The eye smile was reassuring, it meant that they were going to be able to talk about this more but as he walked away to excuse himself and she began to clean up the kitchen, she found herself with her face on fire once again. They were actually going to [i]talk[/i] about it. The blonde vigorously scrubbed the remaining utensils clean and got the few left onto the drying rack before turning around and watching him return to the kitchen, dressed for his normal day. 

Before he got to the door, Airi seemed to jump forward simply out of impulse. There was no arguing that they were a step further then they were before but… where did they tread now? Her jump led her to him as she gently took his bicep into her hand. “I’ll… I’ll see you tonight.” She whispered softly behind her blush, and as she let him go to receive that gentle silent wave, she returned it with a bit more enthusiasm than she had meant to give. Boy… she was a fool. 

Once he was gone, she locked up the house and left through the front door stepping onto the street. Taking in a deep breath she let out a long sigh, which was instantly cut off by a loud cry and the sudden appearance of green in her vision before her feet were lifted out from under her. 

[color=orange]“My beloved Airi I’m so glad you’re safffffffe.”[/color] A parade of tears rained from the eyes of Gai as he clung her to his chest before stumbling over words between tears and sobs of joy to find her safe. 

Airi raised her hand and gave him a couple small pats before faint words of, “I… can’t… breathe…” were finally able to make their way out of her lips. Gai instantly stopped hugging her but instead scooped her up into his arms and took off in another run. 

[color=orange]“We must get you to your parents, they need to know you’re safe!”[/color] 

While he had a valid point, being with her family wasn’t exactly what she wanted right now. But soon she was at their doorstep to her parents and her sister embracing her in a tight hug. While she was brought inside and sat down, her sister was the one to keep Gai entertained. Not that she wasn’t over joyed to see her sister alive and well, but it wasn’t very often she got a chance to talk to Gai. Plus Airi gave him the perfect opening to do so as she said she didn’t want to discuss what happened and she was just glad to be home and wanting to get back to her shop soon. 

The evening carried on as Gai joined the family for dinner and the group chatted happily; however, Airi kept looking outside, expecting to catch a glimpse of some silver hair but there was none that came at the time. A small left her as she got to her feet and smiled. “If you don’t mind I’m still exhausted from what I went through so I’m going to sleep in my old room. Tomorrow I’ll go back to the shop but for now I’d rather not deal with what’s waiting for me there.” Her mother helped her redress her wound and she climbed the stairs to the second floor and went to her room, a small room on the far end of the house with a balcony that over looked the forested area behind their home. 

A small sigh left her as she pulled open the rarely used door and stepped out onto the balcony and stretched her hands high into the air. A gentle smile moved across her face as she leaned against the railing and turned her gaze upwards. It was already nightfall and she didn’t intend on staying at her parents’ house but it seemed like she would get pulled for questioning as soon as she got back to her shop. Just… just one day without that; tomorrow she’ll go and report what happened. Hopefully they were able to figure out something. From somewhere in the house the booming laughter of Gai could be heard, followed by her parents and her sister who seemed to almost match Gai’s volume.

The thought of her sister’s love for Gai moved through her head and she found herself pondering. Maybe… maybe she could help, and by she, she meant she and Kakashi; if he’d be willing to listen to her idea.