Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto or the characters contained therein, they belong to Masashi Kishimoto who is kind enough to let fans write fiction. I make no profit from this nor do I intend to.

A/N: Ibiki's little 'Feel Good' speech later is taken in part from a speech given to Fuu in a Samurai Champloo fic entitled "Brace Yourself – All I have Now", but it isn't on ffnet anymore (for some reason) so I can't credit the author properly. Anyone who knows please let me know. Also, the mental image that I have of Ibiki (and in part Genma and Anko as well)throughout this whole fic is not taken so much from the anime but from an incredible water color painting that I found on the Webshots website entitled 'Get ANBU Before the War Starts'. It and Ibiki are very arresting pictures. If you want the website I'll send it to you via my regular email since ffnet has a hard time with web addresses for some reason. Again, the creator of 'Get ANBU...' is also an unknown. Any idea please tell me so they can get proper credit.

Re-write as of 10/2012

Chapter 25

Hell and Redemption

Ibiki never saw it coming

Ayumu shook her hand to get the sting out of it and looked down at Ibiki with fury in her eyes. She was met by a stunned look from Ibiki.

Good, let him think about that for a minute, she thought.

She had never been so mad in her entire life. All the hurt, confusion, and frustration from the past weeks and weeks where Ibiki had decided to rule and ruin her life had built to a point where she just had to release it somehow. She didn't even want start thinking about his little 'retribution' act that he had pulled. If she really did then they would end up having a full blown fist fight. To use her own feelings for him against her like that? Well, she'll make damn sure to give Morino Ibiki something to think about the next time he ever decides to fuck with her like that...

The surprise that Ibiki felt was swiftly replaced with anger. What the fuck? She just fucking cold-cocked me! He thought getting madder by the second. No one had ever done that to him.

"Are you fucking out of your mind, woman?!" Ibiki growled.

Ayumu leaned over him and in the process clenched her insides (where Ibiki still lay nestled) tightly around him. Ibiki hissed in response. That didn't feel good...

"Gods, woman! Watch what you are doing...that hurts!" he hissed.

"Good- that ought to get your attention and give you a little something to think about...Who the Hell do you think you are? How arrogant can one man be to think that he can just totally disrupt my life the way you have and decide that's how it's going to be? Do you even have any idea what I have gone through all this time? Do you even have any idea how miserable I've been? Do you even-" but was cut off as Ibiki sat up and looked her coldly in the eye.

"Listen here, Ayu – you don't know jack shit about anything and everything. I did what was best for you, and if you-" but she in turn cut him off.

"Best for me?! Best for me? How was making me miserable best for me?! Oh! And I suppose that your little stunt you pulled before coming back was somehow nothing more than you showing me-"

"Your place," Ibiki quickly cut in. He had now sat up fully but still held himself inside of her, and had manipulated her so that her legs were wrapped around his waist as she sat in his lap.

Ayumu stuttered and sputtered in incredulity as her anger was so great that words could not be formed.

Ibiki could see that Ayumu was quickly building up a head of steam, and when she snarled and drew her fist back again to haul into him he grabbed both her hands in just one of his and held them behind her back in restraint. No way was he going to let her get another whack at him. He didn't care how much he loved her, she did that again and she was going to literally get her ass beat.

Being thus restrained and unable to move just infuriated Ayumu even more. Her eyes got wide and her face turned red. Ibiki had never seen her so mad. But like he really cared at this moment. She started to momentarily struggle but stopped when she felt not only the discomfort but the fact that Ibiki was not going to let her go. All she could do was look up at him in stony defiance. He leaned down into her face and spoke softly and succinctly to her.

"Let me tell you a few facts of life, and you will be silent."

Ayumu almost snarled at him and tried to reach forward and bite him. He just jerked her back and waited for her to get over her little tantrum.

Ayumu quickly figured out that she was at his mercy, and just silently fumed in his embrace.

"Maybe I didn't choose the right path, but it was chosen because I was thinking of your best interests. You think that you were the only one affected by our separation? You think that you were the only one alone and hurting?"

