Recovery: Chapter 1

Summary: He became heartbroken and wallowed in his pasts, letting himself go. But on the return of a certain unpredictable Kunoichi, everybody believes that she will be the one to save him. Will she help? How can one girl bring about the aloof man and save him from himself? Just when she wanted was some peace in her life. Good-Sasuke. Akatsuki not really going to be used. Just pure Drama and Romance.

XXXX

"Huh? Can you repeat that?" The recently returned Naruto Uzumaki asked. Her brow in a frown and arms crossed. Her teammate Sakura and Sasuke standing off to the side of the Hokage's office, glancing at each other knowingly. Jiraiya just as confused as his apprentice as Tsunade rubbed the knot in her neck.

"Kakashi…He's unavailable." Tsunade started off. "He's been on leave for almost three months now, Naruto. Katsumi ended the relationship horribly when Kakashi walked in on her sleeping with a man named Karou in his apartment. Saying something along the lines of him being non-affectionate towards her publically, only within the confines of either of their homes and recently being deprived of…intimacy."

Sakura taking over for her Shishō. "Kaka-sensei, a year and a half after you left, finally said the three big words to Katsumi and moved in with sensei during the second year. But as soon as they moved in with each other that's when it all started going downhill. Kaka-sensei tried to talk to her about reducing the nights she went out to party, with Katsumi digging her claws where they don't belong."

Naruto looked at them strangely and commented. "Didn't I warn all of you, not to let Kakashi-san progress further with her." Her teammates inwardly wincing as the blonde dropped the 'sensei' suffix, having stopped using it after the retrieval of the Godaime after she learned what he tried to do as Itachi tried to find her. The older Uchiha brother always keeping a close eye out on her and keeping her at a safe distance from the Akatsuki as he slowly took them out with his partner Kisame.

Naruto having to sit down with Sasuke to have a nice and very, very long conversation with Sasuke about the truth that was going on in all three of their lives. Sasuke of course didn't believe her at first, till she knocked him out, snuck him out of the village and threatened Itachi to tell the Teme the truth, lest she maim him while Itachi watched. All in all, Sasuke knew better to get on the blonde's bad-side and helped protect her from what's left of the Akatsuki.

"Where is Kakashi-san now?" Naruto asked as she eyed Sasuke, Sakura and Tsunade. "Please don't tell me you left the moron by himself?!" Naruto yelled as she exploded out her arms. Her teammates nodding slowly making Naruto clench her fists. "Has low has he fallen?" Questioning with controlled anger, with the help of the elder toads during her training.

"If he doesn't recover within the next two to three months, I'll have to proceed with a forced retirement. Trust us, Gaki. We've tried to get him to talk or just to live a little with his friends, yet all he does is stays in his apartment during the day and goes to the memorial stone at night. Among other hobbies he has taken up on." Tsunade seeing Naruto tilting her head and answered, already used to her quirks. "Katsumi lives with the new lover and hasn't seen Kakashi since."

Naruto sighed and looked out to the sunny afternoon of the village and returned her gaze back to the trio, Jiraiya sitting down on the two-seater to process the information. "Katsumi…" the blonde started. "…only wanted Kakashi-san as an accessory…hoping to get a ring on her finger." Naruto explained with a frown, making Sakura and Sasuke 'Ahh' in remembrance.

"That's right." The Uchiha commented. "You told Kakashi (He never uses honorifics) about this too, yet he didn't listen nor did Sakura and I. In fact, nobody listened and ignored your warnings. Then one day you just stopped and apologised to Katsumi for your rude behaviour."

"Yeah, saying something like, you was just being a worried student for Kaka-sensei and we all believed you." Both looking to Naruto with regret in their eyes. "We're so sorry, Naruto. We should've believed in you, you're our teammate and not some gold-digging two-face."

The Uzumaki waved them off and replied. "It's fine, seriously. I guess everybody was just happy that Kakashi-san became more open…kind of." Scratching her cheek. "So he has a minimum of three months to get back on his feet." Looking over to the blonde kage. Tsunade nodding with her hands laced on her desk.

