Fanning the Flames

Chapter Seventeen

Ibiki paced the length of his office, back and forth, back and forth, hoping the mindless motion would calm his restless nerves. He had nothing to back up his hunch, but the prickling feeling tickling the base of his skull kept warning him that something was going on with Kakashi. Eventually he could stand it no longer and he slammed out of the tiny space and headed upstairs to the Hokage's office.

“Hey Iruka, could I have a few days off?” he asked before the doors had even swung shut behind him. “I need to go check on 'kashi, he was awfully sick when he left the other day and I'm going crazy worrying about him.” the stoic interrogator admitted.

“Of course,” the Rokudaime answered kindly, “Try not to be gone too long though, things tend to back up in T&I when you're not here.”

“Why don't you just call your husband and tell him to get that fine ass of his home where it belongs.” Genma teased as he slipped out of the shadows to join them.

“Because 'kashi does what he wants.” the scarred man retorted with a frown, “I'd prefer not to sleep on the couch for the rest of my life.”

“Honestly Gen, sometimes I wonder why I ever married you.” the former teacher snorted as he shook his head in despair, “You can be such a neanderthal sometimes.”

“Me man, you my man.” the senbon-sucker grunted, thumping his chest as he mugged for his lover.

“Ha ha.” Iruka retorted drily, “If I thought you actually meant that you'd be riding the couch for a month.”

“Of course he doesn't mean it.” Ibiki chortled, “Everyone knows you wear the pants in the family.”

“Thanks a lot.” the honey-haired man pouted, adding an exaggerated sniff for good measure, “I thought we were friends.”

“We are friends, that's why I know you're full of shit.” the scarred man laughed, “I'm going to head out then . . . I should be back in a couple of days.”

“Tell Itachi I hope he's feeling better.” the Hokage said as he turned back toward his waiting paperwork, “I'm sorry he missed the wedding.”

“Will do. Later Gen-chan.” the interrogator added with a broad grin.

“Fuck you too.” the senbon sucker replied cheerfully, giving the tall man a tight hug and a peck on the cheek before he headed home.

Kurenai hummed merrily as she moved about the kitchen putting away the things she'd just gotten at the market. On days like these Bull was a godsend, watching the twins so she could run errands that would otherwise fall on Asuma's over-worked shoulders. She tilted her head and listened to the rumbling voice of the massive ninken as he wove an adventurous tale of exploits on the battlefield that had the twins, thankfully, silently rapt.

She tiptoed into the room, holding a finger up to her lips so Bull wouldn't acknowledge her, and watched as her children's eyes drooped and they drifted off to sleep. “Thank you so much for watching them Bull,” the dark-haired kunoichi whispered, “I was out of nearly everything.”

“No problem.” the hound replied, “I'm going to miss them.”

“Why would you miss them? Are you going somewhere?” Kurenai asked worriedly, “Is something the matter with 'kashi-kun?”

“Boss is having a baby.” Bull whispered conspiratorially, “Obviously he'll need my help. Especially when they're both little.”

“Both?” the horrified woman whispered.

“Of course both . . . the one he's carrying and the one he's having with that Uchiha.” the ninken continued blithely. “You should know how hard it is to handle two babies at once. The Boss will definitely need my help.”

“Are you trying to tell me Kakashi is pregnant?” the kunoichi exclaimed in shock, “Pregnant, pregnant? As in growing a baby inside him?”

“Yup.” Bull replied with obvious delight, “I can't wait until the pups get here. It will be wonderful to have babies of our own.”

“Itachi's pregnant too?” the dark haired woman muttered faintly as she groped behind her for a chair to sink into.

“Oh no, they have some bitch they found to carry their whelp. But he's going to come live with us.” the ninken finished proudly, “So I'll have two babies at home who'll need me. I suppose we could watch all four. Between the Boss and me we should be able to handle four, no problem.”

“Can you stay here with the twins for a bit longer Bull?” Kurenai asked when she finally managed to absorb the news, “I have to go see someone.”

“Sure, Boss isn't even home, he's gone to see the Uchiha.” the hound replied cheerily, “Take your time.”

