Warlord

Chapter Forty-Seven

“We’re here.” Iruka called out when he, Kakashi and Asuma finally struggled into the house.

“Oh thank god, I’ve missed you all.” Kurenai cried as she swept into the room with Aoi in her arms and was immediately pulled into her husband’s strong arms.

“How are my girls?” Asuma crooned as he kissed his wife and daughter, marveling over how big the baby had gotten. “She’s grown so much in just a few weeks.”

“That’s how babies are.” Kurenai replied with a smile, “That’s why you need to hang around and not go gallivanting off again.”

“Asuma and I will be staying here for the foreseeable future.” Kakashi supplied, “He won’t be going anywhere.” At least, not without me, he thought with satisfaction.

“Let’s get you settled in ‘kashi.” Iruka said in a worried voice, “This trip probably took a lot out of you.”

“I’m fine ‘ruka, really.” the warlord replied, although exhaustion was obvious in his voice.

“Well, fine or not, you’re going to go upstairs and rest . . . to humor me, if for no other reason.” the scribe insisted.

“Yes dear.” Kakashi replied with a roll of his eyes, making Asuma break out in gales of laughter.

Kurenai slapped her husband hard on the back of the head. “Iruka’s right, don’t make fun of Kakashi because he’s listening to good advice . . . maybe you should try it more often.”

“Yes dear.” the general sighed, knowing that any other answer would just lead to more argument. He looked up to see Iruka helping the warlord up the stairs, growling when the tall man turned to mouth ‘whipped’ before continuing upstairs.

Once they reached the bedroom Iruka began bustling around, helping his lover undress and slide into bed. “Aren’t you going to join me?” he asked with a pout.

“You need to rest. I’m going to take a bath and wash off the dirt from the trip, then I’ll see if Kurenai needs any help before I make us some lunch. I’ll be back when it’s time to eat.” the scribe explained.

“But I don’t want to sleep alone . . . please ‘ruka, I’ve missed you so much and I hate waking up alone.” Kakashi wheedled.

“Let’s compromise.” the scribe said thoughtfully, “I’ll sit with you until you fall asleep, then go shower and get lunch before I come back and wake you up.”

“If that’s the best I can do.” the warlord replied sullenly.

“It is.” the scribe replied tersely as he slipped between the covers, pulling the taller man to him and running soothing fingers through his hair. “I promise I’ll be here when you wake up.” he whispered as mismatched eyes hazed over and finally slipped shut.

Iruka slid silently out of bed, quickly undressing and heading into the bath, moaning in gratitude when he finally relaxed into the steaming water. He efficiently went about scrubbing his hair and body, feeling much more like himself with the dirt of travel removed.

The scribe headed downstairs, stopping halfway to listen when he heard Asuma and Kurenai talking.

“I feel bad about it sweetheart, but it had to be done. Kakashi’s been too erratic lately, the men don’t trust him since the Ibiki incident.” Asuma said gravely.

“But to relieve him of his command . . . poor Kakashi.” Kurenai fretted, “He must be horribly depressed.”

“I’m not sure he realizes what actually happened.” the general replied, “He thinks it’s because of the conspiracy . . . and it is, just not in the way he thinks.”

“If he finds out he’ll never trust you again.” Kurenai said knowingly, “You have to tell him the truth.”

“And have him execute me for treason, I think not. Look Kurenai, what he doesn’t know he can’t be upset by . . . I’ll tell him in my own time.”

“I think you’re making a big mistake. I only hope I don’t end up a widow because of this stupidity.” the petite woman grumbled.

“Look, you need to just stay out of this. I love you like crazy . . . but you can’t always expect me to just buckle under to what you want. In this case I believe I know best, end of discussion.” Asuma gritted out.

“Oh really, well I just hope you enjoy sleeping on the couch Mister I Know Best, because I don’t really want your company right now.” Kurenai yelled.

“I don’t want your company either.” Asuma screamed back, “Maybe I should see if Raidou is willing to trade places with me.”

“You do that.” Kurenai hissed, “But don’t bother to come back, good riddance to bad rubbish.”

Iruka decided he’d heard enough, he needed to step in before they did something they’d regret. “What about Kakashi?” he said calmly as he stepped into the room, “What didn’t you tell us Asuma?”

“There have been threats.” the general admitted reluctantly, “We didn’t know about Yakushi and his friends . . . but some of the men have been agitating for a change ever since Morino was put to death. It only got worse after your cousin and the others were executed for treason. We’ve been in the field for too long, the men are tired and Kakashi’s spread too thin.” Asuma looked Iruka in the eyes, hoping to convey his sincerity, “Believe me, it’s not what Rai or I want . . . but it was the only way we could see to salvage things.”

“I understand.” Iruka said sadly, realizing that his greatest fear had just come true. His relationship with the warlord was going to cost his lover everything. “This is all my fault isn’t it. If he hadn’t been protecting me ‘kashi never would have gone after Ibiki and his friends.”

“That’s not exactly true Iruka.” Asuma said thoughtfully, “The plot against Kakashi was put into motion long before you came along, even though it was revealed because of what happened to you. In reality, you probably saved his life . . . that pleasure slave might well have killed him. You were the reason he rejected Hajime . . . so you saved him.”

“If you say so.” Iruka reluctantly agreed, “Now I just need to figure out how to explain all this to ‘kashi. Kurenai’s right . . . he needs to know now.”