This chapter will have mentions of the episode 282 flashbacks but things will be slightly changed to make more sense with this story. I'm also not sorry for the cliffhangers :)

The bright lights of the Konoha Hospital hallways were doing nothing to calm Ahsoka's nerves as she stood fidgeting, unable to sit down. A couple of burn marks covered her pale cheeks. Obito was in a similar position having paced in front of the operating room at least a hundred times by now. Kakashi seemed a bit calmer than the other two though perhaps it was because he was better at hiding it. All of them looking worse for wear.

Obito suddenly punched the air in frustration, "ARGHH! Where is Minato-sensei! Shouldn't he be here by now?!"

Ahsoka winced at the volume and anger in Obito's voice, "H-He should. Kaisoku is the fastest in my summoning pack. Something must have happened to hold them back..." Obito gritted his teeth as he let out another frustrated sound and with a swoosh of his white cloak he started pacing around again.

Ahsoka's eyebrows furrowed as her eyes shifted down to the floor. The fidgeting of her hands never stopping while she shifted her weight from one foot to the other. To anyone else it would seem she was just uncomfortable, only those who really knew her would know the immense guilt and conflict she felt but would not show outwardly.

Ahsoka's eyes stinged with tears that she refused to let fall, 'If only....If only I had been paying more attention.' Her fidgeting hands turned into clenched fists beneath her cloak.

Two hours ago

The world seemed to slow as the Obito, Kakashi and Ahsoka turned their heads at the sound of Rin's scream just in time to see a burnt Kumogakure shinobi with a wild look in his eyes bring down his kunai on the young girl.

"RIIIIIN!!!" The chorus of voices screamed.

Blood splattered through the air as the kunai made contact just between Rin's rib and was dragged down her abdomen. Rin let out a bloodied cough as her eyes closed. Her body going limp as she started to free fall down to the ground.

"NOOO!!" Obito cried out as he dove down. Kakashi and Ahsoka watched with panicked looks as  Rin's unmoving body continued to fall down, getting closer and closer to the ground while Obito ran down a tree.

The Uchiha's teeth gritted as he sped down the trunk, never taking his eyes off Rin the whole way. Heavy sweat was running down his face. With one leap he threw himself off the tree, his outstretched hands catching Rin's slack body in his arms. Taking advantage of the momentum carrying them, Obito pulled out a kunai as they approached a tree and embedded it into the bark. The boy gritted his teeth and grunted as the kunai slid down the bark, slowing their descent down to the forest floor.

Reaching the ground, Obito let go of the kunai. His worried eyes immediately turned to the girl in his arms, "Rin..." Blood stained her white cloak and under clothes. Her pale purple marked cheeks starked in contrast to bright blood running down from her mouth.

"Obito!" Ahsoka's voice echoed from high above the tree branches. Her wide eyes stared down at her two friends in fear.

Obito's head snapped up to the branches as he held back tears, "Ahsoka! Kakashi! She needs help! NOW!" A sudden groan coming from a couple of branches away made Kakashi and Ahsoka snap their heads in it's direction.

"You brats...are so annoying." The Kumogakure shinobi breathed heavily as he glared at Kakashi and Ahsoka intensely with a hand grasping his burned side. His other hand firmly holding the kunai caked in Rin's blood.

Ahsoka's eyes narrowed fiercely at the man as she clenched her jaw, "H-How did I not sense you?"

The man gave a low chuckle, "You must be a sensor shinobi, eh?" Ahsoka stood still and said nothing as she continued to glare at the man, "Let's just say you are not the only one around."

Kakashi's eyes widened slightly, "You. You are the sensor shinobi they used to pinpoint our location earlier..." The weight of a ton of bricks fell on Ahsoka's shoulders.

'Of course...How could I forget...I knew there was a sensor shinobi. I just assumed they were in the jonin groups! He must have been concealing his chakra as he chased us. Even so I should have been able to sense him! I'm an Aoyama for Kami's sake!' Ahsoka glanced below at her friend that was currently bleeding out, 'Damn it. If I had only been paying attention...It's my fault'

The heavy aching of guilt was all Ahsoka could feel as she watched Obito perform basic first aid medical ninjutsu on their friend. And all she could think about was the fact that it was her fault...all her fault. Amber colored eyes suddenly narrowed dangerously, 'No...there is someone else to blame too.' She thought as she slowly lifted her gaze up to the shinobi glaring at them.

