Chapter 3

Misaki reached the Hokage's building. Apparently she wasn't the only Jōnin summoned this morning. All the other Jōnins that weren't on a mission were waiting in the room.

"Misaki, you're finally here! I'm glad I found you. I have so much to tell you!" Kurenai said smiling. "Hmm, does this have anything to do with Asuma, by any chance?" she asked.

Kurenai turned bright red, "lower your voice! I bet even Kakashi over that corner could hear you." She turned to look at the man with spiky white hair with a mask covering the lower half of his face and the Konoha's forehead protector lowered to cover
/his left eye, he was looking at them two and shaking his head with a bored expression. He heard for sure.

Kurenai took Misaki under her wing as soon as she became a Jōnin. Even though Misaki was years younger, Kurenai was happy to have another girl on the team, since the only other female Jōnin was Anko, and she could be scary sometimes. "Let's go to the
/cafe after the meeting and you can tell me all about it, Kurenai."

Very few other Jonin-level shinobi knew about her: Asuma, the Hokage's son, Genma and Ebisu, two of the elite Special Jonin that worked closely to the Hokage, and theirformer genin teammate Guy. This was reflected in the faces of the other

Jonin eyeing her withintriguing expressions in their faces.

She had been assigned to special missionswith them in the past and kept under the radar thanks to the Hokage's help and guidance. But now, things were about to change, there was no need to be kept hidden anymore.

"Attention everyone". Lord Third announced. "Danger approaches Konoha. After the incident during the Chunin exams, we all need to be ready for what might happen." We still don't know that Orochimaru and his underlings are planning. Furthermore, we believethat
he is working with one of the hidden villages on a joint conspiracy against Konoha.

The Hokage started assigning post and duties to the Jōnins in the room. "Kakashi, as a former ANBU black ops, you have the best kills for your mission, which is to gather intel on Orochimaru's plans. Misaki, you will work with Kakashi." There was a pauseas
everyone turned to search for theperson whose name they didn't recognise."Your barrier technique, along with your speed and sensory skills willbe of help should you both be under an attack from Orochimaru."

"Hai!" they both responded. "Everyone, prepare to dispatch in 4 hours. Dismissed!"

Me and Kakashi? I've never worked with him, he's one of Konoha's most talented ninja. Apart from his abilities, I know nothing of him. I better gather as much information from Kurenai and the rest, since they're from the same class.

"Kurenai, should we head to the cafe?," Misaki asked loud enough so everyone could hear. "Are you both going for sweet dumplings? Can I come along?" Guy asked approaching the kunoichis. "Sure thing, Guy, the more the merrier. Asuma, why don't you comealong
too?". "Good idea Misaki, I'm always up for sweet dumplings," he replied. Kurenai frowned, so much for having a girl time and talk about Asuma. She would make it up for her later, she thought while they all headed to their favourite cafe.

They all settle in the cafe and placed their orders. "So, you and Kakashi, huh? You've never worked with him before, have you Misaki?," Kurenai asked.

"I haven't. Actually, I was wondering if you guys could give me some information about him. He's a very respected ninja and I don't want him to think that I'm not worthy of being partnered with him on a mission. You guys were all classmates, isn't it?"
/Asuma, Kurenai and Guy glanced at each other, making her feel uneasy.

"Kakashi has always been very confident, since he grew up being extremely talented," Asuma started. "He quite often appeared to be arrogant and condescending, and he was usually cold towards us, even more so after his father's death."

"Oh, that's a great start," Misaki sulked.

"However, Kakashi has suffered a lot of losses in the past, which had gradually brought a darker personality every time. He has always preferred to be alone for most of his spare time, and even though we tried to get him to spend time with us, he always
/turned us down. It's like he doesn't want to be close to anyone anymore, afraid that he could lose someone close to him again," Asuma continued.

"I thought he was going to stay like that, no matter what we tried," Kurenai added. "Guy tried countless times, but except for the rivalry going on between them two, I didn't think he would open up to anyone again. That is, until he was made leader of
/Team 7. Naruto, Sakura and Sasuke, I think those three have managed to break Kakashi's defenses a tiny bit."

"I think you're right, Kurenai," Guy said. "Don't you worry, Misaki," he continued, "my dear rival can be cold and condescending, but he is the most reliable friend, very committed to teamwork and he will never let anything happen to you! He's got a heart
/full of burning passion, I'm sure with your lovely face and charm, you will get along with him". He added smiling, showing Misaki his thumbs up.

I hope you're right, Guy.