Chapter 4

Iruka was sweating and could feel his muscles straining with every effort he made to lift the rubble out of the streets. He was working with some of the other Academy teachers to reassemble the school. The sun was beginning to sink behind the still intact Hokage Monument. Some of the volunteers who had children to tend to began to leave for the day.

Iruka looked around the area and realized that quite a lot of the damage had been cleaned up. The academy had a skeleton now and Iruka smiled knowing that the school would be even better than before.

Soon, the sun had sunk so low that it was too difficult to work. Everyone decided it was time to go home and get some rest for tomorrow. Iruka took a breath and headed toward his apartment where he hoped Anzu would be waiting. He passed by a few houses where families were just returning, the happy children clinging to their parents. Peace was surrounding the village; there were no outside threats at the moment.

Iruka arrived at home and stepped into his small apartment. He closed the door and turned around pausing when he saw Anzu sitting on the couch.

"Good evening, Iruka." Anzu greeted a warm smile gracing her soft face.

Iruka had heard her, but couldn't respond. She was not wearing her kimonos anymore. She was now dressed in long black pants and a light green t-shirt that clung to her body. The tight clothing showed off her curves beautifully and Iruka couldn't seem to take his eyes off of her.

"Iruka?" She asked watching him watch her.

"Ahh…uh…sorry," Iruka stumbled. "Hello, Anzu."

"Is something wrong?" She asked.

"You're not wearing your kimonos." Iruka said looking over her body.

Anzu blushed lightly feeling his eyes on her. "Oh, right. I bought new clothes today. I haven't worn pants in years." She chuckled.

"How…where did you…?" Iruka questioned still looking at her.

"Ummm…." Anzu averted her eyes. "I stole some money from the okiya before I left."

Iruka stared at her, surprised by her confession. Anzu refused to look at him not wanting to see his reaction.

"You stole money?" He asked quietly.

"Yes." Anzu whispered.

"Will, they come looking for you?" Iruka asked thinking about the owners of the okiya.

"They might, but I do not believe they will know where to look." Anzu explained standing up straight.

"How much money did you take?" Iruka asked curious.

"As much as I was able to carry." She told him.

Iruka stayed quiet trying to show her that the answer she had given him was not enough. When she refused to speak, he crossed his arms.

Anzu sighed realizing she wasn't going to be able to get around his question. "Fifty six thousand five hundred yen."

Iruka's eyes widened and his body relaxed in surprise. He shook his head and approached the woman standing in front of him. He placed his hands on both of her shoulders and forced her to look at him.

"Why?" He asked quietly.

"I wasn't going to leave empty handed." She said a fire coming back into her eyes.

"But, why so much?" Iruka asked his voice expressing his need to understand.

"That was the price my father requested of the okiya when we sold me." Anzu said her brows shifting downward expressing her anger. She shifted her body out of Iruka's grasp and walked away from him.

Iruka relaxed his arms and watched her walk away from him. His chest felt tight as he looked at the struggling woman.

"I-I understand now." Iruka told her.

She turned around to look at him and smiled softly seeing that he truly did understand.

"Thank you." She said looking into his eyes.

"Have you eaten?" Iruka asked changing the subject.

"Yes, I ate not that long ago." She nodded.

"All right. Well, I'm just going to make myself something to eat." Iruka said walking to his kitchen.

Iruka opened the cabinets looking for anything to make. He found a few things he could throw together. After he got everything cooking, Iruka looked up and saw Anzu watching him.

"Is something wrong?" He asked.

"No." She shook her head and looked away, but Iruka saw the blush on her cheeks. After a few moments, Anzu spoke again. "Listen, Iruka-san, I want to help with the rebuilding of the village, but I think I'll just get in the way."

Iruka wasn't sure what to say. He looked down at the counter to organize his thoughts before he answered.

"I don't think it would be a bad idea for you to help. If you speak with Shizune-san, she might be able to direct you in something you could help with." Iruka smiled feeling satisfied with his answer.

Anzu smiled thinking it over and then nodded fervently.

"Thank you, Iruka-san. I shall speak to Shizune-san tomorrow." She told him and bowed slightly before leaving the room.

-X-

Iruka awoke the next morning feeling well rested. He was surprised because the couch was just as uncomfortable as it was the first time he slept on it. He stretched feeling a few joints pop and he groaned at the release of the tension.

Getting up from the couch, Iruka walked lightly toward the bathroom. The door was slightly open. He pushed it open all the way to step into the room. A scream greeted his just awoken ears. His head shot up.

"Iruka-san!" Anzu yelled in surprise covering herself quickly with a towel.

"I'm so sorry!" Iruka apologized shielding his eyes as he backed out of the bathroom. He shut the door before removing his hand from his face.

Iruka took a deep breath and walked away from the door. He felt that his face was hot from an embarrassed blush. He was definitely awake now. He hadn't heard any sounds from the bathroom before he stepped in and deducted that Anzu must have just stepped out of the shower.

He thought about the moment his head snapped up hearing Anzu scream at his entrance. He distinctly remembered seeing her creamy pale skin void of any cover. Iruka's face lit up in a fresh blush. He shook his head trying not to think such promiscuous thoughts about the woman living in his home.

The shinobi was taken out of his thoughts when he heard the bathroom door creak open. Anzu stepped out, her long black hair wet and hanging down her back. When her eyes met Iruka's, a blush painted her face and she averted her eyes.

"You may use the bathroom now, Iruka-san." She said quietly.

Iruka nodded and walked past her toward the bathroom. He closed the door and leaned his back against it before letting out a long breath.