A/N: Sorry for this one being VERY much shorter than the others, but have a long-awaited meeting between two old friends!
After darkness settled in, Hinoki was doing one last round around the capital. She'd dropped off a little gift at the Harunos' house for Arata and was just going back to camp.
As soon as she touched down outside the gates, she neared a tree when a kunai knife whizzed past her and landed horizontally in the trunk.
A cold voice rang out, "Don't move. Hands in the air."
She breathed a quiet sigh of annoyance. Of course the one time she went for a walk by herself she got caught. Slowly, she raised her arms, keeping her hands open and fingers splayed.
She heard faint footsteps coming closer, and a familiar voice was nearer now. Her heart skipped a beat when she heard, "Now lower your hood so that I can see your face."
Her hands trembled as she lowered them only to grasp the edges of her hood and flip it back, revealing her hair tied up into a ponytail. As she turned her head to look at her attacker, her eyes widened in recognition at her childhood friend.
"Kakashi," she breathed.
At the same time, his own eye widened, and he lowered his weapon in disbelief. The cheek paint from their youth was absent, but this woman was...
"R- Rin?" He whispered in confusion. "But- but how?"
Rising tears made her eyes misty and she suddenly surged forward, nearly tackling her childhood friend in a hug. "Kakashi, thank the gods you're alright!"
"I thought you died," he choked out, pulling her head away enough to study her face. "I- I saw you drown, I-"
"I lived," she sniffled, cupping his cheeks. "But that doesn't matter now that we've found each other again. Please, run away with me. I don't want to lose you again. Not the way I lost him."
His mood sobered at the mention of their deceased friend, and he gripped her arms tighter. "You know I can't betray my village like that. Rin, come back to Konoha with me. I'll keep you a secret from the royal family, I'll keep you safe. I promise you, you'll be happy."
Her face fell and she slowly shook her head. "Kakashi, I… I'm with Mimei. I can't come back with you."
His heart dropped into his stomach. "So… that's where you've been for the past…?"
"I couldn't just do nothing," she reasoned. "It was a matter of coincidence that I found them. Had I not… I'd likely be living on my own in a village somewhere."
"I'd rather you'd done that instead," he muttered to himself with a deep sigh. "Will my words alone not be able to persuade you?"
"My mind and heart have already been made up, I'm sorry." She replied with a solemn frown as she traced the edge of his mask.
"Then… then what can I do to make sure you're safe?" He questioned. "Since you're here, then that must mean a faction of the rebels are as well."
"Spy on Konoha for me," she offered. "Let us know how things are going in the capital. I know it's a lot, but…"
"I'd do anything for you, you know that," he seriously replied, squeezing her shoulders. "I'll do it… but in return, I want you to heed all of my warnings. When I tell you to move camp, do it. The last thing I want is for you to be tried and killed for treason."
"I promise, we will," she agreed before leaning in to lay her cheek on his chest. "I've just… missed you so much, Kakashi. These past years have been hell."
His visible eye softened, and he hugged back with just as much intensity, murmuring, "I missed you too. More than you'll ever understand."
A/N: Please tell me what you thought!