Chapter 2

The walk to the training site wasn't far, and the two had strolled together in companionable silence.

The entire way, Rin wondered about Kakashi. He wasn't a selfish person, but he usually avoided friendly contact with anyone outside of training or missions. So when the training field was visible, Kakashi hesitated.

The field was occupied with the other teams from the same graduating year. Knowing Kakashi's penchant to be slightly antisocial, Rin stopped as well, trying to gauge his mood.

Kakashi just stared with his heavy-lidded eyes, his countenance unreadable as usual. He calmly reached up and pulled down his hitae-ate over his Sharingan eye. Then he continued to walk to the field.

He doesn't want to attract attention to the Sharingan.

His gait was slower than she was used to and his hands were in his pockets. She never remembered him ever doing that.

Rin frowned.

Kakashi had stopped walking and turned his head slightly to look back at her, waiting. Rin felt her cheeks suddenly growing hot.

"Sorry," she managed, scratching the back of her head and trying to hide her embarassment with a small nervous giggle. She trotted the few steps to catch up with him. As she peered sideways, she saw that his eye was closed and showed no annoyance, only amusement.

"No worries." He reopened his eye and looked at the young ninjas gathered in the distance "Let's just take it easy and lay low a bit."

"Right." She discovered that neither Sensei nor the other sensei's for the other teams were around. "Where's Sensei?"

He shrugged. "Let's just wait here for him. " He ambled over to a large tree and started to lean against it when a loud, brassy voice shouted against the chatter of the other ninjas.

"KA-KA-SHI!

Unfortunately, the person Kakashi most wanted to avoid already called spotted them.

Rin didn't have to look to know who it was. Gai-kun.

Kakashi sighed.

"Come on," he said, resigned. He waited for her to walk beside him again.

By the time Kakashi and Rin had made it over to the field, their peers had gone silent. Of course, the other teams had heard about what had happened on their mission and everyone had attended Obito's funeral. Now, the group watched the two curiously.

Gai came out of the crowd and walked in front of the pair, forcing them to stop and acknowledge him.

The tall adolescent was a study of incongruity. His tanned broad features and square chin were complimented by a bowl haircut that he kept meticulously maintained, as shiny and perfect as it was. Out of all the males, he physically matured the fastest, and it was quite obvious that he was a boy in a man's body. His cracking voice in a physique with that development was almost comical. Besides that, he wore a skintight forest green single piece jumpsuit, with – orange legwarmers. He looked ridiculous, and everyone made sure he knew it. But he was a chuunin and therefore was no slouch, whatever his taste in looks and wardrobe.

One could say that he and Kakashi were "rivals." Gai would constantly force him into one on one challenges and he always kept score. Kakashi honestly couldn't have cared less of the outcome and therefore the score between them was always close. Obito had once commented that if Kakashi would take him seriously, Gai would probably leave him alone. To keep the score so purposely close was almost cruel. Kakashi had replied in his usual, dismissive manner that he only wanted to push Gai to become a better shinobi, and if fighting him helped him be a better shinobi, then he's all for it.

Kakashi looked up at Gai. The two boys stood and regarded each other in silence.

"Fight me," Gai finally challenged. He got down to a fighting stance, looked over at Rin, gave a toothy grin and winked.

Rin's eyes widened, then she cringed. She could have sworn his teeth sparkled in the morning sunlight. Ugh.

Kakashi made no move to accept the challenge. "Gai..."

"I want to see what you can do with the gift Obito gave to you. Show me you deserve it, and that he didn't die in vain."

Rin frowned and she saw Kakashi stiffen. Gai was baiting him. She didn't like it, but he was right. Obito gave him a gift that would certainly give Kakashi a true advantage in any fight he would ever encounter. He just needed to learn to use it such that would make any Uchiha member proud, especially Uchiha Obito.

Everyone waited. The air was electrified with tension and anticipation.

Kakashi answered them by lifting his hitae-ate and exposing the unmistakable glaring red eye to everyone. There was a swell in the crowd as they gawked.

One of Gai's teammates, a girl with short black hair and eyes, came out to nudge Gai.

"Gai, come on, stop fooling around. Sensei will be here any minute."

"I want to know how much more I need to train, Shizune. And the only way I will know is if I fight him."

Shizune looked appealingly at Rin. The two girls were friends because Shizune had shown interest in becoming a medic. More than once, she had come over to Rin's house a few times to learn a little from her parents. Rin simply shook her head in response. Once Kakashi made up his mind, there wasn't anyone that could change it.

