ohmgeeits cindee: Glad you liked this last chap...here's your update. Sorry it's been so long.

PsYcHiC SeLiNa: Let's see what exactly Kakashi will pull out of his ninja hat, shall we? Thanx for your compliment on the chapter! I really appreciate it:)

yourmaster: Cute little song you had going there:) The Kakashi Hero Song! yay!

Disclaimer: Check one of the previous chapters. Recurrent reiteration on this subject gets on my nerves!

A/N: Just wanted to apologize to all my readers since it's been too long since my last update. I've been sick and also had some writer's block with this and I refuse to write a rinky dink chapter that won't amount to anything! Also I refuse to post any chapter for this story that won't be either informative or action related progressing the story further to it's end. I'd feel like I'd be screwing both myself and my invaluable readers! Anyway, enough of my stuff...on with the happiness!

Shinobi Elements:

Chapter 8: Escape From Hell

Kakashi ran down the long hall throwing shuriken and kunai at any unfortunate person to cross his path. A dark aura, murderously black, surrounded the usually stoic nin. Only one thought occupied his mind as he was forced to listen to Dani's tortured cries. From what he could tell, she was fighting back and quickly the enemy was draining her energy from her.

Standing right outside the door to her torturous chamber, he could hear the blows that landed. The grunts that accompanied a missed hit or when Sate, himself, missed hitting wherever he aimed at while his silver haired lover was tied down or something. Pushing up his forehead protector and activating his sharingan, he could see that Dani had been chained up with special manacles. The chains apparently were for draining chakra. Seeing the drain on her body, Kakashi decided to make his move.

Wasting no more time, he kicked the door down, entering the room as swiftly and silently as he'd left the previous room that had held him and his friends captive. A kunai held firmly in each hand, he automatically sliced through the two ninjas at his lover's side. Blood sprayed outward covering the walls and the floor. The red liquid seeped down the stone block walls puddling on the floor with the rest.

He chanced a glimpse at Dani. As weak as she'd become with her draining session she was still trying to summon Siren, but she wouldn't, or couldn't appear. He stopped her with one word. "Don't." Kakashi was afraid she'd do more damage to herself than necessary with the extra struggling and the attempts to summon her alter ego nin. Next he directed his attention to the cause of all this chaos. Sate.

With death in his eyes, the copy nin stalked purposefully towards the villainous man. Sate turned to run, but Kakashi had thrown the two kunai hitting him in the shoulders and nailing him to the wall with sheer strength and fury.

"Come on, copy nin, is that the best you can do? If you want the little slut back you can have her. There's something wrong with her anyway. She's no longer good enough for me." His evil cackles stopped the moment that Kakashi thrust him into the painful world of the dreadful and powerful sharingan. Sate's words pushed the infamous man of over one thousand jutsus over the edge with his spiteful words filled with hate and scorn.

Grimly he looked over at Dani. Regret struck him that she would have to see him like this, but she'd understand. She is a warrior too and knew that on the battlefield things had to be done sometimes that were distasteful.

Taking his left hand and grasping his right hand's wrist, he muttered, "Chidori", and his hand lit up with a brilliant blue-white light. The sound of birds were deafening in the small confining room and continued to grow louder as the light grew in power. Blurring forward, Kakashi thrust his hand at his enemy's abdomen. Sate released a gurgled cry as his blood and insides added to the recently added gory decor. The villain collapsed and Kakashi flashed a triumphant glance at the dying body. "I told you before, you piece of shit, don't fuck with me! You'll never cause anyone harm ever again."

Leaving the body, he hurriedly went to Dani. Releasing her from her shackles, he gently massaged her wrists, bruised from the metal and mistreatment she'd endured for her brief imprisonment. The moment Kakashi touched her he sensed that something was off somehow. He couldn't quite place his finger on the problem but it would come in time. Lightly touching her face he asked, "Are you alright?"

Weakly she smiled. "Yes, I'm okay. You were just in time." Taking a shaky breath she inquired of him, "How do you do that anyway?"

"Do what?" Pretending to be ignorant, Kakashi wanted to hear her say what was on her mind.

Shaking her head, Dani let out a small laugh which turned into a coughing fit. Subsiding quickly enough she replied back, "How do you show up in the nick of time? Your timing seems, for the most part, perfect. Almost to the point of getting on my nerves sometimes." Rolling her green eyes, she stated, "Weird thing is that when someone's in trouble you're never late, but when we have a date or something equivalent, you're always late. So explain that, Hatake. Go on...I dare you." Crossing her arms she was daring him with her body language to do something.

