[open] What can I say little one, it was fun just to know you

[ghostpepper]

Who: Kushina and YOU (yeah that's right)
When: 01/24 afternoon on, 01/26 to 01/29 morning, 01/31 early evening on
Where: Konoha
Notes: It's been almost six long years, but the day is finally here. Kushina's coming home with the last two ANBU who had been stationed in Uzushio. For good. Most of the time between her travels will find her trying to adjust to knowing she won't be called back over any emergencies a whole country away, that she doesn't have to leave after a few days to a week to go back to work, and that she can actually find a routine to stick to again.

((Okay, here's how the time breakdown is going. Her first stop at midday 01/24 is the Hokage's office, the 25th is Minato's birthday (skipped entirely for family time) and the 29th to most of the 31st is cheering on Karin in the exam finals, but the rest of the time she's free for ambushing around the village.))

Comments

First off of course.

[thebestuchiha]

When Kushina walked through the door, she got a proper greeting. In other words, he was up and around the desk to hug the woman before she managed to get the door all the way closed so they could talk. "Welcome home!"

Never late for the Habanero, hm?

[ghostpepper]

She made him wait until she got the door shut, having told the ANBU to stay outside to wait for her, then they could get their own debriefing. When she turned, there was a giant grin on her face as she wrapped Obito in a giant bear hug. Business and whatnot could wait until after some personal catch-up time.

"I'm glad to be back. It's going to take some getting used to, not living part-time between two villages or worrying about some emergency or another calling me away."

Wouldn't dare bro.

[thebestuchiha]

"I'm sure sensei will be thrilled to see more of you." He laughed and hugged her tight, squishing the stuffing out of the woman and half lifting her off her feet before setting her down to ease back.

"And it'll be really good to see you for me too."

Mwahahahaha

[ghostpepper]

Her grin broadened at the remark. There was no doubt in her mind, and the sentiment was mutual.

"I don't doubt that at all. He knows I'm stepping down at the end of this month, but I didn't tell him an exact day so this is a bit of an early birthday present for him. So if you see him first, don't tell him. This is a surprise." She gave Obito a wink before proceeding to tease him. "And I hope that means you'll be coming down from your tower a little more often. I'm planning on making a big dinner tonight if the whole team's free."

[thebestuchiha]

"Totally gonna be there." He laughed and shook his head at once, easing back a couple steps. "But don't go making it sound like I never come out, that just wouldn't work you know!"

[ghostpepper]

"Hey, hey, I know you come down once in a while, y'know!" She put one hand on her hip and wagged a finger at him for a mock scolding. "I saw you at the Chuunin exams and the fundraiser auction before that. And you were out of there for Kakashi's birthday party too."

[thebestuchiha]

"And I've been out of the village for a couple things. I'm headed to Kiri in a few days too." He shook his head, moving to lean on his desk. "Sides, I have lots of things to keep my attention out of this tower."

He laughed, waving a hand before grinning.

[ghostpepper]

"Ah! That's right. I promised Karin I'd come see her in the final matches. But I kinda have to ask permission to leave the village now, huh?" But something else he said caught her attention too. "What kinds of things keep your attention out of here?"

[thebestuchiha]

He felt a hint of color come to his face at her last question and cleared his throat. "Uh. No problems with you going to Kiri, so don't even worry about that."

What's that? Totally skipping over that question, yep.

[ghostpepper]

If there was any way to make her latch on to something with iron-clad strength and dogged determination, it was to dodge her questions. She gave him a few seconds of raised eyebrows and a pointed look to see if he'd take the cue.

"And? Come on, Obito, tell me. What gets your attention out of here?"

[thebestuchiha]

"I uh. Um." He was turning redder and cursed himself for flustering. Composure. She was going to punch him for not telling her sooner.

Crap.

"Been spending more time with people?"

[ghostpepper]

...There was nothing to be embarrassed about if he was just spending time with people. The cogs in her brain chugged along, as she stifled a laugh at the color spreading over his face. They pulled up memories of Minato's reign, reminding her how she'd often been incentive for Minato to come home sooner rather than later-- Something clicked and the realization dawned on her.

