Fanning the Flames

Chapter Forty-Two

Iruka knew if he went back to the tower he'd soon be inundated by the copy-nin's angry supporters. “It's not like I'm hurting anyone,” he muttered to the solemn infant. “It's just for a few days. Your father isn't in any shape to take care of you all by himself.” The Rokudaime wracked his brain for ideas on how to elude his pursuers. Rationalize it however he wanted, the fact remained he was in the minority when it came to this.

“Perfect.” Iruka nuzzled Obito's cheek. “Let's go stay in your father's cabin, shall we? They won't think to look there.” He made the hand signs and reappeared on the engawa, stopping to gaze out at the tranquil setting before heading inside to see what they had in the way of supplies.

*^*^*

Kurenai picked up the twins and disappeared in a swirl of leaves. When she reappeared she was already yelling her husband's name. “Asuma, where are you?”

“What's wrong?” He rounded the corner, knives in hand and skidded to a halt in front of the distraught woman.

“Iruka's taken Kakashi's baby,” she explained. “You need to go get him back. He's your brother, after all.”

“Hatake had the baby?”

“No, his son, Obito. The baby just arrived from Oto and Iruka snatched him. According to our Hokage, Kakashi isn't fit to raise him on his own,” she explained.

“Idiot,” Asuma muttered. “Gonna cause a diplomatic furor. Uchiha's bound to hear about it. Where's Ibiki? He's the one that should be dealing with this.”

“Apparently Ibiki's in the hospital. That's why Iruka had a chance to snatch the baby.”

“Snatch is a stong word.” Asuma took a drag on his cigarette before continuing. “He's safeguarding Hatake's child for him.”

“Kakashi said you'd take his side,” Kurenai snipped. “I'll go deal with this myself.”

“I'll go.” After much mumbling and grumbling the jounin set off towards the tower. Not that expected to find Iruka there, but maybe he'd find some clues.

*^*^*

The ninken had no such concerns. They easily followed Iruka and Obito's chakra trail . . . right up to the point where they teleported the second time. “Hurry up tubby,” Bull growled as Pakkun sniffed around, trying to catch the scent.

“It's no use,” the pug declared wearily. “I have no idea where they've gone. The trail ends here.”

“Does anyone have any ideas?” Bull rumbled viciously. “I'm not going back and telling Kakashi we lost them. I like existing.”

“I say we spread out and look. They can't have gone outside the borders. Maybe they're in the forest, or somewhere here in town.” Pakkun began to hand out assignments and the pack scattered to the four winds, determined not to rest until Obito was back in his father's arms.

*^*^*

Ibiki opened his eyes at the sound of the door. Trying, and failing, to sit up he mumbled a greeting into his pillow and cursed the position he was forced into.

“Where's the brat?” Jiraiya asked cheerily as he bent to peer at the frustrated interrogator.

“What the hell are you talking about old man?”

“Your husband, Kakashi . . . remember, pregnant guy, hair like a grey broom?” the sannin prodded cheerily.

“Are you insane?” Ibiki asked. “You aren't making any sense Jiraiya. Go see Tsunade, she'll fix you up.”

“Tsunade's dead,” the sage said mournfully. “Don't you remember? Orochimaru killed her after she defected.”

“Why are you lying to me?” Ibiki asked suspiciously. “Whatever you're trying to find out, it isn't going to work. I know you're not who you say you are. Husband. Are you insane? Hatake-san and I barely speak. He doesn't even report to me. And men can't get pregnant, I'm not an idiot.”

“I was at your bachelor party. We got you drunk, you overslept. You ran through the streets in just your pants to beg him to not cancel the wedding. You have Kakashi's name tattooed on your ass, just look.”

“I can't look. Apparently the flesh was peeled from my ass,” the interrogator snarked back. “But I'm pretty sure I'd remember being married, especially to someone like Hatake-san.”

