Warlord

Chapter Thirty-One

Asuma stood off to the side of the room wringing his hands while Kurenai lay in bed, cursing the day he was born and threatening him with castration as she was hit with another contraction. “They’re coming pretty fast.” the scribe told the general with a smile, “It shouldn’t be long before the baby is born.”

The medic finally arrived and pushed through the cluster of party-goers until he came to the woman laboring in the bed. “She’s having a baby.” he said stupidly.

“Brilliant.” Asuma said sharply, “Now do something to help her.”

“I’m a field medic . . . and she’s not injured. I don’t know anything about babies.” the man retorted sharply, “What’s she doing in camp anyway? She needs a midwife.”

The general quickly sent a man into town to fetch the midwife, he just hoped Kurenai could hold on until she arrived. “General.” the scribe’s soft voice cut into his thoughts, “I’m afraid we don’t have that long . . . the baby is coming now.”

“It can’t.” Asuma panicked, “The midwife isn’t here yet.”

“Well, the baby won’t wait. We’ll just have to take care of it. You get between Kurenai’s legs and tell me if you see the head.”

“What!” his eyes bugged out at the thought.

“Just tell me when the baby starts to appear.” the large man turned grey and gulped, moving into position and cracking open an eye.

“Oh my god.” was all Asuma managed to say before he passed out cold.

“Kakashi.” Iruka yelled, “Come help me please.”

The warlord winced when he heard his name. He had no desire to see this baby being born . . . but he couldn’t let the scribe down. He hung his head and shuffled into the room while the men sent sympathetic looks his way, although no one offered to take his place.

“Could you help me move the general out of the way?” Iruka asked softly, “He’s a bit large for me.”

“That’s right, move his fat, lazy, good for nothing ass.” Kurenai ground out through clenched teeth, “I swear Asuma, I’m going to get out of this bed and kick your ass myself.”

The warlord recoiled slightly at the outburst, narrowing his eyes and peering at the petite woman intently. That confirms it, he thought, I don’t want anything to do with this.

“ . . .ashi . . .Kakashi.” he turned almost dreamily at the call of his name, the whole scene starting to take on a surreal quality most often found in his nightmares. He stopped where he was, bent at the waist to lever Asuma up enough to drag him away.

“Hmmm,” he replied absently as he pulled the general into the corner and propped him into a sitting position.

“Hurry up, I need you.” the scribe replied in a taut voice.

“What do you need ‘ruka.” the warlord said soberly as he stood and moved back to the bed.

“Hold Kurenai’s hand and help support her back when I tell her to push.” Iruka said calmly as he positioned himself, “The head is just starting to show Kurenai, so I need you to push on the next contraction.”

She thrashed her head back and forth and gritted her teeth. “No, I’m not ready.” she said.

“Sshhh Kurenai . . . just relax.” the warlord crooned as he stroked a clumsy hand over her tangled hair, “In a few minutes you’ll finally be able to hold your baby.” He helped her into position, wincing at the death grip she had on his hand.

“Aaahhhhhoooooooooooo” she wailed as the next contraction gripped her.

“Push.” the scribe urged, and Kakashi felt the bones compress in his hand as she tightened her grip and pushed. “The head is almost out.” Iruka said with a smile, “Just a few more pushes and you’ll be done . . . you’re doing wonderfully Kurenai.”

She keened again and pushed while Kakashi squeezed his eyes shut and murmured comforting phrases about how well she was doing. “The head is out.” the scribe said, “You’re almost there.”

Kakashi cracked open one eye and risked a peek. That’s got to hurt, was his only thought as his eye widened impossibly at the sight of the baby’s head . . . and when it swiveled in his direction he began to feel slightly light headed. “Uh . . .’ruka . . .” he began, but he got no further before his hand was once again crushed as another contraction swept over the laboring woman.

Suddenly he heard a slap followed by a piercing wail. “It’s a girl.” the scribe announced and Kakashi opened his eyes to see Iruka calmly holding up what appeared to be a blood and slime covered monster. “She’s perfect.” were the last words he heard as his eyes rolled up into his head and he fell bonelessly to the floor.

Iruka quickly cut the umbilical cord and toweled the baby off before placing her in the proud mother’s arms. “Say hello to your daughter Kurenai.” he said with a broad smile.

She smiled beatifically at the tiny baby and held her close while the scribe disposed of the mess. He then bent to shake the general to consciousness. “General, general, you have a little girl.” he said with a smile when his eyes finally opened.

Asuma jumped to his feet and rushed to his wife’s side while Iruka helped the warlord to his feet. “You were amazing.” Kakashi bent to whisper in his ear, sending a shiver racing through the scribe as the hot breath brushed his skin. He automatically turned towards the voice, and his lips were immediately captured in a soft kiss.

The warlord cheered internally when Iruka melted into him. Their mouths opened and they leisurely explored each other, tongues dancing as breaths quickened. Kakashi tightened his arms possessively around the scribe as he reveled in the taste and feel of the man in his arms. When they finally broke apart for air they stayed in their embrace, foreheads resting against each other.

“‘ruka, I miss you.” the warlord finally whispered, “Please come back to me.”

“I miss you too,” he responded slowly, “and I want to come back . . . but I’m just not ready yet. Will you wait for me?” he asked as his gaze was captured by worried mismatched eyes.

“Forever.” Kakashi husked with a smile before recapturing plump lips, tongues tangling sweetly, pulling back to nip teasingly at the scribe’s nose. “So . . . will you be staying at the manor house my lord?” he said with a laugh.

Iruka laughed as well, and the warlord’s heart swelled at the sound, “Yes, I suppose I will be . . . Kurenai and the baby can stay with me as well until they can travel. Then maybe we’ll all come join you.”