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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(Thursday> September 25> Amegakure> Tavern> Night)
~Kakashi~
As Kakashi stepped through the door to the tavern with Nina following behind, he was greeted by a wave of warmth and noise. The bar was dimly lit, with strings of fairy lights casting a soft, multi-coloured glow over the patrons. The walls were adorned with faded posters of bygone musical idols and eclectic knickknacks, giving the place a quirky, lived-in feel.
The air was thick with the mingling scents of alcohol, grilled food and the subtle musk of damp clothing. A small stage dominated the room, where a group of locals belted out a song with more enthusiasm than talent, reminding Kakashi of someone else back in Konoha. Their laughter and off-key singing blended into the background hum, adding to the bar's vibrant atmosphere.
Kakashi led Nina to the long, polished wooden bar stretching along the room's side. It was a focal point of the establishment, lined with an impressive array of saké bottles and other spirits, their labels boasting a variety of origins and ages. The bar was dotted with stools, some occupied by patrons engaged in quiet conversation or simply enjoying their drinks.
Kakashi selected seats near the end of the bar, where they could maintain a low profile while having a good view of the entrance. The bartender, a middle-aged man with a friendly, weathered face and a towel slung over his shoulder approached with a welcoming smile.
"What can I get for you?" he asked.
"Two cups of your best saké, please," Kakashi replied, his eye scanning the room as he spoke.
"Bottles," Nina corrected.
The bartender looked to Kakashi for confirmation. With a small nod, the bartender moved to fulfil the order. While waiting for their drinks, Kakashi glanced around the bar, his sharp eye missing nothing. The noise of the bar ebbed and flowed around them, a comforting reminder of their anonymity in this crowded place.
When the bartender returned, setting the cups and bottles down with practised ease, Kakashi turned to the kunoichi, his visible eye crinkling into a half-smile. "Kanpai," he said, raising his cup.
Nina clinked her cup against Kakashi's.
"So," Nina began, "how about a game of twenty questions?"
"No," Kakashi replied, taking another sip of his saké before leaning back slightly. The suggestion was entirely out of character for Sarutobi. That and the list of things she knew about him was already concerningly long. "Besides, you usually have a habitual way of reacting with violence towards this stuff," he added.
With a wry smile, Nina threw back another cup of saké, countering his refusal with a playful challenge. "One question and the absolute truth."
Unchanging his expression, Kakashi shook his head in mock exasperation. "I'm afraid I'm not one for bartering, Sarutobi."
