First part of series: Obito, you dumb shit.

Follows canon to point of Rin's demise. Canon-divergent, introducting Obito's return to Konoha and the aftermath.

Obito-centric.

Platonish ObiRin, KakaObi.

Rated M for some adult themes.

Naruto doesn't belong to me.

Summary: Things are getting better. Snippets from Kakashi and Obito first year in ANBU.

Also, I'd love to thank everyone for positive feedback so far!


ANBU HQ, one month after Trials.

Getting branded and surviving the Trials was just the start.

ANBU headquarters sends them for various tasks. Take measures, collect gear, get locker number and keys, take first classes, team assignments. Kakashi the bean pole, tiny Obito following him.

Obito is restlessly pacing on dark corridor. He never have been patient to begin with. Aimlessly waiting for his standard issue uniform. They don't have uniforms in his size. Again they watch him, undressing, neck, shoulders, waist, hips, tights, calves. Obito doesn't know how much time he wasted here. Couldn't they just get him normal uniform, he could make few alterations by himself. ANBU operatives are meant to have tailored suits.

Goddamn.

Quartermaster is goddamn sadist. Desk officers are assholes, making both of them fill the forms multiple times, never seen such terrible handwriting before. Obito and Kakashi share the same locker room. Yondaime pupils.

Set of dogtags. Always wear them. Codename and ninja ID number, blood group. There's something hypnotizing in two pieces of metal with engraved letters. That's whole esence of ANBU agent. And mask.

"You're Hell-Hound," he gives Hatake reflection wry half-smile. "Suits you well."

"Better than featherhead. Do you remember the room number?"

Fourty-four.

"You have to be good to work with 3rd Vice Commander," one of veterans cooed, letting menace slip into undertone. Between lines, he's going to make you cry.

"Team Ro has low survival rate," another of them added. "This time Yondaime won't be there for you."

Their single visible eyebrows furrowed simultaneously. Team assignments weren't official yet. Rookies did know a little, veterans had every right to tease them and provide with scary stories.

"Heard he's not that bad," Obito said, testing fabrics of long glove. "That's magnificent weave," he nodded towards the glove. "I guess you had pleasure of working under Owl command."

That's if his guess is correct, Owl used to subdue him once or twice last year. That guy is good and pretty scary, too. Kakashi is asking him unspoken questions, chakra fluctuation full of, you're familiar with half of ANBU. Only the chakra patterns. Sensory abilities and photographic memory.

It's second day in ANBU and Obito is getting into his first fight.

"I wanted to give you a piece of advice, you little shit," chakra coils heavy with tension, he wanted to fight. Obito is down for that.

"Stop talking shit about him," he ignores nagging prickling sensation at back of his head, that asshole had it coming, no-one calls Kakashi out.

"I was referring to your funny size."

They moved to training field, that asshole silent friend as spectator. Two against one. Took on their ANBU superior officer. They could have won, but Owl couldn't lose for two ANBU greenhorns, no matter how skilled. So he kicked their asses. Now Owl knows why Yondaime assigned them under his wing. Uchiha boy had anger issues and no respect for superiors. Last Uchiha as secret agent of Hokage died ten years ago. Hatake's father commited suicide, former ANBU operative. Hatake killed his last teammate with cold blood. Owl has to temper that wind.


Konoha, two months later.

Hatake Kakashi is snarky asshole. Obito is watching him from sidelines, keeping an ear open for little birds. Gossip is main source of information in shinobi village. Maybe he had grown overly protective on Kakashi, maybe Kakashi doesn't want to be saved at all. Or maybe it's still work in progress.

Their Sharingan training is going better each day, even drawn Mangekyou two times. Kakashi passed out for few hours,as chakra powerhouse he underestimated chakra-eating monster. Their daily workout session ended with Hatake brooding, once again Obito stepped over boundaries of Kakashi's comfort zone. Well, shit. For once, they took separate routes home. Goddamn Hatake. He called his beautiful dragon shaped (ancient Mokuton technique of Hashirama himself) root a fucking dew worm.

Never sneak behind ANBU unless it's part of plan or you'll have means necessary to survive.

