Disclaimer: Once again. I don't own anything but Tomoko, her family, and Nagareboshi Cafe. Kei and her family belong to Lang Noi.

The main theme song for this chapter became the chapter name, being Before the Moment, the third opening for my childhood anime of Mermaid Melody. I'd like to think this signifies Tomoko's side of things from the lyrics.

For Kei's side, I'll bring up Gurenge by LiSA, the opening for Demon Slayer. Swords for swords, people!

Kannabi prologue part 2, GO! Please enjoy!

Chapter 25: Before the Moment

"This is bullshit," Kei stated flatly.

I stared up at the nearest tree. The bark was littered with shuriken spelling out Kakashi's name in neat strokes of Japanese characters, and in spite of how impressive it was as a show of accuracy, all that left my mouth was, "What is this supposed to prove exactly…?"

Kakashi ignored Kei to spare me a single glance. "If I can write my name in shuriken, then that means the others can too."

"This coming from the guy whose name is the least complicated," Obito complained, a shuriken in-between his fingers. For extra emphasis, he tossed it at the nearest empty wooden target circle, getting it at the ring closest to the bulls-eye. Nice target practice, but otherwise…

This just looks like Kakashi is showing off. I feel bad for the poor tree.

I couldn't help but agree with my Nobody, as blunt as she was being. Still, I glanced around the training grounds, absently noting every single metal weapon embedded in whatever was in the area. Tree bark, branches, grass, and the occasional wooden target circle. With all the potential hazards being mere feet away, I couldn't help but mutter, "…Is it okay that I'm here?"

Immediately, Kei and Obito had stopped glaring at Kakashi's shuriken art to give me a shared look that aptly said, "What the hell."

Now at the center of attention, I immediately clarified with a gesture to myself and a hasty amendment. "I-I'm talking about safety reasons? I mean, you all have the weapons. I just have what's on me. So… uh. Yeah!"

There was no real good way to finish whatever tangent I started. After all, a kimono dress did not scream, "scary and menacing ninja," like the outfits of the rest of my friends. Not to mention the geta sandals. My stockings helped in the protection department, but only to the bare minimum. A single misstep and then I'd be seeing Ricchan's wrath all over again. Maybe.

"I'm surprised you didn't bring your keyboard," Kei said with a quirked eyebrow, then she shrugged. "But eh. You're nice to have around, Tomo. You wouldn't be here if we didn't agree on that."

"Also, you're hurt, Tomo-chan." Obito leveled a glare at me and I tried not to wince. Of course another friend would be getting on the case of my bandaged fingers. "It'd be better to have you around us so that you don't get hurt for once!"

Kakashi huffed but nodded.

"…Oh," I said finally, feeling the familiar heat of embarrassment start to come back to my cheeks. "Then, um, thank you? For the break, I mean. And your shuriken practice is really cool, Team Minato!"

"Mm," Kakashi nodded in agreement, crossing his arms. He could've looked proud with how he puffed his chest. "Recreating your signature can't be that hard."

That's… not what she meant, Kashi. Hisako rolled her eyes. A swing and a miss at empathy!

Um. I glanced away from the still standing spectacle of Kakashi's shuriken signature, absently noting Obito's visible growing frustration before speaking up again. "At least you all can hit the targets on point! I…just dunno about the shuriken name, though. Who would stop to read a tree that has their killer's name on it?" I had no clue where I was going with this, but my mouth was flapping anyways. "Wouldn't that just be giving a warning sign that says, 'Hey, I'm here, come kill me'? Obi's work makes a bit more sense, at least to me, so…"

Kakashi slumped just a little bit as Obito proceeded to drop whatever frustration he had to give me a sparkly-eyed look. Oh dear. Uh. "Really, Tomo-chan?"

"I-I mean, that's just my opinion, so I dunno how much weight it actually—"

Kei reached over and placed a hand on my head. "As nice as that is, you're overextending yourself, Tomo."

Well, shit. I set myself up. "I-I tried," I squeaked, playing with one of my hair ribbons to try calming down the newest anxiety gremlin that showed up in the mental library. "I dunno what else to say to this when I feel more bad for the forest than anything else."

May you trees find better caretakers, yes. Hisako had the incense sticks in her hands again, and for once, I didn't mind seeing them. She was taking out the anxiety gremlin, and besides. It fit considering the number of, well, stabbed trees. Hopefully this world does not go through an Industrial Revolution!

Hopefully those shuriken holes would be nice for birds and/or worms to make a new home for biology!

Now that sounds better than what I said.

Kakashi and Obito were now giving me equally weirded out looks. The point flew over their heads, I guess. Did anyone think about the environment here? Seriously, from the amount of bodies going everywhere and the advent of war, I don't think the amount of cut trees was exactly cool for carbon emissions. I was a Biology major in my past life, sue me!

…Why was I even focusing on this anyway?

Without warning, there was a sudden BOOM of smoke, prompting every single ninja in the area to whirl around to address the threat. It was hard to protest when it was sudden and the entire team proceeded to jump forward to take a protective stance in front of me. At least the self-defense training from over the years had stuck enough for me to take my own small stance by spreading my legs and raising my arms in front of my chest.

Thankfully, it was just Minato-san. Thankfully. He was getting to be like his redheaded girlfriend with the large grin and the sudden bear hug to all of his students. Somehow I was left out, but eh, I wasn't a ninja, so it was okay. At least it broke the tension.

"I hope you three have been training while I've been gone!" he said cheerily while putting the three down. At the same time, there was no missing the large lipstick mark above his eyebrow that was barely covered by his headband, buuuut that would be weird to bring up. So yeah. Other people's relationships — not my business to poke around. It felt somewhat embarrassing to ask about it anyways, and besides, um.

Go go, Minato! Congratulations on securing a love life!

I had no clue why my Nobody was cheering, but eh. Naruto's parents. They were going to create a miracle and hopefully raise him the entire way through this time. Pot meets kettle, I suppose!

Without skipping a beat, Minato-san's blue eyes locked on me and he gave me a similar smile. Meep. "Oh, and hi there, Tomoko-chan!"

"Hello, Minato-san," I said politely, waving with one hand. It was hard to miss how his eyes narrowed at my bandaged fingers, so I lowered my hand almost immediately to tug at my kimono sleeves in the hopes of hiding them. "I-I hope you don't mind me here again."

"No, no, it's fine," he continued in that same cheery voice, tilting his head at me past his students' heads. "I can easily see why you were brought here again."

"A-Aye," I finished, tugging at my sleeves again because there was no way I wanted to break my master plan to the Yellow Flash of all people. For once, I wanted him to be late to this. At least! If Kakashi was going to be Jounin in the future and everything would be going to hell at Kannabi anyways, I wanted the Jounin presents to stay secret. Even if it meant hiding my recklessness.

"We're ready for anything, Sensei!" Obito insisted happily with a fist pump in the air, and at this point, I was seriously starting to question why I was really here. Then a hand was grabbing mine and I couldn't help but yelp because it was Obi pulling me along and bringing me forward. "After all, we got our Number One cheerleader here for motivation!"

