EPILOUGE: Solution
"It's been hours Sakura." I finally said. "Are you sure you have no way of finding out where this guy could be?" The red light momentarily stopping our search for her friend.
I watched as she took a deep breath, the exhaustion on her face clearly meaning that she had been up far longer than usual lately.
"Look dispatch said they saw Kakashi at the station. If we can't find Naruto by ourselves then we should at least go tell Kakashi what happened tonight. Maybe his phone broke or something. Either way he is our best bet at getting this information to Naruto."
I grind my teeth, fighting back a snarl. "Sakura you do know this is a stolen car I'm driving right? And you want me to just pull up in front of a police station in it?"
She rolled her eyes. "We can pull over a few blocks away and walk in if you want. I just need to tell him what I saw."
I was about to start demanding to know about this cop she help such respect for, was he really trusted? Was he leading her around? If he knew Sakura so well then why would he shut off his phone and possibly leave her in danger? When Sakura's phone rang.
We both jumped at the sudden buzzing noise. Sakura took out her phone and squinted at the restricted number.
"Don't answer it. It could be traceable." I told her but she waved me off lifting the phone to her ear and answering the call with a stress "Hello?" Suddenly her eyes widened in shock.
"Naruto! Where are you? You have to be careful, I -"
She paused, quiet enough that I could make out the voice of a man, but couldn't understand the words given how hushed he was. I tap her on the shoulder then mouth to her to hang up. She nodded.
"We're two blocks away," Sakura said before hanging up and turning to me. "That was Naruto he's not far from here."
I draw in a shuddering breath before I follow her directions to Citgo. Anticipation had my gloved hands began to sweat. Here, finally I was about to meet the person whom I've spent a large portion of my life searching for. My hands started to sweat, and I could hear my heart beating in my ears as I finally caught sight Naruto in the flesh.
I don't know what to have expected when I saw him again. For some reason I think I expected him to be covered from head to toe in blood as he is in my nightmares. Instead of blood though he had dirt powered on his dark clothing and his hair, blond as I remember, was windblown in style. He was young, far younger than I would have thought given how old I was when I first saw him.
Sakura's reaction wasn't something I was prepared for. I mean sure she knew the guy but to nearly fall out the window of a moving vehicle while frantically calling him over was not what I expected. As soon as I pulled the car to a stop I grabbed her by the back of her scrubs and yanked her back into the care.
"Sakura? What are you doing here? It's like... not even six in the morning yet," Naruto said, glancing over his shoulder as if to make sure no one had followed him.
"I was looking for Kakashi," Sakura explained as Naruto kept observing the area. "Since he's not answering his cell and...Ugh, I'll explain in the car, hurry up and get in! It's not safe," Sakura ordered, pushing open the rear door of the car.
Naruto hesitated, before he asked "Can you take me to JFK? I need to catch a flight." Getting into the back seat then eying me as I watched him.
"Yes," Sakura said, before indicating to me. "Kiba, this is Naruto. Naruto, this is my best friend Kiba. We'll talk while we drive."
My eyes locked on Naruto's for a suspended second, taking in his disheveled form and obvious paranoia. I nodded, in answer to his earlier question before pulling into the morning traffic.
"So tell me again how you found out that Tobi knows I am in town?" Naruto said, which inclined Sakura to go over her story about what happened at the morgue. I didn't listen to the story, instead I focused on the blond in the back seat. Taking in his state of duress, he bruises around his neck and anger at Sakura's stubbornness. I could tell from his anger that he was worried about what our doctor might have gotten herself into.
I didn't say a word throughout the entire story, for fear I would lose my cool and start verbally attacking the blond in search for answers to what happened so long ago.
Sakura's sudden gasp broke my train of thought.
"Naruto! You idiot!" She unfastened her seat belt and climbed into the back with him. "Why didn't you tell me you'd been attacked? Do you have other injuries?"
I didn't pay attention to the situation, knowing she would be trying to check if he was injured even more. It wasn't until he said, "No. We don't have time for sex now, baby," that I glared at him through the rear view mirror. A warning for him to keep his hands off my best friend. By the slight surprised expression he probably got the wrong idea though. I mentally sigh as I return my gaze to the road. Tightening my grip around the steering wheel.
"The only injury is around my neck." Naruto explained. "I need you to take some pictures of them with your phone, and write up a medical report to confirm the injuries. The person who attacked me is already being booked."
"Pshaw," Sakura breathed before she smacked Naruto on the back of his head. The sight causing me to snicker.
After a moment she asked, "Is it... was it... the person who attacked you in the subway?"
"No," Naruto chuckled. "It was Assistant District Attorney Kabuto."
