Sasuke would absolutely never admit being envious of the Academy's dead last. No. No way, no how, not happening.
Using his clan's favorite fireball technique to set the wagon full of dead bodies ablaze and putting just a smidgen too much chakra into the technique was therefore NOT a response to being overshadowed by Naruto, nor missing out on the slaughter that had occurred when mercenary forces met a well-rested former ANBU Captain and jonin ninja.
That the wagon was now merrily burning, along with sections of grass and some detritus on the road giving the whole a well-blasted look was therefore entirely coincidence.
Sakura, having discovered that Sasuke was his usual excellent and skilled self and that Naruto was unexpectedly powerful and had useful talents, was feeling a bit left out. However she also had some idea of what she could do about it. Rin Nohara was a medic-nin and had been on a team with an Uchiha and with Kakashi-sensei. She had contributed, had a place on her team, and been respected for her talents. There was a lot going on that was unsaid, apparently a lot of it regarding the circumstances of her original death, but that was part of ninja life wasn't it? Lots and lots of stuff that a rookie genin was not cleared to be told about.
Rin was back.
Kakashi Hatake wasn't sure about a lot of things, but this was Rin Nohara - as she had been prior to her kidnapping and becoming the jinchuriki of the Sanbi. It was as if a photo of that Rin had been taken at that time, and then someone just reached into the photo and pulled her out. She was a little more confused, a little more off-balance than he remembered at that time - but then she WAS out of her own time.
He'd had a chance to talk to her a few times and had noticed the scratch above her left elbow. That had been a minor thing, not worthy of being treated until they were back home. He remembered when and how she'd gotten it - from a thorny branch when she'd gone through some underbrush.
Kakashi's eye wandered over the written page as he considered that. Actually, considering that it HAD been a god of mischief, he thought the photograph analogy might actually be accurate. She'd gone on past that in his memories, but a "Rin-image" of that time and place had been created and in this present time she had been reset to that.
Which was good, because if she'd still had the Sanbi within her - he might have had to kill her again and that was something he just didn't know if he could manage. Once had been bad enough, to do it a second time even if it was her decision again - not something he'd want to contemplate.
Choukanohi, a sword with power over fire, rested in its scabbard across her back.
Rin wasn't too sure about this girlish-looking boy, she generally didn't care for the pretty-boy type herself. She preferred cool and competent types.
The two talked for awhile about herbs and their medicinal uses, and it was pleasant enough, but Rin got the feeling that there was something else going on. A half-formed sense of danger that never quite materialized.
Finally the gathering and sharing of herbs and berries was done and the two went their separate ways.
Cute.
Okay, he knew what Zabuza-sama had repeatedly told him. He was a ninja and therefore a weapon. A ninja had to be able to turn their heart off and kill without hesitation or mercy.
Still, he HAD noticed how cute the medic-nin was. And intelligent. And a wealth of information on medical techniques and herbs and their uses. And he had noticed her smile.
It had been the smile that had been the devastating part.
Kidnapping her and taking her to work on Zabuza-sama was the most logical and ninja thing for him to do. It might have been difficult to force her to work on an enemy, but it could have been done.
Getting information on how to use the various herbs to better effect, well, that was a lesser prize. Still valuable though.
If only she hadn't been so damn cute!
Haku sighed, glancing back in the direction of the Konoha nin. If only they weren't on different sides. Not that Zabuza-sama and himself were really on anyone's side but their own, being missing-nin and all.
Well, no cause for it but to get back to Zabuza-sama and try out the different herbs.
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(Posted Sat, 25 May 2013 16:54)
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