Okay guys, I hope you enjoy this chapter!
Disclaimer: Nope, I still don't own Naruto and i'll never will.
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Chapter 2
Rin
I knew that this wasn't real, that I was dreaming. I can't be here in my room with my parents right now. I know they're gone, I knew that they… died. A silver ray of light flashed out my window. How are they here? Did I die as well? This has to be a dream! But as I watched my mother turning my favorite nightlight on, our usual bedtime routine, I began to wonder. I watched as the little scene came to life. The miniature oak tree with its rotating branches danced along with softly played music, as little lights- fireflies followed its movement. It cast a soft glow in the room. It had been a present from my mother when, I was supposed to receive my wings. I shook that thought off from my head and focused on my father as he sung my favorite lullaby.
Wake up. Someone in my mind whispered. Wake up. I didn't want to. I wanted this to be true. I hoped that it was. But I couldn't stop myself as reality crashed into me. Hesitantly, I opened my eyes. I was afraid of what I might see, but as always my feelings scream true.
Everything was so horridly unfamiliar. The room, the sounds outside, and especially, the face looking at me right now. The boy was about my age. My eyes fell on the familiar carving on the wall. Konoha? That means my brother must be here! His silver hair waving gently in the breeze coming from the open window behind him. His eyes black as a moonless night staring into my own and his mask, covering almost all his face gave him an air of mystery. Silver? I remembered seeing silver in my dream.
Was he the one who found me? What happened to the others? How did this happen? I had so many questions but I didn't know where to find them. I searched his mind but I heard nothing. I can't hear him?! I closed my eyes again and focused on the sounds outside, I heard groans, murmurs, whispers, a stretcher being rolled down a hallway, a floor down. My hearing senses where still intact, but why can't I hear him. I opened my eyes; he was still looking at me closely.
I struggled to find words, but they didn't seem to make it past the growing lump in my throat. Since I couldn't talk, I pleaded with my eyes. I need to know… The masked boy had grown flustered as he said gently, "I knew you'd wake up." That made thing even more confusing. He turned around to face the window. I sat up as I waited for him to continue. He took a deep breath and faced me again, this time his emotions were under control, his eyes betraying nothing. Although his tone was formal, his voice still had that gentle note. He was comforting me.
"We'll skip the introductions later but for now my name is Kakashi Hatake. I was the one who found you. I know that must be really hard for you right now. We don't know much about what had happened, so we'll need all the information we can get. We'll be asking your cooperation about this matter." He spoke with full authority. How could a boy emit such an aura of maturity? I pushed the thought to the back of my mind as he continued, "I'll start with what we know first. Three nights ago, we found you in the woods…"
After he finished with his account of the story he looked at me with sympathy as he waited for my side. I just sat there, trying to digest everything I heard. "… Other than burnt trees and plants, we found no other people. Yes, we saw no one else but you. We were given only half an hour to search any survivors. I only found you at the last minute through some help and sheer luck. You didn't receive any injuries, a miracle." No one else but me. I still just sat there, my heart felt empty. I didn't know what to say when a thought occurred to me. "Help?" I asked Kakashi. He said that there were no other survivors, and that he and his companions were separated, where did he get help? My brother, it had to be him! I was on the verge of tears now. That wretched feeling of hope was threatening to squeeze the tears out of me.
I looked at him expectantly. His careful control of emotions swayed slightly when he looked at me sheepishly. "I guess I have to answer your question." He sighed and continued, "I know that you may find this strange and crazy, but I found you through the help of fireflies." My thoughts went blank. Fireflies… "Mama…" I whispered softly to myself, he didn't seem to notice. "The one who woke you up as well wasn't me. A bird was singing just a few moments before you woke up. The fireflies and the bird, they all disappeared shortly after helping you." "Fireflies and birds…" I repeated again, my voice, shaky. "Mama, Papa…" The boy looked at me surprised, "What?" I repeated myself again. "The fireflies and the bird, they were my…" I covered my face with my hands as I sobbed. The word, were, echoing in the room. "I see." He walked over to me. I knew if I looked up at him now, all I would see was the sympathy in his eyes. I knew he didn't understand. I couldn't bear that right now.
