"Come in," Kakashi called from his desk in the Hokage's Office, not bothering to look up from the form he was reviewing. Since officially becoming the Sixth Hokage of Konoha, his days had become a flurry of paperwork to do and dignitaries to entertain in the wake of the war. Having Shikamaru disturb his train of thought by adding more forms to his desk than Kakashi was able to clear each day, unfortunately, was also becoming commonplace for him.

But this time it was not Shikamaru at all. Instead when the Rokudaime lifted his gaze he was surprised to be met by a white medical coat and concerned green eyes beneath rose hued locks.

"Sakura," he said warily, not wishing to be standoffish with a former teammate, but hoping to convey his desire for her to make her petition brief. His workload would keep him busy late into the night once again as it was. "What is it?"

"Status report on Tsunade-sama's research, Kakashi-Sensei."

"Ah," came the response. "And?"

"We have made progress on the prosthetic arm and hand, but unfortunately it is still in the preliminary stages. We have had several setbacks when it comes to actually fusing the First Hokage's cells with Naruto's through means of blood samples and skin grafts."

"I see. Any possible theories?"

Sakura shook her head. "Not yet, but Tsunade-sama said it would be difficult at best..."

"...And, things concerning Naruto usually are," Kakashi said, finishing her thought for her. It actually brought a small nostalgic smile to both of their faces, although one was only visible by looking at his eyes. But, no sooner had it come it was gone again, and he was forced to get this situation taken care of and move on to the next. "Is that all?"

Sakura's eyes shot down to the floor as she stood there just a moment too long for Kakashi. Sighing, he laid down his pen and gave her his full attention. More gently this time, he asked, "What is it, Sakura?"

"I'm worried about him," she said at last. "His depression seems to be getting worse every day, and each time we come back to him with bad news... I can't stand seeing him like this anymore. I feel like I failed him."

The Rokudaime looked back at his former student with empathy. "Sakura, Naruto can be reckless beyond reason, but he is a shinobi, and he understands that his actions have consequences, good and bad. If he never gets his arm back but gets to have his friend again, I doubt he will count it as a loss."

Sakura looked at him with a small smile but said nothing.

Kakashi continued. "But, even though he knows that this is a long shot at best doesn't mean he wouldn't get his hopes up. Reality is setting in for him, and he isn't sure what that means. Be his friend and be there for him, but this is something he has to work through on his own."

Her features took on a more serious appearance at that last phrase. "Yes, sir," she said, giving him a bow before turning back to the door.

"One last thing," he said as she took hold of the knob. "No matter how bleak the situation may seem, Naruto doesn't run away, he doesn't give up, and he never goes back on his word."

Sakura turned to look at her teacher with eyes wide, while his own seemed to smile back at her.

"Because that's his Ninja Way."

Unsure how to respond to this, Sakura merely nodded, and with a twist of the knob she passed through the door and closed it quietly behind her.

The smile left Kakashi's eyes the moment the door closed, a look of silent concern in its place. He, too, had noticed the change in Naruto, but if experience was any teacher he knew he was making the right decision.

His only concern now was that he didn't wait as long to move on as he had.