001 ◇ [Video/Action for New Bark]

[haiyaku]

[Action for New Bark]

[The sun is fading when Kakashi gets kicked out of the house. As if the weird woman calling herself 'mom', the green dog and the music wasn't strange enough, Kakashi also can't see through this genjutsu. His left eye wasn't working the way it should - the way it had since the day he'd gotten it. So he pulls of his hitai-ate and uses it's reflective surface to look at it. The sharigan still swirls, red with black tomoe. Obito's eye looks like it had the last time Kakashi examined at it so why wasn't it working. He replaces his hitai-ate, pulling it low over his left eye to hide the mismatched eyes and scar. Maybe there would be someone here he could ask.]

[Time to dig through his bag and see what sort of supplies he had. A pair of clothes, an odd device that could serve as communication, some necessities, food and more importantly - papers. Papers meant information. There's a map and information about being a trainer. He supposes that's why the dog had followed him away from the house as he packs everything back up except for the papers and the communication device. It doesn't escape his notice that his weapons are gone. Looks like he really will have to depend on the animal for protection until he could find replacements.]

[Kakashi stops to look down at the dog and the dog looks back.] So what am I going to name you?

The dog sits back on his haunches and wags his tail in the dirt. In response the ninja crosses his arms over his chest.] What can you do?

Electrike! [Well, that was a weird response. Kakashi points his communication device at him and he tenses a little when it starts talking. He listens to it closely.] So you're an electric-type Pokemon. [Whatever that means.] I've got just the name for you then. From now on you're going to be Chidori.

[It jumps up, putting both front feet on Kakashi's leg and licking his hand enthusiastically. He pushes it down with a stern no. If he was supposed to train this thing then it would not jump on people unless invited. He starts toward the road, intent on getting underway as there wasn't much point to sticking around here.] Let's go see if there's anyone we know here, Chidori. And keep quiet about it, now's a good time to learn stealth.

[As soon as the words were out of his mouth Kakashi grows tense. There wasn't really anyone left to seek out. Not now that sensei and Kushina had joined the rest of the team in the afterlife. Sure there was Gai and several others but no teammates. Maybe it was best if he just stuck it out on his own at this point. Kakashi looks down at the communicator still in his hand. Might as well.]

[Video]

[Darkness has settled in but there's a shock of white in the black. That's right, someone's hair shines in the growing moonlight. It's the most noticeable thing about the person in the video. Most of his face seems to be shadowed due to his mask and his forehead protector that's pulled over his left eye. What can be seen is a single eye and the person it belongs to doesn't look all that impressed or happy about the situation.]

Is this thing on?

[His Electrike chimes in excitedly at his side. Kakashi looks over at the thing with a stern look. The dog-like pokemon goes quiet but its tail wags which its owner doesn't seem to mind.]

Right, my name is Kakashi. Obviously I just got here - wherever here is. [He doesn't seem all that surprised even though he should be. At least, Kakashi doesn't show it.] This is a good time to ask for any information anyone may have on this place.

[Annnnd...]

[Yeah okay, that's it.]

[He doesn't have anything else to say. No one to search for so Kakashi just ends the communication there.]

Comments

[itsjustdust]

[What was that? That was you wanting to be given a heart attack by having a way too excited Obito suddenly blaring out of your gear? Well, okay then, that's perfect! He didn't even think to tone down the volume at first.]

KAKASHI! You're here!

I was starting to think you'd never get here! [And then he realized he was acting like an overexcited moron.]

Er. I mean. This is Johto, and you're in New Bark, and I'm going to fly out to get you right now! I just.

Have to tell the others.

Right. Hi.

1/please hold

[haiyaku]

[Heart attack? Forget that. Kakashi drops the communicator in the dirt.]

[No way, this is not happening.]

[haiyaku]

[Obito is dead.]

[DEAD.]

[Crushed by rocks months ago.]

[haiyaku]

[There's a grave with his name on it in the village. A grave that Kakashi visits every morning when he's there.]

[haiyaku]

[This isn't real. It can't be.]

[It's just a genjutsu. One he can't break.]

Done (this time around)

[haiyaku]

[Using his dead teammates face, that's a mistake.]

[The shock is gone as Kakashi picks up the communicator again and in its place is a cold look. His voice is steely.]

Who are you. [It isn't a question and more of a demand.]

