Summary: Raido is confused by Hana. Genma is confused by Shizune and her twittering minions. And why are Ibiki and Anko even mentioned?

HIDDEN HEARTS OF THE HIDDEN LEAF
The Heat Is On

Konoha Hospital

Raido woke up the the morning after his fateful mission with Hana to an urgent message from Genma that read: Get me out! NOW!

The jonin let himself into his partner's flat, grabbed a change of clothing for him, and headed for the Konoha hospital. It wasn't the first time he'd 'snuck' Genma out from under Shizune's overprotective nose. In fact, he knew which room Genma would be assigned.

"...so she practically tosses me into the shower, clothed and all!" Genma was relating his return to the village with Tonton and Shizune as he dressed.

"Uh huh."

"And I dare her make me get scrubbed."

"Uh huh."

"Next thing I know she's taken me up on the dare!"

"Uh huh."

"So she strips down to her undies, climbs into the shower and begins torturing me with a brush!" declared Genma as he slid out of the window.

"Uh huh."

"Then we rip off our wet clothes and I nail her against the shower stall." The jonin now walked down the side of the building.

"Uh huh."

"All right, that's it. Did you even hear what I just said?" asked Genma as he reached the ground.

"You're nailing up stalls with brushes?" muttered Raido as he followed. "Not very efficient."

"I'm describing being subjected to water torture by Shizune and you can't even lend me an ear?"

"After the way you acted yesterday, you were lucky that's all she did. You were behaving like a jerk."

"Some of us are human and make mistakes, let our emotions get the better of us. Unlike you, I don't claim to be a gentleman all the time," said Genma.

Raido thought about his experience with Hana yesterday and flinched at his comment. "I never claimed to be a paragon of virtue."

"Right, and I suppose you were making out with Hana after we left you two alone yesterday."

Raido suddenly grabbed Genma's arm. "Bud, you're asking for a beating if you're gonna run your mouth like that."

"You're aching for a fight, aren't you? Well, I'm in the mood to oblige. And you know what, if I win, you have to ask Hana out for a date."

"Fine," agreed Raido easily. "And if I win, you have to ask Shizune for a date."

"What? Hey, wait--"

"Put up or shut up," said Raido.

"Damn it, you know Shizune would just turn me down."

"Yeah, and what do you think Hana would do? And it would do you some good to know what rejection feels like."

Genma considered the thought of being spurned by a woman. It was practically inconceivable and the very idea made him queasy, but he had his pride. He would beat Raido to a pulp if he had to. "You're on."

The men headed to the training grounds at a quick pace.

Meanwhile, above them looking out of a window from the Hokage's Tower stood Shizune and Tsunade who was holding Tonton. The little pig squealed and drew the Hokage's attention to the escaping inmate.

"Isn't that one of your patients, Shizune?" asked the Hokage.

"Oh, and I was hoping I'd catch Genma before he made a break for it," sighed Shizune. She looked down at the garments in her hand, two freshly laundered shirts and a pair of pants. "I was finally going to return his shirt."

"You could catch up to him quickly enough," suggested Tsunade.

Shizune smiled. "No, I think I'll take this as a sign that I was meant to keep both shirts."

She hugged the garments to her in satisfaction. Genma would just have to pay the price for his impetuous behavior.

- - - - - - - - - - - -

The battle between Genma and Raido that day rivaled any serious contest between Kakashi and Gai, especially in duration. By the time the sun set, however, it was Raido who was the victor--although he did look like a porcupine with all the senbon sticking out of his shoulders.

The needles did not prevent Raido from dragging a torpid Genma directly to Shizune. He dropped the jonin at her feet and announced, "My partner needs a medic and only you will do."

Shizune knelt beside Genma to inspect him closely. Although the jonin opened his eyes, the medic thought he was still dazed because his words were incoherent.

"Wuhlgoatwitmaw."

"Is he talking to me?" asked Shizune of Raido. "First he's obsessed with pigs, now goats?"

"Try again," directed Raido he tapped his friend's foot with his own. "You're not making sense. And get that senbon out of your mouth. Damn it, I thought you used your entire arsenal on me."

"Can't it wait?" pleaded Genma as Shizune yanked the senbon out if his mouth and laid his head in her lap. "I feel bad enough as it is."

"Do it now." Raido suddenly dropped to his knees and he began extracting the needles from his shoulders. "You lost the bet."

"What are you two talking about?" asked Shizune.

Genma ignored her question and instead asked his own, each word deliberately dragged out of him. "Shizune. Will. You. Go. Out. With. Me."

Shizune was so shocked she lost her hold of Genma and his head hit the floor again.

"Ow."

"Oh, Genma, I'm so sorry. I thought I heard you ask me out," said Shizune with a nervous laugh as she pulled his head to rest on her lap again.

"I did ask you out," clarified Genma. "Now, go ahead and refuse me so I can pass out again."

"Wait." Shizune looked at Raido and asked, "So the only reason Romeo here is asking me out is because he lost a bet?"

