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.
Re-write as of 10/2012
Chapter 29
Dancing to Her Tune
All she could think about was when Ibiki would finally come home.
[Front Gates of Konoha]
Ibiki walked slightly ahead of the three ANBU that he traveled with. He was anxious to get home and see Ayumu. Though he was doubtful that she was home yet, at least he could maybe get a decent shower in and possibly a nap before seeing her (because he would need it, he thought with anticipation). As he walked up to the gate he heard a young voice call out to him
"Morino-sama! Morino-sama!"
He turned to see both Toshiro and Masahiro run up to him. He gave them a open smile, and he could tell that the ANBU were more than a bit curious to see what this was all about. Never had he been greeted home before, and certainly not by children. He stopped and returned their courteous bow.
"What brings you two here? Where are the others?" asked Ibiki looking around. Was Ayumu here as well?
Toshiro treated Ibiki as if they were old friends; he shook his head negatively and motioned Ibiki to follow him. "Naw, the twins and Daichi are off doing errands, and Akira and Ryou are back at school. Most probably looking after Sensei..."
Something clutched in Ibiki's chest, but he never let his concern show. "Is everything alright?"
"Yeah, I heard Akira and Ryou say that she has just been working too much lately..."
The ANBU gave each other surprised and curious looks, and they turned expectantly towards Ibiki. He motioned them on and told them that he would see them tomorrow at HQ to go over the reports. As they passed by he saw Masahiro edge close to him and stare at the ANBU with fascination and a bit of fear. He patted the boy lightly on the shoulder and gave it a comforting squeeze. Masahiro looked up at Ibiki and gave a shy smile.
Both boys fell into step on either side of Ibiki as the three walked towards Hiraku. Toshiro talked constantly, and he always had something to say about everything. Ibiki never knew that someone so young could have such adult opinions on everything. It seemed that Toshiro knew everything about everybody. And it wasn't in just general terms; Toshiro knew everyone's personal business it seemed as well. He was a fountain of information, and Ibiki couldn't help but be amused. Toshiro seemed to take control of their path, and led Ibiki and Masahiro not to Ibiki's home, but to the School instead.
They made quite a triplet walking through the streets of Konoha, and received more than their fair share of stares. The tall and dangerous looking Interrogator flanked by two small boys. One was boisterous and garrulous, while the other was quiet and reserved. There was an easy camaraderie between them, and it made Ibiki feel just plain good. He had never had a Genin team, and his own relationship with his younger brother was at best somewhat strained...Ibiki shook the cloud away and concentrated instead on what lay ahead: Ayumu. She didn't deserve to have him show up at her doorstep in a foul mood.
Ibiki was somewhat amused when he glanced down at both Toshiro (who still hadn't stopped talking) and Masahiro; they were both mimicking his own posture. Their hands were in their pockets and they had an easy and confident gate to them. If they had been dressed in Jounin gear and not their civvies then they would look like mini-acolytes. Ibiki couldn't help but let an unadulterated smile grace his face.
Toshiro must have sensed something because he gave a shrug in Ibiki's direction. "I figured that Sensei would want to see you as soon as you showed up." He looked quickly up to Ibiki with a stern stare, "and it's not like we were put on recon duty or anything. You just happened to show up during our time off..."
Ibiki nodded seriously to him, but inside he felt glad. Ayumu had overtly or covertly let it be known that she wanted to see Ibiki as soon as he arrived. Who was he to argue?
The school was a large and rambling three story building. At one time it may have only been a single building, but as the school grew a few extra additions were made to it. It was a beautiful wooden building with trees and ivy growing all around it, and the grounds were well kept and inviting. Masahiro quietly explained that Ayumu's office was on the third floor, where all the other junior teachers were. As they entered the building they were met by bustling activity. Student and teachers were in constant motion. He could hear music drifting from down a hallway to his left, and from another he could hear a teacher giving the day's lesson. Ibiki garnished more than a few stares but he ignored them. Toshiro and Masahiro though seemed to puff out in importance at the attention that they were getting. As they started up the stairs they were brought short by Akira's voice.
"Morino-sama, how nice to see you again. I hope that your business was concluded in a satisfactory manner?"
He bowed to Ibiki with his usual calm and serious expression, but he could tell that Akira too was glad to see him. Relieved? Before he could answer they all turned to see Ryou as he slid down the stairway's wide banister to land right in front of Ibiki. Ibiki couldn't help but laugh, just as Akira couldn't help but frown.
"Oi, look what the cat finally dragged in..." and he winked at Ibiki, but also made sure to give him a bow in respect.
