After I left the detention facility, I mentally wrote off Obito. I was not a very forgiving person and I had done more than I set out to do. I informed the Hokage I would assist in examining information retrieved by the prisoner, but I refused to have any further part in his questioning.

I was maybe a little childish, but I knew if I was to see him again I would do something regrettable - either to him or to me. I'm a pro at avoiding problems, so I figured I'd stick to my strengths.

My mind was still reeling from the revelations and I was starting to question everything - from everything that had happened in my own life, even to current political situations. It was a dangerous mindset and I had to stop myself from getting lost in my thoughts. If I didn't, I would easily become obsessed.

Unfortunately, I couldn't even do any of my normal assignments to distract myself. The peace treaty with Mist was still in talks - and beyond my pay grade, as far as the council was concerned. I was informed to stay away from any seal work - Yumi was concerned failed experiments (explosions) could effect my heart in some way. And of course, training was out.

To stop myself from going insane, I asked for a temporary assignment from Shikaku. Initially I had thought he'd place me in Intelligence, in a nice little desk job like he always talked about, but instead he sent me to the Jounin Command Centre. I think he wanted to keep me close, but the official line was that he was concerned there could be a mole somewhere within. He asked if I could act as a genin 'runner' between departments. I was under strict instructions not to engage with any suspects, but to note any odd activity and report directly to him.

Since I was technically still a genin (my official rank had never changed), and I had already worked as Shikaku's secretary before, it wouldn't be too suspicious for me to take up such a role. Plus we had a personal connection, even if people didn't know that technically he was my guardian - Nepotism was rife in the shinobi world, even if I wasn't an official member of the Nara clan.

I found the work mind numbing, but it was constant and kept me occupied. Jounin were lazy, and had absolutely no inclination to get their own shit unless they absolutely needed to. One particularly lazy shinobi had me run up two floors to get him files from an office two doors away from his...Shikaku was an absolute piece of work, I tell you.

Having a fairly routine assignment also meant meeting up with people was easy - depending on their schedules. When Shisui and Itachi were in village, they would often meet me at lunch or drop by after my work. We didn't even plan anymore - if it happened, it happened. Itachi had also taken a step back from ANBU for a period - his father was keen on him getting a promotion to Jounin, and so he needed more missions under his belt in his actual name, not as Weasel. That suited me fine as it meant they were less dangerous and more regulated - meaning I could see him more.

God knows what Shisui was up to, but I saw him enough and in good enough spirits that I wasn't overly worried.

I had gathered that they weren't involved with Obito's case, based on their mission schedule, which also made me happy. It was one less thing we had to keep from each other...I had been worried about their reaction to my interrogation, but neither had mentioned it - other than Shisui glumly accepting that he would pay for the dinner that evening (it was an awkward meal, but I'm not sure who was worse out of all of us).

Gai had also become a regular part of my morning and weekend routine, and I had Yumi to thank for that. While I was in my coma, he was away on a few mid length missions, with his latest resulting in him being injured (something about opening gates and being an idiot? Yumi liked to rant, I didn't often listen). Since he was in recuperation, and driving everyone in the hospital insane, Yumi had sent him my way to help increase my stamina and cardio again. Thankfully, it wasn't the same kind of torture as last time, and everything was taken very slow with frequent heart rate checks and breaks. It gave him something to focus on, and stopped Yumi from moaning to me about my laziness, so I was accepting enough (even if it did mean I had to wake up at five in the morning).

On days where I had nothing to do after work, I would find myself in a cafe between the Jounin Command Centre and home. I loved the Nara's, but after so much injury and being restricted, I was starting to get a little stir crazy and needed my own space. I was thinking of getting my own apartment soon, but it definitely wasn't the time - I needed to wait until things calmed more after the Obito stabby situation. Neither Shikaku or Yoshino would consider leaving me to my own devices right now.

It was about three weeks after I started at the Jounin Command Centre, when my private reading time was rudely interrupted by some random chuunin.

"Hello, Nakahara-kun!" I lowered my book to look at the older teenage male chuunin, whom had just slid into my booth uninvited. He was a couple of years older than me, and I had never met him before.

I didn't say anything to him in reply, but raised my eyebrow from him (it was a very Fugaku move - gave an impression of superiority while rudely accepting acknowledgment of the other persons presence. It came across as very rude, so I liked it).

