A.N/: Got super lazy over Eid, but here I am once more! I hope everyone reading this is well and still sane despite the effed up world and the absolute shit job market.

Writing this was a reprieve. It made me... happy and hopeful.

And that's what I hope you all are too.


Chapter 7

The Sound of You and Me


As the tension lingered between them, time seemed to slow down, each passing second stretching into an eternity. Their eyes remained locked in a silent exchange, a silent conversation playing out between them without a single word spoken.

Kiba's nerves were palpable, his body betraying the turmoil within as a slight tremor ran through him. Despite his attempts to remain composed, he couldn't help but shiver slightly under her touch. His teeth chattered imperceptibly, a physical manifestation of the uncertainty swirling in his mind.

Sakura's fingers lingered delicately against his jawline, the warmth of her touch seeping into his skin and sending shivers down his spine. She could feel the subtle quiver of his jaw beneath her fingertips, a testament to the raw emotions simmering just beneath the surface.

Neither of them dared to break the fragile tension that hung between them, each waiting for the other to take the first step. It was as if the entire world had faded away, leaving only the two of them suspended in this moment of anticipation and possibility.

The charged silence extended, the calm symphony mesmerizing.

It felt like there was no sound, except that of their breathing.

Of just him and her.

And all the rest?

It didn't matter.

He was going to do it. He was going to tell her how he felt about her.

The alcohol coursing through his veins, a companion to his newfound bravery, had lent him the audacity to be bold with her till now, emboldening him to take the risks he'd only ever dreamed of, and he suspected it was the same for her. It was that liquid courage that had empowered him to ask her to dance, setting this pivotal moment into motion.

And now, all he heard was the roar of blood in his ears, a static sound which buzzed in a high pitched volume, drowning out any other noise in its overwhelming intensity.


As Sakura and Kiba embraced the slow dance, their connection deepening with each step, the other members of their group couldn't help but take notice, particularly Naruto and Lee. The abrupt shift from his lively dance-off to this more intimate moment raised eyebrows and sparked whispers amongst the onlookers.

A subtle air of jealousy also started to seep into their expressions, evident in exchanged looks between the two. Naruto nudged Rock Lee with an amused yet slightly envious grin.

"Hey, Bushy Brow, look at Dog Boy over there, slow dancing with Sakura-chan!" Naruto gestured toward Kiba and Sakura.

"Indeed, Naruto! I had noticed!" Rock Lee responded with a chuckle. "Kiba's love life has always been an adventurous journey. It seems he adds a touch of unpredictability to every encounter, but the predictability of it is sadly foreseen as well. I sense a slap-me jutsu erupting very soon. He's being very forward, don't you think?"

Naruto sidled up to Neji with a mischievous grin. "I mean, I was beginning to think his idea of romance was wrestling with Akamaru or something! He's so bad at it."

Neji, maintaining his calm demeanor, responded with a subtle nod. Kiba was Hinata's best friend, and Hinata wouldn't appreciate if he joined in the teasing, he thought. Not to mention, he held a soft spot for Sakura especially after the war, when she had saved him from his inevitable death by keeping him alive shrouded in Katsuyu long enough for Naruto to resuscitate him and envelop him in a Kyubi cloak.

Naruto laughed heartily. "Well, let's hope he doesn't ruin it with his usual Doggy charm," Naruto added. "You know, the one where he says something embarrassing and turns the romance into a comedy routine."

The duo shared a round of laughter, watching the ongoing dance with amused expressions. The unpredictability of Kiba's interactions with the opposite gender had become a running joke among their group, and this unexpected slow dance only added another chapter to the legend of Kiba's romantic escapades.

"I'm so not letting him ever hear the end of this," Naruto declared, and Lee nodded. "Just like when he was making out with that girl last week and when things got good and he 'Almost' went all the way, he ran out with his tail between his legs!"

"Indeed!" Lee replied. "Even right now, I think we would soon be seeing a Kiba-shaped hole in the wall soon, when he's running away from Sakura-chan's wrath. Or, as always, he 'Almost' reaches the end but does not cross the finishing line. Then I shall not be letting him hear the end of it."

"Who made you both the experts in talking to the female gender?" Neji smirked. "Last I remember, you both are just as bad and perhaps more prone to slap-me jutsus, mostly from Sakura herself."

Lee nodded vehemently. "She is beauty, she is grace, and she will punch you straight in the face," he recalled the saying they used to chant when they were younger.

"Maybe Hinata's been giving him some pointers!" Naruto concluded, shifting his attention suddenly to Hinata. "There's no way he got this smooth all on his own."

Neji, though tempted to join in the teasing, sneaked a look at Hinata, who had blushed like a carrot when Naruto had mentioned her suddenly, looking at him like a deer caught in the reflection of a kunai. She had been successfully lingering around the periphery of everyone's vision, close enough to watch Naruto, but blended into the background enough to be easily forgotten, perhaps taking a page out of her teammate Shino's book. She turned to look up at Neji expectantly, happy that he had been defending her friend from the ruthless teasing and expecting him to defend her as well.

