Fanning the Flames

Chapter Seven

Ibiki rose early the next morning, as usual, slipping silently out of bed and leaving the exhausted copy-nin to sleep. As he went through his morning ritual he worried about whether or not Kakashi was coming down with something. Hopefully it's just a problem with his medication, the interrogator mused, I'm sure there's something else he could take that wouldn't cause the same side effects. When he was ready he ducked back into the bedroom, gazing fondly down at the slumbering figure before bending to press a tender kiss on the inch of pale forehead peeking out of the cocoon of blankets.

By the time he reached the office he pushed the nagging thoughts to the back of his mind and threw himself into the pile of work on his desk, determined to finish early and surprise his husband by fixing dinner. He hummed to himself as he worked his way through the stack of reports, making his aide twitch with nervousness, not being used to seeing the stoic torture master so content outside of the interrogation room.

“Boss, are you okay?” he finally asked when he caught the scarred man staring off into space with a sappy grin.

“Just thinking about what to have for dinner.” Ibiki replied with a lecherous smirk, sending a shudder through his assistant.

“I'll leave you to it then.” the younger man squeaked, almost running back to his own desk in his haste to avoid becoming the main course.

The copy-nin, on the other hand, continued to slumber until almost noon. He reluctantly untangled himself from the bedding and stretched, seriously contemplating whether he should just roll over and go back to sleep. A quick glance at the clock, however, got him up and moving. Better get going, he realized, I have a check up in an hour.

Freshly showered and dressed Kakashi felt more like himself, and he wandered into the kitchen in search of something to fill the gnawing hole in his midsection. The silver-haired man stopped short, however, when he found himself pinned by sixteen wary eyes. “Morning guys,” he warily greeted the assembled ninken, “What's going on?”

“That's what we want to know.” Pakkun retorted, “You smell funny . . . what did he do to you?”

“He who?” the confused copy-nin asked cautiously.

“Your mate of course.” the pug replied with a roll of his eyes, “He took you somewhere and when you came back . . . you don't smell the same. Obviously he's responsible.”

“He didn't do anything to me I didn't want, if that's what you're implying.” Kakashi declared, “Honestly Pakkun, I don't understand what you have against 'biki, he's never been anything but wonderful to me.”

“If that's what you think I'm sure I won't be able to change your mind.” the ninken said with a disdainful sniff, “Personally, I think you could do better.”

Akiko suddenly leapt on the pug, barking and snapping at the implied slur against her beloved master. “Stop that, both of you.” Bull bellowed, freezing everyone in their tracks. “We're just worried about you boss. Are you sure everything is alright?”

“I haven't been feeling very well, but that's certainly not Ibiki's fault.” the copy-nin explained, “I'm on my way to doctor's, I think maybe it's my medication.”

“You never needed to take drugs before you met him.” Pakkun sniffed.

“Yes, I did.” the silver-haired man replied honestly, “I just didn't know it. Would you really like me to go back to the way I was before?”

“Yes.” the pug insisted.

“No.” came the chorus from the rest of the pack, all eyes now turning on Pakkun.

“Fine,” the pug grumbled, “Have it your way. Far be it from me to try and tell you what to do.”

Kakashi let out a bark of laughter, “You've been trying to tell me what to do since I was six years old.” he chortled, “You are such a hypocrite.”

“Hmmph.” Pakkun sniffed while the rest of the pack dissolved in doggy laughter.

“As much as I'm enjoying this interrogation,” the copy-nin continued drily, “I'm running late. You guys stay out of trouble and I'll see you all later.” He hurriedly made the signs and transported directly to the hospital, finally wandering into the office about five minutes after his appointment started.

“Ah, Hatake-san, I'm glad you decided to show up.” Dr. Yoshido murmured, looking up from his notes to address the tardy jounin. “Have a seat, please. How have you been?”

The silver-haired man looked down into his lap and took a deep breath before starting to recount the events of the last few days while the doctor listened patiently, occasionally interrupting to ask a question or clarify something. When Kakashi finally finished he let go of the breath he'd been holding and looked up. “So, do you think the problem is my medication?”

“It could be.” the doctor stated noncommittally, “Or you could just be pushing yourself too hard. The activities you engaged in over the weekend would be stressful for anyone. For someone with your history . . . it was very brave of you to try, it shows a lot of improvement on your part. That being said, it was a stupid idea. Of course you had a panic attack . . . I'm just glad you didn't snap and kill someone.”

“You think I'm dangerous?” the copy-nin worried, “I don't have to go back in the hospital, do I?”

