23/8/12 - A/N: This arc takes place two years later, kind of like a 'Kakashi Shippuden'. The pace may seem slow at first but I want to lay down new sub plots and connect others. Things will speed up later on. Happy reading!

Arc IV: Rising from the Clouds

Chapter 20

Kurosawa Takahiro was not a foolish man by any means. As a missing-nin of Kiri and now a mercenary leader he had the ability to assess a situation and enough experience to predict the enemy's strategy. Though honestly… Who would have guessed that the Third Raikage had been such a monster? Half a year ago the man had taken on an army of ten thousand men in a suicidal stand. That guy surely hadn't been human. In any case, those that had been left alive such as Takahiro and the remaining rebels had dispersed into the north of Lightning Country.

However, now it seemed that some local noble had gone crying to the new Raikage about Takahiro's abuse and exploitation of the northern area. The Fourth Raikage probably wanted revenge anyway too since camp after camp had been eliminated by Kumo. Now all they had was the central port in the north.

Takahiro had taken the attitude that he had merely helped the north fulfil its potential. After all who wouldn't dominate the shipping trade and kill their competitors? Common sense dictated to demand tolls on the roads. It was also a waste not to send women and children to work in the local quarry.

No, it was best to make his getaway now. After all Takahiro had heard about what had happened to the other mercenary leaders.

"Kurosawa-san!" Two young men burst into Takahiro's study.

"Yes?" Takahiro snapped.

"Kumo has attacked the quarry," the first man said, his face covered in nervous sweat. Takahiro was not a man to displease. "The… The… S-slaves have been… Um released."

"What?" Takahiro roared. "We had our strongest men guarding the quarry."

"They… Took us by surprise," the second muttered. "They are ninja after all."

"By surprise?" Takahiro snarled. He stepped forwards and grabbed the youth by his throat. "I've lived through a ninja war boy. Don't tell me how ninja act."

The young man's eyes bulged and he feebly scrabbled at Takahiro's hand. Takahiro snorted in disgust. The young were pathetic, lazy things nowadays. It was clear that this child had lived a far too privileged life. When Takahiro was his age he'd already fought in the bloodiest of wars, the Second Ninja War. He'd killed countless of men and had trained the notorious child soldiers of Kiri.

With a vicious twist Takahiro broke the young man's neck.

"You," Takahiro said as he dropped the body with disgust. "Take this piece of trash out and get the ships ready. We're leaving this shithole of a country and those Kumo scum."

The remaining man dragged his dead comrade away and shut the door of the study. Takahiro shook his head and picked up his bottle of sake, taking a long slug of the alcohol.

Suddenly the hairs on the back of his neck stood on end. Takahiro slammed the bottle onto the desk and hurled a kunai behind him.

The old man turned to see a shadow in the corner. The figure held Takahiro's kunai between two fingers.

"You're pretty good sneaking up on me like that," he growled.

"You flatter me," the figure said. The kunai flashed as it spun between the person's fingers. This person was no stranger when it came to handling blades it seemed.

"Kumo ANBU assassin then?" Takahiro narrowed his eyes. "You sound a bit young."

"Kumo doesn't need to send an ANBU out for someone of your level," the figure said in a bored tone. "I was going to kill you in your sleep like I did to the rest of your comrades… But I've changed my mind. Scum like you do not deserve mercy."

Takahiro snorted, "What makes a boy like you think he can kill me?"

"Because you're already dead," the figure whispered.

A gasp was ripped from Takahiro as cold, blinding pain filled his body. His eyes dilated and the sound of chirping electricity met his ears. Jerking his head down, Takahiro gazed in disbelief as a blue blade, surrounded by white lightning, glowed back at him. The kodachi seemed to be alive as the electricity crackled and chirped with raw energy.

"H-how?" He choked as blood dribbled down his chin. How hadn't he even sensed the Kumo nin move? The figure standing in the corner hadn't been a clone… He'd just moved so fast…

The kodachi was wrenched away from Takahiro's body and he collapsed to his knees with a groan. Still partially hidden by the shadows, the Kumo nin moved in front of him. Takahiro's head jolted upwards and his eyes met with his killer's. Steely, grey irises that were full of self-assurance.

