Calla Lilly:
Grief, Death

Team Ten was devastated when their sensei was killed in action. Not even the death of the perpetrator could lessen their grief.

Logically, Shikamaru knew Asuma wouldn't want them to mourn for long. But sometimes, even for geniuses such as Shikamaru, logic doesn't always triumph over emotion.

The man was like a second father to him, but Shikamaru knew there was someone who suffered more. Looking over at his sensei's pregnant wife, Sarutobi Kurenai, he frowned thoughtfully. He didn't ever want his children to grow up without a father.

Ino might kill them if left on her own.

He froze, where had that thought come from? Shuddering, he pushed it to the side. It was probably the stress.

That afternoon a small, private ceremony was conducted, with Asuma's name being carved into the KIA monument stone.

His teammate buried her head into his shoulder and wept, one eye never leaving the proceedings. Shikamaru didn't make a single comment about troublesome women, nor complain about wet sleeves. He simply wrapped an arm around her waist and held her tightly, unwilling to let go.

And when, a few days later, he saw Kurenai screaming at Asuma's grave for leaving her, he wordlessly walked the widow home and made a silent vow not to leave his loved ones behind too.

For some reason, a familiar mane of blonde appeared in his mind as he completed his quiet pact.


I have yet to reach Sarutobi Asuma's death scene, so if any information is incorrect, please tell me and I shall do my best to correct it.

Cheers, SoraAzami