Title: Rin

Disclaimer: I don't own anything.

Warning: Unbeta and horrible grammar. Language.

Chapter 36

I stared at the opened scroll in front of me and let my mind wandered a bit. What kind of condition that was needed to break Minato's seal on my memories. He said that I wouldn't able to find it at all but somehow it had made me more curious and really want to know more. My eyes focused at the scroll and I read the content of basic in sealing techniques and how to break it. I was too immersed with my reading material when I barely heard the door softly being closed and low murmured of 'I'm home' from certain blond.

"Welcome back…" I trailed softly and my eyes followed every Naruto's movements in the house.

He didn't heard my voice and simply walked into the kitchen, grabbing a glass of plain water and drinking it till the glass empty before leaving it on the kitchen counter. The five years old boy then walked out from our small kitchen and stared hollowly at our living room, as if there weren't any people around. I frowned. His action was weird. I waited for him to speak out something or doing anything but somehow he just walked slowly to his room which was opposite from mine. There was an empty room beside his which I hadn't decided what to do with it, thus I left it as it was.

The house was pretty large for us living together actually but after having a long after thought and a few discussions with Inoichi and sometimes Ibiki would gave out some comments; I was pretty pleased with the purchase. At the moment the house was under Inoichi's name and when I was reaching the legal age it would be mine properly. There were three rooms, two bathrooms with toilets, one living room and a kitchen. There also a veranda attached at the living room thus gave us space for laundry drying and sunbathing activities or anything like that. I had taken the master bedroom with bathroom together in it while Naruto took one of two similar size rooms.

My eyes quickly focused at him who already reached in front of his room. I guessed that would be enough time and slowly standing up from my seating which on a cushion placed at our living room. I assumed that he didn't see me around since there were sofas around and I was sitting in the middle of it and on the floor too.

"Naruto-kun?" I called his name and noticed he flinched before turning around and we were facing each other. He blinked once and a few more before laughed awkwardly with a hand rubbing back of his neck.

"I'm sorry nee-chan; um I forgot that I'm living with someone now," Naruto said sheepishly.

I shrugged with a soft sigh before smiling to him. "I understand Naruto-kun; it must be a quite shock for you to be in this situation. So suddenly there is someone willing to take you in after living alone for so long."

"Yeah…I guess, but I'm not doing anything wrong nee-chan, I'm sorry that I forgot about you, really!" He spoke out his mind with a panic tone and I frowned.

Crouching in front of him, I patted his shoulder. "Calm down, you're doing fine so far. I'm not mad or anything," I said softly.

Naruto stared at the floor. "I t-thought you're angry or something, it's always happened when I lived with other family. On the first day everything was fine but the next day…It never happened when I'm living alone. Sure it's lonely but I'm doing fine…"

At that moment I realized how lonely Naruto was. Being treated unfairly due to the grudge from villagers, even from a nice family changed their attitude within one night. Before we stayed under one roof like today, I would check him from time to time in hiding. While they were really didn't treat Naruto harshly, but some of their words were a total heart breaking. The five years old really didn't understand any of it but, even eyes contact did have a deep message in it. Naruto was just seeking some attention; he was only a kid who knew nothing about his parentage and his status as jinchuuriki.

Without wasting any moment, I pulled the lonely boy into my arms. "I promise you, there isn't going to be any days like that, as long as you're living with me, never!"

I could feel his hesitant hands grasped lightly on my back. Patting his back and releasing him from my arms, I grinned.

"Let's start again Naruto-kun."

"I'm home, Rin nee-chan," Naruto said with a smile. A genuine smile.

"Welcome back, Naruto-kun." I smiled back to him.

It took almost a week until I regained the trust from Uzumaki kid. I knew it was hard on Naruto, he didn't really showed up his unsecured emotion but keeping it and covered it with his smile and laugh. I believed that Naruto would open up himself to me later. He needed some times. The villagers still treated him with unfairness while there were few of them do act nicely like the Ichiraku's owner and his daughter Ayame. Now I knew why he loved ramen so much.

