Chapter Text
The village was already awake by the time Obito Uchiha realized he was, once again, late.
Not late in the catastrophic, life-ending sense—no, nothing that dramatic. Just late enough for the old woman with the crooked back to tap her cane twice on the wooden porch and sigh, “Young people these days,” as if she had been waiting her entire life for him to disappoint her.
Obito scratched the back of his head, offering an apologetic smile that had long become his default defense.
“Sorry, sorry! I was just…uh..stuck with this granny who needed help. Hehe..”
It wasn't even a lie.
He had started the morning fairly early to prevent this from happening with every intention of heading straight towards the main Uchiha building. Simple route. No distractions. Be on time for once.
Alas the conviction weakened when some granny needed help with the groceries.
Then a stray cat got stuck in the tree. Again.
Then a little boy dropped his lunch and cried like there’s no tomorrow.
And somehow, without fail — Obito got involved.
“.I’m really gonna be late.”, he muttered now, breaking into a jog along the familiar path towards Uchiha compound.
The air shifted as he crossed into it— quieter and more structured. The houses stood in orderly manner, the atmosphere heavy with expectation. Even the ground feels different like it demanded something out of him. As expected of one of the founder clans.
He slowed as he approached the head clan residence—larger than the rest, composed, almost intimidating in its stillness. The kind of place where even the breeze felt like it should ask permission before passing through.
Obito hesitated at the entrance just long enough to wipe his hands on his clothes, straighten his posture, and try—unsuccessfully—to look like someone who was definitely not late.
Obito exhaled through his nose when he arrived in front of the door.
“Right. Don't mess this up.", Obito psyched himself up because this was not just any errands.
It was a personal request of Mikoto Uchiha, the matriarch of the clan.
Then he knocked.
The door slid open smoothly, revealing Mikoto behind it.
She looked exactly the same as he remembered — composed, gentle, with that quiet warm that didn't need to announce itself to be felt. But there's a faint urgency beneath it today, something in the way her eyes softened and sharpened at the same time.
"Obito.”, she said, a small smile forming. “you came."
Obito laughed nervously, "Yeah—! I mean —of course I did! I just—uh—ran into a few things beforehand."
Mikoto's gaze lingered on him just for a moment, not unkind, just, knowing.
“I see"
She sidestepped aside, allowing him in.
The inferior was calm — almost too calm for comfort. Clean lines, quiet air, the faint scent of something lingering from earlier. It felt like a place where voices naturally lowered, movement became more deliberate without anyone needed to say so.
Obito followed her in, trying not to feel out of place.
"I’m sorry to ask this on short notice.", Mikoto said as she led him further. “A mission came up unexpectedly. I wouldn't have troubled you otherwise.”
“It's no trouble!", Obito said quickly. Too quickly. He winced a little, then tried again but with a more controlled tone, "I mean— it's really okay. I’ve done this before. And I am free either way.”
That much was true.
Babysitting wasn't a prestigious skill to have for an aspiring shinobi, but it was one of the skills Obito had acquired naturally— mostly because he couldn't ignore people in need of help. Kids especially. And Obito does have lots of compassion. His grandma said so. Not him. For the free part, it was mostly true because it was the weekend.
Mikoto’s expression softened.
“I know," she said. " That's why I asked you.” There's a quiet weight to the trust from that sentence.
Before Obito could respond, a small sound drifted from the adjacent room—soft, uncertain.
He blinked.
“…That him?”
Mikoto nodded. “In there.”
She moved toward the doorway, and Obito followed, suddenly far more aware of himself than he had been all morning.
Inside, the room was simple.
And at its center— a small child sat on the floor. Dark hair, soft and flowy. Eyes that seemed far too observant for someone so young. He was surrounded by a few scattered toys, though he didn’t appear particularly interested in them.
Instead, he was looking at the doorway. At Obito.
“…Whoa,” Obito breathed under his breath.
“That was Itachi Uchiha?”, thought Obito.
He had seen him before, of course—briefly, in passing. But this was different. Up close, there was something… quiet about the child. Not shy. Not withdrawn.
Just… aware.
Mikoto stepped forward first, kneeling beside him.
“Itachi,” she said gently, brushing a hand through his hair. “I have to leave for a while.”
The child’s gaze shifted to her, steady. No crying. No fuss. Just attention.
“This is Obito,” she continued, gesturing lightly. “He’ll be staying with you until I return.”
A pause.
Then those dark eyes flicked back to Obito. Obito froze for half a second like deer in headlights—then instinct kicked in.
He crouched down, offering a slightly awkward but earnest smile.
“Hey,” he said. “I’m Obito.”
There was no immediate response. Just observation.
Obito tilted his head slightly. “…You’re quiet, huh?”
A beat.
Then, unexpectedly— Itachi reached out.
Not hesitantly. Not boldly. Just… simply. Small fingers curling around the edge of Obito’s sleeve, as if testing something unseen.
Obito blinked.
And then—he smiled.
This time, it came easily.
Mikoto watched the interaction for a moment longer before standing.
“I should go,” she said softly.
Obito glanced back at her, then nodded, more serious now.
“Don’t worry,” he said. “I’ve got it.”
There was no bravado in it this time. Just sincerity.
Mikoto held his gaze for a second, then inclined her head slightly.
“I know.”
And then she was gone. Silence settled in her absence. Obito looked down. Itachi was still holding onto his sleeve.
“…Alright,” Obito said, exhaling lightly. “Guess it’s just us now.”
He shifted, sitting cross-legged on the floor, careful not to pull away too quickly. Itachi adjusted with him, as if that was the most natural thing in the world.
No complaints.
No demands.
Just presence.
Obito scratched his cheek.
“You’re kinda different from other kids, you know that?” he murmured.
Itachi blinked slowly.
Obito chuckled.
“Yeah… I think we’ll get along just fine.”
Time passed differently after that.
Slower. Softer.
Obito found himself talking—about nothing in particular. About the cat from earlier. About how he almost tripped over a bucket. About training he was definitely going to be late for.
Itachi listened. Or at least, he looked like he did. And somehow, that was enough.
When the child shifted closer, leaning lightly against his arm, Obito didn’t question it. He just adjusted instinctively, making sure he was comfortable.
“…You’re easy to care for,” Obito muttered. “I like that.”
Outside, the day continued as usual. Inside, something quiet settled into place.
Unnoticed. Unnamed.
But real, all the same.