"Don't hurt me," pleaded Genma as he saw Raido nod.

"Oh, no, I have no intention of hurting you--except in your pocket book," said Shizune.

"Huh?" Genma hated sounding so dimwitted, but things were not making sense. Wasn't this the part where she told him no?

"I accept your invitation to go out with you, Genma," said Shizune sweetly.

"Whuh?" Genma and Raido both emitted the same grunt.

"You. Me. Date." Shizune even pointed to herself and then Genma to make sure he understood.

"Date?" echoed Genma. "Where?" He blinked. "When?"

"I'll let you know in good time, but believe me, it's going to cost you dearly." She patted his face gently.

That's when Genma passed out.

- - - - - - - - - -

The next morning, Raido helped Genma escape the clutches of his future date by sneaking him out of his hospital bed, yet again. Still, he was was regretting his decision considering all Genma did was complain about Shizune.

"She never told me where it is I'm taking her or when!"

"Will you quit fretting over it? You can afford to take her to a nice dinner, maybe the theatre.. Shizune is a lady."

"But I don't feel right picking up chicks in the meantime. It would be disrespectful."

Raido frowned. "And how is that a bad thing? I thought you'd already called a moratorium on women."

"That's the problem. It's already been a week of deprivation." Genma turned to his friend and the senbon in his mouth was bobbing madly. "How am I supposed to live another week without sex?"

"Honestly, Genma, it isn't going to hurt you. Think of it as being on assignment; you've survived on extended missions," cajoled Raido.

"Yeah, but what if Shizune winds up imposing a long dry spell on me to the point I even find her attractive?" Genma confessed. "I think it's starting already. The other day in the shower? When she stripped--uh. Anyway, Raido, I realized that-- Shizune is a woman!"

"Your powers of observation are uncanny, dude," muttered Raido.

Genma punched his shoulder. "You know what I mean."

"Look, Shizune's a big girl and her senbon are poisoned. I think she can take care of any unwanted advances," assured Raido.

"True, I'll just think of this as a nightmare," he said firmly. "So what about you and Hana?"

Raido fell silent and quickly averted his gaze. "Hana was a dream, Genma. Just a dream. Now let's go get our mission today completed."

- - - - - - - - - - -

At the end of the day, Raido stretched and thought about just going to bed, but something was making him restless. He'd heard howling in the distance and he wondered if the Haimaru were agitated. He sighed, put on his sandals, and reached for his vest. But then he laughed and just walked out the door without it. If Hana sent her dogs to rip him apart, he deserved it for molesting her. But, had he? He was so confused.

Raido walked in the direction of the howling. The moon, although not full, was bright in the sky and the night was a perfect temperature. He followed the path up the cliffs where he knew Hana ran with the image of her burning in his mind.

Soon he came upon an old stone bridge where he leaned on the wall and sighed. From his perspective, he could see Konohagakure spread before him and his eyes wandered to the Inuzuka estate and Hana's cottage. A single light on her front porch was on, but the rest was dark.

Raido stood staring for a long moment, but when he decided to go home, he found he couldn't move his hands away from the stone bridge. Suddenly, a shiver went down his spine as he felt the breath at his neck.

He recognized her scent: Hana Inuzuka. He tried to speak, wanting desperately to apologize, to tell her he wanted nothing but to cherish her, but found that the jutsu imposed on him paralyzed his vocal cords. He didn't panic, however. He assumed Hana wanted to denigrate him without interruption.

But she uttered no sound. Instead, he felt her hands settle lightly on his hips, then to his surprise, they dove under his shirt. And the movement had held no hostility, but instead had been a caress. Was she playing with him just to humiliate him?

Then she suddenly removed her hands, but he could hear clothing shifting and then the ring of a kunai being withdrawn. This was it, she was going to rip him open!

Rip.

His shirt was sliced neatly down his back and her hands shoved the fabric over his shoulders and down his arms. He thought nothing could surprise him more until he felt her skin pressing against his back while her hands again resumed their exploration.

Nothing made sense; he was probably dreaming. Right? He couldn't speak, but the jutsu didn't prevent his groan. And then he could feel her lips trailing along the scars on his back, feel his clothing pushed aside. What did she want?

She drifted under his arms to stand between him and the bridge. And suddenly his wish was granted and he could move his arms. He wrapped her in his embrace, her back feeling warm against his chest. All he could think about was needing to find satisfaction. And part of him was angry at being bound and used. And part of him regretted that this was nothing more than sex. And part of him was lost in the bliss she extracted from his body.

But afterwards while he was still catching his breath, she was pulling away from him and dodging under his arms. Then Hana was gone. Raido had to grab the stone bridge to keep from collapsing and all he could do was sink onto the stones of the walkway while his back rested against the bridge. He saw the remnants of his shirt within arms reach and wiped his face with it.

