Chapter 39

I smiled and grabbed the dango stick from the stall owner. "Thank boss," I smiled and pulled out my wallet to pay. 

"I got this," said Genma, pulling out his wallet. 

I glared at him. "My food, my money." 

He shook his head, "My treat. It's not that expensive. Plus, I was the one who asked you out." 

"This is a date?" I grinned, "I thought we were just getting food." 

"Um, no," he said, "This is obviously a date. Should I have made this more obvious? I'm pretty sure I asked you if you wanted to go out with me." 

"I'm pretty sure you just asked me if we wanted to go out to get food." 

His ears reddened, "That was me asking for a date." 

The stall owner laughed, "Alright lovebirds, this one's on the house." 

I felt my ears burn up. "Er… thanks," Genma replied sheepishly. Both of us were red faced and we grinned awkwardly at each other. We each grabbed a stick of dango. 

"Thank's again boss," I grinned. 

"No problem," he waved his hand, "I remember when I was your age. Just remember to invite me to the wedding!" 

Genma sputtered, "It's not-we're…" 

"Yeah yeah," laughed the stall owner, "Just get on with it." 

We walked down the street, dango in hand. "So," said Genma, "What do you want to do? Go to the zoo? Just walk around? Go to the park? Spar like old times?" 

We laughed, those days were over. We were older now, more mature, and much stronger. "How about we just talk? How have you been? What have you been doing?" 

He nodded and talked. He told me about his mom, his work, and his life. He told me about how he stilled worked in Hokage Tower, guarding Sandaime and watching him do paper work. I laughed. "How have you been?" he asked me. 

"Good," I said, "Naruto's group is bit of a hassle but-" I froze, sensing a familiar chakra. 

"Rin?" he poked me playfully, "Are you okay?" 

"I…" I nodded, "The Chunin exams are starting. I heard you are proctoring this year?" 

He nodded, "I was surprised when Hokage-sama asked me to proctor the third exam. Did you hear Anko's going to be proctoring the second exam?" 

I snorted, "She doesn't need to proctor it. She could totally be the second exam." 

"Yeah," agreed Genma, "Stick them in a room with her for 24 hours and see if they go insane." 

We both laughed, but my smile faded. I felt the cold chakra of Shukaku. Isobu's chakra was like a second home for me. Naruto's Kyuubi chakra was intense yet warm at the same time. This one was old and murderous. Isobu roared in my head. I flinched and gripped my head. "Ow…" The dango fell to the floor.

"Rin? You good?" asked Genma, worried. 

I ignored him. 'Isobu… can you not…' 

"Sorry, but it's that RACOON!" he shouted. I winced. 

"Hey," Genma squeezed my shoulder, "Do you…" 

"What is wrong with you?" I shouted, "Stop that." 

Unaware of the voice in my head, Genma pulled his hand back. "Not you…" I muttered through the throbbing headache. 

"SILENCE, HUMAN!" Isobu roared. He hadn't called me human since… well before Naruto was born. It was so loud. My head hurt so much… why was he doing this. 

I kneeled on the floor. I could feel Isobu's chakra, trying to invade my system. It was trying to take over. I squeezed my eyes shut and gripped my head. "Stop it!" I shouted. 

"SHUKAKU!" Isobu roared. 

'ISOBU!' I shouted at him. 'I don't know why you're yelling but please stop!' 

He didn't listen. I could hear Genma's voice, asking me if I was alright, asking me to calm down. I could feel the stares the bystanders were giving me. I must ook like one of those crazy girls on the streets. But it hurt… he was so loud. Isobu's chakra swirled in my system. I opened my eyes to see a cloak of red chakra surrounding me. "No no no no no no no," I muttered, "Get back." 

I scrunched my eyes again, trying to control the chakra. I guided it through my system and back into the seal. The chakra burned and I shook with pain. "Isobu… please…" 

I felt the intensity begin to fade and I opened my eyes to see last bit of Isobu's chakra fade. "Ugh…" I sighed with relief. 

"Rin?" Genma looked at me worriedly. 

"I'm fine," I muttered, standing up, "Don't worry about it." I stumbled and he caught me, putting me gently back onto my feet. 

"Are you…" he glanced around at the people on the street. Some had stopped to watch. I could hear some muttering about demons and Yondaime's student. 

"Come on," he grabbed my hand and started running, "Let's go." 

I ran with him. We stopped in a more empty street. "Thanks," I said. I caught sight of his hand. It looked slightly raw and red. "Your hand?" 

He put it behind him. "It's nothing." 

I glared at him and grabbed his arm, forcing his hand into the open. It looked as if it had been burnt. "Did you… touch me?" I asked. 

