Bee-uty & the Beast

Chapter 22

"You look like you've seen a ghost."

Gai struggled to maintain eye contact with the yellow-clad man and not look at Hani's motionless form, "If I didn't know any better, I would say this was a nightmare." The muscles in his neck tensed as Oda took a few casual steps towards the unconscious woman.

"That's life," chuckled Oda. He was quiet for a moment before speaking again, "Tell me … have you ever lost someone close to you?"

Not knowing or understanding where Oda was taking the conversation, Gai was careful in how he responded, "It is not uncommon for Ninja to lose the ones they care about."

"Same goes for samurai," said Oda softly. "Who have you lost?"

Gai shifted his weight to test the status of his muscles. The more time they spent talking, the more time he had to recover, "Many friends and family."

"What about the one who taught you your techniques? The one who made you the powerful shinobi you are today?"

"My father is still alive."

Oda gave him a considerate look, "Is he well too?"

Gai clenched his jaw before speaking, "He is crippled."

As if hearing what he wanted, Oda smiled, "Is he still a ninja?"

"No," said Gai in a deep tone.

"And would you say he has lost his value to your village? To Konoha?"

"Where the hell are you going with this, Oda?" shouted Gai who was becoming increasingly offended by discussing the worth of his father.

"You'll have to excuse my impertinence, but I am simply trying to prove a point." He put his hand on the hilt of his sword and closed the distance between himself and Hani. "Three years ago, my sensei had become lame after being seriously injured. He was ambushed by a pack of ninja while traveling between two divisions of his army. He fought valiantly, but was injured to the point where he was limited to being carried on a litter. He could no longer oversee his military … no longer fight. After three months of struggling to maintain his former honor, he committed seppuku. I was his second. I was his kaishakunin – the one he chose to behead him and end his suffering." Oda took a calm breath, "And it is my duty to exact his revenge."

Gai flared his nostrils, "And you think it was me who attacked your sensei? Is that why you tricked me into coming here?"

"I know it was you," said Oda calmly. "You lead the very squad that attacked us."

"How can you be sure?" sneered Gai.

Oda deftly lifted his offhand and took the collar of his jacket. He pulled on it lightly till his left peck and collarbone were exposed. Gai's eyes widened at the burn scars that littered across Oda's torso. "Because unlike my sensei, the wounds you gave me were not disabling."

"You must be mistaken," said Gai with an even tone. "I rarely use fire-based jutsus—"

"The very attack you used to end Hakanza's life, you used against my sensei's platoon. The tides of battle had shifted and you had given your comrades the command to clear the area. The weaker samurai died soon after you filled the night air with fire. My sensei and I were barely able to escape." Oda tightened his grip on his sword, "I don't suppose you remember?"

Gai's eyes quickly shifted back and forth as he struggled to remember the event. "I …"

"You don't remember," sighed Oda. He smoothed his clothing back into place, "Though it would have made revenge sweeter if you had, it wasn't a necessity." He looked down at Hani and frowned, "When I had made the mission arrangements with your Hokage and gave her requirements that would ensure your assignment to the case, I had no idea she would send two of you." He drew his sword from its scabbard and held it loosely at his side, "I will avenge the death of my comrades by killing her. Then killing you will avenge my sensei."

Gai held out his hands, "Wait! Don't hurt her!" He pointed at Hani, "She has nothing to do with this. You will avenge no one if you kill her!"

Oda's expression was eerily calm, "I do not care." He held up his sword and pointed the tip at Hani's throat.

"Stop!" cried Gai as he forced his muscles to obey him. He sprinted forward; faster than a normal man, but vastly slower than when he was at his best.

The samurai lifted his eyes and waited till the very last moment before raising his sword and swinging it broadly towards Gai. The ninja was immediately struck by a gust of wind that blew him clear off his feet and slammed him harshly into a nearby stone wall.

"Ack!" cried Gai as his battered body wracked with pain. He fell to all fours as he struggled to convince his body to not expire from being pushed too hard.

"It looks like Hakanza did his job," said Oda dryly. "Pushing you to the point of exhaustion."

Gai's already wounded knuckles bled as he dug them into the stone ground. "How many people have you used so you could exact this 'revenge'?"

"Too many to count."

"Then it is my duty to avenge those people!" growled Gai.

Oda grinned at him, "You could try." He slashed his sword at the air in front of him, sending gust after gust of wind at the ninja. Gai was lifted off the ground and slammed into the wall over and over again. He roared in pain and anger, each attack sending his rage into the next level.

After what seemed like a half dozen swings, Oda saw a small flash of movement behind him. Without even moving a muscle, a large burst of wind centering from the samurai caught Gai who had used a flicker technique to position himself behind his opponent. The air current threw the jounin a good twenty feet before he finally rolled to a stop.

"You certainly are amazing," said Oda as he watched Gai struggle to stand. "Even in this state, you are capable of being that fast."

With shaking knees, Gai just barely managed to stand. "I still have enough fight left in me!" he spat.

Oda mocked him, "Then let's see it." He watched Gai closely, ready for any trickery the ninja might pull out of his sleeve. But the only thing that betrayed Gai's intentions was the slight movement of his eyes. Oda's own eyes widened as he spotted a glint out of his peripheral. He twisted his body painfully to avoid the bronze-bladed fan that slashed at him across his front. The weapon had even come close enough to cut a few layers of his belt away.

The samurai looked down to the angry face of Hani who had her fan armed in one hand and the other encased in crystal; securely affixing her to the ground. He quickly stepped away and channeled a gust of wind at her through his sword.

"Damnit!" shouted Hani as the wind hit her hard enough to knock the fan out of her hand and lift her off the ground. She clung desperately to the stone and channeled her own chakra into the crystal to keep herself from being sent into the water.

Immediately realizing the crystal was preventing her from being carried away by his wind, Oda yelled, "Those crystals won't save you if I sever your arm!"

"Not if I can help it!" yelled Gai as he rushed forward.

Oda narrowed his eyes as he realized the jounin was moving a good deal faster and easier than he had originally let on. Gai had been playing the wounded victim to buy himself and Hani time to recover. The samurai quickly dodged Gai's attack and side-stepped to put the jounin between himself and Hani.

"Hani?" shouted Gai as he dashed towards Oda.

"I'm with you!" she called back as she jumped to her feet and rushed to his side.

"How cute," sneered Oda. He slashed his sword in their direction and sent a huge squall of wind at them, "You'll have to excuse me if I interrupt you two again!"

