Heart of the Wolf
Chapter Eleven: Not So Selfish
"Byakugan!" Hinata yelled the visual jutsu by name. Her vision shot through the village walls and out into the forest.
"What do you see?" Neji asked her. He'd brought her to the training grounds once again, this time helping Hinata enhance her Byakugan since she was still having trouble meditating.
Neji thought it must've stemmed from whatever happened last night. He knew something was amiss when Hinata showed up at the Hyuga compound alone. Kiba was suppose to have accompanied her home. But he wasn't one to pry. If Hinata wanted him to know about it, she'd tell him.
Hinata focused. "Just trees."
"Concentrate harder," Neji advised. "Try to hone in on a smaller object."
Her eyes caught sight of a delicate butterfly and she followed it's graceful movements until..
"Hinata!" A girl's voice broke through. It sounded so desperate, Hinata immediately released the jutsu.
Her vision returned to normal and she saw Hana rushing up to them with a large white dog by her side. Was this Akamaru?
Hana seemed out of breath. "Kurenai told me I'd find you here."
Neji stepped forward, angry. "This better be important, Inuzuka. You're interrupting Hinata's training."
Akamaru snarled at him, causing Neji to take a step back.
Hana looked anxiously at the younger Hyuga. "Hinata, I know you and Kiba had a fight last night, but please, he needs our help. You must come with me. You're probably the only one who can get through to him right now."
Hinata's heart froze. "Where is he?"
"In the forest," Hana replied. "But I must warn you, he's not himself."
Neji looked askance at her. "What exactly does that mean?"
Hana didn't want to reveal too much with Neji there. "I don't have time to explain. We must hurry. Kiba ran off after the enemy alone. Miyuko is trying to find him, but that's not the worst part. The Elders have overridden the Hokage's orders and are about to send out a special task force to apprehend him… at all cost."
A feeling of dread washed over Hinata. "Let's go," she said.
As she walked past Neji, he grabbed her wrist. "I can't let you do this, Hinata. It's too dangerous."
Hinata looked back at him. "I'm going, Neji. I have to. The last thing I said to him was.." Tears formed in her pale eyes. "The look on his face.." Emotional, she couldn't finish her sentences.
Neji had empathy for her. He released his hold. "Fine, but I'm coming with you."
Hinata nodded and the four of them set out.
Following the scent of the enemy's blood, Kiba blindly tore through the forest. The smell became stronger as he entered a small clearing. Pausing for a moment, Kiba spotted his target standing on the opposite end.
Takeyo turned to look at his pursuer. Kiba growled and ran full force at him. Surprisingly, Takeyo stood his ground.
Kiba's long sharp claws were mere centimeters from the Sound ninja's face, when, all of a sudden, his feet were swept out from under him. A thick net that was hidden beneath the leaves encompassed Kiba's body, lifting him off the ground. He tried to claw free, but to no avail.
Takeyo smirked. "Bet you feel like an idiot right about now. Isn't that what you said to me, Kiba Inuzuka? I must admit, my team wasn't expecting an ambush. What's funny is, we were sent on a mission to capture you. Traps were set up along the way in case we were pursued. It's only luck that you've slipped into my hands."
Takeyo walked around the front of the net to get a better view of his catch. Kiba thrashed around like a wild animal.
"Not that you can understand me anyway." Takeyo examined Kiba's altered appearance. "I heard that you could change into the wolf when a full moon was present, but it's daylight and you've half transformed. My boss will find this very interesting."
Just then, two kunai flew through the air, slicing through the ropes. The net holding Kiba fell to the ground. Takeyo spun around in the direction the knives had come from. The young kunoichi from before was standing in the clearing, a firm look on her face.
"Let him go," Miyuko ordered.
Takeyo's dark brown eyes narrowed. "You came alone, didn't you? Admirable, but foolish."
Miyuko looked at her teammate, who was tangled up in the net. "What do you want with Kiba?"
An evil smile played across Takeyo's lips. "Lord Orochimaru is going to dissect him and use his DNA for experiments."
Miyuko blanched, hearing the infamous name. She tried not to let her courage falter. "I.. I won't let you take him."
Takeyo laughed. "And what makes you think you can stop me? You couldn't before."
Miyuko knew he was right. Her vines had no effect on him. Her best option was to stall him until help arrived. She pulled out a kunai and stood her ground.
Takeyo eyed her. "Such a pretty thing. I think I'll have some fun with you before I go."
Using the Curse Mark's power, Takeyo was on her in an instant, grabbing her wrist in a steel grip. Miyuko winced from the pain and the kunai dropped from her hand. He raised his other hand up to slap her. She closed her eyes, waiting for the impact. Suddenly, Takeyo cried out and let go of her. Miyuko opened her eyes to see something on his back. Kiba had broken free and was viciously clawing at the man.
He tried to shake him off, but Kiba wouldn't let go. Having no other choice, Takeyo clinched his fists and a row of horns shot out of his arms and upper back. The sharp objects pierced into Kiba, making him fall back on the ground. The second stage of the Curse Mark turned the Sound ninja's skin a dark tan color. He turned around and glared at Kiba with his penetrating yellow eyes.
