While Hidden in the Trees

Hyuuga Rin stood next to Uchiha Itachi in the office of the Third Hokage. The Third sat at his desk, his face hidden behind his giant hat. All Rin could see was the puffs of smoke, coming from the hat and floating to the ceiling. Behind the Hokage was Hatake Kakashi, leaning against the wall, his arms folded across his chest. His head was down, and Rin could tell that even behind the mask Kakashi was frowning, a look of worry.

The atmosphere was stiff, tense. Itachi and Rin hadn’t been back in the Village for more than an hour before they were dragged in to the Hokage’s office, to explain away the deaths of their companions. They were still in their ANBU uniforms, Rin dirty and beaten, Itachi smooth and collected.

“…And so you and the other platoon split up.” The Third finished saying.

“Yes. I never saw the other platoon again. Beat san informed me that he saw the bodies of the platoon before he disappeared as well.” Itachi said, coolly.

“And where were you when all of this disappearing was going on?” Kakashi directed his question toward Itachi. The tone in his voice was almost mocking. Rin knew from past relations that Kakashi and the Uchiha were not on the best of terms. As Rin expected, Itachi turned his head to fix a glare on Kakashi. The silence weighed heavily in the room.

“A mist did fall in the forest.” Rin replied. “I activated my Byakugan, but by then Shuya was upon me.”

The Third nodded. Rin had given a full description to the Hunter Nins, and using the Bingo Book she was able to confirm the identity of her attacker as Kawada Shuya, a Shinobi of the Hidden Leaves who had gone missing over 10 years prior. “The Hunter Nins are still searching the river for his body.”

“There have been reports,” Kakashi stood up straight, and walked closer to the Third’s desk. “of Orochamaru being seen in the forest. Neither of you happened to have seen him, did you?”

Rin’s white eyes widened. She looked from Kakashi to Itachi in surprise. “Orochamaru? No, no I didn’t see anyone except Shuya. Itachi kun, you didn’t see anyone either, did you?” she looked over at the Uchiha who stiffened.

“No.” he replied. “I didn’t see anything at all.” Rin stared at Itachi. She tried her best to hide her surprise. You’re lying, Itachi kun. You’re lying. She looked back over at the Third and then at Kakashi. The Hokage’s face was still hidden while Kakashi glared at Uchiha. Kakashi san knows...

“We will need a full report from both of you.” The Hokage spoke. “I expect it to be available by tomorrow morning.”

“Hai!” Rin and Itachi bowed in unison.

“I hope these holes will be filled in by then. Until then you both are dismissed. Get cleaned up, and get some rest.” Rin and Itachi bowed again, and turned to leave.

“Rin!” Kakashi called. “Stay one minute.” Rin glanced at Itachi who was glaring at Kakashi. “I’ll see you tomorrow, Itachi.” Kakashi said, innocently.

Itachi frowned, and then said: "I don't even know what you're doing in this meeting Kakashi, san." He turned sharply on his heels and walking out.

Rin sighed, shaking her head. Even with Itachi's last words she still felt the tension evaporate away.

Kakashi glared at the empty space that Itachi once occupied before saying: “Rin, as a friend I want to tell you to be careful of Itachi. There is something not right about him. Keep that in mind.”

Rin looked at the Hokage, who had removed his hat and had a weary look on his face. He puffed solemnly on his pipe.

“Hai.” Rin said, reluctantly. She bowed, hesitated for a moment, and then exited the room.

Kakashi sighed, and shook his head. ‘Do you think---?”

“Hard to say,” The Third whispered. “But I do think Rin is telling all she knows.”

“And Itachi?”

“He is a genius. An excellent Shinobi. Light years ahead of his time.” The Third paused. “But so was he…”

Kakashi nodded. “His only friend is Uchiha Shisui.”

The Third nodded. “I was thinking the same thing. Shisui is honorable, and will do what he must for his Village.”

“So you think we can recruit him to keep an eye on Itachi…”

The Third removed his pipe from his lips, and put it out, using his thumb. “We are left with no choice.” He said, somewhat sadly. “He was lying.”

“Yes. He was lying…”


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Rin closed her eyes and smiled as the sun beat down on her face. It had been a week since that dreadful mission and the meeting with the Hokage; in the meanwhile she and Itachi had been suspended from their ANBU duties, pending investigation. Even though Shuya’s body had been recovered, examined and disposed of by the Hunter Nins there was still unaccounted time on Itachi’s part that was being questioned. Rin’s suspension was simply a matter of protocol, Kakashi had assured her.

But all that was behind her for today. Today she was enjoying sitting in the grass as Hinata picked flowers and Neji practiced the Gentle Fist.

She listened to Hinata’s soft picking and the rustle of Neji’s clothes as he practiced. The peacefulness of the day and the soft sounds coming from her family put her in a meditative state. She found her mind drifting to the forest, to the moment that she had been afraid to think of.

You are mine.

She opened her eyes, and shook her head. Neji stopped, and looked over.

“Is something wrong, sister?”

Hinata looked up from her flowers and stared. Rin smiled at the children, and shook her head. “Wrong? No, nothing is wrong. Show me that move again, Brother, I missed it.”

