Adult-FanFiction.org : Naruto

Crossing Rubicon's	By : Saphri Category: Naruto > Het - Male/Female Views: 1427 -:- Recommendations : 1 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto or any of the characters portrayed in this story. I make no money from writing this fanfiction. I write purely for my own amusement and the amusement of fellow fans.

Chapter List
- 4
- 5
- 6
Chapter 4; Listen to the Rain.
o0o
Kakashi slouched in the padded booth, absently waving his suspended leg to the harsh base of the music that blared from the heavy set speakers near the dance floor. He stared into his glass seeking guidance from the dregs of lager that he swilled in his hand. The others were on the laminate flooring, shaking themselves ragged to the tunes that made little to no sense to him. Kakashi wasn't a music lover of sorts and despite Kurenai and Anko's objections he held absolutely no desire to dance to the noise either.
Rin had gone unusually quiet since they re-entered the club and Kakashi had no doubt that it was down to their near miss out on the patio. She had sat awkwardly and her gaze shifted unevenly and nervously whenever he had tried to spark conversation with her. Chances were that she was merely embarrassed about what had happened - or what didn't happen - outside. Her actual mood was irritatingly difficult to read. She showed neither anger nor sorrow which made his perception of the entire situation incredibly hard to rationalise and left him not knowing how to tread around her nor what to say. Kakashi usually had an answer for everything, but this time he had nothing which infuriated him further.
He couldn't help but feel a little foolish for letting his heart take control over his good sense. But her words had struck at cords like nothing else and he simply couldn't hold it in anymore; his need for her, his ultimate desire to touch her and for her to touch him, it was mind consuming and went against everything he had ever taught himself. He was being drawn in on a length of rope and he couldn't fight against it, although he found he didn't particularly want to which complicated the matter further.
He frowned into his extinguished drink and growled under his breath in mild annoyance, mainly at himself. He wanted to blame Genma, but he figured that he had saved them both from an unspeakable awkwardness that was bound to follow such a reckless act on his own part. What had he been thinking? Why couldn't he get a grip on himself? What the hell was wrong with him?
"So, are you gonna tell me what was going on out there, or do I have to guess?" Came the brash and momentarily annoying voice that had crushed the moment he had wanted so desperately since laying eyes on the dark haired beauty again.
Kakashi merely shot him a sideways glance before returning his attention back to his glass. Kakashi wasn't in the mood for talking, or for Genma's games.
"Like that, huh? I take it I was interrupting something?" Genma continued nonchalantly and giving Kakashi a teasing nudge to his elbow. Kakashi felt his brow furrow at the question. It was none of his business what he and Rin were doing outside, and he held no desire to tell him either.
Genma was a good friend by all accounts but he certainly wasn't someone he would turn to in a time of crisis or as a mere shoulder to cry on. It wasn't in Kakashi's nature to seek advice from others anyway, if he could help it. He disliked not being able to handle situations under his own steam and he would handle this one regardless of the fact that he felt completely out of control of his actions.
"If you don't wanna tell me, that's fine, man. But it looks to me like there's something going on between you two."
Kakashi turned to face the senbon wielding busy body beside him and inspected his form briefly before returning his sights to his glass.
"Contrary to popular belief, there's nothing going on, Genma," He growled darkly, hoping that his response would shut him up but knowing full well that it wouldn't. Genma tittered as he reached for his own drink on the glossy table before slumping back into his chair and giving Kakashi another one of his playful nudges. The copy nin's patience was starting to wear thin at that point. He could now count three incidents where people - and ninken - had tried to meddle in his affairs and he was beginning to tire of it.
"Now I know you're lying. I saw what was going on out there, there's no use in denying it."
"What is it with people lately; trying to involve themselves in things that don't concern them? It's getting old!" Kakashi snapped, reaching towards the table and crashing his glass on the polished surface. He sensed Genma recoil at the sudden movement as Kakashi folded his arms sharply across his chest and scowled at the table top.
"Uhm… because of that I guess. You don't seem yourself, Kakashi. I'm just concerned is all," Genma replied warily.
Kakashi exhaled sharply through his nostrils, feeling the fabric of his mask buckle with the force. True, he wasn't acting like himself, he certainly didn't feel like himself. His inner conflict between the rights and the wrongs were taking it's toll on his sanity. Rin had only been back mere days and already Kakashi felt like he was going crazy. Part of him wanted to pull her close, never letting go, never wanting to lose her again and the other part wanted her to just disappear so he could pretend the problem didn't exist at all. If he was to be completely honest with himself he didn't know what he wanted.
"Well, don't be. I've had too much to drink that's all. I'm bored and I'm tired and I don't want to be here. Anyway, I'm a big boy, Genma. I'm quite capable of looking after myself. I don't need your advice, nor do I want it, thank you," Kakashi huffed shuffling a little further into the booth.
That was only the part truth. He didn't want to be here; it was too hot and busy for his liking. And the smell; spilled cocktails, body odour and a distinct whiff of urine that blasted him in the face from time to time was confusing to his senses and a little nauseating.
Granted, he had an exceptional sense of smell making him able to pick out scents no ordinary human could, but that didn't stop the stench tying his guts in knots, and Kakashi had a strong stomach when all was said and done. As for the drinking part; he had not long finished his first. Although he wasn't against the ritual of socialised consumptions of toxic substances, he wasn't much of a drinker. He preferred to keep his inhibitions intact in a dignified manner. Alcohol didn't agree with him on such grounds. He knew that if he drank too much he would end up asleep at the table or flaunting himself in a way he wouldn't recall until the garbled flashbacks he was bound to experience the next day. No thanks.
"Well, if you hate it so much then why are you here, big guy?" Genma retorted, his sarcastic smile pulling at each corner of his mouth.
Wasn't it obvious, already? He was here for Rin; he did everything for her as of late. But Kakashi wasn't about to dignify his Jounin friend with a response. He didn't need to. He was certain that his silence would be enough of an answer and sure enough the conversation didn't continue.
Before long, the tune had ceased it's mindless drone and the group began to gravitate back towards the table in a throng of giggles and linked arms. Kakashi's eyes were instantly drawn to Rin as she swayed with each step. Her shapely legs jutting from beneath the dark purple fringe of her dress swinging smoothly with each stride as the skin glistened in the spot lights. She was unbelievably sexy, she could be dressed in a potato sack and he would still find her dangerously attractive. How he wanted those legs wrapped around his waist in a passionate embrace was a thought that made his mouth water, and his senses tingle. He was long past thinking how wrong his impure thoughts about his former team mate were. But that was the way he was intending to keep them. The thoughts themselves were harmless; no one need know about them. It was the actions that were deadly. Kakashi had no intentions of acting upon them, and he had found himself wishing he had kept himself under control out in the beer garden. The conflict he was facing now was how he would get out of it. He had hurt her before, the last thing he wanted to do was repeat it all again.
Everyone took their seats within the padded booth, all apart from Rin who stood precariously at the head of the table.
"Well, it's my round. Same again, everyone?" She chirped with a slight shrug to her shoulders. Everyone at the table nodded and grumbled their agreement on the drink order as Rin nodded quickly and swiftly disappeared into the crowd. Kakashi allowed his eyes to follow her into the masses before the voices at the table distracted him from his train of thought.
"Is she going to manage all those drinks on her own?" Kurenai asked giving the men of the table a disapproving glance. Gai suddenly got to his feet, hands on his hips as he puffed out his chest proudly.
"I will go and help our beautiful maiden!" He boasted with that triumphant grin of his, seeming that he was somewhat desperate to get away from the group. Kakashi hauled himself out of the booth at that point, he didn't like the idea of Gai muscling in on a job that was rightfully his, despite his own want of avoiding any kind of confrontation with her, as he was sure that one was about to rear it's ugly head.
"No, I'll go." He stated flatly, watching with a mild satisfaction as Gai's beaming smile fell into a confused scowl before he set himself back into his seat. Kakashi couldn't fight against the smirk that was forming on his lips, lucky for him that he had the means to conceal it. There was nothing more satisfying than getting one over on his so called eternal rival, and he relished in the moment each time an opportunity to do so came his way. That was what rivalry was all about; scoring points.
Turning swiftly on his heel he began to make his own way through the crowd, knocking the odd party goer out of the way just to make a path for himself. Of course his responses was laced with apologies of the feigned kind but that was okay. He didn't know these people, not on a personal level anyway. Kakashi was certain that the people in the club had been knocked around quite a few times since entering.
Finally reaching the bar area he was dismayed to find that it too was littered with bodies, all milling around and dancing to the vile tunes they insisted on playing in these types of places. Kakashi halted in his steps and took quick sporadic glances over the crowd. All his vision allowed him to see was a vast ocean of heads and chakra focus was out of the question. Most if not all of these people were ninja of some rank or another. All of them would have some sort of chakra signal and with the amount of alcohol that was being consumed within the premises it would be next to impossible to zone in on Rin with the erratic signals he would receive from everyone else around him.
Kakashi took one more look over the sea of people when he spotted a distinctive sheen of auburn hair and a flash of purple beneath as the bearer seemed to hoist her herself from the floor and onto the bar itself. Possibly hoping to gain a better viewing of the cabinet to the rear.
He sauntered over and forced himself between her and a random man that was currently eyeing her up like a door prize, his eyes clouded over as he seemed to mentally undressing her. The copy nin recognised the young offender; a newly recruited Special Jounin. He didn't know his name and right at this moment in time he didn't much care as he began to make his own stature known. Kakashi glowered at the man as he rested his elbow firmly on the counter top, blocking Rin from view and gave him a stern look that only fellow males would understand; Back off, she's mine!
Kakashi disliked using such body language with his fellow man, but sometimes needs must and he had no intentions of letting any one else get under Rin's skin, no matter how subtle they may be. He had never thought himself the jealous type… until tonight. The situation had never come up before so it wasn't something he had really thought about. The young man took Kakashi's message to heart as he glumly turned his attention to one of the pretty bar girls, run off their feet with the amount that were ordering, which in turn set Kakashi's mind at ease, if only a little. He leaned a little towards Rin who seemingly hadn't noticed him yet.
"The guys thought you might need a little help. They fear your weedy arms won't take the weight" He chortled into her ear, earning him a little jump of surprise. Her nervous stature never got old, it was always a joy to take her by surprise. He pondered if she was just as sensitive in the bedroom and made no attempt to stop the imagery entering and dominating his mind.
As his words seemed to sink in he watched her shoulders stiffen as deep scowl settled into her pretty face. She snapped her head round suddenly and shot him a distasteful look before leaning towards him. Kakashi followed suit, lining his ear up with her mouth in order to hear. Even with his own impeccable hearing, the noise in the building distorted any noise near by, making the art of conversation next to impossible.
"Who are you calling weedy, Stretch?" She squawked into his ear. Kakashi couldn't help but laugh at that. She had so affectionately named him Stretch many years ago during his dreaded period in puberty. He was all height and no muscle. He would freely admit that now, although he was surprisingly self conscious of it in his youth. She knew it bothered him so she had tried to make light of it despite his objections to it.
Kakashi backed away slightly to regain his position on the counter, eyeing over the selections of brightly coloured bottles they held on display in the cabinets behind the bar. They all looked quite tasty and rather toxic but mixing drinks was never a good idea. That was how one would find themselves sleeping outside on a bench and covered in ones vomit. Never a good way to end the night.
He felt a slight tug on his shoulder prompting him to turn his attention back to Rin who looked up at him dolefully. Kakashi furrowed his brow at the expression before he leaned in, allowing his nose to absorb the sweet floral fragrance of her hair. Everything about her was so intoxicating; it took a great deal of will power to regain his focus.
