"Sensei, you're not going to believe me when I say this… and I don't really care because you really need to believe me."

The two were standing in front of the gate, needing to talk somewhere no one in the village could hear them (and hopefully no one from the outside either). Minato had dragged his sensei out before starting the conversation, ignoring his sensei's whines and complains about being dragged away from the "most crucial part of his research" which the Hokage had to snort at. Jiraiya stood opposite to Minato, arms crossed in utter defeat and deflation when he had to be forcefully removed from his previous and precious area before he drew a sigh, rubbing his nape. "What is it? And tell me quickly so I can return to my precious research."

A poker-faced look arrived at both the fact Jiraiya dared to hurry him and the fact that he cared for his research more than his student (ouch), before Minato simply said without—with much difficulty, "the Kyūbi's seal was transferred from Kushina to Kakashi without any harm being done." The ball of tightness landed at the base of his throat, and he was itching to reach into his mouth and pull it out.

There was a silence that Minato never did like; it was very strong, like as if the moon could suddenly drop onto his face, and he could hear that loud and clear. The face on sensei's face was scary, too. It happened to be very stoic, a look the older male would never have stitched on his face unless he was stal—watching wom—people. There was only a sign of a tic right above his eyebrow, and then the twitch before the question. "Which kid did you say?"

A gulp before he spoke, he hated when Jiraiya had to ask a specific detail he wished he misheard but didn't, "Kakashi."

"The Hatake?"

"He's the only one of Konoha who is actually called a scarecrow… as far as I am aware… sensei."

That was when both Minato and Jiraiya knew the elder never blew up like that ever since… ever since never, actually. He spent his whole life trying to better that kid's life (Minato knew), and now to hear that the kid was burdened with a monster that could potentially kill him with one single word, or a single flick of his finger, or maybe his own chakra—or whatever it happened to be. Kakashi wasn't supposed to be—"why the hell is he the Jinchūriki!?"

"Jiraiya sensei!" Minato snapped, his hand flying to cover Jiraiya's own; the latter retaliated, flailing his arms and legs to try and get the blond off of him. But the shorter male only followed him onto the ground and they started rolling across the ground, no where close to stopping their little… fight. "You cannot just blurt that out!" Minato warned, or at least tried to, "what if someone hears you!?"

"EXCUSE ME!?" A shout—which happened to be so loud that Minato swore his ears started bleeding at that moment—erupted as they tumbled into the line of trees, "why can't I blurt out that goddamn sentence when it's goddamn Hatake Kakashi we're talking about here!? And besides, we're rolling into trees—TREES, AND WE'RE EDGING AWAY FROM THE VILLAGE, AND NO ONE CAN HEAR US AT THIS DISTANCE—PLEASE, I THOUGHT YOU WERE THE SMART ONE."

"OF COURSE THEY CAN, YOU OLD MAN." Thank goodness this wasn't his girlfriend Minato was dealing with—or else he would've dug his own grave before this whole thing happened because that woman was terrifying, "you're shouting as loud as one can get—the world doesn't need to be shifted just yet, sensei." Minato growled, trying to keep the male under control. Under control. "No one should know about this, so please just keep quiet!" Before Kakashi gets attacked right beneath our noses—I doubt Sakumo would want that to happen to Kakashi. Jiraiya's fumbling finally died and the elder glared at the younger male as the latter finally peeled himself off. "Look, I happened to read the research Kakashi came up with, and found out that the Sage had two sons."

"The Sage? You mean the Sage?"

"Yes, that one." Minato answered, brushing off the dirt on his cloak, "anyway, I learnt that the two sons created a seal that contained ten percent of the Kyūbi's chakra, and that ten percent carried the most important bit the Jinchūriki needed to fully control the beast."

(Fear is a need in living. Without it, there is no such thing as courage.)

"The Bijū's cloak, I'm guessing."

"Exactly." The shorter male nodded as he helped his sensei to a stand; a small apology escaping his lips, "to be honest, after reading the scrolls and books of information, I still don't know what in the world is happening, and that is until I read one scroll… it happened to be a… well, it was some sort of family tree. Really faded, but still readable." The look on Jiraiya's face urged him to continue, "the Sage's bloodline… carried through his son, called his Yin, falls all the way through the Uchiha clan, and finally stops at one female."

"I don't think I like where this is going, Minato. Please don't tell me it's—"

"Her name's Maiko, and that is all I know about her."

There was a sharp inhale and Jiraiya drew a hand up, pinching the bridge of his nose as his brows started to furrow. The name—he knew the name so very well. She was an old friend, a pretty damn good-looking lady of Konoha. He remembered that even Tsunade respected her, and highly. Maiko was a marvellous kunoichi with ebony hair, and ebony eyes to match and who was of great Ninjutsu skill—and not to mention, an expert in Iryō Jinjutsu. She had a face that carried beauty known far and wide, a voice that soothed, and a smile that embedded itself onto one child when he smiled. He still remembered her touch when she tried to comfort him after Tsunade's rejection to his love. She had a mother's caring fingers, weaving themselves into his hair as he petted his head, lips spilling out complains on how Tsunade was being mean, and assurances that if Jiraiya did something that could change the world in a good way, Tsunade would open her heart a tad bit.

