Disclaimer: Don't own.

On the fourth night traveling to Grass, Raidou found himself picking at a small campfire that he started not too long ago. He looked up and over to the tents when he heard someone walking towards him, "Aiko-san, shouldn't you be getting some rest?"

Aiko gave him a sheepish smile and sat on the fallen log, "Yeah, but I'm not as tired as I thought I would be."

Raidou chuckled and shook his head. Lately, Aiko would come out during the night and start small talk between either him or Genma, mostly out of curiosity. So, this night he was expecting as much.

"Raidou-san, if…you don't mind me asking…," she smiled and pulled her blanket closer, "I know that you're a shinobi and all, with duties and responsibilities, but…have you ever thought about having a family?" she asked out of curiosity and looked at the fire, and noticed the stick that Raidou was using to poke with hesitate before continuing.

Raidou hesitated, "I have, in the past, but I haven't really thought about it."

Aiko glanced at the jounin, "Why?" she paused, "I mean…I would think that everyone would like to find someone they love and start a family, you know? And be happy…" she hesitated, "Well, you don't have to answer…"

Raidou chuckled when the teen began to stammer, "But I am happy, Aiko-san," he glance at the red head and gave her soft smile before directing his gaze to the fire again, "And I'm happy with how my life is now, and to be completely honest, I want it to stay like this as long as it can."

Aiko slowly nodded in understanding, and a smile slowly tugged on her lips, "I see."

Raidou smiled and a silence fell over them for a while, "Aiko-san, if you don't mind me asking, why is it that you decided to do all this traveling?"

Aiko smiled and pulled her blanket closer, "My parents are very protective over me, and I think it has to do with me being an only child and whatnot, but I've always had a want to see the world and just travel, you know? I can't really explain it, but…I guess I just wanted to see what was out there, outside from my family's estate and local city," she sighed, "So, when my eighteen birthday neared, I told my parents my plans, that I wanted to travel to at least two other countries after I turned eighteen, and if they didn't agree, I would find a way on my way," she grinned, "Since I was eighteen and all, you know, I can be sneaky too." The jounin chuckled. "So, they consented, and agreed only if I brought Daichi-kun along, and two other jounin from Konoha," she grinned, "See? Protective."

Raidou smiled, "Well, I'm glad that they let you travel. It's good to familiarize with the outside world, sort of speak, and in way, it helps you become more independent and in turn, helps your parents loosen their hold on you."

Aiko nodded in agreement, "And how else can I learn the country that is my home, you know?"

Raidou smiled and nodded, "Well, we'll assure the safety of your trip Aiko-san, and make this an enjoyable trip for you."

Aiko beamed, "It's been wonderful so far, you and Genma-san are a lot better than I thought you would be."

Raidou looked at the teen at that, "What do you mean?"

Aiko shrugged, "I expected the two jounin that my father requested to be…I don't know, uptight? But I'm glad that you and Genma-san are really…how should I put it…relaxed," she said with a smile, "And just…casual."

Raidou chuckled and began to poke at the fire again.

"Have you worked with Genma-san before?"

Raidou felt himself blush when his mind went into the gutter almost instantly and thought for a second that Aiko had said "Have you worked Genma-san before". He just hoped that Aiko didn't notice, "Yes, we've worked together in and outside of the village, for a long time actually."

Aiko smiled, "Like once in a while, or frequently?"

Raidou smiled, "Frequently."

Aiko nodded, "That's really nice, you know? Being able to work with a close friend and all. Especially since Genma-san is an easy person to get along with."

Raidou chuckled and nodded in agreement. He glanced at the teen when she yawned, "You should get some rest, Aiko-san."

Aiko sighed and nodded, "I think I will," she stood and looked at the jounin, "Oh, and…if I get too personal with my questions…just let me know, alright? Don't feel as if you need to answer…," she said and gave him a smile.

Raidou smiled, "Alright." He saw her conversations as a another benefit that she was getting from her travel, being able to converse with shinobi, jounin, and learn a thing or two about their life type.

Aiko yawned again and walked over the log, "Good night, Raidou-san."

"Good night, Aiko-san," he turned his attention back to the fire, and shook his head with a smile.

