𝑬𝑹𝑰𝑵.

𝐎𝐍𝐋𝐘 𝐘𝐎𝐔

"I-" Kiyoshi quickly got up, "You're here..." He mumbled wide-eyed, not knowing what to say.

His heart beat fast as she stood before him.

Erin looked into his eyes, "I guess i am." She let out an unbelievable chuckle as she herself did not believe they actually met again.

'We truly did meet again.' She smiled to herself remembering their goodbyes.

"We got them." Kai walked up to her, still wearing his mask.

"Good." Erin glanced at him.

"W-where is your mask!" He freaked out as her identity was exposed.

"It broke." Erin calmly replied.

Seiko was behind them, standing above the two criminals who were captured and sealed from moving by one of Seiko's Jutsu's.

Kai sighed, "Nevermind, let's go back." He motioned towards Seiko and the criminals.

"We are locking them up." Kiyoshi interrupted, "You three are welcome to rest up in the tower before you go." He offered as he looked into Erin's eyes.

Kai recognized Kiyoshi, though he couldn't say it since his identity wasn't revealed.

Erin looked into his pleading eyes, she couldn't ignore the feelings she had felt as well.

"I don't think we can..." She sighed sadly.

Seiko walked up to the three, "What's the hold up-" She laid her eyes on Kiyoshi who was looking at Erin, "Oh."

"Please, stay." Kiyoshi insisted not willing to let her go.

The whole conversation he was only looking at Erin. Kai and Seiko noticed his desperation and the emotion in his eyes.

Seiko didn't know what it was about the two, especially Kiyoshi, but she wanted to help out. She saw the way he looked at her and the emotions he held.

"I suppose you can stay." Seiko looked over at Erin.

Erin looked back at her, "I'm not leaving you two to deal with this alone."

Seiko scoffed, "It's fine. Only a few scrolls. Besides, Tsunade won't mind as long as they get to her. So stay, for a little." She smiled behind her mask.

Erin sighed and glanced back at Kiyoshi who was already looking at her with a warm smile.

"Please, Erin." He said gently as he took a hold of her hand, "Stay, just for a little."

Erin looked at his hand desperately holding hers. The warmth on her hand from his was comforting.

An image of their goodbyes had flooded her mind.

It truly was a long time ago...

She couldn't help but smile back. Maybe it was the memories that flooded back, and maybe it was the fact that she held onto that first mission...but she agreed. But she did.

"Okay." Erin said.

Kiyoshi let out a relieved sigh as he let go of her hand, "Thank you." He smiled.

Kai cringed as he watched the two. Anger washed over him though he had no right to be aggravated, "Tsunade won't like this." He made an excuse.

Seiko groaned and grabbed his arm, "See you back at the village." She dragged Kai along with her.

"Wait!" Kai resisted as he was dragged away.

"Don't ruin it." Seiko mumbled as she eventually let him go.

"Ruin what? Why would we let her stay with someone we bearly know? I don't like him, i never have." He stated as he looked over at the two from afar.