"You made two mistakes," the Kumo nin said lazily as he pressed his sword to Takahiro's jugular. "One you killed your subordinate and two you insulted my country. Both are unforgiveable."

"W-wait…" Takahiro groaned. "You… You must be-"

But the mercenary leader never managed to finish his sentence. As at that moment, with one swift slash, the Kumo nin eliminated his target.

24th March 775

Dear Uchiha Obito,

After reviewing your current progress and mission performance it gives me great pleasure in informing you-

"Hey!" Obito said as the letter was snatched out of his hands.

Shisui who had scarily fast reflexes for a ten year old flashed Obito a smirk. Scanning the letter his eyes suddenly widened and he exclaimed, "No way! You've been promoted to jonin?"

"Yep," Obito said grabbing the letter off his younger cousin. He continued to read:

-on your promotion to jonin rank. As a jonin there are now a number of privileges available to you such as access to the jonin lounge, more paid holidays and also higher wages*.

However the rank is of one the greatest honours of a ninja. You now uphold an example to those of lower ranks and also are in a position of leadership. As-

"You never told me you were going get promoted," Shisui accused with a scowl.

Obito sighed. Folding the letter, he slipped it into his flak jacket pocket. He knew he shouldn't have opened the letter at the breakfast table.

"Well you only passed the chunin exams last week," Obito told him and he ruffled Shisui's hair. "I didn't want to steal your thunder."

"No you wouldn't have," Shisui argued. "We could have had a joint party. It would have been so cool and Aunt Mikoto would have had baked you a cake too."

Obito sincerely doubted that. It would have caused the Uchiha Clan even greater shame when they found out that a member who 'didn't possess the sharingan' was now a high-ranking ninja.

"You're hiding something," Shisui narrowed his eyes. "You're so secretive now. Never training around us. You're hardly ever in the compound and when you go off on missions you only leave a note on the fridge."

"At least I leave a note," Obito shrugged.

He knew that Shisui and Itachi have been following him in their free time. Luckily he knew a certain kunoichi who had an exceptional talent when it came to sealing barriers. Having trained with Rin for so long she had developed a barrier so that even sharingan users had trouble analysing and penetrating it.

"At least let me see the rest of the letter," Shisui huffed.

Obito grinned and pulled it out from his pocket. The two cousins huddled over the wad of paper.

-you are now a jonin there are now a number of career options available to you. As well taking part in high-ranking missions such as A and S rank, you are able to choose and lead lower ranking missions. Remember it is important that you choose your team on ability and suitability for the mission. Similarly, if you perform well this could also lead to a career in ANBU or a teaching post as a jonin instructor*.

Congratulations on your new rank and all the best for the future.

Yours sincerely,

Namikaze Minato, Fourth Hokage

*= Please note that any damage done to the jonin lounge is considered to be an act of vandalism and will be deducted from your wages. Higher wages will also depend on the danger of the mission and it is strongly recommended to take out life insurance. We have many great deals for new jonin!

*=Careers in ANBU and in teaching are invitation ONLY by the Hokage.

"Sensei really has brought on a lot more paperwork on himself by writing all the letters," Obito muttered as he folded up the letter and slipped it into his flak jacket. He suppressed a laugh as he remembered seeing Minato buried under paperwork yesterday.

"Hey we could go out for lunch today?" Shisui suggested. "To celebrate?"

"I'd like that," Obito gave Shisui a sneaky grin. "So you and Itachi are treating me?"

"No fair," Shisui laughed. "That means I'll have to pay because Itachi is still in academy."

"So I'll take that as a yes then," Obito grinned. "Itachi is so picky about his food so usual place at one?"

"I'll see you there," Shisui said.

