Mysterious Kunoichi (Part 1 of 2 in the MK Series)

Settling In

"Nah. I'm too lazy for that. Want to play some Shogi?"

"You're too lazy to comment about me embarrassing you in front of your subordinate, but you're not too lazy to play Shogi?" I quirked a brow.

He shrugged and began to wonder off. I called out to him and caught up. We walked in silence until we reached his family home. I hesitated a moment.

"Something wrong?" He glanced back at me.

"N-no. Just, feels weird."

I followed him out onto the veranda of the home. I set up the Shogi board as he fetched some tea. I looked out to the small courtyard I had grown up playing in. A smile tugged at my lips as I felt a sense of nostalgia hit.

"There's that smile."

"What?" I snapped my head back to look at Asuma.

He sat across from me, handing me my tea. I gave a small thanks and took a sip. He did the same, placing it down before he spoke.

"Your smile. The one earlier was forced."

I didn't acknowledge his comment, I simply made my move on the board. He followed suit and we played in the peaceful quiet.

"I hate Shogi." I huffed some time later.

"You've gotten better." He commented as he glanced up at me.

"We haven't seen each other in almost 10 years. I'd hope so."

"Has it been that long?"

We continued making moves as we spoke, "You left when I was 13. I'll be 23 in five months."

"I guess you're right."

"I'm sorry."

"What?" He paused mid move.

"I'm sorry. For a lot."

"I'm still not sure why you're apologizing."

"I wasn't here. If I was, maybe-"

"No one could've done anything. Orochimaru isolated him from everyone. He had a barrier around them. There's no need for you to apologize."

I felt that his gaze had turned to me instead of the board. I refused to look up. The teardrops slid down my face and dropped on my clenched fists in my lap.

"I wasn't here for you." I whispered, "Not like you were for me."

Asuma leaned back on his hands and studied me carefully. I heard him fumbling with his cigarettes and lighter, hearing him striking it. Suddenly, I saw a blurry cigarette being held out to me.

"That's enough of that." I shakily took the cigarette from him and took a long drag, "You lost, by the way." He stated.

I glanced at the board as I wiped my eyes. Damnit. I sighed and took the same position as Asuma, leaning back on my hands. I took the time to let my eyes scan him. He was a mans man, and he was adorably cute when he blushed.

"What?" His voice broke me from my thoughts.

"Just wishing you weren't with Kurenai." The words slipped from my mouth before I could register what I was saying.

The blush I was just thinking of blazed across his cheeks. Gah! So cute. Sexy....

"We aren't really together." He pointed out.

I shrugged, "I was too young to really think anything when you left. But now," I put the cigarette out, "I can say that you've become an attractive man. You may have been like a brother to me growing up, but that feeling went out the window the second I saw you."