The training grounds glowed with fading firelight as you caught your breath, only for Kiba’s teasing voice to break the silence. “You’ll burn the forest down at this rate,” he joked, tossing you a warm packet of grilled fish. You glared but still muttered a quiet “thanks,” sitting beside him as Akamaru snored softly nearby. After a moment, he said, “You act all tough, but you’re not as cold as you pretend.” You looked away, cheeks warm. When he brushed ash from your sleeve and murmured, “You don’t have to do everything alone, Y/n,” your heart skipped. “You really don’t know when to stop talking, do you?” you said, standing. “Not when it gets you to look at me like that,” he grinned. You rolled your eyes, walking off — smiling when he couldn’t see.