Chapter Text
Obito couldn’t catch his breath as he looked down at his bloody hands. It seemed each time he tried to take a full breath, he lost more in the process. Neither his mind nor body would listen to him, which didn’t help with the growing panic. He just wanted to curl up and cry, yet he couldn’t do that.
He knew without a doubt that the people he killed were dead, yet his mind couldn’t comprehend how this had happened. Just a moment ago, he was free and going to save Kakashi and Rin; now he’s surrounded by the carnage he wrecked.
He closes his eyes, trying to even out his breathing, tilting his head up towards the sky.
“Come along, Obito,” Zetsu instructs from behind him. Zetsu was calm and collected, nothing like how Obito felt. Obito’s body moved following Zetsu back towards the cave he had just run from, leaving Kakashi and Rin.
Obito felt like crying; he didn’t want to leave Rin. He wanted to stay and hold her body. Yet, Zetsu said to come, so Obito did.
When they arrive back, Madara glances up, looking Obito up and down.
“I didn’t expect to see you back here. Is everything okay?” Madara questions, holding Obito’s gaze.
“I-” Obito cuts himself off. He knew if he continued, he would cry.
Madara’s face softened, holding out his arms for Obito to fall into. Obito did fall into it, his body no longer able to support his weight. Like a switch was flipped, Obito starts to cry uncontrollably into Madara’s chest, clinging to his shirt.
Obito was sure Madara would eventually have had enough, pushing him away, yet that never happened. Madara waited for Obito to stop crying completely before gently shifting him so Madara could see his face. Madara rubs his thumb across Obito’s cheek, wiping the tears away.
“It’s okay, Obito. Everything will be okay.” If Obito just didn’t run dry of tears, he’s sure he would be crying again.
“How? Rin’s dead.” Obito’s heart contracts at the admission.
Madara moves his hands to Obito’s hair, running his fingers through it. “Because you are an Uchiha. We are stronger than we look.”
Madara pushes Obito back into his chest, rocking softly back and forth. Obito lets his eyes close, desperately wanting to believe Madara.
The next two weeks are a blur; Obito doesn’t remember much. He sleeps most of the day, and Madara and Zestu let him. Sometimes Madara will come in and force Obito to eat, but they mostly leave Obito alone.
It’s going on week 3, when Zetsu comes in with water.
“Here, take this, it’ll help.” Zetsu puts down the tray. Obito’s eyes catch on the small pill on the tray. Obito doesn’t even question it, popping the pill in his mouth. He just wants to feel better, like how he felt before his world fell apart.
Obito then turns over on his bed, curling back into a ball. When he looks back, Zetsu is gone.
The next day, when Madara comes in, he’s holding a war fan.
“Come on, we’re training today.” Obito’s eyes widen. He’s about to say he doesn’t feel like training when his body moves to follow Madara into a bigger cavern space.
A few hours in, Obito is on the floor, panting heavily, but there’s a wicked grin on his face. He suddenly jumps forward, meeting Madara’s eyes.
“Hey, what was that pill Zetsu gave me? He said it would help, but I didn’t expect it to feel like this.” Obito couldn’t keep the smile off his face.
“It’s a newer medicine he obtained to help you; it just took him a bit to acquire it,” Madara answers with a little smile on his face.
“He did that for me?” Obito doesn’t remember ever feeling this good. Whatever that pill was had to be revolutionary, yet Zetsu somehow acquired it.
Madara nods his head. “He missed his talking partner.” Madara walks closer to Obito with water. “Here, drink this.” Obito happily obeys, taking the water from Madara’s hands. As soon as he finishes the water, another rush of pleasure floods him.
“Can we continue now?” Obito’s grin grows wider as Madara nods.
The training was grueling, but Madara’s praise made it worth it.
Obito didn’t see Zetsu till dinner. There was another pill waiting for Obito.
“Thanks, Zetsu. I really appreciate you doing that.” Obito thanks, taking the pill.
“Of course, Obito. We are, after all, in this together. Like a family.” Obito can’t help the warmth that spreads in his heart. Obito grins up at Zetsu, nodding his agreement.
The next month, Obito falls into a comfortable routine. The dark thoughts don’t touch his psyche thanks to the pill, which Obito has dubbed the miracle pill.
“Madara?” Obito questions.
“Hmm?”
“When can I go back to Konoha?” Obito misses Minato and Kushina-nii. He wants to make sure they are both okay and to tell them he is okay.
“You would want to leave us? After everything we’ve done for you?” Madara’s voice drips in disappointment, making Obito’s heart skip a beat.
“No! I just want to see my friends again.” Obito mumbles the last part, feeling ashamed.
Madara’s face softens again, bringing Obito into his chest. “Dear child, your so-called friends have already moved on. We are all you have left.” Madara runs his fingers through Obito’s hair, making Obito sigh in relief. A small voice in Obito’s head is screaming “That’s not true”, but it’s quickly drowned out. He’s not mad at me. He won’t kick me out.
