Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto.

A/N: I know the last chapter was intense, sorry.

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There wasn't much to be thankful for, but Shino was thankful they were close to the village. He and Hinata sped toward the front gate of Konoha with Sasuke and Kiba. It had taken a lot to get Hinata to carry Sasuke… she had been so bitter.

"He deserved to die, Shino. Even he knew it! So we should respect his wishes and leave him to die."

When she had said these words, it cut into Sasuke's heart, partially because Hinata had never spoken about anyone with such hate and partially because a part of him agreed with her. He had been tempted to leave the Uchiha, who had been losing blood fast, in the clearing. But even Hinata could not deny that Sasuke had said something about his brother, and everything was confusing, and most importantly a shinobi of the leaf should never leave behind his fellow ninjas, no matter what the circumstances were.

Hinata was carrying Sasuke because he was lighter than Kiba. Or what is left of Kiba. Shino felt bile rising in his throat as the dead weight of his teammate hung on his shoulders. The team had been together for years and, although Shino and Kiba were friends, the Aburame had never realized how much he cared for his canine-loving team mate until now. Until he is gone. With that thought, Shino sped up.

When they reached the front gate there was a squad of medic ninja waiting. Shino assumed Tsunade had known they were going after the Uchiha and had been planning on sending out reinforcements. The masked medics took away Kiba, but not before Shino heard one of them gasp at the state of the boy. Hinata threw Sasuke on the ground in front of them and ran in. Shino knew she needed to be alone for a little while, so he let her go.

Besides, his mission wasn't over yet—he needed to find the other teams and bring them back.

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Sweat was beating on Tsunade's brow and threatened to fall in her eyes, but she couldn't stop what she was doing. Focusing harder, she worked on sending steady streams of chakra into Kiba's heart, trying to get it to beat again.

When the medic team had arrived at the hospital so quickly, Tsunade was glad. She had been expecting minor cuts and bruises, but Kiba and Sasuke whole and ready to listen to her. What she found however, gave her a shock.

In all of her years as a medic ninja, she had seen some pretty gruesome things. Legs and arms blown off by explosive tags, scarring or wounding jutsus and other such injuries. But nothing could have prepared her for the two boys. Kiba didn't even look like a person and Sasuke's chakra was so crazy and out of line (and fading fast) that for a moment, she didn't know what to do. It had been Shizune who had sprung to action.

A whirlwind of activity followed and now here she was. The Hokage had originally thought Kiba was dead, but then, as she was about to cover him with a sheet, she had seen his finger twitched. Medically she knew that very often corpses twitch and move after death at the nerves and muscles contract and die. But Kiba was one of her own nin, and she was unwillingly to let reason keep her from trying to save him.

It had only been a few minutes, but it felt like hours. To restart a heart required a large amount on steady chakra. Too little and the muscle couldn't be stimulated. Too much, and the shock permanently stopped it.

A bead of sweat rolled down into her eye, stinging it. Resisting the urge to raise a hand and wipe it away, Tsunade stayed focused.

Please, Please let this work.

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Shizune was finishing up with Sasuke. She had never really known the boy, only heard stories, but she was still confused and upset. Attempted suicides were not an injury she was ever happy to heal. Life in Konoha was so happy, even if it wasn't always peaceful. She was thankful she came with Tsunade to the village, a village that had welcomed her with open arms. Now she called Konoha home and could not imagine how any of its citizens couldn't be as happy as she was, and certainly not so unhappy as to attempt to end one's life.

The Uchiha's injuries were crazy and she wasn't sure what was going on with his body. The kunai wound had missed his vital organs and, although he had suffered major blood loss, she had been able to stabilize that part of him. It was the raging chakra that confused her. She could feel it like everyone else but couldn't see what was going on. She knew what she needed to do.

"Bring me a Hyuuga."

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Neji walked into the room alone. Sasuke's body lay on the table. Normally the Hyuuga would have been happy to help a fellow ninja, and particularly Sasuke, for he had respected the boy's power and ability. But Shino had caught up with them to bring them back to the village and had filled in each team on what had happened in general terms. Both boys were hurt, he had said.

But when Neji had been asked to use his Byuukagen to see what was happening to Sasuke's chakra, he had asked Shino for the full story. Now, knowing the monster that Sasuke was… Neji was reluctant to help the boy.

He heard the door open behind him.

"Neji."

He turned and, seeing who it was, bowed.

"Hokage."

They both turned and looked at the Uchiha.

"This is the second time he has been unconscious in this hospital in a matter of months. Sasuke seems to never find a way to stay out of trouble."

"If I may speak freely—"

"You may."

"…This time it sounds like he brought the trouble himself." Neji spat out the words, filling them with his distaste.

"I disagree, Neji."

