(A/N: So I know I haven't updated this story in forever, and there's two main reasons for that: first, my writing style has changed since I last updated and I was no longer happy with the style of this story [it was far too dialogue-based], and secondly, I've read a few Obito reincarnate/second chance stories and this one was seeming a bit too similar to a few of them, so I wanted to redo some of the plot I had been planning out to make it a bit more unique. A few things will be staying the same, as I'm sure anyone who read the original of this story will notice, but I'll be using those elements I keep in different ways. I'm a little pressed for time on this chapter, so it's pretty short, but hopefully the rest should be longer. Think of this as more of a prologue, I guess. But anyways, without further ado, I hope you enjoy the story!)
Tranquil was the atmosphere in the meadow; the long grass swayed in the gentle breeze, broken up only by the sporadic patches of wildflowers, the sun was warm but not uncomfortably so, and the sky was a beautiful blue with only a few fluffy clouds floating slowly by.
He couldn't really enjoy the scenery though, but that was his fault alone. Sensei, Rin, and Kushina had all made an effort to improve his viewpoint on the situation, and while he appreciated it, he was determined to be miserable. Rin and Minato tried the gentle, understanding approach; Kushina just punched him upside the head and demanded what the hell had he been thinking? He'd never admit it out loud, but he kind of preferred the Uzumaki's approach. However, while he had once been so sure of his choices, he couldn't find the words to answer her anymore, so he never said anything. He knew the silent treatment would only get him so far, but he was content to stick with it as long as he could.
Obito sensed two approaching chakra signatures and sighed. Couldn't they see he wanted to sulk in peace? He looked up as Minato and Rin got closer, wondering what variation of their lecture he would get this time. He didn't mean to sound ungrateful, but he would have thought they'd realize he didn't want them to try and make things better. They probably did, but it didn't stop them.
Minato spoke up first, "Obito.. There was something we needed to discuss with you.."
The Uchiha gave him a disinterested look. "Go ahead. It's not like you'll give me a choice."
Frowning in disapproval, the Yondaime continued, albeit a little hesitantly, "You see, we've been worried that.."
He didn't want to hear it. What made them think that he deserved their concern, after what he'd done? It wasn't like he'd redeemed himself at the end there - sure, he'd "saved" Kakashi, Naruto, and Sasuke from Kaguya, but did they forget it was his fault they were in that situation in the first place? Not to mention it wasn't even a heroic sacrifice; a fair portion of it had been a selfish excuse to commit suicide.
Rin seemed to pick up that he was about to cut off their Sensei, and said in rush, "There's trouble in the living world and they need your help!"
Minato and Obito both looked to the medic in surprise for her outburst. Normally, she never raised her voice.
Regardless, he wanted to tell her exactly why he couldn't and wouldn't be of any help, but she had pure tragedy in her eyes and Minato, opportunistic bastard, jumped on board and put on a twin expression. No one with a soul could possibly say no when faced with their pleading looks. Shit.
Having a sinking feeling he was being set up for some sort of heinous trap, he cautiously asked, "Help with what..?" He was dead, after all. They couldn't expect that much from him, right? Obito hated to admit it, but he was worried. Was something happening that even Naruto and Sasuke weren't capable of handling; something bad enough they'd require his help? [Likely Kamui] That didn't sit well with him.
"Well.. It's difficult to explain.." Minato murmured in a pacifying tone. "But I'm sure you'll understand once you're there.."
The dread he felt intensified, and he narrowed his eyes. "You're not serious."
Minato gave a nervous, possibly even apologetic smile at his clipped tone. "I know this isn't something you really want, but.."
Obito took a step back, raising his guard and about to protest, but while his focus was locked on his Sensei, Rin had approached his side and placed a hand on his shoulder. Unlike Minato, she didn't look sorry at all, only determined. "You'll do great; I know you will. But still, good luck, Obito. I hope you'll forgive us."
Before he could even fully register the words, his vision swirled to blinding white and everything collapsed into nothing.
Consciousness was returning to him; it felt like he'd been asleep for centuries, but maybe it had only been a heartbeat. It was impossible to tell. His body ached and yet felt numb. He couldn't quite come to a decision of which one it was.
He slowly eased open his eyes [Eye? He couldn't seem to open his other], expecting more bright white, but was instead met with suffocating darkness. He tried to sit up only to find their was no strength in his muscles.
Obito knew this feeling. The pain in his chest and face, the nothingness of the right half of his body, the bandages wrapped over his empty eye socket-
Mountain's Graveyard. He was there. Again.
He couldn't be bothered to think about it; to figure out what or why or how. He just knew he couldn't be here, couldn't go through thisabsolute hell again.
It was a struggle lifting his left arm off the makeshift bed. He hoped he had the strength for this. Obito managed to maneuver his hand to his throat, and all that was left was to crush his own windpipe. A slow, painful death, but it was all he had.
Only he couldn't make his hand close. It wasn't that he lacked the strength, he was physically incapable of doing it.
The Curse Seal he carried in his heart.
Rin and Minato, they knew exactly how he'd react, hadn't they? They were prepared for him killing himself to get out of this and took measures against it. But it didn't explain how they'd brought him to life again, let alone sent him back in time. It didn't explain why, either.
Sensei said I'd know when I got here.. But now I feel like I know even less than before..
One thing was for sure; either they'd lied to him about why he was here, or he'd massively misinterpreted what they meant.
Since he couldn't die like he'd wanted to, he didn't really have a choice but try to piece together what he did know and figure out what was happening. But before he could even decided where to begin, the stress of the predicament and the exhaustion of his injuries pulled him back toward unconsciousness, and he decided to let himself give in to the temptation. There wasn't much he could do other than torment himself over things he had no way of confirming, anyways. Maybe some rest would clear his mind and make something he couldn't see now more apparent. Or so he could hope.