Disclaimer: ... D: I don't, sadly, own Naruto.

Warning: Fighting and... a... T-Rated moment.

Beta: featherstofly

Second Beta: Lavendor Queen

Editor: Sansho

(ﾉ◕ヮ◕)ﾉ*:･ﾟ✧

"I'll be heading back to Konoha tomorrow," I said thoughtfully. Obito was spread out on the couch in his room, head resting in my lap at my request so I could mess with his hair. Not that I could really do much with it, but it was insanely soft. Softer than mine—softer than Sakura's, and that was saying something. I wondered idly if all Uchiha had hair this soft. I'd have to try and play with Itachi's and Sasuke's hair to test out my theory.

"Indeed you will be," Obito replied.

I bit my bottom lip, feeling my stomach drop and heart quicken as I recalled my last conversation with Anko.

"Obito?"

"Mm?"

"I, um... I..." Don't do this to yourself, Mia. Don't do it. Don't do it. "Why don't you talk about her a lot?"

Obito stiffened considerably, his eyes and face guarded. "Why do you ask?"

I felt uncomfortable, I wanted to change the subject, but part of what Anko had said so long ago made me desperately want an answer.

"So, what? He's obsessed over his dead ex-girlfriend?"

"Kind of. It's more like unrequited dead love."

"Fuck, this guy sounds like a loser. Give up on him, Mia."

"Anko-chan!"

"You're seriously considering this? Well, does he talk about her a lot?"

"Well, no."

"Does he have any mementoes of her?"

"No, but he does have a good reason for that."

"Whatever. You're sure you're his best friend?"

"Yes!"

"And he doesn't talk about her with you?"

"No?"

"Maybe he didn't really love her."

"Oh, trust me, he did. He's doing some crazy shit especially for her. Well not especially for her, but pretty much."

"No, I mean, maybe he did, but he got over it."

"I highly doubt that."

"Maybe he did. Maybe he did and he doesn't want to. Maybe he thinks that if he was over her, he'd be, like, betraying her or something. Maybe he doesn't talk about her because he doesn't know what to say anymore. Like, I don't know, he's conflicted. Part of him wants to move on, but part of him wants to cling to her."

"Holy shit, what would I do if that was true?"

"Give him a reason to move on. But first, you gotta confirm."

I shrugged in response, unable to meet his growing colder gaze. "I just... I can listen, you know? I don't... I mean sometimes... Sometimes it's better to talk about someone, and you don't have anyone else to listen to you. I guess Zetsu would, but..."

"Why would I discuss her with you?"

I inwardly flinched at the harsh tone he bore. "Because you did before."

"I thought you were my subconscious," Obito pointed out, managing to lock eyes with me.

I closed my eyes, turning my head away and trying very hard to ignore the stinging sensation I felt.

What made her so special? Massacring his family? Sure, no problem. He could talk with me about that. Building up the Akatsuki? Mhm, I got his back, easy-peezy. Make him laugh? Damn straight I could do that. Calm down his nightmares? Hell yeah I have and would continue to do so. All of his dirty little secrets? They're under lock and key, with the key thrown to the moon.

But what did she ever do? Seriously? What the hell did she do? She didn't even return his affections, didn't even acknowledge him the way she did with Kakashi. She barely cried when he 'died', and while I was sure she was nice and all, you couldn't seriously love someone over something like that. So what did she do to grab his attention? And why—why is he still so obsessed over her?

She's dead and she didn't even love him. Not the way...

Did she wipe away his tears? Did she make him laugh? Did she comfort him? Did she share inside jokes? Did she...?! Did she...?! Did she fall in love with him?

No. No. No.

I did. I so did.

And what do I get?

I tasted something bitter in my mouth as I fought to reign in my jealousy. I was stiffening and with an almost robotic motion, I guided Obito's head off my lap and stood up, my back facing him. I opened my eyes and let out a deep breath. "I'm going."

"Mia."

"I need to find Itachi."

"Mia."

"I promised him I would show him a few more Harry Potter comics before I left."

"Mia."

I whirled around, unable to keep the frustration and bite out of my voice, "Obito."