"So, um, do you mind if I sit here?" He asked.

"You clearly already are," I replied coolly.

He laughed nervously. "Haha, I know! I mean...I hope that you don't mind that I'm sitting here? I wanted to introduce myself! I'm Ban!"

"That's nice. Did you need something?" I was getting bored quickly.

"Oh, um, no...I just wanted to introduce myself. Get to know you? You know?"

He seemed nervous. But wasn't giving away anything overly suspicious...I couldn't understand what his game was, and he was becoming very uninteresting very quickly.

"Well, consider yourself introduced. You can go now," I said, dismissing him and returning to my book.

"Haha, you're funny! So, do you come here a lot?" He was still nattering on...I sighed.

"Yes." I didn't lift my eyes from the page I was reading, even if he was distracting me.

"I've seen you a couple of times, you looked lonely...so I thought I would say hi."

I lowered my book to look at him. He thought I looked lonely? Sorry, but that excuse doesn't fly unless you are ten years old.

"And you've said hi. So if you'll excuse me, I think I'll be going home." I packed up my things to leave - if he wouldn't leave me alone, it was easily remedied another way. I usually wouldn't back down, but I really couldn't be bothered wasting my energy on him.

Unfortunately for me, he seemed incessant. He sat in my booth the next day and the next and the next. He'd sometimes ask me basic pleasantries about my day, or what I was reading. I kept my answers short to make my disinterest clear. At the end of the week he approached me, but this time with an offering.

"These are for you!"

He said, and thrust a small bouquet of flowers in my face. I took them off him hesitantly and looked at them funny.

"What are these for?" I asked. Truthfully, I'd never received flowers before, except from Yoshino when I was in the hospital. I had taken kunoichi lessons at the Academy, so knew that they we used to convey messages and sentiment, but it wasn't a subject I particularly paid attention in.

"Oh! Well," he scratched the back of his head with his free hand. "I like you? I was hoping I could take you out on a date?"

Dear lord, what the hell was going on? Had we stepped into some alternative dimension where this was something that happened? Who was pranking me? I swear if Shisui was involved I was going to castrate him.

My eyebrows shot up in surprise. "A date? Why? What do you want?"

Now it was his turn to look shocked. "Want? Nothing! Just to get to know you pretty...I mean, get to know you better. You are pretty and seem interesting."

Okay, now I knew he was lying. Pretty is not something I have ever heard to describe myself. Interesting, yes...but he wouldn't know that. My exploits are more than classified.

"Sorry if I don't believe you," I said sceptical. "It seems a bit unexpected."

"Really! I was hoping to take you out...tomorrow maybe? For dinner? It's okay if you say no, but I would regret it if I didn't ask."

I looked at him with narrowed eyes. He wasn't unattractive, so probably didn't have too much difficulty with girls. There was no reason for him to approach me at all. I had never met him, except for his annoying me in the cafe. I didn't have any kind of reputation anywhere, except with the council...and maybe the Uchiha (for being a nuisance more than anything...), and it was unlikely he was affiliated with anyone I was.

I wanted to know more about what he was up to, but I couldn't do that without more information.

"Okay, fine..." I said. He looked thrilled. "Five o'clock tomorrow, meet outside of here?"

He nodded. "Sure! I'll see you then!" He thrust the flowers at me once more, which I grudgingly accepted, and ran away.

Huh.

I felt embarrassed with the looks and the soft giggles I was getting, so packed up my things and left promptly. I planned to dispose of the flowers as soon as I could manage (without an audience).

As soon as I exited the cafe, I ran into Itachi and Shisui, who looked like they were looking for me.

"Erena! Just who we've been...what are those?" Shisui asked, a silly confused look on his face.

"Flowers," I huffed, trying to hide them behind my back.

"And why do you have flowers?"

I sighed and rubbed my brow out of frustration. "Because someone gave them to me."

"And why did someone give them to you?" He was grinning now.

"Because they asked me out on a date..."

"I knew it!" He laughed. "Erena's got herself a boyfriend!"

Itachi hit him on the arm. "You don't need to make fun, Shisui. It's a nice thing."

"No, this is called payback! It's brilliant! After everything you pulled on me-"

"You can stop right there. I'm just going to figure out what he's up to. It's not going to be an actual date," I replied, trying to dismiss their train of thought.

