Disclaimer: Don't own.

AN: School is not that bad right now, so i'm taking advantage of that! Oh, and incase some of you missed it, this is the mission that they get assigned to in ch.14 in "Ours".

They reached Crater City without a hitch. No unwanted visitors, nothing. But that's not what Raidou and Genma were concerned of, what they were worried about was when they reached Crater City, the city that was filled with people because of the shops and open attractions. People that will almost instantly recognize the red haired teen and will either want to say their hellos or threats. It was hard to tell them apart. Either way, they were on high guard.

The cart and carriage where left and they began to travel by foot. They kept an eye on the red head, while the other was almost constantly scanning the crowd for any unusual behavior. Raidou scanned the crowd while Aiko walked into a small shop and caught sight of Genma who was doing his own scanning. He caught the hazel gaze and gestured to the next stand that Aiko was most likely to wander into. Genma nodded and headed to the next shop. Raidou looked back into the shop where Aiko was still looking at souvenirs with an almost awe expression. He waited at the exit until the red head came back out and beamed at him, lifting her bag to show her new purchases. He couldn't help but smile at the pure innocence of her happiness, but that smile completely vanished when she hurried into the crowd and disappeared.

You've got to be kidding me. He scanned the crowd and caught a familiar hazel gaze for a brief moment. He followed the younger man with his eyes and let out a sigh of relief when he saw Genma catch up with Aiko.

"Try not to do that, Aiko-san," Genma said with a smirk, "You're going to give Raidou a heart attack."

Aiko gave him a sheepish smile, "Sorry, I guess I got a bit excited. There are just so many shops here!"

Genma chuckled and shook his head. He looked over to the front of the store and noticed Aiko's body guard, Daichi, talking to Raidou. He sighed and looked around the shop instead, trying not to think that maybe Daichi was hitting on Raidou.

"Genma-san?"

Genma snapped out of his musings and looked at Aiko that apparently wanted his opinion on something, "What is it, Aiko-san?"

Aiko smiled, "Do you know what flavor candy Raidou-san would like?" she gave him a sheepish smile, "Since I almost gave him a heart attack."

Genma chuckled and shook his head, "You don't have to get him anything."

Aiko shook her head, "I want to," she directed her attention back to the different flavors, "Hmm…I wonder…"

Chocolate, Strawberry, or even Cheesecake, his mind supplied helpfully, "Uh…I think he likes strawberry."

Aiko gave him a curious look, "Really?"

Genma shrugged, "I think so."

Aiko looked at the flavors, "I think they're out of strawberry."

"How about chocolate?"

Aiko looked at Genma, "Chocolate?"

Genma shrugged again, "You can't go wrong with chocolate, right?"

Aiko giggled and nodded. She took the package from the shelf and continued her browsing.

Genma sighed and glanced back at the entrance where Raidou was patiently waiting for them.

"Genma-san?"

Genma turned his attention back to Aiko and quirked an eyebrow, "What is it, Aiko-san?"

"How about yourself?"

Genma tilted his head, "…What do you mean?"

Aiko giggled, "What flavor do you want?"

Genma chuckled, "No, it's alright, you don't have to get me anything." He could just leech off of Raidou.

Aiko gave a mock frown, "Chocolate, right? You said you can't go wrong with chocolate."

Genma chuckled and shook his head as Aiko took another chocolate flavored hard candy package from the shelf.

Aiko made her purchase and Genma followed her back outside where Raidou looked rather bored, but fortunately, only Genma noticed. To their chagrin, Aiko seemed determined to visit every single shop, even if she wasn't going to buy anything. It wasn't that they didn't want to keep an eye on her, it was their job, but it was just difficult to do so when she had a tendency to run into the, sometimes, thick crowds and seemingly disappear for a few seconds or even minutes. It was just frustrating. It wasn't until Aiko was hungry that they settled down at a café for her to get something to eat.

Raidou heaved a sighed as he sat down at a table situated outside, next to the one Aiko chose to sit at. He smirked when Genma sat next to him and rested his chin in an open hand. He opened his mouth to say something but stopped himself when Aiko decided to sit with them instead.

"Are you two hungry?" she asked out of curiosity, leaned forward against the table.

