A/N: I'm finally posting a prequel to this story titled Moon of My Nights, which would be a KibaSaku centric fit, and how they got together before the events of this story. It progressed with my realization that I had a lot of fun writing Kiba and Sakura. The mountain of word vomit was getting stale on my notes, some of the ideas written go as far back as 2015!
I'm well aware that ff dot net is dead, and I mostly write these for myself, but if you love Kiba and Sakura, or was sceptical about the coupling at first like I was, go check it out!
Chapter 30
Ino
As Ino approached the park to wait for Shikamaru, she heard raised voices echoing from a secluded corner. Recognizing Kiba's distinct tone, she hesitated but her curiosity urged her to linger and eavesdrop. Peering cautiously around the corner, she saw Kiba and Tamaki engaged in a heated argument.
"I can't believe you're still hung up on her!" Tamaki was yelling. "Momo told me how you sneaked out the other night! Are you just using me to get over that girl? Or are you just a pig who doesn't even say goodbye after you've had your fun?"
"That's not fair!" Kiba protested. "Things are just... complicated."
"Complicated?" Tamaki laughed sarcastically. "More like you can't let go of your past! I'm tired of feeling like your afterthought!"
"I LOVED HER!" Kiba yelled. "OF COURSE it's hard for me to let go but I'm moving on! Sakura and I have history, but it's over."
"But is it really?" Tamaki shook her head. "I feel like I'm just a distraction for you. Like you're waiting for her to come back to you."
"Do you see her coming back? I chose to be with you, didn't I?" Kiba bellowed.
"Maybe you did, but I thought we had something," she shook her head. "Figure out what you want, Kiba, because I'm not going to be sticking around to be your second choice!"
Kiba's frustration boiled over, and he yelled defiantly, "I don't care! We're not exclusive so stop acting like my girlfriend! Do whatever you want!"
Tamaki let out a primal growl before launching herself at Kiba with surprising agility and grabbed ahold of his collar. Ino's eyes widened in disbelief as the heated argument took an unexpected turn.
In a whirlwind of passion and aggression, Kiba and Tamaki found themselves locked in a fervent embrace, their lips meeting in a frenzied kiss. As they fervently kissed, their insults turned into something of a different nature.
"You rabid dog," Tamaki hissed at Kiba.
"You filthy cat," Kiba growled back.
Ino watched on, stunned by the sudden change in dynamics between the two. As Tamaki tore off Kiba's shirt, Ino hurried away from the scene, her ears burning in embarrassment at what she had just witnessed.
As the days slipped by, Ino noticed Hinata and Kiba volunteering at the hospital, and she assumed it was at Hana's behest. Since the Hokage's birthday was just around the corner, they needed extra pairs of hands to be able to have the said day off for the staff except for dealing with emergencies only.
She observed that Kiba had bags under his eyes again despite the fact that they had seen Hana refilling his prescription that day but otherwise he and Hinata were engaged in animated conversation. Hinata appeared to be scolding him and he was being defensive.
When she was accompanied by Hinata as they went checking and updating patient records, she decided to do some probing. After all, curiosity always got the better of her, and not because gossip was her sustenance, according to Sakura.
"Hey, Hinata! How have you been?" Ino asked. "Have you heard from Neji lately?"
Hinata looked over at her. "Oh, hey, Ino-chan. I'm doing okay, thanks for asking. And yeah, I got a message from Neji-kun a few days ago. He's doing well, still busy with his mission. He's not allowed to tell me much."
"That's good to hear," Ino nodded. "Say, Hinata, I wanted to talk to you about something. It's about Kiba and that girl he's with."
"Oh, um, sure. What about them?" Hinata asked, uneasy.