After giving his cousin's hair another quick ruffle, Obito pulled on his shin length sandals and body flickered from the flat. Having learnt how to body flicker six months ago Obito used to use the technique to travel everywhere. Now however the novelty had worn off and the technique only really came in handy so he didn't have to walk through the compound anymore.

Appearing on the Naka Bridge Obito stretched and rumpled his hair with a yawn. Once he'd ceased caring about what the clan thought of him Obito's appearance had become increasingly dishevelled over the years. His regulation ninja clothes were all black, mostly to hide the fact he was incapable at ironing rather than to keep with the Uchiha colours, with the clan symbol sewn on his sleeve.

Aunt Mikoto was constantly moaning at him to get his haircut saying that at the rate he was going he'd be the spitting image of Uchiha Madara by the time he was twenty. Obito thought that was just a bit of an exaggeration. He looked nothing like that nutcase. Sure his hair had grown remarkably shaggy and was a mess of unruly spikes, but it was nowhere near as long as Sensei's or Jiraiya's. Though he did have a fine layer of stubble, Asuma was well on the way to having a fully-grown beard. So Obito really didn't think he looked that bad.

As he walked down the path that was lined with cherry blossoms, Obito pulled up his faithful orange goggles and grinned. Pleasant spring sunshine filtered through the leaves, highlighting the minute veins. Small, delicate buds decorated their way along the branches. Tiny presents of hope just waiting for the right moment to be opened.

Every time Obito walked under these trees he was always reminded of Rin. A determined gleam filled his eyes. This year, this year would be the one. He could feel it. When the cherry blossoms were in full bloom he'd bring Rin here. He'd stare into those beautiful hazel eyes and release her hair from the ponytail she always wore now. Then confess how much he loved her and then-

Obito mentally slapped himself. His shoulders slumped. There was no way on this planet that that was going to happen. Though he had seen less and less of Rin lately since she'd been promoted to special jonin in the medical corps, they still met up in their free time. She was his friend, comrade and teammate. All of that was too precious to risk for some stupid, clichéd confession.

Genma was constantly telling him to get a life and get a girlfriend. About a half a year when they went out for Asuma's birthday Obito had tried to go along with Genma's advice after he'd been practically shoved into a girl's lap. For the life of him he couldn't remember the girl's name but the encounter had been all too excruciating. It'd been full sloppy clashes of teeth rather than kisses as the girl had awkwardly groped him, while Obito had been wondering where the hell he was supposed to put his hands. To make matters worse Rin had teased Obito about the girl the next day. That was the first and last time he was ever going to go with Genma's advice.

Obito sighed as he made it into the centre of Konoha. As always the Saturday market was full of a riot of noise and colour. As part of a recent project to restart the economy and improve relations with other countries the Fourth Hokage had invited several different merchants and peddlers into the village. The street was now full of exotic aromas as street hawkers fried food in preparation for lunchtime. As the smell of sizzling meat and fresh spices invaded Obito's senses, his stomach growled.

Silk scarves from Hot Water Country waved at Obito from a stall and huge vegetables glowed proudly in the sun from Grass Country. Occasionally Obito liked to buy groceries from that stall to recreate some of the same curries and broths he had tried while posted out in Grass Country. One time, when he had visited a town with some of the other troops, he'd managed to charm a lady into giving him a recipe.

In a strange way, Obito found cooking relaxing and since he had vowed to become less dependant on the clan he had told Mikoto that she didn't have to cook for them anymore. His first few attempts at cooking had been a complete disaster with charcoaled meat and a melted pan. But through sheer determination and using Shisui as a guinea pig, Obito could now make meals that were not only edible but also tasty. Even Kushina, who was known for her legendary cooking, had approved of his food and given him a couple of tips. Best of all, Rin loved his food. Which gave Obito an excuse to invite her round so she could try new dishes.

"Excuse me sir," a stall vendor called. "Would you like buy some jewellery for a loved one? A girlfriend? I've got some lovely necklaces here made specially in Wave Country."

"No thanks," Obito smiled and he continued on his way.

