Into the Fire

Sorry for the posting delay . . . I'm afraid I have six on-going manuscripts at the moment and I'm having a bit of trouble keeping up!! Hope to be back on track in a few days. Thanks for your patience!!


Chapter Seventeen

Kabuto stopped just outside the village walls, shifting the bundle in his arms awkwardly before setting off again. I’ll never make it all the way back like this, he decided, I’ll head for that glade where I saw Shizune, I can send for help without detection from there. Course set he quickly took to the treetops, speed slowed by the weight of the man cradled in his arms. “You’re heavy enough.” the medic commented wryly, “I sure hope you’re worth it.”

The copy-nin carefully kept his breathing slow and regular, opening his eye a crack to try and get his bearings. Where the hell am I, he wondered, only able to get broken glimpses of a man’s chest and the foliage they were leaping through. Kakashi forced himself to stay limp and appear asleep as his mind searched frantically for a way to escape.

He almost gave his ruse away when he was dumped unceremoniously on the ground, the person carrying him huffing slightly as they moved away. The copy-nin carefully peeked under his eyelid, catching sight of a grey haired man at the far side of the clearing. Now I remember, he thought, holding back his shudder, it’s that medic from Mist, the one who said he’d rescue me . . . kidnap me, more like it, Kakashi decided as he recalled how he’d been drugged. What I really need to do is leave a sign, someone will come looking for me . . . I hope.

The jounin wracked his brain trying to come up with a surreptitious way to leave a signal for anyone searching while not giving away the fact that he was conscious. He hadn’t had a chance to dress properly, all he had on were Ibiki’s too large sweat pants, so there was nothing he could leave as a clue. Just then the copy-nin’s attention was drawn to the other side of the clearing where Kabuto was making an elaborate series of hand signs.

“You have news for me pet?” Orochimaru’s softly sibilant voice carried easily to where Kakashi lay. This just went from bad directly to worst, the copy-nin decided, my nutcase works for the snake. He closed his eye and continued to eavesdrop on the conversation, the more I know the better my position, he reminded himself.

“Our information was correct.” Kabuto replied emotionlessly, “I believe the best path to the Hokage is through his lover . . . one Shiranui Genma.” he continued after referring to his notes, “He’s one of the Hokage’s guards, and they’re always together. Take him out and Umino will be at your mercy.”

Umino, Kakashi thought frantically, they can’t mean Iruka, he’s just an Academy teacher. The copy-nin considered his options given this new information . . . and decided the wisest plan was for him to not drag the leaf village into this. If Orochimaru was involved it wasn’t worth the risk to everyone he had sworn to protect. Maybe I can find a way to escape . . . someday, he told himself firmly, at least I had one good night first.

“Why aren’t you here?” Orochimaru asked impatiently, “I said three days.”

“Well, uh . . .” the snake’s medic stammered, “I had an opportunity so . . . I have Hatake with me.” he finally concluded.

“Very good pet.” the snake oozed merrily, “I love initiative.”

“He’s unconscious . . . and heavy.” Kabuto admitted, “I could use some help.”

“I don’t think so,” Orochimaru replied, “you wanted him . . . I think it only fair you get him here.” With that he severed the connection, leaving his medic to curse in frustration.

“Fine.” Kabuto muttered as he headed back to where the copy-nin lay, quickly administering both an antidote and a stimulant before dragging the apparently unconscious man to his feet. “You need to walk for me beautiful.” he grunted as he towed a stumbling Kakashi across the clearing and into the woods again. “We’re only halfway there and my master is impatient. I trust I won’t regret reviving you.”

Kakashi studied the ground and shook his head no, he’d spent too much time serving harsh masters to cross one without a plan. The medic grabbed the copy-nin’s arm in an iron grip and forced the pace as fast as he could, nearly breaking into a run once they cleared the glade’s edge and its thick undergrowth.

Ibiki was currently pacing a hole in the floor of his office, anxiously awaiting word from the trackers. Tsume and the other Inuzukas were busy combing the forest surrounding Konoha in hope of catching the copy-nin’s scent. Finally the stoic torture master could stand it no longer, striding out of his office and up to the Hokage’s, hopeful there would be some news.

“Any word?” he rumbled as soon as he burst through the doors, only to stop dead in shock at the sight of Genma splayed across the Hokage’s desk, reddened ass raised high in the air, held in place by Iruka’s iron grip as the teacher slid between inflamed cheeks.

“Oh gods I’m sorry.” the scarred man choked as he covered his eyes and turned to leave, “Please forgive my intrusion Hokage-sama.”

“That’s quite alright Ibiki.” Iruka chuckled darkly, “After all, I didn’t lock the door.”

