Chapter 6
Asuki glanced back at me, gently rubbing my leg as we got closer. "It'll have to be one of those stories you tell me about later on then. If you are comfortable telling it that is, you know that I will never judge you for anything. And oh, I want to see the scar! That had to be difficult to do, let alone deal with." She said as we got to the ramen shop, her stomach growling loudly, causing her to blush. "Sorry!"
"Oh, don't worry about it! I'll buy you lunch, as a welcome home present." I stated as she set me down we took our perspective spots. Kakashi was already sitting at the table and I made sure to leave a spot in between us to force her to sit next to Kakashi no matter what. "And I'm sure Kakashi wouldn't mind sharing the story with you if you ask him about it. Right Kakashi?" I questioned him as he awaited his bowl of steaming hot ramen. Hmm, would we be able to see his face beyond the mask if he was eating? You'd think someone would have seen it by now if that was the case.
Asuki plopped down between the two of us, looking at Kakashi, I couldn't tell what her face looked like but Kakashi was blushing and she giggled. "Please tell me Kakashi?" Oh my god, she was such a flirt and it was hilarious that I had a front row seat to watch this unfold!
"What are you two going on about?" Kakashi questioned, glancing over at us as he glared at me for setting him up like that. Kakashi must really enjoy the sight of Asuki if he was mad at me for bringing her here to distract him during his meal.
"She was telling me about you gaining a specific kekkei genkai and that you got a scar from it, I was wondering since we are going to be partners, if you could tell me about it maybe? Or show me? If you're comfortable with that of course!"She states, glancing over the menu as her stomach grumbles again, causing her cheeks to turn red once again. "Sorry!"
"Someone sounds pretty hungry. Why don't you order extra meat in your ramen. I'll pay for the extra charge." he offered, smiling behind his mask, his eye closing happily, insinuating that he was amused by hearing Asuki's stomach growl. "And I don't know...it's not something that I typically show people outside of battle. But...since you asked so nicely." he replied, lifting his headband and revealing his other eye, Obito's sharingan glowing bright in its crimson color. "Hope it doesn't freak you out too much. It was a present from a close friend when I became jonin rank. Obito Uchiha. But I'm sure Rin's already told you all about him." he stated, winking at me after, pulling his headband back down to cover it once more.
She stopped him from pulling it down, touching it softly and smiling. "It's not freaky and it's a beautiful gift. I'm sure it was rough to deal with but it suits you quite a bit honestly. And I didn't get to meet him, but I got to see the lovebirds saying goodbye to one another this morning."She giggled, smirking at me and causing my cheeks to heat up, before looking back to him. "As for the ramen...I normally get four times the extra meat…"
"Oh my. That is quite a lot of meat." he replied as his own ramen was served, the cook setting it down in front of him. "However, I'm sure Rin and I can split the cost. Right Rin?" Kakashi called over to me. I just smiled back at him nervously in agreement. "And you'll meet him eventually. He's kind of stuck doing special training for the foundation for a while….Oh right, hey Rin," he called back out to me to get my attention. I leaned over to look at him curiously. "I hope you two used protection." he winked at me and I about died from embarrassment. Yup! He was getting me back for setting him up like this. He was on to my antics!
Asuki started giggling and looked over at me, "You both don't have to pay for me, I could manage that. And I don't know if they had sex, but they looked so damn cute together! Their babies would be adorable!"
My face was so hot it felt like it was melting off. Why did both of them hate me so much? "A-Asuki! I already told you that nothing happened, it wasn't like that! Besides, babies would be kind of difficult for me to handle given my recent circumstances." I stated, realizing I hadn't exactly told her that I was a jinchuriki.
She looked at me, worry creasing her brow. I was so worried about her opinion of me changing. I wanted to tell her, I needed to, but I was absolutely terrified of what she would say or think. "I know it's not what happened, I was teasing about that, but what do you mean? Are you ok?"
"I-It's okay. And sort of...I sort of...fell into an unfortunate permanent condition. And you might not like what I'm about to tell you. You have to promise me that you won't see me differently after I tell you...It's still hard for me to say out loud." I told her, preparing her to hear some of the hardest news she may have heard in awhile. "A-are you sure you want to know?"
