Frustrated, Obito flung his arm across the bathroom counter, scattering numerous ointments and bandages upon the floor. Obito steadied himself against the wall as his Sharingan spun wildly out of his control. He slid down the wall onto the floor panting, and shielded his face with his calloused hands. Obito had hidden behind a mask for so many years, a lifetime it had felt, and without it he felt vulnerable, weakened. He feared that the world could see him - his emotions and his fears. He had no doubt that people would mock him, that he could feel the stares of fear and trepidation. If he had to live in this world he wanted more than anything to hide away from it, and he wanted nothing to do with anyone or anything. The rules of the ninja world often resulted in the needless death of the people you loved. Reality was cruel. Obito had accepted the reality of this world long ago - it was in part why he was willing to sacrifice himself for Kakashi a final time. Death would free him from the torture of living a life hated by millions. Though no matter how much hate he saw in the eyes of others as they looked at him, it could not match the unbridled hate he held for himself.

As his heartbeat began to slow down, he pushed himself up off the floor in one smooth movement. Feeling an aura of calm wash over him once more, he sensed that Kakashi had left the apartment some time ago. He found himself inside Kakashi's bedroom and it was just as immaculate as he had expected it to be. Obito noted the bells once used to test their teamwork by Minato, now hung up on his window – a reminder of a more innocent time. As he continued to examine the organised room, a drawer left slightly ajar caught his eye. He sat on the edge of Kakashi's bed and hesitated before examining the contents. He noticed a photo frame that had been placed face down. Curious, Obito picked the photo up and turned it over in his hands. As soon as he saw the photo it fell through his fingers onto his lap. His countenance was one of pure shock and bewilderment. The frame contained his very own Team Minato squad photo, complete with tape covering stupid Kakashi's face. Obito had no idea why Kakashi had this. He must have entered the Uchiha Compound after the massacre and retrieved it from his old apartment. But what on earth would he do that for? Obito guessed that Kakashi had hidden it in his drawer hastily on arrival – fearful of the Uchiha's reaction should he ever find it. Obito carefully picked the photo up again and examined the happy faces of his sensei, Rin and even himself. Failing to control his emotions he felt his eyes begin to burn. At least Kakashi had left the apartment long before.

Obito groaned as he covered his eyes from the sunlight which beamed through the bedroom window. As he came to, he noticed the photo was still clutched tightly in his hand. He jumped off the bed, embarrassed to have fallen asleep on his former teammate's bed. He shoved the photo back in to the drawer before closing it and began to smooth the covers on the bed, not wanting Kakashi to know that he had been there. Admittedly, Obito had never been good at household tasks and after many failed attempts he decided to give up. Obito the Uchiha had taken a long time to be good at anything.

He made his way into the lounge room. He was surprised and somewhat confused that he'd anticipated Kakashi to greet him here, despite knowing that he wasn't home. Obito had decided that there was somewhere important he wanted to see today and as such made his way out the front door, down the staircase and onto the village street. He was glad that his early outing had resulted in the majority of the streets remaining mostly unpopulated. He kept his head low as he made his way through the familiar streets. He felt unusually free without the burden of an escort, though he was no fool and knew it was a possibility that he had an ANBU operative on standby within his vicinity. As he made his way past the Third Training Ground the wind picked up, resulting in his unkempt raven hair tousling into his eyes, displeasing him. He ran his fingers through his hair neatening it somewhat and noticed that his destination was just ahead. The familiar stone slab was now in view. He paused as he noticed another figure place flowers at the base. He decided to ignore them as he made his way towards the Memorial Stone.

"Good morning." The stranger initiated conversation.

Obito's eyes continued to run through the list of names carved into the stone. A list of ninjas who had lost their lives out on the field and bodies had never been returned to the village.

"I apologise for being so abrupt. This is a place of mourning after all... Are you looking for any name in particular?" the stranger continued.

"Mine." Obito's eyes finally located the carving of his own name on the bleak grey stone.

"Oh… Not too many people come to look for their own name. I mean, I'm happy for you because... You're alive. That's something to celebrate!" the stranger taken aback and clearly confused by Obito's admission.