“I’m sorry,” Obito whispers. He doesn’t know if he believes Madara, but it doesn’t matter. If not seeing his friends again is the price he pays, he supposes that’s fair. After all, Madara and Zetsu have done so much for Obito, he owes them.
“It’s okay, Obito. Just don’t ask that again. Zetsu would be heartbroken.” Madara keeps his hold on Obito, and Obito doesn’t move to get away. This must be what having a dad feels like, Obito thinks.
“I won’t. I’m sorry.” Obito curls closer into Madara. Tears prickling at the corner of his eyes.
“You know I love you, right? Obito. You actually remind me of my little brother.” Obito snaps his head up at Madara. It’s the first time Obito’s heard those words from him.
“I love you too, Madara.” And Obito finds he means every word of it; he does love Madara. Now he knows Madara loves him, too.
Obito’s bed feels safe and warm, and he quickly falls asleep.
He wakes up to a finger repeatedly poking his cheek.
“Zetsuuu.” Obito groans, rolling away from the man.
“Come on! Obito! I’m taking you on a mission today!” That gets Obito up, blinking away the sleep fog.
“Really?” It feels like forever since Obito’s been let out. His mind briefly remembers Rin’s dead body before it pushes it away.
“Yep! We are going shopping!” Zetsu says enthusiastically, reaching down to pull Obito up.
“I’m not sure that counts as a mission, Zetsu, but I accept.”
It’s bright outside, and the crisp air of fall fills Obito’s lungs. He breathes in slowly, trying to capture the smell as much as possible.
The market’s not crowded, and the stalls are bare. A grim reminder of the war's effect.
“So, what do we need?” Obito questions, sticking close to Zetsu.
Zetsu glances down. “We need to restalk on everything.” Obito hums, following Zetsu from stall to stall.
It was near noon, and the market was more crowded when Obito saw them—Team Choza. Obito quickly turned to Zetsu, only to find his spot vacant.
No. No, Zetsu wouldn’t just leave him here. The panic began to claw up Obito, settling in his stomach. Just the thought of leaving Madara and Zestu made Obito panic even more; he couldn’t just leave them. Again, the thought made his stomach churn.
Obito turned frantically, trying to locate Zetsu. He probably hasn’t gone far. He’s probably just at one of the stalls, and Obito didn’t notice him leaving. The street feels too crowded as Obito pushes his way through the bodies.
He wants to scream Zetsu’s name at the top of his lungs, yet that would draw too many eyes on him. His heart is beating too fast, and he wants to throw up.
In his blind panic and rushing down the street, he makes the mistake of making eye contact with Might Guy. Everything stops. The people around them seem to slow down, and when Guy breaks contact to look toward Genma, Obito runs.
He’s pushing his way through the crowd, hoping to spot Zetsu among the people. Please, please. You can’t just leave me here, you said we were family.
He stumbles out of the market and is met with a forest. Zetsu is casually leaning against a tree, and Obito wants to sob.
“Why did you leave me?” Obito shouts. Letting his panic funnel into his words.
Zetsu tilts his head, looking like he doesn’t understand. “I wasn’t going to leave you, Obito.”
“Then why did you leave? You left me by myself, and there were Konoha nin there. I thought you were abandoning me.” Admitting the fear made him feel vulnerable and weak.
“Sorry, Obito. I didn’t mean to make you feel like that.” Zetsu’s voice was calm and placating.
“Are we done shopping?” Obito wanted to go home. And isn’t that a funny thought? Home—being with Madara and Zetsu.
“Yes, let’s go.”
Obito’s heart doesn’t stop pounding until they are back in the cave.
Obito goes straight to his room, flopping down on his bed. He feels like shit. He doesn’t understand it; he should want to leave and go back to Konoha. Yet, here he is having a panic attack about not wanting to leave. What’s wrong with him? There must be something wrong with him.
He misses his friends, sensei, and Kushina-nii, but just thinking about leaving the cave is enough to raise his heart rate.
Obito pushes his face deeper into the mattress. He can’t remember ever feeling like this before, but he’s also never had a family before. Is this what his friends feel like?
Obito is so deep in thought that he doesn’t notice Madara sitting on the bed, until fingers are running through his hair. Obito tilts his head to be able to look at Madara.
“What’s wrong, Obito?” Obito shifts again to curl into Madara’s touch.
“I’m scared of leaving. I’m scared that you will leave me.” Obito doesn’t want to tell Madara this, but the fingers in his hair finally soothe the ache and panic.
“Hmm, I promise we won’t do that.” Obito, objectively, already knew that; Madara had just been upset about Obito wanting to leave. Subjectively, the reassurance helped Obito’s anxiety.
“I know. I know.” Obito falls asleep to Madara’s fingers cascading through his hair.