It had been another two years and Kakashi and Sasuke were set to go on an ANBU mission together. Shanan had been unable to go this time, because she couldn't even walk. She'd been caught off guard by a sound ninja that was exceptionally gifted in keeping quiet. His other exceptional gift seemed to do the opposite as he used a sound wave to shatter the bones in Shanan's leg. He would've shattered much more had Kakashi not pulled her out of the way in time. She was a fast healer thanks to the nine tails chakra and she was almost fully healed, but she still had a few more days and couldn't go on this mission with them. It had been so long since she and Kakashi had been apart so she was struggling to let him go.

They were lying in bed the night before and she had her head resting on his shoulder with her arm across his stomach. "I hate that I'm hurt. I don't want you to leave, I'm not used to it anymore."

He kissed the top of her head and laced his fingers with hers. "I'll be back before you know it, my love. You'll get to go on the next one with us. You're already almost healed."

"Can't you guys just wait a few more days?" she asked shakily. She hated the thought of sleeping alone. It really had been a few years since she had.

"Naruto said this was an important mission. There's been word of what people think is another member of the Uchiha clan roaming around. So Naruto said that he can't really send anyone else on this one."

"An Uchiha? What's he doing?" she asked curiously.

"Seems he's taken some gifted young shinobi, but it's unclear why or if they're still alive," he told her.

"Where is it?"

"Not too far. Somewhere on the edge of the land of fire."

"And he's taking gifted shinobi?"

"Yes. And a few prodigies."

Shanan didn't like hearing that. Kakashi used to be considered a prodigy and her own children were following in his footsteps.

"I hope they're ok," she said. "I wish I could help."

Kakashi pulled her chin up to look at him. "Of course you do, my love. You always wanna help," he said as he gently kissed her lips.

Shanan leaned into him, not wanting the kiss to end and he seemed to have gotten the message quickly as he grabbed the side of her face and kissed her more deeply and lustfully.

She may not have been able to walk, but she could do what they spent half of the night doing, easily. He needed a nice goodbye anyway and she wanted to remind him what it was that he was returning home to.

The next day they woke up early. Shanan could already stand, but she couldn't really put any weight on her leg yet. So they made breakfast together. Well, she made breakfast and he stood behind her with his arms around her waist as he watched her and got in her way, but also so he could help her stand. They were still in their pajamas. Shanan in short shorts and a long sleeved shirt and Kakashi in his sweatpants with no shirt on.

"Oh brother... get a room, you guys," Yukiho said, completely mortified. But she was always mortified when they showed any affection towards one another. But she was always mortified.

All that did, though, was make Kakashi kiss Shanan on the side of her head as he kept his arms around her waist. "You don't have to be in here, kiddo," Kakashi said as he laughed.

Hiroshi walked in a minute later and put his hand in front of his eyes. "Oh no, not this again!" he said dramatically.

"Shut up, you guys. Dad's leaving for a mission soon, so I need all the hugs before he leaves."

"Oh yeah, I forgot. Sorry, dad," Hiroshi said.

"Sorry," Yukiho added. "But you still need a room," she said under her breath.

Twelve year olds didn't understand.

Once they were done cooking, Kakashi carried Shanan with one arm as he walked everyone's food from the counter to the table. It took him four trips, but holding her was effortless. And then he sat and kept her on his lap while they ate and continued to be playful towards one another.

The kids both ate their food pretty quickly and started to run off.

"Stop!" Kakashi yelled. "Come and say goodbye at least," he said as he held his free arm out for a hug. Hiroshi was the first to hug him, followed by Yukiho. "I love you guys, have a good day."

"Love you too, dad!" they both said at the exact same time.

"Twins..." Shanan said as she laughed.

"They're so good at that," Kakashi said as he laughed too.

They finished their food and then couldn't keep their hands off of each other, so took advantage of the kids leaving early to go back to their bed to make love again.

Kakashi was having a hard time pulling away from Shanan afterwards, but he always had a hard time with it.

"Sasuke's gonna be expecting you soon. You should get ready," she said reluctantly.

"I know..." he said begrudgingly.

They laid there for a few more minutes before he finally got up.

Shanan had grabbed her clothes to get dressed as he popped his head out of the bathroom. "Come shower with me."

"You'll have to hold me up still."

"I can do that," he said with a wink.

Shanan dropped her clothes back onto the floor and followed him into the bathroom.

She washed his hair and massaged his head for him and they squeezed in one more quickie. They couldn't seem to get enough of each other since they knew they wouldn't see each other for a few days.

