Finally! I'm so sorry to you guys out there for taking such a long time to update… especially when school reopens… it's really very busy with the amount of homework being issued each day. My beta was also busy with her work hence the editing took quite some time. T.T Sorry! I will try to update as soon as possible!

Meanwhile, enjoy the chap!

Disclaimer: I don not owe Naruto or any of its characters

0o0

"Kakashi-sensei, I'm so glad you came back safely!" Naruto exclaimed as tears brimmed from his eyes. Sakura and Sasuke were behind him, Sakura wiping a drop of tear from her cheek and Sasuke was smiling warmly. He had come back from the long and treacherous journey. Like he said, he shall not involved Konoha in this fight and well, he succeeded. He gave a slight grin as Naruto pounced and hugged him.

Everything felt right.

He doesn't mind the fact that he remained in his current age and size, he doesn't mind all the misunderstandings that happened between him and his students. All he cared was the happy faces of his important people around him. He had worried them. Revealing his true identity at the very day he went out of Konoha with his partner. He was met with tears of sadness at that time when he left, but the tears he was seeing now meant something else, something much more significant in his life.

"I'm so worried, Kakashi-sensei…" It was Sakura's turn to hug him right after Naruto was being peeled off by Sasuke. He could feel his right shoulder dampened as tears flowed down her eyes. Her hug was tighter compared to Naruto, mainly due to the mixture of her inhuman strength plus the emotions running within her. It wasn't long when they pulled apart, only to hear a muffle cough coming from the Uchiha.

"Good job bringing yourself back in one complete piece, sensei." It was sarcastic as usual but Kakashi could sense the relief in his voice. A tapped on the shoulder was enough to bring his body swirling to face his back. Standing right behind him, was the rest of his friends he had made during that short period… Shikamaru, Neji, Hinata… even Jiraiya and Tsunade was present.

Everyone was so happy. That brought a relief smile upon Kakashi's face.

"I see that you are happy, Kakashi-kun. Are these the people who made you so happy?" A foreign yet familiar voice interrupted which brought Kakashi alertness to high gear. He looked around his surroundings. All of his friends were still laughing among themselves and smiling, totally oblivious to the happenings around. Damn.

"Come out and face me like a shinobi, will you?!" he shouted out to no one in particular. Everyone's eyes were now fixated on him from the sudden outburst.

"I won't touch them if they really made you that cheerful, Kakashi-kun, maybe something else…"

"Don't you dare lay a finger on them, you sick bastard!" he retorted earning more puzzled look.

"Are you okay, Kakashi-sensei? Maybe you've overexerted yourself…" Sakura walked towards him and place a hand on his forehead.

Before her hand could even touch him, a deep gash appeared out of nowhere on her back as blood started to gush out freely. That earned a gasped from the crowd as he witnessed his student fell lifelessly onto the ground. Blood was still flowing out from the wound as it formed a puddle of blood beneath her figure. Kakashi immediately knelt down and grabbed her trembling hands.

"Sakura! Don't die! Sakura…!" The copy-nin screamed out her name repeatedly as the rest just stared at the scene unfolding before them.

"That was only a warm up, Kakashi." There was the voice again.

"No!"

Hinata's voice could be heard next as an identical gash was made known on her chest. It was shortly followed by Shikamaru's, then Neji and so on. Everyone lay motionless and bloodied on the ground. Only Naruto was left standing, his jaws wide opened.

"I've got to save Naruto… I've got to save Naruto…" he released his grasp on Sakura and ran over to the standing boy, "Please let me make it in time…"

"K-Kakashi-sensei, what's happening?"

"Get away from there, Naruto! Nigeru!" He yelled at the top of his voice, hoping he would just listen and run.

"Datte, datte… Kaka-" Naruto didn't even get to finish his name when the same incident befell him as he joined his friends. Kakashi was late by a second. He glanced at the dead bodies on the ground, horror and disgust all painted over his face. The smell of rust engulfed him as he found himself crouching down, crying.

"Sou sou… that's the face I've wanted to see." Although Kakashi couldn't see him, he could feel a sadistic glee shining down upon him. It wasn't pleasant. A diabolical laugh rang out simultaneously from behind him.

"What's the matter? You were so happy just a few minutes ago, why the sad face now?" A blade could be felt pressing against his nape, "You miss your friends? Don't worry; you'll be joining them as soon as I'm done with you."

The whole place started shaking uncontrollably. Kakashi's eyes just continued gazing at his companions especially the Kyuubi container whom he failed to save.

"Naruto…" The shaking became more violent.

0o0

"Wake up, Arashi-kun!" Naruto shook the sleeping copy-nin. When he found that there was no respond, he shook even harder, "Arashi-kun, it's already twelve! We've got to train you!"

