Arina walked out of the Hokage's residence and stopped at the porch, raised her arms above her head, stretched and took a heartful deep breath. It had been a difficult day, but nothing pleased her more than a job well done. All missions have been carefully sorted, distribution proposals drawn up, even including backup options, and the reports have also been processed and, where necessary, assigned for follow-up.

Hiruzen was quite impressed: the girl was clearly beginning to show excellent analytical skills. She still had to thoroughly delve into all the subtleties of ninja characteristics, but it was only a matter of time – especially as she herself was exploring the various aspects of Jutsu.

At the same time, she finally had an interesting challenge and she felt that she could really be of use. In the future, Arina also hoped that digital technology could be added to this process, and then it could become much simpler and more efficient.

Exhaling and lowering her arms, Arina smiled. And now – free time!.. She heard that some unusual new sweets had been on sale at the pastry shop on the corner: that was exactly what she was going to check out. It was also about time to finally go to the fabric store and get curtains for her new dorm room. She had moved there a while ago, but never made it to the store – the shops here were generally not open as late as back in her home world, and she had trouble adjusting to this schedule. She was actually hoping that Kurenai would keep her company, but she, together with Asuma and Gai, was on a mission outside the village again. However, Arina was getting fed up of awakening with the first rays of the sun – at four in the morning – so it was not possible to delay this important matter any further.

Bouncing slightly, the girl ran airily down the steps and headed towards the residence territory exit.

"Hey, Arina," she suddenly heard a painfully familiar voice.

Arina froze on the spot, immediately becoming tense, and stared at the young man warily, instinctively making sure they were not alone. Although at some distance, there were still people around, and the residence was nearby, so she relaxed a little.

"Hello," after a short pause, without much enthusiasm (she did not forget his role in many of her troubles), Arina replied, and walked on, making it clear that she had no desire to interact.

"How are you settling in by us?" Tekiro asked peaceably, following close behind.

"Fine, thanks," the girl replied, still dryly, looking straight ahead.

"Not bored, are you?"

"No," the girl muttered already quite frankly defensively, then stopped abruptly and finally looked at him. "I'm sorry, do you need something?"

"And that's what you get for being welcoming," Tekiro sighed. "I'm actually honestly worried about you."

"Why is this all of a sudden? You used to be more concerned with other things," Arina said and moved on. Despite his friendly tone, she felt increasingly annoyed. His seemingly good nature had already deceived her once. She still couldn't figure out why, initially, between him and Kakashi, she favoured Tekiro more, though not for long.

"Look, I know I messed up. Really," the young man said earnestly, blocking her way. "I want to apologize."

"Oh, for crying out loud..." Arina muttered with annoyance, nevertheless, no longer making any attempts to escape, and reluctantly looked at him again.

"... Kakashi was right, I really had a rush... in the head... The mission was... extremely hardcore... I acted disgracefully. I am sorry." The young man looked completely serious.

"I forgive you. But this does not undo your actions." Arina reflexively wrapped her arms around herself, as if feeling his hands on her again.

"I know. And yet. I am truly sorry. After all, we live in the same village now."

"Uh-huh, in which, by your grace, at first I was taken for some kind of terrorist." The girl frowned.

"'Terrorist'?" Tekiro raised his eyebrows.

"Ugh, doesn't matter." The girl shook her head with irritation.

"How can I make it up to you? How about I treat you to dinner?"

Arina kept looking at Tekiro, trying to figure out what was on his mind. He smiled disarmingly.

"Tekiro, why do you need this? It's not like we have to be in touch," she finally said wearily.

"What if I want to be in touch?" He looked at the girl earnestly.

"Why?.." Arina asked with emphasis.

"Well... despite our mishaps..."

"Is that what it's called now?" The girl snorted.

"Oh, come on... after all, I've known you the longest here. Well, except for Kakashi – but you don't seem to interact with him much either?"

Arina didn't respond, but she felt a slight heat on her cheeks.

"So... That's why I thought I could hel..."

"It's been a long time already," Arina interrupted him. "And all this time you have not been seen or heard. You could have waited for another five years at this point. I'm fine, I don't need any help, and even more so from you, after how I was met here thanks to you."

Tekiro gritted his teeth.

"There were... reasons for that."

"Anyway, I'm sorry, but I don't think we have anything in common. Goodbye."

