Disclaimer: I'm trying something different for this disclaimer so here it goes:

Kakashi: Oh...you've got to be kidding-

Denim88: Just shut up, almost every author on here's done this at least once!

Kakashi: You know, there's nothing wrong with not following the rest of the people...

Denim88: Do it or else...

Kakashi: Or else what?

Denim88: You know, I don't think I put enough Gai and Lee in the story yet...

Kakashi: Denim88 doesn't own Naruto or any of it's characters...there that good enough for you?

Denim88: I guess. I'm still putting the two in a later chapter you know.

Kakashi: I hate you.

Chap.13: Tears and Taverns

(Sakura's P.O.V)

We found the hotel around six or so. Kankuro was waiting for us by himself.

"Heh, about time you two showed up. I was wondering if you two had forgot about me booking this hotel and ran off to find your own room some place else." he joked, throwing us the keys to the room.

"Nah, we could never do that to you Kankuro." Naruto smirked as we headed to our room.

Our room was surprisingly large, and to top it off, there was a queen size bed.

"Geez, Kankuro sure knows how to treat his friends..." I commented, admiring the room.

After we got unpacked, I took a moment to admire the view from our window. That's when I noticed Kakashi walking towards the hotel with a woman. She must have been our client, considering she was wearing the same cloak.

"Naruto, come look at this." I said, beckoning Naruto over to the window.

Naruto walked over to the window and smirked when he saw the two, "Hmm...looks like the two have become quite friendly." He nodded, noticing the two were holding hands.

"You think maybe there's something between the two? I've never seen him that close to a woman before." I turned to face the blonde.

"Well, she is a Leaf-nin...maybe they know each other." Naruto suggested. I shrugged my shoulders, unsure what to make of it.

"Hm...well, if she can look past Kakashi-sensei being a pervert, maybe they'll get together," I said with a smile, "Well, I was able deal with you being like that, so she shouldn't have too much of a problem..."

"Hey!"

Later that evening we all met at a small restaurant. Naruto and I didn't order very much considering we already had a late lunch. Naruto was going to order three bowls of ramen, but I convinced him otherwise. I soon found myself sitting at a table across from the guys with Temari and the woman who I found out was named Rin. She apparantly was a former teammate of Kakashi's, and they went way back.

Rin leaned an elbow and propped her chin in her hands,"So, I heard from Kakashi that you've been personally trained under the Hokage."

"That's correct, Rin-san." I nodded.

Rin laughed, "Please, no need for formalities. It makes me feel old." she said with a pleasant smile. I definitely could see why Kakashi was much more cheerful this evening than usual. Rin's attitude seemed to rub off on you, "So...is it true that you and Uzumaki are a thing?"

I was pretty sure I was blushing now, luckily Temari answered for me, "Yes, they have been for a little more than...two years, right Sakura?"

"Yeah." I nodded, feeling Rin's eyes bore into me.

"You seem ashamed of it." Rin said sarcastically, noticing my discomfort.

"Oh, she's just so honored that she's dating a shinobi who's as much of a gentleman as he is handsome," teased Temari. We turned to the table where the guys sat to see Naruto putting two chopsticks in his mouth while imitating a walrus.

I decided to change the subject, and get some payback, "Well, you seem very comfortable around Kakashi-sensei..."

Rin blinked, then smiled with a aura of brash confidence, "Of course, I was on his team. Why shouldn't I?"

Temari decided to back me up, "Please, tell me how you captured the interest of the great Sharingan Kakashi."

Rin merely laughed, "Oh, I'm just his type...and he owes me it. I helped give him that namesake. It wasn't that easy implanting that eye of his from Obito."

"Wait, Kakashi got that eye from someone else?" I asked. Kakashi never elaborated on how he had the Uchiha bloodline's gift without being an Uchiha himself.

"Sure. Obito wanted me to give the Sharingan to him, as a parting gift..." Rin seemed to become quiet for a moment, "Besides, Kakashi lost his left eye in a battle, so it was also Obito's way of helping fix the problem. Being a medic-nin, I was able to help."

We spent the rest of the evening at the restaurant listening to the Jonin-rank medic tell us about her life and experiences with Kakashi and the others on her team.

"Yeah, and after Obito died, things got a little shaky between Kakashi and me. We didn't talk much as it was, though I had a major crush on him since day one. Anyway, after the Yondaime died, I was without a sensei or a teammate, since Kakashi had gone on to join the ANBU before the Kyuubi attack..." she paused for a moment to collect her thoughts, "Sandaime-sama had heard various rumors of missing-nin forming an organization, and seeing as I had no team or sensei, he gave me about two years worth of pay and asked me if I would volunteer to take on a long term mission doing spying on this organization. He did this mainly because my stealth and espionage skills were only second to my healing, and if I joined ANBU I would have to join a team, which would increase my chances of being slowed down in my mission. So, for the past nineteen years, I've been spying on Akatsuki." Rin explained.