"Ryou, must you always make a commotion of things? Must you always show your-" Akira started to say, but as usual was cut off by Ryou.
"Of course, would you want me any other way?"
"Yes..."
Ryou gave Akira a big grin and a loud, hard thump on his back. Then he grabbed him around the neck and gave him a nookie. That started the two of them to wrestle in the hallway like typical thirteen year old boys, and totally forgetting Ibiki and the others.
"Come on Morino-sama, we'll show you to Ayumu's office, she is probably there right now going over her paperwork," Toshiro said, taking control once again.
"You mean sleeping!" Ryou yelled up to them as he and Akira kept on wrestling.
Masahiro giggled and pulled on Ibiki's shirt sleeve to get him moving. When they got to the third floor they turned left and went all the way to the end of the hall. The last door had Ayumu's and another woman's name on it. Toshiro explained that all junior staff shared office space. Ayumu was lucky in that she had only one officemate while some had three or even four.
Toshiro knocked politely and softly called Ayumu's name, and when he didn't hear a reply he cautiously opened the door. He looked in and then looked back to Ibiki with a big grin on his face.
"Looks like Ryou was right for once." He motioned for Ibiki to go in and then shut the door behind him, leaving Ibiki alone with Ayumu.
The office wasn't that small, but it wasn't that large as well. The room was cluttered with paintings, sculptures, and other art artifacts on one side, and neat as a pin on the other. He could tell immediately which side was Ayumu's. Her cluttered side looked like a dragon had rolled in a field of flowers and then took off, leaving behind in its wake a scattering of colors and debris. He could see paper work in unorganized piles all over her desk, and even some on the floor. How she worked like this he had no idea, and how did her office mate deal with it, with her? He was very interested in their dynamics. He thought that maybe they were like Ryou and Akira almost; her officemate studious and serious while Ayumu was disorganized and chaotic.
There were two desks at either end of the room, and in between was an old couch that sat before the room's only window. On that couch lay Ayumu, snoring lightly. The afternoon's sun was streaming through it and landing across her middle, and highlighting her breasts. Ibiki sighed happily; it really was good to be home...
He walked over and looked down at her. She looked tired. He could see that her face was a little thinner and that there were very light shadows under her eyes. She must have really been working over-time for all that to happen. She was deeply asleep, and as he bent down closer he saw that she was drooling a bit. Even snoring and drooling he had never seen anything so beautiful or inviting. He couldn't help but perch next to her and tenderly wipe the drool away. The contact caused her to snort awake.
"What? Is it time to go? Where am I?!" she sat up in confusion and blinking the sleep away.
Ibiki chuckled deeply.
When she heard that sound Ayumu came fully awake. She looked Ibiki in the face and seeing that it really was him she threw herself into his arms and hugged him like there was no tomorrow.
"Ibiki! You're home-finally!"
Ayumu almost clutched at him, and Ibiki wrapped his arms around her and pulled her tightly into his chest. His flak vest was in the way, so he let her go long enough to take it off and then pulled her in for a real hug. He nestled his face in her hair and just closed his eyes and breathed. She had never felt or smelled so good. He had hauled ass the past few days just to get home, and he was glad for it. He had missed this. He had missed her.
"You're in one piece and not hurt anywhere?" There was concern in her eyes, and hands roamed quickly over his form in order to find assurance.
"I'm perfectly fine. It wasn't that strenuous a mission, and hardly dangerous. It just took a bit longer than expected."
Ayumu sighed in relief and burrowed herself in Ibiki's warmth. She buried her face into his neck and just breathed deeply of Ibiki. She loved his scent, and there was something about the smell of the man you love, and his neck in particular, that was the most wonderful thing. She still ran her hands all over him, needing to feel the muscled strength and security that was Ibiki. Ayumu pulled back and looked him in the face. He looked so good to her. She ran her hands all over his face as if giving her sense of touch what she had been missing. She rubbed her face against his and breathed him deeply in again. She almost purred against him.
When she made those animalistic movements and sounds Ibiki always became excited. He took her mouth in his and kissed her. She quickly complied and met his tongue half-way. Now she really did start to purr; deep in the back of her throat. She buried her hands in whatever she could grab. Ayumu kneaded Ibiki's shoulders and arms, like a starved little kitten. Ibiki growled and pulled her onto his lap, sitting back on the couch in comfort. He in turn ran his hands all over her; petting, grasping, and even digging his fingers in soft flesh.
