Control

Out of Reach

Walls of dirt clawed up into the sky, casting shadows across the ground below. The shadows battled and fought for dominance over the light and they would win--soon, the dome above would be closed and the darkness would capture all. The light would be snuffed out and hope of escape with it--trapping everyone in its shadows.  

As the light began to fade, a familiar scream echoed through the ensuing chaos below, drawing several pairs of eyes upward.

Fear struck through not one but five hearts as (YN) soared through the air above. She had been thrown from her hawk towards the ever-lessening gap in the dirt wall. It was the only light source in the quickly darkening dome of Earth.

"She's not gonna make it!" Kiba shouted as Akamaru wildly barked at his side.

He was terrified. For once in Kiba's life, he was genuinely afraid. You were right before him but he was powerless to protect you as you soared through the air. What could he do?! 

Kiba's jaw clenched as he spun toward Shikamaru who stood beside him.  Shikamaru's eyes were wide and his lips faintly trembled as he watched you. Kiba's lips pulled into a snarl at the sight. He's supposed to be the leader here! It was Shikamaru's job to account for everything and think on his feet! 

Kiba scoffed. 

Well, so much for that, all Shikamaru could do was watch as you flew towards your end. What would happen if you made it out? Would you die?

That alone was all it took for Kiba to spring to action. 

"Come on Akamaru!" Kiba shouted, his hands forming the 'Tiger' hand seal as he enacted his jutsu.

"Beast Mimicry: Man Beast Clone!"

Kiba's features instantly sharpened as his appearance took on a more animalistic one. At his side, Akamaru morphed into a clone of Kiba. Once the transformation was complete, Kiba gripped the arms of his new look-alike who reciprocated the action before spinning Kiba around in a wide circle to gain momentum. At the last moment, Kiba's clone released his grip causing Kiba to fly through the air and towards you.

By now, you were halfway out of the dome. The sight alone was nauseating but Kiba refused to give up. He couldn't. He had to reach you before it was too late. 

Kiba stretched his arm to you, he could feel his fingertips graze the fabric of your pants. He was so close--just a little farther and you would be within his grasp. The world slowed as his fingers began to close around your pants but it was too late. Within the blink of an eye, you were gone--forever out of his reach as the wall closed behind you.

"NO!" Kiba screamed, his hand smashing against the wall of dirt where you had just been.

Kiba's heart clenched, his fist smacking against the wall in anger. He could hear your name echoing around him as everyone yelled for you...but their voices were muddled and faint. He felt like he was underwater as he landed on the ground below. His brown eyes were wide as he lowered his gaze to his hand--the hand that had touched you...he had been so close...you were right there within his reach but he failed. He lost you.

Kiba clinched his fist as desperation began to spread throughout his chest. His heartbeat was erratic much like that of his racing mind. Kiba swears he could hear the drum of his heart in his ears. The thumping wasn't from his heart though--it was coming from the other side of the dome. 

Kiba's eyes slowly drifted to the other side of the dome where Naruto was yelling and beating against the side of the walls.

"You bastards! Let us out of here!"

"Don't worry (YN)! We'll be out of here in no time, believe it!"

Kiba blinked at Naruto's words before slowly nodding. The blond idiot was right. Now wasn't the time to give up. They had to get out of here.