"My father?" I asked Kurama, staring in incredulous disbelief at the white haired man staring at me with sad eyes.

"Orochimaru is a dick." Kurama explained matter-of-factly, as if that should explain everything.

I could see Orochimaru saying something, but I could not hear him. I could just see his mouth moving as I saw the leagues of shinobi behind him. I…my father? How was I supposed to fight him, the man I love more than anyone except for Naruto? The man who raised me, helped to mold me into the man I am today… As my stomach lurched, I tried to focus. I could not get distracted…that was what Orochimaru wanted. Shaking my head, I stared at my father, realizing that he wasn't really my father any longer. His memories may be there, but it was a corpse. A corpse that Orochimaru stole and somehow preserved. Staring at Sakumo, I set my mouth in a grim line as I prepared for battle. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Naruto standing and staring. I could at least understand his pain at having to face his parent he never thought he'd see again…and having to battle them…

"Kakashi…you must defeat me. Or I will be forced to kill you." It was my father's voice. Looking up, I saw Orochimaru was gone, Kushina and Sakumo at the front of some other revived shinobi. As the battle started, I prayed to Kami for strength. Launching from the ground, I propelled myself at my father…no, the corpse that was my father…

I threw a shuriken, which Sakumo easily avoided. Sakumo cast a lightning bolt, which I dodged. I saw the small smile on his face. We were sparring, and we both knew it. After some more half-assed fighting, I saw Orochimaru grow impatient. "Kill him and be done with it." Orochimaru growled.

Sakumo's face grew somber. It seemed our silly sparring was over. Frowning, I saw the White Light Chakra Sabre form. Birds chirping as the electricity formed in my hand from my Chidori, I frowned. Rushing forward, the sword forming in my hand from my Chidori, I uncovered my sharingan, barely missing the sword, and he just barely missing mine. As we circled each other, throwing lightning at each other, we were matching each other perfectly, it seemed. However, I was waiting for Minato to get into place. I knew he had seen what happened, and I needed his sealing to help me. Of course, I couldn't yell this, as my father would know what I wanted, as he knew Minato too. When I was finally able to catch Minato's eye, I saw him nod. Feigning left, my father went right as I pulled back last second and went right, impaling my lighting sword in his chest from behind. Hearing the gurgle, I stopped, dropping my jutsu. Turning around, I saw my father crumpled on the ground. My father was a great warrior, but he never had a Sharingan. As Minato and some others from the Sealing Corps appeared and started the sealing jutsu, the white bands surrounding my father, the world went black and white.

I walked in, seeing his body crumpled on the floor, lifeless. As the world went pale, I could not understand. How could this man die? He was the strongest man I knew…he wasn't supposed to be able to die. He picked me up from Academy every day. He helped me practice my jutsu. He was my everything. I never knew my mother, so my father was my world. I idolized him.

Crumpling to my knees beside the sealed body, I saw the smile on his face as the last few sealing bandages were being wrapped around him. As his body was mummified, I sat over him. I could not move. I lost my father again. I wasn't strong enough to keep him the first time, and I wasn't strong enough to keep him here again.

"Damnit, MOVE!" Naruto's voice jerked me back to the present as he used his Rasengan to fend off a couple shinobi that were about to attack while I was locked in the past. As I turned, my rage suddenly boiled at having to lose my father twice and the world went red.

Why wasn't I good enough? Why did he take his own life if he loved me so much? Why? Minato loved Naruto, and this Naruto was not his child…while still being his child. Naruto…I couldn't imagine leaving Naruto either…look what all I had went through already for him. Moreover, Naruto wasn't my child, but my mate. I could only imagine the love I would have with a son.

"It's because you are cursed and worthless." I heard the hiss in my ear. Whirling around, Orochimaru was standing next to me, a snake curling around him. It looked almost surreal, the battle all around as I stood facing Orochimaru.

