Fanning the Flames

Chapter Twenty-One

“Somehow I expected a more enthusiastic welcome,” Genma groused as he followed his best friend. “I get the impression you'd rather not have me here.”

“It isn't that Gen,” Raidou hastened to assure him. “There's just a lot going on right now. I wish you'd let me know you were coming.”

“Well, I already gave Gaara the scroll Ru sent. Do you want me to leave?” the senbon-sucker asked honestly.

“No, of course not. I miss you, idiot,” the scarred tokubetsu fired back. “I just wish we had enough notice so you could have stayed with us.”

“This will be fine,” the honey-haired man assured him. “I'm gonna call Ru and let him know I got here alright. Maybe we can go for a drink later?”

“I'd love that,” Raidou agreed enthusiastically. “I'm afraid Gaara is going to be tied up though, so it will just be me.”

“Just like old times,” Genma chuckled. “Back when we were both unfettered and free.”

“Uh-huh,” the scarred nin replied dubiously. “It's been a long, long time since you were unfettered and free Gen. Sorry,” he added with a smirk.

“No, you're right,” the senbon-sucker agreed. “I guess I meant when we were free to spend more time together.”

“Look, why don't you shower and call Ru,” Raidou suggested. “I'll go touch base with Gaara and come back to pick you up for dinner.”

* * *

“Hatake-san, you need to get back in bed,” Gaara argued. “Fujiko said it was important that you rest.”

“Well, she didn't know you were having company, did she?” a nervous copy-nin spat back. “I don't want Genma to find out about this. There's no way we can be in the same building without his realizing what's going on.”

“That's why Rai booked him into one of the inns,” the redhead replied soothingly. “Honestly, your husband is going to be here any minute. He'll kill all of us if you disappear again.”

“He's not mad at you,” Kakashi muttered. “I've got some explaining to do though.”

“I'm sure he'll be ecstatic when he hears the news,” the Kazekage assured the nearly frantic jounin. “After all, what is more wonderful than the birth of a child?”

“Ibiki's not as keen on children as I am,” the silver-haired nin replied anxiously. “What if he doesn't want another one?”

“If he was willing to accept the idea of you having a baby with another man then he certainly won't turn his back on his own child,” Gaara ventured.

“What if it isn't his?” was all the copy-nin replied, his mind constantly turning the facts over and over in an attempt to try and figure out what the result of his confession would be.

“Why on earth do you think it would matter?” Ibiki's voice cut in from across the room.

“Oh Kami you startled me,” the silver-haired man squealed. “I wasn't expecting you to get here so quickly. How is Itachi doing?”

“I don't mean to be rude Kazekage-sama,” the interrogator continued smoothly, “but could I have a few minutes alone with my husband please?”

“Certainly Hatake-san,” the redhead replied with a smile. “Please remember that he's supposed to be on bed rest. Try not to upset him too much.”

“I have no intention of upsetting him at all,” the scarred man assured him. “We do need to talk, however, and I'll be more comfortable doing it without an audience.”

“I'll be outside if you need me,” Gaara whispered in the bed-ridden jounin's ear. “Take your time. Feel free to ring if you need anything at all.”

“Okay 'kashi,” Ibiki began as soon as the door shut behind their host, “why did you run away from me?”

“I didn't run away, I went to visit Itachi,” the copy-nin declared stubbornly. “I had every intention of coming back home.”

“I meant when I arrived in Oto,” the torture master pressed. “Did I do something to upset you?”

“Oh no, no,” the silver-haired nin insisted. “You've never done anything to upset me. It's just that I . . . I've done something really stupid. I'm not sure you'll forgive me. I guess I thought if I didn't go home then you wouldn't leave me.”

“I'm not going to leave you sweetheart,” the stoic nin almost cooed. “Not after I went to so much trouble to get you.”

“That's easy to say now . . . you don't know what I have to tell you,” Kakashi declared mournfully.

“Just tell me then,” Ibiki urged. “Get it over with and then we can move on.”

“Fine,” came the caustic retort. “I'm pregnant.”

“Why didn't you want me to know 'kashi? I don't understand,” the interrogator pushed. “You were eager to tell me about the baby you were having with Itachi. Why so much reluctance in claiming our child?”

