Warlord

A/N Thank you to everyone who has reviewed. Your comments really help keep me inspired!!


Chapter Fourteen

Despite how well his day had ended, Kakashi woke the next morning with a feeling of dread. Simultaneously dealing with border incursions, takeover plots and now this mess with Raidou was quickly leaving him overwhelmed. He cast a fond glance at the man still slumbering peacefully next to him. ‘Ruka stayed, he thought, everything else I can work out.

With a heavy sigh he untangled himself from the warmth of his lover and slipped out of bed, wincing slightly as the activities of the previous day caught up with him. It was well worth it, he decided with a smirk as he headed to the bathing chamber.

Washed, dressed and as ready as he was likely to ever be, the warlord set off for Raidou’s tent, hoping that the normalcy of morning training would diffuse the tension he knew would accompany their talk.

He hesitated for a moment before entering, but then he squared his shoulders and strode in confidently, stopping to survey the scene with pursed lips. Raidou was sprawled out in bed, face down and snoring. Sitting next to him, thankfully partially covered with a sheet, was Genma, smoking a cigarette as he studied the sleeping form.

The courier raised a finger to his lips and pointed outside as he silently gathered the sheet around himself and climbed out of bed. Once outside he hesitantly began, “Sir, about last night. He’s really torn up over what he did . . .”

“He told you?” the warlord asked in a strangled whisper, horrified that someone else knew what had happened.

“Well, yes . . . I forced him to tell me, you should have seen him, I was really worried and so I asked what had happened.” The courier replied in a soft voice, “To be honest, I wish I didn’t know. For some reason I really like the jerk . . . and he only has eyes for you.” he looked up at the warlord appraisingly before he continued, “No one can compete with you . . .I should know, I’ve been trying for years.” he continued bitterly.

Kakashi looked at him through narrowed eyes, considering carefully before replying in a carefully controlled tone. “So what would you have me do? I can’t just ignore what he did.”

“Of course not,” the courier began carefully, “but the way I heard it, if you were going to kill him you would have done it last night . . . instead you sent him away. Are you sure it’s retribution you’re after?”

“You question my motives?” the warlord hissed, drawing himself up to tower imposingly over Genma. “His actions almost cost me everything.” he said, motioning in the general’s direction, “I’ve made my choice, if he interferes again I won’t hesitate.”

“Just let me deal with him for now, give me a few days before you talk to him.” the courier implored, “Find someone else to train with, spend some time with your slave.”

“He’s not a slave,” Kakashi remarked absently, “not anymore . . . I freed him last night. And his name’s Iruka.”

“Well then,” Genma retorted with a sly smirk, “go spend time with your Iruka and let me deal with the idiot.” The warlord nodded and the smaller man broke out in a wide smile. “Thank you.” he whispered as he leaned up to lay a kiss on Kakashi’s cheek before slipping back inside.

The warlord rubbed his cheek in bemusement as he headed back to his tent. He’d been kissed by more people in the last few hours than in the rest of his life combined. He chuckled softly as he lifted the flap to his tent and spotted Iruka, curled up around the tall man’s pillow mumbling contentedly.

He slipped off his shoes and stretched out on the bed, relaxing now that he was back with Iruka, grateful for the respite from dealing with Raidou, trusting the courier to keep him informed. I really should train, he thought absently, ‘ruka doesn’t look like he’ll be waking any time soon. He huffed to himself as he once again grabbed his gear and headed across camp.

This time he made sure to announce himself before entering, “Oi Asuma, up for some training?” he called softly.

“This is a surprise,” the general said as he stuck his head out through the flap, “you usually train with Raidou.”

“I thought you could use a break.” the warlord said with a grin, motioning toward the tent, “How is Kurenai doing, by the way?”

Asuma scratched his head, “Her mood swings are driving me crazy . . . if she doesn’t have this baby soon I’ll be tempted to fall on my sword.”

“Sshhh!” Kakashi waved his hands and tried to quiet his friend, “I do NOT want to be here when she kills you . . . pregnant women are too scary.” he muttered under his breath.

“S’okay, she’s at her mom’s . . . probably listening to a bunch of old biddies tell delivery horror stories that’ll have her yapping in my ear all night.” He scratched himself absently before continuing, “Training sounds good, come in while I grab my stuff.”

The warlord lifted the flap and cautiously followed the general. Asuma was a rarity, a married man whose wife traveled with them. Kurenai’s father had also been a soldier and she missed him greatly as a child, she had no intention of going through the same thing with her husband. He wondered if things would change for them after their baby was born. He hoped not, Kurenai was a stabilizing influence on the hot-headed general.

The tent showed a woman’s influence, colorful pillows adorned the bed and chairs and an intricately patterned rug warmed the floor.

“So,” said Asuma as he turned, gear in hand, “why are you really here Kakashi? You haven’t come to train with me for years. Did I do something to upset you?” he finished nervously, thoughts of Ibiki’s end taunting him.

“No, nothing like that. Rai and I . . . had words. I am keeping my distance for the time being.” The warlord said slowly, “‘Ruka was still asleep and I usually train now, so I hoped, if you were free . . .”

“Oh, that’s great.” the general said, visibly relaxing, “Who’s ‘ruka?” he inquired as they headed towards the training grounds.

“My . . . companion. He was my slave but I freed him. He’s willing to stay with me though.” He paused before continuing, “He’s a scribe, he’s really smart, good with the paperwork and stuff.” He trailed off nervously, studying Asuma’s face for signs of rejection.

The general thought hard about what Kakashi was saying, this . . . relationship, with an ex-slave no less, was serious. “It’s none of my business, of course, but you might want to keep your relationship quiet. There are some who disapprove of two men together, every man with a daughter has had their eye on you for years. And an ex-slave is hardly of your status. There will be a backlash.”

The warlord’s lips thinned, “So I’m to sneak around like some pathetic mongrel, is that it?”

“No,” Asuma hastened to reassure him, “of course not, but you don’t need to proclaim it either. Act as you wish, just say nothing. What’s his background, how did he become a slave? He’s young and educated, maybe he has a family you an dig up and elevate his status.”

“I know his family . . . they sold him to steal his inheritance. I have every intention of making sure he gets it back, providing there’s anything left. He’s more than worthy of me . . . although I didn’t know it when we got involved.” The warlord stopped, lost in thought for a moment before catching up to the general and continuing, “He is precious to me. I want to make him happy.”

“Oh boy, you have it bad.” Asuma laughed, “Come on, let’s go sweat our troubles away.” They continued on to the training grounds in companionable silence, each man pondering what had just been said and what it could mean for the future.