Kakashi didn't look up from his book at my words. He showed no signs of having heard me; no tensing in his posture over his book, no noise, no facial expression. I almost expected his fingers to tighten over his book, but he was unreadable.

I sucked my teeth and thought of the most appropriate and sensitive way to bring this up to him.

I sighed and shoved my irritation and frustration into a dark corner in my mind, locking it behind a lock and key. Instead I grabbed my chair and pulled it closer to his hospital bed and grabbed his hand again, pulling it away from his book.

Still, he didn't look away, but could feel his fingers curl and latch around mine. Thinking quickly, I realized he responded well to hand holding and my rubbing his hand with my thumb. I began to do that again and hummed in the back of my throat for a minute. The tightness of his fingers wrapped around mine started to soften.

I stopped the soft, lullabied noise in the back of my throat. "Kakashi, I know this isn't a conversation you want to have. Trust me, if I could give you time, I would. But what happened today? That was bad. We need each other like never before. Also, that blonde haired boy that called you sensei? I think we need to talk about that."

At that I could see I had his attention and he glanced up at me minutely before travelling down back to his book. But that was enough for me.

"Let's start with something simpler. That's sensei's son, isn't it?"

Kakashi showed nor spoke any response, but I knew I was right.

"I don't know what it's been like here in Konoha since I've been gone, Kakashi, but he didn't recognize me. That tells me that he doesn't know much, if anything. And if anyone thinks I'll leave sensei's son behind, keep him in the dark, they will find out just how much I've changed over the years." My voice turned hard and dark at the end of my threat. "One thing I learned about our team? Nobody gets left behind. I know you believe in that, too, and that boy is our responsibility, Kakashi."

He was silent for a moment before he spoke, voice strained. "It's not that simple, Rin."

I shook my head and squeezed his hand firmly before continuing rubbing the back of his hand. "I don't care about the logistics. I don't care what people believe, what reasoning people have had for hiding things from him. I will not leave him behind, or people will face my wrath."

Kakashi's eye squeezed tightly as if he was in pain.

To put the nail in the coffin, I continued the threat. "Like I said, I don't know what has changed or not around here, but one thing I think everyone continues to forget or not realize is that med-nin are dangerous when unleashed on enemies. I can hurt people in ways that are not provable. I can bend and ruin people's organs, bones, tissues…and time has shown me, we have to cherish what we have now…and fight for what we've got."

Kakashi turned to stare at me, face blank, but his eyes showed understanding.

"I hope I don't scare you, or upset you with how I've changed from who you once knew, Kakashi. I'm still your former teammate. I still have the same morals, the same reasons to become a med-nin, the same love and hope, but I've grown and I've learned."

"No," He responded almost despondently. "I understand. I won't stop you, and if anyone tries to interfere with it, they will have to go through me first." When he met my eyes again, I could see something fierce in them. I saw hope. I saw anger. And lastly, I saw determination.

"It's us, Kakashi, the remaining of team Minato. We don't leave people behind. We cherish those we have. We will fight side by side, have each other's backs and forsake the world for our loved ones if needed, like you and Obito sacrificed the mission to save me all those years ago."

Our hands tightened around each other's together as one as we made this promise silently.

I breathed heavily and decided to get to the harder topic: his self-destructive behavior, the stalking and his grief.

"Kakashi…" I paused, thinking over my words carefully. "I think…therapy may be beneficial for you."

He looked away at that, so I couldn't see his expression. "I'm not interested in that, Rin."

"I know," I said, putting as much care and comfort in my words. "What if we went together? I won't judge you, and you don't have to hide anything from me. I don't care what you've done to survive, what you've done in your grief, I just care about who you are now, who you were when we were young. I know in your heart, nothing you have done to this date has changed you from the boy I used to know."

I could see Kakashi didn't agree and was resistant to this idea.

I shook my head with a frown. "I won't make you, and you can think about it. I'm going to counseling myself. Today was supposed to be my first day, but it's up to you. I think it would be beneficial. Even if you want to do it by yourself. I won't be offended."

There wasn't a response, so I forged on ahead. "I also know that it's hard having me back – alive, healthy, older – but Kakashi, you can't…have your dogs stalk me. I appreciate the your feelings and I understand your fear. In this case, it was warranted. However, Gai was there to help. You're not on your own anymore. I know Gai has always been your eternal rival. Asuma, Kurenai and Genma certainly seem to care for you. You aren't alone. I'm not leaving, you have friends. Please consider that."

I pulled his hand that was enclosed over mine and brought it up to my chest like I had the day prior. This action again seemed to disturb him, but I wanted to break this pain, this habit of his. I uncurled his fingers around mine and laid his hand flat against my chest where my heart was beating.

