Into the Fire

Chapter Sixty-Six

“Shit, I missed it again.” Genma whined, making his lover erupt in gales of laughter.

“You are such a baby, Gen.” Iruka chuckled, “Besides, if he’s taken it off once I’m sure he’ll do it again.”

“What is everyone going on about?” Itachi asked Kisame in a soft monotone.

“Hatake-san took off his mask . . . apparently they hadn’t seen him without it before now.” the swordsman explained, “It caused quite a commotion.”

“Aaaa.” the Uchiha hummed, “Sempai always was a handsome man. Still, I’m sure he would have preferred no one notice.”

“Why?” Asuma piped in from the Otokage’s other side, “What’s wrong with being good looking. Hell, all these years I assumed he had some horrible deformity and that’s why he hid his face.”

“Think about his life.” Itachi reasoned, “Sempai knows there are people who will recognize him instantly because of his duties for Sandaime and Tsunade . . . he’s embarrassed enough about it, that’s the last thing he wants. Making a fuss over it will only encourage him to go back into hiding. Just act like it’s no big deal.”

“But it is a big deal.” Genma argued passionately, “People have been wondering about it for years . . . and I missed it.”

“Itachi-san’s right.” Iruka concluded, “I think we all need to give Kakashi some time and space to get reoriented . . . we’re probably a bit overwhelming, especially en masse like this.”

“That’s easy for you to say.” the senbon-sucker griped, “You’ve seen it already.”

“What Duties For Tsunade, Uchiha-san?” Gai asked suspiciously, “My Eternal Rival Was Taken Off Active Duty When She Took Office.”

“Hasn’t anyone filled you in on what’s going on Gai-sensei?” Iruka asked peevishly, “I’m sure I told Jiraiya to . . .”

“Don’t you dare try.” the toad sage threatened, “You want him to know, you tell him. I’ve done my time.” he concluded with a dramatic shudder.

“You’re right.” the Rokudaime snapped back, “You have an unerring knack for saying the wrong thing where Kakashi is concerned. Although it might be interesting to see how Gai reacts . . .” he appeared to consider the idea for a long moment and everyone watched with amusement as the sannin visibly shrank under the former teacher’s cold glare.

“Please Hokage-sama.” Jiraiya begged, “I’ll do anything else, don’t make me explain it all to Gai . . . please.” He finished with his best puppy-dog eyes, which quickly morphed into blinks of astonishment at the wicked grin spreading across Iruka’s normally placid face,

“Fine, make up with Kakashi.” the Rokudaime ordered shortly.

“That’s up to the brat.” the sage grumbled sulkily, “I tried to help him.”

“Try to accept him Jiraiya.” Iruka advised, “That’s what he needs from you right now.” He turned to face the confused taijutsu master, taking a deep breath and thanking the gods that he at least had the company of friends for this ordeal. “Gai-san, I’m afraid Kakashi has been living a double life for a very long time.” he began cautiously. By the time he finished recounting the things that had happened to Kakashi under Sandaime’s reign, the green-clad jounin could stand it no more.

“Why didn’t he say anything?” a greatly subdued Gai asked with despair, “I would have done anything I could to help him . . . doesn’t he know that?”

“No Gai-san, I’m afraid he doesn’t.” the Hokage replied soothingly, “You shouldn’t feel bad . . . no one knew until very recently.”

“Who was it . . .?” the taijutsu master asked suddenly, “Who found out?”

“Ibiki figured out what was going on . . . he brought it to the attention of the clan heads, that’s why Tsunade was removed from office.” the Rokudaime explained softly, “It’s part of why they have such a strong bond . . . although Kakashi is desperately trying to deny it.”

“So . . . what did Tsunade do, exactly.” Gai growled angrily, hands unconsciously clenching into fists as Iruka detailed the last several years of the copy-nin’s life.

“The thing to remember Gai, is that he wants to be treated normally.” the former teacher finished quietly, “Act like you always have, challenge him to stupid contests of strength . . . treat him as your Eternal Rival.” he concluded with a smile.

