Rin

"Did your really not think this through Sandayu? What did you think would happen if you brought the Princess back?" Kakashi questioned. Our squad sat with Sandayu, the director and script manager.

"It was the only way I thought I could get the princess to come back." He replied.

"C'mon Sandayu, you know she's only a princess in a movie, right?" Naruto questioned with a laugh.

"Actually, she is a princess." Kakashi informed us. "Yukie Fujikaze is only an alias. We're guarding Princess Koyuki from the land of snows. Rightful heir to the throne."

"Huh?!" Naruto and Sakura asked amazed.

I sat with a bandage on my head, the ice crash had given me a minor concussion, but thanks to Sakura it should be healed in a few days. I slumped my head on Sasukes shoulder, both of us uninterested in what was happening.

Sandayu started talking about the painful history behind the throne and how Princess Koyukis father had died and his younger brother, Doto was evil etc. etc. I didn't really care, no offense.

Sandayu began crying about how happy he was when he found out she was alive, and then Princess Koyuki herself appeared in the doorway.

"I should've died back then." She said glumly.

"You mustn't say that, Princess. We all prayed for your life."

"I may be alive, but my heart is dead. After that day, any tears I had left dried up."

Sandayu cried and wiped the tears from his face. I looked at him, amazed at how his glasses stayed on when he wiped his eyes, considering they were only the lenses.

"That's how I became her manager. I bided my time until I could escort her back to the land of snow." He turned to the director, "I'm sorry for deceiving you but all this was for the land of snow's people." He ran to Koyuki and bowed in front of her, "Please, confront Doto and assume your rightful place as the leader of our people! I will sacrifice my life in order to protect you!"

"I don't think so. You've got to be kidding." She replied coldly.

"What about your people?"

"I could care less about them. Just forget it. It doesn't matter what you do, you'll never get rid of Doto, okay?"

Sandayu began to cry.

"So what he should just give up? How can you be so heartless?" Naruto asked angrily. "Can't you see this poor man has given everything up for this dream?!"

I put a hand on Naruto's arm, "She's right no matter what he does he can't get rid of Doto."

"What?!" Naruto asked angrily.

"That's why they've got us here, right?" I grinned at Naruto.

Naruto smiled, "Yeah!"

"As long as there's hope one may dream, and with those dreams the future comes." The director said.

Everyone turned towards him, "This is the new theme for our movie. How often can you shoot with a real princess? This is a blockbuster!"

"Hey!" Koyuki shouted.

"Unfortunately, there's only one coarse of action." Kakashi stated, "As long as Doto's on our trail there's no running. We'll have to fight our way through this. Normally, I'd head back to the village and request backup, but—"

"It's a waste of time." Sasuke interrupted, "We're as fine as we can be. Nothing we can't handle." He slouched in his chair with the aura of indifference.

I wrapped my arms around his neck from behind, "You're so cute when you try to act all cool." I said quietly.

"Shut up."

"T-thank you all." Sandayu cried happily.

"It's settled then we're going ahead of this picture! And you can bet this will have a happy ending!" the director confirmed.

"Yeah!" Naruto shouted. We all began to make our way out of the room, and get ready to pack, but Kakashi stopped me.

"Rin," he called making all of team 7 halt, "Can I talk to you?"

"Sure."

I sat back down at the table while Sasuke closed the door on his way out.

"How is it that you know Nadare?"

I bit my lip, "Well a couple years ago Orochimaru took me to the land of snow. He said it was an isolated place where no one can hear you scream." I joked.

Kakashi didn't even blink.

"Okay, okay. He took me there when he gave me the curse mark." I pulled the shoulder part of my shirt down so you could see my neck. The curse mark that was identical to Sasukes was printed on me.

"There's no seal on it, does that mean…"

"I have control of it? Yeah, I kinda need to control it so my body doesn't wither in pain every time I use chakra." I said sarcastically.

He flicked my forehead, "Hey!" I protested, "Anyway, while I was there they used me to test their chakra armor. It was still in its developmental stage so it was different then it was now. I remember spending a lot of time here, I tried to escape, but as you know it's pretty pointless. Those three were my guards after I tried to escape for the …." I counted a few digits on my fingers "36th? Maybe 37th time? They watched me like hawks. It was a pain in the ass." I laughed.

