Fanning the Flames

Chapter Twenty-Two

“You have got to be kidding me,” Kisame hissed in frustration. His eyes roved over the two men intertwined on the bed, lingering appreciatively on Itachi's revealed musculature.

“I assure you I do not kid,” the Otokage replied drily, startling the swordsman from his contemplation.

“You certainly could do better than this old man,” the Mist-nin declared with a derisive snort.

“Jiraiya is very knowledgeable and well-traveled,” the Uchiha countered. “I find his company most . . . stimulating.”

“Ha, ha,” Kisame snarked. “That is not funny. Stop this nonsense, please.”

“I don't know what you are referring to,” the raven-haired nin insisted prissily. “I have every intention of pursuing a long-term relationship with my successor. After all, we need to work very closely together.

“I know you're upset with my decision to seek release elsewhere,” the swordsman pushed. “I'm doing it for your own good. I am not a nice man.”

“I know that.” Itachi snapped, “We've worked together for years now. I fail to see why that should be an issue.”

“I have no desire to cause you pain,” the Mist-nin struggled to explain. “Yet, without it my own enjoyment is greatly diminished. I wish there was another option.”

“Perhaps I am not as adverse to pain as you seem to believe,” the Otokage ventured tentatively. “We could give it a try and see.”

“And risk ending up with you hating me? I think not.” Kisame put the brakes on that line of thinking.

“You aren't even willing to try, are you?” the raven-haired man retorted despairingly. “Your little friend didn't look any worse for wear. I'm beginning to think this is all just some elaborate excuse. If you aren't interested, just say so and I'll stop embarrassing myself.”

Jiraiya kept his eyes shut and his breathing even. He had no intention of getting between the powerful nin while they were arguing, especially over something so intensely personal. Too bad the brat isn't here, the sannin decided absently, he'd know how to get them past all this. To be honest, he was pretty sure he knew what Kakashi would do . . . he just wasn't comfortable with doing it himself.

“I see no satisfactory resolution to this dilemma,” the Uchiha finally admitted. “Perhaps it would be best if we went our separate ways.”

“Why can't things continue as they have?” the swordsman entreated. “I do not wish to be separated from you. Not after all these years, and especially not over something so unimportant.”

“Love is hardly unimportant Kisame,” the Otokage remonstrated through tight lips. “At least, it isn't to me. Perhaps that is just another indication of our incompatibility.”

“Who the hell mentioned love?” the Mist-nin barked almost angrily. “I thought we were talking about sex. Love doesn't have anything to do with it.”

“You really are an idiot, aren't you?” Itachi declared. “Why would you even bother otherwise?”

“Are you telling me you love that infernal scarecrow?” Kisame spat venomously. “He doesn't love you.”

“Yes, he does,” the raven-haired man argued stubbornly. “He may not love me as much as he loves Ibiki, but that doesn't change anything.”

“Of course it does you silly little fool,” the Mist nin roared. “He used you, just like he uses everyone. You were a convenient means to an end. Hatake wanted a child, not you.”

“Take that back,” the Uchiha insisted. “You have no right to say those things.”

“I have every right,” the swordsman continued inexorably. “Who stood by you all those years after you left Konoha? Who took care of you when you eyes began to fail? Hell, I'm still taking care of you, despite your fascination with another man's husband.”

“I think you should leave now,” the raven haired man ground out. “I wouldn't want to have to kill you.”

Kisame refused to be dissuaded now that the subject was out in the open, however. “I've known him for a long time. I've seen what Hatake's willing to do to get what he wants,” he husked ominously. “From what I hear his Uncle's no different. Just another whore.”

“You'd better run fast sharkboy,” Jiraiya growled, ki already sparkling in his palm. “I, for one, have heard enough of your shit.”

“Both of you stop it,” Itachi muttered crossly as he stepped between them. “Kisame, get out of here. Go stay with your lover.”

“If I go I won't be coming back,” the swordsman threatened.

“Wonderful,” the sannin jeered. “I'm tired of everything around here smelling of fish.”

“You'll be sorry you did this,” the Mist nin hissed as he stormed past the Otokage and out of the room.

* * * * * *

“Ibiki, what brings you to Suna,” Genma exclaimed with glee. “Sit down and have a drink with me. It's so weird being here on my own.”

