The Line in the Sand

Genma shoved Tonbo roughly into the clearing before moving to lean against one of the trees directly across from him.

"What the fuck is your problem?" Tonbo spat furiously, standing loosely on his feet, ready to fight.

Genma's expression did not change as he stared coldly back at the Chunin. "You've now got exactly sixty seconds to explain to me why I shouldn't kick the shit out of you right now."

"Fuck you."

The man glanced at his watch. "Fifty five seconds."

"You know what you're problem is? You're on some sort of power trip. Can't take the extra heat, can you?"

"Hmm, must be it." He didn't even blink. "Twenty five seconds now."

Tonbo sneered, taking a small step forward. "That and you feel entitled to bring your little pet along, just so you can get your dick wet."

At that, Genma looked up. "Ten seconds will do." Tonbo moved to jerk back but before he could, Genma's fist cracked hard across the man's jaw. He didn't mind cheap shots being made towards him, but he sure as hell wasn't going to allow this prick to make anymore bullshit up about Hinata.

"Mother fucking piece of shit," the Chunin yelled, stumbling slightly from the impact. "You fucking bastard son of a whore." He spit at the ground. "What the fuck!"

Genma only quirked a single eyebrow before resuming his slouch against the tree. "Colourful. You done now?"

"Fuck you."

He sighed, guessing the fun part was over while he gave his knuckles a gentle rub. "Well now that we got that out of our system, perhaps you'll tell me what your problem with Hinata is?"

The man spit again. "I don't have a problem with her. I have a problem with you."

Makes sense… Genma rolled his eyes and straightened his back slightly. "So instead of confronting me, you what… chose to attack a sixteen year old girl?" He gave his senbon a contemplative swish. "Big man you are. I can really see your logic at work there."

Tonbo scowled, taking a small step forward. "You had Hana, a competent, experienced, and proven kunoichi, replaced by that child. And you don't expect us to question your judgment?"

Was that what this was all about? Did the man think he was stupid or that he'd just grabbed any girl to take Hana's spot?

"Hinata's grown up as the heir to one of the most prestigious and powerful clans in the village," Genma began, running over the list he'd gone over a hundred times in his head. "Whereas Hana's the heir to training ninja hounds. Forgive me if I found Hinata's background to lend a little more experience to this sort of mission. Not to mention that Hana would only be able to track down Ishi, Hinata can pinpoint him for us with out getting dangerously close, as well as better our understanding of the layout." He then crossed his arms and cocked his head slightly to the side. "Believe it or not, but I've actually thought this over and read their respective files in the past. Anything else?"

"You've read her file?" he asked incredulously.

"Yes."

"You don't expect me to believe that you just happened to look her up after being assigned this mission, and she was available?"

He shrugged. "I've looked over many files in the past. As a Jounin, I have to be knowledgeable of potential squad formations."

Tonbo snorted. "And that's another thing; you're not a fucking Jounin. You're a Special Jounin, so don't try to pull that bullshit over on us."

"Same difference," Genma replied impatiently. What did it matter which title he used? It didn't change the fact that he was still their squad's captain. "I'm either leading squads or a subordinate on an A rank or higher. What the hell does that have to do with anything?"

"That you're using your position to screw around with some teenager? I'd say a lot."

Genma froze, disbelieving what he'd just heard. Yes, he liked Hinata- how could you not? She was adorable. And yes, he was going out of his way to make her feel included, which she needed since she was put on this squad late, and already had issues with the whole talking thing. But that was a far, far cry from what Tonbo was now trying to insinuate.

The man stood up to his full height, to show him that he had finally captured his attention. "I would never use my position as a means to coerce or manipulate a subordinate, and I'm rather offended you would think that. I've only ever treated Hinata as an equal, and if you must know, I haven't so much as touched her."

Tonbo did not look convinced. "But you intend to."

"I really don't see how my personal life is any of your business," Genma replied with unwavering eyes. What ever happened, happened. That was Genma's philosophy on life. Should Hinata begin to show a greater interest in the man, who was he to dissuade her?

