Naruto made it across the village in a speed Kakashi didn't know he was capable of. Following Shikamaru's chakra no doubt. It took Kakashi a minute to catch up but when he did he saw Ino and Choji outside the Hokage building. They were a mess, some bruises here and there but both Chunin had red eyes and a look of utter defeat. This was their first loss, and this was a look and feeling every ninja would come to know. He looked up to the roof, feeling Naruto's chakra settle.

"I'm sorry" Kakashi said softly landing next to the duo. Neither reacted for a while and then Ino twisted her engagement ring round and looked to the roof

"He hasn't said anything" she whispered

"He was closest with..." Choji trailed off

"Give him some time" Kakashi said

"Naruto took him, he just... leant against him and let him take him" Ino said frowning

"They are close" Choji said softly

"I'm his Fiancé and teammate. I shou-"

"Don't take it personally" Kakashi said "He's your leader, we tend to not want to break down on people who look up to us"

They both looked at each other and nodded

"He'll need time" Kakashi emphasised

"Then he will come to us" Choji nodded. He put his arm over Ino and lead her away only to stop at Sai.

"I am sorry for your loss" he said smoothly and looked to Ino "I am sure I won't help very well, but I am here if you need anything"

Ino cried stepping forward to hug Sai who hesitantly hugged her back

Well, this is a surprise, Kakashi thought. He hadn't seen that coming. He jumped up to the ledge at the Hokage's level waiting for Naruto. Shikamaru was crying. Naruto appeared in front of him, a clone

"I don't need a shadow right now" he said solemnly and Kakashi nodded

"Alright"

"I'll be back to training tonight. Something tells me I'm gonna need to get it soon" he looked to the roof "that promise still stand?"

"Absolutely" Kakashi said and left.

Three days later, as predicted Shikamaru and his team attempted to leave, convincing Tsunade to let him go ahead with them was easier than he had anticipated. Now it was up to Sakura to convince Tsunade to let them follow and Naruto to perfect the jutsu. He had made progress but it still wasn't done. The motivation to follow would be enough, Kakashi was sure. He had worked with Shikamaru before and still he was taken aback by how well he had planned the attack, and how smoothly he accomedated Kakashi being unexpectedly put on the team. He trusted this kids mind more than most older ninja so he wasn't going to interfere and pull rank on this. They needed this and it was their show. So he would assist where he could. The fight was longer than he liked but the fact Kakazu had so many hearts made it unavoidable. The fight had ended and Naruo was being treated by Ino who looked a little freaked out. He imagined it was more than her expertise and hoped Sakura would return soon. The moment she was done Naruto was trying to stand

"Take it easy" Kakashi ordered and Naruto glared at him his eyes still possessing Kurama's shape. He sighed and knelt down "is he in range?" He asked gently causing Naruto's anger to dissapear to be replaced by focus. When he saw his shoulder relax Kakashi knew Naruto had found him and was satisfied he was okay.

"His chakra is low, but he is with the others" He said quietly. Kakashi held out his hand and Naruto took it. Helping him to stand they headed in that direction. Naruto's right arm hung limp at his side and it concerned Kakashi. It didn't take too long for them to meet up and the uncanny ability Naruto had to make energy appear hit and he left Kakashi's support and ran to Shikamaru

"You look awful!" He yelled overly cheerful and Shikamaru glared at him

"You look worse" he grumbled as Ino came over and wrapped her arm around him.

"He's fine. Just overdid it a bit" Sakura said stepping to Naruto her hands glowing as she inspected his condition. One looked at his arm she shook her head and put her hands on her hips.

"It's a good thing I learnt medical jutsu" she huffed and Naruto laughed nervously

"Sorry Sakura"

"Can you get home okay?" She asked and he nodded and she looked to Kakashi hands raised to inspect him too. He smiled and held his hand up but she leveled him with a stoney gaze that told him not to push her as she swatted his hand down. Shaking it out he let her do her work.

"You need treatment too" she sighed "Honestly you two" she sounded annoyed but Kakashi saw the smile she was hiding.

