Chapter 16: Redemption
A/N: As of 6/14/2022, I made some updates to the chapter, including changes to parts of the dialogue.
Jitsuko had been sitting in that chair all day. It'd been so long that she couldn't feel her legs anymore; every part of her had become numb, both physically and mentally. Her mind went blank from the overwhelming sensations of everything she went through over months, and everything she was going through now.
There was the shock of returning to civilization after surviving with Obito in unfamiliar territory for so long. She still had the responsibility to report to the Fourth Hokage about everything that happened on the journey. Jitsuko's own injuries were extensive; she wasn't supposed to be out of her room, but she had to go and wait on Rin's condition. Her heart ached, overwrought with guilt about what Rin had done to save her life.
During the past few months of her captivity, Rin had been secretly storing small amounts of chakra for if things got critical for her. Once she saw the condition Jitsuko was in after Madara's relentless assault, she chose to spend all of her accumulated chakra to revive her, despite how Jitsuko treated her over the years. Even though she did forgive her, the crushing weight of guilt was still unbearable. All of these thoughts piled up until she just couldn't handle it anymore as she bent forward in the seat and placed her bandaged hands over her bruised face from the overwhelming mental pressure.
The only noise in the room was the faint electronic "bzzzz" sound from the outside emergency room light being on, the one that signified an operation was currently in progress. Obito was stirring up noise as well, as his frantically paced footsteps and blatant disregard for his own injuries told of his thumping anxiety over Rin and her chances for survival. His distraught back-and-forth pace pulled Jitsuko out of her haze as her concern shifted to Obito's own wellbeing.
"She… she's going to be okay, Obito. You don't need to-"
"You don't know that, Jitsuko!" Obito impulsively snapped, his anxieties finally getting the best of him as he paused to face her. "Y-you saw the faces those nurses made when we brought Rin in. We… we don't know if…"
She watched with worrisome eyes as Obito's fist clenched, being physically unable to finish vocalizing his thoughts.
Obito may have been dense at times, but he wasn't stupid. He knew of the serious peril Rin was in. He felt the immense weight of the situation. He recognized the grave circumstances of his friend. Forced optimism wouldn't help now, but that didn't stop Jitsuko from at least trying.
"Hmm… think of it this way, Obito. What Rin did back there, what put her here, it was because she believed in us with everything she had. Let me ask this. Do you also believe in Rin, that she can pull through this, too?"
Her question instantly silenced Obito as he tried his best to calm down. "Yeah, of course I do. I'll never stop having faith in her." He glanced down to the stained bandages coating his hands. "I don't know what's gotten into me. All I can think about since we brought her in is what I could've done better."
Jitsuko slowly stood up, allowing the feeling to return to her legs before facing her best friend. "You have to remember Obito; they specifically requested the Tsunade Senju, one of the legendary Sannin to look over Rin. She's regarded as the greatest medical ninja out there! Just keep holding onto that faith for her, and trust that she's in good hands."
At this, Obito's rough breathing pace eased as he peered down at her, his worrisome face lessening to a more reasonable one. "Y-yeah… you're right. Rin's gotta be okay. I believe in her," he stated as he glared at the closed door before turning his attention back to her.
"You… you always know just what to say, Jitsuko…" Obito tried complimenting her sheepishly as he directed his head to the side with his line of sight to the floor.
She didn't have time to respond. The operating room light abruptly switched off, catching their attention as the doors slowly opened a moment after. Jitsuko and Obito froze when Tsunade emerged from behind the doors as her heels clicked through the waiting room and passed between the two of them to reach the doors on the opposite side. Obito regained his composure as he hastily followed Tsunade in a desperate pursuit for answers.
"R-Rin! I-is she okay? Tell me she's okay!" Obito demanded, though it came out as pitiful begs more than forceful inquiry.
Tsunade stopped and quietly turned around to face the two of them, the blank expression on her face was impossible to read. After a moment passed, Tsunade closed her eyes and took a deep breath through her nose.
