Gathering Allies

Kiba said goodbye to his former teammates and made his way home. He couldn't help but think of Tamaki. Yeah she lived in a dangerous part of fire country but her sparkling eyes captivated him. They worked together on a mission involving animals and it was her devotion to cats that drove him crazy. Besides Hinata and Hana, his sister; she was the only woman he spent time with.

His time has been tied up working with Konohagakure's tracking team. He has a leadership role on the team in connection with Naruto's assembly members when Naruto is named Nanadaime Hokage. In very close proximity his teammate Shino, who has a position of leadership with the Academy as a teacher when he passes the entrance exam.

Kiba thought about Tamaki and vowed to get in contact with her soon. Akamaru barked in agreement. They were so in tune to each other. So Akamaru missed her too. That was all Kiba need to hear. Akamaru wasn't wrong when it came to people. That just wasn't possible.

Tonight he got together with Shikamaru and Chouji as they ate Yakiniku-Q with friends Temari's presence made him think of Tamaki. They were from different villages yet Shikamaru seemed to make it work. Kiba didn't have that obstacle so if lazy Shikamaru could manage why couldn't he. Now married Shikamaru and Temari were constantly around.

Kiba hoped that Tamaki hadn't moved on or forgot about him. They weren't that long distant and nothing was really stopping him from dating her. Then again she didn't expect more from their relationship so he couldn't blame her if she were dating someone in his place.
Kurenai and her child Sarutobi Mirai were walking down the street. In a happy coincidence Kiba greeted the two.

"Sensei," Kiba greeted.

"Hello Kiba, Akamaru," Kurenai replied.

Mirai laughed and grabbed at Akamaru's fur.

"Akamaru's no stuffed animal little one, he's the number one best ninken of Konoha," Kiba said proudly.

Akamaru barked prideful. The little girl beamed a big smile in response.

"Akamaru is certainly a lot bigger than when he would nap in your hair," Kurenai said sweetly remembering her former team.

"What are you doing here; I mean first how are you doing," Kiba asked.

"You've heard about the party right," Kurenai said.

"Oh yeah. Shikamaru and Temari," Kiba said.

"I just came from Temari's place. I wanted to give her something nice as a gift," Kurenai said pointing out her packages.

"There are so many couples. It gets hard to keep up with Konoha's social life," Kiba reasoned.

"I see you alone a lot Kiba but you've always gotten by with Akamaru. Don't pass up on love it will find you. I've had my shot and it was wonderful. I wouldn't change anything especially because of this little girl," Kurenai said.

"Well take care. Oh and you may pass some of the old team on the way home. We all had a Yakiniku-Q bar-b-q get together," Kiba said.

"I see. Well we'll be seeing you then Kiba, Akamaru," Kurenai said leaving.

000

Hinata watched as Kurenai left Kiba. It looked like a friendly little visit amongst friends. Had she been the outgoing type she might have ran over and joined in the conversation. However Hinata was not that type of girl.

She could even picture it as she thought to herself Ino would have rushed over had it been Asuma and Shikamaru. Hinata sighed to herself and looked the opposite way down the street. The vendors looked promising selling yummy snacks and she decided to follow that path for now. If she ran into someone she would say hello but she would not seek out anybody today.

The cold weather was perfect for the scarf she knitted. The scarf was wrapped snug around her collar. She wondered what she could make that would be the perfect gift for Kiba. Everything she gave him in the past was a gift from teammate or friend but never had she thought to get him anything that said more than friends. One thing she deiced for sure was that it had to be homemade.

Kiba looked awful happy today. She could only wonder what the conversation with Kurenai had been about. They all were so captivated by Mirai. The child was so pretty like her mother and Hinata was sure she had something special that made her uniquely Sarutobi as well. Perhaps latter in life she too would be a kunoichi.

Hinata knew all too well what it was like growing up under the parents of capable Shinobi. She was expected to be nothing short of excellent. Being the clan leader was a huge responsibility, one that she did not take lightly. Although she couldn't see herself as clan leader no matter how much more confident she had become.

The smell of cinnamon caught her attention and she stopped to duck in a pastry shop. After picking out a few items she quickly paid and headed back out into the cold. Much to her surprise she almost ran into Sakura.

"Hello Hinata," Sakura greeted.

"Hello Sakura," Hinata returned the greeting feeling a little guilty with all her sweets in tow.

"How has it been," Sakura asked.

"I've been fine. I just stopped at the Pantry and picked up some sweet bread do you want to come over and share some…um maybe with tea," Hinata asked. She hardly wanted to be alone and this would give her some bonding time with Sakura.

"Oh that sounds lovely but I just cant with all that is going on lately," Sakura said apologetically.

"That's fine," Hinata said. Their relationship would always be somewhat strange but Sakura was always accepting of the Hyuuga heiress.

"Some other time though," Sakura suggested.

"Yes, some other time," Hinata said.

"Well I better get going I have a monster of a work load waiting for me," Sakura said.

"Is Naruto-kun...how are things with Naruto," Hinata asked hoping to sound normal. If she were Ino she would ask this question easily, she thought to herself. That was something she had to stop doing; perhaps Ino was just on everyone's mind lately.

"Naruto is doing the best he can with all that is going on. He's a bit stressed out but I'm sure he'd love to see you too. Maybe we all can get together. I'll ask him to come with me sometime soon but right now I got to go," Sakura said giving Hinata a brief hug and turning away.

"See you latter," Hinata said a bit surprised. She didn't want a couple's date but that was how it would be. A couple getting together with her while she was the third wheel. Maybe if she had the guts to do so she would invite Kiba to join the both of them. After watching Sakura walk further away she thought maybe she just might have the guts after all.

Kiba couldn't have gone far and the cinnamon smelled all too inviting. Perhaps if she caught up with Kiba she could invite him to eat the sweet bread with her other wise it was down to her either eating with her sister or eating alone. Inhaling a little too much cold air she pushed though the crowd and headed for where Kiba was heading.

Towards the Inuzuka compound Hinata knew the place like the back of her hand. Usually she would be accompanied by Shino as well when she came through. Lately she found herself coming by alone a lot. Kiba didn't seem to notice one way or the other and that was where Hinata found herself.

Kiba's place was new set apart from where his mother and sister lived but not too far away. He was still proudly part of this great clan in Kohona and they had plenty of land for dogs like Akamaru. It took Hinata a while to get past the gate and the barking but once she stood on the porch she caught her breath. Knocking on the door to Kiba's place she didn't think much about what to say or how he would react she just decided to share the sweet bread with him and that was the end of that.

000