Into the Fire

Chapter One Hundred Two

Gai and Jiraiya steered the reluctant interrogator away from the restaurant to one of the more popular off-duty clubs, steering him inside where he was met by a chorus of inebriated voices. “See Lover Of My Eternal Rival, All Your Youthful Comrades Are Here To Celebrate The Loss Of Your Freedom.” Gai boomed enthusiastically.

The scarred man merely pinched his nose against the impending headache and attempted to respond over the pounding music. “I have a name Gai, please try to use it . . . and I'm not losing my freedom, I'm getting married, not going to prison.”

“But Jiraiya-San Insisted That Your Life Will Never Be The Same.” the taijutsu master wailed, “You Will No Longer Be Able To Go Out With The Guys And Have Fun.”

“I never went 'out with the guys' before . . . I fail to see why it suddenly matters.” Ibiki explained, “Besides, Jiraiya's a perennial bachelor, what does he know about being married?”

“But . . .” an unhappy green beast protested, “It Is An Important Tradition On The Night Before You Wed. I Do Not Wish Any Bad Luck To Ruin My Rival's Wedding.”

“As long as I make it there on time I think we'll be alright.” the interrogator replied, hoping to calm the frantic jounin, “Now . . . what's supposed to happen?”

“You're supposed to have a drink, that's what.” Genma chided as he hooked an arm around the taller man's neck and pulled him into a hug. “It's not often I see you without your better half.”

“Kurenai hustled him away. Apparently I'm not allowed to go home tonight.” Ibiki groused, “Something about not seeing him before the wedding. I could say the same thing though, where's Iruka . . . is something wrong?”

“Oh, no, no.” the senbon-sucker assured him, “Didn't you know, Kurenai's giving Hatake a hen party . . . Ru went there and I came here.”

“What in gods name is a hen party?” the scarred man asked curiously, “I've never heard of it.”

“It's what they do for the bride before the wedding . . . kind of like this, but with girls and in private.” the honey-haired man explained.

“'kashi isn't going to like that at all.” Ibiki muttered, “What a disaster. I'm really sorry Gai,” he offered, “but I need to go make sure he's okay.”

“He'll be fine.” Asuma soothed as he and Genma smoothly flanked the interrogator to prevent him from escaping. “Kurenai knows what he likes, she's not going to mess this up for you. Jiraiya on the other hand . . .” the bearded jounin trailed off as all four men's eyes riveted on the already tipsy sage as he ordered another bottle and simultaneously pulled a scantily clad woman into his lap. “Just come sit down and have a drink with us Ibiki, you're bunking at our house tonight.”

“I think he should crash at the tower with us.” Genma retorted, “The last thing he needs is wailing infants waking him up in the middle of the night.”

“I doubt Hatake would be comfortable with his fiance spending the night with you Genma.” Asuma retorted drily, “Lord knows I've had it up to here with hearing about how badly you hurt Kakashi, I love Kurenai dearly, but she can get to sound like a broken record about some things.”

“Hatake was in Oto with the snake when we slept with Ibiki.” the senbon sucker snapped back, “He had no right to be hurt.”

“You slept with him?” the bearded man gasped, “Fuck, don't let Kurenai find out about that . . . she's already livid because you opposed the wedding.”

“I think Morino-san would appreciate it if the lot of you stopped talking about his personal business . . . especially in such a public place.” Kisame rumbled as he joined the group, “I would also be especially carefully of the way you refer to Orochimaru-sama . . . at least around Kakashi, he feels guilty enough about what happened.”

“He should feel guilty, he shacked up with another man and left poor Ibiki hanging.” Genma shot back angrily, “All we did was extend a bit of comfort.”

“I meant he felt guilty about Orochimaru's death.” the swordsman hissed, “Gods above, are you really that stupid?”

“I'm right here.” the interrogator barked, “Please stop talking about me like I'm not. I'll stay at a hotel. Let's just sit down and have a drink so I can get out of here.”

“But Lover Of My Eternal Rival,” Gai practically whined, “First We Need To Observe The Youthful Women Doing Their Dance Of Seductive Grace.”

“I think he means there's a stripper coming.” Asuma ventured. “Just relax and have a drink Ibiki . . . I'll go pry some information out of the old pervert.”

“Oi, Jiraiya.” he bellowed over the din, “What's the itinerary? Ibiki's getting a bit restless.”

“Ladies, I believe that is your cue.” the sannin chuckled, “That tall gentleman with the bandana is the groom . . . why don't you go introduce yourselves?”

The interrogator immediately disappeared amidst a press of scantily clad female flesh, the last glimpse Asuma caught was his horrified expression as a saucer of sake was tilted into his mouth.

Kakashi and Kurenai were headed for the Hatake house when the copy-nin broke the silence between them. “Why can't Ibiki come home tonight?” the silver haired man sulked, “I don't like being in that house alone.”

“You won't be alone 'shi-kun . . . the twins and I will be there.” the kunoichi explained, “It's bad luck if Ibiki sees you in your wedding outfit.”

“But I'm not wearing it to sleep in.” Kakashi whined, “It's not fair.”

“But think how nice it will be when you see him tomorrow.” the dark-haired woman cooed, “And it will make your wedding night more exciting if you take a day off.” she added with a leer.

“I think it will be exciting enough for my tastes.” the copy-nin muttered under his breath, “We haven't had sex since before I was kidnapped.”

“What did you say?” the sharp-eared woman gasped, “Why not?”

“Ibiki wanted to go slow . . . then there was that mess with the Mizukage . . . after I got out of the hospital in Suna I couldn't . . . then I was in the nuthouse all those months . . . it's been over a year.” Kakashi complained, “Believe me, anticipation is NOT a problem.”

“Well,” Kurenai answered softly, “one more night won't kill you. I'm sorry 'shi-kun, I'm not trying to upset you, and I know we're not much of a substitute,” she continued as she indicated the twins, “but you won't be alone.”

“Oh no, you guys are great.” the copy-nin hurried to reassure her, “I just wasn't expecting any of this . . . I don't do surprises well.”

“In light of that I think it's fair to warn you some of your friends are waiting inside for us. We wanted to surprise you with a shower.” the dark-haired woman explained.

“I don't usually bathe in public Kurenai.” the silver-haired man replied worriedly, “I don't think it's such a good idea.”

“No, silly.” she exclaimed, “A shower is a party to celebrate your upcoming wedding . . . honestly 'shi-kun, sometimes I think you've been living under a rock all these years.”

“I'm sorry.” the jounin mumbled, “I haven't been to many weddings I'm afraid . . . and I've never heard of a shower.”

“Don't worry so much.”, the kunoichi urged, “It's just your friends, Gaara, Itachi, Iruka, Shino, Inoichi, Hiashi . . . no one you need to feel uncomfortable with.”

“Let's see . . . I slept with Gaara, Iruka slept with Ibiki, I even set Shino and 'biki up with each other . . . none of that is uncomfortable in the least.” Kakashi snarked.

“Wait just a minute.” Kurenai exclaimed, catching his arm as he was reaching for the door, “Iruka and Ibiki slept together? When was that?”

“While I was in Sound with Orochimaru.” the copy-nin ventured hesitantly, “He slept with Iruka and then had a threesome with Iruka and Genma.”

“Why didn't you tell me?” the now frazzled woman asked, “I wanted all this to be fun for you 'shi-kun, not make you even more uncomfortable . . . I am so sorry.”

“It's alright Kurenai, I'm a big boy, I can handle it.” the silver-haired man assured her, “I was just being pissy. Let's go do whatever it is you do for a shower, shall we?”