Author's note: Wow! That was fast! Here is the next chapter. For those of you who wanted to see some RinxKakashi fluff, you got it! I like this chapter, even if it a lot of dialogue. Please read and review! No flames allowed! Oh, the song in here I quote I don't own, it is from one of my favorite songs, Summer Sunshine by the Corrs. If you can find the hidden movie quote in this chapter, you will be rewarded with another chapter!
Disclaimer: (Alerya has just snuck into the hospital)
Ino: You must be Alerya!
(Alerya jumps a foot)
Alerya: Do people here just enjoy seeing me do this? Do you know where I can find Tsunade-sama?
Ino: Just upstairs. (Whispers) Who are you pairing me with in your fic?
Alerya: Don't know. You went on a date with Chouji, but I don't know if that lasted. I'm not sure who you are with.
Ino: I don't have a problem with that. Do you want me to give the disclaimer?
Alerya: Sure, thanks!
Ino: Alerya doesn't own Naruto! (Smirks)
Alerya: Why should I be scared to see those test results? Later!
After a short distance, I saw a familiar figure waiting next to a stand of trees. "Naruto, where is Sakura?" I called out once I got close enough. I began to run full out to him, Rin and the ninken struggling to keep up.
Once I arrived, Naruto held me tight in his arms. "Sakura left to get back to camp as soon as possible. She's worried about Kakashi-sensei and Sai. She thinks that if Sai isn't careful, he may reopen his wound." He paused and asked, "Hinata-hime, who is this?"
Rin stepped forward, staring at him, her mouth falling open in shock. She seemed to be struck speechless for the moment, so I spoke up, "She is a Konoha medical ninja who was being held a prisoner by the Iwas for several years. Am I right?"
She nodded, "Yes, I've been a prisoner for around fourteen years. The Iwas held me for my medical skills and because of who my Jonin sensei was. They really didn't like him."
"Hinata, how are you sure she is a Konoha ninja? Er, why are you staring at me?" Naruto asked, now looking uncomfortable with Rin's intense gaze.
"I'm sorry, Naruto, but it is amazing how much you look like your father. Hinata believed me when I told her you are my sensei's son. I was the medic who delivered you and failed to save your mother's life that night. I used to visit you in the orphanage, but the last time I saw you, you were three. Of course you wouldn't remember me. My name is Rin Norita, medical ninja and Jonin of Konohagakure." She stopped talking, realizing that she had been rambling.
"Kakashi-sensei's old teammate? He said that you were dead!" Naruto exclaimed.
"No, I was captured and kept alive, because they knew I was the one who successfully transplanted Obito's Sharingan eye to replace Kakashi's destroyed left eye. They wanted to capture Hinata and force me to do the procedure again." She paused, and then looked at us, "Kakashi is your sensei?!"
I grinned, "Yes, and I believe he'll be very happy to see you. I admit, I don't think we have ever seen him on a date."
Naruto was confused, but Rin blushed slightly at my comment. So, she does have feelings for Kakashi-sensei. This will be interesting. She shook her head as she stated, "That baka! He is so stubborn and dedicated. I need to have a talk with him."
We made our way back to our camp, and we asked Rin if the Iwas had encountered any other Konoha shinobi. "No, just the three of you. For the last two weeks I've been hearing about the pink-haired genjutsu user, the katana wielding Hyuga kunoichi, and the ninja who looked way too much like the Yellow Flash. They began calling you the next Sannin."
"WHAT!" Naruto and I exclaimed together. The next Sannin, the three of us?
She laughed, "The title was given to the Sannin by an enemy of Konoha who was impressed by their fighting skills. Apparently the tradition has been followed."
Naruto exclaimed, "The Iwas call three Chunin the next Sanin? I can't wait to tell this to Tsunade-baachan." I nodded weakly, still trying to process what Rin had told us.
"Tsunade Senju, yes, I heard a rumor she became the Godaime after Orochimaru killed the Sandaime," Rin mused out loud. "What compelled her to return to Konoha?"
Naruto smirked, "She lost a bet with me that I couldn't master the Rasengan within a week. I did, so she had to come back."
We all laughed at that. "I believe that Minato-sensei and Kushina-neechan are very proud of you, Naruto," Rin said, looking like she was fighting back tears. "I wish I had been there for you these past years."
