I've never written fanfiction for Naruto before...well there's a first time for everything.

Anyway, this fic is dedicated to Hazel-Beka and my best friend/beta, megadiancie, both of whom convinced me to write it.

Hope you guys (everyone reading this) like!

And to deviate from the generic disclaimer, the most Naruto I own is a few posters and video games, so the entire franchise? A pretty farfetched idea for me.

"Talking" 'Thoughts' Written Material

Chapter 1: Root Rot Kills Crops

The sun was shining bright and the people of Konohagakure no Sato were rushing about in tune with their normal day to day lives. The civilians were going from shop to shop buying goods and haggling with the shop keeps to get a good deal. The shinobi were either training in one of the village's many training fields, doing an in-village mission, rushing about doing administrative work, or enjoying the calm day.

A white haired man and a white haired child walking down the street were from the latter group.

Hatake Sakumo was enjoying his day off from active duty, a rare occurrence, but well worth the opportunity to spend some time with his son Kakashi who was given the day off by his jonin-sensei Namikaze Minato.

Kakashi, just like is father was a shinobi of Konoha, but unlike his father who was a jonin, Kakashi had just become a chunnin.

Since Kakashi was only six-years-old, he was one of the youngest shinobi to become chunnin and so Sakumo was the epitome of a proud father.

'I really should buy that boy a gift, he deserves it. How many shinobi are able to advance so quickly or are able to say that they were able to topple a foe three times their size?'

Sakumo glanced around at the many shops in Konoha's market district looking for something his son might like.

'I don't think Kakashi would want any toys, he's far to mature to enjoy them. He already has enough ninja weapons to supply a small army and he doesn't need any seals either with his jonin-sensei being well on his way to become a seal master. Minato could probably make better seals than the ninja store in his sleep.'

As they continued walking, Sakumo kept adding stores that wouldn't have a good gift on a mental list.

'I don't think I'll find a single gift for Kakashi at this rate. What do you buy for a grown-up child?'

Kakashi noticing his father was glancing every which way grew tense, thinking that an enemy was lurking somewhere nearby.

As Kakashi began to move his hand to his kunai pouch, Sakumo snapped out of his semi-daze, grabbing Kakashi's hand before it could grab a weapon.

"What do you think you're doing? It isn't good form to pull out weapons in a group of civilians, let alone in your home village, when there is no threat present."

Kakashi spluttered in surprise, "No threat? You keep glancing in every direction with a frown on your face!"

Sakumo raised an eyebrow at his son's reply.

'I suppose I may have looked like I was anticipating an attack, but Kakashi should know better. If a threat was present, I would have neutralized it already.'

"There is no threat, I was only thinking. Besides, do you really have so little faith in your old man?"

Kakashi scoffed, a hint of a smile forming on his face, "You are getting old, it wouldn't surprise m-Oof."

Out of nowhere a crying little boy appeared and ran straight into Kakashi.

Kakashi looked down at the boy in annoyance, judging the boy to be about three years old.

"What do you want brat?"

Sakumo sighed at his son's lack of patience.

'Insulting the boy won't help you Kakashi.'

The boy, who was put into a daze at the impact quickly wiped away his tears and glared at Kakashi, "A'm not a bwat."

Kakashi gave the boy a blank look showing just how much he believed the boy's statement.

"Of course you aren't. Now why are you running into people brat?"

The boy's glare darkened, "A'm not a bwat, a'm Iwuka."

Sakumo tilted his head, 'Iruka? That name sounds familiar... Come to think of it the kid also looks somewhat familiar as well.'

Kakashi nodded slowly as if he was just humoring the boy, which he was.

"Uh-huh, where are your parents then brat?"

Iruka turned red and yelled, "Am not a bwat!"

As quickly as he angered, Iruka became sad, "I don' know. I was widh okaa-san and she not dhere anymore."

Sakumo rubbed his temple feeling an impending migraine.

'Great, the kid's lost and Kakashi is not happy about him in the first place. Now why is he familiar?'

"Kakashi we need to help him find is mother."

Kakashi turned to look at Sakumo instead of Iruka, a pout showing through his mask.

"Do we have to?"

Sakumo opened his mouth to reply, but before any words could come out, a shout of Iruka's name could be heard throughout the market. Sakumo realizing that the shout had come from a kunoichi he had seen working at the Mission Assignment Desk, spiked his chakra slightly.

'So that's where I've seen him, his mother has brought him to work a few times.'

In a matter of seconds, a brown haired kunoichi had appeared and grabbed Iruka.

"Iruka! I was so worried about you! Don't ever run off again. Just because you're three doesn't mean that you're a big boy yet!"

Sakumo smiled at the reunion, reminiscing over Kakashi at three.

'Before he became a ninja, Kakashi was just as easy to show emotion. He was also a bit of a brat, just like he says the kid is.'

After a minute of chastising Iruka, the kunoichi turned towards Sakumo.

"Thanks you so much...?"

Sakumo smiled at the not so subtle request for his name.

"Hatake Sakumo."

The kunoichi smiled as soon as Sakumo said his name.

"Hatake Sakumo, I was looking for you!"

Sakumo tensed and cast a weary look at the kunoichi.

'I know she works in the Mission Assignment Room and one of their workers looking for you is never a good thing. Did something happen? Does someone need me for something?'

"What of it...?"

The kunoichi shook her head at Sakumo's response to her statement.

"You certainly have the paranoia to match your reputation. I'm Umino Kohari, a tokubetsu jonin Mission Assignment Desk worker. As I was leaving the Mission Assignment Desk after my shift, Iruka was with me today, I was told to find you and tell you that Hokage-sama has asked for you to meet him in his office.

Sakumo nodded having already guessed he was needed.

