Fanning the Flames

Chapter Thirty-Eight

“Senpai was right. This is my fault,” Itachi said hollowly. He swallowed hard and squared his shoulders, unwilling to show how badly Kisame's death had rocked him. “I think the easiest thing is just to burn it all.”

“You don't really mean that,” Jiraiya cautioned. “Think for a moment. You two were partners for years. Surely you want to lay him to rest properly.”

“What I want to do is put all of this out of my mind . . . it will be easier if there is nothing left,” the Otokage insisted. “If you won't do it, I will.” The Uchiha stepped back, prepared to unleash his family's fire jutsu, but Jiraiya just urged him back with a grunt and sent a stream of flames into the fragile structure.

“Can we go home now?” Itachi asked in a small voice.

“Of course.” The Toad Sage made the signs and moved them back into the Otokage's apartment. “Why don't I make us some tea, you go get settled and I'll be right in.”

“I'm not a child Jiraiya. There's no need to treat me as one,” Itachi retorted crossly.

“I know, but I want to take care of you. Tonight has left me feeling very protective.” The older man pulled the Uchiha into an embrace, resting his cheek on the top of the younger man's head.

“How can I say no when you put it that way?” Itachi grumbled. “You always know just what to say to get me to agree.”

“No, I don't,” Jiraiya countered. “But I have changed my approach since I've known you. I've given up trying to sweet talk my way into what I want. Now I just speak from my heart, good or bad.”

“And I appreciate it,” the Otokage murmured. “Even if I don't always like what you have to say.”

“I do care about you koi. I would hate to lose you.” The sannin gently guided the younger man into the bedroom, settling him on the bed before heading for the kitchen.

*^*^*

Ibiki cracked open one eye on a sea of white. He tried to remember when he lost consciousness, but his mind was blank. He fought against the numbness, trying to get a sense of where he was and why. He focused on the familiar voice he heard muttering somewhere off to the side. If he concentrated very hard he could almost make out the words, but the effort exhausted him and he slipped back into unconsciousness.

The next time he woke it was to sharp streaks of pain and a blinding white light. The interrogator tried to roll over, but was stopped by a hand pressed firmly in the center of his back. “You can't do that yet. Let me help you.”

Ibiki struggled to place that tantalizingly familiar voice, but in the end he gave up. He squinted against the light and strong hands deftly shifted him onto his side. “There you go. Don't try to move. Would you like something to drink? I've been so worried.” One eye managed to focus on the wavering silver blob in front of his nose and his sluggish brain finally identified the elusive voice.

“Hatake-san? Why are you here?” the interrogator asked cautiously. “What happened to me?”

“Do you not want me here?” Kakashi asked in an overly calm voice.

“I know I need a guard. I have no problem with it being you.”

“Is there someone you'd prefer?” the copy-nin pressed. “You need to stay calm, we almost lost you.”

“What happened anyway?” Ibiki grew very still for a moment, onyx eyes slipping shut as he tried to resurrect his recent memories. “Not a thing. I don't even remember the mission, which is odd. It's not often I leave the village.”

“What about me?” Kakashi croaked. “What do you remember about me?”

“I know who you are,” the interrogator said. “Hatake Kakashi, copy-nin, jounin, ANBU. I know Tsunade's Hokage and we're in Konohagakure. I just lost a few days, it happens with head injuries.”

“You did not suffer a head injury, although your heart did stop for a moment. Let me put it another way,” the copy-nin ventured. “What do you remember about us?”

“Were we on a mission together?” Ibiki asked shakily. “Thank you for bringing me home Hatake-san.”

“No,no mission. I'm retired,” Kakashi managed. “I think I'll go find the doctor and tell him you're awake. Just lay still until he tells you otherwise.” The copy-nin slipped out of the room and flattened himself against the wall, hand pressed over his mouth as tears rolled down his cheeks.

Iruka's sharp eyes quickly took in the situation and he pulled the jounin into his arms, stroking soft steely tangles as the copy-nin cried himelf out. “Better?” A loud sniff and a nod were the only response. “What happened?”

“He doesn't remember,” the jounin whispered. “Me, our marriage, the baby, he doesn't have a clue. It's probably for the best. I'm sure he'll be much happier without me. He'll need a place to live though.”

“I'm sure it's just temporary,” the Hokage soothed. “Do you want to come and stay with us until he gets out of the hospital?”

“No. I want to go home. I'll just go in and say goodnight first.” Kakashi quietly pushed the door open and peered inside. He almost turned and left, but Ibiki caught his eye and so he reluctantly stepped inside and hovered next to the bed. “Do you need anything before I leave?”

“What happened to me anyway? I feel like I got hit by a truck,” the interrogator muttered.

“You had a run in with Kisame, Uchiha Itachi's old partner. You remember him, I'm sure, one of the seven swordsman of Mist.” The copy-nin stood rooted to the spot, afraid of coming too close and losing his composure. He knew the last thing the interrogator needed was more stress.

“Who's your replacement Hatake-san? Please tell me it isn't Gai-sensei.”

“No replacement. You aren't under guard. I just wanted to see how you were doing,” the copy-nin said honestly.

“Why would you care?” Ibiki asked curiously. “I know you said you were retired. I can't get over seeing you like this though. I never would have thought you of all people would let yourself go so. You must have put on twenty pounds.”

“It's a temporary thing,” Kakashi whispered. “I'll be back to my old self soon.”

“Well, thanks for checking up on me. It's nice to have a visitor.”

“See you tomorrow.” The copy-nin practically bolted from the room. He was almost to the door when Genma cut off his line of escape.

“Ru told me what was going on,” the senbon-sucker explained. “I'm going to walk home with you and make sure you're alright.”

“Of course I'm not alright,” Kakashi snapped. “I hope this isn't your baby Shiranui. I'd like her to have at least a bit of intelligence.”

“Don't take your frustration out on me,” Genma retorted. “The doctor told Ru it was probably temporary. They're calling in a specialist to evaluate him in the morning. Right now though, the important thing is for you to get back in bed. You've had way too much excitement for one day.”

“I am not a child. I don't need your help,” the copy-nin hissed angrily. “I'm going home . . . alone. I'll talk to you tomorrow Genma.”

The senbon-sucker watched with guarded eyes as the formerly graceful jounin waddled across the waiting room and haded out into the night. Once Kakashi was on his way he ghosted out after him. Following at a safe distance to avoid detection while still keeping an eye over the pregnant, and vulnerable, copy-nin.

Once the ghostly figure reached the Hatake compound he turned and rendevoused with the black ops iruka had sent after them. “Keep an eye on him. Let us know if he does anything suspicious. If he appears to be in pain we need to know immediately, he's under medical care for dangerously high blood pressure.”

The pair of silent figures nodded and faded into the night, quickly finding hidden locations from which to keep an eye on the house and its occupant.

Once inside Kakashi wandered aimlessly from room to room, one hand curled protectively around his swelling abdomen. The copy-nin trailed shakey fingers over treasured keepsakes, occasionally stopping to examine something more closely. It was then that his eyes would grow distant and a less steady hand would redeposit the treasure in its original location.

Eventually his energy waned and he laid down on the very edge of the large bed he usually shared with Ibiki. Then he allowed the tears to flow, until he cried out the last of his strength and fell into a restless sleep.