"I'd rather not force the man to retire; his skills are widely needed in Konoha. What do you have planned, Gaki?" Tsunade asked curiously.

Naruto only shrugged her shoulders as if it would solve everything. "What I do best. Being Naruto…I'll see what I can do, Baa-chan. It may not work but if I do things right, Teme and Sakura would be able to help me after 2 weeks or so." Narrowing her eyes, giving up and sighed heavily with her shoulders slumped. "Three years and I come home to this shit." Getting whacked up the head by her Mentor.

"Language. I've told you so many times…" Grabbing her luggage off of her back and slung it over his shoulder. "I'll take care of your stuff; get cracking so we can continue where we left off."

"Fiinnee." Naruto whined like she did when she was 12 when they first met each other. Making Jiraiya laugh and tossed her out the window, just like he did all those years ago during the exam break. Laughing louder as Naruto cursed to the high heavens as he leapt out the window. Avoiding the hail of Kage-Shiruken & Kage-Kunai that his apprentice tossed at him with 10/10 aim. Almost regretting teaching her those techniques. Almost.

Tsunade rubbed her temples as Sasuke and Sakura smiled fondly at having their youngest team member return home after so long. Walking out the office door, planning on telling the rest of Konoha 12 of the Kunoichi's return.

XXXX

Naruto huffed as she walked down the main road at a leisurely pace. Waving every so often to the elderly and children as she danced around the busy district to the home of her Team Leader. Stopping at a few stalls and shops to pick up some groceries, cleaning products and other necessities. Not having a faintest idea how to handle a person who has been heart-broken.

Exhaling deeply as she climbed the stairs of Kakashi's apartment complex. Walking up to the third floor and looked around for apartment 308. Grumbling as his home was all the way on the other side of the complex and trudged down the hall, looking over the railing at the finely trimmed courtyard with a Zen garden. Perfect for shinobi to relax, especially with the small fountain and koi pond.

Making it to the door Naruto was about to knock before she heard a door open behind her, looking over her shoulder to see a solemn looking Maito Gai. Her face morphing into a sorrowful look, quickly replacing it as Gai look to her with surprise. Naruto gave him a thumb up with a Don't-You-Worry smile, immediately making Konoha's Green Beast aim a good-guy pose at her and scampered away down the hall.

'Poor Gai-sensei. It must be hard for him not to have his eternal rival around…I'll try my hardest, Gai-sensei. Dattebayo!' the blonde looking back at the door, considering if she should knock. Quickly discarding the gesture and kicked the door open, surprising her that it was unlocked and treaded into the dark apartment.

Her shinobi skills kicking in at once and caught the hurtling bottle of sake or more like bottles. Never once dropping her bags and placed the bottles soundlessly onto the floor. Continuing her way into Kakashi's apartment casually. Creating a few clones. One to put away the groceries, one to run the shower, another to pick up all the shit scattered around the apartment while she walked around to windows and drew open the curtains and windows to get rid of the stale and alcoholic smell. All the clones ignoring the groan of protest.

The original looked over to her former-sensei on the couch with a neutral expression. Obviously discovering that he hadn't bathed in a while or eaten anything but consuming alcohol. Inwardly she was pissed to see the copy-nin let him-self stoop to this level, yet somehow he retained his athletic body. Her clones fluttering about to clean the sty of an apartment.

Kakashi on the other hand looked to the light. Only seeing an orange and yellow blur, his head splitting and mouth dry. Narrowing his eyes as to who had the balls to barge on into his apartment and open his curtains. He kept them closed for a reason. Begrudgingly his vision cleared slightly to see his missing former-student look at him passively. Her arms folded as she scrutinized his appearance and groaned once more.

"Yo, Naruto…" the masked-nin hoarse out of his scratchy mouth. Tacking his tongue about to find some form of moisture and failed miserably. "When did you get back?" Never getting a reply as Naruto continued to stare at him. "Naruto…?"

