Character Facts: According to the Zodiac, Ahsoka is a Libra with her birthday falling on October 1st. This is also the same sign as Naruto since their birthdays are only nine days apart. I purposely picked this birthday and sign for Ahsoka since Libras are meant to be kind, intelligent, and always put others before themselves. They are very effective mediators, being masters at compromising and diplomacy and trying their best to see all points of view. Libra is ruled by Venus which is the planet of beauty, this makes sense since Ahsoka is canonically very pretty.

I don't even believe in all the horoscope mambo-jumbo but I thought it would be cool if it correlated with the characters.

Birds chirped over the silent forest as Kakashi landed on a branch with a soft thud. His hand instantly flew to his shoulder as wave of pain rippled through his still healing wound, making his whole body tremble and cringe in pain.

His eyes suddenly took on uncharacteristic softness as the pain subsided, focusing on nothing. His mind wandering off  to the fools that were too blind to see the importance of the mission...the two fools he had left behind....

"It's healing well..." Rin's gentle voice and soft eyes met his as she spoke kindly, "But don't over-exert yourself or you'll open up the wound."

Kakashi looked to the side, the guilt and shame he refused to let consume him earlier now shone clear as day in his dark eyes.

"When we were wounded, Rin saved our lives with her medical ninjutsu! If she hadn't been there, the three of us would be dead by now!" Another memory, Obito's passionate speech and furious eyes, "Right now, saving Rin takes priority over the mission!" 

"Kakashi, rules and regulations are indeed important,"  Minato's stern voice echoed, "But that isn't everything. Didn't I teach you...There are times when the situation requires impromptu responses against the enemy."

"I'm sorry Kakashi," Ahsoka opened her eyes once more, meeting Kakashi's as she spoke with a voice laced in pain, "But I can't leave Rin behind."

The newly formed jonin continued to stare down, his thoughts turning to the man that turned his back on him. The man who left him alone.

But Obito's words as he turned over his shoulder to look at Kakashi rang in his head. Words he never thought he'd hear anyone say.

"I believe that the White Fang was a true hero...Sure, in the world of ninja, those who break the rules and regulations are regarded as scum...But," His dark eyes focused on him, "...those who abandon their comrades are even worse than scum!"

Kakashi flinched. Conflicted and alone, that's what he felt as he turned his head away... He was alone. The dead silence of the forest and chirping of the birds consuming him.

The birds' squawking echoed in the forest behind Ahsoka and Obito. Their eyes focused on the small entrance of a cave.

"We've found them." Obito whispered, his worried eyes never leaving the opening.

"Hai." Ahsoka said, eyes focused.

Suddenly, Obito started trembling. If it was from fury or nerves, he couldn't tell. All he knew was he had to get it under control, 'Focus Obito! Come on Focus!...But what if something went wrong?' His body only trembled harder, 'What if they couldn't save Rin? What if she'd been killed her already? What if they get killed? What if-?!'

"Calm down...Obito."

Obito let out a startled gasp as he snapped his head to his right. His wide eyes took in Ahsoka's gentle smile, her soft voice wrapping him in a sense of stability as it lower him back to Earth.

"...We can do this. We'll save her."

Obito gaped at her. His body relaxing the slightest bit as he focused on her warm eyes, "Y-Yeah. You're right." He broke eye contact, turning back to the cave, "Focus! Focus!" He slapped the sides of his googles. The sound echoing through the clearing and into the cave.

The puffy hair man looked over his shoulder, his eyes glancing at the entrance as clanking from outside echoed inside the cave. The two partners looked at each other without saying a word.

The cave looked cold and damp, obviously man made by the huge upright wooden planks holding the large rocks up: courtesy of their earth affinity. But it's most striking feature was the girl tied to a post at the end of the cave where one of the man stood in front of her.

"I'll take care of it," The large one with the bandana said. His voice echoing slightly in the cave, "In the meantime, use your genjutsu and get the information from her."

He brought his right hand up in a ram seal "Camouflage Justsu..." And disappeared, leaving no visible trace of him behind. His partner watched over his shoulder as he disappeared before turning back to their catch, her short brown hair cascading in front of her unconscious face.

Ahsoka continued watching the entrance. Only a calm expression was visible as she tried to figure out a plan. Obito crouched next to her, kunai at the ready. That was when she felt it. Her eyes widened as small tug in her senses alerted her of an invisible presence.

"OBITO!" Ahsoka's hand shot out and yanked the boy away from the oncoming kunai, missing him by inches.