"Haven't you been served yet?" He asked, moving away to gauge her reaction to the question. She shook her head briskly before tugging on his arm again impatiently and waving her hand at him to motion him closer. Kakashi leaned in again instinctively, relishing in the electrifying sensation that ran through him as her lips accidentally brushed against his ear.
"We are okay, aren't we?" She asked quietly. Kakashi felt her grip on his arm tighten considerably as he tried to move away, forcing him to keep his awkward stance as he tried to gauge her question. He turned his head slightly before replying.
"Is there a reason why we shouldn't be?"
"Because of… you know… Outside?" She all but whispered coyly.
Kakashi felt himself hesitate as Rin moved away and glanced up at him with those watery dark eyes. Seemed that they both wanted the same thing; an easy life. Goodness knows what could have happened if he had actually kissed her.
He noticed that she was still holding on to his arm, her thumb rubbing random circles into the fabric of his shirt. Kakashi chanced a quick glance at her hand before focusing on her face again. Rin's mouth quirked a little at the corner in a haphazard yet failed smile. She was so beautiful it tore him up inside, why she was still single was completely baffling, it made no sense to him. Had circumstances been very different, he would have claimed her as his own a long time ago.
She was wearing a little makeup around the eyes, not much. Just a smudge of lilac around the lids and mascara on her lashes but it accentuated the sparkle in her eyes making it impossible to break contact with her. She was mesmerising.
"What about it?" He answered eventually with a feeble shrug. There wasn't a lot that he could say about the ordeal, what could he say? That it didn't mean anything when it did? That he was acting on impulses brought on by too much alcohol when it was a blatant lie? It didn't matter what he said, he was going to hurt her either way… He could tell her the truth; that he wanted her but couldn't bring himself to betray his dead friend, but to him that sounded worse than the lie.
Rin glanced away momentarily as she tucked a long lock of hair behind her ear, allowing her delicate yet deadly fingers to linger before redirecting her gaze back to him. She smiled up at him with a warming glow to her cheeks as she patted the side of his arm, breaking the contact on his skin and leaving him feeling a little exposed in the crowd.
"It doesn't matter. We're still friends though, right? I mean it was only a kiss. Sorry, was almost a kiss." She corrected with a coy giggle. Kakashi found himself nodding back with a slight smile despite the blinding scream in his head that tried to tell him different. It wasn't just a kiss, wasn't just a simple near miss due to too much booze. It wasn't spur of the moment… he had wanted that more than he should and he found that he liked it. Never the less, it was for the best that they nipped it in the bud before it all got out of hand.
"Sure we are, Rin." He replied solemnly as one of the bar girls approached them and dragged Rin's attention away from him. As Rin stood barking her drink order at the young blonde behind the counter Kakashi reflected on their brief exchange of words. Perhaps there was nothing there, maybe he had looked too far into the mixed signals that Rin had been giving him since the day she had simply waltzed back into his life. He had never craved normality like he did right now. All he wanted was for the problem to go away but there was no easy fix and he knew it.
He absently noticed the young bar girl nod her head and stalk away from the counter to obtain Rin's order. Glancing back down at her, Rin was looking back with a flirtatious glint in her eye.
"What?" He asked somewhat wearily. Her grin widened a little as she pulled at one of the tall bar stools behind her and parked her self on it carefully.
"I just remembered something, you were telling me, outside, how pretty I was. Care to continue with that conversation?" She purred, gently placing her elbow on the bar and resting her cheek in her hand, her eyes glinting in the spot lights. Kakashi turned his back on the glossy serving station and propped himself against it, crossing his arms and arching his brow at her.
"I don't recall such a conversation." He answered skeptically as he shook his head a little. Regardless, he frantically searched the archives of his memory to find this lost snippet of vital information. Rin pouted seductively as she adjusted herself on her seat, crossing her legs over as she hummed a small chuckle at him.
"Hmm. You said; a pretty thing like you shouldn't be out here all by herself. I like compliments, you know."

"So, did you find out what was going on or what?" Anko bit out, leering over the table and giving Genma a wonderful view of her cleavage as her breasts all but spilled out of her rather revealing tank top. Genma's eyes were drawn instantly towards the soft delicious mounds before he heard her clear her throat. He shifted his gaze to hers to see her staring back with an obvious glower of venom hanging in her pale eyes.
"Not really," He answered eventually and prompting a loud groan to erupt around the table as each member of the party slumped in their seats in defeat.
"Well we had no luck with Rin either. Each time I mentioned Kakashi you could literally see the shutters in her eyes come crashing down!" Kurenai interjected as she took a sophisticated sip of her cocktail.
Genma shrugged as he leaned back into the booth.
"It's not like it's anything to do with us, anyway. You know what Kakashi's like; if he don't wanna tell, he won't," He replied flatly, picking up his own almost extinguished drink and knocking back the contents into his mouth with a swift flick of his wrist. He knew he had a point and he hated being told to talk to his old friend about things that he knew Kakashi would see as personal.
The copy ninja wasn't a talker, never had been and never would be. Why the girls assumed he would bare his soul to him was completely ludicrous. He had told them as much, as had Gai. The Green Beast wasn't vindictive in nature and despite his and Kakashi's rivalry he respected his opponent's privacy making him unwilling to take part in the silly matchmaking game that the females wanted to play. Gai merely sat next to Anko, swilling his drink in his hand and shaking his head.
"But there's something going on! You had to have seen the tension between them when you fetched them back from the garden! You could cut it with a blunt kunai!" Anko squalled almost angrily, crossing both her arms and legs in frustration.
"Guy's, just leave 'em alone! Rin's only been back a few days after being away for ten years, just give her and Kakashi some space, yeah? I'm sure you wouldn't like it if they were butting into your business!" Genma retorted, snatching his glass from the table and getting to his feet. Genma liked to think that he and Kakashi had a strong friendship and he disliked talking about his friends in such a way, especially when they weren't there to defend themselves.
He knew there was something going on between Rin and the copy nin regardless of Kakashi's denial. He was also more than aware that he had interrupted something quite personal between the two of them when he had gone in search of them both. He wished he hadn't interrupted them, but he had already opened the door and started talking before his brain had realised what was happening. He had seen the near kiss and he had also seen the look of raw hatred on Rin's face when they had walked back in. Genma had felt quite stupid for not reacting sooner and just leaving them to it.
Even despite his dislike for what Anko and Kurenai were trying to do, he knew it wasn't malicious, they had his and Rin's best interests at heart. But Genma also felt strongly that these things had a way of working themselves out; without people trying to interfere.
Kakashi had never had a real girlfriend, had never been in a relationship that meant anything to him anyway. There were girls out there that were interested and he had shown them a good time but Kakashi was one of those people that simply could not handle the commitment. Or at least that's what everyone thought of him. Genma knew different however, it wasn't that he was afraid to commit, he just hated complications. Kakashi liked things simple and straight forward, complications were for battle and that was that.
It was sad really, when he thought about it. He was a decent guy, yet his reputation with women displayed him as anything but that. But it seemed that he cared a lot for Rin and it was painfully obvious that he was severely attracted to her. What man in his right mind wouldn't be? She was gorgeous in every sense of the word. She was funny, witty, pretty and she had a wrack to die for. It was a wonder Kakashi could keep his hands to himself when he was around her. Hell, if the copy nin had shown any signs of not being interested in her, Genma would have tried his luck. But he was certain that even despite such a thing, it would be more than his life's worth. Kakashi disliked guys going near Sakura whom he saw as a sister figure. Goodness knows how he would react if someone ever made a move on Rin. Kakashi was fiercely protective in nature and dangerously territorial, although the copy nin would never admit it. Most that knew him made sure to never step on his toes if they could help it.
Genma sauntered towards the bar, skimming his way through the meandering folks that stood about the bar area. He knew Kakashi and Rin were supposed to be placing the next orders but Genma couldn't stand to be around the others when all they did was gossip about his buddy. He wanted no part in it, so the best course of action was to remove himself from the situation entirely.
He approached the glossy counter, pushed his way through another small group of people and planted his arms across it. He would get a small drink just to give the other two enough time to get back to the table. They had to have been served by now and there was no way the others would interrogate them further about their so called relationship. He looked across the width of the bar, once to his left and once to his right. The bar was cluttered with people, some he vaguely recognised others he didn't. That was no surprise; Konoha was a big village and the number of ninja being churned out of the academy these days was frightening.
Genma was about to turn back towards the bar as he waited to be tended to by one of the young lovelies serving the masses when he saw a familiar flash of silver jutting over the crowd. He propped himself up on the bar to gain a better view and saw Kakashi gazing down at what could only be a woman. She had her back to Genma but it was clear by the slight hem of purple he was able to glimpse beneath the shoulder blades that it was Rin. Kakashi was leaning against the bar, his elbow perched on the polished wood, resting his head in his hand.
His exposed eye was creased a little in the corner by what Genma could gather which implied that the copy nin was smiling while his other hand twirled quite oddly in the air on the other side of Rin's head. Genma leaned over a little more squinting his eyes in a feeble attempt to help him focus better.
A thick lock of glossy brown hair was suspended in mid air from the top of Rins head and as Genma trailed it with his eyes he saw that it was wrapped around Kakashi's hand as he played it in his fingers. Kakashi was playing with Rin's hair.
"Nothing going on, eh? You lying bastard." Genma muttered to himself with a sly smirk pulling at each corner of his mouth. Genma had been out with him before, he had seen him around a lot of women and while they had pretty much fallen all over him, Kakashi had always remained cool and somewhat uninterested. Never before had he actually seen his formidable friend flirt like he was doing right now.
He could tell by the movement of Rins head that it was her that was currently speaking, slight flashes of flesh appearing in front of her as she moved her hands in some kind of demonstration. It was irritating not being able to hear what she was saying over the rabble of the crowd and the sheer volume of the music.
Kakashi's eye pinched closed as he leaned forward slightly, both his and Rin's shoulders jerking in an obvious fit of laughter. It was good to see him enjoying himself for a change. Kakashi rarely liked to let himself go. But it seemed tonight was a good night for just that and it seemed that the return of one of his oldest friends was doing him the world of good.

Kakashi opened his eyes to the loud clicking of the bedroom door and the distinctive creaking of floorboards as his female guest ventured into the lounge. Groaning loudly he stretched his arms above his head and turned onto his back, feeling each and every joint in his body click back into place. He rested his forearms over his eyes as he listened to Rin's bare feet slap against the hard wood flooring as she walked across the room; probably going to the bathroom.
"What time is it?" He grumbled.
"Friday…" She choked out. Kakashi lifted his arms and frowned at her bizarre answer before chuckling under his breath and sitting up, draping an arm over the back of the sofa.
"Oh dear. Hung-over are we?" He teased, giving the back of his head a good scratch, dislodging the knots that gathered in his hair over night. He looked over at Rin who was looking back at him as she propped herself up against the doorframe of the kitchenette. She was a pitiful sight to say the very least. Her hair was dishevelled and all over the place, part of it was still plastered to one side of her face and her normally sparkly dark eyes were sunken and sickly. Even with her ill appearance she still looked rather lovely in her thin silken yellow bathrobe. She looked just as sexy in that as she did in her dress the night before. He secretly hoped that she was naked beneath the long glossy fabric, just to give his mind something to play with.
