AN: Hi everyone! Hope you liked the story so far! Please read and review!

How are the fighting scenes: good, bad, or decent? What do you think of Crow so far?

Just a heads up there is a shift of timelines/events -the Uchiha massacre didn't happen….yet.

Stay safe and positive! We will get through this!

Please R&R!

I do not own Naruto.

The Academy & training

Rin/Crow's POV:

It was early the next morning I went to the training grounds near the mountain where I will meet my teacher. I was sitting in a tree watching the sky as the sun rose. It was beautiful how the sunlight made this place come alive. It was only a few moments before a presence appeared off to my left. I jumped to the ground and then back three feet before the kunai could hit me. An ANBU appeared in front of me and aimed to kick me in the face. I leaned back and grabbed their foot. This ANBU was wearing a weasel mask and basic ANBU uniform of black and grey. I swung my foot up while pulling them by their foot down dodging their other foot. I barely missed kicking their mask before we both jumped back.

I waited and studied Weasel. He has dark long hair in a pony-tail and wasn't an adult yet. Maybe he was in his teens. He didn't have overwhelming strength in his kick leading me to think he was testing me.

He came forward again as I rushed forward too. I pulled out a kunai and blocked his. We both jumped back and stood there. I rushed straight forward and he moved to a defensive position. Three feet before him I threw the kunai and jumped while throwing four more. He managed to block them and I landed safely. He came at me and threw a barrage of punches and kicks that I just barely blocked.

He jumped back and nodded before starting to sign the seals for a fire jutsu. I signed for a water one just finishing after he blew a giant fireball at me. I took a deep breath before blowing out a strong stream of water towards the center of the fire ball. It caused steamy mist to cover the entire area and I created three shadow clones then I quietly moved until I was behind him.

I waited for the steamy mist to clear. He stood still as I had a kunai at his throat. He didn't say anything then I felt a blade at my throat. The one in front poofed showing it was a clone and I felt two of my clones were gone. I smirked as I held up my hands. I felt his unease and moved my head away and hit his hand up. My clone came in front and poofed in his face. I was behind him as I held his hand with the kunai to his own throat. I had a kunai in my other hand at his back.

I let him go and he turned to face me. He nodded again before reaching up and pulling his mask partially down until I saw his eyes. They were blood red with a light black ring that surrounds the black pupil and three common like shapes (tomoe) on it. I felt chakra flow all around me as a gust of wind. I shut my eyes as it rushed past my face with my arms up. When I dropped my arms and opened my eyes, I was standing in the same place and so was Weasel. He then moved in a blink and was behind me but he didn't stop his attack with a kunai. I kicked back at him before jumping back but he kept being right next to me. I got a couple of cuts before I made more clones using the smoke and even distribution of chakra clear the slight panic of the constant attack.

I let my clones fight him and took a breath with my eyes closed before stopping my chakra as if it were frozen. Then force a surge with the one hand sign with a quiet "Kai." I felt a change in the area around me as if I had undone the Genjutsu that was put on me. I stood and opened my eyes. Weasel had put his mask back on and nodded at me from in front of me in the positions that was before the rush of chakra. I stared and took a deep breath as I loosened my muscles with a nod in reply.

I was about to move forward and felt the hair rise on the back of my neck. I grabbed his arm with the kunai and slammed him into the ground. He coughed as the air rushed from his lungs due to the impact. I smirked before jumping over him with my eyes closed. I landed and opened my eyes and the chakra the real Genjutsu shattered. Weasel was in front of me with three clones holding him.

One was holding his leg from the ground as another was holding his arm and the last had a kunai at his throat. I signaled to my clones who released him and poofed away. "How were you able to make clones while under my Genjutsu?" he asked. I shrugged and said, "I did it within the jutsu, but I guess that they became real outside of it too." He simply stared and I smiled until he let out a breath that sounded more like a sigh.

