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Chapter 10
Rin
"Obito, you better make us proud out there!" Minato-sensei told the half nervous and half excited Uchiha boy with a smile. "Just do your best and remember all that back-breaking training we put you through and also…" He gestured for the raven haired boy to come closer and whispered something into his ear. Obito's face suddenly turned beet red and the smile on sensei's face widened into a grin. "Don't forget that." And then Minato-sensei vanished in a burst of yellow light.
Whatever brother said to him was lost in the noise made by all the select participants of the last portion of the Chunin exams. Excited and eager words of good luck, congratulations and pep talks were all jumbled in the small waiting room.
I quickly made my way out. My head was pounding and my ears were ringing from all the commotion. I think I got a case of information overload. I practically heard every strategy that the examinees have been forming in their minds. Lucky for them, I'm not the kind of person who gives away secrets, not even to the dear friend whom I'm rooting for. I'll let them fight fair.
I rushed into the more or less quiet lobby of the arena where I sank into one of the benches, closing my eyes and massaging my temples until the ringing in my ears was gone. I didn't notice someone tapping on my shoulder until, because of sheer impatience, he or she finally gave up and shouted in my ear, "HEY, I WAS ASKING IF YOU'RE ALRIGHT!-a pause for breath- HELLO?!"
o---o---o
Another kind of noise was being made in Training Ground 3. If one was passing by, they would have thought someone was scaring a thousand birds away. A silver haired boy stood in the middle of the clearing in the midst of shrieking chakra, sparks of lightning jumping away from the glowing ball in his hand. Then everything fell silent.
Beads of perspiration raced down his face, his breathing was ragged. "This is still not enough." Kakashi murmured. His displeasure, even with his mask on, was evident.
He was about to start again but a strong hand stopped him. "Stop it now Kakashi. Your chakra levels are too low. Besides, you're going to be late for Obito's big match." Kakashi's heavy leaden eyes trailed up the arm that was holding onto his with steady strength. His gaze crept on until it met up with eyes of startling blue.
He knew that Minato-sensei was right, at least for his first point. His chakra was so out of whack he didn't even sense his teacher approaching. For his second point though, "I don't care if I miss that idiot's fight." Minato didn't show any sign of surprise. He had expected that answer. But he kept on. "Come on Kakashi, don't think like that. He is your teammate after all." He smiled a smile that was supposed to work charms, according to Jiraiya-sama. But unfortunately for sensei, Jiraiya only meant it for girls. Stubbornly Kakashi still objected.
Right then, Minato gave out a great sigh and leaned down on Kakashi's ear, whispering the same thing he had told Obito just a few moments before, "She'll be watching you know…"
o---o---o
My eyes flew open. I leaped out of my seat at the loud outburst and slipped on the polished stone floor in the process. I landed on my backside with a soft thud. My ears began to ring again. I covered them with my hands and moaned, "Ow…" That's going to leave a bruise.
"Oh. Sorry 'bout that." A girl with dull black hair that was caught in a messy clip offered her help which I accepted gratefully. "Sorry again, couldn't help myself. I was tapping on your shoulder for such a long time I kinda lost my temper." She gave me a sheepish smile. Then she added, "So are you alright?" I searched her mind, her apology and concern were both sincere. "Yes, thanks for asking." I smiled at her. "My name is Rin by the way, and you?" I held up my hand. She looked at it for a second before replying with a grin, "Anko. You can call me Anko."
The moment we started talking I knew we would be getting along well. At least we would be, when my bottom isn't bothering me so much. Talk about pain in the butt. We went on talking for about a long time before I almost gave in. I didn't realize that somebody else had notice my discomfort. Somebody I didn't expect to be here.
"Rin," one of the voices I always loved to hear asked, "What happened?" Kakashi, walked into the lobby. He stopped a few feet away. He eyed Anko suspiciously before turning back to me. "Are you alright? Are you hurt?" It was a very familiar question. I've been hearing it everyday. I rubbed the back of my thigh, "Just a small bruise, not really worth fussing over." Not when it you get a new one everyday… I was getting more prone to little accidents since his visit.
I smiled at him not only because I want him to forget the whole matter but also to show how happy I am for his coming here.
Anko elbowed me a bit too roughly, much to Kakashi's dismay, and whispered, "Hey who's that guy?" Somehow I didn't like the way her eyes graze up and down Kakashi. I didn't like the knowledge that she liked what she was seeing. I didn't like the way she smiled, as if she found a new bright toy to play with. The feeble foundation of what I thought would have been a great friendship shook a little.
Reluctantly I answered, "His name is Kakashi Hatake, a friend of mine." Both of her hands went on her hips, "Really now…" She licked her lips and stepped forward toward Kakashi. "Hey…" I almost squeaked out.
