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 27

"That'll be 5,000 Ryo."

"What on earth for?"

"That little misdemeanour. I had thought you had simmered a little judging by the …"

"Judging by what? I'm genuinely lost as to what you're even referring to."

"At the bar when that man was getting a little too close for comfort. I wouldn't be a decent boyfriend if I let that proceed."

"So I owe you money because of a stranger chatting me up?"

"No. Your little outburst when I barely laid-"

"Oh." She felt a rise of heat to her cheeks so she fiddled with her serviette. "That wasn't what you think."

He pulled his mask back up and glimpsed at the smile spreading across her face.

"Do tell?"

"I'm horribly ticklish. I will apologise but I will not give you money for that."

"Well then, any other spots I should know about?"

She waved him off and started eating. "Now where's the fun if I tell you?"

"I suppose you're right."

He ghosted his left hand up her thigh gaining an undisciplined ruckus from Nina.

"Ow!" She rubbed her knee that had collided with the underside of their table, whilst trying to use her other hand to mop up the spilled contents of both their bowls and glasses with a serviette.

"Is everything okay here?"

One of the waitresses appeared, looking rather annoyed with the mess on the table.

"Yes, apologies, my girlfriend is rather ticklish."

The waitress mopped up the table and returned to the kitchen.

"If you wanted me to pay for lunch, you only had to ask and not prey on my ticklishness."

"I wasn't tickling." He finished his glass of water.

His hand descended under the table again, patting her thigh twice and then stopping as he concentrated on the happenings in the street outside.

"Still a pervert, Kakashi."

"Still 5,000 Ryo, Nina."

Nina mirrored him by placing her hand onto his hip that was farthest from her as they strolled through the busy town streets; canvasing the area for any signs of activity from rebels. The village eluded that it was a lot bigger than what it actually was due to the sheer spread of the buildings, which were quite derelict. There were a range of businesses, florists, massage parlours, butchers; not so different to Konoha and despite the expanse of the village it was brimming with a mass of people wherever she looked.

They had reached the outer limits of the town, and comfortably out of view of anyone he nipped his thumb to draw a small amount of blood required to summons Pakkun.

"Hi boss and Nina, long time no see."

"Hi Pakkun."

She knelt down and gave the pug a quick tummy rub before they were interrupted when he cleared his throat.

"Sorry boss. What did you need?"

"A message for Tsunade, to be delivered as soon as possible. Everything is outlined in this letter."

He tucked it into the pocket on the underside of the dog's jacket.

"Got it."

The pug disappeared in a puff of smoke.

"Sorry I shouldn't have given him a tummy rub."

He laughed and ran his hand down his neck.

"Eh it's no big deal; I suppose you've had quite a bit of time with my nin-kin."

"Just a little."

She signalled a measurement by holding her index finger and thumb a small distance apart.

His assessing of the weather was disrupted when there was a tug on his pants from about knee-height; causing them both to stop. He peered down and laid eyes on the scruffy head of a child, not more than six or seven years of age; the hand was still gripping the fabric of his pants.

Nina crouched down to meet the child at eye level; it was a little boy who was wearing a tattered shirt, shorts covered in several dodgy patches, and his face was a dirty with tear stains running over his cheeks.

"Hi there. My name is Nina, what's yours?"

She detached his hand from Kakashi's pants and held it in hers, keeping her face bright but soft.

"Marco."

He didn't let go of her hand, but his eyes stay fixed on the ground.

"Nice to meet you Marco."
Someone called out for the young boy in the distance and he pulled from her hand and ran off without saying anything more; Nina stood and her eyes following the direction the boy went.

He observed her expression that had changed from a smile to one he was quite accustomed to.

"You noticed didn't you?"

She was searching his face for a response.

"We need to get back to the inn, the rain will be starting again."

He took a few steps before stopping and holding out his hand to invite Nina to follow, she was still looking back to the alleyway where the boy had ran towards. A cool breeze caused her to shiver and she re-joined him. Her hand on his hip and welcoming the warmth from his hand on her upper arm, which he used to pull her snug against his side.