Into the Fire

A/N - Late again, I know. I finally fixed the problems with the website, so if you tried to visit and couldn't (word to the wise - require log-in on all pages INCLUDES the log-in page - duh), please, try again, I'd love to see you there!

And now back to our regularly scheduled chapter!!


Chapter Seventy-Six

Ibiki made a show of seeing Shino off at the end of the evening, pointedly stepping outside with the younger man and shutting the door behind him, even as he reached out with his chakra to judge the copy-nin's mood.

“He's about ready to implode.” the interrogator informed the Aburame heir with a wicked smirk, “Let's see how long he can keep this up.”

“You know that sooner or later he'll figure out this is all a ruse, don't you?” the bug wielder asked curiously.

“As long as he learns his lesson.” the scarred man declared, satisfaction apparent on his face, “Are you sure this is okay with you?”

“I have nothing better to do.” Shino admitted with a rueful shrug, “I might as well help someone find happiness.”

“You know, 'kashi really is good at matching people up.” Ibiki commented idly, “When he's done being pissy you should have him find someone for you . . . you really are a nice guy Shino.”

“Thank you.” the bug wielder replied with an audible gulp, “So are you . . . I don't know if I'd go as far as Hatake-san and call you sweet . . .”

“He called me sweet?” the usually intimidating interrogation master asked, face lighting hopefully as he searched the younger man for traces of deception.

“Let's just say if you ever find yourself at loose ends I'd definitely be interested.” the Aburame heir purred as he slipped his dark glasses back on and headed toward the clan compound, a small smile lingering on his face.

Ibiki turned back into the house, a satisfied whistle on his lips . . . only to come face to face with a glowering copy-nin. “Is something wrong 'kashi?” he asked innocently, calling all his skills at subterfuge into play in order to maintain his ruse.

“It took you an awfully long time just to say goodbye, didn't it?” the angry jounin hissed, “I knew you'd get tired of me sooner or later . . . but I didn't expect you to leap into bed with someone the first chance you got.”

“I stood on the stoop and said goodnight . . . to the guest you invited, I might add.” Ibiki retorted drily, “That's hardly leaping into bed.”

“But you admit you wanted to.” the copy-nin pressed, needling the larger man aggressively as he moved closer, sensitive nose seeking traces of the Aburame's scent on the interrogator. “I told you, I can smell it.”

“What you smell,” the tall man rumbled, “is how badly I want you . . . just you 'kashi, no one else. Your jealousy turns me on.”

“I am not jealous.” the copy-nin retorted with a wounded sniff, “I just don't want to see it, that's all. I wanted you to like him just . . . maybe not so much, so quickly.” he finished sheepishly.

“Tell the truth sweetheart . . . you don't want me to like him at all, now do you?” Ibiki practically purred, eyes narrowing as he observed the nearly imperceptible tightening of the copy-nin's muscles.

“Of course I want you to like him.” Kakashi growled, “I wouldn't have asked him here if I didn't think you would get along. It's just . . .”

“Just what sweetheart?” the interrogator asked softly as he pressed up against the copy-nin's back, wrapping his arms tightly around the lanky man to prevent his escape.

“Why didn't you offer me a job working with you?” the silver-haired jounin inquired mournfully.

“Huh?” the scarred man grunted in surprise, “That's what's bothering you? I didn't mean anything by it 'kashi . . . it's not particularly pleasant work, especially considering your history . . . I just assumed it wouldn't appeal to you.”

“The sharingan would be an asset for interrogations, would it not?” the copy-nin asked drily.

“I don't want to see you hurt anymore.” Ibiki temporized, “Sooner or later you'd have to question someone when you didn't think they deserved it . . . or someone you felt close to, I couldn't do that to you.”

“But you can do it to Shino?” Kakashi pressed.

“I love you, sweetheart. Shino's a nice enough guy . . . but I don't love him, I love you.” the interrogator insisted, “That's why it matters, that's why it makes a difference . . . now do you understand?”

“It's not a good idea.” the copy-nin muttered under his breath.

