Fanning the Flames

Chapter Eighteen

“Hatake-san, what are you doing here?” Temari exclaimed, pursing her lips in frustration over the fact that, yet again, her brother had failed to inform her that they would be having a guest.

“I just wanted to stop by and visit. I haven't seen Gaara and Raidou since the Hokage's wedding.” the copy-nin explained, “Are they around?”

“Just wait here, I'll see if I can find one of them.” the blonde decided, motioning the lanky jounin to a chair as she disappeared deeper into the palace. The silver-haired man took a deep breath and shut his eyes in an attempt to calm his rebellious stomach. The last thing he needed was to empty its contents all over the Kazekage's anteroom. He only reluctantly forced his eyelids up and attempted to focus when the double doors at the other end of the room flew open.

“Kakashi, it's wonderful to see you.” Raidou declared cheerily, clapping a hand on the taller man's back and pulling him into a tight hug. “What brings you all the way to Suna?”

“I just thought I'd drop by for a visit.” the silver-haired man hedged, “I can go if it isn't convenient . . .”

“Of course not, don't be silly.” the scarred tokubetsu said with a shake of his head, “Where's Ibiki?”

“He's back home in Konoha. I was visiting Itachi and decided I'd swing by and see you guys before I headed back.” the copy-nin admitted truthfully although he didn't offer any further details.

“Well it's wonderful to see you. Come in and let's get you settled in a room. Gaara should be done in time for dinner.” Raidou explained as they headed into the Kazekage's private wing.

The scarred nin showed the jounin to a room, finally breaking the silence between them when the lanky man dropped his pack and slumped onto the bed. “Is everything alright at home Kakashi?” Raidou asked worriedly.

“Of course, why would you think anything was wrong?” the copy-nin shot back.

“You haven't heard a word I've said.” the scarred nin mock scolded, “It pretty clear that something is distracting you. We've been worried ever since your wedding, it was all so fast . . . and then when Morino-san didn't show up for the ceremony . . . let's just say if you need to stay here for awhile to get yourself together it's no problem.”

“I haven't been feeling all that well.” the silver-haired nin reluctantly divulged, “It's nothing serious. Nothing contagious.” he hastened to explain, “But I haven't been having much luck with food.”

“You should let the doctor check you over while you're here.” Raidou suggested helpfully, “I'm sure they can give you something to help with the nausea, at least.”

“I already know what the problem is.” Kakashi demurred, “Not to worry, I'll be feeling better soon.”

“Still, that's no reason for you to suffer.” the tokubetsu argued, “Come on, we'll run over to the hospital and be back before Gaara finishes up for the day. I'm sure all the nurses will be happy to see you doing so well.”

“Happy I'm out of their hair, you mean.” the copy-nin chuckled. “There's no point in putting them out for a little upset stomach.”

“Why don't you want to see the doctor Kakashi?” Raidou asked seriously, “What, exactly, is wrong with you?”

“I can't tell you.” the copy-nin whispered mournfully, “I wish that I could.”

“You told me your entire life story.” the scarred nin reminded him, “There is nothing you could say that would upset me. Get it off your chest, you'll feel better.”

“I'm pregnant.” the silver-haired man muttered, eyes fixed on the floor.

“Excuse me?” the tokubetsu stammered, “I must not have heard you properly.”

“I said I'm pregnant.” Kakashi declared flatly, “As in, there's a baby growing inside of me.”

“How did you manage that?” Raidou squeaked.

“At my wedding Itachi mentioned he was thinking about using a surrogate to have a child to carry on the bloodline. He asked me if I'd be willing to train the child to use his sharingan and I said of course. 'tachi found a scroll and modified the jutsu so his body would form an egg, we combined it with my sperm and implanted it in the surrogate.” the copy-nin related hurriedly.

“That's a far cry from being pregnant, although I can see where it might cause problems in your marriage.” the scarred nin agreed, “I take it Ibiki is upset about you having a baby with Itachi.”

“Oh no, I asked him first, he's fine with it. Well, at least he says he's fine. Jiraiya pointed out that he might just be going along to make me happy.” the silver-haired man replied sullenly. “No, this is a whole different issue. You see . . . I helped Itachi with the jutsu, monitoring him with my sharingan until we were sure we had a viable egg.”

“What does this have to do with you thinking you're pregnant?” Raidou said, his confusion obvious. “You just said Ibiki wasn't upset about that.”

