Escort

XI

Akiko stood waiting for Shigure to appear. She’d henged herself to look exactly like Iruka, and Kakashi lurked not too far away, just in case. She hoped Shigure would appear. They didn’t have much time.

“Ruka-chan,”

Akiko turned around, much too quickly than she would’ve liked, and stared at Shigure. He was staring at her, eyes revealing nothing, but the odd little quirk to his mouth made her worry. Her fears were justified when his eyes flicked to where Kakashi was hiding, a wry grin appearing on his face.

“Or should I say Konoha nin? What, your Hokage didn’t trust Iruka to get this job done?”

Kakashi growled, appearing in a flash to grab onto Shigure’s collar, jerking up. At the last second he realized he’d walked into that trap and set the boy down, sighing. Shigure shook his head and smoothed out his shirt. Akiko whimpered at the venomous look Kakashi was giving the younger man and released her henge. Shigure didn’t seem fazed in the slightest, as though he’d expected such a thing. Kakashi immediately bristled at that lack of reaction and stared at Shigure, hand twitching to remove the patch covering his Sharingan. Shigure’s gaze flicked to his face, but he showed no interest in initiating combat; rather he seemed a little concerned, the first bit of emotion Akiko had seen him make.

“What happened to Iruka?”

“He’s compromised.”

“What?” Shigure’s eyes narrowed at Kakashi and he stepped forward. Instinctively, Kakashi lashed out, only to have his wrist caught and twisted. The strength behind the grip was substantial, but Kakashi didn’t flinch. He met Shigure’s gaze and the two stared at each other for a long while before Shigure let him go.

“What did you do?” Shigure asked.

Kakashi rubbed his wrist idly and stared at the younger man. “I went into the back rooms. He followed me and we got caught.”

“Why did you do that?”

“Iruka can’t handle this by himself! He’s just a chuunin, a school teacher!” Kakashi growled. Shigure didn’t seem fazed.

“So?” Shigure asked. “There’s not much of a difference between a chuunin and a jounin save for skills and rank. This mission is of a high importance and needs a gentle touch. Iruka was chosen for that reason. He may be a schoolteacher, but it’s that exact expertise that made him the right person for this job.”

“You don’t understand. Iruka can’t do this.”

“Correction. You don’t want him to do this.”

“You don’t get it!” Kakashi snarled. “Iruka needs to be where-“

“Where you can protect him,” Shigure sighed. “I understand quite well.”

“How? You’re no ninja.”

Shigure tilted his head, smiling a bit. “Just because I don’t belong to one of the great villages or the known villages, doesn’t mean I’m not a ninja. I would be of jounin rank, my friend.”

Kakashi stared at the other before he shook his head. “You’re no jounin.”

“I saw through your nin dog’s henge. I helped Iruka perfect that jutsu he wore. I and my partner helped him obtain the job at the Abeko.”

Kakashi’s expression told him that he understood where Shigure was coming from. Being a jounin wasn’t based on age or experience though experience helped. Being a jounin was based on skill level and ability, and if Shigure could do was he said he could do, then there was no arguing there.

“We have to help Iruka,” Kakashi said a moment later. Shigure nodded and gestured for Kakashi to follow him. Kakashi listened to Shigure as they walked quickly through the streets. He was to pose as a noble come from some far away country, looking for an escort. Kakashi blinked and blithely reminded Shigure he didn’t need an escort. Shigure shook his head, sighed and paused to explain. An escort was a woman – or man – that wandered around with her buyer and essentially was his pleasure slave. A fancy way of saying prostitute. So Kakashi would buy Ruka with leaves henged into coins, with one real coin among them, sealed to keep the jutsu active until Iruka’s safety – and the safety of Iruka’s target – was guaranteed. Shigure ducked into an open warehouse and a young woman who looked very much like Shigure in physical appearance greeted the pair. Mayuri, as Shigure introduced her to Kakashi, his partner. Mayuri had procured for them various stately robes that looked foreign and regal. When Kakashi looked in the mirror Mayuri presented him with, he could hardly recognize himself.

His wild silver hair had been tamed down into a tail, his old eye patch replaced with a new silk one. Mayuri had streaked Kakashi’s hair with black ink to give him the look of someone years older than himself. He couldn’t use any jutsu to conceal his identity because it would disrupt the henge on the false money. When Mayuri stepped away to pick up the robes he would wear, he looked across to Shigure. He almost couldn’t recognize the boy. He wore a beautiful sanguine kimono, dainty geta sandals and tabi; his hair styled to look like that of a geisha’s. Kakashi had to look very closely to see that it was a wig. Shigure’s face was painted tastefully, and he carried a parasol over his shoulder. Kakashi was only vaguely aware of Mayuri helping him out of his thug-like clothes and into the statelier garb.

“You know your story?” Shigure asked Kakashi softly as they followed Mayuri through the back streets toward the Abeko. Kakashi nodded.

“My name is Ayaname Ichigo. I hail from the Land of Grass and I’m looking for an escort, a playmate.” Kakashi recited in a whisper. Shigure nodded and moved ahead to speak to Mayuri. A nod and the young woman was just gone, leaving Kakashi and Shigure alone to carry out this farce. One last check to make sure he had all he needed and Kakashi boldly strode across the street to the Abeko, Shigure not too far behind. The place was packed when they entered but the hostess managed to find them a place to sit. Shigure dutifully played his part, giving cues to Kakashi as to when to turn his head, when to stare, when to yawn; it was an extravagant act. Kakashi watched as several men slowly vacated their tables, wandering toward the hidden door that led to the back rooms. Most of the men were gone when the man Iruka had identified as Yutenji approached Kakashi.

“Welcome to my establishment, stranger.” Yutenji said cheerfully. “I can’t help but notice your lovely companion.”

Kakashi managed to smile at the bastard. “Thank you. She was incredibly difficult to come by. Excellent breeding, excellent skills.”

Yutenji’s eyes darkened as a predatory smile spread over his face. Kakashi merely smiled back, playing the game. This bastard knew where Iruka was and once he found out, he’d tear that smile right off his face. Kakashi felt Shigure kick at him and covered his murderous grin by sipping from his teacup.

“I’d be honoured,” Yutenji began, “if I might talk to her for a few hours.”

“Actually, she is the reason I’m here.” Kakashi replied. “You see, I’m looking for a playmate for my dear Sakuya. She’s been begging for one for a while and I figure why not?”

“Two are better than one,” Yutenji agreed too quickly for Kakashi’s liking. A long pause followed, the men studying each other as Shigure poured Kakashi another cup of tea. Kakashi finally procured a gold coin, sliding it across the table to watch it get palmed by the master of the house.

“You’ve come to the right place, then,” Yutenji said. “In fact, there is a very special even taking place in a few hours time. Perhaps you’d be interested, mister…?”

Kakashi smiled. “Ayaname Ichigo, or Lord Ichigo if you’d prefer.”

“Of course, Ichigo-sama,” Yutenji said, eyes flashing with greed at the mention of ‘Lord’. “Please follow me, and do bring your lovely friend.”

With that, Yutenji strode away, and Kakashi and Shigure followed. They were one step closer to saving Iruka and the girl he’d been after. Kakashi let out a long sigh, pushing away all doubt. He’d failed everyone else he had cared for. He wasn’t about to fail Iruka again.