I don't own Naruto, Kishimoto does.
Also want to apologize for the last chapter's cliff hanger, don't worry this chapter begins immediately were it left off.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Obito watched Rin release Kakashi from their hug. His heartbeat sounded like a drum in his ears. He couldn't believe it; he saw her softly smile. A smile he never thought he would see again. Not here not now. Obito slowly lifted himself up, his eye never leaving Rin's face. Obito unconsciously takes a step towards her when images of Kakashi's Chidori tearing through her chest flash before him. Obito stops as his breathing catches in his throat, the images change from Rin to Asami's face in a surprised pain.
"It can't be real." Obito utters. Putting his hands together he gathers some of his chakra and pushes it out muttering, "kai." But the Rin below doesn't disappear. Obito quickly stabs a kunai into his arm, hoping that the genjutsu will go away. Yet she's still there, waving her arms in embarrassment at Kakashi. Obito watches Kakashi's mouth move underneath his mask, and Rin turn away a little blush on her cheeks. Not even caring that she is still showing signs of her crush on Kakashi, all he can see is the light of his life alive. "How?" Obito whispers.
After all that happened to him all he can think about is how much he wants to embrace her, how much he wants to hold her in his arms. How much he just wants to cry. He no longer cared about the Infinite Tsukiyomi or Zetsu or what he just did to Danzo. He only cared about her, his compass. Softly in the back of his mind he can hear Asami saying not to worry about her, to go to Rin. Obito takes another step when a sharp pain in his heart stops him. He felt like a thread was around his beating organ pulling him from behind.
"That's not the plan Obito." The dark voice he has mimicked multiple times said. Obito turns his head looking over his shoulder. An ethereal Uchiha Madara stood behind him, his right arm in his back. Obito could feel Madara's fingers wrapping around his heart. "Even with her alive do you think, she will care for you the same. You know the darkness that lays in this world, and you're willing to keep it around just because she survived."
"That's not what I'm doing. I need to talk to her." Obito replies through clenched teeth.
"You can lie to everyone you want Obito, but I'll always know the truth. I've told you before that you can't escape me. You will do as you were told and repay your debt to me." Madara responded.
"But Rin, she can be of some help." Obito attempted to reason.
"Will she? She's not some orphan you rescued from a war-torn village. You are not the same Obito. The darkness that took a hold of me after Izuna's death, it's the same for you. It's the same for everyone who has suffered as we did. And if you go to her, you are going to let all those people suffer. She is no longer of importance; she served her purpose well enough. She isn't going to be as accepting as you believe. You've killed in cold blood. You killed that group of Kiri nin solely because they hurt a small child. Not to mention what you have just done to Danzo. She isn't one to let a murder near her, is she?" Madara said.
Obito couldn't deny what Madara said resonated within him. He was right. Every word broke another piece of his heart, allowing Madara's hand to get a better hold. It was true, he isn't the same Obito she knew. Even now he doesn't believe he can put on that same happy obnoxious mask he once did. Even as a child, forced to live with his grandmother after his parent's death, constantly belittled by his own clan, and shown the true horrors of war as a young kid; he was able to plaster a smile on his face. Since Asami now the only thing that has made him smile was killing Danzo.
Could he go to Rin now? What would she say about the things he's done since he thought she died? What would she say about him failing Asami? Obito didn't know if he could live with the answers to those questions. He doesn't know what he'd do if she looked at him like the murderer he was. "Your right, Madara. But I promise I will find a way to remove your stupid seal from my heart and make sure you stay dead. That's how I'll repay my debt." Obito answered.
"We will see." The hold around Obito's heart lifted as the image of Madara shimmered into nothing.
Obito continued to follow Rin and Kakashi as they followed Kushina. Obito figured out they were her protection detail. It made sense to Obito, Minato-Sensei is an important shinobi for Konoha. He watched the trio enter the Namikaze house where Rin made her goodbyes. Obito was to far from them to hear what she said, he was too afraid they would sense him; despite the fact that he was excellent at hiding his presence.
With a smile and wave Rin exited the two-story home. Without a second thought in his head Obito continued to follow Rin, leaving his mark. Rin slowly walked down a small trail the led away from the main part of the village as Obito stayed in the shadows. All though Obito has watched and alive Rin for over an hour, the shock of her being alive still hasn't dissipated one bit. His thoughts were a jumbled mess of the duty he was resolving himself to complete, and the inner child who just wanted to go to her and hug her and apologize for failing her as well. Yet he stayed meters behind her watching.
