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 93
And so the pair sat like that for a solid three hours before Kakashi couldn't ignore the huffs and puffs of Nina's despair and frustration. He peered over the top of his book and saw Nina left thumb on her temple and her middle and index fingers scratching across her forehead. The paperwork was sprawled across the table, in an order that would make sense to Nina and probably very few others barring tactically minded shinobi; like himself.
Libraries were predominately silent, hence Kakashi had hidden himself away on a number of occasions within the four walls of the building. Nina's expressions were causing the few others around them to glare and mutter under their breaths in detest.
"Food."
"No thanks."
She didn't even look up.
"It wasn't a question, as he stood sliding his novel into his back hip pouch and made his way around the table.
"Kakashi."
She attempted to bat him away as he attempted to affix the sling back on.
"Nina."
He nimbly slid it on and starting pressing the velcro pieces together. "I'm not hungry."
"You say that but-"
And cutting him short, Nina's stomach growled an angry, empty protest.
"This is more important. I have to-"
Nina clumsily grasped at the paperwork that Kakashi was bundling up, including rolling up the cardboard map. "Stop."
He kept cleaning up, held out the cardboard he'd rolled, which Nina reluctantly accepted and he started towards the exit.
Nina stood there, hoping. Hoping he would turn around and return with her paperwork but, he didn't. He was now out of sight. Gritting her teeth, she seethed as she was again reminded her of her injured hand. What was his deal? He'd mentioned something about a mission earlier. Surely Ibiki or the Fifth hadn't mistrusted her judgment so much that she would appoint him to babysit her? It was probably just a lie. However, Kakashi didn't lie. Although, he'd been known to sweet talk some of the other shinobi, particularly Yamato, in order to slip out of paying for a meal.
Before she had realised Nina was at the entry of the library.
"Took your time."
"You gave me little choice."
"Like I said earlier, mission."
"Hmpf."
"You trust me that little?"
Nina wanted to believe she'd stumbled because of a small ragged pebble getting under her foot and unbalancing her, truthfully, his words tripped her up. Adding to her embarrassment, she would have toppled ungracefully to the ground had his taller body not come to her side at the precise time.
She looked up, expecting to see him looking down, instead he was looking ahead. She righted herself and stewed on her reply for a bit longer. Trust. Did she trust him a little, as she had always, more or given the turn of events not at all? Try as she might she couldn't bring herself to say anything. So, they walked in silence.
Concealed amongst the towering shelves of books, the usually boisterous Toad Sage had been observing the shinobi. While Jiraiya may have taken his leave after bidding Tsunade one last farewell, he couldn't shake the need to check in on Nina. Especially, after hearing she'd been involved in an incident that was particularly out of character for her. To his pleasant surprise he'd found her in the company of Kakashi and for all of his powers of observations their body language was completely subdued to what it had been the day before. Perhaps, his little sunflower had taken his words on board? No. That wasn't it, she was focussed on the heap of paperwork and… what was that? He managed to slink closer for a better look. A map of the village. She was working on the investigation. His eyes cast to Kakashi, who was immersed in reading and detached from Nina's activity. Clearly, they weren't there to work on the same things. Maybe it'd just been a happy coincidence?
Jiraiya noticed Kakashi's subtle flickers of his exposed eye in Nina's direction but Nina didn't show the same. Instead, she grew ever more frustrated with her task and her brow furrowed, revealing deep lines. Another outburst was bound to…
Well, that was certainly an interesting turn of events. Not only had Kakashi defused the situation before Nina blew a fuse in the midst of the cathedral quiet library but she had, albeit reluctantly, adhered to his motion for her to cease work and seek food.
He'd seen that behaviour time and time again with none other than his own romantic interest. His assumption of misdirected feelings had been right on the mark however, Kakashi still needed to tread carefully. Nina was still susceptible and very likely to lash out. Putting a guy through multiple walls was more Tsunade's style.
On the other hand there was Kakashi. And even from this small insight he was still holding onto something that not only Jiraiya, but many others, had thought him incapable of; hope.
Jiraiya knew Nina well, but she was a woman; therefore she was unpredictable. Watching wasn't going to change the outcome and he ought to take his own advice that he'd given Tsunade and leave them be. He had research to tend to. Tsunade had more than accommodated him but for a number of reasons, he'd decided to keep the bet collection for two weeks. A lot could and would happen in that time.
