Into the Fire

Chapter Seventy-Seven

The copy-nin stubbornly tried to convince himself not to meet Ibiki for lunch, repeating over and over in his head all the reasons why spending even more time together was a very bad idea. Still, as the clock struck one he found himself casually strolling into reception and asking for the interrogator, feigning indifference when the scarred nin finally appeared.

“I was right around the corner, so I decided I might as well stop.” the silver haired man offered by way of explanation.

“Great, let me grab my coat.” Ibiki declared happily, “I have somewhere I want to take you.”

“I don't have long.” Kakashi ventured, “I promised Kurenai I'd be by this afternoon.”

“It won't take long.” the interrogator swore as he linked arms with the copy-nin and headed toward the center of the village.

After about fifteen minutes of seemingly aimless wandering they came to a stop on a fairly busy side street, right outside a shop with the door set facing the corner. “I don't see anywhere to eat.” the younger man pointed out suspiciously, “What are you up to 'biki?”

“This is it, right here.” the scarred man insisted, pulling the door to the shop open and stepping inside with the copy-nin trailing reluctantly behind him.

“What the hell is going on?” Kakashi growled when he realized they were in what appeared to be an empty building.

“This is my surprise.” Ibiki explained nervously, “Shut your eye for a minute.”

Ever so slowly the lid fell over a single piercing grey orb. “You can look now.” the interrogator whispered, and the lid slowly rose, leaving the copy-nin to gaze dumbstruck at the object in the scarred man's hands.

“You said you wanted something to do . . .” the tall man tried to justify his actions, barely suppressing the urge to bolt under that piercing scrutiny.

“I don't understand.” Kakashi finally muttered tightly, gaze shifting from Ibiki's worried face to the wooden sign clutched in his hands that read Rare and Exotic Booksellers, Hatake Kakashi proprietor. “What have you done?”

“You love books and I knew you were bored, so I thought . . .” the interrogator trailed off helplessly, unable to explain just why he had taken it upon himself to make such a huge decision for the other man. “I'm sorry, I shouldn't have presumed . . .” he began helplessly.

“It's wonderful.” the copy-nin breathed, “I can't believe you'd do something like this for me.”

“So you like the idea?” the scarred man queried anxiously, “You're not mad?”

“I think it's perfect.” Kakashi replied with a broad, genuinely happy smile, “I don't know how to thank you . . .”

“Seeing you smile again is thanks enough.” Ibiki replied happily, “I was so worried you'd be angry with me for meddling.”

“No one's ever done anything like this for me before.” the copy-nin replied idly as his keen eye began to avidly explore his new space. “But what about you?”

“What about me sweetheart?” the scarred man murmured.

“Why isn't your name on here too . . . after all, it was your idea. You aren't going to want to torture people forever.” Kakashi teased, “Sooner or later the luster will fade and you'll want something more exciting to do with your life.”

“Like sell books with you?” the interrogator asked wryly.

“I make everything an adventure.” the copy-nin quipped.

“I love adventure.” the scarred man growled as he practically yanked the lanky nin into his arms, kissing him passionately. Ibiki's heart leapt when the often reluctant jounin returned the kiss just as fervently, letting out a throaty whimper that went straight to the interrogator's groin.

“I'll make you a deal.” Ibiki murmured when they were pulled apart by the overwhelming need to breathe, “When I'm ready to retire if you still want my name there . . . then of course I'd love to do this with you. Hell, I like cleaning the bathroom when I do it with you.”

“Now that's going a bit too far, don't you think?” the copy-nin retorted with a snort. “Why do I picture myself in a maid's outfit on my hands and knees scrubbing the floor while you 'supervise'?”

That image pulled a chuckle from the stoic interrogator . . . which built to a throaty laugh . . . and eventually morphed into gales of nearly hysterical giggles, fueled, at least in part, by the relief he felt when Kakashi accepted his gift.

