Chapter 12
Obito stared out the window, watching the clouds float by. It was starting to get cold out, and though he wasn’t someone who got cold easily, Tsunade still kept scolding him for having the window open. He was tired of putting up with it, figuring it was just easier to go with it, rather than try to argue.
He was bored. Plain and simple. He could leave, he knew. He had the energy for Kamui now, and he could easily just….disappear.
The thought made him sad in some way he didn’t want to think about.
He couldn’t leave yet, though. He needed to find where they were keeping Zetsu. As much as he got on Obito’s nerves sometimes, he still needed his help to make the Moon Eye Plan work. He lets out a hum, trying to sort his thoughts, trying to figure out what to do. While he could get pretty much anywhere with Kamui, he could only travel to places, not people. He couldn’t get to Zetsu if he didn’t know where he was.
His thoughts are interrupted by the sound of the door opening, looking over to see Minato stepping inside. He sighs, scowling at the man. He came to visit every couple of days, though he had stopped trying to get any information out of Obito. It was more like he just wanted to see him. Like he couldn’t believe he was there. Like he was making sure he was still there.
It would be touching if it didn’t also hurt. He didn’t want to think about it too much, though. It wouldn’t matter, in the end.
“Someone should tell Tsunade my headache is back.”
“Ah—-” Minato chuckles sheepishly, trying not to be too hurt by the comment. It did sting a little, though. He decides to just move past it. “Talking about Tsunade, she said you’re pretty much good to be released.”
“Cool, about time. I can finally leave.”
“That’s not—- Hokage-sama isn’t giving the okay to let you. After what happened, he’s not going to just let you roam free.”
“Great. Unfortunately for him, I don’t care. I think we’ve learned that you can’t exactly keep me here.”
“Obito, if you just told us what—-”
“Shut up.” So much for not trying to get information from him. “It doesn’t matter what you do or don’t know, okay? You can’t do anything about it. You can’t help in a way that matters.”
Minato gives a small sigh, feeling defeated. He rubs at his face before running his fingers through his hair, already feeling tired, even though the day just started. Although, with Naruto having troubles sleeping through the night lately, he hadn’t slept much the past couple of nights. He was able to sometimes get a nap in some afternoons, but it wasn’t always a given. And Kakashi was back on missions again. He was actually gone right now, Naruto at a playdate with Sasuke at the moment. Minato had just wanted to swing by and check on Obito right quick before heading back.
Obito had already turned away from him again, and Minato couldn’t help but watch him for a moment. He was glad to see he was at least doing better. With food and sleep in him, more strength— he already looked healthier. He didn’t look quite so small, and Minato could more clearly see how he had grown over the years.
“Is there anything I can do?”
Obito’s silent, refusing to say anything. Just a little though, he turns back to him, his voice quiet.
“A small plant, probably.”
“A—-?” Minato feels confused, his head tilting to the side. He supposed it should be okay. Besides, it would help liven up the room a bit. “I’m sure I can find something.”
Obito goes back to ignoring him, and Minato takes that as his cue to leave, closing the door behind him. He lets out a quiet hum as he thinks, then turns on his heel and heads out of the hospital. He heads to Mikoto’s house, knocking on the door and waiting till Itachi opens the door, letting him inside. Naruto starts babbling happily as soon as he sees him, and Minato scoops him up in his arms, taking a seat with the boy on his lap.
“I hope he has been behaving for you.”
“Oh, he’s an angel!” Mikoto let’s out a soft laugh, smiling softly. “I hope whatever you had to take care of went well?”
“Well enough, I suppose. I have a friend in the hospital, and I just wanted to check on him.”
“Oh, dear.” Mikoto looks genuinely worried, and he can’t say he’s surprised.
Mikoto and Kushina had been best friends, getting along since they were children. She had meant a lot to Mikoto just as Minato, and so, they both understand each other's pain well in losing her. He remembered them spending many a day together, and Kushina was happy to help her after Sasuke had been born. Both as a helpful hand for her friend, and so she would be a bit more prepared when Naruto came.
He missed those days.
He missed her.
Perhaps he should’ve felt more anger over the situation. Mostly though, he was just tired. Everything had happened so fast over the past two or so years, and he was sure his nerves were nothing if not frayed.
Not to mention, Obito’s request made him pause. Then again, maybe he just wanted something to feel like he wasn’t cooped up in a hospital room. The boy hadn’t been very good at staying in one place for very long. It wouldn’t be too much trouble to find something small for him.
Naruto is getting fussy in his arms, and Minato chuckles softly, knowing it’s getting around his nap time. A change, a little snack, and he should go right down with no problem.