He's been improving greatly. As far as Kakashi can tell and despite that Sasuke may not think the same, his student is making progress with the training… and thus, so is Shiro.

It's still a slow-going process. Genjutsu. Break-out. A better genjutsu. Improving. It disturbs Kakashi, puts the future Hokage in him on high guard though he may hide it, that Sasuke can advance so quickly (a dark part in him, prideful). Uchiha's were always known for their affinity to fire – their kekkai genkai for genjutsu. Much like his brother he is, no matter that Sasuke has effectively disowned his elder sibling. Too bad.

Still. He's wary to give his student any the tools that which to kill them with (and didn't Itachi enact the massacre using the ultimate Tsukuyomi?) Teaching Sasuke to train with the pup solely for a future battle with his only brother is a bit morbid. Though that is exactly what this has boiled down to. Kakashi tells the last Uchiha just how to train Shiro, just how to mold the puppy into the killer animal he wants him to be. And then he lets the two go. He wishes there was some other way.

"Homework," he says and Sasuke gives him a blank look.

"Ah, don't look at me like that, this is only more help."

A glare. "What is it."

Too bad he can't teach the kid any manners.

Kakashi bends to pet Shiro, who appreciates greatly any affection he can get, the poor thing. Under his gloved fingers brown fur parts cleanly, the body underneath warm and heart-pumped for touch. He regrets sending the ninken off, obviously Sasuke never heeded his letter. He sighs.

"I want you to go on a mission together. Just the two of you." Before Sasuke can protest because he is in the motions of protest and Kakashi notes the deepened scowl, he raises a hand. The kid may be bitter still but he doesn't want to hear it. "Teamwork, Sasuke. This is homework just for you and Shiro, and if it makes you feel better you get to be mission captain."

Sasuke ticks visibly and he can hear a 'tch'.

"You'll get full endorsement. I had to petition Sandaime-sama this for a week, you know."

"I don't have time for a mission. My match-"

"Consider this training, Sasuke. Very, very necessary," he sing-songs.

When his student grumbles an angry mutter about 'D-ranks' and 'Icha Icha' and 'trying to get out of training me,' Kakashi shrugs. This sparks another scowl and doesn't help towards the image of the irresponsible, student-siphoning teacher he may have in mind. Though he doesn't care. This is the first in a while that he's earnestly happy to be here, teasing this student. Shiro chirps in and the atmosphere has temporarily lifted: his Team 7 all over again. Kakashi salutes to the two of them, one scroll of mission-details empty and moves to the next line on his list.

When he knocks on the door to the Haruno family home, he can't say he's surprised seeing her father there.

What he is surprised is the bright shock of pink hair tufted on his head, sideburns and chin. It's a color that he hadn't believed natural - maybe some obscure way to impress Sasuke - but his theory's complete disfounded. It's pink. "Who are you?"

"Ah, I'm Hatake Kakashi, Sakura's-"

"Sensei!" he hears and peeks over the man's shoulder to wave cheerfully. Sakura who is visibly shocked to see him here, widens green eyes and parts at her mouth. She blinks and leaps off the couch she'd curled on. "Is there a mission? I'm sorry, I-" she looks down at her pajamas. Kakashi's caught her at a bad time.

"No, no, that's not it."

Her dad opens the door wider. "Why don't you come in?" and Kakashi shakes his head.

"May I borrow your daughter, please?" he asks calmly. It's not a mission he wants to placate because then he'll never get to accomplish what he's set out to do. Haruno's face may have fallen a little in confusion and in appropriate concern but he gives in fast enough.

When the door shuts just the two of them, Sakura looks up in worry and he knows she's thinking of Sasuke.

It's the only possible explanation and she's always been a smart girl. He can't blame her. She's the one who saw first-hand of Orochimaru and of the curse seal on the Uchiha. She's the closest to know what it's capable of. And so soon into the Chuunin Exams she must be thinking that the reason he's here, on such random notice. Kakashi alleviates her worries quickly, he gives her a masked smile, and green eyes are so hopeful.

If he's going to do time-travel he's going to do it right. He's not going to leave her defense-less. She doesn't have a Sharingan and thus can't learn Chidori but… "How would you like to learn Water Dragon Jutsu?"

