Summary: In the Inuzuka clan, potential mate scouring is a responsibility given only to their doggie counterparts. So when Akamaru one day humps Sakura by the leg, why is everybody looking at Kiba like it's a good thing? [KibaxSaku]

Author's Note: It has been awhile since I posted anything. Think of this as my... first try at fanfiction after the longest hiatus ever. I'm so sorry it isn't up to par. I've been avoiding both writing and blogging for the longest time due to lack of inspiration, and the fact that everytime I wrote something down, it just sounded pathetic. Ugh.

Anyway, please read and review.

Leashed

Chapter I: Kiba

Marriage. Trust. Commitment.

As far as Inuzuka Kiba was concerned, the whole ordeal and all its ingredients were but a recipe for disaster. To the youngest member of one of the most sacred clans ever known to Konoha, Village of the Hidden Leaf, freedom and the blistering sensation of cold wind through his wild brown hair was enough to call what he had the perfect life.

Say what people may, but Kiba was all up for brutally defending his clan, the Inuzuka clan, if the time ever came for that legendary debate between the few prestigious clans of Konoha.

Nope, the Inuzukas weren't all that keen on upholding tradition or law like the Uchiha's were. And no, they didn't exactly have to kowtow to superiors. Plus, rules and regulations? Who needed another stuck-up Hyuuga strutting the streets like they owned the place? As far as Inuzukas were concerned, a clan didn't need to be painstakingly made up of law-abiding citizens who brandished their clan logo on whatever articles of clothing they wore as if they advertising their lineage like walking infomercials. The prestige of a clan wasn't about personal hygiene or pale-faced good looks. And, best of all, they most certainly did not have a need to get betrothed so young as to end their youth prematurely.

So when his teammate, Hyuuga Hinata, of the prestigious rival clan, the Hyuugas, came along one day to tell him the horrible news of her sudden betrothal, Inuzuka Kiba blessed the Gods and crossed his heart that he was born exactly who he was – an Inuzuka.

"Damn, Hinata-chan," said Kiba, scratching the back of the head for an invisible itch (or possibly fleas). "I can't believe your parents are hitching you off with someone! And so young…"

Fellow teammate Shino gave his two cents to the ordeal before Hinata had a chance to reply. "Kiba-san, if I would be so bold, I don't think you're making her feel any better."

Kiba turned to his shaded friend and frowned, cursing the day Hinata had gotten the guy a book on social etiquette. 'What?' the brown-haired youth cried scornfully in his head. 'He gets to chapter three and suddenly he knows more about human emotions than I do?' In explanation to his sudden feelings of resentment, Aburame Shino of the Aburame clan wasn't exactly what ordinary citizens would call a, 'normal guy.' Bugs being their expertise, human interaction as well as the ability to reply in a way suitable to it was not exactly Shino's cup of tea.

Before the argument could go any further between both Kiba and Shino, however, Hinata, the only girl in the team, raised her voice to silence any ideas of a clever retort. "I-I-I didn't like the idea either, Kiba-kun," she stuttered politely, fingers a massive twitchy dance as she struggled with her reply. "B-but father knows best. And Neji-nii-san believes they're making the right c-choice."

At these words, Kiba suddenly found his brows furrowing. "What?" he yelled, a little louder than he had imagined it would be. Passer-bys stopped and granted the three shinobis with looks of unmasked curiosity. "Your bastard cousin is in on this, too?"

"A-actually," said Hinata, her voice shaking more than ever, milky eyes drawn to her feet, so she wouldn't have to face the flaring temper of her boisterous teammate. "H-he's the fiancé…"

Kiba's jaw dropped. Shino seemed to blanch a little, if that was even possible. And Hinata grew five shades of red that day.

"You're kidding me!" cried Kiba, again. But when no answer came to negate her given statement, Kiba could do nothing more than cry even further, "B-but that's… that's gotta be some kinda felony, isnt't it? Isn't that incest or something?"

"Hyuuga marriages are often made within the family, Kiba-kun," stated Hinata, matter-of-factly. Though by judging from the way she still kept herself from making eye contact, and how the color seemed somehow drained from her face, it was very likely that even this, as a statement, did little to comfort her about her situation. "F-father says it helps keep the bloodline p-pure."

"I agree, Kiba-san," added Shino upon some after-thought. "Inter-family marriages happen all the time, especially among old clans like the Hyuugas. Even the Aburames, at one time, had gone through a first-cousin marriage phase. It maintains the family lineage. Ensures bloodline techniques are maintained throughout the ages."

