Into the Fire

A/N sorry for the delay . . . I've been busy getting my new web site up and running (www.sesshabattousai.com)!! it should be fully populated and on-line by this weekend. I'd love it if you stopped by to visit (whips out puppy-dog eyes) and please leave me some feedback - it always always helps!!

Chapter Seventy-Four

Kakashi rushed home after a quick trip to the market, cleaning the house and starting the meal before going to freshen up. Out of the shower and casually dressed he double-checked the surroundings to make sure nothing was out of place, startling slightly when he heard the key in the lock and a worn Ibiki finally appeared.

“Go take a shower and put on something comfortable, dinner's almost ready.” the copy-nin called from the kitchen. “We're having company so hurry up.”

“Who's coming?” the interrogator rumbled from the doorway, reaching out and pulling the jounin over for a tender kiss.

“It's a surprise . . . now go.” Kakashi insisted, pushing the scarred man toward the bathroom.

“I don't like surprises.” Ibiki muttered darkly, “Just tell me what's going on 'kashi.”

“Nope.” the copy-nin decided with a smile, “Now hurry up.”

The scarred man had just emerged from the bedroom, clean, relaxed and dressed in comfortable clothes, when the doorbell rang. “I'll get it.” he called, striding to the door and throwing it open, assuming he'd see Asuma and Kurenai, or maybe Genma and Iruka. He was surprised, instead, to find a visibly nervous Aburame Shino fidgeting on the stoop.

“Aburame-san, how may I help you?” he inquired politely.

“You came!” the copy-nin exclaimed in delight from the kitchen door, “Ibiki, let our guest in please and get him something to drink.”

“Of course.” the interrogator murmured, “My apologies Aburame-san, I was expecting someone else.”

“I'm sorry if I'm intruding Morino-san.” the bug wielder replied stiffly, “I assumed Kakashi told you I was coming.”

“Well, he said we were having company . . . but he didn't tell me who.” the scarred man admitted easily, “I didn't realize you and 'kashi were friends.”

“I don't know if you could call us friends exactly.” Shino admitted reluctantly, “We hardly know each other.”

“Then why, may I ask, are you here?” Ibiki mused as he studied the placid figure for any traces of deception.

“Because I asked him.” the copy-nin said as he smacked the larger man out of the way, “Don't you know it's rude to leave a guest waiting on the doorstep?” He turned toward the nervous young man on the stoop, “Please come in Shino . . . don't mind 'biki, he's paranoid for a living.”

“That wasn't nice.” the interrogator whined as he turned back inside to join them, “I'm hurt 'kashi.”

“It may not be nice, but it's true. Stop looking for problems and just enjoy dinner.” the silver-haired jounin scolded, “Shino will think you're not happy to see him.”

“My apologies Aburame-san.” the scarred man declared politely, turning to the flustered chuunin and gracing him with a slight bow, “'kashi's right . . . I was very rude.”

“That's quite alright Morino-san.” the young man replied stiffly, “Of course you were surprised to see me . . . I'm surprised to be here.”

“Kakashi can be very persuasive.” Ibiki acknowledged, “If you want to leave don't worry about it, I'll explain it to him.”

“No, I don't want to leave.” the bug wielder decided, finally stepping all the way inside and removing his coat and ever-present sunglasses. “Besides, it's not like I have any other invitations for the evening . . . it will be nice not to be alone.”

“Ahhh, so that's what it is.” the interrogator mumbled, “Would you like a drink Aburame-san?”

“Sake would be wonderful.” the bug wielder declared after a moments thought, “And please, call me Shino . . . I keep thinking my father is here.”

The scarred man laughed at the rueful expression on the younger man's face, a deep rumbling sound that sent shivers racing up Shino's spine. “Maybe I should go check on Kakashi.” the Aburame heir suggested anxiously, “He probably needs a hand.”

“Why are you so nervous?” Ibiki wondered, leaning in to pin the younger man with a piercing glare.

“Dinner's ready . . . everyone come take a seat.” the copy-nin yelled as he exited the kitchen with a platter in hand. “Stop looming and give me a hand Ibiki.” he scolded when he noticed the pointed glare the scarred man was sending his way.

“What are you up to?” the interrogator husked.

“Just trying to fill up my days.” the copy-nin declared wearily, “I'm not used to so much free time.”

“Go talk to Iruka-sensei.” Shino suggested, “He's always willing to give out work.”

“You sound like you're speaking from experience.” Ibiki noted with a chuckle.

“Our team stays pretty busy.” the young man admitted somewhat reluctantly, “Although I think that's more to keep Kiba out of trouble than anything else.”

“I'm afraid Hokage-sama has relieved me from duty.” the copy-nin declared with a sigh, “I suppose I need to find something else to do with myself.”

“Why do you need to do anything 'kashi?” the interrogator questioned, watching the jounin with guarded eyes, “It's not like you need the money.”

“I'm bored.” the copy-nin retorted snappishly, “I have no clue what to do with myself all day.”

Across town, Asuma and Kurenai were just sitting down to dinner. “What did Shino want?” the bearded jounin asked curiously, “Usually it's one of the other two that needs your advice.”

“He's got a date tonight . . . apparently Kakashi is setting him up with someone.” the kunoichi explained, “He wouldn't tell me who it was though.” she continued, worrying her lip between her teeth as she tried to figure out who the mystery date was with.

“Well, Kakashi is surprisingly good at matchmaking.” Asuma allowed, “Look at Gaara and Raidou, I would never have thought of pairing them up.”

“They seem really happy though.” Kurenai replied with a smile, “I just don't know why Kakashi didn't mention it when we talked earlier . . . I could have given him some insight into Shino's personality, he is my student after all.”

“He probably was afraid you'd meddle and mess things up.” her husband decided as he went to light another cigarette. His hand, however, stopped halfway to his mouth, the burning match between his fingers forgotten as his wife cast him a poisonous look.

“I don't meddle . . . at least, not unless I have to.” Kurenai declared with a sniff, “It's just kind of suspicious . . . they were both being so secretive.”

“Well, you'll just have to ask one of them tomorrow.” Asuma suggested, “I'm sure they'll talk after the fact . . . unless . . .”

“Unless what?” the kunoichi wondered, “Finish your sentence 'suma.”

“Well, Ibiki did say Hatake was trying to escape. Maybe he's setting Shino and Ibiki up so he's free to go.”

“Oh no he will not.” Kurenai cried, jumping up from the table and grabbing her things before dragging her reluctant husband up as well. “We need to go stop this.”

“It's none of our business sweetheart.” the bearded jounin soothed, “Whatever is going on I'm sure they can work it out amongst themselves . . . they are all grownups, after all.”

“No, Shino is my student and Kakashi is my friend . . . I can't let them make a mistake like this.” the petite woman fretted, “Ibiki loves Kakashi, he won't go for this at all . . . Shino's going to end up hurt.”

“So you're going to do what?” Asuma asked drily.

“I'm going to go talk to the stupid idiot before someone gets hurt.” Kurenai fumed.

“And which idiot would that be?” her husband chuckled.

“Just hurry up and get ready.” the dark haired woman groused, “I have a bad feeling about this.”

“Sweetheart, maybe we should just stay out of this.” Asuma ventured, “I really, really don't want Hatake pissed at me.”

“Would you rather have me pissed at you?” Kurenai threatened ominously.

“No dear.” the jounin replied meekly, “Let me get my coat.”