Chapter 5
One month is a long time to be apart. Not just from Obito, but from Rin as well.
“You all need time to individually heal. For one month’s time, absolutely no contact between you three.”
That was the bullshit his therapist spewed at him, and apparently Rin got the same speech.
At first, Kakashi fully intended to ignore the therapist’s orders and go see Rin, and he did. He went to her house in the middle of the night…
She wouldn’t let him in.
He tried multiple times, but Rin would simply pretend he wasn’t there, or leave the room.
Rin didn’t want to see him.
Minato and Kushina insisted that Kakashi just give it time. But how was Kakashi supposed to just carry on like nothing had happened?
Like his teammate didn’t hate his guts and his boyfriend wasn’t locked in a psych ward?
“She doesn’t hate you, Kakashi.” Kushina soothed over dinner.
Kakashi poked at his plate with his fork absentmindedly, having no intention of actually eating any of it.
He had no appetite.
Tomorrow was Obito’s release date, and Kakashi had no doubt in his mind that Rin would also be there, regardless of how things were with them.
“Maybe she should.” He whispered solemnly.
Minato sighed. “Kakashi, you did what you felt you had to. You were trying to protect the village. Your therapist already cleared you. I think once Rin understands you weren’t attempting to commit suicide just for the sake of it, she’ll forgive you.”
“I did something terrible to her.” Kakashi shook his head. “I should’ve found another way. I should’ve tried to die to the enemy. No matter what happened, I shouldn’t’ve-“
Kushina slammed her fist on the table. “Oi! There’s no point in fretting over the past, ya know!?” She scolded. “What’s done is done, all you can do is try to make things better now.”
Kakashi rested his head in his arms on the table, before hearing a familiar gurgle noise.
He got up from the table and headed over to the bassinet, where Naruto lied awake and expecting attention. He instantly beamed when he saw Kakashi and reached his little arms up towards him expectantly.
Kakashi picked Naruto up and held him carefully. Without Obito around to pay attention to Naruto…somebody had to. Sasuke already had Shisui and Itachi looking after him, so…
Naruto giggled, reaching up and poking at Kakashi’s face.
All Kakashi could think about was the way Obito would hold and gush over Naruto like he was the most perfect thing in the world.
Kakashi couldn’t help giving the baby an eye-closed smile.
“Yeah, I know, Uncle Obito holds you way better than I do, don’t rub it in.”
Rin sat on her bed in the dark. Night had arrived a few hours ago, most were already in bed.
She couldn’t sleep. Not when she knew what tomorrow was.
Obito was finally being released, and then…
Well, Rin’s not entirely sure.
Kakashi would be there too, and Rin still didn’t feel ready to face him. But her therapist seemed to think she was ready.
“You need to face these demons, Rin. See for yourself that your friend didn’t die by your hand.”
How could she? Every time she closed her eyes, all she could see was the blood, and the lifeless expression in Kakashi’s eye.
How could she possibly face Kakashi tomorrow, and see anything but a corpse?
Rin looked down at her picture of their team. She and Minato were grinning, while Obito and Kakashi were pouting as usual.
God, they were so naïve back then. Especially her.
She knew being a ninja would be tough. She knew there’d be hardships.
But still, Rin never imagined any of this would happen.
She just…
“Obito…Kakashi…” Rin whispered painfully as tears slid down her cheeks, dripping down onto the framed photo.
She just wanted things to go back to the way they were.
The day finally arrived. Kakashi arrived outside the hospital 15 minutes before visiting hours would be open.
Rin arrived right on time, and the two froze when they saw each other.
“…Rin…” Kakashi breathed, unsure of what else to say.
Swallowing hard, Rin gave a small nod of acknowledgment. “…Kakashi.”
“Ah good, you’re both here.” The two nearly jumped out of their skin when Shiro came out of the hospital with a warm smile. “It’s time. Are you two ready?”
No.
“Let’s go.” Kakashi insisted firmly as Rin gave a determined nod.
They stood outside the psych ward doors, and anxiously waited while Shiro went back to get Obito.
The silence that followed between the two team members was haunting.
“…So how have you been?” Rin broke the ice first, softly and unsurely.
Kakashi shifted his weight from one foot to the other. “…I don’t know.” He answered honestly. “My…therapist cleared me for missions again. They don’t…consider me a danger to myself.”
