Together in time

Chapter 7: Favorites, Glass Shards

Review Responses

NotNoice: - I totally feel you on the whole 'kyaaa' thing. I seriously love writing them just doing ANYTHING! It's so fun and I'm so happy you enjoy it! And thank ya, I try to get updates out at least within a week if it's a fic I'm dedicated to writing. Like this one ^^;

Wasn'tMeISwear: - Yes yes! A new chapter out! And yeah writing tenses with time travel is harrrddd. But I technically just refer to anything that Obito experiences in the future as if it had already happened. Since for him it technically did. But it's still very confusing =w=

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)

Noodles bubbled in the broth below, while a certain Namikaze stared rather halfheartedly at his bowl of ramen that sat before him. On a regular morning, the bowl would have been cleaned in mere minutes, as it was a delight for the Jounin to partake in. Eating ramen was practically a culture to some. That included Kushina... Clearly Minato had been converted to the ramen cult long ago, however, that fact alone wasn't enough to stir his appetite. Something simply didn't feel right to him, and so his breakfast now seemed less than appealing, to Kushina's dismay. His wife stared at him unimpressed at first, showing the red hot habanero she was, but as Minato's mood failed to stir even a little, worry befell her face.

"Hey, What's wrong? There's got to be something bothering you if you've barely touched your Ramen. I can tell -ttebane" Minato's expression stirred slightly, his thoughts temporarily put on hold to attend his wive's questioning. A small smile hung on his lips at Kushina's concern, as it was something she did more often than not. He supposed that getting what he was thinking off his chest would be the best course of action. If not it may plague his mind all day, and that didn't sound all too thrilling for the Jounin.

"Well... It's just that Kakashi..." He started and could see the frown form on the redhead's features. Minato had known Kakashi never really was her favourite, but that was only because he had always been so stuck on keeping to the rules. Regardless, he continued. " Kakashi... He's been acting differently." Kushina's head tilted slightly at the statement.

"How so?"

"Well, on Wednesday he didn't arrive at training... Obito didn't either but it's not as strange compared to Kakashi since he takes training seriously." Kushina's smile perked a little at the mention of the Uchiha, and Minato wondered if he should continue. If he needed opinions Kushina was bound to be biased in favour of Obito. The brunette for some odd reason had always been the redhead's favourite. As to why Minato really wasn't sure. Kushina urged him to continue so he did. "Since I was worried I went to see Kakashi, and Rin checked on Obito. It seemed he was fine, but Kakashi was beyond ill. He told me not to worry, then ended up in the Konoha hospital later that day... But h-"

"The hospital!? Since when!?" Kushina practically demanded. Oh right, Kakashi had been there since late Thursday... It's was early Saturday... It seemed the Namikaze had completely forgotten or rather didn't want to worry, his wife with the dilemmas in his team. It's seemed that was his grave mistake, as Kushina's fists were clenched in a rather frightful way. Minato could only pray to save his skin but instead waved his hands defensively.

"N-Not long! I swear I was going to tell you! B-But you see, It's just that a lot has been on my mind and I..." He paused, seeing the Uzumaki's expression softened at the mention of his mind being overloaded... "I uhh... Just forgot I guess... I'm sorry..." Thankfully, Minato was able to be thankful that Kushina was forgiving when it really counted. She sighed in defeat and walked into the kitchen, running the hot water to wash the dishes while answering.

"So he was in the hospital? I'm sure Kakashi's just overworking himself... How about I make him some riceballs and go see how he's doing?" She smiled as she gave the offer, but Minato could hear the annoyance in her tone. Clearly, she was not thrilled to see the Hatake, but at the end of the day, Minato knew she did care for Kakashi. Just... not in the most noticeable way. It was then that the Uzumaki shook her head slightly, wanting to ask something but opting to change her question. "So, why is it he'd gone to the hospital? What kind of sickness was it?" Worry stained her voice, at least Minato could tell that much.