"She'll be fine. The Hashirama cells we extracted from the sample you brought back were just enough to stabilize her chakra levels," Tsunade explained neutrally. The more she spoke the larger Obito's smile became.
"She needs extensive rest and rehabilitation, but she should make a full recovery –"
Tsunade barely had enough time to finish her words as the thunderous clap from Obito clasping his hands together surprised her.
"I… you… th-thank… thank you!" Obito stuttered out in elation as he almost humorously got to his knees in front of Tsunade, his hands still clutched together in gratitude.
Obito, you are such an amazing dork, Jitsuko mused to herself as she watched his antics. If she were honest, she was grateful toward Tsunade as well. She just had an easier time controlling herself compared to him, which she attributed to the fact that he loved Rin. The thought sent a sharp pain to Jitsuko's heart as she remembered Obito's feelings for her.
Looking down at the relieved Uchiha, Tsunade couldn't help but let a faint smile form on her lips. "Just be sure to control that excitement when you see her. We don't want to risk her chakra levels being disturbed."
"Y-you mean we can see her right now?"
With her eyes closed, Tsunade nodded as she turned back around and left the waiting room without another word.
Distracted by her aching heart, Jitsuko didn't notice Obito had hastily gotten up until he started dragging her with him to Rin's room. His excitement knew no bounds.
Once the two of them found her room number, Jitsuko had to hush Obito from being too loud as she quietly opened the door to peek inside. Rin was the frailest she's ever been, but alive. She was awake enough to register that someone came to visit her. Before Jitsuko could fully open the door, Obito ran into the room, unable to contain his excitement any longer.
"Rin, you're okay!" Obito exclaimed between laughter and rushed to her bedside, tears of joy welling up in his eyes. "We got here as fast as we could. We knew you'd pull through for us!"
Jitsuko decided to quietly keep her distance and let the two embrace before she would make her presence known, all the while ignoring the throbbing ache in her chest from seeing them so happy together.
Rin suddenly put her arms over Obito in a grateful hug that caught both Jitsuko and Obito by surprise as she affectionately snuggled her face into his neck. She didn't miss the blush on Rin's face, either.
Rin… she's never hugged Obito before… especially not like that. I did reveal Obito's feelings for her… maybe she's finally realized that she loves him too…?
She then let out a sharp gasp when Obito enthusiastically returned the hug a moment later and excitedly swayed her side to side.
That dull ache in Jitsuko's heart bloomed into an agonizing shatter as she watched the one she loved happily embrace his crush.
Stop it, Jitsuko. He has every right to embrace her. You said yourself back at the hideout that you would accept if they got together, as long as you brought them home safe. You should be happy for them. This is the future they deserve… They are here because of you… They deserve… to be… happy… together…
The sound of teardrops making contact with the floor pulled Jitsuko out of her thoughts, realizing that she had begun to cry at what was happening in front of her.
While in mid hug, Rin opened her eyes and noticed Jitsuko standing there, as she hastily tried to erase any evidence of her crying from just a moment before. Rin was happy to see her, but she was also concerned.
"Jitsuko! Are you okay?" she asked softly as she and Obito released their hug to look at her.
Jitsuko jumped slightly in surprise that all eyes were on her as she used a sleeve to wipe her tears in vain.
"Y-yeah, Rin. I'm just… so glad that you're alright," she partially lied. She was happy that Rin came through, but the source of her tears came from the prickling sadness emanating from her chest.
The two then went back to eagerly embracing each other, the pain of Jitsuko's heartbreak became too much for her to bear.
"O-oh, Obito! I forgot that we need to… um… report to the Hokage about everything that happened! I'll go do that for us. You can stay here with Rin," she said and hurriedly left before Obito could respond, unable to suppress the tears any longer.
Jitsuko found herself taking the long way to the Hokage's office as she trudged through the empty pathway, the atmosphere around her was a stunningly orange hue from the setting evening sun. She wanted this walk to take the longest amount of time possible, anything to keep her from seeing Obito and Rin happy together again.
