The prior week had been heavenly. Kakashi had loved how well Field Day and the Field Trip went. After such a hellish year, it was a well-needed boost to morale. He was practically skipping down the halls Monday and hummed tunelessly. His shoulder was healing nicely, but after all the excitement of Thursday and Friday, it was irritating him, and so he wore a sling and was planning to remove it a bit more permanently later in the week. The kids looked at him, some with a small amount of guilt, but the Scarecrow was in too fine a mood to care. He just wanted the feel-good feeling to last. It was the first week of June, on this week and half of the following week before school was let out completely. He knew it wouldn't, someone was going to have an emergency for him to deal with, but for now, he reveled in the happiness that surrounded him.

Unfortunately, the students didn't seem to share in his almost giddy feeling. They were all sulky and grumbling. Why? This was the week of finals. Students never went into such a horrid week with smiles on their faces. Not unless they were like Sakura and knew they'd ace every final there was. Thus, when Kakashi finally made it to his homeroom, most were furiously going over flash cards, notes, books, and each other to ensure they knew enough to not tank the last test of the year.

School breakfast was altered for finals, and was delivered to each homeroom. A caddy rolled into Kakashi's as he took attendance and his students flocked to it. Sasuke and Naruto weren't there, but then, Asuma would probably be holding them for homeroom this week. That was fine. Sakura sat with Kiba and was helping keep Hinata calm as she anxiously went through her materials.

Hesitantly, one of his students came up to ask about the schedule of finals. Granted, Kakashi had explained it at least a dozen times the previous week, but this wasn't exactly unexpected. So he walked to the front of his room and got everyone's attention to give the lowdown. The set up was similar to how the state tests went. The only difference was that Homeroom was extended so that they could have breakfast, and that lunch would be served at the end of the day. Of course, since most of the week was half days with make-ups in the afternoon, there was plenty of time for PPTs.

The first one on the agenda would be Kiba that afternoon. But as it happened, Kakashi ended up checking in with another student when he wasn't expecting it. When he was on his way down to get lunch, his keen ears picked up something distinct. There was shouting in the boy's bathroom. Only one person was shouting, and it sounded like Kankuro.

Curious (and hoping he wasn't about to break up a fist-fight), the Scarecrow entered. He was grateful that the teachers had separate bathrooms than the students, the graffiti was crude, disgusting, and in some cases inflammatory; the sinks were cracked and one had a faucet missing. There was a certain smell to the bathroom that the English teacher didn't particularly feel like identifying and he was careful not to trip over some of the cracked and broken tiles.

There were no students in the room save one, Kankuro, who was in the stall at the end. He was loudly yelling at something, but when Kakashi peeked under the doors, he noted that Kankuro was alone. That meant that the boy was using his cell phone. The Scarecrow sighed. The week of finals wasn't the best time to get into trouble.

"Ma, why aren't you listening to me?" Kankuro growled. "I will not visit Dad over the summer... Ma, if you keep up that line of work you're going to get syphilis or worse. I won't leave you alone to get herpes... You never have protection; you leave it for me to get it for you! Either that or a John... Stop running my life like you know what's best for me! You obviously don't... Listen, you're too busy being high to take care of yourself, so get a clue! I won't let you wind up dead in... Ma!... I'm not a baby any more, you whore, now lis... Fine, you bitch. Send me away. I won't come back."

There was a distinct snap as a cell phone was shut and Kankuro continued grumbling foul words under his breath. Kakashi rubbed his head. Well, it made sense why the kid was such a control freak; he had no control over his own life. This was, of course, assuming that the boy was being honest with concern and not making things up to hurt his mother. One could never be sure that he spoke the truth or not.

Kankuro opened the door of his stall to find Kakashi waiting there, hand out. The student growled something, slammed his mobile phone into Kakashi's hand and stormed out of the boy's room, already heading for the office. The English teacher followed after him, gave the phone to Shizune while Kankuro dropped into a chair, and gave quick lowdown of what he'd heard. No doubt he'd be called later on about it, but for now, his stomach was growling. He'd done his mandated reporting. Ebisu would investigate it thoroughly. Kakashi was just to busy this time of year to do it himself. The vice principal would be competent enough to do it.