"I wonder what he wants..."

Kohari shrugged at Sakumo's question.

"I don't know. I'm only an administrative worker."

Sakumo sighed and turned towards Kakashi, already beginning to feel guilty. "Sorry we can't spend the day together, it seems that I have to go meet the Hokage. I trust you can get home on your own."

Kakashi's face fell, but he quickly covered it with a pout.

"Tou-san, I'm a chunnin now. I can get home on my own."

Iruka looked at Kakashi in disbelief.

"You're too wittle to be a chunnin."

Kakashi frowned at Iruka's remark.

"I may be small, but I am a chunnin, brat."

"Am not a bwat!"

"Yes you are."

"Am not"

"Are too"

Sakumo shook his head in exasperation at the two arguing children before turning to Kohari.

"I trust you can break them apart? I need to go see Hokage-sama."

Kohari nodded with a slight smile on her face.

"Of course. I'll also make sure that Kakashi gets home safe. Even if he is a ninja, I still don't think he should be roaming around on his own."

Sakumo sighed, knowing his son hated to be treated like a defenseless child.

"If you want to. Kakashi will probably complain though."

Before Kohari could respond, Sakumo gave the bickering children one last smile before turning and jumping onto the nearest rooftop. Soon, a white blur could be seen running across the rooftops heading towards the Hokage Tower.

'I wonder why Hokage-sama wants to meet with me. Could it be over Kakashi's recent promotion and how Kakashi will be taking higher ranked missions from now on? Shouldn't he meet with Minato-san then? I'm not Kakashi's jonin-sensei, Minato-san is.'

Sakumo soon reached the tower and after stating the reason for his presence to the secretary, a middle-aged woman who most thought was a civilian, only a select few knowing that she was a shinobi and even fewer knowing that she was ANBU, Sakumo was waived through and continued making his way to the office.

Sakumo waved as he passed by other shinobi of Konoha, mentally cataloging their names and rank upon seeing their faces. After walking through a few corridors and up some stairs, Sakumo reached the doors to the Hokage's office.

Before Sakumo could even lift up his hand to knock on the door, a voice told him to enter.

Sakumo pushed the door open and walked into the office.

Sitting at his desk, surrounded by piles of paperwork was the Sandaime Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, otherwise known as the Professor.

The Hokage looked up at Sakumo and smiled.

"Punctual as always Sakumo."

As soon as he finished his greeting, the Hokage's face turned serious.

"I have a mission of the utmost importance for you."

Sakumo stood up straighter, tension beginning to fill his every cell.

"What is it?"

'And here I was hoping to enjoy my day off, but the village comes first.'

"As you already should know, Konoha and Iwa have always had a less than stellar relationship. The fact that Iwa lost to us in the Second Shinobi War has done nothing to help. However in recent weeks there have been rumors that Iwa is preparing for war. It would seem that Onoki is still angry over the fact that Iwa lost to us during the last war."

"With all due respect Sandaime-sama, didn't the Second War only just end? Why would Onoki be willing to start another war so soon," asked Sakumo incredulously.

'Is Iwa even strong enough for another war?!'

The Hokage got up from his chair and moved so he was looking out the window at the rest of Konoha below.

"I cannot say why Onoki would willingly start another war, but I do know that he is gathering the resources for one. Jiraiya has gathered good intel stating that Iwa has been stocking up on weapons and explosives. They may not have enough man power to fight, or enough weapons, but in a few more months they will have trained a good number of Shinobi as well as gathered enough weapons to equip them all as well as have extra."

The Sandaime Hokage turned around and looked directly at Sakumo.

"Jiraiya has managed to determine the location of Iwa's weapon stores as well as their battle plans. He says that it is not well guarded since Iwa does not believe that we know of its location or believe that Iwa is planning on starting another war. I want you and a team of three other shinobi to leave tonight. Iwa will not have an opportunity to do damage to our village!"

Sakumo nodded, understanding just how important this mission would be for the future of Konoha.

"Understood. May I suggest some members for team?"

'Such an important mission has to have a well-balanced, yet strong team.'

The Hokage made a go-ahead motion with his hand.

"Of course. You will be the one working with them."

"I would suggest at least one medic, we will be in the center of enemy territory, so we won't be able to get medical help if we need it. A Hyuuga so they'll be able to see long distances and detect threats quicker. Maybe an Uchiha as well? In case we need to have something memorized quickly, their Sharingan would be a great asset. The Uchiha would also be able to cast a strong genjutsu if we should need one. Although, the team is yours to choose in the end, Hokage-sama, that is only my suggestion. Should I return here later to pick up the mission specifics? I need to go home and gather supplies first.

The Hokage moved back to his desk and sat down.

"You do not need to return here. I will have the specifics sent to your home by an ANBU runner. The runner will also inform the rest of your team. Prepare yourself for a difficult mission Sakumo, I don't know what path this mission will take. Intel on Iwa is hard to come by and has a chance to be wrong. Be careful on your mission and do not let yourselves be caught. Iwa will take any opportunity to declare war on us, whether they are prepared or not."

Again, Sakumo made as sharp motion of his head to indicate that he heard and then turned around to exit the office. As he was walking out the door, he heard the Hokage say, "Tell your son that he is to be congratulated for making Chunnin, not many are able to make Chunnin so quickly after becoming Shinobi, let alone at such a young age."

Sakumo stopped for a fraction of a second before walking again.

'I had forgotten that I originally thought I was being asked to come here due to Kakashi's promotion. I only wish that had been that case… No matter what, war cannot be declared. I do not want my son to fight on the battle field, to lose his friends and comrades.'

