A/N: One past meets one future.


Rin sat down for breakfast next to the group, eyeing their latest recruit with a scrutinizing stare.

When Aoi glanced over, they nodded politely. "Miss Hinoki."

"Igurashi," she replied with an affirming nod. "Are you adjusting well?"

"Well enough."

"Good." She nodded once more, taking a bite of rice before inquiring, "So tell me about yourself. If you are going to be working with us from now on, it's only fair to hear a bit, right? Icebreakers."

They seemed skeptical about it, but hummed in contemplation. "I suppose that makes sense. What would you want to know?"

"What brings you here?" She pressed on. "Gimme something to work with. Family? Friends?"

"None," they answered with a sigh. Their shoulders drooped and they stared at their food. "I grew up an only child of two soldiers. They had a pretty high rank in the military and I rarely ever saw them home for longer than a day at a time."

Aoi closed their eye. "They're actually the biggest reason I decided to go into it myself. Well, besides the bullying. I thought that if I got into the academy and became a respected soldier, then maybe they'd want to spend time with me." With a mirthless chuckle, "I suppose that was wishful thinking. When I graduated, they died in the line of duty."

Rin winced in sympathy. "I'm… really sorry."

"Don't be, it's not like you can change the past." They waved it off with a terse smile. "At least here I'm not targeted viciously for my identity. When I was in the army, it seemed like my superiors stopped what they were doing and solely picked on me because I was so different. Not even the others who were under the banner did much to help me, lest they get picked too."

"All I've ever wanted was a normal life, y'know? The sad part is, looking at all of you here, hearing each of your stories, I'm not sure I even know what's normal anymore." Their eye grew sad again. "I thought I knew. I thought I knew what it meant to have a fulfilling life before. But looking at people like Yamanaka, who grew up in a loving household, despite her status, and people like Ayame-sama, who have been on the run her entire life, I've just become lost. I don't know what to think. I don't think I even know what I want anymore."

Placing her hand on the ex-soldier's, Rin looked into their eye and asked softly, "What is it that you want for yourself right now?"

"Right now?" Aoi blinked, but they hummed to themself. "Well… right now, I guess I just want to apologize properly to those I've hurt."

"And then?"

"And… and then, I want to find myself." Their lower lip wobbled for a moment. "I want to find who I really am. Who I have the potential to be. Not just a soldier, but… but I want to be Igurashi Aoi."

Rin nodded emphatically, a soft smile pursing her lips. "That's all anyone can ask of you, Igurashi-san. If you always look towards the distant future, you're going to quickly overwhelm yourself. Take a step back, breathe, and decide for yourself: What is it that I'm going to do today? Tomorrow? The next day? For now, just take life one step at a time, and eventually you'll get to the bigger picture."

Aoi slowly looked up at her, a troubled expression on their face. "Hinoki…"

"You'll get your chance to make amends with those you've hurt soon enough," she encouraged. "Trust me when I say the time will fly by before you realize."

They nodded to that, wiping their eye. "Thank you… both for sheltering me, and for the advice. I know I'm likely the last person you'd rather be talking with right now, after all that I've done to jeopardize your mission…"

"Believe me, I was angry at you for a long time." Her voice grew sharper, and they winced. "You endangered so many lives and killed so many more. Your actions led to Konoha finding out about our operation and undoing all of our hard work. Your actions not only forced us apart again, but you also broke a certain someone's heart."

They looked down in shame, gripping their tray tightly. "I… I know… there are no words to express just how ashamed and sorry I am."

For but a moment, her righteous anger returned, looking at how miserable they looked next to her.

But in the next moment, she could see Obito's words and hear his voice as if it was just yesterday: "Rin... I know you're upset that I have to leave so soon. But please… please don't hold onto your hate. Use it to fuel a burning passion for justice and follow your heart! I know… I know you'll do what you believe is right. I know you'll do right. Please promise me as your best friend… and as your husband."

