A/N: Revamp finished.
"Sensei, where's Sasuke-teme?" Naruto's speech was slurred with the earliness of morning. Rubbing the sleep from his eyes, he suddenly remembered Minato. "We have to get this mission done so we can look for...Minato." Naruto paused before choosing his last word, this time not so bold as to say 'dad' or 'father'.
"Easy, Naruto. There's no rush." Kakashi sighed.
Sakura gave the man a worried look. "Seriously, Kakashi-sensei... where'd Sasuke-kun go?"
"Don't worry, Sakura. He's just fetching an old colleague of mine."
"A colleague? You mean, like... someone you used to work with?"
"One of your teammates?" Naruto shouted, suddenly stopping what he was doing to look at the jounin. Kakashi nodded.
"Indeed. She's a medic nin named Rin who was on my team when I was younger."
"Ooo~ A medic nin?" Sakura's ears perked up. "Really? Is she as talented as Tsunade-sama?" Kakashi looked up briefly, then looked back.
"Not as talented or better... just average with a strike of passion."
"Hm...where?" Sasuke demanded of the local shopkeeper just on the outskirts of Iwagakure. He had been searching all night, desperate to find this woman.
"Uh... just passed by this village this morning around nine. She looked in a rush, so she's probably long gone by now..." The man spoke, startled at the Uchiha's deathly voice.
"Alright..."The Uchiha sighed, not sparing the man any thanks. With that, the boy took off in the direction he had been pointed to.
About half an hour later, Sasuke arrived at a hospital. Honestly, what better place to find a medic nin than in a hospital? He hadn't a clue if he was even still in Iwagakure anymore nor did he know how to get back, so his hopes that Rin were here were quite high.
Walking through two glass doors, he looked around the elaborate entrance room. It was large and had the look of a living room, almost, it was so furnished. Several patients waiting to be taken in sat around in the comfortable velvet chairs, giving the boy a nod as he walked in. Sasuke paid them no heed and traipsed to the front desk. The teen twitched when he realized he had to stand on his tip-toes just to slightly peer over the top of the ridiculously high white desk.
The Uchiha groaned and went flat-footed as a nurse walked out from the back, doors swinging in her wake. She looked at him for a moment and he looked at her. His eyes shot open as she smiled recognizably. Light brown hair, it was a little longer than that in the picture, the red bandages on her face weren't there anymore, and her figure...she had definitely grown up. And was in a nurse outfit to boot! Sasuke swallowed, tracing her curves with both eyes before realizing those curves were walking away.
Sasuke snapped back to reality and ran after her, grabbing the elder nins' wrist as he caught up to her.
"Wait!" He panted. She looked down at him in confusion.
"I'm sorry, kiddo, but you're gonna have to wait your turn to-"
"No, no, are you Rin?" He pulled out the picture hurriedly and handed it to her. The woman's face lit up with recognition. Glancing around, she took hold of Sasuke's wrist and shushed him as she lead him into the back, around a corner, and into room with no windows.
"Where did you get this picture?" She demanded.
"Kakashi lent it to me so I could track you down." He said slowly, carefully placing his words. She gasped.
"K-Kakashi-kun?" Rin felt the hot blush paint her cheeks a rosy colour before she dropped her gaze. "He..."
"Yeah. He told me to find you and bring you back to him. There's something...important he needs to discuss with you." Normally Sasuke was one of few words, but the teen felt the need to elaborate his purpose to entice her to come back with him, just in case she had been resistant. Rin turned on him with astonished eyes.
"Alright... give me two minutes, then we'll head out!" She quickly dashed out of the room, leaving Sasuke there to ponder how he had accomplished his task so easily. Luck really was on his side today.
Sure enough, two minutes later, Rin returned with a backpack and in her normal clothing. Sasuke's eyes lit up slightly as he noted the low-cut top and short skirt she had on. Sure there were shorts underneath, however...
"Let's go!" She exclaimed, breaking through the teen's train of thought. Sasuke nodded, taking his eyes from the woman.
"I'm not quite sure how to get back, but they're in Iwagakure."
Rin nodded. "Don't worry. Just follow me." With that, the two exited the hospital and took off.
It was only moments before the woman began a conversation with the teen. "So, you're of the Uchiha clan, am I right?" She questioned, noting the boy's raven hair and crest on his clothing. Sasuke merely nodded. "Hm...you're nothing like him."
"Him?" The Uchiha raised a brow, then recalled the other Uchiha in the picture. "You mean that other boy that was on your team?"
