Space-Time Apostasy

Chapter 2: React

"Aw, Rin, please?" Obito pleaded, making the most ridiculous-looking pout Rin had ever seen. She giggled, clapping a hand over her mouth.

Her best friend looked absolutely miserable, splayed out against the base of the tree—twigs and leaves sticking out of his sweat-matted hair, clothes scuffed and torn, the beginnings of a bruise already forming on his forehead.

Oops—Rin must have missed that one when she had been practicing her medical ninjutsu.

"Just one little break—it'll be just five minutes, I swear! Sensei won't even know!" Obito paused, glancing off furtively in the direction of the field where Minato and Kakashi were sparring. He scrunched up his nose in distaste. "He's too busy fighting with Bakashi, anyways. That stupid loser, he always gets to fight Minato-sensei. It's not fair," he groused.

Rin marched over to Obito and lightly smacked him upside the head, smiling in exasperation "That's because you still need to work on your tree-walking, and I need to practice my medical ninjutsu."

Obito kept grumbling, so with a gentle huff, she grabbed his hands and yanked him to his feet. He yelped in surprise, face turning slightly red, but Rin ignored him. Her face turned serious, and she gave him an intent stare.

"Obito, are you really going to give up so easily?"

"What? No, of course not! I never give up!" he spluttered.

"Exactly." Rin's face melted back into a smile. Letting go of his hands, she stepped back and nodded confidently. "I believe in you, Obito. You can do this!"

Obito's eyes widened slightly, but then narrowed in determination. He nodded. "Right—yeah! I can do this."

He whirled around and glared up at the tree, jutting a finger up at it. "You're easy! Just watch, I'll defeat you in no time, you stupid tree!"

He glanced back at Rin. "Er, just in case I fall down..." Obito's face flushed. "You know, like if Bakashi interrupts me, or a bird flies into my eyes or something!" he said hastily.

"Right, right." Rin bit the inside of her cheeks to keep from laughing.

"Can—can you catch me this time? I mean, not that I'll need it, but, you know, just in case..." He looked down and away, cheeks tinged pink.

Rin reminded herself that she really shouldn't laugh at Obito's embarrassment. But he was such an adorable klutz! She reached out and ruffled his hair, pausing to pull out a particularly large twig as she did so.

"Of course, Obito. I'm just sorry I couldn't catch you earlier because of Sensei's orders for my medical ninjutsu practice."

Obito grinned in relief. "Rin, you're the best." He turned to the tree with renewed determination. "Alright! Let's do this."

Rin watched him, a smile on her face. This was what she loved about Obito—his sheer, stubborn will. He really did never give up—whether it was something small like climbing a tree, or something huge like becoming Hokage, Rin didn't doubt for a second that Obito would do anything but succeed. He was an anomaly that way—yes, maybe he wasn't so strong, or so skilled, but Obito was the nicest, friendliest, most tenacious person Rin knew.

One day, Rin was certain, Obito would achieve great things, and blow the rest of Konoha away.

He was now about eight metres up the tree, more than three-quarters of the way there. Slowly but surely, he was making his way upwards. Rin inched a bit closer to the tree, ready to catch him if necessary.

"Almost... there..." With the utmost care, Obito took another step. Rin could see his body trembling with the effort.

She cupped her hands around her mouth and called out. "You're doing amazing, Obito! Just a few more steps!"