A few hours later Raidou crept into the tent that Genma was currently sleeping in, laying on his side on the sleeping mat. He couldn't help but smile at the younger man's silhouette that was lightly highlighted by the light from the campfire that filtered in through the tent's material, and open flap. He crawled inside and gently rubbed the younger man's hip, "Genma." Genma sighed but didn't stir. He leaned down, "Genma," he purred into the younger man's ear. Hazel eyes fluttered open at the sound of his voice.

Genma hummed and blinked away the sleep from his eyes and pushed himself on an elbow, "My turn?" he asked, his voice hoarse with sleep.

Raidou smiled and nodded, slipping off his flak jacket. He eyed the younger man as Genma ran a hand through his hand pushed himself up into a sitting position, "Are you alright?" he asked softly.

Genma sighed and gave the older man a smile, "Yeah."

Raidou furrowed his brows, unconvinced and watched Genma as he slipped on his flak jacket and tied his hitai ate and bandana back on, "Gen," he whispered.

Genma looked at Raidou at the whisper of the endearment, "I'm fine," he reassured and leaned in to plant a soft kiss on the scarred cheek, "Get some rest, Raidou."

Raidou sighed and Genma turned to look at him with a fond smile on his lips.

"So…you're completely happy with how your life is right now?" Genma whispered with a slight teasing note in his voice.

Raidou blushed and stammered, "You heard that?" he whispered back, feeling his blush grow hotter.

Genma softly chuckled and leaned in again, but this time giving him a chaste kiss on the lips before slipping out of the tent and turned back to look inside, winking at him as he zipped it closed. He slipped off his hitai ate and laid down on the sleeping mat that Genma was recently sleeping on. He wondered if something was bothering Genma, or maybe he just read him wrong. He frowned at the tent's ceiling, becoming slightly frustrated with the situation. He sighed and closed his eyes, swinging his arm over them and slowly drifted into sleep.

Raidou woke up with a start in the morning, bolting up into a sitting position when he heard a shriek come from within their campsite. He hurried outside and felt himself blush when he was encountered with a half dressed Aiko rushing and fleeing out of her own tent. He looked away and found Genma averting his own gaze with an exasperated look on his face.

"Aiko-sama! Please cover yourself!"

Raidou sighed and risked a glance to, gratefully, find Aiko covered with a blanket, "What happened?"

Aiko looked at her tent, almost franticly, "There w-was -."

Genma quirked an eyebrow and went to investigate while Daichi made sure the blanket wouldn't slip off. Genma poked his head into the red head's tent and frowned when he didn't find anything. He looked back out and quirked an eyebrow at Aiko, "What -," he rolled away on instinct and a brown, furry thing scurried away. Genma stood and tried not to laugh, "A squirrel?"

Aiko frowned, "Hey! It hissed at me."

Genma quirked and eyebrow and smiled, "Hissed?"

Raidou chuckled.

"Or something," her frown deepened, "It brushed against my leg alright? It freaked me out."

Genma chuckled, "Well, it's gone now," he reassured and looked at Raidou, "And you almost gave Raidou another heart attack."

Raidou laughed.

They reached Grass and once again, left the carriage and cart and began to travel by foot. For some reason, keeping an eye on Aiko wasn't as complicated as it was in Crater City, where she would disappear into the thick crowds. This time, Aiko began to shop around for clothes and different types of souvenirs that ranged from foreign candy to things that were meant for home décor.

While keeping an eye on the redhead, Genma and Raidou did some of they own browsing, which mostly involved just looking around in the shop that Aiko was currently indulged in. Genma looked around the store they were in and caught sight of Raidou who opted to stay guard outside. His senbon twitched when Daichi walked up to him and engaged him into a conversation, What are they even talking about?

"Genma-san?"

Genma turned his attention back to the red head, "Yes, Aiko-san?"

Aiko frowned and looked around, "Is something wrong?"

Genma quirked an eyebrow, "Why do you ask?"

Aiko looked at the senbon and then met the hazel gaze, "I've noticed that when you're irritated or something, your senbon twitches and clicks between your teeth."

Genma's eyes widened a fraction, She's a lot more observant than she leads on, "It's a habit."

Aiko's frowned deepened, unconvinced, "If you say so."

Genma inwardly sighed and looked around absentmindedly, trying not to look back at the entrance.

Raidou looked off to the side and back at Daichi when the man began to talk again.

