(xvi) - Asuma

Now that Naruto was back, things with the Akatsuki had escalated, to say the least. Two of it's members, Sasori and Deidara had been encountered by Kakashi and Guy's team.

It had resulted in Sasori's death (BY SAKURA MIGHT I ADD) And also the death of an elder from the sand village, Chiyo.

The now Kazekage Gaara was rescued as well and brought back safely.

They got back from the mission, thoroughly worn out.

Hazuna had been on another mission when this had occurred so she had hurried back to find out what had happened.

Tsunade : Hazuna! Weren't you supposed to return tomorrow?

She asked as Hazuna walked in with the mission report.

Hazuna : Oh, I finished early.

She said.

Hazuna : Are Naruto and the others back yet?

Tsunade's face fell, unsure on how to tell her what she was going to tell her.

Tsunade : Yeah, they are back.

Hazuna : Okay, I am gonna go to Kakashi's place then.

She said.

Tsunade : Hazuna, wait! Kakashi is not in his house.

She sighed.

Tsunade : He is in the hospital.

Hazuna froze, trying to calm herself down before reacting.

Hazuna : How serious is it?

She asked quietly.

Tsunade : Not very. He almost ran out of chakra. Needs weeks of rest. But, he is gonna be okay.

She said.

Hazuna sighed in relief.

Hazuna : I am gonna go see him now.

Tsunade : Okay.

Tsunade gave her a small smile and nodded.

Her reaction to Hazuna dating Kakashi had been simple. She had hugged both of them at the same time, yelling "FINALLY!". It was actually pretty wholesome.

Hazuna ran to the hospital.

Hazuna : Where is Hatake Kakashi?

She asked the medical ninja at the reception.

"Room 106."

(A/N : Haha 106, get it?)

Hazuna reached his room, opening the door slowly.

Hazuna : Kakashi..?

She whispered as she walked into the room.

Hazuna : Oh, he's asleep.

She reached his bedside, sitting down on a stool next to his sleeping figure carefully, so as to make no noise.

She ran her fingers through his hair.

Hazuna : He is cute when he sleeps.

The exhaustion from hurrying back home hit her, her eyelids drooping. Before she knew it, she'd fallen asleep too, holding his hand tightly.

About an hour later, Kakashi opened his eyes wearily. His gaze fell on Hazuna who was asleep, her grip on his hand still tight. He smiled.

Kakashi : Hazuna.

He shook her slowly, causing her to groan.

Hazuna : Hmmm..

She opened her eyes.

Hazuna : Hi..

Kakashi : Hey.

He kissed the back of her hand.

Kakashi : When did you get here?

Hazuna : An hour or two.

She yawned.

Hazuna : How are you feeling?

Kakashi : Okay, I think.

She got up, leaning to wrap her arms around his neck.

Kakashi : I missed you.

He held her tight.

Hazuna : So did I.

She climbed onto the bed next to him, playing with his hair.

Hazuna : So, why'd you run out of chakra? Kamui?

She asked.

Kakashi : Yeah, I used it too much. Did I scare you?

Hazuna : Just a bit.

She rested her head on his shoulder.

Hazuna : You want something? Water? Icha Icha Tactics? Food?

He lifted up her chin to face him, giving her a grin.

Kakashi : Just this.

He pulled his mask down and leaned in to press his lips against hers. She shifted a bit, returning the kiss as it began to get deeper.

She gasped as his tongue went in through her mouth. His hand reached her hip, pulling her onto his lap.

They continued the kiss for a few seconds more before breaking it, gasping for air.

Then she connected her lips with his again, turning it into a full blown make out session. That's when she snapped back to reality, realising where they were and broke away.

Kakashi : What?

He asked, annoyed at her action.

Hazuna : You need to rest.

She said, narrowing her eyes at him.

Kakashi : No, I don't.

He leaned in again but she pulled his mask back up.

Hazuna : I am getting you some food. Shut up and sleep or something.

She got off his lap.

Kakashi : Ugh Hazuna, come onnnnn.

He whined.

Hazuna : Wow, you are such a horny baby.

She sighed.

Hazuna : So, what do you wanna eat?

Kakashi : The only thing I wanna eat right now is your wet-

Hazuna : SHUT UP, I AM LEAVING!

- - - - -

[ A few weeks later ]

Hazuna lay on the couch that was in Kakashi's room at the hospital. She had insisted on staying there till he was discharged even after him continuously saying she didn't need to.

Tsunade had decided to cut her some slack and not assign another mission to her till Kakashi was out of the hospital unless, absolutely necessary.

Occasionally, Sakura or Naruto would come visit them and so would Yamato, who was Kakashi's replacement for the time being.

