After the musical was finished, Goro escorted Madara to a dressing room. He knocked politely, "Mito-nee-san, it's cousin Goro. I've come to introduce you to someone."

A moment of silence and then there was a sigh, "The door's open."

Goro opened the door and entered first, he saw his cousin tying her hair up into buns as she looked at herself in a mirror. Goro waved nervously, "Hey, Mito. It's been a while, how have you been?"

Mito seemed disinterested, "I see you every day, Goro. Just skip the pleasantries and introduce me to whoever you brought."

Goro did as he was asked with a nervous chuckle, his cousin was not in a good mood. "Mito, I would like you to meet the leader of the Uchiha clan, Madara."

Mito's shoulders tensed up she wasn't prepared for someone of that importance to be wandering around with Goro.

Madara walked into the room a little uneasy, maybe he had made a mistake wanting to meet the singer. "Hello."

Mito saw Madara's jet-black hair in the mirror, she remembered seeing the black hair in the audience. "Uchiha-sama?! Forgive my tone earlier, I was a little exhausted from the show."

"Oh no, there's no need to apologize. Although I cannot relate to whatever frustrations you have, I can at least understand them." Madara said.

Mito finished doing her hair and stood out of the chair, "I am Mito Uzumaki, daughter of Ashina." She bowed to him.

Madara bowed in return, "The pleasure is all mine, Miss Uzumaki. I very much enjoyed your performance tonight, it was truly nothing I had ever experienced before."

Mito blushed a little, "Well, I'm glad you liked it. It's not often a foreigner comes to Uzushio, especially to see me dance and sing."

Madara smiled, "Although it was not my main intention of coming here, I am happy nonetheless."

Mito looked out the window and saw that the sun was setting, "I'm really sorry Uchiha-sama, but I must be going. I promised to meet a friend after the show. Once again, my apologies."

Madara was slightly saddened, "Of course, another time then, Miss Uzumaki." He bowed once more.

Mito bowed again and gave Madara an apologetic expression, she walked out of her dressing room and into the hallway. "Uchiha-sama, if you are still here tomorrow would you like to meet me near the great river?"

"Of course, Uzumaki-hime. Until tomorrow."

It had been a three weeks since Obito and Konan have been living in the Hidden Leaf village. Obito had been surprisingly busy for the time he'd stayed in the village, most of it was training. While the other portion of his time was spent going on missions and being babied by Kakashi and the wood-style user Tenzo.

Obito walked through the village thinking about his infinite dream, he wanted to have that happy life. But as Obito was walking along, he noticed that he was walking by the ninja academy. The kids were flooding out as their learning ended for the day. But one child stood out among all the kids, a blonde boy sat on a swing beneath a tree watching the other kids be picked up by their parents, guardians, and older siblings. Unfortunately, there was no one to pick up the blonde.

Obito saw the boy's blonde hair and blue eyes, it was like looking at a younger version of his sensei. This was the boy Obito had held hostage to obtain the nine tails and by proxy Kushina, the boy's mother.

Obito felt all the guilt for that night, Kushina said to him that if she had a son that she wanted him to be just like Obito then. Ironic that she died to him and he became an orphan just like him.

Obito continued walking, trying not to think about the boy and his parents.

Obito made his way back to his apartment, he just needed some sleep and he'd forget about seeing the boy. He made his way up the stairs and turned the corner, his eye made contact with Konan who was already trying to enter her apartment. He walked forward to his apartment, and by proxy Konan as well.

Konan unlocked her door and noticed Madara coming her way, "Oh, hello Tobi."

"Hey, Kono-chan. How are you today?"

Konan shrugged, "Eh, it was an alright day off. Honestly, I don't much like all the downtime. But I do have to ask, do you have a moment? I wish to speak to you about something."

Obito looked at his apartment and then at Konan, "Yeah, of course, Tobi has time." Konan opened her apartment and Obito walked inside, Konan went in shortly after and closed the door.

Obito looked around Konan's apartment and noticed that it was almost identical to his own, probably because they put them together on short notice. He stopped and dropped his Tobi facade, changing into his Madara persona, "What is it you wish to speak about?"