"Well, I've been a bit worried about Sakura lately, especially with Kiba and Tamaki getting closer," Ino expressed her concern. "But… I found something rather strange. I saw them at the park the other day and… I don't know but… Perhaps I'm overthinking…"
Hinata nodded vehemently. "Honestly, I've been thinking about that too," she admitted. "Kiba-kun and Tamaki-san seem to have nothing in common, and their relationship feels... off. It's like they enjoy fighting. They seem to be happy together, but… Um… Well," she blushed and Ino scooted closer.
"Yes?" she urged.
"Kiba-kun calls it 'angry, wild sex'," Hinata confided, blushing to her roots. "And apparently that's all their relationship is. It makes me uncomfortable, but he says the guys, my fiancé included, told him that's the best way to cope… To get over Sakura-chan."
So Tamaki was right, Ino thought. He was using her to get over Sakura. But despite knowing that, she had jumped him anyway...
"Do you think…" Ino hesitated. Hinata looked at her invitingly to continue. She shook her head, hoping not to offend Hinata but her concern for Sakura overpowered her. "Do you think if Sakura were to… um… If Sakura decided to get back together with him, what would he...?"
Hinata's expression immediately turned solemn and her eyes narrowed. "I don't appreciate the way Sakura-chan keeps playing with his heart, she has always done so," she finally answered, sighing. "And Kiba-kun is trying hard to get over her. It shouldn't be for nothing. Sakura-chan is… toxic for him. When they were together, Kiba-kun had made peace with the knowledge that she didn't feel as strongly for him as he felt for her. He found happiness in taking care of her. For her, at first, he was a replacement for Sasuke-kun. Then he became a replacement for... Naruto-kun maybe, or maybe someone else. He loved her to a point that his world revolved around her and he just wanted to be with her. But now, I feel it's different. I think it's good that he's seen there's a world outside of her too."
They reached another patient and there was silence for a few minutes as they did their duties.
"The night she broke up with him," Hinata continued as they moved on, "He came to me. He could barely breathe or speak. And he told me that he told her that he will wait for her. To take all the time she needs, as long as she returned to him at the end."
She paused before continuing, shaking her head, and Ino processed this information with her mouth agape. "So, to answer you Ino-chan, yes, I'm sure he will take her back. He loves her unconditionally and he doesn't care whom she's been with, he has said as much to me and Neji-kun. But… I haven't seen him this hurt in my life, and I have seen him spend sleepless nights in hurt and anxiety because of his clan's pressure. And right now, he's recovering. My happiness is always in his and he would be happiest with Sakura-chan despite her toxicity, that I know. And if Sakura-chan gets back with him only to hurt him again, I will never forgive her."
They went their separate ways as the hallway parted in different directions. At the end of the day, Ino still felt cold after her chat with Hinata as she and Sakura prepared to leave. She was unsure if she should say anything to her for now before discussing it with Shikamaru.
Meanwhile, Sakura found herself grappling with strong emotions as she exited the hospital with Ino and came upon Tamaki giving Kiba the tongue treatment, while Hinata stood by awkwardly. Apparently, she had waited for him outside to get free.
Every glimpse of Kiba going about his duties served as a poignant reminder of their fractured relationship. Ino, ever perceptive, watched Sakura closely during these encounters, offering a comforting presence amidst the emotional turmoil.
But this was too much. She saw Sakura clench her fists tightly and turn away pointedly.
"I have to shop for some ingredients," Hinata told the kissing pair meekly, excusing herself and running off.
Sakura quickly made her way across the lot, putting as much distance between the pair and herself without straight up running. She pretended she didn't see anything either but her pace dictated otherwise. Ino followed her quickly.
"Ino," Sakura forced a weak smile, "I'm okay."
Ino furrowed her brows, sensing Sakura's inner turmoil. "You don't have to pretend with me, Sakura. I know this isn't easy for you."
Sighing, Sakura admitted, "It's hard, Ino. Seeing him every day, knowing things will never be the same. And then that. The weirdest part? I felt like... That girl was looking at me, like she was trying to make a point."
Placing a reassuring hand on Sakura's shoulder, Ino offered her unwavering support. "I'm here for you, okay? Whatever you need."
