Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto.

Chapter 2

All Kiba could see was red. It was everywhere, on the walls, the floors, the furniture, even on him. He was confused and didn't know where he was or what he was supposed to do. The only thing he knew was that this had happened already. And with that realization, came the pain that he felt every day, every minute. That pain that left him hollow inside, that numbed his other emotions. But, what he couldn't remember was what was causing the pain.

He was still standing in the same place, desperately trying to remember, when he heard the scream. It shocked him out of his thoughts as fear ripped through him. Not fear for himself, but for... someone else. Someone who's name he couldn't place, but who he knew was important to him. He heard another shriek. "Kiba!" Fear ripped through him again, leaving him breathless. He knew he should head towards the screaming, but he couldn't bring himself to do it. He didn't want to see who those sounds were coming from. He put his hands over his ears and sunk to the floor.

Kiba woke to find himself in a hospital bed. He was shaking. How did I wind up here, he wondered. But before he could think of a logical explanation, a pretty, young woman walked through the door. "Hey Kiba. I'm glad to see you're finally awake. You've been sleeping for two whole days! You were starting to worry me, I thought you would never wake up!"

Kiba replied half-heartedly, "Two days! Holy shit... Why didn't you wake me, Sakura?"

"We tried to, but soon realized it was impossible. You must of been extremely tired to have been in such a deep sleep." Sakura began, worry showing in her eyes. " Are you still deprived of sleep, Kiba?"

Kiba had to look away from the intense way Sakura was looking at him. Why couldn't she just drop it? We've been over this many times before. I'm not going to change, nothing's going to change. Without her I can't continue with a normal life. It just feels wrong. I never want to forget her and it's inevitable that I would if I moved on. I can't do that. I need to remember that day, to remember the pain that I feel. It's only fair since it's my fault that she died. I could have stopped her, I could have -

"Kiba, it's been three years. You have to stop blaming yourself, it wasn't your fault! No one blames you for what happened. It was her choice, there's nothing you could have said or done to stop her. You can't keep living this way! All of your friends are here to help you, we want you to get better. I even know a few girls who are interested in you. It'll do you some good to start dating again," Sakura said kindly.

Kiba just stared at her. How can I start dating again? She'll hate me if I do. We were supposed to be together forever!

Realizing Kiba wasn't going to answer her, she readied herself to say more, but Kiba stopped her before she could even get one word out. "Enough Sakura. Please leave now. I don't want to hear about it anymore."

"Fine, Kiba," Sakura replied, her feelings hurt. She had just wanted to make him feel better. She stepped out of the room, her eyes glowing with anger.

Finally Kiba had time to think. He recalled his encounter with Neji and the way Neji used the present tense when he spoke of her. It confused him. Why would he speak of her as if she was still alive? Could it possibly be that she is? But, no, I say her die, she was in my arms. It's not possible.

Kiba worried over it for hours and hours. He finally decided to find Neji and demand that he explain why he spoke of her in that way. He threw the covers off of him, quickly took a shower and dressed in clean clothes. He walked to the only window in the room, pulled the curtains aside, pushed it open and froze. Outside, rain was pouring down from the sky. Lightning flashed, lighting up the small, uniform town. But, there was no thunder. The weather was exactly the same as it had been on that horrible night.

Red dotted his vision, screeching filled his ears. He was back in that house.

Kiba shook his head to break his trance. He didn't want to revisit that memory again. He quickly jumped out the window, into the rain and headed in the direction of the Hyuga household.