Sasuke leisurely wandered up to the Uchiha compound, taking his time to reminisce about all the good times he used to have with his family and, dare he say it, his brother. This may not have seemed like such a big deal from anyone else's point of view but to the boy, this was a heart wrenching and difficult thing for him to do, but it needed to be done. If he stayed in the compound, he was sure he'd fall deep into a state of hatred and depression. Strength didn't mean you had to be someone like that. At least, it didn't mean that to him anymore.

As Sasuke opened his faded forest colored door, a high pitched voice called from far away. The boy turned his head to see a blonde haired girl jogging over to him, well more like sprinting.
" Sasuke-kun..." The girl cooed, rubbing her hands together as if he was between those two vicious grips.

Sasuke remained silent, unwilling to communicate with anyone other than his team at this point. The girl didn't seem to get the hint and took it as a sign of something else "Aww! Don't be shy Sasuke-kun! I heard you were talking about me? You totally like me, don't you? Unlike that Baka Sakura, I'm much prettier than her, don't you agree?" The girl babbled and boasted as if she were talking to herself, a conclusion Sasuke had observed.

Still, the licorice eyed boy remained vigilant and kept his mouth shut.

The girl seemed to become slightly impatient by the lack of response "Oh, I know you're being quiet because there's no need in saying it's not true because it totally is, I'm better than her... Anyway! I'll see you around, Sasuke-kun" The blonde cooed yet again and winked suggestively at the uninterested genin.

'So, this is all Sakura's fault' Sasuke thought to himself before turning back to his apartment and shutting the door in the blonde's, now shocked, face.

Naruto had been the first to arrive at his apartment since he did sprint the whole way there but clumsily crashed into, none other than the old hag's door. She made him scrub the moss off her door hinges for that, stating he had grown them there when he touched it as only his stinky demon fingers could've possessed that kind of evil.
Naruto hadn't seen what was evil about that, moss grew on a lot of things and it's not like he did it anyway. Though, he couldn't lie. He would totally do it if he could, she'd have it coming.

The blonde quickly set himself back on track and jumped into his apartment, looking around at what to pack, only to realize two things: 1. He didn't have any boxes and 2. His apartment was a complete mess. 

Naruto breathed out and clapped his hand against his forehead, wondering why he couldn't be the hygienic type but settled into the mess anyway and got to work, he'd have to haul his belongings by hand it seemed.

Suddenly a knock sounded by the door. Naruto quickly ran to open it, hoping it was one of his teammate's wanting to help but all he saw was a pile of cardboard boxes, ready to be loaded with objects and such. Naruto looked around the building, wondering if someone may have left it in front of his door by accident. Of course, he realized how silly that sounded and mentally thanked whoever had dropped the boxes off and started his personal packing of hell.

Meanwhile, Kakashi smiled at the blonde as he looked everywhere for the box deliverer which was, of course, him. The man jumped away, on his way to the clan house and set up the training rooms, perhaps even read a little icha icha if he had time to spare.

Late afternoon arrived a few hours after Kakashi had finished preparing the Hatake clan house when Sasuke neatly carried his belongings through the burgundy grained front door with Naruto hot on his trail, having trouble dragging his own belongings as things kept falling on the floor.

Both boys dropped their stuff in the lounge and took in their surroundings.

A furry beige carpet layered the floor in front an intricate-looking fireplace, wood already prepared to burn inside. Lush cream-colored couches surrounded the carpet and fireplace, a small wooden side table placed on each side of the couches.

Behind the middle couch, two steps lead toward the large white kitchen and a wide set of wooden stairs leading to the second floor, where everyone's bedrooms were. Naruto's bedroom would be the first to be encountered upon walking onto the second floor. Sakura's would be second if she was permitted to stay if not the room would become a storage area or guest bedroom since it would be polite to have one of those rooms though Kakashi didn't see the need for one as none of them liked or knew anyone. Sasuke's room would be at the end of the aqua plastered hallway next to a large bathroom with Kakashi's room on the other side.

