Alright so my original goal was the update by the 25th, but as you can see that didn't happen. No internet really is a downer.

I'm thinking maybe one or two more chapters after this one! So we're close to the wire! I'll wait until the last chapter to get all mushy and sentimental with all you guys.

When Obito died, the world felt as if it had burned. Kakashi would never forget that pain of helplessly staring at his teammate and being unable to help him. And leaving him behind…

Itachi revealing the truth had been just another painful jolt in Kakashi's heart. And for the first time, he was given the opportunity to face Obito one on one. With nearly everyone busy on missions, Tsunade had instructed Kakashi and several other available Jonin to investigate several leads she had on Akatsuki bases. Kakashi was quick to take the job, looking for any reason to get involved with the war effort.

And as fate would have it, Obito and him would finally meet face to face with no secrets between them. Tsunade had sent Kakashi out on a solo mission that should have just been a quick walk in the park. Instead when Kakashi had delved into the cave he had been sent to, he felt as if he were being watched. This cave had been used by the Akatsuki to transport weapons. But when Itachi managed to stop the Edo Tensei, all those under its power were sent to rest and Madara had lost much of his manpower.

But there were those that still lived and those who were still keeping an eye on their supply caches. It was luck that had Kakashi's sharp eyes sensing the eyes watching him. And he knew before even seeing who it was, that Obito Uchiha was in the same vicinity as him. Obito seemed to have sense Kakashi's awareness because there was a slight scuffing of feet and the silver haired nin turned on his heel just as a flap of a cloak whipped around a corner and out of sight.

"Wait!" Kakashi called, voice echoing sharply off the walls as he raced after the man. The other did not hesitate in his running, his legs pumped forward.

"OBITO!" Kakashi's sharp voice slowed the man down until he stopped walking, back rigid. Kakashi came to a stop, panting slightly as he awaited the other man to move or say something…anything.

Obito turned slowly to finally face Kakashi. It was like a punch to the stomach and Kakashi suddenly found he could not breathe. His face was heavily scarred on one side, the skin stretched thin and drooping in the corner.

There were not the eyes he remembered. There were not the bright and hopeful eyes of the boy who declared he would be Hokage. Who wore his heart on his sleeve and had fallen head over heels for Rin. This was not the Obito he remembered. But there was no denying it. Uchiha Obito stood before him, dead eyed and cold.

"So it's true. It's really you." He breathed and Obito cocked his head slowly, face placid.

"Kakashi." Obito greeted dully. "Now you see me." There was no infliction on Obito's voice. No anger or amusement or even annoyance. It was just a dull statement. Kakashi's hands curled into tight fists as he stared at his former teammate. He swallowed the lump forming in his throat as he tried to think of something…anything to say to reach out to the Uchiha.

"We all thought you were dead." Kakashi croaked roughly. "And all this time…you've been alive and working with the Akatsuki?" Obito gave no reaction, looking rather bored with Kakashi. Kakashi had hoped Itachi had been wrong. Or even that he had lied. Anything but seeing the boy he had known reduced to…this.

"Rin wou-" He began, suddenly and Obito's eyes narrowed.

"You don't deign to speak her name in front of me!" Obito suddenly snapped, teeth pulling into a snarl and his eye filled with hatred. Kakashi started in surprise at this. An animalistic rage had filled what Obito had once been. Then he remembered Itachi's broken body being umped in the rain. He remembered the blood and Itachi's face staring listlessly ahead; his eyes robbed and his body mutilated.

This memory sent Kakashi forward, staring at Obito as if he had never seen him before. Obito stared back, the mask hiding any reaction he could have had.

"Or Itachi!" Kakashi snarled. "You used to carry him around to try and get Rin's attention! You adored him! You never would have hurt him!" Obito had been so puffed up and proud about Itachi, bragging that he could easily get Rin's attention with his baby cousin on his hip.

"Both those children are dead." The reply was clipped and bitter, there was no remorse in his voice. There was no regret over the little boy Obito had destroyed.

"No." Kakashi replied coldly. "Itachi lives and here you are."

"Itachi is nothing more than a broken doll and I am not the stupid child you recall." Obito shrugged in boredom, his one visible eye fixed on his former teammate.

"But you're still here." Kakashi stated and the Uchiha released a cold bark of laughter, so unlike the laughter Kakashi remembered.

"I died when Rin fell." Obito coldly replied, mouth pulling into a sneer. "I died when you failed her. You never were good with promises and camaraderie. I should have known you only would have hurt her in the end." He spoke in disgust and shook his head.

"You-" Kakashi began when Obito lifted a hand, silencing him.

"I watched you kill her. I watched her die and you just stood there. I'm surprised the Hokage ever put you in a position of authority. Your whole team had died yet they kept giving you people to fail. That man Yamato who is more broken than you can imagine. And that Team 7 of yours, do you see us when you look at them? Is that pink haired girl a memory of Rin? And Sasuke….do you see yourself in him or do you see me? Let's not forget our Sensei's dear little boy. He was as much of a loser and failure as I was and what did you do for any of them? What support did you offer Sasuke until he decided to seek power elsewhere? Where were you when the girl struggled to find herself and eventually found a new teacher? And what would Sensei think of how you disregarded his boy? All your students left you more broken then when they came."