"You didn't seem so hurt the other night at the restaurant when you were with her!" Ayumu spit out venomously "Certainly didn't take you very long to find a replacement..."

"Oh, yeah? What about Umino, hmm? He been sniffing around you lately, has he?" Ibiki countered with a sneer.

"That's beside the point! Iruka has nothing to do with the two of us. I certainly don't hear you denying taking a woman out to dinner! You and I never went out to dinner! What kind of bull-"

"Anko and I were out having a business dinner and I certainly don't hear any denials coming from you about Umino..."he countered.

Ayumu laughed sarcastically – business dinner, riiight...That's an old one.

"Business dinner my ass...were you going to give her a business fuck later? You know, just to go over old business?"

Ibiki squinted his eyes at her and leaned in. "Listen here, Ayu – I am not going to play juvenile games with you. You know, you can tell that I haven't been with anyone since we parted."

"How would I know something like that?!"

Ibiki grimaced. When she raised her voice she tensed up, and when she tensed up she clenched him tightly… But even still he didn't want to remove her just yet.

"Ayu, it was all over almost as quickly as it began. That is how you can tell. I can last more than sixty seconds...Now, can we relax a bit? I am a strong man and can take a lot of abuse, but having my cock squeezed in a vice is not something that even I can take too much of…"

Ayumu looked to the side and said nothing; she couldn't look at him right now. She had so many conflicting emotions swirling around inside her that her head and heart started to ache. Is this what love was all about? Does love allow someone to take such control over your life that they can manipulate you any way that they please? She had always heard that love made you stronger, more confident, but for right now it just made her even more confused. It made her feel vulnerable. She started to feel almost pathetic. The more she started to think about things the more self-conscious she started to feel. No wonder he had found himself someone else so fast...Ayumu bet that Anko wasn't lacking in confidence. She seemed like a woman was always in control.

Ibiki could see that Ayumu was drifting off. He could also see a myriad of emotions play across her face, and few were very good.

"Ayu- talk to me," he asked.

A look of dejection had taken the place of her anger. "Let me up, Ibiki," she said softly.

Ibiki questioned on whether that was a good idea or not. Not because he was worried about her hauling off on him, she seemed over that, but instead she seemed to swiftly be losing confidence in herself. Having such strong feelings for someone was just as new to him as it was to her. He didn't want her to fall back into some sort of depression or despair.

"Not until you tell me exactly what is on your mind," he countered quietly.

"At least let my arms go – it's uncomfortable. I won't smack you again- promise."

Ibiki let her go but kept his hands lightly around her waist. He didn't want her to bolt either.

Ayumu still hadn't looked at him. She also kept silent; she just couldn't formulate into words what she was thinking. Wearily Ayumu put a hand over her face and sighed. She just didn't know what was happening to her. She felt like she was coming up short again. Ayumu started to think that maybe Ibiki really was better off with someone who wasn't such a head case...

Nuzzling her neck he placed a gentle kiss against the warm flesh. "Beautiful girl, tell me what you are thinking," he said softly.

"Ibiki...I'm confused and scared. I feel so out of control and useless. When you left, it was like everything just fell apart, like nothing made sense anymore. I tried – I really, really tried, and I just couldn't figure out what to do about it. Is this what love means – to have no control over your thoughts and even your body? That someone else holds the key to your heart, mind, and body?"

"I felt the same way, baby. You were in my thoughts much more than you were out of them. I spent many a sleepless night thinking about you, me, and us…"

Ayumu closed her eyes in order to try and stop the tears from coming. She couldn't believe that she even had anymore tears. It seemed that all she did the past month was cry...

"I'm sorry for whatever I did wrong, and it seems like there was so much that I didn't get right. I thought that by visiting you that I could force your hand or try and make you see that we needed each other. But all I found out was that I needed you more then you really needed me. I just don't have the confidence that I thought I had...I just found out that I really had been living a lie all these years. I thought that I was a stronger person then I really am..."

