Title: Rin

Disclaimer: I don't own anything.

Warning: Unbeta and horrible grammar. Language.

Chapter 25

The dinner went well and I was playing with Sasuke after Mikoto pushed me out from her kitchen, saying that Sasuke was in need for attention and she was busy. Itachi who was washing the dishes simply stared at me and Sasuke as we went out from the room. Fugaku already left to his office for evening patrol.

"Sasuke, what are we going to play?" I asked the young toddler.

"Um…ba…ball?" Sasuke picked up a ball and threw at me. Since he was only one year old and half, his throw wasn't strong and the ball ended rolling at my direction.

I giggled and picked up the ball, threw it lightly at his direction. The toddler caught the ball and chuckled.

"Wow, that's a very good catch!" I clapped my hands making the young kid smiled and jumped happily. I could see his baby teeth and smiled. Aw, so cute!

"Yeay! Rin! Good!" Sasuke said while holding the ball to his chest.

"Sasuke," Itachi said suddenly and walked to his younger brother. I shrugged. Well, that was pretty fast for Itachi to come here and joined us.

"Nii-chan!" Sasuke released the ball and opened his arms eagerly at his brother.

I quickly picked up the rolling ball and kept it inside a basket designed for keeping Sasuke's toys. After ensuring the ball in the right place, I turned to the siblings. Itachi was sitting on the floor with Sasuke on his lap. I smiled and shrugged as my eyes focusing at the two.

"Sasuke," Itachi said calmly.

"Yea?" Sasuke tilted his head so he could see his brother's face.

"Call Rin, nee-san."

"Nee-chan? Why?"

"Because…She is…"

I gulped and looked at the door. Noticing Mikoto, I quickly walked to her leaving the siblings and bowed to her.

"Thanks Mikoto-san for the dinner. It's very delicious," I said and raised my head. I smiled at her. "I think I should go back now before it's going to be so late. Tomorrow we're going to have a team meeting."

Mikoto blinked at me and placed a hand under her cheek. "You should stay for night here, Rin-chan…"

"Oh, thanks but I'm sorry I can't do that," I said casually and pulled my shirt and smiled at the woman. She smiled back and nodded in understanding. "Thank you Mikoto-san."

"Well, let Itachi escorts you…"

"Oh no, just let him plays with Sasuke." I pointed at the siblings and smiled. Siblings love was something I was very fond and seeing those two really melted my heart. "I think I should go now. Send my regards to Fugaku-san and those two." Faster I went out from this place was the better.

Mikoto nodded as she saw her sons were having a brotherly talk. Not even she could hear it anyway since they were talking softly. It was better that way I guessed since I didn't want any awkward feeling spreading to her too even though she might have some idea. She placed a hand on my shoulder. "Be careful out there, Rin-chan."

"Yeah, sure." I nodded and walked to the entrance with Mikoto followed behind me. Bowing to her for good dinner and hospitality, I quickly walked out from the house and ran to my apartment.

Half way out from the Uchiha compound, I heard a rushed footsteps approaching. Slowly reducing my pace, I turned around and facing Itachi. I sighed.

"What are you doing here?" I asked.

"It's dangerous walking alone during night like this."

I looked at the sky and noticed there wasn't moon or more likely it was hidden behind the clouds. There were many clouds on the sky thus it make the ground darker. There were few street lamps around but it weren't enough. But still…

"Itachi, I'm a ninja okay. I can protect myself." I frowned. Geez, boys…

"Um I know." The boy shrugged and stared at the ground. Now I felt guilty for making him sad. Argh! I groaned internally while maintaining a poker face.

Sighing, I looked at him. "Okay, walk with me until the shopping district?"

"Sure," Itachi said calmly and joined me by my side.

"So, you're a genin now, huh?"

"Yes."

"What about your team mate?"

"They're fine."

We talked casually until reached the shopping district and went for our own way after some awkward greeting.

We finished our taijutsu practices and slowly did some cooling down exercise. Releasing a satisfied breath, I walked to the tree where we placed our belongings before did the training. Hanan followed me and we both sat down on the ground under the shade. Iruka was collecting his weapons and did some target practice.

