Into the Fire

Chapter Two

Kakashi rose early the next morning, the clotted wounds on his back peeling free of the sheets with a sickening squelch. He staggered into the bathroom, hanging over the toilet as he emptied his stomach of its meager contents before rising and stepping into the shower. As he washed he turned the events of the previous night over in his mind, unsure of what his course of action should be.

I don’t want to talk to Ibiki, the copy-nin decided, but I don’t want him going to Tsunade either. He fretfully pondered his options while he waited for the kettle to boil. Maybe he’ll just let the whole thing drop, he mused hopefully as he watched the tea steep.

Once he finished choking down some toast and tea Kakashi finished dressing, pulling up his mask and heading off to the memorial stone. “Hey guys.” he murmured once he got within arms reach, “Just wanted to stop by and say hi. Things are the same as usual . . . except Ibiki caught me in the shower at headquarters last night. I know he wants an explanation . . . I just don’t have one to give him.” He shook his head sadly as he pondered his options. “I guess I should just go check in.”, he decided mournfully, “See you guys later.” With that he shuffled off towards the tower, whipping out his familiar orange book to guarantee his undisturbed passage through the village.

Halfway there a booming voice broke into his thoughts. “My Eternal Rival, Where Have You Been Hiding Yourself?” Gai exclaimed as he clapped a hand on the copy-nin’s back, “It Has Been Too Long Since We Have Engaged In A Test Of Skills.”

“Not today Gai.” Kakashi gasped as waves of pain rippled through his back, “I need to go check in. I’ll find you when I’ve got some free time.”

“Yosh, I Look Forward To It.”, the green beast exclaimed with a brilliant smile and a thumbs up.

The copy-nin took a deep breath, standing up straight in hopes of preventing his uniform from sticking to the newly reopened scores on his back. He squared his shoulders and continued toward the tower, trying his hardest to ignore the sticky trickle working its way down between his shoulder blades.

He soon found himself outside the Hokage’s office, shifting uneasily from foot to foot as he waited for Tsunade to summon him. “She’ll see you now Hatake-san.” Shizune announced as she held the door open for him, “Sorry to make you wait.”

“That’s no problem, thank you Shizune.” the copy-nin replied politely before taking another deep breath and following her inside.

“Ah, Hatake . . . was your mission successful?” Tsunade chuckled from behind her desk, “Join me for sake?”

“No thank you Hokage-sama.” he replied deferentially, “I’m not much of a drinker.”

“You have something for me then?” the blonde continued with a smirk.

“I believe this is what you sent me to retrieve.” Kakashi said shortly as he handed over a crumpled IOU signed by the sannin herself.

“Wonderful,” she exclaimed, “I had no idea how I was going to pay that one off.” She shifted back to recline comfortably in her chair, fixing the rigid figure in front of her with a leer, “Now, about your next mission.”

“I need a few days to heal.” the copy-nin began to protest, “I can’t function like this.”

“I’m sure I can take care of what ails you.” Tsunade replied with a chuckle as she stood and circled him slowly, reaching out with her chakra to sense the wounds hidden beneath his uniform. “Hmm, she murmured as she swept her hands down Kakashi’s back, “I didn’t know Riyou was so kinky.” She paused for a moment after finishing with his back before laying her hand on his tail bone, healing his internal injuries with a sadistic chuckle, “Good as new.” she giggled, “You should thank me Hatake, not everyone gets to be an eternal virgin.”

“Whatever.”, he grumbled, “Now, what do you need me to do?”

Ibiki rose early from a restless sleep, his encounter with the copy-nin the night before had triggered memories of his time in the torture chambers of Stone. He ran a hand over his scarred scalp, eyes slipping shut in thought as he pondered what he should do about Kakashi. He reluctantly decided he should just go find the elusive jounin and try to get him to talk, only then would he approach Tsunade with his concerns.

The interrogator rapidly finished eating and was soon striding through the village, intimidating scowl firmly set on his face. He detoured past the memorial stone, knowing the copy-nin spent much of his free time there, but the clearing was deserted. Ibiki paused to run his fingers over familiar names, sending up a silent prayer for those who had gone ahead, before turning towards the tower.

He strode into his office, summoning a masked ANBU to follow. “Bring me Hatake Kakashi.”, the interrogator commanded. The cat-masked figure saluted and vanished, leaving Ibiki alone to contemplate just what exactly he planned on saying when they returned.

He was still deep in thought when Cat returned. “I’m sorry sir,” the ANBU began, “but Hatake-san has been sent on a mission. There is no information on when he is expected to return. Is there something else you need?”