"Sensei?"

(Though life is mysterious in its own way, it is worth it… don't you think?)

The said male opened his eyes, and a sad look made it onto his face when he realised he was buried into his thoughts a bit too deeply for his own liking; a tight smile formed as he tipped his head to the side—the look was a look that could be interpreted as the male's heart was crumbling on the inside, and the expression was enough to send Minato to a deafening drop: "her maiden name's Uchiha Maiko." A small pause, and then that single chuckle—reminding himself to not break… he did promise, anyway, "however," he said, "us Sānin remember her as Hatake Maiko, the Lady of Konoha… and Kakashi's mother."

—

How long had it been after that incident? Now this question was tough to answer since the village was fixed too quickly for anyone to notice anything strange or anything slightly different thank usual, Obito and Rin swore to not say anything, and Kakashi moved in with Kushina and Minato—it was the only way to make sure he wasn't attacked by anyone. But did Kurama miss the Hatake compound. It was a nice distance out of the main square, but a bad distance away from the Hokage; the training grounds were good, actually, they were the best… or so says Kakashi, and Minato. Kurama didn't spend all that long, but it was nice to know something the Naruto brat would never know—and there he was, thinking about Naruto again. Now that Kakashi let the fox see his memories, now his own—okay, it wasn't really memories, it was more of a… vision, or some sorts—was returning to him, he remembered the moments when Naruto was always casted aside, always been called a demon. For the last time, he was only a child—oh, for goodness sake!

Will you stop glaring at my butt?

Kurama blinked out of his thoughts and looked around, noticing he moved to the kitchen. He was standing in the corner, arms folded on his chest, and apparently, his eyebrows were furrowed as he was thinking… and it looked like—yeah, it looked like he was glaring at Kakashi's ass. Sorry, your highness. Kurama snorted with little enthusiasm, letting the sarcasm dip. He caught Kakashi's snarl of warning but Kurama ignored it and made his way to the kid, who happened to be washing the dishes. Again. Doesn't the kid even take care of his hands? You ought to stop doing things for them.

Why? Kakashi replied, scrunching his nose at the fox's words, they've done so much for me, so why not?

You do realise that you've done over a thousand missions. Kurama added, leaning against the counter just like last time—though he kept his hands away from the sink, not to mention 42 of those are S-Rank, you've done more than Minato himself! He's only done—

39 S-Rank missions. I know. Kakashi quickly interjected, afraid that the fox would linger on the topic far longer than he predicted. He stepped away from the sink, drying his hands after placing the dishes onto their rack. "But what is the point you're trying to make exactly?" He asked, turning on his feet to make his way out of the kitchen. He heard the soft patters from Kurama's feet following him and he planted himself on the couch, patting the empty space next to him.

Kurama let loose a groan and shifting into his fox form—not exactly fox form, it was more of his real form… but of a tinier size… he appeared very cat-like—and curled into a ball, snorting that time, you've done too much Mr. I-Have-Completed-1141-Missions.

"You remembered how many missions I went on?"

Ouch, yes. Kurama whined as he dug his finger—claw, or paw-thing—into his ear at Kakashi's sudden outburst, someone has to keep track of your life—and uh, that someone has to be me since I'm going to be stuck with you for however long years. He took a moment to pause, looking at Kakashi's very shocked face—oh yeah, now he could clearly see what the brat was thinking because his mask was gone for good (brat finally respected his father)—and didn't expect the next move. Being the size of a cat, he should have a very good reaction speed, but for this—no idea why, but he was slower than usual. The next thing he felt were arms, very warm arms wrapping around his small frame, his thick nine tails pressed against his own build at the sudden contraction. He was cut off his air, but loosened after his squeak.

He was hugged.

An unusual feeling. A very unusual for the Kyūbi. He had never been hugged that way, maybe Hagoromo did, but never with someone… someone like the Hatake brat. It was a very… snug feeling, almost like a feeling that Kurama would happily find himself in. He had been shunned for how many centuries? Locked up in a jar, locked up in a person, locked away from everyone—everyone loathed Kurama, everyone wanted his chakra. Needed his chakra. But the Hatake was so much different. So much different that Kurama found his nose snuggling against the base of the brat's neck. How long would it take to find someone this warm? Possibly a decade or more, depends on how fast his future self let Naruto grow on him.

(He can help you change, he can help you grow.)

Kakashi peeled himself away, a light blush dusting his cheeks as he gulped down a pack of air, "sorry," he said, eyes casted away from the fox, "that was… involuntary, let me just… get back to work." He coughed once and pushed himself into a stand, making his way back into the kitchen. What the hell, Kakashi? He thought to himself, dragging a hand down his face with a groan. Stupid, stupid me. Kurama hates all sorts of contact, so why the hell did I just do that? Geez, Naruto's habit is growing onto me. He released a groan and continued… chopping the carrots, which he just started right then. The sound of the door opening caught his attention and he left he kitchen with the knife in hand, popping his head out of the doorway, "ah, sensei!"

