Into the Fire

A/N msuzumaki, thank you so much for all your wonderful reviews. I'm not sure about Kaka/Gaara either . . . but apparently muse is (and managed to convince me to do the Oro/Kaka which I ended up enjoying) In any event, in the end it will be Ibiki/Kakashi all the way (and happy)! Thanks to you, and everyone, who reads and enjoys . . . remember reviews make me happy!


Chapter Fifty-One

Gaara and Kakashi left Oto for Suna two days later. The pair traveled in silence for the most part, both men lost in their own thoughts. I wonder what Ibiki’s doing right now, the copy-nin mused idly, conjuring up images of the scarred man going about his day, overseeing contractors, heading to the market, fixing dinner, normal activities that he suddenly missed desperately.

“Who are you thinking about Kakashi-san?” the Kazekage hesitantly ventured.

“It’s not important.” the copy-nin demurred, “I’m sorry Gaara-san, I didn’t mean to daydream.”

“You looked so sad.” the redhead pressed, “Are you sure you don’t want to tell me?”

“Just a little homesick.” Kakashi assured him, “I’ll be fine in a few days. I imagine you’re looking forward to returning to Suna . . . what’s it like there? The only part I ever got to see was the palace.”

“It’s beautiful in its own way.” the Kazekage replied thoughtfully, “Quiet and changeless . . . although it takes some getting used to.”

“It sounds very peaceful.” the copy-nin decided, “I’m sure I’ll enjoy it there.”

“How can you say that?” Gaara asked tonelessly, “You never enjoyed yourself there before.”

“You are very different from your father . . . I’m sure my stay with you will be pleasurable.” Kakashi drawled lazily, practically purring the last word, watching with amusement as the Kazekage stiffened minutely.

“Don’t tease me Kakashi-san, it isn’t nice.” Gaara protested, cheeks reddening with embarrassment.

“I’m not teasing.” the copy-nin husked in his ear, pressing himself flush against the younger man’s back. “I thought this was what you wanted.”

“I am not a nice man Kakashi-san.” the Kazekage whispered bitterly, “You shouldn’t tempt me.”

“Neither am I.” he snapped back, then his eyes softened and he continued in a smooth, even voice. “What do you know of pleasure, Gaara-sama?” the older man’s silky voice entreated, “Let me teach you. It doesn’t have to hurt . . . I can make you feel so good, you’ll never want me to leave you.”

The redhead’s eyes grew impossibly wide as a large hand buried itself in his tousled strands and the copy-nin bent to capture soft pink lips with his own. “Oh.” the Kazekage exclaimed in shock, bringing his hand up and tentatively brushing it over his mouth.

“Did I hurt you?” Kakashi asked anxiously.

“No . . . I’ve never been kissed before.” Gaara reluctantly admitted, “I think I like it . . . it feels tingly.”

“Well then, we’ll have to do it again . . . won’t we.” the copy-nin breathed, even as he leaned back in to press his lips more firmly against the Kazekage’s, smiling at the shiver it caused.

“Why are you doing this?” the redhead broke away to ask.

“Is it not what you wanted?” Kakashi worried, “I thought it was part of our arrangement.”

Gaara didn’t contradict him, merely studying the ground under his feet intently for a long moment before replying. “You don’t know me . . . how do you know I won’t do horribly cruel things to you? I am my father’s son, after all.”

“You’re right, I don’t know you at all.” the copy-nin responded thoughtfully, “And it’s true, I am taking a chance. What you don’t realize is that, while I may not know what I’m running to, I most certainly do know what I’m running from . . . believe me I’m more than willing to take a risk on you. Besides,” he continued with a leer, “you’re very good looking, I will enjoy sharing pleasure with you.”

“How can you be so casual about all this?” the Kazekage mumbled, red rising to his cheeks.

“Gaara-sama, this has been my life for many years . . . in that time most of my liaisons have been . . . let’s just say less than pleasant. My time with Orochimaru made me realize such arrangements can be quite enjoyable with the right person. I’m gambling that you are such a person.” Kakashi answered honestly.

“I want to be that person.” the redhead replied thoughtfully, “I’m just not sure if I am.”

“Well . . . let’s hope for the best then.” the copy-nin declared wryly.

“We should move on.” Gaara decided, linking hands with a surprised Kakashi and giving a brief squeeze, “I find myself suddenly eager to get you home.”