"Mia," Obito repeated, face blank and tone brooking no argument. "You're angry, and leaving won't solve anything."

"Do you know why I'm angry?" I snapped. "No. No, you don't. And guess what? I'm not fucking telling you. Because guess what? I'm not even a fucking real person—I'm not even a fucking girl to you, am I? Why? Why the hell—Just—What does it take to get you to just—?"

look at me?

I shot him a venomous look and stormed out of the room, slamming the door shut for good measure.

Fuckhimfuckhimfuckhimohdamnitfuckhimsobadfuckhimfuckhimfuckhimfuckhimfuckhim...

My thoughts were a whirlwind of nasty things as I envisioned myself slaughtering every male in the world along with a few annoying females. I wasn't in the mood for company, so instead of heading off to find Itachi like I said I would, I marched right out of Akatsuki tower in Amegakure, picked a random street, and started walking around the city.

Damn it, being friend-zoned sucked so hard.

Sure as hell didn't help that Obito was a dense dense dense idiot.

I took another turn down the street, letting my feet carry me wherever they wanted to go. After having visited Amegakure so many times, I knew these streets just as well as I did Konoha—if not better as Amegakure was significantly smaller than the busy shinobi village. A few of the civilians paused and greeted me with warm smiles—Konan was still their angel and Pein their god, but I had become their 'priestess', as I was the only 'normal' one to walk often among such 'divine' people and it was usually I who carried out the messages and such.

I chewed on my tongue, feeling a shiver run down my spine. The rain was particularly cold that day, but I hadn't minded when I first came out here.

I breathed out slowly, feeling the rising goose bumps on my arms.

I glanced around the familiar street before continuing towards a favored bakery of mine. I entered the shop, receiving the usual greetings and bows of respect before taking my usual seat in the far back by the window.

Sitting down at the table, it wasn't long before the kind elderly lady who ran the bakery gave me my usual blanket (it was mine originally, but I left it at the bakery in case I ever forgot my coat, which happened quite often) along with my usual order.

Quite alone now and given time to contemplate, I felt mildly childish and silly for my actions. When I had first thought of Rin in the beginning, I hadn't minded her so much. But as time passed on, along with my growing affections for Obito, I couldn't help but think darker thoughts about her every time. It was so silly of me to do. She hadn't ever done anything to me personally and it was actually Obito who was at fault for all of this. It wasn't her fault that she couldn't bring herself to love him.

I heard the door open and close at the front, but I didn't pay attention to it. It wasn't until someone sat in front of me, that I did.

"Itachi?" I blinked.

"Mia," Itachi demurred, "I thought I saw you in here. Shouldn't you be at the tower?"

"I got in a fight with Tobi," I muttered, poking at my food.

Itachi didn't respond right away. "About?"

I snorted. "Nothing, apparently."

"Will you apologize or do you intend to wait for him to do so?"

"I probably should," I muttered disdainfully. "Really don't want to, though. He started it."

"Of course he did."

"Don't patronize me, I'm older than you," I retorted, dropping my head down onto the table. "My love life sucks."

"You have a love life?"

"Why do you actually sound surprise at that?"

"I am," Itachi admitted honestly, ignoring my groan of despair he continued, "I thought Tobi and you were..."

"I'm friend-zoned," I muttered.

"Do you not want to be friend-zoned?"

I lifted my head up long enough to glare at him. "It doesn't matter what I want because I'm just a personification of a fucking subconscious."

"What?"

"Never mind," I sighed, slamming my head against the table and inwardly wincing as I did so.

"I don't think it would be that difficult for you to expand your love life," Itachi spoke the words 'love life' as if it physically pained him to do so.

Damn Uchihas and their aversion to having a love life unless it's unrequited or tragic.

Snorting, I lifted my hand long enough to flip him off. "Bullshit."

Itachi gave a small sigh, patting the top of my head in a patronizing way. If I had the energy, I would have definitely glared at him, and probably said something witty and nasty about it, too. "Well, you can't stay here forever. You'll have to come back to the tower sometime."

"Bet I could find a civilian willing to house me for the night," I muttered defiantly.

"But you won't because you've seen far too many horror movies to do so," Itachi replied pleasantly.

"You're an ass."