The blonde ignored him, thoroughly disappointed in the man and walked over to him. Painfully grabbing his ear and dragged him over to his bathroom and tossed him into the bath/shower in his clothes. His calls falling on deaf ears as she gestured for her clone that ran the shower to help clean up as she practically manhandled the copy-nin for his clothes. Leaving him only in his briefs and mask.

Rolling up her sleeves and grabbed some soap and a washcloth. Washing the days of grim of his body, rubbing harshly as punishment and kept quiet the whole time. Knowing it would alert the man to what he was doing.

Kakashi was shocked at what his youngest Team member was doing. Never once had he encountered her being rough or dominant. She could get angry, yes. He had been on the receiving end one too many times. But this…this was a whole new level of angry, with the way she was harshly making his fair skin turn red and his hair feeling as she was plucking each strand out one by one and being awfully quiet. Trying to push her away, yet the alcohol in his system prevented him from doing so. He was just thanking Kami that Naruto didn't put him under boiling hot or freezing cold water. Or better yet, attempt to drown him.

As soon as Naruto dubbed him grim-free she pulled him out of the tub and onto the stool. Spraying him with freezing cold water, making him recalculate his thoughts. Though as soon as she was done, Naruto wrapped a towel around his hips and with a quick motion she learnt from her travels with Jiraiya, flicked his briefs into his hamper. Pushing the man into his now clean room, clothes already laid out for him to wear and shut the door on him.

Moving back into the bathroom to clean up. Throwing out his old razors, soaps, toothbrushes and replaced them all. Tossing his dirty clothes into his hamper and moved out into the main living space. Helping her clones trash and recycle the rubbish stewing about his home. Opening his front door to fill the recycle bin outside with the empty bottles of bourbon, sake and other hard liquors that she found. Even the ones that still had a reasonable amount in them, sealing away the full ones.

One clone scrubbing everything down from dust, spills, another vacuuming and one in the kitchen. Doing the dishes, rubbish and fridge inspection. Replacing the spoiled food for the ones she brought. The original clicked her tongue in annoyance and made her way into the kitchen to make something for the man to eat, lest she forcibly makes him eat from a straw.

Though with Kakashi, it took him five minutes and the cool air to wake him from his musing and looked about his room. Finding for the first time in weeks; months even, clean. Drying him-self as best as he could without stumbling all over the place, trying to put his clothes on with little success. Though he did hear the sound and smell the scent of Naruto cleaning…and cooking. Still wanting to know when she arrived back home to the village. 'Probably last week or something. Who knows, I haven't been out lately.' Looking over to the door as he replaced his mask and took baby-steps, his hand gripping the handle carefully.

Yet that didn't work at all since Naruto pushed to door open, grabbing his ear once and again to drag him towards his dining table. Pushing him down till he sat on the chair, a clone bring over a bowl of rice, pickled vegetables with some strips of meat with a side of soy sauce. Looking up to what he hoped was the original, watching as she went through some handsigns and tapped his neck lightly. Feeling his lower body grow heavier by the second, feeling paralyzed and glared darkly at the blonde.

Naruto ignored his look and pointed to the food as another clone brought over a cup of water and 2 aspirin. Before all of Naruto's clones dispelled with the original taking a seat in his lounge, her back facing him so he could eat and whipped out Jiraiya's new book that wouldn't be published for another three months. Reading chapter 24 at a steady pace while she waited for Kakashi to finish eating.

"Naruto…" he called out, yet she continued to ignore him and looked back to his food as the enticing smells hovered around his nose. Even though it was a simple meal, he was starving and pulled down his mask to eat. Trying to eat slowly, but his hunger got the best of him and demolished the dishes. Glad that Naruto had given him a double serving and took the pills last.

The blonde still didn't look over to him, not once while he ate. Just sitting on the couch reading. He immediately knew what the book was, feeling his old desires as a pervert and fan of the series kick in. 'When was the last time I even read the series…or watched the movie?'