Gai and Hani braced themselves as they were blown into the air and sent halfway back into the cavern where they splashed into the steaming water. The wind was so intense it sent a large wave through the hot springs where it crashed over the ninja as they struggled to stay above the water's surface.

Hani spat and flailed like a cat that had been suddenly thrown into a pool. "No!" she cried as panic began to set it.

Gai was just barely able to see through her splashing enough to notice the wide blade of wind that soared over the water with the intention to decapitate them. He quickly grabbed Hani's head and pulled her under the water with him as the wind current flew over. "Wait! Hani!" he shouted as they resurfaced and he struggled to keep her from climbing on top of him.

"Get me out of the water! Please!" she cried; her eyes wide in fear.

"Control yourself!" he yelled over her pleas as they plunged under the water again to avoid another wind current. He grunted in frustration as she tried to use him as a flotation device by climbing on him again.

Already regretting what he had to do, Gai cringed as he slapped her harshly across the face. "Snap out of it!" he shouted.

Hani's head was turned away from him slightly from the force of his strike; her cheek already turning a bright red. Her swimming suddenly became calmer as she looked up at him. Gai felt his heart clench as he spotted a pain tear brimming the corner of her eye.

"What an unfortunate phobia to have at a time like this," came a calm voice that echoed off the stone walls.

Gai looked across the cavern and spotted Oda walking across the water's surface towards them. "Shit!" he cursed as he grabbed Hani's shirt and swam them both to a more shallow area. Once they came to a point where they could stand in only a few feet of water, Gai noticed a small alcove in the wall's facing. "Hani, go hide in there!" he said just loud enough for her to hear.

She gave him a confused look, "I'm not going -"

Still holding her shirt, Gai pushed her roughly towards the stone niche, "I said 'hide', woman!"

Hani nearly tripped and fell from the force of his push, but she managed to stay on her feet and comply with his order. He watched as she stole a quick look at him before tucking her curvaceous frame into the recess and moving out of sight. "Good," he sighed before turning to his opponent.

"I'm surprised at you, Gai. Didn't your father ever teach you to never strike a woman?"

"So says the man who just tried to kill her," scoffed Gai.

Oda held out his hand in a pleading gesture, "Self-defense. She would have killed me if given the chance. As a matter of fact, she did try to gut me just moments ago."

Gai watched the samurai closely while he removed his tattered vest and shirt. "Let's make this a fair fight and keep the woman out of it."

Oda looked over the jounin's exposed torso quietly. "I see you have your own scars to bear."

The ninja took his stance, not needing to see what the samurai was indicating. "My scars prove I have faced and defeated many worthy advisories. I wear them with pride."

"Judging by the progression of damage, you'll soon be just as disabled as your father," said Oda calmly.

"That may be," said Gai. "But I am an excellent teacher with amazing pupils. I will still have much to give to my village … just as my father did with me."

"A charming legacy," said Oda sincerely. "It's a shame you and I are enemies … I think we could have actually been good friends if we had met on different terms."

"It isn't too late," said Gai cautiously. "We can both walk away from this."

Oda gave him a bittersweet smile as he placed his hand on his chest, "I'm afraid these scars are more than just skin deep."

"Very well," sighed Gai. "Then you have chosen our fates for this battle."

"Indeed," said Oda softly.

The two fighters watched each other in silence; the sound of water dripping from various stalactites being the only sound in the cavern. Gai ignored the sweat that stung his eyes and open wounds. He knew that like Hakanza, Oda had amazing speed and could activate his wind abilities in an instant. Opening anything more than three gates was no longer an option. His body was not physically capable of handling the stress at this point and he really would cripple himself before the fight was over. At best, his only option was to close the distance between himself and Oda, get into his box, and beat the living hell out of him. It was moments like this that he regretted not having more ranged abilities.

The only sign Gai gave of his attack was the slight shift in his weight to the balls of his feet before he tore through the cavern leaving a jet trail of water in his wake. Oda countered by spinning his sword in a clockwise rotation and sending a gale of wind to cut off Gai's route. The jounin threw his legs out and used the water to stop him from being cut in two. The clear slice that went through the following wave showed him how deadly these little "gusts" could be.

Gai didn't hesitate to dash around the room; trying to use unpredictable movements to throw Oda off. But Oda's attacks were so quick and precise that Gai was unable to get closer than a dozen yards from him.

"I could do this all day," chuckled Oda.

"You certainly have a unique ability," grunted Gai. "I've never seen a samurai utilize the wind like that before."

Oda held up his sword, "Do you like it? I had it custom made."

Gai hopped between his legs and made another attempt at getting within striking distance. He just barely dodged Oda's parry.

"That looks a lot like the sword Makoto was carrying," said Gai with clear frustration in his voice at his continued failure in reaching his opponent.

"It's one in the same. Makoto is a chakra-fool. He had no idea what he held." Oda grinned, "It was the safest place to store it."

Gai thumbed his nose as he tried to think of a new strategy. One thing he had noticed was Oda's attacks were very linear and could handle only one target at a time. So would he be able to handle a cooperative attack? Hani was out of the question … so maybe he could use …?

The ninja ran towards one of the thick supporting columns of the cavern and ducked behind it.

"Hiding?" chucked Oda in disbelief. "Surely that's not your style – what?" he gasped as two Gais ran out from behind the column and charged him at a breakneck speed. Oda looked between the two quickly in an attempt at telling which was the clone and which was the real one. "Very clever, Gai," he snarled. "Looks like I'll have to take you both out," he said as he slashed at the air between the two ninja. A blade of wind split in two and flew directly at both men. Oda's eyes widened as both Gai's disappeared in a puff of smoke.

"GREAT LEAF WHIRLWIND!" shouted Gai who suddenly appeared in front of Oda and spun kicked in an attempt at breaking the man's skull.

In a flash, Oda raised his sword to block and Gai was blasted in the air before his leg could land his strike. "Try to dodge this!" shouted Oda as he twirled 360 degrees and sent a series of wind blades at Gai. They whirled through the air in a blurring speed towards the ninja.

Gai held up his arms to brace for impact being unable to dodge while in midair. But instead of being sliced to pieces, a giant purple crystal appeared before him and blocked the wind attack from striking him. As he fell, he looked over his shoulder and spotted Hani who was standing just outside the niche; her crystal-clawed hands clinging to the wall and a trail of fine crystals leading up to the ceiling where she created the giant crystal to shield him from being killed.

"Hani!" he shouted as he landed on the water and sprinted to her side. "How big can you make those crystals?"

