Disclaimer: Don't own Naruto franchise, nor any of it's characters.

Rating: T

With so few fics on this couple, I wanted to see what I could do about that ;) Enjoy

Konoha

Animal Shelter

"That's right, go ahead and eat" Tamaki assured the cats, who were eagerly chowing down, like their life depended upon it in fact. Standing up, she made sure not to disturb them, and was about to move on before she found herself face-to-face with her recently-appointed boss.

"Quite a few of those cats were some of the more willful ones, never wanting to eat unless they wanted to, even if they were otherwise hungry" the woman said. "How have you persuaded them, Tamaki?"

Tamaki smiled. "Well, I have a way with cats" she said easily, hands in front of her. "You have to handle them right, including those with willful attitudes. But, there is a little trick to it."

"Please, tell me."

"Well, one of the few basic tricks I can do with chakra, is manipulate my breath to smell like catnip" she gently explained, remembering the 'vapor' clouds of the stuff she'd used earlier. "If I wanted to, I could probably flood this whole place with the stuff."

Just as her boss tried to respond:

"Hey, Tamaki!"

Surprised, she turned around: just behind the entrance doors, stood Kiba and Akamaru's profiles. "Your shift over yet?" he called over, probably grinning... which promptly disappeared in confusion at her laughter, or so she thought. "Huh? What's that about?"

"That's fifteen minutes away" she called - he's always in a rush. "You're early again."

"What!? Oh man!"

Luckily for both of them though, her boss was quick to say she'd done a lot today, and achieved a breakthrough regarding those willful cats. Which in practice meant that, despite her little protests, meant she got off early with no pay deduction.

...

Park

"If that woman dared to dock your pay, I probably would've laid into her, even if she is your boss" Kiba grumbled beside her, standing near the bench, if turned away. Between them both, Akamaru was semi-protecting his master from 'her', trying to give her a dog stick-eye whenever she so much as looked at him... hehe, yeah, she'd seen from the beginning that he regards her as a small threat, a competition he intends to win.

Even if said master and herself are still just friends - but there's obviously something there, and he's resistant to this.

"It's fine, Kiba" Tamaki assured, just enjoying everything. "Besides, I like spending time there, taking care of all those animals. Just as I like spending time here, seeing people with their beloved pets."

Kiba smirked a little. "Which for the most part, are dogs" he said proudly, gesturing a bit as he faced her... and because he was on a role, didn't falter at all, which annoyed Akamaru. "Cats don't like being walked, even if they are outdoor types- and besides, why does anyone like those little critters anyway? The cuteness of a dog far surpasses that of a cat after all!"

"I'm not denying that dogs are cute" she said, laughing, enjoying this too. "But I don't think you've seen a cat curled into a ball, purring loudly as you stroke them, trying to make sure we never stop loving them. And then of course, those lidded sleepy eyes of their's-"

"Hey, let's not get into specifics" Kiba interrupted, pointing a finger at her. "You could probably list enough to fill up this park, and it still might not convince me. Sure I can handle cats if need be, like protecting them from really bad dogs, but that's different from being around them for no reason."

Tamaki hummed, looking at him with a teasing smile. "But until you listen, how will you know?" she questioned, enjoying how his look faltered a bit, knowing she had him there (even if he'll deny it). "Besides, don't I get to try? You say a lot about Akamaru's details after all."

"Because he's special to me."

"I don't doubt it" she added, more gentle, mostly aimed at Akamaru himself (though judging by Kiba's jolt, he was affected too). "I haven't heard anyone else talk about their partner like that."

Akamaru's 'scowl' almost eased completely, but he glanced away pointedly.

Despite this, Tamaki smiled; it'd made an impression on Akamaru, hopefully a good one that lasted. Of course she knows he's not a dumb beast, and that his resistance isn't out of jealousy but rather loyalty to his master, a duty to protect him from harm of any kind, including things that might distract him. She'd recognized all these signs, having trained/helped out several Ninja Cats herself, among other things in Sora-ku. Given Kiba's frequent boasts about improving himself, eventually working to become Hokage, no doubt Akamaru saw her as such a distraction. In time, she knew that eventually he'd get used to her, showing more and more of that sweet side he's known for, as well as caring about her.

"Yeah, well- I uh- hmph."

She had to resist a giggle, knowing that grumble is Kiba's way of trying (and currently failing) to get back on track. A quick glance showed he's turned away again, trying to stall, least till he got his composure back.

Hehehehe- he's silly sometimes. Usually through his boasting, which she'd realized from the beginning sometimes had blatant lies, convenient half-truths, and similar things. Some might see that as a sign that he's 'all bark', but in her opinion, Kiba and Akamaru are as far removed from that as can possibly be... and besides, Tamaki found it charming, as she did how open he is with his opinions. Were she truly alone with him, perhaps she could've tried being forward - yet of course, she isn't alone with him, and his partner's still mixed about her being friends with him, let alone more. Then she just felt content, listening to herself think these thoughts; maybe it'll happen, or maybe not, but either way she has to know which it is first before she tries anything.