With her head low, Jitsuko almost didn't notice someone walking in her direction, their figure casting a huge shadow over the walkway. As they got closer, she recognized the grey, spiky hair belonging to Kakashi. She hadn't seen him since the assassination mission with him and Obito, the one where she learned of Kakashi's true feelings for her. For years he treated her like she was below him, but on that mission, Jitsuko learned that there was more to him behind that mask.
Jitsuko's steps subconsciously eased as Kakashi got closer, until finally the two of them started to pass by each other. It was then everything felt like slow motion; she turned her head to the side in Kakashi's direction as he continued looking straight, clearly trying to ignore her presence. After that split second of passing him, Jitsuko stopped in her tracks and spun around as he continued to walk forward, his back now facing her. Before she could stop herself, she spoke up.
"Your teammate, Rin," Jitsuko said, her sudden announcement persuaded Kakashi to stop. This was unlike her. She never really initiated conversations with Kakashi because his cold personality intimidated her.
"She made it. She's alive."
"Great." Kakashi's tone was riddled with apathy, his back still facing her.
Jitsuko blinked heavily, mouth slightly agape in disbelief. "Did you even notice that she was gone? Obito and I had been searching for Rin for months! Do you even plan on visiting her at the hospital?"
"I wouldn't waste my time with those who are weak enough to get captured. You and Obito should have left her behind and stayed in the village to provide for actual missions. If Rin were strong enough, she would have found an escape on her own like I did on our mission."
Jitsuko was disgusted, not only with Kakashi's view toward others, but with herself as well. She felt terrible that she essentially prevented Obito from giving Kakashi his eye-opening speech when Rin got captured in the original show. Because of her, Kakashi still prioritized the rules, and viewed anyone who got captured as dead weight and not worth saving.
"Why are you treating us this way, Kakashi? You've always looked down on me and Rin, but I know that's not how you really feel. So why? Why treat us like this? Why push us away?" she prodded, the tone of her voice growing softer after every inquiry.
No response.
Looking down, Jitsuko gave a deep exhale through her nose before peering up at him again.
"Is it because of your father?"
Kakashi peered over his shoulder and shot her a silent but intensely fierce side-glare.
"You don't get to speak about him. You knew nothing about my father." The tone in his voice was bitter and wracked with grief.
"I know enough about him to know that he was a wonderful shinobi," she replied calmly, her words full of empathy.
Kakashi's eyes promptly grew wide at her words; a buried memory suddenly flashing through his mind.
Heavy footsteps fell onto the snow-stricken walkway with an audible crunch as young Kakashi begrudgingly made his way home from another day at the ninja academy, his vexed face buried deeply into his scarf. On his way there, he sensed an object hurdling toward his direction, and Kakashi effortlessly caught a rock midair before it could reach him. Kakashi turned his head to the origin of the rock to see a group of older boys making their way over to him.
"You look a little young to be walking out here all by yourself, kid. Shouldn't your parents be walking you home?" one of the boys teased as they loomed over him, their arms crossed.
Kakashi only silently stared at the boys. He was about to ignore them and walk away until another one joined in.
"Hey, I think that's Kakashi Hatake. You know, the son of that White Fang guy?"
"The White Fang? You mean the guy who betrayed the village? Didn't he kill himself?"
As the boys conversed with each other, Kakashi's eyes were fixated on the ground as his fists began to clench in anger.
Unknowingly to the group, Jitsuko was on her way to a shop after sparring with Obito at the academy, until she overheard the conversation happening a short distance away.
"Yeah, he totally did! But it looks like he left some baggage behind," they mocked as their attention went back to Kakashi.
"So why'd he do it, Little Fang? Why did your dad abandon the mission? Was he as weak as you?"
Kakashi was about to lose it. He may have been young, but he was more than capable of taking these bullies out. He was about to spring on them until a sudden feminine voice caught everyone's attention.
"Hey, don't talk about Sakumo like that!" Jitsuko interjected the conversation and stepped in front of Kakashi, forming a barrier between him and the boys with her body. "He abandoned the mission because he chose to save his friends. You guys would do the same for each other if you got captured!"
The boys all silently exchanged glances at one another before returning their attention toward her.
