Hey everyone! ^^ I'm here with another chapter. This time, one of KakaRin, my second OTP. Anyway, I was listening to Skillet the entire time I was writing this, particularly "Awake and Alive" and "Hero", so if there are any of those lyrics in there, I do not own them. I also do not own Naruto, which is an obvious "Duh". Okay, so the fighting scene with Rin is pretty sloppy. I wanted Rin to be able to hold her own, so I gave her a super powerful jutsu that I made up. As for Kakashi, I always end up making him weak without intending to. Anyway, Rin's attempted sacrifice was inspired by Sakura taking the blow intended for Lady Chiyo in the fight against Sasori, Manga chapters 273 and 274, so, yeah, I guess I don't own that either. I had book 31 sitting in front of me, and I thought, "Hey, why don't I put that in there, and just edit the before, during, and after scenes of it?". Anyway, now that the long disclaimer is over, enjoy! ^^


I planted my feet, spreading them shoulder's width apart, holding the kunai tightly. Kakashi sat unconscious behind me, his eyes closed, helpless, and dependent on me to protect him. With Minato-sensei gone on a mission, and Kakashi unconscious, I have to step up to the plate, and actually do something for once, instead of always needing saved. I narrowed my chocolate brown eyes, and gritted my teeth. The enemy ninja shifted, sinking down onto his haunches slightly.

"Fighting isn't for a little girl like yourself." The enemy pointed out, smiling evilly. I lifted up the kunai.

"It is when I'm the one everyone is depending on."I replied. The enemy ran toward me, throwing shuriken. I have to figure out a way that I can protect Kakashi as well as taking minimal damage. I don't know any jutsu except healing…Unless…I flourished my kunai in front of me, blocking the shuriken, then I flung some of my own toward the man. He slid to the left, and I darted toward him, slicing at him as well as deflecting his own attacks. I have to focus my chakra for my little trick. I haven't attempted a nature transformation in a while, but now's as good a time as any. He ducked down at my cross, swinging his kunai toward my legs. I cart wheeled out of the way, and landed in a crouch, lifting the kunai to eye level.

"Not bad."The enemy praised, then moved through hand signs. I widened my eyes. Earth style ninjutsu! Chidori would counter that…

"But, it's over. Keiko! Get the boy!" He called. I have to do it now! I closed my eyes, and willed chakra into my right hand, green healing fire lighting up around it. That's it…

"That's a healing ninjutsu! Finish her, Keiko!" The enemy ninja ran toward me, but stopped when they saw what I was doing. I focused harder, the green fire getting darker, sparkles flying off of the flames, as my right hand tensed up, my chakra flying into my right hand. Earth style! Misaki! Green breath-like wind flew toward my right hand, coming off of Kakashi, flying through the window from the plants, the ground, the flames twisted together into a beautiful flower over my fist, hence its name, "Beautiful Blossom". It has been a long time since I've used this jutsu…It lit up brighter, the flower blooming, flaring up, as the flow of chakra coming off of Kakashi and the world outside was cut off, my jutsu fully charged. I turned around, and ran toward the enemy ninja. They sent rocks and shockwaves toward me, blowing down walls, all aimed at me, but I cart wheeled out of the way, and jumped from rock to rock, my right foot swinging out for balance as I pushed off with my left, flying down toward the enemy ninja.

"HIIIIIIYYYYY!" I cried, slamming my right hand into one of them, the enemy who had faced me just minutes earlier, the other one, Keiko, nowhere to be found. My attack killed him instantaneously, Misaki flaring up brighter as the enemy's chakra flowed into it, the flower growing bigger. I stood up straighter, turning around and looking all over, the hotel practically leveled, and I rested my eyes on Kakashi, lying flat on his side in front of some debris. I sighed, and looked around, searching for Keiko, the other enemy. The ground shook, and I wobbled on my feet, turning around, toward Kakashi, seeing the enemy slinging Kakashi over his shoulder.

"I'll kill this one, since you killed my friend." A female voice snarled savagely. I gritted my teeth, unable to get close with Misaki.