/

Later; nighttime

Honestly, what's with this girl being in his head?

Kiba turned on his side, trying to bury himself within the sheets, though making sure he didn't tear anything. "She's a cat type of girl" he breathed to himself, teeth gritted a little. "Even if they're pretty, or smart, or anything at all good, they're basically mortal enemies of my clan for owning those fuzzy things."

Seconds after he said it, he just slumped- it didn't sound that convincing to himself, much less anyone he'd tried to argue it to, so that's out.

Don't get things wrong; he didn't click with cats, with he + his clan basically dog types by nature, to say nothing of their actual partners. Before, he probably wouldn't have gone within a hundred feet of a cat unless it's required- and if it was, he'd do his job of protecting it as necessary, then want nothing more to do with them. Now, he's losing his ability to detest the things, even if he knew he's never gonna fully like them, if at all- they didn't react well to him either, and that's fine. Besides, Akamaru and he have been together for a long time, and he's certainly not gonna hang around cats just because he's losing his 'hate'.

So, by that logic... he can't be around Tamaki...

*sigh*

If it'd been years ago, he probably would've agreed no question- but now he's pretty sure that can't happen. She may be a girl who likes cats, with him and Akamaru preferring not to be near them, but that doesn't mean they can't be friends... of course they can be, particularly since she's here in Konoha alone, and like hell if he's gonna leave her without friends that aren't work-related...

She deserves some because she's a kind-yet-determined person, and he's happy to oblige. That's all that's going on.

...mmh, no, he's not completely convinced with that either.

"Gah" he breathed, annoyed; this wasn't like him, all wallowing on doubts and such. He needed to run this off, get around all the unneeded thoughts... and matter-of-fact, that's a good idea, leaving him to grin even as he quietly got out of bed; sorry Akamaru, but this dog's gonna need some late-night exercise alone.

/

Ah, now this is more like it! If it wasn't for the fact that it's late night, and thus people should be in bed/going to bed by now, he'd probably have mock-howled a few times- but can't have complaints get to Kakashi, because that'd hurt his chances for his Hokage dream to come true.

"Would've been a perfect time for howling too" Kiba said, grinning from his treetop spot. "No one around for about twenty meters, except one nearby- *sniff* Gah, catnip" he groused, hating that smell; he knew it drove 'them' crazy, but to him it's just obnoxious.

Heh, it's like they've doused themselves in it though, enough to cover most other scents- better check this for himself, since he's here and all.

Moving down the tree with precision, he soon moved to several other trees, looking to see that it was-

-Tamaki.

"What the-?" he breathed, a bit shocked, but unfortunately lost his grip (and realized this too late)- he fell through several smaller branches, each breaking his fall, as did a bush. Several small wounds stung, but like that was gonna stop him; he shook his whole body, which got a sound out of someone nearby, and he quickly turned/looked up to see it was her... despite himself, this caused his mouth to stop working.

"Are you okay?" Tamaki asked, a bit worried as she bent down, looking over the visible cuts.

Now would've been a perfect time to say he's handled much worse, because he has... sure, she doesn't think he's dying or anything, but this isn't worth worrying about... yet he can't get his own mouth to work right now! Instead, Kiba kept noticing random things, like how she'd forced herself into parts of the bush to get closer, and didn't appear to notice or mind... heh, so Tamaki's a hands-on type, and didn't mind getting that kimino/short pants combo or her skin dirty.

Hmm.

"Kiba?"

He forced himself to get a grip; he's talked to plenty of girls, and Tamaki shouldn't be any different, end of story! "I'm fine" he said shortly, too much in fact, so he toned it down. "Uh, really, I'm good. I've handled much worse than this, believe me" he continued, trying not to look at her as he stood up, yanking his leg through a tangle of branches.

She stood up with him, if after a moment. "You don't have to turn away from me" she said, but gentle. "Even if you're at a loss for words."

"W-What the heck's that supposed to mean!?" he blustered, but inwardly a little freaked; how did she see that!?

"Kiba" Tamaki breathed, humming. "I've seen it a lot; every time you first see me, you tend to freeze up for a little, then unfreeze and act more like yourself."

His mouth twisted; okay, she's good, he'll give her that.

"Yeah, well, what's your point?" Kiba asked, turning toward her. "And while I'm at it, why are you walking around in the middle of the night, doused in the smell of catnip? I swear I could smell you from ten miles away."

