Lightning In The Hidden Leaf

5 - Calista's realization

"Kakashi didn't come back after?" says Shikumaru looking at Kakashi's unmade bed.

"That's not unusual for him," says Jiraiya. "It might surprise you, but he isn't much of a sleeper."

"Like I said before, that does surprise me."

The two walk into the dining area and then Jiraiya pulls Shikumaru back.

"What the hell?"

"That's Kakashi. And look at who he's with!"

"Huh?" Shikumaru peers in then looks back at Jiraiya. "So?"

"You mean to tell me that you don't remember who that woman is?"

He looks back again, studying her a little more closely. Then he watches Kakashi take out his wallet.

"Oh, right. The woman from the bar."

"I can't believe it! It's the wandering beauty the locals spoke of. I have to speak with her."

He takes a step forward but Shikumaru has him by the back of his shirt. "She's also the reason you have no money left."

"What are you talking about, kid?"

"Check your wallet if you don't believe me."

Jiraiya takes out his wallet and his mouth falls open. "I... gave her all of my money?"

"You as well as nine other men in the bar. You must have been really drunk."

"I'm not so sure about that," says Jiraiya.

"What are you saying?"

"I'm saying that, yeah I was drunk, but that wasn't an isolated incident for me. I remember everything about last night right up until I got in bed. I just don't remember giving away any of my money much less the most beautiful woman I have ever seen. So what I'm wondering is... what else may have happened last night."

"And why it happened to begin with," adds Shikumaru. "Maybe we should get Kakashi's attention, make him aware of of our suspicions."

But when they enter the dining area, Kakashi and the woman are no where to be seen.

"Where did he go?" says Jiraiya frantically looking around. "We have to find him. He might be in trouble."

"Who might be in trouble?"

They turn around and Kakashi standing behind them.

"You? Her? who were you with?" says Jiraiya.

"I'm not so sure I know what you're talking about," says Kakashi.

"We saw you with that smoking hot woman from the bar last night and I have reason to believe that she stole my money."

"Oh, you must be talking about Calista? Lovely woman."

Jiraiya's mouth drops open, stunned. "Kakashi. I don't know if I'm impressed or disappointed. I have never seen you with a woman before so you really went all in today."

"What's disappointing then?" asks Kakashi.

"She took advantage of your comrade!"

"What does that have to do with anything now?"

"I'd like to get my money back," says Jiraiya.

"Can't we just leave it? Maybe she could use the money more than you."

"The thing is Kakashi," says Jiraiya getting closer to him. "I don't remember giving her the money so who knows what else she might have stolen. Or whatever else she could have done."

"Don't worry about it, Jiraiya."

"But Kakashi... I want my money," he says pouting.

"And to see the smoking hot woman," adds Shikumaru to himself.

"Here," says Kakashi, throwing Jiraiya some coins.

"I don't want your compensation."

"Think of it as an apology. I could have done something to get your money back, but I failed. It's not as much as you lost, but it's something."

Kakashi walks on ahead with Shikumaru following behind him. "Wait, Kakashi!" yells Jiraiya. "Now that that's all settled you have to tell me more about her."

"You mean about her mysterious past and alluring personality?" says Kakashi.

"Yes!" says Jiraiya eagar to get any information he can.

"Sorry. You won't hear anything from me."

"But Kakashi!"

********

"You're quiet, Calista," says Hodai.

Yuri scoffs. "That's unusual for her but I'm not complaining."

The boys watch Calista. She doesn't even take her eyes off the ground, even after Yuri's comment. Yuri grows more annoyed by her lack of engagement.

"This doesn't have anything to do with that leaf ninja you were conversing with, does it?"

That gets her attention. "How about you mind your own business. I am awake night after night while you guys act as the most lousy reinforcements at the onsen. I guess I'm just... getting bored of this job."

Yuri throws his hands in the air. "You the princess needs a break. Don't forget you spend time in the hot springs too. It's just us."

Calista lunges after Yuri but she trips. When she gets up, she realizes the remaining money Kakashi had given her has fallen on the ground. She tries to act casually as she scrambles to put them back in her pocket.

"Where did you get that money, Calista?" asks Yuri in a patronizing tone.

"It's my share from last night,"

"I know that it isn't," says Yuri. He grabs Calista by the forearm. "You got some explaining to do."

"Can't you just leave it, Yuri" says Hodai.

He shakes his head. "No can do. The boss said to report any members of our clan who engage in suspicious activity.

"Snitch," says Calista shoving his grasp away. "I'll tell him myself. Besides, I have something else to discuss with him anyways."

Calista might act confident in front of her comrades, but the truth she is, she is a nervous mess. And she isn't sure why, but she decides in this moment that she has had enough.