"He'd told me it was chakra exhaustion... But something simply doesn't sit right with me." Minato was beginning to get frustrated with how little he knew concerning his student's recent behaviours. He wanted to find out what the real reason behind it was if there even was one. Minato knew full well he tended to be...err... protective of his students, and despite letting them grow from their own experiences, he never failed to show his uttermost worry and concern for them. "He's just acting differently..." He muttered afterwards. Kushina however couldn't say she showed as much worry, and if she did then she'd done a damn good job of hiding it. If her laugh was anything to go by.

"Minato, you worry too much. And that means a lot coming from me. If you want to talk about someone acting differently, then you might as well tell me Obito did as told without a single complaint. And he may as well have done it quietly!" Kushina laughed off her statement, concluding that Obito would never change his stubborn, loud, and impulsive lifestyle. Maybe that was why she was so fond of the Uchiha since she herself was still after all the years they'd known each other... Those same things... She'd been called the red hot habanero for a reason anyway.

But, Minato seemed to stiffen at her claim. Because, well, as he could recall that's exactly what had happened the day he went to go check in with Kakashi at the hospital. Obito had been very quiet, and very obedient. It was very 'different' for the Uchiha to do so, and honestly, Minato wondered why he hadn't noticed earlier. Perhaps the young Hatake had taken up his worries so much that he hadn't batted an eye for his other pupils... That was wrong of him.

"Actually, funny that you say that," The blonde had soon started randomly, throwing Kushina out of his small laughs at the thought of Obito being done as told. She seemed to give him a confused look, wondering what it was she was planning to say.

"What?"

"It's just that... Well, Obito did do as told the other day. I asked him if I could talk with Kakashi alone and he left without question and he was calm is anything." Minato seemed to chuckle to himself as he explained, while Kushina had given him a rather dumbfounded look with every word. What? Obito had actually done as he'd been told. The idea didn't seem logical. It almost didn't seem possible at all. But Minato had said so, and Kushina knew to believe her husband's words at the very least.

"Is that so? Are you gonna do anything about that? Or had Kakashi taken all the time you have?" She giggled as he started, but her tone soon went rigid. Minato noticed it right away. It seemed clear to him that Kushina had noticed him paying less attention to Obito and Rin during the last few days. Well, Kakashi was in the hospital so clearly, he'd pay attention...

But... then again he'd found out from a nurse that Obito had been the one to bring Kakashi into the hospital. Carrying him literally in his arms, as well as having stayed with him the whole time until the nurses forcibly kicked them out. Apparently, they hadn't let him in the morning Minato went to visit, but he was there anyway. Minato wondered how Obito had gotten in. Why he'd taken the time to do all that for Kakashi since the two didn't get along well at all... and well, a lot of other things too. Now that Minato thought about it, there was a lot the brunette had done which didn't quite make sense.

"I suppose. But I think that since you plan to visit Kakashi, I'll go give Obito a visit. It's the least I can do anyway. He was the one who took Kakashi to the hospital after all." The redhead quirked an eyebrow at that. But a frown lingered on her features a while longer. Minato could see very clearly the expression she held. It practically shouted at him 'So you're only checking on Obito since you know I'm checking on Kakashi?' Minato pouted slightly at the silent remark Kushina gave, and he swore he could simply see her staring gaze say 'You would rather see Kakashi right?' But the blonde ignored it. He didn't like it when Kushina played the favourite game with him. He loved all his students the same... Sure he may have praised Kakashi a little more, and maybe he'd recently spent more time worrying over the Hatake, but he did care for all his students... Right?

Not really wanting to think about it a moment longer, Minato stood up, deciding to get ahead of his schedule, and more so to be left with his thoughts a while. He walked out the door swiftly, unaware, or maybe ignoring the countless shouts Kushina had blurted about him not touching his Ramen. Minato simply hummed as he closed the door behind him, sweatdropping at the fact that he'd have hell to pay when he got back. But for now, a visit to Obito's seemed in order. They didn't have training today or tomorrow, so he wouldn't see him till Monday. It would probably pay to at least thank him for taking Kakashi to the Hospital.

