scared of the stars

chapter 16 - Obito

Obito was sure Kakashi was deluded.

The princess fed him untrustworthy information and he ate it all up without questioning it even once. She told him she had recently met a huge beast, one with its belly on its back and ears where its knees should be. Kakashi seemed really engrossed in the story and told her to go on whenever she stopped.

Who was Obito to judge? Maybe people had evolved into monsters while he had been trapped inside a mountain for years.

Or maybe the princess had a screw loose. Obito was sure it was the second.

He sighed and looked away, shaking his head. He didn't want them to think he was looking.

Not that it mattered anyway.

He walked away, blocking out the noise and walked toward where he heard Yamato talking. They were supposed to leave in an hour, and Kakashi was chatting up with a girl?

The guards put all her belongings in the caravan, where a small room sat with a bed and curtains blocking the view. That was the traditional style, so Obito didn't need to see to imagine how it looked like.

Guy, Kakashi, Yamato and he would probably guard each corner, scouting for people approaching.

«Really? I hadn't thought it would be that bad?» Yamato sighed, talking to someone whose voice Obito didn't recognize. He stopped beside them and tried to give both people a smile, but knew that from his luck, he probably missed.

«Yeah, she never completely recovered from that. She keeps adding more and more bodyguards with each year.» The man said.

He was a bodyguard too if Obito had to guess, and someone who the princess was close to.

«Oh, I am sorry, this is really rude of me. I need to introduce myself. I am Kai, one of the princesses guards!» The man said. His voice was very high pitched and it constantly sounded like his throat was shaking.

«Don't... don't do that,» Yamato said. «Ehm.»

Oh, gods, the man had raised his hand to shake mine, hadn't he?

Shit.

Obito raised his own and tried to give the brightest smile he could muster. He didn't want people to tell others not do certain things because he couldn't see it.

It was true though, he hadn't seen it.

Dear Sakura, it would be nice if you called me in for another examination soon.

«I am so sorry!» The man, Kai, said and grabbed Obito's hand.

His palm was sweaty.

«It's okay. I am Obito.» He said, cheeks hurting from smiling.

No one said anything for a few more seconds, though it was obvious Yamato wanted to break the silence by his fumbling with words.

«Oh, wow. You really aren't looking me in the eyes.» Kai marveled, sounding impressed and surprised.

Could you not?

Obito was neither impressed nor surprised. He actually wanted to get as far away as possible, but that wouldn't work without the reason for why he would want to leave being obvious.

He could practically hear Yamatos mouth widen and fingers fidgetting.

«That not too nice, is it?» He tried to joke and playfully hit their shoulders. Kai laughed as well and it sounded like nails scratching against a blackboard.