Chapter 17: Good Karma
(Monday September 22 Amegakure Village)
~Nina~
Nina delighted in the children's lively chatter and obvious thrill as they ambled to yet another store. All the tailors had turned her down thus far, citing an unwillingness to help those less fortunate or an inability to fulfil such a large order within the time constraints. Fortunately, the last seamstress imparted promiseful directions to a small shop that hadn't been far from the inn.
The shop's window display was filled with extravagant bolts of fabric and fancied-up mannequins wearing clothing that screamed impractical to the kunoichi. On the other hand, the children glued their grubby faces to the glass, making comments and pointing their sticky fingers to their favourite prints and colours.
Nina signalled to the Copy-Nin with a quick tilt of her head before slipping inside to try their luck while he stayed outside and supervised the dozen orphans.
The unmistakable whir of machines and muffled conversations drifted from the back end of the shop. Nina edged her way through the stock, and like in the bookshop, her skin crawled with the apparent lack of stock control. She stared blankly at the rusted bell that sat lonesomely beside a tatty excuse of, what she assumed, was an order book.
Oh well, beggars cannot be choosers.
The tinny ting sounded, and soon enough, Nina was greeted by an elderly man. His shoulders were slightly hunched; she presumed it resulted from years, possibly decades, of sewing.
"Can I help you?" he asked.
I fucking hope so.
Nina explained that they required two sets and a pair of pyjamas for each child and their short deadline. The man pencilled down the order onto a black page of the notebook.
"That's quite the order," the man remarked, sliding the pencil behind one of his ears. "But…"
Nervousness seeped out of Nina's pores, beading on her forehead. "But?"
"Tell me, child, these children, are they under the care of Kimi and Yuma at the village's orphanage?"
"Yes. I understand the…"
Momentarily abandoned by the man, Nina tsked her tongue. She was unable to determine what was being said out the back and was growing concerned about how much longer Kakashi would be able to hold out. She tapped her foot, eying off the bell.
A minute or two longer, the man returned and several others with him. Nina backstepped, purposefully positioning herself so that everyone was in view. The man—much shorter than her—shuffled towards her and cupped one of her hands in both of his.
"Bring them in, child," he instructed.
Nina got stuck there, weighing up the odds this was all a ruse. She scanned for signs indicating that they could be anything other than what they claimed to be. Before she could respond, the man had sent off one of the female workers, ordering her to do what Nina hadn't.
The elderly man returned to behind the counter. "I'm aware of Yuma's sizing. As for Kimi's, I don't wish to guess."
"Mr Baku, you should know a man must never ask a woman's size," one of the female workers chastised.
"That is true," Mr Baku chuckled.
Maybe Master Jiraiya could learn a thing or two from Mr Baku.
His laughter was drowned out by the rabble of voices from the children. Nina mused at the Copy-Nin's resemblance to a shepherd attempting to herd an unruly flock. The workers claimed some children, while others scurried about the store, relishing playing a game of hide and seek. The littlest, Maya, was tugging frantically at Kakashi's pants. Fearing she could burst into howling tears at any second, Nina made her way over.
"You're going to give that back," she barked, clawing her hips.
~Kakashi~
"I am?" Kakashi asked, fiddling with the stolen flower crown. He squatted in front of Maya. "That doesn't sound like something I would do." He settled the adjusted headpiece upon the young girl's head, instantly drawing a smile from her and was rewarded with a hug. Her little arms squished her plush bunny between herself and Kakashi's arm.
"Thanks, Kashi."
Maya skipped away; the motion caused the crown to tilt lopsidedly on her head.
"You owe me a new one of them, Hatake," Nina grumbled.
Kakashi stood and shoved his hands into his pants pockets, regarding the kunoichi standing at his side. Her eyes roved the goings-on around the shop. He noticed her smile and how she was, almost radiating from the moment. He'd seldom witnessed this side of her. On missions, Sarutobi wore a steely expression; her eyes a fiery shade of brown and lips sealed taut. Kakashi wasn't sure which he preferred.
The real concern was why he was even contemplating such things.
He forced his eye to look elsewhere. "I might need some convincing, Sarutobi."
"Wait," Nina spoke, stepping to his front and placing a hand on his chest, "I'm confused."
Kakashi cocked his head. "Hm?"
"Are you flirting or starting a fight?"
He hadn't intended to start a fight by giving away her flower crown, but now he was wondering if he'd assumed wrong and regifted something that he shouldn't have. An expensive mistake. However, it could be righted in the coming days.
An easy fix.
As for whether he was flirting, Kakashi should be asking Nina the same thing. He looked down at the spirited kunoichi and quickly looked away. He'd been goaded into pettier challenges, and he was yet to repay Sarutobi for her surely-deliberate act of half clothing herself.
