Airi had braced herself for the impact, knowing full well that she was going to land on the ground and it was going to hurt. It had been upwards of 5 years since she practiced her training as a Chunin so it should come as no surprise that the blonde had lost touch with her inner warrior as she was currently fighting the bakery battles on a daily basis. Now she was paying for not practicing and it was going to be in pain.

That was until she felt a pair of arms catch her back and her eyes open in a startled way to look up. “Kakashi?!” Her voice was filled with surprise as she gazed up at her silver-haired friend who seemed to know all too well that she would have fallen to her back.

After being placed on her feet, she puffed out her cheeks in response to his comment about letting someone taller than her get the plates. “Hardy har har,” was her playful response back to him before taking the plates over and setting them down on the table. His musing aloud left her to roll her eyes as she picked up one of the taiyaki and dropped it onto a plate. “Oh really?” She said turning back to him as she offered him the plate. “You think so?” However his reach was in vane and she played a small game of ‘keep away’ with him teasing him with the temptation of the taiyaki with little comments of ‘What? Can’t get it?’ and ‘I didn’t think tall people had these problems’ before she relinquished the plate to him with a bright laugh.

The teacher’s lounge filled with people who bustled over to the sweet-filled table and hurried to get their helping. A bright smile moved across her face as she watched the teams of teachers gather and chatter away while munching on her baked goods. Even Kakashi seemed to be enjoying himself… until Iruka arrived.

“Hello.” She greeted him with a friendly smile which was returned before he began to question Kakashi of his previous whereabouts. Her blue gaze squinted at her friend, had he been slacking… again. There was nothing funnier than how much of a slacker Kakashi was yet; he was the most reliable guy you could ever want around. It’s odd to think he would be so… one way and another at the same time. Then he, of course, recommended her to join. Iruka’s eyes sparkled at the idea and Airi let out a defeated sigh, she couldn’t say no to Kakashi and he had a good point, the kids should know that if it doesn’t work out there are always other options.

Airi was never ashamed about turning away from the ninja life and most people who knew the depression she dealt with when she missed the Jounin trails understood her reason for not returning. Yet no one held it against her and for that she was grateful. She missed a lot… a LOT about her life as a Chunin but she lived vicariously through her friends. A nod rose and fell her head in agreement, “Alright.”

“Thank you thank you thank you!” Iruka pressed his palms together and bowed his head gratefully as the bell rang for them to return to class. He turned and started towards the door pulling it open for her only to find that Airi had left her side.

She had gone back and grabbed Kakashi by his ear. “Don’t think you can use me to get away from doing this too.” Her voice was teasing and playful as she gave him a pull towards the door. When they reached the exit of the lounge she let him go and fell into step with him. “I heard you got a group of Genin, a group you actually passed; not to mention you have Uzumaki and Uchiha. How is the training going?”