~Chapter 3: Well-Timed ~


(September 15 Kakashi's birthdaylate afternoon Nina's Apartment)

~Nina~

Bleary-eyed from an afternoon nap that felt much too short, Nina shuffled her way to her front door. She felt drained, hazy and void of anything except tiredness. Opening the door, she was taken aback by an unexpected visitor. "What are you doing here, Uchiha?"

"You know… Genma's not a bad guy," Hanako rambled, the weak justification for her appearance. "You can't hate him," she continued, shimmying sideways through the doorway, overloaded with bags and what Nina assumed was a makeup case.

Genma may have been Nina's best friend's boyfriend; nevertheless, that didn't mean Nina hadn't any right to be irritated with him. "Hate is a strong word."

Hanako dropped her belongings into a heap onto the kitchen bench with an exasperated huff. "He meant well," she countered.

The minor trace of hurt in Hanako's voice sent off a creeping pang of remorse within Nina. Many times she'd cancelled at the last minute or taken off midway through an event. However, tonight Nina was offered a rare time out, forcibly barred from the investigation, hospital duties, and missions. She could finally give her undivided attention to her friend, possibly friends—plural— and maybe her idiot brother too.

It wasn't Genma himself, who got under Nina's skin, but his actions. She didn't do the patronising thing; she never had. "Hana, if I wanted help, I would have—"

"But you wouldn't ask," Hanko butted in, snatching the tube of something Nina was examining. "You never ask anyone for help."

Nina watched on with inquisitiveness as Hanako unclipped its lid and twisted the bottom of the tube, revealing a dark shade of mauve lipstick.

Okay, so maybe I could do with some help.

Embarrassed by her cluelessness with something as simple as lipstick, Nina shrugged, feigning disinterest.

"Honestly,"—Hanako shook her head—"you're a mess." She began to unpack the items she'd brought with her. "You've got ten minutes."

Half-arsed, ambiguous instructions took time to clarify. They were another pet hate of Nina's because time cost lives as a shinobi and medic-nin. "For?"

Without looking up, the tiny Uchiha indicated with her index finger in the direction of Nina's bedroom. "Go. You have ten minutes, and I suggest you use it wisely."

Is she seriously time-clocking me for a shower? It'd take longer than ten minutes to wash my fucking hair, let alone...

Hanako's blazing red-eyed glance had Nina scrambling. Hightailing it down the hallway to her bathroom, she bellowed, "And people think I'm the scary one!"

Firing back at the same volume, Hanako yelled, "Nine, Nina!"

*A little longer than ten minutes later*

The sunset flooding through Nina's living room windows, filtered by the sheer curtains, was made up of all sorts of pretty shades of lilac and chartreuse—befitting of an autumn evening. Nina was sure it would have been beautiful to see in its full glory was she not stuck seated inside-held against her will by a well-meaning friend. "Hana," —her eyelids fluttered uncontrollably with each dab of the makeup brush—"when I agreed to this, I didn't mean you could doll me up like any other village tramp."

Hanako reefed Nina's face back into line. "Hold still and stop complaining."

Nina groaned, cursing Genma inwardly. She was beginning to wish she'd punched him this morning instead of only messing with his hitai-ate. "Uchiha, stop. It's just a birthday party." Nina's nose twitched, irritated by the eye makeup. "I don't even…," she tsked and huffed, unable to break away from Hanako and her confounded brush.

"Just…." Hanako took hold of Nina's chin with her index finger and thumb. "Just trust me, okay?" She pleaded.

The longer Nina struggled, the longer this nightmare would drag on. Convinced she was no longer in control of the rest of her afternoon's events, she heaved a sigh.

Was I ever?

She wiggled around and closed her eyes, trying her best to relax her face.

*Half an hour or so later*

Nina was thoroughly over being made up.

"—and try not to ruin your makeup or hair!" Hanako yelled from the other end of Nina's apartment.

Nina leaned her face into the full-length mirror attached to the inside of her wardrobe door, turning her head from left to right and then tilting it up and down.

Hmpf.