“No, that will be all.” Ibiki said with a scowl. Great, he thought, now I have to go deal with Tsunade. “I’ll be in the Hokage’s office.” he growled as he passed reception on his way upstairs.

“We need to talk.” he said abruptly, “Shizune, get lost.” The Hokage’s aide quickly complied, Tsunade could hold her own against the torture master, she had no desire to hang around when he was obviously pissed off.

“What are you doing to Hatake?” he demanded the moment they were alone. “I saw him last night . . . don’t bother to deny it.”

“I’m using one of MY shinobi in the way that best suits his talents.” she barked back, “What business is it of yours?”

“I hardly think that being used as a whore and a whipping boy suits the talents of someone like Hatake-san.” the interrogator continued smoothly, “What made you consider it?”

“I merely continued using him . . . I didn’t start it.” the Hokage replied sullenly, rooting through a drawer in search of some sake. “What do you remember about the White Fang?”

“He was disgraced for a decision he made on a mission . . . he later committed suicide, why?” Ibiki replied curiously.

“His real name was Hatake Sakumo . . . Kakashi’s father. After his disgrace Sandaime refused to send him on missions, choosing to use him instead as a bargaining chip in hopes of mitigating some of the damage his actions caused. His depression over the assignment was probably the primary cause for his suicide.” Tsunade explained, stopping when she finally located her elusive stash to pour herself a saucer, finishing it with a grateful sigh and pouring another before continuing.

“I know from the records that his next assignment had been requested to be a father and son duo . . .” she stopped short at the expression on the normally stoic interrogator’s face, “What?”

“That’s sick.” Ibiki spat angrily, “Kakashi couldn’t have been more than seven or eight.”

“He was nine.” Tsunade continued calmly, “But since Minato was his sensei Sandaime decided not to push the issue. After Yondaime’s death . . . the village was weak, so many had died, so much was destroyed . . . Sarutobi-sama felt it was best to reinstitute the practice. It’s amazing what someone will pay for a night with the infamous copy-nin.”

“The village is no longer threatened, what’s your excuse?”, the scarred man thundered as he loomed over her threateningly, hands involuntarily clenching into fists.

“I have . . . expenses.” the sannin retorted, “It’s not like I’m risking his life. Besides, he probably enjoys it . . . after all, he’s always reading those slutty books Jiji writes.”

“I hardly think that’s the same thing as being on the receiving end of some pervert’s advances.” Ibiki responded drily, “Does the council know?”

“It’s none of their business,” Tsunade barked angrily, “and if you don’t back off you’ll find yourself in the same boat.”

“I’d like to see you try.” the scarred man growled, “Where is he now?”

“He’s gone to Grass . . . the Daimyo has agreed to sell us some of his horses and wipe out my debt in exchange for a couple weeks with Hatake.” the Hokage replied off-handedly.

“Just like that . . . he was in no shape to go anywhere.” Ibiki seethed, “I thought he’d been tortured.”

“I healed him before I sent him obviously . . . no one wants to pay a premium for damaged merchandise. I’m not totally heartless,” she protested when the interrogator glared at her, “there are rules. He can’t be killed or mutilated, a medic needs to be on standby to treat any serious injuries, he can’t be exposed to any infectious diseases.”

“Oh, wonderful . . . that way you can drag out his misery.” Ibiki muttered. “He’s a human being Tsunade, it would be wrong to treat an animal the way you’re treating him.”

“He won’t appreciate what you’re doing.”, the Hokage said cruelly, “In the end all you’ll do is make a dangerous enemy.”

“I’ll take that chance.” the scarred man bit out, “This isn’t over Tsunade.” With that he swept out of her office, banging the door behind him. No one knew what had transpired in the Hokage’s office, but judging from the look on the interrogator’s face it wasn’t good. Jounin and chuunin fled at the sight of a grim faced Ibiki muttering angrily to himself as he stormed back to his office.

As he passed through reception he motioned for several ANBU to follow him. Once inside his office he quickly penned a note to the gate guards, requesting he be notified the moment Kakashi returned to the village. He then penned notes to the council and several important clan leaders requesting private meetings to discuss what he referred to as rumors of disturbing practices. That should tickle their interest, he thought with satisfaction, I don’t want to take any chances, I need them all on my side.

Once the ANBU had sped off to deliver his requests Ibiki leaned back in his chair, idly wondering where Kakashi was at that moment and if he was alright. No point in worrying about it now, he finally concluded, sitting up and digging in to the pile of paperwork in his inbox while he waited for responses to his letters to start trickling in.