Disclaimer: Not mine, but Kishimoto's.

Chapter 12

Kakashi thought there'd never be a day when he would not want to be at the Memorial, but right now, it was the last place he wanted to be.

What did he have to say to his friend?

Pulling back the hood of his sweatshirt, Kakashi shivered as he dug his hands deeper into his pockets. He had wandered aimlessly around the outskirts of Konoha for almost two hours, and the cold had finally settled in his body. His hands and feet felt like blocks of ice, and his ears and cheeks were pink with exposure. Stiffly, he yanked up his mask.

While he walked, memories of Obito floated in his mind, remembering events that at the time, he had paid them no attention. He was too preoccupied with himself to really take notice of anything and anyone around him.

"…Rin, Uchiha Obito, Hatake Kakashi. Meet your new jounin sensei at the red bridge by noon."

Despite being called to the front of the classroom, Kakashi remained near the sliding door at the back, a look of disdain clear on his face.

An Uchiha brat and a medic kunoichi?

Instead of going to meet his new team members, Kakashi made a noise of disapproval and quickly took his leave.

Walking to the red bridge by himself, he thought about his prospects now that he had a team.

The Uchiha was an average student, mostly unremarkable by his infamous clan standards and was more known for his absentmindedness than for his latent abilities. Broad-minded, always grinning and self-effacing, he was generally well-liked by his classmates. He was capable if he was focused, but deadweight if distracted.

The girl though, was ranked first in the class in all subjects except for taijutsu. Kakashi almost felt guilty that even though he graduated from the Academy three years ago, he was named the number one rookie for this age designation, despite the fact that outside of taijutsu, Rin's scores rivaled Kakashi's. She was popular for her fairness and sharp wit moreso than her looks, which were cute but on the whole rather plain compared to many of her peers.

Kakashi by now had reached the red bridge and was rather surprised to see his jounin sensei already there, grinning from ear to ear along with his two new teammates. The Uchiha boy pointed gleefully at him, a stiff blade of grass hanging from his lips.

"You're late!"

The silver-haired chuunin started, surprised.

Didn't I leave before they did?

The kunoichi suppressed a chuckle. Kakashi ignored them and turned to the jounin.

"I'm not late. It's not noon yet. I have almost two hours to spare."

"If you had stayed for one more minute, Kakashi-san, you would have heard the instructor say that you had to meet your jounin sensei at the appointed spot in five minutes for your genin group picture." Rin smiled, but there was shared mirth between the three standing there.

Kakashi pinked, but before he could say anything, another special jounin appeared, holding a camera.

"Alright kids, gather 'round!"

When they finally were ready, Rin gave her toothiest grin.

"Hehe, success!"

Needless to say, after the photo was taken, the light mood was gone and Kakashi faced his now bashful teammates.

When they were walking over to their first training session, Sensei made it a point to walk with him while Obito and Rin trotted ahead.

"Ah, Kakashi. You left as soon as your genin cell was named. You don't like your new teammates?"

Most people would have been uncomfortable with such a point-blank accusation, but Kakashi shrugged carried on the conversation as if he were merely commenting about the weather.

"The medic will act in a supporting role seventy percent of the time, with the occasional occurrence where she will actually face combat. The Uchiha will be more of a nuisance until he awakens his Sharingan. I predict they'll be more of a hindrance to me than anything."

"That's where you still haven't learned the most valuable lesson for shinobi. It's not all about you, Kakashi."

Kakashi frowned as he looked up ahead at his teammates who were talking quietly. He was faintly surprised to see the pair looking serious for once.

Since Kakashi didn't comment, Sensei continued.

"Being a shinobi takes more than just knowing jutsus and being fast and powerful. I specifically selected them to bring out the best in you, Kakashi, as you should bring out the best in them. If all of you use each other properly, there will be hardly anything that can stop you."

Except for being half-blind and a couple of giant boulders, that is.

Sensei's voice still echoed in his mind. "It's not all about you, Kakashi."

No, it certainly wasn't.

While lost in his thoughts, his feet had kept moving, and to his surprise, they inadvertently brought him to the building that held Rin's small apartment.

Though her window was left open, he frowned upon realizing that she was not home. It was almost past two in the morning. It was also a chilly night to have the window open and he was surprised to see it the curtains flittering in the wind.

Perhaps she is with Seiichi.

And why shouldn't she be? I promised her a commitment, but if I wasn't here to show her, what good was my promise?

Pushing that thought to the back of his mind, he leaped from the ground floor and landed easily onto her windowsill. Seeing that Rin was truly not at home, he turned to jump down from his perch, only to have the unmistakable feeling of recognition that he felt only when Rin was nearby.

