The clouds floated lazily over-head in the bright morning sky. Down below in the town people were steering and preparing for the day to come. Though despite the early hour, three figures waited at the large gates of the village.
"Dammit, Obito, were are you? Who the hell does he think he is? The Hokage or something," the kunouchi steamed, passing back and forth with her hands crossed over her chest.
"Rin if I knew were the dumb ass was do you really think I would be standing here waiting for him to come to us and not beating the crap out of him?" asked Kakashi, tilting his head up at the sky.
"Now Kakashi that is no way to speak to your team mate," the tall blonde cut in.
"I'm sorry Sensei," Kakashi replied, turning his back to them.
"I'm sorry, I'm sorry for being late!" came a call from near by. An ebony haired boy came running towards them waving his arms wildly.
"Obito please don't even try to make any excuses," Rin sighed looking at the boy.
"Rin please don't give me that glare. It makes it feel like you hate me," Obito whined glaring back at her, but ultimately failing under her gaze.
"Okay now that we are all here, why don't we get going before we die of old age," Arashi sensei cut in and began to walk down the path leading away from the village. The trio scrambled to keep up with the older man.
After an intense day of running, almost non-stop, Arashi Sensei called for a halt, just as the sun was going below the horizon, casting shadows over everything. Setting everyone to different chores, the older man scouted the area for any signs of danger. Finding none he headed back to camp to once again find thing in a mess.
"Let me down! Come on Rin please let me down!" shouted Obito as he swung wildly from the rope tied to his ankles, hanging from a tree branch.
"Obito I will not let you down until you agree to finally shut up and do what you are told," came Rin's icy replied.
"Now, is this how a real team is supposed to act. Or do you all need to be sent back to the academy to re-learn teamwork?" Ask Arashi stepping out of the shadows and into the light of the fire.
"But Sensei," Rin began, but was cut off by Kakashi.
"You are right Sensei, this is no way for a team to be acting. We are truly sorry," with a stiff bow, Kakashi retreated to tend to the rice that was cooking over the fire.
"Rin I suggest that you untie Obito now before anything bad happens. Oh and Obito it would do you good to look up to Kakashi as a rule model for now on," the blonde ordered, yawning as he went to lean against a near by tree. "Oh and one more thing Obito, you might want to keep it down or all enemy shinobi will be able to know our location for about a 10 mile radius."
Rin immediately did as she was ordered. With much struggling, yelling, swearing a bruised, Obito was finally free and calmed down enough to sit with them at the fire. After the meal of rice and beef was prepared and everyone was happily digging into their feast, Arashi spoke.
"As you all know we are at war. Too many shinobi are dieing out there, so they need all of the help they can get. Tomorrow my job is to help out on the front lines. While I am doing that, your mission is to sabotage a bridge. This will lesson the enemy that can get any further. Am I understood?" each head nodded.
"But Sensei who will be the leader?" Rin questioned, beginning to clean up. Kakashi rose to help her out.
"ME!!! MEEEEEEEEE!" Obito screamed, knocking his dished and food on the ground in sudden rush of energy.
"No Obito I am so sorry. But no offense you are unqualified. Being as Kakashi is the other Jonin, he will be the leader for your mission," Arashi coolly replied.
"But, but, but…I am way more able to do that job that him!!!!" Obito mumbled jabbing a finger at Kakashi.
"Obito I really didn't know that you were that ill manner," commented Kakashi dryly.
"Why you little………!" Obito yelled lunging himself forward at Kakashi. With a flash, Arashi was holding Obito back in a headlock.
"Wow Obito you really are a bad ninja. To show that much emotion on a mission…it will get you killed someday. I hope you know that," Kakashi said.
"You will see one day I will be the greatest ninja in the world!!" Obito restored, attempting to break free of Sensei's hold, which did not budge.
"You a great shinobi? Don't make me laugh. You haven't even activated your sharingan yet. You're a loser. I don't think you even deserve the title 'Shinobi'," Kakashi replied, a hint of annoyance in his voice.
"What!!!!! You think your all high and mighty cause you were the prodigy or something. Well I am sick of your attitude!" Obito hissed, breaking free of Arashi's hold and storming out of the camp.
"Kakashi-kun why did you say all of those things to Obito?" Rin asked quietly. "I mean sure he is an idiot some times but even he didn't deserved that kind of treatment." She finished, turning to the direction Obito went.
"I don't know what came over me. I guess I just got feed up with him," he softly spoke.
"Maybe I should go talk to him," Rin stated heading in the direction in which Obito had gone.
"No me," the silver haired shinobi offered.
"I really don't want to get in the way of you three, but I think Obito is in need of a student to teacher talk," Arashi cut in a walked off.
"Obito, can I sit next to you," the raven-haired boy jumped in shock at his Sensei's approach. He nodded his head and shifted to make room for the older man on the branch.
"Sensei if you are going to tell me how I screwed up again, then please don't. I already know my mistake," Obito sighed turning towards his Sensei.
"Actually I just wanted to tell you that though Kakashi seems too, he doesn't really hate you," seeing Obito puzzled look Arashi continued, "It is just that ever since he was young, Kakashi has been surrounded by very skilled people. In fact his father was said to have powers that were on the same level of the Sannin."