The man appeared, his large stature towering over the spot they had just been in a moment ago. The two flipped back onto a branch, eyes immediately locking in on their attacker.

The large man turned to them, small dark eyes holding fake amusement, "You brats...are really pesky..." Ahsoka and Obito did not move, "I hate sensor types..." His eyes zeroed in on Ahsoka, she only unsheathed Kusanagi in response. He lifted his hand in a ram sign and disappeared once more.

Obito gritted his teeth, "Damn it!" Ahsoka cursed under her breath. Her eyes shifting from side to side before she closed them, making a ram seal with her right hand, switching her chakra to sensory mode.

'This guy is slippery...but'll find him.' A tug, she could picture it now...he was hiding behind a branch just to her left. Her eyes snapped open, immediately getting into a battle stance facing left.

"There!" She barely had any time to sense the threat before she put her right forearm up, blocking the blow aimed for her head. Ahsoka cried out, the force knocking her off the branch.

"AHSOKA!" Obito yelled. The girl held Kusanagi tight, and drove it right into a fast approaching branch. She grunted as her body hit the side of the branch, coming to a stop in one jerky movement, hanging off the side.

It had been a shadow clone hiding in the bushes...

Obito leaned off the side of his branch, "Are you okay?!" He called down.

Ahsoka looked up, her hands still gripping Kusanagi's white and gold hilt as she dangled, "Y-Yeah, I'm okay!"

Obito let out a sigh of relief, holding up his kunai as he composed himself. The man was still around after all, "Alright, here we go."

"Go where?" A voice said behind the boy. Obito stopped breathing. The man materialized behind him.

Ahsoka gasped, eyes growing wide, her heart skipping a beat as she watched the kunai get closer and closer to Obito's back, raising desperate eyes to watch what was about to happen, too far away to do anything, "OBI-!" She stopped, her senses alerting her a familiar presence.

Blood splattered through the air as a kunai sliced through skin as Kakashi's cold gaze lifted up to his shocked victim's eyes. Obito could only stare as the silver haired boy landed in a crouch in front of him. The man retreated to another branch, a large lash across his chest.

"K-Kakashi...How come you're—?!" Obito stuttered.

"Well I can't leave this up to a cry baby ninja like you, can I?" The silver haired boy called over his shoulder.

Obito could only gape, "Kakashi..."

A thud and the sudden appearance of bright auburn hair next to Kakashi alerted the boys of a new presence, "Nice for you to finally join us...hedgehog." Ahsoka said, getting into a battle stance.

Sweat ran down the Iwas shinobi's brow as he took in the silver-haired boy, "That silver-white hair and White Chakra Blade...! Don't tell me you're...the White Fang of the Leaf?!"

Kakashi held his glistening tanto up, eyes narrowed, "This is my father's keepsake."

The man's face instantly changed as relief swept over him, "I see...You're the White Fang's kid..." He brought his hand up in a ram seal again with a lingering smirk, "Then there is no need to be afraid of you." And he disappeared once more.

The three tensed. Kakashi sniffed the air, 'I thought so. The scent has been completely erased. We'll have to locate him through Ahsoka or by the slightest movement and noise he makes.'

Ahsoka already had her eyes closed, hand in a ram seal as she focused. She felt him...felt him right behind Obito. She snapped her head to the side and yelled, "Obito, behind you!"

Kakashi whirled around, stepping in just as an invisible lash cut upwards, leaving a trail of blood as it slashed right through the left side of Kakashi's face.

"My eye...!" Kakashi cried out in pain. His back hit the branch, left hand covering the side of his bloodied face as he shook uncontrollably.

"Kakashi!" Ahsoka yelled as tears suddenly threatened to spill from Obito's eyes. Both of them immediately rushed to his side.

They slowly seated him up, his whole body shaking in pain as he spoke, "Our enemy...He's good. He threw away the kunai knife stained with my blood." Ahsoka kept her hand on Kakashi's back as Obito gritted his teeth, tears now on the brim behind his orange goggles.

"Don't tell me you got dust in your eye, again?" The silver haired boy said as he removed his hand from his face revealing a deep cut running down his brow and eye, "A ninja shouldn't cry. I'm not dead yet." Ahsoka let out a breath that almost sounded like a relieved chuckle. Obito stood up, removing his goggles as he wiped his eyes on his sleeve, "Stay focused."

Obito sniffled as the words Minato said were suddenly coming back to him, "There is no way dust can get into your eyes when you have goggles on. If you're going to advocate self control, don't just mouth the words."

