Well.

About 90% of you thought that was the end of Kakashi. Seems that last chapter was very convincing. And distracting.

A bunch of you screamed so hard that it messed up the formatting on my review page, by the way.

Warnings for mild gore and medically-detailed explanation.

Poison: A Spark In The Thorns

No.

Resolve burned through Kakashi's body, at the thought of Kimimaro finding his cold, dead corpse. Like Sakumo, like his father, no never again, he'd promised, promised back on Benisu, after Kimimaro had been taken. He'd promised that Kimimaro would never be broken like that.

He couldn't die. He would NOT DIE.

But what could he do? Manual compression of the lungs required a second person and wasn't meant for long-term, and any and all Iron Lung apparatus was stored within the hospital. Already breathing was difficult, he had minutes at most, the seconds ticking down with every gasp of air.

Think.

Think.

Think.

Paralyzed muscles.

Houzuki.

Benisu.

Nerves run on electricity.

But it had hurt so much, left fern-like welts down his arm.

He had been desperate then. Concentrate you fucking idiot.

Precision. Precision. Precision.

Trace the chakra down to the Fourth Gate, nestled just above the stomach, in between the lungs. Follow it down. Down to one particular muscle. Diaphragm.

Careful now.

Spark

Electrochemical connections lit up, the sheet of muscle abruptly contracting, the vacuum forcing air into his lungs. Sweet, sweet oxygen; he was almost giddy with it and only now did he realise how shallow his breathing had been before.

Spark

And again, he breathed.

This was good; he had a new lease on life this way. His chakra was just changing nature; he wasn't expending it, or directing it. And he had large reserves as well.

thuhthump...thuhthump...thuhthump...'

Oh.

Fuck.

Usually a person would die once the poison reached their lungs. But that didn't mean that the poison had stopped it's advance.

He would have to manually keep his heart beating as well.

And then he would have to circulate a large amount of Raiton chakra through his brain to stop it collapsing.

...

It would be an exercise in multitasking, if nothing else.

Not to mention, he had plenty of motivation.

.

.

.

But if someone could find him soon and get him urgent medical attention, that would be great.

It's not like Kakashi to be late.

Okay, so it's not like my Kakashi, at this point in his career, to be late. And partly because I know the snarky bastard would never pass up a chance to put me through remedial tor...training.

It's going on six in the morning, which is about half an hour past the scheduled time he usually means by 'early', and I'm beginning to wonder if I should worry. I've already checked the old house with the armoury; there's some old, half-scratched-off crest on the inside of one of the doors which I want to have a look at later, but even with my limited sensor abilities, I could tell there was no chance of him hiding somewhere there.

Maybe I should try his apartment?

I don't even know where that is! Not to mention, Konoha is surprisingly big.

But I do know who would know...

"It's not like him to be late...'" Tenzo mirrors my thoughts exactly. Naruto is still sleeping, but Tenzo is nearby, as always nowadays.
"But yeah, check his apartment. Can't hurt. The address is 28 Autumn Towers, the big blue apartment block with the giant Hashirama tree on the south-facing side. His window is practically in the tree, sixth floor, second from the left; if you don't want to bother knocking on the front door. Be careful around the security seals though, he keeps them active even when he's home."

Ugh, that's on the other side of Konoha entirely, the almost shinobi-only part because of the lack of defined streets, navigable only by hopping from rooves, balconies and the branches of the Hashirama trees that grow abundantly and fast. Of course Shishou would live in the affectionately-named 'Jungle District'. Still, at least I know now.

If he's slept in, I am going to have fun teasing him about it.

Spark

It's been hours.

Kakashi's lungs still pump, his heart still beats.

Spark

And he can still think despite the poison having long embraced the lower part of his brain. Paradoxically, shoving Raiton chakra through his brain has made him more aware of everything around him and his control of his internal chakra has improved.

Spark

He's very sure that a lot of his internal systems have been rendered to pulp though. And it takes a lot of concentration to only fire specific nerve clusters, not just light every single one up at the same time as he had at Benisu.

Spark

Kimimaro should be looking for him by now.