She reached over, taking my hand and smiling at me softly. "Rin, whatever it is, it will not change my opinion of you ever. I promise you that. And whatever it is, I will help you through it as much as I possibly can. Cause that's what friends who are more like family do for one another. I'm not going anywhere Rin, whatever you're going to tell me will not change that."
I nodded, swallowing hard before mustering the courage to come out with it. "Asuki I...During my service to the war, while most people may come home with battle scars and PTSD, I managed to come back with something much worse. I am now the jinchuriki of the Three Tails, Isobu." I came right out and said it, unsure of how to word it any other way. I cringed upon saying so, reeling back and taking a small peak at her facial expression in reaction to the news I had just dropped on her.
She looked at me curiously, leaning closer and looking into my eyes, worry clearly evident in them. "It didn't hurt you did it? It won't? I felt like something was different with you, but honestly I couldn't place it." She was taking this calmer than I thought she would, which was honestly surprising.
"No...Isobu hasn't hurt me. Sealing him hurt a lot though. Hence the injuries. But the tailed beast inside of me is lying dormant for now, until I can figure out how to conjure and control his power. Although, I can have conversations with Isobu. I haven't talked to him much though. He doesn't really like me...or any human really. He was meant to be the Leaf's undoing. They knew the Hokage would send a search party for me once I was captured. So the enemy's plan was to loosely seal Isobu inside of me and then release him to destroy the village. That's how I ended up like this." I explained, and Kakashi cleared his throat.
"Yeah...she tried doing something stupid too. If it wasn't for Obito being there at that exact moment I would have-" Kakashi began to complain but then stopped himself, realizing he didn't exactly have the right to tell that gruesome detail.
She raises an eyebrow and decided not to push it, seeing as our food finally arrived and distracted her enough to drool at the massive bowl in front of her. "Oh my god, this looks and smells amazing! Wait…." She looked over at Kakashi then down at his empty bowl. "I...when...Oh come on!"
"Is something the matter?" He questioned, rubbing the back of his neck nervously. "I was quite famished." he explained, justifying his empty bowl. I let out a giggle and pick up my chopsticks, seeing Asuki do the same and start into her own bowl of ramen. She seemed to be starving and finished the bowl at lightning speed before setting the empty ramen bowl down and asking for seconds. Geez! Glad to see her appetite was still ravenous.
She looked over to Kakashi, pouting at him. "You ate all your food already and I didn't get to see your face!" She was not going to rest until she got a good look at his mysterious face. I couldn't honestly blame her. I know myself among others have always been curious about it.
He chuckled at her and patted the top of her head. "One of these days, if you're lucky, you may just get a glimpse." He winked at her and I looked at him in shock. Was Kakashi flirting back?!
Asuki grinned happily and bounced as her food appeared. "I'll hold you to that Kakashi, because I won't let you forget it!"
"Hey now, I said if you're lucky. We'll see if you qualify for that." he replied, throwing some money down on the counter as he hopped down from his chair. "Rin, do us all a favor and take it easy. Who knows if Asuki can keep up." he chuckled, winking at her again. Damn, he was definitely teasing her in an attempt to flirt. I had never seen him flirt in live action before! I let out a chuckle as Asuki responded.
"Oh I can keep up! Never doubt that in your mind!" She stated, eating all the food in her bowl and looking him dead in the eyes. "I could keep up with Rin on my back!" Wait, why was she bringing me into this?! Oh boy, Kakashi doesn't realize that her brother always challenged her and well...she gets very fired up about it!
"Oh yeah? Is that so? Care to put that theory to the test?" Kakashi challenged her and my eyes grew wide.
"W-wait a minute now! Don't drag me into this!" I exclaimed, blowing on my ramen to get it to cool down since it was still piping hot. "Why don't you guys find other training methods that doesn't involve me." I told them, swirling my noodles in the broth before taking another bite.
Asuki pouted and looked to Kakashi. "She just completely downed that idea! Like before it had enough time to have a chance! But I still wanna train...however shall we manage this now?"