Neji looked unconvinced, but resumed his stance. He thrust his open hands forwards in quick succession. His movements were fluid and precise as he jabbed at his phantom enemy. Rin smiled. He will be amazing. She glanced over at Hinata, who watched Neji with awe. You will be too, someday.


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Her smile suddenly disappeared. From behind Neji he appeared. Itachi was not the tallest Shinobi, but as it was, he towered over the nine year old. Rin jumped up and Hinata gasped, grabbing onto the leg of Rin’s pants. Neji, realizing someone was behind him, spun around, retaining his stance.

“Who are you?” the boy demanded.

Itachi looked at Rin. “Your brother? You should tell him that when you want to learn someone’s name you should give your own name first.”

“Neji kun, come here!” Rin ordered. The boy obeyed, walking over to his sister.

Itachi smirked. Rin stood in the center, wearing black pants and a matching shirt. Bandages covered her forehead, and she had her replaced headband now tied around her neck. A little girl around the boy’s age stood behind Rin. She was a younger version of Rin, clinging to her leg and looking at Itachi with fear in her eyes. The boy was on the other side, glaring with the same bitterness he had seen in the older Hyuuga. They were a sight. All of them, 3 pairs of white eyes on him. They looked blind, but Itachi knew that they saw more with those eyes than even him.

“Family outing, Rin chan?” Itachi squinted in the sun. “I haven’t seen you since the meeting.”

“Now is not the time, Itachi kun.”

“There are things we should talk about.”

Rin stared at Itachi, and then reluctantly turned to her brother. “Neji kun, I need you to walk Hinata sama home.”

“WHAT!”

“Just do it, Neji kun!” Rin hissed. “Don’t forget our promise to Father.”

Neji turned his glare to the little girl opposite himself. Itachi noted that the anger in the boy’s eyes was even stronger than Rin’s. The little girl cringed, and buried her face into Rin’s leg.

Neji scowled and spun around. “Let’s go.” He barked after the little girl, who looked at Rin with despair before turning away and following the boy.

“You’ve been avoiding me.” Itachi stated.

“That’s not true.”

“Kakashi must have gotten to you.” Itachi shrugged and walked closer to Rin. He stood over her, so close the tips of his shoes touched her own.

Rin tilted her head. “What happened in the forest, Itachi kun?” she took in a deep breath. “The platoons…”

“I didn’t kill anyone.” Itachi interrupted. “They killed themselves with their own weakness.” He shook his head. “Jounins, the lot of them. We are suppose to be the greatest Country, and yet we do not use our powers to the maximum potential. It’s shameful, really. A waste.” He looked at Rin. “But I did not kill them.”

Rin looked down, at her feet. “I never thought you did.” She whispered so quietly Itachi almost missed it. She looked up. “And I believe you. But the thing with Orochamaru. Tell me what happened, Itachi kun. I know you saw him.”

A breeze picked up and blew briefly, fluttering Rin’s hair. Itachi raised his hand, and ran it slowly down her black mane. The girl stiffened, but held her place. His hand found her cheek, and then traced the outline of her collarbone with his finger. He slipped it back around her neck, and pulled her up against him. I know my weaknesses…

“Rin chan, you are not like the other Jounins.”

Rin stared at Itachi, mesmorized. “I don’t know what you expect from me.”

“Itachi leaned forward. “Any expectations I have had of you has been exceeded.” He moved forward, raising his other arm and wrapping it around her waist. Rin sighed, a drunken look in her eyes, as she leaned her own head forward.

A wave of leaves suddenly encircled them, and as quickly as Itachi was upon Rin he moved away.

“Itachi,” a young man appeared beside Itachi. He resembled the Uchiha, except that he was taller, and broader. “Rin chan.”

Rin blinked. The appearance was just as sudden as Itachi’s. “Shisui.”

“My brother.” Itachi did not look in the newcomer’s direction.

“I’m not interrupting anything, am I?” Shisui looked from Rin to Itachi.

“No, I was about go catch up with my brother and sister anyway.” Rin bowed. “We shall finish later, Itachi kun.”

“Yes, we shall, Rin chan.” She bowed towards Shisui, and walked off.

Shisui followed the girl with his eyes. “Been keeping busy, Itachi kun?”

Itachi lowered his head, his eyes on the ground. “Not busy enough, Shisui san.”


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Rin removed her headband, and placed it on her dresser. She appeared calm, but within her thoughts and emotions was running wild. The truth was that she had always had a mild interest in Itachi, since she first met him after being recruited for ANBU. When they started teaming together for missions her interest in him had grown. He had always remained indifferent and aloof towards her, up until their fight for Rank. Even after, she kept her growing feelings to herself.

She walked over to her window, and opened it. Being so near him, having him hold her awakened feelings that she thought laid dormant. People had always been leery of Kakashi, while Rin found herself drawn to him. This deal with the forest made things worse, but the kiss he gave, made her want him more. If Shisui had not shown up…

Rin looked up, her eyes on the wall of the Hyuuga complex. She sighed. She could not see the features, but could make out a perfect silhouette perched on the wall that was watching her as she sat at the window.

Itachi kun….