"Did something else happen here?" he asked.

I faltered for a second, "N-no. why would you ask?"

"You were pretty upset about coming here I assumed something really bad happened."

I looked towards the window, putting on a mask of indifference, "Nothing of the sort."

He gave me a look, but didn't push, "Well if you ever want to talk about it. Your teammates are here." He walked over to the door and pulled it open. Sasuke, Naruto and Sakura immediately tumbled inside.

"See?" he asked, "Always here."

"Guys!" I yelled.

"We weren't eavesdropping! Why would you think something like that?!" Sakura asked panicked. I raised an eyebrow and she deflated.

Naruto rubbed his neck sheepishly from his spot on the floor, "We were just concerned for you!"

I rolled my eyes, "Yeah, yeah, whatever."

We rode by car up the snowy mountains. Sakura checked my head and luckily it was all better thanks to her healing expertise.

As we entered a long ass cave I lied down and put my head in Sasukes lap.

"Siblings make good pillows." I sighed happily.

"Glad you're comfortable." He said sarcastically.

"This tunnels so long I can't see the end of it." Naruto said amazed.

"There used to be a railroad here, it's under layers of ice by now, but dig down far enough and you'll find the tracks laying there still." Sandayu told us.

Once we got out of the tunnel the cars screeched to a halt.

"All right, let's get this show on the road!" the director yelled.

"We've got a problem!" the manger came running up to the director. "Yukies gone up and vanished again!"

"What?!"

"Everyone fan out. Radio in if you find her!" Kakashi instructed us.

"Got it." We all chorused.

I picked a random direction and ran. I heard a shout and slowly came to a halt. To my surprise I saw Yukie stumble in the snow and tumble down a hill. I had to stifle my laughter. Once she stopped, she closed her eyes and lied there.

I sighed, "You really are helpless aren't you?"

Her eyes shot open and she stared at me.

"No matter how many times you run. I'm gonna find you." I said. She didn't really respond.

I put her on my back, and started walking.

"Rin here, I found Yukie. I'm bringing her back now." I said into my radio.

"Alright. We'll meet you back there." Kakashi's voice answered.

Walking with an older woman on you back is one thing, but walking in the snow with a woman on your back is another. The snow dragged my feet down making it more tiring. Instead of hoping over the mountain I decided to take that train tunnel.

"Why do you always come after me?" asked Yukie, "I'll go back and act this stupid scene, but that's it. You got it?"

"Try to run and I'll just find you again." I grinned at her.

"Rin!" a voice shouted.

I turned around to see Naruto running up behind me. Yukie groaned.

"Hey Naruto! How'd you find me?"

"I saw you enter the tunnel so I followed." He gave me one of those closed eye smiles. "So how'd you find Koyuki and why is she on your ba—"

"Shhh." I whispered.

"What? Did I say some—"

"Shhhh!"

I glanced around the cave. There was a hissing sound coming from everywhere. I looked at the floor and saw the snow melting revealing train tracks.

"There's chakra in the train tracks. It's melting the snow!" I exclaimed. I turned in the direction we were suppost to go and started walking. "C'mon we gotta go."

There was a soft whistle and light in the distance we had come from.

"It's…a train." Koyuki commented.

"Train? Whad'ya mean a train?" Naruto stopped and turned around.

The light came around the corner revealing a sleek back train chugging it's way towards us. I broke out into a sprint.

"Oh! That train!" he turned around and saw me sprinting away, quickly following suit.

"It's gaining!" Koyuki exclaimed.

"Not on my watch!" I picked up the speed pushing my legs.

"We'll never make it!" she shouted.

"I'm not giving up, lady!" Naruto responded.

"There's no way you guys can do this!" she yelled.

"Will you just shut up already!" Naruto and I shouted together. The train blew it's whistle again and again as it closed the distance between us.

"No! This is totally pointless. We're finished!" she screamed.

"This isn't over! I didn't go through the hell of my childhood to die like this!" I exclaimed.

"I'm not giving up, even if you are. I won't ever give up, ever!" Naruto added.

