GAARA'S P.O.V

"My name's not idiot Gaara, it's Rin."

She said before closing her eyes. I began to panic before I heard a voice in my head that wasn't Shukaku.

'Will you just calm down. She is exhausted, let her sleep.'

'Who are you?'

I asked confused and saw Shukaku come closer to see who the intruder was. That's when I noticed it looked just like the red and black fox that had run off at the beginning of mine and Rin's fight.
'I am Kitsana, Rin's fox spirit.'

She said, both tails rising and falling behind her.

'But how is it that you're-'

'I'm not exactly sure. It might be because when Rin was attached to your shoulder she accidentally ingested some on your blood.'

She said and I hears Shukaku laugh before turning away.

'Is she going to be okay?'

I asked as I looked down at the girl in my arms. The wounds on her sides looked horrible and it looked like shed have a few bruises.

'She'll be fine healing on her own, but I could heal her.'

'Then why haven't you done so already!'

I snapped and saw her flinch at my tone.

'Because, she had me put up a barrier so no one could find you two. If I tried to heal her the barrier would fall.'

'So? Isn't healing your host more important than keeping up a stupid barrier?'

'Of course it is, but she told me to keep you safe.'

My eyes widened at that. I barely even know this girl and yet she wants to keep me safe.

'Heal her.'

I said and saw Kitsana's eyes narrow.

'Were you not listening? I can't otherwise the barrier will-'

'Screw the damn barrier! Heal her!'

I snapped and she glared at me before nodding and disappearing.

I felt Rin's chakra pick up and watched as the wounds on her sides started to heal. I sighed in relief when her breathing became less labored and returned to normal.

'Don't relax, hide your chakra now or they'll find us!'

Kitsana snapped and I did as she said without a second thought. It was silent in the training area for a long time. The only sound was Rin's steady breathing and my heartbeat.

'She'll be fine, just don't move her until she wakes up.'

Kitsana said and I nodded. I felt her presence leave my mind and sighed. Like having one demon in my head wasn't bad enough. I tensed when Rin moved in my arms, but relaxed when she just snuggled closer to my chest.

'She looks so peaceful.'

I thought and heard Shukaku laugh.

'What's so funny?'

'You like her.'

'Don't be crazy, I do not.'

I said and he only laughed.

'She is a good opponent nothing more.'

'So then you're telling me you wouldn't like it if she were to wrap her slender arms around your neck and press her soft, warm lips to yours? You wouldn't like to know what it'd be like to have her trail her delicate yet equally deadly fingers along your stomach down to your-'

'Be quiet you perverted raccoon!'

I snapped as I felt my face heat up as images of Rin doing just that flashed through my head.

'I barely know her. And besides, she's nothing like us.'

I said and saw Shukaku smile in my mind.

'Oh really? Do you remember nothing from our battle with her?'

'You know I don't. I never remember anything from when you take over.'

I said and heard him laugh.

'Well then, let me fill you in on the little minx in your arms.'

Suddenly there were flashes of Shukaku in his full form with a two tailed black and red fox biting down onto his shoulder.

'So that's how we got like that.'

I thought and heard Shukaku telling me to be silent and watch. I saw Shukaku trying to get her off of him, but she didn't let go. Instead, she'd managed to make him take a step back. That's when I heard them talking, not verbally, but mentally.

'Give him back control!'

Rin's voice sounded from Shukaku's mind.

'How had she managed to do that?'

'Just pay attention, it's gets good.'

Shukaku said with a smile.

'Why do you care so much? It's the same either way, it doesn't matter which one of us is in control, we're both killers.'

Shukaku and I heard Rin growl.

'Look, he finally trusted someone enough to let you out a little and you go nuts. I wouldn't blame him if he never let you out again.'

Rin said and I couldn't help but be surprised with how much she seemed to understand what it's like to have an unreasonable host.

'You don't know the things we've done little one.'

Shukaku said then cried out when she tightened her grip on his shoulder.

'First, stop calling me that! And second, I don't give a damn! You think you're the only one who's killed the ones you love because you couldn't control the beast within you? You think you're the only one who felt unwanted, hated, alone, and unloved! I've felt that way for a good ten years of my life, then it got better.'

She yelled and my eyes widened.

'She'd gone through the same things I had? No, no one's been through the same pain I have, no one understands what it feels like no matter what they say.'

I thought and heard Shukaku growl and I turned my attention back to the memory still playing in my mind.

'Yes, but ours never got better. No one cared for us-'

'My entire village wanted me dead! They were even going to kill me and they would have if it hadn't been for Sesshomaru. He saved me and took me in. He raised me as his own and just because I got a taste of his half-brother's blood I lost control. I killed everyone. I killed the man who had become like a father to me. The woman he loved and all my friends. I killed them all and didn't even think twice about it. I woke up, covered I their blood just because I couldn't control my beast. So don't try telling me you're the only one who's had it rough!'

She snapped and Shukaku's chakra faded a bit.

'She really has been through the same kind of pain I have. No wonder she didn't rebuke me like everyone else. She didn't pity me like I'd thought, she understands what I've gone through. What I go through every day.'

'That still doesn't answer my earlier question child. Why do you care so much for my host?'

Shukaku said drawing my attention back to the question he'd asked earlier.

Rin didn't respond and I heard Shukaku laugh.

'I have my answer.'

Shukaku said and even though I couldn't see Rin's face I could tell she was glaring at him.

'I only have one request child.'

Shukaku said and Rin waited.

'Don't let him be alone.'

Shukaku said and Rin growled in response. Then I saw Shukaku transform back into myself then the memory died away.

'See? She is like us.'

Shukaku said and I didn't say anything. I looked at the black and red streaked haired girl in my arms.

'Do I like her?'

I asked myself and saw Shukaku about to say something but I growled for him to shut up.

'For once will you just let me think for myself!'

I snapped and heard him laugh before he crawled back into his cage and left me in peace.

KAKASHI'S P.O.V

For a brief moment I felt Rin and Gaara's chakras, but then they vanished before I could even figure out where they were. But the feel of Rin's chakra was weak as if she was injured.

"Kakashi, show them to their rooms."

Sarutobi said and I nodded before leading the way down the streets of the village to the empty apartments for guests. Once they went inside I went around the village trying to find Rin. I checked everywhere. Her apartment, mine, outside the village, all around the village, even the training grounds the ANBU reserved for her and Kitsana's special training but she was nowhere. I sighed before heading to my apartment.

'Be safe Rin, and come back to us.'