Rin nodded, smiling warmly. "Obito-kun..."
There was a pause as the two kept walking before Sasuke allowed his curiosity to get the better of him. "Obito. Why has Kakashi-sensei not instructed us to go fetch him as well?"
"Heh, Kakashi's a teacher now? I can't even imagine..." She whispered, smile soon dropping. "Obito-kun's gone now. He died nobly in battle on a mission when we were younger." Her syllables slipped to inaudible towards the end, causing Sasuke to inch closer to her in fear of not hearing her response.
"I see. Then sensei's sharingan..."
Rin nodded. "Would you like to hear a story, um..."
"Sasuke."
"Sasuke-kun?" The name touched her sweet vocals like honey, though the Uchiha wasn't too affected by it.
"Depends what this story entails." He replied codly. Rin laughed.
"How Kakashi got his sharingan."
Sasuke perked immediately, glancing at her from the side, then looking back to the front. "Yes. I'd love to hear a story."
By the time the pair found the rest of team 7, Rin had finished her explanation, complete with gruesome detail.
"Can we look now, dattebayo?" Naruto whined, throwing his hands about in dramatic effect. Kakashi and Sakura were quietly sitting on a bench, awaiting the return of Sasuke and, hopefully, Rin. They had successfully completed their mission with, surprisingly, no hassle. Delivering a peace treaty had never been so easy.
"Not yet." Kakashi mumbled.
"Sensei, why don't you tell us about Rin-san! What's she like?" Sakura questioned. Kakashi shrugged, then replied with a fragment ridden with annoyance.
"You could say that she's a bit...romantically attached." Images of the girl confessing to him during their mission slipped through his mind. Poor Obito...he never even had a chance with her.
"Oh! Who's she in love with?" Sakura exclaimed, her feminine side rising. Naruto cocked his head.
"...me..." Kakashi growled. Sakura and Naruto looked at each other and exchanged glances. The pink-haired kunoichi smiled before opening her mouth to ask another question, but was cut off by a shrill yell from their left.
"KAKASHI-KUN!"
Before the trio could even glance over, a female figure had sprung in front of Kakashi and enveloped him in a hug. Rin had, indeed, gotten bolder over the years.
"KAKASHI, YOU IDIOT!" She cried, sobbing into his shoulder as she play-punched him. "I was so worried all these years! I even went back to Konoha and couldn't find you! Where in the hell have you been all these years?" She sniffed, releasing the man from her grasp.
"Where was I? I was in the same place I've always been. Where were you?"
"Well, I joined the medical forces in Amegakure and I just recently dropped out of their ANBU force. Ah-" She paused, smiling. "Since we're a small village, we often have to trek to neighboring countries like Konoha and Iwa to get supplies and daily needs things so leaving the village without authority permission isn't really an issue here like it is in Konoha. But enough about me~ I see you dropped out of ANBU as well, hm? Teaching kids now? How unlike you! Taking up sensei's stead, are you?"
"Actually, Rin...sensei is what I want to talk to you about.
Rin stiffened, brow furrowing as her verbose catching-up-on's came to a standstill.
"What...?" She breathed, eyes wide with shock.
"I actually need to talk to you in private." Kakashi added, slightly glancing at the trio staring at them.
Sakura nodded, taking the initiative. "Right, well, we'll go on ahead since there's no longer a threat, right? Come on~" She commanded, pulling Naruto at her side. Sasuke paused for a moment, staring at their sensei. He now knew why Kakashi had the sharingan. He saw the man in a whole different light. As soon as Kakashi had caught his eyes, though, Sasuke turned and continued on with them.
There was a pause before Rin broke the silence.
"Well?"
"What did you tell Sasuke?" The jounin questioned, sending a glare to his former teammate. Rin smiled.
"Everything." She admitted in accordance to a haphazard shrug. Before Kakashi could scold her, she continued. "You're their sensei. It's not fair if you're not open with them. They should have already known these things."
"I was going to tell them eventually." The Hatake mumbled, shaking his head. "Anyways..."
"Yes, anyways." Rin laughed.
"Sensei asked me some very peculiar things last night. We met him by chance, he was under a genjutsu even...disguising himself as an elderly man and residing in Iwagakure. However..." Kakashi's gaze became stern. "He's not the man we once knew, Rin."
The medic nin's smile faded. "What...? He's alive? He-...What do you mean?" She whispered, shock sending a shiver crawling down her spine.
"Last night, he demanded that I run away from Konoha without permission and follow him after collecting you."
