I did say the updates would be pretty irregular, didn't I? Well, this is a little too much even for me. Still, I'm posting an update even if it's short. This entire chapter is in Obito's POV. I hope I'm not dragging this too much. I have a couple chapters planned in my head, but not that far ahead, nor an ending or anything. Please tell me your thoughts on the story in general and anything that you can think of to improve this a bit. Constructive advice only, please.

Chapter 1

Back from another mission. Instead of returning to an empty apartment, I decided to wander the city after handing over the report to sensei. He seemed more tired than usual this time too, but that could just be me over thinking again. Slight and almost nonexistent signs of bags under the eyes, even the brief feeling of abnormal behavior and change in demeanor were the kind of things I checked over almost automatically, and it would only be logical it was because I've known him for such a long time that I can tell when something's wrong with him – he's not called a genius for nothing, he can conceal every emotion almost effortlessly, surely a sign and requirement of a formidable shinobi-.

But ever since that day I am aware of how fragile a human can be when loneliness and regrets get a hold of your mind. And no matter how long you conceal your true emotions and maintain a stoic face, no matter how strong your mask is, we shinobi are human after all: it makes no difference if you are a genin or a kage, sometimes the dams restraining your mind just break. And that's what happened to her, at least that's what I think. Now there's only sensei and me left from the original team 7.

We arrived a couple of hours ago, the boys just left me and went on to do whatever they do on their spare time. Knowing them, they could head home and train, but might choose to waste their time on other frivolous activities. Sai might work on that secret notebook of his, I don't know exactly much about him. Sasuke does nothing but train anyway, unless he has some embarrassing hidden hobby I haven't been able to discover yet -which I will someday-. Sakura will surely hang out with her friends sharing the most recent rumors and all that girl stuff I better ignore for the sake of my mental health. Better avoid them at all costs, that Yamanaka girl can be a little nasty when she wants to.

The truth is that it's a relief having a moment of peace like this after a week away from Konoha with the team. Don't misunderstand, they're a great team, I'd trust them with my life. But Sai and Sasuke's silent competition, Sakura's extreme squeals over the most minor accidental provocation on Sasuke's part, and their overall constant disregard for the most basic safety rules just drive me crazy. I keep telling myself that there's nothing wrong with the team, that their teamwork and performance in each mission is more than enough and they are quickly improving, and steadily rising in the ninja ranks, but in reality we all know it's not the same without him – the number one hyperactive, knucklehead ninja – Namikaze Naruto.

It's been four years already- since that day, I mean. Sai was not a part of the team back then, and in the beginning he was a little slow in understanding that it was a taboo subject for Sakura and Sasuke. Now that his social skills are slowly but steadily improving, he has a little more tact and avoids talking about the past of the team. Still, that won't make him desist in his subtle attempts to drive Sasuke crazy with his sexual innuendos and false naivety.

Sasuke wouldn't want to admit it, but since then he has come to value the role of every shinobi, not as part of the system buy as individuals. He blames himself because he was there when it happened and it was defending him that Naruto was heavily wounded. He knows he would have survived the blow he took in his stead because of the kyuubi's healing abilities. Naruto didn't know about that since it was an S-rank secret, and only those who were shinobi back then would know.

Even tough sensei gave Sasuke the opportunity to share the truth with his heam, he never did and still hasn't. The clan had made him believe in the supremacy of the Uchiha over civilians and shinobi alike: honor, courage and discipline was something every person should have, and that should be a priority to be kept over any emotion. There was no room for anything else, and he was expected to act as the clan leader ordered, since he was the only hold the clan had over the entire village: he was the Kyuubi's Jinchuuriki. It was his duty, and it was the only way of living he knew, that is until he met Naruto.

At first they hated each other. Naruto was raised in a very different environment, everywhere he went he was treated like he was made of exquisite and fragile glass, for he was the Hokage's only son. He was a really happy and hyperactive little monster. I got to babysit him more times than I could endure.

