"Naruto, Sasuke, Sakura. Yup, you make a pretty picture right now. I really love you guys..."

The fight was finally coming to an end.

Kakashi watched from the sidelines as Sakura's punch sent Kaguya flying backwards, and Naruto made the switch between them. Kaguya was now absolutely stuck, sandwiched between Sasuke and eccentric blonde. Their arms were extended, and they seemed to be moving towards the goddess at a snail-like pace. Just one touch would seal the woman, one touch to send her back where she came from. They were so close to saving the world.

Kakashi wasn't normally the type of person to naïvely hope for a good outcome, but their victory seemed so certain. His heart was soaring. He was so proud of them. Watching his adorable little students work together so flawlessly was the best thing he'd seen in a long time.

Although that really wasn't saying anything, no one had seen anything particularly great while the war was going on. Kakashi recalled how his little team used to be like when they were Genin- annoying little kids, with no idea of how the real world was. Kakashi had hated the idea of becoming a teacher, but he had no regrets now. Now, they were Kakashi's pride and joy.

Team 7 finally had her- they got Kaguya. Kakashi's eyes widened in anticipation as Naruto and Sasuke's hands neared their target. They were so close to ending this.

Until... they weren't.

Kaguya teleported herself into the freezing dimension just before Naruto and Sasuke could seal her away. Kakashi hadn't thought she would be able to do that- she had seemed so... stuck.

Kakashi's heart dropped to his stomach. All three of them had landed by now, Kakashi himself was standing on solid ground.

The four of them were silent, now. Kaguya hadn't even returned yet, but they knew what was coming. They were resigned. That jutsu had been their last hope, and the setup had been perfect. They had just sentenced themselves to death. The people in the outside world would keep living a genjutsu forever, the tree slowly sucking the chakra out of them until they all died. That was their destiny. Neji Hyūg always maintained that you could never avoid your destiny forever. His destiny had been to die for his cousin. He fulfilled that. And now, the four people standing in a circle had just locked themself into that destiny. There was nothing else they could do.

Kaguya came back, as she always did. Reappearing from the whole she tore in the dimensions, she looked down, kimono and snow-white hair billowing out behind her. She looked like a beautiful disaster, Kakashi decided, feeling the intense pearls of her eyes bearing down on him with a disgusted expression. She was glaring scornfully at the four of them, all standing in a circle and staring up at her. "Pathetic." Black Zetsu spat, hidden in Kaguya's sleeve. "Kill them, mother." He said. He didn't have to ask twice, Kaguya began preparing her All-Killing Ash Bones to finish the job, just like Black Zetsu encouraged her to do.

All four of them turned to look down at their feet, heads bowed solemnly. Remembering while they still could. This was that one minute where their life flashes before their eyes. Sakura, Kakashi and Naruto were recalling all of the people and all of the happy memories they shared.

Naruto grabbed the hands of the people next to him, Sakura and Kakashi. He squeezed them, providing the them with emotional support. The two of them opened their eyes to stare at Naruto, then Sakura linked her arm with Sasuke, and Kakashi put his hand in Sasuke's shoulder. The two of them were surprised that he didn't shrug them off. There were unshed tears brimming behind both Sakura and Naruto's eyes. They'd seen many horrors over the past few weeks, and now it was all going to end so terribly. For a minute, they'd actually thought they were going to make it, they were going to save the ones who were left.

Sasuke and Kakashi were silent, crying no tears. Kakashi watched his students, mentally sighing. Sasuke was just quiet, looking down at his feet. He had failed as much as they did. It was no one's fault, Kaguya was just too strong, and Kakashi knew that Sasuke knew that, but that didn't stop the young Uchiha from blaming himself somehow. It was one of his worst qualities- everything he couldn't directly blame on other people became his fault.

Thus, Kakashi once again had the job of pulling himself together faster so Naruto, Sakura and Sasuke didn't have to. And he was fine with it- he was used to it. The less he thought about things, the more he was able to press on.

