Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto or any of its characters. They belong to Masashi Kishimoto. This story is purely a work of fanfiction.

Chapter 19

She struggled to concentrate on the words on the page, her mind kept wandering to the list she had left at the hospital for her outstanding jobs that the others would need to tend to whilst she was away. Not only did this contrived mission pull her away from the investigation she would also miss catching up with Temari, who was due to arrive any day now. Nina was keen to have an excuse to open up in a sparring session with her but it would have to wait until the sand kunoichi's next visit to the village to see Shikamaru.

"Only one man would leave such a fine-looking woman waiting."

"Ugh. Morning Raido."

"Don't hold back on my account, Nina. You only have to ask."

Nina closed her book and tucked it away, ignoring the revolting philandering from the gate-keeper. Raido closed in on her, angling his body so he towered over her side, using his elbow to slant his body out from the wooden gate.

"You really have no idea about personal space do you?"

"Nina don't deny it, it's clear you want a piece of this" he used his hands to indicate himself.

"Sorry I'm late-"

"Save it, Hatake. Let's get a move on before I have to explain to the Hokage why we need a new gatekeeper."

Not wanting to risk exacerbating the already irritated Nina, he fell silently in step with her, and shaking his head at Raido as he walked out Konoha's gates.

"I can't believe there's women out there that find that man attractive. Gah!"

"Alcohol helps blur his rough edges."

"There isn't enough in the world that would make me ever consider letting him near me. Guys like that make my skin crawl."

They continued in silence for quite some time, both reading their gifts from Jiraiya. Nina seemed to have settled down enough for him to discuss their objectives. "Keeping at this pace we should arrive in about two days; allowing us to fit some training in along the way."

"Training? I thought you said that our chances for encountering rebels was minimal?"

"I did." He had to be cautious with his next words forgoing any physical demonstrations because Nina's temper had only just simmered. "As charming as your act was yesterday, it's not about to fool anyone. The locals in Rain Country are already apprehensive about outsiders. Any falter in our cover is bound to result in failure."

"Hah! We weren't even on the mission yesterday so that didn't count. I am more-"

"Nina, you burnt your hand and I had barely touched you. Not to mention y-"

"I spaced out, I have a lot on my mind."

Rescinding on his earlier choice he reached out and hooked their fingers together, so that they were holding hands.

"Knock it off! You're as bad as-" She had ripped her hand out of his and they were standing either side of the road.

"That ought to assure the locals" he remarked sarcastically.

"We are not even close to the village."

He heaved a sigh, putting the book away to cross the road to meet her. He stood a little ways away from her with his hands in his pockets. "Nina, are you a virgin?"

"Kakashi Hatake! You…you…gah!" she threw her arms up in a blaze of indignation, and she set off on the road ahead.

This whole mission was a farce and she considered marching right back to the village and handing over the money that they would have earned to Tsunade and save them all the grief. "No, I'm not." She struggled to keep herself from punching him square in his face. "Whilst my love life may not be as extensive as some" she twisted her head back to Kakashi, who was keeping a safe distance between them, "I have had sex and not just for missions."

"So, what's the problem then?" he had started reading again.

He had already known the answer to the question regarding her virginity before the words left his mouth but he was struggling to get a read on her and he felt that if he battled her long enough she may open up a little more.

"Well… it's..." she flipped the page. "The only problem is you don't think I can do pull this off!" she snapped.

"Can you?"

"Tsunade-sama chose us, isn't that enough?"

"That's not what I asked. Do you think you can pull this off, Nina?"

Damn the man. The events of the day made her deliberate if she had a flashing neon sign on her forehead that read 'please poke the bear'. She wasn't prepared to confess her reservations as she wasn't entirely sure if they were honestly warranted. Instead the unceasing words of wisdom from Shizune resounded in her head and Nina conceded defeat for the time being.

She padded back to his side and glided her right hand along the sleeve of his shirt and into his left pocket to weave her fingers in between his, curling them over the back of his fingerless glove. He responded in kind and noting how rigid her hold was, he chose not to alter their current state in any way.

Aside from the hand holding, they continued along the road as they had started the day; both engrossed in their books. The copy-nin couldn't recall the last female that had been so cagey, and he had grown accustomed to more forthcoming women. Nina presented quite the dilemma however, they had only just embarked on their mission and there was still a week ahead of them.

"Ibiki."

"Care to explain why Nina was seen leaving the village with Kakashi?"

"Not particularly."

"Tsunade that shinobi is heading an investigation-"

"I'm aware of the nature of those investigations but she's of no use to anyone in her current state. I have reviewed her notes and unless you have come in possession of any new information we are at a bit of a dead-end."

"Dead-end? I thought you two were the best medic-nins-"

"I caution you Ibiki to watch your words. True as that may be it appears neither of our departments have turned anything up. However, upon her return I have every confidence Nina will be eager to continue the investigations. For now, she and Hatake are absent from all other duties."

Ibiki bowed and left the office.

"Shizune!" That was right, she was down in the clinic, never mind that then, she would just have to pay a visit to Shikaku's office later.

"Loser. I don't understand why you're grinning like an idiot; you lost."

"I guess I did." Naruto laughed and hopped off the exam table.

"Sasuke, stop scowling I need to see your face so I can heal your jaw."

"Hinata, can you write up a broken jaw, left side and two fractured ribs, again left side, on his file please?"

"Y-yes Sakura."

"Don't be so hard on yourself Sasuke. It's not like you can compete with Naruto's outrageous healing thanks to the fox's chakra."

"N-N-Naruto I was wondering if you'd like to…to"

"Spit it out already Hinata!" Sakura barked.

Hinata's face had turned a deep beetroot colour and she lost her nerve.

Naruto, who was clueless at the best of times, surprised them by placing both hands on the shy girl's shoulders. "I really like ramen. How about we go to Ichiraku for something to eat when you've finished your shift?"

"Y-yes. I would like that. I finish at 6. I can meet you there after?"

"Okay, see you then, Hinata." Naruto turned around, one hand in his pocket and the other a wave.

"Still in pain Sakura."

"Sorry, I…um. There how does that feel?"

"Thanks."

Sakura stood back from the table where Sasuke had been sitting to allow him to leave.

"Those boys."

Hinata just laughed and followed Sakura to the next exam room.