Chapter 36: Team 7's C-Rank

Training Grounds 7:

Yakumo ducked under as Haku's leg swept out across the air. Taking advantage of the momentary opening, Yakumo darted towards Haku, a palm strike at the ready.

However, Haku quickly recovered from her attack and swiftly parried the attack from the young Kurama girl. She then sends out a series of palm strikes at Yakumo, aiming for her shoulders and chest. Yakumo shifted her offense to defense blocking and evaded all the attacks from her teammate.

Yakumo gritted her teeth while waiting for an opening in Haku's fighting stance. However, Haku presents little chance or opportunity for Yakumo to exploit in their spar. It is Yakumo who leaves an opening for Haku to take.

Something that the former nuke-nin takes advantage of. In a flash of an eye, Yakumo finds herself on the ground with Haku's hand just inches away from her face. Yakumo blinked.

"Alright, I believe that will be enough," Kakashi said from the side of the sparing ring.

Haku and Yakumo nodded and got to their feet, Haku helping Yakumo up. "Thank you," Yakumo said.

Haku nodded. "No problem," she said back. The two kunoichi walked up to their sensei.

Kakashi looked between the two and nodded his head. "That was an excellent showing between you," he said. "But it was not without its flaws. Haku, your experience as Shinobi outside the village showed. You fight with efficiency and patience. Your strikes were precise, and you exploited any opening your opponent gave you, leaving little for them to take. Well done."

Haku smiled at Kakashi. "Thank you, Kakashi-Sensei," she said with a bow.

"However," Kakashi said, shifting the tone in his voice. "Your stirks were not as powerful or strong as they could have been. And don't give me that excuse about being a Kunoichi," he said sternly. "We both know that's untrue. You were holding back."

Haku kept a calm expression on her face. "We were sparing sensei," she said. "There was no need to hurt my opponent and teammate seriously."

Kakashi nodded. "I was not implying that you should," he said. "But you were holding back more than you needed to. You could have ended the match sooner had you been more committed to your strikes. This may have been a sparing match, but in a real battle, hesitation can cost you your life and the lives of those around you."

Haku nodded with a small smile. "I understand sensei," she said. "I just find it difficult to hurt others, even when necessary."

Kakashi gave a long stare. "I understand you are a gentle spirit, Haku," he said. "If you were in any other occupation, that would be good. But in the life of a Shinobi, it can be a liability. You must learn to harden your heart so you can do what you have to complete the mission and protect your teammates. I'm not asking you to change who you are. But I am asking you to think about your teammates."

Haku nodded. "I understand, Kakashi-Sensei," she said. "I'll try to do better in the future."

Kakashi nodded at her and turned his attention to Yakumo. "As for you, Yakumo-San," he said. "Your taijutsu form is improving, but you still lack power behind your blows. You were also not as efficient as you could have been, and you missed several openings that you could have used to finish the spare. Most of this is due to a lack of experience on your end. But as for your strength."

Yakumo nodded and kept her head from dropping in shame. "I know Kakashi-Sensei," she said. "I never had the strongest body, and I don't mean that as an excuse. I try my best to get stronger. But my body simply isn't built for something like that. I'm sorry."

Kakashi nodded his head in understanding. "I'm aware of your condition and how it affects your body," he said. "And I commend you for trying to overcome your condition. Have you been working on the taijutsu forms I showed you earlier?"

Yakumo nodded. "Yes, I have been," she said. "I think they've been a great help. They're much easier to do than the forms the academy showed us." They weren't quite as exerting either, which was good for Yakumo.

"Good, if you can master those forms, then you may not have to worry as much about your physical strength," he said. "But it would still help if you could put more power into your attacks. Your endurance and stamina can also use some work. Battles are not the only thing that can extend into long periods."

Yakumo nodded eagerly. "I will do everything I can to improve," Yakumo said. "You already helped me and my teammates so much." This was true. Ever since Team-7 had been formed, Yakumo had noticed a massive improvement in her skills as a Kunoichi. With guidance from a sensei who didn't have to worry about another team, Yakumo got a better idea of improving her existing skill set. Even working on the fields she lacked, such as taijutsu and ninjutsu.

"You're doing well," Kakashi said. "All three of you." He looked over Sai, who was walking up to the small group. "I would even say I'm almost proud of you, almost."

Yakumo rolled her eyes while Haku chuckled. "Well, I hope we impress you one day," she said. "So, what's next? Another spar with teammates? Maybe you are going to show us a new jutsu?"

"Or perhaps you want us to work on a teamwork exercise," Sai suggested with a fake smile.

Yakumo smiled. That was one thing the team had noticed about their sensei. He loved to work on their teamwork. Every day since their team formation, Kakashi has drilled into the value of teamwork. For hours, team-7 would work on combined exercises. That's not a bad thing, mind you, but Yakumo wished he would work with them on a more individual level.

Kakashi chuckled. "Nothing like that today, my cute little students," he said. "We'll cut things short today in favor of a mission."

At this, Yakumo strained to hold a smile. She and her team had quickly learned the horrors of D-rank missions. Sasuke had not been exaggerating when he spoke of his missions around the village. Seriously, why get a shinobi to walk your dogs? Wouldn't an ordinary dog sitter do that?

"So, what will it be this time?" Yakumo asked.

Kakashi gave them one of his signature eye smiles. "I think I'll surprise you."

Hokage Tower

When Team-7 arrived at the mission's office, Team-11 was already there. "Well, if it isn't the newest genin team to join our ranks," Naruto said without turning his head. But Yakumo knew he was smiling warmly.

Sasuke and Hinata both turned around to face the members of Team 7. "Yakumo, it's great to see you," Sasuke said with a broad smile. "How's your day been?"

Yakumo smiled back. "Just fine," she said. "Kakashi-Sensei might not be the most punctual shinobi around, but he does keep us busy."

Sasuke's smile shrunk into a smirk. "Well, I hope he doesn't keep you too busy," he replied. "It gives us less time for each other." A small blush tented his cheeks.

Naruto turned around. "All right, you love birds," he said humorously. "Try to keep your lovey-dove schtick to yourselves. Some of us are single and don't like being reminded of it. Am I right, Shisui-sensei.

Shisui gave his student a forced smile. "Now, Naruto, who ever said I was single?" He said. "I might not look like it, but I am quite the ladies' man."

Naruto tilted his head to the side. "Really?" He asked, sounding unimpressed. "Just how many ladies have you dated?"

Shisui's smile grew. "Plenty," he said. "What about you?"

Naruto had a foxy grin on his face. "Now that would be telling," he said. Besides, who could resist this?" He gestured to his whole body. "I know the girls love me. Right, Hinata? Hinata?"

