Into the Fire

A/N - msuzumaki - thank you so much!! I try hard to make them believable! TiEnya - I'm sorry to say this is the only one of my stories here that is still unfinished (so no updates on the others) . . . but thanks for checking!


Chapter Forty-Five

Seven forty-five found Kakashi studying himself critically in the mirror. After an entire day of shopping he had somehow ended up dressed in the kimono he’d had in the first place. “You look very handsome Kakashi-san.” Kurenai giggled appreciatively.

“Good, now let’s get going and give the poor man some privacy.” Asuma growled, taking his wife’s elbow and steering her towards the door. “I’m so sorry.” he mouthed over his shoulder to the copy-nin.

“Thank you for your help Kurenai-san.” Kakashi intoned politely, bowing as he continued, “I never would have gotten it done on my own.”

“Just remember what I said.” the dark haired kunoichi coached as her husband hustled her toward the door, “You need to seduce him . . .”

I have no idea how to go about doing that, the copy-nin despaired as the couple left him alone with his scattered thoughts. I don’t want to screw this up, his internal litany continued, this is my chance to tempt him away from Gai . . . but is that really fair? He was so lost in his internal debate he almost missed the doorbell. “Coming.” he yelled frantically as he ran for the door, stopping before he opened it to smooth his kimono and compose his features, thankful as always for the cover provided by his mask.

“Ibiki, you’re right on time.” Kakashi murmured, looking up into startled ebony orbs. “Is something wrong?”

“No, no.” the interrogator assured him as he tried to cover his sudden nervousness. He is so far out of your league, the scarred man’s mental voice piped up, just look at him. So look he did . . . Ibiki couldn’t seem to stop blatantly staring at the elegant figure, back ramrod straight and alabaster skin flashing against the black silk of the kimono he wore so effortlessly.

“So Ibiki.” the copy-nin purred, “Shall we go?” He used the opportunity to surreptitiously study the interrogator, appreciatively raking his eyes over the large form, enjoying the play of muscles under the fitted pants and shirt.

Ten minutes later they were being seated at a cozy table in a small private room. Before they had a chance to speak a flurry of staff poured into the tiny space, warming sake and setting heated stones in front of each man. Large platters of various meat and vegetables were placed in between them before the waiters turned as one, bowed, and quickly disappeared.

“You cook on the stones.” Ibiki piped up, thankful for something to talk about, “I thought this way you could take your mask off and enjoy the food.”

“Thank you.” Kakashi replied sincerely, “I was wondering how to make a good impression while still managing to eat in under five seconds.”

“You don’t need to make a good impression Kakashi.” the scarred man assured him hastily.

Of course I don’t, the copy-nin thought mournfully, I already blew it. “It was particularly thoughtful of you then.” he whispered.

“What’s wrong?” the interrogator probed, “Did you not want to be here?”

“Oh no, it’s not that.” Kakashi demurred, “I just wish things had turned out differently, that’s all.”

“You miss him, don’t you?” Ibiki queried sharply.

“Who, Orochimaru?” the silver-haired jounin asked nervously.

“Who else?” the scarred man said with a shrug, “You said he was important to you.”

“He . . . understood me.” the copy-nin explained haltingly, “He suffered under Sarutobi-sama just as I did. We . . . had nothing to fear with each other.” He turned his lone, piercing eye on the scarred man, studying him carefully before continuing, “I killed him . . . I didn’t mean to, but my actions led to his death . . . how could I leave him alone to die, knowing it was my responsibility?” That grey eye watched the interrogator like a hawk, searching for signs of rejection before adding, “It’s best that you’re seeing someone else . . . I’m bad luck. Gai’s a good man,” he said enigmatically, “I think I understand what happened.”

“I don’t.” Ibiki practically whined, “What does Gai have to do with anything?”

“I saw you two yesterday, at the market.” Kakashi whispered conspiratorially, “He’s a bit loud . . . and green, but I think I can see the attraction.”

“I am not attracted to Gai.” the scarred man squeaked, “Believe me, that is the farthest thing from my mind.”

