Together in time

Chapter 3: Somethings off about Kakashi

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Notnoice - Hi there! and yeah I guess that chapter did set a lot of things up ngl. And also, the Hokage's mansion is actually referred to as 'The Hokage's Residence', but because it is described to be a mansion I simply adapted that name. In all honesty, I personally haven't ever heard it being called the Hokage's tower. If it was I could only assume it was a faulty translation maybe? Idk. Either way, it IS indeed a mansion. But the proper name for it is residence. -

Story synopsis: In amidst the tension of Kakashi's and Obito's duel, both rely on their Kamui to claim victory. Kamui is a powerful mangekyou, and when used lightly the results can be life-changing. Literally. It's a Kekkei Genkai that allows transportation through space-time, so why not actual time? Neither Kakashi nor Obito was at all prepared for what was install for them. And it doesn't help that neither knows that the other is from the future. (Yet another time travel Naruto fanfic! They are much too common, but are also amazing so why not? Probably an eventual KakaObi at some point maybe)

A blurred sound was the first thing Kakashi heard. It was constant, and it would almost be calming if he'd known it was only a ceiling fan. Next was the smell. In all honesty, Kakashi was more than dissatisfied when the overbearing aroma of sanitiser enveloped his airway. He wanted to cough but barely managed a splutter as his body tensed and his mind finally had understood how much his head stung. Dammit... it didn't seem as if his headache would be going anyway any time soon. However, upon pressing his hand towards his head, Kakashi noticed his dreadful fever was vanishing. He wasn't anywhere near as heated as he was- err... how much time had gone past?

Slowly the Hatake opened his eyes. White. That was all he could see. Kakashi wanted to squint at first, but after his eyelids flickered on and off for a minute or so, he found his vision functioning as it should. He sat up. Muscles tensing once more when pressure applied to them. Damn... he felt like he'd been stabbed ten times over and was still expected to win a fight. Surely, time travel didn't wear the body down this much?

"The... Hospital." Kakashi finally did mutter aloud. In all honesty, he wasn't very aware of his surroundings, and wouldn't take notice if someone else were in the room. So, he gave a loud sigh needing to refresh his memory. Time travel... right... Kakashi had come to the conclusion that he had indeed travelled through space and most definitely time according to the words of Lord Third. From what the Hatake could recall, he'd simply asked the Sandaime what was happening in the war. Kakashi came to the conclusion that if the Third had stated there was no war, it was an infinite Tsukuyomi, as nothing like war would exist in the place Obito fought so hard to create. However, Kakashi was a little more than just surprised when the Sandaime started accounting for recent battles in the war. The grey-haired boy wanted to wave it off as a joke, but then the Third noted how he was considering sending Minato's team on a mission a month from now. It was to apparently intercept the enemy but to, more importantly, destroy a bridge by the name of Kannabi.

At the time, Kakashi had felt his heart drop into his stomach. Kannabi bridge. Then this was really the past? Wasn't it? From what Kakashi could discern, the Sandaime was only considering the idea for the moment, as he still wasn't aware whether or not the bridge was connecting to the war at all. Why he'd decided to tell Kakashi this knowledge even the boy himself wasn't able to know. But he didn't know whether to be happy about it or not. After that exchange, he'd felt his temperature rise dramatically despite how bad it already was. Kakashi could remember the Hokage asking if he was alright, and while he had decided then and there to leave and rethink what to do, he'd lost his footing on the mansion's window sill. Honestly... if that wasn't enough he'd lost consciousness before even hitting the ground. Kakashi knew he wasn't this weak and didn't know how to label his current condition... Jet lag perhaps... Time travelling jet lag? If anyone heard him say that aloud, he'd be written off as a joke for sure.

"Dammit... I need to get out of here." He muttered once again, finding himself lifting off the bedsheets and attempting to stand up. His legs didn't seem to like the idea of walking, finding the idea of being stuck with pins and needles much more entertaining to Kakashi's annoyance. He cursed under his breath at his body being so useless. "Damn... how long have I been out?" You would think that at this point, the boy would have had time to notice what was around him. But apparently not. Kakashi wasn't aware of what, or rather who was leaning against the wall near the end of his bed. It was definitely the last person the boy would have expected, so perhaps that was why he hadn't taken notice of the all too familiar blue clothing rimmed with orange. Maybe that was why he hadn't stopped and glanced at the orange goggles sitting so perfecting on the other's features, despite how their presence did not match the expression the other wore at all. If anything it was their voice that forced the Hatake to look around.

"You've been out since yesterday evening. And its around noon now." Kakashi barely jumped visibly at the unexpected voice, having assumed he was alone in the room. It seemed he needed to relearn how to detect someone. Or maybe he was just too tired to care? Either we're very possible. The voice, however, was familiar despite the slight seriousness it held. Where he'd heard it before was all the Hatake focused on as his eyes lifted to meet the other.