The Uchiha's watery eyes stared down at the branch, deep in thought, 'I'm just talk... Always saved by others...' He scrunched his eyes shut, 'Just a big-mouthed loser...' He opened his eyes, seeing Ahsoka scolding Kakashi for downplaying his pain as she inspected his wound, 'But...'

His very own words flooded his mind like a crashing wave, "Those who abandon their comrades...are even worse than scum!"

The boy stood to his full height, 'I don't want those words to be just empty talk!'  A fast approaching threat zeroed in on the team. Invisible, hidden, taking his shot as their sensor was occupied. Obito's back turned to him. Death waiting in his hand.

"DIE!" A wet crunch rang and the battle cry was cut short with Obito's outstretched kunai firmly in his hands, staring ahead in fury at an invisible opponent. His once onyx eyes were now a blood red.

"W-Why...?" The familiar voice of the man groaned in effort as he materialized, Obito's kunai embedded in his stomach, "There is no way you can see..."

"Obito...You...!" Kakashi started in disbelief next to a gaping Ahsoka.

Obito's blazing red stare didn't waver as the man looked down at them in utter shock, "W-What is...that eye?" He didn't get to finish as his eyes rolled back in his head, his body tipping to the side.

"This time...I'll protect my comrades!" Obito stated, his voice holding more resolve than ever before. The body crumpled to the floor, leaving the three in stunned stillness.

It was Ahsoka that broke their silence, "Obito...Your eyes..."

The Uchiha looked down wide-eyed at his palms with his new eyes, "Yeah...I guess this is the Sharingan. I can see the movement and flow of chakra. "

Kakashi stared at the boy in a look of almost amazement before a wave of pain hit him again. He hunched over, body trembling as his hand flew to his damaged eye. Ahsoka immediately reached for him as Obito leaned down.

"Are you alright Kakashi?" The Uchiha asked in worry.

Kakashi dug a hand through his pouch, "Yeah... looks like I lost my left eye though," He finally pulled out a small kit. "But I have the kit Rin gave me. I can use it for emergency first aid. We're going to go save Rin immediately!"

"Okay!" Obito and Ahsoka gave firm nods, face serious, but the burning desire fueled by rage and determination sat behind their fixed eyes. They were going to get Rin back... no matter the cost.

The sound of leaves rustling ominously outside the entrance to the dark cave could be heard as the puffy haired shinobi lifted Rin's head, her dull eyes staring aimlessly."You're surprisingly stubborn." The man stated. A smirk playing on his lips just as a wisp of wind flew into the cave, and a second later... three pairs of feet hit the ground.

The man looked over his shoulder to find three kids straightening up. One raven-haired boy in the middle flanked by a bright-eyed girl and a bandaged-faced boy. Their faces were shadowed by the light at their back, but the anger in their eyes was as clear as day as they stared down the man.

"Hmm...They're all so pathetic." The man said as he stood up, referring to his now dead and useless teammates.

Obito wasted no time. He activated his Sharingan, red eyes blazing as they fell on Rin. Her out of wack chakra pathways came into view.

"The flow of Rin's chakra is disturbed...It's different from your chakras or mine." Obito said, never taking his eyes off Rin.

"Hai, I can sense it..." Ahsoka responded, "It feels... nothing like her normal chakra." This disturbed and perverted chakra was nothing like Rin's usual feel. The feel of a calm breeze on a sunny summer's day.

"She's probably under a gentjutsu..." Kakashi said, "They didn't waste any time trying to get the information out of her." Well.... he had been right about that.

The man chuckled. Observing the young teens from a distance, "It seems they are no mere kids..."

The three immediately took battle stances. Tanto, kunai, and katana glistening in the dim light as they unsheathed their weapons, "We fought him earlier," Kakashi began, "He's fast...Stay alert!"

"Right!" The other two chorused back.

The man immediately lunged...and so did Team Minato. The man's sleek dual blades appeared from beneath his sleeves- an almost psychotic gleam shone in eyes. He swung in a wide arcs, his blades breezing past Obito as the Uchiha ducked and rolled. The blades crashed into Kakashi's and Ahsoka's as the man spun in the air.

And that was all there was, spinning, clashing, movements too fast too see without the trained eyes of a shinobi or the amazing abilities of the Sharingan. Sparks flew as the cold metal of the blades met in the flurry of movement.

Eventually the man brought his blades close before crossing his them and lunging for Obito, swinging the thin blades in wide arcs as he uncrossed them. Obito ducked, bending over backwards as he narrowly missed being decapitated.

