Into the Fire

Chapter Thirty-Seven

Jiraiya had slipped quietly back into Konoha a week after his departure, and since then he had been studiously avoiding the Hokage. Therefore it would be an understatement to say that he was displeased to run face to face into a glowering Umino Iruka as he was attempting to sneak a peek at the women’s bathhouse.

“Oh no you don’t.” the Rokudaime howled triumphantly as he dragged the sannin away from the bathhouse by his ear, “I’ve wasted enough time hunting for you.”

“Ouch, that hurts.” the white maned sage grumbled, “Let go of me, I’m not some child you can just drag around.”

“No, you’re an adult . . . which makes it ten times worse.” the former teacher scolded, building steam as he warmed to his subject matter, “Just because you know a few jutsu you think you can do whatever you want. Well no more!” He began tugging the reluctant sannin towards the tower, lecturing him loudly as they went. “I told you to report back to me as soon as you returned . . . but no, the great Jiraiya is too high and mighty to follow the orders of his Hokage. I’ve wasted two weeks looking for you.” Iruka continued forcefully as he continued to tow the now red-faced sage toward his office, throwing open the door and shoving the larger man forcibly into a chair. “Now report!” he demanded.

“There’s nothing to report . . . I went, I saw Kakashi and Orochimaru . . . the brat got pissy and threw me out the next morning, end of story.” Jiraiya mumbled guiltily.

“What did you do?” the Hokage chided, “I told you not to make thing worse.”

“I didn’t do anything.” the sannin retorted sullenly, “Just because I didn’t enjoy watching them make out . . .” he trailed off uncertainly at the incredulous look on Iruka’s face.

“You told Kakashi it was disgusting, didn’t you.” the Rokudaime growled.

“No . . . not exactly.” Jiraiya squeaked as he raised his hands to shield his face, “I just offered to set him up with some nice women . . . you know, for experience.”

“You really are an idiot, aren’t you.” Iruka said absently as he ran a hand over his face in dismay.

“Don’t get mad at me.” the sannin grumbled angrily, “I’m not the one consorting with traitors. Did you know he has Uchiha Itachi there with them? That clan murdering psycho gets kid glove treatment while I get tossed out like yesterday’s trash.”

“That makes sense.” the Rokudaime mused absently, “Sandaime seemed to have a thing for handsome young geniuses . . . Orochimaru, Sakumo, Hiashi’s brother, Kakashi, Itachi . . . I wonder if I could pick the others out of the records . . .”

“What kind of sense does consorting with traitors make?” Jiraiya finally yelled angrily, “You’re supposed to be the Hokage, don’t you even care?”

“That’s right, I’m the Hokage . . . which means I make the decisions about what is acceptable and what isn’t . . . not you.” the former teacher snarled, “I knew I shouldn’t have let you go, now you’ve messed everything up. You better hope to hell Kakashi comes back here, otherwise you get to explain it to Ibiki . . . and Gai.”

The toad sage shuddered at the mere mention of the green beast, shaking his head to clear it of the images it was assaulting him with before asking in a strangled voice, “Why should either of them care?”

“Ibiki is in love with Hatake-san . . . and has been as grouchy as a bear with a toothache ever since his kidnapping. Gai is Kakashi’s eternal rival . . . and an admirer of youthful love in all its many forms.” Iruka explained with a grin, “Gai-sensei has declared it his mission to make sure Ibiki and Kakashi get back together. I should warn you,” the Hokage continued with a smirk, “Ibiki has been hospitalized three times already due to Gai’s ‘help’ . . . I shudder to think what he’d look like if Gai had been trying to hurt him.”

Jiraiya’s face twisted humorously as he tried to picture the circumstances leading to Ibiki’s hospitalization. The interrogator was no pushover he had to admit, the sage had seen the scars left by his time in the torture chambers of Rock . . . and he’d seen what was left of Ibiki’s ‘guests’ by the time he was through with them, he didn’t even want to imagine the damage the scarred man could inflict if pushed.

He was jolted out of his reverie by Iruka’s next words. “I think you should go over to Ibiki’s and bring them up to speed on your visit . . . let them know how Kakashi is doing.”

“He should be back soon.” Jiraiya ventured, “Why don’t we let it be a surprise?”

“Go see them . . . now.” the Rokudaime insisted, “You really don’t want me to have you dragged there, now do you?”

“You wouldn’t.” the irate sage retorted.

“Bear, Ox.” the former teacher called, turning his head to address his ANBU, “Please escort Jiraiya-sama to Morino-san’s . . . and make sure he goes inside. You’re allowed to use whatever force is necessary.”

