Chapter 8:

"I am sorry, my friend, " Rin said. "I will not be returning to Konoha."

Kakashi gripped the iron railing and felt waves of grief as huge as those splashing below wash over him. He had crossed the ice fields in vain and had known it since Miranda had mentioned that Rin was with child. Rin would never leave now since she had new life here. So be it. He would survive this as he survived so much else.

No one must ever know how he felt. No one. With a deep breath, he turned to his friend. "You not been here even one conjunction and already your speech is deteriorating-"

"Kakashi. You must listen. This is where I belong and possible where you belong too."

"No, do not try to convince me again to remain here with you. My honor lies in Konoha. If you choose not to return, then it is left to me to prove you innocent."

"It doesn't matter. This matters! Here. Now. This place." RIn clamped a hand over his on the slick railing

Rin's hand on his reminded him too poignantly of years of friendship, and the years they served Konoha together. Now his life felt blasted in a furnace of betrayal.

"I'm sorry, my friend. I tracked them down and they're dead, but I could show you their graves."

"Graves? What use have I of graves?" Rin said.

Long moments of silence reigned between them. Rin continued finally. "You're not a traitor! Neither am I. This is where I belong. It is not dishonorable to follow what you know in your heart is right. One day you will understand."

"You are tied to man."

Rin nodded. " And the need I have for my new family. " Rin said while carefully placing her hands to her stomach. " The place doesn't matter, as long as I'm with Tom, and I know he's safe."

Kakashi shook his head in confusion until Obito face came to mind and then scowled in understanding. He sighed before speaking. "Then give me the jeweled dagger, and I will leave you to your chosen life." Every muscle in Kakashi neck ached. He wanted to lash out, to howl with the pain of finding his friend, but losing her at the same time.

Rin frowned. " So be it. I'll search for the dagger. I'm sure Tom must have it. I just sent him home this morning because his grandmother has a broken hip, and Tom wanted to help care for her. I know he would want me to take you out there to see him."

But Kakashi shook his head. He looked out at the sea. How far could he go and not be completely lost?"

"Kakashi, I'll find the dagger; I promise. But you must make a promise too."

"What promise do you desire of me?" Kakashi asked. How many promises had been made and broken in the name of friendship?

"If you won't come with me, stay here until I find the dagger. That's all."

Kakashi nodded. How long would he have to wait? Long enough to be seduced by the women, the strange food, the hypnotizing music, to want to remain? "Do what you must to find the blade. It is all I have to prove your innocence."

Miranda pressed her face to the window. Both woman and man were as rigid as soldiers at attention.

"I'm going out there." She jerked the door open and was nearly blown off her feet. Kakashi was at her side in an instant, shoving the door closed for her. "You're soaking wet- both of you. Kakashi's been ill. He shouldn't be out here." She had to shout over the wind and a low rumble of thunder.

"I am not returning to the festivities," Kakashi said. Something in his tone told her he meant it.

"Okay," she said. "We'll all go back to my place, then." She pointed to the gleam of light that was her apartment, a couple of blocks away.

Rin shook her head. "I can't stay. I have to go back to my place to look for something."

"Really?" Miranda braced herself for Tom to leap out of the shadows and yell "Surprise!" But that never happened.

"That's right. Kakashi can fill you in. Now I have to go secure something Kakashi needs for his quest."

With a sudden turnabout, Miranda smiled and clapped.

"You guys are really good. Superb. Do you do amateur theater back home?"

"We're not acting, " Rin said.

"Oh, sure. And he's really Kakashi." She swallowed a laugh.

"Yes. He is Kakashi," Rin said.

Author's Note: I'm hoping to upload another chapter tonight so keep a look out for it. Hope you enjoyed.