Into the Fire

Chapter Ninety-Six

The newly engaged couple had just been seated in what turned out to be a sukiyaki restaurant, eagerly scanning the menu and ordering before settling back to sip some nice sake and enjoy what was shaping up to be a magnificent sunset through the large window next to their table, when they were spotted by a passerby.

“'shi-kun,” Kurenai called as she tapped on the glass, “I need to talk to you.”

“Hide me.” the copy-nin entreated as she disappeared from sight on her way inside.

“Nope . . . just tell her and get it over with.” Ibiki insisted, “You're going to have to eventually. The longer you wait the worse she'll take it.”

“Fine.” Kakashi hmph'd, “Lot of help you are.”

“There you are,” the kunoichi began as she headed toward their table, “I've been looking all over for you.”

“We're celebrating.” the interrogator smirked gleefully.

“What's the occasion?” Kurenai asked eagerly.

“We're getting married.” the silver-haired man mumbled.

“What did you say?” she replied in shock.

“'kashi has finally agreed to marry me.” Ibiki confirmed with a broad smile.

“That's wonderful, congratulations.” the kunoichi squealed, clapping her hands in delight before swooping in to kiss a rather dazed copy-nin, “Okay you, I need details.” she insisted as she slid into the booth next to him, “When did he ask you?”

“Three weeks ago.” Kakashi reluctantly admitted, steeling himself for the explosion he was sure was coming.

“Then why are you just getting around to celebrating?” Kurenai wondered aloud, “Were you on a mission Ibiki?”

“No,” he answered with a broad smile, “'kashi just couldn't make up his mind.”

“Hatake Kakashi what is wrong with you?” the dark haired woman cried, smacking her friend on the side of the head as if to drive her point home.

“Ouch, Kurenai that hurts.” the lithe nin grumbled, “Why are you hitting me anyway?”

“I can't believe you made poor Ibiki wait for your answer.” she exclaimed, “So . . . have you two set a date?”

“As soon as possible.” the interrogator told her conspiratorially, “I don't want to give 'kashi the chance to change his mind.”

“I'm not going to change my mind.” the silver-haired man complained, “Stop making assumptions . . . both of you.”

“Well, it's really pushing it for time, but . . . six weeks from Saturday.” the kunoichi declared after consulting her calendar, “You two are getting married on May 17th.”

“I'm not waiting six weeks.” the scarred man insisted, “I've waited long enough . . . you get two weeks Kurenai, take it or leave it.”

“I can't get anything done in just two weeks.” the dark haired woman fretted, “There's invitations, decorations, fittings, music, food . . .”

“Two weeks or we elope.” Kakashi added, “Do what you can and skip the rest.”

“I can't skip any of it.” she tried to explain, “I wouldn't know where to start.”

“I'll come by tomorrow and we can work out the details.” the copy-nin promised, “But the two weeks are firm.”

“You are going to be the death of me.” the kunoichi fussed, “'shi-kun, I expect to see you first thing tomorrow . . . you can't slack off if you expect to pull this together in only two weeks.”

“Let's elope.” the silver-haired man suggested brightly, stroking the interrogator's thigh suggestively under the tablecloth as he gazed into amused onyx eyes.

“Nope, this is far too entertaining.” Ibiki responded with a snort of repressed laughter, “Just the look on your face alone is worth waiting for.”

“I can make it worth your while.” Kakashi wheedled, voice dropping to a husky rasp, “After all, the sooner we're married the sooner you get to have your wicked way with me.”

“I'd love to stay and watch . . . I mean talk,” Kurenai stammered, jerking her eyes away from the sight, “but I have to get home and make dinner. 'shi-kun I expect a full report first thing in the morning.”

“Yes ma'am.” the jounin muttered, “As soon as Ibiki leaves for the office.”

The minute she was out of sight the interrogator broke down into gales of laughter. “I can't believe how well she has you trained.”

“Hey,” the copy-nin protested, “not fair . . . just because I don't like it when she smacks me around.”

“You let her smack you around and we both know it.” the scarred man insisted through snorts of laughter, “You're probably the strongest in the entire village, but you'd never guess it to look at you.”

“So,” Kakashi countered, uncomfortable, as always, with discussing himself, “we should talk about what you want . . . for the wedding, I mean. If I don't speak up right away you know I won't get the chance.”

“I don't know . . . simple. I liked Gaara and Raidou's ceremony, no fuss. Whatever it is just, please, no hordes of fussy old priests.” Ibiki declared after some thought. “You know what I like to eat, I'll wear whatever you ask, and tell her I've already got the rings.”

“Confident, huh?” the silver-haired jounin smirked.

“No . . . but I was just going to keep on asking until you agreed, so I figured sooner or later rings would be required.” the interrogator admitted, “I'm awfully glad it was sooner sweetheart.”

They were interrupted by the arrival of their meal, and both men eagerly dug in. The conversation moved to other topics and it had grown late by the time they finally made it back home.

“Where have you two been?” Pakkun asked sourly when they finally walked through the back door, “We're hungry.”

“Sorry, we were celebrating.” the copy-nin explained, “We're getting married.”

“I already told him he couldn't join the pack.” the ninken growled, “He was supposed to drop it.”

“Since when has your opinion had anything to do with it?” Kakashi retorted, “I'm the alpha, he's my mate, he joins the pack. There will be no discussion.”

“You can't just make a decision like that unilaterally sonny.” the pug argued, “There's eight of us you know . . . we should have some say in the matter.”

“There's eight of you who'll be without a master soon.” the jounin threatened, “I'm about ready to burn the contract and send you all back to hell.”

At that the room suddenly exploded in a flurry of fur and claws as the rest of the pack sensed the threat and decided to get involved. “What's going on here?” Bull finally bellowed, bringing everything to a momentary halt.

“Pakkun here,” Kakashi drawled lazily, “believes that he should be the one to decide whether or not Ibiki joins the pack. I disagree. Since we cannot come to an agreement I merely offered to release you all from what is obviously an onerous bargain . . . leaving you free to go back to whence you came.”

“Stop it whelp.” Bull scolded, “You'll do no such thing.”

“What were you thinking, idiot?” Tomodachi hissed at Pakkun, “You may want out, but I'm happy with the boss.”

A loud chorus of “me too's” arose from the milling pack and the copy-nin smirked in satisfaction. “Seems like you're the only one here with a problem Pakkun.” he declared, “What's it going to be?”

“I just don't trust him boss . . . too many people have hurt you.” the pug admitted softly, “I was just trying to help.”

“I swear I will never hurt him.” Ibiki declared, getting down on one knee to look the ninken in the eye, “I've only ever wanted to protect him Pakkun, same as you guys.”

“Fine,” the ninken grumbled, “you can join the pack . . . but you need to learn your place. You will never be alpha, challenge the brat and you're out.”

“I'm perfectly capable of taking care of myself.” the copy-nin insisted petulantly, “Now get out of here, I've had enough of you for tonight.”