I pulled out my elemental seal scroll and rolled it open. Placing it on my lap, I checked on my water seal that I had used previously. By now, I had managed two elemental seal which I could use as barrier during sparring which were water and fire but I rarely using the latter since, well fire was pretty hot and it was mostly suitable for offensive moves. Fire was unlike another element like water which it could be used in various ways. I did learn some of fire jutsu but rarely using it. Shrugging, I stared at the scroll.

"Practice on fire jutsu will be added in next week schedule."

Hanan flipped another page and nodded. "It will be a good thing when you practicing it."

"You should learn some earth jutsu Hanan, maybe its going to be useful later?"

"Nah, I'm going to perfecting my clan's technique first."

"So you're practicing even at home?"

"You also do the same, right?"

"Just hiraishin, nothing more than that."

We didn't talk anymore than that as I was focusing on repairing my water seal and Hanan with his book. I was staring at my scroll when I listened the book was being closed. I turned to the Hyuuga and shrugged as he was staring at my direction.

"Rin, I have something to talk to you."

"Oh, sure what's it?"

"That Uchiha Itachi, do you really like him?"

Slamming my fist on the ground, I glared at him. "What? No! Where did you hear something like that? Iruka?" I looked at the brunet who was untangled his chakra wires.

"Geez, calm down. I'm just asking out of my curiosity."

I sighed and stared at the scroll. "No I'm not, I just seeing him as a friend or more likely a younger brother but now he is also a genin like us, I see him as one of us. A comrade."

"Then why are you so flabbergasted when I asked your relationship?"

I groaned softly and leaned on the tree. "I'm just surprised and I don't like it." I said and shrugged. Staring at the sky, I spoke out. "Actually I don't know why." It was so confusing! Damn it!

"Mm, interesting," Hanan said softly and looked at me again. "So, do you have someone you like, admire or love something like that?"

I blinked a few times and looked at Iruka who was tightening his chakra wires on shurikens. It seemed that he was practicing his traps. "Mm…I don't know but I do have someone I admire."

"Do we know who he is?"

I laughed softly. "Even I don't know whether that person is a man or woman."

"Older people?"

"I guess since that person is taller than me, so I assuming it like that."

"Why you don't know the gender?"

I looked at Hanan. "That person is an Anbu, I never see the face or hair since there is always mask and cloak on that person."

"That's very informative. So you like someone older huh? Since there's no one younger than us in the Anbu."

I shrugged. "Maybe but we are rarely met." I eyed Hanan and frowned. "Why you asked those questions?"

"I'm curious."

"What about you?"

"What about me?"

"Tch, Hanan it's just fair I'm asking the question since you asked me. So I want to know what relationship you have other than us."

Hanan looked at the sky and wondered. "Mm, I do like someone."

"Do we know that person?"

"Maybe."

"That's very vague. Tell me more, Hanan!"

Hanan laughed softly. "I'm sorry; I want to keep it for now."

"Hey what are you two talking about?" Iruka sat down in front of us.

"Nothing much, how's your target practice?" Hanan spoke quickly stopping me to answer Iruka's question. I groaned silently. There went away my chance.

"As usual my left hand really need more practice," Iruka said and looked around. "Well, Inoichi-sensei is pretty late isn't he?"

I looked around and checked the surrounding with my chakra. "Hm, he isn't anywhere near."

A poof of smoke suddenly appeared behind Iruka making the brunet turned around and facing our sensei. We looked up and looked at the blond man.

"Inoichi-sensei!" Iruka shouted. "You're late! We already had done with morning routine!"

"Uh sorry Iruka, everyone I'm just a clone, come to my house now. I'm quite busy with something," The clone said in hurry and another poof of smoke, he vanished.

We changed our gaze and nodded.

"Inoichi-sensei, why dragging us into this?" Iruka whined as he was carrying a crying Choji who wanted some cakes that I was currently cut into small pieces. The chubby baby was pulling Iruka's ponytail making him groaned in pain.