Still... Kakashi sighed.

A short while later, the day had ended and the students were pouring out to the buses. Kakashi had done what he could to dig up information on their resident puppet master, but as expected, during finals and so late in the year, he wasn't turning up much. Students, his most reliable source of gossip and information, were too focused on tests and their own dramas to be of much help in uncovering dirt on Kankuro. Plus, being the puppet master of the grade, Kankuro wasn't likely to talk about himself outside of lies to cover anything he didn't want to share. The most likely to actually have information were Temari and Gaara. Gaara didn't go to their school any more and Temari wouldn't talk to him if he were the last person on earth.

So it was with a heavy sigh that he trudged down to guidance for the PPT with Kiba. Inside the conference room, Iruka and Kiba were already seated.

"You're late."

"Sorry, I was so in tune with the local grapevine I couldn't pull away. The grapes were delicious, but seedless."

Formality taken care of, Kakashi slouched into his chair. Kiba was pouring over his notes for the following day's exam, ignoring the both of them. It was probably the first year were he had the possibility of passing all subjects, and it looked like Kiba was trying in earnest to make that possibility a reality.

"The dad?" Kakashi quietly asked Iruka.

"On his way. Got delayed at the new job."

The Scarecrow nodded and opened his book. As they waited, Ebisu came in, making Kiba look up. The grown-ups talked quietly, letting Kiba study, as the English teacher gave a coded and brief synopsis of what he'd heard with Kankuro.

"Of course," Ebisu commented, "I have been unable to validate the statements that you've overheard. I will keep looking into the matter, but at this stage, I doubt we'll be able to say anything with certainty. I will know about it next year. I recommend letting the eighth grade teachers know about what you've overheard so that they might keep an eye on him."

"Already planning on it," Kakashi nodded. "And his phone?"

"He won't get it back until the last day of school."

"Good," Iruka said.

Shortly after that, Kiba's father came in. "Sorry I'm late," he apologized. Kakashi raised an eyebrow. The previous occasions when he'd met with the Inuzuka patriarch, the man was greasy, dirty, and clearly worked with cars all the time. Now, however, while his hands still held the stains of regular work, he was in a clean shirt and jeans, the signs of summer heat already starting to stain certain areas.

Kiba looked up, but then went right back to trying to study. The Scarecrow rather doubted he could keep concentrating with conversation now going to be about him, but it was a valiant effort nonetheless.

"So, how's my boy doing?"

"Very well," Kakashi answered. "His grades have been very good, though he's recently took a bit of a dive in mathematics. If he studies and passes his finals, he won't have any summer school this year."

Kiba's father laughed. "Now that would be nice."

"Indeed," Iruka agreed. "He's been doing very well this year. I know that next year is his triennial, so if his progress continues, you may want to consider exiting him from the program, as long as he still has a strong support structure." The special education teacher offered a wry grin. "Lately, I haven't had to do much for him. Just pull him to my room if a class is getting too loud. If this keeps up, he'll be able to handle things himself."

The Inuzuka man nodded gravely. "I'll keep an eye on him. I'm not sure if I want to exit him, but I'll take that under advisement."

"Excellent," Kakashi murmured as they continued discussing various concerns, mostly in how his classes would be the following year.

"Now," Kiba's dad smiled, "I've got something to share."

"Oh?" Iruka asked.

The man pulled out a piece of paper. Kakashi recognized it once he saw it and smiled broadly.

"My family and I now have an apartment."

"WHAT??" Kiba shouted, standing up so fast his study materials scattered across the table. "We have a home? Are you sure?"

His father smiled. "Why else do you think I was working all those extra hours? For my health?"

"Daaaaad!!"

But the whole room was grinning.

"We'll be moving in this weekend. You have to pass your finals first."