"Hmm...I think I know a guy who can help with this. My self proclaimed rival has weights to slow him down. I'll see if we can borrow some." Kakashi stated, smirking at her from beneath his mask. Smug bastard. I can always tell his expressions by watching his one eye. "We can race from the training grounds to the foundation's facilities. That way we can assess your endurance capabilities."
"Oh! Right! Kakashi, I was supposed ask you for a favor…" I exclaimed, remembering that Obito had nominated me to ask Kakashi to be our messenger for our letters. I was unsure as to how I was going to ask him this. I supposed Asuki could be of assistants in that department as well. At least in helping me get my letters to Kakashi, since she'd be seeing him more often than I would now.
"Oh? What would that favor be?" He asks, looking over to me curiously as he batted Asuki away from trying to move his mask down. "Hopefully nothing life threatening right? Like you don't want me to swim down to the deepest depths of some ocean for something?"
Asuki looked at me in shock, "Are you sending people on impossible missions still?"
"Kakashi was just kidding about that Asuki." I stated, rubbing the back of my neck and swiftly kicking Kakashi in the shin. "No oceans this time, Kakashi. However...you'll be reporting to the foundation and the Hokage on occasion right? Since you're an anbu member now? Obito suggested that we recruit you to help us be pen pals while he's receiving exclusive training from the foundation. You'd be willing to help us out, right Kakashi?" I pleaded with him, giving him the puppy dog eyes that he simply could never resist.
His eyes widened as he realized what I was doing. But by the time he realized, it was too late! He gave me a big exaggerated sigh and smiled at me from under his mask. "Yes I will be your messenger between you and your Obito! Just don't expect me to send them full of...you know." He chuckled, winking my way and causing me to blush heavily.
"F-full of what, Kakashi?! What kind of girl do you think I am?" I questioned him, seriously confused on what he meant by that. I raised an eyebrow at him and crossed my arms over my chest. I really wanted to know what he was getting at.
He chuckled and shook his head at my reaction. "I was just playing Rin, I know you wouldn't put a bunch of naughty things in there for me to innocently send to my best friend!" He stated, patting the top of my head.
I blushed and refused to respond to him as I continued shoveling ramen in my mouth. Kakashi's and Asuki's eyes grew round with shock. "Geez, of course not! That would be...that would be...so wrong!" I finally stated after getting all of the naughty thoughts about Obito out of my head.
Asuki shook her head and chuckled at me. "If he doesn't want to be the messenger, I won't mind doing it. It would be really cool to get to know your boyfriend or potential boyfriend. Whichever label you want to use for yourselves. As long as you're happy and he doesn't hurt you, I won't have to kick his ass!"
I giggled at her, feeling myself relax. "How about the both of you work out a system to take turns doing it. That way nobody gets burned out too quickly. I'd use a messenger bird but most of those are being used for the war. I appreciate all of your help." I stated, feeling upbeat again and kakashi turned to Asuki.
"I'm sure we can do that. Wouldn't want to give you an excuse to see my best friend too often. It'd be nice to see him occasionally since he's not dead anymore." Kakashi blurted out. Oh boy! Here comes the questions.
She blinked rapidly, looking between the two of us in absolute confusion. "Um...since he's not dead anymore? Am I missing something?"
"Rin never told you that her new boyfriend is a zombie?" Kakashi questioned, completely seeming serious. He was totally trying to prank her.
She stared at me in absolute concern. "Rin, why is your boyfriend a zombie? And why is he an attractive zombie? I'm very concerned!"
"Kakashi! That is not funny!" I scolded him, putting my hands on my hips. "He's not actually a zombie. Remember that long story I was going to go into detail about later? It's got something to do with that. See, Obito almost died two and a half years ago on a mission. Half of his body was crushed beneath a boulder while trying to rescue me...It was all my fault. And then the whole place collapsed and we had no choice but to leave him to escape ourselves. That's how Kakashi got Obito's eyes. We just recently found out that he's still alive. I'll explain things better to you later." I tried to shed some light on Kakashi's horrible joke. I didn't think he meant to offend me. It was kind of funny, but I wasn't going to let him know that. "And wait...you think my boyfriend is attractive?" I asked Asuki, blushing as the word boyfriend fell out of my mouth.