He said, "you have a decent foundation of the concepts, but we will train hard so you can be ANBU level. Meet me here every morning at this time." He then poofed away in a swirl of leaves and I sighed in relief. I rubbed my shoulders on the way back to Anko's to take a shower and go to the academy.

I was walking to the academy with my bag on my shoulder. Anko was still sleeping in her room when I left. I had made some more pancakes for her with extra chocolate chips and the image of her eating the ones I made before got me to smile. It helped me not be as nervous since Naruto is the only person I've talked to that is in my age group here. I don't know what the culture is like here or all the unsaid rules yet.

When I got there, there were a lot of other kids there and surprisingly so were some parents. This is a lot harder when I don't have to act out a cover. Should I greet them and their parents?

Eyes bore into me with hatred and expectations overtook my vision.~ I felt my lungs tighten and shook my head. As quickly as the memory came it left but my lungs were still a little tight. I went closer to the tree since I felt too out in the open. When I did I scanned around to see if someone noticed but it looks like no one did. I saw bright yellow and orange. I looked back in that spot and saw Naruto on the swing similar to last night. He was watching the others with their parents with a frown and clouded eyes.

I went over to him and stood next to him. He noticed me this time though he stiffened instead of looking my way. I shrugged and joined him in watching them. It was only a few moments later that he looked at me and turned. His mouth was open a bit and his eyes were blinking fasted. I turned and smiled at him as I said, "Good morning." He froze again before wide but a little nervous smile stretched across his face. He looked around nervously as he said, "Good morning." I looked around too and asked, "What are you looking for?" He stopped and stiffened as he said, "Your parents." I blinked and said with a sad smile, "Um, you don't have to worry about them. I don't really have parents. They died a long time ago." He looked at me with surprise but I shrugged as if it was normal.

He was about to say something when the bell went off and everyone was heading inside. I looked at him and said, "I have to go find the teachers' office since I just moved here, but see you later?" He nodded as we separated with me waving. I walked around the building looking for the office but there were a lot of other students trying to get to class.

It took me five minutes before finding it. I knocked on the door before entering and an assistant looked up at me. I smiled and said, "Um, hi. I am Crow and just moved here. The Third Hokage said I would be starting school today." She smiled and said she'd get my schedule for me. I smiled and nodded in thanks. She went further into the office passed some of the other teachers to some paper stacks before coming back with one. She said, "This is your schedule and your teacher will be here any minute to take you to the classroom." I smiled and said, "Thank you-" The door suddenly opened and a man came in. He had his brown hair in a ponytail and his forehead protector on showing a leaf. There was a scar across his face from his left cheek to his right and was on his nose too.

I guess this my teacher. He seems tired but happy. I wonder how he got that scar...

He smiled as he saw me and came in. "My name is Iruka Umino and I am your teacher starting today," he said as he held out his hand. I smiled and said as I shook his hand, "My name is Crow and I look forward to learning under your guidance." We waved goodbye and then started walking to the classroom. It wasn't a far walk and the silence was comfortable to me. He looked at me when we got to the door and said with a chuckle, "They may be loud but they are good kids. I will tell the class about having a new student and signal for you to come in." His amusement shone even more in his smile as we heard some laughter and a crash. He went in but didn't close the door all the way. I could hear him yelling at everyone to be quiet and once it was quiet tell them about a new student. It was nice of him not to have me standing there when the other students were loudly asking questions.

When they quieted down he waved me in and said, "this is your new classmate." I walked into and looked at the class. I was surprised to see bright pink hair and was relieved to see Naruto. He seemed happy to see me too by the look of his smile. Iruka nodded at me to introduce myself. I took a breath before saying, "My name is Crow. I have recently moved here and I look forward to learning with you all." Iruka nodded and said, "Sit in any empty seat and we will get started on the lesson." I nodded and luckily there was an empty seat next to Naruto so I sat there. We shared a smile before we looked back at Iruka. He simply nodded and started the lesson. It was a quick recap of what was covered before then continued on in more detail about the history of the village. I took notes and more detailed ones about the things in the more recent history. I looked at the schedule that was given to me. Apparently, all the classes of this grade are taught by each homeroom teacher and that I am receiving a few extra classes or tutoring every other day to get caught up on the lessons I missed or need to graduate.

