Chapter TWENTY ONE

From his perch, Kakashi watches the dynamics of the newly formed Team Seven. As far as he can see, this team is doomed to a path of misery. Each third is tainted a different color and if he adds himself to the mix...well, he isn't exactly the encouraging kind of teacher this team needs in order to move forward. Sure, he might share understanding but that was about it.

Naruto's upbringing itself is a pleasant one. Both Kushina and Minato are wonderful parents and they are sure to support his decision on whatever he decides to do. However, this emotional support was turning out to hold negative sides. As Naruto grew older, Minato had gradually began increasing the workload he had held off for a while in order to help Kushina with raising Naruto during his early years. This was only worsened by the expectations put on him by the people who not only had never met him, but had only ever heard of Minato through stories as well. Then there was the mystery shrouding Naruto, Kushina and the state of the Kyuubi, who had vanished the night Minato sealed him. The Yondaime had refused to disclose any information on it and the little who knew about it had been sworn to secrecy, leaving the rest of the story up to the gossips and rumors of the villagers to continue.

It is this that made Naruto's situation more complicated than it seemed. Plenty of children named prodigies went through misunderstandings. However, the root of the blond's problem lies in social problems and human interactions, which Kakashi has next to no experience in. He has grown up without a mother and his father had dropped out of the picture halfway during his childhood. He doesn't know what it is like to have someone to depend on and therefore, he has never had the problem of having to deal with that support suddenly disappearing.

Sasuke's problem lay in the nature of his clan and his fixed upbringing. He was being held back where Naruto was being overwhelmed. A clan upbringing was harsh as it was, especially for a major clan like the Uchiha, who greatly valued appearance and presentation. With a brother like Itachi, the prodigy of the generation, to represent the face of the Uchiha, a backup like Sasuke, who wasn't as fast, as strong, as perfect, wasn't needed and Sasuke knew this better than most, to the point his own mind was exaggerating this fear of being thrown aside.

Unlike Naruto, Sasuke grew up lacking the acknowledgement his brother had been showered with. While his own accomplishments were impressive for his age, Itachi always stole the light. Everything he did was nulled out by the fact that Itachi had managed them faster, earlier and better. Here, Kakashi is more in Itachi's shoes than in Sasuke's. He understands the feelings of those who are forced to leave people behind and knows that doing so leaves emotional damage of their own. However, he does not know what it feels like to be left behind and how this affects the mentality of someone who is forced to acknowledge the fact that they are inferior, and will continue to be inferior, in the face of the perfect expectations laid out in front of him.

Sakura's predicament also lay in the upbringing of her clan, though this was more at a traditional value compared to the Uchiha. What kept Sakura within her shell was not expectations, but the lack of them. With nothing to aspire towards, Sakura had been left to wander the path her past had led her towards. While Kakashi did not have any details and he didn't truly understand what Sakura was thinking, it was obvious that she held animosity towards the Hyuuga as a clan. What could have been had been lost within her growing hatred and her need for revenge. Her only saving grace was the existence of her brother, Neji. While they shared the same views of dislike towards their clan, Neji was able to keep Sakura rooted to her spot and stop her from charging down her self made road of hatred, just like Sakura was doing for Neji. This, Kakashi could sympathize with. He understood the concept of rooting down and like him, he is sure that somewhere deep within, Sakura fears letting go. The problem here is how deep down this lay.

The roots of Sakura's fears is not something Kakashi can brush, especially considering his position within the village. Clan business is considered to be outside village rules unless it directly affects Konoha and Kakashi is sure that the situation regarding Sakura, who a single member of the Hyuuga branch family and a fresh minted Genin, would not affect the village. As long as Kakashi cannot not find any loopholes, he will not be able to put his hand down anywhere.

Over time, Kakashi has come to acknowledge the past. He insisted on stubbornly holding onto the final memories of Rin but he knew, just like Obito did, that they had managed to take a step away from the tragedy. It is only a single step and he knows he will never be able to forget, but he has also come to know that forgetting wasn't necessary easy. Forgetting was the easy way out but even that came with a price.

Kakashi sighs and reveals himself in a puff of smoke. The three skid to a halt in surprise at his sudden appearance.

"Sorry, a black cat crossed my path so I had to take a longer route to get here."

Naruto instantly launches into a series of insults and he smiles at the outline of Minato lingering behind the boy, only to mentally shake his head.

This is the kind of thing he has to stop doing.

The potential is just there, lying just out of his reach. It is his job to bring this out, for this will help all three of them gain what they are yearning for in life.

Naruto and recognition for his own accomplishments, not those of his father's.

Sasuke and acknowledgement for who he was as a person, not as a backup for his brother.

Sakura and liberation from chains to show that she was something more, not just a member of the branch family.

Kakashi sighs. He has been forced into taking up the position as a Jounin teacher, he doesn't remember accepting to be a therapist as well.

Not that he is in any mental state to judge others.

Hanakotoba:

Youth and Age:

Thinking of distant friends/Always unchanged/Bonds

So, chapter twenty one~

Darque: I got what is probably the highest mark I have ever previously received in math.

Raven: Oh really? How did you do?

Darque: Guess?

Raven: You're not going to tell me this is your first ever 'Over 50%' or something, right?

Darque: Naw, I did better.

Raven:...51%?

Darque: Imma kill you.

Raven: Just kidding, I know you got 52%

Darque:...

Raven: Okay, sorry, what did you get?

Darque:...80%

Raven: HOLY OH MY GODS I AM SO PROUD OF YOU GIRL!

Darque: I KNOW RIGHT? I WAS LIKE HOLY HOW DID I GET THIS?

Raven: Really, I'm so proud of you.

Darque: Thanks :)

Read and Review~