Fanning the Flames

Chapter Twelve

Kisame and Jiraiya soon arrived outside the doors to the Otokage's suite. “Brat, are you here?” the white-maned sage called as they slipped into the silent rooms.

“Sshhh, 'kashi's asleep.” Itachi warned as he glided out to greet them. “Where were you last night?” he asked the swordsman peevishly, “Senpai was ill, we could have used your help.”

“I have better things to do with my time than coddle Hatake-san.” the Mist-nin grumbled. “Anyway, I'm here now.”

“Well now I don't need you.” the Uchiha snapped. “Jiraiya-sama, what brings you to Oto?”

“The brat sent for me, said I was to come immediately. Here I am, so where's Kakashi?” the sannin asked gruffly.

“He had a very hard day.” the Otokage cautioned, “He's finally asleep.”

“Well, he can just wake up.” Jiraiya boomed, “It's very rude of him not to be here to greet me.”

“I think not.” Itachi retorted thoughtfully, “Kisame, will you please show Jiraiya-sama to the guest quarters. I'll send for you as soon as senpai wakes up.”

“I did not rush all the way here to be pushed aside.” the Toad sage argued, “Wake the brat up so I can get back to my life please.”

“Send him in 'tachi.” the copy-nin's weak voice floated out of the bedroom.

“You woke him up.” the Otokage groused, “Now I'll never get him to stay in bed.”

“No great loss.” Kisame sniffed, “You could do a lot better.”

“Senpai has to stay in bed for a few days, his blood pressure has been a bit out of control.” the Uchiha informed the white-maned sannin, “So if you're going to speak with him try not to get him upset. Any further rise in his pressure could be very dangerous.”

“What's he doing here anyway?” the sage asked peevishly, “If he's sick shouldn't he be home with Ibiki?”

“He came to check on me . . . and the baby too, of course.” Itachi explained quietly, “Senpai tends to worry a bit too much about others.”

“What baby?” the sannin blurted in confusion, “Who had a baby?”

“Kakashi and I are expecting a son in a few months.” the raven-haired nin elaborated, “I'm sure the council will be very pleased that both our bloodlines will be continued.”

“You're pregnant?” Jiraiya barked in horror.

“No, of course not.” the Otokage clarified, “Our surrogate, Suki, will be by in a little while, I'm sure she'd love to meet you.”

“Oh thank Kami.” the white-maned man breathed in relief, “I thought for a moment that you were trying to tell me you were pregnant.” The sannin barked a nervous laugh, “That would be too weird.”

“Hey brat.” the old man called jovially as he headed into the bedroom, leaving a worried looking Itachi shaking his head in dismay.

“What do you look so sour about?” Kisame asked with concern, “I'm sorry if I wasn't here when you needed me.”

“It's not that.” the dark-haired man replied pensively, “I just have a bad feeling about Jiraiya's visit. I'm afraid senpai is going to end up disappearing again.”

“So, it's not like he's some helpless child. He comes and goes as he chooses.” the swordsman declared with a shrug. “If he summoned the old man then I doubt he's planning on running from him.”

“It's a bit more complicated than you think.” The Otokage started to elaborate, then thought better of it. “It's not my place to get into the details. Suffice it to say he doesn't expect a warm welcome when he gets back home.”

“Well, he's Morino-san's problem, not yours.” the Mist-nin snarked, “I say we send them both back to Konoha, let them sort it out.”

“Thankfully it's not up to you.” Itachi murmured before turning and heading back into the bedroom, leaving Kisame behind.

“How are you feeling, senpai?” the Uchiha asked cheerily as soon as he entered, “Would you like to try and eat something?”

“I need to at least try.” Kakashi mumbled worriedly, “Maybe some plain rice, or toasted bread, and some sweet tea.”

“What you need is some red meat brat, you're nothing but skin and bones.” Jiraiya commented , eyes raking over the lanky nin as he noted the weight loss and overall greenish tinge to the copy-nin's normally pale complexion. “In fact, you look like shit. What exactly is wrong with you?”

“I teleported too many times in a row when I was already sick.” the silver-haired man hedged, “I'm just tired, I'll be fine in a day or two.”

“What was so important it couldn't wait until you got back to Konoha anyway?” the sannin continued to complain, “I'm not some lackey at your beck and call.”

