Fanning the Flames

Chapter Forty-Seven

Ibiki was startled to wake and find a chuunin school teacher sitting by his bedside. He listened politely to Iruka's claim that he was Hokage, tucking it away in a corner of his mind. “You know it's a crime to impersonate the Hokage,” he offered conversationally.

“Yes, it is,” the Rokudaime agreed. “However, I assure you I am the new Hokage. Would you like me to summon one of the clan leaders to confirm it?”

“Don't be ridiculous,” the interrogator scoffed. “Like I'd trust one of your henges.”

“What would you believe? I really don't have time to waste convincing you.”

“I have no clue, Hokage-sama.” Ibiki's lip curled in a sarcastic sneer. “I can't imagine why you would want to convince me of such a ridiculous hoax.”

“It's not a hoax, you idiot.” Iruka's good mood was fading quickly. “What possible reason would I have to lie to you about any of this?”

“I'm sure you have something in mind. Everyone has been trying to convince me of the truth of impossible things. Maybe this is a genjutsu and you're holding me captive.”

“Who do you think is a genjutsu?” Iruka's words were calm, but his demeanor was not. He tapped his foot and drummed his fingers impatiently on the bed tray while he waited for the response.

“Well, the copy-nin was obvious. He's an elite ninja, not some overweight bumbler. They've gotten better since then. I would have thought it really was Jiraiya until he started babbling about my husband of all things. Honestly, don't you people know how to research an interrogation target? You won't get far with boneheaded mistakes like that.” Ibiki turned a baleful eye on the former teacher. “And now this. Honestly, I'm head of torture and interrogation, certainly I would recognize my Hokage.”

“I don't know what to say to convince you,” the Rokudaime admitted. “So I guess I'll just leave you in peace. You're physically ready to leave the hospital. I don't think you're emotionally ready to rejoin us quite yet though. Perhaps in a few days your memory will be clearer.”

“My memory is perfect,” he interrogator roared angrily. “I can tell you every piece of paper stacked in my outbox.”

“Oh really?” Iruka's eyebrow disappeared into his hairline. “I doubt that. You don't even know how you were injured. I guarantee the things you're thinking of were delivered years ago.”

“You . . .” Ibiki sputtered for a moment before deciding to just ignore the whole thing. He shut his eyes and folded his arms across his chest, feigning sleep in hopes of ending the discussion before his head exploded. He knew his memories had to be right, he remembered them . . . unless they were planted and the ones these people were urging on him were real.

“That can't be right,” he declared petulantly. He narrowed his eyes at the Hokage. “I'm going home Umino-sensei. If you try to stop me I'll know this is a trick.”

“I won't try to stop you, but where, exactly, were you planning on going?”

“My apartment, of course,” came the indignant reply. “I'll be just fine there.”

“You can try. I fear there are new tenants there now.” Iruka kept his voice soft in hopes of placating the interrogator, who was growing more distraught by the instant. “Perhaps we can assign you a new apartment until you're ready to head home.”

“I assure you my current accomodations will be just fine,” Ibiki retorted. “No need to go out of your way for me.”

“I know you don't want to hear this, but your current accomodations are at Hatake house, with your husband. Someone can go by and pick up your things for you if you'd prefer.”

“I'll just stay in my office. There's nothing I need apart from my uniforms, I can replace them if necessary. I see no point in going to Hatake-san's.” Ibiki compressed his lips into a thin line of irritation. He wasn't sure why everyone thought the idea of he and Hatake as a couple was so wonderful. He'd never even had a conversation with the man, although he did respect his skills.

“That's ridiculous.” Iruka's vehement response broke the interrogator out of his reverie. “I'll send someone with your new housing assignment. We'll have your things delivered there this afternoon.”

* ^ * ^ *

Kakashi stared at the pile of clothes as if willing it to disappear. He bit his cheek to keep from screaming as he hurriedly shoved his husband's clothes into the waiting duffle bag. Former husband now, I guess, he thought bitterly. For all his protests to the contrary, the last thing the copy-nin wanted was for his marriage to end, especially like this.

He hadn't seen Ibiki since immediately after his surgery. He'd been getting daily updates, however. Hinata was particularly good about stopping by to fill him in on Ibiki's progress, always taking time to have a cup of tea with the lonely copy-nin.

For her part, Hinata found the normally aloof elite very soothing. She could only hope she had Kakashi's way with children when she had her own. One thing was for certain, she knew she wouldn't be able to do what the copy-nin was accomplishing with so little effort. Losing someone was always hard. To have it happen like this was so much worse.

“Why don't you take a break Hatake-san,” she urged softly. “He doesn't need everything today.”

“I'd just as soon get it over with,” the jounin muttered as he searched through the nighttable drawers. “This isn't something I'm eager to repeat.”

“Then don't.” Hinata closed her hands over the copy-nin's larger calloused pair. “Let him come and collect anything he misses. Don't punish yourself like this, it's bad for the baby.”

As if on cue Obito began to wail. Kakashi dropped the last few things he was clutching into the bag and pushed wearily off the bed. “I'll go get him,” Hinata assured the jounin hurriedly. “Just rest a minute.”

