Warlord

Chapter Twenty-Eight

Iruka stood back to survey the work they had done. The room had been cleaned and scrubbed and a fresh coat of paint was up on the walls. A fluffy rug was rolled out on the floor in front of the rocking chair. A crib sat under one window. “This looks wonderful Kurenai.” he said with a smile, “I’m sure your baby will be very happy here.”

“If we stay.” she said sadly, “I think they’ll be leaving on campaign soon and I have to make some hard decisions.”

“What do you mean?” the scribe asked kindly, helping her to a chair and bringing her a cup of cold water.

“The assassination attempt on Kakashi . . . surely they’ll go on campaign to keep the men occupied after they eradicate the traitors. I’ve always traveled with Asuma when they’ve gone out, but now with the baby on the way I won’t be able to . . . I don’t look forward to waiting and worrying here on my own.” the dark haired woman said sadly.

Iruka had stopped listening at the words ‘assassination attempt’. “What assassination attempt, is Kakashi alright?” he asked worriedly.

“Yes, he’s fine. General Namiashi was gravely ill and two guards died. It was that pleasure slave, Hajime. Anyone he kissed was poisoned, it was in his saliva.” she pursed her lips in annoyance, “It’s just a good thing Kakashi has more restraint than his men, otherwise he’d be dead right now.”

Iruka smiled as he realized that this meant Kakashi had not been with the slave. The thought made him happy . . . even if he found the warlord himself terrifying. He knew it was ridiculous, he remembered how content he had felt in the tall man’s arms . . . but he couldn’t stop the shiver of fear that traced down his spine as he thought about doing the same thing now.

He shook off his troubling thoughts and returned his attention to Kurenai. “I’m sorry, I got caught up in memories.” he said with a wry smile. “Now, what were you saying about a campaign?”

“I was just complaining . . . I know I shouldn’t, but it’s going to be hard raising the baby alone.” the petite woman said as she stroked the shawl in her lap. “I don’t want my child to feel abandoned the way I did when my father was off on a campaign.”

“Well,” Iruka began slowly, “you shouldn’t travel now, that’s true. But soon you’ll have the baby and you’ll be able to travel again a couple months after that. I know it seems like forever, but the time will pass quickly. I’ll need to find a place myself . . . you could stay with me until you feel up to rejoining Asuma. I need to find a job, too . . . I’d better get started or I’ll end up on the streets.” he laughed, but it was hollow.

“You’re not going back to Kakashi?” Kurenai asked, concern obvious in her voice, “He’ll be devastated Iruka, he’s never cared about anyone like this before. He needs you to stay with him, even if you won’t touch him.”

“I couldn’t do that . . . I won’t do that, and you’re wrong.” the scribe looked up and locked serious chocolate orbs with Kurenai’s, “he doesn’t need me, in fact, he’s much better off without me. I’m nothing but a liability, a former slave, a joke . . . all the men know what happened to me, how can I stay without tainting him just by my presence? Not to mention the fact that I’m a man . . . a pleasure slave is one thing, but for a companion, it just isn’t done. He may not understand but I most certainly do.”

“Iruka,” Kurenai said gently, “none of that matters. Kakashi loves you. He’s been alone for a very long time and you’re the one he finally chose. That’s not going to change, whether you stay or not. The question you need to ask yourself is if you want to make him suffer.” She shook her head and sighed, “Please don’t rush into any decisions, at least wait until after the party tomorrow night.”

“All right.” the scribe agreed slowly, “I promise I won’t make any firm decisions until after the party. But early the next morning I’m looking for a job and a place to live . . . let me know if I should make it big enough for three.”

He stood and faced the obviously exhausted woman, hands on his hips, and continued “Right now what you need is sleep . . . no arguments.” he held up a hand as he continued firmly, “You are going to lay down and take a nap while I make dinner. I’ll wake you when it’s ready.” With that he helped her into the bedroom and covered her with a blanket. “Just rest.” he murmured as he smoothed a hand over her hair.

As soon as she was sleeping he headed across camp to the warlord’s tent. “Kakashi, General Sarutobi, are you in?” he called tentatively from outside. The warlord’s head popped out, a huge smile etched across his face.

“Iruka, how are you feeling?” he asked with a blinding smile, “Gods, it’s good to see you here.” he gingerly reached out and embraced the scribe, the smile dropping from his face as he felt the smaller form cringe at the contact.

“I’m looking for General Sarutobi.” Iruka said bluntly, “Kurenai needs him.”

Kakashi dropped his happy mask and wearily ran a hand over his face. “Hey, Asuma,” he yelled towards the bathroom, “the little woman is calling, better run home and see what she needs.”

The general came tearing out of the bathroom, yanking his pants up with one hand as he rushed towards the door. “Is it time, is the baby coming?” he asked in a panic.

“No, no they’re fine.” the scribe soothed, “She’s just worried about the campaign and you being so far away when the baby is born. She needs you to comfort her, I’ll be back in a couple of hours when dinner’s ready to come out of the oven.”

The general quickly finished dressing and rushed out of the tent. “So,” the warlord began awkwardly, “what are you going to do for the next couple of hours?”

“I don’t know.” Iruka replied, “Go look for a job, I guess. I can’t impose on Kurenai forever.”

“You have a job.” Kakashi exclaimed, “You work for me. I don’t recall firing you.”

“I can’t work with you anymore.” the scribe said firmly, “It just wouldn’t be right. You’ll have to go to the market and buy another slave.”

“But I don’t want a slave.” the warlord practically whined, “I only want you. Please Iruka, what did I do . . . what can I do to change your mind?”

“I’m afraid you can’t, this is for the best . . . although I’m flattered that you want to try. Right now I need time and space, I don’t know when or if I’ll be ready to be close to anyone again. You need to move on and find someone else . . . someone suitable. There’s still General Namiashi.”

“I’ve already told you, I only want you.” the warlord’s expressive face twisted into a frown, “What do I have to do to convince you?”

“I believe you ‘kashi.” the scribe said in a soft, sad voice, “But that doesn’t change anything. Believe me when I say it’s better this way.” He shuffled his feet a bit before continuing, “I should get going . . . I’ll see you at the party tomorrow night.”

With that he turned and hurried out of the tent, leaving the warlord behind, shoulders slumped in defeat.