Disclaimer: Again, I don't own anything or anybody except Tomoko, her family, and Nagareboshi Cafe. Any concepts/ideas mentioned in this fanfiction that seem to be borrowed from another media/piece of continuity - note that I don't mean to plagiarize anything or anybody in any way! This fanfic was made for entertainment purposes, not for pissing off others! So yeah!

The theme for this chapter is actually something from the Volume 3 Soundtrack of RWBY, simply titled "The Next Fall Maiden". The specific part I'm looking at can be found on YouTube, with Destiny Piano Version in parentheses. I honestly consider it fitting after the cliffhanger from Chapter 29, and to be quite frank, just brainstorming this chapter made me upset and close to tears because of the content.

That's why this chapter took so long. That's one of many reasons as to why this chapter was delayed. Imagining someone close to you suddenly saying all these things - just hurts, you know?

The real Leo would never say a lot of the things mentioned here, so just putting myself in Tomoko's shoes was difficult. Credit all goes to Alex Abraham and Jeff Williams for composing such a heartrending track, since it was a pinnacle of emotion when it was played in RWBY and really brought out a lot of emotion for me while listening for inspiration for the story.

An alternate theme can be HypochondriacPiano's cover of Riku's Theme from Kingdom Hearts 2. It may not have the same feel as the aforementioned RWBY track, but it can serve as an alternate sound for a lot of Tomoko's emotions, namely her despair and pain over her past death, throughout this chapter.

Nevertheless, I hope you can still sit back and please enjoy!

Chapter 30: Mistaken Identity

Long brown hair, touching his shoulders in soft curls even with the small ponytail it was all shoved into.

A stern expression, with the same bushy eyebrows and small, almost invisible curls at the chin, hinting at the beginnings of a small goatee in the future.

Two katanas, strapped to his hips very similar to a pose I knew I saw him in.

A long-sleeved blue hoodie and standard ninja pants, the hue reminding me of old jeans from Vy's world.

Dark chocolate eyes, narrowed in an exasperated stare.

I couldn't help the name escaping my lips because the shock and sadness was rolling through me all at once.

"... Leo?"

As soon as the moment hit me, it was quickly broken with the boy in front of me scoffing.

… Huh?

"Who are you calling Leo, you dumb broad?" Those words were the first to create cracks in that superimposed smile my mind had created. "It's Hitoshi Satoru - get it in your head, troublesome woman!"

Everything happened all at once. My heart fell into the depths of my stomach, Obito shot straight up from his chair with an angry expression, Rin held onto her teammate's hand in a semblance of composure despite her glare directed towards the culprit, and I found an arm holding me back from stepping forward, the metal armguard immediately alerting me to who it was.

"... Who are you calling a dumb broad?" Kakashi was outright growling through his mask, but I was too frozen in shock to even move. All I could see was the image of my former boyfriend, and each passing second was making it harder to breathe. I found myself unconsciously taking a shaky step back.

"Hello beautiful!"

"What, do you have a problem with that, jerkass?" The boy was outright smiling now, and the parallels were stark enough to be recognizable, but also far too painful to look at. And even then, I couldn't turn away. "Better to tell the truth now before later, right?"

"What the hell, Hitoshi!" Obito was the next person to yell, angrily shaking a fist in the not-Leo's direction. "Take that back!"

"Hitoshi-kun, that was just uncalled for!" Rin was outright frowning now, even when still sitting in her chair, and I could easily see the anger in her brown eyes. "Apologize right now!"

I didn't want to believe it. Everything in me just didn't want to believe it.

This wasn't happening, right?

"... I'm sorry about that, Vy. I won't say that again."

But Satoru was showing off white teeth in a grin that honestly scared me. He looked like Leo, but he wasn't Leo. "What are you going to have me do? Grovel? No way in all. Fucking. Hell. The broad's too stupid to deserve that kind of treatment."

W-What…?

Tomoko-chan. Hisako's voice. Snap out of it. He's not Leo. Don't listen to him!

Even then, I couldn't tear my gaze away from the boy in front of me. This person - Hitoshi Satoru - was the spitting image of the man I had left behind as Vy. Every single remnant that was my past self just wanted to believe - wanted to hope - that the person standing in front of me was Leo in some way or form. That he had somehow died and reincarnated to join me.

