Together in time

Chapter 8: Missing Uchiha

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(Won't be answering Responses this chapter sorry. However, the Authors Notes have covered some questions that were asked.)

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)

The wind's gentle breeze glided through the streets of Konoha. Blonde locks waved in such breeze as Minato neared the Uchiha compound. To say he was excited would be a slight overstatement. He did enjoy visiting his students, and he cared for all of them equally... But, then and again Obito always had been a bit of a headache to deal with. He really could only hope his own children would not be like the brunette, since he could barely deal with Kushina's overactive personality... He couldn't say he wanted to be the only serious person in the household, so the Namizake could only hope his son or daughter- assuming Kushina did want kids one day- would take after him in terms of personality. It would be nice, but alas that Uzumaki gene was far too dominant for him to care... With a sigh, he put the thought aside.

How Obito had even brought the thought of his future family the blonde didn't know, but he assumed it was mainly because his mind had been everywhere lately. Kakashi being sick, being late to training, going to the hospital! And then Obito actually helping the Hatake, as well as his calm self from the couple days ago. Well, actually Minato then let a smile linger at the thought of Obito being calm and not loud. Maybe the visit would go better than expected. After all, he was only going to pop in and thank him for helping Kakashi, get it done before writing his latest reports to the Hokage and then submitting documents to Intel. Yeah, that sounded good. Busy yes, since the Namikaze's life was nothing but busy these days, but it still sounded good.

Minato did soon reach the compound after a fair few minutes left in his thoughts, and to his surprise, it was quieter than usual around where Obito lived. He knew that there was not usually many Uchiha who were early birds, as it was 6 am so expecting the streets to be busy really was presumptuous of him, but Minato did think it would be livelier... hm, he supposed to leave it up to the Uchiha clan to be quiet... Obito being the usual exception.

However, Minato's thoughts were disrupted when he finally did reach his student's house. Looking at the place he briefly remembered when the boy lived there with his grandmother who had died half a year ago. It had been a sickness of a sort Minato knew that mich, but it hadn't been any of his business to involve himself dramatically with the issue. He did always support the Uchiha though... That was helpful he felt, since Obito had been so down for nearly a month, and yet the Uchiha still managed to brighten his day and everyone else's with his boisterous attitude. Minato was beginning to wonder if his family being loud and outgoing would be better than being silent and serious. Silence was good but... not this silence. Not the silence that the Jounin heard as he approached the door. There really was only one thing to notice if he were honest.

The door was wide open.

Perhaps the boy was cleaning? Airing out the room? It really shouldn't have been a surprise. But it was. Because Minato knew well that Obito was no early bird. He really didn't expect the Uchiha to be awake and was thinking he'd be waiting at the door for several minutes before even getting a response. But... he had not expected him to be awake. With the door wide open this early no less. It was strange. Sending a slight shiver up the blondes back. He suddenly had gotten a bad feeling as he walked up the stairs, finding a note that was folded in half. It looked as if it had been walked on and was crumpled somewhat.

"What's this?" He asked himself aloud, picking up the paper and unfolding it, silently hoping there was nothing written on it.

'Obito'

'I stopped by but you weren't home so I'd like to ask if you were training tomorrow so I could join you. If not that's fine but let me know if you're free'

'P.S I saw you earlier today and your Fireball Jutsu really has really improved! Great job!''

'Rin'

Minato could really only blink at the note. A smile curved onto his features at Rin's consideration to training with the Uchiha. Obito of all people would appreciate it since he had been so obvious of his crush on the girl. But... when the blonde folded the note, he couldn't help but dwell on something. Rin had been here yesterday he assumed. The note couldn't have been there for very long or it would have blown away, so it must have been left here recently. But... Obito hadn't been home when she left it? And the note had been left outside, assumingly unread. Had Obito not returned? Did he ignore the note? Maybe he simply didn't notice it. That must have been it as the brunette was usually very absentminded about things such as small details. He probably came home and didn't notice it. Right?

Well, the Namikaze could hope, but when he turned to look inside his gulp was so heavy he'd felt like he'd swallowed a stone. Broken plates and glasses. Water and food spilled recklessly. Cutlery scattered. Practically the entire main apartment room was in ruin. What on earth had happened? Minato could definitely say that he'd felt adrenaline rush to his head when facing the scene. Obito was a somewhat slob but he knew how to keep a clean room at the very least thanks to his grandmother. But this... What had he done to cause this mess? If it was Obito who had caused it anyway. Minato hoped not, but as he detected small remnants of none other than his Uchiha student's chakra lingering the room. But... There was no presence that signified that Obito was actually there. He wasn't.

That was when worry truly hit Minato. Obito wasn't home. Why not? Where was he? All the blonde could do was investigate further. So he took one step, then two, and was about to continue at his slow pace, but a glimpse of red caught him off guard at he practically jolted to the table, bending to look underneath. There was...