“Your name is Hatake now. Look at the damn chart if you don't believe me. I assume since you don't remember anything I'll find him in a tear-stained heap somewhere between here and the house.” Jiraiya turned to leave, stopping in the doorway to add, “You know he's sick. From the pregnancy. Dangerously high blood pressure, likely due to that kidney he lost in Suna. He needs you to remember.”

How can I remember something that never happened? Ibiki shut his eyes and tried to imagine what it would be like to be married to the famous copy-nin, but the only image he could conjure up was of a snarling blood drenched assassin. Eventually he drifted into a restless sleep filled with stabs of pain and barking dogs.

*^*^*

Genma pulled to a panting halt after two fruitless hours of searching. There has to be a better way, he mused. Where could Ru go inside the boundaries that no one would think to look for him? A brief, triumphant, grin lit his face and he quickly made the signs, materializing a short distance from the secluded cabin.

“Got your foot,” Iruka cooed as he sat down to feed the wriggling infant. He tickled the bottom of Obito's foot and the tiny mouth opened to accept the makeshift nipple. The Hokage's eyes narrowed as he felt his husband's chakra approaching. He considered transporting away, but he didn't want to do this alone.

“I know you're there, Gen,” he announced calmly when the senbon sucker slid underneath the window. “Come in, but be quiet. The baby is almost asleep.”

“What were you thinking?” Genma asked after he slid in through the window.

“You saw Kakashi. He's in no shape to care for a newborn,” Iruka argued. “I wanted him to come stay with us until Ibiki came home. That's all. But he wouldn't listen to me. I didn't have a choice.”

“Of course you had a choice,” the senbon sucker retorted in a hard voice. “You could have left them alone. You and I both know Hatake would die before he hurt a child. Especially one of his own. From where I stand you're acting a lot like your father. I have to say, I'm not impressed.”

“So you want me to just give him back?” the Rokudaime asked skeptically. “Are you going to take responsibility when something happens to him?”

“Nothing is going to happen. Give me the baby, Ru. We'll go home and apologize. Kakashi will probably forgive you once you explain. I'm sure he'd want to protect his son even against himself.”

“Exactly!” Iruka exclaimed. “Then he wouldn't expect me to bring him back.”

“He's set the pack on you,” Genma explained. “They won't think, they'll just tear you to shreds. Please reconsider. I love you, I'm not ready to go to your funeral.”

“I'm not afraid of the copy-nin,” the Rokudaime said. He thrust his chin out stubbornly and crossed his arms, glaring at his husband. “I think you might as well just go home if you aren't planning on helping. I have a lot to do taking care of the baby.”

“And the village? You're the Hokage. You can't just go on vacation whenever you want.”

“This child is the future of the village. Two powerful bloodlines. Think of the ninja he'll grow up to be,” Iruka whispered.

“You're sounding a lot like your father right now. Is that what you want? Why don't we compromise. Maybe Hatake and the baby could go stay with Kurenai? Or Fujiko-san can move in with him. She needs to keep an eye on him anyway. If they're in the same house she can monitor his blood pressure and help with the baby,” Genma suggested reasonably. “Kakashi's totally stressed and on the brink of doing something stupid. You'll kill the baby he's carrying if you don't go back.”

“Do you want to hold him?” Iruka held out the tiny bundle and a visibly nervous Genma carefully cradled it close. He almost dropped the child when sleepy onxy eyes blinked open and the sharingan whirled in their depths for a moment.

“Shit, I didn't know the sharingan developed at birth. I thought the Uchiha grew into it.”

“It must be due to the genetic manipulation,” the Hokage decided. “One more reason to protect him.”

“An even better reason to give him back. Hatake's the only one who can train him to use it. Do you honestly want him trying to figure it out on his own under your watch?” the senbon sucker prodded.

“I know you're right, Gen. It's just so hard. I never realized just how much I wanted a child.”

“Then we'll have one,” Genma promised. “One of our own. If they can do it, we can too. We'll start tomorrow if you like, but for kami's sake let me take Obito back where he belongs.”

The Rokudaime gave a single brief nod, reaching out to stroke the soft silver mop one last time before his husband made the signs and disappeared.