My Sunshine

Wounded Bird - Iruka

"I'll be right out in the kitchen if you need anything, okay?"

Haru pulled her blanket up to her chin.

"I'll be okay; I'm going to try and get some sleep so I will be ready for tomorrow. But... come back when you're done?"

"As soon as we're done, I'll come to bed."

She grinned before rolling onto her side, pulling the blanket tightly over her shoulders. Iruka shut the door gently and waited at the kitchen table for Anko. This meeting was probably unnecessary; he wasn't worried about his first day as the principal of the Academy, he was worried about Haru's first day. He wanted so badly for this to work for her. She was right: money was freedom. She wouldn't have to depend on him, the thought of which made him sad. But, it was far more important that she gain her independence from others, even if-

Knock, knock.

He stood up and answered it.

"A meeting? Really?"

Anko looked a little annoyed.  Inviting her in, she sat down at the kitchen table across from him. They sat there and stared at each other for a moment. Finally, Anko spoke.

"This isn't really about work, is it?"

"Kind of? We are going to have a new assistant in the office."

Anko didn't have any kind of reaction, instead speaking softly.

"Is this something she'll be able to handle right now?"

He sighed, replying softly.

"I don't know."

Anko watched him sadly.

"Does she want to work?"

He nodded his head.

"She insisted on asking Kakashi and everything. She really wants to be independent; to make her own money. I think it's a good idea."

"I think there's an ideal,and then there's reality. The Academy is loud and full of fighting, both authorized and unauthorized. We have a lot of kids who are just full of chakra, and some full of chakra and hormones, who think they have something to prove. And now, she's going to work in the main office; the place that kids with too much to prove are sent?"

Anko was right, but what else could he do?  Kakashi had already given her permission, and he had given her the easiest job that would keep her close to himself and Anko.

"It's not ideal, but it's the best I can do right now-"

"Iruka."

Her voice was soft and caring, which threw him off guard.

"Iruka, twelve weeks ago, she was raped and had her skull kicked in. She's made remarkable progress over the summer. Is putting her in a rowdy environment after being abused for so long really a good idea?"

He stared at the table, knowing she was right.

"She can barely sleep without me in the room with her.  She has intense night terrors.  A former student of mine came up to us a couple of weeks ago to say hello and tell Haru that she's pretty and she melted down. But, she asked to do this, and honestly, if she isn't at the school, I don't know where she would end up. Probably sitting outside of the school on a bench, waiting for me. Or at home alone. This will be okay because it has to be okay."

He wanted to scream, wishing for the first time that he wasn't a teacher. Anko must've picked up on his anxiety.

"It will be okay. We will be there with her."

Anko quickly tried to reassure him, but it was too little too late. What if it was just... too much? Anko gazed across the table at him; he didn't invite her over to pity him.

"Iruka, I'm saying this because I'm your friend and I love you. She's not going to want to stay here forever. She's ten years younger than you and she's absolutely gorgeous. I just... I don't want to see you get hurt. I can tell that you care about her a lot. I... I don;t want to see you get your heart broken.

He let out as genuine of a chuckle as he could muster.

"I'm not going to get my heart broken; I'm only here to help her back onto her feet."

Anko didn't look convinced. He wasn't sure how he felt, other than that universal pull toward her. It couldn't be any kind of romantic love, he thought, because that simply wasn't an option. Anko was right about that. Anko was right about that: she was too young and too beautiful to stay here for long. A young war hero like Kata would easily sweep her off of her feet and into his life, spoiling her and showing her off.

"Maybe she'll meet some younger Sensei at the Academy. I'm sure that once she gets there, she'll be able to stand on her own. Someone like Haru won't have any problem meeting others once she gets started."

"The only reason I'm saying anything because you... haven't been acting like yourself this summer. You've holed yourself up in this apartment and you've dedicated every day to her well-being. I just don't want to see you crushed when she leaves and moves on with her life."

He felt like his heart was ripping open during this conversation, but he knew she was right. It hurt to hear Anko's words, but Haru wasn't his to keep. She was like a wounded bird who showed up on his front door. He was only briefly taking care of her until she could fly again, and then she would leave. He had three wonderful months with her and he was really enjoying her company. But if she was asking to gain financial independence, it wouldn't be long before she left.

Anko and Iruka talked a little while longer, mostly about actual Academy related things before she left. And then, he was alone again with his thoughts.

Opening the bedroom door, he found Haru still sound asleep, curled up in his bed.

She was going to leave, he thought, but not tonight.

Tonight, he wasn't alone. Not yet. Someone needed him.

He stripped down to his pants and undershirt before sliding into the bed next to her. She immediately rolled over, nuzzling into his chest. He wrapped his arms around her, hoping that the gesture wasn't too much, before kissing her forehead gently, pulling the blankets over both of them, and closing his eyes.

Yes, he would be alone again soon. But tonight, she needed him.

And honestly, that was enough.