Her makeup situation wasn't as outlandish as she'd feared. Hanako used brown and gold hues for her eyes, black eyeliner, and mascara.

The last two things should be considered weapons—they could do serious damage.

Hanako had also managed to tame Nina's mop of hair, too—weaved into a braid going the whole way around her head, with a few dangling strands. Nina hadn't the knack for fixing her hair into such an intricate style on her own. She felt it was redundant given her lifestyle choices and because her mother never saw value in such skills.

After trying on the handful of tops hand-selected by Hanako, Nina settled on a white long-sleeved, stretch-knit top. It had a small collared band around her neck, slightly puffed shoulders, and a cutout section in a sweetheart bustline. It paired nicely with something out of her own cupboard and choosing—a bright yellow, pleated, high-waisted skirt that fell midway down her thighs. She'd bought it last summer; she nearly didn't. Going against her suspicion it would hang unworn in her wardrobe, Nina went ahead with the purchase.

Better late than never, right?

"What is taking you so long?" Hanako asked, poking her head into Nina's bedroom.

Smoothing her hands down the skirt's pleats, Nina caught Hanako's reflection in her mirror. "What's that look for?"

"Nothing," Hanako replied, giving a weak smile. "It's kind of weird seeing you like this. You almost look human," she giggled, rifling through the little boxes on Nina's duchess.

Almost.

Nina brushed off her friend's comment, instead focussing on finding shoes. She was sure she had a pair of black open-toe boots that would tie it all together. Kneeling, she began digging into the bottom of her cupboard. Her hand settled on a hard object.

Shit. It must have fallen.

Pulling it out, Nina traced her fingers over the orange-painted markings. ANBU. In her mind flashed a quick succession of the faces belonging to the four ANBU operatives who had lost their lives recently. Her grip on the mask tightened momentarily.

I should be working on the investigation, not socialising.

Nina quickly rid herself of the wayward thoughts when Hanako dangled a matching set of gold jewellery adorned with little sunflowers in front of her. She shoved the wooden mask into the shelf on which it was supposed to be.

"You never really speak about ANBU, Sarutobi," Hanako said softly. "None of you do. Not you, Hatake or Genma."

Respectfully, Nina understood her inquisition. She, Shiranui, Hatake, Tenzō and Hanako's older brother Itachi had been members of Team Ro, one of Konoha's elite ANBU units.

Nina watched in the mirror as Hanako unconsciously brought her hand to her scarred right cheek.

It was only natural for someone to want to know about their family, or at least it should be. ANBU matters were highly classified and not to ever be disclosed.

Another wave of guilt washed over Nina; there was nothing more she could do for her friend, medical or otherwise.

"There," Hanako declared, clapping her hands together. "The rest is up to you." She picked up the discarded tops and left the room.

Nina was a little slow on the uptake. "Hang on, wait!" she barked, hopping down the hallway after Hanako while trying to slip her boots on. "What do you mean 'the rest'?"

"You know what I mean," Hanako answered with raised eyebrows.

Nina rolled her eyes and sat on the lounge to put her second boot on. Tonight was meant for Kakashi Hatake, not for well-intentioned match-making. Besides, the dating thing hadn't quite worked out for her.

Why? Well, that list is presumably endless.

"Forget I said anything," Hanako said, handing Nina one of the bags she'd brought with her. "Let's just go and have some fun, okay?"

Nina grunted, allowing Hanako to interlock their elbows.


(Shushu-ya)

~Genma~

Genma was told, or had read, 'Girls are made of sugar, spice, and everything nice'. But the word nice really did not fit a kunoichi, particularly Nina Sarutobi. Nice girls like her were not to be trifled with and, in his view, ought to come with a fucking warning label. The second he'd spotted Nina and Hana walking into Shushu-ya, he shuffled around on the barstool, attempting to blend into the crowd.

~Nina~

One person captured Nina's attention among the scores of people who squeezed into the booths and squished along the bar. Her eyes were fixed on the metal plate on the back of Genma's head.

"Are you alright?" Hanako tugged on Nina. "You look just about ready to launch yourself across the room and beat someone—"

The rabble within Shushu-ya drowned out Hanako's words. Nina successfully weaved in and around people—a few she didn't recognise—beelining directly for the idiot at the bar.

