Warlord

Chapter Twenty-Six

Kakashi didn’t even pretend to sleep, instead he spent the night sprawled in a chair, lost in contemplation. It was tricky suppressing a rebellion without inciting another. Too little force and he’d be prey to every man with aspirations for leadership, too much and there would be backlash.

Finally he came to the realization that there were variables he just couldn’t account for, and that his plan was as good as it would get. He rose and stretched before ambling off towards the jail, intent on having a few questions answered before he levied punishment.

When he arrived he had the pleasure slave brought to him for questioning first. “Hajime,” he began in a soft conversational tone, “I need you to explain some things to me. In particular, how long were you prepared for this assassination and who undertook your ‘training’.”

The slave seemed to shrink into himself at the mention of his training, appearing to be the young boy he actually was, rather than the seasoned whore he’d been taught to be. “My master was Yakushi Kabuto. I was with him for five years, and he always said I was to be yours.”

So, the warlord thought, they’ve been planning this for the last five years . . . how could I not have noticed so much dissatisfaction for so long? “Other than Umino, who else had contact with your master about this?”

Hajime smiled slyly. “What do I get if I tell you?” he asked in a mirth-filled voice.

“You won’t suffer.” Kakashi replied drily, “Which is more than I can say for the two guards you killed.”

“What about the general?” the slave asked breezily, “Not so concerned about him, are you?”

The warlord surged forward and grabbed the slave by the throat. “General Namiashi is my right hand. I trust him implicitly, he is one of my oldest friends.” he swallowed hard before continuing, “You are lucky he recovered, or we would not be having this conversation. Now . . . who else was involved?”

Hajime squirmed and coughed, dropping his head to avoid Kakashi’s hard stare. “There were several generals, Shinseki . . . they caught us with him last night, Morino and Toyomi. They each showed up right after Kabuto purchased me, after that they just sent aides. I could point them out, but I don’t know their names. As for the nobles . . . as far as I know there are members of all the clans involved, but mainly younger men without power. I will write out a list of names if you give me a pen and paper.”

Kakashi studied him critically before pushing a pad and pen his way, keeping a wary eye on the boy as he scribbled furiously.

When he finished Hajime pushed the pad back with a sigh. “That’s everyone whose name I know. I can point out those soldiers to you now if you like . . . then we can finish this.” he scuffed the ground with his toe, “I am sorry, you know. I didn’t choose this.” he said before dropping his gaze to the ground and falling silent.

The warlord called for a guard to take him away and sat in contemplation for a long moment. He called to a guard and quickly ordered him to have General Toyomi arrested, and pondered for a moment before asking for General Shinseki to be brought in to see him.

“Ah, Shinseki.” he said as the general entered the room.

“Hatake, what is the meaning of this?” Makoto bellowed in outrage, “I can’t believe you had me arrested. When I get out of here. . .” He was cut off by the warlord’s angry reply.

“The meaning of this Shinseki,” Kakashi said coldly, “is questioning you about your role in the assassination plot against me . . . the five year plan I might add. Did you honestly think you would get away with this?”

“I’ll give you names,” the general begged, “I’ll tell you everything if you spare my life.”

“I already have all the names I need . . . thanks anyway.” the warlord replied grimly, “There’s nothing you have to trade, and I’m not in the mood to barter. I will announce your sentence at muster and it will be carried out before dark.” He stood to summon te guard before turning and fixing the general with a hard stare, “What did I do that was so bad . . . the nobles I can understand, but my own men . . .” he trailed off.

“You changed things that have been in place for decades . . . like rising through the ranks based on time served. Older men resent serving under young officers.”

“Even if those young officers keep them alive?” Kakashi asked skeptically, “I highly doubt that. I think it’s more like you, Toyomi and Morino who were dissatisfied because I expected you to earn your rank and not curry favors.” He summoned the guard. Unfortunately he had left the worst for last. “Bring Umino here.” he said in a soft voice.

The warlord sat silently as the noble was brought in and secured in a chair. Several minutes passed in silence before Toyo finally broke and began to speak. “What do you want of me Hatake? You must have brought me here for a reason. Do you have questions about Iruka perhaps?”

“Do not say his name.” the warlord snarled as his hands tensed hard on the arms of his chair, the wood groaning under the strain, “It is obviously a distant kinship . . . he is far too good a man to be related to the likes of you.”

“Ah yes, he is a sweet little whore, is he not.” The noble replied casually, “I’m only sorry I didn’t sample him myself while I had the chance. Although the show he gave while reliving Ibiki’s little party was almost as good.”

Kakashi kept his composure, although the strain was obvious in the tightness of his smile. “Ah, so you knew about that.” he remarked.

“Of course . . . although I didn’t know it was my dear cousin until later. How wonderful fate is to bring us back together like that . . . especially since I was the one who arranged that he be sold in the first place. I convinced my doting idiot of a father that I would be much better off with the lands and title than poor orphaned Iruka.” he smirked as he continued, “I had hoped he would end up as a pleasure slave so I sent word to Yakushi to be at the market on the day of his sale. It was just bad luck that got him off the hook. But, in the end, your pleasure slave is what he ended up as . . . so I guess I won in the end.”

“He was never my pleasure slave.” the warlord replied with barely leashed fury, “He is, and has been, my cherished companion. I have always treated him as my equal. He is gentle and wise and far more deserving of your title than you are . . . it will please me greatly to be able to restore it to him after your death.”

“My death.” Toyo gulped, he hadn’t expected a sentence of death.

“What punishment did you expect for inciting a coupe?” Kakashi asked grimly, “I considered giving you to my men as a pleasure slave . . . since you see it as such a noble career . . . but I was afraid they’d get infected by your hatred. You will be put to death before sunset.”

With that the warlord rose and left the tent, wanting to clear his head before morning muster, leaving the noble gaping behind him, dumbstruck at the realization of the consequences of his actions.