Into the Fire

Chapter Eight

The copy-nin struggled on gamely, but only a few hours after leaving Grass it was already apparent he was in no shape for a forced march. “Let’s set up camp here for tonight.”, Ibiki suggested, “I’ll go gather some firewood.”

“Don’t leave me.” Kakashi wailed, latching on to the interrogator’s arm with an iron grip, “You promised to take me home with you.”

“I’m not leaving you.” the scarred man assured him, “I’ll be right over there, but I need to make a fire so I can fix you something to eat.”

“I don’t want to eat.” the copy-nin pouted, “I just want you.”

“Just wait here Hatake-san, I give you my word I’ll be right back.” Ibiki promised, settling the jounin somewhat. Kakashi leaned back against a fallen tree, still regarding the interrogator with suspicion as he quickly gathered some fallen branches from the fringe of the clearing, unwilling to stray outside that keen gaze.

“See, all done.” he announced overly cheerfully as he quickly built a fire, seating himself next to its warmth and motioning for Kakashi to join him. He was not, however, expecting to find himself with a lapful of copy-nin, eagerly pressing up against him as he rained hot tempting kisses across the scarred man’s face.

“You didn’t leave me.” Kakashi purred as he snuggled closer, rubbing his face against the interrogator’s chest.

“I promised I wouldn’t.” Ibiki said stiffly as he tried to extricate himself from the jounin’s clinging grip.

“Everyone always leaves me.” the copy-nin whispered mournfully as his eyes finally slipped shut and he fell into an exhausted sleep in his rescuer’s arms.

“I won’t leave you Kakashi.” the interrogator whispered familiarly, “Not until you want me to.” he concluded sadly, knowing that as soon as the jounin realized who he was cuddling with he would pull away. Hell, I’ll be lucky if he doesn’t kill me, Ibiki thought with a shudder, still, it’s what he needs now, he finally rationalized, unwilling to admit how much he, too, appreciated the illusion of closeness after so many years alone.

“I have news from the leaf, my lord.”, Kabuto said softly as he knelt at his master’s feet, “Tsunade has been removed as Hokage and imprisoned.” he continued urgently, “And Morino’s bringing Hatake back to the village.” he finished with a snarl.

“Now, now pet.” Orochimaru soothed, “You need to learn patience . . . Hatake will be yours soon enough.”

“And how do expect that to happen with Tsunade out of the picture.” the medic nin growled angrily.

“You need to learn to trust me.” the sannin replied coldly, “Or are you thinking of changing your allegiance.”

“No my lord,” Kabuto whimpered as he prostrated himself at his master’s feet, “I live to serve only you.”

“Very good precious, very good.” the snake summoner oozed as he ran an absent-minded hand through steely strands before suddenly tightening and wrenching the frightened medic’s head around to meet his gaze. “Make sure it stays that way.” he commanded coldly, releasing his hold and sending the startled man tumbling to the
ground.

Orochimaru paused when he reached the doorway, turning to address his servant, “What you fail to realize Kabuto,” he hissed, “is just how motivated my old teammate is. She’d move heaven and earth for what I’ve promised her . . . I have no doubt she’ll be joining us soon with your prize.”

“Thank you my lord.” the medic replied gratefully, bowing low as his master swept out of the hall.

Tsunade paced her cell in the bowels of the tower, idly wondering if they had installed her successor yet. What I really should be worrying about is how I’m going to get out of here, she fretted. I can’t believe they think they’ll get away with this.

Slowly an idea began to form in her mind . . . that just might work, she decided with glee, now I just need to wait for my opportunity. The busty woman leaned back against the wall placidly, a soft smile on her face as she settled in to bide her time.

Iruka woke before dawn to a thunderous pounding on his door. “‘ruka what is that?” Genma slurred disjointedly.

“Just the door.” the teacher replied, planting a kiss on the honey-haired man’s head as he slipped into a robe and went to answer it.

“Iruka, it’s time.” Asuma announced heatedly, grabbing his arm and yanking the startled chuunin onto the stoop.

“At least let me get dressed.” the teacher hissed, pulling his arm back sharply and heading back into his apartment. “I’ll start some coffee.”