The following day, Tuesday, was a relatively light day for his team in terms of finals, since one of the periods being tested was C Period, their plan. Students were still in their frenzied attempts of cramming every last bit of information into their heads before taking the exam, and Kakashi took a certain level of comfort in that. It meant that there wasn't much in the way of inane chatter, and that most of them were focused. There were of course, students who just didn't give a damn and were going to fail, but that was a small percentage this year, it seemed.

Once Homeroom ended and the students raced out to take their final before they forgot what they'd studied, Kakashi wandered back down to the guidance conference room. There were, after all, a whole slew of PPTs this week. Iruka was almost a permanent fixture in the office, since he wasn't needed for any of the finals, so Kakashi had to greet him as such. When he entered, he dropped his jacket onto the special education teacher's head like it was a coat rack.

"KAKASHI!" he snapped.

"Oh? Iruka, are you there? I must have missed you."

Iruka growled something impolite.

"How troublesome." Kakashi turned to see Shikamaru and his father enter the room.

Nara and his son sat in the same places that Kiba and his father had occupied the previous afternoon. As expected, they discussed concerns, most of which were what to expect next year.

"Asuma-sensei signed me up for Algebra," Shikamaru scowled. "Much too troublesome."

Kakashi gave a knowing grin. "I rather doubt it. I think you'll enjoy it more than you think."

The boy scoffed.

"There is one concern," Iruka stated, "his grades were never that great in Social Studies, and if it keeps up, he's going to end up in summer school."

Nara looked down to his son and raised an eyebrow.

Shikamaru stared back flatly. After a moment, he finally said, "Summer school's too troublesome."

Nara turned back to the teachers. "It won't be a problem. He's either going to pass it, or he's not going on the family trip with the Akamichi later this summer."

"Troublesome..."

Kakashi grinned.

That afternoon, Kakashi sat himself down once more in the worn, cushy chairs of the guidance conference room.

"Why, Iruka, didn't I just see you here?"

Iruka glared. "Maybe."

Kakashi rubbed his eyes. "Who's next?"

"Chouji. Are you okay?"

"Just tired. I was trying to find out a few things from the gossip mill about Kankuro, but to no avail."

"This late in the year, that's unsurprising."

"But disappointing."

The two sat in silence for a while, waiting for Chouji and his parents. It was the end of the year and Kakashi's mind was slowly starting to settle into the lull that existed around the summer vacation. This was, on some levels dangerous, because it meant he was starting to lose his focus of what was going on around him. However, with students stuck in finals, very little was likely to happen. Still, it felt good to start relaxing. For two-and-a-half months, he wouldn't have to worry about any students. He could rest and rejuvenate. Normally he taught summer school, but a teacher on the other team had volunteered ahead of him and Kakashi didn't mind taking the year off. Besides, knowing himself, he'd probably drop in.

"Hello," the Amamichi greeted as they arrived. Both parents sat on either side of their son.

"So," Chouji's father started. "We already know our son's going to summer school."

Iruka nodded. "Even with Shikamaru tutoring him, there was just no way to for him to make up everything he missed and still absorb it. But in his favor, Chouji's a good student when he puts his mind to it. With Shikamaru providing a basic familiarity, he should do just fine."

"Good," the mother replied. "And I can assure you that what happened this year will never happen again."

"Now," the father continued, "how's he been in school? There's more to education than just the subject material."

Kakashi offered a rueful grin. "He was lucky that the mainstay of conversation when he returned was me and not him. Nobody even noticed him coming back to school aside from Shikamaru and Ino. If anyone else did, they didn't comment."

"As far as how it's been for him, why not just ask him?" Iruka added.

Chouji, suddenly the spotlight of the meeting, was caught off guard. He blinked and stammered for a moment, before finally answering. "People just leave me alone. Nobody really talks to me any more. That's probably for the best. Shikamaru's always been there, so I'm not alone. Ino's actually been kinda nice too."

"Good," Kakashi replied. "Now, I hear you're going on a trip with the Nara family?"

"Yes," Chouji's dad smiled. "Assuming his passes summer school."

"I will; I will!"

