[imgright].[/imgright]

:ninja: It was 6:30am Monday morning and a loud ringing echoed throughout my room. It was shrill and ear-splitting, shuffling around I lazily reached out and hit the stupid alarm clock hard.

Silence.

What bliss, yet I knew I couldn't enjoy it I had to train today because ever since the chuunin exams it had been hectic. I had literally no time to train, all because of one person.

Suddenly a face flashed before my eyes; Genma. His sculpted face with that same old infuriating smirk flitting across his lips; yet he still managed to keep that senbon gripped between his teeth. I sometimes no scratch that I always wish he would choke on the blasted thing, that would knock that stupid smirk off of his face. Bloody Genma, I swear I will kill him when I get my hands on him. You may be wondering why I wish to kill the fore mentioned shinobi, I'll tell you why.

Paperwork.

Yes paperwork ever since the 3rd Hokage had been killed by Orochimaru there has been stacks of stupid forms to fill out. Genma and I have been assigned by Tsunade-sama to finish filling them out - supposedly she was 'stressed' - however Genma always felt the need to try and push my buttons. And OH BOY did he know which buttons to press. You see, I am what they call highly strung - no the definition of highly strung and doesn't Genma know it. He however is what I would call a playboy and he flirts with every woman he sees and that is why I despise him, he has no consideration for women's feelings.

I was pulled from my thoughts as I heard a knock at the door - at 6:30 in the morning I KNOW - sighing to myself I forced myself out of bed and headed towards the door in my black shorts and white tank top with my crimson hair in a messy bun. Another knock sounded, it seemed rushed.

"Geez, give me chance," I called showing my annoyance at this early morning visit.

Reaching the door I opened it to see Shizune looking annoyed and worried, she hadn't noticed I had opened the door and knocked again, only this time on my forehead.

"Uuuh, Shizune you're knocking on my forehead," I told her sweat dropping slightly.

"Sorry Aika, I didn't realise," she said rubbing the back of her head with an awkward laugh.

"So, what did you want?" I asked.

"I need your help in getting Tsunade-sama back to the Hokage house, she got drunk again," she replied laughing nervously.

With a sigh I looked outside my apartment and sure enough there lay Tsunade-sama completely trashed – sometimes I wonder how she became the Hokage.

"Hang on a moment; I just need to put some trousers and shoes on, ok?" I replied knowing full well that I was going to be doing the damn paperwork again.

Once I had got dressed, I helped Shizune haul Tsunade back to the Hokage house, when we finally reached it we threw her onto the bed and left her to sleep off the alcohol.

And then it came just like I said it would.

"Err, Aika ... I was wondering would you be able to do Tsunade-sama's paperwork just for today please?" she asked a slight whine to her voice.

She was almost begging – COME ON HOW COULD I SAY NO – that I took pity and take a guess…I said yes.

"I'll let you go home and change first of course," she said a pleasant smile planted on her face.

OF COURSE.

I am so bloody stupid, see that's me too nice for my own good. So off I go again back to my apartment to change into my normal attire (picture above) and to braid my long crimson hair tightly to one side.

→Three Hours later←

Scratching of pen on paper echoed throughout the room, I sat leant over the form I was currently filling out; enjoying the silence - which wasn't something I got to do very often, I can assure you. So you can imagine my displeasure when the door swung open with a deafening bang, I didn't even need to look up to see who had ruined my perfect, calming and blissful silence.

GENMA SHIRANUI!!!

"Huh, Aika?" Genma questioned confused.

Sighing I looked up at him, and there he stood his usual bandanna tied around his head and of course a senbon needle gritted between his teeth; the annoyance he had caused by just entering the room was apparent on my face as I frowned.

"Yes, Genma?" I asked watching him.

"Why are you here?" he asked, "Isn't it your day off today?"

As he reminded me that I was currently spending my day off in work when I could be at home relaxing, a vein throbbed in my head.

"I DO NOT NEED YOU TO TELL ME THAT I COULD BE SLEEPING RIGHT NOW!" I shouted angrily, as you probably guessed the only person I have a short-temper with just so happens to be Genma. Why, I don't know he has always like I said before been able to push my buttons.

"What's wrong missing out on your beauty sleep?" He mocked, "No wonder you look so bad today."

I knew to him it was meant as a joke, however I was very insecure and very self-conscious of myself, you see because of my highly strung nature I always believed no man could ever feel anything for me because of this fact and that I wasn't confident enough. Now don't misunderstand me it isn't that I want Genma to feel anything for me far from it, as I thought this my heart ached dully. What the hell is this a rebellion my heart seems to hurt when I think about Genma…Why?

This had been happening a lot lately whenever I think of the womanizing male, I feel my heart skip a beat and on top of all that I don't mind his constant teasing and flirting with me where as a few weeks ago I hated it.

I stared down as he began walking towards the desk, I could hear the dull thud of his sandals on the wooden flooring, my heart began to race I swear he could hear it. All of a sudden I stood up and pushed past him to leave the room, I had to stop this if I didn't I was going to get hurt, to say I was shocked when I felt a warm tear slide down my cheek was an understatement.