"She's sixteen, for fuck sakes."

Genma blinked. "Is that really what this is about? You think she needs protecting?" The man shook his head in disbelief. "What are you, fucking retarded? You're pissed at me so you attack Hinata. You want to defend her honor or some shit, so you insult and humiliate the girl. I'm starting to think that you wear those bandages because you were dropped on the head as a child. I'll have to get Mozuka to change my vote."

"Better retarded, than a god damn pedophile," Tonbo spat back, still rubbing his jaw.

Genma felt his fists clench involuntarily at his sides. This guy was really starting to push it if he didn't want to lose anymore teeth tonight, which was upsetting since he usually got along rather well with Tonbo.

"Hinata is not a child," Genma stated harshly. "She's a Chunin, and a kunoichi that grew up in a home where she was most likely taught to eat, drink, sleep, breath shinobi, since birth. That's the kind of statement I'd expect from some ignorant civilian, not from a fellow comrade. You know better. You know what kind of lives we lead. And for your information," he added, with a bit of a smirk. "She approached me."

That seemed to give him pause. "She approached you?"

"Yes." So you can now take your self righteous little ass and fuck off.

"Well then, maybe she's the retarded one here."

Genma pushed himself from the tree and gave the Chunin a hard shove. Hinata didn't deserve this. "I've had enough of that. You can insult me all you like but leave Hinata alone."

Catching his feet easily, Tonbo actually laughed making a dramatic hand gesture. "And you're actually falling for her. Unbelievable."

"It's not like that," he answered coldly. "And if you know what's good for you, you'll drop it." Seriously, where did this guy get off? "If I so much as see you even look at her wrong, I'll shove my boot so far up your ass, you'll be shitting blood for weeks."

Tonbo only continued to laugh. "Well you've got me convinced."

Enough of that, Genma thought irritably. The guy was an idiot. "We're done here."

.

.

"So what happened?" Iwashi asked moving to the other side of the room.

"Ishi was disguised as the target," Genma replied, looking across to the motionless body now lying in the cell while Tonbo searched his clothes. "He tried to casually get us to reveal our home village, which was the only thing that really tipped us off in time. But the fucker was fast." He turned to look at Hinata. "Hinata, you really saved our collective asses there. Though one would question your judgment to incapacitate a team member while still under enemy threat."

The girl blushed a predictable shade of red, averting her gaze.

"She knew the indispensible ones were already out of harm," Tonbo called from his crouched position on the floor.

Iwashi snorted. "So now what? We have no idea if our target is dead or alive, or where to find him."

"Dead, most likely," answered Genma.

"But you're not sure."

Hinata walked over to stand beside the body in the cell, her brow furrowed in thought. "Maybe, maybe I should stay till Ishi wakes up?" She raised her head to look at the others. "He probably doesn't know how he got knocked out, and I could try to get some information out of him. I mean, it'll look suspicious if I'm gone, right?"

"Absolutely not," Genma snapped with a voice that left no room for argument. What was she, insane?

"She's got a fair point," countered Tonbo, now standing at her side.

Genma felt the urge to punch him in the face. "And what if he does put it together? What then if he knows she was acting, or that she drugged him? Then she's dead. I am not taking that risk. Besides Ishi wouldn't have been trying to get info out of us if our spy was still alive."

"You don't know that."

Genma groaned inwardly. He wasn't supposed to be saying this, but, "Our target was ANBU. He would have killed himself if he had to before handing over information."

A permeable silence filled the room before Iwashi spoke up. "ANBU? We were never told this was an ANBU mission."

"It's not."

"Well, shouldn't they be handling their own?" Tonbo ground out. Genma couldn't really blame him for being upset that they'd been kept somewhat in the dark. "Is that why our info was so sparse? They'd have a better idea of who they were looking for in that case, this-"

"They don't have time to deal with this shit," Genma cut in. "Not to mention, at present they're also dangerously low on ANBU kunoichi. They've even got Anko training up all the Chunin, their situation is so screwed right now."

