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yummyyume · 6 years

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SI-OC Fanfic Recs

So, it’s been a long time coming, but I finally got the time and energy to do this. What better way to start, but with one of my favorite guilty pleasures.

I listed them in the order that I read them.

This is a post in progress, though, so I’ll update it when I have a new one.

Naruto

Déjà vu no Jutsu by Vixen Tail. AO3 // FF.net

Take one dead, thirty year old career soldier, stick in the body of a child during the Second Great Shinobi War. Add a mini-Namikaze Minato, ninjas, chakra, tailed beasts, and shake well. Is it any wonder she thought she was insane?

It’s so good. I love everything about this fanfic. The characters, the world-building, the way emotions and trauma are treated. There are just no words strong enough to explain how much I love this one. I particularly enjoy the fact that the main character doesn’t accept reincarnation as perfectly normal and thinks she’s losing her mind. Also, there is an explanation about what exactly happened for her to be here and that’s awesome.

Clearing Mist by shadownumera. FF.net

I have the worst luck ever. First off, I die. Then I get reborn into the Naruto universe. Yay right? WRONG. Nobody ever said you get to be reborn into Konoha. Which makes finding out where I am in the story line that much harder. I don't know if I can change anything, or if the bloodbath is far behind me. One thing's official though. I'm screwed.

This one is more lighthearted, but still pretty amazing. It also diverges from most SI fanfic by the fact that the main character is reborn in Kiri.

108 Earthly Temptations by Vixen Tail. AO3 // FF.net

A character study into why the older generations of shinobi are harsher and less inclined to compromise. SI/OC Pre-Konoha, Warring States Period, Post-Founding. Currently up to the middle-end of the Second Great Shinobi World War.

I found this one slightly confusing at times, particularly in the beginning. Still a really good read.

The Yondaime's Assistant by DianaMoth. FF.net

When I reincarnated in the world of Naruto, I was lucky enough to live in Konoha but not lucky enough to get all the superpowers you could hope for. I failed my jounin-sensei test and ended up in the Genin Corps. Bye bye jounin rank but, considering it also meant avoiding the battlefield, that's fine with me. Now I just had to get a position allowing me to change History...

I love this one! It’s different from others because we mostly met the main character when she’s already an adult. There’s not long chapters dedicated to how much it sucks to be dead or to be stuck in a baby’s body. It’s refreshing. Also, the author didn’t shy away from Polyamory and it makes me really, really happy.

Guardian Angel of Trouble Twins by DianaMoth. FF.net

Reincarnating as a crow was nicer than you would think... until the Trouble Twins found the summoning scroll for the Karasu. Then they grew on her and she had to save their lives. How annoying. They better gave her lots of almonds or she'll elope with the ninken summoner!

It’s crack, honestly, and I can’t have enough! This one takes a completely different turn from regular SI fanfic and it’s so, so good.

Stamping on Butterflies by kjate95. FF.net

I had a feeling in the back of my mind as if something had changed that day. Had I looked around I would have noticed a shadow lurking in the trees and something change in said persons eyes with interest. I might have regretted revealing so much. But I didn't notice, and so I remained blissfully ignorant.

This one is about the Hyuuga and they are so mess up.

What Doesn't Kill You by Zbluez. FF.net

...Oh wait, it did.

That’s actually a perfect summary for this one and I love it. Also, more moral ambiguity and some sciency aspects that went over my head.

Dragonfly by peccolia. FF.net

Being reborn into the Uchiha clan in the same generation as Itachi promises nothing but a short-lived second life. But, hey—if I'm going to die with certainty, I might as well go out with a bang, right?

It’s not a happy ending and it makes me really sad, but at the same time I wouldn’t have it any other way. Before it goes to that though, it’s completely crackish.

True to Myself by flitterflutterfly. AO3 // FF.net

I never expected to die young, but if I had I would have probably thought something normal like a car accident. I wasn’t given a peaceful death though. Maybe the trauma I went through on that night, the same night as the Uchiha massacre, is the reason I found myself in the Naruto world. I was far from happy about any of it, but I’d always been a determined person and I learned to make the best of the situation.

This one is unfortunately abandoned, but it’s still awesome. I still recommend it, because it's a really good work with a character who didn’t have a peaceful death, some reflexion about identity, how the character deals with trauma...

Someday We'll Leave the Light On by petrichor. AO3

It is not a question of whether or not we pass the genin exam; it is a question of, Who will be on the team?

This one is almost a character study in some aspects. The author is playing with the writing style and it makes for a really flowing reading. Once you start, you just never want to stop, almost like you’re in a hurry and running with the characters.

Hear the Silence by EmptySurface. FF.net

"When did you start to remember?" He asked next, relaxing further in his seat, which Kyo found calming. In which another lease on life is a bit more complicated than Kyo had at first anticipated.

This one is really interesting. The world-building alone is wonderful. All the characters are well fleshed-out and it handles very well the reality of child soldiers, trauma and all those other nasty things that aren’t elaborated in Naruto, but we all know are there.

Katekyō Hitman Reborn!

Russian Roulette by Vixen Tail. AO3 // FF.net

No one ever said an SI gets a place in canon events, or that they would be ideally placed at all. How much would you recall if you had decades to go before anything in a long forgotten story comes to be?

At this point, you can just assume that Vixen Tail is awesome and all her works are worth a read.

Seiryū by petrichor. AO3

Reincarnation is not always a blessing. A butterfly beats its wings, and a hurricane forms halfway around the world. (Or, What would happen if Sawada Tsunayoshi had an older sibling figure to look up to and be tutored by years before a certain Sun Arcobaleno showed up in Namimori?)

The second half of the story is almost entirely in Reborn’s point of view (for now) and it’s a really amazing perspective.

Bolt from the Blue by Umei no Mai FF.net

Xanxus picks up his first Guardian very early; his father rather wishes he hadn't. Things change accordingly.

Umei no Mai is mainly known for her crossover HP-KHR Black Sky, but Bolt from the Blue is definitely my favorite.

Harry Potter

Triumphant, the Dreamer by Shadowblayze. AO3 // FF.net

Heather's not exactly sure how she got here, but if these people thought that they would be able to manipulate her little brother without a her raising hell about it, they were about to be unpleasantly surprised.

There aren’t a lot of SI-OC in the HP fandom. Or at least, I haven’t found a lot of them, but this one is worth everything. And the world-building is truly magical.

Percy Jackson

Eye of the Hurricane by Hanane EL Mokkadem. FF.net

Life as a demigod is short and brutal. Here's to hoping I don't die before I'm at least old enough to get laid.

This one is the first PJO SIOC I read and I still love it.

The Ocean’s Radiance by Madrigal-in-training. FF.net

She had idly daydreamed about being reincarnated into her favorite books before but Hikari Kurosawa, Daughter of Apollo, was never supposed to be a character there, was she?

Madrigal-in-training has really great ideas and I love reading her works. Ocean’s Radiance is one of my favorite. She stays in the PJO’s main universe with the Greek gods, but by making her OC half-Japanese, she also develops her headcanon about Japanese demigods and it’s really interesting. The fic is also humoristic and fluffy while staying serious. Hikari is full of resources and determined to stay alive and it’s just a really good read.

Dreamer by Dante Kreisler. FF.net

Ignoring the rebirth, I had a peaceful life. School, dyslexia, step-family, ADHD, and camp. Even when Percy Jackson entered Camp Half-Blood, nothing particularly exciting came into my life, but of course, I probably jinxed myself.

I loved fic that develops minor characters, or in this case minor gods. Like with Apollo’s gift of prophecies, a child of Hypnos can learn a lot through dreams and it’s wonderful.

#Fanfic recs #Naruto #SI-OC #Self-Insert #KHR #Reborn #Harry Potter #HP

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setaripendragon · 7 years

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Familiar Strangers - Nine: Shikamaru

One - Two - Three - Four - Five - Six - Seven - Eight - Nine - Ten Bonus scenes: Five-Point-Five - Seven-Point-Five This part is dedicated to @wanderingthyme, whose lovely tag-comments have motivated me when I started forgetting why I love this story. Thank you. (I read and appreciate every single tag, and your comments in particular are an absolute delight to read~)

Shikamaru opened his eyes and sat up out of his lazy sprawl when the door to the Hokage’s office finally opened again. He could have gone home, or to the flower shop to check in with Ino and Chouji, but he had a feeling that if he was ever going to get answers, it would be by staying here. So he waited. The soundproofing on the Hokage’s office was enough that he had no hints as to what was going on inside, other than the fact that it hadn’t devolved into a fight yet. The meeting had dragged on, until he’d decided to try for a nap.

Looking up, he saw the Hokage walking out with a deeply unsettled expression on her face. He immediately straightened properly, wary of whatever might have put that look on Senju Tsunade’s face. She caught the movement, and raised an eyebrow at him, but she didn’t comment on his continued presence. “Shikamaru. I have to go and make an announcement, so I’m going to put you in charge of babysitting Uchiha in the meantime. Don’t let anyone kill him.” She instructed, and then stalked off, Shizune hot on her heels, looking frazzled.

Shikamaru stared after her, his brain suddenly feeling remarkably sluggish. He was pretty sure she’d just said Uchiha, which… He turned his attention back to the door into her office just in time to see Sakura walk out, shoulder to shoulder with Uchiha Sasuke. They were perfectly comfortable walking side by side, and Sasuke was actually wearing a Konoha hitai-ate. And yet, the Hokage wasn’t concerned about leaving them alone, or them hurting anyone. She had, in fact, specifically ordered him to protect the Uchiha. Shikamaru knew when he was missing something, and he didn’t like it.

Shiranui Genma – tokubetsu jounin, assassination expert – stepped out of the office behind them, and Shikamaru wondered how he’d gotten caught up in this weirdness. And why Sakura was looking to him expectantly, with open and easy trust. “Try to play nice, Sasuke, alright?” Genma suggested, which earned him a disparaging glare from the Uchiha. Genma just smiled back until Sasuke rolled his eyes and jerked his head in what could, possibly, have been a nod. “So, Sakura, you must have some ideas of who you want for this diplomatic envoy of yours.” He went on.

“Ino. I’m pretty sure she’s not an interrogator here, but she’s always been good at reading people, even when we were six.” Sakura answered at once, as the pair of them started off down the hall. Shikamaru stared after them, eyes narrowed. Ino hadn’t ever been an interrogator, as far as he knew. She was in Intelligence, not T&I. They were sister organisations, but nowhere near the same. And what did Sakura mean when she said ‘not an interrogator here?’ It was almost as if she was implying that Ino had been an interrogator somewhere else…

“Mm. Anyone else?” Genma was asking as they rounded the corner.

Shikamaru thought he just caught the words “Anko-senpai…” before Sakura’s voice became indistinct, which was scary enough that it fit with the frankly terrifying theory that was building itself in the back of his mind. Slowly, he turned to consider the Uchiha. He stared back with a deeply unimpressed expression on his face, and silence fell thick and heavy between them.

“Parallel world?” Shikamaru asked, pained.

Sasuke smirked wryly at him. “Something like that.” He agreed.

“You never defected.” Shikamaru concluded.

Sasuke’s expression twitched, somewhere between disgusted and pained. “I had no reason to.” He stated. Shikamaru was, thankfully, not stupid, and he could hear the worlds of implications in that one sentence. He winced. “You know what happened?” Sasuke asked abruptly, surprising Shikamaru. At his raised eyebrow, Sasuke pressed his lips into a thin line. “I only managed to figure out that Itachi- and that I ran off to join Orochimaru-dono.”

