"A friend is someone who helps you up when you're down, and if they can't, they lay down beside you and listen."

<>

Sasuke, Kakashi, Naruto and Obito arrived back in Konoha safely, a few days after that, and were immediately greeted at the gate by Sakura. She looked at each of them with deep concern in her green eyes. Sasuke left Naruto to tell the story, instead vouching to go home. He'd stayed up all night for two nights in a row, and even his mind couldn't process the unexpected emotional discomfort and strain on his mind without crashing. He wanted a pillow, blanket, and an easy sleep.

When he got home, he smiled at his mom, remembering that Sakura was keeping up his clone for him while he was gone. Hopefully she'd managed to keep Clone Sasuke in character enough to fool Itachi. Fugaku wasn't around enough to tell, and Mikoto, bless her, was so used to her sons spontaneously having mood swings, she often didn't think of it. But Itachi was actively suspicious of his brother.

Mikoto greeted him at the door with a loving smile. She patted him on the head and took his backpack for him, reminding him to leave his shoes neatly by the door. Sasuke smiled softly and did so, retrieving the pack from where she'd left it and following her into the kitchen. She was making dinner, apparently. She hummed while she worked, and jumped a little when her son hugged her from behind. Sasuke buried his face into his mom's shirt, wondering how he went so long without Mikoto.

It occasionally hit him that losing her again would be devastating. He'd loved Mikoto before, but now that he'd experienced growing up without a mother, he appreciated her so much more.

"You're beautiful, mom," he told her, because she didn't hear it nearly enough. She smiled at him, looking like she was going to cry, and turned around to scoop him into a tight hug.

He hugged his mother back, because he hadn't seen her in a while, and then went to his room to drop his backpack off. He slid open the door, and Itachi was sitting cross legged on his bed, meditating. Sasuke froze, wondering what the heck was going on, and why Itachi in his room.

"Ohayo, nii-san." He said to Itachi, who opened one eye to look at him.

"Ohayo, otouto." Itachi replied, voice flat and emotionless.

Sasuke frowned, dropping his backpack and climbing on his bed. He gave Itachi a quick look, and proceeded to wordlessly join him in his meditation. No words were spoken between the brothers for hours on end, until Itachi finally broke the silence.

"I'm happy you're back, Sasuke."

Sasuke choked.

<>

Kakashi gave Itachi the cover story- he had been training Sasuke at the boy's request. He and Obito had taken him and Naruto on a mini field trip to the Valley of the End to get a mini history lesson. Itachi asked why Kakashi didn't bother telling the family, and Kakashi had no answer for him. Itachi rolled his eyes, and told Kakashi to tell him the next time he spontaneously took his brother on a 'field trip'. Yes. He used finger quotes.

Itachi doesn't buy our bullshit, but won't ask more about it until we mess up again. Let's not mess up again, huh? Perhaps we can keep the 'out of village expeditions' to a minimum until the three of you are genin?

Fine.

Okay. As long as Itachi doesn't know we're from the future, I think we're okay.

That sounds good to me, 'ttebayo!

So the three of them stayed on the down low until they were genin. The graduation ceremony was a time of great joy to all three and their families. They had sunk back into their old routine, getting so used to being academy students that it was almost exactly like it was before. Their minds hadn't returned to their age then, but they were still expected to act their age, so eventually they got used to being that age. It was like they were growing up again, but smarter and more knowledgeable this time.

Naruto was bipolar in class- the teachers knew he was smart enough to be in the class, he just flunked it on purpose.

They knew that they had to be the top boy, top girl, and the dead last to get on the same genin team. And the method was right- they all easily made it to genin. Naruto had no trouble creating three measly clones. The three of them passed easily, with the highest marks. There was no need for the Mizuki catastrophe, with the Scroll of Sealing. Graduation was fun, their parents were so proud.

The only thing different was that this time, when Naruto acted up in school, he went home to a strong punch in the head from Kushina, and a lot of explaining to do. Along with extra chores. Then Kushina made him chocolate milk, being the nice human being she was deep down.