Kakashi sped towards them. And as if in slow motion, the man looked up, spotting him. Obito red eyes widened at  the man above him who began moving his blades, ready to intercept Kakashi. Surprise twisted the man's face as the Uchiha placed his feet on the shinobi's arm, pushing them backwards.

Kakashi jumped, bringing his tanto down on the man's left shoulder, slicing through jacket and skin. As sleek as a shadow Ahsoka appeared from behind the man, kicking him down with a forceful kick before twisting out of the way.

The unconscious body slammed to the ground, but the team didn't look back to check on it. They were already dashing to the back of the cave where Rin's tied up body was.

Kakashi knelt down as they reached her, bringing his hands up in a seal, "Release!"

Rin snapped her head up, eyes wide open as a gasp escaped her lips, "Kakashi... Ahsoka...Obito...!" She said, her unfocused gaze taking in the three in front of her.

"We've come to save you, Rin!" Obito panted out.

"You'll be alright now." Ahsoka said. Their dirty faces and sweat covered brows were indication of the previous fights.

"All right, now let's get out of here!" Kakashi immediately untied Rin, offering a hand to help her up when he finished.

"I see..." A voice drawled from behind the group, "You three make a good team, but you are still kids." The man stood up, facing the team with a snarl, "Right now you're in enemy hands..." Four pairs of eyes stared at him in silent rage.

The man brought his hands together, "Doton, Rock Breaker!" He slammed his palm on the cave floor. The cave ceiling began shaking, crumbling as pieces of debris began falling on the team.

"This is bad!!" Obito shouted as more rocks began falling

Kakashi's wide eyes scanned the cave as smoke from the debris began clouding their view, "Run for the exit!" He shouted. The others didn't hesitate.

Rin stumbled as her three teammates dashed for the exit, her mind and limbs still feeling the effects of the genjutsu. Ahsoka snapped her head back, skidding to a stop and grabbing Rin's arm, "Come on!" The brunette let out a startled sound as she was tugged forward none too gently, rocks and debris falling where she had just stood a second ago.

"Hurry!" Kakashi called back over his shoulder. The two girls quickly caught up the boys who had slowed down. Ahsoka's tight grip didn't loosen one bit even as they passed the boys, speeding ahead towards the exit.

The cave rumbled as it collapsed right at their heels. The dim light around them became dimmer and dimmer as the smoke from the giant pieces of debris gained on them. The small light coming from the  exit could be seen just ahead. Close, they were so close.

Kakashi suddenly cried out in pain as a falling rock hit his head, sending him to the floor.

"Kakashi!" Rin yelled as the three skidded to a stop. Obito wasted no going back, grabbing Kakashi and hurling him away from the falling rocks with a mighty yell.

The Uchiha looked up at the crumbling ceiling, his newly awakened red eyes widening as he could only watch the boulder get closer and closer. Its huge shadow falling over his terrified face.

The earth shattering impact sent the smoke blasting in all directions. Ahsoka and Rin let out a scream, holding on tight to each other, covering their faces as the wind whipped at their hair.  

Clouds of gray smoke poured out the entrance of the collapsed cave. The man stood up slowly, staring at his work with a slight smirk, "Too bad, I lost a good source of information..." He shrugged, "Ah well, it can't be helped."

The sounds of the remaining pebbles rolling off the wreckage was the only thing that could be heard in the deafening after silence as the smoke cleared. Kakashi groaned in effort as he lifted himself up with his forearms from where lay on the ground. Two more bodies laid at his side, only just beginning to stir.

"Are you alright? Rin...Ahsoka...Kakashi...?" A voice drawled.

Kakashi's eyes widened in  horror, catching sight of his friend. The right side of his body completely crushed under the huge boulder.

"Obito!" Kakashi yelled out, getting up and running to the boulder. Rin's shell shocked eyes watched in utmost disbelief. Ahsoka looked on in horror. There was no way this was real... It couldn't be.

Kakashi planted his palms on the boulder, pushing with all his might, but it wouldn't budge.

"N-No...N-" Ahsoka stammered, her limbs beginning to shake as did the rest of her, "-This can't be happening..." Her voice was barely above a whisper, "No...NO!" She scrambled up, tripping over herself as she reached the boulder.

She threw herself against it, putting all her weight into her shoulder. Both of the teens pushed and pushed. Their bodies buckling in the effort as they grunted, putting their all into moving that boulder. It didn't budge.