Kiba couldn't believe what he was hearing. First Hinata spouts the craziest news of her betrothal to her cousin (Kiba still couldn't get his head around the idea) and next Shino decides that this ordeal is a perfectly natural one.

What the hell kind of universe was he living in, anyway? Were they still in Konoha? Still ninjas? Did everyone still live ordinary lives and have missions to complete or had the world gone completely off its rocker?

"No! I refuse to believe it!" said Kiba, eyes glaring in its typical roguish way. With Akamaru growling by his side, matching his master's fury with his own, Kiba suddenly took on a peculiar canine physique and aura. "You're way too young to get married, for one thing, and cousin-to-cousin marriage is strictly… sick! If I were you, I'd march straight up to your father and demand he get me outta that marriage! You may be a Hyuuga, but some rules are made to be broken – this being a downright example of one!"

Hinata smiled sheepishly, bemused, yet upset by her teammate's lack of support on the matter. "I-I'm s-s-sorry, Kiba-kun," she muttered at last. "I-I just don't have it in myself to defy my father. H-Hyuugas and tradition cannot be separated, not unless I cut myself out of the clan entirely."

Shino nodded, keen to show his understanding of human emotion. "I agree with Hinata-san," he said, not unkindly. "Though you are right to believe that not all rules are to be strictly followed, matters such as betrothal are something to look seriously at. We would not make very good friends if we had her do otherwise."

Kiba sighed, submitting, at last. As much as it pained him to see one of his best friends and teammates in such a horrible position, he knew well enough that they were right. "Okay, Hinata-chan," he said, finally. "If that's how it is, I guess there isn't much we can do about it. Just… promise me you don't rush into it, okay? You're like a sister to me. I don't want you to live the rest of your life all miserable."

Hinata smiled, a small, yet beautiful smile that somehow seemed to light up the entire street despite the fact that she was still unhappy deep down, and her future was bleak with the prospect of marrying someone she cared for as only a relative should. "Thank you for understanding, Kiba-kun, Shino-san," she said, with the slightest of the famous Hyuuga-bows. "B-but, if I may ask, Kiba-kun – does not the Inuzuka clan have rules for betrothal? Aren't you the next in line for head position, as well?"

Grinning, Kiba stuck up a thumb. "Of course we have rules, Hinata-chan!" he said. "In fact, it's one of the few rules we actually stick to! For us Inuzukas, mating is a life-time ritual, and potential life-time mates are chosen by us by our dog-partners. This means that as long as Akamaru doesn't give me the green light for the perfect mate, I'm free to go as I please until I reach full adulthood. And when that happens, I can take up leadership role despite being married or not! And I plan to be bachelor for life!"

"Oh!" said Hinata, white eyes wide to emphasize her awe in the matter. "And when Akamaru chooses your mate, are you not allowed to say no either?"

"Nope. It's an instinct thing. When Akamaru knows, I can't avoid it no matter what."

"Well, then, how would you tell when Akamaru finds you your mate?" asked Shino, his voice, despite curiosity, giving out its usual deadpanned effect.

"Oh, I'll tell all right. Akamaru will show his approval by first trying to mate with her. This is typically seen as humping her leg or something, usually non-stop until he thinks I've gotten the hint and passes her on to me."

"Aah," said Shino, and the next few words that would then leave Shino's unseen lips were those that, unbeknownst to Kiba, would turn his entire world, quote, 'off its rocker.'

"Then would that make Sakura-san your new mate, Kiba-san?"

Kiba turned.

Suddenly, it was as if everything was in slow motion.

Kiba could swear he heard nothing come out of Haruno Sakura's mouth, even as her lips moved and her legs shook in attempt to kick off his furry friend, Akamaru, from further enveloping her in shameful dog-sex. A mass of swirling colors. Memories of all the freedom he had ever tasted flashed before his eyes. Of the wonderful lazy days laying on the dirt with his head propped up on Akamaru's back. Of the fun times he would have, leaping the wilderness as if he himself were canine. Of all the times he rode through his life, only boy and dog, master and faithful companion. All this, and so much more, replaced by the scene now staring mercilessly at him

"KIBA!" screamed Haruno Sakura, possible future mate of Inuzuka Kiba, forever more. "GET YOUR MUTT OFF OF ME BEFORE I KICK BOTH YOUR FLEA-BITTEN ASSES!"

All of a sudden, Inuzuka Kiba found himself leashed.

Author's Note: I'm sorry it sucked so terribly. I can't... get sentences to link properly any more! Writing now feels so sticky and forced. I miss it just being a hobby and something that flows out well and naturally. So sorry you probably didn't get what you're hoping for. :'(