He originally decided to stay away from Konoha because he couldn't live here without her smile. Everything would be dressed in grey instead of the bright green that brought a hint of serenity to the people of the village. He knew he couldn't be a team again with Minato-Sensei and Kakashi. They would only serve as a constant reminder of Rin's death. His failure. Their failure. Without her there was nothing left for him. He lost his grandmother just after his tenth birthday, his love when he was thirteen, along with his best friend who was responsible for her death. And his sensei who was never in time to keep tragedy from happening to his team. And he never got to know his parents. He never truly got to be part of his own clan. Konoha was no longer his home.
But there she was, his one reason to stay. A reason he wished he could reveal himself to. He knowingly understood that he wouldn't, because the one thing that held him together after Rin's 'death' was gone as well. After every tragedy in his life a piece of the happy innocent Obito broke, and with Asami's death he finally cracked. He was unrecognizable. He was slowly becoming like Madara. Even though that scared him, he hoped that maybe casting the Infinite Tsukiyomi that all his sins will be forgiven. He could have his family back. Asami could meet Rin and Kushina. He could be a part of his clan. He could be Hokage. More importantly he could forget. He could live his life in a peaceful ignorance that only he could achieve.
Despite those thoughts, he still wanted to go to her. The cursed seal in his heart, however, didn't allow him to. He knew it would constantly push him towards Madara's goal. He needed to rid himself of it. And a way to do that was to figure out how Rin survived a Chidori to the heart. She was able to destroy the cursed seal Madara placed and live. Obito needed to the same.
Rin turned left into the Konoha cemetery walking past the plethora of gravestones towards the memorial stone where she stopped. Obito watched her immediately find a name and traced her fingers along the etched stone. Obito dared himself to move closer. Using he sharingan he followed the movement of her fingers that spelled out his name. Another knot formed in his throat. She misses me.
"Hey Obito." Rin whispered. Obito froze, thoughts of her knowing he was behind her gave him a small glimmer of hope. That her knowing he was alive would take the choice away from him. That she would once again be his guiding light.
"Sorry I haven't talked to you all week." Rin apologized to the grave. Obito released a breath he didn't know he was holding in. She didn't know.
Rin sat down in front of the memorial, softly playing with the grass underneath her. "The past week really has been crazy. I became a jonin, which would have been better if you took the test with me. Unfortunately, Kakashi became a jonin at younger age then me, so he still holds the record. But all our friends and Kushina say I should be proud that I made it at fourteen." Rin began retelling her week.
Obito felt a sense of pride in him after hearing of her promotion. He always knew she had the ability to become a strong kunoichi.
"Oh, Kakashi and I were ordered to be on Kushina-neechan's protection detail during her pregnancy by Minato-Sensei. Can you believe that Kushina-neechan trusted us enough to specifically ask for us? I was happy she did. Our little family is getting another member. We also found out that it's a boy. They are going to name him Naruto. Apparently, they chose the name from Minato-sensei's pervy sensei's book." Rin continued taking in a deep breath, giving Obito a chance to register the words she just spoke.
Rin looked around her forcing Obito to hide deeper into the shadows of a large tree. "Kushina-neechan also told us she is the jinchuriki of the kyubi. Honestly, I was surprised to hear that. I always wondered why she didn't go on missions a lot; guess now I know. She was worried that we would look at her differently because of what she holds, but you shoulda seen how happy she was when we still accepted her. Even Kakashi was able to squeak out some nice words. Kakashi and I also have to coordinate with Sandaime's Anbu because apparently a female jinchuriki's seal weakens during childbirth." Rin said with a distant look on her face, "I really worry about her because of that. Did you know that if you remove a biju from a jinchuriki they die?"
Now was Obito's turn to take in a deep breath. An opportunity that he was looking for was presented to him by the girl he loved. It was like fate, along with Madara was truly moving him towards a genjutsu world.
"I hope things will work out, and I'm sure they will. Minato-Sensei won't let anything bad happen he's the Yondaime after all." Rin said with a smile. Obito blinked in surprise, his sensei actually reached his goal.
