Finally here is the next chapter. I was waiting to see the fate of our hero Kakashi. Paths not taken could be another story for later. hmmmmm....augh! damn plot bunnies are fornicating in the corner again. Where is my pug Loki?

2

Ninja fabric

Nane sat back and rubbed her eyes. Fatigue had set in as she sat hunched over the draft board. The small table top loom had several samples of fabric that were almost done. After months of work it was starting to look like the project may actually work. A truly Ninja fabric, to be made into uniforms, or at the very least chunin flack jackets and Anbu armor. The new fabric would take the place of the heavy plating and padding that was currently in use. The chakra infused threads were programmed to act as armor, deflecting most projectile and bladed weapons. It would siphon infinitesimal amounts of chakra from the wearer to power the armor. The benefits would be more flexibility and the weight of the entire uniform lessened greatly. Currently, Nane was working on how to program the fiber so that she did not have to do all of the weaving herself. There were reasons that she was a ninja and NOT a weaver. With Kakashi and Hime working with her, Nane was close to a solution. So close that she knew she was looking right at it.

"You're done for the night," said Kakashi as he came into her workshop with some tea. Nane put her head on the desk with a thunk and groaned.

"The solution is right here. Why can't I see it, Kashi?" The desk was cool on her forehead. Perhaps if she hit her head hard enough the answer would come.

"Because you are too close to it and tired, love, here, drink," he placed the tea next to her. Nane picked her head up and smiled up at Kakashi as she claimed the mug and took a sip of the strong tea. He was wearing his old eye patch and his hair actually looked somewhat normal without the hitai-ate spiking it everywhere. A thick sweater covered his shoulders and socks on his feet, layered over the normal summer weight clothes. The poor man was cold, but he withstood it for her.

"We can go back to the apartment tonight if you want," she said standing and stretching. Kakashi took a sip of his own tea and shook his head.

"You are too tired. Besides, once I am in bed there is a heater there with me. I will be fine." He grinned at their old joke then took her hand and led her away from the table. "Besides, we have something to celebrate and I have something for you." Nane looked at him with a little confusion, then understanding dawned.

"Anniversary! CRAP! Kakashi, love, I am so sorry I totally forgot what day it is. Hell, I am so caught up in this project, working with Ino, and your recovery I barely know my name let alone the day," He silenced her angst and self chastisement with a kiss.

"I will collect later, Nane," he promised with a twinkle in his eye. From a pocket he produced a palm sized box wrapped with gold paper. "Happy Anniversary, Nane, my love."

She tore into the paper and opened the wooden box. Inside was the largest piece of amber that she had ever seen set in silver and treaded on a long sliver chain.

"Oh, Kakashi! It's beautiful!" Her eyes shown as she pulled the pendant out with trembling fingers. It had bee heated to clear its murky depths and polished to show is assets. Amazingly, the stone was without flaws and sported several different colors ranging from green to brown to red all within one stone.

"Where did you find it?" Kakashi helped her put the chain around her neck. Then with his forehead against hers, he picked up the stone with his long fingers and looked into her eyes.

"It is from the area near your stand of trees in Snow," he said with a smile. Nane looked at the stone in his hand then back to Kakashi visible eye.

"Thank you," she whispered. How in the heavens did she manage to find him Nane would never know, but she thanked the gods anyway.

The Solution

"Auuugghh! Crap! I knew it was staring me in the face!" yelled Nane as she ran head long through the Yuu household. Family members literally dove out of her way as she slid and ran down the polished wood halls. Kakashi followed at a slower pace helping the unfortunate ones that she collided with back to their feet. He smiled behind his mask. Nane had her brain storm just as she woke. Kakashi had been watching her sleep when she opened her eyes, looked at him, then cursed, loudly. In moments she was out of their bed, dressed and running through the halls to her workroom. She brushed passed Hiro without a good morning. The big man frowned at Nane's retreating backside.

"Tinane!"

"Hiro, she won't hear you," said Kakashi as he came around the corner. "I have been trying since she woke. All she keeps saying is that she's figured out a 'crucial problem' with the project and won't hear anything else. I am just glad she remembered to get dressed." Both looked in the direction of a loud crash.

