Involuntary Parents

Involuntary Parents [39]

An eerie silence filled the classroom as Tsunade spoke to the adolescents. No one spoke as no one had anything to say. What could anyone say?

Naruto clenched Hinata's hand in his as he glanced at Shikamaru. Surprised that he had actually attended school today, he offered him a sympathetic smile.

The Nara's facial expression was void of any emotions as he stared at their principal. He had done all his crying and now it was time to mourn the lost of someone close to him. He'd hadn't just lost a teacher, but also a friend.

Flinching slightly, he felt a hand on his shoulder. From the corner of his eyes he deduced that it was Temari, causing him to relax immediately. Her soft hands ran up and down the length of his arm loosening his tension filled body. But as soon as he released a sigh of relief, a loud sob caused him to tense up once again.

Ino.

It was expected. He glanced behind him at the blonde sobbing uncontrollably in the pale boy's arms. Shikamaru sighed once more and turned away. The room was silent. No one spoke.

*

"I can't believe Asuma-sensei just..." Naruto trailed off as he closed the door behind him. Placing his school bag on the couch, he made his way towards the kitchen.

Hinata furrowed her eyebrows as she sat down. "He didn't even look ill."

"Yeah..." Naruto contemplated as he got a bottle of water from the refrigerator. Unscrewing the cork he brought the plastic bottle towards his lips.

The lavender eyed girl massaged her temples with her fingers and sighed. "Is this how it's always going to be? You die as soon as you're an adult, what's the point of even having..." She stopped herself from continuing, though she had a point. What was the point of having children if you wouldn't even be able to watch them grow up? Because, as it was, once you were of a certain age, you'd catch this disease and die and so it would then become a timeless cycle.

"Hey, hey, hey," Naruto cooed coming to crouch before her. "It's going to be okay." She shook her head and he held her arms in his hands. "Look at me...Hinata." Her lavender eyes met his and for a brief moment she found herself lost in a sea of blue.

"How are you so sure?"

"Well for one, they've found a cure and two, I have no intention of leaving you and our child so soon." His gaze never wavered, a light blush stained the Hyūga cheeks as she listened to his words. "Trust me, everything will be okay."

She nodded and he smiled before standing to his full height. Still holding her arms, he helped her to her feet. No sooner had she stood fully before she was pulled into his arms.

Hinata marveled at the comfort offer and rested her head against his chest. No words were spoken, but then again, they didn't need any.

*

"Aren't you coming in?"

He shook his head, "no, I have something to take care of."

The pink haired girl nodded, "okay."

"It won't take long, I'll be home by dinner."

She offered him a small smile and opened the car door. Closing it, she took a few steps back and watched as he reversed out of the driveway. It wasn't until his car was out of sight that she decided to go inside.

A heavy feeling haunted the atmosphere, at school and now here. Everything just seemed lifeless and bleak, as though every drop of happiness and hope had been drained from it.