"Well, let's not underestimate the power of friendship," Neji said slowly. "Kiba and Hinata-sama do share a unique bond. Who knows, maybe Kiba's newfound charisma is indeed a result of Hinata-sama's influence."

Hinata, with a shy smile, finally whispered. "It's... it's kind of sweet, don't you think? Kiba-kun has always liked Sakura-chan. I... I've always advised him to be careful and... and be his true self."

Tenten, overhearing their conversation, couldn't help but join in with a teasing smile. She was also the only one who knew about Neji's secret fondness for his cousin and had caught on to his subtle defense of Hinata. She chuckled, thinking he could do with her help.

"Come on, guys, give Kiba a break," Tenten chuckled. "Maybe he's just showing a side we never knew he had. For starters, who knew he would be tame enough for a slow dance? You're right, Neji. Hinata and Kiba are best buds for life. I'm sure she's secretly coaching him on the art of romancing as well. Perhaps it runs in the family," She teased Neji, who looked back at her extremely annoyed. Tenten had blatantly referenced Neji's teachings to herself. Being aromantic, she had no clue about romance, and she relied on Neji to push things and have something happen between her and Rock Lee.

Lee, trying to maintain his upbeat spirit but clearly feeling a twinge of jealousy as well, responded with a forced smile.

"Indeed, Tenten! Dog Boy has found himself in a most fortunate position. A slow dance with Sakura-chan is truly a splendid opportunity. Ah, the dance of love! A splendid choice! A ninja's heart must be as nimble as his feet!"

"But Tenten, Doggy Brain's always had a special penchant for turning any interaction with a girl, especially Sakura, into a comedy routine," Naruto leaned over Tenten with a mischievous grin. "Let's see how long it takes him to trigger the inevitable slap-me jutsu, as usual. Remember the good old days when we were all actively trying to win Sakura-chan's heart?"

"Ah, the trials of young love!" Lee responed, his expression a mix of nostalgia and determination. "Our attempts may not have been successful, but they were valiant! Each rejection only fueled our determination to become better ninjas and, dare I say, more worthy dance partners. I suppose we must applaud Kiba's boldness and learn from him. But fear not, Naruto! The flames of youth burn bright within us. Our chance for a splendid dance, and perhaps more, shall come, devoid of slap-me jutsus! Perhaps our partner was also in front of us the whole time."

Tenten coughed lightly, drawing the attention of the group. Lee's eyes brightened with realization as he turned toward her, a wide grin spreading across his face.

"My dear Lady Tenten! Would you honor me with a dance?" Lee exclaimed enthusiastically, his voice carrying a blend of excitement and genuine affection.

Tenten felt her cheeks flush at his earnest invitation, touched by his sincerity. She glanced around at their friends, catching Hinata's encouraging smile and Neji's subtle nod of encouragement. With a shy smile of her own, she nodded in acceptance.

"Um. Yes. Of course, Lee," she replied, her voice unusually soft but filled with warmth. As she placed her hand in his, she felt a surge of gratitude for his unwavering friendship and the joy he brought into her life.

Together, they made their way to the dance floor, laughter and lighthearted chatter filling the air around them. Tenten stole a glance at Lee, admiring the earnest determination in his eyes as he led her in a spirited dance. In that moment, surrounded by friends and lost in the music, she couldn't help but feel grateful for the bonds they shared and the memories they were creating together.

"If either one of them are the first one of us to get committed, I'll pull my hair out," Naruto declared. "Next thing you know, they'll be giving us relationship advice!"

Neji was amused, unable to hide a chuckle.

"Now that would be a sight to see. I'm sure they'd have some unconventional wisdom to share."


A few seconds trickled by as they continued to gaze each other, each unceremoniously daring the other to finally make the first move. Kiba was starting to shiver a little. Her fingers were still placed precariously over his jaw, and she could still feel his slightly chattering teeth, too afraid to close the gap.

He leaned in, taking another slow, deep inhale, tingling the hair on the back of her neck. His mouth parted, his pointed fangs visible once more in the dim light. They seemed to beckon to her with an allure that was both exhilarating and terrifying. . It appeared he wanted to... Bite her. She shuddered. His expression... It was very primal. She couldn't help but feel a shiver run down her spine. His primal aura enveloped her, igniting a primal response within her own being.

"You… you really think I smell good?" She asked. Her fingers trailed up his cheek to his temples, feeling the graze of his stubble and wondered how it'd feel scratching against her own face. She outlined the marking on his cheeks with her fingers slowly and then drew them down to outline his jaw. Her touch was like liquid fire. Each touch sent a jolt of electricity through her veins, heightening her senses to the intoxicating proximity between them. She looked at his lips, now blatantly inviting him to kiss her. The urge to lean in closer, to feel the brush of his lips against hers, pulsed through her veins like a drumbeat.

He nodded. "I bet you taste amazing too," he stammered, his voice tinged with a hint of uncertainty, betraying the hesitance that lurked beneath his words. As he held her delicately in his embrace, his gaze lingered on her soft, pink lips, his mind swirling with a whirlwind of conflicting emotions.