"It's not your fault you were captured," Naruto replied. Rin nodded, but didn't look convinced.
Sakura met us by the outskirts of the camp. "Who is that? We aren't taking prisoners, Naruto and Hinata."
"We are returning her to her home. She is a Konoha ninja who was captured fourteen years ago. They kept her alive because she had successfully transplanted a Sharingan eye to replace a teammate's destroyed eye. She's a medical ninja, so you have some help with Kakashi-sensei and Sai," I said.
"Sakura, meet Rin Norita, Konoha Jonin and student of the Yondaime Hokage. Rin, this is our teammate, Sakura Haruno, Konoha Chunin, medical ninja, apprentice to the Slug Sannin Tsunade Senju, and student of Kakashi Hatake," Naruto introduced them to each other.
"Kakashi-sensei's old teammate?" she gasped, then sagged with relief. "Maybe you can help him. He was injured and overused his Sharingan again, and he's been practically comatose for the past three weeks." She paused, "He's been talking in his sleep about the mission where he lost his eye. Sai is doing fine, I moved him out of Kakashi's tent so he won't smother him to get him to shut up."
Rin offered, "I'll help with Kakashi. I know that he is still dealing with guilt from that mission. He is such a stubborn fool, he won't let go of it, even though both Obito and I forgave him for his choices. He needs to learn how to forgive himself."
"I'll take you to him," I said, adjusting how the sheath of my katana hung on my back. Naruto stayed at my side while Rin followed us to the tent where Kakashi lay inside. I opened the flap to let her in. "Rin, I'll bring you some food and water. Once Sensei is able to travel, we'll return to Konoha. Our mission is complete."
She nodded, moving to sit by Kakashi's side. "If you need anything, let us know," Naruto offered, handing her the tattered bag and a blanket. "If you find any of his books, feel free to give them to us. They make great fire starters."
"Jiraiya's books?" she asked, sounding slightly disgusted, "Don't worry, I will."
"Please help him, Rin, we can't," I pleaded. Naruto took my hand and squeezed it in a comforting gesture.
"I'll do my best," the older woman promised as we left her in the tent. We could hear Pakkun talking to her from the inside, but couldn't make out the words.
"Don't worry, Hinata-hime," Naruto whispered into my ear, "It will be fine. Who would have believed that one of Kakashi's teammates was still alive, and we found her?"
"I don't know, but it is a good thing we did find her," I replied, and yawned. "Can we take a nap?"
Naruto opened his mouth to answer, but his stomach growled instead. "Oh, sorry, I forgot," I laughed, "Food first, and then we can sleep."
We quickly ate, and stayed by the fire, now burning brightly thanks to some perverted books Rin had found in Kakashi-sensei's pack. Sai ate with us, while Rin stayed with Kakashi.
The next three days were really quiet. Rin watched over Kakashi, talking to him the whole time, trying to get him to wake up. I sent the ninken out to try to find out what had happened to Yamato's squad, and we prepared to leave. In the evenings, we would join Rin in the sick tent and listen as she told us stories of her missions as a Genin and Chunin during the Third Shinobi War. We laughed at hearing of the bell test they had been given, and all of us shed tears as she told of that last mission together, to destroy the Nannabi Bridge. We in turn told her of what had been going on in Konoha during the time she had been held prisoner.
At about noon of the third day, we all heard Rin singing something. As one, we all crept closer and heard the last words of the song.
"In the heat of summer sunshine,
I miss you, like nobody else,
In the heat of summer sunshine,
I kiss you, and nobody needs to know."
We all waited outside of the tent, not even feeling embarrassed for eavesdropping. Rin's voice sounded from the other side of the tent. "It is a song from Uzugakure. Remember how Kushina-neechan would sing them to distract us when we were all trying to focus on something? I remember how both you and Obito hated how she would call you two her little brothers, but I enjoyed it when she was in charge of training us when Minato-sensei had to leave on a mission. I remember that song the best because we heard her singing it before we left on the mission where Obito died. When we returned, that's when we found out that Sensei had proposed to her before we left. They eloped six weeks later, and the only witnesses were Jiraiya-sama, Tsunade-sama, the two of us, and the Sandaime Hokage. I still find it funny that Naruto and Hinata eloped just like they did. I know now what she meant by singing that when we left. Even when they were apart, he was always in her heart, and she was in his. It made the distance not seem so great. I felt the same way when I was captured. I thought of you every single day, wondering if you were okay, and if you were able to forgive me for not coming back, like I had promised." She paused for a moment. "There I go, rambling again. I never used to do this, but I had almost given up hope of seeing you again. There is one thing I want to do, so please, don't be mad at me."
