Disclaimer: No. I don't own Naruto.

Rating: M. I had at first started writing this as a 'T' rating, but then I just couldn't help myself, so the first couple chapters are 'T'. Rating is for limited sexual violence, sexual acts, language and adult themes.

A/N: Well. I had this crazy theory pop into my head, and I just couldn't shake it off. The story is slightly more dramatic than I like to write, but all the sexual tension more than makes up for it. This is a fic to be enjoyed and not to be taken seriously at all. Trust me. Don't take it seriously.

Thanks to of815 for your reactions and commentary that help make this story from a boy's perspective. Thanks also to kaotic312 who actually inspired this little fic in a small way.

Chapter 1: First Date

Kiba had decided he needed a girlfriend. Shikamaru had Temari; Naruto had Sakura; even Shino had a girl he was seeing. Jealous that these guys were able to obtain status as a boyfriend, Kiba had thought, if they can do it, so could he.

However, it wasn't only jealousy that convinced him. Kiba had been anxious about getting a chance at kissing and making out since…well, since he'd discovered girls had fascinating anatomy.

Okay, who was he kidding? Girls had boobs, and those interested him.

Within the same minute, he had decided he wouldn't date kunoichi. Most of them, except Hinata, had high-and-mighty attitudes, corrosive tempers, and gave out cryptic suggestions and signals. Chilling, unnerving puzzles every one of them.

That day, he had set his sights on the non-shinobi community and had come across a pretty little thing by the name of Nakamura Yukari.

Yukari was at that moment clinging to the inside of his elbow. Her feminine hand on his arm made him feel very manly. He thought he'd done a decent job of preventing awkward pauses in conversation, chewing with his mouth closed, and being an overall gentleman.

A slight breeze shifted through the late spring leaves and wrapped a light lilac scent around his head. When he'd first smelled that fragrance, he'd been entranced by it and had followed his nose to where Yukari had been sitting.

Of course Yukari had been shy when he had first come to call on her, and he'd been pleasantly surprised when she said yes to a date without much convincing.

"It's nice being outside." Her quiet comment interrupted his thoughts.

"Hmm. It is."

"Dinner was wonderful, Kiba," she said.

Kiba glanced down at her, took in her short, dark hair and small frame. Even standing in heels, they top of Yukari's diminutive head grazed just at his shoulders. Her size seemed to reflect her nature- -a touch skittish, soft and gentle. Kind of like a mouse. A cute mouse.

He wanted to kiss her but worried he would scare her away.

"Glad you think so," he replied as he guided her along the sidewalk. "You sure you want me walking you home?"

Yukari glanced up. Her large eyes, small mouth, and heart-shaped face made her look elfish. "Oh, yes. Thank you. I don't like to be alone after dark."

And dark it was. Daylight had faded to night, and even though the streetlights were on, they cast dim, hazy light at best.

He heard her take a small breath, and how fitting, he thought, because everything about her was small. "I-is Akamaru okay back there?"

She was kind to think of his companion, who followed at a safe distance. "He's good…just giving us our privacy."

"Oh. Um. So," and he could tell she was searching for something to talk about, "um, do you have any missions coming up?"

Kiba considered how to answer her. It was obvious she'd never been around a shinobi before- -the way she kept her head down and her careful questions about his profession were both examples of her uncertainty.

"Hn. Most times I have to apply for an assignment…with…my…" he trailed off when he realized the breeze carried the scent of blood. When he stopped in his tracks, Yukari followed suit and stepped closer to him.

Kiba squinted, using his clan-enhanced vision to examine their surroundings. The street they were on was deserted; a couple of alley cats dug through a trashcan up a block. Where was that scent coming from?

Yukari tightened her fingers on his arm. "W-what is it?"

His nose gathered more information, and he grimaced when he identified the sickly-sweet scent, thickening in the dewy air.

"Kiba?" Her voice rose barely above a whisper, and her scent stank with fear as she shivered.

He opened his mouth to say, 'I smell blood', but a figure materialized out of the distorted shadows cast by the yellow streetlights.

"Who's that," Yukari gasped.

Kiba couldn't help the low growl. "It's Yamanaka Ino."

