Into the Fire

Chapter Twenty-Seven

Tsunade wrapped her arms around her beloved’s legs, clinging to him as he struggled to free himself. “No, you don’t mean that.” she wailed through her tears.

“Of course I do.” Dan replied sternly, “How could I not? Loss is part of life Tsunade, it’s what we accept when we become ninja. This is a betrayal of the worst sort . . . why didn’t you live your life, find someone else to love?”

“Because she’s a heartless bitch.” Orochimaru replied cheerfully, “She never once thought about how her actions hurt the shinobi under her command. Payback’s a bitch, isn’t it princess.”

“You bastard.” the blonde hissed, turning wild eyes on the snake summoner, “I did what you asked, why did you betray me?”

“I didn’t betray you . . . I gave you exactly what you wanted.” came the cold reply, “It’s not my fault that you didn’t anticipate the consequences of your actions.”

“This is your fault, whore.” Tsunade growled, turning her attention to the copy-nin, “Why anyone would waste time on something like you is beyond me.”

“He is not a whore.” Orochimaru rasped warningly, “Kakashi is, and always has been, the consumate shinobi. He did as you ordered . . . pimp.”

She rushed at the copy-nin, only to find herself yanked back by the snake summoner’s hard hand. “Touch him and die.” he threatened, “You’ve hurt him enough.”

“Stop it.” Kakashi’s emotionless voice cut through the clamor, “Tsunade, why do you hate me so much? I never even met you before you became Hokage.”

“You look just like your father, whore. He was a traitor, too.” the angry woman sneered.

Dan strode over and grabbed her upper arms hard, forcing her to look in his eyes, but before he could speak Orochimaru finished making a series of hand signs, watching dispassionately as the pair was consumed by a ball of sickly green fire. “Come pretty.” he whispered, grabbing the stunned copy-nin by the elbow, “Let’s get away from this stench.”

Kakashi finally found his voice when they were out in the corridor. “Why, didn’t you need her?”

“Kabuto can perform the transfer.” the sannin replied confidently, “She called you a whore one time too many, koishii. I will not let you be spoken of like that.”

They continued down the hall to the lab, opening the door to find Kabuto lying motionless in the bed Genma had occupied. Orochimaru rushed over to check on the medic’s condition, letting out a wail of despair when he realized the grey haired man was dead. “That bitch.” he ranted, “Even dead she thwarts me.”

“Are you sure it was Tsunade?” the copy-nin asked cautiously.

“Her chakra is all over him, and his skull is crushed.” the sannin rasped, “He obviously fought back.”

I’m sure he did, Kakashi thought unhappily, because he was henged to look like Genma, she never even knew who she killed. “What about Shizune?” he suggested softly, “Can she do what needs to be done?”

“No, she doesn’t have the skill.” the snake summoner replied mournfully, “I . . . I’m going to die.” He staggered back against the wall, clutching his chest in shock.

“No you will not.” the copy-nin snapped, grabbing the sannin by the shoulders and pulling him into a protective embrace, “We’ll figure out something. I can use the sharingan, you can teach me . . . Shizune and I will do it together.”

“I doubt that will work . . . although I appreciate your willingness to try.” Orochimaru replied faintly, “Let’s go see if we can find her.”

They hunted the bowels of the complex, eventually sensing her weak chakra signature in Tsunade’s quarters. When they finally broke through the doors they found her lying in a pool of blood, both her wrists slashed. “Why?” Kakashi cried as they desperately worked to stop the flow of blood.

“I saw what she had you do.” Shizune whispered brokenly, “She never told me . . . I wouldn’t have let her disturb Uncle’s rest. Now they’re both dead, and there’s nothing left for me to live for.” She shut her eyes, chest rising and falling sporadically before stilling completely.

“She’s dead pretty . . . and so are our hopes.” the sannin declared sadly, “There’s no way you can do this without her.”

“I won’t let you give up.” the copy-nin snarled, “We will figure something out. Itachi will be here soon.”

“Will you stay with me till the end?” Orochimaru asked in a small voice.

“Of course I will.” Kakashi swore, “I won’t leave you alone.” He scooped the forlorn snake summoner into his arms and strode back toward his quarters. “We’ll go rest now, when our minds are clearer we can try and come up with a plan.”

