Into the Fire

Chapter One Hundred Three

Kakashi studied his reflection in the full length mirror, turning this way and that as he contemplated just how to express his uncertainties. “Spit it out 'shi-kun, what's wrong?” Kurenai prodded impatiently, “We need to get going.”

“Isn't it a bit . . . feminine?” the copy-nin worried, “I don't want Ibiki to be upset when he sees me.”

“You look wonderful.” the kunoichi assured him, “I wouldn't let you be embarrassed, I want this to be the best day of your life.”

The jounin pursed his lips and scrutinized his appearance yet again, taking in the details of the elaborately embroidered kimono, glittering silver thread tracing intricate patterns on the deep blue-grey silk, highlighting his alabaster skin and silvery mane. “If you say so.” he finally agreed, frown lines still creasing his forehead, “Let's go then.”

When they got to the shrine they'd booked for the ceremony Kakashi immediately realized that the other half of the wedding party had yet to arrive. “Ha.” he declared triumphantly, “I'm not the last one for a change.”

“I'm sure he'll be here in a few minutes 'shi-kun.” the dark-haired woman assured him, “He's with Asuma, after all.”

“Gai will make sure he gets here on time.” the jounin declared, “He wouldn't dare mess this up.”

Ibiki warily cracked open one eye, blearily trying to focus on the swimming image as the weak rays of light assaulted his throbbing head. What crawled in my mouth and died? he wondered as rolled over, intending to ask his lover why he felt so horrible. Instead of lean chiseled muscles and a shock of silver hair, however, his eyes were met by long dark ringlets and a pair of enormous breasts. “What the fuck happened?” he managed to slur as he hoisted himself more or less to a sitting position, “Where am I?”

The interrogator quickly inspected his surroundings, flashes of the previous night coming back to him as he observed the rest of the participants from his bachelor party fiasco slumped inelegantly around the room. How the fuck did I get on the pool table, the scarred man wondered, and where are my clothes?”

He finally spotted his pants crumpled in a ball across the room and staggered over to retrieve them, getting one leg on when he noticed the time. “Holy fuck, I'm late.” he bellowed, causing a tidal wave of groans as the others were startled from their slumber.

“What time is it?” Asuma yawned, “The wedding isn't until ten.”

“It's noon.” Ibiki managed to grit out, “ . . . oh my god, 'kashi must think I changed my mind.” The scarred man raced to the door, slamming it open and disappearing at a run, heedless of the fact that he was clad only in an unbuttoned pair of pants, lipstick marks clearly visible on his scarred torso.

When he reached the shrine and bolted inside he was met by an incredibly pissed off group led by a seething Kurenai. “Where the hell have you been?” she demanded, “You were supposed to get married two hours ago.”

“Where's 'kashi?” the interrogator replied urgently, “I have to see him.”

“I believe I would change first Morino-san . . . after all, the damage is already done.” Gaara pointed out disapprovingly, “At least wash the remnants of your evening off before you confront your fiance with what you did.”

“What are you talking about?” Ibiki replied, shaking his head in confusion, “I got drunk, I overslept . . . we all did.” he continued defensively, “Besides, I didn't even want a bachelor party in the first place, this is all just a big misunderstanding.”

“And the lipstick?” the kunoichi growled ominously.

“What are you talking about?” he retorted, obviously confused by the turn the conversation had taken.

“Property of Suki-chan.” Gaara pointed out, “Right there on your chest.”

“I have no idea how that got there.” the scarred man dissembled, waving his hands in denial, “I just want to see 'kashi and explain.”

“I don't think he wants to see you . . . and where the hell is Asuma anyway?” the dark-haired woman continued inexorably, building steam as she went, “He, at least, should know better. Bunch of stupid idiots. 'We have to have a bachelor party, it's tradition.' Tradition my ass.” she mumbled angrily.

“What do you mean he doesn't want to see me?” the interrogator cried, aghast, “He has to see me . . . we're getting married today.”

“You were getting married today.” Kurenai corrected him, “Only you left your fiance standing at the altar. If it was me I'd hunt you down and chidori your ass . . . only 'shi-kun thinks he deserves this somehow . . . you broke his heart Morino, I hope you're happy.”

Just then the rest of the bedraggled group of revelers caught up with Ibiki, pouring through the doors . . . only to stop short at the venomous look the dark-haired woman sent their way. “This is all your fault.” she hissed, storming over to Jiraiya and grabbing a fistful of his hair.

“Ouch, that hurts.” the toad sage whined, “Stop it woman . . . what did I do?”

“This whole disaster is your fault.” she continued, dragging him toward the back of the shrine, “Therefore, you get to try and make it right. Go talk to your nephew.”

Asuma, meanwhile, was muttering “Kill me now, please.” over and over again while the rest of the obviously hung-over group tried to stop their brains from bleeding as the angry woman's voice continued to rise in pitch and volume as she harangued the hapless sannin.

“Sarutobi Asuma,” his wife's piercing voice made him raise bloodshot fear-filled eyes, “I assumed you, of all people, would act like an adult. Apparently I was wrong. I am thoroughly disgusted with the lot of you . . . get the hell out of here.”