But that cruel smile on Satoru's face wasn't going away. The coldness in my heart wasn't going away. "I mean, really? Why make such a fuss over a stupid pianist? If she's killed off, then you could easily replace her with some other bitch!"

"You're the only woman in my heart, Vy. Never forget that."

I didn't even realize my breathing faltering until soft, calloused hands wrapped around my shoulders.

"Now now, kids, calm down. Insults aren't supposed to be used with no reason." My breath finally stalled itself in my throat as I looked up only to get an eyeful of a Konoha green flak jacket and spiky blonde hair. The grip on my shoulders was gentle, but the pervading feeling of killing intent was not something to laugh at.

The Yellow Flash was standing right behind me, and he was angry.

I honestly felt grateful that the dark aura hidden within his smile wasn't pointed at me.

"Kakashi, Obito, Rin, don't get so tense." Almost immediately, my three friends just glanced at one another before hesitantly lowering their fists and nodding. A part of me that wasn't reeling from the shock couldn't help but feel impressed. "And you too, Satoru-kun. Apologize at once. Tomoko-chan is an important person to Team Minato, so insulting her will do you no good if you want to get into the Chunin Exams with us."

Amidst all the shock, a hot, embarrassed red shot across my face at the words as I found myself staring up at the Jounin in disbelief.

…. I'm important?

… Gee, when did that happen.

The person-that-was-not-Leo scoffed again, looking to the side like a misbehaving child while still twirling his kunai. "What's the point in that, Minato-sensei? She's just another civilian, right? Why is she important to us ninja? We're the ones who do all the work in protecting the village! Not like we have to worship her or anything."

… He has a point there. Hisako admitted grudgingly. But that doesn't mean he can insult you so freely in front of your face!

Even with Hisako's voice, I still couldn't find my own to respond. All I could do was look between Minato-san's comforting flak jacket and the Leo-lookalike, attempting to find something to say.

At least something to retort or reply to defend myself.

I-I'm not a dumb broad. I-I'm not replaceable! I'm not a bitch! I-I'm not…

"You're miles above any other girl I've been with, Vy. There can only be one you."

"That Tomoko-chan might be a whore for all we know!"

My heart just shattered.

Namikaze Minato was now seriously regretting introducing Hitoshi Satoru to his team. Even more so when Tomoko-chan was in the area.

Hokage-sama had said that the boy was rebellious, but this? The Jounin was seriously worried on whether or not Obito and Rin would even want to cooperate with the ninja anymore if he acted in this kind of manner.

If a few words were enough to set their tempers off, then who knows how things would go out during the Chunin Exams? They could be in any place for the Exams: in the Forest of Death, or some other training ground like Akagahara, with dangerous wildlife or unpredictable traps. Kakashi was lucky enough to be disciplined and not get into arguments when the situation called for it with Obito, but Satoru? The Jounin felt like he was taking too big of a gamble now.

Sure, Satoru was said to be skilled in his art, considering the katanas on his hips and his written records left by Hokage-sama. But if he could only sow discontent in his team by just insulting Tomoko-chan, a precious friend and almost-mascot of Team Minato, then where would things go?

Minato knew better than any other Jounin how his students felt about the young girl.

Kakashi was obvious, considering their status as best friends and fellow 'house-mates'. The fact that she was the only person aside from Kushina allowed to hug the silver-haired Chunin was more than enough evidence.

Obito was just as easy to read, almost seeing Tomoko-chan like that of a younger sister at moments. The Jounin didn't miss how the Uchiha was careful with his kunai and shuriken whenever she was around.

Rin, on the other hand, may not have been as close to Tomoko-chan like her teammates, but she at least knew her as long as Obito had. In a few years' time, Minato wouldn't be surprised if the medic would start seeing the pianist as a sibling figure as well.

With that in mind, it was natural to see the three bristle at the sight of their supposed 'new teammate' throwing insults around left and right.

Minato wasn't even sure WHERE Satoru had heard 'whore' before, but it wasn't good any way he looked at the situation.