"Feel that. Remember that. I'm here. We're here together. No one will change that. Not the Akatsuki, no one. It's you and I, but remember you have friends. Always."

He took a shuddering breath, but didn't remove his hand from my chest, from my beating heart that fluttered underneath his hand.

Finally, I pulled his hand away and held it with both of mine. "Please, Kakashi, I wouldn't be prying and pushing if it wasn't important. If something happened to you, I would be absolutely heart-broken. Please, you need to heal and learn to live – not just survive – again. I've heard from the others, and I'm concerned."

He momentarily flexed his hand around mine. "I promise, Rin." He eye-smiled at me, and this time it didn't seem so fake. It was exhausted, worried, and full of dread, but I knew that I'd touched him – even if just a little.

"Thank you." I smiled at him and leaned forward to give him a kiss on his clothed cheek. He looked surprised at that, frozen as he stared at me in shock. I could almost imagine a faint blush, but I knew that it was a trick of the lights. "Read that smut, Kakashi, I've heard how much you enjoy it."

He turned back to his book immediately and I pulled out mine as well, happy with how the conversation turned out. As my eyes scanned across the pages, taking in the mediocre dialogue but intriguing story, I thought and planned.

I needed to contact Obito somehow. I needed him to know that I was sorry. That I knew he was hurting just as much as Kakashi, but I couldn't condone what he was doing. Perhaps Rin had once upon a time before she and I had merged. Perhaps she did in the anime by the end, but Rin and I were not exactly the same. Our traits were alike, our feelings for others were alike, but we were not the same.

There was a knock on the door during my ruminating and I turned towards it as the door opened. On the other side stood Tsunade and Jiraiya and I felt discontent and fear churn in my stomach.

I snapped my book closed and got to my feet. I bowed lowly to both of them and lowered my eyes to the floor. "I'm so sorry, Tsunade, for what my presence has caused."

I once again felt delicate, but strong fingers turn my chin upwards with force. "Never apologize for coming home, and you have done us a great service for providing us the information about the Akatsuki. They have obviously realized you had escaped and how much information you could provide us. If anything, it enforces in my mind the importance your rescue was." Her voice was hard and her eyes fierce and sharp.

Her fingers dropped my chin and I nodded at her silently. I came up from my bow and turned to Jiraiya as he started to speak.

"Obviously they knew how much information you had gathered, or there wouldn't have been such an extreme reaction to your leaving." Jiraiya rubbed the back of his head, though his expression was troubled. "While you helped them a little, your presence was not that important in the long run, at least from what we know so far."

I nodded at them, biting my lip to distract myself from the guilt and pain their words had caused.

"Either way, we now know the lengths they will go to in order to obtain you again. Whether they are unaware you already gave us all the information or they're mad, I don't know, but we're going to have to change some things." Tsunade continued.

"How so?" I asked fearfully.

"I don't think you should live alone. It's just not safe right now." I could agree with Tsunade's words. Obito could easily materialize in the middle of my living room, grab me and no one would be able to stop him. If I had someone who was with me constantly and in the same room most of the time rather than an ANBU guard, it would be a better deterrent and safety plan.

I brought my hands up and rubbed my arms with my hands, head turned to the side as I thought. My expression was downturned, eyes focusing on nothing in particular. While the plan was a better deterrent, it also put people in danger.

Obito wasn't stable; he wasn't the boy Rin knew before her death. There were some signs of him still there. He even repented in the end in the anime and manga. However, the Obito right now was not either of those two. He had no problems nor qualms hurting, killing and destroying whatever he wanted.

"Who do you have in mind?" I asked tentatively.

In tandem, the two Sannin turned to look over at Kakashi who'd set the book aside to watch the conversation. He jerked back in surprise. "Me?" He asked incredulously.

"You had no problems stalking her with your pack, I don't see how this is any different. Except instead of a dog keeping an eye on her, it'll be you." Tsunade's voice was stern and booked no argument.

"Where would we stay?" He asked, voice still a strained yelp.

Tsunade waved her hand dismissively. "You could stay at your apartment or hers. I don't care. It doesn't matter to me. She'll still have an ANBU guard of course, but those details don't concern me."

I turned to catch Kakashi's eyes that had widened and almost screamed how overwhelmed he was.

Well, immersion therapy, while not my preference, was never off the table…

"It's up to Kakashi," I replied to Tsunade firmly. "I won't force my presence on him. It's hard enough for him as it is. I'm sure we can come up with other alternatives if needed."

Tsunade's face twisted in response as her mouth opened to retort, but Kakashi cut her off. "No, I'll do it." His response was quick and I whirled back to look at him.

He looked terrified, but determined. Overwhelmed, but certain. Wary, but sure of his answer.