"For the last time, it's 'tou-san'!" Minato growled as he snapped his hands up and into his hair, grabbing onto several locks and pulling, "stop calling me that, Kashi! It makes me feel so… so old, and I am not old!"

Aren't you old, though?

Kakashi had to drop the knife and rush forward to hold Minato back from killing the fox; his sensei's killer intent was so loud—"sensei, calm yourself!" Kakashi squeaked as he tried his utter best to hold back the older male—though it was actually quite tough because the older male was nearly double his height and double his weight. oh, the striking reality stung Kakashi to his core. Was it too much to ask that he went back in time with his older body? Yes? Fine, he'll shut up for now.

"Just because my blond hair's dulling, it doesn't mean I'm old, you fox!" Minato roared, arms flailing around as he tried to peel away from Kakashi's hold, "let me at him, Kashi!"

"NO!" Kakashi howled, pulling Minato into the kitchen, and a good distance away from the growing-tired fox, "unless you want Kaa-chan to find you with all the cuts and bruises and whatnot—then how the hell are you supposed to tell her what happened? You can't just say that you attacked the Kyūbi because he called you old—heck, she'll kill you for heading in so blindly."

Minato stopped in a split second, and removed Kakashi's arms from himself as he started staring at the kid with shock, "you call Kushina 'Kaa-chan', and yet you call me 'sensei'?" He paused, "why!?"

"Because you've been teaching me since I was six! Six! That's seven years down the line, I can't just call you 'tou-san'! Unlike Kaa-chan, whom has the best mother-like nature!" Kakashi explained while it was his turn to flail his arms about, "come on! Cut me some slack, sensei! Sensei!" Kakashi ran after the retreating form of the Hokage—his blond hair, usually defying gravity, gone droop because Kakashi wouldn't call him what he wanted the child to call him.

(He's a stubborn one, but you'll love him.)

Kurama watched from the sofa and drew a snort—he had to say, the exchange Kakashi and the blond ball of sappiness was highly entertaining—before returning back to his ball before he felt the scruff of his neck grabbed and he was hauled off the furniture, he lashed out in anger because he was so close to falling asleep before he saw the flash of red—it was Kushina. What the hell do you want, brat?

"Stop sleeping." Kushina answered Kurama's question, lowering him to the floor. There was a slight shift in the atmosphere and the fox faded into his other form, his man-like existence cutting into Kushina's view, "like seriously, Kakashi's made Jōnin just three days ago, I wouldn't be surprised that the Minato would send him on a few missions." She paused and went back tot he entrance of their apartment, picking up Minato's sandals, "I expect you to help him."

What am I? A monster who doesn't care for humans? The look on Kushina's face was his answer, oy, I'm not all that bad. I just have a major anger issue. He snorted once (and again) and moved away from his previous Jinchūriki, now actually opting to help Kakashi settle his issue with Minato. The fox found this all too weird at first, and he still found it that way. He believed Minato and Kushina had hated him to the core of his soul, but… just by his own mere words of truth, they succumbed to it. But how? And why? Was it all for the world's sake? Kakashi's? How about Naruto? Did Minato finally figure out the risk he will be taking if Kushina were to give birth? The Hokage was a smart man, so why not? Kurama sighed at the thought, and pushed the door open—

"Ryōken!"

—

"Maiko!"

The raven-haired women with strong ebony eyes, once her name reached her ears, stayed put in her spot—right in front of the market—opting to watch a rather familiar white-haired man running towards her still frame. She waited until he was by her side before she spoke, "what is it, Jiraiya?"

"I just wanted to tell you congrats!"

"What for?" The confused look on her face just made her a tad bit prettier than Tsuande herself. Damn, why didn't he make the first move? Damn Sakumo and his quick actions.

Jiraiya forced the blush to recede back into his skin before coughing out once and into a fist, only to crack a grin just after. "I heard you're expecting!"

The Lady of Konoha blushed several degrees, hiding her cheeks with her hands as a timid smile made it to her rose red lips; she laughed softly and her eyes crinkled to match crescent moons, "thanks, Jiraiya-kun," she paused, dropping her arms back to her side before humming, "say, how's Minato?"

"He's doing alright—thank you for helping him out." The Sānin quickly added, rubbing the back of his neck sheepishly, "he's out cold, but I think he's doing better than the first time!"

Maiko nodded, "of course he is, I'm the one who helped." She laughed brightly before tucking a loose strand behind her ear, somewhat looking sheepish at her own remark, "anyway, I ought to go… Sakumo must be looking for me by now."

"Aish," Jiraiya said, shaking his head with the click of his tongue; crossing his arms over his chest, "that man, as much as I love him, I hate him, too." He paused and continued after Maiko's confused look returned, "he snagged himself a perfect one!"

"Geez!" Maiko proceeded to slap Jiraiya on his arm, laughing once again.