Konan walked over to her couch, sitting down. "It's about Nagato, he sent Zetsu to inform us that he wishes to meet tonight."

Obito folded his arms, "Hmm, very well."

"Zetsu said eleven o'clock at an abandoned hut outside the village." Konan elaborated.

Obito walked closer to the couch, "Is that all?"

Konan sighed, "There's one other thing, with nothing to do with Nagato. It's personal."

He probably should have said no before Konan asked, but he was curious. "Alright, go on."

Konan seemed nervous, "Back when we first traveled to the Leaf, you said that you didn't mind being asked about your past. Why? I'm sorry, it just always rubbed me weirdly."

Obito let his arms fall to his side, "Well when you've lived long as I have, especially in secret, you sometimes lose track of who you are. When you asked me questions it gave me a sense of... How should I put it? Importance, I suppose. I don't get to recount my life to everyone. You and Nagato are the only ones that know I live."

Konan nodded, "Thank you for your honesty, my Lord."

Madara nodded back, "Unless you need anything else I wish to retire back to my quarters."

"Forgive me if my question comes off as being rude, but why did you attack the Leaf?"

Obito had seen Madara's memories of the fateful day when Madara decided that the world needed the infinite Tsukoyomi. He pulled a chair from the kitchen and sat down, "Well, at first you should know that the First Hokage and I were great friends long before we were teenagers. We snuck out from our homes every week, to train and speak to someone who wasn't prejudiced against other clans. We were good friends until our fathers found out and created a wedge between us. I unlocked my Sharingan the day I renounced my friendship, driving the wedge further. We fought against each other for the sake of our clans up until our late twenties when Hashirama gathered up enough clans to outnumber the Uchiha once over. My brother Izuna convinced me that we seek help from another clan to counteract any attack the Senju would initiate. I traveled to Uzushiogakure to seek help from the Uzumaki, however, there was a minor complication..."

Konan felt that she was seeing a different side of Madara, he felt like an actual person instead of the Boogeyman everyone feared him to be. Though he was very intimidating, maybe his Tobi persona was what he once was before he went rogue. Konan started thinking about it and now she was finally understanding what it was that drew her to Madara. It was originally his mysterious nature, but as time went on she saw the cracks in his mask. He was a goofy caring man underneath everything, probably due to being a leader. But yet pain still could be seen in his eye.

Obito stopped speaking, feeling that he was losing himself in Madara's memories. It was like his body and mind were no longer his own, but he was just a vessel living life in Madara's stead. And it didn't help that Madara wished him to do things he did not want to.

Konan worried about Madara, he just stopped randomly. "Is everything alright, my Lord?"

Obito sighed, "Unfortunately not. I... ...no longer wish to continue talking about my past. I apologize. Maybe we can continue this another time." He stood up and moved the chair back to its place.

Konan stood up to give him farewells when she finally mustered up the courage, "Lord Madara, I have a gift for you. That is if you want it." She seemed uncertain of her words.

Madara stopped walking to the door, he turned around, "I don't think I've been gifted anything in a long while. I suppose one gift couldn't hurt, but don't think I owe you anything."

Konan bowed and walked to her room to retrieve the box that she wrapped a two weeks ago. She placed it beside her bed for safekeeping, it was a shoe box wrapped in orange and blue polka-dotted paper. It was ugly but Konan didn't care for it. She grabbed the box and headed back into the main room. Madara now sat at the kitchen table with his arms folded and his legs straight, he had a sense of boredom or reluctance about him.

Konan walked over to Madara and handed the box to him, "This was supposed to be an after-mission gift when we returned to Nagato and the Akatsuki but seeing as we've been caught up with Konoha, I guessed it would just be a normal gift."

Obito took the gift box, staring at the familiar colors that were his favorite at one point in his life. He tore the paper off and balled it up, he noticed that it was just a shoe box. "You got me...shoes?" The question was more to himself than to Konan.

"Just keep going," Konan said.

Obito opened the shoe box and removed some of the paper that padded the box onto the table. He stared at the item in the box, it was something that made him chuckle but it wasn't a chuckle through Madara's voice, it was his own.