"Yeah, right. Speak for yourself," a shorter boy said in a disgustingly cocky tone. "The shinobi rules state to never abandon a mission. If The White Fang chose to break the rules over something so dumb, then he was weaker than I thought!"
Jitsuko didn't know what to say. She figured that these boys couldn't be reasoned with as she continued to silently stare them down. "Just leave Kakashi alone. Who picks on those who are smaller than they are, anyway? It sounds like you guys are trying to hide something. Insecure much?"
"Insecure? Look, if you think we won't beat you down just because you're a girl, you've got –" Before they could mutter another word, Jitsuko formed hand signs and clasped her hands to the frigid ground as the earth the boys stood on began to shift and soften before hardening up again, effectively trapping their feet in snow and ice.
"Hey, what the-? You're a ninja?"
"Well, ninja in training. Looks like I'm getting better at my Earth Style!" She flashed a meek smile as the boys began to lose their balance and fall over, their ankles still cemented into the ground.
While they were distracted, Jitsuko spun around and smiled proudly at Kakashi, who had watched the whole thing. A tranquil array of snow began to descend gently through the air, the flakes tickling her face as she beamed at Kakashi with hope in her eyes.
"Sorry about what they said to you. You shouldn't listen… to… um…?" Jitsuko's words began to trail off as Kakashi wordlessly passed by her and the boys to continue his trek home, leaving her there surprised, confused, and hurt. The bitter air stung at Jitsuko's cheeks where her tears fell as she left in the opposite direction, missing the warm expression Kakashi was sending her when he turned back to watch her leave.
"Why did you defend me that day? I never asked for your help," Kakashi finally responded as his antagonistic expression returned, his walls put back up. He wouldn't admit it, but he appreciated what Jitsuko did that day. His fondness for her stemmed from what she did for him, but he still never understood why she did it.
Jitsuko immediately knew the day he was referring to, as she thought back on exactly why she decided to defend Kakashi and his father.
"Because I believe what your father did on that mission was the right thing to do."
Kakashi's hostile expression morphed into shock at the revelation.
"The shinobi rules say to never abandon a mission, but the people who decided on the shinobi rules forgot the reason why we're shinobi in the first place. I believe that the point of being a ninja is to protect those who are dear to us. Your father believed this, too, Kakashi. That's why he chose to save his beloved comrades instead of carrying out his duties. Nothing was more important to him than the bond between his friends. That's why we didn't leave Rin behind; it's not what your father would have done."
Jitsuko paused for a moment to take a breath. That's when she remembered what Obito once said.
"In the shinobi world, those who break the rules and laws are regarded as scum," she began, eyes going half-lidded, "but those who abandon even one of their friends, are worse than scum." She then gave Kakashi a sharp look; her eyes told him that she believed in every word she said.
Time seemed to stand still for Kakashi as he reflected on the years of following the shinobi rules to prevent another tragedy like his father's death from happening again. He never stopped to consider how he regarded his friends and teammates along the way, until now. An unfamiliar aching in his heart consumed him as Kakashi thought about what he had said about Rin.
The air was still for a moment as Jitsuko turned around to continue her walk to the Hokage's office.
"Kakashi," she added as he eyed her back silently. "What Sakumo did for his teammates was truly admirable. Obito and I both believe that The White Fang was a hero. He knew what it meant to be a true shinobi. That's why I defended you that day, Kakashi. If I were you, I would be proud to call him my father."
With nothing more to say to him, she began walking forward again to finally report to the Hokage that her friends made it home safe.
Kakashi stood there frozen in place for what felt like eternity. He became acutely aware of a foreign feeling seeping into his heart, his eyes softening for what felt like the first time. Kakashi absorbed and reflected on every intimate word while a deep reverence flowed through him in profound and powerful waves as he watched Jitsuko leave, just like he did years ago.
"Lord Hokage, Jitsuko is here to see you," the assistant informed Minato, prompting him to abruptly stop his writing.
"Please, let her in."
"L-Lord Hokage, I'm here to report what Obito and I found while on our task to retrieve Rin," she said nervously. She didn't even know where to begin.