Upon feeling her warm hand on their shoulder, they stiffened up.

"There are so many things I could continue to blame you for, it's true," she softly agreed. "But holding onto my anger like that wasn't healthy. It still isn't. An old friend once told me… that instead of holding on, you use it to fuel your determination for justice. Use it to fuel your passion for the right path. It's hard following his words, but…" Squeezing her eyes shut in a momentary pulse of pain through her chest, she took a deep breath, "but I'm trying. And I want you to know that I'll support you in whatever you believe you have to do."

Opening her eyes and looking into their shocked face, she chuckled, "Especially if you do decide to try and win over a certain young lady."

They abruptly shut their agape mouth and looked away, cheeks flushing pink. "I- I don't know what you're talking about, Hinoki."

She laughed once more, patting them on the back. "Oh come on, everyone can see just how eager you are to get back to her. From one pining person to another, I bid you good luck."

Aoi paused, giving her a confused look. "You…?"

"I was married," she explained with a sad smile, reaching up to touch the charms of her necklace through her shirt. "My husband died in the explosion at the pass years ago."

Their eye widened and they bowed their head. "Oh, I- I'm so sorry."

"It's in the past, I've been able to heal some of the pain through the years." She waved it off. "Anyway, I've heard through Ino that you're a doton-user, right?"

"Yeah." They nodded, taking a sip of tea. "Are you?"

"Nah, I'm mostly a suiton user." She shook her head, propping her chin up by resting her elbow on her knee. "But Karin might be able to help you learn some advanced techniques. She's been practicing for a while, and she's quite adept."

"Karin…? She's the…"

"Redhead with the glasses," she finished with a smile. "She can be kind of intense sometimes, I have to warn you. She may not trust you at first, but that's because she cares deeply for her family."

They nodded shakily. "I'll… keep that in mind," they replied with a sweatdrop.

Rin glanced up at the sun and frowned before taking a sip of tea. "How about when we finish up here, we can meditate? Did they teach you meditation techniques in the army?"

"Yes, but I didn't do them that often," they replied with an embarrassed side-glance. "I was too eager to see some action."

"That's fine." Rin's smile was kind. "It's a little boring when you first get into it, but once you really start to tap into the energy of the earth, time seems to just slip away."

"Thank you, ma'am." With a newfound sense of spirit, they downed the rest of their tea.


Later that afternoon, Rin snuck into town in disguise yet again. They weren't running low on supplies quite yet, but she figured a little out-and-about wouldn't hurt.

As she glanced around, her brow furrowed and she frowned at the anxious state of the place. People kept their eyes straight ahead as they walked, their heads slightly bowed. She could hear shouting far away, but she couldn't see where. Even the haughty Hyuuga walked about with their shoulders tense, their eyes suspiciously scanning everywhere they could look.

She shook her head, turning to walk down another street when she accidentally bumped into someone.

"Oh! My apologies…" She began, looking up to help the person up, when she noticed whom she'd run into.

"Oh, you're the woman that my husband met, right?" Tenten smiled as she accepted her hand, steadying herself. "I'm Tenten, it's a pleasure to meet you."

"It's a pleasure to meet you as well, Hyuuga-sama." Rin couldn't help the reverent bow.

Tenten chuckled, waving her off. "Please, I'd prefer you call me by my given name. Hyuuga-sama sounds too stuffy for little ol' me."

"If you insist." The older woman smiled, glancing down at her flowing robes. "He mentioned you were expecting, correct?"

"Hm? Oh, yeah, I am." She placed a hand on her stomach. It was still flat, even considering the robe she was wearing. "About nine weeks along, actually."

Nine weeks… only about two-odd months pregnant. Where had she been at that time…?

She remembered. The sweltering heat of August, Her first weeks with Mimei, the shattering reality that she was pregnant with the last remnants of her former happy life…

Snapping out of it, she nodded sagely. "Would you care for some advice, from one woman to another?"