“I didn't realize what was going on with me when I left,” the silver-haired man began in an almost wistful voice. “I honestly thought I had the stomach flu. When I realized what was really happening I panicked. I didn't want to end up confined in some lab as a medical oddity.”

“I would never let that happen sweetheart, don't you know that?” came the hurt retort.

“This may not be your child,” the copy-nin said bluntly. “We had that foursome, remember? I didn't want to ask you to raise two of my children with other men. You don't even like children.”

“Now wait a minute,” the interrogator snarled. “Don't assume you know how I feel. I do like children. Have I ever complained about the twins being underfoot? No, I haven't . . . and they're not even ours. You need to stop making assumptions about how I'm going to react.”

“Iruka likes children too,” Kakashi whispered. “I started worrying that he and Genma would try and take the baby. Especially since we would already have one.”

“No one is going to take your child away from you,” Ibiki growled. “Not unless they kill me first. I would never, ever let something like that happen. I know you're scared 'kashi, you have every right to be, and I know we didn't plan this . . . but I'm really, really happy about it.”

“You are?” the silver-haired man sniffled. “Really?”

“Absolutely,” the interrogator assured him. “I can't imagine anything more wonderful than getting to experience all this with you.”

“I'm on bed rest,” the copy-nin continued relentlessly. “I'm stuck here until after the baby comes. Travel could kill one of us, according to my doctor.”

“Do I get to meet this doctor?” Ibiki asked curiously. “I'd love to know what, exactly, to expect. When is the baby due, anyway?”

“Fujiko isn't really sure. I don't have a cycle to go by,” he explained. ”Thank Kami for at least one small favor.”

The interrogator took a good look at his beloved. Kakashi was hunched up in a tiny ball, hands picking nervously at the duvet as he explained his situation. He looks like he's afraid I'm going to hit him, Ibiki thought in dismay. I need to make sure he believes me.

The torture master carefully scooped his husband into his arms, plunking himself down on the bed and settling the copy-nin gently in his lap. “Is it alright if I hold you like this sweetheart?” he husked into a pale, perfect ear.

“I'm so so sorry 'biki. If I had any idea this could happen I would never have suggested that foursome,” the silver-haired man murmured. “I wouldn't blame you if you hated me.”

“How could I possibly hate you?” the tall man chuckled. “I don't care if we end up with a dozen kids. We have the room, after all.”

“But now I'll have two children to explain,” Kakashi fretted.

“You don't have to explain anything. Your children will be Hatake. They will be welcomed by the village. After all, wasn't the chief objection to our marriage the loss of your bloodline?” the interrogator argued.

“Do we even have to tell anyone else?” the copy-nin asked warily. “I'm going to be here until I deliver. Maybe no one ever has to know.”

“You have to tell Iruka and Genma, at least,” Ibiki scolded. “They have a right to know that they could be the father. Kurenai already knows, by the way. Apparently Bull informed her that he wouldn't be able to watch the twins after your baby came.”

“Ouch,” the silver-haired man muttered as he pictured her reaction to the news.

“I'm sure she'll be coming to see you once I tell her what's happening,” the scarred man decided.

“No, she can't,” Kakashi cried. “She needs to take care of Asuma and the twins. Tell her she has to stay at home.”

“You try and tell her,” the interrogator retorted drily, “I'll watch.”

“Genma's here,” the copy-nin remarked anxiously. “Rai is running interference so he won't figure out I'm in Suna.”

“That's ridiculous,” Ibiki decided. “We might as well tell him now. He has to find out sooner or later.”

“Will you stay with me while I do it?” the jounin fretted.

“I'm not going anywhere,” the torture master assured him as he wrapped burly arms more tightly around the slender figure.

“Would you like to feel the baby?” Kakashi asked hopefully.

“Can I?” the scarred man asked.

“Spread your hand out on my belly,” the copy-nin instructed, wiggling slightly when a warm, calloused palm brushed against the sensitive skin. “Now reach out with your chakra.”

“Amazing,” the normally stoic man breathed as a broad smile stretched across his face. “Hello little one. I'm looking forward to meeting you,” he hummed happily.