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 37

"Is that so, Gamakichi?"

"Yes sir!"

Well that information certainly was interesting, especially this early. It was best he probably kept such an update from Tsunade, as it could still go either way between the copy-nin and his little sunflower.

"Do you want me to do any more surveillance?"

"No that will be it for now, but I may send you back there tomorrow to see how things are progressing."

"No worries. I'll be heading back to Mount Myoboku."

They were on their third day in the village and had yet to come across anything suspicious eluding to current or recent rebellious activity. It was a peaceful village much like Konoha, minus the random downpours. Suddenly she noticed the absence of Kakashi from her side and she stopped and tried to look around to spot his tufts of unkept silver hair amongst the crowd. He was standing off to her left, flicking through the contents of a wicker basket at an artisan's stall.

Standing next to him she glanced to see what he was looking at.

"Such a pervert."

"Now that's not fair."

"Ladies in kimonos?"

"Yes, this man's artwork captures the detail quite beautifully. Much like Jiraiya's novels, don't you think?"

She edged into his side to have a closer look at the one he was holding, he was right, the drawing was quite exquisite and had captured all the finer details of the dress.

Tilting the card slightly in her direction so that she could gain a better view, he kept it there for a moment before returning it to the basket.

"We should get those outfits over to the children."

He stuffed one hand in his pants pocket and held her hand in the other, acknowledging the artist before joining the foot traffic.

"So, you don't read Icha Icha for the…"

"No, although that is against popular belief."

"I don't those people who pass such judgments have taken the time to read it. He is quite the skilled writer."

"Yes, he is. I assume that you don't read it for the erotic content?"

"Not particularly, it adds to it, but he captures details in words like very few other authors can or could."

"Mhmm."

"Have you ever tried out one of his scenes?"

She was asking about his sex life like she had asked about the weather, eerily calm.

"Perhaps."

"Why the secrecy all of a sudden?"

"Why the sudden interest in my sex life?"

Her fingers flexed in his, and there was a small pause in conversation.

It wasn't like her to pry into someone's personal life, but she'd yet to come across someone who had read Icha Icha, and she was curious if there was any truth to the scenes that Jiraiya described or if they were reserved for ink and paper.

"Not explicitly yours, more in a general sense."

What could he possibly tell her? Most of his experiences only served to alleviate his manly sexual needs, admittedly, he probably had found himself in several similar scenes to those the Toad Sage had described.

"Hmm…"

"Hmm what?"

"Tell me one of your personal favourite scenes and I'll tell you whether I have tried it out?"

Well she was asking him a rather private question, so she felt no harm in indulging his request.

"There's several differing versions of it throughout the series, so not one particular scene…"

"Miss Nina, you've arrived."

Mr Baku happily agreed to join them to deliver the newly made garments to the children and their caretakers, after she had insisted, on account he and his team deserved to see the delight on their faces. Kakashi took up a position behind Nina and Mr Baku, carrying a bag in each hand, and judging by the weight and quantity of bags they were each carrying, there had to be more than the twelve or so outfits that had originally been ordered.

His mind wandered to their conversation; it was a scene that had appeared throughout the series so that ruled out a few of the more explicit ones as they were usually one offs for each instalment. A prominent and reoccurring theme were bath houses, but she didn't seem the type to be into that sort of thing, nor did public scenes.

He hadn't forgotten his plan for taking her out for a date, but he was still deliberating on the details; the answer would definitely help.

"Kakashi?

"Hmm?"

"Are you coming in?"

"Ah, yes."

Kimi and Yuuma called out for the children, and there was a stampede of bodies hurtling towards them. Mr Baku calmly started unpacking the bags, revealing fourteen fabric drawstring bags.

"Mr Baku, this appears to be well more than we had ordered."

The old man smiled, graciously. Nina just shook her head knowing it would be very rude to reject the kind gesture. Marco tugged on her and she knelt, sitting beside the boy and amongst the other eleven children. Kakashi lent against the wall where Yuuma and Kimi had been standing.

One at a time Mr Baku called a child's name and they came to him, bowing and thanking the man, Kakashi and Nina. He wasn't particularly fond of children but Kakashi was a stickler for respect and every one of the children from the youngest to the eldest had it in spades; this was a great credit to their caretakers.

The children took care in opening their bags which contained two outfits for warmer weather, two outfits for cooler weather, an umbrella each and a pair of shoes.

"Mr Baku, you must have been up…"

"And it was worth every second to see their faces, Nina. How about you do the honours and take these to their caretakers."

"Of course. Thank you so very much Mr Baku."

Nina made her way over to Yuuma and Kimi and handed them both a bag each.

"Nina. Kakashi. This is…"

"Our pleasure."

Trembling as she loosened the drawstring of her bag, Kimi pulled out a new umbrella, four new aprons and two dresses.

"Mr Baku, I didn't give you Kimi's dress."

