Obito reached a cave far away from the hidden Leaf, the cave wasn't special but he'd use it to call Zetsu and get the Cloud's scroll. He walked inside and called out, "Zetsu."

After a minute or so Obito got impatient and yelled, "Zetsu!"

The black and white creature appeared halfway through the ground, "Geez, always so impatient." The white half said.

"You should be thankful we came at all, we're on a mission with Orochimaru." The black half said.

"Do you have the scroll?" Obito asked.

White Zetsu held the scroll in the air, "This one?"

Obito reached for it but Zetsu pulled it away, "Not so fast." The black half said.

"We want to know what you're going to do with it." The white half said.

Obito grunted, "What's it to you?"

The black half chuckled deeply, "We know you need it to save Konan from some Cloud ninjas. But why do you care?"

Obito knew that they shouldn't know anything about Konan's kidnapping, "So you've been watching me?"

"Of course, we have another Zetsu watching you all the time." The white half said.

"You're not usually foolish to go into a trap so willingly. Why are you so antsy about it this time?" The black half said.

Obito tried being rational, "It's because if Konan dies then Nagato won't be cooperative. Meaning there will be hiccups in the eye of the moon plan. It's in my best interest to save Konan, by any means necessary."

Zetsu didn't seem convinced but relented, "Just don't get yourself killed, Obito..." The black half said as the white half handed the scroll to him.

Obito grabbed the scroll and ran towards the destination of where the note said.

"He's becoming attached to her, we might have to find a different way to revive Madara." Black Zetsu said.

"I think we know of someone that might agree." The white half giggled before they submerged themselves into the ground.

Kakashi knew he had to try and understand Obito, even if it meant following him when he said not to. Kakashi thought about Itachi and Shisui, he wondered if they would spread Obito's identity around. No, they weren't like that. Itachi knew that it was personal by Kakashi's response.

All Kakashi had to do was find Obito and help him save Konan, and then they'd talk.

Obito reached a hut far east near a river as the note said, he looked all around with his Sharingan and saw Konan unconscious inside the building with a man. He approached the hut.

A kunai landed just right next to Obito's foot, "Stop right there!" A loud voice announced. "If you've got the scroll then hand it over, then you can see the girl."

Obito turned to the river and saw a group of Cloud Shinobi staring at him with their weapons drawn, Obito counted eight of them including the one inside. Obito needed to be intimidating for this moment, so he began speaking as Madara. "Well, that doesn't seem very fair. Why don't you bring Konan out here so that I can see she's still alive."

The lead Cloud ninja seemed to accept, "Alright, bring the girl." He ordered. A large man with dark skin walked out of the hut with Konan bound and tied up over his shoulder. He placed Konan on the ground.

"There we've done our part, now hand the scroll over and you can both walk out of here."

Obito asked, "How will I know you'll honor your word?"

"You won't." The leader replied.

Obito grunted, he tossed the scroll in the air.

The leader caught the scroll and tossed it to one of his subordinates. He smirked, "Alright, you're free to go... To hell!" Four of his underlings each launched a different elemental jutsu at Obito, and if it was anyone else they wouldn't have had time to dodge. But Obito was the fastest ninja alive and having Kamui helped.

Obito passed through the ground to give the effect of himself being killed by the ninjutsu. He moved through the ground and appeared behind the man who was holding Konan. Obito pulled out a kunai and stabbed the man in the heart. He tossed the corpse aside and grabbed Konan.

Obito felt someone behind him so he used Kamui for himself and Konan to phase through the Shinobi and his weapon. The man was shocked as Obito turned around and looked directly at his Sharingan, falling under a genjutsu.

Obito jumped into a nearby tree while carrying Konan and let the fool who'd fallen under his genjutsu fight for him. But they quickly dispatched their ally at the sign of danger. "Hmm, they're as ruthless as the mist."

