It had been almost a year since the 19 year old shinobi had been in her adoptive village. Her mission was finally over and she was on her way back to Konoha along with her squad.
The team was formed by her and three other Anbu ninja. They had all been specifically chosen by the Hokage. He had sent them on a reconnaissance mission that lasted longer than expected. The group had been away from the Leaf for about 8 months. All the squad members were looking forward to seeing their friends and family back at the village. Mayou had seen the shinobi trained to be ruthless go soft after such a long mission. She had overheard one of the Anbu say that he might consider returning to regular services. Mayou had once asked her sensei if that was possible, when she was teaching her about Konoha's forces. Her teacher had told her that it was, considering she knew someone who had done exactly that.
The female ninja had changed a lot since her arrival in Konoha. She used to be hot-headed and cautious. Her short temper would get her in trouble since she had little control over her anger. However, during her training to be a proper ninja, Mayou had become a mature and skilled shinobi. Her sensei had played a huge part in helping her overcome her fear of being a burden and pushing away the ones who cared about her. Mayou was looking forward to seeing her friends at the village.
Mayou's appearance had also changed. When she arrived in Konoha, her belongings were scarce and she didn't take much care of her well-being. Now, she always kept her hands bandaged. Her taijutsu abilities were her strongest asset and she needed to protect her knuckles from being torn open while punching. Another marking detail was her hair. She used to keep her layered hair shoulder-length out of convenience. Her light brown layers now reached her lower back. She had taken the habit of tying it up carelessly in a bun while on missions.
Mayou cringed as her right foot made impact with each tree branch she jumped on. The squad didn't want to waste another second away from Konoha and were making their return hasty.
‟Kuso… ˮ, she muttered a bit louder than she intended.
‟Daijoubu? ˮ, asked her teammate codenamed Soraito.
‟Yeah, I'm fine, it's just this stupid sprain. We're almost back; I'll go get it checked by medical-nin. ˮ, Mayou answered.
To prove her strength, she leaped 15 feet forward, becoming the group's lead. Her three team mates caught up to her, also increasing their speed.
Half a day later, the group arrived at their destination. It was mid-afternoon and the sun was about to set over the Fire Country.
As they passed through the gate, Mayou turned towards her comrades.
‟I will make the report to Hokage-sama, you guys can go ˮ, she ordered.
During the mission, Mayou had taken the role of the leader, even though she was younger than her team mates and less experienced. At first, there was tension between them, but after 8 months of being together, the three Anbu seemed to have gotten used to Mayou's personality.
Her tallest teammate, also the oldest, was hesitant at her declaration and lingered there. The other two looked relieved and took off right away. Mayou didn't wait for her senior comrade to approve; she headed towards the Hokage's place.
Mayou entered the Hokage's office head high and shoulders square. She wanted to make her first official report as a squad leader as professional as possible (even if she wasn't officially the leader for that mission). Since there hadn't been and official assignment of a leader, Mayou didn't think the Hokage would mind who gave the report.
The masked ninja stayed quiet throughout Mayou's entire report. When she was done, the 19 year old stood in front of the Hokage's desk and waited for any instructions.
‟Sou ka… Well done Mayou ˮ, the Hokage declared. He stood and walked around his desk to stand in front of her. ‟Seriously Mayou, why are we being so formal? ˮ.
To Mayou's surprise, the silver-haired ninja stood and placed a hand on her shoulder before he leaned in for a hug.
At that moment, Mayou felt someone's presence enter the Hokage's office.
‟Che, Kakashi, I can't believe you'd be cheating on me at a time like this ˮ, said a familiar voice with a sarcastic tone.
Mayou spun around to see her sensei walk through the door. The woman's face lit up when she saw her student.
‟Mayou! You're back? ˮ,she exclaimed, rushing to rip her student away from the Hokage. ‟Why did nobody tell me? ˮ, she asked.
‟Well, perhaps the fact that she came in my office five minutes ago has something to do with it, Harune ˮ, the masked ninja said, rolling his eyes.
‟It's nice to see you, Harune-sensei ˮ, said Mayou, smiling.
After standing for so long on her sprained foot, Mayou felt the ache and stumbled sideways. She grabbed the rim of the Hokage's desk to prevent herself from crashing on the floor.
‟What's wrong, Mayou? ˮ, asked the concerned teacher.
‟It's nothing, I just sprained my ankle on the mission ˮ, Mayou responded.
‟You should get that checked at the hospital ˮ, Kakashi told her. ‟You are dismissed. ˮ
‟Hai ˮ, the 19 year old acknowledged.
‟I should help you get there ˮ, Harune exclaimed.
‟I'm fine, Harune-sensei. Besides, you came in here for a reason. I'll leave you two discuss ˮ, Mayou said.
On her way out, she couldn't help but notice her sensei's protruding stomach. She then understood why the Hokage hadn't assigned her sensei as part of her squad for the mission when they left 8 months prior.
Mayou made her way to the hospital, limping, even if she was trying hard to walk normally. When she marched through the doors, she nearly collapsed. The effect of using an injured limb for so long had taken its toll.
A nurse rushed towards her while another went off, probably to get a medical ninja.
It wasn't long before she got aid. Mayou was glad to see a familiar face come towards her.
‟Mayou ! ˮ, squealed Ino when she spotted her friend. ‟You're back! ˮ, she announced, stating the obvious.
‟Yeah I just arrived ˮ, Mayou said trying to smile, but her face probably looked like a cringing mess.
‟Oh, what happened? ˮ, asked the Yamanaka, carefully handling Mayou's ankle that had turned purple-blue.
