Fanning the Flames

Chapter Fifty-One

“It's not really my place to tell you,” Genma demurred.

“Bullshit, Shiranui. You brought it up. What else has been kept from me?” Kakashi demanded angrily.

“Sandaime used your father in much the same way he did you. Loaning him out to other nations in exchange for treaties. His next assignment required him to take you along,” the senbon sucker explained. “He thought if he was dead you would be spared.”

“Only for a while,” the copy-nin muttered bitterly. “Maybe it would have been easier if he was there.”

“Not for him,” Genma pointed out. “How would you feel if it were your son?”

The senbon-sucker looked up into the sharingan's full force. He'd seen it in battle, of course. But he'd never expected it to be turned on him. “Hatake-san?”

“I'll kill anyone who lays a hand on my son. Make sure your husband is aware of that fact. I don't trust him anymore than his father. My children will not be used. It would do them well to remember that this is not the only nation willing to shelter us. Do you wish the Hatake as comrades or enemies?”

“You misunderstood,” Genma hurried to explain. “What I meant was your father acted to protect you. Obviously you understand that. No one will harm a hair on your children's heads. I'm on your side. All I really want is for Ru to stop obsessing about you and your husband and your children and pay a little attention to me.”

Kakashi let out a resigned sigh. “I said I'd help you have a child of your own Genma. What more do you want from me?”

“Nothing. Just that the sooner we get started, the sooner Ru will leave you alone,” the senbon sucker assured him. “We have the same goal here.”

“I can't help you now. I'm on bed rest, I can't use my chakra like that. After my daughter is born I'll be able to do the manipulation, not before. I'm sorry. I thought you realized.” The copy-nin sounded honestly apologetic and Genma felt like a heel for even bringing it up.

“I'm sorry. Of course your priority has to be your own children.” The senbon-sucker bowed deeply. “Excuse me for disturbing your rest.”

“Don't be an ass. Come here and let me heal that eye. It's driving me crazy watching you.” Kakashi dispelled the genjutsu and studied the bruising, laying his hands over the wound and sending his chakra deep under the flesh to heal the cracked bone beneath.

“Hatake Kakashi. Just what do you think you're doing?” Hinata's angry voice had both men turning towards the door.

“Ibiki broke Genma's head for talking about me. I figure the least I can do is heal it for him,” the copy-nin quipped.

“This is a hospital. We have people whose job is is to do that. You are supposed to be resting and conserving your chakra,” she scolded. “And you,” Hinata rounded on a startled Genma. “You're just encouraging him. Out. If you need healing, come to the ER like everyone else.”

“It wasn't Genma's idea,” Kakashi tried to explain. “It was just driving me crazy watching the genjutsu swirl like that.”

“Then cover your eye,” the medic snapped back. “You're just too nice to everyone. That means I have to look out for you.”

“I'm not a child, I don't need looking after.” The sullen pout on the copy-nin's face contrasted wildly with the hidden power contained in the swirling sharingan.

“Well, when you pass out from chakra depletion you'll be as weak as one. Just cover your eye, please.” Hinata examined the tokubetsu as if he was something nasty stuck to her shoe. “You, five minutes.”

“Damn, she's scary,” Genma muttered after the Hyuuga heiress had departed.

“All women are scary,” Kakashi retorted. “You better go before she comes back. Bring your husband next time and we'll talk about you two making a baby. And stay away from Ibiki. He's better off without me and we both know it. Let him be happy.”

“He isn't happy,” the senbon sucker said confidently. “If he was he wouldn't have hit me. It's bothering him. I'm going to keep picking away until he faces up to the truth.”

“Tis your funeral,” the copy-nin muttered. He turned his attention back to the child in his arms. Smiling at the raptly attentive look in his deadly eyes. “You like my sharingan do you? Well, you'll have your own when you're a bit older. Look, but don't try without my help.”

Obito gurgled happily, waving his arms until he latched onto his father's finger. “Yes you're very strong,” the copy-nin sing-songed, although his eyes remained hard. “You'll be a formidable opponent one day.”

