Disclaimer: Me owning Naruto is as likely as Shikamaru joining Lee and Gai in running 200 laps around Konoha...it will never happen.

Chap. 12: Long Time, No See

(Kakashi's P.O.V)

Our destination was now visible over the horizon. It was going onto eleven fifteen in the morning when we saw the small outpost come into view. We were now in the true desert of the Wind Country, and were open to the elements. Luckily, no sandstorms were blowing through the area at the time, which definitely helped our travel time.

"There it is, Palm Dunes, the only trading post and village in all of the five great nations that is under the control of two ninja villages." I heard Temari say as we reached the village gates. The village was surrounded by stone walls that were about half the height of those in Sunagakure. Needless to say, the village stood as a symbol of power and trust between the countries of Wind and Fire and their respective ninja villages. On either door was the symbol for fire and wind. I couldn't help but smile at this, the two villages have come along way.

We stood at the gates and watched as four ninja jumped down from the roof. Two were Chunin, and two were Jonin, each rank being from either Konoha or Suna. This only further convinced me of how well this village doing. Their forces were small, but since the village was tied to Konoha and Suna, it wasn't without assistance. All four saluted to Gaara upon seeing him, "Kazekage-sama, it's an honor for you to have you visit us. We recieved a message from Suna of your arrival earlier this morning." spoke one of the Sand Jonin.

Gaara nodded, but spoke in a serious, business-like manner, "We're not here for pleasure. I was wondering if there are any shinobi from Konoha that have come through these gates to meet with a Kakashi Hatake and myself." The Suna Jonin nodded and turned to the Leaf Chunin who pulled out a scroll with a list of various names, most likely people who have visited over the past couple of days.

"Yes, there was one person who we confirmed as a Leaf shinobi, they had an official letter of business from the Hokage herself, but they gave no name." replied the Leaf Chunin.

"That's to be expected. Thank you." Gaara said, and gestured for us to follow him.

"They seem to have things under control here." I heard Sakura say with obvious admiration in how well protected the village was.

Kankuro was the one to reply to this, "Well, Suna and Konoha have been working together in setting up an academy for desirable Genin canidates, and both villages sent out fifteen percent of their Chunin and Jonin here to provide the necessary support until things started picking up."

Temari nodded as she added on, "Currently Palm Dunes has about eighty Genin, fifty-five Chunin, twenty-six Special Jonin, and twenty Jonin who are living here, but the numbers could have gone up since two weeks ago."

We continued are walk through the small fortress-like village, and eventually reached a quiet tavern on the end of the main road. I turned to the group, "Now, according to what Tsunade told me, our client was to meet us at this adress around noon or so." I stated, looking at the mission scroll, nodding to myself to confirm everything.

"They'll be looking for us, namely Kakashi-san and myself." Gaara continued, "Hopefully they'll recognize and not draw too much attention."

"Don't you think that it's risky to have us all go in as one group?" Sakura asked, taking a look at the tavern.

"Yes, that's why you, Temari, and Kankuro will enter a few minutes after Kakashi-san, Naruto, and I do. It will seem less suspicious that way. Just try to keep a low profile..." Gaara replied as he walked towards the building, Naruto and myself following behind.

We walked into the smoky tavern, and the smell of alcohol hit my nostrils. Naruto seemed to be on alert while Gaara slowly scanned the room. The sound of drunken laughter filled the air, and I could only assume the worst.

"Our client better not have passed out drunk..." I groaned, not really wanting to look for a shinobi sleeping in a puddle of drool at the moment.

Gaara then spoke, "Kakashi-san, two o' clock."

I looked ahead to see a rather shady figure in the corner of the tavern wearing a cloak with the hood pulled over them, shrouding their face.

"Bingo..." I heard Naruto say, and we casually walked over to the table where our 'client' sat.

As we reached the table I noticed from the corner of my eye a flash of pink hair, followed by two other figures. They immediately took a seat a couple tables over from where we had been standing.

"Well, you all seem to be on time," spoke the mysterious figure who gestured for us to have a seat, "It's an honor that you could meet with me Kazekage-sama." the person seemed to be a woman from the sound of their voice. They didn't appear all that large in build either.

"Yes, from the letter I had gotten from Hokage-sama, this seemed to be of great importance." Gaara replied with no emotion. I had to admit, he definitely was good at going about business.

Naruto took the moment of silence to speak, "So, why are we here?"

I could barely see a smile behind the shadows of her hood, "To be blunt, I have information regarding the wherabouts and plans of Akatsuki." Naruto stiffened for a second, but returned to his serious state when he noticed me glance at him for a second.

"What makes this information so important?" I asked.

"Well, it can certainly help the Niju Shotai with tracking down the main hideout area." she replied.

"How is that?" I asked, becoming wary of her, seeing as she knew about the organization Tsunade created to take down Akatsuki.

She passed a scroll across the table casually, and Gaara opened it. After a few minutes of reading over it a little, he nodded, "Well, you certainly have your information down pretty well. I can only imagine how hard it was to remain undetected..."

She laughed, "Believe me, I rather not try it again anytime soon. The one they refer to as their leader is named Pein, and I barely got away with my life to get this last bit of information, since he was the one I had to spy on to get it." she stated, pointing to a particular bit of writing regarding the initial plans of Akatsuki, "They have all but one of the tailed-demons left to retrieve...the Kyuubi..." she continued in a deadly serious tone, "They are going to wait for about another six or so months before they attempt to capture the container..." she turned her head to Naruto. No, she didn't know...did she?

After some further information was exchanged, she spoke, "I believe I was to be escorted back to Konoha by you, correct Kakashi-san?"

I nodded, "Yes, that's correct."

"Well, if possible, I'd like to wait until tomorrow to leave, if that's not too much trouble."