The Sānin was mesmerised, and why? She was an Uchiha. An Uchiha . A guy like him would never have a chance to go near such a person! They kept themselves secluded most of the time, and married within their own compound, but she had left and moved in with Sakumo; something everyone was surprised to hear. The one thing he hated was how the family, hers in particular, stared down at her like as if she betrayed their blood. Jiraiya hated that because she found her one true love and to have the family look at her in that way—but she was fine, she told him, well, repeated to him every single time he asked her about it. As much as she wanted her family to respect her decision, she very well knew they wouldn't. The only time where she felt like one of them once again was when she awakened her Mangekyō; Jiraiya hadn't seen it, but he knew it was something extraordinary, something far weirder and more complex than the average type. Probably it had something to do with time? It seemed possible—but then again, anything was possible.

"Hey, you're thinking too much." Jiraiya blinked as he heard Maiko, eyes scattering and finding themselves resting on her face. She recognised that look on his own façade, and a soft smile was triggered, "I'm doing okay, so don't worry about it! Sakumo is my family; you, Tsunade, even that cute little Minato." She paused, settling herself to chuckle, "I am no longer an Uchiha, I'm now a Hatake. I'm now the Lady of Konoha—how cool is that?" She paused yet again, fiddling with her fingers as she shifted her feet, "I guess… I have to soak myself in compliments for the time I have left."

"You haven't told—"

"No." She interjected, "he mustn't know, and the Uchiha doesn't care."

"You have to tell Sakumo—"

"He will find out eventually—he's the White Fang: the smart one." She added just as quickly, shaking her head with another laugh escaping her lips, "I have a letter for you to give my son."

The male cracked a smile—Maiko always dreamed to having a boy, "his name?"

"If it is a boy—it must be a boy because he will be so very cute since I'm pretty and Sakumo's handsome—Kakashi." Maiko replied, handing over an envelope—it wasn't think, there was a possibility of it being a home to only one sheet of paper (her handwriting's small), "give it to him when the time is right. I trust you with this. Please don't ever forget."

"I won't." A pause, "I promise you."

—

The next thing Kurama was aware of was that Minato was planted right on his chest—the two instantly flew out of the room, only to collide into Kushina and the three were thrown out of the building. The single boom that sounded wrecked the village for a good five seconds before the ANBU came in and caught the three before any of them could make contact with the ground; Lynx had Minato whilst Bear had Kushina; Boar had Kurama, and she moved away very quickly since the chakra pouring out of Kurama was too immense for her to hold. The fox growled, remembering to keep his human form in check whilst checking up on the other two. What the heck did you do!? Kurama howled, his feet almost booming as he stored closer to Minato.

"I didn't do anything—!"

Glass shattered and two forms—one with silver locks, and the other with stark ebony—shot out from the apartment; Kakashi had a hound locked onto his chakra, and the other had a fiery dragon made of pure Katon. Kurama didn't know who the other one was, but easily suspected he was dangerous, the chakra he withheld was immense as heck—the fox jumped and threw Kakashi out of the line of fire only to have his build scorching from the attack; he growled and tackled the assailant straight on, letting his chakra explode. Red chakra screamed and the assailant flew back a good 75 feet, enough time for Kurama to make sure Kakashi wasn't hurt. He was hidden by the trees, Kurama knew, and focused his senses on the Hatake; a small groan made it to his ears and he wasted no time—he managed to get back inside Kakashi before the attacker designed the ambush—Kakashi pushed himself into a stand and blocked an uppercut to his chin.

"Katon: Ōrashi no Ryu!" (Fire Release: Raging Storm of The Dragon) The attacker shrieked out, his skin turning ablaze.

The man-gone-young jumped back before he could be inflamed, his eyes narrowing as he tried to get his senses back on track. Kurama, that… that Jutsu!

No shit, this guy's a true Katon master.

Kakashi watched as his assailant (how many more must he fight until they realise it's too hard to get him?) slam his palms onto the ground, unleashing a raging column of fire, and successfully encaging him within it. The Hatake had no choice but to use Suiton since Katon could only be stopped by that nature—the thing was, even if Kakashi could preform Suiton, it was still a handful to conjure since his chakra had a lightning affinity—only. I think you need to stock up your chakra for me, Kurama. I don't think my chakra is enough for anything after this Jutsu.

Do it.

After finishing the string of hand signs, Kakashi didn't hesitate with his chosen Jutsu, "Suiton: Suiryūdan no Jutsu!" (Water Release: Water Dragon Blast Technique) Was the Jutsu he chose, and he took into account of the emotion of recognition flowing out of Kurama. The fox know that it was powerful attack that could create a huge current of water in the shape of a dragon, which is then sent towards the opponent. Essentially a devastating single target attack, few are the Shinobi who can suffer a hit from this technique and continue to fight.

Kurama seriously hoped that Kakashi's Jutsu would put an end in this stupid fight—water surged and collided, and there was a gag for air. The forest was flooded in an instant, and not even waiting for Kakashi's command, Kurama drew himself to the surface and jumped up high and past the trees—his eyes scanned for any friendlies (or any other foes) but his sense caught Minato. Over here, you brat! He shouted, catching the blond's attention as he start gathering his chakra within.

