"What are you doing? Are you crazy? Showing favoritism like that is going to ruin whatever respect the other students have for you!"

"I know. And yet, these three have incredible potential. I can't just let them go through school just like everyone else! They need special treatment."

"You can't abandon all the other students for those three!"

"It might just be worth it. I mean, they could change the world…"

"Tell you what. I'll give you one year."

"What?"

"One year, no pay cuts or demotions. Work with those three freshmen alone, and see what you can do. After that, you're back to your regular job, whatever that was."

"I won't disappoint you!"

"We'll see."

--

Genma didn't expect to be called into Tsunade's office so soon. He was good at his job, and didn't make much trouble. Why would she need him?

But as it turned out, she didn't have any criticism. "I understand that you work with the sports teams?"

Genma nodded. "Raidou and I each take our choice of the teams. I usually lean toward basketball, track, and hockey."

Tsunade fixed him with a penetrating stare. "And as a sports coach, you often communicate with the coaches for Suna, Akatsuki, and Oto?"

"Not often, but more than anyone else, I guess."

"Good." Tsunade nodded. "You're going to go work out a training schedule with Oto today."

"Are you sure?" Genma frowned. "It's pretty early to start talking about matches. And I have a class right now."

Tsunade glared at him. "No questions. You're going to go talk to their sports coordinator…"

"Kidoumaru."

"Yes. And you'll bring Shizune with you. That's all."

Shizune? No… "Why does she need to be there?"

"I said, no questions." Tsunade looked annoyed, and Genma made a hasty retreat.

Shizune caught up to him in the hall. "Ready?"

Genma spun to face her. "What's going on? What are you up to?"

"Don't worry about it," Shizune said quickly.

"Don't worry about it?" Genma repeated disbelievingly. "If you're coming with me to Oto, you've got to understand that the immunity I have there is nominal, if at all. And bringing you along is going to put both of us in a lot of danger, but mostly you! Do you know what you're in for?"

Shizune shrugged. "I know the risks. Tsunade and I have discussed it, and we're both prepared for what may happen."

Genma exhaled, exasperated. "Fine. It's your funeral."

--

Naruto slumped onto his desk. "Why do we bother coming to class, anyway? Even our teacher won't show up."

Kiba smirked. "Makes you wonder just what they're doing, already. I saw Genma talking to Tsunade before, so he's obviously in school. I bet all the teachers just hang out in the teachers' room and watch movies to keep themselves busy."

Naruto laughed. "That would explain why Kakashi's always late."

Kiba lowered his voice conspiratorially. "Speaking of Kakashi, I saw him in the nurse's office earlier. He had a big gash on his shoulder. Wonder where he got that…"

"Do you just walk through the halls, spying on all the teachers?" Naruto demanded.

Kiba pulled his hood over his head. "I heard you and Hinata had breakfast together this morning."

"Yeah, she came to my house and then was going to go back to hers. It was so weird." Naruto shook his head. "I wonder why she didn't eat it before."

Kiba snorted. "You're so stupid. You'd go on a date with Hinata and not even notice!"

"A date?" Naruto echoed, dumbstruck. "It was a date? But…"

"A breakfast date is still a date!" Ino chimed in.

Naruto looked horrified. "But it can't be! I mean, what about Sakura? I didn't mean to do this to her!" He jumped up. "I've got to go tell her that we're still okay." He dashed out.

Ino sighed. "Seriously, I don't know what Hinata sees in that boy."

"Same here," Kiba agreed glumly.

--

"Ah, the sports guy." The boy at the door grinned a toothy smile and jerked a thumb at Shizune. "Who's the chick?"

"She's the as-"

"I'm the female sports coach at Konoha High," Shizune interrupted smoothly.

Genma gave her a look. "Next time, warn me," he muttered as they followed the boy toward the courts.

"Next time, talk to me when we drive over here," Shizune retorted.

Genma sighed. "I really don't need this right now." No response was forthcoming from Shizune. "Shizune?" He turned. She was gone. Just fantastic…

"Hey! Suigetsu!" A girl hurried over to them. "Are you looking for Kidoumaru? He's not coming in today."

"Oh, really?" Suigetsu turned to face Genma. "Didn't you make an appointment with him?"

Genma thought fast. "I tried, but no one picked up. So I figured that I would come by anyway and get the scheduling over with."

Suigetsu shrugged. "Whatever." He frowned. "Where's the chick?"

I was wondering the same thing. "She must've forgotten something in the car and slipped off. Nothing to worry about."

"I hope so," the girl said darkly. "We don't take well to outsiders wandering our school."

"I'll escort you out," Suigetsu offered hastily.

"Well, what's this?" The strange, hoarse voice was a familiar one. Genma turned.

Orochimaru, principal of Oto High, rounded the corner, his hand wrapped firmly around a struggling Shizune's arm. "Don't tell me that Konoha High's been trying to pry into our secrets, Genma. Our level of trust for each other is already so low."

Genma bowed low. "I apologize for my colleague. She's a bit too curious for her own good."

"Is that why she was digging around in my office?" Orochimaru asked, his eyes narrowed. "Don't come back here. We'll send Kidoumaru to you from now on." He shoved Shizune at Genma. He caught her, and she looked down, unwilling to meet his eyes.

Orochimaru and a slew of Oto students walked them out. Genma helped Shizune into her seat and left quickly.

"I'm sorry," Shizune said quietly. "We shouldn't have gotten you involved."

"No," Genma agreed. "And now you've given Oto opportunity to come and go as they please in our school. Not your best move."

"Genma," Shizune said softly, putting her hand on his shoulder. "I need you to trust both Tsunade and me. We're trying to keep everyone safe."

Genma parked the car, annoyed. "I'm a teacher, not a spy, not a general, not a soldier. And right now, I'd like to do my job."

Shizune reached out to touch Genma's face where an old scar marred an otherwise clear visage. "I remember this scar."

"Shizune…" Genma closed his eyes. "Stop. Please."

"You were once a fighter, when we were younger. A general, too." Shizune ran her finger up and down the scar. "I remember a Genma who would rather make the others pay for their misdeeds than sit by and watch them plot against us. What happened to him?"

Genma took Shizune's hand into his firm grip and gently moved it away from him, then rose and exited the car. Shizune followed him into Konoha High, her eyes dark with sadness, and as much as it killed Genma to see her like that…No. He wasn't getting involved with the emotional train wreck that was his relationship with Shizune ever again.

He turned to face her as they stood outside Tsunade's office quietly. "He grew up," he answered at last.