Genma and Raidou shook their heads. They were accustomed to going days without food, but of course, it was different when they at home where food was both accessible and appetizing. Aiko gave them a small pout and looked over to her right when her bodyguard, Daichi, came back with her order.

Genma looked around as they ate, hoping that she wouldn't try to start small talk between them. He succeeded in not looking at Raidou when he felt a hand on his thigh and the finger that wrote in code: How are you holding up?

Genma inwardly smiled and casually dropped his hand to rest on his thigh, on top of the strong one resting there: So far so good.

Good.

Raidou withdrew his hand and turned his attention to Aiko, "Are there more shops that you will be visiting today, Aiko-san?"

Aiko looked up from her meal and smiled, "There sure are! I hope you two don't mind."

Genma smirked, "Of course not."

Aiko's smile widened and looked at Daichi sitting next to her, "Are you getting any shopping done, Daichi-kun."

Daichi visibly slumped at the sound of the suffix, "No, Aiko-sama, I'm not here to shop."

Aiko frowned, "Well, you know you can right? Take advantage of the opportunity!"

Genma quirked an eyebrow when Daichi only gave a grunt in response, I wonder if he was assigned to this job too. He chewed on his senbon and casually looked around but turned his attention back to the table when he heard something scrap it's surface.

Aiko offered them her order of Boa and gave them a smile, "Here, eat something."

Genma gave Raidou a sideways glance, who gave him a shrug in response. They took a boa each and Genma took the senbon out of his mouth, placing it between his fingers and bit into the sweet dumpling. He softly chuckled when he heard Raidou's soft hum of approval.

Aiko's smile widened, "Are they good?"

They both gave a slight nod. Raidou took another bite and glanced at Daichi when he felt someone looking at him, but then again, it was hard to tell, what with the shades and all. Genma accidentally nicked his thumb with the senbon in between his fingers and took another bite of the boa, this man was only making this mission more frustrating.

"Oh!" Aiko dug into her bags and pulled out the packages of candy, "I bought these for you two," she handed the packages to the two jounin.

Raidou hesitantly took the offered candy, "You didn't have to, Aiko-san."

Aiko shook her head with a smile, "I know, but it's the least I can do, right?" her smile brightened, "And Genma-san said that I can't go wrong with chocolate."

Raidou felt a hand on his thigh.

They were out of strawberry.

He smiled, "Thank you, Aiko-san."

Genma smiled, "Yes, thank you."

Aiko giggled, "No problem! Enjoy!"

After more hours of browsing and shopping, and filling the cart, they were ready to head out.

Genma looked up at the sky and frowned, his senbon following the motion. He directed his gaze to the red head, "Aiko-san, I think it would be wise not to travel at night."

Raidou looked up at the sky and guesstimated a couple, if not, a few hours before night completely fell. Either way, they didn't have enough time to travel to their next destination.

Aiko tapped her chin with a finger and tilted her head, and beamed at them when a thought came to mind, "How about we camp out!?"

Genma blinked.

Raidou stared.

"Wouldn't you prefer to find a hotel to stay at, Aiko-sama?" Daichi asked after brief moment.

Aiko shook her head decisively, "We'll camp! It'll be fun. We'll find a nice spot and make a little fire, it'll be so much fun," she looked at the men that took care of the horses, that have so far said nothing, "And I think the horses would appreciate it."

Genma's senbon clicked between his teeth because he knew damn well that "We" meant "Them", as in Raidou and he. He looked over at Raidou and the older man gave him a lazy shrug, "One of us should stay with them."

Raidou nodded and looked Aiko, "I'll scout for a location that is suitable."

Aiko clapped her hands together, "Ok!"

Raidou gave Genma a nod before darting into the trees.

Genma gestured towards the road, "Then shall we head out, Aiko-san?"

Aiko nodded with enthusiasm and entered her carriage, Daichi following her.

Genma walked near the front of the carriage as they followed the main road. About a mile out, Genma stopped when he felt a familiar chakra signature and smirked when Raidou landed next to him.

Raidou sighed and directed his attention to the carriage when it opened, "I found a place not too far from here, I think you'll like it."

Aiko beamed and nodded, "Lead the way!"

Raidou looked at Genma and the younger man nodded. They made their way to the clearing that Raidou found. It was secluded but yet, quaint. Genma noticed a pit where past campers would make their fires, meaning that it was relatively "safe", in a sense. If a lot of people camped at the same spot, that meant there was hardly any trouble. Then again, if a lot of people camped at the same spot, then muggers, thieves, or other, knew this as well. Then again, the forest was an open field.