Oh god. If Kannabi wasn't going to kill me emotionally, this dork of a friend would if the fire on my face was going to be any indication. "O-Obi, I don't have my keyboard!"

Obito shot me a grin and I could've sworn it was blinding with how white his teeth were. "It still works, keyboard or not, Tomo-chan! You're our greatest cheerleader!"

"M-Muuuu…" Yep. This teenage boy was going to kill me. Definitely.

My little noise did nothing to dampen the mood. If anything, Obito grinned wider, Kei chuckled, and Kakashi shrugged, all three already acclimated to these antics. Gosh darn it.

Minato-san held back a snicker as he nodded to himself, his smile turning crooked with the gesture. "Good! Because you'll be tested beyond your limits. Having moral support helps."

Hisako immediately dropped her incense sticks. Well, shit. Should we duck away?

I-I dunno! You tell me!

Stop, drop, and roll away!

We'll hit shuriken! And what you just said is the protocol for fire!

Do you have any other ideas?!

The shock was clear even on Kei's face from what I could see past Obito's shoulder, not to mention Obito suddenly letting go of my hand. In response, Minato-san merely shrugged, that same crooked grin on his face. "What did you expect? You'll be facing a Jounin." He paused before giving me a kinder smile. "Tomoko-chan, I'll make sure to give you a seat in the viewing gallery if you want to stay."

"You say that like we haven't been preparing all month," Kakashi interjected with a hand on his hip. "And why is Tomoko allowed to watch?"

All Minato-san did was give him a raised hand, telling him to wait. I had a strange feeling if it was Obito in Minato-san's position, I'd be seeing a raised middle finger.

…Wait. I hadn't given an answer yet. Shit.

"Uh," I said intelligently, feeling a bit put out like someone had shoved me into an uncomfortable place. Goddammit, that was a horrible first response. Then again, it wasn't everyday Minato-san came by and remembered my presence mid-training session. Why me? "If you're okay with me seeing that? Th-Then again, you might have to talk with Papa…"

"I'll handle that, so don't worry about it." That same smile was still on his face, even when getting to one knee to meet me at eye level. "This is a training session that I'll actually need you there for everyone, Tomoko-chan."

"Eh?"

Okay, who left us out of the memo? Who? Hisako demanded, getting up from her fetal position of fear. Because I wanna know!

Please don't beat them up, Hisako.

I WANNA.

Don't! Leave that for Madara and/or Black Zetsu!

WHY NOT OROCHIMARU?

…Okay, him too. Outwardly, I opened my mouth for a small, "M-Minato-sa—"

"Sensei!" I jumped as soon as Obito yelled it out, and there was no mistaking the arm that had shot out to hold me back from any potential threat. Eh? "What brought this on?! Letting Tomo-chan have a 'front seat'?! Tomo-chan couldn't come to other sessions, so why now?!" All of a sudden, there was venom in Obito's voice and I found myself sucking in a breath. Was Obito actually…angry? "If she watches, she could—"

Without warning, Kakashi proceeded to deck Obito right in the face. The gasp was already stuck in my throat once Obito flew about half a meter or so in the air before landing ungracefully in the grass far away and Minato-san had a death grip on Kakashi's wrist. "Kakashi," Minato-san said tersely, and in response, my housemate scoffed.

"Sensei wouldn't bring up the idea if he didn't know what he was doing, Obito." With that said and done, Kakashi lowered his hand, and just in time too since Kei had a hand on the handle of her kodachi, looking murderous. Oh no. "You doubt Sensei?"

"Kakashi," Minato-san said again, but his grip loosened.

"You jerk—!" Obito sat up in the grass, a hand to his now reddening cheek as he glared at Kakashi through his goggles. Oh no. "I don't doubt Sensei! But that doesn't mean Tomo-chan should be in a dangerous place with us—"

Kakashi cut him off with a click of his tongue. "We've all trained. We're all Chunin level, so we should be able to protect Tomoko if something happened. Not to mention it was you and Kei who trained Tomoko to dodge, wasn't it, Obito?"

Kei paused, her murderous expression dropping for disbelief.

Obito blinked too, his jaw slackening enough for me to find the chance to run over to his side. "Obi," left my lips in a panic as I reached into my kimono pockets, thankfully finding some gauze from Ricchan to wipe at the blood sticking to his chin once I reached him. "I-I'll be okay. Really. I wanna go."

Hisako sighed, leaning back to look up at the ceiling in the library. There's no way we'd miss it. Hurt or not. You would know, Obito, you dork.

Obito's black eyes focused on me through his goggles, wide and disbelieving. "Tomo-chan—!"

"You told me that I'm the Number One Cheerleader, Obi, so," I inhaled as much air as I could while putting on a smile, "I have to go, don't I? To see that you all really are ready to handle the world."

I don't want to grow farther apart from you than I already have. I want to see you succeed if it's the last thing I do.

The Narutoverse already proved in Canon that being alone was the worst feeling in the world. I didn't want anyone to go through that feeling ever again.

Obito's eyes flashed with something new. Something foreign. Fear? Wonder? I couldn't tell, especially with his goggles still on. "Tomo-chan…"

I gently patted his bruised cheek with my right hand through the gauze and this time, I didn't flinch once his eyes darted to the bandages still covering my fingers. "I'll be okay, Obi. Really-really. I'll get hurt like you and everyone else too, but at least this time I know how to handle it a bit better. So, don't worry?" I did my best to keep up the smile. "I have you and everyone else with me this time!"

An arm was winding around my shoulders to squeeze and immediately, I knew it was Kei. She was giving Obi and me that tired look of hers, but that glint of hope in her eyes was a good enough sign. "I guess that's that," she said, a crooked grin of her own on her face before turning back to where Minato-san and Kakashi were at. "I think we're as ready as we're going to get, Sensei."

Minato-san beamed and this time, Kakashi didn't move like he was going to deck Obito again. That was a good sign at least. "I'm not going to go easy on you regardless," Minato-san said to break the silence, absently twirling a Hiraishin kunai. "This will be a fight."

"Okay, Sensei," Kei said dutifully, letting go of me to instead help Obito up, shrugging all the while. "Not like we expected anything less."

At this point, I have to applaud Kei's mental fortitude… Hisako said in amazement. Because she's fighting the Yellow Fucking Flash on a daily basis!

Uh. Was the middle F' necessary?

YES.

Kakashi crossed his arms once Minato-san let him go, his brow furrowed from thought. "When are we going to do this?"

"Yeah, Sensei!" Obito was getting his previous energy back if his voice was any indication. "Do we have enough space here? Or are we gonna get to use the jounin training fields? And, and," I tried not to jolt once he reached over to grab my hand again. What brought this on? "Where would we put Tomo-chan at?"

…What am I, the team pet?

No, don't say it like that, dear. Hisako brought out a candy cigar again, pretending to puff at it before spitting it out. You are the adorable cinnamon roll that needs to be protected, so go with it.

Okay…? Why the cinnamon roll description…?

Minato-san briefly put the knuckles of his fist to his mouth in thought, closing his eyes for a moment. "We'll meet here tomorrow at seven o'clock. Then I'll show you the training field we're really going to use — and hopefully barely avoid destroying." I was not expecting him to wink at me. "Tomoko-chan will be in a treetop with one of our guests tomorrow."