"Well, what was the reason for your sudden need to meet with us?" Temari had asked.

Rin looked over to a certain blonde-haired ninja, "Minato-sensei's son is in danger. If they capture him though, we'll all be in a world of trouble..."

Temari was quiet for a few seconds. Then, her eyes widened, "Wait, you mean...Naruto's the son of...?"

Rin nodded, "Yep, Naruto is the only son of Kushina Uzumaki and Minato Namikaze...and the sole survivor of the Fourth Hokage's family..." she smiled at the blonde, who was currently engrossed in seeing how long he could balance a kunai on his index finger. Gaara was rolling his eyes while Kankuro was trying to sneak a glance over Kakashi's shoulder to read a certain book, "Sensei didn't have the heart to seal the Kyuubi inside anyone else's child, and Naruto was almost a sign from above that he was the one to carry the burden. I was there when Naruto had the Kyuubi sealed in him, and from the moment I saw him, I knew he was indeed Minato-sensei's son. Naruto sure has made the best of his life, considering what he's dealt with."

I spoke this time, "So you've heard of the stories about the villagers?"

Rin nodded with a somewhat disgusted look on her face, "It's horrible, but yeah, I've heard through letters between Sarutobi-sama and myself. I was concerned for the boy, and I wanted to know just how he was doing. The last letter I got told me that Naruto had mastered the Shadow Clone Jutsu in one night." she shook her head with a chuckle, "He's definitely gotten stronger because of what he's gone through."

"You have no idea." I added with a nod.

(Naruto's P.O.V)

We went back to the hotel after our dinner to rest for the night. Sakura was being unusually quiet; the kind of quiet that occurs before a bad topic is brought up.

"Rin told me that Akatsuki is getting stronger..." Sakura said barely above a whisper. I hate it when I'm right.

"Really?" I replied, trying not to show much interest. I didn't want to get into this conversation.

Bad idea...

"What, that's all you have to say about it??" Sakura asked me, her voice suddenly angry.

I turned to face her, "Well, I'm not going to let them dictate how I live! That's what they want!! I'll just continue training until I can beat them, problem solved!"

Sakura clenched her fists, "No, what you're doing right now is what they want! They'll attack when you're least expecting it! That's why we need to come up with a plan!!"

I let out a deep breath, "That's why I've been training with Kyuubi, Sakura! My plan is to become powerful enough to eliminate every last one of those traitorous criminals! "

Sakura forced a laugh, "Oh, of course, Kyuubi solves everything, doesn't he? Be real, Naruto! Even Kyuubi would agree with me; you're only one man! Taking them all on at once is ludicrous!" she began to shed tears.

"I'm training so I can keep you from getting hurt, and so that-"

She cut me off, "And so I'm not a burden?!"

I pinched the bridge of my nose in irritation, "No, I never would have said that, Sakura!"

She growled out in anger, "Damn it, Naruto! We're a team!! A team!!! Not to mention that you are one of the most important people in my life! Is the idea of me fighting alongside you that hard to imagine?!" she was screaming now, and slammed a fist onto the arm of a chair, snapping it from her sheer strength.

"Will you stop it?!!" I yelled back, matching her tone, "They are after me, not you, ME!! I will not putanyone else's life in danger if I can help it. Worst case scenario, I'll die taking them all with me!!"

The gleam in her eyes told me that was definitely the wrong thing to say.

SLAP!!

Sakura was now letting the tears fall freely, yet her voice was firm, "Go..." she said pointing to the door.

I let out sigh, "But...Sakura..."

"I said GO!" she was literally bawling now, "If you can't trust me to take care of myself or you in battle, then how could you possibly trust sharing the rest of your life together with me??"

"I never..."

"You seem to trust Kyuubi-teme more than me...because I just know you two are so important to each oth-" she put a hand over her mouth, and her eyes told me that she never meant a single one of those last words. I know she didn't mean it either...she was merely angry, and that happens to the best of us...

I turned towards the door, "I need to be alone for awhile."

"I didn't mean-"

"I know you didn't, Sakura-chan. It's okay...Kyuubi isn't mad at you, and neither am I." I said honestly. I could never be mad at her for being concerned about my safety. I was, however, upset with how stubborn she was about trying to protect me from Akatsuki.

