Mini Series: Backstories from Falling For My Sensei

Kurenai's Death

Time Setting: Akari is 14 years old

"Naruto, we said no shadow clones!" I shout as he pauses and looks down at his feet, clearly defeated.

"But that's my thing."

He throws his hands up in the air as the other 20 shadow clones around him cross their arms.

"Yes, but Kakashi Sensei wanted us to work on our weaknesses. Not our strengths."

The blonde rolls his eyes as Sakura giggles next to me. Sasuke looks off into the woods, obviously uninterested.

"Who made you boss anyway?" He complains as his shadow clones each disappear in a puff of smoke.

"You're the youngest of all of us." He adds as he starts to walk back to where we're all seated.

"By a few months. I'm still 14. Just like you." I remind him. "Kakashi Sensei just trusts me the most."

Sakura scoffs next to me, but I ignore her.

She's not even worth my side-eye as I grab my vibrating phone from my pocket to check who's calling.

Asuma.

He's probably wondering if my sister and Iru are back from their mission yet.

I hit decline, putting my phone back into my pocket. I'll just call him back later.

"I think I'm calling it for the day guys. It's already past sunset and I'm tired." Sakura says as she fiddles with the ends of her long hair.

"Okay, well, do you guys wanna meet again tomorrow at the same time?" Naruto asks, looking a bit disappointed.

"Sure. Sounds good to me." I say, standing to my feet.

Sakura nods her head and we all turn to Sasuke who has already begun walking away.

"Uh, Sasuke-"

"Yeah, yeah. I'll be here tomorrow."
____________________________

I hum along to the music playing in my headphones, my keys jingling in my right hand as I walk up the pathway to the apartment.

I forgot to call Asuma back and let him know my sister and Iruka aren't home yet. I'll have to do that as soon as I'm finished showering.

I wiggle the key in and push open the door to the living room, lights already on.

"Kur? Iru? You guys home?"

No one answers me as I kick my shoes off and put my backpack down onto the wooden bench by the door.

"Asuma or Kakashi. I swear if you're trying to scare me, I'm learning a new Jutsu-"

I pause as soon as I walk into the living room.

I stare at the three faces in front of me. Iruka and Asuma sitting on the couch and Kakashi leaning against the kitchen counter.

"Iru, you're home? That was quick. How was the-"

I trail off as I glance around at their faces, taking in each of their expressions, one by one.

"-the mission."

Asuma stares down at the floor.

Iruka looks too pale. Sick-like even, with deep and dark circles under his eyes. He looks as if he's aged ten years over the past two days.

And Kakashi, who's watching me with eyes so serious, a chill runs up my spine.

"What is wrong with all of you?" I take a step forward, looking for signs of my sister.