Author's Note: I'm enjoying getting these chapters out rapid-fire. I suppose it helps that they've been outlined for a while, and I can just write through my storyboard! Hope you like it. To those of you who are constantly asking about Obito: I promise you'll find out what I have planned. Please enjoy the chapter!

Human

Rin's Capture Arc

Chapter 6

Kushina

Kushina found them leaning against a tree. Raido, asleep and injured. Genma, alert, tired, but grinning at the sight of them. And Rin, slumped against him, drawing ragged breaths but her eyes were open. Behind her Iwashi and a medical team touched down.

They set about unsealing hand held stretchers and checking on the three injured Chunin.

"Genma, report," Kushina ordered.

He stood up once the medical ninja had their hands on Rin and she wasn't slumped against him. "I'm sure you've heard what happened from Iwashi," Genma said.

Kushina crossed her arms, raised an eyebrow. "I want to hear it from you."

Genma shrugged, bent down, plucked a long piece of grass, and started to chew it. "Well, once we got about ten miles from the village, Rin started convulsing and all this chakra came shooting out of her. Raido was carrying her at the time. It burned him pretty bad, like the chakra was corrosive or something."

Kushina frowned. "Corrosive chakra is usually indicative of ill intent, or chakra density. Sometimes both. What happened after Raido was hurt?"

"Well, first we had to get those carrying loops off. So Iwashi and I managed to cut them with some Kunai. Singed my hand a bit, but nothing serious. Then I pulled Raido away from Rin and sent Iwashi to the village for help." Genma looked up at the sky, now golden in the morning sunlight. "Rin was awake by then, she couldn't talk for some reason. But she communicated with me through Konoha Standard Sign Language. She seems to think that whatever is causing that chakra to come out of her is some kind of trap, and that she shouldn't go back to the village."

"She might be right," Kushina said. "I'll examine her thoroughly once the medical team has had a chance to look at her. If there's anything amiss with her chakra, I'll find it."

Genma nodded. "If that's all, I'd like to get my hand looked at."

"Go ahead," Kushina said, and approached the medics examining Rin. "How is she?"

One of the medical ninja looked up. "She's got a lot of internal damage, but it looks like something is accelerating her healing. Whatever it is closed up some of the wounds on the surface, but they're still causing problems with her organs and bones. She's got seven broken ribs, a punctured lung, a concussion, her right wrist is fractured, her left wrist has severed tendons, and her stomach and lower intestine have been pierced by something. We need to get her to a hospital for long term treatment."

Kushina shook her head. "I'm afraid that won't be possible. You have to get her fixed up here. We can set up for as long as you need, and I can send someone to the village for more supplies if you need them, but Rin cannot return to the village right now."

The ninja scowled at her. "I'm a doctor, and she needs treatment. Real treatment, not a field triage!"

Kushina glared right back. "I know! But something is off with her chakra system, and it makes her a potential danger to herself and others. We can't risk taking her back to the village in her current state. Heal her. Tell me if you need help. And let me know if you find anything out of the ordinary with her chakra pathways." She turned away and went to check on Raido.

"He'll make a full recovery, but he'll have a scar," The medic told her.

Kushina sighed. The poor kid was gonna have a nasty burn scar on his face for the rest of his life. And Kakashi was maybe alive. And Rin was... she didn't even want to believe it, but she was sure Rin was a Jinchuriki, based on reports and her own observations. The lingering chakra in the air here and at the sight of the battle were eerily similar to the Kyubi's chakra.

How could things have gone so wrong? Rin was a good kid. Nobody deserved to be made into a Jinchuriki.

Kushina sat against the base of a tree, crossed her legs, and closed her eyes. She focused on the chakra around them. Listening to it, feeling it with her own, and watching for any change in Rin's.

Upon closer inspection, Kushina discovered that a powerful foreign chakra was bubbling just below the surface of Rin's chakra. Kushina could feel it, but it was hard to distinguish beginnings and ends. It was like oil in water.