We both sprinted faster and faster while the train wouldn't shut up! I saw the exit appearing and ran towards the light. As we got to the exit I shoved my body into Naruto's and we tumbled to the left into the snow. The train blew past us.

We lay there panting trying to catch our breath. I put my hand up and Naruto gave me a high-five. We took deep breaths and soon Naruto began laughing. I sat up and looked at the train, which had pulled to a halt a few feet ahead.

"This can't be good." I muttered. Naruto stopped laughing and glanced at the train.

"It's been a long time…Princess Koyuki." The voice came out staticky, but it was unmistakably Doto. He stood on the train with a megaphone in his hand. "Come now, don't be shy. Let's see that pretty face."

Naruto and I moved in front of her protectively.

Logs came sliding down the hill and crashed into the train. I glanced at the direction it came from and saw villagers dressed like Samurai, Sandayu leading them.

"There you have it!" Sandayu spoke, "Our beloved Princess Koyuki is here to watch over us. With her at our side victory is ours!" The other villagers cheered.

"What the?" Naruto looked bewildered.

"Sandayu?" Koyuki asked.

Sandayu drew his sword, "Hear me Doto, we have waited a long time for this day of reckoning to come! Sandayu and 50 warriors stand before you ready to avenge our leader Lord Tsutsetsu! On this day you will breath no more!" The villagers cheered, but I got a bad feeling about this.

All the men charged running down the hill. The train sides opened revealing a dispenser like mechanism.

Realization struck me, "NO SANDAYU! GET AWAY FROM THERE!" but it was too late. Kunais rained down on the soldiers and in an instant they were all punctured and killed.

We all stood wide-eyed at the bloody massacre. While Doto just laughed. Sandayu wobbled towards the train, bloody but still standing.

Another rain of Kunai was launched, but right before it reached Sandayu, a giant shuriken deflected them. Sandayu fell backwards while Sasuke weaved through the scene throwing Kunais with paper bombs at the train. It exploded while Sakura created and Avalanche with another bomb. The train soon took off leaving some carts behind.

The bloody bodies made an image flash through my mind. It was the time I spent with Orochimaru while I was here. Dead bodies, bloody hands, my friend, Arisa….Arisa….Arisa! I clutched my head and I fell to my knees.

"Rin!" Naruto shouted grabbing my shoulders.

Sasuke immediately came to my side, "What's wrong?!"

"Gyahhhh!" my head hurt so much. I've been trying to suppress my memories of this place the whole trip. This bloody scene was making my restraint dissolve.

My head pulsed and soon my nightmares mixed with reality.

Sasuke

"Rin! Rin! What's wrong?" I gripped her shoulders and made her look at me, but her eyes only widened in fear and she shoved me away.

"Stay away from me! Don't come near me!" she cried frantic. Her eyes were open, but they were clouded and unfocused.

Kakashi turned towards us, "Naruto, Sakura, go help with Sandayu and bring Koyuki with you. Sasuke and I will handle this."

They ran off while he kneeled in front of her, "Rin, it's fine. I just need you to calm down-" I reached a hand out to her but Kakashi grabbed my wrist.

"Don't. You might make it worse."

Rin clutched her head and grunted in pain.

"Liar. Liar. Liar."

"Rin, it's me, Sasuke." I said gently.

"…Sasuke?" her voice asked as if she realized something, then suddenly, she lunged. I was tackled, and we went tumbling into the snow. I grabbed her wrist just in time to stop her from driving a kunai into my throat.

"Die. Die! DIE!" she shouted, her eyes looked wild with fear and anger.

"Rin!" Kakashi tried to pry her off, but she only fought harder. "Rin, get a hold of yourself." He threw her away from me and she landed in the snow. She charged at me again, but Kakashi grabbed her from around her waist.

"I trusted you! And you left me! Do you have any idea what it was like?! Do you have any idea what it feels like to have everyone you care about abandon you! I waited for you! I thought you would help me! YOU HAVE NO IDEA HOW I'VE FELT ALL THESE YEARS! You abandoned me just to make yourlife perfect!" she screamed as tears fell from her eyes, "You traitor! You liar! You stupid-two-faced deserter! DIE!"

