A/N: Hope you're all enjoying it so far. Short & sweet this time. There's more to come, just a little longer between updated as it's school holidays here Please feel free to love, follow & leave a review.

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 34

Against the protest of her mind, she willed her body to leave the orphanage; to leave him.

Busying himself was his only option; apprehensive about where his mind may wander to if he became idle for too long. Whatever the reason may have been, Nina had successfully disengaged from the moment; undoubtedly not doing so they would have …

"Kakashi, is there anything we can help with?"

Marco and a girl, a few years younger, were standing at his side.

"Did you want to set the table for everyone?"

"Are you and Nina staying for dinner?"
"If that is okay with Kimi and Yuuma?"

He had sensed their presence loitering in the kitchen entry way.

"It would be our pleasure."

The two children and adults clanged around him, collecting up utensils and crockery for everyone. The little girl clung to his leg.

"Thank you Kashi."

"You're very welcome."

The girl with fire-red hair skipped out of the kitchen calling out for Marco, leaving him once again alone with his bothersome thoughts.

Detouring from returning to the orphanage, Nina headed towards the small lake that had been just beyond where Kakashi had been training this morning. Slipping off her shoes she dawdled to the waters' edge, allowing the water to wash over the tops of her feet. She gathered her tights up above her knees and took a few more steps in. The water was cool but pleasant, on account that it had been an unusually sunny day for a village in Rain Country. Small fish nipped and swam around her ankles causing goosebumps to form on her arms; like his touch had.

Although, the moment had originally felt akin to that night, upon reflection there were several differences. When he had ensnared her between himself and the bench it had been abrupt and not as playful as at Shushu-ya. His breathing had been just as unsettled as hers, she could even make out his rapid heartbeat beneath the layers of his clothing. Finally, he had every opportunity to close the gap between their lips but he didn't, it was like he refrained from making any movement until…shit… it had been a test. Another 5,000 Ryo.

Trudging out of the water, irritated with herself for allowing herself to be consumed by preposterous ideas involving her partner for a mission, she dug her hand into a pocket on her jacket. She'd have just enough to pay him for this offense and the one from yesterday.