Our blond haired sensei smiled awkwardly as he entered his living room. "Um, you are my cute students?"

"Flattery doesn't work here, Inoichi-sensei," Hanan said as he was letting Shikamaru using his lap as pillow while Ino climbing on it and poking her sleeping friend. I laughed silently as noticing Hanan's twitched eyebrows. His legs were going to be sore later.

"Okay, here's the cake." I placed a slice of orange flavor sponge cake on three small plastic plates. Passing it to the toddlers, I smiled. "Enjoy!" Quickly I kept away the knife and the remaining cake in the kitchen.

The kids happily munched on their food and we all gathered around our sensei. As for Hanan, he was crawling slowly to us and sighed in relief once he arrived in our circle. Iruka and I smiled understandingly to our team mate. Iruka moved his loose hair behind his ear and shrugged. I was the less affected one among us three since Ino went bugging Shikamaru and Hanan.

Inoichi-sensei laughed and patted Hanan's shoulder. "Sorry, kiddo but I really don't want to bother you all with this but we're already promised for a team meeting."

"You can make the meeting on the evening," I said while both Hanan and Iruka nodded.

Our sensei sighed. "Sadly, that isn't going to happen either. I'm babysitting them for today and tomorrow."

"Wow, that's pretty hard."

"Yeah, do you need us for these two days?"

"Oh its okay, Shikaku will come and help me later. Choza is having a mission right now but he will come tomorrow." Inoichi-sensei paused and looked at us. "But you three can do this; send the finished report to the mission room." He pulled out a scroll from his vest and passed it to Hanan since he was the most responsible and matured between us three. While in age wise, I was older mentally but I did have attitude like a real kid. It seemed that I was enjoying my physical age very much.

Suddenly we all heard a crying came from the group of toddlers. Quickly I stood up and walked to them.

"Hey, what's wrong?" I asked as eyeing the crying Choji, drowsy Shikamaru and angry Ino.

"Choji steal my cake, so I hit him!" Ino answered proudly while her father was face palmed behind her. The chubby baby was crying louder and the thing that amazed me most was that Shikamaru could sleep without feeling disturbed from the loud cry. Hanan already covered his ears with his hands while Iruka was tightening his hair? I shrugged at the brunet action and crouched in front of Choji.

"Hey little one, stops crying please?"

"B-But…"

"Well, stealing isn't a good thing; you should ask if you want more next time, okay?" I nodded slowly making the chubby baby followed my action.

Turning to Ino, I smiled at the blond haired baby girl. "Ino-chan, I know you're strong but hitting your friend isn't a good thing. Keep your strength for the future okay?"

"Okay," Ino said looked at Choji. "Sorry."

"Uh uh…me too." Choji answered softly.

I knew the young kids like them didn't really understand what I was talking about; at least the ruckus was now ended. Iruka grabbed my shoulder and grinned.

"Thank you Rin, you're our life saver."

I laughed and looked at Inoichi-sensei. He smiled at me and I smiled back.

We left our sensei's house shortly after Shikaku arrival and went to the mission room which situated at the hokage tower. It was pretty busy day since there were many ninjas around the room, picking their mission or sending the mission report. We walked to Ren-sensei since he was at the desk and free from other ninja.

"Good afternoon team six, there is something for me?" Ren-sensei greeted us and eyed each of us. "Looks like three of you grow up steadily."

We nodded and smiled at him.

"Good afternoon Ren-sensei," Hanan bowed slightly and we followed him. "Here is our mission report." He gave the scroll to our academy sensei.

While Ren-sensei was reading and checking the scroll content, the hokage arrived at the mission room. Steadily he walked to the desk and took his seat. We bowed at him and focused at our sensei back.

I was humming internally when I felt someone was staring at my direction. Looking around, I stopped at certain person and shrugged. Sandaime smiled at me before he opened a scroll and did his work. I quickly looked at Iruka who was adjusting his hair. What was that?

"Mm, it seems that everything is in order. Thank you for your good work, team six."

"You're welcome," Hanan replied.

We left the room and stopped in front of the building entrance.