"What do you mean, Erena? Do you think he is a spy?" It was Itachi's turn to look confused, and concerned, now.

"Well, no...he's definitely from Konoha, but I'll figure it out soon enough. I'll ask around first, then tomorrow-"

"Erena...did you stop to think maybe he actually wants to take you out on a date?" Itachi asked.

"Well, no. Why would he?" Honestly, Itachi was usually more perceptive. There was clearly an underlying reason.

"But, why not?"

"I'm not exactly attractive, and I'm not the most fun person to be around? You guys put up with me, but I'm not a normal teenager. Hell, I've been giving the guy the cold shoulder for a week, and all he did was buy me flowers. Who does that?"

Itachi and Shisui shared a wide-eyed look. "Erena, do you actually look at yourself in the mirror? You're not exactly unfortunate looking." I think that was the closest Shisui has ever come to giving me a complement. "And as much as it hurts me to say it, you are pretty funny - when you're not being a pain in the ass."

Itachi nodded. "You are quite pretty Erena. Why would you think so little of yourself?"

I shrugged. "My track record's not much to go on. Everyone always wants something from me. Why would this be any different?"

Itachi looked upset, and Shisui closed his eyes.

"Do you feel that same way about us?" Itachi asked.

"Well, no..." I replied. I didn't think so. Out of everyone, only Shikaku, Itachi and Shisui hadn't showed any alternative reason for wanting to be around me. Everyone else who had shown me any attention wanted something.

"Maybe you should start learning to trust a bit more? Start fresh with someone and see what happens?"

I frowned. It wasn't that easy. Being the Uchiha heir, I'm sure he was used to people trying to befriend and use him for their own gains. I thought he would be able to understand my feelings on this.

"I agree. You're not in ROOT anymore, you're not exactly a power player - as far as the public knows. What have you got to lose by at least trying see what happens? No information gathering before...just go on a date and ask questions like a normal person. Who knows? You might even like him!" Shisui asked, although you could literally feel the awkward vibes flowing off him.

I snorted. "I doubt that. He seemed too mousy...I'll get bored within five minutes."

"Then go and see, and if you get bored within five minutes, then no harm done...except maybe to this guys ego?...now can we change the conversation? It's like giving dating advice to a sister. It feels wrong on every level."

"Fine," I said, happy to leave the topic behind. "What did you guys hunt me down for anyway?" It wasn't normal for them to seek me out at the cafe - if they were late in seeing me, they would normally just leave it.

Shisui rubbed the back of his neck. "So, uhh...you know how you think everyone wants something from you?"

I laughed. "What do you need?"

"Turns out we have a joint mission coming up, but the intel seems a bit off to us...can you have a look and tell us what you think?"

"Gimme the file," I said, hands outstretched. Silly boys, as if this was what I meant.

Against my better judgement, I did not do any snooping on Ban. It felt wrong and made me feel uneasy, but if Itachi and Shisui thought I should give it a go, then I would.

I didn't tell Yoshino or Shikaku, and only mentioned it to Gai the next morning. He seemed a little put off by it, and seemed a little suspicious, but didn't question me too much. In some respect, it made my previous concerns feel validated...if a more experienced Jounin was as distrustful as me, then I wasn't going insane.

I also decided I wasn't going to put any extra effort into it, either. I simply dressed in my normal clothes (I had taken to wearing civilian clothes at the command centre...I figured it would make people see me a even less of a threat and lose their guard around me), so just had on a casual dress (neck high, to hide my chest wounds), and looked as un-ninja like as you possibly could.

I saw Ban outside of the cafe, already waiting for me. He looked relaxed and wore a dressed down version of the Chuunin uniform...I suspected he just dropped off his vest and changed his undershirt.

He seemed genuinely pleased when he saw me, and fumbled over his greeting.

"Oh hi, Erena! You're on time! I was worried you wouldn't come!"

God, the instinct to tease was right there...I had to bite my tongue.

"Thanks Ban, so where are we going?"

"There's a nice soba place not too far. Is that okay with you?" It wasn't my favourite, but I didn't mind it, so I shrugged.

"Lead on."

When he said it wasn't far, he wasn't kidding. It was less than five minutes away, and I was glad. His excited puppy act was starting to grate on me.