"How well do know Genma-san?" he hesitated, "I mean…if you don't mind me asking."

Raidou tried not to narrow his eyes, "Well, I've known him for a long time, we work together and such." Like live together…sleep together…

Daichi nodded.

Raidou inwardly sighed, "Why do you ask?"

Daichi smirked and looked into the shop were Aiko was currently asking Genma his opinion on something, "It's nothing."

Raidou took in a deep breath and directed his gaze down the road.

"Raidou-san, by any chance, do you if…if he's seeing someone?"

Raidou unintentionally clenched his jaw, nearly biting his tongue.

"Well, you have to, remember?"

"I don't know," Raidou answered after a moment of fake wonderment, "Why?" He regretted not saying something like "Maybe" or "I think so" rather than just not knowing.

Daichi shrugged, "Just curious."

Raidou tried not to glare at the other man, This man is –

"And yourself?"

"What?" Raidou asked almost without thinking.

Daichi smiled, "And yourself," he repeated, "Are you currently seeing someone?"

Raidou nodded, a smile tugging on his lips, "Yes, I am."

Daichi nodded, his smile softening, "That's good."

Raidou nodded, figuring that maybe Daichi was just curious. Hopefully.

When night began to fall, Aiko predictably chose to camp again, but Genma and Raidou couldn't help but smile.

Genma walked out of their tent, his and Raidou's canteen in his hand and walked over to the small fire that Aiko was currently making s'mores with, with Daichi's assistance, "Canteens?" he asked with a smile.

Aiko nodded and poked at the marshmallow she was roasting, giggling when the gooey substance stuck onto her finger. She gestured to the forest floor next to her, her hands currently full, "Right there."

Genma took the canteens, "I'll be back in a moment."

Aiko watched as the jounin disappeared amongst the dense trees. She looked over her shoulder when she heard someone walk out of a tent, "Ah, Raidou-san, maybe you should help Genma-san with the canteens."

Raidou quirked an eyebrow and hesitated, "Alright."

Aiko waited until the jounin was out of sight, and ear range, "I think you should stop trying to…indirectly find out about Genma-san, Daichi-kun."

Daichi's eyes grew wide, visible without the dark shades in the way, "What?"

Aiko smiled and looked at his bodyguard, "I just think that it would be best if you don't go further with the interest you have in him…or Raidou-san for that matter."

Daichi cleared his throat, trying to fight off his blush, "Why do you say that, Aiko-sama?"

Aiko shrugged and succeeded in squishing that melted marshmallow between the two graham crackers that Daichi had ready for her, "I just have a feeling that…they wouldn't appreciate it."

Daichi sighed, and nodded in understanding, "Alright."

Aiko grinned, "But feel free to hit on all the men you want once we're back home."

Daichi blushed but couldn't help but laugh.

Genma looked over his shoulder when he heard someone approach him, "Ah, Raidou, if I didn't know any better I would think you're trying to sneak up on me." He twisted the cap onto the canteen and put it aside and began to fill another one.

Raidou smiled and walked closer to the younger man, "Need any help?"

Genma shook his head, "No, I just have another two to fill."

Raidou watched the younger man as he filled the canteens. Genma stood and gave him a questioning look.

"What is it?"

Raidou shook his head, "Nothing."

Genma shifted his hold on the canteens, "We should head back."

Raidou sighed and caught Genma by the elbow as he passed next to him, "Wait."

Genma turned to look at the older man, quirking a questioning eyebrow.

Raidou loosened his grip, "Genma,…I can tell there's something bothering you…"

"It's nothing, Raidou," he gave the older man a reassuring smile.

"Gen," Raidou whispered and locked his gaze with the hazel eyes, "Talk to me…"

"It's no…," he trailed off when the dark eyes hardened. He sighed and looked off to the direction of the campsite, "Fine. Maybe you can tell me why Daichi keeps…what looks like, flirting with you?"

Raidou stared at Genma, taken aback, "What?"

Genma shook his head and moved to walk back to the campsite, "Nothing, never mind." Saying it out loud sounded a lot more like jealousy than he thought. Before he could properly react, his back met a nearby tree with Raidou's eyes locked with his.

"He's not flirting with me," Raidou said gently and let out a tired sigh, "He keeps asking me about you."

Genma's eyes widened, "What…?"

