"Minato sensei. How do you suppose we lure him out?" Rin asked, after they looked around for about an hour.

Their mission was to find Yahiro, a leaf ninja who recently left the village and became a rogue and bring him back to konoha. They were going to arrest Yahiro for going against the village.

"Using me as bait." Itsuko said, breaking the silence.

Minato immediately turned to her. "What bait?"

"Yahiro's after me. Father used to be close to him. Yahiro likes the fact that I was able to use a forbidden jutsu when I was a baby. He's been trying to get me for awhile now." Itsuko stated casually.

"Why didn't you tell me this earlier?" Minato asked, placing his hand on his head.

"It's too late to head back now, we've already found the hideout." Kakashi said, keeping his eyes on the hideout.

"I'll head on ahead, just make sure you come get me if I can't get out on my own." Itsuko said, jumping over the wall in front of them, wandering around the forest nearby.

"My princess, what are you doing around here?" A deep voice said.

Turning around, Itsuko was looking at a man far taller than she was. He had a head of dark yellow hair and was wearing an armour sort of uniform.

She got into fighting stance.

'This was it.' She thought to herself. She did it, she managed to lure him out but she didn't expect him to come alone. She thought he'd come with at least a team of people to protect him. He was always a very cautious man.

"Come with me my princess." He said reaching out to grab Itsuko's hand.

Itsuko immediately took out a kunai, slicing his hand.

He grabbed his arm, moaning in pain. Pointing at Itsuko, he yelled. "Get her!"

A whole group of shinobi came at her. She recognised them. They were all criminals. Yahiro hired the criminals. They were hiding ready to attack anytime.

Itsuko struggled against them since they were all really strong but didn't give up. She continued to fight, but what could a six year old like her do?

She wasn't injured very badly, the criminals were pretty gentle with her. On the command of Yahiro Itsuko assumed. But despite being gentle, Itsuko was still no match for them.

Left with nothing she could do, she was taken away by them. When she woke up, around her was darkness. She couldn't see or guess where she was.

She wondered whether she was even still alive. But the pain that shot through her body from the soreness told her that she was definitely alive.

She leaned against a wall, resting. Suddenly the light flickered before turning the lights on. In front of her stood Yahiro again.

She looked around, scanning her surroundings. She was in a cell. The door of the cell was broken and Yahiro was standing in front of her. Outside stationed a few of those criminals.

"I'm sorry for the rough treatment my princess. It was because you weren't really cooperating." Yahiro said, stroking her hair with his hand. Itsuko lifted her head and bit his arm. She wasn't going to let him do what he want just because her body was soar and she can't do much to him.

"Ah!" She heard screams, then collapses. There was a fight going on.

Yahiro immediately stood up, turning to look. At the door stood a familiar grey haired figure. Kakashi.

Kakashi stormed in, sending kicks at Yahiro. They fought with taijutsu then all of a sudden Kakashi retreated.

Obito appeared, using the jutsu he always uses. "Fire Style: Fireball Jutsu!"

The fireball burnt Yahiro, causing damage. He used the wall as a support to stand.

Kakashi jumped ahead of Obito, performing hand signs to use a jutsu.

"Wind Style: Sharpen." He muttered under his breath, grabbing a hold of a few kunais, throwing it at Kakashi.

Itsuko was behind him yet near enough to hear his mutter. Knowing what he was going to do, she forced herself up, jumping in front of Kakashi, taking the kunai slashes in his place.

"Fire style: Fireball jutsu." Itsuko used, before falling behind. Kakashi caught her, leaping off with obito following closely behind him. He panicked, he didn't know what to do, Itsuko was so injured because she saved him from being injured.

He didn't know what to do but his heart ached, he didn't want Itsuko to just die of blood loss. He panicked, all he could think of is Minato would know what to do. He didn't wanted to make the choice, he didn't want to bear that responsibility. For once, it was as if feelings flowed through his veins again.

"Kakashi! Obito!" Minato yelled, wide eyed upon seeing Itsuko's conditions.

"Itsuko!" Rin screamed, immediately using medical ninjutsu to help heal Itsuko.

"Let's get out of here, this place is collapsing." Minato said, calmly as Kakashi gently laid Itsuko in Minato's arms.

They nodded, running out. The building collapsed behind them. They made it out just in time, a little longer and they would've been crushed by the building.

Itsuko slowly opened her eyes, the sun light was bright causing her eyes to squint. Then the sunlight was blocked out, looking up, she saw a familiar yellow haired figure. Minato. Beside Minato was Rin, Obito and Kakashi.

She smiled, closing her eyes, comfortably resting in Minato's arms as they leaped from tree to tree.

"I'm sorry we couldn't go in and save you in time causing you to get hurt." Minato said, tears forming in his eyes.

Itsuko wanted to get up and show Minato that she was fine but she wasn't, she couldn't move at all. She could only smile and rest in his arms.

-

"Hey Kakashi, thanks for rushing out just now." Itsuko said, smiling warmly.

She was laying in the a big bed, much bigger than her own. But she wasn't in the hospital. The hospital wouldn't let her in due to her young age and her parents wouldn't make the effort to send her there so Minato decided to let Itsuko rest in their house. Minato got a medical nin to help heal Itsuko at their house and now she's resting there. Kushina would make her meals and Itachi, Shisui and Minato's team would often come visit.

Kakashi looked away, ashamed of his recklessness that caused Itsuko to be injured in his place.

"Kakashi, you're not a scum okay? Even though the mission was a fail because you had to save me, it's what a team is for. I understand your thinking but sometimes that's not how it works." Itsuko said. Hearing that, Kakashi glanced over.

"B-But..." Kakashi looked down getting depressed.

"Kakashi, you haven't told Minato about it did you? Let's keep this a secret between us okay?"