Yeah, that sounded good.

If only the Namikaze had known that both Obito and Kakashi had long since been gone from the borders of Konoha.

"Ow! Dammit, Bakashi that hurt!" Was what Obito had practically screamed at the Hatake for what seemed to be the hundredth time. Kakashi was beginning to worry that if this kept up he would return to Konoha half deaf. Since leaving the village Kakashi and Obito had been running further and further towards the borders of the land of fire. Kakashi had been keeping steady track of how far off they were from the land of grass since that was where Kannabi Bridge was located. If they finished their break soon and travelled for most of the day they may get to the bridge before sundown. That is if Obito could manage. The boy didn't seem like he had been in the right mind when Kakashi had first found him last night near the village gates... However, the Uchiha seemed to be staying in high spirits since then. If only he would stop complaining...

"Well, I'm sorry alright? It's not my fault you got glass sticking out of your hands!" Kakashi had blasted back. He hadn't really taken notice of it when he'd first seen the brunette. But Obito actually had both small and large shards of glass stuck in both his palms and some on the side of his head just below his headband. Kakashi had known the Uchiha was bleeding when he'd seen him but, because blood wasn't uncommon he didn't think it was anything bad. But he hadn't known about this... All night they'd run and Obito acted as if nothing was wrong. But, when it was nearing 6 am, Obito's body was giving out and he'd fallen behind quite a bit. Not wanting to leave his comrade behind Kakashi had turned around to see what the problem was. At first, Kakashi thought the brunette was simply being tough when he said nothing was wrong and that it was only a headache, but after Obito's shock to finding glass in his hands was nearing Kakashi's own shock. He knew that the Uchiha genuinely had no idea that it was there.

"Yeah whatever.," Obito mumbled under his breath. Kakashi had already ridden one hand of glass and was currently picking out the shards from the Uchiha's other hand. Kakashi didn't take much notice in the Uchiha's gaze that was directed at him quite intently, finding getting the glass out more important. How did Obito even get it in, to begin with? Kakashi sighed and pulled out a larger piece, earning a wince from the brunette who pulled his hand back in reflex.

"Ow! That hu-! ... That hurts..." Obito had gone to shout, instead, changing to a mumble, Kakashi simply hummed and gently took hold of his comrade's hand once more, slowly pulling out the few pieces of glass that remained. He drawled an apology to the Uchiha's annoyance, before deciding on asking what had been bothering him for the past hour.

"By the way... How'd you get glass in your hand, to begin with?" Kakashi asked with curiosity, his two eyes meeting the other's as he let go of his hand. It took a moment for the Uchiha to properly move his hand away to Kakashi's confusion, but he didn't question it, instead, watching as Obito's expression faltered at the question. He acted like he didn't know where it'd come from, but Kakashi was pretty sure the brunette knew. As to why he was keeping it too himself Kakashi didn't know... And when Obito's gaze met the dirt below, vision looking to be focusing, and breathing not exactly sounding stable. Kakashi wondered what had happened to the brunette for him to give this sort of reaction. "I-It's ok if you don't want to answer..." He soon mumbled, hoping not to push the Uchiha's boundaries.

"Can you keep a secret?" Obito asked shakily, and suddenly the environment that seemed so lighthearted and happy slowly merged into an anxious feeling. Kakashi wasn't all too fond of the feeling. But nodded his head, humming to show the boy that he'd listen, since he wasn't looking at him he wouldn't be able to see the nod. Obito breathed in slowly, and then out again. His hands were fighting, smearing dried blood on skin, which Kakashi noted he'd still needed to clean and wrap before Obito continued. "I sort of... Wasn't feeling good when I got home yesterday."

"Were you sick?" Kakashi asked, and the Uchiha shook his head.

