4.10.2008 - Ohai! I am back from a LONG hiatus, and with a new story! Updates with me are on my profile page, and I always say to myself that I'm going to finish a story before completing it, but I'm trying to get back into the grind of , so here is the prologue of my current project. In usual Slickfish tradition, I'm starting with a cold open, but look out for the next chapter that picks up with the start of the real story soon! This is been my 2-years-waiting story featuring my first original character and inspired by the Chaka Khan song "Through the Fire"...here it goes!

Prologue

"Goodbyes"

"I know...we never got to tell him we love him..."

The thick heels of her sandals sank in the mud, but the burning flame of guilt and anticipation surged through her, the urgency moving her feet against the crowd with little opposition, despite the hindrance of heavy rain lessening her vision. There weren't many more things that she hated than being wet, the thin, piercing bullets soaking her thick coat and making it a heavier burden to wear. But it was not heavier than the thought of leaving Konohagakure without saying goodbye to him. For the moment, she needed to know how he felt, and she needed to know if he could still feel.

Suddenly, a hand gripped her arm forcefully.

"Where are you going?" The familiar piercing black eyes of her obaa-san also captured her in an invisible power, rooting her to the ground. "Your party is still going on, everyone is just moving inside the temple. You cannot just abandon your guests in the middle of the night."

"Kamisama help me..."

Reaching her hand up, she pushed away stray bangs from her eyes. Time was slipping by, and she needed to follow suit. Smiling, she kissed the cheek of her obaa-san and started to walk forward. "But obaa-chan! Birthdays are nothing special, and I have a duty to the Leaf."

"Do not give me any of those 'duty to the Leaf' excuses!" she replied, not angrily, but still with that fiery force the women in her family mastered over the generations. There was no fighting now, no way of playing the game against one who could see the secrets of the heart. She could only wish for understanding now.

Obaa-san continued, her grip loosening on her Noriko-chan's arm. "You know you cannot control yourself in the state you are in. It is not wise to leave the village without supervision. What if the Ankouku..."

"It's been two months, and I haven't relapsed."

"But the last time you did-"

"I'll be fine, Obaa-chan."

There was no more arguing. Obaa-san closed her mouth, knowing that arguing with her grandchild would be futile. When that girl sets her mind on something, she will do anything to achieve her goal. She watched her for the few months after her return from that mission, and her heart broke knowing that she felt like a caged bird. But she was a fierce bird, at that.

Wordlessly, the girl reached forward and hugged her Obaa-san tightly. Perhaps she wouldn't have to leave after all. Perhaps he would convince her to stay, but she needed to find him first.

"Take care of yourself, ja ne?" Obaa-san asked. She didn't smile.

She nodded, her face now obscured by her sleek ANBU mask, and with one last inhale of breath, turned to take off in a sprint. Time was running out.

Hatake Kakashi didn't know how long he was staring at the pond, but he concluded it must have been long enough when he saw his reflection rippled into the young face of his sensei's as the rain hit the glassy surface. He raised his gray eye to look above; there was a dangerous storm coming. Kakashi's gaze lowered to the faintly lit Hokage Villa. Amidst the numerous floors, only the lanterns on the porches were illuminated, and Kakashi's eye rested on the glass double doors at the top of the building. Often, when Kakashi returned from missions in the middle of the night, he usually saw Yondaime-sensei's light still on. It was strange when after his death; the beacon of the Hokage Villa didn't meet him when he returned home.

Kakashi drew in a long, remorseful breath. Although he was usually grateful for the rest of a new weekend, Kakashi knew the extensive amount of work waiting for his ranks come Monday. He felt guilty for not enjoying the party and knew he would feel guilty if he did, so he just decided to leave to try to compose himself alone. But now the impending rain was intruding on him.

Kakashi passed by ANBU headquarters on his way to the Hokage Villa. There was a new poster with familiar eyes staring back at him, the bloody red eyes of Uchiha Itachi. While he didn't dwell on the recent massacre, Kakashi wondered how he would feel if Obito were still here, if his best friend would have perished along with the rest of his family. Although they were both ANBU Captains, Kakashi didn't personally know Itachi. He decided long ago to keep his distance from the Uchiha clan and their whispers, but now it seemed at last there was an end to the grudge against the Hatake name.

Well, almost. There was still one hope left.

Now turning away from the Hokage Villa, the Medical Building caught Kakashi's attention, and his breath caught in his throat. Instantly, regret began to rise in him like bile from his stomach. Kakashi thought he could control himself much better than this, but he couldn't shake the memory of what he was going to ask her after that night. Hopefully she could forgive him where he could not forgive himself.

"Kakashi!" a voice called out. "Kakashi!"

He sighed. "Why can't I just be alone right now?"

He knew who was calling his name, and with some fantastical thought, Kakashi hoped that if he didn't move, she couldn't see him.

"Don't move, don't move..."

The rain poured harder now, but it didn't drown out the soft patter of feet approaching him. Her chakra was thick and energetic, definitely unmistakable, and it pressured Kakashi to remain where he was.

"I don't want any company right now," Kakashi said, the tone of his voice surprising himself.

Heavy breaths escaped her mouth. She was searching for him. "I know that," came the reply. It was barely audible over the rain. "Can you look at me?"

Kakashi's profile straightened to his full height, yet he did not move to her request. Instead, he basked in the cool water running down his face, soaking his clothes, and letting him escape the confines of the moment. He really needed to be alone.

An impatient sigh sounded behind him, and Kakashi sensed her chakra nearing his body. Something was afoot.

"Kakashi...I am in love with you. I need you to know that."

The silver-haired Jounin exhaled loudly, running his hand through his wet locks. Then he shook his head.

"I know this is the worst thing I could do right now," she continued, her voice suddenly feeling insecure and surprisingly desperate. "But I needed you to know that I've always loved you, and if you want me, I'll always be there for you." There was more silence, except for the falling rain.

"Will you at least look at me?" she asked.

Kakashi turned his head and his body slightly, but continued to obscure his full self. He could see her small frame hidden by the long, dark coat issued by ANBU ranks. Her hood was down, mask at her side, but there was no way of hiding the earnestness on her face. Long hair hung limp along her face, and the vibrancy of her eyes shone through, the last hint of hope sparkling in its depths. She looked like a lost dog asking to come in from the rain. The sight would have broken his heart, if Kakashi could feel it.

"You shouldn't have told me that," he replied flatly. Kakashi didn't meet the green orbs' stare.

"But I wanted to."

"I didn't need to hear it," Kakashi snapped. He instantly regretted his outburst and pressed his lips into a thin line. A silence grew between the two figures, and the downpour continued to drench them. "Look, I'm sor-"

"Don't apologize," she replied. There was no more emotion on her face, no twinkle in her eyes, nor the burning of chakra in the air. It was almost as if she faded away to a shadow with his response. "Just...don't."

Almost instantly, the dark hood encompassed her face, covering her eyes from view. Kakashi sighed again, and she was gone. He had a nagging feeling inside and a tingling sensation in his left eye, but easily dismissed it with a quick apology.

"Rin...I'm so sorry," Kakashi said quietly before heading home.