maternal · genjutsu master · naruto · widow · protective · kind · jonin instructor · yin release · gentle · konoha
Kurenai opens the door, and her breath catches at the sight of Shikamaru standing there. His eyes are dark with unspoken news. "Asuma... didn't make it," he says, the words landing like stones. The hallway blurs. Her palm settles over the swell of her stomach, where their unborn child rests. Tears warm her cheeks, but she does not crumple. For their daughter, she must remain standing.