"So, we are going to do some training until, Inoichi-sensei is free which is after tomorrow." Iruka spoke out and looked at the sky. "Aw, what a waste of time when we can do some mission."

"Um, I don't think it's a waste of time when we can practice everything," I said and nodded. "I still need practicing on my fire jutsu. Solely depending on my scroll techniques and hiraishin isn't a good thing for long term."

"Hey, you three!"

We turned around and faced an enthusiastic Haru and other girls from our class. We quickly joined them.

"What're you guys doing here?" Haru asked.

"Send our mission report," Iruka said and smiled at the girls. Hanan nodded silently behind the brunet.

"And all of you?" I asked as I noted that other than Haru and Suzu, there were also Shizu and Tsubaki.

"Ah, we're just catching up each other." Suzu spoke and grinned. I looked at the tomboyish Uchiha and noted her hair was slightly longer than our time at the academy. "Well, there are some rumors around about chuunin exam. So we're discussing about it now."

"Heh…rumors, you're so fast with this kind of thing eh Suzu," I said casually with a knowing grin to raven haired girl and avoided her kunai. "Hey that's dangerous!"

"I'm not gossiping! We're just sharing the information!"

"Chill Suzu, I'm not saying anything about gossips."

"Liar! I can see it in your eyes! There is mischievous look and I knew it!"

I giggled making Suzu sighed dramatically. She was pissed; oh I was so having fun right now.

"Calm down everyone," Iruka stopped us and shrugged. I could see him sighing 'girls' before looking at Suzu. "So, what's about chuunin exam?"

Tsubaki hummed and looked at us. "I heard it from some other genin that it's about time for chuunin exam going to be held. Apparently, there isn't any specified time but most of the previous exams were being held in the first three months of the year."

Interesting, I mused silently. So, there was an exam for moving up your ranking, huh? Obviously I was going to take it. Kakashi? Nah, he didn't need to know anything. When we met again later on he couldn't do anything anymore. Just from my thought, I already could feel some satisfaction feeling.

"What're you thinking about, Rin?" Hanan asked.

I looked at him and shook my head slowly. "Ah, just thinking about the exam. It's sounded like a very good opportunity."

The Hyuuga boy nodded slowly while his gaze focused at his sister. "Well, it's just rumors."

I shrugged. "Yeah."

"But it's really a good opportunity if it's true."

I nodded and looked at Iruka who was chatting casually with the girls especially Suzu. I smiled.

I frowned as my gaze was focusing at Naruto who was eating his breakfast alone in his room. It was messy and there wasn't anyone around going to help him. Apparently, he was being isolated with other children in the orphanage and the only time he had the interaction was during the evening when they were playing outside. It was so lonely! I couldn't stand on this shit anymore! Gritting my teeth, I slowly stood up on the branch I sat and preparing for a jump to the building. A gloved hand on my shoulder stopped my action. I turned around and facing with the same Anbu person again.

"Why do you stop me?"

The Anbu shook his or her head and formed several hand signs. I frowned.

"Can't do that? Hokage's order?"

A nod and I shrugged. Well, Sandaime's words were really powerful around Konoha. So far there wasn't anyone broke it and I didn't want to be the first one. Patience Rin, I said internally. Taking my seat once again, I stared at the window. Naruto was happily munched his food. Well, at least his needs weren't abandoned by the care taker. Kushina, I'm sorry since I only can see your son from this far… I spoke silently in my heart.

After a moment of silence, I raised my head and looked at the Anbu. "Um, can I ask a question?"

A nod and I gulped. "Um, are you a man or a woman?"

Hand signs were the answer given and I nodded. Looking away from his mask, I smiled. "Oh, a man…"

It was happened very fast, at first there wasn't anything suspicious around us but suddenly there were three groups of bandits attacking on us when we're reaching the Konoha forest. Inoichi-sensei already escorted the merchant to somewhere safe while we three were having difficulties in getting away. Surprisingly, those bandits didn't follow our sensei but they were insisted attacking on us. Quickly kicking one of the bandits away, we grouped with our back were facing each other. Iruka was panting heavily by now since he had used almost of his chakra healing the merchant's injury. Hanan quickly blocked another attack and I pulled out a barrier scroll forming a barrier around us. Iruka instantly crouched on the ground and Hanan hastily checked on him while I was maintaining the barrier.

