.

.

It never stopped raining in Amegakure. Over buildings, the rain sluiced down in large sheets, coating the outsides of the spiraling towers and the watchgates like a wet curtain; on the ground, the rain fell in harsh slants, bouncing off puddles on concrete and seeping into the soil.

Outside the village, the rain was cold, sharp, and relentless. Obito stood, looking out across the landscape as the rain seemed to fall with a deliberate weight: his back was soaked and the fabric of his cloak dripped, and his feet squelched in puddles as he stepped forward.

Rin watched. Hovering just beside him, she could see him tilt his face upwards, the hood of his cloak falling back. The choppy spikes of black hair poking out from beneath his hood grew slick with rain, and she was surprised when he slowly pushed up his mask; lifting his face, he let his eyes close, sighing quietly as the sides of his scars grew wet with rain.

He hated wearing the masks. Rin knew. Knew how every time he put it on, he'd have to fight the sudden feeling of suffocation, will his heart to slow its rapid beating.

The rain was a respite. Raindrops dripped down the sides of his face, and he took in a deep breath, one last lungful of cold, clean air, before pulling on his hood and adjusting his mask.

He was alone, as he often was. Rin watched with him, waiting for the clouds to part and the winds to rise, and for the coming storm to finally wash over.

xXx

.

The tavern was crowded and noisy, and Rin followed Obito uncomfortably as he and Deidara sat at a table in middle of the room. Deidara was drunk and laughing and Obito was sitting next to him, clearly irritated. Rin watched as he cast a thin genjutsu over his errant partner that made him want to go to bed.

Rin sat next to him. She always felt uneasy sitting close to him when he was with others, preferring to watch him from a higher vantage point - the top corner of a room, on the ledge of a windowsill. Now she sat next to him and waited while Obito stared silently at the table, his Sharingan glittering from the eyelet of his mask.

"What's with the mask," someone said, and Rin looked up to see a prostitute leaning in front of him.

Rin stood up from the bench, backing away slowly as the prostitute sidled up next to Obito and started negotiating with him. 60 ryo for a blowjob. 100 for sex. Rin watched as Obito contemplated a minute, then reached to the side for his bag.

Rin knitted her fingers together, following them. She couldn't leave - something was drawing her here and she had to stay and watch him. Apprehensively, she floated behind the two of them as they walked heavily up the dark wooden staircase, tried to stay out of the way when the prostitute stepped inside and Obito shut the door with an authoritative click. The prostitute stepped forward to unzip his pants and Rin averted her eyes.

The room was dark. Against the wall, Rin could see the movement of shadows. Could hear soft wet sounds and the rustling of cloth. Her cheeks burned and if she were alive she would run out from the room as fast as she could. And then,

"That is enough," Obito said, and Rin turned to see him zipping up his clothes. "Your money is on the dresser. I do not require anything further." The prostitute straightened.

"But you didn't get off."

Rin watched as Obito strode across the room, pulling open his bag.

"Look," the prostitute said, standing. "I can't read your mind. You need to tell me what's wrong."

Rin sucked in her breath. Obito stopped.

"What did you say to me?" Obito said, and Rin could feel the potential for violence coiling beneath the surface. The prostitute blinked, uncertainly.

"I said, you need to tell me what you like. If I'm doing something wrong-"

"Get out," Obito said.

"Wait, what?"

"Leave," Obito said. "Now."

And the prostitute stared at him one long moment, then snatched up the satchel of coins, pulling on her clothes.

The door closed. Obito stood in the center of the room, shaking.

He was breathing hard, and it wasn't until he pulled off his mask that Rin realized he was silently crying. She sat on the bed and watched as he strode in front of her, then sat down heavily beside her.

Silence. Obito pressed the heel of his hand to his good eye, sniffing and dry-swallowing as he gritted his teeth and furiously tried to calm himself. He never let himself cry outright. Tears slipped down the sides of his face and he swiped at them angrily.

Rin rested her cheek against his back, leaning against him and wrapping her arms around his waist. She felt him relax. He took a shuddery breath then straightened, putting back on his mask.

Her eyes were filled with compassion as she watched him stand.

He stepped toward the window. Rin stepped behind him, sliding an open palm across his back, and he bowed his head as if he could feel her.