Into the Fire

A/N Sorry to take so long with this chapter . . . I had a good excuse though! My new website is now up and operational. Take a minute, stop by and register, I'd love to see you all there!


Chapter Seventy-Five

The three men were just beginning to eat when they were startled by a thunderous pounding at the door. “I'll get it.” Kakashi murmured, “You two enjoy your food.” He slipped out into the entry, cracking open the door and peering out suspiciously.

“I'm busy right now Kurenai.” the copy-nin muttered peevishly as he slipped outside, closing the door behind him, “What do you need?”

“Busy doing what Kakashi?” the kunoichi inquired nosily.

“If you must know we have company for dinner.” the silver-haired jounin admitted reluctantly, “Now, I'm being rude to our guest, if you'll excuse me.”

“Shino's going to end up getting hurt.” the dark haired woman declared angrily, “I can't allow that.”

“I have no intention of hurting Shino or anyone else.” the copy-nin spat back, “Mind your own business.”

“He's my student . . . this is my business.” Kurenai retorted.

“He's a grown man who wants a chance to have something for himself.” Kakashi replied softly, “You didn't even know he liked men . . . did you? Trust me, this will be good for both of them.”

“Honey, we should just go home . . . this really is none of our business.” Asuma urged, wrapping an arm around the kunoichi's waist and pulling her close as his fingers rubbed in a soothing rhythm against her hip.

“But this isn't right.” she exclaimed petulantly, “Ibiki loves you, why won't you see that?”

“I see it.” the copy-nin replied bitterly, “I live with him, after all. You have no idea how badly I wish that circumstances were different . . . “ he continued in a heartbreakingly wistful voice, pain clearly visible in every line of his body. The last Hatake shook his head, breaking the spell he had allowed himself to fall under, and once again composed himself behind his usual mask of cheerful indifference. “The reality of the situation,” he stated implacably, “is that they both need someone . . . and I'd like to see Ibiki happy . . . he deserves to be happy.”

“So do you.” the dark haired woman insisted, “Why can't you see that?”

“Asuma, take your wife home.” Kakashi continued, adroitly avoiding the kunoichi's question, “I'll stop by tomorrow. I need to get back to dinner.” He opened the door to go back inside, the sound of Ibiki and Shino's mingled laughter drifting out to meet them, “See,” the copy-nin husked sadly, “I was right. Don't mess this up for them Kurenai.” he warned as he shut the door behind himself, leaving the couple to make their way home.

“It'll be alright honey.” the bearded jounin soothed, “Let's just go home and finish our dinner. You can talk to him again tomorrow.”

“But Shino . . . “ the dark haired woman began, only to be cut off by her clearly exasperated spouse.

“Is a big boy now. He can more than take care of himself Kurenai. Just let it go.” Asuma insisted, “And before you bring it up, so are Ibiki and Kakashi . . . they're all adults and it really, really isn't any of your concern.”

“I just want to see him happy.” the kunoichi muttered sadly, “Why is that such a crime?”

“It isn't a crime sweetheart . . . but it may just be too late. Hatake's had a really messed up life, he may not ever be able to accept what Ibiki's offering him.” her husband replied softly, “If you push too hard he'll just run from you as well.” he concluded as he kissed her tenderly.

“What was that for?” Kurenai wondered suspiciously.

“Because I think it's really sweet the way you care so much about your friends.” the bearded man declared as he kissed her again, “You're going to be a terrific mother . . . have you told anyone yet?”

“Not yet.” she murmured guiltily, “I'll tell them tomorrow.”

“Maybe it will give Hatake something to look forward to.” Asuma mused as he lit a cigarette, shaking out the match and tossing it as he deftly steered them towards their home, “You know . . . make him the godfather or something.” he concluded with a shrug, “I'll leave that part up to you.”

“It doesn't bother you, does it?” the kunoichi asked curiously.

“What, exactly, is it I'm supposedly not bothered by?” the bearded man inquired playfully.

“My best girlfriend is a man.” his wife retorted with a wry grin, “I never really had any close girlfriends . . . Kakashi is as close as I've been to having a best friend . . . aside from you, of course, sweetheart.” she added guiltily.