"O-Obito...?" Was really all Kakashi could manage. There he was. It was Obito, or well... the Obito he knew. He wasn't that surprise antagonist he'd seen in the war. No. This was 'his' Obito. The one he knew inside and out. The one who wore his emotions on his sleeves. And wanted to be Hokage. It really was him, wasn't it? Now that Kakashi thought about it... There was something off about his young Uchiha companion. He supposes that the boy's straight posture and his serious tone was one or two features which were different. But, it had been nearly 20 years since he'd even saw the Uchiha as his old self. Maybe his memory was a little off. He couldn't say he was in the best condition after all. That was when the Uchiha walked over to Kakashi, surprisingly keeping a straight face before giving him an all too familiar idiotic grin. Yep, It was Obito alright.

"Yeah Bakakashi, it's me." He teased behind a mask unknown to the Hatake. Obito soon went quiet as if in thought, and what he was thinking of, Kakashi wouldn't believe for even a moment, and he wouldn't get to know these supposed thoughts anytime soon as Obito had found his mouth opening to ask something. Words not really wanting to form, as if his mind was at a mental debate whether to say something or not, but it wasn't as if Kakashi knew that. The Hatake tilted his head in confusion, questioning why the Uchiha's mouth hung open in silence.

"What is it?" He asked the brunette lightly with visible confusion on his face, unsure why it was apparently so hard for Obito to ask his question. If Kakashi wasn't dying of a headache he may have taken the time to wonder what was troubling the boy if anything, but he didn't particularly care for that right now.

"It's just..." Obito started mid-thought. He was currently having a mental debate at Kakashi's behaviour, as it wasn't anything like he'd remembered. Calm? Light? Not stern or impatient? Was this really Kakashi? And wasn't he better at hiding his feelings? What was with that pure look of confusion that hung across his face like a 'free ramen at Ichiraku's' sign? "What happened to you? It's not every day I have to catch my teammate from falling from the Hokage's mansion." The Uchiha said after finally gathering his thoughts and placing his mental childhood mask on. Surprise seemed to cast on Kakashi's features now Obito noticed. Whether or not this really was Kakashi he was beginning to doubt himself.

"Y-You caught me?" The younger boy had questioned as if it were an impossible task. Which really it wasn't. Not for Obito anyways. Perhaps his younger self wouldn't be capable of it, but then again he wasn't really his kid self. Maybe that was why Kakashi was so surprised? Obito concluded that was likely the case.

"Yeah, I did brat. Want to thank me for that or are you as stuck up as always?" Obito asked offhandedly, probably not realising that he and Kakashi were physically similar ages and that despite him being mentally much older in his perspective, Kakashi really only saw him as a kid and an immature one at that. He supposed he should play his childish self a little more prominently if he was to continue fooling everyone. Obito honestly wasn't a fan of behaving like his young innocent self, he knew that if anyone had found out he wasn't who he seemed, let alone his potential plans to gather the tiled beasts, then they'd try to stop him for sure. It was probably better if he laid low in that sense. So... Rule 1: Do not draw any attention to yourself.

"I'm not a brat! Besides you're only one year older than me!" Obito was shot from his thoughts at Kakashi's response. It sounded annoyed but the brunette could see no malice in his words. That's odd, Kakashi normally seethed with hostility when around him. Why'd he dropped it? Nonetheless, Obito decided to play along in the act.

"And yet despite my age, you still manage to be such a brat!" He'd taunted in response, sarcasm pouring past his lips like a plague. Obito never was that sarcastic as a kid, but he wouldn't miss the opportunity to mock the younger ninja. After all the things he'd failed to do he only deserved such treatment. In all honesty, Obito expected the grey-haired boy to fire back a response in anger since it was usually anticipated for him to do so. What the Uchiha didn't expect was when Kakashi was quiet. He didn't make any deriding sounds at all. He was actually staring right at the brunette, nearly not believing his words. Obito swore if the boy's mask was not in the way, then a smile would be seen on the Hatake if the way he started laughing was anything to go by. It was the absolute last thing Obito expected. If there was anything the Uchiha had learnt, it was that 'Kakashi' and 'laughing' did not belong in the same sentence together. So what gives?

It took a minute or so for the laughing fit to die down and finally cease, and Obito was beyond confused, although he didn't show the emotion visibly. If anything his mind was still trying to process the fact that the prodigy Kakashi, known for being so stern with the ninja rules, which included keeping his emotions at bay, was straight up laughing in front of him at literally nothing! Obito's eye twitched. He didn't know what to think anymore... Especially when he'd barely managed to hear the boy mutter a handful of words once he'd calmed himself down from laughing.

