The echoing winds blew upon the small quaint pile of wood and timber, the amber flames rising billowing in the sudden gust. The flames were comforting, especially due to the cold night air crawling down her back. Her long black hair flew past her shoulders, her grey eyes casting on the fire, but not focused entirely on the fire. They shifted to the figure beside her, so close, she could almost taste his scent on her lips. The air was silent but meaningful as he took her hand in his, never letting go. She just wished she could stay like this forever.
"Auntie!!" Screeched a tiny, high voice, a hand tugging lightly on her bare arm. It shocked her back to reality, shaking her from her pleasant dream she found hard to let go. The female groaned, opening her eyes to the dawning sunlight and to her young niece anxiously standing beside the sofa were she had slept. Ayaka yawned, glancing down to realise she hadn't bothered to change into her night clothes the other night. She stretched her arms above her head as she slowly rose to a sitting position, the small hand moving back to the little girl, her bare feet landing on the floor softly.
"Can we play now?" asked the bubbly energetic two year old who, herself, was still in her pjs, her black hair twisted into pigtails. Her green emerald eyes were not tired unlike hers, but awake. Ready to start the day, like most children who could not wait to spend time with their friends and play. Naoko was only two but very confident in her own little way and loved getting her own way. Like this morning, before they had even had breakfast. Emi was probably up by now, ofcourse, making it right now. That would not surprise her. Her sister-in-law was always up at day break, to look after her daughter and do house work etc. Ayaka couldn't imagine a day like that, it seemed too much work even if it was rewarding.
"Not now sweetie, I'm too tired" Ayaka yawned exaggerate. Quite frankly, she wasn't in the mood to play. She had to teach class in the afternoon and score their tests. It was a busy day ahead. Not to mention trying to place yesterday in her head. Her mind was all over the place, her thoughts ceasing to make sense. And trying to carry on as normal really wasn't working, at all.
The little girl in the pale sunflower pjs grumbled and stomped her little foot on the ground angrily. "But I want to" she shouted, her little kid voice trying to sound grown up. It was funny seeing her like this but she didn't to behave too. But before she had a chance to talk back, A flash of long black hair and a trade mark beige apron emerged from the Kitchen.
"Naoko, I hope your not disturbed your Auntie now. You know you shouldn't wake people up when they are sleeping" the stern voice spoke to the child, who was now quivering at the tone.
Ayaka stood up and sweeper the youngster in her arms as she had gone speechless. "It's okay, she only wanted to play" Ayaka laughed as Naoko peered over her shoulder at her mother, dying to tease her.
A sheer high pitched giggle came from Naoko's lips as Ayaka tickled her senseless as the trio walked over to the dining table, Emi staying quiet. The giggles came to a stop as they sat down, the quiet air hanging over them as they ate their breakfast.
"Ayaka" Emi started, her chopsticks lingering in her breakfast as her dark eyes met hers."Is something wrong?" the black haired female said gently
The other black haired female shook her head. "No, ofcourse not, why do you keep asking anyway" Ayaka challenged, placing her chopsticks beside her empty bowl.
"It's just...you Never tell me anything. And you look like your always thinking about something." Emi sighed clearing up the dishes.
"It's nothing, I'm fine" Ayaka said, almost abruptly, causing young Naoko to turn her head to her aunt. With that she stood up and left the table. "I'm going to be late, see you later" she said without another word and headed to the door with gentle footsteps.
"Fine, don't tell me anything. Bye" Emi sighed once more scooping up her daughter from her seat, watching her sister-in-law leave, something clearly on her mind.
Ayaka silently walked to her work, after quickly dropping my her place to change,her long hair flowing behind her. She didn't like keeping secrets from Emi, who was like a blood related sister to her. But is was necessary, totally. She had more things to worry about than her sister-in-laws troubles, she didn't like hassling her, especially since all she has been through.
It wasn't long before she was stood outside the towering building of the Academy, ready to start another day. She paused at the door before setting inside. It was fairly quiet, only because the students hadn't arrived yet. It would be a totally different story when they came, this place was filled with children's laughter and chatter, even when they are supposed to be doing work.
A small smile rose to her lips as she reached the door of the staff. She wouldn't change this job for anything though. It really helped changed her perspective after she quit the ANBU. It gave her meaning and a reason to move on with her life. She pulled open the door handle, ready to collect her paperwork laying on the desk.
As she lifted the sheets into her waiting hands, she smiled, seeing Iruka entering the room.
"Ah, I'm glad I caught you. I have a message from the Hokage. Apparently she wants to see you" he said, smile appearing lightly on his face.
