Reborn as Sakura and Hinata: Lost in the Wind (Part 2)

Back to the Vine

"Did you really build all of this?" Kiba murmured to me in awe as he scanned the rooftops around him. Since we had entered the Vine, he had this sense of childlike wonder to him that was not only frankly adorable, but honestly made me feel quite proud of my accomplishments.

"I didn't build it all myself." I laughed; now that certainly would have been a feat, "But why do you think I was away for so long?"

"It does kinda make me feel a bit better about it in hindsight," he admitted, before giving me a fake huff of offense, "But was this village really more important to you than me?"

"I came back for you," I defended in the same mocking manner, "It's not like I've come back here for the village or anything."

"Yeah... just a wedding." His brow furrowed as he said that, and I could tell he was getting nervous again. When I had heard that Karin and Suigetsu were getting married, it wasn't even a topic of debate that I would be attending, but, even though I wouldn't have missed this for the world, I wasn't expecting the defensive, territorial response that news brought out of Kiba.

It made sense to me of course; I was very close with Karin, Suigetsu, Jugo, and even some of the members of the Akatsuki, with semblances of romantic feelings mixed into some of those relationships. Me being so close with people that he didn't know upset him, and that was precisely the reason that I wanted him to come with me. That and traveling with him was a lot more fun than traveling alone.

Being at a formal event like a Kage's wedding scared him though, and it took a lot of convincing to get him to wear even a suit jacket, but if that suit jacket didn't make his shoulders look great, and the slacks I had picked out for him accentuated... well, this was no time for me to be getting horny.

We walked into the garden of the vineyard, Kiba's attention thankfully once again grasped by the carefully placed plant life and not his anxiety. My own eyes also scanning the venue, I couldn't help but grin at the familiar set of faces that were waiting at a table for my arrival.

"Yeah, Hinata's here!" Deidara announced, jumping out of his seat excitedly, "We can finally get moving now."

Jugo moved over to us with a similar, if not quieter, enthusiasm, picking me up in a hug, "I've missed you." he said softly, setting me down and giving me a once over, "You look great!"

"Of course she does." Kiba wrapped an arm around my waist possessively, and, despite the fact that the gesture made me smile, I was going to have to make sure he was nice to Jugo. Nobody gets to be mean to Jugo.

I was still a little flattered; if I thought Kiba looked good in formal wear, that did not even come close to the look on his face when I had revealed that I was wearing a three piece suit to this event instead of a dress. How blessed I was to have a man that found me attractive no matter what I wore, regardless, Kiba's blatant possessive nature was comical and, although I probably shouldn't have found it cute... it was kinda cute.

Jugo completely brushed off the abrasive tone with a kind smile, "I'm happy you're here now, Karin didn't want to start getting ready without your help."

"Yeah, so let's get to work!" Deidara called out as he walked off to where Suigetsu was supposedly getting ready.

With that, Kiba tensed, and as Jugo walked off after Deidara, I leaned over to whisper teasingly into his ear, "You remember to behave now." I pulled away from him to go find Karin's room, "See you in a bit."

He stared after me, about to retort before he sighed and reluctantly followed after Jugo. Having him alone with the guys would be interesting no doubt, but now I had more pressing matters. I pushed open the door to the Bride's room, Karin immediately jumping out of her chair and running over to hug me much to her hairdresser's chagrin, "You're here!"