Their genin team leader was an easy choice for Minato- Kakashi, right? Yep. Kakashi. The Uchiha were satisfied that their clan member was under the care of an incredibly formidable warrior. Naruto as a Jinchuriki was in good hands. Sakura's prodigious talent would be best taken advantage of with Kakashi. He was the obvious choice.

Itachi grinned at Sasuke during the graduation, happy he was progressing at a semi-normal pace. Thank Kami he hadn't told Fugaku about the younger Uchiha son's prowess. He was happy with the fact that Kakashi was taking them as his team- he'd been worried about Kakashi, being so alone all the time. He'd tried to be a genin sensei before, and had sent his pupils running back to the academy. He just hoped Sasuke, Sakura and Naruto could pass his infamous bell test.

Obito was also going to be a temporary genin instructor! He had taken over the year for Kurenai, as she was on maternity leave. She'd come back and take over the team when she was off maternity leave, but until she did, Obito was in charge. That was a new, and pleasant surprise. 

Yep, Kakashi had pulled some strings, and with his underestimated but incredibly formidable matchmaking skills, Kakashi had made it his business to get Asuma and Kurenai together. Asuma was another casualty that would be prevented, at all costs. Together with Guy and Obito (who were a scary, but interesting duo) Kakashi set up Kurenai and Asuma effectively. They'd gotten married, and soon after, Kurenai was pregnant. Kakashi tried not to tease Asuma too hard. It really was too bad Old Man Third wouldn't get to see his other grandkid. He hadn't even been able to meet Konohamaru this time, either. Kakashi lost a lot of sleep over that.

The team was still 7, which was good.

Ah- the bell test. Nostalgic.

Kakashi grinned at his tiny little students. They were back at the original training grounds, and Kakashi was late as usual. The three of them were waiting at the gate. Sasuke was standing with his arms crossed over his chest, Naruto stomping impatiently, and Sakura was putting her hair up.

Sakura had her long hair tied into a practical ponytail, wearing shorts and a black shirt instead of a dress, and Shinobi shoes instead of normal sandals. Naruto wore pretty much the same thing he normally did, but he'd taken off his jacket to wear a black shirt with the Uzumaki symbol on the front. Sasuke had on his usual outfit of a blue shirt and white arm guards, but instead of shorts, he wore ninja pants. He had a weapon pouch strapped to his thigh, and Kusanagi on his back. (Kakashi had gotten the sword back to him on his twelfth birthday, and that was the only time a birthday present had actually made Sasuke want to cry).

((He didn't, tears were for the weak, and Sakura, who in his mind was the only strong person with the right to cry))

"We all ate breakfast!" Naruto crowed. "So you can't pull the same stunt you did last time, you asshole!"

Kakashi rolled his eyes at the blonde, ignoring the comment.  "Alright, kiddies, same rules apply." Kakashi said, joining them by the three poles sticking out of the ground. He wore the same thing he'd worn last time, for the sentimental part of this.

Sakura nodded. "Un." She, and the boys had simultaneously thought of the old days, when the three of them were truly young and innocent- or, as young and innocent as Sasuke and Naruto got. Sakura smiled, eyes meeting Naruto's, at the memory of the young boy tied up to the log behind them and complaining loudly to mask his hunger. Sasuke smirked, closing his eyes to relive the memory. Back then, the thing Naruto worried about the most was skipping lunch. Not Rabbit Goddesses, or long dead shinobi, or white Zetsu. They all missed those carefree Team Seven days.

"Yosh." Kakashi pulled the bells out of his pocket and dangled it in front of their faces. "As a refresher- two bells. Take them from me, I'll take you on as my little genin again. If you don't manage to take them from me by midday tomorrow, I'll be sending you back to the academy. Teamwork is key. I'll extend the deadline a bit because I think this time the three of you might actually do what you're told." Kakashi winked with his one visible eye, then smoke surrounded him. They could still hear his voice, even though he was no longer there when the smoke cleared- "Catch me if you can."

Sasuke, Sakura and Naruto exchanged a glance, then nodded. They booked it for the forest, trying to find the most remote part. Then, they stood back to back, the three of them watching all sides.

