disclaimer: I don't own Naruto or the characters contained therein, they belong to Masashi Kishimoto who is kind enough to let fans write fiction. I make no profit from this nor do I intend to.
Re-write as of 11/2012
Chapter 54
Days Gone By
When Ayumu and Yuzuki finally left the cabin they met Iruka, Genma and Anko out front. Iruka looked happy and relieved, and he went up to Yuzuki and wrapped her in his arms. He held her closely and murmured something into her ear that caused her to blush and turn her face away from the others. Yuzuki tentatively brought her arms up and placed them loosely around Iruka's waist. They stood for a moment like that and then almost with regret pulled apart. Yuzuki still didn't face the others, but a slight blush could be seen on the back of her neck.
Ayumu smiled slightly at Anko and Genma. She really wasn't in the mood to be around either of them right now. She was still deep in thought about her conversations with both Anko and Mrs. Akitada. Ayumu's head was swirling with questions, ideas, and scenarios. She just wanted some time alone and maybe figure out everything that was going on.
Genma walked up to Ayumu and with his hands in his pockets and looked down at her with a gentle smile on his face. "You feel up for something to eat? Or maybe you would like to just sit in the sun for a bit? I could get you something to drink-"
"No, I'm fine. In fact sitting in the sun might do me a world of good. I just want to quietly relax for a bit."
Genma moved to take her arm but Ayumu slightly moved away. "No, I want to be by myself for a bit I think, but thank you none the less. Maybe catch up with my boys at some point. I miss them and I want apologize to them for causing them grief."
"Well at least let me see you settled."
"No, I'm fine- but thanks again for asking though."
Ayumu tried to take the sting out of her actions a bit. She could also sense that Anko was getting slightly upset by Genma's focus of attention. She had a look on her face that was part hurt and part anger.
"Why don't you and Anko check out the village? I know that you just got here and haven't really had a chance to see the sights. Why don't we all catch up at dinner?"
Ayumu tried to smile her brightest smile at Anko, but the woman was now even slightly frowning.
Genma looked like he was about to make a retort but before things could get any more uncomfortable Ayumu waved and said that she was going to sit at the dock-alone- and that she would see everyone later. Ayumu slowly left them without even a backwards glance. She knew that Iruka would take good care of Yuzuki, and maybe Anko and Genma would do as she asked. Ayumu felt both physically and mentally too exhausted to enter into some twisted argument with either of them right now.
As Ayumu went through the wooded path to the docks she thought about how much she missed Ibiki, and on so many levels. All these confusing mind games just wouldn't be happening right now if he was here. One way or another Ibiki would deal with them and he would set everyone on the right path. He certainly wouldn't let Anko or Genma harass her as they now seem to be doing. Ibiki would stop them in their tracks and then herd them away. But most probably not before he would have laid his claim first and foremost.
Ayumu wondered why she was even letting Anko or Genma get to her in the first place. She thought that Anko must like Genma a whole lot more than anyone knew or that she let on. Ayumu easily felt Anko's jealousy and disappointment. She could understand where the woman was coming from really. Ayumu had felt the same way about Ibiki on more than one occasion. Besides, Genma was family and both Ibiki as well as Anko should have known automatically that she wasn't interested in Genma like that.
But Genma...what was his deal? Ayumu still felt the same friendly, concerned feelings that she had always felt from him, but now there was also something intangible as well. She felt frustrated that she couldn't quite pick up on it. Ayumu knew that it was partly because of her inexperience due to her lack of past relationships. If she had had more experience with men then she probably would have figured it out by now. She still didn't think that Ibiki was right in thinking that Genma was interested in her not as a friend, but as a man would a woman. It couldn't be that, because why would it have taken all these years then? Anyway, she just wasn't Genma's type. He went for women that played the same game that he did, and Ayumu certainly wasn't one to do casual.
"Sensei!"
