When She Smiles

Disclaimer: I don't own anything

A/N: Dedicated to the Kiba/Ino Fanclub on NF!

Summary: He put up the biggest grin he could. "Not until you give me one of these!" "A stupid face?" "Nope! A smile!"

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'She's been frowning a lot lately. Maybe 'cause Sakura and her don't talk anymore. I bet it's 'cause of Sasuke.' Kiba sat at his seat in the Ninja Academy pondering about the flower shop owner's daughter. For some reason, every time he sees her, or anyone else sad, he feels a little sad too. He hit the palm of his hand. 'Maybe it works backwards!'

Ino was on the ground admiring flowers during recess. 'Like usual,' Kiba noted from around the corner. She wasn't with Sakura anymore though. 'They use to be together all the time....' He slumped his shoulders, and noticed she did the same. She sighed heavily. 'Frowning again? Girls are so weird.' He looked to see if anyone was around. 'Maybe I should say something....'

"Uh, h-hey Ino!" He started towards her hesitantly. She put on her usual look, the one for guys that weren't Sasuke.

"What do you want?" She almost looked angry now. 'Uh-oh....' He scratched the back of his head nervously.

"Um, why are you here by yourself?" That sounded better in his head than it did out loud. "Uh-- isn't Sakura usually with you?" He was answered with silence. 'I should've expected this.' He looked away, clearly sorry he asked. "S-sorry. That was dumb...." More silence. He looked back at her, 'same expression....' He felt anger welling up inside him. "Ino! Stop looking like that!" That was a demand. Or so it sounded.

She glared at him. "I'm not looking like anything!" She shot back at him. "Just--!"She turned back to her flowers. "Just go away."

He suddenly felt bad for saying what he did. 'She's worse than before.' He sat down next to her, complete opposite of what he was told. 'What to do....'

"I thought I told you to leave!"

Think fast Kiba...! 'Got it!' He put up the biggest grin he could. "Not until you give me one of these!" He smiled inwardly. 'This might cheer her up!'

"A stupid face?" She was confused. Kiba sighed and poked her forehead with his index finger.

"Nope!" He put on a smile for her again. This one less forced. "A smile!"

She was still confused. "Why?"

"I haven't seen yours in a long time!" He kept up his smile. "And 'cause if you don't everyone else will get sad too!"

And another, "why?"

"I noticed that every time I see you sad, I get sad." He nodded. "So it makes sense if it works backwards too! If your happy, I'm happy!" His smile got bigger. "I like smiling, and being happy! So help me out!"

Anyone else would've probably taken that as a joke of some sort, but at the moment Ino was shocked someone would say something so odd. 'C'mon! You'll feel a lot better!' Kiba wanted to say, but he had the feeling he's said enough already.

Then he saw it, although it was a bit forced, a smile appeared on her face. Enough to make Kiba's day. 'She's prettier when she smiles.'