Teardrop of the Wolf

Chapter 31

I hope everyone is having a good Christmas holiday! It's so good to be back home and relax and bake. I hope everyone enjoys this chapter!

Shifting, Mori grunted softly as soft sunlight drifted across her closed eyelids. She felt the bed sheets wrapped tightly around her body, and allowed her muscles to relax. Her memory of the night before played in her minds eye, and Mori opened her eyes. Blinking, she turned her head to the side. A soft smile drifted across her lips when she saw Iruka sleeping soundly beside her.

Warmth spread through her body when she watched the young man sleeping. Mori shifted onto her side and allowed the comfort of the sheet and the body heat of the man that held her affection absorb into her body. Her red eyes closed and she fell back asleep. A couple minutes later, Iruka woke to the sound of birds chirping. He sat up slowly and stretched as sunlight streamed through the window. He looked over to the side and smiled. The woman who he had liked since he was a kid lay on her side, breathing evenly in her sleep. Her white hair lay across her face, and it was relaxed and angelic in her sleep. He reached over and gently brushed a few strands of hair away from Mori's face. He leaned in and pressed a gentle kiss on her cheek and quietly got out of bed.

Iruka quickly got dressed and headed out his front door. He needed to get to the academy and teach his students.

As Iruka headed towards the academy, he let a smile stretch across his face. The sun was out, the sky was clear and everything seemed brighter. He let out a light laugh and if people weren't out he would definitely start skipping.

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Mori shifted onto her back as she opened her eyes. She blinked and turned her head, gazing at the empty spot beside her. Frowning slightly, Mori sat up in the bed slowly, holding the blanket to her. Oh, that was right! Iruka had to teach at the academy. She smiled slightly and inched her way off the bed. Her muscles protested slightly as she stood up and retrieved her clothes.

Her stomach rumbled in hunger, and as she got dressed she gazed out the window. The sky was a bright blue, and fluffy clouds floated by. She opened the front door and stepped through, brushing a few strands of hair away from her eyes. Her heart lifted as the sound of children laughing flowed through the open door. Mori began walking towards the training fields, mind set on hunting for her meal. As she continued walking, she called upon her wolf chakra and allowed herself to transform mid-step.

A few seconds later, Mori was standing on four paws. She trotted down the street as people went about their morning, and soon she entered the shadow of the trees, ears and nose alert. A scent floated past her muzzle, making her nostrils flare. A squirrel was nearby, and her stomach rumbled in hunger. She followed her nose until she was almost upon the small mammal, and stood still as its tail twitched back and forth. A twig snapped from a nearby bush and the squirrel took off, Mori sprinting after it. Her paws thundered against the ground as she chased after the furry mammal. The squirrel twisted and turned, jumping through bushes and scampering under tree trunks, trying to lose the wolf but Mori kept barreling towards it. Finally, she caught it and quickly ended its life with a quick bite. Blood rushed into her mouth from the still warm animal, and she dropped the lifeless body to the forest ground. Panting for a few seconds, Mori shook out her fur and tucked into her breakfast.

Cleaning her muzzle free of blood Mori walked through the forest, enjoying the sounds that floated past her. She found a smooth rock that jutted out from the ground and hopped on it. She dropped on her stomach and rubbed and wiggled onto her back, paws and tail flying in the air. This was the first time she felt happy in what seemed like a very long time.

She snorted in amusement; she was acting like a pup. She came to a rest on her side as footsteps approached. Her nostrils flared when the scent of her friend came up behind her.

"You seem happy today," Kakashi's voice came in a teasing tone from the opposite side.

Mori's tail wagged once as she growled quietly.

"I feel lighter today, even though my mother is gone," Mori said as she rolled onto her other side, facing the Jonin.

He smiled with his typical one-eyed smile.

"You and Iruka seem to be getting closer," he said casually, and Mori sat up on her haunches, lifting a rear paw to scratch an itch on her neck.

"He is a good man. I like him...very much," Mori softly rumbled.

Kakashi grunted and stuffed his hands in his pockets. Mori's red eyes gazed at her friend steadily.

"Just be careful. I don't want your brother or Orochimaru using Iruka to get to you," he said calmly.

Mori's front lip lifted slightly, teeth shining in the sunlight.

"Just let them try. Orochimaru got me once, but he will not get me or Iruka again," she growled, fur bristling slightly.

"I know," Kakashi said, and patted Mori on the head.

Mori grumbled at the action and lifted her lip in displeasure, but laid back down on the rock and placed her head on her front paws.

Indeed, she would protect Iruka and her friends from Orochimaru.