Minato's Daughter

Chapter 31 - An Unexpected Reunion

Kakashi

"Is she still not awake?"

I glanced up at the door, seeing Kurenai and Gai standing there with worried looks on their faces. I shook my head in response as they came into the room, closing the door behind them. It had been three days since the battle with the two Akatsuki members, three days since Kakuzu tried to kill her. According to Lady Tsunade, her physical injuries weren't as bad as I had thought, however, she couldn't speak about her mental state.

"Don't worry too much Kakashi, she'll be up and running again in no time," Gai told me as Kurenai took a seat in the chair across from me on her other side.

"Have you gone home at all?" She asked, glancing at me.

I nodded as I squeezed Miyuki's hand. Come on, move your fingers Miyuki.

"Kakashi," Kurenai called.

"What is it?" I asked, glancing at her.

"Don't wait for the perfect moment or think it's too soon," She said.

I tilted my head. "What're you talking about?"

"Proposing to her. Don't wait and miss your chance and end up like me and Asuma," Kurenai replied softly.

"PROPOSE?!" Gai screeched as he rushed to my side.

I felt my face begin to burn. What the hell was Kurenai saying? Propose? Why would she even bring that up?

"You're PROPOSING?" Gai yelled as he turned me to him, grabbing both of my shoulders.

"No!" I quickly told him as he began to shake me back and forth.

"Congratulations! That's truly amazing Kakashi!" Gai yelled, ignoring my denials.

"Let go of me!" I snapped at the older man who just continued to shake me back and forth.

I heard Kurenai laughing and managed to flash her a glare, my head spinning from the repeated motion. Why would she bring up something so pointless now? It's not like Miyuki and I were even close to sharing a life together.

"I'm just saying, don't wait until it's too late," Kurenai said suddenly, a smile hiding the flash of sadness that went through her eyes.

"I'll go buy the rings!" Gai yelled.

Before anyone could stop him, he ran out of the hospital room. I felt a headache building as I let out a stressed huff.

"We're not even remotely close to that stage," I told Kurenai.

"And what is the stage that you plan to propose to her?" Kurenai asked.

"I don't know," I responded, frustrated.

"I'm not saying you need to do it tomorrow, Kakashi. I'm just saying that anything can happen on missions so don't wait too long to ask her. You both deserve to be happy."

I turned from Kurenai to look at Miyuki. With our history and everything we've been through, would she even say yes to spending the rest of her life with me?

Miyuki

Everything was dark. It felt like I had been walking forever. Where was I going?

"Miyuki!"

I turned, startled by the sudden voice. I felt my mouth drop when I saw the person in front of me. But, how?

"Rin?"

"I missed you!" She exclaimed as she smiled warmly at me.

"Am I dead?"

Rin tilted her head. "I wouldn't say you're dead, but I wouldn't really say that you're alive either."

I shook my head. I really was going insane or I was dead. Rin held out her hand and I grabbed it slowly, her smile drawing me in.

"It must have been so hard, Miyuki," she said quietly as I felt the tears begin to sting my eyes.

Without saying anything, I grabbed the girl in front of me into a hug. I grit my teeth, trying not to cry in front of her. Rin pulled away, dabbing at my eyes with her sleeve.

"You've done so well," she said gently as the tears silently began to drip down my face.

We stayed like this, with Rin drying my tears. I felt like the weight that had been pushing down on me lighten a bit and soon, the tears stopped and we were sitting next to each other, both of us staring straight ahead.

"Am I dead?" I asked again.

"No," Rin responded with a sigh.

"Then why am I here?"

"Because you aren't really alive either."

"Rin," I snapped as I turned to her, only for her to smile.

"Don't worry, you should be alright to go back soon," she told me.

"Are you dead?" I asked her, already knowing the answer.

"Yeah," she replied sadly.

I sighed. I had a small hope that she also was still alive somehow, however, I knew it was just my wishful thinking.

"Where's Obito?" I asked her, remembering the boy.

She was silent and I turned to look at her. "Where is Obito, Rin?"

"He's somewhere," she replied, laughing while scratching the back of her head.

"Why isn't he here with you? I thought he'd be clinging to you in the after life," I retorted.

She just laughed and I felt uneasy. Where was Obito? Was he also stuck like Rin, waiting for me and Kakashi or did he already pass onto the pure land?

"Rin," I started but she shook her head.

"Miyuki, be happy now. You and Kakashi both deserve so much," she told me suddenly.

I was about to reply to her when pain exploded through my head. I gasped, clutching it between my hands.

"R-Rin..." I said weakly, groaning in pain.

"Be happy, Miyuki."

Her voice faded away and I saw her also fading into the darkness. Was I really dying? I felt the pain travel through my body as flashes of the battle with the two Akatsuki members flooded my mind. I gasped, doubling over as everything hurt. What was happening?

Kakashi

"These rings are perfect!"

I scowled as Gai held up two rings with dumbbells on them. He must be insane.

"Gai, no one would ever want to wear that," I growled.

"What are you talking about? Lee said that these rings are the hottest item for youth!" Gai shouted as he shoved the rings closer to my face.

I fended off the older man, both of us yelling at each other when I heard Kurenai suddenly gasp and stand up.

"What is it?" I asked her as I let go of Gai's face.

I quickly focused my attention back on Miyuki. She slowly opened her eyes, tears flowing out of them, and she was gasping for air.

"Miyuki!"

I quickly grabbed her hand, watching as her eyes quickly darted through the room.

"Ka...Kashi?" She whispered, once her eyes landed on me.

"How do you feel?" I asked her gently.

"I... I saw Rin..." she replied, regaining her breath.

Everyone froze. Did she just say Rin? As in our dead teammate, Rin?

"What do you mean?" Kurenai asked, suddenly.

"I saw... Rin..." She said again, this time more quietly.

I saw her eyes beginning to close and felt her grip on my hand loosen. She was unconscious again. Kurenai and I flashed each other a look. Did she just say Rin?