“I understood your warning, Hatake-san.” Genma couldn't help the snotty retort that spilled out of his mouth.

“I know you did. I'm not sure my son understood though. Now he does.”

“He's an infant. All he knows is the sound of your voice.” The senbon-sucker's protest had Obito turning to glare in his direction.

“His eyes are well developed. He understands more than you could possibly imagine.” Kakashi turned his slowly spinning sharingan on the hapless tokubetsu and Genma got a small taste of what was passing between father and son as he fell under the influence of the copy-nin's genjutsu.

He was in a shower, a hard body was pressing him against the tile wall. “If that is what you wish, Hokage-sama.” It was his voice, but it wasn't. He felt himself speak the words, but they sounded off.

“Kami, you're hot.” The senbon sucker recognized his husband's voice, but didn't understand the unease he felt as Iruka's cock pressed into him. Panic started to well up inside of him and he nearly screamed when he turned his head and peered into Sarutobi's flinty eyes.

Just as suddenly as the vision started, it stopped. Genma pressed his hands to his head and fought the swirling nausea that threatened to swamp him. “That's what you're teaching your son?” he managed to croak.

“Of course not. He wouldn't understand it . . . yet.” The copy-nin locked eyes with the wary tokubetsu. “But I thought it was something you should see.”

“Ru didn't realize. I know he didn't. He's petrified he'll be like his father,” Genma babbled. “Please give him another chance.”

“Go home. I'll see you two tomorrow.” Kakashi made a shooing gesture with his hand. “It's time for our nap.”

*^*^*

“I think you should go visit.”

Jiraiya looked up and furrowed his eyebrows at his lover. “Visit who?”

“Senpai, of course.” The Otokage glided over to stand directly behind the older man, massaging tight shoulders with experienced hands.

“Damn, that feels good,” the sannin muttered. “Too bad you're only trying to butter me up.”

“You're the one who was going on about how important children are,” Itachi teased.

“So you go visit. It's your child. The brat's too hormonal for me right now.” Jiraiya turned to study the younger man closely. “Is this about Ibiki? You can't save Kakashi, koi. He won't let you.”

“I think you'd be surprised at what senpai would let me do,” the Uchiha said coldly. “At least I'm worried about what he's going through.”

“I know you're worried. But I refuse to let you get sucked into his drama. You'll warm his bed for a week or a month, and then Ibiki's memory will come back and you'll be out on the street.”

“I'm fairly sure senpai would never ''toss me out in the street' as you so colorfully put it. It's cute that you're so jealous. But that doesn't alleviate my concern.”

“So, what you're saying is you'll go no matter what.”

“What I'm saying is someone needs to go. If you don't want me to go, then I suggest you make the journey yourself. Or, we could go together.” Itachi paused, staring at nothing, fingers drumming on the tabletop. “No, on second though, I should go alone. Perhaps seeing Kakashi with someone else will spur Ibiki's memories.”

“I'm not going to let you just run off and shack up with my nephew. I've been honest with you and put a lot into this relationship. I think I deserve a little consideration.” The sage's hurt feelings were obvious in his bitter tone and jerky motions. “I mean . . . I'm the one who's been taking care of you. I went to the birth. I've done so many things for you I never considered doing before.”

“I know you love me,” the Otokage assured him. “I love you, too. I'm not leaving you. I just want Kakashi to be happy as well. Surely you don't begrudge him that?”

“It's just . . . he's a lot younger than I am. Better looking too. And you have a child together. I seem to fall short at every turn.” Jiraiya pouted, glaring at a spot on the wall as if it were an enemy nin. “I've never invested this much of myself before. I don't want to be discarded like an old tissue.”

“I'm not going to discard you,” Itachi assured him. Soft hands wound themselves into thick white locks and he bent to place a kiss on his lover's lips. “It took way too much trouble to catch you. I promise, it's just a visit.”

“And I can't go?”

“Give me a few days, then come and join us. We'll get them straightened out and be home before you know it.”

“If I say yes will you wear that kimono for me again?” the sannin asked with a lecherous look.

“Anything for you, koi.”