Kakashi glanced meaningfully at Rin and then turned back to the crouching Gai.

"Let's make this a team effort, shall we?"

Rin tensed. What!

Gai slowly stood up. "Team?"

"Yes. Rin and I will fight against you and Shizune. We can at least make this exercise a bit more functional for the real world, right, Gai-kun?"

As usual, Kakashi was able to effortlessly make Gai look silly. There was a collective sigh, and the uneasiness everyone felt began to dissipate. This was the normal way Kakashi and Gai needled each other. No one blamed Kakashi for his condescending tone, however subtle it was, considering the absurdity of Gai's obsession to compete with him. It was what made the two so amusing to everyone. They had acted this way since the Academy days, but it never got boring.

His subtlety, unfortunately, was lost on Gai. "Yes! The losers have to run 100 laps around Konoha village!"

"What!" Shizune looked as if she was going to spit acid. "Speak for yourself, you idiot!" She ran a hand through her hair, thoroughly disgusted. "Geez..."

Gai grabbed Shizune and led her away for what looked like a pep talk. Meanwhile, Kakashi reached for Rin's arm and held it as he spoke to her.

"Rin, I'll take Shizune. That way you can catch Gai by surprise and then we'll switch off. He's good, but has no gift for two against two tactics."

Rin nodded. Training with the White Fang's son as well as an Uchiha didn't make her soft. On the contrary, the boys, especially Kakashi, pushed Rin to train harder. After a particularly rough session with Kakashi, Rin was so angry at her performance that she ignored him for a few days. She didn't think Kakashi would notice anyway, but he must have mentioned it to Sensei because he set up a challenge with a girl from another team, Kurenai. Though Kurenai was very good with genjutsu, the speed training and the taijutsu sessions with Obito and Kakashi, along with her background in gymnastics made her into a relatively quick fighter. When it came time for her bout with the kunoichi, she defeated Kurenai easily, with everyone watching. After the fight, Sensei and Obito congratulated her. Kakashi only looked at her inscrutably through his mask, appraising her quietly. She thought he wasn't impressed.

But apparently he noticed, since he was calling her out now.

"Use your gymnastics ability to your advantage," Kakashi advised. "He's a close-combat type of fighter, so as long as you keep your distance, you'll have the advantage."

Rin grinned. "Yes, sir." Kakashi responded with a look that told her to be serious, but he squeezed her arm to show that he understood her attempt to be light.

Gai and Shizune stood in tandem waiting. When Kakashi and Rin were finally ready, they stood across from their opponents, also waiting.

Rin squinted. She anticipated an opening move from Shizune, and sure enough, the dark-haired girl came quickly from behind Gai to throw three senbon at Kakashi. But Kakashi had already disappeared. He had moved to catch Shizune from behind, and by the time her senbon had reached the place where Kakashi had previously stood, Rin was already there. The young medic easily blocked them with her kunai. Gai tried to swing his leg around to catch Kakashi, but Rin took advantage of his distraction and started her dash at him in the same manner she would a pommel horse. Sure enough, she vaulted off of his back, then flipped around.

"Rin, now!" Kakashi ordered.

Expecting a kawarimi from Gai, she had already completed the hand seals for her own henge (transformation) and used Gai's bunshin (clone) to backflip away from him and over to Shizune. Shizune couldn't believe how fast Kakashi and Rin had switched. Rin ended up behind Shizune, who by now had turned to face her. But before Shizune could attack, Rin immediately grasped Shizune's neck. She then proceeded with a sharp thrust of index and middle fingers to the vital points on the girl's neck and collarbone. With that move, Rin had temporarily frozen the girl's chakra and immobilized her. As Shizune slumped to the ground, Rin had already begun to move towards Kakashi and Gai.

With his Sharingan, Kakashi saw at once that the Gai below Rin was a bunshin. He gave his signal, and Rin swiftly transferred to his place behind Shizune, while Kakashi appeared in the air where Rin last had been, looking up at the real Gai. But then Gai disappeared, and Kakashi realized – too late – that he had already begun the shadow dance. He cursed, recognizing he was trapped. Suddenly, to Kakashi's surprise, Rin jumped so that she was above the two boys. She grabbed Kakashi's outstretched arms and used the momentum to throw him into Gai, who was still prone from the shadow dance. Gai grabbed Kakashi in mid-air and attempted to punch him, but the Sharingan enabled him to dodge all of Gai's moves. His right eye was closed, but his Sharingan eye was fixed open.