Everyone was treated to the sight of red-faced Hinata. There were more than a few smiles in the room as Naruto rushed up to the poor girl and placed his hand on her forehead. "Hinata? You, okay?" He asked with more than a bit of concern in his voice. "Whoa, you're burning up. Do you need to see a doctor?"

That seemed to snap Hinata out of her stupor as she quickly stepped back and shook her head. "N-no, I'm f-f-fine," she said. "I d-don't need to see a d-doctor."

"Are you sure?" Naruto asked, his expression worried. Several eyes floated down around the girl, seemingly reflecting the boy's worry.

Shisui chuckled. "Now, Naruto, I'm sure she's fine," he said. Just give her some space and let her breathe."

Naruto turned his head to face Shisui. "Okay," he said, taking a step back from Hinata.

Yakumo shook her head and looked at Sasuke, who shared a knowing look. "So, you're here for a mission, too?" she asked.

Sasuke nodded. "Yeah, it's another C-rank," he said.

Yakumo gave him a surprised look. "Another one?" She asked. "And so soon?"

Sasuke shrugged his shoulders. "Shisui-sensei seems to think we're ready."

Naruto appeared beside Sasuke, swinging his arm around the other boy's shoulder. "Of course we are," he said. We're the most incredible team in this room—no, in this whole village."

This was met with eye rolls from almost everyone in the room. Kakashi lets out a good-natured chuckle. "I think we've held you guys up long enough." He said to Shisui. "You'll have to tell me how the mission went when you return."

Shisui nodded. "So, as long as drinks are on you," he said. "Come on, team. We got a mission to prepare for." Team 11 eagerly followed their sensei out of the room.

Just as Sasuke was walking by Yakumo, she stopped him for a second. "When you get back, you want to have another date?" She asked. "I've heard about this great place in the marketplace."

Sasuke smiled and nodded. "Sounds like fun," he said. Then he was gone.

The members of Team-7 walked up to the mission desk. They were surprised that the Hokage wasn't there. Instead, Itachi gave them a warm smile.

"Itachi-San," Kakashi greeted the man. "I did not expect you to be here. At least not alone; where is the Sandaime?"

"I'm afraid the Sandaime got held up in a council meeting today, so I've taken over for him in the missions room. So, what shall it be? Dog walking? Babysitting a merchant's child? Tora?" Yakumo felt a shudder go down her spine.

"Actually, I would like to request a C-Rank mission," Kakashi said before anyone could make their opinion known.

Itachi gave the silver-haired Jōnin a quizzical look. "So, soon?" Itachi asked. "It's only been two weeks since your team formed."

Kakashi nodded. "I think my team is ready for it," he said. Yakumo looked between her teammates, seeing excited looks on their faces. Well, Haku looked like she was excited. Sai was Sai, fake smile and all.

Itachi looked at Kakashi and then at his genin students. He closed his eyes and nodded. "All right then," he said. "I think I have just the mission for you. Hold on a moment." He started to shift through the pile of papers in the bin marked "C-Ranks."

Yakumo looked up at Kakashi with excitement in her eyes. "Our first C-Rank?" She asked him. "Is this real? Are we really going on our first C-Rank? Do you think we're ready for it?"

Kakashi gave her an eye smile. "What? Would you prefer a D-Rank?" he asked. "It's not too late."

Yakumo quickly shook her head. "No, no. A C-Rank sounds good," she said.

Kakashi smiled. "Ah, here it is," Itachi said, dragging a sheet of paper out from the pile of C-Ranks. A merchant caravan has requested an escort back to their home country, the Land of Honey."

"The Land of Honey? I don't think I've heard of that country." Haku said.

Itachi nodded. "It's a minor country southwest of the Land of Fire. You'll have to cross through another country to get there. Thankfully, this country has friendly relations with the Land of Fire and frequently requests missions from Konoha. So, you should have no trouble crossing their country to the Land of Honey."

"We understand Itachi-San," Kakashi said. "Where will we be meeting this caravan?"

"Fortunately, this caravan is currently in our village," Itachi explained. "As it so happens, we were the last stop on their journey before they would return to their homeland. If you accept this mission, I can notify them."

Kakashi nodded. Then he looked at each of his genin. "Well, guys, what do you say?"

Yakumo, Haku, and Sai all looked at one another. "It sounds simple enough," Yakumo said. "We're just escorting a merchant caravan. And we get to see another, possibly two."

Haku nodded. "It would depend on the dangers we could encounter," she said. She looked at Itachi. "What are we expected to run into? Is there any possibility we can have a run-in with Shinobi?"

"Bandits are likely to be expected," Itachi explains. "As for Shinobi, we have some reports that rogue Shinobi inhabit the lands you will travel through. Mind you, these are not nuke-nin; they are just Shinobi and are not affiliated with a hidden village. Chances are you won't run into them."

"But it is a possibility," Sai said. "Have we determined the skill of these possible shinobi?"

Itachi nodded. "It is not out of the realm of possibility," he conceded. "You should be prepared for the chance. As for the skill level of these rogue Shinobi, that is hard to say, as they have given us little reason to investigate them. But if you are worried that you might encounter a Jōnin level opponent. I find that unlikely."

Haku nodded. "I agree with Itachi-San," Haku said. "Zabuza-Sama would have never gone after a simple caravan unless he was being paid for it. And it would have to be a lot of money. Any rogue shinobi that could be considered a Jōnin, I think, would be the same. They would be looking for bigger targets or better jobs."

Itachi nodded. "If you were to encounter an enemy shinobi out on the mission, at worst, I would expect someone around Chunin level," he said. "But more than likely, they'll be genin looking to pray upon easy targets. Little better than the average bandit."

That was a relief to Yakumo. Once she heard there was a chance her team could run into other Shinobi, she was worried they might have a situation similar to team 8's first C-rank. She looked at Sai. "So, what do you think, Sai?" she asked.

Sai smiled. "I have no real thoughts on this," he said. "If the rest of the team is all right with this mission, I won't object, though it does seem like a good first C-rank."

Yakumo nodded and looked at Kakashi. "Then we accept this mission," she said.

Kakashi gave his team an eye-smile and looked at Itachi. "You heard the lady," he said. "As sensei of Team-7, I accept this mission."

Itachi looked pleased. "Very well, then," he said. I'll send a message informing the clients that they will have their escort," he said.

Kakashi nodded. "When do the clients want to leave?" He asked.

"The clients did not say," Itachi replied. "But judging by how eager they were. I would say soon. You will have to talk to them yourself."

Kakashi hummed. "We could go meet our clients now," he suggested. "That we save the trouble of having to send a message."

