Chapter 15: A Gift from the Heart*

*Naruto's POV*

Naruto was bubbling with excitement as he rushed into the small café where he had arranged to meet Sakura and Sasuke. He had a plan in mind—a surprise for Kakashi that he was sure would bring a smile to his sensei's face. After their recent bonding, he felt a strong sense of camaraderie and wanted to do something special to show their appreciation.

Sakura was already there, sipping a cup of tea and scanning the entrance for her teammates. Sasuke strolled in a moment later, his usual calm demeanor slightly tempered by curiosity.

"Hey, guys!" Naruto greeted, plopping down at the table. "Thanks for coming. I've got a great idea."

Sakura looked up with a smile. "What's the plan, Naruto?"

Sasuke took a seat, his curiosity evident. "Yeah, what's this about?"

Naruto's eyes sparkled with enthusiasm. "I was thinking we should get Kakashi a gift. He's been working really hard to help us, and I think it would be nice to show our appreciation."

Sakura's eyes widened in surprise. "That's a great idea, Naruto! But what kind of gift should we get him?"

Sasuke nodded in agreement. "Yeah, Kakashi's always so laid-back. What would be a good gift for someone like him?"

Naruto leaned in, lowering his voice as if sharing a secret. "I was thinking of something personal, something that shows we really appreciate everything he's done for us. Maybe something that reminds him of us and the bond we're building."

Sakura pondered for a moment. "What about something that reflects his interests or hobbies? Kakashi likes reading, right? Maybe we could get him a special book or something related to his interests."

Sasuke nodded thoughtfully. "Or we could make something ourselves. It might be more meaningful if it's something we put effort into."

Naruto's eyes lit up. "That's a great idea! Let's make something for him. How about a scrapbook? We can fill it with notes, pictures, and memories from our time together."

Sakura's face brightened with enthusiasm. "I love that idea! It'll be a tangible reminder of how much we appreciate him."

Sasuke agreed with a nod. "Let's do it. We'll need to gather materials and put in some thought to make it special."

Naruto felt a surge of excitement. "Perfect! Let's meet tomorrow after training to start working on it."

*Scrapbook Creation*

The following day, after a productive training session, the team gathered at Sakura's house to start working on the scrapbook. Sakura's room was filled with art supplies, and the atmosphere was buzzing with creative energy.

Naruto and Sakura began sorting through photos and sketches, while Sasuke organized their notes and ideas. The team was in high spirits as they brainstormed what to include in the scrapbook.

Sakura was the first to speak up. "We should start with a section on our training adventures. Remember the day we did that obstacle course? We can include some pictures and a little note about how much we learned."

Naruto grinned, already digging through a box of photos. "Definitely! And we should include some funny moments too, like when Sasuke tried to use the kunai as a toothpick."

Sasuke raised an eyebrow, his lips twitching into a rare smile. "I suppose that could go in the 'funny moments' section. And we should add some notes about what we appreciate about Kakashi as a sensei."

As the hours passed, the scrapbook began to take shape. The team worked together, creating colorful pages filled with pictures, handwritten notes, and drawings. Each page reflected a different aspect of their journey together—their growth, their struggles, and their moments of joy.

Naruto and Sakura spent time writing heartfelt messages. Naruto's note was full of his usual exuberance. "Kakashi-sensei, thanks for always being there for us and pushing us to be better. You're the best!"

Sakura's note was more thoughtful and reflective. "Kakashi-sensei, your guidance has been invaluable to us. We've learned so much from you, and we're grateful for your support and patience."

Sasuke, though more reserved, took his time crafting a message that conveyed his appreciation. "Kakashi-sensei, I've come to respect and value your guidance. Thank you for helping us grow stronger together."

As they worked on the scrapbook, Kakashi's influence on their lives became more apparent. Each page was a testament to their shared experiences and the bond they were forming as a team. The process brought them closer, reinforcing their sense of unity and mutual respect.

*The Presentation*

After several hours of hard work, the scrapbook was finally complete. It was a beautiful compilation of their memories, adorned with colorful pages and heartfelt messages. The team was proud of what they had created and eager to present it to Kakashi.

They decided to surprise Kakashi after their next training session. As they finished their workout, Naruto, Sakura, and Sasuke waited with barely contained excitement.

Kakashi, ever observant, noticed their anticipation. "What's going on, team? You all seem particularly energetic today."

Naruto could barely contain his enthusiasm. "We have a surprise for you, Kakashi-sensei!"

Kakashi raised an eyebrow in curiosity. "A surprise? I'm intrigued."

Sakura and Sasuke exchanged smiles as Naruto handed the scrapbook to Kakashi. "We wanted to give you this. It's a scrapbook of our time together—our training, our progress, and some of the fun moments we've shared."

Kakashi took the scrapbook with a surprised look. He carefully opened it, his eyes scanning the pages filled with notes and photos. A soft smile spread across his face as he absorbed the heartfelt messages and memories.

"This is… incredible," Kakashi said, his voice filled with emotion. "I'm touched by this gesture. You've put so much thought and effort into this. Thank you."

Naruto grinned widely. "We wanted you to know how much we appreciate everything you've done for us. It means a lot to us."

Sakura nodded. "We've learned so much from you, and this is our way of showing our gratitude."

Sasuke, though usually reserved, added, "You've helped us become a better team, and we wanted to acknowledge that."

Kakashi looked at his students with a mixture of pride and gratitude. "I'm proud of the progress you've all made and the bond you've formed as a team. This gift means a lot to me. Thank you."

As Kakashi closed the scrapbook and looked at his students, he felt a deep sense of satisfaction. The gift was a symbol of the growing bond between them—a bond built on trust, respect, and shared experiences.

*Closing Reflections*

As the team left the training grounds, Kakashi felt a renewed sense of connection with his students. The scrapbook was more than just a collection of memories; it was a testament to their journey together and the strong, supportive team they were becoming.

Kakashi knew that there would be challenges ahead, but with the bond they had forged, he felt confident that they would face those challenges together. The gift was a reminder of the progress they had made and the strong foundation they had built as a team.

In this chapter, the team comes together to create a heartfelt gift for Kakashi—a scrapbook filled with their memories and messages of appreciation. The chapter highlights the growing bond between the team members and their sense of gratitude towards their sensei. The presentation of the gift reinforces their connection and serves as a symbol of their journey and growth together.

Hey Guys!

I kinda got excited and posted the rest of what I have written, they are shorter chapters so hope having this many will be compensation. anyway, the last couple of chapters are more filler-type once, don't worry I'll be getting to the serious stuff any minute.

Also, I wanted to know if I should do a time skip like between OG Naruto and Shippuden or not. please let me know.

If I do a time skip I might make it into two separate stories (i.e. like book 1 and book 2) let me know your opinions on that as well.

Hope you enjoy it!