Chapter Two

Of Death and Dogs

The Leader of the Akatsuki walked over to where Kakashi was lying on the ground after Itachi broke his leg. He turned toward the dark-haired Uchiha.

"Was that really necessary, Brother?"

Itachi came up beside him and stared down at the fallen ninja. "Yes Leader. In fact more may be needed once the shock wears off."

The Leader glanced back at the Copy-ninja, who even now was managing to inch himself toward the entrance.

"I see."

He made a series of hand signs and watched with satisfaction as vines stretched across the floor to tangle with Kakashi's limbs, effectively pinning him in place. The Leader moved closer and knelt in front of the captive's head. He placed one hand under Kakashi's chin and tipped the silver-haired head back until they could see each other's face.

"Such devotion should not be wasted on a jinchuriki. There are so many better applications for it."

The Leader waited for a response but Kakashi only glared at him. He turned his head toward the members of the Akatsuki.

"We will need to discuss how best to keep our bait in check until it is time to utilize him."

He turned back to face Kakashi, meeting the man's gaze with his own swirling black on white eyes.

"Until then, rest Kakashi Hatake."

The Leader made a series of hand signs with his free hand, activating his hypnotic gaze. He watched with satisfaction as Kakashi fell under his power and drifted into a deep sleep.

"I still say we should kill him. He's too skilled and unpredictable to adequately keep in check until he's needed." Kisame's sword point hit the cave floor to emphasize his point, just narrowly missing Kakashi's sleeping form.

The Leader stood and crossed his arms. "I cannot believe that one man can be so impossible to contain. Especially with a broken leg and the numerous means of constraint at our beck and call."

Zetsu stepped forward, opening his plant shell far enough that both of his sides could easily watch Kakashi.

"There is another option."

Everyone gathered turned toward Zetsu with questioning looks. Everyone that is, except Itachi. He tipped his head to the side and posed a single question.

"Is it safe?"

Zetsu shrugged. "Safe? I suppose that would depend on your definition of such a word. It won't kill him . . . but it will damage him as time goes by."

The Leader stepped forward and released the vine constraints. "Very well. Do it."

Zetsu walked to Kakashi's body and positioned himself at the sleeping ninja's feet. He spoke to his darker half as he knelt on the ground.

"Remember – he must not die during the process."

Zetsu positioned his plant shell over the Copy-ninja's body while his dark side answered.

"I will do my best."

The others watched as streams of plant matter flowed out of Zetsu's body. It quickly covered Kakashi from his feet to his neck. The captive ninja stirred under the substance, eventually waking up from his induced slumber. His body tensed and Kakashi struggled to escape, thrashing within the confines with all his might.

Zetsu's lighter half commented. "It seems our guest doesn't enjoy the sting of our toxin."

The dark half laughed. "Then he surely won't enjoy what comes next."

With that Zetsu increased the flow of chakra into the plant matter and tightened it around Kakashi until the toxin infused shell forced the ninja to stop moving at all. As Kakashi's eyes widened and he lay gasping in pain Zetsu stood and explained.

"I have coated him with a form of pod that will keep him too busy fighting back pain to try to escape."

The Leader looked down at the captive. "How can you be so sure?"

Zetsu grinned. "The toxin within the pod coats every inch of the Copy-ninja. It will slowly burn its way through anything it touches."

He looked back down at his handiwork. "Kakashi Hatake is subdued."

The Leader nodded his approval. "Very well. Let's move on to our next task. I believe the four-tailed beast is next on our list."

Kisame frowned at him. "Shouldn't we move the nine-tailed brat up? After all, we have live bait."

The Leader glanced over at Kakashi. "Our bait is not going anywhere, and the location of the four-tail is known now. Once we complete this task our concentration can shift back to the nine-tail jinchuriki."

Kisame chuckled. "Then you will be our guest a bit longer Copy-ninja."

Kakashi's eyes narrowed as he continued to struggle against his confinement.

