Kakashi Hatake

Chapter 21: Snake

A slow pressure cloaked itself around my neck. The slow hiss creeped up to my ear. My eyes opened to meet with cold snake eyes. "Now now. Don't fret too much. You may end up choking yourself to death," a man hissed. One snake held my whole body motionless, specifying force on my neck.

This is what I get for falling asleep on watch.

My lips stayed sealed and he chuckled, "You're a lot younger looking then I expected, Rin Ereseld."

"Aw thanks," I joked. How does he know me?

The snakes wrap tightened around my neck. "You're not exactly in a situation to be joking around. I'm interested how you survived that experiment. As well as how you're alive after all these years."

My neck began to hurt as the snake buried deeper. "Hey can you watch your snake. I'm not sure I'm into choking," I rasped.

Suddenly I wasn't able to breath. My hands aren't able to reach the snake to electrocute it. The man began to laugh, "You're going to regret doubting me. It's obvious that you're not as strong as they said you were. Still, I can still use you for research."

I don't want to use Kometzu power. If I do, he'll just have more desire to pursue me. My vision started to go fuzzy. That's the exact reason I had to go into hiding. Before I passed out, the force on my neck released and I began to cough for air.

Kakashi's figure appeared in front of me. The snake bled all over my cloak. He immediately took my arms and helped me up. I stumbled a bit, but Kakashi kept me up. By the time I was aware of my surroundings, the man was gone.

"Who was that guy?" I asked while gasping for air.

"Orochimaru. What did he say to you?"

"He knew who I was." I sighed, "I'm going to have to work on my eyes now if I want to watch my back during the day."

Tenzo came running up. "What happened?"

"Orochimaru tried to kidnap Rin, and almost succeeded," Kakashi said.

"That's strange. What would he get out of that?" Tenzo asked.

I punched Tenzo in the shoulder. "What do you mean 'what will he get out of that?' I'll beat to you a pulp. You calling me useless?"

He rubbed his shoulder. "I didn't mean it like that!"

"Maybe I'll go turn myself in. That'll show you Yamato," I grumbled.

"The two of you stop bickering," Kakashi ordered. "We should make our way back to the leaf now. There's no telling when he'll come back. I'll report everything to Lady Hokage when we arrive by sundown."

"You're right," Tenzo mumbled.

I didn't say a word. I'm not in the the mood to talk to him at the moment. He should've let me bicker with Tenzo. The only thing my mother ever taught me was the silent treatment. Except she was the one who did it all the time because she never wanted to have anything to do with me. It would last for weeks at a time. Only time she would talk to me was to yell at me. So over time I learned to be quiet when I was upset.

On the way back everyones guard was up. We all kept silent the whole time. I sensed Kakashi would shoot me a few glances from time to time. No stops were made and we made it to the village earlier than expected. Kakashi left us to report everything to the Hokage like he said he would.

I guess we aren't going out to get sweets after all. Guy wrapped his around my shoulder unexpectedly. "Don't be so down Rin. You didn't think we would forgot about you? We got back early so we can do other stuff too if you want."

"Guy Sensei! Rin!" Lee yelled as he ran up to us.

"What about me?" Tenzo said sadly to himself.

"Lee! We are taking Rin out to eat sweets. Want to come along?"

Lee started to tear up. "Of course! Thank you for asking Guy Sensei!" Guy teared up as well and they both starting crying. They spoke to each other as they sobbed joyfully. What is happening? I couldn't really tell what they're saying, but at least their bond is strong. It would be weird if it wasn't, because they look the same.

"Uh, well. Does everyone want to go now? Kakashi should've been back by now," Yamato said.

"I just came from Lady Hokage's office. He wasn't there," Lee replied.

I sighed, "Let's just go." He probably didn't even want to come in the first place.

After hanging out with the guys. I went outside the village into the forest. The sun was about to set, and I needed to work on my eyes. Before finding a patch of grass to rest, I took my cloak off. The snake blood was barely visible, but it still made me think. People may be after me now, and this cloak is a huge giveaway. I folded it up and placed it at the bottom of my bag.

I untied the cloth off that hid my eyes. A sharp stinging pressure hit me full force. Taking deep breaths, I squinted my eyes open. Tears filled my eyes as I attempted to view the sunset. My hands clenched the grass as the pain grew. Two hands covered my eyes causing everything to go black.

Kakashi sat behind me and his legs were to both sides of me. "That's probably not the best way to do it."

The silent treatment from me isn't over. He tied the cloth back around my eyes. His hands wrapped around my waist and he pressed my body against his. Resting his chin on my left shoulder, he spoke to me softly. "Are you mad at me?"

"No," I uttered. I leaned into him accepting his embrace. My mind says no but my body has different plans.

"Don't waste your chakra sensing at the moment. I'm here, you'll be alright."

The last thing I saw was Kakashi's left eye revealed as I let my guard down. Everything went black as my body relaxed. The only touch was Kakashi's as he held me close.

A shiver ran through me when he nestled his face into my neck. His soft warm breath hit my neck. "I'm sorry. I didn't know I would be so busy as soon as we got back. I'll take you out sometime. I owe you a date anyway."

My heart softened. "Really?"

"Of course. Also, were you giving me some sort of silent treatment today because of what happened with Yamato."

"What? No..." You could tell I'm lying.

He moved his hand from my waist to my chin, tilting my head up to reveal a bruise on my neck. "I was rushing things because of what he did to you."

I sighed, "I'm useless without my eyesight."

"You're better then most shinobi even without your eyes. Don't rush things. As long as I'm here, I won't let him take you."

A wave of happiness crashed over me. No one has ever said this to me. "Thank you Kakashi."

It was silent for the next hour as my muscles went numb. The sun set before Kakashi spoke up. "Let's go on that date tonight."