Uchiha Collision (Sequel of Uchiha Corp)

Drifting

Obito POV:

Walking from the room, I could still hear Y/n's sniffles. I couldn't stand it. I couldn't stand being in the same room as her. Not then. Not after seeing the images of her with them. I knew there would be more. I could only hope that I would be smart enough not to open the next envelope. I don't think I could take another heartbreak.

Watching Itachi help her was like a knife to the gut. I couldn't even help my own wife through this because I couldn't help myself. The anger that licked at my flesh like flames was the same that filled my eyes with hate. Vision tunneled and ears drowning in an ocean of seething fury.

As I walked to the bathroom, I questioned what I should do. Moving forward, what were the best options? Where should we live? Should we continue working? Should we change our numbers? None of it likely mattered. Madara would be able to hack into whatever he wanted with Sasori's help.

I stripped and stepped into the shower, uncaring if Y/n was following after me or still with Itachi. Itachi. I grit my teeth as an image of them together flashes in my mind. Standing under the showerhead, I yanked the handle down hard. The jolting cold made me tense, but I needed the stark feeling to caress my skin. I relaxed slowly as the water grew warmer and warmer.

What was I going to do?

It was the same question that circled my mind. Over and over. This is my biggest fear come to fruition. Unable to protect my family. This feeling of helplessness is like a dead weight, laden with fear and uncertainty. As I toss around different ideas, I press my forearms to the cold tile as I bend my head. The water cascades down my back like a waterfall, and I wish it could take the stress away as it falls.

When a delicate hand is placed upon my back, I go rigid. I try to relax. It's not that I don't want her to touch me, but all I can see are those pictures. And the fact that I found comfort in not seeing ones of her and Izuna, or her and Shisui, only makes my stomach clench like a vice.

Her second hand presses to my back, and I slowly let myself relish in the feel of her hands against me. At that moment, reality hits. It's always been Y/n. I've never been the protector. I've never been the shield. Nor the sword. The armor. None of it has ever been me. It's always been her.

The sword that cuts through flesh and sinew as if it was nothing. It was Y/n. The shield that takes the beating hit after hit and still stands tall. It was Y/n. The armor that surrounds us all, the last barrier between the wolves and the sheep. It was Y/n.

And it still is.

Pain fills me. Not physical pain. No, this is a pain that I will never be able to free myself from. A pain that no one can take away. I will never heal from the pain of not being good enough. She deserves better.

And yet... Those secrets and lies that lay between us weigh down what our marriage is. Tani. She was my mother's dear friend. And Shisui's. They had gone to school together. And the woman was alive. Yet, Y/n knew for nearly four years and never told a soul. Including me.

How could betrayal have a taste? Thick and heavy as it coated my tongue like a bitter liquor you're choking down. Slithering and sliding across my flesh like a serpent ready to pierce my skin with his fangs. The venom spreading through my veins, scorching my insides as they flay to nothing.

The antidote is behind me. Pressing her cheek to my back, she keeps her hands poised there as well. I'm sure she's timid with her touch in fear of backlash. More questions or even accusations that may slip from my lips. Do I drink from the nectar that will ease my pain? Or do I shun the sweet mana in fear?

I staunch the feeling of needing to pull away from her. I love her. I want to protect her from the world, including Madara. But, how will I be able to do that if she won't trust me? Whatever higher being that looks down upon us, please have mercy. Make this all go away. Every last bit of it.