Minato caught the shout and summoned his chakra, then in split nanoseconds he appeared next to Kakashi—having already placed his seal on his tantō. Kurama's chakra was enough to keep himself standing in mid-air, and Minato had to hold onto Kakashi's outstretched hand to keep him from dropping no less than 50 feet. "Do you have any idea who this guy is?" He paused, "his Katon is amazing."

Now's not really the time to be ogling at his power, kid. Kurama, not really wanting to recede into the shadows just yet, drew a short snort, this one's a Rogue… must be looking for the price on the Kit's head.

"Kakashi has a price on his head?"

With power like this—like mine—he's already made it to a handful of Bingo Books. Not to mention he's already a Jōnin… which makes this really all the more worse than it should be. Kurama explained, answering the Hokage's question as he poured his chakra into Minato, just enough to let the Kage stand on his own two feet. He surveyed the chakra pouring out of the assailant's hands—it was merely pure Katon. Not unless Kurama was losing the ability to sense Chakra. This guy could be of Uchiha descent, knowing that the Clan was famous for their Katon abilities, and he did have black hair… the eyes, not too sure. The mask was tempting enough for Kurama's claws—anyway, the guy didn't seem like an Uchiha as well: his Chakra was way too off, and his Chakra reserves were kind of shit, if Kurama were to look close enough—who the heck are you? I can't decipher you.

The assailant cackled to loudly for Kurama's liking, and started jumping onto branch after branch until he was in Kurama's line of view; a manic sneer could be sensed even with the mask, "that's the point, why the hell should I let you read me?" There was a moment of silence, and it was Kurama's mistake for moving too slow—"Gouka Hataka no Jutsu!" (Fire Release: Hellfire Clap) It was a Jutsu of catastrophic might: calling forth chakra from their deepest reserves. Since the last hand sign was Hitsūji (as Kurama finally saw), in that moment a wave of destructive fire flew, engulfing all around them. Spread about in a circle, that technique also had the nasty side-effect of searing through anything it comes into contact with. If in its path lay a large basin of water, it would evaporate in seconds, for example. Defensive Jutsu are defeated by this technique as well, for its intensity was just out there.

Oh, sweet fish! Kurama growled out and unleashed his cloak—a warm gold of some sorts engulfing the Kage and himself, also not forgetting to create a massive wall just by the side of Konoha that could be affected by the fire, Kurama didn't know how much it would hold because he was already feeling the scorching heat… whoever gave birth to this kid, let Kurama kill them quickly and quietly in their sleep. There was a chirp by his left, easily catching his senses—he tossed Minato over his shoulder and took the hit; the air was driven out and he was thrown into the line of surviving trees. The fire died, leaving nothing but blackened trees and ash. The fox couldn't stop himself from sliding across the landscape, so he threw Minato to his front, thus letting his own skin—Kakashi's—make contact with a few—a lot of them—trees. Shit! The beast cried out, clamping his teeth together as the groan was forced out of his lungs. Knowing that he had no choice but to keep Minato close, he dodged all the balls of fire crashing down and aiming for his—Kakashi's feet. He was very thankful for the boy being light on his feet—

Let me up there, you'll get hurt!

This is your body, if you aren't aware!

At least I'm getting myself hurt, now move!

Kurama was forced back into the pit and Kakashi drew himself out—Minato was heavy—and he let his sensei back on his feet. "Sensei, I need you to go back to the village—"

"There is no way I'm leaving you—"

"Tou-san." Kakashi pressed, his eyes settling in stern, "you're not leaving me by protecting the village. Even if you are considered our strongest shinobi, this man cannot be defeated by you, not even that Forbidden Jutsu of yours. Now get going!" The silver haired man-turned-boy pushed the Hokage aside and successfully driving the older man away from the incoming barrage of kunai. The kid—it was Kurama instead—forced Minato to use his Hiraishin, moving to take his previous place in order to attract the assailant's view (with his hair, how could he not fail?). "Junsei Raikou Kunai no Jutsu!" (Pure Lighting Kunai Technique)

Then Kurama instantly remembered that Jutsu: he first saw it being done by an Iwa nin; the nin began to develop 4 kunai between his fingers that he can throw at his opponent, who happened to be Kakashi (or whichever Konoha nin it was) at the time. Many people often saw elemental techniques that take the form of throwing weapons as extremely low grade techniques, and the nin (definitely not Kakashi) often scoffed when they saw this technique occur (the ebony-topped idiotic shinobi just did). However, the technique was not the same as any traditional element technique. The kunai developed were made of pure, concentrated lightning, heated to the point that with the amount of power that they are thrown it it could go through almost anything it makes contact with and still do some damage. Geez, Kurama's sneer was loud enough to be heard before seen, you weren't kidding. You really want to learn all those Jutsus.

Please, I'm the Copy Ninja for a reason. Kakashi didn't hesitate and threw the kunai; a whizz of crackles shot through the atmosphere. Only one missed its mark—one hit a shoulder, another hit a knee, and the last hit the foot. He heard the pained groan and the raven-haired male was thrown back a good distance away once more; Kakashi was just about to celebrate a successful attack but only to be—

Shit, keep away from him!