Kushina watched Rin's chakra diligently until the medics stopped tending to her.

"That's as good as can be done today in the field," one of them said.

Kushina opened her eyes and nodded. "How is she?"

The medic shrugged. "She'll make a full recovery, eventually, but it will take a long time outside of a facility where she can receive treatment and physical therapy daily."

"Thank you for doing what you could. Will she be able to walk when she wakes up?" Kushina asked.

"It's hard to say." The medic was putting away his things, and shouldering his bag. "She's suffering from one of the most severe cases of chakra exhaustion I have ever seen. It would be ideal if we could monitor her for a few days to see if her body is producing chakra correctly."

Kushina gestured to the trees. "By all means, set up a camp and stay. But Rin can't go back to the village until I figure out what's up with the foreign chakra in her system. I'd appreciate it if she gets a checkup when she wakes, anyway."

The medical team exchanged looks. "We need to get Raido back to the hospital, the buns on his face run the risk of serious damage without a skin graft. Or is he to stay here, too?"

Kushina shook her head. "No, Raido is free to head home. As are Genma and Iwashi."

"Then we should go," The medic said. "We have injured shinobi returning from missions every day as hostilities die down, and we really don't have the manpower to spread around. Our medical teams aren't as numerous as they were even five years ago. Have her come by the hospital when she gets back to the village."

"I will," Kushina said. "If you don't mind, I'd like to send a few messages back to the village with you."

"I can stay until your messages are ready," Iwashi offered.

"That's fine," Kushina said.

"Make sure Nohara doesn't use any chakra or get into any intense physical activity," The medic said.

And the medical team left with Raido and Genma. Kushina popped open a pocket of her vest, pulled out two scrolls, and tossed one to Iwashi. "Unseal and set up two tents, and then something for us to eat." Iwashi nodded.

Kushina unrolled the other scroll, and set about writing messages for both Minato and the Hokage.

When Rin finally did wake up over a day later, Iwashi was long departed. The night air was cool, and Kushina was sitting at a small fire, using the light of the flames to recreate the seal that kept the Kyubi within her on a large scroll. Her eyes flicked up from the heavy paper when Rin poked her head out from her tent.

She looked exhausted, and Kushina gave her a warm smile. "How are you feeling?"

"Everything hurts," Rin said quietly. "I feel like I've been trapped in a nightmare for a long time."

"From what I've pieced together, you've had a rough time of things," Kushina said. She patted the ground next to her. "Why don't you come sit with me and have something to eat."

Rin considered for a moment before nodding and making her way over to the fire. Kushina noticed how slow Rin moved, and the half concealed grimace on her face.

"How far are we from the village?" Rin asked, tucking her knees to her chest and wrapping her arms around her shins.

"Only a few miles," Kushina said. "But you can't go right now."

Rin hung her head. "I know," She said quietly.

"It's not forever," Kushina said, trying her level best to reassure the girl.

Rin nodded glumly and let out a huff of air, staring at the firelight with a somber expression. "Who changed my clothes?" Rin asked after a few minutes, fiddling with the sleeve of her clean shirt.

"I did," Kushina said. "Your other clothes were beyond saving, and I figured you'd want something clean."

"I… thank you," Rin said.

Kushina put an arm around Rin and pulled her close. "Don't mention it. You wouldn't have gotten any rest in those old rags anyway."

Rin held strong for a second, before she sagged against Kushina and started to cry. Kushina stroked Rin's hair, and let Rin get out whatever she needed to. "What did they do to me?" Rin choked out eventually.

"Nothing good." She didn't know how to explain other than to explain as directly as possible. Pull the bandage off and work on healing the wound. "I haven't done a thorough check of your body and chakra, Rin, but I think whoever captured you sealed a tailed beast inside you," Kushina said.

Rin clutched at her and heaved another sob. "They wanted me to hurt my friends," Rin cried. "They wanted me to and I did. I killed Kakashi!"

Kushina hummed and hugged Rin. "Hush now, Rin. Kakashi's in the hospital right now, the doctors are looking after him."

