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Kakashi: Requests

Kakashi was bored. Bored, bored, bored. While the various antics of team seven had been amusing for the first two weeks of training them, after another fortnight they were just tiresome. The lopsided team dynamic was incredibly frustrating -where we this bad at the same age, Minato-sensei?- and nothing he did seemed to affect it.

Sasuke and Naruto got on well enough, with Naruto carrying the conversation and Sasuke grunting at appropriate intervals. They weren't close but the space they gave each-other was highly calculated; they understood each-other. Their spars were intense and competitive but there was no malice there. The Uchiha helped the blond with his taijutsu by thrashing the older boy repeatedly and Naruto helped his younger team-mate with his budding kenjutsu by talking him through the spars, explaining why he had scored this or that point.

The two boys were comrades, true team-mates. The problem lay with Haruno Sakura.

Other than ending her tendency to diet, Kakashi had been unable to curtail any of her fangirl habits. She still fawned over Sasuke and took his side in every single discussion or spar, which the dark haired boy clearly found infuriating. She also seemed to have taken offence at the swift death of Naruto's supposed crush on her and verbally attacked the blond whenever he disagreed with 'her precious Sasuke-kun' or said anything she could possibly object to. Kakashi had made sure she understood that physically assaulting one's team-mates was unacceptable, but he couldn't figure out a way to reign in the kunoichi's cruel tongue.

This latent conflict forced the Uchiha into the role of the peacemaker, a role he was deeply unsuited to. He generally resorted to telling his pink haired team-mate to shut up.

Nonetheless, team seven limped forward. Kakashi was fairly impressed with the individual progress both boys had made in training and Sakura's progress was... Well, barely adequate to be brutally honest, but good enough for a genin kunoichi and surprising for a fangirl, may they all rot in hell.

Sasuke's Uchiha-style taijutsu, was improving with the constant spars but without the sharingan he could not master it. Goaded on by Naruto's kenjutsu ability the dark eyed boy had found a scroll somewhere in the Uchiha compound and was learning ninja-to katas with dogged determination. He still couldn't beat Naruto when they sparred with bokken but he was lasting longer.

Naruto's Uzu-style kenjutsu was very good, easily chunnin level. His taijutsu was a bastard mix of Northern Preying Mantis, Jujutsu and Dragon Fist. He was very good at the jujutsu parts, less so at the Mantis parts -although he clearly knew exactly where all the pressure points were he wasn't quick enough yet to hit them reliably- and he was still learning the stances and movements inherent to Dragon Fist. There was a little White Crane in his footwork but as his Dragon Fist improved the blond used Crane less and less.

Kakashi hadn't realised there was anyone in Konoha who used Jujutsu, let alone Northern Mantis which was a style native to Grass country. Dragon Fist was considered a lost art so he was extremely surprised to find that his oldest student had a solid grasp of the style's basics and was improving rapidly. Some gentle inquiry revealed that Naruto had learned Northern Mantis from books borrowed from the library by Rock Lee back when both boys had been in the same academy class. The blond had been learning Jujutsu from 'Takemaru-nii' for the better part of three years and Dragon Fist turned out to be an Uzumaki style that Ame was helping him master, making extensive use of shadow clones to drill the stances and katas into him as quickly as was humanly possible. He knew White Crane because 'Benihime-nee' used it and he had used to spar with the red headed geisha before he graduated. Kakashi suspected that if Naruto had dedicated all his time to learning a specific taijutsu style he would be better that the Uchiha by now. However the jinchuuriki's magpie assimilation of different styles was likely to serve him better in the long run than Sasuke's determined pursuit of perfection in his chosen style. They were ninja after all, not martial artists.

Neither boy had particularly good chakra control. Naruto's was better overall when the sheer size of his reserves was taken into account and had improved noticeably after the addition of the Yin Kyuubi to his seal, but the boy still couldn't do the bunshin jutsu. Sasuke could, and had a number of C-class katon jutsu he could do but he wasted chakra all over the place. Sakura did not, mainly because she didn't have much to start with. Kakashi had decided to put off improving his team's chakra control until their tai- and kenjutsu were good enough.

Sakura's taijutsu had been pathetic, no more than the academy basics which she wasn't very good at and didn't suit her body type at all. Kakashi had started her on Bajiquan, which Naruto knew the basics of but rarely used, stating it didn't really work for him. Sakura had not been pleased to be forced to learn from Naruto of all people -as she put it- but the style clearly worked for her. The journin had to admit that she was vicious enough to be challenging to spar with even though she didn't know all the stances and moves yet. Especially when she improvised.