Yukari took another breath, trembling against him. He felt like telling her Ino was harmless, but the kunoichi had stumbled closer and Kiba didn't know if he could get away with that insult.

Ino could seriously mess him up if she wanted with that scary mind-jutsu, but it seemed she hadn't seen him and his date. And small wonder, as her eyes were fixated on the ground like she would lose sight of it.

As she approached, Kiba gave her a good once-over.

To put it simply, the Yamanaka princess looked like she'd stumbled out of hell. Her blonde hair had escaped out of the normally sleek ponytail, filth covered her clothes, and bruises and scratches marred her skin. She favored her right ankle as she hobbled along. Her hand pressed against her stomach- -a wound that heavily bled. Ah, he thought, so that's what I smelled.

Yukari spoke up, her voice wavering with anxiety. "S-she looks really hurt. Should we…should we help her?"

At Yukari's soft question, Ino's head snapped up. Her eyes narrowed in a fierce glare and she halted, reaching out to the nearest wall. She eased her hip against the stone, then a shoulder, leaning gingerly. His nose marked the absence of chakra in her system.

Kiba bared his teeth at her glare; they sized each other up for a long moment. Then he broke the cold silence. "Yamanaka."

"Inuzuka."

Another long, uncomfortable pause ensued in which they stared at each other. He really wished Ino would leave already. He didn't want her needling him in front of a girl he liked, but knowing her, she had probably thought of a dozen ways to embarrass him.

"Well?" Ino demanded, in her typical snobby attitude. "Aren't you going to introduce us?"

The hell? She wanted an introduction to Yukari? His village girl fidgeted, and he looked down to see her smiling at the Yamanaka bitch. That was all kinds of bad, since he didn't want Yukari to like Ino.

"I'm Nakamura Yukari. A pleasure to meet you," and she bowed. Based on Ino's raised brows, Yukari had surprised her somewhat.

"Yamanaka Ino," Ino replied and stunned Kiba when she bowed back. She continued, glancing from Kiba to Yukari. "I went to the Ninja Academy with Kiba."

Was she…was she humoring him? He couldn't speak for the shock.

"Ah," Yukari said, "so you're a part of the Rookie Nine, ne?"

Ino's smile was genuine. "Yes."

Her smile faltered when her knees suddenly buckled. She folded in on herself and grunted when she hit the cement. Blood pooled out at a nauseating speed.

Yukari squeaked. "Oh, no! Miss Ino!"

When Yukari shifted to attend Ino, he threw out an arm to bar her. He'd thought something was wrong with Ino and now his fears were confirmed. Kiba growled as he drew away from Yukari to kneel at Ino's side. When he rolled her to her side, she felt cold. Her head lolled as he supported her neck and back to sit her up.

In this close proximity, Ino's pasty skin shone under the lamplight. Kiba realized she must have been about dead on her feet. Her lack of urgency- -why hadn't she said she needed to get to the hospital?- -pissed him off.

"Yer bleedin' out, you stupid princess!"

Ino struggled weakly. "I'm fine, just…fine…" and she went limp in his arms.

"Shit." He looked over his shoulder at Yukari, standing helplessly by herself. "We've got a problem here. I gotta take this idiot to the hospital. I'm sorry for cutting out like this. Akamaru?" The nin-dog had already approached Yukari. "You'll be taking Yukari home," he looked at Yukari, "I hope that's okay."

His date's hands fluttered up to her mouth and then down to her elbows. She didn't look pleased, but he couldn't help that Ino was dying.

"That's okay, Kiba," Yukari finally said. "I'll see you later?"

"Yeah. Bye."

Guess he wasn't getting that kiss.

Kiba vaulted up to the roofs and busted his ass to get to the hospital. Ino remained unconscious the entire way, but he could tell she was alive from her quiet groaning. Even though he never got along with her, he still felt obligated to take care of an injured comrade; he still felt anxious about whether she lived or died.

When the med-nins started poking and squeezing, he stayed in the waiting room, bugging anyone in white that walked by about Ino. He only left when the head nurse let him step into her room to check on her. It pained him to see how small and frail she looked with bandages wrapped up around her torso, arms, and face, and the constant bleeps of a heart monitor echoing her steady heartbeat.

