Title: Rin

Disclaimer: I don't own anything.

Warning: Unbeta and horrible grammar. Language.

Chapter 33

My eyes widened as it met with Itachi's red one. Quickly jumping backward, I landed beside Iruka in a crouch and panted lightly.

"He has the sharingan, Iruka," I said hastily and stood up. How he had that, I wondered and kept the curiosity away since we had a sparring practice with both Shishui and Itachi.

"Itachi-kun?" Iruka asked with disbelieved and held out his kunai in defense position. I nodded reluctantly. The brunet cursed softly. "Shit, we can't do much then. He will see everything."

"Mm…we can do something…" I pulled out the scroll we received from Jiraiya-sensei earlier.

"Oh!" Iruka's eyed widened and he pulled out his. "I forgot about it!"

I pulled out something else too making Iruka smirked. Waving the seal tag in my hand, I chuckled softly. "Let's hope we win this. They are having upper hand on us with their sharingan and we are going to make it as their downfall."

"Cool, I like the idea." Iruka gave me his thumb up.

Shishui laughed as we both crouched in defeat while Itachi was washing his face from nearby river. It seemed that Shishui had taken an extra precaution since he had received the same attack from my pepper bomb seal from our previous spar. It wasn't same thing for Itachi since this was the first time for us exchanging our fist with him and while he was very calm in every situation it then changed into a sickly groan once he had a contact with my pepper attack. The youngest among us crouching on his four and sneezed repeatedly before Shishui had guided him to the river and left him there before resuming his attack on us.

My and Iruka linked seal did help a lot but it wasn't enough since Shishui was faster than any of us. Damn his fast movements and within a few moments, he managed to hit us with his perfect taijutsu moves. Getting a knee kick on your stomach was hurtful. After gasping some air, I sat down on the ground and relaxed. Iruka did the same and we bumped our fist tiredly.

"Nice loss, Iruka."

"Yeah, Rin but at least we managed Itachi."

We three then looked at the river and found that Itachi was still splashing the water around his face. I shrugged.

"Wow, I don't want to feel bad since this is a sparring practice," I said and stood up. "It's getting late. I'll help him going back home, see you later Iruka, Shishui-senpai."

Iruka nodded while Shishui smiled warmly before they left the field. Slowly reaching Itachi at the river, I crouched beside him and patted his shoulder.

"Hey, are you done here?"

"Yeah…but…ah-ah-ahchoo!" Itachi rubbed his nose and frowned.

I shrugged. "Home is calling; I'll walk with you, Itachi," I said and extending my hand as an invitation for him.

Grabbing my hand, he tightened his grasp before following me side by side. I smiled warmly and we walked to Uchiha's compound, hand in hand. I ignored most of the dreamy look from the villagers and their moaning while silently walked to our destination.

Sasuke was the one who opened the door after I rang the bell. Slowly and reluctantly Itachi released his hand from mine and entered his house after pulling out his feet from his sandals. I simply stood at the entrance and saw the brotherly affection between those two until Mikoto showed up, wiping her wet hands with her apron. I guessed she was working on something at the kitchen. It might be their dinner. I bowed to her and ready to go out from their house when Mikoto patted my shoulder.

"Come in Rin and have some tea with us."

I laughed softly. "But I'm kind of dirty and sweaty too."

"It's fine, a tea time after a good spar is a nice thing to do."

"Rin-neechan, let's have tea together!" Sasuke shouted happily while hugging his brother. I smiled at his cute action and looked up at Itachi. He nodded in silent.

"O-Okay…"

"Good," Mikoto said happily and clasped her hands. "Make yourself at home, Rin."

"We can play ninja too right Rin-neechan?" I looked down at my legs and found Sasuke already latching himself at my side.

I grinned. "Yeah, sure!"

Mikoto placed down her cup of tea while her eyes focusing fondly at both of her sons who were practicing kunai holding. Itachi had taken a shower before joining us and took all Sasuke's attention. I looked at them. It was more to Itachi teaching Sasuke how to hold it properly. Slowly I put down my cup on the floor and looked at Mikoto.

"Thank you for the tea, it's nice Mikoto-san."

"You're welcome Rin-chan." Mikoto looked at me and smiled. "I heard that you're a chuunin now."

"Yes…" I nodded slowly.

"Congratulations Rin-chan. I bet Kushina was proud of you too if she's around." The raven haired woman smiled warmly. I could see the longing look in her eyes. She missed her best friend.

"Thank you and yeah…I guess." I looked at my cup and stared at the tea.

Mikoto pushed a small plate with a slice of plain butter cake to me. I looked up and saw she smiled with a hint of grin.

"My son told me that you can't eat anything in round shape at the moment," She whispered. "It's a good thing I made this for today."

"You're very considerate, Mikoto-san."