Sakumo continued walking as he left the building, switching to a run along the rooftops once he was back outside, fully intending to gather as many supplies as possible for the mission as well as prepare himself mentally. His thoughts were focused on completing the mission and his son.

'Kakashi will not suffer any of the same loss I have during my years as a shinobi. I will protect what is precious to me for as long as I am able to.'

The Hokage glanced out the window from his seat, seeing Sakumo make his way through Konoha.

'I pray that you will finish this mission successfully Sakumo. I want neither my sons nor my village to suffer should you fail.'

The Hokage then pulled out some files on the ninja of the village and began to choose which should be sent on the mission other than Sakumo. Once he was done, signaled one of his ANBU to deliver the missives to each squad member.

After the runner had left, Sarutobi Hiruzen opened a drawer in his desk and pulled out his pipe as well as some tobacco to fill it with. After placing the tobacco in the pipe he used a small fire jutsu to light the leaves on fire.

Crack.

The body of the pipe cracked from the heat of the flame.

'I haven't cracked a pipe this way in years... Could this be an omen I do not know why Onoki wants war, but war cannot happen, not so soon after the last. May Kami help your mission succeed Sakumo, it is far too important to fail.'

In a different part of Konoha, a masked man could be seen walking down a long dark corridor.

The man was wearing standard issue Konoha pants and sandals as well as a black jacket with two red stripes along the front.

The man soon stopped in front of a closed door and opened it before walking into the room.

After a few paces, the masked man stopped and kneeled in front of a shadowed figure.

"Danzo-sama, we've received word from the agents stationed in Tsuchi no Kuni that Onoki is slowly beginning to prepare for war."

Danzo leaned back in his chair a smiled trying to make its way to his face, but failing.

"So Onoki has finally fallen for it. Have the agents in Tsuchi no Kuni cause more distress. I want Onoki to declare war on us within two years at the latest. Dismissed."

The agent got to his feet and turned to leave, as he was leaving, the door opened and another agent walked in while the first walked out.

The new agent knelt in front of Danzo and began his report.

"Danzo-sama, the Hokage has received intel, from Jiraiya, about the unrest in Tsuchi no Kuni. He is sending out a team to destroy Iwa's weapons and supplies as well as their battle plans. He intends to stop a war before it even has a chance of starting."

Danzo frowned at the news.

"I had hoped Hiruzen would not discover Onoki's plans until it was too late, but I should not have underestimated him nor Jiraiya."

After a few seconds of silence, Danzo continued, "Send word to the agents in Tsuchi no Kuni, Iwa cannot lose its ability to declare war on us. Whatever means necessary should be taken to stop the Konoha Team from succeeding. Dismissed."

The agent stood up and was about to leave when Danzo asked, "Who is being sent on the mission?"

The agent turned around and once again kneeled, "Hatake Sakumo is leading it. The rest of the team was still being picked when the agent stationed there reported in."

Danzo nodded and waved the agent out.

Once the room was again empty, Danzo moved out of his chair and to a hidden rack of files.

"So you plan on stopping the war before it starts do you old friend? A waste. Iwagakure no Sato is not strong enough to defeat us in battle. We will be able to defeat their forces easily. We will make them bend to our will and rise as the strongest village in the Elemental Nations."

Danzo then pulled out his records for some of his strongest Root shinobi.

"Sending the Hatake was an error on your part. He values the lives of his comrades just as much as he values the village. A foolish notion if there is one. I will make sure he has no choice but to fail the mission if he hopes for them to live. His reputation will be tarnished from the failure and so one less person of opposition will stand in my way to get to where you reside Hiruzen. You may guard the leaves in the sun and I the roots in the shadows, but one day I will have control of the whole tree and I will make sure that it flourishes, even if I have to prune the tree to get there."

'There was not supposed to be this many shinobi here!'

Hatake Sakumo's thoughts whirred as he dodged another kunai thrown at him from an Iwa Shinobi.

'Jiraiya's intel stated that Iwa was not guarding this location very strongly since they didn't believe we knew of it! Why would Iwa suddenly increase security? They couldn't have found out about our mission. We made sure to travel as civilians all the way here, it delayed us by a few weeks, but even then Jiraiya kept us updated the entire time! Was Jiraiya's intel wrong? Or did someone turn traitor?'

Sakumo and his team had neared the location where Iwa was storing its weapon supplies and battle plans. However as they drew close, they were attacked by two separate squads of Iwa ANBU.

'We've not even reached the center. If they have this many squads to spare, just to take out intruders, how many are actually here?'

Sakumo and his team, composed of an Uchiha, Hyuuga, and a non-clan Shinobi fought against the Iwa Shinobi, eventually managing to scrape a win, but not without sustaining some serious injuries.

The Uchiha had been hit by a poisoned kunai and was beginning to convulse and have trouble breathing, the Hyuuga having medical knowledge was attempting to heal the Uchiha, but all efforts were for naught.

"Check the bodies over, at least one of them should be carrying an antidote in the case of accidental poisoning."

Sakumo and the non-clan shinobi began to search the bodies over for a medical kit, hopefully containing an antidote.

As Sakumo was stripping one of the Iwa ANBU of their uniform, he noticed something strange on the Iwa ANBU's arm.

'Is that the Konoha ANBU tattoo? Could this Iwa ANBU once have been a Konoha ANBU? Maybe it was a recent defection. It would make sense. This ANBU could have informed Iwa about the mission. ANBU do have high enough clearance to obtain most records. Iwa would have then been able to plan a retaliation with the intel.'

Sakumo continued searching the ANBU's body, noticing another tattoo on the ANBU's chest.

