Tobi rested his orange masked face in his hand, elbow resting on his protruding knee. He sat in a tree, staring out at nothing. His mind lingered on the last he saw of Hanare. Six weeks ago she left that idiot, Bakakashi. His hand tightened into a fist. She left him with a kiss, just like she did me. The look she gave him was just like the lovesick look she used to give me. How could she fall for him! An epic failure? It can't even be love! She just met him!
Once again the stupid Hatake won over the affections of his lover. What a loser! He has a village full of women and yet he still ruins my relationship before it even begins. He let out a frustrated growl. His body stiffened from the tension.
It relaxed when he realized how much pain that baka must be feeling right now. His lover was now unwelcome in the village he worked so hard to protect. With his sense of justice back in place, he hopped down to meet his fellow Akatsuki members.
Throughout the meeting his mind kept wandering to the same woman. Thankfully the topic was irrelevant to his plans. Everyone just took him as a stupid fool for his lack of focus. Why couldn't he focus?!
His mind traveled further back to when she was in the cottage. How she was happy enough to stay. How she made herself comfortable with the little bit of freedom he could give her. The hours spent delving into one another's mind. It created a tightening in his chest. Then he remembered that nothing mattered in this world. She didn't matter. The little bit of light she brought to his tragic life didn't matter….
So, what would it matter if he got her back?
The spring flowers enhanced the scenery of the location where Hanare chose to perform. She was in a small village near the boarder of the Land of Fire and Rain. A gathering of passersby spectated as she sang and played from her soap box. She bounced around a bit with the quick beat of thte song. Meanwhile, her voice sang of her lament whilst accepting responsibility as the heartbreaker.
Jiraiya stood in the back of the group of spectators. His writer's mind buzzed around the content of the beautiful woman's song. He decided to investigate further for research on his next novel.
Hanare could feel someone following her. She hid behind the first building she came upon and hopped out of sight. She could hear the man hum as he turned the corner to find her gone. She heard him continue down the path and check the next corner, managing to catch a glimpse of the large white-haired man while he wasn't looking.
She tailed him after he gave up on her. She didn't like the idea of someone pursuing her. Was he friend or foe? More observation wasd needed.
Jiraiya continued on his way through a small clearing with a fountain in the center. He walked past a woman sitting on a bench reading. He didn't think anything of it. After a few seconds he realized he had the same tint of hair as the singer from before! He turned back around and smiled.
"Quite impressive for such a talented songstress to also posses the stealth of a ninja," he commented as he approached her bench. He sat next to the beauty and flashed her a smile. She blushed and smiled sweetly. "Why is it that such a beautiful woman is travelling all on her own?"
The man's continued flirtations brought a smirk to Hanare's face. "I am flattered, sir, but I do not wish to engage in those sentiments further."
"Pining over a jilted lover?"
Her smile fell and she looked to the clouds. "It's more of a circumstancial thing. I hope the world changes someday and we can be together again."
The Toad Sage's heart clenched at the sweet devotion of the young woman beside him. It reminded him of himself in at a more youthful age, when he began his travels with his love for Tsunade ever present. "How about some Lunch? On me. Nothing romantic, just making new friends."
Hanare's eyes widened in surprise. Food was always appreciated and the guy was pleasant complany. She agreed and they headed to a little food stand together. They found a nice place to sit nearby to eat.
"Mind giving me some more details about this man who managed to win your heart before I could?" He said with a wink and a smirk.
She smiled subconsciously when thinking about her memories of Kakashi. "He is a highly capable shinobi, with a lot of responsibility and respect. I do not intend to spread gossip with his name."
"Spoken like a true spy." He paused in thought as he bit into his barbaque. Eventually, he came to the conclusion that a woman in her situation could be of value to him. "I have a proposition for you."
Hanare got into a new routine now that Jiraiya was paying her to spy. Her time wasn't spent conserving energy and chasing meals anymore. Now she kept her eyes peeled for suspicious characters and surreptitiously waiting at their meeting spots. The summer heat was getting to her. The humidity had her sweating while she sang her melancholy love songs.
Meanwhile, Obito walked through a small but bustling little village to get some supplies from the market. He froze when he heard a familiar voice. It was her voice. Her real voice, not the voice she used to put on a scene for capture.