"Alright, let's talk strategy," Sasuke said, still warily keeping an eye out. He drew his sword, and made sure to check the ground- just in case Kakashi wanted to pull another practical joke using the headhunter jutsu.

"Sakura-chan and I beat him last time by revealing the end of the new Icha Icha book, but sadly the books are a bit behind the times... Ero Sannin hasn't been writing anything new lately." Naruto spoke up, eyeing the forest nervously. Kakashi was at the same level of power as them, thanks to the Sage of the Six Paths, and even without that he was a genius. The only reason Sakura and him beat Kakashi last time was because of his love for his novels. Sadly, there were no new novels. This would either be harder because of that, or easier because the team was complete with Sasuke. It could go both ways.

"Last time?" Sasuke asked accusingly, and Sakura and Naruto exchanged sheepish glances before looking back at him and smiling. They'd forgotten that they hadn't mentioned they'd beaten Kakashi to Sasuke.

Sakura laughed nervously, still scanning the woods, and the sky, in case Kakashi wanted to drop in from above. "That was before. We took the bells from him before Gaara got kidnapped by Deidara, so a long time ago. We could always use my punch to break the floor, but I wonder how we'd be able to explain the broken ground to people when I haven't been trained by Tsunade yet." She changed the subject hastily, hoping Sasuke wouldn't make a big deal out of it.

Of course, that was too good to he true. Sasuke narrowed his eyes. "Hang on. You're telling me the two of you took the bell test again without me?" Sakura looked at him, an exasperated look on her face.

"Really?! That's what you're focusing on?!"

"This is something we have to do together!" Sasuke glared back at her.

Naruto gritted his teeth. "Well you weren't exactly around to take it with us back then, were you?!?" He hissed at Sasuke. That silenced him for the time being. "Tsunade-no-baa-chan wanted us to be tested to see how much we'd grown, and that was what they came up with. We didn't want to take the test without you, it just happened. Now, we can talk about this later, but if we don't focus, we could die, ttebayo!" Naruto turned to look at his teammates, convinced Kakashi was giving them a minute to gather their wits and form attacks and defenses. He was fair. "We're supposed to attack with the intent to kill," he recited. Sakura and Sasuke, coming to the same conclusion, turned to face him as well.

Sasuke sighed, before putting his thinking cap on. "He'll want to test us on the same categories he did last time. So ninjutsu, taijutsu, and genjutsu." The three of them looked at each other, then raised their eyebrows. "Sakura and I will be okay when we do the genjutsu part. All of us are good in the taijutsu. Ninjutsu, good too. Naruto, will you be okay for genjutsu?"

"I don't know," confessed Naruto. "It depends on if Kakashi uses genjutsu like Itachi does. I've gotten caught in Itachi's genjutsu so many times it's not funny."

Sasuke rolled his eyes. "Itachi's Itachi. His genjutsu are ridiculously powerful. Kakashi doesn't have a natural affinity for genjutsu. As long as you know the basics of breaking out of genjutsu, you'll probably be fine."

Naruto narrowed his eyes, remembering what Pervy Sage told him, and nodded. "I'll be okay, ttebayo."

"Good. We need to work together flawlessly, or Kakashi'll find some way to send us back to the Academy. You know he wants to keep us immobile so we don't get hurt trying to find Orochimaru or something." Sasuke said, effortlessly taking control of the situation. His mind worked through his, Naruto's, and Sakura's individual strengths. "Sakura, help me make a plan." He said to his pink haired teammate, who had already crossed her arms and had her thinking face on.

They were all twelve, now. Not sixteen. Sakura's hair was tied back, the tips of her ponytail coming down to below her shoulder blades, and her bangs flying in her face with the wind were distracting Sasuke. Her pensive face, determined and silent, caught his attention, and he looked away, scowling. He didn't know why those things made him double take. He scoffed and waited for her response while watching the forest warily.

"Alright, Sasuke, I think we can do this." She piped up, finally. She nodded. "Let's think up all Kakashi's weaknesses."