I opened the door, but before I stepped out, Sakura called to me, "Naruto...?"

I looked to her.

She gave me a weak, yet genuine smile, "I still love you."

I let out a weak laugh, "I still love you too, Sakura-chan."

I then walked out into the dark hallway, going wherever my feet would take me. I thought I heard a few sobs echo down the hall, but I ignored them, probably because I would start crying too if I tried to pay attention to them.

I eventually found myself facing the tavern we were at earlier today to meet with Rin. I dropped my head in shame, and walked into the dimly lit building, still not completely aware of what I was doing.

(Kakashi's P.O.V)

I was awakened by the sound of yelling in the room next to Rin and me. We ended up sharing the room with two twin beds, but Rin ended up in my bed at some point in time. She didn't do anything more than wrap her arms around me and I was fine with that.

"You should go see what the problem is..." Rin said, her voice muffled by a pillow.

"Sounds like Sakura's been crying too...Naruto's probably the cause..." I yawned, putting on my headband and pulling up my mask. After I put on my clothes, I went out to the hall to find a sobbing Sakura being held by Temari.

"Sakura, you are not a bad person. Naruto was just being the baka that he always is, okay? I know how the whole Akatsuki ordeal is between you too."

Sakura cried a bit more, "I...I-I don't know why I was so horrible to him...I don't know what it's like to house the Kyuubi! Why am I so stupid?!"

Temari let out a laugh, "Sakura, if that is the extent of you being horrible to him, you should see me when I get mad a Shikamaru," she gave Sakura a soft smile, "Come on, you can stay in my room for the night, okay?"

Sakura nodded calmly, and walked into the room. Temari noticed me and nodded.

"So, what's all this about?" I asked the Suna kunoichi as I walked over to her.

She shook her head, "She had a fight with Naruto...I think it was about Akatsuki..." she was barely above a whisper, "Naruto was very adamant about her getting involved; he wants to keep everyone from getting hurt apparantly." She rubbed her temples, but was smiling, "That guy has a heart of gold, but his head doesn't seem to always be on straight."

"I'll go find him. He may not show it, but he's probably torn up on the inside right now." I replied with a nod, then walked down to the exit of the building.

I was walking down the main road of the village, trying to sniff out a certain chakra level. After a good fifteen minutes, I found myself in front of the tavern we were at with Rin when we all met.

"Please not here..." I pleaded to whatever higher powers there were, knowing that the bad feeling in my stomach wasn't from the food I ate earlier.

I entered said tavern and my predictions unfortunately held true. There at the bar counter sat a blonde haired shinobi sporting a black jumpsuit with orange. He was swaying ever so slightly in his seat. Which also raised a red flag, what made him drunk? Kyuubi was fairly good at cleaning out toxins before they affected him, so no normal alcohol could get him like this...

"Kid, listen, I respect that you're a shinobi of the Leaf, but you've had enough, okay?" said the bartender with a strained look.

Naruto leered at him, "'Ey, don't go and say what my limits are..kay? I'm Naruto Uzumaki, and 'omeday I'm going to be the 'okage, believe it!"

"I'm sorry, but at the rate you're going, you'll be getting your stomach pumped first before that happens." the bartender calmly retorted.

"Just 'ive me another glass of that strong stuff again." slurred the blonde Jonin.

I sat down next to the oblivous blonde, "I'll have a glass of water, please."

Naruto turned towards me, then grinned, "Kakashi-sensei? Haha, how did you find me 'ere?" he asked with half-lidded eyes.

"Naruto, what are you doing here? Above that, what are you doing intoxicated while on a mission?" I asked rather sternly.

Naruto snorted, "Tch, I'm fine! Here, I'll make five clones for you right now!" Naruto made the proper seal...but instead of five, made nine. The blonde dispersed the clones, then grinned, "See, perfectly fine, hic."

The bartender handed Naruto his glass of heaven knows what, then gave me my water, "You teammates with this kid?"

"Yes. He's not a drinker though."

The bartender nodded, "I can tell. That stuff is some of the strongest stuff here, and only the most seasoned of Jonin would dare drink that stuff...I'm amazed he's still concious."

I nodded, "Naruto's not like most shinobi though," I then turned to the somewhat tipsy shinobi, "Come on, Naruto, we're heading back to the hotel now."

Naruto merely shook his head, "Nope, no can do Kakashi-sensei...Sakura-chan's mad at me, and I need to 'ive her some time to cool off. Hic!"

