Into the Fire

Chapter Twenty-Two

Tsunade made her way through the underground maze, eventually locating Kabuto and her apprentice in a deserted laboratory. “You’re supposed to fill me in on what’s going on.” she declared as soon as she swept into the room, “While you’re at it . . . can someone please explain to me what the hell is going on between Orochimaru and Kakashi?”

Shizune looked at her mistress in shock, “How did you get here?” she gasped.

“Ibiki brought me.” the blonde said with a snicker, “Boy, did he ever get an eyeful. He was so shocked he dropped me and headed right back home.”

Kabuto growled angrily at the implication. “What exactly are you eluding to Tsunade?” he snarled, “What do you think is going on between my master and Hatake?”

“What’s going on between them is sex.”, the Godaime replied breezily, “That doesn’t surprise me too much . . . but I never took my old teammate for an uke. In fact, he’s acting like a love struck fool.” she declared.

“Explain yourself.” the bespectacled medic demanded, “You’ve got no right coming in here making accusations.”

“I’m not accusing anyone of anything.” the busty blonde replied dismissively, “I merely thought he wanted Hatake so he could take over his body.”

“No.” Kabuto yelled, “He’s supposed to be mine . . . he was always supposed to be mine. Besides,” he continued in a somewhat calmer voice, “my master has never been bothered by the needs of the flesh, he wouldn’t waste precious time that way, so why don’t you stop spreading disgusting rumors and concentrate on what has to be done.”

“I’m sorry if it upsets you.” Tsunade responded frostily, “But I have no reason to lie about it. When we arrived they were quite intimately entwined . . . and Hatake was obviously the one in control. They’ll be joining us after they bathe and have breakfast.”

“Breakfast,” the grey haired medic screeched, “they are not eating breakfast together.” He stormed out and headed towards Orochimaru’s chambers, eager to dispel the blonde’s lies and once again take control of the situation.

Kabuto threw open the double doors and stormed in unannounced, anger overriding his usual instinct for self preservation. He stopped dead when he caught sight of the snake summoner bent over the end of the tub pleading with his obsession. “Please pretty, I need to feel you inside me.” Orochimaru begged as the copy-nin slowly inched his way into his tight passage, capturing the sannin’s lips in a move to distract him from any discomfort.

“What the hell is going on here?” the medic bellowed angrily, “Get off of him.” he screamed as he yanked Kakashi up by his hair, jerking him roughly to his feet and shaking him like a rag doll.

The copy-nin drew himself up to full height, sharingan spinning wildly as he gathered his chakra for the first time in years. “Who the hell do you think you are?” he snarled, “I never asked you to interfere in my life, yet every time I turn around there you are. No more.” Kakashi surged forward, chidori sparking, only to be stopped short by a pale arm wrapping around his waist and gently pulling him tight.

“I still need him pretty one.” Orochimaru husked, “Kill him now and you kill me too.”

The copy-nin reluctantly released his gathered chakra, lip still drawn back in a feral snarl. “Your master has saved you for now.” he growled at the medic, “Next time you won’t be so lucky. Get the hell out of my sight.”

Kabuto staggered out of the bathroom, breaking into a run as he headed back the way he’d come. “Tsunade, I apologize.” he gritted out breathlessly when he finally reached the lab, “You were, unfortunately, right. Hatake even tried to attack me . . . we need to eliminate him.” he decided, abandoning his dream in the face of this new, and unpleasant, reality.

“I have an idea.” the blonde sannin stated thoughtfully, “But I need to know when the next body exchange takes place.”

“As soon as possible.” Kabuto hurried to explain, “Orochimaru has, at best, two months left in his current host.”

“What if Kakashi were the only choice?” Tsunade puzzled, “If we eliminate the other possibilities then he’ll be forced to use Hatake’s body or perish . . . there’s no way he’ll risk that.”

“But mistress,” Shizune piped up, “What about your reward? Orochimaru-sama won’t grant your wish if you thwart him.”

“So I get him to pay up first . . . or wait until afterwards, he’ll see reason then, surely.” the sannin replied confidently. “In any event, we can’t let things go on as they are . . . if nothing else Hatake is sure to turn him against us.”

Iruka paced impatiently in front of his desk while he waited to hear what the byakuugan had uncovered. As soon as Hiashi had revealed what he could of Orochimaru’s location, Ibiki turned to the Hokage, mouth already open to protest, “Let me go with Tsume and Genma, I have the best idea of what we’re up against.”

“No Morino-san, I’m sorry, but I need you here.” Iruka replied formally, “We need to bring the other clan heads up to speed on what’s happened and figure out what we’re going to do. Trust me,” he added quickly, placing a supportive hand on the interrogator’s shoulder, “we will get Hatake-san back, I won’t abandon him to Orochimaru’s clutches.”