'Root? If I remember correctly, Root is a subdivision of Konoha ANBU run by Danzo... Danzo would never allow one of his shinobi to defect and live, let alone join a different village. That means this Shinobi was here on purpose. Possibly to survey the situation, but how did Iwa know we were coming? Maybe they increased security because they had gathered more weapons and developed stronger battle plans. If that is true, then our mission is more important. We could have used the other Konoha Shinobi's help.'

Sakumo continued to think as he searched the body for an antidote, eventually finding none.

'If this really was a Konoha Shinobi, why didn't he help us? Why weren't we informed of his position here? He could have met us early on to inform us of the situation. I suppose we'll never get answers now.'

Sakumo moved on to a different body and began searching.

Once again, Sakumo came across an ANBU tattoo and a Root tattoo.

'Another one? This means that the odds were even. Six against six. Why didn't they help us?'

Sakumo again did not find an antidote and was about to move to another body when the non-clan shinobi exclaimed that he'd found one.

Sakumo moved back to the Uchiha and the Hyuuga to see the Hyuuga administer the antidote.

As the antidote was being administered, Sakumo turned to the non-clan shinobi.

"Did you notice anything strange about the bodies of the ANBU?"

The non-clan shinobi nodded and quietly replied, "One of the ANBU I searched was probably once a part of Konoha ANBU; he had the tattoo. He also had another tattoo that said Root on his chest, although I don't know what that was about. The other two only had the Iwa ANBU tattoo. Is there something wrong, Hatake-taicho?"

Sakumo stayed silent, lost in though.

'That's three Root ANBU. Seven vs. Five. Why didn't they help? They should have known that each other was Konoha and so are we... Something just isn't adding up.'

Sakumo realizing that the non-clan shinobi had asked a question replied, "I'm not sure. I think I'm going to check out the other three bodies before I come to any conclusions. It may have just been the paranoia of a foolish man. Bandage yourself and use healing jutsu if you can, we'll have to move out soon."

The non-clan Shinobi nodded and started to treat some of his own injuries.

Sakumo moved back to the bodies and began to investigate them. He soon found out that another two were Root ANBU, the last being a normal Iwa ANBU.

'That would have put the Konoha vs. Iwa count at nine vs. three. We had an extremely high ratio against them, three to one... This doesn't make any sense. They could have just made it look like they were injured and retreated. We would have let them. It would have been a benefit to our mission if we had someone undercover on the inside. Maybe I should check again to see if they had any messages on them. Although, they would have most likely been destroyed as soon as they were read.'

Sakumo once again searched the bodies looking for any clues, he soon came across a sealed scroll with the seal of the Tsuchikage holding it shut.

'What could this be?'

Sakumo opened the scroll and began to read.

A Konoha team is being sent to destroy the weapons and the plans.

Stop them at all costs.

Their mission cannot succeed.

The seal for Root was at the bottom of the scroll.

'How was Danzo able to copy the Tsuchikage's seal? The way this scroll is made makes it look like it was a missive from the Tsuchikage! If I didn't know Root was a Konoha institution I would have been fooled. Why does Danzo want this mission to fail? He's even tricked Iwa into helping him. Konoha should be helping itself not Iwa. This mission would help Konoha prevent war. This information should not have been told to Iwa shinobi... We need to rethink our approach, especially since information has been leaked.'

Sakumo moved back to his team mates and saw that the Uchiha was not doing much better. His convulsing had lessened, but it had not stopped entirely.

"I thought we found an antidote?"

The Hyuuga didn't look up, still trying to stop the convulsions.

"The antidote prevented the poison from spreading further, but it does not heal the damage. Since only one vial was found, it can be inferred that the ANBU don't carry a full antidote with them, only one to prevent death. It is possible that this poison is used for interrogation. If he is to be cured, he must be taken to the hospital where the poison and its partial antidote can be analyzed."

Sakumo sighed knowing that there was no way they would be able to get the Uchiha medical attention so quickly.

"I suppose we can find a safe location to let him rest until the mission is complete."

The Hyuuga nodded at Sakumo's suggestion.

"That would be a wise decision. Bringing him with us would only result in slowing us down."

Suddenly a rustling could be heard in the distance.

'A wild animal or reinforcements?'

Sakumo spread out his chakra and sensed another four ANBU level shinobi coming their way, still about a mile away.

'We need time to find Uchiha-san a safe location to rest.'

The Hyuuga also noticed the impending visitors and was looking at Sakumo, waiting for orders.

"Take Uchiha-san and find a safe location, then double back to us."

Sakumo turned towards the non-clan shinobi next.

"There are enemies heading our way. You and I will hold them off while Hyuuga-san takes Uchiha-san to a safer location."

The non-clan shinobi finished bandaging one last wound and then stood up, ready to leave.

Sakumo sent one last glance at the Hyuuga who had picked up the Uchiha and then set off, the non-clan shinobi on his heel.

After running through the mountainous terrain for a minute, he held up his hand signaling a stop.

"They're almost here. We'll meet up with them and fight."

After a few more seconds four Iwa ANBU appeared in-front of the duo.

'Are these actual Iwa ANBU or more Root ANBU?'

Sakumo pulled out his tanto while the non-clan shinobi pulled out a kunai, and so the fighting began.

Sakumo managed take down one ANBU quickly and was fighting another when he heard a pained yell. Glancing, he saw that the non-clan shinobi had a sword running straight through his leg.

'He won't survive without medical assistance. He's losing blood far too fast.'

Sakumo quickly dispatched the ANBU he was fighting and attempted to make his way over to his teammate. However, the fourth ANBU blocked his path. Sakumo fought with a hint of desperation trying to reach his teammate, but it was in vain. The ANBU his teammate was fighting was moving in for a fatal strike.

'No, I wasn't supposed to lose any member of my team on this mission.'

At the last possible moment, a shout was heard, "Hakke Rokujuyon Sho!"

