So this is from serenity, on ao3: Just after Kyuubi is sealed, Naruto uses Talk-no-jutsu and tears off the seal. Kurama agrees to kill Danzo, and hunt down and destroy Zetsu, in exchange for forming the chakra cloak and leaving Konoha.

Standing and stretching, Naruto looked at his sleeping bride. The sun's rays shone on her face, sleeping and at peace, her beautiful face framed by soft black waves. Smiling, he went into the kitchen. Humming quietly, the blond looked out the window as his mind drifted back to the day before. So many of their friends were there to support them in their union. Tsunade, Iruka, and…of course, Kakashi was there. Leaning forward, putting his chin on his hand, Naruto smiled. Kakashi looked simply…stunning in his clothing. That suit looked fabulous on him. Naruto's lips turned down in a frown. He should not be thinking like that. Naruto was married and Kakashi never looked at him like that anyways. That's why Naruto married Hinata.

Oh, he loved Hinata, very much…it's just…well, his first choice would have been Kakashi. However, Kakashi was attracted to no one, and definitely not Naruto. Hinata wanted to marry Naruto, was sweet and devoted, a great friend, and would do well as a life partner. Naruto wasn't an idiot…he didn't want to be alone his entire life. So…he settled on Hinata. It's what everyone expected, anyways. It was nice and comfortable. She would be a good life mate and a good Hokage's wife.

The knock woke him from his reverie. Going over to the door, Naruto opened it. A box was on the floor, wrapped in orange paper with a black ribbon. Stooping, he picked it up…it was heavier than it looked. Smiling at the coloring, he read the tag. "For Your Wedding." Sitting it on the table, he decided to wait until Hinata woke up. Going to get his tea, he blew on it, cooling it. Propping himself up on the windowsill, he looked out the window, his eyes drifting to the Hokage Tower. He thought he saw movement in the tower, but he was sure it wasn't Kakashi. It was much too early for him. Naruto's mouth lifted up in a smile. Suddenly, he felt Hinata's arms wrap around him as she rested her head on his shoulder. "Good morning." she whispered.

"Hey, morning." Smiling he pulled her into a kiss. Pulling away and twisting around, he motioned to the box. "We got another present. You wanna open it?"

Hinata shook her head no. "Those are your colors; I'll let you do the honors." Grinning, Naruto started undoing the ribbon. Opening the box there was a huge stench; Naruto almost vomited. Looking into the box, the world became slippery and it was hard to breathe. There was Kakashi's head, sightless eyes staring at his former student.

()()()

"We can't just stand here and do nothing!" Naruto's fists were at his side; he was shaking in anger, his face red. Hinata stood behind him, one hand on his shoulder to provide him support.

Tsunade sat at the Hokage's desk, reluctantly having been brought back as Hokage at the Sixth's demise. She still had the hangover from the wedding reception the night before. Shizune stood at her side, large dark eyes solemn. "I am not doing nothing, Naruto. However, I cannot run off half-cocked to find Kakashi's murderer. The village has been locked down and I have already sent out several ANBU to find any leads." Her hazel eyes shone with sadness and fatigue. "His body is being analyzed."

"I'm going! Kurama and I can find them!" Naruto's rage boiled over, tears pricking the corner of his eyes as the beast coiled in agitation inside him. Kakashi was Naruto's precious person…therefore making him Kurama's precious person to an extent, since Naruto was going apeshit nuts without the silver-haired sensei.

"You will do no such thing!" Tsunade snapped standing and slamming her hand on the desk, the wood groaning in protest. "I do not need you sacrificed as well because you run off all hotheaded! It may very well be exactly what the murderer wants!" Her hazel eyes glinted in warning.

"Naruto, Tsunade is right." Guy responded. His voice sounded dead. Naruto swung his head angrily to tell Guy his what fors, but stopped at the sight. Guy's brilliant smile was gone, his eyes dull, his body stooped. Rock Lee was staring at his former sensei in worry. "This is an attempt to get you off guard and not thinking straight. We do not know what they want, but it is likely you and the fox are a part of the plan. Kakashi would never…" Guy stopped as his voice broke and he looked away.

As voices kept speaking around him, Naruto felt suffocated. He heard various phrases, vaguely deciphering that the village was in complete lockdown and ANBU were being assigned to him and Hinata. Shaking his head, he shrugged off Hinata's hand and stormed out, hearing Tsunade's voice following him, "You aren't to leave the village, Uzumaki."

Naruto walked through the village, sightless, looking for somewhere to be alone. Hinata followed him for a bit. Finally, he stopped. "Hinata, just…go home. I need some time alone." He tried hard to not make his voice sound angry. Squeaking her approval, Hinata gave him a hug. Naruto returned it, kissing her temple before she scampered off. Walking aimlessly, he found himself outside of Hatake's apartment. Sliding down the wall, Naruto buried his head in his hands, and wept…truly wept for the first time since this morning when he found Kakashi's head.

