At a quarter till five in the morning, Konoha was just waking up. Civilians in the workforce are just leaving their houses, kissing their spouses, and heading off to work. Birds were hopping on power lines, and squirrels and chipmunks scampering up and down trees and through flowerbeds. Sakura watched them, absentmindedly, as she headed toward the training ground. Attempting to get her mother's words out of her head, she tried to remember the birdsong from earlier, trying to chase the tune just out of reach. Her backpack jingled as she walked, her key chains from the academy rattling. They were something the girls collected, another way to prove your status that didn't matter. She really should have removed them, left them at home, but she'd forgotten.

A shopkeeper opened the wooden shutters over his booth, talking loudly with one of his employees in the backroom. Sakura watched as a stray cat jumped on the booth, meowing loudly. The shopkeeper, although a rough-looking man, smiled and patted the cat before reaching under the counter and pouring some cat food into a small bowl. At the crossroad ahead of her, she saw a shock of bright blonde hair bouncing out of a shop door. In between the crowd of people, she caught sight of a purple outfit that was familiar.

Ino

. Sakura couldn't resist the urge to flaunt her position on Sasuke's team at every given chance. She bounced toward Ino; the jingling of the backpack more intense.

'Ino! ' Sakura sing-songed. 'How are you today? '

Ino turned around, her long ponytail whipping around with the movement. 'Sakura? ' She weaved through the crowd, meeting Sakura halfway. 'You're up early. '

'Early training. ' Sakura gave a sweet smile, almost fake. 'I'm on my way there, now. Sasuke should already be there. '

There was a twitch in Ino's eyebrow as she took in the information. 'I'd still like to know how you cheated your way onto his team. We all know my grades were better than yours. '

Sakura laughed. 'You wish. ' Waving her hand, she smiled and began walking away. 'Bye, Ino! I'll tell Sasuke you said hello. ' She heard the blonde growl and stomp her foot as she rounded the corner and let a smile play on her face.

'

Throughout Naruto's short life, he'd learned hate. It surrounded him like a wet blanket, something he couldn't shake off no matter how hard he tried and tried and

tried

. His first memory, one created out of fear and loneliness, was from when he was three. The old woman at the orphanage refused to feed him that morning. He was hungry, his little stomach growling as he walked the streets in a shirt two sizes too big for him and shorts a size too small. The elastic was digging into his waist when he knelt to pick up an odd-shaped pebble off the ground.

When he stood up something hot hit his back, soaking through his shirt and burning his skin. Naruto yelled out, his little arms trying to get it off of him, pulling the shirt over his head and nearly tripping over it. The smell of jasmine tea soaked into his skin.

'Demon brat. ' He heard someone yell. He turned around, the pain in his back burning like fire. The man just glared at him, a teacup hanging limply in his hand. 'Who let you out of your cage? '

The look in the man's eyes, the anger and coldness and hate, Naruto never forgot. He carried that with him his entire life, just clinging to his every social interaction from then on. That look in that man's eyes he'd seen nearly every day since then. He sees it in the villagers as they stare, whisper behind their hands, and pull their kids away from him. He sees it in the teachers at the academy who all but refused to teach him, the librarian, the landlord, the shopkeepers...and he never understood

why

. Not until he was twelve and failed the academy exam

again

and stole the sacred scroll from Hokage-jiji's office.

That particular memory came to him again as he walked the streets of Konoha, passing the tea house where he was burned. He has a habit of walking on the opposite side of the street when he comes across this building. Today was no different. He clung to the left side of the street, being as far away from the smell of jasmine tea as he could get. Just the smell of that particular flavor of tea turned his stomach.

Naruto gripped the straps of his backpack and tilted his head down, walking fast past the tea shop. All he wanted was for the smell of jasmine to leave his nose. It wasn't until he got to the end of the street that the smell faded away. The street ended in a 'y,' one path led to the center of town, and the other led to the outskirts. Naruto took the latter, feet kicking up dust as cobblestones turned to dirt the further he walked. The trees got thicker, here, with low-hanging limbs and leaves thick enough to make the sunlight look like glitter. He saw the clearing up ahead and saw three figures through the trees announcing he was the last to arrive. Picking up his pace, Naruto jogged into the training field. He just hoped he wouldn't get in trouble, not on his first day!

