Into the Fire

Chapter Eighty-Four

“It just makes good sense.” the Rokudaime posited, “those three are not the only ones in the village with an attitude problem.”

“I don't know Iruka.” Asuma replied slowly, “Mandatory sensitivity courses are going to be about as successful as the sexual harassment classes a few years back . . . remember them?”

The Hokage nodded, of course he remembered . . . how could anyone forget such an unmitigated disaster. The genin were terrified, sure that someone was lurking and waiting to pounce on them behind every corner; the chuunin were stoic, knowing full well that they would end up taking the brunt of the backlash; and the jounin . . . well the jounin looked upon it as some sort of advanced stealth training, the purpose being to see just how far they could push things without getting arrested, and his own lover had been one of the worst offenders.

“Well I have to do something.” the former teacher entreated, glancing around the room at the other council members, “I can't just say 'naughty jounin, don't hate me' and let them go.”

“Then punish them for treason.” Nara Shikaku argued reasonably, “Leave their motivations out of it.”

“What started it anyway?” Hyuuga Hiashi inquired politely.

“Apparently they decided to give Kakashi a hard time about his new business venture . . . it degenerated from there.” the Hokage explained with a sigh. “I'm just glad Ibiki was too worried about Hatake-san to bother interrogating them right away. . . I wouldn't want their deaths on my conscience.”

“How is Kakashi doing?” Aburame Shibi asked quietly, “I've been looking for him around the village.”

“I believe he's avoiding you,” Asuma interjected, “because of Shino.”

“Why would he be avoiding me?” the elder Aburame asked curiously, “What did he do?”

“He set Shino up with someone.” the bearded man revealed, “I think he's afraid you won't approve.”

“There aren't many who wish to associate with our clan . . . if Hatake-san was kind enough to bring my son together with someone who can accept him I can only be eternally grateful.” Shibi replied smoothly, “In fact, I'm a bit jealous . . . Shino hasn't been home the last three nights.”

“Aren't you even the least bit curious as to who it is?” Inuzuka Tsume chortled, “You may not be so serene once you find out.”

“It really isn't any of my business.” the elder Aburame murmured, “Shino is a grown man, he's free to do as he pleases.”

“Still,” the Inuzuka teased, “You may feel differently when you find out who it is.”

“Just tell me already.” Shibi entreated, “Then we can get on with the business at hand.”

“Your darling son is dating Yamanaka Inoichi.” Tsume revealed with a bark of laughter, “A florist of all things, and twice his age.”

“Inoichi is an honorable man.” the Aburame elder declared, “I am pleased with Shino's good fortune, I hope he will be happy.”

“Inoichi's gay?” Akamichi Chouza yelped in surprise, “We worked together for years . . . he never said a word.”

“Be reasonable Cho,” Shikaku muttered, “what did you expect him to do, make a pass at you? It's not like it ever came up.”

“I'm just saying, I thought we were friends.” the rotund nin argued, “He shouldn't have kept something like that from us.”

“Gentlemen . . . and ladies,” Hiashi commanded, “you're certainly proving the Rokudaime's argument for him. It seems that some sensitivity training might be worth implementing . . . at least on a limited basis.”

“What exactly are you proposing Hyuuga.” Tsume questioned aggressively.

“Well, why don't we start with Ebisu, Aoba and Iwashi.” the pale eyed man decreed, “Did you have someone in mind to conduct the class Iruka?”

“I thought Gai-sensei would be the perfect choice.” the Rokudaime answered with a wicked smirk, “He certainly whipped Jiraiya into shape.”

“That sounds like it should be sufficiently traumatizing.” Hiashi decided, “Hopefully the mere threat of going through the same thing will be enough to convince everyone to be a bit more tolerant.”

“Is there anything else we need to deal with?” Asuma inquired wearily, “If not, I'd love to get home. Kurenai hasn't been sleeping well . . . which means I haven't been sleeping well. If I don't lay down soon I may fall down.”

“I think that's it.” Iruka concluded after shuffling through a stack of papers, “Thank you all for your time, I'll let you know the details of Gai's class as soon as they're worked out.”

The exhausted elder straggled out of the room, Hiashi hanging back slightly to fall in beside Shibi. “Might I have a word with you, Aburame-san . . . in private?” the Hyuuga elder whispered.

“Certainly Hyuuga-san. May I ask what this is about?” the bug wielder replied calmly.