Hinata's mouth dropped. "What?"

He shrugged at the girl. "You girls are scarce commodity."

"So we just leave him and go? Mission failed?" Tonbo asked bitterly.

"Nothing else for it."

"Great… anyone got a bandage? My neck stings like a bitch, thanks to someone." He then shot a glare towards Genma who just rolled his eyes and walked to the other side of the room.

"Here, let me help you," Hinata said in a quiet voice, moving hesitantly to his side. She then reached out to grab the bandage he'd been fumbling with.

"Uh, alright." The man straightened in surprise, likely wondering why the girl he'd been giving such a hard time to was now actually offering to help him. Genma certainly wouldn't have, but then, Hinata's not like that he thought silently to himself.

Tonbo tilted his head back while Hinata stood close, taping down the small gauze bandage at his neck. Genma chose to look away only to catch Iwashi's eye. The man was shaking his head in mirth at the Jounin. Apparently he found the mans reaction amusing for some reason.

"Look out!"

Hinata's scream rang out into the room causing all heads to turn and watched in horror as Ishi's body suddenly lurched to life. His speed was incredible as Hinata had less than a second to push Tonbo aside while Ishi brought a sharp blade down to what would have been Tonbo's back, instead it bit harshly across Hinata's shoulder blade.

All three men were on him an instant later while Hinata crumbled to the floor, grasping her shoulder in pain. Iwashi had twisted the knife from his grip while Tonbo pushed him into the wall and Genma used the base of his kunai to send a sharp blow to his head, knocking him unconscious once more.

"That little fucker," Tonbo yelled, sending a swift kick to the limp man's ribs.

"Don't kill him," Hinata gasped, watching as Tonbo readied another, aimed for his head. The sound of her voice seemed to stop him and he turned to stare at the girl. Iwashi was already by her side, holding a cloth over the wound.

"Hinata are you alright?" Genma asked, kneeling to first check the man's pulse. Once satisfied that they hadn't indeed killed him, much to his disappointment, he moved towards her.

"Ye-yeah. I think so."

He then nodded to Iwashi to take the pressure off the wound so he could see how bad it was. He hissed to him self as he watched the dark red gash refill with blood before Iwashi pressed his hand back down. It would need stitches, of that he was sure, unless there was a medic Nin near by, which he doubted. "What the hell were you thinking?"

Iwashi shot him a glare but then caught Hinata's wide eyes and gave her a sympathetic smile. "Yeah, haven't you figured it out? If someone wants to stab Tonbo, let them."

Tonbo expression didn't even flinch. He was still staring down at the girl in shock. "How is it?" he breathed out at last, taking only the smallest step towards her.

"It's not too deep," Genma answered for her. He could just kill himself for being so stupid. If he had thought to tie Ishi up, or get them out of there quicker instead of goofing off… "Look, all we can do is patch it quickly. We need to get out of here, now. The sedative must have been even weaker than I thought. Once we're a safe distance, we can clean it proper. Is that alright, Hinata?"

The girl blinked up at him and nodded her head slowly. Shit, he thought to himself. Shit, shit, mother fucking shit. He could've gotten her killed! He turned his glare back to Ishi and felt a wave of hot anger sweep over him. It wasn't often that he felt the urge to kill an unarmed, defenses, and defeated man, but right now he was very damn close to it. Hell, if Hinata wasn't here, he probably would've gutted the bastard by now.

"Genma, I'm ok."

The Jounin turned to see Hinata watching him hesitantly, as though worried for him. Something must have shown on his face, he thought and did his best to school his features into an easy smile. Hinata seemed visibly relieved and smiled shyly back in return.

"Well, I think we were both right this time," he said reaching down to help her to her feet. A crude bandage had been taped over her shoulder but it was the best they could do till they reached somewhere safe. Hinata gave him a questioning look. "You shy girl's are always great for bringing a surprise or two with you."

Hinata blushed, releasing his hand and turning to move towards the door. "We should probably get going."

