Into the Fire

Chapter Eighty-Two

The ever stoic torture master of Konoha strode through the village on his way to work, the dark circles under his normally guarded eyes standing out in stark contrast to the rather frightening smile on his face. As he passed ripples of fear radiated through the community and rumors began to spread as to just what had happened to make the grim man so pleased.

“It can't be good, whatever it is.” Jackal stated just after Ibiki passed reception, “The last time I saw Morino-taichou smile like that he was covered in blood.”

“Good morning boss.” his aide ventured tentatively, “Is everything alright?”

“Peachy.” Ibiki rumbled cheerily, “What's on my plate this morning?”

“Hokage-sama asked to see you as soon as you got in.” the frightened assistant stammered, “About the incident last night.”

“Guess you know where I'll be then.” the scarred man quipped with another broad smile before abruptly teleporting out of the office. He reappeared just outside the Hokage's doors, unsurprised to hear the Rokudaime still haranguing his lover, thankfully at a much more tolerable volume, although with considerably more vitriol.

“Why the hell do I stay with you anyway?” Iruka ranted as the door opened and Ibiki slipped in.

“You wished to see me, Hokage-sama?” he asked imperturbably, never once looking at the abject tokubetsu slumped on the couch.

“I'm sorry to pull you away from more important matters Morino-san.” the Hokage began with a hard glare at Genma, “Unfortunately I need you to help me with some damage control.”

“I am at your disposal Hokage-sama.” the interrogator replied with a broad smile, “What do you need me to do?”

“Hold on a second Ru.” the honey-haired man chimed in, “Before you have him drag me out behind the barn and shoot me, I have to know . . . that's an awful big smile . . . did someone get laid last night?”

“That's just what I'm talking about.” the former teacher ranted, “Can you just keep your nose out of other people's business for five minutes Shiranui?”

“But you love my curious nature.” the senbon sucker declared while sending his angry lover his very best expression of abject sorrow and defeat.

“And do NOT try the face on me.” Iruka hissed, causing the stoic interrogator to break out in gales of laughter. “What, exactly, is so funny Morino-san?” he continued crossly.

“You're bicker like an old married couple . . . just paddle his naughty ass and get it over with sensei . . . you know you want to.” the tall man replied with a wicked leer.

“I have half a mind to punish you both and make you spank him for me Ibiki.” the Hokage muttered.

“Normally I would love to take you up on your generous offer.” the interrogator purred smoothly, “But I'm afraid at this juncture in time it would be impossible.”

“Because you're smiling.” Genma was quick to point out.

“Might I suggest Gai-sensei?” Ibiki continued smoothly, completely ignoring the senbon-sucker's remark. “He is enthusiastic, to be sure, and will do his youthful best to please you, Lord Hokage.” he finished with a small snort of laughter.

“Now that, is a nasty mental image.” the Rokudaime groaned, “Thank you so much for sharing.”

“Always my pleasure to serve, Hokage-sama.” the scarred man retorted smugly.

“I take it Kakashi's doing well?” the former teacher asked with concern, “How did he react to what happened last night?”

“He was . . . displeased.” the interrogator replied glibly, unwilling to let even the Hokage know just how badly the conflict had hurt the copy-nin. “Thankfully he had other distractions . . . he seems just fine today.”

“Distractions . . . that's why you're smiling.” Genma proclaimed gleefully.

“No . . . he's going to open a bookstore in town.” the tall man said with a brilliant smile, “He still seems enthusiastic, even though that's what started the whole argument with Ebisu in the first place.”

“Why would they argue about a bookstore?” Iruka wondered, scrunching his nose in thought, “I need more information Morino-san.”

“Apparently running a bookstore is considered a little 'gay' for someone of Kakashi's abilities.” Ibiki rumbled, “His insistence that he was, indeed, gay and lived with me was what pushed Ebisu-sensei over the edge.”

“I see.” the Hokage muttered, pinching his nose against the headache he knew was coming. “That's why you arrested them?” he continued disbelievingly.

“Oh hell no.” the interrogator exclaimed, “'kashi would kill me, he can more than take care of himself. No, I arrested them because they referred to you as a dirty sodomite, Hokage-sama, and threatened to remove you from office. I could not let treason like that go unpunished.”

“That prissy little hypocrite called me a sodomite?” Iruka bellowed angrily, “I'm going to go have a talk with that perverted weasel.” he stormed out of the office, leaving Genma to sigh in relief at having been, for the moment at least, forgotten.

“So, Ibiki . . . what's really going on between you and Hatake? You got laid, didn't you . . . nothing else would have you smiling like that. I knew it!” the senbon sucker exclaimed, adding an enthusiastic fist pump for emphasis.

“None of your business Shiranui.” the scarred man growled, “Don't you dare ask 'kashi either, or Iruka's punishment will look like a walk in the park . . . unlike him, I don't love you too much to kill you.”

“Ouch, I'm wounded.” Genma sniped back, “Here I thought we had a bright future together.”

“Seriously Genma . . . 'kashi won't react well.” Ibiki entreated, “He's skittish enough without you pressuring him.”

“When do I ever pressure anyone?” the honey-haired man exclaimed with a hurt look, “I'm totally easy going.”

“Which is why you've asked me if I got laid half a dozen times already.” the scarred man retorted sarcastically.

“Because you're smiling.” Genma laughed, “So, where is lover boy today?”

“Probably at Kurenai's . . . he was going to stop by before heading over to the store. I doubt he managed to pry himself free yet.” the interrogator reasoned.

“Poor thing.” the senbon sucker responded with a shudder, “I don't envy him, Kurenai can talk your ear off.”

Ibiki merely rolled his eyes as Genma continued with his own stream of mindless chatter, thoughts already turning to his silver-haired lover and the 'game' they had played the night before.

“Finally.” Kurenai fretted as she yanked open the door, “I don't care what you usually do Kakashi, but I hate being late . . . what on earth is that thing?”

“It's for the baby.” the copy-nin announced happily, “Boys and girls like stuffed animals.”

“That's very sweet . . . but I think it's a little large.” the kunoichi declared diplomatically.

“I just want the baby to know I'm watching over it . . . that's why I thought a dog was good, it will remind them of me.” the silver-haired man ventured shyly.

The normally mild tempered woman's hormones spiked and she almost collapsed under the sudden overwhelming wave of anger and grief she felt for all her friend had been through. “I think that's perfect Kakashi-kun.” she managed to whisper sadly, “Let's get it inside.”

“Did I do something wrong?” the copy-nin whispered mournfully, “I didn't mean to upset you.”

“Oh no, no, you didn't do anything wrong.” the dark haired woman hastened to assure him, even as she wiped away the tears leaking from her eyes.

“Then what are these?” he asked gravely, reaching out and gently wiping a drop she'd missed from her cheek.

“Pregnancy hormones, I cry all the time.” Kurenai stated decisively, “I pee a lot too.”

“Too much information.” Kakashi snapped back, running a hand over his face as he tried to wipe away the thought.

The kunoichi sighed in relief when she successfully derailed the copy-nin's line of questioning. They had an unspoken agreement not to discuss the details of the silver-haired nin's past . . . an agreement she had come very close, yet again, to breaking. For the thousandth time she wished there was more she could do to help her friend, but she knew that, for the time being at least, the thing he craved the most was just to have things go on as normal. “Shall we get going then?” Kurenai suggested, “We have a busy schedule.”