"Watch out!" she called as she broke her hands free from the wall and yanked him out of the away of another wind attack.

Gai grabbed her shoulder and asked her again, "How big can you make those crystals? How heavy?"

Hani looked at him in anxiously, "Why?"

"No fair – teaming up on me. I thought we were going to leave the woman out of it?" said Oda loud enough for them to hear across the cavern. He watched as Hani ran behind one of the support columns, "What are you two planning?"

Gai bent over and took the pair of his nunchaku from out of his leg harness, "I am merely having her move to a safer place."

"Of course you are," said Oda sarcastically.

Gai spun his weapon a few times in a threatening manner, "Don't worry. I am still your opponent." He quickly charged at Oda from the side, but instead of attacking him head on, he stopped just short, sending a large wave towards the samurai.

Oda cut through the wave and then another as Gai sped through the water battlefield sending wave after wave at him. "Are you trying to hide your movements?" he called. "You'll have to do better than a little water!" After cutting away the last wave, he quickly scanned the area for Gai. "Where are you?" he asked to himself.

As if in answer, a figure burst from the water below him with a stolen maneuver often used by a particular copy-ninja. Gai smashed his knuckles into Oda's jaw sending them both into the air. "Now!" called Gai over his shoulder.

Oda growled in pain and just managed to look up in time to see a gigantic purple crystal, one that was larger than most houses, snap free from the ceiling and fall like an oversized stalactite. Gai grabbed the man's shirt and held him until the very last second to keep him from fleeing before the crystal collided with the samurai and crushed him down into the water.

Gai flipped through the air and shielded himself with his arms against the monstrous wave caused by the weight of Hani's crystal. He could only imagine how many tons of weight she had managed to create in such a short period of time.

After the water finally settled, Gai hurried to the column where he found his partner slumped over and breathing heavily.

"I've never … made one … that big … before," she huffed.

Gai knelt down and took her shoulder in praise. "You did great, Petal," he said with a grin.

Hani let him help her stand. "Is he dead?" she asked as she looked around the column.

"I don't know anyone who could have survived that."

"Good," said Hani as she released the jutsu; turning the massive crystal she had created into glimmering dust. "Can we please get out of here now?" she asked uneasily.

Gai gave her a chuckle, "Of course." He put his arm around her shoulder and started to lead her out. It was only due to his years of elite training that he was able to sense the jet of water that suddenly shot up at them. "LOOK OUT!" he shouted as he pushed Hani out of the way; just barely preventing them both from being cut down the middle.

"What the hell?" cried Hani as she struggled to stay on her feet.

"I should expect nothing less from two shinobi of the leaf," came a gargled voice.

Gai and Hani turned to see a deformed Oda standing awkwardly on the water's surface. Each zombie-like step he took became steadier than the previous as his body popped and snapped back together.

Gai quickly stepped before Hani and readied himself for another attack.

"It's his sword!" said Hani as she pointed at the samurai. "Look!"

Indeed, the sword he had been using was originally wind-based, but the water that now swirled around the blade suggested its chakra attunement had changed.

Gai clenched his fists as he eyed the matching set of multi-colored beads running up either side of the sword's grip. "Chakra pearls," he said in a low tone.

"You're very smart," said Oda as his jaw finally cracked back into place.

"How did you get your hands on something so rare? Let alone ten of them?" asked Hani who knew full well that chakra pearls were a very valuable commodity in the ninja community. They were made by clams in a fiercely guarded area and only a small handful could be harvested every year. When attuned to a particular element, chakra pearls allowed the user to wield whatever chakra element the pearl was attuned to. However, Hani also knew chakra pearls had a onetime-only use. Once the charge was spent, the pearl became worthless.

"You can get anything you want these days when you have enough money," said Oda arrogantly.

"We have to get that sword away from him," said Hani just loud enough for Gai to hear.

"I know," said Gai cautiously.

"This should be interesting," said Oda as he held out his sword. "Usually wind is enough to deal with any threat … I've never had to use water before. But then again, I've never been so injured I had to use it to save my life either. Kudos to you both." He rolled his shoulder, "But I could always switch back to wind again, if necessary."

"Gai, how many gates can you open?" asked Hani softly.

He clenched his fists, "No more than three. How much chakra do you have left?"

"Not enough for another gigantic crystal."

"What about your bloodline ability?"

"I can't use it in these hot springs. There's too much moisture in the air."

Gai took a slow and steady breath, "Hani. I'll go high, you go low."

She looked at him, a bit surprised he would be suggesting they make a direct attack. But it became clear to her that this was a last ditch effort for both of them. They were low on chakra and options. The last thing they were going to do was lie down and die. "Right," she said quietly. She looked down at the water under her feet and the darkness that lay beyond it. There was a part of her that cowered in fear at the sight, but the more dominant part of her brain realized she was in the last moments of her life. It would be silly to be scared of such a thing at a moment like this. And then there was a small part of her that thought it was ironic that a dark, watery pool would be her grave.

"Are you ready, Hani?" asked Gai as he gave her a comforting look.

She closed her eyes and sighed before looking back at him, "Yes."

"Good luck, Petal."

"Good luck, Chimp-nin."

Gai grinned at her before turning his attention back to Oda. There was a pause between all the fighters before they simultaneously acted. Gai charged the samurai's left while Hani took the right.

Oda countered by slashing his blade through the water and creating a large wave to crash into Gai and send him under the surface. Then Oda turned and did the same to Hani but instead of being pushed aside, Hani sliced through the water with her crystal-claws. "Oh that's right," said Oda lightly. "You're earth-based."

"Ha!" shouted Hani as he twirled and spun after Oda in a flurry of dance like blows. No movement was wasted; no loss of speed as her claws clanged and crashed into Oda's sword.

In a flash, Gai appeared to Hani's side. As if in slow motion, Oda dodged Hani's low clawed-attack and just barely avoided Gai's nunchaku that soared over his head from above. Like a well oiled machine, Hani and Gai ducked, dodged, parried, and attacked unlike any team Oda had ever witnessed. They flowed smoothly together - while one attacked the other worked defensively and vice versa. Oda could feel sweat drip down his forehead as he just barely struggled to avoid being ripped apart by their coordinated assault. "Enough!" he roared after just scarcely evading Gai's weapon. He held his sword firmly before him and created a large burst of water all around him. Both ninja disappeared behind the wall of water, but as Oda pulled his sword back, he instantly noticed the set of crystal-covered hands that had encased themselves around the sword's blade and was quickly climbing up the hilt to his hands.

