Reflection
Kakashi made his pilgrimage to the Memorial Stone just like he did yesterday and every other day he is home. His eye scanned the list of names of those who died saving Konoha. Too many names he recognized. Too many names he didn't. Soon his eye fell upon one particular name. Some days he would stay for hours remembering all the fights, arguments, and name-calling. Some days he stared at the name as if the force of his stare would bring him back. Most days he wished he had the ability to trade places with the one he came to visit.
Slowly, he approached the stone. He moved silently as if to avoid disturbing those that might be resting among it. He gently placed flowers on top of the stone. He smiled "Morning Obito." Moving on its own, his ungloved thumb traced the characters that made up the name Uchiha Obito. This was done out of both respect and practicality. He wiped away any dirt the previous day may have brought with it. That was his excuse anyway.
Kakashi smiled sadly under his mask as he remembered his friend. On days like today he often wondered how much of who he had become was influenced by Obito. When exactly did Obito's fierce loyalty for his teammates…his friends…and sense of humor invade Kakashi's psyche? At what point did the boy who always followed the rules become the man known for being late and reading questionable books in public? Kakashi chuckled as he remembered some of the excuses Obito would give their sensei for the Uchiha's tardiness. Usually, the Fourth would try not to smile as Rin and Kakashi called Obito a liar. Now, he tries not to smile as Naruto and Sakura react the same way to the same excuses. Kakashi looked past the carving and into the polished marble. He saw himself and who he is today. He realized Obito gave him more then just his sharingan.
What would he be like if things had turned out differently? What if none of them died that day? He thought of all the times he cheated death by using the gift given to him. Kakashi knew genius or not the chances of him surviving his missions while in ANBU would have been slim if it were not for the ability he was not meant to have. If Obito only knew how many times he saved Kakashi's life he would be gloating and teasing him. Rin would have rolled her beautiful eyes and called Obito an idiot while trying to heal every scratch on Kakashi. Rin...if he were still here, would you be too? He ran a finger under his hitai-ate and wiped moisture from his borrowed eye. Sometimes he wondered who missed her more, him or Obito.
Often Kakashi wondered if his current team would have been better off with Obito as their sensei. Naruto was like Obito in a lot of ways. Talent, spirited, and sometimes cared too much about people. Kakashi could imagine them ending too many training sessions in a ramen eating contest. Obtio would have understood Naruto quicker then Kakashi had. He wouldn't have ignored Naruto. He would have seen Naruto's potential from the start. Sakura would have warmed up to Obito instantly. She wouldn't have feared him the way she did the sensei she wound up with. There would have been no one more understanding of her unrequited love of Sasuke. Sasuke…Sasuke would have been the problem. The two Uchihas would have been too different. Sasuke was in the main house and Obito was …. Kakashi's mind stopped. Under his breath he mumbled the name "Itachi." If Obito had lived Itachi would have…Kakashi clenched his fist angrily over a murder that never happened.
Kakashi relaxed his hand and took a deep breath. He looked at the name once more and shut his eyes. He stood but kept staring at the stone. "Thank you, for everything." He gave Obito a small bow. "I'll see you tomorrow." As he turned he took out his favorite book and strolled to Tsunade's office. He was two hours late with his report. It was going to be a good day.