Hazuna : You weren't kidding. This is actually the best one yet.

She said, putting the 'Icha Icha Tactics' book down after re-reading it.

Kakashi : Pfft I know, right?

He said as he sat up in bed.

Kakashi : Don't you have a mission?

Hazuna : The only mission I have right now is to make sure you drink the miso soup kept over there.

She pointed to the bowl on his right.

Kakashi : That's sad.

He said, beginning to drink the soup.

Kakashi : Aren't you bored?

Hazuna : Aren't you?

She asked.

Hazuna : And besides, you are getting discharged tomorrow.

Kakashi : Well, that's not the point.

He sighed.

Kakashi : So, what's new in the village?

Hazuna : Apparently team Asuma has encountered two new Akatsuki members. Hidan and Kakuzu. Personally, I think they should retreat.

Kakashi : They will probably be fine.

Hazuna : Wanna know some other gossip?

Kakashi : Tell me, tell me.

Hazuna : Kurenai is pregnant.

She exclaimed.

Kakashi : WHAT? How do you know?

Hazuna : We are friends again, as you predicted.

Kakashi : Damn. Kids. That's big.

He said.

His mind suddenly thought about what it would be like to have kids.

"Too soon.", he shrugged it off.

Kakashi : So, what are you doing today?

Hazuna : I have to help Naruto with his wind style training. The shadow clone technique you suggested is working.

She said, getting up.

Kakashi : Have fun.

She smiled, sitting by his bed for a second.

Hazuna : You need anything while I am out?

He pulled his mask down to kiss her again.

Kakashi : I have kept you from working for long enough. Just go.

Hazuna : You didn't keep me. I wanted to make sure you were okay.

She remarked, pecking him again.

Hazuna : Bye, Kakashi.

He sighed, removing a book like usual.

Kakashi : Bye, Hazuna.

"Sometimes, I feel like I don't deserve her."

Hazuna walked out of the hospital to find Yamato getting ready for their training.

Naruto with his shadow clones was ready too.

Hazuna : Naruto, how's it going?

Naruto : It's going great! I will master it in no time.

Hazuna smiled.

Hazuna : No doubt.

He nodded, beginning his practice. His new attack was close to being mastered. Rasenshuriken, as he called it.

It went on for a few hours when a random shinobi showed up at the training ground.

Hazuna : What is it?

She asked him.

He took a deep breath.

"We have just received news that Asuma Sarutobi has died on a mission."

Hazuna felt numb, sitting down on the ground and putting her head in her hands.

"Asuma? Dead?"

Her vision went blurry as she tried not to let tears fall. That's when she realised.

Hazuna : Does Yuhi Kurenai know?

She asked the shinobi that had showed up.

"Tsunade sama has sent people to inform everyone close to him."

She got up.

Hazuna : When is the funeral?

"Tomorrow."

Hazuna : Okay.

She said quietly, walking away.

Hazuna : Naruto, I will be back.

She went home, trying to compose herself.

"It's okay. People die. This is not new to you."

Now don't get me wrong. She didn't have feelings for Asuma. But, they still were friends. Good friends at that. And it killed her that he would never be able to meet his kid, or have an actual life with Kurenai. Because, he was just gone.

"Tsunade sama was right. Life as a shinobi really is unpredictable."

She went to see Kurenai. Complete wreck. There wasn't much she could say to comfort her. She just hugged her, knowing that losing someone you love was a weight much too great.

The funeral was... well just what you would expect a funeral to be. Solemn, quiet, a few sounds of people sobbing.

Hazuna was used to the atmosphere. She turned to Ino and Choji, who were also crying.

Hazuna : Shikamaru?

Ino : He didn't show up.

She said, wiping her tears only for them to fall again.

Hazuna left at once to find him, but he was nowhere to be seen. She spent the evening in the spot where Shikamaru usually laid down to look at the clouds, wondering what he must be thinking.

Kakashi : Hey.

His voice made her look up.

Hazuna : Hello.

She said, and then suddenly sat up.

Hazuna : Oh, shit! You were discharged today, I am so sorry I wasn't there-

Kakashi : Don't be stupid, Hazuna.

He sat down next to her.

Kakashi : How are you doing?

Hazuna : It's just..

She sighed.

Hazuna : I can't believe he is gone.

He pulled her into a hug.

Kakashi : Me neither.

She hugged back, taking a deep breath.

Hazuna : Don't you dare die, okay?

He chuckled.

Kakashi : Yes, ma'am.

- - - - -

Yo!

Im really sorry for not updating early haha but I tried my best to. I still couldn't buy time. But the next week is my gonna be my free week so im gonna be posing as much as I can and yeah. So I can update almost daily after Thursday! Please co-operate! Peace.

;)