Kakashi couldn't help but grin. It was nice to see such a sharp turn around with the chubby child. Normally, after sinking to such a dark place, it was hard to get back on the right path. But if Chouji's parents kept a sharp eye and held him on a straight and narrow path, he might make it adulthood relatively healthy.

Wednesday proved to start off on a crazy note. There was, apparently, a fight on one of the buses that spilled onto the sidewalk in front of the school, drawing in a huge crowd. One of the participants was an eighth grader and the other was a sixth grader with a seventh grader from the other team as an aide. They both claimed it was the "stress of finals" that got them all rowdy, but Ebisu was already investigating the matter with his usual thorough precision.

The damage, however, was done. Homeroom was delayed in starting as many students were detained to explain what they saw, who started it, what sort of gossip was going around that might spark such a confrontation, etc. This meant that either the end of the half-day would be delayed, or at least one of the exam times would be cut short. Given how many students used every single minute of the final to finish the test and go over the results, several students were starting to panic that they'd fail the exam as a result.

The joys of sudden surprises.

It was Orochimaru who calmed the panicking student body by going over the PA system and announcing that any students who felt that the first exam of the day, which would be shortened by almost a half hour, was unfair in being cut so short, they could always take a make up Friday, when the scheduled make up days were instead. If they felt that was the case, they were go to the gymnasium where he had extra study sheets from each teacher for them to prepare.

Naturally, the Snake didn't have extra study sheets, so the faculty was suddenly scrambling to email, phone in, or deliver instructions for any student who was coming down to get extra "study material". The only reason why Orochimaru had suggested the extra work was to make sure that the only students who ended up in the gym were those who were actually concerned about their grades, not students who just wanted to blow off a period. Kakashi could commend the plan, but the Snake's presentation sucked. It would have been nice if he'd told the teachers first.

Thankfully for the seventh grade, the first exam that day was E Period, their team time. So the Scarecrow finally sat down with his homeroom, already tired from the running around that he'd had to do since arriving to the bloody sidewalk that morning. He glanced around, noted who was absent in a tiny corner of his brain, and pulled out his book. He needed some down time.

The English teacher had read maybe a page before there was a polite cough in front of his desk.

"Yes?" he asked the pink head.

"Sensei," Sakura looked hesitant, "I need some advice."

"Oh?"

"Yes. See, my family is going to Boston for the Fourth. We spend the week with family, fireworks over the Charles River, Boston Pops, catch a show at the Shubert, Fenway Park, that sort of thing." Sakura ran a hand through her pink locks. "Well, I wanted to bring them with me, but I already took them with my family over vacation, and my parents don't think that they'll be well entertained with all my family up in Boston, and..."

"You want to make it up to Naruto and Sasuke."

"Yeah, but I'm not sure how. Naruto doesn't really have a lot of money and Yondaime-san doesn't really have money to spare to loan him. Sasuke's got a large inheritance, but it's stuck in a trust until he turns twenty-one. I don't really know what to do with them that doesn't involve a lot of money, like going to the beach, or an amusement park, etc."

Kakashi smiled to himself. "Sakura, you're thinking on far to large a scale. How about a regular movie night?"

"Huh?"

"One night a week, the three of you go to the movies. See and critique whatever blockbuster is on, or maybe just rent a DVD at one of your homes. Not as expensive, but still does what you want."

The girl grinned. "Something that simple will really work?"

"I guarantee it."

"Thank you, Kakashi-sensei."

"You're welcome. Now get back to studying."

Sakura laughed as she went back to her seat.

The day was quiet after such a chaotic morning. During the first exam of the day, Kakashi spent his time grading the last of the tests he didn't finish the previous day and entered them into his computer, making sure that those classes were completely done, save one or two who were waiting for make-ups. The grades were submitted. After that, he was back to proctoring exams, which had him looming over students to remind them that cheating wasn't an option. However, this was his F Period. Iruka had taken some of them across the hall to aide and proctor, and giving himself an enforced break from the string of PPTs he'd been sitting in on. With the class broken up and this class knowing better than to mess with him he was able to sit back and read for about two chapters at a time before cycling around the room again.