As soon as we had ordered at the restaurant, I had decided this definitely was not for me. But if I bailed now, I knew Itachi and Shisui would be disappointed in me, so I had to at least try and bare with it until the end of the meal.

"So, how do you enjoy being a genin? Have you actually sat the chuunin exams at all?"

I sighed. "Nope, not really been interested, if I'm honest." And I really wasn't - from what I knew of the chuunin exams, it would be a waste of time and effort.

"Oh, so you're happy with being a career genin?" He seemed a little confused.

"Well...I guess? Rank has never bothered me too much, and I keep busy."

"Wow, that's so weird.. I mean its great you're happy and all! But I couldn't wait to become a chuunin. It only took me three goes, but I got here! I've been trying to make jounin for a while and I think I've-"

"Well, hello! Fancy seeing you here!" Shisui appeared at our table, an embarrassed looking Itachi in tow. Dirty little sneak.

I groaned. "Yes. What a coincidence. I would say it was nice to see you, but I don't believe in lying," I said through gritted teeth. What were they, my babysitters?

"Good evening, Erena. We are sorry to interrupt," Itachi said, giving Shisui a side eye. "We were just on our way to our table. We are sitting far over there," he indicated to a table at the other end of the restaurant. "I hope you have a pleasant evening." He dragged Shisui away, hissing to him under his breath.

"Was that...Uchiha Itachi and Uchiha Shisui?" Ban asked, a little star struck.

"Unfortunately," I groaned.

"You know them?"

"Unfortunately."

"Wow, they are legends, you know? Shisui has been a jounin forever, and I heard rumours they are both in ANBU...whoa, isn't that Hatake Kakashi?"

My head jumped up. Of course it fucking was. Because where else would Hatake, the famed social recluse be, except in the restaurant where I was having a date? A person who I rarely saw, and who I'm pretty sure I royally pissed off last time I saw him? And who else was with him, but fucking Maito Gai...three guesses who dragged Hatake out...what was this, 'let's embarrass and sabotage Erena' night?

Hatake clearly saw me, but didn't even acknowledge my presence. Gai didn't even look my way...still remembering his training, I see.

"Fucking hell," I tried to sink into my seat.

"Wow, I had no idea this place was such a hot spot...I should come here more often!" Ban said, impressed by the current clientele.

"Mmmm, yes, it's impressive."

"Isn't it!" He was practically jumping. "Do you think I should go and introduce myself? It doesn't hurt to be noticed, you know?"

"Nope, definitely not. No introductions. Let's just sit here and enjoy our meal in peace."

He looked torn. "I suppose that would be best..." He looked between me and Kakashi. God, go ask him on a date then! By the look of things, he had a bigger crush on him than me.

"You must meet so many interesting people working at the Jounin Command Centre!" He chirped. "Is that how you know the Uchiha?"

"Not exactly," I said.

"Oh, did your uncle introduce you?"

I narrowed my eyes. "Not exactly."

"It must be so cool having Nara Shikaku as an uncle. It must open so many doors."

He hummed. I was about the reply as our meal was placed in from of us. He smiled at the waitress, before breaking the chopsticks.

"You know, Nara Shikaku is one of the assessors at the next Jounin assessments. Has he mentioned anything about them?"

I wanted to smack my head on the table then and there. For multiple reasons. First, could you even try to be a little subtle? Had no one ever given you lessons on how to extract information properly? Even if you weren't trained in infiltration, this was basic. And secondly, I was going to really enjoy telling the boys 'I told you so.'

"Nope. Can't say he has," I said, unimpressed. I left my noddles untouched as Ban continued to eat. I picked up my chopsticks and gently started tapping them on the table.

"Really? Oh, well. You know, do you think you could introduce us? It would be super useful to chat to him beforehand, you know?"

"I'm sure it would be..." I was scowling now, and tilted my head to the side. If he wasn't so engrossed in his his own train of thoughts and his fucking noodles, he would have picked up that something wasn't quite right.

"So do you think you could? It's so hard to get a meeting with him and -"

Bang!

I threw a chopstick at him, and it landed directly at the side of his bowl- only a few millimetres from where his face had been, slurping from the bowl.