"No, Ayu-"

Ayumu held a hand up to stop him. "No, Ibiki- I want you to really think about it. And the worst thing about it all is the shame that I feel. Not because of you, but because of me. I feel like I just haven't done anything right. I can't seem to make heads or tails of anything. I have never felt so self-conscious before. I never felt that I wanted to be so much better for someone before – to give them something that they deserve...You don't deserve the mess that is me. I should have known better that someone with your confidence would want-"

"Want you," he finished firmly. He took her face in his hands and made her open her eyes. He could see her despair and self-doubt. He needed to erase all that somehow.

"It is because of who I am and what I have done that made you think of yourself so. I really did think that distancing myself from you would help in some way. But I am just as new to all this as you are. I have never ever wanted to be with someone as much as I do you. What I did to you was wrong- horribly wrong and I certainly see that, and you were right for decking me." He laughed and kissed her softly on the cheek.

She looked up at him in surprise and saw that he was starting to sport a nice little bruise on his cheek. She kind of felt a small twinge of pride that she could wail on Morino Ibiki like that, and wondered how many other people in his life had ever done that...

Ibiki saw the little gleam in her eye and gave her a wry smile and a nod in appreciation. "It was a good one Ayu – you done good. Makes me think twice..."

Ayumu couldn't help but giggle at that. She placed a soft kiss against it and leaned back admiring her handiwork. "Well, it was a sucker punch, and you don't get too many points for that – but I'll take 'em!"

Ibiki laughed and hugged her hard. Ayumu squealed and returned it.

Ibiki looked back at her seriously. He needed her to really understand something. "Ayu- listen, I have a few things that I need you to hear. Firstly, you have to understand that all of us are fucked-up, but each in our own special ways. Anyone who says that they aren't or is 'normal' is either lying or so boring that you don't want anything to do with them. That's the honest truth. Trust me on that. I know that for a fact."

For some reason Ayumu felt lightened by that. He was right. All her friends (and Ibiki) were kind of a mess. In fact, she really couldn't think of anyone that wasn't abnormal...it was like they were all functionally-dysfunctional. Maybe things weren't that bad...

"Secondly, you have to get over the idea that by not being nin- not being kunoichi- that you are some sort of second class citizen. You aren't, and far from it. When I see you I see someone who creates, who inspires. Someone like you brings purpose to this life. A Nin destroys – there is no two ways about it. That is their purpose. Yes, they protect, but more times than not through destruction. It is through your eyes and those like you that our society is able to find purpose for living and loving. You help those of us who haven't the ability to understand and more importantly appreciate the world around us. You bring light into our darkness. You bring light into my darkness."

Ayumu looked at Ibiki almost stunned. She knew all about Artistic Philosophy. She had studied it and heard her own Sensei explain it to her many times, but to hear it from someone like Ibiki made it really all hit home. It somehow became more real; it wasn't just rote or text book, but reality. Ibiki never failed to surprise or impress her. He could be cold and ruthless one minute, then warm and philosophical the next. In her eyes he really had few short-comings.

Ibiki could see her mood and mind lightening. He wanted her to see what he himself saw in her. He saw a woman whose creativity and passion for life impressed and drew him in.

"Let me tell you another very important fact, Ayu: I wouldn't want you to be Nin. One of the things that drew me in so quickly to you was the fact that you aren't. I want to forget the ugliness that I deal with. I enjoy my job – to be sure, but I enjoy you more."

Ayumu leaned back in his arms and looked at his askance. "Morino Ibiki – you may enjoy all that about me to be sure. But admit it, I bet it is my breasts that you enjoy just as much..."

Ibiki leered at her almost comically and nodded assertively. "Oh, you have no idea how much I admire your breasts. They are works of art in and of themselves. I think of them constantly."

Ayumu giggled almost uncontrollably, which caused her 'works of art' to jiggle uncontrollably. Ibiki couldn't take his eyes off of them. He really wasn't lying when he said that they were always on his mind...Ayumu smacked him playfully on his arm and even started to try and tickle him. Ibiki parried her efforts without any problem, and in the tussle her breast bounced even more. Ibiki sighed happily. He loved everything about her, to be sure. But her breasts...they were heaven.

"You really are beautiful Ayumu, maybe no one ever told you that enough. I don't know why."

Ayumu blushed and looked coyly at him. "You make me feel beautiful, Ibiki."

