Into the Fire

Chapter Seventy

Gaara and Raidou's reception continued on, most of the attendees oblivious to the confrontation taking place just outside the hall. Eventually, however, the couple could no longer contain their worry and excused themselves, heading over to the hospital to check on the copy-nin's progress.

“Mind if we tag along?” Genma asked worriedly, “I haven't seen Ru since he went to find out what was happening.”

“I Would Like To Accompany You Also.” Gai boomed, “My Rival May Need Assistance.”

“Of course.” Raidou replied easily, “Let's go see if we can figure out what happened.”
The group headed out of the banquet hall, stopping briefly to examine the signs of struggle in the lobby before heading across the village. Halfway there they encountered Ibiki and his trail of followers on the way back to the palace.

“That's the funniest thing I've ever seen.” Genma gasped through gales of laughter, “Morino looks like a momma duck with her babies.”

“You Should Not Mock the Lover Of My Eternal Rival.” Gai lectured sternly, “He Is Doing His Manly And Youthful Best To Protect His Precious Person.”

“You're right Gai-san.” the Rokudaime declared, “Besides, it's not Ibiki who's making a scene . . . it's everyone who can't leave them be.”

“What happened anyway Ru?” the senbon sucker asked curiously, “How did Hatake end up in the hospital . . . and where did the Jiraiya and the Mizukage disappear to?”

“I only wish I knew Gen.” his lover replied worriedly, “When Kakashi collapsed everyone scattered . . . I can only assume they're together somewhere.”

“What Happened To My Rival To Make Him Collapse?” Gai interjected worriedly, “He Seemed Fine During The Ceremony.”

“Zabuza seemed to think he had a claim on Hatake-san because of his relationship with the former Mizukage.” Iruka ventured tentatively, “It didn't help that he got the Daimyo from Grass involved.”

“Kakashi Had A Relationship With The Mizukage?” the taijutsu master asked in confusion, “I Don't Understand.”

“I'm afraid Sandaime gave him to the Mizukage as a concubine when he was fifteen.” the Hokage reluctantly admitted, “Ibiki lost his patience during the negotiations to rescind that contract and killed the old man. Unfortunately, it appears Zabuza had been promised Kakashi along with the title . . . suffice it to say that he didn't agree with us when we told him it wasn't going to happen.”

“What Does The Daimyo Have To Do With It?” Gai asked almost nervously.

“He was the last person Tsunade pimped Hatake-san out to.” the Rokudaime retorted curtly, “Apparently it was not an enjoyable experience. Ibiki is the one who retrieved him, I'm sure he could give you more details.”

“No.” the green beast choked out, “I really, really don't want to know.”

“Are you alright Gai?” Genma asked worriedly, noticing that the taijutsu master's face was the color of cottage cheese, “Do you need to sit down?”

“It is very unyouthful of me, I know,” an uncharacteristically solemn green beast replied, “but the thought of my friend going through all that without my even noticing . . .”

“We all feel that way Gai-san.” Asuma chimed in as he and a visibly exhausted Kurenai joined the group.

“Kurenai, what happened?” Genma asked worriedly, “You look terrible.”

“Watch it Shiranui.” her husband growled.

“He didn't mean it that way, silly.” the dark-haired kunoichi declared, smacking her husband on the arm. “I'm afraid Kakashi's condition is my fault.” she stated softly, “I didn't realize his sharingan was uncovered when I cast the genjutsu on the Daimyo . . . and I'm afraid Hatake-san was caught in it.”

“We managed to free him from the illusion,” an equally exhausted Itachi added as he and Kisame joined the group, “but it was more difficult than we had anticipated.”

“You'll have to excuse us.” Kisame declared brusquely, “'tachi needs to rest.” The swordsman scooped his partner up in his arms and strode off rapidly toward the palace, leaving the others to follow in his wake.

“So where are Jiraiya and Zabuza?” Iruka wondered.

At that moment the two men in question were faced off across a training field on the outskirts of the village as the pack sat and waited for their opportunity. “Ready to give up on this stupid idea yet Sonny?” the toad sage asked seriously.

“So you're okay with all this?” Zabuza asked curiously, “The fact that you're about to die defending a whore.”

“I've already warned you, he's no whore. Besides,” the sannin continued with a throaty chuckle, “you're a bit confused . . . I think you're the one who should be worried about dying here.”

“I don't think so old man.” the swordsman sneered, “I'm younger, stronger and faster than you are. So I'll ask you again, are you willing to die defending a worthless whore?”

Before Jiraiya could retort the pack sprang into action, lunging forward in a flurry of teeth and claws to drag the hapless Mizukage down to the earth and pin him there. “Still feeling cocky Sonny?” the sannin chuckled, “It seems even my nephew's summons are stronger than you are.”

Zabuza merely grunted noncommittally, turning his head and refusing to face the toad sage's taunts. “I think it's about time we see why you keep your face covered.” the white-maned man decided, leaning forward and roughly slashing the bandages covering the swordsman's face with a kunai before peeling them back.

“Oh . . . now I see why you hate Kakashi so much . . . he got the better of you, didn't he?” Jiraiya taunted smugly when he caught sight of the ragged kanji carved into the younger man's face. “It must kill you to look at his name every day and know he despises you.”

“I don't care if he likes me or not.” Zabuza spat sullenly, “He will be mine and then I'll teach him a lesson . . . give me a week and he'll be docile as a kitten.”

“I think not.” the sannin decided, rising to his feet and dusting off his hands. “It seems to me that we have reached an impasse. You refuse to relinquish your claim and I refuse to allow it. Looks like I'll have to kill you.” he concluded dispassionately.

“You can't kill me . . .I'm the Mizukage.” the swordsman exclaimed, “All of the assets of Mist will align against you.”

“Perhaps . . . and perhaps not. You hardly strike me as the type to inspire that degree of loyalty. Besides, should they move against us your former allies in Sand and Sound now stand with the Leaf, the odds are hardly in your favor.” the sage decided thoughtfully.

“Look, let's not be too hasty.” Zabuza entreated, “I'm sure we can come to some kind of compromise.”

“You leave my nephew alone . . . period. That's the only deal I'm willing to make.” Jiraiya growled, “The problem is . . . I don't trust you to stick to anything you say.”

“So where does that leave us?” the Mizukage asked cautiously.

“We rip you limb from limb.” Pakkun growled, tired of all the pointless conversation. The pack reacted instantly, tearing at the prone figure until it was nothing but a bag of bones and tendon.

“You guys are brutal.” the sannin decided, “Remind me not to get on your bad side.”

“You already were.” the pug declared, “You're starting to turn around though.”

“We still don't trust you.” Tomodachi added spitefully.

“And if you hurt the whelp we'll gladly bite your nuts off.” Bull chimed in.

“That's a bit severe, don't you think?” Jiraiya replied with a injured look.

“You've got a lot to make up for,” Pakkun decreed, “and you're not getting any younger. If I were you I'd pick up the pace.”

“I'll have you know I'm in the prime of my life.” the sage declared haughtily, “I've got a lot of good years left in me.”

“Yeah, yeah.” the pug grumbled, “I've heard that one before.”