I could tell half way through the lesson Naruto couldn't help paying attention anymore by his fidgeting. I had some extra paper that was not bonded in a notebook in my bag. I easily pulled out a sheet and wrote, "hi Naruto. It's great that we are in the same class! Let's try passing this back and forth without Iruka finding out. Want to try?" I waited for Iruka to write something on the board to pass the page. Naruto flinched but luckily Iruka didn't turn around to see it.

It took a moment for Naruto to read the note, but he smiled at it. He wrote back quickly before studying Iruka in order to pass it back. Naruto's handwriting was a bit messy, but far easier to read than some writing I've read before. His reply was, "Yes! I was going to sleep, but this sounds fun! We have to be careful Iruka-Sensei can lecture for a long time."

I wrote in reply, "Ok. Did you get in trouble before or have you seen him lecture a student?" I passed it when Iruka looked back at his notes on the board. Naruto smiled and wrote quickly back. His reply said, "I pranked him and he caught me or someone told on me." I smiled and wrote asking about his prank and if he did any more. Slowly Naruto was writing more about his pranks and about other things that he did. I would tell a vague version about the pranks that we did at the Sand Village but without telling where. This went on until the lunch bell sounded where I hid the note in my pocket.

Once Iruka left the room and we walked out the door several of our classmates came to talk to me. They pushed passed him. Naruto frowned but they ignored him. The girl with the pink hair said, "Don't think because you are new means that you can sit wherever you want. Don't sit there again." I raised an eyebrow and looked around as the other girls nodded. I looked back at Pinky and said, "Is there a reason I can't sit there or are you all trying to test me?" Another with blond hair in a high ponytail said, "Sasuke Uchiha sits next to that seat. All the girls here like him." I couldn't help my confused expression as I said, "Ok… who is Sasuke Uchiha?" This actually made Naruto laugh but the girls around seemed to get pissed. Pinky said, "Didn't you notice the hot guy next you?" I shrugged and said, "I did not see any hot guy, but the other guy next to me looked like a jerk. I was also busy with the lesson and actually learning." Several of their mouths dropped.

A trio of guys had come out when I said this. The one farthest from me was wearing a furred hooded jacket with a red upside down triangle on each cheek. He actually laughed at what I said and he had fangs which showed more in his smile. The two that came out together looked at me, the one with his hair styled like a pineapple was with pity and the other that had red swirls on his cheeks and eating chips was sad.

The girls started angrily shouting at me about not knowing anything and how dare I insult him and so on. I sighed. Ah, that's why pineapple pitied me. They are fangirls. I saw that they were starting to come at me to beat me up since their shouting wasn't getting me to apologize. I somewhat ran a few steps back while facing them then ran up the wall a few steps. Pushing off the wall with a flip to land on the other side of all the fangirls. They just barely stopped themselves from hitting the wall. I turned to watch as they stared a moment before they all turned back towards me. I shrugged and held up a hand so they let me speak.

When it was clear that they weren't going to yell I said, "I may be wrong about this Sasuke Uchiha being a jerk, but that doesn't mean you all have to beat me up about it. The fact I don't think he is hot and think he is a jerk shouldn't offend you. It should make you feel relieved or feel better since that means I won't be competing with you for him. I sat there because I'm friends with Naruto and plan to sit there again since I rather sit by my friend. If that bothers you so much instead of wasting time bothering me why not ask Sasuke to sit next to you. It is pretty obvious that you all like him so it wouldn't be too forward to ask him."