"Kakashi," The boy's eyes snapped to Ahsoka at the sound of his name, "Go help Obito. He'll need all the help he can get if we are to get Rin to the hospital alive on time." Her eyes never leaving the Kumogakure shinobi.

Kakashi's head turned all the way to her as he protested, "Ahsoka are you crazy?! I'm not going anywher-"

"Kakashi!" Ahsoka's usually cheerful and playful tone was completely replaced by a serious and demanding one, "I would like to take him on alone. This is my fight," She shot Kakashi a look over her shoulder. Her eyes carrying a plead in their warm color, "Please."

Kakashi stared at her with calculating eyes, but inside he was cursing her to oblivion, 'She truly is crazy...'  Ahsoka continued to look at Kakashi until he tsked and turned his head away.

"Fine. But if something happens I'm stepping in." The corner of Ahsoka's lip had the slightest upward turn.

"I wouldn't have it any other way." She knew he probably wouldn't get there in time.

A low chuckle ahead of them made them turn back to the man, "You sure sound confident, brat. Especially for one who is a sensor and couldn't even sense a person twenty feet away." He lifted his kunai up as he got into a battle stance.

Ahsoka's eyes narrowed again, their kind warmth gone, replaced with a blazing desire to kick this guy's ass to hell, "You sure sound confident," The scrapping of metal rang as Ahsoka unsheathed Kusanagi, "For a guy who's team got bested by a bunch of twelve year olds." Kakashi took that as his cue to jump off the branch and down to the ground to help Obito.

Ahsoka lunged and the man backflipped to another branch, just barely using his kunai to redirect Kusanagi. The clanks of metal hitting metal rang through the forest as their blades met atop the tree branches.

Ahsoka gritted her teeth as she held Kusanagi firmly against the man's kunai, their duel coming to a slight stale mate as they glared at each other from across their blades, "Tired yet girlie?" A smug smirk made its way onto the man's face, to which Ahsoka challenged with a smug grin of her own. Piercing venom still clear in both of their eyes,

"Haven't you learned not to underestimate us yet?" With that, Ahsoka dropped down quicker than the man could process and kicked him in his solar plexus. The shinobi went flying backwards with a grunt as he tried to regain his composure in the air. His eyes widened as an explosive tagged kunai flew past his ear.

"WHA-!" The explosion caught him off guard as he flipped and dodged, the explosion lighting up the tree behind him. The shinobi grunted as he landed on a branch in a crouch, looking around for Ahsoka who was nowhere in sight.

'She couldn't have possibly retreated.' The Kumogakure shinobi closed his eyes as he made a ram seal. The world turned dark around him as he tried focusing on the girl's chakra signature. Nothing. He gave a frustrated groan as he dropped his hand, 'She must be concealing her chakra...Sneaky bitch.'

His eyes widened as he suddenly pulled out his kunai again and deflected a sudden barrage of shuriken spedding from a branch higher up. A swoosh of movement behind him caught his attention right when Ahsoka's leg was about to come in contact with his face.

'What?! How is she over here?' He thought as he moved to block the kick with his arm. Ahsoka jumped off the arm and backflipped into a trunk before propelling herself. The shinobi continued to dodge as Ahsoka came down with a high kick as she landed on the branch then continuing her relentless attacks with a punch and a knee kick.

The shinobi gritted his teeth as he kicked Ahsoka's legs from under her.She quickly backflipped and pushed herself back up in the air, swinging her leg towards the man in a kick which he caught in his hand. Ahsoka swung her other leg to the man's head as she pulled out a kunai, ready to slice the man's stomach.

His eyes widened as he watched the sharp blade coming closer and closer before he kicked Ahsoka away with a powerful kick, causing her to tumble off the the branch with a gasp.

The man smirked as he watched her fall, fear in her eyes, "Not bad. But not enough to beat me." Ahsoka's panicked expression quickly fell as she broke into a full closed eyed smile and with a puff she was gone before she hit the ground.

