13. A Brother

Every children wishes for happiness. Everyone does. Some may want more friends or play all day and whine to their parents. Some just want to have an everlasting peaceful days filled with their beloved. Perhaps just fill an empty stomach with great delight. Although, not everyone can gain it.

The first thing he remembered was reaching his hand, tugging the clothes of every passerby and the growling sound that hit his belly. Or the scornful looks that he got everytime he asked for just a bit, a share of those delicious looking buns. He never had a family. No mother, no father to feed him. Or maybe because he had never seen them. But it has always been just him and his ragged, torn clothes. Oh how envious he was to see a couple, walking down the streets with a little child in between. He wanted to be that boy. How many times has it been, that he dreams of replacing those children, the children that looks like they own the world. They don't have to worry about a stomach to fill, or a place to sleep.

He was as thin as skeleton, small and fragile. It was hopeless to think he could survive another day after a long period of winter. Until a miracle came. A man took him in. "I cannot bear to see a child dying." he said. He was not an ordinary figure. He owns a fancy car, an expensive looking suit and definitely, a mansion.

'Ah, i can finally be loved.' Or so the boy thought.

He was confused. Is it really normal to stay in a dark room, confined all day except for when guests were coming. Is that how it's like to be with a family? But it was better, better than dying in the street. Nevertheless.. In his tiny little heart, he wished that he could call the man who took him in, 'father' next time...

*

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*

Guren leaned on a tree trunk, swinging a kunai and his mind were elsewhere. He had a weird dream last night. Something that he already forgets. Although, he was sure that his heart aches just a bit from it. He couldn't concentrate, so his kunai throwing was a little bit off, almost hitting the next person standing across him.

"How about- eyes to the front?" Yahiko sweats, walking closer.

Guren who just came to his senses apologise immediately. "I didn't mean to."

"You sure?"

"I wouldn't harm my benefactor."

Yahiko chuckled, "I hope not. Well, putting that aside.. Are you ready?" He put on his cape as he tossed a canned drink towards the younger one.

Guren took a sip, the last one before it went empty. "Yes.."

"Lets go."

****

Kannabi Bridge. It was one of the most significant incident. During the third shinobi war, Team Minato was sent there to stop the path of supply from an enemy village. The bridge plays a main role to turn over the tide of victory for Konohagakure. It has to be destroyed. Konoha was terribly shortage of manpower, but despite those, they were able to win because of the destruction of the pathway for Iwagakure. Or so what was told in the original.

Zetsu were there- he reported earlier that Minato was caught in their line of sight, pushing his way through the enemies and helping his fallen subordinates. It means 'it' was already happening. Obito will die and he will join Madara's side. Having Zetsu by his side was a double edged sword, nonetheless Zetsu were his only source of informations at the moment. Just like Zetsu, Guren also treated that creature like a pawn.

"Konoha will gain victory this way."

Zetsu tilted their head as they let out a heavy sigh, "Sometimes it's better to watch, rather than listening to the last outcome. It's more entertaining that way."

"I thought you were interested of the future."

"I am." Zetsu grinned.

Guren ignored his statement, moving on to another topic, "Are you certain it was him?"

"Namikaze Minato? There's no way i was mistaken. He left his team to cover the other side."

"The kids?"

Zetsu nodded, earning Guren's acknowledgement. Just before he walks away, Zetsu added.

"Oh but i don't see that boy. Uchiha Obito."

Guren's feet halted and he turned around wide eyed, "What? Have you looked around Kakashi or Rin?"

Zetsu only had his shoulders shrugged, "No sign of him... nor your Wakizashi."

Guren didn't mind not getting his Wakizashi, but what made him ponder the most was Obito's absence. He didn't want to believe Zetsu eventhough that thing had no reason to lie.

"Hey, what's your plan after going back to Konoha? I hope you remember your job."

"I will, only after you find my father's whereabouts and do keep on searching for Obito."

"Haaa.. More work for us.." Zetsu murmured before disappearing into the tree.