“I need you to do something for me.” Kakashi whispered, “But I need to tell you in private.” The pale jounin raised his voice slightly and continued speaking. “'tachi, can you do me a favor and give us a few minutes alone?”

“Are you sure, senpai? You're looking a bit green.” the Otokage replied blandly.

“Yeah, I'll be alright.” the copy-nin assured him, “Go make nice with Kisame, it's silly for the two of you to be fighting like this.”

“Ten minutes Kakashi, then you need to eat and get some more rest.” the dark-haired nin chided.

“Yes mom.” the jounin chuckled as the doors shut behind the slender Uchiha. “Jiraiya,” he began when they were finally alone, “I need you to be the new Otokage. You have the strength and experience to lead this village, Itachi can't keep doing it forever. His condition is worsening and I want you to stay here and get up to speed on the job so you're ready for the transition.”

“You're just trying to get me out of your hair, aren't you brat?” the sannin asked suspiciously.

“No, I think Oro-sama would have wanted it.” the copy-nin explained, “He held you in high esteem. It would give you a fresh start too. No one would be comparing you unfavorably to your teammates, or wondering if you were going to betray the leaf the way they did.”

“I would never betray my comrades.” Jiraiya protested angrily, “You take that back.”

“I never said you would old man.” Kakashi retorted with a brief chuckle, “You certainly are touchy. If I thought that you weren't trustworthy I'd never appoint you to the post. I just meant you'd be away from the judgemental gazes of everyone who knows the story of the three sannin, and how two of them turned on the village in the end.”

“I don't know.” the Toad Sage hedged, “I'm not one for titles and responsibilities.”

“At least sleep on the idea.” the copy-nin urged, “Let me know tomorrow.” He flopped back against the pillows in exhaustion for a moment before leaping from the bed and tearing into the bathroom.

Jiraiya listened to the sounds emanating from the echoing chamber in dismay, finally striding after the jounin. “Do you need help brat?” he asked with concern as he watched his nephew retch painfully hard one last time before slumping bonelessly onto the cool tile floor.

“Kill me.” the silver-haired jounin whispered, “I really can't take this anymore.”

“Nope, sorry.” the last of the sannin chuckled as he wet a cloth and carefully wiped Kakashi's face and hair before offering him some water. “I'd prefer not to have your husband after me, if it's alright with you. Seriously brat, what's wrong with you?”

The copy-nin studied the older man's face carefully, opening his mouth to speak and then changing his mind several times before finally settling on, “I have a lump where my kidney was removed. The doctors think it's just scar tissue, but it may be what's pushing my blood pressure so high. Add to that the stomach flu I got just before leaving Konoha and this is what you end up with . . . a miserable, exhausted wreck of a man.”

“So, when are you planning on telling Morino about this 'lump' of your?” the white-maned sage asked shrewdly.

“Not yet.” the jounin practically yelped, “Don't you dare, I don't want to worry him. Once I know what's going on I'll tell him the whole story, I promise.”

“And if something goes wrong and you die before then?” Jiraiya pressed, “What am I supposed to say to comfort him.”

“You can always tell him the truth, that I loved him with all my heart.” Kakashi replied sincerely, “Now, if you don't mind, could you help me back to bed? This floor is getting very uncomfortable.

The sage easily picked up the fragile jounin, carrying him back into the bedroom and settling him comfortably in bed. “I'll leave you now to rest.” the sannin declared, “I'll sleep on your proposal and let you know in the morning.”

“Fair enough.” Kakashi agreed, “Thank you for coming Jiji.”

“Just get better brat. I'll be here if you need me.” the white-maned man replied before slipping out of the room and closing the doors. “Alright,” he exclaimed as he rounded on a startled Itachi, “what's really wrong with him? I don't believe all this crap about some unknown lump. I do know that I've never seen anyone vomit that hard and live to tell about it. Why the hell isn't he in a hospital?”

“Senpai was in the hospital, he was released pending the outcome of his tests just a few hours ago.” the Otokage said soothingly, “My personal physician is on call twenty-four hours a day should we need immediate assistance. He will be just fine, Jiraiya. Why don't you let Kisame show you to your room and you can see him again in the morning. I'm sure he'll feel better after a good night's rest.”