The bell rang, the seventh grade went down to lunch, and Kakashi marveled at some of the exams as he started grading. There were some really pleasant surprises. There were also some disappointments. Such was the case when grading exams. Most, however, remained what Kakashi expected consistent with their grades through the year. Ebisu had interrupted a few times with questions about the fight that morning, but the Scarecrow didn't have anything to add. He hadn't been able to check the gossip mill, and while the fight would be a major topic of conversation, there wasn't much he could do with only four days of school left. Nor was there much Ebisu could do.

He had just pulled out his book to take a break when he heard the pounding of feet as students raced back from the cafeteria to get their stuff and head home. Knowing this meant that he had yet another PPT to attend, he mournfully put down his novel. The halls were already emptying as the English teacher turned the corner and meandered down to the guidance department. He paused at the main doors, however, when something caught his eye and ear. Kakashi leaned against the wall, glanced at his watch like he was waiting for someone, and pulled out his book.

Since it was a delightfully warm (okay, hot) day, both sets of double doors had been held open to try and coax in a breeze. As such, he could hear the rumble of the buses outside and the roar of students screaming with their freedom. But what was really holding his attention was right inside the double doors.

"I want you to understand a few things about this summer, young lady," came a wrinkled old voice.

"Yes, Granma." That was Temari's sullen tone.

"I won't have any of those boys of yours over at my house; do you understand? None. You have to call me whenever you get to where you're going, call me when you leave, and being late is inexcusable. You're becoming a wild child, and I'll not have that in any of my grandchildren. Am I clear?"

"Yes, Granma."

"You're passing all your classes?"

"Yes, Granma."

"You won't be seeing either of those awful teammates you had to endure."

"Yes, Granma."

"Your cell phone will have a limited number of minutes for each month. It should be enough for whenever you call me when you arrive or leave anywhere you go."

"Yes, Granma."

"And you're to tell me wherever you're going."

"Yes, Granma."

"And if I say no, you won't go."

"Yes, Granma."

"Good. I'm glad we understand each other. Tomorrow is your last final, correct?"

"Yes, Granma."

"Then that's your last day of school. You can wish your friends a good summer then."

"Yes, Granma."

"Now come along. I've got a proper lunch for you on the stove at home."

"Yes, Granma."

The rumble of the buses roared as they started to roll away from the school. Kakashi shut his book and looked up to the ceiling, absently noting that some of the ceiling tiles were missing. Temari's behavior over the school year now made more sense. She was seeking freedom wherever she could grab it. Since her grandmother never spoke with the school outside of when she argued against Temari's punishment for bullying Sakura, none of the teachers from fifth grade on up were able to figure out why she always acted out. However, the question remained on whether or not those restrictions placed on Temari just now were because of her behavior or if they were because her grandmother was just a strict old bat. If it was because of Temari's behavior, such as her harem that followed her and tried to do her every whim, then the old woman was right to start laying down restrictions. But Kakashi had a feeling that this was how she was all the time.

He sighed.

Kakashi heard his name paged, so he finished his initial wandering into the guidance conference room, pushing Temari from his mind as he dealt with the next student who needed his undivided attention.

Thursday went much quieter, since the second half of the half day was reserved for make up exams. After he kicked out the last student from his G Period, Kakashi went about grading, taking a break from time to time to start packing up his room. Supposedly, they'd be getting new floors over the summer, so all teachers had been asked to pack up their classrooms so that the workers could do what they needed. Since the students couldn't leave after their G Period exam, they had gathered in certain spots around the building according to grade, with teachers keeping an eye on them. Eighth grade gathered at the gym, seventh in the auditorium, etc.

Nobody showed up for the English teacher's make up exam, so, he went about his grading and packing in relative peace. It was half way through the period that he looked up from his grading to address Sasuke, who had quietly arrived and taken a seat on his couch.

"Shouldn't you be at the auditorium?"

"Hn."

Kakashi said nothing and went back to grading. Sasuke would talk when he was ready. He finished up with F Period, Sasuke's class, and turned to start entering grades into his computer, letting his tapping of keys almost echo in the room.