I think he knew there was something different from him and the other kids. For starters he didn't have a mother, but he noticed it was a painful subject to sensei, and he didn't want to trouble him asking about her. Sensei was so busy all the time because of the negotiations, threats and invasion attempts from other villages, plus the eccentricities of the clan leaders of Konoha and their outrageous practices to ensure the secrecy of their bloodline that he barely had the time to see his own son a few hours after returning home. Even then, when I was in the ANBU and didn't have as much time as I would have wanted to spend some time with him, I could tell he tried to hide his disappointment by putting the biggest smile he could muster on his little face and promptly changing the subject. Naruto didn't know how to handle his frustrations and energy, so he started playing pranks and causing mayhem everywhere he went. People didn't scold him and never told him to stop, sensei was the only one he ever listened to. As he grew up he came to the dawning realization that all these people only cared for him because of his father. All the fake smiles, special treatment, kind words and gifts of the civilians, the kindness of the high ranked shinobi appointed as his bodyguards and even other kids in the academy – it wasn't because of him but because they wanted to look good in the eyes of Hokage-sama-. So it began there, Naruto's journey to become someone people respected for himself, someone they looked up to.

Naturally their worlds clashed and yet the similarities between them made them curious of each other, for they desired what the other already had. They started fighting, daring each other to go further, to grow stronger. Sometimes they argued, and exchanged childish insults and provocations. It was a rivalry but at the same time a bond of friendship strong enough to remain even when one of them wasn't there anymore.

So when the mission to wave got dangerous enough to be considered an A rank mission, I suggested to resign and return to Konoha since it was out of the question to allow a genin team to even try it.

– "I'll never go back on my word, because that's my ninja way".

His words had an impact on us, for the first time Sakura agreed with him, Sasuke's pride about being a shinobi was brought into question and we decided to stay and get over with the mission. Everything seemed to be fine, that is, until the real battle began. Sakura took an interest in medical ninjutstu after the incident. She felt guilty about the way she treated Naruto, and she felt useless when she couldn't help him in the most crutial moment. She asked me to teach her what I knew about med nins, which I did, tough I am no expert.

Normally as a team we are functional but there's too many secrets, to many regrets and burdens. We tolerate each other and behave as it is expected of one of the Hokage's most trusted shinobi teams, but in the end I know our team will always be a broken one and a failure just as it's jounin leader.

I know four years should have eased the guilt and the pain already. Sensei says it's not my fault and that he doesn't blame me. But I blame myself. For my negligence. Even after all this time I was not strong enough to save one of my important people.

Sensei's become more strict than ever, he is truly a great leader and an example for the Fire Country. Sometimes I can catch a glimpse of him looking down to the village from his own head at the Hokage monument. I've never dared to approach on those occasions, tough I know for sure he is aware of my presence. He's never told me to leave him alone, so that's go to be a good sign. This village is the only thing he's got left. And me but, well. I'm just me, and that's never been enough for anyone. Still, as long as he's there, I will too. I will give my all even if that's not enough.

I don't know why but I want to go to that place now. I'm sure if he had been there, it wouldn't have happened. Sensei would be back to his old self, and everything would be better. I ask myself the same thing over and over: would it really make a difference if it was him the one that survived that time?

Still, I'm pretty sure that if he was in my situation, he would go on with his life, and not keep living in the past, like I do. Talking to an empty rock as if those who aren't there could hear me. I lost track of time, it could have been minutes or a couple of hours. My back was telling me it was the later, anyway I was too tired right now. The only thing I wanted to think about was the long, warm bath I was taking as soon as I got home.

Just as I took a step forward to head back to my apartment, I felt a chakra disturbance in the environment. It began like a small ripple, quickly growing in power and size. A strong wind began to stir and levitate the dust and little rock fragments nearby. The leaves on the trees began to shake furiously, and soon I could feel three different chakras intertwining and emanating from some kind of fissure I couldn't pinpoint the exact location of, but it was quite near. Too near for my own comfort.

Red and black chakra in violent gusts of wind that created a dust screen preventing me to take a good look at the center of the disturbance. That's when I noticed I could recognize the distinctive demonic chakra signature of the kyuubi, and two other familiar chakra I couldn't remember at the moment. I wouldn't have believed it if someone had told me this. But I was there, and I could feel the Kyuubi's chakra coming from two different sources: A faint, dormant one at the Uchiha district which was most likely Sasuke, and another one fierce, uncontrollable and Oh so very real! coming from a few meters ahead of me.

I could hardly distinguish the silhouette of two shinobi as the disturbance disapeared as abruptly as it started, leaving no evidence it happened in the first place other than the two unconscious shinobi laying on the rock-cold surface of Konoha's memorial stone.