"Say that to Itachi, Rin-chan. You're just lucky that I made a cake today." Mikoto winked and I simply shrugged with a smile. She then looked at her sons. "He's a wonderful child, Itachi is. Sasuke too even though he is a little bit clingy at the moment. He is still a kid after all." The woman smiled warmly.

I nodded slowly and agreed with Mikoto. Without her noticing, I looked at her and smiled.

"You're a good mother, Mikoto-san."

Mikoto stiffened and slapped my back. Laughing, she rested a hand under her lightly blushing cheeks. "You're making me embarrassed but thank you, Rin-chan!"

"I mean it," I said and took a bite of the cake. "Mm! This cake is wonderful! You're a good cook too, Mikoto-san."

Another slap came from her before we laughed and had a talk about recipe and our favorite food. Itachi and Sasuke were joining us after they done with their practicing and true to her words, Sasuke was a clingy kid. Especially to Itachi when his brother decided to have a seat beside me. I guessed it was more of showing his possessiveness rather than clingy and it was so cute of him. I played with Sasuke's hair and grinned at the pouting boy.

"You're so cute, Sasuke!"

"I'm not cute! A ninja don't cute!"

Mikoto and I laughed softly while Itachi simply smiled at his younger brother.

I left the Uchiha's chief house when I noticed that it was getting darker and became more uncomfortable with dust and sweat over my skin. It wasn't visible but the feel was there. Mikoto wanted me to have dinner with them but I politely declined her invitation. She even made me promised her for the next time when I come to their house. I didn't see Fugaku around but didn't ask anything. I bet he was busy, yeah being a clan head. Itachi didn't follow me this time since he was needed for helping Sasuke to have his bath. It was a little bit lonely without him around but I didn't mind much. I looked around the Uchiha compound and suddenly felt like I was at another country. Almost everyone here had their clan crest embedded on their outfit. Exchanging smile with few people around I met with Suzu who was casually strolling around the shop.

"Hey Suzu!"

"Rin!" The girl waved her arm enthusiastically and ran to me.

I grinned. "It's been a while."

"Yeah and I heard that you're a chuunin now. Too bad Iruka didn't make it." Suzu shrugged and stared at the ground. Aw…she was sad about Iruka and it was cute knowing her feelings toward the brunet.

I smiled at Suzu. "Yeah, but he is training hard now. Don't worry about him, trust him!"

Suzu nodded and someone suddenly called her name. Patting my shoulder we went our ways.

Another mission success and after sending the report, we parted our ways. Raidou was a nice guy to work with. While we were doing our mission, he gave some pointers on chakra masking techniques as well as information gathering techniques. He had shared his experience and knowledge with me and I was grateful about that. I guessed the jounin-chuunin link was really useful. I decided to buy something before went back to apartment. I guessed after nearly three weeks of travelling outside, I didn't have anything edible at home. Shrugging, I slowly walked to the busiest part of Konoha.

The storage scroll really did its work and I liked it very much since there wasn't any need of holding everything with hands and arms. I was enjoying my shopping moments when I stopped in front of the convenient store. Entering the shop, my legs had brought me to a stop in front of a freezer, or specifically an ice cream freezer.

Rubbing my hands, I scanned the various types of cold treats from its transparent lid. "Now, what should I try this time? Or just buy the same one?"

I was enjoying my orange flavored popsicle when I noted that I reaching the river that I always enjoyed its scenery around. The river was calm and wide, and there were few decks around as fishing spot. There were also few benches around as resting place after a good long walk or jog. Savoring the cold treat and shivered slightly, I hummed until I reached at certain deck where I happened making it as my unofficial calming spot. But my legs did the work faster than my eyes as suddenly I stopped in the middle on the road and slowly my eyes focused at the deck after blinking. I stared at the two figures at the deck and instantly spotted certain Uchiha there.

"Itachi…and a girl?" I muttered in question and blinked slowly. Beside Itachi there was a girl with long dark hair. She was chatting happily and it seemed that it was a mutual chat. I nodded. "Oh, yeah a girl. She is around his age I guess…" I added softly and chuckled lightly. "Ah, finally you take my advice about having a talk with girl around your age, Itachi…I'm glad."

Sighing, I turned around and went back to my apartment. Holding a sob, I laughed softly and quickly ran away from the river.

"Tch! Why my heart feels hurt so much then?" I grunted and managed to throw the popsicle stick into nearest bin. "You're pathetic, Rin…" Activating my seal, I transported myself to certain place in my mind. I needed to talk, with someone.

"You're must be laughing now, Hanan," I said and hugged my legs. "To think that what my real feelings are and learn the difference between a crush and love. This is so embarrassing." I groaned. Staring at the sky, I shrugged. "I guess I can step back now and gives some space to them."