"It was an honor to be your sensei. All of you." Kakashi told them, honestly. He was looking at Sasuke as well. He felt like it was time for them to know his real feelings about them. His three students met his eyes, each holding a different emotion. Sasuke seemed ready to meet his death. Sakura looked sad, but like she knew what was coming. Naruto didn't have any fight left in him. Just sadness. That was what was the most disturbing part of this whole situation- Naruto no longer had that spark in his eye that kept everyone going.

They didn't even feel the bones hit them. They were dead the minute it touched them, unlike Obito who had lasted long enough to say his goodbyes. That was strange, normally the soul stayed around long enough for the body to turn to ash.

They were dead, right? Team 7 was supposed to be dead? They weren't supposed to be there anymore. So why haven't they died?

Kakashi was still staring at his students, all four of them still in a circle. The only thing that had changed was the setting. They weren't in pain, or walking towards the light. Kakashi could still feel his students, and he could see their bewilderment. They were no longer trapped in the Root world with Kaguya. Now, they were in an astral plane that was almost like the one Kakashi had talked with Obito in, and like the one Naruto talked with his mother, Obito and Sasuke in. Kakashi looked around, eyebrows lifting in surprise.

"Why are we here?" Naruto asks, breaking the silence. He looked around, confused, but not surprised.

"Because I summoned you." Kakashi and Sakura jumped, and the group turned to where the voice was coming from.

Naruto's face broke into a small smile. "Hey, it's Jii-chan-sannin!" He saluted the old man, then his smile faltered. "Sorry we failed, old man... it was an accident... we missed the seal, and it didn't... well. We died, 'ttebayo."

Hagoromo Otsutsuki huffed, closing his eyes. "I can see that." He didn't seem very angry at all. He looked resigned and a little bit amused. If he could afford to be amused, something, somewhere would work out. Kakashi turned to examine his students' behavior, finding that Naruto and Sasuke seemed very comfortable in the Sage's presence, but his female student had tensed. Her emerald eyes wide, and mouth dropped. Sakura was in awe. "Sakura Haruno, Kakashi Hatake, my name is Hagoromo Otsutsuki. I'm-"

"The Sage of the Six Paths!" Naruto exclaimed, interrupting the older man. Hagoromo sighed loudly, rolling his eyes and putting a hand over his eyes. He rubbed his temples, then opened his eyes again. He seemed to be used to Naruto's behavior, to Kakashi's amusement.

"I tasked Naruto and Sasuke with sealing away my mother, Kaguya, but it appears she was too strong for them this time around." Hagoromo said, looking at the two boys in turn, his eyes eventually traveling to the other two people in there. He didn't seem angry or upset, which didn't make sense either, considering the fact that since Naruto AND Sasuke are dead, there is no more hope for the people in the outside world.

"I'm sorry, sir," Kakashi said, breaking out of his temporary shocked silence and letting go of his students' hands in order to cross his own over his chest. "What do you mean by 'this time around'?"

"Exactly what I said. In fact, that's why each of you are here. I suppose you've been wondering why you are in this place, and I'm here to explain that to you. The four of you have a choice right now, that you can either take or leave."

Sakura gasped quietly. Kakashi knew what she was thinking. A choice?

"You are at a crossroads. If you decide to, you can move on to the afterlife, but you won't get this choice again. Everyone you know and love will die, and the Shinobi world will die with it. However, you can also choose to go back in time and save everyone you love. You will be transported back to the day of your birth. Kakashi will be born earlier, but when you, Sasuke, Sakura and Naruto, are born, you four are free to relive your lives the way you want to. Change things, don't, it's up to you." Hagoromo explained. Kakashi wished he would smile or laugh. Maybe if the serious man did that, it would be easier to pretend the world wasn't crumbling around them. "Just... don't let things get as bad as they are now. Don't let my mother break free."

"We'll... we'll need a moment to talk about it." Sakura said shakily, blinking rapidly. "No offense, sir, this is... a big deal." She told Hagoromo in the most respectful way possible.

