Will I keep on losing the people I care about until no one is left?

Chapter 9

Kakashi

I quietly slid the door close behind me, walking away quickly from her room as if the place could burn me. I had to get away quickly, that sight was too much to bear right now. Painful memories I had so carefully buried deep inside me, resurfaced again. Rin just sat there, not making a sound. Her eyes staring over nothing, looking listless, just like he had been. She reminded me how fragile people were.

My mind drifted back to yesterday, at the cemetery. "I'm sorry, Kakashi couldn't come this year either but I'm doing the best I could." Was it my fault? Why she's acting this way? Did total helplessness make her collapse in front of my father's grave? I banged my fist on the wall. Well aware I could've punched out a new window for the house if I gave it a little more power.

These days, I don't really feel like myself. Heck, I knew that when I started to feel again. I've built a wall around myself, not letting anyone in. Not even her. But now, I don't know. It's crumbling around me, exposing a new reality that I had been denying, but… But I don't know what I had been refusing to believe. I shook my head, hating the fact that I was clearly confused. I need someone to talk to.

As I concentrated on calling for Minato-sensei, I felt the seal on my neck burn.

Yellow light flashed behind me, announcing his arrival. I turned to face him. It really surprised me back then (though I didn't really show it), it was a very rare sight indeed. The Yellow Flash looked haggard. His clothes were covered in dirt. The sleeve that covered his right arm was ripped into shreds. His face was flushed and he was breathing hard. A peculiar red smudge was on his cheek and- I sniffed the air- his scent was mildly- more surprise- floral. It wasn't as strong as perfume, so it was probably cologne or maybe even shampoo. It kinda reminded me of Pakkun, which was weird… Still the scent was distinctively female. I narrowed me eyes in suspicion.

"Sensei, have you been with Jiraiya-sama?" He looked at me sheepishly and was quiet for a few moments before answering. "No, just with someone who's a bit more impetuous and a lot less perverted." He smiled then, a dazzling smile that was literally aglow with happiness. Never seen that from him before. I mused, there's only one other person who could smile like that. The feeling of guilt sank lower into his soul, remembering Rin's tears back at the cemetery. Used to smile like that. I push the thought away. Minato-sensei's cheerful mood was too happy for this house right now.

I cleared my throat to gain his attention, which is apparently somewhere else. "Sensei, I need you to talk to Rin." His eyes turned to me. Whatever had been occupying his mind was momentarily forgotten, "Why? What's wrong?" he asked, his voice full of concern. I didn't hesitate to tell him what had happened yesterday, giving every last detail I could remember, until the moment I found her this morning. He lowered his head in quiet contemplation. "So, what do you think sensei?" I broke the silence with an impatient interjection. His eyes told me to calm down. Breathe… I didn't even realize that I was holding my breath until I let it all out in a huge sigh. "Where is she?" he quietly asked. "She's in her room the last I checked. Please talk to her." I answered pointing, my voice still straining. He just nodded his head once and went to that direction, me following him silently.

We reached her room, standing just outside her doorway. "Kakashi, stay here. Believe me, you might not want to hear what she has to say." He ordered, much to my disbelief. Having no choice, I stayed as far away as possible. I watched as he knocked on the doorframe. "Rin, it's me. Let me in." The door slid open, I only saw her silhouette as she beckoned him in. I really wanted to come in but sensei gave a quick look that told me "Don't even think about it." The rectangle patch of light disappeared as he slid the door close

I waited for ten minutes I think, but it felt like a whole hour to me, before Minato-sensei walked out of her room. I didn't even hear them talk. "Well?" I asked, "What did she say?" He smiled, even in the dimly lit hallway I noticed that he was blushing. But also because of the darkness and because of my impatience, I didn't catch the lie in his eyes or in his voice, even in that smile of his. "Kakashi don't worry about it." He smiled the sheepish way like before, "It's more of a personal matter." That statement confused me so I dumbly repeated, "Personal… matter?" He smiled again, "It's a normal thing that age happens when a gir-" he didn't finish because we both jumped as something crash to the floor. We would have rushed there if it weren't for the next thing we heard, I caught something like-"Don't you even dare tell him or I'll…" The rest were reduced to nothing but mumbles.

"I better get going." Minato-sensei started to make hand seals. And just like that, he closed the entire matter completely. I was still looking at the direction of her room, still wondering about the strange answer I received, not noticing the hot look I was getting, it disappeared when I turned to face him again. "Kakashi, I want to teach you something." He paused before continuing, lowering his voice, "Meet me at Training Ground three. Keep this a secret, don't tell anyone about what I'm about to teach you." Then, in a flash of yellow light, he was gone.

I didn't even think about it, I just gave her room one last look, before calling out "I'll be going out. Don't wait up for me Rin." Before heading out the window, it was quicker than going through the door.

o--o--o

Rin stood by the open window, her head resting on the windowpane. "So much for not telling brother…" She whispered softly to herself "At least I know he'll keep his word, keeping it a secret." Her fingers ran down the curtain, imagining a knife moving down sensitive skin… She shivered lightly at the memory. Just a few hours ago, she experienced her most terrifying moment and she was sure that there were more to come.

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So that's chapter 9 for you.

So sorry for taking so long to put it up.

I have to say that I might not be able to put the next chapter early either. But I'll do it ASAP

So just wait for the next chapters and don't forget the reviews! :D