Fanning the Flames

Chapter Fifty-Eight

Ibiki woke with a start, jerking upright with a murderous growl. “How dare he?” He leapt out of bed, intent on twisting Hyuuga Neji's pretty head off his body. Halfway across the room he ground to a halt, suddenly unsure if he was wrestling with a memory or a dream. Either way he needed to set things right and he needed to do it now.

As he dressed he obsessed over the details of the scene burned into his brain, still trying to ascertain its reality. Even for someone as trained in the workings of the brain as he was, it could be difficult to ascertain whether a memory was a lucid dream or reality. When you attempt to dissect your own memories, it is even less successful.

Iruka woke to frenzied pounding on the apartment door. He scrambled into a yukata, sure the village was under attack. When he opened the door on the torture master he was less than impressed. “What is it Ibiki? I was trying to sleep,” the Hokage snarled.

“My apologies Hokage-sama. I need to speak with your husband for a minute.”

“At three in the morning?” The interrogator couldn't miss the sharp undertone in the former teacher's voice.

“Please, Iruka,” he pleaded huskily. “I think I'm going mad.”

“Gen, wake up.”

“I'm awake, I'm awake. I woke up as soon as the banging started,” the senbon-sucker groused. “What seems to be the problem, Ibiki?”

“I snuck into the Hyuuga compound to spy on Neji and Kakashi,” the interrogator admitted. “At least, I think I did. Now I'm not so sure. Maybe I dreamed it.”

“And the point of this is?”

“I need to see my husband. I need to see him and I can't because he's living in the damn Hyuuga compound. He might as well be on Mars, it would be easier for me to get close to him,” Ibiki grumbled.

“Well, if he doesn't want to see you, then he doesn't have to,” Iruka pointed out.

“I don't know if he wants to see me or not. I know Neji doesn't want me to see him. Look, I need to apologize, if nothing else. When I think of some of the things I said . . . “

“Yup, you were a bastard, no mistake about it,” Genma added cheerily. “I can get in to see Hatake. I'll go visit him and see what I can find out.”

“Without Neji hanging around eavesdropping?” the interrogator asked suspiciously. “I don't want him knowing what's going on.”

“Leave it to me,” the senbon-sucker assured him. “I'll head over there in the morning.”

“No, you need to go now,” Ibiki insisted. “I can't wait.”

“I can't waltz in there in the middle of the night. You've waited this long, you can wait until daylight.”

“But what if it's too late?” The mournful whisper had the Hokage and his husband examining the torture master more closely. He looked awful, bloodshot eyes and unshaven face adding to the general air of distress pouring off of him.

“You need to stay here,” Iruka decided. “Get some sleep. In the morning Gen will work everything out.”

“No, I want to go home.”

“Back to the apartment?” the Hokage asked sharply.

“No, I want to go back to the house. I want to remember while I have the chance. I want to sleep in our bed again. I want to know what it felt like for 'kashi when . . . I just need to.”

The stubborn look on his face brooked no argument, so Genma merely shrugged. “I'll come by tomorrow after I see Hatake.”

“Perhaps Neji needs to go on a mission. Nothing too dangerous, just time consuming,” Iruka suggested. “I'll send him out in the next couple of days.”

“Thank you both.” The interrogator pulled the pair into a rough hug. “I don't know what I'd do without you.”

“You'd live a lonely life,” Genma quipped. The look his husband sent him quickly deflated his smirk. “Sorry, that was rude. I was just tying to lighten the mood a bit.”

“You go too far Gen-chan,” the Hokage muttered.

“No, he's absolutely right,” Ibiki declared mournfully. “You've helped me so many times. Maybe one day I can return the favor.”

“Well, you could just stay here tonight . . .”

“Another time. I promise,” the interrogator whispered in the tokubetsu's ear as he pulled him into a crushing hug. “I'll see you both tomorrow. Once again, my apology for disturbing your rest.”

It took over an hour before the pair finally hashed out a plan for the next day and let sleep once again overtake them. When the pounding on the door started up again at six the Hokage merely rolled over and snuggled back into the pillow. Genma tried to ignore the racket, but whoever the visitor was, he was persistent.

“I hope this is a life or death matter,” he snapped as he threw the door open.

“Oh, Shiranui-san, I am so sorry to disturb you. I need to speak with the Hokage about Hatake-san,” Hinata stammered. “It's really very important.”

“He's still asleep. Please come in Hyuuga-san, and I'll fetch him. Is Kakashi alright?”

“It's complicated,” she whispered. “I have an idea, but I need Hokage-sama's help.”

By the time Iruka was awake and dressed Hinata was pacing, fingers tapping together as she plotted. “Ah, Hokage-sama,” she exclaimed, bowing deeply. “I am sorry to disturb you, but I need your help with Hatake-san.”

“Is Kakashi ill?” Iruka asked. “Is there some problem with the baby?”

“He's miserable,” the kunoichi blurted out. “He acts like everything is alright, but he never even leaves his room. I love my cousin, but he isn't helping. We need to get Hatake-san and his husband back together.”

“Apparently Neji is running interference. Ibiki can't even get into the compound. He's desperate to at least apologize, but he hasn't been allowed to,” Genma explained. “Ru thought he'd send your cousin on a mission to get him out of the way for a day or so.”

“I know just who you should send with him,” Hinata exclaimed with a smile. “Gai is off assessing his interest and planting the idea.”

“You do realize how early it is?” Iruka asked wryly.

“I am sorry Hokage-sama. I'm just afraid if this situation continues much longer someone will end up badly hurt. I do not wish my cousin ill, I'd like to have him at least interested in someone else before we tear them apart.”

“You're a lovely girl, Hinata-chan. I wish I had more like you,” the Hokage assured her. “Let me know who I should send and where. I'm sure I can dig up something suitable.”