"Moushou Kaseiken!" (Fierce Flame Fist) A fabled level of mastery, a Jutsu that had the ability to paint the user as a demon. These flames were much more than to create fear—the destruction of the attack was also multiplied five-fold with the reason being that the flames are being worn by the user. However, that Jutsu was a make or break technique. At that stage of mastery, the explosion itself can be controlled enough so that the user remains unharmed, but the amount of chakra it takes to both control and create such force immediately forces the user to fight at his limits.

With the immediate realisation of what the Jutsu had been—"don't use that Jutsu!" Kakashi screamed out, leaping back several feet as fire start scorching. The fire was too hot even for an experienced nin like the Hatake. He didn't even react fast enough to evade an attack to the face. He shrieked as the fingers barely missed his nose and the nails made contact with his neck; the fingers dragged downwards, and four angry scratch marks formed. Kakashi's under-armour sizzled and ripped apart, skin and muscle were exposed.

"Don't tell me what to use to kill you, my dear little sweet Kashi-chan."

That voice, I know it!—the old-turned-young was thrown into a nearby tree, his bones collapsing against the contact; he slid, only to have his hair caught by the male. He was pinned against the bark, and an awful smell of ash and burnt flesh flooded his nose. He was forced to look up, neck already straining; the fiery light of fire evaded his vision in an instant—he was shoved back into the pits of unconsciousness as Kurama took over, knowing the kid could only take so much. The fire died only for a second and that was when the face of the male was exposed: pale, and thin framed, more to lean than anything. His hair showed a slight droop, like as if his life turned for the worse—but what was so damn wrong was with the smirk. A small pool of unknown fear flooded into Kurama's system, he knew it was Kakashi who finally got a taste. The assailant fished a sword from behind his frame and forced it through Kakashi's dominant arm, earning a yelp from Kurama; he quickly covered it with a growl, but was pushed to a standstill when the eyes flashed. The male started to shape-shift into a much leaner figure than before, a snake-like tongue darting out to lick at his lips as his hair grew to reach the middle of his spine.

You disgusting son of a man I wish was never born. Kurama growled out his malice to his utter best—no wonder the Chakra smelt so familiar, why did you come back here?

"I would never allow a scoundrel like you to take what I need," a growl no where near matching the killer fox's as if on purpose to be subtle, "and besides, I need him for all our benefits."

How could killing benefit all these innocent people?

"My, my… thinking about the people now are we, Kyūbi-chan?" The male nearly cackled in amusement, "me being alive would benefit those without powers like ours."

Damn you, and damn your fucking experiments. Get the fuck out of Kakashi's life—he's mine.

"That's where you're very wrong, my dear little Bijū," a booming pause of absolute silence, and then that sneer both Kakashi and Kurama remembered being so very deadly and very, very mad, "he's already mine."

(He may be strong, but he needs your help.)

Orochimaru! Kurama snarled and in an instant, Kakashi's frame was enveloped in a blood red chakra cloak. Skin peeled, and muscles were shown. The Sharingan's tomoe whizzed and the boy fell onto all fours. Get the hell away from Kakashi, and get the fuck out of Konoha! The fox launched himself at the Sānin and dragged his claws forth—three tails erupted and he heard the snake-like man cackle in amusement. Just that little sentence was enough to send the Kyūbi on a rampage, now the fox realised. His chakra whipped around like high velocity winds and slashed as the fox attacked; he couldn't stop it. How could he? Just when he could do something good, this bastard of a ninja threatened him. Him! Out of all people—beasts!

The snake shot his hand out to grabbed at the younger male's arm, only to hiss when the chakra was so violent—he couldn't lose his only instruments. He jumped back and tried to avoid all the ambushes; scars developed on his face, legs, and torso. He didn't even notice the fourth tail. What was left of the Hatake released a howl that was enough to send Orochimaru's eyes widening just a centimetre.

Enough! With that single scream, he woke to a start; he breathed in heavily with sweat running down the length of his cheek. His heart quickened to a rapid pace and he looked around—the bridge. Kannabi. Shit. How long was he out for? (Judging from the darkness of the sky, a long while because last time he remembered it was too bright for his sore eyes—or rather, eye.) And where the hell was Minato sensei anyway? (Probably went to the front lines of the fight since he was the powerful shinobi.) "Rin, where's sensei?" Kakashi asked with a slight growl in his voice, just that he hadn't spoke in a while, and he desperately needed water.

"You're finally up." Rin sighed in relief as it washed over her soft features, a gentle smile gracing her lips as she retracted her hands away from Kakashi's mid-section. She sat on her legs and fiddled with her fingers as she waited for Kakashi to push himself into a sit, "sensei had to take care of the front line." Figures. "Obito managed to save you from that boulder…"

"He didn't get trapped, did he?"

Of course not, you darn idiot for a Kit. I saved him. The kid blinked and gave Rin a stare. Well, it wasn't Rin he was looking at. it was Kurama… in his human form. The beast had several bruises on his arms, cuts on his legs and a very pretty blackened eye. What? You didn't want the kid to die for your sake, so I might as well butt in and save the day.

"Thank you."

