Summary: drabbles set in the "Gifted" universe spanning the years between childhood and adulthood. AU. MultiSaku. Sakura centric. SakuraHarem.

Warnings: some cursing and general OOC-ness

Notes: So, here's another! This is based on a prompt that I received in a PM last week that asked for something with Sakura visiting the Sabaku or Inuzuka clans. I chose the Inuzuka clan.

I hope you guys enjoy as I wanted to explore the other parts of the Gifted community.

Pairing(s): KibaxSakura, KonohamaruxSakura

Prompt: "lick"

Age: 15

Date: February 4

Dedicated to: evil-angel-sakura

"march of the gift hunters"
In Which Sakura is Slobbered Upon
-8-

"You ready Sakura?" Kiba asked, shouldering his bag along with hers and slinging an arm over her shoulder.

Sakura shrugged with a nervous smile. "I guess I am."

He grinned wildly. "It's going to be great!" he enthused, trying to assuage her fears. "Hana will be here soon to pick us up!" Just as he said so, the door that led out to the main road was kicked open. "Speak of the devil…" he murmured.

"What up brats!" a voice exclaimed, followed by a chorus of howls.

Sakura watched apprehensively as a woman strode in and grabbed Kiba in a headlock. She was beautiful, with long brown hair, dark eyes, and the same red fang marks that Kiba had. Sakura giggled as she mussed Kiba's hair.

The woman turned to her, black eyes glinting. "You must be Sakura," she greeted. "Kiba's told me about you." She smiled as Kiba began to blush. "I'm Hana and I'm so glad to meet you!"

Sakura grinned in reply, bowing in the Gifted manner. "It's nice to meet you as-"

She was cut off as she was attacked by three figures. Sakura fell to the ground, writhing about as three dogs began to lick her face. Sakura began to laugh, wiping her face as Hana called off her dogs.

"Sorry about that," Hana apologized. "The Haimaru brothers get a little enthusiastic."

Sakura shook her head. "That's fine. I don't mine."

"You'll change your mind about that," Kiba muttered as they made their way to the car.

Sakura smiled around the large table, watching as Kiba's relatives laughed raucously at a brawl a little ways down. The Inuzuka clan was different from any of the other ones she'd been around. Most were quiet and reserved, whereas the Inuzukas were loud and boisterous. They lived in a very large building together, separated into different apartments. Currently, they were in the main area where, as Kiba had informed her, they held family meals three times a week. They were held potluck style and Sakura was starting to realize just how crazy the Inuzuka clan really was.

"How are you feeling?" Kiba yelled over the din. They were seated across from each other on the ground, sitting around the long table.

"Pretty great!" she hollered back. She'd been knocked over and licked about six times now but she didn't mind too much. Kiba just told her that she smelled good to Inuzuka Partners.

"Mom should be home soon!" he called.

Sakura nodded with a grin before turning to talk with Hana. She'd learned that Hana was a Gifted veterinarian who worked with Familiars and Partners. They'd had a lot to talk about, especially as Hana explained the similarities between her work with animals and human anatomy. She loved hearing Hana's stories about finicky Familiars and the eccentric humans that worked with them.

"I'm home!" a loud voice rang out over the noise.

Everyone quieted down respectfully as the clan head marched into the room with her Partner by her side. Sakura's eyes went wide. The dog was huge. It was black and white with an eye patch over his right eye. The clan head herself had wild brown hair and the signature red fangs on her cheeks. She was beautiful in a completely feral sort of way.

She made her way over to Sakura, crouching by her side and staring deep into her eyes. Sakura fidgeted after a long moment, raising her hand in a tentative wave.

"Hello," Sakura said, hesitantly.

"What's up kid?" she replied. "You can call me Tsume." She grinned and it made her all the more beautiful. "The lazy brat over there told me all about you." Tsume inhaled deeply, eyes closing in concentration. "Yeah, you're a good kid; nice to meet you and welcome to our home!" So saying, Tsume ruffled her hair and took her place at the head of the table.

The noise picked back up. Sakura started to turn back to her meal before realizing that she still had company. Tsume's Partner was still standing by her, staring at her vigilantly. Hana, noticing that Sakura wasn't eating, turned as well.

"Oh," she said with surprise. "This is Kuromaru, he's mom's Partner."

Sakura nodded her understanding. Unlike Familiars, Partners did not speak out loud to anyone but the human that they bonded with. "It's nice to meet you, Kuromaru," Sakura stated.

Kuromaru cocked his head to the side and, just as Sakura thought he was thinking about how best to eat her, he pounced. She shrieked as he landed over her. Sakura looked up apprehensively but no one else seemed overly concerned so she relaxed. Just as she did so, Kuromaru's wet, rough tongue ran down her face.

Sakura wrinkled her nose, suddenly realizing that the room was silent again. She pushed against Kuromaru insistently until he backed off. She sat up to the wide eyed stares of the Inuzuka clan members. Sakura turned to Kiba for support, surprised to find that he was flushed a brilliant red. She turned her gaze instead to Tsume.

Tsume had a wide, wild grin on her face as her eyes flashed with manic pride. "Well spotted Kuromaru!" she praised before digging into her food again.

With that said, everyone began to speak up again and Sakura had the keen feeling that she'd missed something rather important.

"How was your weekend, Sakura?" Konohamaru asked, eyes glinting with interest.

"It was great!" she replied with an easy smile. "I got to meet Kiba's family, visit the veterinary, and play in the lake near his house." Sakura paused for a moment, frown marring her features. "There was one thing that I still don't get…"

"What is it?" Konohamaru inquired, trying desperately to seem casual. Everyone had been a little antsy that Sakura was visiting the Inuzuka clan. Every time Sakura went to someone's home, someone would get the details from her and share them with everyone else. This time, it was Konohamaru's turn.

"Well, Tsume's dog Kuromaru jumped on me and licked my face during dinner one night. Everyone freaked out until Tsume told Kuromaru 'well spotted.' Kiba won't tell me what's going on," she mused. "Every time I ask he blushes and refuses to answer."

Konohamaru blanched. "When a clan leader's Partner shows favor to an outsider, it means that that individual is an acceptable clan heir." At her blank look, he clarified. "It means that Kuromaru saw you as an acceptable marriage candidate to Kiba, since Hana doesn't want to be the clan head. She's sticking with the veterinary. Plus, Tsume recognized Kuromaru in both your and Kiba's presence. She practically stated that Kiba can make his suit!"

Sakura blushed. "No wonder he didn't tell me. Poor guy!"

Konohamaru's eyes narrowed. Yeah, he was sure that Kiba was feeling poorly about it. Kiba was probably just trying to figure out how to bring it up.

"Well, obviously nothing will come of it!" Sakura continued, oblivious to Konohamaru's thoughts. "I'll just ignore it if he does."

Konohamaru did not ignore it, nor did Sakura's other friends.

For the next few weeks, Kiba was suddenly victim to a lot more pranks, harder spars, and vicious looks. He wisely didn't bring it up.

Ever.

End

So, another prompt bites the dust! If any of you guys have something you'd like to see about the Gifted community or if you have ideas about the Gifted community, please let me know! I want to flesh it out and really develop the Gifted culture.

I hope you all enjoyed! Leave a review please!

-jay