Raidou shook his head, "Genma…you have no idea how frustrating this mission is getting. How hard it is not to just tell his to back off," he whispered an upset edge to his voice, "To just tell him that you're…" He trailed off with a sigh and moved away from the younger man, turning to look at the stream instead, calming himself.

Genma's expression softened, "That I'm yours," he finished above a whisper. He couldn't blame Raidou for feeling possessive, because he wanted to just tell Daichi to back off as well, that Raidou was his. But it turned out that Daichi was trying to get to him, instead. A soft smile tugged on his lips at their possessiveness towards each other.

Raidou sighed and turned back to look at his lover, "…I know what we've agreed on, that when we are sent out on a mission together, it's duty – business – first, to keep our professionalism, and to keep our personal lives off the field," he sighed again, "So, I'm trying very hard not to let Daichi get to me."

Genma smiled, "Me too," he sighed when Raidou suddenly looked exhausted. He closed the distance between them and gave the older man a brief kiss, "Come on," he reluctantly gestured over to camp, "We're taking too long."

Raidou nodded and followed Genma back to the campsite where Aiko beamed at them and present them with many smores. Keeping watch won't be difficult tonight.

Raidou dusted off the crumbs of graham cracker that had ended up on uniform pants and refrained from taking another one. He eyed the tray, however, Aiko did make too many. He softly chuckled and looked at the fire instead. His train of thought took him to his earlier conversation with Genma, and slowly shook his head. How Genma could think that Daichi was flirting with him, was beyond him, though, after thinking about, it did seem that way. He frowned, Or it could just look like a conversation. But then again, he couldn't blame Genma. This whole situation was just…frustrating on a completely different level. Not only did he have to refrain from touching Genma in any intimate way, but he – they – had to pretend as if they were only friends, comrades, nothing more. He had to keep telling himself that Daichi's questioning was innocent, friendly. But then again, why wouldn't Daichi just ask Genma?

He let out a tired sigh and slipped off his hitai ate, letting the cool air hit his warm forehead. He wondered how different it would have been if Genma and he weren't… "seeing each other"…yet. With a frown he though, I wouldn't be possessive, but more jealous that Daichi could show such a clear interest on someone. A smile tugged on his lips when he remembered the first time that Raidou let himself show his interest to Genma; of Genma. I'll never forget that blush.

With a sigh he looked up at the dark sky, making him grateful of Aiko constant choosing of camping rather than staying in a hotel, and apparently Grass welcomed that for visitors. Though, the landscaping lacked too many trees for Raidou's liking. He jerked out of his musings when he felt a hand on shoulder; a warm gentle one. He looked up and hazel eyes met his, a wide grin on the younger man's lips.

Genma chuckled, "And here I thought I wouldn't be able to sneak up on you."

Raidou frowned, "Well, it's obvious that I don't see you as a threat, Genma."

Genma's grin grew mischievous, "Is that so?"

Raidou grinned back, "Why yes, it is, Genma. I trust you."

Genma felt himself blush and his grin softened to a smile as he took a seat next to the older man.

Raidou looked at the fire and then at the younger man sitting next to him, "Why are you up?"

Genma chuckled, "You forgot to wake me up, it's my turn to keep watch."

Raidou's eyes widened a fraction, "Oh."

Genma chuckled and slid his senbon to the opposite corner of his mouth. He conveniently found a stick and began to poke at the fire.

"S'more?"

Genma quirked and eyebrow and looked at the older man, following the dark gaze to the tray that contained the abundant amount of the chocolate and marshmallow sandwiches, "Hmm, don't mind if I do." He took a s'more and bit into, humming in approval.

Raidou gave Genma a sideways glance and smiled before directing his gaze to the fire.

Genma finished his sandwich and licked the excess crumbs and chocolate off of his fingers. He gave Raidou a sideways glance and froze when he caught the older man staring at him. He slowly slipped his fingertip out of his mouth and swallowed when the dark eyes sharpened at the motion.

"You're such a tease," Raidou whispered under his breath.

Genma cleared his throat and felt a blush creep onto his cheeks, "Sorry."

Raidou sighed and softly chuckled.

Genma smiled and continued to poke at the fire, "About…earlier…," he whispered after a moment and glanced at Raidou, who shook his head.

"Don't, Genma," Raidou whispered back, a soft smile gracing his lips, "Don't worry about it."