The Hyuuga had returned and was quickly able to disable and kill the ANBU about to kill the non-clan shinobi.

Once the ANBU was dead, the Hyuuga began to heal the non-clan shinobi, while Sakumo continued to fight the last ANBU.

"Hyuuga-san, take him to the same place as Uchiha-san. He won't be able to help us with that leg."

The Hyuuga nodded and lifted up the non-clan shinobi before running of in the same direction he had come.

The ANBU Sakumo was fighting turned to watch as they left.

"You do realize that none of you will be able to escape or complete your mission alive. There are another five squads of ANBU here as well as jonin and chunnin."

Sakumo tensed from the ANBU's comment.

"How do you know of our mission?"

The ANBU ducked avoiding a swing of Sakumo's tanto.

"Who doesn't? Why do you think there are so many of us here? We will not let you succeed!"

Sakumo growled and fought harder, eventually managing to slash through the ANBU's clothing a slice across his chest.

The ANBU fell to the ground in a spray of blood, it was only then that Sakumo noticed that a Root tattoo could be see surrounding the slash he had made.

"Just how many of you are there? What is Danzo planning? Why does he want my mission to fail?"

The ANBU laughed as blood pooled around him, "Konoha is the strongest village and it will be seen as such. You will not prevent us from making the other villages crumble before Konoha's mi-."

The ANBU gurgled as blood began to fill his throat a longer answer no longer possible. A few minutes later, the ANBU lost consciousness death pulling him towards it, leaving Sakumo alone to his thoughts.

'Danzo's men will not allow us to finish this mission and if what he says is true and there are that many shinobi guarding the target, then Hyuuga-san and I will not be able to survive, let alone complete the mission. The best decision to make would be a tactical retreat. We are vastly outnumbered and two of our number are unable to fight. I'm sorry Hokage-sama, but there is no way I can see this mission being completed with or without the loss of my team...I should inform my team of my decision.'

With his decision made, Sakumo left the dying ANBU and began to head for the location where he sensed his team's chakra.

'I only hope there aren't any long lasting repercussions due to this.'

It had been a few months since the Iwa mission, the Hokage had been upset that the mission had failed, but let it slide once he heard the circumstances by which it was abandoned. Sakumo thought an official reprimand would be all that would happen was moved on. However, someone leaked some of the mission details to the rest of Konoha. When the general populace discovered that Hatake Sakumo had abandoned a mission that could have prevented a possible war, his reputation took a nose dive. Now, whenever Sakumo walked through the street of Konoha it was easy to tell that he was less than welcome.

'I knew it was an important mission and that abandoning it so my team and I could survive would result in some blame, but this is ridiculous.'

Sakumo had just returned from another solo mission, a type of mission he would not usually take, but not many were willing to take a team mission with him. He was walking down the streets of Konoha, watching as people glared at him or looked the other way.

The level of hatred and rude comments was staggering.

'All because I chose the lives of my teammates over the mission. It's not like we would have been able to complete the mission to begin with. No one other than me was healthy enough, even Hyuuga-san was suffering chakra exhaustion after so much healing. Besides, Danzo was setting us up to fail... And I can't even call him out on it without a sizable amount of proof.'

Sakumo was angry and upset with how he was being treated for something that wasn't entirely his fault, but he didn't blame the people of Konoha.

'If I discovered that someone had failed a mission and possibly caused a war as a result. I would not be happy either. Although I wonder who leaked the information. I wouldn't be surprised if it was Danzo...'

Sakumo had begun avoiding the streets of Konoha after his mission, but if need be he traveled through them which was what he was doing now. After his mission, Sakumo had returned to find the Hatake Compound empty and after a quick meeting with his son's jonin-sensei, he discovered that his son was not leaving for a mission until tomorrow and that he'd requested a day off.

'It's not that Kakashi doesn't deserve a day off. He just never takes one, he spends all his free time training and he isn't even in the training fields. Where could he have possibly gone?'

After searching through Konoha, Sakumo decided to track down Kakashi's chakra signature, which eventually lead him to a small house on the boundaries of central Konoha.

'Why would Kakashi be here?'

Sakumo knocked on the door, which was opened a few minutes later by none other than Umino Kohari.

"Umino-san?"

Kohari smiled as soon as she saw who it was.

"Hatake-san, I assumed you are looking for Kakashi? He's inside with Iruka."

Kohari moved from the doorway and motioned Sakumo inside. Sakumo stepped inside the house and followed Kohari as she led Sakumo through the house. They eventually stopped outside an open door. Sakumo peered inside and saw Kakashi sitting next to Iruka reading a book to him. Kakashi hadn't changed since Sakumo had last seen him, but Iruka had gained a giant barely healed scar across his nose.

Sakumo turned towards Kohari and whispered as to not be heard, "What happened?"

Kohari quietly closed the door.

"I'll explain over tea."

Sakumo was surprised by Kohari's offer as very few people interacted with him on a positive basis anymore. He then followed Kohari to a small kitchen and sat at the table while she prepared tea.

The tea was soon prepared and the sugar and milk added.

Kohari sat across from Sakumo and began sipping her tea.

"Iruka decided that it would be a good idea to play with one of Ikkaku's, my husband's, kunai. I believe he wanted to prove that he wasn't a baby to Kakashi. Iruka got himself cut because he wasn't careful. He shouldn't have been playing with kunai either, but... Kakashi found out and blamed himself. He's decided to stay with Iruka while he heals. I suppose it's a good thing since now I have someone to watch over Iruka while I work and train, I plan on trying for jonin, Ikkaku is already one. It also serves to give Kakashi a same place to stay. "

Sakumo raised an eyebrow as he took a sip.

"Safe place?"

