The trip back was as boring as the trip there. As nice as it was to have Hoshigaki-senpai around, I would just as soon he wasn't. It almost seemed like torture not being able to talk to him. But at the same time, I was worried about what the future held. How long could I just hang around his place? This new job as the Mizukage's personal guard could really pave the way for my future.

I was thinking about this when I was walking down to my quarters one night. Then my arm was abruptly grabbed and I was yanked backward into one of the rooms. All I could see was a flash of blue as I was pulled into a giant bear hug.

"I just heard about your rescue of the Mizukage!" Hoshigaki-senpai laughed. "I knew you were my best student, but I never thought you'd do something this great!"

"So much for having faith in me!" I laughed as I wiggled my arms out and wrapped them around his waist.

His grip relaxed, but he still held me close. I laid my head on his chest, listening to his steady, rhythmic heartbeat. I felt so safe in his arms, my heart dropped again just remembering how all this would end soon. Would I be strong enough to not look back?

"You know what this means right?" He asked softly. "You are now equal to the teacher."

I was crushed. It was time to part ways already? I instinctively clung tighter. I just got him back, why did I have to leave now? All of my future plans seemed bleak and meaningless now. The moment of truth had come and I didn't want to leave. Without thinking, I whispered, "Please don't send me away."

He pulled back in surprise. "Send you away? Why would I do that?"

Why, oh why did I say that aloud? Now he'd think I was some sniveling brat. "Because now its time for you to take on a new student, right?"

He smirked and tousled my amethyst hair. "You needn't worry about that. This new position makes me too busy for that kind of work. And besides," he sat down on his bed and gestured for me to come closer. "I'd never send you away, don't you know that?"

"I'm not an idiot Senpai, you're going to want…to do things…and I…well," I hated how much I was stumbling. Why was it so difficult to talk candidly? I used to be able to tell him everything. I felt like I was sharing a very vulnerable part of myself and I was scared he would reject it. I took a steadying breath. "I c-can't always be there."

"And why not?" He countered gently.

"You're going to want to have a family some day right?" I pressed. "I can't be a part of that."

He reached out for my hand and pulled me onto his lap. I resisted the urge to rest my head on his shoulder, like I used to do when I was a kid. It wouldn't do to appear juvenile right now. I couldn't read his tender gaze. He had never looked at me like this before. He stroked my cheek and I leaned into his hand. "Now you listen to me. I will never send you away. Ever. Now if you're wanting to leave-"

I shook my head, words failing me.

He lifted my chin up so I could look into his eyes. "Then what are you worried about? If neither of us wants to part, than who says we should?"

"Your future wife, I'm sure."

He chuckled. "Why this sudden interest in my future? I do want to have a family someday, but I consider you a part of it. If the future wife doesn't like you, than neither will I. Does that arrangement work for you?"

I gently slapped his shoulder. "There's no need to make fun of me. I just think it's stupid to think it'll always be the two of us. I can't be number two in your life."

He leaned in to whisper into my ear. "Then why not be number one?"

I felt his lips brush against my cheek. Impulsively I turned to meet them, the touch was electrifying. I can see now why people make a big deal about kisses. I quickly turned away, feeling terribly self-conscious and turning bright red. What had I just done?

He turned my head back to face him. He was absolutely shocked. "Did…did you just…?"

I bowed my head in shame. Please tell me I didn't just ruin everything. "I don't know what came over me."

To my surprise he laughed. "Any chance of it happening again?"

He rested his hand on my neck and pulled me in for another kiss. This time I didn't turn away. I had never felt this way before, but I knew that I didn't want it to end. When it finally did, he laughed. "If I had known you'd react this way, I would have kissed you sooner!"

I cocked my head to the side. "What do you mean?"

He looked surprised for a second, and then wore a small smile as he tucked my hair behind my ear. "You mean you never knew?"

I think I was beginning to, but I still wanted to hear him say it.

"I love you Ritsuko," he said softly. "I have for some time now."

I blushed once again. So all that mother hen behavior wasn't because he was trying to be a father-figure. He was acting out of love. I rested my head on his shoulder now, trying to process all of this. How could I not have seen it before? And how did I feel about this? I must like him too if I kissed him back. Heck, I was the one who started it! As happy as I felt, part of me was scared too. What does one do when they're in love, other than act like a sappy idiot? I suddenly remembered something else. I straightened up and started laughing.

"What's so funny? I'm being completely serious." He growled softly.

"Oh I'm not laughing about that," I assured him. "I was just thinking of how my family turned out to be right. You really are a dirty old man taking advantage of me."

He laughed too. "I had almost forgotten about that." He wrapped his arms around my waist. "They sure were angry when I took you in for training, weren't they? Though in my defense, you came on to me first."

"Don't pin this all on me," I teased back. "You could have pushed me away."

"And pass up an opportunity like this?" He squeezed me a little tighter. "And besides, you're no longer my student so the situation is different."

"And what is the situation now?" I cautiously ventured.

He looked me in the eye. "We are adults and equal shinobi of Kirigakure. Which reminds me, I think its time you stopped calling me Senpai."

That would feel weird, but I wanted to respect his wishes. "And call you Hoshigaki-san instead?"

He pulled a face. "No, that's still too formal. We're on more of a first name basis, don't you agree?"

I nodded with a smile. "Yes Kisame."

"It sounds better than I imagined it would," he nuzzled against my neck. He continued to hold me and we rested into a comfortable silence. At long last, the silence had to be broken. "I hadn't meant to keep you so long. I'm sure you'll be missed by now."

"And you wouldn't be?" I countered gently.

"I have lots of teammates to spread the work out. I'm sure your duties will be more so to compensate for your comrade's death."

Sure enough, there were footsteps outside and voices calling out my name. He helped me up and led me to the door. "I'm sure this goes without saying, but it's not a good idea to tell anyone about this until we get home."

"Tell them what exactly?" I teased. "That my old Senpai was putting the moves on me?"

He shook his head with a laugh. "Now that does make me sound like a dirty old man!" He reached out to hug me again and gently kissed my forehead. "I was thinking more along the lines of us coming out as a couple."

I hugged him back. "I like the sound of that."