Kiba ran, not allowing his legs to stop until his apartment came into sight. When he finally began to slow down, his feet screamed with pain and Ino seemed heavier than usual. He bit down on the inside of his cheek, forcing the pain to distract him from anything else.

Laying on the path to his front door was Akamaru, who lifted his head when he saw Kiba carrying Ino. Kiba knew Akamaru must have been worrying about his master and had waited up for him. The dog whimpered and rushed over, sniffing at Ino's unconscious body.

"She's had a rough night," Kiba said. Akamaru licked her foot, as it was the only part of her he could reach since Kiba held her bridal style.

Akamaru then padded over to the door, holding it open for his master. "Thanks, buddy."

Kiba carried Ino inside and brought her to his bedroom. He lay her on his bed carefully before peeling off her heels and looking away from her as he pulled her thong back up. When she was all tucked in, Kiba pulled away and ran his fingers through his hair.

Shit. His mind was racing with all of the things that were so completely wrong with this situation. As much as he loved having Ino in his bed, he didn't want to get her in trouble with Shikamaru-in case the guy really cared that much. Not to mention, she might be mad at him again like last time. Then again, if she tried to pull that shit on him, he could just say that he saved her vagina from a seriously unwanted pounding from four strange men.

A small cry came from the bed and Kiba looked down to see Ino's eye brows furrowed and a frown on her face. She mumbled something and Kiba leaned in closer to her. Seeing her face all scrunched up like that made all of Kiba's worries about himself transfer to worries of her. "What was that, princess?"

"They tried to hurt me," Ino whimpered.

"Shit..." Kiba hissed. He had seriously hoped she hadn't remembered all of that. He licked his lips and sat down on the edge of the bed. "Don't worry, I got you. You're safe here with me."

Ino's eyes fluttered open and aimed themselves at Kiba. They looked almost translucent in the moonlight that cascaded through the window.

Although Kiba felt a sense of relief that Ino was safe with him, he was still extremely pissed that she had broken her promise. "Where was Sakura? Why didn't you go home with her like you said you would?"

Ino grumbled and rolled over. Kiba grabbed her shoulder and forced her to turn back towards him.

"Hey!" She whined.

"Answer me, dammit. If you had just listened to me, this wouldn't have happened," Kiba growled.

"Calm down. You're not my fucking dad," Ino shot back.

"You're right. If I was, I wouldn't have even let you go to the club."

She rolled her eyes. Those beautiful blue eyes. "Whatever."

Kiba released his grip on her shoulder and stormed towards the door. "'Whatever'? Fine, sure. Whatever. You know, you always come around here begging for my help. 'My husband doesn't love me, I'm bored, I'm lonely, my pussy is collecting dust'-and then when I help you out, you do this. You don't listen, you get pissy, and you act like you hate me. So fine, Ino. Whatever."

He slammed the door shut behind him, resting against it for a moment to catch his breath. A soft whimper made him look down. Akamaru sat a few feet away, giving him a look that told him he had made a big mistake.

"I know, I'm a dick. What else is new?" Kiba snapped. Akamaru snorted and turned away, his tail held high as he trotted into the kitchen and disappeared. Kiba rolled his eyes and walked towards the hallway closet.

He pulled out a raggedy old pillow and a couple of quilts his grandmother had made for him years ago. They were old and had some holes, but they were still useful.

As he made his way through the dark hallway and back into the living room, he thought about all he had said to Ino. Even though he had spoken the truth, he knew he shouldn't have said it and he wished he could take it all back. Why did she have to be so infuriating?

He entered the living room and stopped. His feet felt glued to the floor. His eyes widened at what sat before him. On the couch was Ino, her slender legs spilling out of the bottom of one of his baggy t-shirts. She looked up as he entered.

"Kiba," her voice was soft. It shook like a leaf in the wind. "Kiba, you were right. I-"

Kiba shook his head. The floor below him creaked as he crept towards her. "I was wrong to yell at you like that."

He kneeled before her, dropping the pillow and quilts onto the couch before burying his face into her stomach, wrapping his arms around her, and pulling her into him. She gasped in shock, but relaxed when she realized he was simply embracing her. As time passed, she softly began combing her fingers through his hair, spiking it up even more.

"I'm sorry," he murmured into the heat of her stomach.

"I'm sorry, too."

Kiba stood up and nodded at her, she obliged and scooted over. He then, rather clumsily, squeezed himself onto the couch beside her and turned onto his side so that they were face to face.

"Ino," he breathed.

"Yes?"

He had never been this close to her before. Stray strands of her hair tickled his arms, her breath caressed his face, and he could feel almost every nook and cranny of her body pressed up against his. He prayed he wouldn't get aroused any time soon and disrupt this moment they were sharing.

"I was so scared I wouldn't be able to save you," he whispered. Her eyes shone as though she were about to cry. Kiba shook his head. "Along with the marriage advice, I'm gonna' start helping you train."

Ino's mouth fell open. "Train? Kiba, I'm not a kunoichi anymore."

"I realize that," he said. "But I want you to be able to defend yourself. As much as I'd like to, I can't always be there to help you. Train with me."

Ino opened her mouth to argue, but he shook his head. His hand traveled across the pillow and grabbed hold of hers. He gave it a gentle squeeze.

"Train with me."

Ino glanced at their hands together before nodding slowly.

"Good."

Kiba lay his head down and closed his eyes. He felt Ino moving around beside him. He opened his eyes once more when he felt her head nuzzling against his chest. He heard her let out a contented sigh before her breathing lowered as she fell asleep. Without another word, Kiba crooked his arm to hold her head against him. He buried his face deep into her curtain of hair, letting the scent of flowers lull him to sleep.

A/N: awwwww :) how cute are they? R&R, pretty please? ;)