"Put. Him. Down." I replied, shaking my right hand out, the flower sinking back into my hand, as I sighed, a surge of power flowing through me.

"Keiko. Put him down." I ordered again, taking a few steps toward her, my chocolate brown eyes narrowed.

"Don't call me by my name, you Leaf village scum!" She spat, flying kunai at me. I closed my eyes, and moved with the wind, reaching out with my chakra, the vibrations telling me where the kunai were, where they were coming from, and where they would hit. She's aiming for my heart…I back flipped three times, and landed in a crouch, flinging shuriken back at her next round of kunai, the weapons bouncing off of each other.

"I'm done with this!" She slammed her palm into the ground, a huge giant shockwave coming toward me, like a tsunami made out of mud, dirt, and rock. I flicked my right hand, Misaki appearing within seconds, and I shot forward like a bolt, flinging my right hand forward, Misaki breaking through rock, after rock, as I continued forward, undaunted. Once I got to the back of the tsunami, I flicked my hand again, Misaki disappearing back inside my hand, as I looked around, the dust slowly clearing. Keiko and Kakashi were gone. They vanished. I looked over my shoulder, to my right, left, above me, below me.

"Kakashi?" I called, taking a few steps forward, stopped when I heard laughing. I turned around, seeing Keiko, standing on top of debris, Kakashi on her back.

"Too bad. I wanted to play with you a little longer, but, I accomplished my mission here. Nice seeing you, scum." She taunted, then turned and looked at Kakashi.

"Don't touch him!" I cried, jumping up toward her. Keiko rolled her eyes.

"Oh please. Like I'm going to hurt your little boyfriend. He'd be a good source of information. If I killed him, I wouldn't get any, now would I?" She replied, as I landed a few feet below her.

"Put him down. Your fight is with me." I answered. Keiko shook her head.

"No. Your friend here killed one of my friends with that Lightning jutsu of his. That was my boyfriend he killed. And you. You killed my other friend. I'll get my revenge on you later." Keiko replied, disappearing in a swirl of dust. I took one step. One step. I felt a presence behind me, and I swung around, lifting my kunai. I've got an idea.

"But, I'll let you touch him one last time." I widened my eyes, as the tip of my kunai sliced across Kakashi's right cheek, blood splattering my face, as I closed my eyes, shoving some of my chakra into Kakashi through the wound I'd created, hoping that this last resort would allow me to find him soon. I'll fight hard, but, if I should fail…I brushed my right hand across his wounded cheek gently, Keiko's face evil and bitter, twisted and savage. I narrowed my eyes and gritted my teeth as I held Kakashi close to me, his weight leaning on me heavily. I moved my right hand to rest on his back wound, and closed my eyes, sending some of my chakra into it as well, to strengthen my chances. I knew I couldn't fight Keiko off, or save Kakashi…Yet. He'll be alright. If anything, they won't beat him unless he rebels. But, I'm going to believe in his judgment. Kakashi isn't the type to act recklessly, I think…Hopefully he won't do anything rash until I get there…I know it looks like I'm abandoning him…But…I rubbed the back of his head gently with my left hand, ruffling his silver hair. He was right…I'm not strong enough. Not yet. I'll ask Minato-sensei to train me…I widened my eyes. Wait! What the HELL am I thinking? Obito wouldn't want this. He wouldn't want me to give up this easily. I barely have a scratch on me! Kakashi certainly wouldn't give up either…If I want to be strong, finally be their equal, take after them, then I've got to step up to the plate. I'm the only one left. Minato-sensei's out somewhere, Obito's dead, Kakashi's unconscious, and I'm broken. What else have I got to lose? I lost my best friend. If I don't stand my ground, I'll lose someone else precious to me. I'm not a hero. I'm not strong. But…At this point…All I can do is try…I rested my head on Kakashi's, and took a step back from Keiko, pulling Kakashi with me.

"You know what?"I replied, my eyes closed, my voice slightly dark. Keiko widened her eyes.