The Hyuuga looked at me with his activated byakugan. "This is no good, Iruka is bleeding heavily and his chakra is very low."

I looked at Iruka and stiffened. His left side was drenched with his own blood while there also few spots on the ground below and he didn't really focus with our conversation. I bite my lower lip and looked at Hanan. It looked like he also didn't do well now; I could see red stain of bloods on his both sleeves and he didn't move his left arm very much. Looking at my right leg, I winced. At least I was much better than Iruka since I could stand on my own. There was patch of blood and torn part here and there on my trouser but the cut was no longer stung. "Make sure he is stay awake. I'm going to make some opening and finish this fast."

"Wait Rin, we're outnumbered and injured, how you're going to make an opening?"

"Uh…but Iruka needs medical attention," I said softly. Suddenly I picked up something from our village direction.

Focusing on my chakra, I noticed that our sensei was on his way towards us. There were also other people chakras behind him. I frowned and focusing on it some more. Noticing the pace, I smiled slightly and looked at Hanan.

"It seems that we got reinforcement!"

"Yeah, I see that too!" Hanan nodded and checked on Iruka once again. Focusing my chakra on barrier seal, making it sturdy, I pulled out several kunais with paper bomb. It wasn't my pepper one but a standard one and I intended on using it on those persistent bandits whom were trying to break in our small safe place.

"I'm sorry," Iruka said softly. We both turned to him. Iruka looked away and shrugged under the white blanket. "We're going to miss the exam…"

Apparently those rumors about the chuunin exam were true. It was going to be held around a month after new year and with our condition, it wasn't an option to take it or not anymore. We were going to let go this year exam and tried for the next one. Hanan and I had discussed about it and we both agreed that we weren't ready for it while Iruka who had just woken up after small operation spoke about it suddenly. We were prepared.

Hanan snorted and carefully crossed his bandaged arms. It seemed that his left shoulder was dislocated. "Nah, with our condition, we aren't going to enter it anyway."

I nodded. "Yeah, I can't really walk well without a crutch. Twisted foot is really hurts!" I whined while waving the crutch making both boys smiled and laughed. I joined them after a moment. Well twisted foot was something but a nearly torn ligament was truly scared me.

"It's good thing to see that three of you are in a good mood," Inoichi-sensei said as he entered the hospital room. He stopped at the end of Iruka's bed and looked at us. He then focused at Iruka. "How do you feel, Iruka?"

"A little bit dizzy and sore but overall I'm fine," The brunet said and leaned more on his pillow. He really looked like a girl with his hair down. Iruka looked at our sensei. "Um, Sensei, is it true that the mission was a trap?"

Grimly, Inoichi-sensei nodded. "Yes, even the merchant we are supposed to protect is one of them. After the interrogation, we concluded that the attack is based on revenge and the disguise is aimed for a bigger robbery on their next act."

I shuddered and remembered our first C ranked mission, our first kills, so there was the revenge part came from. A hand rested on mine, making me looked up and looked at Hanan. He tightened his grasp and it made me felt reassured. I slowly nodded at him and looked at Iruka who also smiled slightly at us. Now I did feel much better.

"Well, this is the life of ninja, full with uncertainty, right Inoichi-sensei? At least we stopped them from their bad deed." Iruka looked at the blond man.

"Yes," He said.

"And we're going to be stronger than now so that we can protect everything important here." Hanan spoke calmly.

"Yes that's right but now focuses on healing okay." Inoichi-sensei smiled.

Closing my eyes, I nodded silently agreed with everything. Thanks both of you and Inoichi-sensei too, I said in my mind. I wished that we were staying together like this till the end as team and friends.

But it wasn't going to be sunshine all days long.

Thanks for reading, following, favorite and review this story. Phew, managed to find some free moments and here it is. (^v^)