I already had reported myself to the barrier team and surprisingly the schedule wasn't packed thus I still had a lot off free times in my hands. Sandaime had suggested me to take a few shifts at the mission room and deciphering unit which I gladly enjoyed working at both unit. While most of my time was dedicated around the village, I still didn't see Itachi around since I had moved out from my old apartment. Sometimes, I could feel a tingled feeling every time my eyes caught the Anbu nearby but then what else I can do?

I was chopping on some vegetables with Naruto sitting across while staring with distaste at those green leaves and chopped carrots. Now I was working with broccoli.

"Um, nee-chan?"

"Yes?" My eyes was focusing at the knife and chopping board. I was comfortable with my skills at the kitchen now. After enough rest from previous injuries and practicing from time to time, I was quite proud with my handiwork.

"Is that for our dinner?" Naruto asked softly..

"Yes, why?" I raised my eyebrows.

"Um, can we have something else?"

"Oh, any suggestion?"

"Ramen?"

"I'm making ramen right now." Casually I pointed to the pot on the stove.

Naruto nodded slowly but his eyes were focusing at the chopped veggies. "But…"

"But?"

"Those veggies…"

"I'm making vegetable ramen." Briefly I took a peek at his expression.

Aghast look was plastered over his face. "…"

"Naruto-kun?"

"C-Can I skip dinner?"

"No."

"Why?"

"You're not running away from some mere vegetables. They are good for you." I stated firmly.

"It tastes yuck!" The kid frowned and grunted.

"It's not that bad, you're just over reacting it."

"But…"

"A ninja don't act choosey over his foods," I said with finality in my tone and stuck the knife on my chopping board. I could see his eyes were staring at the sharp knife.

Gulping, Naruto sighed in defeat. "…Fine, I'm not skipping dinner."

I smirked and resumed my work. I wasn't going to tell him those veggies were for our lunch pack tomorrow not for our dinner. I was just loved to prepare the ingredients earlier rather than doing it later. It was time saving too.

"So, nee-chan I know this is kind of late for asking but you're a ninja too, right? Right?"

"Yes, I'm a chuunin right now." I answered his question while keeping away the knife and chopping board after washing it. Swiftly I kept away the chopped vegetables in clean container before keeping away in refrigerator. I hoped that Naruto didn't notice anything since I kept everything away and didn't add any of it into the pot.

"Wow, so you must really strong then!" Naruto beamed. "I remembered that day, when you suddenly disappeared from that branch. It was just like swoosh…then no one was there."

I paused and remembered the day when I ran away from Itachi. Chuckled softly, I hummed in affirmative. "Yeah, but I'm not really strong as you thought. I'm just skilled enough to be in the rank," I said with a smile while checking on ramen broth in the pot. Satisfied with the outcome, I turned off the stove. Picking up two clean bowls, I prepared the food into it.

"That means you're a good ninja then!" Naruto already prepared our table and I simply placed a bowl of ramen in front of him and at my place which across him.

"Maybe, I said and took a seat.

"And I'm curious about something else too…"

I picked up a glass with water. "Oh what's it?" I asked and took a gulp.

"What's your relationship with that teme's brother?"

I chocked on my water and cough harshly. Placing the glass on the table, I slowly regained my breath. "T-Teme? Sasuke-kun?"

Naruto shrugged. "I don't like him." He sulked softly. I smiled internally; aw he looked so cute like that!

"He is…just…Argh! He is so good with everything and I don't like it!" The boy sulked and looked away grunted slightly.

"Whoa, calm down, I think you're just jealous." I picked up my chopstick while silently shuddered. It was a good thing that Naruto was easily distracted with other topic.

"Even every girl at the academy likes him and Sakura-chan too…" Now he was pouting.

"Wow, that's something," I said softly and slowly ate my food. "So, who's Sakura-chan?"