"You heard the woman," Genma called to the others, causing her blush to darken. "Move out."

.

.

They didn't travel as far as he would've liked to, but with Hinata's injury begging proper attention, this was the best they could do. They would simply have to make due with an early morning and fast pace the following day. After leaving the house, the group had quickly retrieved their packs from hiding and allowed Hinata and Iwashi to quickly change into a more travel appropriate gear.

The spot they chose to make camp was an especially thick part of the woods with only a small clearing for them to set up their sleeping rolls and build a small fire. Tonbo and Iwashi were working on the two tasks respectively, while Genma pulled out the medic kit.

"Hinata," he called looking down as he fumbled with the latches to the small case. "Why don't you come with me and I'll get that properly looked after."

When he received no answer, he looked up to see her staring awkwardly at him.

"I- uh… I, I'm not…"

Oh, he thought suddenly, understanding dawning on him. Now he got it.

Unable to hide his grin, the man took the few short steps between them, closing their distance. He then leaned down so only she could hear his words. "Look, if you'd prefer Iwashi or Tonbo to help you, that's fine too. I just thought you'd be more comfortable with me." The girl's eyes shifted over to the other two men, busy with their tasks. "I promise not to try anything, if that's what you're worried about."

"No, it's not-"

"Don't lie. Look, I know I made you uncomfortable and I'm sorry about that. I didn't mean to scare you."

Hinata jerked away to scowl up at the man. "I wasn't scared," she snapped with indignation. "What do you need me to do?"

It was so cute when she got riled up. "Follow me. I don't think you'll like the others watching this."

Hinata paled but said nothing as she followed the man deeper into the woods; just far enough to hide themselves from the others view.

"Now what?" she asked, still doing her best to hold her head high as they settled themselves on the forest floor.

"Well, I'm afraid I'm going to have to ask you to take your shirt off."

Hinata didn't even blink as she held his gaze, impressing him with her new found courage. "Fine."

Genma shook his head in disbelief as Hinata did her best to struggle free of her shirt with the use of only one arm. "I wish life always worked like that," he muttered before moving to her back to help remove the garment without aggravating the wound even more.

"What?"

"Nothing. Could you slip out of your bra straps too? It'll make this easier. You don't have to take it completely off," he added quickly when he felt the girl go ridged before him. The girl complied but with much less confidence now than what she had previously shown.

Genma began to fumble with the medic pack, finding it hard to open when his eyes were too busy drinking in every portion of Hinata's nearly naked back. Her skin looked so soft, and he was sitting just so close to her. He couldn't help but wonder what she would do if he told her that full back massage's and necking were all standard procedure for healing knife wounds…

"Do you need help getting it off?"

Genma's mouth went dry. "I'm sorry, what was that?"

"The top to the medic case. I know those things can be a bother sometimes."

"No, no, I've got it. Sorry, my mind was elsewhere." He then shook his head to clear it. Come on now, enough messing around, he told himself. He had a job to do. So with a calming breath, Genma then began to peel off the old bandage "Now, this is going to sting. You ready?"

"Yes," the girl answered, holding her body tightly in anticipation.

"Alright." He then removed the bandage as carefully as he could, cringing with every small hiss the girl would make. "You nearly gave me a heart attack, you know that?" he began, wanting to keep her mind distracted as he began his work. Sewing had never been a forte of his.

"I'm sorry," she whispered, cringing as his hand touched her skin again.

Admittedly, when Genma fantasized about the day Hinata would be sitting before him, half naked, making small noises and writhing ever so slightly at his every touch, the situation had never contained quite so much blood nor did it leave him with the distinct impression that the girl would rather be anywhere but there.

"You're too good for your own good," he told her and then paused to frown. "I'm not sure if that made sense."

The girl turned her head ever so slightly, mumbling, "I'm not that good."

"I noticed." He smiled to himself. "My poor mother's gonna be pissed when she finds out I won't be siring any grandchildren thanks to this week."

