Author's Note: This took me so long to write because I hit a wall. But I pulled through after so long, and I hope you guys enjoy this. No, it's not as long. The next chapter will flow easier (main plot things will begin) and it'll be longer to make up.
The icy sting of the rain as it hit his skin woke Kakashi from his unconsciousness. He struggled to open his eyes, which felt as if they'd been glued shut while he slept; when he succeeded, he found himself staring up at the woman from before. She was leaning over him, focused solely on cleaning Kakashi's previously attained wound. She was unaware of his awakening and Kakashi took the opportunity to study her; it was uncanny how much she resembled Rin. Dark brown hair framed her face in a short bob-cut, complementing the russet eyes so set on their task. The purple rectangles that marked her cheeks completed the picture of a grown-up version of the girl from his past. But that girl had been gone for 5 years and Kakashi knew that she couldn't possibly be her.
The sudden, involuntary twitches of his fingers startled her, bringing her attention to his face. Her dark eyes studied his face, settling on his own for a moment before she stood and walked out of his view. Kakashi tried to sit up, succeeding only in propping himself up on his elbows due to the discomfort where she'd been prodding his wound. He looked around, searching for the woman and taking in his surroundings. They'd moved to a canopy forest away from the village- he could tell because the strong scent of blood and ash had vanished- and had taken up camp by a small stream. Did she bring me here? How long, he wondered, had he been out of it if this girl had managed to bring him this far?
She came back into view, carrying a small roll of bandages and a clear vial filled with a peridot liquid. When he tried to move to defend himself, she paused and held her arms out to the sides to show that she carried no weapons. "I'm not going to hurt you. I'm going to help, so let me." Kakashi relaxed, nodding slowly in resignation. With his approval, she crouched behind him and pulled him up and back to lean against her knee, allowing her to wrap the gauze around his torso. She pulled it tightly, frowning when Kakashi grimaced in pain, and tied it off. Picking up the vial, she tugged down his mask and pressed it to his lips, urging "Drink. It'll help you." when he tried to turn away. He obliged, having no other choice than to obey her, and in a few moments he felt the strength returning to his limbs and the pain fade away.
With her help Kakashi stood and turned to face her, accepting the clothing she handed him as he spoke. "Who are you?" He asked while pulling on the black turtleneck- he'd worn slightly different attire than the usual uniform- and adjusting it, following with the traditional grey vest of the Anbu core. His question seemed to confuse her, and she hesitated a few minutes before answering. "My name… is Rin."
"Rin." It felt odd to be calling someone by that name again, but Kakashi pushed the feeling aside for the time being. It was more important to learn what he could while she was willing to talk. "You already know who I am. Where are we?"
"We're halfway back to your village Konoha." She held out a scroll wrapped with Kakashi's headband, which he took hesitantly. Sliding it open, he realized that it contained the intel he had gone to the village for and stared up at the girl in bewilderment. Seeing his confusion, she hastily explained. "You would get in trouble for now finishing your mission, so I gathered the data you needed."
Rin picked up a pack that had been on the ground behind her and slipped it over her shoulders, turning and maneuvering through the forest. Kakashi followed, re-rolling the scroll and tucking it in his tool pouch. When they reached the path and had set a steady pace, he quietly asked her what had sprung to mind when she'd handed him the scroll. "Rin, why would you help me? We aren't allies. Why should you care?"
She glanced at him over her shoulder and smiled, her gaze soft as it met his. "A kunoichi will always help her teammates, Kakashi."
By the time sunset had cast its golden shadows over the land the pair had arrived at Konoha. Kakashi pulled Rin, who was gawking at the colourful sky, along behind him as he marched through the village, eager to get to the Hokage's office and resign himself from his troublesome mission. He was grateful that when they had passed the gates she moved her attention to keeping up with him, as it only made it easier to maneuver through the village, which was still bustling with activity despite the hour, and reach their designation.
They were ushered inside immediately and met by the Third Hokage, who was openly pleased about Kakashi's arrival. "Kakashi, you're back. You were gone for quite a bit longer than originally planned." He put down the stack of papers he had been reading, adding them to the large pile on the side of his desk, and folded his hands in front of him; Kakashi knew this meant for him to begin explaining.
Sliding a hand into the tool pouch he removed the intel scroll, turning to press it into Rin's hands before pushing her forward. "An unexpected event delayed me, Lord Hokage." He'd been gone 9 days, 7 of which were spent in a medical coma while he recovered; he'd asked Rin about it on their way back. "I did find the data you wanted, though. This is Rin, the lone survivor of the incident. She, along with the scroll, should have all the information you need."
The Hokage stood, walking around the desk to stand in front of the girl. He took the scroll that she nervously held out to him and smiled, passing it along to the nearby Anbu member while he examined her. She stood rigidly with her hands clasped together behind her back, casting glances back at Kakashi as if looking for his support, though she only seemed to grow more downcast. Upon looking at the shinobi, he realized that he was watching them with annoyance; it clearly bothered Rin. "So, Rin, was it? It's ironic, you look just like-"
"Lord Hokage, may I go?" Kakashi interrupted. He'd made his way back to the door and now stood with a hand resting on the handle, anxious to escape. Ignoring the glares he received from the Anbu, he continued. "I finished my mission, after all."
The Third waved dismissively, turning away from the impatient shinobi and towards the girl before him. He nodded to the Anbu black-op, who walked forward and gently took Rin by the arm, beginning to pull her towards the other door in the room. Kakashi left then, not even offering a single glance back when she called his name.
Author's update: I've put a halt on this story. No, it didn't get far. But there's reason, which I'll address in a thing called Sien Speaks, which will be where I can explain things to you guys, or I can mention new fic ideas. I'll also be asking for input from you guys. I plan to reboot this idea after I've planned it out again. Again, I'm so sorry! Don't forget to follow me on Tumblr if you want to more easily ask about my ideas or want updates.