Genma sighed and reluctantly let the subject drop, it wasn't the time or the place to talk about it anyway, "You should get some rest."

Raidou chuckled, "I'll be lucky if I can fall asleep after all those s'mores I ate."

Genma grinned and looked at the older man, "How many did you eat."

Raidou frowned, "I am not proud of the number."

Genma stifled a laugh, "You are aware that you might crash after all of that right?"

Raidou looked at Genma, "But they were so good."

As predicted, Raidou crashed about an hour later. But not in the tent. No, instead he conveniently crashed on Genma. And Genma welcomed him, he figured that Aiko or Daichi wouldn't be waking up any time soon, and even if they did, it wasn't that intimate of a position was it? Genma looked over at the sleeping man that was currently using his shoulder to pillow his cheek, with most of his weight leaning against him, and Genma leaned back. No, he figured that it wasn't that intimate, it would be a different story if Raidou had managed to wrap his arms around him. Genma tilted his head, Or maybe it's that I'm just comfortable with him. After a while, he reluctantly tried to wake the older man thinking that his sitting position wasn't really helping with his rest, "Raidou." The older man sighed but didn't wake, "Raidou, wake up."

Raidou stirred awake and opened his eyes to the fire in front of him, but didn't move away from Genma, "Hm?"

Genma smiled at the sleepy response, "You should get some proper sleep in the tent."

Raidou sighed. Even though he was reclining, in what looked like an uncomfortable position, he felt more relaxed that he would in the tent, and he knew why, "What if I want to stay here?" he whispered back, letting his eyes slide shut again.

Genma smiled, "I have no complaints," he whispered, "I rather enjoy your company."

A smile tugged on Raidou's lips as he slipped back into sleep.

Raidou woke up with a start and lifted his head from Genma's shoulder as he sat up and rubbed his face, blinking his eyes until they adjusted the morning light.

Genma smiled and a moment later he heard Aiko walk out of her tent and greet them with a cheery "Good Morning!", "Good morning, Aiko-san."

Aiko stretched and grinned, "How about we have breakfast back in town?"

They nodded in agreement and packed everything back up before heading back into town where they found a small restaurant. Once they were done with their breakfast, Aiko took to the roads again, to thoroughly explore the shops and even restaurants.

Genma was glad that they haven't encountered any trouble during their trip, either to Crater City or to Grass. It was a relief, in a sense, that there wasn't anyone out there that wanted to cause harm to Aiko. He wondered if anyone did know that she was traveling, then again, knowing her parents, no one other than her parents, and those traveling with her know. He looked around as he wondered if they were drawing unwanted attention to her. He furrowed a brow, Why am I thinking about this now? He looked around with a sharper eye when an uneasy feeling settled over him. For a second, he thought he was being paranoid. Raidou casually walked up to him. "Where's Aiko?"

Raidou gestured into the shop, "Inside with Daichi."

Genma relaxed, apparently, visibly.

"Why?"

Genma shrugged and his senbon twitched, "I don't know, I got a strange feeling."

Raidou frowned, "I don't think anyone would do any harm to her, especially since Grass and Leaf are allies."

Genma met the dark eye's gaze, "It doesn't necessarily have to a nin, Raidou."

Raidou narrowed his eyes in a sign of understanding.

Genma looked over when he saw Daichi coming towards him, and he realized, that the bodyguard wasn't in the shop.

"Where's Aiko-sama." It wasn't a question.

Genma and Raidou exchanged looks and then looked at Daichi, "She was in here, wasn't she?"

Daichi furrowed his brows, "She was, she went on to the next one and she's not in there."

Genma looked at Raidou when the older man looked at him and nodded before taking to roofs for a better vantage point.

Raidou looked at the bodyguard that was trying not to panic, "We'll find her."

Daichi turned his attention back to the jounin, "Isn't that your job?"

Raidou'e eyebrow twitched at the tone, "Look, you search here in the shops, maybe she wandered into a different one. Genma and I will search by rooftop, alright?" Daichi nodded before he took the rooftops and followed his gut instinct.

Aiko started to panic when she didn't see Daichi or the two jounin. She looked around for them and felt someone following her, thinking it was Daichi, or maybe one of the jounin, she turned with a smile, which immediately faded when it wasn't.

"Are you lost, miss?"

