Chapter 10
The Uchiha brothers and Neji each went to their tents, where they intended to rest, replenish their energy in any way, or simply shorten the time to the end. Shukaku was lost in the crowd, and Tobi headed for the stables, which were away from it all. The whole tournament was closely watched by Kakashi, Naruto's teacher and commander of the royal armed forces. Shukaku and Tobi were the most suspicious for him. After watching the strangers' performances closely, he had to check on Tobi. Not because he had it ordered, but because the technique he used could only be used by one person on earth, but that person had been dead for several years. He saw him die himself. And that's the main reason why Tobi was most suspicious of him.
As soon as Tobi went to the stables, Kakashi was immediately on his heels. He watched him from a distance so he wouldn't notice him. As soon as his target disappeared behind the barn door, he immediately followed him. He walked silently through the door but had to stop. Tobi stood in the middle of the room, his back to Kakashi.
„It is forbidden to come here,” Kakashi said.
„Why are you watching me? As a suitor for the prince's hand, I am guaranteed a safe stay in the kingdom,” Tobi replied in a harsh voice without turning.
„Since you are from Akatsuki, it does not apply to you. Instead, answer me a few simple questions.”
„And if I refuse?”
„I'll force you,” Kakashi replied. Tobi turned to him and made a sound reminiscent of a chuckle. „What's so funny?”
„Nothing at all, Commander,” he replied.
„I want to know where did you learn to shoot like that.”
„It's not your business.”
„If you don't answer me, I'll just have you locked up. I can handle it. You entered a forbidden place and I don't care if you just did this. The evidence is easy to find, especially when we know you belong to Akatsuki…. Plus, only one person could shoot like that, and he's been dead for years.”
„You know nothing at all. You're still the same idiot,” Tobi replied, drawing his sword. Kakashi followed.
Tobi was the first to attack, running at his enemy and throwing two small knives at him. Kakashi deflected them lightly, but he didn't have time to properly repel Tobi's attack, and he just escaped with a little scratch on his mask that covered his mouth. But now he did not have time to take care of such details, for his opponent continued to attack tirelessly. They exchanged punches for several long minutes, sometimes succeeding in scratching the other, but not seriously. After a while, as Tobi deflected Kakashi's attack, he turned to the wrong side, creating the perfect moment for his enemy to attack.
Kakashi knew that, of course. He made a fake lunge to the right, and when Tobi avoided him, he loaded Kakashi into the cards, and he struck him hard in the mask with the edge of his sword. There was a crunch. His mask fell apart. The man staggered and fell into the hay. With one hand he tried to hold the mask together, and with the other, he used his sword to scramble to his feet.
„If you're going to hold a mask during a fight, give it up right away.”
„Phew, I'll beat you with one hand behind back,” Tobi snapped.
„As you wish,” Kakashi sighed and they fought again. This time Tobi attacked much faster, but less accurately. Kakashi could easily avoid his attacks, except for one, when Tobi cut a mask that covered his face. His mask no longer made sense, so he tore off its remains. Kakashi made a slight twist and kicked him in the back. Tobi tripped and fell on his face. When he got up, he left the remains of the mask lying on the ground. He stood with his back to Kakashi. He turned slowly. As soon as Kakashi found out who his opponent was, he dropped his sword from the shock.
„O... Obito,” Was all he could say.
„That's right, Bakashi,” Obito grinned.
„How… I thought you were ...”
„Dead? When you left me what else could I do?”
„So how?”
„It doesn't matter. Now you will pay for all your sins and especially for letting Rin die!”
„I couldn't protect her…. or you …” his voice dropped.
„What's this? A pitty? That won't help you! You know I loved her and you let her die anyway! ”He was almost screaming now. „Now, you'll pay for it," he said coldly, pulling out his dagger and lunging at him again.”
Obito lunged, but Kakashi grabbed his wrist lightly in with he held a weapon, and pulled him closer to his body in one motion. Before the other man could do anything, their lips met. The kiss wasn't long, but it could express more than words for it. It was Kakashi who ended the kiss. He pulled away slightly, Obito staring at him in disbelief with his mouth ajar and blush on his cheeks.
„The whole time you thought I was blind to Rin and I was doing it on purpose, but you were blind to me again. Rin's death was terrible for me, but the loss of you was much worse for me. You suffered for Rin and I suffered for you, ” h e whispered, as if afraid of being heard, and still holding Obito's hand.
„You're lying! ” h e replied with shaking voice, unable to look him in the eye.
„Why should I lie to you? At one point, I wanted to take my life and meet you,… especially with you, and tell you the truth…. But I missed my chance then, so I'm telling you now.”
„I don't believe you!” h e shouted. „I don't want to believe you!”
„Please, Obito... I love you, ” h e forced himself. Now never.
„Bakashi, why do you have to make it so complicated? ” t his time it was Obito who was failed by his voice.
„What do you mean? ” h e didn't understand.
„But it took you a while, ” he replied, finally looking him in the eye. He smiled faintly at him, his face as red as a tomato.
„Obito… ”
„You better stop talking before you ruin it,” Kakashi didn't need to know more. He lunged at Obito and together they fell into a giant haystack, where nothing could stop them.
They then climbed out of the stables only before the end of the tournament, just before the announcement of the results. However, before they left the stables completely, they had to adjust. The right clothes, spare masks and similar things. When they finally adjusted enough, Obito went to the castle to his room, where he was to wait for Kakashi. They had so much to catch up on. Kakashi, on the other hand, headed for the competitors, who were already standing in line and waiting for the announcement of the winner for today.
„Ladies and gentlemen, I am sure that many of you have been waiting for this moment. I will now declare the winner of the archery, ” Minato said as the candidates were ready. Itachi watched the king, but his eyes then fell on someone else. For someone who didn't like it very much and who had long dark orange hair. His heart pounded and he knew immediately what he had to do. As soon as the king had finished, he raised his hand.
„I wan to resign from the tournament,” he said proudly without giving any reason. His brother looked at him blankly, but in the end, he just snorted.
„Well,” replied the king, „... does anyone else intend to resign?” h e asked.
„Ob… Sir Tobi is also resigning, ” Kakashi said.
„So be it,” the king said. He knew that Kakashi would tell him more later especially when Tobi belonged to Akatsuki.
„So back to the announcement of the winner. The winner of today's archery competition is Shukaku, a representative of the Land of the Wind. I also have to congratulate the other participants on their amazing performance and point out that they don't have to worry about anything, they proceed to the next round. Congratulations once again,” the king congratulated, ending the first day of the tournament.