After swallowing his ramen, Naruto grinned. "Sakura-chan is the most beautiful girl at the academy!"

"Oh I see…" I nodded and ate some more.

"But she likes that teme…"

"So, if Sasuke-kun is that good why don't you just proves to Sakura-chan that you can do like him too?"

"Um…actually…" Naruto shrugged in his seat and I raised my eyebrows.

I waited Naruto at the single swing outside the academy since I had promised him yesterday to help him with target practice. Sitting down on the swing, I let myself played with it slightly before my eyes caught the kids ran out from the academy entrance. It seemed that the class sessions were finished. I simply enjoyed the swing since there wasn't no one came and asked for it.

"Rin nee-san."

I stopped the swing and looked around searching for the voice who had called me. My eyes met with Sasuke.

"Hello Sasuke-kun, how's the academy?" I smiled at him.

The raven haired boy smiled at my greeting and shrugged instantly when I asked about academy.

"Fine," Sasuke said simply and I raised my eyebrows.

"Just fine?"

"Um, yes…"

"That's weird, if remember my time here it was quite fun actually."

"That's because you're a girl!"

"Of course I'm a girl…what do you mean?" I huffed, annoyed with Sasuke's statement. Suddenly a thought went by. I grinned. "Oh…Naruto did mention about girls here…so you're Mr. popular then."

"I don't like it, they're just loud." Sasuke rolled his eyes and his face soured. He didn't really like the situation at the academy around him. Poor kid, to become center of attention at young age, I added silently in my head.

"Mm, well that's girl's nature. They become pretty excited over someone or something they like."

"But you're not like that with my brother." Sasuke countered my reasoning.

"Ugh…we're kind of different…um…" I looked away and felt my cheeks warmed.

"Ah ha so you do have something with teme's brother," Naruto said suddenly as he showed out himself from the nearest branch.

Both Sasuke and I had to look up to see Naruto who was sitting on it casually.

"Naruto-kun just comes down now, I've been waiting for you," I said and snorted. Pinching on my nose bridge I let out a sigh. I thought he forgot about that topic already, seemed that I was wrong. Naruto was quite persistent kid I took note in my mind for future references.

Sasuke had pulled my sleeve making me looked at him.

"Yes, Sasuke-kun?"

"You know Naruto?" The boy asked.

"Yes, I'm his guardian now." I explained at him.

Sasuke briefly looked at Naruto who was climbing down the tree before focusing at me again. "I see, so you're going to train him? He did say about someone is going to train him at class earlier."

I nodded and could see a flash of longing look in Sasuke's eyes. "Sasuke-kun? Want to come with us? If you are free to join us."

"No!" Naruto shouted as he reached the ground. Well, he didn't know the chakra manipulation yet, so he climbed down from that tree like a normal person. I stared at the tree, I wondered about myself. If I was never here could I climb any tree easily? Were there any chakra presence at my original world that we could use to do something trivial like this? Could we run on moving water without falling into them? How I had changed since I was here?

"Rin nee-chan! Do you hear me?"

"Nee-san! Are you okay?"

I snapped out from my thought and looked at both Sasuke and Naruto who were staring worriedly at my face. Both of them had grab my hands and pulled it.

"Nee-san!"

"Nee-chan!"

"Calm down both of you!" I said loudly and shrugged. "I'm fine, just thinking about something."

"We're scared to death, you didn't respond to our call at all," Sasuke said and shrugged. Naruto nodded at the raven's explanation.

"Yeah, yeah teme's right!"

Patting their head and briefly played with the hairs, I laughed softly. "Thank you for worrying about me, now let's go both of you."

"What?" Naruto shrieked. "There is no way for teme to come with us!"

I stopped from my walk and looked at them. "Well, he is a good rival to start with, right?"

The blond boy crossed his arms and frowned. "Well…"

"You're not going to beat me dobe," Sasuke said casually and walked to my direction.

