Into the Fire

A/N Sorry it's a little bit late, I had trouble finding the right tone . . . I'm desperately trying not to rush things too much!

Thank you so much to everyone who reads and especially those who review. Your kind words definitely help keep me going!

Belladonna_LaMorte – I'm so happy I've converted you!! (although you'll be happy to know I have two Kaka/Iru's in the works so you'll get your OTP fix soon!

msuzumaki – I swear there is a happy ending at the end of all this mess. Remember from great adversity comes great insight, after all!

Fyrbyrd – thank you so much, I really don't mean to make anyone cry ;) 'kashi is slowly, but surely getting better (and I'm trying my best not to shortcut everything and rush to the happy ending, healing is important after all!)


Chapter Eighty-One

As the couple neared the tower, they noticed the air had grown still and even the insects seemed to be holding their breath, waiting for something. Halfway down the stairs they were met by an explosion of chakra and the loudest sound they had ever heard a human produce.

“What in gods name were you thinking?” the Rokudaime bellowed in the voice that had a generation of ninja cowering in fear, “Who told you to read the papers on my desk?”

“I was only trying to help.” Genma argued back, “Besides, we both know he's an asshole who loves to torment you.”

“Hokage-sama,” Ibiki ventured when they reached the holding cells, “do you have need of my services?”

“Butt out Morino.” the former teacher growled.

“Butting out, see you tomorrow.” the interrogator acceded cheerfully, grasping the copy-nin's elbow firmly and steering him back out into the night.

“Shouldn't we make sure Genma's okay?” Kakashi asked worriedly, “Iruka was awfully mad.”

“He loves the idiot too much to kill him. They'll work it out, no point in our getting caught in the crossfire.” the scarred man reasoned. “Besides, it's late, and you're still recovering, I need to get you home.”

By the time the couple reached their house, dinner had long grown cold. “I'll just heat up something quick.” the copy-nin suggested as soon as they stepped inside, “Five minutes and we'll be eating.”

“I'd rather just go to bed.” Ibiki countered, “I'm bushed.”

“But I wanted to celebrate.” the younger man pouted, “I need to thank you for everything you do for me.”

“Then come to bed.” the interrogator urged, “Let me hold you while I fall asleep.”

“That doesn't seem like a very good deal for you.” Kakashi stated, one eyebrow raised in disbelief, “I get a new life and you get saddled with an invalid.”

“The way I see it I'll always have the better deal . . . because I get to spend my time with you.” the scarred man husked as he pulled the startled copy-nin into his arms and began to press tender kisses all over his face.

“What is up with you?” the silver-haired man wondered, “Did you hit your head?”

“No silly . . . I'm in love.” Ibiki chuckled, the husky breath on his sensitive nape making Kakashi squirm restlessly.

“Fine, bed it is.” the copy-nin conceded, yanking the interrogator behind him until they reached the bedroom, where he carefully began to strip the larger figure.

“What are you doing 'kashi?” the scarred man asked tentatively.

“What does it look like?” he replied almost crossly as he fumbled with the wrappings on the tall man's legs. “You certainly can't go to bed with all this on.”

“I can undress myself.” Ibiki ventured, “You don't need to do this for me.”

“I didn't get to feed you, at least let me do this.” Kakashi fretted, “Don't make me feel completely useless.”

“You are so far from useless.” the scarred man growled, pulling the startled jounin up into his lap and sealing their mouths together almost desperately. The copy-nin suddenly jerked back, searching the interrogator's face with a feral, fevered eye before diving back in for another deep, devouring kiss. “'kashi . . wha . .” was all Ibiki managed as deft hands relieved him of his pants before soft silver strands tickled his thighs and Kakashi swallowed his throbbing erection.

“Stop . . .please . . .” the stoic man whined, wrapping his hands in the copy-nin's hair and yanking him up to face confused onyx orbs.

“Why are you always stopping me?” Kakashi entreated in a plaintive, husky voice that went straight to the interrogator's groin.

“Gods help me 'kashi, you're going to be the death of me.” Ibiki groaned in frustration as he wiped a hand across his face and attempted to gather his thoughts. “I don't want to stop you sweetheart . . . but this feels so selfish . . . “

“But I want to.” the copy-nin insisted.