"Hokage, I am not one to judge a character too quickly. Sasuke has had many opportunities to redeem himself in my eyes and yet… I can't help but to come to the conclusion that he is a monster. The whole thing with Orochimaru--he had almost killed Naruto then, too. And now with Kiba… I don't see how I can help you. I don't want to help him. Hinata is heart broken and… " Neji didn't finish the sentence.

Tsunade turned toward him, putting a hand on his shoulder.

"Neji, you are a good man and I know you are not speaking rashly. But I need you to understand too things. As a medic ninja, I have been forced to cure several people I did not wish to. It is part of the job. If I need your help, you may not pick and choose who you help and who you do not. It is your responsibility to help any and all people without discrimination. Also… I know it is very hard for you and Hinata and everyone else to try and understand, knowing what Sasuke did to Kiba. God, think about how his parents must be feeling right now. But please hear me. If what I suspect is correct, Sasuke is not himself and did not have any intention of hurting Kiba. I think something it wrong in his mind and that is what I am asking you to look for."

With that, she turned and left the room, closing the door behind her.

What she had said made sense, but it didn't help Neji want to help anymore. Still, Neji had always been a professional and took his job as ninja seriously. So he stepped forward, took a deep breath and activated his Byuukagen.

What he saw shocked him. Normally a person's chakra flowed throughout the body in a pattern similar to the cardiovascular system. But Sasuke's chakra was leaping and flaming everywhere… and he had a large amount of chakra concentrated in his eyes. Neji had never seen anything like it and was not sure what was causing the severe fluxes in chakra. He was so engulfed in watching Sasuke that he didn't hear Tsunade enter the room again.

"What do you see?"

If he was surprised, he didn't show it.

"His chakra is completely out of control. There is no flow, only spontaneous bursts. The strangest part is how much of it seems to be gathering in his eyes. I don't know what is causing it."

"I think I do. He should wake up in another day, once his body adjusts. If my assumption is correct, Sasuke will be completely back to normal when he wakes up."

"What will you do to him when he wakes?"

"We'll see when the time comes."

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As Tsunade predicted, Sasuke woke up the next day with normal chakra and a massive headache. Those were just the physical symptoms, however. Inside, Sasuke thought he might still be dying.

I killed Kiba.

His stomach ached where he had stabbed himself. Apparently he was not only a failure at killing his brother and protecting his closest friend, he also couldn't even end his own life correctly.

There were flowers next to his bed in the hospital room, so he new Sakura would be coming around to visit soon. He couldn't believe she didn't hate him as well. He hated himself, and after what he had done… he didn't deserve a friend.

"Good morning, S-s-sasuke."

He recognized her voice and was surprised she wasn't killing him.

"Hinata."

"I…I d-don't quite k-know what I'm d-doing here."

Sasuke just looked out the window. He hurt so bad, and her presence brought such shame that he wished he could implode on himself.

"S-S-sasuke…?"

"Hn."

"I… I…" she paused, taking in a deep breath. "I forgive you."

He glared at her, confused.

"Hinata, I killed your teammate. How can you forgive me?

She blushed a deep red, her brow furrowed.

"It wasn't your fault, Sasuke. And I was hoping you could forgive me."

She was saying all of this while looking him in the eyes and not stuttering, so he knew it was no joke.

"What the hell do you want me to forgive you for? I am the murderer!"

"No, you aren't a murderer. I am asking your forgiveness because I wanted to let you die, and if Shino had not forced me to bring you back, I would have."

The Hyuuga's admission was a lot for Sasuke, but really…he couldn't blame her. He would have wanted the same thing.

"You and Shino are better people than me. I should have been left to die, after killing someone so dear to you…to me."

Hinata stared at him, her large silver eyes taking everything in. Even without her Byuukagen she could see the torture Sasuke was feeling. She could see how badly he was beating himself up inside, and it helped her feel reassured. Tsunade was right…Sasuke wasn't a monster like she had thought. He deserved to know.

"You can't be a murderer—"

"I am, Hinata, I am a—"

"Shut up. You can't be a murderer because you didn't kill anyone."

"bloody monste—WHAT?"

"Kiba is alive."

For a minute, Sasuke actually thought his heart stopped beating. What…what did she even mean? How could this be? There were too many thoughts, too many emotions, too many everything. Nothing could form in his head, and he felt quite delirious.

"H-he's… He's alive?"

"Hai."

"Oh god…" There was so much relief in Sasuke, so much hope and joy rushing through him. But he was unable to enjoy it for too long because he realized this meant he would, ultimately, come face to face with Kiba, and he wasn't sure he could handle seeing the pain of the boy he loved so much… and had hurt so badly.

"Is he OK? Please…please say he is OK."

"He is ok. Tsunade, miraculously, was able to get his heart beating again. And Sakura has really stepped up. She amazed even Tsunade-sama by reconstructing his face and body almost exactly. In fact--" Hinata blushed. "--he is even more handsome than before, though I am not sure how."