'Please don't let the people of the village have started to treat Kakashi like they've been treating me.'

Kohari sighed almost as if she sensed Sakumo's worries.

"When you left Kakashi with me when you left for your mission, I didn't take him back to the compound, I brought him here. He doesn't deserve to be left alone all the time, chunnin or not. He stayed with us for a while and I suppose he's come to think of here as a secondary home. The fact that some of the villagers have begun to shun Kakashi, it's not as bad as it has been for you, makes him avoid going all the way to the Hatake Compound every day. "

Sakumo placed his head in his hands.

"This is all my fault. If only I had completed the mission."

Kohari placed her cup down.

"It was not your fault. I've seen the mission report since I work in administration. There was no way you could have possibly completed that mission. There was far too many enemies, your intel was wrong. It was a wise decision to retreat. The people of Konoha blame you because they don't know the truth and they need a scapegoat. They know war is brewing and they don't want it. I for one do not blame you, neither does my husband. Your son doesn't blame you either. I explained the situation to him and he says he understands that you did the best you could."

Sakumo looked up at Kohari, his face full of hope.

"Do you truly believe that?"

Kohari nodded resolutely.

"Yes I do and if you don't believe me, ask your son yourself. Iruka should be falling asleep soon, he's only three and a half, so Kakashi will come here for food. He's a growing boy after all, soon to turn seven if I'm not mistaken."

Sakumo smiled reminiscently.

"He's getting older...Yes he will turn seven in a few weeks."

Kohari grinned, knowing she had cheered Sakumo up slightly.

"You care about him, just like he cares about you. Don't let what happened on a single bad mission dictate how you should spend your life."

Sakumo sighed as he finished the last of his tea.

"I just wish it had been one bad mission."

Kohari raised an eyebrow.

"What do you mean?"

Sakumo attempted to divert Kohari.

"I just meant that it wasn't just the mission."

'How did I accidentally say that out loud?!'

Kohari gave Sakumo a blank look, showing she didn't believe him in the slightest.

"No, you said that the mission was more than a bad mission."

Sakumo stared at the leaves at the bottom of his cup.

'Should I tell her the truth? I haven't told anyone, not even the Hokage. He trusts Danzo far too much...'

Kohari tapped her fingers against the table as Sakumo stayed silent.

"I'm waiting."

Sakumo sighed, knowing he wasn't getting out of this.

"Certain people in Konoha leaked intel to Iwa. They arranged for the mission to fail. A good number of the Iwa Shinobi that attacked us were really Konoha shinobi."

Kohari stopped her fingers.

"Danzo I presume? It sounds like something that old war hawk would do."

Sakumo gave Kohari a surprised look.

"You know him?"

Kohari nodded sadly, "My husband and I are on the old side of the spectrum. We're in our late thirties, older than the Sannin. We've gone on missions with Hokage-sama and the Elders quite a few times. I know what Danzo is like and I know he runs a division of ANBU called Root. It's inhumane what some of them are willing to do."

Sakumo was surprised, he had known that Kohari was older than him, but he hadn't realized it was by such a large amount.

'Maybe she is someone I can trust'

"Yes, it was Danzo. The Konoha shinobi were all Root ANBU. I also saw a missive from Danzo indicating that they had to stop me and my team at any cost. I lost the missive as we were fleeing though. It would have served as good evidence."

Kohari looked down at her cup of tea.

"Be careful Sakumo-kun, Danzo is not one who takes being crossed lightly. If he finds out what you know he will have you removed from the equation. He does not like you as you are someone people used to look up to. Some still respect you even after our fall from grace. You have power in the village and Danzo does not like opposition. Don't try to take him down because he will take you down first."

Sakumo stayed silent, processing what Kohari has just said.

'I suppose it's a good thing that I never told anyone the truth behind what happened. Danzo would have found out eventually. And I know he is powerful enough to go through with what Kohari-san has said.'

Sakumo opened his mouth to speak, but before a single sound could come out, footsteps could be heard coming down the hall.

'Kakashi I suppose.'

True to Sakumo's guess, Kakashi walked into the kitchen not even a second later. He greeted Kohari before turning and seeing his father.

Kakashi stopped in his tracks, his eyes widening.

"Tou-san?"

Sakumo grinned at his son's reaction to seeing him.

"Kakashi."

Kohari got up, grabbing the tea cups, and moved away, giving the father and son a moment together.

Kakashi slowly walked to Sakumo and stopped in front of him. Kakashi's face was a mixture of emotions, none of which stayed for long before Kakashi face went blank. Sakumo winced at the blank face.

'So he does hate me after all. I suppose Kohari was wrong.'

"Kakashi?"

Kakashi stared at his father for a few more seconds before rushing forwards to give his father a hug.

"I don't blame you. You did what was right. I'm not going to let anything convince me otherwise."

Sakumo shakily started, "Kakashi..."

Kakashi looked up to give his father a glare.

"Don't try to convince me otherwise. Just enjoy the hug. I think Iruka's rubbed off on me too much."

Sakumo blinked back a tear that was trying to force its way out.

"Maybe he has."

'Even if the majority of the village hates me and curses my name, my son still loves me and in the end that's what matters the most. I'll do everything to make sure that it stays this way.'

'I hate long missions.'

Hatake Sakumo was once again returning from Konoha after a long solo mission, a common occurrence ever since his failed mission to Iwa almost a year prior.

'It seems like the village neither wants to work with me or keep me here.'

It was afternoon when Sakumo returned, so quite a few people of Konoha were present walking about Konoha. A few people were giving Sakumo glares as he passed them, but the majority just ignored him.

'At least they're just ignoring me now. I can stand the lack of hostility. Maybe in a few years they'll even begin to forget.'

