A/N: I know, another super short one. Enjoy a cute platonic KakaRin moment.
Later that night, while Rin was sitting in a tree with Kakashi, she turned to him and asked, "Has your squad leader noticed Igurashi's absence yet?"
"He was absolutely livid," he replied with a sigh. "That being said, I haven't heard of any plots to infiltrate Mimei again. Given my high rank, I would definitely be notified if such a plot were brewing."
"It is strange that they would suddenly want to quit," she mused. "I mean, they'd just gotten promoted. What would make them want to defect like that? Other than Aika…"
As soon as the woman was mentioned, Kakashi nodded in understanding. "I think I get it."
When she turned to him, questioning, he elaborated, "Igurashi came to me shortly after we arrived back home and mentioned a woman they'd met and befriended. I thought it was strange they came to me about it, but they likely had heard of what happened to you and thought I'd be the best one to help."
Rin leaned back in surprise. "I'm… shocked that they cared that much about her. To be honest, for a while I thought they didn't care at all. I didn't think they'd think of it other than just another job to do."
"I thought so too at first, but when they spoke to me, they had a certain look in their eye." He gave her a meaningful look. "Their words were one thing, but when I looked into their face... I saw something that I understood. Something I've seen in others before."
All at once she realized what he was saying, and her face fell in sorrow. She sighed, wrapping her arms around herself. "I miss him so much," she admitted quietly.
"Me too," he agreed, just as solemn. "And I missed you just as much. When I saw you fall, I thought I'd lost you for good. I… I didn't get over it. Your supposed death haunted me for months, years on end."
When his grip tightened on the branch, she looked up with a frown.
"I'm so sorry," she murmured, reaching out to place a hand gently on his bicep.
For a moment, his eyes were tired and sad, but then he smiled softly at her, reaching up to cup her hand.
"You're here now, and that's all that matters," he replied. "Your group should be moving positions soon, because the wall security will be tightening as a consequence of Igurashi's defection."
She nodded, a grateful look on her face. "We will. Thank you again for what you're doing."
For a moment, he regarded her fondly. Then he squeezed her hand and said, "I'll do whatever I can to make up for so much time lost between us, as long as it doesn't involve totally defecting from the capital. I owe you - and Obito - that much."
His words only made more and more guilt settle into her stomach like rocks in the river. She tried her best to smile, yet it came out hollow at the mention of their friend and teammate.
A/N: Please tell me what you thought!