The man gasped, "What? A shadow clone?" A sharp excruciating pain made the man scream as he toppled off the tree, a stab wound on his back. The real Ahsoka landed gracefully on the branch in a crouch with Kusanagi covered in blood as she watched him fall down.

That was when he suddenly turned into a puff of smoke and a log replaced his body, Substitution Justsu, "Damn it!" Ahsoka cursed.

"Raiton: Lighting Strike!" Ahsoka's head snapped up with wide eyes just as a bright blue bolt of lighting split the tree she was standing on, turning the world blue around her.

"AHHHH!" Ahsoka screamed in pain as the lighting coursed through her body. Hitting every single nerve and setting it on fire. Ahsoka groaned as the lighting subsided, her steaming body dropping down to its knees.

"Not so tough now are you," The burned man stood higher in another tree, looking down at Ahsoka with hands on his hips. Ahsoka panted, her hair was a mess and scorch marks had now appeared on her cheeks thanks to the lighting, "And I thought you were doing so good."

Ahsoka gritted her teeth as she embedded Kusanagi in the tree bark. Slowly, she got up to her feet using her sword as support, "I'm not through yet you bastard." She lifted her gaze up dangerously, as she spoke softly, a silent rage clear in her eyes.

"Futon-Ryu Fuuinjutsu: Crescent Moon Beheading!" Ahsoka yelled out as she swung Kusanagi in a horizontal, crescent moon shape with unprecedented speed. A powerful surge of wind followed the movement of the sword and crashed into the Kumogakure shinobi. The last thing his wide eyes saw was the wind cutting his throat and separating his head from his shoulders.

Ahsoka watched as the body toppled over and fall down to the forest floor with a loud thud and a splash of blood. She stood there for only another second before speeding off to her teammates.

Obito's hands glowed a faint green as he and Kakashi tried to stop the bleeding with the basically non existent medical ninjutsu they knew. His dark eyes welled up with tears as he looked at Rin's face, 'Rin...'

The sound of feet hitting the ground made the boys tense and turn to the sound. But Obito's tense muscles relaxed as he smiled in relief instead, "Ahsoka!" Kakashi's own body relaxed as he let go of a kunai he had pulled out.

Ahsoka quickly made her way to the boys with a worried expression, "How is she?"

"Not too good. We need to get t- What happened to you?" Obito stopped mid sentence as he got a good look at the state Ahsoka was in.

Ahsoka crouched down, "It doesn't matter right now." Her eyes scrunched in pain as she looked down at Rin. Guilt swelled up in her chest again as she struggled to not cry. She suddenly bit her thumb hard enough to draw blood and performed hand signs "Kuchiyose no Jutsu." She slammed her palm down on the ground, creating a circular seal on the ground.

A white puff of smoke replaced the circle and Kakashi and Obito watched on curiously as the smoke cleared, revealing a small wolf with dull golden fur, "Good day Ahsoka-sama. How can I be of help today?" The wolf bowed his head in respect.

"There isn't much time to explain, Kaisoku. But I do need you to do me a favor," Ahsoka leaned forward, "I need you to track Minato-sensei and tell him Rin's been hurt - badly - and that we are heading straight to the Konoha Hospital. It's urgent."

Kaisoku nodded and bowed his head once more, "I will go as fast as I can, Ahsoka-sama." Kaisoku said, and in a blur the wolf was gone. Ahsoka turned back to the her teammates.

"Hand her over," Kakashi and Obito stepped back as Ahsoka- carefully and with effort- lifted Rin in her arms bridal style, "I'll take Rin to Konoha as fast as I can. You two can follow behind. I'll wait for you at the hospital."

"But-" Obito stopped himself as he looked down at Rin. He didn't want Ahsoka to have to waste anymore energy- she was already beat up as it was- but there wasn't any other choice if they wanted to save Rin. He closed his eyes with s sigh, "Fine."

Kakashi gave Ahsoka a nod though reluctantly, "We'll see you there." He shared the same feeling as Obito. He didn't like the idea of Ahsoka over exerting herself but there was nothing that could be done about it. She was the only one that could reach the hospital on time. She didn't need them holding her back.

