Into the Fire

Chapter Twenty-Nine
“I love you too.” Kakashi replied tenderly, cuddling the pliant sannin close, “You’ve given me a peace I’ve never had before.”

“What will you do when I’m gone?” Orochimaru asked curiously, “Will you go back to Konoha?”

“I’d like to . . . I don’t know anywhere else I’d be safe.” the copy-nin replied honestly, “Still, I don’t expect a joyous reception . . . at the very least I’ll be in interrogation for months, and then there’s the question of my punishment.”

“Why would they punish you koishii?” the snake summoner wondered, “Didn’t you get kidnapped by my medic . . . they know that, how can they punish you for something beyond your control?”

“I sent them a message.” Kakashi muttered nervously, “I sent Pakkun to let them know Tsunade, Kabuto and Shizune were dead and you were dying. I said I’d return then . . . they know I’m here willingly.”

“Why would you do that?” the sannin said angrily, “Now they’ll be out to get you.”

“I didn’t want them to attack. You deserve some peace for the time you have left.” the jounin replied seriously, “I was trying to protect you.”

“Oh pretty.” Orochimaru intoned in a soft sad voice, “When will you stop hurting yourself for other people’s benefit? I don’t care if they attack or not . . . I care very much that you’ll be tortured for months because of our relationship.”

“I don’t.” the copy-nin insisted firmly, “I only care about making you happy, however it is in my power to do so. If that means some risk to myself, so be it.” He easily lifted the smaller man, settling them both comfortably on the bed together before sliding the kimono from his lover’s shoulder to place tender kisses on the exposed flesh. “Now, as I recall, I was getting ready to make love to you koi . . . you aren’t trying to distract me, are you?”

“No, never.” the sannin breathed, heartbeat racing as strong hands easily slid inside his kimono to stroke and pet sensitive flesh as Kakashi made good on his promise.

Ibiki arrived outside the Hokage’s office at the same time as Hyuuga Hiashi, opening the door for the dark haired man and ushering him inside while he went into Iruka’s quarters to find him. “Hey, where are you guys?” he called upon entering, following sounds back towards the bedroom.

I am not walking in on them again, the interrogator decided firmly, this can wait until they come out. “Iruka, Hyuuga Hiashi is here to see you.” he called through the door, “We’ll be in your office.”

“Get your ass in here Ibiki.” the Rokudaime’s voice sounded a bit muffled and the scarred man’s mind went wild imagining various reasons why the teacher would sound that way. “Today.” the voice came, louder and with an irritated edge this time that had the tall man jerking the door open and poking his head inside almost without thinking.

“Hiashi says he needs to see you tonight.” the torture master declared emotionlessly, “What should I tell him?”

The Hokage untangled himself from his slumbering lover, slipping on a yukata and heading for the door. “Keep Gen company until I get back . . . that means getting naked and in the bed Ibiki.” he added threateningly when the interrogator began to sit in a nearby chair.

“Is that an order?” the scarred man asked sullenly.

“Yes.” came Iruka’s firm reply, although a smile quirked his lips, “I’m sure I’ll be back before he wakes up.”

“I thought we were having dinner.” Ibiki almost pouted.

“We are, the main course is right there in front of you . . . feel free to start without me.” the Rokudaime replied with a wink before slipping out into the hall and heading for his office.

“What can I do for you Hiashi?” he asked brusquely as soon as he opened the door, “I had retired for the night.”

“I need to get some things off my chest Hokage-sama.” the clan head said softly, “I have information about the situation with Sandaime-sama that I should have given you before now.”

“Sit down Hiashi.” Iruka said more softly, “Would you like tea?”

“No, although I wouldn’t turn down sake.” the dark haired man answered honestly.

“Sake it shall be . . . just give me a moment.” the Hokage declared, heading back into his quarters to snag a bottle and two saucers, stopping for a moment to listen at the bedroom door, slurping sounds and Ibiki’s muttering sending him a picture of his exuberant lover sucking the interrogator’s cock with his usual gusto. Have fun Gen, he thought affectionately before rejoining his guest.

“So, Hiashi,” the Rokudaime began once he’d poured them each a saucer, “what did you wish to tell me.”

“Many years ago, I saw Sandaime-sama and Sakumo together . . . intimately.” the Hyuuga began haltingly, “I couldn’t stop myself, I know it was wrong and I shouldn’t have . . . but I watched them . . . and I followed Sakumo around so I could do it again.”

“It’s not exactly something to be proud of surely, but I don’t see where it changes anything.” Iruka said soothingly, “Certainly it’s nothing to get so worked up about now.”