He didn't remember his walk home, just the feeling that he was being watched by one of Hana's dogs. He fell into his bed and slept deeply.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

In the morning Raido was almost convinced it had been a dream, until he found the torn shirt. That much was real. Still, he could have ripped it himself. These sorts of rendezvous happened to men like Genma Shiranui, not Raido Namiashis!

He closed his eyes and the sensual memory washed over him. Was it really Hana? Or had his imagination created the woman? And if it was all real, why Hana? Or was some thing using Hana? That could mean that Hana was unaware of her actions and that he was--

A dark mood settled on the jonin. He was torn between confronting Hana for using him or punishing himself for taking advantage of her. Raido thought of a standing offer he had from Ibiki and decided a black ops mission was just the thing he needed.

Ibiki was quick to pull an assignment for him, so Raido soon found himself at his locker by the jonin lounge. Raido smiled when he heard Genma enter and enthusiastically declare, "Raido! There you are. Listen, I've got the perfect solution for my little problem."

"So, Shizune was right about your being impotent?" asked Raido just to provoke the man.

Genma gave him a stern look. "My little problem is Shizune, but now I know how to settle this date with her."

"And that would be?"

"I'm going to ambush Shizune by taking her to lunch!"

"This is your brilliant strategy?"

"Don't you get it? I take her to lunch, declare that our date, and, BAM! By evening time I'm at the bar spreading the love among my ladies and not coming up for air for about three days. So, you want to come to celebrate my emancipation or what?"

"I'm being sent on a solo mission today," said Raido as he pulled out the sheath that held the black blade. "I expect to be back late."

An uncomfortable silence settled in the room.

"ANBU, Niju Shotai. I thought you wanted to retire it now," said Genma with a note of concern. It had to be an assassination mission. "Look, we left ANBU because you got tired of killing. Is Ibiki forcing you into this?"

Raido shrugged. "Volunteered."

The jonin slid out the deadly blade to inspect it, but knew it was in perfect condition.

Genma put his hand on top of Raido's as he held the hilt and offered, "I'll go with you."

Raido shook his head. "Sorry, bud." He looked up at his friend and smiled grimly. "I need this, Genma. Don't ask why."

Genma released his hold and promised, "If you're not back in three days, I'm coming after you."

"Enjoy your lunch," replied Raido as he wrapped himself in his black cloak. "And don't be cheap. Take Shizune somewhere nice like the White Orchid."

And with that advice, he was gone.

- - - - - - - - - -

Konoha Hospital

snarf, snarf Oink?

"You're right, Tonton, it is Genma's shirt." Shizune pet the pig and tossed the garment into her office. The young medic nin had just collected Genma's laundry from his most recent stay as she finished her rounds with Tsunade.

"How many of his shirts do you have now?" asked Tsunade as she picked up her pig so Tonton wouldn't be locked in Shizune's office.

"Three," replied Shizun as she shut the door. The she looked up to see the man in question walking down the corridor. "Speak of the devil. There he is now."

Genma spotted his prey and assumed a pleasant smile. He was the very embodiment of charisma and charm by the time he approached his victim. Or so he thought. Before he could open his mouth to extend his invitation, Shizune went all medic on him.

"Genma! Are you feeling sick? Having a crisis?" asked Shizune as she placed a palm on his forehead.

"I'm fine, Shizune. Do I have to be sick to come see you at the hospital?"

"Yes." Shizune blinked. She turned to murmur to Tsunade to say, "He's getting worse. That question was so simple-minded, I think his nervous system is being affected."

"Continue your close observations, then," said Tsunade as she made a quick exit with Tonton. Really, those two needed a dope slap.

"Shizune, I'm as healthy as a horse with an appetite to match. I was hoping you'd join me at the White Orchid for lunch. Think of it as Medic Nin Appreciation Day." Genma smiled again, sans senbon, and leaned in to murmur. "The dessert today is their flourless, chocolate torte."

He knew he had her hooked when a squeaky sigh escaped her open lips. Sort of luscious looking lips, actually. And her tongue flicking across them made Genma moan on his own.

"Mm mm, just imagine the smooth texture, the rich, warm taste," said Genma and for a moment wondered if he were talking about the chocolate or something else as they leaned into each other.

"Yes," murmured Shizune softly, the breath from the word falling like gossamer on his lips. "Chocolate."

"Did someone say chocolate?"

Poof. Like a bubble bursting, the voice of the young kunoichi brought the jonin back into reality. They turned in synchrony to find Sakura and Ino in the corridor with them.

"Whuh?" Genma and Shizune looked at each other when they realized they had said the same thing.

Ino laughed. "Chocolate. Did we hear chocolate?"

"Chocolate?" echoed Hinata as she came around the corner with Tenten in tow.

"Chocolate! That would be so great!" said Tenten as she clapped her hands.

Shizune smiled at the crew and announced, "Genma says it's Medic Nin Appreciation Day and he's buying. Want to join us for lunch at the White Orchid? And the chocolate dessert?"

Although all the chunin were battle-seasoned warriors now, the girl in each of them squealed in delight. Lunch at a fancy restaurant with their role model and one of the hottest jonin in the Leaf? Who'd be stupid enough to say no?

