Into the Fire

Chapter One Hundred

Kakashi fluttered around the bedroom nervously, choosing and discarding one outfit after another in an attempt to find just the right thing for the rehearsal and the dinner afterward. “Sweetheart, are you ready yet?” Ibiki called from the lounge.

“Five minutes.” the copy-nin yelled back, even though he was far from ready.

“What's the problem 'kashi?” the interrogator asked softly as he stuck his head into the room and noticed his fiance hadn't even started dressing.

“I don't know what's appropriate.” the silver-haired man worried as he gnawed his bottom lip, “I don't want to embarrass you.”

“You could never embarrass me.” the scarred man assured him, “Here, wear this.” he finally suggested as he plucked a pair of fitted pants and a silky shirt from the pile of discarded choices.

“Are you sure this is nice enough?” Kakashi asked uncertainly. “I don't want to offend anyone.”

“Sweetheart, no matter what you wear you'll be the best looking person there.” Ibiki insisted, “Just get dressed, it will be fine . . . I could never, ever be embarrassed to be seen with you.”

“Easy for you to say . . . you'll change your mind when it happens.” the copy-nin decided.

“You have no idea just how hot you are, do you?” the interrogator rumbled erotically, “You could be covered in shit and dressed in rags and you'd still get a dead man hard.”

“Stop.” his fiance muttered crossly, pushing past his larger lover to get to the bathroom, “That's the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard.”

“No, you stop right there and listen to me.” the scarred man replied firmly, grasping the elusive jounin by the shoulders and forcing him to make eye contact. “I know you don't like attention and I understand why . . . but you're far from stupid and you have eyes, you must know how attractive you are.”

“I don't want to be attractive.” Kakashi protested, “I want to blend in.”

“It's your wedding rehearsal sweetheart . . . you're supposed to be the center of attention.” Ibiki murmured comfortingly, “Unlike Gaara and Raidou's wedding, everyone here is on your side, they're your friends and they just want to share our happiness. Trust me. If it makes you more comfortable ignore them all and just focus on me . . . I know I won't have eyes for anyone but you.”

“But . . .” the jounin started to protest.

“No buts.” the scarred man declared firmly, “This is our celebration with our friends. We're getting married tomorrow and I, for one, couldn't be happier.”

“I'm very happy about that part.” the copy-nin replied sullenly, “It's the rest that worries me.”

“We can still elope.” the interrogator assured him, “All I care about is making you mine.”

“Kurenai would kill me.” Kakashi decided with a sigh, “Let's just go get this over with.”

“Pants would probably be good first.” Ibiki laughed, “I have no intention of letting anyone else see you like this.”

“A lot of them already have.” the silver-haired man muttered, “Does that bother you?”

“I'd be lying if I said it didn't.” the scarred man admitted ruefully, “But it's in the past. I'd love to erase all your history . . . for more important reasons than just my comfort, but I can't. All we can do is go forward . . . together.” he whispered as he pulled the copy-nin close, wrapping him in his arms and showering him with kisses.

“I love you.” Kakashi murmured softly, scarlet face buried in his larger lover's chest. “I have a present for you.” he continued after a few minutes spent enjoying the comforting embrace, “I hope you like it.”

“I'm sure I'll love whatever it is.” Ibiki replied truthfully, “I can't believe you got me something.”

“Just wait here and shut your eyes.” the copy-nin directed, “I'll be right back.”

The interrogator obediently shut his eyes and waited, resisting the urge to peek when he sensed the jounin standing in front of him. “Hold out your hands . . . closer together.” Kakashi requested, “Careful now.”

The scarred man almost jumped out of his skin when something soft, warm and wiggly was deposited in his outstretched hands. “Now open your eyes.” the silver-haired man commanded.

Ibiki slowly cracked open his eyes, only to find himself looking into the rapt pair of the cutest ninken he'd ever seen. “Her name is Akiko . . . she's just a pup and not trained yet but . . . I thought it would cement your place in the pack if you'd trained one of them yourself.” the copy-nin explained nervously.

“She's adorable, aren't you little one?” Ibiki rumbled as he gently stroked her head. “We're going to be very good friends, aren't we?”

“I hope so.” Kakashi replied uncertainly, “Is this alright with you?”

“It's wonderful.” the interrogator insisted, “You don't know how happy I am that you'd trust me like this.”

“If I didn't trust you I wouldn't be here.” the silver-haired jounin explained, “This is permanent though . . . do you want to change your mind?”

“Never.” Ibiki rasped, “You're all I've ever wanted.”

“Then I guess we'd best go do this before our friends decide we've changed our mind about it.” the copy-nin declared wryly, “The last thing we need is an overly-emotional panicking Gai on our hands.”

“What should I do with the little one?” the scarred man asked curiously, “Will she be alright here on her own?”

“I'll take care of her.” Bull suggested from under the kotatsu in the next room, “Send her in here.”

“Thanks Bull, I appreciate it.” the interrogator replied seriously.

“I love puppies.” the massive hound admitted, “Come snuggle in the warmth little one, they'll be home later.”

Kakashi was still fidgeting nervously when they arrived at the rehearsal although he quickly forgot his concerns when Kurenai pulled him in for a hug. “You look amazing.” she whispered in his ear, smiling to herself when the reclusive nin blushed bright red. “Seriously, Ibiki is a very, very lucky man to be getting you.”

“I'm the lucky one.” the copy-nin insisted, “But thank you . . . for everything. This never would have happened without all your hard work.”

“It was my pleasure 'shi-kun . . . you do so much for all of us, it's the least I can do to repay you.” the kunoichi answered truthfully.

“I don't know what you think I do that rated all this.” the jounin replied, “But I appreciate it. I'm sure Asuma is more than ready to have things go back to normal though . . . why don't I take the kids for you this weekend so you two can have some time together?”

“You are so very sweet,” the dark haired woman cooed, “but I think your husband might object to canceling your honeymoon so you can babysit.”

“We're not going on a honeymoon,” Kakashi retorted, “whatever that is.”

“Yes we are sweetheart.” Ibiki murmured in his ear, “I'm taking you away from everyone and everything for the next two weeks.”

“Seriously?” the copy-nin gasped, turning to face the taller man, “Why didn't you tell me?”

“It was going to be a surprise.” the scarred man grumbled, “But I can't stand here with my mouth shut and let you make plans. When we get back though, we'll have them for a weekend definitely. This is all lovely Kurenai.”

“I'm glad you like it.” she replied with a smile, “So . . . where are you going on your honeymoon?”

“That's going to stay a surprise.” the interrogator declared, “I need to make sure we don't have any visitors . . . but we'll be sure to take lots of pictures.”

“Excuse me?” Kakashi snapped, “You are not taking pictures of us and showing them to people, I don't care if most of them have already seen me naked.”

“I didn't mean those kind of pictures sweetheart.” Ibiki soothed his fiance, “I'm far too possessive for that.”

“Hey you two, everyone's waiting for you.” Iruka poked his head out of the hall to interrupt, “There will be plenty of time for that sort of thing later.”