Ahsoka looked at the boys with soft eyes, "I'll be careful you two. Don't worry too much." With that she sprinted off to the trees. The world immediately became a huge blur as she leapt from branch to branch, leaving Kakashi and Obito far behind in seconds.

The wind slashed around her, roaring loudly in her ears. She didn't even flinch, courtesy of her clan's ability to handle extreme speeds that others couldn't. That's why she turned her worried eyes down to Rin's pale face.

Brown eyes suddenly fluttered opened, causing Ahsoka to gasp,"Rin!" It seemed the speed had been enough to wake her even in her state. The brunette couldn't even properly open her mouth as she tried to mouth Ahsoka's name.

"Shh. You're going to be ok! Do you hear me?" Rin's brown eyes sparkled for a second at Ahsoka's words as she looked her best friend in the eyes. A flicker of a smile could be seen in her pale lips, "You're gonna be ok..." Tears swelled up in Ahsoka's eyes, and this time, she didn't try to hold them in.

Present

A sudden movement near Kakashi caught everyones's eyes just in time to see their sensei shunshin into the hall with a dull golden furred wolf standing no higher than Minato's thigh.

"Sensei!" The three preteens chorused in relief with Kakashi jolting out of his seat.

"I'm so sorry Ahsoka-sama. We were severely delayed by unexpected circumstances." The small wolf quickly trotted up to Ahsoka as he apologized in his very peculiar and formal way of speaking.

"It's all right Kaisoku. You did good," Ahsoka gave the young wolf a weak smile.

Minato took a step forward with a grim face, "I apologize too. Enemy reinforcements arrived just after Kaisoku did, but he was able to fill me in on the situation."

Kakashi narrowed his eyes slightly, "Reinforcements? Who could have been so troublesome for you that you got held back so long?"

Minato grimaced, "The sons of the Third Raikage. A and the eight tails jinchuriki, B." The three kids were left dumbfounded.

"A-Aren't those guys really powerful..." Obito said almost breathlessly as he stared at their sensei in awe.

"Yeah baka that's the whole point." Kakashi said snarkily, though he too was looking over at their sensei with huge respect.

Minato took another step forward, "Now's not the time for that. Tell me exactly what happened." The three recalled all of the events that happened since they left their sensei from the first kunai barrage thrown at them to Ahsoka's mad dash to Konoha.

Minato looked over at his female student with a mix of worry and awe, "Are you sure you are feeling ok, Ahsoka? Getting electrocuted and then having to run all the way to Konoha at that speed is not an easy feat, even for you."

Ahsoka tried to send Minato a reassuring smile through aching muscles, "I'm fine, really. A nurse all ready patched up my burn marks. I just-" Ahsoka cut herself off as she stared off to the side with a frown.

Minato's eyes narrowed in confusion and suspicion at Ahsoka's sudden change in mood, "Ahs-" The operating room door suddenly swung open, startling everyone waiting in the hall. A small nurse approached them with short strides and a tired face.

Obito ran to her and gripped her shoulders, "How's Rin?! Is she alive?! Please tell me!" The nurse's eyes widened as Obito shook her shoulders harshly.

"Obito calm down," Minato put a hand on the boy's shoulder, making Obito drop his hands. Minato turned to the nurse with worried blue eyes, "How is she?" The rest watched on anxiously.

The nurse patted down her hair and clothes as she regained her bearings, "Uh-She-Uh She is stable for now." Obito gave a cry of relief as Ahsoka let out a shaky breath she didn't know she had been holding. The nurse gave the relifed group a warm smile "She should be awake in a an hour so you'll be able to visit her soon."

Obito began frantically thanking the nurse as tears poured out of his eyes and she and Minato tried to calm him down. Kakashi had his eyes closed with his usual indifferent expression but his shoulders looked a lot less tense under his white cloak. Ahsoka had a hand to her chest as she scanned the scene before her. Waves of guilt, sadness, anger, and anxiety were still for now. Right now, she was only glad her friend was alive.

