Weaving Silk

Silk is a wondrous thing. Little creatures spin it naturally into cocoons to protect them as they change to something else beautiful. People collect it and unwind it thread by mile long thread. It is dyed into a rainbow of colors. An artist envisions a pattern, some simple, others, patterns within patterns. Then, these fragile threads are woven as per the pattern. Up until this point the thread can break and ruin the design. However, once set and the fabric woven you have a beautiful work of art that has so many uses. It is also very strong despite its appearance. A famous man once said, "Wet shirt wont break." Another in answer, "You mean piss shirt bend bars!" People can be the same. Given the right set of circumstances they can become something beautiful, fragile, strong and able to bend bars without breaking when pissed on. ^__^ (Shanghai Noon quotes)

Tinane Yuu.

Tinane Yuu hated the heat. Especially, moist heat. THAT is what Konoha had a great deal of. The damn place was near tropical. Nane, as she was to her family, was from the Snow country. She loved the snow. She missed the snow. But this is where her family had decided to relocate. The quiet call for ninja's had been sent out after a disastrous attack by one of Konoha's own had left the Leaf village woefully short of needed staff for missions. Her father and brothers were Jonin level ninjas that up until recently had been for hire. Not claiming any village or political view. Their only vow was to the Weaving guild. As her parents aged they decided that they wanted more for their children and grandchildren. So when the call went out they packed and migrated to the Village Hidden in the Leaves, Konoha.

As far as villages went, Konoha was quaint, clean and tolerant. Their history of being one of the first Hidden Villages was rich as could be seen by the four faces of the past leaders. A fifth face was taking shape when her family move into their compound. There was more than enough room for her brothers and their families as well as a work shop for the weavers in the family. The front of the house boasted a store front. It suited everybody's needs.

But the heat!

Tinane quickly found the river and the heavy trees that grew thickly beside it. It was the coolest place she could find. There, when not on mission, she read and listened to her music. Nane's eyes flitted back and forth as they roamed the pages of the book. The breeze from the river picked up a few loose strands of her hair that had escaped the long pony tail and cooled her neck. She wore olive colored shorts that ended just above her knees sporting multipul pockets and a sleeveless tan shirt. Nane still longed for a ice box.

Feeling another presence she looked up to find a cat masked, black and white garbed figure standing over her. Damn, but those Anbu were quiet!

He bowed as Nane removed the ear buds. Her music could be heard faintly.

"Yuu Tinane? Please go to the Hokage tower. You have been summoned by Lady Tusnade."

"Thank you." Said Nane, not knowing what else to call the high level ninja. With another bow and a flutter of leaves the cat masked ninja disappeared. With another sigh Nane stood and brushed at the bottom of her shorts with her hands. Would not do to have grass and sand on her bottom when meeting the leader of the village and your boss. She really hoped it had to do with her request for Jonin testing. The application had been placed several months before. Nane was starting to fear that she would be Chunin rank forever. Placing her music device in her courier bag, she started off towards the highest tower in the village. Sadly, she would have to go through the hottest parts of the village. Opening her book, Nane let her feet do the work as she let her mind wander, nose in her book.

The village was busy, but not totally chaotic. It definitely had a rhythm. Nane let herself instinctually weave through it all. Not once did she bump into anyone when she was like this. Her body followed a thread that wove its way through all others. So when she barreled into something unmovable, knocking her to her butt, Nane was stunned, letting out a small inelegant squeak and whoof as her but hit the hard ground. Looking up all she saw at first was blue, blue sky, and blinding sun. Sunglasses, that was the other thing she forgot this morning, before she left the compound. A shadow moved into her vision, but her eyes had watered too much to make out the features.

"Sorry about that." Said a male voice. "I didn't see you." A fingerless gloved hand was held out just before her nose making her eyes cross for a moment as she tried to focus on it. Blinking quickly, she placed her hand into his and was helped to her feet. When her eyes cleared she saw the man in a green chunin vest bending over to retrieve her book that had been momentarily forgotten on the ground.

When he stood, Nane found herself looking at one grey eye that seemed to be laughing. That was all she could really tell of his expression, because of the black mask that came up over his nose and the Konoha symbol hiate pulled over his other eye shielding it from view. Silvery white hair poked wildly up over the top of the headband. Nane's throat chose that time to dry up.