"But I still don't get it, why does he treat me like this?" Obito asked.
"It is because he thinks you don't use your brain. Like I said before he was always surrounded by elite shinobi so of course he turned out to be one," Arashi replied.
"I get that I get it. Now I understand were he is coming from. But another thing, why does he never show any emotion? And what do you mean his dad "was" said to be as strong as the Sannin?" Obito asked looking up at the bright stars overhead.
"Well I don't know if I should tell you this, but if it will help you understand your teammate better then I guess I could tell you," Arashi replied his eyes crinkling.
"What do you mean?"
"I think you would know by now that Kakashi's dad died a long time ago, right? Well the reason is much different from what you heard. His father failed a VERY important mission to save his teammates instead. He should have known not to compromise it just to save them. In the end everyone shunned him, even the teammates he save. Kakshi's dad ended up killing himself. Kakashi was the one that found him. And from that day forth he has made it his rule to follow every ninja rule," Arashi finished.
"But I thought that it would be good to go and save your comrades vs. losing them and completing the mission?" Obito questioned.
"There is a fine line between the two, and that is your job to tell the difference. Due to the fact that Kakasi's father let his emotions clouded his judgment in the first place; his teammates were placed in unnecessary danger. That is why Kakashi never lets emotions get in the way of things. Which you have a habit of doing," answered Arashi.
"Oh I get it down. No wonder Kakashi is the way he is now. Now that you mention it, I don't remember him being like that when he was younger. Then again we weren't around each other much, do to the fact that he was a Chunnin before I even entered the academy," commented Obito, jumping down form the branch. "Are you coming Sensei?"
"No I don't think I will. Would you do me a favor and send Kakashi to me on your way back?" Arashi asked, leaning against the tree trunk. Obito nodded and ran off to the camp. Kakashi showed up at the tree not a minute later.
"Did you want me sensei?" he asked climbing the tree, and sat down next to his teacher.
"Actually yes, will you come and sit with me?" the blonde smiled cheerfully and waved Kakashi up. Once Kakashi was settle next to him, Arashi spoke, "I wanted to give you something special for your achievement of becoming a Jonin. And don't worry it is not "useless baggage" either," he rummaged through his pockets until finding something. Pulling out a brand new looking kunai Arashi handed it to his former student.
"Sensei, I know that is a kunai and you've don't something with it, but I can't place exactly what you have done," Kakashi stated, examining his new gift.
"Kakashi, even if you are not showing it, I know that you are feeling some pressure about your first mission being the leader. When this kunai is thrown, I will be able to sense it with my chakra. As soon as that happens I will be at your side within moments if it is possible. So please save it when you are really in trouble." Smiling he rustled Kakashi's white locks and jump down from the tree. Kakashi followed still thinking about the new gift.
When the pair reached the camp they found Rin and Obito slumbering on their separate pallets. Obito was mumbling something to and thrashing around. While Rin on the other hand was sleeping peacefully, with a slight smile gracing her lips.
"Well I guess that had the right idea. Think you should do the same because you guys will have to be up very early," Arashi gave a half hearted wave and flashed his teeth then jumped up to a near by tree branch. "Oh and don't worry I'll keep watch over you guys tonight."
"Night Sensei," Kakashi paused for a moment, "And thanks for everything." He joined his sleeping teammates and with his mind burdened with questions, Kakashi drifted of into the world of fantasies.
All was silent when the team set out. The birds were still in their nests and even the sun was far below the hill. Dew covered everything in sight, making the path more hazardous.
Yawning loudly Obito asked, "Come on this is boring. When are we going to get to see some actions?"
"Only a fool rushes into battle," Kakashi replied, shoving his hands into his pockets.
"Don't you even start fighting again or I will beat both of you to a pulp," Rin hissed, rubbing her hands together. The boys took the warning and did not speak again until the sun was high over-head. Sweet rolled off their faces as Arashi slowed the pass into a halt.
"Okay this is the point were I leave you guys," said Arashi turning towards his team.
"Kakashi I wanted to give this to you," Rin spoke up handing him a small pouch. "It is filled with different medical supplies, so I thought it might come in handy in the near future." Kakashi nodded his thanks.
"I forgot about that, Obito do you have anything for Kakashi?" Arashi inquired.
"Why would I give anything to him when he doesn't…WHAAAAAAAAAA," Obito screamed as a kunai whizzed by him, heading for Kakashi. The silver haired boy dodged it with the greatest of ease.
"Show your self!" Arashi barked at the intruders. 100 clones stepped out of the trees, surrounding the group. "Shall we show them our little dance?" the blonde asked. Rin and Kakashi both nodded. Obito stood in silence. Kakashi suddenly kicked the clone nearest him. Arashi followed suit, fist and feet becoming a blurs. The enemy seemed to fall on their own. Rin watch the their surroundings as did Obito. Then she spotted something. With the stealth of a well-trained ninja, she snuck up on the pair and threw them into the clearing. For the first time the pair seemed to realize whom they were actually up against.