Before anything could get much farther Ayumu quickly pulled away and looked suspiciously at the door. She stilled and had an almost expectant look to her face. Then she shot off of Ibiki and hauled him to his feet and quickly neatened their appearance. Just as she was finished a curt knock sounded at the door and without waiting for an answer the Headmistress herself walked in. Ayumu turned calmly towards the Headmistress and bowed respectfully.
The Headmistress merely raised an eyebrow and strode over to them. She walked up to Ibiki, and openly and frankly looked him up and down.
The Headmistress of Hiraku's School for Gifted and Talented Youth was a formidable looking woman. She was tall and strongly built, almost like a war ship. In fact, she was almost physically on par with Ibiki, as he didn't have to look down that far in order to look her in the eyes. She appeared to be about sixty with iron gray hair and a no nonsense air about her. She was masculine in appearance, but it didn't detract from her handsome visage. In fact it accented it. She looked as if she was both mother and father figure all rolled in one.
"Headmistress Miyoki, may I please introduce Morino Ibiki. Morino Ibiki, may I please introduce Headmistress Miyoki of Hiraku," Ayumu gracefully introduced.
Ibiki gave the Headmistress a courteous bow, and the Headmistress in return gave one back.
"I had heard that we had a guest roaming the hallways, and Morino Ibiki no less. How interesting..." and she gave Ayumu a speculative look.
Ayumu only blushed and smiled in response.
"I can only assume that since you are not in your usual uniform that you just got back from a mission? I hoped that all went well? And I am certainly interested to see that you made haste here to see our Ayu-chan...I hope that there is nothing amiss?"
Ibiki smiled at the Headmistress and shook his head. He relaxed his stance and placed his hands back in his pockets, offering them a friendly and relaxed pose.
"No, nothing of the sort. I was just passing through and thought that I would drop in on Tanaka-san..."
The Headmistress snorted in disbelief. "Passing through, Morino-san? How amusing... Considering that ANBU HQ and Hiraku are at opposite ends of the village...and Tanaka-san? I think that you have had enough dealings with Ayu-chan here to drop the formality, even in my presence. Besides, her students were posted in very obvious sentry positions in order to pass the information of my presence to her in time for the two of you to..." and here she glanced pointedly at the couch.
Ayumu looked mortified. She looked like she wanted to just curl into a ball and crawl under the couch. Ibiki almost started to laugh as Ayumu almost took the look of a naughty student caught in the act, but quickly quelled it. He didn't want to embarrass Ayumu any more then she already was. He also made a note to thank the boys for their early warning; too bad Ayumu ruined it by looking so guilty. She looked like a kid caught in the cookie jar, holding two cookies in her hands and crumbs all over her face.
"Headmistress-"
"Forget it Tanaka-san," the woman replied with a raised eyebrow and a wave of her hand. "You never could lie to save your soul, so don't try to start now...Besides, I find it highly amusing to find a lost and improperly unescorted ANBU not only in my school, but 'wandering' into your office as well..." and she gave Ibiki a cool stare.
The Headmistress was a woman who brooked no protocol lapses of any kind, and Ayumu was an educator under her auspices. She was also very protective of everyone underneath her, and when she had heard that Morino Ibiki was loose in her hallways she quickly made it her business to find out why he was there. She became even more interested to find out that he was there to see Ayumu. Very, very interested, especially now that she seemed to have almost caught them (I must be getting old, she thought wryly) in a private moment. She looked Ibiki square in the yes, as if she could see deeply behind his facade and his true intentions. The Headmistress, like everyone else in the village had heard much about Morino Ibiki. And from what she could tell so far it was most probably all true. He had a hard and certainly deadly look to him. He also made a perfect contrast to her Ayumu; his cool masculinity and her soft femininity were very appealing. Yet she knew that Ayumu was no wilting flower, and she probably gave Morino-san a good run for his money. Being the very perceptive woman that she was (and she had to be to have her position) she could tell that they were intimately involved as well. More recently by the look on Ayumu's face. She had the glowing look of a woman who had been parted from her lover and was excited yet shy all at once that he was back. Ibiki also had a look of barely contained lust about him. She was glad that Ayumu -however it happened, and she would hear that story sometime soon - had met up with him.
She nodded as if satisfied with her inner assessment and gave her first real smile to them both. "Well then, since all seems to be well maybe Morino-san would like to escort me downstairs?" She turned to Ibiki expectantly, not that she thought that there would be any other answer but compliance to her question. The Headmistress really had to stifle a laugh; Ayumu looked crestfallen, and Morino-san looked thwarted. But he covered it up well and bowed humbly to her.
"Of course Miyoki-sama, it would be my pleasure." and Ibiki motioned the woman ahead of him.