“Apparently I must have . . . copied the jutsu without realizing it. I'm pregnant.” Kakashi insisted, grabbing the scarred man's hands and pressing them to his abdomen, “Feel for the chakra signature if you don't believe me.”

The tokubetsu decided to humor his friend, pressing his hands against the jounin's washboard abdomen as he reached out with his chakra. Raidou jumped back in alarm when his tentative probe was met with a strong return pulse and he fell back in astonishment. “You . . . you're . . . you really are.” he finally managed.

“As if it isn't bad enough that I'm a freak,” the copy-nin continued implacably, “Ibiki and I had a foursome with Iruka and Genma . . . it was their wedding present.” he explained when the quiet tokubetsu looked at him like he'd grown a second head.

“You can't mean . . .” the scarred man gasped.

“I'm not sure who the father of my child is. That's why I can't go home.” Kakashi explained hurriedly, “I can't expect Ibiki two raise two of my children with other men. I know what you're going to say.” he added angrily, “But I don't care if Iruka is so good with children . . . it's my baby and I won't let them have it.”

“Iruka wants to take your baby?” Raidou asked.

“He will when he finds out about it.” the copy-nin fretted, “That's why I can't go home.”

“Do any of them even know what's going on?” the tokubetsu asked warily.

“Of course not.” the silver-haired man exclaimed, “Once they find out I'll end up locked up, turned into a medical experiment. Then they'll take my baby.”

“No one is going to take your baby.” Raidou assured him, “You can stay here with us if you need to. I think you should at least call Ibiki though. He must be worried sick about you.”

“I'll call him in a day or two. I just need some time to plan what I should do.” Kakashi admitted, “I still have to figure out the best way to break the news to him.”

“Where. Is. My. Husband?” Ibiki bit out, his normally stoic demeanor vanishing when Itachi informed him Kakashi had 'left'.”

“I'm afraid he didn't tell me.” the Otokage replied with a shrug, “I really wish I could help you.”

“Why is he running?” the interrogator pressed, “One minute he's sleeping, then he's leaving to visit you, then he's staying here indefinitely, now he's gone . . . did I do something to upset him?”

“Oh no, no. he loves you very much.” the Uchiha assured him, “Senpai is just . . . a bit overwhelmed at the moment. I'm sure he'll be back in your arms before you know it.”

“Now what do I do?” the scarred jounin mumbled sadly, “I don't want to go home without him. The house just isn't the same when 'kashi's not there.”

“I'm sure he'll be in touch in a few days.” the dark-haired nin soothed, “Stay here with us. I'm sure Kisame will be happy to see you.”

“Are you expecting him back then?” Ibiki asked curiously, “You said he was with his lover.”

“They don't stay together.” the Otokage elaborated, “It's more of a . . . carnal relationship. Once their urges are slaked they go their separate ways.”

“And how do you feel about that?” the interrogator couldn't help asking.

“I hate it . . . but I have no grounds to complain. Kisame and I have never had a sexual relationship. He fears I am too frail to withstand his attentions.” the raven-haired nin complained. “But am not nearly as weak as he believes me to be.”

“Have you told him that?” Ibiki pried, “I know how much he cares about you. I can't believe he'd turn you down.”

“Would you turn me down Hatake-san?” Itachi asked seductively, peering out from behind the curtain of his hair at the taller man. “You are very attractive. Perhaps if he saw us together Kisame would realize I'm not going to drop dead from a bit of rough handling.”

“Even if I were to take you up on your generous offer Uchiha-san, I would not serve your purpose.” the scarred man demurred, “I could no more hurt you than I could 'kashi. It may be my job, but it's certainly not what I enjoy.”

“I beg your pardon Hatake-san, I should not have assumed . . .” the Otokage began, bowing his head as he continued to apologize. “Senpai told me you were very gentle. I don't know why I ever thought otherwise.”

“Do you honestly want that Itachi?” the interrogator queried.

“No, but I can take it.” the delicate nin averred, “I've lived through more things than I care to remember . . . certainly it wouldn't be any worse.”

“You might be surprised.” Ibiki muttered drily, “In any event, I'm afraid I can't help you. I will be happy to talk to Kisame if you like. I'm sure if he knew how much it bothered you . . .”

“It doesn't matter.” the Uchiha decided, “Forget I ever mentioned it. Let me get someone to show you to your room. I'm sure you'd like to rest before dinner.”