Konan took note of his gravelly chuckle that wasn't the high-pitched Tobi nor the deep basey Madara, it was the second time that she'd heard it.

Obito looked at it and smiled to himself, he spoke aloud in his Madara voice, "Back in my time people only gave gifts that had practical use. Some people were often looked down upon if they had given an immaterial item. I would place a mask as such. But I don't mind, I think it's all about the thought." Obito looked up at Konan, "Thank you, Konan." The mask reminded him of the white Zetsu creature named Guruguru.

Konan was surprised by Madara's response, she thought he'd merely accept it and move on. But it seemed like it struck a soft spot inside him. She wondered if he'd ever actually received a gift, was he that lonely? "It's nothing really, my Lord."

Obito pulled the mask out of the box and headed to the wall where his apartment would be, "I'll see you with Nagato, Paper Angel." He just phased through the wall like a ghost.

Obito arrived at the meeting point before Konan did, he stood outside waiting for her to arrive. Obito stood in silence, thoughtless. He didn't want to think of anything at all, especially anything to do with Madara. He wanted to be calm and serene for his meeting with Nagato.

Konan arrived ten minutes late, mostly because she had to conceal her chakra and bypass any guards without being detected. All Obito had to do was create a wood clone and use Kamui to travel outside the village.

She gave him an apologetic expression for her tardiness. She didn't speak a word and neither did Obito, instead, they just walked into the old hut.

Nagato stood in his weird contraption that allowed him to be mobile, the black chakra rods sticking out of his back. His almost malnourished body was a grim sight, yet he still lived on. His six paths of pain stood around him, one of them being the corpse of Yahiko.

Nagato's Rinnegan eyes gazed upon Obito and his yellow mask, "You two were only meant to go on one measly mission for the Leaf, not become Hidden Leaf Shinobi."

Konan stepped forward, "The blame is entirely on me, Nagato. Lord Madara was less than satisfied to go along with my decision."

Nagato looked at the masked man, "Is this true, lord Madara?"

Madara took two steps with his arms folded, "Well, when I left the leaf it wasn't on good terms. Especially after my battle with Hashirama Senju."

Nagato understood that Madara hated the leaf, "But what of your clan?"

Madara scoffed, "You think I care for my clan after they abandoned and disowned me after I mentioned the flaws in being in a village with our mortal enemies? I was considered a misfit in the clan I was born into, bled for, and led. I do not hold any love or care for my clan."

That was good enough for Nagato, no man would still care for his family if they had a history as storied and bloodied as Madara Uchiha.

Konan couldn't help but feel bad for Madara, the man spent his entire life protecting his clan and choosing what was best, and yet they cast him out anyways.

"What is the estimated time you'll be undercover?" Nagato asked.

Madara looked at Konan, "Yes, how long am I expected to play the fool?"

Konan thought about it, she actually liked living in a normal Shinobi village. "A year, maybe more. Trust is built on a foundation and time."

Nagato seemed bitter by her answer, "Alright, but if you're ever found out I trust that you, Madara, can get Konan out safely?"

Madara huffed, "If you think any less of me then you are mistaken."

"Alright, go, return to the Leaf. I'll be waiting for you two a year from now."

Madara and Konan walked out of the hut and returned to the Hidden Leaf. Though, someone watched them return. But they wanted to learn more before making a baseless case.

Obito wandered into his bedroom tossing his mask onto the floor and falling onto his bed. He was annoyed that he'd have to stay in the Leaf for a whole nother year, he couldn't stand the first couple weeks what was he going to be like in two months? "This is going to be a long mission..."

"That's the spirit, Obito. Just think of it as a long mission." Madara said in the recesses of Obito's mind. Obito groaned into his pillow, "Why does this hell torture me so?"

Obito woke early to the morning sun shining through his blinds, he rolled over onto his side to avoid the sunshine.

A knock on his apartment door caused him to groan. He got up and grabbed his mask. Obito made his way to the front door, he placed the yellow mask on his face and opened the door.

Anko Mitarashi was there, she was missing her headband for whatever reason. Anko was about to say something when she noticed Tobi's appearance. He wore a very tight-fitting shirt that exposed his muscles and figure, along with black pants. "He's trained his physique remarkably well." She thought to herself as she started blushing.