Aiko shook her head, a jerky movement, and tightened her grip on her bags, "No," she turned back around and hoped that he panic and disorientation wasn't visible. She found herself wandering away from the outdoor shop and towards the main roads, thinking that maybe she should go inside instead, but she could still feel the man following her. She instinctively turned a corner when another man came up to her, and ironically found herself in an alley. She kept walking, pretending she knew where she was, giving the impression that she was confident and knew where she was going, while inside, she was truly freaking out and hoping that wouldn't get herself lost and end up in some sort of trouble. She rounded the other end of the alley, feeling the two men close behind her. She bumped into someone and felt herself jerk and gasp, wanting to scream – something - on instinct but couldn't find the voice to do so, Oh god – she snapped her head up when a protective arm wrapped around her shoulder, "Raidou-san!"

The men that were only about six feet away didn't seem to lose their enthusiasm and reached into their pockets and froze when Genma soundlessly landed in front of them.

"I wouldn't."

The men exchanged looks tried not to run but casually walk away. They hurried their pace though when they heard something that sounded a lot like metal unsheathe itself.

Genma sighed and replaced his kunai, it sometimes paid off to look intimidating. He turned around and found Raidou trying to sooth a shaken Aiko.

"Don't do that again, alright?" Raidou said gently and the red head nodded, her head bowed. He sighed and looked up at Genma who gave him a soft smile.

They both knew that it could have been worse.

Daichi stopped his helpless fidgeting when he caught sight of the red head, and couldn't help but close the distance between them in a hurry, "Aiko-sama! Are you alright?"

Aiko waved off his concern, "Yes, yes, I'm fine, Daichi-kun," she smiled at Raidou and Genma, "Raidou and Genma-san came and found me."

Daichi sagged with relief, "Oh thank, goodness. I thought something had happened to you."

Aiko smiled at her bodyguard, "There's no need to worry, Daichi-kun. We have two elite jounin and you, keeping an eye on me. The worse that can happen is me getting lost."

Genma and Raidou noticed that Aiko conveniently left out the part that there were two armed men following her, ready to take advantage of her disorientation, and possibly of her.

And by the looks of it, it was a good thing.

Later on, while Aiko was looking for souvenirs for, what Raidou assumed were for family and friends, she turned to him and gave him a soft smile, "Thank you, for earlier," she whispered, not wanting to have Daichi hear her.

Raidou smiled and shook his head, "No need to thank me, Aiko-san."

Aiko shook her head, "But I want to. Not only have you and Genma-san have made this trip a lot more enjoyable, but safer, so…thank you."

Raidou smiled and nodded, "It was nothing."

Aiko beamed at him and giggled before turning back to her shopping.

Genma tried ignoring the way Daichi kept appearing and disappearing out of his peripheral as he watch outside of the shop. When Daichi did it for umpthieth time he let out a sigh and looked at the bodyguard, "Why do you keep fidgeting?"

Daichi stopped in his tracks and gave the jounin a confused look, "Am I?"

Genma blinked, "Yes. You are."

Daichi scratched the back of her head, mussing his nearly black hair, "I suppose I am. Sorry."

Genma sighed and leaned against the wall behind him.

"I guess I'm still getting over the scare Aiko-sama gave me."

Genma smiled, his senbon following the motion, "You really care about her, don't you?"

Daichi smiled and took off his shades, "She's like…a little sister to me, you know?"

Genma chuckled and nodded, "I can see that."

Daichi sighed, "But she needs to be more careful," he looked at the hazel haired jounin, "Thank you, for taking care of her."

Genma looked at the body guard and shook his head, "No need, really."

Daichi chuckled and shook his head, "I know she can be a handful sometimes, so…thank you."

Genma smiled and nodded, "No problem." He noticed the bodyguard hesitated before settling and just smiled back at him.

"I'm going to see what Aiko-sama is up to."

Genma nodded and Daichi walked into the shop and towards the redhead and Raidou. He relaxed against the wall and subconsciously twitched the senbon with his tongue as he waited for the other three to come back out. He vaguely wondered when their escorting duties would be over, when they would be back home where they could drop their charade. Because only he knew how much he just wanted to kiss Raidou, let alone touch him, every time he saw him; near him. And by every growing day, it was becoming more difficult not to do so. He had to keep reminding himself that it was duty first; their professionalism.