"Is he okay?" Rin managed through her tears.

"I won't lie to you Rin," Kushina said. "Kakashi's in bad shape, and I don't know if he'll pull through." Rin whimpered. "But I need you to understand that this is not your fault."

"But I'm a monster now. I was the one who-" Rin started, but Kushina cut her off.

"No. What you did was go on a mission that you were assigned. You went on a mission and tried to come home with your comrade. The Mist ninja who captured you are to blame." Kushina shifted so she could look at Rin, but the girl would not raise her eyes. "Rin, look at me, please."

When Rin didn't, Kushina hooked a knuckle under her chin and brought her head up. "Rin, you are not a monster. You are still you, and you can beat this thing."

"How?" Rin asked, looking to the side. "I already failed."

"If I'm right, and they did seal a tailed-beast inside you. Then you didn't fail. You're still here and the beast isn't destroying the countryside." Kushina smiled at her. "Why don't you tell me what happened?"

Rin slumped and turned away from her. "I don't want to think about it," She said quietly.

"You're going to have to, eventually," Kushina said. "But maybe not yet. Let's get some food in you, and then I'll see about finding the source of that chakra."

Kushina busied herself, setting water to boil, and then going to check the trap she'd set earlier. There was a single rabbit caught in it. While Kushina skinned and gutted the rabbit, Rin stared into the fire. She didn't move until Kushina handed her a haunch of lightly salted meat, and a steaming cup of tea.

"Eat," Kushina ordered. "You'll feel better with some food in you."

Rin took the skewer, and considered it for a few seconds, before biting into it. Kushina smiled. Rin finished her food in record time, and took a large drink from her tea. Kushina handed Rin the skewer she'd been about to eat. "Here."

Rin ate the whole rabbit. "I didn't realize I was so hungry."

Kushina laughed. "When was the last time you ate?"

Rin rubbed the back of her head, sheepishly. "I don't know. I guess it has been a few days."

Kushina smiled warmly and filled Rin's cup. "We'll have to make sure you're eating regularly from now on, so you make a full recovery."

Rin sighed. "I don't know if I ever will. I don't feel at all like I used to."

Kushina nodded. "It's a big change. But you'll overcome it."

"How do you know?" Rin asked.

"Lie down and let me have a look at you," Kushina said, dodging the question. It wasn't really her favorite thing to divulge the open secret of her status as a Jinchuriki. "I'll explain everything when I'm done."

Rin complied without resistance, and lay back in the grass, feet to the fire. Kushina pulled out a small piece of paper and placed it on Rin's forehead. "This seal is going to temporarily interrupt the flow of your chakra. It will allow me to find any inconsistencies in your chakra pathways. Whatever was done to you, I can't find with my eyes. I gave you a once over when I changed your clothes, but there's no sealing ink on your skin that can be activated by chakra. I think it's hidden somehow."

Rin nodded. "Okay," She said nervously.

Kushina activated the seal with a small flash of her own Chakra, and Rin made a sound of discomfort. Kushina felt out with her chakra sensory ability and frowned. In the absence of Rin's chakra, the foreign chakra was trying to fill the space. It seemed to be coming from Rin's chest.

She pulled back the collar of Rin's shirt and channeled chakra into her hand. Nothing appeared above Rin's breast.

"Well this is concerning," Kushina said.

"What?" Rin asked.

"Take off your shirt and sit up," Kushina said.

Rin didn't argue.

Kushina held up one hand and focused chakra into her palm until it became visible. She pushed until her hand glowed with blue light. She held her hand near Rin's skin as she examined the skin on Rin's chest, and back. She swore when she saw it.

Underneath Rin's left arm, and to the side of her breast, was a small, quickly healed cut. The seal was literally, physically inside of Rin.

"What?" Rin asked again.

"This business with your seal is going to take longer than I thought," Kushina said, extinguishing her chakra light.

"Why?" Rin asked, voice trembling.