“Ru, what . . .” Genma sputtered before he was cut off by a sharp smack to his ass.

“Did I say you could speak puppy?” the teacher demanded coldly.

“No Ru.” his lover replied contritely.

“Just for that I think you deserve some extra punishment . . . maybe I should let Morino-san spank you . . . I’m sure he’d teach you a lesson.” the Hokage ground out between thrusts.

“NO!” both men yelled at once.

“You just earned yourself another punishment Gen-chan.” Iruka replied conversationally, “I don’t recall giving you a vote . . . and as for you Ibiki, I’d certainly be interested in watching your technique, and it would take your mind off things.”

“I’d rather not Hokage-sama.” the interrogator replied drily, “I wouldn’t want to permanently damage your ‘puppy’ after all, and I’m not sure my mind set at the moment would allow for anything else. Please excuse me, I’ll be in my office if you hear anything.”

“Morino-san wait.” the teacher said quietly, turning to the scarred man and placing a gentle hand on his arm, “I didn’t mean to offend you . . . as I said the other day, you are very sexy. Genma and I would be delighted if you wanted to join us . . . wouldn’t we dear?”

“Oh shit yeah.” the honey haired man panted, sliding a hand under his belly to squeeze his leaking erection, “I bet he’s hung like a horse.”

“See . . . the invitation is there if you’re interested.” the Hokage insisted with a soft smile.

“I . . . appreciate the offer Hokage-sama,” Ibiki replied sincerely, “you have no idea how much, but I’m afraid I can’t accept . . . It would feel like a betrayal.”

“I understand.” Iruka replied sadly, “We’ll get him back soon, I’m sure.”

“I hope you’re right.” the scarred man said with a shake of his head, “I made Kakashi a promise and I don’t wish to lose his trust.” he headed towards the door, stopping when he reached it to remark, “Perhaps I’ll go visit Tsunade-sama, I’m sure she’d love some company.”

“Have fun.” the teacher said cheerily, “Let me know what you find out.”

“Of course.” Ibiki replied with a nod as he shut the doors firmly behind him. A kinky Hokage, he thought, shaking his head as if it would clear the images from his mind, an OPENLY kinky Hokage, he corrected himself, remembering what he knew about Sandaime and Tsunade.

“Alright Ru, spill . . . just what the hell is going on with Hatake?” Genma demanded angrily as soon as the door clicked shut.

“If I tell you, you can’t breathe a word of it . . . ever.” Iruka replied slowly, “Do you really think you can manage that?”

“Of course.” the honey-haired man retorted, “I am a jounin, after all.”

“It’s just that it could be dangerous . . . you don’t want Kakashi for an enemy.” the worried teacher fretted.

“Ru, seriously,” Genma continued, “I’m more likely to put my foot in my mouth if I don’t know what’s going on. You’re worried, the elders are worried, hell . . . even Ibiki’s worried, and he doesn’t give a shit about anything.”

“Oh, I think you’re wrong there Gen.” Iruka said with a mysterious smile, “But I’ll tell you.” He slowly began to recount what Kakashi had gone through . . . both under Sandaime and the Godaime, finally finishing with Ibiki’s ill-disguised affection for the damaged copy-nin.
When he finished he was shocked to see tears in his lover’s eyes. “Oh Gen, it’ll be alright.” he quickly soothed, “We’re doing everything we can to find him and bring him home.”

“I’m a horrible person Ru.” the honey-haired man choked, “I didn’t know, I didn’t mean anything.”

“What beloved . . . what didn’t you mean?” the Hokage asked quietly as he pulled his lover into a tight embrace.

“I called Hatake a whore.” Genma replied in a thick husky voice, “I was in a hurry and he was reading that stupid book of his and . . . I ran right into him, fell on my ass. I was pissed . . . I thought I was just teasing, I didn’t mean . . .”

“It’s alright Gen, it’s alright.” Iruka hummed as he rocked them gently, “Asuma felt the same way. I’ll tell you the same thing I told him . . . Kakashi just wants to be treated normally, I’m sure he doesn’t hold it against you. However, I would refrain from making any similar comments around Ibiki . . . he doesn’t have much of a sense of humor where Hatake-san’s concerned.”

“So are they . . .” the senbon sucker trailed off, making a suggestive hand motion by way of explanation.

“I have no idea.” Iruka replied with a chuckle, “Do you want me to call Ibiki back so you can ask him?”

“Gods no.” Genma replied with a shudder, glancing down at his now deflated length, “In fact, this whole thing has kind of killed my mood . . . can we pick this up later baby?”

“Of course.” the teacher replied as he kissed his lover sweetly, “Anything for you Gen.”