Time passed swiftly.
In the blink of an eye, Kakashi had already been serving in the Anbu for over half a year. Despite his youth, his outstanding efficiency in completing missions quickly earned him the admiration and respect of the entire Anbu unit. His name became synonymous with excellence.
Among the elite operatives, Kakashi completed ten times more missions than even the second-hardest-working member. It wasn't long before he was nicknamed the King of Hard Work—a title no one dared dispute.
Today, Kakashi finally had a rare day off.
He arrived early at the duty room of Konoha Hospital, a familiar location for him by now.
"Oh my, if it isn't Captain Kakashi!" a young nurse called out teasingly as he stepped in. "Long time no see. Little Rin's been missing you quite a bit lately!"
Kakashi scratched his head, smiling sheepishly. "Ahaha, yeah… missions have been keeping me pretty busy lately."
Of course, he wanted to see Rin more often.
But with Minato-sensei severely short-staffed and Kakashi being the current Anbu captain, it fell upon him to lead by example and shoulder the burden.
Just then, he heard hurried footsteps approaching from behind.
Before he could turn around, he felt a familiar weight crash into his back—Rin, clinging to him tightly like a sloth.
"Kakashi! You haven't come to see me in sixteen whole days!" she complained, wrapping her arms around him.
"I want to go on missions with you too!" she pouted, her eyes narrowing in frustration.
Since becoming the Three-Tails Jinchūriki, Rin had lost almost all her freedom. She wasn't allowed to leave the village, and even within its walls, Anbu operatives monitored her from a distance.
She had once pleaded with Minato-sensei to end the surveillance. But he had looked genuinely helpless.
The truth was, those assigned to monitor her belonged to the Third Hokage's Anbu—not Minato's. Even he couldn't override their orders.
Even Kushina, the Nine-Tails' Jinchūriki, wasn't exempt from such treatment. She was constantly watched whenever she stepped outside.
For Rin, the constant surveillance was suffocating. The only solace she found was in the hospital—where she was adored by her seniors and younger colleagues alike—and in Kakashi, who came to visit her whenever he could.
Without their support, she might have sunk into depression by now.
"Be good, Rin," Kakashi said softly, placing a hand on her head. "I only want to protect you. That's why I don't want you leaving the village."
Then, with a tender smile, he raised his right hand.
"Here—look what I brought you."
Rin's eyes sparkled as she saw the gift box.
"What is it?" she asked, hopping off his back eagerly. She tore open the package like an excited child.
Inside was a neatly wrapped block of Toraya's Yokan, a sweet red bean jelly.
Her eyes widened in surprise.
"This is from the Toraya shop next to the Daimyō's residence, right?! I remember the first time I had this—it was during a mission! Minato-sensei treated us to it!"
"What made you think of getting this for me?"
Kakashi shrugged, a soft smile playing on his lips.
"I saw how much you enjoyed it, so I remembered. It wasn't too far off my route anyway."
"But wait," Rin said, tilting her head cutely, "wasn't your last mission in the Land of Wind? That's the opposite direction!"
Kakashi raised an eyebrow and smirked.
"If it's something you like, I don't mind going the extra mile."
Rin's face flushed instantly.
"O-Oh, there are people around!" she whispered in embarrassment, glancing around nervously.
The nearby nurses and doctors grinned but quickly turned away, pretending not to notice.
Kakashi, on the other hand, remained unfazed.
"What's there to be shy about?" he said casually. "I've already handed out the wedding candy. Who in the hospital doesn't know you're my girl?"
With that, he suddenly swept her into a princess carry, holding her close against his chest.
"W-Wait! Kakashi!" Rin yelped, her arms flailing slightly.
But Kakashi ignored the stares around them and walked straight toward the director's office.
Inside, the hospital director looked up from her paperwork and immediately sighed, pressing a hand to her forehead.
"Ahem… Captain Kakashi. While I have no issue with your request, this is still a hospital. Please be mindful of the impression you leave behind."
Though she was the director, she was merely an apprentice under the legendary Tsunade.