Sakumo made his way through central Konoha as he walked to the Hokage Tower to hand in his mission report.

'The sooner I hand in the report, the sooner I can go home.'

Sakumo soon arrived at the Hokage Tower and after pointing at the Mission Assignment Desk sign for the secretary, he was allowed inside.

'At least she let me in without complaint.'

Sakumo walked down the corridors and soon reach the Mission Desk. He quickly glanced inside to see who was working. A chunnin he didn't recognize as well as Kohari were manning the desk.

'I have no idea if the chunnin will treat me like I'm the scum at the bottom of his sandals or not, but I know Kohari will treat me just fine. I suppose it's obvious who I'm going to.'

Sakumo walked over to Kohari and place his mission report in front of her.

"How is Iruka doing? You as well I suppose."

Kohari looked up and smiled when she saw Sakumo.

"So my son is more important? Iruka is doing good, he's just turned four, thinks he's all grown up because of it. I plan on taking the jonin exams soon, I think I'm ready."

Sakumo chuckled at Kohari's teasing tone.

"Good luck, I know you can do it. And back to Iruka, who is slightly more important, children are like that aren't they? Plan on entering him into the Academy soon?"

Kohari shook her head as Sakumo's question and comment about Iruka.

"Not until he's at least six, maybe even seven. Kakashi may have been ready to become a ninja young, but I don't think Iruka is. Speaking of Kakashi, he left on a mission with Namikaze-san a few days ago. He should be coming home later today or early tomorrow."

Sakumo nodded gratefully at the news.

"Thank you for telling me about Kakashi. I would have had a panic attack when I got home and he was nowhere to be found. Iwa is ready to declare war on us, it's only a matter of time until they do. For all I know, they could have kidnapped Kakashi"

Kohari's smile faltered, when Sakumo mentioned the imminent war.

"I suppose that's one of reasons why I don't want Iruka becoming a shinobi anytime soon... And it's the least I could do. Not many in the village seem to care about the boy. His jonin-sensei can only do so much for him while you are gone. I try and so does my husband whenever he's not on a mission, but Kakashi is a stubborn one."

Sakumo smiled slightly at the mention of his son's personality.

"Still, it's worth a lot. And I should be heading home. Your coworker is giving me a glare."

Kohari turned to look at her coworker and sure enough, he was giving Sakumo a glare.

"You don't need to leave, but I understand if you want to head home. I do, but my shift doesn't end for a few hours."

Kohari stamped Sakumo's mission report and put it in the stack to file.

Sakumo waved Kohari off.

"It's alright. I should be heading home. Maybe stop to buy some groceries. If Kakashi has been gone as well, then there may not be any food safe to eat left in the house."

Kohari raised an eyebrow at Sakumo's not so subtle topic change, but didn't comment.

"Wouldn't want that would we? Why don't I drop by later with Ikkaku, Iruka, and a meal? I'm sure you're tired and a home cooked meal would never hurt anyone."

"That would be appreciated."

Kohari motioned towards the door.

"Good. Go home and I'll be by a while after my shift ends. Don't get yourself killed on the way."

Sakumo rolled his eyes at Kohari's actions.

"Trying to get rid of me and baby me? I'll be going then, okaa-san."

Before giving chance for Kohari stop spluttering, Sakumo left the room and the Hokage Tower, making his way back to the Hatake Compound.

'I hope there isn't anything growing the fridge. I don't want to clean anything green and/or fuzzy.'

After a few minutes, Sakumo reached the Hatake Compound and temporarily disabled the wards so he could enter. Once Sakumo was inside, he made his way to his bedroom so he could change his clothes. As soon as Sakumo reached his bedroom and entered, he tensed.

'There are two chakra signatures in my room and I don't recognize either of them. Nor do I seem to be able to see who they come from.'

Sakumo reached up to grab his tanto, but before he could his body suddenly froze. Sakumo instantly realized what had frozen him, recognizing the feeling.

'Kagemane no Jutsu… So one is a Nara.'

Sakumo managed to open his mouth enough to speak a little.

"Who are you?"

All Sakumo could hear was a cold laugh.

"You know too much."

Sakumo was confused, he could not remember enraging someone powerful enough to do this within the past few months.

'Who is behind this? Danzo again? Did he discover that I knew the truth behind my mission's failure? I haven't told anyone since Kohari and that was months ago! I didn't even try to gather more evidence against him to clear my name.'

"Who sent you? Danzo?"

Suddenly a blade was at Sakumo's throat, digging just deep enough to inflict pain without breaking skin.

"You do know too much."

Sakumo swallowed in fear and began to try and break the jutsu, but to no avail.

'I am not going to get out of this am I?'

"Stop, we were ordered to do this a certain way."

The blade was removed from Sakumo's throat at the command.

'Certain way, they were probably ordered to give me a painful death. I need to get out of here, there must be a loophole. The Nara couldn't have possibly thought of everything!'

Sakumo once again tried to break the jutsu, but again failed.

"What are you planning on doing?"

The possibly non-Nara Root ANBU replied, "We have been ordered to silence you."

As the ANBU said this, Sakumo's body began to move, without his permission, and pulled out his tanto.

'Are they planning on killing me with my own blade? I won't let them. Besides this blade can only be wielded to its full potential by a Hatake.'

As soon as Sakumo's tanto was in his hand, his body began to bend down until he was sitting on the floor in the traditional seiza position.

'Putting me in a position so I can't defend myself? It seems like they want to make sure I have no chance of escape.'

It was only when the tip of Sakumo's tanto was placed on the left side of his abdomen did he realize exactly what Danzo had planned for his death to look like.

