Disclaimers: Naruto is not mine, sadly. This is purely a fanfic using someone else's characters.

Warnings: This story includes strong language, violence, sexual assault, torture, sexual content (yaoi), & angst.

It's All In Your Head

Chapter 62: Disappear

--

"I said endless, Naruto, not timed."

Sasuke eyed the pile of empty ramen bowls stacked in front of them, then gave a confounded look to the blonde scarfing down yet another helping. "You can breathe inbetween bites, you know. No one is going to steal your food."

"Shap bewin ah heerh eme."

The raven raised a brow. "You wanna try that again?"

Naruto noisily swallowed down a mouthful of noodles, then turned to glare at his boyfriend. "I said stop being a jerk, teme."

"That is definitely not what you said."

Naruto rolled his eyes. "Whatever. It's still my birthday, you know. You're supposed to be nice to me."

"Alright, fine. I guess if you want to eat your ramen like a rabid wolf, I shouldn't give you a hard time. Your birthday- your call."

The blonde gave a dramatic bow and a dazzling smile. "Thank you."

Sasuke shook his head at the childish antic and dropped an elbow on the counter, settling in to watch the horrid masterpiece unfold. Naruto gave him a wary eye, suspecting that he was still silently making fun of him, but decided not to let it dampen the mood. Sasuke could get under his skin, in fact he had a knack for it, but that never got in the way of his ramen.

That is where Naruto Uzumaki draws the line.

Sasuke watched those blue eyes shine with newfound determination and easily guessed that it had to do with making sure nothing slowed his ravenous ramen consumption. Ridiculous dobe..

"Why ramen?" he wondered aloud.

Naruto looked over as he loudly slurped up a noodle. "Hm?"

Sasuke tilted his head, observing him. "Why is ramen the food you're most obsessed with? Do you really like it better than anything else? Or is it just nostalgic..?"

Naruto averted his gaze as his face grew hot. "Umm.. I'm not really sure."

Sasuke stared at him. "It's strange that you would lie about something like this."

Naruto glanced back, surprised. "What makes you think I'm lying?"

"Your face and your voice."

"Heh.. yeah.." He sighed heavily. "Well, it's just.. just a stupid thought I had as a kid so there's no point in even talking about it."

"Tell me anyways."

Naruto chewed on his bottom lip, making the Uchiha even more curious.

God, I hate that I can't read your mind..

Sasuke gently grabbed the back of his blonde's head, turning him back to face him. "You don't need to be anxious, Naru. It's just me."

Naruto pushed his hand away and dropped his chopsticks into his emptied bowl, freeing his hands so he could nervously wring them together. "Just.. don't laugh, ok?"

"I won't laugh."

"Not even one of your eye things."

Sasuke quirked a brow. "One of my eye things."

"You know, where you just kind of go all-" Naruto gave a blank look, emotionless except for the humor in his eyes and the slightest hint of a smirk.

Sasuke couldn't help but laugh. He knew exactly what he was talking about, but it was priceless seeing a very Uchiha-like expression on his face.

"I can tell when you're mocking me, Sasuke. I'm not a complete moron."

His eyes lit up with amusement and Naruto dramatically threw a finger out to point at it. "That face, right there. All condescending and shit- don't do that."

Sasuke mused his mess of blonde locks, his eyes softening. "I'm sorry- I'm just teasing you. I won't when you tell me something real, you know that."

"Hmph." Naruto crossed his arms and pouted his lips- his very full, tempting lips..

"If you keep doing that, I'm going to kiss you."

Naruto clapped a hand over his mouth, his eyes wide. "Stop it, perv."

"I know what you're doing, Naruto" Sasuke murmured, suddenly becoming serious. "Stop avoiding the subject and just talk to me."

His blonde gave him another shy look. "..You're really not going to make fun of me?"

"I'm not going to make fun of you."

"Fine.. ok, well.. I- I was alone a lot, as a kid." He dropped his gaze to the counter as his mind fluttered back to a dismal past. "My parents died when I was born, and I was kind of passed around for a while. The third Hokage looked after me sometimes, then a few of his assistants. I stayed with them until I was about nine, and then I was basically living on my own. People came to check-in to make sure I had what I needed, and to leave meals, but no one..."

His voice trailed off.

Sasuke grabbed his hand and held it tight in his own, hoping to channel some reassurance and strength to his dejected blonde. He didn't like seeing him like this, but he knew the feelings were valid. Sasuke knew loneliness, probably better than most, but not like Naruto did. Losing his family, his clan, had broken him- truly, irrevocably broken him- but at least he had one.

Naruto didn't even have that.