Obito soon realized he'd be forced to fight but he couldn't fight back with Konan in his arms. Maybe he needed help from Kakashi after all. No, he wouldn't resort to being defended by that scum. Obito phased through the ground and tried hiding from the five Kumo Shinobi. After a minute or so he appeared with Konan but was spotted by one of the remaining Shinobi. Obito didn't want to escape because he wanted to retrieve that scroll back. There was still much he wished to learn from the Cloud's forbidden techniques scroll. Though he couldn't use his hands he still had his legs. Obito dropped a kunai and caught it in between his toes and his sandal.p

Obito jumped backward in front of one of the Shinobi and cut at him with the kunai, cutting the man's arm as he tried to block. Obito then kicked with his other foot and knocked the man off of the tree branch. Another Shinobi tried counter-attacking but Obito was faster and blocked the attack with his free foot, the Shinobi was shocked as it shouldn't have been possible but Obito was the impossible.

Obito whilst upside down launched a giant shuriken from his Kamui dimension and tore the Shinobi in half. Obito readjusted himself and set his sights on two more Kumo Shinobi, but he noted that the leader was absent. "Running tail are we? Well, I suppose someone had to have a brain." Obito mocked the remaining Kumo Shinobi.

Before the Kumo Shinobi moved a lightning engulfed kunai flew through the forest and hit one of the Shinobi, the other Shinobi saw what he knew as the copy ninja. Kakashi with his Sharingan dashed through the forest and pulled a second kunai and battled blades with the last two remaining Kumo Shinobi in sight.

Obito sighed seeing Kakashi but he decided to help him at the very least. Kakashi threw a kick to the Shinobi to block and enhanced his kunai with lightning and tore through the man. Obito flipped and the kunai fell from his sandal. Obito then kicked the kunai mid-air, the kunai landed in the final man's chest, and he fell over limp.

Kakashi turned around to see Obito running away, he tried to catch up but Obito was faster than him. Obito finally stopped and placed Konan down slowly.

Obito leaned down trying to wake Konan up but she was dead asleep, Obito called out for her. "Konan, please wake up. Konan..."

In Konan's dreams, she imagined herself living in Konoha as a young girl with Yahiko and Nagato under Jiraiya-Sensei's watchful wing.

Konan was trying on one of the new cloaks that she wanted to make for her friends and that some like-minded people would all use, it was grey with a red trim. Konan looked at how it fit using a mirror, it looked rather nice on her. She smiled as it would be the official uniform for her team she hoped at least.

"You look nice today, Konan." A young boy said from behind her.

Konan turned around and saw a boy her age with goggles wearing blue and orange. "Oh, you're here. I thought you were out helping Nagato train?"

He stepped closer, "Yeah, we finished and now he's helping Jiraiya with his most recent book. So I decided to come check on you and Yahiko, but I haven't found him yet."

Konan looked at the stack of cloaks, "Why don't you put one of those on? I can only get so much feedback from one model."

The boy walked over to the stack and quickly put it on, it looked perfect on him. But now she had an idea, "What do you think of the colors?"

The boy looked in the mirror, he felt like the cloak was too bland. "The colors need more life. They should catch the attention of anyone walking by. The colors should say 'Hey this guy's important'. But that's just me." He sheepishly laughed.

Konan smiled, "You're right. Ooh, I know. How about black with a red cloud pattern?"

The boy thought about it, "But clouds aren't very cool. How are we supposed to get people to think we're important if we wear clouds?"

Konan decided to show him using her origami jutsu, she held another cloak in front of the mirror and had a bunch of red paper float and fold into clouds. "The red clouds symbolize the rising dawn, which in turn means hope. When someone sees these red clouds they'll know that we're important, because we want to help people. And as word gets out everyone will see us for the people we are, not what we wear."

The boy looked at Konan's experimental design, "You might be right, but you don't think that it might make your hair more prominent with the colors?"

Konan looked back into the mirror, "Hmm, I hadn't thought about it." She lied.