Kakashi and Rin, in contrast, were direct disciples of Tsunade's teachings—and their connection to Konoha's elite lineage made their status higher in a way.
"Thanks, Director!" Kakashi said with a soft chuckle. The next second, the two vanished in a blur of movement.
---
When they reappeared, they were standing at the entrance of the Three-Colored Dango Shop in Konoha's bustling commercial street.
"Let's have a snack first. Then I'll take you shopping," Kakashi said, gently lowering Rin to the ground.
"Yay!" Rin cheered, her earlier frustration already forgotten.
As they sat at a table, Rin placed a bowl of anko-flavored yokan in front of Kakashi.
"Here, try this!"
Kakashi reached out, but Rin quickly blocked his hand with a mischievous grin.
"Nope, I want to feed you!"
Kakashi blinked in surprise, then glanced around quickly. Seeing no one was watching, he pulled down his mask just enough, accepted the yokan from her chopsticks, then quickly pulled the mask back up.
Rin, unfazed, picked up another piece and popped it into her own mouth.
"Mmm~ Isshi~"
The soft, jelly-like texture melted on her tongue, and the sweet red bean flavor spread deliciously across her palate. She closed her eyes and clasped her hands together, swaying slightly with joy.
Kakashi smiled, then picked up a napkin and gently wiped a small dab of jelly off the corner of her lips.
"Eat slowly. It's all yours."
"Okay~" Rin beamed.
To her, there was nothing more wonderful than being with Kakashi.
Once they were done with the treats, Kakashi took Rin's hand, and they strolled toward a nearby clothing store.
Spring had arrived, and Kakashi wanted to pick out some new matching outfits for them—some casual couple wear they could change into easily.
"Kakashi, how does this one look?" Rin asked, twirling in front of the mirror in a light pink top and white skirt.
"Beautiful."
"What about this one?" she asked, trying on a different outfit.
"Looks great."
"And this one?"
"Very cute."
Rin frowned slightly, her hands on her hips.
"I asked for your opinion, but you're just saying all of them look good! How am I supposed to choose?!"
Kakashi chuckled.
"Waiter, we'll take all of them," he said, raising his hand with a snap of his fingers.
"E-Eh?! Isn't that a bit too much?" Rin said, flustered.
"It's a rare chance to shop with you," Kakashi replied smoothly. "Might as well make the most of it. And it's more convenient to have more clothes for changing and washing."
"Hmph. Well, then…" Rin grinned slyly. "I'm paying this time. For yours too."
Kakashi blinked in surprise. "Huh?"
Rin puffed out her chest proudly.
"Who says the boyfriend always has to pay? I earn a salary at the hospital, you know. Today, I'm buying clothes for my boyfriend!"
Kakashi chuckled. "Then thank you, Miss Moneybags."
"Humph~" Rin rolled her eyes dramatically but smiled as she pulled out her wallet.
---
Just then, an Anbu appeared beside them, whispering in Kakashi's ear.
"Captain Kakashi, Lord Hokage has summoned you."
Kakashi's eyes turned serious.
"I understand. Return first—I'll be there shortly."
This wasn't normal. Minato-sensei knew today was his day off with Rin. If he was being summoned now, it must be something urgent.
He turned to Rin with an apologetic gaze.
"I'm sorry. I really wanted to spend the whole day with you…"
Rin smiled, waving him off.
"I understand. Missions are important. Go."
She tried to keep her voice light, but the disappointment in her eyes was unmistakable.
Then—suddenly—
Kakashi took two quick steps forward, leaned in, and gently kissed her on the lips.
"Ah…!"
Rin instantly turned red. Steam practically poured out from her forehead.
Before she could say anything, Kakashi vanished with a shunshin.
Left standing in the middle of the street, Rin covered her burning cheeks.
"S-So many people were watching!" she stammered. "You could've at least found somewhere private!"
She stomped lightly in frustration, but her heart fluttered with warmth.
"Hmph! You stinky Kakashi… When you get back from your mission, I'm definitely kissing you back!"
---
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