Goddamn Hatake. Obito forgets about goddamn Hatake and being upset with him the exact moment he receives tap of chakra via Kakashi's left eye. Actually he can't sense any of chakra Kakashi sees unless the object is within the range of Obito's sensory chakra. He rushes through rooftops, Kakashi spins, weapon ready in hand, ingrained in muscle memory, deadly and beautiful, he loves watching Kakashi like that, then-

He almost falls of rooftop. Green chakra vibrating with energy of youth, blade pressed against Gai throat. Gai. Kamui pulls him forward, through dim pocket dimension, then outside.

Jogging merrily to caught Kakashi, invite on one of many youthful competitions.

"It's me- It's me, Kakashi!" he remembers how Hatake killed the comrade they couldn't save to finish an assigment and Gai is sure to die and sweating.

"WHAT THE FUCK?!" Obito exhales, as Kakashi lets out soft sigh, stepping away from startled Gai. Yeah, appearing from nowhere looks impressing for anyone unused to swirl of Kamui. Accusation hangs in air, he thought you were under attack. That was close call to being killed. Tension is palpable. You were serious out to get me just now, Hatake glares both at him and Gai. Gai breathes in relief.

Should say the same. What the hell were you thinking?

Lure into rivaly showdowns.

Then, Kakashi leaves, sliding hitai-ate over his left eye. Obito doesn't follow him. Pushing Hatake through the edge to unravel Mangekyou was huge mistake and the one on receiving end is Gai. Not him, someone else.

"I'm sorry," he offers awkwardly. "Are you okay?"

Gai is silent, staring at his left side. It's about eyepatch? Oh yeah, forgot to put it on. That's unnerving, to see Gai becoming suddenly so serious, it's the tattoo. Matching tattoo. He nods absentmindedly.

"ANBU isn't good place for Kakashi," it's not about Kakashi performance and trained killer attitude. Gai disturbed by glimpse of something Obito is familiar with. He doesn't understand darkness, it's better that way. Together, Raven and Hound will bear the burden for others. "For neither of you."

Obito laughed.

"You have no wonder what are you talking about," why is he thinking about his father? Looks he's receiving from former classmates, despite hanging out from time to time together. "Don't tell anyone."

"We are worried about you," it's ten fucking years too late for concern. A small, tugging feeling on edge of his sensory range. It's gone, Sharingan doesn't see a thing. Rusty nails in toes and Hatake wide awake, hand through assassin chest. They're not going to give up on them. Once they know Hatake had close call to killing a comrade- Hound on killing spree is different. Raven is propably only one who saw Hound on killing spree and lives, except Captain and Vice-Captain. "Kurenai-chan says it's almost like watching both of you in rush to die."

Blood on their ledger is only numbers. They're raw numbers, no lives they had taken. It's not something an innocent, naive person like Gai could understand. Gai saved his life. Gai cracked his tooth, the one he's wearing now is fake, with hidden vial of poison. Gai kicked sweet candy out of his mouth. Obito wants to reassure Gai about both of them, no worry. We got that covered. He wants to unwind and most of words doesn't get past his parted, scarred lips.

"I appreciate your concern," he moves on, exhaling smoke. Gai frowns and lingering presence is gone, oddly familiar, long gone and Obito knows that person is good. "Might tell him thing or two, no promises. About youthful challenges, just old times."

That's not enough for Gai, but despite being so full of live and energy, he has good self-perservation sense. Case is closed, Gai doesn't push any further.


Konoha, following weeks.

This barbeque place looks nice and it's quite often mentioned by fellow ANBU. Obito can see why, picking another chunk of juicy beef, studying content of fuinjutsu sbook Kushina-san wanted him to master. Minato vast knowledge of seals comes from Kushina-san, away from home devoured by sea and betrayal. Minato haven't broken the news yet, but judging from more pronounced shape of Kushina belly, he's going to be a father.

"Good place, easy to defend and you can have view of every main route in Konoha," Obito remembers that chakra signature vaguely from Trials. On his side, young woman, with purple hair. Man is huge, with common face easy to forget. Good for assassination or long-term espionage. He pouts when glance lands on empty pack of cigarettes and ashtray filled with stubs. "By smoked you mean roasted?"