"I'm changing homes."

The Scarecrow stopped. Slowly, he swiveled his chair around and looked at the dark boy.

"Oh?"

"I won't be staying with Kabuto any more. He's needed for another kid that needs medical attention."

"I see."

"..."

"Do you know who your new foster parents are going to be?"

"Not yet. They'll be moving me in two weeks."

"Another upheaval."

"Aah."

They sat together as the automatic lights clicked off. "You've had a lot of sudden changes in your life this year."

"You think?"

"You believe all changes have been bad."

Sasuke glared at him. "Parents dying, Itachi beating my ass, stuck in a foster home with an ice cube, running from Itachi, watching him stab you. Gee, wonder why."

Kakashi countered. "Meeting Naruto and Sakura, going with Sakura and her family on vacation, getting Itachi out of your life, finding people you can trust and depend on. Yes, I wonder why."

Sasuke scowled.

Kakashi smiled impassively.

"So," the Scarecrow said, "do you know that this move will be bad for you?"

"...No."

"But it could be?"

"... ...Yes."

"And you're scared of it?"

Glare.

"So scared isn't the word. The point is that you've finally found a balance for yourself. It may not be ideal, but you can remain relatively happy. Now that happiness is put in jeopardy. You're not sure what to do."

"Isn't this where you tell me to go to my team?"

"Really?" Kakashi grinned blithely. He sobered. "I'm not saying that foster care is perfect and that you'll end up with someone for you the way Yondaime is for Naruto. I went through a few really bad foster homes before I ended up with someone I could stay with. But remember, you have options. Kids in foster homes don't always realize that. Remember, I offered you the phone for DCF. You couldn't do that to your brother, and very few could. But you could probably do it more easily for a foster who doesn't take proper care of you. You may end up with another Kabuto who is just a being who shares your house, but you can find your balance again. If you're lucky, you could end up with a family that actually compliments you enough that you can be happy in your house.

"But remember, your home will always be with Naruto and Sakura. Both have worked really hard to make a home for you, and you won't ever lose it."

Sasuke smirked. "You preach too much, Kakashi-sensei."

"One does one's best."

At the end of the day, as the students raced back to their lockers to get ready to leave, Kakashi once more headed down for another PPT. As he weaved through the students, Kurenai appeared at his side.

"Kakashi," she said smiling. "Shino will be going to an entomology camp. He just spent last period talking to me about it. He's really very excited."

"That's good to know."

"He was concerned about Hinata and Kiba, though. He wants to make sure they're okay."

"Oh?" Kakashi grinned. "What did you tell him?"

Kurenai offered a small chuckled. "Something that sounded like you, I'm sure. I told him that Kiba has a home and things are looking up for him. Hinata doesn't have to worry about summer school or grades over vacation, so she'll be happy. I told him that they can always write one another and that camp wasn't for the entirety of vacation. They'd see each other again."

The Scarecrow reached out and put a hand on the science teacher's shoulder. "You're going to be just fine here."

"Of course," she retorted. "Didn't I say that at the beginning of the year?"

He laughed as the two of them entered the office. Kurenai went to check her mail while Kakashi cut through to guidance and its conference room.

"You're late!" Iruka and Naruto growled.

"Sorry, but I just realized that I'm going to have six weeks without students. What on earth am I going to do with myself?"

Yondaime laughed the same laugh as the Yellow Flash once more. Kakashi felt the familiar clenching in his abdomen, but ignored as usual, reminding himself that Yondaime and the Yellow Flash were not the same man.

"So," Yondaime chuckled, "what's my little brat looking at this summer?"

"Last year," Iruka started, "Naruto had to go to summer school for math, English and science; he only just barely squeaked by with history. This year, however, is much different."

"Indeed," Kakashi agreed. "He's aced his final in English, --"

"I did? Yes!"

"-- has maintained a solid B in history and a C with Kurenai-sensei."

"But," Yondaime frowned, "we get to the math."