"Bet you wouldn't kiss me now would you?" She bit out, her features miserable and down trodden. The statement took Kakashi by surprise. He recalled the incident in the beer garden, but it had all been a mishap, a miscount in the senses, and Kakashi hadn't really given it much thought after discussing it with her while at the bar. Seemed to him that Rin had thought about it a lot more than he had.
"Sorry, what?" He stuttered, not quite thinking clearly about what he was saying. He didn't think it was a good idea to discuss what had happened the night before right now, anyway. Rin was obviously feeling worse for wear and Kakashi's memory was a little hazy at best. He didn't feel how Rin looked, but he certainly knew he had drank more than his usual quota, which wasn't really like him if he thought about it.
Rin winced a little as she planted the palm of her hand over her forehead.
"My head feels like it's full of boiling oil…" She whined.
"I have no sympathy for you." Kakashi snickered, raising his arm and planting his cheek in his hand. Rin shot him a look that told him he would be paying for that remark towards the end of the day. Even so, the expression made him smile and hum a chuckle at her.
"Want me to make breakfast? Best cure for a hang-over like yours is something fatty, helps soak up all the toxins." Kakashi drawled lazily into his hand. He watched Rin raise her head slowly and gaze at him with wide eyes as she processed the information. Her already pale skin began to drain in colour and take on an almost sickly green shade before she suddenly slapped her hand over her mouth.
"Oh God… I'm gonna throw up!" She spluttered, pushing her self from the door frame and sprinting into the bathroom, slamming the door behind her. The distinctive sound of retching and splashing bodily fluids echoed through the room as Kakashi threw himself back into his makeshift bed with a disdainful groan. Today was not going to be fun by any stretch of the imagination.
"I'll take that as a no then…" He grunted, resuming his foetal position on the sofa and wrenching the covers back over his head. Staying right here was the best idea he'd had all morning.
He must have dozed off by the time Rin emerged from the bathroom. He opened his eyes to the sofa jolting him backwards as Rin plopped herself down on the battered cushions. Hutching himself up on the arm he allowed her to get purchase on the dilapidated sofa.
"How are you feeling now?" He croaked, rubbing his sharingan eye with the hook of a finger. Popping his other eye open he watched Rin shrug, somewhat dismissively as she turned to face him glumly.
"A little better, I think… I'll let you know. I swear I'm never drinking again." She grumbled as she leaned back into Kakashi's legs. He had no intentions of moving, he didn't feel particularly ill, but he didn't have the energy it required to shift himself out of the way. Not that he needed to, he was comfortable with Rin. As she was with him. They had spent many times sitting together like this like some friends do, or even siblings. That latter thought made Kakashi shudder inwardly. To think of Rin as a sister wasn't the best idea…
"So, the plan for today is to sit here and rot?" He asked flatly. The idea didn't seem half bad, but there wasn't a great deal to do within the small confines of his apartment; becoming bored was imminent. Rin nodded with a slight grin creasing at the corner of her mouth as she turned her attention back to the floor.
"Pretty much… but I gotta go out in a bit." She croaked.
"What for?"
"You've ran out of milk, and there's no food that could make a proper meal in the whole place. Don't you ever go grocery shopping? I'm surprised you're as fit as you are with all the crap you eat." Rin ground out, giving him a hard slap on his shoulder and a discontented scowl.
"What are you, my health advisor?" Kakashi retorted before leaning forward sharply and wrenching the covers from beneath Rin's backside and forcing her to stand up.
"What was that for?" She squealed , thrusting her fists into her hips as Kakashi pulled the bed clothes over his shoulders, throwing his head back into the pillow.
"Because you're picking on me again." He grumbled, finding it hard to hide the giggles in his voice. He knew Rin was right; his diet consisted mainly of pot ramen and easy meals that required no effort. He lacked essential nutrients in his diet that he knew for a man of his physical stability and age should really invest in. But with a hectic lifestyle like his own it was difficult to find the time to prepare a decent meal, especially when there was only him to feed. It just seemed like a waste of effort.
"Stop being a baby, Kakashi. It doesn't suit you. And I'm not picking on you! But you gotta admit, you don't eat like you should. Ramen on the go and packet noodles isn't really substantial when that's all you eat." Her voice had took a sympathetic turn, which aggravated him a little. Kakashi frowned at her but didn't dignify her with a response. Regardless she smiled at him before getting to her feet and sauntering around the back of the sofa.
"That's why I'm going to get dressed, go to the grocery market and make you a proper meal." She pipped happily, folding her arms over the back of the sofa. Kakashi looked her over sceptically as he shuffled into the lumpy cushions. If she thought he was going with her then Rin had another thing coming.
"Why would you want to do that?" He droned flatly. It wasn't that he didn't appreciate the offer, but no one had ever offered to cook for him before. Rin rolled her eyes at him and sighed heavily as she shook her head.
"Because you deserve it! Kakashi, when was the last time you had a home cooked meal? Restaurants don't count by the way." She retorted. Kakashi looked away briefly as he tried to think of the last time someone had actually placed food they had cooked themselves before him. A small snippet came to him; a young woman with deep red hair and a familiar gift for seeing the good in everyone came to mind.
"Kushina-sama used to cook for me a lot…" He muttered. He sensed Rin recoil at the mention of their dead sensei's wife. Rin knew that he had spent a lot of time with Minato-Sensei in his childhood, but he was uncertain if she knew how he had felt about them. They had become his family, had taken him in when he needed a shoulder to cry on. And he never had the chance to tell either of them how grateful he was for their hospitality. He looked up at Rin, who was inspecting him curiously as she seemed to wait for him to continue with his recollection.
"When Dad died I used to go there a lot when I wasn't training. I'd help out with small stuff, like washing the dishes and helping Kushina-sama in the garden, and she used to make me dinner. I guess it helped ease the boredom. Heh, I had a bit of a crush on her, I think…" Kakashi absently noted the drop of volume in his voice as he recalled his childish fantasies about Minato-Sensei's significant other.
He recalled garbled dreams of holding her hand and memories of her ruffling his hair with a motherly affection he had craved for as long as he could remember. The memory was bitter sweet but regardless his boyish crush, Kushina had been the mother he never really knew. She had cared for him in a way no one else had and she never judged him like others had done back then. She simply took him in and he enjoyed her company as he hoped, in her short life, that she had enjoyed his, despite his age at the time. He heard Rin giggle which dragged him from his own thoughts.
"You? You had a crush on Kushina-sama? Kakashi, that's adorable!" She chuckled. Kakashi frowned at her comment. Kakashi had been called a lot of things over the years but adorable wasn't one of them and he wasn't entirely sure whether he liked it or not.
"Hey, I was seven years old. Don't judge me!" He snapped back which seemed to feed her laughter. But it didn't matter, Kakashi liked it when she laughed, her laugh was infectious and made her cheeks glow with a heavenly warmth that only she seemed able to radiate, She was amazing…
As her chortles died down, Rin wiped a tear from her eye with a satisfied sigh before looking down at him again with a fondness he recalled from her youth. She hadn't used the expression with him since returning to Konoha, as far as he recalled but it was one she had always used back in the day when they reminisced.
"So, it's been a while then since someone cooked for you?" She asked softly, tilting her head to one side and resting her cheek on her forearm. Kakashi shrugged at her before he nodded.
"Well, I'll soon change that! I already have a recipe in mind." She chirped, pushing herself up from the sofa and wandering towards the bedroom.
"What are we having then?" Kakashi called after her. He watched her turn her head which sent her glossy locks of auburn hair spilling over her shoulders. She was so tantalising without even knowing it.
"Chunky eggplant miso soup with tofu. Sound good to you?"
"You know that's one of my favourites, Rin."
"I know. I remember these things. That's why I'm awesome."

Kakashi had to hand it to her, Rin had never really shown him any indication that she could cook. But if this was the quality of her craft then he would happily dine on her dishes everyday. The smell of the soup that had drifted into the lounge had been simply divine and the taste truly lived up to Kakashi's high expectations of what was his favourite dish. They both sat and ate at a small low set calligraphy table that had once belonged to his father. The table was one of the only keepsakes he had taken with him when leaving the family home. It didn't mean anything particularly sentimental but it came in useful for occasions much like this one.
"I didn't even know you could cook, Rin." Kakashi murmured around a mouthful of tofu as he lifted the small bowl to his lips and continued to shovel the warm soup into his mouth like he would never eat again. He heard Rin giggle bashfully on the other side of the low-rise table. Peering over the rim of his bowl, Kakashi looked her over habitually. Her hangover hadn't lasted long and she had perked up and returned to her former, happy self before the morning was out. It seemed that the fresh air had done her some good.
"Neither did I really. I learned a lot of recipes from my sensei in Lightening. They have some delicious native foods over there but I figured that a classic dish would be my best choice if cooking for you. I know how fussy you are about food." She replied, spooning the mixture to her lips in a far more dignified and delicate manner. "Oh, and I haven't made a dessert just in case you were wondering. I remembered that your taste buds are broken." She continued with a sarcastic smile.
Kakashi paused mid scoop and regarded the comment. So he wasn't fond of sweet things, how did that make him abnormal? Lowering his bowl a little, swallowing what he was currently chewing he glowered at her as she hovered her spoon above her meal.
"I resent that remark. There's nothing wrong with my taste buds, thank you very much." He retorted which caused Rin to sigh and roll her eyes.
"I was joking!" She chortled. Kakashi grunted in response as he went back to shovelling the soup into his mouth and relishing in the delightful warm sensation in his gullet as the mixture slithered down his throat.
He slurped the dregs of the soup out of the bowl and chewed delightfully on the last piece of eggplant as he set his bowl down on the small table and dropping the deep spoon into it. Rin glanced at Kakashi's empty bowl before glancing up at him in astonishment.
"Well, I take it you enjoyed that then? I don't think I've ever seen you eat so fast!" Rin giggled, swirling her spoon in the cloudy mixture. Kakashi hummed a small chuckle as she sat herself back down on her cushion.
"If you think that was fast then you've seen nothing. Sakura, Sasuke and the Hokage can vouch for that." Kakashi deadpanned, leaning back a little and planting his hands behind him. Rin arched a brow at him as she took another mouthful of her delicious chunky soup.
"You'll give yourself heartburn doing things like that. You should savour your meals. Not only does it taste better but it's healthier to do so. Gorging stretches the stomach you know." She scolded. Kakashi rolled his eyes at her. He had never been too fond of her scolding him, but that was just Rin. She always knew better when it came to things about general health.
"Do you enjoy scolding me, Rin?" Kakashi droned flatly. She glanced up from her bowl just as she was about to take another mouthful of her meal. She paused for a moment before setting her spoon back into her bowl and gave him a sly smirk that pulled at the corner of her mouth and made her eyes appear darker and a little flirtatious.
"Why? Do you like it?" She replied darkly. Her response took him off guard, be it only for a split second. Rin's nature had become very promiscuous - albeit in an innocent sense - since the last time he had seen her a decade ago. Kakashi found that he quite liked this darker side to her. Although she only showed it in snippets and usually in response to something he either said or did it made him look at her in a different light. Leaning over the table a little, Kakashi rested his elbow on the dulled surface and gazed back at her.
"I might. But I prefer to be the one doing the scolding."
"Whips and chains, you mean?"
"Not necessarily. I usually start with a question."
"What kind of question?"
"That depends on who I'm talking to."
He watched Rin look away briefly as she seemed to ponder what she should say next. Kakashi knew where this conversation was heading, he had already planned it out with all the possible outcomes and consequences to what he wanted to ask her. He had wondered if he would be taking things a little too far for his own good but he simply couldn't resist testing his boundaries with her now that he had discovered this wonderful flirtatious side that she had never shown him before. She had given him a wonderful perspective of her enticing new persona the night previous and he had every intention of exploiting it.
