HELLO, Yes I'm still very much alive and I'm sorry that you've had a month long wait.

I have actually finished my break and am back to the grind of uni. Sigh. I miss my summer.

So I have some bad news for you guys, since I'm back to uni I don't really have time to write regular updates (not like my updates were regular before :P) I may not be able to upload a new chapter for 3 months for all I know. Even this update was scheduled for June, but I got some motivation and finally completed it. But there's always the possibility that I find the motivation and get a chapter out before June.

Don't worry though I plan to see this story through, so bear with me on this slow ride. On the bright side we're half way done with this story, I reckon I'd be able to churn out another 7-9 chapters.

Also thank you all of you that reviewed, favorited and followed the story while I was away. It feels great to know that you guys enjoy it. Massive shoutout to mississippimudpiecraves and Narutokun95 for constantly reviewing.

Also a major thanks to all my silent readers. I know some of you peeps shy, issokay. Just know that all writers love reading what you guys have to say; even if it is just one word. So here's to hopefully seeing more of you guys review :)

For you naruhina fans out there, I tried my hand at the pairing and the result was a oneshot called First Love, be sure to check it out if you haven't already. If you have already checked it out feel free to read it once again :)

Also if there are any shikatema fans that are looking for good stories to satisfy your cravings for fluff and feels be sure to check out a community I co-started with mississippimudpiecraves. 'A Windswept Cloud Casting Shadows In The Sand.'

Now without further ado. I present to you Chapter 9.


Chapter 9: Catching Up.

Walking through the hallways of the dungeon, Kisame dragged his sword against the ground. To say he was annoyed would be an understatement. It was the first time that someone had managed to survive his water prison jutsu without his consent. Moreover he had been rudely interrupted by the mist bastards before he could kill said survivor.

Kakashi Hatake, you just rose to the top of my bingo book, ofcourse how can I forgot your aid in the matter. Obito Uchiha. I wonder how I should kill the both of you. Kisame mused as he made his way towards the study at the other end of the dungeon.

Entering the room he spotted the pale skinned man bent over the table browsing through a bunch of scrolls.

On sensing Kisame enter he looked up and gave him a rather cynical grin. If Kisame was any other man the grin would have sent shivers down his spine, but Kisame had a grin that could rival that of his partner.

'Well hello there Kisame, it's been a while since you've stopped by. What brings you here?'

'Spare me the pleasantries Orochimaru, you know full well I don't visit your cave unless absolutely necessary.'

'He He, very well then, what news do you have? I hope it's interesting.'

'Oh it's interesting alright. I just happened to run into an old friend of ours during my last visit to the mist, and you'd be pleased to know he wasn't dead.' Kisame said, a large grin plastered on his face.

'Obito Uchiha? Why this is rather interesting.'

'He has grown much stronger. It is going to be much harder to catch him unawares. Bringing him back here is going to be a task.'

'It's a good thing then we have the perfect shinobi for infiltration. Moreover I'd rather him come back to us of his own free will.'

'I hope you're not talking about that psychopath test subject of yours.'

Suddenly a kunai whizzed from the shadows towards Kisame and was easily deflected by his sword.

Emerging from the shadows was a kunoichi with brown hair and brown eyes, she twirled a kunai in one hand while the other hand rested on the hilt of the sword attached to her waist.

'Kisame, it isn't wise for you to taunt a kunoichi much stronger than you, especially one that doesn't particularly like you.' the female said, the corner of her mouth curving upwards to form a smirk.

'Now now, play along. We're all on the same team afterall. I trust you know what your mission is, see to it I get the Uchiha back unharmed.' Orochimaru said.

'Do whatever you like with his other friends, I want you to leave Kakashi Hatake to me, I have a score to settle with him.' Kisame said with a rather large grin on his face.

. .

Leaning against her door frame, Rin swayed the door with one palm. Standing in front of her was Obito, his palms resting against either side of the door frame, a mischievous grin plastered on his face.

'Why won't you let me in?'

'You know full well why, I'm tired Obito. I want nothing more than to take a nice hot bath and go to sleep.'

'That's what I was going to suggest, I love taking baths, and sleeping. What's the harm if we do it together?'