Tsunade shot me a chastising look that I caught out of the corner of my eye, but I didn't turn away from Kakashi. I scrutinized him, trying to decide if immersion therapy was really the best choice. My stint in the mental health field wasn't enough for me to know just how to handle a case like Kakashi's.

"Are you sure?" I asked, trepidant.

"Yes." His response just as quick.

Tsunade clapped her hands loudly, making me jump and swivel towards her. "Now that that's decided, since Kakashi has not been cleared to leave the hospital, you can have that bed over there, Rin." She pointed to another bed in the room. This time I turned to give her a look that said, Seriously?

Her eyes glinted with hidden humor, but her tone was strict and even. "Kakashi's babysitting duty starts immediately."

My face fell in exasperation and I could see that Jiraiya had a face full of humor as well, although his was less concealed than Tsunade's.

Resigned, I threw myself back on the chair next to Kakashi's bed with a heavy sigh. "Anything else?" I asked in hope of a negative answer.

"No," Tsunade said thankfully. "I'll send someone over to your apartment to get some of your essentials and bring them here. Anything else you can get after Kakashi is discharged. I shot her a look of disparaging resignation.

If possible, she seemed more humored and the corner of her lips twitched just the slightest. She and Jiraiya turned away and began to exit the hospital room. "See you tomorrow for your check-up, Kakashi. Oh, Rin," This time she turned to me. "Inoichi will be by tomorrow for yours." I shuddered as she continued her retreat.

Just before the door shut behind the two Sannin, I muttered under my breath, "Evil."

Tsunade paused for a second before closing the door behind them.

I turned to Kakashi then and said in all seriousness, "I understand why you don't want to see someone for therapy, truly."

Kakashi patted my shoulder in consolation. "At least it isn't Ibiki or Anko," like that was comforting in the least.

I gave him my best disbelieving look and a snort of laughter left him. Delighted at his response, my lips stretched and I felt my eyes start to close as I began to laugh with him. The moment was short, but at that moment, I felt like things may get better. That things could get better.

When the moment ended, I turned to look at the lackluster hospital bed. "Do you think they'll give me the patient experience?" I asked Kakashi in humor, thinking about pressing the call light when I wanted to eat, desired coffee, or wanted something I was fully capable of getting myself.

Kakashi hummed in consideration. "If you tried to leave, I'm sure they would happily give you the ANBU experience." I only had to think about that for a second. The picture of an ANBU trying to escape or even when Naruto tried to escape the hospital came to mind. I shivered at the mental image of being restrained to the bed.

"Uh, no thanks…I think I'm capable of taking care of myself."

"Suit yourself." Kakashi said almost jovially.

Not going to let that stand, I responded just as quickfire as he spoke earlier, "where is your ANBU experience? Did you not just succeed in escaping? Why haven't they restrained you?"

Kakashi looked up from his book at me in surprise and almost fear. His eye was wide and I could see he had begun to pale. "You wouldn't." He declared, but his words were unsure and trembled.

"Wouldn't I?" I asked.

I could see the gears moving behind Kakashi's eye. I could see his mind moving a mile a minute before he relaxed his posture and his eye became half-lidded again. "Turnabout is fair."

I frowned back at him, unsure of what he meant. "What are you talking about?"

"You sicced Gai on me. I know you did." Slowly, understanding began flow through me and fear clawed at my insides like a raging monster. I began to slowly tremble and shook my head frantically.

"You wouldn't!" I cried desperately.

"Wouldn't I?" He asked calmly before turning back to his book.

I searched his relaxed, uncaring face before promising myself silently that I'd be more careful about my teasing and pranks on Kakashi. Kakashi definitely needed some more fun and something to spice up his life, but perhaps there was a better way to do that? A way he couldn't trace back to me?

I pulled out the book again, but my eyes were unfocused and I didn't turn the pages. My mind ran, contemplating options until it latched onto one person: Naruto. Oh, it would be perfect. Create a friendship, maybe an aunt-like relationship with him. I could teach him about his history, his possibilities and in turn…well, he certainly wouldn't be against pranking dear Kakashi-sensei, would he?

I held in a snicker, my shoulders starting to move against my consent. I could see Kakashi turn to my curiously, but he dismissed me just as fast as his eyes were drawn to me. I could almost hear his thoughts: Not my problem, is what he was probably thinking. Or perhaps: Ignore and the problem will go away. Wishful thinking is more of Kakashi's way of life. Ignore the problem, run from the past.

My humor began to fade as my thoughts turned darker. I shook my head minutely to rid myself of the horrible thoughts. I replaced them just as quickly with determination. I was going to spice up Kakashi's life. I was going show him how to live again, that he had people who cared about him. I was going to do everything to help him heal.