Twisting her lips together thoughtfully, Rin flitted her eyes back to his as she sat back on the floor and seemed to brace herself before she spoke.
"Well, ask me something then." She demanded, her expression almost blank aside from a slight sparkle of anticipation that danced in her eyes. Kakashi felt his smirk widen a little as his plan began to unfold before him.
"Okay, what kind of question would you prefer?" He asked nonchalantly, eyeing her over for any kind of shift in body language. Rin shrugged at him her eyes widening a little.
"I don't know. Ask me anything." She replied almost impatiently as she scooped another spoonful of soup into her dainty mouth.
Kakashi hummed at her as he thought of the best way to word his question. There would be no nice way to put it and seeing as Rin knew him better than anyone else in the whole of Konoha he figured that asking her straight out would be the best course of action. He wouldn't get the reaction he wanted from her if he tried to put it nicely.
"Tell me, Rin. When you masturbate in my bed, do you think about me?" Kakashi purred, leaning himself over the small table, planting his elbows on its surface and resting his chin on the backs of his hands. Rin's eyes bugged in shock while she started to struggle swallowing her food, almost to the point of choking. She coughed and spluttered at the head of the small table, pounding at her chest as she doubled over. Kakashi merely sat and waited for her to calm down, with an inane grin that he couldn't fight against. After a moment or two, her chokes began to calm as she pointed her wide eyes at him.
"What? What kind of question was that? I do not masturbate!" Rin squealed eventually, her voice trembled as she spoke and her expression reeked of amazement. Kakashi hummed a chuckle at her as he sat himself back on the floor. He knew she would say something like that.
"Well you should, it's very stimulating." He deadpanned, that sly smirk of his dominating the use of his mouth. Rin just sat there arching a brow at him, her face frozen in a scowl of disbelief until she shook her head and scoffed at him.
"Really? Just because your right hand happens to be your best friend doesn't mean that everyone does that kind of thing." She retorted, snatching at her spoon and pointing at him accusingly with it before resuming with the consumption of her meal. Kakashi wondered if she was aware of how tantalising her eating habits were as he observed the way her lips glided over the spoon; everything she did recently gave him hints of sexual innuendoes. He doubted Rin was conscious of her little mannerisms, she was too innocent and coy, but that didn't make her actions any less appealing. If anything it turned him on more to think that she didn't even know about her effect on him. He would certainly be using this imagery for his own entertainment in the future.
"You know, Rin. I quite like the idea of a woman who pleasures herself. It shows that she's in tune with the sexual needs of her body." Kakashi teased and relishing in the deep scowl she shot at him from across the table as well as the obviously unintended smattering of deep crimson that was now developing on her face and racing down her neck.
"Are you deaf, or just plain stupid? I. Do. Not. Pleasure. Myself! Now drop it, will you?" Her tone was becoming impatient and hostile which meant that Kakashi was touching a rather raw nerve. Rin turned her attention back to her food as she began playing at it and twisting her mouth distastefully. They both sat in silence for a few moments as Kakashi regarded her form, mentally peeling away at her clothing, desperate to get to the supple warm flesh beneath. Her attitude towards the subject was overly defensive and he was more than aware that her anger was a way to shield her embarrassment, but this little factor didn't stop him wanting to press the matter further. Getting a rise out of her was quite entertaining.
"I know you're lying, Rin." He whispered eventually. He watched her eyes widen dramatically again as her entire body went rigid. That deep red flush returned to her cheeks as quickly as it had before as she hastily removed herself and her unfinished meal from the small table and pointed at Kakashi's empty bowl.
"You done with this?" She murmured quickly, avoiding all eye contact with him which only confirmed his earlier statement. Before he had the chance to answer, Rin had scooped the bowl into her hand and swiftly made her escape into the kitchen. Kakashi got to his feet and followed her as he heard her dropping the bowls into the metal sink.
Kakashi propped himself against the kitchenette as he observed Rin make chancing glances towards him.
"Why are you embarrassed, Rin? I'm not."
"You're a man… it's different."
"Why is it?"
"Because guys have this habit of boasting about it! It's supposed to be a private thing! Not something to show off to your friends!" Rin's voice was bordering annoyance as she turned to glower at him. Kakashi chuckled at her which caused her to give him yet another one of her disapproving glances.
"I don't broadcast it, if that's what you mean. But I have no reason to feel bashful about it. Masturbation is quite a natural, healthy act to partake in. As a medic-nin you should already know this." He deadpanned while idly examining his fingernails. He heard her blow out a sigh as she shut off the faucet and began rummaging in the sink.
"Yes well, I do already know that. But that doesn't mean that I particularly want to talk about it. Not to you of all people." She grumbled, focusing her visual attention to her task at hand.
"Ah, so you admit it then?"
"I didn't say that."
"You didn't deny it."
"What's it to you anyway?"
"I'm just curious, that's all."
"Curiosity killed the cat, you know."
"Well, it's a good job I'm human then, isn't it?"
He saw a faint essence of a smirk tug at the corner of her mouth as she shook her head, lifting one of the bowls out of the basin and placing it carefully on the draining board.
"What about the other part to my question?" Kakashi asked as Rin plunged her hands back into the steaming water. She stopped dead for a second as she seemed to search her memory banks before she turned her head and inspected him curiously.
"What're you talking about now?"
"I wanted to know if you fantasised about me while you touch yourself."
"Why? Do you think about me?"
"All the time."
"You're such a liar. All you think about is that woman in those dirty stories. You forget that I know you better than you give me credit for Hatake Kakashi!"
Kakashi hummed a chuckle at her assumption, knowing that once upon a time it was actually true. But his admittance of Rin playing a part in his sexual fantasies, although stated in jest were also fact. Not that he would confirm it. He liked to think that he was happy the way things were. But the more he thought about it the more it tortured him. Was it such a bad thing that he found her attractive? Was there actually a possibility that she felt the same about him after all these years? He secretly hoped so…

"No! Kakashi don't just cram it in there like that! You'll break it!" Rin squawked at a miffed looking copy ninja as he commenced in his battle for knowledge. That was men all over; just keep prodding at things until something happens or it breaks. Why Rin thought it would be a good idea to let Kakashi help in the setting up of the TV was beyond her.
The day had started off quite oddly. Her first port of call had been to the bathroom, hoping that Kakashi was actually still sleeping, which it seemed he had been. The fact that he had all but confirmed that he knew she masturbated was completely humiliating. She recalled the night previous that Kakashi descended from a clan of trackers, Kakashi himself one of the best in this field. Equipped with inhuman senses such as an exceptional sense of smell it was no wonder she had been found out. She must stink of sex in the mornings afterwards. And there was no way she was willing to admit to him that he played a vital part in her fantasies, had done for as long as she could remember. He didn't need to know that and she certainly didn't want him to know either. That was her private business and she was quite adamant that it would be kept between her and her own brain.
She would make sure from that point onwards that Kakashi's bed was for nothing other than for sleeping and she made sure to completely strip the bed and send it to the Laundromat before he got any more of his "bright idea's".
He hadn't mentioned it again, which was a relief and there was no way she would be broaching the subject with him either. She could have done without his admittance to his own sexual acts in the dark hours as they swirled and tormented her in her dreams. The mental images of Kakashi doing unspeakable things to himself was burnt into her brain and now there was no way of relieving the unbearable pressure between her legs each time her vicious mind decided to show them to her.
Shaking her head in annoyance Rin reached for the cable in Kakashi's hands and snatched it away from him with an impatient sigh.
"You're such a technophobe! You're supposed to be the smart one!" She snapped, getting to her feet and sauntering to the rear of the wide screen.
"Why do we need a TV, Rin? Am I not good enough company anymore?" Kakashi deadpanned as he picked up a cable tie from the pile on the hard wood flooring and manipulated it in his fingers. Rin peered at him over the top of the television as she watched in subtle amazement how he played with the scrap of rubber coated metal like it was the most interesting thing in the world. For someone who had the highest IQ in the whole of Konoha, he really was a simpleton at times. Nevertheless his simple moments like this one really made her heart flutter. She had noticed recently that his attitude towards her was very different to anyone else he associated with. His affection towards Sakura and Sasuke was endearing, almost parental. It was a side to him that she never thought he could possess and she found she liked it a lot. But he was a lot softer, more delicate with his mannerisms when it was just the two of them, despite his darker than dark sense of humour. He always had an encouraging word for her when she was feeling down or frightened. Always had a comeback for her own witty remarks.
Her stomach twisted a little at that point, recalling their moment in the beer garden, recalling the moment he almost kissed her. She had been replaying that instant over and over in her mind since the exact second it had almost happened, sometimes thinking that it was all in her head. Sometimes wishing that it was.
Rin knew she was still in love with him, it didn't take a genius of Kakashi's calibre to figure that one out. But the signals from him had been so confusing and muddy up until that point. And she didn't know what to do about it. The flirting at the bar afterwards where they talked about old times again had been nothing but harmless fun. That kind of thing happened a lot but she wished and dreamed so much that it meant something more.
Shaking herself free of her own thoughts Rin shook her head at him just as he happened to glance round at her.
"I need a TV for the same reason you need porn. It's like an air supply."
"Are you saying I can't live without porn?"
"Yes."
"Show's what you know, Rin."
"And what's that supposed to mean?"
"I can live without it if I had to."
"Oh yeah? Prove it!"
"How?"
"Throw out your books."
Kakashi's eyes widened in horror at such a suggestion. Rin was bluffing of course, but nothing tasted finer than making Kakashi sweat. Rin knew his weakness, and she knew the mere mention of him destroying his link with Icha Icha would have him squirming. The one thing she found utterly astonishing, however, was that he actually seemed to be contemplating the idea. That was until his eyes narrowed and his mouth turned sharply downwards in a defensive scowl.
"No." He ground out eventually. Rin felt a wide, triumphant grin wrench at her lips as she pointed an accusing finger at him.
"See? I knew you'd chicken out." She teased as she directed her visual attention back to the TV set and plugged the cable into the correct outlet at the rear. She heard Kakashi titter mockingly as he got to his feet and wandered over to the carnage of cables and instruction manuals that were heaped in front of the wooden stand on which the TV rested. He poked his head over the top as Rin crouched to the floor and picked up the instruction manual along with another scart plug to ensure she was actually doing the job correctly.
"So, you fancy yourself as a technology buff, do you?" Kakashi mocked. Rin raised her head and inspected his smug face with discontent. If he wanted a verbal sparring match then he was going the right way about it. Rin hated being bothered when she was busy, which made her choice of career all the more appealing to her. Pathology was a morbid craft and it was rare that anyone wanted to see the dissection of a corpse so nine times out of ten, Rin was usually left alone while performing her sacred art back in Lightening. She hoped that it would be the same here once she was set up at Konoha hospital.
"Well, I obviously know more than you do!" She retorted, watching his smile hitch a little in the corner as he rested his arms abreast the TV top. "Because I'm smart enough to read the manual." She chuckled, flashing the white booklet and beaming at him when he rolled his eyes at her.
"Is there anything I can do?" He asked eventually as Rin began to sort through the masses of cable whilst reading her bible of mechanics in hand. His voice startled her out of her concentration. Glancing up at him, Rin inspected his face for a moment -all sweet and confused he was- before giving him his orders. Kakashi liked being told what to do. Rin had surmised this much when she saw what he was like around his ninken many years ago. He was more like a dog himself than he was a person. And a dog as well trained as Kakashi usually liked taking orders. She had told him so many times and was always greeted with the very same disapproving stare of his. But that didn't make the idea any less amusing. Kakashi was a puppy at heart and that was that.
