Into the Fire

Chapter Eighty-Eight

“Welcome home sweetheart.” Ibiki declared happily when they finally arrived at the copy-nin's family home. “I kept going with the renovation, just like we'd planned.” he continued a bit uneasily, “On the store too . . . I hope you don't mind.”

“I don't know how I'll ever be able to thank you for everything you've done for me 'biki.” the silver-haired man replied seriously, “There's no way I can ever repay you.”

“You don't need to repay me 'kashi.” the interrogator said with a broad smile, “I love you, I was happy to do it.”

“So,” Kakashi ventured tentatively, “about our agreement . . .”

“Are you leaving me 'kashi?” the scarred man cut in, “At least give me a chance, please.”

“No, silly . . . I have no desire to leave you.” the copy-nin husked erotically, “Far from it . . . I just wondered if you wanted an extension . . . because I was in the hospital for so long?”

“I'd love an extension . . . assuming you think I need one, that is.” Ibiki rumbled, “I'll take all the time I can get with you.”

“Well, you'll have plenty of that.” the jounin declared with a bright laugh, “I'm not going anywhere . . . and I hope you won't either.”

“I'd rather die than leave you.” the scarred man admitted bashfully, “I've almost lost you too many times.”

“Thank you.” Kakashi whispered, “I don't know what I did to deserve you . . . but I'm grateful . . . I've been nothing but trouble for you.”

“You've had all the troubles 'kashi . . . I wish I could have protected you . . . done something to make things easier for you. All I did was make it worse.” the interrogator said ruefully, “It's my fault you ended up in the hospital, after all.”

“Oh no . . . no, that's not true at all.” the copy-nin insisted, hooking his fingers under the scarred man's chin and forcing him to meet piercing mismatched eyes, “I was in the hospital because of all the abuse I suffered, it had nothing at all to do with you.”

“But . . . I upset you, that night. I . . . did something you reacted badly to, and then later when you were dreaming I tried to wake you up and that's when you . . .” Ibiki mentally slapped his hand over his mouth, abruptly cutting off the words he was about to say.

“That's when I what?” the silver-haired nin asked pointedly, “I know something happened, you were in the hospital . . . they told me that. What did I do?”

“You didn't recognize me 'kashi.” the interrogator tried to hedge, “You thought I was trying to attack you.”

“What. Did. I. Do?” the copy-nin bit out angrily, “I need to know, otherwise I'll never move past it.”

“You're awfully strong for such a pretty little thing.” the scarred man teased to lighten the mood, “You took me down without even breaking a sweat.”

“I . . . hurt you?” Kakashi breathed in shock. “I hit you?”

“Not exactly . . . you choked me until I blacked out sweetheart . . . then you left the village and went to hide in the forest.” Ibiki admitted reluctantly, “I don't blame you, you had no idea who I was. Please, please, don't beat yourself up about it.”

“How bad was the damage?” the copy-nin whispered.

“I spent a week on a respirator while the swelling went down, three more rebuilding my chakra reserves.” The interrogator studied the man in front of him carefully before continuing, “It really shook Genma, he found me the next morning when I failed to show up at work. I don't know if he'll forgive you so quickly.”

“He shouldn't forgive me at all.” the jounin replied soberly, “I almost killed his friend, it will take time before he trusts me not to do it again.”

“Sweetheart, I'm not afraid of that happening.” Ibiki declared confidently, “You're much better now.”

“Maybe you should be afraid . . . I wouldn't blame you if you didn't trust me.” Kakashi confided, “But I'm grateful that you do.”

“I've never been a very emotional person,” the interrogator stated stiffly, “I never thought I needed anyone or anything . . . but, you've changed me. I don't even want to think about going back to a life without you. I've come to realize I wasn't living all those years, just going through the motions, nothing mattered before that day I found you in the shower. I didn't even really know you, but I knew I wanted protect you.”

The copy-nin just studied the familiar face closely, not even noticing the heavy scarring snaking its way across his lover's face. Instead, he found himself captivated by the open, honest look of longing the interrogator tried so hard to hide. “I'm feeling a little tired 'biki.” he stated seductively, “I think I'll go for a soak . . . would you care to join me?”

The scarred man's heart leapt in his chest at the offer, and a broad smile slowly stretched across his face. “I thought you'd never ask.” he rumbled delightedly, scooping up the smaller man and heading for the bathhouse at a run, ignoring the copy-nin's laughing protest.

“I'll take it that you've wanted to join me before.” Kakashi smirked, “Why didn't you?”

“Because you would have said yes, whether you wanted me to or not.” came the quiet response, “I wanted you to want me to join you . . . not just tolerate it.”

“I have never, ever, tolerated you.” the copy-nin retorted, reaching up to run his index finger down the interrogator's nose before tapping it against the tip in mock chastisement. “I'm just going to have to show you how very much I enjoy your company.” He quickly began to strip the larger man, pushing him into the shower to scrub before pulling off his own clothes and joining him.