"Every body run!" the taller one shouted. "It is the Yellow Flash!!!" All around them, the trees rustled with fleeing shinobi.
"So you have heard of me have you? Well now, I didn't know I was that famous," he rubbed the back of his head with one hand. With the other, he threw a kunai at each of the enemy, impaling them in the throat. Their bodies went limp as they feel to the ground. "I am truly sorry you three had to see me do something to savage, but now is not the time to show any courtesies to out enemies. I have delayed long enough. Good luck on your mission," with the speed that gave him his name Arashi was out of sight.
"Okay now that is over, why don't we actually get to our mission," Kakashi stated, walking into the shade of the trees. The others followed without another word. Halfway to the destination, Kakashi halted. Throwing a kunai off to the right, he hit the enemy head on. Seeing what he was up too, Rin and Obito both took a fighting stance.
"Kakashi what are you orders?" Rin asked, glancing around.
"Rin I want you to stay back from the fighting, but watch our backs. We might need your skills later. Obito I will need you to help me out with the enemy!" Kakashi hollered, attaching the nearest ninja, knocking them down with one hit. They disappeared with a puff of smoke. ' Shit! More clones," he thought to himself. "Rin look around for the actual enemy. These are all clones!!"
Punching the ninja in front of him and kicking one out to the side, his movement soon became blurs. Though Obito was not as fast he knocked down a fair share of enemies. As the dust cleared Kakashi noticed something wrong.
"Obito were is Rin!" Kakashi yelled, scanning the lush trees in the distance.
"Kakashi I don't know. I lost track of her when we were fighting!" Obito yelled. Off in the distance the boys heard an, Rin's. "WE have to go save her," he said running of into the distance of the scream.
"Obito! We can't abandon our mission to save her!" Kakashi yelled after him, his dad's failure at the front of his mind.
"If you don't come with me then I will go by myself," Obito called over his shoulder. Minutes later Obito reached Rin. Kakashi followed suit.
"So you have decided to come?" Obito asked throwing a kunai at the enemy.
"Shinobi who abandon their mission are trash. Shinobi who abandon their teammates are worse then trash. I don't want to end up like me dad!" the mostly emotionless boy was not livid. Taking out a long silver sword he went after the other ninja. Kicking and punching, stabbing with his sword, Kakashi was soon able to defeat them. But not before his left eye was slashed. Walking over to the tied up Rin, he began to help her out of the ropes.
"What have they done to you?" Obito asked helping her stand up.
"Nothing that I am aware of. They wanted me to talk about the goals of Kohona. I didn't not even when…" stopping Rin showed the boys her arms. They were bloodied with deep cuts and scratches.
"Those bastards! They did this to you Rin?" Obito hissed, fist clenching. He turned his face away from them. When he turned back, his eyes were the deep, red of the Sharingan.
"Obito you, you awakened them?" Kakashi stammered.
"Kakashi move," Obito screamed shoving the silver haired boy out of the way, as large boulders crash down on Obito.
"Obito what have you done!" Rin screamed running up to him. Kakashi followed her dumbstruck.
"Kakashi I know that you never saw me as an equal, Sensei explained why. I feel very awful about not giving you something for your Jonin celebration," Closing his one good eye, tears feel down his cheek. "Kakashi I want you to have my Sharingan eye. I'm going to die anyways so at least I can help you. Kakashi please protect everyone with all of your power. especially Rin. Rin would you please perform it?" Obito asked turning his head towards her.
"Sure……" Rin whispered. With in moments the transplant was done. Obito lay blind, half crush by rocks.
The tree rustled of to the side, now with his new eye, Kakashi could see what was going to happen. "Lightning Blade!" He screamed killing the man in one hit. The earth around them began to shake. "Rin we have to get out of here!" Jumping up, he grabbed her around the wrists.
"Rin," Obito mumbled.
"Come on we have to go Rin!"
"I don't want to leave him!" Rin shrieked .
Pulling her up with all the strength he could muster Kakashi got her out just as the rocks cam crashing down. The kunouchi's eyes watered as Obito mouthed, which were to be his last words. "Rin…..I love you."
"NOOOO!" Rin cried when her and Kakashi reach safer ground.
"Rin snap out of it," Kakashi spoke softly, holding her tight.
"But he is dead," she whispered.
"Rin I know, but he wouldn't want us sulking around. Besides we need to get back to Kohona," gingerly picking her up, the duo headed back the their hometown, thinking on how to break the news to Obito's family, Arashi-senei and everyone else.
On a bright and sunny say, three figures dressed completely in black headed to the Hokage's office. The funeral for Uchiha Obito would be held soon.
"The weather is mocking us," Kakashi thought to himself. "This is the type of day he would love."
"Kakashi I know that what happened to Obito is tragic, but move on. For your sake and his. He would not have wanted all of you to be depressed because of him. Keep each other close to matter what," the normally happy blonde shinobi said. His face was solemn with grief like every other person that had been close to Obito. Once they reached the top, the trio was meet with a sea of black clothed people, with grief stricken faces. Tears rolled down the checks of a few.
"We will now commence with the former shinobi, Uchiha Obito's funeral," came the voice of the third Hokage.