Naruto grunted. "I'm going kick your ass teme!"

I face palmed and groaned softly. What I had done?

Thuck, thuck thuck!

I stared at the target practice trunk with awed look before looking at smirking Sasuke and stressed Naruto. How old were they again? Put aside my condition since I had entered the academy at the age of nine, if I remembered Iruka's record, he managed to throw three kunai simultaneously at the age of ten. That was twice than Sasuke!

"That's pretty good, Sasuke-kun," I said and smiled at him.

Sasuke smiled back. "I'm practicing with nii-san to do it."

Naruto lowered down his hand with kunais in it. "Nii-san? He must be a great ninja to teach you something like this."

"He is good, I respect him very much," Sasuke said softly and paused. "But he is very busy lately."

I could hear sadness tone in Sasuke's voice. Well, Itachi was lucky to have a brother like Sasuke; I wondered when Naruto was going to became more open with me. I looked at the blond haired kid and shrugged slightly.

Well, you're just interacting with him for how long now; just take your time Rin. I said silently in my mind and caught Naruto's eyes at my direction.

Suddenly I felt another chakra presence nearby and threw out some kunais at the direction. Taking a defense position in front of the kids, I looked around and met with Itachi who had caught my kunais.

"Nii-san!" Sasuke shouted and ran towards his brother.

Naruto stopped beside me and I could felt his eyes were looking at me and Itachi for several times. He then pulled my sleeve as a gesture so that I crouched beside him. The blond kid whispered.

"What's your relationship with him? I bet that you're older than him!"

I laughed awkwardly. "Uh, you'll know later?"

"I'm not going to forget this, Rin nee-chan," Naruto said softly.

"Right, right…" I nodded and sighed.

"If he makes you cry, I'm going to kick his ass." That was the last thing Naruto had said before he went back to the target practice area and having shouting contest with Sasuke.

I was left stunned with his words.

We sat on nearby bench around the practice field at the academy, while Naruto and Sasuke were practicing their throw. Itachi passed me my kunais and gladly I took them and kept it inside my weapon pouch.

"Your aim is good."

"Well, you catch everything that I throw. So you're better."

"I'll always catch everything from you, Rin."

"Oh…Um…" Okay, that was awkward.

"Mother sends me here when Sasuke didn't come back from the academy." Itachi started a proper conversation.

"Mikoto-san must be worried, I'm sorry for bringing Sasuke here without informing anyone," I said with regret in my tone.

"Its okay, Sasuke is usually practicing here after the lessons at the academy ended."

"Oh, no wonder he is good."

"He is a fast learner." Itachi smiled and I could sense proud feeling came from him.

"He learns from the best." I smiled and looked at the field.

"…"

"…"

"How're you?" We both asked the same question and looked away. I face palmed myself and sighed in embarrassment.

Itachi broke the thin ice. "How're you, Rin?"

"Um, I think you know better than my answer, right?" I said softly while staring at my lap. Itachi was a genius; he would catch my subtle hint layered in the question. I knew he was an Anbu now but he was so young to be in there.

Itachi nodded. "Yeah, I guess."

I smiled softly. "So, how're you? It must be hard there."

"I'm fine, yes it's hard but I'm doing well." Itachi answered calmly and I simply shrugged from hearing his reply.

"Good to hear it…"

"I'm glad you're doing fine too."

"…"

"…"

"I miss you." We both said so suddenly and stiffened.

Quickly placing a hand over my mouth, I stifled a laugh but somehow I failed miserably. I chuckled and slapped my hand on my thigh repeatedly. "Damn! This is so awkward! Haha!" I looked at Itachi and saw him smiled. Slowly he joined me and we laughed together.

After a hearty laugh, we stopped and sighed contently. I looked at the evening sky.

"I do miss having a talk with you Itachi…"

"Just talk?"

"Um, I could sense your presence around and that's somehow makes me happy but not having a real conversation with you…it does makes me a little bit lonely." I closed my eyes and felt a breeze.