Kakashi thinks he's been both blessed and cursed. He's assigned the team with the most potential for power: Sakura, this clan-less ninja with the chakra control that could rival a young-Tsunade's or a Hyuuga. And the other two, Naruto and Sasuke… powerhouses, but so damaged. He doesn't know where his bad luck is coming from. Or maybe it's karma – for all the things he's done.

He's trying to change nonetheless. And as he oversees her hand-signs – perfect, slow and calculated – Kakashi knows he's making at least one right choice. Sakura finishes every one; she's memorized them just as good as a Sharingan. He's proud. She calls out.

"Water Release: Water Dragon Jutsu!"

-from the bath house hot springs they stand on if only to practice her water-walking too. She's quick to learn, however… A little whip of water rises slowly, thin like a vine and tiny too – a baby dragon if he must. The move growls cutely and Sakura blushes. Her dragon flops to the water in a splash, Kakashi smiles. "That was a good effort."

She reddens further though not from the residual steam of the springs. Kakashi sighs, he's not paid enough to address self-esteem issues because he's not trained for that. Though if the kid ever wants to improve she needs to take it a step farther. And so does he. "Sakura. Don't be afraid," he says though he doesn't have the experience to back his words. Her red qipao dress shuffles, she's too nervous to try. Kakashi asks again. "You use your power half-way."

"I…" she thinks before she speaks and he wishes his other students did the same. Sakura frowns her mind-grinding, already reviewing her mistakes. Kakashi waits. "I guess I am," she confesses half-heartedly.

"Hm."

When she says nothing to continue he's forced to ask. "Well. Why is that?"

"I don't know."

Kakashi nods appropriately, he studies her person once more.

"Sakura, you don't have much chakra." At his words his student slumps in dejection, flushing across her cheeks in shame. The reaction is unwarranted he thinks, so he has to hastily explain. "That's not a bad thing."

Pink perks up in a flash so fast and she looks at him with consideration. Good. He's got her attention. "What is bad is to hesitate using what chakra you do have."

"But-"

"The only way you can improve your stamina is to push limits, hm? I know it seems like it's taking a lot out of you but you need to push back on that feeling." Kakashi stares at her then and for her sake, he removes his forehead protector.

"Don't worry," he smiles. "I'll make sure you won't get too low in chakra. I promise I won't let my teammates down," he says.

Sakura looks at him and everyone he knows can't help but to narrow onto his Sharingan. Her stance is curious, pink brows raised and thinking. Then she nods, quick and decisive and trusting, so Kakashi gives her Gai's patented Nice-Guy pose.

"Don't be afraid to get messy a little, hm? Sasuke's not here watching, now is he?" he teases. She eeps and Kakashi smiles to his eyes. "Once more Sakura, give it your all." Obito rolls into action.

"Yes, sensei!"

He should've known. He should've known. He should've but he didn't and now he's paying for it all.

No. He's not the one paying.

Looking at Sasuke who stands with Shiro at his side watching them with those angry dark eyes, he really should've known. The kid is always angry, doesn't know how to be what else, but Kakashi has the personal experience to look past those eternally violent feelings. Sakura doesn't.

"What the hell," Sasuke says darkly and danger drips from his tongue and his voice. Sakura's not stupid nor deaf, she wilts at the look in his eyes.

"Sasuke." Kakashi says once in warning.

Sharingans whip up to meet his, the two tomoe oscillating so fast that it worries him. He knows logically it isn't another 4 years until Sasuke gets his Mangekyou but his body has always been on guard, a ninja for two lifetimes. Kakashi compartmentalizes the dangerous intent next to his vow to protect his comrades. Sakura. He needs to get a handle on the situation. Quickly. "Calm yourself."

"Calm-!?" Sasuke narrows dangerously and Shiro looks between the two back and forth, Kakashi and Sasuke. He knows the ninken can sense the emotions rising, thickening the air with soured chakra. It's soon to snap, caught. He knows Shiro can smell the bitter guilt and betrayal, the way it makes itself real, and alive, a visible other person there between them.

Sasuke does in fact calm down though not in the way he wants. The Uchiha falls into himself almost instantly and Kakashi fears. There's a coldness to his eyes, receding and accepting, he hates to watch it fester. The kid walks himself across the bank – looks like his chakra control improved too – stopping in front of Sakura. He should've known.

"You'd teach her but not me," he says, voice empty. Sakura starts to blink rapidly, Kakashi can smell the salt from here.

"I teach all my students-"

"I have a match, Kakashi!" Sasuke growls and she winces but she can't say anything.