Shikamaru wasn’t sure if the honorific or the open bewilderment was more interesting. For Sasuke to refer to Orochimaru as a lord not his own was… telling. It was the traditional form of address from clan members to the head of another clan, and if this Sasuke had grown up with his clan alive and well, it would make sense for him to follow tradition. Which meant that this other Orochimaru wasn’t a traitor, but Sasuke still seemed to treat the idea of studying under him as something to recoil from.

Neutral expression firmly in place, Shikamaru leaned back against the wall and shoved his hands in his pockets, slouching with boredom that was only half affected. “Seems like you’ve got most of it. What are you asking about, exactly?”

Sasuke sighed, and didn’t answer for a long moment. Shikamaru was content to watch him, trying to puzzle him out. People were much more Ino’s area of expertise, though, and while Shikamaru could tell that this Sasuke had focused his training on stealth and speed, that he was more than familiar with the katana and wakizashi he was carrying, and that he had been taught at least some of the ANBU taijutsu forms, he couldn’t say what the expression on his face meant. “Why did Itachi-niisan… do that?” He asked finally.

“I don’t know.” Shikamaru admitted easily, since it was the truth. “Testing his power, was what I heard he said.”

Sasuke scowled. “He’s a pacifist.” He protested, sounding annoyed. Shikamaru just sort of stared, trying to fit ‘pacifist’ into all he knew of the legend that was Uchiha Itachi. It just… didn’t. Fit. Anywhere. He shook his head, and wished he could be cloud-gazing, instead of trying to untangle this mess. “Why Orochimaru-dono?” Sasuke asked abruptly, apparently deciding he was done talking about Itachi.

“He promised you power.” Shikamaru explained, then shrugged again. “Personally, I think it was a dumb decision. Orochimaru-dono?” He questioned, since if he was going to be answering Sasuke’s questions, he deserved to ask a few of his own.

Sasuke glanced at him, one eyebrow raised. “He’s the last of the Yashagoro Clan. You should know that, even if he did defect. Naruto’s family might be weird about manners, but I’m not about to go showing someone as powerful and well connected as Konoha’s Snake Sannin disrespect.”

“So Orochimaru didn’t defect in… your world?” Shikamaru asked, even as his brain caught the reference to ‘Naruto’s family’ and hoarded it, adding it to the bizarre picture he was building in his mind. Sasuke just shook his head in confirmation. “How far back do the changes reach?” He asked aloud, although he didn’t expect an answer.

“At least two decades.” Sasuke offered. “Earliest known change…” He paused to think, eyes narrowing faintly as he gazed into the middle distance, then nodded once. “Sakumo-dono never committed suicide in my world. We haven’t discussed anything earlier than that.”

Shikamaru considered that. He wasn’t well versed in Konoha’s history, but he knew enough. Knowledge was important, even if it was troublesome actually acquiring it. Two decades was about the beginning of the Third Shinobi War, so he poked his knowledge of the Second. “Tsunade-sama still left during the Second Shinobi War?” He asked.

Sasuke thought, then cautiously shook his head. “Not that I’m aware of. She’s been the Head Medic and running the hospital as long as I can remember. She left?”

“Didn’t come back until Naruto dragged her home to take the hat after Sandaime-sama was killed.” Shikamaru explained, and noticed Sasuke do the smallest of double-takes. “By Orochimaru.” He added, just to see how Sasuke might react.

He really, honestly, wasn’t expecting open shock. “Orochimaru-dono killed Sarutobi-dono here?” Sasuke asked in disbelief. Shikamaru nodded slowly, one eyebrow raised in curiosity, but Sasuke just continued to stare at him, looking stunned. After a long pause to digest, Sasuke glanced down the hall with a dark expression on his face. “Someone should probably warn Sakura.” He decided.

Shikamaru put two and two together, and came up with a very disturbing four. “Sakura and Siranui-san are putting together a diplomatic envoy to meet with Orochimaru?” He asked, and he was pretty sure he failed at keeping the quiet horror from his voice. Sasuke looked at him sharply, then nodded with a one-shouldered shrug, which was the most unhelpful gesture Shikamaru had ever seen.

Reluctantly, Shikamaru acknowledged that he could see the wisdom of it. With this Sasuke here, Orochimaru had lost his intended vessel to some parallel world. He would be just as eager to get the right Sasuke back as Konoha was to get the right Naruto and Sakura back. And he was, by all accounts, a genius, although Shikamaru personally thought that term got bandied around so much it hardly meant anything any more. Still, Orochimaru was smart, and he’d probably be helpful in figuring out how to smash through the walls of their dimension without destroying everything.

“Troublesome.” Shikamaru muttered, scrubbing a hand over his face.

Sasuke snorted. It was very nearly a laugh. Shikamaru did his best not to stare in a sort of horrified wonder, because it was pretty obvious that this Sasuke hadn’t had all the humour stomped out of him by life and an insane older brother at age seven. It would be crass to draw attention to it. Still, it was downright unnerving to hear the Uchiha laugh like that.

“What’s funny?” Shikamaru had to ask.

Sasuke smirked at him, dryly amused. “Everything here is different, except for the things that are exactly the same.”

“I’m not any different in your world, then?” Shikamaru asked, a little amused by the thought, too.

Sasuke shrugged. “Sakura knows you better, so she’d probably be able to pick out some things, but not really.”

“We’re friends? The other me and Sakura?” Shikamaru asked sceptically.

“Through Ino, at least. Ino and Sakura are partners at T&I.” Sasuke told him, and his expression abruptly soured. Shikamaru tried not to cringe at the idea of an Ino who’d been trained for torture and interrogation. That woman was scary enough as it was; he really didn’t like the thought of her trained in psychological warfare or torture techniques. “Hey, you’re not going to try and make me stay here, are you?” Sasuke asked suddenly, derailing Shikamaru’s train of thought.

He considered that. “No. Hokage-sama only told me not to let anyone kill you.”

“Good.” Sasuke bit out, and darted out the window.

Rolling his head back in exasperation, Shikamaru wondered if there was some higher power actively trying to make him suffer. It wouldn’t surprise him. Then, because he didn’t actually want to fail a mission assigned by the Hokage herself, he followed the Uchiha out the window.

This alternate version of Sasuke, it turned out, was a goddamned ghost. And a fast one at that. Shikamaru almost lost him three times as they darted across the village, and it was only his clan techniques that saved him from humiliating failure the third time. He wondered if Sasuke wasn’t trying to lose him, but no, he wouldn’t have warned Shikamaru before he leapt out the window if that was his plan. It seemed he was just so practised at sneaking that he did it automatically.

When he finally stopped, out on the road in plain sight, Shikamaru was startled to find that they were standing in front of the gate to the Hyuuga Clan compound. “What are we doing here?” Shikamaru asked warily.

“I want to know what the hell is wrong with Hinata.” Sasuke told him, and knocked.

Shikamaru wasn’t sure whether to goggle at the insane idiot, or cover his eyes so he wouldn’t have to watch the encroaching disaster. “Have you always been this impulsive?” He asked, because that was the only question he could dredge up that wasn’t too insulting. He didn’t think Sasuke’s pride would be that much different, even if this one was less high-strung and broody.

Sasuke shrugged, and didn’t answer. Though, that might have been less because of reticence, and more because the gate had opened at that moment, to reveal a politely bland-faced Hyuuga, who immediately went wide-eyed at the sight of Uchiha Sasuke on their clan’s doorstep. “No need to raise the alarm.” Shikamaru assured him quickly, hoping to avert some of the disaster. “Godaime-sama knows he’s here. There’s going to be an announcement about it this afternoon, I think.”

The Hyuuga hesitated, eyes narrowed. “I’m going to have to check that.” He said coolly. Shikamaru nodded acceptingly, and the Hyuuga transferred their attention back to Sasuke. “What do you want here?” He asked, voice going from chilled to arctic.

Sasuke’s expression hardened in a heartbeat. “I respectfully request that you inform Hyuuga Hinata-hime that Uchiha Sasuke would like to thank her for her advice, which helped me find my way home.” The faintest hint of a challenging smirk flirted at the corners of Sasuke’s lips. “If she has a moment to spare.”

The Hyuuga seemed just as startled as Shikamaru by the formal language Sasuke was using. Of course, Shikamaru realised, it was putting the Hyuuga in a very awkward position. If he refused, and it turned out Sasuke wasn’t lying about his return to the village, he would have insulted another prominent clan of Konoha. If he agreed, he was potentially putting his clan’s heir in harms way. “I will pass on your message.” The Hyuuga said eventually, stiffly.

“Thank you.” Sasuke replied, sounding utterly insincere.

The gate slammed shut, and Sasuke settled in to wait. Shikamaru sighed heavily, and chose to lean back against the wall that surrounded the compound, to make it easier to tip his head back and stare up at the sky. It wasn’t a great day for cloud-watching, too few clouds dotting the sky, but it was still enough to help him relax. “You’re good at that.” Shikamaru remarked.

“What?” Sasuke asked.

“Politics speak.”

Sasuke grunted, sounding unimpressed and unamused. “I’m the Uchiha heir, of course I know how to talk to members of other clans.” He said, with familiar haughtiness.

“Even though Itachi isn’t a missing nin?” Shikamaru asked, surprised.

“He abdicated.” Sasuke explained, then pulled a face, and went on, sounding disgruntled. “Or Otousan disowned him. I’ve never been able to get a straight answer out of either of them.”

Shikamaru hummed thoughtfully, eyes tracking the lazily path of a cloud over his head. After several long minutes, the gate was opened again, wider this time, to reveal Hinata, standing in the shadow of an ominously stone-faced Hyuuga Hiashi. Sasuke didn’t look particularly pleased to see the Hyuuga Clan Head, but he bowed his head respectfully all the same. “Hyuuga-dono.” He greeted.

“Uchiha.” Hiashi replied.

Sasuke’s jaw visibly clenched, and he pointedly turned all his attention to Hinata. She looked pale, Shikamaru noticed, and worried. “Hinata. Are you alright?” He asked, shocking just about everyone.

“U-um… yes?” Hinata stammered out, glancing at her father, then back to Sasuke.

“You fainted.” Sasuke pointed out.

Hinata cringed in embarrassment, folding in on herself, and Sasuke frowned at her, looking almost offended by her reaction. “I-… It w-was… N-Naruto-kun.” She explained helplessly. Sasuke made something of a show of rolling his eyes. Then Hinata looked up, and there was that hint of steel in her eyes she always got when there was something going on with Naruto. “A-are you going to t-tell me why y-you and Naruto-kun and Sakura-san have been a-acting so strangely?” She asked, and she almost managed to sound challenging. Shikamaru was impressed. Going by the minute flicker of his gaze from Sasuke to his daughter, so was Hiashi.

“We’re from an alternate dimension.” Sasuke told her. “We got swapped. It’s a mess.”

Hinata blinked. Blinked again. Frowned thoughtfully. “W-will our Naruto be s-safe, in your d-dimension?” She asked, predictably.

Sasuke didn’t answer right away, thinking it over. That wasn’t reassuring. “There’s a lot of potential for him to get himself into trouble.” He admitted finally. “But his family should look out for him, since he is a version of Naruto. Unless he attacks them.” Shikamaru had a moment to wonder why that would be a concern, until he remembered that Sasuke had referred to Orochimaru as Naruto’s family. He winced at the thought.

Hinata looked deeply, if understandably, confused. She opened and closed her mouth several times, apparently struggling with words. Sasuke’s face slowly pulled into an expression of pained expectation. “We were never friends here, were we?” He asked suddenly, derailing whatever Hinata was trying to find the right words for.