Itachi nodded. "That is acceptable," he said, holding the sheet of paper out. This should tell you where they are staying. Oh, and one more thing."

Kakashi stepped forward to take the mission paper. "And what is that Itachi-San?" he asked.

"While the clients did request a full genin team, they did ask that one additional shinobi be assigned to the mission," Itachi explained. "The payment provided was enough for a Chunin."

"I see," Kakashi commented as he reviewed the mission paper.

Yakumo looked at Haku and Sai. "Does that mean we'll be working with someone else?"

"It would seem so," Sai replied.

"I wonder who they will be," Haku said. "Hopefully, someone nice."

"As a Chunin accepted this mission?" Kakashi asked.

Itachi shook his head. "No, but I do have someone in mind," he said. "I'll have her summoned here and see if she is interested."

"And if she's not?" Kakashi asked.

"Then you may proceed with the mission," Itachi replied. "The clients did not say that another shinobi needed to join the mission, and they would go with the genin team. I think they feel better with the extra security."

Kakashi nodded. "Then we'll be off," he said. If anyone you have in mind accepts the mission, tell them to meet me at the Rusty Kunai. Around four should do."

A smile spreads across Itachi's face. "So, seven it is then," he said.

Yakumo and the others snickered. "Meh, meh, there's no need to be rude, Itachi-San," Kakashi said. "You know how I am with missions outside the village."

Itachi snorted. "Of course," he said. "I'll direct her your way if she accepts the mission. Will that be all?"

"Yes, I think we have anything else to ask you," Kakashi said. "We've taken up enough of your time." All four members of Team-7 bowed to Itachi.

"Team-7 is dismissed," Itachi said. "And good luck on your mission."

"Hai!" The four chorused.

Team-7 had its first C-Rank.

The Next Day, Kurama Compound

"Do you have everything you need?" Uncle Unkai asked.

Yakumo nodded. "I do," she said. She laid a hand on the scroll on her back. Having a budding Fūinjutsu specialist as a friend had its perks.

"Weapons, supplies, clothes, tent?" Unkai went through the list.

Yakumo nodded again. "It's all there and accounted for," she said, "including a first aid kit and other emergency stuff."

Unkai nodded and smiled at her. "Would that include your painting supplies?" He asked with a knowing look in his eyes.

Yakumo blushed. "You'll never know when inspiration may strike me," she said. "Besides, if this mission goes smoothly, it might be the only thing I get to do besides training."

A light-hearted frown appeared on her uncle's face. "Now, be careful of what you say, Yakumo," he said sternly. "I taught you better than to tempt fate."

Yakumo smiled and nodded. "I'll be careful, uncle," she said. "I'll also keep a notebook and something to sketch with. I doubt we'll stay in one place long enough for me to complete a full painting, so it'll be nice to have something to jog my memory when we return."

Unkai nodded. He had a faint smile on his face. "I hope your mission will be a success," he said.

"It will be," Yakumo replied. "It is just a C-Rank and my team's first one at that."

Uncle Unkai shook his head. "I know that," he said. "But it still does not stop me from worrying. I know it wouldn't stop your parents from worrying. They would be so proud of you right now. A young, beautiful kunoichi, no wonder that Uchiha boy went and snatched you up."

Yakumo tried to hide the blush on her cheeks. "Uncle!"

Her uncle chuckled. "Have a good mission, my niece, and be safe," he said.

Yakumo nodded her head and left her clan's compound.

A short while later, Yakumo approached her team and the merchant caravan they were to escort. There were about six or seven horse-drawn carts, three of which appeared to be made for the merchants to be carried in while the remainder would haul their acquired goods.

Haku and Sai greeted her with smiles. "So, it's about time?" Yakumo said. "Our first C-Rank, well, my and Sai's. I'm almost certain that Haku here has taken missions much like this one."

Haku had a mild blush on her face. "Most of the jobs Zabuza and I took hadn't been labeled with any rank," she said. "But I know plenty of them would have been designated as C-Rank, Zabuza-Sama told me that."

Yakumo nodded. Haku had told them several stories about her time with the former member of the Kiri-nin (though if what Sasuke told her was true, the former bit might have to be dropped now). They all sounded fascinating, and more than a few sounded harrowing.

"I particularly like the one where he cleaved a man in two," a certain voice chirped in her mind. She heard a long-suffering sigh in her head. "What I would give to do that to one of your friends."

She ignored that voice. "Too bad we're going to have to wait a while for Kakashi-Sensei," Yakumo commented, looking around, not seeing any sign of the team's Jōnin Sensei. That man always had an excuse to be late, sometimes funny but mostly irritating. "But I guess two or three hours won't be so bad. I just hope our clients won't mind."

"Now, now, Yakumo-San," Kakashi said from behind Yakumo, almost causing the Kurama girl to fly into the air. "There's no need to speak ill of your sensei."

Yakumo spun around, unable to mask her surprise. "S-Sensei?" Yakumo asked. "Y-you're on time?" Was she dreaming? Did she get hit by a genjutsu?"

"Oh, trust me, you would know if it was genjutsu," the shadow quipped in her mind. "I would never let you live it down. That said, if it is a genjutsu, color me impressed."

"Are you responsible for this?" Yakumo quickly asked the demon in her head.

She heard the shadow chuckling in her head. It was like nails scraping on a chalkboard. "No, but I wish I could take responsibility," it said. "That said, we both know I can do way worse."

"Of course, I'm on time," Kakashi said with an eye smile. "This is a very important mission, and I am never late for the important stuff."

Both Yakumo and Haku gave the silver-haired Jōnin pointed stares. "So, our first team meeting, our daily training sessions, and our missions before aren't important to you?" Yakumo said.

Kakashi shrugged. "Maybe?" He answered. Then he walked past the trio of genin. "Come, you three, we don't want to keep our clients waiting. Do we?"

"Don't you suppose the Hokage would believe our sensei's brutal death and castration was an accident, do you?" Yakumo asked her team in a whisper. "Things can happen on a mission." The trio of genin started to follow their sensei.

Haku giggled. "I don't know," she replied. "But do you really want to ask for something to go wrong on our first mission outside the village?"

Yakumo thought about it for a moment and shook her head. "No, you're right. It's best not to tempt fate," she said. "We're already two for four. There's no need to make it three."

Sai had a thoughtful expression. "Didn't Team-10's first C-rank go smoothly?" he asked.

Yakumo nodded. "Yeah, it did," she said. "I think Ino was both relieved that nothing went wrong and a little annoyed that her team was exempt from the disaster train."

Sai tilted his head to the side. "Shouldn't it be good that her team's first C-rank went smoothly?" He asked. "Why would she wish for something to go wrong with it?"

