Title: Rin

Disclaimer: I don't own anything.

Warning: Unbeta and horrible grammar. Language.

Chapter 26

Suzu proudly showed us her chuunin flak jacket while Shizu already walked away with her team. Apparently in her team only Chouma didn't manage to pass the exam. I smiled at happy Suzu while she was having a conversation with Iruka.

"Congratulation, Suzu. I knew it you're going to be one soon," Iruka said with a smile making the tomboyish Uchiha flustered and looked away after muttering thanks.

Hanan was exchanging some congratulatory words with other Suzu's team mates with Haru tagging behind him. I looked at Suzu and grinned.

"Well, you're a chuunin now Suzu, good job!" I patted her shoulder.

Suzu nodded. "Yeah, thanks Rin. I'm sure if you three took the exam too, you are also going to pass it easily."

I shrugged. "Nah, I don't think so. My foot still feels sore from time to time and I'm not ready for it this year."

Iruka nodded and rubbed his side.

"It's okay, there is still another chance," Suzu said and shrugged. "Oh, well I'm going back now. See ya around."

"Yeah." Iruka and I nodded and looked at Suzu and her team mates went away. Hanan and Haru came to us.

"So, what're we going to do now?" Haru asked.

I looked at the dark evening sky. "Mm, I'm going back and have some chores to do."

"I'm going to Ichiraku, Mizuki invited me and Hanan for dinner there," Iruka said and looked at Hanan who nodded.

Haru groaned. "Man, it's boys meeting. I guess I'll just go back home then. Ren-sensei gives us a rest day today, enjoy your dinner my dear brother."

"Tell mother, I'm going to be late tonight, Haru!"

"Yeah, yeah…"

I laughed and walked away after waving my hand to Iruka and Hanan.

We were still in our sabbatical moment and during it I only managed practicing sealing techniques. Storage seal was pretty convenient and I used it as a prank on Iruka few days ago by keeping all his belonging inside several scrolls, leaving his apartment empty. Of course the brunet was furious and panicking over his missing things, once he knew the source of his belonging went to, I sleep with both eyes opened. Thank god that he was still recovering from his injury, I could sleep about two hours before dawn until one day my hair changed from dark brown to reddish orange colour.

While I was enjoying the new colour on my strands, sadly it only lasted for a day. I grinned as I stared at my reflection and left the bathroom and settling on the bed. Yawning, I checked the time from the table clock on nightstand beside my bed.

"Huh, pretty early, a nap won't hurt," I said and closed my eyes.

I snapped my eyes opened when I felt a hand was caressing my cheek. Quickly I grasped the hand and held it tightly. Blinked repeatedly in the dark and spreading my chakra, I frowned. This wasn't someone I knew. I stared at a mask with one hole at eyes area. Weird, but I didn't feel any fear but confusion was filling my mind. Why there were two chakras while there was only one person stood in front of me?

"Who're you?" I asked.

"We have met before but of course you won't remember it."

"Why?"

"I had erased your memory about it."

I frowned and slowly sat up on my bed while was still holding his hand. I believed that this masked person was a man based on the voice.

"What're you doing here? Why you had erased my memory?"

"I want to see you and I'm sorry it's needed. I hope that I didn't hurt you much."

"See me? Why? Hurting me? No but it makes me feel weird. Knowing that my memories were being erased or something like that, it's just I don't like it," I said and sighed. "So why are you seeing me now? Regret?"

Slowly the masked man sat down beside me. "Your looks remind me at someone."

"Nohara Rin," I said softly and instantly turned to him. Noticing the spike raven hair, I bite my lip before spoke out my hunch. "The only persons knew her well are her team mates, Minato-san and Kushina-san but only Kakashi who is still alive. I don't know about her family members." I paused and stared at the figure. Similar height or higher a bit than Kakashi, spiky raven hair…"Tell me who are…wait…this is absurd! Are you Obito?" Tightening my grasp I stared at the mask. "Hey, answers me!"

"No, I guess it's a bad idea for seeing you." The masked man frantically pulled his hand and tried for a move to my face. "I'm sorry, for doing this again." He whispered and my eyes widened. The speech, I had heard it before! Hastily dogging his head, I made some quick movement by twisting my body and raising my leg.