[itsjustdust]

...

[Give him a second here as he remembers why you'd react that way.]

Ah....

Right...

You saw me get smashed didn't you? [He can't help it, he's sorry but...]

...

I'm guessing it's a bad time to ask if you're used to the eye yet?

How old are you anyway?

Yes I'm actually Obito! I promise! I've been here for, uh... almost a year now actually, woke up after the rocks and poof and I'll explain everything I swear but it'll take hours to get to you.

Even by flight.

[haiyaku]

[Hey Obito. Hey.]

[Watch as Kakashi doesn't answer any of your questions. None of them.]

Woke up after the rocks and poof. [There's a whole heap of disbelief in his voice.]

[Locked]

[itsjustdust]

Yeah, but it's- gimme a sec.

[He remembered that people could see this and changed the security settings.]

There's kinda a weird sideways split of who knows some of this stuff and who doesn't among the shinobi here and I'm not sure who knows what. Not that I should tell you over the gear and-

Agh.

[And he's on the move, the scenery scrolling along behind him as he heads for outside, a charizard peeking over his shoulder next time he comes to a halt, obviously curious.]

I kind of wanna explain and don't want to. So, hi.

I'm alive. I can't die while I'm here because people have tried that and just wake up again. You can still be crippled and hurt but, yeah, it's a no on the death. Uh.

I really need to know how old you are here Kakashi cause I wanna explain something but I don't want to be a total jerk about it. Like, Sensei and Kushina-nee are here but...

I mean. Do you see why that's a thing?

[Locked] 1/idk again

[haiyaku]

[He doesn't want to hear this. Obito is dead and nothing can bring him back.]

[Death is supposed to be permanent. Unless someone uses forbidden jutsus.]

[That's not the case. This is something entirely different.]

[Locked]

[haiyaku]

[And then...]

[Then Obito has to open his big fat mouth and mention Sensei and Kushina.]

[Offline]

[haiyaku]

[Yep.]

[He's hanging up on Obito.]

[Obito, Sensei and Kushina. All of them were here and supposedly alive. One more and everyone he'd lost would be here. Two had just died. The voice of the person who'd told him replaying over in his head. Word had spread fast throughout the village. The Fourth Hokage was gone and so was the Kyuubi - so to speak. Now he'd probably have to face them again.]

[Kakashi would have to prepare himself for that.]

[And he knows that he can't just hang up on Obito forever. If this person was pretending to be that particular Uchiha chances are that he won't leave Kakashi alone and keep sending him messages over this thing.]

[Locked] Done.

[haiyaku]

[It takes a couple of minutes for him to turn it back on and when he does Kakashi looks a lot more collected than he had been.]

You get here and then I'll answer your questions.

[Locked]

[itsjustdust]

[Obito stared at the gear... waited a moment.... nope.

Crap. Okay so they were dead when Kakashi was from.

He was abut to put it away and go hunting for Neji to let him know they were leaving, but Kakashi called back.]

You kinda gave it away there. You're still my age at least. I'll be really irked if you're older now. [He shook his head.]

I'll be there around sunset okay? It takes... forever to get there even flying.

[Locked] -> [Offline]

[haiyaku]

[Remember that face he used to have when he was irritated by the things you did? That's what he's giving you now, Obito.]

Or maybe you just told me the future, idiot. [One he doesn't know.]

I'm walking down this road. [Jerks a thumb to the only path leading out of New Bark.] Look for me there.

[If this guy even bothers to show up. No way he's going to hang around wasting supplies if he gets left stranded here.]

[Kakashi doesn't wait for confirmation and just hangs up. This time for good. He'll spend the entire time walking down the middle of the road so he can be spotted from the air.]

[Action!]

[itsjustdust]

[He said by sunset but it ended up being a few hours after sunset. Part of that had been leaving a note for his Sensei, and Kushina, and talking to Neji to see if he wanted to come. In the end, he ended up packing food for the trip, then heading out, landing his Dragonite near Kakashi.... who looked like he was about to set up camp for the night.

To be fair it had taken him... a... long time to get there.

He peeked over Tobi's shoulder to the ground.]

Ah... I always forget how long this actually takes. Sorry I'm late.

[Action!]

[haiyaku]

[If Kakashi hadn't been awake during the Kyuubi attack he would have walked through the night but he's tired. So rest it was. At least for a few hours. Honestly he isn't the least bit surprised that "Obito" showed up late.]

