Chapter Text
The Jounin
It wasn't supposed to be like this.
The thought catches in his throat, an internal scream that threatens to consume him.
It wasn't supposed to be like this. His hand through Obito's chest. His hand through Rin’s chest.
This was why he had stopped Sakura from going after Sasuke. This was why he had foolishly tried to take on Sasuke instead of letting him fight Naruto. Neither of them should have to know this pain.
It's like ripping out your own heart. Even when you're killing the bad guy; even when you have all the justifications in the world. The greater good pales in comparison to the feel of your comrade's still pulsating heart in your hands and his blood in your eyes, lips, nose, mouth.
It is like this, anyway.
Hatake Kakashi is the only one who can stop Uchiha Obito, not because of who Uchiha Obito was or who he became in death to Hatake Kakashi. It is because of the dying act of a generous comrade. Not a friend, they hadn't even been friends.
It wasn't supposed to be like this. They were supposed to supposed to meet in the afterlife. “I'm late”, he would say and Obito would smile with both his eyes.
He knows he has to get back to Naruto. It is important that he gets back, he has Gai’s back to watch, a Division to command and precious people to protect. But it is all he can do to keep breathing in this moment, his hand through the ribcage of a man he has spent the better part of his life mourning, a dull numbness spreading through him from his gut, centered around the kunai shaped hole in it.
Belatedly, he realizes they're on the ground of this featureless pocket of space and Obito is on top of him, eyes dull instead of dim.
"Kamui," Obito whispers and he feels his left eye churn, tearing an actual scream from his throat.