<>

Kakashi ran through the forest, looking left and right, jumping from branch to branch. He could tell where they were, but did want to give them a few minutes to figure things out amongst themselves. Hopefully they would get it together and attack him soon- he wanted to finish this so he could reread Icha Icha. As much as he loved his little students, they were a bit boring when they weren't outright attacking him. He stopped in a tree, hidden, and waited for someone to pass him by, or for someone to move nearby.

His first victim- Sakura. She looked to be in a fit of rage. Probably not wise to get too close to her, or to let her too close to the floor. Kakashi didn't have to wonder what happened. Sakura, Sasuke and Naruto had obviously gotten into a fight (like they always did), and Sakura ran off to cool down. His poor little female student had run in the wrong direction, though.

Kakashi silently stalked his student through the woods, and she didn't suspect anything. Kakashi wondered briefly if this wasn't a trap, but then Sakura's heel splintered a tree, and she growled fiercely. Whoever had offended her this time had really done a heck of a job.

Kakashi ran past the tree, sparing it a glance and wincing. That would be him if Sakura got her hands on him. Not that she couldn't just heal him up- it's just that if she was mad enough, she'd refuse to, and Kakashi didn't like the idea of being in pain until Sakura got over her sulking. Nope, Kakashi wasn't taking any chances with his pink haired student until Lady Tsunade came back to the village and was able to take care of him if Sakura didn't.

Kakashi didn't lose her, and she lead him to the river. A small clearing allowed Sakura to come to a stop there and lie in wait for Kakashi. Too bad he was already there. He snuck up on his student, and hit the back of her neck to knock her out, but there was a poof, and instead of his pink haired genin, there was a log.

Kakashi's eyes widened. "Oh no."

He barely missed the fist that came swinging at him from behind the tree, breaking it to tiny little pieces. Sakura, smirking, walked forward, smacking her fist into her palm. The splinters of brown wood rained down around them, along with the leaves the tree used to have. "I'm gonna get one of those bells, Kakashi-sensei~" She said in a singsong voice. Kakashi backed up, and backed up, and backed up, trying to get as far out of range of her fists as possible.

As predicted, he backed into a trap. A rope was coiled around his foot, shooting the white haired man into the air and dangling him upside down. Kakashi saw Naruto and Sasuke running over to Sakura from behind the trap. He smirked a bit. So Sakura was the bait, and before she'd stomped by him so obnoxiously, she'd sent the boys up ahead. Clever. But not clever enough. Kakashi disappeared in a puff of smoke, a log in his place. He'd swapped the minute he noticed Sakura did, and was now hiding inside the brush. He attacked from the side, swinging his leg towards Naruto, intending to catch them off guard.

Sasuke caught the leg using his forearm, and seconds later, Sakura kicked defensively at Kakashi's head. Kakashi ducked, and flipped back twice, to size up his opponents. There were three of them, and they each had determined looks on their face. They weren't going to go easy on their poor old sensei.

"Well," Kakashi pulled out a kunai from his pouch and sighed tiredly. "Looks like I'll be fighting you guys using taijutsu first." Sasuke sheathed his sword, and smirked. Sakura got into a stance, bringing a pair of gloves out from her pocket, and putting them over her fingers, cracking her knuckles threateningly.

"Bring it, sensei, 'ttebayo!" Naruto answered defiantly, pulling out his own kunai.

"We won't lose to you a second time." Sasuke added, complimenting Naruto's challenge.

Kakashi paused for a second, then launched himself forward faster than they had expected, and two clones of himself came running out of the woods at the exact same time. Naruto received the brunt of the Original's attack, taking a kick to the stomach, but gripping Kakashi's leg tightly and spinning him. Kakashi rolled, then swiped his foot across the floor to kick Naruto's legs out from under him. Naruto fell for it, but his kunai clashed with Kakashi's before Kakashi could attempt to stab. Kakashi and Obito had both taken lessons from their good friend Maito Gai, so Taijutsu was no problem for him, clearly.

Sakura punched the air in front of Kakashi's clone, sending him back a few feet, before he shot forward again with his kunai. Sakura punched at his arm, trying to loosen the kunai from his hand. Kakashi engaged her in hand to hand combat, dropping the kunai when a well aimed not-chakra-enhanced kick hit his palm. It was classic, going back and forth. Kakashi answered her hits with his own blocks and responses. Almost as flawless as his last fight with Obito. Sakura was a taijutsu specialist as well, so this was entirely within her element. Kakashi did a back handspring to avoid a chakra enhanced punch, and saw that while he was executing the maneuver, Sakura's eyes were scanning the scene with her other teammates.