"Oops, silly me," I said, without a hint of sincerity. His eyes went wide, and jaw slacked. I found his reaction even more irritating and I sensed a bit of Killing Intent slip out...and the problem with my Killing Intent was that it wasn't exactly friendly...

"Mah, everything okay here?" Kakashi appeared at the end of the table.

"Fuck off, Kakashi," I growled. He wasn't helping my mood at all.

"Now, now. No need for that Erena," he had his usual bored expression on his face. I found my Killing Intent grow a little, and it was just starting to be noticeable. Kakashi tensed, Ban looked shit scared, Gai went still, and Itachi and Shisui were jumping out of their seats.

"Fuck this, I'm leaving," I said, and proceeded to storm out of the door, Itachi and Shisui hot on my heels.

"Erena, wait!"

I ran for about ten minutes, in the hopes it would help me calm down. Unfortunately, it didn't work, and all it did was tire me out and give me heart palpitations. I leaned against the wall and slowly slid down, trying to catch my breath.

"Erena! Are you okay?" Itachi exclaimed.

I panted but gave them the thumbs up. "Well that was a fucking disaster." I said between breaths.

Shisui let out the breath he had been holding. "Phew, she's swearing, she's okay."

I sent him a dry look.

"What happened in there?" Itachi kneeled down beside me.

"Let's just say I told you so," I chuckled quietly.

"What do you mean?"

"In future, if I don't trust someone...I'm probably right. If I want to do a background search on someone, I'm damn well going to...He's looking for a promotion - looks like he couldn't get access to Shikaku so what better way than using his little gullible genin niece?"

"Are you sure? Why would he go through all that effort?"

"Because he's shit, that's why. Can't get through on his own fucking merit, so thought he could use me to get an in...he's a fucking idiot...he'd end up being killed the minute they send him on a solo mission."

"Oh, Erena, I'm sorry. It's not always like this-"

"It's fine, Itachi. I've learned my lesson. You know, at least ROOT were clear they were using you. You were only ever a tool, and you knew that. They were shady as fuck, but they didn't lie...I had accepted that the village only wants to use me, but you made me think I should give them a chance, you know?"

"Erena, just because one idiot thought you were a path to an easy promotion..."Shisui started.

"No, it's fine. I have you guys...I know the people I can trust...the ones that care for me. I don't need anyone else."

They shared a sad look before they both offered me hands to get up.

"Come on. If you're done sitting in the dirt, we can at least go out for dinner...I'm guessing you wouldn't say no to a whole dinner of dango?"

I grinned and they pulled me up. "Between me and Itachi I feel sorry for the place."

The next morning, I met Gai as normal. He didn't mention anything about the night before during our training session, and neither did I. I was more than a little pissed at him, and didn't understand what he was pulling by dragging Kakashi there.

I didn't actually talk to him much during, and whenever he did try, my answers were short. I tried to keep it as close to training as possible. At the end, I could tell he was getting frustrated with my lack of conversation.

"Erena! I must apologise for my most Unyouthful behaviour! I only had concern for a friend, and I did not mean to add to your plight! When I am able, I will run around the village one hundred times for failure as a friend!"

I sighed. Goddamn Gai and his inability for me to stay mad at him. No one did apologies quite like him.

"Look, whatever Gai...lets just forget it. But why Kakashi? Seriously? Out of all of the annoying idiots in the village, you had to bring him?"

He at least looked a little sheepish. "While I needed a companion, Kakashi needed a distraction. I had hoping to solve two problems at once, and did not anticipate that his presence would cause further distress."

"It's not so much as cause distress...but he doesn't trust me as it is, but he has even less reason to. I'm surprised I haven't been hauled back to T and I after losing control like that."

"You misunderstand, Erena. Kakashi was not angry at you. He was concerned."

"Yes, concerned about what I would do to Ban." I snorted.

"No, he has more faith in you than what you give him credit for. He seemed most angry at that boys Unyouthful behaviour towards you."

"Well, that makes no sense."

"While I do not know that true nature of how you received your injury, I am aware that my rival does. I believe that it still plagues him...so you see, we are now also rivals in protecting you! Even if only from Unyouthful Chuunin!" He grinned.

I gave a faint smile and snorted. "Well, you don't need to worry about that anymore. Now come on...I ran for ten minutes last night and it flattened me. It was so embarrassing..."