I can see his next move, even before it happens! It's as if he's moving in slow motion!

Gai was infuriated. Kakashi was never this fast, not at this close range. Before, Kakashi always kept his respectful distance and fought a predominately defensive style. Now, Kakashi was so close Gai could see the markings on Kakashi's glaring Sharingan eye. The silver-haired boy was unhesitant and seemed to be able to anticipate his attacks. Is this the power of the Sharingan?

After throwing Kakashi, Rin had landed and waited. She watched as Kakashi evaded Gai's very quick taijutsu moves.

He's even faster than before! Obito, what kind of power have you given him?

Gai became off-balanced with his misses, and Kakashi saw the opening. He grabbed Gai's neck and did the same series of moves Rin had done on Shizune. He poked his neck and collarbone area and Gai's body immediately seized up, immobile. Kakashi finished Gai with a soft kick to his chest, and he landed unceremoniously on his back. Shizune lay close by, panting, rubbing her neck. Even she was still barely able to move.

Kakashi finally landed. He walked the short distance over to Rin and calmly stood next to her. He wasn't even breathing heavily, only looking over at her, unaffected. She noticed that he was watching her with both eyes, a strangely unsettling stare.

He regarded her thoughtfully. Where was this hidden talent? How come I didn't really notice her before?

"That was good teamwork," he calmly remarked, then smiled.

Rin flushed at the compliment, trying not to act like a complete idiot in front of this boy whom she had admired all these years. He finally acknowledged me. But I sure could use some more stamina training. I'm panting and he's just standing there like nothing's happened.

She'd been so used to letting Kakashi and Obito do all the fighting that she usually stayed in the background as backup or protection for an escort. She rarely had the chance to use her gymnastics. When she trained with Kakashi or Obito, she could tell they were being easy on her despite their insistence on her training with them. Besides that, she felt that both boys were much better than she was. Surely she thought there was no point in putting forth all the effort simply to get beaten by someone so much stronger than her.

All of a sudden, Kakashi felt faint. Both eyes were closed tightly to steady himself. He himself wasn't quite sure what had happened, but he felt completely depleted of chakra.

"Are you all right?" Rin asked in hushed tones, but the concern was clear in her voice. Kakashi was thankful for her discretion. She began to walk away from him and towards a nearby tree, away from the other ninjas. "Here, let's move away out from the sun."

Kakashi nodded and followed Rin closely into the shade. He felt a bit guilty about having her worried about him over something as silly as one of Gai's challenges. He wanted to say a few appreciative words, but Kakashi was at a loss at what he was feeling right now. Instead, he instinctively reached out for the small of Rin's back as she slowly walked to the large tree just ahead of them.

Rin immediately felt Kakashi's hand on her back, and if it were any other circumstance, she would have stopped cold; instead, since they were already in the shade, she quickly turned around. By then, his hand was already back at his side. She observed Kakashi anxiously for a moment.

"I...I think it may have to do with your Sharingan, Kakashi. It's always activated, isn't it?"

Kakashi quickly pulled his hitae-ate over the scarred eye. Of course. I can't stop the constant chakra it emanates. I must do more chakra stamina training, if I am to keep up.

He immediately felt better once it was unexposed.

"It already feels better, Rin. Thank you."

Rin grinned nervously.

Meanwhile, the crowd had watched the fight in awe. The third member of Gai's team, a frail-looking boy named Gekkou Hayate, stood off to the side in the shade. He was supposedly a weapons specialist but couldn't possibly have been of any use to Gai or Shizune, not with that kind of hand-to-hand combat. It was more of Gai's forte.

Nearby, Kurenai, the girl Rin had fought a few months earlier, sighed heavily. She twirled her wavy black hair around her finger absently, her startling bright red eyes evaluating Rin closely. Rin certainly has gotten better since I fought her.

Her teammates, Shiranui Genma and Namiashi Raidou, made no immediate comment. They were the older boys in the group and were more laid back compared to the others, but knew talent when they saw it. Presently they were squatting and were undoubtably making mental notes. Genma held onto his senbon with his front teeth, and jerked his head back to keep his sandy hair out of his eyes. Raidou, the oldest in the group, merely squinted against the sunlight.

