I'll Show You Insanity

Chapter 40

The day had come, the day few dreaded, but many in the village quietly celebrated.

Today was the day that Yuma's funeral was to be held.

Her close friends gathered in Kakashi's house beforehand, dressed in black and wearing somber expressions, bitterly knowing that everyone else in the village were cracking open bottles of Champaign behind their closed doors.

The sky was dark with clouds as rain threatened to bear down on them.

Yuma's team, Shikamaru, his parents, and his team, Iruka, the third Hokage, and even Ibiki, all sat gathered in Kakashi's living room. They wore dark clothing for the occasion, and many held tears in their eyes.

Sakura and Ino released mutual sobs- the latter having begun enjoying the little sadist's company despite her beginning, cold demeaner. Naruto and Choji, took hold of the girls' hands to provide comfort, desperately holding back cries of their own. Sasuke glared at the floor, his elbows rested on his knees, hands clasped tightly together. Shikamaru had his head in his hands without a sound, and had been in that very position since he'd arrived, and for the week preceding this day.

Asuma, head lowered, sat beside the young Nara's father, who sat on the left of Shikamaru while his mother, eyes full of tears, took to the boy's right, her arms around Shikamaru, holding him close, while Shikaku wrapped a secure arm around the two, eyes closed as he held himself together for their sake. Iruka sat beside Asuma, grasping his hands together as they trembled at the loss of his student.

The Third sat silently, eyes closed in grief. Ibiki stood to the side, staring coldly straight ahead to prevent his emotions showing.

And Kakashi...

He wasn't with the others, he could be found in Yuma's bedroom, sitting on her bed, staring at the doll in his hands.

Her stuffed rabbit.

A glistening tear slid down his cheek, being absorbed by his mask.

"I'm sorry," he croaked, voice hoarse from under use. He hadn't spoken a word since her death until then. "You ended up protecting us, when I should have protected you, Yuma..."

Three light knocks echoed off the door, into his ears.

"Kakashi." It was Asuma. "It's time."

"I'm coming..." Kakashi sighed heavily, standing and going to the door.

As he opened it, Asuma glanced at the rabbit in the silver haired man's hand and put his hand on his best friend's shoulder as they went to join the others.

"Shikamaru," Kakashi said as the group prepared to leave.

For the first time in a week, the young Nara raised his head, and looked at Kakashi with grief filled eyes.

Kakashi went and kneeled before Shikamaru, putting a hand on the young boy's shoulder.

"I want to thank you," he said softly, placing the stuffed rabbit in Shikamaru's hands. "You were the first one to give her a chance, to be her friend. For that, I owe you my gratitude."

Shikamaru swallowed thickly as his wide eyed gaze moved from Kakashi to the childish toy in his own hands. The toy that she carried around so often. He held the toy to his chest tightly, feeling his eyes sting with unshed tears that he struggled to hold back.

"You were very dear to her," Kakashi whispered, so quietly that Shikamaru himself could barely hear it.

He held the toy tighter, and opened his mouth to reply. The only sound that escaped was a choked sob.