The village was silent as you laid on the rooftop of Obito's house, gazing up at the stars. The sun had set hours ago, and you stared at the night sky as they glistened within its endless depths. Something about the stars in this world was different from your own, more alluring. It felt like a deeper connection was hidden within the subtle glow of the moonlight. It brought you comfort, as if indicating that you were on the right path.
It was the night before the first day of the academy. It had been months since you met Obito, and despite having your own apartment, you found yourself spending some nights at his house in preparation for ninja training. After practice sparring one night, you had collapsed onto your back in the training field in exhaustion, your eyes lighting up in pleasant surprise by the beautiful display of the starry sky and invited Obito to join you. Since then, it had become one of your favorite pastimes, to take in what the night had to offer – with him.
Lost in thought, you turned to look at Obito who had been chattering for a while, your concentration returning as he was in mid-sentence.
"- so I told him that I don't care if he's younger than me, I will beat him up anytime! And then Bakashi said – "
"Wait, Bakashi?" you interrupted. "D-did you seriously – just call him... Bakashi?" You couldn't help but spring into laughter at the little 'pet name' Obito labeled Kakashi and managed to muster between laughs, "That's the funniest thing I've ever heard!"
Hearing this, Obito grinned and rubbed the back of his head. "Really? I think it suits him. Rin doesn't like it when I call him that, though. She says we should all get along if we're going to be classmates together. Like I would waste my time being all chummy with someone like him."
You closed your eyes and chuckled knowingly in response. "Well let's hope you don't get stuck on the same team with him. That'd be pretty hilarious." Your lighthearted expression then fell, peeking into Obito's eyes. "Which reminds me. Class starts tomorrow, huh? Are you nervous?"
Obito shook his head roughly. "No way, not in the slightest! I'll finally be able to become a formidable shinobi and get some respect around here."
The last few words he said trailed off into a barely audible mumble, as if he were embarrassed or ashamed by something.
Not catching his discomfort, you smiled and hummed in response before your face shifted into a similar uneasiness. Being keener to catching subtle cues, Obito quickly turned his attention toward you.
"What's up? You got quiet all of a sudden."
You looked over to your friend and saw his arms crossed behind his head. "From what I know, Uchihas excel in fire-style techniques, right?"
Obito nodded proudly. The way he carried himself sent off mixed signals, as if he were trying to smother his insecurity behind overconfidence.
"Well, since I don't know where I'm from, I'm just nervous that I'll never figure out the techniques that fit me." You began unconsciously squeezing your hand into a fist. "I've decided a long time ago that I wanted to be a ninja with you, but what if this training at the academy is a waste of time for me?"
Shocked by the sudden uncertainty, Obito shot up from his spot on the roof to get into your face.
"What do you think we've been training and preparing for this whole time? I don't know about you, but I think you have what it takes! Don't lose hope, okay?" Obito flashed his signature grin. "We haven't even gotten started yet for crying out loud! Don't worry, I'll keep helping you along the way. So cheer up, ya big baby!" he said playfully and held out his fist in front of you, the full moon mirroring off his face gave him a remarkable gleam in his eyes.
Initially taken aback by Obito's reassurance, your smile then widened with restored ambition as your fist lifted to meet his in a cordial fist bump.
Obito really is something else.
That following morning, Obito excitedly barged into your room and woke you up by diving into the center of your bed, effectively knocking the wind out of you. Realizing his error too late, Obito made a mad dash out of your room to escape your wrath.
"Get back here, you doofus! I will destroy you," was what Obito heard as he exited the room, laughing the whole way through.
~~~
Days at the academy flew by at a blinding pace. You and Obito had developed a habit of walking to the academy together, as well as sitting next to each other in class. If you didn't spend the night at his place, one of you would instead wait outside the other's house so you could walk together. It all depended on who was ready first, which, as you already knew, was not Obito's strong point. This routine persisted for weeks, then months, then surprisingly a year, until it was almost graduation.
Normally the time it took to graduate was a minimum of four years, but the village was desperate to generate ninja for the front lines, so you and Obito passed through school overwhelmingly quickly. The passage to becoming a full-fledged ninja was near, and you couldn't have been more nervous. Obito stuck by his word and helped you train, as you mutually helped with his. Your mind constantly gnawed at remembering that Rin would be paired up with Obito and Kakashi because those two were strong attackers while she focused completely on support.
Perhaps if I did the same, then I could have a chance at getting on Obito's team instead of her!
Once this was decided, the next step was to figure out what techniques to specialize in. You chose to essentially copy Rin with her medical prowess, but quickly learned that the delicate art of chakra control was much, much harder than it looked. Even though you learned how to utilize basic ninja techniques in the academy, learning to center your chakra into your hands and then proceed to change its form into a healing aura proved too difficult for someone like you. It was similar to how some people are gifted at art and can always draw a perfect circle while others simply can't. It was incredibly disheartening.
Girls are supposed to excel in chakra control. That's why there are so many female medical nin! Come on (y/n), what's wrong with you? Why can't you be like her? If Rin can do it, why can't you?
Yousighed despondently, head hanging low as you watched Obito spar with someone,waiting in apprehension for your turn. It wasn't until Obito unleashed a particularly impressive Fireball Jutsu only for his opponent to conjure up Earth Style: Mud Wall to block the flames did it finally hit you.
There are more ways to protect and support a comrade other than medical attention, you realized.
At the start of the year, the sheet of paper used to test chakra nature turned into dirt and crumbled under your grasp. Your eyes widened, realizing that you had an affinity for Earth Style. As your academy days came to an end, you decided to base your abilities around defense and protection rather than offense or medicine. With your hope restored, it was your turn to train.
~~~
The exam was over. Even though you struggled with all eyes on you, you managed to produce a passable clone and happily joined the others for the team selection.
This is it, you chanted to yourself, over and over. This past year of training and practically growing up with Obito, it all came down to this. You made sure to base your moves with a heavy emphasis on support.
Hopefully it will be enough to change the team outcomes –
"Now for Team Minato –"
The future Fourth Hokage's name perked you up. This is it! Come on, Obito, (y/n), and whoever the third person must be. It can be anyone. Give us Ebisu for all I care! Just say our names together –
"Team Minato will consist of Obito Uchiha, Kakashi Hatake, and –
- Rin Nohara."
Time seemed to stand still for you. All of that training. The specializing. All those nights you were kept awake trying to dig all of the dirt from under your fingernails. Heck, you were willing to go through puberty again for this boy! Was it all wasted? Thankfully, Obito didn't show up to the team assigning. You knew for a fact that he was helping an old lady somewhere; so you couldn't see his reaction to being paired with his crush. Still, deep down you knew exactly how he would look. It was disheartening, to say the very least.
The team you ended up being on was nothing special. They were both ninjas who you didn't recognize from the show – not even background characters, so you didn't focus on them. This probably caused you to be perceived as cold and uncaring, which of course was not your intent, but you decided to stay in this world for a purpose.
The first step of your goal failed. Despite your efforts, you and Obito were on separate teams and therefore would be spending significantly less time together. You didn't want to admit it, but part of you was hoping to get on his team, not only to support him and change his future, but also so you could drive a wedge between him and Rin. You would never admit that out loud, though.
Obito would be so apprehensive of your jealousy, (y/n).
Since plan A failed, it was time to move onto plan B, which admittedly was the more important one anyway. The next goal was to continue with your shinobi duties and carry on as normal up until Kakashi was promoted to Jonin. The first mission he was assigned to as leader was the same mission where it happened. You didn't know how, but your new goal was to either prevent that mission from happening, or force yourself to go with them.