"I won't let go!" roared Hani as she stepped out of water's circle towards him.

Oda looked down and saw the bottoms of her feet were also encased in crystal and she had used them to attach to the stone a few feet under the water's surface and prevent her from being blown away.

"Clever girl," smirked Oda as he dropped the wall of water.

Only a few yards away, Gai staggered to his feet just in time to see a yellow flash of light close to the sword's pummel. His heart stopped at the sudden realization of what was about to happen next. "Hani, no!" he cried as he rushed forward.

Hani's face fell at the sight of Oda's smug look. She froze as the sword they both held suddenly erupted in bright yellow lightning. Though it happened in only seconds, time seemed to stop as the tendrils of electricity coursed up her hands and arms, shattering her crystals as it went. But before the lightning could reach her torso, she felt a hand suddenly clasp her on the shoulder. She turned her head in time to see the lighting jump through to Gai's hand and up his arm.

"ARGH!" he cried in pain as the lighting coursed through him, small bolts flashing between his teeth and one giant bolt bursting out through the foot he had plunged into the water.

"GAI!" screamed Hani in horror as the man's eyes rolled into the back of his head and he fell limply into the water face-first.

"Well done," chuckled Oda before he cracked her aside the head with the sword scabbard and sent her down into the water too.

He surveyed the scene before him and smirked as Gai struggled to maintain his chakra enough to climb back onto the water's surface. His body shook from violent spasms as the residual lightning attack continued to affect him. "Finally I can end this," said the samurai as he circled Gai like a predator about to pounce on his prey.

Gai managed to raise himself up to his knees; his foot being too burnt from the lightning to support his weight. "Make it quick," he said; his body still wracked in tremors. He held his chin up. He wouldn't die like a coward.

Oda took a step back and observed him. "This is nostalgic," he said softly. "It reminds me when I was at my sensei's seppuku ceremony." He tossed his sword up in the air and caught it to where the sword was curved downwards. "Only difference being, I will not make this easy for you."

Having little-to-no muscle control and unable to defend himself. Gai closed his eyes and braced himself for the deathblow.

Oda watched the man for a moment, before raising the weapon over his head. "Farewell," he said as he brought the weapon down as hard as he could to impale Gai directly through the heart.

The ninja flinched as he heard the sword cut through flesh and bone, but the voice that cried out faintly in pain wasn't his own. He opened his eyes slowly and looked up. His heart sank at the sight of bright blonde hair being divided down the middle by a bloody blade. "No," he said weakly as he realized what he was seeing.

Oda's eyes were wide in shock at finding his sword was now hilt deep in the wrong person. "Fuck!" he shouted as he went to pull the blade out of the chest of the woman before him.

Hani reached up deftly and grabbed the handle; instantly encasing the exposed half of the sword in sharp, bladed crystal.

"Shit!" cursed Oda as he quickly pulled his now lacerated hand away. "Foolish woman!" he shouted in rage at her getting in his way.

Hani lifted her head slightly, blood already dripping from her mouth. Even with only one eye exposed from behind her hair, she gave Oda a look that reminded him that hell truly hath no fury like a woman scorned.

Gai stared at her in disbelief, not wanting to believe the woman before him was real. He kept waiting for her to disappear in a puff of smoke like a good clone was supposed to. But to his terror, she remained solid … whole, but increasingly bloody. It wasn't until Hani moved her free hand behind her that he finally looked away from her wound. She held out to him her three hair sticks. Gai instantly remembered what these subtle weapons contained; venom and a fair dose of it too. She was giving him a final request: finish him.

Through shear willpower and hatred for the man before them, Gai took her proffered weapons with a steady hand and stood.

Oda noticed the jounin stand immediately. "Get away from me!" he shouted as the ninja walked around Hani and quickly approached him.

"No!" shouted Oda as he held up his arm to block Gai's downward thrust. The samurai's arm snapped away sickeningly as Gai's arm forced through his bones and jammed the sticks into Oda's throat. "Ack!" hacked the samurai as he staggered away while the venom seeped into his body. He ripped the hair sticks from his neck with his one good hand and clawed at the wound as the venom began to take effect. Blood soon oozed like bubbled froth from the puncture marks, then his nose and soon after his eyes and ears. "Noooo!" gurgled Oda as his lungs filled with fluid. Blind, unable to breath - the last thing Oda heard before the venom turned his brain to mush was, "You could have walked away" before finally and painfully succumbing to the toxin and plunging into the water to his death.

Gai quickly turned to the sound of Hani's crystals shattering. He rushed forward and grabbed her to keep her from sinking into the water. "Hani, no," he pleaded as blood poured out of her mouth. He cradled her against him as gently as he could; his face contorting in sadness at the sounds of her choking on her own blood. He looked at her wound and realized it had sliced her directly through the heart. It was nothing short of a miracle that she was still alive. "No, no, no!" he wailed. "No! Not again!"

"I'm sorry, Gai," choked Hani. She tried to swallow away the blood out of her mouth, but it only made her cough up more. "It doesn't look like I'll get to meet … your team … after all."

Gai pressed his forehead against hers and rocked her back and forth, "No! Please god, no! You can't have another one! I was ready to die! Please, NOT HER!" He brushed away the hair from her face with a trembling hand and instantly noticed the beauty mark on her upper lip fade away. "No! Hani!" he said as he took her chin, "Don't die! "Please, don't die!"

She looked at him with tear streaks running down the sides of her face and into her hairline, "Thank ... you … Gai. For … caring … about … me."

He stared into her eyes, his own filled with tears. "You can't die, Hani. Please, don't leave me."

She gave him a weak smile, "Sorry … I'm … so … stubborn." But before she could say another word, she began to cough and choke uncontrollably. Gai held onto her tightly, knowing she was in her last moments. He clenched his eyes shut in prayer. If the gods were going to take her, then at least make her passing as fast and painless as possible. But the moment he finished his request, his eyes snapped open in realization. He looked to the sword that still protruded out of Hani's chest and saw the unmistakable sign of a bright blue pearl twinkling back at him. He looked at Hani's pained face and back at the sword before taking the handle.

Hani's eyes grew large in disbelief as Gai wrapped his hand securely around the grip.

"Hani … I am so sorry for this…," he said before yanking the blade out in one quick jerk.

- / -

"Alright, Doc," said Makoto as he leaned against the old wooden cane one of his men had found. "We're ready whenever you are."