Aiko beamed and nodded in approval, "Wonderful!"

They set up their tents, the men that were mostly there to care for the horses took the horses to a different location that wasn't too far, and in which Genma and Raidou can still keep a watchful eye on. Raidou made a small fire for warmth while Genma sat on a log and looked up at the clearing and couldn't help the smirk that tugged on the corner of his mouth at the sight of the bright stars above them. He let out a sigh and stood, looking over at the tent that he and Raidou were going share for the remaining of the trip, and smiled when Raidou emerged from it. He looked at the tent that was slightly bigger than their own, and a red head poked out and beamed at him.

"This is so much fun!"

Genma smirked, "Do you have any canteens that need to be refilled?" He asked and Aiko nodded before going back into the tent and emerging a moment later. He took the canteens and walked over to Raidou, "Canteens?"

Raidou looked around, "Where did I put that thing?" he asked, mostly himself and crawled back into the tent and retrieved his canteen, "Ah, here it is," he handed the almost empty canteen to Genma.

Genma shook it and twisted the cap open to down what was left in it as he walked over to the log he was sitting at to get his own canteen that he had left there, "I'm going to fill these up, I'll be back in a moment." He walked into the forest and towards, where he remembered, was the closest stream. He sighed as the stream came into view and scanned the area out of habit. He squatted down and slipped his hand into one of his pouches and pulled out a small mineral filter, that he bought with him as an afterthought, figuring that the Daimyo's daughter wouldn't appreciate drinking…not so clean water, and end up complaining about it. So, in a way, he was doing them a favor. He filled the canteens and made his way back to the camp site, and stopped in his tracks when he heard a twig snap. He turned his head in the general direction and listened for any more uncommon sounds. He relaxed when he felt a familiar presence move closer and Raidou came into sight, "Damn, Raidou, you had me going there for a sec."

Raidou grinned, "Only for a sec?"

Genma smirked, his senbon twitching with the motion and moved to continue his way back to the campsite.

"Wait," Raidou whispered and gently clasped his hand onto the younger man's wrist.

Genma turned his head to give Raidou a questioning look but found himself being pulled and maneuvered against a tree. His breath quickened a fraction when fingers took his senbon away and lips sealed over his in a gentle, tender kiss.

Raidou pulled away and smiled, "Couldn't resist."

Genma felt himself blush and a smile tug on his lips, "Well, you need to, remember?"

Raidou sighed and leaned in again, "I know," he whispered against lips before resealing them with a passionate kiss. He reluctantly pulled away and cupped a pale cheek.

Genma sighed and kissed the older man's palm, "Come on, we need to go back." It had been, about, five minutes since he took the canteens and left the campsite, about two or three since Raidou followed him. He took his senbon back and put it back between his teeth.

Raidou followed Genma back to the campsite and they found Daichi sitting near the fire. Genma offered the bodyguard a lazy smile and lifted the canteens before handing him one.

"Ah, thank you, Genma-san," Daichi said with a smile.

Genma nodded and sat on a different, nearby log, Raidou sat next to him, a generous space between them, "Is Aiko-san still awake?" he gestured to the middle tent.

Daichi chuckled and took off his shades, "No, I think she thought she had more energy left in her, she was out like a light."

Genma chuckled and looked at the fire. He looked back at the bodyguard when the man stood and gave them a small bow, directing his dark green gaze at them.

"Good night, Genma-san, Raidou-san."

Genma and Raidou nodded, "Good night."

Genma sighed and began to poke at the fire with a long thing stick. He looked over at the older man and smiled, "I'll take first watch if you want, you look pretty tired."

Raidou sighed and rubbed his face, leaning forward and resting his elbows on his knees. He looked at the fire for a moment before looking at Genma, "Are you sure?"

Genma nodded, "Sure. Go get some rest, Raidou."

Raidou nodded, "Alright, wake me up in a few hours?"

Genma nodded and smiled as Raidou placed a firm hand on his shoulder as he stood, "Good night."

Raidou smiled, "Good night, Genma," he walked over the log and towards their tent.