"Don't...It's okay, Ahsoka...Kakashi...," Obito's voice drawled once again, blood pouring out of the corner of his mouth, "I don't think... I can make it..." But they continued pushing, "My right side is totally crushed. I can't even feel anything..." Obito continued, watching as his two friends struggled.

Kakashi let his head drop between his arms as he panted heavily, "Damn it!" The words ripped through him as he clenched his fists against the cold surface, "Damn it!"

Ahsoka let her body lean on the boulder, tears threatening to spill from her scrunched eyes as she placed her palm flat on the cold hard surface of the boulder, "No..." The weak whimper escaped her lips.

"This can't be..." Rin's voice shook behind them, tears already flowing down her purple marked cheeks, "Why...?" She brought her hand up to cover her mouth and the sobs that threatened to spill. The raven haired boy suddenly coughed blood, "Obito!" Rin screamed before her hand flew to cover her mouth once again. There was nothing to be done.

Kakashi let himself fall on his hands and knees. His body shaking with every breath he took, "Damn it!" His fist slammed into the cave floor, "Damn it!" Ahsoka slid to the ground, her body shaking, not even trying to stop the pain and tears pouring out as she looked down at Obito's face.

"Come on you guys..." Obito said, smiling up at Ahsoka through bloodied teeth, "You're smart. You know you have to get out of here soon...Don't waste your time." His Sharingan was still activated, looking up at the tears that rolled down Ahsoka's face from where she sat helplessly on the floor, light sobs rippling through her- through all of them.

Such a rare sight, seeing them cry, "If you are so set on mourning me... just do it later," He continued, almost in dark amusement "...I'll be fine." But the empty look in his red eye and the huge boulder told them otherwise.

"No..." Ahsoka whimpered out. This couldn't be happening, not again, not so soon after- No. Just. No.

Ahsoka's hand trembled as she cupped Obito's left hand in hers, "Y-You are supposed to be-come Ho-hokage, remember?" Her voice a mix of shuddering sobs and an optimistic laugh, "...Lord Obito Uchiha." What could have been an attempt at a smile wavered on her lips.

The raven haired boy closed his eye for a moment, the warmth of Ahsoka's hands being the only thing he felt, "Lord Obito Uchiha..." He savored the words, "The world just wasn't ready for that..."

Another loud cry ripped out of Rin at the words. The sound breaking something in everyone. More tears poured down of Ahsoka's cheeks as she let out another sob through gritted teeth. Holding Obito's hand closer.

Kakashi continued trembling on the floor. His head bowed between his arms, "If...If only I had listened to you and come to rescue Rin in the first place...This never would've happened!" The silver haired boy's voice shook helplessly as sobs coursed through his body. He had not been in this state, not for a while, not since his father died...and even then, it was different.

His clenched fist shaking on the ground as he shouted, "So what if I'm captain?! So what if I made jonin?!" Rin crawled over, taking her spot next to Ahsoka as a serene look appeared on Obito's face.

"Oh yeah...I had forgotten..." The girls tensed in confusion, watching Obito's hand twitch in Ahsoka's own, "I was the only one who...didn't get you a gift...for becoming a jonin, Kakashi." His voice was starting to cut off as words became harder to say with each passing second.

Kakashi looked up in surprise. The left side of his face still bandaged, "I was wondering what to give you...and I just had a thought." They straightened up and Obito let out a weak laugh, "Don't worry...it's not some useless extra baggage..."

Kakashi's body continued shaking, watching as Obito opened his red eye once again. His two black totems contrasting against the bright color.

"I'm giving you...my Sharingan."

The three let out startled sounds...the Sharingan, "Whatever the village may say..." Obito said, speaking directly to his silver haired rival. The slightest ghost of a smile lingering in his bloodied lips,  "...you are a great jonin. That's how I really feel... So please accept it."

Ahsoka sat watching the ground as Rin sniffled and wiped with her sleeve, "Rin...use your Medical Ninjutsu...Take my entire eye and transplant my Sharingan...into Kakashi's left eye." Obito managed to say with effort, but Rin nodded.

She turned to the silver haired Hatake with conviction, "Kakashi, come over here..." Her voice didn't shake, and no more tears poured out of her eyes, "I'll start right away."

Kakashi looked at Rin, his body still shaking and his lone eye wide. He couldn't do this...He couldn't- "I'm about to die," Obito's voice spoke, "But...I'll become your eye and...see the future for you." Kakashi closed his eye. Composing himself, then he opened it once more.

