Bloody Fangs

Chapter 2: Building Anger

Not surprisingly they didn't wake up before noon. Ino complained a whole lot about all the snacks they had eaten. It wasn't hard for Sakura to join in on the rant. Her stomach felt bloated and she was certain all the greasy food would earn her a zit-covered face. After Ino had left, Sakura decided she would go for a run for a change. She needed fresh air to think properly.

She wasn't certain how she would proceed to find out more about the wolf she saw in the the woods. She had finally decided that she wasn't on crack like Ino had suggested, but that the creature she had seen twice indeed was a wolf—or maybe even two different ones. The pink-haired teen had no idea why it was so important to her, but it was, and a mystery like wolves returning after 150 years needed to be solved. She doubted she would have a good night's sleep before it was.

She ran up a hill in full speed. The taste of blood in her mouth reminded her of how seldom she worked out. She thought of the blood that dripped from the wolf's teeth. Her body shivered. It couldn't have been blood from a human, could it? She shook her head. She had to stop scaring herself. The important thing was why the wolf had returned, and if there was more than one. For all she knew the wolf she had seen on Monday and she shadow she believed was a wolf yesterday could've been two different ones.

When she went to bed that night, she still thought about the wolf. She hadn't told anyone other than Ino about it. Ino, who was willing to believe a lot of crazy things, obviously doubted that she had actually seen a wolf.

The image of the wolf wouldn't leave her head. She wondered if she was being ridiculous. Honestly she couldn't completely understand why she cared about the wolf, but there was something about it. It was like she had seen it before.

Suddenly she heard a loud howl. A shiver went down her back. The howl almost sounded lonely or pained. Sakura threw the bed sheets off her, got up, and opened the window. There was a cold breeze, but she knew the coldness on her back wasn't created by the nightly wind welcoming her through the window. She tightened her hold on the window frame. To got outside didn't feel like a good idea, but she felt that she had to—that this was the only moment she could figure out the questions occupying her mind.

She sneaked out for the second night on a row. After a worried glance at her mother's window, she began walking down the road. Another howl. It was definitely in the direction of the woods. She ran, knowing if she hesitated, she'd go back home. The dark woods were visible in her sight now. Her heartbeat quickened, and in a minute of fear she completely stopped. Maybe an offensive technique wasn't the best way to get her answers. After all, what was she going to do? She couldn't ask the wolf what is was doing there, or why they had left in the first place.

«It's the fear speaking,» Sakura assured herself. «You have to confirm what you saw.» With determined steps, she continued walking. She had once been told that the woods looked way scarier from the outside because all you could see was the darkness. Sakura stood outside the woods and looked with sceptic eyes at her own feet that took small steps forward. It didn't get any less frightening the more steps she took. The last time it hadn't exactly ended with her exiting the woods happily. She took a deep breath. Every breath, every step, every little movement sounded like loud alarming drums to her. She was certain the wolf had heard her. Even her hands shaking made her self-conscious. The atmosphere reminded her of that on Monday, except this time she knew what was in there.

«I'm crazy,» she whispered to herself. The place looked like where she had met the wolf before; though she wasn't sure because her cell phone didn't exactly light up the entire place. Suddenly she heard growling behind her. Her body froze. It was right behind her. What had she read about encountering wolves? Were you supposed to run or stay calm? Her mind couldn't act rationally; it wouldn't sort out her thoughts. She noticed her hands weren't the only part of her body that shook anymore; her whole body was panicking. Weird thoughts entered her mind, like if it hurt badly to get bit by a wolf, or if it went for the neck first.

Abruptly, Sakura turned around. The wolf didn't look like the cute fluffy animals in Ino's book at all. She could smell her own blood, as if she was already lethally bleeding. Its teeth were big, not dripping with blood like the last time, but they would be soon if she didn't get away. Who cared if she were supposed to run or stay calm? Her feet instinctively reacted anyway. Adrenaline rushed inside of her. She had no idea her body could go at that pace. The beast was right at her tail.

Sakura was surprisingly fast, but she knew she couldn't keep up. She had no idea how long the wolf would follow her. For all she knew, it wouldn't stop until it had a nice pink-haired dinner. She quickened her pace, so the distance got the tiniest bit bigger, and rushed up a tree. Climbing had never been her forte, but at least she was better than a wolf. It was with luck her bum didn't get chewed off by the growling beast. She looked down at it as it howled at her. She could see her cell phone lying down there too. How could she care about her cell phone in this situation? When she looked closer, the wolf was terrifying, but beautiful.

«The thing almost killed me and I'm giving it compliments,» Sakura scoffed. After a lot of howling and scratching its claws up the tree, the wolf went back. It was quite odd. Its mood had suddenly changed; it was like it got afraid and hurried away.

Sakura closed her eyes tightly. «If there comes some sort of dinosaurish beast or a bear, I swear I'll get these trees chopped down, so the bastards can't hide anymore.» The wolf had made her paranoid and made her think some other beast could suddenly appear. Unlucky for her, she was stuck in the tree till six o'clock in the morning. Her fear for some other creature arriving made her cling to the trunk of the tree all night. When she finally climbed down, her body felt sore and abused.

She briefly thought about her mother's reaction if she noticed her daughter wasn't sleeping soundly in her bed, but the sight of the park made her more attentive of the fact that she had actually survived. She half limped to the bench Ino had had her little concert. For the first time in many years, she didn't care if she missed school. When she lifted her gaze from the ground, she noticed another person walking in the park early in the morning, looking at least as terrible as she felt. It didn't look like he had just taken a morning walk.