Ayumu turned at the sound and threw a big and genuine smile on her face. Masahiro and Toshiro were running at break neck speed for her. They were followed closely by the twins and Daichi, and then at a more sedate pace by her two journeymen. Ayumu opened her arms and enfolded her two youngest closely to her.
"Oh, my babies, I am so very sorry..."
Masahiro buried his face against her neck on one side and Toshiro on the other. They embraced tightly until the other three arrived, and Ayumu hugged and kissed each one as well. By the time that her journeymen arrived all the boys and Ayumu were wiping tears away. Ryou and Akira were much more sedate and adult in their approach, but as soon as they got close enough Ayumu grabbed them both and hugged them just as she did the younger ones. All seven sat down around her on the dock and relaxed for the first time since taking both women back to the cabin.
Ryou stepped back slightly abashed and rumpled Ayumu's hair as she used to do to him in affection. "Can't hang, huh?"
Ayumu gave him a snarky smile and nodded in agreement. "It appears so."
"Wonder what Morino-san will say when he hears about-"
Ayumu smacked Ryou upside the head and threatened him with a mock snarl.
"Morino-san will never hear of this from any of you on fear of death. Besides, Ibiki already knows I can't handle my liquor. That's old news with him..."
"And now it's old news to us as well..." grinned Kaziko.
Ayumu stuck her tongue out at him and smiled brightly."Look at it as an educational experience, and one where now-should it happen again- you will know what to do."
"So now we are to be your babysitter?" Toshiro shook his head and rolled his eyes, but snuggled closer to her.
"No," she said smoothing his hair, "not babysitter. But as I watch over you, you are also free to watch over me."
Akira shook his head and looked at his sensei with a frown. "Seriously though, Sensei, you have to admit that you were a slightly bit over-inebriated ..."
Ryou looked at him as if he was insane. "Slightly over-inebriated? She was plastered! And so was Yuhara-san...she was lit pretty brightly as well."
Ryou thumbed in Akira's direction and leaned forward conspiratorially towards Ayumu. "Don't pay him any attention...he is just being a big baby because you girls ended up in a heap on top of him and he saw his life pass before his eyes with the combined weights."
Ayumu put a conciliatory hand to Akira's cheek and patted it. "Oops, sorry Akira. The first time you get snookered I'll go easy on you, okay? Promise."
Ryou and Ayumu laughed together at Akira's expense.
Akira looked down at the dock in defeat. He knew that it was pretty useless to go against the combined effort of those two, and he just gave himself up. Akira's ruffled feathers were slightly smoothed when Ayumu lay down and placed her head in his lap. Akira smiled fondly down at her and softly brushed her hair back. The action caused Ayumu to relax even more and even start to drift off to sleep.
Ayumu woke up to the sun slowly setting in the horizon on the other side of the lake. As she sat up she looked around and saw that all her boys were fast asleep next to her on the dock. Even Akira was quietly snoring at her head. She looked at all of them and thought how lucky she was to have gotten each and every one of them. Ayumu was one of the few teachers to have seven students directly under her care. Most others had only three to five, but for some reason the Head Mistress had given her these seven boys.
Ayumu knew when she became a Master that she would get Akira and Ryou, as they had both been under the tutelage of Master Fujiwara, and they would become hers by right of inheritance almost. They could have gone to someone else, but the Head Mistress was a smart woman, and Ayumu knew that Akira and Ryou were hers as a form of therapy after her family debacle. It was never said or even implied, but Ayumu knew, and she was grateful. Both boys kept her from sinking into a depression or some other negative mental state. They were young and needed her complete attention, and they had gotten it. Ayumu helped to raise them, and in return they helped to raise her as well. They gave Ayumu the chance to gain her second wind, and gain it she did as she had never looked back. She would always be grateful to them and the Head Mistress for seeing her great need and answering it with such love and devotion.