After that the topic was forgotten, and Gai was more than happy to concentrate on training. He did scold me for running for that long, but also seen it as further motivation as I did not have a heart attack...great. What doesn't kill you makes you stronger, I suppose?

I suspected my time at the Jounin Command Centre was soon to be at a close. That day I also discovered two plants who were working together. One was in tactical, and the other was in archives. They were funnelling out unrelated information too regularly to be a coincidence. I couldn't tell where they were funnelling to, but that was not my assignment. Shikaku kept me in place a little longer to monitor, while ANBU did their own investigation as to their purpose. If they found any other potential leaks in other areas, I may get sent there to weed out further traitors. Fine my me...I also informed him of the substandard file sent to Itachi and Shisui for their next mission, which already made me suspicious of sabotage. If I was right, I was either going to be sent to Intelligence or ANBU next.

After my conversation with Gai in the morning, I decided to confront Kakashi. Now, I hated confrontation, but I felt like I needed to. After how things were left at the Detention centre, then the night before, I'd feel more awkward the longer things were left. The problem was I had no idea where to find the guy. I wasn't exactly pals with him, I we hadn't really spoken outside of our duty before. Despite this, he was one of the only ones I could actually trust to have my back.

I sent feelers out through my Infiltration Corps (they were such good little busybodies), and I received a reply less than an hour later to say he was at the memorial stone.

I headed straight there, hoping to catch him before he left. When I got there, he was still standing in front of it, with a defeated posture.

"Wow, you really get the prize for being a self-flagellating bastard, don't you? Masochistic, much?" I said.

He tensed and turned around. "Sorry if you don't understand. I know basic human emotions like regret missed you when they were being passed out."

"Ouch. You know, I actually have the full repertoire of emotions available. I just don't focus on only the depressing ones. You might want to give it a go."

He snorted. "The day I take mental health advice from you is the day I check myself into psyche."

"Let's be honest, it's probably the best place for both of us, but denial is a wonderful thing."

"Mah, no argument from me...now, what do I owe for this displeasure?"

I gave him a lop sided smile. "I just wanted to apologise for last night...It was an isolated incident and won't happen again."

He narrowed his eye at me. "You mean the use of chopstick as a weapon on a poor unsuspecting chuunin, unleashing your demonic Killing Intent in a public setting or generally being an overly emotional teenage girl?"

"Ugh...when you put it like that, it sounds worse than what I thought of in my head. But I guess all of it? Especially the teenage girl part. There is no excuse for that whatsoever."

"Except the part where you are a teenager and a girl?"

"Don't remind me. I'm annoyed by myself."

He shrugged. "Mah, don't worry about it. No one got hurt except the table...I think I've anyone is due an emotional outburst, it's you."

It was my turn to narrow my eyes at him. "And what is that supposed to mean?"

"As you said, psyche is probably the best place for both of us."

I didn't say anything in reply...I didn't think I needed to. I could have gone looking for an argument, but I'd said my piece and got what I came for. Instead, I walked over to him and sat in front of the memorial stone...come to think of it, it's probably the first time I'd actually looked at it.

I sat, and he stood, in silence for a while until he spoke. "How did you do it?"

"Hmm, come again?" I asked.

"Break free of ROOTs hold, start your rebellion...free the others from Danzo's grasp? All of it, any of it?"

I tilted my head at him. "I don't think that's what you're really asking, is it?"

He sighed and lowered his head.

"I know you don't want to talk about it, so I won't make you."

Ah. Obito. The only topic which I wanted to avoid with him.

"Just spit it out."

"Erena...I don't want-"

"Kakashi...I won't ask twice. You've actually been a decent human being in this conversation, so allow me to extend the courtesy."

He paused for a while, seeming to contemplate the matter.

"I can't excuse what he's done...to the village and to you. But he is my friend. And all I might have left. He's...seen the error of his ways, but he's lost and I don't know if I'll get him back."

I snorted. "That's it?"

"That's it? Look, I didn't say that to be ridiculed by some..."

"No no, hold off on the insults, please. I'm being genuine. Is that it? All you want is to get your friend back?"

"Yes," he said through gritted teeth.

"Has the Hokage decided what's going to happen to him?"

He sighed. "Nothing is confirmed. But it's unlikely they will execute him...despite all he has done, it's still an asset and could be useful in the future."