Kakashi efficiently scrubbed them both, turning the scarred man this way and that, enjoying the amusement dancing in onyx orbs at the pampering, before smacking the larger man firmly on the ass. “Get in the tub, boy.” he laughed.

“Yes, master.” Ibiki retorted impishly, breath catching when he saw how the silver-haired man's eye darkened with lust. “Where would you like me?”

“Sit on the edge.” came the husky command, “I wish to taste you.”

“Are you sure 'kashi?” the interrogator asked anxiously, “You don't have to.”

“I know that, silly.” the copy-nin laughed as he slid into the furo to kneel between the tall man's legs, “I've been wanting to do this for months.” He leaned forward to nuzzle the impressive length, rubbing his face against the bobbing shaft before extending his tongue to lick off the precum leaking from the slit.

“Mmmmm, I love the way you taste.” the silver-haired man hummed delightedly as he wrapped plump lips around the head, slowly engulfing it, inch by inch, until his nose was firmly pressed against Ibiki's washboard abdomen and the scarred man was quivering with anticipation.

“Oh gods, so good.” the interrogator groaned, “Please move, please.”

Kakashi smiled around his mouthful, twisting his tongue teasingly around the head as he retreated, only to slide smoothly back down to the base, gratified by the loud moan that ripped from the stoic torture master at the motion. The copy-nin channeled chakra to his tongue, painting ribbons of electricity in twisting spirals as he bobbed and sucked.

It didn't take long before Ibiki was panting and groaning continuously, precum running freely from his red, throbbing erection. The copy-nin smirked wickedly, using the scarred man's distraction to his advantage and sliding two fingers deep into his tight heat and commencing an assault on his prostate.

“Damn 'kashi,” Ibiki exclaimed as he bucked hard into the welcoming heat of his lover's mouth, “I'm so close.”

The copy-nin redoubled his efforts, channeling chakra to his fingers as well, stroking and rubbing the sensitive bundle of nerves as he sped up the bobbing motion of his head until the interrogator came with an ear shattering bellow. The silver-haired man struggled to swallow around the thick length he refused, even now, to relinquish, come dribbling out of the corners of his mouth as his throat worked at swallowing around the softening member.

“That was absolutely amazing.” Ibiki panted, “You are absolutely amazing.” he amended as he slid bonelessly into the furo, wrapping burly arms around the lithe jounin and tugging him to sit in his lap before diving in for an almost desperate kiss.

“I'm glad you're still here.” Kakashi husked when the kiss broke, “I was so afraid I'd pushed you away for good.”

“No chance of that sweetheart.” the interrogator assured him as he settled them more comfortably, relishing in the comforting weight of the copy-nin resting against his chest. He watched contentedly as the excitement of the day caught up with the younger man and mismatched eyes gradually slid shut and he passed into sleep, trusting Ibiki to keep him safe.

A week after Kakashi's return the couple was awakened, yet again, by a thunderous pounding on their door. “Asuma, what can I do for you?” Ibiki asked worriedly when he yanked open the door to reveal the disheveled Sarutobi.

“Kurenai's having the baby . . now, and she wants Hatake there.” the bearded man explained, taking a moment to catch his breath and light a cigarette. “You better tell him to hurry, her mood isn't improving any.”

“Sweetheart, Asuma's here.” the interrogator explained as he shook the sleeping man awake, “Kurenai wants you.”

“I'll go see her in the morning.” the copy-nin replied with a yawn, “It's still dark out.”

“I know sweetheart, but babies have their own timetable.” the scarred man said sympathetically, “They always seem to come in the middle of the night.”

“Kurenai's in labor?” Kakashi yelped, “She's going to kill me.” He quickly grabbed some clothes, running to the bedroom door to stick his head out and bellow “I'm coming 'suma, two minutes.” He turned to grab his shirt, slamming into the ground hard when he went to take a step and realized, unfortunately too late, that in his haste he had shoved both legs into one leg of his pants.

Ibiki returned to the lounge, wincing at the loud bangs and crashes coming from the bedroom as the copy-nin continued his frantic attempts to get ready. “So, are you ready for this?” he asked the bearded man curiously.

“Anything has to be better than the last few months.” the exhausted nin replied, “I feel like I haven't slept in a year.”

“It only gets worse.” the interrogator offered helpfully, “Feeding and diaper changes . . . better get used to it.” He cocked his head and listened carefully after a particularly nasty crash and the yelped curse accompanying it. “Maybe I should give him a hand?” he suggested, although his heart obviously wasn't in it.

“Nah, let him get it out of his system, Kurenai needs him focused.” Asuma decided, “If he blows the nervous energy off now he'll be more likely to stay calm.”

“I'm ready.” Kakashi declared, appearing in front of them, thankfully properly dressed this time, “Let's go.”