So it wasn't the beginning of the war, but it started a few months later. Minato-sensei wouldn't speak of why Sakura had come back to the village on the brink of death and frankly, Kakashi didn't care. She wasn't a Leaf Ninja, despite the fact she wore a headband. She was a spy and he was going to prove it.

But despite all the times he followed her, he never noticed anything about her. She trained all day by herself or with Gai or his team (unless she was out on a mission with them or on a solo mission) or she was reading. Her taste in reading was left to be imagined. She read about some difficult seals or ways to freeze time or something. She was terribly perspective and seemed to know when he was near, so he was never able to get to close to her.

Unless she was sparring with Team Minato. When she wasn't helping Rin, Kakashi would spar her. He wanted to go all out, but she wouldn't let him. She wanted to work on Tai jutsu training, which was good for her because she sucked so badly at it, but he needed a challenge. He was going to become a Jounin soon and he wanted to provoke her into using that flicking tree thing. So he could use his Chidori. But whenever he tried something, she easily countered it. She was terrible at a lot of things, but even Kakashi had to admit that she was a strong and formidable ninja.

The night before they left for war, Kushina made a dinner for Team Minato, where Sakura also attended.

"Kakashi…she lives here." Rin chided him as he glared at her.

"Yeah Kakashi, they aren't going to tell her to leave because you are going to be a little bitch about it."

Kakashi punched Obito in the gut.

"Kakashi!" Rin helped a doubled over Obito stand straight.

"Thank you, Rin-chan!" Kakashi rolled his eyes as he walked over to his Sensei. Sensei was staring out the window as the two Uzumaki girls giggled in the kitchen. When Kakashi made his way over, Minato smiled.

"I have a surprise for you, Kakashi-kun." he held out a letter to Kakashi, who took it with a small nod.

"What is it?" he turned it over before looking back up to his sensei, who was smiling at him. Kakashi shrugged, ripping off the official seal, eyes roaming over the contents. He hands went numb. He looked up to his Sensei whose smile got wider. He felt his face light up as his heart rate accelerated. Warmth spread through his chest. I did it.

I became a Jounin.

"Congratulations, Kakashi-kun." Minato said. "You deserve it."

"What's going on!?" Obito ripped the letter out of Kakashi's hand. "You made Jounin!" he felt Rin wrap him in a hug as Obito complained behind him. He mind was still on his sensei's praise.

He finally deserved it.

He felt his face heat up.

Sakura and Kushina came out of the kitchen, Kushina holding a cake and Sakura holding a stack of plates. "Congratulations Kakashi-kun!" they both cheered. The cake said 'Congratulations Kakashi on Jounin!' "Sorry this is all we can do for now! We'll have a real celebration with everyone once everyone comes home safely." Kushina looked over to Minato and glared at him for a moment before taking the cake to sit it on the table. Sakura followed her and put her plates down before returning to the kitchen to get the rest of the food.

The dinner was festive and delicious. He didn't even hate Sakura or Obito during the whole time.

When the guest went to leave, Sakura went from smiling to almost crying. But it seemed like Kakashi was the only one that noticed.

"Congratulations, Kakashi." She whispered as she pulled him into a tight hug, "And be careful on your mission. Use your best judgment." She whispered in his ear before letting him go. She hugged Rin with a big, fake smile before pausing at Obito. Her eyes got glossy before pulling him into a bone crushing hug. "Good bye, Obito." She whispered, almost choking.

Obito laughed and returned the hug.

The boys and Rin left, walking Rin home before walking towards their respective homes. "Kakashi…" Obito said as they stopped at the point where their paths split. "You don't-you don't think Sakura-chan…has the hots for me?"

Kakashi stared blankly at him. "Excuse me?"

"I mean," Obito grinned, a hand scratching the back of his head. "She was almost tearing up in there when we were saying goodbye." He looked concerned. "You don't think she likes me do you? Cause…I don't want to break her heart. She's cute and all, but-"

"Go home, Obito." Kakashi turned and headed home, "I'm not having this conversation anymore."

As he felt Obito's Chakra eventually leave, Kakashi couldn't help but wonder why she was so upset by saying good bye to Obito. Obito of all people.

But after he was carried into the village by Minato-sensei after the bridge incident, Kakashi understood.

Because Obito was dead.