Chapter 4- Pain and Suffering

Months have gone by and more information about the Akatsuki have been made aware. It seems that their goal is to gain control of the nine tailed beasts. It was in full realization when Garra's tailed beast was removed from him. Though a woman named Chiyo gave her life up to save him. Many viewed this as a possible alliance with the sand. Yet, it was a clear look for Naruto and I that our lives are now in danger. More reports came in of other Jinchuriki's going missing and I begin sensing everyone's wordiness. To make matters worse it seems Kurama tried to take over Naruto again. It happen during a confrontation with Orochimaru. Luckily they had a man named Yamato with them because Kakashi was recovering from an injury. Yamato sealed Kurama's power but we are all afraid what worse can come from that. I was back home making sure Kakashi was all better. He was lucky that he wasn't too beat up or else he wouldn't recover that quickly. Though I did ask Tsunade to teach me a view medical techniques so I was some help. I was making dinner then Kakashi stepped through the door. I look back and welcomed him home but he gave a sadden expression. I can tell even with his mask on.

"Is something wrong Kakashi?"

"It's about Jiraiya."

"Oh did he find any more information about the Akatsuki?"

"No but it is much worse."

That night I couldn't stop but worry for Naruto to hear of this horrible news.

-The Next Day-

Kakashi and I woke up and we got set for today. We know that this is going to be hard for him but he must be made aware. Kakashi left to get Naruto while I head off to the Hokage's office. I entered in.

"Hello?"

"Oh Rin?"

"Hi Lady Tsunade and um who is this?"

"He's Fukasaku and he taught Jiraiya the Sage Technique.

"Oh well it is nice to meet you. I'm Rin Nohara"

"The same for you Rin."

"What brings you here Rin?"

"The same for why all of you are here."

"So I am guessing Kakashi told you?"

"Yes Lady Tsunade."

"Alright then please sit."

I did and we all waited. I wanted to ask if maybe they recovered his body but I stayed silent. Soon Kakashi and Naruto entered in and well he was shock to see the toad but he was given the news. It was silent after that though looking at Naruto, you can see he's holding back his tears. He left soon after and then the room was cleared off. I walked around the village with Kakashi and we sat down on a bench.

"I can't help but feel all the sadness he's feeling."

"I know Rin. Seeing that reminds me of when I lost you and Obito."

"I know. What's going to happen now?"

"Well we are going to insure both yours and Naruto's safety probably at this point. We aren't sure when this code will be deciphered but we do know who's the murderer."

"Yeah but just who is this Pain?"

"I ain't so sure but I promise you that I will protect you."

"You still keeping that promise that he told you?"

"Yes I am."

I lean my head on his shoulder.

"Thank you."

-A few weeks later-

Fukasaku has returned and asked Naruto if he wants to learn the Arts of Sage. Naruto agreed on the spot and well it's about a week since we last saw him. I was home getting things set for the day. Kakashi brought up the question about maybe taking our relationship to a big one. It's a bit weird but our relationship seem to keep growing as time went on. Though I still think about Obito and this dream that I had. Yet I told Kakashi I'll think about it. I was getting my shoes when suddenly Isobu spoke up.

("Rin get down!")

I ducked down only to see a mysterious being crash in front of me. He spoke out.

"Found you, three tails."

I noticed his eyes looked strange but he tried to grab me yet I dodge back and kicked his hand. I instantly went into my first tailed state and headed off in the air. While in the air I notice some destruction around the Village and other people wearing the Akatsuki outfit. They too had the same eyes as this foe before me and hair color too. I look back and my foe chased after me but soon left. I was curious on what happen and so I followed him. It ended up leading to Kakashi and two other ninjas. I dropped next to them and Kakashi was shock to see me.

"Rin!?"

"Is everything alright?"

"You shouldn't be here. This guy is Pain."

I look over to see another figure next to the man that was chasing me. He has the same look and appearance but he gave off a more sinister look.

"So you must be Rin Nohara the three tails Jinchuriki?"

"Yeah so what of it?"

"Hmm you just made my day easy."

He reach his hand out and I can feel a strong pull pushing off me. I start heading towards him and Kakashi tried to save me but was stopped by the other guy. Pain grabbed me by the neck and I was struggling to break free.

"Your tailed beast and the nine tails shall be mine soon."

