Into the Fire

Chapter Thirteen

“Shizune.”, Jiraiya gasped as he sat bolt upright in bed, “No one mentioned her at all.” He jumped out of bed and raced to the tower, suddenly certain there was something they had been missing in this whole affair.

The toad sage barged into the Hokge’s office, startling the man behind the desk and causing the hidden ANBU to suddenly flank their leader in a show of strength. “Good morning Jiraiya.” Iruka greeted him cheerfully, “What are you in such a hurry about, did you find information about that jutsu?”

“Where’s Shizune?” the white-maned sage gasped, “Is she in custody too?”

“Bear, Hawk.” the Hokage ordered, “Bring me Tsunade’s apprentice Shizune at once.”
He locked gazes with Jiraiya, studying him intently. “Why are you so concerned about Shizune?”

“She’s more than she appears, in many ways. Her Uncle was Tsunade’s great love . . . since Dan died she hasn’t left the hime’s side. She’s a lot stronger than she appears, and sneaky . . . I’ll feel more confident of your ability to keep Tsunade under guard if you have her in custody as well.” the sage explained.

“I think it’s high time the Godaime and I have a little face to face.” Iruka said softly, peeling off his robes to leave him clad in just ninja blacks. “Wait here for me.” he commanded before disappearing out the door.

The teacher slowly descended the stairs, relaxing his face and plastering on a cheery smile as he rounded the corner to Tsunade’s cell. “Good morning Lady Hokage.” he said brightly, “How are you feeling this morning?”

“Iruka,” she breathed, “Thank god it’s you. This place has gone crazy . . . let me out of here please.”

“I can’t do that Lady Tsunade . . . I don’t have the key.” the teacher replied, “What happened anyway . . . did you slip into your secret stash and streak through the village or something?” he said with a smile.

“It’s all Hyuuga Hiashi’s fault . . . he’s had it in for me ever since I encouraged sensei to sanction Hatake Sakumo for his failed mission. He wrote me about it and of course I agreed with him . . . that mission could have ended the war, Dan didn’t have to die, it was all Sakumo’s fault.” she hissed, “Now Hyuuga is trying to punish me for it.”

“That was a long time ago.” Iruka remarked conversationally, “I’m surprised Hiashi harbored a grudge for that long.”

“Anal retentive bastard.” Tsunade grumbled, “Has a memory like a fucking elephant, the Hyuuga’s are as bad as the Hatake’s.”

“Where’s Shizune?” the teacher queried, “She should be able to straighten this all out.”

“I haven’t seen her.” the blonde replied noncommittally, “I assume she’s in her quarters . . . unless they arrested her too.”

“I’ll see what I can do for you Lady Tsunade . . . I’ll come back and check on you later.” Iruka replied absently as he turned and strolled away, stopping just around the corner to press a hand to his mouth as the implications of her words sunk in.

The Rokudaime slammed the door behind him as he flew back into his office. “It’s worse than we thought.” he croaked mournfully, causing the toad sage to look up from the papers he was perusing with a start. “Tsunade was the one who encouraged Sandaime to ‘sanction’ Sakumo in the first place, she blames his failed mission for Dan’s death. Apparently Hyuuga Hiashi knew . . . she’s none too fond of that clan either. The part that really worries me though,” the teacher concluded as he worried his lower lip, “is the fact that she wouldn’t tell me where Shizune is. Oh, and by the way,” he added confidentially, “I didn’t tell her I was the new Hokage . . . let’s keep that our little secret, shall we?”

Just then Hawk and Bear returned empty-handed. “I am sorry Hokage-sama.” Bear rumbled, “Shizune-san is nowhere in the village. I checked with her neighbors . . . the last time they saw her was right after Tsunade was arrested. The gate guards said she left that evening and hasn’t returned.”

“I think it is safe to assume that Shizune is no longer loyal to the leaf.” Iruka commented drily, “So, Jiraiya, who would Tsunade turn to for help?”

“She wouldn’t.” the sage gasped, paling noticeably.

“Wouldn’t what, Jiraiya?” the Hokage questioned sharply.

“Orochimaru.” was all he responded, face falling at the thought of his old teammate, “But she would never . . .” he trailed off despondently.

“Never is a very long time.” the teacher said quietly, “I’ve found out about a lot of things I thought could never happen this week.” He rubbed the scar across his nose absently as he paced before finally grinding to an abrupt halt and ordering the ANBU to fetch Inuzuka Tsume. “I have to at least try to track her down,” Iruka explained, “with Kakashi gone the Inuzuka’s are my best trackers.”