There was silence and I dropped my hand. I waited and they stared until Blond Tail said, "She isn't after Sasuke so there is no reason I'm going to keep attacking her. I'm going to go eat lunch before lunch ends and try to find Sasuke." Almost all of the others nodded and muttered I was weird along with some other things as they left. Pinky was the only one left and she came up to me with a glare. I waited with a bored expression. She said, "Sasuke won't like you and you better stay away from him. He is mine. Ino may listen to you, but there is no way you can't see how amazing Sasuke is, especially once you know who he is." I rolled my eyes and said, "I may be new to this village, but I doubt that I'll change my opinion based on who he is. If I ever seem to change my mind feel free to slap me out of it." She glared as she said, "I will" then walked away.

I rolled my eyes as I went over to Naruto. He laughed and I smiled. I said to Naruto, "Where do you normally sit for lunch? I made extra lunch so I could share as we talk more about your pranks." He smiled and quickly led the way chattering about his pranks. Pineapple stared at me as we passed and I simply ignored him. All through lunch Naruto talked about his pranks and about how he also thought Sasuke was a jerk. He told me a lot about him and Sasuke were rivals along with the several times they competed. I listened with enthusiasm since he was opening up and he was happy to talk. I made sure he ate half my lunch when I found out he didn't have one. He was still telling me about a prank regarding some clan when we sat down in our seats. I felt some glares from the girls but ignored them, especially when the lesson began.

After classes I hung out with Naruto tired from the lectures but happy as he walked with me around the village. He showed me the Hokage Faces on the mountain and I noticed the fourth's hair was similar to Naruto's. I kept it to myself since he already told me he didn't know his parents. We went up there and sat on the heads and the view was amazing. We simply sat there staring out for a while. It felt great and when it was getting dark I said as I was waving goodbye, "See you tomorrow!" He waved excitedly and smiled.

During the next two weeks Naruto and I had been hanging out every day and are on our way of becoming good friends. We, of course, pulled a few small harmless pranks on the teachers of the academy. They were mostly focused on the sliver haired arrogant teacher called Mizuki with my strong encouragement. We did get caught or more that we didn't get caught by the teachers but Old-Man Third gave Weasel a note to pass to me saying to stop messing with Mizuki all the time. Of course, that just meant that Naruto and I then went about pranking the other teachers more instead of focusing on Mizuki.

Mizuki has a gross smell to him that speaks of torment and insanity. It isn't as dangerous or close to the damn old priest in Gaara, but he is almost obsessive with hurting Naruto.

Weasel has been pushing me in my training and we got used to each other. One of the mornings, Weasel was serious or more obviously serious during one of our spars and training. I think it pissed him off that this harsh training didn't weaken or exhaust me like he thought it would. It might of not helped when I didn't just leave and called him out on it. He didn't immediately reply but he had learned I was very stubborn and can be obnoxious when needed. He finally muttered that I had insulted Sasuke Uchiha. I snorted and countered that Sasuke had done nothing to change my mind and seem relieved to not have to be dealing with another crazy fangirl. Weasel stayed silent as if he didn't believe me. I shrugged before continuing with that Sasuke seemed to relax a little speck of a bit when I sat in the usual seat near him by a subtle change in body language. I left after so that I wouldn't be late for school.

So, he is Sasuke's older brother or cousin. I wonder why Orochimaru has interest in these eyes and other bloodlines...

Anko started to hang around me when I was around and was willing to eat anything that I made for her. Apparently, the research or journals that I had given her had helped her and that she started to trust in me more. Anko can be scary when she becomes very excited about anything, but she is a lot of fun to be around. I am a bit surprised that she lived out in the forest since she seems to enjoy being around people. She seemed to enjoy it when I was around even if we didn't talk at all. She actually found out about my bad habit of pranks and messing with people. She asked me about it and I told her as much as I could while still keeping it all vague enough. She in turn told me some of her stories of messing with people and scaring them.

