A/N: Thanks for hanging out for an update.. littlest one got super sick but hopefully she's on the mend. Here's a 2800... almost 2900 word chapter for your patience. Thanks Cathy for the reviews- always look forward to reading what you think :) Happy reading x

Chapter 38

"Got time for a medical clearance?"

"No sorry, just finished my shift. There may be an appointment available if you just check…"

"Never mind. I should have known better than to ask you."

Nina didn't care for Anko and whatever bullshit she was hung up on presently. She kicked out the chair opposite to where she sat giving her something to elevate her feet on.

"You haven't detected any strange chakra lately?"

"No. The only strange thing is that you're asking about it same as that old coot Jiraiya."

"Master Jiraiya asked about it? When?"

"Dunno. Few days ago. Asked about Orochimaru too. Like I'd be that stupid, but you might be."

Interesting. Master Jiraiya hadn't mentioned anything earlier. Then again maybe …

"Hatake. Hey, you snooze, you lose."

"What poor soul have you captured in your lair this time Anko?"

"Raido. Speaking of, I'm out of here since she is as useless as ever."

Kakashi angled his back against the wall, giving her right of passage out of the door that led into the jonin lounge.

Re-entering fully, he observed Nina seemingly at home reading; her medic jacket hanging over the back of her chair, her legs with bare feet crossed at the ankles perched on the chair opposite her and her shoes tucked under her chair.

"Staring Hatake."

"Admiring Sarutobi. Although, I'm not sure I should be after falling prey to that last trick of yours."

With one hand on the back of the basically free chair, he waited expectantly for Nina to move her legs, however all he got was a glare from over the top of the book she was so enthralled in. Sighing in resignation, he picked up her legs and laid them over one of his thighs.

"That trick is usually reserved for perverts."

"I'm not the one reading erotica in the lunch room."

"No and neither am I."

Leaning forward and pushing an index finger downwards into the internal spine of the book, Kakashi inspected its contents, doubting Nina's claim. She huffed at the interruption and flicked the book around to reveal she was truly reading a medical centric book and not Icha Icha in disguise.

The effort on his part was minimal, sweeping his digits around her ankle bone mindlessly whilst he was reading an Icha Icha novel of his own that he'd pulled from his pocket. At least in this circumstance Nina was like other women. Any tension she harboured began dissolving with each encirclement.

"Nmm. Kakashi…"

Familiar voices floated from down the hallway; two very distinctive voices.

Nina's legs stiffened and he latched onto both of her ankles with one hand, keeping them on his thigh.

She tried a second time to pull her feet back from where they rested knowing they were about to be joined by Genma and Guy in a matter of seconds. However, Kakashi's grip didn't lessen and she could have sworn he was smiling under the cover of that damned mask of his.

"People won't notice anything they aren't looking for."

"I don't know about you but I've combatted questions all day."

"Heh." Lady Tsunade had been more than ample and yet he kept her in place, returning to his book. "Don't look so worried."

Worried? How could someone not notice where her legs were? Did he want to get caught? Nina did her best to shoot him a look daring to ask what the hell he was playing at, but Kakashi's eye was tracking the words across the page, pausing briefly as a page would furl over.

Asshole. He was definitely smiling, or smirking. Given away by the obvious pull of the material that covered half of his face.

Kakashi considered Nina's visible discomfort a minor success in retaliation for her trick, no matter her intentions. He'd taken the necessary steps knowing they were in a room frequented by those whom were well trained in making observations. Particularly, when he and Nina were already a hot topic for the gossip mill. The placement of her feet was purposeful. He'd chosen his thigh that was closest to the wall, making it harder to spot and less obvious than had it been the outer leg. Also, the book in his hand wasn't just for his own enjoyment. He'd learned a long time ago that people would assume he was too busy reading to be aware of his surroundings, therefore they paid him little to no attention. Which was a very good thing for moments like this, giving him the ability to indulge in whatever he wished to under the table.

"I'm telling you I think Shikamaru is lying."

"You need to have more faith in the power of youth. Asuma and Kakashi were comrades after all."

Her heels dug into the muscles of his thigh and he took the opportunity to smooth over the top of her foot, up and over, assigning a finger to each one of her toes, and retraced the path back to circling her ankle bone. Nina had said her brother's name a few times but he knew it was sometimes harder to hear rather than say such things.

Three, two, one…

"Kakashi, my eternal rival!"

He threw a hand up with a crinkled-eyed smile and unsurprisingly Nina hadn't fled.

"So, you're coming tomorrow night?"

"If you're referring to Shikamaru's invitation, then yes."

