Capítulo 16: Shadows in the Compound
It started with an itch. Not the kind you can scratch, but the kind that crawls up your spine and nestles in the back of your brain. Something was off in the compound, and it was driving me nuts.
At first, I thought I was imagining things. Maybe all those late-night training sessions were finally frying my brain. But then Akamaru started getting antsy too, growling at shadows and refusing to leave my side.
"What's got you so worked up, boy?" I muttered, scratching behind his ears. His only response was a low whine and a meaningful look at the far corner of the yard.
That's when I noticed it. A flicker of chakra, there and gone so fast I almost missed it. But it was enough to set my teeth on edge. Someone was watching us.
Over the next few days, I kept my senses on high alert. It wasn't easy, let me tell you. Try concentrating on your ninja training while also scanning for hidden chakra signatures and pretending to be a normal four-year-old. It's like patting your head, rubbing your stomach, and defusing a bomb all at once.
But slowly, a pattern emerged. The watchers were good, I'll give them that. They masked their chakra well, moved like ghosts. But they couldn't hide from my nose. Each had a distinct scent - ink and parchment, steel and blood, emotions suppressed so tightly they barely registered.
One night, unable to sleep, I slipped out of bed and followed one of the scents. Akamaru whined in protest, but I shushed him with a hand signal Tsume had taught us. Stay. Guard.
I crept through the compound, sticking to the shadows, my heart pounding so loud I was sure it would give me away. The scent led me to the edge of the training grounds, where I pressed myself against a tree and peered around.
What I saw made my blood run cold.
Three figures, masked and cloaked, were huddled together. Even in the dim moonlight, I could make out the stylized animal designs on their masks. ANBU. But not the regular kind.
Holy fuck. These were ROOT.
Panic clawed at my throat. Danzo. That manipulative, warmongering bastard had his eyes on us. But why? What did he want with the Inuzuka clan? What even warranted such attention?
I strained my ears, catching snippets of their conversation.
"...beast mimicry techniques..."
"...potential for infiltration..."
"...the boy shows promise... but needs direction."
The boy. Me. They were talking about me.
I must have made a sound, because suddenly all three heads snapped in my direction. I bolted, running faster than I ever had in my life, my mind racing even quicker.
I couldn't tell Tsume the whole truth. How would I explain knowing about ROOT? About Danzo? But I had to do something.
Also, how did they not detect me? Are they incompetent?
The next morning, over breakfast, I put my half-baked plan into action.
"Mom," I said, trying to keep my voice casual, "I had a weird dream last night. There were these people in masks watching us train. Is that a thing? Do ninja wear masks?"
Tsume's chopsticks froze halfway to her mouth. Her eyes met Kuromaru's, a silent conversation passing between them.
"Sometimes, pup," she said slowly. "Why do you ask?"
I shrugged, pushing my food around my plate. "It was scary. They felt... wrong. Not like the normal ninja we see."
Tsume's expression hardened. "It was just a dream, Kiba. But... why don't we work on some new security measures today? Might be fun."
And just like that, the compound was on lockdown. New traps, increased patrols, even some fancy seals I'm pretty sure Tsume borrowed from the Uzumaki clan's archives.
A week later, during a joint training session with the Hyūga clan (apparently Hiashi was serious about that "cultural exchange" thing), I met him.
He was lurking at the edge of the training ground, a pale boy with short dark hair and a fake smile that didn't reach his eyes. But there was something there, buried deep. A flicker of curiosity, of longing, as he watched us train.
Sai. Not yet the emotionless tool Danzo would shape him into, but on his way.
I made my way over to him, ignoring Neji's disapproving look. "Hi," I said, sticking out my hand. "I'm Kiba. Wanna train with us?"
The look of shock on his face almost broke my heart. "I... I'm not supposed to," he mumbled.
"Says who?" I challenged. "Come on, it'll be fun!"
For a moment, I thought he'd refuse. But then, hesitantly, he took my hand. "I'm Sai," he said softly.
As we walked back to the group, I caught Hiashi watching us, his Byakugan activated. The slight nod he gave me was... unexpected.
Speaking of unexpected, my budding friendship with Hinata was turning into something I hadn't anticipated. She was still shy, still struggled with confidence, but there was a strength in her that was starting to shine through.
"K-Kiba-kun," she said one day as we took a break from training, "thank you for being my friend."
I blinked, surprised by the sudden declaration. "Of course, Hinata. You're awesome. Anyone would be lucky to be your friend."
She blushed, poking her fingers together in that familiar nervous gesture. "Father says... he says I'm getting stronger. Because of you and Neji-nii-san."
I grinned, ruffling her hair. "Nah, you're getting stronger because of you. We're just here to cheer you on. Actually, maybe because of me kind of..."
The smile she gave me then was like the sun coming out from behind clouds.
Later, as I was gathering my things to head home, Hiashi approached me. I tensed, still not entirely comfortable around the imposing Hyūga leader.
"Inuzuka-kun," he said, his voice softer than I'd ever heard it, "a word, if you please."
I nodded, following him to a quiet corner of the training ground.
"Your friendship with Hinata," he began, and I braced myself for a lecture or a warning. Instead, he surprised me. "It's good for her. Your... unique perspective seems to bring out a strength in her I feared was lost."
I blinked, stunned. Was Hiashi Hyūga actually... approving of me?
"Thank you, sir," I managed. "Hinata's amazing. She just needs to see it for herself."
Hiashi's lips twitched in what might have been a smile. "Indeed. I find myself... grateful for your influence. On both my daughters."
As he walked away, leaving me gaping like a fish, I couldn't help but marvel at how much things were changing. Hinata growing stronger, Hiashi showing actual emotion, Sai maybe having a chance at a real childhood...
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