It was during the middle of the week one afternoon that I was summoned to the Hokage's office after school by Weasel. I shrugged and waved goodbye to Naruto. His smile was nervous as he waved back. I walked with Weasel in the streets. "So, do I get to know why I am being summoned or do we just walk in silence?" I said to Weasel looking ahead. Weasel didn't respond and I shrugged. I noticed two new people watching me as we walked. I hummed as I looked around as if I found the streets interesting. Weasel has already started to notice some of my habits during training so he looked at me out of the corner of his eye through the mask. I would change the tune of my quiet humming to a bit deeper whenever I looked in the direction of these new ninja watching us. Weasel caught on quickly to what I was doing and subtly looked in those directions. I hummed more happily though I did see Weasel's hand clenched into a fist for a moment. He made a quiet noise once we started through a busy area. It was to not engage but watch them. I sighed and stopped humming.

We were nearly there when the two ninja left going off in two directions. I met Weasel's eye and shrugged with a smile. We went inside and I noticed outside the door of Hokage's office there were some jounin. I raised an eyebrow but silently went passed as Weasel knocked on the door. We went inside and Hokage nodded his thanks to Weasel before looking at me. I looked around the room and saw four other old people including an old man with an "x" scar on his chin. He had a cane and bandages that covered one of his eyes. He had an arrogant attitude and expectation to be obeyed. Danzo. So, this is where he is from. I thought Orochimaru was working alone. I have to be careful, but I won't let Danzo think he can control me. The other three were old and full of wrinkles though I don't usually judge wrinkles as bad but in this case, time was not a friend. Usually, when people were this old they are respected and part of a counsel. The four of them had expectations to be respected, but these expectations and after dealing with the Sand's counsel made me all the more dislike and disrespect them.

I didn't say anything as I looked at the three but I had a feeling that one of them would be an ally by instinct. I glanced back at Danzo who was watching me. I blankly dismissed him with a bord look and stared at Old Third who hid a smile behind his folded hands. The room remained silent with a bit of tension confused I looked at the Elders. I noticed the old woman glaring unhappily as I followed her glare at Weasel who had not moved from my side.

He hasn't left my side despite being dismissed but why does it upset her?

I nudged Weasel who looked at me and I tilted my head. Weasel sighed and moved to be by the door. He nodded to Old Third and I turned back. Danzo moved again for my attention but I straight up ignored him considering how obvious he had been. The woman Elder frowned at me as well as the old man next to her. I blatantly stared at Old Third ignoring her disapproval. He said, "It has come to our attention with many complaints that you are hanging out with Naruto." I shrugged and asked, "Is that such a bad thing?" "It is a bad thing so stop," huffed the woman Elder. I tilted my head in confusion which showed in my frown and eyes as I asked, "Why?" The Elders including Danzo all bristled at my question. Danzo answered, "He is not a playmate or something that anyone should bother with, especially not someone like you."

I looked at him with a frown and said, "I was asking Third Hokage since he is the leader of this village not you. I don't see why the four of you are here except possibly for decoration. The four of you must have a lot of time on your hands to be here just to tell me to stay away from a kid, especially one that you obviously don't like."

The silence was thick with tension like I just viciously murdered someone in the room. The jounin outside the door seemed to tense up.

Then the entire room was filled with intense KI from all of Danzo's lackeys, the 3 Elders, & Danzo himself.

Guess I hit a sore spot… If I didn't know any better I'd think Weasel is silently laughing.

I didn't even flinch from all the KI being focused on me. I probably should have but I didn't want to be treated like a doormat or weak. I raised my eyebrow while staring straight into Danzo's glare. This caused the KI to get more intense.

Finally, Old Third cleared his throat loudly. I looked at him and he said, "Young lady, these four are the Elders of the Leaf. They are highly respected and ranked individuals. The man to my right is Jin, he has advised me well over the years. Next to him is Ryo who has helped as well. The woman next to him is Kasumi and has done the same. The man to my left and the one, you should not disrespect, name is Danzo. He helps me keep the Leaf safe."