'The harm is that you won't let me rest.'

'But Rin, all I want to do is rest nothing else.'

'I'm sure you want nothing else, what could a guy possibly want from a sweet girl like me at midnight.'

'Oh I just want the pleasure of your company, my intentions are extremely pure.'

'Extremely pure my ass, any other time and I would have Obito but I'm honestly exhausted after that mission. I won't be able to catch up on some much needed rest if you stay over. Besides you need to rest too. We'll meet tomorrow, okay.'

Protruding his lower lip in a sulky pout, he dropped his hands from her door.

'Fine. I'm letting you rest just because you're tired.'

'Ha Ha, thank you Obito.' She leaned forward and placed a kiss on his cheek.

'Goodnight Obito. Sleep well.'

'Night Rin.'

And with that he formed the required hand signs and shunshined away from her apartment leaving a puff of smoke in his place.

Closing the door behind her; Rin made her way towards the bathroom to draw herself a bath. After setting the temperature to her liking she proceeded to shed off her dirty uniform and toss it in the laundry hamper.

Standing in just her underwear she made her way to her bedroom and collapsed on the bed. Resting an arm over her eyes; Rin began to ponder over the mission that just passed.

What the hell was that mission? Moreover why was Kakashi acting so weird in the hospital? I swear the tension in the room was near palpable.

The whole time we were in Obito's room he doesn't speak more than six words to me, sparring a grunt or hn when asked a question, which was strange even for him. I know Kakashi may not be the most vocal person about his emotions and feelings but we weren't sure if Obito was going to make it and all he did was stand next to that window and stare out. The least he could do was show any emotion, sadness, frustration. Almost anything would have been better than silence.

Then skip to the part where I finally broke down and started bawling my eyes out like a child and he was by my side in a flash holding me and comforting me, speaking soothing words into my hair as I wept in his chest. And when I finally calmed down he cupped my face and brought me at arm's length and just stared into my eyes. And then when he was so obviously coming closer to plant a kiss on my forehead you could leave it to me to go and do something stupid at such a moment. Why did you have to pull on his shirt so that his head lowered and his lips connected with yours?

You're so stupid Rin, why do you do things without thinking, what if he was completely repulsed by it and won't speak to you ever again. Leave it to you to go and ruin the relationship with one of your best friends. That was probably why he ran away as soon as we got back through the gates.

I would have felt better if he atleast reciprocated and kissed me back. Stupid silver haired guy who looks so hot, why couldn't you have kissed me back. To top it off when we broke apart all you say is 'Obito is coming to consciousness.'

REALLY, OBITO IS FUCKING COMING BACK TO CONSCIOUSNESS, that's your response when a girl wears her heart on a sleeve for you. You should be given an award for how cheesy you can be, how aren't all the girls in Konoha throwing themselves at you when you say such romantic lines.

Thank god Obito is the oblivious fool that he is; I don't know how else I'd have been able to explain the tears that started falling soon after.

I'm sorry I sent you away Obito but I really needed to get my feelings sorted out, and it wouldn't have been right if I invited you in. Not for you and neither for me.

Rin was brought out of her thoughts by the sound of water falling on the ground.

Great now the bath is overflowing. What a great day.

Quickly getting out of bed Rin proceeded to close the curtains in her bedroom before she went into the bathroom.

. .

Walking through the streets of Konoha; Obito couldn't help but smile to himself. He'd had an interesting last two weeks to say the least. Little did he know, everything was about to change… very soon.

As he reached closer to his apartments he got the eerie feeling that he was being watched. His senses were immediately on alert as he proceeded towards the apartment complex.

Suddenly a strong gust blew through the trees causing the leaves to rustle in the wind.

Obito's hand instinctively went to the weapon holster strapped to his thigh. Gripping the kunai, he slowly drew it out and scanned the area.

He felt another gust of wind rush by him before he heard a female voice come from the trees.

'Now now Obito, don't look so tense. I don't mean any harm.'

'Show yourself and stop hiding in the shadows like a coward.' Obito retorted, tightening his grip on the kunai.

