Chapter Eight

"Sensai, what's the update?" asked Kiba.

Kiba and Hinata had dropped by Kurenai's house to ask about Shino, as well as visit with Mirai, who Kiba currently had in his arms.

"He has left the hospital, and is currently resting at home. We should be able to go visit him within a few days."

"Thank goodness!" exclaimed Hinata.

Kiba looked just as relieved, but was more casual with his words. "Good... Hey Mirai, no hair pulling! Yeah, don't worry, you're going to meet him too. It's about damn time."

Kurenai knew how hard Shino's disappearance had been on her students. She too, had wondered if there was something else she could have done, but she had been meticulous, going over the scene of the battle, and her two students were excellent trackers. It was as though he vanished into thin air.

She'd been checking in with her students, but when she learned of Asuma's death, she had been devastated, lost in grief. How could she be brave, for her unborn child, as well as her charges who were still suffering?

Asuma's funeral was widely attended. She expected that. Asuma was well known, but it still amazed her, how interrelated everyone in this village became – Asuma's students came with their families and peers; Kiba attended with his mother and sister; Hinata and Hiashi; Lady Tsunade and Shizune; Even the owner of her and Asuma's favorite restaurant attended. But she had to admit, it was Gen's presence that was most emotional for her, that he still honored her as his son's sensai, even after his passing. They spoke briefly after the ceremony.

"I know this may be considered strange, but I felt the need to bring this." It was a small box, with no wrapping, and inside was a small pendant, in fact the same pendant Shino had given to her in the dream. Kurenai was awestruck.

"This is the traditional gift we give in the Aburame clan, when a woman is expecting. I know Shino would have given one to you. I too raised my child after my spouse's passing. It was often bittersweet, but I was alright, and I believe you will be too."

"Thank you." She was certain now the woman she had seen, who took Shino's hand, was his mother. She could now recognize her delicate features on her son's face. She hoped that Mirai too would have something visible of Asuma's, to know that even though he was not here, he was not gone.

She had never expected to be with Asuma. They'd known each other since childhood. Asuma was somewhat of a celebrity in their generation– the son of the Hokage – but she'd always been impressed how he didn't seem to let it get to him – he didn't become overly confident to the point of arrogance, nor did it intimidate him.

She remembered clearly, the first time she thought of Asuma not as a peer and friend, but as a man. She'd been sitting at a restaurant on the street, after a tiring solo mission, when Asuma strolled in and sat down next to her. He ordered an appetizer for them to share, but there was something new, the way his dark hair absorbed the dim lights of the restaurant, the calm she felt with him, even when her nerves were down to their last fray, the warmth in her chest when he smiled at her.

She was cautious. She and a local businessman had become fond of each other a few years ago. They saw each other somewhat regularly, but she travelled often, and when he told her he had met someone and wanted to settle down, she let him go, appreciating his candor, but her heart was bruised all the same.

She wasn't immediately sure Asuma felt the same, but after that it became almost predictable for him to pop up, and when she noticed the knowing looks on the faces of passerby, she felt assured enough to tell Asuma it was high time they went on a proper date. She'd often replayed his response to that – the initial embarrassment, then lifting his arm to rub the back of his head, but when she smiled at him, he relaxed, closed his eyes for a moment, then smiled back at her. "I guess it is."

It was a story she would tell Mirai, when she was older.