Masks

Hana POV 

"Is it good mom? Is it? Please tell me it's good!" Holding my breath and pacing my work area, mom was taking the mask I had finished out of the oven. This was my final training mask, and depending on how this turns out, I'll be ready to start working on real ones. 

With the Chuunin exams approaching, it was a huge chance to meet Anbu agents and get potential clients. This was her last chance to get this right before the shop got busy with preparations and her mom won't have time to test her again.

The more she fanned and stared at the fox mask, the more anxious I got. Confirming that the mask had cooled down enough to hold, she began inspecting it. A random 'Hmm' and a nod was just making it worse. 

"The edges will be needing sanding of course for comfort. The design has risen very nicely. I can tell you improved your proportions for the nose and ears. Both are good. You know what the true test is of course." Handing the mask back to me, mom just smiled. 

Taking the mask and nodding. "I need someone to test the durability..." The one part I can never seem to pass... If the mask gets more than a little nick after a kunai is thrown at it, she considers it a fail. Every mask my father made was able to withstand arrows, kunai and even explosions. My work can't be weaker because our enemies are only getting stronger. 

Making our way to our backyard, my mom set up the mannequin and I went to fill the water balloon to put the mask on. If the balloon pops, I fail. If the mask chips, I fail. It's a matter of life or death. Failure is not an option. 

Handing over the balloon to her, I went into my shop area and watched through the window. Mom was just about to ready her crossbow when she saw a bowl cut walk towards the shop. 

"Oh? The shop is closed? How unusual..."

"Maybe they had to go shopping or something?"

"I don't think they'd go shopping during their own work hours. They're more responsible than that."

Voices from the front of the store drew my mom's attention. Because of course they did. My nerves are a jumbled mess and I may collapse from my heart stopping any moment now. 

"Aww... I was hoping to speak to Hana-chan today..."

There it is. My heart stopped. I'm not sure how much I can handle seeing Lee in his jumpsuit. Last time Tenten teased me like crazy. Can you blame me? You could see every flex of his arms! That suit left very little to the imagination, and when your job is to look over every detail... Especially the first day he got it and came to show us. Every jump, stretch and squat still lingering in my mind. 

Setting down her crossbow, mom looked over at me. "Do you mind if we have a little audience? They already came all this way." She fiddled with her hair like she always did before seeing Gai-sensei. How can I say no to that? Letting my body go limp through the window I sighed and nodded. 

"We're in the yard! You can come through the side gate!" Straightening out her dress, my mom looked like a giddy teenager seeing her crush. 

Leaning out the window, Gai-sensei walked straight to my mom. Tenten came over to my window and leaned against the wall next to me while the boys stood in the yard inspecting the mannequin. Lee's back was facing us but when he bent down to look poke the statue, I had to look away. 

Tenten caught me looking away and just shook her head. "You could just tell him you know. I really doubt he'd reject you." She pat my head. "It's not just Gai-sensei who's super excited to come here. I mean, I always look forward to seeing you and Neji is always impressed by the weapons you guys make... Lee really enjoys your company too. He even made it a goal a few times to finish his training faster."

Sighing and crossing my arms, I leaned my head onto her shoulder. "I'm just a civilian Ten... You guys are gonna be elite shinobi and I'm just gonna be stuck here trying not to pop balloons." 

And it's not even something I want to do... Upstairs on my dresser, using the scrap clay from my workshop, you'd find my art. Miniatures and small busts and the occasional kunai. That's what I want to do. I want to create with no pressure of life or death. 

"There's no way I'm even on his radar anyway. You guys are gonna travel a lot. Meet a lot of exotic people much more interesting than a mask maker." Trying to hide the pain behind a chuckle. 

"Could we test her mask ma'am? We can use the training!" Lee was holding a few shuriken, giving a few practice swings. 

Gai glanced at mom as she looked over at me. I just shrugged back and she shook her head. "Well I suppose it's fine. I mean that's the whole point of the test, to see if it can withstand an attack." 

Coming outside to stand next to my mom and Gai, the three teens took their positions. Tenten pulled out a scroll, Neji held a few kunai and Lee readied his shuriken. Taking his place behind his students, Gai smiled wide with his hands on his hips. 

When they all released all their weapons, I couldn't even watch them. My eyes were trained right on my mom. The look on her face as she looked at Gai couldn't be described as anything but absolute love. 

Yells of astonishment caught my attention. All four shinobi were surrounding my mask, the ground completely littered with weapons. Bandaged hands handed over my mask. Not a single chip. No scratches. I didn't realize my hands were shaking until the same hands held my own. Looking up, I saw his dazzling smile and sparkling eyes. 

"You did it Hana-chan!" Lee was bouncing on his toes as Neji came forward and patted my shoulder. Tenten was playing with the water balloon and gushing with Gai. 

"Did you see that?! My needles slid down and avoided the eyes completely! How is that possible?!" Gai simply laughed heartily and gave me a thumbs up. Coming over and taking the mask from me, he walked over to my mom who was crying.

All the pressure of the test melted off my shoulders and I felt my legs give out. Arms were quick to catch me and hold me up. It amazing that I didn't pass out when I realized whose arm was wrapped around my back and hand. 

It's even more amazing that he didn't pass out when he glanced down and saw my other hand on his chest. Our faces must've been the same color of pink when we heard a forced cough from the side. 

Neji had his arms crossed while everyone else had heart eyes looking at us. Both of us realizing at the same time, let each other go at the same time. Turning around to hide my face turning a shade darker, I swear I heard Neji mumble. 

'Tenten, you owe me 10 ryo' 

To celebrate my success, Gai offered to take everyone out to ramen. After closing down the shop, my mom went to walk next to Gai. But Tenten and I had different plans. Tenten ran up to him and pulled his arm until it was just us 3. Neji pulled Lee along with him and walked next to my mom.

"Sorry ma'am! I wanna ask him something! We'll catch up!" Tenten giggled at Gai's confused face. Walking with my hands behind my back, I rubbed my fingers in an attempt to remember the feeling of bandages. Peeking up, I saw Lee turn to the side and scratch his head. 

"So what did you blossoming ladies need to ask me?" Continuing to walk with his hands on his hips, he smiled brightly to me. "Is something troubling you?"

"A little..." Trying to think of a way to ask delicately, I opted to just be blunt. "What are your feelings for my mom?" Tenten's hands flew to cover her mouth and looked up at her sensei. Whose face was suddenly red. 

"I-I-I-I-I" He cleared his throat and looked ahead before sighing. "Hana-chan... I'm not a young man anymore. I am by no means old mind you! But... When you get to my age, you can't pursue unless you are absolutely sure." Placing his hand on my head he smiled. "I was actually waiting to gain your blessing before I did." Looking between Tenten and I, he blushed a little. "I'd hate to admit it, but I may need some help with romancing my beautiful lotus blossom."

Smiling as brightly as he was, I nodded so much I was getting dizzy. "Yes absolutely yes, she's so happy when you're around!" 

Holding his arms up to flex, he nudged his head towards me. "Grab on and hold on tight girls! We fell behind! Time to celebrate youth is ramen!" Glancing at each other with smiles, Tenten and I both grabbed his arms and held tight. With a sudden burst it was like we were flying, we were all laughing and we passed everyone leaving them in the dust.