"I'm afraid even the bonds of family won't be enough to hold this boy's heart!"
"Who do you think he is? The blood of the Uchiha Clan would never betray its own loved ones. And when all those so-called 'good people' are dead, we will be the last 'good people' and 'heroes.'"
"Kakashi-sensei! Kakashi-sensei! Kakashi-sensei!"
"Uh... what is it?"
Sakura's repeated calls eventually turned into a scream, snapping Kakashi out of his daze. He looked at her in confusion, while Sakura angrily pointed toward the village and replied with a stern face.
"Mr. Tazuna asked you to go over there! Honestly, Sensei, what have you been thinking about? Why have you been so absentminded these past few days?"
Sakura's dissatisfied complaint earned only a faint smile and a wave of Kakashi's hand before he turned and headed into the village. Kakashi would not share the thoughts and concerns in his heart with twelve-year-old Sakura. There was simply no possibility of communication between them.
Over the past few days, Kakashi had suddenly noticed that Sasuke had become very different. For some reason, he always felt that there was something slightly off about Sasuke, though he could not truly figure out what it was. The boy had always been like a closed jar. Even though every problem was written on his face, he now seemed to be hiding the thoughts in his heart. This greatly surprised Kakashi. How had Sasuke become so reserved? Though still immature, Sasuke had learned to conceal his true emotions.
Do not assume that hiding one's true feelings was necessarily a good thing. If a young boy went from being completely open to becoming reserved, it could only mean that he wanted to hide things he did not want others to know. Sasuke's childhood had been tragic. After