Kakashi had never thought himself as someone strong except before Obito died, his arrogance had gotten the better of him then and it still remained one of the biggest regrets he had in life to this day. In any case, had he been strong enough, Obito wouldn't have perished in the cave in and he wouldn't have killed Rin. But there was something about the genin, his kids made him feel like he had a purpose again, a will or for lack of better words, a reason to be strong again, not that he slacked off after his team's deaths, he just didn't have a reason to be strong but kept his body is top shape anyway, just in case.

It felt good saying they were 'his' kids. He was responsible for them and for their lives and nothing would stop him from preventing the same mistake he had made with his own team. This time, he'd do everything in his power to protect them which is why early in the morning, before the cock had crowed. Kakashi was climbing the team's appointed training ground with Mighto Gai, his long-term rival. The man in green spandex had seen the masked man walking alongside the forest of Konoha, clearly heading somewhere when he decided to push aside his own training and spend it with his friend, nothing like a good old challenge to prove Might Gai was the stronger shinobi, which was failing terribly as Kakashi was climbing with one hand behind his back, a good metre in front of him and whilst Gai was copying him, the caterpillar browed man was lacking though still felt determination burst through him yet everytime the green leaf came closer to him, the silver haired wolf sped up his pace slightly, leaving Gai in the dust once again. Though it motivated him to see sweat dripping down Kakashi's forehead, albeit he, too, was a personal waterfall at the moment, it just meant they were closer in strength than he assumed.

After the two jounin finished their warm up, they set out for laps around Konoha and a friendly spar afterward, which Kakashi had won.

No hard feelings were felt as Gai went on his way to meet up with his students who had just woken up and were probably heading to their own training spot, though Gai hadn't let off that he had been in close second in their laps to which Kakashi blatantly ignored, sending Gai into a state of severe moping.

It was well past morning as Kakashi watched his charges train their taijutsu, they were all getting so much better even though he hadn't shown them anything different in that area. Sasuke could see that the practise was helping improve his body even when he had not improved his taijutsu skills, plus the weights really helped the boys better themselves, Kakashi had upped the weight each day by 0.5kg, sure it didn't seem like much but over time it is and this way, one wouldn't even feel the difference. Sakura, too, had started on light weights as her physical attributes weren't on the same level yet as the boys which she seemed okay with as long as she could counter their physical with intelligence. That was, after all, her position in this team.

Over the last week, team 7 had been training beyond their limits and more, working on their given Jutsu's and doing their very best to perfect it, Kakashi had made it clear that it was nearly impossible to master their given jutsu because it takes years to do so. That didn't stop them from trying.

Sakura had almost perfected her earth clone jutsu, Sasuke had easily caught on with his Raiton no jutsu: Shottogan (Lightning Release: Lightning Shotgun) and could now produce a small bolt from his palm, not enough to kill but enough to immobilise a weak enemy for some time, a stronger enemy would only be stunned for a few seconds but that was all that was needed if one was going in for the kill. 

Naruto had successfully accomplished his goal of learning his jutsu, Futon: Sensougouheki (Wind style: Rumbling wind wall) and could now push away any weapons and throw it back at the enemy using only the spinning wall of wind, simply directing an objects course somewhere else, if strong enough, a user could even send a person plummeting across a field while afflicting damage using the wall.

Kakashi looked on at the trio as they stood in front of him, eager for more.

"For the next two months, you'll be spending some time in the forest of death and in the Konoha woods in general."

Sakura and Sasuke flinched at hearing the forest of death, knowing exactly what that place was and held but unfortunately for Naruto, who had never heard of the place, he grinned at his sensei, seeing no big deal with it.

Kakashi stared at Naruto for a minute, feeling pity for the boy as he'll come to realize to never underestimate anything and always be aware of ones surrounding. Perhaps then he would've seen his teammates flinch.

"Hmm anyway... I've decided, instead of staying at your current home's, team 7, along with me, will be staying at a clan home which had just been recently rebuilt and no one seems to have taken an interest in it. Until now, of course" their Sensei explained, watching them furrow their brows with confusion before turning into contemplation.