"Oh, hell no you don't!" Quickly kicking hard as I could on his stomach, sending him to the wall, I pulled out a handful of senbons that attached with sealing papers under my pillow. Throwing it at his direction and performing some hand signs in fast manner, I had secured his movements from every angle. Stood up, I hardened my gaze at his direction. "Now tell me who are you?"

"Tch! While having similar face you don't have similar techniques under your sleeves," He said and looked around, noticing the senbons particularly the one nearest with every man's treasure. "You have pretty scary accuracy too!"

"I'm sorry that I'm not having similar abilities like Rin. We're different," I said firmly and crossed my arms. "Don't act like Kakashi, I hate that!"

"What? What he do to you?" The masked man asked in surprised or was there amazement in his tone?

"Nah, nothing much but I really hate him for that." I glared at the wooden floor before focusing at him again. "Now, I hate repeating this, but who are you?"

"I can't tell you…"

"Oh you must tell me or I won't trade something I had discover earlier."

"What's it?" He asked softly but there was a hint of deep curiosity or might be defensive kind. Even though I couldn't see his face but I believed his eyes were narrowed at my direction. I stood warily while eyeing his reaction.

A loud knock came from my door. I groaned. Why now?

"It seems that my visiting time is over," The masked man said making me focusing at his direction.

"You can't move!" I shouted.

"Nah this is nothing while it do hinder my movements, till we meet again, Suzuhara Rin." A swirl like black hole was formed from his face and instantly he was gone.

"Damnit!" I cursed and sighed. "At least he doesn't erase my memory this time."

Frowning, I stared at the place where he was sealed earlier. "What kind of technique is that? How come he knows my name?"

Another knocking sound, I shrugged and quickly walked to the door. Unlocking and opened the wooden material, I blinked. "Uh, Iruka?"

Iruka raised his hand which held a bowl of ramen from Ichiraku. My stomach grumbled and I grinned.

"For me?"

"Yeah," Iruka said and entered my apartment. I closed the door and followed him.

"So I heard something earlier, are you okay?"

I laughed. "Oh, just some kind of stupid dream. Well, I talked…um…can we stop talking about it?"

"You shouldn't sleep in the evening. Most of bad dreams occurred during that time," Iruka said and placed the bowl on my small table.

"Yeah, it's just I'm too tired and the bed looks pretty nice…"

Good thing was I had keeping my bedroom door closed or Iruka would see those senbons. I shrugged in relief.

A large splash of water from the Hyuuga wasn't really entertaining anymore. Both Iruka and I were drenched from our head and below. After several weeks from the chuunin exam, we had returned back to our routine once everyone had recovered and took missions from time to time. Almost another year was going to went by and I was still a genin. Next year, I was pretty sure that our team was going to do our best and everyone became chuunin!

Hanan repeatedly apologizing to us since he was the one who insisted on practicing taijutsu moves on water. It was a good idea at the beginning but once he did his kaiten, we weren't really pleased with it anymore until he drenched us completely. I unsealed a small towel from storage scroll and wiped away the wetness from my face and hair while Iruka simply pulled out his shirt and let it on nearest stone. He also let his hair free. I pulled away my hooded jacket and placed it beside Iruka's shirt, leaving a sleeveless black shirt covering my body. I was lucky for that shirt was dry. Both of the boys stared at my direction.

"What?" I asked in annoyed expression since their staring was too much. Slowly I walked to the river and stepped on it. Iruka and Hanan already a few steps ahead. Chakra presence was really convenient for something like this.

"No, just surprised that you do have some figures huh?" Iruka said casually and frowned. "Even at home, I don't see you like this very much. You always wear those dark coloured shirts and it feels like you're one of us."

I stared at him with disbelieve. "So you see me as a boy?" I questioned his statement.

"Um, not really, if I put it together, your appearances like Suzu except for the hair part. Don't you think so Hanan?" Iruka pulled Hanan's sleeve. I simply stared at the only dry member of our team. It wasn't fair!

Hanan nodded stiffly and turned away. "Let's continue."