A well-placed, forceful kick to two of the four legs of a barstool sent Genma crashing to the ground. Nina smirked down at her victim. "Thanks, arsehole."

Propping himself up on one elbow, Genma taunted Nina in retaliation. "You're welcome, litt—"

"I swear to god, Shiranui. You finish that fucking sentence, and I'll beat you to death with,"—Nina's eyes darted around searching for a weapon of some sort—"with my high heels."

~Genma~

"Yeah, yeah. I know," Genma surrendered.

Given half of a chance, you bloody-well would.

Extending a hand up and out, "Now, help me up, would you?"

Nina ignored him.

No surprises there.

Once recollected, Genma raised his index finger, signalling the bartender for a drink. "You don't look half-bad tonight, Sarutobi." He observed the eye roll, indicating that she was listening to him. "I'm sure you could date anyone you wanted."

His last comment had struck a nerve, a tad heavier than intended. Nina shot him a look that would ice over Suna.

Fuck. Where the hell is Hana when I need her?

"Kakashi-sensei!" Naruto yelled.

Talk about good timing.

Genma watched as the blonde-haired nuisance barged his way through, by any means necessary, towards the Copy-Nin. Meanwhile, fully prepared to apologise, Genma found a vacant space where Nina had been.

Heh.

~Kakashi~

With Naruto firmly grappling around his waist and spouting birthday greetings at the top of his lungs, Kakashi managed to pull his signature crinkle-eyed smile and give a one-handed wave. Between his easily-excited student and over-zealous…

Never mind.

"Happy Birthday, Ka-kashi!" Guy proclaimed, poking his head out from between the kitchen doors.

Kakashi hoped that whatever was keeping Guy in the kitchen stayed that way for a while longer. Lamentedly, hope was a fickle thing. Within seconds of being free of Naruto, he struggled to breathe under the confines of an excessively tight embrace from Guy. It didn't last long—thankfully. Guy returned to the kitchen, leaving the two-way doors swinging wildly in his wake.

Excepting a few brief stops for more birthday wishes, Kakashi eventually made his way to the bar.

"You're late," Genma jested, his breath fogging the inside of his glass.

"I'd say I arrived right on time," Kakashi replied wryly. In actuality, he'd arrived about twenty minutes ago and cleverly hidden in plain sight using a disguise that was unfamiliar to his comrades, allowing him to mingle freely.

"Eh, you know Sarutobi," Genma muffled, slurping the last of his drink. "That violent streak of hers will get her killed one day."

Once again, Kakashi had witnessed Genma skittering along the fine line of Nina's patience. Wishing to defuse an escalating situation—evident despite an obscured viewpoint—he'd made his much-anticipated entry.

~Asuma~

"What's this about my kid sister?" Asuma queried as he leaned forward over the bar, trying to grab the bartender's attention.

"It seems the Copy-Nin hasn't forgotten that nonsense promise you made with him over ten years ago," Genma gibed.

Asuma's left hand instinctively stroked his left jawline, quickly remembering the decade-old incident with his younger sister, which had led to his broken jaw.

"Hmn, it was nothing more than a coincidence," Kakashi rejected coolly, turning and angling his elbows onto the bar to face outwards to the crowd.

Tonight was not the time for dissecting truths. With that, Asuma offered up a drink to the birthday man. "So, you decided to turn up?"

~Kakashi~

"Yeah," Kakashi responded. He drew a breath in and, without removing his mask, took a sip of the given drink. He'd gotten used to doing so over the years, and it didn't seem to affect the taste of the saké. Perhaps a more regular drinker would say otherwise. Kakashi restricted himself from consuming alcohol for significant celebrations. He'd made enough bad decisions sober, without adding ones made in a drunken delirium.

"So much for a small gathering," snuffed Kakashi while surveying the room.

Asuma broke into laughter, immediately pulling his cup away from his lips, half-choking on his saké. "Sorry,"—wiping his mouth with the back of his hand—"but it's just kind of hilarious that you, of all people, would believe that Guy was capable of anything but this."

