Chapter Text
The air in the asylum was heavy with the weight of the unspeakable acts that had transpired within its walls. Detective Kakashi Hatake navigated the dimly lit corridors with a sense of unease gnawing at the edges of his consciousness. He had been called in to consult on a case that had stumped his entire investigative team—a series of gruesome murders that bore all the hallmarks of cannibalism, yet yielded little to no evidence or leads.
As he approached the underground cell reserved for the most dangerous of inmates, Kakashi couldn't shake the feeling of trepidation that gripped him. Warden Ibiki's words echoed in his mind, warning him of the true nature of the inmate he sought out—Dr. Obito Uchiha, a once renowned forensic psychiatrist. Known for his chilling demeanor and unsettling charm, Obito was a figure shrouded in mystery within the walls of the asylum.
He had been at a loss with the recent string of murders that plagued the city of Konoha. Despite his years of experience and sharp investigative instincts, this particular case was unlike anything he'd encountered before, with little evidence to go on and no discernible pattern to the killings. Frustration gnawed at the edges of Kakashi's consciousness as he poured over the crime scene photos and witness statements, searching desperately for any shred of evidence that might lead him closer to the truth.
It was in his darkest hour of desperation that Kakashi had turned to an unconventional source for help—Obito Uchiha, who had once been a trusted ally in the pursuit of justice. Before his arrest, Obito had been instrumental in solving some of the nation's most notorious cases, his keen intellect and sharp insights proving invaluable to law enforcement. But now, locked away behind bars, Obito's expertise lay dormant, untapped—a tantalizing possibility that Kakashi couldn't afford to ignore.
"Ibiki-san," Kakashi acknowledged as he reached the door to Obito's cell, his voice betraying none of the apprehension he felt.
The warden regarded him with a stern expression, his gaze piercing through Kakashi's facade. "Remember, Detective Hatake, Obito Uchiha is not to be underestimated. There is absolutely no physical contact or touching allowed, and if you must hand him something, use the slot in the wall. If he tries to give you anything, do not, and I repeat, do not take it. Instead, notify the guard to your left at the end of the hall. This man is a cannibal, Detective, and he is to be taken seriously at all times, no matter what. Proceed with caution."
Kakashi furrowed his eyebrows. While it wasn't strange for the warden to be warning him of Obito, Kakashi wondered why he emphasized the idea that Kakashi might take him lightly or underestimate him. Surely it was common knowledge to be wary of criminals, right? With a hesitant nod of acknowledgment, Kakashi steeled himself before sitting down on the chair prepared for him directly in front of the cell. What greeted him on the other side was a sight that sent a shiver down his spine.
Obito Uchiha lounged casually on his cot, his posture relaxed yet exuding an aura of undeniable menace. His mismatched eyes locked onto Kakashi's, sending a chill coursing through the detective's veins.
"Detective," Obito greeted with a sweet smile, his voice like honey yet laced with an undercurrent of danger.
Kakashi's breath caught in his throat as he took in the sight before him. Despite the scars that marred the right side of Obito's face, there was an unsettling beauty to him—a beauty that belied the darkness that lurked within.
"Dr. Uchiha," Kakashi replied, his voice betraying none of the turmoil raging within him. "I've come to seek your assistance on a matter of great importance."
Obito's smile widened ever so slightly as he regarded Kakashi with a glint of amusement in his eyes. "And what, pray tell, could I possibly offer you, Detective? Surely you don't expect me to lend my expertise out of the kindness of my heart."
Kakashi felt a bead of sweat trickle down the back of his neck as he struggled to maintain his composure. "I offer you a reduced sentence in exchange for your cooperation," he stated as he slid the case files through the clear slot leading to the interor of the cell, his voice firm despite the uncertainty that gnawed at him from within.
Obito's smile remained unchanging as he glanced at the case files sliding down to his side, before noticing a spider crawling down the cell wall. Kakashi's eyes narrowed as Obito reached out carefully, with practiced ease, and rested his finger at the spot underneath the spider. Slowly, the tiny creature crawled onto his outstretched finger, and a look of childlike wonder crossed Obito's features, momentarily masking the darkness that lurked beneath.
