Into the Fire

Chapter Eighty-Seven

The next week passed at what seemed, to the formerly patient Ibiki, at least, to be a glacial pace at best. The interrogator seethed with frustration as his repeated demands for information were ignored by both medics and visitors, and he longed for the day he could once again take charge and gather his own intelligence.

When, at last, the hated tube slid out of his throat he sighed with relief, certain that he would soon be united with his lover. Imagine his surprise to find that Kakashi's ward was locked and no amount of influence could get him through the gate to the other side.

“I'm so sorry Morino-san.” the smiling medic informed him, “Hatake-san does not yet have visitor's privileges. After the first thirty days he can put you on his visitor's list. As soon as he does you'll be able to see him Thursday afternoons from two to four.”

“Will you at least tell him I came to see him?” the scarred man begged, “I don't want him to think I've abandoned him.”

“I'm so sorry. Outside contact is strictly regulated.” she continued, smile never faltering, “If you are family you may write to him . . . all letters are read first by the patient's counselor, so you may not want to be too personal.”

A defeated Ibiki finally gave up and headed for the tower to see if Iruka or Genma had any more information on the copy-nin's condition. When he finally shuffled through the doors the pair immediately wrapped concerned arms around him, nearly suffocating the tall man in their pleasure to see him up and about.

Unfortunately, even the Hokage couldn't get into the hospital's locked ward, so the interrogator was left to drift, sleeping in the too large bed alone, staring at reminders of what he desperately feared he had lost, and writing long, loving letters which he dropped off at the ward each day.

“Hatake-san is a lucky man.” the charge nurse declared three weeks into Ibiki's ordeal, “Not many patients here have someone as devoted as you waiting for them.”

“He means the world to me.” the scarred man replied simply, “I need him back home where he belongs.”

On the day the thirty day evaluation was finally to end, a smiling Ibiki strode into Yamanaka's flower shop, and was pleasantly surprised to find a beaming Shino behind the counter.

“Shino, how are you?” he exclaimed happily, “I didn't expect to see you here.”

“Inoichi had some errands to run so I'm filling in for him today.” the Aburame heir explained, “I'm here most of my free time anyway.”

“I think that's wonderful.” the interrogator replied sincerely, “I'll be sure to tell Kakashi when I see him later.”

“He's coming home?” Shino stammered.

“The thirty day evaluation is up today . . . they can't keep him any longer, he's not crazy.” the scarred man declared confidently, “That's why I'm here, I want to bring some flowers when I go and pick him up.”

“I'm sure Kakashi-san will like that very much.” the younger man said hesitantly, “But what if he doesn't come home today?”

“What do you mean?” Ibiki croaked, “Where will he go?”

“I mean he may have to stay in the hospital a while longer.” Shino admitted, “Don't get your hopes up too much.”

The smiling interrogator pushed the bug wielder's concerns aside, confident that he would, indeed, be taking Kakashi home with him when he left the hospital. He smiled noncommittally and grabbed the bouquet from the young man's hands before hurrying off to the hospital.

When he arrived he was surprised, to say the least, to be ushered into a small office and asked to take a seat. After waiting impatiently for fifteen minutes a hidden door finally opened and a medic stepped into the room. “It's a pleasure to meet you Morino-san. I'm Yoshida Daisuke . . . I've been assigned as Hatake-san's counselor.”

“Cut to the chase doc.” Ibiki demanded, “Does he have to come see you or something?”

“I'm sorry to have to tell you this . . . I know from the staff and your letters how much you care for Hatake-san . . . but he's just not ready to go home yet. If I release him now he will still be a danger to himself and to you. Besides,” the medic continued confidently, “he wants to stay. He's a smart man, he knows he's not ready for the outside world just yet.”

“I don't believe you.” the normally placid interrogator snarled, “I'm not going to let you keep him here against his will.”

“He was afraid you'd react this way. I'm going to bend the rules a bit and let you see him . . . just for a few minutes so he can explain.” the medic cautioned, “Try not to upset him too much . . . and remember, it took time to cause the damage, it will also take time to heal.”