"We're not just fighting you, Sensei?" Kei blinked, surprise echoing in her voice as soon as we walked closer to gather around the Jounin. "There's going to be others?"

"Mm, one more person who's fighting with me and another will be there to spectate with Tomoko-chan, yes," Minato-san confirmed, his knuckles still at his mouth while nodding towards my reincarnation buddy. "Both are people you four know very well."

A confused little noise echoed in my throat, causing Obito to tighten the grip on my hand and for the rest of Team Minato to give me weird looks. Before I could say anything, Minato-san gave me that same smile from the beginning of this whole thing, a small glint in his eye. "There's nothing for you to worry about, Tomoko-chan. They'll be fine," he said cheerily. "I merely suggest that they start making their plans now."

Obito proceeded to let out a groan of protest before pulling me in by my hand and promptly plopping his head onto my shoulder. "Why can't we do this fight now?"

"Um, Obi…"

"That's my question," Kakashi interjected, and I didn't have to look up to know Obi was half-heartedly glaring at my ninja housemate. Kakashi didn't seem to bother with the attention though, focusing his gaze on Minato-san and Minato-san alone. "Why tomorrow? Why not now?"

Minato-san paused, unraveling his fist and putting a pointer finger to his brow, barely missing the lipstick mark still stuck to his forehead. "…I have to seek permission from Tomoko-chan's parents. As well as how I just got back from the front and am really interested in spending the evening with my fiancé."

Kakashi stared for a second longer before biting out a quieter, "Fine. I'll train with Dad tonight, then."

"Good."

Wait. Wait.

"Congratulations on the upcoming marriage!" Kei said first, a surprised grin coming over her face in time with Obito's jaw dropping on my shoulder.

Oooooooh. They moving fast, honey. When do you think they'll conceive—

Please don't finish that. Please don't finish that! I don't wanna think about that, Idon'twannathinkaboutthat!

But honeeeeeeey, Naruto will be coming soon—

NOPE. NOPE. NOT YET. I DON'T WANNA THINK ABOUT IT.

"A-Aye, congrats, Minato-san!" I added, clapping my hands to try hiding the anxiety going on in the back of my head. I probably should've articulated myself better, but the words flew out of my throat anyways. "Sh-Should I start practicing wedding music on the piano for your upcoming ceremony?"

Obito choked over my shoulder as Minato-san visibly stiffened. "T-Tomoko-chan," the Jounin slowly started to turn red as he tried to keep up the smile, "Kushina-chan and I haven't got that far in planning yet. We only just settled on a date."

"But it's still an idea!" I had no clue why I was pouting, but the idea was nice and for once this entire day, I could be useful! What was the problem? "You already have to talk to Mama and Papa about tomorrow's training, so you can easily borrow me for the wedding day too when it comes by! I'm okay with it!" The thought suddenly occurred to me, so I swiveled my head around to face my friends to add, "I'm fine with playing music at your guys' weddings when they happen in the future too, by the way! When we're all bigger!"

Kakashi took a step back, his eyes wide from shock.

I probably should've realized at that point that I spoke a bit too much in my earnest enthusiasm to help.

"Tomo," Kei said slowly, a sheepish smile coming over her face. "Too soon. Way too soon."

"Eh?"

Obito proceeded to put his hands over my mouth and I tried not to squeak. "Later, Tomo-chan!" His voice cracked. "We can talk later!"

"Uh, sure," I said slowly through Obito's fingers, trying not to squirm once it became obvious that everyone was embarrassed or something. "C-Can you let me go now?"

Lick his hand.

No.

It's an idea—

A totally bad one!

"S-Sorry, Tomo-chan!" Obito thankfully let go before Hisako could spout off more nonsense, and I could only watch as he proceeded to take a few steps back. And a few more. By the time he stopped to take a breath, he was about a meter away and Kei was giving him a funny look before I could even think about doing it myself. Uhhhhh. "Is here okay?" he called out to us.

"No. Get back over here, Obito," Kei said flatly, shaking her head. "You're not making any progress by standing that far away."

Obito flushed a dark red from what I could see and without warning, ran back over. "Got it!" he saluted loudly, the color still on his cheeks. "Uchiha Obito, reporting for duty!"

Hisako held back a snicker. Ohmigod.

A giggle left my lips too without thinking and Kei sent me a knowing smirk. Obito's ears colored that same red, and for once, it felt like things were just fine. It was nice.

Minato-san proceeded to break the air with a cough into his fist, enough to push the blush away. "Enough with that. Anyway, what were you four doing before I got here?"

Everyone, myself included, stood up to attention as Minato-san gestured to the nearby skewered tree still reading Kakashi's name in neat black matte shuriken lettering.

Huh. Nearly forgot about that. How to explain it—

"Kakashi had a weird idea and was trying to get us to do it," Obito interjected, his face returning to normal in time for a scowl to form on his lips at the thought. "Tomo-chan was giving us feedback."

Never mind. At least that sounds normal.

Yep.

"If you can't write your name with shuriken, you don't understand accuracy," Kakashi snarked in return, brow twitching. "It has its uses for practice."

"So basically," Kei interrupted with a frown, "yeah, it's a useless training exercise for impressing girls."

…Wait. Oh dear.

"That's what you were doing, Kashi?" I spoke aloud, giving my housemate a look. Kakashi impressively did not meet my stare, instead crossing his arms over his chest and giving off the "Do-Not-Disturb" aura that was usual for him. "If I knew, I would've complimented you more! I'm sorry for assuming you were making a killer warning message or something!"

"Tch," he said finally. Whoops.

Without warning, Minato-san flew through some hand signs. "…So, like this?" Someone had put their hand on my head and I found myself suddenly going down onto the grass with everyone else as soon as there was a flying slew of metal going through the air. Once the massive load of thunk noises faded away, we all looked up and noticed the poor target tree in near succession.

Namikaze Minato was carefully written on the tree bark in shuriken style font.

Bye bye, tree. Rest in peace, Hisako said mockingly.

Aye.

"Dammit, Sensei, you're making us look bad," Obito said finally over my head and it just then registered that he was close by again. Was he the one who pushed me down for shuriken safety? I would have to thank him with cookies later. Or maybe art? I could play the piano again, but that could get boring, so…

"I happen to think it's a good exercise," Minato-san said with a tone of airy finality, and I didn't have to look around to know my housemate in Kashi was appeased by those words.

"So, what," Kei slowly stood up, brushing off her pants of any grass before leveling Minato-san with an unimpressed look, "are you expecting us to be able to do this by the time we're Jounin? Because I'm pretty sure you didn't practice that, Sensei."

Obito helped me up and in that short amount of time, Minato-san proceeded to glow. "Never underestimate a teenage boy with a girl to impress," he concluded, almost highlighting the lipstick mark still standing out like a sore thumb on his head via his glowing. With one last turn of his sandal heel, he then walked away from the training grounds, leaving his metal artwork intact on the tree for the next few seconds.