On the other side of Kurenai's team was a well-built and strong boy, Morino Ibiki, who snickered at Gai's loss. His teammate, a talented, headstrong, gray-eyed girl, was a few years younger than most of the ninjas gathered. Mitarashi Anko looked on disapprovingly while chewing on some dango. She always thought Kakashi was talented, if not a bit cocky, but was still caught off-guard at his speed. As an aside, she noted that Rin had improved, but confidently thought herself to be better than Rin would ever be. When she finished the dango she offered the stick to her other teammate, a dark-haired boy built like a boxer and with tufts of hair already showing on his chin. He promptly took the dango stick, snapped it in half, and then put it in his mouth. Sarutobi Asuma had watched the match mostly with disinterest. He was just an average ninja, with no desire to be involved with boys like Gai who had something to prove. And from what he heard, Kakashi was an exacting sort of fellow, with all the drive and ambition to be an awesome shinobi, but with no real redeeming personal qualities. But Asuma was a friend of Obito's, and to see Kakashi inherit something that was to be Obito's most desired and beloved possession, the Sharingan, he must have seen something good and worthy in him.

The thought made Asuma take notice of Kakashi and Rin for the first time that morning. He looked over at pair, who slowly walked away from the animated group of genins and chuunins. Asuma took the dango stick out of his mouth. He saw that Kakashi had his hand on the small of Rin's back, gently guiding her along in front of him. He also noticed that the motion wasn't a controlling one, like he often saw men do with their women. Kakashi's gesture seemed protective, as it appeared Rin was the one who wanted to walk away from the crowd. Asuma assumed that they only wanted a little distance though, because Rin stopped. As she stopped, he noticed Kakashi's hand withdraw slowly and drop back to his side.

Asuma knew from Obito that Kakashi wasn't the kind of person to invest his emotions in anyone; or in this case, with anyone. Kakashi was a strict disciplinarian who acted only out calculated self-interest to become a top shinobi and to erase the disgrace of his father, the great White Fang. Everyone knew it; it was why no one really criticized his behavior.

With just that one action, Asuma immediately saw that Kakashi had changed. Perhaps it was not a change in his goal to become a great shinobi like his father, but in his outlook on life and his perspective of people who were important to him.

Asuma blinked. Tsh. What am I thinking? It's just this one time. I think I'm just seeing too much into things. He put the dango stick back into his mouth, shaking his head in disbelief.

But Asuma didn't remember seeing him do that with Rin before.

The three sensei for the teams were watching it all in the shadows. Gai's sensei put his hand up to his head in embarrassment and frustration.

"Gah! This has always been Gai's weak point. He left Shizune to fend for herself. Kakashi knew Gai would ignore Rin as a threat."

Presently, they came out of their hiding place to claim their teams. Everyone had quieted down by now; both Gai and Shizune began to get up, albeit stiffly. Gai sheepishly rolled himself up into a sitting position, while Shizune dragged herself up. She silently cursed her teammate, but watched Rin without anger. Just gotta get better.

Kakashi noticed their Sensei was approaching, smiling apologetically.

"Sorry I was late," he said, waiting for Kakashi to rebuke him for his tardiness. When Kakashi offered none, he paused to examine his students.

Rin was slightly winded from the altercation, but he was satisfied with her read of the fight and her improvised use of tumbling. Any doubts he had about her and Kakashi working together were now dispelled.

Kakashi looked a bit pale, and he attributed it to the strain of his inexperienced use of the Sharingan. Otherwise, he couldn't really tell that the boy had done any physical activity at all.

"I can't be with you guys today. There's going to be some meetings regarding our close victory with the Stone Country, and they'll be running all day." Sensei chuckled. "You know, I was going to get you two to work together to train – but after what I just saw, I think that is unnecessary. Come on. I'll walk with you guys for a bit."

Rin grinned at the prospect of another uneventful day. Kakashi was glad to have a reprieve as well, if only to work on increasing his chakra stamina. In the event that he had to activate his Sharingan, he didn't want to have Rin worry about his condition after using it in battle.

"Rin, are you free this evening?"

Rin blinked and stared at Kakashi. She pushed her brown hair back behind her shoulders. What could he possibly want to do with me this evening? Her heart fluttered.

"You're pretty good at controlling and maintaining your chakra levels. I...I think I may need you to spot me on some techniques." He looked over at her cautiously.

Rin raised her eyebrows. She recognized that look. He's serious. He wants to work with me? But he used to always train by himself during free time.

Kakashi wasn't sure what he was feeling. He wanted to train, of course, but he'd always done it alone, with no distractions. So why do I feel that I need her to be around?

"S...sure," Rin answered slowly, breaking Kakashi out of his thoughts. "I'll meet you here at the field?"

Kakashi thought for a moment. "No, let's meet up at the bridge. We can walk there together."