Spark

Any time now, brat.

Now that I know what to look for, it only takes me the better part of twenty minutes to find the place.

Blue tower block...Hashirama tree on the south side...big placard saying Autumn Towers. Good. Uhh...sixth floor...second window from the left...sweet mercy, this tree has big branches. They're thick enough for me to sit cross-legged on and not even worry about unbalancing. I suppose that, and the thick foliage, make this place ideal for doing lots of missions without giving away your routine.

Ah, that must be his window there. The end apartment, Kakashi's next door, just has bare floorboards and dust sheets over everything. Definitely empty. No doubt that serves Shishou's paranoia well. Peace and quiet.

But as I get close, just about to step on the windowsill, a security seal somewhere activates, giving me a nasty static shock. A warning. I can just about feel the real defences hovering over my skin, like a dozen halos of invisible senbon, ready to stab directly into my chakra network just under my skin. Ouch.

I'll just stay back here for now, look through the window. Then I'll go knock on the front door.

That's weird; there's a shopping bag half-hanging off the edge of the table, like it was just thrown there. And on the floor by the table's legs there's...

There's...

No

No no nonono-

He's breathing, it's okay, it's vomit not blood, he's not dead, not dead.

Yet.

He's noticed me. He's looking at me, a pleading expression on his face. Help me.

How long has he been like that? Hours? Urgent medical attention needed.

Taking a breath, I flare my chakra in a panicked fashion, silently screaming out to everyone with a modicum of sensory ability to get their asses here now.

But they won't be able to get through the security seals.

Think. Think. Think.

Too emotional, I need to focus.

I flood Yang chakra through my brain, blocking out my emotions.

Yes.

Calm, precise, use that damn knowledge already and think of something.

Have to find the anchor, if I can just find the trip mechanism, I can deactivate the thing instead of dismantling the whole lot.
No good.
The physical seals are either inside or embedded in the very walls they protect.

I'll have to just do this the hard way.

Well, what's more property damage compared to saving Kakashi?

Plucking a kunai from my pouch, I affix one of my own Exploding Tags. The Tag will need to have my chakra in it to go off. The only way to stop the barrier shredding it, is to prime and throw it inside the barrier.

I turn to my Kekkei Genkai, pushing it to grow, to shield, to layer under the skin of my arm.

Then I take a deep breath and shove my arm through.

The chakra savages at my flesh, tearing away at it until my skin peels back in bloody, patchy holes and exposes the white sheet of bone beneath. In the space of one second, so much damage. It's all I need to throw my kunai.

It hits where the energy is most coalesced. A bright flash and a billow of smoke is accompanied by a gush of water. I think I hit a water pipe. But the barrier falters, it's other anchors still holding but there are holes in it, allowing someone to slip through.

A lone ANBU is first, having just arrived. They take the situation in at a glance and dash forward, halting at Kakashi's side. Hand seals flash in what looks like a diagnostic scan, before the ANBU stills, scoops Kakashi up, and bolts in the direction of the hospital.
Other shinobi have turned up by now, some still in pyjamas and assorted sleepwear but nonetheless armed and wary.

I ignore them, and Shunshin after the ANBU carrying Kakashi.

Konoha General Hospital had had an averagely busy night. Deliveries, prescriptions and appointments had come and gone, as well as returnees from missions having their various injuries treated.

And then, and ANBU burst into the Emergency Room, a barely-conscious Kakashi Hatake in their arms.

"Code Blackrot!" The Sparrow-masked shinobi yelled even as medics ran towards them. "Neurotoxin!"

Code Blackrot; attempted assassination/murder.

A senior medic ran a more detailed diagnostic jutsu as Hatake was laid on a gurney. Then he frantically grasped the lungs and heart in his chakra and kept them moving even as he barked out instructions. "To Treatment Room 6! Get me an Iron Lung set, hook up a dialysis machine and somebody take this over- you! Keep his heart and lungs going steady until we get an Cardioverter Defibrillator seal matrix in place, don't let arrhythmia set in or I'll kill you myself, now move move move!"