I was probably the only one who jumped from surprise when three-fourths of the shuriken making up Minato-san's name poofed out of existence once he left the vicinity. "W-Were those clones?"

"Shadow Shuriken Jutsu, Tomo," Kei filled in for me, patting my head. "Shadow Shuriken Jutsu." She then sighed and pointed a stare at Kakashi. "All right, Kakashi, you win."

My housemate proceeded to give my reincarnation buddy a look back, and if I didn't know any better, there were sparks flying in-between them. Oh dear.

"Man, now I'm tempted to try! Sensei made that look easy!" Obito yelled out suddenly, and I blinked up at him. Now that he mentioned it, his shuriken were still sitting around on the nearby targets, not to mention the cut grass, and I had bandages on my fingers for cover, so…

Idea? Hisako prompted slyly.

Idea!

I slowly walked away from my friends to pick up a stray shuriken and almost immediately, all chatter stopped. "Tomo?" Kei said slowly. "What are you doing with that?"

"Not much!" I chirped, thankfully finding a tree that wasn't stabbed with shuriken holes to start something. It did not take that much force to poke the bark with the shuriken I found, sticking it in enough for the weapon to not fall out of place while not harming the tree, and then it was rinse-and-repeat. Gently pick up a stray shuriken, walk over to the tree, poke said shuriken into a new spot, and keep doing the process over and over until I got the shape I wanted. "Don't worry about it! I'm just feeling artsy now after all that!"

"If you're sure…?" Kei trailed off.

"Uh, Tomo-cha—" Obito stopped himself as soon as the shape formed itself, and once it was done, I looked it over, nodded to myself, and then turned back to my ninja friends while forming the same shape with my bandaged fingers. It was the least I could do to show some kind of appreciation.

"Love you all lots!" I said happily, showing off the heart in my hands to them. "Thank you for the company today!"

Um, dear?

What?

Obito.

Yeaaaah, I probably should've chosen a closer tree because then I wouldn't have had to run as much distance to catch Obito once he keeled over of all things. It did not stop Kakashi from sighing.

I thought it was a good idea! Why did Obito fall?

"You're joking," Judai said flatly.

"No, I'm not," Minato repeated himself, trying and failing to keep his brow from twitching. "May I have your help tomorrow in training my team?"

"You're serious." There was a sigh before the retired nin took up his tea, sipping it.

Minato waited and then Judai put the cup down.

"Let me get this straight. You're already borrowing my daughter to be in a hazard zone for moral support and now you're asking for my help in training the kids we asked you to take care of. That's fucking convincing," Judai sarcastically reiterated over his cup of tea, and there was no mistaking the minute cracks in the porcelain of the cup from his grip. "Who will be looking after my hime?"

Miyako leveled both men with an unimpressed look before raising a careful hand. "Namikaze-san came to me with the proposition beforehand, Judai. It should be fine." She paused before adding, "Watch your language."

Judai pursued his lip with an irritated huff. "Wellll, that sounds a bit more convincing, but I'm not fully buying it." He blew at the surface of his tea, shaking his head. "Why now? I thought Tomoko-chan couldn't watch anymore after the Chunin Exams for the sake of security."

"Things are a bit different now that the team clearly holds together when she's there," Minato obliged, silencing whatever words were in Judai's throat. "The war is getting to its peak, and the last thing I want is for Team Minato to fall dead, void of hope."

"Ah," Miyako said quietly and she raised her cup to sip her tea too. "So you wish for my niece to be there for Kei-chan, Obito-kun, and Kakashi-kun to make sure that their morale stays, no matter what happens at the end of the war?"

"This is still a training exercise, so there won't be any risks, but yes." Minato drummed his fingers against the table, his gaze pointed towards his empty glass. "I just hope to test my students before they go out into the front alone, to possibly end the war."

"So that's why you want my help," Judai snapped his fingers, nodding. "You want to see how they'll do against Jounin who could go all out on them. Now I'm in."

"The way you are speaking, however, Namikaze-san, is as if they are going out on more than just a mere mission," Miyako said suddenly, punctuated by a small cough, and Minato froze. There was that killing intent again, and if Judai's quiet inching away in his seat was any indication, it was not an isolated thing. "The children will be fighting for their lives in the next assignment, won't they?"

Minato withheld the urge to sigh, merely speaking the word. "…Yes."

"Will you be there for them?"

"As much as I can. But past a point, they will be on their own."

The killing intent decreased in exchange for foreboding discontent. "…We will have to pick them up if there is any fallout, will we not?"

Judai sighed into his tea cup. "I'm not even surprised. That's how war works, Miyako."

"That does not mean I agree," Miyako said quietly, putting her cup down and shaking her head. "They are still growing. To face war directly like Namikaze-san insinuates…"

There was a soft clink of a teapot being put down and then arms were wrapping around Judai's neck from behind, a long black ponytail flopping down onto the table with it. "We're just going to have to see it through, Miyako-chan, Judai," Hikari interjected gently, a sad smile on her face. "Reality can be shit, but the least we can do is help the kids now so that the worst doesn't come to pass. So." She glanced at everyone at the table, spending a few seconds making eye contact with each person before nodding to herself. "Will you three be going out tomorrow with Tomoko-chan to train?"

"I'll make sure they'll be as safe as possible," Minato said immediately, blue eyes narrowed in grim determination. "I swear, Hikari-san."

"And I can't go easy on the kids, Hikari," Judai added with a small smile, "but that doesn't mean I can't teach them some survival skills along the way. You've given me the chance to have plenty of practice."

Hikari then glanced at the now silent Miyako, tilting her head to try peering at her friend's face. "Miyako-chan?"

Silence.

"Miyako-chan?"

There was another pause. Then Miyako lifted her tea cup to take a long sip, exhaling slowly once she swallowed the drink. "You are right, Hikari-chan," Miyako raised her head to return Hikari's stare, a tired smile on her lips. "I will go."

Hikari grinned gratefully. "Well then. I'll get Sakumo and Wataru so we all can have a small outing later. Just to rest. How about that?"

Judai grinned back. "This is one of many reasons I love you, honey."

"Awww, I love you too, Judai!"

Minato blinked, barely feeling the warmth of the room hit him in exchange for the words adjusting in his head. "…I'm included in the outing?"

Hikari raised her head from Judai's shoulder to give him an incredulous look. "Of course you are, you dolt! Why wouldn't you be?"

It was the first time that afternoon Minato found himself laughing.

Obito didn't mind training. If anything, it was always invigorating to go and try his best. He wanted the war to end just like anyone else, so it if meant pushing himself, it was worth it, right?

…Right. Usually.

When it did not involve getting his ass kicked!

"Y-You can do it, Obi…?" There was a pause before a hand shot out from between the branches, bandages barely covering the palms this time. "Yeah, yeah, you can do it!"

Tomo-chan was very cute, he couldn't deny that, but maybe cheering in the middle of a bunch of leaves at the top of a tree was not the best thing to do. Rin-chan would have her beat there, maybe. Not that Tomo-chan could do much else though, considering how Miyako-san was watching over her in the same treetop.