She stopped in the doorway with the baby in her arms, watching as Kakashi's shaky hand lingered over the bits and pieces of his lost life. “It's no use, he wants his father,” the kunoichi declared as she strode inside and passed Obito to the jounin.

“Are you giving Hinata-chan trouble, little one?” the copy-nin asked, putting on a smile that didn't reach his eyes. “We need to be nice to the people who come to visit us. It would be very boring for you to be stuck here with no one but me to talk to.”

“That's never going to happen.” Kurenai's voice had the jounin looking up in surprise.

“Gadda, Gadda.” The twins clambored out of their stroller, rushing over to hug their godfather's knees.

“Hello you two. I was just wondering where my favorite godchildren were.” Kakashi forced another death's head grin on his face. “What do you two want to do?”

“How long has he been like this?” Kurenai asked in a hushed whisper. “Why didn't you summon me before?”

“Hatake Ibiki checked out of the hospital today. He moved into the bachelor quarters,” Hinata explained. “Apparently since he doesn't remember his marriage he's refusing to accept it. He even dropped his wedding ring in the trash on the way out.”

“Does 'shi-kun know that?”

“Oh no, no.” Hinata shook her head vigorously, dark tresses flying around her face. “I would never tell him something like that. But I had to return it and deliver the Hokage's request that Ibiki's things be sent to his new address. I've been afraid to leave him since then.”

“You don't need to worry so much about me, Hinata-chan.” The copy-nin startled the women from their whispered conference. “I've been through much worse than this. I'll be fine. I have my son, and a little angelon the way. I'm far from alone. It's just going to take me a few days to adjust, that's all.”

The jounin stood and stretched, putting a hand on his lower back. “I need to get out of this house for a while. Would one of you lovely ladies like to accompany Obito on our trip to the market?”

“I don't know if that's such a good idea,” Kurenai said with a frown. “It's a lot of stress on your system. Has Fujiko-san been by to check your blood pressure yet today?”

“Hinata-chan can check me. Seriously Kurenai, I need to be somewhere else for awhile. Somewhere neutral, just until my mind accepts that it's over.” Kakashi's voice was so soft the kunoichi had to strain to hear him.

“I'd love to go with you,” she decided in an overly bright voice. “The twins have been cooped up in the house all day. Let me go grab them and we'll head out.”

“Would you like to join us Hinata-chan? You're more than welcome. I know Kurenai was your teacher, but you're of equal rank now. There's no reason the two of you can't interact as friends.”

“Thank you for the invitation, Hatake-san.”

“I've asked you to call me Kakashi, now haven't I?” the copy-nin scolded. “You make me feel like an old man with all that formality.”

“You're hardly old,” the Hyuuga blurted out. “All the girls think you're a lot hotter than the men we went throught the academy with.” The older man blushed brightly and his eyes widened in shock.

“While that's a lovely thing to say, I'm afraid I really don't have any interest in getting involved with a woman. You should tell your friends to look elsewhere.” Kakashi finished putting on Obito's jacket and hat, strapping him into his stroller before calling the twins. “We need to go you two. Jackets on now.”

The kunoichi watched in amazement as the twins obediently filed back into the bedroom and began to try to get into their jackets. With a little help from their mother they were soon settled in their stroller. “Maybe you should stay here 'shi-kun. The market is awfully crowded this time of day,” Kurenai ventured.

“I need to get out of this house,” he explained, the look in his eye enough to convince her. “I don't want to be here when they come to get this stuff.”

“I Will Be Happy To Escort You To The Market, Rival,” Gai boomed from behind the copy-nin.

“Wonderful.” Kakashi pushed Obito out the door, calling back over his shoulder. “Last one out, shut the door.”

“What Is Our Mission?” Gai asked eagerly.

“Hmmm?” the copy-nin hummed absently as he bent to tuck the blanket more tightly around his sleeping son. “What did you say, Gai?”

“Always So Hip And Cool. One Day I Will Will Learn Your Secrets.”

“I have no more secrets, Gai,” Kakashi admitted wearily. “Everyone knows about me and my past. Now they'll know about this, too. Maybe after the little one is born I'll move to Oto. There's nothing to keep me here anymore.”

“You Can't! You Are A Konoha Shinobi, You Belong Here,” the taijutsu master insisted.

“No one wants me here. It's nothing but bad memories now.”

“I Want You Here Rival.” The green-clad man stood deep in thought, eyebrows drawn down dramatically. “I Know. You Do Not Wish To Be Alone. I Have Always Admired You Greatly, Kakashi. Would You Do Me The Honor Of Marrying Me?”

“Don't be ridiculous,” the copy-nin managed after a long pause. “I'm still married, that didn't disappear with Ibiki's memories. Besides, I thought you liked girls. Lovely flowers of maidenhood, I believe you called them?”

“I Have Not Had Much Success With The Fairer Sex, I Must Admit.” Gai hung his head and examined his feet intently, continuing his explanation despite Kakashi's frantic gestures for him to stop. “I Fear My Manliness Overwhelms Them. I Hoped Since We Already Know Each Other . . .”

“I'm sorry, Gai. Really I am. But feelings don't turn off and on like that. I'm still very much in love with my husband. But thank you for being such a good friend.” The copy-nin leaned in and planted a kiss on the taijutsu master's cheek, smiling when he turned cherry red with embarrassment.