"I didn't like being there in that empty apartment" he said quietly. "It felt.. suffocating. I used to wander around town a lot just to be around other people."

He swallowed. "Even if they didn't want to be around me.."

Sasuke felt another sharp pang in his chest, but Naruto continued before he could put words to it.

"I remember seeing a lot of families here" he murmured, gesturing to the other seats nearby. "And they all looked so.. happy. I thought if I ate here then maybe.. maybe I could have that too." He bit the inside of his cheek, reining in his emotions.

"You like ramen because it felt like a chance.." Sasuke said.

Naruto looked up and met his eyes. "Yeah.. at some point it just became a habit, but I guess part of me still feels like I'll belong somewhere if I come here. Just like everyone else did."

"You do, Naru." Sasuke lightly ran his fingers through his hair. "You don't have to be alone anymore."

Naruto gave a small smile, though there was still a trace of pain in his eyes. "I'm gonna hold you to that."

Sasuke leaned in and, ignoring the widening eyes all around them, gently pressed their lips together. Naruto looked surprised at first, but it didn't last long. He soon warmed up to his boyfriend's affection and found himself sinking into his embrace, his eyes fluttering closed as he kissed him back. He had no intention of getting too intimate with him in broad daylight, but he figured a little love at his favorite ramen shop might just be exactly what he was looking for- what he came here time and time again waiting for.

The two slowly pulled away and exchanged a look- one filled with a simplistic happiness, and a closeness- a feeling of finally understanding a little more than they did before. But there was something else there too, something that had been there back at the gravesite- something that neither was ready to voice.

A desperate desire to reconnect.

--

The two headed home after that, not in the least bit troubled by the villagers' disapproving glances and tactless whispers. None of it mattered- not anymore. Naruto had given up on trying to win them over a long time ago and Sasuke was still trying to convince himself not to slaughter the entire town, so the opinion of potential targets meant absolutely nothing to him. He gave the occasional crimson death glare, but otherwise ignored the petty pricks.

Besides, he thought, I have something better to look at.

He turned his gaze over to his blonde, eyeing whiskered cheekbones, the long blonde hair lucky enough to slide against it, and brilliant blues- guarded, yet relatively happy. He was extremely tempted to scoop him up in his arms and leap to the rooftops with him. It was a ridiculous idea, though it would be fun to get a reaction out of him…

Sasuke regarded his boyfriend a moment longer before deciding against it. Naruto was able to joke around a little, but he could still tell that he was off today. Some distractions would be necessary, and some might be out of his control if his blonde keeps looking this delicious behind closed doors, but he knew he'd have to be a little more sensitive- a simple curtesy that Naruto probably wasn't used to having on his birthday.

Turning his focus back to the road, Sasuke casually reached down and grasped Naruto's hand in his own. He seemed surprised by the gesture, but not resistant to it.

"You really don't care what any of them think, do you?"

Dark eyes slid over. "What gave it away?"

"Your face and your voice."

Sasuke laughed and pulled his blonde in, wrapping an arm around his shoulder to keep him close. "You know, you're pretty cute when you're being clever."

"I get that a lot."

"Oh, I'm sure."

The two shoved each other playfully as they stepped onto the landing and unlocked the front door. They stepped over the threshold and a fire bloomed in Sasuke's core. He finally had him alone, and he couldn't resist a second longer. He slammed the door closed, harder than he meant to, and shoved his blonde against it.

"Sa-"

He roughly grabbed the back of his head and jerked him forward, finding and silencing that beautiful obnoxious mouth.

"Mmhn.."

Naruto grabbed a fistful of his shirt and tilted his head as he deepened the kiss, just as eager to be just as close. Sasuke's tongue found his own, and he froze.

Fuck.

Naruro shoved him back and took a quick step in front of him. "We know you're here asshole."

Sasuke's eyes widened. He had been so caught up in the moment that he didn't even notice that someone else was in the house with them. He did now though. His sharingan slammed into his eyes and with a deep growl he grabbed his blonde and forced him back. "Don't even think about it" he said under his breath.

Naruto didn't get the chance to respond. He barely even had the chance to blink. One moment the hall was clear and the next someone was standing there, less than a dozen feet away from them. He could see Sasuke stiffen, and immediately knew why. The stranger stood in the dim hall, shrouded in shadows, but they could easily make out the crimson clouds on his dark cloak. Naruto's eyes shot up to his face, half suspecting to find Itachi staring back at him. He knew it was impossible, but the thought was there. He was wrong though- or rather, he assumed he was. He couldn't see the man's face, so he couldn't be completely sure. An orange mask concealed it- twisted and knotted like the heart of a gnarled tree.