During this time, the Akatsuki was aware of the war at the border of Amegakure. The neverending shinobi war that happens everywhere near the fire nation. Guren was told how dangerous it can be to pass through the fights, nevertheless they had to send the boy back. They were all ordered to do the same thing by Yahiko, "Avoid any fight at all cost." Therefore, Yahiko decided to send Kie, Nagato and himself to accompany Guren- the less the better.

Konan had sent her goodbye to Guren with a little pat on his head, she spoke, "Do what you think is best. Follow your heart." She had to stay with the rest of Akatsuki to protect their village like they always did. No matter how much she wants to follow, someone had to stay and lead. She was considered a guardian angel for a reason.

****

Team Yahiko had been running for hours under the rain. They didn't take a single break since they started so Yahiko decided that they would have to- before they arrived at the border.

"Don't let your guard down. I'll take a patrol." Yahiko demanded.

He really didn't have to say that since they were vigilant from the very beginning. None of them had their guard down. Not when they saw corpses along the way and smelt the stench of battle. The smell of blood. Despite how the rain tried to wash away those scents, Guren couldn't help but scrunched his face.

There were a few shinobi corpses and some that they claimed as innocent civillians -based on their outfit- laying on the ground. Some were half buried, some had lost parts of their limbs. There were stains of blood splattered around. If Guren could describe it in one word, it would be-- hell. It wasn't the first time he had seen it but no matter how much he had, it wasn't a pleasant sight.

"The battle has long since started." Kie walked towards a disfigured body on the ground. He knelt in front of it and closed his eyes, "War is miserable, Guren. People blindly fight each other to claim victory, to claim their rights for land, selfish reasons.. They thought that the enemies are robbing them but they don't realise that they are also stealing someone else's right to live."

"..."

"But our leader believes that war will end one day." Kie finished, lifting himself up and ruffled the child's head, "Perhaps when you go back, you can consider joining us towards that path."

Guren had mixed feelings. Can war really be stopped? No matter what world or era he was in, he never heard of a truly peaceful time. Perhaps there were moments but none truly lasts.

"But i don't know if you can really join us, maybe when you're a little older?"

"By then, we're all going to be a lot stronger." Yahiko interrupted from behind, earning both Guren's and Kie's attentions. "You too Guren."

"Yahiko, you surprised us."

"I told you not to lower your guard down."

"We never did." Guren finally spoke. At first, Yahiko didn't understand what he meant, until his eyes caught the kunai in that small clasp.

Yahiko smirked, "You have a good sense."

Kie however was in awe after seeing Guren's quick action, "Are you born shinobi? Or did you have a rough past?"

Both actually-- if only that was easy to say.

"What did you find?"

"Corpses. Shinobis from small villages. I took care of some that tried to attack. There might be more of them so we can't stay for long."

"It's crazy over here as well." Kie sighed. He was referring to the mess there. "It's not a really comfortable place to rest."

Guren agreed but they don't have any other choice. The moment they get to the border, they will have no chance of resting at all. Not while there is a battle ongoing. "We'll have to make do, Kie-san. I do wish to have a safe place as well but right now, it doesn't look like we can choose."

"Guren's right, this is probably the best place currently. We don't know what's to come."

"Right. I'm glad the sky is clearing up too."

"It means we're close. By the way, where's Nagato?"

"Nagato-san went to that direction." Guren pointed his finger towards the north-east, "Hmm?" From there, he could see a faint figure of the red head coming closer. He was strangely rushing his way to head over here with a serious look on his face. Guren had a bad feeling, he already had his hand on his pouch.

Yahiko suddenly speaks in a low voice, "Be prepared."

*

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A week ago..

"It's true that this belongs to Hamada's family. This is probably his child's."

Obito and Kakashi knew that they can't be wrong. They had seen it first hand during their sparring or when Obito once asked Guren to look at his beloved Wakizashi- which Guren was reluctant to hand it over- until he gave up due to Obito's annoying persistency.

"I told you we didn't need to re-check. It was definitely his. Who else uses a Wakizashi that we know of."

