On The Road With Time

by affiliation

Seventeen years ago, a forbidden memory repressing jutsu was used to resurrect Rin in a deadly binding contract. At present day, under orders from her master and in exchange for her memories, she allies with the criminal organisation, Akatsuki to secretly spy on them for intel. But her duties come to a standstill when she falls for an enigmatic member of her team.

18. Comradeship

Two days after their departure from the Forest of Death, Rin has made a complete recovery.

Their next destination, Cascades, is at least three days away, so they stop by the closest town in order for Rin to replenish her medical supplies.

But the town's dilapidated state means very little in stock.

"Sir, what happened to this town?" she asks the shopkeeper.

"You don't know? This town was a battlefield for the Five Great Nations during the Third Shinobi World War. It has been awhile but this place never really recovered. The people here have been living in poverty ever since. My business can barely keep up," he answers despondently.

"I see…so that's how it is. Please keep the change," she says kindly.

Once outside, Deidara turns on her.

"You know, that was a massive difference in change. Keep the change normally means a few pennies leftover, not a few hundred."

"He needs it more than we," Rin answers simply.

"Still, you're not a damn charity you know that right?"

"Deidara?"

"What?"

"Shut it."

He glares at her, then rounds on Tobi.

"Tobi, tell me, the change she gave was overboard don't you think?"

"Why are you being so frugal all of a sudden?" Rin interrupts as Tobi steps away from the argument.

"I'm not being frugal! I just think that was a bit much to give," he retorts irritably, "Tobi! What do you think?"

"Um…well, it's her money so…"

"Tche! Since when did you two become best friends? You're supposed to hate her, remember?"

Tobi scratches his head.

"I never said I hate her," he answers hesitantly.

Regardless of Tobi's discomfort, Rin is happy with the progress of her relationship with him.

Since their forest escapade, his hostility has remarkably disintegrated into nothing but a spec of apprehension and uncertainty. The blunt, one-worded statements have gradually turned into more of a sentence, and frankly Rin sees this as an improvement.

Then there is Deidara, who is not taking his teammates' newly formed comradeship very well.

Though not blatantly conspicuous, it is heavily insinuated in the smallest need to comment on Rin's actions and consequently the necessity to bring Tobi into disagreeing with it. Somehow...