"And I don't want your pity
I just want somebody near me
Guess I'm a coward
I just want to feel alright
And I know no one will save me
I just need someone to kiss
Give me one good honest kiss
And I'll be alright"
His head snapped in her direction. To maintain his cover as Tobi, he bounced over to the woman he was hoping to find after months of travel. She looked a bit different with her deep brown hair and blue eyes, but he knew it was her. He stood in the front of the small crowd she had gathered with his head tilted, emphasizing the childish Tobi. When she finished her song he gave her an excited applause. He stayed until all the others left.
"Tobi could listen to your songs all day," he complimented as he approached. She kindly smiled and bowed, uttering words of thanks. He switched to his own voice when he got close enough that no one would hear. "How about having dinner with me tonight? I heard there's a little place nearby we can meet at."
Hanare was completely caught off guard. She certainly didn't trust the man standing before her. He was dressed all in black, with a crimson clouded cloak and an orange swirled mask. From her intel, he was Akatsuki. His sudden change in demeanor was also offputting. Of course her stomach picked now of all times to remind her of how hungry she was. Plus, she wanted to catch this new lead for Jiraiya.
"Alright, Tobi, was it? I will meet you for dinner tonight, but I have a few conditions." He nodded, interested in what she'd demand of him. "Wear some civilian clothing and reveal some of your face." Obito burst out laughing. The gall of the woman!
"Sure thing," he said and walked away. He needed to find some street clothes. He suddenly felt a delicate hand on his shoulder. He whipped around to find Hanare. "Can Tobi help Miss with something?" He asked with a head tilt.
Her cheeks turned pink as she looked away. "When and where am I supposed to find you?"
"I'll come find you soon," he said before dashing away again. He quickly stole some clothes from the market and a strip of cloth to wrap around his face. He cast a high level genjutsu on his facial scarring to prevent catching anyone's interest.
After changing her outfit and rinsing the sweat off, She made sure her small pregnant bump wasn't noticable. Hanare decided to sit and wait for the mysterious Akatsuki guy to find her for dinner. She stared out into the market from her perch on a low tree limb. So many happy couples started to get to her and she looked down to the grass in her heartache.
"Did something get you down?" His smooth masculine voice suddenly sounding just in front of her made her jolt upright. Her eyes widened as she nearly lost her balance, but the guy grabbed her hand to catch her fall. But her eyes remained wide in surprise from the man's face. He was very handsome, with dark hair and one dark eye visible. A cloth wrapped around to cover one of his eyes, just like Kakashi usually wore. The similarity struck her heart.
"What should I call you?" She inquired once she regained her composure.
"Obito. What about you?"
"Hanare." He turns toward the market and offers his elbow to her. She takes hold, wondering what the man has planned for her.
After satisfying their stomachs, the two went off to a spot he promised her was stunning. She wondered what he considered "stunning".
"Do you trust me?"
"Why should I trust you?"
"Well, I wouldn't be romancing you right now if I had any ill intentions with you." He was an Akatsuki, and she definitely believed that statement.
"I guess so."
"Close your eyes. I'll lead you there," he said and waited until she complied before teleporting her to where he intended. "Ok. Open your eyes."
She was breathless from the beautiful sight. They were standing in an alphine forested on a mountain staring into the sunset. Candles were lit all around them in the opening between trees. This shinobi's teleportation had some serious range.
He gently initiated touch, brushing his fingertips down her arm while standing behind her. He leaned down and whispers in her ear "Can I… kiss you?"
She froze for a moment, not wanting to let go of her faithfulness to Kakashi. But she decided to see where this relationship may go, the information she could give Jiraiya, and in turn do her part to protect Kakashi's village trumped this faithfulness. He is charming and handsome and pleasant to be around. She nodded her consent.
He unexpectedly kissed her at the little bit of skin of her shoulder exposed by her top, instead of her lips. Her back involuntarily straightened and her head landed on his shoulder. He held her shoulders as she turned her face to his. She blushed when she saw the smoldering look on his face. He moved in to capture her lips and she melted into him. He took his sweet time, making this second kiss of theirs last.
Then he moved his hands down her side and around to hold her only to find an unmistakable roundness of a pregnant belly. He abruptly backed away at the discovery, his chest tightened.
Her head dropped in shame. "I'm sorry to have fooled you." She said over her shoulder. Before she knew it she was back where they came from, and Obito was gone. "Thank you for the pleasure of your company." She said to the emptiness.
A/N: Hanare's songs are from the irl artist Mitski. I highly recommend her if you can dig a funky beat ;)