"Hey Obito, there's something else I want to say. Something that I've come to realize recently. It's something I wish I could have told you when you were alive. Um… I lo-" Rin took a sharp breath, Obito leaned closer to hear her better. "I love you." Rin finished.
Obito stumbled back, she loves me? His heartbeat faster and louder than it did when he saw her alive.
"I'm sorry it took me so long to figure out. It's been hard for me to move on after your death, but I'm starting to live my life again. I hope you don't think we will forget about you. I think realizing my feelings for you is going to help me truly move on. I know I said that I'll always be watching over you, even though I can't anymore I do take comfort that you are the one who is always watching over me. I love you, Obito. I hope you won't get mad at me, but I think coming to your grave as often as I can isn't really all that healthy. I hope you understand." Rin lifted to her feet tears streaming down her cheeks, she set her forehead against the memorial, "goodbye, Obito." Rin whispered.
Rin retreated from the cemetery while Obito stood frozen to the ground. He didn't follow, he couldn't. Her saying that she loves him played over and over in his mind. He walked to the spot were Rin just stood. He read over the names until he came to his. She loves me, Obito thought. The names blurred away revealing his reflection. Obito stared at the red sharingan eye that stared back. No, she loved the old me. He was sure that she wouldn't love the him who is standing here now. She even said that she needed to move on, Obito decided he needed to do the same. No matter the pain he felt stepping away from the memorial, he steeled his heart. He will create a world where she will get everything she deserves; were everyone will get what they deserve. Everyone will get the chance to have a peaceful life filled with the love he always wished he had. Obito looked to the sky watching the clouds slowly crawl under the sky-blue blanket. He was going to stay and gather more information, until the time came when Kushina went into labor, then he will use the opportunity to retrieve the Kyubi.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Minato paced around his office reading the report that Kakashi wrote the day Obito died. He's reread it multiple times today. Every word he read he correlated with the journal entry that Asami wrote. 'The boulder crushed his entire right side' to 'the scars on the right seemed to have healed fine.' Minato reread the line, 'Uchiha Obito removed his left eye with the help of Nohara Rin as gift for my promotion to jonin,' Minato remembered what Asami wrote, 'I think I was right about his left eye though; I don't think he has one.'
Minato set the report back on his desk, thinking of when he faced the masked Uchiha. The long spikey hair that flowed down behind him matched perfectly with what Minato thought Obito's hair would look like if he grew it out. Minato hated the feeling that his student could still be alive as criminal. He couldn't begin to understand why he would attack his past comrades instead of coming home. What happened to him that he would abandon the girl he loved? The dream they both shared of becoming Hokage.
He sat in his share letting out a groan. Minato could only think how much of a failure he is. Because of the way Obito was he never thought that maybe he put a mask on to cover a darkness that laid underneath the surface. If anything, he thought the one who held the slight possibility of betraying the village was Kakashi. How wrong he was. Images of the smiling boy hurt him just as much as it did when he died. Could it really be Obito? Minato thought. He's gone over everything about Obito when he began to suspect him. Even Fugaku was kind enough to give him the reports he wrote about Obito, he keeps one for every member of the Uchiha clan. According to Fugaku Obito never held the possibility of ever awakening the mangekyo, Fugaku was even thinking he may never awaken the sharingan. He was wrong about the sharingan, Kakashi's left eye was proof of that. So, there was the possibility that he is wrong about Obito being able to awaken the mangekyo.
Fugaku was surprised when he inspected the eye Obito gave Kakashi. He told Minato that generally most Uchiha awaken a one tomoe sharingan, but the one Obito awakened was two tomoe. To Fugaku it was a rare event. He even wrote that maybe he misjudged the deceased Uchiha.
No matter how much it hurt, Minato couldn't deny that most of the evidence pointed towards Obito. However, one comforting fact was the man he fought against the night Rin almost died was much stronger than the Obito who died during the Kanabi Bridge mission. It didn't seem plausible that the months in between the two events that an injured Obito could increase his power to such a degree. That was the one fact Minato held on to. As much as he wishes that Obito was still alive, he didn't wish that he was the masked Uchiha.