The instant I heard that I felt a sudden bubble of joy in my chest "I hate that guy," I suddenly spoke out with more feeling than I intended.
"Yeah, me too." Agreed Naruto. My opinion of the guy just clicked up a few notches, despite the strained feelings I held towards the guy I couldn't help but start to warm up to him. "Turns out he's dirty. I hope Jiraya and Itachi hang him out to dry," Naruto said bitterly before giving me a questioning look. "You know him or something?"
I shrugged uncomfortable with the scrutiny while Sakura answered. "Let's just say that you're not the only friend I have who doesn't always want an official record of his injuries. Kiba's had some run-ins with the DA's office in the past."
Naruto's eyes narrowed as his observation of me intensified. I knew he was sizing me up, taking in my tattoo's and their meaning. When Sakura noticed his measuring look at me she glared at the blond, shoving his head away and preventing him from continuing. "Stop going all big brother on me. I've known Kiba longer than I've known you." The sight of Naruto's head banging against the glass had me snickering again.
"Something funny?" Naruto asked warningly, but there was humor in his voice as well. Despite myself, I found myself liking him.
"Yeah…"I said tossing a grin his way. "It's funny to see someone else getting Sakura's fucked up version of affection for once"
"Ouch!" I cursed after Sakura socked my arm. "Watch it! You'll break it again!"
"That was one time Kiba! One freaking time!" She yelled and I rolled my eyes. Before a soft chuckle brought my attention the blond in the back.
I observed him , taking in his relaxing form that seemed to become more so with every throb of my arm. Sakura sat beside him, embarrassed by our childish banter. It was then that I decided to use this as an opportunity to fish for information.
"So," I casually start. "Who's this 'Tobi' guy?"
As soon as the words left my mouth I swear the space within the car suddenly got ten times hotter. The cause of this anger was Naruto, a burning hatred that I could see made his eyes glow with a caged insanity. I almost shivered as my memories of that night blurred with the present for a moment.
I saw Naruto glance at Sakura, his eyes telling her she should have kept me out of it. "Tobi is… someone you never want to meet," Naruto said finally, his voice containing both anger and fear.
My eyes narrow as I take in his warning. Earlier Sakura broke down from the sheer fear of this 'Tobi' and now Naruto was flat out telling me to keep away?
"Why's that?" I fished. Sakura knew some about Tobi but not everything. Everything she knew was second hand from the cop she kept going on about. Naruto on the other was I could tell knew more about this guy and it was obvious that this guy had some kind of beef with him. What was it Sakura said? Tobi killed his family?
Naruto looked at me considering for a moment, clearly trying to decide how much to tell me. It was something I could understand. I didn't like to talk about my business to strangers either.
"What's your kill count?" Naruto asked abruptly. "And weapon of choice?"
I don't flinch at the question, Sakura already knew I've killed-even encouraged it once. But I don't know how she will take the fact that I chewed and sawed off someones head.
"What's yours?" I countered.
Naruto smiled at me coldly, and I mentally kicked myself for forgetting how dangerous he is. "Do you count kills that were in defense, or only kills that I initiated by choice?"
"Choice. Anyone can kill in defense."
"Hmm. Well, I'm not sure about the survival rate of a few on my latest… job. But I'd say around sixty. I prefer the garrote but I am skilled with guns and knives as well." He looked at me challengingly, ignoring the way Sakura paled at his statement.
"Well since you're bragging I'll admit my count isn't that high. But my...kills were far more creative." I look him in the eye. Understanding that he was more experienced than myself. If he feared someone then that means I have more on my plate than I originally thought.
Naruto looks at me for a minute. "Tobi is creative, too. In fact, he has a special tool that he created just for himself. It's a glove. He wears it on his right hand. On each finger is a four inch razor blade. His count is definitely higher than mine but he enjoys killing. He stuns the victim first with a blow to the head or face. But he makes sure they don't lose consciousness. Then he jams his fingers into their stomach, making sure he gets deep enough to hit the spine from the front. He slowly rotates his hand, then pulls out. It takes at least twenty minutes for most people to die. At least it did for my father. My mother was quicker, though. I might have a high kill count. But I'd be lying if I didn't say that Tobi scares the shit out of me. He kills for fun. He kills for pleasure. And he has absolutely no fear or remorse."
I took that in for a moment. Remembering the chill from that night so long ago and the way I felt after I murdered Sora's nameless killer. I didn't feel pleasure then, I didn't feel remorse for the guy either. But I did hate myself for awhile. And sometimes still do.