Shikamaru’s eyebrows flew up. “You and Hinata?” He checked, just to be sure. When Sasuke nodded, he shook his head in answer, since Hinata just looked flabbergasted. “Not really.”

“F-friends?” Hinata asked.

“Yes. Since we were seven.” Sasuke stated. He paused, visibly considering his words for a moment, and Shikamaru thought he saw him flick a wary, calculating glance at Hiashi. “We had similar situations and motivations, so we trained together.” He explained, meeting Hinata’s gaze.

Shikamaru could tell that some sort of understanding passed between them, but he couldn’t begin to guess what it might be. Hinata nodded slowly, and smiled faintly. It looked vaguely pained. “I a-apologise for what I s-said b-before.” She offered out of the blue. “I meant n-no harm, b-but I- I think I must h-have hurt you.”

Sasuke shrugged. “Better to know.” He dismissed quickly. “You obviously have questions. I’d suggest going to the river, but I have an escort,” he jerked a thumb rather rudely at Shikamaru, “and the tea shop we usually meet at doesn’t exist here, so do you know somewhere comfortable we can talk?” The less than subtle look he shot at Hiashi clearly expressed his annoyance at the man’s hovering.

Hinata looked to her father, too. “Chichiue?” She asked quietly.

For a long moment, Hiashi didn’t answer. “Go. If you’re feeling well enough.” He said eventually, resting a hand briefly on Hinata’s shoulder. She smiled, at him, then slipped past him and out of the gate to stand with Sasuke and Shikamaru. The gate snapped shut behind her.

“Ichiraku’s?” Hinata suggested.

Sasuke rolled his eyes, and his muttered “Fine. Come on,” sounded very long suffering. He turned and headed down the street, and Hinata hurried to catch up. “So? What were you going to ask?” Sasuke demanded as she fell into step with him. Shikamaru found he was quite content to amble along behind them, shamelessly eavesdropping on their conversation without being required to do anything so troublesome as participate.

#Naruto #Nara Shikamaru #Uchiha Sasuke #Hyuuga Hinata #sasuke is so impulsive #hinata is so confused #shikamaru is so fed up with this drama #writing shikamaru and sasuke in the same scene is hard #they're both so reticent #Familiar Strangers

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kusunogatari-a · 7 years

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[ Lost and Found ] [ @noharin ] [ Nohara Rin, Uchiha Obito, Hatake Kakashi, Suigin Reika, Suigin Ryū, Uchiha Fugaku, Uchiha Mikoto, Uchiha Itachi ] [ Blood mention, death mention, gore mention, suicide mention ] [ Verse: Divine Light ]

“How much further is it?”

“What, tired already?”

“Shove it – I was up all night working on my ven!”

“And I was up early this morning on a patrol, but you don't see me complaining.”

“Would both of you please be quiet?!”

The pair of male voices go abruptly silent, though their tension hardly lessens.

A deep breath is taken, and then given as a sigh as earthen eyes roll in their sockets. “Neither of you had to come with me, you know.”

“What, and let you go wandering around all on your own?”

“You think I can't handle myself?”

A dark-haired teen stiffens. “...n-no! I'd just...rather you didn't have to!”

“I'm el'ven just like you – I don't need a handhold. I asked you to come along because I thought it would be nice for the three of us to spend some time together. What with your training intensifying, and Kakashi's apprenticeship taking more of his daylight hours.”

Obito scowls, though it looks more akin to a pout. “I don't know why we bother to bring the el'kor with us. A load of good a sword would do against anyone with ven in their veins.”

Rin shoots him a look. “Kakashi isn't worth any less as an el’kor. Just because he doesn't have ven doesn't mean he's not my friend! Or yours! You only got this idea in your head now that you're training more with your clan.”

“I'm just saying!”

“Ten coppers says I'd still beat you into the ground without ven,” Kakashi growls.

“No one is beating anyone into the ground...except perhaps me, to the two of you!” Hands on on her hips, Rin stops along the forest path and eyes them both. “...unless you both be quiet. I have to find this herb for a poultice.”

“Can't you just make one?”

“Not until I have a specimen to study first,” the flora mage retorts. “Flora isn't like fire – you can't just poof it into existence. Once I have it, I can make as many as I want. But first I have to find it.”

“What does look like?” Kakashi inquires.

“Like this.” Rin draws an aged parchment from a bag over one shoulder. “But it has cousins that look similar, and are deadly. No offense, but I'd rather do the looking myself. I don't need to end up killing someone because I got the wrong herb.”

“So, what? We stand and twiddle our thumbs?”

“You can make conversation like civilized beings, if you'd like. I'd appreciate the company. Without the bickering.” Turning back around, Rin continues on her way, ignoring the both of them.

Eyeing one another, the boys eventually each deflate, far from settled.

“...you really think less of me for being el'kor?”

Obito balks at the forward demand. “I...I mean...”

“Just because I'm not some pure-bred igni mage like you? Even Rin is a half blood!”

“Kakashi, look, I –”

“...guys...?”

The pair pause, looking up to see Rin frozen along the trail. “...what?”

She only points.

In the near distance, smoke belches into the sky from amid the foliage, thick and black.

Obito's orbs of crimson widen. “...oh no...”

“Don't just stand there! We have to go check it out!” Drawing a silver blade, Kakashi begins hacking into the forest in a direct path to the smoke.

“Stop it!” Hands glowing emerald, Rin urges the boughs and vines to part. “I can handle a path! Obito, you'll have to manage the fire, unless there's water nearby for me to wield!”

“Can't you take it out of the plants?!”

“Yes, but that will dry them, and might let the fire spread faster!”

Scowling, the boys follow after as Rin almost seems to skate through the foliage, parting a path as she moves.

It's not long before they find themselves in a clearing. At the far end, a wide, squat tree is aflame seemingly from within, smoke reaching up through its boughs and into the sky.

But they aren't alone.

Rin simply stares, transfixed as a group of bladed men surrounds and jabs at a woman clothed in white and gold. Around her, like a sphere of glass, is a field of colorless energy, her palms outreached from each side and holding the power aloft. Each blow from sword and pike begets a flinch, the energy beginning to waver.

It's Kakashi who snaps them to.

“Obito, go get a handle on that fire! I'll try to parry some of those men. Rin, use the plants!”

Still staring at the figure, Rin eventually stumbles into action. At her beck and call, roots and boughs begin to assault the group. Ankles are grabbed and pulled into the soil, which she tightens like stone to immobilize them. Putting her back to a tree, she lets its branches shadow her own limbs, reaching and clawing as she puppeteers them.

Nearby, steel peals against steel as Kakashi seeks to divert some of the men's attention. Even without magic, his speed is nearly blurring, hacking at makeshift armor and felling his foes. And on the woman's other side, Obito begins to wrangle the errant flames, trying to stopper the spread and save what he can of the hollowed tree.

“Gah!”

Caught by Kakashi's cry, Rin stiffens as he staggers back from an enemy, a hand at his face. “Kakashi!”

Obito, too, turns from his task to look with fearful vermillions. “Oi -!”

As several of the men take notice of him, he seems to fortify, taking the flames around him and unleashing them upon his foes. Shields are raised, and they begin to encircle him.

“NO!”

Glancing to each youngling, the woman seems to weigh her options before wilting in defeat. Her shoulders bow, hunching as her chin declines to her chest. Rin can feel the sudden build of energy, and just as it explodes outward, she sees the blade reach through Obito's chest.

When the light recedes...the mercenaries are gone, the clearing hauntingly silent save for the crackling of now-extinguished embers.

Weaving on her feet, the woman collapses.

Freeing herself from the bark at her back, Rin staggers first to Kakashi, horrified to see the split skin upon his face. “...a-are you all right?”

“...I'll live.” A pause. “...Obito...?”

Head so full it feels empty, she lifts horrified eyes to where Obito last stood. He too has fallen.

Taking Kakashi by one arm, Rin hauls him to their companion's side. Rolling him to his back, tears well in earthen orbs at the blood already soaked into the igni mage's tunic.

“They're...gone?”

Jolting as he speaks, Rin nods. “Y...yes. They just...vanished. I don't k-know how.”

“...damn. Should have been...a little faster...”

Barely holding her composure, Rin takes Obito's hand. “...I'm s-sorry...”

“Not your fault...” He gives a laugh choked with blood. “...guess...Kakashi was right. He really could have...beaten me without ven...”

“Don't s-say things like that...!”

“He'll...have to keep an eye on you now.” Obito's gaze flickers to Kakashi's. “...the only one he's got...”

The swordsman gives no reply.

“...young ones...”

The pair look over, seeing the woman up to one knee, an arm slung around her gut. With a grunt, she hauls herself to her feet, breath shaking and harsh.

Rin stares, not sure if she believes what she sees.

“...let me see him.”

Moving aside, Rin lets the stranger kneel beside Obito. A hand extends over his wound, and an ethereal glow of white probes into the skin.

Silence falls.

“...I'm sorry...his wound is too grave, and I am too weak...I cannot save him.”

The finality begets a hiccup from the girl, Kakashi still silent.

“...however...I may yet have one last action to offer. Let me see your eye, child.”

Looking up, Kakashi flinches as she takes his chin, turning his injured eye to the light.

“...the eye cannot be salvaged. However...” She looks to Obito. “...young one, would you consent the gift of your eye, so that your companion may see again?”

Obito falters. “...you...y-you can...do that?”

“If I act quickly. My strength is failing...I will not last long.”

“You're dying?” Rin cuts in, tone choked.

“...I have used too much of my strength. And even then, I was too late...but this, at least, I can do.”

The igni mage swallows harshly. “...okay. Do it.”

“You will feel no pain. That, at least, I can promise you.”

Retaking Obito's hand, Rin forces herself to watch as the woman retrieves the unmarked eye, removing the remnants of Kakashi's before weaving Obito's into place.

Trembling, the swordsman hesitates before opening a tearing eye of red.

“You may find that...more useful than you think...-!” Tone clipping, the woman doubles over with a groan.

“Are...are you all right?” Rin dares to whisper.

“...in return for this favor...I must ask one of you...” Eyes of silver look up to Rin, her expression gaunt with exhaustion. “...the fires did not reach everything...within, you will find my last treasure. I beg...you take it with you.”

Brow wilting with uncertainty, Rin only nods.

“...I thank you. Do not let it fall into the wrong hands.”

“Y...you're a light mage...aren't you?”

“Among the last.”

“...thank you. I...I'm sorry we couldn't stop them.”

“You did enough...it is I who failed you...there was no need for this much death. It should have been me alone...forgive me.”

“But...there hasn't been a disciple of Luxeria in...in years!”

“As I said...I am not the last...we are rare, but not yet lost. Take...my treasure. Guard it well. And someday...it may serve you...”

Words slipping into a whisper, the lux mage's eyes roll back into her head, form slumping to one side as Rin shies from her.

Dead.

Silence reigns.

“...you...better get going...”

Rin and Kakashi both jolt, looking back to Obito, still clinging to life. “...we...we can't just leave you!”

“Tell my family...where I fell. They'll tend to me.” He stares with one eye of red. “...tell them...I died a good death, huh?”

“Of course...” One hand in his, Rin's spare combs through his hair. “...you f-fought well...”

“We never should have come here...”

She turns to Kakashi sadly. “...we had to try. Those men are gone – who knows if they'd have found their way to town. Or even have ambushed us later!”

He only shakes his head.

Wilting, Rin tenses as Obito's hand slackens in her own. Jerking to see him, he's unnaturally still, staring without seeing into the sky.

...gone.

