Author Note: Hi! This is my first attempt at writing Naruto fan fiction. I hope you enjoy it. I decided to write this because Kakashi is one of my favorite characters, and I was always a bit curious at what happens to him during this time frame. Anyway, enjoy the story and I hope to have chapter 2 up soon.

Chapter 1

The darkness was suffocating. He couldn't breathe, even in his sleep. Twisting in sheets soaked in sweat, Kakashi battled against the nightmare that closing in upon him. His hands clawing at the pillow as he gritted his teeth, refusing to give in.

Then all at once the nightmare shattered as his alarm sounded. Shooting upward, he inhaled a sharp, shuddering breath. His hand rising to his face as he schooled himself back to reality. Obito was dead.

Obito was dead.

And he was still alive.

Kakashi took another slow breath, his hand falling slightly. Reaching back, he hit the button on his clock, stopping the irritating noise. He sat there in silence. Not trusting himself to move yet, but knowing he needed to.

A soft knock at his front door took away his indecision.

Slipping from the bed, his bare feet silent on the wooden floor, Kakashi headed towards the front door. His hand ran through his unruly silver hair in a feeble attempt to make it look presentable. The other hand reaching for the door, opening it to the familiar brunette beauty.

Rin took one look at her friend and teammate and knew instantly that he had just woken up from another one of his nightmares. Of Obito and the mission they had as genin. She knew the nightmare well.

It was nightmare they often shared.

"You should have called," Rin said quietly, as Kakashi moved aside to let her in to the apartment, "Or at least stopped by. I was getting worried."

"I didn't get back until late," Kakashi sighed, closing the door behind her and automatically moving towards the couch in the front room. "The mission proved a bit more challenging then usual."

"Minato-sensei has a lot of faith in you, Kakashi."

In response, Kakashi reached towards the pack of cigarettes on the table, removing one. Lighting it, he took a slow drag before speaking to her. "Yondaime. He's no longer our sensei, Rin."

"Hmn," Rin smiled softly, moving to sit beside him on the couch. "I don't believe that. He will always be our teacher, just as Obito will always be our teammate." She paused to look at him, her smile faltering, "You had that dream again, didn't you?"

Kakashi didn't respond. He took another slow drag on the cigarette before leaning back, black cotton clad legs extending onto the table in front of him. Finally losing the feeling of being trapped in that nightmare, Kakashi had no desire to relive it, even for Rin.

Rin was fairly use to not getting answers from her teammate. Ever since Obito's death, Kakashi had become even more withdrawn then before, if that was possible. He had always been a hard person to get to know. Now after a few years in ANBU, at times, Rin thought he almost seemed…lost.

"You know, we can always skip things this morning if you want," Rin said.

Kakashi tilted his head faintly, finally looking at her. Rin couldn't help but think the scar that ran through his left eye always looked a bit more harsh in the dim morning light. "No. I don't want to listen to Kushina's rants this morning. Besides, we promised Minato we would."

Rin giggled softly, "You think once she has the baby she'll get less demanding?"

"Probably not," The corner of Kakashi's mouth twitched as if he were holding back a smile. "She was like this even before she was pregnant."

"Your probably right," Rin hung her head slightly, "I'm not exactly looking forward to being the one in the hospital room at the blessed event."

"No better medic in Konoha then you, Rin." Kakashi said, "Minato wouldn't want anyone but you there."

"Hmn. I don't think that's true, but thanks for the vote of confidence." Rin smiled brightly towards her friend before slapping both hands upon her knees, "All right then. Go get dress and we'll face and slay the dragon Kushina together!"

"….uh….huh." Kakashi shook his head, rising from the couch and disappearing back towards his bedroom.

Rin took the rare opportunity to look around Kakashi's apartment. It was a mess. Given how anal he used to be about following the rules, Rin was slightly surprised to see clothes strewn everywhere and half eaten food on tables that didn't look exactly fresh. She shuddered at the thought of just looking in his fridge.

Quietly, she moved about the room. Picking up the spoiled food, Rin made a face and took it towards the trash can. Gratefully, the thing was empty. Pinching her nose with one hand, she quickly dumped it in the can and slammed the lid on top of it.

She then turned and began quietly picking up the various pieces of uniform that lay every which way. She had managed to get part of the room clean before Kakashi reemerged fully dressed in his ANBU uniform, dog mask propped up in his hair which he'd slide into place once they left the apartment.

"You need to start taking better care of yourself."

"I'm fine Rin."

"Then how come I end up cleaning your apartment every time I come here?"

"Because it bothers you." Kakashi shrugged, "Same reason you come over here and drop off food in-between shifts at the hospital. You worry."

"And you don't worry enough. Kakashi, I'm afraid I'm going to lose you too if you keep this up." Rin made a face at him. A face that had become quite familiar in recent years to Kakashi. It was one of stubborn determination.

One that he had helped her perfect.

Kakashi sighed in the face of it. "Your not going to lose me unless I'm killed in a mission, so stop worrying."

"No, I'm going to lose you to food poisoning before that. I didn't even look in your fridge."

"Neither have I in about a month."

Rin threw her hands up, "Ugh, Kakashi! That's it. Can we just go now before I decide to deal with Kushina's wrath just to fix your damn apartment?"

"You're the one still talking," Kakashi shrugged, slipping the mask over his face as he opened the front door.

Rin glared at the back of his head before walking past him, "I don't know why I even bother. Your never going to change."

"Heh. Probably not." Kakashi said, the smirk hidden beneath his mask as he followed her out of the apartment.