An overwhelming feeling of emptiness descended on Naruto. He had never imagined life without Kakashi…never thought he would need to. Kakashi was always so…dependable. He was one of the first to be somewhat kind to Naruto, after Iruka, of course. And…he was a prodigy for Kami's sake…he should have been smart enough to keep himself from being killed, damnit!

"He wouldn't want you to sacrifice yourself. He would want you to live life, full of the springtime of youth." Guy's dull voice wafted over Naruto. Looking up, he saw Guy's sad eyes. Saying nothing, Naruto put his head on his bent knees, wrapping his arms around his legs. Guy sat down next to Naruto, patting the young man's shoulder.

"He loved you but feared saying anything because you seemed so happy with Hinata." Squeezing his hands against his knees, Naruto wished Guy would shut up. He didn't need to know this. It would not fix anything. It just ripped open the wound in his heart, making him kick himself with how stupid he had been for not making a move of his own. Fresh tears leaked out, as he said nothing, silently sobbing.

Naruto, I am sorry. Would you change anything if you could? Kurama's voice curled through Naruto's brain.

You aren't funny. You know I would. Esp…especially now, after Guy.

But would you give up everything? Would you give up an eternity for him, even if you were never able to be with him? Naruto could feel Kurama's curiosity.

You know I would, but I can't, so this is stupid daydreaming! Naruto bit back angrily.

Not necessarily. We can go back in time, you can change one thing, and then we can be thrown back here, to this time in the present. But then…you must live with those changes, good or bad. And…there is no guarantee that Hatake will not be killed.

However…there is a chance I can save him, right? Naruto's heart lifted at the possibility of having Kakashi alive.

Yes, that is always a possibility. But, there is a cost.

A cost? Whatever the cost, I'll pay it.

Don't you want to know the cost?

No, it doesn't matter, let's go.

Well, where do you want to go to change things?

Naruto sat there, thinking. He didn't understand why he was gifted with Kakashi's head, unless…Naruto jerked his head up. Some people still hated Kurama and were scared of him. Maybe, just maybe, if Naruto could go back in time and talk to angry Kurama, maybe he could convince Kurama to stop the destruction and therefore stop the hating of Kurama…or at least the degree of hatred that there had been when Naruto was a child. Then maybe they wouldn't hate Naruto and he could save his beloved precious person.

I wanna go back to the night of my birth. I want to talk to younger you…convince you to not destroy the village.

Um, Naruto…. Naruto could feel Kurama's hesitation, but he felt confident. He knew his Talk-no-jutsu was effective when he set his mind to it. And he was definitely setting his mind to it.

C'mon…just do it. Naruto could sense that Kurama acquiesced and so he settled down, setting his hands on his knees, closing his eyes, and breathing deeply, trying to settle down. As he calmed down, he suddenly felt a spinning inside as his body felt like electricity was running through it. As he sucked in some air, the world went dark.

Suddenly, he felt warm. He couldn't open his eyes, and he felt a warm liquid all around him, almost as if he was in a pool. Where am I? He was cramped, and his knees were almost at his nose. Suddenly, he heard his mother's voice, pain filled and weak.

"You are going to be so handsome, ya know?" He tried to open his eyes, but he couldn't. "Your daddy and I can't wait to meet you, ya know?" He felt her love even though he couldn't see her. Suddenly, he realized that he was in his mother's stomach. Shit…this was going to make things harder… Sighing, he realized that was probably what Kurama was hesitant about. Determination braced through Naruto and he tried to reach out and feel if he could talk to Kurama inside Kushina.

Wh…Kurama, are you in there…I mean, here, with me and mom?

Brat, you know I am. I'm still sealed in this Uzumaki…for now. Kurama was brimming and shaking with anticipation.

Kurama, please, listen to me. You know I'm talking more normal than a baby would…and that's because future you sent me back in time to talk to you.

Brat, what are you saying? Kurama's voice had changed to caution.

So, just listen to me. I know you have no reason to believe me, but I think you can feel that I am telling the truth. I don't have very long, just ten minutes total, to try to convince you. You are going to be freed when I am born because of the weak bond. But the Uchihas, Madara to be exact, are using you to try to destroy the village. Madara Uchiha will convince you to destroy the Leaf as part of their agenda. But that's not the case. The Leaf doesn't hate you…they are just scared of you. However, what if I make you a deal…I'll tear off the seal from me if you agree to not destroy the village, stopping Danzo and the Zetsu as well. You give me the chakra cloak and I'll say you are still inside me, and you stay away from Konoha and then you'll be free. Deal?

Brat, this is a joke. A cheap trick. You will never give me my freedom. Besides, what do I get for killing this Danzo and Zetsu and giving you the chakra cloak?

About then, Naruto felt himself being pushed out. He knew he was running out of time. If I say you are still in me, they will believe me…and being able to call the chakra cloak will confirm for any haters. Look, watch me after birth, I'll prove what I'm saying is true. Don't destroy anything just yet, please? Suddenly, the world was bright and very, very cold and Naruto could do nothing but scream at the shock to his system. As he opened his eyes, he blearily could see his faces and shapes. Realizing he was running out of time, he concentrated, achieving sage mode.