"Uh, well, you all have fun," sighed Tenten. Weapons mistress did not equal medic nin.

"Oh, but Tenten has to come with us!" declared Sakura. "She gives us plenty of practice on wound healing with all her victims, er, sparring partners."

Shizune laughed and finally admitted, "Well, it is up to Genma since he's paying."

The jonin was getting ready to throw cold water on their plans--but then Shizune turned on the most adorable, inescapable puppy-dog eyes Genma had ever seen. Hell, he'd even give her the shirt off his back if she asked at that moment.

His spoke automatically. "Whatever you say, Shizune."

The girls walked ahead of them all atwitter with excitement before he realized what Shizune had done. How in hell could he call this a date? But the medic nin took his arm and said, "Thank you, Genma. It is awfully sweet of you."

And as she walked beside him, Genma felt an odd palpitation in his chest. Damn! Maybe Shizune was right and he was suffering some sort of illness, something that affected his heart. He looked at her warily and wondered how she fit into these abnormal responses. He'd have to watch himself to see what it was about her that set him off.

- - - - - - - - - - - - -

Outside Konohagkure

Raido was returning home at the end of the day and was only a few hours away from the Leaf Village, now dressed in his usual jonin uniform. He opted to camp out under the stars to avoid his lonely bed in the village. The successful mission had done nothing to solve his personal issues, although the duel had been sufficient to relieve his dark mood. Going home only meant making a decision on how to approach Hana.

He pulled off his weapons and vest and just sat staring at the fire for most of the night. But he became immediately alert when he heard a howling, in fact not just one dog, but three. Hana? Was she out tracking again? The howl had been the call used when the Haimaru found their target.

He stood up and took just a few steps toward the sound when he suddenly was pushed back against a tree trunk. "What the--"

Raido's voice fell off as his vocal cords were again paralyzed and his hand were pinned against the tree at his wrists. And damn if instead of rising panic, his body responded with excitement.

Hana emerged from the shadows but didn't look at his face. Slowly, gracefully, her lean body was displayed before him, those perfect legs he had long worshiped were a feast for his eyes. He hardly noticed the kunai in her hand until he heard the sound of his shirt being cut open.

Damn, not another one! That was the last thought his rational mind registered before her lips found his throat and began their mind-numbing work. He could only moan in pleasure as she continued to entice him, although all her movements were simple and almost innocent, an exploration of something novel.

Then to his surprise, he heard Hana murmur his name. "Now, Raido."

The command was immutable and as she dropped to her knees, his body followed automatically, now free from the binding jutsu. He was sighing into the back of her neck enjoying the expanse of the silky skin of her back. Soon they merging shadows moving in a common rhythm.

Again, Raido was still catching his breath when Hana scooted away from him, stopping only long enough to retrieve her discarded clothing, before she was gone. Raido just rolled onto his back. His knees were caked in dirt anyway, why not the rest of him? But he made up his mind to confront Hana about these--trysts. Her command had convinced him she was not a victim, but the alternative was not a comforting thought, either.

- - - - - - - -

Raido let the water run over his body as he finally took his shower after jotting a quick note to Genma to let him know he was back safely. It was midday and he wondered where he could find Hana. He needed to speak to her in private, but in a public place to prevent the possibility of coupling before he could get answers.

The jonin made a few quick inquiries and determined that Hana was working at the animal clinic at the Konoha Hospital today. All he needed was a sick animal as his ticket in to see her. Misfortune smiled on him as he ran into Konahamaru and his genin team trying to carry a fat, ginger colored cat.

"Wait up, Konahomaru, I recognize that cat. Pretty bad-tempered, scratches like a demon," said Raido.

At the moment, the cat was scratching his way out of Udon's arms, but Raido grabbed it by the scruff and bagged it quickly. "Taking it home?"

"Yes, this is the third time this week we've had to find the stupid cat," replied Konohamaru.

A sharp hiss was heard from the bag.

"Tell you what. I'll take it to the vet to make sure its bad temper isn't due to some injury or disease, then you can return it to its owner." After a growling hiss and a bit of scratching at the bag, Raido added, "I could probably talk the vet into sedating it even. Your team should have just enough time to get lunch at the Ichiraku."

"You'd do that for me, Raido?" asked Konahamaru. The jonin had always been friendly to the boy even when he had acted like a brat to the Sandaime's bodyguard. He'd even ridden on his shoulders a few times. The memory evoked images of his grandfather, so his voice took on a solemn tone as he promised, "I'll remember to return the favor."

"No problem. Meet me after your lunch in front of the hospital," assured Raido.

- - - - -

Konoha Animal Clinic

The cat kept hissing and twisting, but the jonin was determined. When he stepped into the animal clinic, he saw Hana with her back turned in one of the examination rooms through the large glass window that separated it from the waiting area. His heart flipped at the sight of her and his stomach did an odd twist, but he took a deep breath to ensure he could find his voice.