At that, Rin relaxed, and she allowed Kakashi a small smile. But as the heat of a blush crept up her face, she quickly looked away.

Sensei had overheard the exchange. Kakashi wanting to train with someone? He turned around to see that his students were closely walking side by side.

He had secretly hoped the two would grow closer. Seeing their growing closeness made him smile. Perhaps Obito's death was not in vain.

"I'll call you two later on what's new, all right?" He gave his signature wave and his two students waved back. "See ya!"

After parting with Sensei and Rin, Kakashi decided to go back to the Shinobi Memorial. He felt restless, and couldn't quite put a finger upon what was making him so anxious. He thought a few hours of thinking – alone – would help alleviate his troubled state.

Being at the Memorial naturally brought back the memories of what had happened to Obito. The whole affair still made Kakashi's heart heavy. He wondered if it would ever go away.

But now, Kakashi thought of the events that took place after he and Rin had ...left Obito and were making their escape. The conversation they had really troubled him. He felt as if he was missing something very important.

He lay down on his back next to the Memorial, and placed his arms behind his head to gaze up at the blue sky above him. As he closed his eyes, the scene came swarming up in his mind as if it had just happened moments before.

"But...!"

"I'm going to protect you with my life...because Obito told me to take care of you."

"...Kakashi!"

Kakashi hated the way this was unfolding. The complications caused by hidden feelings among the trio finally came to the surface, raw, confusing, and unforgiving.

"Rin...Obito liked you...cherished you...that's why he could put his life on the line for you."

Kakashi's eyes were still closed, yet his brow was knitted in concentration. Yes, it was true. Kakashi realized what it meant to really love someone. He now understood what it was to have someone so precious to you that you would give your life for him or her. This was what made Obito strong. In risking his life for Rin, the young Uchiha had finally awakened the Sharingan.

"...then Kakashi...my feelings...towards you..." Tears of emotion shone in Rin's eyes. She was trembling from her admission and the guilt she was feeling at her confession.

"..I...!" Kakashi stumbled...the realization of their new situation hitting him hard.

"I was once...the kind of trash that would abandon you..."

Yes, that part was true too. He had wanted to continue with the mission and leave Rin's life in Fate's balance. He felt her life wasn't his responsibility, only the outcome of the mission. Why was he, the newly appointed jounin of his team, so eager to abandon her?

"Father!"

The image of his Father, dead by his own hand, flashed in Kakashi's mind. His discovery of the wretched state his Father was left in haunted him since that day. On the day of his chuunin appointment, he vowed to remember the mistake his Father had made and vowed to never disobey the shinobi rules while he was in command.

Kakashi then remembered Obito's enraged outburst at his jounin appointment.

"How the hell can someone like YOU ever become a Jounin? Its impossible!"

But yet, Obito thought his disgraced Father was someone to be admired.

"I really thought the 'White Fang' was a great hero."

Kakashi stared incredulously at Obito's back, eyes wide in shock.

"It's true that shinobi who break the rules and regulations are known as trash."

Obito paused to look back at Kakashi, his supposed commander.

"But you know, those who don't cherish their comrades...are even worse than trash!"

Obito turned back around and began to walk away.

"Since I'll be trash both ways, then I'd rather break the rules. If that's not the right way of a shinobi, then I'll be the one to smash that 'shinobi way' into nothing!"

Obito, who was unreliable, impulsive, unmotivated - in the end he became the most driven, steadfast, and perceptive of them both.

"Hey, hey, don't you two ever stop? You're in the same team, aren't you?" The familiar rebuke had an edge of testiness in the girl's voice.

Rin's kind face, framed by her mouse-colored hair, flickered in his mind. Her large clear brown eyes were usually filled with concern and worry, despite her cheerful countenance.

As much as Kakashi seemed incapable of attachment towards anyone, he was actually fond of Rin. The girl was intelligent, accomplished, and modest. She wasn't like a lot of the other kunoichi who tried to win attention by being the prettiest or the loudest.

But despite her unobtrusiveness, Kakashi always knew Rin harbored feelings for him. He noticed them every time Rin had to treat any of his wounds. It was in her delicate touch, her devotion to her medic training, and her healing chakra. He just didn't know how to respond to her. There wasn't a place in his heart for Rin, not then.

And then there was the complication of Obito.

The young jounin took in a deep breath. Obito never really did anything that showed he held any strong feelings for Rin until that fateful day. Except for that one time in the forest, when Kakashi allowed himself one rare moment of affection with the young medic. Obito's adverse reaction, however subtle, came as a complete surprise. At that moment, Kakashi decided to use discretion for the sake of the team, and never acted on his emotions again.

