Into the Fire

Chapter Sixty-Nine

Kakashi let out a strangled scream at the Daimyo’s passing, clutching his head in his hands and slumping to the ground. “I’ll take care of sonny-boy here.” the toad sage commented cheerfully, “You guys take care of Kakashi.”

Ibiki carefully scooped up the unconscious copy-nin, tenderly cradling him close to his chest, intent on getting him to the hospital. “Where are you taking my property?” Zabuza growled angrily, pulling away from the sannin to try and reclaim Kakashi from the interrogator.

“You must have been hit on the head one too many times.” Jiraiya remarked conversationally, “I thought we made it very clear that you have no claim over him.”

“I have a better claim than any of you.” the swordsman protested angrily. “The Mizukage shared him with me all these years . . . he intended Hatake to be mine, just like the office is now mine.”

“Unfortunately, he was giving away something that was never his to give.” the toad sage explained, “Sandaime had no right to sign that contract in the first place.”

“Whether he had the right or not is immaterial.” Zabuza snarled in frustration. “He did sign the contract, and Hatake chose to abide by it all these years . . . why the sudden change?”

“Perhaps because I refuse to act as a pimp for my shinobi.” Iruka answered coldly, “The Hokage is supposed to protect the people under his care, not lend them out for torture.”

“Ninja are tortured all the time.” the Mizukage replied easily, “What's the big deal?”

“The 'big deal' as you so casually put it,” the former teacher explained, “is that there's a difference between being captured and tortured and being asked to just walk in, drop your defenses and let someone assault you. I could never expect one of my shinobi to agree to that.”

“Then you're a fool.” Zabuza spat, “You won't wear those robes for long.”

“No, you're the fool.” Asuma growled, “There was no dissension, Umino-sama was the only choice we discussed . . . with the exception of Hatake-san himself, but we didn't want to further burden him. Every shinobi in the leaf would gladly give their life for Iruka, and most of the civilians as well, for that matter.”

“Then it's achingly obvious your entire village is made up of fools.” the swordsman countered, “Your best choices were a teacher and a whore.”

“You do realize that Hatake-san was my predecessor, do you not?” Itachi asked curiously, his soft voice somehow cutting through the chatter.

“You have got to be kidding me.” the Mizukage chortled, “The whore was Otokage? Let me guess . . . Orochimaru was using him as a shield.”

“No, he most certainly was not.” Itachi snapped, “Orochimaru-sama appreciated all of Sempai's many attributes.”

“Like his tight ass and hot mouth?” the swordsman jeered.

“Watch what you say.” Jiraiya demanded, “My nephew is a genius, and the holder of more jutsu than you could possibly hope to learn in your miserable life . . . even if it isn't cut short.”

“Jutsu he stole . . . with an eye that isn't even his.” Zabuza spat back, “It certainly doesn't make him a genius.”

“How old were you when you became a genin?” Itachi asked calmly.

“Thirteen,” the swordsman replied reluctantly, “why?”

“Sempai was a genin at six, a chuunin at eight and jounin by thirteen . . . before he was gifted with his sharingan.” the Otokage explained, “Underestimate him at your own peril.”

“So he's smart, big deal.” the Mizukage scoffed, “That doesn't make him a shinobi . . . I still say he's nothing more than a pretty face.”

“Enough.” Kurenai bellowed, “Why are men always such assholes?” she groused. “Sorry honey, I didn't mean you.” she added guiltily when she caught the hurt look Asuma directed her way. “Seriously though, why can't any of you ever simply accept the fact that someone may be better than you?”

“Because they can't be.” the group chorused, causing the kunoichi to pinch her nose in frustration.

“I give up.” the dark haired woman proclaimed, “I'm going to the hospital to check on Kakashi.”

When Kurenai arrived at the hospital she quickly spotted a distraught Ibiki pacing the waiting room. “What's going on?”

“They're examining him now.” the interrogator replied quietly, “I haven't heard anything . . . I don't understand what happened.”

“His sharingan was uncovered.” Kisame offered, “Perhaps he was caught in your genjutsu Kurenai.”

“Oh no . . . I never though of that.” the dark haired kunoichi cried in despair, “I can't believe I was that stupid.”

“It's not your fault Kurenai.” Ibiki soothed, “None of us expected it.”

“Perhaps Itachi could be of some help?” Kisame wondered, “I can go and fetch him if you'd like.”

“It can't hurt.” the scarred man replied with a sigh, “Sure, go ahead. While you're there could you apologize to Gaara and Raidou . . . the last thing Kakashi wanted was to ruin their wedding. You know he didn't want to go, he was afraid of something like this coming up and disrupting the festivities.”

“He shouldn't have to be punished for someone else's actions.” the swordsman declared, “It's not his fault Zabuza is an arrogant pig.”

“No, it's not.” Ibiki agreed, “Still 'kashi doesn't see it that way. In his mind this will be all his fault.”

“Then I'll just have to set him straight.” the kunoichi decided, “He deserves better than that.”

Another half hour passed achingly slowly and the waiting room gradually filled up as people made their way over to the hospital from the reception. Finally a medic-nin came out to address the waiting crowd. “I'm afraid he's still unconscious.” the healer declared calmly, “He's exhausted most of his chakra.”

“Is he still suffering?” Ibiki asked with concern.

“I don't know.” the medic replied, “He's not reacting to stimuli.”

“Let me see him please.” Itachi requested, “Perhaps I can help.” The Otokage slipped into the indicated room, Kisame and Ibiki trailing after him. “Actually,” the dark haired man declared, “I'd like just Kurenai to go in with me please . . . as the caster of the genjutsu she may be able to help me bring him out of this.”

The interrogator shook his head no, intent on rejoining his precious person . . . but was stopped by Kisame's large hand on his shoulder. “Let's give them a few minutes Morino-san.” he urged, “Wouldn't you rather see him once he's conscious? You know they won't harm him.”

“Fine, but make it quick.” the scarred man grumbled before resuming his pacing.

After what seemed like an eternity an exhausted Itachi and an equally limp appearing Kurenai returned to the waiting area. “We freed him from the genjutsu . . . it was more complicated than I thought.” the Otokage whispered tiredly, swaying back and forth until Kisame caught him gently and urged him to a seat. “Sempai will probably sleep for the next several days while his chakra rebuilds . . . but after that he should be fine.”

“So I can take him back to our room?” Ibiki inquired hopefully, “I'd rather he didn't wake up in another hospital bed.”

“I see no reason why that would be a problem.” Kurenai concurred, “He just needs sleep.”

“Thank you both, for everything.” the interrogator declared solemnly, “If there is ever anything I can do to repay you . . . anything at all, please, let me know . . . I am in your debt.”

“I owe Kakashi more that I can possibly explain.” Itachi stated quietly, “It is my pleasure.”

The scarred man tiptoed into the copy-nin's room, carefully cradling the limp form to his chest. “You're going to be just fine sweetheart.” he crooned as he stroked sweat-matted locks, “You just need to rest for a few days before we head for home.” He carefully adjusted his precious cargo before heading out of the hospital and back to the palace, ignoring the crowd trailing behind him until he reached their room. “I'll give you an update in the morning, right now I need to get 'kashi to bed. I want to thank you all for your concern, hopefully the news will be better tomorrow.”