Chapter 18

Author's Note: I apologize for the delay, everyone! School is back in session, and my students take priority. Rest assured that I am still working on this story and will update as often as I can.

The next morning, Kazumi woke up alone.

She took a shower.

She brushed her teeth.

She brewed a fresh pot of tea.

And finally, she changed the sheets on her bed.

Drinking made her do stupid things, and stupid things made her drink. But no amount of alcohol could make her forget what happened the night before.

Freshly bathed and clothed, Kazumi curled up with a book, a blanket, and a cup of ginger tea. She had taken the day off to nurse her hangover – a decision not made lightly. Surely Jun, Emiko, and Hiroshi could look after themselves for one afternoon. That is what she told herself, anyway.

"I hope they're alright," she murmured.

Kazumi's cat, Momo, preened her fur on the opposite end of the couch. As if on cue, she paused and locked eyes with her owner.

"What?" she scoffed. "Come on, don't give me that look. I really am sick."

Momo cocked her head as if to say, "Really?"

"Yes, really." Kazumi opened her book. Before reading, she muttered, "Don't judge me. I shouldn't have to explain myself to you." She – a grown woman – was having a one-sided conversation with a cat. As much as she hated to admit it, though, Momo had a point – or at least, her subconscious did.

The book was a classic – one of her favorites. Despite this, Kazumi's mind was far, far away. She could still feel his touch, hear his voice, taste his kiss…

A sudden wave of nausea washed over her. Immediately, she threw off the blanket and bolted to the bathroom. What remained of last night's dinner ended up in the sink.

His touch. His voice. His kiss.

The very thought of her guest made Kazumi's skin prickle with gooseflesh. Sighing, she wiped her mouth and turned on the faucet. A lukewarm stream of water washed her sick down the drain.

Against her better judgment, she had had a one-night stand with a coworker.

The night started innocently enough. Kazumi wanted nothing more than to unwind with a drink at Anago after work. Sure, her kids had been difficult that day – but what irked her most of all was the way she left things with Kakashi. He could be so aloof, so indifferent-

A man with dark hair approached the bar. "Hey, Kazumi." He paused before adding, "Drinking alone?"

"Mm- hey," she replied, ignoring his comment. "How was your day?"

"Tiring. Yours?"

"Same here."

"Mind if I join you?"

"Go right ahead." Kazumi motioned nonchalantly to the chair beside her. "Won't be here long, but I could use the company."

On the contrary, she spent the next few hours seated next to a man she had only ever thought of as a colleague. They drank, talked, laughed – and by closing time, they had polished off two bottles of sake. Kazumi had enjoyed herself so much that she didn't want the night to end.

"Come home with me."

Those four meaningless words cost her a day of work and more than a little self-respect. Well, she thought, slumping against the wall, I hope my kids are having a better day than I am.

"Hey! Wipe that shit-eating grin off your face, Hiroshi. It's not funny!"

"Well…it's a little funny." Hiroshi bit back a laugh as he beheld his redheaded teammate. "I mean, you walked right into it."

"Yes," Asuma agreed, "she certainly did."

"Shut up!"

When Kazumi didn't show that morning, Asuma offered to absorb her students. He (along with many other staff members) knew that Team 6 needed adult supervision. Now, he stood on the edge of the schoolyard with a lit cigarette. One of his own – Shikamaru Nara – had engaged Emiko in a sparring match. The boy was a promising upstart despite his lackadaisical attitude. In less than ten seconds, he managed to catch Emiko in his Shadow Possession Jutsu.

Jun, meanwhile, hung back with Ino. The girls talked amongst themselves to pass the time.

"So," Ino began, "where's your sensei? I mean, it's not like her to miss a day."

"I'm not sure." Jun shrugged her shoulders. "Sick, maybe. She seemed off yesterday."

"Off?" Ino tipped her head to one side. "What do you mean?"

She frowned at the question. "You're nosy," she said bluntly. "Forget I said anything."

Before Ino could pry, Asuma turned his head and made eye contact. "You should be watching, not talking," he said. "Pay attention, Ino."

"Yes, sensei," she murmured.

"Alright, Shikamaru! That's enough." Asuma crushed his cigarette underfoot. "Let's take a break. I could use some lunch," he suggested. "Anyone for barbecue? My treat."

At this, Chōji perked up. He hadn't said a word since the match began because he was too busy snacking. "Me, me! I do!" He salivated at the mention of food, his open bag of chips forgotten. "Tender, juicy, beefy…"

Shikamaru released Emiko from his jutsu and put his hands in his pockets. "Fine," he scoffed. "That match was a waste of my time anyway."

"You little f-"

The uproar that ensued was so loud – so obscene – that it drew the attention of several passersby. Even the Academy students flocked to the windows. Their little noses touched the glass as they watched the older children.

Asuma exhaled, muttering, "Jeez…I don't know how Kazumi does it. I really don't."

Sometimes, Kazumi asked herself the same question. Every day was a new challenge - a new adventure. And though the children put her through her paces, she welcomed it. Their antics kept Kazumi from her most pressing thoughts – many of which concerned Kakashi and his students. Where were they now, and when would they return?

Team 7 left Konohagakure four weeks ago, and to her knowledge, there had been no word from the Land of Waves. If Kakashi had gone alone (or at the very least, with a squad of chunin), she wouldn't have paid it any mind. He was a quiet, resolute man after all. Correspondence of any kind was rare – unless of course, he had cause for concern.

Perhaps, she considered, no news is good news.

Kazumi entertained the thought now as she and her students trekked back to the Academy. It was a blustery fall afternoon – the kind she liked most of all. Jun seemed less than enthused, however. Each gust of wind pulled a whine from her chest.

"I'm cold!" she complained, crossing her bare arms.

While Jun's sundresses were lovely, they were ill-suited to the season. Kazumi sighed and shook her head. "I imagine you are," she mused. "You need to dress in layers, Jun. It isn't summertime anymore."

Hiroshi, who had grown quite bold, echoed his teacher's statement. "Yeah, Jun. You really should dress in layers."

If looks could kill, Hiroshi would be dead. Emiko glowered at him and unzipped her coat. She must have been tired because the only thing she said was, "Here, Jun."

Kazumi looked over her shoulder. To her delight, neither of the girls retaliated. It came as a surprise, really. Could it be possible that the children were bonding?

A grin creased her lips.

Jun offered a word of thanks and donned the downy jacket. It just about swallowed her when she put it on. "Are you gonna walk us home tonight, sensei?"

"I hadn't planned on it," Kazumi replied. "Would you like me to?"

"Not really," Jun said.

Emiko chimed in. "We're good."

She thought as much. Her students were getting older and growing more independent by the day. So long as they behaved themselves, though, Kazumi didn't mind giving them a bit of leeway. "In that case," she began, "have a good afternoon. And-"

Jun, Emiko, and Hiroshi took off in different directions before she could finish her sentence. Kazumi was left dumbfounded at the edge of the Academy lawn.

"And be safe," she sighed.

The sun was beginning to set on yet another day. Though she was tired, Kazumi could not go home yet. She had a meeting to keep with a very important man.

Her stomach churned at the thought of it.