Konohagakure's Kakashi Hatake & Nina Sarutobi have only lived & prepared to die by the Shinobi rules.
Amid an intensive investigation into a spate of mysterious deaths, a birthday party for the elusive Copy-Nin sets off a chain reaction no one quite...
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(Tuesday> September 23> Amegakure> Inn > Room 302> Night)
~Nina~
"Okay?" Nina grumbled, ripping back the shower curtain.
With the air chilling her skin, she wrapped a towel around herself and repeated the question several more times in varying intonations. Naturally, her reflection offered nothing useful, failing to soothe the heat of her pent-up emotions.
Nina spun around to re-evaluate her outfit choice for the hundredth time-an emerald, free-flowing skirt that fell just above her knees and a cream, off-the-shoulder, long-sleeved top with lace detailing. Hanako might have even commended her...if she were here.
Beating the newly purchased bottle of black nail polish into her palm, Nina found humour in the irony of tonight. She was going on a date with a man who never dated.
No. Tell the truth, Nina.
Nina shook her head and untwisted the bottle's lid. The Copy-Nin did and had dated. Whether it was a fling or a series of one-night stands, it was still dating, and...
"How many guys have you been with, Sarutobi?"
If his question had been about missions, Nina's answer would have rolled off her tongue like the smoothest saké. But he hadn't, and the truth remained unsaid within her locked jaw.
And there it's going to stay.
Nina blew a gentle stream of air across the nails of her left hand, remembering how she'd done the same for her first date.
~Flashback~
(Konohagakure> Nina's Apartment> Night-time> Nina 16 years old)
The bitter winter winds that came with this time of year whistled outside Nina's bedroom window. Flurries of white flakes swirled and fell to the ground, coating Konoha in a thin blanket of snow. Nina stood staring aimlessly out the window, clutching a red envelope with a broken metallic-green wax seal, lost in contemplation.
She'd seriously considered skipping the stupid charade.
The envelope contained an exclusive invitation to Konoha's Annual Holiday Party. This year it was being held at Kikyō Castle. In any case, it was likely to be nothing more than-as it was every year-an excuse to gorge on food, drown in alcohol, and rub shoulders with a handful of supposedly honoured guests from across the Five Nations. For Nina, it would be a spewing of pretentious holiday well-wishes whilst dressed in gaudy traditional formal attire.
There was a time she would've attended this celebration out of respect for her family's stature within the village. Tonight, it was due to her sense of duty as a shinobi and a smidge of whimsy.