"Before you do, Jitsuko. Are they safe?"
She mustered a grin knowing the wellbeing of his past students was Minato's top priority. "Yes, Minato-sensei, we brought Rin back to the village. She was in critical condition, but I managed to collect a sample of Zetsu's essence before we booked it back home. It saved her life, Minato-sensei."
Minato was great at keeping his composure, but she could tell by the breath he let out that he was greatly alleviated by the news. All three of them made it home safe.
"Also, you need to know that Madara Uchiha is now dead."
Minato's expression subtly twitched in shock at the news.
"I'm not entirely sure about Zetsu's whereabouts, but long-story-short he was… uh… transported to another dimension through Obito's Sharingan. I don't know if he'll come back so we can't write him off just yet."
Minato nodded silently in confirmation.
"Madara tried to convince Obito to turn against this world just like I predicted, but somehow Obito was able to pull through and stop Madara and his plans. I managed to partially bury the statue that was keeping him alive, but it needs a special seal to truly lock it away so it can't be used again. I'll provide details on the statue's whereabouts in the written report. I hope that's an okay thing to do."
"What kind of seal, Jitsuko?" Minato was interested in the answer. His lover Kushina was of the Uzumaki clan, a clan well known for their sealing and binding techniques.
Jitsuko thought hard about the type of seal that was used in the show, but she couldn't for the life of her remember the name. "I-I'm sorry, Minato-sensei. I couldn't tell you…" she said, averting her gaze to the floor. Her words were full of disappointment in herself.
Immediately sensing her discouragement, Minato's eyes softened. "The intel you provided is significant to this village, Jitsuko. Thank you for your report, and for bringing Rin home," he said contently, with a warm, proud smile on his face.
She offered Minato a stiff bow before turning to leave, ignoring the dull ache that shot through her body in doing so.
"I have one more task for you to do tonight."
Another task?
"I want you to head back to the medical center, and get some well-deserved rest. Well done, Jitsuko."
She was surprised by Minato's request. Telling by her numerous bandages and sluggish movements, it was easy for him to tell that she was under immense pain.
"Y-yes, sensei," was all Jitsuko could say as she gave him another modest bow and made her way back to the hospital.
Minato sat at his desk in silence for a few moments as he pondered his role in the plan to find and stop Madara.
Jitsuko and Obito did it; Obito refused Madara's influence. He couldn't have done it without the powerful bond he and Jitsuko developed over the years. And yet, that bond can only grow stronger from here.
Minato closed his eyes and exhaled a delighted hum at the thought, the gentle smirk never leaving his face.
Those two truly are special.
Once she finally made it back to the hospital, the sky was an alluring navy blue; the bright moon remained untouched by the stifling darkness of clouds. She decided on a whim to check on Rin one last time before she went to bed, only realizing now how rude it must have been to leave so abruptly, and for such a selfish reason as not wanting to see her and Obito happy together. Jitsuko chastised herself for still harboring hints of envy toward Rin, but she was also proud of herself for overcoming her blind hatred toward her.
As Jitsuko opened the door to Rin's room, she found her sleeping soundly and immediately noticed that Obito was nowhere to be found.
That's strange. I would have thought he'd stay with her all night. Maybe he's getting food for her or something.
That's when Jitsuko noticed a lone daffodil flower sitting in a vase on Rin's nightstand. By the looks of the moisture still dripping off its yellow petals, it had been placed there very recently.
A flower? It couldn't have been from Obito. Knowing him, he would have gone all-out and grabbed her a whole bouquet of flowers.
She openly cringed at the thought before disregarding the ache that returned to her chest.
I wonder who else came by today…
Just outside Rin's window, Kakashi sat quietly on the edge of the hospital with his arms contently resting on his knees. A soft, pleased smile outlined his mask, and clear signs of comfort and liberation were visible in his eyes. A pleasant, gentle wind blew by, caressing Kakashi's hair as he looked up into the beautiful night sky. No longer bound by the events of his past, Kakashi finally understood the bliss of being at peace.
