Naruto belongs to Masashi Kishimoto. There is no profit in this for me. If you see any mistakes, feel free to tell me.
Excuse this time? I'm still busy. I might not update for a few weeks. Just finishing up the school year. Sorry this part is so short. I didn't know what to write.
Part 7: What's the price?
"Heeheehee, look here, Nohara-san, Hatake-san," Obito grinned widely as he showed off a piece of paper in his hand. It was his progress report.
"Ah, good work, Obito-kun! Looks like your class rank went up a few spaces," Rin beamed at Obito's supposed growth. Kakashi only side-eyed him, which went ignored by its target.
"I'm going to celebrate with Granny tonight. She'll be really happy, you know?" Obito carried on, clearly satisfied with his false progress.
Normally, Obito wouldn't declare such trivial things had it only been Kakashi as his audience. But Rin was there, and Obito was trying his best to make her feel welcome (for reasons unknown). In his mind, acting childish and naive was the way to go. Not that Kakashi was complaining. It seemed to be working better than when Obito only smiled and greeted her. That actually made her feel extremely uncomfortable.
"Ack, Obi-chan! Don't go in!" someone yelled out to Obito as he approached his flat. It was Ichiro, the kind neighbor who worked at a nearby restaurant.
"Ichi-san? Is something wrong?" Obito asked. He really wanted to show his "improving" grades to Granny. She'd be so happy. Obito wanted to make her happy, because Granny was important to him.
"Ah- Ah- You haven't heard yet, right? Aahh, you haven't heard…" Ichiro was panicking. He was always a rather nervous man, but something felt wrong this time.
"Ichi-san?"
"Obi-chan, open your eyes," Ichiro-san's gentle voice carried over. They were sitting right next to each other, but his voice sounded far. Obito opened his eyes.
"Ah, ah… I couldn't keep the promise…" What promise, Obito didn't ask. He'd figure it out. Besides, Ichiro would tell him eventually if it was important.
"Obi-chan, can you make a promise with me?"
"What is it?"
"Let's keep this a secret. Just between us. No one needs to know, okay?"
"Okay. Just like a game."
"Yes. Just like a game."
"Can I have a prize?"
"Yeah. Anything. Just tell me and I will get it for you."
Obito was acting strange. Well, he was always strange, but yeah. He was acting somber and relatively normal that day. That was strange for Obito.
"Obito-kun, are you feeling alright?" Gai asked his friend, worried. But Obito only twitched a smile.
"Of course, I'm fine. Just have a bit of loose thoughts in my mind," he replied. And went back to being silent.
The entire class could pick up on Obito's lack of energy. Even the teacher looked on edge, though he probably thought Obito was up to something. For once, Obito was not.
No games.
No rewards.
No pranks.
No playing.
Just Obito the student.
Kakashi could tell Rin wanted to speak with Obito. She was kind. She wanted to make sure he really was fine and offer any sort of comfort if she could. But she was too nervous. Afraid of how Obito would respond.
She was afraid Obito would take back his friendship.
So she did not approach.
But Kakashi was not afraid (maybe just a little).
Kakashi and Obito walked back home after classes. Rin, unfortunately, still had kunoichi lessons to attend, and Gai's father had picked him up earlier. The two boys walked in silence toward the Uchiha district.
"Obito," Kakashi broke that stillness.
"Hatake-san," Obito mirrored.
"What's up?"
"The sky."
"Ha ha ha. Very funny."
"Heh, you know I am," Obito smiled a bit. It was a small grin, but it reached his eyes a little. Kakashi considered that a win.
"Really. Something happen?" Kakashi pressed on.
"Hm. Ah. Well…" Kakashi let his friend gather his thoughts. Whatever came next, he'd be there as support. That's what friends are for.
"Ah, yes. I lost a game."
"Oh… What game was it?"
"The most important game so far. It was a… heavy loss."
"Obito, why do you play games that have such devastating consequences?" Kakashi didn't know which game exactly Obito was talking about this time, but countless times in the past, Obito had dabbled with life-threatening games.
"If there's no challenge, life would be awfully stagnant, don't you think?"
Kakashi had mixed feelings about that. When he was about to speak once again, a voice called out.
"Obi-chan." The Uchiha standing by the compound entrance called out. Judging from the familiar way he called to Obito, he must've been close.
"Ah, Ichi-san. Hatake-san, thank you for walking with me. I'll see you tomorrow." Obito looked tired. Weary. Haggard.
"Yeah, see you." Kakashi had too many words he wanted to tell his dear friend. He simply did not know which ones to say.
Next day, Obito was back to his normal self. Playing games, smiling and laughing, juggling weapons like no big deal. It was a startling difference.
Obito did not ever mention which game he lost.
note: How was Uchiha Ichiro? I'm wondering if I should flesh out his character a bit more and have him be a recurring character.