A figure immediately jumped from the trees and landed a few feet away from him. The female had medium length brown hair tied up into a high ponytail; she wore a sleeveless grass green kimono style blouse held together by a dark bluish grey obi that matched her pants. She also had a katana strapped to the left side of her waist.

On seeing the kunoichi in front of him Obito subconsciously relaxed his grip on the kunai and dropped his stance.

'Reiko, Is that you?'

'Good to see you too Obito, glad to know you haven't forgotten me.'

Realizing that he had lowered his guard, he immediately got back into a defensive stance.

'Woah, woah. Easy there Obito. You don't want to do something foolish now do you.'

'What are you doing here? I'm fairly certain you don't have permission to be in Konoha, that makes you an intruder and I have to be on guard around intruders regardless of the fact that I know who you are.'

'Someone's been taking their shinobi training seriously. You guessed right; I am trespassing, but if you cooperate we can end this right now and be on our way.'

'What are you talking about?'

'I've been sent here on a mission, to speak with you on behalf of Orochimaru.'

'And what makes you think I would want anything to do with the snake bastard.'

'I thought you might say that. Believe me Obito; I'd rather end this quickly. I have no intention of dragging innocent people into a matter that doesn't concern them. Come back with me to the lair of your own free will and no one has to get hurt.'

'If you don't leave the hidden leaf village right now you'll be the only one to get hurt. Trust me when I say this; I won't hold back just because I knew you in the past.'

'Those are big words Obito, are you sure you have what it takes to back them up? I think you're forgetting who always won our duels back at the lair.'

'That was years ago, don't make the mistake of assuming that I'm still the scrawny weakling you once knew.'

'You seem on edge. Like I said before, I haven't come here to fight you; though I would like to put to the test what Kisame said about you having become much stronger.'

Obito flinched at the mention of his captors name but quickly caught himself. Reiko noticed the momentary change in his demeanour and smirked to herself.

'Looks like you're still jumpy on hearing anything related to shark boy. Still scared of him are we?'

'What are you trying to pull here Reiko; it was great seeing you and all, but I suggest it's time you leave quietly.'

'This is getting really annoying, you're lucky Orochimaru specifically mentioned I wasn't to lay a finger on you, he wants you to come back of your own accord. So I'm going to make something very clear to you, if you make my job any harder than it's supposed to be; I'll make sure your friends suffer.'

Obito immediately tensed at the mention of his friends, something that Reiko immediately noticed.

You're making this too easy Obito. Reiko thought to herself.

'Nice try but I call your bluff; I doubt you even know who my friends are.'

'I think you're forgetting we did a lot of acquainting back at the lair, if I recall correctly you mentioned a certain silver haired boy and a really pretty brunette. Kakashi and Rin right.'

Obito immediately gripped his kunai tighter. 'Don't mess around Reiko, you're crossing sensitive lines, I don't want to hurt you but I will if you threaten me or my friends.'

'I must say Kakashi is quite the hunk, you didn't tell me your friend was quite the looker. I don't think there are many guys that can compete with him in the aesthetic department. I'm actually quite jealous of the girl who is currently getting her brains fucked out by him.'

Obito cringed at Reiko's crass choice of words before they finally registered.

'What do you mean currently?'

Reiko grinned, her plan was working perfectly. 'Oh, I didn't tell you? I had clones follow your friends and report back to me.'

'STOP PLAYING AROUND REIKO, THIS ISN'T FUNNY.'

'Oh I've definitely struck a nerve haven't I,' Reiko chuckled, 'And I haven't even gotten to the best part. If I remember right you used to have a mad crush on that brunette friend of yours. I can finally understand why, she does look rather sexy in her purple lace underwear. I wonder if you've got with her yet.'

That was the straw that broke the camel's back.

Obito immediately lunged at Reiko. She jumped to the right side and quickly shifted all her weight on her forward foot before swinging her right foot at Obito effectively hitting his hand and disarming his kunai from him.

Both of them simultaneously jumped backwards and started forming hand signs.

Obito pulled out a dozen shuriken and tossed them towards Reiko before infusing his chakra into the air and blowing it out.

'Fire Release: Phoenix Flower Shuriken Jutsu.'

