Feeling no malice within what he believed to be recognition in her signature his hand twisted the nob and the man and his companion stepped into the dim room silently. A soft click was hear from the door as it closed behind them. The tension in his shoulders and back evident in his movements. Noting this Sakura crossed her legs and patted the now vacant spot on her bed. After a puff of smoke to drop his gen jutsu Akamaru hoped up into the provided space. Immediately Sakura buried her face into the giant ninkin's fur. Wrapping his tail around immediately he looked upon the tiny female. She had always been his favored kunoichi. With a sigh into his fur she sat up and smiled. Her eyes moved to Kiba her back stiffening. Akamaru could smell the girls anger, nervousness, and was that a hint of fear?
"Don't get all excited Sakura I'm not here for that yet. I just wanted to see how you were doing this morning and Akamaru wanted to give you a lift home. We can still smell the fatigue on you." Kiba's smile flashed with the help of the sun which had to peek out from behind the horizon. Sakura crinkled her nose distastefully which he had to admit he found cute. Then he saw the shift in her eyes and the change of her scent it mixed between anger and repulsion. it changed to that of amusement.
"Your mom and sister are off on a mission again aren't they." She retorted flatly earning a deep, rumbling chuckle from his chest. She had caught his ulterior motives. He always seemed to find an excuse to eat at her place when both Inuzuka women were gone. This led her to believe that either he didn't know how to cook or he was to lazy to do so.
"Yeah they'll be gone three days this time." Now self conscious Kiba tucked his hands into his black jacket and lean slightly against the wall. It wasn't his fault that Sakura happened to be the best cook in Konoha at least in his opinion. The Akimichi had nothing on this woman, and if she didn't want people to know as much she shouldn't be feeding them. She had even found a way to fix a healthy alternative for Akamaru that tasted just as good.
"I haven't been discharged yet and if you keep showing up like this people are going to start talking again. Last time I was your forbidden lover remember." She laughed softly causing Kiba to visibly stiffen. He remembered that incident all to well. His mother had drug the both of them to her room and lectured them about the consequences of there non existent actions. He was half afraid she would demand they get hitched as to avoid a scandal.
"That's not funny Sakura." He growled between his clenched teeth and tense jaw. She was certain he remembered the incident correctly. His mother could scare the nine tails given the proper motivation.
"Keep that up and your going to chip a tooth." She laughed as Akamaru lay his head on her lap. Taking this as her cue she placed her small yet powerful hands upon the ninkin's head allowing her nails to brush against his fur. His tail began to sway with pleasure as he gave a content huff. This caused Kiba to roll his eyes and cross his arms against his mesh covered chest.
"Spoiled house pet." He grumbled to his ninkin as he took in Sakura's small frame. Her attention fully on her ministrations given to his partner. He wondered what it would be like to have her dote on him in such a way. Not that it had to be Sakura, he corrected himself, but it seemed as if she was the only kunoichi that was capable of this tenderness outside of Hinata who was clearly hung up on Naruto. Watching the interaction between the two was nice but he could see the conflict in her eyes and smell it in her scent. He felt bad for the pinkett he had grown fond of. He would admit only to himself he had a desire for the woman before him. The situation they were in was not helping this either. Still he would not take advantage of her frail state like his higher ups had. It completely disgusted him to the point he almost passed on the chance to participate. She had done something so miraculous and in return she had been placed on show for auction. Then and there he had decided that he would truly compete for her and if he won he would make sure she would be truly happy.
A new scent had just entered the room causing him to turn to the door. Agitated that such a tender moment was about to be interrupted he cleared his throat. It was after all his fault. Akamaru lifted his head and moved out of sight behind the bed as a nurse walked in. Blinking twice she scowled at the man and continued in. When would Ino get over herself he wondered?
"Sakura I see your feeling better." Ino clipped clearly annoyed as she sat a few papers attached to a clip board on Sakura's lap intent on ignoring Kiba. He had interrupted her break during the most peaceful part of the shift just to discharge Sakura. Nothing made her more irritated than being interrupted during her break from the 'crazies' as she had often been caught calling them. Kiba knew this but figured if he was going to bother one of them he should at least be fair and irritate the other.
"Whats this?" Sakura quirked a brow half knowing what to expect. In return she got a look from the blond that said you already know what this is. So with a sigh of defeat Sakura signed the necessary documents and handed them back to Ino. Trying to mend the situation so the entire hospital would not be rudely shocked awake she smiled. "I'm sorry for the rush. Why don't we go out tonight so I can make it up to you?"
"I cant I have a half shift, and plans with Choji to train." In truth she did have plans with Choji but they had nothing to do with training. Sure they would go out to the training field for a while but it always ended with a visit to a local restaurant and him walking her to her door. It was already well know by anyone with eyes that Choji Akimichi and Ino Yamanaka were an item, but neither would admit it. With a sigh Ino left in a better mood and Sakura stood from her bed shakily. Moving to the closet she retrieved her clothing sitting them into the bathroom of the hospital room. The rustling of fabric was all he needed to hear before he whistled for Akamaru and left to give her privacy. His cheeks red and feeling uncomfortable.
"That woman is going to be the death of her mate." Akamaru chuckled as he stood with his partner outside Sakura's hospital room. This earned a grin from Kiba as he sighed.
"You may be right but he would die a happy man."