Title: Rin

Disclaimer: I don't own anything.

Warning: Unbeta and horrible grammar. Language.

Chapter 14

After lunch and cleaned everything, I let Iruka cut my hair into my previous length. He was delicate with it and did the cut properly even though he was just eleven. Once we done everything, I brought him to certain building.

"Rin, this is jounin class apartment." Iruka spoke out his mind and looked at me with worry.

"Yes, I know. Aren't you excited Iruka?" I smirked evilly while rubbing my palms.

"Excited?" Iruka's eyes widened and he looked away in dismay. "Somehow I could see how I'm going to face my death day. We're going to prank a jounin? Oh kill me already."

"Aw, don't be like that. Think this as a challenge. Beside the owner isn't here around the day."

Iruka turned at me. "I asked this earlier, who is your target? And seeing that we're here I don't think it's a good idea now, Rin."

I looked calmly at Iruka and smiled a bit. "Remember the genius ninja you told me before?"

Iruka expression slowly showed that he caught the information he wanted the most. The brunet gaped slightly and grabbed both of my shoulder before shook me frantically. I could feel my brain bouncing happily inside my skull.

"Are you crazy Rin? He is a genius! And if he's living here, he is a jounin too! We don't have any chance in this."

I grabbed both his arms and shoved it away, harshly. I could feel my brain still bouncing lightly and I groaned. "Calm down! You're just going to undo the traps around his apartment, and the rest I'll do it."

Iruka shrugged and stared at me. "You know what? Now I feel regret inviting you in my prank exhibit."

I hummed slightly. "Too late for that my dear friend." Knowing what Iruka specialized in, I was going to used it on him. "Think it like this Iruka, you're going to undo and redo the traps of jounin class ninja. This is a rare opportunity. I know you're practicing it with your father but to do it on someone else trap?" I grinned widely while my mind chanted 'Iruka please…'

"When you say it that way, I do see it as a good chance for me to test my skill. My father's trap is a real challenge but doing on someone else really has its temptation. I like this feeling of unknown." Iruka calmed down and wondered. I smiled.

"Anyway, let's go." I quickly pulled Iruka into the building before he could change his mind.

Our plan didn't go very well since as soon we reach the floor where Kakashi's unit was, we met Gai. The green spandex wearer happily greeted us once his eyes caught Iruka and I wandering around.

"Hey Rin-chan and Iruka-kun, what're you two doing here?"

"Uh…" Iruka failed to spoke out. "Um…"

I needed to avoid Gai from knowing our purpose. I quickly interrupted. "What're you doing here Gai-senpai? I think you're not living here…"

"Ah, I come to visit my eternal rival; he got day off today." Gai beamed and patted his broad chest. "I'm going to ask him for some youthful challenges."

Shit, Kakashi at his apartment! I cursed under my breath and at the same time I was bowing gratefully in my mind toward Gai for providing this important information. "Oh, that's nice." I replied lamely while I could feel Iruka grabbed my sleeves. I forgot about Iruka for a moment since I was too shocked from hearing the news. I turned at him. "Iruka, let's go up more. I want to see a better view of Konoha."

Iruka looked at me confusedly. "Uh, sure?" We bowed slightly at Gai and walked to the stairs.

"Wait, both of you."

"Yes?"

"This is the highest level."

"Ah…Roof top?" I replied awkwardly. I heard Iruka face palmed himself, loudly.

Gai shook his head, walking and stopped in front of us. "I don't know about you Iruka-kun but Rin-chan, it must be something with Kakashi, right?"

I laughed softly. "Kind of," I said.

Gai grinned and showed us a thumb up. "I'll distract him and do whatever you need, my cute kouhais!"

"Thank you, Gai-senpai!"

Gai left us and went into certain apartment with his over cheerful greetings. Iruka and I quickly formed hand signs for henge and we transformed into two medium potted plants. The best thing in this world was this jutsu! It might sound ridiculous but with the presence of chakra and with proper training of molding it, you could change yourself into anything! Banzai for henge no jutsu!

"Rin, do you think it's wise for us staying out like this. Hatake Kakashi is a jounin and he must see through this henge."

"Oh shut up Iruka, plant doesn't talk. I bet they left through window."

"Or not," Iruka said softly as we both saw his apartment door opened loudly.

"Crap!"

"Plant doesn't talk, Rin."

"Hush it; Iruka…masks your chakra."

"Yeah, yeah."

Gai ran quickly through opened door with loud laugh and jumped away with Kakashi followed behind but the latter paused before jumped away from the building via opened corridor. His lone eye stared at us who stood still as potted plant. I could feel Iruka held his breathing. I also did the same.

"…"

"…"

Kakashi shrugged and followed Gai who called him. We released our henge and instantly sat down on the floor, gasping for the air. Iruka released his breath and groaned.

"I think I lost half of my life! His gaze was scary!" He moaned.

"Me too but this is our only chance." I slowly stood up on my shaky legs. "Watch my back?"

Iruka passed me a bottle of his concoction. "Hurry up, Rin. I don't think my heart can take another attack."

"Oh, what a sissy, he didn't even do anything Iruka."

"Just hurry!"

