It's been about a three day journey from my village to the capital. Emperor Namikaze's birthday is coming up and I have to be there at the city when it happens. I have to prepare. 

I look over at the other traveling villagers beside me. They don't know anything about me-- who I really am. They just think I'm a normal merchant heading to the capital to sell food for the Emperor's party. 

I smile darkly to myself. Before I left my village I made sure to disguise myself as a normal merchant. This way, I can travel amongst these normal villagers and just walk in past the gates and into the main city square. Of course, I would change my clothes again right after the gate.

I look up and see the looming shadow of the capital wall far ahead. A feeling of nostalgia hits me at the sight of it. It looks a bit different now. As a child, things look a lot more shiny and grand.

It's been years since I've been to the capital. Back then, to the young and carefree child I was, it was a place of community and welcome. Everyone in the surrounding towns and villages would go there to trade goods, buy food, start up small businesses, etc. Heck, even I would sell some stuff and gain extra money. But the main reason I came to the capital was to learn basic sword training. 

It was a nice place back then. A place I remember fondly visiting as a child. But ever since I found out how the capital uses my family for dark purposes, the shiny sheen of the capital's image had grown dark and fake. 

I stopped coming to the capital after that. Ever since my parents told me of the way they shunned the Uchiha, the way they would never recruit a member of my family, just because of the crest we wear on our clothes, I became angry at the capital. The feeling of anger and hatred towards them, fueled my desire to become a great assassin for my family. 

I became a tool for my family. Nothing else...

I feel a numb pain in my chest, as a hazy memory of Kakashi fills my mind. I wonder if he's still there at the capital. He's probably working as a city guard or maybe as a captain. Or maybe he just changed course and became a scholar. He always enjoyed books as well. 

Part of me has always been curious what he looks like now. It's been almost 10 years since I've last seen him-- Since he left to go to the capital. 

I've always regretted not saying goodbye. Right around the time when he showed me his recruitment letter was when my family told me the truth about the capital. And that's when I forced myself to stop seeing Kakashi. I loved him, but our time together was not meant to be. 

"We're here," says one of the merchants at the front. 

Our caravan goes right up to the gate and stops. A couple guards from the gate start walking towards us scanning the items and bags we're holding. Three others start going through our stuff in the carts, checking for suspicious things like weapons or explosives. I notice that there are a lot more guards than usual patrolling the gate. 

I look through the gates. Everything within view looks decorated and cleaned up. Well of course, it's the Emperor's Birthday tonight. 

A guard comes up to me and looks me up and down, "Wares?"

I give him an anxious smile. Well, looks like it's time to put that nervous villager act to use. Just another of those assassin tricks I picked up.

"Oh yes.. my.. my wares," I say, changing my voice and speak with a stutter. I flip open the flap of the basket I'm carrying on my back and show it to the man. "I have baked sweets for the kids, I came all the way from Konoha Valley. So you know these treats are authentic." I smile nervously. 

The guard looks through the baked goods and gives an appreciative arch of his eyebrows. "Wow, they look and smell great. How much?" 

I fidget my shoulders and look down at my hands, counting my fingers. "Oh, to make a profit from gathering ingredients, making them, and then transporting them all the way here… and feeding myself for the journey, they'll be about 10 dollars each?" I show him a friendly yet anxious smile. God, I always hate acting like the weak citizen, but anything to make myself look less threatening. 

The guard looks at me then says, "That sounds pretty steep. How bout I give you 5 dollars for one." He gives me a sly grin.

I smile at him. "Of course, sir." This asshole… 

Since when did the capital become so hostile? I used to sell items for extra money all the time as a kid in the main square. Some nice people would even tip me! I give the guard some baked goods and take his pitiful 5 dollars. Well it’s not like I’m trying to make a profit, but still.

We walk through the gates, I take a look around the edge of the capital and feel nostalgia overwhelm me. In the distance I can see the sword academy. A bunch of memories flood my mind and the same numb feeling hits me as I think of Kakashi again. 

God I miss him so much, but I most likely won’t ever see him again. Unless he’s somewhere at the party, but I’ll just have to disguise myself even better if that happens. Ahh, that reminds me, I need to change into the set of clothes I brought soon. But first, I need to scope out the area and get away from the guards and other merchants. 

There’s a big crowd in front of the capitol building, the citizens must be preparing for the emperor’s birthday. I break off from the group of merchants and blend in with the crowd. The emperor’s birthday party is tonight, so I don’t have much time left. 

I start heading towards an abandoned building and then gasp when I realize that it’s the sword academy. From far away it didn’t look so bad, but up close it’s really run down. I can feel my heart break as I walk around the building to the back training area. What happened to the academy? Why is it abandoned?

A wave of memories hit me as I scan the area. I walk over to the back courtyard and lay down on the soft grass. I stare up at the sky, and think back to the time when me and Kakashi star gazed together. 