The dark-haired woman grabbed her things and practically raced out of the house, hurrying over to the Hatake home and banging on the door.

Oh damn, the interrogator thought when he recognized the kunoichi's chakra, the last thing I need is a lecture from Kurenai. Still, he made his way to the door, opening it to let his husband's best friend inside. “Can I help you Kurenai?” he asked politely, “I'm afraid Kakashi isn't here.”

“Why didn't you tell me 'kashi-kun was having a baby?” the dark-haired woman demanded, “I had to hear it from Bull, of all people.”

“Itachi wanted to continue the Uchiha bloodline. He thought 'kashi would be the best genetic mix. Now the council will have a double reason to be happy, two bloodlines for the price of one.” the scarred man concluded with a shrug. “It's not like we can have one of our own, and he loves babies so . . .”

“I don't mean that baby, I mean your baby.” the dark-haired woman yelled, “Don't act stupid with me. If 'kashi is carrying a baby shouldn't someone have let me know? He's going to need all the support he can get.” She stopped and considered the situation for a moment before smacking the tall man hard on the back of his head and continuing, “Where is he anyway? What kind of idiot lets their pregnant husband go off on his own?”

“Pregnant?” Ibiki croaked hollowly as he reached a hand to the wall for support, “Please tell me you're kidding.”

“Bull told me he wouldn't be able to watch the twins anymore because 'kashi was pregnant . . . and that he couldn't wait to have both babies to look after.”, Kurenai clarified.

“Oh. My. God.” the interrogator managed as he slid down the wall to slump in a dazed heap on the floor, “Now it makes sense, that's why he was so sick before he left.”

“Are you telling me you didn't know?” the kunoichi continued suspiciously, “How could you not realize what was going on?”

“In the first place I'm married to a man.” the torture master bellowed, “It's not like pregnancy was something I thought I had to worry about. Besides, he only got sick for the first time the other night . . . “ Ibiki stopped dead when it suddenly hit him why his husband hadn't bothered to mention such a crucial bit of information. Kakashi had first gotten sick right after their foursome with Iruka and Genma . . . “Kurenai I have to go, now.” he barked suddenly, “You can yell at me when we get back.”

Ibiki made the hand signs and disappeared in a swirl of smoke, quickly jumping to the border with Oto. He checked in at the border and then wound his way on foot until he reached the hidden headquarters.

“I need to go now Itachi.” the copy-nin declared suddenly, flashing through hand signs, leaving only a wisp of smoke to show his passing. He reappeared on the border, doubling over and vomiting repeatedly before crawling into some bushes to rest for a while.

After half an hour he tentatively rose and began to amble towards Suna, preferring to walk rather than risk another bout of vomiting. If he catches up to me I'll jutsu, otherwise it's walking for me, he decided, too many jutsu could be bad for the baby. Kakashi rubbed his washboard stomach as he contemplated the tiny pulse of chakra inside him. I wonder if you're a boy or a girl, little one, the silver-haired jounin mused, a girl would be nice since 'tachi and I are having a boy. He realized how much time had passed with a start, and picked up his pace, unwilling to risk his husband catching up with him.

“Where's Kisame?” Ibiki asked curiously when he was finally admitted to the Otokage's chambers. “I expected to run into him on the way here.”

“He's off somewhere with his lover.” Itachi answered distantly, “I'm afraid I don't know exactly where.”

“His lover?” the scarred man replied, scrunching his nose a bit in confusion, “I thought you were his lover.”

“No.” the raven-haired nin bit out, “I'm afraid you missed senpai, he left here about an hour ago.”

“Left, left, as in not coming back?” Ibiki wondered.

“I would imagine so . . . I think he felt you coming.” the Uchiha confided, “He certainly left in a hurry.”

“Is he pregnant?” the torture master demanded almost wildly, “Has he talked to you about what's going on with him?”

“I can't tell you Morin . . . Hatake-san.” the Otokage corrected himself softly, “I do know he loves you very much.”

“Then why is he hiding from me?” the scarred man groaned. “He didn't even give me a chance before deciding how I would feel and running away.”

“Senpai is worried you won't want to raise this child.” Itachi continued with a frown, “He believes it is too much to ask of you.”