Teardrop of the Wolf

Chapter 38

Mori groaned low in her throat as she flinched. Pain was everywhere; flaring with every breath she took. She didn't know where the pain started and Mori began. Her muscles twitched, and Mori squeezed her eyes shut. She didn't even know if she was human or wolf. She tried opening her eyes, but bright sunlight shone directly into her sensitive orbs. She let out a breathy whimper and squeezed her eyes shut.

What happened to her?

The last thing she remembered was being in the dark room with that elderly man. Then the pain began and her mind fled into the comforting darkness. Her breathing rasped in her own ears as she tried taking survey of any broken bones. Mori's shoulder was either broken or dislocated, and her ribs felt like fire was eating the very bones. Her mind continued to slowly and weakly wander down her body, searching for more injuries as a gentle wind blew across her body. Her chest ached and burned with every breath, and the sound of the rustling material of her ripped clothes reached her ears. Her tongue slowly probed her own mouth and ran along her teeth: dull and regular canine teeth.

So she was human this time.

The last time she was a younger wolf and Kakashi was there to take her to the hospital. Mori slowly opened her eyes again, and blinked rapidly against the sunlight that filtered through the foliage. Taking a deep breath Mori pushed herself into a sitting position. A cry of pain escaped her lips as her body protested the movement, and she clamped a hand to her ribs as pain flared to life. Her muscles trembled as sweat beaded along her forehead. Her lips quivered as she tried to hold in another cry of pain. Sweat dripped down the side of her face and onto the forest floor. Panting slightly, Mori placed a shaking hand to her forehead. The movement seemed to be too much for her body, and she felt like she was going to vomit and faint at the same time.

A twig snapped nearby, and with a shaky breath Mori looked toward the sound. If an enemy had found her, she wouldn't be able to defend herself. She gritted her teeth and lifted herself onto her feet, swaying from the process. She placed a hand on the closest tree, using it as a crutch to keep her upright as the buses in front of her shook. Her vision blurred as a figure walked out of the bushes, and she nearly cried in relief when Iruka helped her stand straighter. Her ribs flared, and she bit back a cry as her legs buckled. Iruka gripped her arm tightly and held Mori slowly to the ground.

"Mori, can you hear me?" he murmured, worry etched on his face.

He breathed a sigh of relief when she gave a tiny nod, jaw muscles clenched tightly as the pain flared up.

"I-I didn't mean to follow h-him" Mori hoarsely whispered.

"Follow who?" Iruka questioned gently.

Mori opened her mouth to answer, but cried out when her ribs flared in pain. She plastered a hand to her side and her muscles trembled. She let out a breath when the pain subsided, panting slightly as Iruka tightened his hold on the young woman.

"Come on, I'm taking you back home" she dimly heard Iruka say, and whimpered when he lifted her into his arms.

Iruka bit his lip as he gently held the trembling woman against his chest. He needed to get Mori to somewhere safe, but the elders also wanted to bring her in for interrogation. He quickly jumped to the high branches above and moved quickly until he reached his apartment. Iruka fished out his keys and unlocked the door before bringing the injured woman in. Hopefully no one had seen him. He gently brought Mori to his bed and laid her down on the sheets, being mindful of her ribs and shoulder.The wound on her chest was beginning to bleed again, and stained the hospital bandage a startling crimson. Iruka frowned at this and went to get a first aid kit. Thoughts swirled through his head as the Chunin gently sat beside Mori. Sweat plastered her white hair to her face as her eyes squeezed shut. He laid a gentle hand against her cheek, and her eyes opened slowly.

"What happened to you, Mori?" Iruka said gently, and Mori's eyes connected with his.

"A man...told me h-he had a way that I could get Hideo back. H-he said...that I had to come with him" Mori mumbled, fighting to keep her eyes opened.

"A man? What did he look like?" Iruka asked, keeping his hand on her cheek. 

A little part of him wanted to keep bugging her to get the details out, but he squashed that thought immediately. He needed to get the information out from Mori on her own time, and didn't want to rush the injured woman. 

"...old man...with a cane" Mori mumbled, drifting in and out of slumber.

Fatigue clawed at her mind, but Mori wanted to stay awake. She had to tell Iruka what happened. That man did something to her, and he had to take responsibility for it. Her eyelids fluttered, and Iruka smiled gently. He could see how she was battling sleep, but her body needed it to heal.

"Go to sleep, Mori. You need it so you can heal" Iruka said as he tended to her chest wound.

"...forgive me" Mori whispered as sleep consumed her, and her head lolled to the side.

Iruka sighed and brushed a strand of hair away from her face. He gently took off the bloodied bandage and placed a clean one over the chest wound. Questions brimmed on the surface of his mind, but he would have to wait. It was important for Mori to get as much sleep as possible to heal. He sighed and brushed his hand through his hair.

How was he going to deal with this?

Iruka put away the first aid kit and sat down on the bed, watching Mori sleep. Her breathing was laboured and once in a while a breathy whimper would escape out. Iruka frowned and leaned back against the front of the bed, arms crossed loosely over his chest. The Chunin's eyes looked down at the slumbering woman. Her skin was pale, making the blood stains stand out brightly. His heart clenched painfully at seeing her injuries; she almost lost her life. He stifled a yawn and leaned his cheek on the top of Mori's head. His body was feeling a bit weary; maybe a good idea to have a small nap. Soon, the Chunin was fast asleep and the two adult's breathing echoed in the bedroom.