A flash of blue and white ran through the forest of the leaf village, jumping over logs and dodging trees and it picked up speed. It came to a sudden halt as it came upon a little girl about the age of 7 sitting on swing, which hung from the branches of an old willow tree, humming to herself. The little blue and white flash barked a bit, padding over to the girl its tail wagging happily in the air as it greeted its master. The puppys eyes were golden yellow it barked once more trying to get its owners attention.

"hmm.. oh..Im sorry Aoiro, I was just thinking..." answered Alice

She sighed to yourself rubbing the back of her head, letting her fingers running through her light brown hair. Green minty colored glazed at the little blue husky looking mutt. As far back as alice could remember Aoiro was always beside her, she was her best friend. She knew all of Alice's little secrets her hopes and dreams, and Alice knew hers. Others that didnt belong to the Inuzuka clan just didnt understand the close relationship, members had with their dogs. The dog barked once more, its ears perking. Alice knew that sign better than anyone. Someone was close.
"What? How far off?" Alice whispered, sniffing the air for a bit, trying to pin point the persons location. The blue husky looking dog, sniffed the air facing the direction. Alice nodded her head hearing her beloved Aoisakura tell you it was just one yard away, near the cedar trees. She quickly jumped off the swing running over to where Aoiro was pointing at, she could hear little paw prints hinting against the ground knowing her little puppy was following her. Alice huffed as she stopped on a dime taking Aoiro in her arms as she turned around resting her back against a tree. Slowly Alice peaked out. Her eyes widen as she spotted a boy about two years older than her.

He was crouched down his feet panted on the ground as he petted his little white and bits of grayish brown dog. He grinned a toothy smile as he called out.

"Hey, no use hiding!! I know you are here"

alice looked out at Aoiro kissing her head as she nodded, rolling around the tree until you are facing him. A light blush rose to her cheeks, she began to notice that he was pretty cute. At the same time the boy blushed back rubbing the back of his head a forgetting what he was going to say. His dog sighed barking at him. "Oh! Right Akamaru." he replied. He Smiled, as he turned towards Alice getting up and dusting the dirt of his shorts. "Hey, you! Come here." He demanded as if he were telling a command to a dog.
"Im not a hey, Im Alice." She said as she walked over to him holding little Aoiro in her hands. Alice's eyes looked at him studying him for a minute, at the same time the boy did the same trying to be not as obvious as she was.

Alice couldnt help but giggle as she went closer to him just inches a part from his nose as her right hand cupped his cheek rubbing it softly as she spoke. "your.. a part of the Inuzuka clan.." Alice said and blushed a crismon red as the markings. Alice pressed her cheek against his, rubbing his the red flang like markings on his cheek with her marked less one. ..markings.

All the time Alice was sort of taking advantage of the puzzled boy, he was just standing very still his mouth opend as his face all red. He wasnt sure the first thing to do, this was in fact the very first time a girl was this close to him. His heart raced as took a couple of breaths, trying to figure out how in the world he was going to get Alice off of him. His nosed twitched as he sniffed her, his face becoming even more red as he noticed she smelled just like beef jerky. He coughed as his voiced terribly with embasressement. "Mmm.. .Alice-chan ..err could you please.."
"Ahh! Im so.. sorry.." Alice said as she quickly took a step backwards, little Aoiro whimpering as she looked down at her. Forgetting that you sort of squished her as you were rubbing cheeks with the boy. "Ohh.. Aoiro Im so sorry.. I wasnt paying attention." she cooed. Aoiro barked, at Alice as she jumped out of her arms licking at her coat. Hearing what Aoiro said, telling her that it was nothing. afterall she liked him. Alice blushed as she looked at Aoiro shaking her head as Alice talked to her. "Aorio! Its not like that..." Alice said pointing to the boy. "I dont even know him..." Liar.

The red flang marked boy just stood there his eyed widen opend as he tried to figure out what in the word was going on. He coughed, as he looked at you. "hmm.. Alice.. Im Kiba."

Alice blinked as she turned to look at him smiling softly as she blushed looking away. "Nice to meet you Kiba-kun." Alice uttered his name shly as she bowed.

It was the next day since Alice and Kiba met. Kiba and Akamaru silently walked through the forest hoping to catch even a glimpse of Alice or Aoiro. After coming to a clearing, he noticed Alice siting by a stump looking at the flowers. Aoiro sat next to her playfully attacking a butterfly.
Akamaru gave a small bark and Alice turned smiling.
"Hey Kiba, Akamaru." A rose up and walked over to him. Kiba, suprisingly, worked up enough courage to talk.(Me:Finally!)
"I-I wanted to know if you would umm.." he hit a road block here, "umm...walk....with me?" Yes! He finally said it! Aoiro barked and tackled Akamaru playfully when Kiba said this. Alice was quite happy as well.