"Well all girls do that, don't they? But then again I guess presentation is very important. Maybe you should help me pick out my outfits, Konan." He said hoping he could spend more time with her.

Konan smiled, "If that's what you want, Tobi. I'll do it."

Yahiko walked in and noticed the two wearing identical outfits, "WOW, I didn't know you and Tobi were besties, Konan?" He joked.

Konan swatted the air in Yahiko's direction, "We're just trying on the cloaks for our team. They seem to fit pretty well. But Tobi brought up that they need personality."

Yahiko looked at the cloaks more and agreed, "Fine eye, Tobi. I would have never thought of something like that."

Tobi shrugged, "I get my eyes from my family, they're known for their eyes."

Yahiko gave Tobi a glance followed by a thumbs up, "Hey Tobi, promise me you'll take care of Konan while I'm gone okay?"

Tobi saluted, "Okie dokie."

Konan was confused, "You're leaving?"

Yahiko shrugged, "Yeah, I'm going on a mission with Kakashi and his number one fan. We were assigned a bridge destruction mission behind enemy lines. So we'll be gone for quite a bit."

Konan seemed down, "I thought we'd be able to get everyone together for dinner tonight."

Yahiko gave a slight smile, "Sorry, we'll have to do it another time." He looked to Tobi, "A mask might go well with the cloak, Tobi. Since your hair isn't as bright as Konan's."

Tobi thought about it, "Yeah, that sounds cool. How about a yellow mask?"

Konan smirked, "And why would you want to hide your cute face?"

Tobi blushed, "Kono-Chan..."

Yahiko chuckled as he walked out of the room. Konan laughed seeing Tobi blush, it made him cuter somehow. "Okay, how about an orange mask? It seems to be your favorite color, right?"

Tobi quickly lost his blush and looked at himself in the mirror, "Well, it is but maybe you're right, maybe I shouldn't wear a mask. It would hide my Sharingan when I finally awaken it." He smiled brightly. That smile could light up the world, it was too nice to be behind a mask.

Konan closed her eyes for a moment and saw that Tobi had gotten taller and was wearing an orange swirly mask. "Konan," his voice was deep. "You don't understand me and you never will. So go find someone else's shoulder to cry on." His one eye glowed red and the pinwheel pattern began spinning.

Konan opened her eyes and found herself in an apartment, but it was not her own. The apartment was drab with the bare essentials. But there was a half-broken yellow mask on top of a dresser.

"Tobi's apartment. But how did I get here?" She thought to herself.

Konan looked around and noticed a glass of water on the bedside table, it was fresh since it still had ice in it. She sat herself up and began drinking it. The ice was ripe and cold, making the water every bit better.

Footsteps began thudding against the floorboards, and the bedroom door was opened slightly. Tobi peeked inside and saw the newly awakened Konan. He pushed the door open and came in with a full tray of eggs, bacon, and biscuits. Konan noticed that he was wearing the same clothes from the party a couple of nights ago.

Konan was confused cause she thought her dream ended but now she was being served breakfast in bed by one of the two important men in her life. "Did I do something to deserve such treatment from you, Madara?"

Obito placed the tray at the end of the bed, trying to avoid eye contact. "You were kidnapped. By Cloud Shinobi no less."

Konan didn't remember it, "But why? I shouldn't have been on their radar."

Obito arranged the tray for Konan and placed it on her lap. "Because they wanted the scroll that our genjutsu friend stole. They got away with the scroll while I saved you."

Konan knew what type of man Tobi was, he was the type to secure information and not care about anyone else. But now he seemed different, he ran head-first into danger for the sake of others. "Why'd you give away such an invaluable piece of knowledge?" She asked as she picked up a fork and knife.

Obito turned around to the door not wanting to answer, "Get better, please. I'm leaving tonight. I've had enough of the Leaf for two lifetimes."

He stepped through the door and heard a knock at the door. Obito almost didn't want to answer it because he knew for sure who was on the other side, but he reluctantly opened it. Who greeted him was Jiraiya and the Third Hokage, they both had worried looks on their faces.

