Chapter 4:
People flooded the streets of Konoha. Upset villagers were running along in streams towards the Hokage monument, no doubt trying to get the best spots in the evacuation bunkers first.
Kakashi took note of this and ran faster, travelling in the opposite direction of the villagers. He needed to make it to the Hokage tower… and fast.
No matter what it took, he needed to make sure that he would get a spot stationed at the Konoha Hospital. If he were anywhere else, he'd probably find himself getting distracted by the thought of Rin running into trouble and getting attacked by the Iwa-nin. Not some of the best thoughts to be having while trying to concentrate on fighting to protect the village.
At least if he were stationed somewhere near her, it would give him a piece of mind and put his worrying to rest. If Rin radioed him for help, he would be able to reach her quickly and effectively.
As the tall, colossal, red mansion came into view, Kakashi looked around and saw the absence of green vest-wearing leaf shinobi.
Great. It looks like most of them still haven't come back from their missions… Where are they all?
Still however, it made him feel confident.
If not many shinobi have reported to the Hokage, then that means many stations around the village still need volunteers to be assigned to defend it… I'll possibly have a better chance of applying for a spot near the hospital!
With this newfound belief in mind, Kakashi reached the front steps where two ANBU in uniform were positioned.
"You're Kakashi Hatake aren't you?" The one wearing a bird mask questioned.
"Yes."
"Go right on in. Lord Hokage needs to allocate you to a station. We need all the shinobi we can." Stated the second ANBU, searching and marking Kakashi's name off a checklist that was crammed with names.
Kakashi nodded and made his way past the ANBU, proceeding to climb the steps, walk through the entrance hall and up the flight of stairs.
Making a beeline for the Hokage office door, he extended a hand to grasp the doorknob and another to knock on the door.
"Come in." Voiced the Hokage.
"Lord Hokage, Hatake Kakashi here reporting."
"Glad you could make it here quite quickly Kakashi. I'm sure that you're fairly aware of the situation we have at the moment so I won't need to explain myself. I heard from the rest of your team that you had gone to check on someone-"
"Ah yes, about that Lord Hokage…"
"Hm? What is it?"
"It's Rin. That was who I was checking up on before. She's made her decision to stay at the hospital to defend the patients… and I was wondering if-"
"You could get stationed at the hospital as well?"
"Yes. That would be perfect if you could do that Hokage-sama." Appealed Kakashi.
Hiruzen Sarutobi stopped at this and pondered on it for a few seconds, one hand stroking his white stump of a beard and the other tapping his fingers on the desk in a rhythmic fashion. Once he had made his decision, the Hokage clasped his hands together and looked up at the copy-nin.
"No Kakashi. I'm afraid I can't let you do that."
Inside, Kakashi felt like someone had stabbed him in the heart. Did he just hear those words properly? Was the Hokage denying him his duty to protect his best friend? He had to ask again.
"I'm sorry. Could you please repeat that?"
"I can't station you at the hospital Kakashi. You're needed elsewhere."
No. He couldn't let an opportunity to protect Rin pass by. He had to keep trying and not give up until he got what he wanted… a spot somewhere near the hospital.
"But Hokage-sama, It's Rin that I'm talking about! She's all alone watching the hospital by herself and there's no telling what the Iwa-nin will do once, or if they reach the hospital! All I'm asking is to be stationed near her. It doesn't even have to be at the hospital, just somewhere near it. I made her a promise that I'd be there to help her if she runs into trouble. I won't be able to do that if I'm far away from her."
Hearing this, the Hokage shook his head slowly and sighed, refusing Kakashi's desperate plea.
"I'm sorry Kakashi. I've already got a position in mind for you. Since you're one of our finest leaf shinobi, you'll be needed where the defences are weakest and where the Iwa-nin will be trying to break through. You'll be fighting amongst the front lines of the defences."
"Hokage-sama, please-"
"I am well aware of the bond that you and Rin share. You two have been close friends for years now since the death of your teammate Obito and your legendary sensei. I know how you must feel. You want to make sure that she stays safe and won't do anything reckless, is that right?"
"Yes."
"Well Kakashi, I think that it's about time you let Rin try and take care of herself for once. If you keep protecting her, she'll lose the ability to be able to look after herself in situations where you are not there."
"Yes, but even so Hokage-sama-"
"Have faith in her Kakashi. Rin is a fine, young, capable woman. She works genuinely hard to accomplish her goals and dreams. It is due to this high determination and perseverance that she has earned her rank as the head medical nurse at the hospital. Rin may seem weak on the outside and lack the physical strength, but inside, she has a strong fighting spirit and that is all that matters. She is one of the finest kunoichi I know in the village, so there is nothing to worry yourself about Kakashi." Lectured the Sandaime. "She will be fine on her own."
Kakashi looked down in sorrow at the carpet on the floor and listened to the Hokage's words, each one slicing a deeper cut into his soul.
