Into the Fire

Chapter Thirty-Five

Jiraiya approached the site of Orochimaru’s headquarters with trepidation. As Iruka had so helpfully pointed out, an invitation did not necessarily indicate safety. Knowing the feelings the two men inside held for him, the sage was fairly certain he’d be lucky to survive the encounter. Still, he’d said he was coming and it was a promise he intended to keep.

“My lord.” the servant bowed deeply to the snake summoner, waiting for his signal before continuing melodiously, “You have a visitor. Shall I show him in?”

“We have company Kakashi.” the sannin called to his lover, “Put something on and come here.”

A few minutes later the copy-nin wandered out of the bathroom, dressed in only a pair of sweat pants slung low on his hips, dampness still sparkling in his disheveled silver locks. “Good morning.” he husked as he dipped his head to nibble the long column of the sannin’s neck, never noticing as the door opened and Jiraiya was shown inside.

“What are you doing here?” Orochimaru hissed angrily, causing the copy-nin to stop what he was doing and lift his head to regard the toad sage with mild distaste.

“I asked him to come . . . I thought, perhaps, you had things to say before . . . while you can.” Kakashi explained in a soft, soothing voice, “You loved him once.”

“I thought we settled this.” the sannin retorted, despair clearly evident in every line of his body, “Why do you keep insisting I want someone else koishii?”

“I don’t want you to have any regrets.” the copy-nin fired back in a cold, steely voice, “I couldn’t live with that.” Jiraiya’s mouth dropped when Kakashi gathered the snake summoner tenderly into his arms and kissed his forehead, voice softening lovingly as he added “Your happiness is important to me Oro-sama. He’s the only one left now that Tsunade is gone . . . at least clear the air between you. I promise not to be jealous.” he finished with a throaty chuckle.

“I should hope not, pretty.” the snake summoner retorted drily, “This is your idea, after all.”

“Stop talking about me like I’m not here.” Jiraiya muttered angrily, “It’s very rude . . . especially since you invited me, after all.”

“Kakashi invited you.” Orochimaru grumbled, “He’s trying to distract me from my imminent demise . . . and more pleasurable pursuits.”

“I would never distract you from the pursuit of pleasure.” the copy-nin purred lustily, “But that still leaves a lot of hours in the day.”

“Not necessarily, koishii.” the sannin rasped, pressing himself tightly against the taller man and rocking his hips suggestively.

“Stop that.” the toad sage bit out, hand over his eyes, “Are you going out of your way to make me uncomfortable?”

“Hardly.” the snake summoner replied icily, “I’m attempting to enjoy myself with my chosen companion . . . it shouldn’t be so surprising considering my projected life span.”

“Who says you’re dying anyway?” Jiraiya asked curiously, “You look a hell of a lot better than I do . . . you even look better than Kakashi, I certainly would never guess you were on your last legs.”

“Watch yourself old man.” the copy-nin snarled, moving protectively in front of his smaller lover, “I don’t like what you’re implying.”

“Is that so, brat?” the toad sage growled back, “Well, maybe I don’t like the fact that you’re sleeping with the enemy . . . let alone the details, like the fact that said enemy is not only a man, but also old enough to be your father.”

“Why is any of that your business?” Kakashi queried hoarsely, body rigid and sharingan spinning threateningly.

“You’re family . . . even if I never had the guts to acknowledge it before now.” Jiraiya mumbled, “I’m trying to protect you.”

“You’re too late,” the copy-nin replied almost cheerfully, “by about twenty years . . . I guess writing porn and looking down Tsunade’s shirt was more important than claiming your only living relative.”

“I didn’t . . . I wouldn’t . . . How could I . . .” the white-maned sage stammered, unable to muster a comeback in the face of his indignation. “You can’t just dump everything on me, I wasn’t even in the village.” he finally concluded.

“Because you were too busy running away.” Kakashi said decisively, “It doesn’t matter anyway . . . I didn’t bring you here for me, I brought you here for Oro-sama.”

“What is with all the lovey-dovey stuff, then?” Jiraiya snarked, “Fine, I get it, you’re sleeping together . . . you don’t need to rub my nose in it.”

“We aren’t doing anything of the sort Jiji.” the snake summoner interjected, “I’m sorry if it bothers you, but I love Kakashi very much and I have no intention of hiding it.”