"Heh, I've missed you Obito..." The words were quiet, and if the Uchiha was being honest with himself he'd think that he may have even heard wrong since those words seemed to cause him the most confusion. For Kakashi to say something so... strange was something Obito could comprehend. Because honestly, why would he have missed him? Sure neither of them were at training yesterday, but that wasn't a good enough reason to miss him was it? The Uchiha if anything sweatdropped, this new Kakashi was nerve-racking... Did he hit his head or something?

"What was that?" The Uchiha asked to confirm what he thought he'd heard, but Kakashi merely waved it off, claiming he'd said nothing. Obito was quite certain that at this point the was something wrong with Kakashi. His mind may have been playing tricks on him but the brunette simply couldn't put aside the idea that Kakashi either had some sort of injury screwing with his personality, which was unlikely because Obito himself had caught him before any serious physical damage had been done. However, it was still possible he was injured. Well, it was either that or Kakashi wasn't as he seemed. He was Kakashi, for sure. But there was definitely something off about him Obito thought. "Kakash-" He'd started in hopes of questioning the boy further, only for his voice to be cut off any another he'd been yet to see in this past timeline.

"Well, Obito. How long have you been here? Is Kakash- Oh Kakashi you're awake." Turning, Obito was met with a lock of all too familiar spiky hair. And a concerned expression that made him want to heave his breakfast onto the floor. It was Minato Namikaze if ever the Uchiha had seen him. Upon looking at the motherly Jounin, Obito found a tinge a guilt drag it's self across his face. Minato may have thought it was because of his unannounced stay in Kakashi's room, but Obito's guilt which for some reason showed plainly on his face was due to his last encounter with his sensei. It was 16 years ago... When he'd stolen Naruto from his parents, controlled the Ninetales, and ultimately the cause of both Minato's and Kushina's deaths. The Uchiha had never felt guilty about his actions before... so why now? The Uchiha instead found his eyes resting on the Hatake once more to throw aside the thought. Kakashi seemed to have a guilty look of his own on his face if Obito wasn't mistaken.

"S-Sensei..." Kakashi muttered attempting to avoid eye contact. Last he'd seen his sensei he abruptly told him he was fine and to leave him alone. Well, him being in the hospital didn't back up his idea of being 'fine' at all... Kakashi could see the concern and also disappointment his sensei held within his features. Minato shook his head at his youngest student, but his head soon turned to Obito, who was gazing at the younger boy quite intently as if wanting to ask him something. Unfortunately, Minato had some questions of his own, so he addressed the Uchiha.

"Obito." Said brunette guided his attention towards his sensei, shaking away his thoughts and rebuilding his cool demeanour. "I have some things I'd like to speak to Kakashi about. I'm sure you've been waiting for him to wake up but I'd appreciate it if you could let us speak in private." Minato could see Obito's eyes narrow in his direction, almost as if he was debating to do as told or not. Obito soon shrugged, and utter a brief 'sure' before taking his leave and closing the door behind him. The blonde was more than curious about the usually boisterous Uchiha's new behaviour but didn't have the time to ask him about it. He was most likely just growing out of his childish habits thankfully. With a quick turn of his head, Minato looked back at the cause of his current worries. Kakashi.

"Sensei I..." Kakashi had started, trying to excuse himself but being able to think of anything. Minato sat on the edge of the bed, his expression holding the motherly concern it normally did for his students. Kakashi didn't like the look he was getting at all. Just great... and explanation most likely.

"Now then..." Minato soon started, and Kakashi knew he'd have to think on his heels. "How about to tell me why exactly you fell from the Hokage's mansion?" He placed his question in the light, which was if anything to Kakashi's annoyance. Dammit... He'd have to figure out a pretty good cover-up story for this.

The sun was inching further behind the hilltops by the time Obito had made it back to the compound. He wasn't exactly dissatisfied by his encounter with his grey-haired companion, but he was much too confused by it if anything. Obito didn't understand why Kakashi was behaving so... unusual. He wanted to know, and he'd make sure he would. Although... why did he care so much? If he was indeed planning to leave the village, then Kakashi's behaviour should be the last thing on his mind. It shouldn't even be on his mind at all! And yet it was. The Uchiha had asked himself why he seemed so troubled by Kakashi's actions. Laughing wasn't anything to get worked up about. But with Kakashi it was. Obito had never heard him laugh at all in all honesty. Not once. That was his first time hearing his team mate's laugh, and it both hit the Uchiha hard in two ways.