"Anko-senpai, what are you doing here?" Tobi said.

Anko reassessed herself, "Oh, um. Me and the gang are going out for breakfast, do you wanna join?"

Tobi seemed caught off guard, "I don't know, Tobi is still a little sleepy."

Kakashi walked by wearing his Jounin outfit, "C'mon Tobi, me and Konan are going too."

Konan walked right behind Kakashi, "Anko says Asuma Sarutobi is paying."

Obito felt like he had no choice, "Alright, let Tobi change..." Anko grabbed Obito's left arm and dragged him out of his apartment and to the stairs.

Konan had to blink twice to realize that Anko grabbed Madara from his apartment. Madara must've surely been baffled that someone would drag him somewhere without his consent.

Kakashi sighed and closed Tobi's apartment and then went on his way, he wasn't too surprised by Anko grabbing Tobi. "Come on Konan. We can't let Anko torture Tobi without us."

Obito sat at a table in Ichiraku ramen with Anko, Asuma, Genma, Guy, Kakashi, Konan, and Kurenai. This was the first time since he was a Chunin that Obito had gotten to eat with some of these people. But back then there was Rin...

"Tobi, are you alright?" Obito turned his head until his charcoal eye met canary yellow eyes. "You seem like you're dozing off, did you get enough sleep?" She asked as others around the table talked to each other.

Tobi merely shrugged, "Eh, nothing a full belly can't fix." Tobi adjusted his mask and ate away to the point everyone stopped everything to see that Tobi finished his whole bowl in ten seconds. He wiped his mouth with his sleeve and readjusted his mask. "There, all better."

Everyone around the table were uncomfortable by Tobi's lack of table manners. Konan smiled nervously, "Sorry, he doesn't get out much." Tobi nodded rapidly to affirm Konan's statement.

Anko decided to make the situation less awkward, "Well, now that we're all gathered, why don't we discuss some plans for tonight? I mean none of us did anything yesterday and we all had the time. Why don't we do some kinda get together tonight for Tobi and Konan?"

Asuma spread his arms wide, "Yeah but where? Who's gonna host a party?"

Anko smirked and pointed at Asuma, "You of course. You still live with your old man. And your house is plenty big."

Asuma was gonna protest when Kurenai spoke up, "C'mon Asuma, we haven't had a get-together in a while."

Asuma sighed, "Alright. My dad's going to be working late as usual. So come by around seven o'clock. I'll get some drinks and snacks later I guess."

Kurenai kissed Asuma on the cheek and returned her eyes to her bowl of ramen.

Kakashi finished his bowl of ramen before anyone noticed, Konan sat next to Kakashi and swore he didn't move. Konan realized that maybe she should eat her ramen too.

Obito now stood up, stretching. "You know, Tobi feels like going for a walk." Tobi was about to leave Ichiraku when he was grabbed back to the table. Konan yanked him back to sitting down, Tobi pouted placing his arms and head on the table. Konan thought that she might have to be more headstrong to Madara around others.

Anko chuckled as she watched Tobi get pulled back, she semi stared at Tobi's abs again.

Kakashi decided to ask Genma, "Genma, do you have anything planned besides the party today?"

Genma stopped eating his ramen and looked to Kakashi, "I've gotta meet with Shikaku Nara later. Why do you ask?"

"I want you to take Tobi and Konan to get fitted for Jounin uniforms. I've slacked off on that for a bit, but I've got some important things to take care of before the party."

Genma sighed, "Alright, but you'll owe me a round of lunch. You got that, copy ninja?"

Kakashi just waved him off, "Yeah yeah. Thanks anyway Genma." Kakashi stood up from the table and walked out.

Tobi looked at Kakashi as he left, he felt that whatever Kakashi was going to do would have something to do with him.

"Tobi, have you ever met any girls, or boys, that you've found attractive? Konan said she didn't when we first met, but what about you?" Kurenai asked.

Tobi looked at Kurenai, "Eh, Tobi doesn't really have feelings like that toward anyone. Tobi only thinks of people as friends."