"No... More like... I didn't, emotionally feel well. Or maybe mentally? It might have been both." Obito looked towards Kakashi, and the grey-haired boy could see the nervousness of the other's features. Obito then chuckled awkwardly, trying to play it off jokingly, but it was clear to Kakashi that was he was referring to wasn't a joke. " I uh... Sort of got mad... and I broke a lot of stuff on the table... So the glass that was in my hand was probably from the glasses and plates that broke..." Kakashi sat wide-eyed as Obito stared at his palms absentmindedly. Dried red-stained then, and Kakashi could see the Uchiha react to the sight of the blood. Weird, it hadn't affected him so badly minutes ago when they discovered it. Just what was Obito thinking about?

"Is that why you'd said you didn't belong? And that you wanted to leave?" Kakashi asked wearily, very unsure if he should ask that question. It didn't seme like Obito to physically lash out at things like that. Or at least, it didn't seem like something this Obito would do. If Kakashi had to relate it to the older Obito he'd known for hardly a day, then he could make the assumption that it was something he would do. Although that was impossible, so he shrugged the thought aside. But, it was when Obito didn't give a response, and when his hands started shaking that Kakashi knew something was wrong.

"I'm... I don't belong, don't belong." Obito had muttered below his breath, inaudible to the Hatake, but it seemed that Kakashi had known something was up to either way. Because he moved his hand to rest on Obito's, making the Uchiha jump slightly at the contact. His eye's moved to the hand on his, and then to the Hatake whose expression was trying to be comforting. Kakashi knew he had never been good at helping other's deal with their problems. Heck, he was barely capable of keeping his own emotions in check. But it seemed easier now that he'd gotten back almost everything that was lost. It gave him hope. Kakashi could only wonder what it was putting Obito off so much. What was it on Obito's mind that distracted him so much? Kakashi knew he wouldn't know now but he hoped the Uchiha would tell him sooner rather than later.

"It's alright Obito. Just remember that I'll be here for you if you ever need it. After all, those who abandon their friends are worse than trash. You're my friend, so I won't abandon you. Now let's get your hands bandaged." He'd said with a smile, now really just trying to make his 'friend; happy once more. Seeing Obito look upset and hurt really... unsettled Kakashi. He wanted Obito to be happy. To be able to experience a life where Rin doesn't die, where he doesn't search after darkness and try to create that stupid dream world. Kakashi only wanted Obito to have another to live a better life. More so he just didn't want to end up having to hurt or kill the Uchiha...

"Kakashi... you..." Obito had barely mumbled before his voice died off, his eye's widening at the younger boy's statement. Kakashi quirked an eyebrow. Not sure what it was the caught Obito's attention. Was it something he said? Kakashi really didn't know, but nonetheless, he gently tugged Obito's hand towards him. The Uchiha seemed to contemplate something momentarily before turning to face Kakashi completely. They'de been sitting side by side after all. The dirt wasn't the most comfortable seat but it was better than nothing Kakashi supposed. But, as the Hatake pulled out the bandages from his first aid kit, he'd failed to notice the gaze that was stuck on him. Two Uchiha eyes had failed to look away from him, and if he noticed this Kakashi wouldn't have a clue as to why Obito had been looking so intently at him.

"There. Found it." Kakashi said to himself aloud as he pulled out the bandages. Obito's damaged hands were once again in his vision and Kakashi didn't waste a second before wrapping the palms in bandages. He tried his best to make it as comfortable as possible for Obito to still use hand signs in case they do get into trouble. Once they made it past the border and into the land of grass they'd need to keep their guard up. Obito didn't actually know where they were going now that Kakashi thought about it. Surprisingly, the Uchiha didn't ask. Thankfully he hadn't as Kakashi didn't exactly want to explain to the brunette that they were headed into enemy territory...

"Hey... Bakashi... Y-you, do know I can wrap my own hands right?" Obito had soon asked plainly, eyes still focused on the younger. It'd taken Kakashi a moment to register what the older had said, but once he did. Kakashi's mind seemed to realise that he'd been sitting right next to the boy for a while now, practically holding his hand and tending to his wounds. Oops. Kakashi didn't mean to get so uh... He didn't know how to describe that. But the realization his cause some colour to reach his face, quickly letting go of Obito's hand mid wrap. The bandage fell to the ground and Obito chuckled to himself. Picking it up and finishing the job himself.