The girl tried walking away, but Tekiro blocked her way again. Arina cursed softly, almost bumping into him.

"Listen... you... you just don't understand, this has already happened before, so yes, I went overboard – better safe than sorry! And Kakashi was directly involved in this, by the way!"

"What are you trying to say?" The girl frowned again.

"Well, Rin..."

Arina kept looking at him with incomprehension.

Tekiro grimaced. He then waved his hand.

"Ah, you'll find out sooner or later anyway. You're doing the right thing by staying away from him. The last time his girlfriend really carried a threat, he simply killed her."

"What?" Arina's eyes widened.

"I said what I said. He killed her with his Chidori."

"'Ch-chidori'?"

"Haven't seen it, have you? The flow of chakra in the form of a cluster of lightnings... he concentrates it in the palm of his hand. Often referred to as 'Raikiri' nowadays. It's a scary thing, I'll tell you... So yeah – he pierced the girl's chest!"

Arina swayed slightly, barely restraining herself from leaning against the nearest wall.

«You could pierce me with that lightning of yours and I would still say 'thank you'.»

"I won't deny," Tekiro drawled, "it was necessary: She literally was a threat to Konoha. But still... to kill a girl... even for a higher purpose... I'm telling you, hardly anyone agreed to work with him after that... I was rather uncomfortable too.... You've seen yourself what he's capable of..."

"Why are you telling me all this?" Arina could barely control herself.

"To explain what it was all about. And what Kakashi has to do with it. I consider it my duty to warn you. Old habits are hard to get rid of."

Arina suddenly grinned unkindly.

"You're the one to talk. I wonder what about your old habits?.." She almost spat out.

Tekiro's face darkened.

"Well, do as you like. I warned you. So long."

With that, he leaped out of sight.

Arina watched him go, and leaned against the wall after all. The self-control she had regained for a moment with such effort was gone again, and she was visibly shaken. Her chest felt like it was being squeezed, and every breath was a struggle.

No, this cannot be.

Tekiro must have lied out of spite... But indeed, people were saying that Kakashi was spending a lot of time at the cemetery, and in particular at the grave which belonged to... Rin.

Arina had also once been to the cemetery, for educational purposes, and saw that tombstone with her own eyes... So that's who it was?

Pierced her chest... But could he really sacrifice his own girlfriend? And was this common practice here? She still didn't know the local people and customs that well. But she absolutely did not want to believe it – he would not have been so upset in that case. Whatever really happened, it can't go past without a trace, unless the person is completely unfeeling... And Kakashi definitely is not unfeeling... And then she told him... this...

Arina almost groaned aloud.

She was recalling again that night that had begun so sensually and ended so miserably. The way Kakashi recoiled. The way he left her alone in the dark. The way he was endlessly apologizing afterwards, agonizingly.

The girl shook her head, pressing her fist to her mouth, fighting back tears with the last bit of her strength.

«Crippled...»

☙ ❦ ❧

The following nights Arina had trouble sleeping: she either was plagued by insomnia or tormented by nightmares in which they were back in that clearing by the river, and everything seemed to be fine, but then Kakashi invariably pierced her chest with his palm, that radiated lightnings. Each time he begged her to forgive him, and tears streamed from his eyes... after that, Arina woke up from her own crying, and could not fall back asleep for a while.

She desperately wanted to talk to someone about it, but Kurenai, unfortunately, was still absent. She did not dare bother Hiruzen – he had often been a little moody lately, and Arina occasionally had the impression that it was her fault.

Of course, the simplest – and, to be fair, also the proper, – solution would have been to ask Kakashi directly.... But she did not think she had the right to intrude into his soul so familiarly. Moreover, he was still at the hospital, and it was hardly the right setting to question him about the past tragedies.

Besides, they did not part very well.... After that remark of his, she began to shun him again, only passing treats for him through the hospital staff... So who was she to question him about such deeply personal things?..

But also, if she was being completely honest with herself, she was a little scared of the truth that could be revealed to her...

So that night once again she was lying in bed, staring at the ceiling. It was quite late already, but it was clear that she would not be falling asleep any time soon.

Suddenly Arina heard the slightest rustle and then she thought she sensed some movement in the room. She sat up abruptly, turned on the light by the bedside lamp, and immediately shrank back against the wall. She stared in horror at the young man standing in front of her, trying hard to swallow the lump in her throat.

"Trouble sleeping?.. Ari-na..."