Into the Fire
folder
Naruto › Yaoi - Male/Male
Rating:
Adult ++
Chapters:
116
Views:
2,212
Reviews:
137
Recommended:
0
Currently Reading:
0
Category:
Naruto › Yaoi - Male/Male
Rating:
Adult ++
Chapters:
116
Views:
2,212
Reviews:
137
Recommended:
0
Currently Reading:
0
Disclaimer:
The following story is a work of fan fiction. The author does not own Naruto or its characters and is not making any money off of this work. Naruto belongs to Masashi Kishimoto-sama.
Chapter Thirty-Nine
A/N - Thank you so much to all my readers . . . I never thought I would get 10,000 hits with these pairings!! (although some reviews would be nice - hint, hint . . . they spur me to write!
Chapter Thirty-Nine
“I have a message for you from the boss.” Pakkun’s gravelly voice broke through the silence of the Hokage’s office, making Iruka jump in his seat before turning to address the summon.
“Good morning Pakkun.” the former teacher greeted him cheerily, “How is Kakashi doing?”
“Orochimaru died last night . . . the boss is upset right now, but he’ll get over it.” the pug replied confidently.
“It isn’t that easy to forget someone who’s died.” Iruka chided gently, “Not if you truly cared for them. I’m sure Hatake-san is hurting right now.”
“Boss has had lots of people die.” Pakkun said with a doggie shrug, “He always gets over it . . . now he’ll finally come home. I gotta go deliver the rest of these scrolls . . . later sensei.”
The Rokudaime flicked open the scroll and scanned it quickly, jaw dropping in shock as he read.
Hokage-sama,
Apparently I am now Otokage. While I have no intention of retaining this title, I would love to cement a treaty between our villages while it is in my power to do so. I believe such an alliance would be in the best interests of the people of both villages . . . I hope you agree.
If you send someone with treaty documents I will gladly sign them before I resign my title and return to Konoha . . . assuming, of course, that I am still welcome. Please send word with Pakkun.
Hatake Kakashi
Iruka quickly penned a reply, sealing it and setting it aside to give to Pakkun on his return before sending a runner to fetch his candidate for treaty negotiations.
“Hey Ibiki.” the pug grumbled from next to the interrogator’s desk, “Message for you.” He dug out a scroll and passed it over, looking expectantly up at the scarred man.
“What?” Ibiki growled, glaring at the scroll as if it would bite.
“I’m supposed to wait for a reply.” Pakkun replied nonchalantly, “Got anything to eat around here?”
The interrogator ignored the request and tore open the scroll, glancing at it briefly before saying emotionlessly, “I’m not going anywhere.”
“That’s it?” the pug asked incredulously, “I come all this way and that’s the best you can do? The boss is really upset, he could use a more positive response.”
“Do you even know what the scroll says?” the scarred man demanded angrily, hands on his hips as he towered over the tiny summon.
“No.” Pakkun retorted, “But I know the boss cares about you. He didn’t want to leave, you know.”
“But he didn’t want to return when he had the chance, either.” Ibiki shot back.
“It’s complicated.” the nin-ken said with a sigh, “I don’t understand it . . . but I’m sure boss can explain it to you if you ask . . . just give him a chance.” he concluded haltingly.
“I said I wasn’t going anywhere.” the interrogator responded blandly, “If Kakashi comes back and wants to see me he knows where to find me. It’s the best I can do at the moment.”
“I’ll be sure to leave out your pissy attitude when I pass the message along.” Pakkun snarked just before he jutsu’d away, leaving the tall man to slump disconsolately behind his desk, mind now a million miles away as he tried to pin down his elusive feelings for the absent copy-nin.
Jiraiya was a bit harder to find, and the summon was panting heavily by the time he located him in the fourth cheap sake shop he’d tried. “Scroll for you, shit head.” the pug growled as he dropped it in the sage’s lap and abruptly teleported away.
