I have to be shaking just as much as Sakura is with how hot my blood is boiling after what Sasuke just pulled. I never wanted to see anyone on Sakura the way Kankuro was the night I put him in the hospital yet tonight I did, and the sight still has me sick to my stomach. I follow Naruto's instructions to his room, trying to steady my shaking frame and be a pillar of strength for Sakura.

As the door closes and I am not prepared for what happens next. Sakura turns into me and falls to pieces, clinging to me for dear life. The tremors silently send cracks through my heart as I listen to her sobs come in gasping breaths. It's only then do I realize that this incident must have brought back the terrible memory of Kankuro and his attempt to rape her earlier this year.

Gently I cradle her head on my shoulder and hold her tight, unable to come up with anything that could remotely make her feel better or make this whole day okay other than holding her tightly in the only place I know she feels safe.

"I don't understand why he would do that," Sakura sobs into my costume through a continuous cascade of tears.

I squeeze her tightly not sure she will like my thoughts on why Sasuke did what he did, but knowing they have to be addressed regardless of how they will make her feel or myself for that matter. "You may not want to hear this but I'm pretty sure he is still in love with you." I grit through my teeth.

Sakura stiffens in my arms at my words, her tears slowing. "That's just not possible." She laughs nervously, wiping the tears from her already stained cheeks obviously in denial of my hypothesis.

Deciding that the subject doesn't need any more thought I shrug and just continue to hold my girlfriend, despite my mind racing a thousand miles a minute. It all makes sense though, Naruto acting weird, and Sasuke suddenly wanting to get closer to Sakura. He had to be in love with her still, and that didn't make me feel any better.

Sakura slowly pulls away slightly and gazes up into my eyes. Her white ghost paint has smudged and now runs down her face making her look probably as broken as she currently feels. "Can we go back to my place?"

I offer up a warm smile and nod. "I was actually thinking the same thing." I start to lean in to kiss her but abruptly stop when I realize she may not want anyone in her personal space. Before I have time to pull away though, Sakura cups my face with both hands and closes the distance between us.

Her kiss is slow and gentle, working my lips in a way only she can. When she pulls away a small smile plays on her lips. "Just so you know," She says holding on gently to the front of my costume. "I could tell it wasn't you instantly."

I laugh nervously looking away, uncomfortable by the sudden subject change. Sasuke's words unwillingly echoing in my mind, just so you know she kissed me. "Not sure if that is supposed to make me feel better about all of this," I mutter not feeling any better about what just happened but trying my hardest to ignore it.

Sakura gently cups my face with both hands again. "Kiba, look at me." She whispers.

I look at her, unable not to, and the smile on her face is genuine. "You know you are where I want to be right?"

She's right and I know it all too well. If the past year has shown me anything it's that this beautiful girl that stands in front of me wants me and me alone. A year ago I would have called you crazy if you would have told me that but I guess all it takes is a year for anyone to grow up enough to see what is right in front of them. I kiss her forehead knowing that in the future I will have to be more careful with how I handle these situations. "I know. Guess he has a way of getting under my skin when it comes to you."

Sakura hangs her head with a sigh. "I'd like to say I wish he wasn't part of my past but if it wasn't for him we wouldn't be together." She mumbles quietly, her eyes filling with tears again. "And that's really not a trade-off I'm willing to make," she whispers, her voice almost inaudible.

I see the fresh tears trickle down her cheeks and instinctively embrace her once more. The idea of us not being together is clearly as painful for her as it is for me. I am reminded that I will never okay with her crying, it tears me apart every time I see those tears roll down her cheeks. "I know. I feel the same way." I murmur into her hair as I give her a gentle squeeze. "How about we call it a night and head back to your house now?"

Sakura nods and steps out of my embrace offering me a small tearful smile. "That sounds good."

My heart wells at how strong this girl is and how proud I am of how far she has come from her breakup with Sasuke. Granted a lot of things are different now but it still doesn't change the fact that the love I have for Sakura only seems to be growing.