Naruto stared in awe at his new home, never having experienced a large living space such as this whilst Sasuke simply glanced at everything, feeling slightly uncomfortable at the homey feeling he was already experiencing.

Naruto bumped shoulders with Sasuke and beamed at the boy who reminded him of a crow at times. Sasuke stared blankly at the blonde, trying to hide his emotions, feeling it made him weaker with so many warm and happy emotions, the hatred he felt for Itachi slowly washing away. Naruto started feeling agitated at the lack of response and bumped his shoulder harder against Sasuke. The Uchiha glared at him and shoved him lightly. Naruto glared back and shoved harder, soon the boys were in a full out shoving war and tackling each other.

Kakashi watched with amusement on the sidelines while creeping toward the kitchen to pour himself a drink, hoping not to be noticed as he didn't want to get in between whatever they were doing.

Suddenly the door slammed open, halting the boys from the fight and looking up at the intruder, Kakashi too peered out of the kitchen to see who it was.

Sakura Haruno stood proudly between the doorframe with the bright sun making her look magical, a gush of wind and leaves trailed behind her, adding to the dramatic entrance.

Kakashi deadpanned at the leaves entering their home, he had just cleaned this morning and already they were tracking in dirt.

Naruto switched back to his previous expression and stared in awe whilst Sasuke helped himself and the dazed Naruto up from the ground, smirking at Sakura. Happy she came.

Sakura's whole demeanour suddenly changed, giving the males in the room a slight whiplash. She narrowed her eyes at the two in front of her and trudged over, the boys backed up slightly, afraid of what she might do.

Their heads snapped to the side as she slapped them both over the head "It hasn't even been an hour in this house and you two are already fighting. Baka's..." She muttered, mostly to herself as she strolled back outside and pulled in her many suitcases.

Sasuke and Naruto were still trying to make sense of what just happened and shook their heads, giving it a good rub before rushing to help Sakura move her suitcases inside.
Kakashi had watched everything unfold and sighed in relief that he hadn't been caught in her eyesight.

"Kakashi-Sensei" The pinkette called out. Said man cried a little inside at being caught before throwing on a big smile and revealing himself to the trio.

"Glad to see you could make it, Sakura" He cheerfully stated, the girl rolled her eyes slightly at his obvious fake behavior but gave him a small smile.

"Which rooms will be ours?" Sasuke asked, breaking his silence.

Kakashi waved them over and even helped carry their belongings before showing them which rooms were who's.

After the kids thanked their master and started unpacking, Kakashi set out to the Hokage's office. Apparently important matters needed to be discussed, the old man had stated in his message sent by an eagle.

"Ah, Kakashi. Please come in" the old man gruffly greeted with a kind smile as Kakashi stiffly walked in, knowing what this meeting was about.

The Hokage had, of course, noticed his stature "You know the subject I want to discuss?" He questioned.

Kakashi breathed out and closed his eyes before looking into the Sandaime's eyes "Hai".

"Very well. I'll get straight to the point" The higher up spoke with seriousness and respect.

"You must be the one Kakashi" He continued. Kakashi groaned and hung his head, wanting this to be done with already "You're the only one who is up to the task" The man pressed, a slight sadness etched on his face.

"I'm sorry sir, but I can't do it. Especially now that I have the genin to look after and besides, I don't have the will of fire in me. I am a shinobi of Konoha. A warrior. Not a leader" Kakashi explained respectfully. He had logic behind his answer and truly believed he wasn't good enough for the position of Hokage.

"You do have the will of fire. You may not see it but I do, you have a more logical and statistical way of looking at things which would benefit the village greatly"

"Then let it be Shikaku. He has far greater strength in intelligence than I do" Kakashi suggested.

"As much as I admire the man for his mind, he is far too lazy to even consider the paperwork that comes with the job" The Hokage breathed out and lit his pipe.

