In another Timeline

Chapter 56- A dark reoccurrence

Obito tried his best to avoid eye contact with Kushina when he arrived as battered as he was. He no doubt was only causing her more worry that way, but he really couldn't help it.

Now on the other hand, with Minato... Minato was two different people he was, well, Minato, and on the other hr was the Hokage of the hidden leaf village. Obito couldn't tell which one was in the room. Kushina surely could, she was his wife. But that bit of information isn't really helpful to Obito at this current moment.

"Obito, where did you go?" Minato asked sharply but gently. You'd never think you could mix the two.

Obito frowned "I hadn't really planned on going anywhere." Minato frowned despite looking relieved. "You are an adult, you can do what you want. Despite what people would say, you can take care of yourself just fine, even as a kid." Minato sighed sounding tired.

Obito could tell he was trying to lead somewhere with this. It made Obito inwardly cringe. When he got lectured, let's just say it wasn't words speaking the lecture. 

Minato eyed Obito for a moment before continuing. His eyes betrayed his serious demeanor, he looked worried over Obito's well being. He had seen Obito try to impale himself with his own Justu. It was hard to tell if Obito's injuries were from enemy ninja or Obito himself.

"See, Kakashi, for example worries about you quite a bit." Minato could only think of younger Obito at the moment, if he were to tell younger Obito that Kakashi cared about him, well, Obito wouldn't believe a word he said.

Obito's eyes darkened. He doesn't know how to feel about Kakashi. He seems like a dark person that jokes too much.

"If he had heard you ran off on your own he would have chased you. I'm not exaggerating." Minato said with a slight smile. Obito wouldn't doubt it but he doesn't get why anyone would do that.

"All I'm saying is... Is that you are fine to do what you want but you should try to let us know. So there aren't any unnecessary wild goose chases." Kushina snickered in reply.

"What he doesn't want you to know is that he would be a part of the unnecessary goose chases too." Kushina smiled at Obito.

Minato's face turned a light red before he sighed waving his hands dismissively. "That's not the point."

Obito shrugged he doesn't care who is a part of the imaginary wild goose chases.

"Now I have one more question before Kushina kidnaps you." Minato said seriously again.

"Huh-" Obito was about to question but Minato (probably purposely) continued his question.

"Why was Sasuke with you and what happened." Minato couldn't help but put emphasis on the "What happened" part.

Obito frowned he couldn't help but think "Of course Minato would ask that." It was strange, if you really thought about it, but there was at least a logical explanation.

"Sasuke managed to follow me, I really don't know how I didn't notice." Minato frowned. Since Obito didn't really go into detail it sounded like a lazy excuse. But in reality Obito doesn't want to tell him about the withdrawal. He doesn't want them to worry.

"I had met another group, like my own. They apparently know all about me and the old base." Minato stared silently for a while before responding. He had planned to deal with this before it had gotten bad but apparently, it's already bad, extremely bad.

"I see... I..." Minato trailed off and furrowed his eyebrows in what Obito guessed was frustration. Kushina frowned as well but it seemed to be more worrying for her husband than the actual situation.

Obito wondered if her worries were misplaced.

"So I'm guessing they tried to kill you." Minato said blankly. Kushina scowled silently. Obito didn't really know why though.

Obito didn't reply to the question, they already knew the answer anyway.

Minato was silent he was biting his lip in thought. Kushina looked down at the ground.

Obito stood up, he was ready to leave, Minato had asked his last question. He was beginning to pass Minato when Minato stopped him by placing his hand on Obito's shoulder.  

"Where are they now, Obito." Minato's face was grim you would probably never know Minato's actual emotion if you didn't know the man. Obito's face probably reflected Minato's, if not grimmer.

"Only a few are alive." Obito didn't make eye contact. Minato knew, he knew that Obito killed them. What he didn't know is that he didn't think twice and he did it with no remorse. He doesn't care that they will never see the light of day again. Why should he? He will die some day too.

Obito lost himself in thought, it brings him back to the girls corpse. Most likely being invaded by bugs and animals.

Obito has seen a dead rat decompose maggots crawling inside the creature. Obito watches as the movement of the maggots have the impression the rat itself was breathing. The rats chest moved up and down because of the maggots eating anything flesh or meat.

Obito shook his head and grimaced at his unrestrained thoughts. Minato looked worried. Obito did it again didn't he? Dissociated.

"Are you alright Obito? You suddenly stopped." Kushina asked worried she stood up from where she sat.

Obito shook his head. "Yea, fine, lost in thought is all." Minato frowned deeply. "Is that truly it? I haven't seen you do that since you came back."

Obito didn't reply. Minato looked back at his wife. Kushina was feeling down her arm where the seal remained tattooed on her skin.

"It feels like I'm invading your privacy Obito. You can't lie." Kushina smiled sadly. Obito looked back at her confusion written all over Minato's face.

"Any time he lies... It's like a spike of electricity through my arm it tells me." Kushina finally explained.

"That's why I would rather remain silent than talk." Obito admitted with a shrug he was well aware that Kushina could tell. She probably could with or without the seal.

But he's lucky. They won't pry unless they believe his life is in danger.