Chapter 13

-Everything alright?-

At sunrise, Genma started on next mission. He had to escort and direct a wealthy man together with his followers from Konohagakure to Hakiamamoto, a city in the raincountry. It should be an easy assignment, the biggest challenge would be finding the right way and avert any dangers and possible robbers, for a Konoha-Special-Jounin this was a minor problem.

Genma chose the route so that where danger would be least expected.

Awkwardly the baggage began to move. Many big and clumsy vehicles limited their speed and there were many people afoot, even the sedan of the high guest was carried by four tall and plump eunuchs. A few guards and a handful of horsemen, all in all the following of the wealthy guest consisted of twenty men.

As they passed the main gate of Konoha, Genma greeted Izumo and Kotetsu, who had guard duty.

They moved slowly through the forest of Konoha, following the broad street that would lead them to the other country. Genma regretted that Shizune was still on her mission and had not returned yet, so he had to wait until he got back from his mission to see her again and talk to her. However, he noticed that the conversation with Raidou and the short one with Shizune at the evening before she left to her mission had unburdened his mind.

Like most of the days in the fire country, it was a bright and warm day, perfect to travel on dry streets. At evening, they set up a camp to rest and made some fires. Music was played and the people amused themselves with sake and some of them even danced.

A scrawny, small man with glasses and nearly baldhead neared Genma, who was sitting casually on a tree nearby, external of the blinding lights of the campfires, and was keeping watch. The little man had been trying for the whole day to get the Konoha-Nin into a dialogue, but it all ended fruitless and by now Genma felt very irritated. This time he tried it with a carafe of sake and offered it to Genma. "Shiranui-San, don't you want to come down and feast with us? We would be pleased to learn more about you. There are other guards who will keep watch. You should rest in case we really need your abilities."

"No, thanks a lot, Sizuragi-San. I am not in the mood to drink. I prefer sitting here calmly in the shadows." Genma declined with thanks but stoutly.

Sizuragi seemed disappointed for a moment, another chance mistaken to learn more about a ninja from the most famous hidden village Konoha. However, he decided to let him have his own way and went back to join the others.

The next two evenings went likewise, but Genma still preferred to stay alone and keep guard in silence. Because Sizuragi unnerved him too much.

When they arrived shortly before the border, two flittering shadows approached the street and paused next to Genma, who was currently walking behind the baggage. He raised his hand to greet them. "Jo! Shizune-San, Sakura-San."

Sakura gave him a quick wave but receded a few steps from him and the other medic-nin.

"What is the matter?" Sizuragi approached the three ninjas hastily. "Anything amiss? Shall we stop?"

Genma turned to him. "No, everything is alright, no need to stop, we can travel on. They're allies." Another assuring glare from Genma and Sizuragi went back to the head of the baggage.

Shizune gave him a mischievous grin, but than her face turned back to her normal polite and cute expression. "Too bad we didn't return earlier."

"Yeah. Something went wrong?"

"Nothing that couldn't be fixed, we're fine. Um, when you're back in Konoha... we could..."

"Shizune."

"Hai?"

"I'm still in your debt so when I return I would like to invite you to a dinner at my house." He had interrupted her before she could say anything in that direction, heas a man wanted to be the one who took initiative, otherwise Raidou would reproach him again.

She gave him a flirtatious smile. "Is that a date?"

He grinned smugly back. "If you want it to be one..."

"I would like that."

Without another word Genma turned around and went back to the people he had to watch over, a content smile on his face. Shizune and Sakura waited and watched the baggage passed by.

"Shizune-San?"

"Hai?"

"You and Genma-San...?" Sakura asked carefully.

Shizune glanced at her. "I don't know why this should be your concern."

"Em, you know that everyone knows about you two. It is nice to see that you two seem finally to be open minded to each other."

"Don't tell me you bet too?" This story had finally reached even her ears.

Sakura giggled. "No, not me but Tsunade-Sama."

Shizune sweatdropped. "Should have known she would do that... Well, I think I don't care."

The last rider passed the two. Shizune eyed him for a moment. He noticed her glare und hastily put the blanket, which lied on the back of his mount, over the saddle.

Then Shizune and Sakura went back into the forest. Soon enough they would be back in Konoha.

Nhaha, so far for today. And you thought there would be another conversation? Ha, evil me tricked you.

Special thanks to all reviewers and my beta-reader Rashi!!!!! You guys are wonderful!!!