Mismatched blue hues stared up at the ceiling of a kirigakure hotel room. THere had been muc hthat had happened in the time since the burning of the village hidden in the sand. Syekren had joined the village hidden in the clouds and taken his student to the Chuunin exams that were held there. From what he had seen, she'd done much better than he expected. She had even made it to the finals, just barely succumbing to her opponent. Still, he was proud of her for everything she'd done on her own, much less with what little help he had provided. These thoughts ran through his mind a lot lately, replaying the memories they had together. It had been two years since the exams. His student wasn't a little genin anymore. She was a chuunin, and making her way in a world that she barely knew anything of, but doing so better than he could have hoped for. As he'd promised, Syekren had traveled with the young woman to Kirigakure to ensure she would reach her new home safely, and to spend time with her before they would need to part ways for what could be years. He still had business in the village of the leaves to take care of, and then he would have to return to the cloud to serve his new kage. Alas, he led a busier life than someone who helped destroy their home should. He figured once he'd finished off the sand, he'd be free to roam and enjoy himself.

'It's not all bad, though. At least I have her here.'

Throughout the time spent with Izumi, a young Karisuma from the sand, Syekren had found himself coming to terms with how he'd been feeling. She started as a loud mouth annoyance, who joined Chou and he on their journey, becoming part of their family. She was his student and then, something more? After the destruction of the village she'd kissed him when they were drunk, but passed out immediately after. He hadn't brought it up after the fact because at first he wasn't sure if he was remembering it right. When he was sure, he didn't want to further embarrass her with a memory she may not enjoy. During their time in Kumo, however, it seemed that she did enjoy such things. Among enjoying flaunting her flirtation in front of him and fraternizing with other men either to make him jealous or to please herself. He could never tell with her. It happened that he did start getting jealous seeing her flirt and became a bit angry when she did it. He would chastise her for such shenanigans, but would secretly be doing so to make her eyes stay on him. The Uchiha sighed as he closed his eyes, shaking his head, wondering where his life had gone.

They'd only arrived an hour ago in the village, and he'd found them lodgings in a hotel. Syekren had given Chou her own room, and the other room was offered to Izumi. He imagined she'd gone in to change into something fresh, or possibly was still outside the door. He was in the sitting room, upon the one couch that was in the middle of the room. His body was laying upon the soft cushions, with two or three bottles of Fire Brand whiskey next to him on the floor. He didn't want to think anymore, it was dark, the crickets were chirping, and it was only getting later into the night. He likely should have been asleep so that he could finish his business and move along. But could he really just abandon Izumi in Kirigakure by her lonesome? His mind flashed to her flirting and he rubbed his temples. Did he really want to give her the temptations? The man reached down and picked up the first of his bottles, biting onto the cork with the side of his mouth, pulling on it until the cork came free. He'd spit the cork onto the floor and tilt the bottle back, taking healthy swigs of the amber liquid that smelled and tasted of fire and cinnamon. It wasn't as good as Sunagakure used to make it, but it wasn't bad either. Perhaps Kirigakure did have a few things going for it.

'Last time it was only the hospital this village had going for it.'

His left eye socket gave a throb from the memory, his hand reaching up to clasp it softly. With a sigh, he continued to drink heavily from his bottle, until the first was gone. He'd reach for his second, his eyes feeling heavy. Foot steps caused him to turn. And he did so quickly with surprise in his blue hues. There, in the bedroom doorway stood Izumi, in what could only be described as 'revealing nightwear.' She smiled at him and slowly walked towards him, coming around the couch to stand at his front. She'd lean down, pressing her bosom together, smirking as she watched him. She reached out to cup his face in her hand, leaning forward and her lips but a breadth away. Then it was gone. He started, coming back to reality, waking up from what was likely the alcohol trying to put him to an early bed time. He wasn't as young as he used to be, and drinking as he was took a toll on his older form now. Still he'd reach for his next bottle, ripping the cork out in the same way as before, taking a nice swig of the liquid, feeling the burn in his throat that reminded him he was alive.

"As if the lass would want such a thing."

Just a sentence spoken out loud, mainly to remind himself of what this was. He was her teacher and she his student. There was a reason he'd given them the bedrooms while he slept on the couch. Everyone had their place, and his life had taken the turn at a young age to ignore romance. His path had always been that of a killer, a machine made to take orders and give results. He didn't deserve such niceties as love or a family. He was lucky he had his new daughter, Chou. Aye, that's all he would need. The man shook his head and took another drink of his whiskey, giving a content sigh. All he needed was his whiskey and his daughter, regret wasn't a part of it. His student would be fine, and as far as he was concerned, she'd likely forget about him in a month and be leading this place by the time he returned. She had the aptitude and the attitude. "Little spitfire that one." He spoke to the dark, mainly to himself. He figured he was alone, in any case.

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