"Rin-san, may I ask how long you've been observing me?" Sakura boldly asked.
She wasn't stupid, and she prided herself in her intelligence, so she knew without a doubt that the mysterious ghost had been observing her.
"Oh, about a week now." Rin truthfully answered while offering her an apologetic smile. "I'm sorry if it disturbs you."
Sakura shook her head in assurance, "It's Shisui's incompetence that made me unaware of you anyways." She joked.
"Hey!" Shisui protested, "How was I suppposed to know you were being followed?"
Sakura opted to ignore his question, truth be told it did disturb her. The fact that someone could trail her so easily, ghost or not.
'This time I was lucky, if it had been a living person...'
She shuddered to imagine what would happen.
Shisui seemed to be thinking the same thing as her judging by his guarded expression.
"Are you two okay?" Rin questioned a bit worriedly.
Sakura gave the girl a tight smile as they turned to another corner. "Yes, my name's Sakura Haruno by the way." She informed despite knowing that the girl probably knew.
"Who are you anyways? I mean the only thing we know about you is your name." Shisui asked, taking note of the fact that they seemed to be heading to the memorial stone.
Rin smiled at them.
"My name is Rin Nohara. I liked strawberries, my teammates, and reading. I disliked bullies. My hobbies were collecting sea shells, practicing my medical ninjutsu, and training with my team. My dream was...to one day pass on my skills to the next generation."
Both Shisui and Sakura noticed how the girl spoke in past tense, but they didn't comment on it at all. Instead they just nodded.
"How about you two?" Rin asked trying to lighten the mood.
"Don't you already know about us Stalker-chan?" Shisui lightly asked, a sly smile quirking on his lips.
Rin sent Shisui a playful glare, the playfulness was given away by the smile she had.
"Name's Shisui Uchiha, I like sweets, the village, training and my clan. I don't have any dislikes. My dream..." Shisui trailed off, his eyebrows furrowing.
Rin noticed how unlike her, Shisui didn't use past tense. He talked as if he was still alive. Odd.
"I'm Sakura Haruno. I like also like sweets, reading, clothes and my friend. I dislike loud people, bullies and when people ask if my hair is naturally pink."
"How about your dream?" Rin curiously asked.
Sakura hesitated for a moment, what if Rin laughs at her dream? As much as Sakura's confidence had progressed she didn't like the thought of someone laughing at her dream.
'What do we have to lose anyways?'
Deciding to trust Inner, Sakura opened her mouth.
"My aspirations are to graduate at the top of my class, make a name for myself as a kunoichi and become stronger than the Sannin."
Rin looked at her for a moment, as if seeing her for the first time.
She never laughed. She just nodded at Sakura's dream and offered her a gentle smile.
"That's a nice dream, I'm rooting for you."
Sakura's eyes widened, her cheeks coloring pink in embarrassment.
Shisui's laughter echoed around them, before he bent down to whisper in Sakura's ear. "Sakura's got a little crush~!" He sang.
Sakura didn't even register his words, because Rin's smile was so entrancing.
It was the warmest smile she's ever seen.
And she fell in love with it.
.o0o.o0o.
Sakumo stared at Kakashi.
Kakashi stared at the memorial stone.
Sakumo had already given up on the hope of Kakashi moving on from the deaths of his whole team.
It made something inside of him churn, if only he was still alive, maybe he could have done something. Maybe he could have prevented at least Obito Uchiha and Rin Nohara's death.
Then maybe...maybe he could have seen Kakashi smile.
But he killed himself. Because of that, he didn't get the chance to help Kakashi.
He sighed turning his attention to the memorial stone. His eyes scanning each and every name before stopping at one name that held a lot of significance.
The one name, belonging to the only person who has ever managed to het through to Kakashi and teach Kakashi the importance of teamwork.
Too bad he had to die as soon as he managed to teach Kakashi that one important lesson.
"Sakumo-san!"
Sakumo blinked, turning to look at Rin Nohara.