Itachi addressed Zetsu. "You are certain this will hold him?"

Zetsu met Itachi's gaze. "Of course."

The Leader headed for the entrance to the cave. "Then it's decided."

The others followed him out of the cave leaving Kakashi Hatake struggling for each breath within his toxin filled prison.

--

Naruto, Ten Ten, Rock Lee and Sakura stood around Gaara's unmoving body and were just starting to join hands when Kankuro and Temari ran through the entry with a handful of Sand ninjas behind them. They skidded to a stop at the sight of their brother lying lifeless on the ground.

Kankuro clenched his fists. "After all we've gone through are we still too late?"

Temari fell to her knees. "No. He can't be gone."

Sakura blinked back her tears. "Temari, Kankuro. It might not be too late if you're willing to trust us a little farther."

They stared back at her.

Sakura smiled. "Join us around Gaara please."

The two Sand ninjas looked at each other skeptically then walked to join the others. They sat on the ground and linked hands around Gaara. Sakura addressed them.

"I can't guarantee this will work – and I'm not a hundred percent sure how it will work – but . . ."

Naruto squeezed her hand. "It will work Sakura – believe it!"

She nodded her head and sent a bit of her chakra through the others, mingling a bit of theirs with hers along the way. Then she sent the combination of chakra down into Gaara's third eye and from there, along his entire chakra network.

Neji's voice from just behind her startled her slightly. "You're almost done. Just a bit more . . . there!"

At that signal Sakura pulled her energy away from Gaara and they all released hands and moved out of the way. Neji moved forward and, with a quick series of blows to Gaara's body, he stimulated the young man's chakra points. He stepped back to survey Gaara with his Byakugan.

"I'm not sure how – but it seems to have worked. Although the chakra level is not close to what he had before, Gaara's flow is stable."

Naruto turned toward Sakura. "What does that mean Sakura-chan?"

Sakura was smiling. "I think it means it worked, Naruto!"

--

Gaara gasped as air filled his lungs. His back arched with remembered pain and then his eyes snapped open. He scanned the faces around him – then locked eyes with the yellow-haired boy. Slowly recognition came to him.

"Naruto?"

Tears flowed down Naruto's face. "Gaara! I knew you'd wake up!"

Sakura moved forward and helped Gaara into a sitting position. "How do you feel, Gaara?"

He met the pink-haired girls green eyes. "I'm – I'm tired."

She smiled at him again. "I'm not surprised."

Gaara blinked at her and then looked around at everyone's faces once more. "Temari – Kankuro . . . you came."

Kankuro grinned and placed a hand on Gaara's shoulder. "Of course we came. You're our brother."

Gaara looked down, overcome by what was said. His eyes caught sight of the end of something sticking out of his sash. Slowly Gaara made his hand response to his will and clumsily pulled a small scroll out. He held it in his palm, unsure of what it was or why he had it.

Naruto's spoke at his side. "I've seen that before. Hey – isn't that Kakashi-sensai's?"

Might Guy reached out and took the scroll from Gaara's hand. He lifted it almost reverently before his eyes. It was wrapped with a piece of blood-soaked cloth.

"I should have known Kakashi would provide the means to locate him."

Gaara couldn't follow the conversation. "Why would I have Kakashi's scroll? I don't understand. Where is Kakashi?"

Naruto looked back toward him. "Gaara . . . Kakashi-sensai saved you . . . but to do it he was taken from us."

Gaara looked away. I have no memory of that. Why would someone like that sacrifice himself for me?"

Guy placed his hands on his hips and struck a pose. "Because you are Kazekage of course. You are our ally!"

"No – that isn't it Guy-sensai." Naruto's voice was tight with emotion. "I think it's because he knew Gaara is important to me." He sighed. "And because of that Kakashi-sensai went out of his way to save you."

Guy used the uncomfortable silence that followed as a sign to activate Kakashi's scroll. He used the blood on the cloth to draw across the parchment and thrust the scroll onto the floor.