"The first person I killed," I started off slowly, "murdered one of my best friends." I glance at Sakura noticing how her eye's had hollowed. Remembering Sora. "I don't even remember his name or his original face since it was too fucked up. I ended up biting and tearing off a chunk of his neck as my dog bit down on him and tore up his arm. Then...I sawed it off with a hand knife." I watched the road, turning into the next street. "I didn't enjoy it. So calm down, I'm not like that clawed freak."
Naruto smiled at me slightly, and I get the feeling he was trying to tell me that all along. "Exactly. You're not like him. And the only way to take him out is to be like him. If you aren't willing to go all the way there, he will quite literally rip your heart out."
"And what about you? You said you don't enjoy it either. You're not like him?"
Naruto looked out the window, drawing a breath. "Usually. Usually I don't enjoy it. But there was one time…" Naruto's fingers flexed. "I found his partner. Well, I guess it would be more accurate to say that he found me. But I made sure…. I made sure that he wouldn't find me again." Naruto lifted his face to mine, and I saw in his eyes a flash of what I had seen that day in the warehouse. "I know I can kill him if he comes for me this time. If I have to rip him apart with my bare hands, it wouldn't be the first time."
I let out a shuddering breath, knowing Naruto took note of it. So that's what happened that night. The person I saw him kill wasn't some random guy-it was revenge. I took a glance at Sakura seeing the way she focused on the written medical report. Each time she killed it was just like Naruto described. A vengeance kill. For me I didn't and never have, enjoyed my kills they way she seemed to. The way Naruto described the Tobi hungered for it. Naruto could become the monster that Tobi was, but he controlled himself. Remembering the video I couldn't help but shake as an ominous feeling took place in me.
"Well," I said as I slowed for the yellow light. "You ever need an extra set of eyes in the city hit me up."
Naruto nodded. "I have some business to take care of for a friend overseas. When we come back, I expect Tobi will be here to greet me. He usually finds his prey first, so I don't know if I'll have any warning. But if it looks like it might play out as something other than a cat and mouse game, I might just take you up on your offer."
Something in Naruto's expression told me that he didn't expect it to, though. My guess was he said that more for Sakura, given how worried she was looking. I wondered what it was like for him, knowing that something like Tobi was hunting him. I had never really considered myself lucky. But maybe there was worse than the shit I'd had thrown at me after all. Tobi may have ruined my life. But he hadn't turned me into a monster,. Not like he had Naruto.
I sighed, finally knowing now I would never get my hands on Tobi-especially if Naruto was gunning for him as well. My own vendetta, my own downfall, may have started because of that psycho. But I know I could have done something different. Fought harder to prove the world wrong, to prove mum wrong. I didn't.
My friends deaths were not on Tobi's hands. Or Naruto's. They were on mine.
It was time I accepted that.
Sakura cleared her throat, clearly nervous about the heavy air in the car. "So… Naruto. If you're going to be gone for a while, do you want to stop by and see Sasuke before you leave?"
Naruto glanced at me, and we shared a look of mutual understanding that I was going to leave this to him, unless he asked for my help.
Naruto turned to look at Sakura, his face devoid of emotion. Even not knowing him at all, I could tell it wasn't a natural expression for the blond. "No. There's no point in seeing him again. Just take me to the airport."
My eyes widened in surprise and my mouth fell open as I just now took in the name. "W-wait you're fucking Sasuke Uchiha?"
Naruto's eyes narrowed at me and for a moment I remembered that I had a slightly psychotic killer in the back of my car that I was teasing about his sex life.
"No," Naruto said flatly. "I believe he has given that job to his PR rep."
Sakura's eyes widened at that. "I didn't think that was serious…"Naruto shrugged trying to play it off like he didn't care. That guy might be a stone cold killer, but he had a shit poker face.
"Whatever. It doesn't matter to me. Not my business anyway," Naruto said, looking back out the window.
Sakura watched him, her face showing me how hurt she was. I turn my gaze back to the road. Unlike Tobi this wasn't any of my business.
"Naruto...you sure you don't want to talk to him? I mean...he's really done a lot for you. It could all just be a misunderstanding." Sakura whispered.
Naruto sighed. "I know. Look, even if the tabloids are wrong, my going to see him would only draw Tobi's focus on him. I'm a walking target right now. Tobi wants me. And if he knows Sasuke and I were…" Naruto ran his hands frustratedly through his hair.
"Boning?" I offered.
Despite the tension in the car, Naruto snorted out a laugh. Yeah. I could totally grow to like this guy. "Maybe. Whatever. Worst case scenario I get him killed. Best case scenario I just ruin his career. Neither feels like a great way to pay the guy back. There's nothing there, Sakura. Just leave it."