“What's not a good idea?” the scarred man prodded, “You might as well tell me, I'll get it out of you sooner or later.”

“Loving me . . . it's not a good idea.” Kakashi replied numbly, “I'm going to go soak for awhile . . . don't wait up for me.” Ibiki frowned as he listened to the sound of water running in the bathhouse while the copy-nin scrubbed before slipping into the expansive tub to soak.

Shit, that's not what I wanted, the scarred man berated himself, he was just supposed to realize he was jealous, not hate himself even more. Ibiki debated whether he should join the skittish jounin . . . perhaps convince him to talk about what was really troubling him. In the end, however, he decided he had already pushed the formidable sharingan no Kakashi to the breaking point, and he had no desire to see him shatter.

“I'm sorry sweetheart.” the scarred man whispered outside the bathhouse door, “Don't stay in too long.”

A petty part of the copy-nin's brain cheered the fact that the stoic interrogator was visibly upset by their confrontation. As much as he tried to deny it though, Kakashi had to accept the fact that his feelings for the scarred nin ran surprisingly deep. Maybe this wasn't such a good idea, he finally admitted, I need to steer Shino in another direction . . . but then what do I do about Ibiki? He continued to lounge in the steaming water as he struggled to come up with a solution to his dilemma. Eventually, however, he gave up and headed back into the house, slipping soundlessly into bed beside the too still interrogator and shutting his eyes before falling into a light, troubled sleep.

Early the next morning the reluctant copy-nin was nudged out of bed by the sunlight falling on his naked face so he rose and dressed, grumbling the entire time, and finally made his way into the kitchen in search of coffee.

“Why did you leave the curtains open?” he hissed at the all too innocent appearing torture master, “You know I can't sleep with the sun on my face.”

“Someone's awfully touchy this morning.” Ibiki noted mildly, “Have trouble sleeping last night dear?”

“Why are you up so early anyway?” the silver-haired man groused, “Can't wait to leave me?”

“No, not at all.” the scarred man replied with a smile, “Would you like me to stay home today?”

“No, of course not.” Kakashi retorted, “What's wrong with you?”

“Nothing's wrong with me, I just have a very full schedule today.” the interrogator explained, “Plus, I have Shino coming in to talk about joining T&I . . . I'll probably be late getting home tonight.”

“Feed yourself then.” the copy-nin snapped, “I'm going over to visit Kurenai, I promised to stop by today.”

“No need to get so pissy sweetheart.” Ibiki soothed,”It's just a job . . . it's not like we're moving in together. Why don't you come by and meet me for lunch . . . we'll go somewhere we can talk, just the two of us. How does that sound?”

“I'm not a woman, you don't need to coddle me.” came the icy reply, “I'll see if I'm free when the time comes.”

“You know where my office is.” the scarred man confirmed, “I'll be there all day.” With those, meant to be encouraging, words he leaned over, gave the startled copy-nin a swift kiss and teleported out.

First things first, Kakashi decided, take care of the Shino problem. That decided he gulped down his coffee and quickly cleaned up before going in search of man he was considering as a possible match for the reserved bug wielder. “Excuse me.” he began politely, “I have an interesting proposition for you . . .do you think you could spare five minutes to hear what I have to say?”

Half an hour later he was hunting the village for the other half of his match, finally spotting the Aburame heir at the barbeque stand with Chouji, Shikamaru and Kiba. “May I speak with you a moment Aburame-san?” the copy-nin inquired respectfully.

“Certainly, Kakashi-san.” Shino murmured before quietly excusing himself and following the jounin out of the restaurant. When he reappeared five minutes later Kiba immediately started peppering him with questions.

“What did Hatake want?” the Inuzuka begged shamelessly, “Come on Shino, you know you want to tell me.”

“Actually, I don't.” the bug wielder shot back, “Not everything is your business Kiba.”

“You told me about your 'date' with Ibiki the other day.” Kiba teased.

“And I wish I hadn't.” Shino muttered crossly, “I have an appointment in the tower, I'll see you guys later.”