Title: Academy Days: Red, Yellow, Black

Notes: I actually don't have anything really to say about this. Except that time marches on and here's some interaction between Obito and Kushina. Not so much Kakashi though, but I will begin to highlight the relationship that Obito has with their parents as well.


So, how do I explain Kushina. She bright and overwhelming for the most part, and I can definitely see where Naruto got most of his personality from. After my initial reaction to her she's calmed down a bit, less enthusiastic... By a small margin anyway. It's just, I don't know how to deal with her. She's so eager to try and help me, mainly with safety rules which is kind of a shock, because I always kind of defaulted the Uzumaki to mad-scientists with their fuinjutsu.

Except they're not. Or at least Kushina isn't, because there's all these rules that she keeps driving into my head when it comes to fuinjutsu. Most of the rules have to do with wording and patterns and intent. It's so weird to consider intent as something that's actually a valid thing that you can feel, or see, or use.

Killing Intent for example, among others. Calming intent is also fairly familiar to me. If only because it's something that my parents tend to use to keep me from freaking out too much.

It's just, here and now. Half of my time spent with Kushina is mostly me trying desperately to keep my emotions from defaulting to this is bad... Wrong, wrong, liar! About the entire situation. And the other half is trying to keep from panicking simply because of her chakra.

Or at least that's how it is when I'm unable to focus on the words and the brush and well... Calligraphy is simply writing really. And I enjoy it. Which might get me a few weird looks, but it's the simple truth.

"Focus 'ttebane!" I blink when I recall suddenly that yes Kushina's still right here. And she's still my tutor, despite my initial reaction... I wasn't there for the talk between my parents and her, but she's still here so it must have been interesting. "Drawing seals without intent generally leads to disaster 'ttebane!" I already know that, but keeping focus is the big issue here.

It's also one of the biggest rules when it comes to fuinjutsu. Not only is it dangerous to draw seals half-assed or without intent and focus it can lead to them being less effective. The more focus and intent that you give a seal the better it'll work. Which is pretty interesting despite everything else.

Fuinjutsu in general is interesting. Using words and symbols to do things that you can't quite achieve when using ninjutsu or genjutsu, or even taijutsu. Healing seals also tend to hurt a little less, as the hospital was rather relieved to discover the first time I accidentally blew myself up under Kushina's watch. Of course, there's also the simple fact that fuinjutsu is terrifying. I'm able to remember the mask temple and the way the shinigami was bound to a mask.

Fuinjutsu manipulates the world to such a level that it's only limited by a person's creativity really. Their thought patterns and the way that they describe things. Considering that, is it any wonder that nobody usually teaches children anything about fuinjutsu until they at least understand some of the basic rules of the world.

Otherwise I'm sure, things would be much, much more confusing. The Uzumaki Clan is, was bad enough really. Their way of thinking is certainly unique.

"Obito!" I wince and look up at Kushina my eyes wide and then down at the paper in front of me... Oh, oops. I offer a sheepish grin as she sighs and shakes her head. Instead of writing the practice lines that she'd told me to... I had written something completely different, two separate space-time kanji, along with the english word for vision, I even managed to twist in a runic symbol... Which is well. "Focus! 'ttbane. Let's try this again! 'ttbane"

Yeah, so most of it's routine. At least Kushina's there and watching me, which has thus far headed off some of the worse outcomes. A fair amount of my originally inked seals apparently survived the explosion back at the house anyway.

That had been part of the reason that her chakra had been so wild and untamed upon our first meeting. Of course there's still Kurama.

But anyway, the seals that had survived had apparently terrified Kushina with the possibilities that they held. Which as soon as I became comfortable enough with her presence she told me sparing none of my feelings. In Uzushiogakure I would have been considered one of those prodigies in sealing who's mind is always racing ahead through numerous possibilities. One of those one who would revolutionize the art. Personally as far as I care about that, anyone who's a decent Author back in my home world would be such a fuinjutsu practitioner.

Since Authors think in such abstract ways... Not that I'm really one to consider that since my own train of thought can jump from subject to subject so abruptly that it's almost scary. I could be considering rape statistics in one moment and then suddenly be musing on why the sky is blue or whether or not the characters in one of my favourite storybooks actually made the right choice when it came to killing the traitor. Among other random jumps, or trails of thought that wind their way in.

Such as killer animatronics beside that bunny from Monty Python. I wonder what Okaasan's going to make for dinner?

