Kakashi was perched upon the branch of a tree, watching the sun rise from behind the hills and other treetops. He brought no book to read, for he had none. This morning, he decided, would be dedicated to thinking about current situations.

Leaning back against the smooth bark of the tree, he watched as the sky was stained blood-red by the sun. The color, he thought, fit the heartbreak that's anniversary was one year ago today. He closed his eyes and took his mind back three-hundred sixty-five days.

The trees rushing by. The wind in his hair. The frantic beating of his heart, matching his thoughts: don't be too late. Don't be too late. Don't be too late. The sight of Naruto, little, hyperactive Naruto, lying there, with Sasuke's headband right beside him. He knew then that this meant war. He knew Naruto well enough that he knew, sooner or later, Naruto would try again to retrieve Sasuke. He knew that this wasn't the end.

"Has it really been one year?" Kakashi wondered aloud to himself, "And still there isn't a day that goes by that I don't think about Naruto and Sasuke. It must've been worse for Naruto; not knowing a parents' love, then becoming best friends with someone as troubled as Sasuke. I really thought there was a chance for him."

"So did I."

Kakashi started, and then peered down over the branch of the tree. Lady Tsunade glanced up at him, her brown eyes urgent, "Kakashi, I wouldn't ask if it wasn't important…"

Kakashi sighed, "Yes, I know that, but what is it about?"

Tsunade continued looking at him, "It's about Naruto."

Jumping down from the tree, Tsunade watched as the red sunlight glinted off of his silvery hair and stained it red. He really is very attractive, Tsunade found herself thinking, but I am much too old for him. I knew his parents…stop it, Tsunade! We are here for Naruto.

Kakashi's mask twitched a little near the bottom; a signal that he was smiling, "Somehow that doesn't surprise me."

Tsunade smirked and made a motion to walk away, Kakashi followed. The ground was tinted red and the leaves had crimson splotches on them, looking like blood stains.

They walked in silence for a while, and Tsunade knew she needed to ask soon; if it was something deadly to Naruto, they shouldn't waste time. Clearing her throat, she turned to Kakashi, who was humming quietly to himself, and began.

"I really don't know how to explain this…but it's Naruto, and hardly anything concerning him is easy to explain." Kakashi nodded in agreement.

"He came to me early this morning under the impression that the Akatsuki were planning an attack on us."

Kakashi looked up at her, "How did he come up with that idea?"

Tsunade glanced past him uncomfortably, "He said it came to him in a dream. I didn't believe him at first until he started recalling his dream. He said it was him, running through the forest, watching the fire all around him. Everyone he knew was dying or suffering, and he said he remembered fainting, and the Fox was scolding him for failing him."

Kakashi caught a leaf as it fluttered by, "Did he say how he failed the Fox?"

Tsunade shook her head, "He said he didn't know why. All he remembers is that and the Akatsuki in the sand."

Crushing the leaf between his fingers, and letting the remnants fall to the ground, Kakashi asked, "The sand?"

Tsunade watched as the leaf's juices ran between Kakashi's closed fingers, the red hue in the sky making the would-be green liquid look like blood. Although over her fear, she shivered in spite of herself, "Yes, he said he saw blood in the sand. Then it went back to the Fox, he woke up, and came straight to me. I blamed it on bad ramen."

Kakashi chuckled softly, "Never blame the ramen if you're talking to Naruto; to him, nothing bad comes from it."

Tsunade stopped walking. They were still on the path, trees surrounding either side. The entrance to training ground three wasn't far ahead.

She turned to Kakashi, "I also told him that maybe it had something to do with the date—you do know what today is, don't you?"

Kakashi nodded, "Yes. Wednesday. Of course I know what today is."

Kakashi watched as her brown eyes went from tender to terrifying. He grinned, "Yes. I was actually pondering today's previous happening—if you get what I'm saying—before you came, if you remember, you caught me talking to myself."

She nodded, "I've been doing that recently too."

Kakashi's eyes turned teasing, "What? Pondering this historic catastrophe and then catching you mumbling to yourself in a tree?"

She sighed, "No, just the talking to myself."

Kakashi turned and looked down the path. The sun had not yet risen; everything was still red, "Anything else about Naruto? I mean, do you believe him?"

Tsunade blinked, "What makes you think I don't believe him? I acted like I didn't fully understand, and then came here. As for anything else that happened, yes, something did."

Kakashi, still glancing down the path, watched as a leaf made its long journey from a withering branch and as it sailed through the air, as if on an invisible string, and, he watched intently now, he peered at it as it gently kissed the earth, stirring little dust clouds around with it in the wind. It would lay there on the ground, he knew, and slowly fade away, to a mere nothing, its last moments would be slipping into nonexistence, watching from down below as its mother stood tall, its siblings waving in the breeze as if in farewell.

"Kakashi?" Tsunade's bell-like voice brought him back from the melancholy soap-opera of a leaf's life, and into to the real world.

Kakashi struggled to remember what she had said, "Oh? Well, what was it?"

She sighed, "I told you, were you not paying attention? Again?"

Kakashi smiled gently, although he knew she couldn't see it, "I can guess, if you like. He had one of these..."episodes" in your office, no?"

"How did you know?"

Kakashi turned to face her, as he put his hands in his pockets, he said lightly, "I know everything."