His students were visibly seething, and in his arms, the young pianist was close to crying, considering her shaking shoulders.

… In the end, it was always up to him to handle damage control, huh?

"Satoru, that's enough." Then again, Minato wasn't feeling as forgiving himself. It was probably the word 'whore' that set him off. "Tomoko-chan is more than just a replaceable pianist. In the past few years, her work has been a beacon of morale in this war. Even the White Fang was able to recover thanks to her efforts. So don't just brush her off as another person. She's not a 'whore' or a 'dumb broad'. She's Hoshino Tomoko, main pianist at Nagareboshi Cafe and a precious comrade. So drop that attitude and show some respect."

The boy just gave him a raised eyebrow, but all the Jounin had to do was narrow his eyes and the nin cowered before clicking his tongue. Respect and credit had to be given where it was due, after all. In the end, Satoru just shook his head before turning towards the girl in front of him.

"I'm sorry, Tomoko-san." He muttered half-heartedly, dropping his kunai back into his leg pouch without even looking at her.

… Yeah, that attitude would need a LOT of work if he wanted to go into the Chunin Exams. That kind of behavior NEVER would fly if Satoru planned to take on missions guarding a daimyo or someone else similar in position.

The pianist just blinked before nodding shakily, and Minato didn't miss how her shoulders seem to shake even more if possible under his hands. "I-It's okay, Leo-, I mean-, Hitoshi-san…"

Was she about to say 'Reo' or 'Leo'?

Judging by her high-pitched voice and the large burst of killing intent in the back corner, Minato knew that he had a lot of explaining to do. Even if he wasn't looking forward to the next possible rant a certain retired ninja would give. In the meantime, he just sighed and opened his mouth to speak again. "You're dismissed for now, Satoru-kun. Come back when you've worked on that behavior of yours."

"What, so you're kicking me out, sensei?" The line of patience in the Jounin's head was becoming thinner and thinner with each breath the boy was taking at this point. The fact that Tomoko-chan had just stumbled out of his arms to run towards the back corner of the cafe wasn't helping. "Isn't that a little too soon considering we've only started to know each other? It's just some words - nothing too important!"

"... For a person hoping to become Chunin, you really don't have any idea of how words are so important, do you?" Minato blinked. That was Kakashi speaking. His first student wasn't moving from his standing position, silver hair actually shading his eyes, but the contempt in his voice was there. "Words are what we ninja use to collaborate with one another before signals are established. Words are what leaders use to negotiate with one another. The fact that you use them so carelessly - so thoughtlessly - without any thought towards who is listening to you just shows that you don't have the right to become Chunin in the first place."

… Oh great.

Obito's quiet yet energetic thumbs up behind his first student's shoulder wasn't helping the situation, no matter how funny it looked.

Satoru was now outright glowering as he turned to look at Kakashi with angry brown eyes. "... What did you just say?"

"If qualities of Heaven are your desire, acquire wisdom to take your mind higher. If qualities of Earth are what you lack, train your body and prepare to attack. If Heaven and Earth are open together, the peerless path will be righteous forever. This is the secret way that guides us from this place today." Even when reciting what Minato KNEW was written on the walls of the main tower in the Forest of Death, the Jounin couldn't stop himself from feeling pride at his student's words. Kakashi may have been stating a textbook response, but it was more than just that now. He was defending a friend, and the fierce look in those silver eyes was proof of that. The Yellow Flash would've thought he was seeing a younger Hatake Sakumo standing in front of him. "From the looks of it, you may have strength in the Earth, but you're lacking the qualities of Heaven. You'll never be a real Chunin if you don't recognize that."

The swordsman was almost fuming now, fists clenched tight enough to where Minato could see the beginning drops of blood. "Oh yeah? Where the hell did you get that, Hatake brat?"

Kakashi wasn't even deterred by the insult, simply crossing his arms over his chest. "The First Hokage, Hitoshi. Now if you know what's good for you, get out. Now."

Satoru's shoulders were trembling now, and judging by the stray hand looming over the handle of one of his swords, a fight was close to starting if someone didn't do something. Once again, Minato decided to step in before anyone else could say anything (said others including Obito - who looked very close to saying something jeering - which would just make it worse).