"Rin, it's me, Kakashi! Snap out of it!" He gripped her shoulders and made her face him.

Rin immediately brought up the kunai she was holding and sliced at Kakashi's arm, but thanks to his reflexes it just grazed his sleeve.

My eyes widened as I stared at Rin, who held the kunai with quivering hands.

"I'm not going back there." She spoke shakily, "I'm tired of this. I can't take it anymore. I don't wanna be a test subject, I don't wanna be your new vessel."

Kakashi took a cautious step towards her, "Rin what are you talking about? It's me-"

Before he could speak Rin lunged at him again.

"Leave me alone!" she screamed swinging the knife around dangerously. She attacked with jerky movements hacking left and right. Kakashi gripped her wrist and twisted it till she dropped. Then he restrained her hands behind her back.

"You're safe. He can't get you here! You're fine. You're fine. It's okay calm down."

She continued to struggle uselessly, "You're lying, you're lying. That's all anyone ever does! Let me go!"

"Rin you escaped already! You're okay. Try to remember, Rin!"

She paused in her struggle as if she vaguely remembered something.

"Please Rin, focus." Kakashi pleaded.

Her flailing slowly came to a stop, and for a while you could only hear Rin's heavy breathing. After a while she turned to look at Kakashi. "Ka-K-Kakashi?" She winced in pain and gripped her head.

Kakashi gripped her hand, "Do you remember where you are right now?"

She gave a slow nod, "….The….land of….Snow, right?"

"Good. Good. Do you remember why we're here?"

Rin thought about it for a moment, "….A mission….right?...yeah it was a mission…..we were suppost to guard someone…..it was Koyuki." She let out a shaky breath, "I remember now."

Her eyes became focused once again, as she returned to reality. She took a deep breath before she collapsed, hiding her face in Kakashi's vest. She was shaking and clutching her head.

I stayed where I was, unable to move. Was that how she really saw me? Was she still angry?

Kakashi patted her head to calm her down. Her breathing was still ragged, but she looked okay.

"Rin?" I asked unsure.

She turned her head and realization at what she yelled at me struck her, "I'm sorry! I'm so sorry! I'm sorry!" she started panicking. I grabbed her wrist and pulled. I wrapped my arms around her shoulders in a tight hug.

"It's okay." I whispered, "I'm sorry too. This is all my fault."

She shook her head gently. We stayed like that for a couple minutes until her breathing was back to normal.

"You okay?" I asked ruffling her hair.

"Yeah… sorry."

"You should've talked to me."

"We're on a mission. It wasn't the time to complain about it."

I scoffed, "I don't care."

She gave me a small smile and whispered, "Thanks."

She turned to Kakashi, "Sorry for losing it."

He ruffled her hair, and made his way over to Naruto and Sakura.

Rin patted her cheeks a few times as if to wake herself up. I raised an eyebrow at her, but she ignored me.

Together we made our way back to the others.

"I didn't realize you've been through so much." I said, "I'm sorry."

She shook her head, "Please don't worry about what I said back there. That was how I felt when I was still with Orochimaru. Just forget about it." She picked up her walking pace, signaling me that this conversation was over.

When we rejoined the others we found Sandayu had died.

Our problems were only beginning as a giant blimp came. A mechanical hand shot down from said blimp, grabbing Koyuki, and whisking her away.

Fubuki threw down kunais with ice bombs setting off a chain of ice crystals.

"Careful!" Kakashi shouted, jumping away.

I stood by the camera crew safely out of range.

"Sakura, where's Naruto?" I asked, and then I realized something else. Rin was gone too. Sakura seemed to come to the same conclusion.

"Oh you're kidding me! They didn't." she turned towards the blimp.

Hanging off a string attached to the rail was Naruto with Rin gripping his waist.

"That idiot." I muttered.

Rin

"Thanks for the lift, Naruto."

He grinned, "Anytime. Now, let's get Princess Koyuki back!" he gripped the rope with his teeth, "Shadow Clone Jutsu!" Multiple shadow clones appeared making their way up the rope to pull us up.

With my emotions steeled, I felt a burst of confidence.

"I thought we should've taken a more stealthy approach, but storming the blimp with hundreds of Naruto's work too."