“And I'll let you . . . once you're fully healed and I can return the favor.” the scarred man promised, “For right now though . . . would you like to play a game with me 'kashi?”

“I suppose.” the silver-haired man replied warily, alert for the slightest hint that things were about to turn violent, “Tell me what you had in mind.”

“The name of this game,” Ibiki teased as he divested the jounin of the remainder of his clothes and tugged him down to stretch out on the bed, “is reciprocity. The way we play,” he continued, bending his head to nip a tempting nipple, grinning against the skin as the nub instantly hardened, “is simple . . . I search all over this luscious body of yours, looking for what makes you feel good. Every time I find something you like, you can do the same thing to me.”

“But . . . “ the copy-nin stammered, searching for the trick hidden inside the deceptively simple offer.

“But what?” the interrogator teased, “Sound like too much work for you?”

“Anything you do to me, I can do to you?” Kakashi reiterated suspiciously, “You promise?”

“I'm looking forward to it.” the scarred man growled lustily before turning his attentions back to the reddened nub he had been tormenting, suckling it fiercely before pulling back to blow lightly on the damp skin, fascinated by the ripple of goose flesh across the creamy torso.

“My turn.” the copy-nin rasped, pushing the larger man to lie flat and then straddling him, wiggling gracefully until he was comfortably nestled in the cradle of Ibiki's hips, with the interrogator's dripping length tucked neatly between pale cheeks.

“Don't move.” the scarred man warned, but the jounin ignored him, twisting his hips as he turned his attentions to a flat coffee-colored nipple, worrying it with his teeth until Ibiki called out his pleasure.

The interrogator struggled to ignore the burning fire in his loins, trying, instead, to concentrate on the more delicate, but still exciting, sensation of having his battered flesh licked and suckled gently by those fascinating pale, perfect lips.

“I think I'm beginning to like this game.” the copy-nin chuckled throatily. “You do realize what this means, of course.”

Ibiki desperately tried to focus on what his lover was saying, but the constant grind of lean hips was robbing him of the ability to concentrate. “No,” he finally admitted, “you have to stop moving and let me think.”

“But I don't want you to think I-bi-ki,” Kakashi crooned, “just listen and feel . . . isn't that what this game is about?”

“Yes,” the interrogator reluctantly agreed, “I suppose.”

“So just listen to me when I tell you that once I've healed, I'm going to pound that tight ass of yours until you scream my name.” the lithe jounin whispered heatedly.

“Oh my god.” the scarred man managed to stammer through the haze of lust swamping his senses.

“That will do.” the copy-nin retorted smugly, before once again dipping his head, this time choosing to torment the wide band of scar tissue where Ibiki's other nipple had been.

“Nope, my turn.” the interrogator growled, easily flipping the lighter man and preparing to pounce, only to pull up short with a strangled, “Holy shit what the fuck is that?”

“It's a stuffed dog . . . for the baby.” Kakashi replied reasonably, “So it will know I care.”

“What baby?” a now totally confused Ibiki yelled, “Why didn't you tell me you were having a baby?”

“I can't have babies you idiot, I'm a man.” the copy-nin growled angrily.

“I didn't mean having it, having it.” the scarred man hastened to explain, “I meant you never said you were going to be a father . . . who's the lucky girl?” he added sullenly.

“Kurenai.” the oblivious jounin continued, “Isn't it exciting. Don't worry, it was Asuma's idea.”

“And just exactly when, pray tell, did Sarutobi ask you to impregnate his wife?” the interrogator demanded in a low, deadly voice.

“I never agreed to that.” the copy-nin yelped, “Since when does a godfather have to do that?”

“Slow down, what did you say?” Ibiki asked urgently.

“Since when does a godfather have to sleep with the pregnant woman? I mean, I like Kurenai and everything but . . . no, I'm not doing it.” Kakashi declared petulantly.

“You don't have to sweetheart,” the scarred man hastened to explain, “I just misunderstood.”

“That is one hell of a misunderstanding.” the silver-haired man groused.

“That is one monstrous stuffed animal.” the interrogator responded blithely, “It's bigger than Bull. You're going to give the baby a complex.”

“No . . . babies love stuffed animals.” the copy-nin insisted, “I asked the woman at the toy store.”

“If you say so sweetheart.” Ibiki conceded with a shake of his head, “Now, where was I?”