ꜱʜᴀᴅᴏᴡꜱ ᴏꜰ ᴛʜᴇ ᴍɪꜱᴛ | ᴛᴇɴᴛᴇɴ ꜰꜰ|

Chapter 85

The sun hung low in the sky, casting a warm golden hue over Konoha as Ugetsu made his way through the village. He had made it his personal mission to keep an eye on Kurenai now that Asuma was away on a mission. With her pregnancy still new and Asuma's absence weighing heavily on them both, Ugetsu felt a deep sense of responsibility to protect her, just as Asuma would. He had promised Asuma he'd look after her, and he intended to keep that promise.

As he approached her house, he noticed Kurenai tending to her garden. The vibrant colors of the flowers contrasted beautifully with the greenery around them, and Ugetsu smiled at the sight. Kurenai had a natural talent for nurturing life, whether it was in the form of plants or her impending motherhood.

"Hey, Kurenai-san!" he called, approaching with a cheerful wave.

She looked up, her dark hair cascading over her shoulders, and her expression softened as she saw him. "Ugetsu! What a nice surprise," she greeted, though he could see a hint of fatigue in her eyes. "What brings you here?"

"I was just passing by," he replied, trying to keep his tone light. "Thought I'd check on you. How are you feeling?"

Kurenai chuckled softly, brushing a stray strand of hair behind her ear. "You know, you don't have to keep following me around. I'm perfectly capable of taking care of myself."

Ugetsu couldn't help but grin. "Sure, but I think you should take it easy, especially now that Asuma isn't here. What if you overdo it and exhaust yourself?"

Kurenai's laughter rang out again, brightening the air around them. "I appreciate the concern, but I promise I'm just watering my plants. I'm not planning to run any marathons."

"Still," Ugetsu pressed, "you need to take care of yourself and the baby. You're doing a lot already."

Kurenai raised an eyebrow, a teasing glint in her eye. "You sound just like Asuma. He's always worried about me overdoing it, too. I guess you two share the same protective streak."

"Well, I learned from the best," he replied, puffing out his chest playfully. "If you're not careful, I'll have to start doing his job when he gets back!"

Kurenai shook her head, laughing again. "You really do have a special bond with Asuma. It's heartwarming to see you take such an interest in my well-being, but I also know you have your own life to live."

As they chatted, Ugetsu couldn't shake the feeling of unease creeping into the corners of his mind. He had always looked up to Asuma, admired his strength and wisdom, and now that Kurenai was pregnant, he felt even more tied to their family dynamic. He wanted to be the kind of brother that Asuma would be proud of.

As Kurenai reached for a rose bush, she suddenly froze. Ugetsu's gaze followed hers just in time to see a beautiful rose, one that Asuma had gifted her, drop from its stem and tumble to the ground.

Kurenai's expression shifted, her brows knitting together with concern. "That... doesn't feel right," she murmured, bending down to pick up the fallen flower. "I had a bad feeling when I woke up this morning. I thought it was just my nerves about being alone, but now..."

"Hey," Ugetsu said gently, kneeling beside her. "It's just a flower. It doesn't mean anything bad. Asuma will be back soon, and everything will be fine."

Kurenai met his gaze, her dark eyes searching his. "It's not just the rose, Ugetsu. I've had these lingering feelings since he left. Like something isn't right out there. I know he's strong, but the Akatsuki... they're dangerous."

Ugetsu felt a knot in his stomach at the mention of the Akatsuki. "I know you're worried. We all are. But big brother is strong, and he have Shikamaru, Choji and ino with him. He'll handle whatever comes his way."