He froze unsteadily at the edge of her window, unsure of what to do if she saw him. But Kakashi soon noticed that Rin was stumbling along the path leading towards her building. She looked completely exhausted.

Before he could shift himself from his awkward stance at the windowsill, Rin had entered her apartment and collapsed on the bed, sighing in frustration.

"Where is he?" she groaned, her voice half-muffled by what he figured was her pillow.

Kakashi turned his head and noticed that she had clicked on the nightstand lamp. He could see her shadow freely behind the sheer curtains.

His back was pressed to the edge of the window and he gripped its edges firmly, but he began to notice that the cold was taking its toll on his hands. Deciding that grabbing the upper frame would be less straining, he ever so carefully reached for the upper edge.

But in doing so, he had to readjust his feet. Before he could stop himself, his left foot slid out from underneath him, scraping the brick exterior of the sill.

In the near silence, the sound was frightfully loud. Kakashi shut his exposed eye in dismay, silently cursing himself.

This wouldn't be so hard if I could use my chakra – but then Rin would know I'm here. Except she's going to find out now anyway…

He wasn't sure what he was waiting for, but whatever it was, it didn't come. There was no indication that Rin had even heard his blunder. He let out a small breath, watching it both materialize and then disappear in the frigid night air.

Then out of the corner of his eye, Kakashi noticed the light dim somewhat.

Is she going to bed now? Maybe I can finally get myself out of here…

And in that moment when he turned to look into Rin's room, he saw something that would be imprinted in his mind for the rest of his life.

Kakashi could see from the outline that Rin was now sitting up on the bed, with her back still facing him. Slowly, her silhouette proceeded to unbutton her sweater top and casually slip it off her body.

Peering through the sheer curtains, Kakashi gripped the frame of the sill just as his eyes widened, watching as her arms reach around to her back to unclasp her bra.

Unable to move his eyes away, he realized this was the first time he looked at Rin not through the eyes of a teammate or of a friend, but that of a lover. The knowledge of it rendered him completely helpless.

The smoothness of her back… The curve of her exposed neck…

...The smile on her beautiful face.

In his distraction, Kakashi hadn't realized that she had taken small steps to the window and parted the delicate drapes.

"Kakashi..."

Kakashi slowly pulled down his mask. Rin saw the want, need, and fire hidden behind that calm eye. To see his vulnerability there, how she could seem to transfix him, overwhelmed her.

She lent him her hand, finally bringing him inside her room.

As if a dam had been released, Kakashi brought her close to him, eyes locked. Rin brought up her other hand to his face, caressing his cold cheek.

He covered her hand with his own, allowing her a chance to speak.

"I know you saw me and Seiichi together at Asuma's party." She paused, looking away. "Seiichi's company has helped me forget that you were away. I didn't know how you felt about me after all that time…"

Kakashi placed his finger on her lips to quiet her. Rin obeyed, watching his unblinking eye closely.

"My love is for real."

There was no hesitation in his voice. Their breaths mingled, their lips were barely touching.

Now it was Rin's turn to be rendered helpless.

Their lips came together gently; there was still the feeling of newness between them, but when Rin gripped his sweatshirt tightly, Kakashi felt his resolve and caution give way and the kiss become more fervent, more hungry for her.

His hands felt the soft skin of her waist and he wanted more; he wanted to feel more of her, to become a part of her. Rin's hands had released his sweatshirt and they started to roam underneath it, wanting to touch his warm skin.

He became very aware of the little bit of air between them.

They pulled away from each other, both breathless and flushed with emotion. Kakashi's body hummed with anticipation.

"Rin?" There was no doubt of his urgency or the need in his voice.

Now it was the kunoichi's turn to place a finger to his lips.

"Shhh."

She shut the window but left a small crack, then went to her nightstand and turned off the little lamp. The room was illuminated only by the moon, bathing the two in it's soft light. Before Kakashi's eye had adjusted to the darkness, Rin had already pressed her mouth onto his.

The tug and pull of garments began without contemplation, without care. Rin wanted to erase the distance between them while Kakashi wanted to banish the shared grief that had always held him back all these years, hidingbehind the complexity of their relationship.

By the time she finally pushed him onto her bed, falling on top of him, most of his clothes were gone.

Slowing their rhythm, Rin sat up on her knees above him, pausing deliberately. Both of Kakashi's eyes were watching her now, waiting questioningly. His hitae-ate had long been thrown aside.

Trembling a little, Rin brought her hands up to one of the straps that held her bra in place and eased it down her shoulder. Then very carefully, she took one of Kakashi's hands and lead it to her other bra strap. She felt his hand slide down her other shoulder, sliding the material from her body.