"And you really think I'd do the paperwork?" Kakashi challenged and narrowed his eyes at his leader, starting to feeling frustrated.

"You would. Your lazy act is just that. An act." The man accused, smugly smirking himself. He had him there.

"What about Jiraiya? He has the will of fire, he's strong and intelligent" Kakashi shot out.

The old man had, of course, considered the idea of his student becoming his successor but the toad sage was far too easily manipulated with emotions. He had no control and Tsunade had the same problem. He couldn't blame them of course. Orochimaru's betrayal had left a mark on all of them.

"No" Was the Hokage's answer, a firm and set expression on his face.

Kakashi breathed out once again. "You can't force this upon me. Let me at least think it over?" He asked.

The Sandaime stared at the man before him, he truly was the perfect fit for the job, his strength rivaled that of a kage. The training Kakashi put himself through had been intense and harsh, but he was a better man because of it today.

"I'll make you a deal. If I can't find someone else. I leave it to you to either take the job or find someone else who truly does deserve the title of Godaime" The higher up suggested.

Kakashi took the deal straight away, sure of himself he could find someone else - He had to. The silver-haired man felt he wasn't near good enough to be the next leader of Konoha. He wasn't strong enough and didn't care enough for the village. He was a soldier, bred to kill, not protect.

After being dismissed, Kakashi set out to do his training and then headed home. A strange notion as 'home' was no longer a one-bedroom apartment where he would sit in silence until the next day. Now he had company and could create new memories that aren't adjourned of the death of his friends and Sensei. 

Meanwhile, the trio had finished their unpacking and was lounging about in the living room. Sakura read a medical book as the boys were silently glaring at each other. A heavy staring contest taking place.

The front door opened to reveal their Sensei, automatically breaking their focus on the staring contest and medical book.

"Come on you lot, you've got some training to do" He ordered, sweat dribbling down his forehead, indicating that he'd already done his training.

The three glanced at each other and back at their Sensei, confused. The sun had nearly set. The birds were returning to their nests as the bats and spiders set out to find their midnight snack.

"But it's nearly night time?" Sakura spoke up.

"Do you think just because it's nighttime, your mission would come to a halt? Suck it up and go" He responded firmly, pointing out the door.

Sakura breathed out and put aside her book before tying up her long luscious hair and walking past her sensei, toward the training grounds.

Sasuke and Naruto, on the other hand, looked forward to more training and quickly pushed each other out the way in order to get to the training grounds

"Hey, you two. Instead of pushing the other why don't you help each other?" Their sensei barked, grabbing them by the collar.

The two looked at each other before shamefully hanging their heads and nodding to their Sensei.

He let them go and watched as they calmly walked out the house before sprinting away together.

The silver-haired man breathed out and shook his head at his team. They were troublesome, that was certain but they were his team.

Tomorrow he'd take them to the forest of death. Each day they would return to the forest and train whilst surviving the beasts that lurked in the dark corners of the well-known death magnet.

He just hoped they were ready.

Whilst the kids trained, he sent out a clone to watch over them as he prepared their next learning skills.

They would all firstly learn how to walk on trees. If and after they accomplish that, he'll teach them how to walk on water, which is much harder and slightly past their level but he had faith in them.

After the tree and water walking, it would be time to teach them another jutsu each. They needed to learn at least four different Jutsu's each if they ever wanted to be promoted to Chuunin level.

The plans were thought and written out. Kakashi glanced at the time, it had only been three hours since they left, which means they should be running their laps by now if they improved at all that is.

The door slammed opened to reveal the worn out genin, surprising Kakashi slightly as he expected them later, still. He was proud they could pass his expectations and their own physical level so soon.

The clone he sent off with them suddenly poofed away, not that the kids noticed as they were far gone in their open-eyed sleep.

"Good, you're done. Off to bed, you've got a big day tomorrow!" He cheered and waved the tired trio off.

All three hurried to their beds and collapsed, falling into a deep sleep.