An arranged marriage story, because the world is not perfect when the great war ends. When other villages start demanding Naruto's friends as deterrents, alliance marriages spread like wildfire. What will Kakashi and the Mizukage's relationship become? Angst/Friendship/Romance, Rated Teen because it's a citrus-free romance story. Adult themes still discussed.

INCOMPLETE. He was supposed to take it easy after Fox's attempt on his life, but Kakashi has never been very good at relaxing. A diplomatic meeting in Sunagakure with Gaara turns awry very quickly, and the unexpected discovery of a family secret tops it all off. In a world built on war, the past is not easily forgotten… Sequel to Uneasy Lies the Head, but can be read separately.

In this story Minato and Kushina never died. Kushina is still the Jinchuuriki. After Kakashi comes back from an Anbu mission poisoned he is targeted by an unknown enemy for assassination. In order to keep him safe Minato forces him to stay with him and Kushina until they are able to hunt down the assassin. {Minato/Kushina} No other pairings as of yet. Rated T just to be safe.