"And what assurance do I have that you can deliver on such a promise?" Obito asked, not bothering to spare Kakashi even a glance as he occupied himself with what seemed to be his newfound friend.
Kakashi's jaw clenched as he fought to suppress the rising tide of anger within him. This prick was really testing his patience. Kakashi felt somewhat offended at the fact that a spider seemed more interesting to Obito than him and his case, and a slight feeling of envy bubbled within his stomach. He didn't like that, not one bit. "You have my word," he ground out through gritted teeth, his gaze never leaving Obito's face even for a second.
Obito's eyes gleamed with a predatory light as his smile immediately dropped, the atmosphere inside the asylum shifting as he swiftly crushed the spider between his fingers. For a moment, neither of them made any movements, the silence deafening as it filled the hallway. Kakashi tilted his head slightly. The man was clearly deranged and unpredictable, but this was definitely a start.
"Very well, Detective. I shall consider your offer," Obito said, as he finally looked up at Kakashi, a grin dancing on his features. And as Kakashi lets out a breath that he wasn’t aware he was holding, Obito lifts a finger and interrupts him. “On one condition. You must let me accompany you at the crime scene, or this is over.”
Kakashi’s eyes were wide in disbelief as he furrowed his eyebrows. He wasn’t hearing things, was he? “Are you…? You do realize that you’re locked up for a reason, right?” Kakashi asked, questioning whether or not he actually needed Obito’s help.
Obito simply smiled. “If I’m going to help you, I have to check everything out for myself. Photographs can be unreliable and misleading.” Obito said casually, clearly enjoying Kakashi's reactions. As Kakashi scoffed and turned to leave, a sense of foreboding washed over him, threatening to consume him whole. He could feel Obito’s eyes boring a hole into the back of his head, and Kakashi clenched his fist because Obito knew he had the upper hand here. He knew that dealing with Obito Uchiha was a dangerous game—one that could have dire consequences if he wasn't careful.
"Don’t think I’ve given up yet. I'll be back before you know it," Kakashi stated firmly, his voice tinged with a hint of warning.
Obito's lips curled into a sly grin as he watched Kakashi depart, his eyes following the detective's every move with a predatory intensity. "Until next time, Detective," he murmured, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "Ah, one more thing," Obito called out, slowing Kakashi’ pace. "Enjoy your stay at the Kirigakure Inn. You are staying there, yes?"
Kakashi instantly tensed up, halting his steps completely. A look of horror in his eyes as he slowly turned around to face Obito, who was staring back at him. And as Obito blinked innocently and offered him a bright smile full of mock warmth, Kakashi swiftly turned on his heel and stomped away.
How much did Obito Uchiha really know? About the case, and about Kakashi personally? It was very possible that Obito predicted Kakashi's request for help before he even arrived at the Hidden Mist’s asylum. Kakashi grit his teeth at the thought.
"I'm done here," he spat out at the guard, who nodded and guided him back to the main floor.
He was definitely regretting his decision to turn to Obito for help, and yet… there was just something about the way Obito’s eyes twinkled in the dark. Kakashi would be lying if he said he didn’t find Obito to be incredibly attractive, but there was a clear boundary of right and wrong that separated the sensible part of his mind and the part that thinks with his dick. And if Kakashi’s face darkened while imagining what might’ve happened had Kakashi actually been inside Obito’s cell, the guard in front of him didn’t need to know.
As Kakashi made his way through the labyrinthine corridors of the asylum, he couldn't shake the feeling that he was being watched—that Obito's gaze lingered on him even in his absence. His thoughts raced back to the dead spider that lay in Obito's hands, and the blank expression on Obito's face as he took away its life within a split second.
Kakashi wondered if he would suffer the same fate from continuing to associate himself with a murderer, and if he, too, would fall deeper into Obito's trap laced with honey-dipped words and sweet smiles. And as he stepped out into the cool night air, he couldn't help but wonder what darkness awaited him on the other side of the abyss.