No one questioned his right to walk right up to her door and enter.

"I'll be with you in a moment, I just have to finish this blood work," said Hana without turning around from the counter.

"I don't know if this problem can wait," said Raido.

That deep voice sent shivers up her spine. Hana carefully sat aside the tube she had been testing and took a deep breath. She'd been hoping to avoid this confrontation, that the man would be happy he was getting sex on a regular basis--although the circumstances were quite irregular--and leave it at that.

She turned around and was surprised to find a fat, ginger cat with ridiculous red ribbons on its ears hissing at her in a flagrant display of bad temper. "I'll just examine this patient, then."

"Fine, and while you're at it, I want to know what the hell it is that's been happening between us," said Raido.

"It's nothing."

"Listen, Hana, I don't know about you, but rolling in the dirt having sex with someone I barely know does not qualify as nothing to me," said Raido and he swallowed bitter disappointment. "Damn it, how many guys are you hooking up with to be so casual about it?"

Hana shook her head as she felt tears of humiliation threatening to fall. "I meant, it's nothing about the cat. It's just a bad-tempered, spoiled feline with a bad self-image because of the ridiculous bows on its ears."

The vet removed the ribbons and suddenly the cat sat still at the shock of it. A paw moved to tentatively swipe at its ear. Then the feline actually pushed its head against Hana's sleeve and an odd purring sound was emitted.

Hans said quietly, "At least one problem is easily solved."

"So now I'm just a problem?" asked Raido.

"No, Raido, I'm the one who is the problem," sighed Hana. Still, she wouldn't look at the man. Instead she directed her gaze at the cat and scratched its fur. "I made a mistake and I'm paying the consequences. It will be over soon."

"Why me? Or am I not the only one?"

Hana emitted a bitter laugh before she said, "I'm sorry, but I've never been accused of being promiscuous before. I took great pains to avoid it, but you seem to label me easily enough."

Her despondent tone finally got through Raido's anger. "Hana, give me a break. I'm sorry if I offended you but frankly, I'm confused about--us. And, no, I didn't want to think that you're some kind of nympho."

He tried to move closer to her, but she clutched the cat to her and took a step back from him, so he in turn took two steps back and held his hands palms up.

"Look, I don't understand why any girl would want a guy like me if all she's after is sex. And the way you run away afterward is a clear sign that you want nothing else from me."

Hana felt the guilt welling in her. She finally looked at Raido and graced him with a sad smile. "I messed up, Raido, and I'm sorry I dragged you into this, but it was the lesser of two evils, you could say."

"Go on." Raido wasn't sure he was going to like the revelations.

"When I did the summons, the bitch was in heat. She imposed the same burden on me, so..."

"So. I was caught in the net with you, so I was the natural choice to help you through this affliction." Raido nodded his head in understanding. It had nothing to do with wanting him, Raido Namiashi.

Hana bit her lip and shrugged. Would he even believe her if she said he was the only man she'd really considered? "I--you protected me from Kyubi. I guess I thought I could trust you to help me through this, too."

"Trust? Funny word to use here, don't you think?" But his tone was soft, almost defeated as he asked his questions. "Why didn't you tell me from the beginning?"

"I needed to find a way to appease the bitch so that the heat wouldn't affect me as much during the day. From the records I was able to find, it was best that I be dominant, hunt a mate, trap him, subdue him."

"That sums it up pretty well," observed Raido.

"I was hoping the first night would be enough, that I wouldn't need a repeat."

"Why repeat it with me? Why not turn to someone else?"

Hana shook her head at the thought and explained, "My mother leads the clan; I won't add to her burdens with a sullied reputation. That's why using you made the most sense; you're a quiet man; I could trust you not to brag."

"It's nice to know I have such sterling qualities," sighed Raido.

Hana looked away from him and continued. "If I had been married, I'd just be dragging my husband off to bed three times a day, but I have no man. In fact, I don't want any man in my life. But when her spirit possesses me, it's hard to control my actions. I do my best to direct her feral tendencies. "

"Wait. You're, like, possessed? Damn, does that mean I wind up raping you! That's why you run away?"

"No! At least, no more than what I do to you is forced," Hana replied, but then looked quickly away from him. "I'm not sexually deficient, Raido; my body is responding all on its own. Granted, the first time I wasn't quite sure what to expect since, well, you've been my first."

Raido felt a sudden surge of possessiveness competing with a boost to his male ego at this confession. Then he remembered the first night, how rough and raw it had been, not that the second time had been any gentler.

He wiped a hand across his face and murmured, "You were a virgin." He looked at her and asked, "Did I hurt you? I wasn't thinking it could be your first time. That's supposed to be rough on a girl."

Hana smiled lightly. "I know the mechanics, Raido. I was a virgin, not uninformed."

Raido voiced his next concern. "So if you're sharing this heat with this spirit dog you summoned, does that mean we have to worry about pregnancy?"