Sasuke and another Kakashi clone were clashed, kunai to Kusanagi, each struggling to knock the weapon out of the other's hand. Naruto was rolling to avoid a punch, so he was fine, but this standoff between Sasuke and Kakashi didn't look to be going in her teammate's favor. He was still in a twelve year old body, and all the experience in the world couldn't stop a fully trained, twenty-seven year old former ANBU from overpowering him. Cheers to him for holding up that long, though. Sakura sideswiped Kakashi clone number two's feet out from under him, finally giving Sasuke the advantage he needed, before turning back to her own fight. Her own clone was recovered.

Sasuke looked at Sakura, watching her dodge and weave, and narrowed his eyes. He wondered if he should break out his jutsu, now, to help her out by killing her clone. Then a loud cry from Naruto turned his attention from his female teammate to their blonde friend. He was in Kakashi's headlock. Sasuke blocked a kick from his clone, and sprang forward to help, but Naruto aimed a clever kick to the shins, rolling out of the way when Kakashi let him go. Sasuke sighed in relief, turning back to his pink haired teammate. She seemed to be doing well too.

"Hey, brat, your opponent is over here." And then Sasuke took a bruising hit to the face. He scowled at his clone of Kakashi, and roundhouse kicked him in the head, making the clone evaporate.

At the same time, Sakura punched her clone hard in the stomach, making the man's face go white and him gasp for breath, before disappearing with a pop.

Now Naruto was handling the original, but Sasuke and Sakura came to help anyway. Naruto aimed a punch that Kakashi dodged upwards, then he had to duck a kunai thrown by Sasuke and a well aimed kick from Sakura, shooting him to the left side.

Kakashi did a backflip to avoid future attacks, and backed away, looking at the three once before disappearing into the woods.

Naruto, Sasuke and Sakura looked at each other, and when Naruto started laughing breathlessly, the other two joined him. They were panting heavily at the intense close combat battle, but still formed a protective circle. Kakashi had retreated, now, so they had to prepare for ninjutsu and genjutsu, still. Staying close together was key.

They got about an hour of rest, sitting with their backs leaning against the trees, and talking breathlessly. When their breathing calmed and they had gotten their bearing better, Naruto had taken up a watchful position in the tree. With his sage mode, he could sense everything in the forest. Sasuke had to admire his friend's prowess.

"Thanks for the kick, back there," Sasuke told Sakura, standing up. "I owe you one."

"No big deal," Sakura shook her head and stood up with him. "Forget about it."

Sasuke would've replied, but there was a rustling in the woods. Sasuke drew his sword, reflexively moving to stand in front of Naruto's tree and Sakura, even though he knew they didn't need his protection. Sasuke stared hard at the woods. Someone stumbled out of it, and Naruto leaped down from the tree to see who it was, drawing a kunai. Sasuke wanted to gag at the familiar sight. Sasuke recognized him immediately, even though he was covered in blood and limping.

"Sasuke, Sakura, Naruto," Itachi gasped out, coughing violently. "Thank Kami you're safe." Itachi coughed rather aggressively, more blood spilling into his hand. Sasuke recognized that scene. He'd seen it happen before. The blood in Itachi's hand dripped slowly from his fingertips onto the floor. "We've got to get out of here and get help, Kakashi needs backup. He's over there fighting the guys that did this." Itachi pointed into the forest with his bloody hand.

The blood pooled onto the floor, and Sasuke felt like he was drowning in despair. He was frozen in place, watching his nightmares relived. There was so much blood. How was his brother still standing right now? Sasuke tensed, about to run forward and help him, but then there was an arm stopping him. He felt Naruto's arm on his shoulder, trying to be reassuring to his friend. "It's just a genjutsu," Naruto whispered to him, still looking at the Itachi clone, and Sasuke felt a rush of relief go through him. It was disturbing to see, but it wasn't his brother.