"... We'll talk about this whole issue later, Satoru-kun. Now just go. This whole situation is bothering the other customers." And true to Minato's words, a crowd had already gathered around their table, and (thankfully), the ninja saw this.

With an angry huff of air, the boy simply pulled his hand away from his sword handle, walking off in silence while pushing away some of the passerby in his path. Once the front doors chimed with his departure, Minato finally let himself breathe a sigh of relief before steadying his tense shoulders. He didn't miss how Kakashi, Obito, AND Rin all relaxed in their various positions either.

The tension affected everyone. And that wasn't good.

"Alright people! Nothing to see here! It's over now!" To the Jounin's surprise, Hikari-san herself broke through the crowd to shout the most recent announcement, waving her hands in the air to help clear the large amount of people. Even with her black hair in a bun and her attire of a formal work kimono, she still looked authoritative and intimidating all at once. It was that image alone that made the other customers mutter amongst themselves before turning/walking back to their tables with varying degrees of concern, curiosity, and exasperation all at once.

Then, the woman turned to Minato with the most deadpan, exasperated face of them all, her blue eyes literally showing how done she was with the whole situation. "So what was that, Minato-san, and why did my daughter run back into the house close to tears?"

"Really, Minato-sensei, who was that guy?!" Obito piped up, jumping up from his slumped chair to run over with an indignant face. "Was he supposed to be our new teammate?!"

"Why was he insulting Tomoko-chan like that?" Rin added in disgust, frown furrowing her cheeks.

Kakashi was the only one who didn't say anything, only conveying through his eyes the need for another talk.

… Here we go. Another explanation, all over again.

I didn't even think when running back upstairs into the house. All that was on my mind was just getting out of there.

All that I wanted to do was hide in a place where no one could reach me and just cry.

The tears were already close to coming out as is - and the words kept echoing in my heart no matter how much Hisako was doing to push them out.

I saw Leo, but at the same time, I didn't.

My feet could only really take me to the front door of my room before my face collided into a familiar chest. I found myself struggling just to rediscover my footing since the collision made me fall onto my bottom, but the tears were already making it a struggle.

I did my best to try getting up, apologizing along the way while wiping my eyes before a voice broke through the illusion.

"-moko-chan. Tomoko-chan, it's okay. It's Papa."

… Papa?

The next thing I knew, I could see Papa himself kneeling before me, warm chocolate almost boring into my soul. Even though he was still in his green work kimono, I could tell that he had just ran out of the cafe in a similar fashion to me, judging by the messiness of his two-toned brown hair.

The soft smile he was sending me just caused the waterfalls from my eyes to increase in magnitude. "P-Papa…"

All he did was simply open up his arms in a silent offering of a hug.

The first sobs were already leaving my lips as I jumped in and took said offering. All I could do was really clench onto Papa's work kimono, burying myself into the fabric in an attempt to stifle my wails.

Here I was, being a crybaby again.

But how were you supposed to react when someone who looked exactly like your old boyfriend comes into your life insulting every. Single. Damn. Thing. About. You?

How was I supposed to react when seeing someone from my past?

"Tomoko-chan, what's wrong? What happened?" Papa asked softly.

"P-Papa… I-I… I…"

I saw a ghost of my former boyfriend brought to life, Papa. When I thought that it was Leo, my wonderful boyfriend who I miss so much - who might've gone through the same shit as me just to come back to me - it turned out to be an imposter. Satoru was everything Leo wasn't, and it only took a few words to make me realize how alone I am.

What am I supposed to do? No one knows my full story.

No one knows that I was once Vy. Hokage-sama already put me under silence for my knowledge - what else could he and others do if they found out how Hoshino Tomoko came to be?

What would you do if you found out how your Tomoko-chan came to be, Papa?

Would you still love me?

Sobs continued to come out of my mouth in exchange for words, and I honestly didn't know what to make of it. At one point, Papa actually went on to gently carry me in his arms, never letting go of the hug, walking towards some room I didn't recognize through the tears. I ended up clinging to his shoulders as he walked, and soon enough, I found myself sitting on the sofa in the living room. Even with the tears still streaming down my face, I could tell that Papa had put me down to walk over and face me again.