"I'm-"

"Don't you dare say you're sorry," Genma interrupted, giving her a light poke. "Never be sorry for kicking a man in the balls when he clearly deserved it." The girl let out a small giggle. "Just, I'd prefer it if you waited till after a potential lethal threat had been neutralized."

"Alright," she answered before taking a deep breath. "Genma, may I ask you something?"

"Of course."

"Why are you always being so nice to me?"

Hinata was sitting very still, and Genma could tell it wasn't from the pain. She was nervous. He thought over her question but decided that sometimes the most honest answer was usually the easiest. "Well why not? You're a sweet girl."

That didn't seem to satisfy her. "But I mean, you've really been going out of your way and stuff to pay attention to me, and you don't even know me, really."

"Actually, over the past few days, I'd say I've gotten to know you fairly well. Uh, could you lift your arms? I need to start applying the wrappings." Hinata complied but said nothing. "And besides, I thought you wanted me to pay attention to you. Wasn't that what you were up to that day in the Hokage's tower?"

Hinata's skin flushed bright red. "Well I… I, um…"

Genma chuckled as he leaned forward. "If you want me to back off, then all you have to do is say so, and I'll never bother you again. I'm a big boy, Hinata. I can handle a little rejection."

"What? No," she answered quickly before realizing her implication.

"No?" Genma quirked an eyebrow.

Hinata's jaw dropped. "No, what I mean is… what I mean, I-"

"I think I understand what you mean, Hinata," Genma grinned knowingly and scooted a bit closer to the girl from behind. "I'm actually pretty good at interpreting shy girl speech, you know. I used to be one myself, when I was younger. Shy, I mean, not a girl…" Hinata giggled. "Let's just forget I said that. What I mean is; I used to be shy, too."

"I really can't picture that."

"It's true! Used to get picked on all the time back at the academy. I'll even let you in on something, but you have to promise not to tell anyone."

"Okay," Hinata answered, her curiosity slightly perked.

"I mean it now," he said in mock seriousness. "I've spent years trying to shed my former shame."

"I promise, I won't tell." She giggled once more as the man's hand came to rest on her hip. So far, she didn't seem to mind his small advances.

"Well the truth is-" Genma leaned in conspiratorially. "I used to be a thumb sucker."

Hinata blinked. "Oh…"

"I know; weird right? And I don't just mean like every now and then. It was a constant. Could even give full speeches with that sucker staying in there." Hinata giggles grew louder and his fingers began to dance playfully against her side. "Personally, I thought it was a talent but kids can be cruel and you know how it goes… Luckily, I grew out of it."

"You don't say?"

"Yep." Genma could tell the girl was struggling to keep from outright laughing when he gave his senbon a swish before spitting it to the ground. "And while I graduated to Genin, most of my bullies got sent back to the academy. Those who didn't… well, when they tried anything, can you guess what I did?"

"I think I might."

"I kicked the ever living shit out of their pansy asses, is what I did," he announced proudly, leaning back to give her a bit more space and removing his hand now that he'd finished with her bandages.

"Well good for you."

"So of course after that," he said, giving her a little playful nudge. "I really had no more reason to be so afraid of people."

"Ah."

She must know what he was getting at. "So tell me, who is it that you need to go kick the shit out of?"

"What?" Hinata replied sharply and then hesitated. "I don't… I can't"

"Sure you can," he grinned and sat up a bit. "Obviously there's someone who's made you this way." Hinata went still. "No one is born shy. They might be quiet, like your Aburame friend, but shyness is something that's learned. So who was it?"

The girl bit her lip and fidgeted with her hands. "I can't."

Now that's curious. So there really is a particular someone? "Hinata..."

"No, I can't," she reiterated with a bit more force.

"Well then tell me who it is, and I'll beat the shit out of 'em. Then at least one of us will feel better."

"No!" she cried. The girl had jerked forward, twisting her body to face him as she said it but then turned back just as quickly, giving in to a slight hiss of pain.

Genma immediately shut his mouth. Apparently there was something to the picture that he was very clearly missing and it was probably not a good idea to go poking around what could be a very uncomfortable subject for the girl. "Alright, sorry. Backing off now. Touchy subject, I get it."

