Lovestruck Yoko

"Guy, Shizune, you're here too!"

Obito smiled and waved, greeting the three of them.

Then he gave Guy and the others a few quick answers, roughly explaining how he had caught the spy.

It was already dark, with only faint moonlight illuminating the ground.

But the trees were dense, and little light reached the forest floor.

To be safe, Obito decided to take everyone back to the temporary camp first and meet up with Kakashi and Rin.

Yata Shimura hoisted the unconscious Namiashi Raidō onto his shoulder.

Guy hoisted the unconscious Aoba Yamashiro onto his shoulder and waved to Obito. "Obito, let's go."

"Yeah." Obito nodded.

But just as Obito was about to take a step, he felt something weighing him down.

Only then did he realize that the lovestruck Yoko Hyuga was still clinging to his arm, rubbing her cheek against him.

Feeling rather helpless, Obito grumbled, "Yoko, what are you doing? People could easily get the wrong idea."

Stars sparkled in Yoko's eyes. Rather than letting go of Obito's arm, she tightened her grip:

"Mmm, Obito, I don't care! I only feel safe when I'm beside you. Besides, your handsome looks and your unique charm have completely captivated me. I don't want to leave your side so easily."

"Huh...?" Obito looked stunned and raised a hand to push Yoko's forehead away:

"While there's no denying that I possess every one of those qualities you mentioned, we need to get moving. See? Guy and the others are already way ahead."

Yoko giggled. "That's even better! Let them all leave. Then we can stay here and have some time alone together."

Obito waved frantically at Guy and Shizune, who were already far ahead, and shouted, "Hey! Can someone do something about her? We've got someone who's lost her mind here!"

But Shizune, Guy, and the others paid little attention. They merely looked back and waved for him to catch up.

Left with no choice, Obito raised his hand and chopped Yoko across the back of her neck.

Caught completely off guard, Yoko was knocked unconscious, and Obito promptly slung her over his shoulder.

"Let's go, big guy!"

Obito prodded the captive who had stopped ahead to wait for him and continued on his way.

The burly bald man seemed to have been beaten into submission by Obito and remained silent.

Looking thoroughly aggrieved, he followed Obito's instructions without putting up any resistance.

Before long, the group made their way through the darkness and safely reached Kakashi and Rin's temporary camp.

By the stream.

After catching fish, Kakashi had gathered dry firewood nearby and built a campfire.

He had even put three whole fish on to roast. By now, they were almost cooked and giving off a mouthwatering aroma.

When Kakashi and Rin heard movement in the bushes behind them, a hint of wariness crossed their faces.

Only after they recognized the voices as Obito, Guy, and the others did they relax.

"Obito! Is that you?"

Rin stood and jogged toward the rustling bushes.

Obito had said he was going to gather firewood, but he had been gone so long that Rin had become terribly worried.

Kakashi stuck the skewer holding his grilled fish into the ground.

Then he stood and followed her toward the voices.

"Rin! It's me! I'm back!"

Naturally, Obito had heard Rin calling.

As he answered, Obito, Guy, Shizune, and the others emerged from the bushes beside the stream.

"Obito, where did you go? We were just thinking about going to look for you."

Rin's tightly furrowed brow finally relaxed.

"Rin! I told you this guy would be fine," Kakashi grumbled, folding his arms.

But Obito still caught the trace of worry fading from his eyes.

"Rin, I'm sorry I made you worry."

Obito lowered Yoko Hyuga from his shoulder and shoved her into Kakashi's arms.

Utterly bewildered, Kakashi instinctively caught the unconscious Yoko.

Before Kakashi could speak, Obito patted his shoulder. "Kakashi, if you're worried about me, just say so. Stop acting like you don't care."

"Tch! You're as shameless as ever." Kakashi turned his head away, refusing to admit it.

Might Guy gave Kakashi a thumbs-up. "Kakashi, we meet again, one of my lifelong rivals!"

Kakashi gave Guy an indifferent glance. "You again? That green jumpsuit of yours really is ugly."

Might Guy immediately wilted at the blow.

But a moment later, fire blazed in his eyes as he roared at Kakashi:

"Damn you, Kakashi! This outfit is the symbol of my youth! It represents my burning youth! It's nowhere near as awful as you make it sound!"

Everyone froze at Might Guy's over-the-top antics, their faces blank with speechless disbelief.

Shizune stepped forward to intervene. "Everyone! Let's stop talking here. Could we find somewhere to sit down first?"

Kakashi stared impassively at Might Guy for a few seconds, then nodded. "Yes, yes, it represents your burning youth. But it really is a little ugly."

"NO!!" Struck down once more, Might Guy clutched his head as tears streamed down his face.

But that meant he let go of Aoba Yamashiro, who had been draped over his shoulder, sending him crashing to the ground.

Already badly wounded, Aoba Yamashiro now had even more injuries to contend with.

Aoba woke from the pain, grimacing as his cheeks twitched uncontrollably. "Guy... could you please stop doing this to me... I'm injured..."

The farcical exchange finally came to an end.

Rin dragged the sharp-tongued Kakashi aside to give him a lecture.

Shizune and Guy helped Aoba Yamashiro up from the ground and headed toward the campfire.

Obito turned back and tied up the burly bald man.

In fact, Obito had already bound the burly bald man on their way here.

He simply hadn't tied him too tightly, since the man still needed to walk on his own.

Now that he had brought the man to their campsite, Obito naturally had to take precautions to keep him from getting any ideas about escaping.

Obito had returned with such a large group, including several injured people.

Rin and Kakashi were both rather bewildered.

Still, neither of them immediately asked any questions.

After Rin finished lecturing him, Kakashi took out a light and returned to the stream to catch more fish.

With so many people back at camp, three grilled fish clearly wouldn't be enough for dinner.