Matchmaker, Matchmaker

A/N - and finally we reach the end of what was originally a (albeit long) one shot. Thanks to everyone who read and reviewed . . . I truly appreciate it!


Chapter Four

The copy-nin reveled in the feeling of being with all his most important people, his beloved Ibiki with whom he had finally been reunited, his newly found daughter, his tiny new grandson. His heart sunk, however, when he realized what needed to be done. Just a few more minutes won’t hurt anything, he prayed, and then I’ll do what I have to.

I must be getting old, Kakashi decided as he dawdled by Katsumi’s bedside, laughing at the picture stoic Ibiki made as he cooed to his namesake, I’ve never had this much trouble leaving for a mission. “Love you ‘sumi.” he whispered huskily as he kissed her hair, “I’ve got to go now . . . I’m so glad I got to meet you and your beautiful baby.”

“Otousan, where are you going?” she asked with a concerned frown.

“I’m going to make sure nothing like this happens again.” the copy-nin replied grimly, “I need to guarantee no one will be forcing you into anything else.”

Ibiki just watched the exchange with flat black eyes, waiting until his husband moved toward the door before intercepting him. “‘kashi, where are you going . . . exactly?”

“To deal with Tsunade, Danzou and his little ‘experiment’.” came the angry growl in reply, “I can’t risk them trying this again.”

“Are you planning on coming back?” the interrogator inquired wryly, “Because that sounded like goodbye.”

“I . . . I want to come back.” the copy-nin muttered, “I’m just not sure what’s going to happen.”

“And you’d leave without kissing me goodbye first?” the scarred man replied sadly, “When did you get so cold ‘kashi?”

“No beloved, I have every intention of kissing you silly . . . just not in front of the kids.” the copy-nin replied seriously as he pulled the taller man into the small bathroom and locked their lips together passionately.

“I’m going with you.” Ibiki declared as soon as they separated for air, “Just to make sure you don’t do anything stupid.”

“I’d really rather you watched over ‘sumi-chan and the baby.” Kakashi suggested . . . abandoning his attempts with a heavy sigh at the expression of disbelief that crossed his husband’s normally impassive face. “Fine, then . . . but no interfering, this is my mess, my responsibility, I’ll clean it up.”

“I’m liking the sound of this less and less.” the interrogator declared frankly, “I think you need to fill me in on your little plan.”

“It’s not really a plan, per se.” the copy-nin hedged, “More like a fail safe maneuver.”

“Please just tell me what you intend to do ‘kashi.” Ibiki huffed, “I’d rather not waste our time playing twenty questions.”

“I’m going to summon the Shinigami.” the copy-nin replied tightly, “And send them both to hell.”

“Doesn’t that technique require the summoner to sacrifice himself also?” Ibiki inquired wryly.

“Mmhmm.” Kakashi mumbled, waiting for an explosion that never came.

“You’re leaving me.” the scarred man muttered dazedly, slumping to the floor and burying his face in his hands, shell shocked at the thought of losing Kakashi again. “You never loved me at all.” he rumbled throatily, casting an accusing glance in the copy-nin’s direction, “Everyone else is always more important.”

“Oh no, no.” Kakashi soothed, dropping to his knees and cradling his husband, murmuring sweetly as he stroked the interrogator’s heaving back gently, “It’s because I love you . . . because you loved me, that I have the strength to do this. I have two perfect years of memories and now this . . .”

“But I’ve missed you so badly . . . you have no idea how hard it’s been without you and then you raise my hopes and just . . .” the usually stoic Ibiki trailed off into heartfelt sobs.

“Beloved, I’m so, so, sorry . . . I never meant to hurt you.” the copy-nin replied sadly, “I just don’t know of another way . . . what I can do is limited, most of our powers fade after death. Would you have me be selfish at ‘sumi’s expense? Believe me, I would love nothing more than to while away eternity with you.” Kakashi cupped a scarred cheek and forced the interrogator to meet his eyes, “See, you can’t argue with me. Move on beloved, it’s time . . . start again, live a happy life, love someone who deserves you.” he muttered through a suddenly tight throat.

“Let me do it.” Ibiki demanded.

“What, exactly,” the copy-nin replied in confusion, “is it you want to do?”

“Be the sacrifice . . . you deserve the chance to start again.” the interrogator argued, “I had all those years with Katsumi . . .”

“No.” Kakashi said flatly, “Absolutely not. This is my problem . . . my clan. It’s only right I pay for our mistakes.”