Kurama pushed back the blush that nearly evaded his cheeks as they wanted to paint themselves onto his skin. The smile Kakashi gave him was the same he recalled the kid's mother giving him before she passed. Maiko was a glorious women, or judging by the way she interacted with everyone (as seen in Kakashi's memories, to bad the kid couldn't see it for himself), and the Gyūki knew her. She treated him with respect. She treated all beasts with respect, Kurama guessed. She was a peculiar woman, but that just made her… her.

Rin didn't hold back her blush—the crush she had on Kakashi was lethal and very explicit—and she coughed into a fist, moving away from Kakashi, "right, so…" she started, "I have to check up on Obito. He's got his Sharingan, and Hashiri healed your wounds." She explained, noticing how Kakashi's hand automatically went to his left eye, "you don't need to worry about anything, he stopped the bleeding just in time to save your eye."

Kakashi didn't notice that Rin moved away until he felt the shift in the air when Kurama slid in to sit next to him; he felt skin grazing his own and didn't pull away. He tucked his knees against his chest and breathed out a breath he didn't realise he was holding for the past few seconds and gave Kurama a single look before giving him a grin. You've gone soft, what happened while I was inside?

Shut up, Kit. There was a growl settling in the back of the fox's throat (the Jōnin knew that the monster didn't want to answer his question). Just remember I'm doing this for Naruto's sake. The sentence brought a frown to Kakashi's face that flickered for a second (and no, it wasn't because he didn't answer his question) before the kid covered it with a laugh. The fox, out of no reason, shifted into his cat-sized fox form and curled himself into a small ball. But then again, he survives. I believe he can live to be the best without me, don't you think? I mean, it's you that I have to worry about.

Why me? Kakashi asked, nose scrunching as he watched Rin tend to Obito's wounds—he missed that. Them.

You're mine. Simple as that.

The silver-haired man-gone-young couldn't stop the flush rising in his cheeks and took the chance to bury his face in the cracks of his knees as he hugged them nearer to his chest; his heart pounded subtly enough that shocked him because the emotions running were going wild. He turned his head to the right, bringing the fox into his view; his hand reached down and his fingers found themselves in the beast's fur. Thank you.

I'm not really doing anything that deserves your thanks, Kit.

That's where you're wrong. Kakashi interjected smoothly, you saved everyone. Kushina will be able to give birth to Naruto with ease, Minato will definitely come home as a hero and teach Naruto his Jutsus, Obito will have a team of his own—possibly become Hokage, and Rin doesn't have to die.

Kurama flicked an eye open and sighed softly, nuzzling his nose into the crook. His ear twitched and he pushed himself into a stand—a four-legged stand that is—before growing in size just a tad bit. Kakashi had a feeling that with his little speech, it might have triggered something he wasn't looking forward to. The fox opened his mouth and a subtle: "you and I need to talk" left his lips.

The sudden choice of not using telepathy didn't catch Kakashi off his guard as he was expecting the fox to at least something about it. He suppressed his groan with a monotonous look and he turned to the other two before he spoke, "sounds desperate."

"Go."

The pair bounded into the trees to their left after the single word, keeping a close distance between the other two; Kakashi shuffled his feet across the land nervously, knowing what is coming. He opened his mouth to say it, but couldn't find the voice. Kurama had the ability to see what Kakashi was dreaming, or what the other world was that he happened to be plunged into. He knew he had… had an argument with that… that son of a bastard—

Kurama closed the distance between the two, arms (he shifted back into his human form) reaching out and hands grabbing ai Kakashi's shoulder. You better not let Orochimaru take you from me. What I said in that 'dream' was utterly true. You're mine, and I don't know how many bloody times I have to say it, but I will say it enough for him to get sick of it. A pause and Kurama bit his lip, the snake has many tricks up his sleeve, and will end up creating Tenzō to capture me; Danzo will take over the boy and use him to take your eyes—gosh, why are you everyone's hit list? Kurama cut into his own sentence with a groan and a claw scratching his neck, you have to realise that I won't be there for you every single time.

"I know," Kakashi added with a nod of his head, "I lose you from time to time nowadays because the Chakra around this area is toxic for a Bijū, the neighbouring countries figured Konoha has the Kyūbi." He took a moment to pause, checking for any foreign signatures—there was nothing, as he predicted, and resumed, "but I can't lose you completely since the only thing that'll happen is that we'll both die."

—

Obito made it out alive with both Sharingan, and with those eyes, he was accepted as an Uchiha. At least something had changed for the good of everyone. The Uchiha still hadn't acquired his second or third tomoe, thus the silver-haired Jōnin was determined to get Obito's Mangekyō. But how was Kakashi supposed to do it? Did he have to set Obito under a Genjutsu? Let him watch Rin get… no. Absolutely not. Kakashi would never use that image, and he promised himself after time sort of healed those wounds to a certain point. Then what am I supposed to do? Kakashi thought to himself as he stepped into the Hatake compound after months. Let him witness what he did in my reality? Let him see that he released you and killed so many?

Might as well. Kurama thought back as he snorted, resting in his dimension—Kakashi could barely feel the distress radiating from the Bijū after Kakashi's question, the boy would do anything to set things right, and if he saw that… well, let's just say he would do his best to avoid it from happening.