"I'm sure it is." Hagoromo dipped his head. He acknowledged that this was a bit much, that they could chose to not take this challenge and simply move on to be with their family and friends. They would be at peace, if they left. Each of them get to see their lost family members. That would be the natural human reaction. To just forget about this whole thing and die, to finally be in peace. And he would respect their wishes if they chose to simply admit that this whole thing is out of their hands. They had done their best for the world for their own personal limitations.

But that wasn't enough- their best hadn't been enough.

This time.

Their best wasn't enough this time, but that didn't mean that they couldn't get better. Humanity is constantly evolving and improving, and given the opportunity, Team 7 could do that too. They could push forward and redeem themselves, earning Hagoromo's eternal respect, or they could roll over and end it all.

If they chose that option, that would mean Hagoromo would have to find different successors. Preferably more than one of them... they would have to be strong, intelligent ninja with experience. They would have to be independent, mature, and responsible. They'd have to have problem solving skills and know how to use every alternative, even if it isn't what they want. They'd need to be able to work together flawlessly, and have a team dynamic that was so strong, no normal issue would break it.

In other words, Team 7 was perfect for this job.

Kakashi's coal colored eyes met with those of his students, and the four of them temporarily moved back to stand further away. Hagoromo allowed them their space. "What do you guys want to do?"

Sakura looked between the three of them, eyes watering slightly. She closed them, and again, Kakashi pitied her. She and the boys were too young for this choice, this pain. It was unfair. "I'm going to stick with you guys. I think if... well, if we do go back, we'd be better off going together. All four of us."

"Yeah. And I want to go back and figure this out, 'ttebayo!" Naruto declared, leftover frustration and adrenaline bubbling over. Kakashi was pleased to find that he looked determined. "I promised Granny Tsunade I would do my best, and that's what I'm going to do." There was once again a determined light in his sky blue eyes. It made Kakashi want to laugh, he hadn't seen that look in the teenager's eyes for a while. Sakura glanced at the other two people.

"Naruto, the past is the past." Sasuke contributed. He earned an incredulous look from his blonde friend. Kakashi raised his eyebrows at Sasuke, cocking his hip to the side and crossing his arms over his chest.

"You're telling me you're just gonna let the shinobi world end with us?!" Naruto shouted, looking royally pissed off at Sasuke even suggesting leaving those people behind.

"Maybe..." Sasuke started quietly. Then his eyes hardened and he looked up, staring directly at Naruto. "The shinobi world was corrupt anyway. Maybe it's time for us to disappear."

Naruto's neck was getting red. Kakashi wondered when it would be a good idea to step in and stop this, used to the team leader position. "And, what...? Just... let all those people die?"

Sasuke's resolve didn't waver. "If need be."

"That's bullshit, Sasuke. You were raised in Konoha. Don't tell me you don't feel anything for that village, for those people!" Naruto yelled, face flushing. Kakashi looked at Sakura, who shrugged. Naruto was royally pissed- he might jump in and start throwing punches right now, if given the chance.

"I feel nothing for those people, or the village. Nothing, after what they did to Itachi." Sasuke said coldly, looking Naruto straight in the eye. Naruto growled a little, a reminder that there was a fight between the two that still needed to happen. One of them needed to cave, before everything fell apart. "If the greater good demands our extinction, so be it."

Naruto glared at Sasuke. There was a whole volley of words passing between them for a moment. Naruto eventually sighed, putting a hand in his face, his thumb and pinky on opposite sides of his temples. It covered his eyes perfectly.

Sakura, for the first time since this whole thing started, opened her mouth. "Sasuke..." they all noticed how she dropped the -kun at the end. "No one else has this power... we have the opportunity of a lifetime. So what if the shinobi way is corrupted? Let's uncorrupt it. We have that choice now- we can make change happen. Whereas we didn't have the power or knowledge in our last life. Now we know, now we have seen what the future leads to. We can go back... you can save Itachi from such a dark fate, we can save a lot of people who passed away to save the village. We don't have to be in as much pain this time. Things can be different. You can... just... heal." Sakura finished quietly. It looked like she wanted to burst into tears, but was doing a good job of holding herself together.