I yelp when Kushina's hand comes down onto my head and begin flailing when I notice that my brush and inkpot are missing. And then I see the sheet of paper in front of me... I blink because what? It's not so much a swirl as it is a bolt of words. No real pattern unless you're looking closely, with four names on the corners and then the kanji for character in the middle, lines that lead out under the names.

All things considered the nearest thing that I can compare it to is a demon summoning circle. Or square really. Except that there is a faint circle around the center part, and well. Recognizing the names I pale. Because well, the Five Night's at Freddy's animatronics just appearing would've been really weird. And frightening and well... I really, really need to improve my focusing skills don't I. At least this one didn't have any mention of Death and it's master, or that one that I had slipped under my pillow that mentioned Nightmares and protection...

Referencing Dreamkeepers not literal dreams really. Although it might have been a mix, since that limited the worse dreams as well.

So I look up at Kushina, embarrassment emanating from my frame, echoed with just a touch of horror. Because which of the animatronics would it have even summoned? And which iteration? The first? Second? Nightmare versions? I might try and test that out later on... With someone there to watch and rescue me if it goes badly... So I push that off to the side, or rather into my pack much to Kushina's exasperation and amusement.

Then it's back to the lines. Which, wouldn't be so bad, except that they're all boring. Either listing off the primary rules of fuinjutsu, or safety measures.

Remember to focus as much of your attention on the seal that you're inking. Intent is key.

Remember to take breaks every once in a while when working on a large scale seal.

Seals and Fuinjutsu focused on summoning demons need to have every word double and then triple or quadruple checked before use in case the need to sell your soul arises.

Think outside the box, not within it.

Routine ones, really. There's nothing on touch based sealing though, or pure intent sealing. Which is still new enough that people are sort of just getting used to it. Minato is an inspiration, and an annoyance in that way. His Hiraishin marks get everywhere, he doesn't seem to really show that much restraint when it comes to placing them around. At least not in Konoha anyway. I've repeatedly stumbled upon them, there's one at Ichiraku's Ramen. Which I spotted the time that Kushina dragged me there.

Eventually I do manage to make it through the lines and then I flick the brush at Kushina, who's sitting there and grinning at me. It's disconcerting more than anything else. Because she's literally banging down on my defences in mind and soul really. I'm pretty sure despite my reservations, she's already rooted in place in my heart.

"All done 'ttebane! Hungry?" I blink when my stomach growls and she laughs picking me up with a bright shining grin. "Ichiraku's it is then!" I laugh even as my own chakra jolts a little bit. Her presence is never going to not be at least partially overwhelming. It's just her presence bright and fiery, blazing and practically screaming at me, that she's there.

We move pretty quickly through the village from the training ground where she had me drawing seals. And people barely give us a glance really, it's the weekend. Kushina gets me almost exclusively on weekends. Except when my parents tag along, or Kakashi insists on joining in even if he's not really that good at Fuinjutsu. His thought patterns are too straightforward really.

That's not to say that he can't do fuinjutsu. Explosive tags and Storage seals are easy enough after all, and everyone pretty much makes their own. Since you can't be entirely sure that you're going to be getting decent ones if you're getting them from someone else, and also, you'll never get quite as good results from using someone else's seals as if you use your own. Everyone even civilians know at least basic sealing in that context.

Most people don't really think of much beyond that though.

Reaching Ichiraku's we both sit down and Kushina quickly hollers for Teuchi ordering for the both of us. Since I still don't have the whole communication thing down really. Although, we're working on that. There is such a thing as sign language after all, among other alternatives that I've thought of. Including a test with ninshu that I've been considering. Since telepathy could potentially be a thing...

But still, the idea of mixing chakra still seems really, really intimate.

The ramen arrives and I sniff the air appreciatively. It's actually not that bad, noodles more or less although I kind of wish I could ask them to put in a few extra things sometimes. Because while it's nice, I have preferences. We break our chopsticks and "Itadakimasu." Kushina says it for the both of us, because it really does hurt to try and talk. And besides she's loud enough for us both.

I grin brightly as I begin to eat. It's different, but I actually do enjoy being here. At least when I'm not busy completely freaking out over the whole issue that I still have with not quite belonging. But, I'm getting better with that. The wind tosses my hair and I smile, it's peaceful really. Right up until I start coughing, startled by a sudden burst of Chakra right beside me.

Yellow Chakra...

Over my head Kushina hollers at the future Yellow Flash as I try desperately to regain my bearings. And not bolt as fast as I can away from the Ramen shop as I almost did the first time Kushina ever dragged me here. Namikaze Minato is right here, and apologizing rather pitifully for startling me.

