| [Jul. 9th, 2017|10:01 pm] |
The genin cleared her throat. "Watanuki-san said, if you're able, Shiranui-san, the sooner the better. The, uh, roof is leaking. Badly. If you can help, the matter of rent might be re-discussed."
Genma's gaze sharpened at the mention of rent. "If it's an emergency, I guess she won't mind how I look. Did she say if the contractor left their tools?"
"Probably?" Off script now, the genin furrowed her brows. "I don't think they'd've taken the tools to the hospital. He fell through the roof," she added with relish. "And then through the floor."
Raidou stirred uneasily. "This is your new apartment, Genma?" He sounded as if he was pretty sure it wasn't worth a rent cut.
Genma turned, looking back at him. "It's a lot better than it sounds. There's a ton of space, and basically no neighbors. There's even a view."
"A lot of view," Kakashi muttered.
"Through the new skylight," Pakkun added.
The genin's jaw dropped in delight. She fell into a crouch, in front of Pakkun. "He talks. Is he an Inuzuka?" She looked up. "None of you are…"
Ryouma tapped Kakashi's shoulder. "How do you know? He might be tattooed."
"Great-grandfather was," Kakashi said softly. His hand dropped to Kin's head; she leaned against his thigh, her plumed tail slowly wagging.
He did have sharp teeth. Ryouma had seen them once, stained with blood, through the tatters of a shredded mask. He reminded himself not to stare.
The genin offered Pakkun her knuckles to sniff. "It's still raining," she pointed out. "Watanuki-san was really desperate." Her voice shaded wistful. "Can I pet you?"
"You may scratch my ears," Pakkun allowed.
Genma's senbon clicked against his teeth. "Oh gods, the silk." He told Raidou, "It really is an emergency. My new place is a loft over a silk warehouse. Things are probably getting ruined if the hole goes all the way through—" He broke off. "I hope that roofer landed on the bolts. That's a long fall."
Of course Genma would worry about a roofer. Kakashi and Ryouma exchanged long, speaking glances.
"I need to get going," Genma decided. He looked out the narrow glass panels in the doors again, at the rain pounding dirt into mud. "I'll see you at training tomorrow. We'll get dorayaki another day."
Lightning flashed, brightening the lobby for a perilous second. Thunder cracked so loud overhead that Kin yelped.
Raidou snagged the back of Genma's collar before he took the first step. "Hell no," he said. "We've had enough problems this week without you committing suicide by roof. We're going with you." |
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