And he did. Personal space tended to be a very big deal for a shinobi. Everyone had things in there pasts, things in there families, and things amongst their loved ones that were just better left alone than stirred. But that still didn't mean that Genma felt anything less than a sudden over whelming desire to seriously hunt who ever the fucker was down, and beat him to a bloody pulp.

"Thank you," Hinata whispered, remaining very still where she sat. Great, and just when he'd started to get her to open up a bit.

"But you know," Genma began, not wanting her to completely pull away. "You really are cute when you're mad." As predicted, the girl turned that lovely shade of red he'd gotten to know so well on her. "It's a shame you had to go and get your self stabbed in the shoulder, because right now you look like you could really use a decent back massage."

Hinata's brow pinched together in confusion. "I do?"

"Mmm," he replied and shifted his legs so that they were now stretched out on either side of the girl. "You're too tense, and I would think you are probably like that a lot of the time too. You need to relax more." He moved forward so that he was now practically against her. "Here, lean back into me."

Hinata's breath hitched, noticing his close proximity. "What?"

"Come on, it'll help." The girl remained still. Genma chuckled at the humor of his own situation. Silly, little Hinata…

He then snaked both arms around her waist so that they were basically sitting in an awkward, hunched forward embrace. The girl gasped as her bare skin came into so much contact with the Jounin sitting behind her. She no longer had any choice, either lean back and be comfortable, or stay as they were and remain awkwardly stiff till he gave up. Genma smirked as she finally leaned back into his arms.

"Now close your eyes, take deep calming breaths, and just let your body fall. Don't worry, I'll support you," he murmured, allowing his lips to just lightly graze her ear and to his surprise, she actually complied. Maybe there was hope after all?

A full minute passed where all he could hear was the girl's gentle breaths, her face looking at complete peace. She probably was a lot more tired than she'd been letting on. Hinata's arms folded self consciously below her bust, which of course were where his own were resting. She then surprised him again by entwining her hands with his own and pulling them tighter around her.

Well, if that wasn't the go ahead, he didn't know what was… or maybe she was just cold?

"You're right," she told him softly. "I could fall asleep like this."

Genma raised his eyebrows. That was a full sentence. "Hinata?"

"Mmm?"

"You're beautiful." The corners of her lips curled up ever so slightly but the rest of her body remained blissfully unaffected. "How about we try this again, then?"

He then dipped his head down and placed a light kiss to the side of her neck. Genma felt the girl go ridged in his arms. "Relax, remember?" he whispered before pressing his lips back against her sensitive skin. His kisses trailed leisurely across her shoulder and then back towards her ear, delighted when she arced her head back in pleasure, and granting him greater access.

Genma could feel her tension release with every passing moment as he continued his ministrations. Despite the odd mix of blood and disinfectant, the girl still smelled like the greatest dish to him, one that he never wanted to move away from. Hinata gasped as he nipped and sucked the same spot for a few enticing moments, leaving what was sure to be a rather glaring hicky. He then tilted his head back to admire his handy work.

True, Kurenai would likely come after him with a rusty pair of scissors when she saw it, but considering Hinata's response, he really didn't mind. Her eyes were open, and she was staring up at him in what seemed to be bewilderment. Raising his hand, he lightly traced his finger along the girl's lower lip, watching intently as her brow furrowed in confusion.

"Like I said, beautiful." He then bent to capture her lips with his own but before he quite reached, the girl seemed to snap out of what ever daze she'd been in and pulled away.

Genma sat back in surprised shock. Hinata scooted forward awkwardly, reaching for her discarded shirt. Everything seemed to have been going fine, so why the sudden change?

"I'm sorry," she said in a breathless whisper, her eyes still wide with panic. "I'm, I…" she struggled to pull over her shirt.

"Would you like some help with that?" Genma asked, still trying to make sense as to what was going on.

"No!" she squeaked. "I'm fine."

Genma cringed as he watched her flinch in pain while pulling the sleeves into place.

