Into the Fire

Chapter Eighty

“I am giving it time.” the copy-nin whispered sadly, “Only nothing is changing.”

“Sweetheart, the doctor said it could take a year or more. You can't rush it.” Ibiki replied soothingly, pulling the forlorn figure into his lap and wrapping strong arms around him protectively. “I am happy to wait as long as it takes. I don't want to be with anyone but you.”

“What if I never get any better?” Kakashi mused, “Then what happens?”

“Nothing happens 'kashi. It really doesn't matter. I mean, of course it matters,” he hastily backpedaled at the incredulous look cast his way, “but it doesn't change the way I feel.”

“But it's not right.” the copy-nin replied in a barely audible whisper.

“You're right, it's not right that you should have to suffer so much.” the interrogator whispered back, “I wish I could roll back the clock, I should have just stayed in bed with you that first morning after we got back from Grass.”

“Silly.” Kakashi retorted with a watery smile, “Wishing your life away on something like that. But that's not what I meant and you know it.”

“Wanting to see you happy is not silly.” Ibiki argued, completely ignoring the inference to his own happiness, “You are as deserving of it as anyone in this village . . . more than many.” he amended with a snort as he thought of the three hapless jounin now cooling their heels in the tower basement.

“Don't you deserve to be happy?” the copy-nin countered, “By your measure you are just as deserving as I am . . . yet somehow you feel it's alright to cheat yourself.”

“In a perfect world is this what I would have wanted?” the interrogator posited, “No, it's not. But the fact of the matter is, I'm much happier with you than without you, 'kashi. I'm not willing to give this up, not when it took me so many years to find someone I have feelings for. You're stuck with me I'm afraid, might as well get used to it.” he finished with a decisive nod.

“I should fix dinner.” the silver-haired man noted numbly, “Go get cleaned up.”

“Let me help you.” Ibiki offered, “Then we'll be able to eat sooner.”

“You're hopeless in the kitchen.” Kakashi retorted with a snort, “Besides, you're a little . . . blood spattered,” he decided after examining the stains more closely, “you should change.”

“Yes dear.” the scarred man replied obediently, “If you give me a kiss first.”

The copy-nin leaned over and gave him an absent peck on the cheek before turning towards the house. “'kashi, wait.” the interrogator called after him, “What did Kurenai say when you told her about the bookstore?”

“She was excited . . . but her news was better.” the jounin admitted slyly.

“What news?” Ibiki prodded, “You can't just leave it there.”

“Get cleaned up and set the table, I'll tell you over dinner.” Kakashi decided, throwing the tall man a tentative smile before heading into the house.

Genma was currently sprawled in the comfortable chair behind the Hokage's desk, rapidly skimming through the pile of paperwork that had appeared the instant Iruka left the office. Technically he didn't have the clearance to deal with most of the issues involved . . . but he did love knowing all the secrets the village held. Besides, he rationalized, the more I finish, the less Ru has to do before he can call it a night.

The honey-haired man was more that halfway through the stack when the door opened and an ANBU appeared, dropping a pile of paper on the desk before disappearing just as silently as he had come. “Shit, it never ends.” the senbon sucker muttered as he snagged the newest batch and pulled it over for appraisal, eyes going wide when he read the details.

Fifteen minutes later Genma was deep under the tower, heading toward the holding cells. “How dare they.” he kept muttering under his breath, “I'll show them girly.”

“Gentlemen,” the honey-haired man began conversationally once he had reached the cell holding the three jounin, “I believe we need to have a little talk.”

“I have nothing to say to you faggot.” Ebisu hissed, causing Aoba and Iwashi to turn and stare at him in surprise.

“Get over it.” Genma retorted bluntly, “It's been years since he turned you down . . . I'm sorry if it frustrates you, but Ru was taken long before he ever caught your eye.”

“I don't know what you're talking about.” the enraged tutor spat, “I hope you're not implying I share in your perversion.”

