4.

Title: Ruby

Rating: PG-13

Pairing: Kurenai x Asuma

Summary: Kurenai waits for Asuma to return. (he never does)


Kurenai Yuhi blinks down at the pregnancy test.

It says, "positive"

She blinks again, the shock starting to fade.

She's pregnant with Asuma's baby.

And laughs happily, stars dancing joyfully in front of her eyes and doing a happy dance in her mind. She's pregnant!

She never thought that she'd have any children of her own-one of the reasons why she applied for a jonin instructor-because she wanted children of her own. And as a kunoichi, it was not common.

A child meant a potential hostage.

A child meant weakness.

But she was sure that Konoha would protect them. That her village would protect them. And even if Konoha wasn't able to, when Asuma found out, he'd fight tooth an nail for his child no matter what.

She blinked and a sudden wave of worry blanketed her.

What if...

What if Asuma...

What if Asuma didn't want a child?!

Kurenai mentally balks at the thought before steeling her rampaging emotions.

It's still his child.

It's still his, whether he wants it or not, and it's not going away.

Encasing her heart in a case of stone, she turns to the window and waits for him to come home.

(he never does)

END.