"And yet you still refer to me as your friend."

"Real friends are assholes to each other. It's how they show their affection."

"Right."

"My sarcasm was greater than yours."

"Of course."

"Go to hell."

"Mia-chan?"

At Obito's bright and most certainly fake-cheerful voce, I gave a low groan of annoyance. Itachi patted me again before abruptly leaving, giving Obito the only other seat at the table. I lifted my head long enough to glare at him and mouth traitor as he left and Obito took the seat across from me.

I glared at Obito a moment or two before setting my head back on the table. "Go away. I'm not done sulking."

Obito giggled. "My, my, Mia-chan hasn't touched her food at all. And this is Mia-chan's favorite food. Oh, that must mean that Mia-chan is really upset? Tobi doesn't want that! Tobi's sorry!"

I lifted my head up, sneering. "Oh I'm sure Tobi is, but I don't want to hear from Tobi because I'm not in the mood for Tobi."

Obito gave a pitiful (fake) gasp, clutching at his chest in a comical fashion. "Oh, no! How terrible. Well then Tobi will have to make it up to Mia-chan, then!"

"Let's see you do that," I mocked. "And damn it, I mean it, Tobi. Go away. I'll be fine. Just let me sulk on my own."

"No!" Obito said loudly. "Tobi won't ever leave his precious person alone while she's in pain."

"I'm not in pain," I grouched. "I'm perfectly fine. Now let me sulk."

Obito shook his head, standing up in a fluid motion before abruptly picking me up bridal-style. I shot him a murderous look, grabbing my glass of milk and dumping it over his head.

Obito stared at me, and through the hole in his mask I could see he was annoyed.

I felt vindictively pleased by that.

It didn't last long as Obito giggled and started to carry me out of the bakery, into the freezing rain, and ran up vertically on the nearest building.

I crossed my arms moodily and glared at him the entire time.

When he finally reached the top, he started hopping from roof to roof until he reached the Akatsuki tower, then he climbed up it, entered his bedroom through the window, dumped me on his bed and went to the bathroom muttering something that sounded like, "Milk? Really, woman? Really?"

I felt even more pleased by that.

"Don't come out. I'm stealing one of your shirts. And pants, because it's your fault I'm soaking wet," I said.

"Like I would want to see any of that," Obito snapped irritably.

"Asshole!"

"PMS-ing bitch!"

Once I was dressed, I draped my wet clothes over the window ledge—as I didn't have anywhere else to put them for the moment, before I climbed into his bed, grabbed his biggest pillow and body hugged it.

When Obito came out, he was dressed and rubbing a towel against his wet hair. He shot me a glare. "Are you on your period or something?"

"No!"

"Then care to explain the sudden change in mood?"

"Care to explain if I'm still a subconscious personification?"

Obito sighed, closing his eyes. "That's not the issue and you and I both know it. We've already discussed that particular topic many times and not once had it bothered you. Is this about...?"

Suddenly very nervous that he was getting dangerously close to the truth—and my redirection was not working—I snorted loudly at him.

Obito opened his eyes, rubbing a hand across his face in exasperation. "Do you honestly want me to get into this?"

I stubbornly looked away.

"Why do I feel like there is no right answer for this?" Obito asked slowly, carefully. "That if I do talk about her, it will somehow hurt you, but if I don't, it'll still hurt you—that you'll think I don't trust you or something equally ridiculous."

"I don't know, why do you?"

"You tell me," Obito stated, sitting down on the bed, peering down at me. He leaned over me, pressing his hands on both sides of the bed at my head. "Am I wrong in saying there is no right answer?"

Suddenly feeling very small—and very lightheaded—I squirmed under his gaze. "You're... not... wrong."

"And why would it bother you if I talked about her?"

I squirmed, feeling torn. What did I say? I couldn't—he was looking at me—I couldn't lie—I couldn't—not at that moment, not to him—but I couldn't... it was just...

"Tobi? Pein is looking for you."

I gave a startled squeak, throwing Obito away from me and practically jumping off the bed. It was more like a spaz out—half jumping, part jerking, part lurching—so it failed epically and I landed on my chin with my ass still on the bed.