Minato reached over retrieving Asami's journal. He smiled as a vision of Obito trying to teach a young girl ninjutsu. That to him didn't seem so evil. Another comforting thought. Minato opened the journal for the first time in a week. He was so afraid of anymore damning evidence that would point towards Obito. He turned to a random entry:
Ugh! Tobi-Sensei's new stupid training program is so tough. It's harder than I ever believed. My body hurts all over. But I can't deny how much stronger I've gotten. I was actually able to land a hit on Konan, we both stopped in the middle of the spar because of how surprised we were. Tobi of course knocked us both on our asses for getting distracted. We weren't mad we just started laughing. Tobi-Sensei than chided us for it, but it was worth it.
I managed to get Tobi-Sensei alone which has been hard to do. Everyone is always around asking him questions about this or that. I can kind of tell it annoys him. Anyways! He told me he was happy with my growth so far since he needs be to get stronger. He wants me to be as strong as him. I asked him why it was important to him because I hoped he wants me around for a while. While he didn't out right deny it, he said that we all need to be stronger for his plan of peace. I still don't know what that plan is which makes me feel bad that Sensei doesn't trust me enough. But thankfully he told me a part of this special plan he has. He wants us all to be strong enough to gather something called biju. I don't know exactly what that is, and he wouldn't tell me more, but I know its important to him so I'm gonna work hard for him.
I know I write this every day, but I really am happy Sensei came into my life. When Mommy and Daddy died, I thought I'd be alone forever, but Tobi-Sensei changed that for me. He became an older brother to me. Even though he won't let me call him Onichan, he will always be my Onichan.
GOODNIGHT!
Minato set the journal back down. He plans on capturing biju. His thoughts immediately went to Kushina. Then a sad morbid feeling went over him at the thought that Obito may attempt to kill his wife. He knows they argued a lot, but the care was always there. Even if Obito is this masked Uchiha he needed to do something more to protect Kushina from him. Thankfully he was meeting with Hiruzen-Sama later in the day.
Minato sat next to Kushina in front of his predecessor who was smoking on his pipe. The smoke swirled to the ceiling hiding the wooden planks under a light grey haze. Hiruzen-Sama glanced between the married couple; Minato guessed he was tired of waiting on his wife so they could begin another conversation about Kushina's childbirth.
The awkward silence between the three continued for a few more moments before the front door opened. Biwako entered the home she shared with her husband carrying a bag of medical supplies, "sorry I'm late, there was a small emergency at the hospital. And I needed to pick up a few things for when the time comes." Biwako apologized.
Minato rose from his chair, "here let me take that."
"Thank you but I got it. I'm not that old, I can still set a bag that weighs hardly anything on a counter." Biwako sneered.
Minato face flushed in embarrassment as he returned to his seat. Both Hiruzen-Sama and Kushina chuckled. Biwako set her bag on the counter and sat next to her husband. "All right let's go over what we are going to do." Biwako started. "Me and Hiruzen-Kun have decided on a cave outside of the village by a lake. Its far enough from Konoha that if the worst does happen, we can at least keep the damage away from innocent people."
"We also want to set up a barrier using my Anbu, it won't be able to stop the Kyubi but it can at least hold him long enough for us to come up with something. It's also strong enough that even I would have trouble breaking through." Hiruzen-Sama added.
"As stated before I will be assisting with the birthing process along with one of my most trusted nurses. Naturally Hiruzen-Kun asked for Tsunade-Hime to come but she is still adamant on staying out of Konoha." Biwako informed.
"Yes. All in all, there will be my five Anbu and Kakashi-Kun and Rin-Chan as your security detail. The Anbu will stay outside while both your students will be inside." Hiruzen-Sama took another drag of his pipe blowing the smoke towards the ceiling.
"Hiruzen-Sama I need to inform you of a bit of troubling information I came across earlier in the day." Minato said.
"Go ahead Minato-Kun." Hiruzen-Sama replied waving for Minato to continue.
"The journal that belonged to the student of the masked Uchiha stated that he is going to attempt to gather the biju. We have been able to keep the date and location that Kushina-Chan will give birth a secret, but I wish to increase security on the off chance he attempts to get the Kyubi." Minato informed.
"What the hell how come I didn't know about this, 'ttebane!" Kushina angrily exclaimed.
"Sorry, we were meeting here so I figured I could just explain it to everyone." Minato apologized.
"That is troubling news, however there is no reason to worry so much Minato-Kun I can beef up security with some shinobi I trust. I just have to send a message." Hiruzen-Sama assured.
"Thank you, Hiruzen-Sama." Minato said.
