Author Note: Apologies if the characters seem OOC. I'm doing my best to anticipate how the characters would respond to changing situations.
It all started on a mission that Squad 7 had been assigned. It was a generic C ranked mission. The goal was to escort two traveling merchants back to their home village with their supplies. Normally, the village in question wouldn't ask for help from ninjas. Unfortunately, these two merchants had a penchant for (accidentally) getting in conflict with rogue ninjas. The stakes were raised as the cold season was coming, and it was imperative that the supplies reached the village intact. Normally, it wouldn't be a problem for Squad 7 – they've taken similar missions before. But for some reason, Naruto seemed a little unfocused. He has been a bit unlike himself since the beginning of the mission. There wasn't the usual hitting on Sakura, nor were there the usual useless arguments with Sasuke. The squad could see he wasn't his fidgety, anxious, attention-seeking self.
X-X
Of course, Sakura didn't mind it at all. The less Naruto made a buffoon of himself, the more time she got the fawn over Sasuke. Sasuke had a bit of a breather, too. He didn't miss Naruto trying to prove himself and challenging him, so he left it alone. The only person in Squad 7 that seemed to actually care about how Naruto was doing was Kakashi. They've been a squad for just shy of a couple of months, but it was enough to know that something was off. And it triggered Kakashi's warning signs. He sighed. "Sakura, Sasuke," he instructed, "I want you two to keep watch over the merchants. I need to have a little one-on-one with Naruto." The two mentioned gave their affirmations. However, Naruto still continued to walk forward, seemingly deaf to the world. "Naruto," he addressed him. Suddenly, Naruto seemed very focused. Whatever was on his mind was making him lose focus. "Yes, Kakashi sensei?" he asked. Kakashi had wanted to chastise him right there, but decided against it. "I'd like to have a word with you in private," he said simply. Naruto nodded.
X-X
They jumped a couple paces off the path until Kakashi found an open clearing. When he stopped, Naruto knew to stop as well. He opened his mouth to speak, but it was cut off by the sound of a kunai whizzing through the air. It should've caught him off-guard but, because Naruto was so focused, he was able to dodge the attack. It left him off balance and unguarded. He ended up falling right on his backside. Normally, Kakashi would be a tad bit impressed that he was able to dodge the attack so fast. That was beside the point, however, as he began to address the real reason why he led Naruto here. He began to address Naruto. "In a world where ninjas are bound to the people who they serve," he started, "it's important that every mission we do goes with as little flaws and mistakes as possible, for both parties' sake. I need not remind you of what could go wrong." He stepped closer to Naruto as he picked himself up off the ground. "There seemed to be something troubling you. Perhaps after the mission, I wouldn't mind lending an ear. But, for now, I want you to be focused and present, understood?" Naruto rubbed the back of his neck in shame before giving affirmation. Kakashi didn't really have much else to say after that, and neither did Naruto. They were off to catch up with the others.
The two caught back up with the group. Sakura looked a little disappointed that Naruto came back unscathed. Not that she actively wished harm on him. She just didn't want him jeopardizing the mission or getting between her and Sasuke. But there he was again – no bonds, chains, seals, or anything of the sort. She guessed that Kakashi-sensei really only wanted to talk to him. She started to address him but decided against it as she didn't really need or want to talk to him. Sasuke glanced at him from his side view and called him a loser, which is nothing new. What was new was that he didn't respond to the thinly veiled provocation.