"Yeah, yeah." I quickly went into Kakashi's apartment and thank god he didn't even lock it. Without any wait, I entered his bathroom, searching for certain bottle, shampoo bottle. Hastily doing my work with precaution, satisfied with it, I closed the bottle and placed it at rightful place. The bottle Iruka gave me also already empty and I shoved it into my jacket pocket. My fingers scanned another bottle and I picked up a body wash which I never saw before. I read the writing on the bottle.

"Strawberry yogurt? Ha! What a choice for high class ninja! I've never see this when I was here before." I chuckled softly and choked on it once I felt an angry chakra behind me.

"What're you doing here?"

Looking at mirror in front of me I saw a single glare. The bottle fell on the bathroom floor with a thunk. I hoped it wasn't broken.

Iruka looked at me worriedly as I walked out from Kakashi's unit before Kakashi simply slouched at his door frame with crossing arms. I grinned weakly at the brunet and patted Iruka's shoulder once I reached him.

"Let's go Iruka, I got what I want," I said and showed him a bottle of shampoo in my hand.

Iruka stared at the bottle with too many question in his eyes and nodded. "Okay…"

We quickly left the building via the opened corridor by jumping away and landed on next building roof. After far enough from the jounin apartment, we stopped and landed on the ground and walked casually.

"You know what, Rin? I almost lost another part of my life when that Kakashi arrived in front of his door not long after you went in."

"I feel you," I sighed. "I thought I meet my end already."

"So, what happened? You got caught?"

I passed Iruka his empty bottle and grinned. "Yes, but I've done everything anyway."

Iruka received the bottle and sighed. "Good for you and that shampoo bottle?"

"That's my excuse and I got a bottle for free." I smiled proudly and walked to the convenience store. "Let's celebrate it."

Iruka grinned. "You're sneaky and anyway you owe me some explanation."

I stopped and looked at Iruka. "About what?"

"How do you know that jounin? And what is Gai-senpai relationship with him? It was confusing for me."

"Oh, I'll explain it to you over some ice cream." I quickly pulled Iruka into the shop. Of course I wasn't going explain everything. Just mention about the hokage student and rivalry between those teenagers.

That night before I went for sleep, I stared at my face at a mirror in the bathroom. My fingers trailed on my now shorter hair as my mind reminisced what happened after I got caught by Kakashi.

"What're you doing here?" He repeated the question.

I slowly turned around and looked at his face, focusing at single eye. "Um, I just want to know what kind of shampoo you used. I want to buy it too since it smelled so nice."

Kakashi went to somewhere and I slowly walked out from his bathroom. I stopped at his living room and a bottled was held in front of me.

"Here, this is what I usually use. Take it, I had too many anyway, bought it during sales."

"Oh, thanks." I grabbed the bottle and eyed it.

"I see that you cut your hair."

"I don't like long hair."

"But it looks better…"

"I don't like it," I said firmly and eyed the masked ninja critically. "If you think by changing my appearance can help you think me as me, not Rin, then you're wrong." I crossed my arms and glared at him. "This is my style, get over it."

"Fine," Kakashi said and looked away. "About that Uchiha boy…"

"Itachi is just a kid and you heard me already when I had talked with him. You're around right?" I groaned. "What're you? My mom?"

"No…I'm a boy."

"So you're my father?" I deadpanned.

Kakashi shook his head. "No…"

So much for a joke from him, my mind supplied. I didn't even feel want to laugh. I sighed and walked to his door. "Thanks for this." I patted the shampoo bottle.

"Next time knock the door; don't use Gai for tricking me out. That henge of yours and your friend is pretty impressive. It looks like a real plant but a plant doesn't shaking."

I turned around and faced him. Raising my eyebrows, I let out my thought. "I thought you don't want me to be a ninja?"

"I still got time to persuade you."

"Nah…try while you can. I'm happy with my choice," I said and looked at Kakashi with a bored gaze. "Next time, come and talk by your own self. Don't use your summon. I don't like dogs.

I grinned at my reflection. Thanking Minato for showing another path in my life, I smiled warmly. "I'm happy with my choice. You don't have a chance Kakashi."

Next day, when I was at Kushina's, I felt a deadly chakra directed at me from the outside. It seemed that Kakashi was going to have reddish orange hair for the whole week! I was going to tell Iruka about this later. His concoction was really useful; it looked colourless, odourless and surprisingly long lasting too! That ponytailed boy really had talent in this. I chuckled softly while the red head woman simply looked at me with questioning expression.

"You did something to Kakashi again?"

I stopped from my chuckles and looked at her. "Huh? Did Minato tell you what I did before?"

Kushina grinned. "Kind of, it was pretty hilarious by the way. I laughed so hard when heard it."

"It was unintentional," I said and at the same time the same chakra intensified. I shrugged. "Or maybe not but he deserved it anyway and this time too for bugging too much in someone else business."

"Oh, He's just concern about you…"

"Since I look like his dead teammate?" I harshly interrupted Kushina and gasped slightly. Shuddering, I stared at the scrolls in front of me. "I'm sorry Kushina-san."