Tenten seemed surprised for a moment, but then she laughed good-naturedly and opened her arms. "Well, I'm gonna need all the help I can get! Sure, lay it on me."

"Eat lots of healthy snacks during the day, drink a lot of water," at Tenten's sour look she chuckled, "I know, I know, the constant urge to pee sucks. But it's needed to keep up hydration. And sleep as much as you can. You'll have a lot more energy to go about the day when you hit the second trimester."

"Were you…?" She trailed off.

"I was," Rin nodded with a faraway smile. "Believe me, it wasn't easy. First pregnancies are always the hardest. Do you know the sex of the baby yet?"

"Not yet, we still have to wait for the 12-week appointment."

"Ah, I see." She felt a little foolish. "I hadn't known that." "Well, you'll have it easier than I did. Just relax, rest when you need to, and make sure you drink lots of water!"

At her scolding look, Tenten smiled amusedly. "What was it like when you were pregnant?"

"It was difficult, as I said before." That faraway look was back. "I didn't even find out I was pregnant until I was around six or seven weeks. I still hadn't fully grasped until around eight. I recall I was achy all the time, tired all the time, and I just couldn't seem to stop eating - when I wasn't sick, that is."

"Man, I feel that one," Tenten groaned, rubbing her belly. "I've been so ill lately, I just can't seem to keep much down. It's only gotten worse the past several days."

"It will pass soon, don't worry." She gave a good-natured smile. "You're lucky to have such a good support system. Does your husband help out often?"

"He's only gotten more protective as time goes on," the young woman recalled fondly. "It's still at the stage where it's cute, but I'll probably want to tear my hair out before the baby comes."

Rin laughed with her. She could recall Boruda being quite protective over her when she'd been pregnant, and it had irritated her to the moon and back. "Cherish it while it's not annoying. Trust me, it will get annoying."

"With Neji, it's only a matter of time," she agreed. "At least I'm not all bloated and fat yet. I'll have to shop for some new clothing fairly soon."

"I wish you good fortune," the older woman offered. "Heaven knows you'll already need it."

At this, Tenten's smile faded a bit. "Yeah," she agreed with a sigh, rubbing her arm. "I wish you good fortune in… wherever you're going. Traveler?"

"Yes, I'm just in the city to visit some friends of mine and then I'll be off again."

"Well, just know I'm behind you, a hundred percent!" The brunette woman embraced her, effectively stunning her for a moment. "Thank you, y'know, for all you're doing for us. I know Neji's too proud to admit it, but we really cherish your hospitality."

Rin's eyes softened, and she gently hugged back. "I must thank you, Tenten, for allowing us to help in the first place. Without your clan's acceptance…"

She trailed off. She shook her head, fighting off the dark thoughts once again, and patted the young woman's back. "Your clan's eager help has opened doors for us. Whatever we have to do in return, I have no doubt that the price will be repaid."

"Oh c'mon, don't talk like that," Tenten chided, pulling back to grin into her face. "Now you sound like those stuffy elders!"

The two ladies giggled at the thought for a moment, before they fully pulled apart.

Rin tugged at her cloak collar, smiling at the younger woman. "Good luck, again. You'll definitely need it, especially when you really start showing. You'll be even more fatigued than you are now."

"Shut up, will I?" She gaped. "And here I thought the best was yet to come."

"You'll get some energy back in the second trimester," the taller brunette reassured her. Turning her body, she lifted her hand in a wave. "I'll see you around."

"Take care!" Tenten waved back with another grin as she continued walking.

Rin watched her go with sorrowful eyes. "She reminds me so much of myself when I was that age. I wonder…" She turned towards the Haruno clothing store. "... I wonder about him. Is he safe? Is he growing alright? Even with my brief glimpses, I still can't tell."

She slowly continued on, her thoughts weighing down her feet with every step. "I wish I could have offered him a more normal life. Sadly, I suppose his new family is my last hope for him."


A/N: Please tell me what you thought.