"Do you remember back at your studio when I tried to tell you how I felt about all my scars?"

Ayumu remembered back to their time at her studio – their first time together. She shivered at the memory. It was a day spent in pure bliss. She looked at him and nodded her head.

"You were the first person to ever really look at me and not feel pity or revulsion. You were the first person to really make me feel like a man. My scars have always in part made me feel less than human. I think that was why I over-reacted when you came to my office. I felt like a swipe had been taken at my masculinity, and so I viciously and vindictively lashed out. For that I am sorry and should not be forgiven. I should have known better. " It was now Ibiki's turn to turn away in shame.

Ibiki found a warm body nestled even closer to him, and soft lips pressed against his temple. Ayumu hummed softly against him.

"No, Ibiki – we were both wrong. In part I acted intentionally and without thought as well. I wanted you to feel just a small part of the pain that I had been feeling. When I saw you with Anko the other night I was both jealous and sad. I have never felt secure about myself in many ways, and that felt like all my fears had been justified. Add to all that how much I had missed you and I just ended up being childish to spite you."

"When you walked into my office I was stunned. I had heard that you were there and I purposefully stayed away as long as I could. But when I saw you…The very first thought that I had was how much I had missed your beauty."

Ayumu simultaneously blushed and looked pleased. "We did a good job, Hiroshi and I, didn't we?"

Ibiki gave a wry grin. "I thought that I could sense Hiroshi's hand in there somewhere…I don't doubt for a second that he would want to be left out of something like that."

Nodding emphatically Ayumu laughed softly. "He was brilliant! He made sure that I was prepared for any eventuality."

"Oh? Like what?"

"I had to always keep you one step behind. I couldn't let you get the upper hand, and that included no touching. Hiroshi said that the temptation would be too great on both our parts, and if it happened…Well, the whole mission would have gone down the toilette!"

Ibiki threw his head back and laughed. He had no doubt in his mind that Hiroshi had viewed the whole escapade as some sort of secret mission. The other man had probably been in his element as he conceived and executed what he thought was a daring raid. Ibiki made sure to remember to congratulate Hiroshi the next time he saw him as the plan had indeed been a brilliant one.

"You were magnificent, baby. All I could think about through most of it was hoisting your dress up and having you anyway that I could…"

"I do admit though," Ayumu said looking uncomfortable, "that Hiroshi wasn't too pleased with my little ad lib at the end…That wasn't in the plan. I don't know where that came from…"

Ibiki shrugged and rubbed her back consolingly. "I wouldn't worry about it. That was a novice's mistake: overconfidence. You knew that you had me panting at your feet and you couldn't help it. If things had been reversed I would have done the same thing."

Ayumu looked slyly at Ibiki and ran her hands up and down his arms. "Ibiki, were you really at a disadvantage? I mean, did someone like me really pull one over on you?"

"Honey, I was so pissed that I didn't know if I should throw you over my knee or onto the couch…"

"But what would you have done if I had said 'yes' to your offer?"

Ibiki smiled and chuckled. She was talking about his offer of just letting them be fuck-buddies.

"I would have snatched up the opportunity and bent you over my desk to seal the deal. No way would I let that opportunity escape me."

Ayumu looked at Ibiki with wide eyes. "But then what would have happened? I mean, that wouldn't have solved anything."

"No," he said shaking his head. "That would have only made matters ten times worse and fucked with both our heads."

Ayumu nodded silently and ran her fingers through the hair on Ibiki's chest. They were warm and crisp, and she loved how they felt against her own soft skin. Leaning forward she placed her face against his neck and did nothing about breathing him in. There was nothing better than the smell of the neck of the man you loved. The scent there was uniquely his own. She let his scent pervade all her senses until she became almost high on it. Ayumu couldn't help but rub her face all over Ibiki's head and neck like a cat leaving her scent. She wanted to transfer some of her smell and feelings to Ibiki's skin, as if she could have his body soak them in. Have her become a permanent part of his makeup, and always carry her wherever he went.