Grateful for her friend's understanding, Sakura nodded. "Thanks, Ino. I appreciate it more than you know."
Hinata
Hinata felt awkward, hating herself placed in the middle of this. Sakura's and Ino's subsequent conversation had also been within her earshot. Not to mention her previous conversation with Ino had given her a sinking feeling in her heart. She wished things could return the way they used to be, before all this madness and the divide between friends. She knew Sakura was carrying a secret she had shared with Neji. Neji never shared such things with her, nor did she ask. She did not want to bear the unnecessary burden of knowledge. She hadn't even had the guts to ask him about his past relationships yet either.
And if that wasn't all, she collided head-on with someone hard, and as she fell back, the person grabbed her by her arm singlehandedly.
"Ufff," she groaned… And found herself face to face in the bustling streets of the village with none other than Sasuke Uchiha.
The chatter of merchants and the footsteps of passersby became a backdrop. The air seemed to crackle with tension as they stood mere feet apart, their gazes meeting in a collision of conflicting emotions.
Hinata, her usually serene demeanor marred by a nervous energy, shifted uncomfortably under Sasuke's penetrating gaze. She felt a bead of sweat trickle down her temple as she struggled to find her voice amidst the cacophony of the crowded street.
"S-Sasuke...kun," she stammered, her voice barely audible above the din of the bustling market.
Sasuke's expression remained inscrutable as he regarded her with an intensity that sent a shiver down Hinata's spine. His dark eyes bore into hers, revealing nothing of the turmoil that churned beneath the surface.
"Hinata-chan," he acknowledged, his voice clipped and devoid of warmth as he picked up the bags which had fallen from his arm when he had prevented her fall.
Hinata's fingers fidgeted nervously with the strap of her bag, her mind racing with a jumble of emotions and unspoken words.
"I-I'm sorry. I wasn't looking. I'm-I'm just here to get some fresh herring for Neji-kun's arrival," she found herself saying aloud, her voice tinged with a hint of nervousness as she attempted to justify her presence in the crowded marketplace.
Sasuke's lips quirked in a sardonic half-smile as he caught Hinata's gaze, his voice cutting through the din of the market with a surprising clarity.
"It is a public space. You don't need to justify your actions," he remarked coolly, his tone tinged with a hint of amusement.
Hinata felt a flush of embarrassment creep into her cheeks at Sasuke's pointed response, a pang of unease settling in the pit of her stomach. Despite her best efforts to appear composed, she couldn't shake the feeling of being caught off guard by Sasuke's casual demeanor.
"But since you told me your reasons," Sasuke continued tersely, his demeanor guarded as he offered a curt nod. "I'm here on a mission to collect compost."
Sasuke's revelation caught Hinata off guard. She blinked in surprise, struggling to reconcile the image of the serious shinobi with the task of collecting compost.
"Compost?" she echoed, her voice betraying her confusion as she searched Sasuke's impassive expression for any hint of jest. But his gaze remained steady, his demeanor unchanged as he confirmed his mission's purpose.
"Yes," Sasuke replied with a nonchalant shrug, his tone devoid of any trace of irony. "It's for the village's 'agricultural initiatives' apparently. Necessary, but hardly glamorous. I have to do these missions as part of my probation order."
Sasuke nodded curtly in dismissal before disappearing into the throng of people, leaving Hinata standing alone amidst the bustling crowd. As she watched him go, a sense of unease settled over her. She found herself running after him.
"I can help," she found herself saying, her voice gentle yet resolute.
There was a flicker of surprise in Sasuke's onyx eyes as he turned around, a subtle shift in his stoic façade as he regarded Hinata with a hint of intrigue.
"If you'd like, that is," she continued as she met Sasuke's gaze with unwavering determination. "I'm familiar with the area, everyone here trusts me, and two pairs of hands would make the task easier." She blushed as he raised his eyebrow, knowing what she was implying.
