𝗡𝗜𝗚𝗛𝗧𝗙𝗔𝗟𝗟, 𝗈𝖻𝗂𝗄𝖺𝗄𝖺.

Four

Before Kakashi's hand could grasp the ornate jug resting delicately on the small table, a whirl of russet hair heralded Rin's arrival, her petite form hurrying towards the two boys like a fleeting zephyr.

"Are you guys okay? I heard yelling," Rin uttered, her eyes a tapestry of concern.

Her disquiet was not unfounded, for Rin feared the fiery clash of Kakashi and Obito in a world devoid of witnesses.

"We're fine," Kakashi replied, his voice as frosty as the deepest winter's night, a tone that weighed heavily on Obito, hinting at his own culpability. Had his incessant collisions brought forth this icy ire, leaving Kakashi wounded beneath his stoic veneer?

"Yeah, we are, no need to worry, Rin," Obito hastily responded, casting a sorrowful smile towards the chestnut-haired girl.

Rin nodded, a small, reassuring smile adorning her visage.

"If you say so. Now let's take the jugs to the kitchen. Kushina-san needs to fill them with the juices she made," Rin instructed, deftly grasping one of the jugs before departing.

Kakashi, having drawn near the table, lifted the remaining jug, silently trailing Rin's steps to the kitchen, leaving the raven-haired boy in solitude. Obito followed, his steps tentative.

"Kushina-san, I'm not hungry, so I don't wanna eat dinner if that's fine with you," Obito tendered, though it was an unambiguous falsehood. His stomach had been an empty pit for an immeasurable span, but the recent altercation with Kakashi had sapped his appetite.

"Are you sure, Obito? You haven't eaten for... uhm... I forgot how long, but you should probably be hungry by now, right?" Kushina's voice resonated with gentle concern, her trepidation evident.

"Yes, I'm sure, don't worry. I'll just go to the guest room and sleep."

"Alright, don't forget to brush your teeth before sleeping," Kushina responded with a bittersweet smile. Her normal fiery temperament yielded to a deeper understanding, sensing that Obito harbored a profound reluctance to dine.

With a nod, Obito withdrew, leaving Kakashi, Kushina, and Rin alone in the kitchen.

Dinner consumed, Kakashi ascended the stairs, his destination set firmly on Obito's whereabouts. Rin had decided to lend her assistance with some domestic chores to Kushina, who had become her temporary roommate. Hence, the inevitable conclusion was that Kakashi and Obito would share the guest room together.

The room's door swung open, revealing Obito, sprawled languidly across the queen-sized bed, his eyes gazing vacantly at the spinning ceiling fan. A heavy silence weighed between them until Kakashi broke it.

"I bring your food," Kakashi declared, breaking the uneasy stillness that had descended upon them.

Obito sighed and reluctantly sat up, feigning annoyance while secretly elated by Kakashi's concern.

"I already said that I'm not hungry."

"Just eat. Don't waste food."

"Fine," Obito mumbled, sliding off the bed to meet Kakashi, who still stood by the door. He took the tray, then returned to his perch, digging into his meal.

Kakashi, an enigmatic sentinel, remained standing, his gaze fixed intently on Obito, an intensity that made Obito chew uncomfortably.

"What? Are you still mad at me for what happened before?" Obito inquired, the words muffled by a mouthful of food. Kakashi approached and loomed above him, locking their eyes in a silent exchange of sentiments.