I must be crazy. What am I doing? She won't want to see me, we'll just get into another fight.

Hanabi had fought impressively, that much was true. It was a risky move, she'd used all her chakra in one attack, but he liked that she had the confidence to back herself like that.

Kiba had known Hanabi a long time, she was Hinata's kid sister. She was their father's favourite and always made sure that Hinata knew that. She didn't exactly brag about it, but she just carried herself in such a way that superiority wafted off her. That was the first thing that got Kiba offside. After that, it was the way she dismissed Akamaru, treating him as though he was a regular dog and not a ninja hound. She was lucky Akamaru hadn't taken a bite out of her, maybe Kiba should have commanded him to and taught her a lesson.

So, she was arrogant and nasty, but she was also a brilliant shinobi, fierce and unrelenting in a fight. And she might even be pretty if she bothered to brush her hair once in a while. She liked to give him a hard time about his grooming habits and choice of company, but she was no picnic herself. As predicted, the second he got close to her, it began.

"Urgh," Hanabi complained. "What is that smell?"

She turned her lilac eyes on him and Akamaru.

"Oh," she said. "That explains it."

He had planned on taking Naruto's advice and playing nice, but all that went out the window in the face of her disdain.

"Looks like you messed up again, huh? How hard is it to remember that shinobi always keep their emotions under control?"

"Probably as hard as it is to remember to buy your dog some soap. He's rank."

"He is not!" Kiba growled back.

"Nice emotional control there, Inuzuka."

"You're a nightmare."

"You came down here pestering me."

Man, how stupid am I? Why would I listen to Naruto of all people?

"My mistake. Come on, Akamaru. Let's go."

xxx

Hanabi had finally made chunin much to her father's relief. She was supposed to be a wonder child, and she had trained night and day to become the son he wanted.

Tonight, he had decided to put on a small celebration for her at the compound. Her friends and everyone from the clan were invited. Unfortunately, some of her sister's loser friends had showed up too, including the dog-boy.

"What are you doing here?" she sneered. He's so cute. I hate him.

Kiba scowled at her. At least he's looking at me.

"You're not the only person on the planet, Hanabi. Hinata invited me."

"This is my party."

"So? There are plenty of other people here, I'm sure we can manage to stay out of each other's way."

"Make sure you do," she frowned.

Hanabi couldn't stand her sister's friends. Shino was totally creepy. Naruto and Neji made her want to puke because they were so loved up. Tenten had been dumb enough to get knocked up by her sensei. Hinata's boyfriend was a complete dork and had the grossest eyebrows she'd ever seen. But of all of them Kiba Inuzuka was the worst. He was the most annoying, smelly, loud-mouthed, cute, amazing, dreamy boy she'd ever met. He was older than her, cooler than her, and had way more mission experience than her. She'd had a crush on him for years even though she knew he was never going to see her as anything other than his teammate's little sister. It drove her nuts sometimes, and that's why she had to be mean to him. If she had to endure this torture, then he could suffer right along with her. At least we have that to share.

Later in the evening, her cousin Neji came to talk to her. He'd seen her fight from up close because he was in charge of the exams this time around.

"Well done, Hanabi. I can't imagine a more difficult opponent for you to face. You deserve this promotion."

"Thanks," she said. Even though Neji was her cousin, she wasn't close to him. Though she did respect him as a talented and powerful shinobi. He was the only Hyuga she hadn't surpassed. Yet.

"Naruto was watching from the stands today with Kiba. He said Kiba cheered for you the loudest of anyone there."

What? Could that be true? Why would he?

"But I suppose you know how proud he was of you. Naruto also said he left immediately to congratulate you on the win."

"Yes," she lied to save face. "I did see him after the match."

He wanted to congratulate me? I thought he just came to tell me I fought badly. I have to get to the bottom of this.

After she finished talking to Neji, she tracked Kiba down.

"Is it true?" she demanded.

"What?" Kiba frowned.

"Were you cheering for me today?"

"Everyone from the Leaf was. So?"

"So…" I love you. "Don't!"

"You can't tell me what to do!"

"I knew it was a load of crap."

"What?"

"That you wanted to congratulate me."

"It's not crap. I was going to, but you didn't wanna hear it. I don't know why I bothered."

"You still haven't done it, you know."

"What?"

"Congratulated me. You should, considering this is my party."

"You don't need me to tell you you're amazing. I'm sure everyone else already has."

He thinks I'm amazing? Why can't he just say so?! It was beyond frustrating. She balled her fists and stomped her foot.

"Why are you so stupid?! I don't give a damn what everyone else thinks!"

"Huh? Hanabi, I…"

"You're right. I don't need to hear it," she decided, pulling him down into a fierce kiss. She crushed her mouth against his, feeling him give into it, and return it with equal fervour. She plunged her tongue into his mouth, feeling his fangs. Damn that's hot… Then she felt a sharp sting and tasted blood.

"Ow! You cut my lip!"

"Well maybe next time don't just start mauling my face!"

There was a beat of anger between them, and then a smirk slid onto Hanabi's face.

"Next time?"

"Obviously," he smirked back, folding his arms around her tight, and pulling her in for another kiss.

AN: My version of Hanabi is kinda based on Helga from Hey Arnold! Dunno why, it just happened.