Teardrop of the Wolf

Chapter 27

As the two continued walking, the smells and sounds of the bustling village worked as a salve on Mori's mental wounds. Her shoulders began to relax more and more, and a small smile crept over her lips. She was safe here. She was safe with Iruka. Out of the corner of her eye, Mori saw Iruka glancing at her every so often. Butterflies began flying furiously around in her stomach and chest every time he looked at her. Heaving a silent sigh, Mori let her mind wander as Iruka continued talking. He told her of his training, the academy students, and how they decided who would get the next Hokage.

Apparently Naruto and his new trainer Jiraiya were to be the ones to bring the new Hokage to the village.

The delicious smell of ramen began wafting through the air, and Mori's stomach rumbled in hunger. She had not eaten since being captured by Kabuto, and her stomach was making its demands known. Her shoulder dislocation was healing, and Mori still had the sling off. Pain had begun to radiate from her stomach almost to the point of making Mori double over in pain. She swallowed the acid that rose in her throat back down, and her stomach let out a furious growl.

"Oh good! They're still open" Iruka said happily as they stopped in front of the small restaurant.

Iruka indicated for her to enter the shop first, and Mori gave him a smile. They sat down and ordered their food, and as they waited Iruka told her of some academy students who were class jokers, making her laugh. They reminded her of a certain blonde-haired boy that had the energy of a pup. The owner of the ramen shop placed their orders in front of them, and with a 'thank you' the two friends tucked in. Her stomach gurgled in appreciation as she devoured the ramen bowl.

"I got this" Iruka said as Mori finished her bowl.

A line of pink raced across her nose and cheeks and she murmured a quiet 'thank you'. It was incredibly kind of the Chunin to do that. A smile from him sent the butterflies in her stomach into a wild frenzy. They both got up from their seats as they bid their farewells. Mori's head spun as she stood up too quickly, and her knees buckled from the sudden movement. Iruka grabbed her outstretched hand before she hit the floor and, with a firm grip, helped her up. Mori looked up and blinked at the close proximity of his face to hers. His scar made his face made Iruka even more handsome, and added to his masculine features. Even though he was not the most muscular out of the men in Konoha, there was a hidden strength inside of him. Mori found it somewhat attractive. She sucked in a breath, and a hint of Iruka flooded over her. Chalk, ink and a hint of forest. The smell calmed her shuddering heart.

With a shaky smile, Mori took back her hand from Iruka.

"I guess I was weaker then I thought" she murmured.

"You've been out for a couple days, I shouldn't have pushed you to exert yourself" Iruka said, scratching the back of his head.

Mori smiled and shook her head.

"I'm glad you did. It seems like I needed this" she said, and placed a hand on her stomach.

The hunger pains had disappeared as soon as the ramen hit it, and her stomach gave a gurgle in happiness after receiving the delicious food. Iruka held the flap open for her, and Mori exited with Iruka behind her. The sun began to set, and the sky was beginning to show its streaks of red and pink. Mori gazed at the colourful sky, lost in its beauty when Iruka's question startled her into reality.

"What happened to you? You disappeared for a couple days, and then I ran into you and you were acting strange" he said quietly as villagers walked past them.

Mori lowered her gaze to the handsome Chunin as he watched her.

It was a couple seconds of silence before she answered him, but to Iruka it felt like an eternity.

"I was taken by the man who murdered my pack. He has my brother under his control, and almost broke me...but somehow Kakashi managed to get my mother out and she got me out of that hell. My brother is still in there, being controlled" Mori said quietly.

Her arm came up and grasped at her right arm, where the ugly bruise was beginning to lighten as her heart began to pound furiously. Little shocks of pain ran up and down her arm as her left hand grasped her right shoulder. The image of Kabuto's hand gripping her arm flashed in her eyes, and she squeezed her eyes shut at the vision. Mori felt a gentle hand place itself on her shoulder. Her eyes snapped open, and landed on Iruka's concerned gaze. Her heart slowed and her breathing began to relax. Before Iruka could blink, Mori pressed herself into his arms. She buried her head into his chest, and Iruka took a step back before bringing his arms carefully around Mori's back. He hugged her a little bit tighter when he felt her shuddering against his chest, being mindful of her healing shoulder. He rested his chin on the top of Mori's head, and before long her shuddering stopped.

She could have stepped out of his embrace, but she felt safe in his arms.

Breathing in his scent helped soothe her nerves, and the image of Kabuto and her cell disappeared. All the fear she felt before, the anger and pain, was beginning to disappear. It was replaced with happiness, safety...and love. His heartbeat echoed against her forehead, and she concentrated on it. It sounded steady, strong and sure.

Villagers continued walking past them, but Mori didn't pay attention. To her, it was just her and Iruka standing there in their embrace.