«Kiba?» His eyes met hers. They looked bewildered.

«Is everything okay?» she asked. He completely stopped and gave her a long, uncomfortable stare. He whispered something she couldn't hear and continued walking.

«Nice pyjamas,» he said as he passed her. She looked down at her clothing. Kiba, the guy apparently everyone at school cared about, had seen her walking out at night in her pyjamas twice.

Unluckily for Sakura, her mother had fully noticed her daughter was gone when she woke up. Sakura didn't know how she would explain why she came home seven o'clock in the morning still dressed in her pyjamas, but so far her mother had been busy yelling at her, so she hadn't had a change to slip in a single word.

«If you have become a member of some kind of cult, I swear I'll give you house arrest for like…two weeks,» Mebuki sternly said. She paced back and forth in the living room. Her mother tried to be a strict mother, she really did. However, even though she could sound and look really stern, she was as sweet as cotton candy.

«Sakura, what were you doing outside at this hour?»

«Um…I took a walk?»

«This early? In your pyjamas?»

«I thought I heard a cat outside, I wanted to pet it.»

«I woke up over an hour ago, you weren't in bed then. You're telling me you were outside an hour petting an animal?»

«You woke up an hour ago? Do you even have work today?»

«Sakura, don't change the subject!»

«I…» Sakura wasn't a good liar, especially not when she had to repeat the same lie over and over. She decided a half-truth would work. «I did meet an animal. I had some problems getting away from it, though, therefore I came a bit late.»

«What do you mean you had problems getting away from a cat?»

«…it was cute?» Mebuki sighed deeply. She hugged Sakura.

«At least you're not the type of teen that goes out all night partying,» she mumbled in her hair. Sakura made an awkward grimace, which her mother fortunately didn't see.

«Now off you go.»

Mebuki had decided to be so «stern» she drove her daughter to school, making her almost arrive school on time. She ran inside the classroom with heavy breaths.

«Now, look who it is,» her chemistry teacher said. «If it isn't wolf girl.» He smiled, which Sakura found a bit taunting. Shortly after she had stepped into the classroom, the door was opened again.

«And there's Kiba too. You name means fang, huh? Maybe it's wolf girl and wolf boy then,» the teacher joked. The class snickered, but it was nothing an angry glare couldn't quiet down. Kiba laughed with them, which Sakura defined as typical popular guy behaviour. As she sat down, she noticed he glanced at her. She frowned when he kept giving her small looks.

When the class was over, she collected her papers and walked towards her locker, crossing her fingers that it would open today. It didn't surprise her when someone tapped her shoulder, but it surprised her that it wasn't Ino she saw when she turned around.

«Um, what's up?» she asked, feeling rather confused.

«Mind if we talk?» Kiba asked.

«Sure, spit it out.»

«Yeah…somewhere more private.» He loosely grabbed her wrist and led her into an empty classroom. Sakura sat down at a desk and looked at him.

«So…?»

«We met earlier today,» he started. She urged him to go on.

«And…honestly I wasn't in a condition I wished for anyone to see.» He looked at her like she was supposed to understand where he was going.

«Wait, you're not going to say something like 'you're the only one who have seen me when I don't won't to be seen', and then confess your love to me? 'Cause I gotta tell you, your ass might be fine, but you're not my type.»

«What?»

Sakura sighed. «If you tell me what you mean, maybe I will understand.»

He hesitated for a moment before he spoke. «Please don't tell anyone what you saw.»

«I didn't really see anything. Though, I have to tell you, you looked like crap.»

Kiba snorted. «I never look like crap.»

«You looked like crap. You looked like crappy crap. I mean…you just looked like…crap.»

«I think we're done here.»

Sakura gasped ironically. «How can you just throw me away like that?» Kiba shoved her out of the classroom, and quickly continued walking down the corridor.

«Sakura!» Ino grabbed her friend's shoulders and stared excitedly at her. «Did you just leave that classroom with Kiba?»

«Aren't you supposed to be in class?»

«Don't change the subject! I came looking for you. Besides, our biology teacher is always late.» Ino's eyes glinted happily. "So? Mind telling me why you were talking with Kiba alone in an empty classroom?"

«It was just some…chemistry…thing.»

«Your eyes are flickering like they always do when you're lying.»

«Okay, I saw him this morning and he didn't want anyone to know.»

«Why?»

«Because he's a jerk.» Sakura ended the conversation by walking past Ino to their biology class. Ino trailed after.

At lunchtime Sakura couldn't find Ino. She wasn't by the tree, nor was she in the cafeteria. For the third time, she was looking there. Usually she sat by the table with jerks and materialistic girls—a group which she both fitted and was too good for. The cafeteria was noisy, but she could still hear her friend laughing. She turned around, but she couldn't see her. Her head started spinning because she kept turning around, but she still couldn't spot her. She was about to leave the cafeteria again when she noticed blonde hair in a corner. Ino was talking to Kiba. Sakura made her way up to them and was greeted with a smile and a smirk.

«Sakura!» Ino exclaimed.

«I've been looking everywhere for you!» Sakura wailed. Ino replied with a sheepish smile. «And for reference, why?» Sakura pointed at the guy behind her.

«I'm right here,» Kiba said. «But if what I've been told is true, you think I'm a jerk.»

«And shallow!» Ino added. Sakura glared at Ino, who replied with another sheepish smile.

«Well, we ought to change those impressions.»

«Actually I'm fine with judging you,» Sakura assured.

«How about we change those impressions over…a pizza!» Ino suggested.

«Sounds great,» Kiba said.