"What!? Sensei wouldn't-"
"What was even stranger was the place he demanded I rendezvous with him to. Otogakure no Sato."
Rin's eyes widened. "Minato-sensei...he hasn't gone to him has he?"
"Well, I'm not sure exactly, but it's sure seeming as though that could be true. Yet, I really would like to think differently.
"It's not like we could get something this severe out of him on our own, though. Do you think maybe black ops could-"
"That's exactly what I was thinking. But we can't let the villagers know he's still alive, that might be a potential hazard." Rin nodded in agreement to Kakashi's words. If Konoha knew what Minato had done, there would, indeed, be chaos. "But for now, I've got three genin and a mission report to turn in. We've got to go back to Konoha."
Rin pursed her lips, swallowing her protest before nodding.
"Alright. But I'm coming with you." She demanded seriously. Kakashi stared at her for a moment, knowing he wouldn't get anywhere by arguing with a woman this stubborn.
With a sigh, Kakashi let a smile slip past him. "You really have grown up, Rin."
"Huh?" The woman blushed, taken aback by the sudden compliment before averting her gaze. "Goddamnit, Kakashi...don't say weird things like that." She whispered, a wide smile inevitably gracing the curves of her lips.
"Awww~"
The two looked up only to Sakura holding a hand over her mouth as she cooed. "That was so sweet. I didn't know you were a such a ladies man, sensei." She laughed. Sasuke sighed, turning and continuing to walk as Naruto burst out laughing. Kakashi merely shook his head.
"We're done talking now, so why don't we walk back together, you damned eavesdroppers."
Naruto stopped suddenly. "Huh? We're going back to Konoha? But, what about-"
"Minato will have to wait, Naruto. I've got to get you guys back to the village and give the mission report. Besides, to get someone like that to unwillingly come home with us is going to take some strategic measures."
Naruto paused, taking an uncanny interest in the ladybug struggling to climb up the stock of a flower at his feet. "I'll still go with you when you go to get him, though...right?" Both cerulean orbs looked up towards Kakashi, question filling them to the brim.
There was a pause before the jounin answered solemnly. "Yes, of course."
Five hours of talking, joking, yelling, and aggravated groans had past. Naruto was deeply involved in eavesdropping on Rin and Sakura, who was blushing furiously at all the compliments the older nin was giving her. Sasuke walked in silence ahead of the group, not one to enjoy being bombarded with loud, obnoxious festivities like chatter. Kakashi was only slightly ahead of him, caught deep in thought.
The Uchiha stared at the man, reminiscing on everything Rin had told him.
Kakashi felt the boys gaze, but said nothing. He could tell a part of the boy wanted to speak up, but, knowing Sasuke's personality all too well, had the strongest feeling he wouldn't say a thing. It was best that way, though. Naruto and Sakura didn't need to know anything, nor did Kakashi want to discuss anything with the boy. It went unsaid they both shared similarly tragic pasts. The understanding in the mutual silence between the two was more than what could be expressed in words. Maybe that was why the Hatake favoured the boy so; he reminded him of himself.
"Ahhhh~ I missed this sight!" Rin exclaimed at the sight of Konoha's gates. The group paused to look at the entrance.
They had finally made it home.
"He's...Minato is..." Tsunade's eyes were wide as Shizune stood beside her, both equally shocked.
"Alive, Tsunade-sama." Kakashi mumbled, completing the woman's sentence.
"What in the hell happened? Where is he now? What..."
Rin glanced to Kakashi with pleading eyes, silently begging him to tell the woman what Minato had said. Kakashi pursed his lips for a moment behind navy fabric. "I'm not sure if it'd be the best decision to tell you here, Hokage-sama." He finally spoke. Tsunade sighed.
"Just tell me here and now, my patience is growing thin." Though she hadn't meant for her words to come out sounding so harsh, the Godaime was growing more infuriated by the second at the antics of the man who she had respected so much in the past.
Kakashi looked to Rin, who nodded, and sighed before speaking, allowing himself a pause to carefully word the delicate information. "He said some strange things. Nothing like he used to say. He..." There was another pause as the Hatake furrowed a brow. "He asked me to come to Otogakure no Sato with him after fetching Rin...without your permission."
Tsunade dropped the feather pen she was holding as her jaw unhinged. "He what..." She breathed, dismay paralyzing her on the spot. "No, he wouldn't."
