Blood Universe

Kirigakure, Outskirts

Kiba's eyes shot open, his body aching with pain. The world around him was blurry at first, and his senses were overwhelmed by the dull throbbing in his head. Slowly, fragments of the battle began to return to him—he remembered the sharp claws, the cat-like woman's relentless attacks, and the moments when everything blurred into darkness. The fight had been brutal, and his mind could still feel the weight of it, but something was different now. Akamaru—his partner, his closest friend—wasn't there. The realization hit him like a punch to the gut.

He instinctively reached out with his senses, hoping against hope that his loyal companion was nearby. But there was nothing. The familiar, comforting presence of Akamaru was gone, replaced by an empty silence that made Kiba's heart sink. No... His stomach twisted as panic began to rise within him.

Kiba blinked, forcing his vision to clear. He was bound, wrists tied tightly with coarse ropes. The smell of saltwater and the dampness of stone walls told him where he was—Kirigakure. But how? Why? His thoughts raced, but his first instinct was survival—getting free, getting answers, and finding out what had happened to Akamaru.

His claws scraped against the ropes as he focused, cutting through the bindings with ease. His sharp senses were already telling him that Akamaru was gone, but he could still feel his partner's presence in his memories—the countless battles they had fought side by side. It wasn't just loss. It was a hole that he couldn't fill, a loss that made everything else seem insignificant. But there was no time to mourn yet.

Once the ropes were off, Kiba stood shakily, his body sore and bruised from the last fight. His mind flashed back to the cat-woman, to the battle's final moments where Akamaru had been taken down. He hadn't even been able to protect his partner, and the sting of failure gnawed at him. I won't let this be for nothing, Kiba thought as he moved toward the door of his cell, trying to clear his head.

The faintest trace of Akamaru's scent still lingered in the air, mixed with the sharp tang of blood. His canine senses guided him, but they also brought him back to the cold, hard truth—Akamaru was gone. And Kiba couldn't shake the hollow feeling that came with the realization.

He crouched low, listening. There were no voices outside, no immediate threats. It was quiet, almost too quiet. But his instincts told him to stay cautious. He stepped toward the door, his every movement careful, precise.

Then, suddenly, Kiba froze. A faint whimper. Akamaru? His heart skipped a beat, and before he could think, Kiba pushed open the door and rushed down the narrow hallway. The sound had been soft, but it was enough to give him hope. Maybe his partner wasn't gone. Maybe he was just—

As Kiba rounded a corner, he saw the figure—a soldier standing guard near a barred window. He was alone, unaware of Kiba's approach. But then Kiba's sharp nose caught the faintest hint of something else in the air—blood. His heart sank as he took in the sight of the guard, his face smeared with dark stains. But it wasn't the blood that caught Kiba's attention—it was the scent of Akamaru, now mixed with the sharpness of death.

Kiba's legs nearly buckled beneath him. He staggered back, disoriented. His thoughts raced, but everything inside him felt still, frozen. No. No. This can't be real. This can't be happening.

His heart ached, and for a moment, he almost couldn't move. But then he heard the faintest sound again—this time, it was more like a growl. Akamaru... The thought surged through him with all the force of a wild animal.

He rushed forward, not caring about stealth anymore. He needed to find his partner, and if Akamaru was gone, Kiba was going to make whoever had done this pay. He pushed through the door at the end of the hallway, and there, in the dim light, was the final blow.

Akamaru lay still, his fur matted with blood, his chest no longer rising. The dog that had always been by his side—his family, his closest companion—was gone. Kiba's throat constricted, his vision blurring with unshed tears. I failed you, Akamaru. I couldn't protect you.

Kiba staggered to his knees beside his partner's body, trembling as he reached out to touch Akamaru's lifeless form. His heart felt hollow, crushed under the weight of the loss. Every moment they had spent together, every battle, every victory, and every defeat—they all flashed through his mind in a wave of grief.

But there was no time to mourn—not yet.

Kiba stood, wiping the tears from his eyes. The pain would come later. Right now, there was only one thing that mattered. Revenge. Whoever did this... they'll regret it.

With a final glance at Akamaru's body, Kiba turned and made his way deeper into the compound. His grief would fuel his rage. His loss would drive him forward. He was no longer just fighting for himself—he was fighting for Akamaru, for the bond they shared.

Kiba clenched his fists, his claws sharp as ever. I will make them pay.

Kiba's heart was still heavy with grief, his mind clouded with loss as he knelt beside Akamaru's body. The sharp sting of pain and sorrow gripped his chest, but just as he was about to lose himself in the depths of his mourning, a new sound reached his ears.