“I'm not implying anything.” the senbon sucker stated firmly, “I am merely saying that lashing out at someone just because they rejected you is seriously fucked up. You need to get some help.”

“I don't need help from a pussy like you.” Ebisu bellowed angrily, “You disgust me.”

“You know, Ru hid for years because of you.” Genma remarked almost idly, “He was so afraid you'd go through with your threat to get him removed from the academy. He doesn't have to worry about that now,” he continued with a wicked grin, “everyone knows we're together. You lost Ebisu . . . it must really rankle after so many years.”

“I'm warning you Shiranui,” the tutor spat, yanking off his glasses and glaring at the senbon sucker, distaste painted on his face, “one more word . . .”

“And what?” Genma taunted, “Not much you can do when you're locked up, now is there? I'm surprised Morino didn't kill you.” he continued mildly, “He's very protective of Hatake.”

“What you people are doing is not only disgusting, it's illegal.” the tutor stubbornly maintained, “I'll make sure that my friends on the council hear about this. I was the tutor for Sarutobi-sama's children, after all.”

“You say that like it's a good thing.” the honey-haired man said with a despairing sigh. “You do know that your precious Sarutobi was a pedophile?”

“How dare you say something like that about Lord Hokage.” Ebisu managed to grit out.

“It's true. He molested the best and brightest of our children for years.” Genma continued grimly, “I'm sure you know how some of them turned out as a result . . . like Orochimaru . . . and Uchiha Itachi, for example. Oh, and he had a bastard child he left to wither in an orphanage too.” the tokubetsu continued implacably, “Ru deserved better than that . . . and he damn well deserves better than a worm like you.”

“You have no authority to be involved in this.” the tutor insisted stubbornly, “I'll have you brought up on charges.”

“The only thing I'm guilty of is trying to have a rational conversation with a flaming asshole.” the senbon sucker grumbled, “I probably do need to have my head examined.”

“Shiranui-san,” the ANBU guard called down the corridor, “is everything all right down there?”

“We're just peachy.” Genma shot back jovially, “Aren't we boys?”

“Morino-sama will be upset if you harm them before his interrogation.” Hawk added nervously, “That's never good.”

“I'll clear it with Ibiki.” the tokubetsu continued cheerily, “I'm sure he won't mind . . . after all, I am the Hokage's personal guard, it's only right I question those involved in a threat against him.”

“Just let me know if you need any help.” the guard offered, “It's a quiet night.”

“Not for long.” Genma smirked, “We're just getting started.”

Ibiki and Kakashi were just sitting down to dinner when the door bell rang . . . and rang . . . and rang some more. “I'll get it.” the interrogator groused, “I'm sure it's for me anyway.”

He yanked open the door and turned his most intimidating glare on the ANBU on the other side. The masked figure gulped and stepped back involuntarily before squaring his shoulders and spitting out “Your presence is required at headquarters, sir. There's been an incident with the prisoner.”

“The rest of the information please.” Ibiki demanded drily.

“Shiranui Genma is involved in a confrontation with the three jounin you arrested earlier.” Bear rattled off at top speed, “It's getting out of control and you need to come and straighten things out.”

“Shit, give me a minute.” the scarred man said with a heavy sigh, letting go of the door and leaving it to slam in the startled nin's face. “'kashi, I have to head back to the tower, Genma's causing trouble with the prisoners.”

“Why?” the copy-nin asked, tilting his head and looking more like a quizzical puppy than was good for Ibiki's concentration.

“Because it's my job sweetheart.” he explained patiently as he shrugged on his coat, “I'll be back in a flash.”

“No, why is Genma causing trouble?” Kakashi retorted with an exasperated snort.

“Not a clue.” the scarred man declared after a moment's thought.

“Mind if I tag along? . . . I'm curious.” the silver-haired man admitted.

“I always enjoy your company sweetheart.” Ibiki said with a broad smile, “Let's go break up a fight, shall we?”