Welcome to Team 7!

Family

「ナルト」

They were all family. The laughter they had together was brightening. The pain they shared together made them stronger. Nothing would ever change it seemed.

Except it did. The once brighting laughter was replaced with sorrowful tears and anguish screams.

Three years ago, one member of the family left the village. It was so sudden it almost felt like a nightmare.

Kakashi saw through the pained smiles his young ninjas always saw plastered on. He knew them for so long he could distinguish the bright laughter and the forced chuckle.

「ナルト」

"Kakashi-sensei, do you think he will ever return?" Naruto hesitantly looked at his teacher. He was afraid of the older mans response.

Naruto felt his hair being ruffled as a small chuckle was heard. The young ninja looked towards his father figure. "Sensei?" Naruto knew his answer. It wasn't the pain in the Jonins eyes that shocked him, it was the faint tear.

Kakashi didn't bother to wipe it away, "I'm not sure," was all that he said.

Sakura saw the little interaction between them up the tree and grew more tired. If she was still too weak to bring Sasuke home, what has she been doing all these years?

She decided to join in on the conversation. "Sasuke-kun will return." It surprised them both how much confidence was in her voice. It gave Sakura a little surprise towards herself as well. "Sasuke-kun will return, I will make him return even if I have to give my life trying." She heard laughter from down below.

The source of the laughter looked up at her and smiled. "Sakura-chan, you love Sasuke too much." Naruto gave a huge grin with a bit of a blush on his face. "Don't worry, I'll bring him home so you guys can date already." He gave her a thumbs up.

Kakashi smiled at them. They always warmed him even if they were both just fighting. It was almost heartbreaking he knew how Sarutobi felt when Orochimaru had become rogue. The cold feeling of a parent going against their child, it almost broke him.

The quiet ninja felt his sides being squished. Kakashi eyes widened as he looked at the two ninjas who were at his side in a flash. Naruto hugged one side of him as Sakura did the same on the opposite side.

"Surprise hug!" Both of them yelled out at the same time. Muffled laughter could be heard as he ruffled both of his students hair.

"What are you guys doing?" Kakashi asked.

They gave him a playful smile. It was one that was precious to him. "Thanking you sensei!" That made him curious to what the ninjas were thanking him for.

"What for?"

Naruto responded to him, "for always being there. Even if Sasuke is not here, you always have been there." He gave the biggest grin he could make.

Sakura giggled at Naruto.

Kakashi looked at both of the ninjas who became so close to family to him. He gave his silent promise as well.

I'll protect my family. I'll protect the smiles on their face, even if I have to kill to do it.

It was wishful thinking to imagine his former student returning to Konoha. If Sasuke ever did fall too deep into the darkness, he would not hesitate to end him on the spot.

For now, Kakashi looked at his two children who were bickering about what the next mission would be. The gentle laughter Kakashi gave caught both of their attention. The tear that came out of his eye had them both going in for another hug.

They were family. Even if it was broken, all of them would fight to repair it once more.

That fact would never change.