Shaking, Rin stares for a moment before allowing herself to shatter, brow collapsed atop her arms that fold over Obito's chest. Kakashi is still for a time, but eventually rises, unnoticed by the flora mage. Only once she stills and feels his hand upon her shoulder does she lift her head.

“...come on. We have to get back. The Uchiha will want daylight to come fetch him by. I buried the woman.”

Wiping half-dried tears, Rin nods, letting him pull her to her feet. “...oh, w-wait...”

He pauses.

“The...the treasure she mentioned. We have to find it.”

“Nothing survived that fire. She was only fooling herself.”

“No! We have to look – I promised her we'd look!”

Kakashi sighs. “...fine.”

Stepping into the hollowed tree, Rin pauses. The charred remnants of what look to be a quaint home meet her gaze. Everything is black with soot, crumbling or already ashes.

“...what do you think she meant?”

“I don't know...” Shards of crystals – shattered by the heat – litter the scorched floor. Books are little more than cinders, furniture disintegrating at her touch.

“...hey, there's a hatch here.”

Turning, Rin sees Kakashi lift a trap door, revealing a hidden space beneath. “...is it in there?”

“No idea. Here, hold the door.”

Doing as asked, Rin watches him leap into the cellar, only a few feet deep. She strains to see, but the angle and darkness show her nothing.

“...oh man.”

“What?”

There's no reply but a grunt, and Rin hears the sounds of dragging. Kakashi's back and shoulders meet her gaze, which lift as he stands in the opening.

In his arms, like a sack of potatoes...is a child.

Shocked, Rin nearly drops the hatch, her spare hand flying to her mouth. “...are...are they alive?”

“Seem to be. Breathing, at least. They were down below the smoke.”

Helping both to the surface, Rin sprawls the child out in the grass beyond the doorway. Like their mother, white hair falls into a snow-white face, white lashes closed against their cheekbones.

“...it's a girl.” Opening an eye, Rin watches a silver iris dilate as the pupil shrinks in the light.

“...she's el'ven – look at her ears.”

Barely daring to breathe, Rin moves aside the girl's hair. “...Kakashi...she's a lux mage.”

“You sure?”

“She certainly looks like one. I've never seen one in person...until today. Most think they no longer exist.” Still stroking the child's hair – now more in a gesture of comfort than examination – Rin slowly shakes her head. “...so this is her treasure. One of the last disciples of Luxeria. Can you believe it?!”

“And what are we supposed to do with her?”

“Well we can't just leave her here!”

“Why don't we give her to the Uchiha? Fire is a child of light, right? They'd be more suited than either of us.”

Rin's brow furrows. “...well, maybe, but...” Her eyes drop down to the girl. “...her mother told us to take her.”

“I'm not sure she meant literally – Rin, we're not even sixteen yet. You really want to raise a youngling on your own?”

“She tried to save Obito...and she saved your eyesight. The least I can do is make sure her child is safe in return.”

“This is ridiculous,” the swordsman mutters. “You can't take care of a kid all by yourself!”

“What, you won't help me? After what she did for you?”

“If we hadn't come here, Obito would still be alive!”

“It was you that went charging forward!”

“And it was a mistake!”

That makes Rin hesitate for a moment. But she soon bites back. “You'd really have just left her on her own?!”

“I would rather my friend live than any stranger!” Fists clenched, Kakashi swings them toward the ground...and fire blooms from his grip.

Giving a cry, Rin falls over backward to her haunches, eyes wide.

Save for each of their panting, the clearing goes silent.

“D-did...did you just...?”

Staring at his palms with mismatched eyes, Kakashi pales. “...I-I...!”

Scrambling back to her feet, Rin approaches him. “...that's what she meant, isn't it?! About the eye being useful!” She hushes. “...you have a part of Obito with you...it...it must be giving you ven...!”

The swordsman staggers back several steps, head shaking and palms sweating. “...no, no...this...this isn't right!”

“But Kakashi, think of what that means! You can use ven!”

“I don't want it!”

Rin halts. “...you don't...?”

“No! It...it's not me!”

Taken aback, Rin hesitates. “...w-well...we'll think about that later. There's...a lot here to consider.” She wilts. “...we have to get back to town. We have to inform the Uchiha about Obito.”

“What about my eye...?”

“What do you mean?”

“What if they...want it back?”

“They can't just take your eye – what good will it do them, anyway?”

“I don't know!”

Rin gives a curt sigh. “...for now...I'll talk to them. Come up with a story. You just...go home for now. And I'll take the girl. We'll meet back up later, once...all of this is settled. Try to stay calm, Kakashi. We'll...we'll manage, somehow.” Thoughts race through her mind a mile a minute. Obito, Kakashi, the girl...it's all too much to consider at once. Either she takes this one step at a time, or she's going to get nowhere.

“...go home,” she repeats, softer this time. “...I'll find you once Obito's been taken back. We can talk more then. For now, just...try to take it easy. We'll figure this out.”

Even so, Kakashi waits for her, watching as she scoops the child to her chest and begins the trek back to the village. She tries to formulate a semblance of a plan, but...every thought seems jumbled and maligned. So when he parts ways with her at the gate, she walks without thinking toward home.

She is not bringing the child straight into the lion's den.

Tucking her into her own bed, Rin hesitates. Part of her doesn't want to leave the girl behind...but things will be volatile enough when she speaks to the igni clan. They may claim her as some kind of recompense for Obito's loss.

That only begs more questions...will she be safe in this town? Will Kakashi, with his gifted eye?

Will she be herself, the bearer of news most dire, and the leader of Obito into his demise? Had he not accompanied her...he would still be alive.

For a long moment she lingers, considering her options. It's been many years since she lost her father...and nearly as many since she cut ties with her mother. Her botany shop gives coin enough...but in the end, it's just a place.

...should she need to...she can run.

Kakashi's mother was lost to childbirth. A father later lost to suicide. Buried in his work as a swordsman and guard for the small city, he's loyal...but only as something to fill his waking moments.

Should he need to...he too can run.

But all else considered, Rin must speak to the Uchiha. The day is waning, and at the very least, they must know where to find his corpse. Once that is done, however...she and Kakashi must make their choice. Clans of el'ven are not to be trifled with. Especially those of fire.

“...please sleep a little longer,” Rin whispers, fleeing the room above her shop. The clan's lands are a fair distance, but she makes it before sunset.

Guards, familiar with her visits, allow her inside without comment. From there, she approaches the patriarch's home. Obito had been an orphan, and he therefore answered straight to Fugaku, the newest clan head, already with two young sons of his own.

It makes her all the more paranoid.

Approaching the door, she hesitates a moment before going inside, knocking and receiving permission. Within, she sees the family proper.

“Ah, Rin...” Fugaku considers her a moment, brow furrowing at her appearance. Her clothes are still torn, earth smeared against cloth and skin alike. “...is Obito not with you...?”

She takes a few deep breaths, willing herself not to crumble. “...s-sir, we...we were attacked, b-by brigands. They outnumbered us, ten to one. Obito, h-he...”

Slowly, Fugaku rises from his chair. “...he is dead...?”

Trembling, Rin nods. “...a b-blade through the back. But he faced his foes b-bravely...he was surrounded...” She can't help a sharp breath.

“...where?”

“I-I can show you.”

“And what of these rogues?”

A pause. “...I-I don't know. I barely escaped. I tried to reach him, but there were t-too many.” The lie feels hot on her tongue – it may come back to burn her yet.

A long silence blooms. “...very well. A moment to gather some men...and we will go.”

The walk back is painfully quiet, Rin followed by a handful of Uchiha. When they reach the clearing, the scene is still fresh. Smoke trails up from the tree.

“What was your purpose here?”

“I was looking for herbs yet unknown to me. Obito came with me – he was worried about me going alone.” A truth. “...we saw the smoke, and came looking...and they were here, starting fires.”

Already, the other men lift Obito's body, which Rin cannot bear to see again.

Fugaku stares at the wreckage. Something about his demeanor seems unconvinced, but he asks no more questions. “...the hour grows late. Thank you for bringing us to our fallen comrade. We will scatter his ashes this night.”

She only bows her head.

“...do be careful. Those men may yet be near. Perhaps...you should stay within the city walls for a time. Tomorrow, we will return to see if those men can be tracked. They must pay for what they took.”

Rin dares to look up. “...I will.”

A lie.

The Uchiha part from her at the gate, and she watches them go. Igni mage tradition means a cremation. Something she doesn't want to consider. Instead, she slowly treks back home.

When she arrives, she isn't alone.

“...how did you get in here?”

“You think I don't know how to pick a lock?”

Rin just stares at Kakashi, seated at her table.

“...sorry. I couldn't stay home.”

“It's all right.” Taking a chair, Rin sits by her bedside, staring at the girl.

“She's still not awake?”

“No...”

“...isn't that worrying?”

“Her mother must have put her under. So she wouldn't do anything foolish. I'm not sure how long it will last.” Her shoulders sink. “...I do what I can with herbs and flora, but...there's no comparing to a light mage's magic.” Nevertheless, she stands, fetching a vial and uncorking it. Wafting it under the girl's nose, she attempts to wake her.

“...n-nn...” Her face contorts at the smell, eyes fluttering open. “...Mama...?”

Rin hesitates, not sure how to answer.

“Your mother is gone.”

Turning on Kakashi with a glare, Rin whispers, “Really?”

“There's no getting around it.”

“She's just a child!”

“As was I! As were we both!”

Rin's jaw snaps shut.

Slowly, the child sits up, rubbing at her eyes. “...gone...?”

“...bad men took your mother away. I'm sorry, but...she's gone somewhere where we can't follow. And where...she can't come back from.”

Somber eyes of silver look up. “...Tenebreos took her...”

“Y...yes.”

The girl's gaze drops to the blankets, hands curling around their hems. “...w-who are you?”

“I'm Rin. I'm a flora mage. And this is my friend, Kakashi. He's...well, he's a swordsman. We...we tried to help your mother. But...”

“Now she and our friend are gone.”

Rin shoots him another look.

Looking up, the child stares at him, making him squirm after a long moment. “...you...have igni...?”

“It...it's a long story. Our friend was an igni mage, yes – and your mother...gave Kakashi his eye, when his own was lost. We're not sure what's going on with him.”

Still she stares.

A bit unnerved, Rin hesitates before turning to Kakashi. “...I'm not sure we can stay here.”

“What do you mean?”

“Fugaku didn't say it...but I'm sure I'm felt to be blamed. I led him there – and they're going back tomorrow to look for the men who attacked us. It won't be long before they find enough to start asking questions. I didn't say anything about you being there – but they'll be sure to notice your eye sooner or later. And the girl, she...she might be the price they demand.”

“Then let them take her.”

“Kakashi!” Rin glares. “...I'm not turning her over to fire mages. Fire may come from light...but that's not where she belongs.”

“And you suddenly know this because...?”

“Because you and I both know how the Uchiha are. Strict, and...and fierce! That's not Luxeria's way.”

Kakashi scowls. “...you sure seem to know an awful lot about them.”

“When my father died, I wanted to do everything I could to prevent that kind of loss again. I can do some with my flora magic, but...in the end, it's not the same. I've studied about the lux mages for years. Hoping that maybe one day, I would meet one.”

“Well, today you got your wish.”

“...I can't let her face those people. And given what we've been through...I don't think we're safe from them either.”

“So, what? You want to just...pack up and run, with some little brat with us?”

“...maybe we can find another light disciple. Someone who can teach her what she needs to know. And...you and I can find someplace where fire mages won't know who we are...or how we became what we are.” She softens. “...think about it, Kakashi. What's tying us here? What difference does it make where we go, or where we are? You and I both know home isn't a place anymore.”