The old man wiped his hands off on an old towel. "You're not going to follow my orders are you, Makoto? I told you to stay off that leg."

The Captain smiled at him, "You did such a bang-up job, Doc. I feel like a million ryou!"

"You don't have much muscle left in that leg – you need a surgeon to put it back together again."

Makoto leaned against the cane, "Well, when the shit on this proverbial fan dries, I'll be sure to make an appointment with one. Until then, I want to be sure we get these people out of the area."

The doctor looked down the old burlap tent the guards had hastily erected. "We need to go slow. Most of these people have burns from the village fire and can't be moved too fast."

"Not a problem," said Makoto with a nod. "I'll be leading this herd and we're going to walk at my gimped pace." He looked at the man who was standing faithfully by his side. "You hear that, Sergeant?"

"Hai, Sir. Gimped pace."

Before the doctor could protest again, a large figure stumbled through the tent flaps.

Makoto paled at the sight of Gai who was covered in deep cuts and bruises. His eyes were sunken and dark. And it was clear he was struggling to maintain consciousness. One of his legs was burnt so badly the Captain could see his shoe had actually melted to his foot.

The most disturbing site was the unconscious woman Gai held. Her head dangled limply over his arm, dried blood coating her chin and throat. From an unseen wound on her back oozed even more blood that ran down Gai's leg and now the dirt floor.

"Please help," said Gai weakly before his knees began to buckle.

The sergeant and other guards rushed forward to catch both ninja before they could collapse to the ground.

- / -

Hani barely regained consciousness while in the tent. She was laying on a hard surface - probably a table. She felt no pain, in fact, she barely felt anything at all. She could hear Gai yelling somewhere next to her, but she didn't have the energy to fully open her eyes, let alone turn her head. "Treat her wounds!" she heard him roar.

The doctor tried to pry Gai's hand off his coat, "She isn't going to survive!"

"Do it or I will snap your neck!"

"Gai, calm down!" shouted Makoto as he struggled to put himself between the ninja and doctor. He grabbed Gai's arm and pulled it free from the old man. "Doc, please help the woman. Stitch her wounds, give her medicine, whatever it takes – just do it."

The old man huffed as he turned to a wash basin and tried to make himself as sterile as possible. He looked over at Hani and was surprised to find her pupils focus on him. He quickly pointed to the young guard from Makoto's troop. "You! Help me with this!"

"Um, doctor. I'm not very good with blood—"

"Grow a pair, boy and hand me that kit!" scolded the doctor.

Hani could tell she had lost time as the next thing she remembered she was laying on her side while the doctor stitched the wound on her back. With half-lidded eyes, she watched two guards restrain Gai against a mat on the ground while the sergeant tried to make Gai's foot and the shoe that had melted to it two separate entities again. Gai nearly bit through the stick that was in his mouth as he howled deafeningly in pain. Numerous onlookers in the tent cringed and cowered at the grizzly scene.

Makoto, who was standing close by, turned and noticed Hani was awake, if only barely. He put himself between the two ninja to block Hani's view of Gai and bent over to brush the hair from her face. "Don't worry, Hani. We'll take good care of him," he said as he wiped away a tear that had pooled at the bridge of her nose.

The next time she regained consciousness was to the sensation of being washed down with a cold, wet cloth. Was she being prepared for her funeral?

"I think she's awake, Dad," said a young, feminine voice.

"Thanks Pumpkin," said Makoto as he moved towards the mat Hani was now laying on. The young, auburn-haired girl continued to wash the dried blood from Hani's mouth and neck as the man settled on the floor next to them. "Hani, can you hear me?"

She struggled to speak through a severe case of cottonmouth.

"It's okay, you don't have to talk." He moved closer to her so he could speak in a hushed voice, "The doctor stitched you up and you've been given some blood. We won't move you until you become more stable. So just sit tight and hang on."

Hani's voice was barely a whisper, "Gai?"

He patted her gently on the shoulder, "He's as strong as an ox, Hani. He'll be just fine. The doctor is working on him now." He looked at his daughter, "Let me know if there is any change in her … good or bad."

The last thing Hani remembered hearing was the girl's gentle voice, "Alright Dad."

Hani didn't know how long it had been, but just as the fog began to clear from her head, the sound of Oda saying "Farewell" echoed through her mind and the searing pain of being impaled on his sword wracked through her body again, forcing her to sit bolt-upright in her bed; sweating and panting frantically.

After a few shuddered breaths, Hani forcefully opened and shut her bleary eyes a few times as she looked around the quiet room. She eyed the modest furniture and immediately assessed she was now in a simple farmhouse – no longer in Hakanza's mansion. The soft sounds of slumber to her right made her turn her head quickly in alarm, but after seeing the source of the noise, she immediately relaxed.

In a cot very similar to the one Hani was in lay Gai; sleeping on his side with an arm dangling lightly over the edge. Hani sighed in relief at seeing he was still alive and apparently well. She looked him over and noted numerous mended wounds, pink and scabbed; at least a couple days worth of healing. Not to mention the equivalent in hair that had grown on his chin and jaw line. 'How long have I been out?' she wondered as she brought a hand to her chest and scratched absentmindedly at the bandages that where bound about her torso like an undersized sports bra. "Ow -" she winced as her fingers brushed over a particularly tender spot on her left breast. She looked down and gingerly lifted the dressing to see the damage her body had sustained. Her eyes widened in fright at the sight of the three inch long wound running vertically down her chest directly over her heart. Black-threaded stitches that held her skin together frayed out like coarse chest hair. "Oh my god," she said weakly. The secondary pain she felt on her back told her the wound on her chest was one in a matching pair.

Her eyes watered as she looked around the room again to try and find more answers. How could she possibly be alive? Oda's sword had impaled her heart – cut it in two. Even Tsunade would have been unable to save her from death with such an injury. She looked back to her partner and carefully lay back down on her bed. She observed Gai as he slept soundly and peacefully; his deep and steady breaths nearly hypnotizing her into a slumber after only a short time of silently watching him. The moonlight that shown through the curtained windows made the room glow in a soft white haze and the Indian summer weather made her bed feel warm and inviting. But Hani didn't want more rest, she wanted answers.

She reached her hand out towards Gai and grunted as she tried to hook her finger around the hand he had dangling over the edge of his bed. Unfortunately he was only close enough for her to tap on his fingernail, to which his response was to swat defensively back at her hand like a pestered bear. After a few failed attempts at waking him in a sweet and considerate manner, Hani took the pillow from behind her head in frustration and tossed it lightly at him.