Kakashi had -after Naruto's admission of being familiar with Bajiquan- asked what other styles he knew but didn't use. The list was staggering for a genin: Drunken Fist -mainly the footwork- Fanzi and Eagle Claw style Chin na in addition to the styles he usually demonstrated. Gai would have cried manly tears of joy to have such a dedicated taijutsu student to work with.

Naruto explained that he was trying to integrate the Eagle Claw Chin na into his Jujutsu and Dragon Fist, but that it was still in the experimental phases. When questioned on how he was managing to practice all that different taijutsu Naruto's answer nearly made Kakashi facevault:

"Shadow clones, sensei; isn't that what they're for?"

After that little chat Kakashi started teaching his team about genjutsu in order to give the younger two a bit more of an edge. Sakura proved brilliant at it, Sasuke competent and Naruto, as he had expected, poor. The blond could detect and dispel genjutsu all the way up to A-rank and could even sense them being placed on other people -a fox related ability perhaps? Kitsune are famed for their illusions- but couldn't cast one to save his life. He just had too much chakra.

Sasuke was more balanced, able to detect and defeat genjutsu up to B-rank and even the occasional A-ranks if given a little time or knew they were there. He could cast the three or four D and C-ranked illusions Kakashi actually taught his team, putting him on the talented side of average for a genin. But it was Sakura who really shone.

While her reserves were small -pitiful in fact- her natural control was very high and she had an excellent imagination. The pink haired kunoichi took to genjutsu like a bird to flight. Combined with her brutal taijutsu style her proficiency in illusions -including sealless illusions- was such that both her team-mates had to work to beat her in a spar. Oddly enough she did better against Sasuke then against Naruto, who in a pinch would just shut his eyes and spar blind, ignoring her efforts completely. Rather than let this get her down Sakura badgered her sensei for scrolls on genjutsus affecting the other senses. Kakashi did so, though he wondered how long it would take the kunoichi to work out that Naruto was tracking her by chakra and scent rather than the more obvious sound. In order to keep her motivated the journin also offered to train Naruto how to manage his enhanced senses, wondering again as the blond took up his offer with eager eyes how those previously assigned to his education had missed the boy's talent and drive. Sure, the blonde wasn't very good at digging deeper into written texts, but his memorisation skills were top-notch and he had an uncanny knack for reading intent and emotion that was on par with some Hyuugas.

However despite individual improvement their teamwork was still shoddy. When Sasuke was in charge there wasn't a problem and in areas where Sakura was the most experienced the boys did defer to her -if a little grudgingly- but whenever Naruto tried to take charge Sakura protested, forcing Sasuke to reiterate the blond's decisions and glare her into submission. It was driving the journin crazy. He was tempted to give the girl a thorough dressing down, or failing that attack the team repeatedly in three-on-one spars until Sakura learned through bitter experience to obey her team leader's orders instantly and without hesitation.

Kakashi was leaning towards the latter as the most effective strategy.

So when his team finally snapped and demanded a more challenging mission he did not protest. It wasn't quite what he'd had in mind but an escort mission with bandits and wild animals -though hopefully not squirrels- would do them good. Especially Sakura. The boys have both seen death and know this isn't a game.

The journin was about to dismiss his team to collect supplies and rest up in preparation for the next morning when Ame let herself into the missions office, A rather dazed ANBU supporting her.

My apologies for dazing Crow-san, hokage-sama, but I wished to meet team seven in its entirety. While I know Naruto very well, Kakashi has been sabotaging my attempts to get to know the other two."

"I haven't," Kakashi protested as Sasuke eyed the very pregnant newcomer with poorly concealed interest -well not much anyway- "it just hasn't been convenient."

"You know sensei?" Sasuke asked, staring at Ame's star-filled eyesockets curiously. The brunet probably thought she had a doujutsu of some kind.

"Kakashi has asked me to marry him," Ame said calmly, "which will probably come to pass as soon as my family get their act together and decide who gets to come to Konoha and who has to stay behind."

"Well now you've met them we can go," Kakashi said cheerfully, appearing behind his fiancée in a burst of pure speed and shunshining away with her. Sakura stared at the empty space for a moment befrore turning on her blond team-mate:

"Naruto, talk."

"Not here," Naruto said defensively, "Jiji needs his office and other ninja will be coming in for missions."

"Training ground," Sasuke suggested, clearly interested in the unknown woman with the unheard-of doujutsu. Once all three were gone Kakashi let himself back into the office through the window, Ame cradled in his arms.

"Sakura's never going to stop bugging me now she knows I've got a girlfriend," Kakashi mourned piteously, only half in jest. While Sakura did seen to be putting some effort into becoming a better ninja, she was still far too 'girly' for the copy-ninja. Long, pink hair and restricting skirts? Give me a break.