The boy scowls. “...I shouldn't have accepted that eye.”

“You'd really rather be without?”

“If it would save me all this trouble.” He quiets. “...I'd rather be out an eye than a friend.”

Rin softens. “...I know. Me too. But...these are the cards we've been dealt. And we won't be safe here much longer. Not with someone like the Uchiha on our tails.”

“Where would we go?”

“...anywhere but here. I suppose we can figure out the details later, but...for now, we just need distance between us, and this city.”

“I don't have much in my barracks, but...you really want to leave your shop behind? You've put so much work into it.”

“...I'll take what I can. I'm sure the rest will be handed off to my mother once they realize I'm gone.” The notion leaves a sour tinge upon her tongue, but Rin knows it's for the best.

If she stays...it may yet succumb to fire.

“...say we go through with this. How?”

“Probably at night. Or at least evening – that will be less questionable than the dead of it. We can't pack too heavily...that will draw suspicion. Food won't be a worry – I can find us plenty, or grow it if I have to. And I can find water, too. And as long as we stick to forested areas, I can probably come up with shelter of some kind.”

Kakashi blinks. “...well. Sounds like you're prepared.”

Rin gives a humorless smile in return. “It's something I think about often: how I can use my magic in any circumstance. Trust me...I'm ready for a lot. Flora is a useful element. And you can even start our campfires...provided you have the control not to burn the forest down.”

That gets him to scowl again. “...we'll see.”

“...from there...it's just a matter of finding where we want to go. Our city is fairly small. There may be others with more connections, and maybe a chance to find another light mage for this little one to learn from.”

After a pause, Rin looks to the girl. “...that reminds me...what's your name?”

“...Ryū.”

“Well, it's nice to meet you Ryū. Though...I wish it were under better circumstances.”

“...all right. I'll go back. Pack up what I'll need. Tell my supervisor I'm leaving. I don't want anyone to think I'm just vanishing without a reason.” Kakashi stands, obviously nervous.

“Be careful.”

“I'll meet you here in the morning...stay here and lay low, so long as they don't come looking for us.”

“...I'll pack up what I can.”

Once alone, Rin sighs, a hand at her brow. She's a bit surprised how well she's taking the situation, but...well, living on one's own for so long will prepare a person for any unexpected change.

She turns to the girl. “...we'd better feed you something. Then get some sleep before tomorrow.” Her expression pinches with worry. “...I'll fix you a hood to hide your hair. I don't want you recognized if we can help it, hm?”

Rin manages to get a few morsels into the child, who also seems oddly calm and quiet. Not sure what to think, the flora mage eventually tucks them both in for the night, dreading the following day if only for the dangers it may bring.

Nerves find her up before the dawn, and she leaves Ryū to sleep. One pack is filled with basics from her loft quarters. From the bottom, another pack is filled with what she deems of the utmost importance. Rare seeds, important tomes, and a few herbs for brews she can foresee coming the most in handy. By the time Kakashi arrives, she's already packed and sitting at her table with tea.

“...want some?”

“Don't you ever have coffee?”

“You should know better than that by now.”

A nervous energy builds in the small space. Ryū has taken to occupying herself with a book full of plant pictures Rin dug out, perched on the bed and staring at them wordlessly.

“...I don't like just sitting here.”

“We can go now, but I'm sure there's Uchiha out and about. They wanted to find the men who attacked us, after all. It's not safe.”

“I know, but...the anticipation is like an ivy's itch.” Standing abruptly, he takes to staring out the window.

Hours drag on, and finally the sun nears setting. Adjusting her packs, Rin freezes as a knock sounds at the door. Shooting Kakashi a glance, she nods to Ryū before descending.

Outside, she finds the Uchiha matriarch, a son in one arm, and the other holding her hand. “...oh! L...Lady Uchiha!”

“No need for such titles my dear,” Mikoto replies, tone soft. “...I just wanted to do what my husband did not: offer my condolences for your loss. Obito may have been one of our own, but...I know he was a dear friend of yours. The search is still on through the night, but I thought it prudent to see you.”

In spite of herself, Rin wilts. “...thank you. I...” She hesitates. “...I can't help but feel responsible. If he hadn't have come with me...”

“Now now, no such thoughts,” the mother replies. “He followed you like a lost pup. Besides...if you'd gone alone, the twelve only know what would have become of you. As you said...Obito gave his life for your protection. That sacrifice should not be tarnished with doubts or guilt.”

Tears bead along Rin's lids. “...you're right.”

“Now...should you need anything, please let me know. I know Fugaku may be...harsh at times. But you are always welcome at our door.”

Gripping her own, Rin gives a jerking nod. ...I'm not so sure.

“...please take care, dear. And pass my words to Kakashi, would you? I know he was another good friend of Obito's.”

“I will.”

Moving to leave, Mikoto pauses as a thump and a squeal come from upstairs.

Rin stiffens.

“...did I...steal you from company?”

“Oh, I...” The flora mage's mind struggles for an excuse. “...I'm tending to a patient's child overnight. She'll be all right, though...I should get back.”

Peering through the doorway curiously, it takes Mikoto a moment to reply. “...I see. I won't keep you then. Farewell.”

Standing in the doorway, Rin watches her go. The elder boy turns to watch, waving wordlessly. She does the same...but pauses as she sees movement beside her.

Ryū waves as well.

Panicking, Rin scoops her up and shuts the door. “What are you doing?! Kakashi, I thought you were watching her!”

“I was! She knocked over a planter – that's why she was making so much noise. I went to fix it, and she just...-!”

“Oh, never mind...Itachi saw her, but I don't think Mikoto did...” Rin sighs. “...they're still out there, but it's now or never. That visit felt genuine enough, but...she seemed too curious about Ryū.”

“...then let's go.”

Pulling Ryū's makeshift hood into place, Rin instructs, “Now...don't take that off, all right? Not until we're away from the city.”

The girl only nods, lifted to Rin's hip opposite her bags.

“...ready?”

“As I'll ever be.”

Extinguishing the lights, the trio make their way out to the street, all bearing their own hoods in the twilight. A quick walk takes them to the gate, where guards say nothing as they pass.

Even so, they remain tensed, listening for others along the path. They take that which leads away from the scene from yesterday, hoping to create distance between themselves and any wayward Uchiha.

They don't stop until a hint of sunlight blushes across the horizon.

Still within the forest, they move from the road, settling against a tree with sighs of relief. “...any idea where we are?”

“Vaguely,” Kakashi replies. “...we're about to the furthest my patrols have gone. From here, I'll be blind. I know there's a port city a few days from here, but...I've never been, myself.”

“...we'll start there.” Wrapping her shawl around her charge, Rin wilts in exhaustion.

“You sleep first. I'll keep watch.”

“But -!”

“It's fine. I'm used to it.”

Rin considers arguing, but she knows it will be fruitless. Lips pursed, she nevertheless raises her hands. Concentrating, she urges the foliage around them to become dense, hiding them from view.

Kakashi says nothing, climbing to a high bough for a vantage point.

The flora mage settles again. “...there,” she murmurs, voice soft with fatigue. “Now...let's you and I get some sleep, hm?”

Ryū doesn't reply, already curled against her chest.

Rin goes silent, staring at nothing for a time. A kind of disjointed feeling settles over her. There's no turning back...and there's no knowing what lies ahead.

...no choice but to carry on.

LOOK WHO GOT CARRIED AWAY. I swear the premise seemed simple...I didn’t think it would end up this long OTL ANYWAY. I...dunno if this is any good xD I tried. I’ve been hooked on this verse lately, so...I just kinda rolled with it. I’ve actually written some Kakashi in this verse (unfinished and never posted because I suck), and I had part of this already established. So I thought fleshing out the ‘how’ of Kakashi’s eye in this verse would be fun =‘D Also...Rin’s a flora mage for a few reasons. One, green chakra. Two, she already has water in canon. Three, it’s the closest thing to healing without being a light mage...since appearance plays a lot into ability in this lore. She actually looks a lot like an earth mage, given the brown hair/eyes. So I combined that with water and boom, you get flora. WHICH can still be used to heal if used the right way. So it...sorta works xD That’s actually a big part of why Ryū looks how she does. She was sort of a nameless/fandomless OC for a short while, and I modeled her after my light mages since I always RP a healer. Then she became Naruto-focused and...here we are lol ...so yeah! I hope this is okay - sorry for the delay =‘D I fought this drabble like crazy tbh. Parts of it still got me like ??? but...I like the rest of it well enough. Hopefully it’s an okay offering for the giveaway reward =‘D If not I...guess I can try something else haha~

#noharin #nohara rin #uchiha obito #hatake kakashi #suigin reika #suigin ryū #uchiha fugaku #uchiha mikoto #uchiha itachi #blood mention #death mention #gore mention #suicide mention #divine light [ au ]

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chaoussu · 7 years

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Name: Hatake Inori Age: Part II: 18-20. Birthdate: 14th February (Aquarius) Nickname(s): KSX094. (Orochimaru) Inori-senpai. (Team Hana while undercover in the group). Inori-san. (Mo-Chiyome Performance group and customers/fools). Sensei. (Sakiko). Blood Type: O- Kekkei Genkai: Sharingan, Rinnegan. Occupation: Shinobi, Rank Jōnin Commander. Regular Envoy. Mercenary (former). Performer (former). Bounty Hunter (former). Experiment (former). Affiliation/Organizations: Konohagakure. Allied Shinobi Forces. Mo-Chiyome performance group (former). KSX Operation (former). Team: Fifth Division. Mo-Chiyome performance group (former). KSX Operation (former). Birthplace: Konohagakure. Familial Background: She possesses the blood and DNA of both the Senju and Uchiha, due to Orochimaru having taken the samples from Madara Uchiha’s and Hashirama Senju’s corpses. This was due to trying to make her obtain both the Sharingan and the Wood Style. She also possesses the DNA of Tsunade and Kakashi Hatake, so she could obtain talent in both ninjutsu and medical abilities, as well as become a prodigy. Due to being a synthetic human made by Orochimaru, she is somewhat Mitsuki’s older sister. She however read that a child is composed of the DNA of their mother and father, and thus sees Tsunade as her mother and Kakashi as her father. She sees Orochimaru as the equivalent of a doctor at a hospital, while Madara and Hashirama are great grandfathers, due to their age and the fact that Hashirama is Tsunade’s grandfather. Character Background: She was an experiment made by Orochimaru. While there were many subjects, she was one of five that survived and the only one that managed to obtain the rinnegan, after killing her own “siblings”. She was trained much like a root ninja, but after running out of books and scrolls to study with, she began stealing some during her missions. However some of them contained ordinary human knowledge like family, friendship and fictions with morals. From them she began to study about, what it meant to be “human”. Later on she met Itachi, who shared her wonder about what war, life and humanity was. The two got acquainted by training and discuss together. This became her first somewhat close relation to any human. Once on a mission to Suna, she was supposed to seal and steal Shukaku. She however chose to act as a child, and got close to the young and lonely Gaara that tried to make friends. All due to the sand defense he possessed. She originally tried to make him turn into Shukaku, however as time passed, she eventually truly held him dear and found him as a friend. She changed her view, the moment Gaara gave her a truly happy smile, with no ulterior motive or any negative thoughts and ideas. She ultimately chose to fail the mission and was forced back by Orochimaru. She was discovered, when Orochimaru became a missing-nin, and the place she was training at got found. She had full knowledge about the KSX operation, due to reading her own files and was given a pardon, on all the missions’ she had received from Orochimaru, in exchange of telling them about everything she knew. Additionally due to Kakashi’s mood after the death of Minato, as well as, her possessing his DNA, she was introduced to Kakashi, as a distant relative, and he was told to help her, get used to Konoha. However Danzou, who had heard the secret about her, send the Anbu after her, which led to her running away and never returning to Konoha, before the middle of the Fourth Shinobi World War.