"Who would've thought a weakling like you would make me have to change into my second form," Takeyo growled.
Even though he was slightly injured, Kiba stood back up. He was about to take Takeyo on again when a voice stopped him.
"Kiba, don't!" Hinata screamed.
Kiba's red eyes found the frightened girl. She was on the opposite side of the clearing with two other figures. But why did she look so familiar?
Without warning, a blur of white collided into him. Kiba and Akamaru rolled around on the ground, growling at each other. Oblivious to what he was doing, Kiba clawed at the dog. Akamrau whimpered, but he wouldn't give up. When Kiba's hand came at him again, he bit into it forcefully.
Kiba howled in pain as the Akamaru's sharp teeth pierced into his skin. Then, his body began to shake violently and Akamaru released him. The Inuzuka slowly started to change back to normal. His long fangs and claws gradually receded and his eyes turned brown once again.
Exhausted, Kiba sat up. He blinked his eyes for a moment, then stared at his dog. "Akamaru?"
Recognizing him immediately, Akamaru wagged his tail and licked his master's face. Overjoyed, Kiba smiled and ruffled his canine's fur.
Miyuko ran over to them. "Kiba," she said, relief in her voice. She was glad he was back to his old self.
"Touching reunion," said Takeyo. "Now you can die together!"
Abandoning his mission, Takeyo ripped some of the horns off his back and threw them directly at Kiba and Akamaru.
Knowing they wouldn't be able to move out of the way in time, Miyuko instinctively stepped in front of them. Her eyes grew wide as the sharp objects embedded into her back.
"No!" Kiba yelled, helplessly reaching out to her. He jumped to his feet and Miyuko stumbled forward, collapsing into his arms.
"Miyuko!" he cried out, sitting down with her. "Why? Why did you do that?"
Miyuko gave him a painful smile. "Guess I'm not as selfish as you thought I was, Kiba."
Kiba flinched. Her words were like a knife to his heart. Tears streamed down his face.
Hinata couldn't take it anymore. She ignored Neji's order to stay back and ran toward Kiba.
Takeyo focused in on the Hyuga, but soon was distracted as Neji and Hana opened fire on him. The Sound ninja deflected their weapons with the horns on his arms.
Hinata fell to the ground where Kiba was. Tears fell down her own face when she saw Miyuko's injuries and limp form.
Kiba held Miyuko close to him. She whispered something in his ear and he nodded. Then, Miyuko closed her eyes and slipped away.
Kiba wept over his fallen teammate. Anger filled him once again and he snapped his head up, giving Takeyo a death glare. He gently laid Miyuko down and raised up.
Afraid of what he might do, Hinata stood up and grabbed his arm. "Kiba, you're injured. Please, let Neji and Hana handle this."
But Kiba knew he was the only one who could take Takeyo down. He removed her hand and looked solemnly at her. "Stay back, Hinata."
Hinata didn't want to, but she listened to him and backed away.
"Takeyo!" Kiba yelled.
He looked over at Kiba. Takeyo could tell the Leaf ninja wanted to fight and he laughed. "Guess you want to end up like your teammate," he said unremorsefully.
Kiba got down on all fours and instantly changed into a large white wolf. Saliva spilled forth from his razor sharp teeth. Akamaru walked up to stand next to him and they both growled at the enemy.
Takeyo took a few steps back, feeling an overpowering killer intent. Fear surged up inside him and he turned around and fled into the trees.
The two white creatures sped off after him, chasing him further into the forest.
Takeyo didn't get very far. Akamaru ripped the tendon in his leg, sending the man crashing to the ground. Then, Kiba was over top of him, his teeth bared.
Takeyo rolled over, looking terrified. "Please don't kill me!" he pleaded, trying to crawl away from them.
But Kiba wasn't in the forgiving mood. He lunged at the man, ripping his throat out. Takeyo gurgled for a little bit. Then, he was silent.
Soon after, Hinata, Neji, and Hana found them. Kiba and Akamaru turned to look at them.
Hinata gasped at the sight. The wolf's white fur was coated with bright red blood. "K-kiba," was all she managed to get out.
"Stay where you are!" A man's voice rang out.
Suddenly, they were surrounded by the task force unit the Elders had sent out. Two Anbu in porcelain masks stepped forward with catch poles in their hands. The wolf backed away from the men.
"Don't fight them," Hana urged.
Kiba stood still and the men slipped steel cables around his neck.
Once he was secure, the task force escorted the group back home, along with the fallen.
Night had taken over as they entered the village gates. The four could only watch as Anbu walked away with the wolf.
Akamaru whimpered. Hana patted his head, trying to comfort him.
"What are they going to do with Kiba?" Hinata asked her cousin.
Neji could tell she was upset. "I don't know," he said honestly.
A/N: Both of my OCs were killed in this chapter. I really debated on whether Miyuko should die or not. Takeyo.. I didn't mind taking him out (the monster). Kiba has bonded with Akamaru again and can now change into the wolf whenever he wants to. But what do the Elders have planned for Kiba?