That steady bleeping stayed in his head, keeping him up most of the night, but the next day about mid-morning, Kiba entered the Yamanaka Flower Shoppe. He wanted to visit Yukari and apologize for the sudden way their evening ended and get that kiss he was gypped out of last night.

Although he didn't like the Yamanaka clan in general- -prissy, arrogant blondes- -they had the best quality and selection of flowers in Konoha. It was common sense that he'd choose this flower shop over all the rest.

Bells jangled when he entered, and a door from the back swung open almost immediately. Light blonde hair and a very feminine form stopped at the counter. Shit. He did not have time for- -

"Welcome to-" Ino's face fell in the middle of her greeting him. She scowled. "What're you doing here?"

He shoulders tensed. "Lookin' for a damn toothbrush. More importantly, what the hell're you doin' here?"

Her hand rested on her hip, and he noticed she wore a dumpy apron but still managed to come across sexy and regal. She rolled her eyes. "Dipshit, I work here!"

"I know that," he growled, aggravated by her very presence. "I'm askin' why yer workin' when you were in the hospital last night!"

"I don't see why that's any of your business."

"It is when I saved yer ass!"

The backdoor opened again, and who should come out but Yamanaka Inoichi. He looked and smelled agitated.

"What's going on here?"

"Great," Kiba muttered as Inoichi came to stand beside Ino, father and daughter almost mirror images of each other. He really did not have time for this…or the patience.

Inoichi looked at Kiba, then to his daughter, and Kiba thought Inoichi had done a good job of keeping his face neutral, which was a miracle because Inoichi could be a vindictive asshole when he wanted to be, and he usually wanted to be towards Inuzukas.

Ino didn't hesitate. "He's harassing me, Daddy!"

Inoichi raised his eyebrows and gazed levelly at Kiba. Kiba took a calming breath and concentrated on keeping his voice steady.

"I came in for some flowers"- -a meaningful snarl at Ino- -"and since you ruined my date, you oughta be grateful I stopped by."

"I didn't 'ruin your date'. You were walking her home!"

"How do you know?"

"Tch. Like you would take a girl like that out at nine-thirty at night."

"That's enough." Inoichi rested a hand on his daughter's shoulder. "Ino, what happened?"

Oh, no, Kiba thought. Inoichi would never believe Kiba after Ino was through- -this was the kind of opportunity she needed to twist the truth to her favor.

"I had to take Ino to the hospital," he interjected before she could answer her father. "I was walking with my date, and Ino came down the same way. She wound up fainting from blood loss. The doctor said she was lucky. Had she been by herself, she might've died."

In the silence that followed, Inoichi's jaw dropped. Kiba could see he hadn't expected that explanation. Ino glared daggers at Kiba, and he could see the dark storm clouds forming over her head.

"Is that true?" Inoichi asked of his daughter.

Ino pursed her lips, looking like she would argue, but thought better of it. Her shoulders slumped. "Yeah."

"You're going home to rest," Inoichi said firmly. His patience with his daughter amazed Kiba. "You shouldn't have come here in the first place. And I'm telling Chouji and Shikamaru that if you're injured training and unable to heal yourself that you-"

"Daddy, really! It was nothing and I-"

"Don't argue. You could be dead if not for the Inuzuka boy!" Inoichi's voice muffled as he guided Ino through the backdoor, and Kiba's ears were good enough to hear the conversation continue through the closed door.

"I can still-"

"Not another word. You are to march home and go to bed. I'll be sending word to your mother to watch you, so don't get any ideas."

A cry of pain, then a quiet thud- -a body hitting something solid, a strangled noise of shock.

Concern had Kiba slamming through the backdoor.

A large room with coolers, metal tables, and plenty of flower parts scattered around greeted him, and he saw a door at the far back. Another door on the left of the work-room was ajar; through this opening, Kiba saw an office area. On the floor near the office, he found Inoichi kneeling and holding his daughter, gently stroking her hair. Ino had lost color, and her eyes were screwed shut. The older Yamanaka murmured the way Kiba's mother had when her son had hurt himself when he was younger.

Kiba's throat felt strangely constricted. "What happened? Is she okay?"