Eyebrow raised in earnest, Obito turned his head slightly in the direction of the man. It appeared that he had no idea who Obito was. He didn't know his name, or even feel frightened by his presence. He actually seemed almost happy that Obito was alive, a feat that the fallen shinobi had never thought possible. It seemed that this man was not a ninja but a civilian, giving away the fact that only the ninja of the Hidden Leaf knew of Obito's identity - a decision Obito was sure the future Hokage had played a part in.

"I guess Kakashi won't be here today."

The strangers' interjection stopped Obito's own.

"Were you expecting him?"

Obito shifted his weight to his other leg and focused back on his name, feigning a lack of interest in the response.

"Oh, you don't know? Kakashi visits The Memorial Stone every single morning. In fact the only time I have known him to skip a visit is when he has either been hospitalised or out on a mission."

Obito thought about this new and somewhat personal knowledge. He pondered on why the civilian would impart this to someone he'd never met before but didn't press the issue. Security wasn't an issue for the Hokage he concluded.

"What name does he come here for?" he finally asked.

The stranger rubbed his chin as he thought for a moment. Suddenly he turned and faced Obito.

"If I remember right, it's his old teammate. Kakashi doesn't often talk when he visits. Though over the years I have learnt a little bit about that ninja…" The man trailed off.

"And? What has he told you?" Obito couldn't hide his interest in the topic any longer.

"Well, like I said, I don't know too much about him. I know that he was someone Kakashi held in high esteem and he considered him a valued member of his team. I think he was an Uchiha? Admittedly he wasn't as good of a ninja as Kakashi himself, but that is hardly something to feel ashamed about. He must mean a lot to him – Kakashi doesn't keep many friends. I don't know what else to tell you…" This courteous stranger was divulging so much information, but he looked away, pensive, unsure. He turned back to Obito with a start.

"Oh! He mentioned something about receiving a special gift from him. Something to do with a promotion? I can't remember the details."

Obito turned around and began to walk away. The conversation left him feeling incredibly awkward – he honestly didn't know whether to believe that Kakashi really went and mourned him every single day, the idea seemed almost bizarre. Admittedly he had seen Kakashi at the Stone, and more than once. But that was a long time ago, when he secretly infiltrated the village's security. That had to just be a coincidence – perhaps there were other ninja he paid respects to.

Kakashi had considered Obito a friend? Obito considered the possibility before linking it to a guilty conscious on Kakashi's part. Then again, he did have that photo.

"Hey! One last question! What name were you looking for anyway? I would love to know who defied death! A legend in my midst?"

Obito paused for a moment. Unsure whether to humour the man with a response or not, he smirked.

"Obito. Obito Uchiha" he muttered back, as he continued to make his way towards the village.

The Kamui dimension was bleak and empty. A dimly-lit infinitesimal space filled with solid rectangular prisms. Obito found it oddly comforting. The only place in the world where he could truly be alone with his thoughts. As he sat against a beam, eyes closed, the words of the stranger flooded his mind.

'I know that he was someone Kakashi held in high esteem and he considered him a valued member of his team..'

As a child Obito had never considered Kakashi a friend. Kakashi had constantly insulted Obito's fighting prowess, intelligence and his sensitivity. Whenever Kakashi was around, Obito felt insecure and nervous. That isn't to say however, that the young Uchiha didn't want the talented son of the Leaf's White Fang as a brother-in-arms. He often wished that Kakashi would treat him with respect, appreciate the effort that he put into training and would see him as an equal.

As Obito materialised back into Kakashi's apartment he was met with a rather angry voice at the door.

"If you don't open this door Obito. I will have to break it down."

Obito instantly recognised this voice to be that of Yamato. He slowly walked towards the door and cracked it open, peering out at the obviously annoyed ninja.

"Lady Tsunade requested your presence over an hour ago. I am to escort you back to her office." Yamato stated.

"Another escort mission? You get all of the good jobs Yamato." Obito mocked.

"Despite how you feel about this situation, it's a top priority that you are escorted to the Hokage without incident. You are unpredictable and untrustworthy. Hard to control." The disdain was self-evident. Yamato was a noble ninja known for patience – it was missing today.

"Impossible to control." Obito added, the smile as truthful as the statement he tittered.