I sighed. "Whatever Iruka," I said and followed Hanan.

As we were practicing our moves or more likely friendly sparring with me teamed with Iruka and Hanan alone, my mind wandered at the masked man. I couldn't really talk about him with others since I knew about him erased my memory before and his presence also went unknown. I tried searching him around but failed. Somehow, I felt Kakashi didn't know anything even though I really would like to ask him about that guy. Sadly, these days I really didn't find him around the village. It had to be expected since he was a high ranking shinobi and an Anbu too. Talking about Anbu, I rarely met that guy when I visited Naruto. He might be busy too, I guessed.

"Rin!" Iruka shouted making me out from mind wandering and focusing at him.

"I know Iruka," I said and instantly I stood behind Hanan with a kunai to his neck. "Sorry Hanan, but this is our win." I managed placing a hiraishin seal on Hanan when we did having hand to hand combat and of course I kept the information for me and Iruka.

"Tch…" Hanan sighed. "I yield."

Inoichi-sensei clapped his hands once and we focused at him.

"Well good job everyone. I just received a mission from Sandaime, and meet at the gate tomorrow morning. I'll brief you guys tomorrow."

Nodding, we all firmly answered to our sensei. "Yes, Inoichi-sensei!"

The blond man nodded and smiled.

I had just received my food from the waitress when Haru entered the yakitori shop. The Hyuuga girl smiled at me and Iruka before took a seat beside me.

"Well, are you two having dinner now?" She asked and checked on the clock at the cashier desk. "It's pretty early." She added.

"Uh, yeah we decided for early dinner so we can spend tonight for packing," Iruka said and looked at Haru. "What're you doing here?"

"Oh a mission huh?" Haru asked and we both nodded. She then looked at the menu display near the cashier place and hummed lightly. "I'm taking take out for our dinner; our mother is having a meeting with main family thus leaving me and Hanan for tonight," Haru said and left us for ordering her choice at the counter.

We was slowly enjoyed our food when Haru came back with two set of take away. She smiled happily and waved her hand to us.

"Well, see you two soon, good luck in your mission!" She stared at my direction, making me shuddered slightly. "Please take care of my brother."

I nodded. "Sure!"

"Of course! Don't worry Haru." Iruka added.

Haru nodded slowly. "Thanks, I'm not worrying much but…"

"But?" I questioned. Iruka placed down his chopstick and focused at the Hyuuga girl.

Haru shrugged and smiled slightly. She looked sad even though there was a smile on her face. It was a sad smile, I thought and it wasn't suitable for a cheerful girl like Haru. "He looks distracted these days, even during our training, he tends to missed out some steps and got beaten by Hizashi-san," Haru said softly and released a sigh. "Maybe it's just my imagination but sometimes, I do tend to thinks that he is going to go somewhere very far." The girl laughed awkwardly and grinned. "There's something wrong with me, I guess. Maybe I do worrying too much when you guys went for missions."

"Hanan is very lucky to have a sister like you, Haru," I said and took a drink. Looking at her, I grinned. "Sometimes, I envy your siblings moments, it makes me desire for a sister or brother."

Iruka scoffed. "What about Itachi-kun?"

"Yeah, yeah, what about him? I do see you two around sometimes." Haru smirked at my direction. "Hanan mentioned that, you two have an interesting relationship and he said that…mm" She paused and frowned. "I don't remember what else he said."

I felt my eyebrows twitched. How come it came to this topic! Feeling a snicker came from the brunet, I didn't hesitate before sending a sharp kick to his calf.

Iruka's sickly groan was music for my ears. I smirked.

I yawned and dozed slightly before Hanan patted my back. Looking up, I focused at his face.

"Um, Hanan got something?"

He shook his head and took a seat beside me on the ground. "Nothing, but Iruka already secured some traps."

I yawned again and shuddered. "This is boring, waiting for those wolfs."

"Well, it's so much better than convoying those merchants and gets attacked by bandits. We had that kind of mission too much and it's a refreshing moment when we had one like this."

