Into the Fire

Chapter Fifty-Eight

It was sixteen hours before the specialist finally arrived . . . and throughout those long hours the interrogator never moved from his vigil beside the copy-nin’s bed. Both Gaara and Raidou had tried, and failed, to convince him to rest, assuring the distraught man that they would keep watch and summon him if there was any change . . . but he refused. “I need to be here.” Ibiki explained hesitantly, “What if he wakes up and thinks he’s alone? I could never forgive myself.”

“We’ll call you immediately Morino-san.” the Kazekage assured him, “Just go next door and lay down for five minutes.”

“Once he’s in surgery.” the interrogator demurred, “I promise I’ll rest then.” He turned back to the bed, hand never letting go of the limp pale one he stroked so tenderly. “The doctor will be here soon ‘kashi.” he murmured confidently, “Then they’ll fix you up good as new.”

Gaara caught his fiancé’s eye and shook his head sadly . . . good as new wasn’t the likely outcome and they both knew it. The copy-nin would be lucky to regain any feeling in his badly damaged penis, although with luck it should still function, and both men shuddered at the thought of suffering something similar.

“Morino-san,” the redhead spoke up haltingly, “I feel particularly responsible for this . . . I bought the rings and rods he was wearing and convinced him to wear them. If not for my selfishness he would not have suffered so. Can you ever forgive me?”

“You had no ill intent Kazekage-sama.” Ibiki responded politely, “Although I must admit I wish your relationship with Kakashi had been of a more . . . formal nature. He means the world to me, I’m afraid I’m more than a little jealous.”

“I am sorry.” Gaara replied sadly, “Uchiha-san never told me Hatake-san was involved with someone. I didn’t realize until recently . . . he only told me when I sent word to the Mizukage. I would have spent my life alone if not for his help.”

“Raidou told me he set you two up.” the interrogator noted idly.

“It was more than that . . . I never would have been open to any relationship. Kakashi helped me come to terms with the things my father did to me . . . and the things I did to others.” the redhead explained haltingly, “He helped me find my peace.”

“He’s good at that.” Ibiki agreed readily, “He seems to have a surprising knack for knowing what other people need . . . too bad he doesn’t have the same insight into his own life.” He turned back to the bed, squeezing the limp hand gently, “I’m here sweetheart.” he murmured soothingly before settling back to wait.

Several days later a large party set out from Konoha headed for Suna and the Kazekage’s wedding. “I still can’t believe Rai’s getting married.” Genma said bemusedly.

“I think it’s wonderful.” the Hokage replied seriously, “He’s been alone for far too long.”

“I know.” the senbon sucker responded sadly, “I miss him though . . . and now he’ll never be coming back.”

“You still have me Gen.” Iruka declared with a smile, wrapping an arm around his waist and pulling him tight.

“Are you sure Hatake-san will be there?” Kurenai butted in, “He won’t have moved on?”

“I don’t think so.” the Rokudaime answered with a frown, “Someone would have sent word.”

“What about Morino?” Jiraiya grumbled, “I wouldn’t mind bumping into him, pay him back for running out on me.”

“You will do no such thing.” the former teacher scolded, “In the first place he did nothing wrong . . . and in the second, you’re already on his hit list . . . did you want to move up in the standings?”

“I Vow That I Will Keep An Eye On Jiraiya-Sama So He Stays Out Of Trouble.” Gai swore with a broad smile and a thumbs up, “Or I Will Climb The Hokage Mountain On My Hands With A Chainsaw Balanced On My Feet!”

“Thank you Gai.” Iruka replied with a smile as he watched Jiraiya try to shy away from his self-proclaimed shadow.

“No . . .” the toad sage moaned when a large arm wrapped around his neck and pulled him to stand next to the taijutsu master.

“We Will Walk Together My Friend.” Gai stated seriously, “That Way We Can Continue Our Discussion On Manly Love In All Its Many Forms.”

“Iruka . . . I’m begging you.” Jiraiya pleaded . . . only to be met with a chuckle and a wave of the Hokage’s hand.

“I’m sure you two will have a most interesting discussion.” the Rokudaime chortled, “Gai I’m counting on you.”