So much blood...

Still, his mind went back to that day, at the old Uchiha compound... his brother laying on the floor next to him. Sasuke felt Itachi's blood on his face from where his fingers trailed down his forehead... the smoke from the Amaterasu and the Katon jutsu used earlier that day filling his senses... the blood dripping down Itachi's eyes and mouth. The smile he had on before he died. The rain and Itachi's blood on Sasuke's face. He was being choked by the stench of his brother's blood.

"Sorry, Sasuke, this is the last time."

Sasuke wanted to throw up.

Sasuke tensed more at the memory, and Naruto stood in front of him, blocking his view of the fake Itachi. But he was still there, and Sasuke could still hear his voice, calling to him, begging for help. Then his memory provided him with the sound of Itachi saying that he would always love him. Then Itachi calling him weak. Sasuke wondered why his stomach suddenly seemed to be coming up through his mouth. "Sasuke, it isn't real. It's okay. Itachi is okay." Naruto repeated to Sasuke like a broken record, and Sasuke just nodded, eyes blank. Naruto's hands were on his shoulders, the vice-like grip bringing him back to himself. "It isn't real," Naruto said one last time, a look of understanding in his  bright blue eyes. Sasuke nodded again, and Naruto put a hand on Sasuke's head comfortingly for a few moments, before backing away.

Itachi was once again in his sight. He rocked forward and fell face first to the fooor with a heavy thump. A scream froze in Sasuke's throat at the sight of the blood pooling around him.

"Kai," Sakura chanted, fingers forming the tseal, and Itachi's heaving chest and shoulders froze like a paused movie, before dissipating into green. Sasuke looked absently at the place where Itachi used to be, before shaking himself out of the bad memories. Sakura and Naruto had recognized that it was a genjutsu before Sasuke because they were prepared for it- they hadn't seen Itachi die. His smile. The blood on Sasuke's hands before he passed out. They hadn't smelled the smoke in the air, or seen the rubble that the formerly great building had been reduced to during their fight, Itachi's body laying next to him on the floor and- God he couldn't breathe-

Sasuke took in heaving breaths of air, but somehow none of them counted as breathing to his body. He slowed his heart rate, banished the memories, and calmed his erratic breathing.

Sakura looked at Sasuke, concerned, but after a few seconds, Sasuke was already back to normal. "Alright. That's the genjutsu part. Now we just need to be worried about the ninjutsu." Sasuke said shakily, his commanding aura returning, his brief PTSD episode disappearing. Not forgotten, just ignored. Surely, Kakashi wouldn't have known that would trigger it... right?

The three of them retreated towards the water, Sasuke dropping to his knees and splashing water in his face to bring himself back to reality. Why am I all of the sudden so weak? Sasuke asked himself desperately. He'd locked the memories far inside him, a long time ago. He only pulled them out when he felt safe enough to allow the guilt to suffocate him. Now it had been triggered.

Sakura's arms wrapped tightly around him, from behind, and she rested her chin on top of Sasuke's head. He was still crouched down beside the water. Her pink ponytail fell down beside Sasuke's face, and he could smell her honey and lavender shampoo. It was oddly soothing, compared to the memories of the smell of blood and smoke. "It's okay, Sasuke, we're here together." She told him. Sasuke nodded, trying not to jostle her chin too much. He was looking at Sakura's reflection in the water, and she met his stare. "We're all here, so you don't have to hold it all together all of the time."

"Okay," Sasuke said softly. Naruto smiled at him encouragingly from where he was keeping watch. There was no pity in their eyes, just dulled sadness. Mostly understanding. Sasuke took a few deep breaths, before nodding again and standing up. Sakura backed away, then, moving to stand beside Naruto, and smiling at him. Sasuke didn't know if Sakura had done that as a sister, or as a friend, or as someone who used to love him. He didn't care. It had helped.

Besides, Sakura was known for her obvious affection for Naruto. She hugged him whenever she needed to, absorbing his warmth and happiness. Sasuke had done the same before, and knew how comforting their blonde friend could be. Sakura hugged Kakashi a lot, too. She'd hugged Shisui, and Itachi, and Yamato- no, Tenzo. She hugged Kushina and Minato, and Mikoto, and a lot of other people. She'd become a very affectionate person when she came to the realization that life was short.

