Lost in Thoughts

"My body can't move at all..."

"My consciousness is starting to fade... damn it..."

Kakashi's mind raced with anxiety, but his body wouldn't respond. Killing the Iwa-nin leader had pushed him to his absolute limit.

"It's over! Sensei hasn't arrived yet!"

Kakashi muttered despairingly, feeling a deep sense of frustration.

Maybe it was his unwillingness to give up that gave him a bit of strength, or perhaps sheer willpower made his body move. Just before the other Iwa-nin could strike, Kakashi pushed the leader's corpse away and reflexively jumped back.

"Wind Style: Wind Cutter Jutsu!"

As Kakashi landed back on a tree trunk, an Iwa-nin seized the opportunity and launched a Wind Style attack at him. Kakashi noticed it but was too exhausted to dodge.

"Kakashi..."

Rin's eyes widened in horror as she saw the wind blade closing on Kakashi. In an instant, she threw herself in front of him.

"No..."

Kakashi's heart filled with rage and sorrow. He couldn't accept it—Obito had just died, and now Rin was going to sacrifice herself for him. The pain in his left Sharingan eye intensified, and everything went black as he lost consciousness.

What Kakashi didn't realize was that just before he blacked out, a third tomoe appeared in his left Sharingan, only to disappear again as he fainted...

When Kakashi opened his eyes, he knew he was alive, saved by Minato.

"Sensei! Where's Rin?"

Kakashi didn't waste a moment to look at the future Fourth Hokage, Minato Namikaze, or the father of Naruto. He quickly asked about Rin, his breath catching in his throat. He feared the worst, dreading that Rin might have died saving him. Knowing Minato had dealt with them all, he didn't bother asking about the Iwa-nin.

At this moment, Kakashi's consciousness was no longer dominated by his original self.

Minato, the handsome and sharp-eyed young man in front of him, froze at Kakashi's urgent question.

"Kakashi, Rin, she..."

"What happened to Rin?"

Kakashi asked anxiously.

"I'm sorry, Kakashi! It's because I arrived late..."

Hearing Minato's words, Kakashi's eyes trembled. He realized he had fallen for Rin when she tried to protect him.

"...which led to Obito's death and both you and Rin getting severely injured!"

"Rin's not dead? Where is she now?"

Kakashi's expression changed as he quickly looked around, finally noticing Rin lying beside him, something he hadn't seen before.

Rin lay quietly, her sweet, delicate face pale. The pain etched in her features made Kakashi's heartache.

"When I arrived, Rin was gravely injured. She used her body to shield you, who had already passed out. After I dealt with the enemies, Rin treated herself and fell unconscious. She told me everything that happened."

"You two are heroes of the village!"

Minato's voice continued to reassure Kakashi, speaking words of comfort.

"Yes, Sensei."

Kakashi replied, but his tone lacked enthusiasm. Being a hero of the village meant little to him now. His only concern was Rin's safety.

Afterward, Kakashi quietly watched over the unconscious Rin, his mind racing with thoughts.

Observing Kakashi's silence, Minato assumed he was still reeling from the ordeal. He glanced warmly at Kakashi and Rin before turning to look toward Konoha, lost in his thoughts.