"I bought some chips the other day, you could go and get them ready in a bowl or something. And a coffee, please. I can't function if I haven't got coffee in my system." She murmured going back to her task. She sensed Kakashi slink off to the kitchenette to prepare her feast for her half an hour of "me time."
Rin had purchased the television set to install in her new apartment, but she was finding herself unable to wait for much longer. It didn't matter either way, she had every intention of leaving the set behind when she moved. Her biggest problem now was how she was going to tell Kakashi about it. She knew the longer she left it, the harder it would become. Rin had mentioned it in passing a couple of times since the viewing and each time she had watched him withdraw into himself making it perfectly obvious that he wasn't thrilled about her moving out. She found this quite baffling to say the very least. Kakashi was a man who enjoyed his own company over that of others and yet it seemed that he didn't want her to go. It was nice to think that she was so wanted but the longer she stayed, the more trapped in his web she would become. It was better for both of them if she found her independence sooner rather than later.
Rin found it far too easy to depend on others and it wasn't fair on Kakashi for her to cling to him like a little lost lamb. But finding the right words and the right time to tell him was more challenging than she originally thought it would be.

Rin was in her element; feet up on the couch, bowl of salted chips at hand, completed with the additional soft drink at the foot of the seating. Totally engrossed in the action spilling out on the plasma screen of the brand new TV, she couldn't have felt happier. That was until Kakashi returned from the kitchenette and joined her in her half hour of bliss. Rin wouldn't have minded but Kakashi seemed to be feeling unusually talkative this afternoon.
"So, what are we watching again?" He asked nonchalantly as he slid his posterior in-between the sofa's arm and her feet. Rin hutched herself up on the opposite arm in order to allow him enough room to sit but he had another thing coming if he thought she would sit normally. She always watched her soap with her feet up, it was just the way it had to be.
"It's called Baku's Farm. I started watching this not long after I started work in Lightening." She answered flatly as she shovelled a handful of chips into her mouth. Kakashi hummed, seemingly uninterestedly, as he shifted himself awkwardly in his seat.
"What's it about?" He questioned again. Rin looked round at him habitually before turning her attention immediately back to the screen.
"Just people." She shrugged. "They all live in a small farming community. It's just a story about their lives. Of course it's all fiction."
"What made you start watching this, though? I didn't think you liked stuff like this."
"I heard some of the girls talking about it at work. There's a character in it called Kakashi. So out of morbid interest I started watching it. It's quite good." She shrugged again. She heard Kakashi snigger at the mention of his own name which caused her to roll her eyes and turn towards him again, glowering at his smug, knowing expression.
"What?" She retorted defensively as she took a small chip from her fingers with the tip of her tongue and began munching at it slowly.
"I take it this Kakashi is all charm and good looks then seeing as this show's gripped you to the core?" He chortled and arching a flirtatious brow at her. Rin giggled at him and shook her head. What a shallow mind the copy nin possessed. If he actually thought he himself was full of charm then he was sorely mistaken. Kakashi had wit, there was no doubt about that, but charm was something he had never possessed. There was a difference between having the gift of the gab and being charming. Kakashi was certainly not the latter in her eyes. Not that she wished him any different.
"You couldn't be more wrong. Kakashi is about seventy years old and he's a real bastard. Nobody likes him. I read somewhere the producers were going to kill him off in some spectacular fashion. Good riddance to bad rubbish, I say." She spouted. Kakashi's face fell a little but with that said he soon went quiet as Rin continued to lose herself in the everyday lives of civilian's battling for survival in Baku Farm's gangster dominated world.
The show itself wasn't particularly gripping; the story line switched from character to character, each with his or her own issues and hang ups. Life was never simple in the tiny fictional village. But it had been Rin's only means of escapism while trapped in the secluded spit of land. She had spent everyday waiting in anticipation for six thirty every evening, just to give her mind a rest from the horrors of reality. Just how Kakashi had his books, Rin had Baku's Farm.
They had been watching for almost fifteen minutes when the commercial break kicked in. The first advertisement about some random new gadget that was coming on the market "this summer" held no interest with the young medic. Rin shifted her sights to Kakashi, whom she half expected to see either submerged within the pages of his smutty fantasy land known as Icha Icha or at the very least asleep. As she turned her head, his gaze shifted from the TV set to her. Rin was amazed to say the very least. Kakashi was a genius in every sense of the term, but genius minds usually bored quickly and Kakashi was no exception. Never the less, it seemed he had taken an interest in her favourite soap opera.
"So, what do you think then?" She chirped and expecting him to shrug his shoulders dismissively. Instead he surprised her a little more.
"I'm a little confused if I'm honest." He chuckled, a shy grin pulling at the corners of his mouth as he pinched his eyes closed and began to scratch the back of his head habitually.
"About what?" Rin asked inquisitively, drawing her legs up the sofa as she rested her back against the arm of the sofa and wrapped her arms around her knees. Of course he was a little confused, he wouldn't know any of the characters and he wouldn't know how or why they were in the predicaments they had found themselves. Either way she would be happy to explain if he so wished it, but right at this moment in time she wasn't keeping her hopes up.
"Well, I don't understand why Suki would marry someone who is so horrible to her and yet keep sleeping with the one guy that does actually love her. Why doesn't she just leave the asshole and shack up with the nice one? And what's the deal with Hiroshi? Why is he so shifty around his boyfriend? Seems to me like he's been up to no good. And it's more than obvious that there's some sexual tension between Akira and Mei. Is that all this show is really about? Getting into each others pants?"
Rin was flabbergasted. She simply sat, mouth agape as she tried to absorb what Kakashi was saying. He had actually sat with her and took in exactly what had been happening in the show. He flitted his eyes about her face for a few seconds as he waited for a reply before his features twisted into a deep scowl.
"Why are you looking at me like that?" He questioned darkly, wrenching Rin from her stupor with a start.
"Huh? Like what?"
"Like that! Stop it, Rin. It's creepy." He muttered, quickly turning his attention to a spot on the floor and shifting in his seat uneasily. Rin giggled at him earning her a disgruntled sideways glance which caused her to laugh as she leaned forward and slapped his shoulder jokingly. Kakashi flitted his eyes over her briefly before a small grin found it's way onto his mouth.
"You're so silly, you know! I was just surprised that's all. I didn't think you would take much notice." She chuckled before composing her self and letting the laughter subside.
"Okay, to answer your questions: Suki used to be married to Yoshi, they split up years ago and then she got involved with Hiro, who she's married to now. Suki then decided that she still wanted Yoshi and they've been having an affair on and off for the past three years. Hiro is a bit of a bad boy but he has a good heart. The reason he's horrible to her is because he knows about the affair through one of his employee's at the club he owns in the town but he has yet to tell her about it…" Rin stopped to take a breath for her next barrage of explanation:
"And Hiroshi has been having sex with a woman for the past nine episodes. I always knew he was bisexual; he made that obvious but he keeps declaring he's gay pretty much to the whole community even though loads of people know about his affair. The thing is, he doesn't want Akuma but the only reason he stays with him is because he doesn't anyone else to have him." Rin could talk about Baku's Farm all week if anyone was willing to listen. But as she sat and explained the story line to Kakashi she absently noticed his eyes become emptier and emptier as he looked to be slipping into a conscious coma. She closed her mouth and shook her head slowly at him.
"You have no idea what I'm talking about do you?" She muttered sheepishly and feeling mildly embarrassed by his blank stare.
"Not really. But I'm sure if I had the patience to keep up with it I can figure it own on my own." He deadpanned. Rin stifled a chuckle at him. As if Kakashi was going to keep up with a soap opera. But then again, having actually read the contents of Icha Icha herself out of curiosity, she found that those stories played out like a drama. The only difference was it was based solely on one character rather than a multitude of them. However, she doubted very much that Kakashi would stay true to his word and if she was honest she wouldn't mind either way but it would be nice to converse with someone about it each day.
Just at that moment the theme music for Baku's Farm echoed through the room, drawing Rin's attention back to the TV set as she settled herself into the lumpy sofa. Reaching over the arm, she reached for her bowl of chips absently and pulled them from the floor and on to her lap not once lifting her gaze from the TV.
The scene coming up was one that Rin had been waiting months to happen. Kakashi had briefly mentioned a sexual tension between two characters; Akira and Mei. Being two favourites of hers Rin had partaken in many a pairing war at the hospital with the other medics and nurses there that watch the show. Akira was what one would call "a nice guy" and Mei came from a troubled family with a long arduous back-story. Not a lot of people that she knew of actually like her, but Rin did. She found that she could relate to Mei in a lot of ways. She was shy, vulnerable and was hurled into a world of crime and deceit at a young age and found it hard to trust anyone as a result.
Rin had felt like that countless times, so couldn't help but take to her character. It was almost looking at herself sometimes.
She watched in a long awaited anticipation as the two characters in question sat in the booth at the club, the camera drawing particular attention to their lips as they moved in ever closer for that kiss, that one kiss that would end Rin's torment and begin her triumphant state of mind to know that she had been right all along.
Just as that moment was at it's cusp, just as their lips began to connect, just as Rin's stomach flipped over in excitement, she saw a hand appear out of the corner of her eye and hover above her precious potato chips. Swiftly darting her eyes towards Kakashi who was about to take a handful she slapped his hand with a loud crack that left her finger tips stinging at the ends.
Kakashi hissed inwardly as he quickly drew his hand away from her bowl and nursed it tenderly in the other, clasping it to his chest like a young boy would a small pet.
"Ouch! What was that for?" He wailed pathetically, rubbing at the redness that was now bleeding through the skin across his knuckles.
"Get your own! Anyway, you said you don't like chips when I offered you some earlier! And you made me miss the ending!" Rin shrieked, clutching the bowl tightly to her stomach. Kakashi raised his brows at her in astonishment, still stroking his hand affectionately as his sights flitted from her face to her bowl of salted food.
"I only wanted one!"
"I said get your own!"
"Don't be greedy, Rin!"
"I bought them. They're mine."
"You're eating them out of one of my bowls!"
"Oh, I see. Using fickle tactics now are we, Kakashi?"
"Give me a chip!"
Before Rin could answer no, Kakashi was already lurching towards her, hands outstretched in an attempt to wrench the bowl out of her hands. A manic grin was plastered on his face and his eyes were wider and more devious than she had ever seen them. She quickly tried to move the bowl away from him just as he managed to grab the rim of the plastic container. The coupling force from both of them sent the bowl flying out of Rin's grip as they both dived for it. As the bowl crashed to the floor, spilling the remainder of the potato chips, Kakashi and Rin fell in a heap on the sofa and stared at the mess on the hard wood for a few moments before Rin span her head round and glared at him. He looked a little shocked as he flitted his eyes towards her.
"Heh… whoops." Kakashi uttered in a surprising feeble voice with an equally pathetic smile.
"You… you lummox! Look what you did!" She squealed, shunting her elbow backwards and connecting with his chest. She heard him grunt a little at the impact but she knew for a fact she didn't hit him hard enough for it to hurt.
"That wouldn't have happened if you'd have just let me take one." He retorted with a slight tremor of humour hanging in his voice.
"You are such a child sometimes, Kakashi.!" Rin ground out, trying to stifle the giggles that tickled the base of her throat. The only reason he wanted one was because she had told him he couldn't.