Which he did. Except that's not why I'm still coughing. His chakra is just as striking as Kushina's, just for a completely different reason. It's so focused and sharp, and is it any wonder that he becomes a force to be reckoned with in the future? I struggle to catch my breath, and it takes a few moments but eventually I do manage it.

To see Minato hiding behind a chair as Teuchi brandishes a fry-pan at him. And Kushina doesn't look that happy either... Huh? I must have missed something, because what? I blink confusion clear on my face, because this is, not exactly any kind of scene that I'm familiar with. It's like something off the TV. Either world's TV really. Civilians seem to remain somewhat consistent in their creativity across both worlds.

It's a shock though, to see him here. I mean, yeah sure I was expecting to meet him at some point since Kushina is his girlfriend... Future girlfriend anyway. I'm not entirely sure whether or not they're together yet. Still, the scene in front of me is strange. I'm not sure whether I should interrupt it or not. I tilt my head before deciding to interrupt. I tug lightly on Kushina's sleeve. Letting her know that I'm fine.

If a little bewildered.

Since, it seems as though they're all less reacting to the effect that his appearance had on me, and more to the way that he appeared. Which considering it, yeah that would be incredibly annoying. And he'd get lazy, but then again. I suppose that he may possibly be doing it as practice. Who knows.

I peer over at the blond though eyes wide, because really, how else am I supposed to react to the future Yellow Flash. This is Naruto's father. And potentially my future sensei...

Am I allowed to panic? Probably not, but it's still overwhelming again. Why am I right in the center of this? Oh that's easy to answer, because I'm Obito. Except that I'm not, and my comfort zone is being pushed. Which actually isn't anything that I'm unfamiliar with, because the more that I go out, and grow up. The more that I run into other people from canon. Gai, Asuma, Kurenai... Ebisu once.

I'm beginning to tremble and I close my eyes taking several deep breaths. When I open them again I can see the worry on Kushina's face the wary, am I about to have an attack kind of questioning look. It's annoying really, because I'm not that bad... Am I? I mean yeah when I was younger as sort of just beginning to see the rest of the world I typically would have breakdowns, or hide behind the few people who I'd let in. But, I'm not that bad am I?

My hands are shaking, my whole body really is shaking, and I kind of want to say to Minato that he's not a good father... Because seriously, sealing a giant fox into a newborn and then dying. Except that hasn't happened yet and it will just make him stare with a WTF look. Also it would probably send me into hysterics, with tears and pain. Yeah no.

I'm just going to sit here silently breaking down while Kushina hovers worrying over me.

"MINATO YOU BROKE HIM!" Okay what? I lift my head at that because really Kushina? Really?

Okay, maybe he broke me a little bit. But really. I've been broken for a while. Shattered pieces of an old reality that blend together with this new one. Leaving me lost and not quite whole. I mean seriously, across both of my lives I've never been healthy. Never had a good run.

In my previous one, I was aware of my differences. In the way that anyone who had to constantly deal with them would have been. Pain in the chest, pain in the back, my ear's ringing for no reason and it feels like something just exploded within it. Stomach problems and never being able to properly relieve myself when going to the bathroom. I may have ended up with something of an eating disorder near the end there as well although I can't be certain since I was eating, once a day maybe? Also mental issues, except they were more with my emotions beginning to shut off and I was possibly becoming a touch suicidal with no longer caring about anything at all.

And then there's this life. My relationship with my parents is the most stable, and that's mainly because I'm able to appreciate that they try. I'm hypersensitive to my own chakra, my blood and my body still feels faintly wrong(Because it's not my body, it's Obito's.) I kind of rely on Kakashi as a balancing point and continually have mini-breakdowns whenever I meet someone new, or someone who's actually relevant to the plot. Also, issues with talking because it hurts, legitimately hurts to the point where I barely even talk alone where no one can hear me anymore. Also, I'm possibly Autistic, although I can't be sure on that one.

But Minato didn't break me, so I snort. I may be broken. But it's not because of anyone's sudden appearance. Or their presence, or anything.

Because I already know I'm broken. Broken in body, broken in mind...Broken in soul...

So yeah. I slowly stand from the table, smile although I don't think that it's quite real. Nod my thanks to Teuchi and then I walk away.

I'm going to go find Kakashi... So that I can balance myself again, and maybe breakdown without anyone asking questions.

Kakashi's good at that. He doesn't pry, he understands.

Even when I'm unable to express anything.