Ruka Hiden : Tangled Paths, Love's Redemption

Seven

"Are you seriously not going to get up?" Ino sighed, her frustration evident as she watched Ruka remain hidden under her blanket.

Sakura, her expression filled with concern, took a seat on Ruka's bed. "Ruka, you can't stay in bed forever," she said gently, reaching out to pull the blanket away.

"Yes, I can and I will," Ruka muttered from beneath the covers, her voice muffled.

A look of concern appeared on Ino's forehead as she approached Ruka and tugged the blanket off of her. Ino's eyes widened in shock as she gasped, taking in Ruka's sunken eyes and dark circles underneath. "Ruka-chan! How long have you not been sleeping?" she asked, her voice filled with alarm.

"Five days," Ruka grumbled as she reluctantly sat up, her exhaustion evident. "It's not that bad, actually. When Kakashi broke my heart, I didn't sleep for a week, and I was only ten," she added bitterly.

Ruka's gaze drifted down to her hands, sadness evident in her eyes. "I never thought this would happen," she murmured, referring to her recent breakup with Kiba.

"Stop dwelling on it!" Ino exclaimed, her tone firm as she tried to shake Ruka out of her melancholy. "We're going to get you back into the dating scene!"

Sakura's head snapped towards Ino in shock. "Ino?! Don't you think it's too soon?" she interjected, her concern evident.

"Please, I'm not going to let Ruka-chan stick to one guy like you did with Sasuke-kun," Ino retorted, rolling her eyes before turning her attention back to Ruka. "Besides, Ruka-chan is beautiful. I'm sure plenty of guys would want to date her."

Ino's excitement was palpable as she clasped her hands together. "How about Shikamaru?!" she suggested eagerly.

Ruka's expression twisted in disgust. "It's like dating my father," she remarked dryly.

"Lee?!" Ino continued, undeterred.

"No," Ruka quickly replied, shaking her head. "Not that he wouldn't be a great boyfriend, but I think I would be exhausted trying to keep up with his antics."

Sakura hummed thoughtfully, pondering their options. "What about Captain Yamato? You two fight like an old couple," she suggested with a hint of amusement.

Ruka shot her best friend a glare. "I'd rather kill myself," she quipped, the frustration evident in her voice.

As Kiba trudged along the streets of the village, his thoughts were consumed by the recent turmoil in his life but Kiba's heart was heavy with regret and uncertainty.

As he rounded a corner, his path intersected with another figure, causing him to collide with them in a clumsy stumble. Looking up, Kiba found himself face to face with Kakashi, the former leader of Team 7 who had since risen to the prestigious position of Hokage. His presence was commanding, his gaze piercing, and Kiba felt a surge of apprehension wash over him.

"Kakashi-sensei," Kiba greeted him, his voice tinged with mix of respect but Kakashi's demeanor was anything but warm.

"It's Lord Kakashi for you," the Hokage corrected sharply, his tone cold and distant. His eyes bore into Kiba with an intensity that made him feel small and insignificant.

Kiba swallowed nervously, feeling a knot form in the pit of his stomach.

Before Kiba could gather his thoughts, Kakashi spoke again, his voice low and menacing. "You know, Kiba, I've been in your shoes before," he said cryptically, his words hanging in the air like a foreboding omen "But it ended badly for me and ever since then, i've feared for my life."

The weight of Kakashi's words settled heavily on Kiba's shoulders, sending a chill down his spine. He couldn't help but feel a sense of dread at the implications of Kakashi's ominous warning.

"Ruka may be easy on you," Kakashi continued, his voice dripping with solemnity, "but as a promise to Asuma and how much i care about her , I will not go easy on you."

With that, Kakashi brushed past Kiba, his presence lingering like a dark cloud over him. Kiba watched in silence as the six Hokage strode purposefully towards Ruka's clan house, his steps echoing.