I nodded and looked at the starry sky. It did give us some refreshing air for having a mission like this. Nothing to worry and we were just waiting for our prey entered our traps. The mission was pretty simple actually, we were going to catch those wolfs that entering the poultry farm and kill them. While at the same time, we were needed for repairing for previous damage on the fences and some chicken pens. We did the repairing at the evening, so the thing left was wolf catching.

"I can't agree more on that. Inoichi-sensei?" I looked at Hanan.

"He is with Iruka; it seems that there are some signs of that animal there."

I looked at the chicken pens and shrugged. Hearing those chickens clucking really amazed me sometimes. "Those chickens must be scared," I said casually and looked at Hanan who was checking around with his byakugan.

"Yeah," Hanan said and deactivated his dojutsu.

I rested my head on my knees and fighting for drowsiness. A cleared throat from Hanan, making I looked at him with curiosity.

"Rin, do you love our village?" Hanan's question made me awake completely.

I blinked and stared at his face indifferently. Knowing my existence here, Minato and Kushina, Iruka and others, Mikoto and her family, Itachi, Gai many more and even Kakashi, I knew it was a very long road for me to arrive at this stage and there was another long road ahead. It was all starting at that place, Konohagakure. I relaxed and smiled. "Of course, that's where I'm belongs. I love the place, people and everything."

Hanan nodded. "Me too, I love it very much and people around and you too, Rin."

Before I spoke out any response, there was an explosion came from opposite direction from my spot. We both quickly stood up and looked at the smoke.

"That's where Iruka and Inoichi-sensei!" Hanan said and we both changed our gaze. Nodding in understanding, I quickly grabbed his hand and teleported to the place by using my seal on Iruka.

As soon we had arrived at the area, our eyes widened. Instead of wolfs, there were Grass missing nins. They were too many and I had lost my count. Iruka already activated his traps and few of them trapped in it and he was fighting hand to hand with one mobilized nin. Inoichi-sensei was using his jutsu on another group which was pretty far from Iruka and I quickly went to him while pulling out a handful of senbons with sealing papers. Hanan without any waste of moment was quickly activating his byakugan and helped Iruka.

My back met with Inoichi-sensei's back after I reaching him and we changed some information. My eyes calculated the wary ninjas around us.

"Sensei!" I whispered.

"Those wolfs are these guys work! They steal the chickens for their group and sell it at much higher price at another town."

"Those wolfs, summon?"

"Yeah, can you stop them for a moment? I need a moment for utilizing my jutsu to its full potential. These Grass nins aren't really trained well but their number is really something."

"Of course sensei, that's why I'm here," I said and raised my hand with senbons. With trained hands and my accuracy, I threw those thin blades and hastily formed hand signs and released my chakra. Most of those missing nins were paralyzed and cursed colourfully.

Ignoring those nasty words, I nodded at Inoichi-sensei and let him did the finishing. Once he done, we both securing the now paralyzed and confused missing nins with chakra wires. The farm owner had arrived with some men from their village. They took those nins into their hands. It seemed that some of them were trained as shinobi before retired. I looked at Inoichi-sensei as he was checking around in worry.

"Sensei?"

"Their leader is not here and I believe he went to Iruka before we were being separated."

"So he knows to choose his foe…"

"Rin, you go to them. I'll come as soon as I finish here," Inoichi-sensei said with worried look on his face and I nodded.

"Please take care of my brother."

I stiffened and frowned. Why now? What is this feeling? I asked silently in my mind while rubbing my chest. Shaking my head, I quickly teleported to Iruka and Hanan.

It happened as soon as my feet reached the ground behind Iruka. Hanan's blood was sprayed on Iruka's and mine face. The Hyuuga in our team fell on his knees and limped in Iruka's arms. I saw red.

"You bastard!" Jumped from the ground, pulling my sharpest kunai, I dashed to that man. He was laughing hysterically.

"He deserves…ack!" That man stiffened and our eyes met. "You asshole!"

"Bastard! Bastard! Bastard!" I chanted. Pushing hard my hands on the hilt, I stabbed his stomach as deep as I could before pulling my bloodied kunai harshly and kicked him to the ground. "Bastard!" Panting, I raised my hand with kunai and aimed for his heart.

