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Fanning the Flames	By : sesshabattousai Category: Naruto > Yaoi - Male/Male Views: 1349 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: The following story is a work of fan fiction. The author does not own Naruto or its characters and is not making any money off of this work. Naruto belongs to Masashi Kishimoto-sama.

Chapter List
- 69
- 70
A/N I know it's been forever since I updated . . . my muse ran away and I honestly couldn't decide on where to go with the story. Hopefully I'm back on track now. I'm going to aim for updating once a week until this one is done ;)

Chapter Seventy
“What are you thinking so hard about?”
The sannin's question only deepened the frown on the copy-nin's face. “I'm an idiot,” Kakashi replied tonelessly. “This is all my fault.”
“There's nothing you can do about it now,” Orochimaru pointed out. “So why don't we talk about something else?”
“I can't think about anything else,” the jounin snapped back. “Is there some way I can check on them? I can't stand the thought of them dying all alone.”
The sannin shrugged. “If you insist. We can watch, but not interfere. It may make you feel worse.” He wrapped a strong arm around the copy-nin's waist and headed into the gloom. Kakashi had no idea how his former lover knew where they were, but he trusted Orochimaru and let himself be led. Eventually the atmosphere around them lightened a bit and he could make out a large still pool. “Look into the water,” the sannin urged. “It will show you whomever you desire to see.”
The copy-nin knelt at the edge, leaning over the impenetrable water to peer into the murky depths. “It isn't working.”
“Clear your mind and focus on the person you want to watch.”
It took Kakashi several minutes to calm his jangling nerves and gain the necessary clarity of mind. When he reopened his eyes the water had taken on an oily sheen. Colors swirled sickeningly then gradually coalesced into an unfamiliar room. He was about to complain that it hadn't worked when Bull wandered through the scene, followed closely by a kimono-clad Itachi.
The Uchiha turned to address someone out of sight and the copy-nin realized the bundle in his arms was actually an infant with a familiar tuft of silver hair. “Obito,” he whispered, fingers reaching out to touch.
“Don't do that, you'll break the spell,” Orochimaru cautioned, catching Kakashi's hand and weaving their fingers together. “Is that one of your children?”
“It's our son, mine and 'tachi's.” The copy-nin gasped when the infant turned towards him, sharingan activating as if he could see his father. “Can he see me?”
“He shouldn't be able to,” the sannin assured him. “Of course, I'm no expert on what those eyes of yours can do.” They watched as the Otokage settled himself in a chair and began feeding his son. “See, he's fine. You were worried about nothing, koi.”
“I'm so sorry, little one. You must have been scared to death.” Kakashi's voice was solemn and tears were flowing freely from his sharingan. “You never got to meet your sister, either. I guess I wasn't such a genius, huh?”
“Stop kicking yourself,” the sannin scolded. “You didn't plan on going into labor early. Some things are out of our control.”
“You know it's my fault you died, too.” The copy-nin needed to get everything off his chest. “I helped Genma escape and substituted Kabuto in his place. I didn't mean for it to affect you, I just couldn't stand by and watch someone I knew, someone I had sworn to protect, be killed. I would take it all back if I could. I know you can never forgive me, but you deserve to know the truth.”
“It's all right, koi.” Strong fingers petted soft silver strands. “I know you wouldn't have hurt me intentionally. I've had plenty of time to think about my actions. I have many regrets, but my time with you is not one of them. There's no point dwelling on any of this now. Are you done here?”
“Not yet.” Kakashi turned his attention back to the vision in the pool, a small smile tilting the corner of his mouth at the sight of an adorably rumpled Itachi as he attempted to burp their son.
* ^ * ^ *
“So, princess, are you ready for some breakfast?” Jiraiya reached into the crib to pick up his niece. “Let's go check on your brother and Uncle Itachi, shall we?” He lifted Katsumi to his shoulder and stopped, nose wrinkling. “I think someone needs a change.”
I'm just glad no one can see me, he decided. It would ruin my image. The writer of Icha Icha, widely known for his perversion, was the last person anyone would expect to see changing a dirty diaper. A lot had changed in his life in the last few weeks. The sannin had to admit he was glad Itachi had decided to take custody of the children, no matter how loudly he'd berated his husband at the time.
“That's better.” He plucked the giggling baby off the changing table and went off in search of the rest of his new family. “Are you two ready yet? I'm sure Kakashi wants to see the kids.”
“Senpai is still unconscious,” the Otokage was quick to point out. “Are you sure we should take them? Hospitals are full of germs.”
“The doctors said we should treat him as if he were awake. Who knows what might help bring him back.” Jiraiya was adamant in his belief that all would soon be back to normal. His husband, however, was not as positive. Itachi was also growing more and more attached to Obito and Katsumi, and the sannin feared the day Ibiki tore himself away from the copy-nin's bed and demanded access to his children.
When they finally gathered all the diaper bags, bottles, binkies and spare clothes necessary for a trip across the desert to Suna, the children were bundled in their strollers. The five minute trip soon turned into an hour. Halfway there they ran into Kurenai and the twins, who immediately swarmed Bull with questions about their godfather.
“I'm so sorry.” The kunoichi had been meaning to stop by and check on the pair, but there never seemed to be enough hours in the day. “They miss Bull. He watched them every day before Katsumi was born. I think they're a little bit jealous.
“Where's my Gadda?” Ko demanded of a sleepy Obito. He blinked up at the little girl, sharingan starting their lazy swirl.