For a front seat, the very top of a tree was pretty good. It did not stop Miyako-san from having a death-grip on Tomo-chan's shoulders, though. Not that Obito would blame her for it. The bandages on Tomo-chan's fingers nearly gave him a heart attack alone. Who knows how Miyako-san reacted to seeing it?

"Be sure to stand back, Tomoko-chan. It is dangerous."

"I-I know, Miyako-bachan… I won't fall!"

Awww — SHIT!

Another Giant Fireball was coming his way and Obito ducked away, barely dodging his hair being singed, thankfully finding Kei once he did. The smile on his face, even when he could feel a little sweat start to drip past his goggles, was hard to push away. "Hey, Kei," he said happily, "having fun?"

"You bet," Kei grinned back, laying one last explosive into the forest ground before visibly sweeping the area. "Anyway, fall back."

Now Obito was confused. He still had plenty of chakra and Kakashi was pinning down Sensei, last he checked. "Why?"

Kei gave him a single look before standing back up to glance towards the horizon. "We're not getting anywhere like this," she said flatly, and Obito took it as a sign to follow her into the bushes. It didn't take that long to reach the shrubby things. Kei closed her eyes, then said, "Obito, once we're clear—"

"Yeah, yeah, I got it." Obito quickly gave an internal apology to Tomo-chan and Miyako-san who were hanging around above them before throwing the smoke pellets towards where Sensei and Judai-san were. The pellets could only really obstruct vision, not really on the level of tear gas that Rin-chan was familiar with in the hospital, but it was enough for Kakashi to duck back to where they were in the bushes and for Kei to throw a single explosive-tag-kunai into the smoke-filled clearing.

The fireball that resulted from the explosive tag was big, hot, and enough to wipe out about a few trees. The blast was bad enough to knock everyone into each other, but aside from that, everyone on the team aside from Sensei and Judai-jichan had a running start. Obito did not even hesitate to turn around and run from the approaching thing, but even with all the adrenaline, he could've sworn he heard a familiar high-pitched, "EEP," from above the treeline as he did.

Extra reminder to hug Tomo-chan later as an apology for the scare.

A few seconds later, Obito had no clue how he had faceplanted into the middle of dirt with weight on his back, but Kei was pulling him up to his feet and close to laughing. At least Kakashi, who had stood by with his arms crossed, did not look like he was up for insulting Obito today. For once. "Well, that was fun!" Kei said finally, mirth in her eyes.

"Maybe to you," Obito said dryly while shaking his head of any charred tree bark, but he couldn't deny the grin either as Kakashi shrugged, kunai gripped in his hand as he looked around. "So, where's Sensei and Judai-jichan now?"

Kei closed her eyes, doing her usual sensing thing, then opened them to admit, "Not far enough that they can't get at us. And Judai-jichan's good at close combat, more than Mom's level."

Kakashi sighed. "I'll close in. You two watch my back." He flew through some hand signs, revealing lightning starting to gather in his palm, and Obito winced. How much chakra was in that thing? The sound hurt, especially at close range. Thankfully, the closeness lasted for a single second before Kakashi charged forward and Kei gave both him and Obito a funny look before sighing.

"Don't blow out our ears too, Kakashi," Kei snapped, leaping up into a nearby unburnt tree, and Obito followed. The test wasn't over yet.

"Pro tip: Don't charge face first!" Judai-jichan called from above, and once Obito could catch the slightest hint of a blade in his hands, he rolled out of the way as soon as possible, barely avoiding being cut in half like the branch he was just sitting on half a second ago.

God, he wanted that chakra blade too! At least then he'd be on the same level as Kei who had the kodachi.

Then Kakashi was suddenly getting thrown in his direction.

How—

Kakashi's back was all that hit him and then Obito knew no more.

"Ow!"

"H-Hold still, Obi…" Tomo-chan's face screamed the same hesitance as her hands. Her grip was shaky as she gently applied medical tape over the bandage covering Obito's nose, but still strong once she patted the tape into place. "Okay then, I think that's it." Tomo-chan then pulled back, an understanding smile on her face as she slowly retracted her hands, sitting back in her seat on the park bench. "Kei already healed most of it, so I think you'll be good. Just a stop by Ricchan's place and then you'll be all better."

"Thanks, Tomo-chan," he said gratefully, and this time, he could properly grin without a care in the world. Sure, he and the rest of Team Minato lost, which was expected considering Sensei and Judai-jichan tag-teamed them, but seeing Kakashi get his ass handed to him for once was cathartic. And right now, Obito was currently the only one Tomo-chan was focusing on! Score! "You really helped out today."

…Wait, what?

What did he just think about? Wasn't his heart focused on Rin?

Why was Tomo-chan coming up now?

What?

Tomo-chan was blinking at him too, and for a second, Obito was seriously starting to wonder if she heard what he was thinking before she inclined her head in her usual "I'm confused" manner. "Really?" her voice was quiet again, as if she was thinking too. "I just watched, Obi. I didn't exactly do much."

"Y-You did plenty!" The yell was enough to jolt them both out of whatever stupor they were in, and Obito did his best to not fumble and just talk like how friends were supposed to. "You watched us fight, so it's because of you that we were able to do our best, Tomo-chan! Really!"

Tomo-chan blinked, her big blue eyes disbelieving. "Really?"

"Really-really!"

"Oh," was all Tomo-chan said, and then her familiar pink blush slowly climbed up her neck to color her cheeks. She proceeded to cover said cheeks with her hands, ducking her head to not make eye contact. "Th-Then, you're welcome?" Her smile was shy and happy from what Obito could see past the hair ribbon keeping her braid together. His orange hair ribbon that he gave her. "I-I'm glad I got to help."

Lub-dub, lub-dub.

Obito put a hand to his chest, taking a breath. Nope, nope, nope, none of that right now. Instead, he grinned and put a hand on Tomo-chan's shoulder. "You always do," he said honestly. "I feel like I'm closer to becoming Hokage every day I hear you cheer."

Tomo-chan looked up at him, her blue eyes wide. "O-Oh," she said again, and then she smiled. "You make me happy too, Obi. I'm really proud to have you by my side."

C-Cute — WAIT, WHAT.

"Th-That's good!" Obito cheered, laughing off whatever the hell this allergy was because it was getting weird and that wouldn't work period. "It'd be kinda pointless to still be around if I didn't make you proud, huh?!"

Tomo-chan blinked those big blue eyes of hers at him. Then she reached over to gently place a hand on his arm, that same smile on her face. "You're fine, Obi," she said finally, patting his forearm through his jacket. "You always make me proud. In fact, you were actually really really cool today, fighting with Kei and Kashi." Wait, what did she just say— "Just be safe when you do go out, okay? And try not to get hurt recklessly. I want to see you again."

Oh.

Tomo-chan's smile was going to kill him through this allergy and he blushed while plastering on a grin in return. "G-Got it!"

It was moments like this, being with his precious people, that made Obito determined to try ending the war. Hopefully, as Minato-sensei said in his debrief, Kannabi Bridge would be that moment to try.

"One more coat of paint, and…we're done!"

"Really?"

"Really-really, ojou-chan." Jim smiled while stringing the leather strap through the metal's ring, hanging the request up on a nearby hook to dry. "By tomorrow, they all should be ready to be given out. I'll send Wataru to give it to you."