"Well, I mean I didn't get to see his face but from what I could see of him he was nicely built. Definitely seems to be your type that is for sure, I know you two would be an absolutely amazing couple!"She has always been like this, searching for a very positive outlook and seeing the good in most people.
I smiled at her. "That means a lot to me Asuki...Kakashi, take a hike! You can sniff Asuki's ass later." I told him, wanting quality time with my best friend. I saw the way he was fawning over her. And he thought he was being discreet, checking her out in front of me.
"See you tomorrow for training Kashi?" She smirked at him, batting her eyelashes at him and his cheeks turned the brightest red I have ever seen them. "Unless you would like to join us for shopping and tons of girl talk!" She knew exactly what to say to scare him off right away.
"N-no! That's quite alright! You kids have fun!" He exclaimed, heading towards the street but stopped, looking over his shoulder at Asuki, "I look forward to our training session." He stated, winking at her. If I wasn't already in love with Obito, even I would have swooned over him in that instant. I knew Asuki was writhing inside.
Asuki was blushing up a storm and grinning like a mad man as she watched him as he left. She looked at me bashfully and fanned herself. "He is so attractive!"
I chuckled at her fawning over my team mate. I knew she would be into him! What girl in the Leaf wasn't into Kakashi Hatake? But that also meant that she was going to have lots of competition. However, Kakashi didn't usually show interest in many girls as far love interests go. He usually just read his smut and was satisfied. "Well he's definitely interested in you too Asuki!" I told her.
Her eyes widened as she looked at me in shock. "Wait, how can you tell? I mean, I'm not the prettiest and I'm sure he's probably got girls fawning over him." She sounded absolutely nervous and it was really adorable.
"He doesn't flirt with girls like that. He's usually more the cool and silent type. But he was definitely messing with you quite a bit. You'll just have to find out for yourself. However, you're going to have a lot of competition, that's for sure. But I'd say you already have an advantage." I replied, winking at her. "So, what's this business about shopping and girl talk?" I pressed.
She laughed, fidgeting with a strand of hair that had come out of her bun and looking at me. "If I have learned anything about living with my brother, you can scare most men away with those two things. Though both sound really fun right about now!"
"That is very true. And I'm game if you are! What do you want to shop for?" I asked her, carefully stepping down off of the stool I was sitting on, having finished my meal. I paid for both of our lunches and said goodbye to the shop owner as we made our way back out on the streets. "I know a few shops that have some cute clothes and another one that has equipment and ninja tools. Want to explore both of them?"
She nodded, crouching down so that I can get back onto her back. "Both of those sound like a lot of fun! After this though, you probably should get some rest. I just realized I didn't even buy a place to stay while I'm here."
"You're probably right...and Oh! You don't have to buy a place. Why don't you stay with me for a while? My parents are off fighting the war. So I'm living alone right now. It would be great to have you stay with me and help out while I'm injured." I suggested, hoping she'd say yes. "Plus, it would be a lot of fuuuun!" I enticed.
She grinned and smiled at me, "I would love to stay with you! I was just worried about being in the way or annoying you! But it'll be just like old times and all of the times we would stay up all night and go watch the stars!"
"That sounds like a lot of fun! Oh, can we do that tonight? It would be nice. Because I need some good times in my life. The last few years have just been mostly horrible...Actually, it's been hell. So it's nice to have you back." I confessed, getting onto her back. "I hope I'm not too heavy for you."
"Rin, you are absolutely not heavy at all and I would love to go out and look at stars like old times. And I'm...really sorry I wasn't around. Believe me, if I could have gotten away, you know I would have. My family has had so many expectations of me and sometimes it just felt like it was too much."
"I know Asuki. You don't have to apologize. But I can't say it hasn't been hard without you. Now, onward toward cute clothes and ninja tools!" I exclaimed, pointing in the direction of the stars, getting pumped up. It seemed like the nightmare was finally over. My own personal hell was coming to an end. I was still alive. I had my best friend back. And I had the love of my life back from the dead. The war would be ending soon. It seemed as though things were looking up.