«How about no,» Sakura replied.

«You love pizza,» Ino tried to tempt.

«Yes, I do, but I don't want pizza.»

«Yes, you do.»

«No, I don't,» Sakura said.

«What is so wrong with going out for some pizza?» Ino asked in frustration.

«This isn't about pizza!» Sakura yelled.

«It's about me,» Kiba said bluntly.

«Morning walker gets it!» Sakura gestured towards him, but she noticed a small glare when she looked at him.

«Morning walker? Oh, you mentioned you met him this morning!»

«Which she wasn't supposed to tell anyone,» he bit out through gritted teeth.

«When a girl promises not to tell anyone, it means everyone except her best friend,» Sakura said like she was some kind of expert in girl behaviour. «Learn the girl language.» She turned around with an amused smirk, and was headed for the exit. Her friend and Mr Dogtooth had still not given up in their pizza plans, though. Ino ran to Sakura's side, hugged her arm, and forced her to turn around again.

«We'll see you after to school,» Ino said.

«I'll pay,» Kiba replied like a Don Juan. Ino giggled before she dragged her friend out where she was previously headed.

When they were in an empty hall, Sakura slipped her arm out of Ino's grip and looked at her bewilderingly.

«Really? REALLY?» Sakura threw her arms in the air. «Why are we suddenly having pizza with Mr Popular?»

«Original nickname,» Ino remarked flatly.

«Shut up! You know I don't like guys like him!»

«Oh, stop your prejudice! Not every guy is a jerk because he's handsome and rich.»

«Have you seen him? Have you seen his eyes? Haven't you noticed the air around him? He reeks of, of, of—»

«Cologne?»

«Ino! Seriously, why?»

«Because I like him. Oh, don't give me that look, I don't mean it like that! He's a cool guy, and I would love to get to know him better. Besides, you need to be out and meet more people to get rid of your judgement of everyone that resembles your father. And no, I'm not going to feel guilty for saying that. I understand your hurt, Sakura, but you have to realise that some popular, wealthy, rich, handsome guys are actually great!»

«I met him early in the morning looking perplexed. Maybe he's doing drugs,» Sakura attempted, but Ino shut her up with the roll of her eyes.

«What were you doing early in the morning anyway? Last I remember you like to sleep.»

«This isn't about me.»

Ino didn't pry, but let out a sigh. «Come on,» Ino linked her arm around Sakura's, «let's have boring classes and eat pizza afterwards!»

Sakura didn't just want to leave the pizza hut, she wanted to leave. Badly. However, Ino and Kiba seemed to have a blast. In spite of having barely said a word, she was the one who had touched her food the less.

«I just wish Sakura would join me at parties more often. She mostly refuses,» Ino said.

«I saw her at my party, though,» Kiba said.

«Yeah! I finally managed to convince her to join me,» Ino laughed. Sakura couldn't understand the point of her being there. They seemed to have more than enough to talk about, and if they were going to talk about her, she'd rather be miles away.

«Talking about that, I heard you two encountered each other.» Ino's voice was suggestive, and Kiba smirked at that. «Sakura said it wasn't anything, but I'd still like to think there was something going on with you two on the balcony.»

«Really?» Kiba asked with a suggestive, raised brow.

«Ino, stop!» Sakura insisted.

«I'm just a girl concerned with her friend's love life!»

«Well, please don't be.»

«Personally I was just having some fresh air, but I got to admit,» Kiba gave Sakura flirty look, «you looked stunning.» The pizza was on its way out of Sakura's mouth again, but she kept it down with an awkward cough. She looked over at her friend and was almost blinded by the sparkles in her eyes.

«You, guys! You are the cutest,» Ino squealed. Sakura grabbed her friend's arm and gave it an almost panicked squeeze.

«There's no us or cute!» Sakura whispered harshly. Ino grimaced in pain, but could breathe out when a snicker was heard and Sakura loosened her grip.

«What are you laughing at?» Sakura bit out.

«Nothing special. Just found it funny how panicked you were at the thought of us. Didn't think you'd take your friend's words so seriously,» Kiba replied. Sakura stressed to keep herself together.

«I didn't," she said. «I…just don't like joking.» Ino held her bruised arm.

«Seriously, how can you act like a brute in front of a guy?»

«He's not a guy I need to impress,» Sakura pointed out, making every word audible.

«Don't worry, you already got my attention,» Kiba said with a wink. Sakura tried to calm herself. That guy was a big flirt. A big, huge, enormous, stupid, idiotic flirt. For every adjective she added to the list, she got more worked up. Breathe in and out. Kiba wouldn't get to her; she was better than that. He was just an asshole like her dad. Sakura slammed her fist on the table. An asshole like her dad. What was happening with her rage? She felt she had no control. Her breath quickened. She couldn't look up at him. If she did, she was sure she would charge at him. Her breathing was weird. She had to breathe quickly in and out repeatedly. She needed to calm herself.

«Sakura,» Ino's voice was full of concern, «Sakura, you're hyperventilating.» Sakura's hands grabbed the edge of the table. Ino held a hand at her back, trying to calm her, while her own panicked eyes looked at Kiba.

«What do we do? She's totally going into some weird panic attack or something!» Kiba quickly moved to their side of the table and exchanged seats with Ino.