"Hatake Kakashi-san." she croaked. Trying to remember all of the honorifics, but coming up blank. This was the Copy Nin himself. Famous, and infamous depending who you spoke with. Jonin and ex-Anbu were just a few titles on his resume. Nane felt her knees get a little weak, more out of pure embarrassment than anything else. What kind of klutz does he think I am. She thought woefully. He was still holding her hand.

"And you are?"

"Oh! Nane…" shaking her head, "umm…Yuu Tinane." she said correcting herself. That grey eye and his voice seemed to laugh at her discomfiture.

"Well, Yuu Tinane. I must again apologize for knocking you down. I can see that we both have the bad habit of reading while walking." It was then that she noticed that he had an orange covered book under an arm. Tinane smiled and blushed a little. Being a redhead, a simple smile would cause the rush of color, embarrassment could cause a fire. It sounded like something her mother would say to her. She wanted to defend herself and say that she has never run into anyone before this, but this man outranked her in just about every way possible. Nane kept her silence. Kakashi continued, "Where are you headed?"

"Hokage tower, sir. The Lady wishes me to meet with her." Kakashi gave Nane her book then turned in the tower's direction and began to pull her along by the hand he still held hostage.

"I am headed there too. The least I can do is apologize to Tsunade for why you are late." Nane was so shocked to being led through Konoha streets by Hatake, that she let him. A disbelieving scowl on her face. This village still confused the hell out of her.

"Good! You're here too, eh Brat. Saves me the trouble of sending for you." Lady Tsunade looked from Hatake to Nane as they entered her offices. "Tinane, good to see you as well. Thank you for coming so quickly. I have decided to grant you your jonin testing request. "

As she spoke the fifth Hokage was lifting up random pages and scrolls, apparently looking for something.

"I also have an A rank mission to Suna that I need completed. Sooo…….." Giving up in defeat Tsunade placed her manicured hands on the table.

"Shizune! Where is that missions scroll?" She bellowed. From the next room as if on cue, a small pink pig wearing pearls and a vest trotted in with a small scroll in her mouth. She made her way past Hatake and Nane and around the desk to Tsunade, who then took the scroll.

"Thank you, Ton-Ton. " As Ton-Ton made her way back, Nane was sure she saw the pig roll her eyes. "As I was saying." continued the Hokage, "Mission to Suna. This needs to get to their new Kasakage, Garra of the Sand. It is basically a continuation of a non-aggression pact until he and I can meet formally for a treaty. It needs to get there quickly. So, I need the two of you to leave first thing in the morning. Hard travel it should take you about three days. On the way back Kakashi can test your skills more in depth."

"Do we need to wait for any reply?" Asked Nane. Tsunade shook her blonde head.

"No. This is just a formality. Garra knows that Naruto would beat him brainless if he started anything." Kakashi nodded in agreement. Nane had only heard rumors of Uzimake Naruto and the fox demon he housed. She and her family arrived just after he left with Jiraya. "If there are no more questions I will leave you to your mission. Good luck."

Once in the hallway Nane found she had to sit for a moment. Her head had begun to throb. Knowing the cause, she pulled a blank tag from her bag. Keeping it in one hand she began to move her fingers in a particular manner. Not the traditional hand signs, but something different. Kakashi watched, perplexed.

"Yuu?" asked Kakashi.

"One moment please, and I will answer your questions." The Copy nin noticed that her eyes had started to glow ice green. He could feel charka being used, but it was subtle. As he watched, she somehow pulled what she had created to the tag. Writing appeared on the blank tag. Snare. Sighing Nane closed her eyes. When she opened them they were back to the blue green he had seen before.

"Sorry, about that. Sometimes when I get excited I get headaches from the extra charka spillage. Weaving these tags siphons off enough to relieve the pain." She handed him the tag. Kakashi took it between two fingers, ready to toss it aside if it proved to be dangerous. His visible white eyebrow arched.

"Snare?"

Nane smiled.

"Activate it with a little of your chakra and toss it or slap it on a wall."

"I won't have to explain destruction of the Tower to anyone, right."

"Trust me. This one is fairly benign."

"Fairly?" Kakashi charged the tag and tossed it down the hall. The tag flashed when it came into contact with the floor, but no effect could be seen. "And?"

"Wait for it." Said Nane as she heard voices from down the hall. Konahamaru and his friends were walking towards them. When he saw Kakashi he started to run. Scarf trailing after him like some twin tail. As he came in to proximity with the tag it flashed again. With a yell, the number two knuckle headed ninja found himself stuck in a web of chakra like a fly.

"Um Kakashi-sensei?" He asked nervously.