Kakashi gazed at her, completely mesmerized. He noticed that though she looked sure in her movements, her eyes were wide, betraying the anxiety she tried to hide. He gently pulled her so that she lay right on top of him, their cheeks touching. Her hair tickled his forehead and neck, but he made no motion to move it.

Ah, Kakashi. I never wanted to love a man – the way that I want to love you.

He felt her warm breath in his ear.

"I love you," she whispered.

Shutting his eyes, he felt something inside his chest grow tight.

When was the last time someone said that to me?

Rin had pushed part of her body up to see him better, gazing at him questioningly. By then, he had opened his eyes again and slowly reached up to touch the generous curve of her breast.

"Is…does this feel all right?" he whispered.

Rin's eyes lost the little bit of fear and she lowered herself again, her breasts agonizingly close to his face. Kakashi saw the ghost of a small smile on her lips.

"More than all right."

She reiterated her declaration with a fervent kiss of her own, and soon, the chill from the slightly open window was completely forgotten.

It had been a long time since Rin felt warm…just warm and comfortable in her own skin, feeling loved by the person she had loved all her life.

Rolling slightly over, she reached over to get closer to that warmth, only to feel the source of it get up and get out of the bed.

Rin meekly protested while rubbing the sleep from her eyes.

"Kakashi…."

Almost instantly, she felt the bed shift slightly from added weight. The warmth had returned.

"Shhh, I'm right here."

A hand brushed her hair from her forehead and with that, the kunoichi finally opened her eyes to see the face of the man she had made love to the night before. She watched his mouth turn upwards in a small smile.

"What are you smiling about?"

Kakashi played with her hair absently while he answered.

"I was thinking about last night."

Rin couldn't help blushing as she made an attempt to sit up. It was so strange to hear him say something so candid and sincere. If he ever had opinions any at all, he usually kept them close to his heart.

It was the same the night before. Though there were some awkward and nervous moments, Kakashi took his time with her. It occurred to Rin that though he didn't actually say "I love you" in those words, every touch, kiss, and breath spoke volumes. To see him finally be free from his inner doubts, even for a little while, was enough for Rin.

Kakashi dropped back onto his pillow and looked up to her, this time with some seriousness.

"I was also thinking about us."

Rin raised her eyebrows while she peered down at him. Seeing that Kakashi was comfortable around her in his own skin, Rin didn't attempt to cover herself with the bed sheets. It pleased her to see that he already felt so free and open with her.

"And?" She readied her body for her morning stretch.

"And I've decided that I am going to quit ANBU."

Caught in a middle of her leg stretch, Rin tensed at his sudden declaration, leading her left leg to cramp.

"Gah, Kakashi! You have the absolute worst timing!"

Sliding over, he grasped her leg and held it out straight, stretching the calf for a minute or so while Rin lay back until her face relaxed. Rubbing the leg gently, he gave her an apologetic smile.

"Sorry about that…but yes…I will put in my request to be taken off active duty this afternoon."

Rin frowned slightly, pulling herself up to a sitting position again.

"But why?"

Kakashi released Rin's leg and sat back among the sheets.

"Things are quiet now. They don't need me to do the routine reconnaissance scouting. Let the other junior members get some time." He scooted in closer. "There's also some things about ANBU that are too political for my comfort."

"Yeah, Jiraiya-oji had mentioned it to me the last time he visited," Rin said thoughtfully. "He told me he had a talk with Hokage-sama about it, how many were displeased with the way the kyuubi situation was handled, and how we're being seen as weak with all the treaties we've signed." She paused. "I didn't think ANBU would be involved."

"There's factions of them, but they're unorganized. Sandaime is still very popular. Unless that changes, I doubt anything will happen." He frowned. "But it's there and my gut is telling me that I need to get as far away from it as possible."

"Mm." Rin also lay back down next to him, but propped her head up on an elbow. "Now what will you do?"

Kakashi shrugged nonchalantly. "Hokage-sama has been hinting about me teaching so many times now that it's getting harder to ignore."

Rin was stunned for a second.

"You're going to be a jounin-sensei!"

Raising his eyebrows in surprise, Kakashi managed a nervous smile. "Is there something wrong with that?"

"Nothing's wrong with that! I just…didn't think…you'd ever become one. Won't you miss being out in the field?"

"Well, I'll still be sent out on missions, just not as frequently. Training genins sounds like a full-time job."

Rin regarded him silently.

Kakashi touched the arm that had the bracelet he had made for her three years ago.

"I've got a promise to keep." His face turned slightly pink. "I can't make you wear this, unless I can show you that I mean it."

Rin stared at him.

"Is…is this what you meant…when you were 'thinking about us'?"

Kakashi said nothing as he fingered the bracelet. The soft suede tie was weathered and needed to be replaced; the wood was dented and rough, the character on it barely visible.