The clash of metal, the crackle of energy—fighting. The unmistakable rhythm of battle. Kiba's head snapped up, his senses sharpening. His eyes darted to the distance, and through the narrow window of the cell, he saw flashes of movement. Two figures stood out—Misuno and Jinin Akebino, their silhouettes unmistakable even from this distance. They were in the middle of a fierce struggle, their blades cutting through the guards of the prison with ruthless precision.

Kiba's pulse quickened as he realized what this meant. They must be here to free me.

A surge of adrenaline coursed through his veins, pushing the sorrow momentarily aside. He stood, moving quickly toward the door of his cell. The sight of Misuno and Jinin battling their way through the compound gave him hope—hope that he wasn't alone in this. His comrades were here, fighting their way through the odds, and it was time for him to join them.

His claws scraped against the stone floor as he crouched low, listening to the sounds of battle intensify. He could smell the sweat and fear of the guards as they struggled against the strength of Misuno and Jinin. Kiba's eyes narrowed as he watched their movements through the small cracks in the door. Misuno, her graceful but deadly swordplay leaving streaks of crimson in the air, and Jinin, his massive body swinging his brutal weapon with precision. They were unstoppable.

He needed to get out, but there was no easy way. His mind raced, the memory of his escape still fresh in his thoughts. He could use his claws to rip through the ropes, but the door… it was locked tight.

Kiba gritted his teeth. He had no time to waste.

With a growl, he lunged at the door, his claws slashing at the metal lock. The sound of his attack reverberated in the hall, and he gritted his teeth, focusing all his strength into the task. The door gave way with a violent screech, the lock snapping apart as he kicked it open. His heart pounded with anticipation, and the moment he was free, he bolted toward the fight.

He wasn't going to be left behind. Not now. Not when he had something to fight for.

Kiba's eyes locked onto Misuno and Jinin as he ran toward them, the sound of his claws clicking against the stone floor blending with the chaos of the battle. He felt a fire ignite within him—the fire of vengeance, of justice, of an unbreakable bond. Akamaru's death would not go unanswered. He could feel it in his bones, the blood of his fallen partner calling for retribution.

The guards in his path didn't stand a chance. Kiba's senses were sharpened to a razor's edge as he moved with an almost primal grace. His claws shredded through armor and flesh alike, his instincts guiding him to each opponent with surgical precision. He was no longer just the boy with the dog—he was a beast unleashed, driven by fury and grief.

"Misuno! Jinin!" Kiba's voice rang out, his tone firm and commanding, despite the grief that still lingered. "I'm not going to sit this one out. Let's finish this!"

Misuno, cutting down a guard with a swift slash, glanced over her shoulder and nodded, her expression grim but resolute. Jinin, his massive blade dripping with blood, turned to face Kiba with a toothy grin.

"About time you joined us, Kiba," Jinin said with a rough laugh. "Let's tear this place down!"

Together, the three of them tore through the prison's defenses, a powerful trio united by a common cause. Kiba's mind was no longer clouded with loss; the fire of vengeance burned brightly within him, and he wasn't going to stop until everyone who had wronged him paid the price. They fought through the halls, cutting down guards and wrecking whatever resistance stood in their way.

As they neared the exit, Kiba could feel the tension in the air. This wasn't over yet. The battle wasn't won until they were out of this hellhole. He could almost taste the sweet air of freedom, and he was willing to fight to the bitter end to taste it again.

But before they could make it outside, a voice rang out from the shadows.

"You're not going anywhere."

The trio stopped, instantly recognizing the presence. A figure stepped from the darkness, their silhouette sharp and menacing. Kiba's instincts flared, and he could feel the hairs on the back of his neck rise. Not this again.

The trio stopped, instantly recognizing the presence. A figure stepped from the darkness, their silhouette sharp and menacing. Kiba's instincts flared, and he could feel the hairs on the back of his neck rise. Not this again.

"Time to finish this, Kiba," the figure said, stepping into the light.

It was Shatterstar. His form was imposing, his vibrant hair trailing behind him as his eyes glinted with cold determination. He held two gleaming blades, their edges reflecting the dim light of the corridor. The way he stood—confident, almost playful—sent a chill down Kiba's spine.

Kiba's claws flexed, his body crouched in a stance, ready for a fight.

Shatterstar smiled coldly, his voice smooth but filled with malice. "You thought you could escape me?"

His words carried a bitter edge, a reminder of all the pain and loss Kiba had suffered. This wasn't just about escaping anymore—it was personal. Shatterstar had been the one who stood between him and his freedom, who had caused so much pain.

Kiba's blood boiled with rage. He wasn't going to back down, not now, not ever. This time, there would be no mercy.

He bared his teeth, his eyes flashing with unrelenting fury. "You're not leaving here alive, Shatterstar. I swear it."

With a roar, Kiba lunged forward, his claws swiping through the air, aiming directly for the powerful fighter who had haunted his every step. But Shatterstar was faster, effortlessly dodging the attack with a fluid movement, and retaliating with a precise strike of his own. The sound of metal clashing against claws filled the air as they exchanged blows, the tension palpable.

