A/N: Thank you for all those following along, favs and for the awesome review! Hope you're all enjoying it
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 35
Drawing closer to the orphanage, a delectable aroma filled the air; Kakashi was evidently a skilful cook if the rumbling from Nina's stomach was any indication. Her stomach's growling mixed with the frustration with herself for being so delusional, that had now cost her a neat sum of money. She kicked off her shoes and made her way inside to the children, avoiding him, and returning the borrowed shirt and apron to their rightful places.
The children erupted into a ruckus of chatter and cheering when she greeted them out the back of the building where they had all being playing. The little red-headed girl curled up onto Nina's lap, and she carefully bestowed the flower crown she had been wearing onto the girl's head.
"There, I think it suits you much better."
Her eyes welled with happy tears, and she pranced off to Marco, twirling on the spot. In the distance the sky changed colour from a radiant sunset to a gathering of ominous dark clouds. Kimi and Yuuma ushered the children inside and in extraordinarily good-timing Kakashi announced that dinner was about to be served.
"You can sit next to me, Nina."
Marco pat the space next to him on the bench seat. Practically, the bench table and seating made complete sense for the kids and everyone was easily accommodated.
"I would be honoured however, I am just going to give Kakashi a hand, okay?"
"Sure!"
"No need."
He appeared at the head of the table, carrying a large pot, and set it down on a wooden board, before filling each bowl, one at a time.
After dinner Nina piled the dishes up and took them to the kitchen to wash.
"You're one very lucky lady Nina, Kakashi is a very handsome man."
Nina had been there when he had lowered his mask to eat but she had gracefully kept her eyes averted from him.
"Yes."
"The way he looks at you, I can just tell you mean a great deal to him."
Water slopped over the basin when her hand slipped and plunged into the sink.
"Please pardon me if that was out of line, just an observation from an old lady."
"Not at all. I appreciate your kind words, thank you."
"We are beyond grateful for your kindness, Nina. Whatever your reasons for helping us are, it's certainly a blessing."
"You're most welcome."
Kimi's full frame enveloped Nina's, and the pair stayed hugging in silence before continuing to wash and dry the dishes.
Once he heard the dishes sloshing in the water, safely assuming the moment had ended, he entered to source a few containers for the rogue drips that were leaking in through the roof.
Nina did little to acknowledge his presence, something he had noticed since she returned. Kimi helped direct him to the ones they usually used after she seen him fossicking through the tupperware.
"Thank you."
Momentarily he contemplated giving her a peck on the cheek but decided to leave her well alone and tend to the leaks.
"He's a good man, Nina."
"That he certainly is."
She balanced the last dish onto the counter, her mind flashing to the earlier incident. Just a mission.
The rain wasn't about to ease but the children were due for bed and Kakashi was feeling the effects of his early rise. They said their farewells to everyone, explaining that they would be back once they had collected the first outfits for the children.
"Here, take these."
Yuuma handed Kakashi two umbrellas.
"Just return them tomorrow, we have no need for them until then."
"Thank you so kindly."
"No, thank you to you both. Have a good night and we look forward to seeing you both again tomorrow."
Kakashi popped one open and handed it to Nina once she had put her shoes on again, and then he opened his.
"This is yours."
Nina clonked a pouch against his chest. He scrambled to catch it as she released the pouch, returning her hand to hold the umbrella.
"10,000, right?"
5,000 for yesterday, but what was the other 5,000 Ryo for?
"Nina, it was only one-"
"Plus, this afternoon. I should have known."
"Ah yes. Of course."
Trying to keep his normal indifferent tone. So, this was her view on what had happened? He was still unable to deduce anything other a lapse in restraint on his behalf. One that he was confident would have led to a great deal more than what was required for this mission had Nina not bailed out when she did.
His attention was brought back to the present when he felt the tugging on the side of his shirt and undervest and her icy fingers settling against his skin.
"Sorry."
"Don't be."
Being taller than her allowed him to pull her into his side to further aid in sharing bodily warmth, without the need to forgo either of their umbrellas. Effortlessly she had glided into him, fitting in snug and comfortably, just like last night.
Upon arriving back in the inn, Nina insisted he went for a shower first as he'd been out for the whole day. As he stepped under the heated spray of the shower, he figured she was no doubt curled up on the lounge reading more of Icha Icha, he sighed, planting his hands against the tiles under the shower head and hung his head. She was consuming his every thought, and even when he had tried to not think about her, his mind found a way to bring her to the forefront.
"Forgot to mention that I have organised for Tenzo to carry out restoration works on the orphanage."
Nina leapt from the lounge in excitement.
"Really? Tsunade approved it?"
"Yes. He should be here tomorrow night."
"Kakashi, that's… thank you."
He shrugged laying down on the bed. "Place needs it."
She grabbed her clothes and closed the bathroom door.
He settled himself up against the headboard and eyed the pillow on her side; he contemplated just leaving it be but quickly stuffed it behind his back.
Pakkun lifted his head, quirking at his master's actions.
"Getting rather fond of cuddles Boss?"
"Mission requirements Pakkun, nothing more."
"Uh huh."
"Would you rather sleep outside tonight?"
The pug took the hint and laid his head back down on his two front paws.
Nina slipped on his shirt again over just her underwear and undid her plaits that had held her hair at bay all day. She had managed to keep her hair dry using a shower cap, her hair had natural ringlets but with the effects of the rain and being in plaits all day her hair was a mass of curls that she just let free-fall over her shoulders.
After brushing her teeth, she opened the door to the gentle snores coming from Pakkun who was curled up at the bottom of Kakashi's feet. Kakashi had selfishly stolen both pillows and he had fallen asleep, Icha Icha laying on his chest. Nina shook her head, and carefully picked the book up, a photograph fell away. Clutching it in her finger tips, she discovered it was actually two photos that had been stuck together back to back- one of his own Team 7 (Naruto, Sasuke and Sakura) and on the reverse, his original Team 7 (Minato, Obito and Rin). He must have used it as a place holder or maybe he just held it in the front of his book, perhaps to have them with him wherever he may go in the world. She hadn't picked him for being the sentimental type, fascinating man. She tucked the photographs in the spot that his book had been opened on and set it on the bedside table, clicking off his lamp and walking around to her side to do the same. The confiscated pillows and his familiar position eluded that she was going to be required to sleep in the same manner as the previous night, so she climbed in, careful not to wake him. As she lowered herself into his side, he mumbled something incoherently before wrapping his arm around her side onto her hip and swinging his other arm so it stroked from the top of her head down her body until their hands were together on his chest.
"Sorry, didn't mean to wake you."
"Don't worry about it."
She readjusted the ringlets that were irritating her nose, but he took over before resuming holding her hand that was laying on his chest.
"Better?"
"Yes, thank you."
She mulled over Kimi's words, although this was a mission, she was indeed incredibly lucky.