Chapter 66 - Mission

Gin could hear a faint sound that stirred him awake. As he opened his eyes, the sunlight entered them causing him to quickly shut them. When his eyes adjusted to the light, he could see a figure in his kitchen.

"Izumi…"

Gin started to say as he spoke softly.

"What are you doing?"

Gin asked her as she was cooking something on his stove.

Izumi turned her head and noticed Gin was awake. He was usually a late sleeper, so for him to wake up this early was a bit surprising to her.

"Morning, want some breakfast?"

Izumi asked him as a courtesy. She knew what his answer was going to be.

Gin covered his mouth as he yawned.

"I don't eat breakfast, you know this…"

Reaching over, Gin grabbed his shirt and put it on.

Izumi didn't say much of anything as she finished cooking and put her food on a plate.

As Gin finished dressing himself, Izumi sat at the small coffee table Gin had in his room eating her food.

"When are you going back to the hidden leaf?"

Gin asked her.

"Trying to get rid of me that soon?"

Izumi returned his question with a question of her own.

Seeing Gin's reaction, Izumi cracked a smile.

"Relax, i'm leaving tonight. I've already stayed here longer than I need."

Gin couldn't tell what she meant by those words. It was easy for him to discover the meaning behind her words at times, and other times it was harder.

For both of them, their relationship couldn't be considered complicated. They were just two people who enjoyed each other's company.

Izumi stopped herself from putting a piece of bread in her mouth as she recalled something.

"Saw the third yesterday, he told me to tell you that the mission you were given does have a deadline."

Gin scratched his head.

"How'd you even meet him… know what, nevermind. I planned on taking care of it soon anyways."

Gin told her as he put on his jacket.

"Lock up when you're done."

Gin reminded her as he went to the door.

Izumi fanned her hand in his direction and took a sip of her drink.

After Gin left, Izumi reached into her pocket and pulled out a small picture.

It was taken a while ago, but she cherished it as it showed Gin smiling. Something he doesn't do as often and if he did, it was usually faked.

The picture wasn't just of Gin, it had her on it as well along with Gin's parents and her parents.

Rubbing her thumb slowly across the picture, she wondered if it was ever possible for them to go back to a time like this.

Turning the picture over, there was a sentence written on the back.

'Stay true to your heart, and never falter.'

It's what helped her out through her troubled times. It was originally written by Gin and considering what he's done for her she wanted to repay him.

However, Gin never reached out to her and if it wasn't for his father telling her about Gin's current situation she may have found out when it was too late.

"If only… I could trap you in the world you desire…"

Izumi whispered to herself as she held the picture close to heart.

Without knowing it, a tear streamed down her cheek.

Gin turned his head and looked at the door to his room as he sighed. Out of everyone he tries to avoid, he just can never stay away from her. Izumi doesn't allow it, and Gin eventually finds himself in her pace.

Shaking his head as a faint memory of their meeting appeared in his mind, Gin vanished.

Haruto, Karin and Chibi were waiting in the usual spot for Gin. It's been four days, but they still haven't managed to catch the swallow.

Everytime they failed, Gin told them what they did wrong and why it was the wrong approach. Sometimes he used a harsh tone, but most of the time he spoke calmly.

For the three of them, this was a valuable experience even if they weren't going on a mission. All three of them were learning to become more coordinated with each other, and at the same time realize their weakness. They might not be able to overcome their weakness anytime soon, but they could play to each others strengths.

Gin appeared in front of them. His blue eyes saw the determination in their eyes.

"You aren't training today. Instead, we will go on a mission."

All three of them were shocked.

"Sensei, why the sudden change?"

Chibi asked.

"Nothing much, but you three have learned how to work together. At least now I can feel a bit more at ease when we travel."

Gin responded.

"What's the mission?"

Karin asked her question next.

"Simple, we just need to deliver something to the hidden rain village."

Haruto eye'd Gin not believing the mission could be the simple. He knew missions were ranked D to S, but anyone could do a delivery mission.

Gin didn't respond to Haruto and instead grinned.