For a fleeting moment, the barriers between them seemed to waver. Hinata blushed even more, wondering why she was acting this way and if she had offended him by pointing out the villager's distrust in him as well as his missing arm.
"Thank you," Sasuke replied after a few very tense seconds, his tone softer than usual as a rare glimmer of appreciation colored his words. "I could use the assistance."
As they strolled from stall to stall, they soon found themselves engaged in casual conversation. He glanced at Hinata, his expression thoughtful.
"Hinata-chan, I've been meaning to ask... How are the others doing?" he inquired, his tone betraying a hint of genuine concern.
Hinata's eyes brightened at the question, appreciating Sasuke's interest in their friends. "They're managing as best as they can, I suppose," she replied, a note of empathy in her voice. "Ino-chan and Shikamaru-kun are busy with their responsibilities, and Sakura-chan... well, she's been through a lot lately."
Sasuke's brow furrowed slightly, a pang of guilt tugging at his conscience. "And the mu- Kiba?" he asked tentatively, knowing the complicated history between Kiba and Sakura, also remembering he was Hinata's best friend.
Hinata hesitated before answering, her expression somber. "Kiba-kun is... trying to move forward," she said carefully, choosing her words with deliberation. "But it's not easy for him. He's still grappling with his feelings."
Sasuke nodded, absorbing her words silently. He felt a twinge of empathy for Kiba, recognizing the complexities of love and heartache all too well.
"And how about you, Hinata-chan?" Sasuke inquired, his voice gentle. "How have you been coping with everything?"
Hinata paused, considering her response before speaking. "It's been... challenging," she admitted, her gaze drifting momentarily. "But I'm trying to stay strong, for myself and for those who rely on me. Why do you ask?"
Sasuke hesitated. He took this time to bend over and collect a bag from another stall. As he came out, he sighed.
"I've been meaning to tell you and I hope you won't be mad. I didn't mean to be privy to your personal matters, but I happened to witness your confession to Naruto."
Hinata's breath caught in her throat, her heart skipping a beat at Sasuke's unexpected revelation. She blinked, momentarily taken aback in dumbstruck silence by the stark honesty in his words.
"You saw...?" she began, her voice trailing off as she struggled to find the right words to express her surprise. Hinata felt a knot form in her stomach, her cheeks flushing with embarrassment at the reminder of her vulnerability.
"I..." Hinata began, her voice barely above a whisper as she struggled to find the right words. She shifted uncomfortably, her gaze flickering away from Sasuke's penetrating stare.
Sasuke waited patiently, his expression unreadable as he watched Hinata's obvious discomfort. He had not meant to unsettle her, but the words hung between them.
Finally, Hinata managed to muster a response, her voice barely audible as she forced herself to meet Sasuke's gaze. "It was... a moment of weakness," she admitted softly, her cheeks burning with embarrassment.
Sasuke nodded in understanding, a hint of sympathy softening his features. "We all have moments like that," he offered gently, his tone surprisingly comforting. "Do you… still have any feelings for Naruto?"
Sasuke's question hung in the air, laden with an unspoken weight. Hinata felt a surge of unease, her thoughts drifting to a past she had worked hard to leave behind.
"I...," Hinata started again, her voice wavering slightly as she struggled to find the right words. She paused, gathering her thoughts before meeting Sasuke's piercing gaze.
"I am engaged to Neji-kun," Hinata replied firmly, her tone resolute despite the lingering uncertainty in her heart. "I love him deeply, and I am committed to our future together."
There was a brief moment of silence as Sasuke absorbed her response, his expression unreadable. Hinata couldn't shake the feeling of discomfort that settled over her.
"That's not what I asked, Hinata-chan," Sasuke stated firmly, his eyes narrowing slightly as he searched her face for a genuine answer. "I want to know if you still harbor feelings for Naruto."
