Disclaimer: Naruto respectfully belongs to Masashi Kishimoto.
Hrmph….. chapter 5.. to tell ya guys the truth, there are many hits and alerts on this story but the amount of reviews are just not that satisfying. I'm not complaining, but I tend to always get distracted by my other stories… so gomen for the wait.
I could only hope you guys will enjoy this chapter... I'm not into fluff or happy things lately... T.T
As Time Flies By
Chapter 5 – Friends & Rivals
She knew it would be like this, knowing that she herself was a ninja. She understood though; his missions were crucial and important. If not, they weren't called ANBU for nothing.
But it just broke her heart, that for the past 3 years, she was seeing less and less of that grey pluck of hair of his ex-team mate. After their sensei was appointed as the new Hokage for Konoha, the team went on their separate ways. Her soul crushed back then, but when their sensei went to her and whispers the words of comfort; saying that everything will be alright, she decided to trust those words. Somehow, it almost sounded like a promise, by a sensei to his student. As Kakashi launched himself into the suicidal pit of ANBU, Rin could only hold the tears, hiding under their sensei's shadow and stayed as the miracle hands of Konoha Hospital.
Like their sensei always said; in their own way, each of them was at least contributing for the sake of the village.
Now, after about a year after their sensei's death, Rin's heart remained to be broken. Their sensei's reassuring whispers still lingered deep at the back of her head, only to come out when she isolate herself in one corner just to cry. Every time she saw Kakashi she would wiped her eyes, even though she knew she wasn't crying in the first place, and flashed her usual soft smile at the masked face. And each time, it was replied by Kakashi's own smile behind the mask that she never knew was only for her. This had become a routine, but ironically, it occurred only once in a while.
It has been more than 4 months since Tenzou's dramatic yet suspicious arrival in Konoha, that was after his near-to-death escape from Orochimaru. The young lad was tired to the bone, unable to move properly for the first couple of days. To make it worst, the first month was a torture for both Tenzou and Kakashi, as Tenzou was required to undergo continuous interrogation sessions. And not to forget Kakashi who also needed to be present considering he volunteered himself for being Tenzou's 'senpai'. Both of them were getting irritated by all the questions, even Kakashi once whispered to Rin that he regretted to have volunteered in the first place. Rin was only able to suppress a small chuckle. (Yet, Kakashi finally able to annoy the interrogators by his constant lack of ability to be there on time as payback)
The situation could get much more worst, but Tenzou was cleared from all suspicions and was quickly arranged into ANBU under the supervision of Hatake Kakashi. Rin met Tenzou again for a numerous number of times at his first week in becoming ANBU, which in a way made her life brighter since Kakashi would always be there to associate his kohai. Her heart began to mend by its own when she realized that the time of the conversation they had during Tenzou's regular visit at the hospital was much more than all the conversation they had for the past three years.For once, her smiles was genuine.
Nevertheless, the good things will finally disappear.
Her cherished moments didn't last long, as the condition went back to before. She saw very little of Tenzou now, being he was now more skilful than ever and rarely bumped into any injuries.Thus, also meaning that she saw very little of Kakashi too. Kakashi would only be back after weeks and sometimes months, always exhausted and used up, especially after Tenzou was trusted enough for his own solo mission. Rin of course, didn't say a single word, unknowingly tried to mend again her already broken heart each time she found Kakashi in his exhaustion state.
As the saying goes; tomorrow will turn out better that today. Sadly, it didn't apply to Rin. Again, two days after his return, there was no sign of Kakashi. He was off for another mission. She knocked at his apartment door a couple of times only to found it unanswered. She looked down at the miso eggplant that she made earlier for him with sad eyes and turned her way to the hospital.
The air in the children ward was always filled with laughter, mixed with sobs of cry and when Rin entered, she was greeted with the children's innocent chuckles and smiles. They all in unison greeted her good morning. Rin always stopped by the children ward before resuming to her proper work as medic-nin there.
"Good Morning, Rin-neechan!!!"
Rin smiled.
She put the miso eggplant that was meant for Kakashi on a nearside table at her right. The smile still intact on her soft face but the dark bangs under her hazel eyes could never escaped unnoticed by curious eyes.
A boy on the bed nearest to her was the one that pointed it out.
"Rin-neechan, haven't you been sleeping well?"
She was a little startled as she turned to the boy name Hoshi. His large dark eyes sometimes reminded her of the concern eyes of Obito. "I was a little busy, nothing serious Hoshi…" she evaded the question with a smile.
But it didn't stop there.
"Was it because you've been crying a lot?" he voiced out, staring at Rin's eyes which were also a little swollen and red. Rin tried to hide her face while in the same time wiped her eyes, in case if the tears decided to betray her.
"It's because of Kakashi-niisan isn't it??" another small voice came into the picture. Rin turned towards the little girl with red hair in a bed sitting just opposite Hoshi.
When Rin didn't answer the question, all eyes were on her. She didn't dare to look at them, for what they were assuming was quite true. Again yesterday, she went to Kakashi's after work just to check on how he was doing to again found him at the Memorial Tombstone. She again walked him home and by the time she got herself home, it was approaching midnight. Again, like always she couldn't sleep thinking of Kakashi's expression every time he was in front of tombstone and resorted herself to crying. In the end, she cried herself to sleep.
"What… what made you think it was Kakashi? This has nothing to do with him" Rin tried again to shield herself from the incoming curiosity questions.