Anko groaned, "But that's boring!"

Kakashi wandered to the Uchiha compound, it was on the very far outskirts of the village since the nine-tails attack. He wanted to double-check something that was bothering him.

As he entered the Uchiha district he saw a memorial of Uchiha who died in the previous wars, however, his old teammate's name was not on it. It bothered him knowing that Obito had been the most selfless Uchiha he'd met and died protecting others, his name deserved to be on it.

But on top of that, many Uchiha eyes were focused on Kakashi. They all knew that Kakashi Hatake possessed a Sharingan, but they never considered him to be worthy of it.

Kakashi walked up to the Uchiha clan head's home, Fugaku Uchiha. He knocked on the door and was greeted by Mikoto Uchiha, Fugaku's wife. "Oh, hello. You're Kakashi Hatake right?"

"Yes ma'am," Kakashi replied.

"Then, by all means, come in." She stepped to the side to let Kakashi walk in.

Kakashi waved his hand meekly, "I'm sorry to have bothered you, Mrs, but I'm looking for your son, Itachi. I need to speak with him."

Mikoto quirked a brow, "Is this regarding the Anbu?"

"Sort of. It's merely regarding someone he was tasked to care for."

"Oh, that Tobi person right? He seems very nice."

"Yeah, I want to know how Tobi was while he was taking care of him."

Mikoto looked Kakashi up and down and it occurred to her that Kakashi was in the Anbu black ops, "Hey I thought you were a part of the Anbu, why are you wearing the normal Jounin uniform?"

Kakashi shrugged, "Lord Third suggested I try something different, so he placed me on a team of Jounin. But enough about me. Where can I find Itachi?"

Mikoto smiled, "He's probably training with Shisui at one of the training grounds."

Kakashi nodded, "Thank you, madam." Kakashi walked away with his hands in his pockets.

Itachi and Shisui trained in a forest clearing, and Shisui was training Itachi in kenjutsu. Itachi was decent with a blade but that was mostly due to his Sharingan.

Shisui noticed that Itachi was slower than usual, something was bothering him. Shisui blocked Itachi's blade and kicked him away in the stomach, Itachi was winded. "Itachi, you're pushing yourself too hard. What's on your mind?"

Itachi gripped his stomach, "Nothing, I'm fine."

Shisui sheathed his blade, "If that were true then you would've countered my kick with one of your own."

Itachi sighed, "I can't talk about it. It's... ...personal."

Shisui understood not to press him about it anymore, "Alright, then let's end our training for today. Let's go get something to eat, I'm starving." Shisui walked to the dirt path but stopped as he saw a man with white hair.

"Yo!" Kakashi waved. It took Kakashi a second to realize who was standing in front of him, "You're Shisui the body flicker, right?"

Shisui smirked, "Well, I suppose so. And you're the copy ninja Kakashi Hatake, right? I thought you were in the Anbu."

Kakashi shrugged, "I was, but now I'm just a normal Jounin." Kakashi looked past Shisui and saw Itachi coming his way, "Itachi, I need to speak with you for a moment."

Itachi seemed curious, "What about?"

"Tobi. I want to know if there was anything odd about him?"

Itachi tensed up, and both Shisui and Kakashi noticed. "So he knows something. But what?"

Shisui arched his back a bit, "You know Itachi, I'm not feeling hungry anymore. You and Kakashi can catch up, I'll go get something to eat for myself. See you later." Shisui said before disappearing as if he was never there.

Itachi looked at Kakashi, "What is it you wish to know?"

"Did he act stranger than usual when he was in your care?"

At first, Itachi didn't know how to respond, lie to his senior or tell the truth and force Madara to retaliate. Itachi knew which one he'd rather choose but Kakashi was a smart man and he could tell when people lied. "He was a little strange but I'd chalk that up to him having just been administered out of the hospital."

Kakashi nodded, "Yeah, that's what I thought at first. But it seems there's more to him than just being a fool."

Itachi cocked his head, "Why do you say that?" Knowing full well that Tobi was Madara Uchiha.