"SORRY!" Yelled Nane as she continued on to her shop. Hiro shook his head.

"She is worse than her mother. At least Hime is quiet about it."

"That is where Nane takes after you, sir," commented Kakashi with a gleam in his eye. Hiro clapped Kakashi on the back and laughed. The deep sound filled the coridoor.

"That is very true. Come on, Hatake, lets get something to eat then you can make sure that daughter of mine does the same."

Kakashi arrived to the workshop to find Nane busily scribbling notes. She had rummaged in her jewelry box prior to coming down and now those stones were scattered on the desktop. He watched as she picked up each gemstone in turn, holding it in her palm with her eyes closed. Curious to what she was doing, Kakashi lifted his eye patch up. The sharingan activated and he could see what the redhead was doing. Nane was charging the stones with a little of her chakra then watched what happened. He saw that some stones actually seemed to hold the energy while others did not. Half way through her pile she felt his eyes on her and looked up at him.

"KAKASHI!" Nane scolded loudly.

Guiltily he flipped the eye patch back down. Nane sighed and set the stone in her hand down.

"I'm sorry. Habit. I was curious about what you were doing, but did not want to interrupt a genius moment."

"You still have such low stores of chakra that curiosity could get you killed," Nane looked up at him with deep concern. "I am sorry for my insanity lately. It's just that I suddenly realized when I woke that I can store up chakra in something other than paper or weave purpose into fabric. Tsunade does it with that mark on her forehead constantly. The trick is to find something that I am compatible with besides paper and fiber. Then I can set the power source on the looms with their purpose and activate them. Anyone weaving on that loom or spinning the thread will be making the ninja fabric." Other ideas were also percolating in her mind.

"It sounds complicated, Nane. I am impressed that you can see how it should all work."

Nane shook her head.

"The thing is, Kakashi, the process is only coming in pieces. So, when those pieces do fall into place I have to make sure it will work. I have notebooks full of stuff that hasn't worked." She waved her hand at the shelves of hand written notes. Kakashi watched as Nane suddenly seemed to fade, all of her previous energy gone. He took her hand and made her stand.

"Ok. Enough work for today…" Nane started to protest. "Nope. You have been working without a day off for too long. You are taking the day off. We are going to relax by the river and tonight we are going out. So go back to the room and change. It is warm outside and you will roast in that." He indicated the mismatched sweats that she wore. Nane stood on tiptoe and kissed him on the cheek.

"I will be right back," she said as she left the workroom.

"And grab a little something to eat before you pass out from low blood sugar," he called as she disappeared around the corner.

"ALRIGHT!" she yelled back.

When she found Kakashi again he was in the garden with Tasuke playing shoji. The eight year old had a look of deep concentration on his face as he looked for his next move. The koi in the pond saw the movement and rose to the surface in search of food. Their mouths opened and closed expectantly. Nane grabbed a handful of the koi kibble from a covered pot and tossed it to them.

"Greedy guts," she smiled at the frantically feeding koi. Then she came up behind Kakashi and leaned into him, her chin resting on his shoulder as she watched her nephew contemplate his next move. "Who is winning?" she asked softly into Kakashi's ear. She felt him shiver slightly as her lips brushed his ear. Nane smiled, he showed no other sign that she turned him on.

"Tasuke is putting up a good show. He is learning quickly. I have actually had to change strategy several times to keep ahead of him."

Tasuke all but wiggled under the praise from his hero. He reached out and moved his piece. Kakashi quickly did so as well.

"Check mate."

"AWWWWWW," said Tasuke as he examined Kakashi's move.

"You did very well, Tasuke," Kakashi ruffled the boy's hair, "but now I need to steal your aunt away for the rest of the day. Same time tomorrow?"

Tasuke picked up the pieces and smiled.

"Yes please, Kakashi-san."

Kakashi turned his head slightly and looked at Nane.