"Aye!" Tomoko-chan smiled and for a moment, Jim blinked and rubbed at his eyes. Did he see his old friend from back in the Academy days or was he seeing Judai's little girl? "Thank you, Jim-san!"

And just like that, Jim shook his head and smiled back. "Sure, don't worry about it. It's my job."

At least he was repaying his debt to Judai this time.

It took a week for the day we were all waiting for, with bated breath or plain foreboding.

"Tomoko-chan, Tomoko-chan, wake up." Someone was shaking my shoulder and I blinked the sleep out of my eyes. "If you stay here any longer, you'll be late."

Hisako roused first, grumbling something like, Who turned on the Jaws theme… for the first few seconds. Then, just when I opened my eyes, it was as if she had grabbed a blow horn. Well, I wouldn't put it past her making one from how much the panic hit us both at the same time. SHIT! SHIT SHIT SHIT! HONEY! THE TEAM'S LEAVING TODAY!

No thanks to that, I shot up from my futon and nearly decked Sakumo-jichan right in the nose. "Whoa there," he said as I tried to reorient myself, the dizziness from being asleep hitting right then and there. "Tomoko-chan, you have time if you run. Don't rush." Without a second of pause, he was already pushing a change of clothes and the large gift sack into my hands, a tired grin on his face. "You can do it."

"Th-Thankie, Sakumo-jichan," I stammered out, trying not to fumble with the load in my hands while standing up from my bed and proceeding to run towards the restroom. "I-Is there anything else I should take with me?"

Even through the closed door, I could hear Sakumo-jichan's contemplative hum. "How about I go with you?" he decided plainly, shuffling around. "There's something I need to give Kakashi before the mission starts."

I quickly slipped into my pink skirt while nodding. "S-Sure, Sakumo-jichan, sure! More company the better!"

After all, there was no way I could deny a father a chance to see his son off when the original Canon never gave him that chance.

Inwardly, Hisako sighed. You're too good for everyone, Tomoko-chan. Way too good. She looked up towards the ceiling of our library. Don't change, okay?

Eh? What brought this on?

Oh, nothing. There was a laugh. Nothing at all.

At one point, we had caught up with Ricchan and Kushina-nee on the way to the village gates, so by the time we all had made it there, I was out of breath from running and the entirety of Team Minato was staring. We made up quite the crowd.

"Mou, really, you guys…" it was hard to catch my breath because my lungs felt like they were burning, but at least we made it. "Why are you leaving so early in the morning…?"

Kakashi sighed as he reached over to help me stand upright. "We have to," he said quietly, letting me go as soon as my heartbeat settled down. "The mission won't be easy and I'm Jounin now, so I have to take responsibility."

That did not stop Sakumo-jichan from taking a step forward and proceeding to tackle his son in a hug, and Kakashi barely yelped once he found himself buried in his father's flak jacket. I took a step back towards Ricchan, feeling a small smile come up on my face at the sight. There was no missing how Sakumo-jichan had unshackled the infamous White Light Chakra Sabre from his back mid-hug to slip into my housemate's backpack. "That doesn't mean you're not my kid, Kakashi," I could hear Sakumo-jichan say, and it took a mere second for Kakashi to hug back, tighter. "Please be safe. Use everything I taught you."

Kakashi nodded, exhaling. "…I plan on it, Dad." He didn't give off any indication that he noticed what his dad did, but at this point, it was a change from Canon I welcomed.

These two deserved this much with each other. They deserved to have this passing of a tanto that, for once, wasn't a tragic keepsake like it was originally.

Then there was a small sniff and without hesitation, I took out a small handkerchief to hand to the tearing-up Ricchan. This morning wasn't even over yet and I knew there was going to be a lot said.

That was how prologues went in stories. How things would go before a big life-changing event.

Kannabi was big enough already and we all already knew someone could die.

The least that could be done was make a pretty damn good send-off that let my friends know they were loved.

Nearby, I could faintly make out Kushina-nee going over to hug Minato-san with her usual tackling force. It was merely confirmed by the surprised laughter thrown into the air and for once, it felt like I was home. That my friends were just going on a trip and were going to come back.

A tap echoed against my head. Dear. You need to focus.

Hisako was already in Serious Mode, so I took in a breath and nodded to myself. Here we go. "Kei, Kashi, Obi, Ricchan?"

All four named ninja turned to look at me, especially after Sakumo-jichan stepped back, and I raised my gift bag up to the level of my chest.

"What is it, Tomo?" Kei started softly.

I inhaled.

As of today, I'd have known these ninja for years now. Kei for seven years. Obi, Kashi, Ricchan — all for five to six years. But even if our time together hadn't numbered a decade yet, even if I was only 13 physically, even if I knew I would never understand everything they were going through in their lives outside the village—

These shinobi were my family. I loved them more than anything.

Hell, I loved them with all my heart and I knew right then and there that I wanted to give them all a gift that could at least bolster their survival. So that we could have more days together. So that they could come back home.

I reached into the bag, found the first star by its silver plates and black linings, and threw it. No one could miss the metal Konoha leaf insignia embedded in the center of it. The targeted Kakashi proceeded to neatly catch the charm between two fingers and once it was safely in his palm, I reached into my bag again to find the next one.

Pink with lilac borders for Ricchan, and she caught hers with both her hands.

Navy blue lined with orange for Obi, and he nearly dropped his if not for his sudden juggling act.

And, the last if not least, lavender lined with periwinkle for Kei, who caught her star as easily as Kakashi did his.

Every single one of my friends stared at the stars in their hands with wide eyes before I gently pulled out my own from the bag and hastily fastened the clasp of the strap around my neck. Sky blue matched with light grass green.

We made Team Awesomeness. We were all connected by something other than blood. At least, that's what I wanted the stars to remind them of.

Don't forget the adults, honey.

Right. Without skipping a beat, I reached back into my bag, and before Kushina-nee could even say, "Tomo-chan?", I was already throwing her star at her too. Red lined with a sunny yellow, hopefully a color that would go on reminding her of her beloved fiancé.

"Tomoko-chan—" Sakumo-jichan barely flinched once his star colored in an inversion of Kakashi's color scheme flew through the air and towards him. Black and silver. It worked.

Minato-san was the only one who accepted his without a word, simply staring at me with a tilted head once it was in his hands. Yellow and orange. It all worked. Maybe it would give him motivation to be faster. To save his students if it came down to it.

Maybe.

My bag, at least, was empty now. I would give the other stars to my extended family members later at home. Hayate would never forgive me if I left him out.

"…Stars?" Obito said finally, cradling the charm in his hands as he glanced between it and me, his breath coming out in puffs against the cold winter air. "Tomo-chan, this is…"

"It doesn't seem to be plastic," Kakashi mused, poking one of the panes of his with a thoughtful look in his eyes. "Shinobi-style metal, durable enough for a fight. Each one seems to be custom-made."

Ricchan's jaw dropped before I could feel her stare on my head. "Tomo-chan, is this why…" she trailed off as soon as the realization hit.