I had to abandon Obito. It hurt, especially the words I spoke earlier to Kakashi: "Team Minato doesn't leave anyone behind." I felt like a hypocrite, but I consoled myself in the reminder that this wasn't the same Obito. He didn't have the same core morals or beliefs. He was twisted, killed our sensei and his wife. He'd enslaved people, causing a massacre and genocide, ran the league of S-Rank nin who were killing in enjoyment with the intent on enslaving the entire world.

This wasn't Rin's old Obito. Even if Obito was brought out again and became Obito rather than Tobi or Madara, it would never be the same. While Rin could forgive him, at the moment, I couldn't bring myself to. I found myself at the same crossroads: Who I am and who Rin was. What my morals and beliefs are, and what Rin's were. We were so alike, but also are so very different.

Maybe one day I could forgive, Obito, admitted to myself, although knew that it was highly unlikely. However, I would never forget what he'd done – and what he'd done because of me. If he really loved Rin, cherished her, he would have considered what she wanted, right?

In my mind, it was like Itachi sacrificing his position as a Konoha citizen and ninja, killing his family all for the village and Sasuke learning the truth and deciding to forsake all Itachi did by vowing to destroy the village Itachi loved. It just didn't make sense to me.

While each person has their own feelings and can make their own opinions on things, doing something like avenging another person or exacting revenge when the person who was initially wronged wouldn't want them to, seemed wrong to me. I couldn't comprehend the logic.

I felt guilty for what Obito had done because of me, because of my death. I…felt sorry. It was depressing to think about and I couldn't bring myself to linger on the topic any longer. Anymore and I would lose myself.

I felt a hand on my head and I looked up in surprise at Kakashi. He was eye-smiling at me. "Maa, there's no need to think so hard, Rin. Everything will turn out alright."

I felt myself slightly jerk back in surprise. I didn't know how he knew what I was worried about. I knew that somehow, Kakashi and I had created an almost instant connection. I knew that, just like when I got my memories back and was in Obito's presence, I was affected by the lingering emotions from Rin.

Despite the time that had passed, despite the fact that I was no longer just Rin, he and I could still connect. We could still understand and feel each other's insecurities, worries and emotions. That almost scared me. What if he found out that I wasn't the real Rin – that she truly was gone, and I was just an imposter with her memories and traces of emotions and traits?

The hand on my head tightening brought me back to the present moment and I refocused my eyes that had become blurry as another, careful and gentle hand came up and began to brush the tears off my face. A finger ran itself underneath my eye with an almost tenderness. I stared up at Kakashi almost uncomprehendingly and was extremely surprised by his actions.

"Maa, maa, it's okay, Rin. Like you said, we'll figure it out together. Perhaps you could use a nap?" The last part was almost a question and a laugh burst out of me before I could stop it. He seemed so unsure of what he was doing, all the while being almost tender. He seemed almost uncertain of what he was doing and if he was doing it right.

I forced myself to calm instantly as I realized this was Kakashi attempting to heal; attempting to become a better him. In that moment, I felt proud of him and a rush of appreciation.

In order to encourage him and make him feel like he'd done the right thing, I nodded under his large, heavy hand. "Sure. A nap sounds nice." I really didn't need a nap, and I wasn't even sure I could fall asleep with the many thoughts overtaking my brain, but I wanted Kakashi to see he was capable of great things.

I closed my eyes to rid myself of the rest of the tears and stood as I made my way over to the bed that would be mine for the forseeable future in his hospital. As I crawled under the covers, I curled in on myself and closed my eyes.

I could feel Kakashi's eyes on me. After a half hour, I heard him speak.

With a sigh, Kakashi spoke the words I hadn't expected to hear from him so soon, no, ever.

"Come here, Rin." I looked up at him as he beckoned me over with his free hand, the other holding his Icha Icha. Curious, I climbed out of the bed and headed over to him. As I got close enough, his free hand yanked me into the bed with him.

I squeaked in shock, but quickly made myself comfortable.

His hand held me in place next to him and when he next spoke, I had to contain my laughter. "How about a bedtime story, hm?" My body shook with restrained laughter. "Thankfully, I've got a great bedtime story right here." I looked up to see him shake his smut in his hand.

I doubted I could sleep, especially now that I was cuddled against Kakashi as he began to start at the beginning of the book. But somehow, amongst the words he spoke in that calming voice and feeling the comforting heat of his hand against my back, I drifted off not too long into the book.


I've responded to a few comments about this already, but I'm super sorry about the delay in responses and chapter updates. I've really struggled with my health (no usage of right hand for months, new job, other health issues, some writer's block, covid brain fog in which I couldn't read or write for well over a month). I'm super sorry and I'll try to be better. Thanks for sticking with me through all of this. Thanks for the suggestions and for your support. Have a great week and I hope to see you guys again soon.