fluffpenguin: Since such a big deal is made out of the chuunin exams, but no one ever talks about what they did to become a jounin, I decided to have the promotion to jounin based on talent and experience instead of a test.

A/N: Hiraishin means Flying Thunder God, and it's Minato's teleportation technique. Also, thank you to everyone who liked or reviewed my fanfic.

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto or anything to do with it.

Chapter 10: Two Gifts

Obito tripped as he came out of the forest. He looked up and asked hopefully, "Did I make it?"

"Nope," Kakashi replied. "You're late, Obito."

Obito immediately stood up and went on the defensive, making an excuse. "I was showing the way to this old lady carrying luggage. Plus, there was something in my eye." Kakashi didn't even bother to reply to that. He had already yelled at Obito last time this day had happened. He really didn't feel like doing it again.

"I have something to say before we go over the details of the mission," Minato said, smiling. He and Rin exchanged a glance before exclaiming at the same time, "Congratulations Kakashi!"

Kakashi was already noticing differences from this past and the last one, something that gave him hope that the outcome of the mission could be changed. He wanted to thank them for their consideration and smile, but he found that he couldn't. He just couldn't be happy on this day. After all, this was Obito's "death day". Well, it wouldn't be this time around. He would not allow it.

"I still don't understand how this jerk became a jounin before me!" Obito complained. Kakashi realized that Obito had remembered this time, and that he didn't need to be reminded why this day was special for Kakashi. He opened his mouth to reply that Obito was a talentless loser—exchanging insults with Obito was now an ingrained habit—but Minato spoke, probably cutting Kakashi off on purpose before an argument could be started.

"The military power of Konoha has hit an all-time low. This will make missions more efficient since we can split up. Kakashi will be the commander of your three-man team and I'll be off on my own," he explained.

"Now, let's give Kakashi our presents," Rin suggested.

"I'll give you this!" Minato said while grinning, holding up what Kakashi now recognized as one of Minato's kunai that he used for Hiraishin. "It's a special kunai! It's a little heavy because of its odd shape, but when you get used to it, it's easy to use. Take it with you on this mission!" Kakashi knew that this kunai would allow Minato to teleport to him at any time. He was definitely holding on to it, just in case things went wrong again.

"This is from me!" Rin told him as she handed him her gift. "A personal special medical bag…you've improved so much that it should be easy to use!" Rin and Minato both looked pleased with their choice of presents.

"Thank you," Kakashi managed to say to both of them. He was starting to feel anxiety about the mission. To distract himself for now, he reached a hand out towards Obito as if waiting for a present.

"Wha…What's with the hand?!" Obito yelled angrily, reacting similarly to the way he had in first past. "Don't just assume that I got you something!"

"I know you didn't," Kakashi stated. He began to retract his hand, the short distraction now over, but Obito suddenly threw something at his head. Kakashi barely managed to catch it in time.

"Ha! What happened to being a genius?" Obito taunted. "You were wrong!" Kakashi stared at the small bottle in his hand, mystified. Obito saw his expression and glared. "It's not like I went out and bought you anything; you're not worth that effort," he explained. "However, I found that lying around my house and no one was using it. It's supposed to make it easier to clean swords and weapons. You like that chakra blade of yours, right?"

Obito…had given him a present from the beginning this time. It was a small old bottle of weapons' cleaner, but it was a present nonetheless. Kakashi unconsciously reached a hand up and touched his hitai-ate over his left eye. Now he had two gifts from Obito.

"…Thank you," Kakashi finally replied, sure that shock could still be seen on the only visible part of his face. Rin was looking between the two of them and smiling warmly; Kakashi was sure that she was glad that they weren't fighting. It was unlikely that it would last, so she was probably savoring the moment.

Minato began to explain their mission. "Iwa-nin are invading Kusagakure. There's already about a thousand shinobi at the enemy's front line. We border Kusagakure, so if we wait too long, it'll be too late. Your mission is to sneak behind enemy lines and destroy the bridge they need to receive supplies. Then, quickly withdraw. I will engage the front line directly to divert them from you. Are you ready?"

"Yes," Kakashi, Rin, and Obito said in unison. They all started to travel together to the border, avoiding detection. Kakashi sensed an enemy and held up a hand to stop everyone.

"There seems to be twenty enemies," Minato said after he concentrated on sensing them. "However, this is likely a Kage Bunshin no Jutsu."

Kakashi nodded. He already knew for sure that nineteen out of twenty of them were clones. He remembered that last time he had charged in somewhat recklessly to try out Chidori, which had still been in its testing phase. This time, he was going to play it safe.

"Sensei, you go ahead. If you need it, I'll be your backup," Kakashi said. Minato nodded and was suddenly gone. Then, he began to cut through the enemy clones, living up to the nickname of Konoha's Yellow Flash. Kakashi didn't even need to give Minato backup. The only time he sprang into action was when one of the clones got close to him. Once the enemy recognized Minato, he tried to escape, but Minato cut him down before he could get away. Well, it wasn't like that Iwa-nin even stood a chance against Minato or Kakashi, if Kakashi was actually trying. He hadn't been known throughout the lands as Kakashi of the Sharingan and Copy Ninja Kakashi for nothing.

They camped at the border that night, taking turns to keep watch. When morning arrived, they prepared to split up.

"It was a lucky chance that the enemy had been alone," Minato said. "From here on out, you will most likely be fighting teams. Be careful." Kakashi was coming close to begging Minato to come with them, but this was an important mission to the village. They had to succeed, but this time, Kakashi would make sure his teammates stayed alive. They wished each other luck and went their separate ways.

Kakashi tried to ignore the dread that was getting stronger with each step he took.