"I'm finished." Kakashi commented, trying to gain her attention. Already feeling better, though he was mad that he couldn't move his lower half and didn't know what the jutsu was to help him release it. Noticing that Naruto stood up, snapping her book close with a sadden sigh. Putting the book away as she made her way over to him and sat next to him. Looking to the newly stocked fruit bowl.

Kakashi taking it as his queue to speak. "Maah, Naruto. Why don't you release your sensei?" seeing her nose twitch, trying a different approach. "Okay then. When did you get home?" at that question, the blonde looked to him with confusion swimming through her eyes with a flash of something too quick for him to decipher. "Hmm? Could you release me, Naruto?" Making her head tilt and hummed. "Okay…how about? You should release me." Stressing his words.

Naruto nodded and went through the release seals and tapped his neck, Kakashi regaining the feeling in his lower body. Though he did have pins & needles and were a bit sleepy. The Jinchuriki nodded and stood up, though not before slapping him hard across the face and left his apartment. Leaving behind a stunned masked jonin.

Grabbing his abused cheek. "What was that for?" standing up on jelly legs, going through his kitchen to find his comfort drink…of course he couldn't even find a drop. Instead there was a note on his fridge.

Drink again, I'll kill you.

It's that simple.

Further shocking the jonin and rubbed his face tiredly. Looking over his home to see that Naruto had cleaned everything with a 30 minute window and slumped onto his couch. Touching his swollen cheek and feeling a tinge of guilt. "What was that for?" he repeated, catching sight of the calendar that was next to his bookshelf with his sole eye widening. "Shit! How could I forget?!"

Circulating chakra through his body to help him move, focus and burn off the rest of the alcohol, as he rushed to his front door and slipped on his sandals and everything else to complete his jonin outfit and dashed out the door. Slamming it behind him, not caring if it got broken into. He needed to apologise, not matter how much the sun was killing his sight in his biological eye and searched out for the blonde's signature.

XXXX

Naruto smiled deviously as she grabbed her two teammates, stopping them from heading over to Ino's and shunshined them all back into the Godaime's office. Tsunade raising a brow in question.

"Stage 1 complete." Naruto answered cryptically. The others huh-ing in confusion, not knowing that Naruto used stages to help her preform her pranks flawlessly. It was the reason she could prank the Hyuga, Inuzuka and ANBU without ever being found guilty. "Trust me and just play along."

Her teammates nodded carefully with Tsunade hiding her smile behind her laced hands. Not even a minute later the office door slammed open, cracking the wall with Sasuke and Sakura looking in shock as a heavily breathing Kakashi was leaning against the door. Staring straight at the blonde that was pliantly ignoring him. Tsunade casually looking up from a piece of paper.

"Kakashi. What is the pleasure of seeing you here?" The Godaime asked as she sorted through the mission scrolls.

"Naruto…" he breathed out. The blonde turning around to face him with a raised brow, using a tanned finger to point to herself. "Yes you." He growled out, immediately making the Jinchuriki frown in confusion then over to her teammates, who only shrugged in return. "I'm sorry." Kakashi continued.

Naruto ignored his lame apology and faced her leader. Not once had Kakashi heard her voice since he saw her, till now. "I'll be with Ero-Sennin if you need me, Baa-chan." tapping her chin in thought. "Maybe I should visit Gai-sensei too."

"Oh and why would that be?" Tsunade prodded, both blondes ignoring the copy-nin.

"Well Gai-sensei is super awesome at Taijutsu and I created my own style, since I couldn't find one that suited me and I've been with Ero-Sennin too much and since Gai-sensei is a Taijutsu specialist he can help me out a bit." narrowing her eyes in thought. "Maybe Kurenai-sensei too. I want her to test my Genjutsu skills now that I found a way to use it…Possibly Asuma-sensei as well."

"Why Asuma-sensei?" Sakura questioned as Kakashi slowly straightened his posture, looking at the blonde intently.

