My Sunshine

Mizuka's Master - Iruka / Insecurities - Haru

"Mizuka?"

She stood at their door, crying. Haru reached around Iruka and pulled her inside before he could even move. He shut the door. Haru took Mizuka to the couch and grabbed a box of tissues, sitting next to her.

"What happened? What's wrong?"

Mizuka took a tissue gratefully and wiped her eyes.

"My Master died. I knew this was coming, and I thought I would be ready, but I'm not."

Iruka watched as Haru put an arm around their friend, trying to comfort her.

"I'm so sorry, Z."

Iruka sat on Mizuka's other side, rubbing her shoulder. Mizuka sniffled.

"I hate to ask you two such a big favor, but do you think you two could watch the kids for a few days while we go to Tenchi for the funeral? It's in a couple of days, so we'll have to leave tomorrow.  You're welcome to stay at our house."

Before Iruka could say anything, Haru jumped in.

"Of course we will."

Mizuka began to cry harder as Iruka put his forehead against her shoulder.

"Thanks so much."

She fell over into Haru's lap, sobbing. Haru smoothed her hands over Mizuka's hair as she looked over at him. She mouthed to him.

'Is that okay?'

He mouthed back as he nodded.

'Yes. Of course."

It wasn't like they were unaccustomed to kids... just not kids this young. But Mizuka and Kakashi did a lot for everyone, the least they could do was watch the Hatake/Uchiha brood. Iruka knelt on the floor, speaking to his friend gently.

"You're exhausted, Z."

"I haven't had a solid sleep in almost two years."

"What are you supposed to be doing today?"

"I'm suppose to be packing to leave while Guy helps me with the kids."

"Why don't you stay here and get some sleep?"

" I can go over and pack for you and watch the kids with Guy Sensei."

"I couldn't-"

"Please, you need some help... let us help you."

Mizuka was still sobbing as Iruka picked her up off of the couch and Haru's lap and carried her to Haru's bed. Haru followed, covering her with a blanket. She turned and spoke to him softly.

"Keep an eye on her? I'm going to go and wrap things up at their house. And watch the kiddos."

"I'll stay with her."

Haru kissed him gently.

"I'll be back later."

Haru left and Iruka sat on the bed for a while as Mizuka sobbed. Suddenly, Iruka remembered.

"Z, are your legs okay?"

"Probably not. I bled through once today."

"I'm going to check."

He wanted to make sure since her wounds were in such a private area.  He pulled back the covers to find her bandaged thighs seeping blood onto the sheets.

"I'm going to have to change these.  I'll be right back."

She nodded silently. He went to the bathroom and found bandages, cotton, and astringent. Making a warm washcloth, he returned to her bedside. He had never had to change her bandages himself, but he was sure he could do it. Returning to her, he stripped the bloody bandages and threw them in the wastebasket. She was quieting down finally. Taking the astringent, he dabbed the seeping skin, which was, he guessed, freshly sutured by Kakashi this morning. She didn't flinch; she didn't move. Soon, she was bandaged and he was wiping the warm washcloth over her skin, cleaning the excess blood from her thighs.