"Okay." Sasuke said again, nodding. He felt better, now.

The three of them traveled along the river, saying nothing, but allowing each others' presence to pacify their own spastic heart rates.

Not alone... not alone... not alone... Sasuke chanted in his head like a mantra. Never alone.

They'd moved from that tight location just in time when a fireball was launched at their heads, and Sasuke allowed his Susanoo's ribcage to protect the three of them. The fire died down when it couldn't get through the Susanoo's protection. Kakashi leaped out of the trees again.

"Are you all okay?" He asked, a tint of guilt making his voice sound darker. Sasuke raised an eyebrow. So Kakashi hadn't meant to trigger the PTSD episode- that wasn't part of the test. Sasuke had just screwed up, and Kakashi had seen it.

"Yep!" Naruto replied. Naruto jumped out of the Susanoo's protection, wielding his giant Rasengan. He launched it toward Kakashi, who dodged out of the way. It ravaged a tree, instead, making it fall. Sasuke hurled his own fireball at Kakashi, and Kakashi lifted a Doton: Doryuheiki up to catch the flames. When the fire stopped Kakashi jumped out from behind the wall, and made fast handsigns.

"Suiton: Suiryudan no Jutsu!" Water Dragon Missile...

"Katon: Hosenka no Jutsu!" Sasuke countered, stopping the Dragon missile with one of Itachi's absolute favorite fire jutsu, just to get a little innocent revenge on Kakashi.

Sakura then proceeded to break the floor, but at a controlled level, so only Kakashi was in immediate danger, and it wasn't big enough to not be considered a mini earthquake. It could've been easily mistaken as an effect from an Earth Style jutsu. Kakashi's eyes widened, and he soared out of the way, gripping a tree like a scared cat. Sakura let out a little chuckle, and she signaled to Naruto.

Naruto already had a Rasenshuriken going, and he threw it at the tree Kakashi was currently huddled under. Sakura had shoved him into a safer place, so the Rasenshuriken wouldn't hit him full on. Kakashi's eyes widened more, and he moved out of the way. Before he was completely gone, however, Sasuke took his cue, and ran forward. He tracked Kakashi's movement with his eyes, and doing a shunshin no jutsu, he appeared at Kakashi's side. He managed to swipe the bells before Kakashi even realized he was there, and jumped back to join his teammates. Sakura and Naruto cheered, and Sasuke handed them each a bell.

Sakura tried to shove her bell back into Sasuke's hand, but Sasuke wouldn't take it. "Keep it," he said, "you deserve it."

"So do you!" Sakura insisted, shoving the bell back at him. "You performed brilliantly!"

"Yeah, 'ttebayo!" Naruto folded his arms over his chest stubbornly. "I'm not passing if you're not!"

Sasuke blinked. "I had a panic attack in the middle of a mission. That's not safe for a ninja."

"That's a bullshit excuse." Naruto rolled his eyes. "I've done that too. I even cried in front of the Raikage once."

Sasuke's eyebrows twitched upwards, wondering what the Raikage could've done to make this stubborn fool cry.

Kakashi was now officially safe. He felt his side, and realized his bells were gone, and he turned around with a smile on his face. The new generation always surpasses the old one. Sakura and Sasuke were bickering, and Naruto was trying to mediate and reason with them. That was new, but not unwelcome.

Kakashi poofed in front of them, catching their attention. "Well done. The three of you have passed. All three of you."

Sasuke and Sakura blinked at him, then at each other, and then Sakura started laughing. She laughed so hard she was in tears, and Naruto joined her.

"Guess you're stuck with us!" Sakura panted, making Naruto laugh harder.

Kakashi rubbed the back of his neck good naturedly, and laughed with them. Sasuke glared at the whole group, before looking up at the sky. "The universe hates me." He whispered to himself, making Naruto double over with laughter. That set Kakashi and Sakura off again, and eventually, even Sasuke broke.

They were happier than they'd been in a long time.