What if this was all just a trap? What if she was testing him, pushing him to see how far he would go before she unleashed her fury upon him? The thought sent a shiver down his spine, mingling with the thrill of anticipation that coursed through his veins.

Brushing aside his doubts, he traced the delicate diamond on her forehead with his finger, the touch sending a surge of electricity through him. Leaning in, he planted a soft kiss in its wake, his lips lingering against her skin in a gesture that was both incredibly romantic and undeniably arousing.

In that moment, she felt a rush of warmth flood her senses, enveloping her in a cocoon of protection and desire. It was as if he had cast a spell over her, drawing her into his embrace with a magnetism that she couldn't resist.

A few tense seconds ticked by, each moment stretching out into eternity as they remained locked in a silent standoff, their eyes locked in a silent battle of wills. In the charged atmosphere between them, the air seemed to crackle with anticipation, each of them silently daring the other to finally break the spell.

Kiba felt a tremor run through him, his nerves thrumming with a mixture of excitement and apprehension. Despite the warmth of her touch against his skin, he couldn't shake the chill that seemed to creep into his bones, his body betraying his inner turmoil.

Her fingers lingered over his jawline, the delicate pressure sending a shiver down his spine. He could feel the faint tremble in her touch, mirroring the nervous energy that coursed through him. It was as if they were both teetering on the edge of a precipice, too afraid to take that final step into the unknown. He was shivering as well, and she could feel his slightly chattering teeth, too afraid to close the gap.

"You can check," she invited softly, her voice barely more than a whisper, her eyelids fluttering closed halfway as she leaned in expectantly. The air between them seemed to crackle with tension, each heartbeat echoing in the space between them. She couldn't have made her invitation any clearer, her actions speaking volumes as she offered herself to him.

In that moment, all pretense fell away, leaving only raw, unspoken desire lingering in the air. She longed for him to bridge the gap between them, to close the distance and claim her lips in a kiss that would shatter the fragile barrier separating friendship from something more.

With each passing moment, the line between them blurred, the boundaries of their relationship becoming increasingly fluid. What had started as a simple conversation had evolved into something far more profound, something that stirred emotions neither of them had dared to acknowledge until now.

Why hadn't the dumbass kissed her yet? she wondered.

She heard the loud swallow resonate in her ears, almost drowning out the music as he leaned in so close, his breath hot against her ear. Anticipation thrummed through her veins as she anticipated the touch of his lips, only to feel the unexpected sensation of his tongue delicately tracing her cheek before gently nibbling on her earlobe.

Her eyes flew open in surprise, her heart racing with a mixture of shock and arousal at his unexpected gesture.

"Sorry," he stammered, his eyes wide with alarm as he pulled back, his face flushed with embarrassment. "I… I don't know what came over me. I didn't mean to… You're just so… I… I couldn't resist."

She felt a shiver run down her spine, her skin tingling with the lingering sensation of his touch. Despite the unexpectedness of his actions, she couldn't deny the thrill that coursed through her at his boldness. Gathering her courage, she met his gaze, her voice trembling slightly as she posed the question that had been lingering in her mind throughout their exchange.

"Do you… like me?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper, her eyes searching his for any hint of the truth. In that moment, everything hung in the balance, their unspoken desires laid bare as she waited for his response. She licked her lips; they had suddenly become very dry for some reason.

His heart continued to pound against his ribcage like a wild beast clamoring for release as he summoned the courage to make his confession. Never before had she given him such a clear opportunity to break free from the confines of the friend zone.

The alcohol had allowed her to be more open, more accepting, more receptive, and more at ease with herself. She may not have considered him as seriously any other day.

With determination etched into every line of his face, he knew there was no turning back now. This was his moment, his chance to lay bare his feelings before her. If he didn't seize it now, he might never have another opportunity.

"I… I like you, Sakura," he found himself blurting out, the words tumbling from his lips in a rush. "I mean, I really like you. I... I like you a whole lot."

As the words left his lips, they seemed to echo in his mind, reverberating with a weight he hadn't anticipated.

It was as though he had been a mere bystander to his own speech, observing from a distance as the suggestion took form in the air between them.

He gulped heavily, waiting for her reaction. Time had stopped, as had the sounds around them. It was only them, this moment, and this dance. The sound of him and her.

Sakura's eyes widened, her brows arching up her forehead as she all but stopped breathing.

It had all led to this moment.

He had steeled himself for a hit reflexively, like he had been doing through the entire length of the song. During this entire exchange, he didn't know when she'd feel he had stepped out of line and let him have it, and he was scared every second of it. And even though she hadn't hit anyone in a long time and the lousy asses they had been back then, they had probably deserved it, he was still scared of a rejection. And it wasn't just because he was embarrassed, but because he had laid his heart out so bare.

He was perhaps more vulnerable than the day he had been born.

"Why don't we give Sakura and Kiba a try?" he found himself saying, feeling like he had stepped out of his own body.