"Because I can't interact with the seal. It's not on your skin. Whoever did this is equal parts brilliant and evil. Whatever was sealed inside you was done so directly onto your heart, lungs, or ribcage. Inside your body." Kushina put a hand on Rin's shoulder. "I'm sorry, but we won't be going back to the village for a long time."

Rin looked stricken, disturbed. Kushina couldn't blame her.

"We just have to keep you safe until I can come up with a way to move that seal off your heart," Kushina said, trying to reassure the girl as best she could. "You'll have a better time controlling that chakra if it wasn't threatening to kill you by giving you a heart attack every time you used it."

Rin looked at Kushina, searching for something. "How are you so calm about this?"

"I'm the best with seals in the whole village," Kushina said.

"You aren't afraid of me, but you should be. I could lose control again and really hurt you." Rin turned back to the fire.

"I seriously doubt you could," Kushina said. When Rin didn't respond, Kushina huffed out a breath. "You know there are nine tailed-beasts, right?"

"So?" Rin asked.

Kushina put her hand on Rin's shoulder. "Since the founding of the ninja villages, all of them have been sealed away in humans. They're known as Jinchuriki."

"So I'm a Jinchuriki now," Rin said. "I expect nobody will want anything to do with me when they find out."

"Well I know, and I don't think of you any differently," Kushina said.

"Why?" Rin asked, voice rising, desperate.

"Because it doesn't define who you are," Kushina said. "Konoha has two Jinchuriki now, and you have met the other one."

"I have?" Rin asked.

Kushina nodded, smiling at Rin. "You have."

"Who is it?" Rin asked.

Kushina pointed at herself. "I am."

"You don't have to lie to make me feel better, Kushina," Rin said, curling in on herself.

"I'm not," Kushina said. "Here, watch." And Kushina closed her eyes. Chakra slowly seeped from her, orange, dense, vicious. When she was sure it was visible, Kushina opened her eyes, and looked at Rin. Where Kushina's eyes had been purple a moment before, they were scarlet now. "Believe me?"

Rin, eyes wide and mouth agape, nodded in awe.

"We're going to stabilize your seal," Kushina said, letting the chakra fade, though her eyes were still crimson. "And then I am going to teach you how to control the chakra. You don't have to be afraid."

Rin blinked away tears, wiping at them with her sleeves. "I believe you."

Kushina hugged Rin. "I think you should probably go back to sleep. Your body needs rest." Rin nodded against her chest. They stayed like that for a moment, until Rin was ready to move, and she shuffled back to her tent.

Kushina watched her go, and once Rin was settled in her tent, she entered her mind to speak with the Kyubi.

"What do you want now?" The fox asked her.

"Can you tell me which tailed-beast is sealed within Rin?" Kushina asked.

The fox growled and slammed a claw against the gate of Kushina's seal. "What makes you think I would know?"

Kushina shrugged, leaning against a wall. "You've told me before you can see what I see if you choose to. I was sort of hoping you've been paying attention lately."

The fox laughed without mirth. "Even if I was, how should I know which was sealed into that pathetic little girl?"

"She's stronger than you think," Kushina said, glaring.

The Kyubi rolled its eyes. "I have little patience for this."

"Do you know or not?" Kushina asked.

"Yes," The fox said.

"Which is it?" Kushina asked.

"I have no reason to tell you," The Kyubi said.

Kushina considered that. "I suppose you don't. I can't give you anything in exchange for your knowledge. The only thing you've ever asked me for is freedom." Kushina gave the fox her friendliest smile. "I don't suppose you'd do it for a friend?"

The fox snarled. "Get out!"

Kushina felt her conscious mind forced out of the seal, and sighed. The fire crackled before her and she considered the problem of Rin as she stared into the flames. There was a lot of work to do, and Kushina worried they'd be away from the village for months.

Unsealing a travel ration, Kushina set about cleaning up the camp and getting ready to turn in for the night herself. Starting tomorrow, there would be a lot of work to do.

Author's Note: Drop a review? Follow and fav! I'd sure appreciate it.