The medic opened the door and ushered a wan, depressed looking copy-nin into the room, helping him to settle into a chair before whispering “Fifteen minutes.” and leaving the room.

“Hello sweetheart, I've missed you.” Ibiki proclaimed, offering Kakashi the sweet-smelling bouquet while he drank in the view of his beloved.

“I've missed you too.” the copy-nin said with a smile, “I'm so sorry about everything that's happened.”

“None of it was your fault 'kashi.” the scarred man proclaimed earnestly, “I should never have tried to wake you up.”

“What are you talking about?” the silver-haired nin asked suspiciously, “Wake me up when?”

“The night you lost your memory, I tried to wake you up from a nightmare.” Ibiki explained, carefully skipping the attack that almost cost him his life. “When we found you again, you were confused.”

“I'm still confused.” the last Hatake admitted, “That's one of the reasons I decided to stay here a while longer.”

“Seriously?” the scarred man pressed, “You don't have to, you know . . . you can just come home with me where you belong.”

“I hate myself.” Kakashi stated idly, “I don't want to anymore though. If I don't stay here now and figure this out I never will. You deserve better than that.”

“I only want you sweetheart, good or bad, it doesn't matter.” Ibiki insisted.

“It matters to me.” the copy-nin insisted, “I'm tired of living this way.”

“What do you want me to do 'kashi?” the interrogator asked sincerely, “Should I stay in the house, or would you rather I move out?”

“It's our home, of course you should stay.” the silver haired man insisted, “I'll be back eventually. Unless you don't want to wait?”

“I'll wait forever if I have to.” the scarred man insisted, “Can I come see you at least?”

“I'll put you on the visitors list, every Thursday from two to four.” the jounin whispered airily, “If you want to come I'll be here.”

“Of course I'll come.” Ibiki confirmed with a broad smile, “Any day I get to see you is a good day sweetheart . . . I wouldn't miss it for the world.”

“Time's up.” the medic announced cheerily as he reentered the room, “Say goodbye to your friend Kakashi.”

“Bye 'biki, see you next week.” the copy-nin whispered mournfully.

The tall man couldn't stand seeing his lover so despondent and swept him into his arms, kissing him passionately. Finally breaking the kiss to husk, “I love you sweetheart, don't worry I'm not going anywhere.”

Three weeks later Ibiki was getting ready for his weekly visit, gathering some books and clothes to take with him in his continual attempt to keep life as normal as possible for the copy-nin during his confinement. He strode out of his office just after lunch, with a rumbled, “Summon me if it's urgent.” and headed over to see Kakashi.

When he arrived at the hospital he was surprised to be met by a serious Dr. Yoshida instead of the lanky jounin. “I'm afraid Hatake-san's had a bit of a setback.” he confided quietly, “We had to sedate him, you can try again next week.”

The interrogator stumbled blindly out of the building, obsessed with the thought that the copy-nin was never coming home, and headed to the nearest bar to inundate his sorrows. “Lover of My Eternal Rival,” Gai greeted him as he took the next stool, “How is the Brave Kakashi Faring?”

“He had a setback, I can't see him until next week.” the scarred man grumbled, “I just want him home.”

“I'm Sure My Rival Wishes To Be Home With You Too.” the taijutsu master replied diplomatically, “Let Us Drink To His Swift And Speedy Recovery.”

Eventually though, Ibiki began to see positive changes in the reserved jounin. He started looking forward even more eagerly to each visit, knowing it brought him that much closer to having his precious person back home where he belonged.

Three months after he had entered, a thin but smiling Kakashi was waiting impatiently in the hospital lobby for Ibiki to come and finally check him out. “Remember to take your medication, Hatake-san.” the medic cautioned, “You don't want to end up back here.”

“No, I most certainly do not.” the copy-nin retorted, “In fact, I'd be happy to never see the inside of this place again.”

“Are you ready to go home sweetheart?” the interrogator bent to whisper in the pale man's ear.

“I can't wait.” Kakashi replied with a broad genuine smile, “I have a lot of lost time to make up for.”