I couldn't talk but I know that Naruto will be endanger. Then Isobu called out to me.

("Rin. I'm going to lend you my power. Though I can only give you a portion of it. You'll be able to enter a three tailed chakra state. In the meantime, I'm going to sync in with your chakra so you can use my full power.")

("Really? Thanks a lot Isobu.")

("We don't have much time. Now go!")

I opened my eyes and went into my three tailed state cloak. I broke free from Pain's grip and backed away.

"Hmm, I see now. The three tails have granted you his power. If only I knew the three tails was within you sooner. The Fourth Mizukage didn't have to lose his life."

"What do you mean?"

"That story is for another day. Now come!"

He came for me but I managed to dodge it in time. I try throwing some punches at him but he kept dodging them. Even with this power up I am unable to land a hit. Then throw a kick which made him duck but I was quick enough to land a punch on his face. He didn't seem to be dazed but he spoke out.

"I had enough of this fun. Here I was expecting a challenge."

Then he picked me up and I see myself moving in the air. I notice Kakashi seeing me and rushed in to save me. I then was hit on the ground and was knock unconscious. Soon though I awoke and noticed two metals polls on my arms. The pain then hit me and I was screaming from it. From a distance I heard him.

"Rin."

I looked up and was shock to see Kakashi in a weaken state. Blood was running from his head and then I heard another voice.

"Ah you're awake."

"What did you do!?"

"I did nothing. It was just a fool's choice to save someone they love. With love though comes suffering and with suffering, pain. But to know true pain."

I notice he lifted a nail out from a board and realized what he was going to do. I shouted.

"No don't-"

But it was too late. He launched it straight to him and his head rocked back then down. I was too shock to say anything else. Pain continued on.

"There is your true pain. Enjoy it and hate me for it. For my pain is much greater than yours. I'll be getting you soon."

He then left and it was just silent. I then let out my cries but then I heard a hush. I looked back up to see that Kakashi was still alive. Though I can sense that his chakra was fading.

"Ssshhh. It's alirght Rin. I know…how Pain's… power work."

"Really? How can we inform the others?"

Kakashi with his head down looked over to Choji. He informed him to go and tell Tsunade about Pain's abilities. So he left but then one of Pain's men was still alive. He then shot a projectile towards Choji. I tried to move to stop it but these polls held me down. Then I saw it. The projectile disappeared and I knew what happened. I looked back at Kakashi only to see his Kamui eye at the last second. His eye reverted to normal and I cried out.

"Kakashi no! Don't you realized what you did!?"

"Yes Rin. Don't worry…you grew stronger than…than I can remember. I'll be sure to tell Obito. Heh heh, I hope…he isn't jealous."

"Kakashi!"

His head fell down and I laid there just staring at his lifeless body. I begin crying more and more and then Isobu spoke out.

("Rin, I'm sorry. I tried to awaken my power but you was caught with the metal rods. It prevented me from taking over-")

("Taking over? What do you mean by that!?")

("I was going to take over your body while Pain-")

("No enough of this. I thought trusting your power can help save my friends but seeing how it meant nothing against a guy like him. Then it's worthless. Leave me alone.")

("But Rin-")

("I said leave me alone you monster!")

Things went quiet for a while and then a black shadow filled our area. I looked up but couldn't tell what it was that was causing this shadow. Then from the middle of the village a shockwave was pushed and I can see it coming towards me. It hit me and I was pushed back hard. I was freed from the polls and I lounge at Kakashi's body. I didn't want to lose his body after everything he's done. I grabbed and braced from the hard landing but then find myself in a white substance. I was confused on what was happening and then I was pushed out along with Kakashi. I fell to my knees and looked up to only see a massive destruction that filled the area. There was nothing left standing and then a voice called out.

"It was Pain. He caused this damage."

I turned around to see a big white slug.

"Who are you?"

"My name is Katsuyu. Tsunade summoned me to aid anyone in danger. Though I sense her powers are starting to drain out. I'm not sure how long she can last."

"Did you save us?"

"Yes, I absorbed you into me to insure both your safety."

I then look back to see a puff of white clouds fill the area in the middle and out came three big toads, a medium size toad, and there was Naruto. He had returned.

"Naruto."

I got up but fell and I can sense my left arm not functioning right. Katsuyu informed me of my injury.