Mischief lit his mismatched eyes as he'd made his decision. Grabbing her and dragging her right up against his muscular body, Kakashi kissed her, molding her firmly and closely with him. Nothing in between them. No one between them. There was nothing and no one but Kakashi and Dani.

They sprang apart when they heard delicate coughing, clapping and whistling. Genma obviously was clapping and whistling. The brunette said, "Go for it, Hatake." Kite dug her elbow into her lover's side. "Try not to be so verbally crass. Please!" Jiraiya was the perpetrator of the coughing and he couldn't seem to stop. Kite wrapped her arms around her father, releasing a little energy into him. She'd given him enough to last until the bedraggled group could reach Konoha.

Kakashi put his arm around Dani and helped her over to everyone else. Smirking, he took a shot at Genma. "So, Shiranui, better late than never, huh? With everything you've been through, it's a wonder you come at all." The sharingan user's laughter rang out in the room and Genma was shocked that his friend would make such a reference. Kakashi wasn't usually like that at all.

Kite was biting her bottom lip to keep from falling out laughing. She still couldn't resist to pick at Genma, too. "Hatake, you and I are really, REALLY going to have to talk. I'm curious as to all that you have on Genma, here. He needs a little humbling. I mean, he's way to sure of himself and his male bravado." The orange headed girl flashed a teasing expression at her "victim".

Letting go of her father, Kite hugged Genma tightly. "Don't worry. I still love you. Even with all your macho bullshit!" Placing her hands on Genma's handsome face, she planted a deep kiss on his lips and the sides of his lips curled in mischief. Kakashi knew a little trouble was on the way if that smile was an indication. And it was.

Kite pulled back and Genma whispered to her, "By the way, you lost."

Confused, she asked, "What do you mean, I lost?" She looked at her sister and Hatake for them to give up a hint. Anything. But the couple stayed quiet.

"The bet we made before we left the village to go on this mission. Not only did I get a really great kiss, but I received a declaration of love, too." He chuckled at his genius and the nights ahead of dates that were sure to be anything but boring.

Furious, Kite hissed, "You ass! This wasn't about a damned bet! I did those things because I really meant them." Her eyes were showing flecks of green. Not good. Overhead they could hear a storm approaching. The sound of thunder echoed in the sky warning them to stay indoors.

"Genma, if I were you, I'd apologize and beg forgiveness on my knees." Kakashi saw his friend walking on thin, cracking ice and wanted to offer him some useful advice. If he'd only take it and follow the suggestion.

Dani licked her lips. "Genma, I believe that storm is meant for you. You know my sister has an incorrigible temper with a short fuse. I'd start begging now if I were you." Dani was enjoying the idea of the ninja on his knees in front of Kite. The mental picture was so amusing. She was quickly becoming sadistic just like Kite. Man, Kakashi and Genma would never survive the both of them acting that way.

Genma swiftly moved pulling the lightning temptress so tightly against him that she couldn't move. One arm moved around to hold her back while the other held her behind her neck. Striking quickly like a snake, he kissed her soundly. Passion arcing between the two making them forget that they weren't alone.

The other's didn't allow the couple to forget though. Jiraiya began coughing again, Dani giggled at the loving display, and Kakashi whistled. The copy nin called out to his friend, "It's about damned time, Genma."

Genma and Kite sprang apart slightly embarrassed at temporarily losing theirselves in front of everyone else. The senbon master addressed the comment his best friend made. "It's about time for what, Hatake?"

"Stop fighting it, Shiranui. It's pretty painful to watch. You've fallen my friend. You're so wrapped over that little orange headed angel right there and you know this." Sharing a look with Dani, the two powerful shinobi smiled at Kakashi's assessment. "Same thing for you, Kite. You've fallen too. Both of you just admit you're totally smitten and in love. Make it easier on the rest of us why don't you?"

Flashing a look at the copy nin, she fired back, "Why don't we just get the hell out of here?"

Genma replied, "Good point."

Everyone besides Dani could walk on their own, but she had to have help from Kakashi. All five of them masked their chakra's carefully. Dani cheerfully, albeit painfully, "Well, at least the thunder's gone and it sounds like the storm receded."

Another feminine voice shot towards her sister, "Yeah, well I got over it."

Putting on a little speed, the five of them made it out of the building in no time. When they were a safe distance away, Kite stopped them.

Standing firmly, she called upon the powers of Kitsune. Purple glowing eyes, she closed them and uttered her spell.

Dani's eyes widened. "Guys, we've gotta back off from her. Do it now!" They all moved behind some scattered boulders several feet behind Kite.