“Rude little . . .” the white-maned man mumbled before turning his attention to the innocuous roll of paper in his hand. Jiraiya drained his saucer, refilled it, and drained it again before unrolling the scroll to study its contents.
Jiraiya,
Your former teammate, Orochimaru, passed away this evening. I shall be returning to Konoha shortly. Please be gone when I return.
Hatake Kakashi
“That conceited little brat.” the toad sage muttered angrily, “Who does he think he is, anyway? He can’t throw me out of this village . . . I’m not the one who’s been consorting with traitors.” he huffed, before paying his tab and hurrying to the Hokage’s office to inform him of this latest outrage.
“Iruka.” the white-maned man called as he burst into the Hokage’s office, “I need to talk to you . . . right now.”
“I already told you Jiraiya,” the former teacher replied wearily, “I am not going to punish Gai-sensei . . . especially since you won’t even tell me what it is that he supposedly did to you.”
“No, it’s about this.” the sage insisted, shoving Kakashi’s scroll into the Rokudaime’s hands as he began to pace, grumbling the entire time about ungrateful brats and uppity whelps.
“So, you’re leaving then.” Iruka stated calmly, “I’m sure you’ll be able to visit in a few years when Hatake-san calms down.”
“Wait just a minute.” the toad sage roared, “You can’t boot me out of the village . . . they may have given you the title of Hokage, but I’m the strongest ninja in Konoha and you’d better not forget it.”
“That sounds suspiciously like treason, old man.” Genma growled angrily from the shadows, stepping forward to grasp Jiraiya’s arm in an iron grip, “Do you wish him confined Hokage-sama?”
“For the moment . . . until I can decide what to do with him.” the Rokudaime concluded with a nod of his head, “Just get him out of here before I do something I’ll regret.” he sighed, watching with dismay as the white-maned man was led away, lost in thought until a familiar voice pulled him from his contemplation. “Ah, Asuma, just the man I need to see . . . I have an important mission for you.”
“Sempai, you need to eat something.” Itachi’s emotionless voice cut through the haze surrounding the copy-nin and he turned his head toward the speaker.
“I’m not hungry.” he mumbled before rolling over and pressing his face back into the rumpled bedsheets, sensitive nose seeking out traces of his absent lover’s scent.
“It’s been almost a week Kakashi . . . I’m not going to let you starve yourself to death.” the Uchiha insisted, “Either you eat on your own or I’ll have to have Kisame feed you.”
“I want to go home.” the copy-nin insisted, “I can’t move on here.”
“I understand that.” Itachi soothed, “But I can’t let you leave until I know you will take care of yourself. Besides,” he continued after a brief pause, “you sent word to Konoha that you wished to negotiate a treaty . . . the least you can do is wait until the negotiator gets here.”
“Perhaps they’re not interested.” Kakashi suggested, not concerned one way or the other, “I’m not going to hang around here indefinitely and wait.”
“Give it a few more days sempai.” the dark haired man urged, “Then make your decision. Peace moves much less swiftly than war, after all.”
“Why do you care so much, anyway?” the copy-nin asked idly, “You have no intention of returning to the village . . . “
“You and Orochimaru-sama were very good to me, you helped me make peace with what happened to me . . . and what I did as a result.” the Uchiha whispered, “I owe you everything for that. Besides,” he continued mournfully, “you remind me of Kisame . . . I hope by comforting you that, perhaps, I’m ensuring someone will comfort him when I am no longer here.”
“Aaa.” Kakashi replied enigmatically, “I wouldn’t worry about Kisame . . . he’ll be fine. Are you sure you won’t come to Konoha and consult the medics there? Perhaps they can do something to stop the progression of your condition.”
“No, I’m fine.” Itachi insisted, “I’m not worried about myself . . . besides I’m blind, what’s the point of healing a blind ninja?”
“You’re worth more than just your skills as a ninja, ‘tachi.” the copy-nin murmured sincerely, “No one in Konoha would be heartless enough to turn you away because of that.”