"Your left arm was injured from the blast. I removed the shrapnel that hit it."

"It's fine. I got to go and help Naruto."

I was about to ask Isobu for help till I remembered those rude words I said to him. Lady Katsuyu spoke out.

"I think it's best to let Naruto handle this. In the meantime please enter back inside me. I can hid your Chakra with mine and heal you for the time being."

"You can do that?"

"Yes but we have to hurry before Pain notices."

I looked back to Naruto and can see that his eyes are different. I knew that for sure he has mastered it. So I then let Katsuyu absorb me and she informed me that she'll look after Kakashi's body. I was glad to hear that because I wasn't sure on how long this will be.

-Minutes Later-

"RIn it is now safe. I'm gonna let you out."

"Okay."

Katsuyu let me out and I fell to my knees because my legs felt a bit numb. I looked up to see once again Kakashi. I didn't let any tears out but instead I picked his body up and laid him resting over a slab while looking over the destroyed village. I looked over to Katsuyu and asked.

"What happened with Naruto?"

She explained to me the events that lead off after I hid myself. It was crazy to know that Naruto was close to being taken by Kurama. Yet, I was shock to learn that he has defeated the last Pain but he's going after the real one. I didn't think there was an actual person controlling them. I got up to go and aid Naruto but fell back down.

"Miss Rin please rest. Your arm is fixed but you're still haven't fully recovered."

"But Naruto might need some help."

"I know but he has informed me to let everyone know not to follow him."

"Why?"

"I'm not sure but it is for the best."

I sat there in silent and so I laid back and waited. Though Katsuyu still gave us the information on what was happening. Then out of nowhere a statue appeared in the middle of the destroyed village. I was wondering what it was then I notice green lights shooting out of it. It looked fascinating to watch than one of the light hit Kakashi's body. I wasn't sure on what it did and so I got closer to him. I put my hand on his chess and I felt it. A heartbeat. In a flash he jerked his head up and I gotten spooked by it. I stepped back and I wasn't sure on what was happening. Then he looked at me and called me out.

"Rin?"

"Kakashi? Is that really you?"

I walked closer to him and hugged him. He hugged me back and I informed him of what happened.

"Really? He did it?"

"Yeah and soon he'll be back to the village."

"That's great."

"Naruto is exhausted though. He's not that far so it will be a quick trip to get him."

Kakashi noticed what Katsuyu said and got up. I got up as well but Kakashi told me to stay.

"Why?"

"It may not be safe to come out yet. But Katsuyu can you give me Naruto Coordinates?"

"Certainly."

She did and Kakashi left. I stayed waiting once again but soon a loud cheer broke out throughout the village. I looked over and I can see the hero of the village. I looked up and wonder if this is what Minato wanted for him.

-Months Later-

It felt long but it was a tragic day. Yet we manage to recover ourselves and now we are rebuilding the village. Also I agreed to give Kakashi a chance at a new relationship. I felt glad knowing that we are together yet I'm still having these dreams. I haven't told him about it but I don't want to upset him. So during this time a man named Danzo took over as Hokage. Though he isn't consider as the sixth just yet. As of now he's overseeing the reconstruction of the village.

One day though a report came in about Sasuke and Naruto didn't take no for an answer and took on the task. It was me, Kakashi, Naruto and many of his friends that went on this mission. We soon set off and we know it was going to be a long way. What was reported was that Sasuke was seen along with three other people. His goal was unknown but we headed off to his last known location. Though we were stopped by a man in a mysterious mask. He wore the Akatsuki outfit which gave me and Naruto a bit of a worry. We tried to apprehend him but he kept phasing through our attacks. The fight seem pointless and he back off to a tree bark. We began thinking on our next move till suddenly another figure appeared. He had a strange appearance but Kakashi told me he too is apart with the Akatsuki. At first I thought they were finally going to try an attempt to take Naruto and myself. Instead a shocking news was delivered.

"Sasuke triumph in the battle. Itachi Uchiha is now dead."

This gave all of us a shock.

"What I don't belive it!? Kidding. It's just as I expected."

Things went silent but Naruto spoke out. But I looked closely at the man in the mask and I saw it. My eyes widened at what I was witnessing. I looked over to Kakashi and he seemed too noticed as well. "I'll be seeing you all soon."