"Lee! Neji! Quit fighting!" snorted Gai as he hopped-up in surprise as the pillow flopped across his head. He blinked in confusion before noticing the woman next to him was conscious and watching him closely. "Hani! You're awake!" he chirped with a large smile. He swung his feet over the edge of his bed and scooted his cot closer to hers, "I knew you were going to be alright! How do you feel?"

Hani noticed Gai's foot was thickly bandaged, "Alive." She gave him a concerned look, "How are you?"

He waved her question off with a hand, "I'm at 99.9% efficiency!" He leaned forward and gave her hand an encouraging pat, "When did you wake up?"

"I just did."

Gai flashed her a thumb up, "Excellent! You've been unconscious for two days. I will fetch Umeko and have her bring us some food. You can use all the nourishment you can get!"

"No, it's okay. Don't wake the house." Hani rolled onto her side, "How am I still alive, Gai?"

The jounin grew unexpectedly quiet. "How much do you remember?"

"I remember being stabbed … but not much after that."

Gai sighed heavily as he leaned forward and rested his elbows on his knees. "Your heart was fatally wounded and your lung had collapsed. The only way you could be saved was to use Oda's sword – there was one water pearl left." He paused, "So I removed the sword from you, placed it in your hand and channeled my chakra through you to activate it." He frowned, "I'm sorry I didn't have enough chakra to heal your wounds fully – I could only manage enough to repair the worst of your injuries."

Hani shook her head in disbelief, "I can't believe you're apologizing for that. You saved my life."

Gai's expression fell even more, "I know how important your appearance is to you and these injuries will most definitely scar—"

"I'm alive, Gai." She pointed to her chest, "This is a scar I can quite literally live with." She took his arm and gave it a comforting squeeze, "You did great. Don't apologize for it."

He gave her a relieved smile as days worth of worry suddenly lifted off his shoulders, "I'm so happy to hear that."

Hani sat up on her elbow as she looked around the room, "Where's the sword now?"

Gai pointed to a wooden locker on the other side of his cot, "I have it hidden away in there." He grinned, "I think Makoto wants it back now."

"I don't blame him," chuckled Hani. She looked up and blushed at the intense look Gai was giving her, "What?"

He rubbed his hands together nervously before speaking. "Why did you do it?" he asked carefully.

Knowing exactly what he was referring to Hani tried to set up in bed. "You know, food sounds really good right now -"

Realizing she was trying to weasel out of answering his question Gai grabbed the edge of her cot and scooted it closer. "Answer the question, Hani," he said sternly.

Hani opened her mouth but immediately closed it again. She took a moment to consider her words before speaking, "We had to get the sword away from Oda and I knew that by taking the hit, I could trap the sword with my crystal jutsu." She looked away and shrugged, "We were both running out of chakra and neither of us could last much longer. It had to be done."

Gai furrowed his brows; that wasn't the explanation he was expecting. "After everything we've been through, you'd still lie to me?"

Hani looked up at him sharply and immediately regretted what she had said at seeing the hurt in his face. "Gai, I …" she looked away again; her cheeks burning brightly from both embarrassment and shame. "It was easier to lie, than tell the truth."

"Then try again."

"What's the point?" said Hani as she struggled to set up. She nodded thanks to Gai as he took her shoulders and helped her. "You already know the reason."

"I want to hear you say it."

She rubbed her arm sheepishly. "I was being selfish," she said softly.

Gai blinked in confusion, "What? What do you mean?"

Hani dropped her head and sighed, "I was being selfish."

Gai looked around the room; his bewilderment growing, "I don't understand."

"The reason I stepped in front of Oda's coup de grace," she said with her face still downturned. "I did it because I was being selfish." She looked up at him, her eyes filled with mixed emotions, "When I saw you were helpless … I realized in that moment that I … didn't want to live a life without you." She looked away again, her cheeks turning a bright shade of red at her confession. "For the first time … in a long time I've wanted to live my life. To see what kind of future I'll have." She looked back at him; her purple eyes glossy and bright, "You gave me hope once more. And I … I couldn't stand to lose that again."

Gai's expression became pained as he listened to her speak.

"So I was being selfish. I was only thinking of myself when I stepped in front of that sword. It would have broken my heart to tell your students and parents of your death. To tell Tsunade that you were killed in battle. The funeral … I was trying to save myself from having to go through all of that." She clenched her eyes shut. "And I knew in that moment that being impaled on Oda's katana would be less painful than having to deal with the loss of you."

"Hani," said Gai tenderly.

She took his hand in hers and delicately interlaced their fingers, "You reminded me what it's like to be alive, Gai." She paused, "That should be answer enough as to why I put myself in front of that sword."

Gai squeezed her fingers with one hand and used the other to gently move a few stray hairs away from her face. "No one has ever said anything more beautiful to me."

"I didn't expect to survive long enough to have to explain it." Hani laughed faintly as she wiped her eyes with the back of her hands, "I was trying not to cry." She sniffed a few times to keep her nose from running, "I think your sappiness is rubbing off on me."

They both shared a small chuckle as Gai rubbed her arm reassuringly. "After everything you've said, I don't know what to say in return."

"You don't have to say anything," said Hani softly. "You deserved an explanation and I gave you one."

Gai tightened his grip on her hand, "What becomes of us?"

"Us?" Hani looked away and blushed, "For now … I think your idea of having lunch together is a good start. We only just met – but I think I'll really enjoy spending the time with you for us to get to know each other better."

That was an acceptable answer. Gai had no problem with putting forth the effort to court a woman. He always enjoyed a challenge. He wanted to ask her about continuing to be a seductress, but he felt that would be too delicate a question to ask in that moment. "And what about dessert?"

"Dessert?" Hani blushed even brighter, "Ahem. Um. Well …"

Gai, who was genuinely inquiring about food and not the sexual innuendo, blinked after taking a moment to process what he had just said. "AH! I DIDN'T MEAN IT LIKE THAT!" he said as he waved his hands back and forth in a panic. "I just meant going out for ice cream … Or smoothies! OR CAKE!"

Hani looked off to the side in embarrassment. "If you ask … then I might say yes," she said while coyly scratching her cheek.

"Phew!" sighed Gai in relief. But after taking another moment to think things through, he held up a finger in question. "Wait, are you talking about dessert or 'dessert'?"

"Lunch first," smiled Hani. "Then we'll see if we're in the mood for sweets afterwards."

