It was one of those rare days when Shiranui Genma had nothing to do. Missions were slow due to the Chuunin exam, and his roommate Raidou was one of the few out scouting the border. It was one of the extra security measures the Third had put in place during the Chuunin exam. Genma had volunteered to help out, but the Chuunins at the operations desk had politely told him they had more than enough people, but if something came up, they would let him know.

So Genma was left to wander aimlessly. As he walked past the old Academy building, senbon drifting from one side of his mouth to the other, his mind wandered. Sometimes he wondered why he hadn't signed up to be a Jonin instructor. He would have three little Gennins who looked up to him and adored him. It was just then that a wayward shuriken flew from the hands of one of Iruka's students. Genma caught it easily enough, but his dreams of teaching were instantly shattered.

"Ah, Genma! I apologize!" bowed Iruka, running up to the Jonin. "Are you okay?"

Genma handed the weapon back to Iruka. "Fine. Maybe though, you could have your students aim away from the street?"

Iruka blushed a little. "They are."

"Oh."

"Sorry again, Genma. I'll see you around," waved Iruka as he jogged back to his class.

Eventually, as Genma continued to walk, he spotted Hayate sitting on a bench eating lunch. He walked over and sat down next to him. Hayate looked over at his friend.

"So how are the chuunin exams going?" asked Genma.

"I'm telling you, you should sign up to be an examiner. Most entertainment I've had since we booby-trapped the women's locker room." Hayate grinned.

"Do tell," encouraged Genma.

"They Hyuuga kids were matched up yesterday."

"Neji? And, uh…"

"Hinata, yep. Branch against Main House."

"Oh, the irony," said Genma.

"Neji is something else. That kid has skill. Hinata never really stood much of a chance against him."

"…And this is more interesting than the locker room incident, how?" asked Genma with a smirk.

"I called the match off – it was clear Neji was the winner. Hinata said something to him, though, I didn't catch it, and the kid went ballistic. It took four jonin to stop him."

"Man, I miss all the good stuff,"

"I'm telling you, next year, sign up!" Hayate smiled.

Genma shook his head. "Huuga Neji. That kid has my vote for Konoha's most messed up kid."

"Over the Uchiha kid?" smiled Hayate.

"There's the Uzamaki kid…"

"Kakashi…"

Genma laughed. "Anko."

Hayate gave a small giggle of laughter as he whispered into his lunch conspiratorially, "Ibiki!"

It was a little twisted, Genma had to admit, laughing at how the life of a ninja could mess you up. But they both knew they were just as messed up, so it seemed fair. When they had both stopped snickering, Genma turned back to his friend. "How's it going with Yugao?"

"It's good."

"Yeah? You guys getting serious?" Genma's face lit up as he took the chance to probe into his friend's love life.

"Genma, we've been living together for the past year. You helped me move. What do you think?"

"Ah, I know. Just checking up," Genma said cheerfully, senbon bouncing as he chewed on the end of it.

"She had a pregnancy scare a few months ago," Hayate said bluntly. "I thought she was going to kill me."

"Always the guy's fault," Genma agreed, nodding solemnly. Hayate punched him in the arm as he coughed. "So, what...happened?" asked Genma carefully.

"Nothing. False alarm." Hayate stared off at nothing. "Although, I kinda wish it wasn't."

"Eh, someday, Hayate," smiled Genma. "You owe it to Konoha." Hayate gave him a funny look. "Someone has to keep producing small, messed up ninja children."

Hayate rolled his eyes at his friend. "I got to get going. Gotta get everything ready for the final part of chuunin exam. You're coming, right?"

"Wouldn't miss it."