Into the Fire

Chapter Forty-One

It took three days to finish hammering out the treaty and Kakashi was exhausted by the time the last document had been signed. “Now’s as good a time as any.” he declared, “Itachi, are you ready to assume your duties?”

“You want to do this now?”, the Uchiha queried, “Can’t it wait until morning?”

“I want to leave tonight.” the copy-nin said decisively, “You’re welcome to wait until morning Asuma, but I find myself anxious to get home.”

“No, that’s all right, I’ll go with you . . . if you don’t mind, of course.” the bearded jounin replied cautiously, “I’d understand it if you’d rather not travel with me.”

“I’m happy to travel with you Asuma . . . you’ve never done anything to harm me.” Kakashi responded earnestly, “I’m not one to hold the acts of the father against the son . . . it would be hypocritical of me to say the least.” he concluded as he hung his head.

“Iruka uncovered information about your father also, Hatake-san. Let’s just say my family owes all the Hatakes an apology.” Asuma said with a grimace, shifting uncomfortably as he faced his fellow jounin.

“Not all of them.” the copy-nin replied grimly, “My uncle seems to skate through everything untouched and scot free.”

“You have an uncle?” the bearded man exclaimed in surprise, “I thought you were the last Hatake.”

“So did I.” Kakashi responded wryly, “Unfortunately it appears I’m related to Jiraiya, the great toad asshole.”

“I told you he was arrested just before I left.” Asuma cut in anxiously, “For treason . . . and you didn’t seem concerned.”

“I’m not concerned.” the copy-nin declared breezily, “At least, as long as I don’t have to see him . . . I wouldn’t piss on the old man if he were on fire.” He turned to Itachi and gently touched his elbow, “Are you ready ‘tachi?” he asked solicitously.

“Certainly sempai, let’s get you out of here.” the Uchiha replied airily, “What do I need to do?” Kakashi walked him through the ritual, gratefully surrendering the symbols of office, finally heaving a sigh of relief when the swearing in was complete and he could hand over the robes and hat.

“Otokage-sama.” the copy-nin bowed deferentially, “With your permission I would like to leave for Konoha now.”

“Of course Kakashi . . . we’ll miss you.” Itachi responded quietly, “I hope you’ll come visit us.”

“Of course.” the copy-nin said warmly, wrapping his arms around the slender figure and pulling him into a tight embrace, “I wish you were coming with me.” he whispered in the Uchiha’s ear before pulling back and doing the same to Kisame adding, “Call me if his health worsens . . . I’ll come right away.”

“Thank you Hatake-san.” the swordsman rumbled, “I appreciate your concern . . . hopefully I will not need to summon you.” The jounin quickly shouldered his pack, heading out rapidly and only stopping when the compound was almost out of sight to cast one last wistful glance in the direction he had come before turning determinedly towards Konoha and his future.

“We should rest soon Kakashi-san.” Asuma ventured after a few hours traveling at top speed.

“If you like.” the copy-nin replied mildly, “I think I’ll keep going though . . . I’ve been thinking of home for a long time.”

“You won’t make it without rest.” the bearded jounin argued as he lit yet another cigarette.

“I’ve done nothing but rest the last few weeks . . . I really don’t want to stop now. Don’t worry about me Sarutobi-san, I can take care of myself . . . my chakra isn’t blocked anymore.” the copy-nin assured him, “I’ll see you in Konoha. I promise to check in at the tower when I arrive.” With that he was off, leaping agilely through the trees as he rushed toward his destination . . . even as his mind mourned everything he was leaving behind and filled with rising trepidation about his future.

“Iruka, I need to talk to you.” Ibiki began explaining as soon as he hobbled through the doors, awkwardly balancing on one crutch so he could shut them and ensure their privacy.

“What is it Ibiki?” the Rokudaime asked without looking up, “I’m kind of busy.”

“Kakashi’s going to get back any day now.” the interrogator began haltingly.

“I am aware of that . . . Asuma went to engage in treaty negotiations with him before his return.” the Hokage replied absently, eyes still riveted on the document in front of him.

“What do I say to him?” the scarred man implored, “I have no idea how to win him back . . . he’s been the lover of an incredibly powerful kage, a bewitching, charismatic man . . . how can I ever get him to look at me again?”