Gai felt his cheeks grow hotter as he watched her with wide eyes. He wasn't entirely sure what she was saying, but what she was implying made his imagination go wild.

"Now make some room," said Hani as she pushed on his knees and began to crawl into his cot.

"Uh, I don't know if there is enough room," said Gai as he struggled to comply.

"You're big, I'm small – between the two of us we'll make it work. Besides," she said as she took his left arm and moved to where it could rest under her neck as she laid down. "This is what you wanted after the night we were together, right?"

"Yes it is," said Gai as she pressed her body against his.

She moved her hair so it wouldn't be in his face while they shared the same pillow, "Don't worry, I won't run away this time. I don't think I could, even if I wanted to."

Gai struggled to keep his face from growing redder at having her body pressed so closely against his. "I'm glad to hear that," he said softly. He waited until she was settled before he wrapped his arm around her body. He was instantly aware the moment his hand landed squarely on one of her breasts. "I'm sorry!" he squeaked as he pulled his hand away abruptly. Hani was a good deal more endowed than any other woman he had ever cuddled with and it was difficult to avoid groping her accidently.

"Don't worry about it," she said as she took his arm and tucked it around her to a comfortable place for them both. "I suspect I will be groped a few times in your sleep anyway."

"What?" balked Gai. "I would never do something like that! I'm a gentleman."

Hani looked at him from over her shoulder and grinned, "Whatever you say, Gentleman. Just try to keep it in your pants tonight. We both need the sleep." She laughed as his face grew so red, it was nearly glowing. "You're really cute sometimes, Gai," she smiled as she gave him a chaste kiss on the corner of his mouth. She turned away and resettled her head back into their pillow. "Good night," she sighed.

A slow grin crept over Gai's face as he tightened his hold on her and buried his face into the back of her neck, "Good night, Petal."

Both ninja laid awake for what seemed like a blissful eternity; each enjoying the warmth and closeness of the other. Neither wanted to fall asleep and neither wanted to wake up from the apparent dream they both shared. Every few breaths Gai would lay a soft kiss on the back of Hani's neck and she would respond with a small grin each time.

Just as Hani felt herself start to drift off, she felt something at her backside that made her eyes pop open. "Gai," she whispered. "Don't get too excited."

The jounin squeezed her tighter and hid his face behind her shoulder. "I'm trying not to," he said guiltily. "But I'm so happy you're alright and that we're together like this."

"Well, so am I. But we need the sleep. Should I move back to the other cot?"

"If this bothers you now, it's going to be more noticeable in the morning than a rooster calling."

Hani huffed and puffed as she managed to roll on her other side. She pressed her forehead against his, "Is this any better?"

There was a long pause before Gai spoke, "Not even remotely, no."

"Geez," sighed Hani.

"I can't help being youthful," cringed Gai as he moved his hand down to her hip.

Quietly, Hani brought her arm up and rested it on his shoulder while she stroked her fingers lightly through his hair. She then closed her eyes and in a gentle voice hummed the song she had played the night he had found her in the garden with her erhu; all the while petting him lovingly.

Gai watched her in wrapped silenced as she sang softly; her tune taming his inner beast. Gai's eyelids became increasingly heavy as he watched her - hypnotized by the melody. And before she could even sing a fourth chorus, the jounin's eyes closed and he was lulled into a deep sleep.

Hani finished singing and smiled sweetly at the soft snores he emitted. Before she too fell asleep, she reminded herself that one day she would need to tell Gai the name of that song. Yuan, meaning "Predestined Relationship."

- / -

After the sounds of deep slumber filled the room, a hushed voice came from outside the cracked doorway, "Husband!"

Makoto's tongue was stuck out as he tried his best to walk steathfully down the hallway with a bad leg and noisy, wooden cane, "Yes, My Love?"

Umeko waved the man over. "Come here! You'll want to see this," she whispered.

Makoto grinned, "Is it juicy?"

"Very!"

"Eee!" squealed Makoto softly with no regard to his own masculinity as he hopped on his good leg to her side. "What is it?"

The buxom woman pointed a finger through the crack in the doorway, "Look!"

The man's smile widened as he spotted the unmistakable sign of Gai and Hani sleeping peacefully in the same cot together. "D'aww!" he said gleefully. "Isn't that cute?"

"Looks like you were right about those two, Honey," said Umeko with a pat to her husband's shoulder.

"What can I say?" said Makoto with a charming look to his wife. "Being married to you – I've become an expert on love."

"Huh," scoffed Umeko. "On that note, it's time you headed off to bed too, Romeo."

Makoto pouted at the woman and pointed a finger towards the sleeping couple, "Can't I watch a little more?"

Umeko rolled her eyes. Gai and Hani had become her husband's "soap opera" obsession as of late. "Let them have their privacy, Dear."

"Unnn," whined Makoto as his wife wrapped her arm around his waist and moved him away from the door. He held up his cane, "I need to get a quieter one, Sweetheart. This one makes too much noise."

"So you can sneak up on me and peep? Hell no. I like knowing where you are at all times."

"Damn you and your tremor sense, Wife!" cursed Makoto. "If I want to be covert in my own home and peep on my own spouse, then it's my god-given right!"

"Come on Tripod," joked Umeko in reference to his two legs and cane.

Makoto perked up as they moved gingerly down the hallway. "Tripod? Oh, I like that name!" He puffed out his chest like a robin, "Can you be sure to call me that in front of the men? Preferably with the word 'big' beforehand?"

Umeko grinned mischievously, "I don't want to lie."

"Woman-what?" said Makoto in feigned shock. "You've never complained before. Besides, I have six, soon-to-be seven offspring to prove my bedroom prowess."

"It takes two," said Umeko with a sweet smile. "Now, let's get you to bed already."

"Wife please!" He brought a hand up to his forehead mellow-dramatically and pretended to swoon, "I know you like to take advantage of my inability to flee - but Dear, I am spent! I can't keep pleasuring you day and night! A man has got to rest!" He ignored Umeko's mother bear growl-warning, "I have injuries that need to heeeeeal!"

"Hush! Or you'll wake everyone up!"

Makoto chuckled at his wife's reaction. He always enjoyed getting a rise out of her; even after all these years. "Sorry, Sweetheart. I'm just in a good mood."

Umeko raised an eyebrow, "Because Gai and Hani are currently sharing a cot?"

"No … well, yes. But that's not why."

"Then what is it?"

The man reached into his shirt and pulled out an official looking letter, "I have some great news."