“I believe a trip to Suna would be educational,” the kunoichi declared after a moment's thought. “Doesn't Hataki-san have friends there? Perhaps send a message to them, let them know the situation?”

“You'd turn your cousin over to the Kazekage so callously?” Iruka raised an eyebrow and waited.

“Gaara-sama? I didn't realize.” She faltered, unsure as to whether her old sensei was joking or serious. “I should have known. Hatake-san is very strong.”

“Strength has nothing to do with it. He did introduce the Kazekage to his husband, though. They both hold him in extremely high regard. I'm sure Gaara would be unhappy to hear of Kakashi's difficulties. Don't look so worried Hinata-chan,” the Hokage soothed. “Neji is one of my strongest jounin. I'm not going to do anything that would endanger his health or well being. All I really want is a chance to find out what our copy-nin wants. He's the one who has to choose.”

“Of course, Hokage-sama. I bow to your judgment.”

Once again the couple climbed back into bed. “Are you sure we should even bother?” Genma asked wryly as he watched his husband fidget, trying to find a comfortable position.

“I need sleep,” Iruka whined. “Everything can wait for a couple more hours.”

“So, you expect the jounin to wait for their missions. I can't wait until they hear the delay is due to an overly cranky Hokage whose sleep was disturbed.”

“You know you aren't funny,” the former teacher muttered into his pillow. “Sue me, I've always been a desk ninja. My missions have been few and far between. I'm not used to going without sleep for days like you rough tough mission nin do.”

“You don't have to be nasty,” Genma whispered. “I'm just trying to help you relax. Go back to sleep, I'll keep the hordes at bay until you wake up.”

“The mission scrolls are in my desk drawer. Except the one for Neji. We should probably hold back on assigning missions until we know who Hinata has in mind. I'd hate to send him off somewhere by mistake.”

“Fine, I'll just tell them you'll send the mission scrolls later when they're ready.”

A bronze arm clawed the covers until it grasped onto the tokubetsu's. “Stay with me.”

“I can't say no to you,” Genma admitted as he slipped back into bed and gathered his husband into his arms.

“Hmmm, s'good,” Iruka mumbled as his eyes slipped shut.

* ^ * ^ *

“Hokage-Sama, Hokage-Sama.” The repeated yelling of his title, coupled with the thunderous pounding on the door, had Iruka up and moving within seconds. “What?” he bellowed as he threw the door open.

Maito Gai looked over the disheveled young man in front of him. It was obvious the Hokage had just been roused from his bed. “My Dear Hinata-Chan, Fair Flower Of Womanhood, Told Me It Was Most Urgent I Convey My Findings To You.”

Iruka pinched the bridge of his nose and bowed his head, momentarily stunned by the unexpected force of nature that was Gai in full rant. “I Went To Question My Comrade As Hinata-Chan Asked Me To. He Was Most Reluctant To Answer My Questions. Once I Made It A Challenge, However, He Was Quick To Agree To The Mission. He Will Be Reporting To You In One Hour To Be Briefed.”

“That's wonderful. Gai. Thank you so much,” the Hokage said as he swung the door shut. “Tell Hinata thank you for me.”

“But Lord Hokage,” the green beast stubbornly continued. “Do You Not Want To Hear The Story Of How I Convinced My Comrade To Give Love A Chance In The Springtime Of His Youth?”

“Another time,” Iruka diplomatically hedged. “You and Hinata-chan can come to dinner.”

“We Would Be Honored Hokage-Sama. What Time Would You Like Us To Arrive?”

“Not tonight, Gai. I'm afraid all this mess with Kakashi has me a little bit off schedule. Why don't we plan on sometime next week. I'll send a scroll to let you know when.”

“I Look Forward To It Hokage-Sama.” The taijutsu master bowed, giving Genma a far better view than he had ever wanted of Gai's spandexed butt.

“You better start coming up with excuses now,” the senbon sucker advised his husband. For his part, Iruka remained slumped against the wall with his hands fisted in his hair.

“How does Hatake-san stand it?” the Hokage finally asked.

“He doesn't pay any attention. I guess over the years you grow immune.”

“He never did tell us who was supposed to act as Neji's distraction,” he tokubetsu pointed out.

“We'll just see who stops by. Gai did say he was on his way.”

Given that, it was to be expected that both men leapt to answer the door at the next knock, eager to see who Hinata had paired her cousin up with.

“Good Afternoon Hokage-sama. Might I have a word with you?” The stoic head of the Hyuuga clan faltered slightly when the Hokage's mouth dropped open at the sight of him.

“It isn't him, Ru,” Genma whispered, startling the former teacher into motion.

“Of course not,” Iruka snapped. “Please excuse me, Hyuuga-san. I'm afraid I didn't sleep well last night.”

“That's why I'm here, Hokage-sama. I need your help. I need to get Kakashi out of the Hyuuga compound.” Hiashi continued to fidget nervously while the Hokage thought about what he'd just said.

“Why? Has he caused any problems?”

“No, no, nothing like that. For my own peace of mind though . . . I'm afraid I've been having . . . thoughts, about Hatake-san,” the clan leader admitted stiffly.

“I don't understand,” Iruka pressed. “What, exactly, is the issue.”

“I'm attracted to Hatake-san,” Hiashi blurted out. “Kami help me, I want my nephew's boy friend. If he stays there much longer I'm going to do something we'll all regret.”

“Kakashi is a striking man. You are not the only one to have these feelings Hiashi-san. Please do not bet yourself up over a feeling you have no control over,” the Hokage assured him. “Just this morning your daughter was here on the same mission. She fears Hatake-san is not truly happy and that Neji will end up hurt. So, we've contrived a plan.”