Forming several hand signs for silence jutsu, Kushina sighed as she finalized it and I felt something was surrounding the room.

"No one can hear us now, even that stoic student of Minato," Kushina said and looked at my direction, sternly. "Now, we're going to have some talk Rin-chan."

I paled and shrugged in my chair. I had never seen this side of Kushina. She was enthusiastic and I still could go on with it but angry Kushina? Never! "O-Okay…"

She stood up and grabbed my shoulders, turning my body so we were facing each other. "Rin-chan, look at me."

I looked up. "Yes?"

"I know this is hard for you, but this is also hard for us who know Rin too. Especially Kakashi and Minato, but…" She paused and smiled sadly before pulling me into awkward hug since she had very big stomach now. She patted my hair. "But I know it's harder for you since you're alone here and always getting unfair treatment from Kakashi especially."

"Don't worry Kushina-san, I'm doing fine so far. I'll kick his ass again when he act like that again. I'm not really that fragile. I'm stronger than I look."

"I know," Kushina said softly. "That's why I like you more. If you ever feel sad or anything just comes to us. I'll always be here."

I felt my eyes watered. "Oh, thank you so much Kushina-san. That means a lot to me. Ouch! What's that?" I looked at her stomach.

The red haired woman laughed softly and releasing me from her tight hug. She patted her stomach. "That's Naruto."

"Naruto? What's that?" I frowned and rubbed my stomach where I felt the wave.

Kushina patted her big stomach again and gestured me to come near her. "Come and listen."

Stopping in front of the woman, I looked up, receiving a nod as confirmation, I rested my head and my palms on her stomach. My eyes widened as I listened for a kick and another.

"Your baby is so strong!" I said with a surprised.

"I know, our Naruto is very strong, sometimes he kicked too much and I couldn't move."

"Wow, that's intense." I felt another kick.

"Yeah and you know what, Rin-chan? I've decided that you're going to be Naruto's babysitter."

"What? Why?" I frowned.

"Mm, you did well with Itachi-kun…"

"That's because he is six…" I shuddered as I remembered our talk outside the shop.

"Ah ah ah…my decision is final. Even Minato agree with it."

I shrugged. Kushina cancelled her jutsu and grinned. "Let's continue with our lessons, now about this seal…"

I looked at Kushina who explained about layered seal. My heart felt warm, she was truly like an older sister.

I was wandering around the village when someone called my name. Turning around, I met Kushina walking towards me with an old lady followed behind her. I quickly ran to her as to save Kushina from another step.

"Kushina-san, what're you doing here in this state? You look like a balloon which going to pop out anytime soon!"

"Don't worry little one, she needs to do this in order for an ease delivery." The old lady answered my not so proper claim.

"Ah, I see…thank you for the information madam." I bowed to her slightly.

Kushina smiled and pulled me into a hug. Man, she was so tall and my head rested on her big stomach. "Well Rin-chan, wish me luck then."

Her tone was full with insecurities. This was the day, huh? I looked up and our gaze met each other. "You're going to do fine, right? You're strong Kushina-san. I know it."

She closed her eyes and nodded, patting my head slightly. "Thank you, Rin-chan. Ah, before I forget…"

"Yes?"

"Our next lesson is going to be a longer one and I want you to be ready. I already gave Minato the materials. Meet him and collect it from him. It's too heavy for me anyway." She smiled.

I laughed. "Ah…you did a good decision Kushina-san. No heavy lifting, right?"

Minato's deep stare at my direction was weird. It looked like he was searching something from me. I blinked and blinked more but seeing nothing changes I decided to open my mouth. "Um, Minato-san?"

"Ah, yes Rin-chan. Kushina told you to meet me and I need to give you something but don't worries, I already send it to your place."

"Oh, thank you very much," I said with a smile. "Kushina-san said that it's pretty heavy."

The blond hokage laughed. "It is and I don't even want to know what she has put in that box."

I shrugged. "Now, I'm worried."

We stopped from our talk and the surrounding around the hokage office became dry again.

"Um, so you're going to a father, congratulation Minato-san."

Minato nodded. "Thank you, Rin-chan. I owe you a lot."

"Huh?"

"Anyway, it's about time I'm needed there." Minato stood up and stretched his arms.

I smiled. "Well, I hope your hands are strong enough. I heard that from the hospital, a woman in labor was freaky strong. I've met some of them having nearly crushed hands when I followed Kushina-san went for her check ups."

Minato laughed. "I think my bone is pretty strong." He waved his hand.

Having nothing to do, I went to the cemetery. I looked at the sky, it was evening and it looked reddish from the sun with few clouds floating around. The air around also a little bit cold for my taste, it felt like a storm was going to come here. Holding a few flowers in my hand, I walked to certain tombstone and gasped at the sight.

Someone had hit the bamboo pot with fresh flowers in it to the ground. I crouched and picked up the pot.

"Who did this? Very improper attitude at a place like this." I grunted and picked up the flower.

"Rin? Is that you? Rin?"

I looked up and met a masked person with hooded cloak who stood not very far from Rin's tombstone. I didn't see or felt him earlier. I stared at the figure.

"Who are you?" I asked as I stood up slowly.