Kiba and Alice walked a ways until they came to an empty section in the forest. The wind swept through the lush grass making it look serene.
"Well, we're here," said Kiba looking aound.
"So, what do you want to talk about?" she said sitting on the grass. Kiba sat next to her blushing at least 5 shades of red. He didn't say anything, he just sat there.

"Okay," said Alice. "I have a question for you then. What's it like being an Inazuka?" Alice wasn't really an Inazuka. She was adopted a year ago.

"Well, it's nice," replied Kiba,"why do you ask?"
"Nothing. Kiba, are you my friend?"
"Of course I am!" This caused Kiba to blush even more.
"One more question. Will you always be by my side? Say I'm in trouble. Would you come and save me?" She asked this question a little softly as if not wanting him to hear.

"Of course I would,"

Alice smiled and gave him a hug. 'I wonder why she asked.' thought Kiba returning the hug. Aoiro and Akamaru sat a few feet away wagging their tail proudly. Little did Alice and Kiba know, someone else was watching.


"She's what?!" Kiba practically shouted at his sister Hana. Kiba couldn't believe it. He wouldn't believe it anyways. Hana sighed closing her eyes. "She was kidnapped."
"Is that all you can say?" shouted Kiba, "Don't you even care?" He was crying now. something no one ever saw him do.
"Kiba, I'm sorry. All the adults went to look for her. Don't worry, she'll-" she was cut off by Kiba shouting again.

"How am I not supposed to worry? I promised I would be there for her!" his hands were shaking at his side. Hana swiftly gave him a slap across the face. Kiba was both horrified and stunned. Hana grasped his shoulders and shook him. "Listen! We're doing everyhting we can!" Kiba just tried wriggling free, but she tightned her grip. "Kiba listen! We are going to find her, alright? What if I go and try to find her?" she tried smiling to make him feel better. Kiba became less tense and lowered his head. Sighing Hana let go of his shoulders and left.
Kiba ran to his room still crying and Akamaru followed close behind. He sad on his bed and stared out of his window. The stas were twinkling with sadness as if to resonate with his feelings. Akamaru whined a bit and licked Kiba's face.
"She'll be back Akamaru. I know she will."

animal/demon thoughts
"thoughts"





10 year time skip...


"Today's the day," Kiba looked at his mirror and smiled. "And I'm not going to be late either." Today was his first day mission as a jounin and he wasn't going to be late.
Akamaru barked happily at kiba and wagged his tail playfully. Over the last few years Akamaru had grown big enogh for Kiba to ride on.

Kiba, we're going to be late for the mission

Kiba sighed and rolled his eyes."

"No, were not."

Yes we are. You move slow.

"Fine we'll leave now."

Kiba walked past the now impatient Akamaru and quickly teleported to Tsunade sama's office. Akamaru looked at the spot where Kiba was and sighed heading for the door.
Why me?

~*~

Tsunade tapped softly on her desk and looked at the two jounin standing in front of her. Execpt there was one missing.

Kiba Inuzuka.

Neji was one of the jounin there. He stood up and partially glared at Tsunade.

"Where is Kiba? He should have been here 10 minutes ago!" Neji was apparently vexed that his teammate was so late.

Tsunade sighed looking at Neji. " I'm not sure."

The other jouin, Shino, just stared at the ceiling and smiled. "He'll be here. I'm sure." he paused and his smile faded. " You should really have more hope in him Neji. He may not be the friendliest person, but he has a good heart."

Shizune, Tsunade's apprentice nodded. She knew Kiba from all those times she was his therapist for the 'incident' that happened a few years ago.

"He'll be here soon. I'm convinced." Shizune smiled happily.

3,2,1...
Kiba appeared in a puff of smoke waving his arms. Akamaru was there standing next to him.

"I'm here!! I'm so sorry I'm late!! Something happened with -"

"Cut your excuses!"snapped Neji. Wow, someone woke up on the wrong side of the bed this morning.

"I can explain..." Kiba rubbed the back of his head
gave a small smile.

Tsunade got up from her desk and walked to the center of the room. "Alright, apparently there's something funny going down in the forest that surrounds Konoha," she looked at the odd looks she was getting from the other jounins.

"The Kazekage sent us a letter, but his transporter was killed coming through the forest. It's an A-ranked mission," she sighed. "Don't get yourself killed." A smirk was present on her face.

"I can handle this!" a hyper and energetic Kiba shouted.

"That's the spirit!" Shizune replied. "Now, get going on that mission."

"Hai."

The three jounin and Akamaru left in a puff on smoke.


Shizune turned a worried afce at Tsunade and frowned. "I'm a little worried about Kiba."

"Why Shizune?" asked Tsuande.

"What will he do if he finds out about-"

"Don't say it. I know. Hopefully he won't recognize. It's been ten years already."

"Okay."