"Because he's really cool and he's a Wind user like me. He can give me tips and stuff…I wonder if Iruka-sensei or Ebisu-sensei are free. I need to brush up on my history and whatnot. All that boring stuff." Listing off the people she wanted to see and ask for help. Knowing she was taking a crack at Kakashi's pride. "They're really awesome teachers, but not as awesome as Ero-Sennin. He'll always be my number 1 sensei." Shaking with happiness. Making Tsunade and Sakura smile at the innocent blonde, not matter what she was put through, she miraculously remained innocent. Even with the world's self-proclaimed super pervert.

And at the mention of his nickname, the hermit somersaulted through the window and landed with his thumb hitched out at his apprentice. "Damn straight I am. Now hurry up, you're late for training already." Hauling the blonde over his shoulder, enjoying her squeals and leapt out the window with a salute.

Tsunade sighed at their childish antics and looked over to the obviously pride-wounded masked-nin, saying. "Kakashi, what did you do?"

"Huh?"

The Godaime pointing out the window. "What did you do to Naruto? She's only given one person the silent treatment before and that was Sarutobi-sensei when he banned her from Ichiraku's for a week. You must've pissed her off greatly if she's doing that and going off to other senseis for help. Not you." Mentally grinning at the slumping jonin.

Sasuke getting the idea, followed along. "Then again, the Dobe hasn't called you sensei for a while now. It's always Kakashi-san." Sakura humming in agreement.

"What did I do?" Kakashi commented more to himself, disappearing in a cloud of smoke. Still feeling the need to apologise.

Though finding her was the major problem. Naruto had this annoying habit of disappearing without a trace and couldn't be found unless she wanted to be found. He had been searching for Naruto for the past 6 hours and it was already nearing 5.30. Having seen the Toad Sage near a brothel about 2 hours back and went to all the sensei she listed and still couldn't find her.

Rubbing his masked nose in annoyance and unconsciously walked to Team 7's training ground. Or more specifically, the memorial stone. Almost tripping over his feet as he saw the blonde he was looking for sitting at the base of the stone, letting her fingers trail across the Kanji of Hiruzen Sarutobi.

Kakashi caught his bearings and breathed deeply, walking over to the blonde and stood behind her. Making her instantly drop her hand and stand up. "I'm sorry." He repeated again from the late morning. Naruto not even bothering to acknowledge his presence. "I broke our promise to meet you at the gate when you arrived home. I'm truly sorry, Naruto. I know how much they mean to you."

Naruto heard his words but didn't reply, instead turning to leave. Only to be grabbed at her forearm by the man and looked over to him curiously. Hearing him voice. "You know I don't know how to apologise properly and I don't know how I'm supposed to make up for it. Ramen won't do for something like this…just please don't ignore me like I'm just another in the crowd. Talk to me, Naruto."

The blonde Uzumaki shrugged off his grip and continued to walk away, the stars slowly coming out to play. Inwardly wishing she didn't need to be so cold-hearted to the man, granted he was a shitty teacher and taught through experience on the field. But Kakashi was Kakashi and she wouldn't change that.

Kakashi watched as the blonde walked away; and without his consent his voice broke into a vulnerable whisper. "Please…please don't leave me." His head bowed with his eye closed tightly and hands clenched making them shake. Thinking Naruto left and opened his eye, surprised to see a slender hand in his line of sight, looking up to the blonde who was looking away from him. Smiling slightly he took her hand and held on tightly. Following her as she tugged him away from the grounds and onto the main road.

The copy-nin was wondering where she was leading him as they wove through the slowly diminishing crowd. Watching Naruto was she waved cheerfully at a few of the shinobi and civilians. Even when the Sandaime's grandson came rushing down the road, Kakashi never let go of her hand as the genin glopped the blonde's waist. Naruto using one arm to hug the boy and ruffle his hair.

"Hey Naruto-nee. Uncle Asuma said that you were home, I've been waiting forever for you to return." Exaggerating as he wove his hands about. Naruto redirecting one of his hands casually before he hit a passer-by.