Hana was surprised he had used the term We and sought to reassure him immediately. "I use an implant of chronic contraceptives to prevent my monthly periods. Have been since I was eighteen. No, I wasn't worried about pregnancy and I know you don't sleep around."

"How did you know I wasn't carrying some bug?" asked Raido. If he had been her, he would have-- "You checked my medical records, didn't you?"

Hana's discomfiture was as clear as her rising blush. "It's often the quiet ones who get careless, don't use condoms or prophylactic jutsus."

"There anything else I should know?" asked Raido.

"We only need one more tryst," said Hana.

"And then?"

"And then you won't have to worry about rolling in the dirt like some animal mating in the wild," said Hana a bit harshly. She looked down, ashamed of her outburst. He probably wanted to be rid of her.

"But what if I want more?"

Hana looked at him apprehensively. "More? As in?"

"A date. That's all I'm asking."

Hana blinked. "A date?"

"Yeah, a date. Like you, me, together. In public." Raido saw her frown and murmured, "But I suppose it's asking too much for you to be seen with this face of mine in our village."

Hana blinked and asked. "What's wrong with your face?"

That was the last thing Raido expected to hear. He touched his cheek and said, "The scars."

"Yes, the scars are as clear as the tattoos on my cheeks, but what do you think is wrong with your face?" Hana tilted her head. "Nice symmetry on the cheekbones, aquiline nose, strong chin without looking brutish, clear, intense eyes."

Raido was taken off guard as she listed his features rather clinically. It was as if she were describing a dog. Wait. Nothing she said would give the impression of an ugly man.

"Whuh?" That's all Raido could say. He cleared his throat and asked, "So, we have a date--and I'm not talking about this sex thing."

Hana nodded and echoed. "We have a date."

Raido nodded in return and began walking backward toward the door before Hana stopped him. "Aren't you forgetting something, Raido?"

She held out the cat who had now fallen asleep in her arms. Raido nabbed it from her and walked out the door before he woke up from this impossible dream. He had asked Hana out--and she had accepted.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - -

"Genma? What are you doing here? I thought you were hitting the bar as soon as your lunch date with Shizune was over and not coming up for air for three days?" Raido allowed Genma to enter his flat.

"It was horrible," said Genma. He walked to his friend's kitchen, removed his senbon, grabbed a canister, and promptly started chomping on the contents. "I think Shizune is an evil master mind out to destroy my universe."

"What did she do now?" asked Raido patiently.

"She ruined my plan! And it was working perfectly. I go up to Shizune laying on the charm, you know, ask her to lunch, saying that medics really don't get appreciated enough. I knew I'd scored some points when she smiled at that. And then she--she twists my words around!"

"Yeah, you're really making Shizune sound evil, bud. What did she do?"

"She accepted my invitation to lunch and then extended it to include her minions! How could I call that a date?" Genma sat on the couch with a dazed look. Genma looked at Raido and declared, "Shizune has a devious mind."

"Shizune has a generous heart," reminded Raido. "So did you at least get your date set with her? I mean, the real one?"

"Hell, no! They twitter, Raido."

The jonin frowned and asked, "What twitters, Genma?"

"The minions! Sakura, Ino, Hinata." Genma was flicking up a new finger with each new name. He wagged his pinky when adding it and said, "I'm not sure why Tenten wound up with us, but they all twitter."

"Sounds like you were surrounded by your usual harem," observed Raido.

"My usual harem is not underage!" groused Genma. "And it's all Shizune's fault that my perfect plan failed. And you know what? I think the stress of the situation is beginning to affect me."

"How so?"

"Heart palpitations. Myopic vision. I get too focused on Shizune. It's getting so the sound of Shizune's voice sends a shiver up my spine!"

Raido nodded as he realized Genma was truly hopeless. "Genma, I agree. I think you have it real bad."

"Don't I know it," agreed Genma readily, satisfied that his best bud was in his corner.

- - - - - - - - -

Raido and Genma were sent out on a long day mission, but they were rather late getting back to the Leaf Village. He couldn't ditch his partner fast enough, especially since Genma was continuously grumbling about Shizune. You'd think he was a condemned man! He'd need to do something to help Genma, but Raido's more urgent worry was whether he had missed Hana.

He got to his apartment and waited impatiently for the call of the Haimaru. Now that he knew what these trysts were about, he was determined to gain some control of the situation--or at least not brutalize Hana with his lust.

His body responded immediately when he heard the first howl. He walked with deliberate steps to follow the call. This time it took him to the smooth rocks near the waterfall. This time, one of the dogs, probably Shoukou, was laying across the rocks. Raido quirked an eyebrow. He was willing to accept a lot of things, but--

The dog rose slowly, looked deliberately back to the place where he had been laying, and seemed to point to it with his nose. Then he simply walked away. Raido shrugged and sat down in the place left warm by the canine's body. He smiled and leaned back, cupping his head in his hands as he bent his arms behind his head.

