A/N: Whoa, an update? Sorry it has been so long my dear readers, I've missed you all! Classes for this sem have ended and revision is going alright, I suppose. This chapter is a transition chapter, but it didn't feel right to compress it with another chapter. (It's too long anyway.) So here is some cute!Rin and um... lots of description of smells?
Kakashi's scent trail - the heavy, metallic tang blood and the musk of sweat - quickly comes to an end at the edge of a rushing stream, leaving Sakumo and Rin staring at the foamy water.
"Sakumo-san?" Rin looks up at him in anticipation of his next order. They had fallen so easily into the dynamics of a team, as if searching for Kakashi is a mission they are on orders to complete.
"Kakashi's scent washes off in the stream here," Sakumo explains to Rin's momentary alarm. "Bull probably dragged Kakashi into the water and swam for a while to throw off the Kiri-nin."
The brown-haired girl furrows her brows. "So Kakashi is safe?"
"Probably..." Sakumo follows along the river bank for a short distance, examining the ground for more physical tracks. The Kiri-nin had also paused here, their footsteps carelessly left in the soft soil, overlapping where they had milled about confused and frustrated.
Kiri has a scent: it's the heavy brine of the sea, underlaid with a lingering trace of iodine and a hint of sulfur. It tickles the back of Sakumo's throat as he breathes in, his eyes closed to concentrate on picking it out from the hundred other smells pervading the woodlands. Several invisible trails stand out, foreign and discordant, winding away into the distance.
He exhales on a sigh of relief. It is too good to be true for the Kiri-nin to give up so easily but they must have lost Kakashi's trail to have to split up and search.
Sakumo gives Rin his best reassuring smile when he opens his eyes again. "I can't track Kakashi anymore but neither can they."
The soft smile that spreads over her face brightens her wan countenance. "That's good."
As if on cue, a smattering of raindrops begin to fall, bouncing off blades of grass and making minuscule craters in the soil. Holding out her hand, Rin gazes up at the heavy clouds rolling in from the horizon. The rain is becoming heavier by the moment, drowning out everything else with the warm, earthy smell of rain.
"We won't get wet," Sakumo says just as Rin realises that she's not catching any raindrops in her palm. "But we can take a rest. You must be exhausted."
Shaking her head, Rin squares her shoulders. "I'm alright!" she declares, then more quietly, "you must be worried about Kakashi."
Giving her a fond look, Sakumo beckons her to stand with him under the shelter of one of the larger trees. "He's not the only one I'm worried about, you know." At the surprise flitting over Rin's expression, Sakumo wonders if he had been too callous in running after Kakashi immediately. For all that he is frightened for Kakashi's safety, the poor girl had just died — traumatically at that. Even Sakumo, who had been at least prepared for death to some extent, had adjusted remarkably poorly those first few days.
Sakumo opens his mouth to ask her something but she beats him to the punch. "I think I can find Kakashi." There's such determination shining in her eyes that the older Hatake holds back his questions. Shinobi are an action-oriented bunch; perhaps it is best to simply busy themselves and do what they can. He is no counsellor anyway.
"Minato-sensei taught us how to use Hiraishin marks. We have each other's marks on our bodies, so maybe I can teleport to where Kakashi is."
Intrigued by the simple solution before them, Sakumo nods. "Go ahead. Chakra is hard to use as a ghost, but it's possible."
Straightening at his approval, she forms several hand seals precisely before placing her hand on the tree trunk, leaving the characters "友愛" — friendship. She glances over her shoulder, giving him a small, wobbly smile. "This is my Hiraishin mark. I'll be back soon."
Sakumo can't help but be impressed that it only takes her two tries to activate the Hiraishin proper. To adjust so quickly, she obviously has excellent chakra control. Such talent wasted. Suddenly melancholy, Sakumo sits down beside the tree to wait in the company of his morose thoughts.
It doesn't take more than a few minutes for her to stumble back into existence, trip over Sakumo's knee and fall, arms flailing all the way. "Whoa—" by pure reflex Sakumo catches her by back of her shirt before her face can smash into ground. "Careful there!"
Her face tomato red with mortification, Rin catches her balance quickly and Sakumo lets go of her. "Sorry!" she squeaks. "Your leg was in the way— no, I mean—um—"
Chuckling despite himself, Sakumo stands and straightens his clothes. "Sorry. Are you alright?"
Rin ducks her head. "Yes. Just a little tired." She takes a moment to catch her breath before pointing upstream the river. "Kakashi is in a cave near there — we'll make it in a bit even if we walk."
"How is he?"
"Well hidden with his ninken. He seems fine..." Despite her words, Rin's expression pinches with anxiety.
Gesturing for her to lead the way, Sakumo inclines his head. "Thank you, Rin."
Her expression lightens and her cheeks tinge pink again. "Glad I can help, Sakumo-san."
A/N: 友愛 is Rin's favourite word according to Narutopedia.