"Lord Hokage, and Master Jiraiya, what are you two doing here?" Obito asked as Tobi. He stepped aside for them to walk inside

Hiruzen and Jiraiya walked inside and looked around the apartment, "It seems his childlike demeanor doesn't apply to his apartment." Hiruzen thought to himself. Hiruzen spoke, "Kakashi told us about what happened last night."

Jiraiya looked at Tobi, "How's Konan, is she awake?"

Tobi looked towards the bedroom door, "She's awake."

Hiruzen walked to the dining room table and sat down, "Tobi, I wish to hear from you about why Konan was kidnapped."

Tobi walked to the table and sat down, "I lied in my report, I had found the forbidden jutsu scroll. I intended to keep it for myself and learn everything held inside. But some Cloud Shinobi saw me take the scroll and kidnapped Konan in response. They wanted the scroll in exchange for Konan, and I had no choice but to comply. But they tried to kill me and her as we tried to leave, that's when Kakashi came to our aid."

Hiruzen closed his eyes for a moment, "Tobi, what you say could be considered treason to some. You should have given the scroll to me so I could have properly sent it back to Kumogakure, diplomatically."

Obito didn't care for Hiruzen's words, "I should have but I didn't. I can't change that now. I am willing to take responsibility for my actions, so banish me if need be." It wasn't really a request but rather an alternative to him having a reason to leave, he was leaving there was no question about it.

Hiruzen cocked a brow, "And why would we banish you? Just because you wanted to pursue knowledge doesn't make your actions inherently treasonous, especially when you gave it up for the life of your comrade. I'd say that's anything but treasonous."

Obito had a feeling Hiruzen would be too nice about it, "Whether you think what I did was just or not doesn't matter, I wish to leave the village, today."

Jiraiya wondered, "And why is that?"

Obito glanced at Jiraiya and back to Hiruzen, "I don't fit in, nor will I ever fit in. That's just how it is for Tobi."

Hiruzen wanted to ease Tobi's worries, "Tobi, not everyone can fit into a normal life. Especially those who've been scarred by their past. But you must know that people in the Leaf accept you for who you are, especially after you dispelled the Phoenix. Many lives would have been lost yesterday if you hadn't acted on instinct. The academy and all the children would have died but you protected them. If you feel as though you don't belong in the Leaf then I cannot stop you. But can you at least attend the small ceremony before you make your decision?"

Konan stepped out of Obito's room, her clothes still a little dirty from the previous night. She was surprised that the Hokage of all people came to check on her, "Mr Hokage?! What brings you here?"

Jiraiya and Hiruzen smiled, Jiraiya was happy to see that she was safe. "Glad to see that you're okay, Konan."

Konan smiled shyly at Jiraiya, "I'm sorry if you worried for my safety, Jiraiya-Sensei. I was caught off guard last night."

Jiraiya looked at Tobi, "It seems you have a guardian angel, Konan."

Konan looked back at Tobi, "I suppose I do." She gave him a warm smile.

Obito knew that Hiruzen had a way with words, but he was unaffected. However, when Konan smiled at him he felt that feeling again, when he looked at Rin when she smiled. Obito relented, "Alright, I'll stay for another week. But, Lord Hokage, I doubt my mind will be changed permanently."

Hiruzen smirked, "In due time then." Hiruzen stood up and headed for the door, "I'll see you in the afternoon for your award, Tobi." He opened the door and closed it shortly afterwards.

Jiraiya stayed, "Hey Konan, do you want to get some breakfast?"

She frowned slightly, "Sorry, but Tobi already made me breakfast."

Jiraiya was surprised and slumped a little, "Oh. Well how about we meet up for lunch later?"

Konan nodded, "Sounds good, see you then." Jiraiya then promptly left, leaving Obito with Konan.

