Teardrop of the Wolf

Chapter 46

The sun broke through and streamed down to the ground, shimmering on the tops of the pools of water from the storm that passed the night before. Birds chirped and flew effortless in the sky as Midori puffed her way along a path.

The elder had a plan in mind, and she would stick to it. The young woman she had come to befriend needed her man, especially now that their child had come the night before. She stopped for a moment to catch her breath, wiping at her forehead with a cloth. Her bones were old and creaked, sometimes giving Midori pain. She wasn't as young as she used to be, but she was determined to reunite the small family.

A smile crept over her withered lips; Tadao had arrived into the world screaming his little lungs out and was healthy.

She had left mother and child snuggled in their bed with Mori's chin resting on her son's head. Mori was doing well and Midori had to make sure the new mother was eating enough. She needed the food now especially since she was eating for two. Midori sighed and forced her old bones to move. She needed to find this 'Iruka'.

Midori continued walking, and before long the gates came into sight. Her heart lifted, and her footsteps seemed to get an extra pep. At the gate, she hobbled over to the guards.

"Excuse me young man, can you tell me where I can find an Iruka? He is supposed to be living here" she huffed.

The guards shared a brief look before one nodded.

"Yes, he lives here. He is the academy instructor in fact. Would you like me to accompany you to the Hokage's office?" the other said.

Midori smiled and nodded. The one guard leapt away to find Iruka while the other guided the elder to a giant building.

'What a nice boy' Midori thought to herself as he led her through the village.

Finally, they came to the Hokage building where the nice guard brought Midori inside.

"Thank you deary. These old bones don't work like they used to" Midori huffed, and the guard smiled.

He knocked on the door and escorted the elder into the large room. Midori hobbled to the front of the room and wiped her forehead once again with her cloth.

"Lady Hokage" Midori bowed as low as she could to the gorgeous woman sitting across from her.

The blonde woman steepled her fingers and leaned her chin on them.

"What can we do for you?" the Hokage asked, clear eyes searching Midori's face.

"Well, I have been looking after a woman who was from Konoha for many months who has just given birth to a healthy baby boy. I believe the child's father lives in this village. I am determined, Lady Hokage, to bring the small family together" Midori said, voice strong and clear in the room.

The Hokage was silent for a moment, absorbing the information.

"Who do you think the father is?" she finally asked, shuffling some papers on the desk.

"The mother told me his name is Iruka" she said, and the Hokage blinked in surprise.

"Iruka? Who is the mother?" she asked, surprise evident in her voice.

"Mori. She came to me already pregnant and she is staying with me for now" Midori said.

The Hokage hmm'd and turned to the young woman standing behind her.

"Bring me the file on Mori" she said, and the young woman scurried away.

"I heard of this woman but have not met her in person. The previous Hokage had some notes about this woman" she said.

"Here you are, Lady Tsunade" the young woman said as she handed over a file.

Tsunade nodded and opened it, eyes scanning the contents as Midori stood patiently waiting. Based on the reaction from the Hokage, she had come to the right place. She would wait patiently.

After a couple minutes, Tsunade closed the file and sighed. The door knocked, and she bade the visitor in. A young man walked in, brown hair in a spiky ponytail. He walked in, bowing to the Hokage.

"Iruka, may I introduce you to Midori. She has some interesting information about someone you know" Tsunade said.

Midori looked at the young man beside her: scar across the bridge of his nose, not very buff, tall with a kind face. So this was the man Mori was with and cried about. Midori nodded to herself; he would do. 

"Who?" he asked, surprise evident on his face.

"Mori. She lives with me. Well her and her child" Midori spoke up, and Iruka blinked at the elder woman.

His eyes widened, and Midori detected some desperation and sorrow in his eyes.

"Is she okay? I haven't seen her in months. What of the...our...her...child?" Iruka stumbled through his words, his heart pounding in his chest.

Midori gazed at him for a few moments, then nodded to herself.

"They are doing just fine. She gave birth to a healthy boy last night" she said, smiling as the young man in front of her sagged in relief.

"That's a relief" Iruka breathed, rubbing a hand through his hair.

The Hokage gazed at them for a few silent moments before moving. She stood up and fixed her gaze on the academy instructor.

"Iruka, would you be so kind as to accompany Midori back to her village? And go see your child" Tsunade said, a small smile playing on her lips as she handed Iruka a scroll.

Iruka blinked at the Hokage and a wide smile split across his face. Quickly he bowed and received the scroll, but hesitated.

"What about the academy students?" he asked with a frown, but Tsunade waved his question off.

"We will find a replacement until you get back" she said, and Iruka nodded.

Iruka led Midori out of the room and down the stairs.

"Where did you find Mori? I looked for her everywhere!" he said.

"I live in a small village just to the south of here. I found Mori one day about 9 months ago and took her in. She was weak and sick, and I brought her with me to my house. When she told me about how she was sick every morning, I knew. I may be old but I'm not senile, young man. You're his father, and I'm bringing you to complete the family" Midori exclaimed as they exited the Hokage tower.

"I see. When I last saw her...we got into an argument. That's when I found out about her...our...child. She got so mad at me; I thought I would never see her again" he said, eyes downcast.

Both were silent as they continued through the streets of Konoha. When they left the gates of Konoha, Midori spoke up.

"She and your son will be happy to see you, dear. That I know for sure" she said.

"I have a son" Iruka murmured in awe, a small smile on his lips.