Raido closed his eyes and let the sound of the waterfall lull him. Then he suddenly felt a tug on his wrists and felt his arms pinned above him against the rock as he lay staring at the sky. His heart beat quickened and he was immediately aroused at the sight of her creamy body in the moonlight.

Was that a smile he saw on her face as she approached him with her hands behind her back? Her eyes raked his body and then in a quick movement she straddled him. A kunai spun in her hand as if she were considering how to cut his shirt. His frustration built as quickly as his pleasure as she teased the responses from his body. Unlike the previous nights, he could still not make major movements of his limbs.

Was it his punishment for confronting Hana and thinking he could gain some control over the situation? He felt his frustration mounting, until suddenly the restraints disappeared.

"Hana." Raido had lifted his torso so he could envelope her in his arms. For once, he didn't want her running away from him. He leaned his forehead against hers. "Oh, Hana."

"Raido?" Hana took a deep breath and shifted as if to move off of him, but Raido cupped her face with his hands and her movement stilled.

"Stay," he whispered.

He leaned in to kiss the tattoos on each cheek and then his lips brushed hers in a whisper of a kiss. He realized he had never kissed her so he increased the pressure and urged her lips to open to him.

He was pleased when he felt her arms wrapping around him as he deepened his kiss. The caress of her fingertips on his back sent a shiver up his spine.

"Yes." Her voice was soft, but she repeated, "Yes, Raido."

He was soon pushing her onto her back. Slowly, unrushed, unfettered by foreign desires. True magic.

The afterglow was quickly clouding his mind. Raido propped himself on his elbows and took deep gulps of air, no less than Hana. Still, this time he rolled onto his back, although he kept his arm around her waist. He was pleased that she didn't pull away from him immediately, but was satisfied to rest her head on his chest as they recovered.

"That was--is this what it's supposed to be like?"

"Yes, Hana, this is how it's supposed to be."

He could feel Hana smiling into his chest and felt as if he had just completed an arduous mission. His muscles felt completely relaxed and he felt his eyes closing as he fell into a sense of bliss that he had rarely experienced.

When he finally awoke, Hana was gone, but Raido still stretched languidly in satisfaction. He was confident he could take Hana's body and she would give to him freely. Now the trick was to win her heart.

- - - - - - - - - - - -

The morning after Raido's third tryst with Hana, Genma was waiting for him in the jonin lounge. "Man, I wish we hadn't gotten back so late last night. I wanted to confront Shizune about when our date is."

"Quit fretting, it'll happen soon enough."

Genma turned to his friend and was surprised to find Raido looking--happy? "So what's up with you? You look too damn satisfied for my own good."

Raido just shrugged, but the smile didn't leave his face.

"You find it amusing that Shizune's making me suffer through this date, aren't you?" accused Genma. "It's your fault I'm in this mess. See if I ever help you get a girl!"

"I told you I don't need your help," said Raido reasonably.

"Sure. Just tell me what progress you've made with Hana on your own."

Raido gave his friend a straight face and spoke in a monotone. "We've been bopping like bunnies to satisfy the cravings of the spirit of a bitch in heat that possessed her."

"Very funny," said Genma as he settled beside his friend on the couch. "Seriously, have you even seen Hana since the mission together?"

"We're going on a date," said Raido. Then he couldn't hold back the grin, especially since Genma had spewed out his coffee.

Of course, it was at that moment that Shizune entered the lounge with Tonton at her heels. She ran to Genma and began pounding his back while Tonton expressed a distressed oink.

"Genma, are you having a seizure? You're not talking! Could it be a heart attack? Oh, no, but you're so young! Premature aging? Perhaps dementia--"

"You're the one who's demented if you think I'm aging prematurely, woman," groused Genma as he leapt behind the sofa to evade the medic. "I was just surprised. Raido has a date with Hana."

"Oh, no! It's an epidemic!" wailed Shizune. Tonton was now squealing at her side.

"Shizune, you've lost me," said Raido with his deep voice effectively calming her. "What epidemic?"

"A dating epidemic! It's obvious. Me and Genma--"

"Speaking of which, when exactly is our date?" inserted the jonin.

But Shizune ignored him and continued, "Hana and Raido, Ayame and Iruka, Anko and Ibiki--"

"The hell you say!" Genma leapt back over the sofa to confront her directly. "Mitarashi and Morino? No freaking way! When did that happen?"

"Last night," sighed Shizune as she wiped a hand across her brow to indicate fatigue. "I was with Anko when she received a note transferring her out of the Torture and Interrogation Unit--a transfer initiated by Ibiki."

"Ibiki kicked her out! And here I thought he was always cautious," observed Raido.

"I'd figure Anko would be after his blood, not his body. How'd he get a date out of her?" asked Genma as he stuck a senbon in his mouth. Really, the world was just getting weird of late.

"It wasn't pretty," said Shizune. "Anko marched straight into Ibiki's office with kunai flying, then shuriken--"

"Don't tell me. That was just her idea of saying hello?" asked Raido.