Naruto was all for the idea, it'd be a lot better than his apartment where the old hag still kept pestering him about causing a ruckus when it was really that stupid cat pounding through the creaky floors to catch mice.

Sasuke was hesitant, he didn't want to leave his clans compound, it might feel like like leaving his family behind while he started a new life. He didn't want to start a new life, he wanted them remembered and with him as much as possible. Still, the pro's couldn't be ignored of living with his team. They could train more often, he could feel more like he belonged somewhere and Kakashi sensei could also provide more knowledge about Itachi even.

Sakura seemed to be at an internal battle with herself. She couldn't just leave her family and live with her teammates... Could she? It would be a great way of stretching her relationship with Sasuke to a whole new level. They'd be living together, she could say to Ino, her long time rival and ex-best friend. Still, this was a difficult decision.

Kakashi almost let out a chuckle, amused by their obvious struggle with the situation, except for Naruto, he seemed too excited in all honesty.

Kakashi couldn't help but think to himself as he internally laughed away at his charges. He felt nervous, strangely enough. Nervous, that perhaps they'd say no. It's not everyday a jounin sensei asks his students to live with him. Some might even see it as inappropriate.

The kids had made their decision whilst their sensei remained silent as they were deep in thought and they also didn't miss how he hadn't asked but stated. They came to the conclusion he had trouble with feelings and such and that was his way of asking.

Kakashi noticed their set expressions "Hmm, it seems you've come to a decision, let's hear it" The man spoke, shoving his hands in his pockets, a nervous habit that needed to be broken.

"Hai, believe it!" Naruto blurted out, wide-eyed before slamming his hands over his honest mouth and breathing out a nervous chuckle. Sweat dribbled down his forehead as his teammates stared at him, amused.

"Well, if the Dobe's in, I guess I'm in." Sasuke said, a friendly smirk on his face before realizing how nice it came out "Hn. Besides, I expect more training if I move in" the raven-haired boy babbled, trying to gain back what was left of his dignity.

The three looked at him and smiled while he simply looked away.

"I don't know, Sensei. I can't simply up and leave my family" Sakura spoke up, twiddling her thumbs.

"I understand your hesitation, Sakura. You don't have to and I won't force you, any of you, to do this" Kakashi assured, patting the pinkette on the head as she looked up at him with apologetic eyes.

"Come on Sakura, it'll be great! We can train more together and have late nights and eat whatever we want!" Naruto tried coaxing.

"Actually, Naruto. I'm aware you do as you please at your apartment but if you are to live in the clan house, there'll be rules. You're still under my order which means, discipline will be applied" Kakashi told Naruto sternly.

The blonde slouched with defeat and breathed out "Hai" he muttered, thinking about the healthy food his Sensei would probably make him eat.

Sasuke smirked at Naruto and looked over at Sakura who tried to appear happy but anyone could see she was feeling rather down about being unable to join her teammates. It's not that she didn't want to, it's that her parents would never let her.

"Sakura" Said girl glanced over to her childhood crush, not having the motivation to feel giddy about the attention he was giving her.

"Talk to your parents, they may surprise you" Sasuke said, closing his eyes for a more dramatic effect.

Kakashi's eyes shifted between the two lovebirds, wondering if he should maybe talk to her parents aswell, but then again, this is a family matter. She needs to learn to be independent and even a small task such as this would help her gain the confidence she clearly needs.

Sakura debated whether or not to actually try or just give up on the thought that they'd surely say no. Luckily the girl went with the former and beamed at Sasuke, who in return presented her with a small, genuine, smile.

"Right, well you two" Kakashi pointed his stare at Naruto, still the eager beaver, and Sasuke, his cool and calm exterior rebuilt with impenetrable walls "Go and pack your things, while Sakura goes to speak with her parents" The silver-haired wolf ordered gently, feeling a rather warm feeling in his chest looking at his charges.

