Just an adorable drawing that has absolutely nothing to do with this chapter. Love you all. Thank you.

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It had been a little over two years since Naruto had joined Team Minato. She would still sometimes have relapses where she would have to leave training so she could sob in peace, away from prying eyes and pitiful comfort. She had grown used to this new life but still yearned for her old one. She would sometimes forget she didn't belong in this time and would call Minato 'dad'. It had been embarrassing enough the first time, so when she had accidentally called Kushina 'mom' one time, it was terrible. Obito had refused to stop teasing her about it since that day.

Minato had called them to the training grounds, saying they had a very important mission. Just when he was about to send someone out looking for the only member of the team who wasn't there yet, he crashed into the clearing. Literally.

"Did I make it?" He asked, his face buried in the dirt.

"No Obito, you're late." Kakashi was the first to answer. "What time did you think we were supposed to meet? If you're a full-fledged ninja you're expected to follow the rules." He scolded the Uchiha.

"Well I was on the way, but an old lady carrying a load asked me for directions, then I got something in my eye and-" He was interrupted by Kakashi.

"Obito, if you're going to lie, at least make it convincing." He sighed.

Minato must have decided it was time to chime in because he stopped their argument by interrupting.

"Obito showed the old lady the way, right?" He asked, obviously trying to distract them. Rin looked like she was about to yell at them before he intervened, though, so it could have also just been that.

Obito nodded, and that was the end of the conversation. Everyone knew not to mess with Minato-sensei when he got angry, although they all knew Kushina was about twenty times worse.

"We have a mission tomorrow, I will explain on the way, but we have to meet at the gate at dawn." He announced, which was followed by a series of 'hai's as they all left to pack.

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They stopped near the border as Minato explained the mission. They were to sneak behind enemy lines and destroy Kannabi Bridge. If they could do this it would turn the tides of the war, maybe even ending it once and for all. Naruto knew it would be a bitter victory if it worked, for there would just be another war after that, but they didn't need to know that.

"We will be splitting into two teams. Since Kakashi is a jonin now, he will be leading the three of you. I will split off and be a distraction to help you make it into enemy territory easier. Try your best now to get caught, okay?" He looked them all in the eye, lingering for a moment on Obito.

"Hai." They chorused.

As they reached the border Minato pulled out a three-pronged kunai.

"My gift to you for becoming a jonin. It's a little heavy, and kind of odd shaped, but once you get accustomed to it, it becomes easier to use." He explained.

Rin was next. She handed him a small pouch that would easily clip onto his belt and not hinder his movements.

"Here! A personalized special medkit I adjusted things a little, to make it easier to use." She told him, refusing to look him in the eyes, a crimson blush making its way up her neck.

After her, Naruto went. She was never really any good with gifts but remembered a story he had told her once about the first mission he went on as a jonin. She pulled out a short, tube-shaped present wrapped in paper.

"You can open it after the mission, but I'll give it to you now anyway." He packed it away, strapping it to his leg.

Kakashi held out his had to Obito who just glared at him.

"What's the hand for? I don't have anything to give you."

"Oh well, I don't mind. It probably would have been useless anyway." He replied. It was then that Naruto zoned out, knowing this would turn into another one of their stupid squabbles where either Rin or Minato jumped in to put a stop to it before things went too far. She only wished Sakura had done that with her and Sasuke.

Not too long after, as they continued to make their way to where they would split up, Kakashi suddenly motioned for them to stop. Out of the corner of her eye, Naruto saw Minato give the slightest smile.

"Good catch, Kakashi," He complimented, earning a disgruntled grunt from Obito. "Everyone, be on your guard, there are twenty of them, although I think it's just a Shadow Clone Jutsu."

"I can attack. Can you cover me?" Kakashi asked their sensei.

"Don't be hasty, you should just back me up." He replied, futilely trying to get Kakashi to give up on his crazy determination to do this alone.

"Sensei, with all due respect, I am captain today, and rules dictate that a team must follow their captain's orders. Plus, I have a new jutsu I've been working on." Kakashi hunched over and grabbed his arm with his opposite hand. As he got into position Naruto knew exactly what he was going to do.

"Chidori." She thought at the exact same time as Kakashi yelled.

"Chidori." A ball of lightning appeared in his hand. Naruto looked at the shocked faces of her teammates and realized this was probably the first time they'd ever seen it. She quickly also painted a look of shock on her face that, thankfully, went unnoticed by the team.

Kakashi then jumped into action. Naruto noticed that his movements were choppy, though, and he seemed like he wasn't completely in control. Minato blocked any and all attacks that came Kakashi's way from the Shadow Clones.

This wasn't right. He was always able to block attacks with his Chidori. Why couldn't he now? That was when the realization dawned on her. He didn't have his Sharingan yet. The Sharingan was what allowed him to see an opponent's moves before they even made them, and be able to counterattack even while going at high speeds.

The group continued to walk through the forest as Kakashi cleared the way ahead of them. Naruto looked over to see Obito with tears in his eyes as a Shadow Clone popped out of the ground, only to be quickly taken care of by Minato.

Minato suddenly disappeared before he reappeared, an injured Kakashi in his arms. Naruto, not thinking of anyone but the injured boy she had come to love once again, rushed forward as Minato set him on the ground, dragging Rin behind her, not noticing that their sensei had disappeared once again.

"Kakashi, you shouldn't have been so reckless." She lectured as Rin healed him.

"I agree with Naruto. Your wound is serious. We will retreat and regroup while you heal." Minato said, walking over to make sure his student was alright.

"I'm fine." He mumbled.

"No, you're not." A voice chimed in from behind them. They turned around to see Obito. "And all because you decided it would be a good idea to ignore sensei's warning and charge ahead."

"I don't have to listen to you. All you did was cry. Do you even know the Shinobi Rules? Rule 25, a ninja must never show their tears." Kakashi argued.

Naruto zoned out once more as another argument took place between the two boys. She only paid attention again as Minato began lecturing them, something that happened often, but never on missions.

"Didn't I teach you? There are times when the situation requires impromptu responses against the enemy." He told them.

"There, you see?" Obito smiled in victory, but it was soon wiped from his face as Minato turned to face him.

"Obito, you too! There's no way dust can get into your eyes when you have

goggles on. If you're going to advocate self-control, don't just mouth the words.

Act strong too.

"And one other thing Kakashi You shouldn't use that Jutsu anymore. From what I could see, your focal point concentrated attack undoubtedly has power and speed But it makes you move too fast to ascertain the opponent's counterattack. It's still an imperfect Jutsu." He explained, his tone softening.

"Alright, we should head back to camp." Rin piped up, attempting to balance Kakashi on her side. He was still woozy from the blood loss.

"Rin, let me help." Naruto walked over and grabbed his other arm, linking it over her shoulder.

They then headed back to camp so Rin could heal him better and they could all get a good night's worth of sleep.

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Word Count: 1490