An innocent game of cat and mouse with the opposite sex was sure as fuck more enticing than a round of rock, paper scissors with a grown-arse man.
Beneath his mask, he smirked—hard.
It was essential when entering combat to distinguish between a tactic and dumbness. Kakashi stepped in towards the kunoichi, who didn't alter her stance. He subtly took in her features before locking eyes with her. Sarutobi was clever, so he'd have to approach her tepidly to call her bluff.
Keeping his hands in his pants pockets, Kakashi leaned down until they were cheek to cheek but not quite touching. He paused there, ensuring he held the same hairline gap of separation between his masked mouth and the shell of Nina's ear. "Guess," Kakashi whispered dryly.
"And if I choose not to?" she responded, not offering up the slightest show of affliction.
Plenty of women had played the hard-to-get card, and occasionally Kakashi had entertained them. Somehow he struggled to accept the idea of Sarutobi playing it.
"No means no, right?" Nina asked, twisting her head in his direction.
When he did the same, their eyes locked again.
So that's it, Sarutobi?
"Right," Kakashi nodded, stepping back, giving her—and himself—space.
(Konohagakure~Hokage Office)
~Tsunade~
Tsunade had to squint to decipher the message she'd just been delivered; its sender's messy scratchings were worse than usual. She pulled out a saké bottle, uncorked it and took a swig. A little more than liquid courage was needed to command Ibiki to come on board with what she was about to ask.
"I'm sorry to ask this of you, Pakkun, but could—"
There were two knocks on her door before it gradually creaked open.
"Excuse me, Milady," Hanako began but then noticed the panting pug. "Oh, Pakkun. You're…did something happen to Kakashi-Sensei?"
Tsunade cleared her throat. "No, he and Nina are still on a mission." She could plainly see the disappointment on Hana's face. Unsurprising when, like her preoccupied friend, she seemed to clash with every female she crossed paths with. The lucky few she didn't were carefully kept within the limits of acquaintances.
"Are you busy, Hana?" Tsunade asked.
"No, Ma'am. I just finished some training with Sas—"
"Good. Take this to Ibiki." Tsunade handed over a scroll and then set her eyes on Pakkun. "Take him with you and ensure he rests up. Pakkun, you can inform Hatake his request was approved when he next summons you."
"Right-o," Pakkun acknowledged.
With Hanako and the mutt out of her office, Tsunade pulled another scroll to write to the Amegakure's Kage. She detailed the Leaf's gesture citing a want to further strengthen political ties. For the love of the Third, Tsunade hoped that Hatake knew what he was fucking doing.
(Konohagakure~Village~En-route to Ibiki's Office)
~Hanako~
Hanako exited the Hokage Tower, nursing Pakkun against her chest. Kakashi wasn't here to berate her for spoiling the pug unnecessarily. This way, she would also be able to ask Pakkun the questions which were tickling her tongue.
"So, Pakkun, tell me everything," Hanako instructed, booping the pug's nose.
"You know the rules, girl," Pakkun snuffed.
"Fuck the rules. This is my Sensei—"
"Ex,"Pakkun corrected.
"Fine. It's my ex-Sensei and best friend, and I demand to know what is happening. Please?" Hanako dragged out the plea at the end, holding Pakkun out in front of her face as if he were a human child.
"I don't know what to tell you, kid," Pakkun finally lamented.
Hanako smooshed her lips into his wrinkled cheeks and corrected her hold of him.
I win. I always do.
She had a slew of hypotheses regarding her (ex) Sensei and best friend. Knowing stupid Little Sarutobi, she was probably still turning up her nose at the unnaturally-perfect carrot on the stick dangling right in front of her big brown eyes.
Ugh. Baka.
Turning a corner, Hanako realised they were close to Ibiki's office, and the towering giant didn't allow animals to enter unless they were there to be interrogated. She'd have to choose wisely; she'd have enough time to ask one question, leaving time for Pakkun to respond.
Purposefully slowing down and being mindful to keep her voice low, Hanako asked, "Tell me, Pakkun, do they look like a couple?"
"What they say and what they do are two very different things."
"What?" Hanako stopped dead in her tracks. "English, please?"
"Deliver that scroll, and then we'll talk, girl," Pakkun replied, jumping out of Hana's arms.
Hanako's rage had her vision flickering; the burn of her sharingan threatened to turn her amethyst-purple eyes crimson red. She had no idea of the scroll's contents, and Pakkun may as well have spoken in tongues.
The pint-sized pooch wandered off to a nearby tree, plonking himself in its shade. "Hurry up. Who knows when Kakashi will summon me."
