Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto

Sakumo:

It was a bright but slightly cold day in the Hidden Leaf Village and the academy would start again soon. It was on this day that the Hokage gave Hatake Sakumo and Namikaze Minato a mission of the utmost importance. The mission had three parts. The first part was to infiltrate Iwa and destroy their storage of supplies. Part two was to destroy Hopuburijji bridge in Amegakure, destroying Iwa's route to Suna. Part three was to destroy Kannabi Bridge, cutting off Iwa's supply route and blocking them from Konoha.

To put it simply; if this mission was successful, then Iwa would have no choice but to drop out of the war. All their routes leading to Konoha would be destroyed. The only other way would be to invade Kumo, which wasn't a smart option. If Iwa was out of the war, then Konoha would have a better chance of pushing back the other villages and eventually winning the war. So yes, there was a tremendous amount of pressure on Sakumo.

Naru was training with Kakashi at the Hatake residence when Sakumo arrived home. An unusual frown upon his handsome face. Kakashi halted their spar when he saw his father. "Dad, you're back," he said, his voice laced with love and excitement. Naru looked down as she tried to hide the smile on her face. It warmed her heart to see her former sensei turned best friend so happy. To be honest, when she first met Kakashi again, she'd been surprised to find out that her former sensei was a Daddy's boy, not that there was anything wrong with that, of course.

Sakumo smiled at hearing his son's greeting. Kakashi was truly the light of his life and it always warmed his heart whenever he was with the boy. Looking up to acknowledge his son, he couldn't help but smile wider when he saw who his son was hanging out with. Namikaze Naru was a godsend in Sakumo's eyes. For a while he'd be extremely worried about his son's social skills, but thanks to a certain blonde cutie, Kakashi seemed to be doing a lot better. Not to mention the two were adorable together. "Hello Kakashi-kun and Naru-chan. What are you two up to?" he asked.

Naru smiled at the senior Hatake. "It's good to see you again Sakumo-san, and to answer your question. I was just getting ready to beat Kakashi's butt," she said.

Kakashi's eyes glisten in annoyance. "No way! If anything, I was about to beat your butt!" he says.

Sakumo can't help but laugh as he listens to the two of them bicker. It reminds him of his younger days when he would bicker with his late wife. Good times. Someday he bets those two are gonna end up married. "If they survive this war," a voice whispers in the back of his mind. His eyes darken. If he succeeds on this mission, then there is a strong chance Naru and Kakashi won't have to experience the horrors of war for long. Right then and there he decides he will succeed, for his child. "Kakashi, I'm sorry, but I have a mission. While I'm gone, you're going to stay at Naru-chan's," he says.

Kakashi looks at him, his black eyes are full of respect. "I understand Dad. Please have a safe journey," he says.

Sakumo smiles sadly. Kakashi had always been such an understanding child when it came to him having to leave on long-term missions. It was a blessing in a way because it lessened the guilt he felt for leaving his son alone for so long. At least Kakashi had Naru now to keep him company. Speaking of which, that reminded him. "Naru-chan, I'm afraid I'll be stealing your father from you for a while. Why don't you run on home to wish him goodbye? I'll send Kakashi over in a bit," he said.

Naru's eyes widened in surprise before nodding. "Thank you, Sakumo-san. I'll do just that. I wish you good luck on your mission. See you in a bit, Kakashi," she said, waving goodbye before sprinting away.

The moment she was out of eyesight, a foxy grin came over her face. Step one of plan "Save Sakumo," was successful. For months Kurama and she had put their minds together, trying to figure out how to save the White Fang. Until finally, the two decided that their best bet was to change the mission register. The first person they put on there was obviously Minato. Mostly, due to the fact he could use Hiraishin and that would make infiltrating multiple borders easier. The second person they added was Shikaku Nara. The reasoning being he was the best strategist in the village at the movement. The third and final person they chose was Hizashi Hyuga. The reason for him was obviously because of his Byakugan. With this new team, the girl was hopeful the mission would be successful.

It had been no easy task to find the mission that Sakumo was sent on. In her past life, Kakashi-sensei had never been specific about it. Perhaps he hadn't even known. All the poor man knew was the outcome. A sense of sadness filled Naru when she thought about all the pain her sensei had gone through. "He's not your sensei anymore kit, he's your equal," a deep voice said from inside her mind.

Naru smiled. "I know Kurama. Now he's my best friend, my Kakashi-kun," she says.

