Hello everyone!

This is my first Naruto fanfiction. It will be largely based on Kakashi and this chapter starts 2-3 years before the canon begins (y'know, the first episode of Naruto).

My OC is unusual in terms of her jobscope, but just to clarify, she IS a ninja but continue reading on to find out why not anymore.

I hope you guys enjoy it and do let me know what you think about the story & the OC! :)

"There isn't anyone on the team who hasn't killed before, so I don't think there will be a need for a consultation with you. Unless, of course, in your expertise, you think otherwise." Genma reported as he placed the copy of his latest mission file on the office desk.

Kana flipped through the document and skimmed through the details, her brain fumbling into analysis mode to pick out any minor detail that could be flagged as a need for a 'talk'. That's what she preferred to call it, rather than the crude name the Third Hokage had documented it down in her job scope on her contract. The term "psych-consult" just sounded too overwhelming and she did not want the ninjas of Konoha to feel as though they were being cross-examined when she came for her visits.

Nothing seemed out of the ordinary and none of Genma's team were due for a visit anytime so Kana closed the file, satisfied.

"That's fine, like you said, they're alright. I trust you're holding up alright too?"

Genma gave a nod and smiled as he turned around to leave. Stopping for a bit, he turned and asked, "Kana, if you're done for the day, want to grab a drink with me and the others? It's been awhile and I get the feeling you don't quite like being stuck in the office and all."

"Drink? Genma, are you forgetting you're over 5 years my senior? I'm not eligible to drink yet." Kana chuckled. "However, if where you guys are going has some okonomiyaki, I wouldn't mind popping in for a bit."

Genma smirked and thought for a bit, "Yeah I know a place. It's next to the dango stall by the market. I'll let the rest know and I'll see you there at 8PM?"

Kana raised her first and second finger in assent and Genma vanished from her office. She picked up Genma's mission file and placed it on top of the other reports that came in the same day. Turning her attention to the adjacent stack, which consisted of side tags to remind her of ninjas that required a talk because of various things that happened during their mission. After filling in the appointment dates and times in her planner, she glanced over to look at what she had going on for the next day – just a couple visits and her monthly report to the Hokage on the mental analysis of the ninjas she was in charge of.

Yes, her job was wildly different from almost everyone else who graduated from the Konoha Ninja Academy. She wasn't being sent out on missions or guarding the gates of the village she grew up in. No, she was a mind therapist. After her last mission in the ANBU as a sensory ninja, she had been given the opportunity to serve her village and the future generation of ninjas by taking care of a well-neglected aspect of their lives – their mental health. The Hokage had decided that she was one of the few who had seen a lot for their day, and though she was only 19, he proposed for her to join nine other sensory and medical ninjas in caring for the minds of Konoha's ninja.

The other nine of them had been much other than Kana but having shadowed a few of them the year before, she was now very confident in talking ninjas through their experiences and using what she herself had experienced before while in ANBU, she had managed to guide the few people she counselled away from the darkness of their minds.

The Hokage had mentioned that anytime she wanted to return to the battlefield or to missions, the doors would always be open for her. Obviously, due to the 'lack of danger' or so to speak, the pay difference was bearing a little on Kana, and many times she wanted to call it quits and return to her old job. However, she couldn't bring herself to abandon the people she was in charge of just because of some financial setbacks.

So despite having no idea how she was going to pay the rent for next month, Kana grabbed her belongings and headed to the okonomiyaki stall to catch Genma and his pals.

"Kana!" Genma called out as she entered the restaurant. He was seated at an 8-people table which was filled up save for a seat that was meant for her. She scanned the table and noticed the usual gang - Hayate, Miyako, Asuma... Two other people she didn't know and a rare occurrence at social gatherings, Kakashi Hatake.

She took her seat, facing Kakashi and next to Miyako.

"Hey Kana, it's been awhile. You haven't been to any of our gatherings of late." Miyako greeted her, cheeks slightly flushed, indicating that she had a bit to drink before heading over.

"Well, it's because all you guys do is drink. And I'm underage, I can't go into the bar, Miyako."

"You're still underaged?" Kakashi asked, raising an eye at her.

The chatter went on and the food and alcohol were served. Kana relished every bite of her okonomiyaki, knowing she would soon have to find a part time job to pay for the bills. The conversation went from recent missions to juicy gossip, basically, it was pretty much all over the place and albeit random. Kana and Kakashi were content to stay quiet and listen, they never were people who spoke in the spotlight anyway. It was fun and she hadn't enjoyed herself quite so much as of late.

"Kakashi, are you still failing students every year?" Genma asked teasingly.

"Well, if they don't make the cut, they just aren't suitable. And," he paused for a bit, unsure if he wanted to add the next part, "training a Genin team will take time away from my, you know, reading."

The others burst out laughing and continued on with their banter. Kana looked at Kakashi – she hadn't known him for all that long. They were sent on several missions together in the ANBU and he had saved her from that incident back then. They weren't exactly close but she felt it wouldn't be too inappropriate to ask.

"Kakashi-senpai, how do you pay for your bills then?"

He eyed her with a strange look, a little taken aback by the question. "Well, I still carry out my missions as assigned by the Hokage so the dough still comes in as needed every month." Kakashi continued staring and watched her expressions change when she heard his answer. "Kana, I know you ask everyone this all the time, but are you alright?"

Before she could answer, a new conversation broke into their side of the table. "Hey, hey, did you hear about the new policy Lord Hokage is issuing? It looks like the prices for single rented apartments are going to rise because he wants to encourage communal living. You'll be paying a lot less if you choose to stay with a fellow shinobi as compared to living alone!" Miyako chirped in annoyance.

Kana's eyes grew wide. She didn't hear about that. Her heart sank slightly although her expression did not give way. She was already struggling to pay the bills for the month. If her rent was going to go up, she was going to live on top of the Hokage mountain.

She turned to Miyako and was about to ask her if she found anyone to live with at the moment when Genma beat her to it.

"Oh! I'll be living with Kurenai. We found out when we were both reporting back from a mission." Asuma lit up at the mention of Kurenai while Kana cursed in her heart. That stinking geezer, he must have forgotten that there were ten of them who were serving his village as ninjas specialised in something else. Given that they were paid lesser than the other shinobi, couldn't he have notified them first?

Worry began to build up in Kana as she started to regret ordering such an expensive okonomiyaki for her dinner. The group decided to call it a night and the ninja headed to the front to pay for the food bill. Kana was about to hand over her last 10,000 yen bill when Kakashi put his hand in front to stop her. "No need." He gave her a knowing smile as he followed the rest out of the stall.

As the group split up to head their separate ways, Kana fell in line with Kakashi, who was going in the same direction as her. "Are you drunk, senpai? I could have paid for my own food earlier."

"I didn't drink a drop. But, it was good to see you again."

A comfortable silence grew on them as they walked back to their apartment. The both hated talking too much anyway. The night breeze flew past time and Kana sighed, knowing that the chills she got indicated the fore-coming of Winter. She was going to have to figure out how to install a heater in the tent she would have to live in.

"Kana," she jumped at her name being called, surprised, "do you want to live with me?"

I don't know if there's still anybody on fanfiction or if everyone has left for another site but fanfiction was where I started and although I will also be uploading through wattpad, I will not neglect this space as I write. So, please review and let me know what you think about the first chapter and I will get back to you guys ASAP :)

For those who read TDWSP, y'all will know that the updates will be sporadic but even though I am sometimes inconsistent, I hate quitting halfway so don't worry because I will bring the story to completion!