The Headmistress gave a curt bow to Ayumu, who returned it with a deep one of her own, and turned for the door. Ibiki looked at Ayumu as he turned to leave; she had the saddest look on her face. She sighed and turned away, almost defeated. Ibiki quickly reached a hand out and caressed her cheek. Ayumu turned up to him with longing. He winked, and Ayumu perked up a bit and blew him a kiss.
"Oh, and Ayu-chan, clean up this mess..."was the Headmistresses parting shot before she shooed Ibiki out of the room.
Ayumu shrugged as the two just sailed smoothly out her office. Yeah right, time for a nap she thought as she settled herself back on her couch. But this time she fell asleep with a big grin on her face. Ibiki was home!
The Headmistress and Ibiki walked side by side without speaking, and when they came to the first floor they saw Ryou and Akira standing at the first floor landing. Both bowed low to the Headmistress and Ibiki. She stopped dead in front of them and gave them both stern looks. Ibiki had to hand it to them; they matched her stare for stare. She shook her head at them and then grinned.
"You boys did well...oh, and Akira-kun, go to the Onsen that Ayumu is working at and tell them that she will be unable to work tonight. Tonight she is taking the evening off, at her Headmistress' command. She has been working too hard and needs a night to rest and recuperate. I don't want her sick or debilitated in any way."
She gave Ibiki a side look, which he had the grace not to smile too widely. "Come Morino-san, follow me please" and once again she turned and didn't wait to see if Ibiki complied or not.
She led him out to a side entrance and into a small but secluded garden, and stopped at a beautiful koi pond. The pond was filled with beautiful pink lotus flowers, and beneath their leaves colorful koi swam. When they saw the intruder's shadows they quickly swam up to the surface, hoping to get a meal. Once they saw that none was coming they lazily swam off.
The Headmistress turned to Ibiki and had a serious expression on her face, a very serious expression. Ibiki could feel a Talk coming on...
"Morino-san, let me be blunt. I feel that you are like me; neither of us really have time for anything but directness. Though your personal association with Ayumu is none of my business, the health and welfare of my staff is. Therefore, I would like to ask your purpose for coming here." She looked him squarely in the eye, and her face held a serious look to it.
Ibiki also instantly switched gears. He wasn't about to be grilled (again it appeared, why did everyone associated with Ayumu feel the need to give him the third degree?) by anyone, and he quickly went into Interrogator mode.
"My business with Ayumu is personal and not business related," he replied somewhat curtly.
If the Headmistress was insulted by the tone she gave no hint of it, and neither was she intimidated by this man. He may be feared within ANBU and even the village, but he was here in the Hiraku School for Gifted Student. He was here in her pond, and she was the only Big Fish in it. He would dance to her tune and whether he liked it or not.
"Morino-san, please let me clarify things, since they seem to be escaping your notice..."
Ibiki's eyes turned cold and a grim smile played across his mouth. The nerve...he thought.
"Does your appearance and your association with Ayumu have anything to do with her and Hamada-kun's attack? In other words, does your involvement with her have anything to do with some sort of appreciative reciprocity for helping out?"and she glared coldly back at him, meeting him glare for glare.
Ibiki became incensed; he could feel cold tendrils of anger creeping out from the pits of his stomach. How dare she imply that he would take advantage of Ayumu in such a manner...
Ibiki held his anger in check, but the air in the garden had dropped noticeably around them.
"I am surprised and disappointed to find that Miyoki-san would think so little of Tanaka-san(and he purposefully used the formality), what you think of me means very little if anything at all to me, but to think so derogatorily of her..."and Ibiki had ended it with almost a growl. It took everything he had not to snarl at the woman.
"I knew Tanaka-san before she and Hamada-san were attacked, not that it really is any of your business..."
The Headmistress wasn't impressed by his tone or posture. She had seen it all, and stood her ground (and won) each and every time. She was a Headmistress for Heaven's sake! If people thought that ANBU were scary and intimidating then they should try having to deal with exceptionally bright students. They were holy terrors.
"Don't even think that you can intimidate me, Morino-san...you wouldn't even last one round against me," she said with a smirk and an evident gleam in her eye.
Ibiki's interest was immediately sparked. The woman had balls; he had to give her that. She reminded him a lot of both the Hokage and Fujiwara-san. What was it with the older women in his life? But still, she needed to learn her place with him...
"I do not plan to either now, or anytime ever for that matter, intend to discuss my relationship with Ayumu with you...so whatever you are fishing for," and he leaned forward into her face, "get over it and yourself."