He inwardly groaned when he identified it as one of the stages of sexual frustration.

Once Aiko was satisfied with her purchases, she decided it would be a good time to head towards Waterfall, which was adjacent to Grass. They were able to reach their next destination before night began to fall.

"Can we camp out before heading in the village?" Aiko asked, poking her head out of the carriage's small window.

Genma and Raidou exchanged a look before looking at the teen, "If you would like."

Aiko nodded, and smiled, "I think we'll start heading home by tomorrow night."

Genma and Raidou nodded, figuring that it would be wise because Waterfall was more of a "sight seeing" village than shopping grounds.

Once they found a nice campsite that Aiko approved of, Raidou made the small fire while Genma went off to find a lake, or some other water source to fill the canteens.

While Genma squatted down to fill the canteens he let his hand drop into the cool water of the lake he found, and felt a sudden urge to bathe. He frowned when he wondered of the last time he took did do. Aiko managed to bathe nearly every day, sometimes finding a public bath, which in both cases, Genma and Raidou had to descretely continued their watch, while still giving Aiko and other visitors their privacy.

He finished filling that canteens and headed back to the campsite and handed out the canteens to their designated owners, "I think I'm going to take a bath," he looked at Aiko, "That is…if you don't mind."

Aiko shook her head and smiled, "Feel free to do so, Genma-san."

Genma smiled and nodded before heading into the tent he was sharing with Raidou and retrieved a towel he bought with him, along with a clean jersey. He crawled out of the tent and headed toward the lake, slipping off his hitai ate on the way. He scanned the area out of habit before slipping off his flak jacket and draping it over a nearby rock, his jersey and pants following. He contemplated his underwear for a moment before deciding to strip those off too. He slipped into the water, soundlessly, and softly hummed as the cool water enveloped him.

Raidou came back to campsite with a stack of useable fire wood and placed it on the floor. He looked around and gave Aiko a questioning look, "Where's Genma?"

Aiko smiled and pulled her blanket closer, "He decided to take a bath."

Raidou nodded and looked at the general direction of the lake before sitting down near the fire.

"Feel free to join him, Raidou-san," Aiko said after a moment, and smiled, "I'm sure Daichi-kun and I can manage for a while."

Raidou hesitated, "Are you sure?"

Aiko nodded with enthusiasm, "Of course."

Raidou sighed, "I suppose I should take a bath."

Aiko giggled.

Raidou chuckled and headed towards the tent to retrieve his towel, "I won't be gone for long, alright?"

Aiko nodded, "Don't worry about it." She waited until the jounin was out of sight, "And no Daichi-kun you can't join them."

Daichi visibly slumped.

Raidou slowed his steps when he heard the subtle ripples coming from the lake. His eyes instantly fell on pale body that was exposed from the ribs up, his back turned to him as pale fingers combed back the wet hazel locks that looked darker now when wet. He swallowed as Genma moved closer to the shore, the water level dropping to just under his navel. Hazel eyes fell on him and a playful grin graced his lover's lips.

"Are you going to join me?"

Raidou knew that it probably wouldn't be a good idea and reluctantly shook his head, "I'll…just wait until you're done," he sighed at the younger man's disappointed look.

"Come on, Raidou," Genma coaxed and his grin widened.

Raidou swallowed and moved closer to the lake stripping off his flak jacket and laying it on top of Genma's gear, feeling the hazel gaze attentively looking at him.

"No need to be shy," Genma whispered, but the older man heard him anyway.

Raidou stripped out of his jersey and looked at Genma, "This…probably isn't a good idea." He sighed when Genma deflated and sunk further into the water.

"…I'll be out in a minute."

Raidou sighed at the sound of the dejected voice, and undid his leg wrappings as Genma stepped out of the water and walked over to him. His eyes roamed over the glistening body as Genma dried himself off. He used every ounce of self-control not to snatch that towel away as it wrapped around the slender hips. He sighed when a pale hand undid his pants and the purr of the zipper made him flush.

Genma smiled, grinned, and began to redress; tugging on his pants and his clean jersey on. He turned to the Raidou, ready to say something, but his words caught in his throat as the tanned body slipped into the water, and under it's surface. He swallowed as Raidou resurfaced, his dark hair causing rivulets of water run down, over the scarred cheek, down to the tanned neck, over the clavicle, down and over dark nipples – the strong chest – taut abdominals –

Genma forced himself to look away and roughly towel dried his hair, leaving the towel over his head as he slipped on his flak jacket, "I'm going to head back, alright?"

