A/N: Thank you all for your patience. After that push to revamp HHITR Chapters 71 & 72 (if you haven't already I totally recommend going to check them out- the lemons got some LOVE) ... my poor brain was all fizzled.

But I am back at the sequel. I will also be going through and adding all the chapter names. This will match in with wattpad (amazing platform if you haven't used it before- it's worth checking out. Because I can actually have the artwork in the work rather than a link and it also gives you updates when I make changes to any chapters and announcements as well). But for those who are happy here I'm not going anywhere and will continue to post here too.

Cathy, I love your reviews lovely! They honestly give me the drive to keep going & to know what I'm writing people like yourself are connecting with :D Makes my heart warm 3 Thank you.

Enough waffling from me, happy reading x

~Chapter 42: In My Spot~

The morning had been a mixed bag of events- waking up with Kakashi and his ninken, visiting Asuma to talk to the dead, and then to the clinic, where she'd been rushed off her feet with all the last minute medicals because of the Chunin Exams. All of which were additional, meaning Ayame was responsible for slotting them in between bookings. Thankfully the experience she had gained whilst working for her father at Ichiraku was paying off.

They were managing to stay on schedule, but it hadn't escaped Nina's attention that Sakura was off kilter today. The pink haired kunoichi was a blank slate with a pretentious smile. She was carrying out all her duties as required, but was lacking her usual warmth. It was safe to assume that something had happened between her and Sasuke. Sure, she had enough sense to maintain her professional composure; admirable. And whether on a need, zing of curiosity or just that Nina was letting her emotions influence her decision making, she was inclined to ask the girl what was going on.

Later.

Nina handed over the file of her last patient to Ayame and glanced at the clock. 11:30am.

"Is that it?"

"Uh…" Ayame ran her finger down the bookings. "Yes Ma'am. Next one isn't until 12.45pm. You look exhausted, maybe you should go and …"

The two broke out into laughter as Nina's mouth stretched wide, so much that it made her eyes water. When a consecutive yawn followed shortly after, it ruined any chance to deny her fatigue.

"Yeah. Thanks. I'll be in the Jonin Lounge-"

"Nina, I have a delivery for you."

"Huh?"

Nina whirled around to find Ino at the reception desk holding a single pink lily.

Kakashi.

She opted to play the clueless card, even though she knew very well who the sender was.

"Ino. Who sent it?"

"A random came into the shop today. Think he said his name was Sukea. Anyway, this is for you."

Sukea? Nina had heard the name spoken in whispers, but her mind failed to form a clear image. Maybe he'd paid someone?

Whoops. The two ladies were intently staring at her with anticipative expressions.

"Never heard of him. But thanks."

"Come on spill it!"

Nina brought the delicate flower to her nose and inhaled; the perfume was intoxicating. "Nothing to spill, girls. Honest."

Ino crossed her arms across her chest and scoffed. "I don't believe you."

"Believe what you want or don't; your choice. Thank you but I really do …" Nina covered her mouth as another yawn broke out.

"Go."

"Come and get me if anything comes up."

"Sure, now go."

Without a doubt this was about to hit Konoha's rumour mill thick and fast.

It had been a turbulent two weeks, well… longer but who was counting? Broken sleep and not being well, however Nina figured she should have been fully recovered by now. That being said, the quality of her sleep these past two nights was most assuredly better that what she'd been having. It was also possible she was running with a deficit in a vitamin or her iron. Commonplace as a shinobi. There were times on missions that eating was the lowest priority and given some missions could last weeks, sometimes months, the body often took a hit. Hence the need for medical clearances before and after missions. Heh.

Not that she had been fuelling her body with sustenance; last night she hadn't even eaten. Lucky ninken. Also, she hadn't gotten around to asking Lady Tsunade for the results from the bloods which Kabuto had extracted from her.

Add that to the never ending list of things she needed to follow up.

Ah well, at the very least she had a good hour before her next patient and considering the village was a hive of activity with the upcoming exams the Jonin Lounge should be empty, as should the three-seater…

"Yo. Secret admirer?"

Of all the people and out of the seating options. Kakashi Hatake was lazing out from one end to the other of the spot she'd hoped to retreat to.

"Apparently. Quite the talented one to know this is my favourite flower."

She turned the tap to fill a glass and popped the pretty token of affection in; setting it to the back corner of the sink so that it wouldn't be knocked over in exuberance by the likes of Genma or Guy.

"Anyone I know?"

"Jealous Hatake?"

"No. Curious."

"I thought you were more of a dog person?"

Standing with hands on hips, tapping one foot she stood at Kakashi's side.

Feisty. And he couldn't help but wonder if he should take the door of opportunity to twist her words.

Peering up from his book he noted Nina's appearance; she hadn't looked like that when she left his apartment this morning.

"Problem?"

"You're in my spot."

She empathised with Bull, and like the oversized canine took it upon herself to make amends of the situation. Nina grabbed a cushion off one of the single lounges and scuffled her way up between Kakashi and the back of the lounge.

"Like that is it?"

Kakashi rearranged, given little choice in the matter, and was now sitting up, holding his arms up and backwards while Nina took up her spot.

"Yep."

Nina plumped the fluff of the cushion before laying it and her head down onto his lap; belly down.