Height: 166 cm. Weight: 45 kg. Tattoos/Birthmarks/Scars: She has “KSX094” tattooed on the back of her neck. Jewelry/Accessories: She wears two belts for her scrolls. A red one where they are visible, and a dark blue one with pockets for her other scrolls. The belts also carry the holster for her tantō. She wears a shuriken holder on her right leg. She also wears a bracelet, she was given as a birthday present. She wears her forehead protector on her left upper arm. Voice: Mimori Suzuko – (Momozono Nanami Kamisama Hajimemashita)

About the Character:

Personality: She is open-minded and talks truthfully to people, believing that being dishonest and keeping you to yourself would only create a cliff. She is active and social, which is why she likes travelling. Additionally she just likes to have fun and great times, having great interest in new things. This can cause her to sometimes be rather childish and she is so friendly towards people that she doesn’t show so much respect as she carelessly treats people, however she wants, and does whatever she wants. She however understand social statuses and titles, so despite not truly caring, she uses her acting, to act respectful and responsible in front of people with said titles (unless they’re on friendly terms, yet again if they’re working).

She can be rather optimistic and forgiving, capable of even forgiving people, who once were after her life, claiming she might’ve deserved it, due to her past, thinking it was their duty, or because she doesn’t want to cause a circle of hatred. She has a lot of patience due to Kakashi being her family. She is also very independent and even goes on some missions alone, due to being good enough to take care of it herself. She can also be very stubborn, not backing down, but is also very obedient towards orders due to her past. She is also mentioned to be crazy, creative for her ideas and plans. She is encouraging, caring and tends to help out people and put others before herself. She has been mentioned as motherly for her ability to take care of housework, needlework and children. She emits warmth now, but can revert back to her coldness during missions or when pissed.

(Most of her personality traits originate from her acting. Just like Kabuto and Itachi, who lost themselves, Inori lost herself too. However instead of struggling with herself, she chose to adopt the persona, she felt most comfortable with, which later became her true self.)

Likes: Nature and animals. Dislikes: Needless killing. Favorite Foods: Bento. Least Favorite Foods: Anything pickled. Hobbies/Interests: Learning new things, travelling & crafting.

Phobias/Fears: Her past mistakes and accomplishments. While no longer scared of him, Inori still feels a great discomfort around Guy and screams if he suddenly appears in front of her or gets too close. She also feels this way towards Rock Lee due to reminding her of Guy. Habits:

- Appearing out of nowhere and surprising/scaring people by doing so. - Being brutally honest and very threatening when pissed. - After having killed someone, she tends to pray for them once, when she has the time, and if possible give them a grave. - After a fight she tends to brush her hand through the top of her hair and out, which creates the split in the middle or split on the side depending on whether she is being relaxed or serious.

Mannerisms: Very friendly and open-minded to others. However also mysterious in the way she never talks about herself, unless asked. She is also very literate in words. For instance she says, she was created not born, due to being created in a lab, much like a product. Additionally she doesn’t regard herself as a human. She also takes honor and pride in being honest, stating she has never lied. She also puts others before herself and greatly suppresses her own sadness and pain, not letting people see her cry. Skills/Talents: Photographic memory and quick-learner. She is also a very skilled actress, capable of fooling anyone with her acting and disguises.

Best Qualities: She is very determined to both fulfilling her missions, but also protect the people dear to her. She values honesty and friendship above all, even missions. Worst Qualities: She is very suicidal, risking and throwing away her life easily. Morality/Ethics: If killing isn’t necessary, then don’t kill. Never abandon your comrades. Goals/Motivations/Dreams: A home. “I wish for a home. One where I can casually visit friends and hang out with them till late, and then go back to my house, where I would say ‘I’m back’ and be greeted with a smile telling me ‘Welcome back’. I may have a house, but it is empty with no one inside, it is lacking the warmth of a true home” – Inori.

10 Facts Trivia:

- She wants to fight Itachi and Gaara, both to see where she is placed among the two other children, she once hung out with. - She went by “Mochizuki Inori”, while travelling and being a part of the Mo-Chiyome performance group and was in the Maple Theatre group as an actress. - She was created in the form of a six-years-old girl, but her body remained in that form for many years, as her body wouldn’t age, before her actual age would catch up. - Her eyes and hair changes between serious times to relaxed times. o Serious: Her eyes are smaller and sharper. Additionally her hair gets split on the side with two strands on her face and two locks of her hair gets put over her shoulders and onto her chest. o Relaxed: Her eyes are bigger, rounder and softer. She also gets her hair split in the middle and all of it remains mainly on her back. - The only mission she has ever failed to complete was the one in Suna.

o When Shukaku finally appeared, she stopped him and brought him outside of Suna, to seal him, but then Yashamaru told her that if Shukaku was extracted from him, he would die. This led her to hesitate and ultimately give up on her mission. When the Kazekage, Rasa, appeared and demanded an explanation, Yashamaru covered for her, due to her being Gaara’s friend and the choice she made.

- She was given the White Light Chakra Sabre, by Kakashi on the first birthday that was held for her, while the bracelet was given on the last, before she left Konoha. - She made “Mr. Cuddles” as a birthday present to Gaara, during her time in Suna. - She is expected to die when she reaches her fifties, as she is not a perfect creation. (technically, not physically). - She is good at gambling and has a high tolerance against alcohol. Though she is not addicted to either.

(To Tsunade, when she questioned, if they could trust her)“Lies and mistrust will only broaden the cliff between two lands”

(To Itachi when they were kids after being asked for advice about Danzo’s order)“You have two choices. You can choose to betray your heart and fulfill your duty, or you can choose to follow your heart and refuse your duty. If you choose to fulfill it, congratulations you’ve succeeded in being a shinobi, however if you choose to follow your heart, you’ve succeeded in being human”

(To Gaara when they were kids and he got upset, due to her calling him weird all the time)“I like weird people, they’re interesting. They’re not as simple as ordinary people, and their weird features make it more fun to get to know them. I pity those who judge a person for being extraordinary. It prevents them from getting a great friend like you”

Naruto/Naruto Shippuden belongs to Masashi Kishimoto Hatake Inori belongs to me

#oc #naruto #naruto shippuden #narutoshippuden oc #shinobi #kunoichi #hatakeclan #manga #anime #hatake inori #hatake clan #admission #freestyle #ref

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kuriquinn · 7 years

Text

Meanwhiles and Neverweres [1/?]

General Disclaimer

AN: Now might be the time to re-read the fic warnings on the info page...

When Kakashi comes to himself, he is disoriented.

The last thing he remembers is a pulling, tearing pain, like his insides were being stripped from his bones, and a strange, ethereal voice, heavy with warning.

'Concentrate on the moment. The rest will follow.'

The words make absolutely no sense. And yet, somehow, he can't bring himself to care overly much. He knows that normally he would. After all, standing in a dank, dark cave with no memory of how he got there strikes him as being a cause for concern.

It's just hard to feel worried about his own fortune when, two feet away, the calm face of Rin Nohara is visible through the shadows.

The rest of the world coalesces around him, as if he has been forcibly jerked into wakefulness. The damp, musty air smells of blood and tastes like smoke. He hears the trickle of water and the shift of rocks beneath his shoes. And there is a sharp, burning throb in his left eye.

An eye which he can't see out of.

"What…?"

Rin doesn't move, eyes vacant and staring. The utter blankness there makes Kakashi's stomach clench.

Too late. He still came back too late!

The thoughts make no sense, and they feel as if coming from far away.

"Kakashi, what the hell are you waiting for?" a voice to his left hisses, and before he can properly react he is nudged to one side.

And that's Obito. Crouching beside him as he examines Rin's still form with worry, that's his friend.

"Obito," Kakashi intones, mouth dry, because it's not possible. He watched him die. Twice. How is he here, beside him and with Rin, and...

The ethereal voice speaks again, still sounding far away.

'…I have the ability to send you back…'

Kakashi shakes himself. None of this makes sense.

"This is genjutsu, that should be easy for you!" Obito continues, sounding mildly disgusted. He brings his hand forward and makes a sign "Kai!"

Rin gasps as she is freed from the illusion, eyes widening with awareness.

"Obito?" she questions, attention falling first on him and then moving to beyond, confusion wrinkling her forehead. "Kakashi?'

Already things are different. But that's a good thing,

"We came to save you," Obito tells her. "You'll be alright now."

"Yeah," Kakashi says, finding his voice. "Of…of course we did."

Obito shoots him an annoyed look, which Kakashi can't understand right away. Then he remembers –

Right. He didn't want to come back for her that time.

This time.

He's so confused.

'Not your physical self of course. But minds and souls, they are more flexible.'

Kakashi decides that perhaps it's time to heed the voice in his head, and so mentally shakes himself. He needs to inhabit the present, because there's no time to dwell on anything else. They don't have the time.

"Come on, we have to get going," he tells them. "We're all getting out of this damn cave this time."

His teammates appear puzzled by this statement, but he offers not explanation. As he unties Rin, a snide voice echoes across the cavern at them.

"You guys made a good team – but you're still just kids."

The three of them turn in unison, watching as the hard-eyed, dark-haired man at the edge of the cave slowly gets to his feet.

Jōnin. From Iwa. Right.

The memory of this still feels too far away, yet too important to ignore. As he mentally tugs at it, trying to bring it to the forefront of his mind, other thoughts and recollections begin to stream back to him. Not just of today, but other events –

Mother and Father's deaths. The Academy. Minato-sensei's bell test. Losing Obito – today – and Rin not even a year later. ANBU and Tenzō. Failing to protect Kushina Uzumaki. The Nine-Tails attack. ANBU. Discovering the entire Uchiha clan massacred. Training and failing his first genin squads. Finding himself in charge of Team 7. Zabuza and Haku in the Land of Waves. Training Sasuke during the Chūnin Exams. Failing to save Lord Third. Being trapped in Itachi Uchiha's Tsukuyomi. Losing Sasuke. Empty missions after his students all went their separate ways. Trying not to die from the blow of one of Sakura's fists. Using up all his strength trying to save the Kazekage from Akatsuki. Teaching Naruto better control. Asuma's funeral. Once again being too late to save Sasuke. Dying in the rubble of Konoha, but somehow being brought back. Saving Sakura from dying the same as Rin. Fighting the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist. Discovering Obito was behind it all. Madara Uchiha. The demon goddess Kaguya. Obito's final death. His students, united once more. Kaguya ripping into Sasuke and Naruto. The eerie, ethereal light in the darkness. A pale hand grasping his forehead, and that voice – !

'Visualise the moment in your life that you could go back and change. Something that would divert this course of events. Something that would stop this time, and this place, from ever happening.'

It's too much, too fast –

"Augh!" Kakashi staggers, clutching at his head in desperation to make the dizzying thoughts stop somehow.

"Kakashi!" Rin gasps, and he feels her arms around him, holding him up, but he struggles out of her grasp.

It is definitely not the time, and as of this moment, he remember why.

'I can give you an hour – at most.'

He has a time-limit.

"Right now, you're in enemy hands," the Iwa jōnin sniggers, forming hand signs. It's too fast for Kakashi to notice without a Sharingan. The laughter becomes a snarl as he shoves his fist into the ground. "Doton: Iwayado Kuzushi!"

Kakashi tenses, because he knows what happens next.

"Run toward the forest and do not stop no matter what!" Kakashi shouts. "Go! Now!"