“You don’t understand . . . one day when I was watching them Orochimaru showed up . . . he yelled at Sarutobi-sama, implied that he’d had the same sort of relationship with his Sensei that Sakumo had, and then he disappeared, left the village for years until he came back to kill Sandaime-sama. Don’t you see, so much pain could have been avoided if I had just spoken up.” Hisashi said despairingly, “I even suspected something was going on with Kakashi after Minato’s death . . . but I chose to overlook it, hope that I was wrong. I failed him, I was older, a leader of my clan . . . I should have looked out for all of them better, I did not protect my comrades or my village by my silence.” he finished mournfully.

“I understand that you’re upset.” the Rokudaime stated placidly, “But none of what happened is your fault . . . and I’m afraid that anything you might have said would only have resulted in making things worse . . . for you, if not for them.”

“Neji’s father. . .” Hiashi began before stopping and covering his face with his hands.

“Just get it out, you’ll feel better once you get it off your chest.” Iruka urged compassionately.

“Sandaime summoned me to his office . . . I was afraid to go because of what I had seen so I sent him in my place. He came home a broken man and two weeks later he sacrificed himself to supposedly save me . . . I think he actually sacrificed himself that night in the Hokage’s office.” the dark haired man finished brokenly, “It’s all my fault, he didn’t have to die, Neji didn’t have to grow up without a father.”

“It’s alright Hiashi.” the Hokage replied as he moved closer to pat the Hyuuga’s shoulder comfortingly, “We all made mistakes where this situation was concerned. No one wanted to acknowledge what was going on right under our noses . . . although in hindsight it’s clear that many people had at least an inkling, if not outright proof.” He stood and strolled over to the glass doors that led to his balcony, staring up at the heavens as if looking for enlightenment. “I think we all need to move forward, dwelling on events long past won’t change the course of our history . . . and if they did it might well not be for the better.”

He fixed the pale eyed man with a pointed look, forcing him to hold eye contact as the Rokudaime continued in a gravelly voice. “Kakashi’s ‘activities’ were pivotal in ending the war and forging our current alliances . . . had they not occurred Konoha as we know it might not even exist. As much as I despise the idea of what was done to him, I can’t in good conscience say I wish it hadn’t happened . . . do you have any idea how hard that is for me to admit? Good, kind, caring, pre-genin teacher Iruka has to finally admit that we can’t save everyone . . . and we shouldn’t even try.” He trailed off, sipping his sake idly as he fought to regain his composure.

“It’s late Hiashi, I think we both should get a good night’s sleep. If you still feel the need for reparation in the morning come and see me . . . I’m sure we can figure out something fair.” the Hokage said with a yawn.

“Of course Hokage-sama, I’m sorry to keep you up so late. Thank you for listening to me.” the Hyuuga clan leader stated with an apologetic bow.

“It’s alright, that’s why you chose me . . . right?” Iruka quipped tiredly before showing the other man to the door, slumping against it in exhaustion as soon as it shut behind the usually dour Hyuuga.

“Hey guys, did you miss me?” the Rokudaime joked when he opened the bedroom door, although his voice was tired and lacked its normal joyous lilt.

“What happened Ru?” Genma asked quietly as he moved to wrap a comforting arm around his long time lover. “Did Hyuuga-san complain about your lack of morals?”

“No Gen, nothing like that . . . I’ve just had to face a lot of hard truths lately. I’m not the person I thought I was, and very few of the things I thought were immutable truths are actually black and white. I’m less and less sure I was the right choice for this position.” he ended in a hoarse whisper.

“Come here Ru.” the honey-haired man cooed, holding out his arms to enfold his slender lover, “Let us help you forget.” he whispered in a delicate ear.

“That’s right Iruka.” Ibiki suddenly rumbled as he scooped both men into his lap, “I haven’t had my dinner yet.” He kissed the Hokage passionately, devouring his mouth as it he would never get another chance before turning to a dazed Genma and repeating the action, even as he slid three fingers into the teacher’s mouth. “Now kiss,” the interrogator continued teasingly, “I want to watch you love each other.”

The long time lovers melted together, passion fueled by their time apart and the excitement of having Ibiki calling the shots. “Mmmmmm, you taste so good Ru, like caramel.” Genma muttered before diving back in for more, hands sliding up the slender column of Iruka’s throat as he reveled in the trust his lover was showing him.

Ibiki reached between them and wrapped his hand around both of their bobbing erections, squeezing the silky flesh together as he stroked them roughly before grasping their hands and linking them in place of his, leaning back to watch the pair in appreciation for a moment before slicking his fingers and sliding one deep inside Iruka. He waited only a moment before doing the same thing to Genma, slowly thrusting and swirling as their slick forms danced against each other.

By the time he reached three fingers both men were moaning uncontrollably, desperately trying to reach their peak. “Uh, huh, not so fast . . . we’re just getting started.” the scarred man husked, laughing at the wide eyed look of surprise gracing both men’s faces, “You do still want this, don’t you?”