"It does," Itachi said softly and rested a hand on mine. "I miss your warmth."

Grasping his hand and intertwined our fingers, I smiled warmly. "Me too…"

Silently we simply enjoyed the evening breeze at the academy practice field while listening to Sasuke and Naruto insulting contest. Somehow the contest later turned into shouting contest and both of us became irritated with it. Releasing Itachi's hand, I quickly walked to the duo and slapped their backs.

"Stop shouting and insulting at each other both of you!" I groaned. "We couldn't even enjoy any calm moment with your shouting, even birds here stop chirping listening to both of you."

"Nah, you two are just disturbed with us around since you're having a sudden date," Naruto said with a smirk.

"Yeah, and stop acting awkward to each other just sit under a tree and kiss each other already." Sasuke added rather boldly making me blushed heavily.

Both of the boys laughed and stiffened instantly especially Sasuke. I could swear that kid suddenly became paler. Turning around, I met with Itachi who just only few steps behind. I grinned and looked at Sasuke. The boy quickly averted his gaze. I changed my target and looked at Naruto; the blond haired kid appearance didn't change much, he already relaxed. I smirked.

"I guess a salad will be nice as dinner tonight."

Naruto's head snapped to my direction and his eyes widened. "No! That's gross! Anything but that nee-chan!"

"Mm…gross huh? I'll add extra salad in yours then."

"No!"

"I guess it's time to go back now, Sasuke," Itachi said at his little brother.

I could see Sasuke stiffened some more and nodded curtly. "Yes, nii-san. See you later, dobe and Rin nee-san."

Before the Uchiha brothers left us, Itachi looked at me and smiled. I smiled back before calling Naruto who was weeping silently on his four.

"That bad huh?" I raised my eyebrows and patted his shoulder. "Let's go back, tonight dinner is curry and salad is just only side dishes."

A tight hug was enough for an answer that moment. He hated vegetables so much; I guessed that's my job to change it.

I was manning the mission desk with Genma and Sandaime when Kakashi and several nins entered the room. The silver haired ninja was wearing his standard uniform complete with flak jacket and I felt amazed. Kakashi was totally like a man now. He grew up from a scrawny teenage boy to a late teenager now. My eyes then caught Iruka who stood stiffly behind Kakashi. Iruka looked at me and smiled warmly. I smiled back to him and felt a poke on my elbow. Turning to my side, I met Genma's curious gaze.

"Yes?"

"You know that chuunin, Rin-chan?" Genma asked.

"Yeah, we were a team before." I explained.

Genma nodded and greeted a nin who reached his desk. I shrugged lightly and looked at Sandaime who was reading something from certain mission scroll. Apparently Kakashi and others already left the room. The Hokage was frowning slightly and it poked my interest.

"Sandaime-sama?"

Hiruzen placed down the scroll and hummed. "I hope that their mission is going well."

"The group earlier?" I asked and received a nod as my answer. My eyes caught the scroll in front of Sandaime and shrugged. A rank type of mission and Iruka was in the team. I believed Kakashi would do fine and Iruka too, I hoped.

"They'll do fine; our ninja are stronger than their look."

Hiruzen laughed softly and picked up his pipe. "Yes."

The mission room became a little bit cramped with many ninjas had come back from their mission, making both me and Genma busy with checking on their mission reports and filing everything. The crowd became lesser after a while and I was a little bit shocked to hear the next thing Sandaime had said before he left the mission room.

Genma smirked and played with senbon in his mouth. "I've never thought to receive a mission after working hard here."

"Yeah," I said softly and starting to worry.

The mission Sandaime had given us was a standby type of mission. He had arranged for me and Genma and few others as backup unit for the mission that Iruka and Kakashi were in. Genma was ur team captain. We were going to be ready for the whole moment during their mission time and dispatched out from the village as soon as we received any distress message.

Silently I prayed for our ninja's safety.

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