Hinata's breath caught in her throat, her pulse quickening with each passing moment. She glanced away, unable to meet Sasuke's intense gaze as she grappled with her own emotions.
"I...," Hinata stammered, her voice barely above a whisper as she struggled to find the courage to speak her truth. "I... I care for Naruto-kun deeply, but my feelings for him belong to the past. My heart now belongs to Neji-kun."
There was a palpable tension in the air as Sasuke absorbed her words, his expression unreadable. Hinata held her breath, her heart hammering in her chest as she awaited his response.
Finally, Sasuke nodded, a sense of understanding flickering in his dark eyes. "I understand," he said quietly, his voice softened with a hint of empathy. "Thank you for being honest with me, Hinata-chan."
"Sasuke-kun," Hinata began, her voice steady despite the nervous fluttering in her chest, "I understand that things between you and Naruto-kun are... complicated. Why does it matter if I…?"
Sasuke's gaze flickered momentarily, a fleeting glimpse of vulnerability betraying his stoic facade. He hesitated, as if grappling with the weight of Hinata's question - how the tables turned, she thought - before finally meeting her gaze with a resolute intensity.
"Naruto is... important to me," Sasuke started, his voice trailing off momentarily before he found the resolve to continue. "He's been a constant presence in my life, someone I've shared both triumphs and tribulations with. But as for... romantic feelings? I don't want to hurt you. And lately… I've found myself wondering…"
Sasuke's expression remained impassive as he met her gaze, his dark eyes betraying nothing of his thoughts and Hinata's heart sank, a wave of apprehension washing over her as she braced herself for his next words. She could sense the inner conflict raging within him, torn between duty, loyalty, and the tangled web of emotions that bound him to Naruto.
But why was he looking at her like that?
"And Karin-san?" Hinata pressed gently, her voice barely above a whisper as she broached the topic delicately. "How do you reconcile your feelings for both her and Naruto-kun?"
Sasuke's jaw tensed imperceptibly, a flicker of discomfort crossing his features before he schooled his expression into a mask of neutrality once more.
"Karin..." Sasuke began, his voice tinged with a hint of resignation. "She... understands me in a way that few others do. Our connection runs deep, forged through shared experiences and mutual understanding. She can bear me a child. But Naruto... Naruto occupies a different space in my heart."
Hinata nodded in understanding, her heart heavy with the weight of Sasuke's confession. She could sense the complexity of his emotions, the tangled web of loyalties and desires that pulled him in conflicting directions.
"I see," Hinata murmured softly, her voice laced with empathy. "I believe that... in matters of the heart, honesty and clarity are paramount. Whatever path you choose, I hope it brings you peace."
Sasuke offered her a small nod of gratitude, his gaze softened with a glimmer of appreciation for her understanding.
They had reached the end of the bazaar, and as Sasuke moved to take the bags of compost from her hand, their fingers brushed in a fleeting touch that sent a jolt of electricity through both of them. Time seemed to stand still in that moment, the bustling sounds of the bazaar fading into the background as they shared a wordless connection. Hinata returned his gaze, her heart fluttering at the closeness between them.
For a brief instant, the world fell away, leaving only the two of them suspended in a bubble amidst the chaos of the market. In that moment, something unspoken passed between them, a silent acknowledgment of the connection they shared which seemed even more palpable after Guy-sensei's lesson.
With a soft smile, Sasuke withdrew his hand, effectively breaking the spell that had enveloped them.
"Thank you, Hinata-chan, for your help," he said, his voice nonchalant. He adjusted the bags by their handles effectively on his forearm.
Hinata nodded, her cheeks flushed with a mixture of excitement and uncertainty. "You're welcome, Sasuke-kun," she replied softly, her heart still racing from the unexpected intimacy of their brief touch.
As they parted ways, the memory of that fleeting moment lingered in her mind and she shook her head. It meant nothing. She clutched her own bag with the ingredients she had gotten for Neji, wishing he'd be home soon.