"Naruto…" That caused Naruto to perk up, thinking that he was awake. Unfortunately for him, it wasn't really what he had thought. He pouted when he was met with soft snoring from Kakashi again.

"That's it. Arashi-kun is definitely going to wake up." The blonde took in a deep breath before flexing his arms and cracking his knuckles. Firmly, he gripped on the collar of the sleeping man and started shaking him like a mad man. That ought to wake him up…

"Yamenasai, Naruto!" Kakashi was fully awake now. This was worse than the dream he just had… Naruto stopped and allowed him to gain his balance. He was glad that his eye patch didn't come off in the midst of all those shakings. Feeling giddy, he tried to focus on Naruto's face. The blonde was already in his usual orange outfit, his forehead protector shone brightly due to the reflection of the sunlight from the windows.

"Come on, Arashi-kun! We don't have all day to spend!" Without even letting Kakashi speak a single word, he took him by the arms and went running out of the house hurriedly. The copy-nin just gave a sigh, a feeling of déjà vu overwhelming him.

0o0

"We're here!" Naruto exclaimed excitedly. Naruto had brought him to none other than Team Seven's training ground- The place where the four of them, including him, would usually gather for group activities. That was of course, in the past. Soon everyone got busy with their life and this area became nothing but a fragment of memory hidden somewhere in their mind.

"This is my old training ground, which also used to be my team's gathering spot. It's been a long time since I've last been here… kind of missed the days then."

Kakashi couldn't help as he felt a wave of nostalgia washed over him. He hadn't been there for a long time too. How he had missed the times where they sat together and chatted happily, the times where they sparred together. But everything was so different now. They were always so happy together back then, until the day when Sasuke left for Orochimaru. Kakashi had always thought that once Sasuke comes back, everything would be just like before… Team seven living happily ever after.

He was wrong.

Yes, team seven was still close to each other, helping one another in times of need, but the smiles and laughter in the present was nothing compared to the past. That's what shinobi's life was about. As time goes by, life gets busier… and the people around you changed. Sakura busy being a medic-nin, Sasuke and Naruto busily aiming to become a Jounin. And as soon as both of them fulfilled their wishes, ANBU would be their next target. Life is ever so busy.

"Iyaai! Let's start training now! Let's see…" Naruto rubbed his chin as he tried recalling all the he had learnt during all the years of training, "Mmm… There was the Bushin test, then Kakashi sensei's bell test, then the tree climbing test… Sugoii!!"

Naruto cleared his throat and grinned widely once Kakashi's eyes fell onto him. He rolled his eyes when the grin grew wider. He doesn't need this training at all in the first place. The copy-nin was certain that he would be able to do anything the blonde threw at him.

Naruto sure is rather enthusiastic about this 'training' stuff…

"We shall start with the Bushin no Jutsu. The seals are Tiger, Boar, Ox and Dog…" Before Naruto could finish his words, there was a puff of smokes and an exact replica of Kakashi appeared beside him. Kakashi was chuckling when Naruto's jaws opened a tad too big.

"Errr… seemed like Iruka-sensei taught you that already… In that case, the next training will be a bell test!" he proudly announced to the boy who was sighing for Naruto's lack of originality (Although Kakashi also copied it from somewhere).

"You will have to get the bells from me if not you will be tied to the poles." Naruto pointed to the three blocks of logs standing by themselves.

"Where's the bell?"

Naruto froze. His hands slowly dug into his pockets, taking out a fistful of air. Kakashi closed his eyes and shook his head. Sometimes this guy can really be full of surprises…

"Ahahaha…" Naruto let out a nervous laugh and scratched his head, "It seemed like I've forgot to bring it along…"

Luckily for Kakashi, before Naruto could continue with his so called 'training', Iruka came walking up to them from behind the trees. He was holding a paper and looking towards the younger boy (in this case Kakashi).

"Arashi! I've got good news for you!" The Chunin exclaimed as he stood in front of the copy-nin, "After seeing your skills, I've decided to let you take the genin exams early and surprisingly, Tsunade-sama agreed without hesitation."

That's no surprise.

"Therefore, I'll need you to take a trial test now to decide on whether you're ready for the real test. It's part of the rule." He put down the paper after finishing his last sentence before gesturing for Kakashi to follow him.

"Iruka-sensei! Can I follow too? Onegai!!" Naruto pleaded. The teacher's face immediately softened and he nodded his head. Naruto gave a shout of joy and cheered which Iruka laughed heartily at his reaction.

"As long you don't disrupt the test, I'm sure you can hang around."

"Yosh!"

0o0

"The subject for the test shall be the transformation jutsu." The examiner said lazily as he gazed at Kakashi. Iruka and Naruto stood aside as both of them watched Kakashi nervously. Iruka was biting his thumb and Naruto was watching with mild interest, his blue eyes never taking off him.