Inoichi glanced up and nodded. He answered as he withdrew a small vial from an inner pocket of his overcoat. "She fainted. I know you and she don't get along, but will you take her home?"

Inoichi uncorked the vial and waved it under Ino's nose, while Kiba considered how to answer Inoichi's question. The Yamanaka residence was out of his way, and hehadn't purchased flowers for Yukari yet. That would mean getting Ino home, coming back, and then going to Yukari's. Kiba had one word for that: hassle.

Inoichi looked at him, eyebrows knitted. "I will give you whatever you want out of the shop for free."

That was one way to sweeten the deal. But were free flowers for Yukari worth the effort of dealing with a pissed-off Ino?

Ino groaned, stirring enough to push aside her father's hand. She muttered something that sounded like, "I hate that smell."

He couldn't help but feel sorry for her.

"Okay. I'll escort her home," Kiba said. "Write a note, so I'm not attacked when I knock on the door."

The last time he'd dealt with Mrs. Yamanaka was when Akamaru had been a puppy gleefully digging holes in a freshly planted flower garden. That experience had not turned out well for anyone.

"Very well. And thank you." Inoichi helped Ino to sit against a wall. He made sure she was all right then swept into the office and sat at the desk. Over the sound of slamming drawers, Kiba heard him mumbling to himself.

A groan from Ino drew Kiba's attention. She had a hand pressed to her forehead. He stepped closer, feeling a little like he was approaching an ornery bear, and knelt at her side.

"You feeling okay?"

Ino nodded. "Yeah. A little dizzy."

"Yer still recovering," Kiba said. "Why didn't you stay home?"

Her hand flopped to her lap, like she didn't have the energy to hold it up. She didn't look at him when she answered softly. "It's complicated."

Kiba didn't know what to say to that, so he kept silent. The silence broke when his stomach growled. Geez- -it was lunchtime already? By the time he got Ino home, claimed the flowers for Yukari and gave them to her, he would miss lunch hours completely. Maybe he could ask Yukari out for a late lunch or early dinner…

Over his stomach, his heart fluttered a little. A second date so soon? Would that be too fast for Yukari?

"Thinking about your little bird?"

Ino's sardonic question broke him from his thoughts. "Hunh?"

She rolled her eyes. "Nothing."

The screech of Inoichi's chair across the floor tile interrupted them. He strode out of the office and handed Kiba a neatly folded letter.

"Here, give this to my wife. I appreciate your help, Kiba," Inoichi said. Kiba nodded, not wanting to lie by saying 'No problem'.

When Inoichi and Kiba reached down to help up Ino, she batted away their hands.

"I can get up myself," she snapped, and proved it by hoisting herself up with help from a table. She crossed her arms. "See?"

Kiba glanced at Inoichi to see his response. Her father rested his hands on her shoulders and leaned over to kiss her forehead. He whispered something in her ear that Kiba couldn't catch. Then Inoichi guided her to the backdoor, and Kiba trailed behind feeling extremely uncomfortable about the whole situation.

"Yes, Daddy," Ino said, sounding resigned. "I will."

Inoichi smiled while kissing her forehead again and turned to Kiba. "Play nice you two."

Then before Kiba could respond, Inoichi went back to the office and shut the door. Wary, Kiba stood back to watch Ino. She would probably shake off his hand or make a snide remark if he touched her. And he wanted to avoid butting heads with her since she was probably in a funk and feeling moody.

She tossed her apron over a hook near the door, and Kiba noticed she wore civilian clothing, not her usual shinobi attire. When she stepped out into the sunlight, her hair and skin glowed. The difference between her pale, deathly state last night and this moment, when she looked so alive, touched something inside him.

He couldn't help but think of her as an angel, but his heart stuttered and interrupted his thoughts. The stuttering was far more noticeable than the light flutter he'd felt thinking about Yukari. Kiba wasn't quite sure what that meant.

The princess glanced over her shoulder, caught him staring, and tilted her head. Their eyes remained locked together as he waited for her to say something mean and bitchy, but after a moment she dropped her gaze. That was a surprise.

He heard her mumble, "What're you waiting for?" as she ducked her head.