Kakashi had given up long ago believing or expecting his birthdays to be any other way but ludicrous and loud—everything he wasn't. However, the part of him which did want for it to be different he'd inadvertently vocalised and hadn't intended for anyone to hear him.

~Asuma~

Before long, Asuma was at loggerheads with the bartender for smoking inside. "It's never been a problem before. Why tonight?"

"With this many patrons, I have to ask you to get rid of it or take it outside," the bartender explained in between pouring drinks.

The two-thirds of unsmoked cigarette pinched in between the fingers of his right hand was too precious in light of undisclosed reasons. "Can't you let me finish it, and we call it at that?"

I'll take that as a no.

Asuma waved off the ashtray that was shoved at him and turned to Kakashi, "Care to get some fresh air? Hang on, where's Shiranui?"

"Out the back with Shojo, probably."

Little Koishi.

Asuma chuckled, knowing Hatake's off-handed guess was unlikely far off the truth.

~Nina~

Nina snaked her way through the bodies, a saké bottle and cup in hand. She'd taken off, heedful she was one hour of deprived sleep from belting into him. For the better, Nina heard a fondly familiar belly laugh. She peered around one of the many red cylindrical pillars within the pub. Jiraiya was in the back corner booth and sitting next to Tsunade.

~Jiraiya~

A cup and saké bottle clumsily set down on the table caused Jiraiya to jolt. A few empty ones piling up on the table rattled and rocked against each other. A flash of yellow came from the corner of his eye, accompanied by two arms locking around his neck.

"Master Jiraiya!" Nina cried out, clinging to him tightly.

~Asuma~

Both Asuma and Kakashi paused. The feminine shrill originating from the back of Shushu-ya was his sister. She sounded much too joyful for him to be concerned. However, what did raise his eyebrow was Hatake's response.

It was common knowledge that little went unnoticed by the Great Kakashi of the Sharingan. Irrespective of his covered left eye and outward nonchalant demeanour, Kakashi was keenly aware of his surroundings, including people. It was said his father, Sakumo Hatake, also showed the same natural perceptiveness.

It could've been that. Nevertheless, Asuma couldn't help but wonder if Kakashi held a lingering loyalty to the promise Genma mentioned earlier.

Heh. A conversation for another time.

Asuma's cigarette was now reduced to less than half, and the barman gave him a stern stare.

Sheesh.

~Jiraiya~

Jiraiya enclosed his arms around Nina, letting her fall into a gentle embrace following her initial crash tackle. "Don't you look like a little sunflower tonight?" he remarked, loosening his grip enough that their hands kept hold as Nina stood up.

Blushing from his compliment, Nina let out an airy laugh. "You're still a pervert."

Tsunade gave a faint scoff of approval as she relocated the empty bottles to the end of the table.

Well, isn't that lovely?

Jiraiya cast his eyes between the two women—one at his side and the other sitting across from him.

I'm outnumbered two to one.

With their hands clasped together on the table between them, Nina eagerly asked, "What brings you home?"

Did I need a reason?

Apparently, by Nina and Tsunade, he did.

"Oh, a little bit of this and that."

Jiraiya's reply had Nina's face dropping; the shine that was in her eyes had diminished. He knew that look—disappointment. Nina unwound her hand from his, "I'll be back." Her eyes roved the table. "I'll go get us a few more," she announced, with a smile that Jiraiya could see passed. Nina bundled the empty bottles against her chest and disappeared from his view.

~Tsunade~

"I think she missed you," Tsunade murmured, with a smile pulling at the corner of her lips. Jiraiya's calling-in wasn't good news solely for her. Naruto and Nina-especially Nina—benefited from the Toad Sage's company.

"So, it's true then? She's lost five in the last fortnight?" Jiraiya asked.

Tsunade nodded, sighing as her fingers with red nail polish circled the rim of her cup. It felt a damn sight longer than a fortnight. Still, she'd done what she could for Nina. She looked around the room and hoped those in attendance were making the most of the night. It would be their last night of such freedoms for a while. The village had a busy upcoming schedule. Picking up the bottle that Nina had left, "I've given her today and tomorrow off, but…dammit." Tsunade stopped talking, impatiently shaking the empty bottle.