The toad sage’s face twisted in distaste but he held his tongue, eventually settling for “I’m not asking you to hide anything . . . I would, however, prefer not to see you stick your tongue, or anything else, down my nephew’s throat.”

“If that is your preference.” Kakashi conceded as he pulled the dark haired sannin close and proceeded to thoroughly explore his mouth, making sure the white-maned sage got a good look at his tongue in action, smiling against his lover’s lips at the loud groan it garnered.

“Take me back to bed, pretty?” Orochimaru entreated and the copy-nin was quick to comply, ignoring Jiraiya’s protests as he swept the slender man into his arms and headed back to the bedroom.

“What am I supposed to do?” the toad sage yelled angrily at their retreating backs.

“Anything that doesn’t involve interrupting us.” Kakashi broke the kiss to murmur, “Unless you want him to join us koi?”

“No, he had his chance . . . I told you, I won’t share you with anyone.” Orochimaru answered earnestly as the copy-nin kicked the door shut, leaving the sputtering sage to cool his heels to the sounds of their lovemaking.

Ibiki slowly opened his eyes, blinking several times as he tried to work out exactly where he was. “You’re in the hospital.” a familiar voice supplied, “Care to explain why?” The interrogator looked up into the worried face of the Rokudaime and merely shook his head, unable to recall exactly what had befallen him . . . until he noticed the green clad figure hovering nervously in the background.

“You!” the scarred man roared as he attempted to climb out of bed, only to fall flat on his face, refracturing his already broken nose, when he realized both of his legs were in casts. “What did you do to me?” he bellowed angrily, “I am going to kill you when I get out of here.”

“Now, now Ibiki.” Iruka soothed, “There’s no point in blaming Gai . . . from what I heard going out drinking was your idea.”

“I just wanted to find out more about Kakashi.” the interrogator gritted out as he attempted to reset his own nose, “I certainly never intended on ending up like this.”

“That’s reassuring.” the Hokage chuckled, “But I’m still waiting for your explanation.”

“I Am Afraid It Is My Fault Hokage-Sama.” Gai declared loudly, “I Challenged The Lover Of My Eternal Rival To A Competition . . . Perhaps That Was A Bad Idea When We Had Already Been Drinking.”

“Obviously.” Iruka gritted out, pinching his nose to ward off the headache prolonged contact with Gai tended to give him. “What exactly was the nature of this competition?”

“Hand To Hand Combat.” Gai responded readily, “No Weapons Or Jutsu Allowed.”

“So Gai beat you up?” the former teacher asked in confusion.

“Not exactly.” Ibiki answered in a nearly inaudible voice, “Although he did beat me, we just . . . there was a little confusion when I answered his question.”

“Which was?” the Hokage prodded.

“How I got Kakashi to take off his mask.” the interrogator replied sullenly.

“Ibiki Kissed Me.” Gai supplied helpfully, “Then He Smacked His Head On The Ground And I Punched Him In The Face.”

“That explains the concussion and the broken nose . . . what happened to your ribs and your knees?” the confused Rokudaime asked.

“Gai broke my ribs hugging me, and I broke my knees falling on the pavement.” the scarred man admitted sullenly, “Now . . . if we’re done with pick on Ibiki day, do you think I could get out of here?”

“I’m afraid not.” Iruka replied matter-of-factly, “You’re going to have to stay here for a few days . . . there’s no way you can take care of yourself like this.”

“But I hate the hospital.” the interrogator whined, “The food is awful and there’s nothing to do.”

“I’m sure your office will be more than happy to run your paperwork over for you.” the Hokage said with a smile, “That’ll keep you busy.”

“I Will Be Honored To Help You, Oh Lover Of My Eternal Rival.” Gai declared dramatically, “I Vow To Make Sure Your Every Need Is Catered To Until My Rival Returns.” Ibiki cast a panicked look in Iruka’s direction, praying the former teacher would take pity on him and somehow divert the green beast from his self-appointed task.

“I think that’s an excellent idea.” the Rokudaime replied with a smirk, crushing the interrogator’s hopes for a speedy, and quiet, recovery. “I’ll check in on you in a day or so Ibiki. You take good care of him Gai . . . I’m sure Kakashi would be upset to come home and find him injured.”

“I hate you.” the scarred man muttered angrily, slumping lower in the bed and praying for unconsciousness to once again overtake him