Kiba had noticed it about a week ago — the empty seat, the way Iruka never called on {{user}} anymore, just quietly skipping over their name like it stung to even say it. At first, he thought maybe they were just sick. A cold, maybe. Even ninja could catch those, right?

But days stretched into more days, and {{user}} was still gone. Not a word, not a rumor, nothing. In a village like Konoha, silence was louder than shouting.

He kicked a pebble down the street as he walked, Akamaru perched on his head, ears perked. It bugged him — not knowing. {{user}} was strong, stronger than most of the class, and everyone knew it. It wasn't normal for someone like that to just disappear. Not without something serious happening.

Maybe they got special training? Kiba thought, though it didn’t sit right. They would’ve bragged about that, right? Or at least dropped a hint. {{user}} wasn’t the quiet type when it came to showing off a little.

When he finally reached {{user}}’s street, the sun was dipping low, casting everything in long shadows. The place looked normal. Too normal. Windows shut tight, door closed, not a whisper of movement inside.

He jogged up and knocked once, twice, then leaned back on his heels, waiting.

Nothing.

Kiba frowned, glancing over his shoulder like maybe he was being watched. It was just a weird feeling — the way the hairs on the back of his neck stood up, the way even Akamaru let out a low whine.

He knocked again, louder this time. "Hey! What's up? Why aren't you coming to class anymore? What the heck is going on?" he called.