Obito speed walked past the group as he held small bouquet of white lilies firmly in his hand, "Come on people! Hurry up!" Obito called back as he waved his hand frantically in the air.

"Obito don't be in such a hurry. She's not going anywhere. You were the one that was late anyways." Kakashi said as he walked along side Ahsoka and Minato.

"B-But she is all alone! A-And Rin likes flowers so I-I thought she would like the gesture..." Obito retorded with an embarrassed tone as he fumbled through his words. Minato placed a gentle hand on Obito's shoulder as the group caught up.

"That's very nice of you Obito. I'm sure Rin will like them."

The group had headed to their homes to refresh and shed their mission gear and cloaks. But it seemed Obito had gone the extra mile and took a detour to the Yamanaka flower shop to get Rin some flowers, making him twenty minutes late.

Obito sent his sensei a nervous smile, "Y-You think so?"

Minato eyes softened, "Of course she will! Now come on, let's not keep her waiting."

"Hai!"

Rin looked out the window with tired eyes. The soft light of the afternoon sun covered by clouds light up the room with a very dim glow. Her back was propped up by a handful of pillows thanks to the effort of the nurses. Her headband laid neatly folded next to her nightstand newly cleaned from the blood that had stained it earlier that day.

Her own clothes had been changed to the white hospital robe she was now wearing for the very same reason as the headband. The quiet songs of birds could be heard from outside the window in the deafening silence of the room.

A loud 'slam' interrupted the peace as the hospital room's door slid open with force as Obito barged in, "RIN!"

Her head snapped to the door in surprise at the loud sound before she broke into a huge smile, "Obito!"

"Jeez do you have to be so loud...?" Kakashi grumbled from behind the door as the rest stepped calmly inside.

"We're so glad you are ok!! We all got so worried waiting for the medics to finish up a-and we didn't know if you were gonna be able to make the trip with Ahsoka an-" Obito stopped and took a deep breath in as everyone watched him in sudden confusion.

The flamboyant boy finally let the breath out and smiled, "I'm glad you are safe," He held up the bouquet of lilies, "Here, from-" He glanced at his three other team memebers for a second before turning back to Rin, "From all of us." Minato and Ahsoka smiled as Kakashi looked shocked for a second as Obito gave Rin a soft smile.

"Really?! You guys didn't have to go through all that trouble!" Rin winced as she laughed. Her hand flew to her wound, making the rest flinch with worry.

Minato approached the bed with troubled blue eyes, "How are you feeling, Rin?"

"I-I'm fine, sensei. The medics said I just need a lot of rest then'll be as good as new, you'll see!" Rin tried to sit up straighter but the sudden movement only caused her to wince again.

Minato frowned, "I'm glad to hear it. But remember, you have to take it easy. No harsh movements, understand?"

Rin gave a firm nod while smiling, "Hai."

Minato smiled gently before turning to everyone else, "Sadly I have to report to the Hokage so I can't stay longer. It'll be quick though so'll be back soon. Why don't you three stay here for now and keep Rin company?"

Ahsoka, Obito and Kakashi nodded, "Hai." With one last smile Minato shunshined out of the room, leaving the four teammates alone once again. Ahsoka and Kakashi pulled up chairs while Obito put the lilies in water.

"So, how long will you have to stay here?" Kakashi asked as he sat down with crossed arms.

"Only a couple of weeks if all goes well." Rin replied with a slight blush.

"And it will!" Obito flopped down on the seat with as much grace as an elephant.

Rin's got a determine shine before she giggled, "Hai!" She looked between her teammates, "So what happened while I was out?" Her eyes caught the ones of the other girl, causing Ahsoka to gasp lightly. Rin turned her head to the side, "Neh, Ahsoka?"

"Uh.." The words wouldn't come out. She didn't know what to say. What happened was that Rin almost died...'And it was all my fault.' Ahsoka thought. Her eyes looking empty for a second.

Rin raised an eyebrow in concern, "Ahsoka?" Reality hit the Aoyama as she became aware of her surroundings again.

"Huh? Oh..Uh Nothing much..." Ahsoka gave a short chuckle before quickly turning away, refusing to meet the brunette's eyes.