The man sat outside on a log, his back turned to the cave as he slurped from his juice box. That was the only sound until a huge explosion from the cave behind him sent boulders and smoke flying everywhere.

He immediately stood up, looking behind to peer through the clouds of smoke at the small lone figure standing at the top of the collapsed cave. He tsked, spotting a familiar head of silver-white hair,  "How stubborn...You're still alive, huh?

Silver hair moved with the clearing smoke. The scar running down Kakashi's left eye was now visible. He had an almost serene look, only standing on top of the mass of rocks unmoving, eyes closed. The calm before the storm. Tears rolling down the left side his face.

The man continued smirking, "But...you're still a kid after all. What's a shinobi crying for?" His mocking tone was not missed, "Come on, crybaby! Let's settle this."

Kakashi's eyes opened. His right onyx eye shone dully with shades of gray. Dry. Not a single tear. But where there was once an empty socket on his left side now shone a blazing red eye with two black totems where tears ran freely from. The Sharingan.

The man tensed before he narrowed his eyes. He knew something was off, "That kid...He seems different than before..." The smoke swirled gently around Kakashi's still figure. He looked down at the man, mismatched eyes focused solely on him.

"Kakashi..." Obito's weak voice spoke from behind. His left eye was now shut close, an empty eye socket in its place, "...take care of...Rin." Ahsoka stiffened before relaxing.

Kakashi reached for his tanto strapped behind his back, "Yeah..." His hand clasped the hilt and whipped the white blade out in front of him, narrowed eyes staring straight ahead.

Kakashi leaped, leaving ripples of smoke behind him as he took off. He flipped through the air, speeding towards the awaiting man. In a flash of silver their blades clashed. Bits and pieces of metal flew through the air as Kakashi's blade shattered. But it didn't faze the silver haired boy. His blood red eye only narrowed, staring the man right in the eye. Not a trace of the tears lingered.

The ground cracked as Kakashi landed on his knee, weaving through the now familiar hand signs. A piece of his tanto spun through the air. The man pointed his blades at him. Blue lightening erupted...And it all happened it all happened in a flash.

Lighting met sharp metal blades head on and the world turned white for a second. The shard of the broken tanto finally hit the ground, a sound that seemed so loud in the deafening silence that had fallen over the forest.

Obito's hand tightened around the hand he now held, Rin's. The only thing that made him aware of his surroundings now that the world was pitch black to him. The brunette stared ahead, eyes focused on the now gaping hole on the crumbled cave's roof. Ahsoka stood just in front of her, eyes trained on the entrance as she surveyed the battlefield outside with her chakra. But unlike Rin... she didn't seem worried.

They waited. Eyes never leaving their only way in and out until movement caught their eyes. A head of puffy round hair peeked over the boulders, followed by a pair of cold eyes.

Rin's whole body tensed, her hand tightening in Obito's, "Don't panic, Rin." Ahsoka said. Her posture relaxed despite the drying trail of tears on her cheeks as she continued to stare up. She had already sensed it, the boy behind the man who let the body drop to the ground. Kakashi fell on his hands, panting hard from the ledge looking inside the cave.

"Kakashi..." Obito's voice was weaker than ever. His left eye now shut close, covering the empty eye socket, "...Take them...Take them and get out... of here." Ahsoka looked down at Obito, at the blood running out of his mouth, and she could feel the crashing wave of sorrow hit her again. "...Enemy Reinforcements... will be coming."

"Obito..." Rin whispered before he yanked his hand out of her grasp. She gasped, quickly reaching out for it again, "It's okay..." She flinched, stopping her hand before she could touch him, "...Just go."

Ahsoka and Rin stared down at the body. They couldn't just leave him there...their friend since the beginning. The one that never gave up...The one that wanted to be Hokage. He didn't deserve this. So they couldn't help it, just standing there, their eyes threatening to start watering again...but there was no time for that.

"Ahsoka!" Kakashi extended his hand out to the auburn haired girl. But she didn't take her eyes off of Obito, her lip threatening to start quivering again.

That boy that called to her on the street her first day of school. That boy she found training in the rain. That boy she loved to spend time with, to joke with. That boy that loved her best friend. That boy she had fallen in love with and let go off...There he was... crushed under a rock.

"Ahsoka..." The name was barely more than a rasp as Obito whispered it. She gasped slightly at being addressed, but gave him her full attention.

Obito smiled slightly, the corners of his lips twitching up as he said, "Thank you...for everything."