Daichi was the first of her younger boys to come under her care. When Daichi came to her he was the child of a drunken and abusive father, and he was an adult in the body of a child. He had spent so many years looking after his father's needs before his own that the boy had no idea what to do when he came to Hiraku. Ayumu could immediately sense his great talent not only with art, but more importantly with people. Daichi was the most sympathetic and empathic person she had ever met. He was sensitive to other's needs to the point that he most times forgot his own. Ayumu helped to remind him that he was important as well, and that it was alright to want things for himself. It was very hard at first for Daichi, as he had never before had the opportunity or luxury to give himself any quality 'me' time. But Ayumu helped him to realize that it was ok to be a kid and that he needed to cherish that time.
It was with Daichi that Ayumu started the habit of one or two times a week leaving Daichi a note that gave him instructions for the day, but they were instructions like: "Go to the center of Konoha to the large, old Maple tree and watch it", or "Go to the front gates of Konoha and watch the people," or even "Go fishing". She would find seemingly nonsensical things for him to do that put him in tune with the things that he normally would haven't noticed or just taken for granted. Daichi learned to really see the world around him as well as spend some time for himself. It was a tradition that Ayumu carried on still with her boys, and it helped to soothe their minds during turbulent times and make them more observant.
Next came Kaziko and Kichirou. The twins came to her because it seemed that no one else wanted them. They were a handful to say the least. Both boys were the smartest that she had ever seen; their minds were constantly going at top speed, and all the time. But what had their teachers so frustrated with them wasn't because they were sharp as whips, but rather that they could out-think and out-manipulate almost everyone around them. Ayumu could see two boys that were quickly becoming jaded before they had even reached their teens.
They had come from a rich family that was also stumped as to what to do with them so the boys were given whatever they wanted whenever they wanted it. They had never had to take responsibility for anything. So Ayumu had harnessed their intelligence and ennui and made it work to her advantage. She had enrolled them in beginning business classes with some of the older students and watched as they ran circles around them. She used their smarts and need for constant mental stimulation to hers and their benefit. As amazing as it seemed they now helped Ayumu to buy and sell her artwork and anything else that required a business negotiation. She was still amazed how savvy they were for such a young age, and she was almost scared to think what they will be like as adults. Wolves in sheep's clothing no doubt.
Toshiro came next, and with a chip so large on his skinny and bony shoulders that she was surprised that he could even stand upright. He was the youngest in a large family that couldn't support him physically or mentally, and so they just handed him over to Hiraku. At first he was sullen and fractious, and he and Ryou butted heads on almost a daily (if not hourly) basis. Even Ryou had to admire the little boy's tenacity as no matter how many times he took a dirt nap by Ryou's hand Toshiro always picked himself up and came back for more. He was like a little terrier in that nothing could put him down and out for very long. Ayumu could see that he was screaming inside for attention, and that even negative attention was better than nothing.
The first time that Ayumu had wrapped him in a hug the poor boy just froze and became eerily silent. Ayumu made sure to give him hugs and kisses (which she called 'mussies' to his everlasting horror) constantly in order to desensitize him and make him used to another humans touch. He soon became not only used to them but also eagerly anticipated them as well, though he would be the last to admit it. He was now to the point that he even occasionally instigated the hugs, and the first time that happened Ayumu almost cried in happiness.
Her baby Masahiro came last when his parents were both killed in a home fire. Where Toshiro held an aversion to touch Masahiro was the opposite in that he couldn't bear to be parted from her. Masahiro's world in one brutal night had been taken away from him and he wasn't about to let that ever happen again, and he rarely let Ayumu out of his sight in the beginning. He suffered from the worst separation anxiety ever seen, and he was always the butt of some cruel jokes because of it. Those altercations just made him want to hide even more, and he clung to her almost obsessively. It was a long and painful journey to help Masahiro learn independence, and in many ways they were still working through it together.
Ayumu and Masahiro would go out together, and then she would stay at one spot and have him go on a small errand alone. The first few times were hell for him, as he would rush back with a panicked look on his face. He would be sweating and anxious, but Ayumu was always there waiting for him with a smile. It took many such trips for Masahiro to know that someone was always waiting for him in the end, and though he wasn't confident enough yet to go out alone he did often wander about with his best friend Toshiro. The bond between the two was a match almost made in heaven in that each boy made up for what the other lacked or held in abundance. Toshiro helped to bring the shy Masahiro out of his shell and gain confidence while Masahiro often helped to quell Toshiro's temper and chase away his need for self-deprecation.