Necklace… Obito frowned. He remembered the one he had given to Rin for her thirteenth birthday. Thinking back on it, it was a rather clumsy thing with a round shell attached to a piece of string. Then again, having no money on him at that point of time during the war, Obito had found the shell and had made the necklace himself. He'd been all too glad that it hadn't been lost, as Rin had sent a letter thanking him.

I wonder if she still has it, Obito thought.

"Hey Obito!" A voice called.

Obito turned to see Asuma strolling up the street.

"Asuma," Obito grinned.

"Congrats on a making it to jonin," Asuma said, giving Obito a friendly slap on the back causing him to stumble forwards. "You know I'm surprised you haven't shouted it out to the entire village yet."

"Ah well new rank new maturity," Obito joked with what was meant to be an all too superior nod. They started to walk towards the jonin lounge, since Asuma had been promoted to jonin a couple of weeks ago.

Asuma snorted, "Maturity, that'll be the day."

"Shut up," Obito laughed. "Who was the one who was peeping on the women's hot spring yesterday?"

"Yeah and who's idea was that?" Asuma sniggered.

"Hmm… Must have been some other Uchiha," Obito grinned.

"The true secret of the Uchiha Clan is that they're all perverts," Asuma laughed.

"It's true," Obito nodded with a perfectly straight face. "That's actually what we use our sharingan for. Us and the Hyugas put aside our differences so we can unite in our pervy ways."

The two boys looked at each other and suddenly burst out laughing at the very idea of Uchiha Fugaku and Hyuga Hiashi peeping in on the women's hot spring together.

"It's Jiraiya-san's fault," Obito shrugged after they'd recovered.

"You've got a point," Asuma agreed.

They had discovered Jiraiya yesterday, hiding behind a chimney with a pair of binoculars. The Sannin hadn't been seen in the village for quite a few months so they boys had gone over to investigate.

Obito remembered the keen interest in his eyes when Jiraiya remarked that he remembered seeing Obito during the chunin exams and about his unusual choice of summon. Jiraiya then had attempted to persuade them to help him with his research. Alarm bells had gone off in Obito's head as one of the first things he'd been taught by Minato was never, ever help Jiraiya with his research. It was only after the Sannin said it could possibly involve girls who they liked that Asuma and Obito had decided to help him. They were teenage boys after all. Jiraiya had told them to just think of it as bird watching. Obito just hadn't expected the nosebleed and he'd felt slightly disappointed that Rin hadn't been there.

"Oh yeah Genma's organising something for tonight to celebrate," Asuma warned him.

"Right," Obito nodded. "Who's going?"

Suddenly it struck him as slightly sad that he had no idea who was going to turn up to his own celebration.

"Usual people," Asuma said. "Ebisu and Gai are on a mission but I'll be there, so will Kurenai, Rin and Ko. Genma's going to bring Raido and Aoba too… He'll probably round up some people that we don't know… Apart from that pretty much everyone will be there."

"Everyone… Huh…" Obito muttered softly. He suddenly stopped and stared up at the Hokage Monument.

Four stone faces gazed down upon the village. He remembered Kushina storming up there and telling the sculptors that Minato's nose was actually not that perfect but it was actually slightly off centre.

A sad smile tugged at Obito's lips. He, Uchiha Obito the class dropout, was a jonin. Asuma, Gai and he were now the three highest-ranking ninja of their age groups. Ko, Kurenai and Ebisu were still chugging away as chunin. Though Genma liked to boast that Raido, he and some other guy whose name Obito couldn't remember were having lessons with the Hokage Genma was still a special jonin. Like Rin he was now a rank lower than Obito.

However… Obito suddenly stopped and stared at the past and present Hokage. There was one person who he wished could be there tonight. The person Obito had been chasing for his entire life. For a moment he wondered whether Kakashi was a fully-fledged Kumo ninja now. Most likely. Grudgingly, Obito knew that Kakashi would have probably flown through the ranks. The guy was a stuck up genius after all.

"Obito?" Asuma said.