I see Sakura start to open her mouth again but I coughed. Bringing her attention to me so she can see the shake of my head. The guy doesn't need the extra stress, and fucking a politician who isn't out of the closet can seriously add more to his life then needed right now.
The rest of the ride was silent. Sakura spent most of her time going over her notes on Naruto's injury while he just stared out the window into the city. I could have tried to start up another conversation-learned more about Tobi. But I didn't. I got my answers-the ones I had promised Sora and everyone I would get and finally that desire to keep my promise to them, the insanity driven urge was gone.
Tobi was after Naruto, he wanted him in a way I couldn't understand. But one thing for sure is he wanted Naruto free.
Not in prison.
Tobi is the one who framed me, who murdered Kurenai's husband and possibly the old bum from Asuna's notes. He wanted us gone, needed someone to blame for the cops death, and decided to kill two birds with one stone.
When we were a few blocks away from the airport I pulled over. Can't risk security seeing the license plate of the car or a camera catching mine and Sakura's face.
"Alright get out," I told the blond snapping him out of his daze. "Train station is right there. In one stop you're at JFK." I turn to him over my shoulder. "Sorry I can't take you any closer. Loaner cars like this are too easy to spot." I give him a grin when he smirked. "Nice meeting you Kiba." He says as he was about to get out only for Sakura to stop him.
"When are you coming back?" She asked.
Naruto froze for a moment before giving her a forced smile. "Soo-"
"Don't lie to me" She hissed. "Whether you like it or not-I'm risking my neck out for you. And I will keep doing so because you're my friend and I will do everything in my power to keep you alive." Her eyes narrowed when he tried to skirt around her probing questions. Naruto shot a glance my way, obviously asking me to help but I wasn't going to get between him and Sakura on this issue. He wasn't the one who had to sit through another two hour drive with her.
When Naruto refused to answer Sakura's hand shot out and yanked him towards her. "You looked up flights to London but what happens after that? Are you coming back?"
Naruto's face cringed before he told her, "I'm going to go grab Gaara then we'll go to Spain for a couple of days." He raised his hands to gently get her to release his. "We should be back in two weeks at most okay?"
I could tell Sakura wanted to know more, every nook and cranny of his plan but from the stern look Naruto was giving her I could tell he wasn't going to spill anymore. With a slow nod she let Naruto go.
As he was jogging off to catch his train Sakura yelled out to him that he better be back in New York when he promised otherwise she will go kick his ass. Naruto laughed over his shoulder before waving in agreement and disappearing in the crowd.
I pulled up to Sakura's hospital at 10 AM. The traffic back into the city was as hectic as I expected and Sakura was able to thankfully get some sleep but not enough in my opinion. It took a while for me to convince her to take a nap though I know her nightmares seemed to have been acting up ever since she broke it off with Shino. Even exhausted she tossed and turned around in the seat like she did that night I crashed at her place. Drowning herself in her work and helping out Naruto is someway for her to try and push those memories away. I knew it wouldn't work, but until this 'Tobi' situation was taken care of I know she won't be able to do anything about it and we couldn't trust any shrink with the knowledge of her blood stained hands. Shrinks tend to drag out every secret from someone and that knowledge was something I know Sakura didn't want anyone knowing.
I pull up across the street from the hospital then rouse Sakura up from her nap. She shifts in her sleep before her eyes awaken.
"Wake up, you gotta go to work."
She groans, "Five more minutes…" I shake my head before shoving her shoulder. Causing her head to nearly wham her head into the window.
"Get up," I demand. "You bitched about being late to work after calling your cop. Someone should be there now so you won't be in danger and I need to clean and ditch this car before the cops start looking for me."
I felt bad for being so hard on her but I knew it had to be done. Last night and this morning my life flipped so drastically it's not even funny. I needed time to process everything, to get used to the idea of Sakura's and Naruto's innocence as well as Tobi's existence.
"I'm up," she grumbled before opening the car door and stepping out without so much as a bye. I roll my eyes before I realize she forgot her bag.
Cursing I reach in the back and grabbed it before leaving the car and racing after Sakura to hand it to her.
"Hold up!" I call out causing her to turn showing me she was finally waking up.
"Oh, I thought I forgot something," Sakura muttered before taking the bag from my hands. "Thank you Kiba," she turned her face towards mine and gave me a grateful smile that had me smirking in return. "Seriously thank you for everything. I don't know what I'd do without you."
I pretended to think about it for a moment before answering, "You'd probably be just and annoying as you've always been."
She laughs before standing on her tip toes and giving me a kiss on the cheek. "Call me annoying one more time and I really will break your arm again."