Using her elbow she pushed herself onto her back to find that Kakashi was a lot closer than she originally thought. Her breath caught in her throat and her smile waned and died as she drank in the heat of his body surrounding her. Kakashi gazed down at her, his eyes darker than she was used to as he just lay on top of her, pinning her to the sofa. Rin felt her self boiling up, a horrid flush crawling along her cheeks and bleeding down her neck as the dormant butterflies began to stir in her gut. After the near miss the other night, she didn't think she would have the chance to experience that feeling of white hot ecstasy for a second time, but here they were; doing it all over again.
She could feel his breaths and his heartbeat through the barriers of cloth that prevented her desired contact of flesh on flesh. Kakashi bowed his head a touch before hesitating a little as Rin failed to stifle a small shaky gasp. Her entire body was quivering as that tight knot in her stomach began to unwind and lick it's path into her core and flow through her thighs. She watched Kakashi flit his eyes sporadically from her eyes to her lips before he moved closer again. Parting his lips slightly, he hovered them above hers, chancing gentle, electric brushes of the supple skin as Rin followed suit, consumed by a need for him that she couldn't control, nor wanted to.
Kakashi tilted his head slightly, his eyes flitting from lips to eyes, his own clouded over and holding a lustful edge that sent rivers of pleasure souring through her being each time their gaze connected. Her breaths; uneven and shaky were still enough to allow her breasts to press against him with each quivering inhale. She could feel the course fabric of her shirt chafing at her nipples and intensifying the heat that swelled between her legs.
At that moment he pressed his mouth against hers, trapping her lips closed in a hot wet kiss devoid of any sensation other than euphoria and passion. Rin lay there beneath him, unable to comprehend what was happening. She had wanted this moment for as long as she could remember and now that it was finally happening she was too stunned to gather her garbled thoughts and react to it the way she wanted to. She just lay there while Kakashi worked his magic on her mouth. His kiss was so sensual, so soft and smooth it was heart stopping.
Seeming to sense her indecision he pulled away slowly allowing his lips to linger on hers before meeting with her gaze. Rin regarded him for a second, piecing together what had just happened until her senses dimmed and her reflexes began to take over.
Kakashi looked away briefly, a hazy tint of cerise seeping over the bridge of his nose. Flitting his sights back to her he opened his mouth to speak but Rin intercepted, placing her finger on his lips and enticing him to close them slowly. She knew what he was going to say, the look on his face said it all. He was going to apologise and she didn't want that. She didn't want him to regret, she wanted more, more of him, his kisses, his heat.
Kakashi's eyes, though mismatched, took on a sparkle of expectation as Rin took away her silencing digit and traced the tips of her fingers along the line of his jaw until they were met with the dishevelled locks of hair at the base of his neck. She pulled him towards her and Kakashi did nothing to resist her motion. He crushed his lips back to hers, the force was bruising, needy and utterly brimming with sexual anxiety.
Closing her eyes, she fisted his hair into her hands and felt his own shift from the arm of the sofa behind her head and onto her shoulders. His touch sent molten tremors of euphoria through her core making her hunger pangs for him flare up and burn away at her being.
Kakashi ran his tongue along Rin's upper lip enticing her to part them a little, allowing him access to her mouth. Taking the invitation he plunged his hot tongue into the depths, causing her to moan softly into his mouth as he allowed the hot muscle to dance along hers.
She heard him groan delightfully as she slid her tongue along his, tasting the sweet undertones of mint that lingered along the edges of his teeth. His taste was intoxicating and dangerously addictive and she needed more of it.
He shifted his body above her, forcing her to adjust her legs and allow for him to separate them with his thigh. As he lifted his leg to gain a better purchase on the decrepit sofa, the base of his knee hit the valley between legs and sent a crippling shock of pleasure coursing through her core. She arched her back, throwing her head into the cushions, causing her to break the kiss and moan out loud. Kakashi instantly shifted a hand to the back of her head, twisting his fingers into her hair forcing her to keep her current position as he attacked the underside of her jaw with his teeth.
He nipped at the tender flesh between lapping his tongue over the marks he was undoubtedly leaving behind. The slight hits of pain coupled with the slickness of his tongue deepened the pleasure and caused the knot between her legs to bubble and boil.
The sensation was like nothing she had ever felt before, it felt so good, so energising, euphoric. Tightening her grip on his hair, Rin rocked her hips, the friction of her sex against the fabric of her pants and Kakashi's thigh caused the heat to flare as she felt the pressure building and building.
Kakashi smoothed his free hand from her shoulder; his fingers splaying around the contours of her throat, as he moved his offensive kissed to her pulse, and stroked his fingers along the hem of buttons on her shirt. She rocked her hips again and relished in the low groan he emitted as he did the same. She felt his hard member rub against her stomach and she took great delight in the idea that she was the one who had caused it, she was the one that was making him feel this way, that made him eager to take her as she was eager to let him; right now and right here.
Just at that moment Kakashi stopped dead, breaking contact with her entirely before lifting his head sharply and directing his eyes at the front door. The action took Rin by complete surprise as she lay gasping for breath beneath him, desperate for him to continue his sweet torture.
"Kakashi? What's wrong?" She whispered pleadingly. He didn't respond, he just stared with a mean earnest at the beaten wooden panel on the other side of the room. Moments passed like hours as Rin tried to fathom what it was he was doing when there was a loud knock on the door. He had known just at that moment in time that someone was approaching. Even when lost in the moment of passion he still had all his senses on high alert. He was amazing like that sometimes.
She watched his eyes narrow a little before he manoeuvred himself from the sofa and stalked towards the door, pulling up the face mask briskly as he moved. Rin sat herself up on the sofa, smoothing down the creases in her shirt, feeling a little cold and over exposed at the sudden decline in contact and absently noticing the soft warble of the television set. Kakashi opened the door and was greeted by the dark haired boy that Rin had met days ago. Sasuke, if she recalled rightly.
"Sensei, Naruto has sent me to collect you. He wishes to speak with you at the office." Sasuke reeled glumly. Kakashi slumped a little, rubbing the visible portion of his face with his free hand.
"Can't it wait? I'm… kind of in the middle of something." Kakashi droned as he propped himself up against the door. Rin saw Sasuke close his eyes as he shook his head, crossing his arms sharply across his chest.
"No, it can't. Sakura is already there waiting for us to return. I would suggest you get your uniform and come with me. It's important, Kakashi."
Kakashi sighed irritably before he nodded his head, albeit begrudgingly.
"Wait here. I'll be out in a second." he replied flatly. He closed the door, banishing the light from the derelict hallway and instantly stalked into the bedroom to collect his things. Upon the exiting the small room Kakashi was already dressed in his Jounin uniform, complete with Hitai-ate, and was currently pulling his gloves into position. Rin turned to face him on the sofa as he looked up at her and gave her an apologetic furrow of his brow before making his way over to her.
Rin followed him with her eyes, turning her self around as he walked past the sofa and crouched down in front of her. Pulling down his mask, Kakashi pointed his gaze at the floor between them before looking up at her with solemn eyes. She regarded him for a moment, not entirely sure how to react or what to say. Kakashi leaned towards her, quickly pressing his lips to hers before pulling away and stroking the side of her cheek as he inspected her face solemnly.
"I'm sorry, Rin…" He started before Rin interrupted him with a swift shake of her head and a warm smile.
"Don't be. Duty calls. I understand that, you should go. I've got a messy floor to clean up anyway."
Kakashi sighed as he nodded his head and got to his feet, pulling the fabric back over his face and smoothing it down over his throat. He walked over to the door, opened it and left without looking back. Rin didn't expect him to say goodbye, chances were that he was being assigned a mission and there was a possibility that he wouldn't be coming back today. Kakashi was never very good at goodbyes, it was an emotional ailment that had tormented him for many years and it was only fair that Rin understood that.
She turned her attention the masses of chips and crumbs on the floor spilled out of the bowl that was now laying on it's side. It was a wonder that it didn't break when it hit the floor. Rin sighed irritably as she pushed her self from her seat and walked into the kitchenette in search of cleaning materials. She knew the moment the bowl hit the floor that she would be the one that would have to clean it up but that would have to wait for the time being. Thinking back to that precious moment when her lips first connected with the ones that belonged to the love of her life, she let out a shaky sigh. Her heart pounded against her chest so much so she could hear her own pulse and her entire body felt on fire. A cold shower was in order before she did anything else. He was incredible, his kiss had been incredible. Rin had been kissed before, but never so passionately. Kakashi's kiss hadn't been forced or acted, he hadn't simply gone through the motions. He had wanted to kiss her. But the ultimate question she was asking herself now was what this was going to do to their friendship…

A storm was coming. The sky had turned grey and murky as the clouds; pregnant with rain and thunder began to swirl in their death roll overhead. The scent of the rain yet to come hanging in the air was pungent and dense. Although the breeze was cold the warmth was close and sticky making the clothes he wore cling to him as the damp air moistened the fabric.
Kakashi gazed up at the heavens as he sighed and crammed his hands into his pockets. Rain was never a good sign when one was preparing to embark on a mission. It meant wet clothes for the duration and the last time he had endured a rainstorm whilst travelling a long distance he had a horrendous bout of athletes foot due to the wet conditions he had to trudge through.
Granted, the mission he had been assigned wasn't anything to shout about; a mere cargo shipping mission to the south-end port of Fire Country. It would take a few days to get there due to the load him and his team would be carrying but at least he would be able to get back a little quicker. The routes were already planned out for him but that didn't stop the discontentment sinking in. He disliked not having sufficient time to calibrate himself. Usually ninja were given at least a few days to prepare themselves for travel, to plan their own routes and possible outcomes if attacked. But alas, Kakashi didn't have the luxury of time on this occasion, the mission had come in and the duty was to be fulfilled instantly. S-classed missions were hard to come by nowadays, so Kakashi had to take what little work the Hokage offered him in order to earn his pittance. Not only that but Sasuke was still on his probationary period within the village and this meant the highest ranking mission he was authorised to take was a B. Kakashi wasn't short of money, pinching the pennies over the years had certainly paid off, but that didn't mean that he could survive for long with no work at all.
Kakashi felt the faint, tiny drops of the start of the rainfall splatter on the exposed flesh of his face. Closing his eyes, he bowed his head to the monument and repeated his silent prayer for the fallen before him.
Kakashi always made a point of visiting the memorial stone before leaving the village. There were so many souls here that deserved his blessing and his respect as one day, he was certain, it would be his name carved into the rock as a mere distant memory while his decaying body lay lost in the wilderness. The thought was depressing but Kakashi found no use in trying to deny that it could one day become fact. Staying alert and at the top of his game was his only means of survival and as age crept up on him and his body grew older and slower these factors were not always going to save him.
The site was a lonely place, it wasn't often that others came here. But Kakashi visited as often as he could. All his memories lay within these sacred grounds. Aside from the pages of the fictitious Icha Icha series, this was a place where he felt a little safer, a little closer to those that he had lost over the years. He paid his respects to the dead but there was only ever one name he ever came to see. Uchiha Obito. Kakashi's memories of the young boy he once knew were never fond ones. He wasn't his friend, though he should have been. For years all he had ever done was taunt him, bully him and tell him he would never be good enough. If only Kakashi had done things differently, if only he had been able to see himself and how cruel he had been towards not just Obito, but Rin also. There was no doubt in his mind that he would have done things so very differently. With Rin, he had been blessed with not only a second chance, but a third, but with Obito…
Fate was cruel yet after analysing everything that had happened that day; Rin's kidnapping, Obito's revolt and his own blinded ignorance… one of them had been destined to die on that mission.