'Seppuku?! I would never! I am not someone that would choose death over rebuilding my reputation with time! I would never abandon my son! Or the other people I care about!'

As the blade began to dig into Sakumo's skin, through his jonin flak jacket, Sakumo realized there wouldn't be a way he could escape. Danzo's men would make sure of it. Even if he managed to break free he would be too seriously injured to fight back.

'By Kami, please don't let it end like this! I can't die here, my death looking like it was brought about by my own hand.'

Soon the cut across the abdomen was complete and blood began to flow out. The amount not too large due to the presence of Sakumo's flak jacket as a slight compressor. A few seconds later, Sakumo's tanto was re-positioned at his neck.

'What will people say when they find me? Find me... Kami, don't let Kakashi find me like this. Anyone but Kakashi. Kohari, please come to deliver the food before Kakashi returns from the village. Please.'

The tanto quickly sliced along Sakumo's neck and he could feel the blood gushing forth as the Nara Root agent released his jutsu.

'Anyone but Kakashi. Anyone but my son. Not Kakashi. Not Kaka-'

Sakumo fell unconscious as the blood loss became too much.

Once they were sure that Sakumo was unconscious with no hope of surviving, the two Root ANBU left the compound, making sure to make it look like they were never there. Blood trails were destroyed and the wards redone. Sakumo's death would look like a true suicide. His last thoughts being of his son.

'I can't wait to get home. Tou-san is back so he'll be there for once. It's unfair that he keeps getting assigned all these horrible missions. It's not his fault people are idiots.'

It was late evening and Hatake Kakashi was running back to the Hatake compound after a mission. While he was at the Mission Assignment Desk, he had heard that his father was back home. The comments made about him weren't exactly the most flattering, but Kakashi couldn't care less.

'At least, I finally get to see Tou-san again. I just hope he didn't get too injured on this mission like he has on the last few. The people at the hospital aren't exactly the nicest to him or me for that matter. I don't like being there longer than necessary anymore...'

Soon Kakashi had reached the Hatake Compound and threw the doors open, rushing inside.

"Tou-san!"

Kakashi heard no reply and assumed that his father was either out in the village getting food,

'Getting food is the only the reason why tou-san even goes into the village anymore, I'm generally the one that buys weapons for the two of us, since the weapon shop owner won't sell to him.'

At the Umino Residence,

'Tou-san has gotten pretty close with Ikkaku-san and Kohari-san in the past year. I'm happy he still has friends that stick by him. Jiraiya-san may also, but he has barely ever returned to the village in the past few years.'

Or in his room sleeping.

'Dad does sleep like the dead when he's tired and he knows it's safe to. Our wards are some of the strongest in the village! Plus, dad just got back from a mission.'

Kakashi then decided to check his father's room first since it was the easiest and Kakashi didn't feel like going back into the village so soon. Kakashi carefully made his way to his father's room, not wanting to wake him up if he truly was asleep. Once Kakashi was there, he pushed the doors open and stepped inside the dark room.

"Tou-san!"

Silence met Kakashi, who then assumed that his father wasn't home and turned to leave, until the strong scent of blood hit his nose.

'Tou-san?! Please tell me you didn't injure yourself too badly!'

Kakashi quickly flipped the light switch, but no light filled the room.

'Of all the times for the light bulb to die.'

Kakashi rushed to the nearest window and pushed the shutters away, getting some evening light into the room. He then turned around to look into the room. Lying on the floor in the center of the room was his father's still body.

'Tou-san?!'

Kakashi ran to his father's body and saw all the blood leaking from it.

'Why didn't you go to the hospital? You should have known that you were injured.'

Kakashi began to examine his father's body for injuries, noticing the deep cut in his abdomen.

'That could be a life-threatening injury! Why didn't he get help?'

Kakashi then placed his hand on his father's throat to check for a pulse, it was only then that he noticed that his father's throat was cut and that it was impossible for Sakumo to have a pulse.

"Tou-san!"

Kakashi went into shock and remained at his father's side unmoving and not thinking. This was how Umino Ikkaku found Kakashi half an hour later when Ikkaku, Kohari, and Iruka came to the Hatake Compound with food. Kakashi would stay in shock for a few more days. He would only break out when his father's death was ruled as a suicide and the denial set it.

Kakashi refused to accept that his father's death was a suicide even after evidence was laid in front of him. It was only at his father's funeral, where the members of his failed mission stated his seppuku was done to bring honor back to the village that Kakashi broke down, a new resolve building itself in his mind.

'Tou-san lied. Your family, your friends, your comrades, none of them are anywhere near as important as the village. The village has be protected and cherished over any single person. Nothing takes priority over village and the missions assigned by it. The mission must always be completed, no matter the cost. It is for the village. The code of the ninja must always be followed, to protect the village. The village is all that matters.'

'After all, didn't tou-san kill himself to show that the village, the mission, the shinobi code are all more important than any single man?'

To be Continued... Eventually... Maybe...

And so the first chapter of what will most likely be a two chapter fic is complete.

Just to clear up some details.

I never mentioned the names of the Shinobi on Sakumo's team since they were never mentioned anywhere in the anime or manga, plus I suck at making up names.

Since Sakumo is about the same age as the Sannin, Umino Kohari/Ikkaku would be older since they are ~7 years older than the Sannin. And I'm not sure if I portrayed this correctly, but I wanted Kakashi's father and Iruka's mother to have a sibling like relationship, with Iruka's mother being the overbearing older sister.

Sakumo didn't realize what Danzo's men were planning on making his death look like until the near end because Seppuku is more a samurai tradition than a ninja one.

Lastly, if you feel like hating me for the end of this chapter, feel free to do so, but my goal of returning (somewhat) to canon for the next chapter has been met…

*evil laugh*

Review?