It was a chill warm night. I was walking to the academy to do some late night training in the open space in the back courtyard when I noticed Kakashi standing there. I ran up to him and gave him a friendly nudge on his shoulder. He turned to face me and smiled when he saw me. 

“Oh hey, Obito! What are you doing here late at night?” He asks, giggling a bit. 

I smile back at him and say, “I should be asking you the same thing! Anyways I came here to train.” 

“Well, I actually came here to stargaze. Do you wanna join?" 

“Sure!” I reply happily. We then walked to the open grassy area and lay down. 

We lay there on the grass, enjoying the chill night air and calming nature sounds. The crickets were chirping all around us and occasionally a bamboo water fountain echoed in the distance. 

It was peaceful. No nagging parents or judgemental clan members. No disappointed looks from teachers. This was our special place away from home.

I look over at Kakashi as he is looking up at the starry sky. I watch as his beautiful silver hair fell over his eyes as the wind blew a soft breeze through the grassy courtyard. I felt a bright flutter in my chest. He truly is beautiful in every way.

He looks over at me and a warm smile grows on his face. I feel a blush form on my cheeks, so I look away. I hear him chuckle lightly away from my vision. So, I snap my head back toward him. 

"Wh-What's so funny?" I stammer at him. 

He chuckles a bit more and smiles at me. "Oh, nothing." Then he laughs, bright and contagious. I crack a smile and start laughing with him.

I never knew what he was laughing at, but seeing him smile, always brought butterflies in my stomach.

It was moments like that, that I felt truly happy. 

I look back at the courtyard, feeling the happy memory fade away from my mind. The numb ache is still gnawing at my chest, so I push it down and away. Now is not the time to be thinking about such things. I have a mission to do.

I take a weary breath and start walking to the town square. 

….

Now wearing a festive outfit, I enter into the town square. I'm wearing a dark purple dress kimono with black hakama pants. And to complete the outfit, I have two Dango in hand and one hanging out of my mouth, held there by my teeth. (Hey I like Dango, alright?) 

With the complete outfit plus props, I look like a fucking happy partygoer. 

Plus, I have a mask hanging at my waist. Apparently the Emperor loves Kabuki theatre and will be at the opening of one the new plays. Having a Kabuki mask will help me blend in, since most of the crowd are either wearing one or they have one on their person. 

And plus…  having a mask is handy for assassinations, for obvious reasons...

Without moving too much, I feel my black assassin outfit move tightly against my skin under my purple kimono. Also hidden in my sleeves, wrapped tightly around my forearms, are my throwing knives. And on my back, hidden in a weave basket, are my Katana, smoke bombs, and grappling wire. They were easy to hide among and inside the baked goods I brought in from the front gate. 

Now, I just need to scope out the theatre and find a good spot to spy on the emperor. 

I continue walking around the square, acting like a happy carefree citizen and I spot the entrance to the theatre. I casually start heading towards it. Everyone around me is wearing similar clothes, so it’s easy to blend in past security.

It is quite odd though, the capital never used to have such strict security at public events. Well, the emperor will be showing up to it kind of makes sense, but still. 

Once inside the theatre, I look around a bit for any good hiding spots. There’s a dim and empty corner that looks like a good spot. However, I need an area where I will be able to draw my weapons without alerting anyone. But I also need to be close to the emperor and an exit. 

I bite into the dango that’s hanging from my mouth and hum with delight. I’ve always loved the sweet taste of dangos. I finish the one in my hand and toss the stick into a nearby trash bin. I look around some more and notice the spot where the emperor will sit because it stands out from the rest of the seats. There’s a perfect seat a few rows behind it. I walk over to it and set my mask on it to claim it. I should probably ask some people about the new bodyguard so that I know what to expect. 

I walk around some people and tap a man’s shoulder. “I heard that the emperor has a new bodyguard, is that true?” I ask, changing my voice and flashing a small nervous smile. 

The man looks at me and says, “Yes, his new bodyguard is more skilled than the old one. They say he has lots of natural skill and talent, and he's quite young. No one has ever seen his face since he's always wearing a s white dog mask. Rather mysterious, if you ask me.”

“Thank you for the information.” I respond before walking back to my seat. Hmm… so this bodyguard will be skilled and talented. It doesn't matter. I just need to figure out a way to separate him from the emperor, so I can avoid dealing with him. If all goes to plan, the emperor will be dead before anyone notices. 

I put on my Kabuki mask and sit down, quietly waiting for the arrival of the emperor. 

_______

A/N: Hi ya'll. I hope you guys are enjoying our story. Make sure to hop on over to Razor_the_ninja 's profile as well x3

Also, this story is totally Romeo & Juliet lol. It won't end the same tho. Cuz Razor and I WILL NOT kill our babies. :)