Genma staggered through the forest, stumbling clumsily in his haste to put distance between himself and his captors. “Hold.” a familiar voice rang out, and he looked up in relief to see Bear looming over him.

“Thank god.” he breathed, hastily making the signs and whispering “Kai” to release the illusion.

“Genma, is it really you?” the ANBU asked cautiously.

“Yes . . . I’m so glad to see you guys.” the honey-haired man replied with a smile, “We need to go rescue Hatake, he helped me escape but he stayed behind.”

“Our orders are to extract you and get you to Konoha as soon as possible.” his escort replied seriously, “Hatake wasn’t mentioned . . . he must be someone else’s problem.”

“He’s my problem.” Genma insisted, “He risked himself to save me, I can’t just leave him there.”

“You’re going to have to . . . my orders are clear.” Bear retorted, “We’ll carry you if you resist.”

The group set off toward Konoha at a brisk pace, Bear opting to carry the still unsteady Genma so they could make better time. When they reached the gate the Rokudaime himself came running out to greet them, pulling his lover off the ANBU’s back to wrap him in a desperately tight hug.

“I though I’d lost you.” Iruka muttered brokenly, “Don’t ever scare me like that again.”

“Hatake saved me.” the honey-haired man said sadly, “I wanted to go back for him but they wouldn’t let me.” he complained as he jerked a thumb toward the ANBU contingent.

“Kakashi says he has a plan.” Ibiki rumbled, “We’re trusting his judgement. How was he, did you see him?”

“When I first arrived they took me to see Orochimaru . . . Kakashi was there. He kissed me and told me he had a plan. I didn’t see him again until he was pushing me out the door. He’s not restrained though and I didn’t see any injuries.” Genma concluded.

“He said Orochimaru was planning on transferring into your body.” the Hokage explained with concern, “Did they do anything to you?”

“They kept me pretty doped up . . . but I did think it was odd no one even tried to question me. Now I guess I see why. I owe Kakashi my life . . . I hope I get a chance to thank him.” the senbon-sucker muttered.

“I think you two should take this somewhere more private.” Ibiki commented drily, “You really don’t need this spread all over town. Besides,” he continued with a sly smile, “I’m sure you want to catch up. I’ll see you both later.”

The Rokudaime and his lover disappeared, rematerializing in the Hokage’s private quarters. “I’ve missed you so much.” Iruka moaned as he kissed every inch of his lover’s face, “I’m so glad you came back to me.”

“I love you too.” Genma husked sultrily, “I was so worried I’d never get to taste you again.”

“I have a confession to make.” the former teacher said solemnly, “I need to tell you right away.”

“What . . . did you have my name carved on the memorial?” the senbon sucker joked.

“I slept with Ibiki.” Iruka said bluntly, “He was worried, I was worried . . . I know it’s not an excuse and I wouldn’t blame you for being mad at me . . .” he trailed off at the pointed look the honey-haired man was sending his way.

“It’s alright Ru.” Genma soothed, “I’m not mad at you. How was he?”

“It was nice . . . different. I don’t have much to compare it with. He’s hung like a horse though, you were right about that.” the Hokage stated thoughtfully.

“So . . . are we still on for that foursome?” the honey-haired man queried, “Because I will feel cheated if you’re the only one who gets to experience Ibiki’s monster cock.”

“Genma!” his lover shouted in shock, “You are incorrigible . . . but as far as I’m concerned it’s still a go . . . you still need to convince Kakashi.”

Both men turned when they felt a new chakra source appear. “Hey Umino.” a gravelly voice proclaimed, “I have a message for Ibiki, where is he?”

“Pakkun . . . is Kakashi okay?” Iruka asked anxiously.

“There’s been a change of plans.” the pug announced, “Tsunade, Shizune and Kabuto are dead and Orochimaru is dying. The boss needs to stay with him until then . . . he’ll be back in a few months. Now I really need to find Ibiki, do you know where he is?”

“I’d try his house.” the Hokage ventured and the ninken instantly disappeared without even a word of farewell.

“Now, where were we?” Genma muttered as he pulled his lover into his arms and kissed him breathless.