"You've met someone! Obito Uchiha, you spill right now! Who is it?!"

[thebestuchiha]

"I have not! I haven't met anyone new at all!" Not helping his case, so not helping his case, but his hands were already up and waving as though to ward her off.

[ghostpepper]

"So, it's someone you knew already! How long have you known them? Are they a civilian or a shinobi? How long have you been a thing? Is it serious?"

There was no warding her off. She'd sunk her teeth in and it would take a miracle to make her let go now.

[thebestuchiha]

"Uh." He slipped sideways, clearly intending to escape around his desk. "Depends what you mean?"

How does he even answer that???

[ghostpepper]

Unfortunately for Obito, she wasn't having any of that and stayed on him. Prey, meet predator.

"What do you mean it depends on what I mean?! Am I gonna have to guess through everyone I know you know? If that's it, it's gotta be someone you've known for a while, but you said you gave up on Rin ages ago. So who is it? It's someone from Konoha, right? Right?"

[thebestuchiha]

"What? Of course it is! I'm not one of the cross village people." He waved her down again, scowling as he paused. "It'scomplicated so just. Agggh."

January 27th? Midday?

[morningpeacock]

The shockingly red hair was hard to miss, and when Gai spotted her in the market, his first instinct was to escape before she noticed him. Not that he was anywhere on her radar, in fact, she probably wouldn't even notice him if he just...walked away. However, after the whole thing with Yamato--not just the argument, but feeling that there were parts of their lives Gai was not (and might never be) privy to--he felt a little more compelled to explore those parts of Obito and Kakashi's lives that he could involve himself in. And not just his brand of stalking. But really...get to know these things. It would not be too intrusive...!

Kushina was not Minato-sensei, but she was still an important and vital part of their childhood, their development, and at the very least, he could at least bond with her! Yes. Exactly! He could befriend her! Even if just to carry her groceries home for her! How long was she staying in Konoha anyway, he wondered.

"Hello, Kushina-sama!" Gai felt a little like a child again, sliding into place next to her at the fruit stand. She had always been so bold and fiery and scary. Was this really a good idea? "It is good to see you back in the village again! Do you need any assistance with your shopping? I would be more than happy to carry something for you if you need an extra pair of hands!" He struck a pose, thumbs-up and all.

sounds good! 8>

[ghostpepper]

She was leaning over a display of lemons when she heard her name called. It wasn't unusual to be stopped during her shopping trips by others wishing to catch up, especially as it had been two or three months since the last time she was seen on an extended trip in Konoha. But this time she could tell everyone she was home to stay. So this time when she looked up, her eyes caught green spandex before traveling up to Gai's face and broad grin. Despite his longtime friendship with Kakashi and Obito, and now the new information she'd learned from Obito a few days ago concerning their relationship, it struck her how little she actually knew about him. Besides his exuberant and over the top nature, his penchant for spandex jumpsuits, and she'd bore witness to a couple of his challenges. She almost denied his help, but changed her mind with her mouth first.

"Hm? Ah, thank you, Gai. It's good to be back. And I wouldn't mind the extra help. I just got started so I don't have much to carry right now. --Oh right! Two lemons, sir. How much is that?"

She dug into her pocket for the requested amount and swapped the shopkeeper money for the fruit, which she dropped into a basket hanging from her arm. The only other item in there was a hastily scrawled list of another five or so items.

"So what brings you out to the market today?"

[morningpeacock]

He knew she, of all people, did not need his help, but it was polite to offer and the best way befriend someone (if not to challenge them) was to help them! Perfect!

Gai held up a bag of groceries, mostly vegetables, some nuts and fruit. "I would be happy to carry whatever you have! I am just stocking up for my kitchen!" Which was true, but he was also starting to scope out what sorts of things he could get Obito for his upcoming birthday (and the subsequent holiday afterwards), because it felt a little more daunting than Kakashi's birthday had. "It is always a good idea to have healthy treats on hand so that one does not fall into bad snacking habits. Are you shopping for a special occasion?" Kushina did not often come back to Konoha. Perhaps she was here for a party.

