Fanning the Flames

Chapter Forty-One

By the time Gai and Genma reached the Hatake compound Iruka was already there, locked in heated debate with the stubborn copy-nin. “It's for your own good Hatake-san,” the Hokage insisted.

“I see no advantage in leaving my home to go and stay with you and your husband,” Kakashi snapped back. “This is just another ploy on your part to try and take my baby.”

“You're being paranoid.” Iruka tried to soothe the angry jounin. “All I want to do is to keep an eye on you in case you need assistance. What if you have an accident?”

“I am perfectly capable of caring for myself Rokudaime-sama. You need to remember I'm retired. You can't order me to do anything.” The copy-nin dug in his heels and refused to rise to the bait. “Perhaps you could better spend your time mending fences with your husband instead of meddling in my affairs.”

“That child may well be mine. I'm not going to let you risk her health.”

“How dare you imply I can't care for my child.” Kakashi stopped his rant to answer the door. “What do you two want?”

“I came to check on you,” Genma admitted. “But it seems Mr. Selfish got here first.”

“I heard that,” Iruka growled. “You have no idea what's going on. How dare you walk in here and insult me?”

“I dare because I'm your husband and you're being an idiot,” the senbon sucker explained. “I don't care if you are Hokage. You can't just bully Hatake-san into doing what you want. Once Ibiki is out of the hospital he's going to kick your ass just for trying. As it stands right now, I'll help him.”

Bull teleported into the midst of the fray, a wriggling bundle clamped delicately between his teeth. The copy-nin forgot all about the pitched battle taking place not five feet away when he realized just what his ninken was delivering.

“Hey boss,” the hound mumbled once Kakashi had relieved him of his burden. “Itachi named him Obito. The old man will be by later after he gets the Uchiha settled.”

“Obito?” the copy-nin whispered, shock visible on his face.

“Rival,” Gai boomed, startling the infant into letting out a shockingly loud wail. “Whose Baby Is That? How Cool You Are To Not Shy Away From Work Usually Left To The Delicate Flowers of Womanhood.”

“Did you just call me a woman?” Kakashi growled.

“Men Do Not Have The Temperment For Child Care,” the green beast proclaimed. “We Are Too Manly And Brash For The Little Ones To Feel Safe.”

“I am not a woman, Gai.” The copy-nin kept his eyes firmly fixed on the child in his arms, ignoring the trio in favor of heading into the lounge and settling on the couch with his son. “Hello sweetie,” he murmured as he nuzzled the silvery tuft on the baby's head.

“Seriously Kakashi,” Gai continued, trailing after the jounin and plunking himself down in a nearby armchair. “Whose Child Is That? Its Hair Looks A Lot Like Yours.”

“This is my son, Hatake Obito,” the copy-nin declared with a broad smile. “Don't underestimate him Gai. His other parent is Uchiha Itachi. He'll be a formidable opponent one day.” The baby opened his eyes and peered up at his father, eyes flaring red for a moment before settling back to inscrutable onxy.

“Rival I . . . I Don't Know What To Say. I Was Not Expecting This,” Gai admitted sheepishly. “Is That Where You've Been All This Time?”

“No,” Kakashi admitted. “I was in Suna most of the time.” The copy-nin turned his attention back to the solemn infant in his arms. “I'll have to take you to see your Uncle Gaara and Uncle Raidou as soon as I can travel. They'll be so excited to see you.”

“Hatake-san,” Iruka cut in from the door. “Are you feeling alright? Should I call the doctor?”

“I'm fine Iruka,” the jounin insisted. “I've already told you, you don't need to worry about me.”

“Is that a baby?” the Hokage continued relentlessly.

“This is my son, Hatake Obito,” the copy-nin reluctantly admitted. “Bull brought him to me since I couldn't go to Oto for the birth.”

“May I hold him?” Iruka asked even as he plucked the baby from his father's arms. “Aren't you precious,” he cooed.

“I'd like to have my son back Hokage-sama,” Kakashi gritted out as he tried to snatch Obito back from the Rokudaime.

“Just relax, Hatake-san. I'm not going anywhere. I just want to look at him.” The former teacher nuzzled the infants belly. “Aren't you just the sweetest thing.”

“Give him back,” Genma ordered. “He's not your baby Ru.”

“I'm just holding him.”

“Don't argue with me,” the senbon-sucker barked. “Give Kakashi back his baby or I'll make you.”

“He can't possibly take care of this child by himself. Not while he's pregnant,” the Hokage countered.

“Hokage-Sama, You Need To Give My Rival His Son Now.” Gai glowered at the former teacher, eyebrows drawing down in a worried furrow. “It Is Most Unyouthful Of You To Attempt To Deprive Kakashi Of His Child.”

“It's just for a few days,” Iruka tried to argue. “I'll bring him back when Ibiki gets out of the hospital. Of course, you could just give in and come stay with us Hatake-san.”

The copy-nin saw red. All he could focus on was the threat to his son. He growled deep in his throat and began gathering his chakra, but before he could properly form an attack the Hokage made the hand signs and disappeared with the child.

“That son of a bitch,” Genma swore. “I'll get your son back for you.”

Kakashi grew very pale, slumping to the floor and hugging his knees. “Rival?” Gai asked unsurely. “Do You Need Assistance?”

The jounin did not respond. Just as a large hand was reaching out to shake the unresponsive copy-nin the front door banged open. “We're back 'shi-kun,” Kurenai called as she lifted the twins from their stroller and headed off in search of her friend.

“We're In Here,” Gai called.

“What the hell did you do to him?” Kurenai husked dangerously.

“Hokage-sama Took His Son. Genma-san Went After Him,” the taijutsu master explained.

“I'll call Asuma, maybe he can help talk to Iruka,” the kunoichi suggested.

“No,” the copy-ni barked. “Iruka is Asuma's brother, of course the three of them will stick together.”

“Three of whom?” Kurenai wondered.

“The brothers, Asuma, Iruka and Ibiki. They're all Sandaime's sons, of course they'd stick together.”

“Ibiki is Sandaime's son?” she gasped. “Poor 'suma, it has to be tough to find you have grown siblings.”

“The hell with that,” Kakashi insisted. “Poor me. They took my son before I even had a proper chance to say hello. I know Iruka wants this child too, but I won't let him have my daughter. As soon as I get Obito back we're going to Suna.”

“Daughter? What Daughter? You Said The Baby Was A Boy,” a very confused Gai insisted.

“That was my son, Obito. His other parent is Uchiha Itachi,” the copy-nin explained. “This is going to be a girl.” Kakashi stroked a hand over his rounded belly and smiled beatifically.

“You're Pregnant?” The taijutsu master's eyes rolled up into his head and he crumpled to the floor.

“I need a plan,” the jounin muttered. “I'm afraid I can't watch the twins right now Kurenai.” The copy-nin bit his thumb and swiped a blood trail on the ground. Moments later the pack filled the room with a chorus of barks and howl as they bayed their blood lust. “The Hokage has taken my son. I need you to get him back.”