“We need to get going Ru.” Genma said confidently, “I’ll see you in a few days.” He kissed the Rokudaime passionately, heedless of the onlookers. “Ibiki,” he suddenly said when the embrace finally broke, “I expect you to keep an eye on Ru for me . . . don’t let anything happen to him while I’m gone.”

“I’ll keep him safe.” the scarred man replied seriously, “Just help me get Kakashi back.”

“Are you sure?” the honey-haired man asked in a nearly inaudible whisper, “I wouldn’t blame you if you never wanted to see him again.”

“Of course.” Ibiki answered sadly, “I owe him . . . more than I can possibly repay, I could never abandon him.”

“Then I’ll make sure he gets back to you.” Genma declared with a smile, “And you’ll owe me a foursome.”

“I never said . . .” the interrogator began to protest loudly, giving up with a strangled “Aarrrggg.” when the Hokage and his lover merely laughed at his protest. “Fine,” he growled, “but you get to explain it to Kakashi.”

“I can’t wait.” Genma chuckled, “I’ll tell him when he gets back to Konoha.”

“Get going.” Iruka said, giving his lover a push toward the door, “The sooner you leave, the sooner you’ll be back.” He turned back to the scarred torture master, “Ibiki, stay please.” he ordered crisply before summoning two ANBU and sending them off to gather the rest of the clan heads. “Hiashi, do you think you could go find Jiraiya and ask him to join us?” the Rokudaime asked politely.

“Certainly Iruka.” the Hyuuga answered, studying the former teacher critically, “But don’t you think this can wait until morning? You look like you could use a good night’s sleep.”

“I at least want to bring everyone up to speed. I promise I’ll keep it short, we’ll make our plans when we all have clearer heads.” the Rokudaime replied confidently, “Maybe if we all sleep on it we’ll gain some understanding.”

As soon as the doors shut behind the head of the Hyuuga clan, Iruka turned serious eyes on the interrogator. “Ibiki, you will be my night guard while Genma’s away.” he stated calmly, “That way I can keep an eye on you.”

“I don’t need a babysitter.” the scarred man snorted, “I said I’d stay and I will.”

“I’m more worried about your mental state.” the former teacher mused aloud, “I don’t want you sitting at home brooding over Kakashi’s things. No matter how you deny it, I know you’re still upset by what you saw . . . anyone would be. I just don’t want you to jump to conclusions and make everything worse.”

“What could possibly be worse?” Ibiki asked mournfully, “At the very least I’ll have to question him, assuming, of course, that he returns at all. Do you really think he’ll trust me after that?”

“You can’t question him.” Iruka decided, “That wouldn’t be fair to either of you . . . we’ve kept all this quiet so I think Hiashi or Jiraiya would be a good choice . . . or maybe I’ll do it myself.”

“I assure you I can remain impartial.” the affronted interrogator replied stiffly, “I have never let my personal feelings interfere with my job.”

“Of course you haven’t.” the Hokage soothed, “I didn’t mean to imply anything of the sort. I just assumed it would be uncomfortable for you to have to hear about his time in Sound.”

“Why would I be uncomfortable?” the scarred man replied with a studied shrug, “It’s not like there’s anything between us.”

“Really?” Iruka asked curiously, “You didn’t sleep with him?”

“I didn’t say that.” Ibiki admitted grudgingly, “But Kakashi was just grateful because I brought him back from Grass . . . it didn’t mean anything.”

“Are you sure about that?” the Hokage queried, “Because I don’t believe Kakashi ever willingly had sex with anyone before you. Don’t tell him how unimportant it was to you please,” he continued, “he might never have the courage to try again. Do him a favor and let him down slowly.”

“There’s nothing to let him down from.” the scarred man grumbled in irritation, “I told you, he seemed happy where he was.”

“Did he even see you?” Iruka prodded, “I can’t believe he’d turn his back on you.”

“He didn’t see me . . . thankfully.” the interrogator answered slowly, “I don’t think I could stand it if he had. But they were . . .” he trailed off brokenly, turning hurt confused eyes on the Hokage.

“It will be alright Ibiki.” the former teacher soothed, pulling the tall man into a gentle embrace, “I’ll take care of everything. Please trust me.”

“Of course I trust you Iruka.” he replied indignantly.

“Good,” the Rokudaime replied, chocolate eyes sparkling with mischief, “Then you won’t fight me when I do this.” Iruka leaned in and kissed the scarred man passionately, wrapping an arm around to hold him close until he was finished. “There, that’s better.” he smirked when he finally released the dumbstruck interrogator, “We’ll pick this up after our meeting.” he confided, smiling widely when his gaze was met by confused ebony. “Trust me Ibiki, it will be alright.”

“If you say so.” the scarred man rumbled, even as he doubted anything would ever be alright again.