"Funny, Ibiki taunted her by saying the same thing," replied Shizune. "So soon the fight is out of the building and into the southern forests near the training grounds. Ibiki manages to explain between dodging attacks that he had to transfer Anko so that he could ask her for a date. And that was the end of the first round."

"The first round?" asked the men in synchrony. Compared to Ibiki's challenge, they had it easy getting a date.

"Anko lost consciousness," explained Shizune.

"Whoa! Ibiki punched Anko? That's pretty cold," muttered Genma who was now sitting on the couch absently scratching a merry Tonton.

"No, Anko fainted," assured Shizune. "So, once Ibiki revived Anko, she resorted to using explosive tags and clone jutsus to beat him into admitting it was all just a joke or one of his weird mind games."

"I'm afraid to ask, but how did round two end?" asked Raido.

"Binding jutsu--and a gag--Ibiki threw at Anko. I can't blame him, though. She was calling Ibiki every dirty name in the book," said Shizune. "She faked him out by seeming to be complacent and using her puppy-dog eyes."

"Anko can do puppy-dog eyes?" whispered Genma to Raido, who merely shrugged in return.

"But then as soon as he released her, Anko summoned her snake to attack Ibiki." Shizune had to take a deep breath now. "So somewhere in between getting the life crushed out of him, Ibiki blurted out that he's loved Anko for years and finally intended to do something about it."

Shizune now wiped a tear from her eye. "So of course, Anko had to release Ibiki because she felt the same way, although he won't be out of the hospital for at least two days. Still, isn't it romantic?"

Genma definitely was looking green. He looked up at Shizune and asked tentatively, "Uh, Shizune, you can't do slug summoning or anything, can you?"

The medic nin frowned and said, "No."

"Good," said Genma as he pushed Tonton aside, stood up, and tucked away his senbon. "Then, I have something important to say to you."

Shizune looked up at him uncertainly. He sounded so serious and determined. "Yes, Genma?"

"I want to know when we're having our date--and where!" Genma leaned forward, trying to intimidate the medic nin. "And I'm tired of you calling me sickly, weak, or prematurely aged! I'm in prime form, dammit."

But rather than frighten the medic nin, she merely treated him as she would any unruly patient. She patted his shoulder and advised, "Fine, Genma, you keep telling yourself that. A bit of denial can be healthy, but I want you to know that I'll personally research a cure for this premature aging--"

"I am not aging prematurely!" Genma then let his frustration get the better of him. "Could an old codger do this?"

Genma grabbed Shizune, dipped her back in his arms in a classic pose, and laid the most passionate kiss he had ever delivered to a woman.

Oink? Tonton looked up at Raido as if he could explain the scene before them, but the jonin was stunned into silence.

But the maneuver had also stunned the two principles involved. When Genma released the kiss, he looked astounded while Shizune seemed amazed as she remained leaning back in his arms.

In the meantime, Tonton jumped off the couch, but made an ungraceful landing. The pig effectively dealt a blow to the jonin's precarious posture such that in the next instant, Shizune was on her back with Genma's body tangled on top of her.

The couple was astonished to be in such a compromising position. Of course, that's when the Godaime herself entered the jonin lounge to find Tonton scurrying quickly to her and literally jumping into her arms.

And here Genma had thought pigs couldn't fly. He was in deep bat guano, not only with a medic nin who had more poisons up her sleeve than a pit of vipers, but with the Hokage herself. He closed his eyes and awaited death by slugging, by either definition.

"Shirunai, are you going to get off of my assistant or do the two of you need a room?" asked Tsunade dryly. "Shizune was supposed to summon you, not seduce you."

"Uh."

Luckily for the speechless Genma, Raido lifted him off as he grabbed the man under his arms. "It's his failing sense of balance, Lady Tsunade. Shizune is right to be concerned about Genma's well being."

The Hokage merely quirked an eyebrow as she noted that Genma seemed quite in control of himself as he shrugged out of Raido's grip to help the still discombobulated Shizune rise to her feet.

"He seems sufficiently able-bodied for the mission. Raido, Genma, take off for Rain Country. You're replacing Ibiki and Anko on this assignment since they're currently indisposed. Kakashi will fill you in on the target once you get there."

The Hokage actually stopped to rub her temples. She saw Genma still checking Shizune, waving a hand in front of her still stunned face without response, and suddenly barked, "Go!"

Raido was literally dragging Genma away by the scruff of his neck because the man couldn't take his eyes off of Shizune. Being thoroughly kissed made her look--sexy! And Genma swore before the Hokage closed the door on them that he saw Shizune touch her lips and smile.

End Chapter Three

Author Notes:

One last chapter to go; might have to wait about 5 days for that one to be finally tweaked.

Ibiki and Anko are one of my favorite odd couples, so I thought they'd be effective for the scene.

I tried to reduce the descriptions of the trysts between Raido and Shizune. I find readers have a sufficiently rich imagination to fill in details.

Thanks for reading. And thanks to all who have left comments on the story. It's nice to share a laugh.