AN: Thank you for the review last chapter it was a nice welcome back and got me working on this update quick ;p

AleXanDraPR369 thanks for the feedback. I know what you mean, but there was development I needed to set up for the rest of the plot, not foreshadowing as such, but it progresses some character relationships and also subplots too. It was laying foundations for what will happen…soon! Haha. Anyway this chapter will also be moving things along

Onlyagirl- no one has translated my work before so I was excited teehee. In answer to your question, Fugaku promised that as long as Itachi completes his marital duties too he can keep Kakashi as his mistress/concubine. But I can't answer your others just yet ;p thanks for your wonderful review

Chapter 14

Kakashi wouldn't cry. He couldn't waste his time on tears. They were for the weak and he would be weak no more. He had allowed himself to be made a powerless slave long enough. It was time for him to take back his pride and his clan. It was time for him to leave the Uchiha.

His decision was made, but of course in actuality it was easier said than done. There was a reason he had never attempted this previously- it was potentially suicide running away if caught. The likelihood of his death dropped with the intensity of Itachi's obsession with him though. There was no way in hell Kakashi would willingly give himself to him. Kakashi was not an Uchiha whore. He was not a servant. He was the true leader of the Hatake clan.

Hatake Sakumo's son will restore honour to their clan.

With this goal in mind, Kakashi carried on as if nothing had changed, as if he were seriously obeying the latest of the demeaning orders. Once everyone was fast asleep he would make his move.

The moon was high and bright, the night was calm aside from the chirping of crickets, yet Obito couldn't sleep. He felt awful. He felt sick. He felt an emotional pain he had not expected gnawing away at him.

And it scared him.

He didn't want to acknowledge his traitorous thoughts. More than anything he wished these feelings would just go away. How had he not realised sooner? They must have been there for some time, building within his soul.

And when that deal was made between Fugaku and Itachi at dinner, that was when he realised. Once it was too late.

That was so like him to, he scoffed. Clumsy Obito. Idiotic Obito. Immature Obito. If he couldn't see what was there the whole time then maybe he deserves the scorn of the clan.

And here he was feeling sorry for himself when it was Kakashi who was really, truly hurting right now. He was being sold off like a common whore. Traded like cattle. The brilliant, genius clan lord didn't deserve such disrespect. He should have been treated like a real war hostage from the very beginning. Not humiliated the way he had.

And now he was to be Itachi's 'companion'. Itachi who unnerved Kakashi. Itachi who Kakashi didn't want to be with, he could tell. Obito was more observational than the others believed or gave him credit for. It wasn't by accident that Kakashi served Itachi least of all at meals, that he tended to hover as far from him as possible while serving.

And dare he dwell on it but Obito knew Kakashi lingered around him more than was necessary. He thought about the times Kakashi and his eyes would meet and felt his heart flutter. Or maybe he was reading too much into all this- he was so confused. He loved Rin and he always had. But Rin didn't want him. And he couldn't deny that Kakashi was pretty. Was he just as bad as the other men for thinking so? Would Kakashi hate him or feel even more humiliated if he knew what Obito was thinking?

But the young man couldn't help but think of those eyes, soft looking lips and beautiful face framed with silky, silver locks. And he knew right then: he had romantic feelings for Kakashi. And unlike his uncle it was much stronger than just lust.

Great; Fugaku would kill him if he knew. Or Itachi for that matter. Or even Sasuke for merely thinking of his brother's new bedmate in such a way.

Obito didn't want it to be like this. He wished he could change Fugaku's mind. But Itachi was the eldest son, the golden boy who could do no wrong. What he wanted he would get. And of course Itachi wanted Kakashi. He was acting like Kakashi was no more than some grand prize be won, to be presented at the feet of the triumphant heir.

The head's nephew had never understood the others here. If he could have Rin he would only do so if she were willing, if she chose him. It would be meaningless otherwise.

The young man huffed to himself, ashamed that he couldn't protect Kakashi. The young silver prince who he had rescued so long ago from Minato's clutches; and really, was he any better off now?