I NEVER CRIED!

→Genma's POV←

"What's wrong missing out on your beauty sleep?" I asked feigning a mocking voice, "No wonder you look so bad today."

That was a complete and utter LIE, to me she was the most beautiful and perfect woman and kunoichi, however she seemed to detest me so much. I watched as she stared downwards, before I realised what I was doing I had began walking towards her desk, however before I reached the desk she had stood up and pushed past me before I could stop her. As I heard the door close I was shocked her face had shown hurt and I swore a tear had leaked from her eye, he knew one thing for sure; AIKA NEVER CRIED.

No matter what I have said she was always indifferent, no matter how many insults I slung at her she still did not react; no, the only way to gain a reaction from the fiery kunoichi was to flirt with her. You see whenever I flirt with her she calls me a no good using pervert and a womanizer. Never look twice she had said once, many times she had screamed that I should choke on 'that bloody senbon', as she usually put it.

I shrugged my shoulders 'Oh well' and turned to leave the room, but before I had even took one step Shizune stormed in her fists clenched tightly. 'OH BOY I am in trouble now'.

"GENMA SHIRANUI, WHAT THE HELL HAVE YOU DONE NOW?!" She bellowed as I shivered slightly.

"Uuuh…I don't…hang on a minute I haven't done anything… she just stormed out," Genma said annoyed, "I guess she just can't stand being in the same room as me."

"What was that Genma?" Shizune asked as I muttered the last part under my breath.

I didn't answer; I was shocked however when she slapped me around the face, the stinging sensation made me shiver. Stepping past me she headed towards the desk to pick up a black leather book bound by red leather with crimson lettering on the cover. Aika Chen.

"Here, you can take this to her to apologise, grovel if you need to, just make her happy again, GOD you are so dense," Shizune said shoving the book into my chest; hard.

After Shizune left I looked at the book curiously and slowly opened it.

→Aika's POV←

I sprinted past Shizune, who looked worried and confused as to why I – Aika Chen – would be crying.

"AIKA!" She bellowed after me, "What's wrong?"

I carried on running until I tripped and fell face down in the mud as the rain – which had started earlier this morning – pounded down around and against me.

I didn't care about where I was, I just needed this pain to stop, I shouldn't care what that stupid womanizer said about me. THROB! Wrong, my heart sometime in the last few weeks seemed to have become addicted to Genma and could not function properly with the thought of him not being around.

After what felt like hours – in fact had only been a few minutes – I dragged myself upwards and began observing the area around me to realise I had ran all the way to Kakashi's house. I guess it makes sense that I would come here; after all Kakashi and I grew up together, yep that's right the famous Copy Cat Ninja was my closest friend. In fact his father took me in when my mother was found dead with me clutched in her arms in order to protect me from harm.

Slowly I made my way to Kakashi's apartment and knocked loudly; however knowing Kakashi he would be asleep; typical. A few moments later to my surprise Kakashi emerged with no t-shirt on just his pants, mask and headband; now most girls would have melted at the sight but I however would never consider Kakashi like that – HE WAS LIKE MY BROTHER FOR CHRIST'S SAKE!

"Aika…what are you doing here?" He asked groggily, not noticing my tears because of the rain.

"Can I come in?" I asked quietly looking down at my feet.

Without saying a word he just held the door open and I entered smiling softly at him, I knew Kakashi like nobody else except…maybe one person. As I entered I however was not surprised at the mess, Kakashi still said nothing just went to the kitchen to get drinks, he reappeared a few moments later and handed me my drink.

"Aika, does this sudden visit have anything to do with, Genma?" Kakashi asked knowing full well how my feelings had changed for the senbon chewing shinobi.

I looked up shocked, I had not however known that he knew, I thought no one had noticed since I myself realised not too long ago, I really wasn't that obvious…was I?

Even though he had that stupid mask covering his face I knew that a knowing smirk lay across his face, I knew I had already solved my problem.

"Thank you," I whispered softly.

Leaving to head to my house, upon arriving I saw my diary and a note lay on top threatening to blow away in the wind. Bending down and grabbing both items I entered my house, as soon as I was inside I sat down and began to open the note.

Aika,

I'm sorry for whatever I did, I thought I would apologise by bringing you your book.

Genma

I smiled softly and then it struck me; knowing Genma's curiosity he probably read my diary, how was I going to face him now? My diary contained everything I thought, dreamed etc; including how my feelings for Genma had changed. I needed to find him and explain, lie if need be, whatever it took to make sure he didn't hate me.

→Ichiraku Ramen←

I had looked everywhere and finally decided to try the most obvious place; peeking inside I caught a glimpse of him, however what I saw next shattered my heart into so many pieces it wasn't possible.

Shizune sat facing Genma and was slowly leaning in; not being able to watch what was about to happen I turned heel and headed for the Hokage's house. I jumped from roof to roof tears – for the second time today – glided down my porcelain coloured cheeks. I entered the Hokage's office via the window, Tsunade-sama was shocked by my sudden appearance and even more so at my tears.

"I want a mission!" I screamed at her.