Genma's expression softened as he heard the zipper to their tent close and continued to pick at the fire. He heard the sound of a zipper open and looked over and smirked when Aiko walked out of her tent, a blanket around her shoulders, "Aiko-san, I thought you were asleep."

Aiko smiled and sat next to the jounin, "I was, but it's colder than I thought out here."

Genma softly chuckled and continued to pick at the fire, almost absentmindedly.

"Do you think we can heat some water for my hot water bottle?"

Genma quirked an eyebrow and Aiko pulled out the rubber hot-water bottle already in it's sleeve. Genma smiled, "Sure, do you have a pan?"

Aiko smiled and nodded and headed to tent and came a moment later with a pan, handing it to the jounin.

Genma filled the pan with water from his canteen and placed it near the fire. A silence fell over them as they waited for the water to boil. Genma subconsciously fidgeted with his senbon as he began to pick at the fire again.

"How long have you been a shinobi, Genma-san?"

The soft voice snapped him out of his mussing, "Hmm…," he tilted his head as he did the quick math, "About…twenty two years…" He realized that saying it out loud made him feel rather old.

"That's a long time," Aiko said innocently.

Genma sighed and nodded.

"Do you enjoy what you do?"

Genma wondered if Aiko knew what it meant exactly to be shinobi, all the killing and death that came with it, how some become emotionally unstable and therefore become socially inept; or the other way around. How, when a shinobi breaks from all that he or she has seen, it isn't pretty, and if they're lucky enough to have someone, anyone, to have as support…they're the lucky ones. His train of thought took him to Raidou, and he felt the corner of his mouth twitch, "Sometimes."

Aiko nodded, she had more questions, but felt it would be better to leave them for another time.

Genma took the pan from near the fire, satisfied with its temperature and filled the plastic bottle with it. He handed it to Aiko, and smiled, "There you go."

Aiko smiled, "Thank you, Genma-san."

Genma nodded and Aiko stood to walk back to her tent, "Good night, Aiko-san."

"Good night, Genma-san."

Genma slipped off his hitai ate and bandana and settle them on one of his thighs. He ran a hand through his hair and continued to pick at the fire with his stick, frowning when it almost caught fire. He slipped a hand into one of his pouches and took out one of the chocolate candies that Aiko had given them earlier in apology for almost giving them a heart attack. He popped one into his mouth and hoped that it had enough sugar to keep him from dozing off.

Genma slowly opened the tent a few hours later and peeked inside, a smile tugging on his lips when he found Raidou laying on his sleeping mat, an arm swung over his eyes. He crawled inside and gently placed his hand on the slightly raised knee, "Raidou," he tried, but the older man didn't stir. He sighed and smiled at the sign of completely trust that made him "safe", "Raidou." There was a sharp intake of breath but the arm didn't move.

"Hmm?"

Genma frowned, "What do you mean 'hmm'? it's your turn to keep watch."

Raidou rubbed his face and pushed himself up on his elbows, and sleepily looked at Genma, "How is it tonight?"

Genma smiled and slipped off his flak jacket, "Not bad, at all, actually."

Raidou smiled and nodded. He sat up and stretched and chuckled when Genma began to take up the emptying space, "I'm almost out of your way, Genma."

Genma smiled, "Sorry."

Raidou sat up on his knees and Genma sprawled out on his side, "You look tired."

Genma hummed and pillowed his head on a folded arm. He sighed when he felt a cool hand thread into his hair and lightly rub the back of his neck.

"I think Aiko's kind of flirting with you," Raidou whispered, a slight tease in his voice as he slipped on his flak jacket.

Genma opened his eyes that he wasn't aware of closing, Ah, so he heard that? "Really?"

Raidou chuckled and closed his jacket, and shrugged, "Maybe...or she's just curious."

Genma sighed, "She's not the only one flirting."

Raidou furrowed a brow, "What do you mean?"

Genma opened his eyes and quirked an eyebrow, "Hm?"

Raidou sighed, "Nevermind, just get some rest." He leaned over the younger man and planted a soft kiss on a pale cheek as he took his hitai ate from its resting place. He crawled out of the tent and closed it behind him and stood, tying his hitai ate into place as he walked over to the small fire. He sat down with a sigh and began to pick at it with the stick that he figured Genma was using earlier, I wonder how long it'll take to get to Grass. He tilted his head and inwardly groaned, Probably a long time.