"Yes. Asuma-sensei is probably grading the final now, and Naruto's math skills have improved significantly.

"Unfortunately," Iruka sighed, "the gaps he's had in his math education over the years have been too much to overcome in just a year. He'll have to be in summer school."

Yondaime nodded.

"Normally, I teach summer school," Kakashi continued, "but someone else is this year, Yamato-sensei from the other team."

"What?" Naruto whined. "But Kakashi-sensei! I'd rather learn under you!"

He grinned. "Whatever makes you think I won't be visiting?"

"Sensei!" he replied indignantly.

Yondaime reached out and ruffled Naruto's blond hair. "And in other news, over the summer, the two of us will be going through an adoption procedure."

Kakashi blinked. Iruka sat up straighter.

"Oh?"

"Yup. We've been talking about it for a few weeks now. This little rascal's going to be all mine."

"Now I just need to get you a wife," Naruto muttered.

"Hey! We agreed my love life wasn't any of your concern!"

"Love life? What love life? You've admitted you haven't been on a date in over five years! How's that a love life? And soaps don't count!"

"I've been busy! You know how work is! And what's wrong with watching soap operas anyway?"

"You're a guy aren't you? And despite being so busy with work you still have time to raise me right! You need something to come home to that's a little softer than me!"

"You little brat!"

"You old geezer!"

"Ahem." That was Kakashi. "We're very glad to hear the news. We'll leave you to your familial bickering now."

Friday, Kakashi was very unsurprised to see very, very few kids in his homeroom. Frankly, given that most of the student population had taken their finals when they were supposed to and not rearranged them, the attendance list should be a tally of who was here and not a list of who was absent. The English teacher held his make up for the first exam of the day and all the students he was missing showed up. This was very good. It meant that at the end of the day, he could leave and be done. He could spend the second exam period grading and would have all his grades in before the weekend. Excellent.

But before he got grading, however, he needed to check in with his team. They had an awards ceremony next week, after all, and he needed the list of students getting awards so he could start making printouts. So he checked in with Gai (slipping out before the long-winded, flowery speech got into full swing) and Iruka (who just pointed to a sheet of paper on his desk before rushing out of the room for another PPT) and headed to Kurenai's corner science lab.

Inside he was rather surprised to see a pair of extra faces. Hinata was sitting on one of the science tables and Neji was standing beside her. At the teacher's table was Kurenai, smiling brightly. Kakashi knocked politely on the door.

"Kakashi-sensei," Hinata smiled.

"Sensei," Neji bowed his head.

"Yo. So how are you two doing?"

"Neji-nii-san has been far too kind."

Neji grunted.

"What brings the two of you here? I would have thought you both finished your finals yesterday."

"I did, but Hinata wanted to take the make up for her E Period class."

The exam that had been shortened due to the fight earlier that week.

"I see," he replied, smiling. "So now you're both waiting for the buses?"

"M-my parents aren't able to pull away from work today."

"Nor mine."

Kakashi nodded.

"Any plans for the summer?" Kurenai asked.

Hinata looked down.

"We normally tour museums and other educational facilities over the summer. However, Hinata and I have convinced our parents to get a cottage at the beach towards the end of August."

Oh it must have taken a lot for Hinata to suggest it. But Neji certainly fought for it.

"That's very good," Kurenai smiled.

"Yes," Kakashi grinned. "Shino's apparently been worried about you and Kiba for when he's off to camp."

"H-he has?" Hinata gave an embarrassed but gentle smile. "He needn't be."

"What about you, Kakashi-sensei. Why are you here?"

"Ever blunt I see. Well, for starters, Hinata, I'd like to reassure you that you've passed my class with an eighty. All your hard work has paid off. But more importantly..." he turned to the science teacher, "I need the award listings for next week."

"Oh drat. I haven't finished it. I'll drop by at the end of the day."

Kakashi nodded, smiled at the two Hyuga children, and went off to get Asuma's list.

In Asuma's room, he found another unexpected face.

"Ino."

"Scarecrow-sensei."

