Escort

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Kakashi was fairly sure he’d never actually flown with help before. Perhaps there had been a few times when he and Gai had gotten smashed at Asuma’s place and Asuma had tossed them out the window because he hadn’t wanted to deal with their drunken antics. But when Kakashi slammed headfirst into wooden crates lining the alley wall, he was certain he’d fallen from a severe height and not tossed out the back door of the restaurant. He slowly got to his feet and shook himself, staring at the now-closed and most likely locked door. There was no way he’d be able to fight his way in, not if Iruka’s life hung in the balance. They were probably waiting for such a move, a knife to Iruka’s throat, waiting to spill the lifeblood onto the floor. They’d take pleasure in it, no doubt, and Kakashi wouldn’t risk Iruka’s life again. He’d made a mistake, one that had cost Iruka his freedom, and he refused to make another that would cost Iruka his life. As long as Iruka’s true identity remained hidden beneath the jutsu that made him appear as a woman, he was safe. Kakashi hoped.

He rubbed his head, trying to think of a plan to rescue Iruka, to get him out of there. His mind was blank, though, blank because of his failure, because he had let Iruka down. Iruka had been counting on Kakashi to protect him, and Kakashi had failed. So now he had to figure out how to get Iruka back and he couldn’t think of anything. He stumbled out to the edge of the alley and leaned against the wall, brain working a mile a minute but coming up with nothing. He brought his hands together and flashed through several seals. Akiko stretched and yawned as she stared at her master, head tilting.

“Where’s Ruka?”

“In there. But you knew that, already, didn’t you?”

“We know what you know, Kakashi.”

“You knew Ruka was Iruka.”

Akiko sighed. “For all your years, Kakashi, you certainly don’t know shit about relationships.”

“Perhaps I missed that lesson.”

“When? In between being an insensitive jounin genius jerk and a psychotic pervert?”

Kakashi eye narrowed but Akiko didn’t back down. Kakashi sighed and closed his eye, leaning against the wall, sliding down to rest on the ground, head angled down. Akiko stepped a bit closer to him and sat between his feet, head lowering to touch her nose to his fingers.

“Help me, Akiko. Iruka’s in danger because of me.”

Akiko sighed and settled down at his feet, pawing the concrete. “It’s a prostitution ring, from what Iruka learned. Iruka should be safe for a little while. But…”

“But?” Kakashi leaned forward, grabbing his husky’s scruff and pulling her up so they could stare at each other, eye to eye. Akiko shivered and Kakashi tightened his grip.

“There’s someone I think you should meet. If Iruka’s compromised then his mission could be too.”

Kakashi gave a heavy sigh and struggled to his feet. “Lead the way, Akiko.”

“Make me a promise first.”

Kakashi’s eye narrowed again, suspicious. “What promise?”

“Promise me you’ll trust Iruka more than what you’ve done. Promise me you’ll respect him.”

“I do respect him.”

Akiko made a noise that made Kakashi think of a mother staring down at her child with the skeptical look of ‘I caught you’ after the child said he hadn’t been eating cookies before dinner. Kakashi sighed quietly and nodded.

“I promise.”

Akiko twitched her tail and got to her feet. She led Kakashi out of the alley into the streets, trotting easily toward the last place Iruka had been, where she had first scented this Shigure. He would know how to help Iruka, Shigure could help Kakashi and maybe get him to understand the delicate predicament Iruka was in.

She hoped.

Iruka shivered and tried to curl up tighter in the corner of the room he’d been shoved in after being forcibly separated from Kakashi. Yutenji had watched his subsequent pawing with a detached gaze, not caring in the slightest that Iruka fought against being violated by hands and eyes alike. He could only thank the gods that the violations had only been to disarm him and take away anything of value. He was glad then, that his charm bag hadn’t been removed from his wrist. That had been a gift from Shigure, and though he hadn’t quite figured out its function, he was starting to understand. His chakra was limited, and he could only hold the Oiroke for a few hours at best, so he had begun to understand that this charm helped facilitate the illusion of his being female. How he didn’t know, but, he was grateful, for the moment. He pulled his kimono tighter around his body and bowed his head. He’d been so close, a few more days and he would’ve met Shigure so he could get the cure for whatever drug they were giving Yukari and rescue her. But now, he needed rescuing himself and his only hope had been Kakashi. But in an effort not to blow his cover, he’d elbowed Kakashi hard in the ribs and tried pleading with Yutenji for another chance. It didn’t work.

Apparently, several men had had their eye on Ruka for a long time, and now they had their opportunity to have her. Iruka shivered and fought not to cry.

It wasn’t fair. He’d worked so hard to get this far and Kakashi had come to screw it all up. He didn’t understand Kakashi at all. They were friends, Iruka had thought, and friends trusted one another. It was obvious, though, that Kakashi didn’t trust him. He didn’t trust in his abilities or even his integrity. Iruka doubled over, crying quietly into his knees. Of course, it wasn’t all Kakashi’s fault.

Some of the blame lay on Iruka’s shoulders too. He shouldn’t have tried to deceive Kakashi for so long. He should’ve contacted him the moment he arrived and enlisted his help. They could’ve rescued Yukari and been back on the road to Konoha by now. Iruka wouldn’t be sitting helpless in a cold room wearing the guise of a woman and hoping he wasn’t raped.
Ruka looked up as the door opened and noticed a man’s silhouette in the doorway. She shivered, whimpered, drew back further as Yutenji moved toward her. He didn’t bother to order her to stand; his fist crashed into her cheek before she could even utter a word. Ruka hit the ground hard, stunned but the unexpected blow had done more than just stun her. Iruka’s head was ringing and when he tried to roll over, he was pinned. Yutenji straddled his back, holding him down, his right arm pulled out to its full extension. Iruka fought now, struggling to get away. Yutenji, however, just moved with Iruka’s movements, pinning him down after Iruka rolled onto his back, staring wide-eyed at the man he’d thought he liked.

“Don’t look so frightened, Ruka.” Yutenji said. “In a few minutes, you won’t care what happens to you.”

“Don’t, please, I said I was sorry! I-“

Yutenji's open palm cracked across her face. Using the moment of sudden pain and shock, Yutenji pulled a syringe from his sleeve and tapped it as he straddled Iruka’s hips. Ruka was a little wildcat, still struggling despite the futileness of it. He just moved with her movements, keeping his weight even above her. She wouldn’t be able to escape, and after a few moments, she wouldn’t even think about running away. All she would think about was pleasing her customer, pleasing whoever bought her. He uncapped the needle and gently pricked Iruka’s inner arm, smiling when he found a vein.

“Doesn’t matter. You know how much money you’ll bring me as a doll? You think I didn’t know about you, Ruka? About your meetings with that asshole Haomaru? Well, I think I’ve found a better job for you than waitressing and all you have to do is spread your legs like a good little whore." Yutenji grinned. "You won’t even care after a few doses.”

Iruka shivered when he felt coldness seep into his veins. He watched the liquid in the syringe drain into his arm and cried. He was so cold, so tired, and by the time Yutenji pulled the used needle from Iruka’s skin, the brunette was staring so blankly at the doorway.

Yutenji smiled and settled his hand on Iruka’s chest, slowly drawing it down as he settled between Ruka’s legs, pulling away her kimono to inspect the goods. It would take a few days before she was addicted enough to need to do anything asked of her before she received her medication, but he could make a few estimates in her price right now. He blinked, a smile drawing across his face as he moved to stand, drawing the limp girl up into his arms to carry her to a different room.

She would fetch him a high price indeed.

There was a Mizuage to plan.