'

Dropping his backpack on the ground, Sasuke took in the new training field. He'd never been to this one before. Sasuke had his own training area, a small clearing he'd found years ago. Small, handmade targets decorated the area, the trees pockmarked by kunai and shuriken that tracked his progress through the years. This training field was too fresh, too untouched. The training posts looked new, with no nicks and dents in them from practices. Kakashi sat atop the middle post, his eye crinkled into a smile as he watched the Uchiha. On the ground was a straw-woven basket, out of place in a training field.

The second to arrive was Sakura, her backpack jingling behind her as she jogged into the clearing. She took a moment to wave at Sasuke as if he hadn't already seen her, before carefully setting her backpack down beside his. Assuming her normal position when around Sasuke, she clasped her hands together in front of her chest and began blushing. Nostalgia was in full swing today. Kakashi was going to drown in it as he watched the disinterested expression on Sasuke's face. She had just opened her mouth, beginning a conversation with Sasuke that Kakashi was sure the boy would ignore.

'Sakura, ' Kakashi called out to her, stopping the girl from attempting any conversation with Sasuke. He pulled another book from his pouch, worn with age and use, and held it out to her. She walked toward him, meeting halfway, and looked from his outstretched hand to his face, unsure. 'Chakra control theory, as it pertains to medic-nin, is very precise. It requires control and resolve and

patience

, all of which I believe you have. ' She took the book out of his hands, her eyes wide with awe. 'This should help you begin your journey. '

The book, entitled

Medical Chakra Theory

by Senju Tsunade, was gripped tightly in her hand. She looked from the book to his face before giving him a shy smile. 'Thank you, sensei. ' He smiled and ruffled her hair, happy to put her on the right path. The Sakura he'd left behind had this book. She'd shown it to him one day when they were camping while on a mission. It was the most important tangible object she'd gotten from Tsunade. The copy she had was filled with notes in the margins and sticky notes of diagrams. Kakashi had a feeling this copy would soon resemble that one.

Kakashi watched as Sakura sat against one of the smooth training posts, opening the book with awe in her eyes. Sasuke stood to the side with his arms crossed, watching Kakashi warily. Truth be told, Kakashi still wasn't sure how to begin the subject of Itachi with Sasuke. The subject had been churned over and over in his head, false starts and bad wording were all he'd had. There was so much, everything so heavy, to just blurt it out without a thought. Sasuke would have questions, he would be angry and lash out, and it was all deserved. He'd

earned

it. Kakashi wasn't around with the other Sasuke found out. He wasn't around to provide a balm to the wound that knowledge created. It had broken him, warped him into a Sasuke Kakashi didn't know. This time, Kakashi would be there. He'd be the calm in Sasuke's storm.

But not right now. It wasn't time yet. He needed Sasuke's head in the game for this test.

Heavy footsteps sounded before Kakashi saw an orange blur whip past him. Slipping his backpack off his shoulders, Naruto threw it toward the other two. He missed the small pile by a few feet. His bag bounced across the ground, landing behind Sasuke's and Sakura's. The boy skid to a stop in front of Kakashi, hair wind-whipped and looking embarrassed.

'Sorry sensei! I had to, like, detour the tea house because they were making jasmine tea, and I hate the smell of jasmine tea. Before that, I had to wait for the hot water to get to my apartment, which always takes a while because the pipes are old, or something like that. But before

that

, I had this really weird dream, and I have a question I need to ask Iruka-sensei, but I can ask you - '

Kakashi leaned down, gripping Naruto's shoulders and meeting him at eye level. 'It's okay, Naruto. You're not late. ' The embarrassed look eased off of Naruto's face at his words, looking more relieved than anything else. Just like last time, Naruto unconsciously melted into the touch, chasing the warmth Kakashi's hands provided. The small, touch-starved boy gave Kakashi a small smile.

'I'm ' I'm ready, sensei! ' Naruto aimed for his normal bravado, but his voice shook. Kakashi chose to ignore it, giving Naruto's shoulder a light squeeze before standing up. He kept one hand on Naruto as he turned around to address the group.

Motioning with his free hand to get Sasuke's and Sakura's attention, Kakashi began to explain the objective. 'See these bells? ' He clipped them to his belt. 'You have to take a bell off of me. '

'Um...there's only two bells. ' Sakura raised her hand, the book still held close to her chest with the other one. 'What happens to the person who doesn't get a bell? '

'Then you don't eat. ' Kakashi shrugged. 'Simple as that. ' He wasn't going to pretend they wouldn't make it. He wasn't going to pretend these three don't already have his heart and soul and undying love. Forgoing his bullshit about sending them back to the academy altogether, Kakashi just skipped straight to the test. He knew they'd fail. They did last time. And it would be Naruto tied to the tree again, just as it had been before.