Many times, while standing by the stone that bore the name of a boy that should have been his friend, Kakashi had cursed fate, blamed it for making a terrible mistake. It shouldn't be Obito's name that decorated the stone; it should be his.
Opening his heavy eyes, Kakashi scanned the many names once more that symbolised the souls of the village when a small voice behind him dragged him from his thoughts with a start.
"I thought I would find you here."
Kakashi lifted his head, before turning his gaze towards his visitor. Rin stood behind him, arms wrapped around herself in a protective embrace against the wind that was dragging the distant storm ever closer. She glanced at him solemnly before warily stepping to the side of him and scrutinising the memorial. Her forlorn expression made her seem a little lost and upset, although her eyes were showing no signs of tears, there was still an indication that there was something bothering her.
He eyed her over briefly before opening his mouth to speak, but she beat him to it.
"I've accepted the offer on the apartment I went to view the other day. I wanted to tell you sooner, but I didn't really know how to." She muttered, not once taking her eyes away from the memorial in front of them. He observed her for a moment, not really listening to her as his mind recalled snippets of their passionate encounter mere hours ago.
"Rin, I think we need to talk…" He started as Rin turned her head to face him with a charming warm smile that made her eyes sparkle in the dwindling sunlight.
"No, we don't. I know that you're leaving tonight. I kind of guessed seeing as you were collected from home rather than just sent for. You need to concentrate on your mission. Whatever you need to say to me can wait. I'll still be here when you get back, I'm moving out, not moving away." She soothed, hitching her shoulders against the cool wind as the rain began to get a little heavier. Kakashi lowered his gaze shamefully. It was good to know that she understood, being a ninja herself he wouldn't have expected any less, but that didn't excuse him not going back to the apartment and explaining himself to her.
They both stood there in silence as they regarded the stone, set for the souls of the dead and missing, the only sounds being the twitter of birdsong and the light rain hitting the grass around them.
"Duration?" Rin asked eventually. It was obvious she was being cautious about her wording. The open air had ears and it was for the best that missions, no matter how insignificant they seemed were kept under lock and key. But even with the law banning any talk it wasn't uncommon for them to be discussed light-heartedly.
"About a week. Maybe less."
"I see. I should have moved out by the time you come back."
"So, you're definitely going?"
Rin turned towards him her eyes glowing under the murky clouds. She smiled at him as she shifted her weight from one foot to another and shook her head.
"I need my independence. I can't stay there forever, Kakashi. It's just not… feasible. I'm grateful though, for everything you've done for me. You didn't have to. And it's been fun, don't you think?" She shrugged meekly. Kakashi huffed out a sigh. He knew he didn't have to show any hospitality at all. He could have left her to her own devices and told her to leave on that very first night.
"I know I didn't have to. The fact is I wanted to." He said softly, turning his attention back to the cenotaph. He heard Rin chuckle under her breath, she knew he was telling the truth so that was enough confirmation for him. They both stood and regarded the stone again for a while. Kakashi always lost track of time when he came here, it was one of the many reasons why he was always late for important meetings and training sessions. He simply couldn't tear himself away. He hated leaving, hated leaving them here in the cold. It was silly. The dead on the stone weren't really here, but still, their memories; most corroded away along with the weather worn rock, were all here to be admired in a saddened awe.
"Do you come here often?" Rin asked eventually, her voice so soft it was barely a whisper.
"Not as often as I would like." Kakashi responded flatly.
"I tried to avoid this place. I came here the first day I came back… but I didn't stay long." Rin muttered shamefully. Kakashi shot her a sideways glance to see her head bowed, her eyes closed and a disconcerting expression piercing her usually happy face. She looked up suddenly, taking a sharp intake of breath as she swept her hair over her shoulder with a flick of her head.
"I should have come to see him sooner. But… I don't know. I feel like I have nothing left to say to him. There's only so many times I can say I'm sorry before it loses all meaning." Her lower lip began to tremble as she spoke. Kakashi could see clearly how much she was upsetting herself but perhaps her talking about it would help her old wounds to heal. She had done nothing but help him in his time in the dark world of his own defeat. She had never made any time for herself.
"Sorry? What are you sorry for?" Kakashi questioned curiously, stepping towards her a little.
"For getting you both wrapped up in that mess. If it wasn't for me… Obito would still be alive. I accept the blame, Kakashi. I know it was my fault, I know that I owe you my life… I know…" Sighing shakily in a bid to calm herself, Rin rubbed nervously at her arm as the winds tore through the tree's. Kakashi turned to face her fully, and frowned at her.
"You don't owe me anything. Things happen for a reason. And if it wasn't for Obito disobeying my orders I doubt very much that any of us would have survived." Kakashi stated flatly with a shrug. Rin turned her head and inspected him sceptically. Her eyes were teary but unthreatening as she turned her self around to face him.
"Besides, it was Obito that came to your rescue. I was going to leave you to your fate. It's him you owe your thanks. Not me."
Rin bowed her head again at his revelation. The news wasn't new. Kakashi had told her as much before now what his intentions had been on that fateful day. It had upset her then as it did now, but it was the truth. He didn't deserve her pity, and he didn't deserve her friendship. But she had found it within herself to forgive him for his tactless behaviour but that wasn't to say that he was ready yet… to forgive himself.
"You were our team leader, Kakashi. You had to make a decision that would benefit the village. I don't hold that against you, I never have and I never will. The fact that you came back at all was a blessing in my book. And I thank both you and Obito for that everyday." She murmured as she raised her eyes, locking them with his and gave him another one of her warming smiles. Kakashi found himself smiling back, be it through the fabric of his mask yet the shame still clouded his mind whenever he thought back to how he could have done things differently. The only thought that dominated his senses back then was not becoming his father yet it was taking a leaf out of the White Fangs book that had served them both in the long run.
His precious rule book hadn't helped him that day but it was lesson he had learned, be it the hard way… again.
"Anyway…" Rin blew out, wiping her teary eyes with the back of each hand Before reaching into a breast pocket on her lilac shirt. "I came here to give you something. Remember those stones I showed you the other day? The Dragon Eggs?" She asked, giving a slight sniffle and eyeing him over curiously as she rummaged in her pocket. Kakashi nodded, feeling somewhat relieved at the sudden change in subject. He felt he should have comforted her in some way, but he wouldn't even know where to start. A hug would have been alright but he knew that his would be forced and awkward. Perhaps it was better that he did nothing. He would only mess it up if he acted.
Rin pulled a thin string out of her pocket, bright pebbles of every colour imaginable pooled at the base of it. She grinned triumphantly before motioning it towards Kakashi. He held out his hand as Rin dropped the colourful object into his palm, feeling the coolness of the stones bleed into his skin through the leather of his gloves. Peering at it gingerly Kakashi rubbed his thumb over the stones, they were all misshapen and threaded onto a piece of white string that was tied together in a loop.
"A bracelet?" He snorted, trying to stifle his chuckles of amazement. Surely she wasn't expecting him to actually wear something like this. He heard her giggle, prompting him to glance up at her and saw her shake her head.
"No. Not a bracelet. They're worry beads." She chirped happily, but even then it didn't really set Kakashi's mind at ease.
"Worry beads?" He hummed, arching a sliver brow at her. Rin nodded as she leaned towards him and pinched at the sting of beads in both hands being careful not to take them from Kakashi's palm. She played the beads along the string, making them clink together as they fell from her grasp.
"Yeah, you worry them like this. You said, sometimes when you're away you feel lonely. I thought maybe if you had a distraction apart from your books you could use these to ease the boredom and the isolation. I had some of these when I was away. I used them a lot when I was feeling lonely." She pipped, dropping the beads back into his hand. Kakashi looked them over once more, running his thumb over the shiny pebbles. It was still quite astonishing to think that these little stones were once sandy rocks.
"Did you make this yourself?" He asked as he curled his fingers around the string of beads and dropped them into his pocket. Rin grinned sheepishly and hunched her shoulders, a bashful flush creeping to the surface of her cheeks.
"Yeah. I know it's not much but, I couldn't think of anything else to give you before you went away. Besides you won't accept money for putting me up at your place and I knew that you wouldn't refuse a gift." She scolded lightly, waving a finger at him. Kakashi smiled as he lowered his gaze. He was quite touched that Rin had took the time to actually listen to him the night at the club. He hadn't wanted to be so open about it, it had just slipped out. But she had this way of making him feel better about even the most awful things. She was good like that, no one understood him like Rin did.
"Thanks, Rin." Kakashi murmured, flashing her an eye crease as he watched her smile widen a little on her pretty face. After a couple of seconds her features fell into a scowl as she jabbed a finger into his shoulder.
"There's one more thing, Kakashi." She grumbled flatly. Kakashi furrowed his brow at her as he took a step back warily in the hopes that he hadn't done or said anything to tick her off. Rin was a lot like Sakura when she was upset about something; her fists would fly before her mind would engage.
"I had to clean up that mess you made earlier and I think that you owe me a favour." She stated boldly, crossing her arms again and nodding her head sternly. He recalled the mishap with her potato chips and in all honesty had forgotten about them up until now. But still, he was certain that she was just messing with him.
"What kind of favour? Don't you think I've done my fair share recently?"
"I only want one more thing from you. Do this one little thing and I promise I'll get out of your hair."
"Well, that depends what it is."
Rin's expression changed dramatically at the point, taking on an emotional glint in her dark eyes as she stepped towards him. She gazed up at Kakashi who was seriously beginning to wonder how big this favour of hers was going to be. Suddenly she flung her arms around his neck and pulled him into a tight yet somewhat passionate embrace, her strong arms squeezing him gently as he felt her hands twist into the shoulder pads of his vest.
"Rin…?" He stuttered as he tried to counter balance his own weight against hers in a desperate bid not to fall forward.
"Just come home safe, okay? That's all I want." She sniffled into his neck. Kakashi wasn't one for public displays of affection of any kind and he certainly wasn't enjoying this one bit. But her words, yet again, plucked at his heart strings as he nervously raised his own hands and placed them carefully on her shoulders.
"You know I can't promise you that, Rin." He grumbled apologetically, rubbing random circles into the purple cloth with his thumbs. Rin suddenly pulled away keeping her hands on Kakashi's shoulders as she glowered at the floor. Kakashi smoothed his hands over her shoulders in a comforting gesture, hoping that the action would put her at ease. He had never known anyone take such concern for his well being, but with Rin, this wasn't the first time. He had merely forgotten how much he missed her caring nature and fierce loyalty.
"I know you can't. But…" She raised her head sharply as she tightened her grip, twisting her fingers into the fabric of his shirt and bit down on her lower lip momentarily. "Can you at least promise me… that you'll try? Please?." She begged, tugging at his shirt in a desperate plea for confirmation. Kakashi nodded, smiling fondly at the young woman who cared so much for him. It felt nice that she worried, though he also felt that she needn't bother herself with such thoughts.
"Sure thing, Rin. I'll be back before you know it." he deadpanned with a slight chuckle. She nodded in agreement as she trailed her hands back around his neck and leaned into him, placing her lips firmly on the round of his cheek. Kakashi felt himself heat up instantly, hopefully his mask would be enough coverage to hide the deep flush he was certain was developing there as the skin sizzled beneath her kiss.
Pulling away, Rin gazed up at him once more, her dark eyes worried and water logged before she squeezed both his shoulders in her hands and stepped away. Kakashi allowed his hands to fall to his sides before shoving them both into his pockets.