Ayumu looked over towards the town and saw that party lights were starting to become lit, and she could hear musicians start to warm-up for the evening's festivities. Yes, a festival was on for tonight. For what she had no idea as the town celebrated something almost all the time. As much as she loved visiting here she didn't think that she could actually live here as she would soon become exhausted by too much revelry. Ayumu turned to her boys and gently shook them awake.
"Hey, there is a party going on- anyone game?"
"Maybe you should stop living the crazy life for one night and go to bed early for once, and more importantly- sober..." Ryou chucked as he wiped sleep from his eyes.
Ayumu helped him out by smacking the sleep out with a cuff to the side of the head. "Pu-lease- like a little something like alcohol poisoning could keep me down...You act like I can't hang or something..."
"You can't- obviously," Toshiro said standing and stretching.
"We're game," Kaziko and Kichirou spoke up quickly.
Ayumu nodded and winked. "That's my boys!"
"Stop egging her on," Akira said smiling, standing and stretching as well.
"Let's go back and find Yuzuki and Iruka, and see if they are going to join us..." Ayumu didn't think so, but best not to be rude and just take off without asking them.
When they got back to the Inn they found no sign of the couple, so Ayumu left notes on hers and Iruka's cabins telling them where they could be found if they wanted to join them. The group walked quickly through the woods and reached the town center just as the festival was starting. It was a fair like atmosphere and crowds were starting to gather outside brightly colored tents and shops. Shop keepers had stayed open late and were selling various kinds of arts and crafts, and people were milling about or stopping to admire the wares. The whole area was lit by lanterns and music was being played from several directions. Pubs had patrons drinking and laughing out fron,t and everyone seemed to be having such a wonderful time.
With all the sights, sounds, and scents Ayumu knew that her boys were chomping at the bit. No matter how attached they were to her they were still boys and were basically monkeys in disguise. The need to investigate and experience everything was too much of a temptation for her mob. So she wasn't too surprised to hear them one by one ask for permission to wander off. Ayumu knew them to be responsible and well-behaved, but she still gave them strict instructions not to create too much havoc, and to meet her back at a designated point at a reasonable time. So off they went: The twins and Daichi went off to look at a few of the stalls that sold arts; Masahiro and Toshi went off to look for food; and Akira and Ryou went off just to see what they could see. Ayumu could see that the boys all felt slightly guilty about leaving her so soon, but Ayumu shoved them off firmly. When you are a kid no one wants an adult chaperon when you are visiting the Promised Land. Ayumu would feel the same way if Fujiwara-san was with her after all.
So Ayumu meandered around looking, eating, and drinking (non-alcoholic) herself around the festival. She found a deserted bench at the edge of the fair and she thought it a good place to just sit quietly and people watch- one of her favorite activities. Ayumu loved to see the different people and their personalities around her. It never failed to amaze her how people came in every shape and size, and she wished that she had brought at least a small pad and pencil with her to jot a few down. At one point she waxed poetically to herself as she saw all the couples slowly wander by her. No matter the age you could always tell the ones that were in love. Whether they had their arms wrapped around each other or just walking side by side you could still see the genuine emotions between them. Ayumu especially liked to see the older couples – the ones that had been together a long time. They exuded a contentment and confidence rarely found in younger couples. They were happy and secure in their place within each other's hearts that was marvelous to see.
Ayumu thought about Ibiki. It had been almost six days since she had last seen him and she missed him terribly. As much fun as she was having she still felt his absence deeply. She must have had a sadly wistful look on her face as she felt the other end of the bench dip with the weight of someone sitting down. When Ayumu turned to see who her guest was her eye brows rose in surprise. Genma. She smiled and cocked her head ruefully to the side, there really was no getting rid of him was there?