Asuki giggled and moved off in the direction of the shopping district, towards all the cute clothes and ninja tools! "So we should find a super cute outfit for you whenever you get to see the love of your life again!"
"That won't be for another couple of years Asuki." I chuckled. "But we can work on something for you." I teased her. "I'm sure Kakashi would like to see you in some cute mission gear." I stated, seeing her blush. "But you know...I hope that when I get better, maybe I could sneak off and see Obito in secret...But I don't want to get him in trouble."
"I'm always in the market for new mission gear!" She giggled excitedly, rubbing my leg and looking at me. "And I will absolutely help you meet up with him! Oh a secret meeting under the moonlight! Ugh candles, maybe a picnic!" She blushes as she realizes she's been rambling. "Sorry, it would just be so adorable!"
I let out a laugh. "Asuki, are you sure that's not something you want?" I asked her. She sounded like she was daydreaming about being romanced. "Maybe you and Kakashi can stand watch for us." I added, trying to get her to open up about it more.
"It is something I would love and everything, I just spend so much time reading books." She blushed heavily and stopped at a shop window. "I am sure we could do that for you guys, just to keep you both out of trouble. And this is the place right?"
"Yup! This is the place! And wait...books? Oh don't tell me you read those smut books too?" I questioned, blushing from thinking about Kakashi's books. I read a small escript from one of them once and had an instant nosebleed.
"Hey they have amazing stories and life lessons!" She defended them and blushed. "I have always wanted to meet the author, ask him about his inspirations and what not. Don't tell me you haven't read them!?"
"N-no. I can't say I've read them...But Kakashi is obsessed with them." I told her, stifling a laugh at the look that she gave once putting me down after going into the shop. There was a little rack in the corner of the shop that had the cutest clothes.
"Really? Kakashi reads them too? That's...really surprising actually. He doesn't seem to be the type that would read that kind of stuff." I grinned back at her.
"Yeah, Kakashi's kind of a big closet perv. Don't let his cool guy act fool you." I told her.
She chuckled, shaking her head a little bit. "I guess you can never really tell about people can you? But seriously, they are amazing books and have amazing attention to detail. I have been trying my damndest to find the author to have him sign my copies." She admitted as she continued looking at the clothing, shifting through the different colors.
"You know, I happen to know the author somewhat. If you'd like, when he gets back from his assignment in the war, I could take you to meet him." I told her, remembering being introduced to Jariya, one of the three Sanin of the Hidden Leaf. He was Minato Sensei's Sensei.
Her mouth dropped open as she grabbed onto my shoulders and shook me excitedly. "Please, pretty please?! I will be forever in your debt for introducing me! That is so cool, how did you meet him?"
I smiled at her excitement. "He's my Sensei's old Sensei. Minato Sensei introduced me to him a while back. In fact, I'm pretty sure that's how Kakashi got into them." I stated, throwing my arms up in surrender.
She jumped excitedly, bouncing and clapping her hands together. "That is seriously so cool, you get to meet the most exciting people. I wonder who my team would have been or my sensei...that would have been awesome to know. Or the missions I would be going on...sorry I'm rambling." She stated as she picked up a light blue outfit, holding it up to her. "What do you think?"
"If you don't buy that, I will buy it for you." I tell her, picking out a matching hat to go with it and putting it on her head. "Gotta complete the look!" I exclaimed with a giggle. "Also, from what I hear, Kakashi likes Redheads in blue dresses." I wink at her. I actually wasn't sure that was true, but what guy's weakness wasn't a redhead in blue?
She blushes heavily, holding it up to herself and looking in the mirror. "It does look pretty cute doesn't it? I will definitely get this and maybe a few more things, what about you? What are you going to get?"
"What me? Oh no! I have no use for cute clothes right now. I'm a cripple. Plus it's not like I have anyone to wear it for." I told her. "But I'll definitely help you look."