"So does Naruto."

"Oh, so that's how it is. Shirking in your duties double-time." The elder ninja looks at him. Sasuke glares back.

(Too young to be this angry.)

"That loser's going to lose anyway. But apparently that's the only way to get you to teach, is it?" His question is harsh and Sasuke ignores it when Sakura gasps aloud. He can't even do one thing right.

Kakashi tries to stop this because they are a team, they passed together as one. Twice. They fought Zabuza as one, took the Chuunin Exams as one, and faced Orochimaru together. By account Naruto may have held the man off, Sasuke may have gotten hurt but Sakura helped them heal. Him get control of himself again. This can't be how they end. "That's not true, Sasuke."

"It is. I'm just that unlucky enough to have the short draw when it comes to a match," his tone is dark and bitter, the rift has already begun. It's earth-quaking, widening, his kid is so close but so far away.

"Would you even step in when I lose to Gaara?"

Kakashi stills until his body turns cold, his mind halts in their tracks sudden and screech-sounding. He's shocked silent. Sakura is properly horrified, she interrupts with an outburst. "Of course he would, Sasuke, how could you-?" she falters at the notion of her Uchiha losing, at the manifested question itself, at the damning silence coming from him, and Sasuke who continues to ignore her.

There. Classic disgusted scowl. Kakashi thinks this time he well deserves it. He looks back calmly, his mask always hides. "Or will you sit and watch?" The Sharingan recedes and having made his point, his student turns away. Kakashi watches him go.

When Shiro comes closer to nose at his ankles, Kakashi doesn't have the energy to provide any affection. There's a sad whimpering coming from him, coming from her; he's so, so sorry. He doesn't get the luxury to wallow in his transgressions, that'd be selfish of him when his comrade right here is hurting. "Sakura."

Out of all his students, she interrupts him. "It's okay, sensei, I'm used to it by now. I can… deal." The word comes out confused and soft-like: she doesn't know how to deal. She doesn't know at all.

Kakashi hurries. "That was uncalled for. I'll make sure he gets proper disciplinary action-"

"Please don't, sensei."

At the earnest pleading in her voice, he stops. He breathes. His brain's really failed him now, this the greatest ninja Konoha has to offer. There's a pattern knitting itself already, piecing together the pieces that his time traveling has passed. Of Sasuke and forgiveness and unwarranted mercy and the maelstrom that is Sasuke all over again. This is how it starts.

Getting back to training is impossible. Sakura is disheartened, and maybe it's hard for him to relate to a twelve year old civilian girl but the power beneath Sasuke's words… he should've known.

Not like this atmosphere is anything new. Sasuke leaving, leaving while he walks away from the utter destruction he's left behind. And now she doesn't want to try anymore, her heart's not in it, she had heart but it's dead. For his sake he thinks, and because he's her commanding officer, Sakura remains.

Kakashi doesn't want that from her. Kakashi doesn't have a choice. He does have a choice and he chose her because that is the logical conclusion when performing his duties as a ninja. He continues to keep her here and to teach her this because she takes priority now. What'll happen to Sasuke as a result...

Well, he has to find out in this future.

(the hard way)

#

When he wakes up, Sakura is dead.

This is what Sai tells him, the first thing that Sai tells him despite that he's still roughly healing from his fight with Sasuke. This isn't what he wants to hear. This fucking kid of Danzo's really has no tact.

His heart drops in his gut, ugly and sinking further, deeper and knife-twisting, the feeling couldn't possibly get any worse and then Sai continues.

"We have to stop Naruto."

When he arrives at the crime scene (because it is a crime, isn't it always a crime to kill a 15-year-old girl?) there isn't much to see. He's a kilometer away because he can't get any closer… Naruto, whose fleshed out Kyuubi-form has chakra-forced back everyone from the area.

(He needs to save this student, please.)

Kakashi yells over the seething red vines, the blasting hot air that burns at his skin, steaming him alive. "Yamato!" Sai keeps near him and if he'd paid any attention he'd say he looked worried. It's a tense few seconds of silence, but loud and rumbling and primal fear. Then:

"Senpai!"

They still have a chance.

"Hold Naruto's tails down, I need to see him from the front."