Obito jerked and gave his friend a sheepish grin. "Sorry," he said. "Spaced out."

Asuma shook his head and they continued to walk.

Obito clenched his fists. He still stuck by his promise and he knew Rin did too. Both of them had trained tirelessly over the past two years, which was why they'd been promoted at such a young age. Kakashi was going to come home. Even if they had to fight and he had to drag him back to Konoha. Obito intended to stick by his promise, even if it killed him.

"White Demon?" Minato glanced up from the letter he'd been writing.

Enraged shrieks from women had filled the village yesterday informing the Hokage that his sensei had indeed finally returned from his travels.

"I heard rumours while I was in Lightning Country," Jiraiya said. "Since the Third Raikage died half a year ago they've been finishing off the remnants of the rebels in the north."

"What were they?" Minato asked as he set his pen down.

"The rumours vary from fairly plausible to downright ridiculous," Jiraiya admitted. "However from what I've gathered is that before Kumo attack a rebel camp the leader is always found dead in his bed."

Minato nodded. It was a clever tactic. Assassinating the leader would leave the rest of the troops in chaos. Most mercenaries would desert leaving Kumo the simple task of routing the stragglers.

"Apparently the Kumo assassin is a young man who's possessed by a demon spirit from the clouds," Jiraiya told him. "Who carries a blade made from lightning."

Minato's eyes narrowed. "I see," he said. "That could possibly mean that-"

"Kakashi's finished his training," Jiraiya agreed. "I wouldn't be surprised. After all Sakumo was a legend by the age of eighteen."

Minato sighed. It was a difficult situation. Though Kumo certainly had been weakened and Konoha's economy was back on its feet, retrieving Kakashi would certainly not be easy. Especially if Kakashi was the cause of the rumours, then Minato knew his student wouldn't give in without a fight.

"Oh and another thing," Jiraiya said. "There have been some rumours that children have been disappearing from Land of Frost."

Minato's head jerked as he remembered when children had started to disappear from Fire Country around seven or eight years ago. The disappearances had stopped when the team Minato had been part of had discovered the only survivor, a small boy who possessed the DNA of Senju Hashirama. They never found the culprit behind it however Minato had always had his suspicions as to who it was.

"It could be nothing," Jiraiya shrugged.

"I'll send a team out to investigate," Minato told him. "Where did you hear the rumours?"

"A trading town called Koori," Jiraiya said.

Minato's eyes widened slightly as he remembered the very eventful B ranked mission that had taken place with Team 7 in that town.

"Koori huh?" Minato smiled sadly. "I think I know just the ninja who will be able to lead that mission."

Jiraiya's face suddenly brightened and he said, "I just remembered. I have a gift for you."

Minato raised an eyebrow as his sensei began to rummage around his pockets.

"Hmm now I had it in here somewhere," Jiraiya frowned. "Hang on a second."

He began to pull various strange items out and dumped them onto Minato's desk. A couple of dog-eared notepads followed by half chewed pencils. Next was a rather racy magazine, a pair of binoculars, a fold up telescope, some of explosive tags and a thong.

Minato eyed the thong warily and sincerely hoped that Kushina wouldn't walk into the office at that moment.

"Ah here it is," Jiraiya said as he threw down what appeared to be an extremely squashed centipede.

Minato stared at the large, purple insect for a moment. "Thank you Sensei," he rubbed the back of his head. "I really don't know what to say."

"Wait no that's for Fukasaku," Jiraiya said quickly and he scooped up the centipede. "I owe him a meal." The centipede disappeared back into his haori.

"Ah here it is," Jiraiya grinned and he pulled out a book.

Minato's curiosity piqued as he read the title: The Tale of an Utterly Gutsy Shinobi.

He flipped open the cover to see a grinning picture of Jiraiya stare back at him. A huge grin spread across Minato's face.

"That's right," Jiraiya nodded with a wide smile. "You're indeed in the presence of a published author."

"I can't believe you made it," Minato beamed.