"Summoning jutsu!"

In an instant the eight ninja hounds appeared. They crouched and growled at Guy. Pakkun, the small brown pug, spoke for them all.

"Where is Kakashi? Why would you dare to summon us without him?"

"Pakkun! Am I glad to see you!" Naruto's voice caused all the hounds to turn. "Is it true that you can track Kakashi-sensai no matter how far away he is?"

Pakkun jumped to Naruto's feet. "Of course we can. He is one of us. Now what's happened – where is Kakashi?"

Gaara listened intently as Guy and Naruto explained what led to the hounds summoning. The beasts quickly set out to find their master leaving the ninjas behind to rest until they returned with news.

It was a full two days later that the hounds finally returned with a definite sign of Kakashi's scent. The group made haste and followed Pakkun to where that scent was the strongest. With luck Kakashi would still be alive.

--

Kakashi lost track of time in his confinement. His body was awash in pain from the constant burning of the toxins covering him. They bore into every wound he'd received in his confrontation with the Akatsuki and were slowly peeling away his skin anywhere it was bared. He opened his eyes and tried to focus on anything other then the pain.

Naruto . . .Guy. . . And Gaara?

He must be hallucinating. It was the only rational explanation.

"Kakashi pull yourself together!" Kakashi felt the cold nose of Pakkun push up against his cheek.

"Pakkun?" Kakashi turned his head until the pug came into view. The other seven hounds were standing behind the small dog. Kakashi sighed. They had found his scroll.

Naruto's voice remind him it was far from over. "What is this thing?"

Kakashi watched Neji activate his Byakugan and scan the pod covering his body. "Its chakra infused plant matter. But there's more . . . there's a layer of toxin within that covers every inch of Kakashi-san." Neji paused. "It's burning into everything it touches."

Kakashi met Neji's eyes steadily. "Tell me something I don't know."

Neji turned his eyes back toward the pod. "There is a weak spot – no – two weak spots – there and there." He pointed to the areas below each of Kakashi's shoulders. "That's where we can attack this."

Sakura moved forward. "We need to be careful not to get any of this stuff on us while we do this. Meanwhile Pakkun, I need you to find a hot spring that's nearby. The hotter the better."

Temari spoke up. "Kankuro and I can show you the closest one."

Pakkun moved to their side. "Show me. I'll be able to tell if it's the hottest or not."

The three left immediately. Sakura addressed those remaining, impressing Kakashi with her leadership skills.

"Naruto, Gaara – please find some large branches to make a stretcher. Guy-sensai, do you have a blanket in your pack we can use?"

Guy took his pack off with a flourish. "Of course I do!"

"Ten Ten, you and I will cut through the pod and then Lee, I need you to pull Kakashi-sensai loose as quickly as possible."

They nodded in agreement.

Sakura routed through her own bag and pulled out an extra pair of gloves. "Lee – use these. We can't afford to have your hands in contact with that stuff." She tossed them to the green-clad young man.

Lee caught them and started putting them on. "OK Sakura!"

She looked toward the remaining Sand village ninjas. "Do any of you have extra blankets or towels? Anything we can use to wipe away as much of the goo as possible before we move him?"

They quickly produced a small pile of cloths.

Kakashi watched Sakura take one more look around just as Pakkun, Temari and Kankuro returned.

Temari walked to her side.

"There's an extremely hot spring less than three hundred meters toward your village."

"Good. As soon as Naruto and Gaara return with the stretcher supports we can do this."

As though summoned by mentioning their names, Gaara and Naruto entered carrying two perfectly sized branches with smaller ones stretched between them for additional support and tied in place. They quickly attached Guy's blanket and had all ready in short fashion.

Sakura took up her position next to Kakashi's right shoulder. "Kakashi-sensai, are you ready?"

He took a breath. "Be careful of the left leg. Itachi broke it rather efficiently and I didn't exactly have time to set it before I was subdued."