Lightning forked dangerously, striking her body after she'd lifted her arms toward the sky beckoning it to her. Gathering the elemental power in her hands, she directed at the building in which they'd been held. The roof caught fire spreading to the stone blocks incinerating it all to a blackened ruin.

Dropping her arms, she stumbled and would have fallen if Genma hadn't of rushed forward to catch her weakened body. He whispered to her, "That was great, Kite. You're so remarkable."

Tipping her face up to meet his, she whispered back, "Ass kisser. Don't worry, you're forgiven. This time at least." Closing her eyes, she went to sleep.

Genma picked her up. "Let's go. The sooner we get back the better. I've got something I need to get taken care of when we get back home."

Kakashi shared the same sentiment. If anything, there was something he wanted to speak to Genma about and soon. Before the chance escaped him forever.

The Konohan group took off quickly. All wanted to escape this place of hell and bad memories. Traveling for what seemed like hours they began passing familiar landmarks. Excitement coursed throughout their minds. It seemed too long since they'd seen their village. Just a little longer now and that would be accomplished.

Hours later, the gates of Konoha loomed over them as if to welcome the weary nin back to it's sanctuary. Entering through the gates had never felt so good. Kakashi asked Jiraiya to go speak with Tsunade and give her as much of a mission report as he could.

"I take it the four of you will be heading straight to the hospital?" The meaning in his words were clear. Take care of his girls or they'd be dealing with one of the last remaining sennin.

Nodding his head in the affirmative, Kakashi answered. "Yes. We're going to get the girls checked out and make sure they're alright. Especially Dani. We don't fully know what she suffered at the hands of that evil, greedy bastard." Looking down at the girl in his arms, his chest tightened considerably. Better get her there soon. She was too pale and growing more so as time increased. "If Tsunade wants Shiranui and I you know where to find us."

Then the four parted ways with the old man. Instantly, he headed over to see the Hokage. He was due for some really good sake right about now. In reality, he was dying from thirst for the drink. "Ready or not, Tsunade, here I come." Speeding towards his destination all he left was a trail of dust.

Rushing in the doors of the hospital, Kakashi and Genma called out for help. Their words were overlapping in the confusion. Kakashi yelled out, "We've got two injured female shinobi. One of them has been tortured and the other needs fluids."

A seductive female voice cut through the verbal cacophony. "I wondered when you'd walk through my doors, Hatake and Shiranui. Let's get them to the exam rooms."

Kakashi's head swiveled to see the speaker. He shouldv'e known. Sakura with her bright pink hair and slight figure worked efficiently as she called out orders. She'd always had taken care of him, Sasuke and Naruto when they had existed as team seven, but that was so long ago. So very long ago.

Sakura gestured for the two men to follow her down the hall. Entering one of the rooms, Sakura pointed to two beds and instructed them to lay the girls there. Then turning towards the men, she shooed them out so she could conduct her exams.

Neither male was happy to be shoved out in the hall while the girls lay in there suffering. One, who was totally unconscious and the other, conscious but in extreme pain with all the things that had been forced upon her during their imprisonment.

An hour later, Sakura exited the room appearing exhausted and worn to the bone. Addressing Shiranui first she spoke to ease his concerns. "Genma, there's no need to be worried. Kite is just mainly dehydrated and she used up to much chakra. Whatever she did, she almost completely depleted herself. And you know the consequences that will occur with a total chakra depletion. For at least the next week or so she is to take it easy. And that means no wild monkey sex either! I mean it!" Smiling, the pink haired former medic, now a doctor, couldn't resist the temptation to pick at Genma's ladies man reputation.

"May I go in to see her?"

He looked so pathetic that Sakura couldn't say no. "Sure. But try to keep your visit to about thirty minutes to an hour at the most. She needs to rest more than anything."

Genma was in the room before she could finish her sentence. The door clicked shut emphasizing the uncomfortable feeling in the hallway.

"Now, it'll be easier to talk with him in there. No interruptions. Kakashi, I want you to listen carefully to what I'm going to say. This will affect you as it will Dani." Leaning against the wall to help support her sagging weight dragged down by chakra usage, she debated on how she should tell him.

"Sakura, what's going on with Dani? Is she alright?" His uncertainty made him project a calm facade, but underneath everything was chaotic oblivion.

"She will recover, Kakashi. Had you not arrived when you did, they would've died."

"You mean Dani and Kite, right?"

Inner Sakura was having a field day with the information that would throw her former teacher into a tailspin. "No. That's not what I mean."

Confused, he asked, "Then what do you mean?" Kakashi's brain ransacked itself for possible answers and was becoming more and more puzzled and lost by the minute.