Obito leaned forward in his seat, "Nothing much?! She was amazing!  She beat that awful Kumo shinobi up so quick! She-" Rin listened intently, nodding along as Obito recounted the events though he exaggerated mostly everything. Obito's chatter became background noise to Ahsoka as she just stared down at the floor.

"Wow...That sounds really scary," Rin gripped her bedsheets tight in her fists, "I-I'm sorry to put you guys through that. I-I was distracted." For a moment Rin's eyes flickered between Ahsoka and Kakashi, "It's my fault."

Ahsoka's heart dropped, 'Is Rin serious?'

Rin suddenly lifted her head back up with a smile, "Well there is nothing that can be done about that so there is no point dwelling on it," She turned to the boys and continued talking despite her tiredness, "How was your journey back?"

Once again, the chatter became distant to Ahsoka's ears as she lost herself in her head, 'We almost died...' Her eyes looked over at Rin and Obito as they chatted and smiled while Kakashi pitched in every once in a while, 'She almost died,' Her eyes zeroed in on the brunette.

Rin didn't seem bothered at all as she tried not to giggle at Obito's stories as to not hurt herself, 'And it's all my fault...yet she doesn't blame me...' Ahsoka turned her eyes back down to the floor as she gripped her skirt.

Sitting on a chair not too far away, black eyes glanced to the troubled-looking young girl. Her brows knitted together as if she were deep in thought. But thinking about what? Kakashi could not tell...but he had an idea of what.

"I know right! That's what I said!" Obito and Rin giggled before they turned at the sound of a chair scrapping.

"I'm a bit thirsty. I'll be right back." Ahsoka sent the group a rueful smile as she turned to the door. Three slightly confused pairs of eyes watched as she slid the door open and walked into the hall.

The group that remained stayed silent, "Hm? What's up with her?" Obito asked as Kakashi's eyes continued staring at the door.

The sound of the water turning off could be heard as Ahsoka leaned away from the water fountain, giving a light cough as she wiped her mouth with the back of her hand. The hospital lobby was buzzing with people waiting, asking for loved ones, medics moving, and people pacing. It brought a sour taste to Ahsoka's mouth. She had never liked hospitals too much anyways.

Ever since the war started, hospitals and medical centers have been packed, sometimes to the brim after a major blow to Konoha forces or after a big mission going south. Lives were being lost on the daily. Some were seasoned veterans, others no more than children. Only the ones that are lucky enough get to come here to the Konoha Hospital where they could be treated with the upmost care, but those are far and few in between. One of those lucky ones being Rin.

Ahsoka's eyes continued observing the almost chaotic and loud scene...she hated it. She never had a problem with it until the war. Ahsoka never liked loudness, it never let her concentrate, it never let her think. It was one of the reasons she hated the lobby.

A man was speaking frantically to a nervous nurse in one corner of the room while a woman was silently crying into her hand in the other. Some talked loudly and some stayed silent....Yeah... Ahsoka hated the lobby.

Moving to place one foot in front of the other, Ahsoka started walking back to Rin's room. Except she didn't. She had taken two steps forward and stopped...her blood running cold at the thought of having to go back.

'I-I have to go back. Come on they are waiting for you.' The words filled her head but her body would not respond. The young Aoyama just stood there, eyes blank as she stared straight ahead, 'What are you doing?! Just Go!' Ahsoka berated herself in her mind but nothing seemed to work to make her move towards the hospital rooms.

With a shuddering breath Ahsoka took a step sideways and made a bee line for the seats in the lobby instead. Turning away from the long hallway leading to her teammates.

Ahsoka flopped down on the nearest plastic seat that was isolated from most of the commotion. She leaned forward as she stared down at her hands, her silky light auburn hair cascaded down the sides of her face.

'I'm such a coward. I can't even bring myself to face them...' Her half lidded eyes stared dully at her clenched hands as the loud sounds of the lobby echoed in her head once more. And for once, she was glad it didn't let her think.

Minato took long strides as he walked through the Konoha Hospital doors. It had been about fifteen minutes since he had left his team back in Rin's room and his desire to check on them had been eating at him all his time in the Hokage's office.