- / -

After a few days of recovery, it had come time for Gai and Hani to return home. While standing at the steps of the mansion, Gai watched with a good deal of humor as the toddler Yoyo clung and wailed in anguish at being separated from his first love. Though they were too far away for him to hear, Gai could tell Umeko tried to be as polite as possible and apologized profusely to Hani for all the tear and snot streaks that were now covering her boots and legs. Hani rubbed the boy's head affectionately and reassured Umeko the stains could be washed or buffed out.

"That boy is the spitting image of me," chuckled Makoto as he crossed his arms.

Gai looked to the man at his side and grinned. "You have an amazing family, Makoto. Hani and I can't thank you enough for taking us into your home and helping us recover from our injuries." He stuck out his hand, "How can we ever repay you?"

The ex-Captain of the guard took his hand, "No repayment necessary. You and Hani have helped the people of this province immeasurably." His eyes darted to the sword that was tied to Gai's belt, "However … I would take the sword as a gesture of good will—"

"Fraid not," laughed Gai. "This weapon needs to be locked in a vault."

Makoto frowned, "Damn. Well, it was worth a shot." He leaned heavily against his cane, "I just wish I had known it was so powerful when it was in my possession. I never would have handed it over to Oda and his men."

"It's not your fault," said Gai in an attempt to reassure his friend. "You don't use chakra, so you had no way of knowing." He looked at Makoto's injured leg, "What happens now?"

The man twisted his cane into the dirt as he looked over the land, "Being the only person in this county with any authority, I was sent a letter from the Daimyo." He looked at Gai and smirked, "I've been appointed temporary overseer of this territory until the Daimyo can decide on a permanent replacement."

Gai beamed at him, "That's great!"

Makoto looked back at him sheepishly, "Personally I think we're all screwed with a loser like me in charge. But," he grinned while watching Umeko pick up their child and give Hani a tight hug. "I've got a lot of amazing people around here to help." He was quiet for a moment before speaking again. "So what becomes of you and Hani?" he asked delicately.

Gai placed his hands on his hips and took a long sigh as he watched the woman of his affections turn to him and smile as she held back a few stray strands of hair that danced in the wind, "It's complicated."

Makoto looked down and grinned knowingly, "Love usually is."

"Don't let her hear you say that," said Gai in a low voice.

The brown-haired man shrugged, "She knows. And if she doesn't, she soon will."

Gai leaned towards his friend, "Any advice?"

"Don't fuck it up."

"Thanks," chuckled Gai at his friend's words of wisdom.

Makoto smiled, "In all seriousness … patience. In time she'll either learn to love you or live without you. Be there for her and never take things for granted. Tell her she's beautiful, even when she looks her worse. And between you and me …" he turned away from the women-folk and gave Gai a very dark and serious look, "This is the most important piece of information I can pass on …"

Gai felt a bead of sweat drip down his brow as he watched Makoto anxiously.

"When it comes to women and arguments, you can either be right or you can be happy. But you can't be both."

"What are you two whispering about?" asked Umeko who was now standing directly behind her husband.

"Eek!" shrieked both men who hadn't sensed anyone approach. "Wife!" shouted Makoto as he grabbed at his heart and whirled around. "You are going to drive me to drink!"

"Umeko, you have ninja skills that rival a kage!" said Gai with a pale face.

The woman repositioned the child she held at her hip nonchalantly, "Gai-san, Hani says she is ready to go."

"Already?" said Makoto in disappointment. He held out his hands and started to take a step towards the kunoichi. "How's about a hug, Hani?" he called across the courtyard.

Both Gai and Umeko caught the letch's arms and prevented him from moving forward. "Just wave, Dear," said Umeko in a forcibly sweet tone.

"No fun," whined Makoto.

"Until next time," said Gai who beamed a smile and offered his hand again.

The brown-haired man shook his hand and grinned, "Have a safe trip, Gai. And if you're ever in the area, don't hesitate to stop by."

"Same goes for Konoha," smiled Gai in return. "I'll try to have my Hokage put in a good word for you with the Daimyo." He nodded to Umeko and ruffled Yoyo's hair before turning and walking to join his partner. Over his shoulder he could hear Umeko whispering.

"What were you talking about?"

"Nothing, Dear," said Makoto nervously.

Umeko was growing angry, "You are lying to me."

"Wife! You are hormonal from being pregnant and when you're hormonal, you're paranoid!"

Gai was just a barely able to make out the last part of Umeko's bickering, "I'm paranoid because I'm married to you!"

"I'm going to miss them," said Hani as she waved at the couple across the courtyard.

Gai joined her in a wave, "Me too. They are great people." He turned to the honey-haired woman and grinned. "Ready to go back to Konoha?"

She started to pull her pack over her shoulder. "Yeah. I'm ready to finally go home."

Gai quickly grabbed her bag and took it from her kindly, "I'll get that."

She watched him tie it to his belt, "I can manage. It's not heavy."

He smiled at her, "Same goes for me." After securing her pack and making sure Oda's sword wasn't going to work itself lose, Gai moved his own bag to the front before kneeling down.

Hani lifted an eyebrow as he indicated for her to hop on his back. "I'm not disabled Gai – the doctor said it's okay for me to travel."

"I know." He motioned for her to get on again, "And it will do no harm for me to carry you either."

Reverting to her old stubbornness, Hani crossed her arms defiantly. "I may be a woman, Gai; but I'm still a kunoichi."

Gai smiled at her, "And I may be a ninja; but I'm still a gentleman."

Hani closed her eyes and grinned, "It's hard to argue with that logic, I suppose." She uncrossed her arms and gently crawled onto his back, "accidentally" brushing her lips against his cheek.

"Yosh!" said Gai as he stood and looked over the land. "The trip usually takes four days, but I say we can make it in three! Be sure to let me know when you grow tired and I shall slow my spirited pace!"

Hani tightened her grip around his neck and pressed her cheek against his ear. "What's your rush?" she asked with a small smile.

A wide, toothy grin crept across Gai's face as he took a deep breath; taking in both the fresh air and Hani's sweet honeysuckle scent. Perhaps it wouldn't be so bad for him to let her influence him a little and learn to slow things down to stop and smell the roses? "Very well," he said with a glint in his eye. "Five days it is!"

Thank you, for reading!

It took a little over 3 years, but it's finally finished!

I hope everyone enjoyed the story and the ending. It has been a joy to work on this and an honor to share it with others.

Thank you everyone for your continued support! This story would probably have never been completed without it.