Chapter 7: Near Death

Kiba's PoV

Kurenai-sensei had engaged the enemy. Out of the corner of my eye, I see Saya collapse and drop her kunai.

"I knew it, the girl is just useless baggage." I was shocked.

Hatake Saya, the girl who believes she's better than anyone else, collapsed in fear?

"Heheh... So what if I can score the highest on Tai, Nin, and Genjutsu exams?! It means nothing if the opponent is above Jonin-level! Anyone can get scared!" She spoke shakily, admitting her thoughts. She stood, slowly but surely and also grabbed her fallen kunai knife. "I'm afraid right now. His chakra is enormous. I've never sensed anything like it. Of course I'm scared. I don't want to die yet. There are things I want to do and truths I want to admit. I want to prove I'm not weak. I want her, wherever she is, to know that even though she's gone, I haven't felt the least bit discouraged." I could tell she didn't mean to say any of this out loud. Her words shocked me.

Who is the person she's talking about? Who left her?

The enemy laughed at her and I scowled at him.

She's having this awesome pep talk to herself and he laughs?!

"I am Hatake Saya, and I refuse to lose!" She growls to herself. "I refuse to show any sign of weakness!"

I never expected to see Saya discouraged. She was always confident, and maybe just a bit - alright, VERY - cocky.

Being afraid is out of the question for Saya.

At that moment, Kurenai-sensei became bound by a jutsu.

Saya spurs into action, taking down all ten earth clones easily.

I didn't pay attention to when the enemy and Saya spoke.

Only when I saw an earth clone speeding towards me with the intent to kill did I growl and ready myself for a counter attack.

Suddenly, everything happened so quickly I could barely understand what was happening.

Saya stood in front of me, shielding me with her body.

"SAYA!" I screamed.

That was a fatal injury.

She could die.

Because of me.

I admit it, I actually enjoy whenever she talks. I like it when she's cocky, her lame excuses when she's late.

If she dies, nothing will be the same anymore.

Akamaru howled as she grinned up at the clone.

"No one harms one of my teammates. I'd rather die than let you hurt them." She coughed out, still grinning.

She turned her face towards me and smiled gently.

I felt my heart ripped out of my chest as she fell forward and passed out.

"An admirable sacrifice. Dog boy, don't put her sacrifice to waste."

At this, I snapped.

"Akamaru, Man Beast Clone!" Akamaru turned into a copy of me. "Fang over Fang!" We spun fast similar to a drill and the clone was reduced to dirt.

The assassin smirked and created another clone.

I growled.

"Kiba, take care of Saya! Shino, guard Sora! I'll get the assassin!" Kurenai-sensei ordered.

Shino and I nodded and I rushed to Saya's side. I checked her pulse and found it weak.

It was amazing she was even alive.

I heard a cry of pain and saw Kurenai-sensei stab the enemy in the heart.

Good riddance.

I tried to stop Saya's bleeding, but I was shaking.

If she dies, it's all my fault.

She protected me.

Didn't she hate me?

So many questions spun in my head, and the only person who could answer them was slowly bleeding out in my arms.

Kurenai-sensei took her out of my arms, and I looked at her with desperation and guilt written all over my face.

"Don't worry, Kiba. She's a tough cookie. She'll live." Sensei said, and I nodded.

She sighed and green chakra surrounded her hands. "I trained a little in medical ninjutsu. I hoped I'd never have to use it." She sighed. After a few minutes, she handed Saya to me.

I was holding her bridal style.

"Carry her. She's not going to wake up until we're at Ame." I nodded and adjusted my hold so she would be comfortable if she woke up earlier than expected.

We once again began traveling, my gaze falling onto Saya's peaceful expression more than once.

After a few more days of traveling, we arrived at Amegakure.

It rained so much.

If Saya was awake, she'd comment on me smelling like a wet dog.

She still hasn't woken up.

Saya would stir in her sleep, muttering something about her mom.

We were staying in Sora's house for another week.

We've been here for a week. She's been asleep for nearly two weeks.

Does it always take this long for someone who's early bled to death to wake up?!

Akamaru would whine to me how I'm not taking care of myself properly. I'd only leave her side to take care of daily necessities. I'd eat near her if I could.

Do I really care about her more than I think?

AN: First chapter in Kiba's PoV! Tell me what you think! I had a hard time writing this.

I know in previous chapters I seem to have neglected Akamaru. I pay more attention to SHINO! There's something wrong here lolz. I tried to make up for it here.

Kiba cares about Saya somewhat! Yay! I think I might be writing him a bit OOC. DX I can't write characters that aren't my property that well! But I really liked writing this chapter. It was cute. My eyes watered a little bit. Oh Saya you softie, you.