Minato and Kushina spent another few minutes with the old couple before saying their farewells. They walked down the street towards their house with their hands interlocked. Minato glanced over to where Rin and Kakashi were following them from behind. He smiled at them. As Minato faced forward once again his smile fell, as he thought of his third student.
"Does that masked man really worry you that much?" Kushina asked staring worriedly at her husband.
"Honestly yes. The more I learn about him the more worried I get. He managed to escape me, and then escape Kakashi's Anbu team along with an Anbu team from Kusa. He even manages to escape with Touma and his student. Not to mention that I'm sure he survived an ambush from Danzo." Minato explained.
"He does sound like a problem but not enough to worry you this much Minato-Kun. What's really going on?" Kushina questioned.
Minato could see that she is worried about the toll the thoughts in his head are taking on him. He wanted to keep this away from her, from everyone until he had undeniable proof that it is Obito. But he couldn't keep it to himself anymore, he needed to get another prospective. Not to mention he's never been able to keep something from Kushina when she gave him that worried look.
"It's not the strength of the masked man that worries me. It's the theory I have on who he is." Minato begins.
"Who do you think it is Minato? I mean who could cause you to stress so much about it. The only Uchiha you even talk to is Fugaku, so who is it?" Kushina asked.
Minato took a deep breath, "when I read the last journal entry that Asami wrote-"
"Who's Asami?" Kushina interrupted.
"Oh, I guess I haven't talked to you about it in a bit. Sorry. Asami is the student of the masked Uchiha. He apparently goes by Tobi." Minato explained. Then another thought entered his head that forced him to stop walking. He realized how close the name Tobi was to Obito.
"What is it?" Kushina asked.
"Just another realization that supports my theory. Here let's go in here and I'll start from the beginning." Minato said gesturing to the ramen stand his friend Teuchi started. Kushina nodded in agreement, they entered, and each ordered a bowl of pork ramen. Minato sat quietly for a few moments collecting his thoughts.
"As I was saying, when I read the last journal entry that Asami wrote before her death she wrote a description of Tobi. It was that description that led to my theory on who he could be." Minato once again began.
"Before I continue, I just want you to understand that I'm not a hundred percent sold on this theory, but I can't deny that it fits." Minato took in another breath, "the description she wrote on Tobi is that he has long black spikey hair, something I already knew. He also has scars that line the right side of his face." He watched Kushina's reaction, she took a bite of her ramen not connecting the dots that Minato did, so he continued. "He is also missing his left eye. And the worse description she could write was that he is a teen anywhere between 14 and 17." Minato finished.
Kushina stopped eating, with noodles still in her mouth she mumbled, "please Minato-Kun don't tell me you think it's-it's." She stopped unable to say the name that was on both their minds.
"I believe it is. I think Tobi is Obito. I know there's not enough evidence, but I've reread the report that Kakashi wrote on Obito's death and the injuries that Kakashi wrote match up with what Asami described."
"It can't be true." Kushina whispered.
"I know I don't want it to be true either, but we can't deny the possibility that it could be Obito." Minato said.
"If he is alive, why wouldn't he come home?" Kushina asked. Minato understood what she was thinking without her even saying it. It was the same thoughts he's had over the last week.
"I don't know the answer to that. I can't even tell you how he survived, other than maybe that mysterious jutsu he uses to go through things." Minato replied.
Kushina set her hand on her stomach like she was trying to comfort herself by feeling Naruto, "I wanted our son to be like him. What could have happened that that young happy boy could become something dark." She let out a gasp, "you don't think he would actually hurt me for the Kyubi do you?"
Minato wrapped his left arm around Kushina pulling her towards him, "I don't know. I can only hope not. All I can think about is that I failed him. He could've been hurting more than we knew."
Kushina lifted her head to stare at Minato, "don't do that Minato. There was nothing more you could have done about Obito. No matter what you think anything he does is his choice that he has made himself. No matter what we can't give up on him. If it is him, I think we should find a way to let him know we still care. That we still love him, that we miss him. Maybe that's the push he needs to come home." Kushina comforted.
Minato smiled at his wife, "you're right. Like I said there's also the possibility its not him. Maybe I just wish he was alive so much that I'm trying to find him inside of Tobi."
"Maybe," Kushina whispered, "have you told Kakashi and Rin?"
"No. I didn't want to say anything unless I was completely sure it is him." Minato replied.
