Upon returning to her apartment, La Kani changed into clean clothes having dirtied the others while 'training' with Kakashi's team. She wore a simple casual black dress that hung off the shoulders and stopped just above her knees, a wide belt around her waist.
Kakashi waited for her in her studio, admiring the paintings she had laying out. He noticed that the one she painted of her dog Ballo that day he first walked her home was hanging on the wall, her signature painted lightly in the corner of it. It was a cute painting, less intense or emotional as he had seen in her other works but still beautiful as it was. His attention turned from the painting to La Kani as she stepped out of her room with a bright smile.
"Ballo-chan and Pakkun are discussing things." She said with an amused laugh. It was decided earlier that the ninja's dog would stay with Ballo while they were out because he wasn't used to being alone.
Kakashi gave her a smile. "They will be able to amuse themselves for a few hours." He nodded toward the door. "You ready to go?"
She nodded and walked to his side. "Yes, lets get going."
They then left out the door, Kakashi in the lead with La Kani following behind quickly after locking her door. Once on the street they walked side by side in a comfortable silence. Kakashi looked completely disinterested, eye forward and hands in his pockets as he walked. While La Kani seemed to be a bundle of raging nerves, walking quickly to meet her companion's long strides and stumbling every once in a while though always keeping her footing and her place next to this man. Kakashi watched her out of the corner of his eye and slowed his steps slightly to make it easier on her while also not letting her notice the change.
It didn't take long until they came to the destination, a small quiet bar that was frequented by ninja in the village. In the table to the back, like always, sat a familiar group of men and women. One man, broad build with a cigaret sticking out of his mouth gave his fellow jonin a wave over to the table. Kakashi waved back casually then looked to La Kani and gestured to the table. This caught the others' attention, Kakashi had a new female... friend? No one recognised her except Kurenai as she got a closer look at the girl following at her friend's heals. She took a mental note to question Kakashi about this later.
"Who have you got there Kakashi?" Asuma asked.
"This is La Kani, she's new to the village." He gestured to her and she gave a small wave with a shy smile. "La Kani, this is Asuma Sautobi, Kurenai Yuhi, Anko Mitarashi, Iruka Umino, and Maito Guy." He introduced and gestured the appropriate person as he named them off.
Everyone gave La Kani a wave and a collection of greeting, all except Guy who had to leap from his seat and take her hand while shouting. "Oh such a youthful beauty you have accompanying you my deal rival! My dear, I am honored to be graced with your presence in all its youthful glory! Please cast aside this man and take me on your arm instead! I swear to protect you with my life and bring you ultimate happiness even at the cost of my suffering!"
La Kani was taken aback and slightly fearful of the flamboyant man in front of her, proclaiming things to a person who he had just met that she didn't dare say in her wildest dreams to the person of her interest. She laid her free hand over her heart and tried to smile but knew there was fear in her features.
"Umm, I must decline your proposal but thank you kindly for the compliments."
Guy fell back to the floor as if her words had shot him straight in the chest but regained his stance, thrusting his fist in the air while holding the other over his heart. "You have won this round Kakashi! But I swear to not give up on you my youthful La Kani!"
La Kani laughed nervously, the red spreading on her cheeks. "Alright then."
Iruka gave her a wave over and smiled. "La Kani-san, you can sit here next to me."
She nodded and smiled to this kind gesture and took the seat next to him. Guy then saw his opportunity to take the place next to the young girl and rushed for the seat but was beaten out by Kakashi as he stepped over Guy with little effort and sat in the booth, stretching his arm out behind La Kani. Guy took this as a failure as well and went on about how he would some day regain his place as victor of their rivalry, but soon calmed down enough to grab a chair and sit at the end of the table.
"So, La Kani-san," Anko called to the girl. "Where did you live before coming to Konoha?"
La Kani smiled at the woman. "I traveled with my adoptive father for many years. He is from Konoha actually."
"Do we know him?" Asuma asked.
Kakashi glanced at La Kani as she looked around at the people she had just met. Would she trust them?
"Kakashi-kun knows him so you might. Jiraiya-sama?"
"Jiraiya adopted you?!" Kurenai yelled out, leaning over the table slightly to get closer to her.
La Ka handled it well with a small giggle. "Is it that hard to believe? Yes, he adopted me but it was only out of necesity at first. We grew close over time."
"Why did you he have to adopt you?" Iruka asked next.
"I was too young to leave the orphanage of my own accord and it was the only way he could keep his promise of taking me to Konoha as I wished."
"Why come to Konoha though? You didn't know anyone else here did you?" Iruka asked.
La Kani then looked down and smiled softly, refusing to let her eyes drift to anyone in particular. "There was someone I wished to meet here."
Before anyone else was able to question her further Anko raised her hand to the bar tender gesturing him over. She then set her hand on La Kani's arm, reaching over Iruka in the process, and smiled at her. "Oh La Kani-san you do drink don't you?"
The young girl shook her head. "Oh, no thank you Anko-san, I've never really drank."
"Then you've got to start tonight! Come on, I'll get you some sake just to start off so you get used to it." Anko said enthusiastically and before La Kani could protest any further she order them all a round of sake.
Kakashi patted her shoulder with the hand behind her gently. "You don't have to drink it if you don't want to."
"Well I guess one wont hurt." She said with a smile. "I am 18 now, there is no reason I shouldn't at least try."
Once the drink was placed in front of everyone they all took their sips and watched the youngest member of the group as she took her first sip of alcohol. If it was even possible her cheeks reddened even further and she fluttered her eyes a little.
"Oh wow, that is... something... different than anything I've had before." She said, holding her hand to her cheek before taking another sip. As the night went on with laughs and a few more drinks La Kani started to lose to the effects of the alcohol.
"Are you alright La Kani-san?" Iruka asked her gently, placing a hand on her shoulder to try and steady her and keep her focus.
She blinked at him, confusion on her face, then smiled brightly at the man and wrapped her arms around him. "Of course I'm... am alright... Iruka-ch-chan. This is wond-'hichup'-erful."
He blushed and patted her back nervously then looked to Kakashi. "You might want to take her home. I don't think the sake sat well with her."
Kakashi eyed the girl and nodded to his friend. He stood up and lifted La Kani to her feet by her hands then wrapped an arm around her waist to keep her steady. "Bye guys." He waved to his friends, which waved to him in return. The girls were laughing loudly and making jokes about him taking advantage of the innocent girl in his arms, both of them having drank twice as much as everyone else because they knew they could handle it.
"Don't worry about them, we'll get them home, just take care of her." Asuma said. "See ya."
Kakashi nodded and walked La Kani out of the bar, keeping her up with ease as she stumbled in her drunken state.
Sweet little La Kani can't handle her liquor. :) Oh well, Kakashi will take care of her. lol
There it is everyone. She's met everyone really important now so... what's next? ;) lol Gotta read to find out I guess. I'm excited for the next chapter 'cause it's a follow up to this and it'll be fun so I hope you all come by and read it when I get it up. I hope everyone liked this chapter though. :) Love reviews! Always thankful... Until next time!