«Sakura, calm down. Everything's okay.» He reached out his arm to comfort her, but was suddenly grabbed by his shirt and slammed down on the remains of the pizza. Sakura's shocked eyes looked down at him. Her breathing got steadier and she finally let go of his shirt. The other guests at the pizza hut looked at their table with curiosity. Sakura scanned the room. She couldn't comprehend what had just happened. Had she really slammed him down on the table? In a swift motion, she grabbed her jacket, backpack, and hurried out of there. Ino followed her shortly after, but she wouldn't stop at her friend's pleads. Suddenly she was forced to stop by an embrace. Ino was hugging her tightly.

«Sakura, are you okay?» Ino spun her around to look at her. «What in the world happened in there?» Sakura gulped. Her friend was concerned with her. She wanted to cry. How could she be concerned with her?

«I-I…» Her voice shook. «I don't know why I did that,» she whispered. Tears were threatening to fall down.

«In one minute I was thinking he was an asshole, and then I couldn't control myself.» Ino let out a small laugh. Sakura gave her a questioning look.

«Well, you might have just overreacted a teeny bit. I know you don't look guys making passes at you, but a wink won't turn you pregnant,» Ino mocked in a loving way. She brushed her best friend's hair behind her ears. Sakura snorted.

«It's not funny,» Sakura said, but still let out a laugh.

«It's a little bit funny,» Ino remarked, and joined her laughter.

«No, it's not. I slammed a guy on a table at a pizza hut. Did you see their eyes?»

«Did you see my eyes? I thought you had finally lost it.»

«I had!» Sakura averred. Ino laughed.

«I'm just as bad as you, though. I just left him there alone.» As they giggled, Sakura couldn't help thinking what a best friend she had. Ino really was the best.

«Now, I think you should apologize for your slight overreaction, but let that be for another day,» Ino said.

«Yeah...»

Sakura came early to school the next day. She paced back and forth, nervously planning what to say. Saying, «I'm sorry, Kiba. Please forgive me,» was harder than she thought.

«I'm kinda sorry. I mean…I shouldn't have slammed you like that, though I'm sure you deserve it—No!» She sighed. «I'm sor—apologize. Not. Damn it, why is this so hard?» Her body tensed when she heard chattering. A group of girl walked past her, and she felt awkward standing in front of Kiba's locker, practising what to say.

«She's standing in front of his locker,» one of the girls whispered.

«Do you think she's confessing?» another girl asked. A third girl gasped.

«She better not be!»

«Relax,» the first girl said. «She's obviously not his type.»

«Hey, chicks!» Sakura yelled. «I'm not gonna confess to your disgusting dream prince, but speaking of him, when's he coming?» The girls glared at her, and turned their heels, rudely ignoring her question.

«He never comes this early,» a voice behind her said. «Speaking of which, neither do you.» Sakura's eyes turned into slits the moment she heard his voice.

«Sai,» she said as she turned around. «What a delight.»

«I have to disagree.»

«Sarcasm, my friend.»

«I've never understood that, and according to my research, our relationship isn't defined as friendship.»

«No, you're right, just as you're not defined as a nice guy.»

«I beg to differ.»

«Never been fond of beggars.»

«Could that possibly be a play of words?» Sai suddenly grabbed a book from his backpack and started reading. While he was engrossed in his book, Sakura slipped past him and made her way to the main entrance. She sat down on the cold floor and watched as students came in through the door.

«Ino!» she called as her blonde friend walked through the entrance.

«Sakura?» Ino asked. «What are you doing?»

«Waiting for Kiba.»

«On the floor?»

«I waited for him by his locker, but Sai showed up.»

«Oh,» Ino responded knowingly. She sat down beside Sakura. More and more students arrived and the halls became filled with loud chattering. Sakura quickly jumped up when Kiba entered. He walked with three other guys, and she became reluctant on calling after him. They chatted, laughed, and jokingly punched each other on the shoulder. Sakura felt somewhat intimidated by this group that was way higher than her on the social hierarchy. She had no time to hesitate when they almost got swallowed by the masses.

«Inuzuka!» she called after him, while elbowing any person in her way. «Inuzuka!» She lowly growled when a group of girls started calling his name, making her voice blend with the others. Sakura's death glares could silence most people, though.

«Hey, Kiba!» she yelled. Kiba turned around, but Sakura's good luck made her stumble into him, hurting his chest as well as his back.

«Do you enjoy literally running into me?» Kiba asked, looking amused.

«Shut up!» Sakura's hands flew to her mouth. Kiba raised an eyebrow.

«Anyway,» Sakura begun, nervously twiddling her thumbs, «I need to speak with you.» One of Kiba's friends nudged his side, pointing at Sakura.

«What's that?» Sakura gaped at his rudeness. She lowered his offending finger and smiled a fake smile.

«I'm Sakura,» she replied. The guy let a handful of her hair run through his fingers.

«Why pink?» Sakura's breath became inconsistent. She thought about what had happened yesterday when the same feeling roused in her. Abruptly she grabbed Kiba's hand and pulled him outside of the school building. The bell rang. She dragged him to the lunch tree.

«I'M SORRY!» she yelled loudly. She turned around to look him directly in the eyes. «I'm sorry,» she repeated quieter.

«About what?» he asked.

«About yesterday.»

«The part when you judged me or the part when you made my back harshly meet the table?»

«I'm still judging you, so it'll be the latter.»

«Well, I don't forgive you.»

«How…well…that' s…FINE! If you want to be like that—»

«Unless,» he interrupted. Sakura looked at him questionably. «Unless you go on a date with me.»

«Have you hit your head?»

«Only my back.»

«Making me feel guilty?» She glared at him. «But you know what? I don't care if you forgive me!»

«Do you think you still have the right to reject me?» Kiba asked.