Iruka looked up sharply, eyes softening at the sight of the obviously nervous man in front of him. “Sit down and relax Ibiki.” he replied softly, “After all . . . you can say the same thing.” he continued with a smirk.

“But it’s not the same.” the interrogator declared adamantly, “Not the same at all.”

“What did Kakashi say to you?” the Rokudaime prodded.

“That Orochimaru had died and he would be returning very soon. He said that he thought of me often and he hoped I would allow him to explain.” Ibiki admitted grudgingly.

“Well, that seems like a good place to start.” the former teacher began tentatively, “After all, you shouldn’t form an opinion without all the facts.”

“But . . . I don’t know if I can face him.” the scarred man finally divulged, “I don’t know how I feel about any of this. I don’t want to upset him . . . but I’m hurting . . .I’m angry and confused . . . I really don’t want to mess this up.” he finished pleadingly.

“Woo him.” Genma’s disembodied voice piped in from behind the desk.

“If you’re going to eavesdrop you might as well show yourself Gen.” the Hokage remarked wearily.

“Sorry Ru . . . it wasn’t official business . . .” the senbon sucker retorted nervously.

“It’s okay,” Iruka said softly, “Just come out and talk with us.”

Genma dropped the concealment jutsu, striding forward to perch on the corner of his lover’s desk. “Kakashi’s never had a normal relationship . . . never dated, never been pursued . . . never been wooed.” he concluded, stressing the last word. “You need to show him how special you think he is, and how serious you are . . . you are serious, aren’t you?”

“What do you think?” the interrogator growled, “Would I be submitting myself to this . . .” he twirled his hands in the air randomly as he struggled for the right word, “humiliating interrogation if I wasn’t serious?”

“Maybe I’m confused.” the honey-haired man admitted, “It just sounded like you were having second thoughts.”

“About me . . . never about ‘kashi.” the scarred man replied fervently.

“Well then, let’s see what we can do to ensure you get what you want.” came Genma’s confidant reply.

“Why don’t you two take it inside?” Iruka interjected, indicating the apartment, “I have a meeting in fifteen minutes. Go make dinner and I’ll join you once the clan heads leave.”

“I don’t need dinner.” Ibiki protested in an almost panicked tone of voice, backpedaling toward the door as he shook his head in negation. “Thanks for the offer, though.” he squeaked.

“Just food.” the senbon-sucker insisted, looping his arm through the interrogator’s and dragging him toward the private quarters. Once inside he headed for the kitchen, pulling ingredients out of the cupboards and fridge and beginning to chop. “Hand me that cabbage, will you?” he asked the scarred man, pointing to the vegetables he’d strewn on the counter.

“So . . . how exactly do you woo someone?” Ibiki queried as he handed the item in question to Genma, cautiously staying well away from the flashing knife he was gesturing with.

“Well . . . I think you should try asking him out. Take him someplace special, to dinner maybe or a movie . . . the important thing is that he sees you want to spend time with him, not just jump into bed.” the honey-haired man decided.

“Is that what you did?” the interrogator wanted to know.

“Not exactly . . . but Ru is a completely different case. We’ve been together since before we were really old enough to know what love or commitment was. Not that I’m complaining.” the senbon-sucker was quick to add, “But I didn’t have to convince him . . . not the way you need to with Kakashi.”

“What if he doesn’t want to be convinced?” Ibiki pushed, “Then what do I do? I’m afraid I’ll never measure up now.”

“To Orochimaru? You can’t replace him . . . whatever he was to Kakashi. The best you can do is be important in our own way. Be supportive, let him know how much you care . . . and then see where you are. I know it’s not what you want to hear,” Genma continued honestly, “but it’s the only way. When he’s ready to move on he’ll come to you . . . assuming he knows he’s welcome.”

“So . . . a date then.” the scarred man said mournfully.

“I know it’s not hot monkey sex . . . but dating can be fun.” Genma assured him, “It’ll be even hotter when you finally get around to it.”

“It’s not that . . .” Ibiki hedged, “It’s just . . . I don’t know anything about dating.”

“Well then, we’ve got a lot of work to do, don’t we?” the honey-haired man remarked happily as he set out to explain the intricacies of dating while dinner simmered.