In moments between experiments and treatments, Rin would peruse her master's enormous library of books. His collections extended beyond what many would deem abnormal, perhaps into areas where not even the most audacious of people would venture.
He pursued subjects that were more often than not banned or forbidden. However, his open mindedness to the mysteries of the world gave Rin a more varied selection of strange topics that thankfully, diverged from his usual quest for horrific experiments.
In the last five years, Rin has picked up a liking for astrology. Though a questionable topic, she enjoys staring at the multitude of coloured stars and speculating the meaning of planets and the universe.
More recently, she has discovered the pleasures of interpreting celestial bodies and their positions. And though she would like to believe the accuracy of her predictions, she knows it is mostly astrological quackery.
It does not deter her from enjoying the elements of prediction, so tonight, she sits by the inn room window with a small astrological book in one hand and a complicated looking chart in the other.
She stares serenely out into the vast heavens and watches the galaxies of stars scattered brightly in great spirals of coloured lights.
"What are you doing?"
Tobi's voice breaks her concentration. She turns to gaze lovingly at his face before revelling in the sweet imagery of his half naked torso.
"Do you always walk around without a shirt on?" She asks.
"Why? Do you not like what you see?"
He gives her that incredibly lewd smile that gets her insides stirring.
"Actually, I like it too much."
"Really?"
He bites his lower lip.
"What are you going to do about it?" He continues softly.
He slides his arms around her waist and initiates a flow of sweet kisses down her neck.
"You are so distracting," she says.
"From what?"
He peers over her shoulder at the astrological chart.
"You're into that sort of thing?" He frowns.
"Just a hobby."
"Am I your hobby too?"
She lets out an incredulous laugh.
"Maybe you are, after I'm done with this," she answers shamelessly.
He remains behind her for some time after. They relish in the warmth of each other's proximity before Rin's exasperated sigh breaks the entrancing moment.
"What's the matter?" Tobi asks.
"Oh just nothing. A couple of quack revelations," she exhales deeply.
"Tell me."
Her brows furrow in concentration. She is uncertain as to whether she should even tell him the stupidity of this hobby.
"It's just rubbish when you predict negativity," she says sullenly.
"Do you believe in it?"
"Of course not," she hesitates, "but that does not detract from the gloom and doom of such information."
"Well, if you doubt its authenticity, you might as well tell me what you found," he presses.
She lets out another long sigh of resignation.
"Alright. Base on these charts and I had to do some mathematical work to give a more accurate representation of the predictions, it says here that in some months time, the world will unite as one to fight an enemy," she pauses, " the enemy transcends all powers of humanity. If conquered, the world will move towards peace."
"If conquered?" Tobi asks.
He sounds puzzled, yet distinctively interested.
"Oh, I don't know, perhaps the stars haven't made up their minds whether this enemy would be conquered yet," she says grimly.
Tobi remains in thoughtful silence, though there is a flicker of anxiety that grazes his features.
"What's the other one?" He asks curiously.
"Hm…this one is an odd prediction, I'm not sure if I did the equations correctly but it says here, one year after peace, trouble from another place will unknowingly and involuntarily ask for help."
Tobi watches her with an obscure expression, as if he is contemplating her predictions and is finding words to challenge them. But when he remains silent, his features morph into inquisitiveness.
"That's it," she says bluntly, "Sounds so pathetically legendary if you ask me."
Tobi does not answer. His mind is still deep in reflection.
So she returns to her chart in an attempt to re-calculate the equations, but a sudden movement outside the window catches her attention.
Then she hears it. A soft musical sound followed by a horse's neigh.
Without thought or concern that Tobi is still holding on to her, she abruptly stands.
Avidly, she stares out the window and catches the very tail end of the black stallion's shadow before it disappears into the darkness.
When she turns to the horizon, she sees the ocean and its alluring serenity. Beyond the expanse of water, she observes a tiny floating island. And it is the familiarity that sends a chilling nostalgia through her spine.
"Tobi, the ocean is so beautiful, I never knew we were so close to it. Is that the same island we saw last time?"
There is a stark expression of apprehension and unease in his gaze. He is watching the spot where she is pointing, but she gets the strange sensation that he cannot see it.
His eyes remain unfocused, as if confused as to what they should be looking at.
When Rin appears troubled, his hard features briefly lightens.
"You've been staring at that chart for too long, I think it's best you get some sleep," he says gently.
He turns her around so she faces him fully.
"Please don't give me that look," he continues, and his hands are cupping her face with delicate fondness.
She slackens her disconcerted expression, and immediately Tobi leans down to kiss her.
He is always so pure with his touch, as if he is constantly treading carefully around a fragile piece of artwork.
When they part, Tobi presses his forehead to her.
"You are so precious," he whispers mildly.
He takes her hand and guides her to the bed.
She is compliant with every move, until he sits beside her without an indicator that he would join.
"Are you going to sit there?" Rin asks.
He does not respond. His watch is momentarily transfixed on the outside window.
Only when she takes his hand does he abruptly break from his reverie.
"Sorry," he says quickly.
"What is on your mind?"
"Nothing of concern," he answers.
She sends him a reproachful look.
"Tobi, you can tell me-"
"Obito," he interrupts, "please?"
He is looking thoroughly dejected, but there is a passive emotion of pleading behind the sadness.
"Obito, you can tell me, I'm here," she says.
He looks to the ground in brief silence before speaking in a strangely robotic manner.
"You'll watch over me?"
She stares inquisitively.
"Of course," she replies.
The embrace he gives is so comforting, her internal melts into complacency.
Then, he hovers over her and presses his head to her shoulder.
"I want you," he says quietly.
His voice is muffled, but her body understands every word.
And though their lovemaking provides an incredible space for escape, Rin fears the action may reinforce Tobi's dependency for emotional avoidance.
The thought strikes her hard.
Her time is running so short, there is a chilling level of selfishness that inundates her.
As heavily satisfied as she is from her release, the fear creeps through and deluges her mind with Tobi's sufferings.
She does not know his pain, his reluctance or the hurt he has endured, but he is slowly opening himself up to the security of her presence.
The last thing he needs is to sink back into the depths of despair.
If anything, when the time comes, she will find a way to alleviate the pain.