His face turned red. "I-I didn't mean I-" 

"I meant when… when I lost control…" 

"Yeah," he nodded, "The three tails chakra was just leaking out of you and you weren't replying. I called your name like five times." 

"Sorry," I sighed, "Give me your hand." I healed it with barely any work. 

"Are you alright?" he asked. His face was a mix of worry and relief. 

I nodded, "It's nothing, I just…" 

"I don't think it was nothing," he said, "You were literally losing control. That ha never happened-"

I covered his mouth. He protested until he saw me light my finger, signaling him to be silent. I could feel someone watching us. Who… I grabbed a kunai from my pouch and threw into the alley next to us. "Rin?" he followed me as we ran into the alley. I picked up my kunai We looked up to see a figure run away. Could he be from Root?

"Damn it…" I muttered. 

Genma jumped and followed him. I ran after him. It was probably one of Danzo's ROOT people. They would definitely tell Danzo I lost control. Then, he would tell everyone I was a danger. Maybe Sandaime would ignore it, but Danzo would definitely try to kidnap me. He would try to get rid of me and anyone associated with me: Genma, Naruto, Sakura, Saskue… 

The other person ran through the rooftops in a zigzag pattern. It was hard to tell which way they would move next. Genma plucked his senbon out of his mouth and prepared to throw it. "I can't get a clear shot…" he muttered, "Can you make him turn left." 

I nodded and threw kunai at a row of laundry. It fell down. He turned the other way. Genma grinned and flicked his senbon. It flew straight toward the man. He jumped into the alley at the last minute and the senbon flew above his head. "Damn it, they're fast." 

"Remember Minato-sensei's move?" I asked. 

Genma nodded and gave me a small smile. We both jumped into the alley. I threw my Flying Raijin in front of the man. Genma sped up, kunai in hand and stabbed at the man. The kunai slid past the man's face, possible cutting it. I couldn't tell. Then, Genma flew backwards and skidded on the floor, hit by an unknown force. What the heck. He stood up and lept towards the hooded man. Feignting, he caught the opponent off guard and tried to swipe his leg out from under him. The man stumbled and I reappeared behind him, my kunai at his throat. "Five seconds to tell me who you are before I slit your throat." I felt the person shiver. 

"Wait!" I pulled off his hood, "Rin, it's me." 

I relaxed and stepped back. "Baki," I said coolly. 

"You know him?" asked Genma. 

I nodded and he relaxed. "What do you want?" I asked. 

Baki sighed and looked around. "Do you have somewhere more… secure?" 

I nodded and grabbed both Genma and Baki by the arm. We reappeared in the Forest of Death. What was more secure? Baki vomited beneath a tree while Genma laughed at him. "You get used to it eventually." 

"Do you?" asked Baki, "Ugh, gross…I come in peace" 

"Yeah okay, but you sholdn't have watched me like that." 

"Sorry," he said, "Ii didn't want to alert anyone else."

So?" I asked, "What do you want?" 

"Ugh…" sighed Baki, "Since the day we met, I have wanted to pursue peace between Konoha and Suna. Unfortunately, some of the higher ups… disagree." 

"And?" I asked, "So they want to attack us, knowing that you will probably lose." 

"Yes," said Baki, "But… we also have a jinchuuriki." 

"Gaara."

"How did you…" he shook his head, "Gaara is… like a son to me. His father sees him as nothing but a weapon, but he's not." 

Interesting… Baki was more tender in this world. "What do you want me to do about it? You need to give me more information." 

"The Kazekage plans to unleash Gaara during the third exam, a month from now. He's been meeting with the Village of Sound. Please," he begged, "Don't let this happen. I didn't think the Kazekage would go this far. He's ruthless, but not this ruthless. Something MUST have happened to him. And Gaara… you're a fuinjutsu expert right? Can you help him. The poor boy can't sleep, let alone experience his own emotions." 

"Fine," I muttered, "I'll take a look at his seal but… his siblings might report back to the Kazekage. And… when the Kazekage comes for the third exam, I'll take a look too." 

Baki nodded, "Thank you. When…" 

"I'll come by later," I muttered, "I need more dango." 

…

"Are you sure this is a good idea?" Genma turned and looked at me, "What if they're tricking you… I mean you're a jinchuuriki and the best thing to fight a tailed beast with is another tailed beast." 

"I'm much stronger," I said, "Don't worry about me." 

"Against another jinchuuriki? You lost control today. What if the two of you destroy Konoha? What if they use genjutsu? Or what if-" 

"I doesn't matter," I protested, "I trust Baki. He's not evil. I cn tell he genuinely cares about Gaara." 

"I don't trust him," muttered Genma. 