The thrown shuriken were immediately covered in flames as they spun towards their target.

Reiko had her hand to her mouth, her thumb connected to her pointer finger to form a circle, she blew through the gap between her fingers.

'Ice Release: Ice Shard Technique.'

There were suddenly ice shards flying through the air.

The two jutsus clashed mid-air and the shuriken and shards fell to the ground effectively cancelling each other out.

'Ice release huh?'

'You're not the only one with new tricks up their sleeve.'

'Atleast I didn't have to get experimented on to improve my techniques.'

Reiko dropped her stance, she bore a sombre expression.

Noticing that she had lowered her guard, Obito quickly charged at her trying to get an advantage, Reiko easily sidestepped him while her hand went for his throat, she used his momentum to make him lose his balance before slamming him straight into the ground.

She quickly formed hand signs before bringing her index and middle finger to the ground.

'Ice Release: Ice Prison Technique.' she said softly.

The ground around Obito suddenly got covered in thick ice before sprouting upwards and covering Obito from his shoulders till his feet leaving his neck and head free.

'You see while Orochimaru's experiments did help me by augmenting my skills, don't forget my kekkei genkai is the ability to control storms, that means my natural chakra affinity is wind and water the base of an ice release technique. I have worked my ass off developing and honing my skills so don't give me that bullshit about my strengths being artificial, I won't let you take that away from me. My accomplishments are mine and mine alone; they are a result of years of my blood and my sweat and my hardwork.'

Looking at her Obito noticed a tear had managed to break free and rolled down her cheek.

'Why are you doing this Reiko, you're one of the strongest kunoichi I know. You don't have to be Orochimaru's subordinate or lab rat anymore. Leave him, go discover yourself. Live a better life, you deserve to be free. You could even move here, we're strong shinobi and you won't have to worr-'

'Stop patronizing me Uchiha, I know about my abilities better than anyone. You're one to talk. Don't forget the only reason you got out is because you were lucky, it was luck that your side of the dungeon got blown up in the ambush, it was luck that you managed to evade Kisame as long as you did, it was luck that your comrades caught your chakra signature and came to your rescue. How would you know what it's been like stuck in that hell hole wondering why you weren't lucky. In a way I'm glad I was still stuck back there, I can see how weak you really are, security and better living has made you complacent. Kisame must be delusional considering he says you have become stronger. In my eyes you are still the worthless, scrawny, pitiful excuse for a shinobi that berated himself for not being able to help his friends. And look where we are now, you're still stuck here helpless unable to help your friends.'

'You know something Reiko, I actually felt sorry for you, felt sorry for the fact that you were stuck there while I was free, there were times I wished I could have gone back and saved you too, now I see it was so foolish of me to feel bad for you cause all this while you were right where you belonged. You are no better than the scums we used to mock back there; actually you have become one of those scums; doing Orochimaru's dirty biddings for him. And I feel sorry for you because you're making the big mistake of underestimating my friends, they're leaf shinobi, they have the will of fire running through them and you're going to be sorry that you ever decided to go up against any of us. You can drag me to back to the lair, but I'll have you know my friends will come searching for me and save me just like they did the last time. And when they do I'll make sure I end you myself. That's a better fate than you could have hoped for. Also before I finish this tirade I just want you to convey this message to Orochimaru about me coming back willingly. I want you to tell him that he and all the rest of you can go fuck themselves.'

Before Obito could react Reiko had channelled chakra into her fist causing a hard layer of ice to form around it and sucker punched him square in the jaw causing him to black out.

She then proceeded to release the ice prison causing Obito to fall to the ground like a rag doll.

'I wish you hadn't given that long speech because now you're going to be wishing you had come back crawling to us in the first place. I'm going to make the life of you and your friends so miserable you'd be begging me to take you back and leave them alone.' Reiko let out a loud chuckle. 'Oh Obito; the fun is just about to begin.'


Hey you're still here. Since you've sat through another one of my chapters give yourself a pat on the back, you deserve it :P

On a serious note, Thanks for reading. Much appreciated.

Also we finally have some KakaRin, so all you KakaRin shippers can finally rejoice :P

Do review.

Till next time.

Cheers!