Sakura intended to glare into his eyes until he would realise how unreasonable he was being, but she ended up giving them a puzzled look. «Your eyes seem familiar.»

Kiba frowned. «You've seen me before.»

«Yes, but I have a strange feeling…» Kiba cut the eye contact.

«The date is on Saturday,» he said. He began walking away from her.

«What?» she yelled.

«Come to my party!» He casually waved at her, his back still turned at her.

«You're sulking,» Ino remarked.

«No, I'm not,» Sakura denied. Still, there she was, sitting on her bed, her legs pulled against her. Ino sighed and sat next to her friend. She rubbed her friend's back.

«Do you want to tell me what it is?» she asked.

«Mom yelled at me,» she explained. «She found out I got fired, and oh, boy, did she get fired up too.»

«If you can joke about it, it doesn't upset you that much. What actually bothers you?»

«Why do you always inquire?»

«Hey, I've become much better! Besides, this is different 'cause I want to help you if I can.»

«I don't want to go to the party tomorrow.» Ino didn't ask any further, even though she knew there was something else.

«Why have Kiba dragged me around with him these last days?» Sakura asked. Ino mentally patted herself on the back. Sometimes people would answer if you didn't ask too much. Sakura went on ranting.

«Ever since he demanded me to come to his party—how could he dare doing something like that anyway—he has called after me all the time. At lunch he has dragged me to his table, as you know. I've been forced to suffer three whole lunch breaks with him and his preppy friends that treat me like I'm some amusing clown. In chemistry he was miraculously allowed to change seats with Shikamaru. In the halls he suddenly holds around me, which earns me evil glares from his female friends. His guy friends laugh at me all the frickin' time. After only three days I feel like killing myself. When were the times I could live in peace at school? The time the kings and queens ignored me?" She ended the rant with a sigh.

«To sum it up, you feel badly treated by Kiba's friends, and it hurts you...?» Ino didn't dare to state anything when Sakura was in that mood. Sakura leaned in to crave a hug from her best friend and Ino put her arms around her.

«You know what I think? I think you definitely should go to the party tomorrow and show them you're not just another girl. That you deserve him.»

«Wait…what?» Sakura lifted her head from Ino's shoulder. «I don't like Kiba and I don't want him to think so either!»

«I didn't mean it like that. But if you want respect from the Royals now that you've kind of been dragged into their world, you have to show that you're worthy of it.»

«I don't want to be a conformist just to get them to stop laughing.»

«Trust me. I'm not telling you to change who you are, I'm just asking you to put on a pretty dress, dance a little, and prove that Kiba has a reason to be infatuated with you, that they can't outshine you just because they're richer than you.»

«Put on a pretty dress and dance? Sounds like the preppy sluts.»

«I didn't say put on a trashy dress and dance like a skank.» Ino took Sakura's hands in hers. «Look, you tend to be kind of stiff and weird. You're extremely good at making yourself invisible, even though you're prettier on both the inside and outside than the girls Kiba acquaints himself with.»

«I'm not pretty—especially not on the inside.»

«We're all allowed a couple of bad traits.»

«Wished I had some good ones…»

«You know how you always criticize my boyfriends? Even though you're not exactly supportive when I'm with them, when the relationship ends badly, you're always there for me. You'll say I'm an idiot, but still your hug will be warm and caring. Sakura, you're the best friend I could ever have.» Sakura put her head on Ino's shoulder again.

«You're so cheesy.»

The next day Ino brought Sakura dress shopping. As soon as they arrived at a shop, Ino picked out several dresses for Sakura to try out. Sakura was sure it was going to take hours with the pile of clothes Ino had given her, which certainly strained the limits of clothes you were allowed to bring with you in the fitting rooms. She looked at herself in the mirror with a sigh, realising Ino would bring her to the next place if she didn't find something she liked here.

«Are you done?» Ino asked from outside the fitting room. Sakura rolled her eyes.

«I just got in here!» she replied. Sakura hurriedly grabbed a blue dress and put it on. It was of a light material with a golden belt around the waist. The ends of the dress were uneven, giving it a playful and fun look. Sakura stepped outside the fitting room to show her best friend, but was shortly pushed inside again by said person.

«Next!» Ino said. Sakura tried on a green dress next, but Ino shook her head at that one too.

«You look like a forest with pink hair. Next!» Sakura tried on a tight, pink, knee-length dress next.

«Too much pink. Next!» Ino shooed her in again while Sakura wondered why she had picked all of these dresses if she wasn't going to like any of them. She continued to try the dresses on. They were in all sorts of colours and shapes with different textures and details, but Ino flatly rejected them one after the other.

«Seriously, Ino, why did you pick so many dresses? You don't like any of them!»

«One never knows how they look before you try them on. Now, shoo! Try the next one.» Sakura growled lowly, locking the door with more force than necessary.

«This is so stupid!» Sakura ranted, while pulling a black dress over her head.

«What about this one?» Sakura asked, expecting yet another rejection. Ino shook her head.

«No, not this one either.»

«Do you want us to get there in time?» Sakura threw her hands in the air in defeat.

«Try another black dress. I definitely think you should choose a black one.» Sakura's eyes lit when she realised that maybe, just maybe she had gotten one step closer to permanently leaving the fitting room. She quickly took off the dress she was wearing and picked another black dress to wear. It went to about the middle of her thighs and had a bateau neckline with an open back. The sleeves were long and made of laces. Sakura did not feel comfortable in it.

«We're definitely not picking this,» she said as she stepped outside the room. Ino gaped.