"I don't really care about who you trust," I retorted. 

"Rin," he said, "What if the higher-ups don't want the seal fixed? What will happen if the Kazekage finds out what you did? What if Baki is lying. Even if you trust him, maybe he's just tricking you." 

"Tricking me how?" 

"Maybe he's using your kindness to other jinchuuriki's against you…" he trailed off at the look on my face. 

"So you think I'm weak to to show kindness to others? To show kindness to demons? Demons like me?" my voice was edged with anger. 

"No, I meant-" 

"You meant what? That…" I sighed, "Whatever. If he was lying, why would he out his own village. He literally confessed to us that Suna wants war." 

"Maybe this is all a ploy!" 

"Whatever," I turned and walked away from him, "I'm not gonna talk to you right now." 

"Rin!" I disappeared. 

… 

So soft… so comfy… I lay in my bed, staring up at the ceiling. It was a warm and comfortable and yet I couldn't sleep. What if Genma was right? What if this was really a trick from Suna. I had no clue. This world had changed so much from canon. But why was Genma so against Baki? 

"He's jealous," said Isobu, "Suddenly reappearing." 

"What?" I said aloud. No one would hear me anyways. 

"All I'm saying is that males are territorial. If they feel threatened, they will pounce." 

"We're humans, not animals," I muttered. 

"Yes, yes," said Isobu, "But you like him too~ I was wondering, when will the two of you… you know…" 

"You know what," I snapped. 

"You know," I could feel him grinning, "Do a mating ritual. I've never experienced a human one you know. Not in my so many years of being alive. I've only ever-" 

"Please stop talking," I sighed, "And what was today? Why would you suddenly just do that? I was in public. And why wyould you try to take over? It hurt." 

"It was Shukaku," he whined, "That trash of a racoon." 

"And?" 

"I'm sorry," he said, "It's just that we have some unfinished business!" 

"Which is?" I asked skeptically, "What is this unfinished business?" for all I knew, they hadden't met in centuries. 

"Well you see," said Isobu anxiously, "So… Shukaku… well he's a racoon…" 

"No shit he's a racoon," I snapped, "Get on with it." 

"Hestolemyteakettle!" confessed Isobu. 

"He what?" I asked, "You're speaking too fast." 

"Well… he stole my tea kettle." 

"HE WHAT!" I could feel the anger bubble up inside of me. "HE STOLE YOUR TEA KETTLE A THOUSAND YEARS AGO AND YOU THINK YOU CAN JUST TAKE OVER AND GIVE ME A BREAKDOWN IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET?! IN FRONT OF THE GUY I LIKE?" 

"Oh, so you confess, yo do like Genma." 

"THAT'S NOT THE POINT!," I said, "You took your anger out on me because of a tea kettle." 

"They were rare," whined Isobu. Then, he stopped, "You're right, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have done that." 

"SHUT UP!" Someone from the next door over banged on the wall, "I'M TRYING TO SLEEP HERE!" 

I sighed, "me too…" 

… 

I only had a few hours of sleep, four at best. Shinobi were taught to be flexible, to be able to live on a few hours a sleep per night. I sighed. Night time was the bs to fix Gaara's seal. It was quieter and less people would see me. If I was lucky, his siblings wouldn't have to know. They probably would but I could probably convince Temari that this was for the good of the ninja world. 

I tracked Gaara's chakra and found myself at a village inn. It was simple and clean, no sigh that a murderous teenager was sleeping in there. No sign of the Sand Siblings who would one day become the leading powers in Sunagakure. 

I yawned and teleported into the room where Baki was sleeping. Or maybe fake sleeping. I had left a ta on him when we met earlier that day. He woke up immediately, jolting out of his sleep and grabbin a weapon. "Chill," I whispered, "It's just me." 

He didn't relax at all. "Who were you when we first met?" 

That question would have tripped any imposter. "Slug," I said. I thought for a minute, thinking of a suitable question, "The box, what was in the box when you last saw it?" 

"Water," he said, "Hiruko mistakened it for the undetectable poison." 

I nodded and we both relaxed. "Where is Gaara. It's best if his siblings don't see…" I sensed chakra by the door, "Come on out." 

The door slid open, revealing Gaara, Temari, and Kankuro. Half-asleep and disheveled, but awake. "What do you not want us to see?" demanded Temari. 

"Temari, Kankuro," said Baki, "What do you think you're doing. Both of you, go back to sleep!" 

"Baki-sensei," said Kankuro coolly, "Who is the leaf ninja and what are you trying to do to Gaara." 

"I am trying to give your brother a better life," said Baki, "He'll be able to sleep, to express his emotions, and most importantly, not accidentally kill you because 'mother' said so. She can help us." 

