Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto or any of its characters. They belong to Masashi Kishimoto. This story is purely a work of fanfiction.

Nina- is my original character (I do own her)


Chapter 82


After several brutal hours of training medics in the method they would use for any future casualties, Nina was exhausted mentally and physically. However, she was also satisfied that the select few she had manage to wrangle together were proficient enough should another case occur.

Ambling back home, she contemplated a quick pit stop into Ichiraku for an easy solution for dinner. From the shadows a rather oversized animal fell in step at her side. She reached down and gave the bulldog a scratch behind his ear.

"Evening Bull."

"Nina. He could be late, looked like he was getting ready for Anbu."

"I see. Fancy anything in particular for dinner?"

"A steak."

"Don't want much do you? I'll get you a steak on the condition you at least try and not drool so much. Deal?"

"Yeah, yeah. I've been warned."

"So?"

"Deal."

Ichiraku wasn't the place to serve rare steak nor the portion size appropriate for a dog of Bull's size. She would need to go to the local grocers and pick up his request and a few extra things to put together a serving of friend rice for herself.


Nina accompanied by one of Kakashi's ninken wouldn't be peculiar had she been in Anbu or shinobi kit. It was possible that she tending to him in lieu of a vet however, there were no obvious injuries on the bulldog. So, that posed the question as to why was Jiraiya observing it? Tsunade had mentioned a rift between Kakashi and his sunflower, but the sight before him gave little indication of such a thing.

"Pervy sage!"

Dammit!

Jiraiya slapped his hand across his student's mouth and ducked out of Nina's line of sight.


She'd sworn she heard Naruto's voice calling him. When she glanced over to Ichiraku, upon exiting the grocers, she only saw Naruto perched on one of the stools along the bar.

Nina carried on in the direction of her apartment. Probably just Naruto retelling some story from his many ventures with Master Jiraiya. Which reminded Nina she should make time tonight to read his latest manuscript. Like Kakashi, she'd never taken this long to finish reading one of his instalments. In fairness, she had been busy and well, distracted. Bull had mentioned that Kakashi was on an Anbu mission, so he may not even turn up tonight. Given the current state of affairs with that investigation, she assumed Kakashi had been assigned to one of the squads to guard those with the primary chakra affinity of wind.

Biting on her bottom lip, doubt set it yet again. Little was known about the poison and although, the victims had all the same primary chakra it was entirely plausible, that someone who could also use the wind chakra was at risk. Someone like…

"Nina, isn't this your apartment?"

Nina halted, scanning her surroundings to realise she had gone a few steps passed her apartment whilst lost in thought.

"Oh, um. Yes. Sorry."


Asshole. He was definitely lying. He'd never part with his ninken like that.

Genma retreated from the alleyway he was lurking in back to Shizune's apartment. He'd confront the copy-nin tomorrow about his deceit for now, he needed some good loving.


"What was the big idea, Pervy-sage?"

Content that he's cover hadn't been blown, Jiraiya took up the stool next to the blonde-hair teen.

"So, I hear that you and Hinata…"

"Yeah, she's amazing! Little shy but, I really… oh and do you know about Sasuke and Sakura?"

It would appear that there was ample blossoming relationships within the Leaf Village.


"Shikaku, is training grounds 5 available tomorrow?"

"It should be. Why's that Mellady?"

"This storm is going to wash out the stadium. We need a more suitable grounds."

"I would think five or even the third would be the …"

"Third it is. Make the arrangements and ensure those involved are notified."

"Yes Mellady. Anything else?"

"All the restraints are fitted?"

"Yes."

"And the training of the medics?"

"Nina completed that with a select few."

"Good."

"Anything else Lady Tsunade?"

"Genma hasn't had…"

"Nina is completing that in the morning. Something about his hip."

"Right. Yes. That's fine. Thank you Shikaku. That'll be all."

"Night Mellady."

Tsunade kept her eyes fixed on the night sky that was already beginning to light up with flashed of lightening. At least she wouldn't have to be alone tonight.