"Wake me up in an hour. Need to be back at the clinic by 12.45pm."

"Nina…"

"Shhh, sleeping."

Troublesome woman.

This was certainly a predicament. Shit. How did she think they were going to be able to explain this? He would have relocated to one of the other lounges but Kakashi could already make out the shift of weight as her body relaxed and succumbed to sleep. Without moving he had to rely on body language and so, stuffed one hand in his pocket and the other held his book to read.

Kakashi's hand jostled the cushion displacing her. Nina wriggled finding comfort on her stomach with one hand on top of the cushion and the other that happened to be closest to Kakashi, searched for his hand under the cushion. Finding it, she thread her fingers in between his and he gave her a gentle squeeze.

"How much did you pay Sukea?"

"Not a Ryo."

"Favour?"

"Henge."

Nina wondered if she'd ever seen Sukea, but given her memory was still coming up with nothing it wasn't likely. She wondered what he did look like; maybe she could ask Ino?

"Clever."

"Ninja. Get some sleep."

Nina rolled her head to face Kakashi's torso. Home. His scent that was thickly imbued into his flak jacket, the excess rolls that were millimetres from her nose, lulled her into slumber.

"Nina are…"

Shizune slapped her hands across her mouth having caught up with what her eyes were seeing; a sleeping Nina.

"Oh, um…"

"Hnn?"

"Sorry. Ayame said Nina was down here and I just wanted… hang on." Shizune's brain finally processed what she was looking at properly. A sleeping Nina on Kakashi's lap. "Explain?"

He flashed Shizune a crinkled-eyed smile. "Apparently, I was in her spot."

"And you didn't move?"

He shrugged his shoulders; mindful that he was still connected to Nina. "I was here first."

Childish. Nina deserved better, or at least someone not so juvenile. Shizune almost felt guilty for considering these two may have had any potential. They were both stubborn willed, and with a little more reflection she could very well see Nina fighting for her spot.

And when was the last time…? No. When had she ever known Nina in this position?

Her friend would have sooner gone without sleep than do that.

She spied the single pink lily on the kitchenette bench that Ayame had been gushing about. Then again, there was apparently someone else on the scene.

"I'll um… I should go. Can you let Nina know we are getting ready at my place at about 530?"

"Sure."

"Thanks."

Shizune peeped her head back around the door frame of the lounge as she exited. Shame. Seeing them there, like that, made her really wonder what had happened in Amegakure. It wasn't out of the question that it could have been a case of self-sabotage. Nina… and Kakashi were both well-known for their undying loyalty to being a shinobi.

If nothing else, she should be happy that Nina and Kakashi had the friendship or comradery that allowed whatever that was to play out.

"So it's true!"

Her forehead wrinkled and in a bid to quell her upset, Kakashi's thumb glided over the hills and dips of her knuckles under the cover of her body and cushion.

"Oh, is she asleep?"

He nodded in reply to Genma's still far too loud question.

"Guess we'll have to find you some skirt tonight then."

Ugh. He wasn't doing himself any favours.

"That blondie might be out."

"No thanks."

"Well you can't rely on Anko; she's Raido's."

Shit.

With such a ruckus Nina figured Kakashi may have been attempting to wake her up, but there was another voice. All she could see was a blur of green and silver as she groggily came to and the firm grasp of Kakashi's hand. He slowly released her hand as she sat herself up and rubbing her knuckles into her eyes.

"Wake up call?"

"No, it's only 12.15pm."

Thirty minutes. No wonder she felt like everything was out of focus.

"Sleepyhead! Who's the lucky guy?"

"Hi Genma."

News certainly travelled fast, but then they were talking about Ino Yamanaka, who was the gossip Queen.

"No idea."

"I heard it was a guy called Sukea."

Really fast.

"Something like that."

"Wonder if he'd approve of you cat napping on Hatake's lap like you were?"

Clapping his book shut and pocketing it as he stood, he paused remembering he had to pass on a message.

"Nina."

"Huh?"

"Shizune said to meet at her place at 530 to get ready."

"She was here?"

"Yeah."

"Sour Hatake? That's three for three. Ayame, Anko and …"

The copy-nin was gone.

Losing his touch.

"Don't you know you shouldn't wake a sleeping lady, Genma?"

"Yes. Good thing you're not a lady then, huh?"

"You seem to have forgotten your manners for your comrades. Perhaps I need to remind you like I reminded Raido?"

Scary as fuck. He'd meant it all in good humour… sort of. But Nina wasn't kidding.

"No, no… I um… I'm going."

"Genma?"

"Hmm?"

"Nothing."

"Suit yourself. Have fun tonight. I know Shizune is excited."

"Yeah."

Nina was alone in the jonin lounge, bleary eyed and very much unrested.

Anko. The green monster of jealousy that lurked in the pit of her stomach, flickered a mischievous smile. There was a history there which she didn't know the full extent to and although, she ought to not give it any thought, it unsettled her.

Stretching out her arms to the sides and then up towards the ceiling…

Get it together Nina.

With a little less than half hour until she was due back at the clinic, Nina decided to go and look for Sakura. Slapping her hands on her thighs, she stood and left the lounge.

Idiot Genma.