Blind or not, Itachi couldn't miss the tell-tale chakra signature that accompanied his family blood-limit. “Obito, no!” He snatched the boy out of his stroller, breaking his son's eye contact with the toddler. “I'm so sorry, Kurenai. I honestly don't know how senpai managed his powers manifesting at such a young age.”
“Shi-kun has a way with children,” the kunoichi replied with a shrug. “My children always behave better for him than anyone else.”
“He has a way with everyone,” the Otokage agreed. “Maybe today will be the day he wakes up. We're taking the children to visit. Perhaps senpai will respond to them.”
“And if he doesn't?” Itachi never had a chance to answer the question.
“The brat will wake up,” Jiraiya stated flatly. “He's been in worse shape than this and survived.”
* ^ * ^ *
Ibiki swore the chairs in the hospital were designed to keep visitors away. His spine cracked repeated as he stood and stretched. “Good morning, sweetheart.” He leaned to place a kiss on his husband's slack cheek. “I think you should wake up today. We'll both be a lot more comfortable at home.”
The interrogator began running a wet sponge over waxy flesh. “I know you'd rather soak in the furo, but this is the best I can do until you open your eyes.” He continued to bathe the copy-nin, carefully avoiding his heavily bandaged abdomen. “If you'd just wake up they could finish healing you. I know this can't be comfortable.”
He bent and kissed Kakashi's forehead before settling back in his chair and clasping a limp hand in his own. “Your children miss you. Your daughter hasn't even had a chance to meet you yet. Don't deny her that. Open those beautiful eyes for me.” Once again Ibiki probed the inert form, finally relaxing minutely when he located the warm spark of the copy-nin's familiar chakra. “I know you're in there. Don't try and hide from me, you know it won't work.”
The interrogator sat back at the familiar squeak of the door. “What brings you here?”
“We came to see senpai, of course.” Itachi gave a frustrated huff. “We brought his children for a visit.”
“This is no way for them to see their father,” Ibiki hissed. “What is wrong with you?”
“What's wrong with you?” Jiraiya countered. “You want the brat to wake up, right? Why not take a chance and try something different?” He studied the haggard interrogator, critical eyes noting wrinkled clothing and the weight loss it almost hid. “It won't do Kakashi any good if you make yourself sick. Why don't you go home, shower, take a nap. We'll stay here until you get back.”
“But what if . . .”
“If what?” the sannin growled. “If he dies?”
“No.” The very idea was an insult. “What if he wakes up and I'm not here? I would never forgive myself for missing it.”
Itachi decided to jump in before one of them said something he'd regret. “You're not smelling any fresher, Ibiki-san. Go bathe and eat something. If senpai wakes up we'll come get you.”
“A shower would feel good,” the interrogator admitted.
“And a soak,” Itachi added. “You need to relax or you'll end up in here, too. Everything will be fine. Your children need to see their father, after all. We aren't in any hurry to leave.”
“How's my little princess?” Ibiki plucked Katsumi out of the sannin's arms and blew bubbles on her stomach, cracking a smile for the first time in weeks at the giggles it produced. “I haven't forgotten you, little man.” He solemnly extended a finger for Obito to gnaw on, grimacing when sharp teeth pierced the skin. “He has quite a bite. How long do babies teeth, anyway?”
“As long as it takes.” Hinata appeared in the open doorway, shaking her head at the crowd that had gathered in the unconscious man's room. “Honestly, this is a hospital. Do you think you could keep it down to a dull roar? I heard you in the lobby.”
“As for you,” she turned to address Bull. “Dogs are not allowed in intensive care. No, I don't care if you're his summon. If I make one exception the next thing you know we'll be knee deep in animals. The patients here need quiet . . . that includes Kakashi-san. I'm already bending the rules by letting the babies in.”
“We'll be quiet Hinata-san.” Itachi bowed deeply. “I appreciate you letting us bring the children. I'm hoping senpai will realize they're here.”
“Look who I have, sweetheart,” Ibiki bent to whisper next to the copy-nin's ear. “Our daughter. She's as lovely as you are.”
“Don't listen to him, senpai,” the Otokage retorted. “She has your husband's hair and eyes.”
“I'm bald,” the interrogator protested. “That isn't a hair color. We won't know until her's grows in. She has your smile though, 'kashi.”
“Give me my niece.” Jiraiya settled Katsumi in the crook of his arm. “Go do what you need to do. We'll keep the brat occupied with tales of our adventures.”
“I'll be right back,” the interrogator muttered as he bent kiss Kakashi's lips. “Don't do anything without me.”
* ^ * ^ *
Orochimaru's eyes widened and his mouth curled in a wicked smirk. “Apparently you aren't dead, koi. Look like you have some decisions to make.”
“I don't understand.” Kakashi looked about five years old, confusion softening his features. “Decisions about what?”
“It appears you get to choose. Stay here with me, or go back to your family. They certainly don't seem to hold anything that happened against you. As for your husband . . . well, those aren't the actions of a man who's given up on his marriage.” The snake sannin pulled the copy-nin into his arms. “I think you should go back.”
“What will happen to you if I go? You'll be here all alone again, won't you?” Orochimaru stubbornly refused to meet his eyes. “I can't leave you here like that. Not when it's my fault you died.”
“It isn't your fault.” The sannin finally met Kakashi's disbelieving gaze. “No one should live forever. I earned this, you didn't. Your children need you.”
“Do they?” The hoarse whisper was full of uncertainty. “I haven't helped them much so far. Their lives would all be a lot less complicated with me out of the picture.”
- 69
- 70
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Fanning the Flames