But you shouldn’t hold the amount of guilt you do , whatever happened is in the past — all that matters is that he’s okay now , and that you’re okay as well . And that’s all someone like me could hope for . Please Iruka , accept my thanks and my praise , will you ?”
A flustered Kushina lunged forward to prevent the man from bending over . In her heart , she felt the sorrow the man felt for her own flesh and blood , the inability to do more for someone so beloved to him . . . Her teeth bit down on her lower lip .
⠀
⠀
terrible treatment your son as received, on the village’s behalf. They saw in him only the demon sealed inside… And I never would have been able to replace you and Lord Fourth, or the incommensurable love you two would have given him. ”
⠀
⠀
It was her attempt to hold back her own tears .
Gently , both of her arms guided the man back onto a proper posture . With the both teary eyed now , she couldn’t help but bring him into a hug .
“ I can tell you’ve been through so much as well —
I certainly agree , but you . .
You filled the emptiness in his heart left by me and his father .
You were everything I couldn’t be to my son .
Thank you , Iruka — for being the parent I couldn’t be to Naruto .
Please continue to watch over him in my stead , okay ?