Yamato puts his palms together starting the wood jutsu characteristic of the First to help. Sai reaches for his scrolls, ink birds distracting Naruto with something to hit. When Kakashi bounds around to see his student, he can't recognize him anymore. There's a terrible static darkness across his skin demonizing him, in-humanizing him: he can hear the kid under it all scream. First Sasuke, now Sakura, now Naruto. Please, he's reduced to praying. Don't let it be too late. "Naruto, listen to me. Calm yourself."

CRACK!

Kakashi dodges the whip of a tail by a hairs-breadth and the heat scorching the sweat off his brow. He flips aside, he can see Yamato frown in concentration and try again. He has to try too. "You're upset-" There's a strangled roar that resounds in the lake that used to be here, a dried up bed of rock that remains. The echo thrums his ears and the beating of his heart, his body vibrates.

"Sakura-" Another screech, Kakashi curses and blocks his hands over his ears. When the tail-whip comes back in a red trail of demon chakra, Kakashi's only saving grace is Obito. That, and pure luck. His skin is peeling.

'Don't let her burn.'

This isn't working. Kakashi has to watch as his last student kills himself because he has to watch his last student, even if he's at his worst. He couldn't see Sakura (he couldn't stop her, dammit, just like he couldn't stop Sasuke, why) Kakashi hates. They're mourning, him and Naruto, only nobody out there can hear, or at least nobody who cares. And he stands waiting for the next chance hit knowing that he's unlucky enough not to get his turn. Yamato and Sai… they keep trying.

"Sen... sei."

He's tired, he hasn't slept for all the screams and his chakra's practically depleted. But Naruto is alive. "I know," he says.

His last begins to cry and Kakashi would rather have a raging Kyuubi Jinchuuriki than this. This, Konoha's golden boy as he paws the hot gravel, clutching for something that isn't there and it'll never come back. The boy doesn't dare touch Sakura with claws half-out and her body… her body dead.

No. More than dead.

Her skin has peeled under the heat of Naruto's rage, melted plasticky under his foxfire but that isn't what scares him the most. It's the damning hole, the carved circle straight in the middle of her chest that was her heart but empty. She's charred and burned all over, yes, and he wouldn't dare to look any more – but she's not just burned by Naruto. Her chest, that hole, the edges that encircle the sinking emptiness is black and twisted and snowing her body ash. There's no smell from there, Sakura or meat or otherwise – nothing – but the smell of power. The smell of dark fire and the earth after rain… petrichor.

It smells like lightning.

When he tells Naruto this because he has to tell Naruto this if he wants to save him and he has to save him, his kid… can't cope.

"You're lying!" He wishes he was. Kakashi wants to sleep, wants to cry, wants to die than do this and see this. His team coming apart.

"Sasuke killed her." He refuses to sugar-coat his words.

He knows that hole. He knows how it'd look and how it'd smell and how it'd feel. Like old skin twisted and made solid, an attack from his Chidori is an ugly one indeed. It's wrong, it's unnatural, electricity makes for the more horrifying burns for even a little voltage can kill and the Chidori is an extreme. Bubbling blood singes like the butt of a cigarette, a forever mark impossible to fill and hard-dry against his knuckles. The curse of his Sharingan, Kakashi's physically unable to forget. It was Haku… and was Rin.

Chidori in the chest of a teammate.

(Sasuke, who takes after him well.)

When he watches Naruto whose blank expression watches Sakura, watches what gift Sasuke has left them with his presence, Kakashi can't feel too bad. This is a clear statement and his uncertainty is officially done. As interim Hokage – Danzo, whom Sai's told him has gone missing – he's keeping the hunt upon Sasuke active (he's pissing on her sacrifice.) He needs to stop feeling like this anymore because he needs to move on already because he's a ninja and he needs to get used to this. Kakashi has a village to help restore order to after the invasion by Pain. There's no time, and he can't look back.

#

Though Kakashi thinks as he watches young-Sakura try again the water jutsu, he's spoken too soon. Kakashi is back even if he didn't believe it, how or why. He's here, unfortunately. Some god gave him this, a god he would say though he's really betting it was karma. This must be what he deserves.

Obviously. What kind of teacher is he to emphasize teamwork only to perform the exact opposite? Naruto and Sakura who blindly followed his teachings (that he himself never followed, never, Sasuke really is his best student) only to lose for doing so. Well, he won't make that same mistake again, and he won't hesitate this time. When Kakashi finally gets around getting used to this, this feeling, he'll complete his mission and save her. It's the only way.

"One more time, Sakura," he says.