Kiba's mind was sharp, driven by his grief and fury. He fought like a beast—ruthless and relentless. Shatterstar, however, was a formidable opponent, his every move a calculated strike, his blades moving like extensions of his own body. He was toying with Kiba, deliberately drawing out the fight, enjoying the struggle.

"You'll have to do better than that," Shatterstar taunted, his smirk never wavering as he blocked another one of Kiba's strikes with ease.

But Kiba wasn't about to stop. His thoughts flashed back to Akamaru—his faithful companion, now lost to him. Every swing of his claws, every strike he made, was a silent vow to avenge his fallen friend. The roar of battle echoed in his ears, the sound of his grief fueling his strength.

As the fight raged on, it became clear: one would walk away from this clash, and the other would fall.

The fight raged on, fierce and unrelenting. Kiba's body was covered in cuts and bruises, the pain fueling his determination as he fought with all his might. His claws scraped against Shatterstar's blades, but the skilled warrior continued to outpace him, every strike landing with precision.

Jinin and Misuno, seeing Kiba struggle, joined the fray. Jinin rushed forward, his body a blur of motion as he aimed a devastating kick at Shatterstar's side. Misuno, with her agility, darted in from the other side, trying to strike with her twin blades. The two combined their efforts, hoping to gain the upper hand against the relentless warrior.

Shatterstar, however, was not to be caught off guard. He was a master of both speed and technique, and with a chilling calmness, he dodged Jinin's kick and blocked Misuno's blades with ease. In an instant, his blades flashed out, slashing through the air like lightning. Jinin's body twisted in agony as one of Shatterstar's blades cleaved through his ribs, and with a final twist, Shatterstar drove the other blade through his chest.

Jinin's eyes widened in shock, but it was too late. The life left his body as he crumpled to the ground, blood spilling onto the floor.

Misuno screamed in rage, charging at Shatterstar with everything she had. She struck with brutal precision, trying to avenge her fallen comrade, but Shatterstar was too fast. His blades moved in a deadly dance, deflecting each of her strikes before he caught her in a deadly grip.

With a sharp twist, he snapped her spine, sending her to the ground in a lifeless heap. Misuno's body twitched once before falling still, the battle lost.

Kiba stood, breathless and broken, watching in horror as his comrades fell. His heart pounded in his chest, the overwhelming sense of loss and grief threatening to crush him. But he couldn't let himself fall now—not with so much at stake. Not when he still had a chance to defeat Shatterstar.

But Shatterstar was relentless. Turning back to Kiba, he smirked darkly, his blood-stained blades gleaming in the dim light.

"You think you can still stand?" Shatterstar taunted, his voice mocking. "You've already lost."

Kiba's vision blurred, his strength waning as he staggered to his feet. His body was battered, and every movement sent pain coursing through him, but he refused to back down. This wasn't just for him—it was for his fallen comrades, for Akamaru, for the village he swore to protect.

He lunged forward one last time, his claws outstretched. But Shatterstar was ready. With a single, swift motion, he sliced Kiba across the chest, the sharp edge of his blade opening a deep gash that sent Kiba stumbling back.

Kiba tried to stand, but his legs gave out beneath him. Blood poured from the wound, staining the ground beneath him. His vision darkened as he fell to his knees, barely conscious, but still alive—just barely.

Shatterstar stood over him, his expression cold and merciless. "This is the end for you, Kiba Inuzuka."

Kiba's mind raced, the pain overwhelming, but there was something in him that refused to give up. With his final breath, he forced his voice to speak.

"...I'll... never... give up..." he muttered, defiant even as the darkness took over.

Shatterstar's eyes glinted with amusement. "You've already lost, Kiba."

But before Shatterstar could deliver the final blow, Kiba, in his last act of defiance, reached for the remnants of his chakra. With a feral growl, he unleashed a final, devastating burst of power, his claws slashing through the air in a desperate, unrelenting attack.

The strike caught Shatterstar off guard, the force of it ripping through his defenses and carving deep into his side.

Shatterstar staggered, blood spilling from the wound, his expression one of disbelief.

But the damage was done. With a final, excruciating gasp, Kiba collapsed, his body crumpling to the floor, unable to rise again.

Shatterstar, bloodied but still standing, watched the once-proud Inuzuka fall. But the pain in his side was severe, and for a moment, even Shatterstar looked surprised by the ferocity of the strike.

As the seconds stretched on, Shatterstar's body began to shake. He staggered and then, with a final roar of frustration and pain, collapsed. His twin blades fell from his hands as his body hit the ground, the battle finally over.

Kiba, Jinin, and Misuno—victorious, but at the cost of everything.

And with that, Kiba's world faded into nothingness.