Kakashi thought for a moment, he understood that Itachi was usually straight forward but his guy instinct felt that something was strange here. He decided to drop it, "Ah, never mind. I'm sorry to have bothered you. Perhaps you could catch up with Shisui and get that breakfast he wanted."

Itachi bowed which caused Kakashi to sigh, "You don't need to bow, we're equals. But technically you have a higher standing than me now, so if anyone needs to bow it's me."

Itachi stopped bowing and walked past Kakashi, the faster he was out of Kakashi's hair the easier it would be for Itachi to keep his end of the bargain with Madara.

An hour later after Obito and Konan got fitted for Jounin uniforms with Genma. Obito just felt out of place wearing the Jounin jacket, like it was meant for another lifetime. But he couldn't help but look at how nice Konan looked wearing her Jounin uniform. And then he'd be remembering Madara's words to him and not think about a woman's appearance. Obito couldn't help but contemplate why Madara was so invested in Obito just... the whole thing was absurd. Obito sighed as he began walking down the main street of Konoha. He was half paying attention due to being so confused because of Madara. However, there was something that did catch his attention. An old man was trying to put up a sign above a shop using a ladder, probably trying to draw some more business.

The old man struggled to put the new sign up, probably because of the bustling street.

Obito tried reading the sign, "Custom-made robes and kimonos."

The more Obito thought about it the more he needed new clothes, he sighed and stepped toward the store.

As he did so a bystander walked by and accidentally knocked the ladder down, and the old man started falling. The world seemed to slow down for Obito, he was unsure if he should do something or leave the man to his fate.

"Don't give up. Do the right thing, Obito." Obito heard a voice say in his mind but it wasn't Madara.

The next moment Obito rushed to the old man's aid and placed him back on the ground, Obito also moved the ladder back to its original place, after setting up the sign for the old man.

Then Obito disappeared into the crowd as if nothing happened within the second he helped the geezer. New clothes could wait another day.

The old man was baffled, he swore he was falling but he was firmly on the ground and the sign was finely placed. Either someone helped and didn't say a word or his memory was leaving him.

Konan saw that Madara was in one place and appeared in another, she couldn't even perceive him move. He saved the old man and even did his work for him but didn't take any credit. It was interesting, to say the least.

As Obito walked down the street he was confused with himself, "Why? Why did I do that?" Not once since he started the eye of the moon plan did he ever just help people out of the goodness of his heart, especially when he gained nothing from it.

He slowed his breathing until he was calm and he tried forgetting the whole thing.

He moved away from the main street and to an outer path, reaching sight of the academy. The kids were training outside with their teacher. Many kids murmured among each other as they practiced sparring but one child stood out like a sore thumb, Minato-Sensei's son. He was alone, watching the other kids train with each other. It reminded Obito of his childhood, though he was a couple of years older when he joined the academy.

"You helped that man back there but you didn't bother taking any credit, why?"

Obito shuddered as he turned to face the owner of said question.

Obito was unsure if he should speak in his Tobi voice or not, but honestly, he didn't want to parade as Tobi constantly so he decided to hell with it. "Konan. It's a surprise to see you here. Were you shopping as well?" He said it in his Madara voice.

Konan noticed that he brushed off her question, but she press it until he was ready. "The same reason you are, to fill my apartment with useless trinkets. And buying new clothes, of course, it gets tiring wearing the same clothes every day. And now we wear those Jounin uniforms so there's less variety."

"Hmph," Madara grunted. He returned his gaze to the blonde kid who was now talking to what seemed to be a young Nara boy.

Konan wanted to get into the mind of Madara by understanding why he was here, "Do you have a grandson here?"

The question made Madara chuckle, "No. Truth be told I've never procreated. There's just that boy, he reminds me of my former self when I was his age."

Konan looked among the children and saw the blonde-haired boy sparring with another boy, "He seems to have an aura of loneliness about him, did you have that when you were younger?"

"Perhaps I was. And that would explain my current place and time. But enough about me, what of your childhood? I know very little of your past from when we met." Madara said.

Konan looked down, "My parents died during the second ninja war in the crossfire between the stone and Leaf, days later I met Yahiko whose parents befell the same fate. He was a bright star of hope back then, and he helped me survive. And one day we came across Nagato who'd passed out in a puddle, it was sad to know that war orphans were a dime a dozen then and even in the third war."