-

Approaching the gates Lee was there

"Sakura! My love! Are you alright?" He yelled running over and she laughed nervously as he got close. Kakashi was expecting him to knock right into her at the speed he used but he stopped and gently took her face in his bandaged hands "I heard it was Akatsuki and I worried" he said softly that everyone had looked a little confused. Kakashi shook his head, exactly like Guy. They could be quiet when they needed. Sakura blushed putting her hand over his left

"I'm just fine, I didn't need to fight" her tone was calm and happy. One Kakashi hadn't seen before, he took that to mean things were going well "but three morons over there decided to over do it and now we are heading to the hospital"

"I don't think I am that bad" Kakashi said cheerfully and she only glared. He pressed his lips together and decided to shut up before she punched him. She didn't have the best bedside manners to those she cared for.

Lee kissed the corner of her mouth and smiled at her

"Alright then!" He said loudly stepping away taking a look at Naruto who was barely standing and lifted him over his shoulder and ran into the village

"Lee! Watch his arm!" Sakura yelled chasing after them. Yamato looked a little horrified while Sai stood close to Ino frowning

"You'll get used to it" she told them both "Come on you two, we better follow Choji?"

"I'll go tell Tsunade where you are. Won't be far behind you.

-

Naruto took the news he couldn't use rasenshuriken again well. It had really shown Kakashi how much he had grown. Even if he was still itching to get out the hospital when he was told to stay put. Kakashi had resorted to asking Shikamaru to come distract him and get him to stay put. So they set up a shogi board on the meal tray and that's what they were doing while Kakashi sat on the wall outside the window.

"You going to be okay now?" Naruto asked softly and Shikamaru nodded

"I will be, but it definitely helped and I got some closure"

"I wish you hadn't gone off alone. When I got there and you weren't there I thou-"

"This wasn't your fight Naruto" he said

"That's not the point asshole!" Naruto snapped "I thought you were dead. I barely held it together to wait for the update on what we were up against, barely heard it because I thought you were already dead" his voice shook and Kakashi felt his heart ache for him. He could understand how he would have jumped to that conclusion. He wasn't in the immediate area.

"It was the best course of action" Shikamaru said softly "come on, thought you had more faith in me"

"I do. But fear is a hell of a lot stronger when you're going up against people killing jinchurichi and stealing tailed beasts like they're just another apponent" Naruto sighed

"Hey, nothing is going to happen to me because of those guys okay. My fight with them is done"

Seeing and hearing how people worry made Kakashi glad he never fell in love. It was painful to watch when they lost their partner, like Kurenai right now. He saw it in Rin when Obito died, a part of her died that day, and she could never look Kakashi in the eye when his Sharingan was uncovered. He never commented on it because he didn't want her to feel guilty. But unlike Kakashi she didn't distance herself, if anything she stuck to him more, and kept him from falling into the darkness completely. Until he killed her. He figured whether she had died by his hand or not he would have likely ended up the same, he knew deep down he didn't actually kill her, he did. He just refused to let that go. He had promised Obito, knowing exactly what she meant to him that he would protect her. And it ended up being his hands that ended her life.

"I guess I shouldn't get worked up" Naruto said pulling Kakashi from his thoughts "I don't really have a right to-"

"Don't" Shikamaru cut in

"Come on! Who are we trying to fool? I had to stop myself from-" he growled and Kakashi decided to take a peek. Naruto was shaking his head clutching his hair tightly "this isn't fair" he sighed. Shikamaru pushed the tray aside and moved close to Naruto putting his face in his hands and making him look at him.

"Don't give up" he said

"I'm not going to-"

"On us" Shikamaru interrupted and Naruto's mouth fell open slightly "Okay the only thing keeping me going is at the end of this we have a shot"

Naruto laughed weakly

"You're getting married. There is no..."

"It's not a time for a wedding" Shikamaru said grimly "I don't want one right now and I doubt Ino would either" he shook his head "we have time"

"I may not" Naruto said "I'll fight with everything I have but let's face it... I may not and you need to accept that"

Kakashi felt like someone was squeezing his heart. That was not what he ever wanted to hear. He took comfort on the fact that he didn't seem to actually be giving up but he was stating something that deep down they all knew was a possibility they were denying. He had just surpassed his Father, he just needed more training. Between now and when they would come for him. Kakashi sagged against the wall looking out to the village. He needed to train with Jiyraiya more, which meant maybe leaving again. When would he be able to stay home? When does this threat end?