Kakashi sighed for the hundredth time. His raised his hands and did a dog-boar-tiger seal which flawlessly transformed into the examiner's copy in a 'poof' of smoke. For a Genin level, it wasn't that easy to perform a seal perfectly and that was partially the reason why the examiner's mouth was slightly opened and Iruka's eyes were shining with pride. Furthermore, with the speed that he had formed the seal, it was quite commendable for a Genin.

"You passed the trial test." The examiner tried not to look shock. He rolled up the scroll that contained Kakashi's performance and passed it to Iruka. The three of them proceed on to the Hokage's office.

"Come in." A feminine voice emitted when Iruka knocked on the door. The Godaime's head rose slightly to meet her visitors which soon went back down to the scrolls on the table.

"Hokage-sama, this is the results of the trial test for Arashi." Iruka stepped in front of the desk and passed the scroll to Tsunade, who accepted and unrolled it. She skimmed through the comments and nodded her head.

"It seemed that the examiner was quite satisfied with the results." Tsunade said as a smile emerged, "Maybe we can promote him straightaway rather than waiting for the exams in summer."

"Hontou ni?" The Chunin's asked as his face lit up in excitement.

"Hai…The faster he graduates, the faster he could help Konoha clear up some of the debts through C or D-ranked missions." Tsunade could feel Kakashi's glare on her, "Of course, if Arashi himself doesn't wants the immediate promotion, he can always wait till summer or maybe the late autumn's exams."

That sentence made Kakashi retreat his glare. His fate of whether he's going to remain in the academy or not was currently lying in her hands. He can't afford to take any risk.

Damn, Tsunade's getting better at blackmailing people.

"So what do you think, Arashi?" The woman glanced at him, a glint of evil flashed across her eyes, "Maybe you'll need more time for training?"

"No thanks, I'll go for the immediate promotion."

"Demo Tsunade-sama, don't you think it's a bit too early to promote him? He's only been in the academy for a few days only and-…" Iruka spoke out but was cut off by his listener.

"I'm sure Arashi's capable of handling himself. He's a prodigy after all." Tsunade regretted her words when she felt Kakashi's ego swelling. Men and their ego…

"D-demo…"

"No more words from you, Iruka, I know Arashi more than you do and I know what's best for him. You should feel happy that your student is going to be a Genin."

"Hai, Hokage-sama."

"Daijobu, Iruka-sensei!" Naruto patted the Chunin's back, "He even managed to do a Bushin too!"

"I'll take my departure then, Hokage-sama. I'm afraid I'll go broke if I stayed any longer." Iruka nodded his head and disappeared in a flash, leaving Naruto and Kakashi in the room while Tsunade pondered over what he had just said.

"Matte-! How did he know I was going to ask him for a ramen treat?!" The answer dawned onto her. The last thing she saw was the blonde running out of the office, shouting for Iruka. Tsunade shook her head meanwhile calling for her trustworthy helper, Shizune.

"Call for Yoake and tell her to report immediately."

"Hai." She was gone in a blink of an eye too. It wasn't long when she returned, this time with a newcomer. She was a head taller than Kakashi's current height; her mahogany hair ran down to her waist with slight curls. Her eyes closely resembled Kurenai's, except hers were navy blue. Judging from the way she looked, Kakashi presumed that she was around her mid-thirties.

"From now onwards, she will be your new Genin teacher, Miozashi Yoake." The godaime looked at Kakashi then back to the woman, "He'll be your student, Arashi."

"Dozo yoroshiku, Yoake-sensei." Kakashi greeted. The words sound so foreign on his tongue. Is that how Naruto, Sasuke and Sakura felt when they first met him?

"Dozo yoroshiku, Arashi-kun. It's nice to be working with you." she greeted back.

"Yoake, teach him all the basics and all that he needs to know." Tsunade commanded. A sharp nod was her reply, "You're dismissed."

The both of them walked out of the office. When the door slammed shut firmly, Shizune couldn't help but asked.

"Are you sure about this, Tsunade-sama? He's a guy, isn't it more useful if…"

"I know what I'm doing, Shizune." Tsunade stressed. Kakashi is still Kakashi. No point teaching him things that he already knew.

On the other hand, she was showering herself with praises from the ingenious plan that was being carried out for Kakashi. Just wait till Kakashi see what's in stock for him… Tsunade couldn't wait to see his expressions.

0o0

Reviews please! xD I will try to update as soon as possible so please be patient all of you:D

Thanks to the following non-author/author for reviewing my story:

Rika24

SongoftheDarquePhoenix

Nire Sanam

Wild Dog- untamed cainine

Prescripto13

Sheri-chan

Kakashifan

Catgirl9696

Thinkerandwriter

Sankyuus!