Yo, hi guys, I'm really sorry I didn't update sooner. I was kind of having doubts about this chapter when I wrote it, and also school has just been slamming me big time with finals and all that fun stuff. But here it is! I finally updated! Anyhow, thanks for the reviews! I love them! They are always welcome. And I hope you like this chapter!
There was no blood. Only Obito's hand sticking straight through Kakashi's body like a ghost and Kakashi's lightning blade only nanometers from Obito's neck. The looks in their eyes, told the entire story and slowly the sound of the lightning blade died away and Obito pulled out hand from Kakashi's left breast. Kakashi was the first to collapse on the ground, staring at his hand in horror. Obito slumped against the wall and slowly slid down across from him.
A crowd around them had formed, and neither of them had noticed. At the head of the crowd was Yondaime, staring in horror at his students.
Kakashi didn't move, the shock and horror of what he'd almost done, sinking in, slowly but surely. And Obito began to shake violently and tears fell onto the ground. He was the first to notice the crowd, staring, "Just go away!" He threw gravel at them, and the crowd backed away from the angry beast. Kakashi hadn't registered it.
I…really am…a friend killer…aren't I.
Obito stared at his own hand himself…he'd almost killed Kakashi…one little faze back into this dimension of space and time and his hand could have squeezed, squeezed Kakashi's heart until it burst. He felt disgusted with himself. Slowly, he got up, the crowd moved out of his way as he moved toward a trashcan. A few sickly noises came next and then Yondaime ordered the crowd to dissipate. At first they didn't move…but then, after another, sharper order they did.
"Obito…Kakashi. Come with me."
Obito wiped his face but shook as he moved away from the trashcan…he was having trouble standing…his legs felt wobbly and like they were moving through bodies…bodies with blood… blood everywhere. He shook the thought out of his head violently. Kakashi seemed to be no better off. He slunk staring at his hand and trudging forward after their teacher.
The entire time, Minato never looked back at his students. The horror, the disappointment it was all still developing inside of him. Still simmering. They followed him all the way up to his office. He ordered them to sit down across from him and told his secretary he'd be a while and absolutely no one… not even the daimyo was a loud to disturb him.
And then they sat in silence. Minato watched as the guilt filled their faces. He let it sit there for a few minutes. He really didn't want to lecture them himself…knowing that in the end he'd be sobbing his own eyes out. In reality he wasn't even sure whether he'd really seen what he'd thought he just saw and ran a hand through his thick blonde and somewhat long hair. Sure in the old days they were always yelling at each other with insults and going at each others throats, but never was it deadly. In fact in the past few years since Obito's accident he was sure they'd gotten to be better, closer friends. And now…they'd almost killed each other. As their teacher for what had seemed like eternity, it burned him inside.
Finally he turned to them, each of their faces staring at the ground, both on the verge of tears…even Kakashi.
He didn't even know where to start, "I'd like it if you guys look at me when I'm talking to you. What you did out there was…" he struggled for words, "Reckless, disruptive, no… worse than that, abominable, outrageous, and not what ninja of your class…or any class to be doing! First off, you did it in the middle of a populated area where hundreds of other people could have gotten hurt! And most of them would have been civilians! Ninja are not supposed to be fighting anywhere near the streets, and second! Second, you are both comrades and I know you know what that word means. No, you're not just comrades you're best friends! You never, never, ever, ever! I don't care what the other one says, never throw a deadly punch at another comrade, do you two hear me!? The wrong timing, the wrong move, anything, ANYTHING, would have killed you! I know both of you miss Rin, but this is taking it too far! She would never have wanted this, would she have!? Do you think she wanted to be remembered like this?" Minato could feel himself on the verge of tears. It was hard, it was hard lecturing your students and maintaining that straight face. He wiped a hand over his face and looked outside. Both of them looked guilty, more than guilty, distraught. He knew they understood, but, he couldn't risk both of them dying out of stupid, reckless behavior.
"You're both suspended for three months of all missions. And when you get back to doing missions, I'm assigning you D-rank. Like what gennin get. Obviously you two still think your gennin. Kakashi, we'll talk later in further of your other punishments. Obito…you're not out of the ditch yet either… Both of you are doing a month of public service assignments, volunteer that is. And…and if this ever, ever happens again…I'll throw you out of the land of fire myself. Both of you can be branded as missing nin. Now, go!"
Slowly the two rose and left the office. Minato watched, both slumped over, and he knew, he knew that his punishments were nothing compared to the mental trauma they were facing. Killing an enemy was one thing for a ninja…but killing your friends was another.
The two boys walked out. They're feet dragged behind them and then Obito slumped against the wall, and then down to the bench. He wiped his tears again, but they didn't seem to go away. Kakashi had stopped as well. He didn't face Obito, he felt far too ashamed, far too guilty…Friend Killer…he'd just proved them all right…and it hurt. Obito buried his face in his hands; he didn't want to look at Kakashi. And slowly Kakashi trudged away, down the hall and far away.