"Hm?" She answered. Invisible wind started blowing around Kakashi and I, as I charged up Misaki again, getting ready for another round. This time, instead of using the chakra around me, I used my own, since I had plenty of excess from my last attack, Misaki flaring up in seconds. Keiko's eyes widened, and she started taking a few steps back.

"I don't think this will be the last time I ever touch him, you know?" I slowly lifted the corner of my mouth up, smiling. Keiko smiled.

"You're really starting to get on my nerves, Leaf village scum. And that glow in your right hand, put that away, before I kill him right here and now." Keiko responded, lifting up kunai. I felt my lip curl up higher.

"Then you better leave before I kill you first."I replied smoothly. A noise startled me.

"Rin…Give up… You won't win…"A voice sounded right next to my ear, so quiet, I almost didn't hear it. I pulled my head back to look at him.

"Kakashi…" I breathed. He screwed his eyes shut tightly, and groaned slightly. I lifted up my Misaki hand, and held it beside his head, letting him see it.

"You see this jutsu?" I asked. Kakashi sighed, shaking his head slowly.

"It doesn't matter, Rin. You're not strong enough." He replied, shaking his head again. I blinked, then shook him.

"Why can't you just believe in me? I'll be alright. After all, I've got you to look after, don't I?" I replied. Kakashi slowly lifted his head up to look at me.

"Listen to me. You won't win. Even with that-What the hell?" He exclaimed, widening his eyes. My lip curled up as the sound of chirping birds flooded my ears, blue light glowing from my right hand. Kakashi looked back at me, his eyes wide.

"That's…The Chidori…How did you do that?" He asked, his voice filled with wonder. I shrugged.

"When the Misaki absorbs chakra from a human being while it's charging up, it can then transform into a jutsu of the same chakra nature as the human it absorbed from. Since you have Lightning natured chakra, I can use the Chidori, without the hand signs and nature transformations, so long as Misaki absorbed from you." I explained, smiling at Kakashi. He blinked.

"When did you-" He started.

"When I trained in the medical school." I replied. Under Aki-sensei…Kakashi shifted in my arms, attempting to stand in front of me, and hold his arms outstretched, although, his back injury crippled him. He shrank in on himself, screaming. I held my left hand over Kakashi's back wound, trying to use Mystical Palm Technique, but, was unable to summon enough chakra in order to create a spark. Damn it! I felt the Chidori absorbing more and more of my chakra, and I swayed, my feet starting to slip. I…Can't hold it much longer...This is my last effort…Gotta make it count! I hopped out from behind Kakashi, and the instant my feet touched the ground, I shot forward like a bolt. I willed more of my chakra into the Chidori, the lightning bolts roaring louder, Kakashi lifting his head up, although still in pain, his eyes full of amazement. I flew toward Keiko, pulling my right hand back, as I streaked closer.

"TAKE THIS! HIIIIYYYYY!" I cried, flinging my right hand forward, closing my eyes, struggling to hold the Chidori's shape. Focus my chakra on impact…Then…I heard the Chidori roar one final time, white light pushing against my eyelids, the huge weight lifting from my right arm. RELEASE! I opened my eyes, lightning bolts crackling over Keiko's body, through the wound in her chest, where my hand was wedged into, her heart beating next to my thumb. Our faces were inches away from each other, her autumn brown eyes meeting my chocolate ones, filled with pain, and something else. I flinched in surprise, as she grabbed my wrist in her left hand, holding me where I was. What the-? Shouldn't she be…Damn it! It's a Shadow Clone! I pulled against the clone's grip, struggling to get back to Kakashi, who was curled up on the ground, wincing in pain. Shit! Charging in without coming up with a plan is NEVER a good idea…I've used up most of my chakra…How am I supposed to fight? I yanked my hand out of the clone's chest, blood flying out behind it, the clone vanishing in a puff of smoke, and I wrenched myself around, seeing Kakashi, still there. I ran back toward him, jumping over rocks, and debris.