Yakumo thought about the question for a second. "Well, I think the better word would be she felt a little guilty," she explained. "Teams 8 and 11 ran into unexpected trouble during their missions. In Team-8's case, they ran into Zabuza."

"And me," Haku added.

Yakumo nodded to acknowledge her teammate. "I think she feels a little bad that nothing bad happened in her mission while the others had trouble."

Again, Sai had a thoughtful expression on his face. "Could this be a case of misery-loving company?" He asked.

Yakumo and Haku both shrugged their shoulders. "Maybe?" Yakumo answered. "Ino can be a little over the place. So, it's hard to tell."

Sai nodded. "I see," he said.

The shinobi squad stopped in front of a man who appeared to be late into his fifties, hair graying and all. "Afternoon, Tanaka-San," Kakashi greeted the head of the merchant caravan. "it's good to see you again."

Tanaka nodded his head and smiled at the shinobi squad. "Likewise, to you, Shinobi-San," he said. "I assume you're ready to escort us back to our home country?"

Kakashi nodded. "That we are," he said. "Aren't you, my cute little students?"

Yakumo nodded as she shifted the scroll on her back. "All packed and ready."

The man had a confused expression, but he nodded his head anyway. "All right then, if you all rea?" The confusion came back to his way. "Wait, didn't we also ask for another Shinobi to join us?"

"Ahh, yes," Kakashi said as if she had just remembered the fact. "Don't worry; she should be joining any."

"I am terribly sorry for my lateness," a voice entered the chat. "I got held up in a small manner at the compound. Please forgive my delay."

"Moment," Kakashi finished his sentence.

The group turned to face the newcomer. Yakumo was surprised that she knew who it was. "Sara-San?"

Naruto's Hyūga caretaker looked at Yakumo with a raised eyebrow. Then she recognized the young Kurama and smiled at her. "Yakumo-San," she greeted the girl. "It's good to see you."

"You know who this woman is?" Haku asked.

Yakumo nodded her head. "Of course I do," she said. "She's Naruto's caretaker in the Hyūga compound. She's like an older sister to him."

Sara let out a small laugh. "Sometimes, I felt more like a mother to that little brat," she said. "Though he doesn't need me now, he can mostly care for himself. He still needs to be reminded that there are other food groups than ramen."

Haku looked at Sara with newfound respect. "So, you're the woman who raised Naruto," she said. "He's told me a lot about you, Sara-San."

A smirk crossed Sara's face. "All good things, I hope," she said, a sharp glint appeared in her eyes.

Haku giggled. "Most of it was," she said. "There were some complaints about you being a mood killer and too prim and proper. But other than that, he only had good things to say about you. It's a pleasure to meet you; I'm Momochi Haku. I've been staying at your clan's compound."

Sara nodded. "I've heard about you," she said. "Naruto has told me many things about. Though unlike me, it was all good. I'm sorry I haven't gotten the chance to meet you. My duties do keep me busy."

Haku nodded. "I understand," she said. "If there is one thing, I learned from Zabuza-Sama, it is that the life of a Shinobi can keep one busy. Still, it is good to meet you. I've wanted to meet the woman who raised Naruto."

"And I look forward to learning more about one of his friends," she said. "Especially one as interesting as you Haku-San. It's not every day that a nuke-nin is brought into our village. Then again, knowing Naruto, I should have known better."

"Well, technically, she's not a nuke-nin," Sai said, stepping into the conversation. "She was never a shinobi in any major or minor villages. She was just trained by a nuke-nin, an infamous one at that."

Sara raised an eyebrow at the boy. "And you are?" She asked.

"Sai," the pale boy answered. "I'm the third member of Team-7."

"Another friend of Naruto's, are you?" Sara asked. "I don't think I've heard him mention you."

Sai shook his head, giving the Hyūga woman one of his fake smiles. "We haven't met yet," he said. "Though I would like to meet him. From what Yakumo-San and Haku-San have told me, he sounds like an interesting person."

"I see," Sara said slowly. She looked at Yakumo for an explanation. Yakumo shrugged and said she would explain later. "Okay then," she said, turning her attention to Kakashi and the client. "I think that's enough standing around. Again, I apologize for the lateness."

The client, Tanaka, gave an understanding nod of his head. "It's alright, Kunoichi-San," he said. "A little lateness never hurt anyone." At this, the Shinobi glanced at Kakashi. "But I would like to get going now. It's a long journey to our home country, not to mention we have some goods that won't last forever."

Kakashi nodded. "We understand Tanaka-San," he said. "We can depart now if you like. Team-7 I know this is our first C-Rank, but I still want you to keep an eye out. Understood?"

"Hai, sensei!" The genin members of team seven said together.

Kakashi nodded. "Sara-San," he addressed the chunin. "Once we're out of the village's parameter, I want you to use your Byakugan at random intervals, make sure no one or nothing can get the drop on us."

Sara nodded, a serious expression crossing her face. "I was already planning on it," she said.

Kakashi nodded and turned around to face Tanaka. "Then, if you are ready."

Tanaka nodded and turned away from the group of Shinobi. "Alright, everyone, let's move," he yelled. "We got daylight to burn."

Team-7, Sara, and the caravan left the village.

Road, several hours later

"I've never been outside the village before," Yakumo said, looking around at the road.

"You haven't," Yakumo questioned. "I thought the heiress of a clan would have left the village at least once in her life."

Yakumo shrugged her shoulders. "Well, you do have to remember my condition."

"Don't speak of me as some irritating rash," said condition complained.

"Oh, right. Having a demon in your head would limit your chances to leave the village."

Yakumo nodded. She had only known the walls of her clan's compound all her life. It had been rare for her to leave. The meadow Sasuke and she frequented was the only other place she knew of outside her home. A smile crept onto her face. "But now I don't have to worry about that anymore. I can anywhere I want with fear of that thing ruining everything."

"I wouldn't be so sure about that, Yakumo-Chan," the shadow laughed in her mind. "One day, you will slip up, and I will come out to play. I wonder how many people will suffer this time."

"I will never let that happen," Yakumo replied sharply to the shadow. "Now shut up and go away. I'm talking to my friends."

There was silence in her mind. "That's good to hear," Haku said. "What about you, Sai? Have you ever left the village?"

Sai shook his head. "No, I have not," he answered. "I have been outside the walls a couple of times, but I have never left the village proper."

Yakumo looked at Sai with interest. "You've been outside the walls?" She asked. "When why?"

"Training mostly," the paled-skinned genin replied. "It has been several years since then. It's nothing worth mentioning. I'm sure Haku here has many more exciting stories than I do. She used to travel with the Demon of the Bloody Mist; she must have seen some interesting places on their journeys.