"I'm guessing that you wanted the E Period make-up today?"

"Yes," she replied, her chin resting delicately in her hand. "Were you looking for me?"

Kakashi ignored the tone in that last line and turned to Sudoku-sama. "Do you have the award list for next week?"

"Yup. Right here." Asuma's fingers flashed. "See me later. You'll get a laugh out of this."

"Thanks. I'll drop by during lunch if I find any discrepancies."

"You do that."

Once out the door, Kakashi couldn't help but grin to himself. He was looking forward to whatever it was that Asuma had to say. However, before he got to his room, the English teacher was interrupted yet again.

"Kakashi-sensei!"

He turned, rather surprised. "Li?"

"Kakashi-sensei! I wish to say several things, since next year I will be at the high school and unlikely to see you ever again!"

Kakashi blinked. "Oh?"

"Yes! I wish to apologize for my disrespectful behavior when I was engaging the Uchiha in discussion."

More like battle.

"I also wish to apologize for any worry or headaches I may have caused you in my quest to discover myself while I was under your team's care."

That was one way to put it.

"Finally, I wish to apologize for thinking that you were a crusty old man who could never compare to the great Gai-sensei!"

... Huh?

"I also wish to say that I will miss your lessons up at the high school, for I hear that all they have you do is practice for state testing. You, at least, allowed us free expression, even if I never knew what I wanted to express!"

Oh, Li knew what he wanted to express just fine last year.

"So, Kakashi-sensei, I wish to show my everlasting Youth by giving you an embrace and bidding you farewell!"

Kakashi sidestepped very quickly. "Why don't we just shake hands?" he offered.

"Of course! Kakashi-sensei!"

Li's handshake was crushing and quick, but once he was done, he raced across the hall into Gai's room.

The English teacher chuckled to himself and went back to work

Later, after the students had disappeared into lunch, Kakashi wandered into Asuma's room, curious on what the math teacher had to share. He was rather surprised (that seemed to be a running theme that day) to see Asuma laughing to himself.

"This ought to be good," the Scarecrow commented, sinking into the seat he usual sat at for Team Time.

"Oh it is." Asuma leaned back. "You know how Ino's been going out with a different guy every week?"

"Yes. To get Sasuke's attention."

"That's not the case any more."

Kakashi raised a hidden eyebrow. "This should be interesting."

"Well, it seems that Shikamaru's washed his hands of her. He found her in a heavy lip-lock with Yasamichi, one of the eighth graders and finally told her off."

Kakashi couldn't help but grin. Lazy Shikamaru had finally been pushed too far.

"Well, it seems that he pulled her aside and proceeded to lecture her so thoroughly, she was sure that she was deliberately going out with guys to hurt herself by becoming an object, something to be used, etc. He even yelled at her about STDs. Then, after she fled in tears, he told her parents about everything she's been doing."

"You're right," Kakashi agreed. "This is good."

"Oh, it gets better. You've met her mother right? Well, apparently she's grounded for the rest of the summer and forbidden from seeing any of her friends outside of her own home with her parents supervising."

"Not the best of punishments, but it might work on Ino."

"But you see," Asuma sobered briefly, "they were banning certain students from coming over and one of them was Chouji."

"Oh, no."

"Well, it seems that our little blonde socialite has become rather fond of her plump teammate. She went nuclear on her parents for that and then called Shikamaru to get some sort of backup on it."

"Really? How out of character for her. This year she's only been tolerating her team."

"According to her, she actually likes them a lot. Never had any friends that got so close before, not even Sakura, so she didn't really know how to act. After Shikamaru's explosion, she's gotten a clue. It's taken a lot of work, but both Shikamaru and Chouji are going to be welcome at Ino's house any time. Anyone else gets watched by Ino's parents.

Kakashi couldn't help but smile. "It looks like she finally bought into the team idea doesn't it?"

"Indeed. Seeing Sasuke with Sakura all year is probably the only thing that really got in Ino's way. But I think she's going to be alright."

"Good."

Kakashi left not long after that, with nothing but the lightest of feelings for the weekend.