Sorry ya'll for the wait on this. I thought it'd be an easy chapter to write, but it's transitional and those to me are hard. I had to keep scrapping what I had and start from scratch.

Anyway. Thanks again to Leafygirl for helping me with the plot bunnies

Also, thanks to all who review! I love to hear your comments :D

Chapter 5

When Kakashi and Rin had finished washing and drying the dishes, Jiraiya opened the living room's large balcony doors to let in the warm evening air. Rin was wiping down the dinner table while Kakashi was putting the dishes away.

As he walked to the cedar china cabinet in the living room to put away the sake bottle, Kakashi noticed a photograph lying on a nearby desk.

It was Obito's official chunnin registration photo, the same one displayed in a frame at the funeral and memorial service.

Kakashi put away the bottle and picked up the picture.

It was the usual frontal shot, and for once, Obito wasn't wearing the goggles.

The sight of him brought back all the memories. As much as the Uchiha grated on him in the past, he now found himself wishing the boy was still alive to annoy him just once more. Even if it was just to needle and fight with him...anything was better than nothing.

It was the fact that he didn't appreciate him when he was alive that really got Kakashi down.

As he returned the picture to the top of the table, he noticed an empty picture frame lying close by.

So Rin was going to frame this.

He turned around to return to the kitchen and was startled to see Jiraiya leaning against the doorway between the living room and the kitchen.

"I'm really sorry about Obito, Kakashi."

Jiraiya watched Kakashi look away, pursing his lips. The older man turned his face back towards the kitchen.

"Rin-chan?"

"Yes, Jiraiya-oji?"

"Let's all go take a walk to the lake. I want to show you two something."

When Jiraiya turned back to speak with Kakashi, the lad had already walked past him. Rin looked at Jiraiya questioningly, but went through the front door without question. Kakashi followed wordlessly.

"Che. These guys…so impatient."

"So…what is it that you wanted to show us?" Rin asked while pulling her hair back to keep herself cool.

The two teenagers stood closely together; Rin glanced at the approaching night sky and Kakashi looking as indifferent as he could possibly be. Jiraiya noticed that as soon as they stepped outside Rin's house, Kakashi pulled the mask up and put on his hitae-ate. Kakashi's hands hadn't left his pockets since they started walking towards the training fields. Jiraiya thought it odd as it was something he never remembered seeing the boy do before.

But he had to remind himself that the disinterested child…no, young man…in front of him was a jounin.

"Maa…did I say I wanted to show you guys something? I actually meant that I wanted you to show me your abil –"

Before Jiraiya could even finish his sentence, Kakashi had already started his run at the man.

Rin backed away as fast as she could. She had seen out of the corner of her eye that Kakashi was going to do a fire technique. Jiraiya jumped away onto the lake's surface from the ensuing flame, only to have Rin thrust her chakra-laden palm to the water to douse him with a rather large wave from behind.

Kakashi had raised his hitae-ate and squinted at the steam caused by the contact of the two techniques. He concentrated his chakra to his Sharingan eye, trying to track Jiraiya's chakra movement. Rin was moving around, trying not to be an easy target for the now invisible Jiraiya.

Kakashi saw movement underneath the water.

"Rin!"

Rin immediately jumped up just in time. Jiraiya's outstretched arm had tried to grab Rin's ankle, but only succeed in giving away his position.

Seeing where Jiraiya's location was, Kakashi decided to use his new technique, obliging Jiraiya and showing him what he was capable of. He ran straight across the lake, chidori-lit arm grazing the water's surface. In its wake was a line of hot steam, evidence of the amount of energy he was generating. The boy watched Jiraiya rise out of the lake and gape at his outstretched arm, full of white electric chakra.

So much chakra you can see and hear! What is that technique?

The man went through a series of seals.

"Togeyomi! (Underworld Spines!)"

Kakashi's eyes widened. His Sharingan eye saw the chakra infuse itself into Jiraiya's white hair, hardening it into a shell around him.

I must find the weakest point! The Sharingan eye searched for the area where the chakra concentration was the least. Where is it?

Then Kakashi realized that the distance between him and his target was suddenly gone. What the…?

The Jiraiya in front of him disappeared in a puff of smoke. Kakashi stumbled, unable to stop his momentum.

Damn it! How was that a bunshin? The eye showed solid chakra…

Someone charged into him from his right side, and the two smashed into the water. Underwater, Kakashi saw Rin's form above him, pushing for the surface. The fight was essentially over.

Rin broke the surface, coughing and choking as she treaded water, waiting for the maskless Kakashi to do the same. She was sure that he would scold her for tackling him.

Kakashi was about to do just that, when he realized her motivation. Looking over her shoulder, he noticed Jiraiya palming a swirling ball of chakra.