"Promise, Pakkun?" Hanako had her trust broken too often to simply act on a threat. "Promise me that you'll tell me?"
"You have my word."
Pakkun belonged to Kakashi; therefore, she knew the pug's word held weight. "Okay. I'll see you soon."
Heading inside, Hanako reluctantly accepted that there was every chance that the pug would be long gone by the time she'd finished playing messenger pigeon for the Hokage.
Please be here when I get back.
(Amegakure Village~Orphanage)
~Nina~
By late afternoon, Nina was back at the orphanage, helping the children strip their sleeping quarters of their old bedding. Mr Baku had refused payment, assuring her it was 'good karma'. With the money saved, she and Hatake took the children to a vendor that sold bedding. Carrying the bedrolls and bedding made the return journey considerably more difficult; she and Kakashi decided he'd have to make a separate trip to the grocers. Remarkably, the children were obedient and kept together as best they could, only occasionally bumping into something or someone.
Child by child, Nina carefully set aside their special possessions—a mix of toys, knickknacks and photographs—just outside the room's doorway. A quick sweep and dust had the room ready. Kimi and Yuma followed in with the children, listening to all their recounts about their adventures and eagerly displaying their new bedrolls.
When Nina finished organising Maya's belongings, she ducked away for a moment before returning to the room. She waited patiently for the children to be done, then quickly ushered them to where she stood in the doorway. Giving Marco a wink, she shuffled to the left, allowing the boy to exit the room. Determined to do things the hard way, Marco grunted and huffed his way back into the room, pushing one last bedroll into view.
"Kimi and Yuuma, this is for yourselves," Nina announced.
Kimi clamped her hands over her mouth, tears streaming down her face. "Than…Thank you so very much, Nina. This is…" Kimi's whole body shook, but she managed to stay upright because Yuma, also crying and visibly overwhelmed, was bracing her.
"Very deserved, and we are sure, well overdue," Nina finished. Holding the bag over the children as they rushed to embrace their caretakers, echoing their thanks and appreciation, she passed them their fresh linen.
Good karma, indeed.
(Amegakure~Village~Grocers)
~Kakashi~
Having paid the grocer, Kakashi gathered the four brimming brown paper bags in his arms. The supplies he'd purchased for the orphanage made him appear he lived like a king and earned him more than one raised eyebrow. Kakashi kept an eager eye on his surroundings, never forgetting their mission.
With little to merit concern, his mind began wandering off. His thoughts went straight to his mission partner. However, he immediately dismissed his concerns, sure that looking after the twelve children was none too different than contending with uncooperative shinobi in the clinic.
Passing a poster advertising the upcoming Fireworks Festival. His feet scuffed to a stop. The festival was a few days away, but given their new endeavour with the orphanage, Kakashi believed the coming days would pass quicker than he'd originally thought. He'd been entrusted not just to look after the kunoichi but to date her. A task that was proving to be predictably challenging for him.
Hmm.
(Amegakure~Village~Orphanage)
~Nina~
Nina digressed; taking two articles of clothing from Kimi somehow seemed wrong. She would return them, of course, but Mr Baku needed an apron and a dress from which he'd take measurements. Removing the apron from the hook in the kitchen, she laid it in the crook of her left elbow.
Alerted by the sudden thud of glass on the kitchen countertop, she whirled around to find the Copy-Nin. The bags he'd been carrying were sodden from a five-minute downpour and were now dangerously close to spilling their contents. Undecided on whether she should step in, Nina stayed put.
"Going somewhere, Sarutobi?" Kakashi asked without turning around.
Nina then remembered what was tucked into the crook of her elbow. Mr Baku would close soon.
Shit.
She raced to Mr Baku, knowing she'd be chewed out later for not stating where she was going. In no hurry to return to the orphanage, she took a detour to the small lake beyond where Hatake had been training this morning.
Slipping off her shoes, she dawdled to the water's edge. She gathered her tights above her knees and began carefully shuffling into the lake. The water temperature wasn't unpleasant. Besides the one-off shower, it'd been an unusually sunny day for the village. Small fish nipped and swam around her ankles.
Breathe, Nina. Just breathe.
She had no idea why she'd sought clarification on what 'no' meant to the Copy-Nin earlier. But at that moment, she'd felt uneasy...off-kilter with him and around him. Like she couldn't entirely trust him or herself. It wasn't their usual banter.
Had she really wanted to know what it was like to be on the receiving end of Kakashi Hatake's flirting?
Where the fuck are you when I need you, Hana?
In the distance, the sky rumbled. A storm was approaching, and if Nina didn't return soon, Kimi would surely notice her missing apron and dress.
~End of Chapter~
