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 36

Pakkun happily kept his muzzle closed on the matter earlier however, it didn't stop his mind from ticking over. Not only was he hyper-aware of his master, he was a dog and therefore had animal instincts; there was more to the situation between Kakashi and Nina, even if Kakashi was rejecting the idea.

His master would leave the bed, opting for the lounge to read or sleep after copulating, and once morning broke, he and his bed mate would go their separate ways. Witnessing him peacefully resting and embracing Nina was certainly something else. She and the pug had formed quite a bond after the many missions, so much so he and the other ninkin were likely to adhere to any of her commands as they would for their master. He supposed it helped that she was more forthcoming with granting a tummy rub or ear scratch, much to Kakashi's objection in the beginning.

Being sanctioned to the outside of the orphanage, he had missed whatever had occurred between them warranting Nina to owe a further 5,000 Ryo, giving rise to the renowned cat instinct of curiosity within him.

His master was usually unperturbed but he had watched him hesitate tonight over something as trivial as pillows. Somewhat amusing but also concerning, Nina was a good girl, she wasn't his usual mate and she didn't strike the pug as a floozy who would give herself away for a night. She had been a constant throughout a large portion of his master's life; their skills and personalities were coordinating and he'd never seen them struggle to interact or successfully complete a mission. He didn't know a great deal about the mission other than their ruse, but Pakkun suspected that the days ahead would see a substantial alteration in their otherwise platonic relationship.

Determining he was still in a deep slumber as his breaths were heavy and even, she slowly edged her way out of the grapples of his arms. She crept down to the laundry to change into a turtle-necked sleeveless top, a skirt with adjustable buckles on the side seams and a pair of lycra shorts to go underneath. Dressing took a little longer because she had to bind her chest and hands again, as she planned on a training session under the cover of the early morning darkness.

She lifted her index finger to her mouth when Pakkun lifted his head as she made her way around to Kakashi's side of the bed.

"I'm going to train."

Giving the pug a quick ear scratch and tummy rub before taking a few more steps towards his master. His breaths were in the same consistent rhythm and his hand was still resting on his chest where it had been holding hers. She leant down, holding back the one thick plait she had restrained her hair in, but she pulled up short, deciding that she didn't want to wake him. She slipped her sandals on and left the room for the thicker vegetation on the other side of the lake, that would help keep her mostly concealed from any locals. Pakkun hopped off the bed and followed her out.

In the shadows before sunrise Nina put herself through her usual rigorous training regime while Pakkun took up a spot under a nearby tree acting as a sentry. Her body was aching unusually early in the piece and she put it down to the absence of training for the past few days, well, actually weeks as she had been caught up investigating the deaths. She heaved in the cool air, bent over with her hands on her knees. She still hadn't finalised them, and she wondered if Lady Tsunade had managed to uncover anything further since her departure. Balling her fists, she gritted her teeth. Sure she felt a sense of productivity with the orphanage however, it did little to abate her longing to get back to Konoha, to the investigations.

"Tch."

She stood up, pouring a sizeable amount of chakra into her right fist, pulled back and swung, which was unexpectedly blocked, causing her to overbalance to the left.

"Care to spar?"

Kakashi had been the intruder, she had been unable to sense his chakra as they had both hidden their sources before entering the village as a precaution. She flicked a glance to Pakkun who was on his back and snoring; some guard dog.

"Sure."

Nina straightened herself up and took a combative stance.

"None of that vicious strength of yours either, and I'll compromise and-"

"Fine no strength but no need to hold back on my part when it comes to your sharingan."

She wrapped her plait around itself a few times before coiling another band around it.

"As you wish."

Pakkun woke when Kakashi had used the trunk of the tree he had been laying under as a base to propel himself off into Nina's direction. Unsure when his master had made an appearance, his eyes locked on the pair of shinobi who were sparring in the last remaining minutes of cover. It was almost artful the way they exchanged blows, some landing and other glancing. They were predominately using Taijutsu however, Nina's hits weren't nearly as powerful as she was capable of and yet, Kakashi's left eye was open; his right was firmly closed. His master had the upper hand but only just, Nina was putting up a fair fight and they were almost on par with each other.

Any second now she would have an opening she just had to keep him in position until then. Trotting on a rock caused her foot to slide slightly, and his fist landed hard against her lip, breaking the skin. She wasted no time patting it briefly with the backside of her gloved hand, as the rays of sun peaked through the foliage around them. It would only give her a split second to make her attack but it was all she needed, she stepped back and lunged at him when the rays of sun hit his face, blinding him momentarily.

They were both panting hurriedly, drawing in the thick air, Nina was straddling Kakashi, pinning him in a hold similar to when she had healed his shoulder with a little added chakra strength.

"I thought I said none of that."

"Ninja."

She replied breathily, reaching up to pull her hair out of the bun that had all but fallen apart anyway.

The sunrays bounced off her skin that was a lather of dewy sweat and dirt, her plait hung down over the front of her left shoulder. His sharingan was absorbing all the intricate details of her form down to the most insignificant flexing of muscle.

"Kakashi, you're staring."

"You're bleeding."

"Huh, oh right."

After fumbling her fingers over her lips, he grabbed her hand to navigate her to the split. She made short work of healing it. The blood was still smeared across her mouth, which he thought may raise a few questions going back into the town centre. He ran his thumb across the smudge, and wiped it on her skirt. His kept his hand on her thigh, pulling down the band to cover his sharingan with his other hand.

When he opened his other eye, she was a remarkable sight. She had her eyes closed, taking in a full breath through her nose and the sunlight encircled her face.

"You two should make a move back, the village is starting to wake up."

No sooner Pakkun had given his warning and Nina was on the flat of her back in a fit of giggles but rubbing the back of her head.

"Ouch Kakashi."

"I didn't do anything."

"I told you I'm ticklish."

He retraced their steps before he had to brace himself from falling onto Nina's small body and realised he must have inadvertently clenched around her thigh causing her to buck backwards uncontrollably.

He reached to back of his head, and scratched it, sheepishly.

"Sorry about that."

He pushed himself back and pulled her up so she was sitting, he reached around to where she was still rubbing the back of her head.

"It's fine. I don't break that easily."

"I suppose you don't."

He was sporting his familiar crinkled-eye smile.

"Alright, when you're quite finished, we really need to make tracks."

"Okay Pakkun. Easy does it, Nina."

She was a little wobbly when standing up, so he gripped her hip and she his, following the pug back to their inn.

"I still won."

"Perhaps, but I still got Jiraiya's latest instalment before you."

"That was a technicality."

Nina read Icha Icha too?

"Pakkun if you tell anyone I will revoke all future tummy rubs and ear scratches."

Nina glared around the front of Kakashi at the pug. He simply scoffed.

Their bantering carried all the way back to the inn, Pakkun remained silent.