~Jiraiya~

Jiraiya produced a small bottle of saké, fishing it out from the internal pocket of his vest. He held up the pocket-sized bottle for Tsunade's taking. "If she's anything like you, you'll need to ban her from—"

"I have, Jiraiya," Tsunade clipped him short. "I was prepared to ask the Elders if need be."

The Village Elders weren't exactly the buxom blonde's biggest fans. If anything, they thrived on ridiculing her whenever they saw an opportunity. Having revealed the extent to which she was willing to go for Nina's well-being proved how dire the situation was.

Tsunade ripped the bottle from Jiraiya and chugged down its contents. Her face flushed from her anger and brash alcohol intake. "I may have a mission for her. One that will take her away from Konoha for a bit, but I need a suitable partner, as it were."

One of his eyebrows curved up in interest. "Partner?"

"Mhm. A straightforward recon mission. The biggest drawback is it's in Amegakure, which, as you know, means I can't send anyone inexperienced. Not to mention that we're also on a time limit of the end of the month." She accepted the second bottle Jiraiya pulled from his vest before continuing. "The trade-off is that they're willing to pay S-rank rates for a B-rank mission." Tsunade gulped directly from the bottle. "I can spare two ninjas."

Recon missions were either carried out as a completely covert operation. Or, and if Jiraiya wasn't mistaken, the other play and Tsunade's plan for this mission was a ruse where two shinobi posed as a couple. He had a soft spot for his little sunflower, but even he could admit finding Nina a romantic counterpart—fake or not—wasn't going to come easy. Amegakure was dangerous territory. "You'd be wise to send someone like Hanako and Genma," he suggested, pointing to the couple at the bar with his thumb.

"Nina needs a break," Tsunade bit back. "Surely you can see that?"

Jiraiya pried the bottle from Tsunade's fingers for a drink—if there was anything left. Not intended in an unkind way, somewhere along the line, he'd adapted to Tsunade's indirect methods of asking for help.

All jokes aside, Nina and Tsunade—Master and apprentice—were as alike as he and Naruto were. The women were both skilled shinobi but had the worst luck with, and taste in, men. Therefore they lacked experience of the romantic kind and were often thought of and spoken of as hard—sometimes damn near impossible—to love.

The solution was simple. "Relax, let's see what the night will bring," Jiraiya declared. Without looking, he knew Tsunade's eyebrow would be twitching at his chosen laid-back approach.

~Tsunade~

Tsunade let out an irritated groan and snatched back the bottle. "Fine. You better know what you're doing, Jiraiya, or so help me—"

Slinging one arm around her shoulder, Jiraiya drew Tsunade into him. Hmpf, fool. The way his chest reverberated with merriment and what it did for her was a confession for another day.

~Asuma~

Outside, Asuma took a final drag of his cigarette before squashing the butt under his sandal, slowly exhaling. It was a shame he'd barely enjoyed half of it because of the naysaying barman. At any rate, it'd granted him a chance to speak to Kakashi alone. Copying his friend's stance, Asuma balanced himself with one foot flat against the stone wall of Shushu-ya and his other foot on the ground. "Kurenai's pregnant."

The happy news was the cause behind his unwillingness to discard his cigarette. Kurenai had hounded him to quit smoking immediately after confirming the pregnancy. A minor quarrel ensued, and they'd come to an agreement for him to cut back gradually. Currently, Asuma was down to six a day which would have been fine hadn't he misplaced two of them throughout the day. That one—the very one the barmen had called for him to discard—was his last one for the day. Without it, the night would've ended early for him.

"Congratulations. You'll make great parents," Kakashi said, landing his free hand on Asuma's right shoulder.

With nothing more to say and hoping Kurenai had caught up with Nina already, Asuma motioned with a slight head tilt for them to return inside the pub. Dinner didn't smell far off either; the delectable scent of charcoal fire-roasted yakitori filled the air.