Introduction
The morning in Hokage's office was busier than usual and didn't include paperwork. Not for Kakashi, at least, and he would have been happier with a pile of papers than to have two short meetings with two blond ninja.
One of them was standing before his desk, looking very impatient to leave and do something useful. That was probably making her worth of being Kazekage's bodyguard, not the fact she was his sister.
''I am welcoming you only because Shikamaru agreed to do the paperwork instead of me. Otherwise I would be cursing your decision.''
Temari nodded briefly, not in the mood for chatting.
''Tsunade-sama will also greet you officially right after she sobers up. I know you aren't used to relaxed and easy-going attitude, but you will simply have to adjust. The only person able to scold Tsunade-sama is her best friend and even him, being one of the strongest man alive, every once in a while gets a broken rib or two.''
''That's me,'' Jiraiya grinned at the young blonde.
''Fine,'' she replied simply.
''Make yourself at home for now and new missions will await you next week.''
''Very well.''
''You are free to go, Temari. And Jiraiya-sama, would you mind sending Naruto in?''
Temari nodded shortly then headed to the door. Jiraiya followed her, only he let her stroll out first. To Hokage's surprise, Sannin shut the door.
''Do you need something?'' Kakashi asked.
''If the boy decided to go, you have to let him.''
''He is leaving for the wrong reason.''
''Love can't be the wrong reason. What would you like him to do, stay and fight for the girl's love? Women's feelings can't be easily converted.''
''If you are talking from your experience, didn't Tsunade-sama invite you to come back?''
''She invited Orochimaru also,'' Jiraiya said quietly.
Kakashi rolled his eyes.
''That doesn't mean she likes him more than you.''
''Yeah, she only gives him more reasons to stay,'' Jiraiya sounded offended.
''Your request is not reasonable. You can't open a bath house for girls and be the only man allowed to enter.''
''Do you also want that privilege?'' Jiraiya grinned teasingly.
The answer was obvious, but Kakashi was Hokage. And decent. And not so desperate, so he continued in a serious tone.
''I know you would like Naruto to be like you and travel around the world, but would that also be his father's wish? Or his mother's?''
''It wouldn't,'' Jiraiya sighed.
''Then send him in and I will try to understand his drastic move,'' Kakashi ordered and Jiraiya closed the door.
Instead of an old Sannin, a young blond ninja entered Hokage's office and greeted his former team leader as usual.
''Kakashi-sensei. I mean Hokage, I mean-''
''Let's not waste time on formality, you know it never mattered to me.''
Naruto nodded.
''What I want to know is if your decision is final. And justified.''
Naruto wasn't making an eye contact, staring at the distance absently. From that serious poise, Kakashi knew that whatever Naruto decided, it was the hardest decision of his life so far.
''I am leaving,'' he said flatly.
Hokage let him speak without interruption.
''I have to develop,'' Naruto continued. ''I can't do that without a sparring partner. I can't fight Sasuke any more and I must leave.''
''Jiraiya-sama could-''
''He is not here because of me, but because of Tsunade-o-ba-chan.''
Okay, Kakashi couldn't play sensei card, maybe mentioning Hokage would do better.
''You are Tsunade-sama's successor and you can't just leave the village.''
Naruto snorted shortly.
''Kakashi-sensei, Hokage is the strongest shinobi of Konoha. I am not even close to be called the strongest.''
And he couldn't become any stronger without Sasuke and he refused to fight him. For this one time, Naruto's logic was flawless.
''You matured a lot within last two weeks.''
Naruto shrugged, still gazing somewhere far away.
''It should have happened much sooner. I am not even sure what I was expecting to happen.''
Only one more person could make Naruto stay. Kakashi hated he had to bring her up because she was the one responsible for Naruto's restlessness.
Hokage whispered his last trump card.
''Sakura does love you, Naruto.''
Now Naruto looked Hokage straight in the eye.
''I know she does, only not the same way I care about her. Even if she did, she would love Sasuke more.''
Kakashi didn't know what to say. Comforting was pointless because it would be fake and dishonest. He was glad Sakura finally got what she had been dreaming of for so long. He also hated Naruto was suffering and had to deal with it the best way he knew - by keeping his distance from his best friends.
''Be around here somewhere, I only need a quick word with Kazekage.''
''With Gaara? He was the one who invited me and-''
''It's political,'' Kakashi interrupted.
''I will get Gaara right away.''
''Thank you, Naruto. We'll be seeing each other later.''
''Later, Kakashi-sensei!''
Maybe it wasn't the best solution, but it was the only one Kakashi had at the moment. Maybe it would help Naruto; to get over Sakura, to get stronger, to find happiness while away from home.