"And then you were trained by the toad sage. Do you ever wonder what'll happen if he returns? Would he recognize you?"

Konan looked down, "Most likely. But I doubt it would affect us. He is a good man."

"No one's pure, he must have some kind of flaw."

Konan laughed meekly, "Well, he does but I don't think it's appropriate to talk about."

Madara stepped away from Konan, "Come on then, my attire is rather drab. I could use some help with choosing clothes, my tastes are certainly outdated." Konan couldn't see it but she knew that Madara must've had a smirk on his face.

"Of course, Tobi." She didn't want to say his name in public so she went with his alias.

The two walked away from the academy and to the same store, Obito saved the old man.

As the two shopped Konan tried on different types of clothes, from normal shirts and pants to skirts and dresses to yukatas and kimonos.

Truth be told Obito felt nervous and uncomfortable having to sit on a bench and judge the clothes Konan wore, it was something he'd never had to do or something he thought he would ever do. But he was forced to judge all of the outfits, Konan then promptly ignored his input most of the time though.

Konan walked out of the dressing room wearing a yellow kimono with purple petals. Obito was left stunned by her beauty, he had no words.

"Too much?" Konan asked.

Obito cleared his throat, "Maybe a little. Though it seems perfect for a formal event because it compliments your eyes."

Konan blushed, "You think so?"

"Of course. I would expect no less than an angel." Obito said as Madara.

Konan walked back into the dressing room, putting on another outfit.

Obito sat there on the bench waiting, as he waited Madara manifested in front of the dressing room. "On one hand I think this is wholesome and cute. On the other hand, it's utterly humiliating to see my pupil sitting here looking at a girl who's his friend, deciding what clothes she wants to buy."

Obito sat, stone cold. "I think it's the latter. But then again I've not much to do until the party."

Madara walked over to Obito, "You've never experienced a small get-together like this have you?"

"No..."

Madara sat down on the bench with him, "Well, then how about I explain some things to you? Number one; you're going to a small get-together with young adults, and it's very likely that someone brings acholic beverages, which means that shenanigans can ensue."

Obito looked at Madara, "I'm not some horny teenager. I can take care of myself, old man."

Madara decided not to respond to Obito, instead, he continued. "Number two, as an Uchiha you have low alcohol intake, so you must be careful if you wish to drink. In my opinion, I suggest that you try some but do so responsibly."

Obito held his chin, "Maybe. Maybe not. I'll figure out for myself when the time comes."

"Number three, girls often try to use parties as a way to gain a boy's attention and eventually affection. I would advise that you test the waters a little, and see what girls are interested in the semi-tall, dark, and brooding creature known as Tobi." Madara said the last part with a mocking tone.

Obito just shook his head, "Forget it. I'm not going to have a relationship with anyone. At best the only sight of the act is going to be from Kakashi's book."

Madara grunted at Obito's response, "And number four, it is customary to bring a gift to the host. Try something small like food or candles. But note that nobody likes candles except for crazy people."

Obito chuckled, "That's quite possibly the most helpful thing you've ever said to me."

Madara chuckled too, "Well, I'm glad I could be of help to my pupil."

Konan walked out wearing a sleeveless black shirt and short blue pants. "Well, is this better?" She asked.

Madara seemed stunned by how much skin she was showing, "Back in my day she would be considered a concubine with the amount of skin she's exposing."

Obito had a very similar reaction to Konan's clothes, but more tame. "Wow. You look... ...nice." Obito was honest, and that was all he could be at this moment.

Konan nodded and returned to the dressing room and put her normal clothes on. She stepped out and walked over to the bench holding the kimono she wanted and the shirt and pants. "Alright, now it's your turn."

Obito looked up, "Fine." He got up and looked around the store for shirts and pants he was interested in. A purple robe caught his eye, however, it bore the Uchiha clan symbol. Obito couldn't wear something like this around the village, it would draw too much attention. The owner of the store noticed Obito eyeing the robe, "I made it for a man of the Uchiha clan, he ordered it custom-made."