Blond brat, how did you do that? Naruto looked up and saw that Kurama had not yet attacked anything, but was staring at Naruto with confusion.

I told you, I'm from the future. Kakashi-sensei was murdered and you sent me back in time to try to save him. I only have ten minutes total, and I'm out of time almost. Naruto turned his baby face to look at Kurama, staring at him with blue eyes bright with intelligence that shouldn't be there.

I don't know why I believe you, but I do. Kurama stared intently at Naruto.

Naruto felt happy, until he realized what was about to happen. He cried out as the Reaper Death Seal was created. He felt Kurama being sealed in him, howling in rage. Triiiick! Naruto could feel the beast thrashing inside him in anger at the perceived trick.

No! I'm going to pull the seal off! As the pain caused Naruto to almost pass out, he closed his eyes, willing himself to hang on. Catching his breath, he opened his eyes, and stared at his parents' dying bodies. Wanting to cry out, wanting to reach out, he could do nothing as their last breaths left them.

Kurama was roiling in rage inside him. Kurama, I'm going to take the seal off. I didn't trick you. Listen to me! Naruto closed his eyes and went into the soul prison, Kurama pacing angrily. Crawling over, Naruto crawled up the bars, gripping the seal and ripping it off, falling backwards in the process. Kurama charged out and sniffed at Naruto.

You…you told the truth? Kurama asked in awe.

Please…keep your end of the bargain. The world went dark.

()()()

Naruto woke up. Yawning, he ran his hand through his hair and stared out at the sunny sky. Suddenly, he remembered what happened. Looking over, he didn't see Hinata. He shot straight up and fell out of bed. Throwing on some clothes, he rushed out. Looking around, he didn't see anything that looked unusual. As he passed some people, they nodded their hellos. Rushing to the training ground of Team Seven, it was empty. Frowning again, he rushed to the hospital and found Sakura. Looking up, she raised an eyebrow. "Hey Naruto, what's up?"

"Uh…I…I was looking for Kakashi?" Naruto stated stupidly.

Sakura looked at him and sighed. "You lost him? You can't even keep track of the Hokage?" Sighing again, she pinched the bridge of her nose. "I don't know where he is, Naruto. You are the one working with him…so if you can't find him I don't know what to tell you." About then, a brunette walked up and started talking to Sakura. Waving at Sakura, Naruto put on a goofy smile and turned around; dropping the smile once he was out of the hospital. As he was walking, lost in thought, he bumped into Choji, landing hard on his butt.

"Oh, hey Naruto. Sorry, I didn't see you there." Choji offered a hand and Naruto grabbed it, getting to his feet.

"Hey, Choji…I need to ask a weird question, okay?" Naruto squinted; Choji seemed to be the same. "Um, when did Danzo die? Was it before the war, or during?" Naruto scratched his neck and chuckled nervously. "I had this weird dream, and it's messing me up." He looked up, hoping Choji bought it.

Pulling out a bag of chips, Choji started eating. "Um, Naruto, there hasn't been a war since the Third Great Ninja War, so Danzo died while we were still babies. You need to go to the hospital?" Choji was looking concerned at Naruto.

"No, no!" Naruto waved his hands while he grinned. "That's what I thought; the dream was just soooo realistic. I uh, I uh better get back to work. Thanks! See ya!" Naruto headed toward the Tower. Well, I guess I will go back to the Tower to see if he is there. Thank Kami you kept your word, Kurama. At least I know he's still alive. Kurama….Kurama? Naruto realized then that he was…alone. Feeling around, Kurama wasn't there. Creeping down an alley, Naruto sat down and concentrated. Walking into his soul prison, he saw the bars open and … nothing. Kurama had kept his bargain. For the first time, Naruto was truly alone.

Sitting up sadly, not realizing how much he would miss Kurama, Naruto moved toward the Hokage's Tower. Suddenly, Naruto looked down at his hand. No ring. He let out a big breath. He was going to tell Kakashi and not make the same mistake again. Walking back to the Tower, he kept looking around, but couldn't see anything wrong.

Walking in, Kakashi looked up from the desk. "Sleep in, Naruto?" Kakashi asked rather formally, Naruto thought.

"Uh…yea…bad dream. Sorry, sensei." Naruto blushed as Kakashi looked with confusion.

"Sensei?" Kakashi asked in confusion.

"Yea…you're my sensei…Me, Sakura, and Sasuke were your genin. Team Seven, remember?" Naruto looked confused.

"Um, Naruto…I think maybe you slept in a bit too much. I've never been a sensei to anyone." Concern shone from his dark eye that was visible. About then there was a knock on the door and Shikamaru came in.

"Excuse me, Hokage. The applicants are here. Are you and Naruto ready?" Shikamaru sounded bored, so that was a bit of normality.

"Of course, bring them in, please."

Naruto looked back at Kakashi in confusion. "Uh, applicants?"

Kakashi sighed. "Yes, Naruto…applicants. We need to interview who will become my wife, as the Elders have determined that the Hokage needs a proper mate."