"Kakashi!" I cried, as a huge shadow flew over my head, flying straight for him. Kakashi lifted his head, fear flashing in his eyes, as he looked up at the attacker. I continued running, praying I could get to him in time. The shadow pulled out something, a rod, sword, dagger, I didn't know. I willed chakra into the soles of my feet, and I flew faster, sliding in front of Kakashi, the metal rod sinking into my gut, as I took the blow intended for Kakashi. My blood flew through the air, staining Kakashi and Keiko's faces, thunder rumbling. Keiko landed on the ground, her eyes wide with shock, as I struggled to breathe. Have…To…Hang on…Just a little longer…I took a deep breath, and held my hand over my wound, green fire sparking into existence. Kakashi's breath caught as he realized what had just happened.

"Rin!" He exclaimed, crawling toward me, toward my shaking legs. I wanted to fall to the ground, curl up in a ball, and die. But, I couldn't. Not with a metal rod thing in my gut. The first thing I had to do was stop the bleeding, and take it out. There was no way Kakashi or I could fight now. We were at Keiko's mercy. My hands slid up the rod, pulling it deeper into my gut, and I flinched. Keiko's eyes were throbbing, as she watched my hands enclose around hers, holding her there as best I could. Rain began to fall, lightning crackling across the sky, thunder booming.

"You…Aren't…Leaving…Me like this…Keiko…" I snarled in between breaths. She gasped, Kakashi flinching in surprise. Blood trickled down to my chin from a corner of my mouth, that same corner curling up.

"You…Heard me…As long…As your…Weapon is in…My body…I…Won't…Give…Up…" I continued, my eyes glowing fiercely. Kakashi lifted his hand, and rested it on my calf, blood trickling down my leg.

"Rin…" He breathed. I dropped my head, the effort of speaking and breathing too much to bear at the same time. I can't let it end like this…Minato-sensei…Hurry…

"Kakashi…Minato-sensei's knife…Stab me with it…Now…" I ordered, screwing my eyes shut tight, as I held Keiko's hands as well as the rod tighter. Kakashi gasped.

"What? No, I-" I slid my leg backward to stop him, rain falling harder.

"It'll send him…A message…And…He'll come….And help…Kakashi…Just do it…" I interrupted. Kakashi lowered his head, his hand and body starting to shake. He must be feeling helpless…Just like with Obito…

Excruciating pain erupted in my abdomen, and I screamed, my body shaking harder. I can't…Hold on…

"Kakashi…Hurry…Or I'm going to die…" I sighed, my grip on Keiko's hands loosening slightly. Kakashi was quiet for a minute, then I heard him spin the knife in his hand, gripping the handle tightly.

"I'm ready…" I breathed, sliding my leg a little closer, tightening my grip on Keiko's hands. Keiko struggled to pull away, and I tugged at her, snapping my teeth together. A stab of pain spiked from the back of my calf as Kakashi stabbed it, and I screamed, my head dropping for a second.

"Rin…Are you alright…?" Kakashi asked, his hand still holding the handle of the knife. I flexed my leg muscle in response. Keiko pulled against me, as lightning shot across the sky, blue light erupting over our heads.

"Let go of me scum!" Keiko screeched, as a yellow light enveloped Minato-sensei's knife. I lifted my head up, opening my eyes. It's working! I pulled on Keiko, struggling to hold her there. Kakashi backed away from the yellow fire that was flaring up from the knife, characters circling Keiko and I, glowing. I focused hard on keeping Keiko where she was, the pain in my abdomen unbearable, like fire was burning me from the inside.

"Kakashi, get out of the way!" A voice ordered, a yellow flash streaking past my right eye. I sighed in relief. I let go of Keiko, who in turn let go of the rod, as the same yellow flash started fighting her in the distance. I dropped to my knees, holding the rod in my right hand, a slight smile on my face. I did it…We're safe now…My body started falling onto my side, the rod sticking straight out as my shoulder hit the ground, my left arm resting on my right elbow, the knife that Kakashi had stabbed into my right calf still stuck in my leg. I let my breathing slow down, taking deep ones every thirty seconds, as I danced between life and death, my heartbeat pulsing slowly. Kakashi crawled over to my side, tears starting to fall down his face.