"It serves you right for not introducing me to them of your own volition before," Ame replied calmly. "I have been asking for over a week now. Anyway, I'm not just here for them. I need to talk to you and hokage-sama about your latest mission."

"What about it?" the hokage asked shrewdly. Kakashi could tell the Sandaime suspected that there was far more to Ame and her kekkai genkai than the apparent doujutsu.

"Don't worry: any enemies you encounter will we well within your team's capabilities," Ame said, waving a hand dismissively. "Tangentially, has Konoha received any assassination requests for Gatou of Gatou Industries?"

Iruka, the chunnin currently on mission desk duty, shuffled through the A and S-rank mission requests. "Hai, here it is. Deemed only A-rank as the man is neither a shinobi nor employs them to protect himself."

"You should take it, Kashi; the scumbag's based in Nami no kuni and team seven can manage on their own for the two days it would take you to eliminate him," the pregnant woman said matter-of-factly. "Especially considering your recent forays into higher level lightning manipulation."

Kakashi shrugged. "If you say so, koi."

Ame kissed the small area of his right cheek exposed above the upper edge of his mask. "I do say so. And I've found that book on brain activity and area associations you wanted now you've finished the others I lent you." She handed over an Icha Icha sized volume. Kakashi was both surprised and touched that all the books she found for him had those specific dimensions. "This is the first volume of five; enjoy."

The silver haired journin immediately flipped the book open, scooping up the A-rank mission scroll with his other hand. "Arigatou for your help, Iruka-san, hokage-sama. I'd better find my team and make sure they know what to pack for our little excursion."

"I will come with you; I need to talk to Sasuke," Ame said firmly. Both the hokage and Kakashi looked at her carefully. Her close acquaintance with Uchiha Itachi -he calls her Sempai-chan, acknowledging her as his senior and mentor- was hardly secret.

"Madara is dead," Ame said flatly, confusing Kakashi and eliciting a gasp from the Sandaime, "so the deception no longer has a purpose. Let the loyal claim their reward. Sasuke is not the last Uchiha by any stretch of the imagination -even if you ignore Itachi- but the boy needs his head fixing. Tsukiyomi does terrible things to the minds of its victims." Ame glared at the hokage, daring him to disagree with her cryptic utterances, "Let the truth be told. Every child needs to know how much they are loved."

Kakashi's gut told him that his lover was skirting the edge of something S-class shaped and was itching to tear a strip off the elderly hokage but restrained herself out of consideration for their ANBU audience. The copy-nin had personally started wondering about the whole Uchiha massacre after his most recent encounter with the rogue Uchiha. Itachi did not act like a nutcase bent on proving how powerful he was. If anything he acted like an ANBU in the field, keeping trusted allies close and deceiving or destroying his enemies. And his respect for my koi is as boundless and transparent as the sky. He treats her like he treated me when I was his captain in ANBU. Unflinching obedience and absolute trust.

Could he have pledged his allegiance to her? Are the red clouds her mark?

Doubtful: I haven't seen her wear them since she came to Konoha. So the red clouds are another faction which all three of the nukenin associated with her that I have met so far belong to and that she too belongs to on some level. But Itachi's -and possibly Kisame's and this Zetsu's as well- primary loyalty is to her, not the red clouds.

What a tangle. The more I think on it Itachi's actions make no sense, but when I turn it around to consider what would cause a loyal ANBU captain would slaughter his entire clan in a single evening...

"I... I will see what can be done," the hokage sighed, drawing Kakashi out of his thoughts.

"You are Hokage of Konohagakure no sato, are you not? You word is law. Make it so."

"I wish it were that simple."

"It is that simple, Sarutobi Hiruzen," Ame said softly, the stars in her eyesockets glinting strangely. "Do not concern yourself with the rot that has taken root: that foundation is not as solid as it appears. The puppetmaster came seeking me so I took it upon myself to neutralise the threat posed to the village my beloved cares for so deeply."

"Danzo," the hokage murmured bitterly.

"Has someone been threatening or pressuring you, Ame-chan?" Kakashi asked, suddenly intensely interested in the coded phrases and inside knowledge his fiancée was trading with the hokage. Where his Ame-koi's well-being was concerned the journin showed not even a shred of his habitual lazy apathy. What interest has Shimura Danzo in my wife-to-be? She is not a shinobi,is not even a native to this village.

Perhaps that is the problem. The old war hawk sees enemies in every shadow and conspiracies behind every corner. A powerful foreign woman involved with a high-ranking ninja could easily be seen as a threat. Never mind that she is a miko and dedicated to the health and well-being of those around her.