He cringed slightly at the sight and sound of the lobby. He missed the days this place wasn't as chaotic, though he had to admit, today it wasn't as bad as some days he had experienced. Minato continued walking, ignoring all the people around as he took purposeful steps towards the hallway leading to the hospital rooms.

That was when a mop of bright hair the color of an ember caught his blue eyes. Minato turned his head slowly to the right to see one of his team's prodigies sitting in one of the many plastic chairs lined up against the wall. She lifted her head up and Minato could have sworn he saw a flicker of emptiness on her face before she shot him a bright smile.

"Minato-sensei! You're back already?"

"Hai, I came as soon as I could." Minato said as he approached the girl.

Ahsoka giggled, "You weren't kidding when you said you'd be right back." Minato's intense blue eyes stared down at the girl. A hint of suspicion hidden behind a carefully stoic face,

"Yeah.... How's Rin by the way? Is she strong enough to hold a conversation?"

Ahsoka nodded happily, "Hai, she and Obito were going at it the whole time. She looks tired, but she only showed discomfort when she laughed too much."

"I see," Minato's eyes shifted to look around the room, "What are you doing here anyways?"

Ahsoka shrugged and laughed sheepishly, "I got really thirsty and I decided to stay down here since going up the stairs would be a drag. The mission left me a bit winded, ya know?"

The blonde turned his calculating eyes back to the auburn haired girl, her wide smile having had faded into a gentle one. Minato just stood there, silently looking down at the girl, observing her. The short interaction he had with her in front of the operating room suddenly resurfaced in his mind.

This was a girl of many abilities, and Minato had just come across another.

The silence dragged on, only the not so distant sounds of the lobby could be heard, "You know...." Minato began. The girl's eyes opened curiously, maybe even cautiously, "You're a pretty good liar...Ahsoka."

Silence...and for a moment almost too quick to catch, Minato could have sworn he saw a flash of panic in Ahsoka's eyes. The girl quickly furrowed her brows in confusion, "W-What do you mean, sensei?"

Minato's stoic expression relaxed. His intense blue eyes took on a calm look like the sky on a cloudless day. With a heavy sigh the jonin sat down on the plastic chair to Ahsoka's right. His eyes turned to look at the seemingly confused girl in the eyes, "Ahsoka, you can drop the facade now."

Instantly, Ahsoka's confused expression morphed into one of despondency as the mask fell, "Huh, there's really not hiding anything from you." Her dull eyes turned the away as she scoffed lightly. The silliness and upbeat tone of her voice were gone, replaced by one deeper, heavier.

Minato looked at the girl with a worried look, "Ahsoka, what's wrong?"

The Aoyama shifted in her seat, "Nothing's wrong, sensei. I'm fine."

Minato stayed silent as his saddened eyes tried to catch her gaze, "No, you're not." Ahsoka's bright eyes flickered to her sensei before she looked back down again.

"I-It's just-I- Something is wrong okay?!" The preteen's voice rose higher as she spoke, but Minato made no move to stop her, "My teammate-my friend got hurt because of my own mistakes! I am the sensor of the group! I'm supposed to be the one that alerts everyone of danger! I was supposed to make sure no one got close enough to surprise us! I am an Aoyama for Kami-sakes! I'm supposed to do better than that!"

The girl took a deep shuddering breath as she paused, "So no, I'm not fine! I'm not fine because it was my own damn fault Rin got hurt!"

Ahsoka gasped as she felt a single cold tear run down her cheek. She quickly lifted her hand to wipe it off, suddenly becoming aware of her passionate rant. The rough material of her long gloves scraping her soft cheeks.

"I-I'm so sorry sensei. I shouldn't hav-"

"No, it's ok," Ahsoka looked up at Minato with drying eyes, "Talking about it is good." A soft and kind smile grazed Minato's lips as he looked at Ahsoka, "But I also want you to know. These things are sometimes inevitable. We can't be alert at all times, we are not machines after all. No matter how great one's blood line may be."

Ahsoka ducked her head slightly as her sensei continued speaking, "We can't always control these things. Bad things are bound to happen and we have to live with that, I wish I could tell you it will get better, but it doesn't. You get better." Ahsoka looked up at her sensei who still wore a smile.