Rin nodded a little, looking away from him.
“I’ve been removed from the ANBU. Permanently.” Kakashi confessed, in a slightly bitter tone. “It was the only way…I could keep the eye.”
They also insisted on some teaching nonsense, but Kakashi had no plans to actually do that.
Not like they can force him not to just fail any students he gets, after all.
Besides…Kakashi already had his heart set on teaching two kids in particular. Would waiting and intentionally failing everyone else until then…really be so bad?
He had a feeling Minato already knew what he was going to do anyways.
“I see.” Rin whispered. Then, hesitantly, she added, “I…gave them my statement. About what happened.”
Kakashi looked at her.
“I want you to know I vouched for you, and Obito.” Rin told him honestly.
“I know you did.” He never doubted it.
Rin fiddled with her bracelet. “My therapist…she thinks…I needed to see you again. See that you’re okay, with my own eyes.”
“And?” He asked softly.
“It doesn’t feel real, I guess.”
It was a fair statement. Kakashi also felt like he was walking around in a fog.
“Do you think…it will ever be like before?” Kakashi asked, facing her directly.
Rin met his gaze for the first time since they showed up.
“I don’t think that’s possible, Kakashi.”
Before the two could talk anymore, the doors suddenly flew open.
And then they saw him.
Obito stood there with a wide, beaming grin. His hair had grown out a bit, resting on his shoulders and giving him much more of a ‘classic’ Uchiha image than his two teammates were used to. He’d also been given a pair of black shorts and a loose purple shirt from his clan.
He met their gazes, and hesitated only for a moment, as if he didn’t believe they were real. “Kakashi…Rin…” Tears welled up in his eye.
“Obito…” Rin trembled where she sat, quickly standing up even though her legs felt like jelly.
Kakashi’s breath hitched. He looked like he wanted to reach out, but he didn’t know if he was allowed to.
A few moments of silence passed.
“Well? Are you two gonna hug me or what!?” Obito grinned.
That was all they needed to go running into Obito’s arms sobbing. Tears ran down Rin’s cheeks hard as she hugged him. Kakashi could feel tears pour from his covered eye, but he paid them no mind, just content to be in Obito’s arms again and take in his familiar scent.
“A-Are you okay? How- I mean- Was it- did you complete y-your treatment?” Rin asked through her hiccups, hands shaking.
Shiro stepped in with a smile. “There were a few bumps here and there, but overall, I think Obito did wonderfully. I’m still giving him mandatory therapy, but besides that…he’s been cleared.”
“You mean…” Kakashi trailed off, too scared to hope.
Obito let out a little chuckle. “I’m a free man. My crimes were officially pardoned. I’m okay to go on missions again!”
Rin broke down into harsher sobs, clinging to him harder. Kakashi had to fight not to break down further.
They were okay.
They were going to be okay.
“You really put me in quite a bind, you know that?” Minato teased when his team came by his office.
Obito smiled sheepishly, rubbing the back of his head. “Ah…sorry about all this, Minato-sensei. I…I didn’t handle it well…” His smile dimmed. “I’m going to apologize to the families personally, and I’ll do whatever it takes to try and right my wrongs.”
Minato nodded. “That’s good. As happy as I am that you’re out Obito, you must understand that if I hadn’t been the Hokage, things would’ve been very differently for you.” He explained firmly.
“Yes sir.” Obito nodded softly.
“That being said…I think you guys should come over for dinner. I know Naruto’s been missing his favorite uncle.” Minato said fondly.
Obito instantly brightened at that. “Of…Of course, I’ll be there. Ah…but first, I need to go back to the clan…” His shoulders drooped as he sweat dropped. “I have a feeling Fugaku’s gonna wanna talk to me…”
“Do you want us to go with you?” Rin offered worriedly.
Obito shook his head. “No,” He sighed. “This is my problem.”
“I’ll be waiting outside the compound for you.” Kakashi told him, not taking no for an answer.
Obito merely nodded. “I’m sure you’ll hear everything from there anyways. I have a feeling we’re gonna talk loud.”
And talk loud, they did.
Admittedly, Kakashi had heightened senses. Regular people probably couldn’t hear them at all.
But he got to hear the faint echoes of Fugaku screaming at Obito over everything.