"Are you ready?" Nane nodded and stood up. Unfolding himself Kakashi did the same. He picked up a pack and a bento box then offered his hand to her. Nane took it and Kakashi led her from the Yuu compound.

Offensive capabilities

"Tinane, you know Kakashi would be a far better suited teacher than me," said Kurenai as they walked to the training grounds.

"I know, but he is busy with a few other things and I don't want to tempt him into using his chakra. I figured that you have known him long enough to anticipate his ideas. I need someone to help me think out of the box. Plus you have perfect control of genjutsu and…"

"You are weakest there. So, what do you want me to do," asked the dark haired kunoichi.

"Did Kakashi tell you about my jonin exam?"

"When you blew apart that tree during a bad dream?"

Nane nodded, "That proves that I have an offensive, quite possibly long range power. I just haven't been able to access it again. What I need you to do is scare it out of me." Kurenai looked at her.

"Kakashi said I was frightened and lashed out with the power. I need you to do the same. Scare me into using that power. Just make sure to point me away from people," smiled Nane. Kurenai nodded then seemed to melt away.

The hospital in which she was studied as a child reappeared, but it was different. It was like they had left it two years ago. Kakashi said that they had destroyed it to prevent anyone getting hurt by the old and unstable building. Walking along the halls she heard someone yelling out in pain. Frowning Nane picked up her pace moving towards the sound. The rest of her squad should be there shortly to back her up.

Opening up a door, she quietly slipped into a room with a large glass wall and tiered seating. An operating theater! Carefully, from the shadows she looked into the operating room and saw four people in the corners creating some sort of barrier which rippled occasionally. In the middle, surrounded by lights and trays of equipment, was Kakashi. He squirmed and fought the restraints that kept him fixed to the table. There were already several deep looking cuts across his bare arms. From just below her appeared the very familiar forms of Orochimaru and his assistant Kabuto.

Orochimaru looked up to the gallery and smiled wickedly at Nane. Kabuto made short work of Kakashi's vest and shirt. Then the snake Sanin contemplated over the surgical equipment and chose a blade he had deemed suitable. He then approached Kakashi and drew the blade deeply down his abdomen. Blood flowed thick and red. The pain robbed Kakashi of any breath he had.

"KAKASHI," Nane flew at the window with a yell. The glass shattered and fell onto the gallery floor, but it was like she had hit a wall. The barrier! She vaguely remembered that was how the leaf Anbu were prevented from saving the Third Hokage.

Where was the rest of her team? Kakashi's yell was desperate and full of pain. She glanced at him and saw that Orochimaru had his hands deep within the Copy Nin's abdominal cavity. All color left her when the Sanin began to pull intestine out. Nane could feel the bile rise in her throat. Desperately, she pounded on the barrier.

Then she noticed her head beginning to pound as well. The memories of her blowing the side of the hospital came slamming back. It started with the flush of adrenaline, the increase of her chakra production and slight overload of the siphons at her wrists. An image of a lance popped into her mind. Taking a step back, Nane imagined the lance slicing through the barrier and into Orochimaru. It was what she wanted to do so long ago.

The lance appeared, cutting through the barrier as if it did not exist. It pinned the Sanin through the chest. He looked up at Nane and smiled wickedly, his snaky tongue sliding between his lips. Grabbing the end of the chakra lance Nane twisted it, sending the overloading power down its shaft and into Orochimaru. The overload caused the chakra network to overload with an explosive force. Soon there were unidentifiable, bloody pieces all around.

The vision ended abruptly. Nane blinked in confusion at the contrast of noon daylight and chirping birds. She still held onto the chakra lance and the target tree was in splintered pieces. She felt a hand on her shoulder. Turning she saw Kurenai and remembered that this was a training vision. Her heart still thumped against her chest at the thought of Kakashi so injured before her.

"You weren't kidding when you said that you were weak to genjutsu. Nane, you bought into everything from the start."

Nane took the lance and drove it forcefully into the ground dissipating its energy.

"Something that evil man left me with. I am usually good at avoiding gen users. My training has had some focus on treating everyone as potential gen users."

