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 31

Nina and Kakashi kicked off their shoes at the doorway before following Marco inside the orphanage. The building was dilapidated, more so than other buildings within the village and she could make out the voices of multiple children emanating from further within.

"Where have you been Marco?"

A heavyset, elderly woman wearing a shabby floral print apron loomed over the boy's frail frame.

"Sorry ma'am."

"Your chores are still waiting for you. Go now."

"Yes ma'am."

Marco slid the door open and ran off to tend to his chores that he had skipped out on due to being out with Nina.

"And who are you?"

"Ma'am, my name is Nina and this is my…"

"I'm her partner Kakashi. Sorry to impose on you."

"Yes, apologies. I met Marco yesterday and I took him to breakfast-"

"What sob story did he give you to warrant your kindness?"

"None. I was on my way to breakfast and I wished to treat him."

"How nice of you to have money. Clearly you're not from around here."

The hefty woman was eyeballing both of them and Nina was feeling uncomfortable from the scrutiny.

"We're visiting the village and we met Marco yesterday. Please excuse our intrusion but Marco informed me at breakfast that he was from the local orphanage and I asked him if he would bring us here."

"For what purpose, do you wish to adopt?"

"No but I… I mean, we wish to help."

"Help? Our Kage won't even help, what do you hope to achieve?"

"Ma'am I am not rich but I would very much like to help in whatever way we can. Marco mentioned the reason behind why he ended up in your care is due to his parents because they couldn't afford to feed him in addition to themselves. Is this true?"

"Sadly, yes, and even sadder, is it is the reason why the majority of the children come to find their way into our care."

The lady's attitude had become less abrasive and Nina could clearly see the grief on her face.

"We try to feed them as best we can but as you can see we aren't well funded, but we make do."

"If you could excuse me and my partner for a moment, I would like to discuss a few things with him, if that's okay?"

"Of course. Just make your way through those doors to the back, I need to go check on them."

"Thank you."

Kakashi lent up against the stone wall of the alleyway, fearful that the building may suffer additional damage, Pakkun sat at his feet. He watched Nina pace back and forth before she trudged over to stand just in front of him; head bowed towards the ground, giving him a chance to study the detail of the flower crown she had been wearing.

"I can't walk away from this."

"Hmm."

"Kakashi, I can't walk away from those children. I cannot be here and not help them and I know whilst this isn't our mission directly, I think it could work indirectly."

"How so?"

"The place needs an overhaul. It's true I don't have a lot but I think I have enough to make a substantial difference. I can still carry out reconnaissance when I interact with venders and such."

"We."

"Sorry?"

Her head lifted up and her eyes were yet again searching his face. He pushed off the wall, took a step into her and dropped his gaze to keep his eye locked on hers.

"We, Nina. We can still fulfil our responsibilities, and you can still keep true to your oath."

"Thank you" she whispered before looping her arms around his mid-section.

She always smelt pleasant, but the flowers that crowned her head added another dimension; a delicate and sweet fragrance that seemed fitting for her.

"Secret admirer?"

He glossed his fingers over the petals.

"Jealous?"

"Hmm, no, just curious."

"No, pink lilies happen to be my favourite flower."

"Ah."

Definitely something worth committing to his memory.

They removed their shoes at the door before re-entering, Kakashi guiding her in with his hand on the small of her back. Was he just curious or was he jealous? She shook her head of such a foolish notion and slid the door open to go and find the lady.

"Ma'am?"

"Please call me Kimi."

The kitchen was, well, it was hardly a kitchen at all. It consisted of a small bench, a rusted, shallow sink, and a pantry with doors that were half-hanging off their hinges. She watched Kakashi inspect the contents and shake his head.

"We want to help. Are we able to have a wander around please?"

"Sure, knock yourself out."

"Thank you, Kimi."

"How many children do you have here, Kimi?"

"12, myself and my husband, Yuuma."

"Any allergies?"

"No."

"Okay, thank you."

Kakashi went in search of Nina, and found her encircled by all of the children on the floor of the bedroom being bombarded by questions. If she was bothered she certainly didn't show it; she was attentive and gracious.

She took his hand as an aid to stand, careful not to knock any of the children over.

"I'll take the kitchen, if that's okay with you?"

She snapped her head in his direction. Sure it made sense that he ate well, the man was in impeccable physical condition but there were certainly options within the village that would mean he wouldn't have to cook. Maybe he wasn't referring to cooking maybe he just meant fixing it up. Kakashi as a handyman…

"Nina?"

"Sorry. Um. Sure, do you need help with cooking?"

"No thank you, I should be right."

He really was a man of many talents.

She glanced over the children and realised they were all in dire need of new clothes; she was sure she had passed a few places in the street today that she would be able to place an order with.

"Kimi, would you mind if we took the children out for a while please?"

"All of them?"

"Yes. I would like to get them measured for some new clothing, if that is okay?"

"New clothes for all of them? You don't have to do that Nina."

"No, but as I said, we would like to."

"As long as you're sure."

"Of course. We will be out for some time but we will be back as soon as we can."

Kakashi was unable to hold Nina's hand because the children flocked around them both, fighting over their hands whilst excitedly chattering between themselves. Nina was laughing and already heading towards the front of the building. There was plenty of work to be done structurally to building and he quickly scrawled a note and tucked it into Pakkun's coat to be delivered back to the Leaf Village; hopefully his request was approved.

"Lady Tsunade, I have a message from Kakashi."

She ushered for the pug to come to her side so she could retrieve the letter.

She had to squint to make out his handwriting, which was worse than normal. He wants me to send another jonin; Tenzo. Tenzo was a part of Anbu and given the tension between her and Ibiki currently for already sending Nina out she wasn't sure he would be so willing to part with another of his operatives. She also didn't wish to draw any further attention to Nina and Kakashi however, the cause was admirable and if she could get Ibiki on board, and the task executed with diligence, it would definitely strengthen the political ties.

"I'm sorry to ask this of you, Pakkun, but could you please deliver this to Ibiki please?"

"Yes Ma'am."

He disappeared in his typical puff of smoke.

"So kind of Ibiki to part with you and so quickly."

"Yes Ma'am, he seemed somewhat disgruntled but given the possible political gains he released me."

"Good. Please make your way to Nina and Kakashi's location, as quickly as possible. Also, it is of the upmost importance that their cover remain intact, so please do not give the locals any reason to question it. All of the details are outlined in your mission scroll. Any questions?"

"No Lady Tsunade. I will be leaving now."

"Thank you."

"Pakkun, here's a message for Kakashi please."

"Yes Ma'am."

She pulled out some paper to write to the Rain Country Kage, detailing Leaf's gesture of good faith to rebuild the local orphanage, crediting the build to the Kage and not Konoha.