"What are you suggesting?" Jiraiya held a hand to his heart in mock injury. "… Even if no one may have turned up to the book launch…"

"I can't wait to read it," Minato told him with excitement. "Kushina will want to read it too."

"Ah yes," Jiraiya gave Minato a wicked grin. "Tired of married life yet?"

"Of course not," Minato laughed, slightly dazed as he thought of his wife. "Speaking of which Kushina's making dinner tonight. You have to come. We have some very important news for you."

"Oh?" Jiraiya raised an eyebrow. "Good news I hope?"

Minato gave his old sensei his brightest smile. "Definitely," he answered, "The best kind."

Mikoto smiled as she watched Shisui and Itachi chatter in the small café. Well Shisui was the one chattering. Itachi was just listening to his best friend.

"So anyway he can make a tree sprout out of the ground just like that," Shisui said, snapping his fingers as he talked about one of the chunin he'd met.

Itachi nodded not saying anything but Mikoto knew her son was paying his fullest attention to Shisui. That was the wonderful thing about Itachi. Though quiet and reserved, he would shower those he loved with utmost attentiveness. It was funny. Itachi used to be such a happy toddler when he was younger however after the war he began to withdraw into himself. She had no idea what had happened to his beloved cat, Shissy, the painfully orange soft toy he used to drag around with him everywhere.

"Obi-nii is late again," Shisui, sighed.

"Only by fifteen minutes," Itachi pointed out.

Sure enough there was Obito who appeared at the entrance of the café with a smile. "Sorry I'm late," he grinned as he approached the table. "I got lost on the road of life."

"That's a lie," Shisui and Itachi said in unison as Mikoto sighed.

"Hey I didn't know you were coming Aunt Mikoto," Obito said as he sat down next to her.

The sixteen year old looked so wary that Mikoto felt a twinge of hurt. She didn't know why Obito felt like he couldn't tell her about his promotion. Mikoto had always desperately rooted for the boy. There was something about him that made the compound light up, even in his clumsier years. Both Mikoto and Fugaku wanted him to do well, after all Obito's father had been Fugaku's best friend. Obito had no idea but Fugaku had looked up to Obito's father and he'd been devastated when his friend had been killed in the Second War. Sometimes Mikoto wished that her husband would be more open.

The even sadder thing was that Fugaku always had the tendency to set his standards a little high. Mikoto knew it was unintentional but as the head of the clan and as a prodigy himself, Fugaku was always looking for the best. No wonder they'd been disappointed when Obito hadn't awakened his sharingan.

When Obito had returned from the war Fugaku had organised some training sessions with different clan members to see if they could awaken the boy's sharingan. What had started with good intentions had turned into a complete disaster. Though Obito's skills had drastically improved awakening the bloodline appeared impossible causing scorn among the clan members who'd trained him. To make matters worse Obito no longer seemed to understand the importance of the sharingan. He argued with the clan members and in the end abruptly thanked Fugaku but told him that training with his peers would be more beneficial. Of course Fugaku had never forgotten the debacle of Obito's summoning technique and he'd been enraged that the boy was refusing training from the clan. Relationships between Obito and Fugaku had been icy ever since then.

The whole situation broke Mikoto's heart. All those times Obito used to run around the compound declaring that he'd awakened his bloodline… Now it appeared that he never would. Even worse it seemed that Obito had given up on his dream.

"Well Shisui told me about you promotion so I thought I'd treat you," she told him. "Congratulations."

Obito's face broke out into a relaxed smile. "Thanks, Aunt Mikoto," he said.

Mikoto sneakily studied her nephew from behind her menu. He had really grown up into a handsome boy. The childish, round face was replaced with lean features and he was taller than Fugaku now. Obito really did look like his mother however his smile was the image of his father's. Maybe that was why Fugaku found it so hard to look at the boy sometimes.

However, though he was a good-looking sixteen-year-old, he was a teenager in desperate need of a haircut.

"Obito," Mikoto started.

"Aunt Mikoto," Obito said, staring intently as his menu, though by the tone of his voice he knew exactly what she was going to say.