Blood.

It was only vaguely seen but it was there, displaying subtle fingerprints along with the wood. Minato sweatdropped, feeling like his heart had dropped far down into his stomach. What had happened? Dammit... Dammit! What had happened!? The blonde could feel himself hyperventilating. He needed to calm down or else he'd freak out for no reason and get nothing done. Well, there was a reason to freak out, but either way, it wouldn't help. Minato then exhaled slowly before standing up so he could put together what information he had. Well, he hadn't been saved from banging his head on the under-table, but he didn't have the time to worry about that. Slightly rubbing his head, he retraced his knowledge. Obito was missing. The room was a mess. There were traces of blood. Obviously something had happened last night! But what? Assuming the blood was Obito's... There were several options. Someone could have attacked him. What he had hurt himself? What if he had come too late!? What if!

"Stop! Stop stop stop! Calm down!" He stammered at himself rather loudly before turning tail and making a move to the hospital. He needed to find the Uchiha. And the only person he could rely on to help was Kakashi. Or rather, the boy's Ninken. Minato could only pray that the blood was Obito's. It sounded morbid, but if it belonged to someone else then it could also be applicable that the brunette had hurt, or even worse, killed someone late last night. Minato DID NOT want that to be the case. Even if Obito had been hurt the odds would be better than him attempting murder. Although, Minato let himself ease a little. Obito wasn't a killer. The Uchiha Clan may be... er... different. But, Obito wasn't like them. Minato was sure of that.

So sure that he would bet his life on the Uchiha's innocence. So sure that he had reached the hospital within a matter of moments thanks to his Raijin Kunai. He'd left one in Kakashi's room in case the boy was in need of assistance. Or at least that was what Minato told himself as his vision warped from the Uchiha compound right into the hospital room.

"Kakashi this impor-" However, he couldn't finish. Kakashi... wasn't there. The bed was empty.

If Minato wasn't worried before, he sure as hell was now.

"Dammit to Kami..." He hissed under his breath. He didn't have time to stand there and gape at the scene before him! Obito had potentially been kidnapped or worse! And Kakashi wasn't in his room! The bed was made nicely and non of his belongings were in sight! Minato felt anxiety overwhelm him as he dashed from the room, really not caring about how frantic he looked. He didn't know where Obito was and now he didn't know where Kakashi was! Nexr thing he'd know Rin would go missing too and he'd be considered the worst Sensei of them all! The blonde had practically glided through the lobby while in thought, not taking notice of the redhead he'd flew past. However, he did take notice of the sudden pain pulling at his ear. Ow!

"Minato!? What in Kami's name are you doing here? I told you to go see Obito! Yet I find you here searching for the Hatake even when I said I'd go see him! Your favouritism knows no bounds! Dattebane!" A very pissed off tone seethed at him as his ear had been pulled away from him, despite his speed. The Jounin didn't need to turn to know it was his 'beloved' wife, but he did so anyway in an attempt to get his ear out of the women's grasp.

"Ow ow! Kushina that hu-" He tried, with no avail.

"NOT TO MENTION!, You didn't eat your breakfast at all! Is all my cooking going to damn waste!? You have some nerve -ttebane!" She'd cut him off mid-sentence. However, Minato finally did manage to pull his ear away from the habanero-like women whose haired flared around her in that way it did when she was furious. But Minato couldn't deal with her antics right now. Not while two of his students were apparently missing. "And another thing! Yo-" Minato quickly covered his wives mouth in hopes of getting a word in, as his was much more important than hers he figured. It didn't help but she'd bit down on his hand in anger, causing the blonde to wince. Geez, she wasn't showing any mercy at all!

"D-darling, please. I'm sure you're furious but this is important. Obito wasn't home and I found blood at his apartment. I came to see if I could use Kakashi's Ninken to track him down, but he isn't here either!" His voice grew cold slightly, finding antics not his main concern in the slightest. "I don't have time for your antics." Kushina looked a little shocked at the very most since it was rare that Minato was stern with her of all people. But she could very clearly see the seriousness in his eyes. So she let his hand go, bite marks and all- causing the Namikaze to wonder why he chose the wildest horse in the herd. He rubbed at his hand a little, finding it of no great deal to him for now, while Kushina muttered an apology to him. He lightly kissed her cheek to ease her thoughts which seemed to perk the redhead up only half as much as it embarrassed her.

"R-Right. Er... You're looking for Kakashi then? I was here to see him but the nurse said he'd checked out yesterday. He should be at his apartment." Kushina offered, causing the Jounin to sigh in relief. Kakashi was at his apartment. He had to be. At the very least the boy was strong enough to not be kidnapped. However, Minato was only working on assumptions. So he had to make his next move carefully. Minato looked at Kushina, his eyes softening at her look of concern- despite the fact that she'd bit him a mere minute ago- and took a deep breath before making his decision on what to do.