"I have to say Nane, you are impressive despite that weakness. Develop that lance and there will be few that would be able to even touch you."

Nane sat down suddenly tired. She looked at the siphons at her wrists. There were many things that evil man had left her.

Kurenai looked at her watch then to Nane. Nane nodded and smiled as she made shooing motions.

"Go and see Asuma before they leave. Thanks for helping me. I think I know what I need to do now."

"See you later, Nane," and the genjutsu mistress disappeared.

Nane sat for a while longer. She still could not get the image of Orochimaru's hands inside Kakashi. For a moment she smiled remembering. The Snake Sanin would never get the chance. Between the alterations she had made to his medical jutsu and Sasuke's 'Avenging' spirit the problem would take care of itself.

Nane moved her thoughts to something better. It was time to hit up Gai for some training. She only hoped that he would not make her wear a pair of those damn green suits. Kakashi would never let her live it down.

Kakashi fell face first onto their bed. His words were muffled. Nane sat in a chair next to the window reading and listening to music. She pulled the ear bud out.

"Didn't catch that, Kashi. The bed was in the way."

Kakashi rolled over and looked at Nane. He removed his head band and pulled down the mask.

"Naruto will kill us, by the time he figures out this ultimate jutsu of his."

"All you are doing is watching I hope," Kakashi was still on partial rest. The Hokage had allowed him to tutor Naruto on furthering the Rasengan jutsu that his father had begun. He waved his hand at Nane.

"Yeah, Yamato is doing all of the grunt work keeping Naruto from going past third tail."

Nane put the book mark in place and closed the book. She still had not told him about her new ability. Nor about her thoughts of taking the Anbu exams. The redhead had wanted to present Kakashi with her Anbu mask, proving she was his equal and able to stand at his side. Her training with Gai was going well. He was more than happy to help her 'in her youthful pursuit of perfection.' The man was sweetly strange, but an excellent teacher. He even agreed that she would be ready for the exam in no time.

Standing, she made her way to the bed and sat down next to him and flopped down. She was tired as well. Nane started stroking his hair. It had become one of her affectionate habits that soothed them both. Kakashi closed his eyes and was soon asleep. Nane lay on his arm and followed suit.

Days later, Nane found herself bounding from rooftop to rooftop as she made her way quickly to Kurenai's apartment. She landed on the balcony lightly. Several window boxes had red poppies growing in them. One box had a small pinwheel spinning slowly.

Knocking on the glass door, then sliding it open Nane let herself in. The apartment was quiet. Hearing the soft crying, Nane followed it and found Kurenai sitting in the darkened hallway to her bedroom crying. The redhead went to her knees and gathered up the grief stricken woman in an embrace. Kurenai cried harder and clung to Nane as her world was destroyed. For the first time Nane noticed that she too was crying. She rocked the woman and allowed her to vent her grief.

When she seemed to run out of tears, Nane helped Kurenai up and walked her to the living room. She foraged around the kitchen until she found tea and mugs. Soon she returned with hot tea for the both of them. Kurenai sat staring out the window at the poppies.

"He got them for me. They started to bloom shortly before he left." Nane looked out at the poppies as she set the drinks on the table. "How did you know, Nane?"

"Word travels fast. When I heard what happened, I knew you would need someone." She sat down next to Kurenai.

"Shikamaru, bless him, gave me the news. Apparently, Asuma told him about the baby. Shika stayed with me for a while, but he's young and hurting as well. I told him to go. Then I was alone and I couldn't think or move." Tears began to fall again. Kurenai brushed them aside. "That is what we do, right. We are ninja of the leaf and we are ready to give our lives at any…" her voice died away. Nane pulled her into another hug and again cried with her.

The funeral for Saratobi Asuma was as sad an affair as that of his father the Third Hokage. Konohamaru had to endure the death of yet another family member. Asuma's teammates had to watch him die and now be buried. Kurenai was stoic as she laid her flower on his stone. Her steady fingers touched Asuma's name. Then she stood and walked from the cemetery, not once did she look back. Their relationship finally out and confirmed, too late for either to enjoy it. Nane watched it all and knew she wanted more than secrets and misdirection. She did not care about who knew or who came after her because of Kakashi. Nane wanted the world to know that the Copy Nin, Hatake Kakashi of the Sharingan was hers.