Raidou looked at the younger man nodded, "Alright, I'll be back in a couple of minutes."

Genma smiled and looked at Raidou, trying very hard not to think that Raidou was currently naked and wet, "It's alright, no need to rush…too much." He took his leg wrappings and pouches and headed back to the campsite where he found Aiko writing in a book and Daichi trying to stay awake. Blue eyes looked up and the teen smiled at him.

"Have a nice bath?"

Genma smiled, "Refreshing."

Aiko giggled and closed the book that she had settled on his lap.

"What you got there?" he asked as he sat down and began to wrap the wrappings around his calves.

Aiko smiled, "Just a journal I've been keeping."

Genma quirked an eyebrow and smiled, "This is the first time I hear about this."

Aiko gave him a coy smile, "Well, it is journal, slash diary."

Genma chuckled, "I was only teasing, Aiko-san," he switched legs, "It would be a bonus if you were taking pictures as well."

"But I have been."

Genma looked at the red head, "What?"

Aiko giggled, "I've been taking plenty of pictures," she stood and hurried to her tent, and coming back with a small black pouch, "It's one of my point and shoot cameras, not one of my studio or professional ones…for obvious reasons," she took out the cameras and took a quick picture of Genma…who currently had a towel over his head, and his flak jacket undone. Talk about unprofessional.

Genma chuckled, "You're a photographer."

Aiko beamed and Daichi chuckled, "I love photography! Either looking at them or producing them – I love it!"

"You could say it's her passion," Daichi chided in.

Aiko nodded in agreement.

Genma smiled and took the towel off of his head and combed his fingers through his damp hair, his eyes snapping at the teen at the sound of a click.

Aiko gave the jounin a sheepish smile, "Sorry, couldn't help it. The lit from the fire and your position…," she trailed off with a chuckle, "…Sorry."

Genma laughed and shook his head, "Only if I get a copy."

"A copy of what?" Raidou chimed in and looked at Aiko and noticed that she had a camera…that was pointing at him.

"Of that," Genma answered with a chuckle as Raidou sat down and began to redo his leg wrappings.

"Can I have a copy as well then?"

Aiko laughed and nodded, "Of course!"

Raidou smiled and shook his head when a drop of water landed on his leg.

"Hey!" Genma protested and wiped the drop his cheek.

Raidou grinned and shook his head even more.

Genma frowned as the other three laughed at him. He turned to Aiko, "Don't give him any copies."

Raidou frowned.

Raidou sat in front of the fire, feeling more relaxed and refreshed than the previous nights, I should wake Genma up soon. He looked over at the tent and contemplated, I'll give him another hour.

An hour later, Raidou crept into the tent and smiled at the sleeping form of the younger man as Genma slept on his side. He moved closer and placed his hand on the younger man's hip, ready to gently rouse him from sleep, but instead found himself letting his hand move along the younger man's thigh and around to smooth over the firm, round muscle. Genma sighed and he found himself leaning down, and nuzzling into the pale neck.

Genma woke up, his eyes fluttering shut again as lips sealed over his. He sighed into the kiss as the older man's tongue teased his own. He softly gasped when Raidou broke the kiss, breathless and instead buried his face into his neck, and he couldn't help but return the gesture. He pulled the older man closer before thinking and breathed in his scent, making a shiver run down his spine.

Raidou softly grunted when Genma suddenly sat up and he ended up hitting the sleeping mat, "…Sorry…I know…" he said with a sigh.

Genma sighed and looked at his lover, "You're not making this easier you know?" he whispered gently, a sign that he wasn't upset.

Raidou softly smiled, "I know, Gen," he whispered back, "But it's getting increasingly difficult not to."

Genma couldn't help but smile and shook his head. Raidou had a point, their current situation wasn't helping much of a distraction – from themselves. He slipped on his flak jacket and leaned over the older man, "You're telling me. Get some rest, Rai."

Raidou sighed as Genma exited the tent and took his turn to keep watch. He unintentionally glared at the ceiling of the tent.

He identified this as one of the stages of sexual frustration.