Perhaps at the beginning, it was mere infatuation that kept her intrigued with the son of the legendary White Fang. After all, how much affection can be generated from a few short conversations while solving algebra problems together?
Regardless of the exact nature of her feelings, she was nothing short of ecstatic when they were placed on the same genin team. Although he didn't pay much attention to her, she didn't mind. He spent most of his time arguing with Obito, their other teammate, or being lectured by their sensei for his lack of teamwork, but the few moments of kindness he occasionally exhibited were enough to keep her interested and so very much in love.
For a while, everything was perfect. They reached a point of flawless synchronization—when they could perform their very best as a team and their mission success skyrocketed. The privileged few, they received C and B-rank missions more and more often.
Then Minato-sensei was handed a mission that could potentially turn the tide of the war in Konoha's favor and Kakashi was promoted to jounin—the youngest shinobi in Fire history to do so. They still bickered occasionally, but things had massively improved since their first training exercise together.
But the love she had nurtured for eight years took a severe blow when he admitted he was willing to leave her behind for the sake of a mission. Obito's death had only compounded the pain. For months afterward, they couldn't meet each other's gaze. Minato-sensei tried to help them patch up their friendship, but she couldn't bear to look at him and the guilt still gnawed at his heart.
And then something changed. He brought her flowers. He apologized.
"I'm sorry, Rin-chan," he mumbled, staring at his sandals as he held out the handful of wild roses. "For everything. I should've been a better captain and a better friend. I know now that my teammates are the most important thing."
It was humbling to see the great and oft-spoken of Hatake Kakashi acknowledging his faults and apologizing for them. She was touched. Gently prying the flowers from his grip, she buried her nose in the soft pink blooms. "I forgive you," she whispered, meeting his eyes for the first time in three months. "They're beautiful, Kakashi-kun."
He blushed. "I'm glad you like them."
"I do." She reached for his hand and was surprised when he flinched. Flipping over his palm, she saw it was covered with tiny punctures—no doubt from the roses' sharp little thorns. Taking his hand, she let her chakra flow from her skin to his, repairing the damage until his skin was smooth and unblemished again.
"Thanks," he said, holding onto her hand for much longer than necessary.
She smiled. "You're welcome. So I'll see you tomorrow, right? For Sensei's training session?" He nodded. "Promise?"
"I promise." He released her hand and vanished with a handsign. Leaning against the doorframe, she pressed the bouquet to her heart and sighed. She loved him again.
A/N: I apologize in advance if Kakashi's a little out-of-character...