"Rin…Don't die…" He whispered, his voice barely audible. I trembled, my body going cold all of a sudden, death coming. I did it…I protected Kakashi…I gritted my teeth against the pain in both my leg and abdomen, the only thing keeping me in this world was Kakashi's face, vulnerable and heartbroken. I swallowed, and took a deep breath. I could hear kunai clashing, the metal ringing across the clearing where the hotel now lay, flattened. Kakashi reached out with his shaking right hand, resting it on my upturned cheek, as I tensed and relaxed, going with the pain, as it spiked up and down. I knew he didn't know what to do, since he wasn't a medical ninja, but, at least he was attempting to comfort me, give me strength. The cries of kunai against kunai, the crackling of lightning, the booming of thunder, the roaring of wind, and the pounding of rain echoed in my ears, my eyes closing even tighter.

"Hang in there, Rin…" Kakashi murmured, rubbing my cheek gently. The pain spiked up, hurting worse, burning me in both places, harsher than it ever had. I screamed, tensing my fingers, curling them in tightly, my knuckles turning white as I screamed over and over, my body shaking violently. Can't…Fight…Anymore…The fire flew through my veins, burning those two areas fiercely. Kakashi kept his hand on my cheek, moving his other one toward the knife. His fingers closed around the handle, and he slowly pulled it out. I screamed louder, higher, the initial bolt of pain lasting about three seconds, then dulling to an ache.

"Kakashi…Go…Help Minato-sensei…Now…" I ordered through gritted teeth. Kakashi shook his head, his hand closing around the end of the rod.

"No! He doesn't need me. I'm not leaving you." He shot back, pulling the rod out of my gut, and I screamed again, relaxing as the pain dulled, only slightly. I focused my chakra, both wounds starting to tingle, as green healing fire lit up around the edges, as I fought to close the wounds. Kakashi's head swung over toward where I assumed to be Minato-sensei was fighting.

"No…She got him too…" He murmured, fear and desperation under his voice. In the next second, his hand lifted from my cheek, and chirping birds roared right by my ear.

"Kakashi…Be careful…" I whispered, opening my cloudy eyes to look up at him. He nodded, touching my face one last time.

"Understood." He replied, then took off. I heard Kakashi fight, and despite his injury, he seemed to be holding Keiko off pretty well. I heard footsteps beside me as my eyes drifted closed.

"Rin…Are you still here?" Minato-sensei asked. My eyes flashed open, as I recognized his voice.

"Sensei…How…?" I asked softly, my breathing labored. He shook his head, smiling gently.

"Don't worry about that now. Kakashi is holding her off, He told me to get you out of here, and then come back and help him. He seemed, determined. Strong." Minato-sensei informed me, his blue eyes gentle. I shut my chocolate eyes, feeling safe again, my wounds still tingling, healing.

"Just give me…A minute…And I'll help…" I replied, the green fire flaring brighter, as I concentrated harder. The effort exhausted me, and the brightness waned, the fire starting to fade.

"Don't push yourself Rin. Or you will die." He answered, looking at Kakashi, who was fighting. I attempted to nod, but it looked more like a tight jerk.

"Right." I whispered, laying still, focusing on keeping the chakra fire going. Minutes passed, the storm continuing to rage, Kakashi continuing to fight, Minato-sensei watching over me. Suddenly, Minato-sensei leapt up.

"Kakashi!" He shouted, taking off toward him. I laid there, helpless, and now open to attack, unable to see what was going on, my vision failing me. Damn it! There was a huge metallic boom, as chirping birds and metal crashed against each other, then the wind howled.

"Kakashi!" Minato-sensei cried again. No answer. I struggled to move my arms, but ended up only able to twitch them.

"Kakashi…" I murmured, my voice fading into the storm.

"Not him too…Am I going to lose all of my students?" Minato-sensei whispered, his voice shaking. No…Kakashi couldn't be dead…I held back tears. There was no way in HELL Kakashi was dead. He was too strong for that. He was a Jonin. He could do more than hold his own in battle. He could kill. But be killed? Not part of his agenda. Staggering pain flared up from my wounds, and I screamed, my throat ripping into flames. Damn it! Minato-sensei walked back to my side slowly, his footsteps sluggish, saddened.