They rushed down the hallway, leaving scattered junior medics and lone ANBU Sparrow in the comparatively silent Emergency Room.

Then the doors burst open for the second time in five minutes, this time a much smaller, singular figure stumbling to a halt with a patter of blood on the floor. Those who recognized Kimimaro Kaguya, if even only peripherally, were caught off-guard.

Usually, the boy was easy-going, sarcastic and light-hearted with an overall friendly demeanour. In complete contrast to the rigid authoritarian of Hatake. Now, blood dripping down an arm that was missing patches of skin, he was different. There was a set to his brow and shoulders, his posture straighter and chakra bristling tightly. That his arm was half-skinned didn't seem to phase him in the slightest.

Those who knew where he came from, realised that this was what he had been made, deep, deep down. A killing machine.

"Where is Kakashi?" He smiled, full of teeth.

ANBU Sparrow stepped forward, in front of him, blocking his path. "No; leave it to the professionals, don't interrupt them. Get your arm seen to first."

A twitch, a defiant curl of the lip. "Move. Or be moved."

The kid wasn't thinking straight. "No fighting in the Hospital. Now, there's nothing you can do at the moment, why don't you sit down and wait? You're dripping blood all over the lino and I'm sure it hurts," Sparrow cajoled.

Kaguya wavered, before the blank professional mindset, edged with ruthlessness, snapped back into place. "No. Someone has declared war. On Konoha. On me and mine. You should be heading an investigation, little bird; don't worry, I won't interrupt. But I won't give anyone a chance to finish the job." He raised up his injured arm, closing his eyes for a brief moment. Yang chakra surged down his limb, replicating and replenishing cells, until the flesh grew over and it was almost impossible to tell there had been an injury in the first place, save for the pink newness of the ragged patches. "Do. Not. Test me."

"Stand down!"

Everybody froze as Inoichi Yamanaka stalked in, his grey T&I overalls haphazardly buttoned, but his eyes sharp and muscles coiled. He walked straight up to Kimimaro and looked him over, eyes narrowing. He reached out a hand and laid his palm on the top of the boy's head. Not a flinch. Impassive expression. Posture-perfect attention stance. Not a single bone fluctuating the skin in response to emotional extremes.

"Kimimaro-kun, let go. You're using your Yang chakra to inhibit your emotions. The danger is passed, let it go."

"I respectfully decline. There may yet be a second attempt. Konoha is no longer secure. I am needed at peak efficiency."

Inoichi flexed his chakra, impressing the weight of the situation. "You are disobeying a direct order from your superior. Restore your emotions. Now. What would Kakashi, Itachi, say if they saw you now?"

Kimimaro faltered. "They would be more distressed if I was hysterical, which is what I will be without the inhibitor." Good, he was back-sassing, that meant his hold on his emotions was loosening.

"You realize that accepting it is the fastest way of getting over it? Damn your stupid pride and let. It. Go."

The wall fell.

Immediately, bones burst from the boy's skin, rocking on the balls of his feet as words stuttered in his throat. "I couldn't...I wasn't...it's not my fault, right?"

Inoichi let his tone soften. "You did well. I think your reckless stunt actually saved him faster than if you had gotten someone to dismantle the seals. Now sit, breathe. We will all be informed of any developments, I'm sure."

Contrary as ever, Kimimaro folded his legs beneath him and sat resolutely on the bloody lino floor.

"Nerveweed."

Was the senior medic-nin's diagnosis. As his questioners blinked in thought, he took a breath and collected himself. "Also known as Lacetongue, Hemlock on the Old Continent, and to some more distant counties, Purple Rain. An extremely potent Neurotoxin and a very high dose too. If Hatake hadn't scrounged up the idea to manually keep his diaphragm and heart going, you'd have found a corpse that had been cold for a rough estimate of three hours at the least. As it is, there's a lot of damage there. But yes, he'll live."

Inoichi Yamanaka breathed a sigh of relief and grabbed the restless child covered in hideous bony growths, pulling him close and holding him still. "What damage are we talking about?"

The medic raised an eyebrow, before ushering all of them through the door. They were transfixed by the prone form on the bed before them, but wrested their attention away enough to watch and listen to the medic pointing out the various monitors, seals and charts.

