Warlord

Chapter Twenty-Four

“Asuma,” the warlord began as soon as he arrived, “I need you to track down the pleasure slave Hajime. He’s dangerous, his saliva contains poison . . . they must have been feeding it to him for years to build up his immunity. Anyone he kisses could die.” He gritted his teeth before continuing, “put him in with Umino when you find him . . . I’ll deal with them both once I’m sure ‘ruka will be alright.”

The general hurried across the compound to the small jail. Strange how they suddenly had more need of such a structure than they had in the last ten years. Asuma was sure that if anyone knew where the slave would flee it would be Toyo.

When he opened the door and strode inside he found both of the guards on the floor and the prisoner missing. Shit, he thought, rubbing a hand across his face, Hatake’s going to have my head. He debated for a moment then headed for the gate, calling to some men to get the guards to a medic. If they haven’t left the compound we’ll track them down eventually. . . and where they’re hiding could point out other snakes we need to get rid of.

When he reached the gate he was relieved to find the guards unharmed. “Has anyone passed through tonight?” he called out.

“A few men have come back from town but no one has gone out.” the guards replied. Asuma was quick to fill them in on the situation and leave some extra men on guard. Once he was sure no one would be leaving camp he had his men spread out and they began searching tent to tent.

The problems began when they reached the tent of Shinseki Makoto. “Oi Shinseki,” Asuma called, “we need to search your tent.”

The grizzled general appeared at the opening, a serious look on his face. “What do you mean Sarutobi, these are my personal quarters.”

“There are dangerous prisoners loose in camp. We’re looking for a pleasure slave and a noble . . . Umino Toyo, perhaps you know him?” Asuma lit a cigarette and studied the general’s face. He was older and had come to power while Kakashi and his friends were still coming up through the ranks. To say he resisted change would be an understatement.

“I knew his father.” the older man rumbled, “We were friends at school. I haven’t seen Toyo though . . . if I do I’ll be sure to let you know,” He turned to head back into his tent when Asuma stopped him.

“We still need to check your tent.” he said in a hard voice.

“You doubt my word?” Makoto said angrily, “I’ve been a loyal officer since before you were born, pup.”
“I never said I doubted you,” Asuma replied smoothly, “it’s for your protection. General Namiashi is in critical condition, as is the warlord’s scribe. Obviously we wish to prevent any more tragedies. Now,” his smile disappeared, “if you’ll excuse me.” He pushed past the larger man and into the tent as his men spread out to surround it.

Asuma glanced around the main room, noticing three cups on the table but no occupants. He continued to the bathing chamber where he found the pleasure slave he was seeking hiding in a cupboard. “General, we’ve got one.” a voice yelled from outside the tent.

He hurried out, pulling the slave behind him, to find his men standing over a prone Toyo. He had been found crawling out from under the edge of the tent. “Shinseki.” Asuma said coldly, “I’m afraid you’re guilty of harboring fugitives. Men, take the general into custody, escort him and the other prisoners to the jail, triple the guard. Make sure everyone stays well away from the slave, his kiss is deadly. The commander will deal with them personally.”

A collective shiver ran through the men at the last words, remembering how the warlord had ‘dealt with’ Ibiki, and they quickly moved to do as Asuma bid, not wanting to get consigned to a similar fate.

Asuma hurried back to the medical tent, anxious to let Kakashi know that he had the prisoners in custody and to check on the guards he had found. The scene when he entered was pure chaos. Genma was trying to keep Raidou in bed, medics were frantically working on the two guards and in the middle sat the warlord, an island of calm, oblivious to the storm raging around him as he focused only on the man whose hand he held.

Iruka tossed and turned. Although the antidote had been administered he was still lost in his own mind, whimpering as a particularly unpleasant memory surfaced. “I hope you have good news for me.” the warlord remarked mildly, “I could certainly use some.”

“Umino and the pleasure slave have been recaptured . . .” he hesitated before continuing, “they were hiding out in Shinseki’s tent, he’s been taken into custody as well.”

Kakashi’s frowned, “Were there others? Makoto isn’t the only one of the old guard that resents the changes I’ve introduced.”

“I thought we could make an announcement at muster and see who reacts.” The general paused, “How’s Iruka doing? Kurenai’s going crazy . . . I don’t dare go home without a progress report.”

“They gave him the antidote . . . but he still hasn’t come around. All I can do now is wait.” the warlord said in a tired voice, “Tell Kurenai I’ll send word when he comes around, I know ‘ruka wold love to see her.”

“Maybe you should go get some rest.” Asuma started tentatively, “It won’t do anyone any good if you collapse.”

“Once ‘ruka comes around.” he replied faintly, “I can’t leave until I know he’s going to be okay.”

Asuma clapped a hand on the warlord’s shoulder, squeezing it in a show of support. “If you need anything just send for me. I’m going to go update the wife before she comes hunting for me.” Both men shuddered at the thought.

“Hurry up then,” Kakashi said as he ran a nervous hand through his hair. “I’m pretty sure that’s the last thing any of us wants.” He smiled at his friend before turning back to the unconscious scribe and recapturing his hand, once again falling into stony silence.

So lost in thought was he that he didn’t notice wary brown eyes watching him. When he realized that the scribe was conscious he smiled broadly and moved to embrace him, murmuring “Gods ‘ruka, I was afraid you wouldn’t wake up. How are you feeling?”

The warlord was shocked when bronze arms shoved him away hard as the scribe began to scream, “Don’t touch me, don’t touch me.” over and over as tears streamed down his cheeks. The medic ran over and quickly injected him with a sedative, watching as his eyes slipped shut once again.

“Well, it’s good he came out of it.” The medic said as he checked Iruka’s vital signs and noted them. “He didn’t react as badly as I thought he might.”

“What in gods name do you mean?” the warlord yelled, “He’s scared of me, you saw him, how is this not so bad?”

“He’s lucid, that’s a good start.” The medic replied hesitantly, “I did say he’d need a lot of help.”

“And I said I would give it to him.” the warlord replied sternly, “So . . . what do I do?”

“I’m going to keep him under so he can rest now that the hallucinations have faded.” the medic said slowly, “Go take care of whatever you need to, he’ll need a lot of help when he wakes up again.”

Kakashi nodded and rose. Before leaving he stopped by Raidou’s bed to check on him and ask Genma to keep an eye on Iruka. Then he strode purposefully out of the tent and headed for Asuma’s. He needed to make some plans for morning muster.