Hmm.. this is something I've had tucked away in a notebook, and now its just a matter of typing it out. I hope I got all the mistakes.
Note: I don't own Naruto or Obito wouldn't have died.
Please could we all just pretend for a little bit, that Obito didn't die and things are a little different...
Please read and Review or the Cyclops will come for you, yes Sai's abs are on a vacation...
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When Sound Began
By Hammy Uchiha
Chapter 1: An Important Mission
Obito stood, silent, remembering if only for a second, one of the most singly important people he had ever known. He could still see her smile when he closed his eyes, and the longer he thought about her the more empty he began to feel. The loss of her was nearly as bad as the loss of his sensei. He sighed. Things had changed a lot since then. He had grown up.
"Hey! Hey Obito-niisan!" Obito turned to the small voice of his cousin.
Sasuke Uchiha came running toward the Memorial stone where Obito stood. He was stumbling on at such a pace, that it appeared he was most definitely, headed for disaster.
"Woah!" he cried out, as he stumbled on the gravely path.
"Gotcha'," replied Obito suddenly catching Sasuke. The little boy laughed awkwardly. That had been a close one.
"You're fast." Obito shrugged, he'd never been the shinobi with lots of skills, but he had been trying to be a better ninja since…
"What are you doin' here anyways?" asked Sasuke hopping from one foot to the next fixing his big eyed stare on Obito.
"Paying my respects," replied Obito, hands behind head.
"Your respects of what?" asked Sasuke cocking his head to one side like a confused puppy.
"My friends," replied Obito. There was an awkward silence.
"Obito-niisan…" whined Sasuke now clutching his belly. "I'm hungry, you said we could get ramen for lunch today, remember?"
Obito had to admit it was the truth.
"Let's go then," said Sasuke grabbing his cousin's hand and dragging him back to the village.
It took him several moments but Sasuke managed to climb up onto a stool at the Ichiraku Ramen Shop (that is, with a boost from Obito)
Obito sat down on a stool next to him.
"So, what do you want?" asked Obito eyeing the menu. He'd read it a thousand times, but it was comforting to see the old worn sign still hanging on the wall, next to a picture of the ramen shop's deceased best customer. The picture of the blonde Hokage on the wall was smiling at all who stopped for lunch.
"Uchiha-san, is that you?"
Both Obito and Sasuke turned (as the speaker didn't specify which Uchiha) to see a young man about Obito's age pulling up a stool. He had grey-silver hair, his hitai-ate pulled down over one eye, wearing a dark mask.
"Hatake-san," replied Obito politely. He couldn't say he didn't particularly enjoy seeing his old teammate, but he couldn't say that he liked it either. Kakashi grinned.
"Which one of your many cousins is that?" he asked nodding to Sasuke. Sasuke stuck out his lower lip.
"My name's Sasuke Uchiha, you Cyclops," he replied sticking out his tongue at Kakashi. Kakashi pulled up his hitai-ate.
"Cyclops, my butt, you baka,"
"Yipe!" cried Sasuke seeing the Sharingan eye and scar hidden beneath the headband.
Sasuke looked to Obito, who had a scar over his own right eye, but both of his eyes were the same color, while Sasuke felt uncomfortable under Kakashi's multicolored gaze.
The silver haired ninja sighed and pulled back down the hitai-ate and turned to Obito, who was still looking at the menu, hoping Kakashi would drop all conversation there. There was no such luck.
"What are you doing here anyways?" asked the Hatake.
"Getting lunch, what else would you do at a ramen shop?" he asked. Kakashi almost had a good comeback when the ramen shop owner interrupted.
"Are you ready to order up?" he asked. Obito turned back to business.
"I'll have a bowl of miso ramen and a bowl of…" began Obito.
"Beef ramen," put in Sasuke.
"…and two glasses of water," finished Obito.
The owner turned to Kakashi.
"Chicken, kudasai," said Kakashi. The ramen owner nodded.
"So Kakashi what'd you been up to for the last five years?" asked Obito quietly after a while. (it is safe to say the Uchiha did not enjoy silence) Kakashi shrugged.
"I've been on and off…" he waved his hand as if it weren't worth the trouble to say. "an ANBU," said Kakashi.
"Oh," muttered Obito looking at the genius ninja. Kakashi never fails to annoy me. Kakashi nodded.
