Into the Fire

Chapter Seventy-Eight

It was late in the afternoon by the time Kakashi managed to break away, insisting that he would see Ibiki at home and that he needed to go visit Kurenai. “Otherwise you know she'll come track me down at the worst possible time.” he noted wryly.

“Go, get all that chitchat out of your system.” the interrogator chuckled, “I'll finish up as quickly as I can and see you at home.”

“Is it alright if I tell her?” the copy-nin asked suddenly, tilting his head quizzically as he waited for an answer.

“Tell her what sweetheart?” a confused Ibiki finally asked.

“About the bookstore.” the silver-haired nin replied shyly. “I don't have to tell her if you don't want me to.”

“Of course you can tell people 'kashi.” the scarred man replied, “Everyone's going to know when you open for business.”

“Thank you.” Kakashi murmured gratefully, flinging his arms around the larger man and squeezing tightly, “You are so very good to me.”

“That's because I love you sweetheart . . . it's easy being good to you.” the interrogator said with a smile, “Now go see your girlfriend, you can tell me all about her reaction later over dinner.”

“I thought you were going to be late?” the copy-nin retorted smugly.

“I changed my mind.” Ibiki growled erotically before planting a quick kiss on a pale cheek and disappearing into headquarters, anxious to wrap up his work and head home.

The copy-nin meandered through the village, not really thinking about the path his feet were taking as he wended his way towards Asuma and Kurenai's. When he arrived at the unassuming house he looked around suspiciously, making sure he wasn't being observed before rushing up to the door and knocking.

“Kakashi, come in.” Kurenai exclaimed in delight, “I'm glad you're here . . . we have things to discuss.” she added ominously.

“Before you get started, I already set Shino up with someone else . . . and I think they make a wonderful couple if I do say so myself.” the silver haired man declared smugly.

“So, who is it?” the kunoichi asked curiously, “You have to tell me now, otherwise I'll go mad from the suspense.”

“Only if you promise to stay out of it.” the copy-nin warned, “I don't want either of them getting hurt.”

“Tell me Hatake.” the petite woman growled, “Or you'll be the one that gets hurt.”

“Fine, it's Yamanka Inoichi . . . happy?” Kakashi retorted with an injured sniff.

“Ino's father?” the dark haired kunoichi gasped in shock.

“Yes, Ino's father.” the copy-nin almost snarled, “He's just now willing to admit to what he wants after years of denying himself for his daughter's sake. They actually have a lot in common . . . I think they'll be good together.”

“But, he's not gay.” Kurenai stammered.

“Inoichi?” the silver haired man scoffed, “Of course he's gay . . . he just never admitted it. Lots of men in arranged marriages have no real interest in women . . . they just go with the flow because they don't want to deal with the repercussions.”

“But his wife's been dead for years.” the petite woman gasped in realization, “He was alone all this time because of Ino?”

“He was afraid she'd suffer because of his preferences. There are a lot of people here in Konoha who don't approve of two men in a relationship.” Kakashi explained cautiously, “Not that it's any of their business.”

“So, when are they going out?” Kurenai pressed nosily, “I should talk to Shino first and give him some advice.”

“I'm afraid you're too late.” the copy-nin responded with a smirk, “They're having tea together as we speak.”

“Fine.” the kunoichi retorted sullenly, “I'll just have to get the details out of him after the fact.”

“I have something else to tell you.” Kakashi ventured shyly, “If you're interested.”

“Of course I'm interested.” the dark-haired woman exclaimed, “Although I doubt you can beat that last bombshell.”

“I don't know, it's kind of important.” the silver-haired man teased, “Maybe I shouldn't tell you, too much shock all in one day can be dangerous.”

“Hatake,” Kurenai growled, “spit it out.”

“Ibiki gave me something.” the copy-nin hedged, “Something big.”

“A house.” the dark-haired woman guessed, “No, you have one of those . . . a vacation . . . no, you aren't working . . . I don't know, you have to tell me.” she finally admitted in defeat.

“He bought me a business . . . I'm the new rare and exotic book dealer here in the village.” Kakashi declared proudly, “At least, I have the shop and the sign . . . there's a lot of work to do before I can open for business, that's for sure. Still, it feels good having a purpose in life again.”

“What do you mean?” Kurenai asked quizzically, “Why didn't you have a purpose before?”

“I am no longer shinobi.” the copy-nin declared mournfully, “That has always been my purpose . . . at least as far back as I can remember. When I was relieved from duty I found myself at loose ends . . . there was nothing to aspire to, no challenges to meet, no purpose for my existence.”

“Oh you silly . . .” the dark-haired kunoichi said despairingly with a shake of her head, “What am I going to do with you. The purpose of your existence oh-mighty-genius is simply to be happy.”

“No.” Kakashi countered stubbornly, “My purpose is to serve, without that I am nothing.”

“Well, I have another purpose for you.” Kurenai countered with a wide smile, “A duty, if you will.”

“Of course, what do you need from me?” the copy-nin asked quietly, “I am at your service.”

“I want you to think about it before you agree.” she fretted, “Don't just say yes because you feel you have to.”

“Tell me what you need Kurenai.” the silver-haired jounin reiterated soothingly, “I'm not going to say no.”

“We're having a baby.” she admitted with a delighted squeal, “I want you to be the godfather.”

“Are you sure about that?” the copy-nin asked uncertainly, “I don't think I'm the best influence for a child.”

“You are smart, funny, dedicated, loyal, caring . . . where on earth would I ever find someone better to look out for my most precious person?” the kunoichi insisted, “And before you ask, Asuma's fine with it . . . in fact, it was his suggestion.”

“I don't understand why you two would want someone like me . . .” Kakashi mumbled brokenly, “I'm just a whore.”

“No, you're not.” Kurenai scolded, “You're my friend . . . and that's something I don't have many of.”

“If you're sure it's what you want . . .” the silver haired man temporized, “then of course, I'll do it. So, when are you expecting this little bundle of joy?”

“In about four months.” the dark-haired woman gushed excitedly, “There's so much to get done first . . . we need to fix up the nursery, and names, we need to choose names.” she continued to babble obliviously, “I'd love it if Asuma would quit smoking first . . . but I guess that's too much to ask.”

“It can't hurt to try. After all,” the jounin reasoned, “he's probably feeling pretty generous right about now . . . guilt will do that to a person.”

“Guilt, why would he feel guilty?” Kurenai asked sharply, “What did he do Hatake?”

“He got you pregnant, silly.” Kakashi teased, “Seriously though, to a man that's foreign territory . . . Asuma's bound to feel guilty because you have to actually carry and deliver the baby. Believe me, that's an assignment no man would volunteer for.”

“They'd just screw it up . . . important jobs are best left to the women.” the kunoichi retorted with a laugh.

“Boy or girl?” the copy-nin prodded.

“Yes, one or the other.” the dark haired woman giggled, “We don't know yet, I want it to be a surprise.”

“But that's so impractical . . . how will I know whether to buy the baby a baseball or a baby doll?” the future doting godfather fretted, “Really, you need to find out.”

“Just wait until after the baby arrives.” she suggested softly, “It really isn't worth getting worked up over.”

“But I need something to give the baby right away.” Kakashi fretted, “So it knows I'm watching out for it.”

“I'm sure you'll figure something out.” Kurenai soothed, “Now give me a hug and then let's get to work . . . we've got a lot of planning to get done and not much time in which to do it.”