“Oh, no, no.” Dr. Yoshida assured him, “But I think you should refrain from any more encounters of that sort. Obviously you weren't as comfortable with it as you thought.”

“So, are you going to change my medication?” the jounin pressed, “I've been feeling really off the last week or so . . . and I certainly don't want a repeat of last night. I can't remember ever being that sick.”

“I doubt your medication is causing the nausea.” the doctor replied after a moment, “But it could be making it worse. You probably just have a virus. Stop taking your meds for a few days until you're feeling better. Just don't stay off them for too long.”

“And if the nausea comes back?” Kakashi asked worriedly.

“Then come see me and we'll talk about changing your prescription. For now though I'd say you're doing very well . . . better than I would have predicted. Your husband seems to be good for you.” Dr. Yoshida concluded.

“Ibiki's wonderful.” the copy-nin affirmed, “I'd be lost without him.”

“Come back and see me in six weeks.” his doctor continued, “Now get out of here.”

The silver-haired man was eager to comply. “Thanks doc.” he declared with a smile before quickly standing and heading out, eager to escape the confines of the hospital. Once outside a smile sketched its way across his face and he visibly relaxed, sauntering towards the market with the intention of picking up something for dinner.

The jounin lingered over the produce, carefully choosing fruits and vegetables before heading to the fishmongers. As soon as he got within ten feet, however, the smell from the seafood washed over him and his insides lurched. The copy-nin barely made it around the corner and out of sight before he found himself doubled over with the meager contents of his stomach splattered across the pavement at his feet. Maybe fish isn't such a good idea, Kakashi decided reluctantly, I'll just stop by the butcher's and then head home.

He headed down the narrow street, turning into the familiar shop without even thinking about it . . . only to find himself once again hurrying out into the street. Damn stomach flu, he realized crossly, I'll just have to get Ibiki to pick up something for the pack on his way home.

The silver-haired man abandoned his chores, instead turning and heading for home, deciding it was pointless to open the shop if he was going to end up spending the whole day in the bathroom. Once safely inside he quickly put away the few things he had bought, ignoring the disappointed looks the ninken sent his way when they realized he hadn't brought them anything.

“I'll send Ibiki later.” the copy-nin explained, “I'm not feeling very well.”

The lanky jounin quickly stripped and showered, sighing in contentment when he finally slipped into the furo and relaxed, slumping back against the side and shutting his eyes. Eventually he began to doze and decided it would be a good idea to get out before he drowned.

Reluctantly abandoning the warm water, Kakashi quickly toweled off and pulled on some soft sweatpants and an old t-shirt before heading into the bedroom and climbing back in bed. Sleep is the best thing for the flu, he decided as his eyes fluttered shut, I'm sure I'll be right as rain by tomorrow.

Ibiki finally placed the last report in his outbox, glad to be finished with his paperwork and free to move on to more enjoyable things. “I'm out of here.” he called to his aide before transporting to the market and beginning his hunt for something he could prepare to surprise Kakashi.

Deciding that simple was best he selected a nice piece of salmon and some tender new asparagus. The interrogator was headed for home when the butcher flagged him down. “Hatake-san left without this.” he was told as a large bundle was shoved into his arms, “Tell him I hope he's feeling better.”

“Thank you.” the scarred man replied automatically before turning and hurrying home, suddenly anxious to check on his husband.

Ibiki was relieved to find the copy-nin sleeping comfortably so he set about feeding the pack and preparing their meal, ignoring the pointed glares Pakkun was sending his way.

Once dinner was finally ready the interrogator piled everything on a tray and headed for the bedroom, intent on getting some food into his husband. “Sweetheart, wake up.” he urged, gently shaking a bony shoulder, “I fixed you some dinner.”

“Oh, hi.” Kakashi murmured when he finally struggled back to consciousness, “I didn't know I'd been asleep so long.” The copy-nin pulled himself to a sitting position, eying the tray warily. “What did you make?”

“Salmon, asparagus and rice.” the scarred man replied, “You need nutrition if you're going to get over the flu.”

“I hate to disappoint you after you went to so much trouble.” the silver-haired man explained, “But I'd better stick to plain rice, my stomach is still a bit touchy.”

“Don't worry about it.” Ibiki assured him, “Eat what you can. The important thing is for you to feel better.”

“Thank you.” the copy-nin whispered gratefully, “You're so good to me. He quickly devoured the rice before sliding back under the covers and drifting back into sleep, leaving his husband to watch over him worriedly, hoping that whatever was plaguing the lanky jounin would soon pass.