But he was an Uchiha first- he had to put his clan, his leader and his heir before anything else. Before himself. And yes, even before Kakashi though it pained him to do so.

Poor Obito tossed and turned and he couldn't sleep. He had to see Kakashi. He had to tell him how sorry it was that it had turned out like this. He would seek him out tomorrow first thing. But for now… now he would go and stand on the veranda and cool himself in the fresh night air by the light of the lamps. Perhaps the cries of the crickets and the rustle of maple leaves would sooth his troubled soul.

The Hatake didn't dare to use a candle or torch. He would have to make do with only the silver glow of the high moon as his night light, his guide. It was enough. Stealthily, using all his training and skills, he crept from the quarters where his fellow serving men were sleeping- though he had his suspicions about Tenzo. Kakashi could have sworn he heard a soft 'Good luck' from the other man who lay near him.

Winding through the floors, dodging the guards was doable but time consuming. If he didn't escape before the sun rose he knew he was done for. He had already wasted enough time waiting for the others to doze off in their rooms, one by one. He had to be sure in case the ratted on him to a guard or one of the Uchiha themselves. Kakashi really didn't want to see Zabuza again in such conditions.

To try and make things less obvious should someone cast him a sleepy glance in semi-consciousness, he had rolled up as many clothes as he could find and threw the blankets over them so at a quick glance one would assume it was a body.

Once he made it outside the castle- praying every inch of the way that creaking floor boards would not be his undoing- he ducked down into the long grass and bushes behind the stables. There was no way he would attempt the main entrance.

He knew the peace of the garden shrine was his best bet. The guards would be more reluctant to patrol there, even at night, so as not to break the tranquillity of the sacred grounds there. Kakashi had no problem doing so if it led to his freedom.

A small, wooden bridge flanked to two stone toro lanterns were the entrance to the area. Beneath was a small canal leading to a fountain some way down the path. Unfortunately Kakashi had no time to pause and appreciate the beauty of the silver glimmer on the water's surface caused by the fish below. Thanks to the bamboo shishiodoshi the birds were scared off, meaning there was less to draw attention to the area, making Kakashi's escape much easier.

It was once he passed the rock garden and slipped through the miniature torii gate, with the intention to hide in the maple trees surrounding the small family shrine, that Kakashi saw him. Standing before the entrance steps as if deep in though: Obito Uchiha.

Kakashi sucked in a breath. His first instinct was to call out but he stopped himself and ducked behind a tree trunk. He should leave now, without saying a word, before Obito notices him, he knows this. He needs to leave for his own sake. He should go. But- he just can't.

Kakashi feels some sort of loyalty to Obito, the man who simultaneously escorted him as a prisoner yet saved him from being raped. The man whose family made him a slave but who treated Kakashi with kindness himself.

Kakashi and Obito had developed a strange, strained friendship over the weeks they had known each other. And though it was complete idiocy on his part, after seeing Obito here before him tonight, he just had to say something. He couldn't leave Obito without a word.

He put on foot forward, loud enough to rustle the maples beneath him. Obito heard the sound and turned.

"Obito," Kakashi whispered as he came out from behind the tree and approached.

"Kakashi!" Obito gasped and looked around wildly to see if anyone else was present. They were entirely alone for the moment. But for how long? "What are you doing here? The guards have given me some privacy for my prayers but they could return soon."

Kakashi hesitated. His reluctance to answer spoke volumes.

"You're running away, aren't you?"

"Can you blame me?"

Obito sighed. "No. But are you sure it's wise-"

"I don't care! The time for being good, wise Kakashi is over. I need to get out now before…"

"Before Itachi," Obito shrugged off the gesture, unable to bring himself to say any more.

Kakashi only nodded. "I must leave."

"I'm sorry Kakashi, for all the hurt my family has caused you. I know it may sound hollow but it's true."

Kakashi smiled bitterly here. "I know. And I can only wish we had met under different circumstances, as allies."

Obito moved closer. He hesitated for only a moment. If he didn't say this now he may miss his chance and never see Kakashi again. It was like some force was driving him to release his pent up feelings. "Just allies? Or something more?"