"Fuck off, Otter. Not everyone in that area is paranoid as you," girl chuckled and giant haven't even started with introductions. "Hatake isn't here today."

Maybe Gai convinced Bakakashi in participating in youthful challenges?

"Do you know Hatake Kakashi?" she ignored her companion. "I'm Yugao."

"I know him since he's been snotty, sassy brat," he cuts Otter ramblings, spare him the trouble and details.

Does she sound a little bit too excited about Hatake? She had knew him before, just an superior officer running field missions together. So, when Madara had been subtly brainwashing him. Lot of things happened when he was away.

"Mind if we join you?" Sure, why not.

"Morning, Kakashi-senpai," he nods back and Obito can feel disturbance inside Hatake pathways. Should be used to being people's idol. Then, he reminds himself about recurring, disturbing night horrors (he sees them too).

"You are quite popular with younger agents," Otter cooes. "Too bad someone else already had dibs on him."

Obito tensed, blushing crimson. He can feel Hound fingers in his shoulder, like that grip could stop him from knocking Otter's teeth out.


Obito is still under ANBU communal showers. Hatake couldn't help but stop here, on well honed muscles, casual lethality of predator, some scars at unblemished body parts, lazy look of red eye, tattoo embed on the shoulder, soaking wet hair and scent of Obito. When his nipples come in view, Hatake swallows hard. Obito doesn't have nipple on his Senju side. When stream of water is gone, shorter man drying his hair with a towel, what are you staring at? Obito gives him most beautiful eye-smile, which meant to seem as dangerous, predatory look of trained killer. Obito is cute when he's trying to intimidate anyone. Obito is talking to him and after a moment of thinking about Obito and wounds he had been inflicted to, far beyond their control, he reminds him about today formation training with Captain.

Maybe he should already forgive himself for everything?

Captain manages to bring a wince upon his scarred features.

Focusing on formation training comes easy. Muscle memory and Sharingan mix doesn't work as well, when he clashes with Captain. Owl oversees and participates in his underlings sessions personally. He's much more dedicated to keeping his team sharp than before. Owl is dedicated to his team good performation.

You already showed your special skills during Trials. Shouldn't have done that, it couldn't be helped. He's expecting to see your abilities. You both are tools, perfect assets for ANBU.

It's almost like Owl fought with another Sharingan user on daily basis, no details given.

Two days ago he overestimated Kamui distance jump. Just more math and trigonometry sheets brought in by Hatake. It took a second, another blink of an eye to make another jump. Obito is down to two seconds necessary to pull himself fully into Kamui dimension. He had strained his eye a little - Uchiha blindness is inevitable. Usually his eye doesn't bleed.

It doesn't hurt either, just subtle throbbing on chakra pathways.

Sharingan training with Kakashi is only thing keeping him alive. Today, Captain wrecked him again. So weak, Raven.


Somewhere far away.

He's the best thing he even got. A broken gift. Perfect to follow his footsteps.

Obito had been remade for Madara purpose. Broken heart, cursed seal. Lack of man genitalia, only unfeeling lump of fresh shaped as man genitalia. Broken and remade. Then, he had traded dreamland utopia for loyality to people in Konoha.

Obito Uchiha was the biggest failure.

Obito Uchiha didn't come back.

Boy had seen through it, the blame Black Zetsu wanted him to take on fucked up system, that persistent crockroach is all Madara's vile scheme. He had lost two precious pawns, slipped past his reach.

Three man team claimed and destroyed everything he had worked so hard on. Snake. Yellow Flash. Current leader of Uchiha. Mother. Bring the Mother back.

Forgive me Mother. Please don't be angry with me. To be chided by Godess. Very existence taken from him.

He'll get another one soon.


Konohagakure no Sato, second year of Yondaime Hokage reign.

Not doing good in team Ro. 3rd Vice Commander, no matter mission rate success or no only dogtags coming back, seems to be perpetually disappointed with their performance not only during field assigments, during classes or training sessions.

Itachi had noticed shadow of a man, grazing Nakamo opposite riverbank. Sasuke was enjoying butterfly on his nose and their winged companions haven't even been scared away by sudden rush of air, not even trace of chakra before shadow vanished completely.