Rasengan! Sensei's technique!

If Rin hadn't pushed him out of the way, Kakashi understood that his back would have a nice size hole in it.

Mildly frustrated, Kakashi pushed his plastered silver hair out of his eyes and sighed loudly.

Why wasn't I able to predict Jiraiya's movements like Obito did with the Stone-nins?

His thoughts were broken by Rin's splashes as she swam to the shore. By the expression on her face, he could tell she must have taken his gesture of frustration personally.

Jiraiya ran over the rippling surface to the shore to check her over.

"I wasn't going to hurt him, Rin-chan. You didn't have to push him away like that." He took off his shirt and handed it over to her to dry herself. He was thankful he had worn an undershirt today.

"I'm sorry," she muttered. "He was going all out, so I just thought…I didn't want him to get hurt…"

"Hey, hey…" Jiraiya tried to say something calming, but seemed at a loss. By this time, Kakashi had dragged himself out of the water, looking terribly fatigued.

The older man frowned. That's odd. Why is he so tired? The fight wasn't that lengthy or strenuous.

At this point, Jiraiya figured the fight was over. This boy has the Sharingan, but he hasn't had any experience with using it. It's not a true part of him, so it's sucking out all the chakra from him. He isn't using it effectively. But that move he did…what was that?

Rin averted her eyes while handing Jiraiya's shirt over to Kakashi.

"Maa, Kakashi. That move seems unique to you."

The pale lad in front of him didn't show that he seemed pleased with the compliment.

"I call it the chidori, Jiraiya-sama. When I finally completed the jutsu four months ago…the sound of it reminded me of the chirping of birds."

Jiraiya stared at the young man in front of him.

"Sensei had said it was incomplete because of my speed. I couldn't stop any counterattacks. Obito's Sharingan allowed me to dodge the counters." He raised his mismatched eyes to meet Jiraiya's dark ones. "Except…yours."

Although the kid wasn't obvious with his feelings, Jiraiya could sense the disappointment in his voice.

"I'll tell you this. You need to train with an Uchiha. That is the only way you'll progress."

Rin had been brooding off to the side while the other two were talking, but now she perked up at Jiraiya's suggestion.

Jiraiya smiled while he ruffled Rin's wet hair.

"Kakashi. Follow me. I know what will help you."

On the way to the Uchiha compound, Rin was starting to have second thoughts on the idea of having an Uchiha teaching a non-Uchiha how to use their bloodline limit.

If my own son's eye showed up in some other kid...how would I feel about that?

Rin didn't have an answer. Obito's immediate family was polite enough at the funeral reception, but she could tell they were very wary around them, especially Kakashi. His eye was still bandaged then, and it drew unwanted attention from all the Uchiha members present.

The compound brought back memories for Kakashi. His last visit there was on that gloomy afternoon of Obito's funeral service. He was to be one of the few outsiders in the family procession, along with Rin and Sensei, which was generous of the family. It was a gloomy day, but the rain had held off until the end of the actual funeral service. As the rain fell softly onto the departing crowd, they had huddled together off to the side in mournful silence while Sensei talked with Obito's father.

And now, the silver-haired boy again stood in front of the door to his friend's house. He didn't think he would ever find himself here again after that day.

Jiraiya rang the house bell. A moment or two later, a dark-haired woman opened the gate a small crack.

It was Obito's mother, Sachi.

"How may I help you?" Then she recognized the three people standing in front of her.

"Jiraiya-sama!" she addressed in surprise, immediately waving him inside. She eyed the two young ninjas warily.

"Konbanwa, Uchiha-sama." Both Kakashi and Rin bowed respectfully low.

Obito's mother managed a tentative smile and escorted them to the main room of the house.

"Who is it, Mother? Oh!"

A young lady holding a teakettle and cups on a small tray stopped suddenly when she realized there were visitors.

"Itoshi-chan, please get three more tea cups for our guests right away!"

"Y-yes, Mother."

The girl ran off into the kitchen, the tea cups rattling as she trotted away.

"Please, have a seat while I call my husband. My daughter Itoshi will be out momentarily to serve the drinks."

While the three visitors knelt on the comfortable tatami mat, Uchiha's father, Ryosuke, slid the paper door open and slipped inside.

"Jiraiya-sama," he greeted, "what brings you to visit our family?"

"Ryosuke-san," the white-haired man responded, "I first want to say how deeply sorry I am about the loss of your son."

Ryosuke didn't respond, only made his approach to the low serving table. He stole a quick glance at Kakashi and Rin.

"How's the Hatake boy?" he asked, gesturing vaguely at the sitting teenager.

"Actually, Ryosuke-san, Hatake Kakashi needs your help."