Kakashi had to resign himself to being drowned in nostalgia for the rest of his days. He knew he'd never get used to it. It would always hit him like a Raikiri through the heart.

When his predictions came true, Kakashi stood in front of them, his hands on his hips and fake anger on his face. He took in their faces, the way Sasuke had fear in his eyes at the prospect of delaying his plan, of Sakura being scared to disappoint and prove her parents right, and Naruto, who was so used to being told he was useless and unwanted, just resigned himself to hear it again. Kakashi could have kicked himself for not seeing it way back then. How did he miss the dejected looks on their faces? Sasuke and Sakura still had their hands in the air, chopsticks full of food, and halfway to Naruto's mouth.

Kakashi schooled his face, sliding back into his aloof posture like slipping on an old coat. 'You all pass. ' He walked behind the post and cut through Naruto's ropes, sending the young boy sliding to the ground. 'If you take one thing from this test, take this: teamwork is, and always will be, the most important thing. ' He disappeared long enough to pull two more bento boxes from the picnic basket before appearing in front of them again. One for Naruto, who practically drooled over it, and one for him. He sat, cross-legged, in front of them, willingly eating without his mask. Naruto plucked the tomato from his rice and placed it in Sasuke's box. Sasuke side-eyed him but hurriedly ate it. Naruto then picked up his grilled salmon and placed it in Sakura's. Payback for feeding him earlier.

There was silence as they ate, all of them going over what had just happened in their heads. When Kakashi was done with his food and had slid his mask back into place, he took in his three students. It was as if they were waiting for their prison sentence the way they held themselves stiff and hands clenched.

It was Sasuke's curiosity that won out. Something danced in his eyes as he took in his sensei, although he'd had yet to call him that. Kakashi was never one for formalities or honorifics, so it didn't bother him that Sasuke didn't say them. Although it had felt amazing to hear the young man call him sensei in his final minutes on the battlefield. 'You said yesterday this was testing our abilities. '

'Ah, yes I did. ' Of course, it would be Sasuke who would remember and would be the most curious. 'I have tested you, each of you. I've seen your strengths and weaknesses and where we need the most work done. Which means we will be working both individually and together. ' That did little to placate Sasuke, who just stared at him, an unreadable look on his face. 'Would you like a rundown of how you did, Sasuke? '

'I do! ' Naruto bounced where he was sitting. 'Please, sensei! I want to know! ' Sakura scoffed at him and Naruto immediately looked chastised. That was one thing Kakashi wanted to change, the way Sakura treated Naruto. He thought back to before when he'd watched Sakura punch him into the ground so hard even Kyuubi took a while to heal him. He remembered the way Naruto would flinch when she'd turn on him, her eyes dark, at something he'd said. That, he would change. He never wanted Naruto to flinch away from any of them ever again. The kid deserved to be loved and cared for.

Instead of voicing his disdain to Sakura for her treatment of him, he'd voice that later, Kakashi just nodded and smiled at Naruto. 'Well, kid, your greatest strength is your nearly endless stamina and large chakra reserve. In all the years I've been a ninja, I have never seen anyone who can summon as many clones as you can. If we polish up your taijutsu, which, honestly, isn't too bad, you will be formidable. And, with that reserve, you can do nearly any jutsu you put your mind to. '

Naruto, mouth slack and eyes wide, just stared at him. Kakashi was hit with the thought that Naruto probably never had anyone praise him before. Maybe Iruka-sensei, but no one else. It took a long moment for Naruto to respond. When he did, his eyes watery and red-rimmed, he threw himself at Kakashi. He enveloped the kid in a tight hug.

'Thanks, sensei. ' Naruto blubbered against Kakashi's flak jacket, fat tears streaming down his face.

'It's the truth, kid. ' Kakashi messed his hair, a fond smile on his face. Naruto pulled back and hastily wiped at his eyes. As he sat back in his spot, Kakashi turned to Sakura. 'You're book smart, you get the

theory

of how things work. Now we just need to put in the work. We need to work on your taijutsu, and we will. I think the more you train with the boys, the better you'll get. I'm sure, with your chakra skills, you will go farther than you think. '

Sakura nodded, taking it all in. She knew her taijutsu skills weren't great, but her ninjutsu and chakra skills made up for it in the graduation exam. Her test scores went far in putting her on Sasuke's team, which was what she was aiming for. Getting one over on Ino. They'd been rivals in love for so long, getting Sasuke's attention the prize, that Sakura almost didn't know her own identity. If she learned everything Kakashi had to offer, surely, she'd become someone she could be proud of. Surely.

