Obito Performs Some Magic

When Mikoto first approaches him, asking if he could babysit Itachi, Obito's first thought is to say no. He doesn't have time to look after children. He needs to focus on training more, so he can get stronger than Kakashi, and so that Rin will finally notice him.

Before he can say no, Itachi is stepping out from behind his mother's legs, looking wide-eyed, innocent, and absolutely adorable. Obito is too distracted by how damn cute he is to realise that Mikoto is already a good distance away, until she calls out a quick "Thanks so much for this!" and he realises that he's stuck.

Well. He can deal with this. And besides, it's not like Mikoto would be gone for long, right? He glances down at Itachi, who is watching him quietly, his head cocked to the side, and decides that Itachi can't possibly be as bad as everyone says. Not when he looks so cute and tiny. And he's not really doing anything weird right now. Obito thinks that maybe this will be okay.

"I'm adorable, aren't I?"

Obito blinks. "Huh?"

"I'm cute." Itachi nods, calm and serious. "It's alright, no need to be embarrassed. It's simply a fact."

"Uh — sure."

Okay this kid is weird but — he can do this. This is okay.

"You're in love with Rin, aren't you?"

Oh God, he can't do this.

"What?" Obito lets out an awkward laugh and rubs the back of his neck. "Of course not, what made you think that?"

Itachi sighs. "Well, you're always staring at her, you blush every time she enters the room, you mutter things under your breath that I'm fairly certain are declarations of love to her — "

"They're not!"

Itachi looks unimpressed. "Of course they are. Flying Mint Bunny told me."

"Who?"

"My dearest and oldest friend," Itachi tells him, and Obito wonders if he was slightly insane. He is an Uchiha, and they don't have the best track record after all. Although, Itachi was still a kid, so maybe Obito was being a bit too harsh on him. "You're in love with Rin. There's no point in denying it. My only question is — why haven't you done something about it."

"Your mum should be coming back soon," Obito says, looking around. There was no sign of Mikoto. Dammit.

"I could help you if you want," Itachi says, shrugging.

"I don't need help," Obito says, and feels a small spark of curiosity that he tries his best to ignore. Itachi is just a kid — what does he know about love?

"I know that you think Rin likes Kakashi more," Itachi counters.

Obito stiffens. "How do you know that?"

"Flying Mint Bunny heard you muttering about it."

Seriously, who was this Flying Mint Bunny?

Itachi shrugs. "Maybe I can go ask Kakashi if he wants my help instead. He seems like an upstanding, reasonable fellow."

"Upstanding — like hell he is!" Obito says. "Listen to yourself, you little traitor! You're an Uchiha, you're supposed to be on my side!"

Oh who's he kidding - since when have the Uchihas ever been on his side?

Itachi grins. "So you'll except my help after all?"

Obito stares at him for a moment, and then sighs and reluctantly nods his head. Oh what the hell, why not? What's the worst that could happen — he's stuck babysitting for a while anyway.

…

"I feel stupid."

"Just leave it! Stop messing with the flowers, you'll break the wreath!"

"I feel really stupid, Itachi. Can I get these things off my head?"

"No! Now say the words I told you to say, and take my hands and — "

"I'm not dancing!"

"It's a spell! You need to chant the words and form a circle — obviously having more people present would work far better, but we'll make do with what we had — and then move slowly in a clockwise motion while doing so. And leave that damn wreath on your head, we need it for the spell to work!"

"What the hell is this?"

Obito yelps and spins around, simultaneously yanking the flower wreath of his head. Kakashi stands behind them, looking at them incredulously.

"I'm babysitting!"

Kakashi snorts. "Are you sure you're the one doing the babysitting?"

"We're performing a love spell," Itachi tells Kakashi, after shooting a quick glare at Obito. "We're trying to make — "

"He wanted to play, that's all," Obito says, ruffling Itachi's hair. The boy scowls and moves away from him, obviously still annoyed about his spell or whatever being interrupted. Kakashi didn't move. "Go away Bakashi! Mind your own business."

"Hello," Itachi says, nodding at Kakashi. "Perhaps you'd like my help with — "

"Come on Itachi," Obito says, and drags him away from Kakashi as quickly as he can. Kakashi continues to watch them, looking slightly bored.

Itachi looks annoyed. "Where are we going?"

"We're looking for your mum," Obito says. This kid may be adorable, but he was obviously crazy, and Obito was not agreeing to babysit again anytime soon.

...

AN:

Well this took me a ridiculously long time to get out...sorry for the long wait guys! Hope I still have some readers left after all this time haha.