Ruka Hiden : Tangled Paths, Love's Redemption

Twenty Eight

The sun had begun its descent, casting a warm golden glow over the village of Konoha. The grand hall was alive with the buzz of wedding preparations, and the air was thick with anticipation for Ruka and Gaara's wedding. Inside a quiet corner of the hall, 15-year-old Konohamaru Sarutobi found himself standing alone, his eyes scanning the bustling scene with a mixture of nervousness and resolve.

Kiba was sitting alone at a nearby table, his demeanor as distant and troubled as ever. Konohamaru took a deep breath, knowing he had to confront the situation head-on. With a determined stride, he approached Kiba, who looked up with a mixture of surprise and curiosity.

"Hey, Kiba," Konohamaru said, his voice steady but firm. "Can we talk for a moment?"

Kiba glanced at the young boy, his expression a mix of exhaustion and resignation. "Sure, kid. What's up?"

Konohamaru hesitated for a moment, trying to find the right words. "I've always hated it when you were with big sister." he began, his tone surprisingly candid. "You know, because she'd always be so focused on you that she wouldn't pay much attention to me."

Kiba raised an eyebrow, intrigued despite himself. "Is that so?"

"Yeah," Konohamaru continued, a hint of nostalgia in his voice. "I mean, it was hard, seeing her so happy with someone else. But... I could see how she changed when she was with you. She smiled more, she was more herself. It was nice to see her that way."

Kiba looked down at his hands, the weight of Konohamaru's words hitting him hard. He had always known that his relationship with Ruka was complicated, but hearing it from her younger brother made it feel more real, more painful.

"I'm here to say," Konohamaru said, taking a step closer, "that if you really care about my sister, you should fight for her. I don't want her to move far away from Konoha, and I want her to have the life she truly wants."

Kiba met Konohamaru's gaze, his eyes reflecting a mix of surprise and determination. "I didn't know you felt that way," he admitted, his voice softening. "But... why now? Why are you telling me this today?"

Konohamaru's expression grew serious, his youthful face set in a determined frown. "Because today is important. I've seen my sister unhappy before, and I don't want her to end up in a situation where she's just going along with things instead of living her life to the fullest. If you really care, you'll show her that you're willing to fight for her, even if it means making things difficult."
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The grand hall was a picture of traditional elegance, adorned with intricate Shinto decorations that shimmered under the soft glow of lanterns. The atmosphere was charged with reverence and anticipation as the guests settled into their seats, awaiting the start of Ruka and Gaara's wedding ceremony. Ruka, clad in a stunning Shiromuku, stood at the altar with Gaara, her heart racing in sync with the rhythmic beat of the ceremonial drums.

The priest stood ready, his voice poised to commence the sacred vows. The room was hushed, the quiet punctuated only by the soft rustle of fabric and the faint murmurs of guests. Everything was perfect, everything was in place.

And then, with an unexpected and thunderous crash, the doors of the hall flew open. The sudden commotion shattered the silence, drawing the attention of every guest. There, framed by the doorway and soaked from the rain, stood Kiba Inuzuka, his hair plastered to his forehead and his eyes burning with determination. Beside him, Akamaru was dripping wet but looked just as resolute.

Shikamaru Nara, who had been leaning against a pillar with a bored expression, straightened up and let out a long, resigned sigh. "Of course, Kiba," he muttered, rolling his eyes. His deadpan reaction was a stark contrast to the growing excitement in the hall.

Naruto Uzumaki, always one for dramatic flair, was on the edge of his seat, his eyes wide with a mixture of awe and amusement. "This is going to be epic," he said under his breath, barely containing his excitement as he watched the unfolding drama.

Sakura Haruno and Ino Yamanaka, both caught completely off guard, exchanged glances that spoke volumes. Their eyes widened, mouths agape, as they tried to process the sight of Kiba crashing the ceremony. Ino's hand flew to her mouth, her expression a mix of shock and incredulity, while Sakura's face turned pale, her eyes darting between Kiba and Ruka.

Ruka's heart skipped a beat as she turned to see Kiba standing in the doorway, his presence an unwelcome but undeniable force. Her eyes locked onto his, and she felt a jolt of emotion she hadn't anticipated. Her shock was mirrored by a growing sense of confusion and an inexplicable thrill at Kiba's audacious act.

Kiba's gaze was fixed on Ruka, his eyes softening with a tender, almost wistful smile. He walked down the aisle with purpose, his every step radiating a mix of defiance and determination. When he reached the altar, he turned to Gaara, his smile fading into a more serious expression. "Sorry about this, but you knew this was bound to happen," Kiba said, his voice carrying an edge of challenge. "I'm going to steal Ruka back from you now."

Without another word, Kiba scooped Ruka into his arms in a classic bridal carry. The suddenness of the action left Ruka gasping, her hands instinctively wrapping around Kiba's neck for support. The guests erupted into a cacophony of gasps and murmurs, their shock palpable. Even Gaara's siblings were left with their mouths hanging open, their expressions a mix of bewilderment and concern.

Gaara stood calm and composed, a small, knowing smile playing on his lips as he watched the dramatic exit. His gaze followed Kiba and Ruka as they made their way toward the hall's exit, the serenity of his expression in stark contrast to the chaos unfolding around him.

As Kiba carried Ruka out of the hall, Akamaru trotted closely behind, his tail wagging with an air of satisfaction. The scene was almost surreal, like something out of a dramatic romance novel. The guests were left in stunned silence, their faces reflecting a mixture of disbelief and amusement.

Ino, still recovering from her initial shock, found her voice again. "Did that really just happen?" she asked, her tone a blend of incredulity and delight. "Ruka and Kiba... in the middle of the wedding?"

Sakura, still trying to process the unexpected turn of events, glanced at Gaara. His calm demeanor was almost reassuring, as if he had anticipated this interruption all along.