Pick Up The Pieces

Separation

There was a sense of comfort and happiness emanating from Izumo's naked body as it pressed against Kotetsu's in the wee hours of the morning. He looped an arm around the younger chūnin in his sleep and nuzzled into him more, making quiet little noises in his throat as he smiled. This felt perfect, having the other nin in his arms as he slept. Despite all odds, they had managed to become closer, and it made his stomach glow with ecstasy.

Izumo was awake, smiling at the way Kotetsu's hair tickled against his pecs and gazing at his ring. It was every definition of the word glorious: slender, vibrant. It seemed to radiate its own light even though the soft rays of the morning sun filtered onto the two of them through the tiniest gap. It was rather discreet as well, though it felt like it could jump out off of his finger and brag of its own accord. Maybe it was because he had agreed to commit to wearing it, but it seemed much more larger than it actually was. It did give him a sense of purpose though; purpose to protect his partner through thick and thin, and to strengthen his fidelity.

His heart beat a little faster as he watched the sleeping chūnin, and the way that his eyes darted back and forth behind his eyelids in whatever dream he was having. He assumed it was a good one by the way he was smiling so serenely sub-consciously. If he could, he would have liked time to stop still; just for this moment to continue for eternity. It was serene here, looped in the arms of his lover and listening to the soft breathing of him. Quietly, he dipped his head and placed a kiss on the top of Kotetsu's head, watching him stir in his sleep and smile wider; as if he knew who it was. Everything seemed to be looking up for once, and he smiled softly at the thought.

A dry throat called his attention which was impossible to ignore. With an exasperated sigh, Izumo quietly slipped out of the sheets and the strong arms binding him to alleviate his thirst. Plucking his discarded boxers from the lamp of all places, he swiftly flew the satin up his legs and padded into the kitchen for a glass of water, reliving the previous hours in his head. What a surprise that had been, and in no way predictable. He had to admit that Kotetsu was full of surprises, though they were good ones most of the time. As he thought over the 'proposal', his finger felt heavier than the rest; almost like it knew he was thinking about it.

"It'll just take some getting used to." He thought, shrugging off the feeling of impending criticism it was sure to receive. With a yawn, he reached for the pitcher of water in his refrigerator, the condensation on it making his hand moist as he tipped it into a small cup. The water was refreshing as it slid down the back of his throat, leaving a trail of satisfaction as it dropped into the pit of his stomach. A small 'ah' and his thirst had been quenched successfully, placing the cup down softly on the bench and marvelling at the way that his ring glowed in any source of light. He leant on the bench and twisted his finger in and out of the shade, watching it with a smile; the band cutting the centre of the gold in a brilliant electric blue.

'Izumo Kamizuki?'

A young voice broke him out of his reverie, and his eyes flicked upwards towards the source. A boy, with hair a deep brown was crouched by the window; his pale skin almost blinding in the morning sun. His expression was blank and he held a small scroll in his hands expectantly.

'Yeah, that's me.'

The boy held out the scroll for Izumo to take, his expression still blank; like a canvas before an artist had begun to paint. In fact, by the sheer lack of pigmentation of his skin, one could call him a walking canvas. Quite a fitting name for the artist Sai.

'Lord Hokage has a mission for you.' Said the young shinobi, pricking his mouth up into a smile, which puzzled Izumo considerably. It's not something to smile about, unless he was just happy he'd found the right person. Sure, that was it.