For my wonderful and cute little e-sister, thyme spirit. :) Much love!

Disclaimer: I suppose since these are required, I must say, "I do not own anything of this fic but the idea!"

lxix — goodbye II

Genma to be honest with you, I'm tired of waiting. I have feelings for you, I always did. And you told me you liked me too. Or was that a lie?

You know I never lie.

Then why won't you ask me out already? I don't get it!

Do we have to be in a relationship for our feelings to be validated?

Genma…

Hey! Kagome, hold on. Don't cry!

N-not crying. Baka…!

Okay. Here's what… Flip this coin. Heads, and I'll ask you out.

What if I get tails? You won't?

Flip it.

… Hrm, fine… Hey! I got heads!

Well then, Miss Kagome… will you go out with me?

Haha! I can't believe you. Deciding this on a coin toss!

I'm going to assume those are tears of joy.

You jerk, Genma! Hahaha!

And I take that as a yes.

Yes, yes!

Genma downed another shot of the potent liquid, heaving a sigh as the shot glass lowered from his lips. He absently examined the rich lacquer of the bar top's surface, eyes hard and unfocused. Even the lovely voice of the pub's songstress was unable to appease the downpour of emotions in his heart. All it did was remind him of Kagome and how she used to sing lullabies to him while he rested his head on her lap. That had often been the reason he swore to keep himself alive in missions. So he could return home and fall asleep under a tree in the park, with Kagome leaning over him, stroking his hair and lulling him into a blissful slumber. There would be the perpetual noise of children playing in the background, and Kagome's light perfume tickling his nose. He had always secretly adored her smell…

"You look like you need a good smoke," said a familiar voice from the side.

Genma glanced askance before reverting his sights to the bar top. "Yo, Asuma."

The other jounin took a seat on the stool next to his and drew two cigarettes from his carton. "Here," he said, offering it to Genma. "It's on me."

"Thanks."

"Pretty depressing night. Mind if I join you for drinks?"

Genma gave a noncommittal shrug as he traded out his senbon for a cigarette. "I'll be here awhile."

"Good. Me too."

You don't die from a broken heart, you only wish you did.

—Anonymous

Author's Note: Even Asuma's got to deal with trouble in paradise.