Yakumo looked at Haku. "That would be true," she said. "You must have visited some interesting places."

Haku laughed and shook her head. "No, I'm afraid not," she said. We mostly stick to small towns and villages; we avoid the larger cities."

Yakumo nodded. "Right, avoiding the hunter-nins," she said.

"And other shinobi and the occasional samurai," Haku stated. "So, not much of a chance to be a tourist."

"But surely, there must have been some places that stuck out to you," Yakumo replied. "Even if you never visited the big named places, surely there must have been a smaller one—something tucked away in the world." It was kind of like the meadow Sasuke and Yakumo had to themselves.

Haku hummed to herself as if thinking about what Yakumo said. "Perhaps," she said uncertainly. "But if we did, we didn't stay long enough for me to appreciate it or to get to know the locals. We were always on the move."

"It makes sense," Sai commented. "Being a nuke-nin, Zabuza, and by extension you, would always have to be on the move. Otherwise, you would risk Hunter-nin catching up to you."

"It does sound like a lonely life," Yakumo said. "Never staying long enough to know people, never being able to trust anyone, and always having to look over your shoulder. It must have been hard."

Haku smiled and slowly nodded her head. "I had Zabuza-Sama," she said. "And that was enough for me."

Yakumo smiled and placed a hand on Haku's back. "But now you have us," she said. "And all of the others back home."

"Home?" Haku questioned.

Yakumo nodded her head. "Of course, Konoha is your home," Yakumo said, with a certainty that had Haku thinking. "Aren't you happy there?"

Haku opened her mouth to answer her teammate's question, but then she closed it as she thought. Was she happy in Konoha? Did she consider that place her home?

She thought over the short time she had spent in the village. Her arrival, meeting the Hokage and all of Naruto's friends. She remembered her first night at the Hyūga compound and the people there. While distant, they were friendly and welcomed the former wondering kunoichi into their home.

She remembered how excited and nervous she had felt when meeting her team that day, the relief she felt when they passed Kakashi's test, and the many good times she had in Konoha.

Eating at Naruto's favorite restaurant, shopping with Hinata and her friends, helping with Naruto's pranks, and simply spending time with her newfound friends and enjoying life in the village.

There were some bad times in there as well. Haku didn't like the time she spent with Konoha's T&I department, and she still found a shadow shifting whenever she looked at the side.

But it was the good that stayed at the forefront of her mind. So, was she happy? Yes, Haku was happy. Her time in Konoha was among some of the happiest in her life. Did she consider Konoha to be her home? She wasn't sure about that yet, but maybe one day it would. She could hold out hope for that.

Haku looked at Yakumo. "I am happy," she said sincerely. "As for it, Konoha is a home to me. Maybe one day it will be."

Yakumo looked at her for a long moment before she smiled and nodded. "I hope that It will be," she said. "Konoha is a nice place to live in."

Sai piped into the conversation. "It is," his smile seemed more genuine.

Yakumo started to laugh. "Konoha is nice," she said. "But it is nice to get out every now and then. See the world outside of our walls." She looked around the land as the caravan moved down the road.

Haku did the same. To her, it wasn't much different from all the others Zabuza, and she had traveled. But to Yakumo, it was something new and fresh. She wonders if she ever had that same wonder when she first started to travel with Zabuza.

Haku started to giggle. "I'm sure you'll miss it soon enough," she said.

Yakumo nodded. "It seems we got a captive audience," she said, glancing behind her.

Haku nodded. "I noticed," she said, looking back as well. Two boys, one with red hair about ten years old, and the other a blond around eight were staring at the trio of genin. As soon as they noticed they had been caught staring, the boys hid in the cart they were riding in.

"Were they interested in us?" Sai asked.

"Probably were," Yakumo said. "It's possible those two have never seen a shinobi before." It was a strange idea to her, having grown up in a shinobi village. None of the civilians were surprised when they saw Shinobi running around. Sure, the little kids still looked at them with awe and wonder. But she guessed that Shinobi were beings of myth and legend to people like their clients. "They probably think we're superheroes or something like that."

Haku nodded with a small smile. "That or they were just two boys being curious," she said. "Did you see the blushes on their checks?"

Yakumo tilted her head to the side. She didn't think she had noticed the boys blushing. "Curious?" She asked. "Curious about what?"

Haku's smile grew. "Nothing you need to be worried about she said. "Though they'll be disappointed that you're already spoken for."

Yakumo raised an eyebrow but did not press her teammate further on the subject. Kakashi appeared next to his team. "We'll stop at the next pass," he said. "The sun is starting to set."

Yakumo looked at the sky and saw that the sun was starting to descend into the horizon. "Hai," she said with her teammates.

Night

"We're being watched again," Sai commented.

Yakumo and Haku nodded; they had noticed. With the sun going down, the caravan and its escorting Shinobi settled on a nearby hill. The caravan carts were now arranged in a large circle. Tents had been set up inside the circle, and small campfires were made to keep everyone warm and for cooking. They all would be put out once people went to their tents for sleep.

The genin members of team-7 were sitting around one such campfire, along with Sara and a few of the merchants. Kakashi was off somewhere, and Haku was betting he was reading his favorite book.

"I noticed," Sara said. "Did you get some admirers?" She glanced at Haku and Yakumo.

"Maybe," Yakumo said. "It is kind of cute, though." She looked over at the boys and waved at them. The younger blonde-haired one waved back while the red tried to get him to stop. Other children were around, but they seemed mostly content to play among themselves while these two boys had been shadowing the Shinobi.

"Don't mind them," one of the merchants said. He was in his late twenties, maybe early thirties, and had short brown hair. He smiled at the genin and chunin with green eyes. "That's my son Akito and his friend Daisuke." Then he looked past the group and shouted out at the boys. "Akito, Daisuke, stop being creeps and get over here. If you want to get to know these people, spying on them isn't going to work." Then he looked back at the Shinobi.

"One of them is your kid?" Yakumo asked. "Which one?"

Faintly, Haku could hear the boys walking up to the campfire. The woman next to the man giggled. "Can you guess?" she asked, laying her head on the man's shoulder, long blonde hair draping off his shoulder.

"The younger boy," Sai said.

The man nodded. "That would be our little Akito," he said. The boys arrived at the campfire. The younger boy, Akito, happily greeted them. "Hi, there." He said with a beaming smile."

His friend, the redhead, had a light dusting of red on his cheeks. "Hello," he said. He was mostly looking between kunoichi.

"The red hair is Daisuke," the merchant said. "Don't mind him. He's a little pervert. But still a nice kid."

Now, the redhead looked offended. "It's not my fault that I appreciate the finer things in life, Shouka-San," he said with crossed arms.