As if he could sense it, Ibiki rolled his head back and closed his eyes. He too wanted to transfer some of his scent and emotions to her. He ran his hands all up and down her back, and ended with his hands entwined in her hair. He couldn't stop himself from slanting his mouth across hers. She always felt so good. He couldn't help himself from hardening inside her, but he had to continue. He had one more thing that he had to tell her. Then he could indulge them both...

"Wait... Ayu... I have one more thing... that we need... to talk about..." It was becoming hard for him to concentrate, but they still needed to talk…

Ayumu felt him harden and lengthen in her, and she automatically reacted. She slowly sat up straighter and even lifted herself up off of him slightly.

She gasped.

He gasped.

"No, Ibiki, later...not now..." she groaned.

Her movements were quickening, and just as fast Ibiki was shifting his attention. She needed to stop if he was going to say what he needed to say. He couldn't...concentrate...he needed... to tell her...He tried to stifle her movements and Ayumu pouted. She ran her tongue across the bottom of Ibiki's lip and he couldn't help but instinctively capture it with his own. She wasn't playing fair, and she knew it. He tried to stop her again, but this time she really didn't play fair...

"Ibiki..."

"Wait, Ayu-"

"Ibiki, do you know that the other night when I took a shower I thought of you?" she said with a sloe-eyed look at him.

Ibiki's nostrils dilated in response.

Oh Gods...I can't think straight when she does that…Soon I won't be able to control either one of us…But I must…

Baby, hold on for just a moment," he said trying to pry his eager mouth away from hers.

Ayumu would have none of it as she spoke into her mouth, and never truly losing the contact.

"I thought about you being behind me in the shower...I thought of your hands all over me...I thought of you behind me thrusting away...I could barely stand up... I had to brace myself against the shower wall...I came all over myself..." she said in his ear not giving him any quarter.

Ibiki groaned loudly, and whatever control he had snapped. He pulled her off of himself and quickly turned her over so that she was braced on her knees and forearms.

"Like this?" and he rammed himself home.

Ayumu stifled her cry against the blanket. "Yes!"

Ibiki pumped away at her, and in turn gave her no quarter. He reached down and bit the back of her neck.

She squealed. She shook. She moaned.

Ibiki didn't let up. Pulling his teeth away from the tender flesh that it had captured he nipped her ear and moaned harshly.

"Ayu- I'll always give you this. I'll always give you what you want, what you need. Me. You are mine, Ayu. You belong to me," and he kept up his rhythm until they both gasped and shuddered against each other.

Ibiki rested his head against her back and smiled. He never felt more at peace then when he was with her; when he was inside her. He slowly pulled out and brought her down to snuggle against him. He could feel her start to drift off to sleep. Ibiki pulled the covers over them both and even as he himself was drifting off he could hear her small, whiffling snores. Yup, job well done, he thought smugly. But he soon started to think about what else they needed to talk about. They needed to talk about Honsho and her father. She needed to know. He needed to find out more...but Ibiki soon followed Ayumu into much needed rest. The first in a long time it seemed for the both of them.

Ibiki didn't know how long he had slept, but his senses came to high alert as he sensed someone else in the tent. Instinctively, and with his eyes still closed he reached for one of his weapons and drawing one he protectively covered Ayumu's body with his own.

When he opened his eyes he was greeted not by a dangerous intruder, but by seven boys all staring down at them, and all with varying looks of surprise. Ibiki gave them a warning growl to back off.

Ayumu shifted slightly in reaction, but never woke up. Ibiki nuzzled her hair but never let his eyes wander from those that stood around them. Finally one of the boys stepped forward slightly and bent down on one knee, and with a snarky grin on his face.

"We need to talk."

"What makes you think that I owe you such a courtesy?"

All seven boys looked pointedly at the sleeping woman in his arms.

A tall, studious boy stepped forward and knelt next to him. "Please, Morino-sama, this is our only opportunity."

Ibiki narrowed his eyes and just silently looked at them. Then, after a moments contemplation he put his weapon away and nodded his head. He couldn't help but shake his head ruefully. It appeared that the Feared Interrogator Morino Ibiki was going to be interrogated himself by Tanaka Ayumu's own students.