Kakashi rolled on his side and studied his dark haired lover closely. Even in sleep it was obvious that his body was failing, the hoarse rasp of his labored breathing filling the silence in the darkened room. This is all my fault, the copy-nin berated himself, there has to be something I can do to help him. The lanky jounin was so lost in contemplation that he never even noticed the pain filled amber eyes silently watching him. “It’s all right pretty.” the snake summoner’s labored words shocked his lover into action.

“Don’t fuss, you’ll wear yourself out.” Kakashi admonished, even as he moved to help settle the frail figure more comfortably, heart clenching at how fragile the formerly powerful nin had become. “Do you think you can eat something?” the copy-nin pressed anxiously, “I can heat some soup.”

“No, don’t leave me.” Orochimaru entreated, holding his arms out to beckon the copy-nin closer. “I want you to hold me.”

“Of course koishii.” came the tender reply as strong arms carefully lifted the sannin and settled him comfortably in Kakashi’s lap before wrapping around to cradle him close to the younger man’s body. “How’s that.” the copy-nin asked brightly as he gently stroked the ailing man’s long, dark hair.

“I’m going to miss you Kakashi.” Orochimaru commented seriously, “I wish we had more time to spend together.”

“Maybe we could try the transfer anyway?” the copy-nin suggested in a voice hoarse with unshed tears, “Kisame, Itachi and I . . . it wouldn’t matter who the receptacle was . . . we can use my body.”

“No pretty.” the snake summoner shook his head sadly, “I will not allow that . . . you of all people do not deserve to have your life cut short.” A knock on the door interrupted his labored speech and Kakashi growled angrily at the intrusion.

“What is it?” he demanded coldly, eyes never leaving the man in his arms.

“A message arrived for you.” the runner replied nervously, “It’s marked urgent, for your eyes only.”

The copy-nin snatched the scroll from the man’s hand, watching as he fled before breaking the seal and flicking it open. “It’s from Umino-san.” he remarked shortly, “He wanted to reassure me of my welcome in light of Jiraiya’s unpleasant visit. Apparently you and Itachi are also welcome to return to Konoha, should you so wish.” he continued blandly, “Do they have the ability to do what you need? I can take you there . . . anywhere, if it means you don’t have to die.”

“I doubt anyone there has the skill . . . and it’s too late in any event, I wouldn’t survive the trip.” Orochimaru replied in a soft, emotionless voice, “You need to face the fact that I’ll be dead soon, pretty. You can’t keep holding on to false hopes for some last minute rescue . . . there won’t be one.” The sannin reached up and wiped a tear from the copy-nin’s cheek, “Don’t cry for me beloved . . . I never want to make you cry.”

“I’m sorry.” the jounin gasped, “I’m trying . . . but it’s so hard. I’m not ready to let you go yet.”

“Then don’t . . . I’m still here with you Kakashi. Just kiss me and help me remember happier times.” the snake summoner entreated.

“How could I ever deny you.” the copy-nin muttered as he sealed their lips together in a passionate, oxygen stealing kiss, the sannin slumping bonelessly against him as their tongues battled.

“I want you to make me a promise Kakashi.” Orochimaru broke away to whisper seriously, “I want you to promise me you’ll find someone and be happy.”

“You’re asking me to forget you?” the jounin responded, the hurt resonating from him almost palpable, “Why . . . why would you do that?”

“You should be happy.” the sannin said sincerely, locking eyes with Kakashi’s wary mismatched pair before continuing, “You’ve made me happy . . . helped me make peace with the past and let go. It would be supremely unfair if all you took from our time together was more pain.”

“You’re the only person who’s ever loved me.” the copy-nin replied sincerely, dropping his head so his bangs would hide his troubled eyes, “I never thought anyone could love me . . . and I certainly didn’t expect to develop such feelings in return. You helped me become human, in a way I haven’t been for a very long time. I haven’t cried since my mother died when I was four . . . that’s a very long time to live without feeling.”

“All the more reason not to give up now.” Orochimaru insisted, “Don’t lock yourself away again, please.”

“I’ll try . . . since you want it so.” the copy-nin replied mournfully, “But I need some time first.”

“Not too long, pretty one.” the sannin mumbled tiredly, “The longer you wait the harder it will be.” He laid his head on Kakashi’s chest and shut his eyes, the last of his energy seeping away as he slipped back into sleep. The silver-haired jounin continued to cradle his slumbering lover tenderly, stroking his hair and basking in his presence, unwilling to sleep as long as the snake summoner was still breathing.