"Then we can work with that," I said, and Kakashi snapped his head at me. "You actually respected my experience enough to ask for my help. Whether or not I like the bastard has very little weight on my decision. Tell me, will you vouch for him?"

He nodded.

"The friend you want back doesn't exist at the moment." Kakashi frowned at me. "He won't exist while he's kept in confinement. Right now he is empty - his whole belief structure has been smashed, and he'll be sitting there wallowing in guilt and self pity. He needs to be reminded about what he had before. Who he was before."

"But how?"

"The same way I broke ROOT. By finding their joy again."

It wasn't easy, but we were able to petition to the Hokage for him to be released into Kakashi's custody for a couple of hours a week. I developed a chakra restraining band, and a cuff that meant he could only be two metres from Kakashi or he would be rendered unconscious. Apparently he had a special Sharingan, and I had to confer with Fugaku in order to ensure this would also work against that. I had to make a couple of strange adjustments (like ensuring one foot on the ground at all times, and something about it working in different planes of reality? What were these freaky Uchiha up to?), before it reached his approval.

Everything was strictly on the down low, and only a select few actually knew about it - which didn't include Itachi and Shisui. They were going to blow their tops when they found out, but I'd deal with that when it happened. Better to ask forgiveness than permission!

When the day came, I told Kakashi to take an hour to explore the village before meeting me at a seat below the Hokage monument, with a great view. I also didn't want him to tell Obito of my involvement in everything, as I suspected he wouldn't agree.

Right on time, Kakashi and Obito arrived, with Obito in a henge. He still looked like an Uchiha, but several features were altered. Obito tensed as he saw me, and gave Kakashi a concerned look - like he was concerned about my reaction.

"Mah, been waiting here long?" Kakashi asked lazily, ignoring Obito's stressful gaze.

"Nope, you're both right on time. How you doing Obito? Feeling less murdery today?" I grinned and waved. Inside my stomach was churning, but I wouldn't let them see. Kakashi needed this.

"I'm well, thank you. And yourself."

"Splendid, thank you." I gestured to the bench. "Now come sit down. You're about to see my training in action."

"Training? I was under the impression you were still benched?" Kakashi asked. He still didn't know about Gai's sessions with me, it seemed.

"Figuratively and literally," I made a dramatic motion indicating the bench.

"Why are you off duty?" Obito asked, confused. I guess to him I looked perfectly fine. I saw Kakashi wince.

"Slight side effect of having a katana through your heart. Takes a while to get over, you know?"

He paled. "I'm so-"

"Oh, zip it, mister. I'm sure Kakashi will tell you, I'm a stubborn cow and a bit weird. Actions speak louder than words, in my book, so don't bother with your meaningless apologies until you can prove it." I stopped my tirade and immediately perked up when I saw something in the corner of my eye. "Oh look! Better sit down, quick!" I grinned.

"Is she okay?" I heard Obito whisper to Kakashi.

"Not even in the slightest," he replied happily.

"Hey! I heard that!" I grinned.

As if on cue, I heard a few faint 'pops' in the distance. In an instant, the Hokage Mountain disappeared under a thick fog. I grinned, and I saw Kakashi and Obito stand.

"Three...two...one..." I counted down. The fog lifted.

The Mountain was heavily and thoroughly graffitied. Moustaches and beards were drawn where they shouldn't, and the place looked like a paint box had vomited on it. Perhaps my favourite, was a pink face Minato with bright green hair.

"What the...is sensei's hair green? Just like at the training ground!" I saw Obito smile, as though he was holding back a laugh. I slid Kakashi a sideways glance, which he returned.

"Woo hoo! That was amazing, dattebayo!" A blond creature, covered head to toe in wet paint came barrelling over, and ran straight into me with some force. I let out a faint 'ooft' as I caught him. "Did you see it? What do you think? Even Sasuke-teme can't call me lame this time!"

"It was perfect," I giggled. "Well done!"

"And the Fourth? I did it just as you said! Same colour you used and everything!"

I heard a started gasp leave Obito, turned to give him a sly smile before returning to Naruto.

"It's just perfect! Looks just like him! Now - I should introduce you to my friends here! Naruto, meet Kakashi and...Tobi, is it? Kakashi and Tobi, meet Naruto!"