"Hello there. Welcome to the Chaye Tea Shop. I am La Kani and I will serve you today." I said smiling my waitress smile.

"Hmm... La Kani is it?" The costumer set down his menu and smiled up at me. "What would you recommend my dear?"

I finally got a good look at him and it was clear that he was a ninja. My hopes rose but I kept them hidden so as not to scare him. I went back into waitress mode and pointed to my favorite tea on the menu. "This is a wonderful and calming tea, helps anxiety if you happen to have any."

He gave me a strange smile and leaned closer to me. "Oh really? I know something else that can help anxiety."

I backed up a little but smiled none the less. "I'll just get you that tea then." I then hurried off into the kitchen.

"Hey Kani-chan, are you going to ask that guy about your masked ninja?" Momimi asked. She is like my older sister, been watching out for me since I first came here when I was three, she was ten at the time.

"I will, but first I'll serve him so he is comfortable with me and not weirded out by my questions." I answered while fixing the man's tea.

Momimi laughed. "Oh Kani-chan, you are so blind to people. That guy already likes you, I'm sure he would tell you anything for the batting of your pretty lashes."

I shook my head but smiled and headed out the kitchen door with the tea tray in hand. I set the tray down on the table and poured his tea. "Here you are sir, I hope you enjoy."

He suddenly reached out and took my hand. "Would you care to join me? You don't appear to have anymore costumers."

I glanced around the room knowing no one else was in the shop. " I can take a little break I guess." I then sat down across from him.

He took a sip of his tea then looked at me. "Tell me, how old are you La Kani-san?"

"I'm 15."

He laughed and patted my hand. "Oh dear if you are going to start lying about your age you might not want to go so young. What is your real age?"

"That is my real age." I answered simply.

He then fell out of his chair, seeming rather stunned by my answer.

I looked down at him. "Sir? Are you ok?"

The man climbed up into his chair and nodded. "Yes, yes, I'm fine. It seems my instincts have failed me however, my pride is all that is hurt."

I gave a little laugh. "I'm sorry to have hurt your pride with my honesty."

He gave a wave of his hand and smiled. "No need to to apologize, all is well. So what is a young lady like yourself working here for?"

"The orphanage runs this tea shop and I happen to live in the orphanage, I work here mainly to earn my keep since our village is so small there really aren't any extra funds for this place. We need all the help we can get."

He patted my hand again and look on at me sadly. I recognized this look from the many I have received over the years. Only one man I know of has never looked at me like that once hearing my story and he is the one I search for. I would give just about anything to see the look in the masked ninja's eyes again.

I felt the squeeze of his hand on mine and returned to present away from my thoughts. "Sir, I have answered your questions, would you be kind enough to answer mine?"

He smiled. "Of course, ask anything."

I nodded and gently took my hand from his to retrieve the picture of the mask ninja I had drawn. I laid the drawing out on the table and look up at the man. "Do you know who this is? I have been searching for any answers about his identity since I was young."

He eyed the picture then looked to me. "Why do you want to find him?"

"About seven years ago I was a very mischievous child, never followed the rules of the orphanage." I smiled, starting my story. "I would run into the forest and say I was going to escape and find my parents. This of course was foolish because they had died, that is why I was sent here. Anyway, I was on one of my escaping days and I stumbled into a ninja camp. I'm not sure who these ninja were but they didn't want me there. The one I guessed was the leader stood up and started to come after me but I ran. I didn't get very far however and they caught me. Just as I thought I was going to die... this man here," I pointed to the picture. "saved me. He killed the other men and took me back to the orphanage. He wouldn't tell me who he was or anything about him. I wish to find this man so as to thank him or actually meet him on better terms."

"What do you plan to do once you meet him?"

I shrugged my shoulders. "I'm not sure. I suppose you could consider it a young child's first love." I said a laughed a little. "I would like to meet him at least even though I know that my feelings will most likely not be returned." I took a glance up at the man and saw he was smiling. "You understand my feelings, don't you... umm.."

"Jiraiya. And yes, I understand what you are feeling. Understanding love happens to be in my line of work." He stated proudly.

"Oh?" I inquired, tilting my head to the side. "And what would be your line of work Jiraiya-san?"

He suddenly pulled out books and laid them on the table. "To write of the hearts desires! True love and passion!"

I put my hands together and smiled brightly. "Then you must understand my heart's desire to find this man. Do you know of him Jiraiya-san?"

He put his hand on his chin and closed his eyes. "La Kani-san... I understand your desire to find him and I would truly like to help you, but even if I did tell you who he his are you even sure you can get to him?"

My smile faded slowly. "I'm not sure honestly. This land is so dangerous, many bandits and rogue ninja roam the forest paths and I should know better than anyone of the dangers of running into the wrong person." I answered and took a moment to the think then looked at Jiraiya-san with determination in my stare. "I know it is dangerous but I made a vow to myself that I would do whatever it took to find him and I will keep my vow."

Jiraiya suddenly smiled at me and nodded. "It is settled then; I will escort you to Konoha to meet the one and only Kakashi Hatake, the man you have been searching for."

I was stunned silent as it all sank in. Kakashi Hatake... that is his name? That is the name of my masked ninja... and he lives in Konoha... I jumped up suddenly and shouted. "Kakashi Hatake! His name is Kakashi Hatake!"

How did everyone like the first chapter? Kinda confusing huh? I tried to explain as best I could but the real information comes later. So she meets Jiraiya, the answer to her prayers, or is he? lol You'll find out if you read the next chapter.

I hope everyone enjoyed this chapter and is enjoying the story so far. Please review, it is greatly appreciated. :) Until next time!