He didn't mean to add that last part, but it just came out, leaving him to wearily prepare for the offense... girls didn't tend to like being told they smell, even if true. But to his surprise, Tamaki didn't react at all to that statement, simply smiling. "As far as my point, I'm not entirely sure yet, but I'll see where it goes" she said, to his blink; she didn't even know? "As for why I smell like catnip, well- that's my little secret."

"Oh come on! I just asked, didn't I!?"

"Hehe."

Groaning a little, he just decided to fall backward, resting upon the grass- Tamaki looked down at him from where she stood, seeming curious. "You're just weird sometimes" Kiba said, adjusting a bit. "Liking cats is one thing, but do you have to be like this too?"

"What, playing with you?" Tamaki asked, walking closer a bit, before (to his jolt) sitting beside him on the grass. "It's all in good fun" she teased.

That statement caused him to grin a little. "Playing with me and not being afraid to admit it? You've got guts" he said easily, even as Tamaki put her arms behind her head, laying down. "But seriously, what's with your smell?"

Tamaki smirked a little, not even looking at him. "That's mean" she teased, giggling for a sec. "If you'd gone overboard about it, you'd be seeing my bad side. But honestly, I smell like it because I was helping feed cats at the shelter, having been asked for an extra shift. I was on my way home when I came across you falling out of that tree."

"Hey, I didn't fall; I did that on purpose!" he retorted. "It hardens the body after awhile."

A small glance in his direction, but she only closed her eyes, smirk widening... grr, she's probably seeing right through him! "Whatever works for you" Tamaki whispered with a hum, making him feel odd. "But anyway, that's why I 'smell', Kiba."

"Yeah, 'why', not the details of 'how" Kiba grumbled, arms crossed. "Guess that's part of the secret too."

"You really wanna know?" she asked - he answered that with a look, but Tamaki was unfazed. "A little technique of mine, regarding catnip."

He slowly raised an eyebrow, lifting his head. "Technique as in 'ninja technique', or just an expression?" he asked slowly.

Tamaki laughed as sat up, one hand up near her mouth- a definite hand sign, and he smelled the slight change in her chakra. She breathed in... then spewed a small shower of catnip into the air, which the wind helped carry away, and thankfully not toward them.

Interested now, he laughed. "You've got a few tricks up your sleeve" Kiba noted, approving- Tamaki merely gave her usual smile. "Any chance you're a ninja, and just never told me?"

"I've helped train several Ninja Cats; you can't do that without learning a few things" she breathed, gentle. "But I never went through Academy training or anything like that, so I probably wouldn't hold a candle to you" she added, before grinning. "Before/after your boasts, of course."

Oho, she's definitely not afraid to speak her mind; Kiba grinned back. "I'd be more than pleased to show you what I'm capable of, to help you learn" he stated, holding up his arms in a little pose. "Akamaru and I, we know our stuff!"

...

That entire 'I'd be pleased' statement, she'd wanted to laugh, but settled for an enjoying-this smile. Yet at the same time, Tamaki saw Kiba hadn't yet caught onto Akamaru's behavior toward her - they all understood the cat angle, but Kiba had yet to understand (or didn't want to see) the angle that she saw, which had to happen sooner or later.

"Oh, I don't know about Akamaru, Kiba" she breathed, turning on her side toward him. "I know he's skilled, but I'm a cat girl; don't deny it, because I know you've thought it" she continued, adding that last part when he opened his mouth. "He'd probably enjoy the chance to hurt me."

"Hey, Akamaru may not like cats, but he's not that cold."

A little smile. "I know" Tamaki answered, more intent now. "I've heard the tales of your protecting them from mean dogs. But what about if it's for your sake?"

Kiba blinked, at a loss. "The heck? What do you mean 'for my sake', Tamaki?" he asked

"Akamaru doesn't exactly approve of me" she answered, he making a little motion of 'Yeah, so what?'. "It's not just because I'm a cat girl, dog boy (he jolted, surprised; she smiled more); it's because he's trying to protect you."

"...from what?" he asked, skeptical but listening.

"From me" she said, hitting the nail on the head; his face went 'what?'. "All this time, you've stated your dream of getting stronger, one day becoming Hokage even. Don't you think Akamaru would see me as a distraction that way?"

"But that's-" Kiba started to say hotly, before he stalled. "He- it isn't that- gah-"

Any other time, Tamaki probably would've waited till he ran out of steam - instead, she moved closer; Kiba didn't notice until she'd stopped really close, which made his face turn redder, if low-key.

"Just friends as we are now, or possibly more, Akamaru is against us right now" she whispered, doing her best to be gentle. "I've been making small steps with him, but you know him better than anyone else, Kiba. Before all else, you two would need to come to an understanding."

"'P-Possibly more'" he repeated, blinking. "'All else'. What are you saying, Tamaki!?"