He drew closer, and Naruto's breath stilled. He noticed something as the man shifted in the light, and it immediately made him feel confused all over again. A small hole on one side of the mask revealed an eye, one blood-red eye.

A sharingan.

Wait- that's not really Itachi, is it? The Uchiha clan was wiped out, so who else would it be? The thought made him recall another person he knew who also harbored a sharingan eye despite the fact that he was not a member of the Uchiha clan.

Now that I think about it, why does Kakashi have one..?

He wasn't sure if it was related, but he needed to know. In fact, there were a lot of questions he wanted answered. For starters- he needed to know for sure that it wasn't Itachi. Obviously, he couldn't just ask something like that. It would be easy to lie, but more than that- he didn't want Sasuke to misunderstand the reason he was asking. He didn't want him to think he was hopeful that Itachi's face waited beneath the mask. Things with Sasuke were finally good- he didn't want to ruin that.

But that doesn't mean I should stay silent either.

Steeling his nerve, Naruto stepped beside his raven and glared at the intruder. "I thought Itachi killed off the Akatsuki" he sneered.

It's not him.

You know it's not him.

A deep laugh filled the space between them, one he definitely did not recognize. "Not quite" the man replied, humor evident in his voice.

"Who are you?" Sasuke snarled.

The masked man titled his head as he regarded him. "You really do look just like him.."

Sasuke's eyes hardened. "That's not what I asked."

The man nonchalantly crossed his arms and leaned against the wall, not in the least bit concerned by the two. Which immediately pissed them off. But if they could get the guy to talk- to explain what he wanted, why he was there- then they were willing to swallow their growing animosity and hear him out.

"Those closest to me call me Tobi, though I don't know that we will get to that point." His eyes drifted over to the blonde. "Though maybe the two of us will."

Naruto paled. "What are you talking about..?"

"You, my little jinchurki friend, will be leaving with me." He turned his gaze back to the Uchiha. "I wouldn't wait up if I were you. He's going to be gone for a while."

Sasuke flashed out of view and reappeared directly in front of him. Without warning, he forced a handful of chakra into his chest- or rather, he attempted to. But his hand simply went through him. Sasuke's eyes widened with surprise, but it was too late to slow his momentum. He dropped straight through him, sending a fistful of chakra blasting a hole through his wall along the way.

"The hell-?" Sasuke moved fast, putting himself in front of his blonde once more. "What the fuck are you?"

Tobi slowly phased back into view, a sinister grin lighting up his one revealed eye. But there was something else there too- hint of sadness behind the cruelty. "A ghost.." he murmured, "the remnants of a man who's been gone for a long time..."

The two were surprised by his sudden seriousness, but it didn't last long. Tobi's focus snapped back to them, and that faraway look cleared in an instant. "None of that matters now. I did not come here to reminisce."

Sasuke clenched his jaw tight, preparing for what comes next. "I won't let you touch him."

"Itachi was not strong enough to kill me" Tobi said, his amusement evident in his voice. "What makes you think you are?"

Refusing to dignify the comment with a response, Sasuke rushed towards him- silent and armed. Naruto moved at the same time, flashing out of sight and reappeared at the far end of the hall. His golden eyes narrowed on their target, readying for any hint of movement. They would come at him from both sides, as a team. Like they always did when they faced an opponent. Sasuke had been able to buy them enough time for Naruto to access his nature chakra, and now he was aching to use it.

"Sasuke isn't Itachi" he said loudly, wanting his raven to hear it too, "and he's not alone."

Golden eyes met red and the two moved in sync, almost as if they really could hear each other's thoughts. They ducked to avoid each other's attack and never stopped moving, never stopped fighting. Shuriken, kunai, endless shadow clones, countless jutsus- none of it mattered. Every attack they tried had absolutely no effect on him. Every hit, every blast of chakra- it all just went straight through him.

The two leapt back to catch their breath, eyes locked on their seemingly bored opponent. "How is this even possible?" Naruto gasped.

Sasuke shook his head. "I don't know."

He glanced over at his breathless blonde. "I want you to run, Naruto. I'll keep him busy for as long as I can. Get as far away from here as possible." He paused. "No, you shouldn't be alone. Just.. find Kakashi, stay by-"

"Stop rambling" Naruto interrupted. "I'm not going."

Sasuke grabbed his arms hard and jerked him close. "Dammit, Naruto- just listen to me for once!"

Tobi's deep voice filled the hall, pulling their focus away from each other once more. "This has been fun." He took a step towards them, his intent clear. "But I think it's time we leave, wouldn't you say my young jinchurki?"