Kurama smiled to himself. Give it a few years, he reasoned, and she'd be calling the grey haired boy her lover and husband. Now that was something he looked forward to watching. In the mean time, he would busy himself by helping the girl change the future. As doing so would piss off Kaguya. "Yep, if this plan of ours works, then we will have one more alley to aid us against that crazy bitch," he says.

Naru slows into a walk as she approaches her home. A small smile on her face. "Indeed, but I pray that we take out all the major players before she ever has a chance to come back," she says.

Kurama hums. "Agreed," he says before going silent.

The smell of Yakitori hits Naru's senses when she opens the door of her home. Even though she's been to the past four years, she still can't get over what amazing parents she's been blessed with. It saddens her to think how in her past life she was robbed of having such amazing people in her life. "Daddy, Mamma, I'm home," she says, walking into the living/ kitchen area where she finds her parents.

Minato is checking over his gear and Kushina is busy cooking in the kitchen. Naru had since learned that it was a tradition in the Uzumaki-Namikaze household to have a home cooked meal before leaving on a long term mission. At hearing his daughter's call, Minato gets up and picks the little girl up, getting her to sequel in delight. "Hi Daddy!" she says.

Minato's blue eyes are full of love and devotion as he looks into his daughter's matching blue orbs. "Hello, Naru-hime," he says, planting a small kiss on her cheek. If Kakashi was a Daddy's boy, then Naru was a Daddy's girl. A big one at that. The two were extremely close. Of course, Naru loved her Mama too.

Kushina turns around and gives her husband an annoyed look. "Minato, stop loving all over our princess and get back to checking your gear. You don't have much time left," she says, winking over at Naru.

Minato pouts. "But Kushina-hime! I won't be seeing my Naru-chan for an entire three months. I must get my time with her in while I can," he says, putting his hand over his heart.

Kushina scowled and shook her head, but Naru sensed no real anger. Naru blushed. "It's okay, Daddy. I know you have a serious mission to go on with Sakumo-san," she said.

Minato's face went serious for a moment before masking it. "So you've heard already, I see," he said.

Naru nodded. "Sakumo-san told me so I could come say goodbye," she said.

Minato gave a small smile, despite the fact that he was extremely nervous. This mission was one of the most important missions of his life. Konoha needed this victory. "That was very thoughtful of him," he said.

Naru smiled. "I know, and the best part was he said Kakashi-kun would be staying with us until you get back," she said.

Minato's smile dropped at the mention of Kakashi staying with them. On one hand, he adored the kid and looked forward to the day he would be his sensei. On the other hand, though, he saw how close his daughter was becoming to the boy. Oh sure, it was innocent now, but give it a few years and Bam, that friendship was bound to turn into something more. An evil smirk suddenly came on to his face. "Of course if I become Kakashi-kun's sensei, I can make his life hell by training him to death if he takes advantage of my princess," he thinks to himself.

Naru sweatdroped noticing the evil glint in her father's eye. "Daddy's got that evil look again that he gets every time I mention Kakashi. Sometimes I wonder what Daddy is thinking about," she thinks.

Kurama is laughing as he watches the man who once sealed him away act like all protective. Awe yes, the second reason he's excited about the future union between the Hatake brat and Naru is watching what it will make Minato act. "Oh revenge, oh sweet revenge," he thinks to himself gleefully. Of course, if the Hatake ever hurt Naru, then he'd gladly help the blonde man tear the boy apart.

Naru decides to change the subject. "Well, I hope you do well on this mission, Daddy," she says.

Minato's blue eyes look at her lovingly before he scoops her up again. "Oh, Naru-hime, what am I going to do without you for three months?" he says, moaning in despair.

Kushina rolls her eyes again before answering for her daughter. "Um, survive?" she says.

Minato shakes his head at his wife. "I'm serious Kushina-hime. Naru-chan is growing up way too fast. I need to spend more time with her before some stupid boy steals her away," he says.

Naru looks up innocently. "Whose gonna steal me away, Daddy? Are you talking about Kakashi?" she asked, fulling knowing the answer.

Minato eyes her nervously, deciding he needs to change the subject right now. "Um, I really have to get ready for my mission now, princess. So, why don't you go help your Mama in the kitchen," he says, hurrying back to his gear.

Naru shakes her head. She just prays that everything goes smoothly on this mission.

Author's note: So here's Sakumo the rewrite. I hope you guys like it.