Warlord

Chapter Thirty

“You need to head them off.” Kurenai practically screamed, “This is such a bad idea, I can’t go out there looking like this.” she waved in frustration at her reflection before bursting into tears. “Please, Iruka, if you’re my friend you’ll tell everyone the party is canceled.”

“Calm down,” the scribe said in a soft voice as he helped her to a chair and got her a glass of water, “you look beautiful . . . Asuma is a very lucky man, he wants to show his gorgeous wife off one more time before they go out in the field.”

“I look like a yak.” the petite woman complained bitterly, “No . . . a hippo.”

Iruka laughed merrily, tugging her up and spinning her in front of the mirror. “Well, you have awfully nice legs for a hippo . . . and better cleavage than any yak I’ve ever seen. Not to mention a beautiful face, especially when you smile.”

She smiled and covered her face with her hands. “I know I’m being ridiculous, pregnant women get big . . . the baby has to go somewhere. But then I see the thin young girls the men are dating and I feel so old and ugly.”

“You’re more beautiful than any of them. Just you wait and see, everyone will be fawning all over you.” the scribe said knowingly. “Now, hurry up and get out there so you can check my work.”

Kurenai gasped when she finally tore herself away from the mirror and headed into the main room. The scribe had done a wonderful job decorating with candles and bowls of fresh flowers. The buffet was picture perfect and the dishes and glasses sparkled. All that was missing were the guests, and they should start arriving any moment.

“It’s lovely Iruka.” she said as she gave him a hug, “Thank you so much for all your help. Now, you need to go change.”

“I was thinking I would just go out for a few hours.” he said slowly, pointedly not meeting Kurenai’s eyes.

“Oh no you will not.” she exclaimed angrily, “You will be at this party and you will talk to Kakashi. You cannot just avoid him. And no pushing him away either . . . I saw the way you look at him. If you need time I know he’ll give it to you . . . but give both of you some hope.” she shook her head at the stubborn look on the scribe’s face, “All men are hopeless.” she muttered, shaking her head, “Do you want to hurt him?” she asked firmly.

“Of course not.” Iruka answered angrily, “I’m trying not to hurt him.”

“Well, you’re not succeeding . . . he looks like shit and he’s scaring the men. I, personally, would like my husband to survive this campaign in one piece. So whether you stay or go, you need to make things right and be honest with him . . . he’s been honest with you.”

“Alright.” he muttered sulkily, “I’ll go to the party . . . and I’ll talk to Kakashi.” his voice dropped to a whisper as he added, “Not that I have any clue what to say.”

“How about I love you,” Kurenai said softly, “and I’ll be here when you get back.”

Iruka just nodded, his face solemn. The sounds of the first guests arriving causing them to both turn with smiles on their faces. “Honey, I’m home.” Asuma called cheerily as he moved forward to kiss his smiling wife.

The warlord hovered in the doorway, not wanting to intrude on the happy scene. “It’s good to see you Kakashi.” Iruka said softly, “I hope you slept well.”

“I can’t sleep well without you in my bed.” he replied honestly, “You’ve spoiled me.” He smiled before continuing, “But it’s better now that I’m here with you.”

The scribe blushed beet red at the compliment, and at the memories of the things they had done in that big bed. “I miss you too.” he finally said, “I’m sorry for the way things turned out.”

“You don’t have anything to be sorry for.” Kakashi retorted, “The people who hurt you have paid for their mistake . . . you did nothing wrong and you no longer have to worry about them.”

“What do you mean?” Iruka stammered.

“You got caught up in an assassination plot against me. It’s really my fault you were hurt so badly . . . and I’m so sorry ‘ruka,” He grasped the scribe’s hand earnestly “please forgive me. I never wanted you to be hurt because of me.”

“It’s not your fault.” Iruka said soothingly, “You didn’t rape me or drug me. You’ve never hurt me, and I don’t think you ever would. I’m not mad at you . . . but our relationship is going to hurt you. And now, every time you touch me I can’t help but remember . . .” he trailed off with a shudder.

“I put them all to death,” Kakashi said finally, “including your cousin and Hajime.” he gave the scribe a hard look before continuing, “Oh and Yakushi Kabuto is the troops’ new pleasure slave . . . assuming he survives the weekend, that is.”

Iruka just stared at him wide eyed. His cousin was dead. Hajime, the spark that started his current problems, was dead. He felt bad because a little voice inside himself was cheering at the news. “You know what that means, don’t you?” the warlord continued conversationally.

“What what means?” the scribe asked in bewilderment.

“Your cousin is dead. Your title and lands revert to you . . . the manor house is yours as well, and the seat on the council.” Kakashi smiled as he continued, “It’s good to know there will be at least one vote on my side in the future.”

More guests began arriving and the two drifted apart, the scribe greeting the new arrivals while Kakashi sulked in the shadows. As Kurenai had predicted, many of the officers escorted young attractive women . . . yet they all were careful to let the pregnant woman know how lovely she looked and how jealous they were of Asuma.

Both Iruka and Kakashi were surprised to see Raidou and Genma arrive together, the scribe was happy for both men, while the warlord was jealous that they had found happiness just when he had lost his. But, I’m going to get him back, the warlord swore to himself, and once I do I’ll never let go again.

Iruka fixed a plate and carried it over to where the commander was slumped. He does look terrible, he thought to himself, he hasn’t been eating or sleeping, that’s obvious. “I brought you a plate.” he said shyly, “You look like you could use a good meal . . . and a good night’s sleep as well.”

“It’s . . . been hard.” was the short reply, and a haunted look blossomed on the warlord’s face. “I never knew how out of touch I was . . . I really am a lousy leader.”

“No, you’re not . . . your men worship you, they’d follow you into hell.” the scribe retorted hotly. He lost his train of thought, however, when Kurenai suddenly wrapped her arms around her belly and doubled over.

“Asuma, it’s time.” she hissed.

“Time for what dear.” he asked, not turning his attention from the conversation he was having.

“Time for the baby, you ass.” she bellowed as she grabbed him by the ear, yanking hard before she was hit with another contraction.

One of the men ran for a medic while the young girls fluttered around helplessly and the soldiers cringed. Iruka rushed forward and helped Kurenai into the bedroom, getting her settled in bed to await the medic’s arrival.