"Relax, Konahamaru. Yuu was just showing me something. I think I understand her now." Turning to the redhead. "Very useful, Yuu. "

Nane stood and walked over to Konahamaru. Holding her hand out she simply said, "Dissolve." The web dissipated and the teen fell to his butt.

"Sorry to use you as a test subject, Konahamaru, right?" He nodded and accepted her hand as she helped him up. Kakashi bent over the tag. The writing was gone and once again it was a blank tag. No energy residue left on it.

"Very efficient, Yuu. I will be interested in finding out what you can do. Meet me at the main gates. 0500. Pack light, we will need to move quickly."

Later that night, Kakashi, was still up, scanning over Tinane's records as he lay in bed. His mask was pooled around his neck as he sipped tea. Truthfully, he had been watching the red head for several weeks on orders from the Hokage in preparation for her testing. Their meeting was one that he had planned. He had watched as she unerringly walked among throngs of people with her nose in a book. Never once did she bump into someone or stumble. He had actually planted himself before her several times. Each time she had side stepped him. It took several attempts before the final meeting. Kakashi still smiled at her reaction to him.

She seemed to be an excellent choice for Jonin. Her mission records had been exemplary. She was a skilled Medic as well as ninja. Weak Gen jutsu, but strong in Tai and Nin jutsu's. It was mentioned that she had huge stores of chakra that gave her physical symptoms if not regularly siphoned off. Statements from hospital stays where her intracranial pressures became such that she bled from ears, eyes, or nose were numerous. One report elaborated that she had been in a coma for a week as a child until they realized what was the cause.

Tinane had a unique skill of being able to see and manipulate chakra "threads". Weaving as she called it. The list of what she could do with it was long. The problem was that it took time to weave and during that activity she would be distracted. This could both make her a great asset or risk depending on the mission. His eyes drifted from the text to her picture. Tinane was 23 years old, 5'6", blue green eyes, red hair, type O negative blood and more stats that just seemed to blur together the longer he looked at them. Kakashi noticed that she had smiled for the photo. She was a beautiful woman. The rest of her file was marked as 'need to know' and thus missing. Kakashi was curious, but Tsunade would not keep him in the dark unless it was for a good reason. Well, he would see first hand what she could do.

Closing her file, Kakashi placed it on the night stand and picked up his beloved Icha-Icha. Hopefully, Jiraya would be publishing his new novel soon. Till then, Kakashi would just have to start at the beginning and reread the whole series.

On the other side of the village, Nane was trying to sleep and epically failing. During dinner her brothers were pestering her about being paired with the Copy Nin. The glamour for her had quickly worn off during their teasing. Now, she was just nervous. Throughout the meal, Nane could only push the food from one spot to the other, only half listening to the excited conversations around her. Later, she had packed and repacked her med kit and weapons pouches at least three times. You would have thought that this was her first mission after academy graduation.

Sighing she rolled over and looked at the glowing clock face. 0200.

"Crap!" she whispered. Reaching out she turned on the light and pulled her book from the night stand and began to read.

The next morning came much too soon. Quietly, so as to not wake the rest of the house, Nane dressed and left. Closing the front door with a slight click. Blessedly, the early morning was cool. The birds were just starting to wake themselves cheeping quietly. She passed only a very few early risers on her way to the gates of the village. There she saw the night guard talking quietly. Patiently she waited for her partner. Sitting on the bench with her pack next to her legs, she soon found herself becoming sleepy. Nane nodded off. Her chin resting on her chest as she relaxed for the first time since receiving the mission scroll. An hour later, Kakashi strolled up. Seeing the sleeping woman, he smiled.

"She was here on time, Kakashi-sempai." reported the gate guard. Kakashi acknowledged him with a wave. Standing over Tinane, he gave a chuckle.

"Rough night, eh?" he whispered. Then he nudged her sandaled foot with his own. "Ready to go, Yuu?"

Nane sat bolt upright as she startled awake. She looked at her watch then at Hatake.

"Seriously! You are just getting here?" Kakashi shrugged.

"You see I bumped into this little old lady and knocked her groceries….."

Nane held up her hand and shook her head.

"I did not want to believe the rumors, Hatake-san." She sighed, scrubbed at her face with her hands then stood. She looked more awake and alert.

"At least I know you are a human and not some Ninja God. Shall we?" She motioned towards the gate as she shouldered her pack. Kakashi's grin behind his mask increased as he followed her.

"Who said I am NOT a ninja god?"