Why couldn't the Hokage understand his promise to her? Or the way he felt towards her? He was the only one that knew Rin on a personal level and what she is capable of. Surely the Hokage would snap himself out from whatever trance he was in and change his mind… he had to.
But on the other hand, what the Hokage had said about Rin did make him open his eyes a little. Another half of him now believed that maybe she wasn't as delicate and easily broken as he had thought her to be in the first place. Maybe she will be fine on her own… If only he allowed himself to believe that so easily.
Should he keep protecting her like he always did? Or give her this one chance that she wanted so much, to stand up for herself this time and accomplish her mission without him?
It is true Kakashi. You won't be able to protect her forever, so you may as well give her the opportunity in a situation like this to try and fight by herself. She will only become stronger that way…"
Within those few seconds after the Hokage's speech, he reluctantly drew his decision.
"So what do you say Kakashi? Will you let Rin go?"
"Y-yes… yes I guess I will this time." He clenched his fists and gritted his teeth.
She will be fine! She is strong enough on her own. You have to believe that!
"A wise decision made Kakashi. Later you will look back and praise yourself for the choice you have chosen, and so will Rin. She will gain experience from this and as a result will become ultimately stronger."
I wonder if that really will be the case…
"We have no time to waste then. Shall we discuss your position in Konoha's defences now?"
"Yes. I'm ready."
"You will be stationed at the west gate and will be part of platoon 1-A consisting of 20 members. Serving as their captain, you must be capable of the demands and responsibilities it brings. You show fine leadership skills Kakashi, that I have seen from your very first mission as a jounin in the destruction of the Kannabi Bridge and in your other more recent assignments. I am sure that you will be very suited as their captain. Will you accept?"
"Yes Hokage-sama, I will."
"Very well. Go to the west gate where you will meet your platoon members, most of them should have already assembled. Remember to make informed decisions before you act and not to let your team down. Good luck Kakashi."
"Thank you Hokage-sama."
Whilst running towards the direction of the west gate, Kakashi still found it difficult to keep his thoughts away from Rin. It was incredibly hard physically to run away in the opposite direction of the hospital. Each step made him want to turn around and run back to Rin's side. One half wanted him to stick with her and the other wanted to let her be, saying that it would be beneficial to her learning to be able to take care of herself.
With this inner war raging on inside of him, he wondered if he had in fact, made the right choice. Either way, it was too late to turn back now. He had a secured position as a team leader, something he couldn't afford to turn down.
There could only be two outcomes. Rin would either fight and win against her enemies… or she would lose. However, he managed to program his mind to put the least amount of belief in the latter.
Rin will make it… she'll be fine. Rin will make it… she'll be fine.
Those words seem to have etched themselves securely into his mind. Every few seconds he found himself chanting them over and over again, like some kind of mantra designed to keep him sane.
At long last, the watchtowers of the west gate could be seen. Immediately, Kakashi saw how serious the situation really was. About 50 Konoha Shinobi were there, some were scrambling about while others were pushing themselves against the gates, trying to keep them together and prevent the Iwa-nin from breaking in at the same time.
It occurred to Kakashi that his was very different from when he last gained entry into the village with his team. There had been barely any Iwa-nin outside back then. It appeared that Konoha was not the only side to receive reinforcements; Iwagakure had increased their forces as well. More of them had marched themselves up to Konoha's gates, demanding entry inside.
Everything was in absolute mayhem. He needed to do something about it.
Up until now, platoon 1-A had no captain to give them commands and tell them what to do. Several of them were fighting by themselves, not in a group like they were supposed to be.
Getting ready, Kakashi raised his voice so that it was well audible over the clashes of metal and cries.
"Everyone in platoon 1-A report immediately! I am Hatake Kakashi, and as of now, your team leader!" He announced.
A bunch of Shinobi close enough to 20 stopped their attacks on the Iwa-nin and gathered around Kakashi, with the looks of determined warriors ready for battle.
"Hatake Kakashi huh?" Spoke one of the Shinobi. "We'll be in good hands alright! He's one of the highest ranking jounin in the whole village!"
"You don't say…" Gasped another.
"Alright! Break up into two groups quickly. Group B will defend the gates while group A will go over to the other side of the gates to fight the Iwa-nin along with myself."
Kakashi reached up to feel the radio earpiece in his ear, not forgetting his promise to Rin.
The groups were formed in no time, and as they stood before Kakashi, he had one other thing to say to them.
"Look out for your teammates everyone! Look out for them and they will look out for you in return! It is true that in the ninja world, those who break the rules are scum, but those who abandon their comrades are worse than scum! Remember that! Now move out!"
With a single motion of his hand, the Leaf-nin scattered.
ChibiJinchuuriki: Please review guys and tell me what you think! It's the only way I get motivation to write more chapters! :D