The suspense was killing the four of us. Sai eased open the tent flap just enough for us to see Rin pull down Kakashi's mask and place her lips on his in a gentle kiss. She tried to pull back, but we could see Kakashi's hand on her neck, keeping her there. Once they parted, Kakashi whispered, "Rin, am I dreaming? You were killed fourteen years ago."
"No, I wasn't. I was captured by that group of bandits that killed the rest of the team. They gave me to the Iwas when they discovered that I was one of Minato Namikaze's students. The Iwas kept me alive, hoping that they could force me to transplant a kekkei genkai if they managed to capture one. Besides, would a dream feel like this?" She leaned in and kissed him again.
The four of us didn't say a word, but Naruto pulled out a camera. Sakura glared at him, but he pointed to Kakashi, whose face was now uncovered. She smiled and nodded.
Once the kiss was done, Rin helped him sit up. "Your students have been worried sick about you. You won't believe what they have done while you were out. Naruto, Hinata, and Sakura took care of the entire battalion in just three weeks. I was forced to treat the wounded, and it reminded me of Minato-sensei's handiwork."
"I have been out of it," Kakashi muttered, "What about Sai?"
"He had a bad injury to the abdomen, but he's almost fully recovered. We just needed you to wake up before we could go home."
"I kept having dreams of you talking to me," he murmured, gripping her hand tightly.
"I've been talking non-stop for three days," she replied. She was looking at him carefully, seeming a little apprehensive.
"Did you mean what you said? Obito was like a brother to you, and he told me to take care of you for my sake, not his? He was okay with the two of us?"
She nodded, looking pleased, "Yes, he was. I also think Sensei is rolling his eyes and saying it's about time. And yes, I know Naruto is Minato-sensei's son. I am the medic who delivered him."
"I didn't find out until right after Naruto and Hinata eloped. Tsunade informed Hiashi, so he wouldn't seal Hinata for marrying Naruto." Sai and Sakura were now staring at Naruto, shock written on their faces. He just blushed and mouthed, I'll explain later.
Rin spoke again, "Kushina would be happy, and not just for them."
"You mean us as well?" Kakashi laughed, "Better late than never." They kissed again, and Naruto managed to snap a couple of pictures. The flash of the camera startled them out of their kiss.
"About time, Kakashi-sensei!" Naruto called out, causing the two of them to blush when they realized we had caught them.
I laughed, "Rin, you just solved one of the biggest mysteries in Konoha. What does Kakashi-sensei really look like?"
"And now we have proof," Sai added, pointing toward the camera.
"It looks like you have fully recovered, Kakashi-sensei," Sakura smirked, "can we go home now? Rin is coming with us, so she can watch out for you." We all laughed as our sensei pulled his mask on, clearly embarrassed. Sakura then glared at my husband with cold, green eyes, "What did they mean by you are their sensei's son, Naruto?"
"Sakura, I wanted to prove myself to everyone before I told people my real name! I didn't want everyone treating me different because I'm the son of the Yondaime! Please, don't say anything until I do!" Naruto hastily explained.
Sai nodded, "That makes sense, otherwise the villagers would have started treating you like they treated Sasuke. How long has Hinata known?"
"I was there when Tsunade told Naruto, almost a year ago," I replied. "He's still Naruto; his last name is just different. I don't care."
"Everyone, let's head back tomorrow," Kakashi broke into our discussion. "Why didn't you send for reinforcements?"
We all looked at him. "We did," Naruto finally spoke up, "But they never came. We think something happened to them on their way here. We were going to investigate on our way back to Konoha."
Kakashi said what all of us were thinking, "I have a bad feeling about this."
A/N. take two: Any guesses on what happened to Yamato's relief squad? If any one is interested in a one shot from Rin's POV, just put it in a review or if I can figure out how to put a poll on my profile, vote there! Thanks again for reading!