"First, there would have been the creeping paralysis as the muscles went lax one by one, starting at the feet. Then seizures would have kicked in, convulsions and confusion. That's also the cause of the overactive salivary glands; the excessive drooling being the root of the name Lacetongue. Of course, those wear off shortly, but you've still got the paralysis and speechlessness. Once the torso goes numb, well, acute kidney failure. Hence the dialysis machine. The respiratory failure is easily countered by an Iron Lung,-"
there was a oval sheet of metal, etched with seals and powered by chakra crystals studding it's surface, fastened with straps over Kakashi's chest.

"-but here's the thing I'm really worried about, Central Nervous System Depression. The brain and spinal cord slow down. We've put on a Cardioverter Defibrillator matrix,-"
he pointed to a large strip of paper that throbbed out a heartbeat, pasted over Kakashi's chest,

"-which is keeping his heart beating and lungs working at a regular pace. But he's unresponsive now. Breakdown of skeletal muscle has set in, but we're doing what we can, of course. The thing is, Nerveweed has no antidote. We've dosed him with various drugs, but they're only to counter the symptoms. It's come down to keeping him alive until it wears off; I don't know when that will be. And he'd be severely weakened, I'm talking months of physical therapy here. That's if we completely discount any unforeseen backslides or complications.
Look, it's a miracle he's still alive. And that's the problem. Miracles are unpredictable."

"If he dies on me, I will resurrect him just so I can punch him in the face," Kimimaro muttered, much calmer now, if still apprehensive.

Inoichi was about to point out the ridiculousness of that statement when he suddenly recalled stories of the Nidaime's Forbidden jutsu, and reflexively swatted the boy across the head. "No! Do not even think about it!"

The news was all over Konoha within the hour, the entire Village poised and ready for the other shoe to drop. And within that hour, the last people to interact with Kakashi had been rounded up.

The grocery store owner and clerks were on the verge of tears, the bartender and server were stone-faced and tense. Asuma was pacing, his teeth grinding as he longed for a cigarette. Tenzo was more worried for Kakashi himself; what sort of condition was he in?

One by one, they were taken out of the cells and had their memories shuffled through by a frazzled Inoichi. Asuma and Tenzo were somewhat used to a Yamanaka's mental touch and the procedure in general, and they knew they had nothing to hide. They were both cleared almost immediately.

The bar staff were removed, but only the bartender returned, and the grocery store staff were released with little prompting. Asuma vanished off soon afterwards, away to whatever he was doing.

"I don't believe it," the bartender muttered to himself, self-consciously clutching the faded ANBU tattoo on his shoulder. "He would never do something like this, it makes no sense!"

"If Yamanaka-san found something, standing around isn't going to change anything," Tenzo commented dryly. An exhausted sneer was thrown his way, only to crumble into something more like a blank sigh.

"And why are you still here then?"

Subtly unfurling his chakra, Tenzo reminded the man that he was outranked and outclassed. "Hoping to get information and permission for visitation rights. Kakashi Hatake is my senpai."

His answer was a snort. "And my kohai is seemingly a traitor. I...I'm going home to rethink some things." He left, not looking back.

Tenzo was left alone, in the polite façade of a waiting room. Naruto would be worried sick. Had he gotten to the Academy on time? Hell, had he gone to the Academy at all? It had been a hectic past week all round, what with the Hyuuga in mourning for their Clan Head's wife, and the Aburame riled up over something only they knew about. And now, Konoha was unofficially on war footing.

Inoichi had mentioned in passing that Kakashi would live, barring any unforeseen complications, but nobody could tell how long it would take him to fully heal. It was almost anti-climactic in a way; the scare had been mostly negated so fast. But it wasn't a matter of attempted assassination; this had become a security breach of epic proportions and far-reaching consequences. Were there more traitors? Had information been leaked? And to whom? And why Kakashi? What was the motive?

It made very little sense, which to Tenzo meant that there had to be some plan that none of them could see. Regardless, Konoha was alert and aware now. That was something, at least.

