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 86
Nina brainstormed over Kakashi's possible strategies and his extensive arsenal of known jutsu. He had the advantage when you compared that to her own skills. He was also, a masterful tactician and his sharingan gave him an insight into reading an opponent's movement sometimes before they'd weaved the first hand sign. Despite all this, Nina wasn't lacking confidence. She'd fought with and against him several times, along with enemies that surpassed Kakashi. She was aware he favoured keeping his distance at first to assess his opponent and then once he'd formulated a strategy he would attack. She'd seen this play out several times in battle and he's chosen camouflage was usually from underground. She just needed a means of countering that, or one upping it.
She cast her eyes on the field where Asuma and Guy were still sparring. Although, it was tame due to the limits, the younger generation were enthralled with the prowess being displayed by both shinobi. Guy's taijutsu wasn't only formidable but, near impossible to best. The use of opening the eight gates was a fete in itself, and even if he didn't unlock any of them, his sometimes ridiculous training, meant his wasn't susceptible to even the sharingan. On the other hand, Asuma held his own. There were very few that could match his skill as a wind user. He'd been a great source of information for Naruto when Kakashi had introduced him to his chakra affinity.
Tch. It was just a stupid bet.
"So, what's my punishment going to be?"
"Eh?"
Nina craned her neck around to see Jiraiya leaning against the tree she was sitting against; arms crossed.
"My punishment. I'm guilty too of making a bet concerning you and Kakashi on that mission."
He peered down to Nina, who was still maintaining her bravado but was fidgeting with her kunai pouch on her thigh again.
"It's different."
She'd mumbled mostly, but he'd caught it and he let out an obnoxious laugh.
"This I have to hear."
Nina tightened the strap, unlatched the pouch and inspected the kunai she had stashed in it.
"It just is. You didn't fuck me for a bet."
"Now, now Nina. That's a little dramatic don't you think?"
Jiraiya took a step back and waved his hands, palms facing out, back and forth in surrender. Nina's stare was a brazen death stare. However, he had one final question as he took his leave.
"Do you love him?"
"I… Jiraiya!"
Nina's kunai dug into the ground a few meters away but the Toad Sage had disappeared.
Asshole.
Of course she… she hung her head, her teeth grinding terribly against each other. No. He should never have made the bet in the first place or he could have fessed up at any point, like before they had … tch.
There was an almighty thump to the ground, sending debris whistling through the air due to the impact. She had to shield her eyes momentarily before the air cleared to reveal Asuma on the flat of his back in a sizeable crater and Guy standing over the top of him. Each of Asuma's blades stabbed into the dirt either side of him.
From the other side of the field, Shikaku walked over to the two shinobi and called the match. Two medic-nins followed in quick succession behind him to assess and treat Asuma. He was winded and a little banged up. Groggily and with a little support from the attending medics and Guy he limped off the field. The pair completed their match with the unison sign.
She didn't feel the same anger towards Asuma, Guy or even Genma, for that fact and it bothered her slightly. Master Jiraiya was right, she was being a tad overdramatic which, was definitely not her style. Regardless, she felt what she felt.
"The second match has ended. Guy is the winner. The third match will take place after a short interval and will resume in two hours."
Two hours? Grr. Ah well. Nina stood, brushing the dirt, grass and dust off, retrieved her kunai and wandered towards Ichiraku for a feed.
Kakashi observed Nina leaving and the direction she was heading in. It was best if he avoided any confrontation with the kunoichi. He had some strategizing to do and he'd not yet made his daily visit to the monument.
With one hand in his pocket and the other around the spine of a book, Kakashi set his mind to work. Nina didn't possess the vast array of jutsu but her punch alone, and if carefully aimed, was enough to knock him into next week. He also lacked the advantage of the unknown. She would be able to predict at least some, if not majority of his moves based on their comradeship in both Anbu and as standard shinobi. Complicating things was Nina's unhinged aggression. He was sure that she knew that at least some of what she was feeling was unreasonable however, it didn't mean that she was going to let it go before their match. This wasn't the standard skirmish, it was a grudge match. With terms fixed by a scorned woman; one who was entirely capable of delivering a killing blow. With certainty Nina had made the request for the limits to be lifted on their match, however, the need for them both to be verbally told of the one limit to abide to, led him to believe that sole limit had been given by the Fifth Hokage.
Perhaps, once Nina had been able to belt out her emotions against him, they could finally have their discussion?
What to do about the match, though? Nina would detect any hesitation on his behalf and only further infuriate her. Surrendering before the match even began, well that wasn't even a possibility and he quickly disposed of that thought. Which, ultimately left him with only one option; he'd have to give everything for his match against Nina.
He'd read it somewhere… what was that saying… all is fair in love and war. The words sparked an idea. A little unscrupulous however, such was the nature of this match.
He stared upwards at the sky and the passing clouds. A two hour interval before beginning and their chakra reserves and abilities; this match could potentially go late into the afternoon. Then again, Nina was being driven by closing that investigation so, would be undoubtedly concocting her own game plan during this time to ensure a quick victory.
"You haven't forgotten Lady Hokage's limit?"
The cogs in Nina's brain were whirring in overdrive, so much so she barely acknowledged Shikaku's words.
"No. But aside from that anything goes, right?"
"Good. And yes, anything."
It wasn't going to be an easy exercise, undeniably she'd have to dip into her chakra reserves to make it happen. She'd just have to be mindful during their match.
Evidently, by the Konoha rumour mill she could hear around her, the match was going to have a fair amount of spectators. May as well make it worth their while. There wasn't going to be time to take their proximity into consideration nor was it her responsibility. Her focus was solely on Kakashi Hatake. The match against Kakashi Hatake.
Damn Jiraiya asking that confounded question. Focus, Nina.