Kakashi froze. Was Obito really going there? He couldn't say he had felt… things for Obito, thoughts he had wished would go away. Being near the teasing, happy-going raven made his heart pound and his head light. But it was just too complicated. He couldn't deal with this… but knowing Obito returned his feelings… it made him happy despite everything.

"Obito…" he breathed, suddenly overwhelmed when he should be focused on the urgent task at hand: escape.

Obito took another step forward, closing the distance. He placed his hands on the younger man's shoulders. "Answer me, Kakashi," he said low and quiet, but clear as the night. "If we had met in a different time, under different circumstances, what could we have been? Allies, comrades, friends… or something more?"

Kakashi could feel his breath ghosting over him. They leaned into each other. Their lips almost touched. Almost. In the distance they heard the bark of laughter from some men, probably the guards telling bawdy jokes as they swapped shifts. It shook them from the spell they had been under.

Kakashi moved back but locked into Obito's dark eyes, his expression serious. "Why don't you find out? Run away with me."

Obito let go of Kakashi's shoulders instantly. "What?"

"Obito there is no time; we must leave now. If you want what you just implied then come with me. Let's go together tonight."

"To reclaim your lands?"

Kakashi said nothing but it was obvious what his intentions were.

"No. I can't do that Kakashi, I'm sorry. I won't turn against my family. I'm an Uchiha. I can't betray the Uchiha clan, my family, my Uncle who took me in and raise me. Don't ask me to do such a thing again.

Kakashi felt like his eyes would well up but he held it in. He was a man, a warrior.

"Your family, huh? They certainly don't treat you with any respect. They mock you daily! They make you out to be a joke! How can you stand it? Why choose a life of ridicule and serving a heartless, cold clan over me?"

"Heartless and cold? You're one to talk. You can be just as standoffish as them. Don't think I don't remember all those times you ignore me when we were young. You noticed Itachi, he noticed you. But no one noticed me except to point out when I was doing something wrong. Fugaku took me in and trained me when everyone else time I was useless and a waste of his time. Why would I make him an enemy and take a sword to my clan, my home, for the sake of you fighting a lost cause, for your fortunes to be restored? If you do manage to escape you should abandon this meaningless war and doomed plight and find some peace. Live out your life away from here."

"I am the rightful heir of my clan! Minato betrayed us! He betrayed not only me but my father. I owe it to my father to take back what is mine and make Namikaze pay."

"So it's revenge you're after? Wow, I never pegged you as the type."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"I just thought you were smarter than that. I mean, don't get me wrong, it's the sort of thing I'd be tempted to do, but you were never ruled by your emotions like I am."

The sound of two guards chatting was coming closer as they were doing their rounds. Both young men turned towards the sound.

"Look, Kakashi- just go. I can't leave with you, but I won't tell anyone I saw you. The best way to escape would be to avoid the bridge and go through the moat on the outskirts of the town. Some distance ahead there are a few old farm houses where some horses are kept. Steal one or you have no chance. And don't worry about the farmers, when it all dies down I will present them with a new horse."

Kakashi nodded, looking into Obito's eyes for a moment more. "Thank you, Obito, for everything you have done for me. No one else in your position would." Quickly, Kakashi leaned forwards and brushed their lips together. Before Obito could react and broke away and headed back towards the trees. "And that is my answer to your earlier question."

As Kakashi almost footsteps died away, Obito brought his hand to his lips. He felt so happy yet so distraught. He had finally been able to grow feelings for another, which he never thought would happen after Rin, only to have fate mock him once again. He would never be able to have Kakashi. Whether Kakashi escaped tonight or was caught, they could never be together.

Finally the tears could be contained no more and Obito felt warm droplets leaking from his eyes. As he told Kakashi he had always been emotional. The others had called him a crybaby for most of his childhood, but these days he rarely cried at all.

Obito turned back to the shrine for a final prayer. He wished for Kakashi's happiness. He wished for Kakashi's freedom. Even if it meant he would never see him again.