Ahsoka gritted her teeth at the words, biting back another bubbling sob as fresh tears threatened to spill from her eyes. He had thanked her, appreciated her in his final moments. All she could do was lower her head.

"Hai." That was all she said, because what else was there to say.

Rin's empty eyes looked down. She was more in shock than anything...not being able to bring herself to move a muscle. That's when Kakashi felt the group of Iwagakure shinobi behind him. Reinforcements.

"Doton: Earthquake Slam!" The men slammed their palms on the ground and the Earth around them erupted, shaking the ground as the destruction crept towards the ruins of the cave.

Kakashi turned back to his teammates, extending his hand once more in desperation, "Ahsoka! Rin! Hurry, take my hand!" Ahsoka looked back once, a few tears slipped past her defenses before she turned on her heel and taking Kakashi's hand. Holding back sobs.

Rin stayed for longer before doing the same, turning her back on Obito as tears fell from her eyes and whimpers left her lips. She clasped Kakashi's hand and with Ahsoka's help, they began to pull her up.

The boulders that had fallen from the cave began to crumble and fall into the opening, kicking up dust and debris in their wake. The pieces of rock began to fill the space, falling around Obito's crushed body, almost covering him entirely.

"Obito!" Rin looked back as she was brought up, yelling for him. Ahsoka couldn't bring herself to do the same, she could only focus on the task at hand. There was no time. At least, that's what she kept telling herself.

Obito's face was now the only visible part of his body. His closed eye staring at nothing, not seeing the darkness that began to envelop him in the wake of the falling debris. He was left with only his thoughts.

'Just when Kakashi and I were...starting to get along...' The mental image of the silver haired boy appeared, 'This had to happen just when... Ahsoka was beginning to heal again...' He thought of the smiling auburn haired girl, the things she had been through just in the past months and the pain that this would cause her, 'And I couldn't tell Rin...that I loved her.'  The thought of those purple marked cheeks and kind eyes were his last comfort.

'I wish...I could've spent more time with everyone.' His final thought before darkness consumed him. Burying him under tons of rock.

Kakashi finished helping Rin up, passing her over to Ahsoka who immediately took hold of her. He turned back to look at the pit of rocks, "Obito!" There was no time though. The jutsu's effects finally reached the top of the boulders, turning their edges jagged and pointy as the three jumped out of the way just in time.

Dust and smoke rose past the trees as sounds as loud as thunder filled the air. The three panted, kneeling and laying a top a tree branch as the smoke cleared around them. Then she felt it. Ahsoka suddenly gasped, looking up, sensing they were not alone.

Her eyes quickly spotted them. The Iwagakure shinobi waiting in the branches around them. They were completely surrounded.

Kakashi stood up, trying to control his ragged breathing, 'Damn it...!' He growled, looking over his shoulder with fierce eyes, 'Obito...' Kakashi made hand signs, 'This is the jutsu you helped me to perfect!' Blue light lit up Ahsoka and Rin's faces as a sound not unlike many birds chirping filled their ears. Kakashi kneeled, turning to face the countless shinobi, Chidori crackling in his left hand.

"Hmm...You still have the will to fight, even in this situation?" One shinobi spoke, "No wonder you were able to sneak so deep into enemy territory. You are a determined one." His voice sounded more impressive than anything, holding no malice.

But Kakashi didn't care, he pulled out a kunai, the kunai Minato had given him, "Ahsoka! I'll hold them off! Take Rin and get out of here now!"

"But- !" Rin began to protest but was quickly interrupted by a louder, more desperate voice.

"NO! Kakashi, we're not leaving you behind!" Ahsoka yelled, the desperation clear in her wide eyes. The blue light accentuating the worried lines of her face, "I'm not losing anyone else! Not today..." Her voice cracked as she spoke.

Kakashi only continued to stare ahead, Sharingan blazing, "I promised Obito I'd look after Rin...and I'll honor his wish! I'll protect you both with my life..."

Ahsoka fell silent at the determination in his voice, it was like nothing she had ever heard before coming from him, "Kakashi..." The soft whisper of the name fell out of her lips.

"Rin..." Kakashi addressed the stunned brunette, "Obito cared about you. He loved you..." Ahsoka almost winced at the words, the reminder sending a flash of hurt through her eyes, "You are everything to him..." Rin stared at his back, eyes wide, realization crashing down on her.

"That's why he gave his life to protect you." Kakashi continued. Rin pursed her mouth, a couple of tears landing on her lap.

She suddenly lifted her gaze up, eyes set in determination, "Then Kakashi! You should know my feelings for you-" Her voice taking an anguished tone at the end. She felt Ahsoka's disbelieving eyes landing on her.