The medical-nin started her work on her friend's injury while catching her up on the latest gossip. Mayou didn't particularly care for this type of conversation, but spending time with a friend warmed her heart. Ino had been close to Mayou's sensei during her childhood, so Mayou spent some time training with her under Harune's watch.
Ino bandaged up her ankle and sent her friend off with the advice to get some rest. Mayou left the hospital and headed for her apartment.
Mayou had almost reached her apartment building when she heard heavy footsteps running towards her. She turned around and moved out of the way just in time not to be jumped on by a giant dog.
‟Wait, Akamaru! ˮ, called out a husky guy's voice. Mayou saw Kiba running towards her.
Akamaru was jumping around Mayou excitedly when his owner reached them.
‟When Akamaru sensed that you were here, I wouldn't believe it until I saw it ˮ, Kiba said while grabbing Mayou around her shoulders.
Mayou smiled. Her relationship with Kiba hadn't been stable ever since she came to Konoha. Mayou remembered how she was immediately attracted to him, but yet she didn't have any feelings for him. They were friends, even if sometimes his proximity to her made Mayou uncomfortable. Akamaru's enthusiasm around her made it harder to avoid him.
‟I just got back ˮ, Mayou told Kiba.
She purposely put her weight on her good leg, trying to dodge a situation in which Kiba would try to take things further.
‟Are you hurt? ˮ, he asked, noticing her stance.
‟Yeah, I'm just returning from the hospital. I'm supposed to be going to my apartment to get some rest. It's the medical-nin's orders ˮ, she stated.
‟Oh, alright. I'll see you around then ˮ, Kiba said, obviously disappointed.
He headed back in the direction he came from, followed by Akamaru. Mayou let out a sigh of relief and continued to make her way home.
Mayou immediately headed for the shower as soon as she got inside her apartment. She carefully removed all her bandages and stepped under the hot water. One thing Mayou enjoyed most about city life was hot showers. Her days before her arrival at Konoha were spent in the woods, and she used to wash up with freezing water from rivers and lakes. She untied her hair and let it fall loose after being up for so long. She ran her fingers through her locks until there weren't any tangles.
When she had spent enough time enjoying her shower, Mayou stepped out. She quickly dried her hair with a towel, but it still wet the baggy shirt she had thrown on over her shorts. It was her first time being comfortable in over a year, and Mayou felt extremely satisfied.
It was almost midnight when she got settled. At that moment, Mayou heard some knocking on her door. The 19 year old wondered who it could be at that hour. She made her way to the entrance, trying not to lean too much on her newly bandaged foot.
Mayou opened the door and saw Lee standing there. She didn't know if it was the exhaustion, or the injury, but Mayou's heart started beating faster. Without thinking, she jumped up and wrapped her arms around Lee's neck.
‟Mayou. I can't believe it's really you ˮ, Lee said, securing his own arms around Mayou's back.
He quickly noticed her bandaged foot and lifted her off the ground.
‟What are you doing? ˮ, Mayou asked, trying not to blush. The door was still opened and other people lived in her building.
‟You're hurt ˮ, Lee said, as Mayou proceeded to wrap her legs around his waist, securing her position.
‟You noticed ˮ. Mayou motioned Lee to go inside and shut the door when they got in. The 20 year old ninja removed his shoes and walked towards Mayou's room.
Lee approached Mayou's bed, as if he would set her down, but the girl didn't let go.
‟How did you know I was back? ˮ, Mayou asked.
‟I've been going to check to gate records every day since you left ˮ, Lee admitted, looking embarrassed.
That statement made Mayou feel a rush of warmth inside her. There was no denying her feelings for Lee after that. At first, their relationship was based on training, and the two presented themselves as just friends. Mayou remembered the day she had kissed him, after the fifth Hokage had announced to her she would be a Konoha ninja. However, there was no time for the two of them to spend time together. After training with her sensei for a few years, Mayou had become a legitimate Konoha ninja. After that, it was mission after mission for her and Lee as well. When one would return, the other would leave. It seemed almost unreal to her that they were together at that moment.
Not wasting any time, Mayou leaned in and placed her parted lips on Lee's, putting her fingers through his hair. The two exchanged the kiss for a bit until Lee, caught up in the passion, lost grip on Mayou. She fell on her mattress, dragging Lee down, her legs still wrapped around him.
‟Have you not been training enough while I was gone? Is it possible that you lost strength so much that you can't handle me ˮ, Mayou laughed.
She reached for his upper left arm and was taken aback by the firmness of his muscle when she grabbed it. The two ninjas had gotten on their knees, on the far edge of the bed.
Mayou bit her lip, as she started to remove Lee's green uniform. He didn't stop her, as she revealed his highly toned chest and abs.
‟Are you ok with this? ˮ, Mayou asked, not wanting to rush into things.
As an answer, Lee pulled Mayou's shirt off, showing her generous forms. It hadn't been long after Mayou's arrival in Konoha before she heard whispers of her figure being compared to Tsunade's, the fifth Hokage. Even at the young age of 13, she was well developed. Now fully matured, her curvy figure didn't leave anyone indifferent.
Mayou's still damp hair covered her shoulders and fell down on her back. Lee took a strand between his fingers and placed it behind Mayou's ear.
‟You're so beautiful ˮ, he said, looking into her golden-brown eyes.
Lee leaned over and hovered over her exposed neck, gently grazing her skin with his lips.
The pair moved to a lying position, holding each other.
After being apart for so long, the two were in for a passionate night of reuniting.