Change is Inevitable

By Leslina

Chapter Three

Disclaimer: See previous chapter.

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"Congratulations Shizune-chan." Iruka beamed at his newly promoted teammate.

"I have to admit, I was impressed." Kuzuki chuckled sheepishly.

Shizune rolled her eyes as she joined her squad at the Ichiraku Ramen stand for a celebratory dinner.

"Hey, where's Ton-Ton?" Iruka wondered out loud. "She's never far from you."

"I don't know," Shizune said quietly, as she took her stool between the two young men. "She wasn't in the apartment this morning before I left for the trial. I guess Tsunade-sama took her for the day knowing I'd be too busy to keep an eye on her."

Come to think of it, she hadn't seen Tsunade-sama at all that day.

"Mm." Iruka nodded.

"So you guys ready to order. I'm starved!" Shizune exclaimed not wanting to darken the mood with her usual worrisome self.

Tsunade-sama was probably busy. And besides, she hated public scenes. Shizune was sure Tsunade-sama would come see her after the days excitement calmed some.

"Wait, wait," Kuzuki shooed off the ramen cook as he came to take orders. "First, presents."

"Mm." Iruka concurred sternly. "Presents before food."

The medic-nin laughed. "Really?!" She gushed excitedly.

"First mine," Iruka revealed a small wrapped package from his vest.

"It's so pretty," Shizune sighed, fingering the purple ribbon over the sakura patterned rice paper wrapping.

Iruka blushed sheepishly earning him a derisive snort from Kuzuki.

Shizune carefully opened the package and smiled.

"A new journal. Thank you Iruka-kun."

"Well, now that you've achieved a new rank, I thought a new journal to record all your new experiences would be appropriate."

"It's wonderful." She smiled.

The Chuunin blushed darkly and murmured a gruff 'you're welcome'.

"My gift isn't so sappy and sentimental," Kuzuki waved dismissively, revealing a small box from his back pouch.

Shizune stuck out her tongue and accepted the small box and opened it.

"New senbon," Shizune remarked. "I wouldn't have expected anything less functional from you Kuzuki-kun." She said teasingly. "Thank you."

"Mm."

"Can we order now?"

"Sure, Iruka's paying after all."

"Aw! Really? That's so generous of you Iruka-kun!"

"What? Hold on! Jeez… you guys…"

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Genma watched the trio from a neighboring yakitori stand. He also had a gift for the new Jounin, but desired a more private audience. Two hours later his chance finally came. Exhausted from the day's events Shizune bid her comrades good evening and headed in the direction of her shared apartment with Tsunade and Ton-Ton.

Half way there, Genma appeared beside her.

"Hey!"

"Ahii!" Shizune shrieked, startled.

The Jounin chuckled, senbon firmly in place between his teeth.

"You really are an odd one," he remarked bemusedly.

"You startled me!" She muttered petulantly. "You always do that!"

"Listen, I know you're tired and have all that studying to catch up on. And now that you're a Jounin things will only get busier, but I wanted to give you something."

Shizune gasped. She didn't expect such a gesture from the young man she'd only known a few days.

"I'm so sorry," she cried. "Please don't feel obligated. I took up so much of your time-"

"It was no obligation." He waved dismissively.

"You helped me as much this week. I wanted to thank you for allowing me to train with you. Here."

He revealed a small parcel wrapped in silk handkerchief.

Shizune accepted the gift gratefully and carefully loosened the knot holding the corners together. She pulled away the edges which revealed a longer narrower wooden box similar to the one the senbon Kuzuki had given her earlier were encased in.

Shizune carefully removed the weathered cover and gasped at what was unveiled.

"Oh. Genma, they're beautiful."

Lying in the box against pink silk; two long ivory decorative senbon. The kind women of high society used to fashion their hair. Shizune surmised them to be a family heirloom.

"I don't have any use for them." Genma murmured before she could protest. "And you're the only person I know that would appreciate them."

"Thank you." She murmured shyly, holding the precious gift against her chest lamenting not being unable to use them right away. "I'm sorry," she said self-consciously. "My hair… it's so short."

Genma shook his head. "It doesn't matter." His hand rose to touch the soft strands like he did the day before. "They're yours now."

Shizune's lashes fluttered; her cheeks warming with a strange heat she only began to notice recently. She trembled as Genma's fingers lowered to trace the curve of her cheek.

"Shizune…" he murmured thickly, his breath hot against the skin of her cheek. When had he moved so close?

"Genma…" she said in a breathy whisper.

"Hey, Shizune! Shizune!"

Iruka-kun!

"Huh?" The medic-nin startled, tearing away from Genma. "Iruka-kun?" She asked bewildered.

Genma took a proprietary step back, and fished a fresh senbon from his back pouch and tucked it between his teeth.

He nodded at Iruka and quietly watched as the Chuunin caught his breath and related the message he had for Shizune.

"Tsunade-sama," Iruka said at last. "She's left!"

"Tsu-tsunade-sama… left?" The medic-nin parroted, dark eyes widening uncertainly.

"When? Iruka… when did she leave?"

"Today, after the trials…"

Tsunade-sama gone? Without her? Tsunade-sama left her behind? Alone? How could… Why would she do that?

"Tsunade-sama!" Shizune chocked mournfully. "Tsunade-sama!"

Shizune pushed Iruka away and rushed toward the Administration building leaving Iruka, Genma, and one of the ivory senbon behind.

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"TSUNADE-SAMA!"

The buxom blonde turned, pretty face set in a deep frown. "Go back Shizune, before you're labeled a Missing-Nin. You're no longer my responsibility. You're free to live your life however you choose."

It had taken her nearly two hours to catch up with her and Shizune wasn't taking no for an answer.

"Forgive me Tsunade-sama, but I must disobey you this once. I will not return to Konoha. Not without you!"

"Shizune…"

"Besides, Sandaime-sama has already cleared it, so it looks like you're stuck with me whether you like it or not."

"Che." The sanin sucked in a breath. "You always were a troublesome brat."

"Yup!"

Tsunade shook her head bemusedly and passed a slumbering Ton-Ton to the young girl.

"I'm counting on you Shizune."

"I know, Tsunade-sama."

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Genma kneeled down and picked up the decorative hair piece Shizune had left behind. He regarded it for a moment, before slipping it in his vest pocket.

"Goodbye, Shizune." He murmured into the night and headed off in the opposite direction toward his room.

owari