“I have a . . . personal matter I'd like to discuss with you.” the long-haired man whispered almost inaudibly as a brilliant blush rose in his normally pale cheeks.

“A personal . . . oh . . . OH.” exclaimed the startled Aburame, “Certainly Hiashi-san, I'd love to.” he replied in a husky, uncertain voice, “Shall we?” he gestured toward the door, both men gravitating toward each other as they passed out into the night.

“Holy shit, did you see that Ru.” Genma chirped gleefully as he reappeared from his hidden location, “Hiashi was putting the moves on Shibi.”

“Mind your own business Gen.” the Hokage warned sternly, “I don't want to have to add you to Gai-sensei's class.”

“You wouldn't.” the senbon-sucker declared confidently, face suddenly falling as he continued, “Would you?”

“I hope I don't have to.” Iruka replied bluntly, “I can't show you any favoritism . . . so please cool it, for my sake.”

“Anything for you.” Genma declared with a wide smile, “Now let's go get some sleep, you can take care of everything else in the morning.”

Kakashi had developed the habit of soaking in the furo after dinner each evening. Ibiki hoped one day he would be invited to join the copy-nin in the large soaking tub . . . but so far his hints had been skillfully avoided. Of course they have, the interrogator thought as he undressed and slid into the empty bed, he won't say no to me. If I came out and asked I'm sure he'd say it was okay . . . but only because he doesn't want to hurt me, the tall man decided sadly as he rolled onto his side and stared blankly at the wall.

The copy-nin slipped silently into the room about half an hour later, hair darkened to a steely grey as it flopped damply into his eyes and looking much younger than his thirty-five years. He tentatively lifted the covers and slid, naked, into the bed, unconsciously molding himself against the interrogator's hard body.

“Feel better sweetheart?” Ibiki rumbled, cursing internally as he felt the lithe form stiffen when he realized the interrogator was awake.

“I'm fine.” Kakashi insisted, “Just tired.”

“You're tense, roll over.” the scarred man urged, “Let me help you relax.”

“What are you going to do?” the wary copy-nin demanded.

“Just rub your back with some oil to loosen your muscles 'kashi . . . I wouldn't do anything to hurt you.” the interrogator explained stiffly, “I thought you trusted me.”

“I do trust you.” the jounin insisted, rolling on to his stomach and suppressing the waves of panic rolling through him at exposing his vulnerable back so readily.

Ibiki recognized the trust the younger man was showing him, returning it by making sure to warm the oil in his hands first, and warning the skittish copy-nin before he actually touched him.

Kakashi remained completely rigid, ready to instantly neutralize any threat, as the interrogator's strong hand carefully eased the tension from his shoulders, moving down the long length of the lanky jounin's back to his waist before turning his attentions to shapely, incredibly sensitive feet. By the time the scarred man had worked his way up powerful thighs the copy-nin was nearly asleep, raising no protest when the soothing massage continued up to his, in Ibiki's mind at least, perfectly squeezable ass.

Taking the younger man's relaxation as an invitation to continue, the torture master continued to squeeze and rub creamy cheeks until he finally gave in to temptation and ran a slick thumb down the crack of his lover's ass, smoothing gentle circles on the puckered ring. Ibiki sent up a mental cheer when the copy-nin gave a loud, wanton moan, pushing back against the wandering digit in an attempt to hold on to the sensation.

“Like that, do you?” the interrogator smirked before massive hands spread Kakashi wide and the scarred man's tongue swiped a tingling path across the silver-haired nin's sensitive entrance.

“You taste good.” Ibiki husked before diving in determinedly, licking and sucking the quivering muscle before sliding his tongue inside.

“Stop . . . stop . . .” the copy-nin suddenly shrieked, “you can't do that . . . it's dirty.” he muttered. “Thanks for the massage.” he continued stiffly before planting a peck on the startled interrogator's cheek and rolling himself into the covers with his back to the tall man, shutting his eyes and suppressing his chakra in the hope of successfully feigning sleep.

“I'm sorry sweetheart,” Ibiki mumbled sadly, “I thought you were enjoying it.” he rolled onto his back and flung his am over his eyes, willing sleep to come so he could, at least temporarily, forget the mistake he had just made.

I was enjoying it, Kakashi thought, but that only makes it worse. With that thought blazing though his mind he finally fell into a thin, troubled sleep, leaving his psyche free to continue tormenting him in his dreams.