.

.

If pregnancy was physically difficult for Rin, for Obito it was emotionally and mentally taxing. Every time there was another complication, ominous spotting or unexpected cramping, Obito would whip himself up into a frenzy of fear and worry: would Rin survive? Would the baby? What would he do if they both died? He spent nights lying awake, his mind on a loop, obsessively playing different scenarios in his head that ramped up his anxiety.

Normally, Rin would be the first person he'd go to, counting on her to talk him down from whatever ledge his sickened mind had brought him to. But pregnancy made Rin fragile, both physically and emotionally, and after his boneheaded comment about getting her bigger panties made her break down crying, he realized it wouldn't be fair to her to dump his neuroses all on her.

"I looked it up, the mortality rate for her condition is really high," he said, even though the doctors reassured him that a 0.5% mortality rate wasn't actually all that high and despite the fact that this was probably the fifteenth time he said this to Kakashi. Kakashi sighed, rubbed his head, and asked him if he had taken his medications. "Of course I did," Obito said.

"Well Obito, no offense, but you've been obsessing for weeks over Rin and the baby dying, so far they've both been fine."

"Just because they're fine now doesn't minimize the risks, and frankly anything over zero percent is just too high."

"I don't think that's being realistic," Kakashi said, frowning.

"They put her on pelvic rest," Obito said. He held his head, worrying."She's not even allowed to orgasm-"

"Obito. I understand you're worried but I do not need to hear about Rin and her orgasms."

"They did another ultrasound, her cervix is getting shorter and more dilated-"

"Please don't tell me about her cervix, Obito, just take your freaking Xanax."

Later, Kakashi found him in his office, vibrating in his seat because of another pregnancy complication. "She went into labor early again, which the doctors were able to stop with civilian medication." Obito's eyes were wild and his hand was on his head. "This is my fault," he said, and he dropped his head. "I shouldn't even have a family. And now Rin's suffering and it's all because of me."

"Obito. It is not because of you. Your past has nothing to do with Rin having a difficult pregnancy."

"But I'm the one who got her pregnant," Obito said. Kakashi didn't know what to say to that.

Another meeting. Obito managed to compose himself enough to look like a functioning member of society. But then he got a phone call and disappeared for a long stretch in his office. "Rin's bleeding again. I'm sorry, I need to leave."

The next day, Obito spent the morning pacing. Kakashi watched as he wore a footpath to and from the window to his desk.

"She's going to die."

"No she's not."

"She's going to die. The baby's going to die-"

"Obito-"

"-oh my god, what if they both die?"

"What's wrong?" Tsunade said, after Kakashi found her in the hallway.

"Obito's having a nervous breakdown in his office."

Tsunade pursed her lips and followed him.

"Obito!" Tsunade threw open the door. Obito lifted his head.

"Tsunade-sama."

"Shut up. Sit down. Here," she said, and she pressed her hand to his chest. Chakra pulsed from her palm and radiated outwards. Kakashi watched Obito grow more calm.

"I've tamped down your sympathetic nervous system," Tsunade said. "You've been operating purely on adrenaline, it's no wonder you're been freaking out."

She gave Obito a self-satisfied pat, then straightened. "Thank you," Obito said. Tsunade waved her hand.

"Stop bothering Kakashi," Tsunade said, and pointed. "Listen to your doctors and get a journal or something."

"Hai."

Tsunade turned to Kakashi. "Call me if he shits the bed again."

"Thank you, Tsunade-sama." Tsunade shook her head.

"Don't thank me, I should be out somewhere gambling. At least right now I'm keeping my money."