"It's good to see you too, Kono-kun. Let's head out for a picnic one day. Just us with Udon and Moegi, okay?" holding out a pinkie for him to lace his with. Both smiling widely before Konohamaru hugged her tightly once more, seeing her other hand was occupied with another. Finally realising she was busy with somebody and pulled back holding out a pinkie. Naruto swatting his head in annoyance. "Kakashi-san's drunk. I'm taking him home before he does something stupid, now scram." Making shooing motions with her free hand.

Konohamaru giggling as he ran off with Naruto pulling Kakashi along down the road. The masked-nin still knowing that he was getting the silent treatment from the blonde. Though he felt horrible about losing the teacher-student bond they once had before he did something, which he still has no clue what it was; with Naruto instantly dropped the suffix.

Naruto continued to pull the Nin along, but to those who were looking at them; it looked like they were holding hands while walking down the road. Both content with the silence. Suddenly Kakashi's hand tightened further against Naruto, who refused to show the pain and looked up to the Nin. Following his gaze down the road till she spotted the ever so familiar, Katsumi.

Her wavy shoulder length brunette hair, fair skin and amber eyes easily seen through the crowd. She was wearing a dark purple halter shirt with a pair of white slacks, finished off with black ballet slippers. Clinging happily onto an average looking orange-haired man dressed in black.

Naruto tugged on the Jounin's flak jacket to make him look at her and looked down at their hands. Kakashi immediately understanding and loosened his grip with Naruto smiling happily and tugged him along. Hesitant but he followed along. 'Maybe she doesn't know. Oh who am I kidding? Sakura probably ran her mouth off as soon as Naruto stepped foot into the gates.'

Naruto unzipped her jacket, showing her tight-fitted V-neck black shirt. Drawing a crowd of men and women at her generous bust and pulled Kakashi closer, squeezing his hand in reassurance.

Katsumi spotted them straight away and dragged, what Naruto presumed is Karou over to them. Naruto plastering on a fake yet polite smile at the two. "Well look what we have here." The brunette commented as she swayed her hips in a seductive manner. "Kakashi, it's good to see you again…" and looked over to the beautiful blonde. Even with the baggy jumpsuit, Katsumi knew she had a curvaceous figure. "…and just who might you be beautiful? I didn't realize Kakashi was in a relationship." Not knowing it was Naruto.

"That's because he's not…" Naruto smiled innocently at the couple opposite her. Preparing her-self for a big show. Raising her hand and quickly shot it out at the woman and slapped her hard across her face, making it snap to the left, already having fake tears stream down her face. "How dare you? You Whore!" gaining a crowd with Kakashi in shock. Naruto looked over to the new lover and kick him in the nuts and hollered as he curled up on the ground. "You should be ashamed of yourself! You home wrecker! You and the whore should be ashamed! Luring Kakashi-san into a false relationship till he felt something and crush his spirits! The two of you are sick, deranged beings of Yami! Do you enjoy bringing pain to Konoha's protectors?! Shame on you and all of your family!"

Naruto once more slapped the woman and point angrily as the brunette fell to the ground with her lover. "Kakashi-san is a nice, caring and understanding man, yet the both of you have the nerve to attack a highly respected shinobi like him both emotionally and mentally! Don't you care that shinobi are already suffering without the added salt?! I hope you burn for eternity in the Shinigami's stomach and live through the memories an experienced shinobi like Kakashi-san has to live though! You're a disgrace!"

Naruto pulled Kakashi away as the crowd; mostly shinobi began applauding with the civilians looking down on the two on the ground in distaste.

Wanting to get away from the attention, Naruto shunshined them to the top of the Yondaime's head. Letting go off Kakashi's hand and sat down. Looking out over the village, remaining silent.

Kakashi blindly sat down next to her, staring at her in disbelief. "Why…? What…?" not finding the right words to put together.

Naruto for the first time started talking to him. "I'm not mad that you broke your promise, you would've turned up late anyway. I'm pissed off at you because you didn't listen and now look what has happened to you." Glancing over to the man, not even looking angry. Yet Kakashi knew better from the look in her eye. She was bordering on I'm -going-to-go-all-Anko-and-Ibiki-on-you. "I warned you about her yet you continued on seeing her. Not only am I pissed, I'm disappointed in you."