We all agreed, and Naruto smiled, "You got it, lady!"

We got up, and walked with our client out the door. Sakura, Temari, and Kankuro followed behind us, "Well, it seems you came in a larger group than I expected. Wise on your parts I guess." she nodded, and she gave off no intention of trying to attack. She was innocent.

We exchanged the information with Sakura and the other two, then Kankuro nodded, "Well, seeing as we're staying for the night, I'll book us...five rooms at a hotel I know around here."

"I can share a room; four is fine." the woman stated, still wearing her hood up.

We decided to take a break after that. Naruto and Sakura went off to get some lunch and spend sometime alone while Gaara and Temari went to the village council building to see how things were going economically for Palm Dunes. That left me and Ms. Mystery alone.

"So, Hatake-san, how is Konoha?" she asked when we decided to sit on a bench under a palm tree in the central plaza, "I haven't been there for quite a long time."

I shrugged my shoulders, "Fine, I guess. The hospital has expanded since Tsunade became Hokage. Aside from the fifth face being carved on the Hokage Monument, not much else has physically changed. Seeing as you're a Leaf ninja, you can probably imagine what that would look like."

She nodded, "Heh, yes, but I can't recall just how beautiful Konoha looks like...despite how long I've been a ninja." she added with a somewhat disheartened tone.

"How long is that now?"

She looked, revealing nothing but her smile beneath the hood, "Almost as long as you have been, if not exactly."

I raised an eyebrow, "Really now? I hope not, because if I can't recognize you, I must be getting old."

She laughed, and for some reason it triggered something. Now, I never was one to pay that much attention to female aquaintances in regards to business, but this one had my attention and curiousity awakened. Her laughter...it just...seemed to remind me of something...

We continued with the small talk, nothing in particular, but it was about to take a major turn from that, "So, Miss...um...wow, now that I think of it, I never did get your name." I said, feeling slightly embarassed.

"Yes, I don't give my identity away that often, even amongst my fellow shinobi..." she said, her shoulders drooping slightly.

"Do you mind me asking why? I mean, it would help, since I will be escorting you along with Naruto and Sakura." I asked her.

"Why?" she seemed to becoming more distant by the minute, "...long story...but I'm sure you would know it." she replied, barely above a whisper.

Now I was interested, "Me...?"

She laughed, "I've been away for close to nineteen years, Kakashi...and I regret leaving it for the long term mission that the Sandaime gave me."

I said nothing, but something was screaming in my head, telling me that I should know this person...something...

I could see a trail of tears going down her face, "The night that sensei died...I made a vow to myself that I would complete this mission...I felt so...needy of someone to keep me from going off the deep end...but you were already going on to be an ANBU, and I can't blame you for being busy..."

She turned to me fully now, and I could see the faint shining of tears, "I've missed you...you know that, right?"

"...what are you?"

She put a hand on my cheek, and slowly pulled up my head band. For some reason, I didn't attempt to stop her.

"I see my handiwork is still evident...Obito was right to give it to you...Kakashi-kun..."

I let out a breath I didn't realize I was holding. My Sharingan swirled as I scanned the shaded features of an almost visible face of a woman. Then, it all clicked.

"It...it can't be...could you...?"

She nodded, "It is."

I pulled down her hood, "R...Rin???" I said in a shaky voice.

She slowly embraced me, which I returned, still in shock, "Yes, it's me..."

I pulled away, still holding her, and stared into her gentle, brown eyes. I ran a hand through her dark orange hair, and spoke, "Has it really been only nineteen years? I...I thought you were..." I let my head fall, not finishing my sentence.

Her smile was just as cheerful as it was all those years back.

She began to frown though when I paused in mid-sentence, "Yeah...alot of people thought I died...not just you, Kakashi." she gave me an understanding look.

I felt my eyes water up, and for the first time since Naruto had 'died' those couple years back, I let a few tears fall, "I'm sorry Rin...I should have tried to look for you." I apologized, hanging my head in shame.

"Why? I wasn't declared a missing-nin. Sarutobi knew I was alive, and he heard rumors of some organization...and once I heard of the Sandaime's death, I sent Tsunade-sama a letter explaining my mission." she sighed, pulling my head band down after brushing a hand over the scar where my Sharingan lay, "Besides, with the reputation you had made for yourself, I can hardly say that I didn't have a chance to try and find you and let you know I was alive."

I looked into her eyes, never letting them leave my sight, "Rin...please...give me another chance. I'll never treat you like I did back then ever again...I promise."

Rin let a few stray tears fall before nodding, "Nineteen years felt alot longer than it should have. Strangely, even with all the time that passed, I still thought about you and our team..."

I chuckled a little, "That makes two of us then."

It was nothing short of a miracle that I was speaking to the kunoichi that I had given up for dead all those years back when the Yondaime died. What was even stranger was that Naruto had talked to me about Rin just the other night...

I looked to the horizon...when did it get so late? The sun cast a beautiful orange and purple hue across the sky. Rin and I sat there in comfortable silence, enjoying this moment after a nineteen year seperation.

Naruto being my student and the son of my former sensei was one thing that had made my life a little brighter...and now Rin was here with me...it made me wonder if someone...wherever they were, was watching me...

'Obito...Minato-sensei...I think I'm finally...complete...thanks...'

end of Chap.12- Heheh...who saw it coming, eh? Well, I had this part planned out WAAAYY back when I was working on 'Better Late Than Never', but figured this would be the appropriate time to have Rin and Kakashi reunite. The next chapter will be focusing back to Naruto and Sakura...and it's going to be a 'tough-love' chapter as I put it, because I don't plan on making this all rainbows and butterflies. Oh, don't worry, nothing to dramatic...maybe. Well, if you got any questions or comments, leave me a review, otherwise, hold on until the next chapter. Later!