Being one of his students, Kakashi did his best to look out for you. You were.. something. But at the same time, you were a reliable comrade. Even Kakashi couldn't deny that.

Over time, he got to know you, and the rest of Team 7 better. Who knew that everything would be turned upside down when Sasuke left?

Both Naruto and Sakura were distraught. For good reason. From what he gathered from your own behavior, you were too. And yet ever since, it was like you were running away from the simple fact that Sasuke had betrayed the village.

At first, Kakashi thought nothing of it. It was obvious you had your own issues to sort out surrounding Sasuke's disappearance, so he tried his best to stay out of your business. Yet he still kept a close eye on you. Even he felt guilty over Sasuke's departure. About what he could've done differently. Whether he could've prevented all of this.

But he managed to stay in the present. Not the past nor the future. And for now, his focus was on his remaining students. Naruto, Sakura, and you.

It didn't take a genius to figure out you were isolating yourself from the rest of Team 7. He had been noticing it for a while. And yet he stood idly. A small part him was thinking you were still.. grieving over Sasuke's departure, and you just needed some more time to get used to life without his presence. But no. This separation between you and your friends had gone on long enough. Sasuke's disappearance was years ago. At this point, he had to step in.

He wouldn't let another one of his students fall down a path of turmoil.

So he searched for you across Konoha, stopping at the places he remembered you like to hang around. No sign.

He eventually found you. Surprisingly, at the old training grounds. Where Team 7 had their survival test. Although it had been years, the overall area had remained the same.

"Reminiscing?" He stated bluntly, though his tone remained casual and calm. His gaze flickered over you.

"Hope I'm not interrupting anything," He took a step forward, handing casually in his pockets. His typical Icha Icha Paradise book was nowhere in sight. Unusual. "Have time for a chat?"