The first thing he noticed was light. There was light everywhere, encircling him and enveloping him whole. Sighing, Obito let his hands relax at his sides and he took a deep breath in, taking in his surroundings. He was floating, but he was not sure where. All he knew was that he was free. Free from the accursed hell that was reality and free from the burdens of the Akatsuki.

Tsuki No Mei had finally, finally been achieved. Obito closed his eyes, letting his sharingan and rinnegan deactivate so that his eyes returned their original shade of black. There was no one to fight now, not in this dimension at least. At last, Obito could relax.

But…where was she? Obito looked back and forth, his breaths suddenly getting desperate. Madara had always told him stories about the glory of Tsuki No Mei, but he had never prepared him for what to do once Tsuki No Mei was achieved. In a dream, everything goes the way you want. You can even bring the dead back to life…Madara's words began replaying in Obito's head. Groaning, Obito brought his gloved hand to his face, biting back the scream that was starting to develop in his throat. How…how was he supposed to bring her back? If this was his dream…why was she not there now? In the end, could he not really bring her back in this dream world? Had he failed?

"Obito."

Obito froze and he felt his breath catch short. That voice…so familiar. So soft. Could it be…? Obito turned towards where he heard the voice, shakily bringing his hand away from his face.

Out of the misty light, Obito saw a figure come into view. A woman with shoulder length brunette hair and purple marks on her cheeks was standing before Obito, her deep hazel eyes glistening in the light. She looked about Obito's age and she was wearing a Konohagakure forehead protector. Who was this woman…? Why was she so familiar?

"Don't tell me you've forgotten me," the woman chuckled, a soft smile spreading across her face.

Seeing that smile, Obito's eyes widened. Of course, that beautiful smile. That smile that made Obito's heart skip a beat, that smile had always made him feel so safe. How could he have ever forgotten?

"Rin," Obito whispered.

"Oh good, you do remember me!" Rin said, brushing a lock of hair behind her shoulder. Although Rin's hair was longer and she appeared older, she wore a similar black shirt with the white apron skirt. She walked gracefully towards Obito, her smile widening. As she moved closer to him though, she suddenly stopped. Her smile dropped and her eyes grew troubled as she noted, "Obito…you're crying."

Obito hadn't even noticed. He couldn't even remember when the tears had begun to fall, so when Rin made that remark he was startled. Regardless, Obito made no move to wipe his tears – he was too happy, too absorbed with the idea that Rin was right here before his eyes, alive and still just as beautiful, just as caring, just the same girl that he had been in love since his days in the academy. Obito had so many things he wanted to say, but he had no idea where to start. In his overjoyed state, Obito simply remained silent, feeling the tears fall down his scarred right face.

Rin seemed to understand Obito's silence. Eyes deep with concern, Rin drew closer to Obito and placed her hand on his injured right cheek. Gently, she wiped the tears streaming down Obito's cheeks and murmured in a soothing tone, "Everything's going to be alright, Obito."

Hearing those gentle words, Obito couldn't control himself anymore. With desperate hands, Obito grasped Rin's shoulders and then drew her to his chest in a tight embrace. Sighing, he rested his head on top of Rin's and then softly inhaled her scent, still just as sweet. He wrapped one arm around her waist and let his other hand run through her hair in a stroking motion. "I missed you," Obito breathed, feeling his waver as he said those words.

Rin gasped at first when Obito drew her in, but upon feeling him hug her so close, Rin smiled once again and let her own arms wrap around Obito as well. She nuzzled into Obito's chest and let him run his fingers through her hair. Upon hearing his words, Rin could hear the strain in his voice. They were simple words and yet Rin understood how much they communicated, how much they portrayed Obito's true strife. "I missed you too Obito," Rin murmured, "more than you may ever know."

Obito did not reply. He just drew Rin closer, as close as he could so that he knew that this was all true. She was really here, right before him. She was hugging him back in such a way Obito felt himself swell with happiness. How long had it been since he had last felt like this…? Too long.

Obito loosened his grip and drew Rin back so that he could look her in the eyes. His tears had stopped and Obito felt his face contorted in strange manner. Was that…a smile? Yes, it was a smile, a big grin that he had not made since his years as a boy in Konoha. He had forgotten how good it felt to smile. "Rin," Obito said, letting his face grow serious again. "I never got to tell you…before you left…how I felt for you. I was such a coward and I put you through so much strife, so I want you to know I –"

Rin placed a finger over Obito's lips, laughing quietly as she did so. "It's alright," she said. "I had always suspected your feelings and it was only until I thought you were…dead…that I really realized. So if anything, Obito, I should be apologizing to you. I never truly acknowledged your feelings and all I did was blindly follow Kakashi. I was such an idiot and I put you through so much pain –"

"None of that was your fault," Obito said, his voice strong. He took Rin's hand and kissed it. "What matters now is that we are here together."

Rin blushed as she smiled widely. "Yes," she whispered.

Unconsciously, there heads were moving closer and closer and soon they had closed the gap altogether. Obito kissed Rin tenderly, with a gentle passion that made Rin's heart melt. After a few moments, they drew back for air. As they did so, Obito cupped Rin's face in his gloved hand, "I love you Rin," he said, "more than you could ever know."

"I love you too," Rin whispered, drawing towards Obito as she kissed him again and wrapped her arms around his neck.

Obito was surprised to be sharing a second kiss with Rin, but he kissed her back, this time with more urgency. His hands fluttered to the small of Rin's back, drawing her in closer as he deepened the kiss. Finally, Obito broke the kiss, breathless. His face was hot and soon he realized he was blushing. Sheepishly he grinned once again, and intertwined his fingers with Rin. "That was…amazing," he murmured.

Rin returned Obito's grin, laughing as she saw him blush just like he used to as a boy. He had seemed so different before but slowly Rin was starting to see Obito acting like his old self. "It was." Rin breathed. Needing to be close to him, needing to be by his side, Rin curled up in Obito's arms, resting her head on his chest. She closed her eyes and sighed heavily, "I can't tell you how long I've been waiting here for you," she said.

"I'm sorry I made you wait," Obito said, stroking Rin's hair as his eyes narrowed sadly. "But…I'm here now. I'll be here for eternity, for as long as you want."

"Forever," Rin said.

Obito smiled, letting his own eyes close as well as he held Rin. Once again he whispered to her, "I missed you so much." His dream had come true.