Clearing his throat, he dismissed the kids with a wave of his hand and walked off to buy some groceries for the clan house, plus a ridiculous amount of ramen in a cup. He really shouldn't be treating the blonde with so much unhealthy food but he'll make sure the boy doesn't eat it all at once.

Meanwhile, Sakura set course to her small double floored apartment where her parents were probably cooking yet again.

She turned a corner and could see the light aqua walls of her home, hopefully ex-home soon. She felt nervous for two reasons. One: her parents might say no to moving out into a house full of boys at such a young age, they were civilians and didn't understand the concept of the shinobi lifestyle, relationships were a luxury in the ninja world and there was almost no chance Sasuke wanted anything to do with that since his main concern was defeating his brother. Sakura basked in the feeling overcoming her, he trusted her and Naruto enough to tell them about Itachi on one of their late night training sessions. 

The second reason was, she felt even more nervous about living in the same house as Sasuke. That reason, alone, could speak for itself.

"Sakura! Oi!" The loud voice and footsteps came from behind the girl in pink. Kakashi's stealth lessons taught to the whole team came to her by instinct as she swirled around and grabbed the wrist of the person who was reaching out to her, kicked her out under her feet and threw the attacker over her shoulder against a not so sturdy fence as it collapsed under the person's weight. Sakura widened her eyes as she saw who she just threw through the old wooden fence.

"Ino..." She mumbled, reaching out her hands to try and help her old friend up.

"S-Sakura... The hell?" Ino groaned, gladly accepting the other girls help as there were a lot of worms hidden between the broken wood.

"Mah... Gomen! My training just sorta kicked in there" Sakura stated, rubbing the back of her head.

"Training? Even so! Couldn't you see who I was by the time you kicked my feet from under me?!" Ino yelled throwing her fist around in a threatening manner and veins showed themselves on her forehead, proving how frustrated she was.

"Calm down, Ino. My training has made it a habit for me to react the way I did" The girl on defense explained although laughed hysterically internally as it wasn't all just instinct.

Ino calmed herself, though she still didn't see Sakura's explanation as a good one, it could wait.

"Whatever... So" Ino started in a suggestive voice, making Sakura raise an eyebrow, already guessing what this was about "Has Sasuke said anything about me?"

Sakura thought over her options. She could either tell Ino to shove it where the sun doesn't see light or she could tell her the opposite, seeing as Sasuke hates fan girls and Ino was obviously still in the academy crazed fan girl stage. Both options had a benefit for her but the latter sounded more fun.

"Oh.. Yea actually" Sakura mumbled in a glum and broken voice.

Ino, despite her friends suffering, grinned in delight before patting the depressed Sakura on the back and sprinting off.

Sakura straightened up and looked back to where Ino ran off to, smirking.

Finally arriving at home to the smell of eggplant rolls and chicken filled dango. Sakura sat down Infront of her smiling parents at the dinner table and took a deep breath, catching the attention of the adults before popping the big question.

"Kakashi-sensei has requested Team 7 move into a newly rebuilt clan home with him as to further continue our training and create stronger, appropriate, bonds" She babbled out as respectfully and formally as possible, indicating the seriousness of the topic and how important it meant to her to be taken as a legit and serious kunoichi.

The Haruno pair halted their reaching hands for the food and stared at their daughter, shocked.

"Uh-well Sakura, living with all those boys would not be appropriate for a woman of your age" Father Haruno stated. Though Sakura tried ignoring the feeling of pride flowing through her when he called her a woman, she focused on the more important topic at the moment.

"Sakura..." Mother Haruno spoke up. Sakura and her father looked over to the few worded woman and listened closely "Is this really what you want?" The older woman asked.

"Yes." Sakura answered without a moment of hesitation and determination in her eyes.

Mother Haruno stared at her daughter a second before moving her gaze to her husband and having a conversation through their eyes.

They glanced back at her. It seemed they reached their decision.

"Sakura..."