"I-" Kakashi began, voice cracking. Feelings for him. She had feeling for him...But, his thoughts turned to his other teammate behind him, to the fact...that he didn't deserve either of them, "-I tried to abandon you. I'm nothing but scum."

Tears brimmed Rin's eyes before she ducked her head. Ahsoka stared at Kakashi...looking like she wanted to say something else, but the Iwagakure shinobi were already jumping off their branches, heading straight for them.

Kakashi bolted to his feet, Sharingan blazing, "GO!" He yelled, and then his world turned black.

Kakashi's whole body ached, it even ached to pry open his eyes, 'Am I... dead?'  The somber thought echoed in his head. His gaze finally focused. Stars - there were stars all above him, nighttime had fallen, it seemed, 'Where am I?'

"Looks like you've regained consciousness," A familiar, calm and collected voice sounded to his right and Kakashi immediately sat up.

His mismatched eyes fell on calm blue, "Huh?! Sensei! But how?..." The words tumbled out. They were sitting on a boulder, not unlike the one they had gone over the map for their mission just yesterday.

Minato pulled out one of his tagged kunai, "The jutsu formula on this kunai knife servers as a marker when I leap using the Transportation Technique."

Kakashi now faced his sensei fully, eyes wide. Not even noticing that his satchel, tanto, headband, and belt where gone, "Then...the enemy?"

"I took them all down."

Kakashi leaned back, startled. His sensei never ceased to amaze him. But more pressing issues came to his mind, "Rin...and Ahsoka... Where are Rin and Ahsoka?!"

Minato simply pointed ahead at the wide and clear meadow where two figures stood. They were almost too far away too see. It was impossible to say if they were talking or not...either one could be a possibility...considering...

"I'm sorry I couldn't make it in time, Kakashi....Rin and Ahsoka told me everything." They fell silent, watching as the night air blew the leaves...staring at the two figures that watched the stars. Their hair moving gently in the breeze.

Their far off gazes continued to stare up in silence. Too far away for the two behind to even listen if they were even talking.

Separated from the two men, Ahsoka's soft voice broke the silence, her almost golden eyes not leaving the night sky that was so like the one she had looked at with Obito. But they held none of the light they had had that day.

"He loved you," Such simply words. Words that made Rin take in a shuddering breath, "He loved you so much..." Ahsoka's dull eyes turned to Rin, her brows furrowed in what could only be pain as she watched Rin's lip beginning to quiver.

She continued watching as Rin ducked her head, shoulders beginning to shake. And she continued watching - only her years of feeling this way kept the tears from falling down her cheeks- But Rin...she couldn't...Not as her gritted pained sobs filled the silent night.

(Hiruzen narrating) "The Third Ninja War..." Smoke rose from the stone bridge as it began to collapse, "With the sacrifice of many nameless ninja, this long war finally came to a close." The smoke began clearing, revealing the huge boulder remains littering the river below.

"In its wake, it also left legends..." Kakashi stood alone atop one of the boulders staring down at the river below as Minato, Rin, and Ahsoka watched from the ledge that was once Kannabi Bridge, "The stories of great heroes to be told for generations to come."

"The Battle of Kannabi Bridge...That day, many heroes were born in the Hidden Leaf Village," Kakashi's lone red eye shone behind a bare expression, "...some with their own Sharigan," Ahsoka's flaming auburn hair moved through her face in the wind as she watched the lone figure far below the ledge, "But they all had abilities that will make them legends."

A  pair of orange goggles laid in front of a bouquet of white lilies underneath clear skies in a familiar green field, "One found his name engraved on the memorial stone. The two others became known as 'Kakashi of the Sharingan' and 'Konoha's Fleeting Ember.'

The memorial stone's dark surface gleamed in the sunlight, ..."In time, the tales of their bravery spanned all borders...and beyond." One more name...another lose, carved into the obsidian stone.

A/N: Ah now it's gonna be so weird to write the story with Obito gone...You might ask yourselves, "What's next now that the love square is basically done?" Heheheh well...that just means the their story is just beginning...

If you somehow got a notification or saw that this chapter was up like two days ago but couldn't find it....Yeah that's because my dumbass accidentally pressed the Publish button instead of the save button while I was writing...ahaha...whoops. If you get or see a notice that a chapter is up and it isn't the date I said I would publish...ignore that- It's probably my clumsy ass doing it again.

***Next Update will be Oct 20th