[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

[ghostpepper]

It took three seconds for the names to register and another five to process them. They wouldn't have been her first pick, but not necessarily her last either. Surprise turned to something more pensive as she thought back to a night that had been partially lost to alcohol.

"I guess that explains why you were hanging over Kakashi and stealing his drink on his birthday..."

[thebestuchiha]

"We were officially dating at that point. Me and Gai let him break up with us since then though and now we do more stuff than we did before he broke up with us. So please don't comment on him cuddling or kissing stuff with the word boyfriend or he might freak out again okay?"

[ghostpepper]

"Alright, I won't. What you three do or don't do is your business. I never really pegged Kakashi as being much of a touchy-feely kind of guy. Besides, it's way easier to tease him for his choice in reading material."

Among other things.

[thebestuchiha]

"He's not a sexy kind of guy! He's a touchy feely though and it's nice." He felt the flush come back. "It's up, Gai who, well. Um. But yeah so that's the thing going on and complicated and yeah that."

[ghostpepper]

She had to press a hand to her mouth to stop from laughing when he started jumbling up his words. It took a few seconds to bury everything, but the laughter stayed in her eyes and the way her voice shook slightly as she struggled to hold herself together.

"Thanks for being so open with me." Despite all the prodding required. "That wasn't so hard to talk about, now was it?"

[thebestuchiha]

He shifted on his feet, glancing away, then back again. "Okay no, but it was and I haven't exactly... talked about it to anyone all anouncey. It's been months."

[ghostpepper]

"You should've said something sooner, y'know." He got another prod to the chest, but several shades gentler than the first. And her finger stayed as a thought occurred to her.

"...Wait a second. Have you been keeping your relationship - relationships? - under wraps from everyone else?"

[thebestuchiha]

"Yeah... Sasuke knows, Hinata, uh, Tenzou, my ANBU from guard rotations. I think that's everyone who officially knows anything?" He gave a sheepish, lopsided smile.

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.

[ghostpepper]

"So not many. And you haven't told Minato yet? I'm flattered you told me first."

Well, technically speaking since she all but strong-armed it out of him... Details.

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?"

[thebestuchiha]

"I mean, I probably should have but we just... never got around to telling people before stuff happened and... and then it didn't happen after that."

[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.

let's try a thing where i tag from my 3ds...

[ghostpepper]

"If things came up before you could tell anyone, it's alright. I guess I just keep remembering how hard it was for me to shut up about things when I first started dating Minato so I can't really compare. Still, no reason you can't start now, right?"

Then again, she had a hard time shutting up about a lot of things...

[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."

[thebestuchiha]

"You mean aside from keeping it subdued so I don't make them targets more than they already are?" He gave her a flash of a smile. "Don't worry, I know what you actually meant."

[ghostpepper]

"Good, because I was two seconds from punching you." She raised one hand in a fist and put the other over her bicep as a large grin appeared on her face. "But seriously, tell Minato when you get a chance. Okay?"

[thebestuchiha]

"You're always two seconds away from punching me." It was more pout than anything, and he gave him a wry smile. "But yeah, I'll do that. I should have already I guess."

[ghostpepper]

"Only when you deserve it." Or when her temper skyrocketed. Or when she got in a punching mood... Maybe 'always' was pretty accurate.

"And maybe the next time you're over to visit you can tell him. So, I guess tonight or if you come by any other day this week. But not tomorrow. How does that sound?"

[thebestuchiha]

He blinked at the declaration of 'not tomorrow' but had no particular reason to argue it. "Okay, I'll do it really soon, promise."

[ghostpepper]

She beamed at Obito's agreement and reached over to give him a friendly punch to the shoulder. "That's what I like to hear. It's your news, you should be the one to tell him. And I think you've had enough delays."

[thebestuchiha]

"I dunno, I think I can afford a few more..." He was grinning as he spoke though, looking sideways at her.

[ghostpepper]

"Don't you give me that, Obito. It won't kill you to not make excuses, y'know." Though she was attempting to make it look like she was trying to scold him, it mostly failed. Her smile still clung to her eyes and corners of her mouth, and her stern tone felt almost halfhearted.