Sighing, I stared at the memorial stone before deciding it was quite a time I was sulking in front of it. I stood up and wiped away the dried tears. Looking around and found a river nearby behind several bushes, I walked to it and stared at my blurry reflection.

"Ah, my eyes…" I said lamely at the mirror image and chuckled. "So much for crying over a childish jealousy. Now let's look forward and focus on my practice and missions too." Crouching, I splashed water on my face. Somehow it felt like a déjà vu when I was doing it.

"Ah, just like that time when I felt a chakra behind me," I said and instantly threw my kunai at the direction behind my back. Quickly stood up and jumped out from the bushes, I met with Kakashi.

"That's deadly," Kakashi said as he played with my kunai with his fingers. It seemed that he caught it flawlessly. Well, a jounin caliber and Anbu too, what should I expect?

"You! What're you doing here?" I asked.

"…"

"Hey, I'm asking the question…"

"What happened to your eyes?"

"Huh?" I blinked.

"It looks red and puffy, seems that you're crying?" Kakashi stopped playing with my kunai and stopped in front of me. "Who made you like this?"

"It's nothing…well I'm pretty busy right now so, later!" Grabbing my kunai swiftly, I quickly transported myself to the apartment.

Once I had arrived at my place, I shrugged and smiled. "Well, I'm just frustrated with my feelings. I really can't say that to Kakashi. He doesn't look like one but he is a nosy person! Ah…and I can't say on his face that I'm having a crush on him too."

Laughing softly, I went into the kitchen and checking on my food supplies.

It was frustrating but I would live through this. Be matured Rin!

My time was spending on doing missions, training and sparring with Iruka and sometime Gai. Unlike the genin missions which only took a week the longest and two if the condition worsened, the chuunin mission was far more that it. Now, I was rarely spending a whole month inside Konoha and the time I had, I used it for resting, training and experimenting on cooking. I had grown up from time to time and with a body of teenage girl, I could pull some cooking stunt which I had done before coming into this world. When I was alone, reminisced everything was a natural thing. Sometime I did worry about my real body but since I had come to a decision about it, I simply let it go. I hope Rin there was doing okay. It was pretty long time since our last meeting. Were we going to have it anytime soon or later? I didn't know.

Jiraiya-sensei had gone from the village with his own work after giving me a lecture about the life threatening sealing jutsu and warning me about using it. Well, I didn't think I would to use it unless the situation was a real threat. Beside that, I really needed to practice other sealing jutsu more and making sure I was really capable of using it in any situation around. It had been two months since last time I met with Jiraiya-sensei and I hoped that he was coming back here soon.

I looked at my thick bandaged left arm and right calf. The last mission was pretty nasty; I was injured heavily during a long duration of sparring with a group of missing nins. Maira was having few cuts and a severe chakra drain due to supporting us with her medical jutsu and Shio had broken ribs and twisted ankle while I nearly had severe blood lost due to deep cut on my arm and leg. Group reinforcement from Konoha had come and saved us from the missing nin thus our mission was a total failure since we couldn't achieved the target. It was a total disappointment but since everyone was safe, we accepted the truth.

We were treated at the hospital for few days before going home and while at there I had to hear an earful from Shiro later from Iruka about being injured and careless during a mission. A month leave of recuperation was stated in my medical log and thus here I was resting and doing nothing at home. The only thing that I could do that Shiro had approved was cooking. Phew, I was glad about that since I didn't have any broken bones like Shio and still could do some work. Iruka had visited from time to time but he went for a mission this morning and not going to come back anytime soon since his mission was outside from Konoha this time. Since he was teaming with Izumo and Kotetsu, I always met those two and we did having a few meals together from time to time, with Iruka too of course.

I flipped my calendar and noted that it was nearly the end of the year once again. I wonder how many months had gone by when I was being busy around the Fire country. I hummed and flipped more. My eyes widened as I checked the date and the year. "Damn, it has been almost two years already!"

Staring at the calendar on my hand, I calculated in my mind. Laughing, I slapped my thigh repeatedly. "I'm fourteen already? Wow!"

A thought came by and I quickly stopped myself from laughing. Grabbing the calendar once again, I checked on the year and the day. "Oh no…Naruto…"

I sat silently on the same branch which I had claimed unofficially as my seat when I did the observation. There were many leaves had outgrown on it and the tree also getting a little bit taller. On my way here, I was cursing about my broken promise to Kushina and apologizing to her repeatedly in my mind. I checked on the time and frowned.

"I'm here about two hours already, where is he?" I spoke softly and hastily, I stood in defense as there was a new comer on the branch. I calmed down once my eyes met with the Anbu guy…Ah Kakashi, now I remembered the crush feeling as it came back as soon I saw him. It wasn't important anyway, now I would like to know where was Naruto?