I chuckle as she heads into the hospital. Once i see that she's inside I turn to go move the car before stopping dead in my tracks as the air in my lungs left me so quick I thought I was sucker punched in the gut. My heart lurched in my chest as I saw one person I was was sure I would never see again in my life. The one person I had completely given up on.
Across the street I could see her hair, still long and shiny, flow with the breeze. Her porcelain skin, as luminous as I remembered, appeared to be flushed. And even with the distance of an entire street between us I knew her eyes would still be as enchanting as I recalled. Even after all these years, and with how much I've changed, Hinata is still the most beautiful woman I've ever seen in my life.
The sirens of the ambulance jerked my gaze away from her for a moment. I watched as the red and white van left the garage on the side of the hospital and pulled into the street before it drove away. With the loud noise still ringing in my ears I frantically searched for Hinata, only to find an empty space where she previously stood.
As quickly as she returned, Hinata Hyuuga was once again gone from my life.
A/N
Finally! Kiba's story is done!
It took a hell of a lot longer than I originally thought, Kiba's story like Sakura's was originally supposed to be no more than 2-3 chapters max, but as I kept writing, kept helping Kizu and learning more and more about Kiba's history...
It grew.
The strange thing is unlike in Sakura's story where it easily slid into Deception, it was tricky to know what scenes to glide over Kiba's life and what ones to pay attention too. Unlike Sakura Kiba is much more directly tied to the underworld and big event's like Nagato's death and Orochimaru's would have affected him. But given the way this story is written I couldn't go into too much detail as to what happened. I can only highlight certain event's that I believe are important for you, the readers, to know. And in concluding this story it was hard to get Kiba to accept Naruto so readily, he had harbored some nasty feelings towards out favorite blond for almost half his life, and getting over that was something I was worried he wouldn't be able to do. It will take time for him to adjust to that, to accepting that the fault for his juvie years were on Tobi's hands and Sora's death among many others were on his own. Accepting your faults is difficult to do, it's easier to take the blame and shove it onto another. Whether they know it or not.
Many of his relationships were fun to portray, and interesting to try and explain. His childish relatonship with Sakura, that could have turned from best friends into lovers was tricky. I was tempted many times to try and make them work as a couple, it would have been very easy. But that was the issue. It would have been too easy. They just knew each other too well, were too comfortable with one another to have been anything but friends. I have a so many friends who are like that, where we just know each other to the point that if it turned physical it would most likely ruin our friendship rather then help it grow. Despite Sakura's questionable mentality.
His friendship with Sora and TenTen was something I didn't think would hit me in the gut but it did. Sora was Kiba's way of keeping himself in control, just another kid who made some wrong choices in life while trying to protect his loved ones. Their bond was closer then I would have imagined and I regret that he had to die in this story. TenTen's role stepping up to the plate as Kiba's second in command was something I felt empowering. She just wants to keep her family safe, and didn't care who she hurt to do it. Her story is rather sad for teenage runaways who were chased out jut because they are a little different. Different is a good thing everyone, never forget that.
His relationship with Hinata, along with her cameo at the end, was always intended to end that way. Though I will admit her showing up was supposed to be in chapter seven rather then the last scene but the story dictated it to end this way. It was a clifanger I didn't want to place but needed to. Her story, the reason why she left for Japan so suddenly WILL be explained. I'll tell you all why she's back, why she left and more importantly why she treated Kiba like a slab of meat. I'm a girl, I've seen too many friends cry from shity boyfriends and lovers but ladies sometimes the good guys get screwed over too. Though it might not be shown they can still feel, and some just hate the thought of being used just as much as we do.
I want to thank everyone who's read this story, have been patient with me and have survived all the terrible grammar and spelling mistakes that I know this story is riddled with. I will go back and clean that up, I promise!, but the plot will not change . I've done this for Deceiving and I will do that for Disgrace. It will just take me time.
I want to thank KizuKatana for this opportunity to have worked with her, when she encouraged me to write Deceiving I didn't think I would work on more than one side story, let along get so invested in Kiba's. Thank you for sticking with me until the end!
And for those of you wondering what's next for Kiba and Sakura? Well I'm working on a continuing story that will take place After Deception is over. I will tie up all the lose ends in Kiba, Hinata's, Sakura's and Gaara's lives. Originally I was intending on Deserving to be written in Gaara's POV only but with how complicated the plot will be, it's going to be written in 3rd Person POV.
Once again thank you to everyone who has read through this story and this extremely long Author's Note. Lol.
Don't forget to read the rest of the One of Us Series! Deceiving and the story that started it all KizuKatana's Deception!