It was hard for Sasuke to believe Kiba could be even more beautiful that he had already been.

"Thank you, Hinata."

Hinata rose quietly and made to exit the room. As she walked through the door, she turned around.

"S-s-sasuke?"

"Yes?"

"Are you going to try and see him?"

How could she even think he could see Kiba?

"No, I don't think so. I…I can't face him."

Without replying, Hinata left.

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"Kiba—wait up!" Shino jogged a bit to catch up with hi teammate. He reached down and gave Akamaru an affectionate pat.

"Hey, Shino!" Kiba seemed to be in good spirits. He had been out of the hospital for a couple days and was just returning from a walk with Aka. The Hokage wouldn't let him train yet, but he was allowed to wander around and walk. The fresh air and sunshine made the Inuzuka's cheeks flush pink.

"Hey, Sasuke gets out of the hospital today. Tsunade kept him hidden away as a caution, but she seems to think it is ok to set that mons…that boy loose on Konoha." Shino was never a spiteful person, or someone to hold a grudge, and Kiba didn't overlook the unusual bitterness in the boy. Likewise, Shino saw a flash of pain in Kiba's eyes, which confused him.

"Kiba, do you think he will come try and talk to you?

The Inuzuka smiled a sad smile. "I hope so, Shino."

"What? You can't be serious?"

Kiba was amused by his teammate. He couldn't remember Shino ever showing so much emotion, and Shino certainly had never raised his voice.

"I am quite serious, Aburame. I hope he comes to talk to me."

The two men walked in silence for a while.

"Kiba—I've been meaning to ask you…"

"Yes?"

"Why didn't Akamaru attack Sasuke and protect you?"

"Always the observant one, Shino. No one else has asked me… Akamaru did attack Sasuke originally, but I commanded him not to."

"You didn't want him to fight of Sasuke? Sasuke was killing you!"

"Sasuke wasn't killing me. He was killing his brother. I understood that. Shino, I'll see you later. I need to go home and rest. If you care about me, then don't go looking to hurt Sasuke, and stop anyone who tries. And…"

"Yes?" Shino couldn't believe what he was hearing.

"If you see Sasuke, please tell him I want to see him."

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Everywhere he went, people went about their everyday activity. The Hokage had made sure none of the information about his hurting Kiba had gotten beyond the few ninjas who knew. She wanted to make sure he was safe and accepted in the village.

She had kept him for days, waiting for some sign that he wasn't sane. She waited for him to blow up or become unstable. But it never came. The only thing that came were the daily waves of anguish and guilt that crashed into him from the moment he woke up to the last minute before he went to sleep…and sometimes it didn't even stop there. Even though they had managed to save Kiba…Sasuke may as well have killed him, because that is what it felt like in his heart.

And now, knowing Kiba was out there somewhere, that beautiful boy that he had pounded into the ground, Sasuke couldn't stand himself. He couldn't see how everyone else could stand him. Watching the villagers go about their business, shopping in the market, washing their laundry, chatting on street corners made him want to yell out his confession and tell them what he really was: a monster. He wanted people to know, to hate him as he hated himself.

Everything reminded him of the dog boy, too. The puppies on the street, the smell of coffee and most of all, his own apartment. Everywhere he saw Kiba. He saw him standing and laughing, or cooking, or picking up. And, each night he went to shower, he saw Kiba standing shirtless, water dripping down a strong, lean chest…

Sasuke knew now how wrong he had been to push away Kiba. He couldn't have known how much he loved his friend until now, until he was gone. Yes…he couldn't have known how in love he was with his friend until it was too late.

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Sweat poured down his face. Kiba moved his headband lower to catch the drips before they got in his eyes. Squinting, he marked where Shino was. The other boy needed to take a breather as well, so he waited. They had been training together for over four hours and Kiba knew he would need to stop soon, he still hadn't recovered all his strength.

"Shino—you win. Let's call it a day."

"Hai." His friend had returned to his solemn, monosyllabic self.

"Shino?"

"Hn."

"Why don't you think he has come to see me?"

"Shame, probably."

"He has nothing to be ashamed of! Even the Hokage said it was Itachi's jutsu!"

Shino just shrugged his shoulders.

"Do you think I should go see him?"

"No. That is a dangerous game, Kiba."

"I know, but…"

"You have to talk to him."

Kiba nodded. "I do."

"Then go. But please, be careful."

Smirking, Kiba laughed. "I always am, bug-boy!"

Shino scowled as Kiba ran off with Akamaru.

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A/N: OK, so I have the next chapter written as well, but it is different from what I have been writing. Because this is my first fic, I am waiting for my betatester to read this one through. I don't want it to be too much. I think it is great, but you know, I wrote it, so I am pretty biased. Anyway, could everyone tell me what they think of the story so far? Anything too far-fetched, or ppl ooc (Hinata a lot…), things you like/don't like?

Thanks. 3

Jenny