Born for this [Kiba Inuzuka Love Story]

24.

///Iruka's POV///

the bright hospital lights flickered slightly as they illuminated the figures sitting stiffly on the benches below. 

I held my forehead with my hand I never wanted any of them to get hurt, I've taught so many, I've watched them grow up from young children to powerful Shinobi, some don't get to that point...does that make me a bad teacher? did I fail to teach them something? 

I glanced up at the couple in front of me, how tightly Asuma held Kureanai's hand. Asuma had viewed Sayuri almost like his daughter, almost like how I view Naruto. I know he loved her deeply and he lost his brother not too long ago and having Sayuri there, a daily reminder of his brother, it kept him going. I know he has Kurenai but losing Sayuri as well as his father in just a few days might be his breaking point.  

Kurenai also loved the girl, she kept glancing towards the door with slightly teary eyes. 

Konohamaru sat next to me twiddling his fingers. I know he viewed Sayuri as an older sister, though they were cousins I suspected they had a sibling bond, Konohamaru was born around the same time as Sayuri's little brother and I think he filled that empty void in her heart that I sister can only have for her brother. She's walked him to the Academy and trained with him. As cruel as it sounds, we have not yet told him about his grandfather, only the people who were there know and they were put under strict orders not to let the word travel.

Shikamaru sits next to Asuma, his head bent and his eyes closed in concentration, his hands pushed together to the O shape that Asuma had informed us was his students way of concentration and thinking when planning moves and strategy, I wonder what he is planning, I hope it's nothing reckless

Ino and Norio sleep and lean against each other on the opposite side of the bench. I heard that both had broken out in tears when they learned the news of Sayuri's death and then again when Shikamaru told them that Tsunade might be able to save her. I had never seen Ino cry before, she was much colder on the outside and she hides all her 'weak' emotions but Norio, He has cried before, he shows his emotions which is a bit risky for a shinobi but he cares for everyone and has a heart of gold. I smile softly seeing the way he has an arm wrapped around Ino, he's liked her for years, I wonder how it'll turn out 

Ronin. her other teammate was close to her as well I guess. He paces nervously up and down the hallway, looking at the door nervously. They had all been friends since they started at the Academy and Sayuri sometimes calls them her brothers. As the oldest on their team he would always go above and beyond on their missions to ensure they all got back, they had an incident a few months ago where Ronin had gotten trapped and taken back to a gangs base where they would beat up the boy for fun, he was only there for a few hours before Sayuri and Norio ditched the mission to save him, there was a fight when they got back about how they should've completed the mission first and their Sensei almost had them switched out to new teams.

Akamaru lays at Kiba's feet, fast asleep. Kiba looks like he could pass out any minute, his eyes puffy from the crying I suspected he had done. I shake my head slightly this boy... I lean my head back as I fondly recall a memory

they were 10 years old, all outside for recess. I sat outside at an empty picnic table and read my book, looking up every few seconds to make sure they weren't throwing Kunai or using Jutsu on each other. 

Kiba nervously approached me and I put down my book and smile kindly, "what is it Kiba?" 

he looked down before looking back at a picnic table of his friends and then back at me 

"is someone bullying you Kiba?" I ask, protective teacher mode on 

he shook his head "no I um I just had a question if that's ok" he says quietly, little Akamaru sat on top of his bushy brown hair as he nervously looks at my face 

I nod, gesturing for him to proceed 

"I know you know everything" he starts, causing me to hold back a laugh "and I wanted to ask you about a girl..." he trails off, watching my face 

I had never seen Kiba so quiet and nervous, he was usually quite loud and reckless, I nod and rest my chin on my fist, leaning my elbow against the table "what about a girl?" I questioned 

"well" he shoves his hands in his pockets "I think I like this girl and I wanted to know how you know if a girl likes you back?" he glances back at the table again and I follow his gaze, the only girl sitting there was Sayuri, sticking her hand in a bag of Choji's chips and laughing as he threw another bag at her, Shikamaru yelled at them to stop making such a commotion and Naruto laughed along as he ate Sayuri's chips.

I smile fondly at the scene, children can live such carefree lives "Oh I see" I reply to Kiba "you want to know if Sayuri likes you back"

Kiba blushes slightly but nods 

I nod as well "I have to admit that I don't know Kiba" Kiba looks at me in confusion "women are hard to understand" his face drops and he looks discouraged "but-" I continue, making him look back up hopefully "you should be her friend" I decide "people always need friends and being friends will help you both get closer to each other"

Kiba nods excitedly "thank you Iruka Sensei" he runs back to the table, sliding into the seat next to Sayuri as she coos at the puppy on his head

I sigh, leaning forward again as Ino jumped up with a shriek 

"what is it Ino?" Shikamaru asks 

"I-I" she holds her head and squeezes her eyes closed "I heard her voice"

Asuma walks over to her and puts a hand on her shoulder "is it the chakra telepathy? is she reaching out to you?" 

she nods slowly before dropping to her knees, KIba reaches out and leans next to her with Norio and Ronin right behind them 

"what is she saying" he questioned, his face serious but no doubt excited 

"I-" Ino holds her head tighter "I don't know, I can hear her voice but she's pushing different amounts of chakra into her message so its hard to peace it together, her newly foudn chakra supply must be messing with that" tears starts to run down her cheeks "but-but she's returning to her chakra which means whatever Tsunade is doing, it's working" she hugs Norio tightly as she smiles through tears "she's coming back" she whispers " let me relay this to Sakura"

Asuma sinks back onto his seat a relieved look on his face as he looks at Kurenai "that girl" smiles as he shakes his head 

Ronin stumbles back onto the bench and holds his face in his hands.

Kiba stood up and looked at the door, a thin, tired smile on his face but no doubt happy 

I wipe my eyes as I took in the scene

you are a strong girl Sayuri, you are so much like your mother. You are going to do amazing things