Naruto snuck into Hiruzen's office.
"Can I talk to you for a bit jiji?"
Hiruzen looked over the boy's determined face and knew immediately what he'd ask.
"I cannot make any promises Naruto. The matter is yet to be discussed with the council. Kakashi was a Jounin sensei. We do not have many people who can fulfill that role permanently."
"I do not care if we do not have a fixed Jounin sensei. But please do not separate us jiji! Sakura-chan is in a really bad situation and so is Sasuke-teme, even though he does not show it. And they are my only friends jiji. I already lost Kakshi-sensei. Please do not separate me from them as well. Please jiji, I-"
At this point his voice cracked and he could not force any words past the lump in his throat. Hiruzen sighed.
"I'll see what I can do."
Later when Hiruzen was out for lunch, Naruto snuck back in and hid in the closet he knew jiji kept his pervy books in. He'd heard that a council meeting was scheduled for after lunch. He didn't know what he was planing to do if they decided to split his team, but he was sure he could make something up as he went.
He remained in the cramped, dark place, barely breathing as he heard people file in.
They discussed some boring village matters before they finally started discussing Team 7.
"The team needs to be split. I'd recommend ANBU level training for the Kyuubi jinchuriki and the last Uchiha. The girl has good charka control but poor reserves. Her IQ is very high though. She's best suited for medical ninjutsu or as a genjutsu specialist."
He hated the way they talked about his team like they were not people. He tried to burst out of the closet, but realized that the shadows held him tightly and he couldn't move a muscle. He could do nothing but listen as different people commented.
"The Uchiha kid is a flight risk. At the moment, only the bonds with his team-mates tie him to the village. If we break the team up, he'll be a greater flight risk." someone else said.
"The same is true for the Uzumaki Naruto. Studies have shown that socially well-adjusted jinchuriki are better able to control the tailed beasts in them. The greatest example is that of the jinchuriki of the eight-tails, the brother of the Raikage. It is rumored that he has complete control of his beast."
"The team was meant to be a front-line assault squad. Since we've already lost Hatake Kakashi, it is more vital than ever to train his genin squad. In a few years, if they're trained well enough, we might be able to fill the hole that Hatake's death has left in our ranks."
"Hatake has already come a long way in teaching the genin how to function as a team. The now need to be taught offensive techniques, increase their chakra reserve and control. Also, strategy-building and missions to help them apply all they learn."
"The best way to do this would be to pass them around on a rotation, in addition to specialized one-on-one training."
When the meeting ended, the door to the closet was flung open, and Naruto blinked sheepishly up at Sarutobi's stern face. But as he had known, jiji let him off with a stern warning, about blah blah, ninja protocol and dire consequences if he snuck into his office again.
They had been summoned and so after practice, they reported at the Hokage Tower. Naruto was the first one to walk through the door into the Hokage's office, followed by Sakura and Sasuke.
Sarutobi looked at the three Genin. Naruto and Sasuke standing on either side of Sakura. Their bodies were slightly tilted towards Sakura, so they didn't face the Hokage directly. They seemed ready to catch her if she were to fall and she looked ready to fall. She had lost weight. Her hair hung lanky down her shoulders. She was wearing dark pants and a dark full-sleeved shirt instead of her usual red dress.
Unexpectedly, Naruto didn't immediately start chattering. Though Sarutobi could understand how Kakashi's death had affected them.
"The month of leave offered to you is over," he began. "I'm sorry for the loss you have suffered. But now is the time to decide whether you want to continue being a Shinobi."
He stood up. Sakura hadn't met his eyes since she'd entered the room. Her head hung down, eyes on the floor. He walked over to stand in front of them. "Genin Haruno Sakura, do you still want to continue being a Shinobi?"
She looked up. There were violet bags under her dull eyes. Her voice was quiet. "Yes, Hokage-sama."
Sarutobi nodded once again and then took a step back from them. "Hatake Kakashi was one of the best Jounin of this village," he began. Sakura flinched and lowered her head further. Both the boys tensed. Sasuke glared at him slightly and Naruto began to open his mouth, but Sarutobi held up a hand. "He was capable and reliable. Over the years, I have come to respect his judgement immensely. And that's how I trust that he did what he thought was best during the mission. He gave his life to save his Genin team. I respect that sacrifice and I would be disappointed if you did not. He meant for you three to live and to be a team that'd serve this village to the best of its capability. That is what I'll do to honor his memory: I'll let you three remain a team for three more months. If by the end, your superiors think you cannot function well together, I'll separate you."
He paused to let the words sink in. Sakura still would not look at him, but he could see a trail of tears down her cheeks. Naruto put an arm around her shoulders. Sasuke lowered his chin slightly so his hair falling over his eyes and his hands were clenched.
"Will you, Genin of Team 7, help me respect and honor the wishes of Hatake Kakashi, Former Elite Jounin of Konohagakure?" he asked, his voice like a whip-crack.
They all straightened slightly. "Hai Hokage-sama!"
Sarutobi watched them with unfathomable ancient eyes.