“You Have My Word, Hokage-Sama.” the green-clad man responded seriously, “I Will Not Let Him out Of My Sight.”

“Iruka,” Asuma turned to address him, “Will Hatake-san and Morino-san be coming back to Konoha with us?”

“I certainly hope so.” the Hokage replied, pursing his lips in thought, “As far as I know there is no longer anything keeping them away. The Mizukage is dead . . . and his successor has no interest in retaliation, thank god. They are free to do as they wish. I guess it all comes down to what Kakashi wants.”

“He’ll want to come home.” Kurenai declared confidently, “He loves Konoha.”

“He has a lot of bad memories there.” her husband cautioned.

“I know that ‘suma.” she replied without hesitation, “But he’s always come back before, even when there was nothing to come back to. Now he has a home and a lover . . . I can’t imagine him abandoning all that.”

“I hope you’re right.” Genma muttered darkly, shifting his senbon nervously from side to side.

“What’s on your mind, Gen?” Iruka whispered in his lover’s ear.

“I just have a bad feeling.” the honey-haired man muttered, “Too many missions, I guess . . . I’m used to being the guard, not one of the guarded.” he finished wryly as his eyes flicked to their ANBU contingent.

“Lighten up . . . your best friend is getting married. You’ll feel better once we get there, I’m sure. Everything will be fine.” the Rokudaime soothed.

“You’re right . . . as usual.” the senbon sucker conceded with a smirk, “When’d you get so smart?”

“Love you too, Gen.” the Hokage retorted, planting a kiss on his lover’s cheek before they continued on together.

The copy-nin struggled towards consciousness . . . not really sure if he wanted to know where he was, but determined to try to escape if he could. He cracked open his eye, struggling not to scream as bolts of pain rippled through his lower half, and warily peered at his surroundings. This looks like a hospital, he decided distrustfully, but looks can be deceiving. He glanced down the length of his body, disturbed by the cage raising the blankets over his groin . . . yet not ready to face the reason for it, his mind skittering away from thoughts of what had been done to him.

Ibiki yawned and stretched, rising awkwardly from the chair he’d been slumbering in to walk across the room to the sink and splash some water on his face. He turned back to the bed to resume his vigil, heart soaring when he locked eyes with a suspiciously narrowed grey orb.

Kakashi cautiously cracked open his sharingan, studying the familiar figure carefully, looking for any deception. “Ib’i.” he croaked.

“Don’t try to talk sweetheart.” the interrogator cautioned as he rushed to the injured man’s side. “Here, would you like a sip of water?” he carefully filled a glass and added a straw, twisting it so the prone man could sip without moving. “You need to lie still until the doctor checks you ‘kashi.” he warned, “So don’t try to sit up. You’ve had several surgeries . . . and I’m afraid you’ll need a few more. Some can wait until we get home, though. I came to get you . . . I killed the Mizukage, you’re free. Please come home to me . . . I can’t stand being without you anymore.”

“Wha?” the copy-nin managed, gesturing toward the raised blankets.

“I won’t lie to you ‘kashi . . . the damage was severe.” Ibiki answered mournfully, “There was extensive internal damage, your urethra, prostate, rectum and intestines were badly torn, they had to remove one of your kidneys and your bladder is heavily bruised. Most of that damage has been repaired.” he continued slowly, “But you may require an additional procedure or two down the road . . . and I’m afraid you’re off active duty permanently, the risks are too high with only one kidney. The external damage,” the stoic man faltered, wiping a hand over his face to compose himself before going on, “the external damage was substantial. The bastard ripped out your frenum piercings and cut out the rings through the head. Initial repairs have been made . . . but you’ll need several more surgeries at least.”

The scarred man watched the injured copy-nin closely, prepared to act if he showed any signs of panic. “I see.” Kakashi managed quietly before shutting his eyes and swallowing hard. Internally he was reeling . . . if he understood correctly the chances of his making a complete recovery were slim and he silently mourned everything he’d just lost. Including you, he decided mournfully as he studied the interrogator, I can never be what you need now.

“Do you need something for the pain?” Ibiki asked anxiously, seeing the shadow pass across the pale visage.

The copy-nin merely shook his head wearily before shutting his eyes and retreating, once more, into the relative solace of sleep.