“We don’t have time for that . . . Tsunade’s in custody, nobody’s in charge.” the bearded jounin explained.

“And five minutes more or less won’t make any difference.” Iruka retorted, “Believe me, coffee will help get me there a lot quicker.”

“Fine,” Asuma retorted, “I’ll make the damn coffee, you just go get dressed.”

“Who’w’s’t’ru?” Genma mumbled into the pillow.

“Asuma.” the chuunin replied distractedly, “I kind of forgot to tell you about my day yesterday.”

“Okay,” his boyfriend sighed, “I’m up.” The senbon sucker dragged himself upright and fixed the teacher with his best glare. “Why is Asuma here at 4:30 in the morning? Are you in some kind or trouble Ru?”

“No . . . the opposite of trouble . . . at least, I hope it is. I had a meeting with the clan leaders after I got off work last night. Tsunade is no longer our Hokage.” Iruka explained, lips thinning in anger as he thought about the reason for her removal. “And, surprise, surprise,” he continued nervously, “they asked me to be the next Hokage?” the teacher finished weakly, watching Genma’s face for a sign of reaction.

“Ha, ha, good one Ru.” the tokubetsu jounin cackled, “Never mind, I’ll go ask Asuma.” He pulled on some boxers and wandered toward the kitchen, scratching his ass absently. “Morning ‘suma.” he declared brightly, “Why the hell are you here so early?”

“Didn’t Iruka tell you?” the bearded man answered, “He’s been chosen as Rokudaime . . . he needs to be sworn in.”

“I thought he was kidding.” Genma gasped, falling heavily against the counter, “Shit . . . I can’t bone the Hokage, it’d be like sacrilege or something.”

“Of course you can.” Iruka said with a chuckle as he came up behind his lover and kissed him on the cheek. “I may even assign it to you as a mission . . . you can be my night guard.”

“Very funny.” Genma replied sourly.

“It’s a real position,” Asuma jumped in, “and you’d actually be a good choice. It’s obvious Iruka’s comfortable with having you around.”

“Although I don’t know why.” the teacher remarked wryly as he pulled the milk out of the fridge, only to find the carton was empty.

“Oops.” the honey-haired man exclaimed, “I meant to buy another one . . . sorry Ru.”

“It’s okay Gen,” the chuunin replied softly, “but shouldn’t you hurry up and get dressed . . . you’re holding everything up. After all, I wouldn’t want my boyfriend to miss such a big event in my life.”

“Uh, right.” the senbon sucker replied absently, wandering back into the bedroom to find some clothes.

“Is this going to be a problem?” the teacher asked wryly, indicating himself and his departed lover.

“No . . .no.” Asuma assured him hastily, waving his hands in front of his face, “I was just a bit surprised . . . I kind of thought you guys didn’t like each other, you’re always chewing Genma out for something whenever I see you.”

“That’s how I know he loves me.” the honey-haired man chuckled as he sidled up behind his lover and wrapped strong arms around his waist, “Right Ru?”

“Are you finally ready?” the teacher replied, “Let’s go if we’re going to do this.”

Ibiki woke with a start. Must have fallen asleep, he decided, noting that the fire had burned down to flickering embers. He glanced down at the lanky form still curled up against his chest. What’s going on inside that head of yours Hatake, he wondered as he absently ran his fingers across the exposed flesh of the copy-nin’s arm, noting the difference in texture between the satiny pale pink ribbons of scar tissue and the silky alabaster flesh.

I just hope you recognize me soon, the interrogator thought wryly, it’s getting harder and harder to say no to you. The jounin mumbled in his sleep, turning slightly and nuzzling his uncovered face into the crook of the scarred man’s neck, hot breath gusting over the sensitive flesh and sending a shiver through Ibiki’s frame.

Kakashi suddenly turned, propping himself up on one elbow as he studied a suddenly nervous Ibiki with sharp, unreadable eyes. “Just checking.” he muttered before laying back down and instantly dropping back to sleep, leaving the interrogator awake to dwell on all the ways the copy-nin could kill him if he should decide to do so. The scarred man finally drifting back to sleep as he passed five hundred, his last thought that, while moving was probably smart, he was warm and comfortable and there were worse ways to die.