She shook her head, giving me a look. "Sweetheart, you don't need a special person or occasion to dress up or wear something cute. We will find something for you as well! Oh, how about this little red outfit?" She asks, holding it up to me and smiling.
"You...really think I would look good in red?" I questioned her, biting my lip as I looked at it. "Well...it is cute." I stated, taking it from her and putting it up in front of me. "What do you think?" I asked, looking back up at her.
She grinned at me, "Honestly, it suits you so well, but then again you would look good in anything. But if you don't get that, I will buy it for you!" She was stealing my line! How dare she! I chuckled at her reaction as she put the hat that goes with it on top of my head. "There we go, complete!"
I laughed at her spunkiness, "So...you said you think Kakashi is attractive right? How ever are you going to concentrate during your training with him?" I asked her as we made our way to the pay station to purchase our outfits.
She shook her head, smiling at that thought. "I have worked primarily with men, most of which were very attractive. But I've had enough training to focus on a task at hand rather than how attractive his is. The question is, will he be able to concentrate?"
"Kakashi is a pretty serious shinobi. But then again, he hasn't exactly trained with attractive girls before. I guess we'll have to wait to find out." I chuckled, remembering some of our old training regimens before Obito's accident. Those two were always fighting. "Kakashi does have quite the haughty perspective of himself, however. Just don't let him get to you if he tries to get under your skin." I tell her, unsure of how Kakashi would act during their training.
"I mean, how did he concentrate when he was against you? You're beautiful as hell! He had to have some strategy against it?" She asked after we got done paying for everything and started heading for home.
"Honestly, I just don't think I'm Kakashi's type...Besides, Obito is his best friend, I think he didn't want to infringe on anything. I guess to him I was just off limits." I replied, attempting to walk on my ankle a little. If I babied it, it was never going to improve.
"I guess that makes sense...I really am happy you found someone Rin, you seem so happy and that's something I have always wanted for you." She said softly, as she slowed her speed to match mine.
"T-thank you, Asuki...To be honest, I didn't know how I felt about Obito until he was...well gone. Does that make me shallow?" I asked her, looking up at her and stopping for a second to rest my ankle for a bit.
She shook her head, looking around at the people passing by. "It doesn't make you shallow. I'm sure the feelings were always there, but you didn't realize it until it was too late. I'm just glad you both get a second chance."
"Yeah...I don't even want to imagine what might have happened if things hadn't turned out this way. It's really terrifying to think about." I stated, beginning to move towards home again. "So when does your training with Kakashi start?"
She thought for a moment and stopped, "You know, I honestly have no idea. I don't think he specified at all when we were going to be training. So I guess it'll be when ever he comes to me and says that it's training time."Oh boy, that's if he doesn't get lost on the path of life from his house to mine.
"You know, knowing Kakashi he won't be around a while. He's usually a bit leisurely these days. It might be more productive if you went searching for him instead." I explained, thinking about how much he had changed since Obito's alleged death.
"So where do you suggest starting?" She asks curiously, as we finally made it back to my house. "I mean, it won't be until tomorrow, because tonight is for us!"
"I can give you directions to his place tomorrow. For now, let's just go inside and have a nice girl's night and try on our outfits." I said as we came up on my place and headed inside.
She sat all of our bags down onto the chair and glanced at the leftover food from breakfast. "I'll clean this up for you, you go and put your feet up ok? You don't want to overdo it and make your injury worse, which will take it forever to heal."
"That's true...Are you sure, though? I can help a little." I ask, feeling so helpless. I hated feeling like I couldn't do anything. I've always been the weak link. And now my best friend was going to have to take my spot in the war because of me.
She looked over her shoulder and nodded, "Sure you can, if you want to you could put the food in containers and put the dishes away once I get them done? How does that sound?" She asks, cocking her head to the side.
"Okay. Sure!" I stated, going over to the cupboard and grabbing down the containers to put the leftovers in. I was glad that she was allowing me to be of some use. I started transferring them over while I watched Asuki run the sink full of water and started cleaning the dishes as I handed them to her. I smiled at her backside, glad that I had them both back. Her and Obito were the best things in my life at that point and time. And I was ever thankful to the universe for giving them back to me.