"Oh, and what would be those finer things," the woman next to the merchant said.

The boy didn't pick up on the dangerous tone in her voice. "Girls, of course," he said without hesitation. "And Ladies." He sent a glance at Sara."

Sara rolled her eyes. "I can see what you mean by a pervert," she said.

Akito tilted his head to the side. "Ka-San, Tou-San, what's a pervert?" He asked. "I've heard Daisuke and his dad be called that many times."

The boy's mother looked at him while shaking her head. "It's nothing you should be worried about," she said. "So as long as you don't do as Daisuke says or does." She sent a sharp glare at the boy in question.

Daisuke began to sweat under the woman's gaze. "What it just means I really like girls," he said. "Nothing wrong with that."

"Not if you start peeking on the baths," the merchant said flatly. Then he shook his head and looked at the Shinobi, who watched the exchange with amused expressions. "I'm Shouka Minoru, by the way," he wrapped his arm around the woman next to him. "And this, my wife, Naomi."

The woman, Naomi, held her hand up in a small wave. "It's a pleasure to meet you," she said. "It's not often we meet shinobi, less so Kunoichi."

"Ku-no-ochie?" Akito tried to say, tilting his head to the side.

Haku giggled. "It means we're female shinobi," she explained.

"Which is cool," Daisuke said with a grin. "Regular girls are nice enough. But ones that can kick ass and throw around fireballs are so cool."

Haku heard Sara chuckling. "You might want to remember that the next you go to peek at women while they're bathing," she said. "Civilian women don't like being spied on like that. Kunoichi even less, and our response tends to be more forceful."

Daisuke paled as he understood what Sara was trying to say. "I-I'll remember that," he said in a shaky voice.

Sara nodded, pleased that the boy understood. Then she introduced herself. "I am Hyūga Sara. It is a pleasure to be meeting some of our other clients."

"Momochi Haku," Haku said, bowing her head.

"Kurama Yakumo," Yakumo said. "It's nice to meet you."

"Sai," Sai said.

A thoughtful expression crossed Minoru's face. "Did you say Hyūga?" He asked. He got a nod from Sara. "Aren't you that big clan with the weird eye powers? The Sharengun, was it?"

Haku noticed the twitch at Sara's mouth. "That would actually be the Uchiha clan," she said. "Another major clan in our village and something of a rival to the Hyūga. Also, it's the Sharingan. What you are thinking of is the Byakugan."

An almost panicked expression came over the man's face. "I am terribly sorry," he said, bowing his whole body. "I didn't want to insult your clan like that. I just thought."

He was stopped when Sara intervened. "It's all right; I took no real offense," she said. "I don't expect everyone outside of Konoha to know the difference."

Minoru nodded his head. "I am sorry, though," he said. "But it is strange being in the presence of royalty, or is it nobility? I could never get my head around those two things."

Yakumo frowned. "But aren't you traveling merchants?" She asked. "Wouldn't you meet lots of people, including nobility?"

Naomi giggled. "I don't know what you've heard about traveling merchants," she said. "But we doesn't get to interact with a lot of royal-type people and others like them. We mostly deal with other merchants or common folk. Sure, sometimes we might find up running around our markets, but most of the time, they just send someone else out to do it."

Shouka nodded his head. "Something like that," he said. "So, this is the first time we've met someone like you."

Sara had a smile on her face. "Well, I am sorry to disappoint you, but I'm not quite as noble as you think," she said. "While I am a main house member, I'm fairly removed from the ruling family."

"Main House?" Akito asked with a tilt of his head.

Yakumo smiled at the young boy. "We'll explain later," she said. "As for me, I'm the heiress of my clan. Though the Kurama clan has declined, it still has some influence."

Minoru was now looking at Sai and Haku with suspicion in his eyes. "Are all of you royalty of something?" He asked.

Daisuke looked at the older merchant with a confused expression. "Should we roll out the fancy tents of something?" he asked. "Do we even have something like that?" Naomi shook her head as the redhead and her husband talked. Akito, meanwhile, just looked between everyone with a confused but curious expression.

Yakumo chuckled and smiled as her friends went to explain themselves. She looked up at the night sky, wondering if Sasuke and his friends had done the same thing. It would be a short while before everyone went to sleep, with two Shinobi keeping watch.

Kakashi looked over the field. Even though he was keeping an eye out for trouble, a part of his mind was wondering. "Nothing to note," the voice took him out of his thoughts. He knew the figure had been moving towards him, and she had no ill intent.

Next to him, Sara stood by him. "Sara-San," Kakashi greeted the Hyūga woman. "Is it that time already?"

Sara shook her head. "For you, no," she said. "But for one of your genin, yes."

"Sai," Kakashi answered. He still wasn't sure about that boy. Kakashi knew one of Danzo's puppets when he saw them. But the was different, though Kakashi could not place his finger on why. Was the boy that good of an actor, or had Danzo not sunk his claws as deep into him as he would have liked?

Sara nodded. "He seems like a good kid," she said. "Though on the quirky side if you ask me. Must be his roots."

Kakashi casts a look at the Hyūga woman. "You know?" He asked.

Sara nodded. "I have been Naruto's caretaker for a while," she said. "I guess I earned enough trust from Hiashi-Sama to learn about some of the threats to my ward."

Kakashi nodded, noting that it made sense. He would still have to check in with Hiashi when he returned to the village to make sure. Then, he felt a tug at his heart. "How is he doing?"

When Sara answered, she had a knowing glint in her eyes. "Why ask me that question?" She asked. "You should know perfectly well."

It was a good thing that most of Kakashi's face was covered. Otherwise, she might have seen the slightest tug of surprise. He tilted his head to the side. "Now, whatever do you mean?" He asked.

Sara smiled. "How about we drop the pretense," she said. "I know you were one of the ANBU watching Naruto. I knew the Hokage had a team of ANBU watching him even after he had been taken in by my clan."

Kakashi nodded. "Sandaime-Sama had some reservations, even with the assurances from Hiashi-San," he said. To be fair, Kakashi had shared those same reservations. He had feared that his sensei's son would grow up being a pawn of the Hyūga.

Sara nodded. "Well, I do hope some of those reservations have been laid to rest," she said. "I took good care of Naruto, even though there were days when I was tempted to send him on his way to the pure world."

Kakashi chuckled. He had seen the times when Naruto had proven to be more than a handful. He might have Minato's face, but the boy had inherited his mother's temperament and disposition.

"He has turned out well," Kakashi said. "But only watching doesn't tell me much about him."

Sara nodded. "He's a good kid," she said. "Annoying as hell and grating on the nerves. But a good nonetheless, he has a good heart. He's kind, gentle, compassionate, and he always tries to brighten everyone's day. You should try talking to him. It might do you some good."

