Hawk noticed that Obito was beginning to regain his sanity. Of course, Obito would never admit it, but he visibly looked forward to Kakashi's visits everyday. Because there were no clocks, he would ask Hawk, "Is that brute coming soon?" Hawk would be smiling, though no one could see.

They had started to seem like friends. They weren't ever really friends before, but now that was changing. Occassionally, Hawk would hear Kakashi start to read his disgusting Icha Icha books to Obito. Obito would protest weakly, but she figured this was the closest thing Obito had to any sort of release.

Even now, Obito was sitting against the wall with bright eyes, tapping his foot impatiently. His hair was long and scraggly, but sometimes, Hawk noticed him trying to fix it. He would deny those claims with a feverish roar, but Hawk found it strange that he would do that. It wasn't as if Kakashi would care that he was pretty or not.

"Why are you trying to make yourself look so presentable today?" Hawk teased, expecting an indignant and angry response.

"Kakashi said he was bringing his brats today," Obito mumbled. "I don't want to look like a crazy convict."

"Do they know who you are?" Hawk asked.

"Hopefully not," Obito said, his head hanging in what seemed to be shame. Most of Konoha did not know of the identity of Tobi. If they had, they would have demanded a public execution. Obito knew he was considered to be "lucky." That didn't mean it didn't suck in here.

Something small hit his face, near his sensitive eyes. "What?" he snapped. Hawk sighed. Still so hostile.

"It' a hair tie, Obito." She paused. "Do you need more clarification?"

"No," he scoffed, stretching it in his hands. "Thank you," he said quietly, and Hawk felt her heart skip a beat in happiness.

"You're welcome."

Saying that this had been a giant mistake was an understatement. Chiharu and Kenta were so curious about Obito, arguing about who got to ask him their question first. Kai, as usual, was silent, his sunglasses hiding any emotion in his eyes. This was why he was Kakashi's favorite.

"What are you in here for?" Chiharu spat out, shoving Kenta away, albeit a little more gently than she would have previously.

"I started a war," said Obito, raising an eyebrow. Chiharu was silent and then cackled.

"This guy's funny, sensei!" Kakashi laughed nervously in response, glaring at a smirking Obito.

"How did you meet Kakashi-sensei?" Kenta blurted, moving forward so he was shoulder to shoulder with Chiharu. Obito did not miss the blush that spread on the girl's face, and he raised an eyebrow at Kakashi. The masked man shrugged.

"We were teammates when we were younger."

Chiharu and Kenta bombarded Obito with questions about what their sensei was like when they were younger, and oddly enough, Obito responded as he would have when he was twelve. Kakashi smiled. This was progress.

The next day, Obito face fell a bit when he realized that Kakashi had not brought his team with him that day. "Disappointed it's just me?" Kakashi asked flatly.

"Shut the fuck up." Obito turned his face away. "Your brats are just that. Brats."

Kakashi scoffed. "You've always liked kids. Don't lie to me." He took out his book and began to read for what must have been the fortieth time. Obito eyed Kakashi suspiciously.

"Don't you have a girlfriend?" he asked finally, still not facing Kakashi.

"Hmm?" Kakashi snapped the book shut. "What'd you say?"

"You heard me, asshole. Doesn't she have a problem with you reading those books in public?"

Kakashi chuckled, causing an indignant blush to run through Obito. "No," he replied. "There isn't anyone. At least, no one for a while. They never last either way." He blinked. "Why so curious?" This was the first time Obito had pried about his personal life.

"Never mind, you jerk. Forget I asked." His ears were red, and Kakashi found it kind of cute. "Why not though?"

Kakashi rubbed his chin. "Well, probably because I'm too damaged." He winked. "And I read Icha Icha in public; I think that'd turn any girl off." He weighed what he was about to say and decided there was no harm.

"Was…there every anybody for you?"

Obito turned his head. "Of course not," he spat out bitterly. "Who would want someone with a face like this?"

Kakashi was shocked. He had never really thought about Obito's face, but he forgot that the right side was terribly scarred. Still…

He reached through the bars and ran his thumb across the scars, nearly sending Obito into a heart attack. "Wh-what are you doing?" he sputtered, his mouth turning into a sneer. Still, his whole face was red, and he didn't pull away.

"Scars are evidence you are alive," Kakashi said softly, his hand still on Obito's cheek. Obito was trembling, and Kakashi realized that this must have been the first nonviolent human contact Obito had had in a while. The imprisoned man squeezed his eyes shut. They stayed like that for what seemed an eternity.

Even after Kakashi was long gone, Obito could not control his wildly beating heart.

Kakashi was standing in Tsunade's office awkwardly, shifting his weight from side to side. He groaned quietly. Why was she making him wait so long? This was making him anxious.

Finally, he heard the door creak open behind him, and the clack of Tsunade's heels tapping against the hardwood floor. "Hokage-sama," he acknowledged.

"Kakashi," she replied with a nod of the head. She sat down in her chair with a plop and interlaced her fingers.

"What is the occasion for this?" Kakashi asked cooly, casually sticking his hands in his pockets.

Tsunade chuckled lightly. "This may actually surprise you a bit, but I am here to discuss an…unusual matter." She opened a file, and Kakashi let out a hum of surprise. "Let's talk about if rehabilitation for Uchiha Obito is possible."

sorry for the long wait! I don't wanna get your hopes up, but i may be updating in the next week with interesting development ohohohohohohohohohoho

okay, thanks for reading reviewing etc.

until next time!