"Danzo-san has attempted both; I was forced to kill three of his toy soldiers although I was successful in stealing a further eleven away from him," Ame said blandly, as if her statement had not caused all four of the ANBU hiding in the office to double-take in shock. "I am mending them but rehabilitation takes time. The old cripple does not understand that humanity is more than the sum of its sins; that people can chose to give rather than simply take. He persists in setting his puppets on me because in spite of what he has seen he refuses to believe that I can sever the strings that tie them to him." Ame's eyes flashed pure white for a brief instant. "I will give him until he chooses to take hostages to change his ways. Should he try to use my loved ones against me -or anyone else- he will die and no stolen kekkai genkai will prevent me from ending his life."

Stolen kekkai genkai? Danzo has appropriated a bloodline? One of the doujutsus most likely: They are easier to transplant than the purely genetic ones. Byakugan or Sharingan then? Kakashi pushed the whirlwind of speculation to the back of his mind. It was not relevant right now and the hokage would likely investigate the accusation himself. "I leave it to you then, koi, since it appears you have the threat well in hand," he said, relaxing. Sometimes it slipped Kakashi's mind that the slightly short and heavily pregnant woman he was engaged to was the most powerful person he knew.

"You want to take over ROOT?" the Sandaime mused, piercing eyes fixed on Kakashi's fiancée.

Ame stared at the hokage, disappointment glaringly evident. "Sarutobi-san, you have spent entirely too much time amongst politicians if you believe I do this for personal gain. I heal because to leave others to suffer and scream in agony -even only within the privacy of their own minds- is unthinkable to me." She gripped Kakashi's arm and tugged. Kakashi let himself be led out of the office.

"Come on, Kashi; we have your 'cute little students' to see."

Kakashi had no idea of what his fiancée had said to Sasuke, but the boy seemed more thoughtful than angry after the short, private chat she had with him. Sakura was also more subdued after Ame pulled the pink haired kunoichi aside for 'a little heart to heart'. Kakashi gave both genin instructions on what -and how- to pack, handed each a basic sealing scroll and dismissed them both. Then he went to find out what his precious beloved was doing with Naruto.

It turned out she was painting a large mon onto the back of his kimono, right across the width of his shoulders above the Uzu spiral.

"There; finished, Naru-kun. Now all your kimono have my mon on to show that you are a part of my family," Ame told the blond genin. "Be aware that it is a very large family filled with a mix of very different people with disparate hopes, dreams, ideals and goals, some of whom are very strange indeed. Just remember the rules."

"Hai, kaa-san: no trying to kill other family members or their associates, although the second is more of a guideline if they attack you first. Help family whenever possible, always be polite and friendly and never betray family members to non-family. Any issues I have with family members are to be dealt with internally; no airing dirty laundry in public." He paused. "Does this make all those nukenin nii-sans you told me about my oji-sans?"

"Not necessarily. Family is family, Naruto-musuko, but what you choose to call them is up to you. So long as it is not offensive." Ame corrected the whisker-marked blond. "Which reminds me: Kashi, you are going to wear my mon on your clothing as well. I don't want you getting killed by a random missing-nin because they didn't realise you had my protection."

Kakashi acceded gracefully to her demand, dropping bonelessly to the ground so his koi could paint the highly abstract design onto the back of his journin vest.

"There; I've already modified all of your other clothes, so you are both as safe as I can make you without direct interference," She sighed once she'd finished. "Remember to go to bed early, Naru-kun."

"Hai, kaa-san!" Naruto ran off, the long lines of Ame's mon very visible across his shoulder blades.

Kakashi stood up and enfolded his beautiful beloved in a tight embrace. "So I'm your now, am I?" he murmured in her ear, close enough that his mask brushed her skin.

Ame grinned wickedly, eyes dark with only a few dozen faint pinpricks of light visible. "Oh yes. Now and for ever after. Remember the rules though or I'll be forced to punish you."

"Punish me, hmm?" Kakashi purred, nibbling her ear through his mask and making her squirm in his very firm grip. "Perhaps I should be the one punishing you for twisting my arm earlier..." He teased the short curls at the nape of her neck with a few fingers, enjoying how her involuntary shivers transmitted from her body to his. She is perfect. I wouldn't exchange my Yogensha-koi for all the Icha Icha in the world and a large harem.

Ame slipped her hands under his shirt and lightly skated her fingernails across his stomach, making him weak at the knees. "How about you take me home and I give you a proper goodbye to keep you warm while you're away?"

Kakashi was all for that.

Notes

mon = crest or sigil. Worn on clothing, flags and armour and painted on walls

doujutsu = eye technique: a bloodline affecting the eyes, granting improved vision of some kind. Byakugan and sharingan are both doujutsu

A/N: And the first C-rank mission begins, with the genin being considerably more prepared than in canon.