Kiba gave himself a mental shove and drew up next to her, still slightly surprised she hadn't confronted him about his staring, and together they started down the street.

As they traveled, Kiba found he could not think of anything else besides how close Ino walked next to him (the heat from her body radiated to his), how she smelled like the flowers from her shop and vanilla, how the breeze that came up behind them played with her hair.

Occasionally their hands would brush, and it was at those times Kiba had trouble breathing. His voice would have probably cracked if they'd been talking, but thankfully, they walked without conversation.

The silence was amicable, though, as they had not exchanged a heated volley of insults and raised voices. The lack of bickering made Kiba think that Ino really wasn't feeling well and that it might be a good idea to boost her mood a little. Normally he could think of something complimentary to say to a down-trodden female, but Ino was not a regular female.

So. How should he go about saying something positive and nice to a girl he'd made a pointed effort to avoid niceties with? Girl? thought his hormonal (and appreciative) male consciousness, far from it.

He couldn't help the peripheral once-over he gave her, eyes gliding along her soft curves from cleavage to hip to legs. In his distraction, he tripped over a cracked piece of sidewalk.

"Sonava-!" and, of course, face-planted on a low sign. The metal sign clanged, as though telling him off for being lecherous, and rewarded him with a sore spot on his forehead.

Kiba rubbed the spot with his palm. It didn't help that Ino couldn't breathe for laughing at him so hard. Her laughter made him feel good, while at the same time annoyed him.

"Shut up."

Ino just laughed, wiping her eyes. He growled a warning. "Ino."

"…sorry…" she gasped after a moment. "That was funny!"

"Yeah, yeah." It wasn't that funny. "Let's get you home, like, now."

"Don't be grouchy," she said lightly, taking his hand in hers. "I've done the same thing."

His mind short-circuited with the contact. Her fingers were slender, and her hand fit perfectly in his. He felt the bones and knuckles in those prim hands, and the rough spots that were her calluses. She started walking again and he trailed after her like a little kid. A threatening panic attack constricted his lungs. Now he had to keep his mind from Ino's hands…and where he wanted them on him and where he wanted his hands on her.

Not good.

He'd heard rumors that Ino had developed somewhat of a telepathic ability; he prayed they were only rumors. No doubt she would clobber him if he kept thinking about her in that way.

They resumed the walk to her home and made it to her front door without further incident. When Ino released his hand, Kiba sighed in relief and stepped back as she barged into the house.

"MOM! Mom, I'm ho-ome!"

Silence answered her call, and Ino disappeared inside. Kiba hung back, unsure if this territory was safe- -his forehead was already sore from the damn sign, and he'd hate for it to meet a frying pan…again.

He wondered if maybe he should yell 'Goodbye!' and get the hell outta there. He wanted to get the apology to Yukari over with today, but…he was so hungry. I could always go over to Yukari's tomorrow, he thought, and calculated how much time he had left for lunch at the ramen stand.

Ino came into view at the end of the hallway, and she gestured to him. "You're letting in flies."

Cautiously, Kiba stepped forward into the cool foyer, closing the door behind him. Ino had already kicked off her shoes, so Kiba worked the laces on his boots, waiting for a banshee wail and pottery to fly at his head.

None came, but Ino arrived to lean on the wall beside him, a square of paper between her fingers.

She twirled her hair as she read. "She left a note. She's with some of her friends…until later this afternoon. Guess that leaves us to our own devices," then she reached over to tap the end of his nose. "Follow me."

Kiba's mind screeched to a halt at this flirtatious gesture. Ino, Yamanaka Ino, had flirted with him!

Staring after her departing figure- -trying not to check out her ass, but failing- -Kiba considered the possibility that she was toying with him. But every cell in his body screamed 'FLIRTING!' with all the force they could muster.

And did her hips have an extra little sashay?

Ino paused to shoot him a gaze- -sultry, he thought- -and a smirk. "You coming?"

She continued out of sight around the corner.

Kiba could swear he smelled smoke from the heat of her look; he had certainly broken out in a sweat from it.

But why did he feel like he was walking into a trap?

A/N: Complications, is up next. See you then!

08/20/2016: Revisions.