Ruka Sarutobi, known as the "Demon of Konoha," faces heartbreak and finds unexpected connections as she navigates love, duty, and self-discovery. Amidst tangled fates, Ruka must confront her true desires.
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
In the afternoon, Ruka met up with Sakura and Ino for lunch at a cozy café nestled in the heart of the village. The gentle hum of conversation and the clinking of utensils filled the air as they settled into their seats, the warm sunlight streaming in through the windows casting a soft glow over the table.
As they chatted about various topics, Ruka found herself drawn to the couple seated across from her, their laughter and easy banter catching her attention. A wistful smile tugged at her lips as she watched them, her mind wandering to thoughts of marriage.
"Marriage... huh?" Ruka mused inwardly, her gaze lingering on the couple. "It wouldn't be a bad idea... that way, Kiba and I wouldn't have to be constantly apart from each other."
Lost in her thoughts, Ruka didn't realize that Ino was addressing her until she felt a gentle nudge on her arm. Blinking out of her reverie, she turned her attention back to her friends.
"Ruka? Are you listening?" Sakura's voice was laced with amusement as she raised an eyebrow at her friend.
"Yeah, Ruka-chan, do you even hear what I'm talking about?" Ino continued, her tone teasing as she leaned forward.
Caught off guard, Ruka gave them an apologetic smile. "Sorry, I've been having some thoughts lately."
Sakura and Ino exchanged a knowing glance before Sakura spoke up. "Want to talk about it?"
With a sigh, Ruka began to share her thoughts with her friends, opening up about her contemplations regarding marriage and her uncertainty about Kiba's feelings on the matter.
Sakura nodded in understanding as she listened attentively. "Kurenai-sensei is right, though. Even if marriage isn't on your mind, you and Kiba should talk about it."
Ruka's brow furrowed in concern. "But... what if marriage isn't on his mind?"
Ino leaned forward, her expression earnest as she reached out to grasp Ruka's hand. "Ruka-chan, do you want to get married in the future?"
"I-I do," Ruka admitted honestly, her voice soft with sincerity. "I actually do. I feel like it wouldn't be that bad for me."
Ino and Sakura exchanged knowing smiles before Sakura gently interjected. "But, Ruka, if marriage isn't on his mind, then... you shouldn't be with him."
Ruka's eyes widened in surprise, her heart sinking at Sakura's words. She never expected Sakura, who had experienced her own struggles with love and commitment, to be the one to offer such advice.
"I know it hurts to think about it," Sakura continued, her tone gentle yet firm. "But, Ruka, you should never wait around for someone who's not on the same page as you... because in the end, you'll never end up happy in a relationship like that."
Ruka listened to Sakura's words, her heart heavy with the weight of their truth. She knew deep down that Sakura was right, but the thought of facing such a reality filled her with a sense of unease and uncertainty.
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
Kiba's frustration was palpable as he entered the locker room, his movements sharp and erratic as he roughly opened his locker and began shoving his belongings inside. The scolding he had received from the head of the Konoha Military Forces still rang in his ears, a bitter reminder of his shortcomings that stung with each passing moment.
Akamaru, ever loyal and perceptive, whined softly as he nudged Kiba's leg in a silent attempt to comfort him. Kiba glanced down at his faithful companion, offering a strained smile as he whispered, "I'm fine, Akamaru," though his words held little conviction.
The door to the locker room swung open, and Kiba's comrades streamed in, their boisterous laughter filling the air. Among them was Mamoru Hoki, a member of the Hoki clan, whose smirk widened at the sight of Kiba's obvious frustration.
"Oi, oi," Mamoru called out loudly, his grin widening as he addressed Kiba. "Don't you think it's embarrassing to be weak? Especially when your girlfriend is the strongest kunoichi in Konoha."
The words landed like a blow to Kiba's pride, and he clenched his jaw tightly, his hands curling into fists at his sides. The taunts from his comrades only served to amplify his sense of inadequacy, their laughter ringing in his ears like a mocking chorus.
"I think I should go after her," Mamoru continued, his tone dripping with pleasure. "With that chest of hers, I think I would have a good sleep."
The crude remark ignited a firestorm of anger within Kiba, and he slammed his locker shut with a resounding clang, his glare fixed on Mamoru. The Hoki clan member smirked in satisfaction, knowing he had struck a nerve with his words.
"What's wrong? Scared?" Mamoru taunted, taking a step closer to Kiba as he reveled in his discomfort.
Kiba's temper flared, his frustration boiling over as he stormed towards Mamoru, his voice laced with barely-contained fury. "Don't talk about her like that, do you hear me?" he growled, his words a low, menacing rumble.
But Mamoru was unfazed, his smirk widening as he pushed Kiba further, his mocking tone grating on Kiba's nerves. "What are you going to do? Complain to Lady Ruka like a weak man?" he goaded, his tone dripping with disdain.
The mention of Ruka's name only served to stoke the flames of Kiba's anger, and he gritted his teeth in frustration, his fists clenched at his sides. The insinuation that he was somehow less of a man because of his relationship with Ruka cut him to the core, igniting a fierce determination within him.
"Oi, Inuzuka," Mamoru sighed mockingly, his tone dripping with condescension. "Don't get me wrong. I know you and your girlfriend have been together for so long, and you've probably thought about getting married. But let's be real."
Kiba's blood boiled at the dismissive tone in Mamoru's voice, his gaze burning with intensity as he met the Hoki clan member's eyes. The implication that his relationship with Ruka was somehow less valid because of their differing strengths only fueled his resolve to prove Mamoru wrong.
"Even if you get married to her," Mamoru continued, his words a cutting reminder of Kiba's insecurities, "you would end up being in the Sarutobi clan instead of her being in your clan because she's the strongest, after all."
"Don't call yourself a man when you get married to the head of the clan," Mamoru added, his voice dripping with contempt as he delivered the final blow to Kiba's pride.