“I’m not sure I can Hokage-sama.” the taijutsu master replied in despair, “I feel like I’ve let him down.”

“We all do.” Asuma replied sadly, “But we can’t undo what was done. Our only choice now is to go forward and try to make up for it . . . and as far as Kakashi’s concerned the best way to do that is just to drop it.”

“He didn’t even want his attacker punished.” Raidou added softly, “He doesn’t want any controversy on his behalf.”

“I just don’t understand how all this could be going on and I never had a clue.” Gai whispered in confusion.

“We’ve all beat ourselves up over it.” Asuma rumbled, lighting a cigarette, taking a deep drag, and blowing out a puff of smoke before continuing, “But it doesn’t change anything. The best we can do is make sure nothing like this ever happens again.”

“Are you alright ‘kashi?” the interrogator asked with concern as the pair headed toward their room.

“I don’t like being looked at.” the copy-nin replied absently, “I don’t know what I was thinking.”

“You thought you could trust your friends . . . and you can, sweetheart.” Ibiki explained comfortingly, “Most of them have already seen your face. Gai is just . . . you know how he is, he overreacts to everything.”

“But Kurenai . . .” Kakashi ventured.

“Is a woman . . . they’re just a whole different species, who knows what they’re thinking.” the scarred man huffed, “I’ve never been able to figure it out. Should I send for some dinner?” he continued once they were inside.

“I’m kind of tired.” the copy-nin decided, “Maybe I should just go to bed.”

“That sounds like a wonderful idea.” the interrogator agreed, “Do you want to clean up first?”

“No, I just want to sleep . . . we have to be up early tomorrow for the wedding.” Kakashi declared after a moment’s thought. “Where’s the outfit I’m supposed to wear?”

The scarred man hunted through the closet, eventually pulling out a garment bag and unzipping it to reveal the traditional Suna garb that Gaara had sent for the copy-nin. “That’s . . . interesting, to say the least.” he finally decided after studying it for a few minutes.

“It could be worse, I guess.” Kakashi finally agreed, “There’s even a matching scarf to tie over my eye.”

“Well, now that we have that sorted out, why don’t we get ready for bed.” Ibiki rumbled, moving to stand behind the lanky jounin and wrapping burly arms around him.

“Uhhh.” the copy-nin managed to mumble as he was suddenly turned around and the interrogator captured his mouth in a deep, devouring kiss. Before he realized what was happening deft fingers had stripped them both and Ibiki was settling them into bed. “Wait . . . I can’t . . .” Kakashi panicked, attempting to wrench himself free of the restrictive hold.

“Relax sweetheart.” the scarred man husked, “I just want to hold you as we fall asleep. I will never, ever hurt you. I will never force you . . . this is my promise to you. Do you believe me ‘kashi?” he murmured sincerely.

“Yes, I believe you.” the copy-nin whispered, “I just . . . I know you’re going to change your mind.”

“I will never change my mind about you.” the interrogator swore, “You’ll see. I’m a remarkably patient man . . . and I’m not going anywhere.” With that he flicked off the light, wrapping his arms around Kakashi and pulling him close, tenderly stroking a hand through soft silver strands until the rigid form finally relaxed against him as the jounin’s breathing slowed and he drifted into sleep.

Ibiki stayed awake for a long time after the copy-nin fell asleep, carefully plotting just how he would convince the skittish jounin to stay with him. The direct approach isn’t working, he decided, every time I touch him he stiffens up . . . just not in the way I wish he would, he concluded wryly.

Eventually the interrogator gave up and shut his eyes. Just as he was drifting off to sleep an idea sparked in his mind. That might work, he thought, examining the plan from every angle, I’m too tired to be sure. Still, he decided, it’s the best one yet. Satisfied that he now had a way to show Kakashi just how serious he was, the scarred man settled down next to the slumbering copy-nin, smiling broadly when the lanky figure immediately snuggled closer, throwing an arm over the larger man’s chest and tucking a shaggy silver maned head into his side.

Tomorrow, Ibiki thought as he drifted off, just you wait sweetheart, I’m going to sweep you off your feet.