"What brings you here? Where is Anko?" She asked looking around for his companion.
Genma shrugged and look non-committal. "I dunno, looking at a stall selling gee-gaws last time I looked. No interest for me really..."
Ayumu swatted his arm and frowned.
"Genma! That is no way for a boyfriend to act...ditching her like that! You should be ashamed of yourself..."
Genma turned a serious look at her.
"She isn't my girlfriend, Ayu, we are just bed mates...and only for right now..."
Genma took the senbon out and placed it in one of his vest's pockets.
Ayumu sat looking at him silently. She could sense that he wanted to talk – she always knew when he needed to speak seriously as he lost his devil-may-care attitude quickly and always pulled the senbon out of his mouth. Ayumu turned to him and nodded. That too was her tacit signal that she was ready to listen.
"It's been a while since we've sat down and talked together, hasn't it?"
He smiled wryly. He knew that he had slightly off-set her by his statement about Anko, and he didn't want the tone of their meeting to slip downwards and out of his control, so he tried to lighten it up a bit.
"I have really missed spending time and talking with you."
Ayumu smiled fondly, nodded, and patted his arm. "Me to- our conversations were never boring."
Genma laughed loudly and adjusted his head-bandanna. Even though it didn't need it the motion allowed him to steady shaking hands. Taking his senbon out and adjusting his head piece were always small signs that Genma had very serious things on his mind, and that their time together was going to be spent talking about something that was far from frivolous.
"What is it, Genma? What has been bothering you lately?"
He snapped his head up and around- looking her full on. See? That was one of the things that he liked- no, cherished- so much about her, her ability to see beyond his facade and get right to the root of the problem.
"Ayu, I don't know what to say or even really how to say it..."
"Why don't you just say whatever is on your mind, and the devil be damned."
Genma nodded and moved a bit closer to her, but not close enough that she would feel weirded out. They had had many profound and earnest conversations before, and had even held hands once or twice to console or bolster the other. But this time it would be different.
"I'd like to talk about us, for once."
Ayumu nodded but still didn't smile. She looked at him with a slight bit of confusion and then as if something dawned on her she turned more than a bit trepidatious. She remembered her conversation with Ibiki one night about Genma having feelings for her that were anything but brotherly...
"What about us?"
"I know that we have always been close and friendly, Ayu. We might not have always had a lot of time together, but the time that we have spent together has always been very special to me. I appreciate everything about you."
"As I do you, Genma. You will always hold a special place in my heart."
"But now I find myself...oh, I don't know...wanting more, maybe? I want us to maybe see if there isn't something else, something more to our relationship."
Ayumu could now see what was coming, and decided that this wasn't the best time to play dumb-bunny. She wasn't going to make it easy on him, but she wasn't going to play stupid either. She was surprised, amused, and even a bit flattered that he would consider her worth such attention. But she knew that the chemistry was far from adequate to even consider such a relationship. Besides, Genma to her was like Hiroshi: he was the brother that she never had. She could never consider entering in such a relationship with him, and certainly not after finding Ibiki. But she still loved him in her own way, and would never hurt him or misrepresent herself to him. He was worth far too much to her for that.
Ayumu sighed and placed a small and slightly sad smile on her face. She could see Genma bristle at the response. He was offended. It was unfortunate, but too bad.
"You don't want me, Genma, not really. I am not for you, and on so many levels. You don't even know if you want me, you just think that you might. We would drive each other crazy, and then one of us would kill the other. Besides, I am just too much work for someone like you. Not that you aren't capable of putting the effort in, but the type of effort that I require is something beyond what you would be willing to give me. It is beyond what I would want you to give me."
"Oh? Like I couldn't be up to the test?!" Genma asked narrowing his eyes.
Ayumu wasn't worried or upset in the least. In fact, she was amused.
"Genma, I am not some test that one has to pass to go on to the next level or promotion. I am not some Chunin or even Genin test...I am way beyond that. Just ask-"
"Morino?"