"Ok. This is the plan. Kushina, you go to Obito's apartment. Please gather a blood sample from what I found and get it tested to make sure it is Obito's. I don't want to work on assumptions even if it is most likely his... I'll" He started to explain, but Kushina didn't really let him finish, a disapproving look forming on her face the more he had spoken apparently.

"Let me guess. You'll deal with Kakashi? I'm not surprised." She'd spoken at if it were obviously stating that Minato would rather deal with Kakashi than Obito. Said blonde felt like his eye had twitched at her response but he wasn't sure. Of all times to bring up his favouritism, which he DIDN'T have now was the worst time. He was going to see Kakashi BECAUSE he wanted to search for Obito. Why was the redhead so stuck on the thought that he cared for the Hatake more? He didn't! He cared about all of them! But that wasn't what he needed to think about. So he managed a 'tsk' before muttering a 'thank you' in advance.

Minato away just like that, barely wanting to spend another second next to the Uzumaki.

She truly could get on his nerves when she wanted to.

But only sometimes.

Thoughts were the only thing rushing through Obito's mind as he and Kakashi neared what was so obviously the land of grass. The Uchiha had decided to stay quiet after giving up his pursuits to uncover what was under the other's mask. In all honesty, Obito wasn't overly worried about taking a peek under Kakashi's mask, since that was a childhood habit and was one he definitely forgot about. To say a lot of what he'd done earlier was acting would be an understatement. Nearly all of it was. Well, it was real until Kakashi had said those stupid words to him. Obito still couldn't get them out of his head. They repeated over and over again like a broken record he so desperately wanted to be fixed. It just didn't make sense.

"Those who abandon their friends are worse than trash. You're my friend, so I won't abandon you."

Those words were practically his own in a sense. The start anyway. Kakashi... He shouldn't know those words. That phrase was something he invented. Sure those who disobeyed the rules were trash, but he added on those who abandoned their friends were worst than trash... That part was all him! Not Kakashi. How did the Hatake know that phrase? Even if it shouldn't bother Obito it really did. Something wasn't adding up and he wanted to know what... But he supposed he'd have to wait a while before getting any answers. If he accidentally revealed who he was, or rather what timeline he came from, he'd be locked up for sure. Kakashi may be acting friendly, and as much as Obito enjoyed it, he had to be sure.

Then again, maybe being locked up wouldn't be so bad... Perhaps that would help him pay for all the crimes he'd committed... But then, he wouldn't be near him. Obito silently shook his head as he walked a little behind Kakashi, who was unaware of his inner turmoil. The Uchiha found himself wanting to distract himself so he somehow ended up gazing towards the Hatake. It was something he'd started doing more and more often ever since leaving the village. Obito didn't particularly know why, but the sight of Kakashi- despite how different he was behaving- seemed to calm the Uchiha and clear his not so good thoughts.

His hand unconsciously rubbed across the kunai on his waist-belt slowly. It was sharp. The brunette nearly wanted to see how deep it would cut into his hand, but the thought faded as his eyes met his bandaged hand. Kakashi had done bandaged that hand. Knowing that made the Uchiha feel warm inside. Why was it that simply the thought of how the Hatake had so carefully taken care of his injury- despite how minor it was- had caused this warmth? It reminded Obito of Kakashi's hand. It was warm too... And, then he was reminded of something else? He hated to admit it but he thought he could feel deja vu... When? When had been experienced this? He felt like he could put his finger on it if he tried hard enough but his memories tended to blackout thanks to him trying to forget his old self.

"Ne, Obito. You're falling behind. We're nearly there." Kakashi had turned and pointed ahead of them, causing the Uchiha to nod and pick up his pace. He was now walking alongside Kakashi, still very lost in thought. That was when it hit him. He knew where he'd felt like this before. It was... the same feeling as when Rin used to bandage his wounds... But what did she have to do with any of this? Kakashi and Rin were different people, and so why would Kakashi remind the brunette of Rin? A frown managed it's way onto his lips as he gazed absentmindedly at the bandaged hand.

"Warm..." He muttered to himself, his words hadn't gained the Hatake's attention, rather him gazing so intently at his hand did.

"Er, Obito... is your hand alright? If I didn't bandage it right you can fix it-" And just like that, Obito was smacked from his thoughts, wondering why he had been so lost in them, to begin with. Kakashi's words had barely registered in his mind but when he finally understood what had been asked, he shouted rather abruptly.

