Civic Duty

She couldn't believe she'd done this. She was so inept in this kind of communication. All communication. With men. Men who weren't her friends anyways. She could talk freely to Genma. Until lately. Maybe this would quell her obsessions. If only he would answer. Maybe the knock had been too soft. She tried again, hand shaking the whole time. Then noises. She felt sick. Tsunade-sama told me I couldn't do this. She knew I'd be too-

"Hello. Oh, hi. Um, are you looking for Neji?" Gai blinked at her, stepping aside, inviting her in.

"Uh, um, no. No thank you. I just wanted to thank you for, uh, for, um-"

"Oh that," he smiled. She squirmed. "It was but a mere and insufficient deed for a noble lady of the medical persuasion, a deed unworthy of thanks. It was more of my civic duty."

What is he doing? Gai went through some classic overzealous moves culminating in a thumbs-up followed by a bow.

"If ever you require a greater service, lovely healer-"

"Yes." Oh dear, I said that out loud didn't I? She blubbered, searching for words. "Yes, I do require a service." Blush. "I want you to take me somewhere-"

"Anywhere in the world, you name it!"

"-on a date." She blushed, studying her hands. It was his turn to collapse. But they both hit the ground.