She nodded solemnly.
"Yes, just ask Ibiki. He certainly knows that I am not some test that he has decided to take in order to prove something to himself or anyone else. I am not some mental exercise or puzzle to be figured out; interesting only until the game is finished."
Ayumu could see Genma becoming offended by her remarks, and she raised her hand up to stop the tide of anger.
"Hold on, Genma, I am not necessarily saying that you consider me these things, but Ibiki has never considered me those things. Ever. Never once. To him I am just plain, old Ayumu. Well, maybe not plain...but certainly more than a bit bent. And I bet that he would also add on that I am more importantly bent his way. My problems aren't problems to him. They are just...they are just what makes me-me. I am nothing special to anyone but him."
Ayumu shrugged and gave a wry, little smile.
"Ayumu, you have always been special to me," Genma said frowning.
"I know, Genma, and you have always been special to me, and you always will be. But in so many ways you and I are too much alike. We are both hiding ourselves from the world and the majority of the people around us, and a relationship can't work if both people do that. At least one has to be above board and honest at all times, and it is certainly much more preferable to have both always honest with each other. You and I could never be like that with each other, and no matter what you think. I am not saying that we are constantly lying to each other, but we certainly aren't one-hundred percent honest with each other all the time."
Genma looked disappointingly at her. "I have always been honest with you..."
"Ok, maybe I didn't say that correctly, and for that I am very sorry. Let me say that there are things about each other that the other will never, ever know, and for many reasons."
Genma was silent for a moment as he considered her last statement. He knew that she was right, but it sounded so harsh bringing it out to the light. He couldn't tell her about much of his life because of his job, but that was due to professionalism. What could she have that he wouldn't be allowed to have access to?
"What about Morino? You hide from him?"
Ayumu shook her head.
"No, I don't have to. I have never had to. I have never wanted to. What I hide, or let's say obfuscate instead, is because that it is for my own protection and well-being. But since Ibiki watches over me, and always has, there is no need to around him. Besides," and Ayumu laughed a clear, sweet laugh, "I don't think that Ibiki was ever fooled by me for even a minute. I have always been crystal clear to him."
"What about Morino with you? You don't think that he is hiding things?"
"No Genma, when it comes to us and our relationship Ibiki is hiding nothing. The man keeps nothing of himself back from me. Now his job? That is different, and I don't expect him to keep me filled in on everything that he does. Our relationship is one of his ways to off-set the things that he has to do. I am his buffer, and I am proud of it. More importantly, I am proud of him. He has a job that very few could do or even want, and he shoulders most of the responsibility."
Ayumu looked at Genma with a fierce look of pride, and she would brook no aspersions cast upon Ibiki because of his job.
"I think of Ibiki's job sometimes as being like a surgeon cutting off a gangrenous limb; it is a nasty and ugly job, but someone has to do it."
They sat quietly next to each other and looking out at the festival in front of them. Before them were people enjoying the sights, sounds, and each other. It was almost appropriate that the two sat on the side line and out of the midst of such revelry.
"Look, Genma, I have issues- big time issues. I know that everyone does, and I know that in our own ways we are all pretty much functionally-dysfunctional. As much as you care for me my issues are not the type that you would want to deal with. My issues stem from my occasional low self-esteem, and that is something that if you were exposed to it for too long would drag you down and make you eventually look at me like I was a lead balloon. Your talents lie in helping someone out in other ways. Your temperament is very good at bolstering morale, but only for short periods. You are better suited for a woman with a stronger sense of worth and self-esteem. Someone like Anko."
Ayumu was quiet for a moment and then she gave a soft chuckle. She sat back and looked up at the stars.
"It isn't that I am a constant downer, but it is one of the things that I try my best to hide in order to alleviate or deal with past pains and disappointments. Then, if you look at the other end I am just too naïve for reality. I genuinely believe everyone, and all the time. I can't see through even the simplest illusion. So do you see the dichotomy of my make-up? Pretty fucked-up, isn't it? I always get myself in trouble because of one or the other- sometimes both. I'm a handful, but to Ibiki I am a midnight run. He has slowly been making me see that things about myself aren't really all that bad, and the things that I can't help he compensates for."