«Wow…oh, wow.» Ino rose from her seat. «This is the one! This is definitely…wow, you look…wow.» Ino put her fingers before her mouth in excitement before she let out a tiny squeal.

Sakura looked at her in confusion. «Um… are you okay?»

«Are you kidding? I'm more than okay! We've found it!»

«What? No! This looks weird on me.» Ino ignored Sakura's rant about everything that was wrong with the dress, and especially on her, and pushed her inside the fitting room again, waiting for her to put on her normal clothes to buy the wonder of a dress and get ready for the party.

Sakura felt she had lost yet a battle against her best friend when she put the black dress on Ino's bed. They had decided to get ready together—or rather Ino had given her no choice. Ino had decided they would go all out—facial masks, manicure etc. Sakura had never used that much time on her appearance. When it was time to put the dresses on, she couldn't help envying her best friend a little. Ino had a more grown up body than she had and her cheeks weren't as chubby. Ino wore a short, tightfitting dress with a sweetheart neckline. The blue colour complimented her eyes.

«You're really pretty, Ino,» Sakura remarked. Ino just gave her a wry smile as reply. Her blonde curls were dancing around as she moved to the music.

«I'm definitely dancing with you tonight,» Ino said, and peeled Sakura off the bed.

«Definitely not,» Sakura replied, but Ino still forced her body to slightly tilt back and forth.

«I'm sure Kiba will want to dance with you,» Ino said with a wink.

«That's disgusting.»

They continued dolling themselves up. Sakura adorned her head with a hairband decorated with metal leaves. When they were both dressed up, they drove to the party—illegally.

«Ino, is this a good idea? You don't even have a license,» Sakura said with worry. She wasn't comfortable with breaking the law, even though she should've been more used to it by now, considering her best friend was Ino.

«Don't be a baby. It's not like it's the first time you've driven with me.» Sakura silently prayed they wouldn't get in trouble with the police. She could finally exhale when they arrived in front of Kiba's gigantic castle of a house. A lot of people had already arrived at the party, and the house was trembling because of the loud music.

Kiba smiled as soon as he saw them. Sakura's breath got sucked in again. She saw some of his female friends glaring at them. What a welcoming atmosphere. To strong arms suddenly held around her. Kiba had gotten awfully close to her in no more than a week—one-sidedly worth noting. Sakura barely returned the hug, feeling awkward with his friends staring at them.

«Do you want a beer?» Before Sakura could answer, Kiba was already dragging her with him. She looked back at Ino with helpless eyes, hoping she wouldn't have to spend time with Kiba alone, but Ino gave her no reassurance.

«You look gorgeous…as always,» Kiba flirted.

«Wow, girls fall for that? Disturbing.» Kiba chuckled. He handed her a beer, which she took with scepticism. The taste of beer was awful, but if she were obligated to spend her time with Kiba because of the 'date', killing off some brain cells would make it a whole lot easier.

«But you do look amazing. That dress really suits you.» Sakura didn't know how to reply. He sounded sincere, but for all she knew that was another flirting trick.

«You want to dance?» Kiba asked. Sakura raised an eyebrow.

«No, thank you.»

He shrugged. «That's fine. But at least we can talk.» He grabbed her hand and led her to the balcony. He leaned against the fence.

«It probably killed you to come tonight,» Kiba said, taking a sip of his beer.

«Oh, no, not at all. Going on a date with a womanizer is something I'd gladly do daily.»

«Is that what you think I am?» he asked.

Sakura looked at him. «Aren't you?»

«If you wouldn't be so hostile towards me, maybe you would find out.» Sakura looked away, almost feeling a little ashamed. Sakura looked down at their entwined hands.

Sakura slightly smiled. «You're still holding my hand.»

«Yes,» Kiba replied.

Sakura raised her brows, looking at him questionably. «Do you mind letting it go?»

He shrugged. «If you dance with me.»

«I can't dance.»

"I don't believe that."

She let him lead her indoors. There were a lot of teenagers dancing, some more intimate than Sakura believed was appropriate. She spotted Ino and smiled at her friend's carefree spirit. Sakura herself had problems loosening up.

«Forget about all the people around you. Just have fun,» Kiba said. Because of the loud music, he had to stand close to her for her to hear. She wasn't used to having guys that close and she hated the fact it made her blush.

«I-I understand.» Kiba had to stifle a laugh at how serious she was.

When Sakura finally could move her limbs properly, she found herself actually having fun. It was nice to move your body to the beat. She smiled at Kiba, who returned the smile. Ino walked up to them.

«I see you youngsters are having fun.» She grabbed Sakura's hand. «Would you mind if I steal her for a bit?»

«I suppose I don't actually have a say in that,» Kiba replied.

Ino grinned. «Nope.»

When they were out of hearing distance from Kiba, Ino immediately started prying.

«How's it being on a date with Mr Popular?» Ino winked.

«It feels like I'm surrounded by predators ready to rip me apart.»

Ino gave her a strange look. «What?»

Sakura stopped dancing. «His female friends keep staring at me, and not with a smile.»

«While we're on the topic,» Ino pointed at the direction Kiba was, «seems like their claiming their prey.» A small group of girls were surrounding Kiba, flashing smiles and moving flirtatiously.

Sakura shrugged. «Whatever. If they keep him busy, I won't have to spend time with him.»

Ino gaped. «What happened with earning their respect, showing you're just as good as them?»

«If I ignore Kiba, they will ignore me too, right?»

«How can you ignore, Kiba? You're on a date with him!»

«I meant at school.»

«It doesn't seem like Kiba will leave you alone, though.»