"Then why is it still here?" Obito asked.

"Well, the Uchiha man was sent to the front lines of the second war and he never came back. I heard his wife died after giving birth to a boy." The old man seemed solemn and bowed, "My apologies for bringing up such terrible memories. I can give the robe at a discount if you want it that is."

Obito folded the robe and placed it back where it belongs, "Thank you for the offer but I'm not a big fan of the Uchiha. It is a nice robe though." Obito continued through the store and picked out two outfits to try on. He walked into the dressing room with Konan still sitting on the bench and Madara's spirit standing next to her.

Obito quickly took his clothes off and hated seeing his Zetsu appendages in the mirror. He tried ignoring it and put the first outfit on, a red long-sleeved turtleneck shirt and tan pants. Probably not his best fashion choice but he wasn't the judge, Konan was. He walked out and showed off his first outfit.

Konan seemed concerned about Madara's choice of clothes, "A turtle neck?"

Obito looked down at his shirt, "I thought turtlenecks gave off a more distinguished look than a normal shirt."

Konan giggled, "Well yes, but you look goofy wearing one with your mask."

Obito slumped his shoulders slightly and returned back into the dressing room, he took his clothes off and put on the second outfit he picked out. A blue long-sleeved shirt and blue pants, ironically the shirt had an orange trim like when he was a kid. Maybe that kid was still inside of him somewhere, hiding beneath all the pain and agony.

Obito walked out for Konan, "Is this better?" He asked.

Konan smiled, "You look wonderful."

Obito nodded and returned to the dressing room to put on the clothes he was originally wearing.

Konan thought to herself, "Maybe I shouldn't be too forward with Madara. He's like a coworker. A relationship like that would never work out." She wanted to have a relationship with Madara but him being him was something that not even she could handle, and not to mention he wasn't interested in romantics anyway.

Madara walked out holding the two outfits he picked and walked to the owner of the store, "Excuse me, how much for these?"

The old man took a look at the shirts and pants Obito had, "Mmm, five thousand ryo for a shirt and pants each."

Obito sighed and pulled out his wallet and counted ten thousand ryos handing it to the old man. Obito cleared his throat and leaned close to him, "And what of a women's kimono, a women's shirt, and a women's pair of shorts?"

The old man chuckled, "Ah, something for the lady. Tell me how long have you two been together?"

Obito nodded his head, "Oh no, we're not together. We're just acquaintances."

"I've heard that one plenty of times," the old man walked behind a counter and grabbed a paper bag. He folded Obito's new clothes and placed them into the paper bag. "A women's kimono is fifteen thousand ryos, a woman's shirt is three thousand ryos, and a pair of shorts is two thousand five hundred."

Obito sighed and pulled out twenty thousand ryos, he would have to take some ryos from the money he was saving for the Akatsuki if he wanted some more spending money. He was left with fifteen hundred ryos after paying for his and Konan's clothes. "Clothes are expensive." Obito thought to himself.

Konan walked on over to Obito and the old man, "Here you go, sir." She placed her clothes on the counter. Konan tried pulling out her wallet but the old man stopped her. "No need, madam. Your boyfriend already paid."

Konan looked at Obito, "I could've paid for it myself."

Obito didn't look at her, "I know."

The old man folded Konan's new clothes and bagged them in another paper bag, "Have a nice day."

Obito waved as he grabbed the two bags and walked out of the store.

"That man has a cold heart, yet there's a gentle soul somewhere beyond." The old man said. "It would take a lot of work and love to break through that heart of ice."

Konan looked at Obito's figure outside, "Yeah, but he's a lot more complicated than you think. And he's not a big people person. Plus I don't know if I'm ready for that type of commitment yet."

"Well, not many people are. Both parties have to be ready and willing to have a healthy relationship." The old man said. "Good luck with that porcupine-headed man, miss."

Konan nodded, "Thank you. And also you should be more careful when putting up signs, my friend won't be there to catch you every time." She smirked while walking outside.

The old man was left there bewildered by the woman's last sentence, but soon he smiled. That masked man helped him and didn't bother saying anything, that was the heart of a good man.