[ghostpepper]

"I'm just restocking a few things since my return and Minato's birthday meant I was cooking up more than usual. But i- ‹i›when‹/i› Karin's promoted after the exams this month, that'll be one more celebration within a week."

She really should get some things to prepare a small party for her niece. There wasn't any doubt in her mind Karin would be promoted this time, especially since Kiri's exams put more focus toward the individual over a team. While there was some importance in strengthening your own skills, it was still necessary to work with your teammates instead of having one person carrying everyone else's burdens too. She'd been distracted by other matters and hadn't been able to monitor Karin's progress with teamwork as closely as she would've liked in her last few months in office. So she hoped her niece had been learning that she didn't always need to make herself a living shield for her teammates.

However, she did stop herself from any remarks on the healthy snacks, as she kept a generous supply of instant ramen on hand for snacking purposes.

omg did you write all of THAT on your 3ds? You are a braver soul than me

[morningpeacock]

"She is competing? I had not heard! Congratulations to her! I am sure she will do wonderfully!" Gai got a little misty-eyed just thinking about the exams. He could still remember when his students competed. How young they were! How adorable and innocent they were back then! And how young and focused he had been for his own exam, so many years ago... Focused, and a little short-sighted and blind to anyone other than Kakashi... "Send her my best regards!"

Gai wasn't planning to attend the exams himself, but he expected to hear about them later, both in the village and from Obito himself sometime, especially if there were any promising young taijutsuists! He was always intrigued by other village's skills and techniques. There was always something to learn from new opponents and rising stars!

yep, the predictive text bar is a lifesaver for longer words, so there's that

[ghostpepper]

"Yeah, it's her second attempt, so she and her team have had plenty of time to get more experience with missions and stuff to prepare."

But this was Kiri hosting and their methods with their own shinobi were not noted for being merciful. But she did well to hide any nervousness she might feel on Karin's behalf. She'd made it through to the finals and couldn't be prouder.

"I'll pass on your well wishes when I see her in a couple days."

Kushina plucked her list from her basket to study the other items to see if any of them were nearby.

"Hm... looks like eggs and flour are next."

Poor Tophie. D= I'm sorry this was delayed, but I hope you get a computer fix soon

[morningpeacock]

"Ah, thank you! Sometimes even a well-trained ninja needs a little more under their belt before they can move forward! There is much to be learned from failure, of course!"

He followed her diligently, trying not to be in the way, but buzzing a little close. "It must take a lot of work to keep a household running, especially one with two village leaders! You were both always so busy, and still are! Were you always so good with household management?" As they moved down the way, he checked a few eggs to make sure they were not broken or cracked. "Or paperwork and diplomacy? Surely that must take a lot of skill!"

no worries! and the new job should help, so maybe a few more weeks

[ghostpepper]

She nodded her agreement as she led their way over to where the eggs were and began checking some as well.

"You know, I never really thought of it as being too much work. Even when we were busy, we did our best to split duties and everything worked out in the end. Paperwork I was sorta used to because sometimes I'd camp out in Minato's office while he worked, but I always had an assistant to help, which probably saved me a lot of headaches. As for diplomacy, I think I still need a little work on that. But if you think about it, any mission you take tests your diplomacy skills when you're dealing with people you don't know. I mean, think about it. You don't want to offend your client, even for a C or D-rank mission if you want them to come back in the future, right? The same idea applies when you're dealing with people coming from other countries, especially the high-ranking ones. Offend or piss off the wrong person and you're probably looking at war or something."

She located a small tray of eggs that met her standards and put them in her basket, then went to pick out a bag of flour. But she made it a few steps before pausing, looking thoughtful. On a technicality, Minato hadn't been the active Hokage for years, not since soon after she took up her post. And now she'd stepped down.

"I guess it'll be easier to keep on top of things now since neither one of us is actively a village leader anymore."