Fanning the Flames

Chapter Fifty-Six

“How was your date?” the copy-nin asked as soon as Gai appeared the next morning. “I want details. Entertain me. How did Hiashi react?”

“I Believe Hinata Anticipated More Protest,” the green beast admitted. “She Seemed Quite Surprised When He Merely Wished Us A Pleasant Evening.”

“There is no reason for him to object to you. You're one of the village's strongest jounin,” Kakashi pointed out.

“Still, Hinata Is The Clan Heiress, And I Am Not Well Liked. I Was Puzzled, Though,” Gai decided after some thought. “Hiashi Said Hinata Never Brought A Date Home Before.”

“Hinata-chan's always been shy,” the copy-nin assured him. “I'm sure having someone meet her father is a bit intimidating.”

“Hina-Chan Is Lovely,” the enraptured green beast sighed. “We Are Going Out Again Tonight.”

“So soon,” Kakashi murmured. “It must be serious. You better treat her well, Gai, or we really will end up as rivals.”

“I Adore Her,” the taijutsu master confessed. “I Am Going To The Hair Dresser This Afternoon To Get A New Haircut And My Eyebrows Thinned. Kurenai Says It Will Make A Better Impression.”

“Perhaps,” the copy-nin agreed. “Still, Hinata likes you. Remember that and don't let everyone try and change you.”

“So I Shouldn't Get My Hair Cut?”

“Oh no, the hair and eyebrows are definitely worth changing. Just stay true to yourself, that's all I meant.”

“What Are Your Plans For this Glorious Day, Rival?” Gai asked.

“I'm leaving this hospital behind. I'll be seeing you though, I'm moving into the Hyuuga compound. Neji has very kindly offered to take us in. Since they have a clinic, Hinata can treat me there and I can get out of here.” Kakashi ran a hand through his hair, watching his friend closely for a reaction. He hoped the news would be taken well.

“What About Ibiki?” the green beast wanted to know.

“What about him?” the copy-nin countered aggressively. “He's made it very clear where he stands in all of this. He has no interest in his daughter. He has no desire to see me. I'm very lucky Neji Is willing to take on someone like me.”

“You Are Not Lucky, Rival,” Gai boomed with a thumbs up.

“Oh, thank you very much,” Kakashi griped. “Or are you planning on convincing him to change his mind?”

“I Have Tried To Talk Sense Into Ibiki. He Just Moans And Throws Me Out,” the taijutsu master admitted.

“Not him,” the copy-nin insisted. “Neji. You aren't going to warn him away from me, are you?” The worried look gracing his face was at odds with the confident man Gai was used to and he hesitated for several minutes before finally answering.

“No. Of Course Not,” Gai assured him. “But What Do You Have In Common With Someone So Young?”

“He's two years older than Hinata,” Kakashi hurried to point out. “Don't be a hypocrite.”

“Yes, But You Two Are Not Destined To Be,” the green beast proclaimed boldly. “You And Ibiki Are An Everlasting Love.”

“Apparently not,” the silver haired man muttered. “Unless your definition of everlasting and mine are markedly different. He doesn't want me, Gai. He's made it excruciatingly clear. I need to move on because otherwise I'm going to break. So please, please, if you're really my friend, let it go.”

“But You Are Unhappy,” the taijutsu specialist noted. “Surely If Neji Were The One You Would Not Be So Melancholy. Love Should Make You Feel Like You Can Conquer The World.”

“I never said it was love,” the copy-nin hissed. “But Neji wants me, despite my confused feelings and two infants. I thank my lucky stars he does, because I wasn't feeling any better sitting in this room day after day brooding. Now, if you'll excuse me, Obito and I need to get packed.” Kakashi levered himself out of bed and shuffled over to the cupboard, pulling out clothes and baby things and stuffing them into a duffle bag.

“I'm sorry little one,” he cooed when Obito let out a harsh cry. “I'm getting you all riled up. Let's relax for a few minutes.” he cradled the infant close, settling himself back in bed as he gently rocked his rapidly quieting son.

“Are you ready to get out of here?” Neji's head popped around the door frame, followed by a large bunch of flowers. “I hope you like flowers. I wanted to get you something bright and cheery.”

“They're lovely,” the copy-nin admitted. “But you shouldn't have.”