"I just… I don't-" Genma waited patiently for her to string together a coherent thought process. "I should tell- no, I, what I mean is…" Apparently, that was not about to happen.

He sighed. "Hinata, just calm down. You're getting too worked up over nothing."

Hinata paused, attempting to catch her breath. "I'm sorry."

"Don't be."

She opened her mouth and then closed it again. She stood, staring down at him for a long moment and he just sat, waiting to see if she had anything more to say. "Thank you."

"You're welcome."

She looked away briefly. "I should go."

"That's your choice."

She stared back at the man before slowly nodding her head. Hinata paused only slightly before turning to make her way back towards their camp.

With a groan, Genma leaned forward to bury his head into his hands. That girl really was something else. All she ever did was confuse him. Probably part of the reason why he liked her so much, he thought pathetically to himself.

Kakashi looked down on the light body, now sleeping soundly half buried on his chest. Leaning his head back, he let the book close shut and laid it to rest upon the bedside table. Over all it had gone much like the movie night had.

Kakashi read and Tenten took it upon herself to point out every little nuance and detail, much to his annoyance. He almost had to stop all together for fear of her health, when she started giggling uncontrollably through one of the love scenes. Apparently his voice did nothing for Jiraiya's prose and Kakashi was calmly informed that he should never, ever, attempt any semblance of dirty talk, lest his goal was to scare the woman off of men for life. Kakashi had kindly thanked her for her opinion before skipping over to the next spot. A man's ego could only take so much.

She'd then complained that he wasn't reading dramatically enough, that he had to get into the character's heads while reading their parts. When he tried to argue with her, she took it upon herself to demonstrate, surprising him that she'd had the section memorized word for word. Her timing, rhythm, and emphasis were all perfect however, and Kakashi commented that she should consider becoming an actress.

She told him that the reason no one knew anything about her family, was because she was actually the evil twin of the female lead in the MOP movies. She'd become a shinobi as a means to assassinate her and then take over the woman's identity. The perfect plan… until Kakashi informed her she'd need to get a boob job first, which earned him a playful yet painful pinch to the underside of his arm.

Kakashi looked to the clock. It was well past midnight now and if he didn't leave soon, he was liable to fall asleep. Kakashi did not want to know what further rumors would spring, should anyone find the two of them together like that, come morning.

He looked at his arm wrapped snuggly around the girl and actually holding her to him, with his finger circling idly on her shoulder. Traitor, he thought bitterly, staring down at his own appendage. He really was a dirty old pervert. He'd said they would have to have a talk about, well, this- but what the hell was he supposed to say when he, by all accounts, was actively encouraging her, even if he didn't realize it at first?

He was going to hell. That was all there was to it. If Tenten wanted to seduce him into bed, he had to admit, that she would very likely succeed. She wasn't what he would call a great beauty, or smoldering temptress by any stretch; but then she would never come at him like that, flaunting her body, or teasing him with light whispers and half promises of things to come. And of course, such a thing would never work on him anyways.

Instead she would joke, and tease, and poke fun at him till his guard would eventually drop, allowing him to tease back. Then with an appearance of complete innocence, something he was starting to believe she was not so innocent of, she'd start invading his personal space. And before he'd know it, Tenten would be sitting on his lap, or lying across his chest, and he'd find himself perfectly comfortable with that fact. It would only be so easy for her to cross that one last barrier, and take things beyond what they had been pretending to call friendship.

But then he would be going to hell, since Gai would likely kill him the moment he found out. Or maybe Tenten really didn't realize what she was getting herself into? There was obviously something to the whole Neji thing… so maybe then she really was just out to have some fun at his expense? He should be mad, if that were the case, however then it would work out the best for everyone involved. No harm, no foul.

Kakashi raked a hand over his face. He was just so confused by this girl. What the hell was she up to, and what did she want from him?

As deftly as he could, Kakashi removed himself from the girls embrace and quietly made his retreat from the room. God only knows what he was going to say to her the next time they met.