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 107


Nina felt his thumb run along the bareness of her fingertips as Kakashi departed after being asked to wait outside.

Nina observed the room and its' occupants.

Ibiki stood to the side of Tsunade who was at her desk. Shizune was off to Nina's right. Her expression was a pained and sympathetic look and her eyes moved around uncontrollably. Uncomfortable. The Fifth Hokage was peering over clasped hands, elbows on her desk. Figures. Ibiki and his dead-pan expression, switched between having his arms at his side and crossed. Warranted.

Nina's eyes fell to the back of Kurenai's head. Her raven black hair caught between her body and the back of the chair. She couldn't see her face, however her body language provided enough insight. She was still quivering. Her shoulders drawing up and down in quick succession of her breaths. Her right arm lifting occasionally to undoubtedly dab at her ruby red eyes as the tears fell. And Nina could make out the faint sniffs and whimpers as she tried to contain her grief.

Meanwhile, Nina still felt…

Well, she felt Shikaku loosening her bindings from her wrists. He bundled the ties, her left hand closed around it and yet again her feet enacted on their own accord. She stepped forward, her right hand coming around to her front and she slid the wooden mask along the desk until it almost hit Lady Tsunade's elbows.

Withdrawing she was held in place by a now sobbing Kurenai. Nina didn't make any effort to look at her. What she heard was enough. She'd dealt with plenty of grief-stricken souls; this- she, was no different. The hand that anchored Nina in place released, allowing her the opportunity to fall back a few steps. She kept her arms at her sides and bowed her head. Waiting.


Angling her head in Ibiki's direction. The man gave her a nod of approval. Breathing in she slowly exhaled, dropping her hands to her desk and wrapping around the mask that had been presented.

"I trust you understand why you are here?"

"Yes Mellady."

Tsunade was looking at the crown of Nina's head. She gave a wave to Ibiki; approving his input.

"Nina Sarutobi, you are a long standing Anbu operative and up until today have been held in high regard. There are no excuses for your behaviour and decisions today. Exposing your identity to publicans, abandoning your assigned team and mission, injuring your own comrades and disobeying orders given by your captain are not small transgressions."


She could argue that she had attempted to affix her mask but had been interrupted when the two operatives turned up to restrain her. Notwithstanding Ibiki still had reasons. Nina noted how Ibiki's eyes closed and his arms folded over and under each other across his broad chest. He'd said his piece. Tsunade's turn.


"Additionally, you disobeyed the direct order from myself, your superior and the Fifth Hokage of the Leaf Village. You allowed your emotions to sway your judgement. What you did was pure selfishness. Regardless of the fact that our patient…"


Correction-victim. He's dead.


"…being Asuma Sarutobi. Your brother. Your negligence and insubordination meant that Asuma suffered unnecessarily in his final moments."

Tsunade dug her fingers under Nina's mask and handed it over to Ibiki.

"This is new ground. We are aware you are a retired Anbu operative however, given the severity of your contraventions today, you have left us with no other choice."

Nina didn't even so much as flinch.

"I, Tsunade, the Fifth Hokage hereby relinquish you, Nina Sarutobi, of all your rights as an Anbu operative, medical-ninja and jonin of Konoha. Until such time that you are brought before the leaders including the Village Elders, to answer for your misdemeanours. You are also barred from leaving the confines of the village walls. Am I understood?"

"Yes, Lady Tsunade."

Nothing. Not even so much as a mumbled curse. Her composure was eerie and unsettling.

"Let me make it very clear, Nina. This means you are to not step a foot in the hospital, including the clinic. Do not even contemplate any attempts to approach the interrogation unit. And under no circumstances are you to leave this village or I will have you imprisoned."

"Understood, Ma'am."

"One last thing." She gave her a moment but Nina remained in place. "Kurenai is taking care of the funeral arrangements. You are not to interfere unless your assistance is requested."

"I understand. I have one request, if I may Kurenai?"

Tsunade's eyes met the swollen ones of Kurenai, who gave her a minor nod.

"Go ahead. What is your request?"

"I would like to bestow his sash to their child."

Tsunade wasn't prepared for the reaction as Kurenai flung the chair out from behind her and strode over to Nina, grasping both of her hands in her own.


Nina didn't reciprocate the squeeze she'd received and kept her head bowed awaiting a response from her superior.

"I don't blame you."

It was only but a whisper and she was sure no one else had been able to hear. Her mind flashed his face; those last slow dying seconds. Followed by a timeline of the moments leading up until the point; fast tracked.

Nina withdrew her hands back to her thighs and shook her head from side to side.

"Shinobi Rule 24: Forgiveness is a luxury."

That, she knew everyone in the room had heard.

She could tell Kurenai assumed her seat in the chair opposite Lady Tsunade as she heard the air escaping from the seats' padding as she did so.


"Well Kurenai, do you have any objections?"

"No. It's an honour and Asuma would want it that way."

Tsunade observed how the woman tenderly caressed her bump.

"Right. Shizune see that the sash is recovered and made available to Nina once the arrangements have been finalised."

"Yes, Mellady."

Sure, now she was spouting shinobi rules. Ironic really. If she had just abided to them this morning none of this would have had to happen. Tch. That wasn't entirely true. Although Nina would not be in the position she was in; Asuma's death would have happened, regardless.

"Okay. Ibiki anything you wish to add?"

"No, Ma'am."

"Nina, anything you wish to say?"

"No, Mellady."

Tsunade gestured for Shikaku to open the door.

"You're all dismissed. Shikaku send Kakashi Hatake in."

She kept a careful eye on Nina as she remained with her head down, turning and then leaving the room as instructed. What to do about that girl?

"Do you need me?"

"No Ibiki."


Kakashi tried to keep his coolness when he's ears pricked at the sound of the door unlocking and opening. He'd had nothing other than his own thoughts to occupy himself until that door opened. Not even an Icha Icha novel.

Kurenai walked passed with Shizune and then the one who'd been at the forefront of his mind came into view.

He'd seen that face. Although, not since what felt like a lifetime ago.

The mask that she had been bestowed on that day in his memory was nowhere to be seen. This was the first time since his return that he was able to have a decent glimpse of Nina. It only acted to further confirm his assumption of her chosen reaction.

Shinobi Rule 15: Only through experiencing the confrontation of danger, the transcendence of fear or injury or death can you acknowledge individual personal powers and limitations.

He knew Asuma had died. His body was on the table in the room that he'd been asked to retrieve her from. Other than the extensive damage her punch had caused on the wall of that room, there was nothing else that indicated an outward retaliation from Nina. Considering the circumstances …

"Nina…"

She said nothing. Only held her hand out to the side and dropped what she had been holding. He hurried to hold his hand out to catch. Slowly he opened his hand, it was the wire he'd used to restrain her. As Kakashi lifted his eyes Nina was already in motion again. He desperately wanted to stop her …

"Kakashi. The Fifth will see you now."

It wasn't often that Kakashi hesitated. Sure, he'd been late; often time had gotten away from him whilst his conferred with the ghosts of his past.

"Hatake, don't make me come and get you. I've had my fill of disobedience today."

He sighed, jammed his hands in his pockets and entered the room from where Tsunade was calling him.


"Shikaku, you can leave. Be sure to inform Shikamaru he can take all the time he needs."

"Understood."

The door clicked shut. She hung her head out the window, looking left and then to her right.

"You, in."

"Oh I love it when you're so direct."