The earth splits from the point of impact, travelling across the ground and up the damp walls, splintering cracks outward in a sinister spider-web of destruction. The cave begins to fall to pieces around them, sharp and bulky pieces of stone falling like missiles around them as they run. Kakashi follows them, one eye sharp…waiting.

He has relived this moment, every night of his life, for almost eighteen years.

It's why he knows exactly when to reach up and punch his fist upward, batting away the rock that is headed for him. He feels the bones in his hand crack – another wave of pain encompasses him – and he staggers a little, but this time, this time he doesn't fall.

This time he keeps running.

This time Obito doesn't come back for him and throw him out of the way, but keeps going, utterly focussed on Rin.

Kakashi wants to laugh in delight, but it's too early for that. They are not out of the woods yet – or the cave, as it were.

Rocks and dust continue to rain down on them, the interior of the cavern imploding and sending more debris after them as they run. Kakashi catches up to the others, shoving them as close to the mouth of the cave as possible. It's the only way they're going to survive this.

With no more space to run, he throws his arms around them and tries to offer them whatever protection he can from the final phase of the cave-in.

The dust settles, and for several long moments they don't move.

Then, Kakashi pulls away from his friends and the other two glance around in surprise.

"We're alive?" Rin asks, stunned. She isn't the only one.

"Looks like," Kakashi says easily, glancing surreptitiously down at his friends to ensure they haven't sustained any injuries he doesn't know about.

"Wow, that's a big rock," Obito comments, and Kakashi follows his gaze to the giant boulder embedded in the ground not six feet away from them.

He shudders.

In another life, that stone crushed a young, idyllic boy until nothing but a bitter, broken murderer was left. But right now…for right now, no one is crushed or bleeding or dying. Kakashi is tempted to cry out of sheer disbelief and joy. Instead, he forces himself to stay sharp, because this isn't over. If they are all going to get through this, they need to coordinate.

Because as of right now, it's all different.

"That guy is still out there," Kakashi says, effortlessly slipping into the command role. "He thinks we're dead, so we need to be fast. A coordinated attack, and we aim for the kill." Rin and Obito nod. "This is what we're going to do – I'll act as a decoy, while you two attack him from behind. Obito, you use your Sharingan –"

"It activated?" Rin interrupts, studying his face with a mixture of pride and concern.

"Um – well, yeah, it sorta did – I-I guess," Obito mumbles, turning red. His Sharingan fade to black.

"That's great!"

"We can congratulate him later," Kakashi interrupts. "After we survive."

"Right!" his teammate chorus, instantly focussing again.

"As I was saying – Obito, use your Sharingan to keep an eye on his movements. The minute you see him even shift the wrong way, you attack from his blindspot. Rin, you use your medical ninjutsu – sever his nerves and we can stop him in his tracks."

"I've…never done that before."

"I trust your skills," Kakashi insists. "This is a kill operation. He won't tell us any information and I won't giving him another opportunity to hurt you two."

"It should be me playing decoy," Obito argues, and after a pause, he grudgingly says, "Your attacks are stronger than mine."

"No. Right now, you're in peak condition and your Sharingan gives you an advantage. I have a handicap –" he points to his badly bandaged eye, " – so he'll think I'm the easier target. It will also make it more believable that I'm the only one who made it out, so he won't be expecting you two. Got it?"

"…Fine."

They straighten up and prepare to take their positions. Kakashi inhales deeply, mentally preparing for the next challenge. On a whim, he glances back. "Rin?"

"Yes?"

"Take care of Obito."

"I-I…okay?"

"Hey, what the hell is that supposed to mean!" he friend hisses at him, but Kakashi is already climbing out of the cavern.

The rocks obscuring the small exit of the cave explode as Kakashi barrels through them, landing in a crouch several feet away from the Iwa nin.

The dark-haired man snorts. "Man, you're one stubborn kid. But still a kid. Come on, let's settle this."

Kakashi smirks, because even if it happens differently, he knows exactly how this is going to go.

His opponent has the sense to look unsure.

Kakashi attacks as he did in his first life, grasping his father's blade in hand. He remembers that the last time he attacked with it, it broke. This time, instead of clashing with his enemy head-on, Kakashi pitches forward, burying the blade in the ground and using the momentum to swing himself around to kick the bastard's feet out from beneath him.

As the Iwa nin flails for purchase, his weapons go flying.

Rin and Obito appear instantly on either side of him in a flawless combo attack – Obito's knee smashes into the other guy's nose and jaw, while Rin's hand move across the tendons in his arms and legs.

The enemy jōnin crumples like a puppet.

In a quick, arcing movement, Kakashi pulls the blade from the ground and delivers the killing blow, punching through the man's gut and twisting.

The three of them stand remain still for a moment, out of breath and considering one another warily.

"Well…that was easy," Obito says, though he sounds somewhat doubtful. "Should that have been harder? I get the feeling that should have been harder."

Kakashi retrieves his father's blade and swipes it clean. He experiences a giddy sense of disbelief, because they won. And none of them died

"Never mind that, we won!" Rin cheers. She beams up at Kakashi. "Thanks for coming to get me."

Her eyes shine, and oh, how he remembers that look of hero worship.

But he's a better man than he was – he has learned far more than the snot-nosed kid he is temporarily inhabiting, and it's time to set the tone for their future together.

"It was Obito's idea," Kakashi replies honestly, getting up. "I wasn't going to come back, but he gave me some really good advice."

He shoots a meaningful look back at his friend, and Obito's eyes widen. Then he laughs, rubbing the back of his head in embarrassment.

"Well?" Rin prompts. "Don't keep me in suspense!"

"It wasn't really advice," he hedges, "I just…reminded Kakashi, is all. That there's nothing more important than saving one's comrades."

"Hm," Kakashi agrees, and after a moment, reaches out a fist. Obito stares at blankly for several seconds, and then beams. Reaching out, he knocks knuckles with Kakashi.

Rin looks between them, obviously confused. "Did…one or both of you hit your heads? You're acting really friendly for onc –"

Obito gives a sudden cry and throws himself forward, knocking Rin out of the path of shuriken. Kakashi swears and turns his back to his teammates, staring into the surrounding woods. In the height of the moment, he forgot that there are seven more Iwa nin surrounding them.

They're not done yet.

"Alright, you two," he says as Rin and Obito struggle to their feet. "We've got this."

"Damn right," Obito smirks, hitting his fist into the palm of his hand. Out of the corner of his eye, Kakashi sees the Sharingan re-activate, while Rin's hands glow blue. Kakashi tightens his grip on his father's blade and takes a deep breath.

This is the last hurdle. If they can hold off long enough, Minato will arrive. They will all be safe and the remnant of his previous life can succumb to eternal peace with no regrets.

'Concentrate on the moment. The rest will follow.'

The first attack comes from above, forcing them to scatter before they can fall into their habitual defense formation. Before Kakashi can stop it, he and his friends have been separated as the enemy jōnin heard them away from one another, trying to target the weakest member of the squad.

Once that might have been Obito, but he holds his own, taking on two Iwa nin by himself. Rin concerns herself with another, trying to back away from him enough to give herself more room to operate. The others surround Kakashi, likely seeing him as the weakest because of his injury.

He wishes they were wrong.

Despite almost two decades more experience in the field, without the Sharingan to help him, Kakashi is having a harder time with this than he did the first time around. Even with Obito and Rin fighting by his side, he just can't anticipate the attacks of so many opponents.

When he first arrived, changing the course of things was easy – he knew that the rock was going to hit him, and he knew that the Iwa nin would be waiting. Everything afterword has become guesswork and instinct. And the blind spot on his left side is truly a hindrance now.

He manages to stun two of them temporarily with several hits in quick succession, but the other two avoid him easily.

Several feet away, Rin's opponent gets in a blow in, slicing her across the back with a kunai. She grunts and falls forward to the ground, immediately drawing Obito's attention.

"Rin!"

As her attacker reverses his blade, preparing to impart the killing strike on her, Obito skids across the clearing and throw himself in front.

Blood sprays in the air as he takes the hit meant for her, reeling back a step.

"No!" Kakashi cries, landing a cracking punch on one man's jaw, before being grappled from behind by another.

"Obito!" Rin screams. "What are you doing –?"

But Obito smirks, pressing his hands to his chest, trying to pinch the open wound closed.

"Heh…I'd be a pretty crappy guy if I let the girl I love get killed, wouldn't I?" he tells her, inclining his head slightly in Rin's direction.

"You'll be a dead guy in a minute!" the Iwa nin snaps, making another attempt on Obito. Rin shouts, pulling Obito back and out of the way. The two of them tumble aside in a pile of blood and limbs.

Kakashi grits his teeth, still struggling to keep the hands holding onto him from choking the life from his body.

He can't believe it. After everything – after coming back, after saving them – it's going to happen again. He's going to lose them again, because he's put himself in a position where he's less than he was the first time around –

Back then he used chidori. He could see every enemy as he moved, avoided every counter attack while at the same time maintaining the force and speed necessary to keep from damaging himself. This time, if he were to try, there's a high likelihood he would get killed before he could save his friends.

Unless he does something really stupid.

There's a way to take out all of them, to save Rin and Obito, but…

Kakashi tightens his grip on the enemy trying to cut off his oxygen.

If he dies now, this him will never get to reclaim the time he lost with his friends. This him will never get to meet his future team – the mouthy, stubborn and often wayward three kids he has grown to care for as if they are his own. The Kakashi of this time will never see the world Naruto dreamed of building, or if Sasuke will finally get it or if Sakura has a chance to surpass her teammates or if that minor fling with the Inuzuka girl was supposed to go anywhere –

But if he doesn't do something, the two people he loved and who never got their chance will die.

'I will send you back into your past and give you the opportunity to change all of this. To save us all – if you wish to take it. To gamble away this lifetime in favour of another.'

Kakashi snorts.

Well, what's the point of all this if I don't save them now?

It's not really a decision, in the end.

Shouting in rage and frustration, Kakashi finds the strength to flip his attack over, burying his father's blade deep in his neck. Then he dives toward the ongoing melee, throwing himself between his teammates and their attackers, fingers crackling with electricity.

"No! Kakashi, Minato-sensei told you not to use that jutsu!" Rin shouts, as the stunned men from earlier follow and surround them.

"I'm not," he replies. "This is something different – Raiton: Raijū Tsuiga!"

White hot light and screaming birdsong explode from his palm, tearing energy from every cell in his body. Pain rips into him and something in the left side of his chest gives. In sharp contrast to the electricity searing through his veins, the sensation that radiates into the rest of his consciousness is cold.

With a bellow of effort, and the rest of his body going limp, Kakashi wills the remainder of his strength into his right arm and shoves it full force in front of him.

A giant, brilliant shape erupts from his palm, growing in size as it gallops forth, intent on the remaining enemies. The sound of electricity hitting the air echoes like a snarl, and claws of lightning leave smoking craters in the ground as the Lightning Hound picks up speed.

Kakashi doesn't let up, pouring every last bit of chakra into maintaining the jutstu, even as his left arm goes limp. In fact, the whole upper left side of his body is quickly lost to him in wave upon wave of pain. He might be screaming, but his voice is lost in the agonised screams of the enemy.

When the lightning dissipates, everyone is on the ground, except for Rin and Obito. They stare at him in awe, and perhaps a little fear, but it doesn't matter now. They'll live.

"Don't…fuck…with my friends," Kakashi chuckles weakly, taking a staggering step forward. The ground falls away and the world tilts, and before he's truly aware he falls to his knees.

"Kakashi!"

His vision swims, tunnelling out into an indistinct black.