"Yes," he finally whispered.

Rin brought herself close to him.

"You should pinch me and wake me up from this wonderful dream."

Kakashi did just that, pinching her belly. Rin yelped and smacked his hand away.

"Still dreaming?" he teased, barely dodging her payback attempt.

The two laughed and tugged at each other before losing their balance and tumbling off the bed. Kakashi landed on top, his hands finding her wrists and holding them over her head.

Rin's laughter died at the look Kakashi gave her. Slowly, his fingers released her wrists and slid down her arms, tickling her skin. His mouth hovered above hers for just a second before he finally kissed her, softly at first, then with renewed fervor. His fingers continued to trace lines on her skin, slowly enjoying the spots he found she liked the night before, surprising Rin by remembering just how and where she wanted to be touched.

The nervousness and hesitancy from the night before was gone. Rin was more than ready for him, and Kakashi was more than ready to oblige her. Their motions was more urgent now, more expectant, their moans and heavy breathing filling the air once more.

They continued to hold each other tightly even after it was over, panting and sweating. It was quite some time before their heartrates returned to their normal pace. They lay there on the hardwood floor, entangled among the sheets. Astonished both by the intensity of their love-making and in the comfort they had found in each other so easily, they laughed a little at why they had denied themselves this for so long.

Kakashi brought his hand up to brush the hair off Rin's moist forehead. Rin smiled at his gesture.

"That certainly was a dream come true," she admitted, blushing fiercely, remembering their last topic of conversation. Kakashi returned her smile, a sight Rin hoped to see more of.

"Rin?"

"Mm?" She widened her smile a little, encouraging him to speak. He waited until he captured all of her attention before making his declaration.

"I'll bring all your dreams alive...for you."

Rin answered him with a kiss, all the while thinking that she would never doubt Kakashi's love ever again.

Shizune was licking the sweet sauce from her dango stick, not wanting to deal with sticky hands later.

"You look hot doing that you know," Genma's low voice remarked. He gave her a small smile and a knowing look in his eyes.

The kunoichi laughed, blushing somewhat, but continued her enjoyment of her early morning snack. She hadn't had the treat in a while, and Genma had promised breakfast of her choice.

They had opted to take the small meal away from the shop and sat at one of the open tables from another restaurant away from the village center. Coincidentally, they sat right across from Rin's apartment building.

"So why are we up so early anyway?" Genma whined, rolling his head on the back of the iron chair. He then winked at his companion. "Did you work up that much hunger from last night, hmm?"

"Maybe," Shizune replied teasingly, trying to keep her dish away. The two giggled and blushed. Genma managed to snatch his share of dango and devour it, keeping the stick in his mouth.

Shizune took a sip of her tea.

"It's not early. It's nearly eight in the morning."

Genma sighed loudly, pretending to doze. Then he sat up sharply, pulling the dango stick out of his mouth.

"Holy – "

Shizune nearly choked on her tea.

"What?"

She followed his stare towards the apartment building across the street.

There was Rin leaving the entrance, followed closely by Kakashi.

Shizune turned back to Genma and the two exchanged a quick glance.

No way!

Genma was surprised that the two had walked by without noticing them. But he did see that Kakashi was still wearing the clothes he had worn the night before at the party, and that both Rin and Kakashi's hair was still slightly wet.

"Did you see?" Shizune hissed as soon as the pair had turned the street corner, unable to contain her excitement.

Genma had to close his own mouth, swallowing carefully before he could reply

"Damn…"

Author's notes:

I'm so sorry for the long wait. Final exams, planning a big conference at work, and competitive soccer have sucked out all my energy and free time. Now that school's out and the soccer season's over, I finally had the time to focus.

I want to first thank my beta leafygirl for helping me out with this chapter. This is the first time I've ever written a love scene, so I had my awkward moments. It was just as awkward for me as it was for Kakashi and Rin lol. Leafy helped me with being able to express myself. I love you, girl.

Also want to thank sureasdawn, koibito moon, and nushi for their support, and to all who left reviews for me. They kept me going. xoxo

Finally, I want to thank inquisitive who wrote an honest review on the direction and pace of my story. You were right...I hadn't anticipated this story to be as long as it is, and in my haste to write a KakaRin, I hadn't really planned out where I wanted this to go before getting to this point. I was stalling a little, but I didn't want it to be easy for them either, since Kakashi isn't the easiest person to get close to, much less love and maintain some sort of relationship. The hardest part is putting this in some sort of path of where the canon may have their relationship be, which is silly considering Kishimoto probably doesn't have romance in for them at all. I'm hoping that this chapter will renew your hope in my story.

Please read and review, and enjoy!