Stellar

17. Grudge (II)

My poor baby

"Kiba, stand back!" Chiriku growled, holding out an arm to stop him from running towards the enemy.

Kiba faltered. "B-But Sora—"

"These aren't merely bounty hunters, Kiba." Chiriku kneeled to avoid a swinging sword. "These are shinobi with a grudge against me and Asuma."

"W-Why?" Hinata yelped, thrusting her katana into a man's side.

Chiriku's eyes flashed dangerously as Sora stood there, unsure of what to do. "They are trying to follow through with what half of the Guardians wanted to do."

The words flying through Kiba's mind stilled, and he nearly tripped over in his dawning realization. His face morphed into hurt. 'Including Sora's father.'

"Sora..." He whispered. The boy seemed to have heard, his eyes flying wide open as he whirled around to see Kiba.

Sora's grip tightened on his tanto, and he averted his gaze, as if ashamed. "I-I'm..I'm sorry, Kiba." Sora backed up, refusing to meet Kiba's gaze. "I have to."

"No, you don't!" The Inuzuka shouted. Anger burned inside of him, scorching his insides and spiking hurt. "You don't need to do this, Sora!" Though he previously settled on not trying to persuade Sora out of his ideals, it infuriated him to see the boy go through with such a warped view.

"K-Kiba!" Hinata shouted, her voice frantic and terrified. In his distracted shouting, Kiba didn't notice the sword aimed at his heart. Eyes widening to glance at his teammate, Kiba barely registered anything as she shoved him out of the way.

The floor was cold. And hard. Kiba crashed down to the tiled floor with a painful thump, out of the way of the sword. He raised his head, wincing, only to see a sword lodged through Hinata's shoulders.

"Hinata!" Scrambling to a stand, he tried to support the girl as she swayed, losing balance. Hinata crumpled room the floor, Kiba kneeling over her. "No, no, please Hinata, please, don't die, y-you idiot! Y-You can't!" He choked, tears blurring his vision.

Hinata smiled, her eyes fluttering closed.

::

Akamaru had seen the temple empty out, civilians and monks alike pouring out of the back entrance. Curious, he leaped onto the windowsill for a better look.

Then he saw the masked men and women rush in through the front door, bearing swords and weapons. With a surprised yelp, he jumped down and scampered to the door.

He let loose an irritated growl when he failed to latch onto the door handle. Shaking his head, Akamaru jumped up and tried again. Biting down on the handle, he shifted in the air and the door creaked open. Landing gracefully, he rushed down the hall and down the stairs, right out of the inn and down the street.

Avoiding the crowds of bodies and feet of killers, Akamaru speedily sniffed out the exact location of his partner. Grimacing at the scent of blood wafting through the air, he prayed that it wasn't Kiba's and burst in.

A bark escaped him, angry and foul when he noticed Kiba kneeling over the unconscious or dead body of Hinata Hyuga.

He liked Hinata. She gave great scratches and pets, she always had dog treats for him, and she was sweet and kind.

Noticing a man approaching them from behind, Akamaru leaped through the air and bit down harshly on the man's arm, not letting go as he waved around wildly until a metallic taste flood his mouth.

The ninken released his hold, only to clamp onto the man's foot and trip him, sending him flying onto the floor.

Kiba, furiously wiping away his stinging tears, grabbed his katana with shaky hands, and thrust it into the man's torso. He sniffled, wiping away the last of his tears, and stood up.