The dark-haired man's expression changed from controlled disdain to outright incredulity. But before he could say anything, Itoshi came in from the kitchen with the tea tray ready with the extra cups.

"I'm sorry for keeping you waiting," she apologized as she began to pour the tea.

"It's alright, Itoshi-chan." Ryosuke's voice was kind when addressing his daughter. She smiled appreciatively.

Her father took a sip of the tea and then readdressed the matter at hand.

"How does Hatake need my help? He already has all the help he needs from my dead son."

Kakashi stiffened at the remark.

Rin decided they both didn't deserve that from the man.

"Uchiha-sama, please." She brought her forehead all the way to the tatami floor. "Please, do not hold hard feelings towards us."

Ryosuke started to stand up to stop her, but Rin did not move.

"Your son very much wanted me to give Kakashi the Sharingan. It was his final wish."

"How is that so? My son could not get along with Hatake."

"That is not true."

Rin turned slightly from her kowtow position to stare at Kakashi, who now shared her submissive posture.

"Your son wanted to acknowledge me as a real person," Kakashi said, his head not leaving the mat. "Before that day…I was only a Shinobi with no thoughts for anyone, not even my own teammates. But now, I want to prove that he was right, that there's nothing more important than the lives of those you care about. That ideal awakened his Sharingan, Uchiha-sama."

Obito's father stared at the silver-haired teenager with wide, unblinking eyes. Kakashi's voice was soft, but everyone in the room heard his sincerity and his anguish.

"I want to live out his dreams through the gift he gave me. That is the only way I can repay him." Kakashi emphasized his final plea by tapping his forehead to the floor. "Please, Uchiha-sama."

A choked sob escaped Sachi's lips. Itoshi quietly comforted her with a hug. Ryosuke looked away and sighed, feeling conflicted.

He had thought the boy ungrateful, not sincere and guilt-ridden as this young man before him. A moment of silenced passed.

Ryosuke then reached out and placed his hands on the two young people in front of him.

"Please sit up, Kakashi, Rin. I will hear your request."

Jiraiya bowed his head in appreciation. "Obito-kun has given Kakashi-kun his Sharingan, but he still needs someone with the natural ability to guide him in its ways." He paused. "Could you recommend someone?"

"Ah." Ryosuke fingered his chin absently, deep in thought. After a very long two minutes, he finally gave his answer. "I will recommend my daughter, Itoshi."

Itoshi suddenly sat up ramrod straight.

All three guests regarded her closely for the first time.

Rin remembered Obito mentioning his older sister many times in conversation, but since she was six years older than him, and in ANBU no doubt, they hardly had time to see each other. The two looked very much alike. She wondered if her personality was like his too.

"Father!"

"This will be good conditioning for you, Itoshi-chan, while you're on break. I don't want my daughter to get lazy."

"Yes, yes," she finally agreed, grinning at her new charge. "I've heard so much about you – " she pointed at Rin, winking, " – but especially you." She eyed Kakashi with a piercing stare, black eyes glittering.

Sachi, who had almost broken down in tears at Kakashi's plea, stood up and gave everyone her first genuine smile since she opened the gate.

"Welcome to our family."

"Arigato gozaimasu," Rin and Kakashi said in unison, and then bowed again in thanks.

"Hehe, does that mean I get two little siblings to boss around?" Itoshi smirked as she too stood up.

"Itoshi…"

The girl gave Rin and Kakashi her widest toothy grin and a thumbs up.

The three companions left Obito's family after they had their cups of tea. It was after 9 p.m., and Jiraiya volunteered to update their Sensei on the news. He turned toward headquarters, leaving the pair to walk home together.

"Rin, thanks for helping me out back there."

"No problem, Kakashi."

"I'll probably start training with Itoshi-senpai tomorrow. What will you be doing?"

The kunoichi had think a bit. "Oh, I don't know. I'm expecting my parents any day now, so I should probably make sure the house is in order. Then I'll probably see if Shizune would come with me to the library. We need to read up on a few things."

"When will I be able to see you?"

Rin started at the question. Kakashi…see me?

"At…the memorial tomorrow morning, I guess – "

She understood from his silence that he wasn't satisfied with her answer.

"Whenever you're done with training, I suppose…what about meeting up for dinner at my place?"

They had reached the steps to Rin's rowhouse. From the crease in his exposed right eye, she figured he was smiling.

"See you tomorrow, Rin."

"Goodnight, Kakashi." She watched him walk down the street under the lighted streetlamps. Anticipation was already threatening to overcome her. She turned around quickly to unlock the door.

What she didn't realize was that as Kakashi walked and stared up at the beautiful Konoha night sky, he shared the same indescribable feeling of expectancy.