[He barely pauses in his action to unroll his sleeping bag at the landing of the giant dragon creature and Obito's voice.]

That's the excuse you're going to go with this time?

[Action!]

[itsjustdust]

Hey, it's like two weeks by foot, I think I made good time. [He shook his head and slid down, catching the arm that Tobi held out to make sure that he didn't fall over on hitting the ground. His legs always fell asleep when he was on Tobi too long, and the dragon promptly flopped over to rest once Obito was solid on his feet.

Huffing, he shook his head and looked back to Kakashi.]

As is we're gonna need more rests on the way back for my fliers. Erm. In the morning though.

[Action!]

[haiyaku]

[He doesn't say anything about the first part. But Kakashi does watch carefully, distrustfully as "Obito" dismounts. It sounds like Obito, looks a lot like Obito, seems a lot like Obito but that doesn't mean he's willing to accept it.]

Fine, whatever.

[Obviously Kakashi had no intention of going anywhere tonight from his camp. Chidori shows his interest in the strangers far more than his owner and he moves over to sniff at Tobi.]

You said you'd explain. So explain.

[Action!]

[itsjustdust]

[He does look a bit older though, and taller, what with his monster growth spurt he'd had. Thank the heavens that was over.

Still, don't think he doesn't recognize your suspicious face when he sees it Kakashi. He'll just stay out of your immediate range okay? Okay.]

Um. Well. First, I'm not sure how much the others told you before I got here...? Probably all about here and whatnot so... onto me.

I closed my eye when the rocks fell and woke up here in January, and it's late November now. But...

I...

[He slumped his shoulders a little.]

I'm- Guess its better if we sort out the whole 'no really I'm Obito thing first.

[Action!]

[haiyaku]

[He's not used to looking up at Obito - even after his death Kakashi looked down at the grave marker.]

[Probably for the best considering what he'll do once in range.]

[Kakashi makes no comment about what other people have told him and instead listens to what "Obito" is saying.]

We should. [This is him, moving closer into Obito's space. If he was anyone else touching would have been just fine but Obito's dealing with Kakashi. So...that's definitely his fist aiming for Obito's face - and it's not a love-tap either.]

[Action!]

[itsjustdust]

[And all that time dodging his Rapidash is going to come in handy here as he drops to the ground to roll to the side of Kakashi, lashing out to kick his feet out from under him.

And he'd be seriously shocked if that move actually worked.]

You really think I couldn't see that coming? You've been giving me the eye since I called you.

[Action!]

[haiyaku]

[Not likely. He flips backwards to avoid that kick, eyes never leaving his target. "Obito" has gotten faster.]

You were crushed. Now you show up here completely better, even with the eye you gave me. I stood over your grave for months. Were you expecting a different reaction?

[If that hidden eye was working he'd have less reason to attack but it would still probably come down to this. Kakashi darts in again - chakra or not he can still fight. He throws another punch, but follows it up with a second one aimed at Obito's stomach.]

[Action!]

[itsjustdust]

[Yeah... he hadn't thought that would work. Damn it. Still, he was impressed that Kakashi wasn't making contact with him either, kind of giddy that he'd gotten so much better in the last year. Not enough to make contact, but that didn't stop him from trying to nail Kakashi right back, though not in a punch. Instead he flicked out his chain, fully intending to try to tangle Kakashi up and trip him so he could try to talk to him without, you know, dodging.]

Yeah, I was. I thought I was dead.

When I got here I went around telling people with a whole lot of pride even because I did it for you.

But.

But I can't do that anymore okay. Not after what I've learned.

[Action!]

[haiyaku]

[That one boy had said weapons weren't allowed but leave it to a ninja to carry one anyway. He doesn't want to talk. Not about dead teammates or revived ones. Kakashi just wants this to end. For Obito to be resting in peace like the rest of the people he's lost and for him to be the one to carry on alone without the others.]

[The chain makes him jump back, not completely out of range of the weapon but he watches it come towards him. At the last minute he grabs it and yanks as hard as he possibly can, attempting to drag Obito in closer.]

You are dead. And the dead should stay where they belong.

[Kakashi doesn't want to hear it. Doesn't want to hear what Obito has to say. He doesn't care about that odd statement in the least. That's what he tells himself anyway.]