Tsunade rolled her eyes, "Yes. He said that the Akatsuki attacked the Sand Village, and suffered injuries. And then they retreated into the depths of the desert. The way he saw it though, he said it came to him in bunches of flashing images. One minute he was standing, the next on the floor holding his head. It was so contained, like a bottled storm. No tears, no outcries, no noise, really. I've never seen anything like it."

Kakashi stepped forward, looked back, and continued walking. Tsunade sighed and followed.

By the time she caught up, Kakashi had already started talking, "…know what's wrong him. It's Naruto. It could be the day, the actual thing, or it could be some foolish scheme of the Fox's. I really don't know."

Tsunade arched her eyebrows, "I thought you knew everything?"

He chuckled darkly, "When it comes to Naruto, I only know what you do. For now, all we can do is keep an eye on him, send a message to the Kazekage and wait."

Tsunade nodded, "Even I knew to do that! What about Naruto, what do I tell him?"

"Tell him the truth." By now, they were back in town, the sun higher in the sky, but still tinted red. Kakashi presumed it would remain that way for a while.

"Tell him that we sent word out to the Village of Sand, and all we can do is wait for a reply. Maybe I can see where old Jiraiya is; he'll know about Naruto's situation."

"That old toad? What does he know?" Tsunade groaned, "I guess if you have to."

Kakashi looked over at her, but continued walking, "If it helps you out any, I can talk to Naruto for you and see if it makes sense to hear it from him firsthand."

Tsunade nodded, "Okay, you can try. Maybe he'll listen to you, being his teacher and all…I've gotta get back to the office. Thanks for listening, Kakashi."

He felt himself smile in spite of himself, "Anytime, Lady Tsunade."

He glanced at the sun as it rose higher in the sky; most likely ten in the morning. Kakashi realized sadly that he didn't know even where to look for him. And he had nothing to do…unless looking for Jiraiya counted. Sighing, he turned the corner and walked his way toward the Academy. Something about watching little kids that he hopefully will never teach try to be ninja made him feel better about himself. In a way.

As he sat in a tree, watching the younger children try out their techniques, he saw Naruto, on the other side, watching them as well. He saw him as he twitched his muscles according to the ways of the techniques; counterattacks to the ones the students were practicing. Kakashi smiled; he knew Naruto was unaware of the small movements he was making. Getting down from the tree, Kakashi headed around the training ground, and made it to Naruto in no time.

Let's see if he's been practicing…Kakashi came up behind Naruto, not making a noise, not even breathing, and slowly extended his hand—

--Naruto turned and grabbed his hand, roughly pushing him back. He reached for a Kunai knife from his pouch, realized who was, and broke out in a cheesy grin, "Hey, Sensei. Are you watching the kids, too?"

Kakashi nodded, "I was. But I was actually looking for you. You see, Tsunade came to me today, and she told me something about you."

Naruto sighed and stood up, he looked up at Kakashi, and, after a second, Kakashi realized that Naruto was taller than the last time he had seen him. He knew one day, his students would get older, he just never knew how soon that day had come.

Naruto looked on out past Kakashi, "Who else did she tell?"

Kakashi turned away and began walking back toward town, "She only told me. She might tell Jiraiya. But other than that, she has no reason to tell."

Naruto's voice dropped a little; he sounded sad and punished, like when he talked about his childhood, "You probably think I'm some sort of nutcase, don't you?"

Kakashi glanced down at Naruto. If only he knew how his father really died. If only he knew how much he and his father are alike…

"Not a nutcase, Naruto. You, of everyone I know, are probably the sanest."

Naruto snorted, "Yeah, right. You're supposed to say that; you're my teacher."

Kakashi took out a Kunai and twirled it in his fingers. It caught the sun's rays and made it gleam in a deep ruby red, "I mean it, Naruto. You know what it's like to be alone. And you came out of that loneliness and made friends. You gained respect. It may not have been an easy journey, but you made it out fine. You saved

many people's lives, and you gave us hope. Unless you don't remember, everyone thought you didn't stand a chance. They would never let you become a ninja. And yet, you are one of the most promising ninja I know—of any age. You understand the cruelness of the world, but you never give up. You talk hope and sense into everyone you meet. You know what it's like to hurt, you know what it's like to be hated, and in turn, it makes you a better person. You've helped many people, Naruto."

Naruto refused to be swayed, "Oh yeah? Like who?"

Kakashi sighed and stopped twirling the Kunai. He settled for holding it gently in his palm, and rubbing his thumb slowly against the blade, "The third Hokage saw you as more than a citizen, Naruto; he loved you like a son. He understood your pains. And Zabuza was as troubled as they come, yet you, a little kid, made him realize what he had done. Sasuke, on more than one occasion, has been moved by your actions and words. You know that just looking at him. Then, of course, there is Gaara. That is an example of a nutcase. And look. Look where he is now. You turned him from a demented psychopath to a good person. I don't know how to make you see that you are the most normal person I know…"

Naruto looked up at the trees, whose leaves were gently swaying back and forth on the limbs. Watching as the red sky tainted the leaves, he mumbled, "But what about the—" he stopped short and clutched his head.

Falling to his knees, he felt a small cry escape his lips. The image only came once, and it felt like it was burned into the backs of his eyelids. A cold voice rang out in his head; highlighting the words he could plainly read etched in the sand:

We will find you…