Kiba (Naruto)

At the gate of Konoha,

Kiba leaned against the weathered stone wall, his arms folded as he waited for the others to arrive. The morning sun cast a warm glow over the village, but his eyes remained closed, his senses sharp despite his relaxed posture.

Footsteps approached, steady and deliberate. Sasuke appeared beside him, mirroring his stance as he rested against the wall, arms crossed tightly over his chest. The faintest tension lingered in his shoulders, though his expression remained impassive.

"You good?" Kiba asked, cracking one eye open to study him. It was Sasuke's first mission since returning, and even if he wouldn't admit it, the transition couldn't be easy.

A brief pause. "I'm fine," Sasuke replied, his voice low and measured. "I'm not that weak anymore."

But Kiba didn't need words to know the truth. Through his seismic sense, he detected the faint tremor in Sasuke's hands, the subtle unease he tried so hard to conceal.

'Still haunted by it, huh?' A small, knowing smile tugged at Kiba's lips, though his concern outweighed his amusement.

Before either could say more, the sound of approaching footsteps drew their attention. Naruto and Yamato strode toward them, the former grinning while the latter maintained his usual composed demeanor.

"Good, everyone's here," Yamato announced, glancing between them. "We can head out now."

Kiba pushed off the wall, stretching his arms behind his head. "So, what's the mission? You've been tight-lipped about it."

Yamato's gaze turned serious. "We're delivering an important message to Hoshikage and protecting their star."

Kiba's eyes snapped open fully, surprise flashing across his face. "We're going to Hoshigakure?"

Sasuke's brow lifted slightly at Kiba's reaction, filing the observation away for later. Whatever Hoshigakure meant to him, it clearly held significance.

"That's right," Yamato confirmed. "I thought this mission would be a good fit for our team."

Without further delay, the group exchanged nods before vanishing in a blur of movement, their figures flickering into the distance as the journey began.

As they darted from branch to branch, Naruto broke the silence with a question about their mission.

"Yamato-sensei, where exactly is Hoshigakure?" Naruto called out, his voice cutting through the rustle of leaves.

Yamato adjusted his pace slightly to match Naruto's. "In the Land of Bears," he replied. "It's a small shinobi village. Legend says a star fell there long ago."

Naruto gave a quick nod, storing the information away.

Sasuke, who had been listening quietly, narrowed his eyes. "What does protecting their star entail?"

"That same star grants them power," Yamato explained, his tone measured. "But at a drastic cost it breaks down the user's body prematurely."

A flicker of recognition crossed Sasuke's face. His fingers brushed against the curse mark on his neck almost reflexively.

'Just like Orochimaru's gift', he thought bitterly.

His gaze shifted to Kiba, who seemed deep in contemplation. Deciding not to interrupt, Sasuke turned his attention back to the path ahead.

Meanwhile, Kiba wrestled with a half-remembered tune. 'How did that song go again?'

After hours of travel, the melody finally clicked into place. Softly, he began humming Natsuhiboshi, the lyrics escaping him but the rhythm steady.

The others glanced his way, surprised. Kiba wasn't one to hum idly, and the uncharacteristic sound drew their curiosity.

His thoughts, however, were far from the song. 'In the original events, the meteorite was destroyed, I think. But if I could take it instead find a way to harness its power...' His eyes flicked toward Naruto and Sasuke. 'They're already leagues ahead. I need every advantage I can get.'

After some time, they reached a canyon where thick yellow gas filled the air beneath a massive hole in the earth. Without hesitation, Yamato formed a series of hand signs, and a sturdy wooden bridge stretched across the gap, allowing them safe passage.

Once they crossed, Yamato swiftly destroyed the bridge behind them.

Naruto blinked in confusion. "Why'd you break it, Yamato-sensei?"

"This gas is a natural barrier," Yamato explained. "It keeps outsiders from entering Hoshigakure."

Naruto gave a quick nod of understanding.

As they continued forward, a shinobi suddenly appeared before them. He wore a forehead protector marked with a star and stood roughly Naruto's height.

"My name is Sumaru," the boy announced. "Genin of Hoshigakure."

Naruto grinned and flashed a thumbs-up. "I'm Uzumaki Naruto! Nice to meet ya, dattebayo!"

Sumaru ignored the cheerful greeting. "Under Hoshikage-sama's orders, I've been sent to escort you to our village. Follow me."

"Hey! Don't just ignore me!" Naruto protested.

Sasuke and Kiba stifled quiet laughs.

Naruto whirled toward them. "What's so funny?!" The two immediately averted their eyes, though the amusement lingered.

Yamato, barely suppressing his own smile, nodded at Sumaru. "Lead the way."

Sumaru guided them into Hoshigakure. Though far smaller than Konoha, the village still sprawled impressively, its streets alive with activity.

Villagers smiled and waved as the group passed, Leaf shinobi had long been allies, aiding in the protection of their star. The warm welcome was the least they could offer in return.

When they reached the Hoshikage's residence, Sumaru gestured toward the entrance.

"Proceed inside."

Without another word, he left them to their mission.

The four of them approached the Hoshikage's chamber, but before they could enter, raised voices from inside made them pause at the door.

"HOSHIKAGE-SAMA! LET US TRAIN WITH THE STAR! WE COULD SURPASS THE FIVE GREAT VILLAGES IF YOU JUST—"

Kiba muffled a chuckle at the outburst. Naruto, Sasuke and Yamato all turned to look at him, eyebrows raised at his unexpected reaction.

"My decision is final, Akahoshi. That power will destroy you. You are dismissed." The Hoshikage's voice carried weary authority.

The door suddenly slammed open as a furious young man stormed out, his dramatic exit reminiscent of a certain creepy old man being denied by the Third Hokage.

Akahoshi froze when he noticed Kiba's poorly concealed amusement. His eyes narrowed as they dropped to the Konoha headband at Kiba's waist. After a tense moment, he simply turned on his heel and stalked away without a word.

Once the disgruntled ninja had disappeared down the hall, Yamato led the group into the Hoshikage's office. The village leader's stern expression softened into a polite smile as they entered.

"Please," the Hoshikage gestured to the chairs before his desk, "make yourselves comfortable."

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