[open] What can I say little one, it was fun just to know you

[ghostpepper]

Who: Kushina and YOU (yeah that's right)
When: 01/24 afternoon on, 01/26 to 01/29 morning, 01/31 early evening on
Where: Konoha
Notes: It's been almost six long years, but the day is finally here. Kushina's coming home with the last two ANBU who had been stationed in Uzushio. For good. Most of the time between her travels will find her trying to adjust to knowing she won't be called back over any emergencies a whole country away, that she doesn't have to leave after a few days to a week to go back to work, and that she can actually find a routine to stick to again.

((Okay, here's how the time breakdown is going. Her first stop at midday 01/24 is the Hokage's office, the 25th is Minato's birthday (skipped entirely for family time) and the 29th to most of the 31st is cheering on Karin in the exam finals, but the rest of the time she's free for ambushing around the village.))

Comments

First off of course.

[thebestuchiha]

When Kushina walked through the door, she got a proper greeting. In other words, he was up and around the desk to hug the woman before she managed to get the door all the way closed so they could talk. "Welcome home!"

Never late for the Habanero, hm?

[ghostpepper]

She made him wait until she got the door shut, having told the ANBU to stay outside to wait for her, then they could get their own debriefing. When she turned, there was a giant grin on her face as she wrapped Obito in a giant bear hug. Business and whatnot could wait until after some personal catch-up time.

"I'm glad to be back. It's going to take some getting used to, not living part-time between two villages or worrying about some emergency or another calling me away."

Wouldn't dare bro.

[thebestuchiha]

"I'm sure sensei will be thrilled to see more of you." He laughed and hugged her tight, squishing the stuffing out of the woman and half lifting her off her feet before setting her down to ease back.

"And it'll be really good to see you for me too."

Mwahahahaha

[ghostpepper]

Her grin broadened at the remark. There was no doubt in her mind, and the sentiment was mutual.

"I don't doubt that at all. He knows I'm stepping down at the end of this month, but I didn't tell him an exact day so this is a bit of an early birthday present for him. So if you see him first, don't tell him. This is a surprise." She gave Obito a wink before proceeding to tease him. "And I hope that means you'll be coming down from your tower a little more often. I'm planning on making a big dinner tonight if the whole team's free."

[thebestuchiha]

"Totally gonna be there." He laughed and shook his head at once, easing back a couple steps. "But don't go making it sound like I never come out, that just wouldn't work you know!"

[ghostpepper]

"Hey, hey, I know you come down once in a while, y'know!" She put one hand on her hip and wagged a finger at him for a mock scolding. "I saw you at the Chuunin exams and the fundraiser auction before that. And you were out of there for Kakashi's birthday party too."

[thebestuchiha]

"And I've been out of the village for a couple things. I'm headed to Kiri in a few days too." He shook his head, moving to lean on his desk. "Sides, I have lots of things to keep my attention out of this tower."

He laughed, waving a hand before grinning.

[ghostpepper]

"Ah! That's right. I promised Karin I'd come see her in the final matches. But I kinda have to ask permission to leave the village now, huh?" But something else he said caught her attention too. "What kinds of things keep your attention out of here?"

[thebestuchiha]

He felt a hint of color come to his face at her last question and cleared his throat. "Uh. No problems with you going to Kiri, so don't even worry about that."

What's that? Totally skipping over that question, yep.

[ghostpepper]

If there was any way to make her latch on to something with iron-clad strength and dogged determination, it was to dodge her questions. She gave him a few seconds of raised eyebrows and a pointed look to see if he'd take the cue.

"And? Come on, Obito, tell me. What gets your attention out of here?"

[thebestuchiha]

"I uh. Um." He was turning redder and cursed himself for flustering. Composure. She was going to punch him for not telling her sooner.

Crap.

"Been spending more time with people?"

[ghostpepper]

...There was nothing to be embarrassed about if he was just spending time with people. The cogs in her brain chugged along, as she stifled a laugh at the color spreading over his face. They pulled up memories of Minato's reign, reminding her how she'd often been incentive for Minato to come home sooner rather than later-- Something clicked and the realization dawned on her.

"You've met someone! Obito Uchiha, you spill right now! Who is it?!"

[thebestuchiha]

"I have not! I haven't met anyone new at all!" Not helping his case, so not helping his case, but his hands were already up and waving as though to ward her off.

[ghostpepper]

"So, it's someone you knew already! How long have you known them? Are they a civilian or a shinobi? How long have you been a thing? Is it serious?"

There was no warding her off. She'd sunk her teeth in and it would take a miracle to make her let go now.

[thebestuchiha]

"Uh." He slipped sideways, clearly intending to escape around his desk. "Depends what you mean?"

How does he even answer that???

[ghostpepper]

Unfortunately for Obito, she wasn't having any of that and stayed on him. Prey, meet predator.

"What do you mean it depends on what I mean?! Am I gonna have to guess through everyone I know you know? If that's it, it's gotta be someone you've known for a while, but you said you gave up on Rin ages ago. So who is it? It's someone from Konoha, right? Right?"

[thebestuchiha]

"What? Of course it is! I'm not one of the cross village people." He waved her down again, scowling as he paused. "It'scomplicated so just. Agggh."

[ghostpepper]

"I'm one of those cross village people, y'know!" Her temper got the better of her as she yelled and reached up to punch him. While she normally would've gone for his head, she aimed for his shoulder. Fast and hard.

"And whaddya mean it's complicated?! Is it some kinda "I'm sorta dating them but not really" deals?!"

[thebestuchiha]

"Well, kind of and kind of not? I mean. I was then wasn't and am and uh, cuddling and things and it's complicated." He rubbed his arm, pouting at her.

[ghostpepper]

He really wasn't making much sense, but the last part summed it up perfectly. Complicated. It sure sounded that way, as vague as he was being, but she still had an unanswered detail.

"Well? Who is it? Just give me a name, Obito! Please?"

[thebestuchiha]

"Erm." He looked a little cornered. "A name. Uh. Well. You see."

[ghostpepper]

She froze and her eyes nearly popped out of her skull in surprise. It took a few seconds before she went right back to trying to shake him down for more information.

"There's more than one?! Who are they?!"

[thebestuchiha]

He felt his eyes widen at the look on her face and took another step back. "Well you kind of know the people but I'm not really sure how to explainhowthingsarenow?"

He sure was talking faster as he went along.

rip in peace

[ghostpepper]

If she hadn't been so bound and determined in her quest for names, she would have found Obito's reactions hilarious. Instead, she advanced on him to shove a finger into his chest.

"I know a lot of people that you know in this village, Obito! I want names, now!"

[thebestuchiha]

He looked like he was going to bolt out of his own office. His tone was only somewhat audible. "Kakashi and Gai?"