There was a moment of silence, neither one knew what to say to the other at that moment. Konan wanted to ask Tobi if he truly was Obito but she felt that she had done enough to him for the time being.

Obito on the other hand was too scared to say anything, he was truly falling for Konan and that was terrifying to him. He'd lost one girl he loved and didn't want to lose another, it was better not to say anything than if he said something that'd bite him in the ass.

"My my, you seem like a flustered teenage girl. Are you daydreaming about naughty things, Obito?"

That voice. That voice that sent chills down his spine. That voice that was sometimes random, yet usually helpful. Madara's voice caught Obito off guard.

"What happened to you? You've been gone for a good while." Obito asked.

Madara appeared looking out of one of Obito's windows, "Your decision to save the nine tails' jinchuriki was idiotic. And what's more is that you gave up the Cloud's scroll for Konan, just got it to be a trap. You're acting more irrational. And it's bothering me."

Obito bit out, "Irrational? Well I couldn't let Naruto die, he'd take the nine tails with him. Or would you prefer I stalled out your resurrection longer?"

Madara "Hmphd" and decided to be quieter but not without asking another question when Obito started drinking a glass of water. "When do you plan to connect genitalia?"

Obito had spat out his drink onto the table, he knew it was probably awkward for Konan as she just stared at him from behind. Obito adjusted his mask and spoke to Konan, "I'm sorry, I forgot to brush my teeth and the cold water was irritating my teeth. It was a knee jerk reaction." Madara proceeded to laugh, "My, even the slightest joke gets to you."

Konan felt the tension in the air but she also felt as though there was that weirdness again, Tobi was looking at a specific window and Konan could only assume he was squinting at it, but why was impossible to understand. There was something he could see that others couldn't, why? Was it because of his Sharingan? Probably not. Anything she thought that could have explained it meant nothing because there was nothing that could explain it.

"Tobi, why did you save me? I mean you had an opportunity to keep the Cloud's scroll for yourself but you chose me, why?" Konan asked.

Obito looked toward Konan, contemplating his answer. And when one that didn't embarrass him came along he jumped to speak it aloud. "I knew someone that used to go by a motto. 'Those who break the rules are scum. But those who abandon their friends are worse than scum.' I suppose you and Nagato are the closest thing to me."

Konan found Tobi's words heartwarming, "That's sweet. Thank you, Tobi." She smiled.

Obito felt his heart pang at the sight, he looked away. "Well... It's nothing really. Anyone would have done the same."

Konan walked to the door, "I'm going to go take a shower and afterwards how about we hang out. Does that sound fine?" She asked.

Obito looked at her, "I suppose. I have no plans for the day until the afternoon, so it seems I have the time."

Konan smirked, "Then I'll see you in a bit." She opened and closed the door.

Obito stared into Konan's seductive canary eyes and felt his blood pumping down to places it shouldn't be. He looked down and saw that he'd made a tent. "My my," Obito didn't want to turn around. "It seems that you're having certain thoughts about her occur."

Obito sighed, "And why would it matter to you?"

Madara folded his arms and walked to be in Obito's view, "Well, you and her seem to be getting along more than you used to."

"Your point?"

"My point being that if you continue to see her your heart will be opened up again, meaning that if something were to happen to her that you will once again know pain and despair."

Obito knew the risks and though he wanted to prevent being attached to Konan it seemed that it was impossible to avoid now. "I understand that, but I can't stop it now. Especially since..." Obito was reminded of when Konan was Rin in the genjutsu. "It doesn't matter." Obito stood up and walked towards his bathroom.

When Obito entered the bathroom he opened the cupboard below the sink and grabbed the paint can be bought yesterday. He looked at it and then to the mirror, "It's the little things that make you feel normal." He said to himself. He placed the can on the sink counter and took his shirt off. He began painting the right side of his body, it wasn't completely the same color of his skin but it would at least cause him less stares.

He eventually created a wood clone to help paint the places he could not. Though it wasn't his intention the wood clone worked faster than if he had continued to do it himself.

