Under the Gate by Moonlight | KakaObi

Part III

Obito and Kakashi continued to meet every month after that. Despite knowing Kakashi's secret, Obito felt like he shared a common bond with him, something he never felt with anyone before. And it's not just because of their shared passion of playing the flute, it was something deeper. 

It felt like, whenever he was with Kakashi, he felt whole. He felt like he belonged. 

Within the past few years, there were wars in the distant parts of Japan and finally it was starting to affect his small town. Tax collectors started coming by more frequently, fellow townsfolk were becoming more frugal– It was hard for Obito to earn money in his own town. So he started to move around as a traveling musician.

He was 18 when he started to gain fame and recognition. His name traveled around as an amazing flute player, a musician whose music can transport you to another world. On his travels, a representative of the capital city approached him and invited him to play his music for the emperor. 

Obito was stunned. He didn't expect his small town fame to travel farther than the countryside. And now he's invited to the capital city, a place he's only heard of and figured he would never see. It was a huge honor, something Obito should feel proud of. But they told him he needed to stay at the capital for 5 months, a long time away from Kakashi.

Obito couldn't turn down the offer. This trip would vet him a lot of money, something he could bring home to help his family and his town. Surely Kakashi would understand. It's just 5 months... 5 months without meeting Obito under the full moon for 3 days, when they've done this same ritual for the past 8 years…

It doesn't feel like a lot to Obito, at least in theory. But he knew he couldn't leave without telling Kakashi. 

So before he left on his trip, he went back to his little town to see Kakashi under the Torii gate, when it was the night of the full moon. 

….

Obito walks through the rain carrying a light wax paper umbrella. He trudges through the small forest toward the lake, the feeling of anxiety toiling away in his stomach. It's strange. Obito has met up with Kakashi many times before. So why does he feel so nervous this time?

He looks up and sees the full moon through the droplets of rain and canopy of trees overhead. He lets out a small sigh of relief. It was two nights ago when he looked up at the sky and saw the start of the full moon phase. At the time, he was still far away from home, about a 2 day's journey. So he had to rush back home to make it in time. It seems he misjudged how far he traveled this time. 

And of course, he couldn't predict the poor weather. But it doesn't matter. He wouldn't waste his last chance to see his best friend before his long trip.

Obito chews his lip, shivering from the moist cold air. I wonder if Kakashi waited for me at the gate two nights in a row. He must've been worried. 

His heart sinks with the thought of Kakashi waiting for him for two days, all alone. Obito winces internally, the guilt weighing down on his shoulders. And now I'm going to tell him I'll be gone for 5 months… I wonder how Kakashi will react? Will he be upset? 

He keeps walking through the forest with his paper wax umbrella, lost in his thoughts. The rain continues to patter on the trees and grass around him, creating a light misty fog. He can see the moonlit mists of the lake ahead, and he can barely make out the silhouette of the Torii Gate. 

It's at that moment, he feels a wave of happiness and comfort. He's back where he belongs, his meeting place with Kakashi. His favorite place in the world.

Obito chuckles and shakes his head, smiling softly to himself. I don't need to worry. Kakashi will understand. He might throw a tiny fit, but he can handle 5 months without me. Of course he can.