«I know he's been clingy this week, but he's going to stop when it gets boring, and—» Ino put her hand in front Sakura's mouth. Sakura arched an eyebrow. Ino discreetly pointed behind them. Kiba was walking towards them.

«Hey, girls. Mind if I steal Sakura back?» Kiba asked. Sakura and Ino exchanged looks.

«Actually...» Sakura began.

«Of course not! She's your date,» Ino said with a smile. Sakura didn't like the way she emphasised the last word. She found herself yet again dragged away. She was starting to feel like Kiba and Ino's rag doll. Ino shortly excused herself and Sakura was left alone with Kiba.

«Do you want a beer?» he asked. Sakura wondered if he was trying to get her drunk with the way he kept asking if she wanted a beer.

«Um, sure, but do you mind if I use the bathroom first?»

«Do you know where it is or should I follow you?»

«No, that's fine,» she reassured him, «I know where it is.» Sakura walked into the hall where the restroom was. She was about to turn the doorknob, when she heard strange sounds from within. Sakura frowned, wondering if she was just imagining it, and turned the doorknob. When she opened the door, her eyes went wide in shock at the sight of the two half naked people making out in there. She quickly shut the door with a blush staining her cheeks.

«Are you frickin' serious…»

She turned around to go back to Kiba, no matter how little tempting that was. However, she shortly found out the hallway was blocked by the group of girls that had surrounded Kiba earlier. She remembered some of the from the lunch table. Her eyes scanned the crowd questionably, silently asking what they wanted.

«We need to talk,» a pretty brunette said.

«About…?»

«Kiba.» Ah, no surprise there.

«We don't think you should get too comfortable with him, if you know what I mean?» another girl asked said. Sakura's eyebrows furrowed.

«Uh…?»

The girls rolled their eyes. «What we're saying is, don't think you're anything special to him. No matter how many dates he asks you on, even if he kisses, or… does more than that,» the girls glares got more intense, «don't think you're anything special. You are definitely just another play toy.»

«Okay.»

They seemed confused at her reaction, like they expected her to show some resistance or get mad that they told her this.

«'C-Cause he treats everyone like that. You're no exception,» they continued, trying to get something more out of her.

«Okay.»

The brunette flipped her hair and crossed her arms. Her eyes were slightly flickering. «A-Anyway, that was all.» The girls turned around to walk away.

Sakura suddenly came to think about what she and Ino had talked about earlier. «Wait…don't tell me the dress worked?»

They turned around to look at her. «What?»

«You're actually seeing me as a threat?» Sakura asked in disbelief. The girls' faces turned red with humiliation.

«Wha—No, we don't!» The brunette pushed Sakura against the wall, towering over her with her long, bronze legs.

«Don't get conceited!» she yelled.

Sakura's glare met hers and the other girl slightly flinched. No way Sakura got intimidated by a daddy's little girl type. She knew she could kick her ass any day.

«You wanna take this outside, sugar?» Sakura asked tauntingly. The brunette furrowed her brows and bit her lips, letting go of Sakura. She turned her heel in a snotty fashion, immediately getting followed by the rest of the group.

«Bitches…» Sakura mumbled. She straightened her dress and walked back to Kiba.

«Well, that took its time,» Kiba remarked jokingly. «Is everything okay?» Sakura inwardly rolled her eyes, but she offered a smile to him.

«Sure, just that the bathroom was kind of occupied by two people I'm fairly sure are gonna regret it in the morning.» Kiba chuckled and offered a beer. Sakura accepted the beer and leaned against the wall. She opened the can.

«And then your groupies arrived,» Sakura informed.

«What?»

Sakura took a sip from the can. «Yeah, something about not thinking I'm special.»

Kiba suddenly looked at her with worried eyes, which puzzled Sakura. "Are you okay?"

Sakura snorted. «Are you kidding me? I could've slayed those fucking bitches in a second.» Kiba smirked at her potty mouth. Sakura saw Ino dancing with some guy who seemed to be getting too familiar with her, because she constantly slapped his hands away from where she didn't want them. Sakura snickered. She suddenly noticed Kiba was staring pretty intensely at her, even scanning her body, which made her extremely uncomfortable.

«You really do look good in that dress,» he complimented.

«Uh, thanks,» she replied. He got closer to her, which made Sakura automatically want to back up further, even though she already was standing against the wall. Sakura was eyeing him carefully, not used to being in a situation where someone looked at her like that. She watched his hand get closer to her exposed skin. Kiba's hand grazed her thigh.

«Why the heck are you standing so close?» she asked, slightly panicking.

«Damn, never show so much skin in public ever again,» he said, which wasn't really a reply to her question at all.

«What, why?» she asked.

«'Cause that guy over there has been ogling you since the moment you walked in that door,» Kiba replied and pointed at a guy a few metres behind her.

Sakura furrowed her brows. «It's not like your eyes have been completely innocent either.»

Kiba smirked. «We're on a date. I'm allowed to.»

«What kind of crap rule is that?» She narrowed her eyes at him. «No one is allowed to look at me like that expect for my boyfriend.»

«But you don't have a boyfriend.»

«No, but my future boyfriend.»

«Yeah? And who do you imagine this person to be?»

«Well, it's not like I'm set on a specific person.»

She looked at him. His eyes were serious. Sakura almost recoiled by the way he was staring at her. The usual flirtatious look was gone, and he seemed to think about something really seriously.

«Come with me,» he suddenly said and grabbed her hand.

«Where are we going?» Sakura asked. They were obviously not dancing again, nor were they headed for the balcony.