“No . . . But, perhaps I do not wish to continue like this indefinitely.” the dark haired man replied solemnly, “I should have a say in the matter, should I not?”
“Like you’re giving me a say in what I do?” the silver-haired jounin pointed out ruthlessly. “Leave me alone Itachi. I promise to eat something later . . . right now I’m tired.” The copy-nin rolled over and presented his back to the slender Uchiha, rejecting any further attempts at conversation.
Chapter Thirty-Nine
“I have a message for you from the boss.” Pakkun’s gravelly voice broke through the silence of the Hokage’s office, making Iruka jump in his seat before turning to address the summon.
“Good morning Pakkun.” the former teacher greeted him cheerily, “How is Kakashi doing?”
“Orochimaru died last night . . . the boss is upset right now, but he’ll get over it.” the pug replied confidently.
“It isn’t that easy to forget someone who’s died.” Iruka chided gently, “Not if you truly cared for them. I’m sure Hatake-san is hurting right now.”
“Boss has had lots of people die.” Pakkun said with a doggie shrug, “He always gets over it . . . now he’ll finally come home. I gotta go deliver the rest of these scrolls . . . later sensei.”
The Rokudaime flicked open the scroll and scanned it quickly, jaw dropping in shock as he read.
Hokage-sama,
Apparently I am now Otokage. While I have no intention of retaining this title, I would love to cement a treaty between our villages while it is in my power to do so. I believe such an alliance would be in the best interests of the people of both villages . . . I hope you agree.
If you send someone with treaty documents I will gladly sign them before I resign my title and return to Konoha . . . assuming, of course, that I am still welcome. Please send word with Pakkun.
Hatake Kakashi
Iruka quickly penned a reply, sealing it and setting it aside to give to Pakkun on his return before sending a runner to fetch his candidate for treaty negotiations.
“Hey Ibiki.” the pug grumbled from next to the interrogator’s desk, “Message for you.” He dug out a scroll and passed it over, looking expectantly up at the scarred man.
“What?” Ibiki growled, glaring at the scroll as if it would bite.
“I’m supposed to wait for a reply.” Pakkun replied nonchalantly, “Got anything to eat around here?”
The interrogator ignored the request and tore open the scroll, glancing at it briefly before saying emotionlessly, “I’m not going anywhere.”
“That’s it?” the pug asked incredulously, “I come all this way and that’s the best you can do? The boss is really upset, he could use a more positive response.”
“Do you even know what the scroll says?” the scarred man demanded angrily, hands on his hips as he towered over the tiny summon.
“No.” Pakkun retorted, “But I know the boss cares about you. He didn’t want to leave, you know.”
“But he didn’t want to return when he had the chance, either.” Ibiki shot back.
“It’s complicated.” the nin-ken said with a sigh, “I don’t understand it . . . but I’m sure boss can explain it to you if you ask . . . just give him a chance.” he concluded haltingly.
“I said I wasn’t going anywhere.” the interrogator responded blandly, “If Kakashi comes back and wants to see me he knows where to find me. It’s the best I can do at the moment.”
“I’ll be sure to leave out your pissy attitude when I pass the message along.” Pakkun snarked just before he jutsu’d away, leaving the tall man to slump disconsolately behind his desk, mind now a million miles away as he tried to pin down his elusive feelings for the absent copy-nin.
Jiraiya was a bit harder to find, and the summon was panting heavily by the time he located him in the fourth cheap sake shop he’d tried. “Scroll for you, shit head.” the pug growled as he dropped it in the sage’s lap and abruptly teleported away.
“Rude little . . .” the white-maned man mumbled before turning his attention to the innocuous roll of paper in his hand. Jiraiya drained his saucer, refilled it, and drained it again before unrolling the scroll to study its contents.
Jiraiya,
Your former teammate, Orochimaru, passed away this evening. I shall be returning to Konoha shortly. Please be gone when I return.