I tilted my head confused and said, "I apologize for the disrespect. It was wrong of me. But it does not answer my question as to why I have to stop hanging out with Naruto. People of that high of status don't usually use their authority in this kind of circumstance…. Unless there is a secret or something that gives value to warrant their authority."

Silence followed. Danzo tapped his cane as his glare turned into an interested stare. The KI stopped trying to pressure me following Danzo's command. The other 3 Elders were tense and so were a few of the jounin outside. Old Third sighed before saying, "They are here to show how many people are complaining about the two of you. You can do as you wish within limits. You are now a villager of the Leaf and proved already you are not a spy. Weasel will walk you home."

Danzo stared at me but Kasumi looked at Old Third with surprise along with Ryo. Jin on the other hand has smiled before returning to an empty expression. I looked into Jin's eyes and saw a familiar spark of mischief. I smiled and bowed to Old Third. I nodded to each of the Elders. Weasel already was by my side. He bowed and we left the office. The jounin smiled at me and relaxed. I was named as part of this village so there is no need to be on guard.

On the way back, we didn't talk though I was curious to why Weasel didn't want to leave my side while confronting the Elders. It wasn't until we got just before the Academy that three ninja jumped in front of us. I raised an eyebrow and put the kunai back up my sleeve before they could notice. Danzo appeared with his cane being purposefully loud. He stopped in front of us as well. I rolled my eyes but looked back at him. He frowned at my blatant disinterest and disrespect. "You are interesting, Girl. It's been a long time since anyone disrespected me so blatantly. No matter what the Third has to say in the end the council is more powerful" Danzo said calmly. Weasel stiffened and before he did anything I said, "More powerful as in you control the council and in turn the village." Danzo finally smiled though it was still creepy especially with the undertone of dark insanity. He held out his bandaged hand and said, "Join me and you don't have to go to this annoying ineffective Academy. I can make you stronger than anyone else." He was promising power the kind some other type of broken person would have easily fallen for.

He is worse than Orochimaru but far more arrogant.

I took a step forward and Weasel tensed. I ignored him as I continued until I was just a foot out of reach of Danzo. I looked up into his eye which gleamed. He thought he won over Old Third and that I was easily persuaded. I smiled and said, "Thank you for the offer." -His smile stiffened and his eyes lost their gleam.- "But I don't need your power or your tricks to become strong. I much rather grow to have the Will of Fire everyone has talked about." His smile was long gone along with most of his patience. His anger spilled but he didn't move other than to glare. My smile widened with a hint of my own insanity turning what was an innocent smile to that of a devilish one.

I saw the desired effect of his interest turning into hate and unfortunately for him a speck of obsession though he probably never admit it. I pulled back to stand straight as well as to hide my own insanity with a closed eye smile. I turned my back to walk back to Weasel. I tossed back to him after returning to Weasel's side with a bit of a smug smile, "Besides, if you truly controlled the council and village then you'd be Hokage than The Third. I wonder how you hold yourself so confident that people will so easily follow you when you aren't loved or even wanted." My smile no longer smug but wide as I said, "The only thing holding them to you is fear and the need for power. Unlike them I don't want or need that power. Also, I will never fear you." His glare and aura was nasty with anger and hate. I tilted my head with a more calm smile. He stabbed his cane harshly and loudly into the ground before walking off. His followers confused hesitantly followed while shooting me looks meant to be semi threatening but were too confused.

Once he was far gone I let out a relief filled laugh mixed sigh. Weasel stared at me. I looked at him calmly and he relaxed. We set off to continue our path. When we got to the gate I said with a hum, "You really thought I was going to go with him." It wasn't a question but was a statement. He looked down at me and I looked up at him with my smile sad. He didn't say anything.

Guess I didn't earn any trust or belief. I had thought we had gotten closer since he noticed my quirks and some ticks. I don't blame him but it is still a bit sad.

