You returned to work, trying your best to hide your smile for the rest of the day. A couple of days later, you and Genma were assigned a mission along with 2 sensory type Jonin. It was a relatively simple mission (they were few and far between now that relationships between the nations were peaceful). During a routine perimeter sweep late last night, some unusual activity was detected around the north border of the Land of Fire. Your team was instructed to survey the area and provide reconnaissance.
After everyone gathered by the gate in the morning Genma quickly ran through the plan. Everyone nodded in agreement.
"Alright, let's go" he said. Genma was elected captain of the team since he was the most experienced.
With that, everyone took off north in the forest, leaping from tree to tree. The two Jonin led the team as you and Genma provided protection from the rear.
"Oh yeah, we really haven't had much of a chance to talk about it" Genma asked, turning to you. "How'd the meeting with Kakashi go? Was I wrong?"
"What do you mean wrong?" You said, looking at him quizzically.
You wondered whether or not to tell Genma what happened. Thinking back on it, it was just some mild flirting. It's probably better off if I keep it a secret until something legit happens.
"Oh, the other day when you were nervous I told you that Kakashi's not the type of guy to make a big deal out of things like that. Did he end up giving you a hard time?" He asked with his eyebrow raised.
"Oh, no nothing like that" you said, chuckling. "He just asked my opinion on how things were going at the gates. Wanted to know if there was anything he could do to help us out, that's all."
Genma looked at you with a straight face and his eyelids half open. "Your opinion on things?"
"Yeah, my opinion" you said, matter of factly. "What's so unbelievable about that?"
"(Y/N), it's not unbelievable. You're an experienced shinobi with an incredible work ethic, your opinion should be valued" he said before continuing. "I just don't believe that was the whole reason he asked you to come in. I think he's curious about you."
Damnit, why'd he have to be so smart?
"Really? You think?" You said, playing dumb.
"Oh c'mon!" He replied, rolling his eyes. "After that stint you pulled when he came to visit, I'm sure he was looking for any excuse to see you again."
"Maybe ... we really just talked about work" you said, shrugging.
"(Y/N) if I'm being honest, you give all of us guys shit. It's kind of your thing. But it's never like THAT" he said chuckling. "You probably drove him nuts."
"Shit, I didn't mean to" you said.
"And I don't believe that either" Genma said back smartly. You rolled your eyes.
One of the sensory Jonin ahead lifted his hand, signaling a stop. He was from the Hyuga family and had been using his Byakugan to sense any movement. Everyone crouched on 2 branches alongside each other.
"What's going on?" Genma asked.
"Two ninja are up ahead, our ten o'clock" the Jonin replied.
Genma nodded. All of you took off in their direction. As you got closer you noticed their headbands: they were hidden mist ninja. What were they doing in the Land of Fire?
You and Genma jumped down in front of them as the sensory Jonin stayed up in the trees.
"Excuse me, what's your business here?" Genma asked as they looked up.
"We can't sightsee?" One of the Mist ninja asked with a snarky attitude.
"Not in the Land of Fire without jurisdiction you can't" he replied.
The other Hidden Mist ninja rolled his eyes and reached in his back pocket. He sighed. "Peace really does cause some annoying problems" he said before pulling out a kunai.
You and Genma did the same.
Before you knew it, you were in the heat of battle with Genma at your back. All you could hear was the sound of kunais clashing and punches making contact. Your opponent aimed a kunai at the top of your head but you were able to shove his forearm away and land a sideways kick, sending him several feet back. You took the opportunity to jump over him, landing on the other side of him to draw him away from his partner and Genma.
You stood in a defensive position as he slowly stood up straight. He yelled and started charging at you with his kunai.
"That again?" You said smartly. Being a taijutsu specialist, you were confident in your hand to hand combat abilities. You landed a chop to his neck, a punch to his chest and a strong kick to his side. As a doubled over again, you issued a chop to the arm holding the kunai and forced him to drop it into your other hand. You threw it down at his foot, piercing the top. As he yelled in pain, you punched him in the face. He fell backwards and you pulled the kunai out, wiping it with a cloth.
As you looked up, Genma had just incapacitated his opponent as well. You headed over and gave him the thumbs up, he did the same.
"Let's get these guys tied up and over to the intel division" he said, flicking his senbon up in his mouth.
The two Jonin that were waiting up in the trees jumped down and gave a rope to both you and Genma. You tied them up and headed back to the village.
~
"We found them around the north border of the Land of Fire" Genma said. "Before we could get any intel out of them, they attacked us."
Ibiki nodded. "Understood, we'll take it from here" he said, ushering them inside.
"Alright, let's head to the Hokage's office to report" Genma said. You and the other Jonin nodded.
Your heart suddenly picked up speed as you tucked a few strands of hair behind your ear. You knew to be professional but you were just excited at the chance to see him again.