A big, calloused hand ended up touching my cheek and stopping one of my many attempts to wipe the tears away. "Tomoko-chan… what happened out there? What did I say?"

The soft, almost pain-stricken expression on Papa's face just made the emotions rolling through me even harder to bear. But he was waiting, and my heart knew that I couldn't keep him waiting for answers. "I-It's not your fault, Papa… I-It's not…" I sniffled, doing my best to not have snot trailing out of my nose.

It's all me. It's just stupid me.

"... Then what is it, Tomoko-chan? Please look at me." The words were so soft in volume that I ended up looking, and all that was on Papa's face was love. "I don't know how to help you if I don't know what's wrong."

He was going to stay and listen to me no matter how incoherent and stupid I would get.

Why me? Why me?

"P-Papa…" I took a shaky breath while he reached into his kimono pocket to pull out a white handkerchief to start wiping at my face. If I didn't know any better, the way he was wiping away at the tears reminded me of my old Dad. "P-Papa, I…" I sniffled again.

That same smile was still persisting on his face while he continued to wipe at the now drying streams on my cheeks. If not for the emotion rolling through those chocolate orbs, I would've thought Papa was seeing this as an ordinary day, not counting my own emotional breakdown. "Just take your time, hime," Papa murmured softly, his other hand reaching over to grasp my own, wet one. Even if my skin was covered in the remnants of my crying, he didn't even give a face, just squeezing it gently. "I'm right here."

You're not alone, Tomoko-chan. Hisako finished solemnly.

"P-Papa…" I gulped. "D-Daddy…" A shaky breath left my mouth before I could muster the courage to say it. In the end, I just winged my response. "I-I'm not replaceable, right?"

Horror and anger both crossed over his face all at once. The grip on my hand tightened quite a bit - not enough to be painful, though - to where I knew he was fully paying attention to me now if he wasn't doing so already. "Of course not, sweetie! Who told you that bullshit?!"

"... H-Hitoshi…" God, just saying the name was making me choke up. "L-... Satoru…"

"- Apparently the new guy who's supposed to be taking my place in the Chunin Exams." The soft, tense voice was a clear giveaway.

Even Hisako was somewhat shocked. Kakashi?

My best friend ended up taking a seat right next to me, wrapping an arm around my shoulders while sighing. "I'm sorry for intruding, Judai-san, but I just finished talking with Minato-sensei. Satoru was supposed to be one of the reserve Genin to take my place in Team Minato for Obito and Rin's Chunin Exams, but introductions became… er…" He just squeezed my shoulder as a clear sign.

Kakashi didn't have to say anymore considering how red was still lining my eyes and parts of my face. The damage had already been done.

I guess emotional breakdowns can do that, huh?

For a moment, Papa had on this blank face.

And then, exasperation and vengeance filled it all at once. If I didn't know any better, I probably would've inched away at the amount of killing intent flooding the area again. As quickly as it arrived, however, the aura disappeared in exchange for Papa just sighing. If anything, he sounded resigned and rather miffed all at once. "First, Kakashi, I thought I told you to call me 'Uncle Judai', remember?"

From the close distance, I could feel the Chunin shrug. Papa was trying to encourage Kakashi to say it for a while, and yet for the past few years, it still hadn't caught on.

"And second," For a moment, with the way Papa's face was scrunched up and how his voice lowered a notch or two, it sounded like he was muttering the second thing to himself more than us. "Why is it always Minato that's behind all this? Seeing your own daughter cry is NOT something that makes a good day."

Amidst all the sniffles, I swear I could've sweatdropped.

… It is usually that Jounin who seems to be bringing out the bad guns without meaning to. Hisako muttered.

I just took in a shaky breath while Kakashi just rubbed circles into my back.

Papa just huffed a sigh again. "Kakashi, did you at least ask about WHY he was acting that way?"

"Honestly, I can only really theorize a personal vendetta against Tomoko," Kakashi's voice sounded both deadpan and serious all at once while saying this, and I didn't know if that made it better or worse. "Minato-sensei mentioned how Hitoshi was rebellious in his reports, but not to this extent. He wasn't this openly rude to other civilians."