I didn't try to see into his eyes. His silence was enough of an answer. I dropped my gaze and walked away into the forest.

I don't plan to become real friends or comrades with anyone so it should be expected. My own enemies are not as forgiving or as obvious as Danzo. Alone is all I meant to be until I finally make them disappear. It still hurts though to be alone, especially when it is the only way to be free. Freedom is something I can't give up, especially when those I love would give anything for it.

I shook my head before the dark thoughts could start to cloud my mind. I stopped not far from Anko's and sat in a tree. I put my back against the trunk along with my head. Closing my eyes and quieting my breathing so that I can try to hear the tree's calming hum. These trees though in a chaotic place are not terribly different from others. They all hum almost all the time, usually this hum grounds me and connects me to nature. Slowly the ache and everything else ebbed away. The more I listened the more peaceful I felt until I fell asleep.

The next day I spotted Naruto on the swing when I got there before classes started. I went up to him like the first time and waited. He was definitely thinking dark stuff and only going dark so I put my hand in his head gently. He flinched and looked up. I smiled friendly as I started to make a mess of his hair. "Morning, did someone say something or does breakfast not agree with you at the moment?" I asked. He blinked and said, "You were called to Jiji 's office. I thought you were told to stay away from me and why." I tilted my head then hummed as I said, "The council did say to stay away and that a lot of people complained." He looked back down and his shoulders tightened. "But The Third said I could hang out and be friends as long as we don't cause too much chaos" I finished with a grin. Naruto looked up before a very genuinely happy smile over took the dark gloom. He jumped off the swings the bell rang and we walked in together as he started telling me of a time when he was with Old Third.

Kabuto POV:

I returned to find that Orochimaru-sama had already sent Kyou/Rin ahead on a mission. He didn't know how she is since she can't summon the snakes to let him know. It was weird without her here following me around, especially since how the two of us were like on the other mission.

I was planning on talking with her about the scroll and her secrets when I got back. I wonder if she's going to be ok on her own until Orochimaru sends me. She had some trouble with making "friends" and being a civilian.

Orochimaru-sama called for me to meet him in the library. When I got there, he was reading over a scroll that he had sent to Kyou/Rin during our mission in the Sand. He looked up and said, "Your attachment to Rin has grown stronger yet you still know little about her. Both of you need time apart for your loyalty is shaken by her. Rin and I have talked and agreed you have changed from the last mission. She says you have become too protective and I have to agree. Kabuto don't forget that she is not as attached. She has nothing binding her to here apart from studying and training. We are still not allies even if she is not an enemy. This time apart without reporting is a test for her and to keep her unaware of our plans. Report about your findings of the Sound Village."

I stiffened but quickly reported, "They are not ready to listen but give it enough time and more pressure. There are several that believe in you and wish to take action." Orochimaru-sama nodded and dismissed me. I bowed then left for the lab but wasn't able to fully focus with my thoughts wondering to Rin.

Rin thinks I'm over protective. It is true that before I left I stopped her training to heal her more often. If Karin wasn't assigned as Rin's companion we would have spent more time together. Am I really this shaken from a child? I've don't plenty to other children and even worse. Yet she is special to me ever since the Sand. Is it because we spent time together and having each other's back? I was away most of the time and we didn't have that much time to spend together. Now, it's hard even concentrate in my experiments without her here. Rin, when will I see you again?

AN: Thank you for waiting for this chapter! Thank you for reading!

What do you think of my OC? -For the future I'll be sticking with Crow only so it will be less confusing.

I've some thoughts where is will go and this will begin to align with the manga to some extent as you can see.

The world has been in chaos for a while now so it took time to finish writing this.

I'm a college student and with all that's going on it might be a long time for the next chapter as well.

Hope you all continue to follow and enjoy Crow's existence in the Naruto story.

Please review! Have a great day/night!

We will get through this and stay safe everyone!

Naruto: Believe it!