"Well, I'll be. Actually no. Trust you to readily agree to something as morbid as celebrating birthday for the dead."

Good grief. Genma really had no tact.

"I'm starving. Where are the cookies?"

"Kurenai used to make them."

It'd been a wise choice to follow Kakashi's lead. He gave no indication of concern before Guy and Genma had come into the room and she decided that it was for the best that she played along.

Nina looked up to watch a disgruntled Genma flop back into the three seater lounge. Would he be able to see under the table from that angle? Possibly.

"Aw man. That sucks. What am I supposed to eat?"

But then again, he was apparently more interested in filling the void in his stomach than noticing where Kakashi's other hand was.

Accidentally or deliberately, Nina wasn't entirely sure, either way Kakashi's hand drove up her calf when Guy slapped his shoulder blade and hooked one hand around his neck.

"Karaoke challenge then?"

Nina swallowed the hum of pleasure and sensing his eye on her, she flicked hers up to confirm her suspicions. She was met, albeit briefly, by his one onyx coloured eye cloaked in a charming lust that induced a wave of heat to both her cheeks and to …

"Hmm?"

The question was meant for two parties. Guy and to herself. Kakashi's hand that sailed over and around her calf with suggestive additions of compression made the words on the page go hazy.

She gave massages. There wasn't even one time she'd been the receiver. Did Kakashi know that about her?

One thing she did know, was her distaste or rather the unfamiliarity of lacking self-control.

Well-timed. Well-placed. Every rugged pull of his gloves and toughened skin against the sleekness of her own skin, called forth a newly discovered part of her.

"You two singing would be enough to raise the dead."

Genma whined as he clanked and thudded in the cupboards searching for something that resembled food.

"So, how about it Kakashi? Up for a little challenge?"

"Does it have to be karaoke?"

"What else do you suggest?"

Withdrawing his hand from her leg, he rubbed his index finger across his chin. "Hmm. Let's just see when we get there, shall we?"

The hitch of her breath resulting from the retraction of his touch had been louder than she expected, but was quickly hushed out by Kakashi's reply to Guy.

In much the same manner that Genma's stomach was hungering for food, Nina found herself desirous of something she'd somehow forsaken without second thought for far too long.

It had perplexed her how impassioned their bonds had become. Where did the fault lie with her previous attempts at companionship? Them or her? Maybe a combination? Maybe it was as that saying went about all roads lead to Rome and Kakashi was her Rome?

Kakashi could have anyone. Anyone that wasn't her. Yet, he had, for the time being chosen her. He'd made mention there hadn't been anyone serious or long term in his past relationships and that he didn't love anyone, including Rin.

Not that they were anything close to long term it was beyond any reasonable doubt that Nina had reached far beyond the walls he had built to keep just about everyone else out. As for love, the words had caught in her throat and she'd chosen silence instead.

"How about it Nina?"

"Huh?"

At some point Nina's internal monologue had detached her from reality and all three jonin were staring at her.

"Oh my poor Nina. She's probably too upset to talk about such things."

Too emotional. Seeing them side by side there was definitely a decisive frontrunner and a part of her regretted not ridding herself of her past dealings with Konoha's Green Beast.

"I'm fine Guy. I just didn't hear the question, sorry."

Nina shook her head watching Guy use his sleeve to wipe away the snot and tears.

"I'm so glad it was just a misunderstanding."

"Not the first time."

Bastard! It was an almost inaudible but Nina both heard and understood the undertones of what Kakashi had just mumbled. She scooted her foot along the inner part of his thigh until the underside of said foot was in place and willing to prove that she was just as undeterred by their audience as he was.

"What did you want to ask me Guy?"

He should have seen it coming but he hadn't expected her to hear, let alone react, given she'd been absorbed in another world. Clearing his throat Kakashi rose to his feet, discreetly setting Nina's feet back onto the chair where they had been originally. He had some friends to catch up with.

"Tomorrow night Shikamaru has asked us to join him to celebrate Asuma's birthday."

"Oh."

"Ayame is working but there's no reason you couldn't come along."

"I wouldn't bother asking Nina. From what I hear she'll be too busy checking out the unsuspecting guests."

This was the first he was hearing of it so, he slowed his movements down considerably.

By all observations there was nothing strange between Sarutobi and the copy-nin. Not that either of them were one to give much away freely. Rolling the senbon to the other side of his mouth using his tongue Genma realised that in itself was the oddity. There was no more moping from Kakashi and Nina wasn't blasting him over the public announcement of plans relating to dating.

"Ouch Nina!"

Well that theory certainly went out the window when Nina's fist clanged into the top of his head.