It took several tries and a fair amount of time before the pair was finally able to look at each other without prompting another bout of laughter. “Time's wasting.” the scarred man finally managed, “Let's get you fed so you can go visit your gal pal.”

“I feel like I should be insulted by that.” Kakashi replied bemusedly, “But I'm not sure why.”

“I certainly didn't mean to insult you.” Ibiki hastened to assure him, “Tease you a bit, maybe . . . but I guess the unflappable sharingan no Kakashi doesn't do teasing.”

“Oh, I do teasing alright . . . it's just that usually I'm the teaser.” the copy-nin shot back with a smile, “Just you wait and see.”

Shino arrived at the teahouse fifteen minutes early and spent the time pacing back and forth relentlessly as he argued with himself over the wisdom of bothering to attempt something like this a second time. Eventually though he squared his shoulders and marched into the unassuming building, looking more like he was attending a funeral than going on a date.

As soon as he mentioned Kakashi's name the hostess graced him with a broad smile. “Of course, the other member of your party is waiting for you. Please, follow me.” She led him down a short hallway, sliding open a door on the left and motioning him inside.

“Yamanaka-san.” the stoic Aburame nearly squeaked in surprise, “What are you doing here?”

“Please Shino, call me Inoichi.” the blond murmured, “As for why I'm here . . . I believe I am your date.”

The bug wielder just stared at the older man in shock. There must be some mistake, he quickly decided, there's no way he'd want to . . . Shino was pulled from his reverie by the sound of someone calling his name.

“ . . . ino, Shino.” Inoichi reached out and shook the slightly shell-shocked Aburame, “Are you alright? I understand if you don't feel comfortable doing this.”

“No . . . no, it's fine.” the younger man hastened to assure him, “I'm just surprised . . . I mean, you have a daughter and everything.”

The flower shop owner smiled at the confused look on Shino's face. “It's simple really,” he explained with a rueful grin, “Ino's mother and I had an arranged marriage. Our parents dreamed of merging the lines . . . and I just went along with it. She died less than a year later giving birth to Ino, and ever since then I've been alone.” Inoichi fixed the Aburame heir with a wary eye before continuing, “I'm not sure when I realized I was attracted to men, but I never acted on it because I was worried about how it would affect my daughter.” He sat up straight and looked the younger man in the eye, adding, “She's all grown up now, and it's time for me to think about my needs.”

Shino had to bite back the urge to groan out loud at the surge of lust that rushed through him. “Are you sure? You're very handsome Inoichi . . . I'm sure you could do much better.”

“I don't see anything wrong with you.” the blond declared solemnly, reaching over the table and snatching the sunglasses off the unprepared nin's face. “You have the most beautiful eyes.”

“But . . . my kikaichu . . .” the Aburame ventured, “People don't like bugs.”

“Shino, I run a flower shop.” the older man explained carefully, “Without insects there would be no flowers . . . you can't love one without the other. Your kikaichu don't bother me at all.”

“Are you sure? I'd understand.” the young man continued anxiously.

“Shino, I knew who I was meeting before I ever agreed to this.” Inoichi stated calmly, “I have to admit I was overjoyed when Hatake-san approached me . . . I couldn't imagine there might be someone out there willing to accept me.”

“I don't understand.” Shino's face twisted in confusion, “There's nothing wrong with you . . . you're gorgeous.”

“Thank you.” the blond replied with a deep blush, “So are you. What I meant was someone who had denied who and what they were their entire life. An old, washed up, retired ninja with no relevant sexual experience. Someone who's never once had the courage to admit out loud what it was they actually wanted.”

“You've been nothing but honorable Inoichi.” the Aburame insisted, “You honored your parent's wishes, you honored your wife and your daughter all these years. You should never be ashamed of that. Besides,” he added with a leer, “I find your lack of experience exciting . . . I like the idea that we could learn about pleasure together.”

“Well then,” the blond man declared with a smirk, “let's have some tea and get to know each other a bit better, shall we?”