Hatake Kakashi
“That conceited little brat.” the toad sage muttered angrily, “Who does he think he is, anyway? He can’t throw me out of this village . . . I’m not the one who’s been consorting with traitors.” he huffed, before paying his tab and hurrying to the Hokage’s office to inform him of this latest outrage.
“Iruka.” the white-maned man called as he burst into the Hokage’s office, “I need to talk to you . . . right now.”
“I already told you Jiraiya,” the former teacher replied wearily, “I am not going to punish Gai-sensei . . . especially since you won’t even tell me what it is that he supposedly did to you.”
“No, it’s about this.” the sage insisted, shoving Kakashi’s scroll into the Rokudaime’s hands as he began to pace, grumbling the entire time about ungrateful brats and uppity whelps.
“So, you’re leaving then.” Iruka stated calmly, “I’m sure you’ll be able to visit in a few years when Hatake-san calms down.”
“Wait just a minute.” the toad sage roared, “You can’t boot me out of the village . . . they may have given you the title of Hokage, but I’m the strongest ninja in Konoha and you’d better not forget it.”
“That sounds suspiciously like treason, old man.” Genma growled angrily from the shadows, stepping forward to grasp Jiraiya’s arm in an iron grip, “Do you wish him confined Hokage-sama?”
“For the moment . . . until I can decide what to do with him.” the Rokudaime concluded with a nod of his head, “Just get him out of here before I do something I’ll regret.” he sighed, watching with dismay as the white-maned man was led away, lost in thought until a familiar voice pulled him from his contemplation. “Ah, Asuma, just the man I need to see . . . I have an important mission for you.”
“Sempai, you need to eat something.” Itachi’s emotionless voice cut through the haze surrounding the copy-nin and he turned his head toward the speaker.
“I’m not hungry.” he mumbled before rolling over and pressing his face back into the rumpled bedsheets, sensitive nose seeking out traces of his absent lover’s scent.
“It’s been almost a week Kakashi . . . I’m not going to let you starve yourself to death.” the Uchiha insisted, “Either you eat on your own or I’ll have to have Kisame feed you.”
“I want to go home.” the copy-nin insisted, “I can’t move on here.”
“I understand that.” Itachi soothed, “But I can’t let you leave until I know you will take care of yourself. Besides,” he continued after a brief pause, “you sent word to Konoha that you wished to negotiate a treaty . . . the least you can do is wait until the negotiator gets here.”
“Perhaps they’re not interested.” Kakashi suggested, not concerned one way or the other, “I’m not going to hang around here indefinitely and wait.”
“Give it a few more days sempai.” the dark haired man urged, “Then make your decision. Peace moves much less swiftly than war, after all.”
“Why do you care so much, anyway?” the copy-nin asked idly, “You have no intention of returning to the village . . . “
“You and Orochimaru-sama were very good to me, you helped me make peace with what happened to me . . . and what I did as a result.” the Uchiha whispered, “I owe you everything for that. Besides,” he continued mournfully, “you remind me of Kisame . . . I hope by comforting you that, perhaps, I’m ensuring someone will comfort him when I am no longer here.”
“Aaa.” Kakashi replied enigmatically, “I wouldn’t worry about Kisame . . . he’ll be fine. Are you sure you won’t come to Konoha and consult the medics there? Perhaps they can do something to stop the progression of your condition.”
“No, I’m fine.” Itachi insisted, “I’m not worried about myself . . . besides I’m blind, what’s the point of healing a blind ninja?”
“You’re worth more than just your skills as a ninja, ‘tachi.” the copy-nin murmured sincerely, “No one in Konoha would be heartless enough to turn you away because of that.”
“No . . . But, perhaps I do not wish to continue like this indefinitely.” the dark haired man replied solemnly, “I should have a say in the matter, should I not?”
“Like you’re giving me a say in what I do?” the silver-haired jounin pointed out ruthlessly. “Leave me alone Itachi. I promise to eat something later . . . right now I’m tired.” The copy-nin rolled over and presented his back to the slender Uchiha, rejecting any further attempts at conversation.