For a second there, she could sense a feeling of sympathy from the children.
Hoshi looked at the miso eggplant on the table and decided to point that another fact when Tenzou suddenly appeared in the wad. "Rin-san…"
"Whoa! An ANBU!!! Just like Kakashi-niisan!!!"
Tenzou, who was still wearing his ANBU mask, twitched with a hint of surprise. "How do you know I'm not Kakashi?" he asked in a sort-of quiz tone. He knew that Kakashi too had often come by here. He thought the kids would recognized him as Kakashi since he also was in the same ANBU suit.
"You addressed Rin-neechan with 'san'; Kakashi-niisan would never do that…" Hoshi said in a matter-of-factly way.
Tenzou smiled beneath his mask. He then turned towards Rin. "Could I have a few words with you, Rin-san?"
Rin, gladly to finally found a way to escape from the clutches of the children smiled and nodded. She followed Tenzou out of the ward, earning a couple of 'awww's from the children. She gave one last turn and said that they can have the Miso eggplant on the table.
The children cheered.
"Are you sure you're okay? You looked tired." Tenzou decided to start the conversation as they walked along the hospital walls.
Rin gave another smile. "I'm fine Tenzou, really. What made you come here? Here for another injury? I don't see any…"
The dark-haired shook his head. "No, Kakashi-senpai asked me to check up on you."
A surprise look came upon Rin's fair face. "Excuse me?"
"Kakashi-senpai asked me to check up on you." Tenzou repeated. "He said that you were late returning from his house yesterday and he said he was sorry that he didn't send you home last night. He was quite worried"
"I wouldn't let him send me anyway…" Rin let out a small sigh.
Tenzou turned his masked face at Rin. "You don't look okay, Rin-san"
Rin didn't look at him, and smiled sadly. "What mission is he on now?"
Tenzou hesitated. "The last time I checked... probably the one involving the Snow Country…" Rin's eyes narrowed.
"That's a long journey. Guess he won't be back for weeks? Maybe months?" it sounded more like a statement than a question. Tenzou gave a slow nod.
"He also asked me to tell you not to worry…" Rin looked at the unmoved mouth of Tenzou's mask. "… and he also said that the last few weeks were the best times that he had ever had with you. Well, I have no idea what that meant… considering that I kept went in and out of this place at that time…"
Rin's eyes widened. She could not help that one tear from coming out from one of her eyes. Her heart went lighter when she learned that Kakashi felt the same way as she felt. She quickly wiped away that tear, unseen by the half-confused Tenzou.
As they reached the entrance of the Hospital, Rin said her thanks to the ANBU which Tenzou replied with a 'no problem' and saying that that's what friends are for. Tenzou walked out of the hospital, but was suddenly made an acquaintance with a quick kick from a certain boy that Rin obviously recognised as an Uchiha.
"Take that, Kakashi!!! You good for nothing burglar!" the Uchiha shouted, Tenzou managed to dodge the sidekick from the 10-year old. Tetsu landed almost unbalance on the ground but was able to turned around and launched another attack; a punch this time.
Noticing the surprise attack now, Tenzou made a quick spin, barely seen by Tetsu and grabbed the collar of the boy's shirt and pinned him on the brick wall of the entrance gate. Rin quickly went for the rescue.
"Tenzou, don't hurt him! It's just Tetsu!"
Tetsu, hearing what Rin called the man in front of him, stared with a little shock. He knew he was mistakenly attacked the wrong guy. "You're not Kakashi?"
Tenzou slid his mask slightly, revealing his square face and diamond-shaped eyes. "Nope. Sorry, kid. Your revenge would have to wait."
Tetsu clenched his teeth together as his feet met back with the ground. She felt Rin's hands on his shoulder. He didn't seem hurt. "Tetsu, are you okay?"
The boy gave a hesitate nod, "I'm fine." He muttered with a frown on his face.
"Don't you do that again! Not to anyone, especially to Kakashi! You could get killed if he was serious!" Rin almost shouted.
Tetsu raging eyes met Rin's worried ones. "That would be better! I would die protecting my clan's rights! And then everyone would know who that grey weirdo really is!"
A slap landed on Tetsu's left cheek.
Tetsu's eyes widened with surprise, so were Tenzou's. Rin's right palm shivered from the impact. She was trying so hard to not let any water out of her round orbs. Tetsu touched the red spot on his cheek. His eyes burned with anger.
"WHY DO YOU KEEP PROTECTING HIM!!!??" Tetsu exploded. "HE EVEN MADE YOU CRIED TO YOUR SLEEP! AND YET YOU'RE STILL PROTECTING HIM!!" Tetsu continued to blast. He remembered last night when he saw Rin cried herself to sleep. He was trying to find Rin for consolation like always, after being scolded by his father yesterday.
Rin stared at Tetsu. She saw Tetsu let escaped a tear from his eyes. She lowered down her shivering hand and head. The reaction just now was a complete reflex. She didn't realized what she had done. "Tetsu… I'm.."
Even before Rin managed to finish her apology, Tetsu was 10 feet away. Tenzou held a comforting hand on her shoulder.
Rin touched the spot at her chest. She was more broken than before.
AUTHOR'S NOTE
Well… that's all folks. I'll try to update again… I'm flying to Indonesia for medical studies this Saturday, so I will be SOOO busy there… but I'll try to write.. Especially when I'm bored.. XD
Thank you! R & R!!!