“The only mistake you ever made was being too good to be true.” the scarred man insisted.

“No, I thought I could beat the system, just choose to opt out of the village’s plans for me. I honestly never imagined they had a breeding program . . . or that I was a part of it. Because I was naive my daughter and grandchild have suffered the consequences.” the copy-nin insisted.

“What consequences?” the interrogator countered passionately, “The last time I checked you had a happy, healthy daughter and a beautiful grandchild. How have they been hurt?”

“They shouldn’t exist.” Kakashi insisted, “I wanted the line to die out.”

“You would deny your daughter her life?” Ibiki pressed, “Why not just kill ‘sumi and the baby . . . that will take care of your issues.”

The copy-nin looked at his husband, disbelief clear in his eyes. “I can’t believe you’d say that to me.” he whispered, “I could never . . .” he trailed off, choking back sobs before finally regaining control, continuing in a harsh voice, “I’m sorry you feel that way . . . and I don’t have time to change your mind. I need to deal with Tsunade and Danzou, take care . . . please remember I’ll always love you.” Kakashi laid one more tender kiss on his husband’s cheek and vanished, leaving the scarred man slumped brokenly on the tile floor.

“Otousan . . . Chichi . . . what are you doing in there?” Katsumi called frantically, unable to get out of bed to investigate.

“It’s alright sweetheart.” Ibiki called, struggling to keep his voice even, “I was just saying goodbye to your Otousan.”

“Come out here where I can see you Chichi.” the silver-haired girl demanded, “You sound funny.”

“See . . . just fine.” he quipped as he stumbled out of the bathroom, carefully schooling his face into his usual impassive mask.

“I don’t believe you.” his daughter replied, squinting her eyes and studying him closely, “What happened . . . did you two have a fight?” she asked jokingly.

“Yes.” the interrogator whispered sadly, “He left me ‘sumi . . . and he’s not coming back.”

“Not coming back here, you mean.” his daughter stated carefully.

“Definitely not.” the scarred man replied, “He’s going to call the Shinigami to banish Tsunade and Danzou . . . and sacrifice himself in the process. I’ll never see him again,” Ibiki whispered unbelievingly.

“You have to go after him Chichi.” Katsumi urged, “Don’t just let him throw everything away over me. I’m fine.”

“I told him that . . . I said terrible things to him ‘sumi . . . I was so cruel.” Ibiki practically sobbed, “I was just so hurt that he’d leave me.”

“Go . . . and hurry.” his daughter urged, “Talk to me later . . . if not, I love you both.” The interrogator pressed a hasty kiss to cheek and ran a large hand tenderly over the baby’s head before disappearing.

He reappeared in a large clearing, noting with alarm that the Shinigami was already poised expectantly behind the copy-nin. “Not without me ‘kashi.” he muttered as he wrapped strong arms around the silver-haired wraith.

“Ibiki.” Kakashi practically yelped in surprise, “What are you doing here?”

“I won’t let you leave me behind . . . if you’re determined to do this, then I’m doing it too.” the scarred man declared passionately, “I refuse to give up on you, and I have no intention of starting over. I waited eight years for us to be together again and now that we are . . . let’s just say I’m not giving you a choice.”

Before Kakashi could answer the voice of the Shinigami rang out. “Where is the sacrifice?” it rumbled menacingly.

“Here.” the copy-nin called, “I’m ready.”

“I require a living sacrifice.” the spirit intoned, “You will not do.”

A familiar voice chimed in from behind the pair, “I’ll do it.” They turned to see a much younger version of Kakashi, lacking the sharingan and its accompanying scar. “My life isn’t my own, I’m just an experiment of Danzou’s . . . frankly anything would be better than that. Besides, if anyone wants revenge on them it’s me.”

Before anyone could protest the Shinigami spoke. “I accept.” he declared, gathering the clone into his arms and beginning the process of ensnaring Tsunade and Danzou. Ibiki and Kakashi watched in awe as the pair were engulfed by the spirit and disappeared.

The interrogator turned to his husband and began to babble apologies. “Sweetheart I’m so sorry, I never should have said what I did . . . it was cruel and heartless and . . .”

“And I totally deserved it.” the copy-nin broke in, “I never wanted to hurt you beloved . . . but I needed to do this. I hope you can forgive me.” he finished in a small voice.

“Always.” Ibiki croaked gratefully, “Let’s go home.” They walked away, arm in arm, gradually fading until they were nothing more than a memory, leaving their loved ones behind as they moved forward into their future together.