He saw her next six days later. It was his day off and he'd stopped at the tower to drop something off before spending the day hiking. She looked more rested this time but she still had that look in her eyes, as if she'd lost something or someone very dear to her and didn't know how to move on. He noticed her sitting on the bench at the foot of the stairs that led up and around the tower, her red hair shining in the sun as if it might burst into flames at any moment. He walked over to say hello. "Hi there Just Emi." He grinned and rolled his senbon.
"Hi there." She looked up at him from where she was sitting, the sun causing her eyes to squint in order for her to see him. "I was wondering if you felt like climbing the mountain today?"
"Of course. It's my day off, I'd planned to hike but hadn't decided where yet. Hokage mountain is perfect." He noted that she was wearing shinobi clothing today, loose fitting pants that were gathered at the ankles, and a comfortable shirt. As he spoke she pulled her hair back into a ponytail, making it look as if she had captured the flames of an Uchiha's fire jutsu and hung them off her head. "I was going to grab a bento box for lunch, does that work for you?"
"It's perfect." She smiled her empty smile at him and rose to join him.
They walked to the Sushi stall in silence again and ordered their box lunches, when they had them they started off towards the stairs that led up the mountain.
"What are the buildings set into the mountain for?" She asked as she looked up the side of it.
"That's where we evacuate the village if there's danger. Only one way in and one way out, it's very easily defended."
"I imagine it is." They'd reached the stairs now and were starting the long climb. The stairs were just to the left of the First's head and zig zagged back and forth until they got to his ear where they disappeared into a tunnel that led the rest of the way to the top. They were climbing them at a steady pace and at the first zig they stopped to enjoy the view. They looked out over the village in front of them. "Have you lived here all your life?"
"I have. Where did you grow up?" He watched her as emotion played across her face.
"Here and there. My father traveled for work so we moved a lot when I was small."
"Did you like that?"
"I did. I got to see and learn about a lot of different places and ways of life." She smiled as she looked out over the village but Genma was pretty sure she was smiling over the memories, it was first time he felt that he'd seen a genuine smile from her.
"Mmm." Genma turned to continue their climb. "Shall we continue? The view is a lot..."
He was cut off by the yelp she let out. When he turned back to her she was crumpled on the ground and pain rested in her eyes like an old companion.
"Emi!" He ran to her side and crouched down.
"I'm fine." She ground out as she attempted to bring the pain under control, tears formed at the corners of her eyes but she blinked them back.
"I can see that you're fine." He said lightly as he crouched by waiting for her to regain control.
She appeared to do just that, her face cleared and she looked up at him smiling. "Well, where were we? Ready to finish the climb, right?" But when she shifted to rise from her knees she yelped and fell back again. "Ok. Maybe I'm not fine." Her shoulders slumped in defeat and the tears that had previously only threatened to escape began trickling down her cheeks. She had the look of a defeated warrior on her face.
Genma touched her forearm lightly which made her jump. "Hey, it's ok. We got this." He waited for the wave of pain to subside and when it did he said. "Can I help you up?"
She smiled gratefully. "That would be nice."
"Where does it hurt? I don't want to make it worse."
"It hurts in my back. And it's worse when I try to get up." Her voice was strained with pain and embarrassment.
He moved behind her and put his hands under her armpits. "Ok. I'll lift and you do what doesn't hurt. I'm perfectly capable of supporting your weight all on my own." As he lifted her slowly she allowed her body to unfold at her waist and knees, gasping as pain lanced through her from the action. When her feet could touch the ground he waited for her to take her full weight, letting her go only when she did so.
She sighed, the look of defeat on her face was heavy and she refused to look up and make eye contact with him. "Some kunoichi, huh?"
"Hey. It's no big deal, that's what friends are for, right?"
She harrumphed, "I guess."
"Is it an injury? Lady Tsunade's..."
"I know...alright?" She cut him off then sighed again. "I'm sorry. I was hoping it would heal on its own."
"Can I bring you to see her then?" His concern showed in his voice.
"Do I have a choice?" She finally looked him in the eye.
"Not really but you are a grown woman, I can't force you." He waited for her answer.
"As much as I don't want to, I know I need to, even if I think it won't make a difference." She turned slowly and gingerly to head back down the stairs they had climbed. "Stay close, I don't want to fall again."
Genma walked beside her to the bottom. "She'll be in her office. Want me to stay with you, there will be stairs there."
"If you don't mind." Her face grimaced in pain as she took the last step down.
They walked quietly to the tower. Genma watched her, noting that as long as the ground was level she seemed to be fine. When they got there she looked up the stairs in despair. "How am I going to manage this?"
Genma waited for her to think it through, understanding her need for independence.
"Well, I guess it's one step at a time." She gritted her teeth and took the first step, Genma stayed behind her fully prepared to catch her if she fell. She made it to the top on her own, although there was sweat forming on her brow from the pain. "I hope she's not busy."
"I've got this." Genma said. "Wait here." He slipped through the door to the Hokages office, reflecting while he did that being one of her elite guards finally had a perk. Once in there he approached her desk.
"Yes Genma?" She didn't even look up.
"Lady Tsunade. There's something that needs your attention."