“I know you love me, I've got nothing to worry about.” Asuma declared smugly, tightening his grip around her waist and pulling her close, “Besides, Hatake's too pretty for your tastes, you like your men rugged and hairy.”

“Says who?” Kurenai chortled.

“Well . . . I'm rugged and hairy, and you like me.” the jounin said with a smile, pleased by his logical deduction and certain he was right.

“I like you despite the fact you're rugged and hairy.” the kunoichi admitted, “Sorry sweetheart . . . and just so you know, Kakashi is everyone's type . . . hell, even straight men take a second look. Besides,” she continued with another bark of laughter, “if I used your criteria I should have ended up married to Jiraiya.”

Asuma's mock-wounded look only sent the dark-haired woman into further gales of laughter, leaning against the bearded man for support until she could finally draw a shaky breath. “I'm sorry honey,” she declared sincerely, “but the look on your face . . . you did know I was kidding, didn't you?”

“Funny,” her husband remarked drolly, “I was just thinking you and Gai would make an awfully cute couple . . . both of you being in the springtime of your youth after all.”

“Ewww, just ewwww.” the kunoichi squealed, shaking her head and wrinkling her nose at the thought.

“What's the matter, is the green beast too manly for a sweet little thing like you?” Asuma teased.

“Gai's too manly for any woman.” Kurenai declared with a shudder, “I hope you have a plan for wiping that image from my brain.”

“I'm sure I can think of something.” he murmured as they stepped inside, scooping the startled woman into his arms and heading for the bedroom, satisfied that, for the moment at least, he had chased the troubling thoughts from his wife's mind.

“So, having fun?” Kakashi murmured as he stepped back into the dining room.

“Shino was just telling me about his last mission.” Ibiki rumbled warmly, “Apparently you were right about the Inuzuka and their dogs.”

“I told you, I can smell it.” the copy-nin grumbled, “Why do you think I avoid them?”

“Have you ever considered T&I?” the interrogator asked casually, “Your kikaichu would be a huge advantage, and you wouldn't always be dragged away because someone's had enough of Kiba.”

The Aburame heir laughed, an open, delighted sound. “If you're offering me a job, then yes, I'll take it.” he announced with a broad smile, “It will be nice to spend more time here in the village . . . and with you Morino-san.”

“Call me Ibiki.” the scarred man husked erotically, “No need to be so formal.”

“Excuse me.” the copy-nin muttered to the oblivious pair, heading for the kitchen in an attempt to reign in his traitorous emotions. You wanted this, he scolded himself, you can't be jealous that it seems to be working out.

As soon as Kakashi left the room the pair began to giggle like schoolboys. “Did you see his face?” the usually stoic Shino chuckled.

“He deserves it.” Ibiki declared, “I can't believe he thought he could get away with something like this. I'm sorry if you're disappointed.” he added with a deep blush.

“Well, I'd be lying if I said I wasn't interested.” the bug wielder muttered almost inaudibly as he studied the dust under his feet intently.

“I'm flattered.” the interrogator replied sincerely, smiling when Shino's head shot up in surprise. “What, you thought I was emotionless?”

“No . . . no one's ever appreciated my attentions before.” the Aburame admitted reluctantly, “It's nice.”

“I meant what I said about the job.” the scarred man insisted, “I think you'd be good at it.”

“I'll come by the tower tomorrow and we can discuss it.” the younger man decided, “I shouldn't make any hasty decisions.”

Just then the copy-nin reappeared, a large tray of pastries in his hands. “I thought we could eat desert in the lounge.” he suggested easily, although the furious chakra whipping around him belied that appearance and the interrogator smiled in satisfaction.

Good, Ibiki thought, serves him right for trying to duck out on me like that. “I'll have coffee . . . what would you like Shino?”

“Coffee sounds great.” the bug wielder replied enthusiastically.

“Thanks 'kashi.” the interrogator called over his shoulder as he took the Aburame's arm, “Let me show you the way Shino.” he offered with a smile, ignoring the dark look aimed at their backs as he smirked in satisfaction.