Kakashi felt his heart constrict at the words, Naruto reminding him so much of Minato-sensei as she said those words. Hearing her continue. "Now you're on forced leave, not eating properly, drinking, refusing to see or talk to any of your friends that care deeply for you and not taking care of yourself in general. Had I not returned now, I would've found you dead in a pile of empty sake bottles and you're not only hurting yourself you imbecile, you're also hurting those close to you."

Naruto looked away from the man and glanced up to the lightened up Konoha. "Get your shit together, Kakashi-san or I'll submit a forced retirement on you." Ignoring his disbelieving look. "Even if you are a comrade, I won't accept a liability. I'm giving you three months to get your life together before I make my move." Using Tsunade's words to her advantage.

"You can't do that to me, Naruto." Kakashi grounded out through gritted teeth.

"Try me, Kakashi-san. This village's safety is far more important than yours and the death of our comrades will be on your shoulders. Not mine, not Sakura's, not Sasuke's. But yours. Three months, that's all you have." Standing up to leave, but was stopped as Kakashi also stood up and grabbed her wrists tightly and pulled her back onto his front. Wrapping their arms around Naruto's body and lowered his head to her ear.

"Why are you doing this? I'm your sensei. Why?" he whispered with a repressed strangle.

"You lost the right to be my sensei the minute you discarded me to fight my grief alone as Zabuza and Haku died and tended to Sasuke as he got his sharingan and Sakura as she witnessed a massacre. Even if they were enemies, they will always hold a place in my heart as they led me down the right path that you failed to see. My path similar to the one of Sasuke's all those years ago. You then lost the privilege of being called sensei as you tossed me aside to a man that has no idea how to get me to focus, much less train so you could train Sasuke for the chunin exams. Neji intended to kill Hinata and was aiming to kill me too.

Gaara was misunderstood for the most part of his life, if I versed him in the exams; I could've given him the one thing Suna prohibited from him. Love. Yet even if that situation did occur, you still would've taught Sasuke, because he reminds you of your past self. You then lost the right to act familiar with me when you tried to take on Itachi by yourself, believing I will forever be the sweet naïve genin forever." Naruto didn't move from the embrace and kept her gaze diverted to the ground. Not once did her voice waver.

"What…?" Kakashi whispered in disbelief.

"Itachi told me and I know he wasn't lying. I'm the one person he wouldn't lie to, even when he took care of me when he joined ANBU. I even knew about the massacre before he slaughtered them, he came to me weeping…but I can never hate or dislike you, Kakashi-san. You geniuses are narrow-minded with Itachi being the exception. Now can you please release me, I feel uncomfortable."

Kakashi complied and let go. His sole eye watching her intently. Never had it occurred to him that Naruto would feel that way, feeling like an idiot for thinking she wouldn't grow. Everybody changes, yet why didn't he want to believe Naruto could.

"I'm an idiot." Kakashi stated as Naruto turned to face him.

"It's because of my innocents." The blonde replied, gaining a confused look from the copy-nin. "It's the reason why you refused to believe that I couldn't change. You thought that if I changed, I would no longer retain my innocence or purity that you felt the need to protect. But I should tell you now; I haven't been innocent from the moment the Kyūbi was sealed within me nor will I ever be…" hoping the Nin would understand. "Three months, Kakashi-san. That's all you have. Good night." Disappearing into the wind.

Kakashi kept staring at the spot Naruto left from and collapsed to the ground, punching the earth in anger. Leaving a small fist size crater. "Dammit! Why her of all people? Why now? Idiot, moron, stupid…" hitting the earth after every word till he calmed his thoughts down, knowing it hitting things will get him nowhere. Running his hand through his unruly mane, realizing his hair wasn't slick with unwashed sweat and looked to his hand in thought.

"She did all of this in less than one day…what have I become?"