"NO! Uh, er... n-no. I mean, sorry. My hands fine." Kakashi looked shocked if anything at his sudden outburst, jumping slightly. He had only asked if his hand was alright, geez. The Uchiha however, felt his face heat at his temper. Why did he shout? He had no reason to, and yet... Dammit, being stuck in the past was messing with his thoughts and the way he'd think. That had to be it. Besides, he'd only just recovered from his breakdown... Surely that was reason enough to behave how he was? Maybe it wasn't... Obito felt like he may have been lying to himself when he told himself he had no reason to shout, but... No. Stop. He didn't want to think about it. The more the thought about it the more he regretted his thoughts. Thye just made him stressed if anything... "Sorry again..." He muttered, deciding conversation would stop his reoccurring thoughts.

"It's fine. I just hope your hands are alright." Obito smiled internally at the younger boys concern, but that inner smile faded in a matter of seconds as he continued. "It wouldn't be good if we were attacked and you couldn't form any hand signs." The statement made Obito visibly pout. Why he was he didn't know, but at the very least he knew the action was genuine and not acted. Why? He didn't know... Why did he care? He should have known that Kakashi, like always only cared about the mission. Whatever it was. Going to the land of grass? Then what? Why did Kakashi want to go there? The only thing there was! ... was...

Kannabi Bridge.

That was the only thing that he had known of within that country... But, why is Kakashi heading there? What reason did he have for going to that forsaken place! Obito was lost in thought but his pout seemed to be showing as visibly as before. It was when Kakashi glanced towards the Uchiha that he didn't understand his expression.

"What's that face? You don't have to pout you know..." Obito was snapped from his thoughts, which he wish would stop happening, only to answer coldly due to habit.

"It's none of you're business..." He flared under his breath, clenching his fists as he turned away to consider his current options. Obito hadn't noticed Kakashi stop abruptly and continued on. Taking a few steps while thinking of what he had just realized. Kakashi was heading to Kannabi. Surely. He couldn't be going anywhere else, could he? It HAD to be Kannabi. But the question was why? Why did he? The Uchiha exhaled loudly, not wanting to think of one thing after another. His emotions really have been al over the place. Especially when it involved Kakashi... First, he didn't know why he'd said his phrase, then he was feeling warm because of the younger's concern for him which was soon replaced by a childish pout due to Kakashi still being stuck on following the mission... and now... Kannabi. Obito really had a whole lot more to consider, but Kakashi had suddenly gripped his hand, pulling him towards the other. Obito didn't know what to think.

"We've been caught." He stated seriously. Obito didn't know what he meant, but Kakashi picked up the pace, gripping Obito's hand as he sped forwards, at a pace unusually faster than the Uchiha had ever seen form the Hatake so far. What did he mean had they been caught?

"What do you mean? Bakashi! Let me go!" He seethed in frustration, his hand stinging slightly at Kakashi's tight grip. He was serious. Why? Obito wanted an answer, but with Kakashi's silence, he figured he wouldn't be getting one. Instead, the Uchiha's eyes rested on the linked hands. A smile, whether was fake or real didn't matter to the brunette, somehow sat on his face. Fine. He didn't care. He didn't care about what Kkaahsi was doing, Why he was doing it, and even how he even had the knowledge to do it. He didn't care! Why? Well, Obito didn't really know... But... He got that feeling again, and deja vu resurfaced... His emotions were everywhere that was for sure. First, he was mad, then happy, then mad! Then happy! JUST PICK ONE!

Obito decided to pick happy. He decided that Kakashi could do what he wanted. It wasn't his right to get in the way. He'd go along and keep the Hatake safe. Just like he'd promised himself. He looked down at the linked hands once more. Warm...

It's fine. Kakashi was just overreacting. Little did Obito know, that the Hatake had good reason to worry. For at the moment, a rush of memories had stormed his mind, involving a certain blonde. Dammit. Now only one phrase was replaying in Kakashi's mind, while Obito was unaware, Kakashi was.

His clone had poofed.

Authors Notes:

I seriously feel like this chapter was everywhere. Obito's thoughts especially =w= I feel like I more or less just dragged it on and on trying to get that word count, but if you disagree then yayyy, because It'd be nice to know that the chapter is better than I think. Ok so anyway, after getting a fair few opinions on whether or not the story should be ObiKaka, I found that it was rather even on both sides. In the end, I'm going to be going with what I personally want, which is ObiKaka, and it's nice that there were some among you who were keen on the Idea. So I guess we'll ease our way into that. But for now, it turns out that I've been neglecting my other storied to write this one. Probably not very smart of me so I will be taking a short break from this story. It will most likely only last a month, while I spend that time updating a few of my other stories. There are only four of em so hopefully, I can get those chapters out fast then get back to this. Until then! That's all for now so cya later! Oh right, and I also updated the cover image to something I've drawn eheh.