Holding Hands In The Rain

~Chapter 8: Morning Cat~

(Wednesday> September 17 >  Ichiraku Ramen Bar)

~Nina~

Nina angled herself against the outside wall of Ichiraku and observed the village life around her, offering a half-hearted smile whenever someone took the time to greet her. Many people recognised Nina solely because she apparently mostly resembled her father.

Hmpf.

Being early to the meet-up with Kakashi gave Nina time to stew on their mission and what it may, or may not, entail. Her nails ruthlessly sank into her biceps, saved only for the sleeves of her standard-issue, black, long-sleeved shirt.

~Flashback~

(ANBU > Nina 14 years old)

The first time Nina donned the porcelain-white mask of ANBU was for a mission—a death sentence for a soul she would never know but never forget.

Oh, how he, their target, had begged between sobs in his final moments. Pathetic. He feared death, yet Nina couldn't conjure a scrap of sympathy or empathy. She silenced his gargled cries by running her katana's blade across his throat; his lifeless body thwamped to the ground at her feet.

Standing side-on at her back, Hound gave his solemn orders. "Leave no trace."

Nina didn't, following her Captain's directive to a tee.

~End of Flashback~

Having slumped down the building's side too far to be comfortable, Nina adjusted her stance. She looked around at the passing couples, frustration and nervousness mixed in the pit of her stomach.

Can we do this?

Can I do this?

The answer was as it'd always been for Nina:

"You probably hate me, don't you?" Kakashi asked, with his nose stuck in his book.

Heh.

For the second time today, the ordinarily tardy Copy-Nin arrived not just in time but also with a few minutes to spare.