"Unfortunately, like I said," Kakashi shrugged. "He's not acting right. That's why we've been wondering..." The Godaime raised an eyebrow, urging him on. "If we were to bring him back to Konoha, if we were to put him through ANBU surveillance and allowed them to take a stab at his mind, do you think we could find some answers?"
Tsunade struggled for a moment, biting the nail on her thumb. "I suppose that would work, yes. But to get Minato to actually stay with black ops...I think we all know he could outsmart them easily." The woman closed her eyes, enveloping herself deep in thought before both golden-brown orbs shot open. "Jiraiya!"
"Ero-sennin?" Naruto questioned, tilting his head to the left. "What does he have to do with this?"
"Oh, of course!" Rin marveled. "Jiraiya was Minato's sensei. He'd know what to do better than anyone else! Genius, Hokage-sama."
"Shizune!" Tsunade turned to the black-haired girl standing in the corner of her office. "Bring me Jiraiya!"
Shizune nodded affirmatively before exiting the office with Ton-ton.
During the time they were gone, Team Seven concluded their mission report, then Rin and Kakashi informed Tsunade, in full detail, on everything that had happened. About ten minutes later, Ton-ton, Shizune, and Jiraiya arrived through the doorway.
"What's this I hear about Minato and the sound village?" The hermit demanded, look as stern and serious as ever. Naruto blinked. He had never seen the man look so resolute before.
"I'm not sure, but," Tsunade bit her lower lip as a pregnant pause took hold of the room. "You all need to work together and bring him back before anything else goes wrong. We cannot afford to have Namikaze Minato in the hands of Orochimaru. That would be-"
"A disaster." Jiraiya finished, nodding.
"I hate to do this to you all, but allow me to write up an S-rank retrieval report and send an ANBU escort with you."
Kakashi shook his head. "It'd be less obvious if we could do without an ANBU escort, Hokage-sama. Though, it's not all my place to say..."
Tsunade bit her lower lip, closing her eyes below furrowed brows. "Just...bring him back here. Please." She whispered. The group nodded, however Kakashi took a step towards the woman, leaning towards her slightly to whisper something in her ear.
"Naruto, Sakura, and Sasuke..." He articulated. "Are you sure they're ready for a mission like this?"
The Godaime laid eyes on the three, all curiously looking towards the two conversing adults with question. A smile hit her lips as she laid eyes on Naruto and nodded. "I'm positive." It was only then that Kakashi sighed and took a step back.
After the Godaime set up a proper mission report and briefing, the six left for Iwagakure once more to meet Minato in the said spot. On the way, Jiraiya formulated a plan, briefing the five younger nin on his idea; words flowing as he thought it up.
"Kakashi. Minato said for you to meet him at the spot you were staying during a mission, correct? You go to him as planned. Me and the rest will hide in the treetops. Sakura, Sasuke, and Naruto. I want you three back further. You're not quite adequate at controlling your chakra leverage yet and we can't risk getting caught. Now," He paused, nodding an apology to the three for his abruptness and the harsh reality of his words, before continuing. "Kakashi. You'll do as Minato says, no matter what the consequence for the moment. Play along with everything and make sure you don't give any hints to our whereabouts, though I trust that's implied. When I give the signal, Rin and I will make a jump on him. Not literally, of course, but still logically, capture. Knowing Minato, he'll probably dart out of there with the hiraishin and we won't be able to follow, but that's where you come in Naruto," Jiraiya turned to the blonde. "The second Rin and I ambush Minato, I want you, and only you-" He added, glancing to Sasuke and Sakura. "-to do whatever you possibly can to stop him. You have permission to use any technique you desire. Us three-" Jiraiya then signaled to himself, Rin, and Kakashi, "-will try our best to counteract with your movements and help out best we can, but I'm not promising anything. Sasuke, I need you to keep your sharingan on Minato and track every movement he does. If he does manage to get the hiraishin in there, you and Sakura need to follow him. Do not lose him at all costs. Sakura, Rin...I trust you two to take care of any injuries along the way. Now... Are we all clear?" Jiraiya finished, turning to all the others, knowing this would be no where near as easy as it sounded.
Kakashi nodded professionally, as did Rin and Sakura. Sasuke merely grunted and Naruto smiled, knowing he got a 'worthy' part to play. Though it was true, Minato would be weak against his own son, and Jiraiya knew that all too well.
Soon, they would be there, as would Minato, and their plan would fall into place and, hopefully, work to their advantage. With six skilled nin against one, it didn't seem fair even in the least. But it was Minato they were talking about.
No one could underestimate him, less they regret it.