Shizune slowed to a halt in a secluded clearing. Halfway there, she thought with satisfaction, soon I’ll be able to rescue my mistress. She looked up at the sound of a sharp whistle, surprised to see Yakushi Kabuto crossing the glade in her direction.

“Kabuto-san, what brings you this way?” she shyly asked the other medic, all the while keeping a poison senbon hidden behind her back.

“My master wishes me in the leaf, he desires first hand information.” the bespectacled man explained, “Where are you headed?”

“Tsunade got word to me before she was arrested. She told me to leave the village and go to Orochimaru, that she would meet me there.” Shizune answered readily.

“What of Hatake . . . he’s part of this too.” Kabuto asked greedily.

“When I left Morino-san had just set out to retrieve him . . . I doubt they will arrive for several more days. Hatake-san is usually fairly torn up when he gets back.” the dark haired woman confided. “Ibiki isn’t the type to coddle him, he’ll be walking on his own, so they won’t make very good time.”

“So we should get there at about the same time?” the grey-haired medic said with glee.

“I imagine so.” Shizune replied distractedly, “My mistress may be gone by then.”

“She’d better not leave without Kakashi.” Kabuto growled, “She won’t be welcome.”

“Is that your decision or your master’s?” the dark haired woman asked pointedly.

“He’s mine.” the snake’s medic hissed, “He’s always been mine . . . Orochimaru rewards loyalty. If Tsunade wants her reward she’ll do as my master’s asked . . . exactly as he’s asked.”

“I will see you on your return then.” Shizune gritted out before turning and taking to the treetops, headed towards Orochimaru’s lair.

Kabut hurried on in the direction of Konoha, eager to once again get a glimpse of the man he had coveted for so many years. Soon ‘kashi, he thought, we’ll be together. There are so many wonderful games I can’t wait to play with you.

The copy-nin ground to a halt about ten miles outside Fire’s boundaries. “Morino-san, who knows?” he asked very quietly.

“Eh?” the interrogator grunted as he dropped his pack and stretched, “Who knows what?”

“About me . . . who knows about me?” Kakashi prodded worriedly.

“I don’t know . . . the only people I told were the clan elders; Aburame Shibi, Akamichi Chouza, Inuzuka Tsume, Nara Shikaku, Hyuuga Hiashi and Sarutobi Asuma.” the scarred man responded slowly, “I tried not to give them your name . . . but they wouldn’t act without specific facts.” he rumbled angrily, “Are you very mad at me?”

“No . . . not really.” the copy-nin eventually ventured, “What will they do to me?”

“What do you mean?” Ibiki questioned sharply.

“I’ve disgraced the leaf by my actions.” he muttered, silver hair flopping over his eyes as he studied his feet intently, “I merely wondered if you’d discussed my punishment.”

“Kakashi you won’t be punished.” the scarred man replied in shock, “None of this is your fault . . . in fact, I’m sure they’ve been trying to decide how they can make it up to you.”

“You don’t really believe that do you?” the copy-nin asked flatly, scrutinizing the larger man with narrowed mismatched eyes.

“Of course I do. I promised you no one would hurt you . . . do you really believe I’d walk you into an ambush?” Ibiki said in a small hurt voice.

“No.” Kakashi said firmly, “But that doesn’t mean I don’t deserve punishment, I’ve compromised the safety of the village by my actions.”

“No.” the interrogator said loudly, grasping a pale face in his hand and wrenching it towards him, “Tsunade is the one who endangered us. I swear to you there will be no repercussions for what you were forced to do. The elders were all . . . very worried about you.” the scarred man paused for a moment before he concluded, “I was very worried about you . . . and I won’t let anyone hurt you, ever.”

The copy-nin studied Ibiki warily for a moment before pulling the bandana out of his waistband and tying it over his face. “Alright,” he declared, once again taking a large hand in his, “let’s go home.”

Two hours later they were outside the village walls. “Walk or jutsu?” the interrogator queried.

“I don’t have the chakra to jutsu.” Kakashi conceded, “Although I’d rather not be seen.”

“Fine.” the scarred man replied as he quickly wrapped an arm around the slender figure and made the hand signs to move them to his house. They reappeared in Ibiki’s living room with a slight pop. “You wait here while I go check in.” Ibiki rumbled, “Make yourself at home, I promise I’ll be back soon.” He placed a tender kiss on a pale cheek before once again making the hand signs and disappearing.

I might as well shower, Kakashid decided, heading off in search of a bathroom, whatever happens I’ll handle it better if I’m clean.