The silver haired boy let loose a breath, feet taking him into the house; he mumbled out a small: "I'm home" knowing that he wouldn't get a reply. The house was as empty as ever, but Kurama made it slightly better. At least he didn't have to face the void alone.

He let his hitai-ate drop onto the floor as he untied it around his neck, eyes lowered as he made his way to his bed—a small huff escaped his lips as he made contact with the mattress; he rested his arm over his eyes, immediately feeling the power. His Sharingan was back, but felt odd. Kamui had a certain sensation, but this pair… felt… cold. The same cold feeling when Kurama was unleashed and controlled by Sharingan for the first time that night.

Stop thinking about it.

"Shut up, Kurama." Kakashi whined, refusing to let his consciousness fade into the pit that Kurama lived in. "I can't stop thinking about the things that happened—I was sent here to fix everything."

That's why you have to let me handle it.

Kakashi threw his arm off his face and his eyes went wide as saucers—the mattress dipped, his arms locked and legs pinned. A shadow loomed over him and stark blood red eyes bore into his own grey pair. "Kurama! What the fuck do you think you're doing!?"

You know, you can be such a brat at times. The fox almost threw a profanity at the boy's face if it weren't for the cute look plastered on his façade and his flailing actions to try and get the beast-turned-human off of him, look, as much as you think i'm a monster that lives for his own satisfaction… I nearly died when I lost you to that… that fucking Iwa-nin. Kurama paused and took into account that Kakashi stopped struggling, I wanted to rip him apart, and I would've done it if Rin hadn't stopped me.

"Hashiri, please! Kakashi wouldn't want you to do such a thing!"

Once you and Obito were saved, I told Rin to take care of you—I led her far away and hid her within the trees… and that was when I lost it. You had senbon littered all over you, your eye was slash an inch or two longer than previous, and my seal on you was gone. You died for a good five minutes.

What.

I can't believe I'm saying this, but when I said you're mine, I mean it. Kurama pressed Kakashi's arms further into the bed, ebony hair drooping to somewhat cover his eyes and suddenly reminded Kakashi of Sasuke, it's not because you're the old man's descendent, and it's not because you understand what we Bijū have to fucking live through every single day and night—heck, I don't even know.

"I know you're the Bijū, so why don't we do it like this? I give the girl this… excuse for a child, and you give me… well, you."

"Not going to happen."

"So… you don't care that he dies?" The Iwa-nin asked with a smirk, "I removed the seal from him, and he's dying. Not even a… beast like you could save him, and judging by your answer, you don't even care for the child."

"You!"

Just—

Kakashi leaned forward all too fast, cutting the fox off his sentence. His bare lips smashed onto Kurama's, and the need just oozed. The Kyūbi couldn't really move, not that he wanted to; the child's hold that crept around his neck was just too strong—then seconds stretched into a millennia, and time slowed to an abrupt stop. Kurama found his fingers twined into Kakashi's locks. No words could describe the feeling both felt in those elongated seconds: there was need,(was there love?), desperation… and a hint of depression. Depression because Kakashi wasn't able to save Kurama from… the torture; Konoha locked him in the small jar for years, and he could only imagine the screams and shouts on every single day and night the fox was in there.

Kurama was the first to pull away, breath gone short and eyes dilating—he threw himself off the boy, clambered into a stand and a flush made it to his cheeks. What the hell did he just—the fox bolted, and didn't look back. He had really lost his mind. His feet took him out of the window and he bounded into the city, ignoring the cries Kakashi mustered after him.

Protect him.

How could Kakashi feel in such a way? He was a killer, a fraud. Not even a person as… as damaged as the silver-haired boy could accept him. All of that were lies, and Kurama's life were full of deceit. He was played for a fool. Maybe. The emotions were all over the place. Sure. They sparred, had three meals each day, and had long conversations about whatever… there was contact, too. Subtle movements: fingers brushing against as they walked, gloved hands grasping at fur, arms wrapped around a frame to protect and hold close.

I'm not blaming you for falling in love with him.

What is even love? Or was it admiration? The heart squeezes were one thing, but the butterflies… oh, the butterflies. Whenever Kakashi smiled, chuckled, or fucking laughed… was it normal for him to feel like the beast was on cloud nine? (Did he even have a cloud nine?) Absolutely not. No way. The feeling was only considered insane for a Bijū.

"Kurama, aren't you going to sleep?"

"I need to keep a look out for any ambushes."

"Please, we haven't had one in ages. Just go to sleep… you need it anyway."

"But who's going to protect—"

"Kurama." He pressed, hands grasping at the fox's shoulders, he had a serious look plastered on his face, "we'll both be okay, nothing will ever separate us." The fox felt his heart flutter at his words, "I promised the old man, didn't I?" The child paused and pulled his hands away, a smile cracking as he fought to hold back a laugh, "and besides, your killer intent is enough to scare everyone, and uh, everyone is a lot of people." Kakashi laughed at his own statement, rubbing his nape with his hand; smiling cheekily.

It fucking wasn't love.

It was not.