Sasuke frowned, opening his mouth to say something, then closing it. He thought about it deeply, and grit his teeth together. His hands clenched and his shoulders were squared, as if he was preparing to go to his death. Which was kind of funny, because he had just died. Kakashi kind of wanted to snicker, then decided against it. The Uchiha's breaths became shorter, when finally he exhaled loudly. It sounded resigned.

"Fine." He muttered, unclenching his fists. He scowled, looking to the side to avoid looking into Sakura and Naruto's faces.

Naruto grinned brightly, then turned to Kakashi. "What about you, sensei?" He asked. Sakura and Naruto both stared up at him with pleading eyes, as if they were children begging their father to get them ice cream. Kakashi smiled, closing his eyes. He didn't have to think too long, he already had an answer ready.

"I can't wait to see you three as my adorable genin again." He said. Naruto shouted in joy, and Sakura beamed.

Sasuke huffed, but knew he was outnumbered. He wasn't ready to face Itachi in the afterlife yet, especially since he hadn't properly avenged his elder brother. Actually, he hadn't really done anything to honor Itachi, now that he thought about it. He winced in guilt, trying to get his head to stop reminding him of what a failure he was. Plus... if he left those idiots to themselves, the future would be all messed up. They needed him. He shook his head, trying to resist the small smile that knew was coming, and succeeded by leading the rest of his old genin team over to join the sage.

"Have you come to a unanimous decision?" Hagoromo asked, looking at each person individually. Kakashi resisted the urge to shudder when his serious eyes rested on him. They weren't cold, just... in a hurry. It occurred to him then that they were wasting his time the longer they argued about what to do.

"We think so." Sasuke sighed, crossing his arms over his chest.

"Yes." Kakashi said, making Hagoromo's eyes land on him again. Hagoromo nodded curtly at him, and then exhaled, closing his eyes. He opened them again, and if possible, it seemed the Rinnegan was swirling.

Sakura shifted uncomfortably, and Naruto still had a faint smile directed at Hagoromo. Hagoromo softened a little, and Kakashi thought he saw the older man's lips form the word 'Asura' for a second. "What conclusion did you come up with?" Hagoromo asked instead.

"Send us back in time, gramps! Team 7 is back and ready to work, 'ttebayo!" Naruto announced, eyes sparkling with the possibilities that were now in their fingertips.

"And all of you want this?" Hagoromo asked, eyes stopping on Sasuke. Sasuke looked right back at him defiantly, as if daring him to tell him he can't go.

"Yes." Sakura spoke up, even though she wasn't very comfortable around the godlike creature. Hagoromo looked at her, and for a minute it looked like he was going to smile at her. The corner of his mouth tilted upwards, and his eyes closed. He nodded, then opened his eyes again.

"Oh, and Kakashi, Sakura..." Sakura's eyes widened at her name, and Kakashi tilted her head. "Since Naruto and Sasuke have parts of my chakra, I suppose I should give you two a gift too."

Kakashi didn't know what was happening, but right then, he felt a flood of strange chakra start flowing through him. He didn't have any time to process the foreign chakra in his body before there was a massive jolt. Then, Kakashi's world started spinning.

15 years before the birth of Naruto:

"It's a boy!" A woman announced.

Kakashi was brought into a world of bright light and cold. He shivered, and felt himself begin to cry. Where am I? Where are Sasuke, Sakura and Naruto? What is this place? He was panicking, and he knew it. Opening his eyes, Kakashi realized he was laying in someone's arms. Then, as he tried to move his limbs, he realized that he had gotten shorter than he'd been in a long time. What the hell...?

A familiar face was leaning over him, and he felt his little lungs start heaving as he began crying more violently. Sakumo Hatake, his father, was beaming at him like he'd never been happier.

Kakashi reeled with the realization that just what he had been dreading -what he knew deep inside his mind- had happened.

I'm a fucking baby... again.

And I'm going to be alone for a long time...