Without even seeing Kei's quirked brow, I knew she figured it out. Kei was my reincarnation buddy. Of course she'd catch on. "This is what caused those bandaged hands a while back?" she said quietly, a crooked yet proud smile on her face. "Tomo…"

A soft, sheepish laugh left my lips. The star dangling around my neck, for once, felt light. At least that made things a bit easier. "Thing is, this mission is going to be something important in the war and it's Kakashi's first time leading the team as a Jounin, right? And a while back, Ricchan brought up the idea of giving Kakashi a present for his promotion, but I wanted to go a bit beyond that." It was hard to miss how Ricchan's eyes widened in understanding as a small bit of wind rustled my hair. "Everyone here deserves something nice in my eyes."

"T-Tomo-chan," Obito looked like he was about to tear up even through his goggles, so I raised a hand to stop him. "Hey…"

"Lemme finish, Obi," I said softly, taking a step back while putting the empty gift bag behind me. "Those stars are called 'Wayfinders,' y'know."

Um, honey? Check in? Oiiiii. Obscure reference here!

It's fine. Just lemme at it, Hisako, I got this.

I wasn't surprised to get confused looks from everyone but Kei. If anything, seeing the understanding in Kei's black eyes merely spurred my rambling and I opened my mouth to continue. "Think of them as good luck charms. I'm wearing mine as a necklace, but the ones I gave out all have the same leather strap that you can use to wear them in whatever way you want."

Ricchan didn't even wait a second before she was fiddling with hers to tie around her right wrist as a bracelet. Thankfully, it matched with the pink hairband she had around her left, so the paint definitely worked. Meanwhile, Kushina-nee shortened her cord so that she could tie the star around her neck, making for a nice makeshift choker. Minato-san gave me a smile before stashing his away into one of his many flak jacket pockets, and the others merely held onto theirs.

Kakashi sighed again while glancing at his. "Knowing you, Tomoko, there's more to these 'Wayfinders' than just being good luck charms." He then proceeded to raise his head and give me a searching stare. "What did you do?"

Eh, it was a good enough segway for me to continue. "I burned my fingers a bit in making them all, buuuuut!" Kushina-nee looked close enough to exploding before Sakumo-jichan, and well, nope. Not on my watch. "Everyone, please check the back of your Wayfinders!"

Almost immediately, everyone turned the stars around to stare. Minato-san said it first. "There's a custom seal?"

"Not just any seal!" I glanced over at Sakumo-jichan and he winked at me as I grinned back. "I got help with this one! Try infusing your chakra into it!"

WHOOSH.

"Wh-Whoa!" Obito cried out in shock, and I tried to hide my giggles.

Then again, no one but Kei and Sakumo-jichan seemed to be expecting the chakra blade extending from the topmost part of Obito's Wayfinder. Seeing the chakra flicker and crackle from all the energy made the smile on my face grow to the point of stretching my cheeks. Being a sturdy five-six inches long was good enough for me considering the threats in the near future. "Surprised?"

"O-Of course we are!" Obito protested, nearly holding the Wayfinder like it was a bomb if not for the glee in his eyes through his goggles. "When did you do this, Tomo-chan?!"

"Hm," I pretended to think on it before stepping forward and reaching over to boop his nose. "Don't worry about it!"

"Tomo-chan—"

"Nope!"

Obito blinked, his expression quickly turning unimpressed. "Tomo-chan."

"Nope!"

"Tomo-chan—"

"Not telling!"

"Enough of that, you two," Kei scoffed, proceeding to get between the two of us with one slicing arm before speaking up. "You gave us chakra blades, Tomo. Really?"

"It's practical, Kei, really!" The interruption did nothing to hinder my mood — if anything, I couldn't help but feel proud because this could be our secret weapon in hindering Madara's plans. In keeping Obito with us for good. "Sure, it's not as big as Papa's own chakra katanas, but the seal can't be altered unless the owner wants it to. Plus the energy output can be adjusted so you can make the blade as big or small as you want! Not to mention," I couldn't help but smile and shrug my shoulders in the best semblance of nonchalance I could do, "it's strong enough to cut through giant rock slides if you put in enough energy!"

Kei's eyes widened as soon as the sparkles started showing up around Kushina-nee and Obi at the exact same time. She got it. Thank god.

Minato-san merely smiled. "To think you thought this far… I'm impressed, Tomoko-chan."

"Thank you, Minato-san!" I chirped while raising a hand. "Buuuut!"

"There's still more?" Ricchan said incredulously.

I gave her a salute a la a blue flying cat. "Aye! Just let me say it?"

Ricchan gave Kei a look. In response, Kei deferred to the only other adult in the area that wasn't named Uzumaki or Namikaze, and Sakumo-jichan shrugged. If I didn't know any better, it felt like he just displayed a mannerism similar to his son. Kei then sighed and nodded. "Go ahead."

Hisako sighed too. Here's your stage, Tomoko-chan. Don't mess it up.

"Aye."

I don't plan to.

Outwardly, I took a breath while raising my other hand to grip my Wayfinder. It was cold metal now, but with enough warmth, it could be something else. It could finally symbolize a connection like its original namesake from when I was still Vy. "See, the Wayfinders have their name because of their star shape. I read in a book that when sailors used to go out on their boats, they'd use the constellations to help guide them back home."

Fleeing slaves used the stars back on the Underground Railroad so long ago too, to get their freedom. Not to mention the sheer number of people in Vy's past who saw the stars for fortune and wealth.

Sora had a star to guide him home to Kairi on Destiny Islands back in Kingdom Hearts II.

So, why not Team Minato? Why couldn't they come home?

"So, um," I lowered my head once the blush finally started to kick in. Gosh darn it. I was doing so well until now. Embarrassment sucked. "When making these, I just thought, 'if everyone had stars like these, it would…it would help bring you all home.' The stars would help defend you, give you hope, and bring you back to Nagareboshi Café safe and sound."

Back to where I'm going to stay forever, waiting for as long as you need me to.

Back to me.

Not like how Canon turned out, Hisako put in quietly. Hopefully, everyone comes back without a scratch like how that other Obito promised.

Hopefully.

I took a breath to wait.

I should've expected the hand landing on top of my hair. But I looked up in shock anyways, and found myself meeting Kei's black eyes. Her eyes were bright, almost glistening, but her smile was watery and real.

"Thank you, Tomoko-chan," she said softly, patting my head while wrapping her other arm around my neck, bringing me close for a near-hug. "We'll do our best to come home. Promise."

My nose seized up in time with my vision starting to blur. The sun was coming up soon. They would have to go sooner or later. "A-Aye. Aye…"

Someone else was suddenly barrelling into my side, knocking the empty gift bag out of my hands and to the ground. For once, I didn't squeak. The pink star panes peeking out from around my waist quickly revealed it was Ricchan. "Th-Thank you for trusting us, Tomo-chan," she added shakily, her nose nestled into my hair. "I'm not going out there with them right now, but I'll do my best too."

Then there was a snort and Kashi was there, wrapping an arm around my shoulders where Ricchan didn't occupy the space, nodding. "Don't cry, you dork," he murmured near my ear, "it'll make it harder for us to leave." He still paused, squeezing my shoulders in his awkward version of a side-hug to then add, "Still, thank you for thinking of us."