After the clone finished it lit its hand on fire and warmed the paint in an attempt to dry it. And when it seemed to be dry enough for the paint not to be dripping, the wood clone merged back with Obito. He looked back at the mirror and thought that he looked normal enough. He threw his shirt on and walked to the front door, he hesitated at the door for a moment.

A part of him worried that he'd revert back to who he was before his eye was opened to the true hell the world was if he continued to be around Konan. She made Obito feel like he was worth while, like he hadn't experienced hell first hand. A thought popped up, maybe the infinite Tsukoyomi wasn't needed. Maybe if he continued to live a normal life then he'd be happy. But then peace for the world wouldn't happen, unless Nagato tried all by himself but then again it would soon involve Obito because he'd be required to choose a side, the Akatsuki and its pursuit of peace or the Leaf and continuing the cycle of veiled peace.

But that was going to be a choice for future Obito. Maybe right now he just needed to relax. Obito opened the door and let the morning light bask over him. "Are you trying to guide me down the right path, Rin?" He thought to himself. "Do you want me to protect the Leaf like you did?" Obito wasn't expecting an answer.

Obito leaned against the railing and looked down at the street, he was in deep thought.

"Just be true to yourself, Obito."

Obito stopped himself, "Rin..." He couldn't see her but knowing she was watching him caused a tear to fall from his eye. "Please forgive me, Rin." He moved his mask slightly and wiped his eye with his sleeve. He readjusted his mask and continued looking out over.

At the Hidden Leaf's cemetery, Kakashi was once again standing over the fire shrine. He was thinking about the night before, when he'd helped Obito deal with some Cloud Shinobi. After they saved Konan, Obito hadn't said a word. Even though Kakashi had been determined to speak to him.

Kakashi decided to give Obito his space until he was ready to speak, and that included not revealing the information to Hiruzen. Not even Itachi or Shisui could know, at least not without doing their research first. It gave Kakashi time to let Obito speak of his own volition, but he wouldn't blame him if he chose not to. Especially because Rin died at his hand. Kakashi didn't know a lot about Uchiha but what he did know was that when one loses someone very close to them their Sharingan evolves. The turmoil inside Obito must've been immense after witnessing Rin's death. Kakashi wondered if the old Obito was truly dead or if he still resided in him.

Kakashi bent down and grabbed the pair of goggles, a bit dusty and mossy, that resided below the shrine. He stared at them for a moment and then an idea formed. "If there's still good in you Obito, then maybe love can bring you back." The idea he had involved making sure Obito and Konan fell in love. Last time the girl Obito liked had actually liked Kakashi instead. But now it seemed that both Konan and Obito had veiled feelings for each other, neither wanting to accept them or fearful of the other not reciprocating their feelings.

...But how would Kakashi get the two together? He stood there for a moment, confused onto the how. "I could maybe use some of the events in Makeout paradise." After a moment he shook his head, "No. Obito's too volatile to do something like that to him. But if not Makeout paradise then what do I do?"

Kakashi looked around hoping for anything to give him the faintest idea of what to do, and luckily his eye locked onto something, a snake in the grass. "I can ask Anko, she's a girl so she'd know what to do." Though he was assuming Anko was interested in love and that type of stuff, he never considered talking to the two people actually in a relationship that he knew. How sad it was. Kakashi jogged out of the cemetery with purpose.

Author's note:

Hello there dear reader, I wanted to put this here because I have only recently come back to FFN and finally cross post the 12ish chapters. I kinda forgot that this place was a thing as I prefer the UI and format of AO3 but it's not a bad space. I saw the other day on Reddit that someone recommended FFN over AO3, and mentioned that more people use FFN than AO3.

I may or may not upload the next chapters around roughly the same time as I post it on AO3 but I can't guarantee it.

I hope anyone who's read the story has enjoyed it, and I wish everyone a wonderful December holiday 2023.