“Sure, but just a quick one,” the interrogator agreed. “Then I need you to come with me.”

“Did something happen to Ru?” the senbon-sucker panicked.

“Oh no, nothing like that. 'kashi and I wanted to talk with you,” the scarred man explained.

“I thought Kakashi was in Oto visiting the Uchiha,” the honey-haired man stated, eyebrows furrowing as he tried to guess what was going on.

“He detoured through Suna to visit Gaara and Raidou,” Ibiki declared flatly. “There have been . . . complications though, and he'll be staying here for the next few months. We were wondering if it would be possible for you to call Iruka and get him to come here so 'kashi could talk to both of you at once.”

“I don't know,” Genma hedged. “Ru's pretty busy. I tried to get him to come with me and visit and he said he couldn't spare the time.”

“Fine, I'll call him then,” the interrogator decided, fumbling in his pocket and finally producing his cell phone. The senbon-sucker sat back and watched the one-sided conversation closely, wondering just what Kakashi had to say that was so important the Hokage needed to be there to hear it.

“Let's go,” Ibiki urged, grasping the smaller man's elbow and almost lifting him from his seat in his rush for the door.

“What's the hurry?” the honey-haired man asked pointedly.

“Your husband is waiting for us,” the scarred man rumbled. “I'm sure you don't want to keep him waiting, not when he's already so very busy.”

“All right already,” Genma grumbled as he quickly drained his glass and paid his bill before hurrying after the tall man.

By the time the pair reached the palace Iruka was already waiting outside the door to Kakashi's room. “Finally,” he joked when the pair arrived. “I thought you were going to take a page from your husband's book and keep me waiting Ibiki.”

“Not this time Hokage-sama,” the interrogator answered deferentially. “Kakashi has some news for you both. Please, do me a favor and think before you respond.”

“I believe that warning is directed at you Gen-chan,” the former teacher chortled. “I don't know though Ibiki. That may be more than he's capable of.” The smile fell off his face, however, when he saw how truly worried the normally stoic torture master was. “Seriously, we'll try not to upset him.”

“Thank you,” the scarred man murmured as he pushed the doors open. “Sweetheart, I brought Genma and Iruka to talk with you. How are you feeling?”

“A little nauseous, but otherwise not bad,” Kakashi answered slowly. “The doctor just left. Now's as good a time as any.”

“Are you ill Kakashi?” the Rokudaime asked with concern. “We can talk another time.”

“No,” the copy-nin almost shouted. “I'm afraid this is one of those things that just can't be put off until later. Do you remember our wedding present to you both?”

“How could I forget something like that?” Genma chortled. “That was the hottest sex of my life . . . no offense Ru,” he hastened to add.

“When we . . . well, you see . . . it's funny really . . .” the silver-maned man stammered as he tried to find a graceful way to drop his bombshell. Eventually he gave up, deciding that the direct approach would have to do. “I'm pregnant,” he announced flatly. “It's possible that one of you may be the father.”

“Ha, ha, that's a good one Hatake,” the senbon-sucker giggled. “Seriously, what do you need to tell us?”

“Seriously, I'm pregnant,” the copy-nin gritted out. “Feel for yourself if you don't believe me. I don't have the flu, it's morning sickness. I have high blood pressure too, which means I'm stuck here for the duration of the pregnancy.”

“Oh my god,” Iruka gasped, bringing his hand up to his face. “May I . . .” he gestured toward the bed-ridden nin's abdomen.

“Of course,” Kakashi assured him, grasping the extended hand and pressing it firmly against his stomach and watching warily as brown eyes lit with joy.

“So, what happens now?” the former teacher asked uncertainly. “Why are you even telling us this?”

“You have the right to know,” the jounin insisted stubbornly. “Are you saying you don't want to find out the paternity?”

“Oh, I definitely want to find out,” the Hokage murmured. “But I don't want to push, or upset you. After all, I'm sure Ibiki wants to keep you all to himself.”

“Of course I do,” the interrogator cooed reassuringly as he tenderly stroked ragged steely strands. “But I can share. As long as 'kashi stays calm and listens to the doctor, I can do whatever I need to.”