Riley's POV

"Damn it" I swore as I paced back and forth in the hospital waiting room. Rhoan had returned from his mission perusing the Akatsuki along with the other squads. Asuma had died and Rhoan had been injured by that asshole Hidan.

He had been rushed back to the village shortly after Asuma passed away. According to Ino my little brother didn't sustain life threatening injures however no sooner had he reached the hospital he took a turn for the worse and Tsunade had to rush him into emergency surgery. There it was discovered Rhoan was suffering internal bleeding and thanks to Tsunade's medical skills my brother survived the surgery and was now in stable condition.

However Rhoan had yet to wake up and I was getting fed up playing the waiting game. Frustrated I slammed a fist into the wall next to me and tears streamed down my face. Kakashi appeared behind me and turned me around letting me cry into his chest. He wrapped one arm around my waist while the other stroked my hair.

"He's going to be okay Riley"

"I know he is but damn it Kakashi he's all I have left of my family" I said. The last time I cried like this was when my parents died and the fact my brother came so close to death scared me. My fiancé didn't say anything else and he continued to comfort me. Just having Kakashi here with me was enough during this difficult moment.

"Riley"

I turned my head as Tsunade approached me and Kakashi with Shizune beside her. I looked at the Sannin's face and she looked optimistic.

"Rhoan is awake now and he's been very demanding to see you" the fifth Hokage said.

"Oh thank god" I replied with a sigh of relief.

"What's his condition now?" Kakashi questioned.

"He's still stable but due to his injuries he's going to be in the hospital for some time" Tsunade answered. "He was very lucky to have survived"

I can't even imagine having Hidan's scythe through his wing membrane my dragon pointed out. Not to mention his wounded side

I then walked to Tsunade and hugged her. Normally I wouldn't do something like this but it was thanks to her my brother lived.

Tsunade wrapped an arm around me returning the hug. Afterwards Kakashi and I went to go see Rhoan.

"Hey sis" Rhoan greeted me as Kakashi and I entered his hospital room. For the moment he was alone. He wore the usual hospital get up and he was bandaged up on his entire right side. His right arm was in a sling which I bet he found annoying.

I didn't say anything while I hugged him in a manner where his injuries wouldn't get worse. I then placed my forehead against his and Rhoan placed his left hand on top of mine.

"I was so scared I lost you little brother"

"I'm stubborn like you sis so I'm not going anywhere anytime soon"

His remark got me to smile and Kakashi chuckled. Despite his current condition Rhoan could still crack a joke to make anyone smile.

Eventually I pulled away from my brother so Kakashi could approach him.

"Lady Fifth says you can go to the funeral tomorrow"

"Thank god I just hope I won't stay in this hospital for too long" Rhoan replied. "I also told Shikamaru he better be at the funeral or else his ass would get kicked"

That comment made me laugh out loud. Shikamaru was the one who had the closest bond with Asuma and normally he didn't go to the funeral. I was glad Rhoan knocked some sense into him. Kurenai was the one who was deeply effected by Asuma's death the most. She and Asuma had been dating for some time and she was carrying his child.

Kakashi and I hung around until Ino came to check on Rhoan. I flashed my little brother a teasing smirk before Kakashi and I left the hospital.

"Easy there" Kakashi said suddenly catching me due to the fact I lost my footing. I felt tired and my mate picked me up bridal style before disappearing from the hospital entrance in a cloud of smoke. A second later we were in our apartment and Kakashi carried me to our bedroom. He pulled back the covers before taking off my shoes and then he lay me down.

The Copy ninja then took off his vest and the rest of his ninja stuff before joining me in bed. He wore his navy blue muscle shirt and he changed into some sweatpants. I turned my body into his and my beloved wrapped his arms around me. We both ended up taking a much needed nap which felt damn good.

Next Day.

A lot of people came to Asuma's funeral to pay their respects. Poor Konohamaru again had to mourn the loss of another relative and Naruto was there to comfort him. Shikamaru had been grieving in his own way but he did shed tears at the funeral. Kurenai was the first to place flowers on Asuma's grave before everyone else did the same. After the service everyone went their separate ways.

Kakashi and I took Rhoan back to the hospital.

"I might as well tell the two of you now, Shikamaru plans on going after Hidan and Kakazu" my younger sibling explained. "Ino and Choji are eager to do it as well"

"I wouldn't blame them" I agreed with him. "Do you know when they might try to leave?"

Rhoan shook his head. He then took the dagger he received on his tenth birthday into his hand. The knife had been on the table next to his bed.

"What's up?" Kakashi asked seeing my little brother looking at the dagger.

"I was able to burn Hidan with my dragon fire as well as stab him with this knife" Rhoan responded. "I couldn't kill him but I did seriously injure the bastard with both my flames and this"

Kakashi looked confused and I was for a second before it hit me.

"I get it" I stated. I then looked to Kakashi. "Rhoan's dagger and my sword Sunfyre were forged with a single dragon fang"

"Really? I wouldn't have been able to tell" my mate replied with interest.

"Our parents knew a talented weapon's maker" I continued. "In fact the fangs came from me and Rhoan, and if a dragon designed weapon can injure Hidan so can dragon fire"

I then gently ruffled Rhoan's hair.

"Good work kid I'm proud of you"

"Can you guys make sure my team doesn't leave without the proper backup? They'll get killed on their own"

"We'll do better than that, Riley and I will go with them once we get Lady Fifth's consent" Kakashi pointed out.

"That's going to take some convincing love" I told Kakashi. "But then again you are a smooth talker"

"Yeah didn't you make Yamato pay the bill at Ichiraku the other day?" Rhoan teased shooting my fiancé a smirk. The Copy ninja bowed his head with a whine.

Two Days Later.

Kakashi and I packed the necessary supplies for the mission and the two of us trailed Shikamaru, Choji, and Ino up to the front gate. The sun would be rising soon and the two of us stayed out of sight. Before Team 10 tried to leave Tsunade caught them.

She was very annoyed and lectured the three Chunin a mission like this was dangerous. Kakashi and I remained quiet until it was obvious Team 10 wouldn't change their minds.

"Their gonna go anyway" Kakashi interrupted finally making himself known and I did the same.

"How long have you two been there?" Tsunade demanded looking at us with disapproval.

"Long enough" I answered her. "Milady my brother informed me and Kakashi with some interesting information and due to his injuries in my opinion I would be a good candidate to stand in his place"

"And I'll go as team leader" Kakashi added.

"Until we cross paths with these two assholes love your gonna rest your damn arm" I growled at my mate pointing at his bandage wrapped right arm.

"Couldn't you just heal it?" Kakashi inquired shooting me a smirk behind his mask.

"Man your such a pain babe" I muttered face palming.

"Hey won't Naruto need you Kakashi-Sensei?" Shikamaru asked.

"Naruto will be fine he has another team leader training with him" Kakashi explained.

"Alright" Tsunade interrupted with a sigh. "But please be careful and return alive"

"We will milady" I reassured the Sannin. "Will you also make sure Rhoan behaves himself? He's already getting fed up being in the hospital"

Tsunade chuckled before answering.

"I will" she promised.

"Alright Team 10 let's move out" Kakashi ordered.