"No, but we know of her and were able to make her some new dresses."

Kimi burst into tears, falling to her knees clutching her new garments, giving her thanks in between the sobs. Yumma unwrapped his and was silent, bending down to console his wife. The children were busy pulling off their current clothes and dressing in the new ones with Mr Baku's and Nina's assistance.

Kakashi was able to stand back and observe, taking in the sheer happiness and pure appreciation of all fourteen residents of the orphanage. If this was their reaction for clothing, a full renovation of their building would certainly bring on a possible heart complication for Kimi.

"We will have their pyjamas and in addition their formal attire by this time tomorrow."

"Formal attire?"

Kimi and Yuuma echoed.

"Yes, it is the annual fireworks festival on Friday night and we feel that the children should have something to wear for the occasion and any future ones."

"Mr Baku, we… we. Thank you."

Nina joined Kakashi, instinctively gripping on his hand at the sight before them.

Naruto was known for his uncanny ability to make anyone who met him want to bet on him, with his talk no jutsu. Apparently, he wasn't the only one with such a quality, Nina certainly had changed the lives of these children and their caretakers; he was just a long for the ride.

"Kakashi, we should probably do a bit more recon."

"Mhmm."

After saying their farewells and organising for Mr Baku and his team to deliver the remaining items tomorrow, Kakashi and Nina set out into the town.

"Can you just imagine them tomorrow when Tenzo comes?"

"Yes. I will probably meet up with him later after he arrives to make a plan."

"Okay."

The streets were again filled with the local artisans, a great deal of them were artists and she recalled that she hadn't answered his question from earlier.

"Did you still want to know?"

"You'll have to be a bit more specific, Nina. Know what?"

"Did you still want to know my favourite scene in Icha Icha?"

"Yes actually."

"Well, it would seem it's the same as yours."

"Oh, so you have a thing for women?"

She squeezed his hand, causing a few knuckles to pop under the pressure.

"No. It's meticulous. I don't think Master Jiriaya goes to as much definition with any of the other outfits the women wear throughout the series. He must have spent a substantial amount of time researching."

They entered a café, and he motioned for her to take a seat first before sitting down across from her.

"No."

"Sorry?"

"The answer to your question, is no. As in, no I haven't tried any of those scenes before."

"Oh right. Any particular reason?"

Her curiosity was probably innocent enough.

"I seldom make an appearance for events in general, let alone ones that are so formal."

"Makes sense. I actually haven't worn one for a great number of years either."

She was reading the menu, as he cast his eyes over the top of the one, he was holding.

"Did you bring one for Friday night?"

"Even if I had I wouldn't be willing to let you act out-"

"Good afternoon, have you decided what you would like to order?"

"Green tea please."

"That'll be for two please."

The waitress returned to the kitchen.

"I figured I would just get one while I was here."

"They take a fair bit of preparation."

Luckily, she had time, it was only Tuesday after all, and the festival wasn't until Friday night, but she would maybe have to talk to Mr Baku about ordering something. Honestly, she hadn't worn one for so long she was a little unsure as to what she would even looking for, envying how easily the children had chosen their fabrics the other day.

"Leave it with me."

She had heard him but was still trying to process it.

"Leave you with what exactly?"

Casually he withdrew his copy of Icha Icha out of his pants and began reading.

"Your outfit. You'll just need to trust me, okay?"

"Um but Kakashi..."

"This isn't some false cover to live out some fantasy, Nina."

He was being genuine, even if he hadn't looked up from his book, his voice was smooth.

"One more thing."

"Uh, yes?"

He set his book down against the table and reached one hand across the table to hold her hands.

"Would you care to join me on a date tonight?"

"A date, but…"

"You're track record is appalling."

"Thanks."

There was something unnerving about this side of Kakashi, it wasn't pretentious, but Nina's stomach was a swirling swarm of butterflies. His callus fingertips grazed over the back of her knuckles, and it sent a shiver up her spine. This was just a mission, him taking her on a date was just a part of their cover, wasn't it? She drew in a long breath and exhaled.

"Okay. Any particular requirements?"

"Here you go, green tea for two."

Kakashi kept his grip on one of her hands and moved it to the side of the table so the waitress could set down the cups and pot between them. He waited until they were alone again, setting his book to the side.

"Whatever you're comfortable with and …"

"And?"

"Are you blushing Hatake?"

His visible cheek was a very pale shade of pink.

"Ah, perhaps a little. But I've become rather fond of your hair down."

"Oh."

She supposed it was a bit of rarity that she had it down, with hospital and missions it was more practical to have it restrained.

"I believe you're blushing, Nina."

"Drink your tea, pervert."

"I give you a compliment and you call me a pervert. You're a harsh woman, Nina."

"Fine. Thank you."

Clearly not one for compliments either; noted. He let go of her hand and picked up his book to keep reading.