I felt the bed sag as he sat beside me. "I guess it's time that I know your name." He waited for my answer. "It's Rin, just Rin. We don't need family names in the place where I lived." "Alright then Rin," He continued in his comforting voice. "I know that I am not in any position telling you this, considering the circumstance. I don't know the pain of loss you are feeling right now because I never experienced it. My mother died when I was still very young. My father is still with me but usually I don't get the time to spend with him. I guess because of that I grew old young." He sighed wistfully beside me. This time I looked up at him. His eyes had a twinkle to them now. His eyes no longer a moonless night. He continued, "I grew up into what I am today from what I lost. I never felt a mother's love. If I did, I'd probably be better at this. This mask of mine, it was a present from my father. Although he isn't quite the mother you'd want to be with, he is the best father you could ever hope to be with. That's why I wear this mask. My respect for my father and in the memory of my mother however short. It's a reminder that I was never alone." I felt something then, it felt like a tug of a rope. Whatever it is, I felt closer to Kakashi than I had ever been to anyone.
"Now, can you tell me if you know anyone in this village?" I looked outside, "Yes there is." I felt a lot calmer now. The tears have stopped. "I have a brother here. In fact, before I escaped I was told to look for him here." I looked at him again. "How did you know that our village was in fire anyway?" Our village's location was supposed to be a secret unknown to anyone except the Hokage. And not just any ordinary flame engulfed it. It was demon fire. Invisible to human eyes, one touch and bam, you're dead. How could they have handled that situation in the dark? He looked at me questionably now, "What are you trying to say?" My mind was thinking clear now.
Holding his shoulders tightly. I told him in a rushed voice. "Your leader, how did he know? You had told me earlier about that strange command not to touch anything and the mere fact that no one was supposed to be there. How could he have known that there were people living there if he hadn't lived there himself! That fire you were dealing with wasn't just any ordinary fire. Have you ever heard of demon fire? It may look like it burned out but in fact its still there. How could he have known that? Only our people ever know what it looks like. Kakashi, can't you see? We are not ordinary. In fact I have an incredible sense of hearing, I could hear faraway sounds you'd never imagine to hear. I'll tell you about that later but right now that man who led you would have to be my brother." I let go of him and took a deep breath and looked at him, understandingly confused. I will tell him later, our village's secret. To hell with rules, there's no point now. I told him, much slower now. "Please I need to see him." Still speechless, he nodded and disappeared.
A few moments later he appeared with an older man who looked just like him. His father. "My name is Sakumo Hatake." He said in a deep voice. "Your request to meet with the man who led the search and rescue mission was granted. We'll be meeting in the Third's office. Can you walk?" I nodded my head. "Please take me to him." Sakumo-san looked at Kakashi now, his expression had changed to that unreadable mask again. He helped me out of the bed. "We're giving you five minutes to fix yourself up. A new set of clothes was made ready for you. Hurry up okay?" He pointed to the small package that was hanging on the doorknob then he left with his father. I hurriedly did what I was told. I was out in three minutes.
The huge room was intimidating as we waited. We had arrived a bit early. The Third had greeted me with a smile and said his grievances. I accepted them and started to wait. My first impression of the Third, he reminded me of a grandfather, always watching out his children and grandchildren. My hands were shaking. I couldn't help myself as I thought of the brother I never knew. Kakashi saw it and patted my shoulder comfortingly, "Don't worry Rin, it's all right." Sakumo-san was watching us with intriguing interest. "Well now…" I heard him. I could have laughed if it hadn't been for the butterflies in my stomach.
I heard light footsteps coming closer. "Here he comes." Only Kakashi wasn't surprised when I said that. My heart almost stopped when the door opened. The man came inside, his blonde hair rustling slightly. All his movements were hushed, just like a wolf. I didn't have to look at him again; he was the splitting image of my father. We both looked at the same time. His expression neither surprised or happy, just relieved. Slowly he stepped forward, "Minato Namikaze, reporting." Minato-san was beckoning to me. I stepped forward and raised my hand. He did the same. We touched our foreheads and let our open palm rest over our hearts- The Tenshi greeting. We both smiled as I said, "Brother…" Everyone else in the room was surprised.
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Okay guys, how did you like that! Things are going to be pretty interesting from now on.
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