Chapter 49

"Heres the money," I stood up, picked up my cane, and paid, "Thank you for the meal." 

"This is too much," said Teuchi, "This is three bowls over." 

"Yes," I replied, "The three of them aren't done eating yet. I have some business to attend to. Thank you very much for the ramen." 

"Rin-sensei," said Sakura, "Where are you going… remember you're not allowed to do anything to physically demanding." 

"I'm going to the library," I responded, "To research some things…" 

"Oh," she said, "Alright… have fun." 

Naruto snorted, "Have fun in the library?" 

The three of them started arguing about libraries. I smiled and walked away. I walked over to the market. "Could I get two sticks of dango, boss?" 

He handed me two, "Get well soon." 

I smiled, "Thank you." I handed him the money. 

"Free," he said, "For saving the village from Orochimaru." 

"No, no," I said, putting the bills on the table, "I can't do that. Thank you for the dango!" 

I walked away before he could protest anymore. I started eating one stick. My eyes scanned the crowd… There! In the throng of people, I saw two dressed in black cloaks with red clouds. Itachi… I walked towards them. 

"Where do you think you're going?" someone grabbed my shoulder. 

Instinctively, I leaned on my cane and swung my left foot into a reverse roundhouse kick. "Oh hi Kakashi," I grinned, "Just going for a walk." I put my leg down and finished the dango skewer. I left it in my mouth. 

I still had one whole dango skewer left. "Be serious Rin," said Kakashi, "Are you sure you should be walking around?" he looked at my cane. 

"Just cause I use a cane (like an old person), doens't mean I can't walk around and enjoy Konoha," I answered, "If I'm not going on missions, I might as well enjoy the village. Now, I'm sure Guy must be looking for you… Guyyyy!" 

Kakashi groaned, "Seriously Rin? Fine, enjoy your dango…" he ran. 

I sighed in relief and looked around. Where did those Akatsuki go… They were in a tea shop by the corner. I walked over and entered the shop. "Excuse me…" I sat down next to Itachi, "Would you like some dango? I can't finish it all and… you look like you have a sweet tooth." 

Kisame snorted and Itachi looked up at me. I grinned. "Who are you," asked Kisame. 

I shrugged, "Just getting my tea." I slipped a note into Itachi's palm, handed him the dango, stood up and walked away. 

"Maybe she likes you," laughed Kisame as I walked away. 

"Too old," answered Itachi. 

What a brat. 

…

Hi Itachi,

Rin here! Do you still remember me? I know you're part of Jiraya's spy network so don't worry. Also can you try not to kidnap Naruto? I know its like part of your plan but… he's kind of best friends with Sasuke now. I know you still care about your little brother. If you kidnap Naruto, Sasuke is gonna come after you and a whole lot of unwanted things are going to happen. Also if you do see your brother could you try not to torture him and tell him the truth. I know you don't want to but you kind of need to. What you are doing now is only pushing him into the deep end. Orochimaru has already branded him. I don't want him to continue to have these negative emotions or the cursed seal will continue to get stronger. 

PS I know you're in the Akatsuki! 

…

Itachi stared at the note that Rin had given him. How did she know all this. "Whats that?" asked Kisame. 

Itachi quickly performed a fire jutsu and burned it. "A receipt," he said, "For the tea." 

"Oh," said Kisame, "You know… that girl earlier, with the cane? Doesn't she look like the Sanbi Jinchuuriki?" 

"Thats cause she is," said Itachi. 

"Wait what!" Kisame glared at Itachi, "You mean you knew and you didn't say anything? We could have taken her! Plus… she's crippled right? So it probably would have been easy." 

Itachi shrugged, "Our mission was Kyuubi but since we have been compromised, we should probably leave." 

Kisame glared at him, "Seriously dude? Not cool." 

"I know," said Itachi, "But we don't want to risk it. Konoha has a lot of powerful Jounin who will be on our tail the moment the find out. Which they already have. At least we know that the Sanbi will be an easier target." 

"Fine," said Kisame, "Let's go back and tell the others." 

The two of them put on their straw hats and left Konoha just like that.