"I think you should tell them. They deserve to know you suspect Obito to be alive. If it his him maybe they can help bring him back." Kushina explained.
"Okay, I'll tell them," Minato hugged her tighter, "but I'm going to need your help and your strength to do so."
"I'll always be there to help you, 'ttebane!" Kushina exclaimed.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Rin sat perfectly still at training ground 3. With her eyes closed she sent her consciousness deep into the seal on her belly. The darkness began to disappear turning into a grey landscape. The large biju stood in front of her staring at her with his large yellow eye.
"You are able to enter the shared mindscape much easier now. You've definitely grown stronger. Your promotion is also proof of that. Congratulation's child." The Sanbi said.
Rin gave him a smile, "thank you. See I'm not so useless."
"Don't get ahead of yourself. You still can't manage more than one tail. That's barely a third of my power."
"I'm trying, it's not as easy as you made it seem." Rin huffed crossing her arms.
"I never said it would be easy. Yet I never believed that you would struggle this much. You truly were a weak and unintelligent creature." The Sanbi responded with clear sarcasm lining its voice.
"Hey, I thought you said you were going to quit calling me stupid!" Rin exclaimed.
"I specifically said you were. Once again you need to listen." He calmly responded. "Now have you found anything about that masked man?"
"Not much. Kakashi-Kun can't really tell me anything other than he is currently investigating him." Rin answered taking a seat in front of the Sanbi.
"That's not good enough. You need to work harder to be able to investigate along with this Kakashi-Kun." The Sanbi explained, "that masked man needs to be at the top of your priority list. Well second to you getting stronger. I will not let my vessel be embarrassed by that red eyed creature."
"I know, I know. I think I'm getting there okay. However, I also need to continue my medical training." Rin replied.
"What use is healing others going to do against an enemy strong enough to put a biju under a genjutsu." The Sanbi argued.
"It's not for the enemies, it's for my comrades." Rin retorted. "Either way I'll get strong enough to get on the investigation team. I already promised I'd help you as thanks for saving me from my stupid actions."
"I understand. What I don't understand is how you are the only one who can call you stupid while I have to bite my tongue." The Sanbi jested.
"Hey!" Rin yelled.
"I only joke. You've changed much since we first met. Your stronger and more intelligent. Eventually we will get to the point to take our revenge against the red eyed man." He replied.
"Yes we will!" Rin exclaimed sending a fist into the air. She sobered and brought her arm down, "hey Sanbi there's something I want to ask you."
"What is it child?"
"Do you have a name? It just feels weird to keep calling you Sanbi. It's what you are not really who you are you know." Rin asked.
The Sanbi stared at Rin for a few uncomfortable moments before it started to chuckle shaking their entire mindscape, "My name is Isobu."
"Isobu." Rin repeated, "that's a nice name. I have to get going I have to meet my sensei and his wife. Plus relieve Kakashi-Kun for my night watch. Bye Isobu!" Rin waved settling back into the outside world.
Rin walked along the road in between the multiple shops that led to the residential district of Konoha. She was happy about how her relationship with Isobu was growing. She hoped that even though the were forced together that they can become good friends. She could sense a loneliness inside him that she wanted to alleviate.
She glanced in the windows of the shops she walked by, not really looking at any of the products but it helped pass the time as she continued her trek to her sensei's house. A glint of orange suddenly made her stop. A small pair of orange goggles that looked like the same pair that Obito use to wear. Rin smiled as she walked into the shop and purchased the goggles thinking it would be a great gift for baby Naruto.
Rin was happy that she found something that Obito would have loved. Something she can give to the new member of their family that will always keep Obito with them. She happily walked and partially skipped her way to her sensei's house. She reached the door and loudly rasped against the wood.
Minato-Sensei opened the door, "hey Rin. Please come in."
"Thank you." Rin replied with a small bow. As she entered the warm home, she noticed both Kushina and Kakashi sitting in the living room. She could feel tension in the atmosphere of the room. She glanced at her sensei noticing the sullen look on his face. "What's going on?" Rin asked.
"There something we need to talk about. Not as a team but as a family." Minato responded gesturing her to sit, "take a seat anywhere."
Rin nodded she took a seat on the small chair next to Kakashi that faced the large couch that Kushina currently sat on. She set the bag with the goggles on her lap when she remembered her gift. Minato-Sensei sat next to his wife. "Oh, before I forgot I brought a gift for the baby. I think your going to like it." Rin leaned forward handing the bag to her sensei.