His eyes suddenly darkened, "Even with that, tragedy can strike more than once." The meaning of the words sent a chill down Ahsoka's spine.

"I guess so." Ahsoka said as she turned away.

A heavy sigh escaped Minato, "Ahsoka, what I'm trying to say is...don't blame yourself. The only thing you can do is learn from it. Don't have any regrets. None. Even as you fight out there, you are still a kid. So don't be so quick to berate yourself."

The girl looked down, a small smile grazing her lips, "Hai." Minato's eyes softened as the corner of his lips turned upwards before he broke out into a grin.

Minato stood up from the small plastic chair, "Maa...Why don't we go upstairs with the rest of the team? I'm sure they're wondering why your water break is taking so long."

Ahsoka opened her mouth to say something before closing it again. Her brows furrowed slightly as a thoughtful expression crossed her features, "I think I'll stay here for a little. I-I just...need time to think." She ducked her head slightly as she glanced at her sensei from the corner of her eyes.

Minato's confused expression relaxed as he looked down at the girl kindly, "Of course. Take your time. We'll be waiting for you when you are ready." Ahsoka's eyes softened as she gave a slight nod. The Yellow Flash gave his student one last warm look before he started walking away into the crowd of the lobby.

"Wait-sensei!" Minato swirled around at the sound of Ahsoka's voice. Her mouth was agape as she sat straight in her seat, her eyes meeting Minato's, "Arigato." Minato's eyes widened for a second. Ahsoka's warm eyes met his from across the room.

The young jonin's eyes softened as he smiled gently and gave a nod before turning around and disappearing down the hallway, leaving Ahsoka to watch his back until his bright blond hair was no longer visible. The young girl turned her eyes back down to her lap.

'He's right...I can't go on just feeling sorry for myself. If anything, I have to learn from this and be aware that I can't save everyone...' The thought hit hard. Her abilities were a gift, but even with them, she wasn't perfect.  Ahsoka's lips turned to a hard line as she stared down at her palms.

'But I can't shake this feeling off. This feeling of guilt.'  The sounds of the room bounced off the walls. The movements revolved around as Ahsoka stayed there, silently looking at her palms.

She stayed there, she didn't know how long exactly but it couldn't have been more than five minutes,'I still have a long way to go.' She narrowed her eyes, 'But I'll still do my best....For them. No regrets.'

The girl gripped her skirt tight as she took in a heavy breath, "Maa...They must be worried. I guess I should start heading back now..." Ahsoka spoke to herself as she stood up from her chair. Placing her feet one in front of the other one more time towards the hall. The sound of her footsteps drowning in the loud room.

That was until...

"Excuse me?"

Ahsoka whipped her head around at the sound of the rough voice speaking over the noise. A tall looking jonin approached the Aoyama with a somber expression. He had a fresh looking cut  running down the side of his face and bruises littering the visible parts of his arms.

The strangest feeling of dread rushed over Ahsoka as he spoke her name, "Are you Ahsoka Aoyama?" The man stopped in front of Ahsoka with a deep frown. The air seemed to drop a couple of degrees as Ahsoka strained her neck to look up.

"Y-Yes."

His dark brown eyes suddenly took on a weird look...something akin to pity. Something that seemed really uncharacteristic with the rest of his face. Ahsoka's honey colored eyes stared up at the man with confusion.

"I bring news from the front lines," The sound of her heart beat pounded in Ahsoka's ears. She knew what was coming. And she wasn't ready for it, "Hiroshi Shinto, has been killed."

Honey colored eyes widened, taking on a desperate look as the man's next words were drowned by silence in Ahsoka's head. The loud noises of the lobby had gone quiet as too as her mouth slowly fell open.

"Like they say...lightning only strikes once in the same spot. But tragedy strikes twice."

(Headcanon: The one where Hiroshi and Ahsoka went to Ichiraku)

A/N: ...Eh? Um.. to be continued?

P.S. In case you didn't notice...there is a reason why this chapter and chapter 3's titles are similar...

***Next Update will be Sept 2nd