“Why ever not?” The Hyuuga looked the lanky jounin up and down critically. “You are absolutely worth the trouble,” he insisted. “Ibiki is an idiot.”

“Does your uncle know I'm coming?” Kakashi fretted.

“It's fine. You're welcome. We're proud to have you. Now, let's get you two checked out.”

* ^ * ^ *

“We have a problem.” Iruka pursed his lips and scrunched his nose, trying to think of the best way to phrase what he had to say.

“And it would be?” Genma asked.

“Kakashi is moving in with Hyuuga Neji. He wouldn't even see Ibiki. Now they'll never get back together.”

“Maybe it's for the best, Ru,” the senbon-sucker suggested. “I mean, it's not like they've had anything go right for them. Neji's steady. He'll take good care of Hatake and the kids.”

“But . . .”

“Leave it be. Let them work it out on their own. They will or they won't. Either way, we don't need to get caught up in it.”

“But I'm not allowed in,” the Hokage whispered, face falling in defeat. “I know I messed up. But Hatake-san said he'd help us have a baby. I just . . . I'm just anxious to talk to him about it. Now Hiashi informs me I'm not to visit the compound until after the baby is born.”

“I'll go talk to Kakashi and explain. I'm sure you can get a dispensation for one conversation,” Genma quipped. He pulled the former teacher into his arms and hugged him tightly. “It's going to be alright. One way or the other, we'll get what we want.”

* ^ * ^ *

“Welcome to our home, Hatake-san.” Hyuuga Hiashi bowed low, as if to revered guest, flustering the copy-nin who tried to bow equally low in return, only to run up against the obstacle of his belly.

“My apologies, Hyuuga-san,” he gasped. “The little one doesn't like it when I bend too much.”

“There's no reason for you to bow to me,” the clan leader insisted. “You are always welcome in my home. My nephew has smiled more in the last day than he has in the last ten years. Apparently you are the reason for his sudden change in attitude. How can I not be grateful?”

“Your nephew is very kind, Hyuuga-san. It is he who is doing me a favor.” Kakashi bowed his head so his hair hung down and hid his eyes. “Unwed parent of an infant with another on the way . . . oh and don't forget my health problems. I expected to spend the rest of my years alone. I was not looking forward to it, however. Now . . . now it will be better.”

“You're sure this is what you want then?” Hiashi pressed. “I hate to pressure you, but I worry about Neji. He's my only nephew. He may not realize it, but he's very important to me.”

“I have no desire to hurt him,” the jounin assured him. “But if you'd prefer it, I will leave now.”

“Uncle, what kind of ideas are you putting in our guest's head?” Neji came up behind the copy-nin and wrapped his arms around his waist, resting his hands possessively on the swelling abdomen. “Kakashi will start to think I don't want him here.”

“You uncle is right to worry about you. You have your reputation and the reputation of your clan to think about.” The silver-haired man nibbled his bottom lip. “As soon as the baby comes we can move back home. I won't have to worry about my blood pressure then.”

“You can go, if you wish. I'd like to hope you'll choose to stay with me,” Neji whispered, smiling at the blush that lit the infamous sharingan no Kakashi's face. “I'm going to do my best to persuade you. I'm taking this opportunity very seriously.”

“You shouldn't take me seriously,” Kakashi warned. “I'm far too old, and used, to be a true partner to you. You need to look for someone you can build a life with.”

“I'm looking at the only man I want to build a life with,” the byakuugan user assured him. “No matter how much you try to dissuade me. He scooped Obito out of his carry basket and nuzzled his stomach before cradling him close and wrapping his free arm around the copy-nin's waist. “Let's get you settled in. You've been up far too long. I think both of you could use a nap.”

“Would you like to join me?” Kakashi teased, leaning in and kissing Neji as Hiashi watched. The stoic clan leader's jaw dropped and his pants grew alarmingly tight as the two handsome men kissed.

“Well, good to have you here Hatake-san,” Hiashi mumbled as he hurried into the house to take care of his growing problem. Neji ignored his uncle's swift departure, leaning in and recapturing pale pink lips.

“I'd love to join you,” he murmured when the kiss broke. “Anywhere, anytime for anything you want. I'm at your beck and call.”

“My very own beck and call boy,” the copy-nin teased. “Hmmm, I think I'm going to like it here.”