Once they were both dressed and Kakashi's bag was all packed and ready, Shanan walked with him to meet with Sasuke. He told her to stay home, but she insisted since she did have crutches.

"What a surprise, you're late," Sasuke said sarcastically.

"Shut up..." Shanan said as she gave him a quick hug.

"I see you can stand," Sasuke said. "You really do heal quickly."

"I do."

"Good. And I told Naruto to make sure he at least sends someone over every day we're gone to check on you."

"Oh, well thank you," she said smiling as she leaned in and hugged him tighter. "You guys better be safe, ok?"

"You know us," he said as he laughed.

Shanan looked back at Kakashi and wrapped her arms around his torso. "I miss you already," she said shakily.

Kakashi smiled at her as he kissed the top of her head. "I miss you already too, my love."

Shanan looked up at him and put her hand on his cheek. "I love you so much, Kakashi Hatake."

"Oh well, I love you so much more, Shanan Hatake," he said as he leaned down and kissed her softly. Soft, but powerful and he made sure to take his time. He really did already miss her. He finally pulled away and rested his forehead on hers and smiled. "I guess I should finally go," he said as he sighed.

Shanan nodded gently and put her weight back on her crutches.

Sasuke had made his way closer to the exit once they'd started hugging, so Shanan waved at both of them again before they left and then hobbled her way back home.

They had followed the enemy back to his hideout and were ambushed by several very powerful children, they were all just about the same age as the twins and they seemed to be in a trance.

"They're under a very powerful genjutsu," Sasuke yelled as he fought four of them.

"We can't kill them," Kakashi said.

"They'll kill us if we don't!"

"Just try to immobilize them."

After several more minutes, all of the children stopped attacking. And the Uchiha appeared in front of them and challenged them individually.

They refused. He was obviously planning something.

So he created a perfect clone of himself and said he'd fight them individually anyway.

"I can't tell which is the real one anymore." Sasuke said as the children got into position to fight again. "Kakashi, your barrier, put it around the children. They'll be knocked out if they try to get through, but at least they'll be alive."

"Right." He put a water lightning barrier around the group of children as he kept his eyes on the enemies ahead.

They both fought against an enemy each until they were pretty worn down. Kakashi had managed to kill his just before he ran out of chakra.

He and Sasuke remained there panting as they stared at the enemy, who also seemed to be out of energy. Kakashi finally caught his breath and stood up just as a blade came completely through him from behind.

Sasuke heard him cough and turned his head to look at him. Time seemed to slow down as he watched Kakashi cough up blood as one of the children stood behind him smirking, having clearly done his job. The child immediately fell to the ground dead, no longer of any use. Sasuke caught hold of Kakashi and removed the blade and laid him down.

"You're gonna be ok, Sensei," he said as he turned back to the enemy. In a split second he felt Shanan's chakra flowing through him as a blue cloak covered him. He suddenly found himself as a fine mist as he flew at the enemy in a rage and covered his head, just like he'd seen Shanan do several times, and activated his Chidori, killing him instantly. Just as he died, so did all of the children under his control...

He'd only been gone for a few seconds before he was back to Kakashi who was lying in a large pool of blood already. He wasn't trained in medical ninjutsu and he didn't know what to do as he stared down at him, tears running down his face, so he grabbed his hands, even though his were shaking.

Kakashi looked up at Sasuke as tears ran back into his hair. The last time he'd been in this position, Shanan was with him and he'd been glad to at least see and touch her face, even though he'd been sure he was about to die. But she wasn't here now. She was home and waiting for him. She was going to have to hear from someone else that he'd never be home again. He wasn't sure what made him sadder, not seeing her face as he faded or just knowing how heartbroken she was going to be. He didn't want her to be sad. "Sasuke..." Kakashi said weakly. "I never meant to take her from you."

Sasuke sobbed as he shook his head. "Sensei, you don't have to..." He didn't want Kakashi to waste his last words apologizing to him. He didn't need to. He had been as good to Shanan as Sasuke would've been.

"I've wanted to apologize to you for so long, I just couldn't bring myself to. Take care of her and the twins. Please. Don't let her fade away... Just make her happy again. Please," he whispered. He couldn't bear the thought of Shanan losing herself even a little.

Sasuke nodded and sobbed over Kakashi as he shut his eyes tight. "Sensei..." he whispered as he opened his eyes, Sharingan activated. Kakashi looked into Sasuke's eyes, barely hanging on. "Goodbye," he said as the tears streamed down his face.

Sasuke kept him in the Shi no Tenshi until he faded completely away.

AN- I honestly wanted to put this off for so long, because it still just makes me really sad that this even happened... :( I don't take this lightly.