Chapter 6

The takoyaki was amazing. Isobu agreed, saying it was better than eating Gyuki's tentacles. I didn't comment. 

Not wanting to be a third wheel, I quickly said goodbye to Kurenai and Asuma and headed towards the library. "What are you going to do there?" asked Isobu.

"Read," I replied with a mouthful of the last bite of Takoyaki. 

"Yeah, no shi-" 

"Watch your language," I interrupted, "I want to read Tsunade-sama's medical journals." 

"What for?" asked Isobu. 

"So I can be a better medic-nin?" I asked/answered. 

"Hmph," said Isobu, "What is the point of healing when you have me?" 

"So I can heal others."

"Why don't you be a damage dealer instead? You have me!"

"Yes yes…" I muttered, "But it's better to be both. Plus I already know some."

"Point," said Isobu. He stopped talking. 

…

The library was large and spacious. I walked to the front desk. "Rin-san!" smiled the librarian, "Welcome back! I haven't seen you much recently!" 

I recognized her and smiled, "Hi, I was on a mission so I didn't get a chance to come." 

"Oh, I see," replied the librarian, "How can I help you?"

"I was wondering if I could read some medical journals?" I asked, "You see, I want to be a better medic-nin!"

The librarian smiled, "Of course, is there a certain author?"

I nodded, "I was wondering if I could read some by Tsunade-sama?"

The librarian nodded, "Good choice, follow me."

We walked through shelves of books and scrolls until we got to one section labeled Medical. The librarian pointed to a section of scrolls, "That one right there, have fun!"

"Thank you," I bowed and turned to the shelf. 

There was a ladder that led up to the section. I grabbed one of the scrolls. I squinted. The scroll was dusty but I could barely make out a small dot on the corner of the scroll. "Isobu?" I asked, "Does this look like Fuinjutsu?"

There was a pause, "Yes," he said, "I think someone hiding something." 

I gave a surprised gasp as my foot suddenly slipped and I fell off the ladder. "Ah!" I gave a small shout of surprise before I 'gracefully' backflipped and landed on my feet. 

Then, I promptly tripped over my feet while stumbling backward and fell back. I braced for impact, the scroll still in my hands. My eyes scrunched, but I never hit the floor. Something… no someone caught me. 

"You good Rin?" asked a voice behind me. 

Memories suddenly flooded me as I remembered who this was. I looked up to see a boy my age. He had been in the academy with me. He wore a bandana around his hair and had a senbon in his mouth. He would become a member of the Hokage Guard Platoon: Genma Shiranui. 

He was also in Rin's academy class. "H-Hi," I stuttered. 

He grinned, "Whatcha got there?"

I looked at the scroll, "Just some healing ninjutsu." 

He shrugged, "I heard you just got out of the hospital, how about we go celebrate? Wanna get dango?" 

I wasn't sure. Studying was important but… maybe? "Yes!" cheered Isobu, "I wanna try some sweets." 

'You can taste?'

"Uh yeah!" 

"It's okay if you don't want to!" said Genma quickly. 

"You like him," said Isobu. 

"No!" oops, did I say that out loud? 

Genma's face fell and he turned away dejectedly. "No!" I said again, "I meant yes, sure, why not!" 

He turned back and smiled. 'Cute…' 

Isobu snorted. 

… 

The dango was delicious and Genma was pretty nice. We talked about politics for a while. Genma told me about what I had missed and we discussed who we thought would be the next Hokage. I, of course, said it would be the Yellow Flash, Minato. He nodded, but he also thought it could be one of the Sannins. 'Hehehehehehehe, I know the future…' 

… 

I got home before dinner time. Who knew hanging out with Genme could make time fly? Anyways, kaa-chan was waiting for me. Her hands were on her hips and she glared at me, "Where were you?"

"Training…" I replied. 

"Are you sure?" she asked, "Anything else?" 

I shook my head, "No."

"Did you forget to do anything today?" she asked. Her tone was threatening but borderline… amused? 

"I don't think so…" 'shit did I forget something?' 

"I'll let tou-san tell you. Did you know he works in the hospital?" 

'Whoops, I forgot I still had to do shifts at the hospital…'

I quickly bowed my head in a show of apology, "Gomen'nasai! I forgot I had to go to the hospital!" 

Kaa-chan snorted, "You tell that to your father over dinner." 

I nodded and ran into the kitchen. "Sorry you-san, I forgot I had a shift at the hospital today." 

He gave me an amused grin, "It's fine. Just remember next time. Sit and eat! Your mother made some fish today!" 

"Okay!" I sat down. 

"YES!" screamed Isobu. 

I jumped. Tou-san looked at me and I gave him an awkward smile. 

'What Isobu?' 

"FISH!" he screamed, excited. 

'Right… turtles.' 

"So," said Kaa-san, "what did you do today? I mean you couldn't have been training the entire day…" 

"Oh…" I said, with a mouthful of fish, "I went to training ground three. After that, I got lunch and went to the library. I ran into Kurenai and Asuma." 

"They were in your academy class right?" asked Tou-san, "Asuma's Sandaimes on right?"

I nodded. "Are those two dating?" asked Kaa-chan.

I laughed, "Hehee… they probably are, but they deny it."

Kaa-chan nodded, "There would be a lot of gossip if people found out…" 

Tou-san nodded, "That always happens… especially those shinobi moms." 

Kaa-chan smiled in agreement, "What about you? Rin?" 

I swallowed, "What about me? I think there would probably be gossip if people found out…"

"I meant is there anyone you like? Any special boy? Girl?" Kaa-chan smiled and Tou-san leaned forward. 

"Genma," laughed Isobu, "So obvious! He likes you at least." 

Did my face turn red? I wasn't sure, but it felt hotter. "Oooh," laughed Kaa-chan, "so there is!"

Tou-san nodded in agreement, "She's blushing." 

"Nope," I said, "Nope, not at all. Stop laughing…"