"Help us?" asked Kankuro, "this is treason. Our father would have your head for this." 

"Not if..." Temari whispered hopefully, "Not if we don't tell him." 

"Temari!" exclaimed Kankuro, aghast, "We can't! We need him for…" 

"For the Konoha Crush Plan," I finished, "Yeah well I don't really care. All I want is a better life for a fellow jinchuuriki." 

Kankuro hissed, "You're her? The tailed demon of the leaf?" 

I shrugged, "I don't know what other people call me, but yes, I am a tailed beast and I am a kunoichi of the leaf. Also, I'm pretty good at fuinjutsu and sealing, considering who my teacher was." 

Kankuro shook his head but Baki spoke to Gaara who had remained silent throughout the conversation, "This is your decision Gaara," he said, "If you do this, you can sleep and stay in control. You don't have to worry about hurting others."

"But mother wants blood," answered Gaara. 

"Gosh," muttered Isobu, "That vessel is an idiot. Lucky Shukaku." 

Gaara looked at me with his panda eyes, "Mother wants her blood." His golden sand curled menacingly around him. 

"No problem," I answered and slashed my hand with a kunai. The blood pooled in my palm and I offered it to the sand. It edged towards me before absorbing the blood. I winced as the grains touched my wound. Then, I healed it. "I hope your mother is satisfied with my blood." 

"Mother says you are three," said Gaara. 

"Just as you are one."

His eyes widened, "Mother says she wants to be free. The only way to be free is to kill you." He pointed towards me and his sand shot out. 

"Come on," I grumbled. Baki shrugged. I smiled. 

I dodged his sand, which was kind of hard because of the low ceiling. Then, I threw a kunai with a Flying Raijin tag at his feet. The sand, sensing it was barely any harm ignored it. Then, I teleported there and plucked a tag out of my pocket. Infused chakra into the tag, I reached up and slammed it into his stomach, where his seal should be. "Eight Trigrams Sealing Style!" 

Instantly Gaara slumped to the ground, unconscious. "Um…" said Baki, staring at his unconcious student in wonder, "How did you…is he alright?" 

I shrugged, "Should be. He might have some problems without 'mother's' voice in his head. Also, he needs a lot of sleep. I mean… look at those bags and dark eye circles." 

"Thank you," said Temari. 

I shrugged, "Not done yet. I need to make peace first." 

"But he already looks peaceful," said Kankuro. 

"Uh… no." I shook my head, "Why don't you three go rest. Tomorrow is the first exam. This next part might take a few hours. And, you can trust me. I won't kill your precious jinchuuriki."

Baki nodded and stepped out the room, taking the other two sand siblings with him. I sighed and wrapped my chakra around Gaara, entering his mindscape. 

… 

"Wa'sup Shukaku!" I gave Shukaku a friendly wave. 

"HUMAN," he roared, "HOW DARE YOU LOCK ME IN THIS PRIS- Isobu… is that you?" 

"Yo," said the armored turtle, "This is my friend Rin and she wants to help you out… mentally." 

"There is nothing wrong with my mental health," said Shukaku, "I am a perfectly sane tailed beast, as is my jinchuuriki." 

"See," I said, "That's the part were you're wrong. I mean look at the poor thing," I motioned to the unconcious Gaara, lying in his own mindscape, "He doesn't sleep, believes you're his mom, and had you sealed in him when you were only a fetus… I mean how wrong is that?" 

"You dare talk to me, human?" asked Shukaku, "Do you not fear me?" 

"I mean… I already dealt with Isobu and Kurama who reacted in virtually the same way you are reacting now so… not really? I mean can you blame me?" I asked, "Though.. I've been meaning you ask you. SInce you were with fetus Gaara, were you concious? What was it like in there?" 

"It's a valid question," said Isobu, "I am curious as well."

Shukaku glared at us, "Let's not talk about that."

"See?" I pointed, "You're avoiding the question. That is a sign that you are not so sane afterall. A sane person would talk about their feelilngns. Okay, anywyas. Next quesiton, have you ever felt Gaara's actual chakra. Have you ever tried feeling it?" 

"No?" 

"Maybe you should try," I said, "It is better for your health."

"For the last time!" shouted Shukaku, exasperated, "I am not insane." 

"You convinced a boy that you were his mother. I mean that doesn't sound like a very healthy relationship to me… anyways, bye!" 

…

After Rin had left the inn and returned home, Shukaku tilted his head, curious. "What did she mean when she said to feel Gaara's chakra? I wonder…" 

He reached out and explored with his senses. Then, he shook his head in wonder. "This boy… he is so much like Bunpuku… perhaps it is time for me to change. Am I insane?"