The Mother He Never Had

15

I began making his bed for him until the thought of Naruto came into mind. "Hmm... I guess it wouldn't hurt to check on him and see how he's doing." I mumbled. 

I left the house, locking the door behind me, and headed to the academy. When I got to the third floor, I could hear some commotion going on through one of the doors. "I wonder what's happening in there?" I wondered. 

I went to open the door until I heard, "Stop right there, Haru."

I stopped my movements as I glanced behind me, spotting Iruka watching me with a frown. "Greetings, Iruka. Can I help you with something?" I asked, my hand still inches away from the doorknob. "Just what do you think you're doing, Haru?" Iruka asked, still frowning. 

"Nothing."

"Why are you here?"

"I just... wanted to check on Naruto and see if he was okay."

"You're not supposed to be here. Only chunin exam proctors and genin participants have access here."

"I see... Then, would it be okay if I just-"

"Absolutely not." 

I frowned slightly and turned around so I was facing him. "You didn't even let me finish my sentence." I stated. "I don't care. You're not supposed to be here. Leave now or I'm calling security." Iruka said. 

I smirked slightly. "You don't trust me," I mentioned. Iruka's frown darkened a little. "Tell me, why don't you trust me, Iruka? Is there something about me you can't stand?" I asked. "It's not that at all, Haru." Iruka said. 

"Then, what is it?" I questioned. "You're not telling us everything." He answered. I raised a brow in slight confusion. "Excuse me?" 

"There's something about yourself you don't want anyone to know. What is it? What don't you want us to find out?"

"Unfortunately, that is something I cannot tell you."

"...Who are you?"

"What do you mean? My name is Haru no Hana."

"You're lying."

"Am I?"

"You are!"

I stared at him with a blank face. "I've searched your name over and over again, and there is no Haru no Hana! That name doesn't exist anywhere in the records!" Iruka snapped. "Well, that should be obvious. I haven't lived in this village for very long, so maybe that's why." I guessed.

"Enough with the lies, Haru! Tell me who you really are now!" Iruka ordered. 'Persistent little bugger, isn't he?' I thought.

"What's going on out here?"

I looked past Iruka and spotted Kakashi standing there with his hands in his pockets. "Iruka, what are you doing?" He asked. 

"We were, uh... Well, we were-"

"We were just talking, Kakashi," I interrupted Iruka. "I came to check on Naruto and Iruka just wanted to talk with me, regarding my stay in the Leaf Village after a few years." I lied with a closed-eye smile. 

"Just talking, huh?" Kakashi asked. "Mm-hm." I nodded. "I thought I heard yelling." He mentioned.

"Yelling? You must've heard that from inside one of the classrooms. Anyway, Iruka was just going to help me with my shopping. Isn't that right, Iruka?" I said, looking at him. "Huh? Oh, uh... Yeah. That's right." Iruka said, quickly nodding his head.

"Well, we better get going," I grabbed Iruka's arm with both hands and dragged him past Kakashi. "It was nice seeing you again, Kakashi. Ja ne~." I said before quickly leaving with Iruka. 

Once we were out of the academy, Iruka tugged his arm out of my hold. "Why?" Iruka asked, frowning.

"Why what?" 

"Why did you lie to Kakashi back there? Why protect me?"

"Well... No one wants to look like the bad guy in an awkward situation, now do they?" I mentioned.

I smiled gently at him before looking towards the sky. "It's strange... The tree leaves aren't falling this time. I guess the wind isn't strong like it was yesterday." I mentioned. After I said that, the wind blew gently, making my eyes soften. 

"Uh... Haru. I'm sorry for... yelling at you." Iruka apologized. "It's all right, Iruka. We all have those moments." I said. "You're just gonna forgive me? Just like that?" Iruka asked, confused. "Of course. It's not good to hold onto a grudge for so long." I mentioned.

"You're a confusing girl, Haru. Confusing and too forgiving." Iruka stated. I gave a small giggle. "Maybe. But... I wish I could've been that forgiving back then." I said the last part quietly.

I lowered my head so my hair covered my eyes as I felt Iruka about to touch my shoulder, but stopped suddenly. "Well... Goodbye, Iruka. I still need to get shopping out of the way." I said, heading to the store.