Letting Sakura stew in her own thoughts, he turned to Sasuke. 'And, you, Uchiha. I'm reminded a lot of myself when I look at you. I'm hoping to cut my bad habits out of you, however. From what I understood, your highest grades were in taijutsu, and I can see why. You and Naruto got the closest to the bells, which is impressive. I've never had anyone get that close before. Have you ever thought of kenjutsu? ' Sasuke shook his head, the idea of using something other than ninjutsu and ninja tools never entered his head before. But, now that Kakashi had brought it up, the idea made sense. It would flow seamlessly with taijutsu, after all. 'If it's something you decide you want to try, we will find you a sword. You're proficient in ninjutsu, also. We can work on your chakra reserve, it's easy to work on it, make it larger. '

Sakura snapped out of her stupor to take in what Kakashi said. She'd only read about it before. It seemed like a simple meditation technique you were supposed to do twice a day. 'Chakra meditation? ' Kakashi nodded. Sakura tried to remember what she'd read, and how to do it. Sit cross-legged, the back of your hands on your knees, pointer and thumb pressed together, eyes closed. Mimicking it, she heard a fond laugh leave Kakashi. She cracked an eye open, expecting to see a condescending look on his face. Instead, she saw the indentation of a smile through his mask.

'Again, Sakura knows her theory. ' He reached out, adjusting where her hands rested on her knees. 'A little more facing out. Just touch your fingers, don't press them together. ' Sakura adjusted, wiggling in her seat. The boys watched on before copying her. A big part of this meditation was the pose. It had to be perfect or the chakra wouldn't flow correctly. 'Back straight, Naruto. ' The blond followed his instructions. 'Don't press your fingers together too hard, Sasuke. They just need to touch. ' Sasuke cracked an eye and adjusted his fingers.

'Now what, sensei? ' Sakura asked. 'How do we know we are doing it right? '

Kakashi took up the pose. 'Open your eyes and watch me. ' The kids did as told, watching him carefully. 'Your chakra flows through you like a separate bloodstream. You can feel the rush of it if you focus hard enough. When they teach you in the academy, they teach you to feel it, to try to control it. I know that Naruto had a hard time with that. ' He paused to watch the kid nod his head. 'What I want for you to do today is just

feel.

Concentrate your chakra in one part of your body. Your hands, for instance. Just

feel

it. ' Blue surrounded the jounin's hands, his chakra flowing around him. The kids gasped before putting their all into trying it themselves.

He watched as his students sat there, trying to control their chakra in one spot. Sakura's hands easily turned blue, her chakra hovering over the surface. A moment later, Sasuke's hands began to glow. Naruto's continued to stay blank. Five minutes later, they were still blank. He cracked an eye open, looking at the others with a dejected expression. His chakra control was always his downfall. There was no way he could do this. It was pointless. He faltered in his stance, wiggling in place. Feeling his chakra wasn't the problem, it was making it stay in one place that was the issue. Naruto sighed, knowing this was pointless. Deep inside he could feel the rumble of the Kyuubi laughing at him.

'Naruto. ' Kakashi's voice sounded over the Kyuubi, keeping Naruto in the here and now instead of letting him fall into the wet room where the monster resides. 'Breathe, kid. ' Naruto opened his eyes, disappointment clear in them. 'You don't need more chakra, Naruto. You need to control what you have. And, that, we can work on. '

The blond sighed. 'I'm already behind, sensei. '

'No. You're not behind. ' Kakashi reached forward and grabbed the kid's shoulders. He instantly leaned into the touch. 'Let me show you some chakra control exercises, instead. You have four times as much chakra as I have. They need to catch up to you. '

He kept the kids way longer than he used to. Back then it was almost like he couldn't wait to get rid of them, to be alone. It hurt, how much he cared for them. It was too much. This time around, Kakashi wouldn't let them alone. He was going to stay around and give them the attention they deserved.

When the sun was going down, Kakashi took the kids to Ichiraku. Naruto slurped happily at his ramen, then ate the other half of Sasuke's. Sakura chastised him for being sloppy but was smiling and laughing. She wasn't blushing and trying to get Sasuke to talk to her. Sasuke sat there, hands steepled under his chin, hiding a laugh at something Naruto had said. The timeline was already changing, already getting better. So far, Kakashi wasn't failing his kids.

He sent a silent prayer to whatever gods were listening that his kids would continue to thrive and he wouldn't fail them. Not this time.