A flash of hand signs, I blinked. Kakashi seemed to know what I had in my mind. Slowly I stood up on the branch. "Naruto isn't staying here anymore? He is now attending the academy?"

A nod and I shrugged. "Oh…He is growing up already."

Another hand signs were shown and I rubbed neck in embarrassment.

"I was busy with missions and suddenly I forgot about visiting Naruto." I paused and stared at my feet. "It's been almost two years when suddenly I remember him. Damnit, I broke my promise with Kushina-san…"

A gloved hand rested on my shoulder; slowly I looked up at the Anbu masked face. Another hand signs and I nodded in relief.

"We are just doing our job for protecting Konoha and its people, yeah you're right. Thank you."

I sat silently on one branch of a sturdy tree near the academy entrance. The bell rang and there were group of children came out from it. I smiled fondly as remembering my time here.

"Ah, I missed that time," I said softly and quickly focused my eyes at certain blond haired boy who walked out from entrance in silent. "Oh…Oh…"

Naruto calmly claimed the single swing outside the academy and looked at the parents whom were waited for their son and daughter. I shrugged. "…Kushina-san, Naruto is doing fine after two years and he enters the academy but…" I stopped and stared at the lonely boy.

"Nii-san!" My eyes quickly followed the voice and I felt a fright feeling came from my stomach. That was Sasuke's voice and there he was! Now I remembered that I also didn't see Itachi and his family during that time period. Oh crap. Controlling my chakra presence and followed Sasuke, I saw Itachi. Damnit! He grew up perfectly, unlike the boy once I knew. Slowly I took a deep breath and releasing it.

"Calm down, he don't know you're here, Rin." I relaxed and looked at the brothers duo. I immediately regretted it as I saw Itachi's eyes were focusing at my direction. As if we were staring at each other eyes but I knew better since I was hidden behind the leaves. How did he know I was here? Ah he might not but he was a sensor? I shook my head. I didn't know anymore. Cursing under my breath, I stood up in haste and formed hand signs. "Tch…better going now."

"Hey Nee-chan what're you doing up there?"

I looked down and our eyes met. Naruto blinked innocently and I simply grinned awkwardly at him. Here was our first greeting. Too bad it was in awkward situation. "Sorry kiddo, I'm just resting here," I said calmly while briefly I looked at the Uchiha's brothers. Itachi was walking toward this direction with Sasuke followed obediently behind him. I looked at the blond kid again. "See ya!" Activating the seal, I transported myself to the safest place I had thought in my mind.

Shiro stared at me with annoying expression as I slowly sat down on his floor. I waved to him and his fishes. "Hi Shiro-san…"

The medic nin groaned in his palm and pulled me up from the floor before guiding me to the examination table. "When I say come for continuation observation and treatment, I didn't mean it like this! Using a transportation jutsu! Don't you get it that you're injured and in healing process? Please walk normally to here."

"Sorry, I'm just in hurry." I shrugged.

Shiro pulled my file and checked its content. "I think you're bit early from your schedule but never mind. Since you're here we better do the treatment."

I smiled and nodded at him. Slowly relaxing my body on the table, I stared at the ceiling. Shiro slowly checked on my arms.

I pulled down my sleeve and walked out from the hospital building. Shiro had changed new bandages for my arms and as for my calf there wasn't any visible white cloth anymore there was only a quite large plaster over my healing cut. They didn't want to use the healing jutsu in order to let it healed in more traditional way so that my calf was still flexible and didn't became stiff from a fast healing process. Same thing was being applied on my arm.

I walked aimlessly and wondered what I should have for my dinner since Iruka wasn't here tonight. Suddenly I missed his company. Sighing, I scanned several shops around.

"Mm…what for dinner…" I mumbled and walked from one shop to another, reading their menu from outside the shop. It was good thing they had placed their menu on the wall. It helped a lot! I smiled as I read one of the menus from a barbeque shop.

"Rin."

I stiffened. Using my chakra detection, I knew who was behind me. Releasing a shaky breath, I slowly raised my hands and Itachi had grabbed my injured arm.

"Ouch!" I shouted lightly once I felt Itachi stiffened and released his hand from my arm.

"You're injured!" He said in surprised.

Quickly focusing chakra under my feet, I jumped to the roof and activating my seal once again. Slowly I opened my eyes and met with the memorial stone. Panting, I walked to the nearest tree and sat down on the ground with my back rested on the tree. Groaning, I slowly rubbed my still hurt arm and relaxed. This place was unsecured since it was an open area, but it was better as I never came here with Itachi and spending our time together at this place. I stared at the bright evening sky and relaxed. Shiro was right; I shouldn't use any jutsu when I was in healing process. It was very tiring and now I was getting sleepy.

Slowly I closed my eyes.

Thanks for reading, following, favorite and review this story. Mm…now we are going into the plot slowly and Rin, stay up!