Now Kakashi's guard was back up. "What do you mean?"

Sara's smile grew wary. "It must be tearing you up inside," she said. "Watching someone that's like a brother to you, Kakashi-San."

Now Kakashi had his suspicions. "You know, don't you?" He asked.

Sara kept her gaze out on the field when she answered. "It doesn't take a genius to put two and two together." A frown creased across her face. "It must speak to how blinded or stupid everyone is. I fear the answer may be both. Not that I could speak; it took three years before it clicked in my head."

"Or maybe it speaks volumes of how well we hide it," Kakashi suggested.

Sara chortled. "If that had been the case, you would have changed his last name and dyed his hair," she said. "No, this is on us for not noticing."

Kakashi nodded. In the first years, he was afraid that someone would recognize the boy and that they would make the connection. Naruto resembled his father so much, even at a young age. Kakashi had insisted to the Hokage that Naruto be secluded from the village for his protection, both as the Jinchūriki and as the son of his late sensei.

Hiruzen had denied his offers, telling him Naruto would be better growing up in the village. It was a relief to the silver-haired Jōnin that no one had ever made the connection until now. But it also frustrated him; no one saw Naruto for who he was or could be. All they saw was the monster that had destroyed their homes and took their loved ones.

"I tried my best for the boy," Kakashi said. "I volunteered whenever I could for his protection detail. When I wasn't, I would make excuses to be close to him."

"You protected him," Sara said. "But you wish you had done more."

"I tried to adopt him," Kakashi said. That got a look of surprise from the Hyūga woman. "But the Hokage denied me every time, no matter what excuse I made. I even threaten to kidnap him and go nuke-nin."

"Let me guess, he didn't want to risk anyone making the connection between Naruto and you," she said.

Kakashi nodded. "That and," he paused for a second and breathed. He looked up at the night sky, seeing a half-moon. "It took me a while to realize it. But Hokage-Sama had another reason. I wasn't the best person to take care of Naruto then. If I had, I might have done more harm than good." He hadn't been in the best mental state at the time. He had just lost his sensei, the man whom he thought of like a father and the woman who was like a mother. Before that, he lost his team, and as a child, he lost to his father. Kakashi's life had been riddled with loss, and it had affected his mental state.

Sara nodded. "But you still tried to help him, didn't you?" She asked.

Kakashi remained silent as memories came back to him. The gifts he had left for the young boy were toys, clothes, and the occasional scroll. He remembered those lonely nights when Naruto had been a small baby crying out for attention. He remembered holding him and cradling him back to sleep.

Most of all he remembered stopping the attempts on Naruto's life in his first couple of years of life. If anyone had ever escaped, Kakashi had hunted them down. "I could have done more," he said.

Sara shrugged. "Maybe," she said. "But we don't get anywhere by keeping asking ourselves those questions." She looked out at the tents behind them, her eyes fixated on the tents with the genin members of team 7. "But whatever you were going through at the time, it seems you have gotten through it."

Kakashi shook his head. "I haven't," he said. "I just got a better grip on it. Having a team wasn't my idea. The Sandaime thought I needed a break from my other line of work." Truthfully, part of him was thankful Sarutobi had taken him out of the ANBU.

Sara had an understanding look in her eye. "They're good kids," she said. "I've known Yakumo-San for a few years now, and I've recently met Haku and Sai. But I can tell they'll be good for you. And something tells me you'll be good for them."

Kakashi raised an eyebrow. "How so?" He asked. "I don't think I'm the most well-adjusted Jōnin in the village. And I don't think I'm much of a teacher."

Sara shook her head. "I think you're selling yourself short." She said. "I think you would have a lot to teach them. You just need to let yourself be a teacher to them."

"Be a teacher to them?" He asked. It was something to think about. It reminded him of a conversation with the Hokage shortly before meeting his genin.

Flashback: Hokage tower

Kakashi placed the stack of files down on the Hokage's desk. "I still don't know why you insisted on doing this. I have no interest in teaching genin."

The Sandaime gave him one of his grandfatherly smiles. An expression Kakashi had come to both hate and love over the years. "I think you'll find that this team will be different. Just give them a chance. I think they'll surprise you."

Kakashi wanted to snort in that moment, but he kept his self-control. The team dynamic of this team was certainly interesting. The heiress to a declining clan, who until recently had a literal and figurative demon in her head. The former apprentice of a Kiri swordsmen turned nuke-nin. And lastly an outright spy from Danzo's private army. Speaking of. "I won't allow a ROOT spy in my team."

Hiruzen nodded. "I can understand your reservations about the boy," he said. "But Danzo insists on letting him join the Shinobi Corp."

Now, this time, Kakashi snorted. "So, you're letting one of them into our ranks," he said. "Maybe next time we'll let an Iwa genin join one of our teams or maybe someone from Kumo." While he was at it, they could send a message to Orochimaru; he was sure to have a candidate or two in mind.

Sarutobi held a placating hand up. "I understand Kakashi, I really do," he said. "But this was the best move I could make. Danzo made a compelling enough argument that I couldn't deny the boy without a good reason. The best I could do was assign him to your team."

"So, I could keep an eye on him," Kakashi said. "And when I fail this team, what then?"

The Hokage gave a quirked eyebrow. "When they fail?" He asked. "Don't you mean if they fail?"

Kakashi stared at the old Hokage. "You know what my test is like, Hokage-Sama," Kakashi said. "I doubt someone like this boy would get the deeper meaning."

Sarutobi smiled at him. "He may surprise you yet, Kakashi," he said. "I've been watching the boy myself. He is different from the other ROOT agents."

"Different? How?" Kakashi asked.

"That you will have to see for yourself," the Sandaime said. "But it is possible we may have another Tanzo on our hands. Speaking of if your team passes, you may want to consider introducing those two. It might be a help."

"And if they fail?" Kakashi asked.

The old man shrugged his shoulders. "Then we still introduce them," he answered. "But I doubt that this team will fail. I think they will surprise you."

Kakashi remained silent momentarily, contemplating everything his Hokage had told him. "I still have my doubts," he said. "It's not the team I would have chosen."

"Yes, I am aware," Sarutobi said with a long puff from his pipe. "You pushed to have Naruto on your team."

Kakashi felt a stab in his heart, he nodded his head. "I just wanted to make sure he had someone good to teach him," he said. "Someone who could see past his statues as the fox's container and would know the potential he had."

"Then do you doubt Shisui-San's ability as a sensei?" Sarutobi asked.

Kakashi shook his head. "No, I don't," he answered. "If I can't be the one to teach him, then someone like Shisui or even Itachi would be the next best thing."