Sasuke shoved his blonde back towards the door, eyes wide with panic. "Naruto, run!"

"Too late."

Sasuke blinked and the man was gone. No. A blast of chakra suddenly slammed into him, sending him flying back. He managed to keep his footing, but he wasn't fast enough. The man grabbed Naruto's arm and pulled him close.

"No! Stop!!" Sasuke ran towards them, horrified that he wouldn't get to him in time. Knowing he wouldn't. He could see the air between them alter, a pocket of space become distorted, and suddenly- incomprehensibly- Naruto was pulled into it.

"No!!" He reached out but the portal closed before he could get to it. It had completely disappeared- and Naruto with it.

"Let him go!" Sasuke lashed out, fueled with anger and fear, but it made no difference. He couldn't touch him.

He couldn't stop him.

"What do you want with him?!" he screamed.

"What else?" Tobi calmly replied. "I want the Nine Tails."

"I thought the Akatsuki moved on from that shit" he snapped.

"Itachi moved on from it" the man corrected. "The rest of us were simply biding our time."

"Until..?"

"Until everyone was ready to join us." He paused and eyed the raven. "You should consider it, Sasuke. After all- you wouldn't be the only Uchiha there."

Sasuke stared at him, utterly shocked. "What are you saying?"

"Oh, I have no intention of ruining the surprise now."

"Whatever you have planned- you don't need Naruto!" he said hurriedly. "Let me take his place."

"A sweet notion, but I'm not here for you."

"Wait!" Sasuke screamed, desperate to keep him from leaving- to not lose Naruto all over again. "Don't! Please, don't do this!"

"I'll make sure to let your little friend know how badly you wanted to save him" he said, his voice deep and unfeeling behind the mask. "He'll be touched in his final moments."

"No.. NO!!"

Sasuke leapt towards him, through him, and dropped heavily to the floor.

"Goodbye, Sasuke."

His head jerked up, but there was nothing.

Nothing.

"No.. no, no, no! FUCK!!"

Sasuke jumped to his feet and tore out of the house. He leapt to the roof and scanned the area but there was no sign of them. "Goddamnit!! This can't be fucking happening.. not again."

His mind flashed back to the day Orochimaru had taken over his body, when he had attacked Naruto through him, when Itachi showed up and took him from him. He had disappeared without a trace just like this. He was gone for over a month, and Itachi.. he…

"I can't let this happen."

Sasuke took off fast, desperately searching for the only person he trusted aside from his blonde. The same person who helped him get him back two years ago. He finally spotted him leaning back against a tree, a book open in his hands, his one exposed eye excitedly skimming across the pages. Sasuke dropped down in front of him and Kakashi looked up to meet his eyes. "Sasuke, I'm surprised to see you here without-"

"They took him!" Sasuke screamed, not even bothering to hide his panic. "We have to find him- now!"

Kakashi straightened, all humor gone. "What happened? Who took him?!"

"I.. I don't know. A guy wearing a mask- he just showed up out of no where. I couldn't stop him." He gripped his hair in tight fists, pulling hard to ground himself, to keep his mind from completely spiraling out of control. "I couldn't fucking stop him!!"

Kakashi grabbed his shoulders with bruising force. "Sasuke, focus. What happened? Who took Naruto?"

"He was Akatsuki, but we couldn't see his face. He.. has a sharingan." Kakashi seemed surprised by this, but Sasuke was in a hurry and kept talking. "Every time we tried to attack it just went right through him. Like he could just phase out. I don't know how he did it, but there was some kind of portal and he pulled Naruto into it. He just fucking disappeared!"

"Did he say what he wanted."

"The Nine Tails."

This part at least did not surprise him. The Akatsuki had made their interest in the tailed beasts clear for a very long time.

"Did you catch a name? Did he say anything about himself?"

"He said the people who're closest to him call him Tobi, but-"

Kakashi froze. "What did you just say.." he breathed.

Sasuke stared up at him, confused by the reaction. "He said he goes by Tobi."

"That's.. that's not possible.."

Kakashi's mind suddenly filled with images of his first love.. his only love. A silly little brunette with a charming smile and beautiful charcoal eyes.. eyes that later found their fire.

A flame that had been smothered out.

Or so he thought.

Kakashi's fingers trembled as he slowly lifted them to his covered eye- one that never really belonged to him.

Obito..

Author Note:

I kinda have my own style for Obito stuff, so please don't be upset if it seems a little less canon, though I do try to keep it close.

Also, I change the ages on stuff. Just like how the academy was more of a high school in here for Naruto & Sasuke, Kakashi & Obito were older before everything fell apart.

Ok, shall we? ;)