"Tenzo."

He leapt up from his seat, "Hokage-sama!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi held up his hand in a placatory gesture. "Easy now; is Inoichi finished yet?"

"He is now," Kimimaro commented blithely as he trailed behind the Yamanaka in question, the both of them entering the room and collapsing onto chairs. "And nobody's going to like this; this is bad, so much bad with a side plate of extra bad-" He caught the field ration bar Tenzo threw at him and immediately tore into it. "Thanks, I'm starving."

Inoichi saw the unasked question. "He kept trying to suppress his emotions, so I had him follow me around so I could keep an eye on him as he gets over the shock. He found Kakashi, after all. Though I would like to get his arm checked, despite that little stunt he pulled in the Emergency Room."

"I'm sure Itachi and Yuyu Aburame would be more than happy to watch him once you're done here," Tenzo reasoned, everyone ignoring the mutters of 'don't need a babysitter' coming from the corner.

"What did you find?" The Sandaime abruptly brought everyone back on track.

Inoichi sighed, cracked his neck, and straightened up in his chair. "Izuru Kamina, age 21. Attended the Academy briefly but dropped out due to his mother being afflicted with a long painful illness and eventually dying. Re-enrolled, but didn't make the final cut for a Genin team and got offered an internship in Stores and Supplies. Yada yada, things happened, got employed five years ago by the current owner of The Sapling Bar, one Soshu Tarita, previously known as ANBU Mole.
But yesterday evening, just as he arrived to work through The Sapling's trade door, someone unknown to him gave him a packet of powder, and a pair of active Sharingans looked him in the eyes and laid a compulsion to dust the inside of Kakashi Hatake's glass. He didn't recognise the man, but I did.

And Yashiro Uchiha is unaccounted for since noon yesterday."

The chakra rod withdrew with a sickly sucking sound, the man falling forwards with a feeble gasp onto the smooth stone, twitching as he breathed his last. Then a foot stomped down on the back of the neck with considerable force, the vertebrae shattering irreparably and flesh tearing until the head was only attached by the bared spinal cord.

"Coward."

That might have been the excuse he told himself, but in reality, he was seething.

Kakashi was his, and he would never resort to puppeteering others. No, when his time came, he would do it personally. Perhaps even with his own two hands. But not before revealing everything, breaking him piece by piece until his very will to live shattered and fled from his writhing body.

Yashiro Uchiha had been a coward through and through, easy to manipulate and all too eager to doge the blame. Perfect to feed honeyed words into Fugaku's ear, to escalate every opportunity.

But it had all failed.

Shisui Uchiha had ruined it, his little plan, his sweet, sweet revenge.

But he could still salvage this.

It was simply a matter of waiting until this new player made their move.

With a shove of chakra, both himself and corpse left the pocket dimension and re-entered the real world. There was a crackling sound as the earth shifted and an...old friend emerged.

"Are you finished now? Are you going to eat that?" Zetsu asked.

He waved a hand in dismissal. "No; let it rot. It's far enough away from Konoha and there's no trail. But the absence of a body entirely would be telling."

"Littering? What a waste of good flesh."

"A warning; that I know what happened."

"What about the bone-child? Will you kill him too?"

He faltered, fists clenching. Not Baka-kashi's son. Not his son. But Kakashi, that murderer, didn't deserve to be happy; not after everything he'd done. Still...

"We'll wait. Let's see how the pieces fall. I still have a play in motion, after all."

I have too much plot and fluff planned to let Kakashi die, but I promise nothing about side effects and other consequences. Sure, sure it seems like a massive fake-out, but that wasn't the point. As Tenzo mentioned, Kakashi being poisoned was a catalyst for other, bigger things.

A normal Sharingan has the Eye of Hypnotism aspect as well, not just the Mangekyo. And Yashiro was one of the three who confronted Itachi about Shisui's suicide note in canon, and is canonically(in the novel Book of Night) Obito's unwitting minion, as stated.

But this is just the first of many stops for the plot train.

Read, enjoy, review if you can; fangirling, fanboying and shouts of incomprehension are all accepted.