"So how about you?" he asked. Obito clenched his teeth then slowly drew a deep breath.
"Missions, you know, just the random missions that they won't trust Chunin with," he said trying not to act as though that was such a terrible thing. (He can't bear to look uncool in front of Sasuke)
"You're not like a sensei or any of that junk?" asked
Obito almost broke out laughing.
"Me…A SENSEI! I can barely get jutsus right myself, none the less teach them to Genin," choked Obito.
"When do I get to be a Genin?" asked Sasuke.
"Never," replied Kakashi with an evil grin.
The owner passed out their ramen and the three dug in.
Obito only got down about two mouthfuls (even though for Obito, that was nearing the whole bowl) when Anko appeared. Her dark purple hair tied back.
"Ohayo Gozaimasu," she said with a short bow. "Uchiha-kun (both Sasuke and Obito turned to her), Hatake-kun, the Hokage has summoned you."
A short looked was exchanged between Obito and Kakashi. Obito got up and pushed some money onto the counter. Kakashi did the same and Sasuke got up and followed Anko as she led them to the Hokage Tower.
The four came to the Third's Office.
"Anko, could you keep an eye on Sasuke?" whispered Obito to Anko. Anko blushed. (She thinks he's the best thing since sharp kunai)
"Hey, I can take care of myself!" piped up Sasuke. Obito bent over to whisper in Sasuke's ear, winking at Anko.
"Sasuke, could you keep an eye on Anko?" he whispered like it was a secret.
"Sure," Sasuke whispered back, giving his cousin a confident smile.
"Good, this shouldn't take too long."
Obito had no particular taste for the third Hokage. His reasoning behind his distaste was well…well, he couldn't put his finger on it but he figured it had something to do with the Third replacing Arashi-sensei after…well…
His thoughts were interrupted as the Hokage rose and gave them a short bow. They gave a deeper bow back.
"Hatake-sama, Uchiha-sama, its good that Anko was able to find you. Please, have a seat."
Obito sat down on one of the plush chairs. He remembered once when Arashi had taken them to his office and how he and Rin had bounced up and down on these very chairs… Kakashi sat down as well.
The Sandaime looked around the room furtively before continuing.
"I have called the two of you together for an incredibly important mission."
Neither Obito, nor Kakashi said anything in response to that grim statement. I'm not going on any mission with Kakashi no baka, nope, never again.
"It is of vital importance that I ask you to take this mission. I have been told you two make a good tag team. So what is your answer?"
Kakashi looked up from staring at his feet, as though he had just realized the Hokage was talking to them. (Knowing Kakashi, he probably wasn't paying attention) Obito cocked his head to one side, something was wrong here.
"You ask us to take a mission, but what is the mission?"
The Third sighed. "I cannot tell you without knowing you will take it."
Kakashi's visible eyebrow raised.
"A mysterious, unknown mission. Sounds like fun, eh Obito-san?"
Obito thought otherwise. I'm not going on a mission with you! "What would you rank this mission at?"
Kakashi rolled his eye.
"I would put it as an "A" ranked mission."
"Doesn't matter. Well Uchiha-kun? What'do you say?" Kakashi was staring at Obito. The Uchiha knew all eyes were on him, he could very well be deciding his own fate.
"Fine, we'll take it," he said with a painful sigh.
The Hokage smiled, relieved; he couldn't have found a better team. (Obito: Yeah right!) The Sandaime clasped his bony hands together, setting his fierce gaze on the two jounin. "Now, for the finer details."
Sasuke leaned against the door straining to hear the quiet words.
"Uchiha-san, that's not a good idea," warned Anko. Sasuke turned and stuck his tongue out at her. Anko shrugged, he could find out on his own.
The Hokage beckoned them closer to hear the mission.
"First of all," he began. "There is a little spy at our door, excuse me a moment."
From nowhere he drew a kunai. With expert skill, the Sandaime hurled it at the door.
"Yipe!" came a cry from behind the door, then: "I told you so, let's wait outside, Uchiha-san."
The Hokage smiled at Obito. "Your cousin?" he guessed. Obito's face reddened with embarrassment.
"Yeah…"
"Your mission is…" the two leaned closer. Then the Sandaime whispered: "To infiltrate the Akatsuki…"
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to be continued...
please review
-Hammy Uchiha