Oh dear.

The waterworks were going to start any moment now.

But then Kei took a step to the side and suddenly Obi was there too, taking up my front and letting me hide my face in his shoulder as he pulled me into a hug and away from Ricchan and Kashi. "You… You—" there was an audible crack in his voice and I could do nothing but freeze. Oh dear. "You are amazing, Tomo-chan. Thank you… just, thank you."

Was Obito about to cry? Oh no. Oh dear.

…Hisako?

My Nobody initially was silent. Then she weighed in with a quieter voice than anything I had ever heard from her. This is probably the greatest gift you could've given him considering everything he went through before we came into his life with Kei.

Oh. I immediately hugged Obito back and nodded into his jacket. He was warm and smelled a little sweet. Strangely smokey too, but then again, Uchiha with Fire Jutsu. I should've known better. It did not stop me from snuggling him. "Aye, Obi," I said softly. "It was no problem."

I did not know what prompted it, but once Obito let me go, I pulled him in by one of his hands to kiss him on the cheek.

Kisses were a sign of good luck, right?

Right. No time to take it back.

Obito's jaw dropped as soon as I pulled away, but I knew I wasn't done. Before the embarrassment could kick in, I flit away from him and towards someone else, coincidentally being Kei from proximity before pressing a peck to her cheek too. Then it was Kashi, then Ricchan, then Kushina-nee, then Minato-san, and finally Sakumo-jichan.

Um, honey? You might've killed your social status.

Probably!

By the time I was done bestowing kisses like some kind of Disney Princess, everyone was going through their own various reactions (ranging from blubbering to plain silence) and Obito was staring at me like I had just shown him the beginning of a new era. His face was red enough to put his orange goggles to shame, even through the hand covering the cheek I kissed. "T-Tomo-chan?"

Fire was going to kill me first. Yep. Absolutely. I sucked in a breath, covered my face with my hands, and promptly screamed through my fingers, "For good luck! Since we're family and all, it's gonna be dangerous, andIloveyouall, so there! Don'taskanymore, it'sembarrassing!"

A long, long pause followed. No one was saying anything, and from embarrassment or shame or what have you, I blurt out, "You can do it, don't break your legs, I love you all to bits, just, just, just come home soon!"

It didn't take a genius to know that I was getting close to crying. And that it was taking all my willpower to not scream, "Please don't die and leave me alone!"

And here I thought I was getting better at holding together and being the Emotional Support.

It did not stop someone from proceeding to wrap their arms around my waist for a sudden hug and my hands couldn't go anywhere but the person's shoulders once it registered they were carry-hugging me.

Looking down revealed the face of my reincarnation buddy, and in spite of the light pink on her face, she was grinning. "We'll come back, Tomo. It's a promise of a lifetime." She chuckled while swinging me around a little like we were kids all over again and I could do nothing but hold on.

"K-Kei—" I sniffled.

Kei just kept smiling. "Believe it, Tomo!"

Oh. My. God, Hisako said loudly, and even without having to delve into my mindscape, I knew she was shaking her head. Really? Out of all the things she could say, she had to say that? Why that horrible catchphrase? Anime dubs were horrible back then, Kei!

It did not stop me from laughing as I finally got to wrap my arms around her neck and hug her back. Kei chuckled again in return, gently placing me back onto the ground as soon as the giggle fit started to subside.

"Y-You, you dork," I cried into her jacket, trying to hold back tears. "Why that reference, Kei-chan?"

"It was a good opportunity," she smirked, and I pulled back just in time to see that hopeful glint in her eyes again. "But I'm serious, Tomo. Team Minato will come back. I swear on it."

Of course.

I felt a smile come up to my face as I nodded. "You better. A-And if you need some extra encouragement, look at the back of the Konoha symbol on your Wayfinder." I inhaled some more oxygen before saying it. "Daisuki da yo. Zutto. Gambatte."*

Kei's eyes softened as she slowly withdrew from the hug, nodding. "I know. Thank you, Tomo."

Coincidence or not, Kei's withdrawal left enough room for Obito to suddenly come in, and I blinked tears away to focus on him. For some reason, his face was red and his fists were clenched at his sides, but he was still trying his best to look at me with that grin of his. "T-Tomo-chan."

"Obi," I said back, exhaling. "What is it?"

"I…" Obito shut his eyes, biting his lip. "Tomo-chan, for you, I…" Then he jerked his head away.

Maybe the kiss was too much. Maybe I overwhelmed him. But I honestly was starting to feel emotionally drained, so all I could say in return was, "Be safe out there, Obi. You can't die if you're going to be Hokage."

Obito's eyes flew open right then and there and he turned back to stare at me through his goggles, awestruck. "T-Tomo—"

I smiled shakily. "I love you too, y'know, Obito. Just come back soon. I told you before that I want to see you again."

Obito tensed. "T-Tomo-chan—!" He then grabbed one of my hands in his, and this time, there was no missing how his Wayfinder was tied around the hand he used to grab mine. He was already treasuring it. "I love you too! M-More than… more than…"

Eh?

He faltered, almost hesitating before slowly letting my hand go. Did he lose steam? "When I come back…"

"Mm-mu?"

He changed the flow of conversation. Why?

Obito shook his head before taking a step forward, wrapping an arm around my shoulders to bump foreheads with me and look at me in the eye. "When I come back, Tomo-chan, we're talking! About life, about the mission, about…" he paused again, face still flushed, but he came back with a firm, "about us."

Ooookay? What brought this on?

Don't tell me… Hisako's eyes widened. Is he suggesting—

He's not trying to confess…right? Because if he is, it would be to Ricchan, not me, right?

For once, my Nobody had no immediate answer.

In spite of my confusion, I still nodded, wiping a tear away to smile up at him. "I'll be waiting."

Obito grinned back and in that moment, Minato-san put a hand on his shoulder, Kei and Kakashi already flanking his sides. "Obito. Let's go. We'll be late."

Obito sighed before nodding, letting me go. "Sure, Sensei."

It did not stop him from sending me a look that felt almost haunting. "See you later, Tomo-chan."

"See you later…"

It did not stop him and the rest of my friends from waving at us when they left.

It did not stop me from clasping my hands and starting internal prayers in my mind.

Please, God, Buddha, whoever you are and wherever you are.

Please protect my friends. Please protect my family.

Don't let them die.

Please let them live.

It did not stop Ricchan from gently placing a hand on my shoulder and smiling through her own tears. My empty gift bag was in her other hand. "L-Let's go home now, Tomo-chan."

"Aye…"

All I could do now was hope for the best. I did what I could. Now it was Kei's turn to change things.

Author's Notes: *"Daisuki da yo. Zutto. Gambatte." = "I love you. Always. You can do it." (in Japanese)

(ｏ＿ ＿)ｏ NOW the lead-ins to Kannabi are now done. Now to actually write the shitstorm…

Thankie to Lang and Os as always for the support. I wouldn't have finished this if not for their cheering. School is already back, so it'll be a swamp. I'll just keep doing my best.

See you all later.