It had been three long sleepless nights with that damned book. Shizune was shocked just how much she was learning from Junko, and how much she liked it. With an evil glare at her offending alarm clock Shizune crawled out of her bed to start another long day at the tower.

"Good morning, Hokage-sama." Shizune strolled into Tsunade's office, far more chipper than anyone had the right to be at 8:00. She placed a water and a black coffee on Tsunade's desk. "Wasn't sure what you would be in the mood for today."

"I am in the mood for quiet, but somehow I don't see that happening today," Tsunade responded, looking over her schedule. She had meetings with the council and several clan heads all day. She hadn't slept for more than three hours increments since becoming hokage, and it was starting to catch up. Oh, and Cougar was on her personal detail, but only half a day. "Is there any way we can get all of these done today? I haven't had a day off in months. Tomorrow is Sunday and I would like to take off if possible."

Shizune picked the schedule up and looked it over carefully. "I can push back the meetings with Akimichi and Nara to next Tuesday when you are meeting with Yamanaka, they prefer to do things together anyway and this is just an informal clan update. If we do that than you could be done by 3:00 today and start your day off a little early."

"Do that. When you have that done, transcribe this report on Hatake's last mission, I can't read a damn thing that man writes. You haven't had a day off in months either. I want you out of here by noon and don't come back before Monday. If you don't finish with Hatake's report just take it home with you and have it on my desk Monday morning. Have you finished your reading?"

"I finished it last night. You are right. I think it will help with my research."

"Good. One more thing, place a bet with Seibei on tonight's race. That horse from Suna in the third to show. 150 Ryo."

Shizune fixed her with a disapproving glare. "Hokage-sama, you shouldn't be seen gambling in your position."

"I know Shizune, that is why you are placing the bet. What can I say, I'm feeling lucky."

"Yes, Hokage-sama."

Shizune walked out of the office, shutting the door behind her. Sitting at her desk, she sent messengers to the clan heads and opened the scroll. It wasn't that hard to read, but it was shorter than the initial report Shizune remembered seeing. Tsunade wanted this scroll to be found, and found in Shizune's home. Then there was the bet. Seibei was code for "mission is go." It was time for her to start. No wonder Tsunade was letting her leave early today.

Shizune walked out of the tower at just after 12:00. It was the first time she left when the sun was still out in weeks. She knew most of the older Jonin would be at the pub tonight so it would be a good place to start. Shizune knew she was unprepared, all she had in her meager closet were standard issue uniforms and her yukata. She needed something to wear, and if time permitted a trip to the bath house. First order of business would be shopping. And for that she desperately needed help. Anko and Kurenai were both in the village. Either would be happy to help her, but Anko's style might be a bit too much for Shizune. With that, she set off to find Kurenai. Kurenai was surprisingly home, and more than willing to help Shizune find a new outfit or two. They spent the next few hours in and out of shops selecting civilian clothes. It was on their last stop that Kurenai saw Shizune holding up some very small, very lacy panties. Shizune was thinking awfully hard, and Kurenai was delighted.

"Oh! Those are cute. Spill!"

Shizune fixed her with an innocent look. "Spill what?"

"You aren't buying those for comfort. Who do you want to see them?"

"Honestly, I don't know if anyone will. But I have been working nonstop since I returned to the village and traveling with Tsunade-sama doesn't leave much time to meet people. It's been a while. I would like to be prepared, just in case."

Kurenai didn't believe it was the whole truth, but she didn't detect a lie either. So she did what any good friend would. "Get the red, oh and they are buy two get one free. Might as well get the black and purple too."

It was after 4 when Shizune got home with all of her packages. She knew this mission would be a long one so she picked up several dresses, simple outfits, and new underwear sets. She filed the receipts away on the off chance Tsunade would consider this shopping spree mission related expenses, then hid that scroll under a floorboard under her rug. Once that was complete she put the scroll Tsunade gave her in her desk drawer, out of sight but not hard to find. After a moment's contemplation she locked the drawer. It wasn't going to stop anyone who really wanted into the drawer. But it shouldn't seem too easy for him to find. She considered cleaning the apartment, but thought if it was too clean it might look planned so she just picked up a little. This left her no time to relax and put the mission off at the bath house as she had hoped. With a defeated sigh she decided the best she would do was a quick shower.

Cougar made his way out of Hokage Tower a few hours after Shizune. Tsunade let her off early today. Maybe that was a good sign for his mission. Hopefully he could run into her tonight at the pub. It would be a lot easier to start this mission away from the tower after all. With that he set off for this apartment. Once he was stripped of his ANBU gear and back in his jonin uniform he could think of himself as Genma. His afternoon was much less stressful. Genma never failed a seduction mission, and saw no reason why he would now. He casually walked out of his apartment and started to the pub. Let the games begin.

As he walked into the pub he spotted Asuma and Kurenai at their usual table. And Shizune was already with them. He wasn't too surprised to see her. He had caught a glimpse of her with Kurenai earlier today. He was surprised to see her in that dress. Black, spaghetti strap, and low cut. She looked...eatable. Stopping at the bar for a bottle of sake, Genma made his way to the table.

Shizune saw him walk in. She wasn't sure, but she thought she saw him stop for just a second. He joined their table with a smile and his trademark senbon between his teeth. It really was rather sexy. Shizune knew where this would end, but at least it wouldn't be all bad. She gave him a simple smile as he slid into the booth next to her.

Shizune took the final sip from her drink and sat there chatting with Kurenai. She didn't ignore Genma, but she didn't pay him any attention either. That was Junko's first lesson. Make them come to you. It wasn't long before everyone's drink was empty and Asuma started making his way to the bar for another round. Kurenai gave Shizune a knowing look before offering to help him followed Asuma to the bar.

Now there was no ignoring the man beside her, Shizune turned to him with a shy smile. She had no idea what to say and was stumbling over different sentences in her head when he spoke first.

"How is it being back in the village?"

"Honestly, I'm still getting use to it." She looked away from her empty glass, meeting his eye. "It is nice waking up in the same bed everyday. I don't miss the traveling as much as I thought I would." Eye contact. Junko said eye contact was important.

"Are you planning to take on missions again? Or just working in Tsunade's office?"

"Probably the office and the hospital. I am more useful in a lab. Poisons don't invent themselves."

She was watching him closely and thought maybe for a second she saw a realization of fear in his eyes, but if it was there it went away just as quickly.

He leaned in close to her and whispered, "I forgot how dangerous you can be," just as Asuma and Kurenai were returning to the table. Not to be outdone, Shizune reached over him to take her glass from Kurenai, grazing her breast against him. The evening progressed with a light flirting and incidental touches. Shizune could feel Kurenai watching her. If it was obvious to Kurenai would Genma think something was amiss. She was trying to be subtle. Junko was always subtle. But somehow Shizune was worried she was coming off as desperate. She wasn't lying when she told Kurenai it had been a while, and Genma was very charming. And she couldn't stop staring at that senbon and wondering just how far his oral fixation went.