Generally Kakashi and Obito had become dark, dull, and antisocial. Except for the eight hours a day of volunteer work, they didn't come out, they curled up in their little apartments trying to rid their individual minds of the disgusting moment. Sometimes during the volunteering they were forced to work near each other. But both were afraid, afraid to make eye contact with the other. But no one could hold on to their feelings forever. At some point, they couldn't really help but see each other at the end of the day.
The sun was setting and it was their final day of volunteer work. Obito dropped the shovel and yawned facing the sun, "Freedom at last!"
He wasn't quite as enthusiastic as Kakashi remembered him to be all those years before…before everything. But still, it was the first time in weeks that he'd said anything really. But Kakashi wasn't sure whether he was obliged to answer.
Obito didn't say anything…truth to tell, he wanted it all to be over, the stupid feud that had been between them after Rin died, the pain, and the moment he almost made the biggest regret of life. But still, he was unsure if Kakashi was ready, ready to stop fighting, to just be friends again.
Kakashi wasn't really sure himself. Instead he picked up Obito's shovel and walked off to deposit it with his own in the box. They walked home alone, each wondering if there was any way they could make up for their near death mistake.
It was two days after the volunteer assignment had ended. Kakashi stood in the rain, staring pitifully at the memorial stone before him. For a while he stared and then…he began to cry, it was silent mostly, someone might still be watching. He felt terrible really, he hadn't come to the cemetery in almost more than two weeks, and now he wondered how lonely Rin had been.
"Oh Rin…I'm sorry. You're probably seething mad still, to think we'd fall so low. We're pathetic…I'm pathetic. I'm worse…in ANBU…" he had to stop and choke back a sob. He wiped his eyes again. It seemed pointless though, it was raining, no one would be able to tell. He breathed and went on, "in ANBU…I…I…they call me the friend killer…" it was hard he was trying so hard not to collapse into a small ball and just sob. It was all he wanted to do, "Rin…I'm sorry. I didn't mean it… I didn't. I didn't know…you were…you were just there."
It was about then, that Obito walked up to the cemetery, he stopped short when he saw Kakashi there. At first he thought that maybe he should leave Kakashi alone…but then, curiosity hit him, he was in front of the memorial. Perhaps if he could get a little closer…no that was eavesdropping, and it was none of his business. But curiosity was getting the best of him…maybe if he nonchalantly walked up…
Again Kakashi choked back the sob, swallowing the tears, "And Obito…I, I hated hearing it form his mouth…it hurt…my friend…my best friend…how could he call me that? I…I was just tired of hearing it. Every time someone says it…it hurts…but I really didn't mean it Rin. I just made it worse…I was so hurt I said he never loved you…what was I thinking? Of course he loved you…I remember, you remember…" He wiped his nose, "I'm an idiot, Rin…"
"No, we're both idiots," a familiar voice spoke behind him. Kakashi prickled. And then he heard footsteps until the stopped, close.
"Oh…I didn't…" Kakashi tried to clear his throat and put on his stoic face, "I didn't expect you to be here…"
Slowly he watched as Obito knelt down with a bouquet of flowers. He noticed none of them were roses. That was strange. Before, Obito had brought roses. Carefully Obito stood up and offered a silent prayer to Rin, not like Kakashi who would stand in the rain for hours talking to the dead. But Obito didn't leave, instead he stood beside Kakashi.
Finally when he looked like he'd had everything he wanted to say intact, he turned stiffly to face Kakashi and then…
"Ah! Obito what the hell are you doing!" Kakashi yelled as Obito bear hugged Kakashi.
"I…I can't breath…Obito…OBITO! Get off!"
Obito squeezed harder and it felt good, and then he stopped, for Kakashi's sake more or less. And then he grinned, "I don't think Rin would want us to keep this up. She was always the peacekeeper. She'd want us to just make up and…and be friends again…none of this killing each other crap." Kakashi noticed that Obito was trying really hard to act too cool. It brought back painfully happy memories. And then Obito took Kakashi by the shoulders, "I'm sorry…I'm so sorry I accused you of…of those damned Friend Killer rumors. I was just so worried. Everyone…everyone I came across, they always had something to say about it…I'm sorry Kakashi. I didn't mean it. Please…" there was a definite sob coming. But Kakashi could hardly blame him.
"I forgive you, Obito. I just…I never forgave myself. And I was throwing all of my anger at myself on you."
Obito looked up, into the eyes. The headband was up and he stared into those beautiful mismatched eyes, the eyes that for once, were heavy with distress and emotion. It was touching, really. It seemed like a long time since he'd seen Kakashi look so sad over something.
Thunder sounded nearby. And the rain momentarily began to come down harder. Through it, Obito smiled a little, "Come on, we're getting soaked to the bone out in this weather."
Kakashi nodded as well, "Let's."