"Kakashi isn't dead, Sensei…I can feel it." I replied softly, a small surge of warmth proving that idea true. Minato-sensei blinked.

"Are you sure…?" He asked sadly. I jerked my head in another nod.

"Yes…" I answered. He scooped me up, and started heading back toward the Leaf village.

"That was a brave thing you did back there, Rin." He praised. I jerked my head again.

"I tried my…Best to protect Kakashi…Before I got stabbed…But I couldn't hold out…I thought that…If I held Keiko there…That you'd come back and finish…Her off…" I replied. Minato-sensei hung his head.

"You put too much faith in me. And I let you both down." He answered. I managed to shake my head.

"I told Kakashi…To stab my leg with your knife…That you gave him as a present…I knew that…The inscription would act…As a beacon…For you to use for your…Body Flicker Technique…Even though I knew I was putting…Myself in even graver danger…Since the inscription shifted to circle Keiko…And I…" I continued, forcing my voice to sound strong. Minato-sensei blinked.

"You told him to stab you? How could you ask that of him?" He asked. I took a deep breath.

"Because I knew that…I couldn't fight…And he couldn't fight…But you could…Besides, Obito wouldn't have wanted…Kakashi and me to have died…That easily…" I answered. He nodded.

"You're right about that. Obito wouldn't have liked you and Kakashi having to join him this early in life. But how did you find the strength? Most shinobi your age would have cowered in a corner. But from what I saw and what you're telling me, you must have had something driving you. " He asked again, curious. He pushed off of a tree branch, flying through forest.

"I was the only one left…That and the fear of letting Kakashi down…" I replied. Minato-sensei nodded.

"I see. So it was Kakashi that was driving you. I'm proud of you, Rin. You've gotten stronger. Much stronger." He answered, smiling again. I smiled back, although weakly.

"Thank you…Sensei…" I replied. He jumped to another branch, then another, and another. Minutes grew to hours, until finally, he stopped flying.

"Where's Tsunade?" He asked someone. I heard footsteps.

"I'm here, what is it Minato?" Tsunade asked, stopping in front of us.

"It's Rin. She's severely injured, and barely hanging on." He replied. Tsunade gasped, as did a couple other people I hadn't noticed. I felt a soft hand come down on my forehead.

"What happened to her?" Tsunade asked. Minato shrugged.

"I don't know all of it, but, what I do know, is that she took a blow meant for her other teammate, Kakashi Hatake. She threw herself in the rod's path as a human shield, then activated my Body Flicker Technique to get me to come and help. She protected her teammate, and held off a powerful ninja all by herself." He explained. Tsunade and the others gasped again.

"And where is Kakashi?" Tsunade asked, rubbing my forehead gently. Minato-sensei shook his head.

"I don't know. His jutsu and the enemy's jutsu collided, and the next thing I knew, they were both gone. I don't know what happened to him." He answered sadly. Tsunade and the others sighed sadly. Minato-sensei blinked.

"And my other student, Obito Uchiha, died in battle two days ago, having sacrificed himself to save Kakashi from falling rocks." Minato-sensei continued. Tsunade took me from Minato-sensei, her grasp gentle.

"Don't worry, Minato. I'll heal Rin. She'll be up and walking around before you know it." Tsunade replied, attempting a smile. Minato-sensei sighed.

"I'll leave her with you, then?" He asked. Tsunade nodded.

"Yes, I'll take care of her. Why don't you get some rest? You look exhausted." Tsunade suggested. Minato-sensei nodded.

"You're right." He answered, then ruffled my bangs gently.

"Stay strong Rin." He said to me gently, then turned, walking away. Tsunade carried me somewhere, then laid me down on a something soft, like a bed or something like that.

"Alright, Rin, you just relax. I'll have you fixed up in no time." She soothed. Okay…I relaxed, letting myself drift off into my subconscious. Kakashi…I'll wait here for you...