"You deserve more than that, you know? Should I remind you of the consequences the last time you chose to interfere with my life?"

"Nope. No. My memory is very much intact regarding that matter."

So, he wasn't as dumb after all?

He valued his hip being in the right place. He'd hardly had any time with Shizune and when their schedules did coincide she had often been too tired and burnt out from shifts at the hospital to engage in any bedroom antics. With Nina back at the clinic they would finally be able to make up for lost time and no way was he going to jeopardise his lifeline when it came to his problematic hip.

Genma figured it was in his best interests to leave whatever they had planned well alone.

"Where's Hatake?"

"He left. There is no time like the present to train."

"Train for what?"

"For whatever challenges lay ahead of us tomorrow night."

Shuddering and groaning at the mental image of two grown men singing bad renditions of k-pop karaoke, Genma started to filter through the venues that didn't have a machine.

"I must prepare too!"

Admittedly, Nina found a small amount of humour seeing Genma be dragged out of the jonin lounge by Guy. Thank you Karma.

It'd been a normal shift, eight hours, however Nina felt sapped of energy. Scuffing her shoes against the wood grained floor boards she headed home to grab a few things knowing she'd agreed to stay at Kakashi's place again tonight.

Recollecting himself back in the clinic he had guessed Nina had held back on giving him more than just the relief of a pinched nerve. He'd pulled himself together but foolishly allowed his feet to be led by something other than his head or heart. His behaviour was uncharacteristic and in his mind sounded Asuma's poignant remark regarding his sister.

She's a lot of work.

And by all the Kages Nina was just that. Hell, they both were. Although there was sure to be further hurdles and bends within their future, they'd began levelling out as they explored their possible new normal. He'd never envisioned Nina was quite so open and capable of holding her own in this light, after hearing of her hapless dealings with relationships; if you could call them that. The night of the rigged birthday kiss was the first and up close glimpse of this hidden side to Nina.

In Anbu, you donned a mask and became whatever you needed to be to secure a missions' success. Putting it that way and taking into account the snippets of her life she'd shared, there wasn't anyone he knew and that she would know too, who would be able to breakthrough and deal with all that made Nina who she was. Except him.

Standing in front of the monument stone he was faced with another mistake he'd made. He never did have that conversation with Asuma and was now left with an engraved name on a rock that couldn't talk back. He'd seen something; surely. His IQ level may not have matched that of his student Shikamaru's however, Asuma Sarutobi hadn't made that bet solely on an impulse.

Kakashi had found himself entangled with the opposite sex for nothing more than a fleeting primal need. The women on the other hand their reasons ranged from the same as his to a rebound fuck, and everything in between. None of which he paid any mind to. The times he'd extended his efforts for a getaway were because he needed a break from the village and there was certainty there were no expectations of him from her other than a casual getaway hook up.

Unpremeditated-yes. Casual- no.

For the first time in for as long as he could remember, he genuinely cared for Nina and not just select parts but all of her and because he wanted to and not out of duty.

It was madness and maddening at the same time. After everything, all the loss and death that seemed to follow in his wake, it didn't feel real. But it was. Someone as fragmented as he viewed and knew himself to be, had given peace to another. Kakashi just being was suffice enough to alleviate and grant Nina a sound sleep. That simple act…simple.

Kakashi recalled the night before Asuma's death, where they were on watch guard over his own student and Sensei's son, Naruto. He'd observed the simplicity between him and Hinata sharing a cup of instant ramen.

There was something else though, niggling in the back of his mind; as it has always done.

Fear.

What if he lost her? What if she lost him? The latter he couldn't answer, but as for his own it'd had him at a mental junction. An impasse.

Too fast, too much, too soon, too broken, too wrong and too shinobi. They were institutionalised to the ninja world. It was possible that whatever they had could disintegrate under the duress of their roles as shinobi.

So many times they could have walked away and gone about their lives, separately, but they didn't.

He gruffly wrangled his mask to his chin inhaling the cooler late afternoon bordering early evening air. Knowing he should be getting back he tugged his mask back up and pivoted on the balls of his feet.

One for rationale, Kakashi was inclined to believe it was a happenstance where he'd misjudged a stone under foot but there was always that chance that what happened had been a sign from those who never talked back. He had been rooted in displacement having not worked out a solution to his junction, when the sensation of a weight hitting square on his shoulder blades propelled him forward. Home. Home to where Nina would meet him or already be waiting for him. Where they would have dinner together, followed by a shower together. Then they would go to bed together, fall asleep together and eventually wake up together.

There may be a small disruption to the sleep component of that equation but be that as it may, that too would be together.