“But he was hugging you, and then he carried you off in his arms.” the copy-nin protested, “It was all very romantic.”

“Trust me . . . the words romance and Gai never even entered my mind at the same time.” Ibiki insisted, “He wanted help with an interrogation. He has insisted on . . . helping me . . . until your return.”

“Helping you?” Kakashi said distrustfully.

“After I got out of the hospital I had trouble getting around on my crutches at first.” the scarred man explained, “Gai felt he had to help me since it was at least partially his fault I was injured.”

“You’re not dating?” the copy-nin asked hopefully.

“Oh gods no.” the interrogator demurred, “That will never happen.”

“Why did you turn me away then?” the jounin croaked.

“I didn’t turn you away . . . I just gave you your key.” Ibiki protested, “I thought you would still be upset over Orochimaru. Genma said I should give you some time and space to recover.”

“You’re taking relationship advice from Genma?” Kakashi queried unbelievingly.

“I need to confess.” the scarred man insisted, “I was upset when I first saw you with Orochimaru . . . I thought you were never coming back and I . . . well, to be blunt I was pissed off . . . I wanted to hurt you, so I slept with Iruka . . . and then with he and Genma together.”

“What?” the copy-nin was confused, “You slept with Iruka? What are you saying?”

“I’m sorry.” the interrogator swore, “I know it was petty and childish . . . not to mention pointless, I couldn’t forget you no matter how hard I tried.”

“You don’t owe me any apologies, I missed you too.” came the sincere reply, “I thought of you every day. I always intended on coming home . . . but I knew you’d be better off without me.”

“That’s ridiculous.” Ibiki insisted, “How could losing you be better? I’ve missed you terribly.” he assured the copy-nin, lifting a long fingered hand to his lips and kissing it tenderly. “So, how is it being back in your own home again?”

“It’s a little weird, to be honest.” Kakashi replied thoughtfully, “I haven’t lived there since I was a child. I had a hard time sleeping.” he admitted ruefully.

“It’s a beautiful house.” the scarred man commented as he slid some meat onto his stone, covering his awkwardness with the small talk by fussing with his cooking food, poking at it with his chopsticks impatiently and drawing a smile from the solemn copy-nin.

He’s nervous, Kakashi thought with wonder, instantly relaxing enough to draw his first deep breath. “It’s too big for one person.” he remarked as he selected a few shrimp and some eggplant, surreptitiously studying the interrogator as he placed them on the stone to cook.
“You look good in those clothes.” he ventured nervously.

“They’re a little . . . clingy for my taste.” Ibiki concluded after a moment’s thought. “Genma assured me I looked hot . . . I wanted to impress you.” he admitted bashfully, “You look amazing in that kimono.”

“It’s too formal . . . I knew it would be wrong.” the copy-nin fretted anxiously, “I just wanted to make sure I looked my best so I could lure you away from Gai.”

“Silly man.” the interrogator replied honestly, “No one with eyes could resist you, no matter what you wear.” He cupped a pale cheek tenderly in his large hand, rubbing the satiny skin with his thumb as he locked eyes with the skittish jounin. “You’re beautiful.”

“So,” Kakashi ventured, eager to change the subject, “how have things been here in the village?”

“It’s been good . . . busy.” the scarred man replied thoughtfully, “Things are running a lot more smoothly now . . . Iruka’s almost caught up on the backlog. The clan heads have been helping him out.”

“That’s good.” the copy-nin responded absently, “He seems like a good man. You slept with the Hokage, huh?” he continued with a smirk.

“You were sleeping with the Otokage.” came the bitter response, “How could I possibly compete with that? Iruka and Genma were kind enough to offer me some comfort.”

Kakashi had no response, merely studying his companion critically as they continued to eat. Eventually he leaned back from the table and remarked, “That was very good. I’ll have to remember this place.”

“I’m glad you enjoyed it.” Ibiki replied with a broad smile, “Does this mean you’ll go out with me again?”

“Are you sure you want to?” came the wry retort.

“How could I not?” the scarred man admitted, “No one could possibly measure up to you. How does tomorrow night sound?”