Obito snorted, pulling me back up onto the bed and placing a gentle hand over my chin. "Very well, Zetsu. I will be there shortly."

He brushed his fingers over my—probably bruised—chin before standing up. "We will finish this discussion later."

Oh no, we won't. Not if I have anything to say about it. Wonder in silence, darling. I have no intentions of telling you a thing.

(ﾉ◕ヮ◕)ﾉ*:･ﾟ✧

I was only in Konoha for exactly one hour before Zetsu informed me of their nearness and I raced towards the correct gate, my stomach doing flutters all the while.

I had managed to successfully evade that discussion my remaining time in Amegakure, and now that I was back in Konoha it would be significantly easier to do so.

But more importantly,

My babies!

I was anxiously bouncing from one foot to the next as I waited for them to show up. It didn't take long—thank goodness—and the moment I saw them, I squealed, running out towards them. Naruto was the first to see me and he hollered happily, running towards me. I opened my arms and I swear all we needed to complete this scene would have been a soundtrack, a field of flowers and to do it in slow motion.

Naruto tackled into me, and I wrapped my arms around him tightly. "Oh, I missed you."

"I missed you too, Kaa-chan," Naruto mumbled, burying his face into my chest. I squeezed him tightly, kissing the top of his head and swallowing roughly. My eyes were oddly stinging and honestly I couldn't stop sniffling.

Damn allergies.

The rest of the group arrived shortly behind Naruto, Kakashi chuckling at the scene. I grabbed Sakura—as she was nearest—and pulled her into the hug. She readily returned it, burying herself into my side. I then looked up at Sasuke.

Sasuke looked at me.

I opened my other arm.

Sasuke shook his head.

I glared at him.

Sasuke frowned.

I gestured with my arm.

Sasuke looked pained.

I grabbed him by the collar anyway and pulled him into the hug, kissing the top of his head. He gave a grunt of annoyance, but I noticed he didn't try to fight it anymore.

I gave them all one last squeeze before stepping back, smiling. "Ah, I feel better. I take it everything went okay?"

"It was awesome!" Naruto chattered. "We got to fight an S-Rank criminal, oh, oh, and Sasuke almost died—"

I whipped my head around towards Kakashi, raising an eyebrow.

Kakashi shrugged. "He got better."

I cocked my hip, placing a hand over it. "Mm-hmm. Get over here."

"No, thank you."

"Kakashi."

"Mia."

Sakura giggled, running around Kakashi and pushing him towards me. I grabbed him by the color of his Jōnin jacket and-

I shifted nervously. "Um, I can try."

"Don't try. Do."

-pulled him into a hug. I patted his back before I let go. "There you go."

"What?" Kakashi blinked.

Sakura gave a gleeful shout while Naruto and Sasuke looked scarily thoughtful.

"Tsume-chan said you didn't have anyone waiting for you to return home. So I did that for you," I told him plainly. "Everyone needs someone to return home to."

Kakashi blinked again.

"And my babies are okay and they are happy, so I can forgive you this once for fucking up as their sensei and not taking care of them," I continued on, "but so help me if it happens again-"

Kakashi held up his hands. "Warning received and acknowledged."

I smiled. "Good. Now who wants dinner?"

"I do!" Naruto chirped at the same time as Sakura. Sasuke shrugged, but started heading off towards the apartment anyway.

I turned to give Kakashi a pointed look. "Well? Are you coming home with us?"

At that moment, Kakashi didn't look like a grown man. At that moment, for reasons unfound, I couldn't help but see an awkward teenager looking on at something he wanted, but dared not ask for.

I grabbed his hand anyway, and guided him back with us.

He didn't bother trying to escape.

(ﾉ◕ヮ◕)ﾉ*:･ﾟ✧

I also have more adorable fanart(s), link(s) is(are?) on profile or you can check out my favorites on dA or Kaito-Dreammaster's gallery on dA.

Answer: Hotarubi no mori e. Seriously. That movie made me too scared to watch any more animes for a month for fear of my feelings being trampled on like that movie did to me. I love it so much. But. Seriously. Painful. Painful to watch. Titanic has nothing on that movie (at least in my opinion).

Question: Favorite superhero?

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