Ayaka stood there, slightly puzzled. Why would the Hokage want to see her? It's not like she was important person, she was just a teacher. Or maybe she had done something wrong? She wasn't sure, but was sure to find out, soon enough.
"Really? She asked, putting the papers firmly back on her desk.
He nodded. "Yeah, I just got the message from Izumo and Kotetsu. She wants to see you right away, they didn't say why. Don't worry about your class, I'll cover for you" he smiled again, making her smile a little despite her nerves.
"Thanks Iruka, I owe you" she said wistfully as she turned back to exit.
"It's no problem" he waved as she bounded out of the door, fast as she could, her mind racing.
What could this possibly be about? She still was perplexed. Nether less, she headed in the direction of Hokage's office, her eyes on the ground.
The black haired let her thoughts freely wander as she twirled a strand of hair round her finger. Letting herself think freely was a bad sometimes but it felt so good just to be herself, and dream about what she wanted, whether it could ever come true or not.
Thinking as she was, she wasn't paying much attention to the surroundings around. Infact, she didn't even know if she paying attention to the direction sh was headed either. So when she heard footsteps behind her, she wasn't listening until she heard the all too familiar voice.
"Hey, Ayaka. Heading into a dead end our we?" a male voice whispered in her ear, surprising her as firm arms reached behind her waist, tugging her closer.
She glanced upwards at his face, her head trying to come back to the real world. She blushed, releasing she had walked into an alleyway with a dead end She hated being surprised, something she had protested about a few times before. The shock wearing over, she forced a smile.
"Hey Genma" she replied, feeling the warmth of his body close to hers. "Didn't I tell you not to do that anyway?" she groaned, annoyed still.
He just smiled, the toothpick sticking out of the side of his mouth. "Yes but you should know by now I don't listen" he chuckled as he kissed her neck gently.
Ayaka stood there, emotionless, tensing up as usual when she was with him. "Look I have to go, seriously." she changed the subject, though it wasn't a lie this time. She loosened herself from his grasp as he looked on, disappointed.
"Fine. But I was hoping to have a nice chat with my girlfriend, We haven't had time to ourselves in ages" he sighed, his eyes distant.
"I know, but duty calls. But, tomorrow maybe we can go to that Chinese restaurant that just opened up" she quickly put in, knowing that he was clearly upset.
He lightened up a bit, though he hoped she'd actually turn up this time or open up to him. "Okay, that sounds great. So you'll be there at eight?" he said, holding her hand in his, intertwining their fingers.
"Promise" she looked up at him with her grey eyes, taking her hand away as she waved.
He walked away, almost slunked. He wasn't happy, but ofcourse he wasn't. She had been avoiding him too. It was intentionally. It's just she didn't know her own mind anymore or what to think. Okay so they had been dating for three years almost, but they barely knew each other.
She tried to get Genma out of her head, knowing she was going to be late. And that wasn't something she did on occasion.
Running her hand threw her hair, she turned out of the ending and on course, hopefully this time. It just wasn't her day, certainly not today.
The route to the Hokage's residence was quiet and luckily filled with no disturbances this time. She opened the door to the office, smiling at Shizune who waved quickly as she stood beside Tsunade who sat at her desk.
Her gold eyes gazed up at the black haired Jonin who just stood there, no idea what to expect at all.
"You probably want to know why I summoned you here. Well as of late we have been bombarded with missions that needed to be carried out. Especially one that has just came up.."
Ayaka just stood there, not knowing where this was headed.
"It's a dangerous mission and I know there is only a few people who can carry out this job and get it done right." she finished as shuffled the papers on her desk.
She sighed, getting it now. "But I haven't been in action in a long time and---" Ayaka stuttered.
"You'll be fine and it looks as though you will be in safe hands with an old teammate" she reassured.
Ayaka furrowed her brow. "So who is it?" she asked inquisitively.
"Naruto you idiot keep it down!! a voice screeched
"But Sakura!!"another voice could be heard outside the door.
"Okay you two keep it down, remember where we are?" that voice rang in her ears.
And without much warning as Tsunade signaled for they guys to come in, Ayaka eyes caught his.
"Never thought I'd get a chance be a team with you again" the silver haired Jonin joked as she smiled.
Yes she would be in safe hands, very safe.
(A / N) Okay that' my third chapter up and done! I'm pretty new to writing so I know this isn't the best fanfiction but I have tried. And please reivew and give me opnions and critque so I can make this bettera nd become a better writer! Thank you for reading!