[Sealed to active Konoha shinobi] Backdated September 7th

[thebestuchiha]

[Enough was enough. He'd been patient. He'd been nice. He'd been lenient. Now, he was going to be angry. It was too far to expect him to be a nice guy when one of their own shinobi was kidnapped from inside the village. Much too far. The scrolls that got the message glowed a brilliant, angry crimson, so the moment it was seen it would be more than obvious that the Hokage was not in a pleasant mood.]

I expect to be contacted within three days by everyone who has had guard duty of any kind within Konoha over the last seven days. Any who don't who are not on a mission and who do not do so will be dealt with using extreme prejudice.

Uchiha Obito,
Godaime Hokage.

Comments

[thebestuchiha]

His voice was quiet even as he pressed his face against his neck, confident that for the moment Gai would be plenty alert to anyone busting in the window or anything like that, and just really needing to get it off his mind so he could focus on fixing the village so this couldn't happen again. His voice was quiet.

"I told her she'd be okay if she stayed in the village, and someone grabbed her for long enough to hurt her before anyone noticed." His voice was somewhere between anger and guilt and he tightened his hold. "That shouldn't have happened Gai. It shouldn't have."

[morningpeacock]

Gai didn't know to whom Obito made that promise or how she was hurt, but he didnt have to know. His heart broke for the both of them. Obito took his promises as seriously as Gai, and his protective streak was stronger than anything Gai had ever encountered. He could tell how hard this was. Obito hated to fail his loved ones.

"No," he agreed, speaking in a calm, subdued tone and stroking Obito's hair gently. "In a perfect world it would not have. But that is not something you can control. You may try to protect her, but we do not live in a bubble." He pressed a kiss to Obito's forehead and then leaned in, forehead to forehead. "You did everything in your power, Obito. This is not your fault."

[thebestuchiha]

"When she leaves the village without a team I even keep an ANBU on her to avoid things like this." He gave him a weak, pained smile. "She's been having issues but damn it. She's a nice kid. Told me just a few weeks ago she wanted to succeed me and everything. And bad security lost her an eye."

He pulled back a little to rub at his eyes, even if they weren't really wet, the action reflexive when he was emotional. "I'm so angry Gai. What am I doing wrong that my shinobi have been just... like these last months have been?"

[morningpeacock]

Gai framed Obito's face with his hands on the man's cheeks, his thumb stroking at the scarred cheek as if wiping at tears. His own eyes sparkled with un-shed tears for Obito and the girl. He had a sinking feeling he knew who she was, too. Hopefully the loss of her eye would not dissuade her from working towards her goals.

He shook his head. "I do not think it is anything just you have done," he said firmly. "It is something we have all done; do not forget: a failure of the team is not solely on the leader, but on each member as well. We are a we, not an I. Not a you. But regardless, we will consider our options, examine what might be done differently. I will help, if I can. I do not know if it is discipline issues or wandering loyalties or laziness, but we will change it. We must! We will identify the core problem and work to rectify it." Gai took his hands. "Do not lose faith. I believe in your leadership, Obito. Every leader struggles--every team does. But you will lead us to rise above these problems, fix this issue within our ranks, and Konoha will be better and stronger because of you!"

[thebestuchiha]

He'd managed to keep from finding himself in tears before, his mixed feelings having staved them off so he didn't have to worry but then Gai went and had to be all... all perfect at him. He felt proper tears well up and he turned his hands to squeeze Gai's.

"How do you go and do that? You always manage to make me lose my composure." He gave a teary laugh and leaned in, resting his weight against him. "Everything just feels like it's falling apart."

[morningpeacock]

Gai faintly blushed and smiled behind a few sniffles. He was certain that the lost-composure effect went both ways.

"It may feel that way, but it is not. It is just...an uphill climb, which is always a tough part of any journey." He shifted his hold on Obito back to an embrace around his middle, accepting as much of Obito's weight as needed. He knew how weary this made the other man. "People are like muscles. We grow stronger because we are pushed to our limits. Sometimes we do not want to train our spirits, because it is hard, it hurts, it tests us, but we become stronger for it and more aware of what we are capable of. You are capable of many great things--I know, and you will see."

