Into the Fire

Chapter One Hundred Eleven

Kakashi woke with the dawn, stretching contentedly as he observed the man slumbering in his arms . . . only to stop short when he realized he was being closely observed by Kisame's unreadable black eyes. “Did you have a nice night Hatake-san?” the Mist-nin rumbled, startling the copy-nin even further and making warning bells go off in his head.

“Yes, I did.” the silver-haired man replied cautiously, “Itachi is very special to me.”

“Are you going to help him?” the swordsman continued impassively.

“Yes.” came the hesitant reply, “Did he explain his plan to you?”

“No.” Kisame said sadly, “He is afraid I will not understand what he wants . . . he's wrong you know . . . I'm not that different from the two of you.”

“If he didn't tell you then how . . .” the copy-nin trailed off, studying the massive nin carefully. “You talked to 'biki.” he declared flatly.

“Yes, we spoke last night while you two were . . .” the swordsman made a gesture toward the bed to indicate what he was referring to. “Morino-san was . . . concerned about your emotional well-being.”

“Which translates to?” Kakashi demanded, “Whatever it is you want to say to me just spit it out please.”

“You have Ibiki waiting for you.” the Mist nin stated cryptically, “You don't need to stay here any longer than necessary.”

“I have no intention of taking Itachi away from you.” the silver-haired man explained, “I was just worried he'd never get the opportunity to experience pleasure . . . he said you two didn't . . .”

“That doesn't mean I don't care for him.” Kisame barked, “I've watched over him for years. You weren't worried about him then, were you?”

“Itachi assured me that you would be alright with this.” the copy-nin declared, peering at the looming figure suspiciously, “What, exactly, is bothering you?”

“You're going to hurt him.” the Mist nin proclaimed, “I've been watching and waiting ever since Orochimaru summoned us and we found you here with him. Is this where you seek your revenge on me Hatake-san?”

“I have no need of revenge.” Kakashi said flatly, “It would be wrong of me to hold your duty against you. Do you hold mine against me?”

“No, of course not.” the swordsman countered, “But then again, you didn't rape and torture me. You know when I first found out who your lover was I wondered if, perhaps, you had learned to like that kind of treatment . . . I felt a little better about myself. Then I met Morino-san. He would kill me if he knew of our past encounters, you do realize that, don't you?”

“I have no intention of telling him. There are many things in my past he does not need to be burdened with.” the silver-haired man replied ruefully, “Anything that happened between us is no longer relevant.”

“I have a very hard time believing that.” Kisame declared honestly, “You were young, and badly hurt already by the time you were handed over to me. You can't tell me you don't harbor some resentment.”

“If I hated everyone who ever abused me I'd have a very long list of enemies . . . and no time for anything but revenge.” Kakashi stated with finality, “I don't see any point in bothering to live if that's all there is to life.”

“What are you two arguing about?” Itachi murmured sleepily, turning to glare at the pair with blind eyes, thankfully oblivious to the fond looks he received from both men.

“Nothing important kitten.” the copy-nin replied with a chuckle, “Go back to sleep.”

“I'm not a child,” the Otokage declared petulantly, “and I'm certainly not some fussy little feline, so stop treating me like one.”

“You're just so adorably rumpled.” the silver-haired man stated fondly as he leaned over to give the slender nin a long sensuous kiss, “I like seeing you with your inhibitions down like this.”

“Well don't get used to it.” the dark-haired man grumbled, “We have too much to get done to lounge around in bed all day.”

“Alright, let's get started then.” Kakashi teased, pulling the slighter man out of bed and into his arms as he steered them towards the bathroom. “Let's shower and grab some food before we settle down to work on this scroll of yours. Are you going to join us Kisame?” he asked pointedly.

“No,” the swordsman replied thoughtfully, “I'll see you both at breakfast. Enjoy your shower.” he added cryptically before heading out the door.

“Anyone home?” Ibiki called as he knocked on the door to the Hokage's quarters, “I need to talk to you.”

“We're in the bedroom.” Iruka called, “Come on back.”

“I hope I'm not interrupting anything.” the interrogator chuckled as he carefully pushed the door open a crack and peeked inside.

“Wedding invitations.” Genma sighed dramatically, “Please rescue me.”

“I need your advice,” the tall man stated flatly, “about 'kashi's mission.”

“I assume he got there safely.” the Hokage worried, “Has something happened?”

“I heard from him last night.” the scarred man answered, lips thinning in frustration as he continued, “Apparently Itachi had a hidden agenda.” He briefly explained the Otokage's request, hastening to assure them of his approval of his husband's chosen course of action before continuing. “Am I insane?” he finally asked with a shrug, “He loves babies obviously . . . and we can't have children. The council will be happy.”

“But you're troubled.” Iruka declared perceptively, “If it's not the idea of parenthood that's bothering you Ibiki . . . it must be the thought of your husband sleeping with someone else.”

“No . . . I mean, yes it bothers me but I told him he should . . . what the hell is wrong with me?” the interrogator moaned as he dropped his head into his hands.

“Nothing is wrong with you.” Genma assured him, as he rubbed his hand up and down the broad back soothingly. “When you slept with Iruka I didn't get upset, did I?”

“What does that have to do with anything?” Ibiki wondered.

“It didn't bother me because I knew Ru was mine. He has plenty of love to share without taking any away from me.” the senbon sucker explained patiently, “Now you feel the same way. You know Kakashi's going to come home to you so you don't have to worry.”

“So what's bothering me then, genius?” the scarred man demanded.

“You're jealous because Uchiha's giving your husband something he wants so badly . . . and you can't.” the honey-haired man explained, “You're worried you'll take it out on the child . . . but you're not like that Ibiki.”

“I'm not good father material.” the tall man moaned as he sunk down on the bed in despair, “No one in their right mind would trust someone like me with kids.”

“You are being way too hard on yourself.” Iruka decided, “I think we need to distract you from all your troubles.”

“Exactly what did you have in mind Hokage-sama?” the interrogator asked teasingly, “A long mission to Snow, perhaps?”

“Hardly.” the former teacher declared drily, “I thought perhaps you'd like to stay with us while Kakashi is away. You're always welcome and maybe the company will keep you from over-analyzing things.”

“That's a very generous offer Iruka.” the scarred man considered, “Still, I need to talk to 'kashi first . . . after all, he checked with me before making any decisions.”

“Did he?” Genma asked perceptively, “Or did he convince you to go along with what he wanted?”

“I want him to be happy, of course I agreed with what he proposed.” Ibiki retorted irritably, “It's always something with you where 'kashi is concerned . . . can't you just believe that he isn't going to hurt me?”

“I believe that he isn't trying to hurt you . . . that's not the same thing.” the honey-haired man argued, “Check with him if you want to . . . you know he'll say it's alright, so hurry up, go call your hubby and then get your ass back here. Dinner will be ready in about an hour.”

“Yes dear.” the interrogator replied cheekily, “Any other commands you want carried out . . . perhaps I should pick up your dry cleaning?”

“Stop it Gen.” the Rokudaime insisted as he smacked his fiance hard to help make his point, “Let Ibiki go make his call in peace. If you need something to focus on perhaps you could get back to the business at hand . . . I'm still waiting for you to choose.”

“Right . . . invitations.” the senbon-sucker muttered, “Sorry I pushed Ibiki . . . hurry back and rescue me, please.”