X-X
Two hours later and with the mission being completed, they were on their way back to Konoha. Sakura looks at Naruto and Sasuke for a brief moment before speaking up. "Kakashi-sensei," she says, voice sounding sickly sweet. "Maybe next time we can leave Naruto at the village." Naruto jumped slightly. The only ones to catch it were the Sharingan holders. "It seemed that me and Sasuke could've taken care of this mission our own." Kakashi sighed. Even if what she said was true, excluding a squad member because of the apparent ease of a mission was, to put bluntly, a dumb decision to make. He was about to say as much when Naruto spoke. However, it was a voice they've never actually heard Naruto speaking before – a sort of serious voice filled with clarity that had a softness to it, almost as if he had given up. "She's right, ya know?" he says. With the way he said it, he had been thinking about this for longer than just that day. Sakura couldn't believe what she just heard. It even caught Sasuke and Kakashi off guard. He continued. "I'm on a team with Sasuke the child prodigy, Sakura, who knows a lot about everything, and the famous Kakashi-sensei the White Flash, he who know a thousand jutsu." He looked down at the ground. "And then there's me. I'm no good at ninjitsu. I don't know any genjutsu. Even my taijitsu is bad." The other three stand in silence, not really offering anything to rebuff his claims. "Everyone knows I just barely made it through the academy." He slips off the ninja headband. "Do I… do I even deserve this?" Sakura felt a strong sensation of regret run through her. She only meant what she said as a light-hearted jab. Sasuke is utterly confused. This was coming from someone who he regarded as a rival and, possibly, a friend. Did he push him away? Unlike Sakura, his voice was more audible. "Wait just a second! Naruto!" Kakashi could do nothing but stare in disbelief. The situation reminded him of an old friend of his. And how he would have been like if he just stopped believing. "As soon as we get back to the village, I'm going to see Lord 3rd about having my ninja status revoked," Naruto said simply, shocking the group. And yet, none of them offered any resistance or argument. For the rest of the trip. The group stayed silent.
X-X
Once back in the village, the squad separated. Night had fallen, so most major facilities and shops were closed. Naruto went straight back home, looking at Hokage Rock before turning in. Sasuke thought about intruding on Naruto, to find out what was really going on. He decided against it. Sakura had dinner with her family before turning in for the night. She couldn't get Naruto's mini-speech out of her head. She felt a little guilty. 'I'll do something for him tomorrow,' she thought. Kakashi sat on his bed. He pulled a framed picture out of his nightstand. It was a picture of his squad when he was younger. Looking at it, his mind replaced the people in the picture with the squad he leads. A tinge of regret went through him before he laid down. The following morning, Naruto made true on his word. In the Hokage's office, Hiruzen faces a downcast Naruto. He never liked it when Naruto looked sad. It reminded him too much of Minato. "Lord 3rd," Naruto addressed him formally. "Naruto," was his response. "This must be very important to request a meeting with me at such an early time." As far as he's been aware, Naruto hadn't made any mischief that needed reprimanding, that Naruto came here of his own volition. Naruto looked him straight in the face. There wasn't a hint of positive emotion to be found. "I humbly request that you revoke my status as a ninja." Hiruzen's eyes went wide. He literally couldn't believe what he was hearing. After all of Naruto's efforts, he was just giving up? He quickly looked for any sort of jest on the young boy's face and came up empty. Naruto pleaded, "Please, Lord 3rd. I don't… I don't deserve to be a ninja." Hiruzen quickly stood up, then instantly regretted it but continued to stand regardless. Naruto awaited whatever tongue-lashing he was to endure… but it never came. Instead, he was given a resounding 'no'. He was about to rebut, but Hiruzen put his hand up. He sat back down and began to elaborate. "No, Naruto. I will not revoke your status as a ninja. However," he look at him directly, "you seemed to have a heavy mind or heart about something to request such a thing from me. And after you worked so hard, too… So, here is what I am willing to do, should you choose to accept it." Naruto waited. "I shall put you on indefinite leave of absence until you sort out whatever you need to sort out." Naruto thought about it. It does leave a door open in case he changes his mind in the future, and it does accomplish the same thing. "I accept," he said. Hiruzen closed his eyes in thought for a moment before reopening. "Then so be it. Leave your headband here." Naruto did as he was told. As he turned to leave, Hiruzen said one final thing to him. "And Naruto? Please take care of yourself. We'll be waiting." He turned back, showed his respect to the Hokage, and then went off.