Kakashi smiled, not for the first time wishing he still wore his black mask. His emotions were too visible this way, and made him feel less like a ninja. But he was 'retired' now, more or less. Sticking his hands into his pockets, he strode into Tsunade's office at the hospital, with Sakura leading the way.

"Kakashi Hatake. How long has it been?"

"Yo." Kakashi waved, then took a seat as Sakura spoke to the ex-hokage. He had briefed Sakura before they walked in. As far as Kakashi knew, Tsunade didn't know anything about the Hokage, so the two were not to mention him at all.

"So, I heard you met our secret Hokage." Tsunade said. Kakashi muttered something underneath his breath, and stood up. Tsunade followed him to the door with her eyes as Sakura spoke.

"So I first met him-"

"Hold on one second Sakura. Don't wander off too far Kakashi!" She said as he stood in the doorway, "I still need to talk to you after this."

He nodded, and closed the door behind him.

The hospital was bustling with activity, but he quickly found his way to the front desk. He cleared his throat, but the receptionist silenced him with a finger.

"I'm sorry Kakashi, but the hospital is really busy today. I'm afraid I have no time to talk."

Kakashi frowned, once again wishing he still wore a mask. The pretty receptionist offered him a slight smile and returned to her work, he walked away. There had to be someone to talk to in this place. Then, out of the corner of his eye, he saw something that made him cringe. In a room full of nurses, Guy laid on a hospital bed unconscious.

Kakashi sprinted into the room, only to be stopped by a barrel-chested nurse with large arms.

"Sir, you can't come in here!" The man said, his fore-arms drenched with sweat. Kakashi struggled for a moment against the brute, knowing the whole time he could rip the man's arms off as easily as bat an eyelash. Instead he backed away, letting the man shut the door and block Kakashi from Guy. Kakashi's green shirt was soaked in sweat from the nurse, and his hands were pressed into fists at his sides.

He sat on a nearby bench, and dropped his head into his hands. Any fool could tell that Guy was in critical condition. He pulled his sunglasses off and rubbed his eyes, then stared at the window of Guy's room with his sharingan. The blinds had cracks in them just wide enough for the sharingan to peer through, and Kakashi watched the whole operation from the comfort of his bench. An hour later, he put back on his sunglasses, Guy would live, but he would not be the same.

The last Hatake sighed, another ninja changed forever. Guy would most likely retire after this... or die on his next mission.

This was worse though, Guy was probably Kakashi's closest friend. Then an idea struck him, and Kakashi stood up. He would be there when Guy awoke, and he would have an offer for him. The same offer Kakashi was given so many moons ago...

Naruto slurped the Ramen and smiled as its broth warmed his throat.

Kakashi was sitting next to Guy's bed when Tsunade walked in, Sakura following close behind her. Kakashi had been there when a depressed Guy awoke, and had calmed him down before offering him a new job. The whole thing was very sobering, and it left Kakashi at little depressed himself.

"Yo." He said to the two, hiding his eyes as he reached for his sunglasses. Once they were safely back on his face, he looked up, only to see that they both looked worried, and distraught, "What's up?"

"Have you heard the news?" Kakashi shook his head no, "The council just announced there plan to meet with Hanzo, and they want Sakura to attend."

"Good, we can get to the- What's wrong?" The two women still looked worried. That's when Kakashi realized what was wrong, that meeting would put Sakura and Hanzo right next to eachother, it would be the perfect time for Hanzo to exact his revenge. The council had just signed Sakura's life away in an attempt to orchestrate justice, the old fools.

"We've asked and begged against it, but the council will not hold the trial without Sakura's presence."

"Good thing we have a friend who might be able to help."

The trio nodded, and Kakashi left the room to find the Hokage. Sakura and Tsunade slipped out as well, to let Guy sleep in peace.

"Tsunade, I think I'll be able to protect myself during the trial... we might be freaking out over nothing."

Tsunade grabbed Sakura by the arms, and stared her dead in the eyes.

"Sakura, this man wants revenge, and he is willing to do anything and everything to get it, including making a choice that will indubitably seal his own fate. The best thing we can do is stop him without allowing you to get anywhere near him. With luck, the Hokage will be able to do this. Do not risk anything, just keep yourself safe. You are worth far more to this village alive. Okay?"

Sakura nodded grimly, and Tsunade smiled at her.

"Cheer up kid." She smiled and left, leaving Sakura alone outside Guy's room, a thousand thoughts racing through her head.