"Your hair really is getting out of hand," she sighed.

"I'm not going to look like Uchiha Madara," he laughed. "I would never let it get that long."

"At least shave then," she offered as a compromise.

Obito ran a hand over his stubble and said, "I kind of like-"

"The homeless look?" Itachi muttered causing Shisui to burst out laughing.

Obito gave Itachi an evil smile. He leant over the table and began to mess up Itachi's hair with a fist. "We can't all look perfect like you, Tach'," he laughed. Obito glanced at Shisui and added, "And you can stop smirking too. At least my hair doesn't look like it's been dragged through a bush."

Obito released Itachi and sat back down. Mikoto let out a small laugh as she saw that her son's hair now resembled a bird's nest.

"Ha ha now you look like me," Shisui laughed looking at his friend.

Itachi rolled his eyes with a small smile as he ran a hand through his tangled locks.

After they'd made their orders and the food had arrived Obito suddenly asked, "Hey Aunt Mikoto, when's the baby due?"

Mikoto smiled and laid a hand on her melon sized belly. "July," she told him.

"Brother or sister?" Obito said to Itachi.

Itachi looked at his mother for a moment with warm, assessing eyes. Then slowly he smiled, "I don't really mind."

"You'll be a cool big brother," Shisui told him. "Just like Obito."

Mikoto smiled. In all honesty, if Itachi acted in the way Obito did with Shisui, her son would be the perfect older brother.

They continued to eat and slowly Mikoto found herself growing warm, which had nothing to do with her pregnancy. It was such a long time since she'd spent time with Obito like this and she realised how much she missed him. What had happened to that sweet, clumsy boy who was desperate to please his clan? If it weren't for the jokes, his smile and goggles, Mikoto would find it hard to recognise the teenage jonin sitting next to her.

Just as they'd finished their food a soft voice suddenly called, "Obito."

The four of them looked up from their empty plates to see a beautiful girl approach their table. Mikoto could see Kushina's influence all over the girl, sharing similar style of dress with her sleeveless turquoise tunic over a mesh shirt. A black obi accentuated her waist and she wore simple black leggings. Just as Mikoto had trained Kushina in the ways of hair care, Kushina had evidently done the same with this girl. The girl's shiny brown hair was tied in a low side-ponytail and it tumbled far past her left shoulder.

"Rin!" Shisui grinned. "Hey Obito it's your girlfriend!"

The tips of Obito's ears turned red and he hissed, "Seriously Shisui how many times do I have to tell you? Rin's not my girlfriend."

Itachi smirked and Shisui had a decidedly evil grin upon his face.

"Behave," Mikoto whispered.

"Hey Rin," Obito grinned and he sat up a little straighter much to Mikoto's amusement.

"Hey Obito," Rin said. She then smiled, "Hello Mikoto-san, Shisui, Itachi."

"Sen-I mean Hokage-sama wants to see you," she told Obito.

"Now?" Obito asked.

"Yes," she said in an apologetic tone. Then a slight teasing smile graced her mouth and she added, "Though I'm sure he's expecting you to be late."

Obito rumpled his hair sheepishly. "Good point," he laughed. "Thanks, Rin."

"Anyway I've got to go," Rin said. She gestured at two other girls who were sitting a few tables away from them. Mikoto recognised one to be Yuhi Kurenai and… Who was that looking decidedly sulky? Mitarashi Anko, that was it. Kushina had told Mikoto that Rin had taken the poor girl under her wing after Orochimaru had abandoned her two years ago. It was a wonderfully kind thing to do since Anko reminded Mikoto of Kushina when she was younger.

"I'll see you tonight," Rin said.

"Yeah see you there," Obito grinned.

Rin turned to Mikoto and said, "Nice to see you." She then headed back to her table.

Out of the corner of her eye Mikoto watched Obito whose eyes were unashamedly drawn to Rin's backside. She cleared her throat rather noisily causing the boy to whip back round.

"Yeah so I better get going," Obito said standing up. "Thanks for the meal, Aunt Mikoto. See you soon Shisui, 'Tach."