But now, Obito was gone.

"Kakashi...please...take care of Rin..."

Kakashi released the breath he had been holding. Rin...

"K..Kakashi-kun?"

His eyes flew open. How long have I been lying here?

Rin was peering down at him, looking more surprised than concerned. She wasn't wearing her hitae-ate, and her shoulder-length hair fell haphazardly around the borders of her face.

"I...I waited for you a bit at the bridge, but when you didn't show, I figured you'd be here..."

Kakashi blinked and slowly brought himself into a sitting position, using his legs to steady himself.

"How...how long were you waiting?"

Rin's lips curled into a small grin. "About three hours..."

The young jounin hung his head between his knees. Three hours?

"Why didn't you come get me?"

Rin straightened her back, stretching a little. "I did. I was here watching you."

Kakashi's eyebrow rose a little.

"You...you seemed preoccupied," Rin continued. "I didn't want to disturb you."

Kakashi sighed, but said nothing. He looked up at Rin. She was gazing off towards the direction of the village, seemingly thinking about something. When she turned back to Kakashi, she caught him staring at her.

"Its...its alright if you don't want to train this evening," she stammered, obviously a little flustered. "We can meet tomorrow?"

"You're right," Kakashi agreed. "Let's...let's not train today."

Rin already started to turn around. She had started to wave her goodbyes when Kakashi grabbed her arm.

"Wait!" Even he was surprised at his impulsiveness. "Let's go for a walk together."

Rin sighed. "Kakashi..."

He released her arm. He suddenly felt inexplicably guilty, as if he had stepped across some invisible boundary he wasn't supposed to have crossed. What in the world is happening?

"I...I know you promised Obito that you would take care of me. But I..."

She stopped. Kakashi waited, holding his breath.

Without warning, she sprinted down the dirt path away from the Memorial.

Kakashi stood there frozen for a moment, before he forced himself to follow her.

"Rin!"

Rin knew she couldn't outrun Kakashi, but then again, she hadn't expected him to pursue her.

She realized Kakashi's sudden need to be around her, and the extra attention he was paying her. Rin liked it, of course, but she felt that he only did it out of guilt. At least Obito did it because he loved her, but Kakashi...? Hadn't he told her he'd abandon her?

So why is he running after me?

She jumped up into the trees, darting from branch to branch. Why AM I running away? It's just Hatake Kakashi! The same quiet, ambitious, imperious boy you've known since before the Academy, the same boy who closed off his heart to everyone.

Rin attempted to jump up to another branch when she slipped on some moss on the one she was currently on. Because she was moving so fast, she had no time to channel chakra to her feet and found herself falling into dead space. Rin felt the panic beginning to creep into her mind.

Then, as if it were happening in slow motion, someone came from the front and grabbed her in midair. Out of the corner of her eye she glimpsed his silver hair waving against the wind.

Kakashi! When...?

Time then sped up and she realized they were falling at a very fast pace. She gratefully clung to his neck with her arms and his waist with her legs, bracing for the impact.

They crashed unceremoniously onto the forest floor, rolling over each other until the force of the fall was finally spent. Kakashi had positioned himself so that he would take the brunt of the impact, but in the end he was left on top of her, panting.

The two were pressed together on the forest floor, breathing heavily. Kakashi slowly pulled himself up and looked at her with his hooded eyes. He moved a few strands of her hair in an attempt to see her face clearly.

"Are you...alright?" he asked softly. His face held an expression that Rin had never seen before. Compassion? Concern? Worry?

Rin felt his hand on her cheek. She kept his gaze and, for the first time, saw a door opening in Kakashi's heart. Tears began to threaten at the corners of her eyes.

"Kakashi, Rin?" Someone casually called out to them.

At the sound of the voice, Kakashi and Rin scurried away from each other, breaking the almost peaceful moment they had.

Rin heard something metal drop lightly on the hard forest floor, and when she saw the maker of the noise, she froze.

Kakashi managed to look at Shiranui Genma's face and realized that the older boy had already seen enough to make the obvious assumption. Genma was staring, his eyes wide, and his mouth open. His ubiquitous senbon had fallen from his lips in surprise.

Before the two could say anything, Genma disappeared, while his senbon lay amongst the leaves, all but forgotten.

Thanks again to Leafygirl for your help

And thanks to everyone who read and reviewed...it made me so happy!

Chapter 3 should be up next week. Enjoy!