He was right. I hadn't been able to do anything right. I killed my mother, and hadn't been able to save my father nor Naruto…look at everything both had suffered. When I went back in time, some things got fixed, but others got worse. Then this Naruto died…and my Naruto suffered so long in the other timeline alone…

"This battle is over." Orochimaru smirked. I saw his arm raise, and I saw Naruto's eyes behind Orochimaru widen in fear at what I assume was my imminent death as Orochimaru readied himself to strike. In this split second, I saw my past…my present…and my future…in those blue orbs. I saw undying love. That had to be the love my father had for my mother, since he never remarried. Sakumo did the best he could, showing me how to be a man in the short time he was here. However, he also showed me that I couldn't take the whole world's burdens on my shoulders…or it would destroy me, as it did him in a way. I suddenly realized that it was because of my past that I was here. It was because of my father's love, devotion, and sacrifice that I learned love, devotion and sacrifice.

I heard my father whisper, "I have always been proud of you and I will always love you." as I heard Minato curse and begin a second seal on Sakumo. My eyes snapped open. I hadn't failed Sakumo. Without those teachings, without that man with his amazing abilities and faults, I wouldn't be here. Without those teachings, I wouldn't have done what I had done. Without that, I would not have Naruto.

Slamming into action, I realized I couldn't lose Naruto…I just couldn't. Thanking Sakumo for showing me love, I studied the Sanin in front of me. The only potential advantage I have is that Orochimaru may not know that Kurama was within me. I hadn't used Kurama while fighting father. Suddenly, I heard Kurama. He howled inside me and I felt myself turning…but I didn't feel burning. I felt, warm…charged with electricity. As I reached out, I noticed that I didn't look any different.

I suddenly knew exactly what Kurama wanted, and he knew what I wanted. It was almost as if we were in harmony, finally. Kurama was channeling himself in me as I parried and fought Orochimaru, feigning the fight, trying to draw him into a false sense of security. Orochimaru was intelligent and very deadly, so he wouldn't fall for something predictable.

As Orochimaru summoned Manda, her body appearing and towering above me, her tongue flicking in agitation, Kurama separated from me. As Orochimaru's eyes widened slightly, a small smirk to his face, those two started fighting as I moved into position. As Orochimaru turned to deal with Kurama, I threw Chidori at him. As Orochimaru chuckled, easily stepping out of the way, I frowned. As the snake slammed into Kurama, he flew to his side, taking out several trees. Kurama stood, spitting blood out of his mouth as Orochimaru stood on the snake, baring to strike again. As I launched off a tree, Orochimaru barely ducked out of the way. Turning to face me, I saw Kurama nod out of the corner of my eye. As Kurama roared, Orochimaru turned. I could see the chakra forming, a black ball in Kurama's mouth.

As Orochimaru moved to step out of the way of the tailed beast bomb, I caught him in my Kamui. As I saw his face contort, I felt Kurama crawl back inside of me, strengthening me and allowing me to transfer Orochimaru and Manda to another dimension, far away, the spiraling voice distorting Orochimaru and his snake as their bodies contorted and winked out of this existence.

I felt the blood drip from my eye as my vision became fuzzier. As I felt the blow hit my shoulder, I turned to defend myself. Then darkness enveloped me.

()()()

Opening my eyes, I could feel that I was lying in bed. A soft bed. I felt arms wrap around me. "I was getting really worried about you." Opening my eyes, I looked at Naruto and smiled.

"How are we doing?" I asked my voice gravelly.

Naruto smiled. "Great. Orochimaru's gone, so the shinobi either fled or collapsed, thanks to Kurama and your Kamui. The war is over. We're rebuilding now."

I just blinked, staring at him. "It's over?"

Naruto grinned. "Yea. It is. You've been out about two weeks."

()()()

"You aren't going to come back and destroy the village, right?" I asked, looking at Kurama, whose tails were swishing in agitation.

"For the third time, no." Kurama stated in aggravation, a small smile on his snout.

"I'll miss you." I admitted.

Kurama shrugged. Looking at Matatabi, they turned and headed out of the village. Since the war was over and they helped us to win, Minato had agreed to let them live peaceably. But…if any trouble started, the truce would be broken. The beasts agreed, and left to go live in the wild by themselves. As Kurama walked off into the sunset, I saw him look back and wink. Smiling, I raised a hand, waving in farewell.

()()()

The wedding was perfect, with all of our friends there, memorials for the loved ones we lost. As Kushina and Sakumo's photographs watched over us, I kissed my husband, pulling him close to me.