Genma turned to Ayumu with a smile, and the senbon had somehow magically re-appeared again in his mouth, and held at a rakish angle.
"So, Morino is good to you?"
Ayumu nodded.
"Good to me, good for me, and just all around plain good. No, he isn't good- he is fantastic. I am not saying that we haven't had little bumps or hiccups- what fun would there be if there wasn't? Even if we drive the other insane the insanity only lasts for a moment, and then things are back to normal."
Ayumu grasped Genma's hand and now it was her turn to look serious.
"Genma, Ibiki has been the best thing to happen to me since getting my boys. But there are many things about me that my boys don't know, and probably never will. There is nothing about me that Ibiki doesn't know- the good, the bad, and the ugly. And he isn't put-off by any of them in the least. In fact, I think that he finds most of them amusing...and those that he doesn't he improvises, adapts, and over-comes. The very best thing of all? He lets me be me, and he loves every minute of it. So you don't have to worry about me, him, or us."
Genma squeezed her hand.
"But what about that night you came home and Hiroshi and I spent the night with you? I don't think that there was anything amusing about that."
"No, but like I said, we have had our moments of unrest, but when those are over things are better than before. That night was during a brief time when Ibiki thought that my physical safety was in jeopardy, and looking back I don't blame him for his temporary distance. He was acting out of love and not spite. His actions have always been heart-felt."
Genma nodded, let go of her hand and patted her knee.
"Fine. I understand. But just know that I will always have an eye out for you, and that if he fucks up then he'll have to answer to me."
Ayumu laughed so hard that she started to snort.
"Genma! I hate to burst your bubble, but I don't think that Ibiki is too concerned about you...Heavens! I think the man would worry more about a hole in his shorts rather then you."
"Hey?! What is that supposed to mean?! I can hold my own against Morino any day of the week!"
Ayumu smiled and patted his arm in some form on consolation.
"I know, I know… to many you are one of Konoha's best and brightest. I just happen to think that Ibiki is Konoha's one and only best and brightest. But I am clearly biased."
Ayumu winked and gave him a Cheshire cat grin.
Genma rolled his eyes.
"You are not only biased but delusional as well...'one and only'...woman, please! Morino is good, very good, and I will give him that, but he can still maybe get his ass handed to him..."
"Oh for sure, but not by who you think...I did it once."
Ayumu puffed her chest out with pride.
"I gave him a shiner once, and he was totally stunned and amazed! I bet I am the only person to ever cold-cock Morino Ibiki."
"Get out! How did that come about?"
Ayumu looked a bit embarrassed as a rosy flush started to spread across her face.
"Well, I do admit that I had to bushwhack the man, but none the less- I did it. I might not be able to do it again, but I still get to claim bragging rights!"
Genma and Ayumu laughed hysterically together. They laughed until tears seeped from both their eyes. It was then that the tension that seemed to weigh heavily between them dissipated like a morning mist, and the two were back to where they had always been- old and dear friends. As they laughed they seemed more a part of the festival rather than bystanders. They talked of things that had happened since they had last seen each other that night when they walked together to the bath house. They talked about people they knew, things that they did, and things that they wanted to do. Ayumu at one point rose and told Genma that it was time that she go and meet her students and escort them back to the cabins.
She also thought that it was time that Genma go and find Anko, as he was being extremely negligent as a companion, and no matter what kind he thought he was. She told him that girl always goes home from the dance with the guy that brought her. Genma nodded and said that he would probably meet up with her on the way to Ayumu's own meeting point anyway.
As they walked off and reminisced together they had no idea that surrounding them and set back in the dark shadows stood five pairs of eyes. Eyes that had watched the couple since the very beginning. Though not all were together or even aware of the others presence, they all had been focused intently on the pair.
And not all the eyes were smiling.