“But . . .” Genma tried, only to freeze at the sound of his lover's voice.

“If I were you Shiranui I'd just keep my mouth shut.” Iruka declared frostily, “By the way, just so you know, I hold you responsible for this mess, I knew you were against the wedding, but I never thought you'd purposefully hurt Hatake-san like this. Don't bother coming home until you figure out how to make it right.”

“But Ru . . .” the honey-haired man implored.

“Don't you Ru me.” the Hokage scolded, “Get out of my sight before I do something I'll regret.”

An abject Jiraiya, meanwhile, was currently pleading with the copy-nin through a locked door. “Please let me in Kakashi, it's all my fault, I can explain.”

Finally the lock clicked and the sage cautiously pushed the door open, further chastened when he was confronted by his solemn, red-eyed nephew. “What do you want Jiji?” he demanded sourly, “Are you happy now? Ibiki left me, you were right.”

“He didn't leave you.” the sannin tried to explain, “We got him drunk, we all passed out, he's hysterical . . . believe me, this was not his choice.”

“Then why isn't he here?” the copy-nin demanded.

“He is . . . he just hasn't made it past Kurenai.” Jiraiya admitted, “She's in rare form . . . Asuma'll be sleeping on the couch 'til he's ninety.” he finished with a chuckle, one which he quickly suppressed as a hate filled glare was directed his way.

“Is that supposed to make me feel better?” the silver-haired jounin inquired drily, “Because if it is . . . it didn't work.”

“Let me go get Ibiki for you . . . he loves you 'kashi-kun, don't throw that away over something stupid like this. I never, ever meant for something like this to happen, please believe me. I screwed up.” the toad sage admitted, “It isn't the first time and I'm sure it won't be the last . . . but I doubt I'll ever be more sorry for anything than I am right now.”

“I hardly think being upset over my fiance abandoning me on my wedding day is stupid.” the copy-nin growled, “You're the same insensitive sot you've always been.”

“No, no, that's not what I meant.” the sannin backpedaled, “I meant the whole idea of forcing him to enjoy himself was stupid . . . I thought it would be funny to laugh at down the road so I made sure they kept feeding him alcohol. Then Gai challenged him to a 'youthful contest of artful disrobing'. We have it all on tape . . . it was really pretty funny.”

“That's why you see me laughing.” the copy-nin spat, “What is your point old man . . . I'm tired and I just want to go home.”

“The point is, you have something worthwhile . . . Morino really loves you. I may joke about it, but that's probably because I was never lucky enough to have someone who loved me.” Jiraiya declared seriously, “Please don't throw away your happiness over your friends' misguided attempt to show just how excited we are for you.”

“It's a sign though.” Kakashi whispered after a long awkward silence, “He's better off without me.”

“No, he's not.” the sage declared forcefully, grabbing the lithe jounin by the shoulders and propelling him across the room to face the mirror. “You are stunningly handsome, brilliant, powerful, witty, loyal, kind and so many more wonderful things . . . and Ibiki knows it. Do this, I swear you won't regret it.”

“I'll talk to him.” the silver-haired man finally agreed, “No guarantees.”

“I'll send him right in.” the sannin agreed happily, “By the way, you look wonderful . . . I can see why Morino only has eyes for you.”

“Thank you Jiji.” the copy-nin replied with a sad smile, “I just hope you're right.”

The toad sage slipped outside, rushing over to where Kurenai, Gaara, Itachi, Hiashi and Iruka were all berating the abjectly hung-over interrogator. “He wants to see you.” he whispered into the tall man's ear.

“Get a head start old man.” Ibiki whispered back venomously, “Because I'm going to kill every one of you assholes if 'kashi doesn't take me back.”

“You can't go in there looking like that.” Kurenai snapped, “Rubbing his nose in what you did.”

“I need to be honest with him . . . he deserves that.” the scarred man replied sadly, “I just hope he can find it in his heart to forgive me.” He slowly trudged after Jiraiya, hesitating outside the door until the older man retreated before knocking softly.

“Yes?” Kakashi called, “What do you want?”

“It's me, sweetheart . . . may I please come in and talk to you?” Ibiki pleaded, “I need to see you, please.”

“Come in.” the copy-nin whispered as he opened the door, “Why didn't you just tell me you changed your mind?” he continued plaintively as soon as the interrogator was inside, “I would have understood.”

“Oh sweetheart, baby, don't cry . . . please.” the interrogator entreated as he wiped the welling tears from his lover's eyes, “I didn't change my mind 'kashi. You are my most precious person . . . and you always will be. I will never, ever, leave you of my own accord. Please, please, forgive me for stupidly ruining your special perfect day and embarrassing you in front of all our friends. I swear I'll personally apologize to each and every one of them and make sure they know it was all my fault.”

“Four o'clock.” the jounin retorted.

“Huh?” Ibiki grunted, “What does that mean?”

“If you mean that, be here and ready at four . . . last chance.” the silver-haired nin stated firmly, “I can't go through this a third time.”

“I will be back by three.” the scarred man relied gratefully, “I love you 'kashi.”

“I love you, too.” the copy-nin retorted, “Now go . . . I hope I see you in a few hours.”