"I better go. I've got a lot of prepping to do myself." Rin chirped bashfully. She strolled to the side of him, turning her gaze his way one last time as she raised her hand and planted it gently on his arm. She didn't stop though, like Kakashi secretly hoped she would. She quickly turned away with a faint smile and continued to walk back towards the village proper. Her hand fell away as she crossed her arms, her hair sweeping behind her in the winds. Kakashi allowed his eyes to follow her as she made her way to the streets, but she didn't look back. He stood and watched her leave, until he couldn't see her anymore, vaguely noting that the rainfall was getting heavier and the sky darker.
Kakashi glanced up at the heavens as the rain began to pelt into the ground. It was time to leave, he had no idea what time it was and there was no doubt in his mind that he was already running very late. Sakura was bound to tear him a new breathing hole for this. But that was nothing new.

The sun had settled behind the horizon hours ago, leaving only shadows in it's wake. Only the small camp fire around their chosen site for the night penetrated the darkness. Although the rain had ceased, Kakashi knew it would only be for the moment. He was able to hear the distant rumbles of thunder as it drew closer again. It was the season for storms, the humidity of the Fire Country coupled with the ever changing shift in seasons meant the new harvesting season was just around the corner. Vague memories of trawling the rice paddies with his mother danced in his head and cause him to smile as he lost his gaze within the flames of the camp fire.
It was Kakashi's turn to play the midnight watchman as the two treasured members of his precious little team rested their heads within the confines of the makeshift lean-to's propped up against the tree's. Kakashi shivered a little, uttering a small painful moan as the chill of the wind tore through the thick green blanket he had wrapped around his shoulders. His clothes were still sodden with rain water and his skin felt brittle and old in the icy breeze of the night. He poked at the fire with a long stick he had found idly laying around his drenched feet as a form of entertainment. It was too dark to read and the light generated by the fire would give him a headache he could very well do without. So he sat there with only his own thoughts for company, trying to come to terms with the fact that he was falling for his closest, dearest friend.
Pakkun was right, she was the one, she always had been. But now Kakashi didn't know what he was supposed to do about it. Thinking back, Kakashi hadn't started to notice Rin as a woman, an object of which he focused his affections, until he was about fifteen. He hadn't understood what it was that he had seen in her then, he was too young and naïve to grasp the notion of attraction and by the time he had figured out exactly what it all meant it had been too late… But this was the story of his life. Kakashi had a habit of taking things for granted, and not realising what a good thing he had until he no longer had it within his reach.
If he was honest with himself, despite all the women he had slept with over the years, he didn't have that much interest in women at all. They caused complications that he felt he could do without. He sought out the affections of the opposite sex when it suited him, not them. Although he never recalled any of them complaining while he set about his business.
The sex had always been good, not great, but good all the same. It was the emptiness he felt afterwards that left him feeling worthless and with no meaning. Sex was a means to ease the pain, to make him feel less… hollow. He knew what some people thought of him, both ninja and civilian alike. He could see it in their eyes when they looked at him. They didn't see him as a man, a being whom had the power to feel pain, sorrow, pleasure and joy. They looked at him like a monster and he hated it.
All his life he had undergone extensive training to conceal his emotions, to never shed a tear no matter how he was feeling inside. As a boy he had failed miserably resulting in numerous scolding's from the old tutors and occasionally from his father, before he had turned to the bottle as his only means for comfort. The sudden death of his mother had been one of the times he had failed to keep it all locked up inside. How one could expect a child of three years of age to keep his tears under control was absurd. Although he couldn't remember a lot about his mother, Kakashi still remembered the pain he felt when she died. It still hurt a little to this day, it was merely easier to cope with.
The winds picked up once more, chilling Kakashi to the bone as he squinted against the cold. The air was warm, but the wetness of his attire enhanced the frostiness around him. It was highly unpleasant and he was certain that his immune system wouldn't be able to keep up it's battle for purity for much longer. He was bound to catch a cold after this, and the fire was doing little to dry out the gloves and sandals he had carefully placed in front of it. It was barely staying alight as it was.
He heard rustling from behind, as one of the party regained consciousness and lazily made their way towards him. Kakashi gave his fire side guest a habitual glance before snuggling deeper into his thick blanket and resuming his inspection of the small flames.
"Kakashi-Sensei? Are you alright? You look frozen." Sakura hummed softly, setting herself down next to him, drawing her legs up to her chest and wrapping her arms around them. Kakashi set down the stick he had used to probe the fire in his frail attempt to keep it lit and pulled the blanket further around his shoulders.
"I'm freezing. My clothes are still wet but I'll be alright. I've been in worse situations." He deadpanned. He heard Sakura sigh in disdain, causing him to look her way.
"It's my turn now anyway. Use my bed roll but make sure you get undressed before hand. I don't want a sopping wet bed tomorrow, plus you'll get pneumonia if you sleep like that." She scolded. Kakashi hummed a chuckle at her, she sounded a lot like Rin sometimes; possibly why they both seemed to get on so well. Kakashi got to his feet and began making his way towards the unoccupied lean-to within the tree's. He spied the cart which housed the load they had been carrying for the best part of the night. Filled with nothing other than food that was to be exported to poorer countries, Kakashi still had his senses about him. It wasn't uncommon for travelers to be mugged in these parts just for their rations so it went without saying that they could very well be infiltrated for a feast on wheels.
"Sensei? Is this yours?" Sakura called, dragging Kakashi from his train of thought as he turned around to face the young pink haired medic. Sakura was inspecting the object in her hand curiously as she ran her thumb over it. The worry beads that Rin had given to him that afternoon. Kakashi had admittedly forgotten about them up until now. They must have fallen out of his pants pocket at some point during his watch.
Kakashi wandered back over to the fire side and held out his hand to Sakura who looked up at him blankly.
"Yes. It was a gift."
"From Rin, I presume?"
"Not that it matters, but yes. May I have it back, please?"
"You really like her don't you?"
"Excuse me?"
Sakura shifted herself on the ground, crossing her legs as she turned towards the fire. Kakashi sighed inwardly as he sat back down next to her. He was cold, tired and merely wanted to get some sleep before sunrise. But it looked like Sakura had other plans. She played the small beads in her palm as she smiled down at them, the light of the fire on her face giving her a somewhat ethereal glow.
"Sakura?"
"Do you love her, Sensei?" Sakura asked softly, glancing at him momentarily before shifting her sights back to the small beads in her hand. Kakashi had no idea how to answer that question. He did love Rin, but in what way eluded him entirely. It started off as a brotherly love one would feel for a close sibling, it was only when she had disappeared that he realised it was something far deeper than that. He had never admitted it to himself back then however. Much preferring to deny himself such feelings, to bury them deep within himself. It was far less painful that way. The emotions he had felt, though foreign and a little frightening, upon her return had been so intense and overwhelming he couldn't realistically state what they were.
"That depends on what genre of love you're be talking about. Why do you ask anyway?" He deadpanned. Sakura chuckled softly under her breath, playing the beads in her hand and causing them to clink together.
"I think you know what I mean. When you left us at Ichiraku's the other day she talked about you a lot. That you had pretty much grown up together. She adores you Kakashi and it's pretty clear to me that you feel something other than friendship towards her."
Kakashi looked away just as Sakura faced him again. He could very well do without this, especially on a mission. But even so, Sakura's input to the whole situation had certainly given Kakashi some food for thought.
"You act differently around her. Sasuke thinks I'm looking too far into it, but Naruto agrees with me on this one." She muttered. Kakashi trained his eyes on the young medic-nin and furrowed his brows at her. He wasn't entirely sure if he liked the idea of his former students discussing his relationship with Rin, but he figured that seeing as they were together a lot of the time, especially in the public eye, people were going to talk. Instead he focused on the other part of Sakura's statement.
"What do you mean I act differently? I treat Rin no different to how I would treat anyone else." Kakashi retorted. Kakashi was certain that his denial was fact. He didn't think he acted differently around Rin or anyone else. There were certain factors that he liked to hold back as he was trained to do so, but other than that he was pretty sure that his attitude towards her and towards his team were very much the same.
Sakura shook her head as she held out the string of beads to him. Kakashi reached out, allowing Sakura to drop them in his palm. Wrapping his fingers around them he withdrew from her drawing his arm back under the thick blanket which shielded him from the cold. The temperature was starting to rise again, the air becoming thicker and closer, a high indication that the storm he was able to hear in the distance not so long ago was almost upon them.
"It doesn't matter. You should get some rest, we have a lot of ground to cover tomorrow. Leave your clothes at the side of the futon I'll pick them up and dry them out here when I've built this fire up a bit, if the rain holds off for long enough anyway." She smiled turning her attention back to the fire, picking up Kakashi's discarded stick and poking at the kindling beneath the flames. Kakashi gave her a nod of agreement as he got to his feet and resume on his journey to Sakura's abandoned futon.
He had no qualms in sleeping in Sakura's bedroll. He was indeed freezing cold to the point of shivering. Her bed would still be warm from her own body heat and it saved him having to set up his own bed. She wasn't using it now anyway, so what was the harm in using it himself?
After peeling off his soaking wet clothes beneath the blanket Kakashi folded them all as best he could and placed them carefully to the side of the bedroll, before collapsing into it's warmth. He absently noticed that he was still gripping tightly to the string of beads as he snuggled further into the bed. Kakashi drew his hand into view beneath the thick sheet and unfurled his fingers to expose the pretty stones. He smiled inwardly as he recalled the conversation in the beer garden.
Although Rin's gesture of comfort was small, it meant more to him than he originally thought when she had handed him what he initially thought was a piece of jewellery. He played the beads in his hands for a while, thinking about her and how she made him feel; wanted, loved, whole. This mission was going to seem longer than it's duration. This had to be the first time he could ever recall where he just wanted to go home. But the time away from Konoha would give him precious time to think things through, what he would do when he got back and what he would say to her.
There was no use in denying what had happened back at the apartment. The first time could be discounted for as a near miss, but a second time could not be excused. He hadn't been able to help himself and it seemed that Rin had wanted it just as much as he had. Kakashi had kissed women before but nothing felt the way that kiss did. His body seemed to have a mind of it's own when ever he came into close contact with her, forcing him to do things that normally he wouldn't despite his want to. His mind contradicted everything he had ever trained himself to think. Instead of smothering the actions his mind encouraged them, drowning out the usual mental scream that told him to stop and think about the consequences, to plan and lay down all the possibilities and outcomes. That was his usual strategy no matter what he was dealing with but when it came to Rin his thoughts became muddy and difficult to translate. This caused him to act on impulse alone, something he rarely did unless absolutely necessary.
But regardless of how tactless he felt he was being, he wanted more of it, more heats of the moment. They made his heart race and the buzz he felt afterwards was indescribable and euphoric. He wanted her, and he decided in that instance, one way or another he was going to claim her before anyone else moved in and took her away from him.
He noticed at the moment that the rain was beginning to pour down, splattering into the muddy ground relentlessly as the rumbles of thunder accompanied the flashes that darted across the sky overhead. So much for drying out his clothes. He felt a slight pang of guilt in his gut for Sakura, who was probably getting soaked to the bone with an extinguished fire for company, but it didn't last long. The whole team had endured much harsher weather, so he didn't let Sakura's condition concern him too much.
Kakashi closed his hand around the worry beads, thinking back again to his and Rin's conversation about what they missed about the village when they were away. He did miss the hum of Konoha, the electric buzz of life but for now, he would lose his senses and succumb to sleep by listening to the soothing beat of the rain.
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