"I almost picked Itachi," Sarutobi revealed. "But I have other plans for him."

"I'm aware of that," Kakashi said, getting another arch of an eyebrow. "Just an educated guess from recent events. I'm not one hundred percent on it, but it's a pretty good guess."

"There is also the fact that he would have been teaching a team with his brother on it," the Hokage said. "There would have been a conflict of interest there. Much like why I didn't let you have Naruto on your team."

"You think I would have focused solely on Naruto?" Kakashi said, feeling insulted by the implication. "You know I value teamwork above anything else."

"True," Sarutobi said. "But that does not mean you wouldn't have shown Naruto some form of favoritism. But that is beside the point. I did not believe you would have been the best sensei for his team. Shisui made his case well, and I decided his plan would be best for what will come."

Another silence passed over the room. "How much longer do you think we have?" He asked. "Before?"

"Before the war starts?" Sarutobi finished for him. "Not much time, I'm afraid." He turned to his desk and pulled out a scroll. "Have a look at this." He tossed it over to Kakashi.

Kakashi grabbed the scroll from the air and opened it. "How accurate is this?" He asked, feeling a slight chill after reading the scroll's contents.

"About a month ago," Hiruzen said, sitting at his desk. "We've been losing contact with our sources in Kumo and Iwa. The few we have left indicate that there has been an increase in communications between the two."

"What about Eguchi's sources?" Kakashi asked. "Has he gotten anything?"

"He's been facing the same problem," the Hokage said. "Luckily, his contacts in their respective countries haven't been affected as of yet."

Kakashi nodded. Both of them knew that would change soon enough. "Which brings me back to my previous question. How long do we have?"

"Our best estimates put us at around six or seven months," Sarutobi answered. Kakashi almost winced at the answer. That wasn't much time at all. They knew this had been coming for some time now. Ever since the Hyūga affair, there had been stirrings from both Kumo and Iwa.

Iwa was still nursing a bruised ego from the previous war, and Kumo had been humiliated by their failed attempt to kidnap the heiress of the Hyūga clan. Both villages sought revenge against Konoha.

Foreseeing what was coming, Hiruzen had subtly prepared his village for the next war. He retooled the academy curriculum to produce battle-ready Shinobi, reorganized the Shinobi ranks for wartime readiness, and expanded the ANBU ranks for future operations.

The Fire Daiymō had also been warned about the possibility of a renewed war with Iwa and Kumo and their respective countries. In many ways, the relations of the hidden villages reflect the relations of the nations that sponsored them. While many remember the battles between Shinobi in the great wars, most forget the battles fought between the armies of the elemental countries.

"I had hoped that we wouldn't see any more after the Third Great Shinobi War," Kakashi said. "One was bad enough to live through. I don't want to see a second."

"And I don't want to see a fourth," Sarutobi said. "But this cannot be avoided now. All we can do now is try to wither the storm and pray we come out on top."

"So, six to seven months," Kakashi says.

"Maybe less," the Hokage said. "It depends on how eager our opponents are."

"So, not much time to prepare my team for a war," Kakashi said.

That was when he saw a look on his face. "We might be able to buy ourselves some more time," he said. "Possibility another three months or more. If what I have in mind works, we could have upwards of a year."

Kakashi racked his brain to try to figure out what angle the Hokage was getting at. Then it struck him. "The Chunin Exams," he said. "You want my team to enter the Chunin Exams."

The Elderly Kage placed his pipe on the desk and blew out a large cloud of smoke. "Not just your team, teams 8, 9 and 11." He said. "Gai-San also said he'll enter his team for the next exams."

"This year's entire graduating class," Kakashi said.

"You can't deny that this class has had some talent in it," he said. "Several heirs to major clans, a Jinchūriki, and others. If we can prove our strength in the upcoming exams. It could make Iwa and Kumo a little more hesitant to go to war. They'll put off their plans for just a little bit longer."

"What if they decide to attack before then?" Kakashi asked.

Sarutobi shook his head. "This war might be inevitable, but we have ways of delaying it," he said. "I can assure you we'll have at least until the Chunin Exams. After that, it will depend on how well Konoha does. We are already fortunate enough that upcoming exams are being held in our village. That will give us the home-field advantage, and we will use that to our fullest."

"So, all I have to do is prepare my team for the exams, and what?" He asked. "Hope they get through it?"

Sarutobi frowned. "Kakashi, I need you to take this seriously," he said. "This might be the first team you will teach. But I need you to take their training seriously. I know you were planning on a more hands-off approach and letting them grow into their own at their own pace. But I'm afraid we can't afford that now."

"So, what then?" Kakashi said, letting an edge slip into his voice. "I train them to be like me? Train them like ANBU?"

Sarutobi shook his head. "No, let them grow into their own paths," he said. "But you must not let go of the reigns. You need to push them and push them hard. As much as it pains me to say this, but they must grow up quickly, otherwise."

Kakashi nodded. "I understand Hokage-Sama," he said. "I don't want to lose another team."

The Elderly Hokage smiled at him, but it was sad, showing all the pain the man had felt throughout the years. "Kakashi, I know you still have reservations about this," he said. "But I believe you have much to offer to these kids. If only you would let yourself, be a teacher to them."

"Let myself be a teacher to them?" He asked.

Sarutobi's smile grew. "That is something you must figure out for yourself," he said. "But I have faith in you and your team."

Present

He still didn't understand the meaning behind the man's words, but hearing them twice now from someone different made him think again. What did it mean to be a teacher? What did it mean to him?

He was still trying to figure that out, and something told Kakashi it would be a while before he did. "I'll think about it, Sara-San," he said.

Sara nodded. Then she looked up at the night sky, a smile forming. "That's all I'm asking you to do," she said. "Naruto is a good kid and has made a life for himself. I think you should try introducing yourself sometime. I'm certain he can make room for you. You could say you were a friend of his parents."

A half-truth, but one that could work. "I'll take that into consideration as well," he said. Honestly, the idea did appeal to him. He just wasn't sure if he was ready for something like that. If he could face his sensei's son. "You're a wise woman for your age, Sara. I can see why Shisui-San likes you so much."

The Hyūga woman's face turned a light shade of red. "I think I've taken enough of your time," she said. "I best get back to my post. If you need anything, you know where to find me." She started to walk away.

"Sara-San," Kakashi said, stopping the woman. "Thanks for coming by. Our talk was interesting."

"Perhaps we can do it again sometime," Sara said. Then she was gone.

Kakashi looked out across the field. His thoughts lingered on the conversation for a while longer. He still wasn't how good of a sensei he would be to these kids. But he would do his best.