Warlord

Chapter Eighteen

Umino Toyo finally found the man he’d been searching for. “Yakushi, I’m here to pick up the warlord’s new slave.” he said curtly.

“I thought he didn’t want a pleasure slave.” the bespectacled man said with a shake of his head, “How did you change his mind?”

“I haven’t yet . . . but I will. I have inside information that he’s got a soft heart. He can take the slave he’s presented with and make use of it . . . or I’ll have it eliminated. Hatake won’t condemn an ‘innocent’ boy to death, no matter what his wishes in the matter are.” He smiled widely before continuing, “By this time next week he’ll be out and we’ll be in . . . and may the gods help anyone who tries to interfere.”

Kabuto made no comment, after all, he’d been paid well for the ‘special training’ the boy had received, and what happened to his charges once they were sold held no interest for him. “Let me go get him and you can be on your way.” he said with a bow.

He returned a few minutes later with a beautiful young boy in tow. “Hajime,” Kabuto began, “this gentleman will take you to your new master. Make sure you remember your lessons and work hard to please him.”

“Yes master, of course, I live to serve.” the slave replied.

Toyo took a moment to study the kneeling slave. He was beautiful certainly, long black hair, smooth ivory skin and huge blue eyes. He had a delicate, almost feminine quality which the noble found particularly attractive. “If all your stock is of this quality I may have to make a purchase for myself.”

“I offer nothing but the finest quality, all physically perfect, each fully trained in the arts of pleasure, every one a virgin. I have yet to have a complaint.” the grey haired man finished with a slight bow.

“Come boy.” Toyo said with a snap of his fingers. On his way out he turned, “I will be in touch about the other matter.” he said with a smile before sweeping out of the tent, slave in tow.

He headed for the warlord’s tent, eager to set the next phase of his plan in motion.

Iruka woke with a smile. He couldn’t remember ever having as much fun as he had the night before at Asuma and Kurenai’s. It had been years since he had interacted with people in any sort of normal way, and although he had to keep reminding himself it was okay, he was slowly becoming used to the freedom he had now.

When he finished bathing he quickly dressed, anxious to get to work on the pile of communications waiting for him, hoping to have them ready when Kakashi returned from his morning training. He had just finished pulling on his clothes when the flap of the tent was thrown back and a nobleman entered, slave in tow.

“Good morning,” Iruka greeted him pleasantly, “is there something I can do for you?”

“I seriously doubt that someone like you could manage anything useful.” Toyo replied with a sneer, “I’m looking for Hatake, I have a gift for him from the council.”

“Kakashi is training, I’m not exactly sure when he’ll return. Would you like to come back later . . . or you could just leave the gift and I’ll make sure he gets it when he returns.” Iruka replied politely, refusing to rise to the man’s bait.

“I’ll wait.” Toyo replied curtly.

“Suit yourself.” The scribe decided to just get back to work and ignore the nobleman staring so intently at him. He was quickly absorbed in the correspondence he was sorting through, not noticing how the stare had turned predatory.

“So,” the noble’s voice broke his concentration, “who might you be, I haven’t seen you here before.”

“I am the warlord’s scribe, my name is Iruka.” he replied politely, “I’ve been with him for several months now.”

“Oh, so you’re the slave I’ve heard so much about.” Toyo said with a smile.

“I’m afraid you are mistaken, I am a free man.” Iruka said with a smile, “Now, if you don’t mind, I have work to attend to.”

“If you don’t mind my asking,” the noble interrupted with a sly smile, “what is your family name? You remind me of someone.”

“Umino.” the scribe replied distractedly, “Iruka Umino.”

“Cousin!” Toyo exclaimed, “We have been looking for you for years. I am your Uncle’s son, Umino Toyo. You must come stay at the house, meet the rest of the family. How did you come to be here?”

Iruka’s mouth dropped open in shock, this was his cousin, son of the man who had sold him so many years ago. The last thing he wanted was to spend time with anyone from that household. Thinking quickly he replied, “While I would love that, I’m afraid I must decline. The warlord has need of me at all hours, and it would greatly inconvenience him.”

“Not so free as you like to proclaim, eh.” Toyo said cruelly, “A truly free man goes where he wills, he doesn’t cater to the whims of another.”

“I am free to do as I choose . . . and I choose to stay where I am.” Iruka stated coldly, “I have no intention of changing my life at this time. Now, I really do have to get back to work, are you sure you don’t want to just leave the gift with me?”

“Fine.” the noble practically spat, snapping his fingers to summon the slave he had brought. “This is the council of noble’s gift to the commander. It is our wish that he enjoy only the rarest of pleasures. If, however, he does not wish to make use of it tell him to send it back and I will dispose of it.”

“What do you mean by dispose?” Iruka inquired tentatively.

“It will be eliminated . . . it has been specially prepared for the warlord and will serve no other.” A wide, cruel smile spread over Toyo’s face, “It’s really all up to him.” He turned just before exiting the tent to add, “Think about my offer Iruka, you really can do better than this.”

Iruka turned to examine the boy. “What is your name?” he inquired gently, feeling nothing but pity for him.

“Hajime.” the slave replied, “I was named that for I am to be he start of a life of pleasure for our esteemed warlord. I have been trained for five years to be the epitome of erotic service, ready to cater to his every whim.”

“I’m afraid that won’t be possible.” Iruka told him firmly, “I cater to his needs . . . and he to mine. There is no place for you here.”

“That is for the warlord to decide.” the slave said slowly, “But why condemn me to certain death so quickly . . . perhaps you might enjoy me together.” he reached out and caressed the scribe’s face, “I would certainly like that.” he finished with a smile.

The scribe struggled to suppress his shudder. This was the life he had so narrowly escaped, the last thing he wanted was to be reminded of it on a daily basis. He could not share with this slave, no matter how guilty it made him feel. He struggled to find an answer to the dilemma that would allow the slave to live while still keeping him away from Kakashi.

Half an hour later Iruka reluctantly admitted to himself that he could see no way out of the trap his cousin had ensnared them in. He finally gave up and slumped in a chair to wait for Kakashi’s return, Hajime kneeling gracefully at his feet.