He felt terrible. This whole mess was his fault.
“You are not responsible for how Obito responds to trauma.” A message his therapist preached to him over and over again.
But still.
If he had just been stronger. If he hadn’t gotten captured by the enemy. If the three-tails hadn’t been sealed inside of him.
Kakashi sighed heavily. There was no point in thinking about what could’ve been.
For all he knew, the alternatives were way worse.
Soon enough, Obito was storming out of the compound, looking awfully peeved.
“Are you alright?” Kakashi asked worriedly.
“Let’s just go.” Obito huffed. “They’re never gonna understand me anyways.”
Kakashi’s shoulders slumped. “…Obito-“
“Hey, Kakashi, have you thought more about us living together?” Kakashi’s eye widened.
Obito turned to him with a fond grin.
“Obachan’s okay with it, so just say the word, and I’ll move in.”
“But…the clan, and Itachi, Shisui, Sasuke-“ Kakashi started hesitantly.
Obito shook his head. “We’ll still see them Kakashi, it’s not like I’m banned from the clan. If they had it their way, they’d keep me locked up in there forever I’m sure.” He crossed his arms, eye narrowing. “But I’m not going to play by their rules, I decided that a long time ago. So I’m done with it. Whether that means living with you, staying with Rin, or finding a place of my own, I don’t care. I’m not going back.”
“Obito…” Kakashi looked at him in slight awe.
Then, Obito smiled shyly.
“So…what do you say?”
“Is this seriously how you’re asking to live with me?”
“It’s kinda our style, isn’t it?”
Dammit. That should not make Kakashi smile.
He sighed heavily, shoving his hands in his pockets as he walked by Obito. “Let’s go get you a copy of the key, I suppose.”
Obito grinned, hurrying to catch up with him.
Kakashi and Obito arrived outside Minato’s house to see Rin stood there, lost in thought.
“Rin.” Obito spoke softly, getting her attention.
“Oh…hey.” She greeted weakly. “I just thought…we should go in together…I don’t really know why.” She looked down.
Kakashi bit his lip. “Before that…Rin, Obito and I have something we need to say to you.”
Rin looked at them in confusion. “Oh? What…What is it?”
The two boys suddenly bowed to her, startling her immensely.
“We’re very sorry!”
Rin stared down at the two, mouth agape.
“We acted so selfishly!” Obito cried. “And didn’t consider your feelings at all when we did the things we did!”
“We know we’ll be going over everything in the mandatory group therapy but…” Kakashi hesitated guiltily. “We wanted you to hear it from us, outside of that.” He explained shamefully.
Obito nervously rambled when Rin remained silent. “Obviously it’ll take a lot more than an apology to make things right, but, but it feels like a good place to start! Um…Shiro said that it’s never too late to change, you know, right your wrongs and stuff, as long as you’re willing to work at it. I still…” His hands balled into fists. “I still want to be Hokage someday. I want to change this world into something better. Something with peace. But to do that, I need to become someone people can trust again,” He swallowed hard. “And that starts right here. With you.”
“What I did was foolish, and cruel. If I had just…taken a moment, and had more faith in the leaf…instead of doing what I did…” Kakashi shut his eye tightly. “I could’ve spared you so much pain. I’m so sorry, Rin.”
“We’re both sorry.” Obito added.
Rin was still deathly silent, and it was making the boys even more anxious.
But then they heard it.
“…Ngh…hic…”
Kakashi and Obito hesitantly looked up, and were horrified to find Rin covering her mouth with both hands, tears pouring down her cheeks as she stared at them.
“Ahhh! No, no, don’t cry Rin!” Obito panicked. “Kakashi, what do we do!?”
“I-I don’t know…” Kakashi fretted. “Rin we really are sorry!”
Obito nodded frantically. “A-And we’re gonna make it up to you, promise! Whatever you want, we’ll do it, okay? Anything-“
Rin suddenly ran forward and tugged them both into a hug, grinning wide despite her tears.
“You’re both…going to be so sorry…” She sniffed. “By the time I’m through with you…understand!?” She sobbed with a slight chuckle.
Obito and Kakashi couldn’t help resting into her hug, feeling a rush of contentment they hadn’t felt in quite a long time.
It felt like…they were finally home.