Chapter 3: Secret

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~Kakashi Point of View~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Everything had just been handled for the death of an anbu member. You didn't really know him, but you knew that he deserved respect. You were currently at the quietest place in Konoha. The small lake. Sitting at the waters edge, you were starting to get into your book again. Within a couple seconds, Tina sat beside you, so you put the book down. She hated the books that you read. She never made any attempt to get rid of them though. You looked at her, ready to say a stupid little joking comment about her coming up beside you, when you noticed that she looked sad. No matter how deep she tried to hide it, you could tell. "Are you alright?" You couldn't bear to see her sad. It made you feel really bad for her. She nodded, trying to make you think nothing was wrong. You saw right through her. You put your arm around her waist and pulled her into a hug. You enjoyed being around her, but not when she's sad. You were feeling a little sad yourself just watching her be sad. Then she hugged you back.

After a while of silence, she pulled away from you and smiled. "What's wrong with you? Are you sick?" The question caught you off guard, and you didn't really know what she was trying to say. You gave her a confused look, and she continued. "I've never seen you act so nice before." She smirked, lightening the mood by a long shot.

You laughed, glad that she was feeling better. Maybe not completely better, but still, even if only a little better, it was something. At least she was smiling. Well, smirking. "You're right, I guess I am pretty sick." Even if it was at your expense, making her happy was worth it. Yeah, maybe she didn't like your books, but there was only one reason you read them anyway. Maybe she only joked around with you, but you liked seeing her happy. You like seeing her. You care for her, but you can never find the right words, or the right moment, to tell her.

Barging into your thoughts, Tina spoke again. "Yep. Reading the type of books you do, who wouldn't be?"

If only you could just act like you wanted to around her... But that would be too suspicious. You narrowed your eyes, making it seem like you were frowning. "Hey, this book is not bad. It's a very interesting book." Then she smiled. Why did she smile?

A small smile curled her lips, and she slid the book farther away from the waters edge. Just what was she up to? Right before you could ask, she shoved you into the water. She started laughing, so you pulled her in with you. The only word she could yelp out before getting pulled completely in, was "Hey!" You smirked as she went under. Only a second later, she popped her head out of the water again and pushed you completely into the water. It seemed to be cheering her up, so you grabbed her ankle and pulled her under the water with you.

For an hour and a half, she forgot about her worries and just had some fun. Even if that fun was trying to drown each other. Well, alright, you admit to it, it was fun. You saw her drag herself back out of the water, completely drenched. The fun in the water was over, so you got out as well. Also drenched. Then she smiled at you. She was starting to stare at you. It was getting a little uncomfortable, having her staring, so you broke into the silence. "Take a picture. It'll last longer." You were smirking, but she wouldn't see it.

She smirked slightly, trying to hide that she was a little embarrassed by staring. It was pretty easy to tell. After all, she had a little more color to her cheeks after you said that. "Maybe I will." She smirked at you, then you laughed a little. The mood was lightened so much after all that sorrow when she got there. It felt great. "Well, I better head off. My team's waiting."

Her team was waiting for her, huh? Just what time was it anyway? You glimpsed at the waterproof watch that you had in your pocket. You wouldn't be able to wear it, ever, because some stupid rogue ninja destroyed the strap. It was only the watch itself that was undamaged. It was already ten O'clock. Wow. Time sure flew. You were about to say something else to her, but then noticed that she had just rounded the corner to the training grounds.

Well, no use in disappointing her. You started off to the training grounds to meet up with your team. Naruto was most likely complaining right about now about how late you are for showing up.

You were right. As soon as you got there, Naruto darted over. "Why are you late this time Kakashi-sensei?!" He was just to energetic.

Instead of avoiding the question, and have Naruto bug you for a while longer, why not give an excuse? "I came across a black cat on the way here and had to take the long way over here. Crossing paths with a black cat is bad luck you know." You gave a look like you were smiling just for the heck of it. Making these kids wait was pretty fun. Sasuke was pretty stuck up and self-centered, Naruto was just way to hyper, and Sakura was just way to Sasuke-obsessed. It was the worst team combination you could imagine. But here it is. Not as a nightmare you could wake up from, but as reality. "Well, let's go get ourselves a mission."

Just as planned. You got a mission to escort a guy by the name of Tazuna to the Land of Waves. Well, not exactly planned, actually. You were hoping to just get a mission to help some old women with her gardening. Or maybe some old guy needing help to build a fence. But because of Naruto whining to the Hokage, you got a C-Rank mission. An escort mission. You might actually have to do something. Of course, when your group and Tazuna got outside of the gate to Konoha, Naruto made a big deal out of it.

After walking for a little, you spotted a puddle. It was a sunny day though. Well, it seems that this guy needs protection from more than just plain old thieves or ordinary robbers. Might as well wait and see what was going to happen.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~Tina Point of View~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

You reached the training field, and saw your group there. Waiting for you. Not the other way around. Saioga was about to question you, but you spoke up first. "Who feels like going on a training exercise today?" Kurashin and Jade looked over, interested in what kind of training will be done this time. "Alright, so there will be a training exercise instead of a mission today." Then they all looked at you.

Saioga spoke right up. First like usual. "That's not fair Tina-sensei! You didn't tell us that we could pick a mission!" Oh, boo-hoo...

You started walking out of the training field, and everyone followed. Of course, Saioga was still complaining. You knew that they would be more interested in a mission, so you purposely did that just to tease them a little. Jade saw right through your act. Kurashin was alright with training, so it didn't even matter if he noticed that you were just teasing. Saioga. Oh boy. Saioga was complaints the whole way to the mission place. After a while, it was decided that there should be a small area for an anbu member to hand out missions. Thus, 'the mission place' is what you called it. Or, the anbu stand. You walked up to the guy. "Mission please." Then you smiled, and whispered, "Squad, mission please." The guy handed looked through a few different missions, then started to brief you on the mission that your team will be doing. It sounded a little difficult for genin. Then you remembered that this was your team.

Well, I hope you enjoyed this chapter. If you liked it, then please review it. It would be really really appreciated. When you guys review my stories, it lets me know that I'm doing good, and I end up putting the next chapter up faster. See you in the next chapter! ^_^