Maybe it was hormones that were causing Mikoto to feel so emotional or maybe it was because Obito had grown up so fast. She wasn't entirely sure but Mikoto suddenly wanted to remind Obito that she would always love him. He was part of the Uchiha clan so he was family. She'd always support him and keep hoping that he would awaken his sharingan.

Mikoto opened her mouth to tell him but somehow the words didn't come out. Instead she told him what she always did. "Take care, Obito," she said. "Oh and… Get a haircut."

Obito just laughed. Then he pulled his goggles down over his eyes and left the café.

Mikoto's smile faded and she gently rubbed her abdomen. Fugaku, she thought sadly. Was there anything more we could have done for the boy?

A was not happy. He stared at the tottering pile of paperwork upon his desk, willing the paper to explode.

"All you need to do is stamp 'accept' for these," Mabui, his new secretary told him.

When A had become Raikage Darui had immediately put his friend Mabui forward as the Raikage's assistant. The young woman was incredibly intelligent, a skilled kunoichi but also had the patience of a saint. Without her cool organisation Kumo would probably be in tatters.

"Right," A grunted.

"Remember that you need to review the tax economy," Mabui reminded him.

A suppressed the urge to ram his fist into the desk.

"You have a meeting with the council at one o'clock as well," Mabui told him. "Also B-sama has been err refusing to co-operate about being sent to the Valley of Cloud and Lightning to train again. He wants to be sent out on a mission."

A snapped. He leapt up and hurled a fist into his desk causing it to shatter into two. Paper whirled around in one furious storm. Without a single flinch, Mabui casually dusted away some splinters from her clothes.

"Damn it tell B that if he doesn't remain within this village I will iron claw him again," A shouted. "He's to be the guardian of Kumo. That's his mission. The council can wait until tomorrow when I've finished this paper work and reviewing the tax-whatever it is."

"Is that all?" Mabui asked in her usual calm voice.

"No where the hell is Darui's team?" A demanded. "They should have finished their operation of clearing up the north by now."

"We're right here Boss," said a lazy voice. Three ninja walked into the office, slightly tired in their travel stained clothes.

"Sorry we're late," Darui said in his usual humble way. "Ah… I see you managed to get through another desk again…" He and Mabui exchanged similarly amused glances.

"Here's our report," C said, handing it to him. "Darui and Kakashi's were… Well, written in the usual state so I compiled the three together."

A snorted taking the report form C. Sometimes he wondered whether it had been a mistake giving Darui the task of being Kakashi's sensei. The boy was so laid back now that in a few years time he'd be horizontal.

"All the rebels eliminated?" He asked.

"Completely," Darui nodded.

"Good work," A said appreciatively. He glanced at the youngest member of the team, looking forward to reading about the boy's progress. Though the task of cleaning up the north had been a dangerous one he knew that it had been the perfect way to test Kakashi's training without the boy leaving Lightning Country. If the rumours were true then the fifteen year old had more than passed the test.

"You three have the next three days off and then I want you to take another mission," A told them.

He bent down a scooped up a scroll from the debris. Darui took it from him.

"Children have been vanishing from Frost Country," A explained. "The Shimo nins can't find an explanation so they've asked for our help. Most of the disappearances have been occurring in the trading town of Koori."

A had been slightly hesitant about sending Kakashi out to a foreign country but he not only did he trust Darui and C, but he also trusted Kakashi's skills. Luckily as they were working together with the Shimo nins and Koori was reasonably near the border he knew that Kakashi would be relatively safe. Having talked and watched the boy grow over the past two years, A had grown to like Kakashi. The boy had not recovered a single memory either, a testament to how the strong the seal was.

"Got it," Darui nodded as he slipped the mission scroll into his pocket.

"Now go and rest," A told them. "It's good to have you back."

Darui gave A a lazy grin and C nodded. Finally, the youngest member of the team spoke. Kakashi smiled and added, "Yeah… It's good to be home."