Obito closed the door behind him and began to follow Yamato. He wondered why he was going back so soon. The mornings visit to the Memorial Stone went without incident and it couldn't have been his time spent in his Kamui Dimension, as Yamato made no reference to the fact. He figured it was easier to wait and see.

Looking up ahead, Obito made out the shape of some sort of floating air-ship. He scoured the skies. Obito had seen many, many wonders throughout his tumultuous lifetime, but without a shadow of a doubt he had never seen anything like this. He studied Yamato's face – unfazed, stony-gazed. He didn't particularly want to ask what was an obvious question to someone who already disliked him, so he kept his confusion to himself and continued down the path.

As they made their way towards Lady Tsunade's office they were met with the sound of her voice, raised and full of concern.

"Stay here." Yamato barked.

Obito stared at him blankly until Yamato turned towards the direction of the noise. He watched as Yamato knocked on the door and disappeared inside. Obito suppressed his chakra and made his way towards the door, curious to see what had the Hokage so on edge.

Obito could barely make out a conversation between what sounded like Guy and Lady Tsunade.

"Kakashi still on the Tobishachimaru … Rising… Kekkei Genkai.."

"Other countries willing to shoot it down… Future Hokage… Blood Prison.. Hidden Leaf shinobi already present.."

Obito moved back from the door. He was unaware that Kakashi was on a mission today. That validated the man's story at the Memorial Stone this morning. He assumed they had to be talking about the strange mid-air ship that Obito had seen on his way to see the Hokage. Obito could not believe that they were seemingly so willing to shoot it down - not with the future Hokage still on board. The thought of the village leader's ability to turn their back on one of their own infuriated him. Instinctively, he had kicked a hole clean through the wall, and into the office of the Hokage. Yamato and Lady Tsunade burst out of her office with Guy trailing behind.

"Obito Uchiha!" Lady Tsunade seethed.

Yamato had already begun repairs to the wall using his Wood Style Jutsu. Obito hardly had time to admire his work before Lady Tsunade captured his attention again.

"Obito Uchiha, I had summoned you here against my better judgement to give you a mission. However, the mindset you're in begs the question whether or not it would be appropriate. Now is not the time for this. You are to go directly home and we will discuss this later."

"I demand to know the current situation at the Blood Prison!" Obito's fury permeated the corridor.

"That is none of your concern. I demand that you make your way back to your residence."

"And Kakashi?" Obito eyed the stone-faced Hokage.

"Doing what he must to protect our village. Now return."

"No." Obito's form began to change into a swirling mass within itself until he disappeared from sight. Tsunade's anger grew to uncontained rage. She stamped her foot, destroying most of the beams of the corridor in the process

"FIND HIM NOW!"

Obito found himself surrounded by Hidden Leaf shinobi as he materialised outside the Blood Prison. His sudden appearance attracted the attention of the surrounding ninjas who began to back away from him nervously. Obito disregarded them as he looked towards the sky. Above him he could see the rising Tobishachimaru, noting that Kakashi must still be on board.

"Why aren't you in the village?!" Sai shouted from the back of his latest Ink Technique creation. His surprise was even more stunning, the normally emotionless ninja struggling to contain his emotions.

Obito continued to walk towards the shadow of the Tobishachimaru. This was made easier by the mass of Hidden Leaf ninja backing away from him – creating a path. He had no time to formulate a plan, he hadn't the panache for it anyways. As he stood in the shadow directly under the Tobishachimaru he looked up and noticed just how damaged it had become.

Obito felt something tight snake up his legs and bind them. He looked down to see his legs bound by shadows.

'How clever.'

His eyes followed the shadow trail that connected him to Shikamaru. A sly smile crept on Obito's face.

"What do you hope to achieve?" he questioned Shikamaru.

"The safety of the village and Tobishachimaru." Shikamaru replied.

"Then our goal is the same."

"You have an interesting way of showing it – breaking the sizable trust already shown in you."

"Whether you trust me or not is none of my concern. I have a job to do. And you won't get in my way, Nara child." The Uchiha felt renewed, powerful once more.

Obito felt the shadows binding him loosen as he started to transport himself into the ship itself. He materialised inside the dining room only to be met with the shocked face of the Sixth Hokage Candidate.

"Obito?" Kakashi gasped.