These Hard Times

Summary: When Rin Nohara dies in one world, her soul shifts and passes on into another. From there on, she starts an adventure that allows her to grow into her full potential and she discovers what it truly means to be a Nohara, growing into her full strength.

Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto, Katekyo Hitman Reborn, and Shingeki no Kyojin, Full Metal Alchemist, or anything mentioned in this fic. Nothing belongs to me. It's a series of X-overs as trials for Rin. The next story will take place strictly in Naruto.

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Chapter 2: New World

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Isobu….where are we?

..I don't know Rin-hime….

The brown haired kunoichi stepped further out of the room she had woken up in. She couldn't help the awe that bubbled up within her at the sight that met her eyes.

The door she had just came out of hung in mid-air, just above the water below. Below it and in front of her was a water glade with its own series of small, foaming white waterfalls. Trees surrounded the glade. Oddly enough, their leaves were a very dark green color with silver outlines. The water below her feet was a bright, enchanting turquoise color, moving very slowly to its own current. Dark violet smoke slinked through the glade, contrasting starkly with the turquoise water. Soft, glowing white wisps hovered just above the water, the fog moving around the wisps and avoiding contact.

Hesitating, Rin powered a bit of chakra to her feet and stepped out onto the water. Immediately, she felt a burst of energy flow through her feet, spreading throughout her body and easing her exhaustion. Her eyes widened as the water stilled under her feet before moving even quicker, energized by her presence apparently.

What the heck was that?

''Well, you're even more beautiful than I expected,'' a light voice chuckled, causing Rin to spin around.

Her chocolate eyes widened as she looked at the owner of the voice, stunned. A woman stood there on the water, a few feet away from the kunoichi. She exuded an unfailing grace and confidence, the air of a noble. Her appearance supported the thought.

Her long, dark brown hair fell down her back to her waist, cut in the traditional hime cut. It was pulled into a thick braid, falling down her back. She wore a traditional, very expensive looking, multilayered kimono. The first layer was a light, rose colored silk and the second was a shimmering, thin golden fabric. Dark, chocolate brown eyes, a few shades darker than hers, met Rin's and she smiled, her lips painted a dark red.

''Hello, I'm Aurora Nohara,'' she smiled gently at the teenager, her eyes softening. ''It's nice to finally meet you, my daughter.''

WHAT?!

''M-Mom? ,'' Rin stuttered, blinking in surprise as she gaped at the woman. Her surprise began to fade as her eyes narrowed thoughtfully and she gestured to the area around them, turning her full attention onto her mother. ''What are you doing here? Also, where is here? Am I really dead or did someone save me?''

''Technically, you did die,'' Aurora tilted her head thoughtfully. ''However, since you are a Nohara, you're a special exception.''

Noticing that she had her daughter's full attention, the woman continued explaining the correct answer to Rin's question and the reasons behind it. ''You are one of the Nohara Clan. Our blood enables us to choose whether we move on into the afterlife or we return to our lives before. If any of us chose to return, then we would have to fully accept all of our responsibilities.''

''What are all of our responsibilities? ,'' Rin asked cautiously, her eyes narrowed in thought. She already knew that she would do anything to return to Kakashi, Minato, Kushina, and every other friend she had made in Konoha. However, there were lines she wouldn't cross and there had to be drawbacks to this choice.

''Smart girl,'' Aurora smiled in approval, her eyes darkening. ''If someone of our clan chose to go back, then they would have to take up the full role of a Guardian. There is a darker side to being a Guardian and that is the abilities that come with it. Of course, you regain more strength and an emotional as well as a mental grasp on what others are feeling and thinking around you. However, there are downsides that some can't deal with, such as the ability of seeing the dead wherever and whenever someone died. I suppose you could liken a Guardian to a mixture of a Shinigami and an Angel, two opposite sides of the same coin, both wanting to help in some way. Shinigami help the dead gain comfort and move on while an Angel helps the living keep going on. Guardians are the middle ground between the two, helping both sides.''

Aurora paused to glance at her daughter, seeing a thoughtful look on her face as she nodded for her to continue.

''Guardians are extremely rare for this reason. Most can't take the guilt and horror of seeing the dead, knowing they want to help but are too afraid to do so. Some just can't bear it and choose to cross over to join their loved ones. It's your own choice and no one will judge you for it.''

''If I choose to return, then what will happen? Will I be found in the forest again, injured? Or will I wake up and have to dig myself out of my grave? ,'' Rin asked, wording her questions carefully.

''Neither,'' Aurora answered with a shake of her head. Something flashed through her eyes, quicker than Rin could decipher, before a gentle smile appeared on her face. ''Your soul will merely connect back to your world in the end. I warn you, the training to become a Guardian will be difficult and takes years during your world's time span.''

Biting her lip, Rin straightened her back and stared back at her mother with burning, determined brown eyes; her decision was made. Her thoughts focused on a mental image in her mind.

Her sensei, Minato Namikaze, stood in the back, a light wind blowing through his spiky blonde hair, his bright blue eyes soft with pride. Next to him, his girlfriend, Kushina Uzumaki, stood, bent over with her arms wrapped around Rin's shoulders, her beautiful plum colored eyes soft and her wild, blood red hair swaying gently in the wind. Rin herself stood in front of Minato and Kushina, her chocolate colored eyes sparkling as she smiled widely at the camera, her hands held up in two matching peace signs.

On either side of her were her teammates, their postures and mannerisms completely different. To her left stood Obito Uchiha, his dark coal eyes practically glowing as he grinned widely at the camera, one hand lifted up into a thumbs up at the camera, his body tilted towards her. To her right stood Kakashi Hatake, his dark eyes bored as he glared at the camera with his eyes, his body turned completely away from the rest of his team with his arms crossed over his chest.

For Rin, there was no question as to what she chose; not a single doubt lay in her mind.

''I wish to become a Guardian.''