Teardrop of the Wolf

Chapter 55

Hideo opened his eyes, flinching against the sunlight that streamed through a window. His eyes looked lazily around the small room, taking in the sparse decorations. His entire body hurt, and it felt like a sledgehammer was hitting his head with every breath he took. He moved his head toward the window, grimacing with his neck didn't want to move. An IV was attached to his hand, and he felt bandages wrapped around his torso and head.

What happened? The last thing he remembered, Hideo was getting to the hospital with his sister and the group of young ninja with their leader.

Where was he...Konoha? Was that it?

He closed his eyes again, too tired to think anymore. He felt his mind drifting slowly, and his muscles relaxed. A medical nin came in and took Hideo's vitals from the machines that were attached to him. His body fat was severely diminished, and his muscles had almost started to atrophy. Thankfully, Sakura had been there to help them to the hospital. They had begun treatment for the young man, and started by giving his body much needed fluids. Hopefully this would help his vitals become more stable. 

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After a couple of days, Naruto decided to look after Tadao as the toddlers father needed to do some things back at the academy. They were running around the village and giggles sounded in the air as Naruto lifted Tadao onto his shoulders. Tadao clung to his yellow hair with chubby fingers, laughing as the teen jumped up and down.

"Iruka-sensei! You're back! Are you going to visit Mori?" Naruto asked as he bounced Tadao on his shoulders.

The orange-clad ninja had looked at Tadao as if he was his little brother, and was planning on teaching the child all his tricks. The chunin smiled and walked to his old student and young son. He had a feeling if Tadao hung around Naruto, the village would be in for a big shock.

"Yes, I talked to Sakura earlier and she said that Mori still has not woken up yet. I'm hoping she will soon" Iruka said, eyes downcast.

Naruto gazed at Iruka, blue eyes serious for once. He didn't like his favourite sensei all being sad.

"Don't worry, Iruka-sensei! Mori will wake up soon!" Naruto said with a grin, causing Iruka to give his old student a small smile.

"Da!" Tadao said, reaching for Iruka with a bright smile.

Iruka smiled and took his son from Naruto's shoulders. He held his son to his vest and smiled down at the toddler.

"Shall we go see your mother?" Iruka asked the two year old, and Tadao nodded.

"See mama!" he cheered, a huge smile on his face.

'Maybe Tadao will help Mori to regain consciousness' Iruka thought to himself as he bid his old student farewell.

The father and son began walking towards the hospital, and Iruka heaved a sigh. Tadao looked up at his fathers face, eyebrows furrowed in confusion.

"Is sad?" he asked, placing a chubby hand on Iruka's face.

Iruka smiled gently at his son as his little red eyes gazed up at him. He looked so much like his mother, and it hurt his chest a little bit. He was worried about Mori, and what kind of damage she had sustained at the hands of Kabuto and Orochimaru.

According to Sakura and the medical nin, she had sustained numerous injuries both external and internal. Her body had been subject to numerous mysterious toxins, and the bone in her arm had been shattered. They had to re-break it in order to set it properly. There was the deep wound in her throat that had caused concern for the medical nin and Sakura. It had come close to hitting Mori's jugular artery, and they had to proceed with caution with trying to heal those punctures.

As Iruka and Tadao entered the hospital, Iruka's thoughts began to swirl. What would happen if Mori didn't survive? What would he and Tadao do?

No. Mori would survive.

Iruka shook his head to clear those thoughts as he walked to Mori's room. He quietly entered the room to the sound of machines beeping and whirling.

"Mama! Mama!" Tadao exclaimed, and struggled out of his fathers arms.

"Careful, Tadao" Iruka said gently as he placed the toddler on the end of Mori's bed.

The toddler crawled over his mothers legs and sat on her stomach, red eyes gazing at his mothers sleeping face. He waited for his mother to open her eyes and lift him up over her head, laughing at the fact that she had tricked him into thinking she was asleep. He glanced up at Iruka, who was looking at his mother with sad eyes. Why wasn't she waking up?

"Da" Tadao began, but stopped when his eyes began to fill with tears.

The tears overflowed and spilled down his cheeks, and the two year old let out a wail. Iruka scooped up the crying toddler and held him to his chest. Tadao buried his face into his fathers vest and cried his little heart out. He wanted his mother. Iruka gave his son a gentle pat on the back and walked out of the hospital, his child's cries of 'no, wan' mama!' echoing down the hallways. Some nurses poked their heads out of doorways, and Iruka gave them a sheepish look as his son continued screaming and crying.

They exited the hospital, and Iruka walked around in small circles as Tadao continued crying. He didn't blame the toddler as he rubbed Tadao's back slowly.

"Iruka-sensei? Is everything okay?" he heard Sakura say behind him, and Iruka turned around to see the concerned girl standing outside.

"We're okay Sakura. Tadao just needs some time to calm down" he said over Tadao's cries.

"Don't worry, Mori is strong. She'll pull through" Sakura said, smiling warmly.

"I keep telling myself that, thank you Sakura. I just hope she wakes up for both our sakes" Iruka said as Tadao's cries turned into sniffles.

The two year old glanced up from his fathers vest, seeing the pink haired girl standing there. He rubbed an eye with a fist and sniffled.

"Sak'ra? Mama not waking up" he whimpered, and Sakura smiled gently.

"I know Tadao, but don't worry. Your mother will wake up soon" she said, and Tadao pressed his face back to his fathers vest.

"Thank you Sakura. I'll come back tomorrow" Iruka said, and walked back to their home.

Tadao was quiet the entire walk home, and when Iruka glanced down at the toddler he let a small smile slip when he noticed his son asleep. He was curled up against Iruka's vest, his small hands curled into fists. Iruka quietly entered the apartment and put Tadao into his small bed, pulling the covers up to his chin.

Hopefully Mori would wake up soon, for Tadao's sake.