()()()

Walking in one evening a few years later, I took off my flak jacket. I smelled something cooking. It smelled wonderful…which meant only one thing. Walking into the kitchen, Naruto turned around, plating some food and putting the pan into the sink. I smirked. "It smells wonderful." Leaning over I kissed him, wrapping him in my arms.

"Well, I learned some things from you." Naruto smirked.

"Oh, really?" Raising an eyebrow, I opened the door to the trashcan and saw the takeout boxes. Sighing, Naruto's shoulders slumped as he grinned guiltily, his charade broken. "You dirtied pans even?" I asked with a smirk in my voice.

"Can't blame a guy for trying." As we sat down to eat, I could not believe it was finally over, that we were finally together, and finally happy. Grabbing Naruto's hand, I kissed it.

"You know, we don't know where the rest of the Akatsuki are." Naruto noted.

I nodded. After the war, they had dispersed, and went into hiding. No one knew where they went, or even how many were left. We had spies out looking for them, but so far…nothing.

"Do you miss him?" Naruto asked.

I sat quietly for a moment. I hadn't seen Kurama since that day he left. I sighed and smiled at my husband. "Of course I do. However, he has changed a great deal. He is not the angry monster anymore. And I'm glad he is finally free. After learning and growing so much, and becoming…well, good, I am glad he's free of his cage. But, I'm sure we'll see him again." As we finished dinner, the sun's rays lighting Naruto's face in warmth, I felt happy. As we moved into the living room, the sun's rays glinting off of the golden band on Naruto's finger, I kissed the band. Naruto picked up my hand, kissing the matching band. I hoped Kurama was happy wherever he was. In addition, when we meet again, I would ask him how he liked living outside of his cage.

I pulled Naruto onto me, resting his head on my chest. Thinking back over everything, I couldn't believe the path my life had taken. I had lived two lifetimes. Smiling down at that blonde head on my chest, I knew that two million lifetimes would not be enough time with Naruto. However, I'd take all the time I could. Kissing his head, I fell asleep, my sunshine in my arms.

()()()

"Daddy! Wake up!" I felt the poke in my ribs. Opening an eye, I smiled at Harue.

"Hmmm?" Sitting up, I wiggled from underneath Naruto, who was still snoring softly.

"Picnic!" He giggled, crawling up on the bed. Harue had big brown eyes and hair as blonde as Naruto's. Naruto and I had adopted him as a baby, and he had just turned three. Standing up, my sweatpants hung low on my hips as I went to the window. Smiling, I saw that it was a beautiful day. I felt arms around my waist as I felt a kiss on my shoulder.

"Morning." I turned and kissed Naruto.

"C'mon!" Harue stated. He had already dressed himself, his shirt on backwards.

"I'll dress Harue, you pack a lunch?" Naruto asked, yawning. Nodding, I changed quickly and went to pack our picnic, grabbing two mugs and putting some coffee in both of them. When Naruto and Harue came out, I handed a mug to Naruto, who accepted it gratefully, drinking the cream and sugar filled concoction I had learned he preferred over the years. Walking out to the park, we laid out a blanket and the food. After we ate, Naruto started playing catch with Harue. Suddenly, something caught my eye. Standing, I walked over to the tree line.

"Kurama." I smiled at him. Smiling back at me, he nuzzled the top of my head.

"Just came by to see how you were doing. Looking good." Nodding at Naruto and Harue, I looked back as well. Smiling at my family, I nodded. "Not staying long, truce and all. Just wanted to say hi, since we were passing through." Nodding, I saw Matatabi in the background. Petting Kurama a bit, he leaned into it and then pulled back. Smiling as he nodded, Kurama said over his shoulder, "Silver Fang, thanks for being the best cage I ever had." As he walked off, I walked back to my family. Going up, I grabbed Harue and put him on my shoulders, grabbing Naruto and slipping an arm around his waist. Leaning over, I kissed Naruto again.

Even if the Akatsuki came back, we would handle it…together. As I spent the rest of the day with my family, I thanked Kami for Kurama. Because without him, I wouldn't have what I have now. I wouldn't have faced my past and grew into my future without him. In addition, my future…my husband and son…are worth everything.