That alcohol must have been potent, seeing as Naruto was starting to have minor trouble sitting straight. Either that, or Kyuubi was taking a break from flushing out toxins. The equivalent to Naruto being drunk was for a veteran shinobi to be in a hospital and comatose. However, Naruto was still aware of what had happened, and was still as stubborn as ever.

I then had an idea, "Naruto, do I have something in my eye?"

Naruto looked at my eye, and his eyelids closed, and his body fell to the floor. I light snoring could be heard.

"What the heck did you do?" the bartender asked, a little shocked by what transpired in the past few seconds.

"I put him under a sleeping genjutsu...the thing that's sad about it is that he probably wouldn't have fallen for it if he weren't drunk." I replied, heaving Naruto over my shoulders and paying for Naruto's bill.

When we arrived back to the hotel, I knocked on Temari's door lightly. A moment later, Temari opened it slightly, then upon seeing me, walked out into the hall, "Ugh...is that alcohol I smell?"

I groaned, "Our friend here decided to drown himself in some heavy tonics at the local tavern. I had to put him under a sleeping jutsu in order to get him out of there."

Temari gave me a confused look, "Since when was Naruto a drinker?"

"Never. I guess all the stress of what he found out today and with the fight was too much for him to handle..." I closed my eye and shook my head, "I can only imagine what it's like to be the holder of the Kyuubi, and then find out that some nuke-nin want it from you. Not to mention you'll die when it's extracted..."

Temari gave the sleeping figure a sad, yet also somewhat disouraging look, "Well, Sakura's asleep, so I guess you can just put him in his room for the night."

I said good-night to Temari and took the keys from Naruto's pocket to open the room door. I set him on his bed, not envying his current situation in the least bit, "You're going to be hating yourself tomorrow morning, Naruto." I said, and after lockin his door from the inside, teleported back to my room right next door.

"I'm getting too old for this," I said while taking off my headband and Jonin uniform.

"Stop saying that, I'm around the same age as you." I heard Rin say.

"Sorry about them...they're not usually like this."

Rin gave me a look saying she understood, "The way they fight shows they care for each other you know."

"Yeah, they would do anything for each other." I added.

"Were they always that way?" Rin asked as I crawled into the only occupied bed in the room.

I laughed a little at the question, "When they first started as a team, Sakura couldn't stand him."

"Really?" Rin asked, amused by the answer.

"Yeah, Sakura thought Naruto was the most annoying thing to ever grace Konoha," I paused for a moment, "...Naruto however, loved Sakura. I don't think it was just infatuation either. He honestly cared about her."

"The kid's got a big heart." Rin commented, leaning her head against mine.

I nodded in agreement, "It's his greatest strength...and also his greatest fault. He would protect Sakura at the cost of his own life without a moment's hesitation. Well, actually I'm sure he would do that for any of his close friends or comrades, but he especially would for Sakura." I rubbed my forehead, trying to get rid of the encroaching headache, "I'm afraid that Akatsuki may try to exploit that flaw in him in order to get to the Kyuubi. What's even worse is how Sakura feels about all this. Naruto's the reason she is as strong and talented as she is, and vice versa. She is trying to get stronger to protect Naruto, and to stop those missing-nin."

Rin nodded, "He's certainly Minato-sensei and Kushina-neesan's son..."

"Not just in personality either...he knows the Rasengan, and has nearly perfected the new form he created, his Wind Release: Spiraling Shurikan. It's still classified as a forbidden jutsu though, since it literally rips Naruto's arm into a bloody mess. He's...getting better though."

Rin was surprised by this, "Minato-sensei's son completed the technique then...wow, I've missed alot these past nineteen years."

"I'm just glad you're back."

Rin poked my forehead, "Did the great Copy-nin Kakashi actually miss someone?"

I sighed, "You caught me Rin. I actually care about you."

"You better, because otherwise it's going to be tough living with you when we get back to Konoha." she replied.

I raised an eyebrow, "So, you've already decided you're moving into my place? I only have one bed though."

Rin wrapped her arms around me tighter, "Well, then I guess we better get used to this..."

Sleep eventually took me again, and I don't recall the pounding headache that I had gotten earlier that evening. I was definitely glad that I had taken this mission.

end of Chap.13- Now, I know what you're saying, 'Aren't Kakashi and Rin going about this too fast?' Well, considering that they both have missed each other in the nineteen year seperation, and that they are ninja who are constantly in threat of dying...I'd say they're going about it fine. Well, I have one more chapter for this mission, then I'll be making a time jump by about...oh...six months or so. Anyways, hope you're enjoying my story, and please feel free to leave me a review. Again, if you got a question, I'll try to answer it in the next chapter! Until then, later!