"Kiba!"

Jolted out of it, he managed to close his mouth, but still a bit red from her closeness.

Tamaki looked at him a little, trying to figure his thoughts, and slowly smiled- she moved away, enough that she's close but not too-close, which he certainly noticed. "What I'm saying?" she whispered. "That I think we both want something to happen between us. Maybe you want to kiss me, maybe I want to kiss you, maybe both of us do-"

He actually gulped, slightly anyway.

"-but either way, it isn't that simple" she continued, more gentle. "If we did 'more' of any kind, Akamaru would smell my scent on you... then he might turn hostile. Knowing how close you are, I'd rather he knew before anything happened, if you'll agree."

When a few seconds passed, Tamaki determined that he wasn't able to talk right now, so she pulled away and stood up. "Come on, dog boy" she called down, smirking a little, hands on her hips. "It's getting late; we gotta get home."

A blink, then Kiba went from shock to standing in zero-to-sixty. "I-I know that!" he said, fairly loud, but only as a cover... she could see he's trying to figure out what happened. Did she really like him, or was she playing with him? And if she did like him, did he like her enough to respond that way, or not, or what's the case?

Stuff like that.

"Get going then" she added. "We can hang out more tomorrow, if we're both free."

"But..." he started, seeming awkward. "Isn't this... shouldn't I walk you home, or something? Or isn't that what I'm supposed to offer?"

Her only response was to laugh, to his confusion. "That's only for when in a relationship, or from gentlemen" Tamaki pointed out, playful. "You're a lot of things, Kiba, but you're not a gentlemen."

"Oh, is that so?" he questioned, going 'Hmph' before promptly walking away... she waited till he turned around, which is about when the fake-wounded act gave out. Kiba glanced toward her, having a little smirk as he did so, before chuckling, "Next time, Tamaki, I'm really gonna get you back for that comment" he stated sincerely, pointing at her for a bit before back at himself. "To quote a friend of mine, 'Believe it'."

Then just like that, he jumped up into the trees again, and was soon out of sight.

Tamaki laughed; if she's seeing this correctly, Kiba had been interested in her before but simply didn't know it, regarding either of their interests. Now though... now he had to know about her interest, as she'd all but said they should kiss, and was fine with the idea; his own interest would need some soul-searching, and she can't help him with that, unless he confides in her.

Yet until then, the only thing left was Akamaru's reaction to the possibility...

"Good luck, Kiba" she said to the empty air, before turning to go home. "And Akamaru, I hope you'll accept this, now or in time."

/

Oh man, he's in such major trouble... and unless he decides to get her out of his head, there's no avoiding this...

A self-proclaimed cat girl, who's fine with the title btw, enjoyed hanging out with him, a 'dog boy'. On it's own, means certain adjustments, but there's nothing wrong with being friends and all that- now though, she all-but said she's interested in him, and there's no way to misread that forwardness. Or at least, there's no way he could misread it, because he wasn't like- anyway, Tamaki's attracted to him, seemingly. And he... well, he... gah, he didn't dislike any part of her thus far, and couldn't even bring himself to hate her preference for cats over dogs. Not to mention, he kept seeing her in his head sometimes: her smile, those brown eyes, the way she handled herself around him (aware of this traits, even seeing right through them on occasion, yet enjoyed them for the most part), her figure- woah, okay, getting weird with that.

After all, sure he's somewhat impulsive, but he's not shallow or anything like that. Heh, just ask Shino or Hinata about it; even now, those two are still his oldest best friends, and he wanted what's best for them.

"Hinata's certainly gotten her wish" Kiba thought then, remembering her at the wedding- it brought a smile to his face. "Still... much as I won't 'focus' on Tamaki's figure, it's not a bad one, that's for sure."

Besides, there's still the whole facts angle... she had no problem with the idea, he apparently didn't either (if still thinking here)... only his partner remained.

"Akamaru..."

He didn't how much Tamaki said was true, or if any part of it was true; all he knew was Akamaru's aloof whenever she's around. The only time he dropped it were those few times she'd brought treats, thinking he'd like them, and even then it's only temporary...

Kiba sighed, then stood up. "Well, I have to confront this at some point" he said, pounding his fists once, which stimulated him. "Better sooner than later, I say."

Admittedly, we haven't seen much of Tamaki - so for her personality, I based it around her short appearance in the epilogue, while also adding in bits from appearances before that. A nice girl at heart overall, yet not a pushover (briefly seen during her appearance in Pt. II), and has a playful-teasing side. With any luck, it's a good portrayal :P

Kiba was a bit harder, having to write him as impulsive and head-strong, a bit of a cocky loudmouth, etc, yet also good at the core. I think I did well enough, but if you think otherwise, I'd like to know.