«Away,» he gave her a serious look. «I need to speak to you.» Sakura did not feel comfortable with being completely alone with Kiba, and slightly resisted when they were headed outdoors.

«Seriously, Kiba, where are you taking me?» He didn't answer, but led her outside the front yard and the gate. She slightly jumped when he suddenly turned around. His gaze was still serious.

«What would make you believe I like you?» he asked.

«What?» Sakura's gaze flickered. What was he talking about?

«I know you think I'm just giving you attention because I want to 'do' you and then throw you aside. But what can I do to change that view?»

«Kiba, you're acting…weird. Maybe we should go back.» Kiba didn't let her leave.

«Do you know how much my heart jumped when I saw you in that dress? I wanted to confess right there and then, but—»

«Confess?»

«What did you think I meant by saying 'I like you'? I don't like you as a friend or a classmate, I like you as a girl.»

«…WHAT?»

Kiba's mouth fell open. «How can that be hard for you to believe? I've given you my undivided attention this week, I threatened our teacher to let me change seats with that lazy brat, I requested that you would come here tonight, I just said two minutes ago 'What would make you believe I like you?'»

Sakura gave him a puzzled look. «You threatened the teacher? How?»

Kiba sighed. «You really care about the important details, don't you? And to answer your question, I'm rich.»

«Still, how?»

«Wha—How can that be what you're concerned with?»

«Uh, yeah, sorry. So…you…like me?»

«Somehow it doesn't sound like you believe me. Which leads me to my first question, what—»

«You seriously thought I would fall for that? I'm sure you tell every girl you like her!»

«I-I…» He seemed to have problems with what to say next. «I…do,» he murmured. Sakura crossed her arms.

«Seriously, you're ruining my confession! I'm serious about this!» Kiba said desperately.

«Oh, please. Your confession ruined itself. How in the world do so many girls like you?»

«Because I don't act like a weirdo in front of them! I don't have to give this sort of…confession, because I don't really like them!» Sakura hated herself for being unsure whether he was being earnest or not. Of course he wasn't! He couldn't be. Kiba was the same as her father—a bad boy whose only mission in life was to break girls' hearts.

«Tell me what I can do to make you believe me,» he begged.

«If you tell me why you were walking in the park at six o'clock in the morning, I'll believe you,» Sakura replied, even though she wasn't truthful.

Kiba's head bowed down. «I can't do that.»

«Then I won't believe you.»

Kiba opened his mouth, as if he was going to tell her, but no sounds came out and his eyes looked lost. Sakura frowned. What could be so serious that he couldn't tell her? She had thought he would say that he came home from a party or something like that.

Kiba's voice cracked when he spoke, «Please believe me. I adore you so much.» Sakura's eyes widened. Why did he have to sound so sincere?

«I…I didn't even know we were in the same chemistry class,» she said.

Kiba frowned and then laughed, though he sounded confused. «What?»

Sakura didn't like the fact that she was starting to make excuses as to why she couldn't accept his confession. She had decided it was false. He was lying, wasn't he?

«Why do you have to sound sincere?» Sakura asked, her voice no more than a whisper.

«I am sincere,« he assured. «I've liked you since freshman year.»

«Even if that is true, even if I'm just being prejudiced, I can't accept your confession. To me you've just been the popular guy at school my best friend is infatuated by.» Sakura looked into his eyes. «And then you suddenly give me a lot of attention, and say this…I'm sorry, but I don't see you that way.»

«Honestly I expected that. I didn't think you've would return my feelings, but I had to say it.» Sakura didn't want to look at him. It was the first time someone had confessed to her, and not only did it feel awkward, she was confessed to by the most unlikely person, which didn't make the confession seem real at all.

«But hey, we can be friends, right?» Kiba asked. Sakura looked at him in surprise. He was smiling with his canine tooth showing.

«Why?»

Kiba looked baffled. «Well, because…»

«See? There's no reason for us to be friends, is there? Or acknowledge each other at all.»

Kiba's bowed down his head. «Maybe I'm asking for too much, but I've wanted to talk to you for many years. Please give me a chance.» It was ridiculous of him to ask that they'd be friends. They had had nothing to do with each other before this week. And she hated people like him, pretentious playboys who thought of no one but themselves. Still his voice sounded genuine, and his eyes made him look like a soaked puppy.

«Wow, Kiba Inuzuka is asking me to be his friend. Ino would be pissed if I said no.» Sakura frowned and looked down at the ground. This whole situation seemed so improbable. «I'm actually thankful you changed seats with Shikamaru. That guy doesn't do anything when we have a group project.»

Kiba looked at her expectantly. «What does that conclude?»

«That I might give you a chance.»

«You'll be my friend?» Sakura wanted to scoff at his words, they sounded like two eight-year-olds.

«Mm. I guess it wouldn't be so bad befriending you» A small smile formed itself on his face.

«BUT!» she continued.

«But?»

«Do NOT force me to sit with you at lunch. Seriously, I can't bear more than three days at that table.»

Kiba chuckled. «Sure.»

Sakura didn't tell Ino anything about what had happened on their way home. One reason being she was seriously scared for her life when a tipsy teenager without licence drove her home. Ino could convince her to do things she didn't want to be convinced to do. She looked at the dark shadows they passed by. She wondered if it was close, the creature that occupied her mind. Sakura closed her eyes, thinking about its sharp teeth. They were dripping with blood.

(27th Oct 2015) This chapter has been edited to fix some grammar and spelling mistakes. I also had to rewrite some sentences because they didn't make any sense. There are probably still some mistakes, but I think the worst ones are fixed.