"Rin!" Inoichi-sensei grabbed my hand and pulled me away from that missing nin leader. "Stop it, Hanan need us now." He whispered and glared at the bloodied man. "You did much already Rin, let those men finish with him."

Stiffly nodded, we quickly went to our team mates. Hanan was lying on the ground while Iruka tried his hardest stopping the blood. Inoichi-sensei and I crouched beside Hanan.

"Iruka…stop it…I can…barely feels…anything…lost too much blood…" Hanan said with difficulties and coughed blood. Iruka shuddered and stopped his medical ninjutsu. He squeezed Hanan's right hand.

"Hanan…you're like this because of me…I'm not competent…"

"Shh…Iruka…no…it was me who am not competent…you did your best before our arrival…those cuts on your shoulders, legs…well that man was in bingo book after all…we're no match…R-Rin…"

I stiffened and quickly grabbing his left hand. Wincing, I felt my hands were shaking. His hand was so cold! Hanan was never this cold!

"Sensei…" I plead and looked at Inoichi-sensei. His face was grim, slowly shaking his head, he looked away.

"R-Rin…"

"H-Hey Hanan," I answered and looked at his face. He was smirking.

"S-Stop shaking…you is never shaking…"

"But…but!"

"I'm fine…well I'm going to somewhere far after this…A much better place I heard…"

"Maybe it's just my imagination but sometimes, I do tend to thinks that he is going to go somewhere very far."

"No!" Both Iruka and I shouted together and we cried. Inoichi-sensei quickly placed his hands on Iruka's and mine shoulder. We stared at each other face.

Slowly Hanan opened his eyes and stared at the sky. "Wow…the sky is so beautiful…same with Konoha…I love it, its people…and team six…Rin…Iruka…please…tell Haru…do your best…and I'm sorry…for everything…"

"Hn!" We both nodded with our eyes closed but tears kept falling.

"Sen…sei… thanks you for everything and…please tells mother that I'm fine till the end…"

"Sure Hanan, I'll tell her that," Inoichi-sensei said and patted Hanan's head.

"Iruka…don't forget your training…and I still hate…those dyes…heh…but it was…fun…"

"Of course Hanan! T-That's my masterpiece…" Iruka grinned.

"Masterpiece…no wonder it stuck hard…" The Hyuuga snorted and laughed softly before coughing up more blood. I tightened my hold on his hand. "Tch…Rin…" Hanan muttered my name.

"Y-Yeah…" I looked at his face and he was smiling genuinely. Quickly wiping away my tears, I smiled back.

"Protect Konoha and people you love…promise me that?" Hanan slowly closed his eyes.

"Yes! I promise…Hanan?"

"…"

"Hanan?" Iruka called and shook his shoulder. "Hanan?" He called softly and stopped shaking. "Hey…Hanan?"

Inoichi-sensei rested his hand on Iruka's shoulder and shook his head. "Iruka stops it. Let him rest."

I looked up at the sky and mesmerized the scenery.

It's really beautiful, Hanan. You're really a good friend, I'm so going to miss you…I love you too.

I stared at the calm river and let my mind wandered at the morning event.

Haru cried silently when we had the memorial service at the cemetery but when we three were alone, she cried her hardest. Iruka and I didn't shed any tears when the Hokage made his speech and we stood proudly as Hanan's team mates. Inoichi-sensei also stood calmly with us. Haru's mother simply patted her daughter's shoulder while there was also Hyuuga Hiashi and his twin Hizashi as the clan head and mentor respectively. It was a small service, and Hanan's name was carved on the stone. He did very best protecting his comrade and mission. Our mission was a success while there was a casualty.

Iruka insisted that he would like to stay in front of the memorial stone for another moment. Haru also had gone back to her home. I simply wandered around the village before stopping at an empty deck and staring at the water.

A foot step stopped behind me. I didn't turn around.

"Rin."

My eyes widened.

Thanks for reading, following, favorite and review this story. The hardest chapter I write so far, maybe there are mistakes here and there. Do inform me about it. Sorry for the angst moment, but it is needed. Bye my dear OC Hyuuga Hanan. (T_T)