Still found no Beta-Reader yet. I´m too lazy to be ambitious... so you´ve been warned again. grins.

Sehelleys: Jo, an unusual early update, just because you were so nice and I am lazy but had some free time… Would have updated even earlier if I wasn´t struck by a car. (sounds dramatic, but wasn´t) Some maniac cardriver thought, why don´t step on the gas while there´s someone walking cluelessly over the crosswalk... I don´t get it why he did that, but he got away and I have a sprained arm. The world is full of strange people!

Fire.elve: Jo! Here´s some Izumo and Kotetsu for you. Just friendship, though.

And thanks a lot for the reviews folks!

Chapter 7

-Back home and…-

First thing Genma did when returning to his apartment was looking into his refrigerator. His features froze at the disillusional sigth. Everything eatable was respired. Most of it looked as if it would momentarily jump out of the fridge and run on its own intend.

Disgusted, he grimaced and slammed the door. Who would have thought that his refrigerator would conk out and take the whole food with it?

Again in a bad-tempered mood he opened the door afresh, deliberately ignoring the sight and the thoughts about having to clean this mess later, he snatched one of the two beers in the side door and opened it.

Satisfied to find it was still okay he went to his living-room and let himself slump into one of his armchairs and regarded his wall. He couldn´t help laughing.

Laugh at himself.

Looking at himself sitting in his apartment, in his home and drinking a bear whilst his refrigerator and everything eatable was, well, gone... It was too late to buy something new, the shops were all closed.

Fate is cruel sometimes.

He laughed again and supported his head on his hands. Sighing he mumbled to himself: "Of course this had to happen to me again. Slowly I get it why Raidou thinks I am not able to look after myself..."

The sun was shining brightly and it was a wonderful and extremly hot day. And it promised to be even more wonderfull for a certain, darkhaired kunoichi, who at the moment was making her way with used brutality and volume through the streets of Konoha, heading directly to the headquater.

Arrived there, she immediately went to the common room, where at the moment some Konoha-nins were resting and talking. Anko had a firm goal. Inwardly she felt so delighted about it that a constant smile was plastered on her face.

Ninja that came across her path hastily stepped to the side. They knew, this smile could mean only one thing: she was up to something and therefore decided it would be better to stay out of her way.

Ankos eyes were gleaming and her grin even widened when she finfally found her target.

Shizune was sitting clueless opposite to Iruka, drinking a cup of tea and chatting with the chuunin academy teacher. Boldly, Anko joined their conversation and brought it inconspicuously round a certain topic, till her plan was fullfilled. The plan, to let drop a certain hint... a certain information. She giggled inwardly. Some people can´t look after themselves...

And after all, this was a bet! And there was much money involved. Like hell she would just sit there and random the outcome of it. With a self confident grin, she nodded to herself. Yes, she loved her way of a ninja. (just a joke. She loves the way of her life.)

Some hours later.

Kotetsu was bored to death. This happened to be exactly the damn boring day he expected it to be. He had to gard the gate and nothing interesting happened. But soon his shift was to end. Izumo stopped by and slapped him on the shoulder. "Hey."

"Hey." Kotetsu answered. It was after sunset and the daylight was fading slowly to give place for the cool darkness of the night. Kotetsu sighed. This was so boring.

Genma was expected to get there any minute and take their shift for the night. It had been his own choice to take the night watch, after Tsunade banned him from missions for the next two weeks. They had to wait for him to arrive before they could go home.

Izumo twitched his sleeve to get his attention and pointed a finger at a person approaching. Kotetsu followed his gaze and was surprised to find Shizune coming over to them, a small packet in her hands.

Shizune plainly jumped to their side and looked around questioningly. "Is.. Isn´t Genma-San here?"

Izumos eyebrow twitched. "Genma-San? Oh, yes, he was supposed to be here five minutes ago, his shift already started. He is late."

Shizune nodded. "Yeah, seems that way. Well,..." She seemed to be a bit abashed. But then she bethinked herself of her position and regained her composure. With new found determination she glanced at the two chuunins in front of her who were looking back in with blatant curiosity written all over their faces. "Well, since he has not arrived yet, would the two of you please be so kind and give him that for me?" She asked and handed Kotetsu the small packet.

He looked stunned at it and than at Shizune. All she did was smile at him, nothing else could be read on her face. Than she stuck out her tongue, one hand rubbing the back of her head. "Thanks, that´s really kind of you."

With that she left.

Totally puzzeled, the two chuunins looked at the spot where Shizune had been standing just a moment before and than back at the packet.

"Is it what I think it is?" Izumo asked.

Kotetsu checked the small packet shortly and nodded.

Izumo was still a bit stunned. "So... Shizune actually... brought ...prepared supper for Genma... That must be.. can only be Anko´s ... doing...? How...? Well, this is just... wow."

Kotetsu gave him a mischivious smirk. "Was about time!"

Thanks for reading. Might not be noticable, but I have a plan in this story. Jo. Next chapter might take a while. Have a nice weekend.