Deciding to end his torment, she replied, "I meant Dani...and her baby."

His obsidian eye widened. Oh shit! Dani...she was pregnant with a baby. But whose is it? He didn't know if the baby was his or Sate's.

"Kakashi? What's wrong?" The pained expression on his face worried her greatly. She'd never seen him react to something like this before. Ever.

Kakashi's dry throat cracked as he spoke. "When we were prisoner's she was attacked by Sate, the guy who had kidnapped her. I don't know if the baby's mine or his."

"Answer one question for me, Kakashi. Were the two of you together before this mission started?" Depending on his answer as to how she'd reply.

Looking her in the eye, he said brokenly, "Yes."

Smiling, she patted him on the shoulder. "I can alleviate your worry because I can tell you who the father is and how old the baby is."

Relief spread over the older jounin's face. "Really? Tell me. I have to know."

"Okay. The baby is your's, Kakashi. The baby's gestational age is indicative of that and so much that the situation between Dani and Sate happened much later. So be happy, go see Dani and then go home and get some rest yourself. Doctor's orders." Walking off , she paused, turning to view him over her shoulder. She winked and said, "Congratulations...daddy." Her soft giggles followed her down the hallway to her next round of physicals.

Muttering, Kakashi said, "Some people never change." Relieved that Dani was alright, he relaxed momentarily to grab hold of his turbulent bearings. The very ground beneath his feet had seemed to shift with Sakura's information.

Dani expecting their child. Their baby. His and hers. A very talented child it would be. They'd probably have their hands full, but it would be well worth everything. The loner he used to be never believed that he'd find someone much less ever have a child. Just as he'd finally accepted it and faced the facts, she came to him. She'd given his life a fresh breath of air. Sweeping into his life, she'd knocked him over with her differences and her beauty.

Steeling himself for whatever lay ahead in her and Kite's room, he took a breath and pushed himself from the wall. Opening the door, he was surprised to see her awake. Dani's green eyes turned to him and she smiled. Kakashi sat down on the side of her bed. Taking her hand, he returned her smile.

Dani broke the silence first. Speaking with a shaky voice, "I suppose Sakura told you then? I hope you aren't angry."

"Never. Shocked, yes, but never angry. There were two of us there you know. As they say, it takes two to tango, therefore, it took two of us to create this baby. We'll do whatever it takes to make this work."

Unshed tears sparkled precariously in her eyes. "Really?" Dani was so uncertain of how to proceed from here. She was aware that Kakashi loved her. But was it the lasting kind?

"Really. I swear to you." Kakashi rose from her bed and knelt down on the floor. "Dani, would you do me the honor of becoming my wife? Will you marry me?" Hope was shining brightly from his eye. This was the first time since he was a young boy that it had shone so brightly and readily.

Tears ran down her pale cheeks wetting her hair and pillow, she waggled her head and cried out, "Yes. Now get off your knees and come here."

The silvery haired man was all too happy too comply. Getting off his knees, he took up his position on her bed again. Leaning down he kissed her gently infusing all his emotions from his mouth to hers. Breaking the kiss he hugged her and whispered many things to her.

From the bed across the room, Kite and Genma watched in amazement. Kite glanced at Genma in surprise. "Damn, not only are they getting married, but they're having a baby too. No wonder her chakra felt off somehow. I just couldn't place what was wrong with her."

Genma grinned. "I know. Hatake for once in his life is being very unpredictable, not that I'm complaining or anything. I think there'll be plenty of fun in the days ahead." Leaning down, he kissed her soundly putting everything else out of her mind. Only Genma remained. Genma, so steadfast and pleasurably unique. Thank Kami for that alone!

Kite, this time, was the one to pull away from the shelter of his heated lips. "I love you, Genma."

"I know. And I love you, too, Kite. Now go to sleep."

"Stay with me until I fall asleep?"

Reassuring her, he smiled. "Sure." Making himself comfortable, Genma tenderly ran his hands through her hair and down her face. Repeating these movements over and over, he glanced down to see his brightly colored angel fast asleep.

Yawning, he thought it wouldn't hurt if he closed his eyes just for a few minutes. Stretching out beside her, he shut his eyes and wrapped her tightly in his arms. Before he fell asleep, he mused that it was ironic that this was how it all began. Giving up his waking thoughts, the brunette jounin fell asleep joining his angel in their mutual dreams.

A/N: That's it for chapter 8. I hope it was suitable enough for you all. If you guys don't mind reviewing and let me know what you think. It helps my inspiration and muse. :) L8r