Minato handed the bag to Kushina who said, "thanks Rin you know you didn't have to get anything."
"Oh, it's no problem. But please open it, you guys are going to love it." Rin happily replied.
Kushina reached into the bag and pulled out the orange goggles. She looked like somebody just told her a family member died. Tears formed in her eyes. "Th-thank you Rin." Kushina stuttered.
Minato gave her a sad smile, "thank you." He turned to Kushina who hugged the goggles into her chest. "There is something we need to tell you. The both of you."
"What is Yondaime-Sama?" Kakashi asked. Rin could feel the aura of sadness deepen around her sensei and his wife.
"Yeah, seriously what is it?" Rin asked worry beginning to grow in her chest.
Taking a breath Minato continued, "we may have an idea on who the masked Uchiha is."
Rin and Kakashi both sat up, "who?" they both asked.
"Thanks to Kakashi we were able to get a description from the journal he brought. The journal belonged to Asami his student. We also know for sure he is going by the name Tobi." Minato answered. "Based off the description of a scared right side, a missing left eye, long black spikey hair, and that he is a teen between the age of 14 and 17." Minato finished letting the words he said hang in the air.
Rin felt her heart drop as an images of the happy boy she loved with longer hair, scars on his right side filled her mind. "You think his Obito," she blurted out.
Kushina nodded. Minato looked at both his students, "I'm not entirely sure but it matches with what you said happened the night he died."
"It can't be him." Kakashi said. Rin noticed his fist were tightly clenched. "Obito isn't that kind of person," he whispered.
"I… we both feel the same way, but the evidence does point to him." Kushina responded.
"Even though we are not sure we felt that you two deserve to know." Minato added.
Rin could feel the ach in her heart as her chest tightened, "no. No. No. No! Obito is gone! He can't be that guy!"
"Rin please calm down." Kushina said hugging her. She didn't realize that she was yelling or that she stood up.
Rin buried her face into Kushina's shoulder as she felt the tears flowing. "It can't be him," she choked out.
"It still couldn't Rin." Kushina said rubbing her back.
"Another thing we found out, even if it's Obito or it's not, this Tobi character is after the biju. Which means he is after Kushina." Minato informed.
"He wouldn't!" Rin cried out.
"We don't know what he is capable of now. We have to prepare for any possibility including that he may attack during childbirth. He may already know that that's when Kushina's seal is the weakest." Minato said.
"It's okay sweetie I don't think he would do either." Kushina said trying to calm Rin down. "Right now, we can't prove its him. But if the chance is there, we have to let him know that we are here for him that no matter what made him become that way that all of us still care for him."
Rin nodded still hugging Kushina. "I think he will like that." Rin whispered.
"I do too." Kushina said with a smile.
"At the moment, however we need to find out if its him or not. I also already talked to Hiruzen-Sama about upping the security during the childbirth. He agreed." Minato stated.
She heard Kakashi and Minato-Sensei talk about the security for Kushina, but she couldn't bring herself to pay attention. The tears kept going and she didn't want to stop hugging Kushina. She didn't want to believe that the masked man who had a hand in making her a jinchuriki was Obito. She didn't want to believe that that same man would hurt Kushina. That he would try to tear apart their family. She pushed the sneaking feeling that she knew that it was true. She didn't want to let that stupid feeling see the light of day.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Well that's the new chapter I hope you guys like it. I'm sorry that I explained the connection between Obito and Tobi three separate times but I needed everyone to be on the same page since the next chapter Obito is going to either attack or not. Can't really tell ya'll since it would be a spoiler lol. Also who do you think Hiruzen is going to get to help out, I'm sure you can figure it out lol.
In case you wanted to know Obito is fourteen right now, which I believe is the age he attacked Konoha in canon. I'm also still not sure what exactly that cursed seal does but I like to imagine it shows him an image of Madara, I feel like it adds more as to why Obito could even think about killing Kushina.
One thing I can tell ya'll is that this arc is going to be the start of the Akatsuki from canon. I'm thinking about going through a few years as Nagato and Obito bring them together. But I'm not sure, what do you guys think? Also let me know how you feel about the story so far, including this new chapter. I hope I'm keeping up with your guys' standards. Thanks for the support!