Sakura's eyes went wide. "Neji, can you tell me what the break looks like?"

Neji reactivated his gift. "A hands distance below the knee. Smooth breaks in both bones. Almost lined up – but not quite. No skin was ruptured."

Sakura let out a sigh. "OK – Lee be quick once we've cut it free. Ten Ten – remember the weapons stay behind . . ."

Ten Ten nodded.

Once started, the group moved like a well-oiled machine and before Kakashi knew he'd been moved he was being toweled off by every available hand. When the majority of the goo was removed and eating away at the fabric of the cloths, they moved him to the stretcher and quickly headed toward the hot spring. The eight hounds made sure there were no traps ahead and no one following behind.

Once at the spring, Naruto and Gaara took up position in the water to support Kakashi by his shoulders, while Temari, Sakura, Neji and Kankuro scrubbed his wounds and burns raw. But when they moved to his broken leg Kakashi lost his control briefly and let out a scream. Although they all cringed at the sound, they continued their assigned tasks until every inch of Kakashi was free from the toxic goo.

Before Kakashi could catch his breath Sakura firmly grasped his left leg by his foot, twisting and pulling, then pushing it back in place.

When they were finished Kakashi felt as though he'd just finished a four day marathon. They pulled his body out of the water and quickly draped him with two more dry blankets. Meanwhile the stretcher was reassembled with the last remaining clean blanket and the group was on their way again, heading straight for the Hidden Leaf Village.

Kakashi was still trying to catch up mentally. He'd checked Gaara for vitals before pushing him out to Naruto. The young man had been dead. But here he was running beside his stretcher. Gaara looked tired, but there was no denying the Kazekage was alive.

After a few hours of running Sakura signaled they should rest. The others quickly followed the order, setting up a perimeter without being told. Kakashi couldn't help but be proud of how much the youngsters had grown.

Pakkun nuzzled against Kakashi's arm, careful to avoid any wounds or burns. Kakashi turned toward the dog's worried face.

"What's on your mind, Pakkun?"

"Your scent is still off Kakashi. If we don't move soon you may never recover."

Kakashi frowned. "A bit melodramatic, don't you think?"

Pakkun met his gaze. "No."

Kakashi tried not to let that phase him. "OK – so why don't you and two of the other hounds go ahead and let the Hokage know we're on the way. I'll try not to die before then."

Pakkun growled. "This isn't a joking matter Kakashi."

Kakashi sighed. "I know Pakkun, I know. Now head out and I'll make sure we're not far behind."

--

Pakkun and a host of medical ninjas were waiting for the group at the village's gate. Half of them swarmed Gaara and led him away while the rest, Pakkun included, surrounded Kakashi.

Kakashi watched as Naruto stood with his fists clenched at his side and a pained look on his face. He glanced from Kakashi to Gaara and then back again. Kakashi easily read the young man's dilemma.

"Naruto – go with Gaara. He'll need you there during all of this."

Naruto hesitated. "But what about you Kakashi-sensai?"

Kakashi laughed quietly. "I have Pakkun. Now get moving – and take Sakura with you."

Sakura gasped. "But Sensai . . ."

"Sakura, you need to explain what you did to Gaara. I'm perfectly capable of detailing my ordeal."

She frowned at his choice of words but then bounded away with Naruto. Temari, Kankuro and the other Sand ninjas followed them.

Kakashi had been so preoccupied with the others he hadn't noticed Tsunade approach until the Fifth Hokage spoke.

"This isn't how I pictured your mission being achieved Kakashi."

He met her eyes and let his guard down for the first time in a long time. "I didn't picture surviving this one Hokage."

His bluntness left her speechless. The same couldn't be said for Pakkun.

"Well if we don't move soon you may get your wish!"

That seemed to snap Tsunade back to action. "Pakkun's right. Move out! Room three is already set up for him."

The rest of the day and into the night was a blur of pain and procedures, but in the end Kakashi Hatake survived.