“You have got to be kidding me.” Ibiki declared flatly, slamming both hands down on the Hokage’s desk as he leaned in nose to nose with the Rokudaime himself. “He and Kakashi aren’t exactly on good terms . . . or are you trying to mess this up?”

“Jiraiya is the best choice for a number of reasons.” Iruka explained patiently, “He’s already acquainted with the Mizukage, plus he commands respect as one of the sannin and as the toad sage. If that’s not enough he’s Hatake-san’s only living relative and old enough to stand in a parental relationship to him.”

“I’m going with him.” the interrogator announced.

“I don’t think that’s . . .” the Hokage was interrupted almost immediately.

“Non-negotiable.” the scarred man demanded flatly, “Otherwise I’ll snap his scrawny neck and go deal with the issue on my own.”

Just then the doors opened and Jiraiya himself entered under ANBU escort. “Finally rethinking this stupidity, Umino?” he stated aggressively, falling silent when he recognized Ibiki looming behind the Rokudaime.

“Jiraiya-sama, I have a mission for you.” Iruka declared flatly, “Morino-san will be your partner in this endeavor. I trust you two will cooperate to achieve the objective?”

The two men silently glared at each other, until finally Jiraiya gave in, slumping slightly as he announced mournfully, “Fine, anything you want . . . just no more Gai, please.”

“I need you to go negotiate with the Mizukage. Apparently Sandaime-sama sold Kakashi to him as a concubine at the age of fifteen. You are going to get him out of that contract . . . completely, no strings attached, and Morino-san is going along to make sure that’s what happens.”

“And if I can’t?” Jiraiya prodded.

“Then I’ll kill both you and the Mizukage, go rogue and get Kakashi back.” the interrogator offered blandly.

“Well then, times a wasting.” the sannin declared enthusiastically, “Let’s go get my nephew a divorce.”

“I need to go pack a bag.” the scarred man pointed out, “I’ll meet you at the gates in an hour.” He thanked Iruka for his help and headed towards the house they had shared until Kakashi’s departure, only to be met at the door by an irate Kurenai.

“Where is Kakashi-san?” she demanded angrily.

“I can’t tell you.” Ibiki replied bluntly, pushing past her to head inside.

“I’ve been looking for him all week.” the kunoichi continued, following him into the house without bothering to wait for an invitation. “Is he on a mission?”

“No.” the interrogator grunted, rooting around for a pack and carefully beginning to fill it.

“Is he on assignment?” the dark haired woman persisted, pressing on when she received no response, “Did you have a fight?”

“No, we did not have a fight.” Ibiki growled menacingly, “I found out he was married, that he planned to leave the village permanently without even telling me, and, if that’s not enough, now that he’s gone our illustrious Hokage’s best plan for getting him back involves Jiraiya, of all people.” He turned bleak eyes on the now concerned woman’s face, “But no, we did not fight. I’m packing to go ensure Jiraiya takes care of business.”

“Who is he married to?” Kurenai whispered curiously, “If you don’t mind my asking.”

“The Mizukage.” the scarred man replied shortly, “Since he was fifteen.”

“The Mizukage is almost eighty.” the kunoichi remarked with a shudder, “Poor Kakashi-san.”

“He did not go to Mist.” Ibiki revealed, “He’s staying outside Konoha until the matter is taken care of.”

“But you know where he is?” the dark haired woman pressed anxiously.

“I know where he said he was headed . . . but whether he’s still there . . . or even went there at all, for that matter, is anyone’s guess. ‘Kashi does as he feels is best for everyone but himself. I can only hope I’ll be able to track him down once he’s free.” the interrogator explained as he finished filling his pack and shouldered it.

“Is there something I can do to help?” Kurenai offered, “Asuma and I are fond of Kakashi . . . and you too, of course, Morino-san. But Asuma feels guilty when it comes to the things his father did, I know he’d want to help Kakashi out if he could.”

“Just keep an eye on the house for us until we get back.” the scarred man asked, pressing a key into her hand, “I won’t return until I have ‘kashi with me so I’m not sure how long I’ll be gone.”

“I’ll be happy to take care of everything.” the kunoichi declared with a smile, “Good luck on your mission Morino-san.”

“Thank you Kurenai.” he replied with a sigh, “I’m afraid I’m going to need it.”