Truth be told Sakumo held a great deal of respect for the young girl, her loyalty to the village was the most noteworthy one he's ever seen.
Who else had ever taken a Lightning Blade from the boy they loved to make sure a Tailed Beast wouldn't be unleashed on their village?
"Rin-chan," He greeted with a smile, depressed or not, Rin always managed to ooze a relaxing aura.
His eyes wandered over to Rin's two companions, immediately taking interest in them.
.o0o.o0o.
Shisui has never been the stereotypical Uchiha, and aside from a few verbal ticks here and there along with his Uchiha features, no one would have guessed that he was an Uchiha.
He had been defying the typical Uchiha stereotype since he was born, and got away with it because he was a prodigy.
So, when Sakumo Hatake stood in front of him Shisui could only stare in awe.
This was the man who practically fits as the definition for "Will of Fire" and has always been an idol in the eyes of Shisui Uchiha despite every negative things he's heard about him.
"Hello, who may you be?" Sakumo asked offering Shisui a polite smile.
Shisui paused.
The Sakumo Hatake just asked him for his name.
Ha! Itachi would totally be jealous of him at the moment.
"Shisui Uchiha!" He grinned at the man, a goofy aura radiating out of him.
Sakumo didn't react to the clan name, no, he was too professional to show what he thought about the Uchiha clan name.
(He respected them before they gave Kakashi a hard time, accusing his son of killing Obito Uchiha to obtain a Sharingan. But he didn't think they deserved getting massacred.)
"Pleasure to meet you, Shisui."
"Sir, it's my pleasure to meet you. I am honored to be even talking to you. You are my biggest inspiration sir!" Shisui confessed.
Sakumo decided that he liked Shisui, he seemed like a nice boy. Not to mention how flattered he felt.
.o0o.o0o.
Sakura stood next to the ANBU wearing a dog mask, eyeing the ninja curiously.
'You'd think an ANBU would have something better to do.' She thought to herself.
Call it a childish curiosity, but ANBU has always interested her. She did know the bare minimum of them, but aside from that she knew next to nothing.
Did ANBU have their own lounge? And how big was their paycheck?
Do they get to choose their own mask or not? Why did they not hide their hair if it defeats the purpose of wearing a mask?
Her eyes keenly looked at the ANBU next to her.
Aside from the gravity defying hair, there wasn't any other clue on his identity. Well, if you were a normal person at least.
If you were Sakura, who can see ghosts and is admittedly smart for her age, you'd put two and twp together and realize that the ANBU member was related to Sakumo. And that the reason why Sakumo couldn't move on had something to do with the man next to her.
Sakura decided that she'll just refer to the man as Inu. It made things easier for her and Inner.
She followed his gaze, trying to decipher which name he was looking at.
It sounded easier said than done considering he was wearing a mask.
"Oh, there you are Sakura." Rin smiled taking a stand next to her.
Sakura didn't startle, already used to Shisui popping out of nowhere. Maybe it was a ghost thing?
Instead her eyes found Rin's name engraved on the stone. It was odd.
Sakura couldn't help but feel weird, because to her it felt like Rin was still alive, but the name on the stone proved that the brunette was dead.
It felt...like she was a freak. The only thing pleasant about her ability to see ghosts was her friendship with Shisui.
She hated hearing ghosts cry, wail, and rage on. She hated how some would keep following her if they found out she could actually see them.
"The boy...I mean ninja standing next to you is Sakumo's son and my old teammate."
Sakura blinked out of her thoughts, ears perking up in interest in what Rin had to say.
"His name's Kakashi Hatake. He's in his early twenties right now. And...he's all alone."
Sakura's eyes softened as she gazed at Kakashi. It must be awful not having anyone.
She couldn't imagine not talking to Ino-chan, her parents, Shisui, and all her other friends.
"I'm looking after him. It's my job, you see?"
Sakura wanted to ask why. Why was it Rin's job? Why did Rin have such a heartbroken smile?