Kakashi took a step back. And she laughed quietly. "So you're the famous Hatake kid. Don't be afraid." He stiffened, "I just want…" A sudden burst of noise flooded the room, "Hey Rin…" It was Obito. Anko's eyes looked at him, just like how she looked at Kakashi.
I heard her thoughts the same time Kakashi saw the glint of a weapon she was holding, the same time Obito stepped out the door to get away from the mess of people. She smiled and flung the sharp kunai at me.
Instantly, both of them were by my side, both of them to my rescue. My knights in shining armor. But the thing is I didn't want to be the damsel in distress. So I drew my kunai up together with theirs over my heart- her target.
In a split second later, Anko's kunai clashed with ours. Three against one. Her kunai didn't deflect. Instead, it buried itself halfway through mine. I felt the hard scrape of metal to metal. We three stood there, looking at the embedded kunai I was holding.
Obito's face turned red in anger and he thundered, "You're Anko Mitarashi aren't you? One of the participants of the Chunin exams. What the hell do you want with her?" He pointed to me. He was fuming. Who wouldn't be? Anko merely shrugged and said, "Just wanted to see whose more worthy. Rin ain't exactly your run-in-the-mill girl you can find just anywhere in this village." For a moment, Obito's color changed from crimson to stark white.
My heart pounded in my chest, refusing to think about what could've happened if I was a split second too late. My very ruined kunai was still in my hand. "Anko, what did you that for!?" I asked incredulously. Sure a friendly brawl like the ones between Obito and Kakashi are normal, but an attempt on my life was something else, especially if the one who attempted only did it from mere curiosity.
"You're special Rin, I can see that. I'm just giving you help as a friend. You may not understand my reasons now but later you will. Since I can't seem to compare them both, I guess you better make a choice." Then I heard her think, "Maybe I'll get one of them at least…"
I closed my eyes to think for a moment. I could feel both boys' eyes on me. The tension, so much pressure. Why so soon…? I sighed and cleared my head. And said quite calmly to my surprise, "Thanks for the help Anko, but- I gathered all my courage and put my arms around Obito, to his surprise, and then around Kakashi, who said nothing at all whatsoever- for now at least, they're both mine."
Obito was getting restless. Stop fidgeting unless you want to be in her arms. I conveyed the warning at the same time apologetic message in my eyes. Both of them seem to get the idea.
Anko considered us for a moment before she spoke, "Fine. Leave it at that." A grin was pasted on her face, a grin that disappeared as soon as a very eerie voice spoke, actually more likely hissed, from the shadows, "Anko, this is no time for play. The test will start soon." Anko froze for awhile before answering, "Yes sensei." She ran to the voice's direction, not bothering to say good bye to us.
We stood there for quite some time; we really didn't want to move from where we were. No one really noticed us just standing there, not until Jiraiya-sama and Minato-sensei came to apparently inform Obito that the test would be starting in half an hour. Brother's eyes first looked at my arm around Obito then the other around Kakashi. Immediately I let go.
"Did we miss something?" Jiraiya-sama asked with amusement. "No, not really." Obito answered robotically. I heard his thoughts, about something feeling empty, I didn't catch the rest because my own thoughts were jumbled up. "Anyway sensei, let's go so you could give me some last minute lessons." Then looking at me and Kakashi he said, "Wish me luck guys!" I answered, "Do your best out there Obito." Kakashi answered, "Don't get yourself killed out there idiot." Obito looked tentatively from me to Kakashi and reluctantly walked away, leaving us alone in the empty lobby.
Standing alone in an empty room with Kakashi isn't a very comfortable experience, I know, it was awkward-mostly on my part. But for some reason, it felt very different from the usual awkwardness at home.
I tried to break the silence, "So do you think he's going to be okay?" He didn't answer. He just raised his fingers up to his lips and then, "Shh… Don't break it." Break what? He sighed and told me, "Give me your hand."
"What?"
"Just give it to me."
"Why?"
"I want to try something out."
"…Okay."
He took my hand in his. And squeezed.
Side by side, hand in hand, not saying a word.
My heart was racing in my chest, I could have sworn that he could hear it. What is he planning?
A parade of noises exploded above us.
"It's starting. Come let's move."
We moved in silence towards the stairwell that would lead us to the arena.
He let go of my hand when we walked out through the door. He lingered for a moment, hesitating, before leaving me feeling empty without his touch.
"Thank you." He said calmly, his expression sinking back into the familiar cold shell.
In my confusion, I didn't notice how labored his breathing nor how pale his complexion was.
Later that day, we celebrated Obito's victory and graduation in the Hatake household.
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I'm sorry it took so long to write- gomen...
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