"You're leaving in the morning?" asked Nane as Kakashi came home that night. He nodded grimly. She noticed that his arm was bandaged up to his elbow, but she did not question it, nor did she scold him for obviously using his chakra.

"Shika, Ino and Chouji are going to go after the pair that killed Asuma."

"Kakashi, they are kids. What is Tsunade thinking? If Asuma…." Kakashi held up a hand and shook his head.

"Tsunade forbade them from going, but I have known Shika and his father a long time. That young man is not labeled a tactical genius for nothing. I have spoken to Tsunade already; she knows they are going as well. If I go they won't be written off as rogue nin; leaving the village against orders."

Nane hissed, "Technicalities!" she cursed. "What about Naruto and his training?"

"He has gone beyond my knowledge and abilities. I have given him the tools he requires," Nane could see that he was proud of the young man. "All he needs now is for Yamato to keep him on track till he gets it. He has two days, and then Yamato and the rest of the team will follow us."

"Naruto reminds you of a lot of his father." It was a statement of fact. Kakashi nodded.

"And of his mother, yes."

Nane pulled him close and put every ounce of love she had into a kiss.

"Be careful and come back to me," she whispered. Kakashi turned her face up to his and smiled.

"Always, my love."

It was two days later when Kakashi returned to Konoha and finally stepped over the Yuu threshold. He was beat up and his clothes were torn to rags. Good thing he was living with the village's Master weaver's daughter and her family.

All he wanted was a long soak in the bath and a longer sleep, preferably with Nane beside him. He realized what Kurenai and Asuma had that was now gone. He did not want to loose any of that with Nane. He would not disrespect Asuma's memory that way.

As he trudged up to the main building he heard muffled yells and suddenly people erupted from doorways and more than few from open windows. Soon he was surrounded by the Yuu family, greeted like a long lost relation and almost knocked to the ground when Nane barreled into him at a panicked run.

Her anxiety had reached critical when she felt his own during the battle. The situation with the two Akatski was so charged that Nane could almost see everything he had, and it frightened her with all of his close calls. Hime had to stay with her daughter to prevent Nane from leaving Konoha herself. Now Nane just had to prove to herself that he was alive.

The Copy Nin took a few staggering steps backwards before regaining his balance with Nane in his arms. He briefly thought of other missions that he had come home to nothing but a silent and dusty apartment and a half dead plant. Kakashi smiled behind his torn mask, this was definitely better. He felt like he was home and with a family that cared.

"Kakashi where is you uniform?" This from Hiro as he approached the group greeting Kakashi.

"Sorry, sir, I seemed to have misplaced it."

"Well get inside and change that rag before everyone sees more than they should."

Immediately, Kakashi checked his mask. The group around him laughed as they dispersed, returning to what they had been doing prior to Kakashi's entrance. He saw that Nane was still laughing.

"What?"

"He meant change your pants, love." Craning his head around, Kakashi was most horrified to see that his pants were a few threads short of bisected from the crotch to his waist band.

"OH!"

"Yeah, 'Oh'. Come on, I think I have something in your size from my last boyfriend," joked Nane as she walked away from Kakashi.

"Last boyfriend?"

Nane was already inside yelling, "Clear out, hot ninja with a major wardrobe malfunction coming through. Any who wants to see Kakashi's backside line…"

In a puff of ninja smoke, Nane found herself grabbed by a strong pair of arms. In the next instant she was bouncing on her bed as she landed.

"You make my life hell," Kakashi said good naturedly as he rummaged for a pair of pants. Nane got comfortable to watch the process.

"I think it was in the fine print."

"Smart ass," he said as he found the pants, glared at Nane and made for the bathroom to change. He closed the door with a bang.

"Spoil sport!"

'k, I am already mostly finished with the third chapter if anyone cares. Plot bunny hell, that is where I am.

TB