.o0o.o0o.
"Sakura-chan!" Naruto exclaimed once Sakura had entered the classroom interrupting their lesson.
"You're late Sakura," Iruka said giving her a worried look, "Did something happen?"
"My name's Rin by the way."
"I..."
What could she say? She met a kind ghost who she can't stop thinking about for some reason? That the name Rin Nohara was stuck in her head?
"I lost track of time." Sakura mumbled out, "I apologize." she had a feeling that it might happen again considering Shisui's a bad influence on her.
Iruka frowned at her telling her to stay after class. Apparently she had missed lunch break already.
She didn't notice the worried look Naruto sent her when she plopped down between him and Shikamaru.
Nor the raised eyebrow Shikamaru sent her way.
She just stared ahead at the chalkboard, looking but not seeing.
Wondering how someone like Rin died.
Rin didn't seem that old to her, so maybe it was a mission gone wrong? Either way Sakura found it so unfair that someone with such...such a warm smile could die so early.
For the first time in a while she was reminded of how unfair the ninja world could be.
Shisui, Might Duy, the Uchiha clan, Sakumo...and Rin. They were nice people. They didn't deserve to die.
She glanced at Naruto, would Naruto die one day? Would Naruto get killed?
Her gut churned uncomfortably, the thought of someone like Naruto, someone so cheerful and warm, getting killed during a mission made her sick.
She wouldn't let that happen.
She'll protect her friends. No matter what it takes.
"Sakura-chan?" Naruto asked, "Are you okay?"
Sakura nodded, a smile forming on her face. It wasn't forced, but it wasn't sincere either.
"I just had a weird day."
"It's a drag, but we'll wait for you outside." Shikamaru informed getting up from his seat.
Sakura almost forgot that Iruka wanted to talk to her.
She sighed as her two friends slipped out of class, what was she going to say to Iruka anyways?
She walked over to Iruka's desk.
He looked at her, managing both a concerned look and an assuring smile.
Idly, Sakura wondered how it would be like to have Rin as a teacher. Rin did want to pass off her skills to the next generation, right?
What was Rin doing right now?
Probably keeping Kakashi company.
Kakashi...
Another person who Sakura felt bad for.
"I'm worried about you Sakura."
"Why?" Sakura dumbly asked.
"You...it's hard to explain, but it's always seemed like something's been bothering you since you've joined my class. Lately, it's been getting worse though..." Iruka explained.
Sakura didn't say anything.
Iruka was correct, lately it had been getting worse. Because soon her family trip will be happening.
Shisui will meet up with Itachi.
And she wasn't sure about the future anymore, but for Shisui...for some reason she would do anything.
Her eyes widened.
Had she gotten so attached?
Why?
(She didn't notice how easily her thoughts wandered from Rin to Shisui)
"I'm just worried about..my best friend." It was odd calling Shisui her best friend.
Iruka furrowed his eyebrows in confusion. Wasn't Ino Yamanaka her best friend? What could be bothering Ino enough to bother Sakura?
"He..he always acts cheerful, but I can tell that's just an act, or an exageration of his personality." Sakura quietly explained.
Iruka was even more confused. Who was 'he'? The only one who could fit with what Sakura just said was Naruto.
"Have you ever tried talking to him about it?"
"Umm, not really. The thought never crossed my mind."
Iruka gave her an encouraging smile, "Communication is a healthy part of friendship. I'm sure he'll open up."
"You think so?" Sakura shyly asked peeking up at Iruka.
"Yes, you can't be best friends if you two don't trust each other enough to open up."
Sakura nodded and bid Iruka a good day.
When she reached outside the academy Naruto and the others were waiting for her.
Saying something about going out for ramen.
She smiled, not at them, but at the trio standing behind her.
Sakumo offered her a polite smile.
Rin gave her that warm smile she liked.
And Shisui...
He grinned at her.
She trusted Shisui.
The question was, did he trust her?
She hoped he did.