What Itachi saw was Sharingan. Fully developed, single Sharingan, halfway concealed by porcelain mask. Sharingan pattern Itachi never saw before outside books. Prolonged shuriken pattern, overlapping each end. Smiley, toothless face of little brother drived his attention away from unique Sharingan pattern musings, for time being.

Presence was gone, way too fast to chase it so once Sasuke was home, Itachi had decided to investigate later.

Absolute fucking idiot with no direction sense. Took awhile for Raven to realize where he had been. Kamui is way easier than translocation technique, he already knows every time he steps into Kamui, his chakra signature is erased. Sensing chakra from pocket dimension is impossible, or he haven't reached that point yet. Translocation technique is pain in ass (literal) and Obito immediately would recognize Itachi's energy. Maybe he's relying too much on those, sensory jutsu and Kamui.

He almost brushed past Uchiha sector. No living person should have been able to spot him.


He's still shaking. He had been wrong. Something is wrong.

Obito jerks himself awake, Chidori ablaze in darkened room, Kakashi's hand stuck through unlucky assassin chest. Why Thousand Birds, there's already plenty of objects to end a life. Is this ANBU when you judge home utensils by their capacity to kill?

"Don't kill him!" it's too late, body already devoured by Kamui. Pocket dimension for storing dead people comes in handy. Dressed in nightgown, they're about to chase second assassin but the other shadows are on the trail, together with some ninkens dispatched by Kakashi. Hatake never loses his cool. They're seventeen and surviving their first murder attempt inside Konoha, inside own living place.

Obito still wants to dissect the corpse, but they haven't finished their anatomy courses. Gotta return carcass to investigation unit.

He's still shaking when they give him some calming tea to drink. Chakra seals should have warned him. For once he had enjoyed normal rest, nightmare-free. That guy had the worst timing ever. When? Grazing the Uchiha District? Last mission? Chakra on the edges this day at dango shop? Bingo Book. Enough red on their ledger to have bounty on their heads. ANBU is clandestine organisation. Root is even more mysterious.

Obito swallows another cup of calming tea.

"I don't want Minato or Kushina to worry about us even more," he sets cup down. "Do you remember when Gai startled you?"

Lightning marks are reaching half of his forearm, now extended towards him. Hatake puts hand on his shoulder. Obito tells him about oddly familiar chakra signature on his sensory range, the one from skilled user.

"They lost the trail," nevermind then. It's time to use better safety measures. There's good shop selling high quality sealing accessories, he should try that one out. Between the outside noise, he could differ the frequency. Ninken feet, two other ANBU on rooftop.


Once he handled the corpse back, there's nothing more Obito could do about it. Night sake gives him morning headache, creeping on the back of his skull. There's another mission coming today, it's just him or cigarette is easing his headache. Why he's listening to Captain? Why he's in the middle of system, a cog in machine which makes person abandon a comrade?

It's because only this way, by knowing the flaws and subtle details, he'll be able to change it for good.

Graveyard almost empty, he had outstretched range of sensory chakra to his current limits. Hound is lingering on sidelines for about few minutes. Kakashi stands by his side, accompanied by strong scent of withered flowers coming back to life.

Her grave is a reminder, a guiding light from lighthouse.

"I'm sorry, Rin," on knees, he polishes cold gravestone. "You're watching over us, right?" then she knows what keeps him from visiting her more often: even if she would be upset, she'll understand. With finishing touch of Mokuton, he creates new white lily for her. Minato sensei haven't broken the news yet.

"New generation is going to be born. This one won't be knowing war," soft voice urges him to go.

"Maybe if we were born a bit later... That's wishful thinking, Kakashi."

So they went on, on another restless pursuit.


Yondaime is going to dispatch two of his most skilled people on special assigment. Bird doesn't mind that. It's been a year since those two were branded, a year since ROOT activity gone down, or even unnoticed. Personally, Yondaime should remove cancerous growth on Konoha mighty tree long ago. Personally, Yondaime approved his young and faithful boys to Owl.

Bird doesn't trust Owl.

Owl had proved himself more than once, successfully finishing any task given. He's one of ANBU finest.

Then, Bird haven't ever made a mistake when trusting his gut instincts.

Old Warhawk did.