What is with people targeting you, Tomoko-chan?

I had no clue on how to respond to that, even with the tears slowly going away.

Why would I be targeted of all people?! I know I'm kinda nuts in the head, but I thought being a civilian would at least take the targeting down by a notch or two!

… Then again, being Nagareboshi's main source of entertainment, the consultant of Team Minato, AND the best friend of Hatake Kakashi, the White Fang's son, will bring it up too, dear.

If not for the fact that I was still sniffling, I would've felt the urge to facepalm. In the end, I just did my best to wipe at my eyes, ignoring the burning feeling at the corners, in order to gain some composure back.

This was - what - the second time I had broke down crying this week? I honestly hadn't kept count, and to be frank, crying still felt horrible even if you were venting something.

Even if that something was false hope over seeing someone you missed for so long.

Leo… His bright smile, his warm hugs, his soft kisses.

Even now, more than 10 years after Vy had died, I could still remember everything.

And that's what made Satoru's words hurt even more.

I wanted to see Leo again. I wanted to believe that he had somehow died after Vy and reincarnated to come to this world and help me.

I wanted to believe that he would hold up on his promise.

"Even if I have to go to hell and back, I would do it for you, Vy. Only you."

In the end, it just felt like a cruel joke all at once. I couldn't even find myself looking towards the others in the room, only duly staring at my lap in an attempt to feel something.

I wanted to feel something other than the emotional numbness that came with recognizing the permanent death of Vy.

Hoshino Tomoko may contain her memories, but she was no longer Vy. She could no longer go back to what life Vy had, because Vy already lost everything.

She had already lost Leo so what was the point in hoping that something would come back?

This was the Narutoverse. This was a world filled with shinobi and tragedy.

With how things were going, I wouldn't be surprised if some entity, the same thing that plopped me into this world in the first place as the messed-up reincarnated girl I am, brought Satoru along just to play with my emotions.

Just rub in the fact that every part of me that was Vy, the parts that longed for Leo, would never have his love like that ever again.

Tears pricked my eyes again at the thought, and I just brushed them away absentmindedly. It wasn't a good idea to become depressed again, because the hands reaching for me were real.

Kakashi and Papa were both right here, and even with the silence, I could feel their eyes boring into me with concern.

"... Tomoko," My best friend spoke up for a moment, still rubbing my back reassuringly. "What do you want to do now?"

"Tomoko-chan, is there anything we can do for you?" Papa continued softly, his thumb now rubbing circles into my palm.

The gestures were honestly really nice, but I just didn't know how to respond.

What were you supposed to do in a time like this?

In the end, I took in a shaky breath before speaking honestly, raising my head to look at them both. "I-I don't know…. What should I do?"

I just wanted someone to tell me the right answer.

I just wanted to know how to start moving on. Because the memories were just becoming unbearable now.

How could I go back out to the piano now after all that? How could I go and face the audience when there was that underlying fear of seeing the shadow of my former lover again?

Kakashi just stared at me with an unreadable expression before tugging at my rather limp body to let my head rest against his shoulder. He didn't have to say anything. His warmth was comforting enough.

Papa himself just stood up, actually letting go of my hand for a moment before surprisingly pulling the both of us into a hug. I was somewhat expecting him to hug me, but not Kakashi too. My best friend was apparently sharing the same sentiment because he tensed up next to me, blinking.

"... Uncle Judai?"

Huh. So he finally got around to calling Papa that way after all.

Papa just shook his head, tickling my cheeks with his messy brown hair. "Just let me do this for a second, alright? It's been a long day."

Best understatement of the year, Judai-san.

I just reached over to pat Papa's back slowly. Even with the pain still residing in my heart, I still found myself smiling, even if it was just a small one. "... Thank you Papa. Thank you Kakashi."

Thank you for staying with me.

A few moments of hugging one another passed before Papa pulled away from us with a soft smile.

"How do you kids feel about some training?"

… I guess a bit of physical activity wouldn't hurt. Dad back then would say exercise would help cheer you up if you were down.

I missed him. I missed Leo, Josh, Nat-chan, Autumn, Kira-nee-chan, Gina, and everyone else.

I just missed my old world.