[thebestuchiha]

"I know. I will." He drew in a shaky breath and nodded once, sharply. "I will lead the way through this and the village will be better for it." He lifted his head and leaned up, brushing a light kiss over Gai's jaw before hugging him tightly. "I can't let it get to me, I just need to remember that, yeah?"

[morningpeacock]

He was surprised at the kiss, still unaccustomed to it despite years of actually kissing Obito. "Exactly. There is nothing wrong with tears or frustration. Just do not be defeated by them. Let that emotion help focus your drive to achieve your goals. I believe in you, my beloved Hokage-sama."

[thebestuchiha]

He smiled, pressing his slightly damp face against his neck as he hugged him, feeling a bit less distressed, a bit less like he was going to drown. "I know. You always did, right from that first real talk."

[morningpeacock]

He could feel that smile against his skin, a small reassurance that Obito hadn't let himself be defeated yet.

"There is just something about you, Uchiha Obito. I do not know. But...you have a fire in your eyes, as a Hokage should."

[thebestuchiha]

"Thanks Gai." He gave a last squeeze, pulling back and looking at his face. "I think I really needed that." He swiped a hand over his eyes to dry them, smile lopsided, but genuine.

[morningpeacock]

"I am glad to help. If you need me, I am here for you."

[thebestuchiha]

He slid his hands to Gai's shoulders and gave a squeeze. "Yeah, you are, aren't you?" It was almost thoughtfully said, and his smile softened.

[morningpeacock]

"Of course! I am your Guardian Angel, after all."

[thebestuchiha]

He huffed a breath, flushing slightly. "Yeah, you do keep telling me so." It was a murmur, and he shook his head. "You don't have to stick here all day though. I'm pretty sure I'll be alright now."

[morningpeacock]

"Oh, uh! Of course!" Gai blushed. "I would not want to intrude! I am sure you have important business to attend to. But, I could do some training here, or just outside, if you think you might need someone later!"

[thebestuchiha]

"There is no intrusion Gai, it's not like that..." He paused, looking to the side for a moment in thought. "I wouldn't mind if you lingered though. As company I mean."

[morningpeacock]

"I will not be in the way, promise!" He grinned and flashed a thumbs up. "I could even make myself useful! Move large boxes of paperwork, or other heavy objects! I am very handy in an office setting and excellent company!"

[thebestuchiha]

He huffed a little breath, a soft laugh, and waved him closer. He felt so much better now, calmer. He's glad that Gai was the quickest in response. "Lean in here and give me a kiss so I can tackle the flood of replies okay?"

[morningpeacock]

Gai slid in closer as he blushed, smiling a shyly embarrassed grin, rubbing the back of his neck and looking over his shoulder at the ANBU in the room, before turning his attention back to Obito.

He leaned in and kissed Obito's lips softly and slowly, his hand cradling Obito's scarred cheek tenderly.

[thebestuchiha]

He was a bit surprised by the delicacy of the kiss, when he'd just been angling for a peck on the lips really, but he wasn't going to complain, a smile coming and going before he leaned into the kiss, just... soaking in the moment of gentle attention for what it was.

[morningpeacock]

He finally broke away from the kiss after a long moment, but not without first pressing a light kiss to Obito's cheek. "Ah, I would not want to delay those replies any further." He gave a little laugh.

[thebestuchiha]

Obito blinked up at him, a silly happy smile on his face. He knew it was going to be killed off quick enough, but for the moment, he was happy. "Right. Take it easy on my staff alright? I hassle them enough myself."

[morningpeacock]

"Ha! I do not know the meaning of 'taking it easy!'" Gai put his hands on his hips, posing with determination and contemplating the best methods for motivating Obito's staff. "They will be in top shape by the time I am through with them! And," he added, "I will not be far. If you need me, or need anything--a helping-hand, some water, a massage, anything!--all you have to do is say so! Do not hesitate!"

[thebestuchiha]

He patted his chest, fond and relaxed, then shook his head and turned to look at his desk with a sigh. So much work lay ahead int he upcoming days. "I'm sure I'll forget and you'll have to shove food at me later."