Kakashi could not speak. He could barely breathe as he watched the cold rage that radiated from that single eye.

"And last but not least, my dear sweet cousin who easily fell for your advancements. Can't you see it Hatake? He was already being taken advantage of by one authority figure. You were just another in the long line of adults who used him. He never knew any better than to fall for you. You are just as twisted as Danzo was."

The idea that he was being put in the same category as Danzo was nauseating. Hadn't he always feared that though? That he was taking advantage of a broken boy? And his team…what would Sensei had thought of his actions? He had failed all of them. He was not the Sensei they deserved. He had failed everyone. Obito watched with mild interest as Kakashi's mind unraveled before him. With a click of his tongue, the Uchiha turned on his heel. He stepped forward, his steps echoing in the cavern and Kakashi made no move to approach him.

"And I no longer have time for your childish complaints. We will meet again, Kakashi. Do try to be ready next time." And as quickly as he appeared, Obito vanished into the shadows leaving Kakashi as powerless as ever.

It took Kakashi two days to return back to Konoha. His every movement felt sluggish and weak. Tsunade no doubt noticed the change in him but did not mention it, allowing the Copy nin to return home to rest.

Kakashi walked to his apartment, feeling weaker than when he had left. He silently fumbled with his keys and opened the door. His shoulders sagged as he felt Itachi's chakra in his room. The man set down his items on the coffee table and silently made his way to the door. Peering in, he could see a mop of dark hair through the darkness of his room. Itachi was breathing evenly in sleep and Kakashi loathed to disturb him. He shifted to leave the room when the Itachi moved.

"Kakashi?" Itachi mumbled sleepily, lifting his head off the pillow. It was the early hours of the morning and still dark. The blankets were rumpled and Itachi's eyes were glassy with exhaustion.

"You're back early. Kakashi commented softly, staring at the Uchiha who lay curled under the covers. The raven's lips pulled into a slight smile.

"You're late." He observed. Kakashi approached the bed, kneeling down heavily and Itachi frowned, moving to make room for his lover, but the man did not move any closer.

"Itachi…" Kakashi croaked and the Uchiha did not even question his lover, merely awaiting him to make the next move. Kakashi stumbled towards Itachi, who sat up, moving the blanket and reaching towards the older man.

The Copy nin buried his face in the crook of Itachi's neck. For a long while, neither spoke. Itachi simply stroked his fingers through Kakashi's hair and waited for him to finally react. The Copy nin was despondent, and look exhausted as if he had not slept in days. Itachi knew without a doubt that he had confronted Obito. He ran his fingers through the man's silver hair and pressed his lips against his temple.

"It will end Kakashi. It always ends." Itachi murmured, cheek resting against the top of Kakashi's head. He felt the elder sigh against him, hand moving to cover Itachi's and give it a light squeeze.

"He's really gone." Kakashi murmured and Itachi held him tighter.

"I'm sorry." Was all Itachi could say. He would not hold this over Kakashi. He knew how far Obito had fallen and he would not hurt Kakashi even more. Kakashi flopped back on the bed, dry eyed but obviously upset. He was quiet for a long moment, fingers fiddling on top of his chest before looking to Itachi.

"Did I…did I ever hurt you Itachi?" He suddenly asked.

"Kakashi?" Itachi blinked in confusion and Kakashi turned his head away.

"You were so young…and I was your captain…did you feel like you had no choice but the accept whatever I threw at you?"

"Did he tell you that?" Itachi coldly stated, no doubt knowing exactly who had put Kakashi into such a state. The Copy nin closed his eyes.

"Itachi-"

"No," Itachi cut him off. "You can't come here and act as if I were not willing in any of what we did. I came to you Kakashi."

"You were thirt-"

"I killed at thirteen. It's not too far fetched that I could also fall for someone at that age." Itachi shook his head but Kakashi did not look convinced.

"You were so young." He argued and Itachi stood from the bed, suddenly standing over Kakashi and causing the older man to start in surprise.

"It's funny. How at thirteen I was considered capable enough to kill people and fight and lead a whole team…but when it comes to personal matters I am suddenly too young and too immature to make my own choices?" Itachi muttered. "I chose you Kakashi. You were one of the few things in my life I had the power to make my own choice about." He looked away from Kakashi and out the window.

"Obito is a cruel man with no regard to the people around him. Madara has twisted him into something inhuman. Do not let his words effect you, Kakashi. I wanted you and no amount of his scorn will change that." The Copy nin moved forward, the sheets rustling as he took Itachi's hand in his own and gave it a gentle squeeze. Itachi turned his head and offered his lover a tired wane smile.

"Get some sleep Kakashi." He finally breathed, lightly pushing Kakashi towards the bed. "You'll need your rest." Kakashi fell back against the mattress with a little sight, tugging Itachi along with him. The Uchiha moved so they were laying side by side.

"Can we actually do this?" Kakashi whispered in the dark. "Can we actually beat them?"

"We have no choice." Itachi replied sleepily. "We can't afford to lose."