To Have a Mother [Slow Updates]

Episode Three: Lonely

Iruka had been at Akari's side since he stopped crying and was now affectionately caressing her head as the adults concluded their reunion. After a while, they started to leave for missions or fulfilling prior engagements or simply because it was getting late.

"We'll swing by here tomorrow." Kurenai winked as she left with Asuma at her side. "Maybe I'll bring you some apples."

"Thanks, girly," Akari replied. "Bye, Asuma."

"I have to get in my night training." Guy stated, flexing his muscles. "Gotta prepare myself to beat you. But, I will see you tomorrow. Maybe you can meet my team soon, too!"

"Right." Akari smiled. "I'd love to meet your kids sometime. I'm pretty sure I'm still not allowed to have my own team. I'm too nice, apparently."

"Well, you are the reason I'm still a chūnin," Iruka joked. "You raised me to be a push over."

"You pain." Akari slapped the back of his head. "If anything, I'm the reason you became a chūnin. I may have not been around when you took the exam, but I trained with you outside the academy every freaking day for five years. If you're still a chūnin now, it's 'cause you suck."

Naruto laughed. "Ooh, tough love!"

"Yeah," Iruka chuckled, rubbing his head, "I was only joking, Ari. I'm no push over."

"I think Akari would be an excellent teacher if she didn't baby her students," Guy said. "I have one student in particular I care for like a son, but there's still boundaries you need to set if you want them to reach their full potential."

Akari shrugged. "Whether I have a genin team or not, I'll still going to find a child to take care of somewhere in the village."

Guy grinned, shaking his head, and began out the room. "I wouldn't expect anything less from the village mother."

Iruka frowned and finally stopped stroking Akari's head. "The last thing I want to do is leave, but I have to turn in soon if I want to be able to function properly and teach tomorrow."

"It's alright, sweetheart." Akari gently held his cheek. "I'll still be here tomorrow."

"Yeah," Iruka sighed and hugged her cautiously, "love you."

"Love you too, Iruka-chan." Akari returned tenderly. "I assume you're leaving, too, Kakashi?"

The Copy Cat Ninja nodded. "Yeah, it's getting late."

"It was nice meeting you, Akari-Sensei," Sakura spoke up politely, "But, my parents will want me home for dinner now."

"I'll be going, too," Sasuke added.

Sakura gave an elated gasp and threw her arms around Sasuke, evoking a rather bothered expression. "Will you walk me home, Sasuke?"

"I'll walk you home, Sakura-chan!" Naruto volunteered cheerfully, raising his hand as if he were back in the academy. "It's on the way to my place."

"No!" Sakura refused and walked off with Sasuke within her grip. "Sasuke is already walking me home."