'Concentrate on the moment. The rest will follow.'

When he returns to himself, Rin and Obito are kneeling beside him. A tree casts some shade over them, but dazzling glimpses of sun and blue shift through the green. He thinks they must have moved him. Obito's chest isn't gushing blood anymore, which means Rin's healed him and moved on to Kakashi.

Which explains her hurried movements, hands on his chest, interspersing compressions with sharp bursts of cool chakra. Despite the relief her efforts bring to the places where she touches him, Kakashi feels his body getting colder.

He says nothing at first, squinting against the sun. Despite his weakness and the enormous weight on his chest that is just edging into the realm of pain, he feels clear-headed.

"You bastard!" Obito yells, furious. His face is flushed with anger and panic, darting glances between Kakashi to Rin, who is pale beside him. Blood trickles down the underside of her arm.

Right. She was hurt.

"Rin…" Kakashi murmurs, "You have to…heal yourself before you bleed out."

"Shut up, I'm fine!" she insists, doggedly shaking her head. "I've got to – to save –" Her words cut into a devastated gasp. "No…"

Tears begin to inch down her cheeks, her bottom lip trembling. The picture is too familiar –

" – it's no use. They're too far gone."

"No – no they're – I can save them –!"

"You two would have had a lot in common," Kakashi chuckles, then winces, because the unnecessary jarring of his body hurts too much.

"What the hell does that mean?" Obito demands. "What's going on? Rin?!"

"The…the electricity," she whispers, pulling away and wringing her hands. "It triggered a massive heart attack. His heart's damaged…the extent is – it's more than I can fix." Her eyes are wide with panic, her words tinged with a disbelief like she doesn't completely understand what she's saying herself. "I don't have the power."

"Rin – "

"M-maybe if Lady Tsunade Senju were here right now," she continues wildly, her voice becoming more panicked with every second, "but I can't – I can't –" Her voice breaks in an all-out, gut-wrenching sob, and she peers pleadingly at Obito as if he can somehow make it better. "I…can try to keep him comfortable, but he's got maybe…maybe ten minutes. Less than thirty."

'You will not have much time.'

"Then we carry him to – someone's got to be nearby who can help!"

"You don't understand, Obito! His heart's going to fail and…and I can't save him!"

She's desperately trying to keep her composure as she delivers the news, but it's clear that she's breaking with every syllable. Obito, jaw clenched and knuckles white, gathers her into his arms and holds onto her.

"It's okay," he tells her in a harsh whisper, like he's telling himself as well. "Rin, it'll be okay…"

"I only had…an hour anyway," Kakashi says with an apologetic smile, watching the two people he has kept close to his heart so long. Two people that are going to live this time. "And I did…everything I needed to. My only regrets…"

His mind flies to another group of people precious to him, and his dying heart twinges from a pain that isn't physical.

Whiskers and a devil-may-care attitude. Pink hair and a loyal heart. Haunted black eyes and diehard determination. Kakashi will never get to see how they turn out this time. But if he has anything to say about it, this time their lives will be better.

"I don't have…a lot of time left," he begins, sensing the icy fingers of death creeping steadily closer. "So you two need to listen." Rin pulls away from Obito and they both gaze down at him in confusion and sorrow. "No matter how strange…it sounds."

"Stop wasting your breath and tell us already," Obito snaps, wiping his nose angrily. His tears are overflowing now too, and he has no goggles to hide behind.

Kakashi smirks at this.

"Burn my body once I'm dead," he orders. "Don't…bring it back to the village."

He doesn't want a scrap of his blood left for someone to play with. Kabuto might never master his reanimation jutsu in this life, but Kakashi won't take that chance.

"But –!" Rin begins to protest, only for Kakashi to quickly cuts her off.

"Obito…use your clan technique…until I'm nothing but ash…" he commands. "Understand…?"

"I-I-I –" Obito swallows painfully, then nods. "Understood."

"Swear you'll do it."

"I swear already!"

"Good." Kakashi's breathe rattles, and he continues. "Tell Minato-sensei…goodbye for me. And if he – when he has a kid, you watch out for him. Both of you. He'll be…amazing." He grins at the memory of a human beacon of light, then continues. "Obito – if any of your cousins ever show…aptitude…teach them the chidori. I know you…copied it just now. Couldn't help it, with those eyes. Make sure it's someone…who might be passed over by others. The one that needs to…shine a little brighter."

Obito clenches a shaking fist, unable to reply, but nods.

"And Rin – you're so skilled. You'll be…an amazing teacher. Somewhere in Konoha…there will be a girl…who needs your guidance. One day…she'll merit the attention of Lady Tsunade…herself," Kakashi tells her. "But until then, she's going to…need someone to mentor her. I did…a horrible job."

There is fear and confusion in Rin's gaze now, and the eyes of a doctor listening to a rambling patient. "Kakashi, I don't understand –"

"Not losing my mind," he assures her. "You'll understand…one day. Until then, both of you…protect my students. Naruto, Sasuke and Sakura. Remember those names."

'The moment you go back, this time and place ceases to exist.'

Pale and wordless, Rin can do nothing but nod uncertainly. When Kakashi raises an eyebrow at him, Obito does as well and says, "A-alright. We will."

"I mean it," Kakashi says. "You find them, and you…watch. And if they ever speak…about things that make no sense… people, or places…listen."

"Okay."

"Swear to it –" Kakashi insists, before his body is wracked with coughs. Rin gives a wordless cry and bends closer to him, desperately trying to pump more healing chakra into his system, trying to buy him a few more minutes.

"Of course! Of course we swear!" Obito says quickly, and a bitter scoff escapes him. "Geez, what's with all the vows, you got a list?"

Kakashi laughs now, and it's worth the pain.

The sunny afternoon begins to blur, superimposed with an unearthly darkness and a mysterious pale figure leaning over him.

It won't be long now, but Kakashi isn't quite done yet.

"If I could…I have…things I want to say…to you both…privately…"

Rin moans in denial, and Obito presses his fist against his mouth as if trying to hold back his own cry. Precious seconds pass, before Rin leans forward, the movements halting and jerky, as if anything faster might shatter her into pieces.

When she is finally close to him, Kakashi turns his head to one side, his bloodstained lips a hairs width away from her ear. He puts every shred of effort into this to keep from stuttering or faltering. She has to understand the importance of his message.

"If you are ever assigned a mission to Kiri, don't accept it," Kakashi warns.

Rin pulls away, confusion plain on her face. "What do you…?"

Kakashi's right hand snaps up, a painful last effort, but snags in the front of her shirt.

"Just promise me," he insists.

"I…I promise."

"Good." He relaxes somewhat, and then motions her close again. She looks warier this time, but once more inches forward.

This time, it's what he should have said to begin with.

"I always loved you," he tells her, "even if I…never said. I didn't…deserve you."

"Kakashi, I…"

"I know. I…always knew. Thank you," he tells her.

Now she finally does lose her composure, her shoulders wracked with sorrow and sobs scraping up from her belly. She presses her forehead to his, and when she kisses him, it's salted with tears and blood. The caress is brief, as if it's too painful for her, which he sees is true when she pulls away from him and lets her face fall into her hands.

Again, the ache in his heart has nothing to do with his wounds.

Kakashi wishes he didn't have to put her through this pain, but he has absolute faith that it will get better after this. The right people will live this time, and every tragedy born from this day will be erased.

'Everything that has occurred for you in this reality will be gone.'

He shifts a little, meeting his friend's gaze.

Obito has watched the entire scene in silence, his expression hard and unreadable. Kakashi saw that Uchiha way of looking far too often during his time as a jōnin instructor, and he needs to do away with it as soon as possible.

"Obito…"

He would motion for him, but it seems his limbs have finally stopped obeying his commands. Luckily his words startle Obito out of what looks to be dark thoughts, and the other boy crouches down closer to him.

"You are…my best friend," Kakashi tells him, the full force of two of his lives bleeding into those words. "You are…the one that has to survive. You are…important."

"Shut up, no I'm not," Obito growls. His eyes flicker between black and red, and Kakashi suspects just what is awakening there.

"It was…my honour to save you…this time," Kakashi continues on doggedly. "Don't you dare…let my death lead you to hatred. You have…Rin." They both glance at Rin, who is still turned away, shoulders shaking. "You hold on to her, and…use your Mangekyō…to protect her and the village…we all love."

"Use my…?" Obito whispers, shock and confusion briefly overtaking his angry sadness.

"Can't…explain that one…sorry. But, one more thing…very important," Kakashi continues, fighting off the climbing need for sleep. "...secret…"

Obito leans closer now, taking the place beside Kakashi that Rin had before.

"Tell…no one…not even…" Kakashi coughs, choking on the bloody fluid that continues to inch up his throat. Still, he wills himself to continue. "Find out…what you can…future rests on it, okay?"

"…Okay," Obito says, incredulous, but Kakashi hears iron resolve there. He will humour the dying wish of a comrade with every shred of his being. That's always been Obito's way.

"Zetsu, Madara and Kaguya," Kakashi tells him. "The others…they'll tell you more. Maybe they'll have more…time. Until then…find out everything…carefully."

"Zets…Madara? As in Uch – Why are you –?"

Obito can't seem to decide what to ask first. It's just as well, there's no time left to answer him.

Kakashi narrows his eye. "Swear…you'll do it."

"You know I will. I swear."

"Good." Kakashi lets himself relax now, no longer fighting off the numbness that has been setting in everywhere. "Good…"

'It will be erased and replaced with whatever changes you can cause.'

He smiles up at the sky. "All things considered…this is better than…the last time I died…"

"You're not making sense," Rin murmurs, taking his hand in her own. He can't even squeeze it back.

"You…big…jerk," Obito sniffs. "Selfish ass. It's just like you to die before I could give you your gift."

Kakashi squints at him, lazy humour filling the remaining parts of him that can still feel. "You're a bit late…aren't you?"

"Shut up. I only just had an idea."

"There's nothing I need. I've achieved…everything I –"

"No, I know," Obito cuts him off. "I remember what you said before – this won't be some useless extra baggage, I swear. One day – when I have a child – I'll pass on your name. And everyone will know the truth about you. Whatever the village may say, you are…a great jōnin. That's how I really feel. So please accept this."

Rin is shaking with tears now.

Kakashi smiles at this.

Somehow, this version of his friend's parting words mean even more than when he heard them the first time.

"Then wherever I am… I will be your eyes," he tells him in return. "I'll keep watch over you in the future. Both of you. I promise – I'm not leaving you two behind this time. Not really."

As the light begins to go out all around them, Kakashi sighs and lets his remaining eye fall shut.

It does hurt a little now. His next inhale is more laboured, and the one after it even more so. As the air stops reaching his lungs, and the feel of his heartbeat fades to nothing, his thoughts become remarkably clear.

I know this will be…worth it…!

つづく

Well.

I'm…not quite sure I know what to say after this. Except that this was a difficult decision for me to make. I love Kakashi. After Itachi, he is my heart. But the rest of the story just doesn't work with him in it. So, I hope I did his death justice.

This is unbetaed. As usual, edits will be done when they get done. School starts up again next week, so I'm hoping to focus more on my weekly updates than edits. But it's on the list! I swear!

And finally, for those of you who are confused and asking questions like "how", "why" and "how" (all very good questions, btw), I did warn you this wouldn't be my usual format or style or genre...and stuff. Bear with me, I do have a plan.

But…ahem…just in case…

*runs and hides*

クリ

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#kakashi hatake #obito uchiha #rin nohara #sent back in time #reset of events #meanwhiles and neverweres #character death #the feels #oh god what have i done #naruto fanfiction

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