So this is kind of a special group of updates because it's Oro's birthday and Naruto and Hashirama's birthdays have just passed. I'm not sure if anyone else from Naruto is born in October, but even so. Then again I guess any update we do each month can be dedicated to the people born in that month, but we don't like all of them so oh well :D. I was going to say more, but can't think of anything, am much sick right now. Though Jess misses talking to you guys so send her a hello while I post up her stories and she gives me all the previews for these stories.

Disclaimer: Only Kishimoto owns Naruto/Naruto Shippuden. Last time I checked, my name wasn't that.

Dedication: To my beautiful, amazing, intelligent, girlfriend Phillipa (Shadow Spirit Dragon-wolf) for being there for me through not only my writing (both fanfiction and my original story) but real life in general. You have been my inspiration and my support through everything.

Warnings: the usual, weirdness, m-pregnancy, violence, suicidal attempts, explicit sexual content, and just the overall weirdness.

Pairings: ObiRin, SakuOro, KakaIta, and various other canon pairings.

Summary: So often bird's wings are clipped before they learn to fly, but when wings are healed they will not only flutter but soar through the sky.

Enjoy! :)

Chapter Five: Mists

Minato

I flip the page, scanning the documents of every chunin and jonin. There has to be someone who can work well with Kakashi and Rin until Obito heals. If he does. Mr. Orochimaru said that while Obito is adapting to Lord First's cells quite well, it doesn't mean that he will be able to return to active dutty even after his therapy.

So, in that case, I need to find someone who can balance out Rin and Kakashi. And someone who can get along with them both.

Rin won't be too difficult, and with our special training we've been doing for several months now, she's sure to change how this team would have approached situations if Obito had never gotten injured.

Kakashi is a different story. Though he has changed, many people find him too good and are intimidated by him. Uchiha especially hate him.

I sigh, rubbing my eyes with my thumb and pointer finger. What a mess. There has to be someone.

A knock echoes, rattling the walls slightly. I look up. "Come in."

The door opens, and the leader of the Uchiha and police force, Fugaku Uchiha comes in. He shuts the door, bowing. "Lord Hokage."

"Fugaku. What can I help you with?"

He stands. "I have a solution to your predicament."

I raise a brow. "Which one?"

"The replacement for Obito."

"Do you now? Well, I'd love to hear it."

What is he up to? As far as I remember, he hated me. Then again, I thought Mr. Orochimaru did too. So maybe…

"Shisui Uchiha."

I blink, taking a few moments to register what he just said. "You'd let an Uchiha…?"

"An Uchiha was on the team, to begin with, Lord Hokage," he says, crossing his arms.

"Yes, but that was Obito."

"Obito is one of us."

"He doesn't think he is."

"He has no confidence."

"Can you blame him?"

Fugaku walks to the window, staring out. "No, no I can't."

"Why Shisui though?"

"He's around their age and has mastery over the Sharingan. Kakashi will need help with that."

"You're not here to demand it back?" I ask, turning the chair towards him.

Fugaku glances over his shoulder at me then averts his gaze to the window. "What purpose would that serve? To upset that child even more? I think not."

"You're very interested in Obito. Why is that?"

"You act as though I wish Obito would have died."

"Don't you? He's told me how you treat him."

The Uchiha leader closes his eyes. "I want that to change. I couldn't believe he was an Uchiha. Especially not… his…"

"You mean…?"

Obito is really Madara's descendant? Who would have thought…

"So you're being nice in hopes Obito will be on your side?"

"Perhaps, but Obito never did believe in sides."

"He wants to be Hokage."

"Yes, but he question is whether or not he will get to be."

I stand. "What are you saying?"

He turns. "Come on, Lord Hokage, you know the only reason I didn't become Hokage is because I'm an Uchiha."

"That's not-"

Do they really feel like that? Does Obito?

"I shall send Shisui to meet with your team."

I nod.

He walks to the door.

"Fugaku."

He pauses, hand on the door.

"Let's go get a drink."

His eyes widen slightly. "What are you planning?"

"Nothing," I say, gathering my things.

He watches me as I walk out the door, following me.

Shisui

I teleport to the location Lord Fourth asked me to meet him and his students. We're at training ground five.

"So you're Shisui Uchiha," Rin says.

"Yes, and you must be Rin Nohara" I turn to Kakashi. "And you're Kakashi Hatake."

"Yes. So, Sensei, Shisui will be the replacement for Obito?"

"Yes."

"That doesn't sound right, Kakashi. I mean we're not replacing Obito, and when he gets better, I don't want to throw Shisui to the side."

"Obito would throw a fit if we did."

"I hope I can be as good as he was. And I'm sorry you almost lost him."

"Thank you. That's kind of you to be concerned for him."

"He is my family."