Uchiha Obito was angry.

Just angry. When Minato-sensei said that they would be getting a new teammate, he was raring to work with them for the sake of surviving together in this war.

Not end up hearing the new guy's rejection of one of his closest friends. Once the first insult was out in the open, all respect for Hitoshi Satoru went down the drain.

How could this guy expect to be part of Team Minato if he couldn't even respect Tomoko-chan who helped them for so long?

Obito had a feeling that if not for the young pianist, a lot of trouble would've happened FAR earlier before he knew it. Kakashi himself wasn't as big of a pain as he was during the Academy years, and Obito probably could count on his fingers the number of times Tomoko interfered before a big fight broke out.

Sure, she wasn't involved in peacekeeping as much as Rin was due to her position as a civilian. But compared to all the gossips around the village, whispering behind his back whenever he wasn't looking, Tomoko-chan was amazing.

She and her family had accepted the White Fang into their home for one thing. And then they went on to offer Obito and Rin dinner in a warm, family setting that the Uchiha just longed for.

With the recent passing of his wonderful, amazing, grandma, Obito had to live alone. If not for Rin, the Uchiha probably would've been very lonely.

And yet there Tomoko-chan and her family were, bringing bentos for them during training sessions and free, relaxing music whenever his shoulders were far too tense.

It was those reasons alone that Uchiha Obito could never fully accept Hitoshi Satoru.

Even when Minato-sensei brought him back the next day for a team training session.

Why would he have to work with a ninja who would possibly abandon a comrade without a second thought?

Obito could probably claim at this point that Satoru was worse than Academy Bakashi - and that's saying something.

Rin herself looked unhappy at the sight of the swordsman, and judging by the quiet, glaring gaze Kakashi was sending towards the nin, his teammates were feeling the same way.

Even if Minato-sensei was attempting to smile and bring them together to check on their collaboration.

At least he could take some comfort in what Minato-sensei whispered to the three of them later when Satoru wasn't looking.

"I know you three don't like Satoru-kun right now. But currently, there's no other Genin on reserves that have skill sets to match yours, so if you could deal with it for a while and try to make it work, Hokage-sama and I will work together to see if there needs to be any changes. If he acts out of line even once, I'll handle it, okay?"

Obito just wished he didn't have to be saddled with the jerkass during training with cute, adorable Rin under the pretense of teamwork exercises. The absence of Tomoko-chan herself during said sessions just said that much more (considering that Kakashi himself was still there, but notably more miserable and gloomy than usual).

The swordsman just gave the two Genin a judging glance before unsheathing a katana and lightly twirling it. "So you two better not hold me back or get in my way, is that clear?"

… Yeah, Uchiha Obito could easily say he hated the bastard's guts now.

Author's Notes: A lot of drama and emotional stuff on both sides, to be frank. The story had quite a bit of a wham line last chapter, and when building up this chapter, I had a hard time (as mentioned in the disclaimer section) for similar reasons. Writing a lot of this was difficult, and with the pretense of a Humanities paper hanging over my head, coming up with the content of this was taxing.

Nevertheless, I want to say thanks to all my readers and followers who have been sticking with me up until now, especially since I didn't write anything for Chapter 29 (out of my being tired). We officially have 30 chapters of Civilian Pianist! Along with a few interludes/ANBU reports hanging around, but nevertheless.

Special thanks goes to NatNicole, lizyeh2000, EmilyKayros, Goldspark1, OneWhoReadsTooMuch, ThatIdioticMelody, xForeverGamerx, and LilithDCLXVI for their reviews on Chapter 29 - your words really made me happy when looking back on the story so far, so thank you.

Also a special shoutout to Lang Noi and Beta, the authors of Naruto's own Catch Your Breath on Fan Fiction, because they were really nice enough to put a promo/link to Civilian Pianist on their Sideblog after I gave them my own thanks for being my inspiration. Thanks again, both of you. And for you readers, go check out Catch Your Breath! Sure, it has more than 800k+ words, but it's a really worthwhile read! Kei did inspire my creating Tomoko after all.

Love you all so much and this is Writer-and-Artist27 signing out to focus on her Humanities paper and brainstorming Chapter 31!