scared of the stars

chapter 12 - Obito

More and more people had arrived, but none had introduced themselves to Obito. They hadn't talked to Naruto or Kiba either, so Obito was sure everyone wanted to stay as far away from him as possible.

Naruto and Kiba continued to talk, acting as if nothing was out of the ordinary.

«It's so typical! I don't get why they would refuse to let me bring Sasuke along. Kakashi was his teacher too, so he has just as much right to come as everyone else. If he wanted to break out he would have done so ages ago.» Naruto whined, probably pouting too.

Obito grinned and patted his shoulder, holding in his laugh. It was rather fun to hear Naruto talk about Sasuke since it was so different from how Sasuke always talked about Naruto. Obito remembered it when he met Sasuke and bandaged him up after he had killed Itachi. He hadn't mentioned naruto once, but it was obvious he was thinking about him. He was watching when Sasuke reunited with Sakura - and tried to kill her but was interrupted by a bothersome Kakashi - and then Naruto after that. His demeanor had changed, though it was subtle. Naruto's words had hit him in a way no one else had, even if others had said a lot of the same.

It was interesting, how Sasuke kept it all inside, while Naruto seemed to prefer to let it all out.

«Well, maybe this is an opportunity to talk some more with... I don't know, maybe Hinata?» Kiba hinted. Naruto said nothing and Obito wasn't sure if he was considering it or not.

«I am not sure. It feels weird after the war. I know it shouldn't.» He sighed. «I am not even sure what we would talk about. We never really talked outside of missions.»

Obito couldn't relate.

«You know what, Naruto. You think too much. The words will come by themselves and without knowing it you'll be having long conversations. Maybe you'll ease up a little if you drink a little first?»

Kiba walked away, leaving a surprised Naruto and a confused Obito behind. He arrived almost immediately after and the sound of clinking followed.

«Guy was guarding the good stuff like a hawk in there, but I managed to get something. I don't think I have ever seen Kakashi drink either.» Kiba mumbled and placed a few cups at the table.

Kakashi? Drinking? That would be an interesting sight.

A part of Obito wanted to go to the kitchen to see how affected Kakashi was but decided against it since Guy was in there.

«I am not the best with romance and everything, but I don't think its smart to get tipsy in order to start a conversation with someone,» Obito said and searched for one of the couches with his hand, then sat down. He heard creaking noises from beside him and opposite.

«Don't worry, I do it all the time!» Kiba said from the opposite side of the table. Naruto must have been the one sitting beside Obito then.

«You know what. I'm in. But,» Naruto slid two cups across the table. «Only if everyone goes all in.»

Obito hesitated, not sure if he should. He usually stuck to a beer or two every once in a while. He didn't drink much.

Obito was a lightweight.

But he was also an adult.

«Wait, aren't you too young to drink?» He asked his companions, finding the last few excuses he had not to. It wasn't that he didn't mind drinking, but he lost his sense of judgment too fast too easily and wanted to think clearly when so many people who disliked him were gathered in one place.