"Plenty." Kakashi scoffed as he turned and walked away.

Obito took the weapon back from the blacksmith in a hurry after expressing his gratitude. Then, he went and caught up to Kakashi from behind. "Not in this case. We should've just went to search further."

"I don't know when was the last time you used your brain but that river leads to Amegakure."

"So what? He could've been there!"

Kakashi was irked. It felt like he was speaking to a wall, not a person who owns a mind. He had told the loser over and over again how dangerous it can be but no matter what he said, Obito didn't listen. Even so, Kakashi kept himself composed. "If you can't get it then do a proper research. You'll die before you even get to be a jonin."

"Are you talking about the war that's happening right now?"

Kakashi came to a halt, "I see that you're not completely an idiot. The third hokage had asked for Minato-sensei's assistance for the battle with Iwagakure. It's our hope to win this war. So he can't risk us going as far as Amegakure."

"Not unless i go alone."

"Haaa?? How crazy can you be? You're as strong as a genin and you haven't even gain Uchiha's significant trait, the Sharingan. It's best to just let it go... Besides-- " He paused. Kakashi's hands formed into a strong fist. Somehow, the words he was about to say next sent a stinging pain to his heart. "-- it's impossible for Guren to be alive after a fall that high." He bit his lips and swallowed his pride.

"We have our own mission as a Konoha shinobi and stick to that."

"The problem about you Kakashi is that you look down on people too much. We found Guren's sensei and his friends in that small village and they survived. You're judging based on what you think is best when it's really not. You think you make the right decision but all you do is abandoning your comrades. Didn't Guren mean anything to you?"

"Whatever he meant to me doesn't matter anymore. I'll follow the third hokage's order to stay here and that's what a real shinobi should do."

Obito can't believe what he had just heard. His head felt like it would explode just from getting mad. "Hey! Are you seriously saying that?" Kakashi acted differently in front of Guren. Anyone can see how that kid managed to fill a space in Kakashi's heart. Even if it's only a tiny bit, Obito was sure Kakashi had changed after meeting Guren. Obito was truly disappointed in him."If being a true shinobi means abandoning your friends then i'll just go and crush all of the so-called real shinobu."

"Are you trying to break the rules?"

"I heard of the story about your dad. I think the white fang is a true hero."

Kakashi flinched at Obito's sudden remark.

"You can call me scum for breaking the rules but those who would abandon their friends are even worse than a scum." Obito finished before he went the opposite way.

Kakashi was left bewildered. He didn't left his spot and pondered for a long time.

****

No matter how much Obito persuaded the third hokage, he wasn't allowed to go alone. Not when Minato had to assist the battle against Iwagakure. Rin and Kakashi didn't dare to go against Hiruzen, unlike that brave Uchiha. Everyone there knows the limit of Obito's capability. They all agreed not to let him go until a man made his entrance into the hokage's office. He had a visible scar on his forehead due to a surgery he recently had but he came with a firm resolve. Obito and the rest were confused but they didn't take any actions.

"I'll accompany him."

Hiruzen rubbed his temples in distressed. "You had just recovered, Genji. Are you sure about this?"

"Yes. If we go stealthily, i'm sure we'll be alright. This is all my fault anyway. Guren wouldn't have to suffer if i didn't underestimate the enemies."

The third hokage studied his jonin's look and let out a small sigh, "Actually, I was told that Uchiha Hamada had finished his mission and he is heading towards Amegakure."

"Wait you mean Hamada-san is-?"

"That's right. But he's gravely injured and if possible, i want you to support him. Find them. Both of that father and son, bring them home."

"Yes sir!" Obito and Genji shouted in unison.

Hiruzen finished his sentence with an encouraging words. Hoping for the best outcomes. They all do. After that, they left the office to get ready for tomorrow.

The last ones to exit were Kakashi and Obito but they didn't even spare each other a glance. Not even a word was exchange until Kakashi started first,

"Make sure he's safe."

Obito was surprised when the guy suddenly said those unexpected words but he immediately responded with a big grin on his face. "Watch me bring back our brother."