The first was that Obito couldn't really call himself the boy's teammate, let alone a friend. And why he even wanted that title was beyond him, but for some unknown reason he seemed to feel unsettled at the thought of him and Kakashi not being friends, even when they were young. He knew that back then his goals were very friend-centric, but for Kakashi to not fall within that category was unnerving, to say the least. The other was more complicated. On his walk home, Obito had finally realised who it was this young Kakashi was reminding him of. It was the older Kakashi he'd fought against in the war. That man had held so much pain and regret in his eyes during their duel, and even though neither really did win, Obito couldn't understand why it was his younger teammate was acting more like his older self. As he walked into his house and took off his shoes, the Uchiha wanted to wave it off and say that maybe Kakashi had always acted this way and his memory was playing with him. But... something didn't sit right with him...

Whatever the feeling was, Obito knew better than to let it dwell on him, but it didn't stop his mind from revolving around his older-aged teammate during the war. Kakashi had held so much confliction at the time in both harming Obito or helping him find the light. Not that he could say he'd found his light, but there was something about the beginning of their duel that the Uchiha never really could wrap his head around. It made him think back to a moment in Kamui's dimension... When Kakashi could have killed him with Chidori. But... he hadn't. Why?

Kamui's Dimension: Fourth Great Ninja War

Lighting sparked violently as his enemies hand- being the cause of the sparks no less- stiffened hardly an inch or so away from Obito's chest. The Uchiha who was grounded, stared silently at the other, who returned the gesture. Although Obito could see quite clearly that the grey-haired man was faltering at his chance to end him. The Uchiha couldn't quite understand why it was Kakashi couldn't bring himself to hurt him, but he'd decide to use it to his advantage.

"So there's still doubt in your heart?" He'd stated obviously, as Kakashi had already been given several chances to kill him if he really had wanted to. The Hatake in question flinched back at his claim, showing the truth it held. Hearing Obito voice his countless opportunities to kill him which he let pass by willing wasn't something he'd wanted to hear at the time, neither was Obito's theories. "Is it guilt? Are you feeling remorse that you couldn't protect Rin, and keep your promise to me?" Obito saw Kakashi's eyes lower, his stance falter. He'd hit the nail right on point hadn't he?

"Obito... Let's stop this already..." He'd heard Kakashi plead. However, it didn't seem as if those words connected to his guilt that the Uchiha assumed he had. They were disconnected... Nearly longing for something that the Uchiha simply couldn't place his finger on. Why does he hesitate? It's not guilt is it... How is he not guilty of his mistakes! His unloyalty to his comrades! Obito supposed Kakashi had never been one to value his friends back then, but the thought still infuriated him, making his place a Genjutsu on the man before standing up, willfully impaling himself with Kakashi's Chidori ridden arm. Shock blossomed on Kakashi's features, and... Sorrow? And while Obito went on his tangent to explain how he'd known everything about Rin.

"Rin is Rin because she is alive!" But his explanation didn't seem to put the man at ease. Obito could only see Kakashi's features dishearten with every moment he spoke of Rin. There was something else he'd caught in Kakashi's expression, but he couldn't quite determine what it was.

"Remember Naruto's words?" Kakashi had asked, some form of sorrow mixed with anger forming in his eyes. "That it's most painful not to have real comrades inside one's heart?" Those words held overwhelming meaning to Kakashi from what Obito could see. But... why? It made him livid nonetheless.

"Look!" He shouted in outburst, refusing to listen to a single word the other claimed. "There's nothing in my heart!" He practically roared, and that unfamiliar expression returned to Kakashi's face. Obito saw Kakashi look at the hole he'd created in Obito's chest, and regret filled the grey-haired man's features. Regret, sadness, but then that other feeling Obito cast aside. It was obviously unimportant at the time. And either way, he made it as guilt despite not knowing what it was. "Don't feel so guilty Kakashi." He'd said, and he saw something along the lines on offence string across the Hatake's face. What? Was it not guilt he'd been filled with? Why was it not that? It couldn't have been anything else... could it?

What was it Kakashi was thinking at that time?

Looking back, the exchange really only happened two or so days ago. And because the memory was so fresh in his mind, it should have been easier to conclude what Kakashi'd thoughts were, but that something even Obito could figure out. The Hatake was so much different when he'd met him during the war... More expressive. More... likable. It made him want to throw up at the thought.

"Dammit, all to hell!" Obito screeched aloud in his room, finding his nausea want to come back despite all the hours it hadn't disturbed him. Obito ushered himself into the bathroom and he realized at that moment... that he hated thinking about the older Kakashi. It was just such a shame this younger Kakashi behaved so much like the older. It would be a pain to rid his mind of the Hatake at this rate. He let a string of curse words escape his mouth before nausea reintroduced itself to him. Just wonderful...

Authors Notes:

And so I am back with another chapter! Hope you enjoyed this one and well uh, I'll try my best to keep them coming. Practice Exams are coming up in a week so I may take some time to actually study instead of writing. Cause I do far to much written it's more like my top priority. Whether or not that's good I have no clue. Anyways! Leave a review please oh please! Cause I love reading them! Cya next time!