"I was only trying to help.." Kakashi attempted to excuse himself to acting so fondly around the Uchiha. He really did forget that he was in his younger, stuck up, childhood body and that he was usually as ass to Obito. It was probably really weird for Obito to watch him be acting the way he was... Well, it wasn't like he could stop now. And luckily Kakashi noted that he wasn't alone in heated features, spotting small traces of colour on Obito's face.

"I know... Thanks." Obito had practically whispered. But it made Kakashi smile under his mask which showed in his eyes. Obito happened to see the eye smile and twitched. It seemed he couldn't hold himself back with his next question.

"Also, Bakashi! What's with that smile!? It creeps me out!" He shouted and pointed at the Hatake, who visibly showed a question mark above his head.

"What smile?"

"Don't play dumb with me! Every time you smile your eyes close and it weirds me out! You smile with your mouth, not your eyes!" Obito pointed at his mouth and imitated a smile to demonstrate. Kakashi's eye only twitched. Yet despite that fact, he still smiled under his mask, clearly getting some humour from the response.

"I am smiling you dumbass. But like you could see it as my mask covers it up." Kakashi drawled before rolling his eyes. But his entertainment only continued. Obito's expression grew a twisted smile. It was far too similar to the evil older Obito Kakashi had known. The Hatake visibly sweatdropped when Obito reached out a hand, most likely towards his mask. Great.

"How about this then Bakashi! Show me what's under your damn mask or I'll tear it off myself!" There seemed to be more anger than playfulness in the Uchiha's voice. Actually, Kakashi didn't think he could hear anything playful about it. It was practically a threaten. One that promised broken bones if taken lightly. A shiver ran down his spine at the thought of Obito going rabid to pull his mask off. Not that he'd have much luck. However- and Kakashi would look back at this and say he was drunk for saying this- but he decided to have a little fun with the boy. Teasing him wouldn't hurt all that much surely.

"Uh-huh." He started, eyes showing pure mischief like before at the wharf. "You're that desperate to see my smile, are you? Wow Obito, I didn't know you cared about me like that." Kakashi's usual bored expression had been replaced with sarcasm, while Obito stiffened at his comment.

He was just about ready to pierce the boy with his Mokuton. 'If he had it still'

But the implication of his comment didn't stop the Uchiha's temperature from rising not so subtly. Whether it was embarrassment or anger, one really couldn't tell. Kakashi had his money on embarrassment though.

"Bastard!" Obito shouted in annoyance which was most likely a cover-up. His hand reached out and took hold of the Hatatke's mask much to his surprise. Kakashi definitely couldn't remember Obito being that fast. The hell? "Aha!" Obito shouted in victory, not wasting a second to pull down the mask. His eye could really only twitch at what he saw.

A second mask.

Obito was livid.

"DAMN YOU!" He screeched when the Kakashi poofed into a substitution. Obito shot up and saw the Hatake standing a few feet away, and Kakashi could only laugh at his comrade's fruitless tries to uncover his mask. Kakashi had then decided it was a good time to continue travelling, and Obito followed his suit, more or less to try and get the second layer of his mask off. Not that he'd let him. They did have such a far way to travel after all and Kakashi had no intention of taking his mask off.

But hearing Obito shout profanities at him in pure rage was very amusing.

Authors Notes:

Ah yes, taking those few days off was nice. And even though I feel like this chapter really is only a build-up one. It's still fun writing interactions between Kakashi and Obito. But hey, I have a question for the audience! Would you guys 'or girls' want this fic to be more ObiKaka? Like, have that as a pairing rather than just sort of being fluff between the two? I was most likely going to do that eventually, but if you have an opinion on the matter then let me know. But for now, I keep the interactions fluffy, funny, serious, or angst like. since that's all they've really been. Ok and, please do leave a review! See you all next time which should be soon!