"Obito said all Uchiha hate him."

"Most, yes. Not all."

"I see."

"Today, we're going to do some training. I want to see how well you three work together. Rin, you will pair with me."

"Right!"

We get in position.

Kakashi pulls out a kunai, racing forward. I move out of the way.

"The stories about you didn't lie," Kakashi says, as I land in a tree above his head.

"Well, I'd rather not get stabbed today."

"Fair enough."

He uses an earth-style to crack the earth. I jump down, drawing out my own kunai. Spark clash as we fight.

"You're not using your gift."

He blinks for a moment before he realizes what I meant. "I don't have the chakra that you do."

"No, but Obito would appreciate that you use his gift. He'll think you think it's worthless."

Kakashi pauses, jumping back. He shakily touches his headband.

"Besides," I say, closing my eyes and activating my Sharingan, "you can't beat me without it."

"So that's how it is." He says, pulling the headband up.

Obito's Sharingan makes Kakashi's true eye seem nonexistent.

"Does that truly help?" I ask as we start to fight.

"Most of the time. I do want better control of it."

"Then have no fear; Shisui, the teleporter is here!"

Kakashi's mask twitches ever so slightly.

"So you can smile," I tease.

He scoffs, barely managing to dodge my assault.

"Your mind is still adjusting, huh?" I smirk, pressing a kunai to his throat.

He twists in my arms, pointing a lightning covered kunai to mine.

"Alright, that's enough for now. Rin, please tend to any wounds and chakra depletion." Lord Fourth says.

"Right!" the girl rushes over. She tends to our wounds. "You overdid it, Kakashi."

"Well, I can't have Obito show me up."

"Obito is bedridden."

"Obito has been training."

Lord Fourth comes over a few moments later, sitting down with us. "Figures. It's good for him, but he'll overdo it."

"I found him in a pool of blood the other day. We have to stop him!" Rin exclaims.

"Like he would? You know how he is. He'd rip his soul apart just to protect you, Rin."

The medic looks down at her hands, tears splattering on them. "O-Obito…"

"Rin." Fourth Hokage whispers.

She gets up, running.

"Rin!" Kakashi exclaims, running after her.

"You're not going to stop them?"

"I don't get involved in love triangles."

Rin

Obito…

You don't have to push yourself so far! I'm trying! I really am! Please… can't you wait for me? I'll be strong to protect you! Next time, I swear!

"I'm sorry, Rin. Now, what was it you wanted to talk about?" Sensei asks.

I look up into his blue eyes, filled with determination. "Please train me, Sensei."

He blinks. "Train you? You're a chunin now, Rin-"

"I know. But I… I'm sick of being weak!"

"Rin, about what Mr. Orochimaru and Tobi said-"

I clench my fists, shaking slightly. "It's not that. They just made me realize what I've known, but…"

Minato-sensei places a hand on my shoulder. "You're not weak. You're a great help. Obito and Kakashi both believe that."

"I know, but I need to do more."

He looks into my eyes, searching. "Very well."

"Rin."

I jump back as Kakashi appears in front of me. "Kakashi."

We stare at each other for a while. His-Obito's-sharingan still glowing bright red, staring at me as well. It's almost as if Obito is looking at me as well.

"You did well in training. You fight like you're in love."

"I am. I told you-"

"And yet, you're fighting to protect Obito."

"I'm fighting to protect you both!"

"I see."

"Obito is just a friend. I don't see him that way. But you…" I whisper, walking over to him.

He takes a few steps back. "No, Rin."

"Kakashi'..."

"Listen to me; we can't. Even if I did feel that way-"

"He wants us happy!"

He closes his eyes. "Just stop, Rin. Obito needs you."

"And that's why I'm training with Sensei. I'm trying to make myself better so I can be of some use! It's my fault he…"

"It's not your fault, Rin. It's good you wish to be stronger, but I think Obito would benefit better if you were by his side."

"I…"

Kakashi walks up to me, placing a hand on the side of my face. Our eyes meet. His and Obito's.

"You are his world, Rin."

"I wish he-"

"He won't. You have no idea how deeply in love he is with you."

I look down. "Obito…" I whisper, tears falling.

"Don't beat yourself up and force yourself to become stronger. That will come in time. Obito wouldn't be able to handle it if something were to happen to you."

"Okay… but…"

He tilts my chin, closing his right eye. "I'll help you."

"Kakashi…"

"But don't flirt with me. Especially in front of him. He can see everything."

"then he knows."

Kakashi drops his hand, turning. "I know. You two are the clueless ones."

Preview

Orochimaru

Sakumo grins, lopping his tongue out and cocking his head to the side. "But I need a treat!"

"Just give him a bone, Kushina." Mikoto giggles.

"Aww but I want Lovely," he pouts.