The Headmistress did not in any way intend to let this man treat her like some captured spy. She in turn leaned forward into his face and smiled a nasty smile of her own. "Get over it? I think not Morino-san, ANBU HQ may be your little kingdom, but you aren't there, are you? No, you are here, in my little kingdom, and here I am absolute despot."
The Headmistress almost crowed in glee as she saw Ibiki's eyes flash and his nostrils dilate. Good...it is only when people are pushed to their absolute limit that you really see what they are made of, or why they showed up...She needed to be sure...But she was quickly disappointed as Ibiki immediately erased all anger from his visage. He leaned up straight and placed an obviously fake smile on his face.
"Interesting Miyoki-san, too bad you don't work for ANBU. You would be an interesting addition to my staff."
The Headmistress frowned and brushed her hand in the air, as if the statement wasn't even worth her time. "ANBU- poof, you should try keeping up with the children- and staff- of Hiraku. That would put some hair on your chest. Besides, "and she grinned maliciously at Ibiki, "you are well acquainted with Ayumu's Apprentices and Journeymen, and there are just seven of them. Imagine having to deal with hundreds like them on a daily basis..."
Ibiki couldn't help but give her a small but genuine smile this time. He wondered how she found out about his initial meeting with Ayumu's crew, and did she know in what circumstance as well?
"Anyway, Miyoki-san, what do you really want from me?" Ibiki asked somewhat irritated.
The Headmistress also gave Ibiki a bona fide smile, because she was genuinely happy that she had gotten to him. She nodded at his tacit acceptance of her skill.
"All of my staff and students are my family. I take a great interest, like any mother would, in their lives. I can't even begin to tell you how their assault affected us, affected me. And now to find Ayumu with you – Morino Ibiki of ANBU- you must understand my curiosity, and to a certain degree my concern." She leaned again towards Ibiki, but this time it was with a pointed look of worry.
"I don't know why that happened, and I certainly don't want it to happen again. The only reason I am not inundating you with questions or demands is because the Widow Fujiwara-san has spoken to me regarding the matter. She said not to worry because someone, and I now see that 'someone' is you, has taken care of things- quietly and with a definite finality. I will say nothing else but to give you my undying appreciation. But I cannot help but wonder..." and she turned away from Ibiki to stare again into the pond with a worried look.
"I cannot help but wonder the true meaning behind it. Why would someone pick Ayumu and Hiroshi out like that? And is it more because of Ayumu? It appeared to me that Hiroshi was collateral damage, in light of Ayumu's studio also being damaged. Their attack does not seem random, and will there be a repeat?"
She turned to Ibiki with a fierce look. The Headmistress looked to be furious that someone had intruded upon her territory, and Ibiki could defiantly relate. Ayumu, and in a certain sense so did Hiroshi, belonged to him. They were a part of his pack, and he protected that which belonged to him. He became disgruntled, to say the least. The Headmistress was voicing that which he also believed. He was still looking into their attack, but there were a few pieces of the puzzle that still escaped him. Every time that he thought that he had a piece, it eluded him or worse- proved to be a dead end. He had never felt so frustrated. He knew that he wouldn't rest easy until he had everything placed out properly in front of him, and was then able to go on The Hunt again...
"Miyoki-san, know this: I have eliminated certain elements from the attack, but I haven't figured it all out – yet. But rest assured that I will. Nothing or no one yet has ever eluded me, and I certainly won't let it happen now, with anything associated with Ayumu."
Ibiki looked serious, and deadly so.
The Headmistress nodded, and it seemed that a weight was suddenly lifted from her shoulders. She knew without a doubt that Morino-san would look after her Ayu-chan and Hiroshi-kun. Especially her Ayu-chan. She smiled a true smile at Ibiki, one that held warmth and respect.
"I am glad Morino-san, and I am glad for Ayumu especially. She is very lucky to have met you, however that happened. She has had to shoulder quite a bit on her own, and when her family disowned her a few years ago I was especially worried for her. A person in my position shouldn't have favorites, but Ayumu certainly is one of mine. Of course, so is Hiroshi, so when they were both hurt...I was never so glad to see them back here with us alive and well. And it was all because of you and Fujiwara-san." The Headmistress gave Ibiki a very deep and honored bow.
Ibiki looked almost embarrassed. He wished that he could have done more or been there sooner. He wished...but if wishes were horses then beggars might ride, he thought grimly. No, wishful thinking wouldn't get him to the bottom of things, only his experience and intelligence would. Ibiki wasn't going to let someone walk in and fuck up his new and perfect life. He would be damned first, and then they would be as well. Ibiki had no problems turning Heaven into Hell in order to ensure it.
